Extra Awesome: Tsh Oxenreider on Hamilton

This is an EXTRA Extra Awesome episode featuring blogger, author, and podcaster Tsh Oxenreider who joins Megan to talk all about the musical Hamilton! Neither of them can contain their enthusiasm for this smash Broadway musical - the creator, the cast, the songs, and the message. In this bonus episode, you'll hear their takes on the show itself as well as why this musical is so important to our culture right now.

SHOW NOTES
1. Two Bossy Dames newsletter
2. Genius.com Hamilton soundtrack
3. Pop Culture Happy Hour interview with Leslie Odom Jr
4. Digital Ham4Ham at the White House

Find Tsh on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and wherever you listen to podcasts!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXTRA AWESOME: TSH OXENREIDER

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

Ep. 64 Love, marriage, and natural disasters

Summer love is in full effect for Sorta Awesome, and Megan and Laura are celebrating this week by sharing their love stories, from their very first loves to how they met their husbands. Later in the show, they dish on some of the biggest surprises marriage has brought. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week!

LAST CHANCE to take the Sorta Awesome Listener survey!
http://sortaawesomeshow.com/survey

SHOW NOTES

1. Jonathan Gold's Top 20 Restaurants in LA
2. Cary Elwes' As You Wish AUDIO BOOK
3. The Narrative Breakdown: Rainbow Rowell

Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 64

Ep. 63 What we know now that we're here

Kelly joins Megan this week to indulge her in her birthday-inspired moment of deep reflection about life and learning and what wisdom they've gained along the way. They talk about how they've grown intellectually, what they are learning about their bodies, and the matters of the soul that they now know to be true. Lots of introspection ahead! And as always, Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES
1. Yoga with Adriene
NY Magazine: The best free yoga classes online
2. Code Switch: Can we talk about whiteness?
3. Dr. Emily Nagoski Come As You Are
4. D. L. Mayfield: the ministry of funfetti
 

Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 63
 

Extra Awesome: Jerusalem Greer on making summer great awesome as a working mom

Our latest Extra Awesome is an excellent follow-up to Sorta Awesome Episode 60: All the awesome for summer 2016. Jerusalem Greer joins us today to inspire all of our working moms to make a plan to make this summer great! She also shares some great tips and ideas for technology and teens in the summer months.

Jerusalem Greer: A Working Mom's Summer Survival Kit

Find Jerusalem on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EXTRA AWESOME WITH JERUSALEM GREER

Ep. 62 The good, bad, and (rarely) ugly of blogging

*** You can take our brand new listener survey by clicking here. It will only take a few minutes of your time and will help us SO MUCH! Thank you! ***

Rebekah is here this week to team up with Megan to answer a listener question about their blogging histories - what were the good, the bad, and the ugly parts? They also ponder whether or not blogging is dead and discuss current alternatives to blogging. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES

1. Do It On A Dime: Dollar Tree Hacks
2. Reply All
3. Simply Rebekah: Washing Disposable Swim Diapers
4. Simply Rebekah: The Day the Natural Living Community Turned On Me
5. SortaCrunchy: 15 Tips for Highly Sensitive Parents 
6. SortaCrunchy: the depressed christian: why the dark night is no measure of your soul 

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 62 OF SORTA AWESOME

Ep. 61 The best books to read right now!

Track down your library cards, charge up the Kindles, and find a bag big enough to haul all of your books to the pool this summer! This week, Megan welcomes regular co-host Laura Tremaine and returning guest Cara Pence to Sorta Awesome to spill on the best books you're going to want to read right now. From gorgeously crafted fiction to engaging true stories to books they can't wait to be released, this list won't let you down!

Awesome of the Week
Unreal
Raise You Up/Just Be, Kinky Boots
A Color Story

SHOW NOTES

Voxer app
SortaLiterary Facebook group

Books mentioned in this episode (in order of discussion)

Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
A Man Called Ove, Fredrick Backman
The Neopolitan Novels, Elena Ferrante
Pretty Baby, The Good Girl, Mary Kubica
Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty
Ruby, Cynthia Bond
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi
I Shall Not Hate, Izzeldin Abuelaish
While The City Slept, Eli Sanders
The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule
Becoming Wise, Krista Tippett
The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander
Girls & Sex, Peggy Orenstein
Life After Life, Kate Atkinson
City On Fire, Garth Risk Hallberg
The City of Mirrors, Justin Cronin
Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty
The Trespasser, Tana French
 

Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 61
 

Ep. 60 All the awesome for summer 2016!

Summer is just weeks away, and Megan and Kelly are both so giddy about it! This episode has ten awesome recommendations and top picks to make your summer better than ever. Everything from summer desserts and drinks to kissable lipstick and sweat-free skin are included in their top ten list. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week!

