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Rebecca talks with Jen Wilkin about her new book Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging World. They explore how Scripture reframes aging as a gift, why the church must recover a richer vision of family, and what it means to be pro-life at the end of life.Preorder Jen's Book:Dust to Dust: Aging Wisely in an Anti-Aging WorldUse code IF to receive 30% off your copy of The ‘If' That Changes Everything at thegoodbook.com.Visit MoodyPublishers.com or find The Rekindled Heart wherever books are sold.Find Digital Liturgies wherever books are sold, or visit crossway.org/digitalliturgiesbook to get 30% off with a free Crossway+ account.Watch Us on YouTubeSign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

How do you build a creative life that spans music, writing, film, and spiritual practice? Alicia Jo Rabins talks about weaving multiple creative strands into a sustainable career and why the best advice for any creator might simply be: just make the thing. In the intro, backlist promotion strategy [Written Word Media]; Successful author business [Novel Marketing Podcast]; Alliance of Independent Authors Indie Author Bookstore; Bones of the Deep – J.F. Penn This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors. This show is also supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn Alicia Jo Rabins is an award-winning writer, musician, performer, as well as a Torah teacher and ritualist. She's the creator of Girls In Trouble, a feminist indie-folk song cycle about biblical women, and the award-winning film, A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff. Her latest book is a memoir, When We Are Born We Forget Everything. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Building a sustainable multi-disciplinary creative career through teaching, performance, grants, and donations Trusting instinct in the early generative stages of creativity and separating generation from editing Adapting and reimagining religious and cultural source material through music, writing, and performance The challenges of transitioning from poetry to long-form prose memoir, including choosing a lens for your story Making an independent film on a shoestring budget without waiting for Hollywood's permission Finding your creative voice and building confidence by leaning into vulnerability and returning to the practice of making You can find Alicia at AliciaJo.com. Transcript of the interview with Alicia Jo Rabins Joanna: Alicia Jo Rabins is an award-winning writer, musician, performer, as well as a Torah teacher and ritualist. She's the creator of Girls In Trouble, a feminist indie-folk song cycle about biblical women, and the award-winning film, A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff. Her latest book is a memoir, When We Are Born We Forget Everything. So welcome to the show, Alicia. Alicia: Thank you so much. I'm delighted to be here. Joanna: There is so much we could talk about. But first up— Tell us a bit more about you and how you've woven so many strands of creativity into your life and career. Alicia: Yes, well, I am a maximalist. What happened in terms of my early life is that I started writing on my own, just extremely young. I'm one of those people who always loved writing, always processed the world and managed my emotions and came to understand myself through writing. So from a very young age, I felt really committed to writing. Then I had the good fortune that my mother saw a talk show about the Suzuki method of learning violin—when you start really young and learn by ear, which is modelled after language learning. It's so much less intellectual and much more instinctual, learning by copying. She was like, that looks like a cool thing. I was three years old at the time and she found out that there was a little local branch of our music conservatory that had a Suzuki violin programme. So when I was three and a half, getting close to four, she took me down and I started playing an extremely tiny violin. Joanna: Oh, cute! Alicia: Yes, and because it was part of this conservatory that was downtown, and we were just starting at the suburban branch where we lived, there was this path that I was able to follow. As I got more and more interested in violin, I could continue basically up through the conservatory level during high school. So I had a really fantastic music education without any pressure, without any expectations or professional goals. I just kept taking these classes and one thing led to another. I grew up being very immersed in both creative writing and music, and I think just having the gift of those two parts of my brain trained and stimulated and delighted so young really changed my brain in some ways. I'll always see the world through this creative lens, which I think I'm also just set up to do personally. Then the last step of my multi-practice career is that in college I got very interested in Jewish spirituality. I'm Jewish, but I didn't grow up very religious. I didn't grow up in a Jewish community really. So I knew some basics, but not a ton. In college I started to study it and also informally learned from other people I met. I ended up going on a pretty intense spiritual quest, going to Jerusalem and immersing myself after college for two years in traditional Jewish study and practice. So that became the third strand of the braid that had already been started with music and writing. Torah study, spiritual study, and teaching became the third, and they all interweave. The last thing I'll say is that because I work in both words and music, and naturally performance because of music, it began to branch a little bit into plays, theatre, and film, just because that's where the intersection of words, performance, and music is. So that's really what brought me into that, as opposed to any specific desire to work in film. It all happened very organically. Joanna: I love this. This is so cool. We are going to circle back to a lot of this, but I have to ask you— What about work for money at any point? How did this turn into more than just hobbies and lifestyle? Alicia: Yes, absolutely. Well, I'm very fortunate that I did not graduate college with loans because my parents were able to pay for college. That was a big privilege that I just want to name, because in the States that's often not the case. So that allowed me to need to support myself, but not also pay loans, which was a real gift. What happened was I went straight from college to that school in Jerusalem, and there I was on loans and scholarship, so I didn't have to worry yet about supporting myself. Then when I came back to the States, I actually found on Craigslist a job teaching remedial Hebrew. It was essentially teaching kids at a Jewish elementary school who either had learning differences or had just entered the school late and needed to be in a different Hebrew class than the other kids in their grade. That was my first experience of really teaching, and I just absolutely fell in love with it. Although in the end, my passion is much more for teaching the text and rituals and the wrestling with the concepts, as opposed to teaching language. So all these years, while doing performance and writing and all these things, I have been teaching Jewish studies. That has essentially supported me, I would say, between 50 and 70 per cent. Then the rest has been paid gigs as a musician, whether as a front person leading a project or as what we call a sideman, playing in someone else's band. Sometimes doing theatre performances, sometimes teaching workshops. That's how I've cobbled it together. I have not had a full-time job all these years and I have supported myself through both earned income and also grants and donations. I've really tried to cultivate a little bit of a donor base, and I took some workshops early on about how to welcome donations. So I definitely try to always welcome that as well. Joanna: That is so interesting that you took a workshop on how to welcome donations. Way back in, I think 2013, I said on this show, I just don't know if I can accept people giving to support the show. Then someone on the podcast challenged me and said, but people want to support creatives. That's when I started Patreon in 2014. It was when The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer came out and— It was this realisation that people do want to support people. So I love that you said that. Alicia: It's not easy. It's still not easy for me, and I have to grit my teeth every time I even put in my end-of-year newsletter. I just say, just a reminder that part of what makes this possible is your generous donations, and I'm so grateful to you. It's not easy. I think some people enjoy fundraising. I certainly don't instinctively enjoy it, but I have learned to think of it exactly the way that you're saying. I mean, I love donating to support other people's projects. Sometimes it's the highlight of my day. If I'm having a bad day and someone asks for help, either to feed a family or to complete a creative project, I just feel like, okay, at least I can give $36 or $25 and feel like I did something positive in the last hour, even if my project is going terribly and I'm in a fight with my kid or something. So I have to keep in mind that it is actually a privilege to give as well as a privilege to receive. Joanna: Absolutely. So let's get back into your various creative projects. The first thing I wanted to ask you, because you do have so many different formats and forms of your creativity—how do you know when an idea that comes to you should be a song, or something you want to do as a performance, or written, or a film? Tell us a bit about your creative process. Because a lot of your projects are also longer-term. Alicia: Yes. It's funny, I love planning and in some ways I'm an extreme planner. I really drive people in my family bonkers with planning, like family vacations a year in advance. In terms of my creativity, I'm very planful towards goals, but in that early generative state, I am actually pure instinct. I don't think I ever sit down and say, “I have this idea, which genre would it match with?” It's more like I sit on my bed and pick up my guitar, which is where I love to do songwriting, just sitting on my bed cross-legged, and I pick up my guitar and something starts coming out. Then I just work with that kernel. So it's very nebulous at first, very innate, and I just follow that creative spirit. Often I don't even know what a project is, sometimes if it's a larger project, until a year or two in. Once things emerge and take shape, then my planning brain and my strategy brain can jump on it and say, “Okay, we need three more songs to fill out the album, and we need to plan the fundraising and the scheduling.” Then I might take more of an outside-in approach. At the beginning it's just all instinct. Joanna: So if you pick up your guitar, does that mean it always starts in music and then goes into writing? Or is that you only pick up a guitar if it's going to be musical? Alicia: I think I'm responding to what's inside me. It's almost like a need, as opposed to, “I'm going to sit down and work.” I mean, obviously I sit down and work a lot, but I think in that early stage of anything, it's more like my fingers are itching to play something, and so I sit down and pick up my guitar. Sometimes nothing comes out and sometimes the kernel of a song comes out. Or I'm at a café, and I often like to write when I'm feeling a little bit discombobulated, just to go into the complexity of things or use challenging emotions as fuel. I really do use it as a—I don't know if therapeutic is the word, but I think it maybe is. I write often, as I always have, as I said before, to understand what I'm thinking. Like Joan Didion said—to process difficult emotions, to let go of stuck places. So I think I create almost more out of a sense of just what I need in the moment. Sometimes it's just for fun. Sometimes picking up a guitar, I just have a moment so I sit down and mess around. Sometimes it's to help me struggle with something. It doesn't always start in music. That was a random example. I might sit down to write because I have an hour and I think, I haven't written in a while. Or I do have an informal daily writing thing where I'll try to generate one loose draft of something a day, even if it's only ten pages. I mean, sorry, ten words. Joanna: I was going to say! Alicia: No, no. Ten words. I'm sorry. It's often poetry, so it feels like a lot when it's ten words. I'll just sit down with no pressure, no goal, no intention to make anything specific. Just open the floodgates and see what comes out. That's where every single project of mine has started. Joanna: Yes, I do love that. Obviously, I'm a discovery writer and intuitive, same as you. I think very much this idea of, especially when you said you feel discombobulated, that's when you write. I almost feel like I need that. I'm not someone who writes every day. I don't do ten lines or whatever. It's that I'll feel that sense of pressure building up into “this is going to be something.” I will really only write or journal when that spills over into— “I now need to write and figure out what this is.” Alicia: Yes. It's almost a form of hunger. It feels to me similar to