Tonya Harris - Podcast Details

Shows

Your Aha! LifeEp. 51 The Confidence to Take Up Space in Life and LeadershipSummaryIn this episode of Your Aha Life, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the mindset and psychology behind why individuals often play small and how they can reclaim their confidence and take up space in their lives and leadership roles. The discussion emphasizes the importance of self-belief, integrity, and resilience, and provides practical steps to overcome psychological barriers that prevent individuals from fully expressing themselves. Through personal anecdotes and reflective exercises, listeners are encouraged to recognize their worth and embrace their authentic selves.Keywordsconfidence, self-belief, personal growth, leadership...2025-03-0432 min

Your Aha! LifeEp.50 The Hidden Power of Life's In-Between MomentsSummaryIn this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the often overlooked 'in-between' moments in life, emphasizing their significance in personal growth and transformation. She discusses her own experiences of navigating transitions in her career and life and introduces the concept of the 'neutral zone' from William Bridges' transition model. The conversation highlights the importance of patience, self-reflection, and embracing uncertainty as essential components of the journey toward clarity and fulfillment.Keywordslife transitions, personal growth, in-between moments, self-discovery, patience, transformation, career changes, emotional resilience, William Bridges model, self-renewal 2025-02-1518 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Do Something: How to Turn Empathy into Compassionate ActivismSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus discusses the vital distinction between empathy and compassion, emphasizing that while empathy allows us to feel the pain of others, it is compassion that drives us to take action. She encourages listeners to engage in compassionate activism through small, consistent actions in their daily lives, highlighting that every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a larger ripple effect of change. The conversation serves as a call to action for individuals to reflect on their values and find ways to support their communities.Keywords 2025-02-1012 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: How to Find a Mentor: What to Look For and How to AskSummary In this conversation, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., discusses the significance of mentorship, especially during National Mentoring Month. She shares her personal experiences with mentors and emphasizes the transformative power of these relationships. The discussion covers how to find a mentor, what qualities to look for, how to approach potential mentors and the importance of being a proactive mentee. Tonya encourages listeners to reflect on their needs and take actionable steps toward establishing meaningful mentoring relationships to support their personal and professional growth. Keywords mentorship, finding a mentor, mentoring relationship, personal growth...2025-01-2016 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Choose Your Word of the Year to Change Your Life in 2025Summary In this conversation, Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus discusses the transformative practice of choosing a Word of the Year, emphasizing its power to inspire and guide individuals throughout the year. She shares her word for 2025, equanimity, and offers practical tips on incorporating this word into daily life to foster intentional living and personal growth. The discussion highlights the importance of reflection, visual reminders, and community support in making the chosen word meaningful in one's life. Keywords Word of the Year, Equanimity, Intentional Living, Personal Growth, Mindfulness, Reflection, Daily Practices, Inner Peace, Self-Discovery, Life...2025-01-0610 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: How to Become Your Future Self in Five Simple StepsSummary In this episode of Your Aha Life, Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus discusses the journey of personal growth and how to become your future self through five intentional steps. She emphasizes the importance of small, meaningful actions and consistency in shaping one's future. The conversation covers visualization, reflection on the present, identifying areas for growth, creating a roadmap, and the power of consistency in achieving personal transformation. Dr. Cornileus encourages listeners to take actionable steps toward their future selves and to join a supportive community for ongoing growth. Keywords personal...2025-01-0513 min

Your Aha! Life49. Unscript Your Life: Break Free from Overthinking and OverplanningSummary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., discusses the detrimental effects of overthinking and overplanning in our lives. She emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between planning and spontaneity, sharing personal anecdotes and practical examples. The episode provides strategies to recognize and break free from these patterns, encouraging listeners to embrace an unscripted life filled with unexpected joys and experiences. Keywords overthinking, overplanning, mindfulness, spontaneity, life balance, personal growth, stress management, self-discovery, joy, freedom Takeaways Overthinking and overplanning can lead to stress and anxiety. Finding balance is...2024-12-2621 min

Your Aha! Life48. Forgiveness: Letting Go to Move ForwardSummary In this episode, Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus explores the profound and often challenging topic of forgiveness. She shares her personal journey and insights on how forgiveness can free us from past hurts and allow us to embrace our future selves. The conversation delves into the complexities of self-forgiveness, the impact of unresolved grievances on our lives, and practical steps to cultivate forgiveness. Dr. Cornileus emphasizes that forgiveness is not about condoning past actions but about releasing the emotional burdens that hold us back from living fully and authentically. ...2024-12-0337 min

