How to Handle Anything

<p>In this episode of <strong>How to Handle Anything</strong>, we talk stress. During this episode Marie shares how she’s learned to handle stress differently—both in her work and her life—because of her improvisational practice. From being highly organized and carrying stress in her body, to learning how to let go, adapt, and <em>play the scene she’s in</em>, she offers a refreshing and often humorous perspective on how to navigate everyday stress with more ease.</p><p>We discuss…</p><p>How stress shows up in the body (including the now-iconic “clenched butt”) and how to recognize it</p><p>How improv builds skills like active listening, flexibility, and presence that translate offstage</p><p>The connection between control, rigidity, and stress, and how to loosen your grip</p><p>How to navigate unexpected disruptions with more ease by <em>playing the scene you’re in</em></p><p>Why making “weird choices” and stepping outside your comfort zone can reduce stress and open up new possibilities</p><p>How improv muscles can help you show up as a better parent, friend, and collaborator</p><p><strong>A bit about Marie…</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.musecontent.co.uk/">Marie Ellis</a> is a Sunday Times number 1 bestselling ghostwriter, freelance editor, and fiction writer. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked on books, led content strategies at top health publishers, and managed content teams to great success. She combines her journalism and acting background with her writing skills to help businesses and individuals tell their stories through the written word. With 30 years of acting experience, her improv credits include The Bish Bosh Bash at the Bristol Improv Theatre, Pressure Cooker, and, most recently, the improv pilot Nothing To Play For. Find her <a target="_blank" href="https://www.musecontent.co.uk/">on her website</a> and on <a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/amused_marie">Instagram</a>.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe</a>

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit <a href="https://lifeimprovised.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_7">lifeimprovised.substack.com</a><br/><br/><p><strong>Bonus Elixir (Subscribers Only): How YOU Can Handle a Layoff</strong></p><p>In this Bonus Elixir, I share a simple but powerful improv-inspired mindset shift inspired by the How to Handle a Layoff conversation.</p><p><strong>The Elixir: This Happened for Me.</strong></p><p>If you were already someone who handled money well, how would you think? What choices would you make? How would you show up diff…</p>

<p>In this episode of <strong>How to Handle Anything</strong>, we talk layoffs. During this episode Sara shares what it really looks like to navigate a layoff—from the initial shock to the weeks and months that follow. Having been laid off four times herself, she offers both practical tools and mindset shifts to help you move through job loss in a way that keeps you grounded, supported, and moving forward.</p><p>We discuss…</p><p>How to handle the first 24 hours after a layoff, including practical steps to regain a sense of control</p><p>The emotional impact of job loss and how to avoid spiraling into self-blame or shame</p><p>How to structure your days during a job search to stay balanced and avoid burnout</p><p>The importance of community, connection, and having an “ensemble” to support you</p><p>Mindset tools like journaling, perspective-taking, and cognitive restructuring to shift negative thinking</p><p>How to assess your financial situation, reduce anxiety, and make informed decisions about your next steps</p><p><strong>A bit about Sara…</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraperelliminetti/">Sara Perelli-Minetti</a> founded <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hellosandgoodbyes.com/">Hellos & Goodbyes</a> to help people negotiate stronger job offers, raises, and severance packages. Her own experiences with severance and offers combined with years in Corporate HR make her incredibly passionate about helping people get what they're worth. Prior to starting Hellos & Goodbyes, Sara held a variety of roles at F100 companies like Capital One and Wayfair and was Head of People at a venture-backed startup. She's also trained as a Co-Active coach. Sara lives in Reston, VA with her family.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, or found something inspiring or useful in it, share it with others, so they can enjoy it too!</p><p></p><p><em>This conversation is part of How to Handle Anything my ongoing interview series with people about how they’ve handled uncertainty, change, and unexpected moments with more ease, flexibility, and humor. To receive bonus content, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.</em></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe</a>

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit <a href="https://lifeimprovised.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_7">lifeimprovised.substack.com</a><br/><br/><p><strong>Bonus Elixir (Subscribers Only): How YOU Can Handle Money</strong></p><p>In this Bonus Elixir, I share a simple but powerful improv-inspired mindset shift inspired by the How to Handle Money conversation.</p><p><strong>The Elixir: Act as if.</strong></p><p>If you were already someone who handled money well, how would you think? What choices would you make? How would you show up differently?</p><p>This short, reflective episode invites you to step into that version of yourself now, not someday, and begin making decisions from that place.</p><p>You’ll explore:</p><p>- How beliefs shape your financial decisions</p><p>- Why action often comes <em>before</em> confidence</p><p>- Two simple prompts to help you shift your money mindset in real time</p><p>This Bonus Elixir is designed to help you <strong>try the idea on in your own life</strong>, not just hear about it.</p><p>🔒 <strong>Bonus Elixirs are available to paid subscribers</strong>, and are released a couple weeks after each main episode as a space for deeper reflection and integration. If you’d like to receive these bonuses and support the show, please subscribe.</p>

<p>In this <strong>How to Handle MONEY</strong> episode, Shang Saavedra shares her expertise on the connection between mindset and financial success, emphasizing how mental health impacts decision-making, especially under stress. She offers practical strategies for cultivating an abundance mindset, managing stress, and making smarter financial choices in uncertain times.</p><p></p><p><strong>Key Topics</strong></p><p>- The impact of mental health on financial decision-making</p><p>- Strategies for managing stress and emotional reactions to money</p><p>- The role of mindset and beliefs in wealth creation</p><p></p><p><strong>About the guest, Shung Saavedra</strong></p><p>Shang Saavedra is the founder and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://savemycents.com/">Save My Cents</a>, a nationally recognized personal finance expert and a book author. Shang finished saving for her retirement by the age of 31, and is America's leading expert on saving a retirement with joy. Shang's insights have been published by Business Insider, CNBC, Forbes, Fox Business, USA Today, Time / NextAdvisor, Nasdaq, The New York Post, Kiplinger, and she has been named by Time / NextAdvisor as one of The 25 Most Influential New Voices of Money. Previously, Shang was a corporate strategist for several Fortune 500 companies. Shang received her bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard and her MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her book, <em>Wealth Is a Mindset</em>, published in January 2025 with Third State Books.</p><p></p><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p><strong>00:00 </strong>Introduction to Money Mindset</p><p><strong>03:07 </strong>The Connection Between Mental Health and Financial Decisions</p><p><strong>06:08 </strong>Navigating Stress and Making Financial Decisions</p><p><strong>09:06 </strong>Shifting Mindsets: From Scarcity to Abundance</p><p><strong>11:59 </strong>Using Social Media for Financial Inspiration</p><p><strong>15:01 </strong>The Role of Wealth in Personal Choices</p><p><strong>18:00 </strong>Acting As If: Embracing a Wealthy Mindset</p><p><strong>20:53 </strong>Embracing Discomfort for Growth</p><p><strong>24:03 </strong>The Balance of Intuition and Data in Financial Decisions</p><p><strong>28:12 </strong>Grounding Emotions with Financial Literacy</p><p><strong>30:41 </strong>Reframing Our Money Mindset</p><p><strong>35:52 </strong>Navigating Job Loss and Maintaining a Positive Mindset</p><p><strong>38:58 </strong>Money as a Tool: Changing Our Perspective</p><p></p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>money mindset, personal finance, stress management, wealth building, mental health, financial decisions, abundance mindset, improv techniques, financial literacy, wealth psychology</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_2">lifeimprovised.substack.com/subscribe</a>