How to Have a Happier Year Ahead

This is my conversation with filmmaker Emily Branham who specializes in unexpected, intimate, and deeply human films about artists. We speak about her first feature documentary, BEING BEBE, which premiered at Tribeca Festival, was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and won Jury & Audience Awards on its festival tour across 5 continents. She directs, produces, and edits short documentaries for clients including Lincoln Center, AT&T, and JP Morgan. Originally from Minneapolis, Emily studied film at Northwestern University and is currently based in New York City. In this episode, we chat about how she simplified her life to slowly, steadily, and independently finish & release a feature documentary over the course of 15+ years.  We also talk about her documentary BEING BEBE and the impact campaign/community empowerment tour for 2023.  Emily's tool for you wellness toolkit: You can do anything for 25 minutes. I have a "shaky clock" timer that you can very easily set for 5-, 25-, or 45-minute chunks, and 25-minutes is the perfect amount of time to allow yourself to write a hard email, pick up around the house, do some morning journaling or anything else that you want to knock out and are having a hard time getting started with. I thrive on deadlines, and if you focus, 25 minutes can be just right!  Be sure to check in with Emily to follow along with her new podcast about pursuing creative dreams, You Can Fly Too, coming very soon! You can also follow Emily @emilybtv on Instagram and @beingbebemovie on all things social.

Recently I have been having conversations about the podcast with both teachers and students. And what has consistently come up is the realization we have of relatability. What is relatable to a student can also be relatable to an adult.  This feels very obvious but it reminded me of a trip I had taken a few years back to Barcelona. While I was there I had the opportunity to go to Montserrat which is just outside of Barcelona in Catalonia. The name actually means "jagged mountain" in Catalan. It's an abbey at the top of a mountain, it's beautiful. And it's the main attraction is the black madonna, which is a wooden statue that was carved of the Madonna ( Jesus's mother) and over time darkened hence the name. She's the patron saint of Catalonia and therefore a pretty big tourist attraction. This leads me to my experience when I was waiting in line to see her. A social worker was in front of me and we started talking. She shared that she works at a nursing home. I said something along the lines of how that might be difficult being with people that are most likely in the final stages of life. She responded. The most difficult part was to get them to move past the stories they have always told themselves. They share how they never measured up to their parents' dreams, how they wish they would have...fill in the blank.  or they get stuck repeating the same stories of the people who betrayed them or did them wrong. You hear people say-  It's like listening to a broken record. You wish you could just tell them to pick up the needle. Stop playing the same songs. She said I wish I could tell them to just flip the damn record over. Remind them there is a whole nother side, filled with songs you haven't even heard! It made me think about the stories we tell ourselves and the thought patterns we repeat. The incessant looping. How important it is to be aware of how to talk to yourself. And know that you can change the dialogue. Who says you have to keep telling yourself the same stories?  Try this: Any time you find yourself in a thought pattern that does not serve you, interrupt it. That may look like taking a deep breath, feeling your feet on the ground, or bringing awareness to your surrounding by listening to the noises around you.  Awareness is the first line of defense. Mel Robbins has a trick when she finds herself talking smack to herself about herself. “I’m not having this thought right now” It's a way to gain control.

In this episode, we'll explore just how capable, adventurous, and resourceful you are. If those words don't seem to resonate try the "Reverse Bucket List" activity mentioned in this week's episode -to take a look at the life you have lived already. This is a great activity to end February- and begin to prepare for the spring season. By looking back, sometimes we can gain clarity on what is truly important for us going ahead. 

In this episode, we'll explore the "stories" we tell ourselves and how we have the power to change them. Often we carry stories about ourselves, others, and the world that no longer belong to us. We do not have to continue to sit in the passenger seat of our own lives by holding on to antiquated thoughts and ideas. Inspired by my conversation with a friend about Jim Kwick and his truly inspiring story. This episode reminds us, that it is on us, to take control of the stories and mindset we choose to carry around.  This episode will also provide tools for you to begin to start the day on your terms and fill your own cup. If you don't choose what goes in your cup- the world will.  Let me know your thoughts over @morningmupspodcast!! 

In this episode, I'll share my "it's too late for you" moment. And we'll talk about the importance of holding on to big dreams while also mapping out the small steps. Often the process of shifting our focus to the small areas where we can make a change- will ultimately tie us to the big dreams. We must remind ourselves of the importance of dreaming, and goal setting and create a path of success toward achieving them! 

In this episode, Lianne and I unpack the difficulties of living a holistic life with the demands of motherhood, career, and especially for her -shiftwork. We have a candid conversation exploring the importance of taking agency over our lives and not allowing time to simply pass by but instead acting on the urgency of what it takes to have a well-lived life.  Lianne is a Productivity and Meditation Coach for busy Shiftworking Moms. For the last 22 years, Lianne has served her community as a Police Officer in the City of Ottawa, Ontario, as well as a certified Meditation Teacher and Nutrition Coach. Lianne's mission is to encourage people to stop living on autopilot and to be intentional with the time that they have.   She knows how life can change in an instant. Through Meditation, Lianne helps her clients slow down, release overwhelm, and return to living in the present moment so they can create more time to do the things that light them up. Learn more about Lianne’s 21-day “Shift into Meditation” self-paced program. https://lianne-mcaughey.mykajabi.com/offers/cFEVBcb3   (REGULAR PRICE) Use code MORNINGMUGS50 OR Here is a discount link with the coupon code already applied https://lianne-mcaughey.mykajabi.com/offers/cFEVBcb3?coupon_code=MORNINGMUGS50

In this episode, we explore the Morning Mugs Coffee Chats found on @morningmugspodcast! Morning Mugs Coffee Chats are a way to connect with friends & loved ones and have meaningful, thought-inspiring conversations. The conversations are centered around the Morning Mugs Podcast. I'll also share how I have incorporated Morning Mugs at my school, where I work, to encourage community. To get started all you have to do is... Reach out to a friend, choose an episode, grab a coffee, and share:  Episode GIST Biggest TAKE-AWAY Inspired ACTION

In this episode, we take a look at the 4 questions you need to ask yourself in order to grow in the direction you want. Inspired by Indra Nooyi, ranked on the Forbes list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women- this reflection is perfect for any personal growth. Self-reflection and asking yourself hard questions are essential. I'll also share my "ah ha" moment after my interview with Jackie Janiec @Jackie_janiec on her podcast Beyond Small Talk. Our conversation allowed me to reflect on my daily habits and if they are in alignment with my goals.

In this episode, we revisit the longest study of happiness to date- and take note. The strength of our relationships is what may keep us living a fulfilled life. But when life feels busy and we have "enough" friends, how can we strengthen our relationship bonds to reap health and wellness?  Take a listen. 

"Gratitude is the path to happiness."- Neil Pasricha  In this episode, we are reminded of the constant practice of gratitude and the huge payoffs, both for the mind and the body. This is a great time of year to revisit what your practices are and to invite some new ones. Perhaps taking a look at gratitude through the lens of  "awesome" may help shape the way you see the world. This episode was inspired by Neil Pasricha, author of Our Book of Awesome.