Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed all three dinner options. Each meal was very veggie-forward and easy to prepare. While I had to use multiple pans for each, cleanup was still fairly quick. The recipe instructions detailed what to do and when, so all meal components were ready to be assembled and served at the same time.
Not all meal kits have pre-portioned components, but with Green Chef the ingredients were diced, chopped, and measured, saving me significant prep time. I was also impressed by the sauces that came with some of the meals. The lemon crema sauce for the chicken was rich and tart, keeping the chicken breast moist (which isn’t always easy). The miso-tahini sauce offered a nuttiness to the cauliflower & couscous bowl and left me wishing I could buy a bottle to have on hand.
The Sunny Southwest Beef Patties tasted delicious, with flavors I never would have thought to combine. This and the Roasted Chicken meal were relatively low on net carbs, each with the carbohydrate component coming from root vegetables. I’ve been (albeit somewhat unintentionally) eating lower-carb meals for dinner and was pleased to find that the recipes didn’t rely on grains as a base.
Each dinner recipe was still just as tasty when reheated for lunch the following day, which is good news for anyone who is deterred by the thought of having leftovers.
I’m usually a big pancake lover, but the Keto Cinnamon Ricotta Pancakes just didn’t do it for me. The ricotta cheese and creme fraiche made the pancakes quite dense and the almond flour didn’t allow for as smooth a batter as I prefer. Someone following a strict keto diet or who is more accustomed to baking with almond flour may enjoy this recipe more than I did.
I was living with my brother and his roommate, and they both got COVID, too. Over a few weeks, I watched them recover, and I realized the same wasn’t happening for me. My symptoms were getting slightly better, but a few weeks in, my progress plateaued. Once I hit weeks four, five, and even six, I realized I wasn’t feeling any kind of improvement.
I was still experiencing trouble breathing—even if I just had to walk up the stairs, it was really hard to catch my breath. If I did any kind of physical activity, my heart rate was 20 to 30 beats per minute higher than it had been before getting sick. I felt like I would get heart palpitations really easily. But the most overwhelming symptom was the extreme exhaustion—it got to the point I was really having trouble moving through just about any daily task.
Mere months before, I was exercising intensely almost every single day. Then, all of the sudden, none of that was possible.
I eventually reached out to medical practitioners to see what they could do. Fortunately, the medical doctors I was seeing were understanding of my experience, and they never doubted what I was going through. However, the understanding of post-COVID symptoms was pretty limited, especially so early in the pandemic. They did all kinds of scans to check for organ damage, and pretty much every test imaginable to look at my lounge and heart. But they never found anything out of the ordinary. At the time, they were really playing a trial-and-error game to figure out what was causing my lingering symptoms.
Periodically, I would go back to the doctors to see if they had any more insight or expertise on the topic, based on what they were seeing with other patients. I ended up taking antibiotics, prednisone, a couple different inhalers—and those were just a few of the different treatment options doctors tried. However, none of them really made an impact on my symptoms.
Ophira and Tali Edut, known as the AstroTwins, are professional astrologers based out of New York and Seattle. Their work has been featured in The New York Times, Elle, Vogue, and Good Morning America. They have been dubbed “astrologers to the stars” after reading for notable celebrities, including Beyoncé, Emma Roberts and Stevie Wonder. The AstroTwins have collaborated with Nordstrom, Kate Spade and Urban Outfitters, among other major brands. They have authored four print books: AstroStyle, Love Zodiac, Shoestrology, and Momstrology, and have a growing collection of ebooks, including their popular annual horoscope guides.
Look, the main component of hair (about 95% of it, in fact) is the protein keratin. And in order for the body to make keratin, you need amino acids (or building blocks of protein). That’s where collagen comes into play: Specifically, collagen supplements that contain proline, an amino acid that promotes hair growth, can help create the protein that makes hair and supports growth.
You can read more about collagen for hair here, but know that our specialized blend is the best of the best. It contains 17.7 grams of grass-fed bovine hydrolyzed collagen peptides, as well as other hair-healthy ingredients like biotin, hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, curcumin from turmeric extract and sulforaphane from broccoli seed extract.*
What a tester says:
“Since incorporating it into my diet, my hair is shiny as ever, my skin feels more hydrated and firm, and my nails are strong and not breaking as easily.*” —Maggie Michalczyk, RDN
People often think of the practical side of medicine. It’s a very hands-on profession that needs continued skill. However, medical writing also plays a crucial role in medical advancements and helping with healthcare learning.
Why does medical writing matter so much? Dr. James Murtagh is one doctor who’s also made it a mission to give back with well-researched medical writing. While time-consuming and challenging at times, Dr. James Murtagh’s passion for writing makes it much more enjoyable for him.
What is Medical Writing?
Medical writing creates clear and accurate written communications about medical information for various audiences, such as healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients. Medical writers use their scientific and medical knowledge and research to create various documents.
Clinical Study Reports
These documents summarize the results of clinical trials and are used by regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies to support the approval and marketing of new drugs and medical devices.
Regulatory Documents
Regulatory documents, such as Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and New Drug Applications (NDA), are used to seek approval from regulatory agencies.
Examples include the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). They’re used to develop and market new drugs and medical devices.
Patient-facing Materials
Consider documents such as informed consent forms, patient brochures, and package inserts to inform patients about the benefits and risks of a particular treatment or medical device.
Scientific Publications
Scientific publications, such as research articles, review articles, and case studies, are used to disseminate the results of medical research to the scientific community.
Medical Education Materials
These documents, such as slide decks, e-learning modules, and training manuals, provide healthcare professionals with information about new medical treatments, procedures, and technologies.
Dr. James Murtagh has worked a lot with medical education materials and scientific publications. While focusing on very complex topics at times, only extremely knowledgeable professionals can pull it off.
Medical writers work closely with other medical professionals, such as physicians, researchers, and regulatory affairs specialists, to ensure that their written communications are accurate, precise, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
What Makes Medical Writing Important?
Medical writing is essential for several reasons. It helps to ensure that the results of medical research get clearly and accurately communicated to a wide range of audiences, including other researchers, healthcare professionals, and the general public.
This is crucial for advancing the field of medicine, as it allows others to build on previous research and make discoveries.
This type of writing also plays a vital role in the regulatory process for new drugs and medical devices before hitting the market.
Medical writers work with researchers and pharmaceutical companies to create detailed documents outlining the safety and efficacy of a new treatment. After that, submission to regulatory agencies for approval takes place.
Another reason why medical writing matters comes down to helping ensure patients remain well-informed about their health and treatment options.
Medical writers create patient education materials (like brochures and websites) that explain medical conditions and treatments in easy-to-understand language.
This helps patients make informed decisions about their healthcare while better understanding their condition and treatment.
No one should overlook that medical writing is a massive aspect of the medical field that helps to advance the field of medicine and improve patient care.
By providing clear and accurate information about medical research, treatments, and therapies, in written form, medical writing helps ensure that informed decisions are made while providing the best possible care to patients.
Finding Quality Writers in Medicine
Quality writing matters in medicine, but one of the hardest things is finding professionals willing to share information effectively. Many medical professionals are busy with clinical work and may not prioritize writing.
Doctors like Dr. James Murtagh can make an impact through writing, which he enjoys. Writing doesn’t have to be entirely complicated, but there needs to be a slightly technical side to everything. It should be easy to read and understand, but details are important.
