What if you packed not just your suitcase but your intention? It can be a challenge to maintain mindfulness amid the chaos and fast-paced routines of life. Even in the shifting seasons of travel for work or summer family vacations, you can stay intentional with your life. Whether you're navigating a new season, a life stage, or a physical journey, it’s important to take time to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your true self. In this episode of Integrated Being, we’ll explore how to stay grounded and intentional during life’s many transitions, especially while traveling.
The journey is as important as the destination. As a culture, we value future achievements and external accomplishments over the process of being and becoming. This emphasis can lead to a disintegrated way of life that leaves us feeling empty, isolated, and alone. If you’re feeling a sense of restlessness and discontentment in life, now is a good time to examine the impact that self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience can have on your perspective. In today’s podcast episode of Integrated Being, I have a special guest walking alongside me to share how true fulfillment comes from focusing on the present moment and embracing the journey of becoming rather than fixating on external milestones.
Remember: Your nervous system is not a machine. Welcome back to Integrated Being, where we explore the intersection of leadership, life, and living well—mind, body, and spirit. This month, I want to gently, but honestly, remind you: your nervous system is not a machine. We often talk about leadership from a cerebral space—strategy, performance, decisions. But leadership is also felt. It’s in how we show up when the room is tense, speak when we’re exhausted, and breathe when everything feels too much. If you’ve ever found yourself checking the boxes, constantly producing, and dismissing the signals of your own body just to keep going—this one’s for you. What we often label as “high functioning” is, in many cases, just “over-functioning.” And it’s costing us—physically, emotionally, and energetically.
In today’s podcast episode of Integrated Being, I share practical tools for self-regulation and highlight the significance of community & connection in fostering overall well-being. Plus, I share my best book recommendations for those who want to dive deeper into this space.
“What is your North Star?” Life throws us many challenges and changes, but the beauty of the changing seasons of life can be found in refining and expanding your personal North Star with each new experience. From personal stories and practical strategies for finding steadiness and clarity amidst uncertainty, I am opening up a bit more in today’s episode to emphasize the importance of mindfulness, presence, and leadership in personal and professional contexts. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I share 3 ways for navigating chaos and finding your purpose in each season of life. Through creating and recognizing the joyful moments, the power of journaling in crafting your story, and the impact of leading by example for the next generation, this episode gives you an inside look into how I practice what I teach here on Integrated Being.
What is in your control? We all grow up believing in specific systems and institutions. As I navigate raising teenage children while caring for aging parents, I’m struck with the reality of our current culture’s changes. From resilience and transformation to the pursuit of joy amidst uncertainty, in this episode of Integrated Being I draw on insights from Ryan Holiday's Daily Stoic and Sahil Bloom's framework on wealth in 5 Types of Wealth to share five practical tips for navigating uncertainty while finding joy in everyday moments.
Life has a way of throwing us curve balls when we least expect them. We make plans and set goals and create dreams and sometimes things don’t go as planned. It can be fascinating to realize how quickly things can change, but when doors close the right actions and mindset can open new, beautiful doors.
Today on the blog & podcast, let’s explore the art of transitioning and 4 keys to embracing change even when you didn’t expect it.
“We are what we eat” We are what we put in, on, and around our bodies. As we head into the upcoming season full of celebrations full of food and oftentimes sugary sweets, I am reminded of how fall is the perfect time to reassess our health and harness the power of the profound connection between our gut and our mind. The way the food industry has evolved over the last 50 years can make eating a whole foods diet more challenging. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 4 practical steps to improve your mental health by supporting your gut microbiome this season.
What does trust mean to you? I consistently show up on the blog and podcast to delve into the interconnection between mind, body, & spirit. I share various ways we can tap into our joy and our best selves in order to show up, connect, and live holistically. Across all areas of my life as a mother, wife, and electrical engineer, I have seen the impact and importance of healthy relationships. Relationships bring deeper meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Trust is the invisible thread of relationships that binds us all together, but what do you do when that trust is broken? Sometimes in a society that likes to make things overly complex, we can easily lose the ability to connect with each other in a safe space. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 5 tips for how to rebuild the trust that has been broken. Whether in a personal, familial, or business relationship, these steps will help to bring clarity in moving forward and rebuilding the relationship one step at a time.
How can managing our energy (rather than our time) help us lead happier lives? The idea of harnessing the power of energy management to unlock your full potential has been a focus of mine recently, especially as we transition into the summer months. In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s often been emphasized to shift our focus from time management to energy management as the key to success in recent years. This new perspective in the literature on energy management, rather than old theories of time management, allows us to attain personal growth and productivity as we focus on harnessing and managing our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 4 action steps for better energy management so that you can find more joy in your life, as well as 3 influential books I’ve enjoyed reading in this area of personal growth.
