Life On the Brink

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 74 of Life on the Brink!

Here in the U.S. we’re entering into the week of Thanksgiving, a day set aside to be grateful for those around us and, let’s be real, eat a delicious meal. This season has made me think, though, about the act of being grateful, the practice of gratitude itself. I’ve heard of “gratitude journals” and whatnot, but I became curious about what the act of “thanksgiving” actually does in your mind and body.

With that, I hit the books. I’ve done some research into gratitude and some very interesting findings. Not surprisingly, it’s actually incredibly beneficial and can help reframe our whole perspective!

In this episode I'm sharing:
-what practicing gratitude looks like
-scientific studies on gratitude's affect on mental health
-why gratitude makes an impact
-the power of your own perspective
-simple ways to embrace gratitude this season

Plus, Our Little Joys for the week are sweet and exciting. I'm sharing one autumnal recipe and one BIG life update.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 73 of Life on the Brink!

Today I'm joined again by a very special guest, my mom, Lisi Perkins! It's been a while since we chatted on the podcast, and today we're talking about something very important: hair. My mom is Puerto Rican/Panamanian and had a decades-long struggle with her curly hair until about 10 years ago. Likewise, I've gone through my own curly hair journey as I tried to understand my hair's texture. Well, now we both LOVE our curly hair and are spreading that love to you!

In this episode we talk all about:
-how we both came to embrace our hair
-the official Curly Girl method and how we both use it
-affordable curly hair products
-horror hair stories and lessons learned
-hair cuts and routines for anyone with wavy or curly hair

Plus, my mom shares not one, but TWO Little Joys, and I share a sweet album of instrumental music that perfectly bridges the almost-not-quite holiday season we're in.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 72 of Life on the Brink!

This autumn has been full of transition for me, as it might also be for you, but also full of so much beauty and joy. I was anticipating the fall season for weeks beforehand, and now that it’s here I simply want to revel in it. Today’s episode is filled with ways that I have currently been enjoying this October, or how I plan to celebrate over the final weekend of the month.

In this episode I'm sharing:
-what I've been enjoying this fall
-a few spooky weekend ideas
-how to make your home more cozy (and organized)
-ultimate comfort food
and more :)

Plus, this week's Little Joy is a sweet experience I had with my brother, and I talk about modern music for once!

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 71 of Life on the Brink!

During the chilly autumn season, I find that my love of reading increases even more. Naturally, today we’re talking about books. I have recommendations!
Today’s episode is dedicated to “food writing.” This is often the wording used to categorize these not-quite-cookbooks but very niche books that are and have been my reading kryptonite.

This list is filled with:
-memoirs of renowned chefs
-cooking traditions and personal cooking tales
-lots of yummy recipes
-some lovely fictional stories, all circling around the subject of food and cooking.

Plus, this week's Little Joy

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 70 of Life on the Brink!

Today's episode is a celebration of fall flavors in the form of cozy and delicious drinks. Surprise, surprise, there's a lot of tea! Yes, today we're going beyond the pumpkin-spiced coffee flavors and diving into the warm and spicy flavors of autumn. Making these drinks at home is actually quite simple, but are so so yummy. Plus, several of these drinks have health or medicinal properties.

In this episode I'm sharing:
-my revised chai latte recipe
-a spicy ginger tea I've recently developed
-lots of hot teas and all-natural tonics that you can make at home
-ideas for adding a bit of autumn to your cooking

Plus, this week's Little Joy is a rich and updated recipe on a sweet classic, and I'm sharing a cozy duet album of standards performed by two of the greats.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 69 of Life on the Brink!

We've now entered October, and it's a magical time. It also means that the next 3 months are going to get pretty busy. The holidays are fast approaching and, while we're not going to skip over autumn by any means, now is the time to plan ahead for December.
This is Part One of Reducing Holiday Stress, and is all about planning ahead. Today we're simply helping out our future selves so that these last 3 months of the year are as lovely and enjoyable as they can be!

In this episode I'm sharing:
-2 main areas that cause holiday-related stress
-practices that have helped me keep track of everything Christmas
-a fun way to brainstorm for the holidays
-how to get your calendar in order

Plus, I have a perfect background playlist for this topic, and I'm sharing a Little Joy that never ceases to bring comfort and creativity.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 68 of Life on the Brink!

I am back from Canada! While on this little autumn break I spent some time with Josh in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It was GORGEOUS. Between the mountains, lakes, trees, trails, cabins and TEA it was an autumnal paradise. Certainly the perfect way to transition to this glorious season.

To that end, today I’m going to share some stories and highlights that will continue to inspire me this fall season (spoiler: there’s a lot of tea), to hopefully bring some cozy Canadian fall to your home, wherever you are.

In this episode I'm sharing:
-how and why we chose to travel to Banff
-new cozy habits to carry into this autumn
-resources for hiking in your hometown
-our journey to the off-grid Lake Agnes Tea House
-lots of natural beauty and appreciation for maple syrup

Plus, this week's Little Joy is a new comfort series that I have fallen in love with, and a custom playlist of cozy tunes that are perfect for autumn.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 67 of Life on the Brink!

We're well into September now, so it's finally time to transition into autumn. I am so very excited about this year's cozy season, and have been curating a collection of books, along with plans for autumnal parties and celebrations, for a few weeks now. This episode is perfect to get you into the autumnal spirit, wherever you are!

In this episode I'm sharing:
-all the books I plan to read this fall
-movie and T.V. show recommendations
-annual autumnal parties to plan
-lots of themed movie night ideas

Plus, this week's Little Joy is a delicious recipe that will take you into the colder weather, and I'm sharing a simply-but-lovely piano trio album that is super happy and cozy.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 66 of Life on the Brink!

For many of you, happy first week of school as well. This is certainly a time of transition, and after a few years of adapting and overcoming a pandemic, this truly feels like the first normal school year we’ve had in a while.
Of course, we each have different challenges from year to year and, even in a post-pandemic world, these transitional times can be difficult or challenging in their own way.
Today I simply hope to encourage you, my friend, along with myself, to take these next few weeks one day at a time, not putting too much pressure on ourselves. Take it easy for a moment, make a cup of tea, and find a little stillness.

In this episode I'm sharing some ways to listen to what you actually need, and speaking a bit on self compassion.

Plus, I'm this week's Little Joy is both a personal experience and a restaurant suggestion, and I have the perfect album of music to transition you to the upcoming fall.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys

Hello hello, welcome to Episode 65 of Life on the Brink!

Today we have a bit of a twofor, we’re wrapping up both the Summer Reading Challenge AND I’m giving a recap of the 2022 garden so far. What worked, what didn’t work, and what I hope to change in the future.
I’m also sharing a few of your favorite summer books, and ways that I celebrated reading this summer!

In this episode I'm sharing:
-reviews on all the books I read this summer
-what some of you lovely listeners have been reading
-ways I've been celebrating books and reading
-everything I've harvested from the garden so far
-what's worked and what hasn't worked in the 2022 veggie garden
-garden plans for this fall

Plus, I'm  sharing about a scavenger-hunt-project that Josh and I have been working on all summer, and a wonderfully playful album of original jazz tunes.

For the complete show notes, click here!
For full transcript, click here!


Site: lifeonthebrink.live
Social: @anna_on_the_keys