Not all everyday lessons come from self-improvement books. Sometimes they sneak up on you in the strangest places. This week’s lesson comes from Pixar’s Toy Story and it’s probably not the lesson you’re thinking of.

Join David as he takes you back to 1987 and shares the story of an incident that hurt him deeply and puzzled him for years, making him wonder what was wrong with him and what he had done wrong. Then find out how Buzz and Woody taught him a lesson that allowed him to finally put that hurt and confusion aside.

Referenced in this episode:

Toy Story

Everyday Lessons Every Day is all about the concept of learning life lessons and implementing them to be a better version of yourself. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and excited to share my stories of growth with the world.

But just when I think I've come so far on my journey from grumpy to grateful, I do occasionally revert back to my old ways. In this episode, I share how poorly I handled my Monday morning and the terrible impact it took on my daughter. I lost my temper, couldn’t see things from her point of view, and acted like an asshole.

Maybe you’ll relate. Hopefully, you’ll learn from my mistakes.

Too many times, we act on limited information, be it a text from a friend, news on the television, or even social media posts and comments. Later on, we are provided more information, we discover that we acted inappropriately, wishing we had been given a more complete picture to work with.

Eric Davis refers to this as call center syndrome and he talks about how to recognize it and avoid it so that you can make better decisions and improve your relationships. Insight into this everyday lesson can help you at work and at home.

Rob White is an international best-selling author and intriguing philosopher. He has over 30 years of experience helping others to accurately understand themselves and their remarkable resources, so they might realize their dreams.

He was born in a small mill town, went on to become a schoolteacher and then a successful entrepreneur as a bicoastal real estate developer and restauranteur. Rob’s an avid reader, engaging thinker, and zealous poet, as well as global traveler and author.

Over the past 25 years of his life-journey, Rob has been exploring the incalculable nature of what it means to be a human being. Combining that knowledge with his vast experiences, he has reworked his realizations, spiritual insights, and wisdom into sound practical advice.

Rob was a regular columnist in the Huffington Post, has written four other

When David hears his nephew’s new song on Spotify, he is transported to the past, struggling to reconcile the beautiful and professionally produced song with the little baby he knew so long ago. How could this tiny person be a college graduate, producing music?

In this moment, he starts to realize just how much he’s been pining for the past. To further complicate things, his daughter turns sixteen this week, causing more conflict between wanting his baby girl to stay little and looking forward to what the future will bring for them. 

He is reminded of a quote he learned from Yoda (yes, the little green dude from Star Wars) many years ago. No, it’s not the quote about trying and doing. It’s a different bit of wisdom from the mind of George Lucas and the voice of Frank Oz.

Tune in to find out what everyday lesson from Yoda shaped and improved David’s life this week.

Referenced in this Episode:

Return of the Jedi

Nice and Slow, by Jacob North Hill

At 68 years young, Jill Phillips has a lot of stories and several everyday lessons worth sharing. From growing up in 1960’s London, to writing a book, to getting healthy and completing a 5K in her mid-sixties, Jill’s message is clear: Do the things you want to do.

This energetic and vibrant lady reminds us that divorce isn’t a death sentence and that spending time with loved ones near the ends of their lives can be incredibly fulfilling and valuable.

When Jill decided to write her book, it meant learning about and telling her family stories. What surprised Jill during this process was how much she learned about herself.

If you have a passion project, a bucket list, or just want to make a few changes in your life, Jill’s interview may be the jolt you need to get up off the couch and do the things you want to do.

Sean Tyler Foley is passionate about helping others confidently take the stage and impact an audience with their stories. He is the author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked, which is based on his speaker training courses.

In this episode, Tyler shares one of the most powerful lessons from his training courses: The thing you’re afraid to say is very likely the thing that the world needs to hear.

If you’re struggling to share your truth with the world, this episode will give you the confidence that you seek.

Like a lot of new moms, Catherine O’Brien quickly discovered that a new baby meant a new dynamic in her relationship with her husband. Even as a Licensed Marriage Therapist, she found herself overwhelmed and unprepared for how significantly her life had changed.

Her kids are older now and she learned a lot on her journey. Thankfully, she was brave enough and took the time to write her story to share the everyday lessons she learned along the way with other new parents.

From dealing with sleep deprivation, to finding time for self-care, Catherine shares some of her best tips in this episode of Everyday Lessons Every Day.

This is a great episode for new parents, of course, but there’s also some pretty solid relationship advice for those who aren’t parents yet, or who have been at it awhile.

When Brandy Peterson started her career in early childhood education, she quickly found herself doing the work of three people. Because of her “helper personality,” she did the best she could to keep up. Being needed made her feel necessary and validated.

But she was stressed and tired and not eating. She wasn’t giving her all to her family at home. She was simply stretched too thin. That’s when she broke down and cried in the middle of the circle-time carpet.

Luckily, Brandy had a boss who cared for her more as a person than as an employee. That’s when she learned to let go of some things and focus on the tasks that only she could do.

The lesson has stuck with her for nearly two decades and in this episode she shares how it helped her to be a better boss, friend, spouse and mother.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and overworked, this episode is for you.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn your passion project or side hustle into a full-time career, you’re going to want to hear what Julian Placino has to say about discovering your talents and abilities, using them to serve others, and how doing those things will help you and your community to grow.

Julian has been a student of success for many years, investing thousands of dollars and hours into books, seminars, and personal coaching. He hosts the successful Podcast and YouTube show “Pathways to Success” where he interviews leaders, authors, CEOs and entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Julian talks about his journey from corporate career to independent entrepreneur and provides several everyday lessons for those who are on a similar journey.