S10:E5 Isn't it Lovely to Embrace Change? with Tara Westerman
GIVEAWAY! Use code LOVELY20 for an exclusive 20% discount on Tara’s website! https://www.wandererongilchrist.com
“You have to have time to feel like you belong. And you have to have purpose to feel like you belong.”
As Isn’t it Lovely? prepares for a podcast hiatus after 3 incredible years, there could be no more perfect guest to usher in this change of season than the fairy god-friend who started it all by originally introducing Tracy and Rachel over a decade ago: kindred spirit, entrepreneur, ranch wife and mother, and everyone’s big sister, Tara Westerman. With grace, humor, and candor, Tara shares her own journey as a city girl who fell in love with a rancher and relocated to a literal little town on the prairie, successfully navigating her way through a wilderness season and emerging with an even stronger sense of self and purpose. Tara and Tracy explore the importance of knowing, understanding, and loving one’s core self in order to discover callings, sharpen intuition, and embark on a healthy pursuit of the things that bring joy and peace. Rachel and Tara consider the ways growth takes time and can be painful, but is always worth it in the end. Rachel ponders how to secure filming permits in Wyoming so Hallmark will film its next Christmas movie at Tara’s store, The Wanderer on Gilchrist; Tracy celebrates the fact that Tara’s husband Jeremy can handle both cattle and cellulite management with equal aplomb.
Episode Mentions:
Tara Westerman’s Instagram: @tara.westerman
The Wanderer on Gilchrist’s Website: https://www.wandererongilchrist.com/
The Wanderer on Gilchrist’s Instagram: @wandererongilchrist
The Wanderer on Gilchrist’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderinghermitwheatland
Topher Kearby “I appreciate the struggle” poem
Deuteronomy 2:7
What Are You Loving:
Tara: The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love by Vienna Pharaon; Fascia Massage Tool Blaster
Rachel: Humbl Roots Carinara Sauce; Annie’s Parlour
Tracy: Charleston, South Carolina; Sullivan’s Island (Lowcountry Tales) by Dorthea Benton Frank
Disclosure: We only recommend products we use, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that add no additional cost to you; we may earn a small commission.
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41:05
S10:E4 Isn't it Lovely How You Make Someone Feel? with Terra Koupal
“You are so capable of so much more than what you even realize.”
After surviving tandem bouts of Influenza B, Tracy and Rachel have rallied and are thrilled to usher in a fresh dose of inspiration by welcoming both springtime and Sioux Falls-based entrepreneur (and local fan favorite!) Terra Koupal to the show! Terra shares her journey to becoming an accidental influencer after welcoming two sets of twins (and celebrating the nuanced joys and challenges of in vitro fertilization) and explores the ways that the power of connection through family, business, and friendships can be used to comfort, encourage, empathize, and help tap into a greater life purpose. Terra and Rachel consider the significance of timing, particularly when goals and dreams take longer and require more effort, while Tracy and Terra discuss the importance of balancing vulnerability with boundaries.
Episode Mentions:
Terra Koupal’s Instagram: @the.house.of.twins
Terra Koupal’s Website
Pigeon 605: “My 605: Terra Koupal”
Lou Lou and Company
Elegant Mommy
Ignite Fitness Studio
Jami Nato
What Are You Loving:
Terra: Headway App, Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, @thesmallshoppe.sd
Rachel: You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith
Tracy: Rent the Runway
Disclosure: We only recommend products we use, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that add no additional cost to you; we may earn a small commission.
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36:15
S10:E3 Isn't it Lovely to Get Back to the Roots of Health? with Roy Thompson
The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.
It’s a celebration of health and nourishment quite literally from farm-to-table as Rachel and Tracy welcome regenerative farmer Roy Thompson to the show to discuss the healing power of food! With candor and sensitivity, Roy shares the ways his personal struggles with chronic illness, exhaustion, and discouragement led him to explore functional medicine, alternative healthcare, and nutrition, ultimately achieving a healing so transformative that it inspired a reimagining of his own farming and ranching practices. Roy and Tracy examine ways to find balance between traditional and functional medicine, while Rachel and Roy consider practical tips for accessing fresh organic food in a way that won’t break the bank. As Roy explains the connection between our bodies and the land in his explanation of regenerative farming practices, Tracy fondly evokes The Lion King’s “Circle of Life” song to Rachel’s delight.
Episode Mentions:
Roy Thompson’s Website: https://tripletbrand.com/
Roy Thompson’s Instagram: @triple.t.brand
Roy Thompson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tttbrand1
Understanding Ag: “Where Human Health Begins: One Farmer’s Story of Regeneration”
Tri-State Livestock News: “Destination Regeneration: Film Shares South Dakota Ranchers’ Story”
Mayo Clinic
The Institute for Functional Medicine
Regenerative Agriculture
Gabe Brown
David Brandt
Ray Archuleta
Misfits Market
The Lion King’s “Circle of Life”
Josiah’s Coffeehouse, Cafe, and Bakery
What Are You Loving:
Roy: Jocko Willink, Origin Products, Jocko Fuel, Headway App
Rachel: Shutterbean’s Coconut Maple Granola
Tracy: Roy’s recommendations of Dr. Axe and Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown
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43:36
S10: E2 Isn't it Lovely to Live a Sweet Life? with Jessica Merchant of How Sweet Eats
This episode is brought to you by Flyboy Donuts! Flyboy Donuts is a Sioux Falls-based family-owned donut shop with 4 locations in Sioux Falls featuring a variety of fresh donuts and rolls daily. Use code Lovely20 now through February 6, 2024 when you order online at flyboydonuts.com to get 20% off all orders over $20.
