Guru Please

Guru Please will be going on a hiatus starting next week. I want to take some time to reevaluate and revamp the show. Thank you so much for being part of this journey thus far, and don't worry, we'll be back at it soon! The new season will start sometime in the fall of 2021. Get ready for some improvements and new features.Of course, if you have any feedback, please don't hesitate to get in touch at guruplease.com. Thanks again, and stay tuned!

Let's redefine mental illness as a different state of consciousness that can move us toward a spiritual life. Depression, suicidal ideation, paranoia, and schizophrenia contain a set of experiences that can teach us and reveal aspects of life and of ourselves that we wouldn't otherwise see. Ricky is a Life, Spirituality and Wellness Coach. He writes about spirituality, philosophy, mindfulness, meditation, and psychology in his blog Mind That Ego.Quotes to remember: “If we can embrace suffering and not crave happiness and not be overly resistant toward difficult feelings, that's going to lead us down a fulfilling path.” “Spirituality is not a hobby. It's a way of being.” “You are not a product of what goals you achieve.” “Ultimately, our truest essence is beyond what we can identify with.” “You are not the center of the universe, but you are the universe.” “Depression is a great teacher.” Takeaways:It's common to link being scientific with being atheist/cynical toward spiritualityThe journey of spirituality is bitter at first, then like sweet nectarWith suffering, the only way out is throughUnresolved grief and sadness contribute greatly to our sufferingOur spirituality evolves in spirals, and each stage incorporates all previous stagesSelf-transcendence is what lies beyond the ego and beyond Western individualismYou can be spiritual and have goalsThe ego will constantly try to intrude and impose, even when you are engaging in a passion projectThe ego both downplays and aggrandizes the truthWhat we identify with can hold us back and keep us stuck, even if it's supposedly a good identityWhen our Shadow side (our undesirable side) is not faced, it will come out as projection onto othersWe are afraid of not only our Shadow but also our power, potential, and creativityMental illness can be the beginning of spiritual awakening; nonstandard states of consciousness are not necessarily insanityOur potential is far beyond our sensesCuriosity is the antidote to fearWhat you'll learn:Ricky's introduction to spirituality through sufferingHow he talked himself through the suffering of mental illness to a place of wholenessOur understanding of Maslow's hierarchy of needs isn't the full picture of what Maslow intendedAbout Ricky's relationship with goal-settingHow our concept of our identity shifts as we growWhat envy can teach us about ourselvesMentioned on the podcast: https://www.mindthatego.com/Maslow's hierarchy and self-transcendenceSpiral DynamicsEckhart TolleDr. Leanne WhitneyKen WilberCrazy Wise documentaryStanislav Grof and Holotropic BreathworkLinks:FacebookMediumYoutubeInstagram

Curious about the writer's life and how writers find inspiration? Ever wonder about how a writer chooses their topics, and how to write about subjects you don't necessarily have experience in? Then listen on. Candy is a writer, blogger, and wellness speaker. She writes on the topics of health, personal growth, and methods for moving through and beyond challenging life circumstances. Her latest book is Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well.Quotes to remember: “Sometimes waiting is for our protection.” “The people who are successful as writers are those who are teachable.” “When you find your voice, you'll know it.” Takeaways:Pausing can be a time of preparation and relaxationWhen we write about subjects that aren't often discussed, it can strike a deeper chord with peopleWe can write about things we don't have direct experience ofWriting can be intuitive and contemplative rather than schedule-drivenYou may not be aware of your own patterns until in hindsightThe more you write about something, the more ideas you'll have about itHone your focus and you'll write betterNew writers tend to want to write everythingWhat you'll learn:The life challenges that inspired Candy to write a bookLessons she learned during a time of waitingThe circumstances around Candy's first successful book proposal, a book on losing a loved one to suicideTips on your first book or first major projectOn writing about a topic without personal experience of itWhat inspires Candy in her workMentioned on the podcast: https://candyarrington.com/Life on Pause: Learning to Wait WellAftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide

If you've been stuck trying to figure things out but with limited success, here is a technique to get you unstuck. Visualization is a skill that helps you empower yourself. Quotes to remember: “The only way to make great changes in your life is to be able to visualize and to imagine something for yourself that pretty much doesn't exist for you today.” “Imagining and visualizing don't need to be limited to the scope of entertainment.” Takeaways:Visualization is the practice of seeing and feeling in great detailVisualization is a skill we can buildThere is a huge difference between thinking about the future and imaginingImagination is not based on anything in the past or anything you know currentlyPeople can remain stuck due to an inability to imagine a radically different lifeImagination plants the seed to a new way of beingGood visualization technique includes imagining things that have nothing to do with your current realityWhat you'll learn:Why visualization and imagination are importantThe wrong and right way to do itAn exercise to improve your visualization techniqueHow visualization has helped me personallyTHIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Visualize the first minute of your ideal day. What do you do? How do you feel? Do you stay in bed for a bit, or get up smoothly and easily? Embody the feeling as you visualize. Let's be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

If you feel like your life is meaningless and fake, and you're questioning everything and lost and feeling like you're going crazy--congrats. You're in the first stages of spiritual awakening. And here you are to learn more about your experience.Lyndsay is a leadership coach, energy healer, and author of The Beautiful Un-Becoming: The Ultimate Guide to Life after Spiritual Awakening. She is passionate about empowering people on their spiritual journeys to reconnect with their inner light and wisdom to live an authentic, inspired life.Quotes to remember: “I suddenly was face-to-face with my own mortality.” “I was so focused on that goal of financial security because I didn't have it growing up, that I forgot that we're actually here to experience life.” “Why do you want to wait that long? Why do you feel like you're not ready now?”“It's not just one spiritual awakening and you're done.” “Spirituality is woven into my fiber.” “Follow what lights you up because that is your biggest indicator of what you're here to do in this lifetime.” Takeaways:When you realize that things could be over in the blink of an eye, you begin to question if you're doing the right thingsWe have whispers of the things that call to usMaking the world a better place can appear very smallWe will need to rebuild our community when we have different priorities from those around usWhen you don't have support you can get stuck in your own headHealing happens in spirals/circlesOur resistance often comes from our social programmingWhen you find yourself wanting to get rid of stuff, that's a big sign you're in spiritual awakeningMany spiritual concepts are understood in other terms like burnout or depression or anxiety“It's harder to fix my inside so I'm going to fix my outside”--consider if this applies to youOur ego loves to catastrophizeStaying safe is often staying smallSociety often tells us we need to know what the next step is and what we want, but that's not how it worksDo what you do for the highest and greatest good of othersIf you want to do something exciting, you need to be excited about it--and our childhood reveals clues of itWhat you'll learn:What created the circumstances for Lyndsay's “crumbling,” or “dark night of the soul”How she navigated her spiritual awakening on her ownThe 11 symptoms of spiritual awakeningHow to know when you are acting from the ego rather than from the heart/inner wisdom/higher SelfWhere to begin when you feel bombarded by stray thoughtsThe 6 stages of spiritual awakeningSigns that you are progressing in your journeyAbout Lyndsay's relationship with the futureMentioned on the podcast: https://lyndsaytoensing.com/The Beautiful Un-Becoming: The Ultimate Guide to Life after Spiritual AwakeningThe Myth of Getting Over It - GP podcastLink:Instagram