How can managing our energy (rather than our time) help us lead happier lives? The idea of harnessing the power of energy management to unlock your full potential has been a focus of mine recently, especially as we transition into the summer months. In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s often been emphasized to shift our focus from time management to energy management as the key to success in recent years. This new perspective in the literature on energy management, rather than old theories of time management, allows us to attain personal growth and productivity as we focus on harnessing and managing our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 4 action steps for better energy management so that you can find more joy in your life, as well as 3 influential books I’ve enjoyed reading in this area of personal growth.
How do we embrace the discomfort in our lives? This blog post & podcast episode is really a part 2 from last month’s post: 6 Steps To Embrace An Anti-Fragile Mindset. I love getting book recommendations myself as there are so many options out there it can be hard to know which ones to choose. In today’s blog and podcast, I’m sharing some of my favorite books I’ve recently read on how to embrace the discomfort in your life. These books have allowed me to feel like I’m not alone in this current season of discomfort & fueled me to look for & embrace the opportunities for growth and change during this challenging season.
“No mud, no lotus.” Thich Nhat Hanh, zen master and peace activist. I was recently inspired by a collaborative group I was meeting with for my day job in the electric industry. As we were discussing overcoming the challenges and seeing the opportunities within our goal to drive new technologies in the electric industry, one colleague shared this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh. It reminded me of the importance of seeing how suffering and difficulties in our life can lead to growth and transformation. The lotus flower grows from the mud at the bottom of a pond and is a great symbol of how challenges can be opportunities for personal growth and self improvement. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 6 steps to embrace an anti-fragile mindset in order to better appreciate the beauty and potential within ourselves as we navigate challenges and struggles in our everyday lives.
I was recently asked by a gracious reader how I connect and be present with my children while balancing my career and passion projects. It all started with setting my intentions and creating the reality that I envision for my life. This idea first came from trying to manage my second-born child’s toddler tantrums while also parenting an 8-year-old. One of the first books I read at this time was Dr. Daniel Siegel’s Whole Brain Child & I credit this book for putting me on a path to the place I am today, where I get to parent my children in a state of joy rather than constant stress. From understanding the neuroscience behind what the brain is doing while developing throughout childhood to adopting a growth mindset and maintaining my sense of humor, I’ve compiled a list of 5 ways I connect with my kids as they grow into adulthood while maintaining my own identity and sense of joy in my career and life as well.
Did you know that a woman’s energy levels can (& should) vary greatly over a 28-day cycle? I’ve been focusing more heavily on the physical aspect of my health since this past summer & been fascinated by how our energy levels as women are affected by these physical changes. One of these physical changes I’ve made is to introduce intermittent fasting & I recently read a book by Dr Mindy Pelz titled Fast Like a Girl. In this book, Dr Pelz teaches about how a woman’s body changes over the 28-day cycle and how to tap into this for better health. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m going to share my top 3 tips for embracing better hormone health & increasing your energy levels as woman.
Do you really write in your journal everyday? What do you write? I was recently asked these questions & I want to answer them for you. The short answer: yes, I journal everyday. No, I don’t always write the same thing nor do I just write a recap of my daily life. The idea of journaling and implementing it as a daily practice can be very intimidating. I want to break it down for you, because while I started daily journaling back in 2015, it was really only in the past couple of years that journaling became the main way I process the emotions I experience on a daily basis & continue to develop a growth mindset while finding my joy in everyday moments. Today on the blog & podcast episodes, I’m sharing how to start a journaling practice & what to write to optimize your time and energy when beginning this transformative self-care practice.
Have you ever heard of “crowding out” bad habits? I had been trying to kick the habit of eating processed sugar for quite a while & I have finally found success in kicking this bad habit over the past 4 months by using this method of “crowding out” the bad habit. Crowding out the bad habit is accomplished by actually focusing less on eliminating the bad habits & instead shifting your focus to filling your time & life with good habits that won’t allow the bad habit to exist anymore. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing more about how to use this “crowding out” method to eliminate bad habits by showing your 4 key areas you can shift to add in those good habits that will crowd out any bad ones.
Do you believe that time discipline = time freedom? As I am wrapping up the final season of 2022, I am doing a seasonal check-in as I do every 3 months to better understand where I am at in my current state of life & how I can better utilize my time and energy to create more moments of joy & bring better focus to my daily, intentional efforts. You may find that you’ve gotten off track in one area of your life or another & this 2-3 hour seasonal check-in is a great way to better connect with yourself and provide the clarity you need to move forward with confidence into a new year or a new phase in life. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 5 steps for a successful seasonal check-in so you can experience more joy in the new year. Set aside a chunk of time on a Sunday afternoon, get cozy, and put on your favorite tunes as you work through these steps below & approach the next 3 months with intention.
