Inspired Grownups with Alana Banana

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 to you could potentially become a business that helps others.

Beth Ann is an elementary principal turned full time content creator and stay at home mom of three (twins plus one). She shares low lift (easy) activities to empower moms of spirited kids to have more joy and less stress in their days!

Through play based learning, low prep activities, and positive parenting methods, she helps moms connect with their kids, so that we can decrease power struggles, increase listening, and have more fun in motherhood!

With a focus on inclusivity, rather than one size fits all parenting methods, she support  moms of spirited kids in gaining a variety of respectful parenting strategies to confidently parent in difficult moments!

Go to her website www.lowliftfun.com for lots of free resources and inspiration. Follow on IG@lowliftfun

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow.

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 topics around Positive Discipline and how it can help. Follow the show to stay in the loop when her episodes get released. 

Alexis Gentry, LCSW, is a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, social worker, and mom of two who is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of parents and families. She believes in creating a nurturing and empowering environment for families through supporting perinatal mental health and Positive Discipline education. 

Follow Alexis on IG@parenthoodpause

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 Lymphoma at age 15,  self-care and cold plunging!  

Alexis Gentry, LCSW, is a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, social worker, and mom of two who is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of parents and families. She believes in creating a nurturing and empowering environment for families through supporting perinatal mental health and Positive Discipline education. 

Follow Alexis on IG@parenthoodpause

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 full bodied "YES!" and getting honest with yourself around your choices.
Take a listen!

This month we've talked about:
P - presence
L - love
A - awareness
Y - yes!

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 - yes!

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 lot going on. Take a listen!

Stay tuned for the letter "A" next week.

P - presence
L - love
A - awareness
Y - yes!

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow.

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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. Short & sweet!

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 culinary development and brand voice at August. She has always favored her senses of smell and taste. Her nomadic childhood allowed her to explore scent and flavor across the American landscape. Her first visit to France at age 16 was a culinary and cultural revelation which led her to earn an MA in French Cultural Studies from Columbia University and a PhD in French Literature from UC Berkeley. 

During her research in France, she alternated long hours at the library with adventures in fashion, perfume and food. In 2013 the lure of a more sensuous life led her to leave academia to co-found August Uncommon Tea, in which her fantasy of becoming a chef, perfumer, chemist, and novelist collide. She spends her free time writing poetry, comedy bits and gardening. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband/business partner, their daughter and their dog. 

Go to the  August Uncommon Tea Website for more info 

Find on IG@augustuncommon

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 wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 this episode.

If you'd like to learn more about the "Create Your Dream Life" Retreat hosted by my friend's Taqdees Razzaq and Ashleigh Renard you can learn more and follow on IG@taqdeesrazzaq & IG@ashleighrenard

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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, they have both taught music to children ages 0 to 5th grade. In 2018, they connected over their passion to write creative, original songs for kids, that would be enjoyable for both kids and grown-ups alike. 

N&W strives to write simple SEL that align with children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. So whether you’re a professional educator, a stay-at-home parent, a family friend or any other kind of teacher, N&W’s music promotes learning and movement, and will enhance your “student’s” life.

In this conversation we talk about how Paige & Adrien met, what got them into making Children's music, how being a parent has changed how they create and teach and how they're helping other parents and educators through their music and SEL resources. 

For SEL resources go to http://www.narwhalsandwaterfalls.com

To connect with Paige & Adrien follow on IG@narwhalsandwaterfalls

Watch N&W on Youtube 

Listen on Spotify

The Whole Brain Child Book 

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

After 2.9 years of fostering our daughter, her adoption became official last week. In this episode I'm talking with my husband, Erich Schneider, about how it feels to have everything finalized, what he would tell other people who might be interested in fostering or adoption and will we do it again?

If you'd like to hear our previous episodes on this topic you can take a listen to:

Episode 7 - Becoming Foster Parents
Episode 44 - Becoming Foster Parents - Part 2
Episode 62 - Our Road to Adoption

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 community came together for their family, what to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed in your life…and we have an honest talk about alcohol as a coping mechanism. 

