What's Stopping You? with Kelsey Jones

Yep, it's my birthday! Last year, I made a similar episode sharing 21 things I was manifesting for the year and over the course of the last 12 months, I really made sh*t happen. So this year, I decided to make a sequel for my 22nd birthday of 22 things I'm manifesting as I turn 22. Be sure to listen to get the inside scoop of where I see my life going in the next year, and I hope this episode inspires y'all to go through the same exercise, regardless of your birthday, age, etc. The process of writing down and visualizing my dream life has completely changed my life, so I would highly recommend it to you as well!

Synergy is where it's at! This week, I talk about the incredible value in the differences among us. We all have different backgrounds, experiences, opinions, and perspectives, and instead of letting that divide us, we should use it for mutually beneficial solutions. Whether you're struggling at work or in your relationship, I talk about how viewing differences positively totally changes the game. I hope you guys enjoy this episode, and we sure to subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday! ✨

Where to find me:

Happy Wednesday everyone! This week, I talk all about a crazy realization I had that really boosted my confidence in terms of trusting my gut. I feel like all of us have dreams or thoughts that we don't know where they come from, but they just feel right. News flash, that's your intuition trying to speak to you! So today I share tangible tips on how to channel your intuition, listen to it, and why you should ultimately follow it. Hope you guys enjoy!

Where to find me:

Happy happy Wednesday everyone. This week on What's Stopping You?, by popular demand, I share the story of how I got my new job in the Big Apple, what the process was like for me, and what helped me along the way. I go step-by step-through the job search process, offering advice from my own experience as well as A LOT of wisdom from coworkers, friends, family, and mentors. I'm so excited to share this episode with y'all and I hope it helps you if you're in the post-grad jobless limbo like I *almost* was.

Where to find me:

This week has been a busy one! Not only did I graduate from college, but I also signed an offer to work at a startup in NYC. It's been so beautiful reflecting on the past four years at The University of Texas, and I wanted to share just a little glimpse with y'all. ✨ I share why I chose UT, my acceptance story, my degree, my favorite (& least favorite!!) classes, how I was involved on campus, and answer some of your burning questions. Whether you're in college right now, about to start applying, or graduated 10 years ago, I hope my story inspires and resonates with y'all. It was such a transformative time, and makes me so excited to walk into this new chapter. 🤍🤘🏻

Mentions in the episode:

New week, new episode! Today I share how I use time batching to improve efficiency, productivity, and gain more free time. I share what it is, how to get started, my personal experience, as well as tips to navigate the process. Remember, it's a very personal, trial & error process, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't feel right the first time. Over time, you'll figure out what suits your productivity and mental capacity best!

Where you can find me:

Hello hello! This week, I talk about how what you fill your mind affects you more than you think. From topics such as neuroplasticity, perception, and much more, I share anecdotal experience of how changing the content I consume dramatically affects my mindset and perspective on daily life. I hope you guys like the episode, and be sure to follow the Instagram for more valuable info!

Where you can find me:

Happy happy Wednesday y'all! Today I sit down to openly discuss my journey of focusing on myself these past few months. A lot has changed in my life in the past year, and by consciously reflecting on who I am and who I want to be, so much love, joy, and healing has come out of it! I highly encourage y'all to take time to focus on yourself as you work on becoming the best version of yourself. 🤍✨😇

Where you can find me:

This week, I talk all about the importance of being proactive. Taking control of your life doesn't have to be as hard as it seems. In this episode, I detail what it means to be proactive vs. reactive, what "response-ability" is according to Stephen Covey, and some practical shifts to move from being reactive to proactive in your daily life. Hope y'all enjoy!

It's here. All you could ever wanna know about me moving to New York City. With special guest and future roomie Sarah Whitney. You're welcome.

Where you can find Sarah:

Today's episode gets really honest. I decided to talk about body image and my relationship with food for a plethora of reasons (as detailed in the episode), but primarily to normalize vulnerability as part of becoming your best self. I talk about my body image struggles, weird diet rules I used to follow, and how I've overcome a lot of negative thinking about food. I hope you enjoy the episode and remember that you're so so so much more than your body or appearance 🤍 xoxo

Where you can find me:

This week, I share where I've been, the chaos that has been my life, and how I'm managing to stay alive. Don't miss my raspy voice, fun strep stories from Miami and much more in this week's episode. Love you guys and hope you find this episode helpful if you're also going through it 🤍 ✨

Where you can find me:

Today I wanted to talk about a topic I haven't really touched on -- happiness. I recently have been at a place in my life where I am finding true joy in the present, despite the volatility and uncertainty surrounding my life right now. I wanted to share my experience with focusing on living in the present, and give y'all three reasons why being in the moment makes you a happier person. My biggest hope for y'all on your journey towards your best self is that you find joy in the process. I hope you enjoy 🤍

Where you can find me:

This week, I wanted to share a little more about how I feel about the upcoming changes in my life. To put it bluntly -- it's stressful. I share how I truly feel like I'm stuck in a season of waiting, and five tips for how I'm grounding myself despite the anxiety. I hope you find this episode useful & can resonate with the sentiment. Remember -- none of us know what the heck we're doing, and that's okay!

Where you can find me:

This week, I had the pleasure of having Kenzie Elizabeth on the podcast! We talk all about the recent Texas snowstorm, her personal growth journey, her unconventional college experience, the growth of her recent platforms, and more! She shares so much wisdom and insight on how she is navigating life as a successful 20-something, even amidst a pandemic. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed having Kenzie on. Be sure to check out all her links below 🤍

Where you can find Kenzie:

This week I decided to open up to you guys about a topic I generally avoid -- relationships. Whether it be romantic or platonic, relationships are a HUGE part of personal growth (no matter how much I avoid it). As I navigate through a rut this week, I share 5 things that I've learned in the past year through love and loss. I hope this helps someone out there who is sad and single this Valentine's Day. If someone hasn't told you yet today, I love you. Thank you guys

Where you can find me:

Hey guys! Another Wednesday, another episode! I wanted to continue the conversation around goal-setting as we move into the month of February, and encourage you guys to keep pushing forward. I share some of my own goals, how to set up goals to stay motivated and consistently reach them, as well as answer your questions on motivation, setting realistic goals, and more. REMINDER: it's never too late to begin again. I hope this episode shows you just that

Where you can find me:

Today's episode is a continuation of the lifelong saga of becoming your best self, which includes keeping promises to yourself. It's one thing to set a goal, but it's a whole other beast to follow through. In today's episode, I share why we so often fail ourselves, how breaking promises to ourselves shows others how to treat you, and most importantly, how you can change your life and mindset. Hope you enjoy!

Where you can find me:

Hey y'all! So excited to share today's episode explaining what the "higher self" is, how you can discover your own higher self, and then how to shift your actual self (ego) into the best version of yourself. It can be difficult to grasp, but this concept really changed my life. It's why I started "What's Stopping You?" and it's why I'm so happy in my day to day life. Be sure to go over to the Instagram after listening to this episode and share what you're uncovering about yourself through this episode!

This week, I want to discuss how our thoughts shape our entire lives, and how the routines we rehearse and the lifestyle we create are all rooted in one thing -- our thoughts. After reading most of Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen, I felt inspired to share how you can form better habits and change your life using only your thoughts. It's not a hoax, it's not a drill. You can literally build a whole new life by interrupting unproductive and negative thought patterns and consider all situations through the lens of your "ideal self" (more on that to come). I hope you enjoy this episode and get out of your dang head and start living your best life!

AND I'M BACK! So excited to be returning from a three month hiatus, and also excited to share the podcast's rebrand! So much has changed in the past few months and I'm looking forward to uplifting and inspiring you guys every Wednesday in the new year. In today's episode, I share all the updates on the past few months, talk about the concept of celebrating your achievements, and present y'all with a challenge to move in the direction of becoming your best self. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to follow the IGs below and subscribe to the podcast for new content every week.

Where you can find me:

Bet you didn't expect to see this this week! Today I sit down for an impromptu Q&A to address where I've been, what I've been up to, and when I will be returning to the podcast for good. Be sure to listen to the end for the RE-RELEASE DATE of "What's Stopping You? with Kelsey Jones!" 

Where you can find me:

Today's episode is a big one. After 39 incredible episodes, I have decided to take a moment to step back from the podcast. In this episode, I share how this podcast has grown me as a person, I talk about the process of reinventing myself that I'm currently undergoing, and I discuss the long-awaited explanation for the break I will be taking from the podcast. I hope you learn something from this episode and understand where I'm coming from. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to stay updated, and I know y'all will hear from me soon. Love y'all

Where you can find me:

In today's episode, I got the incredible opportunity to talk with Maya Fleming, host of the Gentler podcast all about practical self care. We have an incredible conversation about what self care looks like for us, how it differs based on each season of your life, and how to prioritize self care into your daily routine. I hope you guys love the episode and gained some helpful tips to implement into your day-to-day life!

