Calm it Down

What would you do if movie magic became reality? If, in the movies, we could always get what we wanted by just wishing hard enough or following our hearts, life would be a dream. However, as we all know, this is not the case. In real life, things don't always go according to plan. We make mistakes and sometimes life doesn't turn out the way we hoped it would. Just like in the movies, though, there...

Forgiveness. It's something we've all heard of, and even experienced to some degree in our lives. But what is it really? What does it mean to forgive someone? Is it simply saying that you're no longer mad or upset at someone? Is it more than that? In this episode, I'm going to explore what forgiveness is not, as well as give my own definition of forgiveness can be.

We all have that one t-shirt. You know the one I'm talking about—it's the one you've had for years and years, and it's seen better days. It's comfortable, sure, but it's also stained, full of holes, and maybe a little bit smelly. Just like an old t-shirt, our emotional baggage can be stained with the negative experiences of our past. It can be full of holes from all the times we've been hurt. And...

In life, we all experience disappointing moments. Times when things don't go our way and we don't get the outcome we were hoping for. These moments can be really tough to deal with and can sometimes make us feel like a disappointment to others and ourselves. But today, we're going to learn the difference between disappointing and being a disappointment. There's a much wider gap than you would ever...

There's something about sitting down to a plate of food that can make us feel immediately guilty. We think about all the things we could have done differently - we shouldn't have had that extra slice of cake, we should have gone for a run before breakfast, we should be eating more greens. But what if, instead of beating ourselves up every time we eat, we took a moment to appreciate how miraculous...

Every morning is a chance for a fresh start. A chance to heal, grow, laugh, and embrace all of life's unpredictability. Today may be tough, but it's also a chance to learn and become stronger. The past is over and done with; it can't be changed. All we have is the present moment, which we can choose to make the best of it or not. Today is a new day, full of possibilities. Let's make the most of it...

Do you ever feel like you're constantly in a hurry? Like you never have enough time for everything? Overwhelmed and stressed out? If so, then you may be experiencing what's called "hurry sickness." Unfortunately, hurry sickness is becoming increasingly common as our society becomes more and more fast-paced. But what is hurry sickness and why is it such a big deal? And most importantly, what can we...

Loneliness. That nagging feeling that something is missing, and no matter how much we try to fill the hole, it always seems to come back. Loneliness has been called the "common cold of emotions" because it's so widespread. But why is loneliness so common? And what can we do about it? Listen in as we explore the solitude soliloquy and offer some solutions for overcoming it.

The other day someone wrote to ask my advice on adapting to new seasons. They are entering their first year of college away from home and wanted to know what advice I could offer. Whether you're transitioning into a new job, a new relationship, or a new home, change can be tough. If you're finding it difficult to adjust to your new circumstances, don't worry—you're not alone. In this episode we'll...

Dealing with depersonalization can be a challenge. Sometimes, it feels like you are living in a dream and everything is not real. It's hard to focus on anything when you feel this way. You may find it difficult to connect with other people and experience the world around you. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing depersonalization, recognizing and accepting that life is lived in...

Unicorns and suicide have something in common: they're both based on fiction. We like to think of suicide as something that doesn't happen to real people, that it's a myth. But the truth is, suicide is all too real. Every day, people of all ages and backgrounds take their own lives. And while we may not know them personally, their deaths have a ripple effect, touching the lives of those who knew a...

Failure is something that we often try to avoid. We are taught from a young age that it's not okay to make mistakes, and that we should always do our best in order to be successful. But what if failure was actually the key to success? What if we stopped being afraid of failure, and started embracing it as part of the process? You are about to hear one of the most fascinating stories that seems to...

Imagine if we had a switch that could instantly ease our nerves. We could flip it whenever we felt anxious or stressed, and breathe a sigh of relief as calmness washed over us. Of course, such a thing is only a fantasy. But that doesn't mean we can't find ways to calm ourselves in the moment. Sometimes, all it takes is a deep breath. Listen in as we learn you have everything you need with you RIGH...

In order to get the most out of anything, you must first bring an understanding of what it is you want from it. And that means even with this podcast and its 73 episodes. Without this fundamental understanding, you'll only ever be skimming the surface of possibilities. And let's be honest, we're tired of skimming. We want rich, deep, authentic.....life. We want to live and feel as if we're living...

Aw, nostalgia. Traversing merrily down memory lane is such a delight, until it isn't. Sure it's fun to see old pictures of what you wore 30 years ago is now making a come back but the short "just a glance" can quickly turn to a "how great things used to be." But today, I ask a most poignant question "was it?" Was it really all that great? Was it everything that right now isn't? I challenge you do...

This episode takes inspiration from the touchingly beautiful book, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse", by Charlie Mackesy. While it's somewhat directed as a children's book, I'm often asking myself "is it REALLY for children or for adults?", as the life lessons are simple yet wonderfully profound. Listen in as we learn the importance of kindness, love, friendship and even cake. You'll be s...

How often have you ever thought "I'm probably the only one that thinks, acts, lives this way." As much as I want to talk about it with someone, anyone, I should just keep it to myself, smile, nod my head and wait to breakdown behind closed doors. It feels like we're carrying a heavy burden, but we don't want to tell anyone about it. We’re afraid that if we speak up, people will think we’re ‘not of...

This is the first episode in a month-long series on mental health awareness. In May, which is mental health awareness month, we are talking about self harm and suicide. This episode has a tip on how to get through moments when all you can think about is leaving. There is something better than just finding an exit. I will show you how to find peace in the chaos and stay for the big show; ie life. L...

You know those times when you're worrying about something and then it turns out not to be a big deal after all? It's almost like the universe is trying to tell you something. Well, believe it or not, those moments can actually be blessings in disguise. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that it might be for the best. Thought it may not feel like it in the moment, looking back in hindsight it m...

Some nights you just lay there asking yourself "did I do the right thing today? Did I turn right when perhaps I should have turned left? The mind spinning the spiral of questions of should haves. But today, I'm going to share with you something that has guided from day one and will do so for the rest of life; your gut. That intuition, that inner voice giving you the road map one step at a time. So...

Wuv, Twue, Wuv. No, today’s episode isn’t about one of the greatest films ever made (The Princess Bride) but something I’m certain we’ve all experienced at least once in our life. Unrequited love. That ‘I like them but they haven’t even noticed I’m in the same room’ kinda thing. Chasing or loving someone that doesn’t share the same warm & fuzzies is hard. Brutally hard, emotionally. And while we’v...

in 1932, theologian Reinhold Niebuhr inked one of the most recognizable aspirations of serenity ever written. So much so, it became ingrained in many 12 step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. What do these 27 words have to offer in helping us find our calm? Listen in as you may find yourself saying it when you need it most.

Dishes. The pile up, we ignore them. Or, we rush through them to just ....well....rush through them. Who would have ever thought a Vietnamese Monk would offer such introspective insight with a sink full of dirty dishes. And to be honest, after learning, I can honestly say my life hasn't been the same since. I have a feeling yours won't be either. Listen in as we find a quieting mind amongst the po...

What’s the first animal that comes to mind when I say “break through”? What animal literally kicks its way free in order to move into the next cycle of life which we gaze at bewilderedly in its beauty? 

 No, this isn’t an episode about science or about rare species, but how a most beautiful animal has a story that will resonate with all of us.

Scars. Scars are hard. They’re a reminder of something we went through that we would rather forget. They can be a source of shame, or a source of strength. And no matter what they look like, or where they are, scars always have a story to tell. But the most interesting thing is 'how' our scars can not only empower us personally but be the hope in the lives of others.