In September 2016, Megan traveled with World Vision USA to Lebanon to see the work being done to provide aid to Syrian refugees there. This is part one of a three-part series telling the stories from her time there.

Been wondering about the nitty-gritty of Megan's trip to Lebanon? Today, Kelly sits Megan down in the (not-so)-hot seat to talk all about her first trip overseas. From navigating airports to solving mysteries of the bathroom abroad, she tells all about this most amazing adventure. All of that, plus a brand-new take on a seasonal vegetable and tear-jerking TV in Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES: Eat Within Your Means: how to cook spaghetti squash This Is Us World Vision Rich Stearns' The Hole in our Gospel Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Megan is home from her trip to Lebanon with World Vision USA, and you'll get to hear all about what she learned there very soon. BUT, before she left, she and Laura invited the Awesome community to talk about a time they took a risk on themselves personally or professionally. In this episode, you'll hear stories of picking up and moving, of starting a new path, and of making something happen - all because of taking a little risk. All of that plus fantastic eye cream and zen for your ears in Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES: Clinique Pep Start and All About Eyes ZenMix.io Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Though the calendar says we technically still have a few days of summer left, everyone knows that now that Labor Day has come and gone, it's time to get back in the saddle of regular routines. This week, Kelly and Megan do a deep dive into routines - HOW their homes run on them and WHY people choose certain paths to setting up the rhythms of life based on personality and temperament.  All of that plus pretty earrings and groceries online in Awesome of the Week! This week's episode is brought to you by Eat At Home dinner plans. Use code "awesome" for 20% off of your meal planning membership! Find the recipe from today's episode here: Pork Chop and Veggies One Pan Dinner Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Whether you consider yourself as crunchy as a box of granola or soggy as this morning's oatmeal, you don't want to miss Megan and Rebekah's talk on all things natural living. They retrace their own steps on the pathway to natural living, and then tell all of the crunchy things they've let go of as well as the naturally-minded ways they just can't quit. The awesome that Rebekah loves to hate and a new book from one of Megan's favorite authors all in Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES The Just Clean Something Challenge Assimilate or Go Home, D. L. Mayfield The Ministry of Funfetti, D. L. Mayfield Live Renewed Blog Green Your Life, Emily McClements Good Guide Skin Deep Database Traditional Cooking School Ultimate Bundles Plant Therapy Kidsafe line Grove Collaborative Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

What did we read on summer vacation? Megan invited regular co-host Laura and returning guest Amy Allen Clark of MomAdvice.com to come talk all things books and reading to get your brain geared up for fall. They give their honest thoughts on some of the most buzzed-about books right now, as well as non-fiction and fiction selections that have kept them turning pages. All of that plus a great gift idea, a fantastic hair tip, and a wonderful kid care idea in Awesome of the Week! Also! We would love for you to check out a new podcast project from Laura and Megan: Smartest Person in the Room! Find it now in your favorite podcast app or on the website. This week's episode is brought to you by Eat At Home dinner plans. Use code "awesome" for 20% off of your meal planning membership! Find the recipe from today's episode here: 15 Minute Creamy Chicken Florentine Quesadillas at Eat At Home. SHOW NOTES: Framebridge Love Taza: How I Style My Bangs! Spontaneity Kid Care (Oklahoma CIty) Mom Advice Reading Round-Ups Mom Advice author interviews The Nest; Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeny All Things Cease to Appear; Elizabeth Brundage (Amy's interview with Elizabeth Brundage) Dark Matter; Blake Crouch The Girls; Emma Cline The City of Mirrors; Justin Cronin Truly Madly Guilty; Liane Moriarty Hillbilly Elegy; J.D. Vance (American Conservative interview) The Glass Castle; Jeannette Walls American Heiress; Jeffrey Toobin A Mother’s Reckoning; Sue Klebold Columbine; Dave Cullen The Mysterious Benedict Society; Trenton Lee Stewart This Must Be The Place; Kate Racculia A Murder in Time; Julie McElwain A Thousand Pieces of You; Claudia Gray All the Missing Girls; Megan Miranda Love Warrior; Glennon Melton The Trespasser; Tana French Before the Fall; Noah Hawley Lilac Girls; Martha Hall Kelly The Underground Railroad; Colson Whitehead MomAdvice Hangout Group Global Book Club (Big Library Read) Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Find Amy at MomAdvice.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

