Get Off Your Affirmation!

Trump Trauma is a condition characterized by excessive attention, fear, anger, and a high level of stress directed toward Donald Trump. We need to remember the importance of the power of the mind, take the power back we have given to him, and work diligently to help create the democracy that we want to see in our country. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss ideas for healing Trump Trauma and getting on with our lives.

In this episode, Matthew and Leona discuss the many ways we can block ourselves from achieving our dreams, and share powerful methods of moving beyond our resistance to embrace our Divine potential.

Father Leo Booth is one of the most popular and profound teachers of progressive spirituality. His insights, along with his marvelous wit, offer a perfect opportunity for learning, growing, and coming to terms with the beauty and spirituality that is within us all. In this archived episode from 1998, Father Leo shares his timeless wisdom in a way that is powerful and relevant for the times we are living in today. Listen to Leona Evans and Father Leo Booth as they discuss self-acceptance, recovery, and the way to genuine self-esteem.

Father Leo Booth is one of the most popular and profound teachers of progressive spirituality. His insights, along with his marvelous wit, offer a perfect opportunity for learning, growing, and coming to terms with the beauty and spirituality that is within us all. In this archived episode from 1998, Father Leo shares his timeless wisdom in a way that is powerful and relevant for the times we are living in today. Listen to Leona Evans and Father Leo Booth as they discuss self-acceptance, recovery, and the way to genuine self-esteem.

Eric Butterworth is considered a legend and spiritual icon in the Unity movement. He is the author of 16 bestselling books on metaphysical spirituality. For over 50 years, he helped thousands of people to help themselves to a more abundant life. He had the wonderful ability to take the most complex metaphysical teachings and articulate them in simple "sound bytes" of awareness. He is most famous for his ministry in New York City at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss some of Eric Butterworth's most popular quotes.

Unity celebrates the presence of God, or Spirit, inherent in all life. We believe in the power of our mind to manifest the deepest desires of our heart. Our Unity philosophy states that we are responsible for the quality of our own lives. While this may sound empowering, it also has a downside. If we're not careful, we can take on too much responsibility and end up frustrated and defeated if we don't manifest a "successful" outcome. However, we cannot take responsibility for everything that happens in our lives. Even the greatest of spiritual masters have endured times of great challenge. This is not because they weren't good enough or evolved enough, but because challenges are a part of life. As we gain greater self-knowledge we can learn to observe our tendencies toward excessive guilt or self-blame and not judge ourselves or others too harshly. 

With all the anger being expressed in our world today it's important to understand that this seemingly relentless display of unbridled emotion is our shadow being forced into the light. If this shadow energy is not addressed and healed within us we will project it on to others, scapegoating them and blaming them for all that is wrong in our lives. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss ways in which we can become aware of our shadow and take responsibility for  healing our own wounds, embracing our wholeness, and finding the inner strength and power to make positive and powerful changes in our lives and in the world.

More than 20 years ago, Don Miguel Ruiz changed the way we think with his bestselling book, The Four Agreements, which was a New York Times Bestseller for over a decade. In this episode from the archives, Leona interviews Don Miguel Ruiz, who shares fascinating insights from the Toltec wisdom which inspired his book. 

As human beings we are manifesting all the time, but many times we're affirming ideas that keep us stuck in old belief patterns, and without realizing it are standing in the way of our own creativity. We can't insert a new belief into an old habit pattern, and expect it to make a difference.  If your core beliefs tell you that you're undeserving or that you can't do something, just setting a new goal is not going to address the old beliefs. We need a new system or process to make real and lasting changes. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss her book, "Nothing is Too Good to be True," and share a universal creative process which moves in an orderly way from mind to idea to manifestation.

During the 2022 Midterm elections American people spoke for greater balance and rational interaction from our political leaders. This means that voices for peace,  respect, acceptance, and love are now being given an opportunity to take a center position and pave the way for a new paradigm.Does this mean that from now on we will not hear any of the voices of extremism and violence? No, not at all. What is does mean, however, is that through the power of our prayers, words, and actions, we will no longer allow those behaviors to have unlimited power. Decency and goodwill are finding a voice. Let us do all we can to keep our voices alive.

From the radio archives of 1997, Leona Evans interviews Dr. Joan Borysenko, world-renowned expert in the mind-body connection. Dr. Borysenko earned her doctorate in Medical Sciences from the Harvard Medical School. She completed a second post-doctoral fellowship in the field of behavioral medicine and her third post-doctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology. In the early 1980s she became licensed as a psychologist and was appointed instructor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School.In 1987 she wrote the New York Times bestseller, "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind," and has authored numerous books including "The Power of the Mind to Heal," "Fire in the Soul," "Guilt is the Teacher, Love is the Lesson," "A Woman's Book of Life," "It's Not the End of the World," "The Ways of the Mystic: Seven Paths to God," and others. She is the founding partner of Mind/Body Health Sciences, LLC located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

In this episode Leona and Matthew discuss a history of Roe v. Wade, important statistics on the issues of abortion, and specific actions we can take to support the sanctity of human rights. Our goal is to strengthen our voices for human rights and take action to support legislation which will protect people's reproductive freedoms.

