Saturday, March 15, 2025

Travel Talk

Episode 134 is here, and we talk TRAVEL... just in time for our big adventure to Australia! 

On the agenda:
  • How is it possible to pack only a carry on for a 2 week trip? 
  • Who is worried about comfort on the long flight? 
  • How many "birthdays" can be celebrated on one trip? 
  • Who is bringing ... laundry detergent?
All that and more in Episode 134


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Thursday, March 13, 2025

Time Management

Are you a
time management ninja?

In Episode 133, the Pirates discuss time management, share their time management survey results (one of us is a ninja - can you guess who??!!), and share strategies that help them to plan and manage their time. 

To get started, CLICK HERE to take the Time Management Survey! You'll respond to each statement with not at all, rarely, sometimes, often, or all the time. At the end of the survey, you'll get your score and find out how you rank!
  1. I leave things to the last minute.
  2. I work on the highest priority tasks throughout the day.
  3. On a weekly basis I set aside time for planning the following week.
  4. I attend unproductive meetings.
  5. I leave space in my schedule to deal with the unexpected.
  6. I use goal setting to determine my most important activities.
  7. I put off tasks that are difficult or I don't like.
  8. I routinely protect time in advance for the most important things.
  9. I work late at night or on weekends to meet deadlines.
  10. I spend more time than I want trying to find things.
  11. I feel that email overtakes my day.
  12. For each activity, I ask yourself "Is this the best use of my time right now"?
  13. I feel stressed and overcommitted because of all the things I need to do.
  14. How often do I procrastinate?
  15. Interruptions (email, Facebook, visitors or telephone calls) continually disrupt my work day.

Not a ninja (yet)? Try utlizing the Four D's to tackle your to-do list: 
  1. Do - Do I need to do this immediately? 
  2. Delegate - Is there someone else who can do this?
  3. Defer - Can this task wait until later? 
  4. Delete - Does this really need to be done? 

You can also check out one of Adrienne's favorite time management tools - the SELF Journal by Best Self! With quarterly, weekly, and monthly views, you can prioritize each day and week based on your goals!

Listen to Episode 133 to learn more! Also, if you have a few extra minutes (now that you have reached time management ninja status), please subscribe to the Pirate Life Podcast and leave a positive review for us! 

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Clutter

At the start of 2025, we kicked off our  annual Lose It For Lou Gehrig's Wellness Challenge. The challenge began in 2014 memory of Adrienne's brother-in-law, Perry, who was diagnosed with ALS the year prior. The challenge is now a staple - we have an amazing group of participants who join us annually kick off the new year with healthy habits! 

In week one, we were challenged to reduce clutter by purging a total of 50 items from our homes! 

Wondering what clearing out clutter has to do with wellness?  Every unworn shirt in our closet, expired can in our pantry, and dusty tchotchke on our bureau has a cost that goes beyond our wallets – These things also steal our TIME and ENERGY. Clearing out clutter can help us regain both physical and mental space, reduce anxiety, and find calm.

 

Can you imagine…

 

  • A closet where everything you pull out makes you look and feel great?
  • A pantry where you can easily find foods that nourish your body?
  • A home that feels like your own personal showroom because everything within it brings you joy?

 

It’s possible!

 

The goal isn’t empty rooms, bare shelves, and stark white walls. The goal is to be INTENTIONAL about the THINGS that we bring into our lives. Basically, we want to get rid of the things that DON’T matter, so that we can focus on the things that DO!


In Episode 132, we share our biggest clutter-related struggles... "treasures" gifted from family, old concert tshirts, outdated power cords, and more. We also share some of our best tips and tricks for conquering that clutter!


Interested in reducing the clutter in your home? 

 

Check Out These Resources:

  • JFB and Ryan Nicodemus - When I first started learning about minimalism, these guys were a huge source of motivation and inspiration. They have a great podcast and a documentary on Netflix. It’s only about an hour long, and I absolutely recommend it! (I also got to meet them in person a few years ago - ahhhhh!)
  • Courtney Carver created Project 333 where she only wears 33 items for three months. It’s a pretty fun challenge, and kind of eye-opening about the number of things in our closet that we actual need (spoiler: NOT as many as we think).
  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is also a great read!

 


Thursday, February 6, 2025

2025 Life List

We kick off Episode 131 by celebrating Denise's MRI results (all clear!), Adrienne's new handcrafted bracelet, and Shawna's newfound expertise in making goat's milk soap!