Comparing ourselves to others is so easy, and so futile. Quotes to remember: “We'll never win the game of comparison.” “When somebody's doing well in their path, it really doesn't have anything to do with your path.” Takeaways:Comparing is a distortion of what is really going onOnline and offline, many people will showcase their highlight reel versus the full pictureThe voice of the ego is not youChoose your comparisons wiselyWhen you focus on who you are and what you enjoy doing, the FOMO and the comparing fall awayWhat you'll learn:What to do when you find yourself comparing to others and feeling badHow to work with the ego rather than against itWhat comparing reveals about yourselfTHIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Notice one time in which you are comparing yourself to someone else. Allow it to be there rather than avoid it. Notice when it happens, how you feel, and what the voice is saying in your head. Let's be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Have you been stressed, anxious, lost, and confused lately? Let's take a step back and gain some perspective. Listen to someone who specializes in helping people feel whole and complete--and has gone through the journey too. Dmitria is an author and healer who helps people reconnect with their spirit and reignite the light within.  She works with people who are feeling like something is missing in their world to reconnect to the forgotten, neglected, and undiscovered parts of themselves, in order to finally experience the ease that comes from being whole.Quotes to remember: “I realized that it wasn't something out there; there was something in me that I had to figure out to unlock this life that I was dreaming of.” “You connect with people at the level and depth that you're able to connect to yourself.” “We get caught up in trying to prove to ourselves that we're successful.”“The only thing that keeps you from being ready is your own willingness.” Takeaways:Are you clear on what you personally enjoy doing?The beginning of your spiritual journey is a struggle and a search for helpYou don't need to be somebody for somebody elseMeditation gives you perspectiveOur purpose is to experience love and joy in this lifetime, and to simply beLet's challenge the idea that success will bring us happinessSuccess, happiness, and self-care can all occur at the same timeAllow yourself to rest and relaxWhy did we come here only to restrict ourselves and live by somewhat arbitrary rules? Things will be okay when you take two or five minutes to take time for yourselfAll of us are a little lostWe all have the same universal purpose, and unique passions and ways of expressing itWhat you'll learn:Why everything looked good on paper for Dmitria yet she still wasn't happyHow Dmitria started finding herselfHow her days and focus have shifted over this process of getting to know herselfThe two foundations to leaving the rat race and feeling wholeThe technique Dmitria uses to quickly replenish her energyThe kind of shifts that are possible when you are connected within yourselfWhy we abandon parts of ourselves that are really core to usA useful reinterpretation of fearHow Dmitria continues her learning When she decided to quit her corporate careerMentioned on the podcast: https://www.luminancehealing.com/https://www.dmitriaburby.com/Links:InstagramYoutube

Life is more than checking things off your to-do list. If you feel like you've been missing the point, or missing something, here is a way to connect to what truly matters.Quotes to remember: “Life is more than a to-do list.” “Presence always pays off in the end.” Takeaways:What life is aboutTo think that life is about productivity is to reduce and minimize the vastness of your experienceProductivity is a chase whereas presence feels whole and complete, and nothing is missingShifting to presence is reminding yourself of what is important by remembering unforgettable momentsPresence is a process and it is ongoingWhat you'll learn:Alternate ways to judge the quality of a day, aside from productivity What it means to love wellWhat presence feels like and how to know when you are presentHow to shift from productivity to presenceQuestions to ask yourself to evaluate your dayTHIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Find three moments in your day that you appreciate. Notice that your day would be different without those small things. Let's be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Own your life. You have this one beautiful life and if you feel stuck or unhappy or dissatisfied, things can change. Learn how to be the conscious creator of your life. Joey is a personal & professional development coach, author, and professional speaker. His mission is to help others find their purpose and live it with passion by living as their most authentic self.Quotes to remember: “There was so much fear to it… but then there was that other side of what’s possible.” “If there’s no good or bad, there’s no right or wrong, there’s no fair or unfair, and life is truly happening for me, why would this be happening?”“Any time life is happening to us, at the deepest level we go we’re a victim.” “The wealthiest people don’t decide what’s possible for them based on their past results.” Takeaways:Things will change for you when your prayer is stronger than your fearLook for where your spirit is fedIt is so difficult to serve two masters so to speak, with regards to a job and a passionFailure is never taking a stepOur reality is made-up based on our perceptionsDifferentiate truths versus factsSo often people will use what happened in their lives to hold themselves back and limit themFear kills dreamsLiving your purpose will take effort but won’t feel like workSometimes we learn and absorb wisdom but don’t apply itLiving our purpose is like a train going uphill; if you pause, you’ll be slippingWe must continue to grow and expand, and this feels exciting, enjoyable, and enlighteningThe vast majority of people spend their lives in fear, doubt, and worryIf we don’t take an abnormal action, we’ll get more of what we already haveLife is not a to-do listWhat you’ll learn:About Joey’s come-to moment in which nothing was going right in his lifeStep Number One of changing your life (no, not quitting your job)The biggest obstacle that everyone faces to living a life by their designHow Joey waded through various addictions, a divorce, and living states away from his sonHow to shift your perceptions of your self-image Being the conscious creator of your lifeThe two key indicators of if someone will be successful and get results from coachingMentioned on the podcast: http://coachwithjoseph.com/https://www.josephadrolshagen.com/Life’s Lessons bookLinks:FacebookYoutube

Stop trying to get over it. Here’s what to do instead. In this episode we break down the myth of getting over it and explore what healing really looks like. Quotes to remember: “Feelings are temporary.” “Letting go and getting over something is a process of becoming okay with all the feelings that come up.” “Sadness isn’t wrong. Grief isn’t wrong. These feelings don’t need to be fixed.” Takeaways:Healing doesn’t mean that you’ll never think about something and feel pain about it ever againTwo supposedly opposite feelings can co-exist togetherGrief and sadness and loss are cyclical rather than linearIt is difficult to sustain a single emotion when you aren’t trying to run away from itOur feelings are like colors in a color palette; to avoid some feelings is to toss out half of the colorsStrength is being able to bear the painWhat you’ll learn:What it really means to get over somethingA different paradigm on healing and getting over heartbreak or loss or rejectionTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Take a look at something you are getting over or trying to get over, big or small. Consider the possibility that how you feel about it is exactly where you should be right now. That you don’t need to feel only positively or neutrally about it, and that the “negative” feelings mean that the person or thing that you miss is important to you. Ask yourself: “Why do I feel the need to get over it? What does getting over this look like for me?” Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Learn about motivation from the man who broke the world record in May 2021 for most pushups in an hour--over three thousand pushups. TShane fought for his life after a horrific accident, flatlining three times as medics worked to save him. Later, as he struggled with PTSD, his business collapsed and he found himself homeless for two years. Today he is an author of three books, a motivational speaker, single father and a successful business owner, and he attempted to break two world records, for most pushups in an hour and most pushups over 12 hours, on a livestreamed event May 1 2021, raising money for the Purple Heart Honor Mission.UPDATE: TShane DID indeed smash the 1-hour pushup world record (it was 2,919, he finished 3,050 pushups). Though he fell short of the 12-hour record, he managed to do over 16,000 pushups and hopes to tackle the 12-hour record again, which has stood for more than 30 years, set by Paddy Doyle at 19,325 pushups.Quotes to remember: “There’s something calming about being homeless.” “Once we learn how to embrace pain, it doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.” “I don’t pity anybody that wants to talk about something and never do anything.”  Takeaways:We are where we are because of so much that others have doneHardship and coming close to death can be your inspiration for doing challenging thingsRemembrance every day is key to building yourself long-termTake responsibility for your mistakes in order to keep moving forwardBeing homeless can be freeing and allow you to connect with yourself; nobody bothers youWorkout time is you timeOpportunity is any- and everywhereFind positively rewarding activities to be addicted toFood is to power the body, not pleasure the palateIt’s okay that your energy varies throughout the dayYou can be happier and more productive when you finish your work early and have time for yourself and your family in the daylightWhat you’ll learn:How TShane recovered so quickly after flatlining multiple times in the ICUWhat motivates TShane to break world recordsHis thoughts on why the veteran suicide rate is so highWhy pain isn’t necessarily a bad thingWhat TShane listens to while working out and training (it’s not music)How he feels about someone breaking his world recordWhat’s next for TShane after pushupsWhat his food routine and self-care look likeMentioned on the podcast: https://tshaneinspires.com/Earl NightingaleZig ZiglarLes BrownLinks:FacebookInstagram

