Unpacking Myself

A recent post by Adam Grant on one of the most underrated skills being able to receive tough love inspired this episode. A majority of people struggle to receive constructive criticism from others. In this episode I explore why that is and why we take it so personally. On the surface most people say they don't mind the unpleasant truths but I share a way to know whether that is actually true for you or not. If you are committed to growing, improving then you can't be surrounded by people who feed you comforting lies and your actions dictate whether people will tell you the hard truths or not. Want to unpack a topic that is creating mental clutter for you? Send me a DM or check out my website: www.unpackingmyself.com  

Have you ever thought about what grounds you in life? Something constant, steady, a strong foundation that brings you back no matter what is happening around you or to you? In this episode, I talk about the many things past generations had but how we are moving away from a lot of them. Life changes with each generation but the need for something that grounds us is something we all still need. I share the deeper significance behind all this and why it matters so much. I will also leave you with a question to help you find what that could be for you. Want to unpack a topic that is creating mental clutter for you? Send me a DM or check out my website: www.unpackingmyself.com  

When things don't go our way in life, its easy to get caught up in self-doubt and become our very own harshest critic. We wonder why we let something happen or why we keep doing this particular thing. Many times we are often saying, why were you being who you are but a friend recently said something brilliant that made me realize that what I needed to do was not be overly critical of myself but rather do a slight perspective shift. This is what I did recently and like magic, instantly, any negative self talk ceased to exist. Listen in if you get annoyed with your “faults” to see how you can see them differently and how you can realize the upside. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

This concept of you experiencing the world as you are is a hard one to grasp unless you have experimented with it. We all have different voices in our head and often times on auto-pilot we listen to the one rooted in fear without even realizing it. In this episode, I share a big realization I had around why we gravitate towards the voice rooted in fear and how to gently encourage yourself to listen to the one rooted in love and compassion instead. How you see someone or a situation can completely change depending on the lens you choose. Obviously if this were easy to do, everyone would do it. Its not easy but I was blown away by this simple method that Gary Zukav enlightened me with and guess what, it works! Check out this episode to learn what this is. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM.  

What does “being happy” really mean? How do you answer that question? Have you ever answered that question with a “but” or hesitated before answering? You're not alone - most people do. I realized recently that we tend to hesitate because we aren't quite sure how to measure it. Is it the big moments like time with friends or family, playing with your kids, being on vacation? In this episode I unpack how these big moments are actually not the right way to measure whether you are happy, and how you can tap into the real answer for you. There is no wrong answer to this question because even a “no” helps us in an unexpected way which I dive into. Listen in to unpack a question that is commonly asked but explained enough. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM

At some point or another, I think we all have experienced our mind going down the “what if” path - what if that didn't happen, what if I said this instead, etc. It is normal but it doesn't have to be something we deal with all the time. This weekend something unexpected happened that inspired a conversation with my kids about the “what if” trap our mind can sometimes get caught up in and why we should train our mind to stop it and how. It took me down memory lane when I remember getting caught up in this trap and how over the years I stopped falling for that trap. Do you every get caught up in the “what if” trap? You are definitely not alone. Tune in this week as I unpack the “what if” trap we all have experienced at one point or another. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM

Consuming information is one thing but putting it to use and embodying what you learn is a whole other thing. How can you tell whether you are actually growing from the things you are experiencing or learning? I stumbled across something recently that helped me see I had reached a certain level of growth that I hadn't before. It had to do with how I reacted when I knew I was being misunderstood by a group of people. Listen in as I share my experience and how I used my reaction as a litmus test of whether I was growing in the right direction or not. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Do you think those who judge & are negative but don't say it out loud are better than people who keep it to themselves? I think there is a huge misconception around this that I clear up in this episode. I'm learning to appreciate the people who are real even if it comes off as rude, blunt, not polished. We often judge and dismiss because it isn't often comfortable to be around it and quite honestly, we aren't used to it because more people hide those parts of themselves than show them. I'm at stage in my life where I don't want to waste time deciphering who you are. Just show me so we can both make the best decision for us and then move on. Listen in as I find a new found appreciation for people who may make us cringe but also don't make us wonder about who they are. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

