Dayna's Dose Podcast

Episode 35: The only way to be cool is to risk being uncool (By Dayna Mason) Many of us spend a great deal of time trying to be something we're not. We have our reasons—to fit in, to build business relationships, to win friends and influence people, to avoid scrutiny … to appear “cool.” But the quickest path to true coolness is to quit focusing on being cool. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2021 Podcast

Episode 34: Be honest and become who you pretend to be (By Dayna Mason) Many of us go through life pretending rather than living. We lie to protect—not just ourselves but others. Lying is a slippery slope and damages trust. When we are dedicated to honesty, we promote meaningful relationships and become all that lying helps us pretend we already are. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2021 Podcast

Episode 33: Be the light. Lead with love. (By Dayna Mason) Today, our disagreements may be different from those of the 1960s, but the lack of love extended to those we disagree with is the same. In a country of over 300 million people, we will always disagree. But we get to choose how we disagree. The reason Martin Luther King Jr.'s mission was so powerful, transformative and still moves us so deeply today is because it's grounded in love. He believed that “unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality.” (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2021 Podcast

Episode 32: Bridging the political divide with dialectical thinking (By Dayna Mason) Political issues are rarely simple. Polarized thinking keeps us from seeing these issues as they often are: complex and nuanced. Thinking in extremes, an all-or-nothing, black-or-white mindset, doesn't allow us to find the middle ground. When we seek to understand another's viewpoint, we bridge the gap between our opposing positions. This not only brings peace to a contentious interaction but can lead to the discovery of an alternative view that we hadn't even considered. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 31: Gratitude: Complaint free approach to life (By Dayna Mason) Our thoughts produce our beliefs, and our beliefs determine our behavior. When we repeatedly complain or engage in gossip, we wire our brains for negativity. Negativity becomes a habit that not only dampens our mood but prevents us from seeing the good even when it's right in front of us. Gratitude highlights the good that is already in our lives and promotes confidence in more good things to come. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 30: Is fear getting in the way of your best life? (By Dayna Mason) Whether it's the outcome of the upcoming presidential election, the projections of the pandemic on our economy, or anticipating the consequences of a mistake we've made, the feeling is the same: We are not safe. When we're fueled by fear, we are motivated to take action or employ avoidance to feel safe again, which inhibits optimal decision-making. This keeps us from living our best life. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 29: Good riddance to the handshake (By Dayna Mason) I've never enjoyed shaking hands and I hope after the pandemic is over it doesn't make a comeback. The handshake is an often disingenuous and oddly intimate gesture for an initial engagement with someone you don't know. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 28: Humane communication: How to have more productive conversations (By Dayna Mason) Much of what passes as conversation today is simply monologue. We may take turns talking, but no one is actually listening. I say what I want to say and while you're talking, instead of seeking to understand, I'm thinking about what I want to say next. Productive conversation requires dialogue—the process of understanding and reasoning. When we are telling, we are not listening. If all we do is tell, we learn nothing. Conversations that inspire and transform require curiosity and respect. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 27: Racial Injustice: It's time for accountability and appreciation (By Dayna Mason) I'm white. I have black friends. We talk about the same things all friends talk about, relationships, children, goals, etc. We've never talked about racism. Until now. This week I have learned more about racism in America and in the personal lives of my friends than I've learned in my entire life. My heart is breaking. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 26: Hack the "flow": What's your superpower? (By Dayna Mason) Each of us has a special talent—a “superpower”—something that we enjoy, that seems effortless and when we are fully immersed in it, we can lose all sense of time. Psychologists call this state of peak performance “flow,” and research suggests that the time spent in this state enhances our memory, accelerates our learning, and boosts our immune system. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 25: "Radical consideration" and your impact on the world (By Dayna Mason) Sometimes we overestimate our impact on others. Sometimes we underestimate it. Sometimes we don't estimate it at all. Our view of the world is from the perspective of “me” and we often miscalculate how our words and actions affect others. But our influence is far more powerful than we may realize. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 24: Can belief in a "Higher Power" benefit you? (By Dayna Mason) When we have a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, regardless of how we define that something—Universe, Higher Self, God, Nature, Spirit, etc.—research has shown that we experience greater emotional wellbeing and are happier, healthier and live longer. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 23: COVID-19: How to manage the anxiety and fear of the unknown (By Dayna Mason) None of us knows for sure what the future holds for ourselves, our families, or our world, through and beyond this pandemic. Most of us, if not all, on some level and for different reasons are afraid. But history shows that humans are resilient. The probability is extremely high that we will weather this storm and get to the other side. In other words, we are going to be okay. In the meantime, let's take a closer look at this fear and how we can manage it. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 22: COVID-19: Kindness in a thousand little things (By Dayna Mason) On TV and in social media we've seen grand gestures of generosity during this pandemic: restaurants preparing and donating meals for health care workers, companies converting their factories to manufacture and provide masks and ventilators, and popular musicians streaming free live entertainment. But there is another heartwarming phenomenon happening that I call “a thousand little things.” (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 21: COVID-19: Why Criticizing others does more harm than good (By Dayna Mason) The unclear definition of “outdoor activities” and “essential” purchases in Washington state's “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” order has led some people to define these for others. For example, is going for a drive in the mountains an acceptable outdoor activity? Or is that trip to the grocery store to buy ice cream essential? (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 20: COVID-19: Why being bored is good for you (By Dayna Mason) Following the stay-at-home order, my 10-year-old grandson—whose technology use is normally limited by his mom to give him time to engage with the world around him—was allowed to immerse himself in the land of cartoons, Xbox games, his hoverboard and his iPad. By Day 13 the repetition of these distractions became routine. As I sat on the couch struggling with my own restlessness and lack of ideas for my upcoming column, I looked down to see my grandson had made a game of rolling himself up in the area rug. We had both hit a wall. Boredom had arrived. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 19: COVID-19: The search for meaning in a pandemic (By Dayna Mason) We hear a growl in the woods. We decide a bear may be coming for us and we prepare to run. This type of meaning-making ensures our survival. But sometimes the meaning we assign is based on faulty beliefs or past trauma and not helpful to our survival or wellbeing. When we take the time to question our judgments, we can gain new understanding, and experience greater happiness and wellbeing. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 18: COVID-19: Use your imagination to dream up a better life (By Dayna Mason) During this pandemic, many of us have been given a rare gift. The gift of time. We can choose to stay as distracted as possible or we can use this time to engage our imaginations and dream like we did as children. We can ask ourselves, “What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What really matters to me?” Then dream up a new future. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 17: COVID-19(Coronavirus): Pursuit-of-Happiness and the Declaration of Independence (By Dayna Mason) Challenging times cause us to reflect on what's most important, what we truly value. The rules for our lives are changing daily. For some, our day starts with checking the news to determine what new way our day-to-day life has changed, what new limit has been placed on our pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson contributed “pursuit of happiness” to the Declaration of Independence based on his political and spiritual beliefs. Beliefs which define happiness not as a momentary feeling of pleasure, but as an unchallengeable right to thrive, prosper and fulfill our potential—as a way of being—that we get to choose as long as it doesn't encroach on the rights of others. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 16: COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus): How to not only cope but thrive in a climate of panic (By Dayna Mason) I admit that prior to being asked to write this article on the Coronavirus, I was a member of the “Oh, come on—it's just the flu” bandwagon. And while I'm still not worried that I personally could die from the virus (I'm not in the high-risk group), I now understand why those who are responsible for the lives of all citizens are concerned. It's a pandemic and needs to be taken seriously. The good news is that with a little effort COVID-19 is completely preventable. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 15: The importance of imagination, play, and humor in adulthood (By Dayna Mason) When we were children everything we did was play—activities done for the sheer pleasure of doing them, not to achieve any particular outcome. We used our imaginations and laughed easily. As adults, many of us have lost some of our ability to imagine and have become practical, goal-driven, and more concerned with playing by the rules than enjoying ourselves. While play is vital to childhood development, it is equally essential in adulthood for wellbeing, adaptability, connection, happiness and innovation. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 14: Other-Oriented: Live longer and be happier, healthier, and more successful (By Dayna Mason) When we are self-oriented, we move about the world without paying much attention to the thoughts, needs and feelings of others. Over time, this orientation will prevent us from forming meaningful relationships and from realizing our full potential. In contrast, prosocial behavior—the intent to benefit others—not only makes us feel good, but we experience more health and happiness advantages from being the giver than from being the recipient. Being other-oriented is the conscious effort to put the thoughts, needs, and feelings of others first, without abandoning our own needs. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 13: The benefits of selfies and healthy narcissism (By Dayna Mason) Although self-portraits existed long before the term “selfie” became fashionable, the advent of smartphones and the ease of publicizing our lives via social media has resulted in a self-promotion phenomenon which has led people to regard the practice with great disdain and to label others who do it as narcissists. While the images of people posing with “duck lips” or Instagram filters that add little animal ears and nose can be incredibly annoying (especially the obviously inauthentic shots of yourself “sleeping”), there are potential benefits to the practice of selfie taking. (music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh) ©Dayna Mason, 2020