Ep. 341 A Love Note to Teachers!

September 17, 2021

Who’s the teacher that made a difference in your life? Chances are, there’s at least one teacher that comes to mind for you, and this week, we are celebrating all those awesome teachers who are changing lives every day. Listen to Meg and Kelly’s conversation recalling the teachers who most profoundly impacted them, as well as their own fond (and funny!) classroom teaching memories. PLUS they share an incredible resource that is free for teachers everywhere and give the Awesomes a special assignment!

Also, this is a fantastic time to become a Super Star Awesome! There are so many fun things happening for Super Star supporters of this show through Patreon. Bonus episodes, ad-free episodes (!), gift exchanges (!!), and texting for starters. Come check out what we've got going on and let your awesome shine even brighter by becoming an official Super Star on Patreon!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

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American Girl: Get a one time 15% off your order of Bitty Baby products with promo code AWESOME at americangirl.com

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly’s AotW: Apple TV’s The Morning Show (Start your Apple TV+ free trial using our affiliate link!)

Meg’s AotW: ilia mascara

Kids in Need Foundation

Every Teacher, Every Day

Watch this short video that showcases Every Teacher, Every Day!

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

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

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, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

Ep. 340 Ruining Zack Morris and the most unfortunate names

September 13, 2021

It’s Monday, let’s get into it! Meg and Kyle have some suggestions for you to watch, read, listen to, and amp up your lifestyle in the week ahead. Then Kyle delivers on his promise to find some of the most unfortunate names in recent history!

SHOW NOTES:

Zack Morris is Trash by Funny or Die on YouTube

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Meg on Bookend Homeschoolers, Season 2, Episode 7: Community Just for You?

I Got Love, Mother Mother

Metaphysical Milkshake podcast

Dyson toy vacuum

Bird of Paradise

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

Ep. 339 The awesome apps we can't live without!

September 10, 2021

Phone calls? Sometimes. Texting? Sure. But we use our cell phones and mobile devices for so much more than that every single day! This week, Meg and Rebekah do a deep-dive into the wonderful world of apps and share the ones that have changed their lives in the most awesome ways!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Billie: Go to mybillie.com/awesome to get the best razor you will ever own and for free shiping always!

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Quip: Go to GETQUIP.com/AWESOME5 and get $5 off a Mouthwash Starter Kit

American Girl: Get a one time 15% off your order of Bitty Baby products with promo code AWESOME at americangirl.com

SHOW NOTES:

Meg’s AotW: The Ultimate Book of Outfit Formulas (and sign-up for the Fall 2021 Capsule here!)

Rebekah’s AotW: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Kindle Unlimited Free Trial

Sorta Awesome Hangout Group conversation about apps!

Past AotW App Roundup:

Voxer
Marco Polo
Overcast
Instacart
Walmart Groceries
Chatbooks
Ballz
Hormonology

Meg’s Apps:

Mint
Kindara
Snapseed
Sam’s Club

Rebekah’s Apps:

Clue
The Weather Channel
The Libby App by Overdrive
Hoopla
Tidy

Apps Recommended by Awesomes:

My therapy
Flora
Restaurant apps: Sonic, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Panera, Wendy’s
Universal
Tabata
Peloton
SwitchParents
Xfinity

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

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

Ep. 338 Extra Awesome: Kindness and puppy love with Eva Pilgrim

September 8, 2021

Every weekend, millions of Americans enjoy Eva Pilgrim's upbeat presence as co-host of Good Morning America's Weekend Edition. Today, Eva joins Meg for the Extra Awesome series! We know you'll love Meg's conversation with her as they talk about Eva's brand new book, Walter Does His Best: A Frenchie Adventure in Kindness. They cover a lot of ground in this bite-sized bit of Awesome including the importance of kindness in our world, Eva's any-day-now baby watch, and even a little bit of skin care obsession. Walter Does His Best is in bookstores now, and it makes a great addition to home or classroom libraries!

Find Walter Does His Best on Amazon or Bookshop. You can follow Eva on Instagram at @evapilgrim and you can find Walter there @walterunleashed, too.

(PS - this is the CosRX snail mucin cream that Meg loves!)

