Episode Summary:

In this episode of Me 1st, Amanda and Drew dive into the topic of workplace culture—examining the characteristics of both positive and toxic environments and the profound impact they have on employees’ well-being and job satisfaction. They tackle the tough questions: “Is your boss the reason you’re sick?” and “What makes a culture toxic?” Using real-life examples from corporate giants like Meta, Uber, and Amazon, they highlight the importance of leadership in setting the tone and offer actionable advice for employees navigating difficult workplaces.

Key Takeaways: Toxic Work Culture Has Real Consequences: Toxic environments lead to physical and mental health issues like chronic stress, burnout, and even depression, which are often more impactful than salary concerns. According to research, toxic culture is ten times more likely to cause turnover than compensation.

Leadership’s Role is Crucial: Leaders are responsible for setting the tone of the organization. A positive workplace thrives on transparency, trust, respect, empathy, and clear policies. When leadership fails to embody these values, the entire culture suffers.

Understanding the “Toxic Five” Traits: The most damaging work environments exhibit one or more of these traits: disrespectful, non-inclusive, unethical, cutthroat, and abusive. These traits drive away employees and damage company reputation.

“Purposeful Darwinism” and Corporate Extremes: Using Amazon’s “Purposeful Darwinism” approach as an example, Amanda and Drew discuss how extreme environments affect employees differently, but often result in high turnover and a lack of diversity.

Navigating Toxic Workplaces: For employees dealing with a negative workplace, actionable steps like documenting incidents, consulting policies, seeking outside support, and knowing when it’s time to leave can be vital to self-preservation.

Journal Prompt: Think about a time when you were in a workplace that impacted your well-being, either positively or negatively. What specific factors contributed to this experience, and what would you change if you could go back?

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of Me First, Amanda and Drew dive into the complex and often avoided topic of grief. They share their personal experiences, explore the five stages of grief, and discuss how grief can stem from various life changes—not just loss through death. The conversation touches on coping mechanisms, unhealthy behaviors, and the importance of a strong support system. The episode encourages listeners to embrace their grief, understand it, and reach out for help when needed.

Key Takeaways:

Grief is Complex and Varied: Grief isn't limited to death; it can result from the loss of relationships, careers, or even dreams. The Five Stages of Grief: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are natural stages, but they aren't linear, and people may move between them. Coping Mechanisms: Healthy ways to cope with grief include journaling, meditation, finding a support system, and knowing when to seek professional help. Be Mindful of Support: When supporting someone through grief, avoid toxic positivity. Instead, offer validation and be present without trying to "fix" their pain. Grief Lasts: It’s a lifelong journey that people learn to live with, rather than something that can be completely resolved.

Journal Prompt:

How has grief changed you, and how do you find hope in the midst of loss?

🎧 Never miss an episode of Me 1st! Subscribe now on YouTube or your favorite audio platform and join us every week as we explore important topics, share personal stories, and offer insights to help you live your best life. 🌿 Whether you love to watch or listen, we’ve got you covered!

👉 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Me1stPod

Hit that subscribe button and stay connected! #Me1stPodcas #subscribenow #PodcastCommunity

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Drew and Amanda dive deep into the concepts of passion and purpose, exploring how these two powerful forces can shape a fulfilling life. They discuss how to discover what truly excites and motivates you, the struggle of balancing multiple passions, and why it’s okay to prioritize money when pursuing your goals. From personal anecdotes about business ventures to humorous takes on finding fulfillment, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration for anyone seeking a more purpose-driven life.

Key Takeaways: 1. Passion vs. Purpose: Passion energizes you and makes you feel alive, while purpose can often involve giving something back to the world. Passion is about what excites you, and purpose is about what you contribute. 2. Monetizing Passion: It’s okay to be focused on the financial aspect of your passions. Just because something is fulfilling doesn’t mean it can’t also be lucrative. 3. Multiple Passions: You don’t have to choose just one passion. It’s possible to have more than one, but balance and focus are key to achieving success in multiple areas. 4. Consistency is Crucial: To truly live a passionate life, you need to incorporate your passions into your routine regularly, not just as a fleeting hobby. 5. Finding Passion through Exploration: If you don’t know what your passion is yet, try new things! Sometimes passion is discovered through curiosity and experiences.

Journal Prompt: If you could wave a magic wand and spend your entire day doing one thing that truly excites you, what would it be? Don’t hold back—dream big and write about what your perfect, passion-filled day would look like.

Relevant Links & Resources: 1. Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear – A guide to building habits that help you live a more fulfilling, passionate life. 2. Passion and Purpose Article: [Finding Your Purpose](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200212/finding-your-purpose) – Psychology Today article on how to identify your purpose. 3. Passion in Business: [How to Turn Your Passion into Profit](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/295622) – An Entrepreneur article on making money from what you love.