when you eat a great meal and then you're good for a while. You're not really thinking of it, and then it builds up, like you said, and then there's a need—at least the first half of creativity. I really separate my generation and my editing. So my generative practice is all openness, no critique, just this maybe therapeutic, maybe curious, wandering and seeing what happens. Then once I have a draft, my incisive editing mind is welcome back in, which has been shut out from that early process. So that's a really different experience. Those early stages of creativity are almost out of need more than obligation. Joanna: Well, just staying with that generative practice. Obviously you've mentioned your study of and practice of Jewish tradition and Jewish spirituality. Steven Pressfield in his books has talked about his prayer to the muse, and I've got on my wall here—I don't talk about this very often, actually — I have a muse picture, a painting of what I think of as a muse spirit in some form. So do you have any spiritual practices around your generative practice and that phase of coming up with ideas? Alicia: I love that question, and I wish I had a beautiful, intentional answer. My answer is no. I think I experience creativity as its own spiritual practice itself. I do love individual prayer and meditation and things like that, but for me those are more to address my specifically spiritual health and happiness and connectedness. I'm just a dive-in kind of person. As a musician, I have friends who have elaborate backstage rituals. I have to do certain things to take care of my voice, but even that, it's mostly vocal rest as opposed to actively doing things. There's a bit of an on/off switch for me. Joanna: That's interesting. Well, I do want to ask you about one of your projects, this collaboration with a high school on a musical performance, I Was a Desert: Songs of the Matriarchs, and also your Girls in Trouble songs about women in the Torah. On your website, I had a look at the school, the high school, and the musical performance. It was extraordinary. I was watching you in the school there and it's just such extraordinary work. It very much inspired me—not to do it myself, but it was just so wonderful. I do urge people to go to your website and just watch a few minutes of it. I'm inspired by elements of religion, Christian and Jewish, but I wondered if you've come up against any issues with adaptation—respecting your heritage but also reinventing it. How has this gone for you. Any advice for people who want to incorporate aspects of religion they love but are worried about responses? Alicia: Well, I have to say, coming from the Jewish tradition, that is a core practice of Judaism—reinterpreting our texts and traditions, wrestling with them, arguing with them, reimagining them. I don't know if you're familiar with Midrash, but just in case some of your listeners aren't sure I'll explain it. There's essentially an ancient form of fanfic called Midrash, which was the ancient rabbis, and we still do it today, taking a biblical story that seems to have some kind of gap or inconsistency or question in it and writing a story to fill that gap or recast the story in an interestingly different light. So we have this whole body of literature over thousands of years that are these alternate or added-on adventures, side quests of the biblical characters. What I'm doing from a Jewish perspective is very much in line with a traditional way of interacting with text. I've certainly never gotten any pushback, especially as I work in progressive Jewish communities. I think if I were in an extremely fundamentalist community, there would be a lot of different issues around gender and things like that. The interpretive process, even in those communities, is part of how we show respect for the text. When I was working with the high school—and I just want to call out the choir director, Ethan Chen, who has an incredible project where he brings in a different artist every two years to work with the choir, and they tend to have a different cultural focus each time. He invited me specifically to integrate my songwriting about biblical women with his amazing high school choir. I was really worried at first because most of them are not Jewish—very few of them, if any. I wanted to respect their spiritual paths and their religious heritages and not impose mine on them. So I spent a lot of time at the beginning saying, this project has religious source material, but essentially it is a creative reinterpretive project. I am not coming to you to bring the religious material to you. I'm coming to take the shared Hebrew Bible myths and then reinterpret those myths through a lens of how they might reflect our own personal struggles, because that's always my approach to these ancient stories. I wanted to really make that clear to the students. It was such a joy to work with them. Joanna: It's such an interesting project. Also, I find with musicians in general this idea of performance. You've written this thing—or this thing specifically with the school—and it doesn't exist again, right? You're not selling CDs of that, I presume. Whereas compared to a book, when we write a book, we can sell it forever. It doesn't exist as a performance generally for an author of a memoir or a novel. It carries on existing. So how does that feel, the performance idea versus the longer-lasting thing? I mean, I guess the video's there, but the performance itself happened. Alicia: I do know what you mean. Absolutely. We did, for that reason, record it professionally. We had the sound person record it and mix it, so it is available to stream. I'm not selling CDs, but it's out there on all the streaming services, if people want to listen. I do also have the scores, so if a choir wanted to sing it. The main point that you're making is so true. I think there's actually something very sacred about live performance—that we're all in the moment together and then the moment is over. I love the artefacts of the writing life. I love writing books. I love buying and reading books and having them around, and there's piles of them everywhere in this room I'm standing in. I feel like being on stage, or even teaching, is a very spiritual practice for me, because it's in some ways the most in-the-moment I ever am. The only thing that matters is what's happening right then in that room. It's fleeting as it goes. I'm working with the energy in the room while we're there. It's different every time because I'm different, the atmosphere is different, the people are different. There's no way to plan it. The kind of micro precision that we all try to bring to our editing—you can't do that. You can practice all you want and you should, but in the moment, who knows? A string breaks or there's loud sound coming from the other room. It is just one of those things. I love being reminded over and over again of the truth that we really don't control what happens. The best that we can do is ride it, surf it, be in it, appreciate it, and then let it go. Joanna: I think maybe I get a glimpse of that when I speak professionally, but I'm far more in control in that situation than I guess you were with—I don't know how many—was it a hundred kids in that choir? It looked pretty big. Alicia: It was amazing. It was 130 kids. Yes. Joanna: 130 kids! I mean, it was magic listening to it. And yes, of course, showing my age there with buying a CD, aren't I? Alicia: Well, I do still sell some CDs of Girls in Trouble on tour, because I have a bunch of them and people still buy them. I'm always so grateful because it was an easier life for touring musicians when we could just bring CDs. Now we have to be very creative about our merch. Joanna: Yes, that's a good point because people are like, “Oh yes, I'll scan your QR code and stream it,” but you might not get the money for that for ages, and it might just be five cents or whatever. Alicia: Streaming is terrible for live musicians. I mean, I don't know if you know the site Bandcamp, but it's essentially self-publishing for musicians. Bandcamp is a great way around that, and a lot of independent musicians use it because that's a place you can upload your music and people can pay $8 for an album. They can stream it on there if they want, or they can download it and have it. But, yes, it's hard out there for touring musicians. Joanna: Yes, for sure. Well, let's come to the book then. Your memoir, When We Are Born We Forget Everything. Tell us about some of the challenges of a book as opposed to these other types of performances. Alicia: Well, I come out of poetry, so that was my first love. That's what I majored in in college. That's what my MFA is in. Poetry is famously short, and I'm not one of those long-form poets. I have been trained for many years to think in terms of a one-page arc, if at all. Arc isn't even really a word that we use in poetry. So to write a full-length prose book was really an incredible education. Writing it basically took ten years from writing to publication, so probably seven years of writing and editing. I felt like there was an MFA-equivalent process in the number of classes I took, books I read, and work that went into it. So that was one of my main joys and challenges, really learning on the job to write long-form prose coming out of poetry. How to keep the engine going, how to think about ending one chapter in a way that leaves you with some torque or momentum so that you want to go into the next chapter. How many characters is too many? Who gets names and who doesn't? Some of these things that are probably pretty basic for fiction writers were all very new to me. That was a big part of my process. Then, of course, poets don't usually have agents. So once it was done, I began to query agents. It was the normal sort of 39 rejections and then one agent who really understood what I was trying to do. She's incredible, and she was able to sell the book. The longevity of just working on something for that long—I have a lot of joy in that longevity—but it does sometimes feel like, is this ever going to happen, or am I on a fool's errand? Joanna: I guess, again, the difference with performance is you have a date for the performance and it's done then. I suppose once you get a contract, then for sure it has to be done. But memoir in particular, you do have to set boundaries, because of course your life continues, doesn't it? So what were the challenges in curating what went into the book? Because many people listening know memoir is very challenging in terms of how personal it can be. Alicia: Yes, and one thing I think is so fascinating about memoir is choosing which lens to put on your story, on your own story. I heard early on that the difference between autobiography and memoir is that autobiography tries to give a really comprehensive view of a life, and memoir is choosing one lens and telling the story of a life through that lens, which is such a beautiful creative concept. I knew early on that I wanted this to be primarily a spiritual memoir, and also somewhat of an artistic memoir, because my creativity and my spirituality are so intertwined. It started off being spiritual, and also about my musical life, and also about my writing life. In the end, I edited out the part about my writing life, because writing about writing was just too navel-gazing. So there's nothing in there about me coming of age as a writer, which used to be in there, but that whole thing got taken out. Now it's spiritual and musical. For me, it really helped to start with those focuses, because I knew there may be things that were hugely important in my life, absolutely foundational, that were not really going to be either mentioned or gone deeply into in the book. For example, my husband teases me a lot about how few pages and words he gets. He's very important in my life, but I actually met him when I was 29, and this book really mainly takes place in the years leading up to that. There's a little bit of winding down in the first few years of my thirties, but this is not a book about my life with him. He is mentioned in it. That story is in there. Having those kinds of limitations around the canvas—there's a quote, I forget if it was Miranda July, but somebody said something like, basically when you put a limitation on your project, that's when it starts to be a work of art. Whatever it is, if you say, “I'm taking this canvas and I'm using these colours,” that's when it really begins, that initial limitation. That was very helpful. Joanna: It's also the beauty of memoir, because of course you can write different memoirs at different times. You can write something about your writing life. You can write something else about your marriage and your family later on. That doesn't all have to be in one book. I think that's actually something I found interesting. And I would also say in my memoir, Pilgrimage, my husband is barely mentioned either. Alicia: Does he tease you too? Joanna: No, I think he's grateful. He is grateful for the privacy. Alicia: That's why I keep saying, you should be grateful! Joanna: Yes. You really should. Like, maybe stop talking now. Alicia: Yes, exactly. I know. Marriage, memoir—those words should strike fear into his heart. Joanna: They definitely should. But let's just come back. When I