Connection Project 360

In this episode, Tara, Mare and Peter J. Hughes have a Conscious Conversation discussing the concept that changing our minds can change our world. They explore how advancements in technology, science, and medicine have unlocked unprecedented human potential but also emphasize the responsibility and accountability that come with it. The discussion delves into the current state of humanity, expressing frustrations and the sense that society is moving in the wrong direction. They compare humanity's journey to the awkward and challenging phase of puberty, suggesting that this period of discomfort is necessary for growth. The dialogue addresses the struggle between spiritual ideals and the harsh realities of the modern world while highlighting the importance of showing up with intention and compassion. Overall, the Conscious Conversation encapsulates the tension between the potential for human greatness and the obstacles that must be overcome to achieve it. The trio concludes by acknowledging the importance of integrity, sacred responsibility, and changing perspectives to navigate this evolutionary process.

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode Mare and Tara have a Conscious Conversation by delving into the concept of shifting one's listening perspective to foster better understanding and love in relationships. They explore concepts from Peter J. Hughes' "At-One-ment: Reclaiming Our Humanity" and discuss how projecting love can create opportunities for different and more positive experiences. They reflect on their own tendencies to anticipate and assume others' responses based on past interactions, particularly highlighting experiences in marriages and medical consultations where preconceived filters influence their listening.

The discussion also touches upon the challenges of overcoming deeply rooted biases and fears that shape our perceptions and reactions. Tara shares personal anecdotes about dealing with medical professionals and understanding her husband's responses, while Mare talks about navigating relationships with siblings and dealing with grief. They emphasize the importance of professional help in unpacking psychological "backpacks" filled with accumulated emotional baggage, allowing for a clearer, more empathetic perspective.

The episode concludes with reflections on the difficulty of practicing open and loving listening, especially in contexts like politically charged conversations or reunions with diverse classmates. They stress the importance of recognizing and managing one's filters to engage in more meaningful and loving interactions. Together they invite the audience to join them in this journey of self-discovery and relationship building through the tools provided by Hughes' book and cards, reinforcing the idea that everyone has the potential to show up better in an often divided world.

1.  What is a Living Intention?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode, the Mare and Tara engage in a deep and insightful conversation about emotional buttons and how they shape our responses to life's challenges. The discussion kicks off with a card from At-One-Ment: Reclaiming OUr Humanity Chapter Four: "Button. Button. Who's got the button?" which highlights the idea that while people may push our buttons, we are the ones who installed them.

Taking responsibility for our emotional responses and how doing so allows us to rewire and reprogram our buttons to foster healthier emotional reactions. This topic evolves into a candid discussion about personal experiences, particularly around body image and self-worth. Tara shares her struggles with body-related buttons installed during her childhood, and how societal pressures continue to impact her.

The conversation takes a reflective turn as they explore ways to rewire these emotional triggers. They talk about the significance of acknowledging the buttons and taking small, actionable steps towards change. Then they touch on the idea of making things easier instead of harder and employing the mantra "hard to easier" to foster a more manageable approach to self-improvement.

Towards the end, they emphasize the value of Conscious Conversations with loved ones and how tools like the At-One-Ment: Reclaiming Our Humanity card deck can facilitate these meaningful dialogues. The episode closes on an encouraging note, reminding listeners that while the journey to rewire emotional buttons is ongoing, support from friends and conscious choices can make a significant difference. They invite the audience to join them at Connection Project 360 website to discover other ways to connect.

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode, Mare and Tara reflect on their "Living Intention" goals for March and set new intentions for April.

Tara discusses her March Living Intention, which focused on loving to move her body without comparisons or societal pressures. She shares how she initially put too much pressure on herself to exercise perfectly but then shifted her approach to tracking incremental improvements using her smartwatch. This method helped her increase her exercise and step counts without overwhelming herself. She also shares a humorous and candid experience about finally using her gym membership after a year of inactivity.

Mare talks about her March Living Intention of prioritizing being in a happy, healthy marriage, especially while supporting her husband through a challenging recovery from a hip replacement surgery. She reflects on the difficult moments and the positive impacts of being present and supportive. She shares the valuable lessons learned about patience, communication, and actively choosing to focus on her marriage.