Your Aha! Life47. Embracing the Single Life: Thriving While Staying Open to LoveSummary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the journey of embracing singlehood and thriving while remaining open to love. She shares her personal experiences after a long marriage, discussing the emotional landscape of being single, the importance of self-love, and practical actions to enhance one's single life. The conversation emphasizes that being single is not a waiting period but an opportunity for growth and self-discovery, encouraging listeners to embrace their individuality and prepare for future relationships. Keywords single life, self-love, personal growth, relationships, emotional well-being, thriving, hope, self-discovery, empowerment, love...2024-11-3015 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: From Grief to Action: Healing and Moving ForwardSummary In this conversation, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the themes of grief, healing, and taking action in the face of disappointment and division. Drawing from personal experiences and insights, she emphasizes the importance of resilience, compassion, and community support. The discussion provides practical steps for navigating emotional challenges and encourages listeners to reflect on their own responses to grief and to take meaningful actions toward healing and positive change. Keywords grief, healing, compassion, resilience, emotional management, personal growth, community, positive change, self-reflection, U.S. elections, connection, positive change Takeaways 2024-11-2215 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Trust Yourself: You're On the Right PathSummary In this episode of Your Aha! Life, Tonya Harris Cornileus shares her reflections from a transformative trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. She emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself during times of uncertainty and change, illustrating her journey of self-discovery and clarity through nature. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their paths, recognizing that every experience contributes to personal growth and understanding. Keywords trust, journey, clarity, Sedona, Grand Canyon, self-discovery, nature, personal growth, life changes, introspection, life transitions Takeaways Trust yourself wherever you are on...2024-11-2110 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Help Wanted: How to Give and Receive Support on Life's JourneySummary In this conversation, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the theme of help and support in our lives. She reflects on the importance of both giving and receiving help, emphasizing that our journeys are enriched by the assistance of others. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of individuals and the joy found in mutual support, as well as practical tips for fostering a supportive community. Keywords help, support, community, reciprocity, personal growth, gratitude, life journey, mentorship, interdependence, kindness Takeaways Help is a recurring theme in our lives. ...2024-10-0612 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Move On: How to Overcome What Holds You BackKeywords life transitions, overcoming fear, attachment, personal growth, moving on, self-compassion, change management, emotional resilience, identity, personal development Summary In this audio blog, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D., explores the challenges of moving on from life's transitions, focusing on the forces of attachment and fear that often hold us back. She discusses how these forces manifest in our identities, expectations, and emotional states, and offers strategies for overcoming them. By acknowledging our attachments, facing our fears, and staying open to new possibilities, we can take meaningful steps toward personal growth and fulfillment. 2024-09-2914 min

Your Aha! Life45. Five Essential Steps for Navigating Life's CrossroadsSummary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus, Ph.D. shares five essential steps for navigating life's crossroads. The first step is to pause and reflect, allowing the dust of confusion to settle and gaining clarity and perspective. The second step is to see clarity on your values, understanding what matters most to you and using them as a compass for decision-making. The third step is to gather information and seek advice, considering all options and seeking input from trusted sources. The fourth step is to visualize possible outcomes, emotionally connecting with each potential future. The fifth step...2024-09-0212 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Unlock the Hidden Power in Everyday LearningHi there, I've been recording these audio blogs for a few months now. How's it going? I welcome your feedback. Also, if you're enjoying the Your Aha! Life podcast (the blog and podcast episodes), please leave a great review and share the podcast with your friends. Please help us grow. Thanks so much! Summary Unlock the hidden power in everyday learning. From casual conversations to DIY projects and travel, our daily experiences are filled with opportunities to learn and grow. In this article, I encourage you to broaden your perspectives...2024-07-2314 min

Your Aha! Life44. Stop Overestimating Others and Underestimating YourselfSummary In this episode, Tonya explores the tendency to compare ourselves to others, why we do it, and its potentially negative impact on our self-confidence and self-worth. She discusses the social comparison theory, the imposter syndrome, and the prevalent images in media as reasons why we compare ourselves to others. Tonya also explains the difference between comparing ourselves to others, overestimating others, and underestimating ourselves. She provides examples of when comparison can be positive and offers tips on how to stop overestimating others and underestimating ourselves. Takeaways Comparing...2024-07-0522 min

