YOUR LIFE IS
YOUR STORY.
WRITE WELL.
EDIT OFTEN.

RESOURCES

Want some inspiration and ideas you can dig into on your own? Check out the books, podcasts, events, and apps I recommend, below.

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BOOKS

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  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
    What starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago's journey toward his "Personal Legend" is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.
     

  • The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
    Many people are afraid to ask for help, and it paralyzes their lives and relationships. Amanda Palmer explores these barriers in her own life and in the lives of those around her, and discovers the emotional, philosophical, and practical aspects of The Art Of Asking.
     

  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
    Elizabeth Gilbert offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives.
     

  • Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
    Brené Brown writes, “In a culture that’s rife with perfectionism and pleasing, and with the erosion of civility, it’s easy to stay quiet, hide... or fit in rather than show up as our true selves and brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism. But true belonging is... a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity.”
     

  • Callings: The Purpose and Passion for Work by Dave Isay
    StoryCorps founder Dave Isay presents unforgettable stories from people doing what they love. Some found their paths at a very young age, others later in life; some overcame great odds or upturned their lives in order to pursue what matters to them.
     

  • The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte
    Your bucket list. Quarterly objectives. Strategic plans. Big dreams. Lots of goals and plans to achieve those goals—no matter what. Except... You're not chasing the goal itself, you're actually chasing the feeling that you hope achieving that goal will give you. So what if you first got clear on how you actually wanted to feel in your life, and then created some "Goals with Soul"?
     

  • The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
    Gretchen Rubin realized that by asking the question, "How do I respond to expectations?" we gain explosive self-knowledge. She discovered that people fit into Four Tendencies: Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels. Using this framework allows us to make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress, and engage more effectively. 
     

  • InnerGuide Planner
    InnerGuide empowers people by helping them connect with who they are at their core with a practical action plan to put them on a path to success. Their products offer elements of coaching, practical psychology, and the support structure needed to organize and utilize time most effectively (daily, weekly, monthly and yearly), and to transform one’s vision for life from a possibility into a reality.
     

  • Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer
    Parker J. Palmer invites us to listen to the inner teacher and follow its leadings toward a sense of meaning and purpose. Telling stories from his own life and the lives of others who have made a difference, he shares insights gained from darkness and depression as well as fulfillment and joy, illuminating a pathway toward vocation for all who seek the true calling of their lives.
     

  • The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
    Hal has taken the best practices, developed over centuries of human consciousness development, and condensed the "best of the best" into a daily, morning ritual. The Miracle Morning is transforming the lives of people around the world by showing them how to wake up each day with more energy, motivation, and focus to take their lives to the next level.
     

  • Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
    Over Thanksgiving dinner, Shonda Rhimes' sister muttered something that was both a wake up and a call to arms: "You never say yes to anything." Shonda knew she had to embrace the challenge: for one year, she would say YES to everything that scared her. Shonda forced herself out of the house and onto the stage; and she learned to explore, empower, applaud, and love her truest self.
     

  • You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
    In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, Jen Sincero helps you identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, create a life you totally love, and create it NOW, By the end of You Are a Badass, you'll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass.

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PODCASTS

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CLASSES, TRAININGS, & NETWORKING EVENTS
 

  • Business Among Moms (BAM)
    BAM is a community of mom (and non-mom!) entrepreneurs across the U.S. and in Barcelona that support each other through networking, online communities, and educational events.
     

  • Continuing Education at North Seattle College
    From Essentials for Starting a Small Business to Freelance Writing for Fun and Profit, the Continuing Education program at North Seattle College offers reasonably priced, quality courses are led by instructors who teach their passion and profession. You’ll find our personal enrichment and professional development courses conveniently offered on both weekdays and weekends, daytime and evenings, and one-time workshops or multiple-sessions.
     

  • Continuing Education at Seattle Central College
    Explore classes to support you in your personal or professional goals. Enjoy the support of instructors who can guide you . All classes are online. From Marketing & Communications to Teaching & Education, choose from "real-time" and interactive, self-paced, or a combination of formats. Seattle Central also offers a wide variety of certificate programs.
     