Allison Task is a bestselling author and life coach who has helped thousands of people transform their lives by pursuing meaningful personal and career goals. Prior to coaching, Allison was an on-camera cooking host, cookbook author, and marketing executive. She has a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University, a coaching certificate and Master’s Degree from New York University, and a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives with her husband and their four children in Montclair, New Jersey.

To connect with Allison go to www.allisontask.com
Download the "Whole Life Model"

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

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 something right in our present moment that delights us, can build momentum for a better mood and ultimately a more joyful day.

Hope this episode brings some inspiration to you!

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

This week I'm sharing a short solo episode about a topic that's been on my mind recently. One way to help us live happier, more peaceful lives is to focus on the things we love about someone instead of what bugs or annoys us.

Nobody is perfect and we all have things we're working on, right?  Usually when we judge others, we're also judging ourselves. A benefit of focusing on the good in someone is that it ultimately helps us to feel better and can aid in any relationship.  Take a listen to hear more. 

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to music online wherever you stream your music.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

I'm now writing Custom Songs for Kids! Click HERE for details.

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

Today I'm talking with a fellow Children's music artist, Miss Julieann! I'm so inspired by the music and message she's sharing with kids and families, especially those who have gone through or are going through a hard time.

In this conversation we talk about the impact of trauma on the neurological system and how music can help, some of her own challenges and how she's gotten through them and her look at healing from a holistic perspective.

She was 39 weeks pregnant when we recorded this conversation and I'm excited for journey as a new Mama!

Miss Julieann is a children's musician and music therapist, nature educator and wild foods forager. In 2019 she won a parent's choice award for her album "Therapeutic Songs for Kids". She has just released her new album, Resilient Child, which serves as a musical guide for helping kids build the core resilience skills they need to overcome trauma, stress, and and the everyday challenges of life. This album is based off of her work with children in New Hampshire who are recovering from trauma, abuse and neglect. She hopes to use her music to help as many families as possible break the cycle of trauma.

To connect with Miss Julieann, follow on IG@missjulieannemusic
Go to her website www.missjulieann.com 
Watch on Youtube and listen to her new album "Resilient Child" on Spotify

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to  our music on all streaming platforms.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!

Have you heard of Heart Coherence? Today I'm talking with my friend, Mesha McKittrick, about what it is and how we're able to create more bliss, peace and joy in our lives when we're tapped in to it.

We've all been in a state of heart coherence at some point or another. Mesha is offering a 6 week course, Heart Sync, starting at the end of October 2023 teaching us the science behind it and how we can practice being in this place every day if we wanted to...and why would we NOT want to! I've signed up for it and if this conversation inspires you we'd love to see you there.

Sign up for her FREE mini course to learn more HERE >>

Mesha is a Mind & Heart Coach and creator of the podcast, Mindset Check. Through her brand My Friend Mesha, she is a Coach,  Social Influencer and a Public Speaker. She graduated from ASU with a degree in Communications and an emphasis in Family Studies. She is also a registered Heart Math Technician though the Heart Math Institute. Her passion is teaching people that they have more power than think they do. She believes that what matters in life is NOT what happens, what matters is what you THINK about what happens.

Mesha has been married to her boyfriend for 24 years. She has 3 boys and an angel girl and she absolutely adores being their mom. She geeks out about the brain, quantum physics, heart intelligence and loves to learn endlessly about these topics. She is a yogi inside and out and if you put on a good beat she can’t help but dance! Paddle boarding and hiking add to her happiness! 

She knows that when we live inspired it causes us to take actions that we otherwise would not have taken. It’s important for her to help others find the power that is already inside of them.

To connect with Mesha follow on IG@myfriendmesha and listen to her Mindset Check Podcast

To connect with me, Alana Banana, follow on IG @TheAlanaBananaShow or join the Inspired Grownups Private FB Group. 

For The Alana Banana Show kids content subscribe to our Youtube Channel or listen to  our music on all streaming platforms.
The Alana Banana Show on Apple Music
The Alana Banana Show on Spotify

The best way to support this show is by giving it a rating and/or review. Thank you!