FINE is a 4-Letter Word

First of all, I'd like to give a shout-out to our previous guest, Mike Fisher, for connecting me with Grant Muller, who you're about to hear from today.

And what a story you're about to discover!

Do you know what it's like to passionately want something - to fall in love with somebody - and not be able to express it because society says it's wrong? To suppress and bury who you really are and what you really feel just to try to fit in and not become a target?

Somewhere along the line, you were given core values, like integrity, but without any framework for what "integrity" means. What is integrity? Does it mean you boldly live your authentic life and use it as a driver to make the world a better place, or that you figure out how to fit in and do what you're supposed to for the good of the collective?

Society teaches us values, but it doesn't show us what they really mean. Part of the social contract is that you agree it's okay, that it's "fine" - but fine is a four-letter word.

As an immigrant from South Africa in the 1980s, Grant Muller struggled to fit in after his family immigrated to the United States. So he buried his beautiful native accent and did what everybody else was doing just to avoid getting picked on. As a teenager in the 1980s, he fell passionately in love with his male best friend. In those days, you just didn't admit to that. In order to cope with his feelings, Grant found a new lover - alcohol. This led to more love affairs, first cigarettes, then eventually cocaine. Outwardly he was successful, becoming a millionaire by age 28, and when he got fired, he figured he'd just retire and party for the rest of his life.

Until the check bounced and he found out all the money was gone.

Before you know it, Grant was sleeping on people's couches, getting into worse trouble, and soon facing four long, arduous years in prison!

In a moment, when you meet Grant, you'll walk beside him as he tells you more about his rapid decline from the top of the mountain to the depths of the darkest valley.

He had to do one of the most courageous things a person can ever fathom. And in painfully struggling to rebuild, Grant found the friend of a lifetime who reached into his world and showed him a new point of view.

In short, Grant had to step out of the clusterfuck of fear, regret, and disappointment and into a new, powerful place of peace and contentment.

Grant's hype song is "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks.

Resources:

• Grant Muller's website: https://www.grantmuller.com/
• Claim your copy of Grant's book here: http://www.buytopofheart.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thegrantmuller/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGrantmuller/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrantmuller/

Also, check out Mike Fister's appearance on Fine is a 4-Letter Word by clicking here.

Invitation from Lori:

Like Grant, if, up until now, you've called your life a nightmare, a clusterf*ck, or a dumpster fire... you’ve been living in chaos for long enough. It’s time to let go of frenzy and lean into calm. You are here in this world, living this life, for a reason.

In our program, "Staying Calm in Chaos", we take you by the hand and guide you through how to go from being an overwhelmed high achiever to a calm, grounded, and centered person who has peace of mind no matter what. It comes with some powerful, mind-changing meditations as well.

Check that out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/.

It's time.

In this solo episode, I'm talking about a conversation in which a friend pointed out something I do that not many others do. And what you can learn from this habit.

I'm also sharing where I went and what happened on my summer road trip this year. AND... what crazy, brave, wild thing I'm doing next.

Listen to find out what the 3 big fears are that keep you from going after what you really want, why one common fear is really a big fat cop out, and the super-hard and controversial question you need to answer if you're feeling stuck.

Coincidentally, I saw a dragonfly at my door when I was outlining this episode. What's that mean? I looked it up.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.com. That’s where you can get your free copy The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life – without having to take a year or even a month off from real life. Download it at Zen Rabbit.com.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Jack Perez's episode: Becoming a Decision Maker Who Takes Action

Brian Muka's episode: Co-Creating with the Infinite

Bistro Eleven88

TrustedHousesitters (this is an affiliate link)

It’s still summer as far as I’m concerned. And in today’s Summer Session we’re going back to episode 16 from August of 2021. It’s called Do What Lights You Up: Messages from Snakes & Scorpions with Tab Scott.

Tab is an award-winning international advisor, speaker, and best-selling author of Trust Your Animal Instincts-Recharge Your Life & Ignite Your Power. And wow, what a story. Highly recommend.

