Podcasts about consciously

How can you be more relaxed about your writing process? What are some specific ways to take the pressure off your art and help you enjoy the creative journey? With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre. In the intro, Spotify 2025 audiobook trends; Audible + BookTok; NonFiction Authors Guide to SubStack; OpenAI and Disney agreement on Sora; India AI licensing; Business for Authors January webinars; Mark and Jo over the years Mark Leslie LeFebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as nonfiction books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Mark and Jo co-wrote The Relaxed Author in 2021. You can listen to us talk about the process here. 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 Why the ‘relaxed' author Write what you love Write at your own pace Write in a series (if you want to) Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. You can find Mark Leslie Lefebvre and his books and podcast at Stark Reflections.ca Why the ‘relaxed' author? Joanna: The definition of relaxed is “free from tension and anxiety,” from the Latin laxus, meaning loose, and to be honest, I am not a relaxed or laid-back person in the broader sense. Back in my teens, my nickname at school was Highly Stressed. I'm a Type A personality, driven by deadlines and achieving goals. I love to work and I burned out multiple times in my previous career as an IT consultant. If we go away on a trip, I pack the schedule with back-to-back cultural things like museums and art galleries to help my book research. Or we go on adventure holidays with a clear goal, like cycling down the South-West coast of India. I can't even go for a long walk without training for another ultra-marathon! So I am not a relaxed person — but I am a relaxed author. If I wanted to spend most of my time doing something that made me miserable, I would go back to my old day job in consulting. I was paid well and worked fewer hours overall. But I measure my life by what I create, and if I am not working on a creative project, I am not able to truly relax in my downtime. There are always more things I want to learn and write about, always more stories to be told and knowledge to share. I don't want to kill my writing life by over-stressing or burning out as an author. I write what I love and follow my Muse into projects that feel right. I know how to publish and market books well enough to reach readers and make some money. I have many different income streams through my books, podcast and website. Of course, I still have my creative and business challenges as well as mindset issues, just like any writer. That never goes away. But after a decade as a full-time author entrepreneur, I have a mature creative business and I've relaxed into the way I do things. I love to write, but I also want a full and happy, healthy life. I'm still learning and improving as the industry shifts — and I change, too. I still have ambitious creative and financial goals, but I am going about them in a more relaxed way and in this book, I'll share some of my experiences and tips in the hope that you can discover your relaxed path, too. Mark: One of the most fundamental things you can do in your writing life is look at how you want to spend your time. I think back to the concept of: ‘You're often a reflection of the people you spend the most time with.' Therefore, typically, your best friend, or perhaps your partner, is often a person you love spending time with. Because there's something inherently special about spending time with this person who resonates in a meaningful way, and you feel more yourself because you're with them. In many ways, writing, or the path that you are on as a writer, is almost like being on a journey with an invisible partner. You are you. But you are also the writer you. And there's the two of you traveling down the road of life together. And so that same question arises. What kind of writer-self do you want to spend all your time with? Do you want to spend all your time with a partner that is constantly stressed out or constantly trying to reach deadlines based on somebody else's prescription of what success is? Or would you rather spend time with a partner who pauses to take a contemplative look at your own life, your own comfort, your own passion and the things that you are willing to commit to? Someone who allows that all to happen in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you. I'm a fan of the latter, of course, because then you can focus on the things you're passionate about and the things you're hopeful about rather than the things you're fearful about and those that bring anxiety and stress into your life. To me, that's part of being a relaxed author. That underlying acceptance before you start to plan things out. If the writing life is a marathon, not a sprint, then pacing, not rushing, may be the key. We have both seen burnout in the author community. People who have pushed themselves too hard and just couldn't keep up with the impossible pace they set for themselves. At times, indie authors would wear that stress, that anxiety, that rush to produce more and more, as a badge of honor. It's fine to be proud of the hard work that you do. It's fine to be proud of pushing yourself to always do better, and be better. But when you push too far — beyond your limits — you can ultimately do yourself more harm than good. Everyone has their own unique pace—something that they are comfortable with—and one key is to experiment until you find that pace, and you can settle in for the long run. There's no looking over your shoulder at the other writers. There's no panicking about the ones outpacing you. You're in this with yourself. And, of course, with those readers who are anticipating those clearly communicated milestones of your releases. I think that what we both want for authors is to see them reaching those milestones at their own paces, in their own comfort, delighting in the fact their readers are there cheering them on. Because we'll be silently cheering them along as well, knowing that they've set a pace, making relaxed author lifestyle choices, that will benefit them in the long run. “I'm glad you're writing this book. I know I'm not the only author who wants peace, moments of joy, and to enjoy the journey. Indie publishing is a luxury that I remember not having, I don't want to lose my sense of gratitude.” —Anonymous author from our survey Write what you love Joanna: The pandemic has taught us that life really is short. Memento mori — remember, you will die. What is the point of spending precious time writing books you don't want to write? If we only have a limited amount of time and only have a limited number of books that we can write in a lifetime, then we need to choose to write the books that we love. If I wanted a job doing something I don't enjoy, then I would have remained in my stressful old career as an IT consultant — when I certainly wasn't relaxed! Taking that further, if you try to write things you don't love, then you're going to have to read what you don't love as well, which will take more time. I love writing thrillers because that's what I love to read. Back when I was miserable in my day job, I would go to the bookstore at lunchtime and buy thrillers. I would read them on the train to and from work and during the lunch break. Anything for a few minutes of escape. That's the same feeling I try to give my readers now. I know the genre inside and out. If I had to write something else, I would have to read and learn that other genre and spend time doing things I don't love. In fact, I don't even know how you can read things you don't enjoy. I only give books a few pages and if they don't resonate, I stop reading. Life really is too short. You also need to run your own race and travel your own journey. If you try to write in a genre you are not immersed in, you will always be looking sideways at what other authors are doing, and that can cause comparisonitis — when you compare yourself to others, most often in an unfavorable way. Definitely not relaxing! Writing something you love has many intrinsic rewards other than sales. Writing is a career for many of us, but it's a passion first, and you don't want to feel like you've wasted your time on words you don't care about. “Write what you know” is terrible advice for a long-term career as at some point, you will run out of what you know. It should be “write what you want to learn about.” When I want to learn about a topic, I write a book on it because that feeds my curiosity and I love book research, it's how I enjoy spending my time, especially when I travel, which is also part of how I relax. If you write what you love and make it part of your lifestyle, you will be a far more relaxed author. Mark: It's common that writers are drawn into storytelling from some combination of passion, curiosity, and unrelenting interest. We probably read or saw something that inspired us, and we wanted to express those ideas or the resulting perspectives that percolated in our hearts and minds. Or we read something and thought, “Wow, I could do this; but I would have come at it differently or I would approach the situation or subject matter with my own flair.” So, we get into writing with passion and desire for storytelling. And then sometimes along the way, we recognize the critical value of having to become an entrepreneur, to understand the business of writing and publishing. And part of understanding that aspect of being an author is writing to market, and understanding shifts and trends in the industry, and adjusting to those ebbs and flows of the tide. But sometimes, we lose sight of the passion that drew us to writing in the first place. And so, writing the things that you love can be a beacon to keep you on course. I love the concept of “Do something that you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.” And that's true in some regard because I've always felt that way for almost my entire adult life. I've been very lucky. But at the same time, I work extremely hard at what I love. Some days are harder than others, and some things are really difficult, frustrating and challenging; but at the end of the day, I have the feeling of satisfaction that I spent my time doing something I believe in. I've been a bookseller my entire life even though I don't sell books in brick-and-mortar bookstores anymore—that act of physically putting books in people's hands. But to this day, what I do is virtually putting books in people's hands, both as an author and as an industry representative who is passionate about the book business. I was drawn to that world via my passion for writing. And that's what continues to compel me forward. I tried to leave the corporate world to write full time in 2018 but realized there was an intrinsic satisfaction to working in that realm, to embracing and sharing my insights and knowledge from that arena to help other writers. And I couldn't give that up. For me, the whole core, the whole essence of why I get up in the morning has to do with storytelling, creative inspiration, and wanting to inspire and inform other people to be the best that they can be in the business of writing and publishing. And that's what keeps me going when the days are hard. Passion as the inspiration to keep going There are always going to be days that aren't easy. There will be unexpected barriers that hit you as a writer. You'll face that mid-novel slump or realize that you have to scrap an entire scene or even plotline, and feel like going back and re-starting is just too much. You might find the research required to be overwhelming or too difficult. There'll be days when the words don't flow, or the inspiration that initially struck you seems to have abandoned you for greener pastures. Whatever it is, some unexpected frustration can create what can appear to be an insurmountable block. And, when that happens, if it's a project you don't love, you're more likely to let those barriers get in your way and stop you. But if it's a project that you're passionate about, and you're writing what you love, that alone can be what greases the wheels and helps reduce that friction to keep you going. At the end of the day, writing what you love can be a honing, grounding, and centering beacon that allows you to want to wake up in the morning and enjoy the process as much as possible even when the hard work comes along. “For me, relaxation comes from writing what I know and love and trusting the emergent process. As a discovery writer, I experience great joy when the story, characters and dialogue simply emerge in their own time and their own way. It feels wonderful.” — Valerie Andrews “Writing makes me a relaxed author. Just getting lost in a story of my own creation, discovering new places and learning what makes my characters tick is the best way I know of relaxing. Even the tricky parts, when I have no idea where I am going next, have a special kind of charm.” – Imogen Clark Write at your own pace Mark: Writing at your own pace will help you be a more relaxed author because you're not stressing out by trying to keep up with someone else. Of course, we all struggle with comparing ourselves to others. Take a quick look around and you can always find someone who has written more books than you. Nora Roberts, traditionally published author, writes a book a month. Lindsey Buroker, fantasy indie author, writes a book a month of over 100,000 words. If you compare yourself to someone else and you try to write at their pace, that is not going to be your relaxed schedule. On the other hand, if you compare yourself to Donna Tartt, who writes one book every decade, you might feel like some speed-demon crushing that word count and mastering rapid release. Looking at what others are doing could result in you thinking you're really slow or you could think that you're super-fast. What does that kind of comparison actually get you? I remember going to see a talk by Canadian literary author Farley Mowat when I was a young budding writer. I'll never forget one thing he said from that stage: “Any book that takes you less than four years to write is not a real book.” Young teenage Mark was devastated, hurt and disappointed to hear him say that because my favorite author at the time, Piers Anthony, was writing and publishing two to three novels a year. I loved his stuff, and his fantasy and science fiction had been an important inspiration in my writing at that time. (The personal notes I add to the end of my stories and novels came from enjoying his so much). That focus on there being only a single way, a single pace to write, ended up preventing me from enjoying the books I had already been loving because I was doing that comparisonitis Joanna talks about, but as a reader. I took someone else's perspective too much to heart and I let that ruin a good thing that had brought me personal joy and pleasure. It works the same way as a writer. Because we have likely developed a pattern, or a way that works for us that is our own. We all have a pace that we comfortably walk; a way we prefer to drive. A pattern or style of how and when and what we prefer to eat. We all have our own unique comfort food. There are these patterns that we're comfortable with, and potentially because they are natural to us. If you try to force yourself to write at a pace that's not natural to you, things can go south in your writing and your mental health. And I'm not suggesting any particular pace, except for the one that's most natural and comfortable to you. If writing fast is something that you're passionate about, and you're good at it, and it's something you naturally do, why would you stop yourself from doing that? Just like if you're a slow writer and you're trying to write fast: why are you doing that to yourself? There's a common pop song line used by numerous bands over the years that exhorts you to “shake what you got.” I like to think the same thing applies here. And do it with pride and conviction. Because what you got is unique and awesome. Own it, and shake it with pride. You have a way you write and a word count per writing session that works for you. And along with that, you likely know what time you can assign to writing because of other commitments like family time, leisure time, and work (assuming you're not a full-time writer). Simple math can provide you with a way to determine how long it will take to get your first draft written. So, your path and plans are clear. And you simply take the approach that aligns with your writer DNA. Understanding what that pace is for you helps alleviate an incredible amount of stress that you do not need to thrust upon yourself. Because if you're not going to be able to enjoy it while you're doing it, what's the point? Your pace might change project to project While your pace can change over time, your pace can also change project to project. And sometimes the time actually spent writing can be a smaller portion of the larger work involved. I was on a panel at a conference once and someone asked me how long it took to write my non-fiction book of ghost stories, Haunted Hamilton. “About four days,” I responded. And while that's true — I crafted the first draft over four long and exhausting days writing as much as sixteen hours each day — the reality was I had been doing research for months. But the pen didn't actually hit the paper until just a few days before my deadline to turn the book over to my editor. That was for a non-fiction book; but I've found I do similar things with fiction. I noodle over concepts and ideas for months before I actually commit words to the page. The reason this comes to mind is that I think it's important to recognize the way that I write is I first spend a lot of time in my head to understand and chew on things. And then by the time it comes to actually getting the words onto the paper, I've already done much of the pre-writing mentally. It's sometimes not fair when you're comparing yourself to someone else to look at how long they physically spend in front of a keyboard hammering on that word count, because they might have spent a significantly longer amount of a longer time either outlining or conceptualizing the story in their mind or in their heart before they sat down to write. So that's part of the pace, too. Because sometimes, if we only look at the time spent at the ‘writer's desk,' we fool ourselves when we think that we're a slow writer or a fast writer. Joanna: Your pace will change over your career My first novel took 14 months and now I can write a first draft in about six weeks because I have more experience. It's also more relaxing for me to write a book now than it was in the beginning, because I didn't know what I was doing back then. Your pace will change per project I have a non-fiction work in progress, my Shadow Book (working title), which I have started several times. I have about 30,000 words but as I write this, I have backed away from it because I'm (still) not ready. There's a lot more research and thinking I need to do. Similarly, some people take years writing a