Needy and Normal Podcast

EP 14 Life Coaching Explained

Have you ever considered coaching? Want to know how much the personal development industry is worth? Curious about what life coaching entails? Want to know what the difference is between a coach and a therapist?
Listen (all the way to the end) for a dive into my methods and coaching beliefs, and for some overall truths about the work it takes to continue to grow and develop.
But first, we kick it off with a mindset fix for you (and me) to find happiness no matter what!
Listen for why and when people decide to seek out a coach and which typical outcomes are desired.
This episode will debunk some myths about coaching, to clarify how positive the experience is...spoiler alert: coaching is not always about saving you from rock bottom. It's more about support you NEED. We all need it. 
Learn the ABL Life Coaching theory, on how we are learning to parent ourselves or re-raise ourselves NOW, through personal development and coaching.
Listen for how emotions (even the deep ones), are not off the table in a coaching relationship, if they're blocking forward momentum. 
Rest assured that each experience working with a coach is meant to be customized, not a cookie cutter formula. It’s about what works for you!
It takes work, it’s a team effort and it often takes time, but you get to keep trying, especially with focus and the support from a coach.
Want to learn the five main pillars of personal development? I bet you KNOW THEM! Test your knowledge!
Let this episode also be a reminder that the best investment you can make is in YOURSELF.
There's a big picture at play: Personal development makes the world a better place! What do you think??
Now answer this question…do you need a life coach? Visit ABLlifecoaching.com or email me at Ashley@abllifecoaching.com. I am happy to be a resource for you OR be your coach. I love my work and I am here for you and your needs. Perhaps we're a great fit! Worth the complimentary chat!
Your needs matter, because you matter.
BONUS: Listen until the end for some little special guests! (My kids).
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast! You mean the world to me! Please rate, review, subscribe and SHARE! xo
 

EP 13 Boundaries that protect your peace and energy

Boundaries are a HOT topic! They need to be, let's be honest. Using your boundaries is not only essential, but also helpful in building your self-worth, honoring your true self, protecting your peace, and conserving your precious energy. Your needs matter, because you matter.
Listen for:
1. How to say NO, when you might (uncomfortably) say YES.
2. Recognize when your intuition is speaking to you.
3. Not allowing yourself to feel PRESSURE, guilt free.
4. Conserving your energy for things that matter to you.
5. How your to show yourself discipline, which is self-love.
6. How authenticity is IN and people pleasing is OUT.
Learn to manage unsolicited advice or judgment, and accept that using boundaries may disappoint people...and that's OKAY.
Find the encouragement you need, in this episode, to feel empowered to speak up, be yourself, and LOVE your precious self.
Thank you for listening. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the Needy and Normal Podcast! 
To learn more about Ashley, visit @abllifecoaching on IG and learn about coaching together at www.abllifecoaching.com
 
 

EP 12 Redefining success through shifting perspectives with guest, Mike Smith

How do you define success? How do you see yourself living your best life? Do you measure your success by career achievements, by what your family looks like, what house you have or what you drive?
In this episode, we look at the work-life balance from the perspective and point of view of a successful and high-achieving professional, father, husband, and an admittedly lifelong learner, Mike Smith.
Mike is the President of Scope Aviation, an personal aircraft finance leader in its industry.
He shares his perspectives on:
1. What may work for him might not work for you.
2. How accepting what success looks like to him in his home and at work is key.
3. How accepting that growth is necessary.
4. And how the ways in which to find happiness are unique to you.
Mike takes us through changes in his leadership role at work, having his first child, how things shifted in his marriage, and facing more change with another baby on the way.
Learn how even the highest of achievers have moments of reflection, and realize that shifting perspective on internal peace and overall life success can change (and often needs to change).
As a past client of mine, it has been a thrill to watch Mike create the life he wants by finding (and continuing to find) connection and balance within himself.
Mike points out how a zoomed-out view of your life is eye opening, helps you notice the wins you’ve been missing, and realize how important it is to slow down to see joy and feel calm.
Listen for challenges related to distractions…such as EMAILS and always feeling obligated to check them at any given moment.
Listen for ways we allow ourselves to fill time constantly, especially at work. While that may might make us feel productive, we're often less efficient with our time.
**Mike shares an awesome mindset trick for focusing, if you also face the email battle at work.
Listen for how the pressures to accomplish every task in a given day is a misconception of the successful professional.
Listen for how you can notice where shifts need to be made, and when to keep it simple!
You are a work in progress. You are allowed to be human. Let this help you find permission to be more human. It connects us to one another. We may need to see things differently, and slow down to see the good and real all around us. When we slow down, we can filter out the pressure we create for ourselves!
Listen for how to be a better example for your children, a new generation  who can manage success and pressures differently in order to stay focused on what’s truly important.
What's truly important to you? Perhaps your perspective on success will change once you hear this episode.
MIKE SMITH BIO:
Mike has been been in the aircraft finance industry since 2011 and in banking since 2006. Mike is a graduate of Ohio University, where he studied aviation and business, as well as obtained commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates. Mike is passionate about aviation and focuses on serving others by helping them thrive in business and in life. Mike is married with one son and a daughter on the way (Summer 2024).
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal Podcast! Please subscribe, rate and review the show! I appreciate it more than you know!
Find me on Instagram @abllifecoaching and to inquire about coaching with me, visit www.abllifecoaching.com

EP 11 The importance of having fun!