You already know that YOU are one of our favorites, right? We hope you do know that! In this week's episode, Megan and Kelly run through a list of other favorites of theirs - a collection of the awesomes of their lives. Megan makes a big announcement and, as always, there's plenty of Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES EasyLunchboxes, Lunch Blox, plastic ball jars The Babysitter's Club Club podcast 1. Mo Willems' books 2. Shopping with Dad 3. The Best Pet of All 4. Riley and Rose in the Picture Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

This week is all things pregnancy and new baby, and with good reason. The stork will soon be visiting the Sorta Awesome team! Tune in to find out who is expecting as well as hear some classic pregnancy confessions, thoughts on what to find out and when, and some of the best gift ideas for new moms. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! Episode 67 is brought to you by Your Camera and Your Life: A Beginner’s Photography Workshop. an 8-week, online photography class for DSLR users who want to know to use that big girl camera! You can find out more at www.andreakatolin.com/workshop $10 off with the code "awesome" at checkout and you’ll hear more from course creator and teacher Andrea Katolin later in today’s episode! SHOW NOTES: The Royals Modern Kiwi maxi dress Wrong gender reveal First year calendars Pregnancy announcement! Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Hail, hail! The Sorta Awesome gang is all here, and our month-long summer break is over! Are you ready for a new group show? Rebekah, Kelly, and Laura join Megan this week as they break down the power of music in moments big and small. You'll hear their milestone music moments, songs that have had the most impact, and the silliest misunderstood lyrics from each of them. All of that plus DOUBLE the Awesome of the Week! Don't forget to shop Sorta Awesome's Amazon link as you get ready for back to school and the (here before you know it!) autumn season. Thank you for supporting Sorta Awesome! SHOW NOTES: Garlicky Green Beans, Love Well Blog Sweet Sally’s Soap Amazon Echo Stranger Things SONGS AND ALBUMS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons Little Miss Magic, Jimmy Buffett You Never Even Called Me By My Name, David Allen Coe Hands to Heaven, Breathe No Woman, No Cry, Bob Marley Wonderful World, Beautiful People, Jimmy Cliff 1200 Curfews, Indigo Girls Language or the Kiss, Indigo Girls Gold, Ryan Adams I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, Bright Eyes Some Nights, fun. Carry On, fun. No Longer Slaves, Bethel Music Golden Slumbers, A Father's Lullaby Blank Space, Taylor Swift Tainted Love, Soft Cell Voices Carry, 'Til Tuesday Secret Agent Man, Johnny Rivers Long Time Gone, Dixie Chicks Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Megan is joined this week by someone who has known her nearly since birth. Her younger sister Emily Harris is the very special guest co-host for this week's episode! They dish about sister dynamics, INFJ + ENFP, what the dating scene is like for a single woman in her late 30s, and make-up recommendations you don't want to miss. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES 1. Maidenform Self-Expression high-waisted thigh slimmer 2. ASMR channels: massageASMR, Rhosgobel Rabbit ASMR, GentleWhispering, HeatherFeather 3. NYX Butter Lip Balm in Brownie 4. Dior Hydra Life BB cream 5. Make-up Geek 6. Charlotte Tilbury on Youtube 7. Gruene Hall Find Emily on Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

This is an EXTRA Extra Awesome episode featuring blogger, author, and podcaster Tsh Oxenreider who joins Megan to talk all about the musical Hamilton! Neither of them can contain their enthusiasm for this smash Broadway musical - the creator, the cast, the songs, and the message. In this bonus episode, you'll hear their takes on the show itself as well as why this musical is so important to our culture right now. SHOW NOTES 1. Two Bossy Dames newsletter 2. Genius.com Hamilton soundtrack 3. Pop Culture Happy Hour interview with Leslie Odom Jr 4. Digital Ham4Ham at the White House Find Tsh on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and wherever you listen to podcasts! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