Some companies and organizations pay more money to employees who write consistently and post content. Not only does it help the organization as a whole, but it can help advance medicine.
How Dr. James Murtagh Uses Writing For Work and Fun
Dr. James Murtagh is a trained pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine doctor. He’s helped out many over the years, and his love for medical writing has opened up plenty of opportunities.
A merit scholar and Westinghouse Science Award recipient, Dr. James Murtagh has earned several awards as an essay writer in the medical field. In many ways, he finds it just as rewarding as being a practicing doctor.
Advancing Telemedicine Through Medical Writing
Dr. James Murtagh believes that one of the keys to success in medicine going forward is to focus on telemedicine. Virtual consultations, meetings, follow-ups, and more can revolutionize efficiency.
Specific medical writing will be a significant component of appropriate telemedicine. Medical writers can assist in telemedicine by creating clear and accurate patient education materials, such as consent forms, instructions for using telemedicine technology, and information about the benefits and risks of telemedicine.
They can also assist in developing protocols and guidelines for telemedicine consultations and create training materials for healthcare providers using telemedicine technology.
Medical writers also have a chance to help prepare manuscripts and presentations to disseminate the results of telemedicine research studies. They are essential in ensuring that telemedicine benefits patients and healthcare providers.
Why The Medical Community Always Needs Writers
Without writers, there would be a massive void in the medical field. Practicing medicine gets all the recognition, but learning starts with writing. Dr. James Murtagh sees medical writing as a chance to stay connected to the field for years to come.
Many students feel their hearts beat faster when they mention the word dissertation. Final-year students experience stress from the thought of this final paper. Every student has a question. “What for I write my dissertation? Just to finish college or I can use it somehow else?”
Many students find dissertation writing difficult. There is a huge benefit to these difficulties. Your career can be boosted by completing your dissertation in a timely manner.
What are the main factors employers look at when hiring someone to write dissertations? Employers look beyond their experience in the field they are interested in. They also consider their other skills such as their problem-solving and research patterns.
Writing dissertations shows you are capable of going above and beyond the tasks you have been asked to. Many undergraduate programs don’t require you to write one. Students also learn perseverance, dedication, intuition, as well as self-motivation.
It is a good idea for students to always keep their future career in mind when writing their dissertation. You might be interested in becoming a social media coordinator. Your hard work and research will prove to the employer that this is a field you love and are passionate about.
You’ll be able to work independently
It is a great feeling for candidates to be hired by employers. This gives them the ability to work on their own and allow them to supervise other tasks. However, dissertation writing should be properly researched and written. Poorly written content won’t speak well about you. When the dissertation is properly researched and written, it will be accepted. Employers will assume that you have done your research and are able to write the dissertation on your own.
Improve your skill
Employers are looking for top-notch candidates in today’s highly competitive market. They need to be able to write dissertations and possess the necessary skills. Employers are looking for personality and skill traits.
Self-motivation
A well-researched thesis can have a positive impact on your job search and career. This tells your employees more than your skills. It also reveals your personality.
It is difficult to complete your dissertation within the deadline given if you have a high tolerance for time.
If you can complete all tasks within a specified timeframe, it is a sign that you are willing and able to work hard to accomplish the task once you have been hired. Remember that your dissertation must be completed with perseverance, dedication, and self-motivation. These are essential for survival in any work environment.
Opportunities to gain knowledge
Writing a dissertation requires a lot of research, but this is something you will be able to benefit from in the long term. You will become an expert in your field.
Employers are always looking to hire candidates with a solid knowledge of the job they are applying for. You don’t need a degree to be able to work in this field.
Online platforms are plentiful and can give you some ideas for your future career. However, if you use an online platform to help you with homework, then they will not only provide the best guidance but will also help you with dissertation writing services. If you need more information about dissertation writing services, please let me know. We are here to help you no matter where you may be.
When we are young children, we find that we have a lot of fears. We’ll tell our parents we think there are monsters under the bed, and can only go to sleep after they’ve checked and assured us they are not there. Sometimes we wake up with nightmares, and can only get comfort if we wake up our parents and they tell us we are safe. We also have things that can cause pain in life, like when we fall when we are running and skin our knees.
Another common cause of fear may come from our earliest visits to the dentist. As a young child, having to hold still for quite a while and having a dentist drill into a tooth with a cavity can be quite unnerving. Even for adults the sound of the drill and the feeling of a tooth being drilled is quite intense. It’s not difficult to imagine how that experience is even further magnified when you are just a child. So it’s no wonder that, as adults, many of us still have a fear of going to the dentist.
Reduce Your Fear With Sedation Dentistry
If you have fear or anxiety about going to the dentist and getting dental procedures done, then you are far more likely to avoid going in for appointments at all. This can leave you vulnerable to oral health issues, potential loss of teeth and gum disease. It’s serious if you leave gum disease untreated, because the bacteria can actually cross over into your bloodstream and adversely affect your heart.
When you go to a sedation dentist, your anxiety and fears will be eased because you will be sedated while any necessary dental work is done. The dental procedures will be pain-free and you’ll be able to once again take care of your oral health.
What’s Involved with Sedation Dentistry
During a visit to a dentist who offers sedation, you’ll likely find that they administer Oral Conscious Sedation (“OCS”). OCS provides an effective means to greatly reduce any fear and anxiety associated with visits to the dentist or dental procedures. You’ll want to choose a dentist that is licensed for OCS, and has significant experience using this therapy.
No IV drugs are necessary. To start the sedation a crushed pill is simply placed under the tongue, where it dissolves. Triazolam, whose brand name is Halcion, is the most likely medication. There are over half a million documented cases of safe use of this in dental settings.
The Benefits of OCS
There are multiple benefits when patients are treated with Oral Conscious Sedation. Because patients are totally relaxed under OCS, multiple procedures can be done during a single visit with no issues at all. This further helps reduce the anxiety that would have been associated with having to come back to the dentist for multiple visits.
With the sedation process, the patient experiences a form of anterograde amnesia. Rather than the pain that might have been felt from a regular dental visit, in this case the experience is totally pain free. Because the individual is sedated, the mind can’t form any negative memories associated with the dental procedures. This in turn reduces the association of dental visits being something that one should fear.
In order for any business to thrive, you need to have a team of employees that are well-trained. A company without this will find that performance can suffer and it can lead to many staffing issues, which is why you need to make sure that staff training is a priority within your business.
What is Staff Training?
Essentially, employee training is the process of educating employees and developing skills that will help them to thrive in their roles and carry out their duties with confidence. When each employee is effective within their role, the entire organisation can flourish. It is obviously important to train staff as part of onboarding, but it is also important to provide ongoing training to sharpen skills, teach them new technologies and develop new skills that will help them to progress.
Benefits of Employee Training & Development
The benefits of employee training and development are wide-ranging. Obviously, having employees that have the skills and knowledge to thrive in their roles is helpful in terms of improving individual, team and business performances, but the benefits go beyond this. Employee training and development can keep staff engaged and motivated and strengthen relationships between management and employees. It can also be used to address skills gaps, save the business money, prevent bad habits from forming and help to keep the business modern when you implement new technology and software.
Training can also keep employees loyal to your business. If you are providing employees with the opportunity to learn new things and improve their abilities, they will be more likely to stay put. This is particularly true if you also promote from within and offer career development opportunities for your team.