Have you heard yourself saying, “I don’t remember the last time I had fun” lately? In this episode, listen for why it is so important to have fun, and how science proves that it’s good for you! Having fun helps you find focus and clarity, and allows you to connect to gratitude and being present in your life.
Listen for a mindset check in how allowing yourself to have fun is a permission you get to give to yourself, no guilt needed. Fun is to be shared, a delightful distraction, and something we all need. You’ll even hear some ideas on what to do for fun! And in traditional Coach fashion, there is a takeaway at the end for you to practice in your own life. 
Thank you for listening, and please share this episode with someone who needs a a smile and a little “fun” reminder. And don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the Needy and Normal Podcast. It means the world to me.
Find me on Instagram @ abllifecoaching. And to discover or rediscover lifecoaching, visit abllifecoaching.com. Initial sessions are complementary, and coaching can change your life. Sign up for the next live group coaching program, beginning in June 2024! Discounts available for listeners!
Your needs matter because you matter. Now go have some fun!

Five things you need to know about a life transition.

Are you facing a change in your life right now? Do you need to make a change in your life? In this episode, I'll walk you through five things you need to know to recognize a life transition and get through it.
Learn things that may comfort you as you move through a challenging time in your life.
Find reassurance as you discover what's normal about processing and embracing change.
Discover the three stages of a life transition, and how going through it alone is not an option.
Not only do you need to know these five things, this is also your episode for finding some clarity.
The things you will learn in this episode are also what I talk about in my work as a coach. Want to dive deeper? Let's talk about working together. Initial sessions are complimentary. Listeners receive 10% off your first coaching package! Don't hesitate to reach out, life transitions are my jam! I've got you, you beautiful human. Your needs matter, because you matter.
Visit ABLlifecoaching.com or find me on IG @abllifecoaching. 
Thank you for listening, rating, and reviewing the Needy and Normal Podcast! And don't forget to subscribe! :)

I have anxiety, you too?

Anxiety is a THING most of us are aware of and probably on a personal level. This episode will be one of many where anxiety is front and center. It's more normal to have it (and admit it) nowadays than ever, so let's normalize it for you too, dear listener.
This episode was not an easy one for me to share. I get personal and vulnerable. My goal is to connect to you with my story and my struggles. And to show you that it's okay, I see you, and you're not alone.
It's hard to regulate your emotions, and it's even harder when you don't know how. Listen for how I went from an anxious mess, waiting for my dad to come out of open-heart surgery, to managing my stress and anxiety with tools and consistent practices. You can do it, too! Please send me a note if this one strikes you, and please share this with someone who may need to hear that it's okay to struggle with anxiety.
WARNING: F*bombs drop at 10:28 and 11:38
As promise in this episode, here is a full list of my tools and best practices to manage my own anxiety. To create your own menu of tools and best practices, please reach out. I can help with that.
1. To calm the nervous system - anxiety meds (if needed), THC gummies (dosed), Ashwagandha or Holy Basil for other natural alternatives.
2. Good SLEEP habits.
3. Regular exercise.
4. Accept it. "I have anxiety, it's normal, and I can manage it."
5. Noticing the anxiety, calling it out, being curious, and taking action (action = distraction).
6. Talk to someone who feels safe (get support) i.e. therapist, coach, family, husband, close friend.
7. Less alcohol, MORE water.
8.  Manage expectations of situations and of other people. Accept that things will happen or change and I can only control myself. Live in flow, not in survival mode (always working on this one).
9. Reframe an anxious or negative thought to a positive thought, or change the story I am telling myself. I pause to reflect and get real with myself.
10. Breathing - in for 5, out for 8, either with eyes closed or by looking up or out to reset my brain (learned that piece of science from my therapist, and it's great to disrupt ruminating or overthinking).
11. Meditation - I usually listen to a short one on YouTube, Balance app or Insight Timer app.
12. Read before bed INSTEAD of scrolling. And DO NOT look at the phone first thing in the morning.
13. Be present with my kids. Focus on their needs (emotional needs especially), listen with my whole body to the things they share, and say YES when they want to play and have fun with me, and especially when they want to snuggle.
14. HUGS - I need lots of hugs (and smiles).
15. Eat healthy. And for me, I cut out gluten after years of sensitivity to it. I finally had enough, and I feel better overall and more clear-minded.
16. Have fun - dance, laugh, be silly/play, be a little spontaneous!
17. Use boundaries - say "NO" if my mind and body resists, I listen to it! I speak up, if need be.
18. I got off of birth control, and it seems to have regulated my hormones back to their natural rhythm...helped with monthly mood swings.
19. Remind myself that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but nowhere to go. Or my new fav from my sister, Lindsay, "don't borrow trouble." Love that. <3
20. Love myself by taking care of my needs whether I need a massage, a moment of silence, or a good cry.
DO you use any of these, too? I'd love to hear from you! Visit me on the web at www.ABLlifecoaching.com or on Instagram @abllifcoaching.
Please rate, review, & subscribe. If you're curious about coaching, feel free to book a complimentary discovery session with me.
Thanks for listening! Your needs matter, because you matter. -A
 
