Isn't It Lovely? Podcast

“You are so capable of so much more than what you even realize.”

After surviving tandem bouts of Influenza B, Tracy and Rachel have rallied and are thrilled to usher in a fresh dose of inspiration by welcoming both springtime and Sioux Falls-based entrepreneur (and local fan favorite!) Terra Koupal to the show! Terra shares her journey to becoming an accidental influencer after welcoming two sets of twins (and celebrating the nuanced joys and challenges of in vitro fertilization) and explores the ways that the power of connection through family, business, and friendships can be used to comfort, encourage, empathize, and help tap into a greater life purpose. Terra and Rachel consider the significance of timing, particularly when goals and dreams take longer and require more effort, while Tracy and Terra discuss the importance of balancing vulnerability with boundaries.

Episode Mentions:

• Terra Koupal’s Instagram: @the.house.of.twins

• Terra Koupal’s Website

• Pigeon 605: “My 605: Terra Koupal”

• Lou Lou and Company

• Elegant Mommy

• Ignite Fitness Studio

• Jami Nato

What Are You Loving:

• Terra: Headway App, Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, @thesmallshoppe.sd

• Rachel: You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith

• Tracy: Rent the Runway

Disclosure: We only recommend products we use, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that add no additional cost to you; we may earn a small commission.

The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

It’s a celebration of health and nourishment quite literally from farm-to-table as Rachel and Tracy welcome regenerative farmer Roy Thompson to the show to discuss the healing power of food! With candor and sensitivity, Roy shares the ways his personal struggles with chronic illness, exhaustion, and discouragement led him to explore functional medicine, alternative healthcare, and nutrition, ultimately achieving a healing so transformative that it inspired a reimagining of his own farming and ranching practices. Roy and Tracy examine ways to find balance between traditional and functional medicine, while Rachel and Roy consider practical tips for accessing fresh organic food in a way that won’t break the bank. As Roy explains the connection between our bodies and the land in his explanation of regenerative farming practices, Tracy fondly evokes The Lion King’s “Circle of Life” song to Rachel’s delight.

Episode Mentions:

• Roy Thompson’s Website: https://tripletbrand.com/

• Roy Thompson’s Instagram: @triple.t.brand

• Roy Thompson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tttbrand1

• Understanding Ag:“Where Human Health Begins: One Farmer’s Story of Regeneration”

• Tri-State Livestock News:“Destination Regeneration: Film Shares South Dakota Ranchers’ Story”

• Mayo Clinic

• The Institute for Functional Medicine

• Regenerative Agriculture

• Gabe Brown

• David Brandt

• Ray Archuleta

• Misfits Market

• The Lion King’s“Circle of Life”

• Josiah’s Coffeehouse, Cafe, and Bakery

What Are You Loving:

• Roy: Jocko Willink, Origin Products, Jocko Fuel, Headway App

• Rachel: Shutterbean’s Coconut Maple Granola

• Tracy: Roy’s recommendations of Dr. Axe and Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture by Gabe Brown

This episode is brought to you by Flyboy Donuts! Flyboy Donuts is a Sioux Falls-based family-owned donut shop with 4 locations in Sioux Falls featuring a variety of fresh donuts and rolls daily. Use code Lovely20 now through February 6, 2024 when you order online at flyboydonuts.com to get 20% off all orders over $20. TW: This episode contains a reference to miscarriage. How sweet it is for Tracy and Rachel to be joined by bestselling cookbook author and creator of the wildly popular blog How Sweet Eats, Jessica Merchant! In this vibrant conversation, Jessica explores the ways she has maintained a consistent, authentic voice in her work, as well as the keys to honoring and protecting her creativity and passion through a framework of boundaries and structured routine. Jessica and Tracy consider the evolution of a brand and the creation and marketing of content through an ever-expanding number of platforms; Rachel and Jessica discuss the finer points of connecting with readers and followers - and the surprising ways Jessica has provided comfort and nurturing outside of her delicious recipes. Rachel and Tracy convince Jessica to add South Dakota as a stop on her next book tour before the conversation unapologetically transforms into an impromptu book club meeting. Episode Mentions: Jessica Merchant’s Website: https://www.howsweeteats.com/ Jessica Merchant’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howsweeteats/ Jessica Merchant’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howsweeteats Seriously Delish: 150 Recipes for People Who Totally Love Food by Jessica Merchant https://amzn.to/3OqItjo The Pretty Dish: More than 150 Everyday Recipes and 50 Beauty DIYs to Nourish Your Body Inside and Out: A Cookbook by Jessica Merchant https://amzn.to/4biW9a2 Everyday Dinners: Real-Life Recipes to Set Your Family Up for a Week of Success: A Cookbook by Jessica Merchant https://amzn.to/4blayTm Block scheduling Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand: https://amzn.to/47ZwwIs How Sweet Eats & Eli Hilderbrand Collaboration: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2016/06/exciting-news-a-collaboration-with-elin-hilderbrand/ Winter Street series by Elin Hilderbrand: https://amzn.to/4bdZ2ch The Pioneer Woman https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ The Secret https://amzn.to/3vVwjZI What Are You Loving: Jessica: Page the Shop Kindle covers https://www.instagram.com/page.theshop/ Kindle Oasis https://amzn.to/3SiIIhJ Rachel: The Sentence by Louise Erdrich; https://amzn.to/3SlEJkE Birchbark Books https://birchbarkbooks.com/; Arizona Goat Yoga https://goatyoga.com/ Tracy: The Skinny Confidential Him + Her Show Episode 648: Dr. Michael Gervais https://tscpodcast.com/episodes/dr-michael-gervais/ The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You by Dr. Michael Gervais https://amzn.to/3OlZ8Vs

