I love listening to podcasts throughout the day and in the background as I work. I scrolled through my subscription, trying to remember my favorite episodes to share here. I would LOVE to hear your favorite podcasts, too! Shoot me a note here.
Non-Trad Undergrad | I met Sara, the co-host of this podcast, through teaching at VCU. I knew had taken a few years off before going back to school, but I didn't know until recently when she posted a birthday selfie that announced she's 41. She's a Public relations major, and her co-host Jenn is studying English. I love hearing their perspective and how they see college. I was a "traditional" student, starting at VCU and moving into a freshman dorm at the age of 18. In one of my marketing classes, I partnered up with Deb, in her 40s, and we became close friends. Listening to this podcast made me realize I never really thought hard about what it must have been like for Deb. Listening to each episode lets me step into the shoes of students for a few minutes. I'm taking a break from teaching advertising at VCU, but I'm glad this podcast has increased my empathy for students.
Here's the official show description:
We’re Sara Huffman and Jenn Klee, two non-traditional college students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. All the resources we found for non-traditional students have been about deciding to go (back) to school, but nothing that delved into the nitty-gritty of being on campus every day, sometimes all day, for at least a year. Because let’s face it, being older than your classmates (and sometimes your professors) is WEIRD. We get it. So, enter Non-Trad Undergrad. Our hope is that if you are a non-traditional student like us, you’ll feel a little less isolated, a little more understood, and a little more connected when you listen to NTU. You’re not alone! Rated "E" for some swearing. NOTE: All opinions are Sara's and Jenn's and not affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University.
DOLLY PARTON'S AMERICA | I don't know that I need to convince anyone to listen to this. Everyone loves Dolly Parton. This is a nine-episode series. It's fascinating and feel-good. One popular Dolly quote that's a favorite of mine is: Find out who you are and do it on purpose. I've always admired her steadfastness.
GETTING CURIOUS WITH JONATHAN VAN NESS | JVN is one of my favorite people to watch and follow. I love everything about this podcast. The premise is that JVN talks to an expert in a different topic he's curious about (hence the name). I've learned about everything from snakes to sunscreen, but my favorite part is JVN's unparalleled enthusiasm. This episode with Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller is particularly good.
COFFEE WITH STRANGERS RVA | Local RVA Love. I think this was the first podcast I listened to. Kelli Lemon is an entreprenuer here in RVA and helps make. She films this as a video series with Matt Pochily
DO IT FOR THE PROCESS | I came across this podcast because I love the host, Emily Jefford's artwork. How magical is this swirly landscape?! Emily talks through what it's like to run a business as an artist. I dabble in painting, but what I really like about this podcast is thinking about the artists behind all of my favorite work. I think about her episode Creating Authentic Art: Copying in Art often.
HUMANS OF JAMES RIVER | TFB Intern Ava McHugh started this podcast and I'm so proud of her. She was inspired by Human's of New York. she even learned how to edit the voice of her guests that wanted to remain private. Another exercise in shifting perspective. TEDxYouth RVA
HOW I BUILT THIS | This is another super popular one. I know I'm always hearing people reference this. It's really cool to hear the stories of some of our favorite companies, straight from the founders. Reminds me of a book Tribe of Mentors. Coming from working at larger companies. I'm used to learning from bosses who worked at large companies. It's hard to find mentors and people to learn from when you're first starting out as a business owner. Listening to this podcast helps to serve as a reminder that there are lots of people who have done this before me I liked the Rent The Runway episode.
BEING BOSS | My favorite episode of this one is: Becoming An Enthusiastic Leader.
OPRAH'S SUPER SOUL PODCAST | There are some great interviews on this one PLUS Oprah just launched an archive podcast of some of the most popular episodes of her talk show.
GET BOOKED | Two Book Riot editors chat as they talk through reader questions and requests for recommendations. Readers will talk about a book or category of books they like (think: historical fiction or memoirs) and the two hosts will recommend a book or books that they'd like based on what they read before.
BREAKING BEAUTY | I've always been super-interested in the beauty industry. I especially loved hearing from the founder of Isle of Paradise in this episode.