#mentalhealthawareness #anxiety
 

Changing your life and facing new challenges, with guest Liz Brodek (Wendt)

Sometimes life throws difficult changes at you that cannot be sugar-coated. Liz Brodek (Wendt) is a client and friend of mine, who has experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows, all within the last few years. She has gone from completely changing her life, for the better, to facing some of her hardest times that she never saw coming.
In this episode, you'll hear Liz's story and about making use of her best mindset tools. Through our work together as coach and coachee, Liz has developed universal ways to get her though the uncontrollable.
Listen for the power of trusting yourself, shifting your perspective, and weathering the "storm" while growing and healing anyways.
Listen for what it means to face devastation and to keep going. Learn to use your boundaries guilt-free, because it's necessary to take care of your own needs, no matter what!
Are you facing an impossible challenge in your life?
Are you considering making life-changing decisions?
If you are facing something difficult in your own life, perhaps you'll find just the inspiration you need from hearing Liz's journey.
*Sensitive subject begins at 21 mins. If you or someone you know is experiencing a pregnancy loss, seeking support and speaking about it may be healing for you as well.
Bio: Liz Brodek (Wendt) is a leading lady in Wausau, Wisconsin as the city's Development Director. With a passion for the environment and for developing communities, Liz has taken her law degree (from Marquette University in Milwaukee), and her extensive experience in economic development, to new heights. Her ability for taking things from "okay" to functional and extraordinary does not just show up in her professional life. Liz has also made extraordinary, life changing moves in her personal life, to create a life she truly loves. Liz also loves art, writing, the outdoors, and spending time with her new husband, Ben, along with their two cats and dog.
To schedule your free coaching consult, visit www.abllifecoaching.com or email directly at coachlevering@gmail.com.
Thank you for listening to the Needy and Normal podcast. Please subscribe, rate and review! It would mean the world to me.

Speak up!

Need something, say something. This one will hit home. Asking for help saves you time and energy, and forget hoping others can read your mind! You will find yourself in this "real talk", guilt-free, episode. You can do anything, but you don't have to do everything...and certainly not alone. Sometimes, we need each other.
Please rate and review the Needy and Normal Podcast, and share it generously! Your needs matter, because you matter. Thank you for being here.
To learn about coaching with me, visit www.abllifecoaching.com

Simplify your needs and making decisions

Human beings are complicated, therefore, are GREAT at making simple things difficult. Busy lives, overthinking, and fear can truly make it easy to complicate what can actually move us forward.
In this episode, learn through my dramatic (and true) tornado story, and also from real life examples, how to simplify your own needs and decision making abilities. Who doesn't need that?!
When in doubt, keep things simple. It may just be the quickest way to listen to your intuition and finally trust yourself.
For your complimentary coaching session, to discover its power in your own life, email me directly ay coachlevering@gmail.com or visit www.abllifecoaching.com. You can also find me on IG @abllifecoaching.
Thank you for being here and for listening. It would mean the world to me if you'd rate and leave a review for Needy and Normal Podcast. We need it!

How kindness can change your life!

Welcome to an episode we all need, a reminder that kindness is GOOD for YOU! In this episode I share a personal, life-changing story. I also share scientific facts about what kindness does for your health, some tips in self-kindness, and ways to reconnect you to the value of giving and receiving kindness. This episode could very well change your life!
To learn about coaching with me, visit ABLlifecoaching.com and check out @abllifecoaching on Instagram. Initial sessions are complimentary.
Thanks for listening, for rating and reviewing, and for subscribing to the Needy and Normal Podcast. It means the world to me! I am so glad you are here.
 
As promised in this episode, here is the list of countries/stops I was fortunate to visit on my study abroad experience of a lifetime back in Spring 2007. Check out Semester at Sea to learn more. It changed my life.
Bahamas
Puerto Rico
Brazil
Mauritius
South Africa
India
Vietnam (and Cambodia)
China
Japan
Hawaii
Resources for this episode include research by: Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - New York Times, UC Berkley, Emory University, Case Western Reserve, Medical