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In this episode, we’re continuing our series on Brené Brown’s guideposts for wholehearted living and are digging into how we cultivate creativity and let go of comparison and the other things that get in the way of our creative tendencies. As with most of our conversations, we quickly realize there’s a lot more to this topic and to living creatively than perhaps we initially realized.

In this episode, we’re talking about Brené Brown’s fifth Guidepost for Wholehearted Living: Cultivating Intuition and Trusting Faith and Letting Go Of the Need for Certainty. Mere shares her experience from a recent silent retreat; Nic reflects on how some recent conversations have shaped her perspective, and they both reflect on how hard it can be to deal with the fact that there are no guarantees in life.

We’re taking a break from our series on Brené Brown’s Guideposts for Wholehearted Living to share Nicole and Nora’s birth story. Nic listened to countless women’s positive birth stories throughout her pregnancy and it hugely impacted how she approached birth, to the point she was genuinely looking forward to it and considers it one of the best days of her entire life. Listen as the girls catch up and share this aspect of life for the first time. Jeff even makes a special appearance as he details the unfolding of their home birth experience from his perspective. We share laughs, a few curse words, affirmations- all the things. Trigger warning: This episode discusses pregnancy and birth, which we recognize are topics that may bring up loss and trauma. Please take care of yourself.

In this episode, we’re chatting about Brené Brown’s fourth Guidepost for Wholehearted Living: Cultivating Joy and Gratitude and Letting Go of Scarcity and Fear Of The Dark. As always, the conversation is real and raw- from the fears Nic has been working through recently, to Mere’s reluctance to implement spiritual practices in her life. Mere’s particularly enthused during Shoot The Breeze, sharing some health practices and a shampoo brand that are rocking her world.

In this episode, Nic and Mere continue their conversation about Brené Brown's third Guidepost for Wholehearted Living, Cultivating a Resilient Spirit and Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness. They cover a lot of ground in this conversation- from what our bodies may be telling us to how to cultivate more healing and transformation in every day life. 

In this episode of the Room For Both Podcast, we begin a discussion about Brené Brown's third guidepost for wholehearted living: Cultivating A Resilient Spirit and Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness. We reflect on what we're learning about resiliency (and about ourselves!) as we navigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and reflect on past life experiences. We'll wrap up the conversation in our next episode, Spirituality & Resiliency (Part 2). 

We're discussing Brené Brown’s second Guidepost for Wholehearted Living: Cultivating Self Compassion and Letting Go Of Perfectionism, from her book The Gifts of Imperfection. We share many laughs and several “Why is being a human so hard?!” moments as we explore the ways perfectionism crops up in our lives and relationships. We also share Nic’s revelation about how to serve corn, a brilliant gift idea for your parents or in-laws, and the exercise routine that's giving Mere life right now.

This episode unpacks Brené Brown’s first Guidepost for Wholehearted Living: Cultivating Authenticity and Letting Go Of What People Think. In typical Nic and Mere fashion, we’re getting real about what it looks like to live this guidepost out in practice. While authenticity is the starting point for this conversation, it turns into quite a journey as we discuss concepts like contentment and the messiness of growth (with a few aha moments and confessions along the way!) 

Mere and Nic reflect on Richard Rohr's talk, Beginner's Mind, and the importance of unknowing within life, growth, and spirituality. As usual, they discuss how this concept is currently playing out in their lives and how hard it is to find a balance with belief and unknowing. Oh, and Mere shares some books she thinks everyone should read during Shoot The Breeze- it's a good one, folks! 

We're talking about Brené Brown's 8th Guidepost to Wholehearted Living: Cultivating Calm and Stillness and Letting Go Of Anxiety As A Way Of Life. These pillars come from Brené's book, The Gifts Of Imperfection, and are practices we've both found incredibly helpful in our growth, ours lives, and our relationships. I mean, who doesn't crave a little more calm and a little less anxiety in their world?! We also, as always, share things we're digging and things we're taking away from this conversation. 

We’re kicking off Season 2 of the Room For Both Podcast with a lively discussion about Instagram- why we’re questioning IG’s value in our lives and what we’re doing (or at least thinking about doing) about it. If you’ve ever questioned this platform we scroll through so often, this conversation is for you. In true RFB fashion, we also discuss the things we love about Instagram and why this topic is such a mixed bag for us. Oh, and we’ll share what we’ve been up to for the past 10 months- moving abroad, taking a 500-mile pilgrimage, trying new recipes, all the things. It feels so good to catch up and to be back on the podcast bandwagon with all of you!

Part 2 of our discussion about the Enneagram is comin’ at you hot! In this episode, we dig into the Ego Self versus the True Self, share stories of how the Enneagram has impacted our lives and relationships, and all out geek out over this personality typing system we’re obsessed with. Show Notes Coming soon! 

