The Polka Dot Desk

11/06/2023

Guess what??!! The podcast is officially back next week!!

Sign up for my newsletter at thepolkadotdesk.substack.com and get it sent straight to your inbox.

19/04/2022

Don’t mind me I’m just over here celebrating the completion of my 100 day podcast challenge!!!

Link to Day 100 in my stories or find the podcast with the link in the comments.

Thanks to everyone who listened over the last 100 days. I am looking forward to the show returning on a weekly basis starting May 5!!

16/04/2022

It's a beautiful Saturday. I hope you are able to enjoy some time with family/friends today. What are you planning to do today?

11/04/2022

As we start to wind down the 100 days of podcasts, I need your help in figuring out the next steps. I have 5 questions for you (see below). I want to make the next version of this podcast the best it can be for you.

Here is what I want to know from you:

Question 1: What day of the week should I post? Monday, Wednesday, or You don’t care just make sure to post.

Question 2: If I do seasons, would you like each season to be focused on a category or just a mix of topics?

Question 3: Interviews. Who should I try to interview? We will talk through my picks and your answers on Day 93.

Question 4: Production value. Bring back the music/better production for main shows or You don’t care just make sure to post.

Question 5: Topics. Obviously this 100 days has covered a lot of topics. We will recap them on Day 92, but I want to know which ones you liked the best. Here is the list:

- Quotes
- Book Reviews
- Deep Thoughts
- Music
- Movies/TV
- Travel
- Neurodiversity
- Navigating the workplace

I am looking forward to shaping the future of the podcast with you.

30/01/2022

Day 21 was just uploaded! We are talking about the book Enter Wild by Carlos Whittaker.

Hello and Welcome Back! These next 10 episodes will focus on takeaways from some of the books I read last year. First up is Enter Wild by Carlos Whittaker. I cover the 3 major takeaways in today's episode. Below are some verses I reference in the podcast: Galatians 3:13-14 Deuteronomy 28:1-14 2 Cori...

29/01/2022

One cat. Two quotes.

Day 17 & 18 are live on the podcast!! Link in my bio.

Please comment and let me know if you have been listening in over the past few weeks.

A few more days of my fav quotes then it’s over to books! Excited to revisit some of my 2021 reads with you!

21/01/2022

Day 12 of 100.

Today’s quote is one I have revisited so many times during my life. We all fight battles in our lives and it can be difficult when we have to fight them multiple times. You can get discouraged. But hold your head up…you will win again.

“You may have to fight the battle more than once to win it.”
- Margaret Thatcher

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

20/01/2022

Day 11 of 100.

Today’s quote is one I saw in IG a few weeks ago. There are several things this quote made me think about and I share these on the podcast.

“Just because something is popular doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Life isn’t about doing what everyone else is doing. It’s about doing your own thing. Anything that doesn’t align with who you are isn’t worth doing. Do what feels right for you. You have a little voice in your heart that tells you what the right thing is. Don’t ignore it. Follow it even if that means doing something unusual, something that no one else has done before. Go for it even if it doesn’t make sense to other people. The right things doesn’t have to be conventional.”
- m. chase

Link to listen is in the comments.

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

18/01/2022

Today on the podcast we are talking 2022 goals! I finished up my vision board over the weekend as a representation of the goals I have.

My theme for the year is to Live Unrushed. I want to take time to be in the moment and savor all that God has for me.

Do you have a word or theme for 2022? Let me know in the comments.

11/01/2022

Day 2 of 100: 2021 Recap

I talk work, health, and travel. Anything fun or new happen in your world in 2021?

Let me know in the comments.

https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/Day-2-e1cnpns

Today we play catch up on work, health, and travel from 2021. Love and blessings, Heather

10/01/2022

The podcast is back! Today I start 100 Days of Podcasts. This will be a fun challenge to get back in the groove and have some fun. Let’s do this!!

Link in the comments! But you can find me on your favorite podcast platform. 😉

18/04/2021

Impromptu podcast today. I cry and sniffle through it so please forgive me. Just processing a lot of emotions currently, as I know many of us are.
❤️🖤
Podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. But link in the comments to make it easy. 😉 Come on over and process some feelings with me.

02/12/2020

Today is a podcast in the making for almost a year. I was finally able to sit down with Jen Brazeal. Jen and I met at Blissdom in Nov 2019. Jen has such a sweet soul and is on a mission to help others find an unhurried lifestyle. But Jen didn’t get to this spot overnight, she was a teacher and photographer, an author, and now podcast host! She shared her journey with me and along the way gave such good insight on how to find purpose and clarity.

https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/24-Purpose--Clarity--and-the-Unhurried-Life-with-Jen-Brazeal-en8he1

18/11/2020

Back in April, I sat down with and that conversation was so much more than I ever imagined. She talked about writing her own job description, how the Lord has helped her on her journey, the loss of her husband, and the more. Her journey is inspiring and uplifting.

Link in comments!

11/11/2020

Today, I welcome April Corbett to the show. She is an engineer, project manager, and an amazing creative. April and I met at Blissdom back in November 2019. I was instantly drawn to her message.

Back in the early summer after as the civil unrest in the US was boiling over, I reached out to April to have a conversation. A conversation about race, specifically. As a white woman, I knew I needed to take a step back to listen and learn. April was kind enough to spend time talking with me about situations she has been in and helped me to see places where I can change. After our first conversation, I knew I had to have her come on the podcast to share this message.

This conversation is long and covers a lot of ground. But this conversation is good, deep, and timely. I hope this podcast helps you see another perspective so we can continue to fight for equality and unity in our country. It’s more important than ever that we come together, offering respect and understanding of one another.

