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“We can choose our brain's destiny,” says David Perlmutter, MD. Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author whose work focuses on the intersection of neurology, nutrition, and brain health. He is on the Board of Directors of the American College of Nutrition and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. His books, including the #1 bestseller Grain Brain, has been published in 32 languages and sold over a million copies. Perlmutter lectures globally at leading institutions and has been featured on major media outlets including 20/20, CNN, The Today Show, and Oprah. His new book, Brain Defenders, focuses on the pivotal role of microglia, the brain's immune cells, in protecting, repairing, and reprogramming the brain for lifelong resilience, and is now available for pre-order. 00:00 - Treating the symptoms, not the cause 02:37 - Microglial cells & their evil twin state 05:44 - How metabolism affects the brain 08:00 - Gut bacteria, inflammation, & brain degeneration 11:38 - Why lifestyle beats the APOE4 gene 16:25 - Perlmutter's daily routine 23:55 - Loneliness & oxytocin 26:21 - The effects of long COVID on the brain 32:18 - Glyphosate & other environmental factors 39:20 - Reprogramming microglia & mitochondrial transplants 41:35 - Own your brain's destiny Referenced in the episode: For more about Perlmutter, visit his website: https://drperlmutter.com/ Alzheimers & UPFs study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjpad.2024.100042 POINTER study - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2837046 20-week Alzheimer's study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13195-024-01482-z Golf course & Parkinson's study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833716 We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens when a journalist who hates the cold decides to spend three years immersing himself in one of the most extreme athletic subcultures on Earth? In this fascinating conversation, Darin sits down with award-winning journalist and author Chris Ballard to explore the world behind his book The Plunge. After a hip replacement at just 42 forced Chris to rethink his identity as an athlete, cold water initially became a tool for recovery. But curiosity eventually pulled him much deeper, from cold showers and plunges to competitive ice swimming in water below 41°F and ultimately representing the United States at the Ice Swimming World Championships. Together, Darin and Chris separate cold exposure hype from reality, explore what actually happens to the body in freezing water, and reveal why the greatest benefits Chris discovered weren't necessarily physical. They dive into resilience, emotional regulation, mental health, community, our increasingly comfortable modern lives, and why voluntarily doing difficult things may provide something many of us desperately need. What You'll Learn How a hip replacement at 42 led Chris into the world of cold exposure What officially qualifies as ice swimming and why 41°F is the threshold Which popular cold plunge benefits may be overhyped Why community became the most surprising theme of Chris's research How body composition and genetics influence cold tolerance The real dangers of extreme cold and the 1-10-1 survival rule How repeated cold exposure may train emotional regulation and resilience Why cultures in Finland and Denmark treat cold exposure completely differently than Americans How cold swimming has helped some people navigate grief, depression, and isolation Why deliberately doing hard things may matter more than ever in a world built around convenience Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Alkemis 00:03:24 – Introducing Chris Ballard and the world of cold water swimming 00:04:29 – The hip replacement that changed Chris's life at 42 00:05:40 – How NBA recovery techniques led him to cold exposure 00:07:34 – Going from cold plunges to competitive ice swimming 00:09:40 – Inside the extreme subculture of swimming below 41°F 00:11:01 – The challenge that convinced Chris to compete himself 00:12:17 – Ice swimming and the original spirit of the Winter Olympics 00:13:21 – How to safely begin training for cold exposure 00:15:14 – What officially qualifies as ice swimming? 00:16:20 – Separating cold plunge science from hype 00:17:15 – The most surprising benefit wasn't physical 00:18:05 – Why cold swimming creates such powerful community 00:19:29 – Cold exposure, loneliness, and human connection 00:20:45 – Sponsor: Shakeology 00:22:33 – Why actually getting in the water changed Chris's reporting 00:23:47 – The surprising body type advantage in cold water 00:25:19 – Grandmothers, elite athletes, and the mental side of ice swimming 00:26:09 – When cold water becomes genuinely dangerous 00:27:02 – The 1-10-1 rule for surviving cold water 00:29:41 – Chris attempts an ice kilometer 00:30:28 – Has modern comfort made us weaker? 00:32:19 – Why Finland laughs at America's cold plunge protocols 00:33:36 – The cold plunge benefits that may be overhyped 00:35:51 – Can you train your body to generate heat? 00:36:51 – Anticipatory thermogenesis and extreme cold adaptation 00:38:12 – How three years of cold exposure changed Chris's body 00:39:44 – Training emotional regulation through voluntary discomfort 00:40:48 – Building resilience one difficult moment at a time 00:42:02 – Why modern life is starving us of accomplishment 00:44:13 – AI, shortcuts, and why difficult work still matters 00:46:30 – Why Chris believes experiential storytelling can't be replaced 00:48:55 – The extraordinary people Chris discovered while writing The Plunge 00:49:57 – Cold water, grief, and finding a reason to keep moving 00:50:52 – How cold swimming became a mental health lifeline 00:52:09 – A global community united by challenge 00:53:51 – What Chris's cold exposure routine looks like today 00:54:27 – Why swimming may be the perfect lifelong sport 00:55:05 – Making the U.S. Ice Swimming National Team 00:56:05 – Could ice swimming become an Olympic sport? 00:57:17 – Why swimming through freezing water feels completely different 00:58:01 – Cold water forces you completely into the present moment 00:58:29 – Cold swimming, men's mental health, and escaping your thoughts 00:59:13 – What's next for Chris Ballard 00:59:35 – Accomplishment versus scrolling 01:00:00 – Final thoughts and making cold exposure accessible Thank You to Our Sponsors Alkemis: Go to https://alkemispaint.com/ and use code DARIN10 for 10% off your order. Shakeology: Get 15% off with code DARINO1BODI at Shakeology.com. Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Chris Ballard Website: chrisballardwritings.com Instagram: @chrisballard33 Check Out His New Book: The Plunge Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "In a world engineered to remove discomfort, voluntarily doing something difficult can give us back something we've lost. Cold water forces you into the present moment, gives you something tangible to overcome, and when you do it alongside other people, that discomfort can become resilience, accomplishment, and genuine human connection."
In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, host Wayne Stender and Dr. Kathy discuss the critical issue of loneliness, particularly among young people. Dr. Kathy shares her perspective as a single adult, emphasizing that being alone does not equate to being lonely. Wayne highlights the importance of understanding this distinction and encourages listeners to recognize that solitude can be a fulfilling experience. The episode also touches on alarming statistics indicating that about one in six people globally experience loneliness, with the highest rates found in adolescents aged 13 to 17. Tune in to explore the nuances of loneliness and discover ways to foster connection and understanding among young people.
We live in a world where we're more connected than ever before, yet so many people feel profoundly disconnected. We text instead of talk. We scroll instead of connect. We consume endless information, but often struggle to simply be present with another human being. What does it really mean to be human? In this episode of Cacao Conversations, we explore the subtle ways we've drifted away from the very experiences that make us feel alive—eye contact, touch, presence, curiosity, wonder, and authentic connection. We talk about: * why so many people feel disconnected despite being constantly connected * the hidden cost of screens, busyness, and constant stimulation * what we're losing when we stop being fully present with one another * the difference between gathering information and experiencing life * why loneliness isn't just about being alone * simple ways to reconnect with yourself and the people around you Maybe the answer isn't becoming more productive, more successful, or even more spiritual. Maybe it's remembering what it means to be fully human. New episodes of Cacao Conversations drop weekly. Sip. Connect. Awaken. Hey! Thanks for listening! If you liked this episode, please send us a message. We'd love to hear from you!Your cup is full, your journey awaits. Let's sip, chat, and transform together. Find out more at https://www.bodyandsoulevents.love/ Julietta Wenzel Founder of Body & Soul Ministries, Julietta is a healer, guide, and visionary dedicated to helping others remember their true selves and step into their authentic power. With a background as a physical therapist turned spiritual practitioner, she combines individual healing sessions, sacred ceremonies, and transformative retreats to guide her community toward joy, fulfillment, and alignment. https://bodyandsoulministries.love/ Instagram: @bodyandsoulministries Dorice Ross Elder of Body & Soul Ministries, Dorice is a healer, educator, and guide devoted to supporting others in remembering their divinity and lived experience of Oneness. With a background in physical therapy and university-level teaching, her path has always bridged the body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in both psychology and energy healing, and inspired by diverse spiritual traditions, Dorice creates safe, compassionate spaces where healing unfolds naturally. Her work is guided by love, deep listening, and trust in the wisdom of Source. Instagram: @rossdoriceShine bright and have a magical day!Julietta & Dorice
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260813dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33 Without a Doubt! There are very few things you can say without a doubt. When making plans, you can’t say they will happen without a doubt. When someone asks you a difficult question, can you always answer confidently, without a doubt? Thankfully, we can answer life’s most crucial question without a doubt, and not because we’re so smart, but because God is so great! Life’s most crucial question is, “Am I right with God?” or “Will God let me into heaven?” Some people struggle to answer those questions without a doubt. Those doubts come from the reality of sin. God is holy and perfect; we are not. Just one sin is enough to bar us from heaven, and we've committed more than one. More than we can count. It would be presumptuous to believe we can simply walk through heaven’s gates, except that God assures us of this without doubt or hesitation. God is for us! He’s on our side. He says that our sins are forgiven. This removes any and every shred of doubt. Who can bring any charges against us that will stick? Our own doubts and guilty conscience might try to tell us we aren’t forgiven or worthy, but they don’t call the shots! God does. He has justified us. That means he declares, with absolute authority, that we are not guilty because he’s forgiven all our sins. And if any doubt should remain, here’s proof: God did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. This is how the guilty are declared innocent and the accused become acquitted, without a doubt. God spared no expense to make things right between you and him. God left heaven and carried a cross to make heaven your home. It’s yours through Christ, without a doubt. Prayer: Lord, spare me from doubt and temptations to justify myself and let my confidence rest on Christ alone who has already justified me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
This fortnight, some major cinematic moments as we cover the massive new supermovie Spider-Man: Brand New Day (14:03, with spoilers from 26:39) and also-huge horror hit Obsession (36:16). Plus extra chat about Maxxxine and the fifth season of For All Mankind.
