What happens when someone does something kind for you—and instead of simply receiving it, you immediately feel like you owe them something?

In this episode of the Intentional Awakening Podcast, Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman explore the complicated relationship many people have with giving, receiving, generosity, and obligation.

Terrie shares her personal experience of feeling indebted when someone helps her. Even though she genuinely enjoys helping others and considers herself an "over helper," receiving kindness can trigger the feeling that she needs to repay the person who helped her.

The conversation explores where these patterns may come from, including childhood experiences, family dynamics, money, love languages, and the messages we receive about giving and receiving.

Kathy offers another perspective: what if kindness doesn't have to be paid back to the same person?

What if we simply receive the kindness and then pay it forward to someone else?

The hosts also explore the difference between genuine generosity and transactional giving. Helping someone because you want to help is very different from keeping score and expecting a favor in return later.

They discuss why receiving can be difficult for many people and how guilt, shame, fear, and the feeling of indebtedness can make it uncomfortable to accept love, generosity, assistance, or gifts.

Another important part of the conversation is learning to recognize our own patterns without judging ourselves. Rather than calling a difficult part of ourselves "ugly," we can become curious about it, understand where it comes from, and practice responding differently.

Ultimately, this episode offers a powerful reminder:

You can receive without owing.

You can allow someone to be generous.

You can accept help.

You can receive love.

And you don't have to immediately figure out how to repay it.

Sometimes receiving is simply allowing another person to express their kindness.

🎙Intentional Awakening Podcast

Hosted by Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman

What if your spiritual practice doesn't have to look perfect?

In this episode of the Intentional Awakening Podcast, Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman explore creativity, perfectionism, expectations, vulnerability, and the importance of finding a spiritual practice that actually works for your life.

The conversation begins with an angel card called Creativity, encouraging us to move beyond preconceived thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and embrace our own unique expression.

From there, Kathy and Terrie discuss how easily spiritual practices can become rigid expectations. They share stories about people who feel guilty when they can't meditate, practice yoga, or follow a spiritual routine exactly as prescribed.

Terrie opens up about her own experience with perfectionism and how the pressure to practice "the right way" caused her to pull away from something she genuinely valued.

The hosts explore why perfect can become the enemy of done and why a practice should support your life rather than become another source of stress, guilt, or self-judgment.

They also discuss the importance of vulnerability within spiritual communities and question why spiritual teachers are sometimes placed on pedestals instead of being allowed to show their humanity.

Spiritual growth isn't always peaceful, positive, or "love and light." Sometimes it involves breakdowns, uncertainty, financial challenges, relationship changes, emotional struggles, and periods when you simply don't know what you're doing.

And that's okay.

You don't have to practice perfectly.

You don't have to follow someone else's path exactly.

You don't have to become a perfect version of yourself.

You can experiment. You can adapt. You can be flexible. You can find what works for you.

Ultimately, spirituality is a practice—not a performance.

If you've ever felt guilty for not doing enough, struggled with perfectionism, or wondered whether you're following your spiritual path "correctly," this conversation offers a powerful reminder:

There is no one right way to do it. Find what works for you.

🎙️ Intentional Awakening PodcastHosted by Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman

What are you still holding onto that is keeping you stuck?

In this episode of the Intentional Awakening Podcast, Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman explore the powerful theme of release—letting go of the past, resistance, outdated identities, emotional baggage, and judgments that can prevent us from moving forward.

The episode begins with an angel card message: Release. The card encourages us to let go of control, expectations, worry, inhibitions, and outdated versions of ourselves.

From there, Kathy and Terrie share real-life stories about resistance to change, personal growth, coaching, relationships, and the challenge of helping people who aren't yet ready to do the work.

A central question emerges throughout the conversation:

"What do you need to get to a yes?"

Sometimes resistance doesn't mean someone doesn't want change. They may need more information, more time, an apology, an explanation, or simply a different way of approaching the situation.

