In Your Right Mind with Monique Rhodes

One of my students wrote to me expressing her feelings of helplessness when she reads the news. It can be easy for us to feel overwhelmed by it. However, we can make a difference. 

I received an email from one of my students struggling to understand the idea that another person does not necessarily cause us to hurt. In today's podcast, I help clarify this for her. 

There is so much pressure on us to be winners, to succeed. It can be exhausting. It creates so much pressure on us. However, there is only one strategy that we need to have a big and exciting life…if that's what we want. 

One of my students is originally from India. I received an email from her where she writes about her concern for her family over this time. What I tell her has lessons for us all. 

It isn't easy when people we love pass away. However, today I answer a question from one of my students who has a huge loss and is struggling. 

I am so excited about tonight. I am hosting an Aunty Party. This means that two of my nieces and one of my nephews are coming over to stay. Yes - we are about to have a party! What a reminder this is of what is important. 

Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on the people closest to us to love us. This is learned behaviour. It can make a huge difference in our lives if we can become conscious of where we are looking for love. 

For the last few days, I have disappeared on a coastal walk in New Zealand. As well as finding it wonderful to be out in nature that same relationship with the earth concerned me. This is what I discuss in today's podcast. 

Today is my birthday. I always make it an important day. And the best news is that whenever I am in New Zealand, it is always a holiday!

What if winning has far less to do with talent—and far more to do with your mind? In this episode, I share the powerful lessons I learned while watching world-class athletes unravel under pressure, and how the tight grip we place on outcomes can sabotage even our best efforts. You'll discover why spaciousness matters, why doing your best is enough, and how letting go of the result opens the door t...

How do we balance caring for others without losing ourselves? In this episode, I respond to a listener's heartfelt question about putting their own needs aside—often until it's too late. We'll explore why self-care so often disappears in times of crisis, and how creating non-negotiable habits can anchor us even when life feels overwhelming. Let's talk about why honoring your own wellbeing isn't se...

Do you dream of changing the world? In this episode, I explore how the most powerful transformation doesn't start out there—it begins within. I share why working with your mind is the key to reducing suffering, building happiness, and seeing the world through a more loving and compassionate lens. Discover how your perception shapes everything and how becoming kinder and more conscious creates a ri...

As life moves on at such a fast pace, we can easily forget the cycles of it. In this last week, there have been two passings and one birth that have touched me. In today's podcast, I explain why. 

Many of us have morning rituals that help start our days in the best way possible. One of my clients asked me if she could do things at night to help her wake up happier in the morning. In this podcast, I give my thoughts. 

Sometimes, it's hard for us to tell someone we love that they have hurt us. We may not even be able to see it. What we do see instead is a decoy.

Is there an expiry date to dreams? What if you've suffered a lot and feel you might be too old to dream? In today's podcast, I answer a question from one of my students questioning whether it's too late to dream.  

Is it ok to feel proud of myself? Doesn't feeling proud of myself mean that I am arrogant? In today's podcast, I answer a question from one of my students and discuss what healthy and unhealthy pride looks like. 

What if most of your suffering isn't coming from life—but from a habit of the mind? In this episode, I explore how easily we can slip into identifying with our struggles, repeating the same stories, and unconsciously placing ourselves at the center of every difficulty. You'll learn how to recognize the subtle ways we attach to suffering, how to shift into solution-based thinking, and why turning y...

What if the frustrations you feel on the road were actually invitations to grow? In this episode, I explore how our reactions to other drivers reveal far more about our own minds than about anyone else on the road. Through stories from my years in India and New Zealand, I share how shifting our perception—from judgment to understanding—can dissolve tension and open the door to genuine compassion....

Last week, one of my team had the worst news. Her mother not only had Covid but had to go into hospital. We were so worried. It was a good reminder that there was something we could do to help. 

What if every person who crosses your path is here to teach you something? In this episode, I explore how every relationship—whether filled with love, challenge, or loss—holds a lesson meant to help us grow. When we choose to stay open, even when it hurts, we discover that everyone we meet is both our student and our teacher, guiding us toward healing and deeper love.

Being busy is seen as a badge of honour. The busier we are, the more important we appear. However, we're constantly overwhelmed by our busyness. What is it that we are doing when we're consistently trying to fill our lives up?

As I sat at my friend's father's funeral this week, I listened to all of the beautiful things people said about him. He was such a kind and gentle man—a real gentleman. No one talked about his achievements. They only talked about who he was. It got me thinking about what it is that people remember about us.

Many of you are writing about your concerns as some countries are showing signs of starting to reopen. Even if you are excited about the light at the end of the Covid tunnel and the prospect of some aspects of the life you are used to resuming, change can still be daunting. Having gone through this experience four months ago when I returned to New Zealand, I know how you feel. 

Habits can be hard to break. But what do we do when the odds are against us? What if whole industries are created to keep us hooked on their products? In today's podcast, I discuss the hold that processed food companies have on us and why it can be so hard for us to move out from under their grip.