Very Best of Living

Life can be brutal, but we’re not powerless inside it. Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson get real about what it actually takes to stop living from fear and start building a life driven by love, self-worth, and choice. Taylor also shares what’s behind his new book, Fearless, and why the hardest part of healing is often accepting that you’re already “enough” even while you’re still doing the work. W...

“Do your work” can sound like a slogan until you’re staring at a relationship where you’re growing and the other person is not. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson get specific about what real inner work looks like when you’re tempted to go petty, demand fairness, or wait for someone else to change first. We share client stories that expose a common illusion: believing you’ve earned a pass because you’v...

What if the strongest person in the room isn’t the loudest, but the most centered? We open with the spectacle of the Winter Olympics and pivot to the endurance we rarely see: people quietly rebuilding their lives after childhood hurt, learning to stop rehearsing oppression, and choosing legitimacy over comparison. We share a powerful story of a woman who survived abuse and now struggles with intim...

What if the hardest step toward saving a marriage is the one your pride resists most—owning your part? We dive into the quiet ways relationships erode, from fantasies that siphon attention to anger that masks powerlessness, and we unpack what it really takes to rebuild trust after betrayal. Through raw client stories—one couple who transformed an affair into a deeper, more honest love, and a rare...

The comforts got easier and the feelings got harder. We carry powerful tools in our pockets, yet anxiety and disconnection keep rising. Today we get honest about what technology can and can’t do for mental health, why presence beats speed, and how clean motives reshape every relationship—especially in parenting. We also introduce our new parenting workbook designed to help you see your child’s cor...

We explore how inner motive shapes relationships more than circumstance, and how to move from blame to ownership. We contrast sociology’s group forces with psychology’s personal agency, and show how unconditional love changes homes, work, and aging with dignity. • framing sociology as external forces and psychology as the energy you bring • ownership over family trauma and inherited patterns • the...

What if the fastest way out of anxiety isn’t thinking harder, but choosing smaller, cleaner moves you can repeat today? We dive into the simple choices that change your mental weather: adapting to what is, setting real boundaries, and practicing gratitude that actually anchors you when fear surges. When worry feels like action, we use a clear framework—five to ten minutes to worry, then fifty minu...

December can feel like a paradox: generosity and sparkle on one side, old wounds and family friction on the other. We dive into that tension and offer a different path—one built on inner gifts, honest encouragement, and boundaries that protect your peace. Instead of chasing perfect presents, we share a simple practice: write down three names and decide what meaningful gift you can offer each perso...

What would it look like to present your life and feel proud of how you grew? We dive into progression as a way of living—how small, brave choices stack into character—and map six practices that pull us out of ourselves and back into meaning: sacrifice, bravery, education and critical thinking, curiosity, gratitude, and faith. Along the way, we get honest about aging and purpose at 99, the joy and...

Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson dive deep into the transformative power of coaching and how it unlocks emotional intelligence for meaningful personal growth. They explore how the Color Code personality system provides unparalleled clarity about who we truly are, quickly cutting through layers of self-deception that might otherwise take months to unravel in traditional therapy. The conversation r...

What legacy will you leave your children? This thought-provoking question frames our heartfelt conversation about the profound impact of parenting on future generations. We begin with a touching story of a man in his seventies longing for one more conversation with his mother who had been his "rock" – a powerful reminder that family connections shape us in ways that echo throughout our l...

Are your daily actions aligned with who you say you are? That's the challenging question at the heart of this thought-provoking exploration with Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson. They dive deep into the concept of creating a moral backstop—a clear definition of who you are that acts as a foundation when life throws challenges your way. The conversation takes a powerful turn when Dr. Hartman...

What if the question isn't whether to choose an easy or difficult path, but rather which difficult path will lead to your greatest growth? Dr. Taylor Hartman tackles this profound question in a thought-provoking exploration of life's inevitable challenges and how we navigate them. Drawing inspiration from M. Scott Peck's "The Road Less Traveled" and its opening statement t...

Ever wondered why some people achieve extraordinary success while others get lost in distractions? Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson unlock powerful insights about personal commitment and focus that could transform your approach to life's priorities. Drawing from an unexpected source—Elon Musk's ex-wife—they reveal how knowing what truly matters and quickly saying "no" to every...

Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larson explore the critical connection between mental health and personal accountability, challenging the notion that circumstances rather than choices determine our wellbeing. They discuss how society's increasing focus on comfort and validation has created a generation struggling with resilience and personal responsibility. • Busy people accomplish more while thos...

Ever felt lost in a sea of expectations, both personal and societal, not knowing which way to turn for true fulfillment? Join Dr. Taylor Hartman and Cat Larsen as they share stories of real people navigating life's trials, like a man wrestling with dissatisfaction in marriage and career. Dr. Hartman and Larson explore the essence of emotional connection and the struggles faced when it's...

Discover the transformative power of relationships through the colorful insights of Dr. Taylor Hartman, as he joins us to explore his latest work, "Hartman Color Code for Couples." Through an engaging conversation with Cat Larsen, we unravel the profound dynamics of connection, decision-making, and intimacy, all viewed through the vibrant lens of color personalities. Dr. Hartman shares h...

Have you ever wondered why joy often feels so distant as we grow older? Join me and my wonderful co-host Cat Larsen as we navigate the complex landscape of joy, especially during the dreary months of January and February. We categorize people into three groups: those who are dispirited by life's challenges, those who bounce back, and those who emerge stronger. An eye-opening exercise awaits y...

Have you ever felt the warmth of gifting something truly special to a loved one? Join me and my towering friend, Cat Larson, as we take you on a joyful journey through our cherished holiday traditions. From the thrill of planning surprise trips to the heartwarming story of the green coat I saved up to buy for my mother, we explore the magic of the Christmas season. Cat shares a touching memory of...

Unlock the secrets of harmonious family dynamics with our insightful conversation featuring Dr. Taylor Hartman and Kat Larson. Discover how understanding your children's personalities through the lens of the color code can transform their formative years into a period of meaningful growth and connection. This episode promises to illuminate the powerful role parents play in nurturing their chi...

Imagine taking a family stroll and suddenly encountering two majestic moose. This unexpected moment led me to reflect on the small yet profound experiences that enrich our lives. In this episode, we explore such meaningful moments, including reconnecting with a college friend who faced immense challenges, and the transformative power of education. Kat Larson joins me to share the pleasures of rais...

Get ready to unravel the enigma of narcissism on this episode of the Very Best of Living Podcast! Join me, your host Dr. Taylor Hartman, along with my incredible friend Cat Larson, as we dive deep into understanding and dealing with narcissists. We'll peel back the layers to distinguish between those with narcissistic tendencies and full-blown narcissists, uncovering the deep insecurities tha...

What happens when life's inconveniences feel overwhelming? Imagine finding yourself in Cuba grappling with unexpected challenges, or dealing with an eight-day air conditioning outage at home. In this episode, we explore the art of transforming obstacles into opportunities and managing life's inherent inconveniences. Through personal stories and shared experiences, we delve into how our r...

What if understanding your partner better within the roles of marriage could completely transform your relationship? Join us as we share a compelling story of a client navigating the intricate journey from being an individual to embracing the role of a spouse. We also feature insights from a Jewish rabbi, who argues that men and women achieve deeper understanding and support within the defined rol...

What if we told you that a simple heartfelt message could reignite a passion that had been put on hold? Join Dr. Taylor Hartman and his dear friend Cat Larson as they share the touching story of how a message from George Young inspired their return to the podcast world. Together, they discuss the transformative power of influential relationships and the joy of reconnecting with their cherished lis...