Relationships can bring out the best in us… and all of our fears as well. This episode is for anyone with anxieties and fears around relationships. Quotes to remember: “A relationship is not the answer to your problems in any way. It’s a mirror to show you more of who you are.”“Within fear is an opportunity to discover just how powerful you are.” “It is not the absence of fear that defines a successful relationship; it’s the ability to move through that fear, to look at it and face it and move past it.” Takeaways:We will all feel fear in a relationship, and it’s not a sign that the relationship isn’t rightEveryone has fears and a relationship will bring them to the surfaceFear has a million faces and shows itself in myriad waysFear is our mind’s response to being vulnerableIt’s important to recognize fear and air it out rather than avoid itLove is the antithesis of fear; it is being open to anything that could happenThere will never be a time when we have defeated all of our fears and no longer feel fearIn a loving relationship, each individual is a willing participant in looking at themselves and who they areWhy be in a relationship if it’s resonating with the energy of worry and doubt the entire time, a fear of it ending? Rejection is not painful--self-rejection isThere is no such thing as a perfect relationship without fearsBeing in relationship is one of the toughest things to do, periodWhat you’ll learn:Why we feel afraid in relationshipsA characterization of fearHow to acknowledge fear and move through it in a relationshipTactics to jolt yourself out of the fearThe purpose of relationshipMentioned on the podcast:Self-Love episodeTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Identify a lesson in a past or present relationship, and what it taught you about yourself. Feel gratitude for this lesson. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Learn the secrets of happiness--this elusive thing that we all want. If you’ve been feeling unfulfilled, lost, confused, stuck, or out of control, this conversation is for you. Dr. Rob is a transformational author and filmmaker who advises athletes, celebrities, business leaders, and everyday people on how to live their best lives. He is the host of The Dr. Rob Show and the author of The 48 Laws of Happiness: Secrets Revealed For Becoming The Happiest You.Quotes to remember: “One of the most difficult things for people to do is to both literally and metaphorically look in the mirror.” “Become the person that you want everybody to believe that you are.” “Whatever your mind magnifies becomes real.” “When we learn to slow down our lives to the speed of enjoyment is when we learn how to become content.” Takeaways:There are health benefits to forgiving othersSometimes we have an “aha” moment; other times it is a processIt is useful to look to the people who are 2 or 5 years ahead of you in how you want to be, for more guidance and strategyExperience is not the best teacher--reflected experience isWhen we let go of judgment of our experiences, they become data pointsPeople can live without a lot of things but people cannot live without hopeThe chase for achievement to make us happy is neverendingWe often don’t fulfill our calling because we don’t give ourselves permissionWhatever you want to find… you findAccepting yourself unconditionally is not based on your circumstancesThe difference between positive and negative people is what they focus onMorning is your time to feel in control of the dayWhat you’ll learn:About Dr. Rob’s near-death experience and how it helped him develop into who he is todayHow to use your past experiences, good or bad, to further your own growthWhat our identity is based uponQuestions to ask yourself in order to manifest your potential and your greatest selfHow Dr. Rob gained his wisdom and how you can tooAn example of living with gratitude versus ingratitudeAbout his meditation practice that grounds him every dayWhat he has learned from being a filmmaker and directorA simple way to focus on what mattersWhat Destination Disease isMentioned on the podcast: http://drrob.tv/The 48 Laws of Happiness: Secrets Revealed For Becoming The Happiest YouLinks:FacebookInstagram

Can’t seem to stop overthinking and worrying and stressing? If you find yourself living in a state of indecision and anxiety, get some support through grounding techniques and insight into how the mind works. Quotes to remember: “We can’t actually stop overthinking. What we can do is focus on what we want to do instead of overthinking.” “You are not the thoughts. You are not the mind. You are the witness to those thoughts.” Takeaways:Worry feels productive but is counterproductiveA decision takes just a moment, whereas anxiety and indecision can take yearsWe don’t need to believe every single thought we haveThe mind/ego is always in the past or in the future; the body can only be in the present momentWhat you’ll learn:Grounding questions to ask yourself when you start overthinkingHow to disidentify with your mindOther tips for dealing with a busy mindTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Give your ego/mind a name. Try the name out for a week. Whenever you start overthinking, refer to them as not your thoughts, but that entity’s thoughts.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Do you work too much and feel guilty about taking time for yourself? Do you find yourself overthinking things and having a hard time asserting your boundaries? Learn how to work through anxiety and discover what the root of it is for you.Tati helps high-achievers with high-functioning anxiety feel more calm, present, and confident so they can finally stop overthinking everything and live a more balanced life. She has had over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health & self-improvement.Quotes to remember: “It got to the point where it felt like I couldn’t handle it anymore--and that’s when I realized I shouldn’t be reacting this way to something so small.”“It’s not a linear journey.” “You don’t need to be hard on yourself to be ambitious.” “When you’re overthinking things, in some way you feel like you have control.” Takeaways:People with high-functioning anxiety appear calm and confident on the outside, but are struggling on the insideYou may not know that you have anxiety because you believe that this is what it takes to be successfulThe first step is becoming aware of your negative thoughts and when they come upSpeak with yourself like you might speak with a friendWe mistakenly believe that we must be hard on ourselves in order to get things doneSelf-compassion can aid in ambitionWe are taught via punishment growing up--but it’s ineffective at building sustainable habits for ourselvesAnxiety is rooted in shame and being uncomfortable with oneselfExpress your shame and fear, if even in a journal When you notice the thinking, you give yourself the choiceAnxiety often leads to either avoidance or overworkingFocus on energy management rather than time managementSometimes people become comfortable in their discomfortWhat you’ll learn:How core beliefs may be holding us backWhat Tati implemented in her life once she realized that anxiety was running her lifeSteps to accepting yourselfWhat to do when you find yourself overthinkingPreventing burnout by keeping a pulse on your healthHow to address guilt when saying no, especially in workHow to be more productive in less timeWhy some people fail to changeMentioned on the podcast: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/Calmly Coping podcastLinks:InstagramYoutubePinterest

Self-love is a vague term and I wanted to disambiguate it. Here are the basic principles of self-love, plus some practical things you can do to love yourself. Remember, it’s a daily practice to love yourself. Quotes to remember: “You are infinite… you are capable beyond anything you can imagine.” “Every choice you make is a step either toward the person you want to become or away from the person you want to become.” Takeaways:Sometimes it takes hardship and being treated poorly to discover self-loveIt is important to differentiate the true you from the inner criticLetting go includes letting go of ideas and plans and people and influencesAccepting yourself means that you accept that at times, you won’t be up to parSelf-care is only a part of the whole of self-loveSelf-love is a practice; it can only be known experientiallyYou are enough to satisfy what you need What you’ll learn:Defining self-loveSeveral aspects/basic principles of self-loveExercises to implement to love yourself moreTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Write down one idea that stood out to you. Ponder it this week. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

How does a former police officer define justice? Why is there a gender difference in rates of suicide? How do you have compassion for perpetrators of crimes, and how does your own self-care tie into all of it? Get a social justice writer’s take on self-care, worth, and justice in this episode. Pip is a social justice writer, podcast producer, radio presenter, and personal brand strategist with a background in criminal investigations and advocacy. She began writing 15 years ago as she journaled her way through PTSD and anxiety. In 2017 she created the radio show, The Hour to Empower, and the accompanying podcast, Elements of Empowerment. Quotes to remember: “Women’s empowerment is all about saying yes and knowing when to say no.” “Justice is often an apology.” “We shouldn’t have to justify or excuse ourselves in order to get what we want.” Takeaways:Justice looks different for everybodyTrauma that isn’t dealt with manifests into frustration and angerMost perpetrators have been victimsThe conversations we have with ourselves are where empowerment beginsMen who consider suicide often would rather kill themselves than hurt their family membersSuicide comes from intergenerational trauma and patterns of behaviorJustice is not a system or in a courtroom ruled by a middle-aged white manThe only people who benefit from the legal system are the people who work in itThe legal system repeatedly subjects you to your traumaBoys need to learn how depersonalize rejection so that they don’t turn to violenceYou teach others how you want to be treatedWhat you’ll learn:Social justice and trauma from a former police officer’s perspective How men’s mental health plays into women’s safetyOn the gender gap in suicide (men complete suicide more frequently than women), and what we can do about itHow self-care ties into justice and mental health, and how to build self-worthOn parenting children and developing confident young peopleWhat self-care looks like for someone working in justiceMentioned on the podcast: https://piprae.com/https://julesoneill.com/https://hannahkorrel.com/

If you have perfectionistic and self-critical tendencies, give yourself the gift of self-awareness and some tools you can use to face perfectionism and replace it with joy, curiosity, and freedom.Quotes to remember: “Our identity isn’t based on achievement. Our identity is based on our values.” “Perfectionism is a symptom of your relationship with yourself.” Takeaways:A huge part of getting over perfectionism is recognizing the benefits of itIn reality, nothing can ultimately be perfectOur society, especially in the U.S., trains us to be perfectionistic from an early agePerfectionism is a way you treat yourself; how do you want your mental space to feel?We don’t think completely logically--otherwise we wouldn’t be perfectionistic in the first placeLetting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean letting go of your values; in fact, you may even do better for itWhat you’ll learn:Why we are perfectionisticHow to overcome perfectionism: tipsMy personal relationship with being a perfectionist and how I got through itTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Write down the 3 biggest things you tend to be perfectionistic about.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Listening to others’ stories and sharing your own are powerful ways to create change in your life. Hear about Herb’s variety of experiences and what inspires him--and inspire new ideas within yourself.Herb is a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University studying organic chemistry. His array of experiences include attending a majority black high school, speaking at a meeting with members of the Obama Administration about education, playing D3 football in Ohio, resolving racial issues at a Predominantly White Institution, and rebounding from losing his father at 22. He is also the co-host of The NuBlack Podcast, where he and Taaj Davis have conversations about anything and everything that can mold, challenge, or shift perspectives.Quotes to remember: “Literally you’re watching someone you love, die… it’s a hard task to do but you do it because you love the person.” “If you try to go faster than your pace, that’s how burnout happens.” “There’s so much life out there and there are so many experiences to have.”Takeaways:We often need to mourn before a loved one diesGrieving the loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things you will doWe can work through the impostor syndromeWhen we’re hitting a wall, it helps to take a break, take a step back, and come to it with a fresh mind later onSimple grounding techniques can help you move out of dwelling and back to the presentIt’s important to share your stories, both positive and negativeWhat you’ll learn:On Herb’s grieving process of losing his father to lung cancerDealing with impostor syndrome and being a black researcher in STEMThe idea of having a short memory and how it can be useful in challenging timesHow Herb addressed a racist incident on campus in a creative wayWhy and how to be well-rounded as a personWhat inspired Herb to podcastMentioned on the podcast: The NuBlack podcast