When Training Won’t Solve Your Problems
While there are many benefits to training and it is vital for your company’s success, you will not find that it solves all of your problems. You need to first consider the reasons why training is needed as often this comes down to overcomplicated workflows, unrealistic targets and unmotivated staff. This is why you should always try to simplify processes, ensure that employees have a manageable workload and keep your team happy and motivated at work. If you have issues relating to performance that you do not know how to solve, you will find it helpful to enlist the services of business consultants that can identify issues and find the best ways to improve your business.
Every business needs to make employee training a priority. To find success in business, you need to have an entire team of employees that have the skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in their role and training is key for this. Training can also keep your team engaged, but you need to be aware that training will not fix all issues and you may need to adjust processes and workloads as well.
Just make sure you take it slow with your handstand and don’t be an “Overeager Beaver,” a label we define in our guide “15 Mistakes That Newbies Make When Trying to Get Healthy.”
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Don’t neglect your pull muscles when creating your bodyweight workout. Here are the top 7 to include:
#1) INVERTED BODYWEIGHT ROW (HIGH):
An inverted bodyweight row can be a great “pull” exercise if you can’t do a pull-up yet, or if you don’t have a proper pull-up bar nearby. Because a good sturdy table can be used for inverted rows:
Alternatively, you could do doorframe rows if your table seems sketchy:
#2) INVERTED BODYWEIGHT ROW (LOW):
Once you get comfortable doing an inverted bodyweight row, try going lower to increase the difficulty.
You can check out The 5 Best Pull-up Alternatives for more ideas on how to perform rows, including how to build your own station:
Our next stop on building a bodyweight workout finds us at the core. Here are the 10 best exercises to include:
#1) REVERSE CRUNCH:
#2) KNEE-PLANK:
#3) PLANK:
#4) SIDE PLANK:
#5) HIP BRIDGE HOLD:
#6) HANGING KNEE TUCK:
#7) JUMPING KNEE TUCK:
#8) HOLLOW BODY HOLD:
The hollow body is one of the best ways to engage the midsection and stabilize the body. We utilize the hollow body exercise as part of our strategy for getting your first handstand.
Once you get comfortable holding the position, try…
You now have a bodyweight workout you can do in your own home.
You can mix and match from each category or progress to more difficult moves as you get stronger.
Now, you don’t HAVE to do these exercises at home. You can even do them while exercising around the world, as I did!
If you want to learn all the fine details of building a workout, make sure you check out our extensive guide “How to Build Your Own Workout Routine.“ It’ll walk you through creating a program of bodyweight exercises – or using weights if you want to train in a gym.
Don’t want to bother creating your own bodyweight workout? No problem, I have two options for you:
Start at the Beginnerworkout and move onto the Advanced when it becomes easy.
This should help you get started with a bodyweight training routine. But we hear frequently that people want MORE instruction, MORE guidance, and MORE workouts.
If that’s you, we have MULTIPLE options to take the next step. Pick the option below that best aligns with your goals and timeline:
1) If you want step-by-step guidance, a custom bodyweight training program that levels up as you get stronger, and a coach to keep you accountable, check out our killer 1-on-1 coaching program:
2) If you want an exact blueprint for working out at home, check out NF Journey. Our fun habit-building app helps you exercise more frequently, eat healthier, and level up your life (literally).
Try your free trial right here:
3) Join the Rebellion! We need good people like you in our community, the Nerd Fitness Rebellion.
Sign up in the box below to enlist and get our guide, Strength Training 101: Everything You Need to Know. It’ll help you start incorporating these bodyweight moves into your training.
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Everything you need to know about getting strong.
Workout routines for bodyweight AND weight training.
How to find the right gym and train properly in one.
Alright, your turn: I’d love to hear how your bodyweight training is going!
Did you make your own workout?
Try one of ours?
Include different moves we didn’t cover today?
Leave a comment below with your results or any questions you have on bodyweight training.
This study is limited in that it doesn’t explain why women experience bloat more often than men, nor does it tell us what we can do about it. That said, it’s still a step in the right direction. “Anecdotally, we often hear about bloating in the clinic, but this study adds concrete evidence to describe how commonly it occurs and what other conditions it’s associated with…To our knowledge, this is among the largest studies of bloating in the U.S.,” said Speigel.
Hopefully, this study will help us understand that bloating is a real condition, it’s common, and we can all be comfortable talking about it because it affects so many of us.
As we continue to learn more about bloating, we can lean on the tools we have at our disposal right now, which include things like:
Ashwagandha has been used in Ayurveda for centuries, and today, has been shown in research to decrease cortisol levels1, the body’s stress hormone.*
As integrative physician Cindy Tsai, M.D. previously explained to mbg, “Ashwagandha helps to regulate various brain pathways and decrease cortisol levels overall so that we can stay calm and relaxed,” adding, “It’s soothing and especially helpful for those who are feeling ‘wired and tired,’ anxiousness, and stressed.”*
But the best way to get these benefits is to ensure your ashwagandha has high glycowithanolide content. Glycowithanolides are the unique plant compounds (aka phytonutrients) in ashwagandha that deliver its health benefits in the body, and ashwagandha extracts with a glycowithanolide content of 20% or higher are considered higher quality and more premium.
In terms of dosage, clinical research suggests that at a dose of 120 to 240 mg, ashwagandha extract can provide benefits of enhanced mood and stress relief2, along with a reduction in key stress biomarkers (e.g., cortisol).*
Many workout routines claim to bring immense benefits to your body, some in a short amount of time. According to Andrew Demetre, Charleston fitness coach, some of these workout routines are worth incorporating into your program, while others are not.
So, what’s the case with German Volume Training or GVT? Its claim was that it would allow you to experience big gains in strength while adding up to 12 pounds of muscle in just 12 weeks.
Does GVT work? Andrew Demetre, Charleston fitness coach, examines this workout routine below.
What is German Volume Training?
The basis of GVT is doing 10 sets each of 10 reps. It’s obviously very similar in design to the 5-by-5 system, of course, but there are a lot of differences.
In addition to the specific number of sets and reps, there are also very defined periods of rest, load, and a recommended tempo.
To perform GVT, you’ll lift the same weight or load in every set. The load that you should select should be easy for you to lift at first. Most experts suggest having a load that’s approximately 60% of your one-repetition maximum, or 1RM. You could typically lift this load for roughly 20 reps.
In between each of your sets, you want to rest between 60 and 90 seconds before you do the next set.
The Thought Behind GVT
Canadian strength coach Charles Poliquin is the person who popularized GVT, and he claimed that German weightlifters who followed the exercise program were able to go up an entire weight class in an off-season preparation period. This means they were able to gain about 10 to 12 pounds of muscle in only 12 weeks.
One of the most famous weightlifters who used GVT extensively was Jacques Demers of Canada, who was an Olympic medalist in the sport. He was known for having huge legs.
Poliquin, who wrote a book about the program, said that it targets motor units and exposes them to repeated volume. In response, the body adapts by “hypertrophying” the fibers that are being targeted.
Is GVT All It’s Built Up to Be?
Many fitness experts tout the benefits of GVT, and for good reason. Andrew Demetre, Charleston fitness coach, says that the workout regimen certainly will help to increase your muscle mass. There’s no denying the benefits of the approach in terms of volume, load, and rest.