memoir or a book with such emotional or personal depth that it needs more to bring it to life. Your pace will also shift depending on where you are in the arc of life Perhaps you have young kids right now, or you have a health issue, or you're caring for someone who is ill. Perhaps you have a demanding day job so you have less time to write. Perhaps you really need extended time away from writing, or just a holiday. Or maybe there's a global pandemic and frankly, you're too stressed to write! The key to pacing in a book is variability — and that's true of life, too. Write at the pace that works for you and don't be afraid to change it as you need to over time. “I think the biggest thing for me is reminding myself that I'm in this to write. Sometimes I can get caught up in all the moving pieces of editing and publishing and marketing, but the longer I go without writing, or only writing because I have to get the next thing done instead of for enjoyment, the more stressed and anxious I become. But if I make time to fit in what I truly love, which is the process of writing without putting pressure on myself to meet a deadline, or to be perfect, or to meet somebody else's expectations — that's when I become truly relaxed.” – Ariele Sieling Write in a series (if you want to) Joanna: I have some stand-alone books but most of them are in series, both for non-fiction and for my fiction as J.F. Penn. It's how I like to read and write. As we draft this book, I'm also writing book 12 in my ARKANE series, Tomb of Relics. It's relaxing because I know my characters, I know my world; I know the structure of how an ARKANE story goes. I know what to put in it to please my readers. I have already done the work to set up the series world and the main characters and now all I need is a plot and an antagonist. It's also quicker to write and edit because I've done it before. Of course, you need to put in the work initially so the series comes together, but once you've set that all up, each subsequent book is easier. You can also be more relaxed because you already have an audience who will (hopefully) buy the book because they bought the others. You will know approximately how many sales you'll get on launch and there will be people ready to review. Writing in a non-fiction series is also a really good idea because you know your audience and you can offer them more books, products and services that will help them within a niche. While they might not be sequential, they should be around the same topic, for example, this is part of my Books for Authors series. Financially, it makes sense to have a series as you will earn more revenue per customer as they will (hopefully) buy more than one book. It's also easier and more relaxing to market as you can set one book to free or a limited time discount and drive sales through to other books in the series. Essentially, writing a book in a series makes it easier to fulfill both creative and financial goals. However, if you love to read and write stand-alone books, and some genres suit stand-alones better than series anyway, then, of course, go with what works for you! Mark: I like to equate this to no matter where you travel in the world, if you find a McDonald's you pretty much know what's on the menu and you know what to expect. When you write in a series, it's like returning to hang out with old friends. You know their backstory; you know their history so you can easily fall into a new conversation about something and not have to get caught up on understanding what you have in common. So that's an enormous benefit of relaxing into something like, “Oh, I'm sitting down over coffee, chatting with some old friends. They're telling me a new story about something that happened to them. I know who they are, I know what they're made out of.” And this new plot, this new situation, they may have new goals, they may have new ways they're going to grow as characters, but they're still the same people that we know and love. And that's a huge benefit that I only discovered recently because I'm only right now working on book four in my Canadian Werewolf series. Prior to that, I had three different novels that were all the first book in a series with no book two. And it was stressful for me. Writing anything seemed to take forever. I was causing myself anxiety by jumping around and writing new works as opposed to realizing I could go visit a locale I'm familiar and comfortable with. And I can see new things in the same locale just like sometimes you can see new things and people you know and love already, especially when you introduce something new into the world and you see how they react to it. For me, there's nothing more wonderful than that sort of homecoming. It's like a nostalgic feeling when you do that. I've seen a repeated pattern where writers spend years writing their first book. I started A Canadian Werewolf in New York in 2006 and I did not publish it until ten years later, after finishing it in 2015. (FYI, that wasn't my first novel. I had written three and published one of them prior to that). That first novel can take so long because you're learning. You're learning about your characters, about the craft, about the practice of writing, about the processes that you're testing along the way. And if you are working on your first book and it's taking longer than planned, please don't beat yourself up for that. It's a process. Sometimes that process takes more time. I sometimes wonder if this is related to our perception of time as we age. When you're 10 years old, a day compared to your lifetime is a significant amount of time, and thinking about a year later is considering a time that is one-tenth of your life. When you have a few more decades or more under your belt, that year is a smaller part of the whole. If you're 30, a year is only one-thirtieth of your life. A much smaller piece. Just having written more books, particularly in a series, removes the pressure of that one book to represent all of you as a writer. I had initial anxiety at writing the second book in my Canadian Werewolf series. Book two was more terrifying in some ways than book one because finally, after all this time, I had something good that I didn't want to ruin. Should I leave well enough alone? But I was asked to write a short story to a theme in an anthology, and using my main character from that first novel allowed me to discover I could have fun spending more time with these characters and this world. And I also realized that people wanted to read more about these characters. I didn't just want to write about them, but other people wanted to read about them too. And that makes the process so much easier to keep going with them. So one of the other benefits that helps to relax me as a writer working on a series is I have a better understanding of who my audience is, and who my readers are, and who will want this, and who will appreciate it. So I know what worked, I know what resonated with them, and I know I can give them that next thing. I have discovered that writing in a series is a far more relaxed way of understanding your target audience better. Because it's not just a single shot in the dark, it's a consistent on-going stream. Let me reflect on a bit of a caveat, because I'm not suggesting sticking to only a single series or universe. As writers, we have plenty of ideas and inspirations, and it's okay to embrace some of the other ones that come to us. When I think about the Canadian rock trio, Rush, a band that produced 19 studio albums and toured for 40 years, I acknowledge a very consistent band over the decades. And yet, they weren't the same band that they were when they started playing together, even though it was the same three guys since Neil Peart joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. They changed what they wrote about, what they sang about, themes, styles, approaches to making music, all of this. They adapted and changed their style at least a dozen times over the course of their career. No album was exactly like the previous album, and they experimented, and they tried things. But there was a consistency of the audience that went along with them. And as writers, we can potentially have that same thing where we know there are going to be people who will follow us. Think about Stephen King, a writer who has been writing in many different subjects and genres. And yet there's a core group of people who will enjoy everything he writes, and he has that Constant Reader he always keeps in mind. And so, when we write in a series, we're thinking about that constant reader in a more relaxed way because that constant reader, like our characters, like our worlds, like our universes, is like we're just returning to a comfortable, cozy spot where we're just going to hang out with some good friends for a bit. Or, as the contemplative Rush song Time Stand Still expresses, the simple comfort and desire of spending some quality time having a drink with a friend. Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Mark: What we do as writers is quite cerebral, so we need to give ourselves mental breaks in the same way we need to sleep regularly. Our bodies require sleep. And it's not just physical rest for our bodies to regenerate, it's for our minds to regenerate. We need that to stay sane, to stay alive, to stay healthy. The reality for us as creatives is that we're writing all the time, whether or not we're in front of a keyboard or have a pen in our hand. We're always writing, continually sucking the marrow from the things that are happening around us, even when we're not consciously aware of it. And sometimes when we are more consciously aware of it, that awareness can feel forced. It can feel stressful. When you give yourself the time to just let go, to just relax, wonderful things can happen. And they can come naturally, never feeling that urgent sense of pressure. Downtime, for me, is making space for those magic moments to happen. I was recently listening to Episode 556 of The Creative Penn podcast where Joanna talked about the serendipity of those moments when you're traveling and you're going to a museum and you see something. And you're not consciously there to research for a book, but you see something that just makes a connection for you. And you would not have had that for your writing had you not given yourself the time to just be doing and enjoying something else. And so, whenever I need to resolve an issue or a problem in a project I'm writing, which can cause stress, I will do other things. I will go for a run or walk the dogs, wash the dishes or clean the house. Or I'll put on some music and sing and dance like nobody is watching or listening—and thank goodness for that, because that might cause them needless anxiety. The key is, I will do something different that allows my mind to just let go. And somewhere in the subconscious, usually the answer comes to me. Those non-cerebral activities can be very restorative. Yesterday, my partner Liz and I met her daughter at the park. And while we quietly waited, the two of us wordlessly enjoyed the sights and sounds of people walking by, the river in the background, the wind blowing through the leaves in the trees above us. That moment wasn't a purposeful, “Hey, we're going to chill and relax.” But we found about five minutes of restorative calm in the day. A brief, but powerful ‘Ah' moment. And when I got back to writing this morning, I drew upon some of the imagery from those few minutes. I didn't realize at the time I was experiencing the moment yesterday that I was going to incorporate some of that imagery in today's writing session. And that's the serendipity that just flows very naturally in those scheduled and even unscheduled moments of relaxation. Joanna: I separate this into two aspects because I'm good at one and terrible at the other! I schedule time to fill the creative well as often as possible. This is something that Julia Cameron advises in The Artist's Way, and I find it an essential part of my creative practice. Essentially, you can't create from an empty mind. You have to actively seek out ways to spark ideas. International travel is a huge part of my fiction inspiration, in particular. This has been impossible during the pandemic and has definitely impacted my writing. I also go to exhibitions and art galleries, as well as read books, watch films and documentaries. If I don't fill my creative well, then I feel empty, like I will never have another idea, that perhaps my writing life is over. Some people call that writer's block but I know that feeling now. It just means I haven't filled my creative well and I need to schedule time to do that so I can create again. Consume and produce. That's the balance you need in order to keep the creative well filled and the words flowing. In terms of scheduling time to relax instead of doing book research, I find this difficult because I love to work. My husband says that I'm like a little sports car that goes really, really fast and doesn't stop until it hits a wall. I operate at a high productivity level and then I crash! But the restrictions of the pandemic have helped me learn more about relaxation, after much initial frustration. I have walked in nature and lain in the garden in the hammock and recently, we went to the seaside for the first time in 18 months. I lay on the stones and watched the waves. I was the most relaxed I've been in a long time. I didn't look at my phone. I wasn't listening to a podcast or an audiobook. We weren't talking. We were just being there in nature and relaxing. Authors are always thinking and feeling because everything feeds our work somehow. But we have to have both aspects — active time to fill the creative well and passive time to rest and relax. “I go for lots of walks and hikes in the woods. These help me work out the kinks in my plots, and also to feel more relaxed! (Exercise is an added benefit!)” –T.W. Piperbrook Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle Joanna: A lot of stress can occur in writing if we try to change or improve our process too far beyond our natural way of doing things. For example, trying to be a detailed plotter with a spreadsheet when you're really a discovery writer, or trying to dictate 5,000 words per hour when you find it easier to hand write slowly into a journal. Productivity tips from other writers can really help you tweak your personal process, but only if they work for you — and I say this as someone who has a book on Productivity for Authors! Of course, it's a good idea to improve things, but once you try something, analyze whether it works for you — either with data or just how you feel. If it works, great. Adopt it into your process. If it doesn't work, then discard it. For example, I wrote my first novel in Microsoft Word. When I discovered Scrivener, I changed my process and never looked back because it made my life so much easier. I don't write in order and Scrivener made it easier to move things around. I also discovered that it was easier for me to get into my first draft writing and creating when I was away from the desk I use for business, podcasting, and marketing tasks. I started to write in a local cafe and later on in a co-working space. During the pandemic lockdown, I used specific playlists to create a form of separation as I couldn't physically go somewhere else. Editing is an important part of the writing process but you have to find what works for you, which will also change over time. Some are authors are more relaxed with a messy first draft, then rounds of rewrites while working with multiple editors. Others do one careful draft and then use a proofreader to check the finished book. There are as many ways to write as there are writers. A relaxed author chooses the process that works in the most effective way for them and makes the book the best it can be. Mark: When it comes to process, there are times when you're doing something that feels natural, versus times when you're learning a new skill. Consciously and purposefully learning new skills can be stressful; particularly because it's something we often put so much emphasis or importance upon. But when you adapt on-going learning as a normal part of your life, a natural part of who and what you are, that stress can flow away. I'm always about learning new skills; but over time I've learned how to absorb learning into my everyday processes. I'm a pantser, or discovery writer, or whatever term we can apply that makes us feel better about it. And every time I've tried to stringently outline a book, it has been a stressful experience and I've not been satisfied with the process or the result. Perhaps I satisfied the part of me that thought I wanted to be more like other writers, but I didn't satisfy the creative person in me. I was denying that flow that has worked for me. I did, of course, naturally introduce a few new learnings into my attempts to outline; so I stuck with those elements that worked, and abandoned the elements that weren't working, or were causing me stress. The thought of self-improvement often comes with images of blood, sweat, and tears. It doesn't have to. You don't have to bleed to do this; it can be something that you do at your own pace. You can do it in a way that you're comfortable with so it's causing you no stress, but allowing you to learn and grow and improve. And if it doesn't work but you force yourself to keep doing it because a famous writer or a six-figure author said, “this is the way to do it,” you create pressure. And when you don't do it that way, you can think of yourself as a failure as opposed to thinking of it as, “No, this is just the way that I do things.” When you accept how you do things, if they result in effectively getting things done and feeling good about it at the same time, you have less resistance, you have less friction, you have less tension. Constantly learning, adapting, and evolving is good. But forcing ourselves to try to be or do something that we are not or that doesn't work for us, that causes needless anxiety. “I think a large part of it comes down to reminding myself WHY I write. This can mean looking back at positive reviews, so I can see how much joy others get from my writing, or even just writing something brand new for the sake of exploring an idea. Writing something just for me, rather than for an audience, reminds me how much I enjoy writing, which helps me to unwind a bit and approach my projects with more playfulness.” – Icy Sedgwick You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. The post The Relaxed Author Writing Tips With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Creation and vision are coming together and you can feel it, can you not? The burning of the KNOWING… but what will make you question the knowing? Your mind, and the same old song that you used to always live by that you thought was real. But we are here to tell you, it never was. The song of you, is one of truth, joy and creation and beauty and you are recognizing and feeling that now. So see your life and see yourself as it all comes together FOR you… by you.