Awesome of the Week
The Liturgists Episode 34 - Black and White: Racism in America
Genius.com

SHOW NOTES

1. Circle by Disney
2. Summer Playlists
Summer Vibes for Moms + Kids
In the Summer Twilight
Tsh's Summer 2016
Lighten Up, Man
3. secret to great ribs!
4. Summer hair - highlights and hot oil from Heartful Habits
5. Revlon ColorBurst Balm (Cherish)
6. Fresh Body's Fresh Breasts
Jockey Skimmies
7. glow sticks
8. Summer Camp at Home
NurtureStore Art Spark
Playful Learning Online Classes
Pars Caeli Summer Explorers Series
9. Summer Desserts
Spicy Grilled Pineapple
Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Gourmet S'mores
10. Summer Drinks
Dark and stormy
Full thread in Hangout Group

Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 60

Ep. 59 Nate Hoffer crushing misconceptions about homelessness

You've been asking to hear from more of the Sorta Awesome husbands, and this week, we are thrilled to welcome co-host Rebekah's husband Nate to the show! Nate is the executive director of a homeless shelter, and in this week's episode, he challenges many of the misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding people experiencing homelessness. We know you'll appreciate his humble approach to this topic that is a blend of invigorating inspiration as well as practical advice. All of that plus Awesome of the Week!

Awesome of the Week
Thermos Funtainer
Ultimate Self-Care Guide for Highly Sensitive Parents
(find it here: https://www.facebook.com/highlysensitiveparents/)

SHOW NOTES
TED TALK: Dan Pallotta The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 59 OF SORTA AWESOME


 

Extra Awesome: Leigh Kramer answers your Enneagram questions

This week, Leigh Kramer returns to the show to continue our Enneagram conversation! Leigh gave us an incredible introduction to the Enneagram system of understanding personalities back in episode 12 of Sorta Awesome. Today, she returns to answer your questions about wings, arrows, deciding on your type, and why we are attracted to certain types more than others! Make sure you've signed up for the show's newsletter to hear even more insights from Leigh in this week's edition: http://tinyletter.com/sortaawesome

Find Leigh on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXTRA AWESOME: LEIGH KRAMER

 

Ep. 58 Grill it, girls!

Who run the grill? Girls! Yes, even you you, girl ... after you hear this episode. Hollywood Housewife Laura joins Megan this week to tell you everything you need to know about getting set up to grill this summer. Whether you're a nervous newbie like Megan or a seasoned pro like Laura, there are tips, tricks, and recipes for all in this week's episode. Plus Laura's best tips for feeding a crowd in the summer. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week!

Awesome of the Week
Project Life
Bellweather Rhapsody

SHOW NOTES
Hollywood Housewife: grilling tips for beginners; make-your-own-pizza party

Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 58

Ep. 57 Pursuing passion and getting real with Crystal Paine (Money Saving Mom)

What a joy to welcome Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom to Sorta Awesome! She and Megan talk about some projects that have taken Crystal around the world, as well as how Periscope has transformed her relationship with her readers. Plus, she reveals the things she doesn't mind splurging on and the ways she still practices her frugal principles. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week!

Awesome of the Week
The Hamilcast
Aveda Shampure dry shampoo

SHOW NOTES
Crystal on Periscope
ThredUp
Schoola
Zulily
Just Between Friends

Find Crystal on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and Periscope!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 57

Ep. 56 Unpopular opinions ahead! (a group show!)

Will you still love us tomorrow? MAYBE NOT after you hear us let loose with our most unpopular opinions! To celebrate the show's one year birthday, we decided to create a group show for you all, and in it, we let loose with our Dark Side. Find out which one of us hates Christmas, which one thinks your purse is dumb, who is the biggest coffee snob of all, and what the uni-boob has to do with any of it. All of that plus a double dose of Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES

1. Meme generator
2. Kelly's Thai Quinoa Salad
3. Thinx
4. Revlon Super Lustrous in Fuchsia Fusion

Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 56

Extra Awesome: Laura Vanderkam on making mornings awesome

Laura Vanderkam knows the secrets behind what successful people do before breakfast, and today she is sharing some of those insights in ways that are practical for all ages and stages of a woman's life! Tune into this bonus episode to find out more about making mornings awesome.

Laura's books:

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast
I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time

Find Laura on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXTRA AWESOME: LAURA VANDERKAM

Ep. 55 Stand in the place where you are

How do the places we live on this earth shape the people we become? That's the question Megan and Kelly take on this week, exploring what is accurate and what is not about their home states as well as how the climate, culture, and characteristics of the people living there have shaped who they've become. All of that plus Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES

Awesome of the Week
Dr. Emily Nagoski's Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science that will Transform Your Sex Life
smartappsforkids.com

1. On Being: Spring is Mud and Miracle
2. Washington Post: Which of the American Nations Do You Live In?

Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 55

 

Ep. 54 Ten friends every woman needs

Does your circle of friends include a Yes Man? Or someone who knows what is in your freezer? Or someone who knows all of your passwords? This week, Megan and Laura return to the topic of friendship to run down a list of ten friends every woman needs in her life. They explain why each of these kinds of friends is so pivotal to your friend list as well as how these friendships build your Life Council. All of that plus Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES

Awesome of the Week
Everything is Copy
Thred-Up (Megan's referral link)
(Also, please see their Selling page to clear up any confusion on how the selling process works)

Riffsy GIF Keyboard for iOS

Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 54 OF SORTA AWESOME

Extra Awesome: Jamie Golden on perfect playlists and the awesome of music

What are the ingredients to a perfect playlist? The Popcast's Jamie Golden joins Megan on this episode of Extra Awesome to spill the secrets to crafting a great playlist. They also talk about their history with music, the music styles they love and hate, the best albums no one has heard of, and what they cannot stop listening to right now. This super-sized episode of Extra Awesome has lots of laughs and some great recommendations for your next playlist, too!