This Postmodern Realities episode is a conversation with JOURNAL author Lisa Cooper about her article, “Sacred and Secular :The History of the Theology of Work , Part Two”. Coming Soon!See here for Part One Episode 497: What Does The Bible Say About Work? A Biblical Theology Of Work, Part One and “What Does The Bible Say About Work? A Biblical Theology Of Work, Part One'”.One way you can support our online articles and podcasts is by leaving us a tip. A tip is just a small amount, like $3, $5, or $10, which is the cost of a latte, lunch out, or coffee drink. To leave a tip, click here.Related podcasts and articles by this author:Episode 486: Effective Evangelism with Gen Z Women in the Age of Social Media Influencers “Effective Evangelism with Gen Z Women in the Age of Social Media Influencers“. Episode 445: How the Church Can Address the Crisis of Identity and Belief Among Gen Z Women“How the Church Can Address the Crisis of Identity and Belief Among Gen Z Women”Episode 427 Grief, Loneliness, Friendship, and Robots: How Apple TV+'s ‘Sunny' Shows Us About Human Nature“Grief, Loneliness, Friendship, and Robots: How Apple TV+'s Sunny Shows Us About Human Nature“. Don't miss an episode; please subscribe to the Postmodern Realities podcast wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Please help spread the word about Postmodern Realities by giving us a rating and review when you subscribe to the podcast. The more ratings and reviews we have, the more new listeners can discover our content.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260812dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 It’s All Good! “It’s all good!” someone might say. We might tell ourselves, “It’s all good,” even when it’s not. Even when it doesn’t seem good, we try to remain optimistic, look at the brighter side, and have faith that it will all work out. The Christian faith is not merely faith that all things will work out. It’s faith in the God and Savior who works out all things for eternal good. This Bible verse is not a promise that only good and pleasant things will happen to you if you just love God enough. It’s a reminder that those who love God and are loved by God will experience all sorts of things that don’t seem good and pleasant. When something challenging or tragic comes into your life, you might be tempted to wonder, “Does God have something against me? Is that why bad things are happening?” You may doubt that God is really on your side. But here is his assurance: He's not working against you; he’s working for you and for your good! Jesus shows us how true this promise is. No one in the world would naturally see someone nailed to a cross and think, “That’s good.” Yet, in that way, God was at work to accomplish the greatest good—the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with him. That’s good! When things happen in life that the world does not see as good, we have God’s promise that even this he will work out for good. It could be good personally for you because the thing that initially causes pain or sorrow could be God’s way of shaping you, strengthening you, or sparing you from greater physical or spiritual danger. It could bring good into the lives of others around you. If you’ve been through something, you are better equipped to encourage someone else who’s going through it too. It really is all good when we find ourselves in the loving arms of the God who works in all things for our eternal good! Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me faith that knows that in all things you are at work for your good and eternal purposes. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
There are words we don't like. Words we avoid saying out loud.Words we don't want other people to use about us.Sometimes, words we don't even want to admit to ourselves.Old. Loneliness. Death. Failure.Why do some words frighten us so much?Perhaps because behind the word is a feeling we are trying not to feel.But life is not made only of the words we like.It is light and dark. Joy and sorrow. Beginnings and endings. Connection and loneliness.And perhaps growing means learning not only how to celebrate the light, but also how to sit with the darker words without immediately running away from them.In this Soul Notes
Have you ever wondered why your porn cravings can feel so intensely sexual—even when you just had sex, genuinely want to quit porn, or know that acting on the craving will hurt you?One of the most important things I've learned in porn addiction recovery is that many cravings aren't really about sex at all.They're emotional.Pressure. Loneliness. Shame. Fear. Inadequacy. Sadness. Anger. Disconnection. Sometimes what my brain labels as “I need porn” is actually an emotional or relational need that I haven't learned how to recognize, feel, and respond to yet.In this episode, I'm diving deep into the connection between porn cravings, emotional triggers, and emotional regulation—and why learning to work with your emotions can become one of the most powerful tools for overcoming pornography addiction.I'll also walk you through the principles behind The RAIL Method™, the emotional mindfulness process I use to help men stop treating cravings and painful emotions like enemies and begin responding to them with acceptance, compassion, and leadership.Because recovery isn't just learning how to resist an urge.It's learning how to understand what that urge is trying to tell you.One of the central ideas I want you to walk away with is this:Your cravings are signals, not commands.You don't have to blindly obey them, and you don't have to hate them either.You can learn to slow down, become present, understand what is happening inside of you, and choose a response that actually serves the man you're becoming.Practice Emotional Mindfulness With UsDuring the month of August, the No More Desire Brotherhood is practicing emotional mindfulness together through our monthly challenge. The community is completely free:https://www.nomoredesire.com/communityIf you want to learn The RAIL Method™ in depth, you can also take the full course. Use code AUGUSTCHALLENGE for 15% off this month:https://www.nomoredesire.com/railLink to Blog Article for this EpisodeVisit No More Desire Tools for Recovery for recovery tools and training, the free online community, my free eBook, Workshop, The RAIL Method ™ and more to help you break free from porn.If you're tired of trying to quit porn on your own, the No More Desire Academy gives you a structured path to recovery through coaching, brotherhood, practical tools, and step-by-step training. Learn more about the Academy.If you want deeper, more personalized support, I also offer 1-on-1 porn addiction recovery coaching. We'll work directly on your patterns, emotional triggers, recovery plan, and long-term growth. Learn more about working 1-on-1 with Jake Kastleman.My gratitude for the music in this episode (in order of appearance) goes to Ievgen Poltavskyi, Yevhen Astafiev, Aleksey Voroninfrom Pixabay.Support the showNo More Desire
Music Video for The Stairs: https://youtu.be/-9FOYTwxfcU?si=mFPQVDCKASBR1oFuLive from Wembley Stadium: https://youtu.be/N8CIBNJB2FM?si=sF_SoLZtDrzyaszvThere's a kind of loneliness that has nothing to do with being alone.You can live surrounded by hundreds—or thousands—of people, pass the same faces every day, share elevators, hallways, sidewalks and city blocks…and never truly know one another. This week on The Songs That Made Us, Gunter explores INXS' “The Stairs,” a haunting meditation on the anonymous lives unfolding around us and the strange human experience of being physically close while remaining emotionally separate.Through the song, Gunter examines the psychology of loneliness, our biological need for connection, the phenomenon of “familiar strangers,” and the surprising role architecture and urban design play in determining whether people simply pass one another—or actually meet.And more than three decades after The Stairs appeared on INXS' X, its observations may be even more relevant in a digital world that gives us unprecedented proximity while often leaving genuine human connection painfully out of reach.In This EpisodeThe story and ideas behind INXS' “The Stairs”Why loneliness can exist even when we're surrounded by peopleLoneliness as a biological signal rather than a personal failingThe evolutionary importance of human connectionThe psychology of the “familiar stranger”How urban environments can create proximity without interactionSocial infrastructure and the spaces where relationships formWhy cities designed primarily for movement can unintentionally discourage connectionPsychological overload and why we sometimes withdraw from people around usHow digital environments reproduce the same paradoxWhy The Stairs remains strikingly relevant todaySmall acts of recognition that can begin closing the distance between strangersChapter HighlightsIntroduction: The Stairs and the Loneliness of Being SurroundedINXS and the Album XThe Psychological Need to BelongSocial Overload in Urban EnvironmentsLoneliness as a Biological SignalWaiting, Recognition and the Structure of The StairsHow Urban Design Shapes Human ConnectionFrom Physical Cities to Digital LonelinessProximity Without ConnectionSmall Acts That Bridge the DistanceSharing Our Experiences of LonelinessKey TakeawaysLoneliness is a signal. Like hunger or pain, it can alert us that an important human need isn't being met.Proximity isn't the same as connection. We can encounter the same people repeatedly without ever crossing the invisible boundary between stranger and acquaintance.Our environments matter. The spaces we build can either encourage spontaneous human contact or quietly discourage it.The digital world hasn't eliminated this paradox. In some ways, it has recreated the apartment building on a global scale: millions of people occupying the same space while remaining strangers.Connection can begin remarkably small. Recognition, conversation and simple acknowledgment can interrupt anonymity.GratitudeWe want to extend a huge thank you to our listeners in Fairborn, Elyria (uh-lee-ree-uh), Columbus, Grafton, Northfield, Lorain, Ashland, and Cincinnati for keeping Ohio securely at the #2 spot on the Top 10 USA listeners list.And to our Global Listeners, we extend our gratitude to two countries reaching our top 20 list for the very first time ever! First, our listeners in Karachi (kr-aa-chee) for bringing Pakistan to #20! And also to our listeners in Jos (pronounced like loss with a J) Plateau State for bringing Nigeria to #18! CONGRATULATIONS!! you made the Top Listeners List.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support.PatreonIf this episode resonates with you and you'd like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechangeSponsorDistil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.
