Art Basel and UBS today published ‘Resilience in the Dealer Sector: A Mid-Year Review 2021’, written by renowned cultural economist and Founder of Arts Economics, Dr. Clare McAndrew. The survey presents an analysis of the global dealer sector in the first half of 2021 amidst the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the employment structures and sales. The analysis is based on responses from over 700 dealers operating in art and antiques markets in 54 regions or countries. The report also presents the results of a survey of high-net-worth (HNW) collectors across five major art markets – the US, UK, Hong Kong SAR (China), Germany, and Switzerland – conducted by Arts Economics and UBS Investor Watch. The survey focuses on HNW collectors’ interactions with dealers and galleries in 2021. The full Mid-Year report is free to download on the Art Basel and UBS websites. Key findings of ‘Resilience in the Dealer Sector: A Mid-Year Review 2021’ include: Employment The effects of the pandemic on employment was a major concern for businesses over the last year. However, there were promising signs that some of the job losses incurred during 2020 were recouped in 2021, with the average number of those employed in the sector (seven) returning to 2019 levels after a dip in 2020. 23% of businesses downsized their workforce in 2020; however, in the first half of 2021, the share of dealers hiring (25%) exceeded those losing staff (13%). In 2021, 52% of dealers reported having some employees working remotely, with 27% doing so occasionally and 25% more regularly. 54% of those businesses with remote work had introduced it in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the sector continued to support gender-balanced, knowledge-based jobs. In the primary market, 52% had a female founder, and women made up the majority of employees at partner level (61%) and 76% of sales and commercial directors. Gallery Sales 51% of dealers reported an increase in sales in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, versus 45% reporting a decline and the remaining 4% at a stable level. Sales in the sector, as a whole, increased by 10%. All segments of the market in excess of $1 million, saw improvements in sales, with dealers with over $10 million in turnover reporting the highest average change in sales (21%). Dealers with turnover less than $250,000 saw sales dip marginally below H1-2020, and mid-sized dealers in the $500,000 to $1 million turnover segment saw values decrease by 3% on average. Asian dealers reported the biggest improvement in sales in the first half of 2021 – with an average 18% increase over 12 months – dealers in Europe reported the poorest performance, with a 7% decline on average. Online Sales The shift to online sales was by no means transient; the share of online sales for dealers at all levels remained more than double the level of 2019 and this channel accounted for 33% of all sales (or 37%, including art fair Online Viewing Rooms). While still a minority share in the first half of 2021, online sales to new buyers expanded, accounting for 38% of all online sales by value. A further 25% were to existing clients buying online for the first time from dealers in 2021. While potentially indicative of the success of digital strategies in expanding the base of buyers, figures demonstrate the difficulties in retaining repeat business online. Digital Art While digital, film, and video art remained a relatively smaller proportion (16%) of HNWIs’ collections, 48% of HNW collectors reported an interest in purchasing digital art works over the next 12 months. Digital art accounted for 12% of the aggregate median spending by collectors in 2021, with the highest expenditure by millennials averaging $20,000 in the first half of 2021. However, the dealer survey showed that digital art sales accounted for less than 0.5% of the value of sales in the primary market in 2021, indicating a significant portion of the activity in sales of NFTs related to digital art occurred outside of the traditional gallery framework. Global Wealth and Art Buyers Despite the crisis, the median expenditure by HNW collectors rose 10% year-on-year in 2020, and the first half of 2021 saw a further increase of 42% on average (to $242,000, higher than either 2019 or 2020 in just six months), illustrating the impact of HNW collectors on market recovery. The advance was driven by millennial collectors, who had the highest spending overall ($378,000) – more than three times the level of their older peers. In the first half of 2021, spending by female HNW collectors increased by just over onethird to $410,000, more than double the level of their male counterparts, whose spending grew by just 9%. Dealers and galleries were the most used channel for purchasing, with 82% of collectors having purchased through a dealer in the first half of 2021. When presented the choice of buying works through a dealer or gallery versus an online marketplace, 80% of collectors preferred dealers. Despite ongoing concerns and setbacks, HNW collectors planned to attend, in total, 40 events in 2021 – only one less than the average reported in 2019. Across all collectors, online platforms were used by over one-third of the sample and 32% had bought directly using Instagram. Dealers’ Role in Artists’ Careers Exhibition data from Wondeur AI on the careers of a sample of 2,700 top-tier artists whose exhibition journey began after 1985 illustrated the importance of commercial galleries throughout the artists’ careers. For emerging artists, commercial galleries accounted for an equal share of the number of exhibitions as non-profit centers (36%). As artists’ careers developed, museums played a larger role; however, even at the star stage, when artists had reached the top 2% status, galleries accounted for 26% of all exhibitions. The analysis also showed that although the gallery sector is highly top-heavy in terms of sales, focusing on exhibitions and the support of artists’ careers reveals a very distributed system: in the emerging phase of their careers, there were 4,060 commercial galleries and 84 art fairs exhibiting the works of artists; these for-profit institutions accounted for close to half of those involved in running exhibitions by artists, with museums making up 20%. Looking Ahead Overall, 91% of dealers estimated that their sales would either increase or remain stable over the next 12 months, with 9% predicting a decline. 37% of dealers predicted greater net profitability in 2021 compared to 2020, with a further third predicting their profits would be stable. The majority of dealers (78%) predicted their employment numbers would remain stable, with 4% estimating they would be downsizing further and 18% looking to hire more employees. 64% predicted their online sales would continue to increase over the next 12 months, with only 5% predicting a decline through this channel. 66% also predicted an increase in art fair sales, with 13% predicting declines. 69% of dealers reported maintaining relationships with existing collectors as their top priority in 2021, followed by online sales and exhibitions (50%) and art fair participation (41%). Clare McAndrew, Founder, Arts Economics said: ‘While art sales have been relatively resilient during the crisis, some of the biggest fears for dealer sector have centered on employment. This research has uncovered some promising signs that some job losses have been recouped in 2021, along with indications of transformations within the industry that will continue to affect working practices in the future. While some aspects of work are changing, a constant in the sector is the dominance of high knowledge, gender balanced employment. The research showed that, alongside the quality of the work and artists they offered, dealers are valued by collectors most for their knowledge and expertise as well as the long-term focus and trust built into their relationships. As more art is sold online and outside the traditional gallery framework, their critical role in establishing and managing the careers of artists has also been highlighted.’ Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel, said: ‘Arriving during one of the most challenging and potentially transformative periods ever experienced by the global art market, our Mid-Year Review by Clare McAndrew provides crucial insights into the resilience and rapid – adaptations that galleries across all sectors have shown – especially in terms of deploying the digital strategies devised last year. Clare's report details the remarkably robust and continued interest in collecting driving the art market's recovery, and confirms that collectors remain eager to buy art in person.’ Christl Novakovic, CEO UBS Europe SE and Head Wealth Management Europe and Chair of The UBS Art Board said: ‘UBS believes in the power of art to connect people for a better world. Out of crisis springs innovation and drive for change. The fallout from the pandemic offers us a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at markets, the evolving role of gallerists and dealers and help rebuild them in a more sustainable manner. Our findings demonstrate that digital acceleration continues apace, bringing with it evolutions and challenges to traditional market structures, along with new business opportunities.’ ‘Resilience in the Dealer Sector: A Mid-Year Review 2021’ is accessible here free of charge. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Art Basel Miami

This Chinese-style cauliflower fried rice is a healthy, low-carb dish that’s hearty enough to serve as a main course. Cauliflower rice, or cauliflower grated into rice-like bits, really does taste similar to rice, or at least it behaves similarly by soaking up all the flavor of its seasonings. In this quick and easy cauliflower fried rice recipe, I sauté grated cauliflower with aromatics, vegetables, soy sauce, and eggs, much like Chinese-style fried rice. It’s a healthy, low-carb dish that’s hearty enough to serve as a main course. WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE You’ll likely be able to find grated cauliflower in the produce or frozen vegetable section of your supermarket. But if not, it’s simple to make using a food processor (use the grating disc) or hand grater. HOW TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE As with any quick stir-fry, it’s important to have all of your ingredients prepped before you start cooking. Begin by heating a few teaspoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs and a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat until scrambled. Set the eggs aside, then sauté the scallions, ginger, and garlic in oil until softened. Add the grated cauliflower, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes. Add the peas and carrots and continue cooking until the cauliflower “rice” is tender-crisp and the vegetables are warmed through, a few minutes. Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, dark green scallions, nuts (if using), and scrambled eggs. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and enjoy! Cauliflower Fried Rice By Jennifer Segal This Chinese-style cauliflower fried rice is a healthy, low-carb dish that’s hearty enough to serve as a main course. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes INGREDIENTS Vegetable oil 2 large eggs, beaten Salt 1 cup chopped scallions, light and green parts separated (you'll need 5-6 scallions) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger, from a 1-inch knob One 2-lb head cauliflower (or 2 pounds ready to cook' cauliflower) 4-5 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed) 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup frozen peas and carrots 1 teaspoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon Asian/toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup chopped cashews or peanuts (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Grate the cauliflower in a food processor fitted with the grating disc. Alternatively, grate on the large holes of a box or hand-held grater. Set aside. (Skip this step if using 'ready to cook' cauliflower rice.) Heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large (10 or 12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the eggs and a pinch of salt and scramble until the eggs are cooked. Transfer to a small plate and set aside. Wipe the pan clean. Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the pan and set over medium heat. Add the light scallions, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower, 4 tablespoons of the soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes. Add the peas and carrots and continue cooking until the cauliflower "rice" is tender-crisp and the vegetables are warmed through, a few minutes. Stir in the rice vinegar, sesame oil, dark green scallions, nuts (if using) and eggs. Taste and adjust seasoning (adding the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce if necessary). Serve hot. NUTRITION INFO Per serving (4 servings) Serving size:about 2 cups Calories:273 Fat:17 g Saturated fat:2 g Carbohydrates:22 g Sugar:8 g Fiber:7 g Protein:12 g Sodium:1717 mg Cholesterol:93 mg Special thanks to Jennifer Segal, for the recipe and images. You can support Jennifer by purchasing her cookbook, "Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook," featuring over 100 delightful recipes.

The Nader Museum proudly announces Botero Immersed in honor of Fernando Botero. A visual and engaging passage into the work of acclaimed Colombian Master Fernando Botero with music composed by twenty-two times Grammy winner world producer Emilio Estefan. FERNANDO BOTERO [Colombia b.1932] A Family Oil on canvas Signed and dated “Botero ‘16” lower right 49 5/8 x 39 in.[126 x 99 cm.] Painted in 2016 FERNANDO BOTERO [Colombia b.1932] La Cantante, 2016 Signed and dated “Botero ‘16” lower right Oil on canvas 57 ½ x 39 3/8 in.[146 x 100 cm.] Botero Immersed will be open to the public from December 2, 2021, through January 31, 2022, at the Nader Museum located in the Wynwood Arts District, Miami. "There is a special fondness for Botero's work in South Florida, and we are thrilled to share once again the work of such an admired artist," said Gary Nader. FERNANDO BOTERO [Colombian b.1932] The President Oil on canvas Signed and dated, Botero ‘71, lower right 82 x 63 in. [208.3 x 160 cm.] Painted in 1971 The exhibition, defined by Nader as "a remarkable cultural affair and multimedia experience," will feature Botero's iconic body of work from the 60's to the present day through interactive 360º digital projections, lights, music, and sounds. Guests will witness a selection of significant pieces representing his oeuvre over the last six decades, such as the circus personages, bullfighting, life in Latin America and its people, and adaptations of the work of art history masters. Botero's narratives go beyond the represented object; a single image is full of connotations, and it may take spectators to a vast and unique universe of experiences. The Nader Museum, with over 1200 works of art from over 150+ important modern and contemporary masters, is compromised to elevate the importance of our culture by promoting excellence, a work performed by his founder Gary Nader for over 40 years. FERNANDO BOTERO [Colombian b.1932] The President Oil on canvas Signed and dated, Botero ‘71, lower right 82 x 63 in. [208.3 x 160 cm.] Painted in 1971 Botero Immersed is also intended to promote the Nader Museum, a not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 tax status. The museum is dedicated to showcasing a myriad of acclaimed art that fosters knowledge through a continuous process of appreciation and reinterpretation of modern and contemporary art from Latin American and its diaspora. Through a permanent collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, installations, and other media, the museum's audience can experience and appreciate one of the world's most significant regions of today's contemporary art scene. FERNANDO BOTERO [Colombian b.1932] Carnival Oil on canvas Signed and dated, Botero ‘16, lower right 60 5/8 x 39 3/8 in. [154 x 100 cm.] Painted in 2016 Hours and Admission Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All visitors must reserve timed admission tickets on sale at the exhibition’s website www.boteroimmersed.com Instagram: @boteroimmersed Nader Museum 62 NE 27 St. Miami, FL 33137 info@nadermuseum.com | www.nadermuseum.com Tues to Sun 10 am to 6 pm. T.305.576.0256 By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Nader Museum

