The Permission to Kick Ass Blog

Misadventures to Make You Feel Good About Life

I believe in eating your own cooking… most of what I’ve learned about how to live a “fearless life” (in quotes because there’s no such thing – people only THINK I’m fearless) comes from making choices (some of them pretty dumb) and taking action. And I’m sharing what I learned (plus any adventures I have along the way) in my blog.

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Kick Monday’s Ass: eating an elephant (March 15, 2021)

March 15, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… I want to give you a number. It’s 5. As in 5%. This is fresh in my head as I look at my to-do list and realize that I’ve got a 77k+ word manuscript to edit. Every time I find a few hours in the schedule to sit down and get it done, my…

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Memphis exploration

March 13, 2021

Finally got out and about to do some exploring. Wound up eating some sweet potato pancakes at Arcade Restaurant, where Elvis used to eat. I found some funky local shops and picked up some interesting stuff to commemorate my time here. Then I walked to the Civil Rights Museum, at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated. I don’t…

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Memphis misadventures

March 13, 2021

Lost a little faith in man when I walked out to my car and saw this. Faith restored when I took it to the body shop and the dude did some sort of magic move to pop it back in place (believe me, that was the first thing I tried but he has magic, I swear) and refused to take…

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she kinda sorta sold her husband?

March 12, 2021

Day 5 of the Permission to Kick Ass Podcast launch… First, happy Friday and a quick gratitude… for YOU! For everyone who’s listened, liked, shared, or replied to tell me they’re loving the show, and for all the love and support. It’s been an epic, at times hectic experience… but you really made my week, just by being here. You…

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please pass the bourbon…

March 11, 2021

Day 4 of the Permission to Kick Ass Podcast launch… It’s not often you have the chance to train someone and then later work for them. That’s exactly what happened with me and today’s guest, Chris Orzechowski. Once upon a time, when we both worked for one of the biggest names in internet marketing, I wound up training Chris for…

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making corsets cool before Bridgerton was a thing…

March 10, 2021

Day 3 of the Permission to Kick Ass Podcast launch… When I first started coaching newer entrepreneurs, one of my favorite “stopping blocks” was when people would say, “oh but I can’t do THAT, you can’t make a living at it!” Today’s guest, Cathy Hay, is my go-to excuse buster for anyone who says that to me. I’d usually say,…

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let me show you my “cookie face”

March 9, 2021

Day 2 of the Permission to Kick Ass Podcast launch… So I know it’s kinda early in our relationship, but let’s take this to the next level. Meet my mom, Mary Philio! Today’s episode is a special one, because it’s her birthday, and I’m releasing our recording as a celebration of all she’s taught me throughout the years. Click here…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: today’s the day!!! *squee* (March 8, 2021)

March 8, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… It’s finally here… the first official episode of the Permission to Kick Ass podcast! I’m joined by my friend Rachel Mazza, to talk stepping up into new and challenging roles, figuring things out on the fly, and trusting yourself to become even better. Click here to check it out! Don’t forget to subscribe and…

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I did a thing…

March 8, 2021

The Permission to Kick Ass podcast is now live. And it’s got its own special section on the site: Podcast You can listen to episodes there, or through your favorite streaming service!

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Memphis: more food porn

March 4, 2021

Hot “Scotty” at the local Irish pub. This was the right choice. Today’s adventure… A delightful something called “Take Me Back 2 Cali” recommended by the lady on staff. It was a good recommendation Turns out my midday waffle break was right next door to the place where Johnny Cash first performed live.