Today, we're diving into a growing trend that's making waves for its profound impact on personal well-being: solo dating.Host: Now, you might be thinking, "Solo dating? Isn't that just... being alone?" And while yes, it involves alone time, the essence of self-dating, or solo dating, lies in its *intentionality*. It's about consciously setting aside time to engage in activities that bring *you* joy and fulfillment, prioritizing your relationship with yourself, just as you would a romantic partnerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lets-talk-sex--5052038/support.

Happy Monday, Christmas Fanatics! And Happy December! Can you believe we're here already? Buckle-up, because the days until Christmas 2025 are going to be flying by from here! To mark the start of the final month of the year, Thom, Julia, and Anthony gathered to discuss Netflix's 2025 Original Holiday Movie, "A Merry Little Ex-Mas"!  To date, Netflix's Christmas movies have been pretty hit-or-miss for the elves. How does this one, filled with nineties superstars, fare? Can it compete with Hallmark in terms of story and atmosphere? Or is it another dud? You'll have to tune in to find out! But spoiler alert: whatever our hosts think of this one, we guarantee it's a jolly, festive time you're sure to enjoy! So settle back and relax with your favorite holiday drink beside your Christmas tree, and enjoy this newest episode! As always, thanks for your love and support, y'all!

HARNESS THE ENERGETIC POWER OF GRATITUDEInterviewer: Joel D. AnastasiChannel: Phillip Elton Collins(We recommend you listen to the entire discussion to gain the full power of Uriel's message. Here is a summary of some key points.)Uriel reminds us we are divine expressions of God who have a powerful energetic tool called gratitude available to help us create the life we want.Often, we squander or misuse this tool because (1) we do not recognize we are powerful divine beings (contrary to some religious teachings), and (2) we waste time focusing on what is not in our lives rather than what is in our lives that we are grateful for.HOW GRATITUDE WORKS ENERGETICALLYEverything on Earth has an energetic frequency that connects to the frequency that matches it. Energy flows in the direction of and connects with the energy that attracts it. Our consciousness creates a field of attraction that magnetizes energy to us, allowing corresponding energetic frequencies to attach themselves to us.The energy of fear attracts fear. The energy of love attracts love. All energies contained within these two polarities attract similar frequencies. When we focus on our unworthiness, imperfections and fears, we unconsciously project that into the world and attract these lower frequencies to us.On the other hand, the awareness of ourselves as divine expressions of power and worthiness attracts higher frequencies that manifest as joy, peace and abundance. In essence, we create what we focus on. So, we must choose carefully and be aware of what we focus on.Uriel suggests we make a list of all the things we are grateful for – the people, events, our health, our ability to be able to see, to move, etc. Whatever those things are, begin and fill your day with that meditation. Allow that awareness of what is in your life—including, perhaps, that what we need more than what we want is already present in our lives.Be aware of yourself as divine and you will connect with the highest energetic frequencies that allow your divinity to manifest. Consciously reject fear and it will not exist as an option for you. Let your consciousness choose joy, peace, abundance and love and that is the reality you will attract and create for yourself.You will then experience the truth and power of the equation: GRATITUDE = ABUNDANCE!As you raise your consciousness, you raise your frequency, which contributes to the New Earth of equality, harmony and balance that is unfolding.Know it is all in divine order. Know that you have a choice to move into the New Earth with the cosmic force of giving and receiving, that gratitude does equal abundance, and abundance is plentiful in the new frequency of the New Earth.A HAPPY (ENERGETIC) THANKSGIVING TO ALL!THE PURPOSE OF THESE PODCASTS IS TO BRING A HIGHER REALM PERSPECTIVE TO OUR LIVES, OUR NATION AND THE WORLD.

In this new coaching episode host Sophie Vo and co-host Maria Gillies are tackling the “Fear of Becoming You,” uncovering the profound themes surrounding leadership, self-awareness, and personal transformation. These themes have resonated particularly for women leaders navigating the complexities of authenticity and growth.Changing: The Paradoxes of GrowthIn our discussion, we delved into the paradoxical nature of personal growth. Many leaders express a desire to rise and transform while simultaneously fearing what that transformation might entail. The fear of “becoming someone you do not want to be” often mirrors a deeper apprehension of losing integral parts of oneself in the pursuit of growth.Identify When You Are Sabotaging YourselfChange starts with awareness.Recognizing where you feel stuck or conflicted—such as the fear of becoming your own Villain—can unveil deeper self-limiting beliefs. Trust that acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward overcoming them.Recalibrate Relationships: In and Out As you grow, you may need to reassess your relationships, including the one you have with yourself. Growth often requires reevaluation and sometimes letting go of connections that no longer serve your true self.This requires courage, and is part of the process of change.Practice Daily Self-AwarenessTrue self-awareness involves daily practices of introspection. Writing down and honoring your boundaries can guard your authenticity and prevent self-abandonment. 3 Signs You Are Not AlignedLeadership isn't merely about external success; it's about fulfilling your role while staying true to yourself. When shadows loom in leadership, signals manifest physically and emotionally, disrupting our well-being. Watch out for these:* Physical Symptoms: Stress or burnout symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, and physical exhaustion suggest misalignment in your path and priorities.* Emotional Up and Downs: Feelings of loneliness or disconnection, even when surrounded by people, are strong indicators that introspective work is needed.* Constant Misalignments: Recurring conflicts or dissatisfaction in professional and personal settings often highlight deep-seated issues begging for resolution.✍️ Coaching ToolsFor leaders seeking to address these shadows, fostering a conscious, self-aware mindset is crucial. Here are some practical options:* Daily Journaling: Spend time each day reflecting on your thoughts and feelings. Focus on areas that are out of alignment and use journaling to explore their roots.* Boundary Setting: Identify what is yours, what is not yours? Establish boundaries that protect your time and energy. Practice saying no.* Weekly Calibration: Regularly pause to assess your emotional state and recent interactions. Are they nourishing or depleting? Consciously decide who and what fills your environment. Change it.* Journey with a group: Join communities or circles where you can share experiences and gain diverse perspectives. These spaces offer opportunities for learning, healing, and collective growth.Don't be afraid to explore those uncomfortable questions: “What am I afraid of losing in the process of becoming who I truly want to be?” “When did I last ignore my instincts, and what was the outcome?”“What relationships in my life truly support my growth, and which ones do I maintain out of fear?”Remember that personal growth is not linear. On December 20th, I'll host online a free masterclass to go deeper on the themes to realign your life and purpose, overcoming the fears of becoming You.Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

A listener wants to know how to curate a conscious breakup, and Lina speaks to the unusual amount of D/s ghosts she's heard about lately.  THE ASK A SUB GIFT GUIDE - Get your person a gift subscription or package of office hours! Or an online course! 'Healing Is Making Us Mean' by Gloria Alamrew Become a Patreon member to gain access to all the Ask A Sub benefits including our discord server, archive of premium audio and written posts, as well as our new podcast within a podcast, OTK with Lina and Mr. Dune. Submit questions for this podcast by going to memo.fm/askasub and recording a voice memo. Subscribe to the subby substack here. See the paid post archive here. Get 20% off your order at http://www.momotaroapotheca.com with code LINADUNE Twitter | @Lina.Dune | @askasub2.0 CREDITS Created, Hosted, Produced and Edited by Lina Dune With Additional Support from Mr. Dune Artwork by Kayleigh Denner Music by Dan Molad

Spirit Baby Stories—The New Earth Children of Today – Join us as we share real and personal Spirit Baby stories that carry messages of love, hope, connection, and truth.  Today, I'm honored to welcome our special guest, Nicole, an expert in conscious conception into motherhood. Special Guest Episode: Nicole Vetere is the founder of Consciously Conceived, a sacred space supporting women and families in creating life - whether that's through the birth of a baby, a vision, or a new chapter of the soul. Her work bridges energy healing and conscious creation, guiding others to reconnect with their innate wisdom and the spirit of life itself. Inspired by her own fertility and healing journey, Nicole believes conception is an ever-present invitation - to create with intention, embody wholeness, and live in partnership with the unseen. Through her healing and mindfulness offerings, as well as through her book, I Love You Bunches & Bundles, she helps others consciously co-create with the souls and desires waiting to be born. Discover Nicole's Consciously Conceived Collection & Offerings at www.consciouslyconceived.ca, and connect with her daily reflections and inspirations through her social platforms: IG: @consciouslyconceived FB: Nicole Vetere https://www.consciouslyconceived.ca/shop   However, if you were wanting them separately, it would be as follows:   Link for book for Canada: https://www.consciouslyconceived.ca/product-page/i-love-you-bunches-bundles   Link for book Internationally: https://www.lulu.com/shop/nicole-vetere/i-love-you-bunches-bundles/paperback/product-zm76ye5.html?page=1&pageSize=4   Link for journals on Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=consciously+conceived&crid=3E3MPKGKZ1HHS&sprefix=consciously+conceived%2Caps%2C243&ref=nb_sb_noss   Link for journals on Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/s?k=consciously+conceived&crid=R2OJ09359E22&sprefix=consciously+conceived%2Caps%2C138&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

