Inspired Grownups with Alana Banana

I'm back with a solo episode about all the feels... how our feelings are the essential guideposts in our lives. Before I recorded this episode I thought about calling it "Feeling Fabulous this Fall" but the truth is that we don't always feel that way, right? So I share a little personal story around this.  It starts with what are we focused on? How does that make us feel? How d...

There's definitely a part of being human that requires some scheduling; work, school, appointments, etc. But, what would it look like if we surrendered the (over)scheduling this summer? What new, possibly very exciting, things could we end up making room for? Take a listen for some inspiration around this and to hear a short impromtu song! I mention my friend Taqdees Razzaq in this episode. S...

This solo episode was inspired by a question asked around a campfire in the mountains with friend's last week, "if you knew the date of your death, how would you live your life differently?'.  Lots of thoughts might come up surrounding this but ultimately all we have is right NOW so how do you want to live your life today? Take a listen and see what comes up for you... Follow the sh...

If you have young children this episode is for you. Today I'm talking with my sister-in-law Alexis Gentry about helping our kids create solutions to problems and building skills instead of giving consequences and focusing only on their behavior.  We also talk about the difference between praise and encouragement. I got so much out of this conversation and I hope you do too! Alexis Gentry, LCS...

We usually think about celebrating our lives when it's our birthday or celebrating the life of someone we love who has passed on. Why not do something everyday to celebrate our life, big or small, by doing an activity or simply having a mental reframe or change of perspective on a current circumstance. This is what I'm talking about today in this solo episode. It was inspired by my best...

This solo episode is inspired by two passages from the book "Heart Steps" by Julia Cameron. We live in this time - space reality but we've also heard from Einstein and other physicists that "time is an illusion".  Today I talk about how we can work with those ideas to take some pressure off of ourselves and enjoy our lives more. You can get the book Heart Steps on Amazon H...

We all need a break, probably more than we allow ourselves, mentally & physically. In a society that rewards "hard work" can we scale back when needed for our own health and therefore create more enjoyment in our lives? If you need a little boost of inspiration around this topic, take a listen to this short solo episode. To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaS...

At our core, we all want to belong and feel significant. When we have this perspective regarding our children and their same needs, it can change the way we parent and deal with challenges.  Today I'm talking about all of this with my sister-in-law, Alexis Gentry. There are so many great take aways from this episode. Take a listen! Alexis Gentry, LCSW, is a Certified Positive Discipline Train...

Have you ever thought of using your imagination to create and play in your own virtual reality? Using this game to tap into the feeling of freedom and fun? In doing so, you can change how you're feeling and possibly change the course of your day. In this solo episode I hope to remind you that you have so much power in choosing the thoughts you think. Take a listen! To connect with me, Alana B...

If you've got small kids at home and are looking for a little relief or fun ideas for play and connection this episode is for you! I'm talking with Beth Ann Tieche, founder of Low Lift Fun. We talk about the inspiration behind creating Low Lift Fun during covid while staying home with her 3 young children, parenting a spirited child and how sharing what you love and what comes naturally...

This solo episode is inspired by a post I read on Instagram by Alysha Waghorn    @girlandhermagic It's also inspired by my own desire to stay present and find peace in the day to day moments. Hope it inspires you as well. Take a listen! To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow . For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to musi...

In this solo episode, I'm talking about the importance of listening to those inner nudges that whisper to us to do something that we know will bring us more joy or help us to feel better. Something that originally wasn't on our "to do" list or plans. If we follow it we most likely will be pleasantly surprised at what comes about. Take a listen! To connect with me, Alana Banana,...

Today we dive into what exactly Positive Discipline is and ways that it can help us navigate our parenting journey.  This is Part 2 with my sister-in-law, Alexis Gentry.  Last week  Alexis shared her back story; why she got into social work, healing from Lymphoma at age 15,  self-care and what a "Parenthood Pause" can look like.  She'll be joining me once a month to go deeper into t...

Today I'm talking with my sister-in-law, Alexis Gentry. She's married to my brother Sean and I feel grateful to have her in my world.  We're talking about what a "Parenthood Pause" is and we start the conversation around "Positive Discipline" which we'll get into more next week for Part 2.  We also talk about why she got into social work, healing from Lympho...

Every day we have decisions to make. Do you make them from a place of what you "should" be doing or what you really "want" to do? How does it feel when you say "YES" to something? Today I'm sharing a simple yet profound tool I use for decision making. This month I've been breaking down the word "PLAY" and today I'm talking about the power of a...

This month I'm breaking down the word "PLAY" and today I'm talking about AWARENESS... around how we're feeling at any given moment, what helps us to feel better and remembering that WE ARE ENOUGH right where we are. We deserve to have fun, play and enjoy our lives. . Take a listen! Stay tuned for the letter "Y" next week. P - presence L - love A - awareness Y - y...

We all know the power of LOVE but have you ever played a game of seeing how long you can focus on any and every little thing you love throughout the day? This has been my practice this week and I invite you to try it. This month I'm breaking down the word "PLAY" and today I'm talking about LOVE and how we can use it to help us create a great day for ourselves even if we have a...

This month I'm breaking down the word "PLAY" and today I'm talking about presence, focus and the power of our feelings in transforming our day and ultimately our lives. All we have is RIGHT NOW and we really do have more power than we think we do. Take a listen! Stay tuned for the letter "L" next week. P - presence L - love A - awareness Y - yes! To connect with me, A...

After taking a short break for the holidays it's great to be back. I'm feeling inspired to share some short solo episodes for the month of January 2024 to hopefully bring new perspective and uplift you for your day, week or month. This month I'll be breaking down the word "PLAY". P - presence L - love A - awareness Y - yes! Stay tuned for the letter "P" next week...

After almost 2 years of weekly episodes I'm taking a short break until 2024. On this short solo update I talk about why I started the podcast and where it's headed next year. Hope you all have a great holiday season! To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow . For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherev...

Today I'm talking with co-founder of August Uncommon Tea, Gina Zupsich. This conversation is more than a discussion around tea, we talk about travel, being open to the magic of life, how great things can happen after misfortune, staring a new business and allowing things to come to you. Whether you're a tea drinker or not, you'll be inspired by this conversation.  Gina Zupsich leads...

I'm coming off of a 3 day retreat in Santa Barbara, CA and am reflecting on the power of giving yourself a little or a lot more time and space. When we allow this for ourselves we get more clarity on what it is we really want...which can be ever changing...and on how we're honestly feeling.  What do you love to do? What can you take off your plate? These are a few things I bring up in th...

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is so important for all of us, especially young kids and adding music into the equation makes it more fun, engaging and memorable.  I love the music that my guests today are sharing with kids, teachers, parents and caretakers.  “Acoustic Kindie Rock band “Narwhals and Waterfalls” consists of Singer-Songwriters Paige Bell and Adrien Palmer. Hailing from Dallas, Texas...

If you know something is not working in your life and you want to make a change or gain clarity, my guest today, Allison Task, is the perfect person to talk to. She's authentic, honest, insightful and loving.  Some things we discuss in this conversation is; giving yourself permission to do what you love, what is was like being a partner to her husband going through stage 4 cancer and how her...

There's a lot going on around us, globally, intimately...but when we can remember that all we have power over is right NOW then we can ask ourselves honestly "how do I want to feel?". In this short solo episode I dive into the clarity that comes from when we're not feeling great to ways we can open up to feeling better. Changing our environment, focusing on nature or on somethi...