CW: Adult Language It’s a reconnection revolution as Rachel and Tracy welcome psychologist, speaker, and author Dr. Jody Carrington to the podcast for a dynamic conversation about counteracting humanity’s loneliness epidemic with empathy, emotional regulation, and Ram Dass’ simple, but powerful observation, “we are all just walking each other home.” Tracy and Jody examine specific ways to help various communities, from teachers and healthcare responders to law enforcement officers and children, lay down their trauma and work through it in healthy ways - and why it’s essential to seek context and exchange asking, “What is wrong with you?” for “What happened to you?”. Jody and Rachel grapple with the significance of having constant access to loved ones through technology and social media, as Jody explains why it’s vital to stop trying to fix our loved ones’ problems, instead simply acknowledging the broad spectrum of necessary human emotion, from sadness and anxiety to anger and fear - not just happiness. Everyone considers the mystique of the true crime podcast, citizen journalism, and the international phenomenon that is Taylor Swift. Episode Mentions: Dr. Jody Carrington’s Website: https://www.drjodycarrington.com/ Dr. Jody Carrington’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjodycarrington/?hl=en Dr. Jody Carrington’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjodycarrington Dr. Jody Carrington’s Podcast: Everyone Comes from Somewhere https://www.drjodycarrington.com/podcast/ Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/47DRjkT Kids These Days: A Game Plan For (Re)Connecting With Those We Teach, Lead, & Love by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/3HmaF3m Teachers These Days: Stories and Strategies for Reconnection by Dr. Jody Carrington https://amzn.to/3Hix4hZ New Surgeon General [Dr. Vivek Murthy] Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush https://amzn.to/3Hijfjo Everyone Comes From Somewhere Podcast Season 1 Episode 12: “How Trauma Shapes Our Lives” https://shows.acast.com/everyone-comes-from-somewhere/episodes/how-trauma-shapes-our-lives Dr. Peter Levine Dr. Gabor Mate Dr. Bruce Perry What Are You Loving: Dr. Jody Carrington: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Relationship; Harper’s Bazaar: “Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Full Relationship Timeline” https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a45301082/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-full-relationship-timeline/ Rachel: Who Killed JFK? Podcast https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-who-killed-jfk-127000428/ Tracy: Writer Jessica Reed Kraus @houseinhabit https://www.instagram.com/houseinhabit/?hl=en

There’s no business like show business as Tracy and Rachel sit down with Grammy Award-winning artist, writer, and producer Genevieve Goings to discuss her celebrated career spanning a starring role in Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul to teaching and coaching a new generation of dreamers to embrace their authenticity and discover their unique voices. Genevieve reflects on how her upbringing as the daughter of musicians demonstrated that following her passion was a viable career path and explores the ways that simply showing up as the best version of herself generated unique opportunities - including how her career began with her not landing a role. Genevieve and Rachel consider the importance of representation and Genevieve’s relationship to being described as a “responsible role model”; Tracy and Genevieve discuss the value of empowering kids to develop into entrepreneurial entertainers through the use of technology and confidence in their own ideas and branding. Genevieve invites listeners to celebrate the season by checking out her Very Merry holiday album, while Rachel dedicates Genevieve’s “Crazy for Christmas Lady” song to Isn’t it Lovely?’s resident Queen of Christmas, Tracy. Everyone returns to the late 1990’s in the What Are You Loving? segment for a vibrant celebration of a full, yet manicured, eyebrow and a fabulous pair of patent leather Mary Jane platform pumps. Episode Mentions: Genevieve Goings’ Website: https://www.genevievegoings.com/ Genevieve Goings’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genevievegoings Genevieve Goings’ Facebook: Genevieve Goings https://www.facebook.com/genevieve.goings Genevieve Goings’ YouTube Channel: GenevieveGoings https://www.youtube.com/c/genevievegoings Alphabet Rockers https://www.alphabetrockers.com/ Jimmy Goings https://jimmygoings.com/ Choo Choo Soul https://disneynow.com/shows/choo-choo-soul Genevieve Goings’ Holiday Album: Very Merry https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbpF3dt6Zv2Ywqi9wvEjbIwGdR3FkGSgI What Are You Loving: Genevieve: The Money with Katie Show Podcast; https://podcast.moneywithkatie.com/ Pinterest; Open AI/Chat GPT; her adorable son; microblading Rachel: Steve Madden Mingle Mary Jane Platform Pump; https://shorturl.at/epKPX Genevieve’s extended family Tracy: Gemineye Studio’s Microblading https://www.gemineyestudio.com/