Head over to the link in the comments or over to your favorite podcast app to listen!

Let me know your thoughts here in the comments or send me a message.

04/11/2020

IT’S BACK!!!!

The podcast is back today with an episode to recap the craziness of our move to FL. Hopefully you get some laughs as I share our story.



Link in the comments!

24/10/2020

OMG!!! When I decided to start the podcast, I wrote on my 2020 vision board that I wanted to get 1000 downloads this year. I opened my app today and saw that I met the goal! 🎉🎉

I am so thankful for everyone that has listened. The podcast will be back with new episodes on Nov 4!!

Time to set a new goal.

04/09/2020

Life Update!

I have been off here for a week-ish so I figured I would take this first moment of quiet to let you all know why.
We moved to FL!!!
That’s right! In the matter of 2 months we decided to sell our house in AL and move 700 miles south. Today is the first official coffee on the porch so I wanted to share some of the pictures from the past week. I’ll be doing a podcast soon about our adventure to FL. All of this is the reason the podcast has been put on the back burner for a bit.

Looking forward to getting back to our regularly scheduled programming.

06/06/2020

Just wanted to say hello!

25/05/2020

Today’s episode really touched me. I never knew the story of the Fallen Soldier table. If you don’t know what it all represents, please take a listen to the podcast or in my last post from IGTV.

Sending love to those who lost loved ones!

11/05/2020

🎓 Class of 2020…This one’s for you!

I gave a little commencement type talk on the podcast today. I wanted to remind graduates that they have overcome so much in the last few months. These changes have helped equip them for the road ahead. Today, let’s celebrate these graduates.

Comment below with your advice for the Class of 2020!!



Listen on iTunes: http://anchor.fm/s/105c4544/podcast/rss

04/05/2020

Carrie Grace sat down with me to talk all things speaking and socks. Do these two things seem related? Maybe not now, but they will after you listen to the podcast.

Our conversation covers a lot of different areas. She talks me through her journey of becoming a speaker and starting her company, The Kindness Socks. My favorite quote from Carrie Grace was “I know that next chapters open new doors.” There is so much hope in that statement, especially during this time.

Link to the podcast is below. Comment below and let me know your take away.



https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/19-Speaking--Socks-wCarrie-Grace-edismv

27/04/2020

Have you ever felt like you failed? Have you ever tried and tried to accomplish a goal but still couldn’t get it? We have all been there. It’s easy to take the act of missing a goal and turn it into feeling like you are a failure. Well, I’m here to remind you that you are not a failure.

We all have missteps and make mistakes. We just have to make sure we learn from them as we move forward.

Have you ever felt like a failure? What did you do to get back on track?

The link to the podcast is below but you can also find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!



https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/18-You-are-not-a-failure-ed9tne

Today we talk about the feelings that can come up when made a mistake or don’t meet a goal. That feeling of failing can be destructive if you aren’t careful. It can derail future progress. It can move you from a positive outlook to a negative spiral. But I want you to know that… You. Are. Not....

25/04/2020

Cheers to a good cup of coffee on the weekend!! Time to settle in and get Monday’s podcast recorded. I’m going to be talking about failure.

What are your thoughts on failure? How do you bounce back? I’d love to know so comment below. 👇🏻

20/04/2020

Today on the podcast, I have the privilege to interview . She is the author of Courageous Creative, co-host of the podcast, and a true influence and inspiration in my life. We cover several topics from her books to my journey back to the community of church. We laugh, we cry, and we learn a lot. She brought to light so many things for me and I know that she will help you as well.

One of my favorite quotes from the podcast is “God doesn’t waste anything.” This really hit me because lately I’ve been navigating the calling I feel from God. The reminder that He doesn’t waste anything means that we can learn from everything.

We talk about hearing God’s voice and how we have to trust Him. What is God saying to you today?



https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/17-Hearing-Gods-Voice-wJenny-Randle-ed04an

13/04/2020

Today on the podcast we are diving into the idea of staying sane during COVID-19. I found an article that defined SANE as Strong, Active, Neighborly, and Energetic. Guy Dauncey really gave me a new perspective on this. I am sharing some positive things but also some reminders that we should be taking care of our emotional health as well.

What are some ways you are staying sane during this time?

The link to the podcast is in the comments but you can also find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

08/04/2020

I’m brainstorming on podcast topics and I need your help. What topics would you like to hear about?

Comment below and let me know!

06/04/2020

With all the things happening in the world right now, I want you to know there is a message in the mess. Today I spend some time sharing with you the things that are helping me get through this crazy time. I would love to know how you are making it through. Comment below and let me know.

Also, I did a video version of the podcast. It’s up on YouTube if you prefer to watch the extended, unedited version. Just hop over to the link in the comments.

Let’s have a great Monday!

30/03/2020

When you meet people that help speak purpose into your life, a feeling of calm comes over you. Your mind quiets down and you are able to really hear the message. Well is one of those people in my life. I’m thrilled to share our conversation on the podcast today. We dive into several different topics so head over to the link below to check out the podcast, Episode 14: Life on Purpose with Ann Rose Robertson.



https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/14-Life-on-Purpose-with-Anna-Rose-Robertson-ec3u9a

23/03/2020

Just a reminder I’m on a social media break but that doesn’t mean you don’t get a new podcast today!!

Today I let you listen to a voice memo that I recorded as I was driving home from Nashville when my mind was just flooded with thoughts about what it means to show up in life. I let you hear the ramblings of my thoughts then dive into some insights after the voice memo.

After you listen, let me know how you are showing up for yourself.



https://anchor.fm/heather-balcerek/episodes/13-Show-Up-ebq54d