If someone were to make a documentary about your life, what moments would you want them to highlight?  In this heartfelt episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with master storyteller, creative entrepreneur, and Heritage Films founder Chance McClain. With a background as diverse as his documentaries—army veteran, sports radio pioneer, musician, and filmmaker -Chance McClain has crafted more than 800 cinematic documentaries dedicated to preserving family legacies. Together, Nicole Jansen and Chance McClain dive deep into the art of legacy storytelling, the healing power of forgiveness, and why capturing the nuances of real life transforms memory into meaningful heritage. Discover how documenting your life, no matter how imperfect, can serve as a gift to future generations, shape family values, and mark a new chapter for your family's story. What We Discuss in This Episode If a documentary were made about your life, what stories and moments would you want to include? How is Chance McClain's eclectic background helping him capture family legacies? Why do families need to document their stories now, not later, and how do imperfections make stories more valuable? What role does forgiveness play in transforming family histories and breaking negative cycles? What surprises emerge when interviewing family members, and how do vulnerability and authenticity deepen connection? How can any family, regardless of budget, begin documenting stories today? What role does technology and curiosity play in modern storytelling? How do family values and cycles repeat or change—and what choices do we need to make for transformation? What message does Chance McClain want to leave for his children and future generations? Practical resources and first steps for preserving your family's legacy. 10 Key Takeaways for Preserving Your Family's Legacy Your family's stories are not just anecdotes—they're vital carriers of values and lessons for future generations. Imperfection adds authenticity; it's better to record your story now than wait for the "perfect" time. Technology—from phones to AI—makes documenting memories easier than ever. Vulnerability and real moments, eye rolls included, transform documentaries into true heritage. Forgiveness breaks cycles, allowing families to heal and grow in new directions. Every family has hidden struggles; acknowledging them opens doors to deeper connection. Consciously choosing which stories and values to highlight sets new legacy standards. What you say about yourself (busy, tired, "hard") shapes your mindset and actions. Collaboration with loved ones enriches your family film and honors your unique story. Legacy means giving roots and wings: the truth of where you came from and the freedom to chart a new path. Favorite Quotes from Heritage Films Founder, Chance McClain "Forgiveness matters. At some point, you've got to just cut it and forgive."  "It's not just the stories, it's the values you're really capturing."  "If you take out the quirks, you're lying. Keep it real."  "You can break cycles or continue them. It's a decision, and willpower is key."  Episode Show Notes and Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/relationships/547-every-family-has-a-story-the-power-of-heritage-films-with-chance-mcclain Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________

"The ambitious artist, the artist who wanted Success, now had to do a bit of psychological double-tracking. Consciously he had to dedicate himself to the antibourgeois values of the cenacles of whatever sort, to bohemia, to the Bloomsbury life, the Left Bank life, the Lower Broadway Loft life, to the sacred squalor of it all... Not only that, he had to dedicate himself to the quirky god Avant-Garde. He had to keep one devout eye peeled for the new edge on the blade of the wedge of the head on the latest pick thrust of the newest exploratory probe of this fall's avant-garde Breakthrough of the Century ... all this in order to make it, to be noticed, to be counted, within the community of artists themselves. What is more, he had to be sincere about it. At the same time he had to keep his other eye cocked to see if anyone in le monde was watching. Have they noticed me yet? Have they even noticed the new style (that me and my friends are working in) Don't they even know about Tensionism (or Slice Art or Niho or Innerism or Dimensional Creamo or whatever)? (Hello, out there!) ... because as every artist knew in his heart of hearts, no matter how many times he tried to close his eyes and pretend otherwise (History! History!-where is thy salve?), Success was real only when it was success within le monde. He could close his eyes and try to believe that all that mattered was that he knew his work was great ... and that other artists respected it ... and that History would surely record his achievements ... but deep down he knew he was lying to himself. I want to be a Name, goddamn it!" - Thomas Wolfe, The Painted Word " Sylvia, didn't you see me wave my zen stick?" - Walter Paisley

“The Fruit of the Spirit Is Self-Control”Galatians 5:22; Matthew 4:1-11; Matthew 26:36-46I. DEFINING SELF-CONTROLII. THE SELF-CONTROL OF JESUSIII. CULTIVATING SELF-CONTROLA. Abide in ChristB. Rely on his transforming graceC. Consciously and actively choose a crucified lifeD. Put sin to death by the Spirit

In this episode of RiseUp Live: Joy Your Way, certified coach Kamini Wood explores the truth about conscious leadership—why real leadership isn't about control, titles, or performance, but about awareness, self-responsibility, and presence.Whether you're leading a team, parenting, or navigating personal growth, this episode will show you how to shift from reactivity to alignment, from fear to clarity, and from managing others to mastering yourself.In this episode, you'll learn:What conscious leadership truly means (and how it differs from control)How self-awareness transforms conflict and communicationThe power of emotional agility in leadership and parentingWhy healing your own patterns is key to leading others wellSimple practices to pause, ground, and lead from presencePerfect for: leaders, parents, coaches, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to live and lead from the inside out. Subscribe for weekly episodes on conscious living, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership.#ConsciousLeadership #SelfLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #AuthenticLeadership #KaminiWood #LeadershipPodcast #PersonalGrowth #MindfulLeadership #RiseUpLiveJoyYourWay #LeadershipDevelopment

Sometimes the biggest risks in your business aren't obvious. They're hidden in the gaps between teams. Work gets done, but critical information gets lost, compliance slips, and frustration builds.In this episode, Damion Albinson and Susannah Clarke reveal how understanding the internal voice of the customer transforms how teams collaborate. Using real examples from a complex logistics environment, Damion shows how moving from “I didn't know you needed that” to consciously understanding your role in the wider process can make a real difference.If you want practical insight into bridging the hidden gaps in your processes and building a team that's consciously competent, this episode is a must-listen. More resources:SIPOC TemplateUnderstanding the Voice of the CustomerSystems Thinking From a Leadership Perspective PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD.The Goals to Results Conference is back! 17th March 2026. Get your ticket here. More from PMI: Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar Follow us on LinkedIn Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. Explore On Demand >> Explore Distance Learning >>

I'm diving deep into the messy, beautiful work of parenting teens with intention and compassion. In this episode, I explore why changing our parenting patterns feels so hard (hint: it's like forging a new path through the forest), how to practice non-attachment while staying fiercely committed, and the power of pausing to check in with ourselves throughout the day. I share real talk about trusting your gut, honoring your family's unique journey, and remembering that whatever challenge you're facing right now is just one snapshot in the bigger picture. Perfect for parents seeking connection over control. For more show notes and info go to: https://www.besproutable.com/podcasts/eps-466-consciously-practicing-connection-curiosity-and-presence-with-ourselves-and-others/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Como Zoo is getting rid of their Mold-A-Rama souvenir machines! Sophie Turner and Chris Martin are consciously coupling? Britney claps back at the paps videoing her "erratic driving" One Star Reviews and the five second rule game!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest in this episode is Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat with a fascinating journey from a small village in Sweden to the forefront of global technology strategy. Emma helps leaders navigate the complex systems of AI, drawing on her deep understanding of how the frameworks we build shape our human reality. In our chat, we explore how to embrace AI's potential with a principled and human-centered approach. Key points discussed include:* Design AI systems with intention, recognizing they actively shape our reality and lived experience.* Avoid “intellectual laziness” by using AI as a partner for inquiry, not a replacement for curiosity.* Cultivate your human curiosity through diverse learning to expand your awareness and unlock AI's creative potential.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Emma G Moller, LumieraIt was a true privilege to welcome Emma Möller, an AI strategist and former diplomat, to the InnovaBuzz podcast. Her journey is as fascinating as her insights, taking her from a small village of 60 people in northern Sweden, deeply connected to nature, to the complex, human-made systems of international policy and now, artificial intelligence. Our conversation was a masterclass in how to approach the incredible power of AI not with blind optimism or fear, but with a principled, human-centered curiosity that feels both vital and reassuring in this rapidly changing world.Emma's perspective is shaped by a profound understanding that the systems we design, be they legal, economic, or technological, fundamentally create the reality we inhabit. She spoke of feeling a disconnect between the rich, sensory experience of her childhood and the generalized, often biased frameworks of the modern world. This lens is what makes her approach to AI so powerful; she sees it not just as code, but as a new and incredibly influential system we are building, and she urges us to be deeply intentional about what kind of reality we want it to create.The Seductive Trap of Becoming ‘Intellectually Lazy'One of the most memorable moments in our chat was when Emma warned against the subtle danger of becoming “intellectually lazy.” It's a brilliant phrase that perfectly captures the seductive ease of letting generative AI do our thinking for us. We've all felt it: the temptation to accept the first answer from ChatGPT without question, or to let it generate prose without infusing it with our own unique perspective and critical thought. Emma reminded us that these tools are often designed to agree with us, which can create an echo chamber if we're not careful.The antidote, she suggests, is to consciously maintain our curiosity and use AI as a partner for deeper inquiry, not as a replacement for it. This really resonated with me. I shared the story of how I used an AI, which I named Yuki, to help plan my recent trip to Japan. Yuki handled the logistical heavy lifting: train schedules, travel times, which freed me up to dive deeper into the history and culture. The AI built the foundation, but the curiosity, the questions, and the actual human experience remained firmly in my hands. It was a perfect example of using the technology to enhance, not diminish, our engagement with the world.The Unscheduled Joy of Getting LostThis led to another beautiful point: the importance of allowing for the unexpected. Emma spoke about how some of the best adventures and innovations come from mistakes, or from getting a little bit lost. An AI can create a perfectly optimized itinerary, but it can't schedule the serendipitous joy of stumbling upon a hidden alleyway or the creative spark that comes from a plan gone awry. If we delegate too much of our decision-making to algorithms, we risk engineering these essential human moments out of our lives.Ultimately, Emma argues that our most powerful tool for navigating the age of AI is our own awareness, which we must actively cultivate. Her advice was wonderfully simple: read books. Talk to people with different perspectives. Spend time in nature. In short, we must continually expand our own “information landscape” so that we can bring richer, more creative questions to the AI. It is, as she puts it, a “mirror of our own awareness,” and will only ever be as insightful as we are.AI as a Leadership Challenge, Not Just a Tech SolutionBringing this into the business world, Emma stressed that successful AI adoption is not a technology problem; it's a leadership and culture challenge. The leaders who are getting it right are not looking for a magic AI solution to plug in. Instead, they are focusing on the real, day-to-day problems their teams face and empowering them to find ways that AI can genuinely help. It's about creating a system for change that supports people, listens to their concerns, and fosters collaboration.This conversation with Emma Möller was a powerful reminder that while technology will continue to evolve at a dizzying pace, the core principles of human-centered progress remain the same. It's about staying curious, taking responsibility for the tools we use, and never losing sight of the fact that the goal of innovation should be to create more space for the messy, beautiful, and irreplaceable experience of being human.The Buzz - Our Innovation RoundHere are Emma's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.* Innovative AI for Human Connection – Using AI to analyze an organization's data to break down internal silos and foster mutual understanding between teams.* Best AI Integration Example – Leveraging voice-to-text tools to work more efficiently, thereby creating more time for screen-free, in-person connection.* Differentiate with Connection – Stay relentlessly curious by reading books and intentionally connecting with new people to learn from their unique perspectives.ActionIf you haven't already, start using AI. Consciously create space to remain curious and make mistakes, and then go outside for a walk to enjoy nature.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Emma on her website. She also has a wonderful newsletter called The Lumiera Loop.Links:* Website - Lumiera* Lumiera's Newsletter - The Lumiera Loop* LinkedInCool Things About Emma* She's a former diplomat and lawyer. This isn't just a career change; it's a fundamental shift in worlds. Her expertise in AI doesn't come from a typical tech background, but from a deep understanding of human systems, language, and international relations. This unique origin story frames her entire perspective on technology in a fascinating way.* She wants to translate information into smell. In a conversation about large language models and digital artifacts, her most exciting experiment is wonderfully human and unexpected. This reveals a playful, creative, and deeply sensory side that looks for understanding far beyond the screen.* She's a global citizen. Born near a ski resort in the north of Sweden, she later studied at Monash University in Melbourne (Jürgen's alma mater) and now lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal. This isn't just a list of places; it paints a picture of someone who is adaptable and thinks with a naturally global perspective.* She finds text to be an “unnatural medium.” Despite being a self-proclaimed “big fan of languages” and having a background that relied heavily on text, she has come to the conclusion that it's an artificial way for humans to communicate. This intellectual paradox is very cool; it shows she's not afraid to question the very foundations of her own past expertise.Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.VideoThanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Feeling Stressed & Anxious? Get our FREE 3 Day Stress & Anxiety Detox here -> https://womensmeditationnetwork.com Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Close your eyes, And invite yourself inside.  PAUSE Breathe in… Consciously,  Aware of the air flowing in through your nose, Into your chest, Then into your belly.  PAUSE Then breathe out… Aware of the air flowing out of your belly, Your chest, And out of your nose.  Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen  Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life.  If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want!  Namaste, Beautiful,