The feeling of being lonely can basically be unbearable in certain moments. Here are some thoughts on what loneliness is a sign of, what you can learn from it, how solitude differs from loneliness, and what to do to feel less lonely. Quotes to remember: “To the lonely person, being alone equates to being lonely.” “Oftentimes this loneliness that we feel echoes some wound or some trauma that we experienced a long time ago.” Takeaways:Being alone helps us face our fears of lonelinessGet curious about the feeling of loneliness, and see what it tells you about what you feel disconnected fromConsider your inner child and whether or not that child is still hurtingWe are all connected in so many waysThe practice of solitude is a deliberate ascetic actThe feeling of loneliness is a guest; it will come, and then it will go; we don’t need to fear itWhen you practice solitude, be ready to feel more lonely initially before it passesWhat you’ll learn:What to do when you feel lonelyWhat it means to feel lonelyThe difference between loneliness and solitudeQuestions to ask yourself the next time you feel lonelyFour types of disconnection or alienationMentioned on the podcast: 4 Ways to Overcome Alienation and LonelinessTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Write out one thing that you love to do with other people. Do that thing on your own and see how the experience is. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

We all have a creative intelligence within us that can serve us in our darkest moments and is more powerful than thought. Here’s how to get in touch with it. Corry is a transpersonal art therapist, artist, and cognitive coach. She helps people activate their Creative Intelligence, giving them the freedom and grit to transform their challenges into wisdom. She is the author of Life In Full Colors: Unlock Your Childlike Curiosity to Uncover and Activate the Creative Intelligence You Are.Quotes to remember: “There was always this process where there was a challenge… and that became the ultimate art material.” “We can love all of ourselves.” “Even if things aren’t flowing or colorful, they can just become our normal.” “My god, we’re the universe in a pair of jeans.” Takeaways:There is a deep intelligence within us that can guide us to new ways of beingSometimes we need a different way to express our emotions to release themOur darker emotions are trying to tell us somethingChange is a gradual spiral upward, not an on-off switchIntentional messiness can help you get in touch with your heartIt can be helpful to dialogue with your challenges and problemsAccessing the intelligence within helps us move through challenges and take on a different perspectiveAt rock-bottom is where we finally look up and cry out for helpIf you only paint blue, paint blueThe heart’s magnetic field is 5000x stronger than that of the thinking mindOur hearts attune to one anotherWhat you’ll learn:What transpersonal art therapy isWhat led Corry to becoming a healerHow to connect the thinking and feeling mindsThe connection between art and self-loveThe process by which Corry wrote Life in Full ColorsTelltale signs that you are not living life in full colorsWhy we become disconnected from our creativityHow to get back in center with your heart when you feel out of itMentioned on the podcast: https://www.creatinghealingwithcorry.com/Life in Full Colors bookJoseph Campbellhttps://www.heartmath.org/Links:InstagramFacebookTwitterYoutube

Have issues setting boundaries and saying no to people? Here are some quick tips and techniques to help you save your energy and live more fully aligned with your values. Quotes to remember: “We need to say no to most things because most of everything is not going to align with what you’re trying to do.”“You’re letting yourself down if you commit to something that just won’t work for you.” “Setting boundaries is a way to determine what your priorities are.” Takeaways:Saying no is arguably more important than saying yesYour time and interests are valuableWe have been simultaneously conditioned to want to say yes to others and to not want to say noIf your gut reaction is negative, you should say noYour no should be transparentPeople who want something from you don’t like you for you; they like you for what you can do for themYou don’t need to provide a reason or excuse for turning down an opportunityRemember that you don’t owe other people if they ask you for somethingWhat you’ll learn:Why it’s hard to say noTips and techniques on how to make it easier to say noHow to set boundaries clearly with yourself and with other peopleHow to deal with FOMO when trying to say noTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Count how many times you say no in one day.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Learn the skills to empower yourself in the face of difficulty and adversity. Shift your paradigms around fear and become adaptable in a world that is always changing. Gerry is an executive coach, public speaker, and the author of The Thriving Mindset–Tools for Empowerment in a Disruptive World. He inspires people to build resilience, and to understand that adversity can become a source of opportunity.Quotes to remember: “No matter how tough things got… it did not compare to what I had come from.” “Adversity causes some people to break, and other people to break records.” “There is nothing wrong with being afraid. It’s what you do when you’re afraid that matters.” “You have to leap. You will fall. You will struggle. And if you have the power of persistence you will evolve.” Takeaways:Disruption and opportunity come togetherAdversity is a natural part of life, and the normal response to adversity is fearThe problem with fear is getting stuck in paralysis, which creates further adversityA leader without fear doesn’t existClarity comes from knowing what is most important to you and how you seek to add value to the worldIt is possible to become a victim of your own successAsk yourself: What might I not know? The world will constantly change in ways we cannot predictThe claim that you are an expert and have nothing more to learn is actually a fear responseWe can’t go backwards and put the genie back in the bottle in terms of technologyThere will inevitably be struggle after you take a courageous leap out of your box What you’ll learn:The bio behind Gerry’s bio of the tough situation in which he grew upThe skill of the thriving mindset and how to cultivate itHow Kodak went bankrupt despite their having invented the digital cameraHow to rethink what education is, because one set of skills will no longer carry us forty years into the futureWhat intellectual capital is, why you should cultivate more of it, and howAn example of Gerry responding to his fear around releasing his bookMentioned on the podcast: https://gerryvalentine.com/The Thriving Mindset bookLinks:LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Gain power in your life by learning some tools and techniques to not take things personally, especially rejection. Quote to remember: “All rejection is self-rejection.” Takeaways:The spotlight effect means that we tend to overemphasize our own role in a situationWe expect others to reject what we reject in ourselvesJust because someone else rejects us doesn’t mean we need to reject ourselvesTry becoming aware of your beliefs around being rejectedMany people use the term “should” as a weapon against themselves to undermine themselvesJust because you care deeply about doing well in something doesn’t mean you need to reject yourself when you do a poor jobHow would you help someone you love deal with rejection? What you’ll learn:Why we take things personallyTips and techniques to not take things personallyQuestions to ask yourself as you feel rejectedTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Identify a time when you took things personally (could be big or small). Talk about it with someone and observe how their response to the situation is different from your own. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Explore the power of sound and how it affects us on a cellular level. Also, enjoy a brief humming exercise that will improve your mood and calm your mind. Jonathan is a founding pioneer in the field of sound healing, musician, and author of Healing Sounds, Shifting Frequencies, The Divine Name, and The Seven Secrets of Sound Healing. Andi & Jonathan coauthored The Humming Effect. They have dedicated his life to helping awaken and empower others with the ability of sound to heal and transform.Quotes to remember: “Everything in the universe is in a state of vibration.” “Sound helps amplify the power of our prayer and meditation.” Takeaways:Sound is one of the most expressive modes of therapySound has a profound effect on our bodiesUsing the voice is simple way to practice sound healingHumming is like giving yourself an internal vibroacoustic massageEven one minute of humming can reduce stress Your intention can affect how to produce and receive sound/musicWhat you’ll learn:What led Jonathan and Andi to sound healingHow intention factors into sound as a healing modalityThe physical aspects on a cellular level of soundThe most powerful intention to pair with sound and prayerWhat sonic entrainment isA short sound healing exerciseMentioned on the podcast: https://www.healingsounds.com/The Humming EffectLinks:FacebookYoutubeTwitter