Your Aha! Life43. Personal Development: Vitamin vs. Pain Reliever for Lasting Joy and FulfillmentSummary In this episode, Tonya explores the concept of personal development as a vitamin or a pain reliever. She discusses how personal development is often sought during times of pain or crisis as a quick-fix solution. However, she proposes a different approach - treating personal development as a daily vitamin, something to invest in consistently even when things are going well. This daily vitamin approach leads to long-term growth, resilience, self-awareness, and overall happiness and fulfillment. Tonya provides practical tips for making personal development a habit and overcoming common obstacles. Takeaways Personal development is often sought as a quick fix...2024-06-0324 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: Essential Steps to Navigate and Grow Through Life TransitionsThank you for listening to my latest blog. I really wanted to share this topic with you to help you make the most of the changes in your life. If you're like me, a lot of change is happening - personally and professionally. As difficult as change can be, learning to navigate life transitions effectively enables us to move through uncertainty and come out stronger, wiser, and more resilient on the other side. In this article, you will learn actionable strategies to help you transition effectively during change. Let me know what you think of the blog. If you love...2024-05-3010 min

Your Aha! Life42. Defining Your "Best Life"Summary In this conversation, Tonya explores the topic of defining your best life. She shares reflections from previous podcast guests and survey participants on what living their best life means to them. Tonya also discusses the perspectives of ancient philosophers and psychologists on the good life. She concludes by providing questions for listeners to reflect on in the areas of self, others/relationships, contribution, and work/career. Takeaway: Defining your best life is a personal exploration that evolves as you grow and learn more about yourself and the world...2024-05-2318 min

Your Aha! Life41. Back to the Basics of Aha! LivingSummary In this episode, Tonya Harris Cornileus reintroduces herself and discusses the eight essential components of creating and living your best life. These components include self-belief, integrity, service to others, healthy relationships, positive mindset, healthy achieving, resilience, and flow. Tonya provides tips and strategies for cultivating each component and encourages listeners to reflect on their strengths and growth areas. Keywords Aha! Living, self-belief, integrity, service to others, healthy relationships, positive mindset, healthy achieving, resilience, flow Takeaways Self-belief is the foundation for creating and living your best life. Think positively of yourself and your abilities. Living...2024-05-1319 min

Your Aha! LifeSeason 4: Re-introducing Your Aha! Life TrailerWelcome to Your Aha! Life, the podcast. I'm back after a three-year hiatus, and I'm so excited to join you again. This is the home for the seekers, the dreamers, and the doers who want more for their lives—more joy, more purpose, and more fulfillment. Each episode will feature stories from people who have experienced real-life "aha" moments on their journey to living their best life. Hosted by Dr. Tonya Harris Cornileus, a teacher-at-heart and mentor to many, certified leadership and life coach, and award-winning HR executive who has spent over 30 years leading and serving within la...2024-05-1201 min

Your Aha! LifeBlog: From Busy to Balanced: 10 Hacks for Boosting Productivity & Well-BeingWelcome to the Your Aha! Life audioblog. I decided to leverage my podcast and add the audio of my blogs to this known platform. If you've been with Your Aha! Life for a while and are accustomed to reading my blog articles, I hope you'll appreciate this new service I'm offering. I read my blog to you, and you listen on the go. Whether on your commute, while exercising, or while sitting down to relax, I hope you enjoy it. Today's blog is From Busy to Balanced: 10 Hacks for Boosting Productivity & Well-Being. In this article...2024-01-3007 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe Dangers of Self-Cleaning OvensThis time of year, many of us are preparing to have guests for the holidays, which means a lot of cooking and cleaning to get ready for everyone. If you’re thinking of cleaning your oven either before or after you make all of your holiday treats, this episode will teach you why a self-cleaning oven isn’t the best tool for the job. It might seem like the easiest and most hands-off approach to getting your oven cleaned out, but it comes with many more risks than rewards. Aside from the obvious fire hazards, using...2023-12-1313 min

The Slightly Greener LifeCreating a Cozy, Less Toxic Home for the HolidaysIf you’re like me, you may have started decorating the house for the holidays as soon as Thanksgiving ended. But if you’re still catching up, or looking for safer ways to decorate, this is the episode for you. This week, I’m diving into some of the most common decorations we use over the holidays that can have toxic chemicals and substances in them. From glitter, trees, wreaths, candles, and even holiday candies, there are many ways we might unknowingly expose ourselves to toxins more than any other time of year. But...2023-12-0617 min

The Slightly Greener LifeRevisit: An Overview of Endocrine DisruptorsThis week, I'm resharing an episode of a highly requested topic — endocrine disruptors. Enjoy! In this episode, we take a closer look at endocrine disruptors, also known as hormone disruptors. These are chemicals that can interfere with the function of the endocrine system, causing health problems ranging from weight gain and insulin resistance to fertility issues and lower IQ. I give a high-level overview of what these chemicals are and what they do in our bodies. Endocrine disruptors can be found in a wide range of products, including food, personal care products, and hous...2023-11-2911 min