We got the scoop that the following VIPs were wearing Gucci! Nominee for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for I May Destroy You, Paapa Essiedu wore a Gucci DIY MTO dark blue silk shantung double breasted peak lapel tuxedo and black leather loafers with Horsebit detail. Image Courtesy of Ryan Pfluger Kristen McMenamy wore Gucci Aria look 68 black gothic lace crew-neck sleeveless top with a black and multicolor all-over sequin embroidered light classic chantilly pencil skirt, silver metallic leather high heel platform sandals and a black patent leather clutch with Dionysus closure to an intimate dinner and party hosted by British Vogue and Tiffany & Co. to celebrate Fashion and Film during London Fashion Week September 2021 at The Londoner Hotel on September 20, 2021 in London, England. Image Courtesy of Getty Emma Marrone wore Gucci Ouverture look 93 black chiffon creponne crew-neck, long sleeve dress with sequin embroidered bib and black patent leather platform boots while performing on stage during the "Heroes" Event at Arena Di Verona on September 18, 2021 in Verona, Italy. Image Courtesy of Getty Amandla Stenberg wore Gucci Epilogue look 6 black leather vest and skirt with printed python leather details and white braided leather high heel sandals for an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on September 17, 2021 in New York City. Image Courtesy of Getty Isaiah Simmons wore a Gucci Aria orange and yellow multicolor GG Psychedelic silk twill bowling shirt and shorts with a yellow GG embossed leather duffle bag while arriving to the Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. By ML Staff

Eat Me Guilt Free is packing the holidays full of promotions and bundles featuring tasty, better-for-you treats. Whether it’s a festive holiday bundle or a giveaway for a wellness trip to sunny Miami, FL, just in time for the New Year, Eat Me Guilt Free’s offerings are certain to bring healthy happiness to all this holiday season. All promotions include Eat Me Guilt Free’s brownies, featuring its brand-new formula that has less sugar, is non-GMO and uses modified atmosphere packaging to exclude unnecessary preservatives. It features ingredients sourced in Europe, where regulations against food additives are more stringent than in the U.S. The new formula is packed with 14 grams of protein, and is low-carb, with under 200 calories per serving. While improving the quality of ingredients in its products, Eat Me Guilt Free remains focused on maintaining an unprecedented protein-packed and low-carb ratio. “Through the holidays and into 2022, we are happy to share these special promotions and bundles that can serve as unique gift-giving ideas, or simply a great way for our customers to treat themselves,” said Cristie Besu, Eat Me Guilt Free’s CEO and founder, and a Miami-based Cuban-American businesswoman. Eat Me Guilt Free’s irresistible promotions and bundles include: Black Friday and Miami Wellness Trip Giveaway It’s not only good deals, but a chance to win a memorable wellness trip! From Nov. 25, 12 a.m. EST–Nov. 28, 11:59 p.m. EST, Eat Me Guilt Free will give anyone 30 percent off on any products on its website with the code BF21. Plus, Eat Me Guilt Free will give away a Miami wellness trip to one lucky winner who finds the “airplane” ticket in his/her Eat Me Guilt Free package. Any purchases made Nov. 25–29 will be entered to win. The prize includes one flight ticket to Miami, a 2-night hotel stay at a top Miami hotel, yoga session and spa package including a massage and pampering. And there’s more! Eat Me Guilt Free will place additional tickets in other boxes purchased for a chance to win free brownies, subscriptions and more! Cyber Monday This Cyber Monday sale just gets better and better! Happening on Monday, Nov. 29 from 12 a.m.–11:59 p.m. EST, Eat Me Guilt Free will offer 15 percent off of one item, 20 percent off of two items, and 30 percent off of three or more items. Giving Tuesday ‘Tis the season to give back! Giving its followers the chance to spread the love of healthy treats, Eat Me Guilt Free asks their Instagram followers to nominate someone deserving of an Eat Me Guilt Free care package featuring one variety box of brownies, one protein bread and tortilla bundle, one mask, and one hand sanitizer. To enter, followers will have to go to Eat Me Guilt Free’s Instagram post and tag a friend who they are grateful for and why they are inspired by them. 12 Days of Gifting in December From Dec. 1–12, Eat Me Guilt Free will unveil promotions and partner giveaways on its Instagram and newsletter. Christmas “Festive AF Holiday Bundle” Starting Nov. 30, Eat Me Guilt Free baked up this delicious bundle, including 12 holiday cheer brownies, a Santa hat embroidered with Eat Me Guilt Free logo), a red stocking, candy canes, and a lip-shaped cookie cutter ― all packaged in a box inside a box, with Christmas wrapping paper. The last day to order in time for Christmas is Dec. 17. Valued at $90, this bundle is available for purchase at $69.99. The Holiday Cheer is Eat Me Guilt Free’s limited edition holiday brownie and a fan favorite. The chocolate brownie encompasses deliciously decadent white chocolate chips and is coated in green and red sprinkles that are both festive and delectable, making for the perfect holiday hack to get through the season. The seasonal brownie is only available for purchase from Nov. 11 through Dec. 31, 2021. New Year’s 2022 Vibes Bundle On Dec. 30, Eat Me Guilt Free will launch its 2022 Vibes Bundle, which includes January’s flavor the month “Love You So Matcha,” a green blondie infused with matcha powder; a four-pack of the Mini Baguette Protein Bread; one loaf of Not Quite White Protein Bread; resistance bands; a motivational gallon water bottle with the Eat Me Guilt Free logo ― all packaged in a workout duffle bag. Valued at $100, this bundle is available for purchase at $79.99. From Jan. 28–31, it’s buy one, get 50 percent off the second on the 2022 Vibes Bundle. New Year/January 2022 Promotions Eat Me Guilt Free customers can start the New Year off with a bang! From Jan. 7–21, they can enjoy 50 percent off their first month’s subscription. With this monthly subscription, baked goods lovers can enjoy a simple and beneficial way to receive automatic shipments of their favorite items, directly to their doorstep! It’s easy to choose the delivery interval that works best with the desired frequency. And there are so many perks with the monthly subscription, including: Exclusive first tastes on all upcoming products at no additional cost Exclusive early access to purchase unreleased products Exclusive promotions and sales Access to Eat Me Guilt Free’s VIP Facebook Group Anniversary gifts at three and six months, and then every 12 months. Yes, the longer the subscription, the better the gifts become! For more information, please visit https://www.eatmeguiltfree.com/ By ML Staff. Top image by courtesy of Unsplash

On Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7:00 p.m., American Heritage Schools, the top-ranked PK-3 through 12 college preparatory school, invites educators from throughout the country to its virtual “Continuing Education Webinar and Job Fair.” From the convenience of their homes, attendees will learn about job opportunities available at the schools’ Broward Campus and Palm Beach Campus and earn 1.5 hours of continuing education credit by attending a keynote address given by nationally recognized science teacher, Casey Bethel. American Heritage Schools is one of the top four largest private schools in the nation, and among the top 20 largest employers in South Florida. It is headed by educators rather than a board of directors, and maintains subsidiary departments in-house, such as Admissions, Human Resources, Curriculum Development, and PR/Marketing. The Schools also offer free tuition for employees’ children and salary supplementation for additional roles, including tutoring during the year and teaching at the Summer Institute over the summer. The topic of Bethel’s webinar is “Teaching with Growth Mindset: Steps to Success.” Bethel is an experienced AP Physics, AP Biology and Physical Science teacher from New Manchester High in Douglasville, Georgia. He is currently the Science and STEM Director for the district while also teaching part-time. He is a powerful and engaging motivational speaker who is sought after by schools, school systems, and civic organizations all across the country. Bethel was Georgia Teacher of the Year in 2017 and has inspired educators across the nation through his many keynote addresses and appearances at conferences and schools, including Teach Your Heart Out, ASCD Empower conferences, and the National Network of State Teachers of the Year. “We are always seeking qualified educators who are passionate and motivated to work with the best and brightest students in the nation,” said Dr. Douglas Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “Our ‘Continuing Education Webinar and Job Fair’ will give job-seekers the chance to discover who we are and the current positions we have available, while at the same time get empowered and gain knowledge about new trends in teaching from an inspirational speaker and nationally renowned educator, Casey Bethel.” The virtual webinar and job fair will take place via Zoom and is free to attend. For more information about American Heritage Schools’ Continuing Education & Job Fair and registration, please click here. Any questions may be sent by email to Olivia Jenkins at olivia.jenkins@ahschool.com. For more information about American Heritage Schools’ open positions, please visithttps://www.ahschool.com/careers-at-ahs. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Unsplash

Bill Hansen Catering announces a new partnership with Alexander Event Catering and Different Look, two leading brands that have served South Florida’s wedding and special events market for more than 15 years. The equal partnership between Bill Hansen and Monica Festinger, who is staying on board as founder and co-owner of Different Look and Alexander Event Catering, will build upon the brand expertise that Bill Hansen and his team have brought to South Florida for over 40 years. “Bill Hansen has always been a great inspiration to me throughout my whole career,” said Festinger. “I’m thrilled that we finally have the opportunity to work together after working alongside each other as competing vendors for so many years.” For nearly two decades, Alexander Event Catering has provided off-site catering services for events in South Florida, creating diverse menus for one-of-a-kind celebrations. From elegantly served hors d’oeuvres to interactive serving stations to plated dinners, the team works with clients to make their visions come to life. Alexander Event Catering is listed as a preferred caterer at some of South Florida’s top wedding and event venues, including Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, the Ancient Spanish Monastery, and many more. Different Look is a wholesale event rental company specializing in luxury tabletop curation and design. The brand is a leading partner for vendors throughout South Florida known for its unparalleled inventory of tabletop supplies – including china, charger plates, flatware, and glassware – in unique designs and materials from all over the globe. The company also ships nationwide. Both Alexander Event Catering and Different Look will continue to operate as usual, servicing private events and weddings out of their facility in Deerfield Beach. The difference is now they’ll receive expertise, guidance, and support from Bill Hansen and his team. Bill Hansen Catering will continue to invest in brand growth for each unit under the Bill Hansen umbrella, offering new infrastructure, processes, staffing, training, and more. This partnership will bring a new standard of luxury to South Florida events as a whole. Craig Edelman, who has up to now served as Bill Hansen Catering’s business advisor and chief financial officer, structured the deal. He will now work with both brands to help accelerate growth as President and CFO of M & B Hospitality Holdings LLC, the newly formed parent company which includes the two subsidiaries. By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Graig Edelman

StruXure creates pergolas, an outdoor structure made of columns, which is a perfect solution for controlling the weather in your outdoor space. Highly efficient, customizable and beautifully designed, Miami Living brings you StruXure. Founded in 2011, CEO and Chief Product Architect Scott Selzer had simply set out to design a better pergola to improve the outdoor space for one of his clients. A middle-school teacher at the time, with a part-time remodeling business, Scott created his own product, a pivoting louvered-roof structure that the user could control, when he couldn’t locate one on the market. Little did he know he’d begun a journey that would lead to one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Steady growth attracted top talent and led the company to open a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters just north of Atlanta, GA in 2016. A West Coast Fulfillment Center and Showroom, located just outside of Las Vegas, NV, was added in the fall of 2017. With dealers from Canada to the Caribbean, the company is poised and ready to lead the way to more innovative outdoor living across North America and beyond. “Together, we can help people live better, by bringing the indoors out through beautiful design and exceptional quality.” -Scott Selzer, Founder & CEO A leader in outdoor living products, StruXure offers homeowners their very own custom oasis with its pergolas and cabanas. The pergolas and soonto-be-launched cabanas allow people to enjoy the outdoors while remaining protected from the changing seasonal elements, especially handy as we enjoy fall and head into winter. Make it your own - StruXure products can be an entertaining space one day, a yoga studio the next, and an outdoor home office. With features like motorized adjustable louvers and controlled LED lights, the possibilities are endless. StruXure’s Pergola X is the modern day pergola that has the technology to open, close, pivot, and slide depending on your needs. The Pergola X comes in 4 models: Pivot 6 The Pivot 6 is our most popular model for homeowners. With pivoting louvers you are able to control the amount of sun that you want coming in to your space. Our uniquely designed louvers pivot a full 170°, offering protection regardless of the sun’s position. You can enjoy your space with full sun, no sun, some sun, whatever your heart desires. Pivot 6 XL For commercial applications, the Pivot 6 XL was engineered to span further and handle three times more rain water than our industry-leading Pivot 6 design. This enables StruXure to design bigger systems to accommodate larger projects, making us the industry leader commercially. Pivot 6 Slide For homeowners and businesses looking for that driving-with-the-sunroof-open feeling…the Pivot 6 Slide was born. We challenged our design team to create a system that can do what no other louvered system can do: give you full sky. The Pivot 6 Slide allows you to still control the louvers like the Pivot 6 but also allows you to fully open and close the system giving you a clear view of the sky with no louvers at all. Pan 6 When you don’t need every section of your Pergola X to be automated, we offer a fixed ceiling panel option that seamlessly integrates and protects. The Pan 6 is perfect for larger projects with multiple zones where you can alternate between louvers and pans. CONNECT WITH STRUXURE https://struxure.com/ https://www.instagram.com/struxureoutdoor/ https://www.facebook.com/StruxureOutdoor/ East Coast Fulfillment Center 154 Ethan Allen Drive Dahlonega, GA 30533 Telephone: 866-603-6924 West Coast Fulfillment Center 7390 Eastgate Rd #190 Henderso NV 89011 Telephone: 866-603-6924 By ML Staff | Images courtesy of Struxure

