Encore Living

What do you want now? It sounds like a simple question. But after years of organizing your life around your kids, your spouse, your parents, your work, and everyone else’s schedules, it can be surprisingly difficult to answer. In this episode of Encore Living , I take that question apart one word at a time: What. You. Want. Now. We’ll talk about getting specific about what you want, separating you...

For years, your life has been organized around your kids: the school calendar, activities, family schedules, even when you take vacations. But now your kid is away at college. The circumstances have changed. So why are you still following the same rules? In this episode, I explore the “unwritten rules” we accumulate over the years, the choices and routines we follow so automatically that we may no...

We celebrate our kids when they graduate, get into college, and head off into the world. But there’s another milestone that deserves some recognition too: you just finished raising an actual human being. In this episode, I’m talking about why the beginning of the empty nest deserves to be celebrated, not just survived. I share one of my own proudest moments as a parent, why it’s important to “ritu...

How long does it take to feel okay after your kid leaves for college? I wish I could tell you it's a few weeks. Or even a few months. For me, it took longer than that. In this episode, I share the unusual way I measured my own progress over the years, and the recent moment that made me realize just how much had changed. I also talk about why major life transitions can take longer than we expe...

Some college parents are reportedly spending thousands of dollars hiring professional designers to decorate their kids’ dorm rooms. Um… okay. But this episode isn’t really about dorm rooms. It’s about what happens when you see someone else’s perfect move-in, the parent whose kid calls every day, or the empty nester who seems absolutely thrilled with their new life—and suddenly you start wondering:...

Your child has left for college. The calendar that once organized your life suddenly has wide-open spaces. And everyone seems to want to know the same thing: So… what are you going to do now? But what if you genuinely don't know? In this episode of Encore Living , I explore what author Jim Collins calls “the fog”—the period of uncertainty that can follow a major life transition when the old p...

Sometimes, starting again doesn’t begin with a plan, it begins with time. In this episode, I share the story behind something I did last year that surprised me: I wrote a novel in 30 days.  And what writing that book taught me about starting again had very little to do with writing, and everything to do with identity, permission, and this season of life. ### 👉 Curious about the in-progress novel...

After a big chapter ends, the hardest part isn’t knowing what’s next. It’s giving yourself permission to pause. ### If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider . That’s where I share reflections like this one, along with what I’m working on next — small ideas, gentle reframes, and prompts to help you navigate this season of life with a little...

If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider . That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — small ideas, gentle reframes, and prompts to help you navigate this season of life with a little more clarity and ease. 👉 Sign up for Encore Living Insider here: https://insider.drthor.tv When your kid goes back to s...

If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider . That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — including a free upcoming bonus called “99 Ways to Celebrate You.” 👉 Sign up for Encore Living Insider here:  https://insider.drthor.tv ************************ January has a way of rushing us forward before we’ve ha...

If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider . That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — including a free upcoming bonus called “99 Ways to Celebrate You.” 👉 Sign up for Encore Living Insider here:  https://insider.drthor.tv ********************** There’s a moment in early January when you’re putting awa...

It’s April—aka College Decision Month. Your teen is making a huge life decision. But have you stopped to consider your own? Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Living Insider Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv If you're an empty n...

Feel lost after the kids leave? You're not alone. Today I share one shift that can change your empty nest experience. Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Living Insider Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv In this heartfelt episode...

Ever found yourself caught in the traffic, complaining about how it's ruining your day? What if I told you that you can transform your life by simply changing the way you react to such situations?  In this episode, I continue to break down my experience in "No Complaining Week." I just completed this week in "Mental Muscle," a spiritual boot camp experience I've done...

Ready to break free from the endless loop of complaints? Join me in this first episode of a four part-series on complaining. In this episode, I explore why complaining rarely solves problems. The key takeaway: redirecting your energy toward proactive solutions can change your life. Inspired by Dr. James Mellon's "Mental Muscle: 16 Weeks of Spiritual Boot Camp," I'll explore the...

In this episode, I share my perspective on a TED talk given by author Anne Lamott. Her talk is called, "12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing." You can find her talk HERE . As I mentioned, you can watch MY TEDx talk here: https://www.thorchallgren.com/tedx Anne Lamott shares 12 truths in her talk, and I look at 3 of them in this episode. Here are three quotes from her talk that I unp...

Can you truly attract abundance into your life by conveying the impression of increase to others? In this episode, I explore into Chapter 14 of Wallace D. Wattles' classic work, "The Science of Getting Rich," written back in 1910. This marks the conclusion of my four-part series on this influential book. Wattles' insights continue to resonate even a century later. Success write...

Can mere thoughts alone bring riches, or is action an essential ingredient for success? In this episode, I explore Chapter 11 of Wallace D. Wattles' timeless book, "The Science of Getting Rich," written over a century ago. I delve into the question of whether thoughts can manifest wealth independently or if they must be coupled with personal action. The key takeaway here is that tho...

Immerse yourself in a transformative journey as we crack open the wisdom of Wallace Waddles' 1910 classic, the Science of Getting Rich, and uncover the profound power of gratitude. Not just in saying thank you, but as a pivotal mental adjustment that aligns us with the universe's bountiful creative energies. In this episode, I talk about Waddles' principles of success and reveal how...

Are your thoughts shaping your destiny, or are you simply going through the motions of life? In this episode, I dive  into the mind-expanding pages of Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 classic, "The Science of Getting Rich." Have you ever wondered if your thoughts could truly create your reality? Today, I explore this profound concept and uncover the hidden power within it. In this episode,...

Have you ever felt that nagging self-doubt creep in just as you're about to pursue your dreams? That moment when you ask yourself, "Who am I to do this?"  In this episode, I dive into the remarkable TEDx talk, "Programming your Mind for Success," delivered by the inspiring entrepreneur Carrie Green. To watch Carrie's talk on YouTube, CLICK HERE . As I mentioned, you c...

Are you staring down a seemingly endless stretch of time or a monumental task that feels insurmountable? How do you maintain your focus and keep your spirits up when the road ahead seems never-ending? In this episode, I delve into the art of enduring the long haul. I'll share with you a powerful strategy that can transform your perspective and make even the most challenging journeys feel achi...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of a seemingly endless traffic jam, unsure when it will finally clear up? It's a universal frustration we've all experienced.  Of course most of us can check the map on our phones and tell when the traffic will clear up. And that knowing can make all the difference in feeling frustrated. In today's show, I explore the secret to naviga...

We all face challenges in life, but what if we could change the way we think about them?  Instead of dwelling on the lowercase hurdles, why not focus on the UPPERCASE blessings that often go unnoticed? In today's episode, I share a story of my recent trip to Alaska, filled with breathtaking scenery, sumptuous room service, and unforgettable moments. But there's a twist – amidst all the b...

In today's episode, I pose a question: when you look at a picture, do you see the circumstances behind the photo? And do they matter? I recently returned from an Alaskan cruise, and had an amazing time seeing the sights. On one morning, I took dozens of pictures as we sailed up Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier. Everything about this moment was perfect; the weather, the light, the glacier.  O...