Derby City Darling

At the beginning of the year, I told myself that I wanted to listen to more podcasts. I had just completed Serial and was hooked from the first byte. Much like finishing a good book series, I felt like there was a void that needed to be filled. I stalked the podcast charts searching for my next new favorite and over time I have developed quite the subscription list. There are podcasts on every topic imaginable, from pop culture gossip to business and sports and politics, so you're bound to find one or ten that floats your boat. Here are my five favorites that are definitely worth a listen if you're looking to break into the world of podcasts.

Straight Up with Stassi

After Serial, this was the first podcast I found that really drew me in. It's hosted by Stassi Schroeder of Vanderpump Rules fame plus a different guest each week. I have Chelcey to thank for introducing me to Vanderpump, and ultimately this podcast, and I am so glad she did. I think we all know reality shows are not necessarily 100% "real" but Stassi does a phenomenal job of being uber relate-able by sharing her life experiences. Plus, girl is a Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor in Paradise fan (so many shows!) so it's always fun to hear her perspective on the crazy that ensues on those shows each week.

#Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso

I think everyone has at least heard of, if not read, Sophia's book #GIRLBOSS (I'm in the heard of crowd, need to change that). She's the founder of Nasty Gal and if you're looking for some inspiration and motivation in your own creative endeavors, then this is the podcast for you. Each week she interviews a Girlboss from different industries as they share their story of how they rose to success. This is my most recent discovery and I can definitely attest that it is a major reason why I am writing this blog post right now. I haven't been in the blogging game much lately, but after listening to a few episodes I felt re-inspired and ready to get down to business.

My Favorite Murder

Ok y'all, bear with me for a moment as we take a complete 180 in terms of podcast subject material. After the whole Making a Murderer craze, I needed more of that in my life. The psychology of it all absolutely fascinates me. I'm not crazy, I swear. I binged on How to Get Away With Murder on Netflix but I needed more. Then I found this podcast on the top charts and it's been at the top of my list ever since. Each week the two hosts share a murder story that they've researched or learned of from listeners. Sometimes the crimes are high profile, other times not so much. Either way, it's an incredibly interesting listen even despite my aversion to blood.

The Lady Gang

This one for me is a blend of Straight up with Stassi and Girlboss Radio. It's fun conversation like you'd have with your girlfriends over brunch and mimosas, but with a little more substance. While they don't dive so much into the whole reality TV world, they do have celebrity guests each week who share their rise to success. Hosted by Jac Vanek, Keltie Knight, and Becca Tobin, these ladies are successful in their own right and make you feel like you're in the room with them sipping on some bubbly. It's a fun listen that might just inspire you to get in the game too.

The Skinny Confidential: Him and Her Podcast

Another recent discovery, this podcast is hosted by blogger Lauryn Evarts and entrepreneur Michael Bosstick. I really enjoy how they blend sharing aspects of their personal lives, much like an audio blog post, with tips and tricks for success in the creative and entrepreneurial world. This is another podcast that's ignited a fire in me to get back into blogging and creating and has really changed my mindset and outlook on life, so I can't help but think others would be able to draw inspiration from it too.

What are some of your favorite podcasts? You can never have too many! After all, an empty subscription box is the worst, am I right?

If you follow me on Instagram (and why wouldn't you be?) you may have already read about my disaster of a grocery run from this past weekend. I elaborated in that caption more than I usually do and figured that would be that. As I was sitting at my desk yesterday afternoon, though, a light bulb or bell went off inside my head - whichever you prefer - as it so often does at random times throughout the day. Sure, in that moment at the grocery store I was so frustrated, but in sitting at my desk working through a stack of papers a mile high I realized that I have a bad habit of letting things get to me.

For this to all make sense, let's rewind a bit shall we? Sunday is supposed to be Funday, hence the title of this post. My Sunday, however, was anything but fun because there was lots of work to be done at my office in order to make a certain deadline. It's a part of the job, I get it, and I'm not complaining about that. But what really set me over the edge after I had been working for 8 hours was walking into the grocery store, ready to conquer my list faster than Ghengis Khan could conquer China, only to realize that nothing was as it should be.

I made a beeline to my first item (sliced apples) but was staring at mushrooms instead. I did a 360 as the annoyance set in, and weaved in and out of aisles like a maze trying to find the things I needed. I asked an employee where said apples were now located, and he politely replied that they didn't have them anymore. Say what? Just like that I felt like my whole meal plan for the week was ruined. Dramatic much? Yes. But it's exactly how I felt at the time. As humans we can only take so much bending until we break.

I ultimately settled on a different fruit to take the apples' place, and looking back now it seems so trivial and so small in the grand scheme of things. This is my problem. I'm quick to focus in on the bad instead of being thankful that I have the money to buy my groceries, and healthy food at that, every week for myself. I am the first to admit that I get caught up in the little things and let them drive me insane until something else comes along to occupy my mind. Whether its sitting in the drive thru wondering why the heck they're taking so long, or staring at my phone wondering why someone hasn't responded back to me, I have to learn to see the bigger picture.

At the beginning of the year, I started jotting down something good that happened or something I was thankful for every day in my planner. As things got busier I got away from that, but I am going to challenge myself to get back into that practice from now on. Then at the end of the year when I am reflecting back on 2015 and how awesome it was, my views won't be ruined by a few bad apples.

xoxo,

Amanda