The Slightly Greener LifeHow to Clean Out Your Fridge to Prepare for the HolidaysWith Thanksgiving tomorrow, and the holiday season gearing up, I wanted to take the opportunity to share how to clean out your fridge to prep for the holidays. These steps will make cleaning your fridge a snap, so don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to this! This time of year, many of us are gathering with our families, cooking together, and have tons of leftovers that can be easily forgotten, or we just can’t get through all of them in time to eat them before they go bad...2023-11-2214 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThree Ingredients That Are Secretly Aging Your SkinLast week, we talked a little about knowing when cosmetics and personal care products expire, and how to begin cleaning out your bathroom cupboards. Today, I’m getting a little deeper into the products that we should be considering swapping out for better options because they often have ingredients in them that are prematurely aging our skin. In this episode, I’m focusing on 3 common ingredients that you’ll find in soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, moisturizers, and so much more. The last thing we want when keeping up with our skincare routine is to be u...2023-11-1513 min

The Slightly Greener LifeWhen Do Cosmetics Really Expire?If you wear makeup or have a skincare routine, you’ve probably had at least one experience where you find an old lipstick at the bottom of your purse after months or found a moisturizer in the back of your drawer and wondered if it’s still good to use. Makeup and personal care products are a bit of a gray area when it comes to expiration dates, but there is a sweet spot for when you should toss out a product and exchange it for a new one. In this episode...2023-11-0115 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe Dirty Truth About Reusable Water BottlesUsing a reusable water bottle is a good step toward reducing excessive plastic waste in your home. But, unfortunately, there are still downsides to using them, especially as your main source of water every day. I know I like to use my reusable water bottle, especially if I know I’ll be out without easy access to water for a long time. But after learning about all the dangers hiding in plain sight, I’ve changed my approach to using them, and have definitely have upped my cleaning routine with this item, specifically. ...2023-10-1109 min

The Slightly Greener LifeHow to Have a Less Toxic HalloweenIt’s crazy to think that we’re already in the fall season, and October is here! With the heat still persisting here in Chicago, it’s hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner. But I’m starting to get out my fall decorations, and I’m sure many of you are starting to think about trick-or-treating with your kids soon. If you’re like me, trick-or-treating can be a scary time, and not just because of the spooky costumes and decorations. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of sneaky toxins hiding in your kids’ ca...2023-10-0418 min

The Slightly Greener LifeMy Childhood Cancer StoryTo continue raising awareness for childhood cancer this month, I’m finally sharing my story about my recovery from childhood leukemia. To help me, I’m passing the mic to my podcast manager, Kirsten Trammell to interview me about my childhood cancer experience and how it’s shaped my life. When I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with childhood leukemia, which sparked years of testing, hospital visits, and treatments that still left me with only about a 20% chance of survival. Despite this less-than-positive news, my family and I persevered and continued to follow the treatmen...2023-09-2740 min

The Slightly Greener LifeKeeping Kids Safe from Cancer-Causing ToxinsIt’s September, which means it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and my 41-year survivor anniversary from childhood leukemia. So in honor of that, I’m excited to be talking about ways to keep the kids (and adults) in your family safe from cancer-causing chemicals. I’ve been talking a lot about home cleaning and personal care products that have hidden toxins, but there are many kid-specific items commonly found in the home that have toxins lurking in them as well. Things from art supplies, toys, kids’ personal care products, and other things that kids commonly co...2023-09-1314 min

The Slightly Greener LifeHidden Toxins in Everyday Beauty ProductsWe’ve been mostly focusing on cleaning products lately, so this week, I want to take a deeper look at common personal care products that probably have hidden toxins lurking in them. Even if you’re reading labels carefully, there are still hidden ingredients to be on the lookout for that won’t be listed on the labels. In this episode, I’ll share 2 of the most common hidden toxins, and which ingredients to look out for on ingredient labels. As always, I’ve done the research for you so you don’t need to remember all...2023-08-3117 min

The Slightly Greener LifeHow Clean Are Your Cleaning Products?Non-toxic cleaning methods are one of my favorite topics to cover because not only is it easy to DIY, but it can be cheaper than buying standard cleaning products, too. It’s a win-win! Standard cleaning products have a lot of hidden information on their labels, often due to trade secret laws and what the EPA does not require companies to disclose. The result can be products that have a lot of hidden toxins, even if the labels say “green,” “natural,” or “eco-friendly.” It’s hard to know if what youre buying is truly saf...2023-08-2315 min