Sometimes it feels like we're doing life on autopilot and often, that's because we are. Same habits, patterns, choices, actions, conversations, broken promises (often to ourselves) and outcomes that didn't really 'work' the last ten thousand times. But nonetheless, we find ourselves in day ten thousand and one, like a character in a story we didn't write, unconsciously stepping back into our very own mental, emotional, social and behavioural Groundhog Day. Consciously and intentionally changing our 'personal operating system' (the way we typically do things) is easier said than done (of course) but totally worth the effort.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parenting a teenager can feel like tiptoeing through a construction zone — and ADHD cranks the jackhammer. In this episode of The Soaring Child Podcast, host Dana Kay breaks down what's really happening in the teenage brain and why ADHD can intensify mood swings, impulsivity, and motivation slumps. This isn't “bad behavior” or “bad parenting” — it's a developing brain that needs different scaffolding, smarter systems, and calmer connection. Dana is joined by therapist Ashley Gobeil, who has over 15 years of experience supporting neurodiverse families. Together they unpack practical tools for emotional regulation, communication that doesn't escalate conflict, realistic academic supports, screen-time sanity, and how to get teens on board with nutrition changes by linking food to feelings and function. If you want fewer blowups and more buy-in, this conversation gives you the scripts, mindsets, and next steps. Links Mentioned in the Show: ▶ ADHD Thrive Jumpstart Program (with bonus masterclasses on Leaky Gut, Emotional Intelligence, Sensory/Body Activities, and Dealing with Defiance): https://info.adhdthriveinstitute.com/parentingadhd ▶ Hold On to Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Maté (peer orientation & staying connected to teens) - https://amzn.to/4niwMKP Key Takeaways: [03:08] Why ADHD symptoms often intensify in the teen years [05:02] Teen brain pruning explained with the “patchy Wi-Fi” metaphor [08:07] Practical scaffolding: systems and supports that actually work [09:50] Communication that regulates instead of escalates [14:15] Staying connected to teens while peer orientation increases [22:50] Strategies for screen-time and motivation slumps [30:50] Linking food to function: how to get teens on board with nutrition Memorable Moments: “Your teen's brain is under construction.” “This isn't bad parenting. And your child isn't broken.” “Their brain just needs different support.” “Teens are going through some serious brain construction.” “That frontal lobe cortex literally is like the patchiest Wi-Fi possible.” “Teenagers with ADHD… those symptoms could exacerbate in those teenage years.” “They do need a lot of hands on help and scaffolding.” “Consciously, we want our kids to feel seen, heard, acknowledged, and valued for all parts of who they are.” “We actually still want them orbiting around us.” “There's no such thing as laziness — it's actually a lack of motivation.” Dana Kay Resources:

What's going on, Spirit of the Deal? Welcome back. If you're new, this is where we peel back the curtain on business and sales. Forget the surface-level tactics and the endless grind. We're diving deep into the real engine: your identity. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on a live session from our Men's Mastermind with Superhuman Selling, showcasing the kind of identity work that can unlock your next level. Because here's the hard truth: you'll never outgrow the identity you're currently operating from. Until that shifts, you're destined to hit the same ceiling, again and again. What You're Going to Hear Today: The Identity Ceiling: Understanding Your Mental Resistance Line Defining your comfort zone, self-worth thermostat, or mental resistance line. How this line causes results to snap back after growth. The stock market analogy: recognizing resistance and bounces. Why this isn't Wall Street, but your own income, self-worth, and identity. The consequences of not breaking through and resetting your ceiling. Identifying Your Personal Market Limit Self-assessment: What specific line are you bumping into? Common ceilings: income numbers, deal sizes, client types. The inner world as a "market of self-worth." How new goals test your market and trigger nervous system responses. The danger of an unstable nervous system in the face of abundance and responsibility. Self-sabotage as a retreat to safety when the market crashes. The Power of Identity Work: The Highest Leverage Move How shifting self-worth and expanding identity resets your internal market. Making the impossible your new baseline. The concept of a "never-dipping" self-worth market and its implications. Real-world community examples: presidents' club, opening new businesses. The crucial shift: from doing to believing in who you are. Personal anecdotes of opportunity expansion through alignment over grind. The Energy of Winning: How Identity Rubs Off The impact of simply being in the energy of high performers. How sitting in rooms of ceiling-breakers tests your own limitations. The importance of surrounding yourself with challenging peers. The compounding energy within a community setting. Why you can't "think" your way into a new identity alone. Beyond Affirmations: Embodiment and Nervous System Reset The limitation of thinking, visualization, and affirmations alone. The necessity of your nervous system believing and your body feeling safe. The role of breathwork in creating a sense of safety. How panic in the face of abundance leads to loss. The physiological response to landing big deals: relaxation vs. tightening. The nervous system's signal of not feeling safe at a new level. Practicing Embodiment: Systems for Stability Moving from "I can't" to "I hold this. I belong here. I can do this." Beyond goofy affirmations: the series of embodiments. A practical exercise: imagining landing your biggest deal and noticing your response. Consciously slowing your breath and relaxing your shoulders. Practicing being at home in your new reality until it feels normal. Embodying belonging, deserving, and inherent value without needing to prove it. Breaking the cycle of constantly proving your worth. Why Identity Outlasts Tactics: The Long Game of Growth Tactics and tech are fleeting; identity is compounding. The obsolescence of playbooks versus the enduring power of identity. Walking into any room, industry, or market with a shifted identity. Spirit of the Deal and Superhuman Selling: Identity as the core, not an add-on. Why tactics only work when your identity supports them. Your Next Steps: Identify, Decide, Embody, Connect Actionable takeaways from the episode. Identify your line: What ceiling are you hitting? Make a decision: Commit to upgrading your identity. Decide who you are beyond that line. Practice embodiment daily: Train your nervous system to feel safe. The power of breathwork, visualizations, and other practices. Don't do it alone: The advantage of community and peer support. Why going further with a group is crucial for growth. The purpose of communities like Superhuman Selling and masterminds. Resetting your self-worth market and expanding your identity. Invitation to join and do the work. The ultimate goal: embodying the identity that naturally attracts results.

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Send us a textWhat happens when we have all of the most amazing people working together in the same direction? ANYTHING! Talk about impact abundance!This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a tender, fiery, joyful, and profoundly real conversation with Kvon and Jessica Tucker, a husband-and-wife team embodying conscious leadership, healing, and partnership.Kvon, CEO and co-founder of Consciously, brings experience from Netflix, Amazon, and a big tech company into his executive coaching, guiding organizations through conscious transformation. Jessica, an LCSW, trauma specialist, and EMDR practitioner, helps leaders navigate trauma, relationships, and spirituality with compassion and directness. Together, they are raising their daughter in Costa Rica while building Consciously, a community-based corporation devoted to liberation through love.In This Episode:The meaning of conscious partnership and right relationship in work, love, and familyHow past traumas and ancestral stories shape our leadership and identitiesBuilding organizations centered on healing, humanity, and liberationThe real, messy, and beautiful dynamics of leading, parenting, and creating togetherKvon and Jessica remind us that leadership is not separate from life, love, or healing; it's all connected. Their story is a call to embody right relationship not only in organizations but also in the most intimate corners of our lives.About Kvon & Jess:Kvon and Jessica Tucker are a husband-and-wife team committed to conscious leadership and healing. Kvon, CEO & Co-Founder of Consciously, brings his experience from Netflix, Amazon, and Google to his coaching of executives as he supports organizations through the process of co-creating conscious change and transformation. Jessica, LCSW & Co-Founder of Consciously, is a trauma specialist and EMDR practitioner whose compassionate yet direct approach supports leaders in navigating trauma, relationships, and spirituality. She invites clients to dive deep into the heart, cultivating resilience, self-compassion, and empowerment. Together, Kvon and Jessica embody conscious partnership & right relationship, raising their daughter in Costa Rica, while building Consciously, a community-based corporation centered leading liberation with love.Website: https://www.consciously.one/Join The Collective: https://www.consciously.one/join-the-collectiveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/consciously-llc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciouslyone

Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Close your eyes, And invite yourself inside.  PAUSE Breathe in… Consciously,  Aware of the air flowing in through your nose, Into your chest, Then into your belly.  PAUSE Then breathe out… Aware of the air flowing out of your belly, Your chest, And out of your nose. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen  Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life.  If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want!  Namaste, Beautiful,

Meet Lauren Fondriest, Dating Coach for High Achieving Women who have it all - and yet, they struggle with love. Lauren Fondriest is a certified coach with years of experience coaching executives and teams at EY and Fortune 500 companies. After experiencing years of dating disappointment herself, she applied her own coaching tools to change how she showed up in love—and it worked. Now in a joyful, aligned partnership, Lauren supports other ambitious women in doing the same. As a Women's Dating Coach, Lauren's coaching style is strategic, affirming, and purpose-driven: she helps women date like they mean it.In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to date consciously—letting go of cultural programming, embracing your power, and cultivating authentic connections. Lauren shares her personal evolution from hyper-independence to learning the art of receiving, and together we explore practical ways to recognize alignment, challenge old patterns, and create a dating life that feels truly nourishing.Whether you're single, dating, or simply curious about love and self-awareness, this episode will help you shift from fear and scarcity into empowerment and authenticity.Timestamps:0:00: Introduction3:03: Women have more power in dating than we've been taught to believe4:44: Letting go of cultural programming & getting clear on what YOU want6:36: Why accountability is key to deeper self-connection and better relationships7:57: How to know if it's misalignment vs. a moment to offer grace11:00: Why women are cultured to settle & how to break the cycle13:00: How authenticity invites others to show up authentically15:50: Lauren's shift from hyper-independence to receiving support18:30: Helping clients practice receiving while single22:00: Challenging belief systems & proof that good men exist26:26: Using your body's intelligence to guide dating decisions30:50: The “ick”: red flag or self-sabotage?34:54: Understanding your patterns to rewrite your dating story36:36: Choosing glimmers over scrolling through negative dating stories40:20: From awkward speed dating to conscious connection eventsConnect with Lauren on Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurenfondriestLearn about dating coaching: https://laurenfondriest.com/coaching__________________Join the UNION matchmaking database to find your aligned match and receive 1:1 support with pre + post date integration calls so you can align with the frequency of love: https://sanaakhand.com/matchmakingFollow Sana on Socials:https://www.instagram.com/sanaakhandhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sanaakhandLeave us a review on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thriving-in-love-i-break-free-from-survival-mode-create/id1638372129

