Emily Rapp Black is back on the show to share all about her journey to self-love and acceptance through writing her most recent book, Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg. She is an author and creative writing professor who is helping others by sharing her own experience and expertise. 

Her most recent book was imagined after she spent time at the Frida Kahlo museum. Their shared experience with life-long pain and disability spoke to her and she felt the need to share more about her own story. 

She joins me today to chat about her newest book and why she was driven to reveal even more about her life. The path to self-love and acceptance is not straight. It’s truly a journey that we are living out each and every day. 

It’s perfectly normal to find yourself backsliding into self-doubt, but you should have ways to get back on track. Her latest book digs deep into the journey and ways to keep yourself moving forward in your journey. 

Listen in to hear more about Emily’s story, what she’s up to next, and why if you feel a book in you, you should write it. She truly believes we all have a story to tell, but writing a book takes time and dedication. Do you have the willpower to share your own journey?

Show Notes:

• [02:51] Why did she write Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg?
• [05:23] What did she want readers to take away from the book? 
• [07:23] How did Frida Kahlo help Emily on her own journey to self-love and acceptance? 
• [10:00] Her thoughts on getting back on track if you’ve fallen off the path toward accepting yourself.
• [11:19] Where did her awareness of Frida Kahlo begin? 
• [13:16] What did she learn about herself in writing this new book? 
• [15:15] Emily shares her thoughts on similar character traits she shares with Frida. 
• [17:21] Does she think that everyone has a story or book in them? 
• [18:23] Would it benefit aspiring writers to take classes and work on their skill? 
• [19:52] What is the best part of writing memoirs and what does she still struggle with? 
• [21:42] Her advice for those of us who are ready to start on the writing journey.
• [22:14] Connect with Emily.

Links and Resources:

• Emily’s Website
• Circe Consulting
• Emily on Instagram
  
• Emily on Facebook
• Contact Emily
• Sanctuary by Emily Rapp Black
• Frida Kahlo and My Left Leg by Emily Rapp Black
• Gina Frangello

We wonder why our relationships can’t be easier. Shouldn’t love feel like magic? Unlike magical romance movies, our love stories don’t stop at a happy ending. Relationships are more than that. What makes a long-lasting, healthy relationship?

Lesley Eccles became well-known for co-founding Fanduel, a fantasy sports company, alongside her husband. After years of development in technology, Lesley took a hard pivot into what she’s doing today. She dedicated her time toward building a self-care app called Relish.

When reflecting on her life and work, Lesley grew an interest in improving relationship management. She discovered that one of the biggest parts of relationship management is actually self-awareness.

Now, Lesley helps people understand how they show up in a relationship. Giving even more value, she talks about gaining the perspective of the other people in the relationship to have better communication. Relish supplies suggestions and guidance for navigating relationships, and Lesley is explaining the basics to get everyone started!

Show Notes:

• [01:25] Welcome Lesley Eccles and learn more about her self-care app called Relish.
• [03:25] How Lesley transitioned from Fantasy Sports to building Relish.
• [05:28] Learn what pressures inspired the purpose behind her self-care app.
• [07:55] Who does she believe has the most influence in intimate relationships?
• [10:56] What happens to relationships when burnout comes?
• [12:32] Discover which ways she says Relish can be used to keep relationships alive. 
• [15:11] How does she suggest using a relationship plan for measuring a healthy relationship?
• [16:46] Learn why Lesley warns to be careful who you take your money from.
• [19:04] How does Lesley align and organize herself everyday?
• [20:57] What activities does she do to relax in her life?
• [22:57] Hear Lesley’s advice for anyone looking to make the most of themselves and their relationships.
• [25:20] Connect with Lesley.

Links and Resources:

• Relish
• Lesley on LinkedIn
• Relish on Instagram
  
• Relish on Facebook
• Relish on YouTube

When you hear the word “cannabis” what is your first thought? Be honest. Is it that it’s a drug and why are we talking about it? For so many people, women in particular, that is the exact reaction. But what if we’ve had it all wrong all these years? 

Tekisha Harvey has spent her entire career in marketing and after leaving the corporate world, knew she wanted to dive into something new and different. That’s when she found out about the growing cannabis industry. 

After trying a few products herself, she knew that it was time to turn the conversation away from the negative propaganda that has been perpetrated for years and start talking about wellness. 

She is sharing all about how she came up with the idea for CannaCurious and why she’s passionate about spreading the cannabis for wellness message. It’s time to remember that cannabis is a plant with amazing healing properties and Tekisha is ready and willing to answer your questions!

Show Notes:

• [02:30] Welcome Tekisha Harvey and learn more about her path to CannaCurious.
• [05:43] How she came up with the idea for CannaCurious.
• [06:46] What was her experience like when trying to share the information she’d found? 
• [08:54] Learn the most surprising use for cannabis that she’s found so far. 
• [11:26] Can using CBD products help to avoid various surgeries? 
• [12:58] Who is reading her magazine? 
• [14:37] Has she had any big AHA moments? 
• [16:03] What skills has she had to learn as she’s launched CannaCurious? 
• [17:33] Where does she find information about this industry? 
• [19:13] How does she stay focused with all the distractions?
• [20:32] Is she using social media to spread the message? 
• [21:56] Hear Tekisha’s advice for anyone looking to start something that has never been done.
• [23:46] Connect with Tekisha.

Links and Resources:

• CannaCurious
• Tekisha’s Website
• CannaCurious on Instagram
  
• CannaCurious on Facebook
• CannaCurious on Pinterest

Emily Rapp Black is an author and creative writing professor who is making waves helping women to grapple with grief and find their own words. Her latest book Sanctuary, is her own memoir diving into her journey of loss and finding her resilience. So what does resilience mean to you? 

When she was initially going through the loss of her son, people kept commenting on how resilient and strong she was, but that felt off. Resilience is not the same thing as strength. You don’t have to find it, you already have it. 

Instead of thinking of resilience as something that you have to cultivate and nurture, think of it as something that you need to find within yourself. Also, know that ours is not a culture built to understand and strengthen resilience. Especially for women. 

Listen as we chat about her book, her thoughts on resilience, and why she’s so passionate about teaching others. That passion comes through every single time she mentions her students and the women in her grief group. 

We had an amazing conversation and if you’ve ever had a loss in your life, you’ll want to hear it!

Show Notes:

• [02:28] Welcome Emily Rapp Black to the show and hear a bit about her journey toward authorship. 
• [04:25] Learn more about Emily’s story and why she wrote her most recent book. 
• [05:38] How do you tap into your resilience? 
• [07:37] Does society and culture help us to adapt, shift and change? 
• [09:49] Is her story with grief and loss a part of the book in how she found her resilience? 
• [11:29] How has our perspective of death changed as a culture? 
• [14:40] Has she had any big learning moments that have stuck with her? 
• [16:28] Does she have mentors that have guided her through her writing journey? 
• [19:14] How does she stay focused and keep writing through the distraction? 
• [21:33] Emily shares her parting advice. 
• [23:07] Connect with Emily.

Links and Resources:

• Emily’s Website
• Circe Consulting
• Emily on Instagram
  
• Emily on Facebook
• Contact Emily
• Sanctuary by Emily Rapp Black