We also reflected on 2024. With a score of 7/10, we earned a passing grade and made a ton of new memories! Adrienne emerged, Denise was spontaneous, and Shawna optimized

But the big order of business for Episode 131 was finalizing our 2025 Life List and our words for the year. Here's what we came up with...

2025 Words: 
  • Adrienne - LEVEL UP
  • Denise - BALANCE
  • Shawna - STRIVE 

2025 Life List: 
  • Australia 
  • Komen 3-Day in Boston
  • Annual beach day
  • PA Breast Cancer Coalition Walk
  • Day trip by plane
  • Automotive class
  • Dinner with significant others
  • Sponsor a wish (Make-A-Wish)
  • Stargazing
  • NFL game

Any tips and tricks for the adventures above? Please share! and watch for updates on Insta and Facebook

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2025 Life List Ideas

Since the inception of The Pirate Life Podcast, we've been creating a list of adventures for us to complete each year... our LIFE LIST. In 2024, one of our biggest Life List items was the Komen 3Day in Dallas, TX. 

We kicked of episode 130 with a few more of our favorite memories from the 3Day: 

  • Pickle pops, mimosas from State Farm, shots of tequila, and Twix bars. 
  • Our fave pic of Denise ever (see right) - and the opportunity to celebrate HER during the survivor ceremony. 
  • Digging into the "cookie jar" and channeling our inner-David Goggins when the going got tough!

The Komen 3Day was HARD - but we are so thankful that this experience was part of our 2024 life list - and we've already committed to continuing the adventure in Boston in 2025.

But what else should make the 2025 Life List? We dedicate Episode 130 to brainstorming!

Ideas from Adrienne's Effective Speech class: 
  • Read a book by Jane Austen
  • Cliff dive
  • Go to a Super Bowl/any NFL game - preferable involving the 49ers
  • Take a day trip to Chicago (via plane)
  • Visit the White House
  • Come to a Student Government Association meeting at Penn State Harrisburg
  • Ride in a Zero Gravity airplane 
  • Skydive
  • Do a backflip while skiing 
  • Travel to Southeast Asia 
And a few more ideas from the Pirates: 
  • Plan our annual Beach day
  • Travel to Australia
  • Participate in the Komen 3Day in Boston
  • Take a Jeep adventure 
  • Spend the weekend at Denise's cabin 
  • Enjoy a Pirate dinner with our partners 
  • Sleep in a treehouse 
  • Walk in the PA Breast Cancer Coalition 5K 
  • Take an automotive class
  • Take an art class
  • Test drive a fast car
  • Go stargazing
  • Raise a carnivorous plant
  • Take a hot air balloon ride
  • Pet a wild animal
  • Dance in the rain
  • Sponsor a child's wish for Make-A-Wish
  • Send a message in a bottle
  • Go zorbing 
  • Sleep in a castle 
  • Visit a ghost town (Centralia)
  • Take a photo of something every day for a year
  • Make a time capsule
  • Jump fully clothed in a pool 

What do you think should make the list for 2025? Listen to Episode 130 to hear our deliberations. Then let us know YOUR thoughts! 


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Monday, December 30, 2024

Komen 60 Mile Walk Adventure

In Episode 129, the Pirates share their experience at the Susan G. Komen 60 Mile Walk in Dallas, Texas in November... the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Spoiler Alert: The Pirates already signed up to do the 60 mile walk again in 2025 - this time in Boston on August 15-17. Additional walkers are encouraged to join the Pink Pirate Team (links to sign up are below). Please use referral link on the specific pages to sign up, as that contributes to the overall fundraising amount! Or reach out to the Pirates individually to discuss participating and/or how to sign up. Donations can be submitted at any of the links below, as well.

On behalf of all the Pink Pirate team members, we cannot thank you enough for your support!
Listen to Episode 129 to learn more about our adventure in Dallas and how YOU can get involved! 

VISIT OUR LINKTREE to find our most recent episodes on your favorite podcast platform.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Christmas Trivia

Episode 128: It's a Pirate Life Podcast first! (Dr.) Producer Paul takes the lead with Christmas Trivia  for the Pirates. 

Play along to find out your Christmas knowledge status...  Are you an elf or a Grinch??!!