That being said, German Volume Training is probably no better or worse than other programs. Some other workout regimens will even work better for certain people, depending on their makeup.
So, while GVT is definitely a workout regimen that you could consider incorporating into your program, it’s not the be-all, end-all for building muscle mass in a short period of time.
As always, finding a workout regimen that’s right for you and keeps you interested and involved is important.
About Andrew Demetre
Andrew Demetre, Charleston health coach, physical trainer, and bodybuilder, first found his calling during the pandemic when he realized that many of his clients preferred working out from home. These days, Demetre uses his expertise to train clients from home, whether in the greater Charleston area or worldwide. Andrew firmly believes every client can achieve their ideal body through hard work and dedication — no gym membership needed.
It is a gladness to be able to call one’s daily work a labor of love, and to have that labor put food on the table the way any work does, dishwashing or dentistry. And yet such labors of diligence and devotion — the kind William Blake called “eternal work” — are somehow different, different and more vulnerable, for they enter the world in a singular spirit and are recompensed in a singular spirit, distinct from dentistry or dishwashing.
That spirit is the spirit of a gift — not the transaction of two commodities but the interchange of two mutual generosities, passing between people who share in the project of a life worth living.
A year before I was born, the poet Lewis Hyde taxonomized that vital and delicate distinction between work and labor in his eternally giving book The Gift: How the Creative Spirit Transforms the World (public library) — a timeless inquiry into what it takes to harmonize “the inner gift that we accept as the object of our labor, and the outer gift that has become a vehicle of culture.”
Work is what we do by the hour. It begins and ends at a specific time and, if possible, we do it for money. Welding car bodies on an assembly line is work; washing dishes, computing taxes, walking the rounds in a psychiatric ward, picking asparagus — these are work. Labor, on the other hand, sets its own pace. We may get paid for it, but it’s harder to quantify. “Getting the program” in AA is a labor. It is likewise apt to speak of “mourning labor”: when a loved one dies, the soul undergoes a period of travail, a change that draws energy. Writing a poem, raising a child, developing a new calculus, resolving a neurosis, invention in all forms — these are labors. Work is an intended activity that is accomplished through the will. A labor can be intended but only to the extent of doing the groundwork, or of not doing things that would clearly prevent the labor. Beyond that, labor has its own schedule. Things get done, but we often have the odd sense that we didn’t do them… We wake up to discover the fruits of labor.
At the heart of the distinction is the recognition that those fruits are offered to the world not as a service or a transaction but as a gift — “the gift we long for, the gift that, when it comes, speaks commandingly to the soul and irresistibly moves us.” The challenge arises when we try to reconcile the spiritual ecosystem of gifts with the material market economy within which they dwell — the economy of sustenance and solvency of which every modern person partakes just in the course of staying alive.
An epoch before Patreon and Kickstarter and Substack, Hyde issues a clarion call for honoring the gifts we receive:
If we really valued these gift labors, couldn’t we pay them well? Couldn’t we pay social workers as we pay doctors, pay poets as we do bankers, pay the cellist in the orchestra as we pay the advertising executive in the box seat? Yes, we could. We could — we should — reward gift labors where we value them. My point here is simply that where we do so we shall have to recognize that the pay they receive has not been “made” the way fortunes are made in the market, that it is a gift bestowed by the group. The costs and benefits of tasks whose procedures are adversarial and whose ends are easily quantified can be expressed through a market system. The costs and rewards of gift labors cannot.
Art by William Blake for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Available as a print.)
In a sentiment that gladdens those of us who offer the fruits of our labors freely and are sustained by what is given freely in return, he adds:
The spirit of a gift is kept alive by its constant donation… The gifts of the inner world must be accepted as gifts in the outer world if they are to retain their vitality.
Starting your own business is not easy, and it takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and planning in order to make sure that you have all the pieces in place.
The Steps Below Provide An Outline Of How To Start A Business:
Step 1: Determine What Type of Business You Want to Start
The first step in starting your own business is determining what type of business you want to start. Ask yourself, “What do I enjoy doing, and am I passionate about?” You should strive to create a product or service that you are truly passionate about. This way, the process of turning your dream into a reality will be more meaningful and rewarding.
Once you have settled on an idea, research different types of businesses within the same category, and consider factors such as market size, profitability potential, capital requirements, competition levels, and regulatory requirements for each option. Narrow down your list to two or three options that best match your interests and goals.
Step 2: Create a Business Plan
Creating a business plan is essential to the success of your new business. A well-crafted plan will serve as a blueprint for building and managing your business. It should include an executive summary, company overview, market analysis, competitive landscape, sales, and marketing strategy, operations plan, financial plan, and implementation timeline.
The key is to be realistic with your goals and objectives. You’ll want to create achievable milestones that you can use to measure progress along the way. Also, use data whenever possible in order to back up assumptions or predictions about the future of your business.
Here are some tips on how to create a business plan:
Research the Market:
Before starting on your actual document, it’s important to understand the market that you are going into. Researching competitors, customer trends, industry news, and other market data will help you gain insight into how successful businesses in this space have achieved success and what strategies they used that can be applied to your own venture.
Set Clear Goals and Objectives:
Once you have a strong understanding of the market, it’s time to set clear goals for your business. These should be measurable objectives that can help you track progress over time and ensure that you are staying on course as you launch and grow your business.
Establish a Business Model:
There are many types of business models available, so make sure to choose one that fits the needs of your company and the vision you have for it in the future. This will help guide not only how you operate today but also how you scale over time.
Identify Your Target Audience:
Knowing who your customers are and what they’re looking for will help you craft a business plan that is tailored to their needs. This understanding should extend beyond just demographics, such as age and gender; also consider their values, lifestyle, interests, pain points, and more.
Describe Your Products and Services:
Next, outline all of the products or services that your company offers and how they are differentiated from similar offerings on the market. Be sure to include relevant pricing information and any strategic partnerships or collaborations that could add value for your customers.
Develop Strategic Growth Plans:
Once you have identified key customer segments and outlined the various offerings of your business, it’s important to develop robust plans for growth over time. Consider expansion strategies, such as introducing new products or services and entering new markets.
Outline Your Financial Plan:
Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to create a financial plan for your business. This should include budgeting and forecasting information that outlines how much it will cost to launch the business and what kind of return on investment can be expected over time.
Writing a comprehensive business plan is an important part of starting any business venture. By following these steps, you’ll have an effective roadmap that will help guide your company as it grows and develops over time. With this in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to face any potential challenges that may come up along the way!
Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash
Step 3: Secure Funding
Once you have developed your plan, it’s time to gather financing. Consider whether you need to take out a loan, secure an investor, or apply for grants. Make sure your financial plan reflects the funds that you’ll need to get started and operate until your business is profitable.
If you decide to pursue financing from banks or venture capitalists, be prepared to answer questions about your business strategy, competitive advantage, and anticipated returns on investments. Have all of this information ready before meeting with potential lenders and investors.
Step 4: Register Your Business
Once you have secured enough funding to launch your business, it’s time to register it with the state where you plan on operating. This will typically involve filing paperwork and paying the appropriate fees in order to obtain a business license. You may also need to register any trademarks or service marks associated with your business.
