Why You Need To Read More (Actual) Books

One of my goals for 2026 is reading more. Apparently a few of you are keen to know why, how and what. Great! I got you! In this episode I’m making a case for why you need to read more books, a few tips on how to make that happen, and some context for the 6 recommended reads I posted last week. Enjoy!

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Ultra-Processed Minds: The End of Deep Reading and What It Costs Us

https://carlhendrick.substack.com/p/ultra-processed-minds-the-end-of

Accessed 28.1.26

Reading in the Age of Constant Distraction

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/02/08/reading-in-the-age-of-constant-distraction/

Accessed 28.1.26

Wolf, Maryanne (2018) Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World, Harper Collins, New York

[Patreon Teaser] Using Intuition in Your Yoga Biz

In this episode I'm covering what intuition is and isn't, the 5 kinds of intuition and how they show up and support us in business, some useful questions for knowing the difference between conditioned thought and intuition and some techniques for fostering more space and awareness for blending intuition into you business.

Here’s the link to learn more about counselling: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/counselling

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Goldberg, Phillip (2006) Roadsigns on the Spiritual Path: Living at the Heart of Paradox, New Age Books, New Delhi

Wallis, Christopher, D (2012) Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History and Practice of a Timeless Tradition, Anusara Press, The Woodlands, Texas

Staying Cashflow Positive (And What To Do If You Aren't)

I’ve wanted to talk about cashflow for ages but thought everyone would yawn… until I proposed it to a bunch of you last week! What is cashflow? Why do we need to manage it? How do we do that and what do we do when we have to spend more than we’ve earned?

Check out ‘The Integration Path’ promotion here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

Catch the 5-Day free training here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/retreatreplays

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCE:

Devine, Victoria (2021) She’s on the Money: Take charge of your financial future, Penguin Random House, Sydney

From Thief to Poet: Start with What You Know

Once upon a time a thief became the world’s most famous poet by (safely) trusting the process. If you’re feeling unsure of the next steps to kick your 2026 business year off, this is the episode for you.

Check out ‘The Integration Path’ promotion here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

Sign up for my 3-day free training to see out the end of 2025 and see in the start of 2026! Think yoga nerd jokes, mythology and fun! Here’s the link: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/newyear

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

[PATREON TEASER] My Biggest Learnings from 2025 and My Plans for '26

Enjoy this final episode for the year! See you in 2026!

Sign up for my 3-day free training to see out the end of 2025 and see in the start of 2026! Think yoga nerd jokes, mythology and fun! Here’s the link: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/newyear

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

The 'Real' Yoga Teachers of Bendigo

How do you create a warm and supportive Yoga teacher peer support group? And how do. you conduct yourself when you’re. treated poorly by your colleagues?

Sign up for my 3-day free training to see out the end of 2025 and see in the start of 2026! Think yoga nerd jokes, mythology and fun! Here’s the link: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/newyear

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Completion Avoidance and the 3 Goddesses

If you struggle to get things done, chances are you’re working hard to avoid one of 3 primary business fears. Understanding these fears is key to becoming more productive and reducing your ‘time muddiness’. And, good news, Laksmi, Durga and Saraswati have powerful stories to help you do exactly that!

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Pattanaik, Devdutt (2025) Escaping the Bakasura Trap: Let. Contentment Fuel YourGrowth, Juggernaut, New Delhi

The Fun Scale In Biz or It's Time to Impress the Hell Out of Yourself!

Over the weekend I took a solo hike up a mountain and impressed the hell out of myself. This episode is inspired by that hike, as well as two outdoorsy writers who have some really powerful things to share about having fun… even when we’re not.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

REFERENCES:

Sharwood, Anthony (2020) From Snow to Ash, Hachette, Sydney

‘The Fun Scale’, https://kellycordes.com/2009/11/02/the-fun-scale/ accessed 2.12.25

What Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone Show Us About Your Niche

Watching Bugonia got me thinking: Yoga is for EVERYONE! So how to choose your niche? I’ve got three ways, and #3 is my recommendation.

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale There are only 5 places remaining.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Inside My Class Planning Process

Heads up: this is a bit of a ranty episode, but hopefully it’s useful!

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale There are only 5 places remaining.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Yoga, Strength and Launching an Online Course

Today I’m joined by Victoria Thomas, a fabulous client of mine, who is sharing some fantastic wisdom about why we need to incorporate strength work into our classes and how to do it. Check out Vics’ course here: https://www.yogateacherslab.com/yoga-for-strength-course-165869 and follow her on Insta here: https://www.instagram.com/victoriathomasosteoyoga/

SHOP MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Coaching is 20% off for the rest of the month!