look at your career— You just seem such an independent creative, and so I wondered why you decided to work with a traditional publisher instead of being an independent. How are you finding it as someone who's not in charge of everything? Alicia: It's a great question. The origin story for this memoir is that I was actually reading poetry at a writing conference called Bread Loaf in the States. This was 16 years ago or something. I was giving a poetry reading and afterwards an agent, not my agent, came up to me and said, you know, you have a voice. You should try writing nonfiction because you could probably sell it. Back to your question about how I support myself, I am always really hustling to make a living. It's not like I have some separate well-paying job and the writing has no pressure on it. So my ears kind of perked up. I thought, wait, getting paid for writing? Because poetry is literally not in the world. It's just not a concept for poets. That's not why we write and it's not a possibility. So a little light turned on in my brain. I thought, wow, that could be a really interesting element to add to my income stream, and it would be flexible and it would be meaningful. For a few years I thought, what nonfiction could I write? And I came up with the idea of writing a book about biblical women from a more scholarly perspective, because I teach that material and I've studied it. I went to speak to another agent and she said, well, you could do that, but if you actually want to sell a book, it's going to have to be more of a trade book. So if you don't want an academic press, which wouldn't pay very much, you would have to have some kind of memoir-like stories in there to just sweeten it so it doesn't feel academic. So then I began writing a little bit of spiritual memoir. I thought, okay, well, I'll write about a few moments. Then once I started writing, I couldn't stop. The floodgates really opened. That's how it ended up being a spiritual memoir with interwoven stories of biblical women. It became a hybrid in that sense. I knew from the beginning that this project—for all my saying earlier that I never plan anything and only work on instinct, I was thinking as I said that, that cannot be true. This time, I actually thought, what if, instead of coming from this pure, heart-focused place of poetry, I began writing with the intention of potentially selling a book? The way my fiction writer friends talked about selling their books. So that was always in my mind. I knew I would continue writing poetry, continue publishing with small presses, continue putting my own music out there independently, but this was a bit of an experiment. What if I try to interface with the publishing world, in part for financial sustainability? And because I had a full draft before I queried, I never felt like anyone was telling me what to write. I can't imagine personally selling a book on proposal, because I do need that full capacity to just swerve, change directions, be responsive to what the project is teaching me. I can't imagine promising that I'll write something, because I never know what I'll write. But writing at least a very solid draft first, I'm always delighted to get notes and make polish and rewrite and make things better. I took care of that freedom in the first seven years of writing and then I interfaced with the agent and publisher. Joanna: I was going to say, given that it's taken you seven to ten years to do this and I can't imagine that you're suddenly a multimillionaire from this book. It probably hasn't fulfilled the hourly rate that perhaps you were thinking of in terms of being paid for your work. I think some people think that everyone's going to end up with the massive book deal that pays for the rest of their life. I guess this book does just fit into the rest of your portfolio career. Alicia: Yes. One of the benefits of these long arcs that I like to work on is, one of them—and probably the primary one—is that the project gets to unfold on its own time. I don't think I could have rushed it if I wanted. The other is that it never really stopped me from doing any of my other work. Joanna: Mm-hmm. Alicia: So it's not like, oh, I gave up months of my life and all I got was this advance or something. It's like, I was living my life and then when I had a little bit of writing time—and I will say, it impacted my poetry. I haven't written as much poetry because I was working on this. So it wasn't like I just added it on top of everything I was already doing, but it was a pleasure to just switch to prose for a while. It was just woven into my life. I appreciated having this side project where no one was waiting for it. There were no deadlines, there was no stress around it, because I always have performances to promote and due dates for all kinds of work. It was just this really lovely arena of slow growth and play. When I wanted a reader, I could do a swap with a writer friend, but no one was ever waiting for it on deadline. So there's actually a lot of pleasure in that. Then I will say, I think I've made more from selling this than my poetry. Probably close to ten times more than I've ever made from any of my poetry. So on a poetry scale, it's certainly not going to pay for my life, but it actually does make a true financial difference in a way that much of my other work is a little more bit by bit by bit. It's actually a different scale. Joanna: Well, that's really good. I'm glad to hear that. I also want to ask you, because you've done so many things, and— I'm fascinated by your independent film, A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff. I have only watched the trailer. You are in it, you wrote it, directed it, and it's also obviously got other people in, and it's fascinating. It's about this particular point in history. I've written quite a lot of screenplay adaptations of my novels, and I've had some various amounts of interest, but the whole film industry to me is just a complete nightmare, far bigger nightmare than the book industry. So I wonder if you could maybe talk about this, because it just seems like you made a film, which is so cool. Alicia: Oh yes, thank you. Joanna: And it won awards, yes, we should say. Alicia: Did we win awards? Yes. It really, for an extremely low-budget indie film, went far further than my team and I could ever have imagined. I will say I never intended to make a film. Like most of the best things in my life, it really happened by accident. When I was living in New York— I lived there for many years—the 2008 financial collapse happened and I happened to have an arts grant that gave a bunch of artists workspace, studio space, in essentially an abandoned building in the financial district. It was an empty floor of a building. The floor had been left by the previous tenant, and there's a nonprofit that takes unused real estate in the financial district and lets artists work in it for a while. So I was on Wall Street, which was very rare for me, but for this year I was working on Wall Street. Even though I was working on poems, the financial collapse happened around me, and I did get inspired by that to create a one-woman show, which was more of a theatre show. That was already a huge leap for me because I had no real theatre experience, but it was experimental and growing out of my poetry practice and my music. It was a musical one-woman show about the financial collapse from a spiritual perspective, apparently. So I performed that. I documented it, and then a friend who lives in Portland, Oregon, where I now live, said, “I'm a theatre producer, I'd like to produce it here.” So then I rewrote it and did a run here in Portland of that show. Essentially, I started to tour it a little bit, but I got tired of it. It was too much work and it never really paid very much, and I thought, this is impacting my life negatively. I just want to do a really good documentation of the show. So I wanted to hire a theatre documentarian to just document the show so that it didn't disappear, like you were saying before about live performance. But one of the people I talked to actually ended up being an artistic filmmaker, as opposed to a documentarian. She watched the archival footage, just a single camera of the show, and said, “I don't think you should do this again and film it with three cameras. I think you should make it into a feature film. And in fact, I think maybe I should direct it, because there's all this music in it and I also direct music videos.” We had this kind of mind meld. Joanna: Mm. Alicia: I never intended to make a film, but she is a visionary director and I had this piece of IP essentially, and all the music and the writing. We adapted it together. We did it here in Portland. We did all the fundraising ourselves. We did not interface with Hollywood really. I think that would be, I just can't imagine. I love Hollywood, but I'm not really connected, and I can't imagine waiting for someone to give us permission or a green light to make this. It was experimental and indie, so we just really did it on the cheap. We had an amazing producer who helped us figure out how to do it with the budget that we had. We worked really hard fundraising, crowdfunding, asking for donations, having parties to raise money, and then we just did it and put it out there. I think my main advice—and I hear this a lot on screenwriting podcasts—is just make the thing. Make something, as opposed to trying to get permission to make something. Because unless you're already in that system, it's going to be really hard to get permission to make it. Once you make something, that leads to something else, which leads to something else. So even if it's a very short thing, or even if it's filmed on your phone, just actually make the thing. That turned out to be the right thing for us. Joanna: Yes, I mean, I feel like that is what underpins us as independent creatives in general. As an independent author, I feel the same way. I'm never asking permission to put a book in the world. No, thank you. Alicia: Exactly. We have a vision and we do it. It's harder in some ways, but that liberation of being able to really fully create our vision without having to compromise it or wait for permission, I think it's such a beautiful thing. Joanna: Well, we're almost out of time, but I do want to ask you about creative confidence. Alicia: Hmm. Joanna: I feel I'm getting a lot of sense about this at the moment, with all the AI stuff that's happening. When you've been creating a long time, like you and I have, we know our voice and we can lean into our voice. We are creatively confident. We'll fail a lot, but we'll just push on and try things and see what happens. Newer creators are struggling with this kind of confidence. How do I know what is my voice? How do I know what I like? How do I lean into this? So give us some thoughts about how to find your voice and how to find that creative confidence if you don't feel you have it. Alicia: I love that. One thing I will say is that I always think whatever is arising is powerful material to create from. So if a lack of confidence is arising, that's a really powerful feeling to directly explore and not just try to ignore. Although sometimes one has to just ignore those feelings. But to actually explore that feeling, because AI can't have that, right? AI can't really feel a crisis of confidence, and humans can. So that's a gift that we have, those kinds of sensitivities. I think to go really deep into whatever is arising, including the sense that we don't have the right to be creating, or we're not good enough, or whatever it is. Then I always do come back to a quote. I think it might have been John Berryman, but I'm forgetting which poet said it. A younger poet said, “How will I ever know if I'm any good?” And this famous poet said something like—I'm paraphrasing—”You'll never know if you're any good. If you have to know, don't write.” That has been really liberating to me, actually. It sounds a little harsh, but it's been really liberating to just let go of a sense of “good enough.” There is no good enough. The great writers never know if they're good enough. Coming back to this idea of just making without permission—the practice of doing the thing is being a writer. Caring and trying to improve our craft, that's the best that we can have. There's never going to be a moment where we're like, yes, I've nailed this. I am truly a hundred per cent a writer and I have found my voice. Everything's always changing anyway. I would say, either go into those feelings or let those feelings be there. Give them a little tea. Tell them, okay, you're welcome to be here, but you don't get to drive the boat. And then return to the practice of making. Joanna: Absolutely. Great. So where can people find you and your books and everything you do online? Alicia: Everything is on my website, which is AliciaJo.com, and also on Instagram at @ohaliciajo. I'd love to say hello to anyone who's interested in similar topics. Joanna: Brilliant. Well, thanks so much for your time, Alicia. That was great. Alicia: Thank you. I love your podcast. I'm so grateful for all that you've given the writing world, Jo.The post Creative Confidence, Portfolio Careers, And Making Without Permission with Alicia Jo Rabins first appeared on The Creative Penn.