On the occasion of Miami’s cultural week this month, Italian shipyard Rossinavi is proud to present Sea Cat 40, a new fully electric catamaran concept, the first one conceived by the brand. The boat’s concept is inspired by phytoplankton, the marine algae that play a fundamental role in the food chain and that live in the oceans’ upper layers where they are able to convert sunlight into energy for their survival. At night, the energy accumulated during the day is released, making phytoplankton bioluminescent. Similarly, Sea Cat 40 is designed to absorb sunlight during the daylight hours and transform it into energy, taking full advantage of the photovoltaics’ capabilities. The catamaran can store and harness clean energy thanks to its advanced technology solar panels, installed on an area of 135 sqm. The panels produce up to 250kWh which is enough to supply the electric consumption of 5 to 6 average American households as well as the electric consumption of a marina. The energy is then transferred from the boat to the living area, making the noiseless cruising experience environmentally friendly, or from the boat directly to a home on the mainland. In the case of trans-atlantc crossings, the catamaran can travel for 20 days, covering a distance of 3,850 nm at a speed of 8kn. Sea Cat’s sophisticated AI and centralised control system allows it to maintain the battery status between 40% and 80% so as to preserve the battery and make it last longer. Ocean crossing with Sea Cat aims to have very low environmental impact; the catamaran can be programmed to navigate 80% in full electric mode, using only 20% of diesel electric support. On return trips of 80 nm, for example, the catamaran can operate in a full-electric mode. ‘The idea is to create a link between nature, electricity and futurism. Supported by the most advanced technologies, Sea Cat 40 is able to offer excellent performance while prioritising the environment, a real challenge for the future of boating and a milestone for the shipyard’ says Federico Rossi, Chief Operating Officer of Rossinavi. Italian naval architect Fulvio De Simoni has been invited by Rossinavi to develop the exterior and interior architecture of Sea Cat 40 which boasts a modern and elegant design characterised by open spaces, 5 guest bedrooms, one of which is the shipowner’s, and 4 crew cabins for a total of 7 staff members. With its aluminium hull, futuristic design and green energy consumption solutions, Sea Cat 40 was born to dominate the sea respecting it so that the surrounding nature observes it, welcomes it and supports it. The catamaran is the result of Rossinavi’s finest engineering and expertise in the shipyard’s constant research towards a more sustainable nautical experience. TECHNICAL & DESIGN SPECS Length overall: 42.75 m Beam overall: 13.75 m Maximum draft: 1.80 m Main engines: 2x Siemens 250 kW (500 kW) Diesel generators: 2x Cat C9.3 300 kW (600 kW) Battery pack: 16x Akasol 98 kWh (1,568 kWh) Solar Power Generation: 25 kWh Maximum speed: 12.0 kn Cruising speed: 8.0 kn Range: >4,000 nm @8 kn Gross tonnage: 450 GT External area: 4,176 sqft Entertainment area: 1,485 sqft Guest accommodation area: 1,259 sqft Cabins: 5 Crew area: 678 sqft (4 cabins, 7 beds) Exterior Design: Fulvio De Simoni Interior Design: Fulvio De Simoni By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Rossinavi

Amalia Home Collection is a culmination of almost 100 years of experience and heritage in the textile industry. Its roots can be traced back several generations to the 1920s, when some of the original mills of northern Portugal began to manufacture products that personify European quality and craftsmanship. BED LINEN All products have been developed to be the best available anywhere in the world. We combine high thread counts and specially selected raw materials to assure only the very best articles are brought to market. From here, we create coordinating collections for a well-rounded and complete look. THE NAME The name of the collection was inspired by the great grandmother of António Coelho Lima, owner and founder of ACL Impex and one of the creators of Amalia Home Collection. This bond rooted in its legacy gives even more heart to these collections. Amalia is also a name known worldwide through one of the most iconic Portuguese music forms: Fado. The collection embodies the soul of Portugal — the melancholic happiness known as “saudade,” beauty, and destiny. CERTIFICATIONS Amalia Home Collection has met the global environment’s evolving challenges over the years, combining rich tradition with constant innovation. After almost 100 years of history and expertise, Amalia Home Collection has laid the groundwork for meeting today’s challenges in the international marketplace. While remaining focused on the development and pursuit of excellence in the world of textiles, Amalia Home Collection has achieved the ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification, the Egyptian Cotton Trademark certification, the Oëko-Tex certification, along with several others. This is Sophistication It’s time to love ourselves a little more. From towels to cleanse with and linens to sleep in, find everything you need for deeper rest and relaxation. Our best self comes out when we take care of ourselves. A Work of Art made from Artisan-crafted Fabrics Nothing is more beautiful than something that was lovingly made. That’s why Amalia Home Collection personally knows where our fabrics come from and that they are crafted in our own backyard of Portugal. When you find love and beauty like this, invite it to stay. The Choice is Yours With so many designs, colors, and fabrics, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose just one of our collection sets for your home. We aim to please, while taking inspiration from the place we call home, Portugal. Come stay a while with us and explore what we have to offer. By ML Staff. Images courtesy of Amalia Home Collection

As part of its ongoing community efforts and in the spirit of the giving season, Craig Zinn Automotive Group is collecting new, unwrapped children's toys at all five of its dealerships, including Toyota of Hollywood, Lexus of Pembroke Pines, Lexus of North Miami, Acura of Pembroke Pines and Subaru of Pembroke Pines, through Monday, Dec. 20. All donations to the toy drive will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Donations may be dropped off during open hours at any of the five Craig Zinn Automotive Group dealerships. Craig Zinn Automotive Group proudly supports Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the work they do to save the lives of children, regardless of age or medical complexity. Acura of Pembroke Pines 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays Lexus of North Miami 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays Lexus of Pembroke Pines 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Sundays Subaru of Pembroke Pines 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sundays Toyota of Hollywood 8:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sundays For more information visit www.czgroup.com By ML Staff. Image courtesy of Zinn Automotive. Top image courtesy of Unsplah

