Calm it Down

"I'm worthless.", said the fish. "I can't even climb a tree. The squirrel can. Look at him."  We're each uniquely, and beautifully, different. And while we each have traits/talents that are ours, what happens when we strip those 'things' away. Who are we at our core? Listen in as we learn the importance of Self Worth.  

A reckless driver cuts you off without a ‘sorry wave’, you’re finally next in line and they just sold out, my kids won’t let me even finish a sentence. AARRGGHH!!! What gives with why I’m so angry!? 

But, honest question. Is it really anger that’s kicking up all the dust? I’m gonna suggest a different angle in how we look at anger.

Stress. Big stress, little stress, it's all the same. Anxiety, fret, worry, we can wrap it in numerous boxes but in the end, stress is .....well, stress. But WHERE does it come from?! Why do we stress? Who or what says 'you know, you really need a good dose of stress right about now."? No one! At least no one you know, I hope. Listen in as we uproot this most troublesome tree we nurture without an...

How often have you looked in a mirror and said “is that really me?” Not often, I would imagine. Usually we recognize ourselves, at least I hope. But, mirrors are a reflection of what’s outside, not inside; our emotions, our thoughts, our feelings can shift in varying degrees but taking the time to ask yourself “how do I look...inside?”, is a question we rarely ask ourselves. Listen in as we ask th...

Why are you here? What’s left in life? What’s your purpose? My word so much pressure in finding our p-u-r-p-o-s-e. So much so there’s even such a thing as Purpose Anxiety (no, seriously). 

Take a breather from the rollercoaster and listen in as we talk about a different approach to the life you ‘should be’ living.

Change. We change. Our activities, our elements, even our shoes change. I mean, if you’re still wearing your shoes from 5th grade, I hand it to you. But honestly, dealing with change is simpler than you my realize. In this episode, I show you 3 simple steps to putting the anxiety of the unknowns to rest. The first one may just surprise you.

Drivers license, check. Graduation, check. College (if that’s your thing) check, career, pets, family, kids, grandkids you have an endless array of boxes to choose from if you so desire. Our attention is so often dialed in on the preconceived 'happened' that we miss the happening all together. But today I propose that maybe while we're waiting for those milestones in life to happen, we're missing...

The biggest hit song of 2021, Drivers License, is the coming-of-age heart cry that’s been recorded like so many others long before the microphone was invented. Guy meets girl, girl falls in love, guy falls in love….with someone else; leaving said girl feeling of no worth when all said and done. 

 And while Drivers License IS a great “I got dumped” breakup song, Olivia Rodrigo leaves a trail of br...

What’s the worst that could happen? And why is it that’s generally the first thing we think about; the worst possible scenario! Listen in as we learn how to stop thinking the worst, or in technical terms, catastrophizing.

Every now and then we need just a little push. Be it a first step or crossing the finish line, sometimes we just run out of steam. Today, in celebrating the 25th episode, we fill our minds and hearts with words of wisdom from some of the most revered individuals to have walked the same steps you’re probably taking today. Listen in as we reflect where we are from 25 weeks ago and take some words of...

Depression has many currents and undertows throughout this ocean of life. And while it often feels like you’re surrounded by sharks and drowning, you don’t have to tread the waters alone. Listen in as we discover two vital steps in swimming safely to shore as we close out this three-part series on Depression. You’re not alone. You’re never alone.

This week, we hop over to Japan to learn of the beauty and significance of the Cherry Blossom within the Japanese culture. Sakuras, as they’re known, are stunning to gaze upon but their meaning takes a much deeper root in how we may view life individually. Listen in to part 2 of this series on Depression as we continue bringing this conversation to the coffee tables; casting awareness to the cloud...

Sure, sure, you’ve heard the Rolling Stones’ “You Can't Always Get What You Want”?, since you were knee-high but do you KNOW the story behind it!? Who would have thought we would tackle the subject of depression with Mick Jagger as our inspiration?!

 Join me as we start a 3 part series breaking down what depression really is and what we can do about it. Listen in as you may “just get what you nee...