In addition, you’ll want to establish a business entity, such as an LLC or corporation, in order to protect yourself from personal liability. Consult with a lawyer or accountant who specializes in small business formation in order to make sure that you are taking all the necessary steps.
Step 5: Market and Promote Your Business
The final step is promoting your business so that it can start attracting customers. Developing a comprehensive marketing plan should be your first priority, as this will lay out the strategy for getting the word out about your company and its services or products. Consider developing campaigns on social media, print advertisements, radio spots, television commercials, and other channels.
Once you have a marketing plan in place, start executing it. It’s important to monitor the effectiveness of your campaigns so that you can adjust as necessary. You should also consider attending trade shows or conferences related to your field, as these are great opportunities for networking and gaining exposure.
Step 6: Create a Business Website
Creating a website for your business is essential in this digital age. This will serve as a platform to showcase your products and services, provide customers with needs-based information, and establish an online presence.
Be sure to optimize your site for both desktop and mobile devices, use a website chat tool, include quality content that speaks to the needs of potential customers, and make sure all contact information is up-to-date. Additionally, consider using search engine optimization (SEO) tactics such as keyword research and link building in order to increase visibility on search engines like Google.
Once you have a basic plan for how your website will look and function, it’s time to start building the actual site. This process can vary depending on the platform you choose,
But there are some key steps to follow:
Get a domain name.
It’s important to choose an easy-to-remember domain name that represents your business. When selecting a domain registrar, consider factors such as price, customer service, and renewal policies before making your decision.
Choose a web hosting provider.
For most websites, shared hosting is enough; however, if you plan on having lots of visitors or traffic on your site, then it might be worth investing in VPS or dedicated servers instead. Research various hosting providers to find the best fit for your needs.
Design your website and create content.
Once you have a host, it’s time to start building your site. Start by designing the look and feel of your site using HTML, CSS, and other coding languages as necessary. Then use content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress or Drupal to populate your site with text, images, videos, and other multimedia formats.
Test and launch the website.
After you’ve built out the site, make sure to test it across multiple browsers and devices to ensure that everything works properly before going live. If all looks good, then you can finally launch the website!
Photo by Igor Miske on Unsplash
Step 7: Utilize Technology
Technology plays a major role in the success of any business. From customer management software to accounting and invoicing programs, there are an endless array of options available that can streamline processes and help you run your business more efficiently.
Take the time to research which tools would be beneficial for your specific industry or company size. Many platforms offer free trials so that you can test them out before committing to a purchase.
Step 8: Monitor Performance and Make Adjustments
Once you have implemented all of these steps and your business is up and running, it’s important to track performance metrics such as revenue, customer acquisition rate, customer retention rate, cost per sale, etc. Use this data to continually refine and improve your business operations.
It’s also important to seek feedback from customers and employees in order to identify areas of improvement. You should be open to making changes, as the only constant thing in business is change.
Step 9: Evaluate Your Progress
Take some time each month or quarter to evaluate the overall progress of your business. Consider how far you have come since the early days and what challenges you still face. Ask yourself if your goals are aligned with reality and if any adjustments need to be made in order to reach them.
Step 10: Celebrate Your Success
Don’t forget to take a moment to celebrate all of your hard work and accomplishments! It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a business, but it’s important to recognize how far you have come.
What does it mean to be a Renaissance man? Here’s why you should strive to cultivate multiple interests and grow yourself as a complete human being.
A “Renaissance man” refers to a person who is well-educated and skilled in a wide variety of fields.
The term originated to describe men from the Renaissance period in Europe (15th to 16th century), such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who were known for their achievements in multiple areas of study.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian artist, scientist, inventor, and polymath, and is considered the archetypal “Renaissance man.” While he is most famous for his painting of the Mona Lisa, he was also a skilled architect, engineer, and scientist. He made detailed drawings and notes on many topics including human anatomy, botany, and geology. He also made significant contributions to the fields of optics, hydrodynamics, and flight.
Michelangelo (1475-1564) was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. He initially gained recognition for his sculptures and was soon commissioned to create some of the most important works of art of the Renaissance, including the David and the Pietà. In addition to his sculptures, Michelangelo was also a highly skilled painter. He painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of art in the world. And as an architect, he designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Other historical figures who are widely considered to be “Renaissance men,” include Galileo Galilei (for his contributions to astronomy, physics, and mathematics), Francis Bacon (science, philosophy, and politics), and Benjamin Franklin (science, business, politics, literature, engineering).
The term “Renaissance man” can also be used to describe any person, regardless of historical period, who possesses a broad range of knowledge and talents.
Can you become a “Renaissance man” or “Renaissance woman” yourself?
While it’s hard to compare ourselves to the great names mentioned above, their talents and ambitions are certainly something to look up to and be inspired by.
All great people learn to stand on the “shoulders of giants,” and having an in-depth list of role models like the figures above is an essential component of self-growth.
Becoming a “Renaissance man” involves developing talents, skills, knowledge, and abilities in multiple areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and spiritual.
It is an appreciation for all that is true and beautiful in life.
The Core Principles Behind Every Renaissance Man
Develop a love of learning – The most important quality of a Renaissance person is a love of learning. Your education doesn’t end after you finish schooling, it is a lifelong endeavor that continues until the day you die. So long as your brain is working, you are capable of learning new things. Cultivate a desire to learn and explore any field of study that sparks your interest. Follow new paths and see where they take you.
Read widely – One of the best ways to gain knowledge across multiple fields is to read widely. Read books, magazines, and articles on a variety of topics, including science, history, literature, and art. I often dedicate a whole year to specific genres or topics. One year I dedicated to reading biographies, another I dedicated to reading history books, and another year I focused on reading fiction. By reading a variety of different literature, you continue to grow your knowledge in multiple directions.
Take classes – There’s always opportunities to continue your formal education. Another way to gain knowledge and skills is to take adult education classes, online courses, or workshops that interest you. Find a teacher, mentor, or coach to personally guide you in a new endeavor. It’s also never too late to enroll in a college or graduate program, even if it’s been awhile since you’ve last attended school. Some of the most inspiring stories I come across are people earning degrees in their 70s and 80s. Education never truly ends.
Learn a new skill – Try to learn a new skill, talent, or craft that you’ve always been interested in. This could be anything from playing a musical instrument, to learning a new language, to cultivating practical skills (like carpentry or electrical engineering). Embrace the jack of all trades mentality – it’s often our combination of skills that separates us from others rather than just a specialty in one single area.
Network – No man is an island, even a Renaissance man. All success and excellence depends on some level of social support and encouragement from others. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Seek out people with diverse interests and backgrounds who can share their knowledge and experience. When you attend lectures, workshops, or other events, make it a point to meet new people, build new connections, and learn about different fields. Learn to be interested in everyone you meet in life.
Practice critical thinking – A key component of becoming a Renaissance man is the ability to think critically, debate, and solve problems. Where do you get your information from? We live in an information age, but there’s also a lot of misinformation out there. The information pyramid is a simple guideline for what types of sources you should trust more than others. Always double-check everything you come across. Understand basic rules behind rationality and debate, so you can avoid common cognitive biases and logical fallacies that muddle thinking. Practice explaining your beliefs to others to sharpen your thinking, especially when you have healthy conversations with those you disagree with.
