Show Notes

Title: How to boost your holiday mood using gratitude and the power of story! Episode 220

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:

We often put so much pressure on ourselves to create the perfect holiday experiences. That added stress can leave us depleted, overstretched, and — if we aren’t careful — it can put our mental health at risk. We can’t fully eliminate stress (nor would we want to), but we can engage in a few strategies that I find particularly helpful. These things also tie into a couple of the most important dimensions needed for building and sustaining influence that I talked about back in Episode 215. Please be sure to check out that episode if you missed it!

I’m releasing this week’s episode a few days before Thanksgiving. If you are anything like me, you are already on overdrive! All the more reason to make sure you have some additional tools and perspective in mind as you manage through holiday stress. This episode is short and a good one to listen to while you are running your errands, or taking a few minutes for yourself.

THIS WEEK’S GUEST:

I’m solo this week!

KEY TOPICS:

THE INFLUENCE / MENTAL HEALTH CONNECTION

REFRAMING OUR STORIES: Why we can’t overlook the more difficult ones, and why they matter so much.

HOW THE FIRST THANKSGIVING was actually a celebration of survival.

GRATITUDE LISTS ARE GREAT, but “other praising” may yield more value!

GRATITUDE, “OTHER PRAISING,” AND CONNECTION

GETTING TACTICAL WITH “OTHER PRAISING”

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

she said/she said podcast – Three ways we can create influence that can help us to thrive – Episode 215

she said/she said podcast Episode 205 with Dr. Samantha Boardman

“Everyday Vitality: Turning Stress Into Strength” by Samantha Boardman

Lydia Menzies Holiday Market and Supper Club

The Southern Bungalow Candle Company

The Southern Coterie

Friend, I’m truly grateful for you — not just at Thanksgiving, but all year long! I hope you have a happy, safe and wonderful holiday. And, if you have an extra minute, I would love to hear from YOU! Tell me what you thought of this episode and how you work to boost your mood and battle stress, especially during the holidays.

In addition to the contact link on at she said/she said podcast.com (below), you can also direct message me on Instagram @lauraCoxKaplan or Linked IN @LauraCoxKaplan

I’d love to hear from you!

And, if you are feeling generous, please be sure to leave a review on iTunes. Reviews help me improve our content, and that adds more value to your investment of time! And, it’s what friends do! I would be very grateful!

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About Laura Cox Kaplan

Laura Cox Kaplan is the creator of She Said / She Said — a multimedia platform for women who strive to live their best lives with intention and who are seeking insight and inspiration through thoughtful conversation and content focused on women.

Laura’s 30-year career spans some of the highest institutions in Washington, DC — a place of constant change. She spent ten years on the executive management team of global professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, where she served as Principal-in-Charge of Government, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, coordinating strategies across more than 150 countries. Before that Laura held senior positions at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, after getting her start as a Press Secretary on Capitol Hill.

A common thread for Laura has been not only navigating change, but understanding and mastering the art of influence — in government, business, communications, advocacy, and in navigating family life.

Motivated by a desire to pay her life’s work forward and to invest in other women, she recognized the power and potential in sharing stories of how successful women have understood, embraced, and leveraged influence. She followed her own advice — “understand your fear, but don’t let it stop you” — and She Said/She Said podcast was born.

Each week, Laura unpacks the concept of influence as the driving force for getting what you want. She brings together compelling storytelling with actionable advice about women’s lives and careers, encouraging thoughtful, authentic perspective that can be difficult to find.

In addition to her work on She Said / She Said, Laura is a corporate and non-profit board member and advisor, author, and adjunct professor at American University. A frequent speaker and blog contributor, Laura’s work has appeared in many publications, including Fortune Magazine, U.S. News, The Huffington Post, and World Economic Forum Blog.

Laura was awarded the Alice Paul Alumnae Award from American University, and has been named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington by Washingtonian Magazine. Previously, Laura received a “Trailblazer Award” from the American Law Journal, and a Meritorious Service Award from the U.S. Department of Treasury for her work in public and regulatory policy.

Prior to receiving a master’s degree in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C., she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and government from the University of Texas in Austin. She and her husband, Joel, live with their son and daughter in Chevy Chase, Maryland.