Where you can find Maya:

In today's episode, I sit down with fellow podcaster and creative Lauren Lapid to compare and contrast our journeys toward becoming graphic designers, our thoughts on how creative work is valued in the workplace, and advice for future creatives. It was such a fun episode and I learned so much from Lauren about her career, her life in NYC, and how she has navigated the stimga of being a creative in a work climate that doesn't always value creativity. Regardless of if you're interested in a creative field or not, Lauren sheds light on a lot of career-related topics that could be relevant to any job. I hope you guys enjoy this one!

Where you can find Lauren:

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today I sat down for a solo episode to talk all about my health and fitness journey and how I'm able to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Health and fitness has always been a huge part of my life and it's something I look forward to sharing more with y'all! It's definitely been a journey for me, and progress is never linear. I hope this helps you guys out and that you find it relatable. Love y'all!

Today I had the opportunity to bring Adrienne Finch back onto the podcast to do a deep dive into how manifestation actually works, the science behind the law of attraction, and more. We talk about neuroplasticity, the placebo effect, the power of positive thinking, your reticular activating system (RAS), the subconscious mind, the instersection of manifestation and religion, and so much more! I hope y'all enjoy and be sure to give Adrienne some love on all her social platforms below.

Let's talk about mental health. In today's episode, I spoke with Jessica Villa Sikora, founder of the nonprofit SUPERBANDS, which is an organization dedicated to creating a community of hope through music. Jessica dealt with depression growing up, and decided to use her experience of finding an escape in music to uplift others who might be going through the same struggle. We talk about her journey, what it means to be mentally healthy, self care in the midst of a pandemic, and how we can normalize and talk about mental health. This was such an important topic to cover and I hope that this is just the beginning of the conversation. 

Mental Health Resources (primarily USA-based):

In today's episode, I sit down for a solo episode to share 13 tips for incoming college freshman to prepare themselves for the best four years ever. They're a combination of things I've learned along the way, what I wish someone had told me, and also advice I would give to my younger self. Even though the school year might look different due to the current state of the world, lots of this advice is evergreen and can be used to help navigate the world of online classes or whenever in-person classes resume. College content was much requested, so I hope you guys enjoy this one! 

Where you can find me:

Today's episode, with guest Ava McDonald, is all about her journey as a teen entrepreneur. She started a successful influencer marketing business called Zfluence at only 17 years old, and has scaled the company to over 800 members nationwide. We sit down to talk all about how she started, her advice for young entrepreneurs, her day-to-day life, the impact COVID has had in the social media world, and how she plans to keep social media authentic with her business. It's a really inspiring episode, you should definitely take a listen!

Where you can find Ava:

In today's episode, I am joined by Jordyn Rebecca (Youtuber and host of the Bitch Work podcast) about her career, landing her dream job at Food Network, moving to New York City post-grad, and tips for college students trying to figure it all out. It was such a helpful episode for me personally and hopefully it resonates with many of you too!

Where you can find Jordyn:

Today's episode is one of my proudest moments as a podcaster. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Ashley Farmer, an author and educator of African American History and Black Radicalism. I took her course in African American History at The University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2019, and it was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my college career. In this episode, we talk about Black History, how to be an active ally, grammatical and linguistic distinctions, police brutality, Black Lives Matter, and so much more. I really hope you enjoy this episode and be sure to share with your friends, family, social media, etc. Keep educating yourselves!

Organizational Spotlight: Survived & Punished

In today's episode, I talk about how to navigate uncertainties in our lives and regain control over our future. In today's unchartered world, it can be hard to feel in control of our lives, and we can often become overwhelmed by our circumstances. In this episode, I share ways we can assert our power in our lives and get back on track, even if it doesn't look the way we anticipated...

Where you can find me:

Today's episode is an interesting one! I spent some time learning all about what goes on in our brains that causes us to procrastinate, to struggle to be productive, and to feel incapable of sometimes the simplest tasks. I dive deep into the chemical processes in our brain, how willpower plays a role in the reward-motivation behavioral system & how you can hack your brain into being more motivated to do productive tasks. I hope you enjoy!

