ME4: Everyday Mindfulness in the Expat Life (with Guest Jodi Harris)

Mindful Expat, with Dana Nelson, Ph.D.

Today's Mindful Expat Guest is Jodi Harris!

Jodi is a life coach who specializes in working with expats and others living abroad, helping them work through life changes, define their priorities and goals, and build a satisfying and meaningful life for themselves! Originally from the United States, Jodi has lived in Northern Ireland, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, and she now lives in Tokyo, Japan (for the 2nd time), with her husband and 3 children. (See below for more information about Jodi's work and how to follow up with her.)

What you'll hear in today's episode:

• Jodi's approach to helping her expat clients begin to integrate "everyday mindfulness" into their lives. • The importance of making room for all emotions (not labeling emotions as "bad" or "good"). • Jodi's approach to helping expat parents integrate mindfulness into their own lives and model mindful awareness -- and acceptance -- of their emotions to their children. • Jodi's approach to helping expats develop a sense of "home" within themselves wherever they go.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

• When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chödrön (the source of Jodi's inspirational quote). • Wherever You Go, There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn. (This book is a wonderful introduction to mindfulness, written for beginners and seasoned mindfulness practitioners alike and with short, approachable, bite-sized chapters.)• Jodi's chapter, "The Oxygen Mask: Mindfulness for Expat Parents," which she is currently sharing as a free download from her website (and which comes from the book Raising Kids in the Foreign Service). • Jodi's article in Global Living Magazine, "Tools for Cultivating Mindfulness in the Expat Lifestyle," which I mention toward the end of the episode. • Jodi's book, The Expat Activity Book (see below for more information). • Coming soon! Jodi mentioned an exciting new project that she is starting to work on with a friend and fellow foreign service spouse -- an insight/mindfulness-based activity book for youth! (Jodi plans to share more information on her website when this resource becomes available, so be sure to check back in the future!)

More about Jodi and how to follow up with her:

Jodi's coaching business is World Tree Coaching. If you'd like to get in touch with her you can do do so through her website. To learn more about the various coaching services and workshops she offers, go to this page. As she mentioned in the episode, she does offer discounts for members of the US Foreign Services community, and she also offers one sponsored coaching session per month for people with lower incomes.

You can also check out Jodi's book, The Expat Activity Book: 20 Personal Development Exercises for Gaining Insight and Maximizing Your Potential Wherever You Are, which can be found through Amazon and on Kindle. (Visit this page of her website to learn more and read some reviews of the book.)

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