159 Benjamin Franklin, The American Revolution & Mindfulness Discussed With Historian, Liz Covart

Liz Covart loves the study of history. She is an historian who shares her knowledge of American history with the world through her podcast, Ben Franklin’s World. Each episode features a conversation with an historian who helps shed light on important people and events from early American history that shaped our present-day world. Elizabeth holds a PhD in history from the University of California, Davis, where she studied with 2-time Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Alan Taylor.

Contact Info

• Website: www.BenFranklinsWorld.com
  
• Twitter: @LizCovart
• Podcast: Ben Franklin's World
  

Most Influential Person

• Alan Taylor (My advisor)

Effect on Emotions

• I'm very logical and I think being mindful and thinking out every situation as to what it is, what it could be, where it could go, helps me come up with an appropriate and emotional mindset.

Thoughts on Breathing

• I do a lot of yoga so breathing is always important. I make sure I breathe and I will think about my breathing as I'm running, during my moving meditation as well. So breathing plays a big role. Anytime I get really stressed out or run into some sort of hurdle I need to overcome, I'm always making sure I take a deep breath. I find breath to be very calming and centering.

Suggested Resources

• Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
• App: Naturescape (It plays nature sounds)

Advice for Newbie

I'd start with taking a few minutes each day and I would make it first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed; those tend to be the easiest I think. Just take a little bit of time for yourself each day and reflect upon your day or focus on your breath. Do just something small, like baby steps, to get into a way of thinking about how you can be mindful and how breath or taking moments like that can improve your day.