Summer love is in full effect for Sorta Awesome, and Megan and Laura are celebrating this week by sharing their love stories, from their very first loves to how they met their husbands. Later in the show, they dish on some of the biggest surprises marriage has brought. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! LAST CHANCE to take the Sorta Awesome Listener survey! http://sortaawesomeshow.com/survey SHOW NOTES 1. Jonathan Gold's Top 20 Restaurants in LA 2. Cary Elwes' As You Wish AUDIO BOOK 3. The Narrative Breakdown: Rainbow Rowell Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Kelly joins Megan this week to indulge her in her birthday-inspired moment of deep reflection about life and learning and what wisdom they've gained along the way. They talk about how they've grown intellectually, what they are learning about their bodies, and the matters of the soul that they now know to be true. Lots of introspection ahead! And as always, Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES 1. Yoga with Adriene NY Magazine: The best free yoga classes online 2. Code Switch: Can we talk about whiteness? 3. Dr. Emily Nagoski Come As You Are 4. D. L. Mayfield: the ministry of funfetti Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Our latest Extra Awesome is an excellent follow-up to Sorta Awesome Episode 60: All the awesome for summer 2016. Jerusalem Greer joins us today to inspire all of our working moms to make a plan to make this summer great! She also shares some great tips and ideas for technology and teens in the summer months.   Find Jerusalem on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

*** You can take our brand new listener survey by clicking here. It will only take a few minutes of your time and will help us SO MUCH! Thank you! *** Rebekah is here this week to team up with Megan to answer a listener question about their blogging histories - what were the good, the bad, and the ugly parts? They also ponder whether or not blogging is dead and discuss current alternatives to blogging. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES 1. Do It On A Dime: Dollar Tree Hacks 2. Reply All 3. Simply Rebekah: Washing Disposable Swim Diapers 4. Simply Rebekah: The Day the Natural Living Community Turned On Me 5. SortaCrunchy: 15 Tips for Highly Sensitive Parents  6. SortaCrunchy: the depressed christian: why the dark night is no measure of your soul  Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

Track down your library cards, charge up the Kindles, and find a bag big enough to haul all of your books to the pool this summer! This week, Megan welcomes regular co-host Laura Tremaine and returning guest Cara Pence to Sorta Awesome to spill on the best books you're going to want to read right now. From gorgeously crafted fiction to engaging true stories to books they can't wait to be released, this list won't let you down! Awesome of the Week Unreal Raise You Up/Just Be, Kinky Boots A Color Story SHOW NOTES Voxer app SortaLiterary Facebook group Books mentioned in this episode (in order of discussion) Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson East of Eden, John Steinbeck A Man Called Ove, Fredrick Backman The Neopolitan Novels, Elena Ferrante Pretty Baby, The Good Girl, Mary Kubica Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty Ruby, Cynthia Bond Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston When Breath Becomes Air, Paul Kalanithi I Shall Not Hate, Izzeldin Abuelaish While The City Slept, Eli Sanders The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule Becoming Wise, Krista Tippett The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander Girls & Sex, Peggy Orenstein Life After Life, Kate Atkinson City On Fire, Garth Risk Hallberg The City of Mirrors, Justin Cronin Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty The Trespasser, Tana French Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Summer is just weeks away, and Megan and Kelly are both so giddy about it! This episode has ten awesome recommendations and top picks to make your summer better than ever. Everything from summer desserts and drinks to kissable lipstick and sweat-free skin are included in their top ten list. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! Awesome of the Week The Liturgists Episode 34 - Black and White: Racism in America Genius.com SHOW NOTES 1. Circle by Disney 2. Summer Playlists Summer Vibes for Moms + Kids In the Summer Twilight Tsh's Summer 2016 Lighten Up, Man 3. secret to great ribs! 4. Summer hair - highlights and hot oil from Heartful Habits 5. Revlon ColorBurst Balm (Cherish) 6. Fresh Body's Fresh Breasts Jockey Skimmies 7. glow sticks 8. Summer Camp at Home NurtureStore Art Spark Playful Learning Online Classes Pars Caeli Summer Explorers Series 9. Summer Desserts Spicy Grilled Pineapple Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Gourmet S'mores 10. Summer Drinks Dark and stormy Full thread in Hangout Group Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