What’s Your Problem!? No, seriously. What is your problem? And let's be honest. Is it really a problem? After years of my asking countless couples “what has kept you together after so many years?”, one couple celebrating their 50th anniversary dropped the most unexpected words of wisdom that I did NOT see coming.

 Listen in as we not only learn ‘what IS our problem, but what to do about it.’

Think about a day last week. Any day. What was your favorite day from last week? During the noise and the chaos of those seven days was there a moment that made you pause and smile? A bike ride or your favorite ice cream. Maybe something more significant like having a child or finally hitting that career achievement.   Our days are so intense, so consuming we’re exhausted before we put our feet on...

Habits. Patterns. Behaviors we’ve put in place purposefully or not. At the start of the new year we kid ourselves with our bravado of new ambitions. But in reality, our zeal usually lasts no longer than a cup of coffee. Not because we’re insincere in our passionate pursuits, we just don’t know how to break the bad and make the good. Until today. Join me in today’s Episode, Breaking Bad - Breaking...

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Ah, the song that everyone sings until the third sentence as we fumble our way through the rest of the melody. While Auld Lang Syne is the traditional catalyst of reflection, goodwill, and remembering those from our past, today we sing this song with someone else in mind. Someone that knows you better than any other person. Your ups, yo...

Heartless, egocentric, selfish; these are not the qualities we generally bestow upon role models. A role model is a leader, someone who avows empathy as supreme, who gives without hesitation, who turns the spotlight to others, a hero yet never declaring such a title.  Judging not by the cover of his book, we turn the page to someone who has always been the villain. But, perhaps we’ve been looking...

Wish. Has there ever been a word so empowering yet so debilitating? It’s the bedrock of fairy tells just as much as the downfall of dreams. “I wish things were different.” “I wish I could.” “I wish my life were like theirs.” As soon as the word Wish comes out of our mouths it’s as if we’ve given up. In this episode of Calm it Down Podcast, we direct our attention to the man whose kingdom was built...

You. You've been 'there' since day one. You know your best days, your not-so-best days, your struggles, your success. And while some days you feel nothing good comes from anything, I want you to know that you are changing lives; realize it or not. You are the difference in someone else's life. The influence they need right now. The whisper of hope. You. You Matter.

In this episode of Calm it Down Podcast, we reframe the stumbling block of Regret. Believe it or not, Regret can be a Reward when we look at it the right way. It's life's way of correcting our perspective and encouraging us to even try again. Sounds absurd? How Regrets are so overplayed? Learn a lesson from your own past and lean into a path you may already be on but didn't realize.

I just heard the first holiday song on the radio. It’s official. The holiday season is here. But, this year, everything is different. Listen to this week’s episode of Calm it Down podcast as we learn a few lessons from Steve Martin & John Candy in the cult classic Thanksgiving film, Planes, Trains & Automobiles as John Hughes so subtlety reminds us ‘this is not the year you get everything you want...

Insomnia. It's the ‘not so sleeping giant in the room’. Exhausted, we climb into bed knowing we'll crash as our head hits the pillow until we don't. We just lay there. One thought racing after the other. How do we stop the cycle? We all know the norms like avoiding caffeine, exercise, etc, etc. But, I’m gonna share two major techniques that have recently come to light during some groundbreaking re...

"We can't even climb out of bed in the morning without grabbing our phone. What'd we miss? Emails, news, FB reminding me it's someone's birthday? Wait, it's not my A\anniversary is it?!?! The pandemic has only exacerbated the amount of work on our plates. Can't fly so let's add 15 zoom calls for Tuesday. What's easy to forget, particularly on a weekend, is our iPhone powers down just as easily as...

In today's episode we take a little inspiration from Mr. Rogers and a lot from Brad Montague's fantastic book "Becoming Better Grownups". When we stop to think about our influences, those who made us into the persons we are, our character traits, our demeanor, our achievements, you'll be surprised by the list of who's who in your life and by how many you truly have been crafted after.