Isn't It Lovely? Podcast

CW: Adult Language It’s a reconnection revolution as Rachel and Tracy welcome psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Jody Carrington to the podcast for a dynamic conversation about counteracting humanity’s loneliness epidemic with empathy, emotional regulation, and Ram Dass’ simple, but powerful observation, “we are all just walking each other home.” Tracy and Jody examine specific ways to help various communities, from teachers and healthcare responders to law enforcement officers and children, lay down their trauma and work through it in healthy ways - and why it’s essential to seek context and exchange asking, “What is wrong with you?” for “What happened to you?”. Jody and Rachel grapple with the significance of having constant access to loved ones through technology and social media, as Jody explains why it’s vital to stop trying to fix our loved ones’ problems, instead simply acknowledging the broad spectrum of necessary human emotion, from sadness and anxiety to anger and fear - not just happiness. Everyone considers the mystique of the true crime podcast, citizen journalism, and the international phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. Episode Mentions: Dr. Jody Carrington’s Website: https://www.drjodycarrington.com/ Dr. Jody Carrington’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodycarrington/?hl=en Dr. Jody Carrington’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington Dr. Jody Carrington’s Podcast: Everyone Comes from Somewhere https://www.drjodycarrington.com/podcast/ Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/47DRjkT Kids These Days: A Game Plan For (Re)Connecting With Those We Teach, Lead, & Love by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/3HmaF3m Teachers These Days: Stories and Strategies for Reconnection by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/3Hix4hZ New Surgeon General [Dr. Vivek Murthy] Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush https://amzn.to/3Hijfjo Everyone Comes From Somewhere Podcast Season 1 Episode 12: “How Trauma Shapes Our Lives” https://shows.acast.com/everyone-comes-from-somewhere/episodes/how-trauma-shapes-our-lives Dr. Peter Levine Dr. Gabor Mate Dr. Bruce Perry What Are You Loving: Dr. Jody Carrington: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship; Harper’s Bazaar: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Full Relationship Timeline” https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a45301082/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-full-relationship-timeline/ Rachel: Who Killed JFK? Podcast https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-who-killed-jfk-127000428/ Tracy: Writer Jessica Reed Kraus @houseinhabit https://www.instagram.com/houseinhabit/?hl=en

Hours before they catch a flight home to Colorado, Jimmy and Lauren Masters detail the years in the making love story of becoming adoptive parents to their youngest son. Rachel and Tracy join Jimmy in agreement that Lauren is the best; Jimmy and Lauren detail their individual journeys to saying “yes” to fostering and then watching as, “God penned the story.” From getting the initial call about a baby in the NICU to a moment in the courtroom with the biological mother, and so much more, by the end of their story there is not a dry eye in the studio. Jimmy and Lauren conclude by giving advice and encouragement to those feeling that same the nudge to foster and/or adopt. Episode Mentions: Matthew 17:20 (NIV) He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” 1 Samuel 12:16 (NIV) Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Psalms 27:13 (NIV) I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

It’s an unbeatable trifecta of energy, entrepreneurship, and encouragement as Tracy and Rachel welcome beloved local business owner and fitness instructor AshLeigh Cook to the podcast! AshLeigh shares how her lifelong love of physical activity led her to join a friend at the hot yoga classes that quite literally changed the trajectory of her life when the studio owner witnessed her passion and talent and urged her to pursue teacher training. AshLeigh explores the importance of physical activity and how it can be efficient and joyful, as well as the careful balance of celebrating health while changing the conversation around fitness culture to be more supportive and expansive, focused on general wellness and how a body feels versus how it looks. AshLeigh and Tracy outline the path to the creation of Ignite Fitness Studio during the height of a worldwide pandemic, while Rachel and AshLeigh discuss AshLeigh’s vision for a safe environment led by staff who nurture, empower, and serve the members well. Tracy confesses to a correlation between her most brilliant ideas and the endorphins resulting from yoga sculpt classes, while Rachel proposes AshLeigh produce and sell her own line of essential oils after the interview’s lighting round of questions skew heavily toward the cleanliness of the studio and the scent of its celebrated cold towels. Episode Mentions: AshLeigh’s Instagram: @ashbcook Ignite’s Website: https://ignitefitness.studio/ Ignite’s Instagram: @ignitesiouxfalls605 Ignite’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IgniteSiouxFalls605/ Perler Beads https://amzn.to/3XCm9H5 Third Place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place Snuggie/Wearable Blanket https://amzn.to/435iMtx What Are You Loving: AshLeigh: Summer and the special moments she’s been having with people Tracy: Collapsible Travel Cooler Bag https://amzn.to/3NSr1EU Rachel: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld https://amzn.to/4384cBk

They’ve gone country! Dust off your boots and don the rhinestones to join Tracy and Rachel as they welcome country musician and philanthropist Trey Taylor to the show! Billed as the youngest African-American in country music history when he showed up on the Nashville scene at age 16, Trey shares how he fell in love with traditional country music (and its grande dame Dolly Parton) at the tender age of eight. This affinity led to the passion, discipline, and drive that resulted in a storybook ending of being signed to Dolly’s own producer by the time he was 16 years old. Trey explores the ways his signature style and faith in his dreams sustained him during years of bullying and misunderstanding, while emphasizing the importance of both respecting and entertaining an audience. Trey further explains how in the midst of a rigorous 300-show year upon graduating from high school he determined that 10 percent of his shows would be devoted to raising money for worthy causes, making philanthropy a cornerstone of his career. (Local listeners are invited to join Trey on Thursday, September 28, 2023 for An Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor to benefit anti-human trafficking organization Call to Freedom.) Trey and Rachel agree that sometimes you should meet your heroes, while Tracy and Trey celebrate the mash-up of culture and style and that all people really need are “three chords and the truth”. Trey Taylor Website: http://www.treytaylormusic.com/ Trey Taylor Instagram: @treytaylorofficial Trey Taylor Facebook: Trey Taylor Music Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor Event (A Benefit for Call to Freedom) https://calltofreedom.org/events/intimate-evening-with-trey-taylor/ Call to Freedom Website: https://calltofreedom.org/ Call to Freedom Instagram: @calltofreedomsd Dolly Parton Ronnie Milsap Glen Campbell Kenny Rogers Johnny Cash

It’s a celebration of collaboration and empathy as Isn’t it Lovely? welcomes community leader Rich Merkouris to the podcast! After reflecting on a childhood that encouraged outreach, Rich identifies the life-changing moment a casual joke to a college professor set him on a trajectory to engage with his community in a personal way. Rich and Tracy discuss the notion of holy discontent and the ways the entrepreneurial spirit thrives in the nonprofit/service sector — and when it’s equally vital to set individual ideas down to creatively partner with others. Rich and Rachel explore the importance of humanizing social issues, preserving dignity, and challenging personal biases to compassionately acknowledge the complex dynamics of addiction, mental health, and accessibility. In an inspiring call to action, Rich reminds listeners that the core issue for so many individuals is hope and that success doesn’t have to be either/or; it can be both/and. Rachel and Tracy conclude the episode with a years in the making love letter to Sioux Falls, its people, and...its airport. Episode Mentions: Rich Merkouris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richmerkouris/ Empower Sioux Falls Website: https://www.empowersiouxfalls.com/ Randell Beck Sioux Falls Hope Coalition - https://www.sfhopecoalition.org/ 211 Helpline Center - https://www.helplinecenter.org/ Jacky’s Restaurant - http://www.jackysrestaurants.com/ Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sioux Falls Regional Airport -https://www.sfairport.com/