You've been asking to hear from more of the Sorta Awesome husbands, and this week, we are thrilled to welcome co-host Rebekah's husband Nate to the show! Nate is the executive director of a homeless shelter, and in this week's episode, he challenges many of the misunderstandings and misconceptions regarding people experiencing homelessness. We know you'll appreciate his humble approach to this topic that is a blend of invigorating inspiration as well as practical advice. All of that plus Awesome of the Week! Awesome of the Week Thermos Funtainer Ultimate Self-Care Guide for Highly Sensitive Parents (find it here: https://www.facebook.com/highlysensitiveparents/) SHOW NOTES TED TALK: Dan Pallotta The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram

This week, Leigh Kramer returns to the show to continue our Enneagram conversation! Leigh gave us an incredible introduction to the Enneagram system of understanding personalities back in episode 12 of Sorta Awesome. Today, she returns to answer your questions about wings, arrows, deciding on your type, and why we are attracted to certain types more than others! Make sure you've signed up for the show's newsletter to hear even more insights from Leigh in this week's edition: http://tinyletter.com/sortaawesome Find Leigh on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Who run the grill? Girls! Yes, even you you, girl ... after you hear this episode! Hollywood Housewife Laura joins Megan this week to tell you everything you need to know about getting set up to grill this summer. Whether you're a nervous newbie like Megan or a seasoned pro like Laura, there are tips, tricks, and recipes for all in this week's episode. Plus Laura's best tips for feeding a crowd in the summer. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! Awesome of the Week Project Life Bellweather Rhapsody SHOW NOTES Hollywood Housewife: grilling tips for beginners; make-your-own-pizza party Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

What a joy to welcome special guest co-host Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom to Sorta Awesome! She and Megan talk about projects that have taken Crystal around the world, as well as how Periscope has transformed her relationship with her readers. Plus, she reveals the things she doesn't mind splurging on and the ways she still practices her frugal principles. All of that, plus Awesome of the Week! Awesome of the Week The Hamilcast Aveda Shampure dry shampoo SHOW NOTES Crystal on Periscope ThredUp Schoola Zulily Just Between Friends Find Crystal on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and Periscope! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Will you still love us tomorrow? MAYBE NOT after you hear us let loose with our most unpopular opinions! To celebrate the show's one year birthday, we decided to create a group show for you all, and in it, we let loose with our Dark Side. Find out which of us hates Christmas, which one thinks your purse is dumb, who is the biggest coffee snob of all, and what the uni-boob has to do with any of it. All of that plus a double dose of Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES 1. Meme generator2. Kelly's Thai Quinoa Salad3. Thinx4. Revlon Super Lustrous in Fuchsia Fusion Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Laura Vanderkam knows the secrets behind what successful people do before breakfast, and today she is sharing some of those insights in ways that are practical for all ages and stages of a woman's life! Tune into this bonus episode to find out more about making mornings awesome. Laura's books: 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You ThinkWhat the Most Successful People Do Before BreakfastI Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time   Find Laura on her blog, Twitter, and Facebook! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

How do the places we live on this earth shape the people we become? That's the question Megan and Kelly take on this week, exploring what is accurate and what is not about their home states as well as how the climate, culture, and characteristics of the people living there have shaped who they've become. All of that plus Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES Awesome of the WeekDr. Emily Nagoski's Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science that will Transform Your Sex Lifesmartappsforkids.com1. On Being: Spring is Mud and Miracle2. Washington Post: Which of the American Nations Do You Live In? Find Kelly on her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/sortaawesome or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!

Does your circle of friends include a Yes Man? Or someone who knows what is in your freezer? Or someone who knows all of your passwords? This week, Megan and Laura return to the topic of friendship to run down a list of ten friends every woman needs in her life. They explain why each of these kinds of friends is so pivotal to your friend list as well as how these friendships build your Life Council. All of that plus Awesome of the Week! SHOW NOTES Awesome of the WeekEverything is CopyThred-Up (Megan's referral link)(Also, please see their Selling page to clear up any confusion on how the selling process works) Riffsy GIF Keyboard for iOS Find Laura on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! You can find Megan on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram!