It's not exactly clear what we mean when we say "self care." By popular usage, it could mean anything from going to yoga to spending a Saturday in bed. Self care is front and center in our conversations about work-life balance, and it's all over our Instagram feeds. In this episode of DC Diary, we talk about what exactly self care is with Self Care Coach Gracy Obuchowicz. Then, Ronald Young Jr., host of the podcast Time Well Spent, tells a story about how he came to prioritize self care in his daily life. This episode was produced by Michelle Harven. Our theme song was composed by Bryson Kemp.

The government has been shutdown for more than 30 days now.  This podcast is about what we do outside of work, but what do we do when there is no work?  We talked with furloughed feds in DC at 2 bars offering shutdown specials - Capitol Lounge and Atlas Brew Works. 

Giving back to our communities is sometimes like exercising and eating well - we know we should do it, it makes us feel good, but if we're not in the habit, it can be hard to know where to start. This episode is about volunteering and giving back. Featuring Friends of the Soldiers Home, a community volunteer group at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and Paws and Read, a volunteer opportunity for kids at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. This episode was produced by Michelle Harven. Our theme song is by Bryson Kemp at https://www.brysonkempmusic.com/.

Creative side hustles can range from stand up comedy to painting, writing to podcasting, baking to music.  We pursue side hustles for any number of reasons: to build a career, to scratch that creative itch, or to share our unique voice.  This episode explores the creative side hustles we pursue and why we pursue them.  

Check out Mike Whitfield online at whitfieldcomedy.com, and on twitter at @cmikewhitfield. He’s also part of the comedy group definitely real comedy, find them at definitelyrealcomedy.com.  You can find Carlos online at carmonamedina.com.

This episode is produced by Michelle Harven. Theme song by Bryson Kemp.  Other music in the episode by Poddington Bear, Jeris, Daddy Scramble, and Blue Dot Sessions.

Young professionals in DC play social sports as a way to meet new people, stay in shape, and have fun. Sometimes, the focus is fun. In the league Project Black Flag, the focus is winning. On this episode of DC Diary, we follow two teams in their bid for the 2018 Spring Championship for Project Black Flag, a flag football league. This episode was mixed and produced by Michelle Harven. Melody Rowell helped with field production. Our theme music was composed by Bryson Kemp.

Welcome back to a brand new season of DC Diary! In season two, we're focusing on anything outside of your 9-5. Episode one is all about how we keep our personal and professional lives separate... Or how we don't.

“I'm a very professional, political guy. I really love art, I love movies, I love listening to new music, I love very experimental artistic movies. And I really enjoy keeping professional politics stuff from 9-5.”

This episode was produced by Morgan Givens and Melody Rowell. Our production assistant is Simona Ruzer. Our theme music was composed by Bryson Kemp, and you can find him at brysonkempmusic.com.

For the festival, we put together a short piece that gives a little flavor of the show. We thought we could share this bonus content with your podcast feed. And don't worry - we're working on season 2 right now, so there's more DC Diary to come. 

Thank you for listening and supporting the show, and thank you for lending your voices and stories to us so we can keep creating.  

Sometimes we get caught up in the crazy news cycle and we lose track of what's really going on around us. In this episode, we do a quick reality check for Washingtonians. At happy hour, you answered the question, "What's something everyone knows but no one wants to admit?" And Stephanie talks to Mike Gula, a Republican fundraiser, about what it's really like watching from the inside.

This is the last episode of Season 1 of DC Diary! Thanks for sticking with us over the past year. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates. We'll have new events and episodes for you soon. Our brand new theme song was composed by Bryson Kemp, you can find him at brysonkempmusic.com. Other music in our episode was composed by Broke for Free, Miró Belle, Jahzzar, and Podington Bear.

Our sponsors for this episode are Time on the Hill and Pixel Eyewear. Adam Hainsfurther is our Executive Producer.

Forging relationships in DC can involve a certain amount of nuance - we trade business cards for friendship and flirt at receptions to find a date.  On this episode of DC Diary, we explore the dating scene and how we can meet and connect with other singles in the city.  Comedian and writer Jon Savitt and host Stephanie Logan come up with 5 tips to meet people in real life. And guest London tells the story of meeting her girlfriend (it involves a lot of cross-Atlantic travel).  

We want to hear your stories and tips on dating in DC (and hear how our 5 tips work for your dating life!), so use #IRLDCdating to send us your stories. You can find us on Twitter at @dcdiarypodcast and follow Jon at @Savittj.  

When you live in DC, chances are most of your friends grew up somewhere else. And whether home is inside or outside the beltway, it seems like we're always missing somewhere. Our guests are from South Dakota, Colombia(by way of Virginia), Afghanistan (by way of New Mexico), and Washington, DC. Hear how homesickness affects each of them, despite their different backgrounds.

Today’s episode was brought to you by Time On The Hill. Time On The Hill provides resources for job candidates looking for opportunities in Congress. Their resources include helpful online tools like a directory of senior staff email contacts, writing samples, job and internship postings, and university alumni networks and even on one coaching. They have helped place hundreds of staffers on Capitol Hill, and they have so many resources to help anyone and everyone find opportunities to work in Congress! Check out their website at timeonthehill.com com to see how Time On The Hill can help you. On Capitol Hill there are thousands of positions. You only need one.

This episode is also brought to you by Pixel eyewear. If you’re like me, you spend hours a day on the computer. It’s the sad truth that I’m almost constantly looking at a screen. That’s why I got a pair of computer glasses from Pixel eyewear. These non-prescription glasses filter blue light from your screens to give your eyes protection and comfort. And they come in cute styles that you’ll feel good wearing! Go to pixeleyewear.com to get your computer glasses, and use code DIARY at checkout to get $5 off your first purchase.

Today’s episode was brought to you by Time On The Hill. Time On The Hill provides resources for job candidates looking for opportunities in Congress. Their resources include helpful online tools like a directory of senior staff email contacts, writing samples, job and internship postings, and university alumni networks and even on one coaching. They have helped place hundreds of staffers on Capitol Hill, and they have so many resources to help anyone and everyone find opportunities to work in Congress! Check out their website at timeonthehill.com com to see how Time On The Hill can help you. On Capitol Hill there are thousands of positions. You only need one.

Today's episode was also brought to you by Bossed Up. If today's episode spoke to you and you're looking for a way out of the spiral of stress that leads to burnout for so many of us, know this: you don't have to go it alone. Bossed Up, hosts a powerful, one-of-a-kind weekend training program for women who want to craft a more sustainable career path. It's called Bossed Up Bootcamp and she and her team of expert trainers are hosting these award-winning weekends in DC, Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami this year. Apply now at bossedup.org/Bootcamp and enter promo code DIARY for $100 off your ticket.

What you’ll hear on this show is stories that are told in one on one interviews and candid conversations from the recording booth at our DC Diary happy hour events. You won’t catch these kinds of stories on your nightly news, your morning update, or your newsfeed. Because this show isn’t about the politics or policy - it’s about people.