<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this week’s episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares the real challenge behind her “1000 Rejections” journey—and it’s not what you might think.Week one was about taking the leap. Week two? Learning how to start again.After gaining momentum, a pause crept in—and with it came doubt, overthinking, and the fear of slipping back into old patterns. From a meaningful rejection by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to a fun (but surprisingly emotional) loss at the Key West dog show, this episode dives into the emotional reality of putting yourself out there again after things don’t go your way.Lauren unpacks:<ul><li>Why rejection isn’t the hardest part—restarting is</li><li>How taking action (not overthinking) restores energy and confidence</li><li>Turning rejection into redirection (and creative opportunity)</li><li>The mindset shift from chasing wins to building consistency</li><li>What “Becoming the Bison” really means in practice</li></ul>Plus, she shares her Week 2 stats, lessons learned, and a powerful reminder inspired by Muhammad Ali: you don’t lose when you get knocked down—you lose when you stay down.If you’ve ever felt stuck after a setback, this episode is your nudge to try again.🎙️ Wildly Unplug is a podcast about reconnecting with nature, creativity, and yourself through storytelling, conservation, and exploration.👉 Follow along with the full “1000 Rejections” journey and weekly updates on Substack.And until next time… unplug, get outside, and see what develops. 🌿Get Ashley&apos;s Tracker here: <a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'>https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682</a> Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support">Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this week’s episode of &lt;em&gt;Wildly Unplug&lt;/em&gt;, Lauren shares the real challenge behind her “1000 Rejections” journey—and it’s not what you might think.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Week one was about taking the leap. Week two? Learning how to start again.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After gaining momentum, a pause crept in—and with it came doubt, overthinking, and the fear of slipping back into old patterns. From a meaningful rejection by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to a fun (but surprisingly emotional) loss at the Key West dog show, this episode dives into the emotional reality of putting yourself out there again after things don’t go your way.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lauren unpacks:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why rejection isn’t the hardest part—&lt;em&gt;restarting is&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How taking action (not overthinking) restores energy and confidence&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Turning rejection into redirection (and creative opportunity)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The mindset shift from chasing wins to building consistency&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What “Becoming the Bison” really means in practice&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Plus, she shares her Week 2 stats, lessons learned, and a powerful reminder inspired by Muhammad Ali: you don’t lose when you get knocked down—you lose when you stay down.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever felt stuck after a setback, this episode is your nudge to try again.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🎙️ &lt;b&gt;Wildly Unplug&lt;/b&gt; is a podcast about reconnecting with nature, creativity, and yourself through storytelling, conservation, and exploration.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;👉 Follow along with the full “1000 Rejections” journey and weekly updates on Substack.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And until next time… unplug, get outside, and see what develops. 🌿&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Get Ashley&amp;apos;s Tracker here: &lt;a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'&gt;https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration&lt;br/&gt;Like &amp;amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?&lt;br/&gt;🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:&lt;br/&gt;https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares the real challenge behind her “1000 Rejections” journey—and it’s not what you might think. Week one was about taking the leap. Week two? Learning how to start again. After gaining momentum, a pause crept in—and with it came doubt, overthinking, and the fear of slipping back into old patterns. From a meaningful rejection by the Sea Turtle Conservancy to a fun (but surprisingly emotional) loss at the Key West dog show, this...

Wildly Rejected- Week Two Update

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What happens when you stop avoiding rejection… and start chasing it?In this Week 1 recap of the Wildly Rejected challenge, Lauren shares how committing to 1,000 rejections is already shifting her mindset, confidence, and creativity in unexpected ways.After diving in headfirst—sending bold pitches, applying for collaborations, and reaching out to major art brands—Lauren is surprised by what’s happening: responses are coming in, opportunities are opening, and a deeper realization is unfolding.This episode explores:<ul><li>How taking action builds confidence for artists and creatives</li><li>The surprising fear of success (not just rejection)</li><li>What happens when you consistently put yourself out there</li><li>Artist mindset shifts around visibility, rejection, and growth</li><li>How reaching out can lead to unexpected opportunities and community</li><li>The ripple effect of confidence in both business and personal life</li><li>Overcoming people-pleasing and learning to set boundaries</li></ul>If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone struggling with fear of rejection, self-doubt, or putting yourself out there—this episode will challenge you to take action and rethink what’s possible.Because sometimes… the moment you start asking, everything starts to change.Get Ashley&apos;s Tracker here: <a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'>https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682</a> Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support">Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What happens when you stop avoiding rejection… and start chasing it?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this Week 1 recap of the &lt;em&gt;Wildly Rejected&lt;/em&gt; challenge, Lauren shares how committing to 1,000 rejections is already shifting her mindset, confidence, and creativity in unexpected ways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After diving in headfirst—sending bold pitches, applying for collaborations, and reaching out to major art brands—Lauren is surprised by what’s happening: responses are coming in, opportunities are opening, and a deeper realization is unfolding.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode explores:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How taking action builds confidence for artists and creatives&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The surprising fear of success (not just rejection)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What happens when you consistently put yourself out there&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Artist mindset shifts around visibility, rejection, and growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How reaching out can lead to unexpected opportunities and community&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The ripple effect of confidence in both business and personal life&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Overcoming people-pleasing and learning to set boundaries&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone struggling with fear of rejection, self-doubt, or putting yourself out there—this episode will challenge you to take action and rethink what’s possible.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because sometimes… the moment you start asking, everything starts to change.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Get Ashley&amp;apos;s Tracker here: &lt;a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'&gt;https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration&lt;br/&gt;Like &amp;amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?&lt;br/&gt;🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:&lt;br/&gt;https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you stop avoiding rejection… and start chasing it? In this Week 1 recap of the Wildly Rejected challenge, Lauren shares how committing to 1,000 rejections is already shifting her mindset, confidence, and creativity in unexpected ways. After diving in headfirst—sending bold pitches, applying for collaborations, and reaching out to major art brands—Lauren is surprised by what’s happening: responses are coming in, opportunities are opening, and a deeper realiza...