I don't care which side of the fence you are, the truth is there is A LOT of outside noise right now. Outside noise that can provide input for our own lives is one thing but outside noise that we have no control over and can't change, can make us feel helpless and frustrated. This episode isn't a “let me show you how I did it” but rather a reminder for myself as I noticed myself getting “off track” by all the outside noise. Outside noise takes our focus away from the things in front of us so tune in to this episode, if you, like myself, want to snap out of it and bring your focus back to the things you can actually control and influence for the better. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Somewhere along the way, many of us decided we had to be nice no matter what and that it comes before everything else. Being 'nice' was the badge of honor for being a good person, being liked, showing that you are evolved and awakened. And yes on the surface this all makes sense but not when we are doing it at the expense of being our authentic selves. Modern day self help and spirituality has led us astray from what the true end goal is, and we are sacrificing the real end goal just so we can be “nice and kind” to get external validation and praise. In this episode, I unpack why so many of us have it backwards and why it is important to lead with authenticity over being nice. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Hard moments in our life can feel like a disruption to our happy, positive, upbeat lives but life was never designed for your comfort, it had a greater purpose, and if we stray away from the purpose of life, it has built in systems in place to help jolt us back onto the right path. How cool is that? But it takes some effort and practice to be able to spot these moments in our life, especially if we don't know how to or that something like this even exists. In this episode, I share why I get goosebumps just thinking about how life has always had my back and nudged me in the right direction when I am astray. Listen in to spot these moments in your life so you can take full advantage of life's nudges. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

The obvious answer would be, yes you have to deal with the hard, uncomfortable things that come to you in your life but what does “deal with it” mean? Many do and will avoid, deny, dismiss instead of going through it. I've done it many times as well. The thing we don't realize is that there is a consequence to doing this. If true authentic, strength could be built by avoiding, denying, dismissing then no one would ever deal with hard things in any other way. Having handled hard moments both ways myself, I can tell you there is a difference and only one way creates true strength, growth and authenticity. In this episode, I talk about why and what I have noticed as I have experimented with both methods in my life. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

The irony of perfectionism is that we chase it because we want people to accept us, like us, be impressed by us BUT in reality chasing perfectionism makes people feel less connected to us. How often do we love people because of how perfect they are? Rarely - and yet, we strive to be perfect. In this episode, I dive into when perfectionism becomes an issue and how it is truly perceived by others even though it helps us feel protected. Perfectionism also robs us of the true purpose of our being here on this planet and the experiences it gives us every single day. Listen in as I dive into all things perfectionism. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Whether we realize it or not we sometimes pick and choose the parts of our life we want to show up for and put in the hard work for. For some parts - we might be intimidated by what needs to be done, we may not know how to tackle, we might be uncomfortable with the situation, so we avoid it. Purpose isn't about achieving money and career goals - its about tackling what life is throwing at you at any given moment because you trust that that is what you are meant to tackle in that moment. You can also avoid your purpose by you avoiding the hard and uncomfortable things in your life. People go their entire lifetimes not showing up for the hard parts of life but I learned recently that when you show up fully - for the good, the bad, the ugly - something amazing happens. In this episode I dive into why its so important to show up and put in the work in all aspects of your life, especially the ones you are avoiding and make you uncomfortable. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM

I recently noticed that our idea of who we are at this very moment may not be fully based in reality. Why is this? There is who we think we are, who we are in this moment and who we want to be. All 3 of these things are not always aligned. We are often transitioning between the old us and the new us. What happens to our idea of who we are during these periods? Spiritual teachings say “know who you are” but I realized this could be misleading. In this episode, I dive into all of this and how better understanding what “know who you are” means can actually help you actually better know who you are, and ways that have helped me. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM.