Develop your self-awareness with a simple, quick, and downright easy life audit. Here’s how to do it--and more importantly, why. Quotes to remember: “This is a tool for your own self-awareness. It’s not something that’s going to be graded on some objective scale.” “If that feels inspiring to you, go ahead and do it, but if that feels heavy on you then it’s not an obligation at all.” Takeaways:Life wheels vary but generally speaking, have the same categoriesThe point isn’t to have 10/10 in each categoryOver time you will internalize the life audit processA life audit is to understand where you are right now, not necessarily to make changesStart small when you look at your life wheel and want to make improvementsLet yourself be in an imaginal space to startWhat you’ll learn:How to do a comprehensive life auditWhy do an assessment and how oftenWhat to do if you feel stuck on one category in the life wheelMentioned on the podcast: How to Audit Your Life by Asking the Right Questions (blog post - Tiny Buddha)Life Wheel imagesTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Look at a Life Wheel (see link above) and read the categories in the image. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

We’ve all set goals or intentions and had trouble following through. Here is a short daily practice that will remind you of what’s important. You can also use the principles of somatic learning as a foundation for a more spiritual way of living. Robert “Bud” Abbott has been a marine biologist, a seeker, a student, and a teacher on a spiritual journey. He is the co-author of Transformation: The 90-Second Mind-Body Practice Integrating Tai Chi and Yoga to Manage Stress and Unlock Your Potential.Quotes to remember: “I want to speak my truth. I want to accomplish my goals. I want to be of service.” “I find myself seeing my daily interaction with the world through the lens of these movements.” Takeaways:Beginning your day with affirmations that are paired with movement is a very effective way to reprogram your mindFeeling the feeling of a spoken word and going through the mental/inner journey of that is importantWhen someone irks you, think: I can move around them, I can flow on bySomatic learning is a powerful way to modify your own behavior The mystical truth of sharing is that the other person is a manifestation of yourselfConsciousness goes beyond what’s in the mindWhat you’ll learn:What somatic learning isHow Mu-i worksQuestions to ask yourself to engage yourself in your practice more fullyA method to feel joy through this embodying practiceHow to begin your spiritual journeyMentioned on the podcast: https://transformationtaichi.com/Transformation: The 90-second Mind-Body Practice Integrating Tai Chi and Yoga to Manage Stress and Unlock Your Potential

This episode is inspired by a conversation with a friend after his father passed away suddenly, about being strong. Strength comes not from blocking off any feeling, but from facing it all.  Quotes to remember: “Strength isn’t the ability to take anything and not feel it. It’s actually the ability to feel everything.”“When you deny yourself one feeling, you deny yourself all feelings.” Takeaways:Strength is often portrayed as the inability to feelWe often fear feeling, which is why we see strength as not-feelingFeelings are always temporary and never last foreverTrue strength is being able to bear it allDenying yourself your emotions is an incomplete attempt at grievingGrief doesn’t work on your timelineWhat you’ll learn:What strength is and is notWhy we see strength in the wrong lightHow to feel and continue to feel despite pain and despairThe timeline of griefTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Take a look at one difficult, potentially unresolved situation in your life. Name it and write it down on paper or in your phone.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

This is one of the most interesting--and rare--perspectives you will ever hear. Rachel has had a fascinating multi-dimensional career as a sex worker and is now a vegan cooking educator. Genuine, honest, clear, and thoughtful are a few of the ways I would describe this wonderful human being. Rachel is a UK-based public speaker and former sex worker. She talks openly about her experience working in the sex industry in the hope of educating people about the reality of sex work and dispelling misconceptions. After eight years in the sex industry, she has strong views about the need for clear and honest sex education. She is also the face of the vegan cooking Youtube channel, Auntie Rachel’s Chaotic Kitchen.Quotes to remember: “There’s a lot of interest to keep women suppressed physically, emotionally, sexually.” “You can’t live your life for other people, because it’s exhausting.” Takeaways:Enjoyment of work often comes from freedom to chooseWomen who take control of their sexuality are demonizedThe more comfortable we are with ourselves, the more comfortable we can be with othersSelf-deprecation in its extreme can become self-humiliationPorn is not representative of sex and looking for it often expresses a desire to get sex educationMany people use porn as a way to self-sootheSweet potatoes are extremely versatile in foodTry buying something in the grocery store you’ve never gotten before, to make cooking a fun explorationWhat you’ll learn:How Rachel got into sex work and what motivated herWhy sex work is stigmatizedHow to wear your past as your armor Why she is open about her experiencesIdeas on better sex education and porn literacyHow we can reconsider what porn addiction is Why Rachel became vegan (more than health benefits)How to go vegan if you’re a beginner or you’re intriguedMentioned on the podcast: http://racheltalksreality.com/Auntie Rachel’s Chaotic KitchenHannah Gadsby@DrDavidLey - Author. Shrink. Sex therapist. Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Centrist rejecting all black and white thinking. “Shaman of the modern world.”@JustinLehmiller - Social psychologist, sex researcher, author, pinball wizard. Kinsey Institute Research Fellow. I run the Sex and Psychology blog & podcast.@EmRothman (she's created a porn literacy course) - I’m a social epidemiologist. I study how to prevent dating and sexual violence and lately I study autism, too.@NicoleRPrause - Advocate for empirically-supported treatments and provider for mental health clients. Neuroscience & physiology lab studying primary rewards.http://liberoscenter.comLinks:YoutubeTwitterInstagram

The systems we live in don’t define who we are. We are not limited by our bodies or our minds… Seeing this physical reality as a game or multiple games can help us get out of our heads and beyond these illusions of limitation.Quotes to remember: “There is a part of us that is eternal and that is boundless, and can’t be confined by a system…”“We are not the thinker. We are the thing that observes the thinker in us.”Takeaways:It’s important to recognize the systems we partake inWe can mistake the game for real lifeThere is a part of us that is always wild and freeWe don’t need to win every gameWhat you’ll learn:What it takes to become aware of the systems we are inWhat it looks like to step outside the systemsHow to exit the illusions of the physical worldThe look and feel of being present and identifying with your spiritTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Take a couple of minutes to reflect on what life would be like if everything in your life were a game. What kind of person are you when you play a game? Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

It’s surprising how much influence our physical environments have on our physical and mental health and our habits. Learn about how you can tweak what you have in your home to optimize your wellbeing.Elisa is an interior designer and founder of Zen Spaces, a California-based interior design-build firm. She synergizes psychology, neuroscience, aging, health, fitness, and mindfulness into the design of spaces that people thrive in.Quotes to remember: “I want to help people feel more alive. And for me, that means having more freedom.”“I don’t think people realize how much their environment affects them.” Takeaways:Research is me-searchWe spend >90% of our time indoorsHints of nature in a space, from color to sounds, will affect our physiology and reduce stress hormonesLiving indoors is fairly new and unnatural for humankindDesign your spaces according to the function of the space and how you want to feel during those activities It’s important to have your own space/retreat/sanctuary where you can be with yourselfAim for 1 plant per 100 square feet of spaceWhat you’ll learn:How to optimize your living space for wellness, better sleep, and physical healthAbout Elisa’s custom sprinter RVs to bring your lifestyle back to natureGetting work-life balance while working from homeHow to create a meditation room in your home, using the space you haveThe most common mistake when designing a home spaceQuick tweaks you can do in your living spaces to improve your wellness How the layout of our home or office affects our habitsMentioned on the podcast: https://zenspaces.design/Frank Lloyd Wright: An AutobiographyVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Links:FacebookYoutube

A quick rundown on how to craft affirmations that work, and when it’s best to use them. Thoughts have a measurable impact on our brains and bodies, so let’s use it to our benefit. Quotes to remember: “A thought isn’t just some kind of imaginary idea; it literally has a physical presence in our brains and in our bodies.” “Just because there’s no clear scientific reason why it works doesn’t mean you can’t use it to your benefit.” Takeaways:Self-affirmation has immediate results in the momentThe mind defaults to the negative because it is looking for threatsThoughts become thingsThe subconscious mind follows different rules than the conscious mind, and interprets things symbolicallyAffirmations don’t need to be complicatedAffirmations, like mantras, gain power over time and useIt’s not so much the words themselves that work--it is the images that the words createAffirmation produces a subtle shift in the bodyWhat you’ll learn:How to craft a good affirmation that worksThe major way that people go wrong in creating an affirmationWhen to use self-affirmationTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Find 2 affirmations that resonate with you. Take 1 minute (time it!) and repeat these affirmations to yourself. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