Jodie Sweetin enters the room with a take me as I am confidence that makes no apologies. She seems rooted in something profound after a past filled with the rigors of child stardom, substance abuse and mental health struggles. It’s taken her nearly four decades of life to arrive at this place of strength, clarity, and insight. The girl has definitely earned the life she gets to live now with a thriving career, two well-adjusted daughters, and a loving relationship. For Jodie, who says she shuns plastic surgery and gobs of glam, the glow up has definitely been internal, yet you can see it on her youthful face that hasn’t changed much over the years. The 39 year old mother of two began her career as one of the young darlings of 1980s and ‘90s prime time television; her blonde ringlets and exaggerated on-cue facial expressions helped propel Full House into the stratosphere of iconic sitcoms that continues to play around the globe in syndication. Fans reveled in Sweetin’s adult portrayal of Stephanie Tanner in the Netflix reboot, Fuller House, which ran for five seasons from 2016 – 2020. What made Fuller House magical for audiences, Jodie says, is that “the Netflix show brought generations together. Kids who grew up watching Full House could share the show with their kids.” Now, the entrepreneur, actress, producer and author has ventured into the digital space with the launch of Never Thought I’d Say This, the popular podcast she co-hosts with Life Coach and best friend, Celia Behar. The two women tackle all things motherhood, sprinkled with celebrity interviews and a lot of candid humor. Allison Kugel: What are the three most pivotal events in your life that have shaped the person you are today? Jodie Sweetin: It would be when I was adopted at 14 months old. That completely changed the trajectory of my life. Being cast on Full House at five, and then having my first daughter at 26. Those three things changed everything about my life. Allison Kugel: Are your birth parents alive? Have you ever connected with them? Jodie Sweetin: No, I’ve never connected with them, and as far as I know they are not alive. I’m totally okay with that. It’s one of those things I think a lot of adoptees feel. There comes a point in your life where you finally realize what happened, and it no longer becomes something about you like, “I wasn’t wanted.” You realize, “No, they actually made the healthiest decision for me by allowing me to be adopted by another family that could provide better.” I look at it now very differently than I did when I was young, which was in a very self-torturous way. I felt like something was wrong with me. I think we all take that on a little bit, but this shift in my thinking completely changed how I view myself. Allison Kugel: You were five years old when you got cast on Full House. Were you ever an introverted and shy kid, or were you always bubbly and outgoing? Jodie Sweetin: I was always bubbly and outgoing. My mom used to say when I was two years old that she would worry I would just walk home with a stranger in a supermarket, because everyone was my friend. I would just say, “Hi! I’m Jodie.” I’m still sort of like that, but I haven’t gone home from the grocery store with a stranger (laugh). I loved performing, I loved dance, and I started dancing when I was three years old doing tap and ballet. My very first dance recital, I was in the second row, and apparently I thought the girls in front of me in our little cabbage patch outfits were not doing as well as they needed to. I wormed my way up to the front row, pushed them out of the way, and thought, “Here’s how it’s done.” Allison Kugel: So when you went to the Full House audition you must have been like, “I got this!” Jodie Sweetin: I actually never auditioned for the show. I did a guest appearance on a show called Valerie with Valerie Harper and Jason Bateman. I played the next-door neighbor’s niece. I did one episode of that show and it was for the same producers and same company that were creating Full House at the time. They saw me and said, “That’s Stephanie,” and cast me on Full House. I always say, I wound up exactly where I was supposed to be. Of course, everything in my life changed after that. Allison Kugel: When all the kids were on the set, what was the interaction like between all the kids on the show and John Stamos, Dave Coulier and Bob Saget? Jodie Sweetin: We were like family from the beginning. The guys on the show always took care of us. It was a very familial vibe from the beginning. It was never a show where the kids and the adults didn’t really have anything to do with each other, and that happens a lot on shows. That didn’t happen on Full House, nor did it happen on Fuller House. That was just not the vibe of our show. The kids were always included in family BBQs, get-togethers and doing stuff outside of work. They always looked out for us from the time we started, when I was five. Candace and Andrea where ten. Ashley and Mary Kate were just nine months old at the beginning of Full House. They were like our uncles. I was very close with Bob and his three daughters, Dave and his son, and John with his now wife and baby. I love and adore all of them, still to this day. I had a really fortunate childhood in this business. I know not a lot do, but I never had a negative experience on set with the people I worked with. Allison Kugel: For Fuller House, did you return to the same exact set or was it rebuilt? Jodie Sweetin: They tear those things down after a show is done. It all goes back to the set department. The funny thing was, I think the year before we went back into production on Fuller House, they had gotten rid of the floor plans at Warner Brothers for the Full House house. They thought after 20 or 25 years they didn’t need it anymore, and they cleared out everything. When they went to go build the Fuller House sets, the art department and our set design department actually had to go back and watch old episodes of the original Full House and design it from that, because they didn’t have the blueprints anymore. Allison Kugel: Have you been to the actual exterior house in San Francisco? Jodie Sweetin: I’ve been inside that actual house in San Francisco. [Full House and Fuller House Creator] Jeff Franklin had actually bought it at one point, and we all put our hands in cement in the backyard. The neighbors do not love that. Previous owners had painted the house so it looked nothing like the Full House house you saw on the show, because there would be up to 1,000 people at a time driving by the house on city tours. Allison Kugel: As you were growing up and going through adolescence, did you ever have a crush on one of the guys on the show? Jodie Sweetin: No, they were like family. People always asked, “Oh my God, wasn’t John Stamos so cute?” I’ve known John since I was five. I’ve seen him roll into work in old t-shirts and sweatpants with holes in them, and not looking all that cute. He was always just John to me. I know him too well to think he’s hot. He’s a big dork and I love him. You get to know people so well that you’re like, “Oh my God! No, no, no,” when it comes to that stuff. I know he is good looking, but I’ve seen things, and that would be like having a weird crush on your uncle. Allison Kugel: Noted (laughs). When you are out and about, do you fly under the radar or are you easily recognized? Jodie Sweetin: I’m pretty easily recognizable, just because, thank God, I haven’t changed that much in my appearance. I’m going to be 40 in January, and thankfully, I would like to say I have aged fairly well, so people definitely recognize me. When Fuller House made its debut, people definitely started recognizing me much more again because they came to know me as an adult version of Stephanie. Also, with the Hallmark movies and just getting back to work as an adult, I definitely get recognized a lot