Have you ever gotten caught up in your everyday routine and feel as though the whole week is just one day dragging on and on? I certainly have. One of the best ways I’ve found that I can break up the monotony is to purposely add in activities that I can look forward to during the day. For me, that’s spending time with my family and friends, reading great books, and listening to music and podcasts. If I can surround myself with people that inspire and encourage me to live my best life, I’m much more motivated to keep moving forward.

I want to share a few books and podcasts that I’ve been into lately. If you’re like me and need a few new voices in your life, check out the material below!

1. Podcast: The Happy Hour- Episode 176

This podcast is hosted by Jamie Ivey. It’s a smart, funny, empowering, and Christian- based podcast. Jamie interviews successful women from all walks of life and doesn’t skimp on the hard questions. In this episode, she interviews Candace Cameron Bure, who’s known for playing DJ on Full House and starring in her fair share of Hallmark movies. I loved hearing the behind the scenes stories on show biz, and how Candace has handled it all so gracefully because she’s has God on her side.

2. Podcast: How I Built This: Airbnb/ Joe Gebbia Episode

How I Built This has become one of my favorite podcasts to listen to! The host interviews all kinds of incredibly successful people that are front runners in the entrepreneurial industry and gets to the bottom of how they built their empire. This episode is centered around how Airbnb, one of the most popular ways people are traveling these days. It’s so interesting to hear how it all began.

3. Book: Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush

Let me preface this pick by saying I am NOT a political person. In fact, I avoid all political talk as much as possible which the topic comes up in conversation; however, I loved this book! The authors, Jenna and Barbara, are President George W. Bush’s twin daughters, and this book is their memoir of the sisterhood they share. Having a sister myself, I could relate to the Bush twins so much more than I imagined. Reading all of their stories from their childhood, makes me want to start typing out all of the stories I share with my sister, Caitlin, who actually passed this book along to me. Thanks, Cait!

4. Book: Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines

Gosh, I love Chip and Joanna Gaines just as much as the next person… They are such an inspiration. They have taken the success and attention they have attracted in the past few years with so much grace. I have now read both of their books, The Magnolia Story and Capital Gaines, and highly recommend them both. Considering the all of the picks in this list, I think I really love to hear the backstory behind other’s achievements in life. I really love getting to know people from their core, and that’s exactly what you get from Chip Gaines in this book. Well that and lots of laughs!

5. Song: 93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz

I heard this song for the first time in years a week or so ago and forgot how much I love it. I’m one of those people that finds a song she loves and plays it 100 times in a row until I’m sick of it! This song is a reminder that however far we go literally or figuratively, we always have a home. A home in ourselves, in our friends and family, and most important in God. That’s a reminder I always need. Fun fact: I used this song on my senior slideshow that played at my high school graduation party!

Well, there you go– a list of things that have been inspiring me lately. I hope you can check a few of them out! If you, shoot me an email and tell me your thoughts!

 

-Chelsea