Simply 1 Percent

Today on Simply 1%, we are joined by Amber Hollingsworth, a clinician who focuses on relationships and specializes in working with people and families impacted by addiction. Amber is also the creator of the YouTube channel @Put the Shovel Down. While Amber’s work is rooted in addiction and family recovery, this conversation goes far beyond addiction. It is about relationships, communication, shame...

What do your hands have to do with your thoughts, emotions, memories, and growth? More than you might think. In this episode, Meredith and Wendolyn explore the surprising connection between your hands, your heart, and your mind—and why the simple act of creating, writing, building, or making something by hand can have a profound impact on how you process life. From the "Winter Is Coming Journal" t...

Have you ever reacted before you had the full story? In this episode, Meredith and Wendolyn talk about the everyday moments when we get annoyed, activated, impulsive, disappointed, or start taking things personally. Through humor, real-life examples, parenting moments, restaurant frustrations, sidewalk irritation, and one unforgettable Donnie Wahlberg story, they explore how to pause before reacti...

Not everything uncomfortable is a non-negotiable. Sometimes discomfort is a signal that something isn't right. Sometimes it's a boundary that needs to be honored. Sometimes it's fear asking you to stay safe. And sometimes it's the exact place growth is asking you to go. In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith and Wendolyn continue their conversation on non-negotiables by exploring the difference be...

What are the things you are simply not willing to do anymore? In this episode of Simply 1% , Meredith and Wendolyn start a conversation about non-negotiables: the boundaries, needs, preferences, and values that protect your peace, energy, relationships, and ability to function well. From reliable cars and orthopedic shoes to sleep, travel, doctors, dating, and the chaos we feel in our bodies, they...

Speak the truth in love. In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith and Wendolyn revisit the motivational gifts and take a closer look at the Perceiver. They talk about what it means to see things clearly, speak truth, and notice patterns others may miss, while also learning how to practice grace, timing, and discernment. They unpack how the Perceiver gift can be both powerful and damaging if it becom...

Most people are exhausted because they keep trying to do the same thing… but harder. That’s the mindset we’re challenging in this episode. You don’t always need to become “better.” Sometimes you need to: — change the expectation — change the perspective — change the approach — change the variable In this episode, we talk about: • all-or-nothing thinking • boundaries and expectations • ADHD and doi...

What do you do when your emotions completely take over your day? In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith and Wendolyn talk about emotional reactions, nervous system responses, anger, stress, overwhelm, trauma responses, and the simple phrase that has been changing the way they move through everyday life: “You have options.” From road rage and loud strangers to work stress, parenting moments, irrita...

Relationship and marriage advice on how to create curiosity for deeper connection. Wendolyn and her husband ask each other the kinds of questions most couples never get to. How did you grow to love me differently? What sacrifice looks like to you? What do I not know about how you see me? The questions aren't designed to be perfect or therapeutic. They're designed to create curiosity. And when two...

Why Pausing Before You Answer Changes Everything You don't have to answer right away. In fact, that pause is where the real wisdom is. Meredith and Wendolyn explore the readiness factor—why waiting to give your answer instead of rushing to relieve anxiety is how you stop settling and start aligning with what actually matters to you.

Settling Isn't Always a Bad Word — But Settling With Resentment Is. In this episode, Meredith Richards and Wendolyn Pascale explore the critical difference between acceptance and settling. Through real-life examples and Wendolyn's powerful chicken nugget analogy, they discuss how to recognize when you're emotionally starving and accepting crumbs, versus when you're genuinely at pea...

Knowing yourself is not just about accepting who you are. It is about understanding yourself so deeply that feedback, boundaries, and growth do not feel like criticism. In this episode, Meredith and Wendolyn dive into what it really means to know yourself, why shame blocks self awareness, and how staying grounded in who you actually are makes you easier on yourself and everyone around you. They wa...