more, but not to the point where I can’t go to the grocery store. Gosh, I can’t even imagine. I know there are a lot of people that are super, super famous like that, and to me that sounds really overwhelming. Allison Kugel: You know what is so tragic about that? I love going to the grocery store. Whole Foods is like Disneyland to me (laugh). Jodie Sweetin: There is a sense of normalcy that comes with doing those sorts of things, and I think sometimes it’s hard when you lose that. I know as a kid it was hard for me to go to a mall. It was hard for me to go certain places as a kid, like Disneyland. I couldn’t do it without a guide, or without whatever, because as a kid the show was everywhere. It was ABC primetime Friday night. Everybody had appointment television and you watched everything, so it was definitely different as a kid. I got recognized a lot more. Allison Kugel: What is that like as a kid? Jodie Sweetin: It was weird to me, only because I didn’t watch the show. I wasn’t super impressed with being on TV, not that I was ungrateful for it. I just thought, “I don’t know what the big deal is. I just have a job and other people watch it.” I thought it was normal. It was what I’d always known. Then realizing the extent to which the show grew… even as an adult, we went over to Japan and the show is huge in Japan, to the point where we got off the plane and there were 300 people at the airport in Tokyo waiting for us. It was like being The Beatles. Or you get into a cab in Japan and there is Full House dubbed in Japanese playing on the little screen. That stuff is crazy, and as a kid you’re kind of not as aware of the world around you anyway. It wasn’t like I was looking at magazines with myself in them. I knew that they were out there, but I didn’t realize just how popular it was until it became impossible to go to places like Disneyland, Disney World, the mall, or things like that as a kid. You say to yourself, “Oh well, that’s weird. I guess I can’t really blend in like that anymore.” Allison Kugel: When you see famous kids now in the tabloids or posted on social media, do you ever think, “Oh, I remember that. I know what’s going through that kid’s head?” Whether it’s the Kardashian/Jenner kids or whoever? Jodie Sweetin: For kids like that who are born into notoriety, into a famous family with famous parents, I started working when I was three, so it’s just always been what I know. I think there is almost more of a shock when it happens to you a little later in life, when you’ve spent your entire life being normal, and now you’re like, “What the hell is this?” When you grow up with it, it’s just par for the course. I was attacked as a kid in the tabloids. I can’t stand tabloid magazines or even social media these days. I think anyone who goes after these kids, whether it’s how they dress on the red carpet, or how someone is parenting them when they are out in public, leave them alone. It’s really bothersome. It’s a celebrity’s kid and that just happens to be their parents. They didn’t ask to be given all this attention. Back off or respect when the parents say, “Please don’t photograph my kid. Don’t put pictures of them in magazines.” People should respect that. Allison Kugel: I don’t think people make the connection, like how would they feel if it was their kid? Jodie Sweetin: I think with social media as it is now, it’s the same thing. Everyone wants to see the worst, or the over-inflated best. Look, there are plenty of times I’ve had to yell at my kids in the grocery store. I know someone is recognizing me or is watching me, and I’m thinking, “Look, my kids are being bad and Stephanie Tanner had to yell at her kids in the grocery store. I’m sorry.” Allison Kugel: (Laugh) Speaking of kids. I listened to your podcast, Never Thought I’d Say This, and you cover a lot of funny mom moments and stories. Jodie Sweetin: Yes. We talk about parenting, motherhood, and single motherhood, in particular. My best friend and co-host, Celia Behar, and I both have boyfriends now, but we had been single moms for a while, and we dive into the adventures of parenting that nobody tells you about that are sometimes pretty awful. Also, we are very honest in our own parenting fails. We are not the Instagram, Pinterest, lunchbox making parents. We are the ones that are screaming as we are all running out the door, or somebody is late, or someone forgot something. We have a lot of fun with it. I’m really proud of what we do with our podcast. Allison Kugel: And how did the podcast come about? Did you just say to her, “Will you host this podcast with me?” Jodie Sweetin: Celia and I were tossing around the idea because we would be telling these parenting stories and it would be like, “Oh my God, I never thought I would have to say this to another human being.” There is so much about parenting no one ever tells you, like the weird things you have to teach little humans. You say to yourself, “Oh, that’s right, they don’t come pre-programmed. I have to do all this stuff like potty training, teaching manners, and that you can’t just whip it out in the grocery store because you have to pee.” You don’t think about having to train a human being. Allison Kugel: What is the best lesson that you have learned from your kids? Something they have taught you? Jodie Sweetin: I watch my kids all the time and my girls have good boundaries; they stand up for themselves and speak their minds. Particularly my older one, she has always been that kid that would say, “I don’t like that.” Not necessarily in a bratty way, but like, “Nope, I’m not doing this.” I didn’t get those skills until I was in my 30s. I’ve watched my girls demonstrate that and I’d like to think it’s because they see how I am in my life now. They are still middle school girls so it’s all up in the air, but for the most part they have a very good sense of self. I learn that from them all the time. They express themselves in their clothes, in their room, whatever it is, and I admire them for that because I think as a kid and well into my twenties, and probably early thirties, I cared way too much what people thought of me. I know there are elements of peer pressure for them we well, but I’m just so proud of how they stand up for themselves and say, “This is who I am, and this is what I like.” Allison Kugel: I feel like girls today don’t suffer from the disease of politeness that our generation did. Jodie Sweetin: Our generation learned from our mom’s generation. Again, it was very much like, “Girls don’t say that. Girls are polite.” Not until my mid to late thirties did I say, “Wait, I get to have boundaries? I get to say what I don’t like? I don’t have to hang out with people I don’t want to or go on a date with somebody because I don’t want to make them feel bad? I don’t have to be nice to somebody who says something horrible to me? I don’t have to do any of that? Oh wow, what a gift.” My daughters have very firm boundaries, and they are so wonderfully expressive in who they are. I give them the freedom to be that. Allison Kugel: Before your current relationship, how did you navigate dating as a single mom? Did you separate church and state like nobody meets my kids and all of that? Jodie Sweetin: I didn’t do that as much, but I’ve learned over the years how to do it better. I’m a single mom but their dads are in their lives, so it wasn’t like I had them all the time. Allison Kugel: Let me correct that, we’re not single moms, but moms who happen to be single and dating. I don’t want to take that distinction away from single moms doing it all. Jodie Sweetin: Right, a mom who is single. I think as my girls have gotten older, and my boyfriend and I have been together for four years now, and he really did an amazing job with it all. At first, we had a long-distance relationship too. He was in Brooklyn, and I was here in LA for 3 ½ years, and so it was slow and it was nice. He was very good at letting them warm up to him and not