Giving Back to Those Who Served (0:00:00)

 

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day! We are so grateful for all that veterans have done to serve our country, and they do it all without expecting anything in return. But wouldn’t you like to show your gratitude in some way? There are a lot of different ways to express your appreciation to our veterans. And today, we’d like to particularly highlight the VA, the work being done there, and how you can help. The VA is the largest health care system in the United States, providing a variety of needs to over 9 million veterans enrolled. Here to talk with us about how we can get involved and help our veterans, is Jessica Bonjorni, Chief of Human Capital Management for the Veterans Health Administration.

 

 

 

Post-Election Self-Care (0:17:37)

 

For the past 7 days, the country has waited anxiously to hear the announcement that we have a victor in the presidential election. Not knowing the fate of the country has led to a lot of stress. According to our next guest, psychologist Steven Stosny, our emotions surrounding the presidential race are a result of election stress disorder. And it was impacting an especially high number of people this year. Despite the outcome and the stress that either precedes or follows it, we all need a to take some time to take care for ourselves. The election has taken a toll on all of us, and we’ve been spending too much time worrying about it. Here to tell us more about election stress disorder and how to care for ourselves is Dr. Steven Stosny.

 

 

 

Motivating People without Guilt Trips (0:34:14)

 

The past summer has been a tumultuous start to the new decade. It began with a global pandemic, seemed to crescendo with the Black Lives Matter protests, and culminated with the recent declaration of a winner in the US elections. These events have raised questions of not only how to approach such issues, but also how to motivate other people to become involved in solutions—especially when no direct personal benefit might be derived from being involved. This “pro-social” mindset can be difficult to nurture in the public at large but recent research has shown that there are specific factors that can foster pro-social behavior or discourage it. Here to discuss these factors is behavioral scientist and researcher at the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Laboratory, Dr. Claudia Schneider.

 

 

 

The Benefits of Anticipation (0:52:46)

 

When’s the last time that you were so excited for something you couldn’t sleep the night before? For most of us, it might have been years. I think one of the best things about little kids is how excited they can get. No one knows how to anticipate things like kids do. And turns out, anticipation might be the thing that makes experiences that much sweeter. While I know it might seem difficult to find things to look forward to, it’s not impossible! Here to tell us more about what anticipation can do for us is happiness expert Gretchen Rubin.

 

 

 

What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t (1:13:46)

 

Forgiving someone who has hurt you is easier said than done. And sometimes it feels like the bridge will never be mended and the relationship never the same. But extending the olive branch is necessary, at least for us and our ability to heal if not for the person who has caused us pain. So, if we need to forgive to move on, how do we do it without betraying ourselves and our true feelings? Here to help us understand the tools of forgiveness so we can look towards the future with optimism and positivity is friend of the show, motivational speaker, and author Ganel-Lyn Condie.

 

 

 

Pilgrimage to Dollywood (1:28:00)

 

There are some people in this world who are universally liked. I don’t know what it is about them, but they seem to have a quality that draws anyone and everyone in. Dolly Parton is one of these people. Well today, we are excited to speak with Dr. Helen Morales—a professor at UC Santa Barbara, a Dolly Parton expert, and the author of Pilgrimage to Dollywood. She joins us to discuss why it is that everyone loves the country singer so much, as well as to hear her personal journey of making it Dollywood.