A Well Cared For Human: self-love strategies for transforming your pain into power

Will Your Goals Destroy You? The Hidden Cost of Ambition Ambition can drive your greatest success—but it can also quietly burn you out. In this episode, Kory explores the complex relationship between ambition and self-worth, and what happens when your goals start working against you instead of for you. Through personal stories and grounded insight, you’ll learn how to pursue success without sacrif...

What happens when a warrior comes home—but no longer knows who they are? In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Kory sits down with award-winning fantasy author Zac Diamanti to talk about storytelling, trauma, and the long journey of healing after service. Zac shares how his time in the military—and the difficult transition out of it—shaped his writing, especially in his cozy fantasy novel G...

Many of us were never taught how to work with our thoughts and emotions. Instead, we were taught to fear the control they had over us. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory shares an audiobook excerpt exploring the Mind and Emotions Pillar, one of the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. Growing up in an environment where her thoughts and feelings were constantly dismissed, criticized, and invalid...

Many of us grow up learning to criticize our bodies long before we ever learn how to care for them. Maybe someone made hurtful comments on your appearance. Maybe you were bullied. Maybe the messages about what a body “should” look like slowly taught you to see your own body as a problem to fix. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, I share an excerpt from the audiobook of A Well Cared For Hum...

When your mind is racing and your nervous system feels unstable, you don’t need to solve your life. You need to slow your body down. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, I guide you through a grounding meditation I use when I feel internally chaotic, a simple practice called “Be Like a Log.” Inspired by a verse from the 8th-century Buddhist text The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, this...

What does it actually mean to have a healthy relationship with yourself? In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory explores the four essential attributes that change everything: honesty, trust, respect, and open communication. Drawing from Chapter Three of A Well Cared For Human, she examines how trauma, self-doubt, gaslighting, and survival mode interfere with these qualities,  and how we c...

What if self-care isn’t about habits — but about the relationship you’re building with yourself? In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory explores the most important mindset shift behind sustainable self-care: moving from isolated self-care tasks to intentional relationship-building across the Four Pillars of Wellbeing. Through personal reflection and an extended audiobook excerpt from A We...

This episode features Chapter One of the audiobook A Well Cared For Human, presented as a full audio reading. It introduces the tone, voice, and emotional foundation of the book, offering an immersive entry point into the audiobook, along with the author’s introduction and commentary. In this episode: Kory shares insights into the audiobook production process An introduction to the core idea that...

New Year’s resolutions often sound motivating—but they can quietly damage your relationship with yourself. In this episode, Kory offers a gentler, more sustainable way to set goals—one that prioritizes wellbeing over self-criticism. Using the A Well Cared For Human framework, she walks through how to align your goals with your body, mind, spirit, and relationships, while paying close attention to...

Episode 145: Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World In this week’s episode, Kory explores why so many of us feel exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed, or “out of sync” — and why none of it is a personal failing. Living in a fast-moving, hyperconnected world constantly pulls us off center. Add in the pressure to “get it together,” stay productive, and keep up with endless expectations, and balance becom...

Author James Clear said, “"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The only problem is that most systems that dictate our lives are not built by us, let alone for us. In this episode, host Kory discusses how systemic structures impact our relationship with ourselves and our ability to nurture the four pillars of wellness: body, mind and emotions, spirit,...

Gratitude can feel impossible when life feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming — and yet this is when we need it most. In this episode, we explore why gratitude often feels out of reach during stressful seasons, and why shifting your practice inward (toward gratitude for yourself) is one of the most powerful healing tools available. I share three simple, grounding practices that help you: Build...

Remember how fun it was to be scared as a kid? Haunted houses, scary stories, and Halloween thrills made fear feel playful — even exciting. But as adults, fear often feels heavier: anxiety, doubt, and self-criticism replace curiosity and courage. In this Halloween-inspired episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum shares two powerful tools for transforming fear: self-belief and curiosity. Y...

Addiction can take many forms: substances, screens, shopping, work, or even relationships. In episode 141 of A Well Cared For Human, your host Kory opens up about her personal journey of overcoming several addictions over the years and share the five practices that helped her break the cycle. You’ll learn: What addiction really looks like (and how to spot it in your own life) The mindset shifts th...

Most adults forget to make time for play — but play is one of the most powerful (and free!) mental health tools we have. In this episode, Kory explains why play matters, how it reduces stress and sparks creativity, and five simple ways to add more play into your daily life. If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or craving more joy, this episode will give you lighthearted, practical tools to reset y...

Birthdays are supposed to feel joyful, but for many of us, they bring something else: anxiety, self-doubt, or a quiet sadness we can’t quite name. In this personal and honest episode, I share what my most recent birthday revealed about aging, self-worth, and the passage of time, and how I want to move into the year ahead with more clarity, joy, and compassion. Whether birthdays fill you with excit...

Overthinking isn’t who you are—it’s a habit you learned to survive. In this episode, we explore how overthinking and over-intellectualizing often start as self-protection after trauma, but later keep us stuck. Learn why your mind races, how to spot when it’s holding you back, and gentle ways to quiet your thoughts so you can trust yourself and start thriving. Get more resources at www.awellcaredfo...

Do you ever feel like you’re hiding who you really are? In this episode, we explore why you may fear being seen, how shame makes us play small, and what it takes to finally shine with confidence. Whether it’s childhood conditioning, imposter syndrome, or just not wanting to “take up too much space,” these fears are real—and they keep so many of us from showing up fully. But the truth is: you’re no...

EP 136: Journaling for Self-Healing — How Writing Can Help You Reconnect with Yourself In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, we explore how journaling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship with yourself. Whether you feel disconnected, lost, or unsure of who you are, journaling offers a path back to clarity, self-trust, and inner peace. ✨ Why journaling works for...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most common misconceptions about meditation: the belief that it's the only way to be mindful or grow in awareness. Topics covered: - What mindfulness really means - Why meditation isn’t the end goal - Practical ways to build awareness in daily life - How to stop feeling like you're "doing it wrong" Meditation is powerful—but it's not the only tool for trans...

Starting over—whether by choice or circumstance—can be terrifying. Maybe you've lost something. Maybe you’ve walked away from a life that no longer fit. Or maybe everything crashed, and now you're standing in the rubble, asking: Where do I even begin? In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory shares 5 grounded, powerful tips for starting over with grace. You’ll learn how to let go of what’s...

Grief isn’t just something we "get over." It's something we learn to live with—and work with. Whether you’re mourning a person, a relationship, a dream, or a former version of yourself, grief can feel overwhelming and isolating. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory offers 5 compassionate, practical tips to help you work with your grief—not against it. Discover how to soften your sufferi...

Ep. 132 – Rumination: What It Is, Why We Do It, and How to Stop Do you find yourself constantly replaying the past or obsessing over worst-case scenarios? You're not alone. In this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum breaks down the toxic cycle of rumination—what it is, why it happens, and how it quietly steals your peace and power. Learn why your brain gets stuck in repetitive though...

n this episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum speaks with Kalyca Zarich about the intersection of wellbeing and personal alignment. Together, they explore what it means to live in integrity with your values, how to care for yourself through life’s changes, and how the Four Pillar Method can offer a foundation for authentic, empowered living. If you're on a journey to reconnect with yours...

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the world? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of A Well Cared For Human, we explore the difference between internal vs. external stability—and why learning to invest in your inner foundation matters now more than ever. With the world in a state of upheaval, many of us are looking for something solid to stand on. But the truth is: true peace and resilienc...