Many of us love those cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, right? There's something about the picture-perfect holiday that just gives us the warm fuzzies.

But a lot of us love The Griswold family and their "Not Quite Hallmark Holiday." Why is that?

Because for many of us, the holidays depicted in those Hallmark movies are something we aspire to, but the Griswold's "Fun Old-Fashioned Family Christmas" is more realistic.

It's easy to feel like OUR Christmas Day is the only one that isn't living up to expectations, but I promise you, that is not the case.

If you've ever felt bummed out on Christmas Day, this episode is for you.

So go grab a warm beanie, gloves, socks and a blanket, head upstairs to your attic, and give this episode a listen.

*Disclaimer: Due to the hectic-ness of the holiday, this episode was recorded while en route to the only "mall" we have in Missoula. Just pretend it's me leaving you a long-winded voice note, and you should be good. I guess you could say this podcast episode is more Griswold than Hallmark too. ;)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

You know the story of "Rudolph," right?

But do you know the story BEHIND the story of "Rudolph?"

Did you know that "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" was written by a guy who worked at Montgomery Ward - yes, that old department store - as a promotion for its customers?

If you didn't know that, or even if you did and are curious to learn more, pull up an ice block, lend an ear, and hit "Play" now.

And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Did you watch that stop-animation movie about "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" as a kid? And if so, have you watched it as an adult? And maybe even as a parent?

I grew up watching that show, and it holds a very special place in my heart. But watching it as an adult gave me an entirely different perspective on pretty much every character, and I realized Santa, and even Rudolph's parents, kinda sucked!

There's nothing wrong with being different. In fact, being different is what makes us special and unique.

Now don't get me wrong. I still LOVE this show, but if you've had a few of these thoughts yourself, I invite you to give this one a listen.

And if you have no clue what I'm talking about, I also invite you to give this episode a listen!

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Have you seen that Christmas movie with Vince Vaughn?

Not the uncomfortable one about multiple Christmases where he's in an awkward relationship with Reese Witherspoon.

But the one where he plays Santa's brother, Fred?

If not, then you may want to press "Play" on this one.

Yes, the movie is about Christmas, but it's also much deeper than that.

It gets into family dynamics (aka "dysfunction"), getting curious about people and the "WHY" behind their behavior, and showing people grace and compassion. Because sometimes...we don't need a pile of gifts under that tree. Sometimes, all we truly need is knowing that someone cares about us, and what we're going through.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

You know the Christmas Story, right?

But do you know the Chanukah Story?

If you're anything like me, you may know some...but not much. And if you're looking at my boat, thinking you should be sitting beside me, then this episode is for you.

I realized one morning that, although I didn't know much about Chanukah, my friend Chaya DID! And so I invited her on to share about the holiday, its origin, and its traditions.

If your knowledge of the holiday doesn't extend far beyond The Holiday Armadillo and/or Adam Sandler, I suggest you press "Play" now!

By the way, Chaya is a pretty interesting woman, and if you'd like to find her on Instagram, head on over to @birth.life.shomrit.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

You've seen "Elf," right? 

If you haven't, we can't be friends.

Seriously though - most of us have seen that movie about the elf that's not really an elf, but has more Christmas spirit than any of those other elves. You know, the “real” elves.

And we know how it ends - with everybody singing, and Santa's sleigh soaring high into the sky because the "Christmas Spirit" has been restored.

Watching that movie with my son a couple years ago touched my heart in an unexpected way, and I share a little bit of why that was...here.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

The holidays are an emotionally charged time of year, right?

You're excited and basking in the ooey gooey warmth of the holidays. Christmas movies are on rotation, Sirius is playing holiday music, you're spending way too much money on holiday decorations when you visit Target, Hobby Lobby and/or Home Depot. Or is that just me? ;)

But you know...sometimes the holidays have you feeling a bit like Charlie Brown. Kind of down, but you're not quite sure why. Or maybe you DO know why.

I have coined 2023 as my "Year of The Leather Pants," a la Ross from FRIENDS. I thought this year was going to be great, just like he thought leather pants on a date were going to be a good idea. But this year has turned into a hot, sweaty mess. I've tried praying and crossing my fingers and putting good vibes out into the world, but so far, the only thing I've gotten from that is a paste that, like Ross, has prevented me from pulling my life together in the way I'd hoped (or in his case, just being able to pull his pants up would have been a win).

It's hard to be thankful when you feel like life isn't going your way. But when I whipped out my magnifying glass to look a little bit closer, I found micro-moments that made me realize there are things I can, and should be, appreciative of.

Something I also found...is that by doing something nice and thoughtful for myself, I'm actually showing MYSELF appreciation. All that I've been through this past year, and pretty much my entire life, and I haven't given up. I'm still here. I may not always be standing, but I'm still here, and that's worth acknowledging and celebrating.

And when I do good for ME, it shifts my mindset, and I'm able to see things differently. I find that there is more to be thankful for than I realized, or maybe even just wanted to admit because I was feeling down and Grinchy.

So if you're struggling this year, know you're not alone. Imagine me grabbing your hand and giving you a hug, telling you "I know how this feels."

Go do something nice for yourself, just because. And see how that shifts things for you.

And before I go...thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for tuning in episode after episode. I wouldn't be 130 episodes in if it weren't for you and others like you listening, sharing your thoughts and hearts with me, and letting me know that I'm not alone.

Your encouragement and support means so much to me. And I hope in some way, I'm able to do the same for you.

Happy Thanksgiving, Friend. (Oh...and if you make a trifle, don't follow Rachel's recipe)

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!

Where were you when you found out we'd lost a beloved friend?

I was sitting at the dining room table when a friend texted me with the news. And I thought it was a cruel, sick joke. But unfortunately, it wasn't.

Many of us were introduced to Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, the witty and quippy neighbor to Monica Geller, and best friend of her brother, Ross.

Over the course of 10 years, Matthew stole our hearts and brightened our days with his charm and comedic timing. For those of us who felt alone, he truly did become someone we sought comfort in.

So when we learned of his passing, our hearts broke and we grieved. Even though most of us didn't know him personally, we still lost a friend.

"FRIENDS" is a huge part of my life. You know how some people are with Star Wars? That's how I am with "FRIENDS." If they had a "FRIENDS" convention, I'd be there.

And Chandler? Well, he was the character I related to the most. And in this episode, I talk about why that is.

I talk about how I, and others, feel now that Matthew Perry is gone.

And how Matthew's struggles became his strength...so that he could help other people.

Did you love this episode? If so, I want to know! Send me a DM @itsactuallykristi on Instagram, or send me an email at Kristi@awakentheextraordinary.com.

If you reallllly loved the episode, please "Like It" or "Heart It" or whatever it is you need to do to show the podcast some love on whatever platform you're listening on. And if you leave a review, please let me know so I can personally thank you! (And I actually will!)

Oh - and one last thing! You can share whatever episode you're enjoying in your Stories too! If you do, be sure to tag @itsactuallykristi and I'll re-share!

OK....I think that's it! Thank you SO much for listening - I really DO appreciate it and I appreciate YOU!