Through my own experiences and hearing from many others recently, I realized that many people are being called to take a closer look at things they have been doing on autopilot for many years. Things that they dismissed, shoved under the rug and ignored, were now staring them in the face, forcing them to address it. People are being challenged to question their old ways of doing things. I felt this shift within me over the last few months and it has been hard and painful but the reward is moving closer to who you are, being more of your authentic self, having your outer world be more aligned with who you are. These are incredible things but can feel really hard and lonely. I share my own experience and journey around this in this episode. I hope it makes you feel understood and heard, and less alone in whatever journey you may be going through as we all kick off this new year. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM.  

Is it possible that we might be missing the point of being human if we do not allow ourselves to feel deeply? Why do we stop ourselves or judge ourselves when we feel things deep within our being? I wonder if the message that we shouldn't live in our feelings long enough to cause suffering somehow turned into not feeling at all, being stoic at all times, being even keel at all times. Some of the most wonderful humans I know, feel big ! Why is that? I unpack all of this and how I realized that it was never about not feeling deeply, I just needed to reframe what it meant to feel deeply. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

These days “values” has become a word like many others that we sometimes casually and carelessly throw around. I recently realized its a lot easier to recite what our values are, than to defend them, speak up for them, walk away because of them. There are people who simply talk about values and then those who integrate them into how they live their life. In this episode, I talk about this realization I had and what I started observing in my own life and around me. It's easier to bend the rules as far as your values go then to be a stickler about them but in an experiment I did, I realized that there is a surprising outcome to sticking to your values despite the discomfort and fears. Listen in as I unpack the complexities of "values." Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

It's so easy to feel insignificant in this gigantic planet of 8 billion people but I don't think we would if we truly understand the collective energy that is at play in the universe. It may sound overwhelming or out of reach to think of a collective energy but in this episode, I break down what that means for me and how I realized there was such a thing as collective energy that I am actively contributing to every single day of my life, making my life a significant part of the world. In this episode, I give a different perspective on what changing the world means. Listen in to see why what you do every day of your life - the choices, the actions, the focus, the words, the thoughts, matters more than you know. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Everything our mind spews out isn't always true. Sometimes its simply to soothe us and make us feel better. It's goal isn't always to feed you accurate information but to rather make you feel better. In doing so, sometimes we become judgmental and critical of others when the relationship changes or when people don't include us. Rather than accepting that maybe the season for this relationship has ended, we feel the need to justify the why. I noticed this in myself and others recently and wanted to unpack it. I wanted to get to a place where I didn't live in the judgment phase or even skipped it at times. Relationships ebb and flow throughout our life so learning to deal with them with grace and love is always something that will come in handy. Check this episode out where I unpack the how! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

One of the biggest challenges in relationships tends to be that they are not behaving in the way we expect. The question we fail to ask is - did their behavior change from the past or is it the same? Where did our expectations of them come from? Changing others is rarely the solution because, as we all have probably experienced, its not an easy thing to do. So what do you do in this situation? Complaining about it year after year is exhausting and, honestly, pointless. When I took a minute to change the focus from them to myself, I realized where I was going wrong in my way of thinking. And when I figured out the shift I needed to make in my mindset, the frustration and disappointment dissipated. It's that transformative and instant. Check this episode out as I share my own journey and discoveries around this topic. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM.  