For April, Tara's new Living Intention is to be a brave entrepreneur. She plans to explore and possibly act on various business ideas she has been considering, as well as improving her skills in digital marketing. Mare's April intention is to work with coaches to help her with sales and TEDx speaking. She discusses her challenges with asking for money due to generational conditioning and her excitement about gaining confidence in sales and public speaking.

The episode covers the importance of reflection, habit formation, and building on previous goals. Both hosts express their excitement about continuing to develop their Living Intentions, utilizing lessons learned, and looking forward to new challenges and growth opportunities.

Additionally, they introduce the Dream Nudge Challenge, an easy and affordable nine-day program designed to help participants move their dreams forward, available on their website Connection Project 360.

1.  What is a Living Intention?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode Mare and Tara have a Conscious Conversation by delving into the significance of gratitude and its various impacts on life. They use a card from Peter J. Hughes' "At-One-Ment: Reclaiming Our Humanity" deck as a starting point to explore the topic.

The conversation begins with personal anecdotes, highlighting how regular gratitude practices, such as gratitude journals and exchanges with friends, have positively transformed their worldviews and daily experiences. They discuss the importance of appreciating simple things like warm running water and how these practices help them stay centered amidst life's challenges.

Mare shares her method of integrating gratitude into daily routines through practices like morning pages and rampages of gratitude, which involve writing down as many things as she's thankful for within a timed session. She emphasizes the release and detachment that shredding the pages brings.

Tara reflects on how early gratitude practices felt silly but grew into a profound and transformative tool for self-awareness and alignment over time. They both acknowledge the difficulty of finding gratitude in challenging circumstances but stress its importance in fostering personal growth and resilience.

Additionally, they touch upon using apps, like the "How We Feel" app from the "Permission to Feel" book club, to enhance their gratitude practices, share emotional insights, and deepen connections with others, including children.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to develop their gratitude practices, suggesting various methods like meditation, journaling, or sharing with a partner. They underline that while practicing gratitude may start simply, it can lead to significant personal and relational growth, ultimately contributing to a more loving and inclusive world.

1.  What is a Living Intention?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J.Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

3. Book: Permission to Feel by Dr. Marc Brackett

4. App: How We Feel by Dr. Marc Brackett

In this episode Mare and Tara are joined by Peter J. Hughes, the author of "At-One-Ment: Reclaiming Our Humanity." The discussion revolves around the theme of navigating through life's inevitable changes and challenges, as highlighted by a card pulled from Peter's book "The Retrograde Phenomenon: Shift Happens."

The conversation delves deep into personal and collective experiences of change, exploring how individuals can choose to show up consciously despite the chaos. Tara shares her struggles with balancing her reactions to the world and attempting to stay positive. Mare discusses the importance of Conscious Conversations and being prepared to respond rather than react to life's shifts.

Peter offers insights on maintaining integrity and peace during turbulent times, emphasizing the importance of choosing to be part of the solution rather than contributing to the chaos. The discussion touches on the concept of forced growth and the discomfort it brings, but also the realization that everyone is participating in the evolution of humanity in their unique ways.

They reflect on the necessity of contrast in life to appreciate different aspects of existence, such as empathy and compassion. They conclude by acknowledging the importance of holding space, nurturing oneself, and preparing to help rebuild after the storm passes, stressing that conscious engagement and integrity are vital.

Listeners are invited to explore the ideas further through the Connection Project 360 and to connect with Peter J. Hughes for more insights on reclaiming humanity.

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode, Mare and Tara have a Conscious Conversation as they delve into the significance of practicing common courtesy and basic manners, particularly the habitual use of "please" and "thank you," as a path toward expanded appreciation and reclaiming humanity.

They discuss how adopting these small, simple expressions can have an immediate and profoundly positive impact on our personal and collective well-being. They discuss challenges encountered in everyday situations, like driving or dealing with difficult conversations, and emphasize using gratitude as a tool for emotional growth and maintaining civility.

Various anecdotes are shared, such as handling road rage by imagining a positive reason for someone’s behavior, and navigating the roller coaster of  recovering from surgery. These stories illustrate how implementing politeness even in tough moments can transform experiences and interactions.

Furthermore, they touch on the importance of maintaining civility in polarized debates, relating it back to a structured political discussion they witnessed where participants began and ended dialogues with a handshake. This exemplified mutual respect despite differing viewpoints.

