Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc

Join us as we interview life-coach Jamal Jivanjee about his work with others to confront the stories they tell themselves to reshape their thinking for better relationships and a better life. 

Music by Epidemic sound.

In this episode we discuss how we use words to soften the blow of our messages.  Every culture has ways to “beat around the bush.” Take a listen and let us know how you do this ([email protected]). Are there times when we should blunt?  Or can euphemisms be helpful to the other at times? Maybe trading our own comfort for the growth of the other is a good place to start (TC4G). While we believe honesty is the best policy, it is equally important to distinguish the reasons we share with others. Checking our motivations is key this week. Is shame, fear, anger or hurt influencing your message? 

Music by epidemic sound.

In this episode we deep dive into the professional world of communication with NFL Agent, Molly McManimie. From her undergrad in Communication Studies to her Doctorate in Law, Molly continues to put in “the work” personally and professionally. Listen as she shares her own definition of success and how she trades comfort for growth (TC4G) on a daily basis. 

Music by epidemic sound.

We all know nobody’s perfect - including TalkDoc, Meredith, and Teighlor.  So we thought what better way to celebrate our 3 Month-A-Versary than by sharing some entertaining imperfections in a blooper reel.  We hope you enjoy this podcast of outtakes as much as we enjoy putting together the show in spite of - or maybe because of our do-overs.

In this episode we explore the meaning of phubbing (phone snubbing). Have you ever had someone pick up their phone mid-conversation? Is this normal or are we addicted to the brick in our pocket? Cell phones may bring us closer to those far from us yet take us further from those next to us. Research shows that in situations where our phones are constantly accessible perceived relationship satisfaction goes down as well. Some research even explores phone addiction and its relation to how we spend our time. This week we discover several way to increase our attention span - what to pay attention to, how strongly and for how long - to help us build relationships with those we care about in practical ways.

Music by epidemic sound.

In this episode we talk about subjects we “shouldn’t” talk about, a.k.a taboo topics. Talkdoc brings us up to speed with the reasons we avoid these topics. There’s lots of reasons we don’t talk about things but the key is to start thinking about what those are and where they come from. Some people in our lives can support tough topics and some cannot. Remember to carefully navigate whom we share our stories with. Timing is also a major player in these topics and actively understanding the people around us will help.

Music by epidemic sound.

Do you have stories you tell yourself rattling around in your head about the thoughts, feelings, motivations and behaviors of those you care about?  Have you convinced yourself you know what you need to know? Are you sure you know whether the story is made up or whether it’s true?

The stories we create, can create problems for ourselves and others. In this episode of “Asking For A Friend,” find out about the reasons why we choose to operate with less information vs more. Learn about the brain science behind the cause and effect of operating with too little information and how it leads to a crazy cycle of relationship erosion.

Then discover the three communication steps - including the “duct tape” of communication, you can put into practice to release yourself from the crazy cycle. Listen now and move beyond what you think you know to build stronger relationships and a healthier you.

Music by epidemic sound.

In this episode Shardasia LeDay, Social Worker and entrepreneur invites us into the difficult roads she’s walked through with her incarcerated father. She describes how forgiveness and reconciliation have shaped her and her relationship with him. Research shows us forgiveness and reconciliation are about choice. But how do we do it? As Shardasia reminds us, many people will focus on how things can go bad...but “what if it goes good?” Join us as Shardasia courageously shares her and her father’s brave journey. 

Music by epidemic sound.

Have you ever done something you felt was unforgivable? Have you felt unworthy of forgiveness when it was offered to you? Do you freely extend forgiveness to others but withhold it from yourself? In this episode we talk about the critical steps to accepting forgiveness when it is offered and what it means to forgive yourself even if it isn’t. Listen in and discover the keys you hold to unlocking the cell you occupy. 

Music by epidemic sound.

In this episode we focus on tools for forgiving others. Ugh, forgiveness is messy. We hear examples of people doing the work and find the path of forgiveness can take ordinary people on extraordinary journeys. TalkDoc describes 4 phases to guide us through this work: uncover, decide, work and discover. 

Research warns us the danger of conditional forgiveness. You know...that  “if” condition to earn forgiveness, it can keep us from our own freedom. Conditional forgiveness reinstates the string we are trying to cut. So how do you get to a place where the string is cut between you and the transgressor? How do you choose freedom on the path of forgiveness? 

Music by epidemic sound.