Friends- the day is here. We’re finally digging into the ever-elusive Enneagram. In this episode, Nic, Mere, and special guest (Nic’s mom, Barbara) discuss all things Enneagram. Throughout this conversation, we use learnings from the book The Wisdom of the Enneagram. It was written by two Enneagram experts, Don Riso and Russ Hudson, which you will hear referenced throughout the podcast. We think you’ll love this conversation and hope it inspires you to do more work with this sacred personality typing system. It is seriously game changing. We think you’ll love this conversation and hope it inspires you to do more work with this sacred personality typing system. As a quick FYI, this is a two part series, so be sure to join us again for Part 2 in a couple of weeks.   SHOW NOTES FOR EPISODE #8 The references Nicole makes throughout the episode (as she describes the different types) comes from the book The Wisdom of the Enneagram by two Enneagram experts, Don Riso and Russ Hudson. Riso and Hudson are founders of the Enneagram Institute, and their website provides a test where you can learn your Enneagram type. Ian Cron also provides a (free) test on his website. You’ve heard us reference his podcast, Typology, in previous episodes, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, we highly recommend it! His book The Road Back To You and his podcast are great starting points for learning about this ancient tradition. This episode is one of our favorites. Mere also references Jen Hatmaker’s podcast episode she did with Chris Heuertz, author of The Sacred Enneagram and another Enneagram expert (who has been a disciple of folks like Mother Teresa and Richard Rohr). This is another resource if you would like to learn more about the Enneagram. Mere is also in the middle of his book and, though it can be a bit heady, it also has a contemplative, spiritual depth that is appreciated. Last Enneagram resource we’ll remind you of before we get to the two fun things mentioned in our Shoot The Breeze episode: The Liturgist Podcast episode with Ian Cron

In Part 2 of our Deconstruction Series, Meredith shares her faith journey with us. It's a raw, honest assessment of the Meredith she once was and the Meredith she is today centered around an unforeseeable tragedy that changed everything, and ultimately, set her on a path to spiritual freedom.

We're in part one of our discussion about spiritual deconstruction, in which we'll be processing our own experiences of breaking faith structures, who has helped us navigate the waters, and some things we've learned along the way. Nic’s up first and shares with us the story of how her relationship with God, the church, and her understanding of the Holy has transformed over the last several years, as she's found herself at the intersection of conflicting messages, difficult circumstances, and a faith that continues to beckon her. SHOW NOTES FOR EPISODE #6 In this Shoot The Breeze, we utter the term “dry tinkle." So. You’re welcome for that. But before we (ahem, Mere) uses such a remarkable phrase, we talk recipes from a dinner party we had with our college crew the night before.  Here goes.... If you’re not following Bakerita (Rachel Connors) on Insta, YA NEED TO BE. If you are ever in need of delicious dessert recipes, Rachel is your girl. Her No Bake Cherry Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache did not disappoint. (Cue Meredith eating everyone's leftover crust as she cleaned up the dishes...) Here are the other recipes we mention: Paleo Lettuce Wraps + Walnut/Mushroom Meat Substitute + 

We reflect on what we would tell our 20, 25, and 30 year old selves. From prioritizing community, to no longer "suffocating from the shoulds," and extending grace to ourselves for the journey we're on, this is a discussion to which we hope many of you can connect and relate. SHOW NOTES FOR EPISODE #5: In the first part of the show, we discuss the INCREDIBLE dinner we had at The Populist in Denver.  This is the Salt & Vinegar popcorn we mention. SO STINKING good. 

In this episode, Nic and Mere unpack the Families Belong Together rally they attended in Denver. As they processed their experience, the conversation quickly transitioned to a dialogue about the impact of dehumanizing and demonizing the ‘other side’ and how it chips away at our common humanity. We also unpack how we can hold space for curiosity toward ourselves and others.

We conclude our conversation with Sarah Jackson of Casa de Paz, an organization that supports immigrants who have been detained or whose family members have been detained. This discussion helped us connect with the topic of immigration less at an issue level and more at a human level; we hope it does the same for you. Show Notes Can we just say how fun it was journeying down memory lane and remembering our college advocacy days?! Wow. We were babies. Look at Nic's hair and the Invisible Children shirt she rocked to no end. (Also, there's Jeff, our trusty and talented sound guy- he's been an enthusiastic supporter of Nic & Mere's ventures for YEARS.) [photos at www.roomforbothpodcast.com] Above is the crew that got the art auction we talked about off the ground and below is a particularly special treat. See if you can spot Mere (it's like Where's Waldo?, Room For Both style, and friends, once you find her, we promise you're in for a treat.) The above photo was taken at one of the events Mere and Nic discussed, in which we left our homes (campus) at sun down and walked to the town square to sleep, emulating what hundreds of thousands of Ugandan children had been doing to avoid being abducted from their homes to serve as child soldiers. Our walk was about 1.5 miles, theirs closer to 10 miles each way. These felt like some of the most important days of our lives. OK. Now onto Resistbot. Resistbot is a texting tool you can use to craft a message to your members of Congress, and the app will send it along for you.  It’s so easy. You text the number 50409 and Resistbot will find who represents you in Congress after you answer a couple of simple questions (it’s legit, don’t worry).  Then, you craft your message and Resistbot sends it to your Representatives. Simple as that! If you’re interested in calling your members of Congress, find your Senators' phone number here and your Representatives' number here. If you’re not sure what name you’re looking for, use this website to find your Representative, and this website to find your Senator (no shame!) You can often find a script online for specific issues that you can read on the phone to the staffer who answers (or rehearse ahead of time as Meredith has been known to do). Or you can simply take the question-asking route and say something like, “Hi there! I’m a concerned Idaho citizen wondering what Senator Crapo is doing to help unite families who have been separated at the border...” (Because, why not ask? You’re not being antagonistic- you’re genuinely curious!) The key, as you of course already know, is to remain humble and kind. These folks field calls all day and by and large WANT to be of help. If they don’t have the answer to the question you asked, they are mandated to go find the answer and call you back- how great is that?! Fun Fact: Meredith (back in her OVERLY brazen days as a young college activist) once went around to a room full of people all stuck in the basement of our dorm during a tornado and held a phone up to each of their