We talked about the intersection of science and spirituality in regard to energy. How animals can help you find answers – in Tab’s case it’s been snakes and scorpions – hence the title of this one. And what you can do to achieve purposeful transformation, one small bite at a time

Here’s what’s changed in Tab’s world since we published.

Tab is very excited about working on her second book. It’s about taking badass lessons from nature to make businesses faster, more productive, and positive. Mark your calendar - the projected publication date is February 2024.

She’s consulting on sustainability, energy conservation, efficiency, and renewables. As well as innovation, behavior change and team building and dynamics. She sees a resurging movement in wellness and a love of nature and wants to help people who want to be part of that positive change.

Lastly, she’s moved with her partner from Nashville to Denver. Tab’s got an incredible story, so keep listening.

Speaking of changes and moving… if you’ve been dreaming of escaping your life and taking a sabbatical but you don’t know how you can make it work… head over to Zen Rabbit.com. That’s where you can get your free copy The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life – without having to take a year or even a month off from real life. There’s more to come on this topic too. Check it out at Zen Rabbit.com

Tab’s hype song is Chumbawamba’s Tubthumping (aka I get knocked down, but I get up again!)

Resources:

Learn more at: https://powering-potential.com/

Connect with Tab on LinkedIn

Follow Tab on Instagram and Facebook

Get Trust Your Animal Instincts

Going back a few months to February 2023 for this Summer Session. My guest is my very own animal communicator, Brigitte Baker. We're learning how she uses her intuitive abilities to strengthen the bond between humans and their companion animals.

Brigitte's journey to embracing her gift was not without its challenges, as being around animals and their pain was initially too much for her to handle. After years of societal pressure and feeling like she didn’t fit in, she had a turning point and found the courage to own her unique qualities. Listen as Brigitte inspires you to embrace our individuality and live authentically.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. If your life is a bit of a mess and you feel caught in a storm with chaos swirling around you, check out the new Staying Calm in Chaos program. It’s 10 short audio sessions of tools and techniques to help you find peace of mind. No matter what life circumstances are throwing at you.

Comes with five awesome meditations. And there’s a bunch of other #calmplimentary stuff – like mandala coloring pages, templates for writing gratitude notes, and 52 weeks of inspiring activities to maintain your chill throughout the year. Because how many more days in a row do you want to say “Arg, today was a cluster-f*ck. Tomorrow will be better?”

Check it all out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/

Brigitte's hype song is Brick House by The Commodores

Resources:

Learn more at: reiki317.com

This week’s Summer Session takes it back to March 2022 for the conversation with Tony Jalan. He and I talked about motivation, problem solving, owning where you are in life, and practicing intentional gratitude. Tony really got me thinking about the whole concept around intentionality. 

I’ll never forget that after we stopped recording, Tony shared with me that one of the stories he told from his childhood, he had never shared before. That’s the cool thing about the intimacy of a podcast studio.

One of the key takeaways from this one was There’s not a point in anyone’s life where you’re above asking for help. Even the highest level coaches and leaders have coaches and mentors. Everyone needs someone to pull them up.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. If your life is a bit of a mess and you feel caught in a storm with chaos swirling around you, check out the new Staying Calm in Chaos program. It’s 10 short audio sessions of tools and techniques to help you find peace of mind. No matter what life circumstances are throwing at you.

Comes with five awesome meditations. And there’s a bunch of other #calmplimentary stuff – like mandala coloring pages, templates for writing gratitude notes, and 52 weeks of inspiring activities to maintain your chill throughout the year. Because how many more days in a row do you want to say “Arg, today was a cluster-f*ck. Tomorrow will be better?”

Check it all out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/

Tony’s hype song is All I do is WIN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGXzlRoNtHU

Resources:

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn

Follow Tony on Instagram

For this week’s Summer Session, we’re kicking it back to January 2022 for the conversation with Carol Banens. She and I talked about grief and the grieving process, setting healthy boundaries, and expanding your awareness of the present moment.

Here’s what’s new with Carol since this episode published. She is now a certified grief to gratitude coach and a certified grief educator. She’s focused her grief coaching practice on working with widows and widowers. And she just this week published her first book of grief poems. It’s called “Kintsugi Your Heart: The Art Of Living With Grief” and is available on Amazon.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. If your life is a bit of a mess and you feel caught in a storm with chaos swirling around you, check out the new Staying Calm in Chaos program. It’s 10 short audio sessions of tools and techniques to help you find peace of mind. No matter what life circumstances are throwing at you.

Comes with five awesome meditations. And there’s a bunch of other #calmplimentary stuff – like mandala coloring pages, templates for writing gratitude notes, and 52 weeks of inspiring activities to maintain your chill throughout the year.

Because how many more days in a row do you want to say “Arg, today was a cluster-f*ck. Tomorrow will be better?”

Check it all out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/

Carol’s hype song is Bill Withers: Lovely Day

Resources:

Learn more at: https://www.carolbanens.com

Connect with Carol on Facebook

Follow Carol on Instagram

Get Kintsugi Your Heart: The Art Of Living With Grief

We mentioned the Abraham Hicks Emotional Guidance Scale

Today’s Summer Session episode we’re going back to Living a Mindful Life with Billy Lahr, from October 2022. Let me update you on what’s changed in Billy’s world since we published.

Billy is back from his two-year odyssey overseas, which included eight months in South Korea. He's parked himself in Minnesota and is leading virtual mobility & meditation sessions as well as mindful living group and 1:1 coaching sessions. He also has a new course out called Mindfulness for Anxiety.

In August he's releasing a brand new Reflect-Learn-Grow Introduction to Mindfulness course.

His awesome podcast The Mindful Midlife Crisis is on hiatus for now. But each Sunday and Wednesday you can tune in for a guided meditation. His last published episode about leaving Seoul is a tear-jerker. In it, he talks about making the difficult decision to leave Korea (despite every fiber of his being not wanting to go), why he wants you to stop asking people who make difficult life decisions, “Why?” and what to say instead, and what his journey has really been all about.

Go listen to that after you listen here.

If you’re up for some laughs today, keep listening.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Head on over to Zen Rabbit.com to get your free copy The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life – without having to take a year or even a month off from real life. While you’re there, you can also find a link to the brand-new program called Staying Calm in Chaos. If your life feels like a dumpster fire of stress and overwhelm and you’d prefer to be someone who feels peace of mind no matter what – Staying Calm in Chaos is for you. Comes with five awesome meditations. And there’s a bunch of other #calmplimentary stuff – like mandala coloring pages, templates for writing gratitude notes, and 52 weeks of inspiring activities to maintain your chill throughout the year. Check it all out at Zen Rabbit.com

Billy's hype song is Refuse/Resist by Sepultura

Resources:

Learn more at www.mindfulmidlifecrisis.com

Connect with Billy on LinkedIn

Follow Billy on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter

Listen to my guest interview on the Mindful Midlife Crisis

Relax to a Billy meditation

Today is the first Summer Session of 2023. Remember back in the day when all the TV shows would do summer re-runs? It’s like that. Except instead of just pulling from the last season of 22 episodes, I’m taking you back to select episodes from the entire catalog.

We’re starting with Shannon Paterson’s show from November 2021. In this one, Shannon and I cover learning to love and appreciate yourself, accepting where you are and moving forward from here, and the power of speaking your truth.

Let me update you on what’s changed in Shannon’s world since we published. You might remember she’s a 3X Ironman World Champion triathlete. So, she’s gone back to her roots of fitness coaching, specializing in helping women who are over 40, who are experiencing the physical changes & energetic lows due to hormonal shifts.

This focus complements her mission of helping empower all women to "Live Your Truth” because strengthening your body helps you feel better in every way… physically, mentally, and spiritually. The new scientific research is proving that to truly look and feel your best at any age, you need to embrace NEW ways of exercising and nutrition that work for perimenopausal and menopausal women. She adamant that women are not small men, and training like one won’t get you the results you want.

To this end, she’s helping women make simple tweaks to improve body composition, confidence, and wellness via in-person and online personal training, nutrition counseling, and athletic coaching. I’ve been following her on Instagram and she’s always posting valuable info there.

Shannon also got married and moved from Washington state to Arizona, where she’s now enjoying living in an oven.

This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Head on over to Zen Rabbit.com to get your free copy The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life – without having to take a year or even a month off from real life. While you’re there, you can also find a link to the brand-new program called Staying Calm in Chaos. If your life feels like a dumpster fire of stress and overwhelm and you’d prefer to be someone who feels peace of mind no matter what – Staying Calm in Chaos is for you. Comes with five awesome meditations. And there’s a bunch of other #calmplimentary stuff – like mandala coloring pages, templates for writing gratitude notes, and 52 weeks of inspiring activities to maintain your chill throughout the year. Check it all out at Zen Rabbit.com

Shannon's hype song is Rise Up by Andra Day

Bonus song is Wavin'Flag - Coca-Cola Celebration Mix by K'NAAN)

Resources:

Learn more at www.liveyourtruthco.com

Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn

Follow Shannon on Facebook and Instagram

To schedule a free 30 min mindset empowerment coaching session, go to https://calendly.com/liveyourtruthgirl

It’s a celebratory solo episode created to help you make better decisions! Welcome to episode 100! What if I told you there are no “wrong decisions?!” Yup, every decision you make is the right one.  

In this one, discover how to figure out what your deep-seated limiting beliefs are and how you can change them to create more favorable results in your life. Learn how to stop spinning in indecision and wasting time weighing every last insignificant option while darting back and forth between options like a squirrel crossing the road.

Hear what “trick” you can use today and forever more to determine what your intuition is telling you so you can make the best choice for you in that moment.

There are a couple of book recommendations and I share a few research studies on what happens to our brains when faced with too many options. When you finish listening to this one, you’ll be set for making all kinds of decisions you can feel good about!

 This week’s hype song is It’s My Life by BonJovi

Resources:

• Listen to Using Your Values As A Filter with Nicole
• The Paradox of Choice, why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz
• Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
• Peter Crone on Instagram

You know you can go to Zen Rabbit.com to get your copy of the short guide to working less and living better - also known as The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life. You may also be interested in a brand-new program called Staying Calm in Chaos. It’s 10 short, easily digestible audio sessions that walk you through how to go from being an overwhelmed high achiever to a calm, grounded, and centered person who has peace of mind no matter what. Comes with some awesome meditations and there’s a bunch of other cool stuff to go with it. Check that out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/

We are fortunate to have with us the remarkably versatile Maria Riegger. Maria is a corporate attorney, astrologer, parenting coach, and author. Born under the sign of Gemini, Maria claims her head has always been in the clouds. As a kid, when she was bored, she would make up stories in her head and has been writing since she was about 13 years old. Today, her unique blend of sarcastic wit and resilient spirit shows through her parenting books as well as her gritty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels.

In our conversation, we cover Maria's journey from “fine” to what lights her up now. She shares insight into how she replaced her command and control parenting style with a more compassionate approach centered on laughter, connection, and understanding the unique needs of her child. 

Did you know your birth chart can illuminate your unique energies? Maria shares how understanding these charts can enhance a parent's understanding of their child's distinctive energy patterns. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration into creativity, inspiration, and the underestimated power of unscheduled, free time for both children and adults.

Maria’s hype song is Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

Resources:

• lawschoolheretic.com
• YouTube: Positive Parenting with Astrology
• Video: Astrology and Parenting: How to Read your Child's Astrological Birth Chart Explained!

Of course, you can go to Zen Rabbit.com to get your copy of the short guide to working less living better - also known as The Five Easy Ways to Start Living a Sabbatical Life. You may also be interested in a brand-new program called Staying Calm in Chaos. It’s 10 short, easily digestible audio sessions that walk you through how to go from being an overwhelmed high achiever to a calm, grounded, and centered person who has peace of mind no matter what. Comes with some awesome meditations and there’s a bunch of other cool stuff to go with it. Check that out at https://get.stayingcalminchaos.com/. 

Produced by Nova Media