Becoming Human AF Podcast (Steph Squared)

Before we get into the nitty gritty issues on this podcast, we first have to lay the groundwork. Which is why in Episode 2, Steph & Steph have an in depth discussion about:

• the difference between VALUES, BELIEFS & OPINIONS
• how we’ve learned to respond calmly & stay untriggered when somebody disagrees

We cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this episode which was inspired by a convo Steph Laffey had on Threads w/ @adventurefitnw (who will be joining as a guest soon!)

Inspired by Mark Manson’s bestselling personal development book of the same name.

In this episode, the two Stephs are joined by our friend Greg for a deep dive into a book that has made a significant impact on all of us.

The book is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*. You might have seen it before—maybe at the airport, on your best friend’s nightstand, or on your old college roommate’s Instagram stories.

But it’s more than just an eye-catching orange self-help book with a provocative title.

It’s not about disregarding everything in life. That would be absurd; after all, we’re human and we need to care about something. The essence of the book is that we should focus on caring less about things that don’t truly matter to us and more about things that align with our values, vision, and true selves.

In this discussion, we explore this idea, along with the distinctions between values, beliefs, and opinions (as we covered in our foundational Episode 2!).

We’re excited to hear your thoughts on this topic!

If you enjoyed Greg’s insights, be sure to follow him on Threads and Instagram @adventurefitnw

In this episode, Steph and Steph explore the art of self-advocacy. What does it really mean? Why is it so challenging yet so crucial to creating the life we want? And how can something as simple as asking questions strengthen our self-advocacy skills?

We dive into all this and more, sharing real-life stories and anecdotes about what self-advocacy looks like in action!

In this episode, Steph & Steph are joined by our very first guest(s)!

Rosaura (Boundary Coach) and Ashleigh (Self Love Coach for Introverts) join us for one final (bonus) conversation about Boundaries!

This powerful conversation was the perfect way to wrap up our (unexpected) mini-series about boundaries. (what can we say!? They're important!)

We talked about things like:

- What are some common misconceptions about boundaries?

- Why are boundaries a form of self-love?

- How can setting boundaries can actually improve our relationships with our loved ones?

- What are some simple exercises & habits we can implement if we're just beginning to understand boundaries?

- How long does it take to see the results of setting boundaries?

...and so much more.

If you're just getting started on your own boundary journey, here are the books Rosaura mentioned:

- The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

- Atomic Habits by James Clear

& if you loved this chat with Ros & Ashleigh, be sure to hit them up on Instagram, and check out their podcast: Boundaries, Self Love & Other Shit.

⁠Follow Rosaura @rosaurathun⁠

⁠Follow Ashleigh @ashleighleche⁠

⁠Check out Boundaries, Self Love & Other Sh*t Podcast⁠

In this episode, Steph and Steph share their thoughts on the outcome of the 2024 election. We encourage you to listen with an open mind and hear the full discussion before forming your final opinion.

Recommended Resources :

Podcasts:

Sophie Beren • The Conversationalist

Amala Ekponobi • The Amala Show?

Dave Smith • Part of the Problem

Piers Morgan • Uncensored

Bill Maher • Real Time & Club Random

Cenk Ughur • The Young Turks

Creators:

Lisa Szabon

Website: https://www.szabon.com

Substack: htttps://fearlesschangemakers.substack.com

IG https://www.instagram.com/szabon.com_/

In this episode, Steph & Steph are joined once again by homeschooling mamas Ileana and Nancy, AND public school art teacher, Kelly Montgomery, for our first ever roundtable discussion between people on both sides. 

We’re not going to lie, we were nervous when we hit the record button. 

All three women are extremely passionate about what they do. 

But as the conversation unfolded, and the ladies shared their thoughts about curriculums, learning opportunities, timelines & standardization, something beautiful happened. 

They found common ground in their deep passion for education, and their unwavering commitment to giving their kids the best possible learning experiences. 

Although the ladies shared very different perspectives on various topics (ie reading at grade level vs living math), this common thread empowered us to keep the conversation civil, respectful and enjoyable for everybody. 

In fact, by the time the conversation wrapped up, everybody had gained a new understanding & appreciation for the other side!

