Calm it Down

Aaahhhh, Summer. The sun, the surf, the sandcastles. It’s finally here. Blanket? Check. Shades? Check. Sunscreen? Don’t forget the sunscreen! Can’t forget the sunscreen. A day of bliss can turn into a week of burns! Before running for the waves take a sec to ready yourself; both physically and emotionally. Just as you take the time to apply the SPF 9 million this summer, remind yourself the import...

Today's episode is bitter sweet. Bitter in the sense that it's the final episode of Season One but sweet in looking back to see all that we've come through. And don't worry, Season Two will return in September. But before you apply the SPF6700 to your nose and snorkle up, I have one tiny favor to ask before you embark the golden days of Summer. Listen in as you and I make a pact agreement with eac...

What next? Restrictions lifted almost daily as guidances continue to lend a hand towards the world reopening. It’s the hour we’ve all been waiting for. “Getting back to normal” we’ve been saying since March of last year. But suddenly we’re asking ourselves…am I ready? I just settled in. What if I don’t want to go outside, be social, shake hands or even just hug……

 As we were a year ago, we find o...

Continuing the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, we break down the two types of anxiety and how to work through them. Join me as we bring this conversation to the greater public, acknowledging the importance of sharing our stories as we each come to know "we're not alone".

"Sssshhhh!!! Don't talk about it. Nobody wants to hear it.", they say. "But, who's they? And why can't I talk about it?", you ask.  May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States so over the next 4 weeks Calm it Down Podcast will be bringing the conversations from the hushed hallways to the dinner tables. It's time we talk about Mental Health as the illness that it is AND how it can be...

I can probably sum up one of your worst experiences in 2 words; summer camp. There's no skirting the teenage years without at least one encounter of sweat, blistering heat and obstacle courses. And while the memories will forever live in my head, it wasn't until recently I learned a lesson from one and it came from the most unsuspected place. Listen in as we learn a different approach to what forg...

"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...