I recently did two of the most physically strenuous things I have ever done in my life and of course, I had a lot of realizations and unpacking that I wanted to share with you. From why you should do things outside of your comfort zone to the bonding that happens when you do hard things together to what true character means and so much more. You may not care about hiking for 15 hours like I did but the realizations are applicable to whatever speaks to you. It taught me and reminded me of a lot of life lessons and I am hooked on getting outside of my comfort zone more and more - you dont know what you dont know until you do it. So many parts of us want us to stay in the comfort zone but something incredible happens when you tap into a part of you, you didn't realize was there. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

Its very easy to ignore our gut because of peer pressure, FOMO, wanting to be liked, expectations others have on us and many more reasons. When this happens we often make all our decisions just with the chatter and information in our mind but our gut, heart and body can be an incredible resource in helping us make decisions that are right for us and serve us better. The greatest benefit of learning to listen to your gut is greater peace of mind as you navigate life. Listen in as I share how I realized I was ignoring my gut and how I started tapping into it more and more.  Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM.  

Out with the old, in with the new - sounds like a harsh saying especially if you are talking about relationships or people but depends on how you look at it. Many of us get attached to the things in our life - people, work, etc. and even when we have an inkling in our gut that we have outgrown these situations in our life, we don't let it go. We get complacent, we get FOMO, we get sheepish on making bold decisions but there is a consequence that can change the trajectory of our lives. The consequence is now allowing space in our life for new things to come in, for change to happen - things that we actually wished we had. The universe will wait until you have had the courage the let go because that is when you become the person worthy of the change you want. This is what I dive deep on in this episode - check it out! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a DM  

I noticed over the past 5-10 years there was more content out there that was dark, serious, intense, and it was popular. What happens when we pause and notice how the content we are consuming, whether its movies, shows, social media or music affects our mind and overall energy. Yes, its just supposed to be entertainment but there might be a bigger influence on our overall well-being than we realize. In this episode, I dive into this and how I discovered the need to be mindful and intentional about the content we consume. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com  

The biggest job we have as human beings is getting as close as we can to being our authentic selves. Somehow the universe has a way of pushing us to be our authentic selves and shaking our lives up if we are straying. An important part of this is whether the people you are surrounded by are pushing to be more of your authentic self vs stray away. Do they make you feel insecure and make you feel self-doubt or do they make you embrace your authentic self. This is what I dive into this episode - why who you hang with matters beyond just subconsciously copying their good and bad, and how they can move you closer to your authentic self or away.  Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com

I heard someone say this line recently - that seeing the world solely through our minds might be the biggest issue humanity is facing right now. This caught my attention because it feels like it is getting to the crux of the many issues we are facing in the world today. I can spot moments where I'm leaning towards the mind more so than the heart - and the correlation to suffering and challenges is quite interesting. The mind plays an important role but it is also something that feeds the ego. I dive into this in an effort to better understand myself, others and the world today. Listen in so you can be aware the next time you are living through your mind versus heart. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com  

There are a lot of great things and a lot of change that happens in this world because of people who are passionate. Passion is a wonderful thing but passion can breed healthy involvement and also unhealthy entanglement. Both often appear to be the same on the outside but on the inside we can tell the difference if we pause to notice. When we go from entanglement to healthy involvement, we tend to be in a better mental space and avoid making bad decisions. We also can be more effective when we are not entangled. In this episode, I share how I noticed this within me, what the difference is and how to keep your passion but without the entanglement.  Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com

 The power of female friendships is not a new concept but does everyone have that in their life? I think every woman wants it in their life but while it may be easy for some to cultivate, it isn't always easy for everyone. Its not a matter of luck, it often has more to do with what you are bringing to the table. There are certain things that are a must in order to cultivate deep friendships. While we may be close with our spouse, parents, siblings, there truly is something that just hits differently with a good female friendship. A recent podcast I listened to with some powerful women such as Melinda French Gates, Oprah, Gayle, Michelle Obama on this topic also helped validate for me how important certain traits are in cultivating strong friendships. Listen in ! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com  

We all tend to play a certain role in most of our relationships or interactions - the nice one, the loud one, the understanding one, the emotional one, etc. I recently was thinking through what this was for me and realized that rather than seeing what I bring to the table as a strength, it was starting to feel like a burden. The whole “why do I always have to be the emotionally strong one?” In this episode, I unpack my journey through this so that I could express my strength from a genuine and authentic place versus resentment over always having to play that role.  Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com