Certainty feels like safety. But you can only ever be certain alone — and the life you build on control slowly becomes a lonely one. In week two of the series on OCPD, Dr. Greg explores why we reach for control when trust feels dangerous — and how the certainty we build to feel safe ends up costing us the very relationships it was meant to protect. Key Topics: Why the certainty that makes you feel safe is the same thing that leaves you alone How a rule can feel safer than a person — because a rule never changes its face Why the control you use to protect the people you love can drive them straight into the danger you feared How devotion can quietly turn into a contract with God instead of trust in Him Why trying harder to get it perfect is the pattern itself, not the way out of it Learn More: Previous episode in this series — OCPD Part 1: Ep. #290: "I'm Only Loved When I'm Perfect": The Lie Fueling Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Join us at the Summit of Integration this October in Dallas — launching the Year of St. John Paul II Faith of the Fatherless: The Psychology of Atheism by Dr. Paul Vitz — on how wounded trust in a father can shape our capacity for faith Person and Act — St. John Paul II's (Karol Wojtyła's) philosophical work on the acting person, and the personalist heart of this episode Stop Walking on Eggshells by Paul Mason & Randi Kreger — the book on borderline patterns Dr. Greg references Start of the Being Human series on the Antisocial Defense Patterns: Ep. #281: Control or Be Controlled: The Devastating Wounds Behind Antisocial Behavioral Patterns Start of the Being Human series on the Borderline Defense Patterns: Ep. #269: BORDERLINE: The Push-Pull Between a Fear of Abandonment and Annihilation Start of the Being Human series on the Histrionic Defense Patterns: Ep. #274: To Be Loved Is to Perform: Inside the Histrionic Compulsion for Attention and Validation Start of the Being Human series on the Dependent Defense Patterns: Ep. #265: Jerry Maguire, Gollum, and the Fear of Not Existing Start of the Being Human series on the Narcissistic Defense Patterns: Ep. #261: Narcissism and the Terror of Being Ordinary Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation. Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment. Follow Us on Socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter (X) | LinkedIn
Miist was five years old when her parents removed themselves from her life. Not through death — through choice. As she tells me in this episode, that distinction made the wound deeper, not shallower. She knew they could come back. They simply didn't.By 28, she had a terminal cancer diagnosis and doctors telling her she had a month, maybe three. And here's the part that stopped me: she still doesn't hold any bad feeling toward that diagnosis. It's the thing that finally brought her family back into the room with her.She picked up a ukulele during treatment. She didn't write her first song until she was 34. Today her music has charted on Billboard, she's the first native Chinese artist to reach the Pop AC chart, and she hosts a top-ranked mental health podcast.This conversation goes somewhere I didn't expect. We talk about loneliness after loss — the grief that arrives with no funeral, no casserole, no one checking in — and what it actually takes to come back from it.Miist wrote a song for a young man who passed alone in his apartment in Japan. He had food. He had shelter. He had nobody. She kept thinking about all the strangers he must have walked past on any given day, and how one moment of real eye contact might have been enough to hold him a little longer. That song, "Could You Lend Me a Smile," now exists in 16 languages.Out of it came the idea we spend much of this episode on: the 15-second action. Small enough that nobody can claim they don't have time. Smile at someone. Be silly. Be grateful. Say a kind word. Remind someone that you love them.We recorded this on my 65th birthday, which made one part land hard for me. Miist asked when the last time was that someone called you for no reason at all, just to say they love you. I told her about the most viral Substack post I've ever written — it was about calling my father on an ordinary day, for no occasion. It went everywhere because almost nobody does it.WHAT WE COVERWhy abandonment can cut deeper than death, and how the earliest wound becomes the root of everything built on top of itHow Miist pushed away her closest childhood friends, and the apology she eventually wrote as a songChoosing, in advance, to sit inside the grief of losing her dog rather than reaching for anything that would make it stopThe three days she asked her vet for, and what her whole family learned from themReconnecting with and forgiving the father she hadn't seen in over 20 yearsBeing discovered by producer Narada Michael Walden — and being asked to sing at the piano where Aretha Franklin recorded "Respect"The Kindness Kube and the five actions on itUsing music intentionally to move through anger, sadness, and back toward joyWhy losing an old habit that no longer serves you can feel like its own kind of lossWhy both of us say plainly: we are still healingABOUT MIISTMiist is a multilingual recording artist, songwriter, and podcast host who began her professional music career at 34 after being discovered by acclaimed producer Narada Michael Walden. She's a Teen Cancer America Ambassador and the founder of the World Smile Initiative, a nonprofit built around bringing moments of relief and light to people who are struggling. Her podcast, Make Me Smile with Miist, blends original music, personal storytelling, and research, and each episode closes with a 15-second action listeners can take that day. The book of the same name is now available.
TODAY ON THE ROBERT SCOTT BELL SHOW: Trump Vaccine Executive Order, Pollution Arthritis Flares, Vanishing Human Presence, Loneliness Epidemic, Linum Usitatissimum, Smart Enough to be Wrong, Maria Keffler, Desist, Detrans & Detox, Eye Pressure, Thunder Struck Burpee Inspiration, and MORE! https://robertscottbell.com/trump-vaccine-order-pollution-arthritis-flares-vanishing-human-presence-loneliness-epidemic-linum-usitatissimum-smart-enough-to-be-wrong-maria-keffler-eye-pressure-question-roberts-thunder-s/ Purpose and Character The use of copyrighted material on the website is for non-commercial, educational purposes, and is intended to provide benefit to the public through information, critique, teaching, scholarship, or research. Nature of Copyrighted Material Weensure that the copyrighted material used is for supplementary and illustrative purposes and that it contributes significantly to the user's understanding of the content in a non-detrimental way to the commercial value of the original content. Amount and Substantiality Our website uses only the necessary amount of copyrighted material to achieve the intended purpose and does not substitute for the original market of the copyrighted works. Effect on Market Value The use of copyrighted material on our website does not in any way diminish or affect the market value of the original work. We believe that our use constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you believe that any content on the website violates your copyright, please contact us providing the necessary information, and we will take appropriate action to address your concern.
Send us Fan MailThe leadership pressure test reveals what a leader has already practiced. In this episode, I sit down with Jon Sheldon, founder of BelleauWood Coaching, to explore the leadership pressure test through lessons he learned as a Marine squad leader and Fortune 500 sales executive.Jon explains why clear decisions begin with knowing yourself. His professional blueprint centers on purpose, vision, the environment where you thrive, and what motivates you. Then he pressure-tests those answers against real behavior. Courage is more than a value on paper. A leader has to show where courage held and where it gave way.We also talk about radical honesty, the cost of making firm calls, and the discipline of keeping the mission in view when emotion runs high. Jon shares a simple framework for those moments: define the mission, name the obstacle, and choose the first action. If you lead a team through growth or uncertainty, this conversation offers a grounded way to respond with clarity.Chapter Breakdown00:00 Meet Jon Sheldon: Marine Leader and Executive Coach02:29 How Responsibility Forged a Leader05:12 Why Mistakes Are Inevitable Under Pressure06:40 Learning to Think 13 Moves Ahead08:54 The Mission, Obstacle, Actions Framework10:06 Build Your Professional Leadership Blueprint13:33 Pressure-Test the Leader You Claim to Be15:26 Why a Four-Hour Seminar Cannot Build a Leader17:49 Radical Honesty and the Courage to Be Unpopular20:35 The Cost and Loneliness of Leadership24:20 Protect Time to Keep Growing as a Leader29:19 Books That Make Leadership PracticalBooks MentionedThe Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan HolidayLeadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual by Jocko WillinkNever Split the Difference by Chris VossBecause I Said I Would by Alex SheenYour Desired Future by Dr. Henry CloudA Return on Failure by John C. MaxwellConnect with Jon SheldonVisit BelleauWood Coaching, connect with Jon on LinkedIn, or follow @belleauwood_coaching on Instagram.I want to invite you to check out the Committed Mastermind, a community I help lead along with world-class leaders like JC and Karen Hite, Vinnie Fisher, and Jonathan Mast, plus incredible mentors like Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, and many others.This is for entrepreneurs who want to build a thriving business without sacrificing their faith, their family, or their health.Check out the Committed Mastermind at https://committedmastermind.com/---- Check out Dr. William Attaway's new show, The Appreciation at Work Podcast! Join Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence.Free 30-Minute Discovery Call:Ready to elevate your business? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. William Attaway and start your journey to success.Connect with Dr. William Attaway:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube
"Our own personal longevity is only 25% genetic. So the other 75% are in our control." — Michael Clinton KEY LINKS Learn more about “Longevity Nation: The People, Ideas, and Trends Changing the Second Half of Our Lives” HERE Michael Clinton's Roar Forward, including the Reimagineers stories and free monthly newsletter is HERE Connect with Michael Clinton on LinkedIn HERE Read Age Better Cheat Sheet on Substack HERE Barbara's Website is HERE ABOUT THIS EPISODE Michael Clinton ran Hearst Magazines. Then he left, wrote ROAR, built a company, and ran a marathon on every continent — most of it after 60. For his new book – Longevity Nation -- he interviewed more than 70 experts. Not just doctors. Technologists, urban planners, dermatologists, wealth strategists. What came back was a single, connected picture of what it actually takes to live a long life well — and it is far more in your hands than you have been led to believe. Here's what you'll take away: Life layering. Why the old sequence — school, work, retire — is obsolete, and how to build a second set of identities in your 50s, 60s, and beyond. The 57-year-old with the kids gone and the job gone is at a beginning, not an end. Proof it's never late. A woman took her first welding class at 70 and launched a business at 81. A veterinarian started school at 56. Baby steps, not overhauls. Michael's exact instruction for starting anything new — and why nobody solves this in a weekend. The money conversation nobody has. The one question to ask your bank that tells you whether your money outlives you. Plus a statistic about women and their finances that will make you sit up. Loneliness and frailty. Why your world quietly shrinks, how that becomes a physical problem, and the single habit every expert on this show agrees on. What's actually here now. Wearables, early-detection testing, GLP-1s beyond weight loss, and precision medicine built around your biology, not the average. And one thing to do this week. Just one. You'll know it when you hear it. You can't control getting older . . . but you can control how you do it.