What are the economic effects of widespread deportations? It's something CU-Denver economist Hani Mansour studied before the current crackdown, but many of the fundamentals persist. Then, Colorado has a design and merchandising museum in Fort Collins. Its current exhibit is "Thanks! It Has Pockets!" about the politics of pockets, particularly in women's clothing. Plus, an audit raises questions about how "Caring for Denver" is allocating money. And the largest homeless shelter in Western Colorado closes its doors. 

Send a textOn this powerful episode, Cornell Bunting sits down with Darlande Jean-Charles, RN, BSN — National IV Instructor, founder of Nurse U2 Wellness, and a nurse on a mission to redefine personalized care.Darlande's journey is one of resilience and purpose. After immigrating from Haiti to America at 13 — not speaking English and facing bullying while adjusting to a new life with her adopted parents — she found strength through adversity. Caring for her adopted mother during her battle with cancer became the moment that revealed her calling.Her nursing career began in 2013 as a Home Health Aide while pursuing her LPN. She went on to specialize in Alzheimer's and dementia care, earned her RN in 2018, and later became a Director of Nursing leading teams of over 90 staff in Assisted Living and Memory Care. Determined to grow, she expanded into hospital care in Med-Surg, Telemetry, and the Emergency Room, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2024. That same year, she became a certified National IV Instructor, blending her love for teaching with clinical excellence.Today, through Nurse U2 Wellness, Darlande provides concierge wellness and IV hydration services that combine professionalism, compassion, and convenience — empowering clients to feel their best wherever they are.This conversation is about faith, resilience, education, and answering your calling. Tune in now — link in bio Listen. Share. Be inspired. Support the showThank you for tuning in with EHAS CLUB - Stories to Create Podcast

Gospel Matthew 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” Reflection The Pharisees were all about righteousness. And the mistake they made is that it didn't matter how you felt or what your intention was, as long as you did the action as perfectly as possible that was somehow pleasing to God. So the Ten Commandments could be followed very rigorously, but at the same time, Jesus is opening up a whole new way of seeing ourselves in our relationships. It's not simply about whether we do negative things to each other or must do good things to each other. It's where are you? What's your intention? The mind in the will can follow those kinds of commands that demand action. Only the heart which is promised to be filled with divinity can love. Can never want to do anything that limits a person's dignity, their value, their worth So the beauty of this passage is in keeping us in touch with our intentions. Caring for one another is the most righteous act that we can perform. Closing Prayer Father, open our hearts to the mystery of you within us so that we can turn to that beautiful presence and know that we can put on your disposition toward the world, toward each other. You are not a judging figure, but you are a forgiving figure. You are a teacher that gives us a sense of the importance of empathy and understanding of one another. Bless us with your way and not the way of a system that ignores the heart's intention. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

send us a text via Fan Mail!In this first episode we focus on nurturing and loving relationships with our children. With very practical wisdom, Dr. Deborah helps us to care, connect and lead our children with grace.  1:12 - Dr. Deborah's work 3:53 - I need to know what to do with this child! 5:04 - Email from a mom : concerns about 4.5 year old  12:02 - When parenting feels like a nightmare // always tip toeing 14:50 - How can parents take the lead better? 18:14 - What do I do with a temper tantrum? 19:14 - If you're stuck  26:13 - Staying in the moment with your child // caring 29:04 - Adapting our language to attachment 33:55 - Curiosity to connection and care 37:20 - Simple strategies to connect and build relationships Dr. Deborah MacNamara (Website) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers (Or Anyone Who Acts Like One) by Dr. Deborah MacNamaraNourished: Connection, Food and Caring for Our Kids (And Everyone Else We Love) by Dr. Deborah MacNamaraHold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, Dr. Gabor MateMore podcast episodes featuring Dr. MacNamara: Rest, Play, Grow: Interview with Dr. Deborah MacNamara Nourished: an interview with Deborah MacNamara on her new book Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

In difficult parenting seasons, it's easy to focus entirely on your child's needs while quietly neglecting your own. Over time, the emotional weight can become heavy — even if you appear steady on the outside. In this episode of the Still Faithful series, we turn the focus gently toward the parent who has been carrying so much. This conversation explores what it means to care for yourself without guilt, to rest without abandoning hope, and to remember that you are not only a steward in this story — you are also deeply loved by God. If you've felt depleted, spiritually tired, or unsure how to replenish your own heart while still loving your child faithfully, this episode offers steady reassurance and practical next steps. In this episode, we explore: The invisible emotional load many parents carry Why strength does not eliminate your need for care The difference between self-care and soul-care Signs you may be emotionally or spiritually depleted Practical ways to begin restoring your capacity The theological truth that you are not only the steward — you are also the beloved Reflection questions: Where am I most depleted right now? What would true rest look like for me in this season? What am I allowed to receive? If I believed God cared about my well-being too, what might I change? An important reassurance: You are allowed to experience peace even if your child's story is unfinished. Your rest is not abandonment. Your joy is not betrayal. Your steadiness is not indifference. Caring for yourself does not mean you love your child less. It often means you love better. Support: If you're unsure what healthy rhythms of restoration look like for you — or if guilt makes it difficult to prioritize your own well-being — coaching is available as a space to discern next faithful steps with clarity and support. You can learn more at www.melindapatrick.org. 

What does it truly mean to lead with clarity at work and at home? In this episode I am joined with John Mollura to explore leadership, communication, and the personal growth required to cultivate an elite mindset. We explore the power of etiquette in modern communication not as rigid rules, but as respect, presence, and intentional delivery. Caring for your physical health, managing stress, and cultivating energetic alignment directly impact how you communicate and lead. You're going to love this conversation, and you're going to want to share it with everyone you care about who also desires to look and feel their best too!Get 10% off the Elite Action Academy and receive premier access to weekly live Q&A group Momentum Sessions along with access to the private Elite Action Collective Facebook Community: https://john-mollura.systeme.io/elite-action-academy-aflUse Discount Code: RACHELVLearn more about John Mollura:John Mollura is a former rocket scientist who spent fifteen years leading global field tests that NASA and elite military units depended on for mission success. Today, he's an elite executive coach and professional speaker who helps high achievers overcome procrastination, perfectionism, and overthinking through his Elite Action™ framework. John equips leaders to stop chasing perfect and start taking confident, consistent action that builds real momentum and lasting impact.Connect with John: https://john-mollura.systeme.io/elite-action-academy-aflStep into your Radiance Sanctuary in the Membership https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/membershipFor more resources related to today's episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/podcasts Follow Rachel Varga Official on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ —Catch full episodes of The School of Radiance Podcast here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Subscribe to the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RachelVargaOfficial —Follow me here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficial/ Website: https://www.theschoolofradiance.com —FREE STUFF: Download my FREE Skincare Checklist, sign up for my FREE 30 minute biohack your way to clear skin and slowing aging training now, and my newsletter for promos and exclusive events just for you! https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/freebiesEveryone gets one FREE call! Book your free 15-minute call with Rachel Varga to see which options will help you achieve your skin radiance goals! https://rachelvarga.as.me/YourPersonalizedRadianceConsultation —Looking for Skincare products, Tutorials, booking YOUR private One-on-One, and the deep dive Radiance Membership?SHOP skincare: https://alwaysradiantskinshop.comBOOK your private One-on-One: https://rachelvarga.as.me/Initialconsultation REGISTER for Tutorials and/or Membership: https://theschoolofradiance.com As a disclaimer, please note that the information shared in this podcast and interview is not to be taken as medical advice, and it's always important to consult with your physician before making any lifestyle changes. Rachel disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate credentials of guests or information used that may cause harm.Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The School of Radiance with Rachel Varga (formerly The Rachel Varga Podcast and The Always Radiant Skin Podcast)!Rachel Vargainfo@theschoolofradiance.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

it is so easy to care about what others think & source our validation from external sources. in this episode, we dive into the process of how to let go of judgment because it is deeper than having the desire to let it go. we also dig into the freedom that comes from living authentically in your truth, how to begin living more authentically, & what unfolds in your life when you finally source your worth from within!

Who is responsible for ensuring that your pastor and their family are healthy? On this edition of Equipped with Chris Brooks, we will take time to pray for our pastors. We'll also look at a Lifeway study that examines how we can care for our pastors and their families. Don't miss an encouraging conversation on Equipped. Featured resource:Lifeway Study: Beyond the Pulpit: Equipping Church Leaders to Pursue Pastor Wellness February thank you gift:D.L. Moody: God's Bold Messenger by Faith Coxe Bailey Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here. To become 1 in 100 who supports at $1,000 (annually or $83/month), click here.

That flat, resigned Bohemian Rhapsody line — nothing really matters to me — caught in my throat at 14 and still does. What if it's actually permission? Permission to stop carrying what was never really yours and make space for what genuinely matters. That's the Care Budget. Yes, I made it up. This episode is about treating your energy like your finances — assessing where your cares are going and deciding if they deserve the investment. I share the moment I hit empty in Kansas City, why The Giving Tree is a cautionary tale for women who are really good at giving, and four questions to figure out what you actually care about — not what guilt tells you, not what you've always done on autopilot. We also build the practical framework: audit, categorize, protect your non-negotiables first, practice the pause before saying yes, and revisit seasonally. Blue zone research found that a clear sense of purpose is worth up to seven extra years of life. Your Care Budget isn't just feel-good. It might be self-preservation. You are not learning to care less. You are learning to care on purpose. https://www.instagram.com/nicole_bachle/  

As the Church, a big part of our purpose is to minister to those in need. For today's episode Pastor Mike and Connor talk over the presence and practice of caring and spending time with those in need.

We were buried under three feet of snow here in Rhode Island, and while I was sitting inside with a sinus infection and nowhere to go, I kept thinking about Charlie. Charlie was a stray. Skittish. Half-wild. She started showing up in my backyard years ago. I fed her. Gave her shelter. Eventually set up a heated bed outside. She hovered at the threshold for a long time, close enough to see the warmth, unwilling to step into it. Until something happened. In this episode, I tell the full story-how survival instincts protect us, how resistance can keep us circling the very thing we want, and how sometimes it takes a “life quake” to finally let ourselves come inside. A few episodes back we talked about preparing for storms. This one is about what happens when you're already in one. We talk about ego. Self-protection. Accepting help. The slow build of trust. And the shift from surviving alone to belonging somewhere. Because surviving keeps you alive. Belonging changes your nervous system. 3 Takeaways for you: Notice where you're hovering outside what you say you want.Where are you close to warmth but still holding back?Survival mode can look like strength.Hyper-independence and control may be old protection, not present power.Receiving care is a practice.Belonging asks you to soften and let yourself be supported. Timestamps 00:00 90-Day Growth and Transformation 08:41 Building Bond With Stray Cat 15:32 Rescuing and Caring for Charlie 18:09 Survival Amid Life's Quakes 24:25 Healing, Trust, and Survival 27:22 Finding Warmth in Resistance 33:27 Finding Hope Amidst Fear 43:09 Facing Change and Uncertainty 44:10 Embracing Change and Self-Discovery 52:08 Seeking Change, Facing Fear 55:59 Embracing Change and Belonging 01:00:59 Take Care, See You Soon

If you're the default planner, reminder, emotional regulator, and peacekeeper in your relationship — this episode is for you.We're unpacking the invisible mental load and how it slowly turns into over-functioning, resentment, and the “guilt hangover” that follows boundary setting.Joined by therapist Dr. Gloria King, we explore how this pattern intensifies in neurodiverse relationships, where executive functioning differences may push one partner into the manager role — often without either person realizing how it happened.This conversation covers:• The unseen “second shift” many women carry• How people-pleasing and perfectionism fuel over-functioning• Childhood conditioning around being “good”• Religious messaging about self-sacrifice• Why guilt doesn't mean your boundary is wrong• How to expect (and handle) pushback• Building tolerance for discomfort like a muscle• When to pause conversations for safety• Why listening to your gut mattersDr. King works with adults 21+ in individual and couples therapy, including neurodiverse couples, people-pleasing, menopause transitions, infidelity recovery, and women's issues.The core message of this episode:You matter.Fear and guilt do not automatically mean you're wrong.And self-love includes valuing your needs without calling it selfish.If this resonates, share it with someone who needs permission to stop carrying it all.And remember:Caring doesn't require disappearing.That's the Masks Off Movement.About Dr. Gloria:I'm an extroverted introvert, lol and I love saying that as I used to be so shy. I'm originally from Puerto Rico and have lived in FL since I was 8 years old. I'm married and my husband and I are both huge dog lovers and have had dogs in the office with us for quite sometime now. I love time with friends and family, murder mystery shows, and laughing out loud. I'm fascinated by what makes people tick and love being a part of clients' life journeys. I''m dually licensed as a mental health counselor and marriage and family therapist and obtained my doctorate in 2005. I've been a therapist for almost 30 years and in private practice since 2008. My specialties include women's issues including people pleasing, couples work with infidelity and intimate betrayal trauma, and neurodiverse individual and couples counseling.Connect with Dr. Gloria: www.drgloriariveraking.com, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571809726617,Instagram: @ drgloria_

The South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston can save sea turtles suffering from various complaints.