Our guest in this episode is Jem Fuller, a leadership and culture coach and author from the beautiful Bells Beach, Victoria. For over a decade, Jem has been guiding people on profound journeys, both literally to the Himalayas and metaphorically inward, to help them build frameworks for genuine connection and purpose.In our wonderful chat, Jem shares his evolved mission to combat the modern malady of disconnection. We explore his powerful concept of finding your "4% genius zone" and his unique, optimistic view on using AI as a tool to give us back the time for what truly matters: our human relationships. Key points discussed include:* Find your 4% genius zone by courageously focusing on what you love and do best.* True fulfillment comes from stripping away the noise and reconnecting with yourself, others, and a greater purpose.* In the age of AI, our human imperfection and shared felt experiences become our most valuable assets.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Jem FullerIt was an absolute delight to welcome Jem Fuller, leadership coach and philosopher-guide, back to the Innovabuzz podcast for his third visit. It's been nine years since our first chat, and in that time, Jem's mission has deepened in the most remarkable ways. He continues to explore the frameworks that allow us to truly connect with ourselves and others, but now he's applying that wisdom to some of the biggest questions of our time, from finding our true purpose to navigating the age of AI with our humanity intact.Our conversation was a powerful reminder that the journey inward is the most important one we can take. Jem shared his own evolution, driven by a global community of peers who challenged him to crystallize his work down to its most potent essence. It's a journey that has led him to create profound, life-altering experiences for others while building a philanthropic legacy aimed at creating waves of positive change in the world.Finding Your 4%: The Courage to Live in Your Genius ZoneOne of the most profound ideas Jem shared was the concept of finding your "4%." He explained the well-known 80/20 rule, but then challenged us to take it a step further: apply the rule to that potent 20% to discover the 4% of your work that is truly your genius. This is the space where you deliver the most value, the work you truly love, and where time seems to disappear because you're in a state of flow.But this isn't just a productivity hack; it's an act of courage. It requires us to consciously cut out the noise and the tasks that drain us, even if they feel important, to build a life where we spend most of our time in that genius zone. For Jem, this meant redesigning his entire approach to his work, leading to a model that creates immense impact not just for his clients, but for communities in need.The Himalayan Journey: Stripping Away the Layers to Find MeaningNowhere is this focus more evident than in Jem's redesigned Himalayan program. He shared the powerful narrative of this journey, which consciously guides clients from a world of opulence and all the stuff money can buy, to the raw, humbling simplicity of the remote mountains. Guests start in the finest hotels and end up drinking chai in a slum, invited as guests, not tourists. This process is a careful, deliberate stripping away of the external layers we all carry.By peeling back the noise, the distractions, and the societal definitions of success, the program creates a space for people to ask the biggest questions: Who am I beneath all these roles? And why am I here? It's a journey that culminates not in a simple return to normal life, but in a rebuilt foundation where inner peace and a passion for meaningful contribution become the new true north.Our Great Disconnection: The Path Back to Ourselves and Each OtherAt the heart of Jem's philosophy is a diagnosis of our modern malady: disconnection. He believes we have become disconnected from each other, from ourselves, and from the reality that we are all intrinsically part of the same greater system. We're pushed apart by algorithms and distracted by the busyness of life, forgetting that we have far more in common than we have in difference.The antidote, Jem suggests, is to consciously remember and reinvest in connection. This involves reconnecting with the essence of who we are, deepening our bonds with other humans, and finding a sense of purpose that extends beyond ourselves. It's a simple truth, yet profoundly challenging in a world that constantly pulls our attention elsewhere.The Midwifery of AI: Nurturing Technology to Reclaim Our TimeIn a fascinating turn, Jem applies this philosophy of connection to the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As a self-proclaimed "default optimist," he sees incredible potential in AI, not as a replacement for humanity, but as a tool to restore it. He shared the beautiful metaphor of our role being the "midwifery of this emerging intelligence," suggesting we have a responsibility to nurture it with integrity, compassion, and care.Jem's hope is that AI will give us back the gift of time by handling the tasks that consume our days. If we are conscious and clever enough, he argues, we can reinvest that reclaimed time where it matters most: in our human-to-human relationships. Imagine having the space to grab a coffee with a colleague, not to talk about work, but to simply ask, "How are you?"The Value of Our Imperfection: Why Humanity is Our Greatest AssetThis led to one of the most beautiful points of our conversation. As AI becomes more "perfect," Jem argues that our human imperfections will become our most valuable asset. The moments when our voice trembles during a tough conversation, when we stumble over our words, or when we sit in shared empathy with another person—these are the things AI can never replicate.This shared felt experience is uniquely human. The ability to feel awe at a rainbow, to create art through blood, sweat, and tears, or to offer compassion to another are the cornerstones of our relevance. It's a powerful reframe that urges us to lean into our messy, beautiful humanity rather than chase an impossible standard of perfection.A Simple Invitation: The Transformative Power of the PauseTo bring these big ideas into our daily lives, Jem left us with a wonderfully simple and actionable step. He invites us to take a sticky note, write the word "Pause," and place it next to an existing daily habit, like our coffee machine. When you see the note, simply pause. Take three deep breaths before you continue with your task.This tiny ritual is an invitation to create a small pocket of presence in your day. Over time, the habit becomes ingrained, and the pause becomes a natural moment to reconnect with yourself. It's a reminder that the journey to greater connection and meaning doesn't have to start with a grand gesture; it can begin with a single, conscious breath.In Summary: My conversation with Jem Fuller was a masterclass in conscious living. His message is a powerful call to action: find the courage to focus on your true genius, strip away the noise to reconnect with what matters, and embrace technology not as an escape, but as a bridge back to our shared humanity. By cherishing our imperfections and creating moments of pause, we can begin to build a more connected and meaningful life, one breath at a time.The Buzz - Our Innovation RoundHere are Jem's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – Building an executive team of AIs to handle strategy, explicitly to give humans more time for their relationships.* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Consciously training his AI assistant to prompt him to switch off his computer and connect with real people.* Differentiate by leveraging AI – Do the things AI can't, like handwriting a Christmas card or picking up the phone to personally celebrate someone.ActionGet a sticky note and write the word "Pause" on it. Stick it next to an existing daily habit, like your coffee machine, and when you see it, take three breaths before you continue.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Jem on his website, JemFuller.com, or directly via email at jem@jemfuller.com. You can also find him across social media, including Instagram and LinkedIn, at @JemFuller. To learn more about his profound Himalayan journey, visit Meaning on the Mountain.Links:* Website – Jem Fuller* Jem Fuller: How to Lead with a Servant's Heart – Innova.Buzz #40* Jem Fuller: The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men* LinkedIn* Facebook* Twitter – @JemFuller* Instagram – @JemFuller* Youtube* TEDx Talk “How Conscious Communication Can Change Your Game”Books:* The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, Jem FullerCool Things About Jem* For the past 12 years, he has run a unique leadership program in the Himalayas. The journey intentionally takes clients to the essential simplicity of the mountains to help them find their core purpose.* He founded a non-profit organization called "The Center of Love." It's currently raising funds to build a non-profit meditation and retreat center on donated land in the Himalayas, with the goal of providing educational resources for children in remote villages.* He has a wonderfully conscious and personal relationship with technology. He refers to his role as being a "midwife" for artificial intelligence and has a digital personal assistant named Lumi, which he trains to prompt him to take screen breaks and connect with friends.* In an increasingly digital world, he champions the power of the human touch, making a point to handwrite Christmas cards to his clients and friends every year.Ready to move beyond just creating content and start creating real connection?In the Age of AI, the future belongs to those who can amplify human wisdom. Flywheel Nation is MORE than a community; it's a movement for creators and visionaries dedicated to shaping a more human future.Join us as we co-create that future for ethical AI. Here you will tap into the collective wisdom of leaders who prioritize connection over automation, find powerful collaborations that elevate your impact, and help illuminate the path forward.This is your invitation to not only grow your business but to become a lighthouse for others.Join the movement. Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel to be a part of the conversation.VideoThanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Today, on Notable Leaders' Radio, I speak with Andrea Wilson Woods, President & Founder, Blue Faery. She highlights how she transformed early hardship, loss, and fierce protectiveness into founding Blue Faery, a nonprofit dedicated to liver cancer advocacy, while sharing lessons on empathy, resilience, and finding joy amidst adversity. In today's episode, we discuss: Recognize the power of role models in shaping your identity. Reflect on who inspired you in childhood (real or fictional) and what qualities you admired. Consciously apply those traits—such as resilience, strength, or compassion—in your daily decisions and relationships, just as Andrea channeled Wonder Woman's fierceness and protectiveness throughout her life. Practice “detachment with empathy.” If you work or volunteer in caregiving or helping professions, learn to care deeply without carrying every burden as your own. Create emotional boundaries so you can keep showing up with compassion, just as Andrea does, without risking burnout. Use counseling, mindfulness, or peer support to reinforce this practice. Intentionally cultivate moments of joy and humor, even during tough times. Look for lightness: share a joke with loved ones, recall funny memories, or build small rituals that make you smile. “Joy is a resilient muscle, strengthening it will give you balance and energy to keep going.”  Separate your self-worth from your achievements. Reflect on how your roles (career, family, volunteer, etc.) do not define your value. Develop interests and relationships untethered to performance, and give yourself grace in moments of transition—embrace who you are, not just what you do. Join or build supportive communities. If you or someone you know is affected by a particular challenge (like liver cancer), seek out or help create organizations and groups that provide understanding and resources—there's power in connection and shared experience. RESOURCES: Guest Bio Andrea Wilson Woods is a keynote speaker, a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. For over ten years, Andrea worked in the education field as a teacher and professor for public and private schools as well as universities. Andrea obtained her master's degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California; her nonfiction writing has won national awards. Her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about raising and losing her sister to liver cancer.   Complementary Resources: I'd Rather Be Dead Than Deaf:  https://www.bluefaery.org/review    Website/Social Links Website: https://bluefaery.org  Email: info@bluefaery.org  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluefaerylivercancer/  X: https://twitter.com/BlueFaeryLiver  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluefaeryliver/  LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-faery  LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawilsonwoods/  Website Personal: https://andreawilsonwoods.com  Belinda's Bio: Belinda Pruyne is a renowned Leadership Advisor, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker recognized for her ability to transform executives, professionals, and small business owners into highly respected, influential leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, she partners with top-tier organizations, including IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, Discovery Channel, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Recently, she led the redesign of two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is also a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women's network. A thought leader in leadership development, Belinda is the creator and host of the Notable Leaders Radio podcast, where she has conducted 95+ interviews with top executives and business leaders, revealing the untold stories behind their success. Previously, as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, she oversaw a global team of 500 professionals, gaining deep expertise in client services and executive leadership. With 25+ years of experience, Belinda is a trusted advisor to startups, turnarounds, acquisitions, and Fortune 500 companies, delivering strategic, high-impact solutions in today's fast-evolving business landscape. Website: Belindapruyne.com Email Address: hello@belindapruyne.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindapruyne  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotableLeadersNetwork.BelindaPruyne/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/belindapruyne?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindapruyne/ 

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      **In other words: the Word judges as well as saves (Hebrews 4:12). Its effect may be positive (fruit) or negative (rejection), but in both cases, it is effective.   1 John In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.   -  14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.   Jesus is the word… we speak Jesus, he will make an impact wether we see it or not.    So follow me here. If the word is Jesus (Gods word) and Jesus is the word… then we now know that words are associated with an entity… a being, a power of sorts.  So maybe some words we speak are not God… but rather man… maybe some words I speak are Garth and maybe some words I speak are demonic.  So our words have power, we see that all through scripture… wether we are aware of it we see it in our lives. We created our lives by what we thought and then spoke out into the future. But if we spoke words that were not God, but rather ourselves or demonic ideas and thoughts we then create that person as in charge of our life and in fact in charge of creating our future.    Someone is creating your future… name them! Is it God, you or the worldly forces or even the demonic.   Words aren't just sounds or symbols; they are the architects of our reality. Every word we speak, every thought we form, is a building block in the future we're constructing or by power of default someone else is producing. This isn't just a feel-good idea—it's a fundamental principle of which many claim is human psychology which at its core is a biblical foundational Spiritual law.   The Power of Internal Dialogue   The conversation we have with ourselves is the most important one. When we consistently use negative words like "I can't," "I'm not good enough," or "It's impossible," we're programming our minds for failure and creating the road ahead of us that we will be traveling on. This negative self-talk creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, making us less likely to take risks, seize opportunities, or persevere through challenges, take steps of faith, pray big prayers or expect God to move on our behalf.  On the other hand, a vocabulary of positive, biblical life empowering words transforms our mindset- and our future. When we quote scripture and in faith say "I can," "I will," or "I'll find a way," we're not just speaking—we're creating a mental blueprint for success. This positive internal dialogue builds resilience, fosters confidence, and gives us the mental fortitude to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals… what am I trying to say… it builds steps of faith to overcome, to persevere to the point of victory.      The Power of External Dialogue   The words we use with others also shape our future. The stories we tell about ourselves and our lives become our reality. When we talk about our problems, we give them more power over our future.  When we talk about our goals and dreams, we make them more real and create a tidal wave of faith. By consciously choosing to speak about our aspirations, we not only hold ourselves accountable, but we also attract the support and resources we need to make them a reality. Our words can inspire others to help us, open doors we didn't know existed, and create a network of support that propels us forward.     Actionable Steps   You have the power to change your future by changing your words. Become aware of your self-talk- is it biblical? Is it faith filled. Start paying attention to the words you use when you think about yourself and your life. Here is a great idea… try to double your faith talk and bible verses that you speak daily.  Replace negative words with positive ones. If you catch yourself saying "I can't," reframe it as “God will teach me how." If you say "This is a problem," reframe it as "This is going to be a great testimony.” But be aware of your words.  Use scriptural affirmations. Consciously choose and repeat positive  faith filled bible verses and statements about yourself and your goals. Your words are a powerful tool, not just for communication, but for creation. Use them wisely, and you'll build a future you've always dreamed of.