In this episode of the Mind Movement Health Podcast, host Kate Boyle explores the complexities of health and why even seemingly healthy individuals can fall ill. She discusses the multifaceted nature of health, emphasizing that factors such as genetics, lifestyle, chronic stress, social connections, purpose, trauma, and environmental influences all play significant roles. Kate encourages listeners to focus on building resilience rather than striving for perfection in their health journeys. Time Stamps: (00:00) Introduction and Sponsor Shoutout (00:30) Understanding Health and Illness (03:21) The Complexity of Health Factors (06:06) Genetics vs. Lifestyle (10:37) The Impact of Chronic Stress (11:35) The Importance of Social Connections (12:51) Loneliness and Its Effects (14:14) Finding Purpose in Life (15:38) The Role of Trauma in Health (19:15) Environmental Influences on Health (22:09) The Importance of Healthy Habits (23:38) Resilience in Health (25:26) Conclusion and Key Takeaways
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260811dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-33 Why Do You Doubt? Have you ever been worried about something and doubted that it would be ok? But then you get through it, and you wonder “why did I doubt?” The answer is simple: because you didn’t know the outcome. You didn’t have hindsight to know it would all work out. Jesus asked Peter that simple question after he rescued him from the stormy waters. Why do you doubt? The answer was simple: because Peter took his eyes off Jesus. When you take your eyes of faith off Jesus and you look to your own abilities or only see the storms of life instead of the power and promise of Jesus, doubts surge. It can seem like we can’t keep our heads above water. It can seem like we are drowning. If we stop looking to Jesus as the answer to life’s biggest problem, which is sin, we truly are in over our heads with no way to bail out. But Jesus came to the rescue. He saved us from drowning in our sins and doubts, and he preserves our lives so that neither doubt nor death overtakes us. After Jesus rescued Peter, he got in the boat with Peter. Jesus doesn’t leave us alone to be tossed around by chance. He remains with us to bring a steady calm to a turbulent life. He keeps us afloat with his love and promise. There’s no need to doubt. Even when you can’t see him physically, Jesus strolls across the storms of life. Jesus gives us the foresight to know that in all things, he is with us, keeping us afloat by his grace. He gives us the faith that triumphs over doubt and the foresight to know that one day we will be with him in heaven. Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my doubts, calm my fears, and uplift me by your grace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text 307-200-8222. Monday-Friday, 3 pm-6 pm MT. https://RushToReason.com HOUR 1 Unlocking the Truth: Is Jesus Really a Socialist? Exposing the Myths Shaping America Start with a shocking revelation—your home's windows and doors might be failing you in Colorado's high-altitude climate. John Rush and Dave Bancroft reveal what most never think to check, and why it matters more than you think. Then, dive into Aurora's high-tech water meters and the controversial debate over government surveillance versus genuine conservation. Are smart meters a tool for good—or a step too far? Next, Lawrence (Larry) Reed tackles the explosive claim that Jesus was a socialist. Discover why this argument is gaining steam, what history teaches, and how personal freedom, charity, and economic wisdom are at stake. Reed's insights will challenge assumptions and spark debate. Finally, get the inside scoop on Colorado's Initiative 177, a fight over natural gas, electrification, and the power of political persuasion. John exposes how bullying from any side can backfire—and what's really at risk for your choices at home. Timestamps 1:08 — Dave Bancroft — https://veteranwindowsdoors.com/ 18:54 — Larry Reed — https://www.lawrencewreed.com/ HOUR 2 Stadium Dreams, Sports Firestorms, and a GOP Civil War: What Denver Isn't Ready For Kick off with Denver's jaw-dropping stadium proposal—could Burnham Yard become the city's crown jewel or its biggest headache? John and Richard Rush pull back the curtain on the hidden costs, urban battles, and why this project could change everything. Step into the uproar over transgender athletes in women's sports, as the WNBA faces its toughest test yet. Hear the surprising reactions from NBA legends and why this story could reshape the future of sports. Get behind the wheel with the futuristic 2026 Lexus ES 500e Premium—luxury, power, and John's electrifying take on high-speed charging. Finally, witness the dramatic fallout after a GOP endorsement goes sideways. Social media erupts, friendships fracture, and John shares a deeply personal journey—raising the stakes on the question: can the Republican Party survive its own infighting? Timestamps 1:50 — Richard Rush — Commentator 18:45 — 2026 Lexus ES 500e Premium HOUR 3 The Loneliness Epidemic, Political Showdowns, and Parenting in the National Spotlight Open with a raw, honest look at male loneliness—JOËL MALM reveals why so many men are struggling and what it really takes to build purpose and brotherhood in today's world. Find out how adventure, challenge, and faith can transform lives. Shift gears to the Colorado GOP's civil war. John exposes the backroom battles and calls out the finger-pointing threatening to tear the party apart. Hear why unity—not blame—may be the only path forward. Next, take a deep dive into America's vaccine debate, from presidential policies to pharmaceutical accountability, and the explosive rise of Democratic Socialists. What's really driving these seismic shifts? Should politicians be judged for their adult children's actions? John tackles the Lauren Boebert controversy and makes a compelling case for what really matters when heading to the polls. Timestamps 1:08 — JOËL MALM — https://joelmalm.com/ 29:18 — Jim Pfaff — https://theconservativecaucus.com/
Loneliness does not always look like isolation. Sometimes it looks like being surrounded by people and still feeling profoundly unseen. Psalm 68:6 arrived in the middle of a night of crying out to God: God sets the lonely in families. In its original context, this verse speaks of God as Father and Rescuer of Israel — but it reveals something unchanging about His character. He is a faithful Father who cares for His children, who longs for them to experience the joy and love of genuine community and belonging. If you are burdened with loneliness today, cry out to Him. He is your ever-present, faithful Heavenly Father — and He has a family full of brothers and sisters in Christ who are waiting for you. Today's Bible Verse "God sets the lonely in families; he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."— Psalm 68:6, NIV Ponder Today God is a faithful Father who sees the lonely and moves on their behalf. Psalm 68:6 reveals something deep about His character: He does not leave His children isolated. He actively sets the lonely in families, in community, in belonging. Loneliness does not always look like being alone. It can look like being in a room full of people and still feeling profoundly unseen and misunderstood. Bring that specific ache to God — He hears and understands it. Those who have found community are called to seek out those who haven't. If God has blessed you with a family of believers, look around for those who are isolated and suffering. Enlarging your heart toward them is part of what it means to be the family of God. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that You have given me a new heart to love You and love others. Yet my heart is heavy and burdened with loneliness. Sometimes it feels so difficult to find others who understand me, and I am tempted to isolate when I am hurting. Help me to become vulnerable with others and share my burdens with them. I trust that You have a special family awaiting me who love You as I do, and I long to find that kind of community to be knit together with. Thank You for Your faithfulness and nearness in my life. I lean upon You and know You hear every cry of loneliness, and I trust that it will be turned into a song of joy and celebration with my family in Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer spoke to a loneliness you have been carrying quietly, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to remind you that you are never alone and that God is always making a way toward belonging. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
What if the loneliest place on earth isn't an empty room — it's a crowded one?Michael Trainer has spent 30 years studying human connection, from indigenous healers in Sri Lanka to Harvard neuroscientists, and what he found will change the way you think about loneliness. Over 61% of Americans — including many who are married — identify as lonely. The surgeon general declared it a public health pandemic. And yet the cure might be simpler than you think.In this episode, Michael shares how getting violently beaten by a gang at age 12 left him terrified of other people — and how that same wound eventually led him to co-found Global Citizen, raising over $40 billion to fight extreme poverty. He also opens up about watching his father slowly lose his mind to dementia, and the unexpected healing that came from filling his car with flowers and listening to strangers.This is a conversation about what it actually means to feel seen, heard, and chosen — and how to build a life full of people who charge you up rather than drain you.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!
E466 | Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Student mental health, teen mental health, college mental health, anxiety, depression, loneliness, wellbeing, and belonging are the focus of this Inner Voice conversation with Dr. Foojan and Joe Dorri, Founder and President of The Good Student, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing student mental health. Joe studied psychology at USC, has published peer-reviewed research, presented at APA conventions, and created the Good Student Tool, a free, anonymous, science-backed assessment connecting students with mental health and wellbeing resources.