For the past twenty years, there has been a significant decline in church attendance and traditional worship in general.  People are looking for a nontraditional experience of spirituality which offers greater inclusiveness, tolerance, and practical application in relation to the challenges we face in everyday life. In this episode, Leona and Matthew are going to discuss Progressive Spirituality, which offers  powerful and positive alternatives to traditional worship. In fact, it introduces a whole new paradigm for moving from a culture of violence to a culture of peace.

Our center of gravity is made up of old beliefs and self-concepts that have taken root in our consciousness and now comprise our mental and emotional "comfort zone." Since we greatly underestimate the power of our center of gravity, we believe that permanent changes  in habit and lifestyle are much easier to accomplish than they really are. Our willpower provides us with the impetus to make the changes, but once our willpower is exhausted, we need to  work at a deeper level in order to sustain those changes. In this episode, Matthew and Leona discuss the importance of understanding the way our center of gravity works and provide us with methods to lift ourselves from limited and self-defeating mindsets.

Philosopher and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said "We are not human beings learning to have a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings learning to have a human experience." If we believe this to be true then we have a responsibility to respond to life situations in rational, humane, and compassionate ways and do everything we can to avoid demonizing people. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscar Award Ceremony and examine ways in which we can go beyond polarized thinking and condemnation of others to a greater level of understanding and maturity. We will also discuss how our condemnation of others is in direct relation to the condemnation we feel for ourselves and our own humanity. The harder we judge others the more intolerant we are of our own shadow or dark side. This is why learning to become fully human is the only way we can ever understand what it means to fully accept ourselves and others as a work in progress.

As Russia continues to invade Ukraine, we in the free world find ourselves facing a serious threat to our democracy. The unilateral decision by Vladimir Putin to take back Ukraine by force, even though it has been free for more than 30 years, is a devastating example of autocracy in action. What can we as individuals do to help support our democracy? In this episode Leona and Matthew discuss ways that we can be part of the change we wish to see.

Critical race theory is an academic concept that has been around for more than 40 years. The basic idea is that racism is not just the product of individual bias or prejudice, but it is also something that has been embedded in legal systems and policies for a very long time. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss how a white ally can support our black brothers and sisters in the quest to help eliminate systemic racism in our country.

The  new year is traditionally a time to transform our lives in significant ways. People throughout the world look forward to making resolutions designed to benefit and bless us. However, why do a great majority of those resolutions remain unfulfilled? Why are there so many projects left unfinished? Why are so many gym memberships unused? Why don't we seem able to keep our word to ourselves? In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss powerful insights which can bring us closer to the goals we have set for ourselves.

One of the primary needs of all people is to be recognized and appreciated for who we are, however, if we don't feel gratitude for ourselves we are unlikely to feel grateful to others. Dismissing our accomplishments and focusing on our flaws diminishes our joy in living and keeps us from recognizing love and appreciation for both ourselves and others.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the power of gratitude and the many ways in which it can enhance our lives and the lives of those around us.

Eckhart Tolle's bestselling book, "The Power of Now" has sold more than 2 million copies in the past ten years and is a powerful resource for helping us understand what we are missing when we spend too much of our time living in the past or living in the future.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the importance of this preset moment and how giving our full attention to what is happening in each and every moment can actually change our lives in powerful ways.

In recent years there has been a huge emphasis on decluttering our lives, both inside and out. In this episode, Matthew and Leona discuss the tendency towards over-consumerism and find ways to thrive more effectively with fewer things. 

If you have ever felt conflicted or confused about who you really are or how very different you feel about things as your "mood" changes, you probably understand that what we call our "self" has multiple facets and is not confined to one single set of ideas or points of view.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the importance of understanding our many selves and how accepting and embracing them can lead to a greater sense of wholeness and inner peace.

Part 2 of an interview with Jack Canfield from the archives contains wisdom and insights from Canfield's book "Heart at Work." Canfield shares fascinating words of wisdom which will motivate and inspire us to be the best we can be.

This episode from 1997 features Jack Canfield, author and creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. Jack discusses how to develop greater self-esteem and what motivates people to do their best.  This powerful and relevant interview is from a radio program Leona hosted called Positive Living, which aired on the California Central Coast and on the Wisdom Satellite Radio Network. 

