Ask Us Anything #14: "Becoming Your Next Self"

Emily's conversation with Stephanie Piccirilli in May of 2024 moved us in ways that were deeply complex. We heard the difficult personal journey of her father's terminal cancer. In so many ways "Al" was the star of that episode. Last week, Steph's dad found rest from his battle with cancer. Given all the lessons he taught, we wanted to honor him and Steph with this special release.  Fall feels like such a natural time to grieve, but this conversation is filled with optimism. Listen in on the rich reminders of how people who have died continue to make an impact long after they're gone.

Every month, we drop a leadership and life gem in response to listener questions. Has change made it hard to even recognize yourself? This month's listener question asks for help in reinvigorating self-love and a sense of joy. In this episode, Emily & Katie explore the pathways to finding resilience again. Ask Us Anything is a WM series hosted by Emily Drake and fellow coach, Chicagoan, and counseling professional Katie O'Malley.  How can we help you? Submit your question here. Or call 773-389-3638‬, and leave us a voicemail.

As Emily says, "Don't underestimate what you can accomplish, just by asking a question." Emily Drake's love of making meaningful connections is what drove the creation of this podcast. This is our "Listener Fav" from Season 1 of Who's MIssing? The interviewer is her boyfriend, Arnie Niekamp (Writer / Director at Jackbox Games & Host of Hello From the Magic Tavern). Arnie joins Emily to discuss how the start of this podcast coincided with one of the darkest times of her life, and how she was able to find her way back to joy.

Our month-long celebration of our most-downloaded episodes continues with someone who lives in rare air. Tess Gunty's first published novel won the 2022 National Book Award. Emily's conversation with Tess goes deep on her journey toward writing "The Rabbit Hutch" and then what it was like to live in the world it created for Tess. A heavy challenge for an introvert. Tess also talks about the need to write about women who remain the main character in their own story.

We're celebrating your good taste all month with our most-downloaded episode. This week, its our "Listener Fav" from Season 3. Catherine Zack made a HUGE leap from corporate litigator to open her own yoga studio. Without flinching, Catherine shares every step of her process. WARNING: "The right choice won't come quickly."  During this conversation, you'll learn all about planick and how we all seem to teach what we need.

This month we're celebrating our most-downloaded episodes! It's no wonder this episode stirred so many ears and emotions. Emily and Kate get personal about reclaiming the word fat. Bottom line according to Kate: the body is not there for comparison or correction or consumption by others. Your body is for you. Kate Manne is a professor of feminist, gender, and sexual studies at Cornell University. She is the author of Unshrinking: How To Face Fatphobia. Kate's Recs: Whimsical artist: Enikő Katalin Eged Watching: Why Women Kill on Paramount+ Reading & Listening: The Burnt Toast newsletter and podcast Kate wants to spotlight FatCon which debuted in Seattle in January. Philly FatCon is making a return to Philadelphia this fall. Both events feature keynote speakers, a fashion show and a vendors hall all geared towards generating Fat joy and informing the Fat experience. Learn more at FatCon.org

Every month, we drop a leadership and life gem in response to listener questions. What do you do when your partner agreement is upended? You both agreed kids weren't part of the plan. In this episode Emily guides a listener through radical acceptance, when their partner has a change of heart. Ask Us Anything is a WM series hosted by Emily Drake and fellow coach, Chicagoan, and counseling professional Katie O'Malley.  How can we help you? Submit your question here. Or call 773-389-3638‬, and leave us a voicemail.

Every month, we drop a leadership and life gem in response to listener questions. Negative self talk can be a runaway train, especially when it comes to our bodies. During this episode, Emily & Katie go head first into the reminder, your body is for YOU. Ask Us Anything is a WM series hosted by Emily Drake and fellow coach, Chicagoan, and counseling professional Katie O'Malley. 

Every month, we drop a leadership and life gem in response to listener questions. But recent events threw us into a moment, where Emily asked Katie "how do you feel about being a woman TODAY?" That's how this bonus episode was born. Our regular "Ask Us Anything" episode for August will feature a new listener question dropping August 12th. How can we help you? Submit your question here. Or call 773-389-3638‬, and leave us a voicemail.

Every month, we drop a leadership and life gem in response to listener questions. Sometimes we find relief, but is it the relief we wanted? Listen in to hear how Emily and Katie pursue the options for "Tired Lawyer," a brave listener seeking answers when it feels like they've tried everything. How can we help you? Submit your question here. Or call 773-389-3638‬, and leave us a voicemail.