Episode 33
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260810dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 He Hushes Our Doubt A mother hushes her troubled child with a gentle whisper, “Hush, it’s alright.” She holds her child close in a quiet and calm embrace. No matter what your age, sometimes that’s all you need: a gentle whisper to hush your racing mind. Amid the rushing noise of this world, you need a gentle voice to tell you, “It’s alright.” That’s what Elijah needed. He was on the run from an evil king and queen who wanted to kill him. He was all alone. He doubted that everything would be okay. He thought he was the last faithful prophet in Israel and that he’d soon be dead. In that moment, the Lord speaks. Not in an earth-shattering tone, a quaking voice, or a fiery sermon, but with a gentle whisper, he hushes Elijah’s doubt. We haven’t been in the exact same place as Elijah, but we’ve been at low points where doubts were racing through our minds. Maybe you’ve felt all alone, and you doubted that anyone knew or cared. Maybe you’ve been crying out loud or screaming on the inside. In moments like that, a loving and living God hushes your doubts with a gentle whisper and says, “It’s alright.” Those are never empty words, because God has made all things right through his Son, Jesus Christ. He has rescued us from sin and death so that not even death can separate us from God. When you are gripped with doubt or fear, hear the gentle words of Jesus and know it’s alright. Prayer: Lord, with the gentle whisper of your words, quiet my doubts and fear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Loneliness isn't just about being alone, it's about being unseen, unwoven, unplaced. This week we name the deep human ache to belong to something larger than ourselves, and ask what it would take to become a community that tends that fire in each other. LINKS: Keepers of the Fire | Connect | YouTube | Coming Up TRANSCRIPT: The Ache This Week I want to describe a feeling and see if you know what I'm talking about: You're surrounded by people— at work, online, maybe even in a room full of friends— and you still feel somehow... unplaced. Like you're present but not quite part of something. Like everyone else knows how to belong and you missed the orientation. Literally happened to me. That's not just loneliness in the ordinary sense. It's something deeper. The ache to be woven in. To matter to a specific group of people who also matter to you. To not just be known, but needed. Do you know this feeling? Yeah! Today, on this final week of Keepers of the Fire, I want to name that ache directly. Because I think it might be the one underneath all the others we've explored this summer. One thing; this is actually an ache, a yearning that has gotten a lot of attention. The Epidemic Three years ago, in 2023, the United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy did something unusual; he issued a formal public health advisory declaring loneliness an epidemic. A crisis. The statistic he cited was that about one in two American adults reported experiencing loneliness— and social isolation increases the risk of premature death by 29 PERCENT. That's comparable to the health impact of smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. We have entire cultural infrastructures built around discouraging smoking. We have almost nothing built around discouraging isolation. And then to make it worse, the money-grabbing internet “manosphere” has very carefully and intentionally targeted young boys and young adult men to believe that they have no agency, and that their feelings of loneliness are the fault of others, like women or the feminist movement! I want to say outright: that's a lie. Loneliness isn't just an issue for boys and men, they've just been most successfully convinced they're especially isolated, and then that false premise has been weaponized against others. To be clear: loneliness is a problem, but it isn't isolated to a particular group of American adults. Some demographic groups seem to have more access to emotional and relational skills than others… catch my drift? In an interview with Kate Bowler, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said loneliness is like HUNGER or THIRST— a signal the body sends when something we need for survival is missing. This is biology. We were created— literally, neurologically— for each other. Matthew Lieberman, a neuroscientist at UCLA, found that the brain processes social pain— rejection, exclusion, being cut off— in the same regions it processes physical pain. Being unplaced from community doesn't just hurt emotionally. It hurts, the way a broken bone hurts. So when you feel the ache for belonging— that persistent, restless sense that you're APART FROM something you were made to be A PART OF— your nervous system is telling you the truth. Pay attention to it. Belonging vs. fitting in Just a quick tangent here to say that belonging is not the same as fitting in. Fitting in is when you adjust yourself to be ACCEPTABLE. You figure out what the group rewards, what gets you included, and you perform accordingly. It's exhausting. And it doesn't actually satisfy the ache— because the version of you that got accepted isn't really you. Belonging is different. Belonging is when you show up as you ACTUALLY ARE — complicated, unfinished, uncertain — and find that there's a place for that person anyway. That you don't have to earn your way in or maintain a performance to stay. Loneliness isn't just about being alone. It's about being unseen. Unwoven. You can be lonely in a crowd, in a marriage, even in a congregation— if the version of you that's present isn't the real one. The ache for belonging is the ache to stop PERFORMING and start BEING YOURSELF. Bring your weird into the room. Let that freak flag fly, baby. What the early community attempted There's a description in the book of Acts of the earliest Jesus community that has always struck me as both beautiful and worth taking seriously: 'All those who trusted in Jesus were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.' Now, I'm not going to tell you to sell everything and move into a commune (this isn't actually a cult!). But I want to linger here for a moment. In the ancient Greco-Roman world, your identity was determined by your bloodline, your ethnicity, your class, your gender. In Greco-Roman culture, people claimed ethnic identity from ancestors— you were literally born into your customs and beliefs. Religion was in the blood. The idea that people from different ethnic backgrounds, different economic classes, enslaved people alongside free people, women alongside men, could gather at the same table as equals— that was radical. Historically disruptive. The earliest Jesus communities articulated a vision— particularly in Paul's letter to the Galatians: 'neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female'— that cut directly against the social order of their world. Now— did they always live up to it? No. The historical record is honest about that. The vision outran the practice, as it usually does. Early Christianity quickly developed its own in-group dynamics, its own hierarchies, its own failures. This is not a fairy tale. But here's what matters: they attempted something the world around them said was impossible. They tried to build a community where the usual sorting mechanisms— wealth, status, ethnicity, gender— didn't get to have the final word. Where the table was wider than the culture thought was reasonable. That attempt— that stubborn, imperfect attempt— became one of the most transformative ongoing social experiments in human history. Not because they got it perfectly right. But because they kept reaching toward a vision that the world kept calling naive. Sound familiar? We get to be a part of that legacy. I want that for us. What we're up against Cynicism, though, is alive and well. When someone talks about building systems that actually take care of people — a real safety net, genuine healthcare, communities where everyone has enough — they hear: too expensive. naive. Unrealistic. Even the christian-adjacent politicized wing of the American Church has mostly taken that vision and turned it into an afterlife destination called “Heaven” that has little to do with the here and now, and is only attained through perfect behavior and putting up with unjust systems without reacting to it. When someone talks about the kind of belonging where you don't have to earn your place, where you're welcomed as you are regardless of what you produce or contribute— they hear: that's not how the world works. grow up. When someone talks about the vision Jesus articulated… a world where the hungry are fed, the lonely are placed, the marginalized are centered… they hear: nice idea. impractical. The cynics have always tried to be louder than the dreamers. And the dreamers have always been the ones who got anything done. Here's what I've been thinking about all summer, across these six weeks: the barriers to our yearning are real. The barriers to belonging are real. Some of them are structural; the way adult life is organized makes deep community hard to build. The built-in consistent access we had in school doesn't recreate itself automatically. The institutions that used to create connection have weakened. Many only experience anything resembling that kind of connection as a “perk” of staying employed in the same job long enough. But some of the barriers are internal. I think we can say that, without shame. We wait. We wait for someone else to organize it. We wait for the perfect moment, the house clean enough to host in, the enough energy, the right invitation. We treat belonging as something that should come find us rather than something we actively, courageously seek out... Priya Parker, who has spent her career studying how and why humans gather (The Art of Gathering), makes this point: when the focus of a gathering is on the 'stuff' of the event, we shrink a human challenge down to a logistical one. The mess isn't what keeps people away. The story we tell ourselves about why now isn't the right time— that's what keeps people away. VIDEO: Priya Parker x Ezra Klein on The Art of Gathering Connection takes courage. Belonging takes risk. Showing up and saying I want to be part of something, and I want you to be part of it with me— that's vulnerable in ways our culture doesn't reward. But it is, I believe, exactly what we were made for. The barrier practice and the vision As I wrap up here— one question. What gets in the way of your own belonging? What keeps you from reaching toward the connection you actually ache for? Maybe it's a wound— a time you tried and got hurt. Maybe it's the pace of your life. Maybe it's the belief that you're too much, or not enough, or that it's too late to start. Maybe it's the persistent, inculturated voice that says: just be content with what you have. stop wanting more. Whatever it is — write it down. Or draw it. Don't overthink it. Just name it. In a few minutes we're going to take those outside to the fire. And we're going to offer them to it as a symbolic act of saying: I don't want this to have as much power over me as it has. I want to keep reaching. Because here's the vision I want to leave you with— the one that has anchored this whole series for me. Ever heard of the book of Revelation? It's at the tail-end of the Bible, and when read literally, it admittedly sounds insane. But it's not a history book, it's a vision, a poem, a love-letter to a Church positioned against empire dominance— and at the end of it, there's an image of the world finally, fully healed. And here's how it's described: 'God's dwelling place is now among the people.' Among the people. The ache for belonging, finally answered— not by escape from community, but by the deepest possible immersion in it. That's the direction the whole story has been pointing. A world where the hungry are fed and the lonely are placed and the fearful are made safe and the weary finally rest and everyone gets to play and purpose gets to flourish— not someday in a far-off future, but here, practiced imperfectly, begun now, by us. The cynics will always call it naive. You know by now I think that's a compliment. The fire in your belly— The Ache— is not a problem. It's a compass. And the world needs more people willing to follow it together, rather than carrying it alone. Tend the fire. For yourself. For each other. For the world that could be. May it be so.