Do you know the answers? 
  1. What popular Christmas song was originally written for Thanksgiving?
  2. What country is credited with starting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees? 
  3. What is the most popular meal served for Christmas dinner in Japan? 
  4. In the movie Home Alone, where is the McCallister family going on vacation when they leave Kevin behind? 
  5. What Christmas movie features a young boy named Ralphie who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas? 
  6. In National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, what does Clark Griswold hope to buy with his Christmas bonus? 
  7. What is the name of the Grinch's dog in How the Grinch Stole Christmas? 
  8. In Elf, what are the four main food groups according to Buddy the Elf? 
  9. Which Christmas movie takes place at Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles? 
  10. Who is the historical figure that inspired the modern-day Santa Clause? 
  11. What year was Christmas declared a federal holiday in the United States? 
  12. What is the most streamed Christmas song of all time on Spotify? 
  13. What year did the book Elf on a Shelf come out?
  14. What percentage of Americans buy artificial Christmas trees instead of real ones?  

Listen to Episode 128 to see how you score (elf or Grinch) and find out where the pirates landed! Wishing all our mateys a very happy holiday season!

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Slang

Episode 127:
The Pirates discuss all kinds of slang... old school, new age, and even Australian!!

But first, here are a few things we are celebrating (our positives!): 
  • Shawna is one payment away from paying off her car! Congrats on this milestone!
  • Adrienne is teaching Zumba again! She is back in Halifax on Monday nights with the Halifax Hotties!
  • Denise is heating up the kitchen and making tuna steaks (but forgot to invite her mateys)!

Words we are learning before our trip to Australia: 
  • Docket - Receipt
  • Boot - Trunk 
  • Arvo - Afternoon
  • Good on ya - Well done
  • Barbie - BBQ
  • Maccas - McDonald's 
  • Bottle-o - Liquor store 
  • Thong - Flip flop
  • Cozzies/Togs - Swimwear 
  • Footie - Football 
  • Dunny - Toilet 
  • Outback - Wild
  • Power point - Electrical outlet 
  • Brekky - Breakfast 
  • Bog in - Eat in 

Listen to Episode 127 to learn the lingo and join in the laughs. Share your comments on Instagram or Facebook


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Sunday, November 17, 2024

MORE Questions???

Episode 126: The Pirates answer more questions from the Question game. Random opinions, answers and silliness on the way! :)

In this round we answer questions like: 
  • What initially got you interested in the industry you are working in now? 
  • What is your favorite food? 
  • What is the last dream you remember? 
  • What podcast do you recommend listening to? (We all agreed on the answer to this one!)
  • What is a skill you are grateful others have that you do not? 
  • What makes someone a great boss? 
  • What is your dream job? 
  • What's the first thing you do in the morning to get your workday started? 
Listen to Episode 126 to hear our responses from Denise, Shawna, Adrienne, and Producer Paul! Share YOUR responses on Instagram or Facebook


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The Book "Why We Get Sick"

Episode 125: The Pirates share their thoughts on the book "Why We Get Sick" by Ben Bikman. This book discusses the definition of insulin resistance, what causes it, and how to prevent and/or reverse it.

According to Bikman, insulin resistance is when the body's cells stop responding effectively to insulin. When the cells become resistant, the body creates more insulin to compensate - which leads to chronically high insulin levels, or insulin resistance. 

Bikman connects insulin resistance to a plethora of health concerns including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. And according to the book, 85% of adults are affected by insulin resistance. 

What causes these chronically high insulin levels and what can we do to prevent it? Listen to Episode 125 for our top takeaways. 

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Sunday, October 20, 2024

100 Questions

Episode 124: The Pirates pick random numbers and answer questions assigned to the number. All questions are unknown; therefore, none of the discussions/answers are prepared in advance. This should be interesting!

Here's a sample: 
  • How do your closest colleagues describe you? 
  • If you started a band with your closest friends, what would your band name be? 
  • Do you prefer sweet or savory snacks? What is your favorite? 
  • What is your most prized possession?
  • What's your favorite kind of weather? 
  • Do you have a catchphrase? 
  • What's the nicest car you've ever been in? 
  • What's one movie you can watch over and over again? 
  • Do you have any hidden talents? 
Listen to Episode 124 to hear our responses from Denise, Shawna, Adrienne, and Producer Paul! Share YOUR responses on Instagram or Facebook


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Thursday, October 3, 2024

Denise's Breast Cancer Story

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
  • One case of breast cancer is diagnosed in the U.S. every two minutes. 

  • One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. 
Those on the receiving end of those diagnoses have included our family, friends, co-workers, communities - and now our mateys...

