French Kissing Life
If you were free to be who you really are deep down and who you were always meant to be, what would your life look like? What does it mean to have a zest for life? Can you *really* invite more joy into your everyday living through doable steps that don’t take a lot of time? Yes, yes, and more yes!
French Kissing Life is an inspirational podcast that guides you toward finding your spark and unleashing it into the world. If you’ve been yearning to celebrate your unique presence and fall in love with who you truly are, then you’ve found your tribe. If you believe the world needs what only you can offer, this community will be your biggest cheerleader. Picture this podcast as your weekly dose of encouragement – a sanctuary where you can escape the noise of the world and embrace the beauty of your own existence.
From skinny dipping in Portugal to auctioning herself off for a date and testing whether a slinky will go down an ancient pyramid, host Shawnna Stiver knows a thing or two about going for it and the hilarious stories that await. Through heartfelt, playful and funny conversations, Shawnna helps you discover what makes your heart race, your soul dance and your spirit soar. You’ll also hear from guest experts who share insights on how to navigate the journey of self-discovery and invite the world to come alive alongside you.
In a world that demands you be anything but yourself, this is your permission slip to be a little more YOU. Together, we’ll make every moment count and create a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. If you’re ready to shed the shoulds and welcome in a life that feels uniquely, beautifully, and authentically yours, subscribe now and let’s make every episode a celebration of YOU! Buckle up for an adventure where realness reigns, inspiration thrives and fun is the name of the game. Are you ready to french kiss life?!
French Kissing Life
Ep 82: How to Become a "Certified Kid at Heart" with Melquea Smith
In a world that too often forgets how to play, today’s episode is your permission slip to remember. I’m joined by the radiant Melquea Smith, a Black, Queer, multi-award-winning children’s book illustrator and certified kid at heart, who also creates joyful clip art for educators, authors, and entrepreneurs.
We talk about what it means to be a "certified kid at heart", how to feel wonder again, how to soften in a hardened world, and how to choose joy not as a feeling, but as an act of rebellion. Melquea’s art centers positive, joyful imagery of Black kids and Black families, especially little Black girls of all shapes, sizes, and shades. And her voice is just as vibrant as the illustrations she brings to life.
Topics Covered:
- Why joy is a creative, rebellious act in a chaotic world
- How Melquea brings her kid-at-heart energy into daily life
- The surprising path from drawing animals to illustrating picture books
- Healing childhood gaps by drawing the representation she longed for
- Creative rituals for romanticizing the ordinary and staying enchanted
- The emotional weight of choosing softness in hard times
- Why reconnecting with awe can shift your entire perspective
- Gentle, practical ways to rediscover play and imagination as an adult
Here are some actions you can take, whether you have 5 minutes or 50:
- If you have a little more than 5 minutes, I have a TedX video called “Rediscovering childlike wonder as an adult” that invites you to rediscover the magic in everyday moments
- If you have 50 minutes, I have an article from The Aesthetics of Joy called “How to embrace your inner child and find more joy.” They also have a guide you can download that gives you 50 ways to find joy every day.
Join the monthly clipart membership, Brown Sugar Graphics! https://prettykittypaintings.com/bsg
Connect with Melquea!
Website: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/
Free illustrations here: https://prettykittypaintings.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettykittypaintings/
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Contact French Kissing Life Podcast
- DM us at @shawnnarstiver on Instagram or Facebook
- Connect with Shawnna Stiver on LinkedIn
- Email us at frenchkissinglifepodcast@gmail.com
Until next time, muah!
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French Kissing Life is sponsored by Ampersand Copy and Content. Ready to convert browsers into buyers? If you want to master your messaging, stand out in a saturated market and become a crushed-on, go-to brand, contact us today!
Website: https://ampersandcopyandcontent.com/
Email: shawnna@ampersandcopyandcontent.com