We’re calling this conversation a major win!

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If you loved this episode, be sure to go back to parts 2 and 3; and of course go follow Nancy, Ileana, and Kelly.

Follow Kelly: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfullyflawed/

Follow Ileana: @iamileanaodile

https://www.instagram.com/iamileanaodile

Follow Nancy @online_elementary_tutor

https://www.instagram.com/online_elementary_tutor

Admitting we are/were wrong isn’t easy. In fact, depending on the situation, it can be downright terrifying, and it can have all kinds of consequences.

Which is why so many people - understandably - never want to admit to being wrong.

But take it from us - admitting to being wrong can be incredibly liberating. 

It’s an opportunity to get curious, and get closer to the “truth” in the process. It’s a chance to make things right, to learn something about yourself, other people & the world around you. It’s a chance to grow, evolve & get to an even better place. 

It ain’t easy, but we hope that by the end of this discussion, admitting to being wrong will feel a little less scary! 

In this episode, the two Steph’s pause to reflect on how much we’ve both learned & grown since we started this podcast.  We get into what was happening in our lives when we started this, and how the conversations we’ve been having here, have had massive impacts on both of our lives.  So many lessons, golden nuggets, and breakthroughs have come out of simply speaking our minds & then getting the opportunity to listen back to the conversations… It’s wild that we’ve only been doing this for a few months and we cannot wait to see where we are - and where you guys are - in a year from now.  This is probably our most powerful conversation yet because it’s the one where we tied it all together with a bow & integrated the lessons. Pretty mind blowing!  All that said, we’d love to hear from you: what has this podcast got you thinking about? Stay tuned, because after this episode, we’re finally diving into the issues - starting next week!

In this episode, Steph and Steph reflect on how, until recently, open and honest conversations about political, social, and cultural issues were often difficult to have. However, the tide seems to be shifting, welcoming a broader diversity of thought into the public sphere. We discuss why this shift is crucial for fostering a healthy, functioning society—one that embraces complexity, nuance, and the many shades of gray that define it.

In this Epsiode the two Steph’s chat about the impact of having 24/7 information available to us, thanks to the internet, media, and technological advancements.

Access to information has never been easier, but is that necessarily a good thing? And on the flip side - is it really such a bad thing?

How has constant & instant access to information been both beneficial and detrimental to us as individuals? What about society & the human population in general? 

How has the internet empowered us to discover answers and knowledge we never had access to previously, while at the same time. made us forget how to look within and live by our own values? 

All that & more on this epsiode of Becoming Human AF Podcast!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on social media! Let us know if 24/7 access to information has been overall a good or bad thing in your life, amongst your loved ones, and for society as a whole? 

In this episode, Steph & Steph are joined by two very special guest(s)!

Ileana (Eclectic Homeschooling Mama & Soul Purpose Coach) and Nancy (Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum + Reading Tutor) join us for a powerful discussion about homeschooling! 

This insightful conversation was the perfect way to begin diving into our very first deep dive series, which is all about EDUCATION. 

We talked about things like:

- How & why did each of them get into homeschooling? Why do they continue to feel so passionate about it? 

- What are some of the different ways of homeschooling?

- What are some of the unexpected challenges they’ve faced throughout their homeschooling journey? 

- What are some common myths & misconceptions about homeschooling?

- How can parents begin planning & researching homeschooling as a potential option for their children? 

...and so much more.

—

& if you loved this chat with Ileana & Nancy, be sure to hit them up on Instagram to learn more about their homeschooling journeys & to join their communities!

Follow Ileana: @iamileanaodile

https://www.instagram.com/iamileanaodile

Follow Nancy @online_elementary_tutor

https://www.instagram.com/online_elementary_tutor

In this Epsiode the two Steph’s explore our human tendency to think, say & do whatever society tells us we’re “supposed” to. 

We unpack social norms surrounding money, time & productivity and we ask questions like: 

• What do I actually think, feel, believe about how to manage XYZ?

• What is society telling me I’m supposed to think, feel, believe about how to manage XYZ?

• Do the two stories match up? 

• Do my actions align more closely with my beliefs or society’s?