Think interdisciplinary – The more you learn, the easier it is to find connections between different subjects and disciplines. One key feature of any creative mind is interdisciplinary thinking. For example, even a good psychologist should familiarize themselves with multiple subjects like biology, anthropology, economics, and sociology. Each of these subjects provides a new lens or new perspective to study human behavior. When you borrow from multiple disciplines, you can even begin to invent new categories that haven’t been thought of before.
Be a complete human being – A Renaissance man grows in all directions. Ultimately they practice being a well-rounded and balanced person, by giving equal attention to all aspects of life including the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual. They strive to become a complete human by fulfilling their utmost potential in every fiber of their being.
Remember the process of becoming a “Renaissance man” or “Renaissance woman” is a never-ending one. As long as you’re alive, you have room to grow and improve.
For me, I’m always seeking new directions to grow in. While I’ve been writing about psychology and self-improvement for over a decade, it still represents only a small fraction of who I am.
I love reading about all different subjects, including biology, anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, and politics. I also have creative goals in music and filmmaking. And I like trying out new hobbies like playing chess, video games, and bird-watching.
It all boils down to becoming a more balanced person. Why limit your growth in anyway?
Stay updated on new articles and resources in psychology and self improvement:
Many people give up on their careers within a few years of leaving college or believe that their dreams are impossible. However, this is not the case. There are many ways that you can prevent your career from floundering before it even begins, and this guide will take you through a few of them.
1. Use a College Acceptance Calculator
If you do not get into the college or university that you want, you may feel dejected and as if your career will not work out the way that you want it to. However, when you are applying for colleges, it is likely that you are not even out in the world of work yet and that you still have many years to make your dreams come true. To avoid disappointment and to ensure that you apply for colleges that match you and your abilities, you should use a college acceptance calculator. This technology can allow you to determine your chance of a successful application using your GPA score, meaning that you can apply to colleges that will take you with open arms. Therefore, you should head to https://www.campusreel.org/college-acceptance-calculator to work out which colleges you should apply for and get the qualifications that you need for your career.
2. Don’t Give Up
Often, people give up on achieving their dreams after a few months or years if their career path is not going the way that they hoped. However, many people achieve success past the age of 30, and, if you have been trying for a few months or years to try to achieve your dreams and are still beneath retirement age, this should not be an indicator that you should let your hopes go. Instead, you should continue to adopt a positive perspective and stay proactive about progressing your career, even if it looks different from how you envisioned.
3. Look at Different Paths
Many people end up in a career that they do not love because they have not tried all of the available pathways to this dream. Be sure to look around for anything that you could do to put yourself out there, whether this is networking online, completing industry work experience or internships, or doing unpaid work. You might also look at short-term projects or even start your own project, such as creating a course or a blog that could be used by others in your industry.
4. Get Support
It is also vital that people with big dreams get the support that they need when they are in their early careers. Not only can this come from family, but you might also be able to get support from other industry professionals and friends, as well as colleagues and your boss. By getting support, you are less likely to give up.
5. Work
Some people refuse to settle for any old job and want to save themselves for their ideal position. However, when you are just starting out, it is likely that you will need to build up your skills and get money and experience behind you. It is much easier to get a job when you are already employed and do not have a large gap on your résumé. Therefore, you should try to find jobs that offer useful or transferrable skills, or even those which you might enjoy while you are working on your dream on the side.
For any business to operate well today, they need to have a quality IT function in place. IT services can help to keep your business secure, efficient, and up and running using the best networks and products possible. When you are looking to build out one of these teams, you can find that using third-party managed IT services is a good idea. There are multiple benefits that come when using one of these services for your company.
Save Money
One of the reasons that a company may want to hire a managed IT service is that it can save you money. Having access to IT professionals is very important. However, you may not need access to IT professionals to warrant hiring your own internal staff. A more affordable option is to hire a managed IT service. They can help you save money by allowing you to pay a fixed rate or even having an ad-hoc plan. This will ensure you are paying for services when you need them and can fit the cost into your budget.
Scalability
Another benefit of using a managed IT service is that it can make your business more scalable. When you are growing a company, you will need to have professional resources grow along with you. When you are trying to build your own IT team, this can be hard as it will require finding and hiring new employees. However, a managed IT service will have the resources to grow along with your business needs. This can make it a great option no matter where you are in your business’s life cycle.
Expertise
You also should consider one of these services due to the expertise that they can provide. Having a quality IT team is also very important. One of the reasons to outsource this service is that you will receive quality expertise from experienced professionals. Further, as they will likely work on numerous projects, they will have more experience and insight into how to handle various situations. This expertise is unmatched if you try to manage your own IT department.
Improved Security
All businesses today need to be aware of the various risks that they face. A data hack and theft could lead to the loss of sensitive information and can hurt your professional reputation. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against the risks of data hacks and theft. One great way that you can do this is by hiring a third-party managed service. These services will consistently monitor your networks and use enhanced security functions that can protect your company. This can help ensure you are safe and prepared for any situation.
Focus on Business
Most importantly, when you hire one of these services, it can help you stay focused on your business. As a growing business, it is important that you focus on what you do best and the clients you serve. When you have an IT function outsourced, it will free up a lot of time and allow you to focus your resources on other areas of the business.
When you are managing or growing a business, it is very important that you have a quality IT team and function in place. When you are looking to improve your IT function, it can be a good idea to outsource to a managed IT service. There are a variety of advantages that will come when you do outsource this function to a professional service provider.
Reading is a skill we learn very early, but reading fast is another story. Learning how to read faster can become a whole other ability that you integrate into your life.
Maximizing your reading speed and retaining more from what you’re reading can contribute to your overall learning of new skills, studying for academic purposes, or even enjoying a good book in your free time.
And with the help of brain expert Jim Kwik, who’s also the trainer of Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest, you can discover everything you need to know about this transformational ability:
“Give a person an idea, and you enrich their day. Teach a person how to learn, and they can enrich their entire life,” explains Jim.The same goes for reading and here’s where you can take the first step.
Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest
What Is Speed Reading?
Speed reading is a trained ability that allows you to process faster information you read. As you apply this skill, you can take in larger quantities of information and truly grasp its meaning.
The fact of the matter is, in today’s day and age, we’re overloaded with data and information that we have to process on a daily basis. Learning how to speed read can support various facets of your life, as Jim explains in his Mindvalley Quest.
For example, think about all the emails you need to respond to, the research you have to make, and maybe the pile of personal development books you have on your desk. Learning speed reading contributes to spending your time more efficiently and overall gathering more knowledge that can support your life transformation.
Why Is It Important to Read Faster?
Leaders are readers.
— Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest
Here go a few valuable benefits:
Improves your memory. Reading quickly isn’t just about skimming the page. It’s also about retaining the information your brain is processing. The brain is a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. The parts of the brain that light up when you read are closely associated with those parts of the brain that process memory.
Improves your focus. One of the reasons people have difficulty reading is a lack of focus. Especially today, with the integration of digital technology across all spectrums of our lives, it’s more challenging than ever to stay dedicated to a singular task. You can learn to retrain your mind and focus your energy and attention on reading.
Saves time. If you could read an email or a document or a letter in half the time it would normally take you, you just saved yourself the time that you can now use to do something else. Your productivity will increase two-fold and you’ll get more done in less time.
Challenges your brain. Every new skill you acquire will challenge your brain power in the process of doing so. Additionally, as you expand your capacity to retain more information, your brain gets activated and worked up (in the best possible way.)