Come talk all things Awesome in the everyday on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout

Ep. 337 Nostalgia watches, bartender songs, and the 10th dentist

September 6, 2021

Happy Monday, happy September, and happy Labor Day, Awesomes! It's Monday, and Meg and Kyle are kicking off this week with streaming recommendations that lean nostalgic. They bemoan the Topo Chico shortage, celebrate a MacBook rescue, and explain that pregnant emoji ladies meme. Finally, they check in with the 10th dentist for some outrageously unpopular opinions!

NOTES:

The Lies that Bind, Emily Griffin

Bartender Song, Rehab

Drunken Lullabies, Flogging Molly

Outfit Formulas Fall 2021 Capsule

Maybelline Superstay Matte Crayon

Pylies Heavy Hand Cream

Physicans Formula All Star Face Palette

Eudoia Wheat Straw set

Kate Spade candy stripe planner

Magic Candle Company

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

Ep. 336 Go through our EMPTIES with us!

September 3, 2021

As the great Joni Mitchell sang, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone! This week, Meg and Sorta Awesome Regular Julie Tepperman take up the hallowed internet tradition of going through their "empties" - the products they love so much that once they're gone, it's an immediate re-purchase. They talk through everything from beauty and skincare to favorite beverages and office supplies and more!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends FREE on the App Store or Google Play

SHOW NOTES:

Julie’s AotW: The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

Meg’s AotW: @join_jules on IG and TikTok

JULIE’S LIST:

Benefit High Brow eyebrow highlighter: Amazon | shoplist

Benefit they’re real remover: Amazon | shoplist

Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow gel: Amazon | shoplist

Urban decay sin eye shadow: Amazon | shoplist

Lune and aster eyelid primer: shoplist

Bite beauty agave daytime lip balm: Amazon | shoplist

Fresh soy face wash: Amazon | shoplist

Beauty counter face oil: shoplist

Chi silk infusion: Amazon | shoplist

LaRoche Posay Lipikar AP body lotion: Amazon | shoplist

Glysomed hand lotion: Amazon

La roche posay ultra light sunscreen spf 50 (for face): Amazon | shoplist

Barkeeper’s friend: Amazon

Dishwashing gloves: Amazon

Dish soap: Amazon

Pens (.035 mm black gel ink extra fine ballpoint pen, box of 12): Amazon

Rhodia notebooks: Amazon

Knock knock list: Amazon

Harney and sons apricot tea: Amazon

MEG’S LIST:

No7 concealer: Shoplist

Thrive Causmetics Liquid Lash Extensions Shoplist

Benefit Gimme Brow Amazon | Shoplist

Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment Amazon | Shoplist

Paula’s Choice Wrinkle Defense Sunscreen Amazon | Shoplist

Vanicream mouisturizing cream sensitive skin Amazon | Target

Kopari deo

Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap Amazon | Target

Grove sponges (Grove.com/awesome)

Mr. Clean Multisurface cleaner Amazon | Target

SAM-e

Omega 3

migraine combo: Magnesium chelated pills or powder & Vit B complex

Throat Coat tea Amazon | Target

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

Find Julie on Instagram and Facebook!

Ep. 335 Shrimp tacos, Ted Lasso, and the Sword of Awesome

August 30, 2021

We're changing things up a bit this Monday, Awesomes! Life has been chaotic to the max for Meg and Kyle, so instead of your usual Monday conversation about what to watch, read, listen to, and laugh about in the news, this episode is just low-key chitchat. They manage to touch on joining the cult of Ted Lasso, ponder the world of flashlight hobbyists, and reveal the Sword of Awesome. Happy listening, friends!

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

Ep. 334 What I Wish I'd Bought Sooner

August 27, 2021

This conversation started with co-host Kelly in her kitchen, thinking about how much she LOVES her Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and how she wishes she had done herself a favor and gotten one so much sooner! Meg and Kelly discuss a list of those items that bring so much help and delight, and they are kicking themselves that they didn’t buy one sooner!

We are THRILLED to announce that our latest Super Star perk is texting with us! Through the Community app, we are able to send texts to our community and communicate back and forth via texting. No bots, no AI, just your friends at Sorta Awesome texting you!

When you sign up to become a Super Star supporter of Sorta Awesome on Patreon, you’ll get access to texting, over 150 bonus episodes to download and binge, new monthly episodes created just for our Super Stars (including our Sorta Spicy series!), and access to our exclusive Facebook group. All for $5/month!