The Challenge of Romans 6Sinclair Ferguson's Devoted to God highlights the difficulty of Romans 6, reminding us that even Peter admitted some of Paul's writings are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:15). Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones once said he would preach Romans when he fully understood chapter 6. The challenge comes from extremes: some argue baptism saves, others claim perfection in righteousness, and our temptation might be to take all this as mere rhetoric that Paul does not really mean it. We might want to say that Romans 6 teaches that once someone is baptized, then they have the Spirit.Adam and Christ: Our Historic IdentityRomans 5 sets the stage by contrasting Adam, who plunged humanity into sin and death, with Christ, the Last Adam, who brings life and justification. Condemnation is a legal verdict of guilt and death, while justification is God's declaration of righteousness in Christ. Our identity rests in one of these two historic figures: either under Adam's curse or under Christ's life-giving righteousness. These figures set a real historic precedent that orients us. We are either in the status of a rebellious sinner or the status of a victor in Christ. Paul emphasizes that being united to Christ reorients us entirely. It is by the Spirit that we want to conform to Christ, live for Christ, and be slaves of Christ's righteousness.Baptism as a Sign of Christ's TriumphBaptism is not a magical act but a sign of God's promise and grace already at work. Like Abraham receiving circumcision in weakness, baptism testifies to God's faithfulness, not our strength. Paul uses vivid imagery: baptism pictures Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, showing that we, too, have passed through the belly of hell in Him. A striking illustration is the shark tunnel at SeaWorld. When you go through this exhibit, you notice danger all around, yet we pass through untouched. In baptism, God pictures that Christ has gone through death and hell for us, and we emerge unscathed in Him. It is a means of grace that communicates a community, and individuals in that community have passed through certain death unschathed.Living as New Creatures in Christ in the Covenant of GraceRomans 6 exhorts us to live out this new reality. We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves of righteousness, set apart as God's people. As we are grounded in the precedent of Christ's victory, we have a new life in our saviour. Yes, we feel the domain of death still holding us, but we are at the same time empowered by God's grace. We know that we struggle in this age because exhortations against sin remind us that the battle is ongoing. Baptism is a sign to the community that our identity is secure because we are grounded in Christ, united to our redeemer by His Spirit, as we take hold of him by faith. Our identity is secure, and we need to believe that we are new creatures in Christ. Baptism is a communal sign of this new identity, both for us and for our children, that we belong to God's covenant people. Our comfort is this: in Christ, we have triumphed over death and judgment, and we live as those oriented toward life, victory, and resurrection in Him. Consciously, we are called to give ourselves over to the new man and push through the struggles of this age. We need to rehearse the truth that we are new creatures in Christ, grounded in a victorious precedent and walking in Christ.

Book a FREE 30-minute breakthrough consultation .In this episode, we're exploring how to consciously communicate in conflict. The best of relationships aren't conflict-free. In fact, conflict in partnership is imperative to the overall health of a relationship. One of the keys to healthy, long-lasting, conscious partnership, it turns out, is not if we fight but rather how we fight. In other words, it's not the absence of conflict that makes a relationship healthy. Rather, it's the presence of consciousness and awareness during conflict that allows a relationship to thrive. BooksFight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict Into Connection* by Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD and John Gottman, PhDThe Mindful Body* by Ellen J. LangerArticlesHow to Avoid Blowing Your Top: Understanding the Window of ToleranceImages + ResourcesWindow of Tolerance (visual)'I' Statements WorksheetDisclaimer: This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not substitute individual psychological advice. *This is an affiliate link. Purchasing through affiliate links supports The Soul Horizon at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

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Be guided in an integrative meditation that weaves together peace pathways you explored from the entire week. You'll experience the cumulative effect of your practice, sensing the resilience and peace within your transformed mind. You'll then set intentions for maintaining and further strengthening your "peace pathway" in your daily life, affirming your identity as a conscious co-creator of your inner world. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAYS," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 7 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 7 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

This meditation involves a conscious practice of "letting go" and "reinforcing." You'll visualize old, unhelpful neural connections (e.g., worry loops) gently dissolving, while simultaneously visualizing new, vibrant pathways of peace, calm, and clarity growing stronger and brighter within your brain.  WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAYS," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 6 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 6 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

This is a clip from The After Dark Show with Don Rogers! Get access to the full episode and all thier content on all podcast platforms or click the link belowFull episode here! https://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-e33-samantha-consciously-consciousness-missing-time-more--66954981Get access to every episode of The After Dark Show with Don Rogers https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-after-dark-show-with-don-rogers--6191691Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.news/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

This meditation is a loving-kindness (Metta) practice. You'll be guided to cultivate feelings of warmth, compassion, and well-wishing, first for yourself, then for loved ones, neutral individuals, and eventually all beings. This deliberate cultivation of positive emotions is a powerful way to stimulate the release of beneficial neurotransmitters, physically building a more peaceful and joyful brain. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAYS," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 5 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 5 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

This meditation is an open awareness practice. You'll simply notice thoughts, sounds, and sensations as they arise, without judgment or engagement. The goal isn't to stop thinking, but to observe thoughts as transient events, allowing your brain's default mode network, or DMN,  to naturally quiet down and fostering a profound sense of peace in the spaciousness of the present moment. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAYS," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 4 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 4 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

Today you are guided with a focused breathing technique to anchor yourself. You'll choose a specific peaceful anchor (e.g., the sensation of your breath, a calming word, or a positive image). Whenever your mind wanders, you'll gently but firmly redirect your attention back to this anchor, strengthening the neural pathways in your prefrontal cortex responsible for sustained focus and intentional peace. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAYS," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 3 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 3 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathways" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

You're guided to observe sensations of fear or anxiety as they arise, without judgment. You'll be guided to gently redirect your attention to a chosen peaceful internal space, creating a new, calming response. This practice helps to build new neural pathways that bypass the automatic fear response, fostering a sense of inner calm. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAY," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 2 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathway" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 2 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathway" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

You're guided to observe your mind and body without judgment, like a curious scientist. You'll gently scan your physical sensations and notice the flow of your thoughts, recognizing that this present moment is the "baseline" from which all reshaping begins. The focus is on cultivating a gentle, accepting awareness of your current internal landscape. WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S INNER AWARENESS JOURNEY Welcome, incredible minds, to a groundbreaking journey that will forever change how you think about peace and your potential! Have you ever wished you could simply "rewire" your brain for more calm, more joy, and less stress? The amazing news is, you absolutely can! This special 7-day meditation series, "THE NEUROPLASTIC MIND: RESHAPING YOUR PEACE PATHWAY," is your personal guide to harnessing your brain's most astonishing superpower: neuroplasticity. We're talking about the scientific fact that your brain is not a fixed entity, but a dynamic, ever-changing landscape that literally reorganizes itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and intentions. Each day, you'll dive into fascinating scientific insights about how your brain works, paired with powerful guided meditations that will help you consciously build new neural pathways to peace. Get ready to release old patterns, cultivate profound tranquility, and discover the incredible power you hold to reshape your mind for lasting calm. Your journey to a more peaceful, resilient, and joyful brain starts now! This is day 1 of a 7-day "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathway" meditation series, episodes 3339-3345. YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE Mindful Minute Makeover Quest: This week, pause for 1-minute 3 times a day and focus on absorbing the peace around you. Consciously become aware of peace in your environment and engage all your senses as you absorb it. YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY DURING THIS WEEK'S SERIES This is episode 1 of a 7-day meditation series titled,  "The Neuroplastic Mind: Reshaping Your Peace Pathway" episodes 3346-3352. Day 1:   Peace Visualization Day 2:  Affirmation: "Peace is my natural state." Day 3:  Inner Peace Breath Day 4:  Anjali Mudra to trust yourself Day 5:  Fifth Chakra inner authentic peace focus Day 6: Flow meditation combining the week's techniques Day 7:  Weekly review meditation and closure SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me at Mary@SipandOm.com or better yet -- direct message me on https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!  WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual. SHARE the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support. I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me at Mary@sipandom.com and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast! All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com. FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST Each day's meditation techniques are shared at: sip.and.om Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/ sip and om Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/ SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.  2-Week's Free Access on iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sip-and-om/id1216664612?platform=iphone&preserveScrollPosition=true#platform/iphone All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email to Mary@sipandom.com.Let go of repetitive negative thoughts. The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig. Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.

This is a clip from BG Cast! Get access to the full episode and all thier content on all podcast platforms or click the link belowFull episode here! https://www.spreaker.com/episode/bg-s3-16-metaphysical-christianity-and-human-design-w-transcending-ascension--65990826BG Cast Podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/bgcastForbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.newsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

In this episode, we explore the foundations for conscious communication. The way we communicate is an essential part of the small stuff we do in our relationships that adds up to enormous proportions over time. Overlook it and we're bound to face cracks in what was once a solid foundation. Attend to it consciously, mindfully, thoughtfully, and we set ourselves up to thrive in our ability to create healthy, enjoyable relationships. Book a free 30-minute breakthrough consultationSoulrevealed.comEpisodesEp. 115: Attunement + Containment: Building Safety, Connection, and Trust in Conscious RelationshipsBooksIt Begins With You* by Jillian TureckiThe Love Prescription: 7 Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy* by John Gottman, PhD and Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhDHow to Love Better* by Yung PuebloArticlesThe Ultimate Guide to Conscious Relationships in 2025 by Practical IntimacyDisclaimer: This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not substitute individual psychological advice. *This is an affiliate link. Purchasing through affiliate links supports The Soul Horizon at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Leo season is here—but before you go full main character mode, let's talk about the real energy at play. In this episode, I'm breaking down the cosmic layers of Leo's heart-led radiance plus the reflection-heavy weight of Mercury, Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto retrogrades.This isn't just about showing up louder—it's about showing up truer. We'll explore how to lead with authenticity, navigate karmic lessons, clear spiritual fog, and do the shadow work while still letting yourself shine.Let me pour you a hot, fresh cup of astro tea, babe. Tune in, and let's get cosmic.

Ricardo Viso is a resilience coach, speaker, and founder of the Joyful Living Lounge, a platform dedicated to helping people cultivate more joy in their daily lives. Born in Denver and raised in Mexico, Viso's life took a transformative turn after the loss of his mother at age 10, and again decades later with a cancer diagnosis. Instead of surrendering to fear, he chose to reframe his challenges into opportunities for meaning and growth. ⁣ A former executive in retail and e-commerce, Viso now focuses on emotional well-being, mindset, and intentional living. He developed the R.I.C. method—Recognize, Identify, Consciously create joy—and promotes a practical, flexible approach to wellness. ⁣ Viso also co-leads two wellness startups: Wildflow, a fitness platform for men over 45, and a restaurant industry wellness app aimed at supporting underserved workers. Through coaching, workshops, and storytelling, Ricardo empowers others to embrace joy, presence, and purpose—even in the face of adversity.