having to force a relationship. I think that is the hard thing as a mom. You’re thinking, “Everyone just get along. I really like this person.” I’m not sacrificing my kids, but how do I make everybody happy. At the end of the day, you’ll put up with your own kids’ nonsense. I can tune my kids out. The other day I was watching this show and one of them had the music super loud and my boyfriend said, “I can’t. I can’t. It’s too much.” I said, “Yeah, you’re right. It is really obnoxiously loud.” It was shaking the walls, so I thought “Yeah you’ve got to say something.” Allison Kugel: When was the first time your girls realized you were a public person? Jodie Sweetin: My kids have always known it. Even when they were little, their birth announcements were out there in public. Just the fact that they were born, they can Google themselves, where most kids can’t really do that. They always knew mommy is a famous person. If anything, they are so unimpressed by it and really just feel like, “Uh, mom you’re not cool.” I’ll reply, “Oh, I know I’m not. It’s okay.” I luckily have grown old enough that I don’t need to be cool anymore. That pressure is lifted. But they love supporting me. They love watching me shoot something, but they love it more for the craft services. They don’t really care about what I’m actually shooting (laugh). They love the perks, and they are super grateful for the fun stuff we get to do because of it. I think sometimes it is hard for them because their friends say, “Oh My God, that’s your mom?” They’ll say, “She’s still a mom.” Allison Kugel: If you could travel back in time to any famous historical event and change the course of that event, where would you go and what would you attempt to change? Jodie Sweetin: I feel like last year gave me so much material, just 2020 alone. Can we just skip 2020? I feel like the pain, the loss, and the death was awful. Also, the impact that it has had on our kids. On our families. On our politics. On everything. I think it has brought some things to the surface that needed to be, but I also think it has forever altered the course of our lives in a very complicated way. Nobody in our immediate family got Covid, but I can only imagine if as semi smooth sailing as it was for us, I can’t imagine what other people went through and I think that sort of collective trauma and pain has really affected us, and I think will really affect people’s mental health in ways that we haven’t seen yet. Mental health is a hugely important thing to me. I’m a big advocate for talking about it, destigmatizing it and so I think that is my concern right now. I know I was a mess during the pandemic. I was not a fully functioning person. It was awful. Allison Kugel: I don’t know if I was a mess, but I got fatter (laugh). Jodie Sweetin: (Laughs) I lost almost 37 pounds, because I’m a stress starver. Allison Kugel: Are you serious? Jodie Sweetin: But not in a good way. I just stopped eating. I couldn’t keep food down. I’ll be really honest about it; the pandemic was not good for me. I have severe anxiety and depression anyway, so it really didn’t do any favors for my mental health. I really struggled with it and for me it was a time of feeling really out of control and again I can’t imagine how it affected people who were working on the front lines. Allison Kugel: I also suffer from anxiety and there is a history of alcoholism in my family. Back in the day, mental health was not something that was discussed and so I think the reason grandfather was an alcoholic is because he also had anxiety. Do you think at one point you self-medicated because of your anxiety and depression? Jodie Sweetin: Yes, absolutely. I think that was a big part of it, was how do I deal with these feelings? How do I manage my own head that is just loud and negative and awful to me sometimes, but nobody else can hear it? You’re stuck in it. The thing about anxiety is, people think of panic attacks, but there can be a raging, screaming voice in your head all the time that you just can’t get quiet. You just don’t want to listen to this voice, and especially when mental health wasn’t talked about, it was worse. Having that wiring in your brain that something switches on when you’re an alcoholic and it feels like there is never enough. I can’t ever fill this hole because there is a bottom missing in the cup, and I just keep trying to fill it. I think that is something I’m really grateful for now, is the de-stigmatization of talking about mental health. Allison Kugel: When did you get to the point when you realized you had to develop actual skills to heal yourself rather than numbing yourself? Jodie Sweetin: That was my whole journey through sobriety. A lot of it is really looking at yourself, and what are the things that I do or behaviors that I’m trying to use to cope with my life? And how do I do this better? How do I interact with people better? How do I hold myself to a higher standard? How do I go back and make some of those things right so that I can alleviate that shame and terror that comes with all of it? Then, how do I go about life not creating those situations for myself in the future? That is a huge part of it. I’m always very honest that, for me, medication has been key. Otherwise, my struggle was so bad I wasn’t getting out of bed. Now that I know when I need to speak up for myself, even into my thirties, my early thirties feeling like I needed some therapy and I probably need a psychiatrist for some meds; all of these things to start taking better care of myself. Allison Kugel: Do you pray, and if so, who or what do you pray to? Jodie Sweetin: I don’t. I’m more of a meditative, still, and present sort of person. I’m not necessarily religious. For me, I find that higher power or something greater than myself when I’m at live music and everyone is enjoying themselves. The musicians are in so much joy playing something. Or when I’ve been out at a protest and I see thousands and thousands of people coming together to do something right, helping each other and taking care of each other. That, for me, are the moments when I see something greater than us and when we rise above our own selfish wants and needs to connect at a higher level. Allison Kugel: What do you think you came into this life as Jodie Sweetin to learn, and what do you think you came into this life to teach? Jodie Sweetin: Oh man. That is a great question. I think I came into this life to learn to genuinely be myself and to learn how to be kind to myself. I think once you learn how to do something, then you are able to teach it. I had this really long journey of figuring out some things about my own voice and my own strength, what it was I was passionate about and how to use that voice. Now I feel I have that opportunity to share that voice with others. Whether it’s the voice of going through addiction, of being a mom and feeling overwhelmed, of being an actress and what that represents to certain people, and working in social justice areas. I get to use that voice I’ve found to be an example to others, particularly for young woman of all kinds, to really stand in their truth and in their power, and to love yourself unconditionally no matter what your body looks like. For me, it’s very important that I post stuff on Instagram that is not filtered or with a bunch of makeup, because I genuinely like me. My message is, “Just be you. You are amazing and you get one body that is going to carry you through this life. Celebrate it, whatever it is capable of doing.” Listen to the extended interview with Jodie Sweetin on the Allison Interviews Podcast at Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Follow Allison Kugel on Instagram @theallisonkugel and at allisoninterviews.com. Tune in to the Never Thought I’d Say This podcast with Jodie Sweetin and Life Coach Celia Behar on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Follow on Instagram @neverthoughtidsaythis and @jodiesweetin.