How to Ask Better Questions for Real Change

We’ve all tried them — affirmations.

“I am abundant.” “I am radiant.” “I am calm.”

But what happens when those words just… don’t land? When your brain (and your body) roll their eyes and whisper, “yeah, right.”

In this episode, Kate Garland — midlife reinvention coach, intuitive guide, and nervous system mentor — cracks open the science and soul behind why traditional affirmations often fail and introduces you to their powerful upgrade: afformations.

Afformations (coined by Noah St. John) flip the script — turning your statements into questions that work with your brain and body, not against them. The result? Less resistance, more curiosity, and a nervous system that finally says yes.

🌙 Inside this episode:

• Why your subconscious doesn’t believe your affirmations — and what neuroscience reveals about self-talk, mirror neurons, and nervous system congruence
• The hidden link between manifestation and embodiment (and why your body always tells the truth)
• How a single word — afformations — pulled Kate out of a “deep existential funk” during eclipse season
• The brain’s built-in search engine (your reticular activating system) and how to activate it with better questions
• The ancient spiritual roots of inquiry in Yoga, Buddhism, Christianity, Sufism, Kabbalah, and Toltec wisdom — all pointing to one truth: transformation starts with curiosity
• Why women in midlife especially need circles of safety, belonging, and shared inquiry to anchor real change
• Five powerful “swap this for that” afformations you can try today

Email me or send me a DM on Instagram and tell me how trying afformations landed for you!

🌙 The conversation doesn’t end here.

• My Inner Circle gets the first drops—new podcast sneak peeks, early access to offers, and the notes I only share off-mic. Join us here.

🌿 Free Support for Your Nervous System

• Start here → The Free Anxiety Reset: a 7-minute guided tool to calm spiraling thoughts and come back to yourself. Think of it like a nervous system reboot—on demand.

✨ Enjoying this podcast?

• Leave a review—it helps other women find this work. 🙏
• Or forward this episode to a friend who could use a little nervous system magic today. 💛

💛 Connect with Kate:

Email [email protected] or DM on Instagram: @radicallyKate