A Few Things I Heard This Week 🎧

Happy Monday! 

Over the last decade, I have complained often about not having enough time to do all the things I enjoy. My days are filled with work, life maintenance (e.g. paying bills, washing dishes, putting away clean laundry), cooking for my family, exercise, etc.  You’re probably the same.  I used to have a long commute three days a week into LA to teach classes and I did NOT enjoy driving in traffic, so I “bundled” something I didn’t enjoy with something I did enjoy - learning. I discovered podcasts many years ago and now I am pretty hooked.  I listen to podcasts in the car, if I’m taking a long walk, when I’m getting ready in the morning, and even when I’m cooking or washing dishes.  I thought I would share some worthwhile podcasts I’ve listened to recently, as well as some other golden nuggets I’ve heard or read.  

Before I share the links, I wanted to announce a fun in-person event I am hosting at Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach for my friend and best-selling author, Rebecca Serle, for the launch of the paperback version of her book, One Italian Summer. I will be having a discussion with Rebecca about the book on Tuesday, March 7th at 6:30 pm.  If you are local, I’d love for you to join us!  Tickets can be purchased here.

I would also love to know what podcasts you listen to, either shows or individual episodes. Please share below!

“The secret sauce of happiness” with Robert Waldinger, M.D. on The mindbodygreen Podcast.

One of the secrets is having at least a few good relationships.  I think relationships are being identified more and more as an important “nutrient” for good health and longevity. I’d like to discuss this further with you all in a different newsletter. :)

“How to improve happiness” on the Huberman Lab Podcast.  Andrew Huberman has become one of my favorite health experts and I enjoy his interviewing style, although he himself can be a bit loquacious. ;)

“What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health” on the Huberman Lab Podcast. I know many of you like to have a glass of wine or two with dinner or a cocktail when you’re out with friends. I am not trying to spoil your fun, BUT the negative impact that alcohol has on our health is undeniable.  Maybe a newsletter soon on how to cut back on drinking with a few favorite mocktail recipes!

#650 Dr. Matthew Walker on The Tim Ferriss Show, January 19, 2023. Dr. Walker is one of the foremost experts in sleep and how sleep ties into Alzheimer’s disease, weight gain and more.  This is a long episode but really interesting.

“6 Ways to Be a Great Friend & Build Meaningful Relationships in 2023” on On Purpose with Jay Shetty.  Hubs and I both enjoy Jay Shetty.

Gwyenth Paltrow x Maya Feller: Eating from Our Roots on the GOOP Podcast. Loved this conversation with Maya Feller, RD about food and nutrition.

Oprah is a consistent source of golden nuggets for me.  I love what she said on a recent Instagram post: 

“We live in a youth-obsessed culture that is constantly trying to tell us that if we’re not young and we’re not glowing and we’re not hot that we don’t matter. I refuse to let a system or a culture or distorted view of reality tell me that I don’t matter. And I know that only by owning who and what  you are can you start to step into the fullness of life. Every year should be teaching us all something valuable. Whether you get the lesson is really up to you.  Every year brings us all closer to expressing your whole healed self.”

So is Arthur C Brooks, PhD from his book From Strength to Strength: “If you want to be happy, you have to state your honest aspiration to be happy, to be willing to be a little less special in worldly terms, and thus to stop objectifying yourself. You must state your desire to lighten your load with pride’s opposing virtue: humility.” 

xxPamela