A fresh, lighthearted, comedic take on facing the rock-bottom and extracting yourself from it. Also learn about some pitfalls with vision boards and how to do them right. As a speaker, writer, and creator of the Vision Board Mastery learning program, Steve works with individuals and work teams to help SEE their goals, BECOME the people they need to be, then build ACTION PLANS to achieve them.Quotes to remember: “I don’t want to be Tony Robbins. I want to be me.” “Consistency and momentum build confidence.” Takeaways:When you don’t know how to move forward, find people who are already doing what you already want to doRather than balance, consider integrationStart your day happy by reliving good moments and experiencing gratitudeTry shopping cart rescue therapy or another form of giving when you’re feeling downMost people do a vision board party the wrong way by not assessing where they are now and why they want what they wantBelieve the people who believe in youLittle victories get you from not feeling confident in yourself to feeling confidentWhen you are consistent for long enough, you won’t want to stopDo you have friends who are like deadweight? What you’ll learn:About Steve’s rock-bottom moment of deep debt, divorce, and losing a jobHow he started in motivational speakingWhat led to his eventual burnoutThe habits of a sustainable and healthy lifestyleWhat a motivational speaker does when he’s feeling downThe right way to make a vision boardA story of helping another person change the course of his lifeThe crazy story of how Steve received an email from someone in high school out of the blue 20+ years later… and now they’ve been married 14 yearsMentioned on the podcast: https://www.motivationalfirewood.com/visionLinks:FacebookTwitterInstagramYoutube

Here is what taking responsibility and letting go of blame actually look like. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages to holding on to blame so that you can choose if it works for you or not.Quotes to remember: “A big thing that happens when you let go of blame is that you let go of any possibility in your mind that it could’ve been any other way.” “When we release the blame, we empower ourselves.” Takeaways:When you blame someone else or a situation, you can be the good and innocent oneYou also may very well be right in that what happened wasn’t your responsibilityHolding on to blame means you relinquish your control and power in the situationTaking responsibility doesn’t mean you condone what happenedAcceptance is not the same as approvalChange will happen when your own well-being becomes more important than holding onto blameTaking responsibility does not mean taking on others’ responsibilities and blaming oneselfWhat you’ll learn:The advantages to blaming others and playing the victimWhat taking responsibility is and is notHow to own your own health and healingTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Identify one instance of blame that you’re holding on to, that has been holding you back. Also identify one advantage to holding onto the blame.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

A heartwarming journey through the life of an artist. Learn about the musicality hidden in daily life and the places where mathematics and art come together. Here are the extraordinary tales of an instrument designer who has followed his calling against all odds.Dmitry is a professional designer of concert-grade violins, as well as a musician, mentor, and entrepreneur. Dmitry started playing violin at the age of 8, becoming a member of La Petite Bande, a Belgian ensemble famous for playing baroque music, and selling out concerts as a solo performer. As a child in Soviet Russia, he couldn’t afford to buy an instrument which could properly showcase his talent. Frustrated by the sounds produced by the basic violin he had, he decided to rebuild his instrument to improve his own performance at the age of 11. He had a successful career as a master violin-maker.But in January 2013, Dmitry had a massive stroke, which almost killed him and left him paralysed down his left side. Doctors told him he would have to relearn how to walk and then broke the devastating news that he was unlikely to ever play the violin again. Now at 51, Dmitry offers online training for instrument makers, teaching them how to create pieces which stand out from the crowd and tell a story.Quotes to remember: “When you walk along the streets of ancient European cities, you will see literally a symphony in tone.” “When a musician can really fulfill their musical dreams, I would say it’s priceless.” “It completely makes no sense doing exactly what everyone else is doing… It is time to do things differently in this art.” Takeaways:Ancient masters understood sound, space, and instrument-making better than modern peoplePeople will discourage you when you try something differentIn Pythagoreanism, people believed that there are musical underpinnings to the world and universal systemsSounds are different proportions that create harmonicsOlder instruments don’t necessarily sound better than new instruments, due to advancements in craft and constructionHave full faith in your true calling and go for it no matter what What you’ll learn:How Dmitry got into violin-making at the age of 11What inspired him to study the art of violin making beyond the level of most instrument makersWhy he quit violin making, and how he returned to itWhy the violin is shaped the way it isHow Dmitry cracked the code of the ancient masters and designs custom instrumentsHow he recreated the violoncello da spalla, an instrument that is essentially extinctMentioned on the podcast: https://badiarovviolins.com/jp/The Authentic Instrument Makers AcademyLa Petite BandePablo NassarreThe Lives of the Artists - Giorgio VasariThe Violoncello da Spalla, introduced by Sigiswald KuijkenLinks:FacebookInstagramYoutube

You will lose many things, people, and situations in life, even (and maybe especially) when you’re making changes in a positive direction. Here’s the lowdown on the stages of grief and how they work (hint: it’s not linear) so that you can anticipate what’s to come. Quote to remember: “Any life transition involves some kind of loss.” Takeaways:Grief is part of all change, whether the change is good or badThe fourth stage of depression often feels like the worst part, despite it being before acceptanceAccepting change and everything that comes with it The stages of grief do not go in order, and you cycle between them rather than go step by stepNo emotion lasts for very longJudging our feelings will add another layer of feelingsWhat you’ll learn:Why we might feel negative emotions when we’re making positive changes in our livesThe stages of griefThe optional sixth stage of griefWhat grieving looks like when we make a positive changeMentioned on the podcast: Healing from Betrayal with Dr. Debi SilberElisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler’s work THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Notice one moment when you are grieving the loss of something. Which stage(s) are you in? Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Have you ever had the idea that your mind is working against you? Get a better understanding of how to work with it, from a professional in the world of the mind. Plus, learn about some funny hypnotism skits and the science behind being hypnotized. Doug is a professional hypnotist, host of the Making Meaning podcast, and an adventurer. He helps people worldwide overcome roadblocks like mental illness and fear through online hypnosis at Anywhere Hypnosis. He also does performance hypnosis at different events.Quotes to remember: “I realized that no one was going to come to save me… I didn’t want to die, but I didn’t want to continue living the way that I had been.”“Our unconscious mind speaks in images and feelings.”“When we change at the identity level, everything else changes.” Takeaways:Solo meditation actually increases the frequency of our brain wavesDepression and anxiety are large issues that aren’t cured by hypnosis or meditation by a magic wand; they have layers and steps to themDepression can become a guidepost for you, to provide you with needed informationHypnosis is not the same as mind control; it is entering the creative and open theta stateChanging at the identity level is more difficult than changing at the habit levelEveryone responds to the same hypnosis differentlyA hypnotism performance is similar to improv in that the hypnotist works with new actors and doesn’t know where the show is going to goOur emotional states are a lot more malleable than we think; emotions as patterns last only a few minutes Depression can be useful to be aware ofWhat you’ll learn:How Doug got started in hypnotism The link between meditation and hypnosis: our brain wavesDoug’s tools for facing anxietyWhat self-hypnosis looks likeWhat being hypnotized is actually like (as opposed to the movie version)What it’s like being a stage hypnotist and performerHow Doug writes his showsHow to tell a good hypnotist from a so-so oneWhy Doug believes that everyone can be hypnotizedMentioned on the podcast: https://www.anywherehypnosis.com/Links:FacebookInstagramYoutube

It’s important to be present. Sure. But what does that mean? How do we do it, in spite of all the distractions and things to do and neverending obligations? Here is a paradigm shift on how to relate to the future (and past). Quotes to remember: “The future is an idea that exists in our minds.”“It becomes a joy to live in the mystery.” “There is nothing to fear in the present moment because there is nothing unknown.” Takeaways:Does it help us to remain present in every single moment? Yes.Living for the future puts us in a constant state of waiting and judgment in the presentWe think about both the past and the future, in the present; they are ideasEverything is temporaryWhat you’ll learn:How to remain present A different way to view the past and the futureHow living in the present moment feelsTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Find one instance in your life where your present is serving your future. Flip it and see how your idea of the future is serving your present. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Learn to inspire yourself. You know that saying, everything you’re looking for is already inside of you? If you’re wondering what that actually means then you’re in the right place. Listen on to discover your own self-worth.Treveal is a self-worth specialist and author of WHAT Is Enough: How to Lighten Your Load and Find What Makes You Happy. He is the founder of iamthepossible, whose philosophy is that “everything you hope to be tomorrow, you already are today." His mission is to help people see who they are and to like themselves.Quotes to remember: “Ideas change everything.” “The greatest form of self-development is self-discovery.” “The less I control, the happier I am.”“You’re at the acorn stage of life, but you can begin right now, seeing yourself as a 20-foot-high oak, because it’s in there.” Takeaways:You create this thing called your lifeCan you be content and satisfied with your worth, without things external to you? Perfectionists are very afraid of judgmentEverything changes starting with a single ideaThe journey within yourself is a journey; it’s important to have a good tour guide who allows you to be youYou can be okay with not seeing the full picture; acknowledge that your viewpoint is like a magnifying glassAmbition is no bad thing; it’s the foundation of it that could be faultyChange is absolutely possible if you are willing to consider that it can happenAsk yourself if what you’re doing is working for you, and how you can be the greatest expression of yourself todayWhat you’ll learn:What changed for Treveal when he was facing 15 years in prison for grand theftHow to do self-observation to uncover the worth inside ourselvesWhy we are so often out of touch with who we areWhy it’s not a denial of what happened if you are happy in the presentHow to identify if not by your achievements and statusTreveal’s take on deathMentioned on the podcast: https://www.iamthepossible.com/WHAT Is Enough bookThe iamthepossible PodcastLinks:InstagramYoutubeTwitter