In June 2023, Denise was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), or pre-invasive breast cancer.  After having a lumpectomy, she is now part of a community of over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.

One year after her surgery, Denise is now cancer-free and credits early detection with her positive outcome. In Episode 123 of the Pirate Life Podcast, Denise shares her personal breast cancer story.

At the end of this month, we will head to Dallas, Texas, for the Komen 3Day where we will walk a total of 60 miles in honor of Denise and all our mateys affected by breast cancer. 

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM, Pink Pirates in Texas!

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Sunday, September 15, 2024

A Good Book is like a Good Friend

Episode 122: The Pirates talk about books, authors, and current reads.

But first, here's what we are celebrating (our positives!): 
  • Shawna's new grandaughter is here! Welcome to the world, baby Christine! 
  • Denise had an amazing trip to Iceland. 
  • and all the pirates had an amazing time at our Charity Movie Night at Hemauer Brewing Co in Mechanicsburg! Thank you to Brooks, Bitsy, and all of the friends who came to support us!
A few of our all-time favorite books: 
Favorite authors at the moment: 
What we are reading now: 

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Sunday, September 8, 2024

Mid-Year Life List Update

Episode 121: It's our Mid-Year Life List Update. Have we embraced our words for the year? Will we complete our life list of adventures for 2024?  

Words for the year: 
  1. Denise's word: Spontaneous - Denise won her word for 2024 by booking an impromptu trip to Iceland! 
  2. Adrienne's word: Emerge - Adrienne is leaning into her new role at Penn State Harrisburg and feeling like her best self is ready to hatch! 
  3. Shawna's word: Optimal - Shawna has made positive changes throughout the year and is feeling optimal in her life!
Life List Adventures Completed: 
  1. Have a beach day - For our annual beach day, we headed back to one of our favorite places... Point Pleasant, NJ. The weather was perfect, and we soaked in as much sun and sand as the day would allow! 
  2. Volunteer at Cocoa Packs - We joined Shawna and her co-workers from JEM Group as volunteers on the Cocoa Packs distribution line. Our mission: to pass out snacks and baked goods! A great day for a great cause!
  3. Watch roller derby - We got to watch two bouts with Harrisburg Area Roller Derby, learned scoring basics, and had a blast cheering for the Nuclear Knockouts!
  4. BONUS! The Price is Right - Not on the original list, but one of Shawna's all-time life list items. We made it to Hershey Theatre to join in the fun of a live, stage version of the Price Is Right. 
Life List Adventures In Progress: 
  1. Complete the Komen 3-day - Luggage tags and pink socks are purchased, and we fly to Dallas on Oct. 31! Follow us on social for updates during the 3-day, 60-mile walk happening Nov. 1-3!
  2. Enjoy seasonal celebrations - We have sniffed flowers in NYC (spring), but still working on those other seasons! We are soooo ready for rolling in leaves (fall)! 
  3. Visit Denise's cabin - We had this planned for August but had to cancel due to weather.  Plan B still TBD. 
  4. Make goat's milk soap - We were hoping to go to a class at Barking Goat Farm, but classes are now being held on Fridays - which conflicts with work. Scheduling TBD. 
  5. Sleep in a treehouse - Still working on locating an affordable treehouse that we can book for just one night. 
  6. Serve food at a shelter - To be scheduled. 
  7. Be a movie extra - Still in progress. This one has been on the list for the past two years, but we haven't been able to make it happen. Any leads??

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New Episodes!


New episodes of the Pirate Life Podcast are now available:

Episode 119 - Cabin Trip Prep
The Pirates discuss preparations for their upcoming trip to Denise's Cabin in Tioga County (lifelist item) including what to do, where to go, and fun experiences from past trips. We also chat about our positives: baby showers, Disney trips, and milestones. *Unfortunately weather kept us from taking this trip as scheduled. Will Adrienne ever get to ride a covered wagon? 

Episode 120 - Pop Culture Trivia
The Pirates test their knowledge (and luck) with Pop Culture Trivia. Take a tour down memory lane with 80s, 90s, 2000 and 2010 pop culture questions/answers ... and a few investigations and stories!


VISIT OUR LINKTREE to find our most recent episodes on your favorite podcast platform.

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Sunday, August 4, 2024

Podcast Catch-Up - New Episodes!