  • The Creativity Loft (Sara's office!)Are you looking for a place to be creative? Get inspired, discover new ideas, and join a supportive community. The Creativity Loft is space for artistic expression and healing in North City (Shoreline). The Loft offers studio space, workshops, and events.
     

  • Erin Merrihew Consulting
    Erin a Certified Trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication and Northwest Compassionate Communication who teaches workshops and classes in the Seattle area. She helps people to become mindful, process their thoughts and feelings, express themselves authentically, and listen deeply to others in order to make positive changes in their lives.
     

  • Hugo House: A Place for Writers
    Hugo House helps anyone who wants to write. They offer classes, workshops, consultations with professional writers, and much more.
     

  • Lean In
    Lean In members meet in small groups called Lean In Circles to support each other and learn new skills. These women talk openly about their ambitions and encourage each other to take on new challenges. Together, they are going further and standing up for equality.
     

  • Rise to the Occasion
    Rise to the Occasion hosts ongoing events in the Seattle area to connect with your community while growing and learning through personal development.
     

  • The Riveter
    The Riveter empowers women, professionally and personally, through diverse events in Seattle that celebrate and connect their members. Every program in their space recognizes the vitality of women and the value of their voices.
     

  • Seattle Insight Meditation Society (SIMS)
    SIMS offers in-person and online introduction to meditation courses.
     

  • ​UW Professional & Continuing Education
    Through UW Professional & Continuing Education, University of Washington breaks down barriers to make education possible for all types of learners. They provide unique opportunities for those who don’t fit the mold of a traditional full-time, on-campus student. They're for you—the innovators, the career changers, the professionals, the dreamers, and the forever curious.
     

  • WomanSpeak
    WomanSpeak's unique practices help women re-wire their nervous systems so speaking up becomes an experience of safety, power, joy, and freedom. Women celebrate and support each other in exercising leadership and power in their careers. WomanSpeak circles address the unique fears and doubts that women have about sharing their voices. Women feel safe to be fully themselves, to be seen and heard, and to share their ideas.
     

 

WELLBEING TOOLS & APPS
 

  • InnerGuide Planner
    InnerGuide empowers people by helping them connect with who they are at their core with a practical action plan to put them on a path to success. Their products offer elements of coaching, practical psychology, and the support structure needed to organize and utilize time most effectively (daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly), and to transform one’s vision for life from a possibility into a reality.

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  • Down Dog
    The Down Dog app provides a studio-like yoga experience in the comfort of your home. Each time you practice, Down Dog creates a brand new vinyasa yoga sequence so that you never run out of content. Clear vocal instruction and a matching playlist round out the experience for a true studio-quality class.
     

  • 7 Minute Workout
    7 Minute Fitness Challenge is an app designed with your
    busy life in mind. Backed by actual research, the app can
    transform your body for a mere 7 minutes a day. 
     

  • Insight Timer
    Join millions learning to meditate to help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply, and improve happiness. Guided meditations and talks led by the world’s top mindfulness experts, neuroscientists, psychologists, and meditation teachers from Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth, and the University of Oxford. Music tracks from world-renowned artists.
     

  • ThinkUp
    Achieve your goals and become who you want to be. Build your self-improvement program to develop the motivation and the positive mindset you need to succeed, using positive affirmations in the most effective way.
     

  • Penzu
    Whether you’re looking for a tool to record your daily emotions and activities in a reflective journal, keep track of milestones in a food diary or pregnancy journal, or even record your dreams in a dream journal, Penzu has you covered.
     

  • iTunes
    The iTunes Store puts hundreds of thousands of free podcasts at your fingertips. Easily find and enjoy your next favorite on your mobile device.
     

  • Audible
    Listen to books wherever you are—at home, in the car, at the gym. Even if you switch devices, you'll never lose your place. No one's got more listens than Audible.

Dream big!
Dream big!

Sara's office space, The Creativity Loft, also hosts workshops and events. Photo Courtesy of The Creativity Loft.

Dream big!