Wildly Rejected-  First Week Update!

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it… does it make a sound?What about your art?In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren explores a question many modern creatives quietly struggle with: If it’s not recorded, shared, or posted… does it even count?After catching herself mid-painting—ready to stop and film content—Lauren chose instead to stay in the moment. What followed was a powerful reminder about creativity, presence, and why we started making art in the first place.In a world where artists are expected to be creators, marketers, videographers, and business owners all at once, it’s easy to lose the joy of the actual craft.This episode dives into:<ul><li>Creative burnout and content creation pressure</li><li>The difference between being an artist vs. a content producer</li><li>Why constantly recording your process can pull you out of flow</li><li>Reconnecting with creativity and making art for yourself</li><li>The importance of unplugging from social media and expectations</li><li>A simple challenge to help you rediscover your creative joy</li></ul>If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by the need to constantly share—this episode is your permission slip to slow down, unplug, and create just because you love it.Because your art still matters… even if no one saw you make it.Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support">Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it… does it make a sound?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What about your art?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Wildly Unplug&lt;/em&gt;, Lauren explores a question many modern creatives quietly struggle with: &lt;b&gt;If it’s not recorded, shared, or posted… does it even count?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After catching herself mid-painting—ready to stop and film content—Lauren chose instead to stay in the moment. What followed was a powerful reminder about creativity, presence, and why we started making art in the first place.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In a world where artists are expected to be creators, marketers, videographers, and business owners all at once, it’s easy to lose the joy of the actual craft.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode dives into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Creative burnout and content creation pressure&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The difference between being an artist vs. a content producer&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why constantly recording your process can pull you out of flow&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reconnecting with creativity and making art for yourself&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The importance of unplugging from social media and expectations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;A simple challenge to help you rediscover your creative joy&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re an artist, creative entrepreneur, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by the need to constantly share—this episode is your permission slip to slow down, unplug, and create just because you love it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because your art still matters… even if no one saw you make it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration&lt;br/&gt;Like &amp;amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?&lt;br/&gt;🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:&lt;br/&gt;https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it… does it make a sound? What about your art? In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren explores a question many modern creatives quietly struggle with: If it’s not recorded, shared, or posted… does it even count? After catching herself mid-painting—ready to stop and film content—Lauren chose instead to stay in the moment. What followed was a powerful reminder about creativity, presence, and why we started making art ...

If It's Not Recorded...Did It Even Happen? 