OFFICE LADIES | Eeee! I love this and it's definitely the most fun podcast on this list. Angela and "Pam" from The Office are best friends in real life. They call this a "rewatch podcast," and they're taking you through every episode of the office with their personal backstories.
FOOD PSYCH | This is one of my newest discoveries. Christy Harrison is the author of The Anti Diet, which I mentioned in my last. I love her body-positive message.
CREATIVE PEP TALK | I can't even begin to tell you all I've learned from this podcast. I love it so much. John Mills of Release The Hounds recommended it to me. It definitely takes some getting used to, but I haven't found anything like it.
YOUNG HOUSE LOVE HAS A PODCAST | My favorite episode is: How Our Lives Together Almost Didn't Happen. They talked about failures and how they led them to where they are now. They have readers and listeners from all over the world, so it's really cool to hear when they cover how homes are different in different countries.
HAPPIER WITH GRETCHEN RUBIN | I might've unintentionally saved the best for last here. Gretchen Rubin is the author of The Happiness Project, Better than Before and one of my personal favorites, The Four Tendencies. I've listened to every single episode from this podcast and couldn't begin to list everything I've learned.
Who wouldn't want a Fairy tan Mother to come to their home and give them glowing skin? We wanted to capture before and after examples of the magic that spray tan can do, so we invited their clients for a photoshoot experience at TFB. TFB interns Karli and Ava worked with Sweetest Stitch Bouqitue on wardrobe-styling and former TFB intern Kim even came back to join us as a model!
Where did you go to school and what did you study? 
After being inspired by storefronts on my trip to New York during the holidays, I made a faux flower wall display for my office. Here's how I did it:
I started with Pinterest, looking up different variations. Here's a link to the board I created. I initially wanted to do my doorway, but then decided on as creeping corner on the 3/4 wall.
My favorite examples had greenery mixed in with the flowers and were shades pink with a touch of purple. I'd bought faux peonies on Amazon before for my Christmas tree and was impressed with the quality, so I searched for a variety that could replicate the arrangements I was seeing on Pinterest. I was so impressed with the quality of everything that I got.
Here's what I bought:
Hot Pink Peonies | Amazon | $9.99 I also ordered another bunch of these and the light pink to add to the top.
Light Pink Peonies | Amazon | $9.99
Rose Vine Flowers | Amazon | $11.99 These were the first step. I doubled these over and draped them over nails.
Rose Vine Flowers | Amazon | $11.95 There was no difference between these and the other rose vine flowers- I guess just different sellers/prices.
Light Pink Rose Vine | Amazon | $12.99
Wisteria | Amazon | $35.98 There were SO MANY of these and they look so stunning. I am considering doing these on the ceiling too.
Light Pink Peony Bouquet | Amazon | $9.98 | These look SO real.
I also used a staple gun, wire brads, and wire cutters.
My super-sweet interns Ava and Karli helped put on the finishing touches. A special shout out to Karli for being tall enough to reach the top.
My friend Caroline brought by her fancy dog Finnegan and he fit right in.
Galentine's Day is all about sharing the love, and what better way to show your love than with a McNugget bouquet?! Keya Wingfield of Candy Valley Cake Company worked with us to design these custom Galentine's Day bouquets made with real McDonald's Chicken Nuggets. We also worked with local illustrator Hayden Ireland to create a card with the likenesses of some of our favorite RVA gals in celebration of Galentine's Day. Learn more about Hayden and her work here.
A great team! @tfbagency @ChristinaMDick #McDonaldsRVA pic.twitter.com/vmkqGJ3ifB
— Thomas Block (@TBlockRVA) February 14, 2020
Who needs Valentine's Day when Galentine's Day truly satisfies the desires of my heart?!
