The Kindred & Brave Project

Episode 7: Finding Friends & Community is Mid(ish) Life

(Friendship in Mid(ish) Life Series)
In this episode, Mandy brings the topic of friendship to the forefront. As we grow older; our lives change, and some of our friendships likely do too. This process is natural and layered with grief, anxiety, and possibility. 
 
IT’S HERE: the soft launch for The Kindred & Brave Project Mighty Networks COMMUNITY. A space to keep these conversations going and help us continue the learning. More to come next month!
 
KBP Purpose: We bring together women in mid(ish) life to explore their passions and support each other through life's transitions so that we can grow, communicate, and heal in a way that connects to our values and fosters community. 
 
For Now: Go to kindredandbrave.com and sign up for the KBP Community! It’s free! 
 
If you have any questions; email Mandy @ Mandy@kindredandbrave.com
 
Mandy shares the first “series” topic - making friends & finding community in mid(ish) life using 4 books as foundational knowledge & inspiration.
 
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy
Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make - And - Keep Friends by Marisa Franco
Braving The Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging & The Courage To Stand Alone by Brené Brown 
We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships by Kat Vellos 

Episode 6: The Courageous Act of Grieving

*Trigger Warning* Pet Loss
In the first episode of 2024, Mandy shares the story of losing a beloved family member, a pet. She talks about the complexities of grieving while holding space for your children to do the same. Mandy reminds us that pet loss is real loss and that the grief that accompanies that loss is valid. 
We learn about the buckets of courage as defined by Brené Brown and how to watch others living into that ordinary courage, such as asking for what you need. 
Please like, subscribe, & leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts - it means the world to me! 
Episode #6 Practices:
Check out this article about Brené’s Netflix special “A Call to Courage” and what it means to be brave
Take some time to reflect on times you leaned into courage - maybe had a tough conversation, set a boundary with a loved one, or reached out for support during a hard time.
How does it feel to recognize that these are vulnerable and brave acts? Take some notes about what other emotions come up when you remember what it feels like to be brave and to practice “ordinary” acts of courage. They are nothing ordinary. 
Resources:
Brené Brown: A Call to Courage on Netflix
The Universe Has Your Back card deck by Gabby Bernstein 
Services we used for Luna:
https://fromhome2heaven.com/
https://faithfulcompanion.com/
 

Episode 5: To The Point - Creating Space For a New Year

In this short episode, Mandy talks about the dichotomies we face around the holiday season. She shares two practices that she uses at the end of the year to gain perspective on what we hope to feel in the new year as well as what we want to let go of. 
Episode 5 Practices: 
Make a list of how you want to feel in 2024. What words come to mind? For example - some of my clients have said “calm, open, present, expansive, authentic”. Keep that list nearby and give it some time - as the days pass, do certain words feel more true or important than others?
Around the new year take the time to have between 1-3 words picked out and in sight. Maybe they are on your fridge, in your office, on your phone screen. This is a small and very easeful step into gaining some perspective about what you want more of in your life. 
The next practice that I love to do around this time of year is about letting go. 
Think about what you want to let go of, or leave behind in 2023. What isn’t serving you anymore? What feels heavy? What is causing extra stress? 
If you want to take this practice one step further, something I do on New Year's Eve is write down what I want to leave behind in the old year on a small piece of paper. I go outside and place it in a can or glass and light it on fire - it’s a liberating feeling.
Resources:
The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte 
Morgan Harper Nichols - artist & author 
BIG NEWS COMING SOON - sign up for my email list here to get access to a new community, beta coaching, and giveaways!

Episode 4: Exercising Empathy During Seasons of Grief

In this episode; Mandy talks about how to actively practice empathy. She discusses the steps of empathy that Dr. Brené Brown uses in her research how building our empathy muscles could foster connection with our loved ones when they experience grief. We also learn about some common empathy misses and how to repair and reconnect when we screw empathy up (because we will). 
 
Please like, subscribe, & leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts - it means the world to me! 
 
Episode 4 Practices:
1. Check out this short video from Brené Brown about the difference between sympathy & empathy 
2. Consider the steps of empathy she discusses & think about which step you’d like to improve on (for example - how could you build your perspective-taking muscle?)
 