Livestock Risk Protection Use in Kansas, Part 1 Livestock Risk Protection Use in Kansas, Part 2 Caring for Houseplants   00:01:05 – Livestock Risk Protection Use in Kansas, Part 1: Starting the show is Brian Coffey, K-State agricultural economist, and Yifei Zhang, senior research economist with the Agricultural Risk Policy Center at North Dakota State University, as they discuss research into Kansas producers using Livestock Risk Protection for feeder cattle.   00:12:05 – Livestock Risk Protection Use in Kansas, Part 2: Brian and Yifei keep the show and their conversation going as they converse about how producers have been using this risk management tool. Use of Feeder Cattle Livestock Risk Protection Insurance in Kansas AgManager.info   00:23:05 – Caring for Houseplants: K-State consumer horticulture Extension associate, Matt McKernan, ends the show chatting about how to tell if a houseplant needs repotting, how to determine pot size and how to care for plants that are root-bound.      Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit Extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

In today's episode of You Can Overcome Anything Podcast Show, CesarRespino.com brings to you a special guest.S. S. Coulter is the creator of Planet Fassa, a screen-lite movement helping families reclaim imagination, connection, and real-world joy. She also coaches adults to Break the Chain of tech overuse — because when grown-ups come back to life, kids do too. She's the host of Let There Be Joy, the podcast that offers three simple, practical ways each episode to bring more joy, presence, and meaning back into everyday life.S. S. Coulter message to you is:Don't cover up your light. Let it shine and see what you can do.To Connect with S. S. Coulter go to:https://sscoulter.com/https://linktr.ee/sscoultersscoulter7@gmail.comTo Connect with CesarRespino go to:

The persecution of Christians around the globe remains a pressing issue that merits our attention and action. In this engaging dialogue, TJ Blackwell interviews Andrew Croft from Open Doors Canada, who elucidates the profound implications of standing in solidarity with our persecuted brethren. By caring for those who face adversity for their faith, we foster a deeper sense of Church unity, transcending denominational divides. Croft shares poignant narratives, including those of individuals who, despite facing grave dangers, are committed to spreading the message of Christ. This conversation not only highlights the importance of awareness surrounding global persecution but also emphasizes the necessity of collective support within the body of Christ, urging listeners to take tangible steps in solidarity with their fellow believers worldwide. A profound examination of the global persecution of Christians unfolds in the latest discourse hosted by TJ Blackwell with the esteemed Andrew Croft of Open Doors Canada. The conversation pivots around the scriptural admonition from 1 Peter 4:12-16, urging believers not to be astonished by trials, but rather to embrace them as a shared suffering with Christ. Andrew elucidates on the significance of this shared experience in fostering a spirit of unity within the Church. Through their dialogue, they delve into the essence of communal suffering, as a catalyst for authentic relationships among Christians. Andrew emphasizes that such solidarity not only fortifies individual faith but also enhances the collective witness of the Church amidst adversity. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the vital connection between understanding the plight of persecuted Christians and nurturing a unified body of believers worldwide. Furthermore, the conversation highlights the imperative for the global Church to remain cognizant of its suffering members, thereby cultivating an environment of empathy, support, and actionable prayer, reinforcing the notion that when one part of the body suffers, all members are affected.Takeaways:The discussion centers around the biblical perspective on suffering, emphasizing that Christians should not be surprised by persecution but rather embrace it as a shared experience of faith.Caring for persecuted Christians globally fosters a sense of unity within the Church, as all believers are members of the same body and share in each other's struggles.The importance of being informed about global Christian persecution is underscored, as it helps believers recognize their connection to the wider Christian family and encourages solidarity and support.Andrew Croft recounts inspiring stories of individuals like Evangelist Cho, who risk their lives to share the Gospel, illustrating the resilience and faith of Christians in oppressive contexts.The podcast highlights the necessity of prayer and action, encouraging listeners to sign petitions advocating for persecuted Christians, thereby demonstrating their support and solidarity.The episode concludes with a call for practical steps believers can take to promote church unity, such as loving those who oppose them, thereby embodying the teachings of Christ..You can leave a donation, buy podcast merchandise, check out previous series that we've done, or become an official member of The Whole Church Podcast on our website:

Have you ever promised yourself you'd say no, set a boundary, or speak up… and then said yes anyway?In this episode, the last of the People-Pleasing Mini-Series, host Elizabeth Mintun explores why self-trust is hard, why guilt and old patterns show up, and how you can begin making changes with compassion and steadiness. Elizabeth addresses why understanding the pattern isn't enough to shift it, how the nervous system interprets self-prioritization as risk, and the waves of guilt, fear, and identity disorientation that can arise when we are making a healthy change for ourselves. Elizabeth also shares her personal journey with people-pleasing as well as a free workshop happening Thursday, February 26th, called From People-Pleasing to Self-Trust. Key TakeawaysAwareness ≠ immediate change. Understanding people-pleasing patterns is important, but your nervous system operates on survival wiring, so behavior change happens gradually.Self-trust can feel destabilizing at first. Saying no, setting limits, or interrupting old patterns can trigger guilt, fear of being misunderstood, and identity disorientation. This is normal.Micro-shifts and consistent practice matter. Pausing, regulating your nervous system, and practicing boundaries in relationships gradually rewires old pathways.Caring without disappearing is possible. You don't have to harden, withdraw, or stop caring about others. Self-trust is about staying present with yourself in the context of relationships. Resources Sign up for the free workshop From People-Pleasing to Self-Trust: Reclaim Yourself Without Burning Bridges here:https://go.thecalmingground.com/people-pleasing-to-self-trustLearn more about 1:1 Coaching with Elizabeth Mintun here. Contact Elizabeth: elizabethmintun@thecalmingground.comFind Elizabeth on Facebook & IG @thecalminggroundSubscribe to The Calming Ground Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you loved this conversation, please share it with a friend!

Are you caring for aging parents while still supporting your young adult children? You're not alone. In this episode, Krista and Alex explore the emotional complexity of the sandwich generation — a season marked by grief, shifting roles, guilt, and unexpected growth. They discuss how to manage changing family dynamics, set healthy boundaries, reevaluate expectations, and embrace the opportunity for deeper relationships during this transitional stage of life. If you're feeling stretched between two generations, this conversation offers practical insight, encouragement, and hope. In this episode: Why grief and opportunity often coexist How guilt shows up in caregiving The importance of boundaries and self-care Parenting adult children with clarity and respect Listen in for wisdom and practical tools to help you navigate this complex season with intention. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Philippians 1:6 James 1:5 Ecclesiastes 3:1 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE What is your grief around in this season? Where is the opportunity, in this season for you? Where do you need to let go? What does it look like to offer your young adult freedom? What does it look like to infuse your young adult with belief? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier  

In today's polarized social and political climate, leadership has become not only emotionally demanding but, in some cases, physically and psychologically dangerous. From targeted violence against corporate leaders to escalating threats toward public officials, judges, election workers, and lawmakers, leaders are operating under unprecedented scrutiny, hostility, and fear.In this episode of Hope Illuminated, I join Jeff Gorter, Vice President of Clinical Crisis Response at R3 Continuum, to explore what it truly means to lead under assault and how organizations can respond with clarity, compassion, and coordinated care when crises unfold in real time. This conversation weaves together stories, science, and strategy to illuminate how threat and violence ripple beyond individuals to impact the mental health of entire organizations and communities. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/hope-illuminated-podcast/160

In this episode, I sit down with Coach Jim Johnson, a long-time educator, championship basketball coach, and inspirational speaker who has spent decades helping people see what's possible for them. Right away, I could see how closely Jim's leadership style reflects what I've witnessed firsthand, with my husband. (He was a lifelong high school basketball coach too.) Leading with belief, care, and encouragement, and understanding that the words we choose can stay with someone for life.Jim shares honest lessons from early in his career, including a humbling season that forced him to rethink what leadership really requires. We talk about why “caring” and “challenging” are not opposites, and how the best leaders hold high standards while still building trust. Jim also explains how he became more intentional with communication, including a shift from “having the agenda” to becoming what he calls the Chief Question Asker.We also talk about the unforgettable J-Mac story, a moment that captured the world's attention and still stands as a powerful reminder of what happens when a team chooses “we over me.” It's a conversation about trust, team culture, resilience under pressure, and how relationships and words shape performance, confidence, and lives.TakeawaysWords last. The things we say as leaders can become part of someone's confidence for years.Caring and challenging can live together. High standards work best when people also feel seen and supported.Relationships are the foundation. Trust doesn't happen by accident. It takes intention, time, and knowing your people.Teams unite when leaders listen. Asking better questions and creating space for real input builds ownership.Clarity is kindness. Even hard feedback lands better when it's clear, respectful, and explained.Jim can be reached at: https://coachjimjohnson.com/In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won't regret it. AND … Don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!Connect with me:http://JanicePorter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1https://www.instagram.com/socjanice/Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode andthink that others could benefit from...

Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation Mark Solomon, co-founder of the Veterans Community Project. We talk about their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness through tiny home communities, wraparound support, and a mission to ensure every veteran has both housing and connection.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMark Solomon is a Naval Reserve Officer and co-founder of the Veterans Community Project, an organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness through innovative housing and supportive services. Drawing on his own military experience and the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life, he helped launch the project in 2014, leading efforts to create a tiny-home village and comprehensive outreach center in Kansas City that connects veterans with resources such as health care referrals, employment assistance, and counseling.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeVeterans Community Project Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Finding Veteran Support Programs. No matter what issue you're facing, you can use the power of the internet to reach out and get the help you deserve. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Finding-Veteran-Support-Programs  Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Caring for God's Creation: How Evangelical Christians Are Embracing Climate ActionAcross the United States, evangelical Christians are increasingly forging a connection between faith and climate action by redefining environmental work as a sacred duty to care for God's creation. By understanding sustainability through the lens of biblically mandated stewardship, more and more Christians are discovering renewed hope and purpose in addressing climate change.What Is Creation Care?To many evangelical environmentalists, caring for the Earth is not a political act. Rather, it is a spiritual duty. They believe that how we treat the planet should reflect how God treats us: with compassion, responsibility, and reverence. That means resisting the exploitation of natural resources and instead treating the Earth as a divine gift entrusted to humanity. Historically, however, environmentalism and climate science have been viewed as controversial in conservative Christian circles, seen as secular or partisan issues. But that perception is beginning to shift, thanks in part to young leaders and faith-based environmental advocates who are reframing climate action as a moral and theological imperative.Faith in ActionOne of those young leaders is Becca Boyd, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Environmental Science. Raised in a Christian home, Becca often felt her environmental concerns were dismissed and even challenged. Feeling unhead, she began to experience a crisis of faith, questioning both her faith and her place in the church. Everything changed when she was introduced to the concept of creation care in college by her professors. For the first time, she saw how her love for the environment and desire to protect it could be an act of faith rather than in conflict with it.A Theology of HopeLike many young people in the climate action space, Becca has felt overwhelmed by the constant sense of “doom and gloom.” The narrative that it's too late to fix the damage can leave people in despair and feeling helpless. But creation care offers her a more hopeful, spiritually grounded mindset. Rather than dwelling on what's broken, Becca focuses her energy on healing what's still possible. For Becca, environmental stewardship is now a form of worship: small acts like conserving energy, recycling, or planting a pollinator garden at her school are ways of honoring God.  And by inviting others to do the same, she's helping grow a climate movement rooted not in fear but in faith and hope for the future.Choosing Words That Open DoorsThrough her advocacy, Becca has learned that the language you use to talk about climate issues matters, especially in Christian spaces. The word “climate” itself can be politically charged and can trigger defensiveness, while terms like “creation care” and “eco-theology” feel more rooted in faith and shared values. She is also intentional about her tone, making a point to avoid “you” statements. Rather than telling people what they should do, Becca shares what she does and why. This approach opens the door to conversation rather than closing it. According to Becca, it's about meeting people where they are and establishing a common ground — inviting them in, not calling them out. The Challenges AheadCreation care is still a growing movement, and while it's gained traction in places like Indiana, there's still a long way to go. Climate science skepticism and misinformation continue to circulate in many conservative communities. But Becca and other young Christians are starting vital conversations in churches and on campuses, emphasizing climate change as a humanitarian issue: one that affects food security, public health, and the lives of future generations.  She also shares resources like Cowboy & Preacher, a documentary tracing the history of Christian environmentalism, to show that this movement isn't new, and that faith and climate action have long been intertwined. About Our GuestBecca Boyd is a rising senior at Indiana Wesleyan University studying Environmental Science. She is a Climate Advocate for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action (YECA) and previously served as a College Fellow. On campus, she launched a student sustainability club and helped lead campus-wide conversations about the intersection of faith and environmental responsibility. She was recently featured in The New York Times for her work advancing Indiana's growing creation care movement.ResourcesYECA, Young Evangelicals for Climate ActionCowboy & Preacher, Cowboy & PreacherFurther ReadingThe New York Times, In Indiana, Putting Up Solar Panels Is Doing God's WorkNBC News, Evangelical environmentalists push for climate votes as election nears: 'Care for God's creation'American Conservation Coalition, An Environmental Education: What a Christian Environmental Ethic Looks LikeFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/creation-care-with-becca-boyd/.

Hochleistungskultur in Teams zu entwickeln und wie viele Führungskräfte diese (unbewusst) sabotierenHochleistungskultur klingt nach Sport, Medaillen und noch mehr Output. In der Tech-Realität endet es aber oft in Druck, KPI-Angst und Teams, die lieber schweigen, statt Probleme offen anzusprechen. Genau dann wird es gefährlich, weil wir scheinbar Performance steigern wollen, in Wahrheit aber psychologische Sicherheit abbauen und damit die Organisation in eine Angstzone schieben.In dieser Interview-Episode holen wir uns dafür Verstärkung von Philip Klasen-Schwidetzki, Coach und Organisationsentwickler sowie Gründer von Troody. Wir nutzen das Modell von Amy Edmondson, psychologische Sicherheit plus Accountability, und übersetzen es in den Alltag von Engineering Teams, Performance Management und Leadership. Du hörst, warum mehr Messen nicht automatisch besser ist, wie du Ziele sauber rahmst, wie Caring und Daring Leadership zusammengehören und welche Sabotagemuster Führungskräfte häufig triggern, zum Beispiel Verantwortung an sich ziehen, Konflikte zu schnell entscheiden oder Teams in eine Komfortzone oder Angstzone kippen lassen.Zum Mitnehmen gibt es Kontrollfragen für ein Selbstassessment, konkrete Formulierungen für Mandate und Pushback im Middle Management, plus ein paar sehr alltagstaugliche Mikrosituationen, die über Team Performance entscheiden.Bonus: Am Ende wartet sogar ein kostenloses Lernprogramm rund um Caring und Daring, Link in den Shownotes, aber nur, wenn du bis dahin nicht schon aus der Komfortzone weggedöst bist.Unsere aktuellen Werbepartner findest du auf https://engineeringkiosk.dev/partnersDas schnelle Feedback zur Episode:

Have you ever looked in the mirror and quietly wondered, “Who am I really?” Not what you do. Not the roles you play. Not what others expect of you. But who you truly are. In this deeply honest and hope-filled conversation, I'm joined again by our team coach, Susan King, as we explore what Scripture says about your identity—not just your duties. Together, we unpack how Christian women—especially those in destructive or emotionally unhealthy marriages—lose their sense of self and how to begin reclaiming the woman God created you to be. If you've been pretending things are “fine” when they aren't, this episode will gently guide you back to truth, clarity, and courage. Key Takeaways 1. You Are Called to Be, Not Just to Do So many women are taught their role—wife, mom, helper—but not their identity. Yet Scripture tells us something far deeper. You are God's handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). You are a chosen daughter, a royal priesthood, set apart and beloved. Before you accomplish anything, before you serve anyone, your identity is secure in Christ. When we begin reading the Bible not as a rulebook but as a mirror—asking, “What does this say about who God is and who I am?”—everything changes. 2. If You've Been Pretending, It's Time to Come Home to Yourself One brave listener asked, “How do I find out who I am? I feel like I've been pretending most of my life.” If that's you, start here: What have you been pretending to be? What would change if you stopped pretending? What virtues reflect who you truly are? Your identity is not your temporary emotions. It's not others' opinions. It's rooted in your God-given character and values. Notice when you lose track of time because you're fully alive. Notice what brings you joy. Notice what stirs your heart. These clues aren't selfish—they're sacred. 3. Why So Many Christian Women Lose Themselves In destructive or controlling marriages, women often experience subtle erosion—constant undermining, gaslighting, or isolation. Over time, they internalize the belief that their thoughts, needs, and feelings don't matter. But even in “good” marriages, many women self-abandon. We've been taught that becoming “one” means losing ourselves. That loving means over-functioning. That serving means silencing our voice. That is not biblical oneness. That is erasure. Healthy oneness honors two whole people—each with a voice, a body, and a soul. 4. Caring for Yourself Is Stewardship, Not Selfishness So many women struggle with shame when they begin asking, “What do I need?” But Scripture never calls you to neglect yourself. Jesus modeled rest, solitude, nourishment, and boundaries. Stewarding your one precious life is not self-absorption—it's obedience. When your tank is empty, you cannot love wisely. Putting your oxygen mask on first isn't selfish; it's responsible. Ask yourself: What brought me joy today? What drained me? What small change would help me show up as my best self? Small awareness leads to big transformation. 5. “He's Fine”… But You're Not One of the most painful dynamics women describe is this: “My husband acts like everything is fine. And I start doubting myself.” Here's the truth: Things may genuinely be fine for him. But that doesn't mean they're fine for you. You are allowed to be a separate self with separate experiences. Instead of arguing about whether things are “really fine,” try saying: “I understand that this feels okay to you. But it's not okay for me. And that matters.” Healthy love cares when something isn't fine for the other person. If you're realizing that you've lost sight of who you are… If you've been stuck pretending… If you feel erased in your own life… You don't have to figure this out alone. Join Walking in CORE Strength, our transformational program designed to help you rediscover your voice, rebuild your confidence, and grow strong from the inside out—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. Learn more and join here:

Send us a text message if you have a question you want answered on the podcast.When you're the one everyone depends on, it can feel like there's no space left for you to fall apart. This episode is for the quiet kind of exhaustion that comes from loving people through hard things while trying to hold your own life together.Niki answers listener questions about caring for a medically fragile child without losing your marriage, supporting a teen who speaks harshly about themselves, walking beside a spouse with depression, and coping with the heartbreak of an adult child creating distance.Instead of quick fixes, this episode offers small ways to stay connected when life feels heavy. Gentle ways to respond when words hurt. Compassion that doesn't require you to abandon your boundaries. And hope that even when relationships shift or strain, healing and direction are still possible.If you're tired, stretched thin, or quietly grieving something no one else fully sees, this episode will remind you that you are not alone, not broken, and not without support._______________________________Links mentioned in this episode:The LDS Mental Health Podcast Episode 222: Handling Boundaries Set for Youwww.ldsmentalhealthco.com/blog/222 _______________________________Stick around for more Mental Health support & resources:

Welcome back to Dial Emma! Each week, I'll be answering your dilemmas with honesty, empathy, and a few therapeutic truth bombs to help you make sense of life's stickiest moments. If you've ever wished you had a therapist in your back pocket, Dial Emma is here to help.This week on the podcast, I'm responding to a listener dilemma all about empathy - and who better to help me answer it than an integrative psychotherapist who describes herself as someone who 'empathises for a living,' Aimee Cliff.Aimee joins me to explore the complexities of empathy, emotional sensitivity, and the challenges faced by those who feel deeply for others. We discuss the burden of emotional intuition, the importance of setting boundaries, and the impact of childhood experiences on one's ability to manage empathy. Aimee also emphasises the importance of self-care, and understanding the difference between genuine emotional connection and anxiety-driven responses.If you have a dilemma for Emma, please fill out this form. To pre-order Aimee's book, click here. ---Dial Emma is hosted by Emma Reed Turrell, produced by Lauren Brook.---Social media:Emma Reed Turrell @emmareedturrellDial Emma @dialemmapodcastEmail: contact@dial-emma.uk