Statistics show that the average silent reading speed for an adult is 238 words per minute. But with the right training to learn how to read faster, you can double or triple your reading speed. Mindvalley students engaged in the Super Reading Quest have sworn by this fact.
You can read more of their inspiring stories where they shared how speed reading improved their life.
10 Tips on How to Read Faster and Retain More
There’s little doubt that learning to speed read benefits us in several influential ways, but how do you actually go about doing it?
Learning to speed up your reading is a skill, which means it’s something that can be taught, practiced, and improved. You can improve the rate of speed at which you read by using a few of these handy speed reading techniques recommended by Jim Kwik.
Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest
1. Don’t subvocalize when you read
Subvocalization is the act of silently pronouncing each word in your head as you read. It’s something many people unconsciously do when they read, but it only hampers your reading speed and distracts you from the inherent meaning of the text. So if you want to learn how to read faster, you’ll need to nip this habit in the bud.
One trick that may help is to focus on one word on the page and stare at it in silence for as long as you’re able to. There will definitely be some form of subvocalization at first, but see if you can sit and wait for it to subside. Eventually, you’ll be able to see the word without saying it aloud in your head.
2. Preview what you’re about to read
It’s more challenging to comprehend what you’re reading when you have little to no idea what it’s about. So before you sit down to read something, especially if it’s a challenging text, preview the document first.
What are you about you read? Who wrote it, and why? What do you think the text will entail?
3. Track your reading progress
You won’t know if you’ve improved unless you know where you started. Take a short reading speed and comprehension test to find out what your baseline reading rate is.
From there, you’ll have a better idea of how you’ll be able to improve. Practice reading and see if you’re able to pick up the pace. Remember to give yourself time to develop this skill — it is a skill, after all!
In a week or two, check your reading comprehension again (be sure it’s the same test, for consistent results).
4. Skip the small words when you read
To be clear, skipping small words isn’t quite the same thing as skimming what you’re reading.
When you skim, you’re not retaining the words or ideas that you’re consuming. You may have a general sense of the work, but the fine details will likely be lost.
Skimming is a great skill to cultivate, as it can be immensely useful under certain circumstances. However, learning to fully comprehend and retain what you read at a quick pace is even more beneficial.
Learning how to read faster is all about eliminating the small, unnecessary words that fill up a page. These words certainly have their place, of course, and we need them to construct sentences and ideas.
Although, when we’re trying to read quickly, we can often skip these words with no ill effects: “if,” “is,” “to,” “the,” and “and.”
5. Use a visual pacer
Remember when you were a kid and used a pencil to follow the words that you were reading? Jim advises you to take up this habit again and see how your attention and concentration improve.
The eyes are naturally attracted to motion so this is why your reading ability will be enhanced when you integrate a visual pacer. You can make sure to use your left hand as the instrument as it activated the right side of your brain which has everything to do with your ability to read smarter, be more engaged, and improve your comprehension.
6. Activate your peripheral vision
This technique is based on the human ability to see things outside your main object of focus. So instead of focusing on one word at a time, you can actually take in groups of words.
This will make you have fewer “stops” along your reading process as you move your visual pacer on the page.
7. Read, write, relate
Jim recommends doing this practice for 15-20 minutes each day. It goes as follows:
You read something for 10 minutes.
You write down what you remember.
Then, speak out loud in your own words.
What this does is help you to process information and personalize it so you make sure that it sticks in your mind.
8. Train your eye muscles with the Infinity Technique
As you’re learning, you should keep in mind that you’re absorbing information through your eyes. And oftentimes. staring at a singular point such as the screen of your phone or computer is only making your eyes weaker.
Jim suggests incorporating an eye exercise into your routine, especially before reading. All you have to do is take a pen and move it in front of you making an infinity shape. As you move the pen with your hand, you follow it with your eyes.
After practicing this exercise for a few minutes, you may notice that your eyes feel more relaxed and your peripheral vision might be clearer.
9. Take breaks
Jim highlights the importance of “brain breaks.” He recommends that after focusing for approximately 25 minutes of reading, you can take a break for a few minutes, giving your brain some time to process the information it just read.
During this break, you can move your body, do an eye exercise, or simply breathe in deeply for a few minutes.
10. Take good care of your brain
Lifestyle plays a huge role when trying to develop any cognitive skills. And that happens because your brain needs nourishment and care to function properly.
Make sure you focus on getting enough sleep, having regular movement, and incorporating good brain foods into your diet, such as nuts, blueberries, avocados, eggs, and wild salmon.
Jim Kwik, trainer of Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest
Unleash Your Brain Potential
When you master the skill of fast reading, you’re not just more productive, but you strengthen your mind. You’re better focused, more alert, and more mindful. Your knowledge and your vocabulary increase. And you become more confident in your abilities to process and comprehend new and challenging ideas.
Like Jim and many others who’ve mastered this skill, you, too, have the potential to be able to speed read. If you’d like to learn more, Mindvalley’s Super Reading Quest with Jim Kwik can help you discover how to:
Develop your speed reading skills,
Retain more from the information that you process,
Use efficient brain exercises to maximize your reading time,
Replan your learning schedule so you make the most out of your time, and
Choose the most valuable resources to upgrade your comprehension abilities.
By unlocking your free access, you can sample the first few lessons from this program. What’s more, you’ll also have access to meditations that can help bolster your speed reading skills.
“Similar in formula, they are closely related but not necessarily identical,” says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of SKINFIVE. So while they do often contain moisturizing properties, you wouldn’t want to use a barrier cream the same way as a moisturizer (more on that later). Sure, some brands will name their fatty acid-rich moisturizers “barrier creams,” but just know that the two aren’t so interchangeable.
“Barrier creams are usually thicker than regular moisturizers and usually form a thin layer on top of the skin instead of melting and disappearing into the skin when applied,” says Rodney. “If you are looking to hydrate dry and itchy skin, you want to use a moisturizer. If you are looking for an added layer of skin protection against wind or harsh weather over already moisturized skin, you can use a barrier cream.”
Think of it this way: Barrier creams don’t exactly hydrate your skin, but they do keep hydration locked inside. Shamban agrees: “They do more than introduce moisture; they have protectants and actives to work on decreasing inflammation, fighting redness, reducing itch, repairing and strengthening intracellular building blocks of the stratum corneum layers,” she says.
You’ve probably heard the slogan before: empowered women empower women. And give them a mic and a platform, and out comes some of the greatest podcasts for women, filled with quirky quips, sage wisdom, and relatable a-ha! moments.
Granted, if you’re unfamiliar with the podcast scene, finding one can seem a little daunting. And even if you are familiar, looking for some new ones to add to your playlist can seem tiresome.
So to make life a bit easier for you (and because any excuse to celebrate female power is always welcomed), here’s where you can start:
A woman’s voice holds great power. And as you pop in your earphones and tune in, listen to it roar.
10 Great Podcasts for Women by Women
Podcasts for women are more than just a source of empowerment quotes. These incredibly tenacious hosts rock the mic to cover topics of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.
While the subjects are disparate, they all have one thing in common: these podcasts can inspire you to be the strong woman we all know you to be. (Fun fact: they’ve all been featured as guests on The Mindvalley Podcast.)
So, clear your schedule. You have some downloading to do.