A must-listen if you have racing thoughts and can’t focus well. Here are some useful techniques to detox and gain focus and clarity, as well as connect with yourself. Quotes to remember: “To be able to focus is your source of power.”“There’s only a handful of thoughts that you constantly have in one day.” Takeaways:There is the acute detox and the general detox; acute detox is dramatic, like fasting, and general detox is ongoingReduce all distraction, turn off notifications, put phone on airplane mode most of the day and in the nightBooks and novels count as media to detox fromThe constant back-and-forth switching of focus takes a huge toll on us and our mindsSwitch your mindset from always connected to always disconnected except for select moments of interactionTry leaving your phone in a different room or at home when you go outThe real FOMO is fear of missing out on yourselfWhat you’ll learn:How to do a digital detox and a mental detoxTechniques to limit your time with techThree techniques to do a mental cleanseA different way to think about FOMOMentioned on the podcast: The Artist’s Way - Julia CameronCBTTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Identify one recurring thought. Write it down. Then spend one day as if that thought was not a concern in your life.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Take it from someone who utterly transformed his life and avoided a fate of poverty and trauma. Get inspired by his incredible story and start setting your own goals the right way. Avoid the mistakes that most people make, so that you can actually achieve your goals. Nelson was the child of a 15-year-old mother after she said a Pennsylvania police officer pulled her over and raped her. Tressler’s grandfather found and fatally shot the officer, leading to his grandfather serving life behind bars. Nelson was the oldest of five children, raised in poverty by an alcoholic and abusive stepfather who was in and out of jail. His first major goal was being the first person in his extended family to receive a college degree, which he fulfilled upon leaving the US Air Force. Flash forward to today, he is married to his best friend and wife of almost 25 years, was a top producer for a top five commercial real estate firm, and has started over 10 businesses. He is the author of The Unlucky Sperm Club: You are Not a Victim of Your Circumstances but a Product of Your Choices.Quotes to remember: “My aha moment was, if I could be that first person in my family to graduate from college, I could change the direction of my life.” “The sky literally was the limit. If I was willing to work long enough, hard enough, and focus enough on a goal then I was going to be able to accomplish it.” “Goals help you live a life with purpose.” “We should all be our own hero.” “Focus is where the power is.” Takeaways:We are capable of anything we set our minds to, and it’ll take time and hopeSometimes we are more capable when we have nothing to loseYou don’t need to know where you’re going; sometimes knowing where you’re getting away from is enoughThe potential inside of you is great, and you realize you have more of it after you accomplish a major goalYour only limitations are the ones you put on yourselfMost people want to feel motivated before setting a goal, but setting a meaningful goal will motivate youYou decide what meaning things have--why give it a bad or self-limiting meaning? There is one thing that separates you from others: your choicesMany people want to learn the next best thing instead of studying what they already knowWhen you are crystal-clear on what you want to accomplish, you will find that you have extra timeGoals affect the generationsFear only exists in one place: our mindWhat you’ll learn:Nelson’s first realization in 7th grade that he life was headed in the wrong direction How he became involved in personal developmentThe turning point when he knew that he could do anything he set his mind toHow he went from victim to empowered by the past that he had no part inWhere people go wrong in setting goalsHow to use an alter-ego to achieve goalsHow to know your goal is the right one for youNelson’s single biggest fearMentioned on the podcast: https://nelsontressler.com/I GOT SMARTER programLinks:Facebook

Little-discussed fact: You are in a relationship with yourself. What are the dynamics of this relationship? How do you like yourself? How do you love yourself? Learn all this and more with this episode on reparenting.Quotes to remember: “You are 100% responsible for how you feel.”“How do I want to relate to myself? How do I want to be in a relationship with myself?”Takeaways:Premises: there is no perfect parent or perfect childhood, and you are in charge of how you feel—no one else is responsibleThere is a parent inside of us, and there is a child inside of usReparenting is the process of becoming aware of this dynamic, and reshaping how the parent and child interact insideYou are in a relationship with yourselfReparenting includes self-talk, emotional awarenessIt is giving yourself everything you needed and didn’t getMost important is love—unconditional loveWhat you’ll learn:The skills that form the basis of reparentingWho can benefit from reparentingWhat great reparenting can look likeHow to up your emotional and physical awarenessWhen to use this skill and how to recognize that an opportunity to use itMentioned on the podcast: What is Codependency with David EsselTHIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: Identify 2 things in your life that represent unconditional love. Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Living from a place of selflessness is great, but what does that really mean? How do we do it? Learn how to validate yourself rather than seek it in outside sources. Self-love is a muscle that we can all have more of. Marco is a transformation life coach and mentor. We last spoke in Episode #8: Rising Through Crisis and Finding Peace. Quotes to remember: “Life starts from the inside out, not the other way around.” “Love always protects, always hopes, always trusts, is always kind, always perseveres, is not happy when bad things happen but rejoices when it’s always good.”“Listening is an act of love, because it’s a gift.” “Write from approval, not for approval.”Takeaways:Our core needs will be satisfied, the question is by what means; you cannot tame these desiresCan you be at peace with nothing? With uncertainty?We can be addicted to ideas and wanting validationHealthy love is selfless and wanting to do good, yet not being a doormatDrink from the endless source of unconditional loveFaking love does not workWe have a thinking mind and an emotional mind, conscious and unconscious; true change is when the unconscious changesKnowledge alone will not bring transformationWhen you want to be heard, you listen lessAre you working from your identity, or for your identity?It is our choice to create radical change in our livesWhat you’ll learn:The common relationship between achievement and self-love, and what we can discover about ourselves within our need to be validatedAn example of different parenting styles in which you are punished for either what you did or who you areHow to build a culture of truth rather than of fear, and how to lead yourselfHow Marco connects to the source of unconditional loveAbout the gift of listening, and how it is empowermentA different way to measure your influence and impact than the number of followers you have Mentioned on the podcast: http://www.marcostephano.com/Forrest GumpLord of the RingsLinks:InstagramFacebookLinkedin

Why does everyone want happiness? How do we achieve such a fleeting feeling? Let’s look at some reasons why we actually don’t want to feel happy all the time, an alternative to seeking happiness, and what we can do to feel better. Also, why feeling bad is useful.Quotes to remember: “The only thing a sense of peace is dependent on is you.”“The way to feel peace is through practicing gratitude.” Takeaways:Happiness is a feeling and all feelings are fleetingTrue happiness, or contentment/peace, is not determined by anything but youWe don’t allow ourselves peace for many reasonsCan you be happy regardless of the situation? Accepting something is not the same as doing nothing about itIt is our responsibility to feel grateful and at peaceWhat you’ll learn:Why nothing “makes you” happyWhat your desire to feel happy is an indicator of—the utility of feelingsHow to use the feeling of happiness to assess the big pictureCHALLENGE: Find 2 things to be grateful for in a situation in your life that you view negatively.Let’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Literally no one on this earth couldn’t use more of what you’ll hear in this episode: mindfulness, happiness, and how to generally feel better. Get the research-backed insight on what meditation does and why it works. Plus, game-changing information on sleep, mental wandering, and techniques to face stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.Tamy is a happiness & mindfulness meditation coach, yoga teacher and founder of Happy Meditator. She believes that anyone can create a life with less stress, less anxiety, and more balanced emotions.Quotes to remember: “I knew at the time, my problems were deeper than just the symptoms.” “The more you focus on the negative, the more you’re going to see.” “We have been training our minds, usually most of our lives, to be mindless.” “Your happiness is not determined by external factors.” Takeaways:Meditation is a much more sustainable method of managing stress and anxiety, versus therapy and medicationPracticing mindfulness long-term will affect your brain chemistry, your physiology, your sleep, and your central nervous systemAnxiety is a heightened focus on the negative that were already there before the anxietyMovement is a big part of stress reductionYou can pick the type of meditation for you based on your situationWith any issue or challenge in your life, start with meditationMost physical and mental problems link back to not getting enough quality sleepThe more we “time travel” in our minds, the more prone we are to illnessHope has a huge impact on our wellbeingWe do most of our mind-wandering between 9PM and 2AMMeditation cultivates your emotional awareness so that you can better temper your emotionsMindfulness can help us overcome childhood traumaWhat you’ll learn:How Tamy’s sudden onset of auditory problems led her to meditationThe goals of Tamy’s meditation practice and revitalized healthWhat the goal of meditation isA useful mindfulness exercise you use when you feel overwhelmedA list of techniques for you to use to train your mind and to feel better What to do when you sense your mind wanderingMentioned on the podcast: https://happymeditator.com/The Quiet Mind Better Sleep techniqueWhere to Find Your Worry TrapMan’s Search for Meaning - Viktor FranklLinks:InstagramPodcast