Sign up to become a Super Star Awesome here!

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Billie: Go to mybillie.com/awesome to get the best razor you will ever own and for free shiping always!

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly’s AotW: Spiced chickpeas and tofu from this recipe

Meg’s AotW: @restroomrituals on IG

Kelly’s List:

Kitchen-Aid stand mixer
PEET Electric shoe and boot drier
Bras that fit. *Affiliate link: Go to thirdlove.com/AWESOME for 20% off your first purchase (Also, see the subreddit thread A Bra That Fits.)
Digital food thermometer: Here's the one I have (But if you don't need one to stay in the oven, you could go with this cheaper and smaller model)

Meg’s List:

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

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Ep. 333 Behind the scenes of podcast production!

August 25, 2021

Ever wondered exactly how a podcast like Sorta Awesome gets made? This week for Extra Awesome, Meg takes you behind the scenes of producing Sorta Awesome by answering some questions from Super Star Awesome Heather. From microphones to editing and everything in-between, she has answers to lots of common podcast production questions!

Be like Heather! Become a Super Star and get access to hours of exclusive episodes to download and binge, our Super Stars ONLY Facebook group, AND texting with Meg and the team! Patreon.com/sortaawesome

SHOW NOTES:

Come talk all things Awesome in the everyday on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout

Ep. 332 Game-changers: salad prep, Powerspray, and face shaves

August 23, 2021

Why not start the week with something that's going to be a game-changer? It's Monday and Meg and Kyle have some great finds for you to watch, read, and listen to AND their lifestyle finds include some real game-changers from the Awesome community! And instead of news this week, they talk about how to change the game for shaving your face - great tips for any person who needs some help in the shaving department!

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

SHOW NOTES:

SHOP THE SORTA AWESOME MERCH SHOP!

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, Marianne Cronin

Lucy Parker books

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Nightsweats Survivor

Dawn Powerwash Spray

Salad Chopper Bowl

Ep. 331 Books for that Back To School MOOD

August 20, 2021

This is the time of year for freshly sharpened pencils, brand new backpacks, and books! And if we are talking books and reading, you know that Sorta Awesome regular Katie Proctor is back! This week, Meg and Katie have a whole list filled with inspiration for that back to school mood. From middle grade books that can’t stop gushing about to young adult picks of all kinds to the books from their own school days that they remember fondly, they have something for EVERYONE in this conversation!

Sign up to become a Super Star Awesome here!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Headspace: Go to headspace.com/AWESOME for a free one month trial

Grove: Get a FREE starter set with your first order at grove.com/AWESOME

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LinkedIn: Post your first job for free at linkedin.com/AWESOME

American Girl: Get a one time 15% off your order of Bitty Baby products with promo code AWESOME at americangirl.com

SHOW NOTES:

Katie’s AotW: Broken Horses (memoir by Brandi Carlile) Amazon | Bookshop

Meg’s AotW: Chameleon: High Rollers

Classics:

Harry Potter Amazon | Bookshop

Anne of Green Gables Amazon | Bookshop

The Hundred Dresses Amazon | Bookshop

A Separate Peace Amazon | Bookshop

Middle grade:

Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend Amazon | Bookshop

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D Schmidt Amazon | Bookshop

Okay for Now by Gary D Schmidt Amazon | Bookshop

Just Like That by Gary D Schmidt Amazon | Bookshop

Restart by Gordon Korman Amazon | Bookshop

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman Amazon | Bookshop

Track series by Jason Reynolds Amazon | Bookshop

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander Amazon | Bookshop

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga Amazon | Bookshop

Starfish by Lisa Fipps Amazon | Bookshop

El Deafo by CeCe Bell Amazon | Bookshop

My Storied Year by Katie Proctor Amazon | Bookshop

YA:

Simon Vs the homosapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli Amazon | Bookshop

The poet x by Elizabeth Acevedo Amazon | Bookshop

With the fire on high by Elizabeth Acevedo Amazon | Bookshop

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Amazon | Bookshop

Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia Amazon | Bookshop

The Extraordinaries Amazon | Bookshop and Flash Fire by TJ Klune Amazon | Bookshop

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness Amazon | Bookshop

Adult:

Rush - Lisa patton Amazon | Bookshop

House in the Cerulean Sea TJ Klune Amazon | Bookshop

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

You can find Katie at her website or on Facebook and Instagram! And be sure to check out her latest book Hand in Hand!