If we pause and reflect on our life, we all will notice something that has been the biggest blessing in our life. It's easy to get caught up in the noise of what we don't have or wished we had but knowing what the biggest blessing in your life is, not only brings more of it into your life but also serves as something to give you faith and hope when life isn't going your way. When I realized what this blessing was for me, I was moved to tears and continue to be when I allow myself to feel gratitude for it. This episode will encourage you to scan your life and find that blessing in your life that makes you think ‘how could I have gotten so lucky?' Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com

There are a lot of humans in this world that we come across and that means we may not always like everyone we come across, and because of that is born this idea of being two-faced where we say one thing behind people's back and another in front of them. Not everything requires confrontation but what do you do when someone is blatant in their two-facedness and you find out? Do you confront it, do you cut them off, do you ignore it? Do we act from a place of ego or consciousness? In this episode I talk about all of this and how to avoid getting caught up in the negative energy they have created. How we react or think about situations like this can either feed their two-facedness or it can make it irrelevant. Listen in !   Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com  

Almost everyone says they hate small talk but what they don't realize is that they are an active participant in creating “small talk.” I'm not going to undermine your intelligence and give you specific questions to ask, to avoid small talk but I will tell you why we end up doing so much small talk and how we contribute. While a lot of people complain about small talk, I noticed that somehow I was managing to have meaningful conversations with people I had just met or people I was only talking to for 15 minutes. So I had to reflect and figure out how and why this was happening. In this episode, I share what has worked for me many, many times and encourage you to reflect on how you approach conversations and how you could make a few tweaks to have more meaningful conversations. The exciting part is that it is in your control! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through? Send me a DM on Instagram or email: unpackingmyself@gmail.com

Karma is a very complex topic and you can find a lot of in depth knowledge on this but on this episode I want to share how this past week, I used the principles of Karma to positively influence a difficult relationship in my life. After all, these principles are best when applicable to real life situations. I break down how to simplify and apply the concept of Karma so it can bring more peace into your life. I also talk about the 2 main reasons why understanding Karma can help us and also the 1 out of 3 types of Karma that you can actually influence and change. Some of this episode may feel out of your comfort zone, as it has for me in the past, but take what works for you or file it away for when you are ready. It ended up being a bit longer than I was expecting too! So much to cover under this topic. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com

If you start watching self-help videos, the number of trends and things people say you should do is insane. Ayahuasca, intermittent fasting, infrared therapy, cold plunge, sunlight, saunas, waking up at 5am, meditating, journaling, walking 10,000 steps. It is impossible to do it all. A lot of the times the people who boast 3 hour morning routines are men or women who don't have kids or have grown kids. Watching all this can sometimes make us feel like we are less than or missing out on growth because we aren't doing it but its not a one size fits all type thing. You don't have to do all those trends in order to grow to your full potential. There is literally something we all have that we simply can tap into to grow - life. This episode is about not feeling guilty or pressure to do all the self-help trends. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

This episode isn't about taking a nap in the middle of the day, but I'm a huge fan of that, if you need it :) Somewhere along the way, resting has gotten a negative connotation because of the fast paced, go-go-go world we live in but when we go through hard moments in our life like a divorce, health issues, failure, sometimes the rest is what helps get us back on our feet. The alternative of not stopping and just going, can actually hurt us more than help. I talk about why this is so important and how we need to take the negative connotation away from “resting” periods in our life because we all will need them at some point, and its ok. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

No matter how old we get, there is always a part of us that wants to feel the way a baby feels in a mothers arms - I'm safe, I'm protected, I'm loved. Basically that feeling of someone genuinely going “I got you, no matter what.” Many people still get that from a parent but if not, along the way in our life we come across people who make us feel this, who make us believe in ourselves more than we knew we could just by how they believe in us. We forget about this feeling especially if too much time has passed since being around them or maybe because of distance or maybe because they are no longer here on earth but I recently realized that the impact these people have on us leaves a permanent imprint on our being, and we can tap into it whenever we want. It's always there. Give this episode a listen to see how I unpack this and did this.   Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