The Slightly Greener LifeLess Toxic Methods to Disinfect Your HomeOne of the most common questions I get these days is about whether we’re actually disinfecting, or just cleaning our homes. Believe it or not, there’s a big difference between the two that requires different products for each task. Today, I’m teaching you the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, and what products are actually safe and effective for each use. No matter if you just want to clean dirt and grime from surfaces or if you’re doing a deep disinfect in your home, there’s always safer ways to go about doing it.2023-08-1611 min

The Slightly Greener Life7 Tips to Reduce Exposure to Smartphone RadiationWelcome to season 2 of the podcast! After a much-needed break to spend time with my family before the summer is over, I’m back to give you more tips and tricks for making your home slightly greener. This week, we’re tackling the topic of smartphone use and how that can expose us to harmful radiation. As always, I’m not taking an all-or-nothing approach to this advice, but will be sharing some simple ways to reduce our exposure and why it’s important to do so. Studies show that by age 14, abo...2023-08-0913 min

The Slightly Greener LifeSummer Sun Safety Tips for Your KidsBack by popular demand, I have another episode for you this week about how to keep your kids safer in the sun this summer! After the two-part series about sunscreen safety, I had a lot of questions from you about kids and sunscreens, so I decided to bring the series back for another episode. In the previous episodes, we talked about the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens and the effects they have on us when absorbed into the skin. And if you think that was bad, kids and babies have even more sensitive skin t...2023-07-0519 min

The Slightly Greener LifeMaking Healthy Snacking a SnapWith kids home for the summer, it’s more likely that they’ll be eating at home more often and reaching for more snacks throughout the day. And many grab-and-go snacks are filled with ingredients that are linked to hyperactivity and behavior issues in kids, including artificial dyes that we talked about last in last week’s episode. This week we’ll continue to talk about 3 common food ingredients that are linked to hyperactivity and behavior issues, like MSG and certain food preservatives. I’ll go over why they’re so problematic and how to slowly remove...2023-06-2822 min

The Slightly Greener LifeSeeing Red: The Hidden Dangers of Artificial ColorsThis week’s topic is close to my heart because it is related to my kids, and it’s actually what launched my own Slightly Greener journey 17 years ago. Today, we’re talking about artificial dyes and the health effects that they’re linked to. Most people know the link between artificial red dye and hyperactivity in children, but it goes beyond that. Other dyes like Blue 1 and Yellow 5 have been shown to have other adverse health effects like immune responses, digestive issues, and exacerbating asthma symptoms. In this episode, I’m going over...2023-06-2125 min

The Slightly Greener LifePet-Friendly Cleaning Product AlternativesThis past week was Pet-Appreciation Week, so what better time to talk about how to keep your home pet-safe when cleaning? Dogs, cats, and other pets are all affected differently by different cleaning products and chemicals, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re using on common surfaces that they come into contact with regularly. This episode will cover the most common chemicals that have adverse effects for pets (and usually humans, too), what you can replace them with, and even how to DIY your own safer cleaning products. But only if you w...2023-06-1417 min

The Slightly Greener Life4 Simple Tips for a Healthy Home JumpstartWe have more control over the health of our homes than we think we do! In today's episode, we're going to dig into four simple steps you can take that will make a big impact when it comes to reducing harmful chemicals in your home without the overwhelm. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to reducing toxic chemicals, but just know that whatever step you take is an important step for your health and for your family's health. We don't have to be perfect about it...2023-06-0715 min

The Slightly Greener LifeGetting to the Root of Hair LossHair loss and hair thinning are more common than we might think. It can be triggered by stress, illness, hormonal fluctuations, and nutrient deficiencies, just to name a few. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be permanent. This week, I’m getting vulnerable about my own hair-loss struggles and what has been helping me grow it back naturally. And as always, you can count on me to do the research so you don’t have to. So I’ll also be digging into the science behind some of the causes and solut...2023-05-3130 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe Sunscreen Safety Guide for Summer, Part 2Before I started on my journey to becoming slightly greener, I used to buy sunscreen without thinking too much about it because I thought they all worked the same. But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. This week, I’m continuing the sunscreen series to teach you about the difference between active and inactive ingredients in sunscreens and why inactive ingredients can often be just as, if not more harmful than the active ones. While there’s no truly perfect sunscreen on the market, I want to empower you to make the best choice for you and...2023-05-2421 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe Sunscreen Safety Guide for Summer, Part 1With better weather comes more sun exposure, which makes this the perfect time to start talking about my top sunscreen safety tips. Believe it or not, sunscreen is not the safest way to protect yourself from harmful sun rays, but is useful as part of your sun safety routine. In this episode, I’ll be covering why chemical sunscreen isn’t as safe or effective as other sun protection methods, particularly when it comes to adverse health effects. But as always, I’ve got you covered (pun intended) with some alternatives to chemical sunscreens, and will sha...2023-05-1718 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe One Ingredient You Need to Eliminate Bad Odor in Your HomeWith summer just around the corner, this is the perfect time to start thinking about how to eliminate odors inside your home, especially from dampness or humidity. Luckily, there’s only one thing you need that makes it easy and affordable to get started! This week, I’ll be going over the most common places odors can lurk in our homes, and why air fresheners or other scented odor eliminators aren’t nearly as safe or effective as removing these stubborn odors naturally. With many household cleaning products, there are hidden dangers involved, like toxic chemica...2023-05-1017 min

