Hi my name is Danielle and I’m addicted to podcasts. “Hi Danielle”.

Okay, kidding! But on a serious note, I do love podcasts. Last year is when I really found my love and maybe addiction/obsession for them. The very first podcast I listened to was the Risen Motherhood podcast, a friend told me about it and as a new mom I was hungry for information on the topic of motherhood. Then early last year I started listening to the Rise podcast by Rachel Hollis (ya’ll know I love that woman) and then I discovered the suggestions section. From there it started to snowball and I found more and more podcasts that I genuinely enjoyed listening to. I listen to probably an episode a day, mainly when I take baby G on walks, when I’m on a run outside or when I am cleaning the kitchen at night before bed. I love the feeling of growing, discovering and expanding my knowledge. I feel like any topic that I want to gain knowledge on, there will be a podcast to help me out. For example, last summer I was deep into doing social media management for companies and I wanted to make sure I knew all that there was to know on social media marketing, so I began to listen to the Social Media Examiner podcast (which is amazing btw for learning all things social media). Seriously I’d be shocked if there was a topic I wanted to learn more about that didn’t have an amazing podcast to help me learn.

There are so many more amazing podcasts on my subscription list but I figured I’d share the ones I listen to most with you guys. If I’m missing any truly great podcasts, comment below and let me know what I need to add to my subscription list!

For the business owners, entrepreneurs and people searching for amazing personal development.

Goal Digger Podcast, the Ed Mylett Podcast, Rise Podcast with Rachel Hollis, NPR: How I Built This and High Performance Habits are my 5 favorite podcasts in this category!

For the couples!

Rise Together is a newer podcast created for couples. Nick and I have both been listening to this and love it. It’s a great conversation started for us to discuss the topics that are featured in the podcast. Loving it!

For the Christian mamas out there!

For The Love with Jen Hatmaker and Risen Motherhood are two unbelievable podcasts to fill your spiritual cup as a mom.

For the bloggers, business owners, marketers, etc.

This podcast is for you! Social Media Marketing with Michael Stelzner is gold. There are so many nuggets and useful information on how to master the social media jungle.

For the boutique owners!

When I launched Bella Magari, I knew I had so much to learn. Since I don’t have any close friends who have a ton of boutique experience, I knew I had to find a resource to help me learn all that I need to know. Boutique Chat podcast has been a huge help and has helped me learn so much about the boutique world, it also made me realize I knew NOTHING at all prior to launching Bella Magari. Oh well, learn as you earn right?!

The last few months I have really put my focus on becoming more at peace, experiencing more joy, and really trading in my fear for faith.

I wanted to write this post and be open and vulnerable because I think so many people struggle with finding peace. I'm not perfect, and I still have moments and days where stress and fear try to take over.. But I have been doing some things that have REALLY made a shift in my mind, thoughts and heart that have created a more peaceful version of myself.

One thing I have been doing to make a shift towards peace is my morning routine. I have been listening to Joyce Meyers in the mornings before I start my day, while drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying my breakfast. This is perfect because it starts your day off with a focus on God and getting your mental state right. After listening to Joyce I always find that my focus is on what I am blessed with and what I am excited about in life. When you start your day with a mindset of faith and strength in God, you are bound to have a powerful day!!

Another thing I keep doing to create more peace in my life is pray more. I know this sounds so simple. But really people, this has helped me soooo much! When I pray, I like to thank God for what he has given me. It puts me in a total state of gratitude. Sometimes when I am praying and thanking God, I can't help but cry. For example, I was in Maryland last month visiting my grandparents. I woke up one morning, made some coffee and went out to their back patio that overlooks the bay ( it is stunning). I started to pray and thank God for all the blessings pouring into our lives, and tears just ran down my face. Tears of thanks, gratitude and joy. Let me make something clear, my life isn't perfect by any means, I have struggles, disappointments and downfalls just like anyone else... But I find when my focus is on gratitude and blessings, I am at peace and more blessings start to come in.

These last few months I have also been shifting a focus of mine. This focus shift is responsible for a lot of my new found peace. I have tried to really, really stop playing the comparison game. I am guilty of comparing my life to so many others. Oh, they have a nicer car. They already bought a big home. They are skinnier. They make more money than we do. ETC! And wow is that draining. This change really ties in with the prayers I've been doing. When you spend more of your time counting your blessings, you forget to compare them with other peoples blessings. Counting theirs against yours... I also have stopped trying to rush everything. Comparing with others and then rushing to try to have the same. That is exhausting!!!!!! I did that with our engagement and wedding. I was in such a hurry to have a big ring and a fancy wedding that it put such a stress on my husband and he wasn't even able to enjoy that journey as much. I refuse to do that with buying a home and starting a family. I don't want to rush and take any joy out of that. Do I want those things today? Sure. But I am willing to wait until God says it is the right time for us to have those things in our life. Patience brings peace.

I hope that my transparency can help you make a shift in your life too.

A shift towards "a new found peace". Thanks for reading, comment below

with YOUR favorite way to bring more peace into your life!!