Welcome to a brand new year!

This month's recommendations are extra exciting.

We are in award season (Golden Globes, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys), which means we went to the theater, watched some new TV shows and, of course, listened to some awesome podcasts, and audiobooks.

We all have our “go-to” playlists for when we need to get things done or that movie we watch over and over again because it just brings us so much joy. Some of us even have a site we always land on for creative inspiration or new ideas. Your Creative Curations if you will.

So here is our list of creative curations, the best places we have found inspiration when we just need to finish those projects or when we need a good laugh.

January's Best Music

We all love music, and our tastes are as unique as we are. Here are three of our favorite songs, albums, or artists this month.

• Wicked: The Original Motion Picture Score by John Powell & Stephen Schwartz– Amazing, fun, creative and keeps the essence of the original Wicked musical.
• Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish– “Is probably Billies best album ever, the sound selection, the arrangements, everything is so intentional, I haven’t heard such an intentional album like this one for 2024. I actually hope she wins Album of the Year. There is something so brilliant about being yourself and putting that into your own music and Billite hit it out of the park.”- Rod (Sarah's friend)
• CRACK A SMILE COME ON STAY A WHILE by Abby Holiday– “Abby is probably an album that will surprise you. This is a new artist; she is up and coming but her music feels is been here for decades, abby knows how to write songs, and she has their perfect team that creates exactly what is inside her mind. She is such a good artist, and she will go far, totally recommend this is you are into indie, rock, or pop vibes.”

January's Best Books

We’re passionate about great stories, whether they’re read or heard. This month, we’re sharing three of our favorite books and audiobooks, featuring compelling content, impactful authors, and narratives that stay with you long after the final page or chapter.

• Nonviolent Communication: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values by Marshall B. Rosenberg – “It teaches you a “language of need” effectively with others as well as to listen for others' needs. I found this book simple but also life-changing.“- Nathan S.
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer – “It gave me a new understanding of how to effectively slow down physically, mentally and spiritually.” – Jefferson S
• Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara – “I'm a huge fan of great restaurants, which was one reason this peaked my interest but I loved how Will shared the processes and lengths they went to care for their customers. No matter what industry you're in, this book will inspire you to care for your customers in new ways. It's also a great book on how to lead a team to achieve really audacious goals.”- JT

January's Best Podcasts

• The Ed Mylett Show & The Mel Robbins Podcast– “I love both of these podcasts because they provide tactical tips and motivate me to become the best version of myself and live up to my full potential.“- Samantha
• The School of Greatness Podcast– “This podcast delivers valuable insights on achieving success across different aspects of life through its diverse guests and actionable advice. Lewis’s genuine approach, openness, and top-notch production create an engaging and impactful listening experience. For anyone looking for inspiration and personal development, this is a must-listen.”
• How I built this with Guy Raz–  “Widely regarded as one of the best business podcasts, this show stands out for its deep-dive interviews with successful entrepreneurs, thought-provoking questions from host Guy Raz, and compelling stories of the struggles and successes behind building iconic companies. It's an excellent choice for anyone seeking inspiration and insights into entrepreneurship and motivation.”

January's Best Movies/TV Shows

• Severance (Apple TV)– This show is good. A new season is coming at the start of the year!“- Josh
• A Man On the Inside (Netflix)– “Never too old for a fresh new start in life ♥️.”- Tim
• A Real Pain (Theaters)- “Hilarious but not without some heartbreak.”

January's Best Websites/Apps

• Web tip: “Add “cooked.wiki/ ” before any website to remove everything but the basic recipe/instructions.”– Kat
• Every Mother: “Every Mother creates a personalized daily exercise regimen tailored to address your unique core and pelvic floor needs at any life stage, whether you need help with one or multiple symptoms.”
  

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