What do you do when you just can't stop replaying an interaction with someone in your head because you wish you would've said or done something differently? So many times I have heard people say this is one of the things that keeps them up at night. I remember doing this in my 20's but this week I reflected back on what I started doing differently so that I don't get stuck in unproductive, replay mode. We put so much emphasis on this one moment especially as we focus more and more energy on it but in reality, is it really that significant? Does it really change people's opinion of you if it was a fluke moment? This episode will give you insights into what I do now to stop going down this rabbit hole and turning that negative clutter in my mind into more calm and peace. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com

They tell you to “be patient” and “trust the universe” but what if you feel like you have been doing that and still nothing is happening, nothing is going your way. Its easier said than done to “be patient and trust the universe” but when you are in it, it is so easy to become discouraged and to feel like you are the only one where things just aren't going the way you want or moving fast enough. Recently a friend shared a perspective shift on this that helped me see these moments with excitement instead of dread. In this episode, I share how I now make this mindset shift when I might be feeling discouraged and how you can too. Give it a listen and let me know what you think ! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

We live in a world of book summaries, 5 second tik toks, one word text messages but none of this can replace taking the time to understand someone on a deeper level or diving into a 700 page book. There is something incredibly meaningful and beautiful in the things that require us to go beyond the surface no matter what it is. Everyone has a deeper story and reason as to why they are the way they are and when you take the time to understand this, you develop compassion for them but does this mean you allow negative behavior? I dive into all of this in this week's episode. Check it out! Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

How do we figure out someone's real deal amidst all the smoke and mirrors? From dating to friendships to business partnerships, in this episode I explore the cracks that show up when things get tough or when we're hit with some uncomfortable truths. How someone handles the rough patches says a lot about who they truly really are. Tune in for some insights on reading between the lines and uncovering true character in someone. This episode will give you some things to keep in the back of your mind, the next time you are trying to assess who someone truly is. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

I recently had an ah-ha moment where I realized that it isn't one thing such as religion, politics, race, socio-economic status that divides humanity, its something deeper within us. As crazy as it may sound, there is a “feel good” feeling we get from the division but what if I told you of another “feel good” feeling that you really should be striving for instead - the cherry on top is that it creates less division. We are drawn to people who are confident and determined in their beliefs but I think the secret to more non-judgment and acceptance lies somewhere in the middle. Listen in for a unique perspective on why it seems we are so divided and what we should be gravitating towards individually to make actual change. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com

Feeling bad for others on the surface may seem like a natural, human emotion. We usually associate it with something you feel when you love and care about someone but when we love someone what we really want is the best for them, and “feeling bad” alone actually may not be what is best for them. You might be thinking “say what?!” but there is a subtle difference that is so important to be aware of if we want to truly help those that we feel bad for. In this episode, I unpack this topic and how “feeling bad” can actually do more harm to someone if we don't move past that feeling to something that is more positive and uplifting for the other person. It's simple and something you can implement into your life right away. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

In this episode, I dive into the often overlooked but game-changing factor in leadership and success: character. Drawing on something Adam Grant mentioned in a talk, I explore why, despite a flood of books on corporate culture, we still struggle to find great leaders. The key takeaway? Character matters more than we think. I talk about athletes who were underestimated but propelled to greatness because of, yep, their character. My hope is that this episode makes us pause and notice our obsession with external skills, when character really is the underlying X factor that matters most. How do we change our focus on the flashy, measurable things to include heart - character. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