Resources:

Happy Tuesday guys! In today's episode, I brought my friend and fellow podcaster Nestle Mitchell onto the podcast to dish out some tough love. A lot of y'all look to me for advice, so I felt like it was only appropriate to do an advice episode. Nestle has an incredible perspective on life and is one of the people I go to for advice in my own life, so I was so glad she joined me for this episode. I hope you enjoy!

***Sorry my audio got messed up, it'll be fixed next week!

Where to find Nestle:

IT'S MY 21ST BIRTHDAY! In today's episode, I share 21 things I'm manifesting within the next year. I wanted to create this episode as almost a time capsule to look back on next year and see how far I've come. I highly recommend you taking the time to sit down and envision where you want to see yourself within a year and write it down, focus on it, and work on making it come true. I loved recording this episode and found it so helpful for re-establishing my direction in life, despite the pandemic. Hope you enjoy!

Ronald McDonald House Charities:

Today's episode aims to give you some tough love. A lot of times, our focus on missing our pre-quarantine life prevents us from enjoying and making the most out of the life we have today! So I wanted to share some ways that you're probably unconsciously sabotaging your own growth and preventing yourself from moving forward with your life, as well as how you can begin to strip away your expectations of how life "should" be so we can still live a productive and happy life. It's a lot to take in, but I feel like it's time for all of us to move on from the pity party we have been throwing for the past three months and begin to embrace our new lives. Hope you enjoy!

Austin Justice Coalition:

Please listen to the first ten minutes to understand why I decided to upload this episode. I want to continue to find ways to educate myself and speak out on the Black Lives Matter movement while creating content that I know y'all love. This is not the end. Work still needs to be done. And this episode is not designed to take away from that. I hope y'all hear my voice and understand where I'm coming from, and I hope you choose to donate to the organization I decided to spotlight - The Loveland Foundation. It's important that we keep the momentum going. It's important to continue to make your voice heard.

In today's episode, I decided to get REALLY real. I wanted to open up and share some of my struggles, fears, regrets, and insecurities. I hope y'all resonate with this episode and see that I don't always have it all together, and I'm learning everyday. Next week's episode will hopefully be more inspiring & informative, so stay tuned!

The Loveland Foundation:

Today I decided to forgo a regular episode in response to the crazy, broken world we live in. As a podcaster, I have built a platform from the ground up that is devoted to having my voice heard. And in this moment in time, I've come to the realization that I must do just that. Even if it's hard. Even if it's scary. Even if it feels impossible or uncomfortable. I am here to stand with you, and to make your voice heard. The tumultuous events of this past week has truly made me realize that I am called to speak up. Now, I'm calling you to do it too.

(Disclaimer: This is NOT a comprehensive list. There is so much more out there to learn and do. These are just some places to start.)

Petitions to sign:

Text FLOYD to 55-156

Text JUSTICE to 668366

Text ENOUGH to 55156

Natalie Barbu is in the building!!!! In today's episode, I had the UNREAL opportunity to speak with Natalie about her life as an entrepreneur, how she navigates time management, what her productivity looks like in the midst of the pandemic, and how she goes about work/life balance. It's a really insightful episode whether you want to start your own business or you are just looking to be productive in some area of your life. We had SO much fun recording the episode, shared some good laughs, and felt what it truly means to be #alonetogether. I hope y'all love this episode, and if you don't know Natalie Barbu now, you definitely will after this episode!

Where to find Natalie:

Yep, I did it...  I finally made the episode everyone's been asking for on manifestation, with the help of Adrienne Finch. Adrienne is an entrepreneur, digital content creator, YouTuber, and host of The Self Made CEO podcast. I was so honored to have Adrienne on today's pod to help dive into the topics of manifestation, becoming the CEO of your life, and developing the mindset that literally anything is possible. I'm so happy with how the episode turned out, and I know y'all are going to love this one. If you do, be sure to head over to the Instagram to let me know that you want to hear a part two! Subscribe and stay tuned for more incredible episodes just like this. This is just the beginning...

Where you can find Adrienne:

In today's milestone episode, I wanted to share my thoughts on why seeking and embracing change is so important. But first, I want to say that I am beyond thankful for the support of each and every one of you. I can't believe it's been four months of growth, and I can't wait for many episodes to come. So I decided an appropriate topic to talk about is change, as there are some exciting changes coming to the podcast. Be sure to listen in for some AMAZING announcements, my thoughts on change, and how fear, change, and growth are all interconnected. I hope you love this one as much as I do!