• How can I reframe the story I’m telling myself and/or shift my actions/words so that I feel more aligned in the way I’m behaving? 

By asking questions like these, both Steph’s have - on many occasions - learned to make decisions, approach life & achieve goals in a way that feels right for them…

…rather than just blindly following the rules. 

In fact - you’ll see this happen at least once DURING the Epsiode! 

All that & more on this epsiode of Becoming Human AF Podcast!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on making your own rules vs following the “rules” of society. How has this theme shown up in your life? 

We’re living in trying times, and a big reason for that is we’ve lost the ability to have civil discourse with people we disagree with. 

We’ve lost the ability to agree to disagree, or even to disagree without hurling insults, slapping insults & attacking characters.  

Today the two Steph’s dive into this, and we discuss how we can get back on track, by committing to and engaging in tough conversations. 

It’s not always easy, but then again - most things that are worth it never are.

In this episode, the two Steph’s finally unpack one of the key questions that inspired this podcast in the first place: why are we SO divided as a society?  We ask questions like: When did we first notice the division? What was going on in our lives then vs now?  What have we heard, seen, observed, learned & experienced since then that confirms society has continue to become more divided?  How can understanding history & having difficult, but honest conversations reduce the divide & help us heal?  All that & more on this epsiode of Becoming Human AF Podcast!

In this episode, the two Steph’s are joined by author, speaker & fellow podcaster Marsha VanW for one of the most powerful discussions we’ve ever had on this podcast.

We talked about how to stand strong in owning your voice when having hard conversations — with yourself, and with others. 

So many golden nuggets were dropped. Our minds our blown. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one! 🔥

PS - Marsha's got OODLES of helpful resources to help you reframe your story & get started with having those tough convos. Including her own podcast which is ranked in the top 1.5% of the WORLD.

Do yourself a favor and check her out:

Follow Marsha on Instagram: https://instagram.com/marshavanw/

Listen to Marsha's Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-your-choices-own-your-life/id1445904739

Snoop around Marsha's Website:

https://www.marshavanw.com/workwithme

In this Epsiode the two Steph’s chat about boundaries, which, understandably have become a popular topic of discussion in the online space. 

However, many people misunderstand what boundaries are and what their role is in our lives.

Including Steph Laffey. 

The boundary belongs to the person setting it; the responsibility to communicate & uphold it also belongs to the person setting it. 

In this episode, Steph Taylor teaches this to Steph Laffey (& blows her mind in the process!)

All that & more on this epsiode of Becoming Human AF Podcast!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on boundaries. How has this theme shown up in your life? 

Trigger warning! 

 

When it feels like the sky is falling, everything is going wrong, and you just can’t catch a break - it is SO easy to get caught up in a victim mindset. 

We get it. Both of us have been there (both consciously & subconsciously) more times than we care to count. 

In this conversation, we discuss why staying stuck in that kind of mentality has never been an acceptable option, while also sharing some of the things that helped us move through it.  

We hope that if anyone listening to this episode is currently stuck in a victim mindset, this will give you a little nudge in a positive direction. And if nothing else, we hope it shows you that you’re not alone & this too shall pass. 

Meet your cohosts, Steph and Steph!

Although we share a name we lead vastly different lives. Steph Laffey lives in NYC with her two pups and is part of corporate America, while Steph Taylor lives in Manitoba, Canada with her two kids and is a homesteader & mentor for women looking to learn the skills of our great grandmothers'!

Despite our differences, countless discussions over the last couple of years have led us both to major breakthroughs; deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us; and a beautiful friendship.

Our conversations have had such a profound impact on both of us, and created such a ripple effect in our lives, that we decided to turn them into a podcast.

This episode is where we introduce ourselves, share our intentions and welcome you on this journey with us as we continue to become human AF.

In this episode, Steph & Steph take it back to basics and tackle a question humanity has been wrestling with forever: what does it really mean to be a good person?

It’s a simple yet profound question—one we don’t discuss nearly enough. So, we decided to kickstart the conversation and explore what everyone thinks.

