On today's episode of Calmer in 5, we're exploring the powerful connection between self-compassion and calm. When we're unkind to ourselves—through harsh self-talk or impossible expectations—it quietly fuels anxiety and stress. But the good news is, self-compassion is a skill you can grow. I'll share three simple ways to begin treating yourself with more kindness, so you can feel more grounded, supported, and at ease in your daily life.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in Five, where the start to a calmer life is just five minutes away. Today I talk about bringing yourself into the moment to appreciate all the gifts that surround you. And there are a multitude around each of at any moment. Tune in to hear how to access all of them.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in Five, where the start to a calmer life is just five minutes away. Today I talk about taking a look at your life and determining what your defaults are. Don't worry, it's not your whole life, but for now, just a couple of years. We all have personality traits and emotions that we express more than others. But the question is, do these "defaults" add to your level of calm. Let's talk about a starter list as a beginning.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in Five, the show that helps you shift into a more peaceful mindset in just five minutes. Today, we're exploring three simple ways to move from doing mode to being mode—a shift that can ease anxiety, sharpen your awareness, and bring more calm into your day. If you're feeling stuck in productivity overdrive, this quick reset is for you.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5. Thanks for taking a moment to pause with me today.

There's an energy in pity that creates distance—it places one person above another, even if unintentionally. It separates us, when what we often need most is connection and understanding.

A consistent meditation practice helps us become more present, softening the urge to judge or label. With that awareness, we begin to see life not as something to fix, but something to learn from. Each moment—pleasant or challenging—becomes a quiet teacher, guiding us toward greater compassion, both for ourselves and others.

Let's explore that together, right now.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5. I'm glad you're here.

Today, we're talking about how a simple shift in perspective can ease our suffering and anxiety. Often, it's not the events in our lives that cause distress, but how we view them. When we learn to step back and see things through a wider, more compassionate lens, we invite calm into our day, even during difficult moments.

A gentle heads-up: this episode will include brief reflections on death—not to cause discomfort, but to offer clarity and peace through a deeper understanding of life.

Let's take a breath, and begin.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5, where we take just five minutes to help you feel more at ease in your day. Today, we're talking about something many of us do without even thinking—listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or even conversations at 2x speed. It might seem like a great way to get more done, but have you ever noticed how it actually makes you feel? Instead of helping you stay on top of things, it can leave you feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the present moment.

So, let's slow down together and explore why faster isn't always better—especially when it comes to your sense of calm.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5, where we make serenity simple—one thought at a time. Today, we're turning our attention to someone who deserves more appreciation—your younger self. No matter what you've been through—joy, hardship, mistakes, or triumphs—every experience has shaped the person you are today. It's easy to look back with regret or judgment, but what if, instead, you offered gratitude? Gratitude for the lessons, the resilience, and even the struggles that brought you here. In this episode, we'll explore how embracing your past with kindness can create a deeper sense of peace in the present. Let's take a moment to thank the person you once were.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5, where we make serenity simple—one thought at a time. Today, we're exploring a topic that can have a surprising impact on our peace of mind—cleanliness. For some, a tidy space creates a sense of calm and control, while for others, a little mess is simply part of life. Cleanliness is often seen as a virtue, something that society praises as good and right—but does that make it universally true? In this episode, we'll take a deeper look at what cleanliness means for different people, how it affects our well-being, and whether striving for it is truly necessary for inner peace. Let's challenge the idea that a spotless space automatically leads to a serene mind.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!

Welcome to Calmer in 5, where we make serenity simple—one thought at a time. Today, we're talking about something that many of us have a complicated relationship with—crying. Whether it's seen as a sign of weakness, vulnerability, or even something to be ashamed of, society has a way of shaping how we feel about shedding tears. But what if we reframe it? What if crying isn't something to suppress but rather a natural, healthy way to release emotion and find clarity? In this episode, we'll explore what it truly means to cry, why it can make us uncomfortable, and how embracing it can actually bring us closer to peace. Let's take a closer look at the power of tears.

✅ How society impacts our calm ✅ The importance of revisiting your values ✅ What does crying mean.

Learn how to ease the pain of anxiety with meditation - Schedule time with Thom (Free Consultation)

• Send me a message: speakpipe.com/zencommuter

• Email: [email protected]

• Instagram: @thom_walters

• Twitter: @thom_walters

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zencommuter

• Donate: Support the Podcast!

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content!