The Slightly Greener LifeWhy BPA-Free Isn’t Always SaferBPA is found in many everyday items, such as canned goods and soda cans, plastic cookware, and plastic food storage containers, to name a few. Even if you’re buying replacement items that say BPA-free, we’re not in the clear. In the past few episodes, I’ve been talking a lot about BPA and other endocrine disruptors. Unfortunately, BPA isn’t the only toxic chemical found in food and kitchen items, and its “safer” alternatives are also not as safe as we’re led to believe. So what can we do to avoid these...2023-05-0317 min

The Slightly Greener LifeThe Less-Toxic Kitchen: Swaps for Your CookwareIn this episode, I’ll break down toxic cookware and safer alternatives that you can use in your home. There is no truly “perfect” alternative to traditional toxic cookware, but there are always steps we can take to make safer, healthier choices for us and our families. Today, I’ll cover the most common toxic cookware we find in our homes, why they are unsafe, and the health risks that occur after extended use. You’ll learn how to use toxic cookware like non-stick pans more safely, and how to gradually replace items in your home that c...2023-04-2622 min

The Slightly Greener LifeEndocrine DisruptorsIn this episode, we take a closer look at endocrine disruptors, also known as hormone disruptors. These are chemicals that can interfere with the function of the endocrine system, causing health problems ranging from weight gain and insulin resistance to fertility issues and lower IQ. Tonya gives a high-level overview of what these chemicals are and what they do in our bodies. Endocrine disruptors can be found in a wide range of products, including food, personal care products, and household items, so it’s important to take note of where they show up in everyday ite...2023-04-1911 min

The Slightly Greener LifeGetting Your Family On BoardWhen starting the journey to becoming slightly greener, not everyone is going to understand what you’re doing or why. At first, you might be met with resistance from your family, which is perfectly normal. In this episode, Tonya shares 3 tips for getting your family on board slowly but surely. It’s not about being perfect or taking away everything that you and your family enjoy. The goal is to make incrementally better decisions that are sustainable long-term and doesn’t create resistance between your spouse or your kids. This episode provides...2023-04-1210 min

The Slightly Greener LifeWhy Slightly Greener?In this episode, Tonya shares her journey to becoming slightly greener. It might come as a surprise, but she wasn’t always as invested in natural and non-toxic products as she is now. Despite a battle with childhood cancer and always being told what healthy foods to eat, she still had a sweet tooth and a love for snacks that comes naturally with being a kid. This episode gives more insight behind Tonya’s “why” and how she started the Slightly Greener journey with her family. From starting to remove products with “dealbreaker ingredients” from the home linked...2023-04-0515 min

The Slightly Greener LifeHow To Save Money on OrganicIn this episode, Tonya shares several tips on how to make shopping for organic and non-toxic products more affordable. When we think of organic we often also think, “expensive” but that doesn't have to be the case. Tonya shares what foods to go organic on, how to save money when you purchase organic products, and strategies for using clean, and reasonably priced products at home. Tonya also shares her methods for making your own snacks and baked goods, which can be both healthier and more cost-effective than store-bought options…and no this doesn't mean spending hours i...2023-03-2909 min

The Slightly Greener Life3 Ways to Go Slightly GreenerWelcome to the show! In the first episode, your host Tonya Harris provides three simple tips to going slightly greener without getting completely overwhelmed. The tips are the 80/20 rule, find your deal breakers, and choose your top two. There are SO many opportunities to living a greener life, and sometimes it's hard to know where to start. Well, here is where Tonya reveals her favorite practices that make the biggest changes. Tune in for this foundational episode on how to be greener. You don’t want to miss this! Key Topics:...2023-03-2907 min

The Slightly Greener LifeWelcome to the Slightly Greener LifeAre you ready to start living cleaner? Welcome to the Slightly Greener Life Podcast! Each week, join your host, award-winning toxin expert Tonya Harris, for an uplifting and practical approach to low-toxin living that will leave you feeling confident, in control, and a little bit lighter. This is the show for busy health-conscious moms who are ready to detox their homes and relieve their stress. It's time to ditch the guilt and embrace the peace. Here is where you learn how to be a savvy consumer saving money...2023-03-1605 min