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Memphis: the Stelladventure edition

March 1, 2021

I still don’t understand how she reconciles “hates being squirted with the water bottle” with “loves sitting in a just-rinsed sink and getting my ass wet”. Seems to work for her though. Later in the day: I don’t know who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you are looking for ransom I can tell you I don’t…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: I’m not freaking out, I’m not freaking out… (March 1, 2021)

March 1, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… T-minus one week until the launch of this podcast, and I gotta admit… I’m a tiny bit overwhelmed. Not to mention occasionally freaking out about OMG WILL THEY LIKE IT?! But I had an interesting realization last week, while my worries about whether folks will like it had me spinning my wheels and resisting…

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Memphis adventures: Beale Sweets Sugar Shack

February 28, 2021

Subtitled: “My nuts are poppin’ today!” “dessert near me” A few words typed into Google Maps and that’s how I happened upon Beale Sweets Sugar Shack. I’d just wrapped up lunch and had a hankering for something sweet, so might as well find something in walking distance, right? I look for local places, wherever possible – so this one, not…

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Memphis: lunch in a COVID bubble

February 26, 2021

This little place is located walking distance from where I’m staying. It’s called The Beauty Shop restaurant and it actually was a beauty parlor once upon a time. They still have remnants of its past days leftover inside. And apparently this is where Priscilla Presley used to get her hair did. I am way too excited to be eating in…

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Memphis day 5: marching of the ducks

February 25, 2021

I just barely missed the marching of the ducks. I’m gonna catch it at some point though…  

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Memphis day 3: haunted closets and murder

February 24, 2021

Is my Airbnb haunted? I’ve got a closet door in my bedroom that pops open at random, and it always manages to startle me. I kinda like to imagine it’s haunted… Only this ghost only opens this particular door, for mysterious ghostly reasons. Is it inviting me to Narnia? I like the ghost explanation too – more mystery. Why THIS…

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walkin’ in Memphis (and adjusting on the fly) (February 22, 2021)

February 22, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Hello from sunny-still-snowy Memphis (holla if you’re nearby!). Let’s talk about driving on ice and snow. For most of my friends in the Southern US, that was a new or unfamiliar experience as a hard freeze blew in and took out all of Texas last week. I’d had my trip to Memphis planned for…

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on the road again: destination Memphis

February 20, 2021

Her highness and I hitting the road to Memphis… Her song is loud and proud. And continuous. We’re taking a quick food break so I let her out of her backpack prison. She’s being surprisingly chill. I took 55 and there were some parts of MS that are still pretty icy. If the roads weren’t still crappy I’d probably have…

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Last day in New Orleans

February 19, 2021

Unanticipated digital nomad challenge #7532: Never thought I’d be rationing toilet paper so I didn’t have to buy a new pack before I check out of my Airbnb. Try as I might, didn’t make it. Had to buy a 12-pack from the Walgreen’s around the corner with less than 24 hours to go until check out. At least it was…

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NOLA: Mardi Gras, day of

February 16, 2021

Today I’m learning Mardi Gras beading at an event called “Sew and Brew,” down at a local coffee shop. Wish me luck!  

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Kick Monday’s Ass: cakes, babies, and adventuring (February 15, 2021)

February 15, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Lately I’ve been feeling a little guilty. Here I am on this epic road trip, with lots of people tuning in to live vicariously through my adventures. And I haven’t been adventuring. In fact, for a good two weeks I holed up at home (as “home” as an Airbnb can be, anyway), escaping through…

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NOLA: weekend before Mardi Gras

February 14, 2021

So far I’ve been incredibly fortunate with my Airbnb hosts as I travel. Sending up big gratitude today! I have no idea how I’m gonna eat all this cake. But I’m damn sure gonna try! I learned this from a friend and former NOLA resident, Lisa Perk: You have until midnight on Mardi Gras Day. If you pace yourself and…

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New Orleans: food porn edition

February 8, 2021

We interrupt your feed with this breaking news: there is no “neat” way to eat a beignet. You will be coated in powdered sugar. The birds will follow you like you’re Snow White. Just embrace your Disney princess moment, and accept that generous dusting of sugar as avant garde fashion. If you haven’t yet experienced the pleasure of a beignet,…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: gettin’ all up in your ear holes (February 8, 2021)

February 8, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… I’m so excited to share this… the trailer for my upcoming podcast is now live. You can listen (and subscribe!) here: Click here to get a fist-pumping dose of high energy YOU CAN DO THIS right in your ear holes. Today I’m submitting that feed to all the major podcast outlets and we’re gonna…

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NOLA: brunch at Muriel’s in Jackson Square

February 7, 2021

So grateful for a sunny day and fancy grilled ham and cheese. Can’t get enough of this croque monsieur. I had no idea what to expect when it said it came with a pickled veggie salad but they was goddamn delightful. I found my new favorite place  helps that it has a balcony, strong cocktails, and a séance room.  