— Karla Redditte (@KarlaNBC12) February 12, 2020
Thank you @ChristinaMDick for this delicious nugget bouquet and this card filled with some of the FIERCEST "gals" on the planet! Talk about being in amazing company! Sheesh! ❤️#rva pic.twitter.com/nKj5pJ8xeG
We are having so much fun @tfbagency with these McNugget bouquets for Galentine’s Day!!! pic.twitter.com/3dQcoiiaoS
— Christina Dick (@ChristinaMDick) February 12, 2020
My trainer: Are you eating healthy?
— Melissa Chase (@MChaseRadio) February 12, 2020
Me: Umm yup. Ignore my giant amazing @McD_RVA chickie nugget bouquet 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/OA7MHcVSCw
FROZEN'S Anna & Elsa joined us at McDonald's this weekend to meet with tiny customers and recruit for Girl Scouts of America. Thanks to Dream Entertainers for being awesome and to all of the little ones who came out!
1. WRITEWITHPARKINSONS.COM An Art Director Created A Font Based On His Mother's (Who Has Parkinson's) Handwriting. My friend Tim Roan posted this on LinkedIn. "A lovely Art Director at Lyft created a new font called Shake...it’s his mother’s handwriting...and she’s in early stages of Parkinson’s. All proceeds go to research. Hope you dig it."
2. LULULUEMON | Wunder Under Lounge Tight In Velvet I got a pair of Lululemon's new velvet leggings and they're wonderful. They're pretty and soft and I don't want to take them off.
3. TIME | Inside the Unlikely Friendship That Inspired A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood I saw this movie and cried. If you're not a theatre person or you'd like to cry at home in private, it sounds like it's coming to iTunes next month. You can watch the film's trailer here.
4. THEORY | Slip Top In Stretch Silk When I went to New York over the holidays, I got to see my friend (and amazingly talented producer) Alyse. I always ask where she's being shopping lately because I think she always looks so cool. She talked about Theory and told me about their sale. I bought this slip top in black and in ivory. It's excellent quality and I've already worn them both several times. It looks perfect under a blazer. I've been wearing it with my leather leggings.
5. MAY LINDSTROM | The Problem Solver This is my new favorite face mask. I wrote about how it works and why I like it at TiramisuforBreakfast.com.
6. CROWDFIRE | Brands Killing It On Tik Tok and What We Can Learn From Them This is a really interesting and thorough post on Tik Tok. I can't wait to put some of these tips into practice and launch TFB's Tik Tok.
7. INSTAGRAM | Lizzo the Cat I love this so much
8. FEAST RVA January Dinner Feast is such a WONDERFUL concept and I always love going to these. Read more about Feast RVA here, and get your tickets here. (they always sell out!)
9. STITCHER | Office Ladies Podcast This is so great. I LOVE listening to podcasts, and this has been a favorite lately. Angela and Pam (Jenna Fischer) rewatch an episode of The Office and talk through behind-the-scenes and share their thoughts, reflections, and favorite parts in each podcast episode. It also led me to read The Actor's Life, Jenna Fischer's book. It's a how-to guide on becoming a professional actor. I like that she shared her personal journey and the things she shares can apply to a lot of careers, not just acting.
1. CREATIVE PEP TALK PODCAST | 20 Surprising and Super Powerful Prompts that will make 2020 the year you do your best work ever. I like to listen to podcasts as I'm easing into work each day and this one from Andy J. "Pizza," is always super-energizing.
2. ABC NEWS | The Family of the late Steve Irwin is rescuing animals from the Australians wildfires. Here is where you can donate. I did.
3. TFB Favorites Spa Robes A bathrobe you can buy on Amazon that feels like it's from a fancy hotel
4. TFB | My Favorite Tweets from Little Women One of my favorite things to do after I do or see something that makes me think is to look at what others are saying about it online. It's so interesting to see how others put into words what I also think or feel or read things I never thought of. I collected a few of my favorites.
5. INDEPENDENT | The Impossible Task
6. PRETTY BIRD PAPER | Great Women Greeting Card I love this and have it framed in my office. I'm thinking about buying a few more to send out.
7. AMAZON | Electric Milk Frother My friend Lauren suggested that I include product recommendations in these emails (You'll notice I added "buy" to the title) Thanks, Lauren! So, here is one of the best things I ever bought. I have cold frothed oat milk with two shots of spresso every morning. I use Oat-ly or Oat Yeah.