Your Aha! Life40. Letting Go and Making Room for New BeginningsIn today's episode, I'm sharing some news. I'd love it if you listen to the episode in its entirety. I want to thank all of you who have been consistent and supportive listeners to Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. After more than 19 months and 40 episodes, I have decided to pause the podcast indefinitely. You will find out the backstory in this episode. I am so thankful to you and to all of the guests I've had the honor of speaking with and learning from since I started in October 2019. I believe wholeheartedly in my decision to pause, and...2021-05-0230 min

Your Aha! Life39. Discover, Connect & Love: The Path to True Self-CareDiscover, Connect, & Love: The Path to True Self-Care. Listen In. I'm excited to welcome guest, Kerri Stenson to Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. Kerri and I met when we were going through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching certification program two years ago. Kerri is a registered social worker and a certified professional life coach, COR.E Wellbeing Specialist, and Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner. In 2019, Kerri started Purposefully Balanced Coaching - a coaching practice dedicated to supporting other heart-centered helpers in making wellbeing a priority and overcoming the external and internal barriers that may be getting...2021-04-1946 min

Your Aha! Life38. Don't Settle for a Half-Life: How to Live The Life You DeserveDon't Settle for a Half-Life: How to Live the Life You Deserve. If we're honest, all of us have settled in some area of our lives at some point in our lives. This episode is about that. If you find yourself settling for less than you deserve today or know that you have in the past, then you'll want to listen. In the episode, I share how settling shows up in our lives, the reasons people settle, and actions to take if you or someone you love is settling in life. Weeks ago the word, "settle" dropped in my...2021-04-0529 min

Your Aha! Life37. Create a Fulfilled, Balanced & Whole Life (Focusing on Your Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual Fitness)Listen in as I welcome Maggie Dong to Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. In our conversation, Maggie shares how she helps people master their reality and Create a Fulfilled, Balanced, & Whole Life (focusing on their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness). Maggie Dong is a Podcaster, Healer, Fitness and Life Coach, and Channeler. Her story: childhood abuse, immigration, losing her mother at 16, her dad's life sentence, depression and anxiety, eating disorders, dropping out of college, starting and growing her business...Maggie had every reason to give up on life. Instead, her experiences have made her stronger a...2021-03-2646 min

Your Aha! Life35. How to Love Yourself Using the Maxx METHOD (with Christy Maxey)Enjoying Your Aha! Life - The Podcast? Let me know. Take a few minutes before you go to like, rate, leave a review, and share with your network. I'm really working to reach more listeners and to bring more interesting topics to you. I need your help. Leave a voice recording (a unique Anchor feature) or email me at tonya@yourahalife.com and let me know what you like about the podcast and what topics you'd like me to cover. Your feedback is so important. Want more of Your Aha! Life? Check out my blog and head over to...2021-02-2145 min

Your Aha! Life34. How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others: Know Your Self-WorthAs social beings, we all compare ourselves to others. However, how can we stop comparing ourselves to others in a way that is destructive. It all comes down to knowing your intrinsic self-worth and building positive self-esteem. In today's episode, I come to this topic as a seeker or explorer myself. I decided to tackle this topic because I've had several requests from readers of my blog and others. It's a common issue that can hold people back from being their best selves and living the life of their dreams. So, I'm diving in. In How to S...2021-02-0747 min

Your Aha! Life32. The Slow Movement: Overcoming the Cult of Speed with Carl HonoréWelcome back to Your Aha! Life. This is Season 3. Listen in as I host a conversation with award-winning Canadian journalist, bestselling author, and voice of The Slow Movement Carl Honoré. From his first book in 2004, In Praise of Slowness, Carl has been helping individuals rethink time and speed so that they live more consciously, intentionally, and slowly. He talks openly about his own journey to slow living and how he now helps frazzled, over-scheduled people, to slow down. To learn more about Carl Honoré, The Slow Movement, his books, TED Talks, and lots of other resources, click her...2021-01-1041 min

Your Aha! LifeEnd of 2020 Message from TonyaHi There, this is a personal message from me to you. I want to thank you for being a subscriber and loyal listener to Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. I've learned so much this year from you and from the. many guests I had on the show. Now, I'm gearing up for a new and different Your Aha! Life - The Podcast in 2021. In this short podcast, I share the news with you. I hope you'll be just as excited as I am. Over these next two weeks, I'll be relaxing and enjoying family and keeping you in...2020-12-2218 min