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Choosing Transgressive Acts in The Pursuit of Dreams

SHOP MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

References:

Banerjee Divakaruni, Chitra (2019) The Forest Of Enchantments, Harper Collins, Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Rao, Anjali (2025) Yoga as Embodied Resistance: A Feminist Lens on Caste, Gender and Sacred Resilience in Yoga History, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley

Work Less, Earn More with These 3 Tips

SHOP MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

3 Ways You're Making Biz Unnecessarily and Gargantuanly Difficult

SHOP MY BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Plus I’ve got a lineup of 3 mini shows:

1. Invisible Money is Too Hard to Manage

2. Safe Boundaries when Cultivating Parasocial Connections

3. Newsletters: When, What & How

Access a comp coaching spot (tick the GOYA box) here: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/coaching

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Lessons on Owning A Yoga Studio In Bangkok Part 1

This week I’m joined by Yogatique Bangkok Co-Founder Minh Lowe. Minh has a 23 year Yoga practice and draws her inspiration from a blend of the essential aspects of Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Anursara, Iyengar and Yin practices. Since teaching her first class 14 years ago, Minh has committed to making her classes welcoming, challenging and safe.

Read Minh’s articles here: https://medium.com/@Minh.Lowe

Access a comp coaching spot (tick the GOYA box) here: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/coaching

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

Absorb Less, Act More

A number of my clients have been making themselves dizzy trying to absorb all the free biz growth things on the internet. As well as suddenly being very busy, they’re also confused: what am I doing again? This week I’m going on a tirade about self-soothing with business freebies, and I’ve got 4 considerations if you want to check in with your own freebie addiction.

Those comp coaching spots (tick the GOYA box) are here: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/coaching

The November sale info is here: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/sale

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

What It Means When You Hate Your Students!

Welcome to a brand new season of the Abundant Yoga Teacher Podcast! We are kicking it off with a spicy, ‘real-talk’ topic.

If you value this show, please do consider supporting my work on Patreon. It’s just $5 AUD a month and it makes a big difference to me. Here is the link: https://www.patreon.com/AmyMcDonald

BONUS: The Improbable Daddy of Western Postural Yoga

Greetings from Kolkata, the birthplace of some of the main characters in the story of Yoga’s journey to the West! In touring the homes of these folks, I’ve felt inspired to share with you a Yoga influencer from history that you might have not heard of! This episode previously aired in September 2022 as a Patreon bonus. Enjoy!

Also, in this replay I’m launching my brand new, small and potent 5-part mastermind you’ll actually make your first international retreat happen. Over two fun, focused months, you’ll ditch the overwhelm and plan, price, and market your first international retreat with clarity and confidence.

By the end, you won’t just have ideas — you’ll have your dates locked in, your offer crafted, and real steps taken toward a retreat that’s ready for your students to buy! This is NOT simply a training course. It is YOU, ME and a small group of inspiring colleagues actually getting this work done and making your dream retreat a reality.

Here is the link to check it out: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/getitdoneretreats

Jain, Andrea R (2015) Selling Yoga: from counterculture to pop culture, Oxford University Press, New York

Love, Robert (2010) The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America, Viking, New York

NPR Recording: https://www.npr.org/2010/05/09/126610671/the-great-oom-yogas-wild-ride-to-respectability accessed 26 September 2022

BONUS: 5 Step to Launch Your First International Retreat

Do you have the desire to offer Yoga retreats in exotic locations but you're not sure where to get started with planning your offer? This replay of a webinar I gave earlier this week will be a great start! A heads up about the sound: I hope the content will make up for it.

Also, in this replay I’m launching my brand new, small and potent 5-part mastermind you’ll actually make your first international retreat happen. Over two fun, focused months, you’ll ditch the overwhelm and plan, price, and market your first international retreat with clarity and confidence.

By the end, you won’t just have ideas — you’ll have your dates locked in, your offer crafted, and real steps taken toward a retreat that’s ready for your students to buy! This is NOT simply a training course. It is YOU, ME and a small group of inspiring colleagues actually getting this work done and making your dream retreat a reality.

Here is the link to check it out: https://www.amymcdonald.com.au/getitdoneretreats

Season Finale: 3 Ways to Travel Overseas with Your Yoga Business

Greetings from Ho Chi Minh City! To finish up this season of the show i’ve got 3 inspiring ways to get you out of your comfort zone and on the road teaching, learning and EARNING with your Yoga business! Also, some updates for all the goodies happening on Patreon AND make sure you’re registered for the free webinar happening this week: 5 Steps to Launch Your First International Retreat. I’ll see you there!

Here are my links:

FREE Retreats training: https://mailchi.mp/amymcdonald/overseasretreats

Business coaching: www.amymcdonald.com.au/coaching

Calendar to talk coaching: https://scheduler.zoom.us/amymcdonald/coaching