In this episode, we explore the deep-rooted tendency to seek approval from the very people who criticize us most. Together, we unpack:

• Why we confuse critique with wisdom and validation
• How childhood dynamics and emotional wounds shape this pattern
• The emotional cost of chasing approval from naysayers
• Why breaking the cycle matters for our mental health and self-worth
• Actionable steps to turn toward compassion instead of criticism

This conversation is a reminder that healing doesn’t come from earning acceptance—it comes from reclaiming your own.

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, I explore Norman Rush’s Mating, focusing on the chapter “Guilty Repose” and the section “Weep for Me.” Through the narrator’s encounter with the waterfall, I unpack themes of noise, solitude, mediocrity, and companionship — connecting her revelations to my own experiences with silence, striving, and the human need for connection.

Discussion Highlights:

• How “the roar penetrates you” mirrors our craving for sensory overwhelm — music, crowds, even chaos — to quiet the mind’s constant chatter.
• The painful beauty of solitude eroding, and what it means to reconnect with ourselves after long avoidance.
• The “Weep for Me” moment as an honest confrontation with buried sadness, surfacing only when the world finally goes quiet.
• The narrator’s fear of mediocrity and how society equates “average” with “unacceptable,” fueling endless striving.
• The final revelation — “If you had a companion you would stay where you are” — as a call to seek steadiness, humility, and shared presence over transcendence.

In this episode, we explore why starting your day with effortful tasks can build momentum, meaning, and mental strength.

• Why your brain is primed for effort in the morning
• The science behind doing hard things early
• What happens when we only choose ease
• The Four Boxes of Action: Easy & Empty, Easy & Essential, Effortful & Enriching, Effortful & Draining
• How to build a daily rhythm that supports growth, not just comfort

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we unpack a powerful distinction that shifts how we view conflict, commitment, and connection:

• The difference between fighting for your life (survival mode) and fighting for a life (intentional living)
• Why some relationship arguments aren't about breaking up—they’re about building something meaningful
• How setting boundaries, saving money, and making hard choices are all ways of fighting for a life
• Practical ways to recognize when you’re reacting vs. when you’re reaching for more
• What it looks like to collaborate on a shared vision instead of clashing over unmet expectations

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

If you're a parent of pre-teen or teenage boy, today's episode is for you. Today's episode is:

• Exploring why heartbreak can lead preteen and teenage boys to suicidal thoughts
• Understanding the difference between what boys think they want versus what they actually need during emotional pain
• Signs parents and caregivers can watch for when boys are struggling silently
• Real stories of hope and healing beyond heartbreak
• Expert insights on emotional regulation, connection, and suicide prevention

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we explore the quiet power of doing things with both hands:

• Why bilateral movement calms the nervous system
• Cultural and spiritual traditions that honor two-handed gestures
• Everyday tasks that ground us through full-body presence
• Real-world quotes and wisdom about giving, receiving, and connecting more deeply
• Simple ways to bring more intentionality and wholeness into your daily routine

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK "STONER" BY JOHN WILLIAMS

SPOILERS...

In this heartfelt episode, we explore:

• How the novel Stoner reveals the hidden emotional lives so many of us carry
• Why Stoner’s death from esophageal cancer symbolizes the suffocation of unexpressed emotions
• The myth that stoicism means emotional emptiness — and the truth about deep-feeling people
• How modern culture still struggles to make space for slow, messy, real emotions
• Ways we can start building small spaces of emotional honesty, connection, and healing

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to improve in the areas of health, wealth and/or relationships, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we explore why having a personal "Why Not" list can be a powerful tool for mental health and suicide prevention:

• How “Why not?” can lead to impulsive or harmful decisions
• Why having your own “why nots” can help you say no when it matters
• How a “why not” list can save a life during a suicidal crisis
• Examples of meaningful “why nots” that resonate deeply
• Backed by research: the science behind Reasons for Living (RFL)
• How to start building your own list today

Whether you're supporting others or holding on yourself, this episode offers a simple, life-anchoring framework.

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In this episode, we explore:

• What a manic episode actually looks and feels like
• How mania and depression can reduce grey matter in the brain
• Why overstimulation, lack of sleep, and creative pressure can trigger episodes
• How Kanye West’s story reveals the tension between brilliance and instability
• The difference between holding people accountable and holding them with compassion
• What it means to support mental health without romanticizing suffering

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.

In today's episode we discuss the following questions:

What truth in you cannot be broken?

When do you feel most like you?

Who are you without your name?

What are you growing into?

Where does your courage live?

What is something small that feels big to you?

Thrive With Leo Coaching: 

If you want to reduce your psychological pain, regain your purpose and forge your own path, go to www.thrivewithleo.com to begin your journey.

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, or is anxious, depressed, upset, or needs to talk, there are people who want to help:

In the US: 

Crisis Text Line: Text CRISIS to 741741 for free, confidential crisis counseling. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 988

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Outside the US:

International Association for Suicide Prevention lists a number of suicide hotlines by country. Click here to find them.