I know I know...I hype up the return of the podcast, and then don't drop anything for nearly a month.

I feel a bit lame, and I wanted to acknowledge that. All the reasons why I "took a break" in 2024 are the same things that contributed to my "long pause" between episodes #138 and #139.

This isn't how it's always going to be, but it may be how it is for a while. And that's OK with me. I hope it's OK with you too.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

No, you're not seeing things. The name of the podcast has changed. Welcome to the first episode of "Unraveled & Unwritten," and the start of Season 3.

It felt like it was time for a change (as I type this I can't help but think of Peter Brady when his voice started to change), and while "Awaken The Extraordinary" felt inspirational and empowering, I began to realize that part of "awakening" to that which is extraordinary about ourselves first requires a lot of unraveling, and a lot of blank pages.

So it's been a looooong time since I dropped a full-length episode, and if you're wondering why that was, give this episode a listen.

Just like Ross and Rachel, I needed to take a break, and did so for a number of reasons. I realize this may not be the most exciting or entertaining episode, but I wanted to share a high-level overview as to what's been going on for the past (nearly) year.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

I know "where's Kristi and why did she stop recording the podcast?" probably hasn't been at the top of your mind. But if it's a thought you've had over the lsat 10 months, you might get some answers if you press "Play."

Oh! And you may also get a sneak peek as to when the show is coming back...and its new title!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Many of us love those cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, right? There's something about the picture-perfect holiday that just gives us the warm fuzzies.

But a lot of us love The Griswold family and their "Not Quite Hallmark Holiday." Why is that?

Because for many of us, the holidays depicted in those Hallmark movies are something we aspire to, but the Griswold's "Fun Old-Fashioned Family Christmas" is more realistic.

It's easy to feel like OUR Christmas Day is the only one that isn't living up to expectations, but I promise you, that is not the case.

If you've ever felt bummed out on Christmas Day, this episode is for you.

So go grab a warm beanie, gloves, socks and a blanket, head upstairs to your attic, and give this episode a listen.

*Disclaimer: Due to the hectic-ness of the holiday, this episode was recorded while en route to the only "mall" we have in Missoula. Just pretend it's me leaving you a long-winded voice note, and you should be good. I guess you could say this podcast episode is more Griswold than Hallmark too. ;)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

You know the story of "Rudolph," right?

But do you know the story BEHIND the story of "Rudolph?"

Did you know that "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" was written by a guy who worked at Montgomery Ward - yes, that old department store - as a promotion for its customers?

If you didn't know that, or even if you did and are curious to learn more, pull up an ice block, lend an ear, and hit "Play" now.

And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Did you watch that stop-animation movie about "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" as a kid? And if so, have you watched it as an adult? And maybe even as a parent?

I grew up watching that show, and it holds a very special place in my heart. But watching it as an adult gave me an entirely different perspective on pretty much every character, and I realized Santa, and even Rudolph's parents, kinda sucked!

There's nothing wrong with being different. In fact, being different is what makes us special and unique.

Now don't get me wrong. I still LOVE this show, but if you've had a few of these thoughts yourself, I invite you to give this one a listen.

And if you have no clue what I'm talking about, I also invite you to give this episode a listen!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Have you seen that Christmas movie with Vince Vaughn?

Not the uncomfortable one about multiple Christmases where he's in an awkward relationship with Reese Witherspoon.

But the one where he plays Santa's brother, Fred?

If not, then you may want to press "Play" on this one.

Yes, the movie is about Christmas, but it's also much deeper than that.

It gets into family dynamics (aka "dysfunction"), getting curious about people and the "WHY" behind their behavior, and showing people grace and compassion. Because sometimes...we don't need a pile of gifts under that tree. Sometimes, all we truly need is knowing that someone cares about us, and what we're going through.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

You know the Christmas Story, right?

But do you know the Chanukah Story?

If you're anything like me, you may know some...but not much. And if you're looking at my boat, thinking you should be sitting beside me, then this episode is for you.

I realized one morning that, although I didn't know much about Chanukah, my friend Chaya DID! And so I invited her on to share about the holiday, its origin, and its traditions.

If your knowledge of the holiday doesn't extend far beyond The Holiday Armadillo and/or Adam Sandler, I suggest you press "Play" now!

By the way, Chaya is a pretty interesting woman, and if you'd like to find her on Instagram, head on over to @birth.life.shomrit.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!