The Monologues Podcast invites producers to mix an hour of their own productions. Follow our Bandcamp for our label releases. The Monologues Podcast invites producers to mix an hour of their own productions. Follow our Bandcamp for our label releases at http://monologuesrecords.bandcamp.com The impressively consistent Burnin Music is the work of France-born, London-based hustler Pegasvs. Lovingly curated and accompanied by high-quality artwork, their releases have made their way into the boxes of some of the most respected names in the scene, and his own output on the label has impressed more with each release. He's packed his mix full of unreleased exclusives, from deep to acid to broken beat - one of which we've picked up to release on Monologues Records later this year... *How would you describe your sound?* I make raw, club-ready house music. The values I try to convey through my sound are freedom, rhythm and craft. *What and who inspires you and influences your sound?*  I am inspired by a few key figures in house music: Kerri Chandler, Larry Heard, Ron Trent. Those people influence my sound but I am also influenced by my own experiences: going out clubbing, my daily life in London, running a record label, being a dad... ll those experiences shape my music. I believe that, whether you like it or not, our surroundings, friends, education....  everything we go through on a day-to-day basis as humans, this go straight in the big pot of Creativity. It is part of our output. Consciously or not... *Can you tell us a little about this mix and what it means to you?* For  the first time, thanks to this mix, I had to go through my past projects. I spent quite a long time listening back to almost all finished projects in my hard drive and chose the ones that meant something to me. It's been a wonderful process and I am really happy with the result. Big thanks to Ben for inviting me to record that mix. Tracklist: Pegasvs - Extend & Play (Burnin Music) Pegasvs - Drinking With My Eyes (Tee Mango Psychedelic Hip House Refix)(Superunknown) Pegasvs - 808 Jazz (7Days Entertainment Detroit) Pegasvs - THE DAY AFTER (Unreleased) Pegasvs - Not Far Behind (Burnin Music) Pegasvs - Ridley Road Preacher (forthcoming Monologues Records)  Pegasvs - WHATUGOT (Unreleased) Pegasvs - La Nuit  (Burnin Music) Pegasvs Feat. Tito - Drinking With My Eyes (Pegasvs Isolation Dub) (Unreleased) Pegasvs - Freedom Of Movement (Unreleased) Pegasvs - Black Cat  (Unreleased) Pegasvs Feat. MA.MOYO - (No) Peace  (Burnin Music)

We move our Qi (known as prana in yoga) with breath and Qigong helps us supercharge it with visualization to feel amazing!

Clare is in Penicuik for the penultimate episode of this Camino de Santiago themed series. The first five programmes were recorded in Spain, and the final two episodes are in the UK with people reflecting on their past experiences of The Way. Today Clare meets a true Camino veteran: Rev. Nick Bowry has walked it seven times, and on different routes, including when he was making the decision to give up his long-standing career to become a Priest.Joining Clare and Nick on today's walk are Nick's friends, Cat and Liz, who share their own Camino memories as they enjoy the beautiful local scenery on a fine day.They completed a circular walk starting at Nick's church, St. James the Less, taking in the River North Esk, Serpentine Wood, and views of the Pentland Hills. Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen GregorHere's a poem Nick wrote about his time on the Camino in 2016:Santander a Muxia, Camino 2016Come, it's been a while, And walk, talk, sing, and pray, My way, your way, our way, In silence, in company, together, apart, each day, Never lonely, I'm pleased to say, One foot in front of the other.Consciously clearing clutter from my mind, Allowing time to forgive, seventy times seven and once again, Making friends with myself and letting go what drains, I feel my load lighten, less and less remains, New days dawn and the true self gains, One foot in front of the other.Conversations words and gestures, All allow acquaintances to grow, Many mark a mile, some many more - going with the flow, Intimate confessions and burdens off loaded, I know, Now I have time and patience to listen, to help the speaker let go, One foot in front of the other.Calmed and caught in the cadence of walking, Applied compeed, insect repellent and sun cream, Mass at noon - seeing it swing - has it been a dream, Indisputably not, my calf muscles know where they have been, Now with great anticipation, mi amigo is seen, One foot in front of the other.Companions on the way, four between us, And now we start our one at last, Minding all that has gone on, the past, In perspective, in sorrow and joy our minds cast, New beginnings both, carpe diem, life goes so fast, One foot in front of the other.Conclusions - I have a few, Appreciate each day and what you learn, Make new friends, be generous but make time for yourself to discern, Invite new experiences and try them out, Now is the time, without a doubt, and… Oh, just put… one foot in front of the other.

Set the context for a joyful, exuberant day with a short, powerful message from Sadhguru. Explore a range of subjects with Sadhguru, discover how every aspect of life can be a stepping stone, and learn to make the most of the potential that a human being embodies.  Conscious Planet: ⁠⁠https://www.consciousplanet.org⁠⁠ Sadhguru App (Download): ⁠⁠https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app⁠⁠ Official Sadhguru Website: ⁠⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org⁠⁠ Sadhguru Exclusive: ⁠⁠https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive⁠⁠ Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Our guest in this episode is the returning Dr. Islam Gouda, a global brand ambassador and marketing mentor from Egypt. Islam previously appeared on Episode 660, where we had a fantastic chat about building authentic relationships through ethical marketing, aligning brand values with customer ethos, and the critical role of human connection.This time, Islam is back to explore how we can uphold those same principles in the age of AI. He explains how we can embrace AI's power without sacrificing the authenticity and intuition that truly connect with customers. Islam offers a brilliant framework for treating AI as an assistant, not a replacement, ensuring our marketing remains valuable and real.Key points discussed include:* AI is your assistant, not your expert; use it to enhance your unique skills, not replace them.* Human creativity is a rare "nature-bred pearl," far more valuable than AI's generic "artificial pearl" output.* Use AI for research and brainstorming, but always maintain human oversight and a healthy dose of distrust.Listen to the podcast to find out more.Innovabiz Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Show Notes from this episode with Dr Islam GoudaIt was a genuine pleasure to welcome Dr. Islam Gouda back to the Innovabuzz podcast. So much of our world has shifted since his last appearance, especially with the explosion of Artificial Intelligence into our daily marketing lives. As a marketing mentor and AI enthusiast himself, Islam offered a powerful and refreshingly grounded perspective on how we, as business owners and marketers, can navigate this new frontier without losing the one thing that truly sets us apart: our human connection.The conversation kicked off with a critical warning. Islam pointed out that AI, for all its power, carries a significant risk: it can make us all look and sound the same. In its quest for perfection, AI can strip away the unique personality and the authentic voice that defines a brand. If we are not careful, we risk dissolving into a sea of "impeccable" but ultimately generic content, losing the very essence of what makes customers connect with us on a human level.Championing the "Marketing Gut"So, how do we fight this trend towards standardization? Islam argues it all comes down to valuing our own foundational expertise, what he wonderfully calls the "marketing gut". He shared a brilliant analogy, comparing AI's arrival in marketing to the introduction of Excel for accountants. Back then, accountants were afraid of becoming obsolete, but Excel didn't replace them; it empowered them. It became a tool that allowed them to be better at their craft.That is precisely how we should view AI. It is not a replacement for our knowledge, our understanding of our customers, or our strategic intuition. If you don't have that solid marketing foundation, you are simply feeding a machine and hoping for the best. True magic happens when human expertise guides the tool, not the other way around.The Parable of the Two PearlsTo drive this point home, Islam shared a powerful metaphor that has really stuck with me. He compared AI-generated content to an "artificial pearl". It might look perfect and be easy to produce in mass quantities, but its value is inherently limited. Human-generated output, on the other hand, is like a "nature-bred pearl". It is rare, unique, and sometimes imperfect, but its intrinsic value is exponentially higher.This parable is a profound reminder for all of us in the marketing space. Are we striving to produce cheap, artificial pearls that are easily replicated, or are we cultivating the unique, valuable, nature-bred pearls of human creativity and strategy? The answer to that question will define the future of our brands.Wielding the Tool Wisely: AI as Your Research AssistantThis does not mean we should shun AI altogether. In fact, when used correctly, it is an incredibly powerful assistant. Islam and I discussed how AI can be a game-changer for the research phase of any project. It can synthesize competitor data, analyze customer sentiment, and explore messaging angles in minutes, a process that used to take days.By treating AI as a brainstorming partner or a research engine, we can supercharge our strategic work. It can give us five different ways to approach a problem or pull together a comprehensive report, freeing up our time and mental energy to focus on the high-level thinking that only a human can do.Keeping the Human in ControlThe key, however, is to always keep the human in control and to maintain a healthy level of distrust. I shared my own recent experience of receiving a cold, dismissive, and clearly AI-written response from a company I had been loyal to for years. It was a perfect example of what happens when the human oversight is removed.Islam stressed that you always need a human eye to supervise the machine, someone who knows the company, understands the customer, and can say, "That's not okay." We cannot afford to put a machine, which is a stranger to our business, in charge of our precious customer relationships. You must have a human making that final call.Conclusion: Don't Fear It, Don't Trust It BlindlySo what is the final takeaway from my fascinating conversation with Dr. Islam Gouda? It is a beautifully balanced piece of advice. Do not fear AI, but also, do not trust it blindly. See it for what it is: a powerful enablement tool.Use AI to augment your skills and to handle the heavy lifting of data analysis and first drafts. Let it make you better, faster, and more informed. But never, ever let it replace your expertise, your intuition, or the genuine human connection that forms the very bedrock of great marketing.In Summary: Dr. Islam Gouda delivers a masterclass in navigating the AI revolution with wisdom and foresight. He reminds us that while AI is a powerful assistant, our true value lies in our "marketing gut" and human creativity. The goal is not to be replaced by the machine, but to become the skilled human who directs it, always prioritizing authentic connection over artificial perfection.The Buzz - Our Innovation RoundHere are Islam's answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.* Most innovative use of AI to enhance human relationships – The “AI burger” chain in Dubai that uses AI to create recipes, connecting with customers through the shared novelty and intrigue of the concept.* Best thing to integrate AI and human connection – Using AI tools for research and social listening, and brainstorming with it like an assistant to leverage and enhance his own expertise.* Differentiate by leveraging AI – Understand how AI truly works so you can use it as an efficient tool to assist you, without placing too much trust in it.ActionApproach AI without fear or blind trust. Consciously use it as an "enablement tool". Start this week, treating it as an assistant with the specific goal of making you better at your craft, not replacing your invaluable human expertise.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Islam on LinkedIn by searching for his profile, “The Marketing Master Islam Gouda,” or by looking for his marketing services online. You can also find him on social media.Links:* Website - Islam Gouda* LinkedIn* Facebook* Twitter - @IslamGouda1* Instagram - @samgouda1* Youtube - @DrIslamGoudaBooks* SMEs and Startups Marketing Guide Through COVID-19, Dr Islam GoudaCool Things About Islam* The "Global Nomad" Vibe: Islam has lived and worked in diverse locations, including Egypt, Dubai, the UK, and the U.S., giving him a truly global perspective. This isn't just about business; it's about a life lived across cultures, which undoubtedly shapes his worldview and marketing philosophy.* The "Marketing Minute Man": Islam's project, which condenses marketing insights into digestible one-minute snippets, is a creative and practical resource for marketers. It reflects his ability to simplify complex concepts and make them accessible to a wide audience.* The "Mentor with a Mission": As a mentor and Global Brand Ambassador, Islam is committed to helping others grow. His focus on leadership and team building shows his dedication to empowering others, which is both inspiring and admirable.* The "Marketing is Life" Philosophy: Islam's belief that marketing is not just a profession but a way of life is a unique and refreshing perspective. It highlights his passion and the depth of his connection to his work, making him stand out from other marketing professionals.Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach.That's exactly what you'll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.VideoThanks for reading Innovabiz Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. 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