Join me, Savy for Episode 3 of Season 17, with our Guests, Nam Collins with BlackBird, Jenny Chung of Kupuna Paws, and our Mindful Moment with Bianca Spears - World-Renowned Laughter Leader and Award-Winning Empowerment Coach! We're here to bring back the joy of Caregiving, we're here to connect you to the resources that you need, because you DESERVE some "CARING"From this Episode:Kupuna Paws Foundation - Kupuna Paws helps kūpuna, or elders, facing physical and financial hardships avoid the heartbreak of giving up their beloved pets. Bianca Spears - World-Renowned Laughter Leader and Award-Winning Empowerment Coach: Showing others how to activate more fun, freedom & flow in their livesOur Resources:Gimme A Break - Non-profit for caregivers aiming to bring back joy to caregiving, free weekly support sessions offering caregivers a chance to relax, renew, resource and revive. Register or register a caregiver for a break.Givers Guides Magazine - The complete caregiver resource guide. Get your first issue today, as 100% of all profits are donated to support Gimme A Break.Your Host:Savy Makalena - founder of Gimme a Break and Givers Guides Connect with the Caring Caregiver Show:Facebook Page: Caring Caregiver ShowInstagram: caringcaregivershowWebsite: www.caringcaregivershow.comFacebook Group: Click here to join

    My fourth "Secret of Life" is SERVICE!  If you really want to be happy, it's not about people doing things or giving you things its' doing something for others!  Explore the counter-intuitive of feeling good, NOW!  

Do you care too much about what other people think? Are you constantly comparing yourself socially and feel like everyone else is more successful, more confident, more together than you?In this episode, I talk about low self-esteem and the exhausting habit of comparing yourself to colleagues, exes, friends, and other mums. From overthinking group chats and replaying conversations to scrolling social media and feeling behind, this pattern keeps you worrying, shrinking, and playing small inside your comfort zone - and this only makes worse how much you care!I share a powerful self-help technique used in therapy called Behavioural Experiments, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy tool designed to help you challenge negative thoughts, test your fears in real life, and build genuine confidence and self-love. Instead of letting comparison and fear control your choices, you will learn how to step outside your comfort zone and start proving to yourself that you are enough, in four simple steps.If you are ready to stop feeling inferior and start strengthening your self-esteem and self-worth, this episode will give you a practical and empowering place to begin.

Caring for cool houseplants can help us bide the time while we wait for warmer weather.

From Apple News In Conversation: When she was 28, Laura Mauldin became a full-time caregiver for her romantic partner with leukemia — an experience that exposed how deeply America’s health-care system depends on the unpaid labor of loved ones. Now a disability scholar, Mauldin explores this hidden reality in her new book, In Sickness and in Health: Love Stories From the Front Lines of America’s Caregiving Crisis. She sat down with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu to discuss how gaps in the medical system leave families shouldering the burden of care — and how couples navigate that strain while maintaining their sense of partnership and dignity.

As Chinese New Year begins, presenter David Maxwell encounters an orchid covered dragon at the 30th annual Orchid Festival in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He chats to Soléne Dequiret in the Princess of Wales Conservatory about what it takes to create this giant display with over 3000 orchids. Gardening writer Julianne Robertson reveals what it takes to keep moth orchids happy in our homes. Nicola Kenny visits a new community garden taking root in north Belfast thanks to funding from Kew and Amy Kelly explains how to kick-start early seed sowing with the help of propagators and heated mats. Anna Hudson joins David in studio to answer questions and bring some seasonal inspiration from the garden at Ballywalter. Contact the programme gardenerscorner@bbc.co.uk

If you're exhausted from replaying conversations, second-guessing your choices, and filtering your personality through “what will they think?” - this episode will help.I'm joined by Jordanna Bornensztajn (comedian, communication expert, keynote speaker) to unpack the real reason so many high-functioning people feel stuck: fear of judgment.We talk about why judgment is the #1 fear she sees in workshops, why most of the “pressure” you feel is actually self-generated, and the mindset shift that instantly loosens its grip: stop making it about you. We also get into how confidence is built through messy action (not certainty), why your brain treats social risk like physical danger, and how to use embarrassment and failure as fuel instead of proof that you're “behind.”This episode will change your life by changing your relationship with judgment.Jordanna is a comedian, communication expert, keynote speaker, and public speaking coach. She's the author of The Little Book of Influence: 8 Keys to Transformative Communication.(00:00) Introduction(00:51) Public Speaking Fears: The ‘It's Not About You' Reframe(03:50) Perfectionism Kills Presence: Spontaneity & Real Connection(05:47) Authenticity as a Buzzword vs the Real Thing(07:15) Breaking Habits: Pushing Through the ‘This Feels Weird' Threshold(09:39) Real Confidence = Taking Messy Action Anyway(13:06) The Two Voices in Your Head: Accept Fear, Choose Courage(14:50) Your Body Thinks You're in Danger: Getting Perspective on Nerves(16:40) Storytelling & Speaking Your Fears Out Loud (Plus a Quick Resource Break)(20:34) Turning Vulnerabilities into Strengths (Comedy, Honesty, and Why People Want You to Win)(23:50) Nobody's Watching That Closely: Reframing Stage & Social Media Anxiety(25:39) Jordana's Career Journey: Journalism, New York, Radio & Comedy(28:31) Nerves as Fuel: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Prep and Spontaneity(31:49) Why Everyone Should Try Stand-Up: Vulnerability, Healing & Resilience(33:24) The Bad Date That Sparked Comedy (and a New Mindset)(36:47) Modern Mental Health: Tall Poppy Syndrome, Owning Strengths & Authenticity(42:32) Rapid-Fire Closing Questions + Where to Find Jordana & Her Book(47:48) Final Wrap: Thanks, Links, Subscribe & Listener Call-to-ActionGet the FREE Move Your Mind Masterclass here:go.nickbracks.com/moveyourmindAccess FREE Move Your Mind training here:https://go.moveyourmind.io/trainingConnect with Nick:Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickbracksWebsite: http://nickbracks.comEmail: contact@nickbracks.comConnect with Jordana:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanaborensztajn/Website: https://jordanab.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caring for houseplants, tips for orchids, and does rosemary grow well here outdoors

Is it important for you to be liked by everyone? Do you ever hold back on an idea because you're terrified of what someone else might say? Or have you made a major life decision — like what career to pursue or who to date — based on what others thought you should do, rather than what you actually wanted to do? If any of this sounds familiar, today's episode is for you. If your self-worth depends on an opinion poll, you'll always feel unstable. Fortunately, you don't have to let other people's opinions control your life. Some of the things I talk about are: Why your brain is wired to fear rejection and how it impacts your self-esteem The science behind why external validation creates stress and lowers autonomy How to build self-worth on a foundation you control A mental trick called "The Permission Slip" that frees you from needing others' approval Why setting boundaries feels awkward at first — and how to survive the discomfort A simple challenge to help you take back control of your life this week Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mentally Stronger Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 251 — How to Stop Being a People-Pleaser With Psychotherapist Meg Josephson 120 — How to Stop Being a People-Pleaser and Start Gaining the Confidence to Be Yourself Connect with the Show Buy a copy of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Amy on Instagram —⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AmyMorinAuthor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit my website —⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AmyMorinLCSW.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsors Quince — Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/stronger⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AirDoctor — Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AirDoctorPro.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Function Health — Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠functionhealth.com/stronger⁠⁠⁠⁠ or use gift code STRONGER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. One Skin — Go to ⁠⁠⁠oneskin.co/STRONGER⁠⁠⁠ and use code stronger to get 15% off using code STRONGER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of How to Deal When the Sht Gets Real*, Maevine shares what it's like living with chronic illness while caring for a parent diagnosed with both dementia and ALS. Together, we explore the emotional and physical toll of long-term illness, caregiver burnout, and the quiet weight of anticipatory grief.Maevine opens up about exhaustion that goes beyond sleep, the identity shifts that come with chronic health challenges, and the heartbreak of watching someone you love slowly change. We talk about navigating medical uncertainty, balancing self-care with caregiving responsibilities, and finding resilience in seasons that don't offer easy answers.In this conversation, we discuss:• Living with chronic illness• Caring for a parent with dementia and ALS• Understanding anticipatory grief• Caregiver burnout and emotional exhaustion• Strength, surrender, and redefining resilienceThis isn't a polished story or a highlight reel. It's honest. It's heavy. It's real.If you're supporting a parent through dementia, navigating ALS, managing chronic illness, or trying to hold both love and loss at the same time — this episode is for you.

The number of Americans with estate planning documents has declined since 2022. More than 50 percent of respondents in a 2025 Caring.com study said they don’t have a will at all. Sean Voskuhl, Oklahoma State AARP Director, said as the world becomes more digital, it’s important to protect yourself there too. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As humans face the darkness of fear, violence, and division, something else is also stirring: an awakening field of courage, care, and connection.  This talk explores the primitive survival strategies that keep us in trance and the evolutionary currents of awakening that return us to belonging. Through reflection and practice, we are invited to nurture the river of love and justice moving through our world, and to step forward—together—into beloved community.   Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

In this episode of Pray the Word on Exodus 22:22, David Platt emphasizes God's clear and repeated concern for widows and orphans.We want to invite you to something we look forward to every year: Secret Church.This year, we'll study the life of Elijah. We'll pray specifically for those who are suffering for their faith, and we'll act together to make Jesus known among the nations. Early registration at the best rate is now open through February 17.Register at radical.net/secretchurchExplore more content from Radical.