My new favorite face mask is "The Problem Solver" from May Lindstrom.
My friend Jess introduced me to this skincare line. She read about it in Goop.
I first got to try May Lindstrom products when I visited The Detox Market in New York City over the summer.
I ordered The Youth Dew serum/facial oil and the Jasmine Garden facial mist. They include little samples with each order, which is how I got to try The Problem Solver. The sample was enough for me to try it about three times, which I did, and loved it.
Here's how they describe it:
A jet-black fusion of indulgent and antioxidant-rich raw cacao, activated bamboo charcoal, salts, and exotic spices go deep on a mission to reveal your most radiant self.
The unique formula brightens, heals inflammation and irritation, fades hyperpigmentation, stimulates collagen production, and treats and prevents breakouts.
Usually, masks that are meant to be "clarifying" or acne treatments are drying and not that fun to use. This one smells amazing and does not make my skin feel dry after.
These are the ingredients:
Solum Fullonum (Fuller’s Earth) Clay, Red Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, **Theobroma Cacao (Raw Cacao), Red Alaea Sea Salt (Sea Salt and Red Alaea), L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sodium Bicarbonate, Charcoal Powder (Activated Bamboo Carbon), *Vanilla Planifolia Bean, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower, *Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root, *** Boswellia Serrate Gum (Frankincense) powder, *Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), *Archangelica (Angelica) Root, **Cinnamomum Zealanicum Blum (Ceylon Cinnamon), *Myristica Fragans (Nutmeg), *Syzygium Aromaticum (Clove), *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric), *Capsicum Annuum (Cayenne) Pepper, +Eugenol.
*Certified Organic **Certified Fair Trade ***Wild Harvested +Component of Essential Oil
The site suggests a bunch of different ways to use the mask - mixing it with their Blue Coccoon moisturizer (which I also have a tiny sample of) and their Youth Dew serum. I tried it as a spot treatment for the first time last night.
Here are her mixing tips:
Mist The Jasmine Garden generously when you feel the urge to pick at an oncoming pimple or an active breakout - stop the habit in its tracks.
When you feel a pimple beginning to make its way to the surface, spot treat immediately. Simply blend a small amount of the powder formula with water or The Jasmine Garden to form a loose paste, smoothing over just the area needed. Leave on for 5-60 minutes, up to three times weekly, in addition to your full facial treatments.
The Problem Solver + The Youth Dew is perfect for wet, active pimples that are just coming to a head or that have already come to a head.
The Problem Solver + The Blue Cocoon works magic on painful cystic acne and areas of inflammation - including flare-ups of eczema, perioral dermatitis or other inflammatory conditions.
These blends really get to the core of the breakout and help distressed skin to calm quickly without contributing to dryness or scarring, causing additional trauma to your complexion.
I'm just such a big fan. I especially love how she packages her products. "I believe that every day can feel like Christmas. It starts here, from the moment you receive your treasures and decide that these precious time-outs that bookend our days are fully yours to fill with delight."
Here's the founder/creator, May, and a little more about the company:
"We respect and admire our source—the planet—and conduct extensive means to ensure that each of our ingredients are procured with the highest sustainable, ethical, and qualitative standards in mind. Our collection is handcrafted using only the finest exotic and nutrient-rich ingredients that are: organic, bio-dynamic, wild-crafted, cruelty free, sustainable, and/or harvested with social consciousness in mind. These ingredients are not tested on animals, nor are our finished products. We do not sell in any countries that require animal testing.
We encourage environmental thoughtfulness in every step of our production - from the growth, harvesting, and processing of our raw ingredients to the packaging of our products. Our boxes and glassware are recyclable. Our lids are made of recycled paper pulp, and a glue derived from fruits and vegetables. We pack our boxes for shipment with recycled paper materials, rather than plastic or peanuts, send digital receipts rather than paper, and minimize branding collateral that is often tossed upon delivery."
I love you can buy something that you can really feel good about.
