This episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement and Dubious Advice features hosts Patricia and Nicole discussing their adventures at the Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Sale where they scored vintage treasures. The main topic explores the concept of intentional choice as a tool for combating overwhelm and burnout. The episode wraps up with book recommendations!

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Sale

• The Book of Blood and Roses by Annie Summerlee

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts!

Sound editing by Jen Zink

On this episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Patricia and Nicole discuss maintaining connections with friends through simple, manageable get-togethers, sharing examples of low-key hangouts like morning neighborhood walks, planner sessions over coffee, & quick pizza-and-cake visits.

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Sale

• EEDA Pod: There's No Such Thing as 5-Star Cereal

• Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero by Kate Clifford Larson

• The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker

• Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party by Chelsea Fagan

• Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook by Samin Nosrat

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts!

Sound editing by Jen Zink

Happy New Year! In this episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Patricia and Nicole review their 2025 goals and set intentions for 2026. They reflect on successes while acknowledging they didn't accomplish everything, and that's okay! They also announce the 2026 goal check-in for Patreon subscribers.

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• All the books mentioned on this show are on this shelf

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• Optimistic Hoarder

• Patricia on The Storygraph

• Nicole on The Storygraph

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts!

Sound editing by Jen Zink

Happy Holidays! Patricia and Nicole close out 2025 with a short episode of the Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice. They share some weird Christmas trivia and as always, share what's filling their cups.

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• All the books mentioned on this show are on this shelf

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• The Great American Christmas Almanac By Irene Chalmers

• The Christmas Almanac edited by Natasha Tabori Fried and Lena Tabori

• Neiman-Marcus 2025 Fantasy Gifts

• The Accidental Invention of the Slinky via Smithsonian Magazine

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts!

Sound editing by Jen Zink

Patricia and Nicole celebrate the two-year anniversary of the Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice podcast and close out the last full episode of the year by reflecting on 2025 and sharing personal growth and lessons learned. They discuss the importance of routines, delegating tasks, and finding joy in simple, screen-free activities with each other and friends.

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• All the books mentioned on this show are on this shelf

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, & Spotify

Sound editing by Jen Zink

In this episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Patricia and Nicole share their favorite books they read this year, discussing a wide range of genres from cookbooks and historical nonfiction to romance and science fiction. They offer personal anecdotes, thoughtful commentary on the books' themes, and recommendations for listeners, while also touching on topics like gift-giving and supporting independent bookstores and creators. There is also a very important DuckTales universe correction from the previous episode.

Correction: Nicole mentions she is currently reading Make Room For Love by Darcy Liao, but then goes on to describe the other book she is reading, which is Anywhere You Go by Bridget Morrissey.

Mentioned on the show:

• EEDA Pod Website

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• All the books mentioned on this show are on this shelf

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

Find the full show notes with all the books mentioned in this episode and official transcript on our website: https://eedapod.com/cookbooks-conjure-queers-the-best-books-we-read-in-2025/

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, & Spotify

Sound editing by Jen Zink

In this episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Patricia and Nicole discuss the myth of moral superiority in doing things the hard way versus accepting help, especially around the holidays and everyday tasks. They share personal stories about overcoming the pressure to do everything from scratch, highlighting how accepting assistance can be just as valid and rewarding. The hosts encourage listeners to let go of unnecessary guilt, embrace community support, and find joy in making things easier for themselves.

Mentioned on the show:

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• C King Solutions

• C King Solutions Newsletter

• EEDA Pod: Everyone Deserves Help (Except for Me)

Find the full show notes and official transcript on our website: eedapod.com

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, & Spotify

Sound editing by Jen Zink

In this episode of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice, Patricia and Nicole discuss the emotional and practical challenges of sorting through a loved one's belongings after their passing, sharing personal experiences and advice for others facing similar situations. They highlight the importance of community support, self-compassion, and taking the process step by step, even when going through their own belongings.

Mentioned on the show:

• Bookshop Affiliate Storefront (links below are affiliate)

• Become a patron! Patreon.com/eedapod

• Subscribe to the ongoing Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice Newsletter

• Our merch shop is open!

• Jen Zink's GoFundMe

• https://findhelp.org/

• Destroy This House: A Memoir by Amanda Uhle

• Self Storage Industry Statistics (2024)

• Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess by Rachel Hoffman

• How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis LPC

• Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want by Courtney Carver

• Optimistic Hoarder

Find the full show notes and official transcript on our website: eedapod.com

Follow the show on Instagram & find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, & Spotify

Sound editing by Jen Zink