Where you can find me:

In today's episode, I bring on a special guest and fellow podcaster, Emily Gigliotti. She is the founder and host of the Purpose Project Podcast, and we are surprisingly very like-minded. In these times of uncertainty, it's natural to feel afraid of the future, and that's exactly what we tackle in this  episode! We share some our biggest fears, how fear affects us, and most importantly, tips and strategies for overcoming the fear associated by not knowing what's to come. If you liked last week's episode, be sure to give this one and listen. Also, we recorded an AWESOME episode over on Emily's podcast (released May 8th, 2020) all about my life, internships, college experience, and my goals for the future. Be sure to check that one out as well! 

Where you can find Emily:

In today's episode, I tell you what's really going on. I feel like I've hit a wall with quarantine and I thought I'd let you in on the fact that I'm going through it. I'm sure a lot of y'all can relate. I know this episode is a bit different than my usual content, but I thought I'd be honest about what's going on instead of just putting on a smile and having a happy episode. I hope this shows y'all that you are not alone and we're in this together!

In today's episode I bring my mom, Kathy, onto the podcast! We talk about her childhood, going to college, her various career paths, and also answer all YOUR questions! Be sure to listen to hear the juicy details of our relationship, my childhood, and why we think I am the way that I am! Whether you are a parent or a college student, there is definitely advice in here for everyone. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast on Instagram to let me know who else I should feature on the pod and stay up-to-date on all future episodes.

Today's episode was a goooooood one! I share all about how I stay productive in quarantine, and tips you can implement into your daily life to avoid the monotony of being siloed at home. Just because we don't have many places to go doesn't mean you can't pursue your goals. In fact, continuing to set and achieve goals is paramount to staying productive at home and maintaining you sanity. I discuss all that and more in today's episode. I hope you're staying well and safe, and I will catch y'all next week!

In today's episode, I give a comprehensive step-by-step tutorial for how to start your own podcast. Hopefully you find this helpful, and if you're not interested in starting your own podcast, it'll at least give you some behind-the-scenes looks at how I produce these episodes every week. Please share this with anyone who you know if interested in starting a podcast! I'll leave some additional resources below.

Today, I dive into how to stay committed to your fitness journey despite the unfortunate circumstances. I think right now a lot of us are struggling to stay on track when our fitness studios and gyms have closed (myself being one of those people). Not only do I share a little bit about my own personal situation, but I give some tips on how to approach exercise right now, as well as how to shift your mindset and stay mentally committed to your fitness goals. I know times are very uncertain, but hopefully these tips will give you some ideas on how to take your mind off what's going on and try to develop a sense of normalcy. I love y'all and I hope you're staying safe out there.

In today's episode, I switch it up from what I usually talk about and discuss my recent trip to Atlanta. With all that's going on in the world right now, I thought a little story time was warranted. I talk about the places I went, the things I wish I could've done, and ultimately, how I feel about Atlanta as a city. If you've been to or are from Atlanta, I'd love to hear what you love about the area. Also, I will include the list of the best places to visit if you're thinking about booking a trip. Let me know if you like this "story time"  format, and I just might do it again. Stay safe out there y'all!

Places to visit:

SkyView Atlanta (Downtown)

Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)

College Football Hall of Fame (Downtown)

Centennial Park (Downtown)

Polaris Restaurant (Downtown)

Museum of Design Atlanta (Midtown)

High Museum of Art (Midtown)

Ponce City Market + Nine Mile Station  (East Atlanta)

West Side Provisions District (West Midtown)

Upbeet (West Midtown)

Shops at Buckhead (Buckhead)

Restoration Hardware Rooftop (Buckhead)

SoulCycle (Ponce City Market & Buckhead)

Barry's Bootcamp (Buckhead)

World of Coca-Cola (Downtown)

Beltline (East Atlanta)

Little Five Points (East Atlanta)

In today's episode, I discuss 10 life lessons I learned that have really changed the game for me. Though some of them may seem obvious, they are lessons that we all must realize for ourselves, and most of the time the hard way. I hope y'all enjoy this episode, and here is the list for future reference:

1. Hard work goes a long way.

2. Not everyone is going to like you, and that's a good thing.

3. Everything has a bright side & is a learning experience. 

4. Don't compromise yourself for anyone else.

5. USE GOOGLE.

6. You have the power to change your life, you're just too scared to do it.

7. You are your most important project.

8. Stop wasting your time and start chasing your dreams; it's never too late.

9. You're not "too busy."

10. Stop talking to yourself so negatively.