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so uhhh… I’m starting a podcast, you guys

February 3, 2021

Yeessssssssss it’s all coming together… Click here and have a listen of the trailer: https://permission-to-kick-ass.simplecast.com/episodes/coming-soon-permission-to-kick-ass  (don’t forget to subscribe!) I dragged my feet on that damn thing for so long. But listening to the episodes I’ve already recorded with fresh ears has me all fired up again. I can’t wait to share!  Some of my friends and guests are already…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: feelin’ good as hell… (February 1, 2021)

February 1, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… I’ve been thinking a lot about internet weirdos lately. Once upon a time in my small Texas town, I felt like a total outsider. I didn’t run with any one clique – I hung with them all. I was a proud band nerd, and didn’t care if people thought I was a bookworm. I…

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New Orleans: when Mardi Gras is cancelled…

January 29, 2021

Instead of Mardi Gras parades (they’ve officially been cancelled because of the pandemic), locals are decorating their houses as “floats”. There are a lot of them along the usual parade route (which I’m near). Here are some I saw while out walking. Its nickname? Yardi Gras. It’s even more fantastic because most of the homeowners that participated wound up hiring…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: don’t “should” on yourself (January 25, 2021)

January 25, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Storytime: journey with me back to elementary school, where Angie was already a voracious reader. Around that time the schools came up with an initiative, the Accelerated Reader program, to inspire kids to read more. Among the incentives? Your name written on a star and hung on the “wall of readers” in the library.…

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NOLA day trip to Oak Alley plantation

January 24, 2021

It was kinda surreal seeing it in person. I have such mixed feelings. This is the Oak Alley plantation. My family was intermarried/allied with the family that built this sugar plantation. I believe it’s been used as a filming location for several movies, including Interview with the Vampire. Sadly the human cost of this place has gone largely unaccounted for…

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Kick Tuesday’s Ass: live from NOLA

January 19, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday Tuesday’s ass… So Monday was yesterday? How about that… If you’re following along, I’m currently in New Orleans. First time in my life and I’m super excited. Here’s me in front of the “haunted” LaLaurie mansion in the blissfully uncrowded French Quarter. (you might need to enable images if you’re not seeing this super pretty,…

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NOLA day 9 cont’d: French Quarter exploration

January 17, 2021

More French Quarter exploration. This time, stuck to the awesomely less people-y Royal St and was happy to see all the artists out painting, set up on the sidewalks  

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New Orleans day 9: I’m on a boat

January 17, 2021

Today’s adventure… Jazz brunch aboard the steamboat Natchez.  

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New Orleans day 8: wandering around

January 16, 2021

Just walking around NOLA. Still not entirely sure how I set out to find a bookstore and wound up on Bourbon Street…  

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New Orleans day 5: in search of jazz and fried dough

January 13, 2021

Oh yeah, this is happening. I know you want some too – who wouldn’t want some world-famous stand-in-line-for-them beignets from Cafe du Monde? I learned the hard way that you have to hold your breath when taking a bite of a powdered sugar-coated deep fried pastry. The pigeons are LOVING me and the mess I’ve made I can mail you…

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stop 2 on the road trip of 2021: New Orleans

January 9, 2021

Despite growing up in central Texas and Houston, I somehow never made it to New Orleans. Decided to remedy that straight away… After 6 hours in a car with a yowling cat, I made it to New Orleans. I really like this little place… Well done, Airbnb.