The hosts also explore why people sometimes hold onto grief and anger because releasing those emotions can feel like letting go of the person, experience, or justice connected to them. But carrying old anger doesn't necessarily punish the person who hurt you—it can keep the experience alive within you.

Another powerful theme is the difference between your story and your identity. Your past may include divorce, addiction, abuse, grief, loss, or other painful experiences, but those experiences don't have to become the name tag you wear forever.

You can tell your story without allowing your story to define you.

The conversation also explores free will, coaching, group work, energy, surrender, and the importance of knowing when to support someone and when to stop pushing.

If you're feeling stuck, resistant to change, or tired of carrying something from your past, this episode offers an invitation to ask yourself:

What am I ready to release?

And perhaps even more importantly:

What do I need to finally say yes to moving forward?

Intentional Awakening Podcast Hosted by Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman

What if you stopped worrying about whether you're worthy—and simply allowed yourself to be who you are?

In Episode 60 of the Intentional Awakening Podcast, Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman explore a timeless spiritual message about speaking your truth, becoming visible, simplifying your life, thinking rationally, and recognizing your inherent worth.

The episode begins with a message about sisterhood and brotherhood and the importance of treating humanity as an extended family. Kathy shares a personal story about helping a woman who needed assistance, reminding us how simple acts of kindness can create meaningful human connection.

The hosts then explore several spiritual cards, including The Thinker, The Monk, and The Sun, along with messages about gratitude, visibility, and breath. Together, these readings encourage listeners to balance spirituality with rational thought, slow down, become present, and allow themselves to shine.

A major focus of the conversation is communication. If you have something you need to say, the hosts encourage you to first understand what you actually want, take a breath, and communicate your needs clearly and simply. You cannot control how another person receives your message—but you can control whether you have the courage to express it.

The conversation also examines spiritual bypassing and the importance of using common sense and critical thinking alongside spiritual practices.

Finally, Terrie shares a deeply personal story that leads to one of the episode's most powerful insights: you don't have to be extraordinary, perfect, or "fabulous" to deserve love. You can simply be yourself.

If you've been holding back, over-explaining yourself, questioning your worth, or struggling to say what you really need, this episode offers a reminder to breathe, think, speak, shine, and receive.

Intentional Awakening Podcast — Episode 60: A Reading

Hosted by Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman

Listen for a timeless message that may meet you exactly where you are today.

Join Kathy Gruver and Terrie Huberman as they tackle the tough concepts of spirituality. Todays episode we talk about expectancy and how our perception of the future shapes what is going to happen. Most of our disappointment comes from unexpressed expectations. Learn how to ask for what you want and how to get your needs met. Ask questions and be curious.

Join cohosts Terrie and Kathy and returning special guest Noel Coakley as we talk about intention, our spiritual practice and how to achieve the things we want. Always a fascinating episode with three wise voices in spirituality.

For Information on Noel's new book go to: https://www.wakeupsleepybuddha.com/

Join Terrie and Kathy for this special episode with guest Noel Coakley talking about transformation and his new book, Wake Up Sleepy Buddha.

www.wakeupsleepybuddha.com

Tune in to the latest episode with Kathy and Terrie as they explore getting to the subconscious and emotions through the body. You never know what you will discover and learn when you tap into your physicality.

Join Terrie and Kathy for another incredible episode. This time they discuss trust, how that can fit into your life, how you can build that and how you know when you've got it.

Throughout our lives, we develop specific personalities to allow ourselves to be accepted. One of the most common is the pleaser. We certainly all want to help, but sometimes that part of ourselves gets carried away. It's when we volunteer for the 37th bake sale when we didn't really want to do the first 36.

We believe that unless we are doing things for others and are giving, giving, giving that we are not going to be loved or accepted. The only way we get value is by doing things for others. This can completely backfire! Join Terrie and Kathy as they discuss the pleaser personality type and how to start taking steps to be more resilient when it comes to changing this type of personality.