Both-And Perspective by Project Mel

Mastering the Art of Saying Both Yes and No: A Summer of Intentional Living Mel delves into the powerful concept of the 'Year of Yes and No' with guest Jim Hilber. Discover how deciding ahead of time and alternating between a period of saying yes to everything and a period of saying no brings both exploration and focus into your life. Jim shares insights on balancing personal and profess...

Mel shares her Lenten journey by examining the emotional comfort she finds in getting things right and also the cost. See why it feels so good to be right, and discover actionable steps to ditch the drive to be perfect, overcome the vulnerability hangover, and stop seeking validation through explanation.  Key Takeaways Perfectionism isn't about achieving perfection but about avoiding painful...

Caught in the "helpless hula?" - that spinning between wanting to do something and feeling powerless, this episode is for you. Mel asks which feelings we want to keep - even when they hurt. And how she's answering the ones that threaten to freeze her. She shares how she's willing to get it wrong and offers practical steps to move forward, from creating a personal DEI department...

If you’re like me, you grew up hearing, “It’s better to give than to receive.” What does better even mean? Maybe easier. What if receiving is not about the gift itself but about the act of being open to what life (and others) want to give us? Even if it's awkward gifts, unsolicited advice, or a blaise coffee shop "good morning." Here’s what’s inside this episode: 🌟 Why receiving is...

It's Pinktober for better or worse. Drawing from her own journey as a consumer, marketer, and now survivor, Mel dives into how her views on the “pink month” have evolved—from excitement over pink products to questioning the true impact of those purchases. Join Mel as she breaks down the history of breast cancer awareness month and the delicate balance between being charitable and profitable....

Inspired by the arrival of a new family member, Mel Selcho reflects on how expectations shape our relationships with others and ourselves. Drawing from her experiences as an auntie, a mother, an entrepreneur, and a cancer survivor, she discusses the liberation found in letting go of expectations. Mel challenges listeners to love their lives unconditionally, even when things don't go according...

In this heartfelt episode, Mel Selcho invites listeners to reflect on the power of presence and connection, especially during uncertain times. While there are things in life we cannot control—like medical scans or tests—there’s something powerful in simply being present with each other. Mel explores the metaphor of sitting on a bench in the garden of emotions, offering a space where we can share o...

Radical acceptance isn’t just for our bodies, our habits, or our frenemies—it’s for our finances too. Loving the dollars that come our way in cash and in kind is important to embracing the impact of the work we do in the world. Listen in to learn how to stop judging ourselves and our wages and step up as the stewards of just commerce. What You’ll Learn : Why loving the money you earn is not sellin...

Mel Selcho gets real about her personal experiences with spending, debt, and high healthcare costs. From understanding historical messaging advising women to cut spending with eerie similarities to diet culture, she puts into context why money scarcity is an easy place to be. She shares how her journey 5 years ago to eliminate debt gave her the unexpected gift of a generous spirit that aided her j...

In this episode, Mel Selcho delves into the challenges and triumphs of pursuing our dreams, sharing personal stories of frustration and inspiration. From a sequined tiger dress that sparked introspection to the realization that dreams come with both delight and discomfort, Mel invites listeners to embrace the full spectrum of the journey. Key Topics Covered: The Nature of Work and Dreams: How our...

In this powerful episode, Mel Selcho takes you on a journey of transformation as she prepares for a life-changing surgery. With humor and honesty, she reflects on how cancer reshaped her relationship with her body, turning past insecurities into a celebration of strength and survival. From embracing her "perfect" stomach to rewriting the story of her lymph nodes, Mel invites you to rethi...

Explore the essence of living a good life by defining its opposite. Drawing wisdom from Ash Ambirge's book, 'The Middle Finger Project,' Mel Selcho discusses the importance of doing meaningful work and making bold decisions to achieve success. Discover the power of creativity in any work, the need for persistent boldness, overcoming impostor syndrome, and the significance of having...

Was it fun before it hurt? This episode is all about life's turbulence and adventure go hand in hand. Mel Selcho challenges flatline living with insightful reflections on how a feeling like falling can also be flying. From stories of waterskiing like Wonder Woman to the inspiring wisdom she draws from her extraordinary grandmothers, Mel explains how she got over her debilitating fear of flyin...

Join Mel as she dives into the whirlwind of competing advice that comes with a cancer diagnosis—from "you should totally try this soap" to "chemo is the only way!" Overwhelm isn't just for the big stuff like health crises; it sneaks into our daily lives too. With a mix of humor and heart, Mel shares how she found clarity by tapping into past successes and creating a strate...

In this heartfelt episode, Mel Selcho shares an emotional recount of the day she was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, reflecting on the tears, terror, and unexpected support she received. Mel delves into how she transformed July 11th into her 'rebirthday,' a day of new beginnings, and offers gratitude to the scientists and healthcare professionals who have extended her life. She explore...

In this heartfelt episode, Mel Selcho reflects on profound personal experiences, including her double mastectomy and the loss of her beloved pug, while introducing her unique 'fun scale' for evaluating life's moments. She shares how acknowledging fun as a core value has transformed her decisions both personally and professionally. Listeners are encouraged to discover and honor their...