Ep. 330 Extra Awesome: What we're buying at Trader Joe's right now!

August 18, 2021

Grab your shopping cart and hit the aisles of Trader Joe's with us, friends! For this episode in the Extra Awesome series, Meg is joined by Kate Nixon Anania who returns to Sorta Awesome to talk about all the awesome at Trader Joe's right now. From food finds to household to the best in TJ's beauty, they cover what they are loving (and a few things they don't recommend, too!).

Ep 185 Be More Awesome with your money!

Extra Awesome: Let's go to Trader Joe's!

Trader Joe's YouTube channel

Trader Joe's meals for busy moms

Trader Joe's subreddit

Find Kate's book Twenties in your Pocket - Amazon and find more from her on her website twentiesinyourpocket.com

For more awesome in the everyday, follow Sorta Awesome on Instagram or join our community in the Sorta Awesome Hangout

Ep. 329 Super eye cream, McFlurry scandal, and speedy shaving

August 16, 2021

One thing to know is that we fired our recording software after this episode was recorded! But there are many other good things tucked into this conversation with Meg and Kyle like some brand new releases coming to streaming this week, an eye cream actually worth the hype (and money!), lots of TikTok talk, and some fascinating news stories you probably missed.

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

SHOW NOTES:

Flash Fire, TJ Klune

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake, Alexis Hall

My Time Will Come, Ian Palmer

The Sharon Says So podcast

Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream

Supernova Celestial Skin Elixir

Time and Tru Women's Sleeveless Knit Dress

Jane and Bleecker Ladies’ 2-piece Jogger Lounge Set

Ole Henrickson Banana Bright Eye Crème

Queen of Thieves, Beezy March (pre-order)

Lauren Henderson TikTok shaving hack

Liquor Burgers

Ep. 328 The photo organizing advice you are going to love!

August 13, 2021

On a scale of 1-10, how great do feel about where all of your photos are living right now? Not just the ones on your phone (but especially the ones on your phone!), we’re talking ALL the photos important to you? If thinking about how secure and organized your favorite memories are leaves you in the grips of anxiety, you are going to LOVE this conversation Meg had with professional digital organizer Lisa Mast! Lisa is an Awesome who specializes in helping people find answers to all of their questions and concerns when it comes to photos, and her mindset-based advice will bring you so much hope!

Sign up to become a Super Star Awesome here!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Bombas: Go to bombas.com/AWESOME and get 20% off your first purchase

Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends FREE on the App Store or Google Play

SHOW NOTES:

Lisa’s AotW: Branch Basics - save $10 (affiliate link)
Meg’s AotW: NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Amazon II Shoplist

Lisa’s resource page

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

Find Lisa at her website Scissortail Digital or on Facebook or Instagram!

Ep. 327 Extra Awesome: Changing lives one book at a time with Jennifer Williams

August 11, 2021

After nearly three decades teaching elementary students, Jennifer Williams left the classroom, but she couldn't leave behind her passion for books and reading. After so many years of watching how becoming a reader changes the life of a child, Jennifer found a new mission - getting books into the hands of some of the most vulnerable members of her community. Friends, you do NOT want to miss Meg's conversation with Jennifer, a conversation that moved them both to tears! Tune in, be inspired, and get in on this bookish movement!

SUPPORT JENNIFER'S WORK:

Follow Joy of Reading (Jennifer's One Million Books giveaway) on Facebook

Follow Second Chance Bookclub on Facebook

Donate to Jennifer's work via PayPal: jen@jen-scottwilliams.net

For more awesome in the everyday, follow Sorta Awesome on Instagram or join our community in the Sorta Awesome Hangout

Ep. 326 Aeropress lattes, sleep hypnosis, and Martian wannabes

August 9, 2021

Why not start your week out awesome, friends? Meg and Kyle have the rundown you need on what’s coming out this week to Netflix, Prime, Hulu, and more! Plus Meg shares her experience with the ASMR channels helping her sleep lately (sorta) and she has lots of fun lifestyle picks from the Awesomes. Kyle brings you all the news you probably missed last week, but the news that is weird, fascinating, or downright Awesome. (Here’s looking at you, Allyson Felix!)

