***Apologies for the background noise on this episode. Chewing and typing sounds may occur.***

In 1996, Bill Bryson was one among many thousands of hikers who attempted to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Joined by an old friend, Katz, the two amateur hikers set out to walk the over 2,000-mile journey and see what they learn along the way.

This was a very different kind of nature memoir for Michelle. Rather than healing past wounds or conquering a mighty unknown, the two hikers learn far more about how to appreciate hamburgers and exactly what time is quitting time (spoiler alert: it's sooner than you'd think!) Kicking off Season 3 of Circle Time, your hosts found appreciation for Bryson's mellow and accessible outlook on nature and outdoor adventure.

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Special guest (and dear friend) Michaela Eckler brings us this historical fiction novel to inspire conversation about what certain words truly mean, who gets to define them, and how to fight the "good fight" no matter who you are. This is a "slow-burn" novel; it doesn't quite suck you in, but its impact creeps up slowly, and leaves you thinking about it for weeks after reading.

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Yoga, meditation, astrology, good diet, high self-esteem; where does it all come from and who gets to have it? In this episode, we take a close look at the wellness industry through the lens of anti-colonialism and Róisín's personal experience. The responsibility the author puts on yoga teachers hits close to home for Michelle. Olivia wonders how technology and Instagram play into "real" wellness. Lauren wonders how to truly connect to intuition. Listen, and find out what wellness means to you!

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Here it is... a long-awaited Circle Time by yours truly, Olivia! This book changed her life and she couldn't wait to share it with everyone. In this episode, Lauren and Olivia discuss "the truth that lives there" and Michelle questions if Sugar's advice still stands in a marriage. Join them for some laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole lot of "horribly horrible true truths".

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This book walked its way into Michelle's life and now she can't look back. The daily practices and Buddhist philosophies that Rinzler espouses here bring a renewed sense of meaning into work, and help calm the mind/body along the way. From setting intentions to focusing on the breath, we talk about how to slow down and be mindful at work. . . and the challenges that prevent us from doing so.

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Are any of us married? Nope. Do we have any experience with marriage? Nope. Are we still gonna talk about it? Yup. Through information from relationship researcher John Gottman, we talk about the Four Horsemen as they relate to the demise of a relationship as well as the initial "seeds" or warning signs that may mean your relationship could use some TLC. Join us for this conversation that explores marriage, divorce, breaking up with long-term partners, and a whole lot more!

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SPOILERS!!! Welcome back to the conversation about It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. In this episode Lauren spills all of her thoughts on the characters, the story, and the book as a whole. Michelle revisits her previous thoughts on what consequence and justice could look like for some characters in this book. Olivia and Lauren agree that they both don't like the ending. Join the circle for a long and energetic conversation about this book and all of the controversies that come with it.

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Let's talk about sex, baby! This insightful book is one of our favorites. We *came* out of it knowing so much more about communication around sex, managing turn-ons and turn-offs, and dealing with stress healthily. Talking points include:

-completing the stress cycle
-inhibitors and excitors
-how religion may tie into our perceptions of sex
-tending your own "garden"

This is a 10/10 would recommend book for people of all ages and sexual orientations. It's the sex ed that we've all been missing, and leads us all to live a more pleasure-filled life.

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