Giving Words: The Pat Poems Edition

Is it really over?! Yes… kind of... maybe not really. In this episode Lisa shares her initial vision for the Pat Poems, how it became this series, and her vision for Giving Words all together. That isn’t without some tangents, some storytelling and of course, a poem! Join us as we discuss the project, the challenges of creativity, what it means to get started, learning and some lessons I’ve learne...

Join two generations of Pat’s family and hear about his impact and legacy through their reflections on life with him, poetry and the podcast. Above all, this episode glimmers with the call to action for unconditional love, each family story, and especially Pat’s legacy, demonstrates how important it is to accept, honor and laugh about life. In this episode my brother, cousin, mother and I share st...

In this episode we explore the power of openly discussing the taboo. We discover that humor not only dissipates shame, but also breaks taboos and we can bond and heal over those moments of disclosure. When thoughts live in our head and are never challenged, they are free to cause havoc and suffering, but with the support of people we trust who care about us, we can share those thoughts and reframe...

In this episode we explore heritage and legacy, and how it impacts our lived experience in myriad ways starting with the question, “Where do we come from?” Through discussion, we find that family history has impact and the definition of success through generational shifts is part of how life is lived in the present. We also explore the interplay of free will and legacy, finances, choice, and the e...

In this episode we explore leadership through family dynamics and the power of feminine and masculine energies. In that exploration we also discuss cultural narratives around gender roles and I share my experience as part of a matriarchal family. Other topics we get into include the impact of shame, sexuality, pathologization of emotions, servant leadership, the complexity of female alliances, and...

In this episode we celebrate “good gossip” and the effect it can have when wielded as a tool for positive communal growth. This conversation explores family dynamics, sociology, identity and creating a shared experience. (There’s also a cameo a la kitty cat with the Zoomies). Join us to explore what we can learn about the power of gossip and ridicule through shame busting, literature (hellooooo Pr...

In this episode we take a medium deep dive into religion and spirituality by exploring Catholicism and Atheism as two approaches that can lead to the same outcome: a life of purpose, value driven action and love. It is also the premiere of poetry by our host, Lisa Nichols. She shares a reflective piece written in response to her uncle Pat's writing. Exploring personal beliefs and their relatio...

Shifting the story we tell ourselves can lead to positive action. In this episode we explore the alchemy of pain and struggle into healing and service by diving into the role anger plays in advocacy and how service to others compounds our own healing. Other topics include: open-mindedness, social justice, transformation, substance use, and recovery. We end the episode with a call to action, asking...

This episode hinges on the power of gratitude in the face of adversity and gets to that point by way of stories ranging from segregated schools in the mid 1900’s to present day struggles and triumphs. The focus is on how we can take the reins of our life and happiness through tending our basic psychological needs. Yet this episode also includes tragedy, poverty and hardship. We read another one of...

In this episode we ponder bravery and its relationship to risk taking and personal growth, offering the question: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Join us for stories of just that! Times we approached risks with unearned confidence including two adventures to Europe–one solo and without notice, elite level weightlifting, Greenlandic sailing trips, camel riding in Egypt, medical miracles, b...

In this episode we explore Uncle Pat's poetry for gems on vulnerability and self-love. We explore a possible antidote to shame: radical acceptance, self-reflection and community. We address the power of creativity and finding meaning in your life as a doorway to self-love, the spiral of shame and addiction, as well as balance that can be created with nourishing our bodies. Don't forget to...

In this episode we introduce the series, plant some teasers for future episodes and dive into rituals as a way to create daily habits for happiness. We also explore stigma, what it means to walk through life with a visible mental illness and disability, how we are all more alike than different and of course... some humor. Listen in to learn about ways you can enhance your happiness, add ritual for...