Come talk all things Awesome every day on Instagram or in the Sorta Awesome Hangout and Awesome Today groups!

Susan Page biographies
Pavoi Huggie earrings
Madewell Whisper Cotton V Neck Tank
Kohls midi dress
Aeropress coffee and espresso maker

Ep. 325 Ideal Me vs. Real Me

August 6, 2021

It’s time for some REAL TALK, Awesomes! Let’s get honest, let’s let go of some stuff, and let’s live in better alignment with the person we are truly meant to be! Meg and Rebekah explore who they are ideally versus who they really are in this conversation that is part confession, part pep-talk, and 100% inspiring to be your best self!

Sign up to become a Super Star Awesome here!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Billie: Go to mybillie.com/awesome to get the best razor you will ever own and for free shiping always!

EveryPlate: Get started with EveryPlate for just $1.99 per meal by going to EveryPlate.com and entering code awesome199

American Girl: Get a one time 15% off your order of Bitty Baby products with promo code AWESOME at americangirl.com

SHOW NOTES:

Meg’s AotW: Marco Polo app

Rebekah’s AotW: Under The Influence with Jo Piazza podcast

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

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

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

Ep. 324 Extra Awesome: Moving into a sparkly fresh start with Embo Tshimanga

August 4, 2021

Welcome back to the Extra Awesome series, friends! At Sorta Awesome, we’ve always hoped to make a place for women in all ages and stages of life, but it’s not often we get to hear from our Awesome community members on the younger side of life. Embo Tshimanga is a recent college graduate who just moved into her very first place, all on her own! Join her conversation with Meg as they talk about why, as a former foster youth, this big move is especially meaningful for Embo. They cover everything from letting triggers be your teacher to the best place to buy frames for a gallery wall and so much more!

SHOW NOTES:

It is what it is :: Nobody’s Damsel podcast
Finding Healing After Aging Out :: Archibald Project podcast
Racism and trauma with Embo Tshimanga :: Happy and Holy podcast

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

Find Embo on her Instagram: @embopriscilla

Ep. 323 A magic midi skirt, scary scary snakes, and a delightful nostalgia overload!

August 2, 2021

August is here, and let's make it AWESOME! We start this first week of August with Meg and Kyle giving you the rundown on all kinds of good stuff coming to streaming, much of it packed with nostalgia feel-good fuzzies. We've got recommendations from the Awesomes on all that is good to watch, two great reading picks, a bookish soundtrack, and some great recommends for awesome in the everyday.

We also have crazy, funny, and bizarre news items you probably missed in the news last week!

Come join us on Instgram or in the Hangout group for more awesome, every single day!

SHOW NOTES:

NBCOlympics TikTok

The Soulmate Equation, Christina Lauren

The One, John Marrs

The Song of Achilles playlist

Megababe powder

Pleated skirt on Amazon

THE SNAKES

Ep. 322 Awesome and inclusive play for all

July 30, 2021

One of our favorite things about being an Awesome is how we are all on a journey to knowing and doing better! This week’s conversation guides us all gently further down that path. Meg invites Awesome Mindy Brouse (co-host of Bookend Homeschoolers podcast and co-host of Currently Reading podcast) to have a warm, candid discussion about how we can recognize the need for more inclusive play for kids with special or additional needs in our families, schools, and communities. You do not want to miss this conversation! And there’s definitely a lot of bookish fun in Awesome of the Week!

Sign up to become a Super Star Awesome here!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Nutrafol: Get $15 off your first month’s subscription at Nutrafol.com and entering the promo code AWESOME. Free shipping on every order!

Moink: Go to Moinkbox.com/AWESOME to get FREE bacon for a year

Best Fiends: Download Best Fiends FREE on the App Store or Google Play

Grove: Go to Grove.co/AWESOME and choose a FREE gift (with orders $30 or more).

Headspace: Go to headspace.com/AWESOME for a free one month trial

SHOW NOTES:

Book bone
Rainbow Rowell’s Any Way the Wind Blows

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

Find Mindy at bookendhomeschoolers.com and on Instagram!