Have you ever caught yourself believing that if the right person came into your life, you wouldn't feel so lonely? Maybe you've thought that a partner, a friend, your children, or even more social interaction would finally fill the emptiness you've been carrying. While meaningful relationships are an essential part of being human, loneliness isn't always about the absence of people. More often, it's about the absence of connection—both with others and with ourselves. In this episode of The Positivity Xperience, we're exploring the psychology behind loneliness, why our brains naturally look outside ourselves for relief, and how emotional dependency can quietly develop when we expect another person to regulate feelings that only we can learn to manage. We'll discuss attachment theory, emotional regulation, projection, existential loneliness, and why social media, relationships, and constant communication often fail to eliminate the emptiness so many people experience. You'll also learn the difference between healthy connection and emotional outsourcing, why loneliness becomes more painful when we assign someone else the responsibility of fixing it, and how developing a healthier relationship with yourself creates stronger, more authentic relationships with others. Because loneliness isn't always asking for another person. Sometimes it's asking for a deeper relationship with yourself Become A Patreon: www.patreon.com/thepositivityxperience Let's Work Together & Other Resources: www.thepositivityxperience.com
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260809dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” Matthew 14:24-27 Don’t Doubt God’s Word The Sea of Galilee is seven hundred feet below sea level. It’s the lowest freshwater lake on the planet. When winds whip through the surrounding mountains and into that watery Galilean crater, storms come quickly and out of nowhere. That is where the disciples are—on a boat, in a windstorm, at night. Jesus is not with them. In fact, Jesus was the one who told them to cross the sea. It shows that being a disciple is not easy. You can’t assume that life will be exactly how you want it. Life is full of unexpected storms. What do you do when they arise? The temptation is to doubt God’s Word. We hear God’s promises, but we are tempted to wonder if he is reliable. If he were, why would life be so difficult right now? But don’t doubt God’s Word. Think about the disciples in that boat on the wind-whipped sea. What are they looking at? They’re looking at Jesus. It’s a surreal scene. Jesus goes out to them, walking on the rough water. No wonder they think they’re seeing a ghost. Then he speaks a word of promise: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” There is strength for faith. It’s not a ghost. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God! When we fear or worry, Jesus promises, “It is I who forgives. It is I who saves. Look at me. Focus not on the illness, not on the pain, not on the economy, not on yourself. Find strength for your faith in my promises.” God has laid a firm foundation for your faith in his excellent Word. Believe it. God’s promises are always powerful. They brought peace to the disciples, and they bring faith to your heart and hope for your future. Prayer: Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Listen to today's podcast... When it comes to holding hands it's not all about romance. When you hold the hands of another you are sending the message that the other person is valued, important and noticed. James Coan of the University of Virginia found that when people hold hands, their brains don't work as hard to cope with stress. To hold someone's hand is to offer them affection, protection or comfort. A poll showed that more than half of people couldn't remember the last time they held their grandparents hand and more than a quarter had never done so. However, almost a fifth of respondents, when asked whose hands they would most like to hold, said it would be the hand of a grandparent who has died. Loneliness and depression are rampant in today's society. Holding someone's hand, especially of someone who is isolated, dealing with an illness or elderly can help them to be more resilient against the impact of stress, promote better health and combat their feelings of isolation. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Hand Holding Day: Reach out and touch the hand of someone you love or someone in need. Not only do they reap the benefit but so do you. Don't wait until it's too late and end up regretting that you didn't grab at the opportunity. Robert Fulgham (Everything I Learned, I Learned In Kindergarten) said: . . . Share everything. . .When you go out in the world, Watch out for traffic, hold hands, And stick together. . . . If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Looking for more tips to build your resiliency? Look for my book on Amazon called Stress Out. 52 Weeks To Letting More Life In #mentalhealth #hr
Tonight on Brett Orchard's Old Time Radio Show, we're settling in with the timeless comfort of Dad's Army: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker One of Britain's best-loved classic comedies, Dad's Army is full of gentle humour, wartime nostalgia and that wonderfully familiar feeling of Sunday evenings gone by. Whether you grew up with Captain Mainwaring, Sergeant Wilson, Corporal Jones and Private Pike, or you're discovering Walmington-on-Sea for the first time, this is classic British comedy at its warmest. Make yourself comfortable, put the kettle on, dim the lights and enjoy another cosy journey back into the golden age of radio. Subscribe for classic British comedy, old time radio, vintage mysteries and calm night-time listening. dayslikethis.life #DadsArmy #ClassicBritishComedy #OldTimeRadio #SundayNightListening #BedtimeListening
Feeling a little alone tonight? In tonight's mini meditation, Geoffrey reminds you that we're all sharing the same night. Breathe beside the fire, find comfort in the quiet, and let the reassuring thought that others are resting too ease you gently toward sleep. Love Night Falls?
Most stories of loneliness explore human relationships — but what if the universe itself mourns solitude? In this episode, Theodore Sturgeon's classic radio drama Saucer of Loneliness reveals a haunting, cosmic perspective on loneliness that's both profound and unsettling. Prepare to see the universe through the eyes of a lonely alien and a lonely human, each searching for connection in a vast, indifferent space.This is not just science fiction—it's a startling meditation on loneliness, longing, and what it truly means to be human or alien. You'll discover how a simple message in a bottle from across the stars exposes the universal craving for contact, echoing our own fears and hopes. We break down the story's surprising twists, the symbolism behind the flying saucer, and the powerful message of shared loneliness that resonates far beyond the story itself.You'll also explore the implications of a world obsessed with weapons and security, overlooking the deep emotional and spiritual needs we all share. The story prompts us to ask: what are we risking when we ignore our universal longing for connection? In a time when loneliness is an epidemic, this episode offers unexpected insight—and hope—about our shared human condition.Perfect for fans of social commentary hidden in speculative fiction, or anyone contemplating the unseen depths of loneliness and connection. This episode invites you to see beyond the stars and recognize the profound solitude that unites us all.
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260808dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6 It’s All Under Control Did you know that your soul’s salvation is not a “chancy” thing? Being born when and where you were is not “lucky” or “unlucky.” Our parents may have said that we were an “accident” or a “surprise,” but to God, we were neither. God so determined your birth. God is in control. His will WILL be done. From eternity, God our Father chose us to be his children through faith in Jesus Christ, his Son. This has real comfort for us. Perhaps our money doesn’t go as far as it once did. Around us, we see society drowning in its own immorality. There are troubles everywhere. All this sorrow tells us that this world will never be heaven, but we can rejoice in spite of it all. God still has total control, and we know that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven. There’s nothing “chancy” about our salvation. It’s all under the control of our loving, gracious, forgiving, and patient Father in heaven. Prayer: I rejoice, heavenly Father, that you chose me to be a member of your eternal family through faith in Jesus my Savior. Preserve my faith through the power of your Word and accomplish for me everything that your loving will has determined. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
In this episode with Natalia Terfa we talk about her book It All Counts, why questions deepen faith instead of eroding it, how to tell human authority from God's, what love looks like when a protest turns ugly, and why the prosperity gospel falls apart at a child's funeral. We get into loneliness and the risk community asks of us, the incarnation as an argument for the goodness of bodies, and how breath and creation return us to who we are.Natalia is a Lutheran pastor, podcaster, and author who lives in Minneapolis with her her loves, Sam and Layla, and kitty babies. When she's not working or writing, you'll find her reading in her couch nest, ideally with a cat on her lap, watching Turkish television, taking walks in the neighborhood, looking at trees, or making good food for the people she loves.Natalia's Book:It All CountsConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260807dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8 Grace by the Basketful Perhaps you have known someone like my grandmother. No guest ever left her table hungry. She did not measure food by the serving; she filled the table until it groaned, and when the meal was over, she loaded you down with leftovers to take home. For her, feeding people was not a duty to calculate. It was a joy to share. The apostle Paul says that is how God deals with us. He writes that God “lavished” the riches of his grace on us. God does not ration his undeserved love for sinners or count it out in careful portions. He is no miser. He gives by the basketful. Consider what he has given. Paul calls it “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” To redeem something means to buy it back, to set it free by paying a price. That is what we needed. Our sins had made us prisoners, guilty before God and unable to purchase our own release. No amount of good behavior could cover what we owed. So, God paid the price himself. The cost was not silver or gold, but the holy, precious blood of his own Son. On the cross, Jesus gave everything to set you free, and now every sin you have ever committed stands forgiven. God did not forgive you reluctantly, the way we sometimes pardon others while quietly keeping score. He forgave you gladly, fully, lavishly, because that is who he is. This is what Christians trust in most of all. God’s greatest provision is not found on our tables or in our bank accounts, but at the cross. And if God has already lavished such riches on you there, you can be certain his grace will never run short. Prayer: Gracious Father, you lavished the riches of your grace on me through the blood of your Son. Let me live each day in the joy and freedom of your full forgiveness. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Send us Fan MailDepression can make a single morning feel like a whole lifetime and one of the hardest parts is not knowing whether you're having a rough patch or sliding into something deeper. We walk through a clear, practical way to tell the difference between temporary depression symptoms and a true depressive episode, especially when motivation drops, sleep gets messy, and daily functioning starts to fall apart. If you've ever stared at the alarm, hit snooze, and felt your world shrink, you'll recognize yourself here and you'll leave with a plan.We also lean into faith-based encouragement for mental health, using scripture to remind you that you are not alone and not forgotten, even when you can't feel God's presence. That spiritual foundation pairs with action: getting up, moving your body, and choosing one small task that creates momentum instead of letting depression decide the day. We talk about why depression is often undertreated, why honesty is the first step toward healing, and why your identity, value, and purpose are not up for debate just because you're struggling.Then we get very specific with three practical steps you can use mid-episode: accept where you are without accepting that you'll stay there, shrink the day into 10 to 15 minute wins, and stay connected even when depression tells you to isolate. We also encourage professional support, counseling, and sticking to your treatment plan when that's part of your care. If this helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick Apple Podcasts review so more people can find hope and tools that work.Support the showGET COURSE NOWhttps://www.pensight.com/x/14DaystoManageDepression