What is self talk & why does it matter? I’ve read (& re-read) a few books recently linking the power of journaling with how we talk to ourselves. I was reading The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer while sitting next to my 9 year old son while he was being quite negative. While reading this book about the consciousness of our thoughts that speak to us all the time - whether it’s telling us we’re hungry or cold or should fret - I used this opportunity to teach my son about how the negative energy he was putting off may be affecting him. As you can imagine he got quite frustrated, but this highlighted a deeper importance in why self talk matters and how it affects the way we show up in the world. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am going to highlight 3 ways your self talk creates your own reality.
What is self talk & why does it matter? I’ve read (& re-read) a few books recently linking the power of journaling with how we talk to ourselves. I was reading The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer while sitting next to my 9 year old son while he was being quite negative. While reading this book about the consciousness of our thoughts that speak to us all the time - whether it’s telling us we’re hungry or cold or should fret - I used this opportunity to teach my son about how the negative energy he was putting off may be affecting him. As you can imagine he got quite frustrated, but this highlighted a deeper importance in why self talk matters and how it affects the way we show up in the world. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am going to highlight 3 ways your self talk creates your own reality.
Have you begun to notice a theme? The daily habits and themes I share on the Integrated Being blog and podcast can really be summed up as the mind, body, and soul… interconnected. From discussing the importance of what we put on, what we put in, and what we have around our bodies to leveraging the power of the present moment, we continue to grow in the knowledge of how all of this is integrated to create a happy, fulfilling life. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am going to break this down into 3 simple steps to connect, embody, and act in alignment with your highest self.
Are you trying to accomplish a goal that requires your full attention? As we transition to a more regular pace of life & find our footing in a post-pandemic world, it’s easy to feel pulled in many different directions. From going in to work or working from home to sending children back to school again soon, our focus is a powerful tool we can harness during this transitional time to bring a greater sense of joy and peace to our lives. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am talking about how to keep your focus on achieving your goals while creating a flow in life that brings the greatest sense of joy. From moments of setting intentions to handling distractions, let’s get focused and bring a greater sense of presence to your everyday life.
Did you know that I read every book recommended to or given to me as a gift? As an electrical engineer, a wife, a mother of 6, and a wellness advocate, I find myself in a time of stepping back and reassessing my life in various areas. I was recently gifted a book called The Refounder after speaking at the Pittsburgh Technology Council about power grid modernization. This book is based on a Pittsburgh company and a point in the founder’s life where he, too, was stepping back and reassess his life and career. Chances are you are at this point in life your life in some capacity where you are looking to step back and assess some specific area of your life. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 3 steps to reset and reach your goals. We are all integrated mind, body, and spirit & it can be beneficial to take seasonal breaks to step back, reassess, and move forward with renewed energy and focus to reach our biggest dreams and goals.
Did you know the average brain weighs as much as 10 lbs?! The amount of data a brain can store is equal to roughly 1 million gigabytes. With 86 billion neurons in the brain & 1000 connections per neuron, it’s important that we are giving our brains proper rest. We know the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, but we may not realize the unhealthy sleep habits that have crept into our lives. Today on the blog & podcast, I’m sharing 5 sleep tips to keep your brain healthy. Let’s get a quick reminder that sleep habits matter & learn ways to start logging the right amount of zzz’s, so we can find a flow of life that allows us to get enough sleep to wake up feeling refreshed!
Have you taken a moment of gratitude today? A few recent life events have served as a beautiful reminder of how grateful I am for my body, especially during moments of illness, sadness, and transition. We are living in a time of rushing and must-do’s that invade our everyday cultural environment, and we don’t always hear our bodies telling us to slow down and be present. When we get sick or receive an unexpected diagnosis or lose a loved one (even a family pet), this time of transition can serve as a catalyst for growing in deeper gratitude for ours bodies that give us the ability to experience this life each day. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am sharing 3 ways that you can show gratitude for your body, especially if you are in a time of transition.
Have you ever taken time to sit back & reflect on how you arrived at your place in the world? I recently had the opportunity to reflect upon my career as an electrical engineer in a male-dominated industry. I was asked to speak to an educational panel as well as an emerging class of engineering students at the university level. Upon reflecting upon my career as a successful electrical engineer, earning my doctorate degree, & thriving as a wife and other of 6 children, I compiled an insightful list of 10 life lessons that I want to share with you today. In today’s blog & podcast episode, I am sharing these 10 life lessons that I’ve learned as a female professional and a working mother in the male-dominated industry of electrical engineering.
