I was conditioned to wait for other people's permission to live my life. In this episode I talk about the effect learned helplessness had on me and how I am thankfully unlearning it.

It's important that as we search for meaning and a sense of reverence in our own lives that we avoid appropriating spiritual, religious, and cultural practices that are not ours.

I have always been moved by the idea of a contemplative religious life in spite of being raised in a religious tradition that did not leave much space for quiet contemplation. This is how I have managed to incorporate contemplation into my life in ways that are meaningful for me, even as an atheist.

The holiday season is upon us, and the social interactions during this time of year can be very stressful. In this episode we talk about ways to reduce our stressors and navigate the holidays in ways that are meaningful for us.

Ronni Davis is a YA author with two novels under her belt: "When the Stars Lead to You", and "This Night Is Ours", both published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She joins us this episode to talk about her journey from childhood storyteller to published author. Learn more about her and her novels at https://ronnidavis.com.

It's normal to dream of the kind of lives our loved ones will live. But when they choose paths and experiences that may be wildly different, we can feel massive disappointment. In this episode I talk about letting go of my dreams for other people's lives.

Words of compassion in the wake of the 2024 election in the United States.

Becoming your own parent, or reparenting, is a process where you can heal inner wounds from childhood. It has been an important part of my healing journey and could help you too.

If you want to learn more about reparenting, you can start with this article on Positive Psychology entitled "Reparenting: Seeking Healing for Your Inner Child".

Many women are conditioned to believe focusing on their needs instead of giving their all to everyone else is selfish. In this episode we talk about why focusing on yourself is an important part of self-preservation.

Before a teacher shared this gem of wisdom with me, I spent most of my life feeling as though life just happened to me. Adopting the viewpoint he shared with me helped me reclaim my sense of agency over my life.