Let's be honest, it's annoying when people misinterpret your intentions and don't understand you on a deeper level. We all have those people in our life who just don't get you. I share my recent experience of someone turning my words into a misunderstanding that left me scratching my head. Being misunderstood is an energy drain and getting caught up in trying to prove yourself is frustrating. So what do you do? How do you protect your sense of self and your energy? Listen in as I share what has worked for me. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

In this episode, I reflect on the misconceptions surrounding the Westernized, highly marketed idea of "meaning and purpose," drawing insights from a thought-provoking interview with Sadhguru. He challenges the modern narrative that suggests a lifelong purpose and encourages us to embrace the simplicity of living life as is. Exploring the pitfalls of glamorizing purpose and the danger of losing meaning in daily routines, I share a profound realization about finding fulfillment in the ordinary. Sadhguru's wisdom prompts us to reconsider whether the issue lies in lacking meaning or in losing the ability to see the profound meaning in our everyday lives. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

In this episode, I explore the dynamics of engaging in debates and arguments, particularly the fine line between expressing intellectual perspectives and fueling our egos. I discuss the tendency to withhold opinions to avoid confrontation and the gendered aspect of sensitivity in discussions. Sharing personal experiences, I emphasize the importance of remaining mindful of emotional shifts during a debate and recognizing when it becomes more about defending one's ego than exchanging ideas. Additionally, I uncover the unexpected impact of speaking up, shedding light on the power of influencing perspectives and inspiring others to find their voices in discussions. Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

In this episode, I talk about challenging family relationships and the pressure we often feel to achieve the ideal. I share my personal realization that not every family bond fits the conventional mold, and that's perfectly okay. Instead of measuring success by a picture-perfect relationship, I explore a more personalized definition of success that is realistic. It's about how much power we allow others to have over our self-worth and the importance of setting realistic goals, even if it means simply reaching a point where they no longer negatively impact us. Join me in navigating the complexities of family dynamics and redefining our notions of success in these relationships. Join my free webinar: https://www.unpackingmyself.com/free-webinar/ Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com  

In this episode, I delve into how we judge people when we first meet them. We all have our criteria, whether we're aware of it or not. Do we like them because of how they make us feel in the moment, or can we see their true character beyond our own feelings? I discuss the pros and cons of both approaches, and how our perception of people often depends on the emotional lens we view them through. One approach causes more turbulence and instability whereas the other ensures a stronger foundation in your relationships. Join me as we explore the dynamics of human judgment, the quest for authenticity in our relationships, and the importance of seeing people for who they truly are. Join my free webinar: https://www.unpackingmyself.com/free-webinar/ Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com

In this episode, I dive into the complex realm of human relationships, those unspoken truths and feelings that often lurk beneath the surface. We've all been there – feeling a pang of insecurity when someone close to us appears to be connecting with others in a way that triggers jealousy. It's relatable, whether it's your child's friendships, your partner's closeness with their family, or even within your own circle of friends. The key is to recognize these insecurities, look within ourselves, and focus on building deeper connections and genuine joy for others. I share insights on managing these emotions and achieving contentment in our relationships, highlighting the importance of frequency, shared experiences, and vulnerability in nurturing strong connections. Join my free webinar: https://www.unpackingmyself.com/free-webinar/ Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com

In this episode, I delve into the subtle yet crucial difference between positively influencing people's behavior and resorting to manipulation. Manipulation often stems from fear and ego. However, when we positively shape others' actions without resorting to manipulative tactics, we achieve a desired, long-term result that leaves everyone feeling better about themselves. I discuss how to distinguish behavior driven by manipulation from a genuine desire to positively influence someone or a situation. I also share a personal lifelong learning moment where someone chose positive influence over ego and manipulation. Learn to discern the difference so you can positively influence others as well! Join my free webinar: https://www.unpackingmyself.com/free-webinar/ Want to unpack a topic or something you are going through with me? Send me a message: www.unpackingmyself.com Sponsored by Hatch Brighter - helping kids build Inner Strength. www.hatchbrighter.com