We dig beyond the surface (as always) to reflect on how and why good people act the way they do. We ask if it’s possible to be both good and bad at the same time and wonder if most of us are a mix of both, depending on the moment or circumstance.

We’d love to hear your take on this and the episode as a whole! Drop a comment on social or your favorite listening platform and join the conversation.

In this Epsiode the two Steph’s chat about the impact of social media, which has undoubtedly & rapidly become a global social norm. 

What are the positive and negative effects of social media on us as individuals? 

What about on society & the human population in general? 

How have both of us learned to balance social media with a healthy, busy life outside of our online presence? 

All that & more on this epsiode of Human AF Podcast!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on social media! Let us know if it’s been overall a good or bad thing in your life, amongst your loved ones, and fr society as a whole? 

traditional education? 

In this episode, Steph & Steph are joined by public school art teacher, Kelly Montgomery for the second installment of our education mini series.

With 19 years of experience as a public school educator under her belt, and a burning passion for what she gets to do everyday for work, we knew Kelly was the perfect person to have this conversation with from the moment we connected with her.

Throughout this thought provoking conversation, Kelly shares with us:

• the many resources that the public school system provides for her students; their parents and the faculty 

• the community aspect of the school system and why it’s so fundamental for these kids 

• Some of the biggest wins & challenges she’s  experienced in 19 years of teaching art to teenagers

• the important role that mutual respect, trust & passion have played in her classroom 

…and so much more. 

—

if you loved this chat with Kelly, be sure to connect with her on Instagram or Threads, and check out her Etsy shop as well! (She makes the COOLEST journals!)  

Follow Kelly: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfullyflawed/

Shop Kelly’s Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/thoughtfullyflawed/?etsrc=sdt

In this week's episode, the 2 Steph's are joined by our friend Meleah Rose, to continue the discussion we had about the book, The Body Keeps the Score.

As a Neurosomatics Mentor & Breathwork Facilitator, Meleah is the perfect person to discuss questions like:

- What does it actually MEAN to feel your feelings?

- What does it actually LOOK like to feel your feelings?

- Why do most people avoid feeling their feelings, and what happens when we signal to our body that it is safe to do so?

- How can we give ourselves the space to feel our feelings, even when life is busy?

- How can we separate ourselves & our identities from our (temporary) emotions?

...and so much more.

This particular episode was a real treat; we were both so excited to have Meleah on, because she has helped both of us unpack a lot of our own emotions over the years, through her work as a healer.

If you loved hearing Meleah's insights & thoughts, we cannot recommend reaching out to her enough. In addition to her breathwork membership & coaching packages, Meleah has tons of free resources, all geared toward helping you optimize your mind, manage your nervous system; and feel your feelings in a safe & healthy way.

Reach out to Meleah here: https://www.instagram.com/meleah.rose/

In this episode Steph & Steph unpack:

• What are societal norms & where do they come from?
• Why it's important to question societal norms, so that we can get better as a society
• The difference between old times, where societal norms were set by a select few and took forever to change, versus now when they're set by the masses and seem to change on a dime
• Why it's become increasingly difficult to have conversations about opposing viewpoints

We'd love to hear your thoughts on societal norms! Send a message to let us know; and of course if you have any suggestions about which ones we should unpack, we're all ears!

In this episode, Steph and Steph are joined by our friend Oliver, connecting from across the globe for a deep discussion about all things personal development. Together, we explore why it's important to live in the present regardless of what happened in the past and what it means to define the person you want to become and work toward that goal one day at a time. We talk about embracing challenges instead of shrinking from them, staying committed to the journey despite its difficulties, and adapting to shifting destinations.

Oliver also dives into a concept we've been fascinated by for ages but haven’t discussed on the show until now: 1% Better Every Day. This powerful approach encourages incremental improvements that, over time, create compounding gains. Tune in to discover how this mindset can transform your life.

This was a deep and inspiring conversation, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the new year. We’re so excited to hear your thoughts!

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Oliver is a mindset and performance coach dedicated to helping athletes and performers enhance their focus, confidence, and resilience. He’s also the host of The Be Better Academy Podcast. If you enjoyed our conversation with him, be sure to follow him!

https://www.instagram.com/the.bebetteracademy/

In this episode, the two Steph’s are shifting gears just a little bit, to talk about extreme ownership and accountability. 