Nearly three out of five people say no one truly knows them. Almost half describe their relationships as meaningless, and most people feel disconnected from the work they spend the majority of their lives doing. Darin believes this isn't just a mental health crisis, it's a symptom of a deeper "matrix" that keeps us living someone else's version of life. In this powerful solo episode, Darin explores why comfort has become one of the greatest barriers to transformation. He explains how fear disguises itself as familiarity, why the voice holding you back often sounds exactly like your own thoughts, and how giving yourself permission to pursue your authentic vision is the first step toward reclaiming your life. Through personal stories, practical mindset shifts, and a call to courageous action, Darin reveals why escaping the matrix isn't about fighting the outside world—it's about overcoming the internal programming that's kept you playing small. This episode is the first installment of a deeper multi-part conversation, with additional principles available in the full extended version live now on my Patreon: https://patreon.com/DarinOlien What You'll Learn Why comfort may be the greatest obstacle to living your purpose Darin's definition of the "matrix" and how it operates through your own thoughts Why fear often disguises itself as comfort and familiarity How to recognize when you've outsourced your power The importance of giving yourself permission instead of waiting for approval Why your vision must be bigger than your fear How Darin overcame self-doubt to ask a celebrity to join his documentary series Why meaningful change begins with choosing possibility over limitation How to identify the internal stories keeping you stuck Why building a SuperLife requires consistently choosing discomfort over complacency Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Alkemis 00:03:23 – The loneliness epidemic and the modern matrix 00:04:20 – What the "matrix" really is 00:05:23 – Why you can't think your way out of it 00:06:04 – Comfort: fear's greatest disguise 00:06:37 – The internal voice keeping you stuck 00:07:05 – Darin's story of overcoming fear to ask a celebrity for help 00:09:09 – Why courage creates unexpected opportunities 00:10:19 – The matrix doesn't need to trap you—it only needs to keep you comfortable 00:11:24 – What people actually need to break free 00:11:53 – Give yourself permission 00:12:25 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:14:20 – Stop outsourcing your power 00:15:20 – Build a vision powerful enough to break inertia 00:16:03 – Darin's vision: creating a world that works 00:17:15 – Reclaim your power and choose your own path 00:17:33 – What comes next in Part Two on Patreon 00:18:23 – Continue the journey on Patreon Thank You to Our Sponsors Alkemis: Go to https://alkemispaint.com/ and use code DARIN10 for 10% off your order. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "The greatest prison isn't built with walls—it's built with comfort. Every time you choose familiarity over possibility, fear over vision, or permission from others over trust in yourself, you reinforce the life you say you want to escape. Freedom begins the moment you stop waiting, reclaim your power, and take the first uncomfortable step toward the life you know you're meant to live." Bibliography/Sources: Loneliness & Connection Data Gallup. (n.d.). State of the global workplace report [Data on loneliness]. Reach Out Recovery. (n.d.). Statistics on loneliness and how to cope. https://reachoutrecovery.com/ Science of People. (n.d.). Loneliness statistics: How many people are lonely?. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/loneliness-statistics/ Workplace Engagement & Economic Impact Archie App. (n.d.). The $8.8 trillion cost of employee disengagement. https://archieapp.co/ Gallup. (2024). State of the global workplace report. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx Gallup / AOL. (n.d.). U.S. employee engagement drops to 11-year low. https://www.aol.com/ HR Cloud. (n.d.). Employee engagement statistics. https://www.hrcloud.com/
We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here. --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Feeling lonely doesn't always mean something is missing. Sometimes it's an invitation to something deeper. In this episode of Think Like a Champion, Gregory Dickow reveals why loneliness isn't a weakness to escape, but a signal drawing you closer to God. Learn three practical ways to respond to loneliness and experience the intimacy that no relationship, achievement, or success can replace.Sign up for the FREE 40-day Fast from Wrong Thinking at fastfromwrongthinking.comSUPPORT:You can donate to help us reach more lives around the world here.WATCH ON YOUTUBE:Subscribe to the Gregory Dickow YouTube channelREQUEST PRAYER:Submit a prayer request and we will agree with you.CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL:InstagramFacebookTikTokYouTubeX
Michael Clinton and Dr. Gladden explore the concept of longevity and the evolving perception of aging. They discuss the importance of viewing the second half of life as an opportunity for growth and adventure rather than a decline. The discussion covers the significance of role models, the idea of life layering to build identities beyond work, the necessity of movement and engagement, and the architectural approach to health through five circles. They also touch on the generational transfer of health and the importance of community and connection in combating loneliness and mental health issues. In this conversation, Michael Clinton and Dr. Gladden explore the interconnected themes of community support, generational trauma, the impact of aging, and the power of creativity. They discuss how understanding one's family history can help in addressing mental health issues and the importance of embracing aging positively. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of co-creation and friendships across generations, highlighting how these relationships can enhance joy and fulfillment in life. For Audience Join the other 20,000+ high-performers getting weekly insights on biological reversal, exponential strategies, and Life Energy optimization→ https://start.gladdenlongevity.com/subscribe If you're ready to measure your 60+ biological ages and build a personalized reversal plan, apply for a discovery call here → https://start.gladdenlongevity.com/apply-now Use code 'Podcast10' to get 10% OFF on any of our supplements at https://gladdenlongevityshop.com/! Takeaways · We're living 21st century lives in 20th century constructs. · Aging is an exponential decline, not a linear decline. · If you're 65 and healthy, you're gonna live to 95. · Life layering is building another identity beyond profession. · The number one natural medicine is movement. · You can start life layering at any age. · Generational transfer of health is crucial for longevity. · Community ensures that the elderly have daily human contact. · Loneliness and depression are closely linked. · Living life in flow can reduce stress and loneliness. We need to look out for each other regarding mental health. · Understanding genetics can help us support individuals better. · Generational trauma can affect our mental health and well-being. · Knowing your family history is crucial for personal growth. · Trauma can imprint on our nervous systems and affect our lives. · Aging should be embraced, not feared or stigmatized. · Creativity can enhance longevity and well-being. · Co-creation with others brings joy and satisfaction. · Friendships across generations enrich our lives. · The narrative around aging is changing, and we must adapt. Chapters 00:00 Roaring into the Second Half of Life 02:50 The Exponential Curve of Aging and Opportunities 05:48 Role Models for Future Generations 09:01 Life Layering: Building Identities Beyond Work 12:06 The Importance of Movement and Engagement 15:09 Architecting Longevity: Five Circles of Health 18:05 Generational Health Transfer and Future Longevity 21:14 Community, Connection, and Loneliness 24:01 The Intersection of Loneliness and Mental Health 25:08 Understanding Generational Trauma 26:27 The Impact of Trauma on Health 28:40 Embracing Aging and Wisdom 30:34 Redefining Aging in Society 32:02 The Power of Creativity for Longevity 36:41 The Joy of Co-Creation and Friendship To learn more about Michael Clinton:Email: mclinton@hearst.com Reach out to us at: Website: https://gladdenlongevity.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gladdenlongevity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gladdenlongevity/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gladdenlongevity YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_q8nexY4K5ilgFnKm7naw
3pm - VIDEO GUESTS - FIN COLLETON & DR. CRISTIAN CAPOTESCU How One Man’s Cure for Loneliness Started a Movement in NYC // Cle Elum passed a data center ban. One might be built there anyway // Curley: “The technology will catch up to the demand and environmental hazards. Innovation will benefit all of us if we can get out of our own way.” // America's preferred AC temperature isn't the recommended 78 degrees
Ever notice how irritability, numbness, or the urge to overwork sneaks in right when you're feeling most disconnected? That's loneliness wearing a disguise.In this episode, Steph unpacks the true nature of loneliness, showing that it's not just an emotion but an unmet need for social connection. She walks through how loneliness hides behind irritability, anger, numbness, and constant busyness, and why those disguises make it so easy to miss what's really going on underneath. Steph breaks down the toll loneliness takes on mental and physical health, how it can spiral into a vicious cycle of isolation, and what it actually takes to build the kind of belonging and community that sustains us. This episode is a call to recognize the signs early and take real steps toward connection.Resources:Harvard Study of Adult DevelopmentIn this episode you'll discover:The hidden disguises loneliness wears (irritability, anger, numbness, overworking)Why loneliness is an unmet need, not just a feelingHow to increase your "surface area" for connectionYour takeaways:Loneliness is an unmet need for social connection, and recognizing its disguises is the first step to addressing itIrritability and anger often mask deeper feelings of disconnectionIncreasing your opportunities for real connection is essential for emotional and physical healthChapters00:00 Understanding Loneliness and Its Impact02:13 Disguises of Loneliness10:26 The Consequences of Loneliness15:10 Strategies to Combat Loneliness18:48 The Importance of Connection
https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260806dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessings That Never Run Out The Bible tells us that Jesus once fed a crowd of more than five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. He multiplied that little lunch until everyone ate and was satisfied. It was a marvelous gift. But consider this: the next morning, every one of those people woke up hungry again. That is the nature of earthly blessings. Food fills us for a few hours. Paychecks are spent. Health, as we all eventually learn, fades. Even the happiest earthly gifts—family, friendships, home—are ours for a lifetime at most. We thank God for all of them, but none of them lasts forever. That is what makes the apostle Paul’s words so remarkable. He praises God for blessing us “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Notice what he says. Not some blessings, but every blessing. Not stored far away, but already given to us. And these gifts are not kept in a pantry or a bank account, where moths destroy and markets crash. They are kept in the heavenly realms, beyond the reach of anything that could take them away. What blessings are these? Through faith in Jesus, you have the forgiveness of all your sins. You have peace with God. You are adopted as his dear child. The Holy Spirit lives in you and there is an inheritance in heaven with your name on it. Nothing on earth—not inflation, not illness, not even death itself—can drain that account. Christ earned every bit of it for you, and God has signed it all over to you in your baptism. So enjoy your daily bread with thanksgiving; it is a gift from your Father’s hand, new every morning. But your greatest treasures are not on the table or in the bank. They are in Christ—forgiveness, peace, and life that never ends. The child of God is rich beyond counting, today and eternally. Prayer: Praise to you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in your Son. Keep my heart treasuring what can never be taken away. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
5–Minute Parenting: Tips to Help You Raise Competent, Godly Kids.