Leona interviews author, and motivational speaker, Wayne Dyer, from archived audio cassettes of her radio program called "Positive Living." This episode was first aired on the Wisdom Radio Network in 1999. Dr. Dyer discusses his book called "Wisdom of the Ages" and shares valuable insights on how to access the power and potential within us.

In this episode, Leona and Matthew recount the George Floyd story, discuss the verdict and what it means, and look at ways that we can use this valuable opportunity to put an end to systemic racism. #donlemon #vanjones #blacklivesmatter #GeorgeFloyd #PhiloniseFloyd #MartinLutherKingIII 

One of the most popular topics in New Thought spirituality is spiritual growth and evolution. How do we grow spiritually? What tools or techniques will help us reach our desired goals? How do we know we're on the path that will bring us the greatest fulfillment. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss some of the biggest obstacles to spiritual growth, and how we can transform them.

Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans when she was only six years old. She and her family endured great hardships in order to support the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s and provide better education for African American children. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss Ruby's courage and extraordinary ability to forgive those who bullied and persecuted her. Ruby Bridges is truly a hero!

Rev. James Lawson, Jr. is one of the most respected Civil Rights leaders of the 20th century. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called Lawson "the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world." In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss Rev. Lawson's fascinating life and work. They share how the practice of nonviolence, grounded in love, can build a powerful movement for social change.

A trigger is any stimulus that reshapes our thoughts or actions. Triggers can be both positive and negative, but they influence our beliefs and can often keep us from making positive changes in our lives. In this episode Leona and Matthew discuss gaining self-mastery from the best-selling book "Triggers" by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter.

The attacks on the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021 will remain one of the most shocking events in modern U.S. history. The question becomes how do we respond to this tragedy? Do we turn away because it seems too difficult for us to deal with? Or do we process our feelings and determine by what means we are going to survive it. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss their feelings and provide practical ideas for taking action to help create a more compassionate and peaceful future.

2020 has been a year of both tragedy and triumph. The overcoming power of the human spirit has been revealed through countless stories of the frontline and essential workers who have exemplified heroism, bravery, and courage. They continue to inspire us even through the difficulties we have had to endure this past year. In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss their impressions of 2020, how it's impacted their lives, and words of advice about moving into 2021 with greater strength, poise, and equanimity.

The challenges we’ve faced in the year 2020 will go down in history as being some of the most difficult times we will ever have to experience. So many of us have lost loved ones due to COVID-19 and so many people are suffering severe financial challenges. How do we get ourselves in a frame of mind to celebrate the holidays? What can we do to lift ourselves from the stressful times we have endured this past year? In this episode Leona and Matthew discuss the importance of generating gratitude within ourselves and finding ways to be the change we wish to see.

What is the secret to manifesting our goals? Is it just a matter of finding the right goal-setting techniques? Or do we need to look deeper into our own consciousness for answers?This episode provides insights on how to recognize the difference between what we say we want and what we really want.

Hate speech on social media has reached an all-time high. How do we resist the temptation to lash out in frustration toward those who disrespect our points of view? How do we begin to heal the social pandemic on social media? In this episode, we will introduce the Gandhi/King methods of nonviolence and provide powerful and positive methods designed to move us from a culture of violence to a culture of peace.

What part does genetics play in determining who we are? Which beliefs and behaviors are part of our internal makeup, and which ones can be changed? In other words, what does it really mean to be our authentic self? In this episode Leona and Matthew discuss the importance of self-knowledge as the truest and most powerful way we can experience our authentic selves.

Nonresistance is a state of mind in which we let go of opposing forces within your own consciousness and are able to maintain a sense of coherence and inner peace. Through the practice of nonresistance, we have the opportunity to face our feelings, accept them, and eventually transform.

Our inner critic can be defined as a sub-personality, part of our psyche, which sabotages our self-esteem by running a constant negative commentary about who we are, how we look, and how we behave. The louder our inner critic sounds to us the less able we are to find the inner peace and self-compassion we so richly deserve.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss methods for divesting our inner critic of the power to negatively affect our sense of self-worth. Our goal is to make peace within ourselves, to have a balanced perspective on reality, to accept ourselves, and develop healthy self-esteem.

Why do so many of us feel the burning need to defend ourselves even when we're not being attacked? Most people are aware of defensive behavior. It's easy to identify from the outside. It says more about our lack of stability and self-esteem than anything else. The only reason we stay in that mindset is because our insecurities are triggered by the implications that we've done something wrong. It's time we understand that we need a change in mindset, and the way we begin our healing process is through self-acceptance.

