Growing with Sol

This is your holiday special of Stories that Shape Us, because sometimes curling up with a good book discussion is exactly what you need. This is part 2 of the Empire of Storms analysis. We break down why Aelin's self-sacrifice is actually tragic, how keeping secrets is a trauma response, and why Rowan's love is the kind we all deserve. 🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨 Here's what we're exploring about Aelin's...

This is the year-end reflection that goes beyond productivity and asks what truly mattered this year. Life isn't just work and achievements - it's the fun moments, the love you experienced, the calm quiet peace you created. This reflection includes all five guided steps with every question to help you honestly assess your year while celebrating the joy and growth that can't be measured by goal com...

This is why doing nothing is the most revolutionary thing you can do this holiday season - and why you desperately need to reclaim rest. Here's what we're exploring about rest as revolution: The competition problem: 43% say holiday stress interferes with enjoyment, 36% say holidays feel like competition Hustle culture invades holidays: pressure to ace it, attend everything, find perfect gifts, cre...

This is the unconventional new year prep you actually need: releasing what no longer serves you before you add anything new. Here's what we're exploring about letting go rituals: What to release: limiting beliefs, toxic relationships, old habits, grudges, past failures - things emotionally tied to your self-concept Burning ceremony ritual: write it down, safely burn it, watch it physically release...

This is the uncomfortable gratitude practice you need - being thankful for your failures, setbacks, and the hard things that shaped you. Here's what we're exploring about reframing failure: Why looking back at setbacks is difficult but necessary: avoiding them means missing powerful lessons The self-forgiveness journey: facing every moment of self-betrayal through daily meditation (gut-wrenching b...

This is why being single in your 30s isn't the problem everyone makes it out to be - and why it might actually be the best thing for you right now. Here's what we're exploring about being single in your 30s: Why acceptance doesn't mean settling: you can embrace where you are without loving it forever The confidence factor: you're finally secure enough to show up fully yourself in every area of lif...

This is why reading romance novels isn't just fun - it's actually healing work, especially when you're traumatized and scared to date again. Here's what we're exploring about romance novels and healing: What romance actually is: central love story with satisfying ending - not porn despite misogynistic claims Why the writing is phenomenal: making readers feel emotions deeply takes serious skill How...

This is the deeply personal story of why my dog Mochi isn't just a pet - he's the reason I'm still here. The moment when getting an emotional support animal at the height of my depression became the best decision I've ever made in my entire life. Here's what we're exploring about emotional support animals and mental health: What ESAs actually are: animals that provide therapeutic benefit through p...

What if pausing for 30 seconds to notice sunlight through tree leaves could improve your mental health? I've always found beauty in small things—a perfect coffee, golden hour light, watching my dog Mochi exist in his adorable glory. Turns out, these moments of appreciation are powerful acts of gratitude that reshape our brains. Here's what we're exploring about gratitude and daily happiness: The n...

This is the science-backed case for why creativity isn't just a hobby - it's essential for building confidence and self-esteem. Have you ever felt better about yourself after creating something? There's actually research explaining why that happens. Here's what we're exploring about creativity and confidence: The science: Children who engaged in creative activities daily had significantly higher s...

This is the honest preparation guide for what actually happens when you set boundaries with family. With the holiday season approaching, it's time to talk about the outcomes nobody warns you about, including the most painful one: sometimes they just leave. Here's what to expect when you set family boundaries: Best case: They accept the boundary and adjust their behavior (yes, this can actually hap...

This is the grounding conversation we all need when survival mode becomes daily life. The moment when ICE notifications pop up two miles from home and you're left asking: is this paranoia or just what we need to survive? Here's what we're unpacking with Cynthia Magaña, the Chicana Therapist: Understanding "shock and awe" as a military tactic designed to create trauma responses - and why our reacti...