TW: This episode contains a reference to miscarriage.
How sweet it is for Tracy and Rachel to be joined by bestselling cookbook author and creator of the wildly popular blog How Sweet Eats, Jessica Merchant! In this vibrant conversation, Jessica explores the ways she has maintained a consistent, authentic voice in her work, as well as the keys to honoring and protecting her creativity and passion through a framework of boundaries and structured routine. Jessica and Tracy consider the evolution of a brand and the creation and marketing of content through an ever-expanding number of platforms; Rachel and Jessica discuss the finer points of connecting with readers and followers - and the surprising ways Jessica has provided comfort and nurturing outside of her delicious recipes. Rachel and Tracy convince Jessica to add South Dakota as a stop on her next book tour before the conversation unapologetically transforms into an impromptu book club meeting.
Episode Mentions:
Jessica Merchant’s Website: https://www.howsweeteats.com/
Jessica Merchant’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howsweeteats/
Jessica Merchant’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howsweeteats
Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food by Jessica Merchant
https://amzn.to/3OqItjo
The Pretty Dish: More than 150 Everyday Recipes and 50 Beauty DIYs to Nourish Your Body Inside and Out: A Cookbook by Jessica Merchant
https://amzn.to/4biW9a2
Everyday Dinners: Real-Life Recipes to Set Your Family Up for a Week of Success: A Cookbook by Jessica Merchant
https://amzn.to/4blayTm
Block scheduling
Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand:
https://amzn.to/47ZwwIs
How Sweet Eats & Eli Hilderbrand Collaboration:
https://www.howsweeteats.com/2016/06/exciting-news-a-collaboration-with-elin-hilderbrand/
Winter Street series by Elin Hilderbrand:
https://amzn.to/4bdZ2ch
The Pioneer Woman
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/
The Secret
https://amzn.to/3vVwjZI
What Are You Loving:
Jessica: Page the Shop Kindle covers
https://www.instagram.com/page.theshop/
Kindle Oasis
https://amzn.to/3SiIIhJ
Rachel: The Sentence by Louise Erdrich;
https://amzn.to/3SlEJkE
Birchbark Books
https://birchbarkbooks.com/;
Arizona Goat Yoga
https://goatyoga.com/
Tracy: The Skinny Confidential Him + Her Show Episode 648: Dr. Michael Gervais
https://tscpodcast.com/episodes/dr-michael-gervais/
The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You by Dr. Michael Gervais
https://amzn.to/3OlZ8Vs
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39:58
S10:E1 Isn't it Lovely to Feel Seen? with Dr. Jody Carrington
CW: Adult Language
It’s a reconnection revolution as Rachel and Tracy welcome psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Jody Carrington to the podcast for a dynamic conversation about counteracting humanity’s loneliness epidemic with empathy, emotional regulation, and Ram Dass’ simple, but powerful observation, “we are all just walking each other home.” Tracy and Jody examine specific ways to help various communities, from teachers and healthcare responders to law enforcement officers and children, lay down their trauma and work through it in healthy ways - and why it’s essential to seek context and exchange asking, “What is wrong with you?” for “What happened to you?”. Jody and Rachel grapple with the significance of having constant access to loved ones through technology and social media, as Jody explains why it’s vital to stop trying to fix our loved ones’ problems, instead simply acknowledging the broad spectrum of necessary human emotion, from sadness and anxiety to anger and fear - not just happiness. Everyone considers the mystique of the true crime podcast, citizen journalism, and the international phenomenon that is Taylor Swift.
Episode Mentions:
Dr. Jody Carrington’s Website: https://www.drjodycarrington.com/
Dr. Jody Carrington’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drjodycarrington/?hl=en
Dr. Jody Carrington’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington
Dr. Jody Carrington’s Podcast: Everyone Comes from Somewhere
https://www.drjodycarrington.com/podcast/
Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World by Dr. Jody Carrington
https://amzn.to/47DRjkT
Kids These Days: A Game Plan For (Re)Connecting With Those We Teach, Lead, & Love by Dr. Jody Carrington
https://amzn.to/3HmaF3m
Teachers These Days: Stories and Strategies for Reconnection by Dr. Jody Carrington
https://amzn.to/3Hix4hZ
New Surgeon General [Dr. Vivek Murthy] Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States
Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush
https://amzn.to/3Hijfjo
Everyone Comes From Somewhere Podcast Season 1 Episode 12: “How Trauma Shapes Our Lives”
https://shows.acast.com/everyone-comes-from-somewhere/episodes/how-trauma-shapes-our-lives
Dr. Peter Levine
Dr. Gabor Mate
Dr. Bruce Perry
What Are You Loving:
Dr. Jody Carrington: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship; Harper’s Bazaar: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Full Relationship Timeline”
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a45301082/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-full-relationship-timeline/
Rachel: Who Killed JFK? Podcast
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-who-killed-jfk-127000428/
Tracy: Writer Jessica Reed Kraus @houseinhabit
https://www.instagram.com/houseinhabit/?hl=en
Join "Isn't it Lovely?" hosts Rachel and Tracy as they welcome special guests for uplifting conversations, inspiring listeners to look for the lovely in all things!