Your childhood values shaped you. They taught you what to believe in, what matters, how to show up. But here's the thing: they may not work the same way anymore. And that's not failure. That's growth. In this episode, we're exploring what happens when inherited values meet real life. What happens when your life changes, when your capacity changes, when your partner's priorities...

You fell in church. You rolled on the floor. You put yourself in that uncomfortable situation because... your values demanded it. This episode flips the script on awkwardness: those cringey moments aren't failures—they're proof you're living aligned with what actually matters. Meredith and Wendolyn explore the connection between discomfort and authenticity, why "being uncomfortabl...

You know those conversations where one simple question turns into… everything? That’s this episode. We’re back with your questions, and somewhere between travel stories, relationships, and everyday life, we ended up talking about how quickly we decide what things mean- and how often we’re doing that without actually having enough information. This one really feels like you’re sitting at a coffee s...

We all have moments we wish we could erase- the awkward ones, the cringe ones- and the ones that quietly shape how we experience vulnerability, shame, and connection. In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith and Wendolyn share their most embarrassing, human moments and explore how embracing imperfection can lead to deeper connection, self-acceptance, and more authentic relationships.

Why is saying no so hard, even when you know you need to? In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith Richards and Wendolyn Pascale talk about the fear of saying no, the wisdom of when to say yes, and what our choices reveal about our values, identity, and capacity. They explore people-pleasing, guilt, burnout, fear of disappointing others, FOMO, and why “no” is not rejection. Through personal stories,...

Meredith and Wendolyn continue their conversation on relationship dynamics and explore how codependence and hyper-independence can quietly shape our lives. From parenting to friendships to the workplace, they discuss how these patterns develop—and how healthier interdependence creates relationships built on trust, respect, and freedom.

Some relationships feel incredibly close at first. Constant texting. Deep conversations. Feeling like you finally found someone who gets you. And over time, that same intensity can start to feel overwhelming-or like you're slowly losing parts of yourself. So what’s actually happening? In this episode of Simply 1%, Meredith Richards and Wendolyn Pascale explore why some relationships feel so intens...

What if the differences in your relationship aren’t the problem? In this episode, we explore why compatibility isn’t about being the same — it’s about being attuned. From personality types to communication styles, we unpack how emotional connection, trust, and community support shape healthy relationships. We talk about what’s a value versus a preference, why trust must be earned, and how celebrat...

What if boundaries aren’t about pushing people away… but about loving them better? In this episode of the Simply 1% Love Series, we break down one of the most misunderstood topics in relationships: boundaries. We explore the difference between control and clarity, why distress tolerance and resilience are essential for healthy love, and how your relationships shift when you create your “first fami...

In our first-ever listener interview, Meredith sits down with Kerri to talk about what growth actually looks like in real life. Together, they explore how Kerri’s understanding of love has evolved — from earning love through performance to choosing relationships rooted in respect and trust. They unpack romantic patterns, performance-based approval, redefining success, and what it means to feel at...

In this episode of Simply 1% , Meredith and Wendolyn continue the love series by exploring what actually sustains a relationship over time—especially after the early spark fades. They break down the three pillars Meredith uses with couples: Friends (philia), Lovers (eros), and Partners (agape) , and explain why chemistry alone isn’t designed to carry a relationship long-term. The conversation focu...

What do we really mean when we say “I love you”? In this kickoff episode of our Love Series, we slow the whole thing down and get honest about how loaded the word love has become-because we use it for everything: our kids, our partners, our friends… and yes, tacos, movies, and thrift stores. No wonder relationships get confusing. We talk about why love isn’t just a feeling (and why that “rush” doe...

If you’ve ever felt torn between honoring the people in your life and trusting your own voice, we made this episode for you. This conversation is about clarity—around whose opinions are actually shaping your decisions and whether those voices are helping you grow or quietly keeping you stuck. We talk about what it means to stop carrying advice that was never meant to guide your life and how to sta...