“Trust in your inner knowing. Absolutely. And know that your angels do have your back.” – Nicole Olivier photo by Jonathan Condit Screenwriter and Hoffman Process graduate Nicole Olivier has a profound ancestral history. As a daughter of families active in France and Norway’s WWII Resistance, she grew up hearing family stories of moral courage and being of service. Nicole has woven these ancestral stories into her life’s work and art. Nicole is mindful of her ancestral patterns and epigenetics; how trauma was passed down and lives inside of her. During her childhood, she witnessed what was going on and attuned to the power dynamics playing out amid her parents’ divorce. As we all do, she developed patterns to get her through these early years. What’s beautiful about Nicole’s story is how she has worked and studied to understand the origins of those dynamics. The Hoffman Process, understanding somatics, and knowing the lineage of ancestral history supported her in releasing the power of those patterns. Transforming them and realizing they are not who she is supported a deeper capacity to witness and honor her ancestors’ profound courage and strength. Through her dedicated drive to understand how the unconscious is shaped in our early years and foster tools to cultivate compassion, Nicole now brings her wisdom more fully to the current focus of her art, screenwriting. Most recently, Nicole attended the Hoffman Q2 after the loss of her mother. Caring for her mother after a stroke until her peaceful passing was a deep act of service for Nicole. Now an ancestor, her mother is inspiring Nicole’s next screenplay. Her wish is to honor her mother and her mother’s life. Photo credit: Jonathan Condit Content warning: We hope you find this conversation with Nicole and Sadie insightful and inspiring. Please be aware that this episode mentions and includes stories of genocide, World War II, and the devastating events of these times. It describes the experience of a young child participating in France’s WWII Resistance. Please use your discretion. More about Nicole Olivier: Fascinated by human behavior and how the subconscious is shaped in formative years, Nicole Olivier majored in psychology at Mills College, studied at the Sorbonne, spoke about maintaining morale at the Western Psychology Association’s Convention, and participated in Stanford University’s inaugural Compassion Cultivation program. After a brief but award-winning career as an advertising copywriter in Manhattan and San Francisco, inspired by childhood influences from international cinema to sitcoms, Nicole wrote her first feature script in seven days – a spontaneous creative outpouring that launched her screenwriting path. She then reached the second round of the Sundance Screenwriting Competition twice and was selected as one of twelve writers for the Olympic Valley Community of Writers Screenwriters Workshop. Her mentor there was the gracious, Oscar-nominated Tom Rickman, founding Creative Advisor of the Workshop and the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. The daughter of families active in France and Norway’s WWII Resistance, Nicole developed a keen sensitivity to power dynamics and hypervigilance amid shifts sparked by her parents’ divorce. She channeled insights into her screenwriting, weaving in Thomas Hübl‘s epigenetic work, Peter Levine‘s somatics, EMDR, and tapping. Learning meditation in the early ’90s from spiritual mentor Jack Kornfield offered Nicole a model of benevolent leadership. In the film world, this was echoed by dear friend and mentor, Tom Luddy, founder of the Telluride Film Festival. Working alongside Christine Aylward, CEO of the former filmmakers’ forum, MakingOf, co-founded by Natalie Portman, underlined the importance of connecting with positive, values-based people. Caring for her wise, vibrant mother after a stroke in San Francisco until her peaceful passing nearly four years later inspired Nicole’s next screenplay, honoring the life of this heroic, service-oriented dynamo. Nicole welcomes new connections with creative allies and benefactors drawn to champion female filmmakers writing with levity about love, courage, and intergenerational healing. Follow and connect with Nicole: You can connect with Nicole on Facebook and LinkedIn, or by writing to her at writenicoleolivier {at} gmail {dot} com. Listen on Apple Podcasts As mentioned in this episode: The Hoffman Q2 Intensive White Sulphur Springs, Hoffman retreat site, lost in the Glass fire. WW2 Resistance The Bolshevik Revolution “Your issues are in your tissues.” A definition of Epigenetics Somatics Scarlet Fever Nice, France Palo Alto, California •   Silicon Valley •   IBM (International Business Machines) Fight, Flight, Freeze YouTube videos of fainting’ goats. Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 •   Editorial Correction (13:40): Nicole Olivier intended to reference 1974. Airline policy for unaccompanied minors “Everything is either love or a call for love.” A Course in Miracles Have recommended the Hoffman Process: •   Dave Richo, book: When the Past Is Present •   Pawan Bareja, PhD, Somatic Therapist Expression: Expression (also called cathartic work or bashing) in the Hoffman Process is about “claiming” our life. It's about taking a stand. Sometimes that includes anger, but it can also be about joy, love, commitment, and empowerment. The Hoffman Centering Practice Hoffman Coaching Fall of the Berlin Wall Coit Tower, San Francisco        

Kandi Pickard (CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society) and Dr. Brian Chicoine (Advocate Medical Group - Adult Down Syndrome Center) joined the podcast to discuss CARE Down Syndrome, a clinical education hub for healthcare professionals.  It can be difficult for a busy primary care clinician to be fully up to date in the care of people with Down syndrome.  This free resource exists to help educate practitioners on the common issues encountered in Down syndrome. For more information on CARE Down Syndrome, go to https://careds.org.    If you would like to suggest a topic for us to cover on the podcast, please send an e-mail to DownSyndromeCenter@chp.edu. If you would like to partner with the Down Syndrome Center, including this podcast, please visit https://givetochildrens.org/downsyndromecenter. We are thankful for the generous donation from Caring for Kids – The Carrie Martin Fund that provides the funding for the podcast recording equipment and hosting costs for this podcast.

There's no shortcuts to a winning sales culture. When leaders compromise standards for convenience, talent, or short-term wins, they erode the very foundation that sustains performance over time. Brian White joins John Kaplan and John McMahon to unpack why elite teams are built on respect first, why trust is collective (not individual), and why commitment without conditions is the only kind that lasts. Drawing from decades inside championship locker rooms, Brian outlines what it takes to build peer-led accountability, accelerate young talent, demand excellence without demeaning people, and create environments where pride replaces entitlement. This conversation is for revenue leaders who want to build a long-lasting high-performance culture that goes beyond incentives.Brian White is a veteran Division I football coach, Assistant Coach of the Year, and author of The Locker Room Is Not for Sale. Over 55 years in and around elite programs including Notre Dame, he has coached national champions, developed NFL talent including Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, and built cultures grounded in respect, accountability, and the human touch.Resources mentioned:The Locker Room Is Not for Sale by Brian WhiteThe Qualified Sales Leader by John McMahonWant to know how top-performing organizations create a culture of consistent success? Check out Force Management's guide to the Predictable Revenue Framework: https://hubs.li/Q03-T6NH0Key takeaways from this episode:16:53 – Why respect, not trust, is the true starting point of elite team culture25:55 – The human touch as a competitive advantage, not a soft leadership tactic35:27 – Caring is competence, and why pride is earned through preparation and standards40:54 – Why three clear values outperform forty two vague ones47:48 – How peer leaders, not titles, protect the integrity of the locker room55:06 – You don't rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of preparation01:02:06 – Why great leaders get talent in front of experience and refuse to hide behind youth 01:06:22 – Why direct engagement eliminates fear and prevents cultural drift Hosted by five-time CRO John McMahon and Force Management Co-Founder John Kaplan, the Revenue Builders podcast goes behind the scenes with the sales leaders who have been there, done that, and seen the results. This show is brought to you by Force Management. We help companies improve sales performance, executing their growth strategy at the point of sale. Connect with Us: LinkedInYouTubeForce Management

A conversation with Indu NavarWe have to care to cure!Indu Navar is the founder of EverythingALS and a leading voice in patient-driven ALS research.After losing her husband to ALS following a long and exhausting diagnostic process, Indu turned her background in technology and data systems toward fixing what she saw as a broken approach to ALS care and research.She takes us through the history of the disease, before highlighting how her company is spearheading a patient-led data revolution - updating decades-old medical research on ALS with information direct from our patients' lived experiences.—We spoke about what has changed in ALS research in 2026 and why it matters for patients, how a lack of traditional biological biomarkers and a reliance on elimination-based testing has meant both diagnosis efficacy and treatment options have stalled, and how patient-driven research is reshaping discovery, trials, and treatment pathways.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com. My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

In this episode, Rosalynde Welch speaks with Dr. Miranda Wilcox about the Maxwell Institute's Living Faith book series—nineteen volumes and counting—written for thoughtful Latter-day Saints seeking to integrate scholarship and discipleship. They discuss peacemaking and practical forgiveness in Seventy Times Seven, vocational discipleship in Counsel, Please Rise, and the enduring wisdom of Kate Holbrook's Both Things Are True. Along the way, Miranda offers a moving new reading of the mustard seed parable and shares why books—slow, sustained, carefully shaped—still matter. A thoughtful conversation about faith that shelters, truth that binds, and the patient work of making discipleship real.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comNancy and Sarah talk Love Story, the latest Ryan Murphy jam, about the romance between, and tragic end of, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Do the kids even know about these two people anymore? (One of them, it turns out.) Based on the book, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, by Elizabeth Beller, the series takes liberties — and one is unforgivable. But there are things to like! Top of that list is Sarah Pidgeon, the actress playing Bessette, who transforms a little-known figure with ice-queen vibes into a carnal and mesmerizing presence.Also discussed:* Nancy's back in Tulsa, wants to buy a house* The best Ryan Murphy series to date is …* One Degree of Nancy Rommelmann!* Naomi Watts as Jackie O??* Ooooh, the Darryl Hannah in this show* Nancy does a pretty good Jackie O. impersonation* Mazzy Star, “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” and the ‘90s jams Sarah is digging in “Love Story”* An understandable reaction on Dallas's grassy knoll* Almost three weeks since Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping* Hepola, cub reporter!* Jenny Craig or Kate Moss: Who said it?Plus, pouring one out for Robert Duvall, who died this week at 95; the subversive humor of Paul Rubens, aka Pee Wee Herman, a hot box pick that changes how we understand #MeToo, and much more!Last-minute alert: Nancy will appear tomorrow morning — Thursday, February 19 —on the FOX show “America's Newsroom,” to talk about her recent piece, “Caring for Mom Is an Education in Scams and Fraud.” Scheduled time 10:15am ET.Make this a love story. Become a paid subscriber.

Melani Sanders is a digital creator and the fearless founder of the We Do Not Care Movement™. Her viral WDNC reels and posts capture the humor, heart, and chaos of perimenopause and menopause, midlife in general, motherhood, and real life. Get a copy of her book The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook: A Hot-Mess Guide for Women in Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond Who Are Over It Greg McKeown is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, one of the most sought-after public speakers globally, and has spoken to over 500 companies while traveling to more than 40 countries. His clients include Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nike. He hosts The Greg McKeown Podcast, ranked in the Top 5 of all Self Improvement podcasts (and Top 10 in Educational podcasts on Apple Podcasts. Guests have included Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, Matthew McConaughey, Maria Shriver, John Hope Bryant, and Ariana Huffington. His work has been covered in print media, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, Time, Fast Company, Fortune, Politico, Inc., and Harvard Business Review. It has also been featured on NPR, NBC, FOX, and multiple times on The Steve Harvey Show.