Why is having time to do nothing important? Why is stillness so crucial? What is the point of meditation? How do I practice silence regularly and consistently? Get all the answers and more in this episode. Quotes to remember: “The amount of effort we put into solving a problem isn’t directly correlated with the actual results we’re going to get.”“The ideal time to have silent time… is when you don’t want to do it.” Takeaways:Silence is a space and can appear in meditation as well as activities like doing chores, walking, solo sports, etc.When we are silent and still, we have the opportunity to expand our perspective and awarenessSilence gives us the opportunity to release stress and anxietySometimes not doing anything will bring the answer to a problemSilence is a time to hit refresh on your systemThe body heals itself once you become awareEating is a great built-in time to use for silenceBe the observer of the thoughts and the presence witnessing the mind thinkWhat happens when you turn off your identities? Who are you?We can barely conceive of our own greatnessWhat you’ll learn:Why silence is important and how to cultivate silence in your lifeTwo meditations to guide you to a place of greater perspective, that can be time-adjusted to your scheduleWhy your productivity can increase with more space and silenceTips on how to incorporate more silence in your dayHow to create a retreat within yourselfA challenge, or mental exercise, to become more aware of your thoughtsLet’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Learn how to bring more fun into your life by unleashing your inner creativity and curiosity. Here is an inspiring story from someone with a fantastical career spanning so many different fields within entertainment. We can face the fear of the unknown by staying curious, really caring, and being willing to give things a try.For more than 40 years, Gene has enjoyed a fascinating, multi-faceted career in the entertainment industry. In addition to revolutionizing the traditional trivia game show format with his invention of Trivia Theatre, his career credits also include speech writer, radio talk show host, emcee, touring variety artist, corporate seminar instructor, copywriter, and author. Gene is the creator and host of the GIMME A HINT! Trivia Game Show and the author of Younger and Wiser: Peaceful Words For A Troubled World. He was the official Judge of The Guinness Book of Records from 1983-1990 and has produced and performed in various variety shows.Quotes to remember: “The key to developing a career is to let things unfold in a natural way.” “Pain can be a great teacher as well as cause suffering.” Takeaways:You are probably in the right place if you love what you do and you love the people around youThere are two types of creativity, and we all have the creative force within usChaos is the catalyst for growthFear of the unknown can be managed with the right toolsGive yourself the freedom to just tryCare about what you do, really careWhen we drop our fears we can reach our potentialWhat you’ll learn:How Gene got started in entertainment--while studying economicsWhat he learned from representing the Guinness Book of RecordsWhy he assembled his journals into a bookSome of the things he has learned about people, having traveled the world and most states in the U.S.How a serious car accident led to Gene’s spiritual developmentWhy entertainment is healthy for usMentioned on the podcast: https://dreamquestpublishing.com/https://www.gimmeahint.com/Younger and Wiser bookThe Nine Pillars of CreativityLinks:TwitterLinkedInFacebook

It’s hard to build good and healthy habits even though we all know what those habits are. Here is my take on why it’s not just willpower that creates a habit, and why it’s not “bad” to have a bad habit.Quotes to remember: “A lot of our habits that were once adaptive are now maladaptive.”“We don’t need to feel bad about having ‘bad’ or ‘unhealthy’ habits.”Takeaways:Perfectionism is a habit that we had a reason for cultivatingOur habits are contextual and are learned in certain situationsHabits are tools to do something in life, not the endWhen we become aware of why we have certain habits and what we want to do, it becomes simpler to develop better habitsWhat you’ll learn:Why we may beat ourselves up over a mistake An analogy of habit formation to playing games with different rulesLet’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

What am I doing with my life? Where is this all going? If you are asking yourself these questions and seeking purpose, give this episode a listen. Learn about what it looks like to live intentionally and how to do it.Sean is the author of The School of Intentional Living and founder of The Intentional Living Academy. Sean found himself bankrupt at the age of 28 after following conventional wisdom all his life. Now, he hopes to inspire and empower others to achieve their dreams and live the lives they truly deserve.Quotes to remember: “You have to experience a little bit of a fall… before it can propel you to that next place.” “It’s not about just growth for growth’s sake or improving the grades for improvement’s sake; it’s about getting that awareness.”Takeaways:Some of our biggest blessings are our biggest failuresIt takes great pain to be ready to make changesThe number one regret of the dying is that people wish they had lived true to themselves rather than what others expected of themWhen we shift the questions we ask ourselves, we shift in a big wayDefining what we want is often re-defining what we wantedWe forget to weigh the risks of staying putThere are warning signals in our lives when something we do is not normal or okay in certain groups, or we feel guilt or shameFeed your mind like you feed your bodyWe have the responsibility to be the expert and guru of our own lifeWhat you’ll learn:What happened when Sean failed at the “conventional path to success”What bankruptcy looks like not only in the financial aspect of our lifeHow to define what you want for yourself, not what others expect of youWhat it means to live with purposeDeath is coming; how to be “mortality-motivated”What school can teach us about setting up our lives, where stakes are much higherHow to play the long game in our habits and gaining awareness around what we are doingBalancing is an act, not a placeMentioned on the podcast: https://www.seanrosensteel.com/The School of Intentional Living: A Real-World Approach to Living Life on Your TermsThe Top Five Regrets of the Dying - Bronnie WareThe Power of Now - Eckhart TolleMan’s Search for Meaning - Viktor FranklThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen CoveyLinks:YoutubeFacebook

If you’ve been having trouble sticking to your goals and keep getting derailed… here are some tips on getting back on track. Plus, how to not get derailed in the first place.Quotes to remember: “Do the barest possible minimum that you can do in that moment.” “It’s when we lose consistency and momentum that we cannot reach our goals.” Takeaways:It’s important to recognize that you are getting derailed in the first placeWe will get derailed; it will happen, so it’s good to be preparedYou don’t need to bring the baggage from one day to the nextAchieving goals doesn’t need to feel like pushing and striving--even big goalsImproving at something doesn’t necessarily feel different from usualWhat you’ll learn:What to do immediately when you get derailedThe most difficult part of goal-setting and how to avoid the common error made when setting a goalThe paradigm shift around how change happensTechniques on building resilient habitsLet’s be friends on Instagram!Send me a message about the show!

Here’s an alternative view at the go-go-go lifestyle of always pushing and striving. If you’ve ever felt not good enough or like you’re always looking for the next thing in your life, this episode is for you. Yuri is an actor, creative director, and life coach with a passion for poetry and photography. He is the author of "My Life on a Cactus", a collection of 32 poems and one monologue. He has won numerous awards for directing and producing, and has worked on several campaigns for major brands.Quotes to remember: “Sometimes certain things we’re made for, sometimes they present themselves.”“What if, in this moment, we can’t be better than we already are?”“It is completely fine to feel low. It is completely fine to have that darkness.” “The unknown is one of the most beautiful gifts that we have.” Takeaways:We are multifaceted as people and wanting to express ourselves in a variety of waysOur values and perspective on success change over timeNo press is ever enough; it never fills you the way you think it couldWe don’t need to be fixed, we are works in progressIt’s okay to feel confused and vulnerableWrite down what is in your mind so that you can be objectiveIt is important to take time for yourself at the beginning and end of each dayThe most beautiful thing you can do with your pain is to share itYou are free when you say, “I don’t feel good enough today”No one but you can discover the beauty and truth of who you areWhat you’ll learn:Why Yuri recommends exploring several different art formsWhat happened after he landed a major contract with MARTINIHow he discovered his passion, unexpectedlyThe importance of acknowledging how you feel Tips for how to feel less stuckWhat it means and looks like to be fully presentWhy he wrote “I Will Not Go Down From Here”, a monologue on suicideA story on facing our fear of the unknownMentioned on the podcast: https://www.yuribuzzi.com/Links:FacebookInstagramTwitter