Send us Fan Mail5-Minute Parenting welcomes Dr. Heather Thompson Day to the show to talk about her children's book Can I Sit Here?, co-written with her daughter, about a troubling experience her daughter had trying to make friends in a new school. Dr. Heather talks openly about her daughter's experience, shining light and wisdom on the issues of loneliness, isolation, and bullying in young children. Questions covered in this episode include: What inspired you and your daughter to write Can I Sit Here?, and why did you feel this was an important story to tell at this time? Your daughter's personal experience is at the heart of this book. Please tell us about her experience and share with us how you both processed and were affected by that situation. What are some common misconceptions that parents and other caregivers have about childhood loneliness or bullying, and how can those misconceptions be addressed?How can a child's faith help them navigate feelings of loneliness and the fear of not fitting in socially? I love to offer our listeners practical advice, please share a few examples of the kinds of phrases or comments parents could include in conversations with their children about their identity in Christ and why it's important to engage in positive self-talk. What additional advice would you give to adults who are watching a child struggle to make friends in a new environment (e.g., school, church, their neighborhood, etc.)? Are you working on other projects you'd like our audience to know about? BIO: Dr. Heather is a bestselling Christian author, interdenominational speaker, and the founder of It Is Day Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training churches, leaders, and laypeople in gospel-centered communication. Her children's picture book comes alongside hurting kids and shows them that they're not alone. Inspired by a situation her daughter once found herself in, this book aims to help kids who are struggling with loneliness and isolation find the confidence to be brave and make new friends. Helpful Links:Heather's WebsiteHeather's InstagramHeather's FacebookBook Buy LinkBook 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer!
Ep 261: We recap Streamer U! Even though none of us had any part in streamer U we couldn't help be parasocial about it. Same way we're parasocial about Love Island we get into it about Streamer U as well. Also during this pod we took a moment to talk about Loneliness, when we felt loneliness in our adult life & how friendships appear to us in our (UNC) age. BECOME PART OF THE SUBURB TALKS CREW ON OUR PATREON!!! https://patreon.com/SuburbTalks?utm_m... LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS "Suburb Talks" ON ALL PODCASTING PLATFORMS! Spotify: / https://open.spotify.com/show/4YLbUxI... FOR ALL BUSINESS INQUIRIES PLEASE EMAIL US AT: suburbtalks@select.co FULL PODCAST EDITED BY John Santana Instagram- / / itsjohnsantana KEEP UP WITH US ON OUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT!!! / / suburbtalks FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS!!!! Nick Grajeda Instagram- / nickgrajeda18 Twitter- / nickgrajeda18 TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@nickgrajeda18... Twitch- / nikgstreams Snap: nick_grajeda Devin Paul Instagram- / devin_paul04 TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@devinpaul6?la... Sage Guillen Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thesageguil... Twitter- / sage_37 TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@sage_37?lang=en Youtube- / @TheSageGuillen Maru Lee Insta- https://www.instagram.com/maru_lee/?h... TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@maru.lee?lang=en Youtube- / @marulee_ Twitch- / / videos Sean Williams Instagram- / sean._.williams Twitter- / seanw949 TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@seanjw?lang=en Twitch- / seansonstreams Alex Johnson Instagram- / johnscenee Tiktok- / alex.johnscene Twitch- / streamzalex EXCLUSIVE CONTENT Get more from Suburb Talks on Patreon https://patreon.com/SuburbTalks?utm_m... WELCOME OUR SUBURB STALKERS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The majority of Americans say no one truly knows them. Research shows that warm, real connection correlates directly with physical health and peace of mind. We are relational beings by nature. The question is whether we've found the right object of love. Raghunath and Kaustubha explore that question alongside the Yugala Gīta — where Bhakti Vedānta paints a picture of spiritual relations in perfection: Krishna moving through the forest with his arm over the shoulder of an affectionate friend, wearing a garland of Tulsi flowers bearing the fragrance of his beloved, surrounded by cows, companions, and lovers, all drawn to him by different flavors of love. This is what we are built for. And it is an open invitation. Srimad Bhagavatam 10.35.12-19 ******************************************************************** LOVE THE PODCAST? WE ARE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN! Go to https://www.wisdomofthesages.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@WisdomoftheSages LISTEN ON ITUNES: https://podcasts/apple.com/us/podcast/wisdom-of-the-sages/id1493055485 CONNECT ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/wisdomofthesages108 *********************************************************************
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People creating content out of their daily lives isn't new on social media, but a new variation on these videos has become trendier & trendier in recent months. The "loneliness influencer" or "solitude influencer" or whatever name you want to give them doesn't just create content out of their daily life -- they do it while proclaiming how happy they are to perform these little rituals all by themselves. This week, we're diving into this new mess as two guys who really love their friends to figure out why someone would willingly live like this.You can find Fat Guy, Jacked Guy on Instagram!Our new eBook Do This Instead: Fat Guy, Jacked Guy's Guide to Revolutionary Strength is available on our website & on the Amazon Kindle store. If you're interested in lifting & want a no-nonsense guide to getting started, this is the guide for you!AND you can support us on Patreon! There's extra content for Patreon supporters, as well as opportunities to interact with us in other ways besides listening to the podcast. We appreciate any & all help you can provide, & we hope to keep this going for a long, long time. Thank you in advance for your support and love! You are our brothers!
After losing her husband, Brian, Adrienne expected grief. What she didn't expect was how grief would slowly disconnect her from the people she loves.In this solo episode of We Didn't Plan for This, Adrienne shares the invisible weight of living in limbo—waiting on probate, facing financial uncertainty, carrying responsibilities that once belonged to two people, and waking up each day with more questions than answers. Every phone call becomes another reminder of what hasn't been resolved, making it harder and harder to reach out to the people who matter most.This isn't just a conversation about losing a spouse. It's about losing pieces of yourself along the way. The version of yourself who you were. If you've ever felt stuck in the waiting, overwhelmed by life's logistics, or quietly disappeared because you simply didn't have anything left to give, this episode is a reminder that you're not alone.If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you're enjoying We Didn't Plan for This, follow the show, leave a review, and help us reach someone who needs the reminder that they don't have to carry it all alone.Send us Fan MailWe Didn't Plan For This Special SeriesThis series exists because so many of you reached out and said, “I didn't plan for this either.”If you've gone through a diagnosis, a loss, a life change, a career shift, a divorce, becoming a caregiver, moving, starting over — we want to hear your story.EMAIL US: WDPFTPodcast@gmail.comYou don't have to have it figured out. You just have to be willing to share honestly.How Yoga Changed My Life a PodcastSend Us Your Stories!If you have a story about how yoga, meditation, breath work, journaling, or movement changed your life, we want to hear from you! These podcasts are really about the same thing — how people move through the seasons of life they didn't plan for, and what helps them along the way.If you'd like to be on the show or share your story: Fill out our guest form or email us at yogachanged@gmail.com Follow us on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@yogachangedFollow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/yogachanged/More info, go to https://howyogachangedmylife.comFor th...
For most of the world, the advent of middle age does not make depression, loneliness, and memory issues more of a problem than earlier in life. In some countries, things actually get better. The only nation on earth where it all gets worse is right here in the USA. Arizona State University psychologist Frank Infurna has been researching this topic extensively and explains the uniquely American societal forces that are contributing to us being generally more miserable. It's a lot of things beyond an individuals' control: unstable job market, expensive health insurance tied to those unstable jobs, out of control housing and childcare costs, as well as current middle-agers being part of a sandwich generation. They often have to manage and fund expensive and complex eldercare for their parents while also helping their children make their way in a challenging world. Frank offers thoughts on what we can and cannot do about all this. We also talk with musician Mike Doughty. Last time he was on, he was fresh out of in-patient psychiatric care and hitting the road with his once highly estranged band Soul Coughing. We find out how he's doing now, how he made amends with his audience, and why an unplugged satellite dish matters so much. Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com! Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org. Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group. Help is available right away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindepresh
Most people spend their lives trying to find a relationship that works, but psychotherapist and bestselling author Esther Perel believes that just living day to day isn't the same as truly feeling alive. In this deeply moving conversation from Making Space, the relationship expert sits down with Hoda Kotb to pull back the curtain on why passion often fades in partnerships and how couples can bridge the distance when they start to drift apart. She and Hoda explore the delicate balance between love and desire, discussing why the space we keep, the mystery we preserve, and the ways we ignite ourselves matter in a world that often feels contactless. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.