Rachel and Tracy are honored to welcome Janelle Campbell to the show for an honest, hopeful conversation centered around drug and alcohol addiction and recovery. Currently a Loved One Coach at Face It TOGETHER (a non-profit organization that provides confidential, peer coaching for all those impacted by addiction), Janelle explores her motivation for giving up her previous career to devote herself to being the empathetic resource for others that she herself needed at the start of her journey. She also shares her own lived experience of addressing addiction in her own family and the life-changing intervention that led her to where she is today. Encouraged by the mantra "don’t waste the pain", she explains how Face it TOGETHER uniquely approaches addiction and and urges listeners to remember there is always hope for wellness, healing, and recovery for those experiencing addiction - and that loved ones can regain their sense of peace and joy, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Face It TOGETHER’s Website: https://www.wefaceittogether.org/ Face It TOGETHER’s Instagram: @faceittogether Face It TOGETHER’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wefaceittogether/ Sioux Falls Sidewalk Arts Festival https://www.washingtonpavilion.org/event/sidewalk-arts-festival-2024 What Are You Loving: Janelle: South Dakota Magazine https://www.southdakotamagazine.com/ Jorgenson Kraut and Pickles https://www.facebook.com/groups/104289523441/ Tracy: Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin https://amzn.to/3T7sgD4 Rachel: Delamu Sushi Making Kit https://amzn.to/46ET40r This episode is brought to you by Ignite Fitness Studio! Ignite is passionate about creating a space where everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves, celebrating the beauty of diversity and believing that positive change must start from within! Check out Ignite at ignitefitness.studio or the MindBody App! The content of this podcast episode is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

Prepare for a breakthrough as Tracy and Rachel are joined by licensed therapist, author, speaker, and coach Jason VanRuler to celebrate healing and healthy futures through a discussion of his new book Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection. Through highlighting his own bouts with trauma, addiction, and healing; Jason offers listeners practical first steps when seeking therapy and explains the importance of facing, naming, and dealing with pain and grief. Jason and Tracy unpack current mental health trends, including the complex relationship between mental health accounts on social media and clinical diagnoses, as well as the conversation around hot topics such as narcissism. Rachel and Jason explore the importance of taking risks to pursue and nurture genuine human connections versus unhealthy dynamics of hero/rescuer/victim roles. Jason candidly discusses the “vulnerability hangover” that results from writing a book; Rachel and Tracy continue to quote Jason back to himself and extend the interview countless times with “one last question”. Episode Mentions: Jason VanRuler’s Website: https://www.jasonvr.com Jason VanRuler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.vanruler/?hl=en) Get Past Your Past: How Facing Your Broken Places Leads to True Connection by Jason VanRuler https://amzn.to/49SkPWq Narcissisim https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/narcissism Bass Weejuns Men’s Shoes https://www.ghbass.com/men/view-all/weejuns What Are You Loving: Jason: Florida/traveling somewhere warm; Experiencing Friendship with God: How the Wilderness Draws Us to His Presence by Faith Eury Cho https://amzn.to/3MNwNXt Tracy: Blurry Creatures Podcast; https://www.blurrycreatures.com/ Annie F. Downs That Sounds Fun podcast https://www.anniefdowns.com/ Rachel: Stay Near Organization https://staynear.co/