What was interesting about this conversation, is that:

• we each came in with a completely different perspective on what it means to take ownership, although we ultimately met in the middle

• One of us started taking extreme ownership AFTER her boundaries were in place, while the other one of us had the opposite experience.

We ask questions like:

• What is extreme ownership? 

• What does it look like to take ownership of our actions and words? 

• What does it look like to take ownership of our thoughts and emotions?

• How does setting boundaries and taking ownership go hand in hand? How can both empower us to live life more authentically, while feeling more relaxed and aligned?

• How does strike a balance between taking extreme ownership for ourselves, without taking ownership for what’s not actually ours?

• What are some ways that we’ve recently taken ownership in our lives based on whatever that means for each of us?

If you're just getting started on your own extreme ownership journey, here is the podcast we mentioned, by our friend Marsha:

https://ownyourchoicesownyourlife.libsyn.com

https://www.instagram.com/marshavanw/

https://www.instagram.com/ownyourchoicesownyourlife/

All that & more on this episode of Becoming Human AF Podcast!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on ownership. How has this theme shown up in your life? 

The two Steph’s are back to talk about boundaries again, but this time we’re diving a little deeper into what it actually looks like to set, communicate & maintain our own boundaries while simultaneously acknowledging & respecting other people’s boundaries. 

We ask questions like:

• How do we actually recognize & communicate our our own boundaries to other people?

• How do we hold space for others to communicate their boundaries without compromising our own?

• How do we give ourselves the grace & space to shift our behavior (if necessary) when other’s express a boundary? 

• How can we extend the same grace & space to do the same when we express a boundary?

Additionally, as promised, here is a list of resources that have been instrumental in helping us (and our community) understand & communicate our boundaries.

Rosaura Thun - Boundary Coach

Books Suggested by Community:

 @anewbennett:

“Boundaries” by Henry Cloud & John Townsend

“Set Boundaries Find Peace” by Nedra Tawwab

And finally, if you feel comfortable, tell us your boundary stories! We’d love to hear your wins & lessons from setting, communicating & maintaining, your own boundaries while also holding space for others. 

In this episode, Steph and Steph are joined by our friend Christine (Bio Energetics Master Practitioner), who reconnects us with the most fundamental healing practice—one that has been with us since birth: breathing.

It seems so simple, yet bringing your awareness back to your breath can create powerful shifts.

Whether you’re navigating personal challenges or feeling overwhelmed by the world around you, there is one thing you can do right now to ground yourself—breathe. Take a deep breath. Then another. And repeat.

We also dive into a topics like intentionality, staying grounded through all emotions, and, of course, the bioenergetic synchronization technique (B.E.S.T)

If you loved this episode, be sure to check out Christine’s website for free resources, opportunities to work with her remotely or in person, and details on hiring her for your next retreat.

Follow Christine @christine.parker.rmt @energyrebel.adventures

Work With Christine:

https://www.christineparkerrmt.com/

https://www.energyrebeladventures.com/

In this episode, the two Steph’s are shifting gears again, to talk about how all of the foundational stuff we’ve talked about so far, feels in our bodies. We speak at length about the book The Body Keeps the Score, by renowned Boston-based Psychiatrist, Bessel van Der Kolk.  The book came highly recommended to both the Steph’s, and at the time of this recording, Steph Laffey had finally started reading it after avoiding it for years. She was only 70 pages in, but as she likes to say, her brain was one giant pretzel already. Since recording this episode, Steph Taylor also started reading the book. So expect a followup episode next week, with a very special guest!  In the meantime, in this episode we discussed questions like: What does “the body keeps the score” mean to both of us? Why were both of us afraid to read this book? What does it mean to “know what you know and feel what you feel?” What are some examples of our own bodies “keeping the score”? All that & more on this epsiode of Becoming Human AF Podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts on our bodies keeping the score. How has this theme shown up in your life?  REFERENCES: Our friend, Julie Cyvonne microdosing mentor for professional women The Body Keeps the Score (book) by Bessel Van der Kolk, M.D.