The Calm & Bright Holiday Podcast Trail Ep 4

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The holidays can be joyful… and overwhelming.
 Between invitations, expectations, and the pressure to do it all, it’s easy to forget that you get to choose.

In Episode 4 of The Calm & Bright Holiday Podcast Trail, I invite you to slow down, check in with your body, and gently question the commitments pulling at your energy this season.

This episode is a reminder that calm isn’t found by pushing through — it’s created by listening.

✨ In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• Why your body often knows the answer before your mind does
• How to recognize a true “hell yes” versus a drained obligation
• Simple ways to pause before saying yes to holiday plans
• Setting boundaries without guilt, shame, or over-explaining
• Letting go of holiday expectations and the pressure to perform

This is your permission slip to stop overcommitting and start choosing what actually feels good.

The next stop is waiting for you.

Day 1 - Day 19th Intro with me on Inner Spark https://www.buzzsprout.com/2332610/episodes/18382868

Day 2 - Dec 20th  with Kelly Tibbitts be on the Live A Vibrant Life Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1379737/episodes/18387570

Day 3 - Dec 21st with Jacqueline van Bierk on Her Gypsy Rebel: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4b1yjOVObT5AA39JJt4PbF?si=E0xbr6e4RKG3BeiO-l-zEQ

Day 4 - Dec 22nd with me on Inner Spark

Day 5 Dec 23rd will be on Aligned & Abundant

Day 6 Dec 24th will be on Worthy & Abundant

You can find me at:
https://www.instagram.com/cataton/
https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/

You can find what sparks me at:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/
https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/

Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler
Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hey friend.
Welcome to the Calm and BrightHoliday Podcast Trail.
I am Casey Taten, your host ofthe Enter Spark podcast.
This is episode four of six ofthis many series, and I hope
you're loving this Common BreakHoliday podcast show and having
as much fun as I am.

(00:24):
This trail includes four otherbeautiful women who are all
sharing how you can make thisholiday season the best.
We kicked off the first episoderight here on Inner Spark, and
then we headed to Kelly TibbitsLive a Vibrant Life who helped
us calm our nervous system.

(00:45):
Then to Jacqueline Van Beer onher Gypsy Rebel podcast.
For episode three, all aboutfinding the fun of this holiday
season.
If you miss an episode, don'tworry.
I'll leave it in the show notesfor you.
But today, Fran, we are going totalk about setting boundaries

(01:06):
and the choices you get to make.
Are you feeling a littleoverwhelmed this holiday season?
Getting caught up in the hustleand bustle?
It seems to be a trend.
People are kind of going crazy,but guess who gets to say, I'm
done with that.

(01:30):
You, my friend, you.
This holiday season, we are allabout releasing expectations,
listening to our bodies, anddoing what feels good for you.
Have you already overcommittedyourself?

(01:52):
If so, it's okay because youhave the power to now start
asking yourself, do I reallywanna go to that Christmas party
or another gathering?
Check in with yourself.
What's your body saying?
Does it get that feeling of pureease?

(02:13):
And it's a hell yes, I'mexcited.
Or is it an, oh man, I shouldhave said no.
I'm so tired.
Does your body feel a littletense even thinking about it,
and your mind starts turning andgoing down that rabbit hole?

(02:36):
If it's a yes, then go and havefun.
But if your body is telling youno, here is your chance to
listen to your body and simplysay, I'm not going to make it.
We are gonna start setting someboundaries.
It's truly that easy just to sayno.

(03:02):
But when I said that, did thatthought just make you feel guilt
or shame or even a little FOMOof missing out?
That's normal at the beginning,but this is the season to start
saying, no, I'm not availablefor that.

(03:23):
Or a simple No, your body willThank you.
Later, I promise start saying ittoday.
We are no longer over committingthis holiday season, so it'll be
the best one yet.
I promise.
The power of saying the big no.

(03:46):
Welcome, easier and easier.
When you start getting outtayour head and listening to what
your body is telling you andwhat it truly needs.
Let's actually just practiceright now.
Hey, I have an event tonight.

(04:06):
Do you wanna come home?
The first thing we are going todo before we say yes.
Simply pause, take a breath, andjust check in with yourself.

(04:27):
It's okay to say, I appreciatethe invite.
Can I let you know later?
Or if you already have thatfeeling of tension or that
tightness in your gut.
Then you already know youranswer is no, but thanks for the

(04:47):
invite.
As we get closer to Christmasand start heading into the new
year, we are only committingourselves to what really makes
us feel good and lights us up.
We are letting go of all theexpectations we put on ourselves
and doing what really feels funand matters to you.

(05:13):
If you have a Christmas party,you're already dreading.
This is your year to set theboundaries and don't go.
I don't care if you already saidyes, you're listening to your
body and staying home.
Maybe relaxing feels way moreenjoyable to you than going out

(05:35):
and celebrating or being aroundothers, or dealing with maybe
conflicts or whatever's gonna bethere.
Your body knows if you trust itand you really listen to it.
We are also letting go of theshould have.
We are saying no and then movingon without guilt or shame.

(06:05):
If this episode felt a littleuncomfortable to you, it's okay.
This is your season to startpracticing it.
And to listen in to tomorrow'sepisode on December 23rd,

(06:26):
episode five.
Of the Calm and Bright HolidayShow on the Aligned and Abundant
podcast hosted by the beautifulChristine Marcario, who is going
to help you really connect thenwith some daily things you can
do.

(06:47):
And don't forget.
On December 24th, Linda Brand,host of Worthy and Abundant.
We'll wrap this all up and bringyou back home to yourself to
conclude the trail.
Happy Holidays Thank you fortuning into another episode.
I hope today's story inspiredyou to embrace your own journey

(07:09):
of growth and change.
Remember, transformation isn'talways easy, but it's always
worth it.
If you enjoyed this episode, besure to subscribe.
Share it with a friend, andleave a review.
If you found something thatsparked you in this episode and
may spark a friend, I encourageyou to go share with them.
If you have your own story youwould like to share, I would

(07:30):
love to hear it.
So please reach out to me.
Until next time, friends, gohave some fun and let those
sparks lie.