In this Just Melissa episode, I walk you through a session of The Work (Byron Katie’s approach to questioning stressful thoughts) done with my own therapist after I sustained a concussion in December 2018. My accident left my physically incapable of doing everything that made me “me”—going to the gym, hiking, reading, working, socializing—and brought on a bout of depression and a crisis of self-worth and value. Through this intimate retelling, I’ll show you how I used The Work to question my...

In this Just Melissa episode, I walk you through a session of The Work (Byron Katie’s approach to questioning stressful thoughts) done with my own therapist after I sustained a concussion in December 2018. My accident left my physically incapable of doing everything that made me “me”—going to the gym, hiking, reading, working, socializing—and brought on a bout of depression and a crisis of self-worth and value. Through this intimate retelling, I’ll show you how I used The Work to question my...

James Clear (he/him) is a writer and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement, and the author of the international best-selling book, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. In this episode, James breaks down the science of habit into practical, actionable steps to help you shift from feeling stuck to doing the thing, whether you’re trying to start something new or break a pattern that isn’t serving you. He’ll explain his two minute...

James Clear (he/him) is a writer and speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement, and the author of the international best-selling book, Atomic Habits, which has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. In this episode, James breaks down the science of habit into practical, actionable steps to help you shift from feeling stuck to doing the thing, whether you’re trying to start something new or break a pattern that isn’t serving you. He’ll explain his two minute...

You’ve probably heard of the Whole30 by now. Maybe you’ve thought about doing one yourself, heard rave reviews from a friend, or read about it in your favorite magazine. Now, you’ll hear for yourself how the Whole30 really can change your life in 30 days, and how to get started with your own Whole30 transformation. In today’s episode, Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban explains the program in her own words, including the Whole30’s inception in 2009, and the unexpected life-changing...

You’ve probably heard of the Whole30 by now. Maybe you’ve thought about doing one yourself, heard rave reviews from a friend, or read about it in your favorite magazine. Now, you’ll hear for yourself how the Whole30 really can change your life in 30 days, and how to get started with your own Whole30 transformation. In today’s episode, Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban explains the program in her own words, including the Whole30’s inception in 2009, and the unexpected life-changing...

In this “Dear Melissa” episode, Melissa (she/her) celebrates the release of her new book, The Whole30 Friends and Family, by answering listener questions about talking to friends and family about food in a way that brings you closer together, not further apart. Melissa helps you craft your Whole30 elevator speech, hold your boundaries in social situations, and respond to defensiveness or criticism about your “weird diet” gracefully. She also explains how to navigate dinner invitations while...

In this “Dear Melissa” episode, Melissa (she/her) celebrates the release of her new book, The Whole30 Friends and Family, by answering listener questions about talking to friends and family about food in a way that brings you closer together, not further apart. Melissa helps you craft your Whole30 elevator speech, hold your boundaries in social situations, and respond to defensiveness or criticism about your “weird diet” gracefully. She also explains how to navigate dinner invitations while...

In this Just Melissa episode, I’m sharing five strategies I’ve used over the years to create a healthy, boundaried, positive relationship with social media. It’s not always easy to feel like your Instagram feed is a happy place. All too often, our engagement on social media makes us feel anxious and less-than; powerless against what pops up in our feed or alerts. If you’re a slave to the ping, can’t stop mindlessly scrolling, get stuck in the comparison trap, or feel like your social media...

In this Just Melissa episode, I’m sharing five strategies I’ve used over the years to create a healthy, boundaried, positive relationship with social media. It’s not always easy to feel like your Instagram feed is a happy place. All too often, our engagement on social media makes us feel anxious and less-than; powerless against what pops up in our feed or alerts. If you’re a slave to the ping, can’t stop mindlessly scrolling, get stuck in the comparison trap, or feel like your social media...