1. Honest Conversations | Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani
Add “bringing the best stories out of people” to co-founder of Mindvalley, Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani’s list of talents because that’s what Honest Conversations is all about. Admittedly, this isn’t a podcast per se. However, it’s set up like one.
Being seen as a self-love expert, Kristina, who’s also the trainer of Mindvalley’s Live by Your Own Rules Quest, and her guests get into honest conversations on the topic. This includes how to step into your greatness and show up as your most authentic self.
You can watch episodes of Honest Conversations on YouTube. Or if you’re a Mindvalley Member, you can sit in the interview as part of the live audience.
How Not to Take Life Too Seriously With Jason Goldberg | Honest Conversations
2. Unconditionally Worthy Podcast | Dr. Adia Gooden
The basis of Dr. Adia Gooden’s podcast is in its name — feeling worthy. The licensed clinical psychologist decided to mic up to help guide listeners, like you, to connect with the source of your self-worth.
Covering topics like imposter syndrome, learning to forgive yourself, living courageously, recognizing your unconditional self-worth, and so much more. If you’re looking for self-improvement podcasts to tune into, this would be a great one.
3. Cleaning Up the Mental Mess | Dr. Caroline Leaf
What exactly is the “mental mess”? That’s the very topic of discussion on Dr. Caroline Leaf’s podcast.
The cognitive neuroscientist tackles the issues of the mind when it’s aggravated by the current climate — things like the pandemic, wars, poverty, mass shootings, cancel culture, toxic social influences, and so on. She provides you with practical and scientific tips to help with taking back control of toxic thoughts, depression, and anxiety, or as she puts it: cleaning your mental mess.
There is a disclaimer on her podcast that should be noted: it’s meant to be for educational purposes only, not for medical advice. If you’re struggling with your mental health, it’s always advisable to seek professional medical help.
4. Dear Gabby | Gabby Bernstein
If you’re looking for a life coach via podcast, search for Dear Gabby. This #1 New York Times best-selling author is a straight shooter, offering real-time coaching if you’re looking to be the “happiest person you know” (as is the tagline for her podcast).
Don’t expect a structured interview when it comes to Gabby Bernstein. Her conversations with her guests are known to be free-flowing with the intention to educate, inspire, and support your journey toward inner peace.
Like an advice column, you can expect great revelations and deep insights into the soul. And it makes for one of the best podcasts for women out there.
5. The Marie Forleo Podcast | Marie Forleo
One of the most popular podcasts for women out there has got to be The Marie Forleo Podcast. Marie Forleo is, after all, named by Oprah herself as a thought leader for the next generation.
While she’s best known for her hit advice book, Everything is Figureoutable, her podcast is an extension of it. Marie and her guests discuss and share strategies you can use in your everyday life for greater happiness, motivation, creativity, love, health, and much, much more.
Her mission is to help people succeed in life and business. Because, contrary to popular belief, everything — as she points out — is figureoutable.
6. Pretty Intense Podcast | Danica Patrick
In a male-dominated world of professional motorsports, one name stands out above the rest: Danica Patrick. This powerhouse broke barriers and set historical records as a racecar driver (she was the first and only female winner in the 2008 Indy Japan 300).
A real-life woman of wonder. It’s that concept — each one of us has the power to create the life we really want — that is her inspiration for her podcast.
The thing is, Danica is all about learning together. It’s in the deep, tough conversations with her guests that topics about life, inspiring ideas, and the realization of one’s best self come about.
When it comes to motivational podcasts for women, Pretty Intense is one to check out.
7. Finding Brave | Kathy Caprino
When it comes to business, Kathy Caprino is an expert you can turn to. As a career and leadership coach, her mission is to help women “dig deep, discover their true work, and illuminate the world with it.”
Her podcast, Finding Brave, is one platform where she offers advice on how you can best honor your passions, talents, and values in life and work. So for tips and strategies to build a rewarding career, leverage your courage for success and happiness, or find inspiration on business ideas for women, tune in to Kathy on Finding Brave.
8. Women of Impact | Lisa Bilyeu
You may recognize the name “Bilyeu” from the host of Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu. Yes, Lisa Bilyeu is Tom’s wife, but she’s also co-founder of the billion-dollar company, Quest Nutrition, and president of Impact Theory — this woman can hold her own.
This podcast brings to the forefront the women who’ve been on some wild journeys of life and, well, made an impact — women like Mindvalley trainers, Vanessa Van Edwards and Dr. Shefali Tsabary. Lisa’s conversations with her guests are meant to inspire you to be the hero of your own life.
9. Stories of the Soul | Najwa Zebian
Writing has a way of healing the soul. And that’s what helped activist Najwa Zebian heal hers when moving to Canada at the age of 16. It helped with her mindset shift and learning how to cultivate her inner power.
That’s the essence of her podcast, Stories of the Soul — a look into people beyond what they show on the surface. Her guests are the ordinary people you meet every day, but with extraordinary tales of life.
Najwa is known for her instapoetry on Instagram and her popularity during the #MeToo movement. However, Stories of the Soul is her contribution to helping people like you believe in the power of your beautiful story and heal your soul.
10. Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown | Mayim Bialik
If you’re seeking advice from a neuroscientist, you can turn to Mayim Bialik. Her podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown breaks down the myths and misconceptions about mental health and emotional well-being.
With her academic background and taking insights from her own personal experience, Mayim and her guests dive into deep conversations on the stigma around mental health. What’s more, they provide practical advice on how you can better understand and use your mind-body connection.
Her episodes are sprinkled with amusing anecdotes and quick-witted quips. Given she was on the comedy show, The Big Bang Theory, it’s bound to be one of the truly funny podcasts for women out there.
With the audience increasing, surely the number of podcasts (including those hosted by women) is bound to increase as well. How do you sift through the overwhelming pile and find the ones that can bolster your personal growth? Here are three tips that can help:
Find the area(s) you’re interested in. Take a simple quiz at Mindvalley to hone in on which areas of growth you want to focus on.
Choose the podcast(s) that are based on your areas of growth. For example, if you’re interested in mental health, you can tune into Cleaning Up the Mental Mess with Dr. Caroline Leaf. Or if you want to find inspiration in everyday people, you can listen to Stories of the Soul with Najwa Zebian. It takes some trial and error, but there’s a podcast out there for everyone.
Cultivate habits to bolster your personal growth. Listening in can have positive effects on your brain, but change doesn’t happen until you decide to do so. If you need guidance and want to learn from experts in your area of growth, you can find resources at Mindvalley.
Podcasts can do a great job of kickstarting your personal growth adventure. From there, you can start incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine, helping you to show up in the world with your unique greatness.
Awaken the Greatness in You
So, here’s to you — the fabulous female presence that you are. May you recognize your authenticity, capabilities, value, and worth to live your days showing up for yourself and for the world.
And if you ever need sage wisdom or support on your journey, head over to Mindvalley. There are incredible female quest trainers — like Linda Clemons, Dr. Shefali Tsabary, Bibi Brzozka, and Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani, amongst others — you can learn from, seek guidance from, and be inspired by.
When you sign up for a free Mindvalley account, you’ll have access to the first few lessons of their quests. Additionally, you’ll be a part of a community of like-minded women who can help guide you to find your power.
As Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani says, “Only when you know what you are, you are capable of moving towards what you want to become.” And it starts by pressing play.
