Joy Boost #1: Because we all need a pump me up!

A book to get you communicating on point, a hilarious TV show, and my fave life upgrade from last year.

Happy Monday, my lovelies!

We made it to February! I’ve decided to officially give myself a break and started my New Year this weekend because January was A MESS. So, I’m resetting my resolutions, breathing deeply, and deciding how I want to move through this year.

Want to join me? Let’s hang on Thursday for a resolution reset so we can go into the rest of the year with grace and ease in our back pocket.

And joy is back! I’ll be doing these Joy Boost emails on weekends (new name, same content as the old WSUAs) so we can all practice building our joy muscles (pecs for everyone!).

First, though, can we take a minute to celebrate? One of my favorite people in the world wrote a book!

Here’s the thing about Chad. He’s always had my back and even when we were in high school (when he was 16!) he inherently understood communication and how it can put people at ease.

Let me give you an example.

It was the early 90s and ninth grade Kara was going to her first ever, high school party. This was a VERY BIG DEAL because upperclassmen and BOYS were going to be there. Like really cute boys who I never would have had the nerve to talk to normally, but maybe, just maybe, at this exclusive party?

Being the A+ student that I was, I arrived promptly at 7 (when the party is scheduled to start, I’d like to point out) and was the only person there. Never has a large, dark abyss sounded more appealing.

After an agonizing half hour, people started to show up and I suddenly realized I knew no one and had nothing to say to these upperclassmen and, omg, VERY CUTE BOYS.

So, I did what any self-respecting Midwesterner would do - I started washing dishes.

You want to know what will really kill your cred at a high school party? Acting like a middle-aged mom, who’s worried you’re going to get mayo on the carpet.

My high school career could have ended that night were it not for one person: Mr. Michael Chad Hoeppner.

In my mind, he witnessed my agony across the room and the crowds parted so he could glide towards me, hand outstretched, to say those magical words, “Hey, didn’t we go to elementary school together?”

Yes, my dear friend, yes, we did.

We talked for several minutes, enough to restore the teeniest bit of my confidence, which is sometimes all you need as a teen.

And that’s pure, vintage Chad. Kind, direct, looking you in the eye and seeing you for who you are, taking the time and energy to really listen and respond.

Not surprisingly, he’s built a career out of it and, now, has written a book so you can do the same.

Listen, Don’t Say Um will improve your speaking skills for stage, zoom, groups, and every day life, FOR SURE. It’ll help you quickly get rid of “um”, “like”, and all the rest of the embarrassing tics that stop us from going on camera or speaking in front of groups.

But, really, it’s about how to slow down so you can say what you actually mean; it teaches you how to look people in the eye and create connection; it helps you become the kind of communicator who brings people together with ideas that are understandable and delivered in a way that makes them feel seen, just like he did for me all those years ago. ❤️

Want a copy? I’ve got one I want to send you! Scroll to the bottom section to see how to win!

🎤 Talk about inspiring! Love this article on how the biggest fire relief concert came together in under 48 hours. Yes, I know this guy has a Rolodex for the ages, but also, it’s a good reminder that sometimes you just need to put it out there and start taking action.

😳 This book has low key changed my life these past couple of weeks and I’ve been gifting it to everyone who is feeling anxious and not sure where to put it (um, everyone?). Martha is hilarious, real, and her tips are easy enough to do right now (I’m headed to a crafting night later this month that a friend who read it organized!).

⚽️ I have watched this video multiple times and every time it makes me laugh. I’m not sure how much soccer actually is getting played, but the joy is contagious and I’d totally join a league.

📺 Go watch this show and then feel free to send me lengthy DMS about how I brightened your week. 😂 It is exactly what we need right now - sweet, funny, and real with complicated characters, who are messy and laugh-out-loud funny (just ask my 13 year old who was VERY EMBARRASSED her mom was laughing in a public place, ie. the airplane. OMG, MOM!).

🛌 One of the things I did last year was upgrade a bunch of items in our life that we use on the daily and bugged me all the time. First up, was our pillows. Good bye lumpy, bumpy pillows from Target and hello to feeling like you’re at a first-class hotel with these from FluffCo. WORTH EVERY PENNY!

🎉 Remember those resolutions you made eons ago? How are they going? Dead on arrival? NO PROBLEM!

I’m teaching a free class, How to Make Resolutions that You’ll Actually Keep, this Thursday at noon MST so we can get a redo. It’s workshop style so plan on leaving with an on-point, easy, and - dare I say - FUN resolution that’ll be easy to keep.

🎉 And I have a new challenge launching next Monday so keep your eyes peeled! Hopefully, it’ll help reduce anxiety and make you feel like the superhero you actually are. More info coming soon!

I’ve got a copy of Don’t Say Um, sitting here in my hot little hands that I want to send to you!

Comment below with one thing you’re looking forward to this week (a walk with a friend, reading a book, game night with the fam, coffee in the am - doesn’t have to be big or hard!) and I’ll pick a winner and send it to you!

Must be in the US and must be over 18.