What can we do to develop our coping skills so that we’re not continuously stressed out and burned out? We can’t stop life from happening, but we can learn more effective ways to bounce back from turmoil and discord.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the power of resilience, which is inherent within each one of us, and share ideas on how to develop the coping skills that will provide us with the strength and flexibility we need to transform our lives.

Empathy is the ability to understand and connect with the feelings of others as if we’re feeling them ourselves. We develop empathy to understand that we are capable of connecting at a deep level with another person or culture even though we don’t have the same background or experience. Healing comes about when we create more caring and cohesive communities. When we realize that in spite of our differences, we can experience high levels of social support and a greater sense of well-being and trust.

Violence destroys, love builds and transforms. Mahatma Gandhi has said, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." As we so often say on this program, the power is in nonviolence, the power is in love. Love is a choice we make when we realize that in spite of the fear and anger which has motivated us for so long, the path to freedom and the fulfillment of our spiritual ideals is based in love.In this episode, Leona and Matthew discuss the reptilian, or primal brain and its effects on violent behavior, and recommend methods to free ourselves from negative and self-defeating mindsets.

The imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments or talents and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Psychologists say that 70% of both men and women will have experienced the imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. In this episode Leona and Matthew will discuss methods for changing our mindset and finding self-acceptance and peace of mind.

Hope is one of the abilities or spiritual gifts inherent in the human spirit. It's not just a behavior that comes and goes without our permission. It is a state of mind that forms the foundation for the way we see life and what is possible and what is not possible for us. Hope is a quality we need to cultivate and keep at the forefront of our consciousness because with our hope we can find the strength to overcome adversity and to see the light which seems to be buried by darkness. Hope is our link between what is happening and what is possible. In this episode Leona and Matthew share quotes from great thinkers to help us gain deeper insights about this gift of hope and find more ways to allow it to work for us.

The need to connect with something greater than ourselves is a universal human need that touches us all. We strive to find spirituality outside ourselves, but too often the search leaves us feeling empty and confused, no closer to spirituality than we were before. In this episode, Leona and Matthew remind us that the spirituality we seek is already within us. Our goal is not to search for it outside ourselves, but to realize that we are and always have been spiritual beings. They discuss how to discover and express our spiritual gifts and experience the life we so richly deserve.

In this second provocative conversation with Arun Gandhi, he discusses the future of our planet, our role in developing a culture of peace, our need to transform our anger, the unshakeable power of love, and Gandhi's influence on the nonviolent movement in the United States during the Civil Rights movement.To contribute to the Gandhi Legacy Tour documentary film please go to www.GuidedByGandhi.com and make your tax-deductible donation.

Author, speaker, humanitarian, and renowned peace activist Arun Gandhi has devoted his life to the philosophy of nonviolence as taught to him by his legendary grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. Arun is the author of several books including Legacy of Love, Grandfather Gandhi, and Be the Change. In this episode Arun discusses what we need to do to move from a culture of violence to a culture of peace.

Al Flemming, creator of the "AlSpeakUp" podcast, has the ambitious goal of changing the narrative of race and equality in the U.S. by having conversations with people to get to know each other.Leona and Matthew talk with Al about the growing protest movements in response to the police killings of unarmed black people, and the increasing need to communicate with white allies and find meaningful ways to discuss white privilege.Connect with AlSpeakUp:https://www.facebook.com/alspeakup

The late Congressman John Lewis was deeply inspired by the Gandhi/King philosophy of nonviolence. Every action he took in the name of justice was based in nonviolence and grounded in love. He continued to work at reaching that place inside himself that didn't look for retribution or retaliation, but justice and the dismantling of inequities. In this episode, in honor of John Lewis, Leona and Matthew share two of the more celebrated nonviolent protests, the Salt March of 1930 and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1956. This is not only to illustrate how effective those protests were, but to share some of the philosophy of nonviolence, which is much more than an activity, it is a way of life.

What can we really know? How can we protect ourselves from scams, lies, and misinformation? What can we do to find out what is true? In today's episode, Matthew and Leona take a look at how and why we make decisions and what we can do to make the wisest, most objective, and most intuitive decisions so that we lessen the stress of confusion and indecision and become able to speak our truth with confidence.

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom is a best-selling book by Don Miguel Ruiz that offers a code of conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom that advocates freedom from self-limiting beliefs that cause us suffering in our lives. The book has sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. and has been translated into 46 languages worldwide. Don Miguel Ruiz tells us that everything we do is based upon agreements we have made with ourselves and others. We agree about who we are, how to behave, what is possible, what's impossible, and so much more. Many of our agreements come from fear and have the power to diminish us and create needless suffering. Once we let go of these fear-based agreements that are subconsciously influencing our mindsets, we can make new agreements which will strengthen us in our efforts to contribute to positive changes in our world.