Human Again

Why do we criticize things and what do we gain from it?  This episode, I share my thoughts on where I think it comes from and some of the potential downsides of frequent criticism.

I'm back with some updates about the break and thoughts on momentum.

It's been almost a full year since this podcast began and I decided this is a good opportunity to take some time off to reflect on what's next and how to move forward from here.  I'm not sure what that will look like yet, but I will be sure to let you know as I figure it out.

Thanksgiving is coming up soon, but many people are feeling anything but thankful this year.  This episode, I share about the value of gratitude and purpose and how they often work together to reinforce an abundance mindset over a scarcity mindset.

In the recent election, I saw many people talking about how divided the country was but presupposing the opposite of division is more agreement and conformity of perspective.  I don't disagree the country is divided, but I believe the actual missing piece most important to overcoming division is empathy and understanding each other more fully, not agreeing or voting the same as everyone else.

As the election approaches, we are all faced with a number of decisions to make.  This episode, I talk about my own relationship with decision making and some important factors to consider when evaluating decisions.

I didn't end up preparing anything for this week, so instead I decided to talk off the cuff about dealing with times when we fall short and the value of taking action even  if it's not perfect.

This episode, I share thoughts and stories about my own distractible nature and the unexpected turns life can take.

This episode I decided to just share some impromptu thoughts about everything going on in Oregon and some of the concepts I believe are helpful to consider in the midst of it all.  It's a little longer and less polished than usual, but I hope you still find something of value in what I have to say.

It seems like many people are struggling right now and starting to lose hope.  In this episode, I share my perspective about hope and what I think it looks like to have hope in the midst of challenging times.

In this episode, I reflect on what has happened so far in the life of the podcast, why I started it in the first place, and what I am hoping for going forward.

The way we pursue happiness is often focused on our external reality of experiences, physical stuff, and circumstances, but I believe it is more effective and sustainable to approach happiness from the inside out.  You can foster happiness internally first through practices like gratitude and, in turn, enjoy all of the external things much more fully if you do it in that order.

Expectations can play an even bigger role than circumstances in determining our happiness because they often function as our rubric for whether something should make us content or disappointed.  The more intentional we are in how we deal with expectations, the more control we have over our own happiness.

Sometimes what is most needed amidst all the words and noise is to simply create space for silence and reflection.

In this episode, I share some candid thoughts on the division I have seen surrounding current events and the role I think listening should play in moving toward solutions and unity.

Mindset can affect every area of our lives, so it's important to be aware of what mindset we are fostering and not indulge dysfunctional ones.  I believe a victim mentality is one such mindset that often gets in the way contentment, joy, and peace.  This episode I share about some of my own experiences with this mindset and what I have done to address it when I notice it in myself.

The way we understand our own identities is so significant because it will serve as a foundation for how we act, make decisions, and navigate life.  Simply being intentional about how you frame your identity can open a whole new range of possibilities.

This week I talk about editing, not just in terms of the podcast but also how it relates to other areas and your life as a whole.  Putting in the work to refine and improve something can bring out a unique richness that would otherwise be diminished or overlooked.

Probably everyone is experiencing some type of disruption to their normal routine right now, but that disruption can actually be a very positive thing if it's utilized for intentional rest and gaining a new perspective on your usual activities.

I had already been planning on talking about complexity for a while, but it seems especially fitting I would do so now amidst all the talk about Covid-19.  You can find plenty of examples of oversimplification and failure to appreciate the complexity of what's happening.  I think most subjects are more complex than we give them credit for and recognizing that complexity can make it much easier to interact with them in a significant way.

Things didn't really go as I intended this week and it seemed like there were setbacks coming up at every turn to following through with my plans, so I called an audible and decided to do something completely different.  Rather than carry on with what I planned, I took this episode to talk about what happened and share some impromptu thoughts about dealing with things that don't go as planned.

There is a lot of focus on success in our culture, but we don't like talking about failure as much. We tend to look very negatively at failure and see it as nothing but a loss or reason to be ashamed.  I think there's a better approach though.  I hope this episode helps you develop a healthier relationship with failure and success that allows for more gratitude, contentment, and courage.

The term empathy seems to be coming up more and more in a variety of fields, but what does it actually mean?  Why is it important and why does it need to be taught?  This episode I share some thoughts on empathy and why I think it's important in any relationship or interaction with others.  Empathy is central to what the whole podcast is about, so this is just the beginning of what I have to say about the subject.Enjoy!

Having a sense of purpose can be the determining factor in whether we experience joy in what we do and how well we can overcome challenges.  Understanding purpose also helps us live with less fear and appreciate the unique value of each person around us.  In this episode, I examine what purpose looks like and how to develop a greater sense of purpose in your own life.

In this episode, I share some thoughts about the topics of shame, insecurity, and vulnerability.  It can be very easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need to perform or appear a certain way in order to be accepted or "normal." When we don't fit that mold, the result is often insecurity and fear of exposing our true selves, flaws and all. I hope this episode encourages and empowers you to be more vulnerable and take more control of any areas of your life where insecurity has held you back.

Hi everyone!Welcome to my new podcast.  In this first episode I explain what I am hoping to accomplish with the podcast and share some thoughts about empathy, vulnerability, and viewing people with a holistic perspective.I hope you enjoy it and gain something of value. Thanks for listening!