The Finding Peace Podcast

This week's episode is different from our traditional format. We have a special guest, and one of my best friends, Matt Wheeler, LPC During Matt's growing up years,  he was afraid to let others know that my family was in therapy, as there was often negative stigma and stereotypes attached to it. Gratefully getting help from a mental health professional today is more widely accepted. Matt strongly...

In this episode, we begin exploring the difference between being Selfish and Practicing Self-Love.  Selfishness stems from not knowing who we really are and thus we spend a tremendous amount of energy on ourselves as a form of self-protection. But, when we really know who we are, practicing self-love is our way of recharging our batteries so that we can continue to use our gifts and talents to ble...

In this episode, we explore one way to resolve anger.  Anger comes from the sense that something is being taken from us without our consent or permission.  Clarifying what that "something" is helps us to tell a new story and therefore shift the emotion.   Do you know someone who could use a year of Self-Love?  Check out the new book, A Year of Self-Love here .   Take the Five-Day Finding Peace Cha...

It is that time of year when we have the opportunity to reflect on the blessings of our lives. But did you know that there are actually physical and mental benefits to practicing gratitude? In this episode, we review some of the research-backed reasons why practicing gratitude can be profoundly beneficial to your life.  In this episode, I also mention Mr. Roger's Acceptance Speech at the Emmys for...

Have you ever been asked the question - if you could spend 15 minutes with any person who has ever lived, who would it be?  One of the names on my list is Mr. Rogers.  In this episode, I share with listeners the profound message Mr. Rogers actually taught me when I had my fifteen minutes with Mr. Rogers. I also answer Megan's question about how to develop self love and self esteem. I refer to my n...

In this episode I answer a question posed by Randall, on of our Finding Peace Retreat Alumni. His question was, "Why do so I tend to get stuck in reliving responses learned from the past where trauma was experienced and is often triggered?" I explain the concept of wanting a do-over and how we tend to put ourselves in situations hoping for a different outcome.   The Finding Peace Workbook helps us...

In this episode, I reminince on the tradition of my grandpa handing out horehound candy and what it meant for a young boy who was scared of lots of things.  I also explore the four mantras of Thich Nhat Hanh that he shared with Oprah ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEUxFNkISnU) A Year of Self Love will be coming out in November. You can preorder your copy here:  https://amzn.to/2lCfOxZ

I had never experienced a panic attack prior to that moment. When it hit, it rocked my world.  In this podcast, I share some tools to deal with anxiety. The Finding Peace Workbook can be purchased here . The Online Finding Peace Course can be purchased here .  Pre-Order your copy of A Year of Self-Love here .

I am excited to announce the upcoming new book, A Year of Self-Love.  In this episode, I share the epiphany I had over 25 years ago when I discovered why the old adage, "You can't love others unless you love yourself" was actually true.  As much as I had tried to believe otherwise, I began to see it from another perspective. Also in this show, we explore three points of the Self-Compassion Moment....

In this episode of the podcast, to moments of my life that had a tremendous. As I was listening to the podcast, I realized just how powerful the shadow of shame known as the Impotent One was present in my life. It is interesting to be able to look back and notice while there is another shadow of shame and to be able to recognize the power that that shame had on me. This awareness allows me to then...

In this episode, we explore two Shadows of Shame that most people have a hard time admitting exist and don't realize just how powerful they can be in fueling disconnection.   It is important to note that there is a difference between excelling in skill versus comparing our worth to someone else simply because they have a better mastery of any particular skill.  How do the Shadows of Shame discusse...

I am standing over a cliff looking straight down. The bottom is about 50 feet below me.  The ledge I am are standing on is about 15 feet wide.  There is water coming out the side of the rock and so the ground is covered with mushy moss.  Behind me, there is another cliff, the one I had just climbed down from.  It is about 10 feet high.  I am standing there with my friend Matt.  We are stuck. How i...

1: 26 I am standing on the top of the high dive?  In what scenario did I ever think this would be a good idea?   3:00 I am afraid of heights.   3:42 Someone sees me on the high dive   4:20 John Eldredge has said, “Even if he can’t quite put it into words, every man is haunted by the question, "Do I have what it takes?”   5:25  The shadows of shame show up.   6:36 The core emotion I faced standing...

This episode explores what happens when a rejection wound is smacked and what can be done about it.   0:32 - I am standing in the small break room in one of the buildings of our local community college. I am grabbing a bottle of water and relieved because the presentation I had just done on helping individuals who self-harm was over. I was silently expressing gratitude that it was finished when th...

In this episode, Philip Sustar shares his recovery story. He also attended the 2nd Finding Peace Retreat last April.   Philip is a redeemed messy, follower of Jesus.  Though he was born in the church, exposure to pornography at a very young age and other major traumatic life events, for close to 40 years left him feeling damaged and broken.  Since 2014, he has felt called to help other men find th...

In this episode, Troy introduces the concept of Attachment Wounds by sharing his own story including how he battled addiction and shame.  He shares how his wounds of abandonment, loss, and rejection were created along with how he learned tools to perform wound care and begin the healing process. In this episode, Troy does discuss some topics that may not be appropriate for younger children, howeve...

Sue Johnson identified the ways that we are able to move forward and face the world is through having secure attachments. For many of us, growing up, some of those secure attachments were broken or damaged in one way or another leading us to experience attachable such as loss, projection, abandonment, betrayal, neglect, or abuse. It is easy to remember all of the hard and difficult times lives, bu...

Have you ever pondered on the effect of the negative core beliefs written on your heart?  Usually, our negative messages begin to be written when we are young. Once written, we continue to seek "evidence" to support the belief, often to our own detriment. These negative messages fuel our perception and taint the way we interact with others.  They also provide the foundation for what our Shadows of...

Three of the boys on the backpacking trip had to go back the first day because their loads were too heavy. What happened next taught me a great lesson.    

Spending time Outdoors changes our thought patterns and helps us get grounded. When was the last time you were able to spend time Outdoors?

Completed Suicides have increased by 30% since 1999.  Suicide is among the top 3 causes of death for teens. First Responders are more likely to die by suicide than in a line of duty.  Pain and shame are two of the biggest drivers of suicide. Often the suicidal person is just wanting the pain to stop or they fear that things are never going to get better.  Shame conveys a sense of unworthiness and...

Listen to two stories that exemplify how we sometimes miss the beautiful truth that we are beings of light, love, and of great worth.