Hey y'all!

My mama wasn't on drugs. My daddy never left. My parents are still married. I don't know anyone on meth.

Have you ever been stereotyped? Have you ever been on the receiving end of people believing a single story about you (or defining you by a single thing)?

Back in 2021, I wrote a post on Instagram as a response to the movie and book, "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D Vance. Although this is NOT a political podcast, post, or episode, I thought it was timely, with Vance recently accepting the republican nomination for VP, to continue the conversation.

Today's episode is not a critique of the book or film as I try to not be critical of another person's life or story. It's just another life and another story worth sharing and hearing - a story from another "educated hillbilly" - a story that is mine. This story just happens to also be a bit of a counter-narrative to the one currently popularized.

A few of the topics covered in this episode are as follows:

1.) There is a danger in a single story. (Watch the TEDTalk, y'all.) 2.) Selling the myth: "It's their own fault that they are poor." 3.) Selling the myth: "Military, Education, and/or Marriage" 4.) "Poor" does not equal dumb, drug-addicted, or dysfunctional. 5.) Higher education is not always a "ticket out of poverty." 6.) There is nothing wrong with being a hillbilly. 7.) "Success" looks different to different people. 8.) However, money also matters and should be used for good. 9.) Strategies for avoiding the single story and making the world a better place. 10.) How this all connects to money, work, and class. 11.) Love (and a Song Dedication)

Stick around to the end on this one, y'all. You might just ugly cry...in a good way.

Song references: Time of Day - Turnpike Troubadours Follow You to Virgie - Tyler Childers

I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Comment or DM me on IG (@hannahbphd) to share!

Opportunities to connect are coming soon!

Until then, feed the good in yourself and others by leaning in, learning, and never accepting a single story of a person or place.

Happy Trails. A country mile in my hillbilly shoes.

Yakoke (Thanks)!

Hannah B., PhD

Hey y'all!

What one skill helps you make friends, avoid unnecessary conflict, have deeper, more meaningful relationships, and navigate work and social situations with ease?

What one skill can land you meaningful work and a life you love?

What one skill also happens to come naturally to most highly sensitive people, creatives, and empaths?

Answer: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Today's episode is all about emotional intelligence - what it means, where you rank, things you can do to improve it, and how it can be a superpower at work and beyond!

For quick reference, a few highlights are as follows:

5 Key Elements: 1.) Self-Awareness 2.) Self-Regulation 3.) Motivation 4.) Empathy 5.) Social Skills

Areas of Focus for Improvement (or to Turn Your Strength into a Superpower): 1.) Get to Know You 2.) Identify Your Unique Triggers (And Plan To Overcome Them) 3.) Take Responsibility for Your Emotions 4.) Listen to Your Body 5.) Don't Suppress - Recognize, Process, and Channel Bonus - Empathy

At Work: 1.) Observe Dynamics - Watch Social Cues, Non-Verbals, and Micro-Expressions 2.) Listen 3.) Pay Attention to the Stories 4.) Observe What Matters (Individually and to the Group) 5.) Avoid People and Triggers Bonus - Dare to be Authentic

How can you capitalize on emotional intelligence? What area most resonated with you?

I would love to hear your thoughts! DM me on IG (@hannahbphd) to share yours!

Opportunities to connect are coming soon!

Until then, feed the good in yourself and others through emotional intelligence!

Happy Trails. The emotionally intelligent kind.

Yakoke (Thanks)!

Hannah B., PhD

Hey y'all!

Who do you want to be when you grow up? What are your passions? How do you discern whether your passions are a hobby, a job, a career, or a calling? And, ultimately, how do you actually get paid to do something you enjoy?

Today's episode is all about making the abstract more concrete so that we can create efficient and effective plans for financial stability and work we love! We discuss ideas around embracing your multi-passionate nature and streamlining it for your version of success. We also outline the differences between a hobby, job, career, and calling and how to use these as containers to help you get where you want to be.

For quick reference, our working definitions of these concepts are as follows:

HOBBY - Something you do for fun. No one has to know. You don't get paid.

JOB - Transactional. Trade time, energy, or output for money. Don't have to love (or even like) it. Typically, more short-term.

CAREER - Devote time and energy to it. Investment. Education. Trajectory. Strategic Effort.

CALLING - Can't "not" do. Divinely inspired. Vocation. Would do it forever, for free.

Where do your passions fit? Have they changed over time?

Ultimately, can purposeful and fulfilling work also make you money?

I would love to hear your thoughts! DM me on IG (@hannahbphd) to share yours!

Opportunities to connect are coming soon!

Until then, feed the good in yourself and others by sharing your passions!

Happy Trails. The passion-filled kind.

Yakoke (Thanks)!

Hannah B., PhD