In this timely episode released just before Valentine's Day, Katie Begley explores the deeper meaning of love beyond its commercial aspects. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:4, she discusses how to show love in challenging times, particularly focusing on maintaining unity and compassion in Canada during periods of political tension. The episode emphasizes the importance of modeling loving behavior for children and suggests practical ways to show love within communities.

Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Opening scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4 about love

[00:01:00] - Introduction to podcast purpose and theme

[00:02:00] - Discussion on showing love in difficult circumstances

[00:03:00] - Critique of commercialized Valentine's Day

[00:04:00] - Reflection on showing authentic love

[00:05:00] - Discussion of recent Canada-US tensions

[00:07:00] - Ways to show love in various relationships

[00:09:00] - Engaging children in discussions about love

[00:11:00] - Impact on future generations

[00:13:00] - Discussion of current political climate

[00:15:00] - Importance of national unity

[00:17:00] - Practical ways to help community

[00:19:00] - Examples of showing love through actions

Key Takeaways

1. True love extends beyond material gifts and requires active demonstration through behavior and choices
2. Children learn from adults' examples, making it crucial to model loving behavior
3. Showing love doesn't always require friendship or agreement - sometimes it means choosing kindness or silence
4. Supporting local communities through volunteer work and helping neighbors are practical ways to show love
5. National unity can be maintained even during disagreements through respectful discourse and understanding

Notable Quotes

• "Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud."
• "Sports are meant to bring people together, not divide."
• "Young children don't yet have biases. They don't yet have hatred to people. They don't view people the way we as adults view them, because the world hasn't gotten to them yet."
• "We can still love one another and disagree. There is a way to do that."
• "If we all do a little bit, it will make our country so much better."

Connect with Katie

https://www.heartinhome.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/heartinhomeliving/

heartinhomepodcast@gmail.com

In this insightful episode, organizational expert Megan Golightly from Go Simplified discusses the psychological aspects of clutter and how it affects our daily lives. She shares her personal journey with ADHD and organizing, explains the science behind why we hold onto things, and provides practical strategies for decluttering. The conversation explores how clutter impacts mental health, family dynamics, and the importance of teaching healthy organizational habits to future generations.

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Introduction to clutter and its emotional impact

[00:02:00] Research on clutter's effect on cortisol levels

[00:03:00] Megan's personal journey and ADHD diagnosis

[00:06:00] Introduction to the Room Refresh program

[00:08:00] Discussion of sentimentality and reasons for keeping items

[00:11:00] Community aspect of Room Refresh

[00:13:00] Advice for parents teaching children about organization

[00:17:00] Working with clients who struggle to let go

[00:21:00] Container theory and organizing principles

[00:23:00] Easiest and hardest rooms to declutter

[00:28:00] Advice for younger generations

[00:31:00] Discussion of inheriting items and dealing with estates

Key Takeaways

1. Clutter directly affects women's cortisol levels and mental health
2. The psychology behind keeping items often stems from seven core reasons, including sentimentality and "just in case" thinking
3. Decluttering should be approached in small, manageable chunks to avoid overwhelming yourself
4. Container theory helps set physical boundaries for belongings
5. Start decluttering in less emotionally charged spaces like bathrooms rather than storage rooms
6. The process requires practice and commitment, but becomes easier over time
7. Young generations often prefer less stuff, and it's important to respect their choices
8. Decluttering is 90% psychological and 10% physical work

Notable Quotes

"No one's ever taught us to let go really. In fact, our parents probably taught us to hang on to everything."

"Clutter is just unmade decisions."

"You're 65 percent more likely to do something if you're in a community doing it with other people."

"One of the other reasons is that you're a perfectionist, which a lot of us are, and you're so afraid of doing the wrong thing that it's easier to do nothing."

"Duration path outcome is insomnia. That's what keeps you up at night... If your brain is doing duration path outcome about a pile of stuff that you haven't consciously made a decision about, to me, that's a waste of your mental capacity."

Resources Mentioned

• Go Simplified Instagram account @gosimplified https://www.instagram.com/gosimplified/
• Room Refresh Program https://www.go-simplified.com/join-room-refresh

For show notes and resources mentioned in this episode, visit heartandhomepodcast@gmail.com

Connect with Katie

https://www.heartinhome.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/heartinhomeliving/

heartinhomepodcast@gmail.com

In this powerful episode, Jocelyn Leworthy, a child life specialist and advocate, shares her personal journey living with albinism and visual impairment. Through her experiences, she highlights the everyday challenges of navigating a world that wasn't designed with universal accessibility in mind. From concert venues to shopping experiences, Jocelyn discusses both physical and attitudinal barriers that people with disabilities face, while offering practical suggestions for creating more inclusive spaces and services. Her story exemplifies the importance of moving beyond basic accommodation to truly understanding and implementing universal design principles in all aspects of society.

Connect with Jocelyn at https://www.instagram.com/childlifejocelyn/

Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Opening thoughts on embracing learning and individual experiences

[00:01:00] - Introduction and Martin Luther King Jr. quote on humanity

[00:02:00] - Jocelyn introduces her condition: albinism and visual impairment

[00:04:00] - Discussion of living in a world not designed for accessibility

[00:07:00] - Examples of everyday barriers (signage, menus, shopping)

[00:13:00] - Discussion of Universal Design for Learning principles

[00:15:00] - Challenges with attitudinal barriers and validation

[00:20:00] - Employment considerations and disclosure

[00:27:00] - Recommendations for businesses on improving accessibility

[00:29:00] - Taylor Swift concert accessibility experience

[00:34:00] - Challenges with Ticketmaster and venue accessibility

[00:42:00] - Impact of uninformed staff responses to accessibility needs

[00:47:00] - Suggestions for retail accessibility improvements

[00:54:00] - Importance of open dialogue and willingness to learn

[00:57:00] - Closing thoughts on universal inclusion

Key Takeaways

1. Universal accessibility is not just about physical accommodations but also about addressing attitudinal barriers and misconceptions.
2. Simple solutions often exist for improving accessibility (like digital menus, product description books, QR codes) but aren't widely implemented.
3. The burden of advocacy often falls on individuals with disabilities, leading to exhaustion and frustration.
4. Staff training should focus less on becoming "experts" and more on being open to learning from individuals about their specific needs.
5. Universal design benefits everyone, not just those with specific disabilities or impairments.
6. Businesses may be losing customer base by not considering accessibility in their services and products.

Connect with Katie Begley!

https://www.heartinhome.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/heartinhomeliving/

heartinhomepodcast@gmail.com