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>What if rejection wasn’t something to avoid—but something to chase?In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares a raw and honest story about getting targeted by a phishing scam, navigating creative burnout, and making a bold decision: to collect 1,000 rejections.As artists and creatives, we’re often told to put ourselves out there—but fear of rejection, online scams, and constant pressure to create can leave us stuck, overwhelmed, and playing small.This episode explores:<ul><li>How artist scams and phishing emails are becoming more common</li><li>Simple ways to protect yourself online (especially as a creative)</li><li>The hidden burnout behind contests, submissions, and “exposure”</li><li>Why rejection feels so personal—and how to reframe it</li><li>How chasing rejection can actually unlock new opportunities</li><li>A mindset shift to help you take creative risks again</li></ul>If you’ve ever felt afraid to share your work, hesitant to reach out, or stuck in a cycle of overthinking—this episode is your reminder that growth lives on the other side of “no.”Because the more you ask… the more chances you give the world to say yes.Get Ashley&apos;s Tracker here: <a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'>https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682</a> Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support">Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What if rejection wasn’t something to avoid—but something to chase?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Wildly Unplug&lt;/em&gt;, Lauren shares a raw and honest story about getting targeted by a phishing scam, navigating creative burnout, and making a bold decision: to collect 1,000 rejections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As artists and creatives, we’re often told to put ourselves out there—but fear of rejection, online scams, and constant pressure to create can leave us stuck, overwhelmed, and playing small.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode explores:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How artist scams and phishing emails are becoming more common&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Simple ways to protect yourself online (especially as a creative)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The hidden burnout behind contests, submissions, and “exposure”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why rejection feels so personal—and how to reframe it&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How chasing rejection can actually unlock new opportunities&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;A mindset shift to help you take creative risks again&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever felt afraid to share your work, hesitant to reach out, or stuck in a cycle of overthinking—this episode is your reminder that growth lives on the other side of “no.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Because the more you ask… the more chances you give the world to say yes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Get Ashley&amp;apos;s Tracker here: &lt;a href='https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682'&gt;https://substack.com/home/post/p-184085682&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration&lt;br/&gt;Like &amp;amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?&lt;br/&gt;🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:&lt;br/&gt;https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail What if rejection wasn’t something to avoid—but something to chase? In this episode of Wildly Unplug, Lauren shares a raw and honest story about getting targeted by a phishing scam, navigating creative burnout, and making a bold decision: to collect 1,000 rejections. As artists and creatives, we’re often told to put ourselves out there—but fear of rejection, online scams, and constant pressure to create can leave us stuck, overwhelmed, and playing small. This episode explores...

Wildly Rejected- Becoming the Bison

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Connect with Michelle: https://www.beashappyasyourdog.com/  Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join What if happiness isn’t about having more… but noticing more? In this episode of Wildly Unplug, we sit down with author Michelle to explore how dogs—and nature—can teach us powerful lessons about gratitude, presence, and living a more fulfilling life. From her unconventional journey into nonfiction writing to the inspiration behind Be As Happy As Your Dog, Michelle shares how mindset shifts, positive psychology, and even everyday moments (like going for a walk!) can dramatically change how we experience life. We dive into: Why gratitude and attitude matter more than “stuff” What dogs can teach us about living in the present moment The science behind happiness and negativity bias How serendipity can lead to unexpected joy Tips for reconnecting with nature and finding your “pack” The importance of slowing down and truly experiencing life If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this episode is a reminder that happiness might already be right in front of you.  Make time. Get outside. Notice more. <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support">Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Connect with Michelle: https://www.beashappyasyourdog.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration&lt;br/&gt;Like &amp;amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today?&lt;br/&gt;🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here:&lt;br/&gt;https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;What if happiness isn’t about having more… but noticing more?&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;In this episode of Wildly Unplug, we sit down with author Michelle to explore how dogs—and nature—can teach us powerful lessons about gratitude, presence, and living a more fulfilling life.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From her unconventional journey into nonfiction writing to the inspiration behind Be As Happy As Your Dog, Michelle shares how mindset shifts, positive psychology, and even everyday moments (like going for a walk!) can dramatically change how we experience life.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;We dive into:&lt;br/&gt;Why gratitude and attitude matter more than “stuff”&lt;br/&gt;What dogs can teach us about living in the present moment&lt;br/&gt;The science behind happiness and negativity bias&lt;br/&gt;How serendipity can lead to unexpected joy&lt;br/&gt;Tips for reconnecting with nature and finding your “pack”&lt;br/&gt;The importance of slowing down and truly experiencing life&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this episode is a reminder that happiness might already be right in front of you.&lt;br/&gt; Make time. Get outside. Notice more.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2278247/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail Connect with Michelle: https://www.beashappyasyourdog.com/   Subscribe for more nature + creativity inspiration Like &amp; comment: What’s one small moment you can celebrate today? 🌿 Download your free Wildly Unplug Starter Guide here: https://gem.godaddy.com/signups/ebd116a3a09647638aa4d85c004839fa/join  What if happiness isn’t about having more… but noticing more?  In this episode of Wildly Unplug, we sit down with author Michelle to explore how dogs—and nature—can tea...

Be As Happy As Your Dog with Michelle

Escape the Hustle. Wildly Unplug helps you break free from the chaos and reconnect with nature and yourself. Host Lauren Connolly—artist and naturalist—shares inspiring stories and actionable tips for embracing mindfulness, outdoor adventures, and intentional living. Each episode features guests like biologists, adventurers, and creatives, offering unique ways to find balance through art and nature. Tune in discover what develops when you get outside &amp; unplug! Stay Wild!

Wildly Unplug

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