The conversation also addresses how our responses and reactions to others, particularly in tense or professional situations, can either escalate or diffuse tension, emphasizing the power of taking a moment to respond thoughtfully.

Overall, the episode is a reflective and practical examination of how small acts of courtesy and expressions of gratitude can elevate human interactions, foster empathy, and contribute to a more compassionate society. And finally they give an invitation for listeners to engage in similar Conscious Conversations through the Connection Project 360 platform.

1.  What is a Living Intention?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episdoe Mare and Tara, have a Conscious Conversation discussing the profound impact of volunteering on both individuals and communities. Tara shares her recent experience of touring a local resource center that supports people experiencing food scarcity. She highlights the enlightening and emotional realization of community needs, and the various ways the center operates, such as food sorting, stocking, and distribution based on family size. This experience inspired Tara to commit to volunteer work and reconsider her household's waste.

Mare reflects on her own history of volunteering, influenced by her parents and her husband's work in community service. She shares touching stories from the COVID-19 pandemic, including a young girl's kind gesture towards an elderly neighbor, and her own practice of creating and delivering cards to a senior center. Both speakers emphasize the dual benefits of volunteering: it helps those in need and also enriches the volunteer's own life.

They advocate for community involvement, discussing how different types of volunteer opportunities, from making lasagna for neighbors in need to reading with children on Zoom, can profoundly connect people to their community and foster empathy and understanding. They conclude by encouraging the audience to explore volunteer opportunities in their own communities, highlighting the simplicity and significant impact of such actions.

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode Mare and Tara have a Conscious Conversation regarding their personal growth and intentions. They reflect on their chosen "Living Intentions" for February and share their plans for March. Tara talks about her focus on mindful connections with others, which led her to rekindle friendships, volunteer at a local community center, and maintain a bullet journal to track her progress. Her intention for March shifts to incorporating more body movement into her daily routine, emphasizing enjoyment rather than perfection.

Mare shares her experience as a caregiver for her husband, who is recovering from surgery. Her February intention to read more was partly fulfilled, albeit through medical documents rather than books. Mare's March intention is to prioritize her marriage, focusing on the joy and gratitude in her relationship as they approach their 25th wedding anniversary. 

Both Mare and Tara emphasize the importance of support, accountability, and the incremental progress of 1% improvements in their lives. Highlighting the significance of setting intentions, maintaining momentum, and supporting each other through challenging times. They also discuss the concept of body doubling for accountability and how their Conscious Connection Circle aids in achieving their goals. 

They conclude by inviting the audience to join them in these practices through Connection Project 360.

1.  What is a Living Intention?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J
Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/

In this episode Mare and Tara engage in a thought-provoking and heartfelt Conscious Conversation with guest Peter J. Hughes. The discussion centers around the importance of mindfulness and being present in daily life, using the metaphor of making complete stops at stop signs as a way to cultivate awareness of both obvious and subtle signs in our environment.

Tara shares a personal story about an incident where she was visited by a police officer for rolling through a stop sign, highlighting how easy it is to go through the motions without being fully present. This experience becomes a metaphor for how we often move through life on autopilot, missing significant cues along the way.

The conversation deepens as Tara recounts a dream visit from her grandmother, which reassured her that everything would be okay. She reflects on how this experience, and her connection to her grandmother through the act of cross-stitching, helps her stay grounded and mindful.

Peter J. Hughes adds his insights, emphasizing the importance of being present and paying attention as a means to navigate life's challenges and opportunities. He shares personal anecdotes, including a humorous story about misreading an airplane ticket, to illustrate how easily we can overlook essential details.

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the broader implications of mindfulness, likening it to themes from Star Wars and the concept of "The Force." The hosts and guests explore how these pop culture references reflect deeper spiritual truths and the importance of staying connected to the present moment.

Overall, this Conscious Conversation is a blend of personal stories, practical advice, and philosophical insights, encouraging listeners to slow down, pay attention, and be mindful in their everyday lives.

They conclude by inviting the audience to join them in these practices through the Connection Project 360.

1.  What is a Conscious Conversation?: Learn more here:
https://www.connectionproject360.com/
2. Learn more about  Reclaiming Our Humanity with Author Peter J Hughes: https://peterjhughes.com/books/