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Kick Monday’s Ass (no, you’re not crazy… it’s Tuesday) (January 5, 2021)

January 5, 2021

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… So I was doing a guided meditation this morning (words I never thought would come out of my mouth, I assure you) and the narrator mentioned this quote: In case you can’t see the image above, it says “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” It immediately…

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life in the test kitchen

January 5, 2021

My mom figured out how to make half-pound cookies. I’m in danger.

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home for the holidays…

December 20, 2020

When you’re home for the holidays at your mom’s, and her baking business has taken over the spare bedroom… I think I can do this for three days. Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.

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Kick Monday’s Ass: Competition is Actually a GOOD Thing (December 14, 2020)

December 14, 2020

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Here’s something funny… I’ve listened to the same story 5 nights in a row. And I STILL don’t know how it ends. I fall asleep every time, well before I get to the conclusion. And that’s actually a good thing… because it’s a “sleep story” on my Calm app. That’s the idea… that it’s…

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travel with a cat in a backpack

December 10, 2020

Her royal highness was displeased with getting her shots. The humans however, were all enamored with the black-cat-in-a-backpack look. Stella came through with flying colors, by the way. The backpack, however, needed a thorough washing. Thus we learned the trick of lining the backpack with puppy pee pads. <3

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Lake Conroe, cat edition

December 7, 2020

Radar locked… destruction imminent. Traveling with a cat is interesting. Thankfully Stella is a dog-cat and generally well behaved. Though sometimes I wonder what goes through her brain. Especially times like this, when I catch her thinking deep cat thoughts.

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Kick Monday’s Ass: business work vs busy work (December 7, 2020)

December 7, 2020

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… We’re heading into the last two real productive weeks of the year… though let’s face it, a lot of folks check out right after Thanksgiving and don’t fully check in until after the New Year starts. But now is the time to really dig deep and figure out what you want from your life…

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copy… what now?

December 4, 2020

I was talking a friend of mine recently who was working on a new client proposal. She was trying to work out what to offer and kept getting stuck, so she reached out and asked me what the difference was between copyediting, copy coaching, and copy chiefing. I answered her privately and she was able to send off her proposal……

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Kick Monday’s Ass: where the heck do I find clients? (November 30, 2020)

November 30, 2020

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… It’s almost my birthday and this year, my present to myself was dropping an uncomfortable chunk of change on a mastermind. Angie from 10 years ago would be rolling her eyes… WTF Old-Ass Angie? Why are you blowing your wad on something that sounds like WORK? Shouldn’t a present be a hell of a…

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Kick Monday’s Ass: how to know if you’re charging too little (November 23, 2020)

November 23, 2020

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Short and sweet this week… For everyone in the US, this Thursday is Thanksgiving. And even though this year’s festivities are looking pretty different from years past, I can already sense folks checking out for the week to get re-centered on family. I think that’s important – stepping back from work from time to…

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Lake Conroe, cont’d

November 21, 2020

*in my best Tom Hanks in Castaway impression* I HAVE MADE FIRE. (I may be here all night until this thing dies down though, seriously) Fire has a wonderful way of healing things. Even moreso when the flames climb high enough to merit a safety drive-by by the local fire engine company. Just a reminder:

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Kick Monday’s Ass: you’re the only you out there (November 16, 2020)

November 16, 2020

It’s time to kick Monday’s ass… Today marks the start of a new adventure for me – the yearlong domestic digital nomad journey. At least, that’s the plan… who knows how things will shake out as the COVID crisis continues to unfold? As of now I plan to move from Airbnb to Airbnb and take in local sights without shaking…

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road trip stop 1: Lake Conroe

November 14, 2020

It’s been about a month since everything went down. I’ve packed up everything and moved to the first Airbnb of the great road trip of 2021. Stella really likes my host’s blanket. She looks like she’s meditating.

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generic = the kiss of death

November 13, 2020

I was hanging out in a copywriting group the other day (what, doesn’t everyone nerd out over advertising? Just me? Shut up)… and got into an interesting discussion with a newer copywriter. This person was tasked with writing a “generic” ad that could be “reskinned” and used for multiple businesses, with different owners, in multiple geographical areas, in the same…

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