SHOW NOTES

1. tunefind

2. Song Exploder, Five Song Fridays sign-up

3. Jamie’s Seratonin playlist

4. Megan’s chill playlist

5. Neko Case I Wish I Was The Moon Tonight

6. Popcast Best Covers

Rainbow Rowell's Carry On

Carry On, Simon; Carry On, Baz

7. Emily Sandé Our Version of Events

8. Penny and Sparrow Let a Lover Drown You

9. Charlie Robison Good Times

10. Alessia Cara, Know It All

11. Hamilton Original Cast Recording

Find Jamie on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXTRA AWESOME JAMIE GOLDEN

Ep. 53 Fooling around in our free time

It's April Fool's Day, but since neither Megan nor Rebekah are much into pranks, they decided to observe this silliest of holidays by exploring all the awesome ways there are to fool around in what precious little free time they have. Be prepared for lots of laughter and goofiness as they talk books, TV, and apps. They also delve right into some very revealing online quizzes. All of that plus Awesome of the Week!

SHOW NOTES

Awesome of the Week
 Popcast Episode 135
Sorta Awesome Facebook Live Video

1. Buzzfeed on YouTube
2. Newsletters:
Two Bossy Dames
Hot Pod
Black Cardigan
3. Pottermore.com
Megan's Ravenclaw board on Pinterest
4. Books:
Me Before You
It's Not Okay
John Grisham
Janet Evanovitch
All You Need to be Impossibly French
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
Hyperbole and a Half
Someone Could Get Hurt
Emily Giffin
5. Apps:
The Room
Cooking Fever

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 53

Ep. 52 An ode to excessive honesty with Dana White (A Slob Comes Clean)

Dana White is a hero to her adoring fans, and many of you Awesomes have been asking to hear more from her. We are so excited to welcome her as this month's guest co-host! In today's episode, Megan and Dana discuss the secretive start to Dana's blog A Slob Comes Clean and what can happen when your side project becomes the main project. She also shares how she fills her (very limited) free time by writing plays and reading Harry Potter. All of that, plus awesome of the week!

Healthy Moving has a free offer for YOU, Awesome! Text SortaAwesome to 33444 to sign-up or go to HealthyMoving.com/sortaawesome !

SHOW NOTES

Awesome of the Week
Outside Online: The New Science of the Creative Brain on Nature (thank you, Nicole!)
Spring Break at the lakehouse

1. Dana's blog: A Slob Comes Clean
2. A Slob Comes Clean: How to declutter birthday cards
3. Sorta Awesome: Episode 37 on confessions

Find Dana on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram

You can find Megan onTwitter or Instagram

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 52!

Ep. 51 Magic for your ears: podcasts and podcasting

Megan wanted to do a deep dive into podcasting, and who better to join her than enthusiast of all things media Kelly? Together they explore the development of this medium along with their own personal histories and first favorite shows. They weigh in on the celebrity podcast trend, and then reveal some of the technical nitty-gritty of creating new episodes of Sorta Awesome each week. All of that plus Awesome of the Week!

Healthy Moving has a free offer for YOU, Awesome! Text SortaAwesome to 33444 to sign-up or go to HealthyMoving.com/sortaawesome !

SHOW NOTES

Awesome of the Week
dance class for fun exercise
House of Cards, season 4 (and this article on Neve Campbell's experience with the show)

1. Edison Research: Monthly Podcast Consumption Surges to More Than One in Five Americans
2. The Art of Simple Podcast, How They Blog, Ted Radio Hour, Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!
3. The Big Boo Cast, Pop Culture Happy Hour
4. Real Runners Chat
5. Blue Yeti Microphone
6. ATR 2100 microphone
7. Audacity
8. Auphonic
9. ecamm Call Recorder

Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EPISODE 51

Extra Awesome: Melissa Toler on making friends with your Inner Mean Girl

If you've ever done battle with your inner critic, you know that cycle of self-criticism and self-hatred is very not awesome. On today's episode of Extra Awesome, wellness and body image coach Melissa Toler explains why the secret to breaking this cycle is all about making friends with our Inner Mean Girl.

SHOW NOTES

MelissaToler.com: How to stop being a jerk to yourself: a lesson in self-compassion
Dr. Kristen Neff: Self-Compassion.org

Find Melissa on her website MelissaToler.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!