Becoming In the Middle

You're Not a Tree: If You Don't Like Where You Are, Move Have you ever realized that you know what to do—but somewhere along the way, you stopped doing it? In this episode, I share a personal realization I've had over the past few months. I've been feeling more depressed and disconnected than usual, and as I reflected on what might be contributing to that, I recognized something important: I had s...

Principle: Change & Relief Start by Telling the Truth. What if the first step toward creating change in your life isn't figuring out what to do—but telling the truth? Sometimes we believe the truth about our lives comes from somewhere outside of us. We look to circumstances, other people's expectations, past experiences, cultural messages, or even the things we believe we should be doing to tell u...

Principle: Our stories are worth the effort to rewrite. The stories we tell ourselves don't just explain our experiences—they shape how we live them. The challenge is that changing those stories isn't easy. They often feel true because we've repeated them for so long. But when a story is creating resentment, exhaustion, fear, or limitation, it's worth asking whether it's the only story available....

Principle: The stories we believe shape our reality. Every experience we have becomes an invitation to interpret and make meaning. But the meaning we assign to our experiences often becomes a story—and those stories influence the way we see ourselves, our circumstances, and what we believe is possible. In this episode, I explore how the stories we create from our past experiences can continue shap...

Principle: Clarity precedes action Have you ever had something sitting on your to-do list for days—or even weeks—without actually getting it done? I've been noticing this in my own life lately. I realized I often put a project on my list and then wonder why I keep procrastinating. There is a hidden gap between intention and action. In this episode, I explore the idea that sometimes procrastination...

In this first-ever Q&A episode of Becoming in the Middle , I'm answering a question that came in after last week's conversation about using curiosity to transform negative emotions into opportunities for growth. Talking about principles is one thing. Learning how to actually live them is another. In this episode, I unpack what it looks like to practice curiosity in everyday life, share the mistake...

Principle: Curiosity is the bridge between discomfort and growth. We spend a lot of energy trying to get rid of uncomfortable emotions. We distract ourselves, numb them, explain them away, or search for the fastest way to feel better. But what if those emotions aren't just problems to solve? What if they're clues pointing us toward our next opportunity for growth? In this episode, I explore how ap...

Principle: Where we put our attention determines the life we create. In this episode, I explore a simple but powerful idea: complaining isn't the problem—it's a signal. It reveals where your attention has been resting. Most of us don't realize how often we rehearse what's wrong, especially in quiet, internal ways. But where our attention goes, our experience of life follows. Complaining can feel r...

For a while I've wondered why I keep showing up to this podcast when I don't have a business to promote or offers to sell. In this episode, I share the realization that changed everything. I explore why I believe our greatest work is becoming who we were created to be, how ordinary experiences can teach us profound principles, and why learning to see our lives differently may be the beginning of r...

In this episode, I walk through three simple but powerful principles that helped me regain momentum when fear, doubt, and hesitation showed up. These principles are not about forcing change, but about learning how to move with greater awareness, trust, and intention when life is calling you forward. This episode is for anyone in a transition season—career change, identity shift, relationships, per...

How does awareness restore agency? In this episode, I explore the connection between self-awareness, personal growth, intentional living, and creating meaningful change. When we become aware of the thoughts, beliefs, and patterns influencing our choices, we gain the power to respond intentionally rather than react automatically. Awareness isn't the destination—it's the doorway to greater agency, g...

In this special birthday episode, I'm reflecting on what 52 years of life have taught me so far. I'm keeping it simple: 3 gifts, 3 lessons, and 3 questions I'm carrying into the year ahead. Join me as I look back with gratitude, inward with reflection, and forward with curiosity. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, navigating a season of change, or simply thinking about the person you're becomi...

In this episode, I share a personal experience that taught me two powerful lessons about applying the principles of creation in everyday life. While my application wasn't perfect, the experience revealed something important: the principles still work. Even in imperfection, I still saw meaningful results, which deepened my understanding of how reliable and consistent these principles truly are. I d...

In this episode s , I share a simple but meaningful gift from my daughter that reminded me how deeply the ordinary moments of life shape us. As summer begins and excitement builds around vacations, celebrations, and big plans, I reflect on the quieter days in between — the everyday moments where connection, presence, and love are actually formed. This episode is an invitation to reconsider what re...

  In this episode, I share an experience helping clean out my in-laws' home and the emotions that surfaced while deciding what to keep and what to let go of. What started as a practical task became a deeper reflection on attachment, memory, identity, and the meaning we assign to things.  As I processed the experience, I realized something deeper: so much of our emotional life is shaped not by the...

Resharing a talk I gave in church a few months back. We are so good at being helpers. But when it comes to being on the recieving end...we could use some practice! Want to hear more of my thought, follow my writing on Substack .  

I had an experience where I didn't show up as I wanted to for my friend. In addition to feeling guilty, I'm trying to figure out how I can do better. Interesting in more of my thoughts? Follow my writing on Substack .

Why is obedience considered the first law of heaven? That is the question I recently sat with. The answer finally came and I'm so excited to share the insight I got. This episode is heavy on my spiritual beliefs, so here are some links if you want to learn or understand more of where I'm coming from: What is the Temple? What is the Endowment? What is the Plan of Salvation and Exhaltation? Obedienc...

Obligation can be a good thing when it comes to a job, or respecting the law. But sometimes obligation can rob us of joy. Lately I've noticed where obligation feels more preformative then authentic. Obligation is driven from external forces. Agency comes from the inside first and is reflected outward. When obligation is unexamined and unquestioned, it tends to lead to resentment and in the end, ro...

This episode was born because of a dream I recently had. The invitation I want to share is to be brave enough to evaluate the underlying motivations to our actions. Whether it's feeling disappointed in someones gratitude, or lack of; or whether it's taking an honest look of what's really going on when we are offended. I'm getting vulnerable on this episode. I'm not proud of the truth, but I can't...

Recently I've been feeling a little lost in my day to day. And I've started to wonder if 'surrendering' some of my titles/roles was a mistake. Did I make the wrong choice? This is a peek into what feels scary about this process of making space for something new. And I'm realizing, the real work I'm doing isn't what I thought it was. Join me on my Substack to follow my writing jourey.

I thought insecurities were only for the young and inexperienced. But putting myself in the job market has introduced insecurity on a new level. But I'm choosing to notice that insecurity means that I'm trying willing to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. Sure, it's uncomfortable, but that's the price to be paid for growth. Here is the article I mentioned, if you want the background...

I thought I understood what identity was, until I took an ax to mine. As I've surrendered different roles over the last few months, I've had to go deeper to understand what identity truly is. I'd love to know your thoughts on identity. You can join the conversation over on Substack .

A recap of my pause and what identiy pieces I was surprised to surrender. Also a introduction of sorts for Season 2...how things will look a little different. Join me on Substack here to read more of my long-form thoughts. Reach out at AliciaJHowardCoaching@gmail.com to share your own observations with me!

Welcome to Season 2! Some changes you may notice: Instead of speaking authoritatively, I'm speaking from my real-time lived experience. It won't be tidy, it won't be scripted, just me sharing what's true for me today. It may feel random because I'm sharing whatever I'm currently metabolizing. I'm letting go of time and order and structure--mostly. I'm sharing observations more than conclusions. I'...