Resources:
Brené Brown Atlas of the Heart book 
 
Empathy Misses download 
 
Sign up for my newsletter to get first access to something exciting next month
 
People I’ve Loved - Thoughtful & Handmade Gifts 

Episode 3: Holiday Hustle, Repair, & The Mental Load

In this episode, Mandy shares more details about their family journey through ADHD with her son. The story may feel familiar - stress boils over and the connection between parent and child is broken. Insert Dr. Becky Kennedy - Mandy shares Dr. Becky’s most important parenting strategy and what it looked like for her and her son. 
We introduce the topic of “The Mental Load” and what many women are experiencing as they navigate their careers, motherhood, household tasks, the holidays, etc. 
Listen through to the end for a special giveaway perfect for Christmas! 
Episode 3 Practices:
Write permission slips: I give myself permission to do, be, feel, ______. Permission to feel. 
Consider any relationships (children or other) to try Dr. Becky’s repair strategies with. What could it look like to circle back and take responsibility for an action or behavior to aid in connection?
Try a new transition technique - after work, before school, in between dinner and bed. How might you take 30 seconds to wash away your thoughts or heavy feelings before moving to your next task? 
Resources:
Dr. Becky Kennedy - https://www.goodinside.com/about/
Ted Talk - 
The Mental Load 
The Sacred Self-Care Oracle Card Deck 
Check out Mandy’s ornaments //
https://kindredandbrave.com/ made to raise funds to help support the production of this podcast. 10% of the proceeds donated to https://togetherrising.org/ in honor of Mandy’s mom, Diana Jankus
For an opportunity to win THREE ornaments:
Share this podcast episode on your FB and/or Instagram page AND tag Mandy @kindredcoaching 
Follow The Kindred & Brave Project on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and write a review
Complete these actions by Friday December 8 
Winner will be announced Monday December 11!
 

Episode 2: Glimmers Grief & Grace

In this episode Mandy shares how staying present allows us to find glimmers; or those little sparks of joy that evoke gratitude. She shares the single most important lesson from another podcast that became her lifeline during some of her toughest moments in grief, transitioning her mom to hospice care. 
 
Episode 2 Practice: 
Think about a FFT that you’ve had recently
How do you feel about how you handled it (use your handy dandy emotion wheel) 
 What steps can you take to continue to process it? 
 
You can share your thoughts with me in a DM @kindredcoaching on instagram. Please subscribe to the pod and leave a review. It helps so much and really means the world to me! 
 
Head over to my website kindredandbrave.com and sign up for my newsletter you will get a free download that will help you connect to your emotions and identify how you feel. 
 
Mentioned in this episode:
 
Brene Brown on FFTs https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-ffts/
 
Emotions Wheel https://uca.edu/bewell/files/2020/11/Feelings-Wheel-Learn-How-to-Label-Your-Feelings.pdf
 
Gabby Bernstein The Universe Has Your Back Deck https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Has-Your-Back-52-card/dp/178180933X/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=409994442671&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9016180&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3210389984076498979&hvtargid=kwd-403536089887&hydadcr=24602_11409286&keywords=the+universe+has+your+back+deck&qid=1701032055&sr=8-1

Episode 1: Trusting Your Gut

In this inaugural episode, Mandy introduces herself and takes you on a journey through some of the most pivotal moments in her life and stories of crossing oceans, crossing the country, love, and loss. You’ll learn about a common thread that helped her make some of life’s biggest decisions - trusting her gut. Learning about intuition and how to listen from your heart rather than your head has driven Mandy to become the coach, mother, and instructor she is. 
 
Episode 1 Practice // Mandy would love for you to think about a time when you trusted your gut. How did it feel? What was the outcome? How did you grow from that? 
 
For right now - you can share your responses to my instagram - DM at @kindredcoaching or shoot me an email Mandy@kindredandbrave.com
 
Links from today’s episode //
 
Brené Brown Rising Strong 
 
Prism Oracle Deck 

The Kindred & Brave Project Trailer

I'm Mandy Jankus and welcome to my new dream endeavor - The Kindred & Brave Project Podcast. This pod is about digging into the stories & experiences of emotional wellness, mothering, mental health, grieving, communication, and the connections that make us all part of the human family. 
 
The Kindred & Brave Project is a place to share stories and feel seen. It’s about being kindred & brave together!