Episode 85: This Episode Will Change the Way You Think With Brianna Wiest
Brianna Wiest is the bestselling author of groundbreaking self-help books such as 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think, The Mountain is You, The Pivot Year, and more. Her books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide, regularly appear on global bestseller lists, and have been praised in the media (i.e. Forbes calling her work a “must-read” and Cosmopolitan naming her as #2 on "Books to Up-Level Your Life," but NBD). In today's episode, Josie and Brianna chat about the practices she relies on to live in an expanded state, how (and why) we should prioritize authentically, and the exercise she calls "consulting with your future self." We also chat about resolutions, and Brianna explains the psychology behind why we self-sabotage when working toward our goals. Consider this episode a master class on how to transform your mindset, live your best life, and achieve any goal.
SHOW NOTES:
In this week’s intro, Josie and Emma chat about Emma’s recent article on The Everygirl about her weekly social media detox and how she first started setting boundaries with herself around social media. The Ask The Everygirl of the week addresses what a listener should do when they think it is time to DTR with a hookup. The interview with Brianna Wiest begins with Josie asking whether she was always so wise and in tune with her writing skills. Brianna explains how in the times of greatest confusion in her life, she turned to books, and how she was able to then take the lessons she learned throughout her journey and personal life and apply them to her written work. She pinpoints her authenticity as her greatest strength as a writer, and notes that she is no wiser than anyone else: She just loves putting her life lessons and thought processes into words. Josie asks Brianna what the audience can do to start to tap into that version of themselves that is wise and self-reflective, and Brianna gives some tangible tips. She discusses the benefits of morning meditation and explains how such a ritual can look different for everyone. She also dives into the practice of surrounding yourself, both digitally and in real life, with people who are “expanders”—those who push you to be the best version of yourself and sit in your corner. Brianna and Josie then dive into more big-picture approaches to viewing your own life in a positive way and improving your mindset. Brianna provides advice for approaching each day with gratitude and shifting your behavior to align with your values with small actions each day. Josie and Brianna have a conversation about the fallible conversation about New Year’s resolutions that occurs in our culture each January. Josie reads a bit of Brianna’s latest book, The Pivot Year, and Brianna shares how she came to approach each day from a place of excitement rather than dread or fear. She also explains how her limiting beliefs about what she should be were holding her back from achieving as much as she possibly could; she discusses the hangups she had about being considered a “serious” writer. Brianna explains how she came to a point of self-acceptance in her life and used that self-acceptance to completely change her mindset. Josie notes that resolutions and goals should always revolve around what in our lives is going to make us happier, rather than outside expectations that we might be feeling from the people around us. Brianna and Josie have a conversation about how we always look outside of ourselves for inspiration and guidance when we should be looking inside of ourselves to find out what we really want and need from our lives. Brianna explains the importance of prioritizing micro-shifts over huge breakthroughs when it comes to pursuing our highest self-energy. The two also discuss the misconceptions about “willpower” and the idea that we need to muscle through all of these problems in our lives. Brianna dives into the exercise of asking your future self for help and guidance when you are feeling lost in the present moment. She shares a powerful story about how one of her readers was able to change her life by applying this advice. The episode closes with rapid-fire questions for Brianna.
Must-Listen Moments:
[8:31] Ask The Everygirl: How do I know when it’s time to define the relationship with someone I’m seeing, and how should I approach that conversation?
[23:05] How Brianna Wiest first became passionate about writing and improving her life with insights in philosophy, psychology, and personal development.
[29:09] How to fill your life and time with “expanders” and surround yourself with people who encourage you to be your best self.
[40:40] Why you need to be reframing your mindset around New Year’s resolutions—plus, how to make your goals work for you, instead of the other way around.
[47:32] What does it look like to ask your future self for help in the present moment? How can you get out of your own way in order to become your best self?
More from The Everygirl:
Find and listen to more episodes at https://theeverygirl.com/