Celeste Noche (she/her) is an editorial and documentary photographer based between Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, CA. Through her photos of food, travel, and portraits, she advocates for diversity and inclusivity, seeking to share stories of underrepresented communities. In this episode, Celeste and I discuss the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation when it comes to food and recipes. We give examples from her home city of Portland, why working to identify and...

Celeste Noche (she/her) is an editorial and documentary photographer based between Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, CA. Through her photos of food, travel, and portraits, she advocates for diversity and inclusivity, seeking to share stories of underrepresented communities. In this episode, Celeste and I discuss the difference between cultural appropriation and appreciation when it comes to food and recipes. We give examples from her home city of Portland, why working to identify and...

Jessamyn Stanley is an award-winning yoga instructor, intersectional activist, and author of 'Every Body Yoga.' She broke boundaries for plus size bodies with her February 2019 cover of Yoga Journal, and speaks across the country, advocating for body acceptance, female empowerment, and African American and LGBTQ inclusion. In this episode, we talk about why stillness is undervalued in today's modern world, why yoga is so impactful for releasing stored trauma and pain, and why pigeon pose...

Jessamyn Stanley is an award-winning yoga instructor, intersectional activist, and author of 'Every Body Yoga.' She broke boundaries for plus size bodies with her February 2019 cover of Yoga Journal, and speaks across the country, advocating for body acceptance, female empowerment, and African American and LGBTQ inclusion. In this episode, we talk about why stillness is undervalued in today's modern world, why yoga is so impactful for releasing stored trauma and pain, and why pigeon pose...

In this Just Melissa episode, I answer one of your most commonly asked questions on Instagram: Why do you call the mountains “church?” I explain my relationship with God/the Universe/Mother Nature; the moment the Utah mountains became my church; and how everyone can find the same kind of connection and guidance in nature, regardless of your spirituality (or lack thereof). Maintaining this theme, I go on to share a story of a recent hike; a 10-miler in the pouring rain. Not so much church,...

In this Just Melissa episode, I answer one of your most commonly asked questions on Instagram: Why do you call the mountains “church?” I explain my relationship with God/the Universe/Mother Nature; the moment the Utah mountains became my church; and how everyone can find the same kind of connection and guidance in nature, regardless of your spirituality (or lack thereof). Maintaining this theme, I go on to share a story of a recent hike; a 10-miler in the pouring rain. Not so much church,...

Todd McCullough (he/him) is the founder of TMAC Fitness and creator of the TMAC20 program, offering 20 minute no-equipment workouts for everyone from beginners to elite athletes. He’s also one of my closest friends. In this episode (recorded in my kitchen), Todd shares the background and how-to of his four-part “mindright” meditation practice. He’ll explain how football injuries and a cold ocean led him to meditation; Melissa talks about the first moment she realized mindright was magic; and...

In this Just Melissa episode, I explore my “Melissa talks to strangers” experiment from 2013, the unexpected impact this simple practice has had on every area of my life, and how I've turned these initially awkward efforts into an easy, fulfilling daily habit. I’ll share how you can transform normally mundane social exchanges into meaningful encounters that can spark joy, spread happiness, and leave you feeling more present and connected; provide tips for starting your own...

Jacob Henriquez is the Atlanta-based 2019 Whole30 Certified Coach of the Year, and Community Manager for Whole30 Approved brand The New Primal. Jacob specializes in motivation and creating self-accountability, and runs an ongoing LGBTQ+ Whole30 Support Group.In today’s episode, we’re both here to help you crack the code to a successful Whole30, going beyond the advice in my books. We share our best insider tips for all phases of the Whole30, including planning and preparing, socializing,...

Magdalena McClellan (she/her) helps you redirect your current life course to health, happiness and spiritual fulfillment through her intuitive gifts and various energy modalities. She uses crystals and their properties as tools to help clients to tap into their truth, heal from past hurts, move toward energetic balance, and find deeper purpose. In today’s episode, I open the discussion exploring how to respectfully appreciate these traditions and practices brought to us from other cultures...