New episodes The Pirate Life Podcast are now available: 

Episode 116 - The Terminator... aka AI!!
The Pirates discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). How is it used in daily life, relating to careers and for fun. Is it like the Terminator? Should it be feared or embraced... or both?

Episode 117 - Workout on Vacation... or Not?
The Pirates discuss fitness on vacation... or not. Is working out on vacation a fun thing to do, or not? Some vacations completely revolve around fitness, such as hiking, swimming, walking, etc. Some vacations are just that... VACATION. Listen to find out the "Pirate opinion" on working out while on vacation.

Episode 118 - Visit Central PA
The Pirates talk about cool places to visit in Central PA. Daytrips, cool eats and drinks, and fun things to do all over the area.


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Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Mushroom World

Raw, stuffed, or in a bun... We are loving MUSHROOMS! In Episode 115 the Pirates  talk about finding, growing and cooking mushrooms, as well as the health benefits associated with them. 

Cool Facts: 
  • Mushrooms are solar powered! Sit them in the sun before you eat then to increase their levels of vitamin D! 
  • Mushrooms "breathe." They consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
  • Certain types of mushrooms are bioluminescent... They glow!

Benefits:
  • Mushrooms have nutrients, and lots of 'em, including vitamin B, protein, zinc, and vitamin D.
  • Some studies have shown that mushrooms can keep cancer from returning after chemo/radiation. 
  • Mushrooms help build memory and brain power
  • This superfood will also boost your immune system!

Resources to learn more: 

VISIT OUR LINKTREE to find Episode 115 on your favorite podcast platform.

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Fitness App Review: Little Bits Of Fitness

The quest for the perfect fitness app continues! Adrienne couldn't fit Future in the budget, and JEFIT wasn't the right fit. Perhaps third time's a charm? 

In Episode 114, the Pirates discuss a new fitness app, Little Bits of Fitness - housed by Playbook and created by celebrity Zumba instructor Kass Martin and her sister Emily. 

Pros: 
  • Kass and Emily's POSITIVE ENERGY!
  • Short, stackable workouts
  • Can mix/match workout types (HIIT, stretching, etc.)
  • Affordable - just $14.99/month
  • Great for beginners
  • Convenient when traveling
Cons: 
  • Sidetalk (although some pirates loved the distractions these convos provided)
  • May not be enough for fitness-minded folks with more experience 
  • Limited guidance on proper form for exercises 
What do you think about Little Bits of FitnessTry it for a week for free and let us know!

Find Kass and Emily online: 

VISIT OUR LINKTREE to find Episode 114 on your favorite podcast platform.

Don't miss an episode... Subscribe to The Pirate Life Podcast. Thank you for living the pirate life with us!

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Pink Pirates in Texas!

For as long as we've been "the pirates," we have challenged ourselves to step out of our comfort zones (sometimes WAY out of our comfort zones) to learn, to grow, and (most of all) to have fun!! At the start of this year we struggled to decide what to put on our 2024 Life List - but we knew it was time for something BIG. 

Denise came up with the perfect challenge... The Susan G. Komen 3-Day in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, happening Nov. 1-3. 
  • 3 days.
  • 60 miles. 
  • $2300 toward breast cancer research, care, and advocacy... EACH.
It's BIG. It will challenge us. But we also can't think of a better way to honor Denise and her recent journey through a breast cancer diagnosis - as well as the others in our lives who have been affected by the disease. 

To date, over 500,000 walkers have participated in a Komen 3-day event. And together that group has raised over $92 million. Those funds go directly to research projects and clinical tries leading to new developments in cancer treatment. Learn more. 

And our pirate crew is growing! After a little "convincing," Heather has joined us as the fourth member of Pink Pirates in Texas! She's the perfect addition to balance out our team and the FIRST pink pirate to hit her fundraising goal! 

Now it's time to focus on training - and the rest of that fundraising. To date, we've planned the following: 
  • ✅ Zumbathon 
  • ✅ Wellness Challenge 
  • ✅ Yard Sale 
  • ✅ Bus Trip to NYC 
  • 🔜 Music Night - In the works! Details coming soon!

We are excited to share our progress with you as we get closer to that starting line. Learn more about the Susan G. Komen 3-day, our new teammate, and our plans to raise almost $10,000 in episode 113

We also invite you to support your favorite pirate with a donation to Susan G. Komen. Donations of any amount are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting us in our biggest adventure (yet)! 


VISIT OUR LINKTREE to find Episode 113 on your favorite podcast platform.

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