Call to Action: Got a passion or purpose you’re working on? We want to hear about it! Comment below, share this episode with a friend, and be sure to subscribe to the*Me 1st Podcast on Spotify, Podbean Podcasts, or YouTube. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and tag us using the hashtag #Me1stMoment!

In this episode of the Me 1st Podcast, hosts Drew and Amanda tackle the concept of toxic positivity, exploring how the pressure to maintain a constantly positive mindset can backfire. They discuss the harmful effects of dismissing negative emotions and why it's important to embrace your full range of feelings for better mental health and overall emotional well-being. From personal stories to insights on how hustle culture and social media fuel toxic positivity, this episode provides listeners with practical advice on how to stay positive without losing touch with reality.

1. What is Toxic Positivity?: It’s the oversimplified mindset that encourages only positive vibes, no matter how difficult life gets. While positivity is great, this approach can dismiss or invalidate real feelings.
2. Embrace Your Emotions: Mental health awareness includes acknowledging and processing complex emotions. Don’t force yourself to stay positive if it means ignoring deeper issues.
3. Impact of Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok can promote a culture of fake positivity, where everything looks perfect. It's important to recognize that authenticity matters more than constantly putting on a happy face.
4. Mental Health and Balance: While optimism can be empowering, balance is key. It’s essential to recognize when to process negative emotions and when to seek support or rest.
5. Hustle Culture’s Role: The "keep grinding" mentality often encourages suppressing true emotions, leading to stress and burnout. A positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring emotional health for the sake of productivity.

Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to "stay positive" in a difficult situation. How did it affect you emotionally? How would you handle it differently now, knowing the importance of processing your emotions fully?

Loved this episode? Help us spread the word! Share your thoughts on toxic positivity, ask us questions, or share your own experiences. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to the "Me 1st" podcast on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts (coming soon to apple podcast) so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, Drew, Amanda, and special guest Sarah delve into the significance of routines in daily life. They discuss various types of routines, their benefits, and personal anecdotes highlighting their impact on productivity, stress reduction, and overall well-being. The episode covers topics such as decision fatigue, meal prep, identity, research insights, implementation intentions, and habit stacking.

• Routines can significantly increase productivity and reduce stress.
• Decision fatigue can be alleviated through structured routines.
• Routines support our identity and can help in making healthier choices.
• Research shows that consistent routines lead to better food choices.
• Implementation intentions can help design environments that support desired behaviors.
• Habit stacking links new habits to existing routines for better adherence.
• Keeping routines fresh and exciting is crucial for long-term success.
• Reflecting on personal routines can lead to valuable insights and improvements.

Reflect on your current routines and identify areas where you could benefit from more structure. Consider incorporating time blocking or the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks and allocate time effectively. Experiment with different routines and observe their impact on your productivity, well-being, and overall satisfaction.

• Atomic Habits: A book by James Clear that explores the science of building good habits and breaking bad ones.
• The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins: This book discusses the power of taking immediate action to overcome self-doubt and procrastination. https://www.melrobbins.com/5secondrule
• B.J. Fogg Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everythinghttps://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/67138912
• The Eisenhower Matrix: A time management tool that helps prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
• https://slab.com/static/f7141808c21143635c0b5642ededb0ec/78d47/eisenhower-matrix-example.png
• Time Boxing: https://www.toolshero.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/timeboxing-example-toolshero.jpg

Share your experiences with routines in the comments below. What routines have worked well for you? What challenges have you faced in implementing or maintaining routines? Let's discuss and support each other on our journey toward a more structured and fulfilling life.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Drew and Amanda explore the transformative power of routines on personal well-being, career success, and mental health. They discuss various types of routines, their benefits, and personal anecdotes highlighting their impact on productivity, stress reduction, and overall well-being. Topics covered include decision fatigue, meal prep, identity, research insights, implementation intentions, and habit stacking.

In this episode, Drew and Amanda discuss the significance of routines in shaping our lives. They share personal experiences with solo vacations and conferences, highlighting the value of adaptability and structure. The episode explores the four main types of routines: daily, weekly, habit-building, and goal-oriented. Drew and Amanda emphasize that routines are not about perfection but about providing a flexible framework for success. They delve into habit stacking, linking new habits to existing ones, and the power of flow states, where tasks become effortless. The episode concludes by highlighting how routines and habits can reinforce our identity and free up mental resources for more complex endeavors.

In this "How to Overcome Procrastination" episode, Drew and Amanda delve into practical strategies to combat this common habit. They emphasize the importance of setting clear goals using the SMART framework, creating a structured schedule, and utilizing tools like Motion for task organization. Additionally, they explore the concept of body doubling and the Eisenhower matrix for effective prioritization.