“It’s not how you fall, but it’s how you get back up.” Rachel and Tracy are thrilled to welcome entrepreneur and former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Linda McMahon to Isn’t it Lovely? for the ultimate conversation about resilience, creating opportunities, the dignity of work…and a little something about transforming World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from an idea dreamed up at a kitchen table into a multinational public company. With grace and candor, Linda discusses the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship, including a brush with bankruptcy that included car repossession and a house auction in the midst of her second pregnancy, while celebrating the power of perseverance and the passion to rebuild new dreams. Linda also details the series of events that led to her path in politics and her sincere desire to make a difference, as well as the importance of understanding a life calling and reinventing opportunities. Linda and Tracy underscore the importance of women mentoring one another and honestly wanting each other to succeed, while Rachel and Linda explore what it means to “balance being out of balance” when it comes to work and family. Everyone agrees body-slamming is not exclusive to a WWE match, but is rather a recurring activity amongst our own children at home. Episode Mentions: Linda McMahon, 25th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association https://www.sba.gov/person/linda-mcmahon Linda McMahon Instagram: @sbamcmahon Linda McMahon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamcmahon/ World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) https://www.wwe.com/ WWE & UFC Merger https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/36066332/endeavor-ufc-wwe-merger-2023-explained Women’s Leadership Live https://womensleadershiplive.com/ Sacred Heart University Women Can Have it All Series https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140403005881/en/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-Sacred-Heart-University-to-Launch-%E2%80%98Women-Can-Have-It-All%E2%80%99-Series-Hosted-by-Linda-McMahon What Are You Loving: Linda: Family and life, especially spending time with grandchildren; English Mastiffs; her visit to South Dakota; Rachel Oglesby Rachel: New Directions Down Syndrome Association https://newdirectionsdsa.com/ Tracy: Shop Dog Boutique https://shopdogboutique.com/

Tracy and Rachel are so grateful to welcome counselor and co-founder of Victus Counseling and Nutrition Services Faith Carlson to the show for a sensitive and nuanced conversation centered around eating disorder recovery. Faith compassionately provides framework and illustrations to better comprehend the impact and prevalence of eating disorders, including a broader understanding of the spectrum of behaviors and their place in overall mental health and wellness. In addition to her local work, Faith also consistently advocates on a national level to remove barriers to care, while emphasizing that hope and healing are always possible. Faith and Rachel explore ways to support loved ones facing this journey and the importance of simply believing their lived experiences, even if those experiences can be difficult to understand; Tracy and Faith discuss the power of language surrounding food and movement, particularly as it pertains to children and parenting. Everyone celebrates the power of a great partner and why we all need a handler at one time or another. Episode Mentions: Victus Counseling and Nutrition Services Website: https://www.victusrecovery.com/ National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) Website: https://anad.org/ National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders Eating Disorder Statistics: https://anad.org/eating-disorders-statistics/ ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition by Denver Health https://www.acute.org/ Body Dysmorphic Disorder https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938 Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Linda Bacon https://amzn.to/3ZOoLTi Friends Pivot Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_PWbnHABsM What Are You Loving: Faith: Business partner and co-founder Lauren Cornay, especially her inspiration, joy, and ability to do the impossible Rachel: This Must Be the Place: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today by Jami Nato; Jami Nato’s Instagram: @jaminato https://amzn.to/3ZRY9B5 Tracy: Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Shampooer https://amzn.to/3RTBBxU

They’ve gone country! Dust off your boots and don the rhinestones to join Tracy and Rachel as they welcome country musician and philanthropist Trey Taylor to the show! Billed as the youngest African-American in country music history when he showed up on the Nashville scene at age 16, Trey shares how he fell in love with traditional country music (and its grande dame Dolly Parton) at the tender age of eight. This affinity led to the passion, discipline, and drive that resulted in a storybook ending of being signed to Dolly’s own producer by the time he was 16 years old. Trey explores the ways his signature style and faith in his dreams sustained him during years of bullying and misunderstanding, while emphasizing the importance of both respecting and entertaining an audience. Trey further explains how in the midst of a rigorous 300-show year upon graduating from high school he determined that 10 percent of his shows would be devoted to raising money for worthy causes, making philanthropy a cornerstone of his career. (Local listeners are invited to join Trey on Thursday, September 28, 2023 for An Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor to benefit anti-human trafficking organization Call to Freedom.) Trey and Rachel agree that sometimes you should meet your heroes, while Tracy and Trey celebrate the mash-up of culture and style and that all people really need are “three chords and the truth”. Trey Taylor Website: http://www.treytaylormusic.com/ Trey Taylor Instagram: @treytaylorofficial Trey Taylor Facebook: Trey Taylor Music Intimate Evening with Trey Taylor Event (A Benefit for Call to Freedom) https://calltofreedom.org/events/intimate-evening-with-trey-taylor/ Call to Freedom Website: https://calltofreedom.org/ Call to Freedom Instagram: @calltofreedomsd Dolly Parton Ronnie Milsap Glen Campbell Kenny Rogers Johnny Cash