Choosing Happiness

Welcome! This week I interviewed Corey Fink. One of my longest friends. She is someone I know I can go to whenever I need it. I have been wanting to interview her for sometime now and she finally agreed! Hope you all enjoy! 

This week we get to hear from one of my favorite people on this planet, Kate Ashman. We lived in the same apartment building and were in the same YSA Ward while at BYU. I always admired her and looked up to her from afar and I finally told her I had a friend crush on her. She felt the same way, and we have been friends ever since. I can always count on her for a Chick-fil-A run and a good chat. I truly admire Kate so much, and I'm so happy she agreed to be interviewed! 

This week I have Courtney Rich, aka Cake by Courtney, on the podcast. Courtney is a self taught baker, and has been helping people for the past 5 years feel comfortable baking in their home. She teaches baking basics and uses her instagram as a platform for these lessons. She also uses her instagram as a platform for mental health awareness. Dealing with depression herself, she shares her experiences with others to help them feel less alone. I for one feel very blessed to have had Courtney on the podcast, and I am very grateful for her and the life experience she shared. We laugh and cry and share stories. You don't want to miss this episode! 

This week we have Kayla Clark on the podcast. She talks about her divorce, her move to New York City, what inspires her, and the aspects of life she needs to be happy. I love Kayla, from the day I met her I felt loved by her. She is a light to everyone around and this episode was a blast to do! 

Happy December! This week we are joined by Alexa Norton. A couple of years ago Alexa and her family suddenly lost their father. While this is a hardship that no one should have to go through, it is one that many people face; losing a loved one. Alexa talks and shares her experience with grief and the stages of grief and losing her father. She gives advice for those that want to support their friends going through this experience and also talks about her Instagram account that she runs called @griefshine. She uses this account as a space to share her experiences and to create a community that understands the pain of losing a loved one. 

 This week is probably one of my favorite episodes I have ever released. I asked all of my friends to send in responses for what they are grateful for as well as audio clips of them saying what they are grateful for. I share some research for how gratitude can help us in life as well as some bits and pieces of discourses from church leaders for the importance of gratitude. Make sure to listen to the whole episode to get the full experience of talking to all of these wonderful people! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that despite everything right now, we can find things to be grateful for. I know that gratitude will help our happiness!  

This week I was able to interview Olivia DeMordaunt. I met her while I was at BYU. We had a class together for a year while she was my TA in Model United Nations. And then the next year we were in the same ward for church. I have always loved being able to talk to Liv about life and get her perspective on things. So it was wonderful being able to chat with her about happiness, being kind to ourselves, the little things that make us happy (literally), and many more. 

This week we cover the topic of eating disorders, heartbreak, being our own influence of happiness, and SO. MUCH. MORE. Christine has such a wonderful way with words and is honestly so eloquent with her thoughts. She runs an instagram account (@ed__stories) dedicated to sharing personal stories on eating disorders and body image to open up the dialogue, break down the shame, and help even one person feel less alone. If you or a loved one suffer with an eating disorder there are resources out there to get help. If you attend BYU you can contact the Nutrition and Wellness center at the Women's Center. You can also contact the National Eating Disorder Helpline. 

Mallory Stevens is this week's guest. She and her husband are the co-founders and owners of Taft, a shoe company for men (taftclothing.com). She is a mother, a wife, and a mental health advocate. I love Mallory and her vulnerability and honesty when it comes to dealing with mental illness in the family. She is someone I admire greatly and talking to her was just what I needed. She gives wonderful words of comfort to those that feel like a burden and she is a great example of finding joy in the midst of our trials. 

I dare you to say that ice cream name 10 times fast. Maryn is a ball of light and someone I have always inspired to be more like! She is so wonderful and it was a great time during this interview! 

This week I was able to interview Jessica. We had a wonderful conversation talking about creativity and using creativity to our advantage during hard traumatic times. Jessica is the owner and founder of J. Noelle Design, a custom wedding dress company, you can find her at https://www.jnoelledesign.com/ or on instagram @jnoelle.design. She is an incredible human I loved interviewing her. 

Hey everyone! Never thought a solo episode would be so hard, but for some reason I was struggling being able to piece together my thoughts. I talk about suicide prevention month, which was September. I mention signs someone might not being doing well mentally, myths vs facts of suicide, how to end the stigma of suicide. I then talk about the events going on around the world today, such as the election (I hop on a little soapbox for a moment), BLM, the pandemic, and the documentary, The Social Dilemma.Below are some resources for suicide prevention and awareness:https://www.facebook.com/RealDepressionProject/https://projectsemicolon.com/suicide-prevention/https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-monthSuicide Prevention Lifeline:https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig:https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Stay-Alive-Matt-Haig/dp/1782115080Whytli Roger's Organizati

This week I was able to chat with a former mission companion of mine, Hannah. I have known her for about 5 years, since the first day in our mission. We clicked right away and have been best friends ever since. I've been wanting to interview her for some time now but have been worried to ask her haha. It was such a good time talking to her. We do briefly discuss a suicide that has happened to someone in her life, and I want to give a warning about that. I will be discussing suicide awareness and prevention next week in a solo episode where I give some resources for how to help those around you. 

Sweet Emily was the last interview I did in Provo before I left and listening to this while editing was so fun. Emily is so insightful and I know everyone will learn how happiness can be found, even in the simplest of things. 

I met Christopher at a going away party for our mutual friend Paige, who was my second interview! I immediately thought he was so cool and I knew I wanted to be his friend. Thank goodness Instagram is how that works now a days. Interviewing Christopher was such a delight and I loved being able to get to know him better! He shares the cutest story at the end of his grandpa, so make sure to stick around to listen to that! 

Have you ever wanted to listen to an episode of mine where we stop the interview multiple times because we are so popular in our apartment? Well you're in luck because that is EXACTLY what happens in this episode with Taylor haha. Luckily Taylor is such a wonderful sport and shared some awesome insights. I love this girl and you all will too! 

Maddie is the guest this week. I met Maddie almost 3 years ago when I first moved to Provo. We were in the same YSA ward and immediately bonded over our love for hedgehogs. Sitting down and talking to her made me realize how much more we have in common. Maddie has a heart of gold and really was such a gem to have on the podcast. 

Brandon Merrill is this week's guest. He is the music man behind the podcast and also one of my best friends. He is super into photography and philosophy and has such a great outlook on life. He also helped edit this episode a little bit so you can hear him better because I do not work well with technology, so thank you Brandon. You can find him on Instagram @musicbylank.Enjoy!! 

My lovely friend Robby was my most recent guest on the podcast! Robby is a cool dude that loves music and wants you all to know that you should play guitar when you want. And I agree, or any instrument for that matter! Hope you enjoy this week's episode! Make sure to check out our instagram @choosinghappiness.podcast

Don't speak Swedish? Don't worry, this episode is in English but Nicole wanted the title to be Swedish. It means "feel ALL the emotions" and I LOVE that! Nicole and I met in Henderson, NV where we both went to high school. She is a super great person and I loved this interview! Hope you all do as well!