We chat with Sarah Jackson, founder of Casa de Paz and host/friend/advocate to thousands of immigrants who have been detained in the United States. The Casa's mission is simple: Ease the isolating experience of immigrant detention one simple act of love at a time. We had such a rich conversation with Sarah that we've split this discussion into two parts. Join us this time as we learn where Sarah got the idea to start Casa de Paz, who she's met along the way, and what she hopes we can all walk away from this discussion understanding about immigration. Show Notes Here’s a list of things we chatted about during the show. Ina’s Roast Chicken: GUYS. This chicken. So easy, so moist, so stinkin’ lovely. Feeds 3-4 easily and makes the BEST leftover chicken stock. Ina can always be trusted. Also: crunchy chicken skin. Need we say more? We also discussed a zucchini puree that Mere served under the chicken. You can find that recipe over on her food IG account @perptuallypeckish. It is DELICIOUS.  Albion Fit: REAL CUTE swimsuits that are appropriate enough to wear in front of your father-in-law. Can we get a witness?! Our suits are here, here, and here (See Nic rockin' her Izabal bottoms and Weekender Switchback crop top below.)  Bonus: Albion has stuff for men and kids, too. High quality, super chic, and worth every penny. As usual, we are not sponsored or affiliated in any way, just HAPPY consumers. And, of course, VOXER

We're chatting all things Brene Brown. From the takeaways we've gained through her books, to the perks (and challenges) of being vulnerable, we explain why we're so into this shame researcher from Texas and how her principles have made our lives and relationships richer. You'll also hear a bit more about why we started this podcast, as well as some products we're currently LOVING. Here's a list of the things we chatted about during the show:  Y'all. This deodorant from Primally Pure is no joke. We both use the Lemongrass scent and it is the first natural deodorant we've used that ACTUALLY WORKS. They have other scents- Geranium and Lavendar- as well as a Charcoal Deodorant. Let us know if you try the other scents! (We are not sponsored and have no affiliation with Primally Pure.) We're legitimately happy (and fresh smelling) customers! Ok- onto Hotel Born, the Kimpton Hotel Mere and Scott stayed at in Denver. They quite literally have a staff person in charge of curating playlists for different environments within each of their hotels across the country. Pretty legit. Find them on Spotify. Oh! And find the other gal Mere mentions: Monique Volz (aka @ambitiouskitchen) on Spotify too. Here are the books we mention in the podcast: Mere LOVES the Mark Hyman food book and has found it to be SO clarifying for figuring out (finally) what is actually GOOD for our bodies, the planet, the people who grow the food, etc. And of course, here are the Brené books we reference- Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving The Wilderness and The Power of Vulnerability, which Nic and Jeff listened to via Audible on their drive home from Colorado to Georgia for Christmas. Finally, the book Meredith briefly discussed about the body remembering and holding onto trauma (not by Dan Allender as originally thought, but by Babette Rothschild). And we just had to include one of Meredith's all-time favorite books, that she can't remember where in the podcast is mentioned, but feels sure it was... Jen Hatmaker's For The Love. Get ready to wet your pants in public from laughing so hard. Some of the people we give a shoutout to in this podcast, in case you're interested in giving them a lil' insta-follow: @jenhatmaker @brenebrown @markhymanmd @glennondoyle Ok. One final thing. We couldn't leave you without some info on the recipe Meredith is RAVING about during the podcast outro. If you missed it, it's right at the end (just when you think we're done talking) after the exit music is finished playing. I (Nicole) cooked this shrimp/kale/cauliflower dish for Mere the night we recorded this episode, and it is DELICIOUS. If you don't know Lindsay over at Pinch of Yum, check her out- Nic's favorite food blogger! We so enjoyed this discussion and hope you did too. Please join the conversation we're having on Instagram- we'd love to hear your "Brenéd" story! Until next time, friends.