Your Aha! LifeHow to Grow Through Life's Changes and TransitionsThe only thing constant in life is change. And change can be hard. So many people remain stuck in the past and never realize their potential. In this episode, I share practical tips on how you can grow through some of life's most difficult moments. Using the Williams Bridges model of Change and Transitions (ending - neutral zone - new beginning), I overlay three important ways in which you can practice self-care during times of change and offer tangible actions at each phase of the transition journey. My desire for you is that as you navigate change a...2020-10-0459 min

Your Aha! LifeWabi-Sabi: Embracing Imperfect Beauty in Your LifeIn this episode, I'm so happy to be back with you solo and I have a great topic to share: Wabi Sabi: Embracing Imperfect Beauty in Your Life. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese term that grew out of a Japanese aesthetic for imperfect beauty or the "Zen of Things." I define (or try to anyway) the meaning of wabi-sabi and how you can embrace it in your daily life to overcome the paralysis of perfectionism and pursue your goals and dreams. I quote and share throughout the episode, Richard Powell, author of Wabi-Sabi Simple. He said, "Wabi-Sabi nurtures all that is...2020-08-3147 min

Your Aha! LifeThe Unbound Life: My Conversation with Wendy Horng Brawer.Listen in as I welcome Wendy Horng Brawer into a conversation about The Unbound Life. Wendy is an Educator. Embodiment and Personal Transformation Coach. Speaker. Business Consultant. Creator of Whole Human @ Work and This Unbound Life. She works at the intersection of organizational development, business strategy, and human development to unleash the potential within people, teams, and organizations with her company, the Intune Collective. Wendy believes deeply in the potential within each person. Too often, we are bound by family and cultural expectations which prevent us from accessing the potential within us and becoming our fu...2020-08-011h 14

Your Aha! LifeDaddy Says: Wisdom From Our Dad on Father's DayThis is a very special episode of Your Aha! Life - The Podcast. It's a family affair. I'm joined by my sister, Kerisha Harris, playing co-host with me and we have our very special guest - Our Dad - Elbert Harris, Sr. In celebration of Father's Day, and my Dad turning 81 this year, I thought it would be a real treat to have a conversation with him and to share his wisdom, intellect, life stories, passion, and humor with all of you. He's retired now, but our Dad spent his entire professional career in education. He was a teacher, coach...2020-06-211h 09

Your Aha! LifeMy Conversation with Giovanni Dienstmann: Overcoming the Fear of FailureOvercoming the Fear of Failure Giovanni Dienstmann is an International Author, Meditation Teacher, Coach, and Speaker. He is the creator of the world's most popular meditation blog on the planet - Live and Dare. Giovanni is also the author of the bestseller, Practical Meditation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide. The book is available in seven different languages and has popularly been called "The Meditation Bible." Giovanni's work focuses on taking you from anxious and stressed to calm, centered, and focused, through the power of meditation. Thousands of people have taken Giovanni's programs and experienced the benefits. I...2020-06-0852 min

Your Aha! LifeMy Conversation with Terri Klass: Plan for Your Second Act: Creating the Life You Dream of LivingListen as Terri Klass and I enjoy a conversation about Planning for Your Second Act. Terri is the founder and CEO of Terri Klass Consulting, LLC. She is a leadership skills training consultant, coach, and speaker who partners with organizations to create cultures of empowerment and build their leadership pipeline. In today's conversation, Terri defines "The Second Act" as we discuss when and why people are most likely to pursue their second act, what may get in their way, and how to create the life you dream of living in your second act. Terri has coached several of her c...2020-05-2457 min

Your Aha! LifeVisit Your Comfort Zone (If You Must), But Don't StayWhere does life begin? Life begins on the other side of your comfort zone (Neale Donald Walsch). Quote after quote reminds us of the perils of the comfort zone. But what is less apparent is that the comfort zone actually serves an important purpose - if leveraged appropriately. Listen to this episode to learn when and how the comfort zone can be useful and what to watch out for so that you do not get stuck in the comfortability and miss out on the life you dream about. If you must retreat to the comfort zone, remember it's okay to...2019-12-1419 min

Your Aha! LifeDiscover Your Highest AspirationIn life, we have many aspirations, but likely one of those rises to the top and provides you the greatest sense of joy, purpose, and fulfillment. That is your Highest Aspiration. Listen to this episode and discover the desire that burns within you. It may mean going back to your five-year-old self. "I believe those of you who are on the journey to live an Aha! Life know intuitively that though your life aspirations and coordinating accomplishments may bring happiness and a sense of pride, your Highest Aspiration is not happiness, it's meaning, and you find meaning t...2019-11-0420 min