This is the vulnerable exploration of why others can see your gifts before you can. The moment when you realize you've been your own worst enemy, ignoring clear signs of your capabilities while others saw them all along. Here's what we're unpacking about believing in your potential: Why others recognize your potential while you're stuck in self-doubt (and how imposter syndrome hits first-gen indiv...

This is the poetry celebration that validates our dual identity and mental health struggles. The moment when you find books that perfectly capture being "bad Mexican, bad American" and realize you're not alone in navigating multiple cultural spaces. Here's what we're highlighting for Latine Heritage Month: "Bad Mexican, Bad American" by Jose Hernandez Diaz Slice-of-life poetry exploring dual cultu...

This is the linguistic celebration that reclaims the power and beauty of how we actually speak. The moment when you realize that Spanglish isn't "broken" language - it's a sophisticated cultural dialect that deserves respect and celebration. Here's what we're diving into for Latine Heritage Month: Defining Spanglish: the linguistic phenomenon of mixing English and Spanish to create its own legitim...

This is the character development deep dive that shows how love calls us into becoming who we're meant to be. The moment when you realize that fictional transformations mirror our own healing journeys and teach us profound truths about breaking free from toxic conditioning. Here's what Empire of Storms teaches us about growth and purpose: Character redemption isn't about becoming someone new - it'...

This is the book lover's guide to understanding why solo healing has limits and connection is essential for deeper growth. The moment when you realize that fiction isn't just entertainment - it's medicine that shows us what healthy healing relationships actually look like. Content note: This episode discusses themes of trauma and healing. The book contains content warnings for depression, stalking...

This is the hard truth about how your healing journey doesn't just change your life - it rewrites your family's entire story. The moment when you realize that the validation-seeking patterns causing you pain right now are the same ones you might be unconsciously teaching the next generation. Here's what's really happening with intergenerational people pleasing: People pleasing is learned behavior...

This is the gentle guide for when you've decided to stop people pleasing but that uncomfortable feeling has you frozen. The moment when you realize you no longer want to do backflips for everyone's approval but you're frozen because you don't know how to handle their disappointment without immediately backtracking. Here's what's really happening when disapproval feels threatening: Early conditioni...

This is the identity wake-up call that shows you exactly how people pleasing is erasing who you really are. The moment when you stop thinking shape-shifting to fit in is harmless and start understanding how the chameleon effect is slowly making you unrecognizable to yourself. Here's the real cost of being a social chameleon: Opinion shifting: how being agreeable erodes your actual beliefs until yo...

This is the people-pleasing wake-up call that shows you exactly what saying yes is actually costing you. The moment when you stop thinking "just because I don't have plans doesn't mean I'm available" is just a nice idea and start understanding the real personal, professional, and emotional prices you pay when you can't say no. Here's what nobody talks about when it comes to people pleasing: The pe...

This is the self-love reality check for anyone who thinks it's "cliche" to talk about. The moment when you stop believing that harsh self-criticism equals motivation and start understanding why loving yourself is actually the hardest work you'll ever do. In this episode, I break down exactly why self-love feels impossible and give you practical tools to build self-compassion from the ground up. We...

This is the burnout reality check that explains why your relationships are suffering. The moment when you stop wondering why you can't show up for friends and start understanding how exhaustion actually works. In this episode, I break down the real connection between burnout and relationship breakdown - plus three practical ways to maintain connections when you're running on empty. We're getting r...

This is the judgment-free midyear check-in you actually need. The moment when you stop beating yourself up about unmet goals and start making strategic moves for the rest of 2025. In this episode, I break down exactly how to assess your progress without the judgment and give you permission to pivot like the evolved human you are. We're covering all the good stuff: The judgment-free goal assessment...

This is your pocket guide to healing in 2025. As we move through this year, I wanted to share some of the most powerful healing insights from our conversations this past year. Think of this as your roadmap for putting yourself first when everything feels overwhelming. In this special compilation episode, I'm pulling together the wisdom that's transformed my clients' lives and will transform yours...