Happy Doc Student Podcast

Happy Doc Student Podcast

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Happy Doc Student Podcast episodes

  • Should I Pursue a Doctoral Degree? with Dr. Chris Cappannelli

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    Chris Cappannelli is a federal special agent who received his EDD in Leadership and Management from St. Thomas University in 2018. He has a long and successful career with the government holding diverse positions of increasing complexity and sensitivity, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Treasury, US Customs and Homeland Security Investigations. To date, he has handled over 100 criminal cases, including narcotics enforcement, financial crimes, terrorism, and human rights and war crimes.

    Dr. Cappannelli has presented at numerous agency conferences and symposiums and has briefed agency executives at the highest levels. Presently he serves as founder and principal of PGE consulting, LLC, which has engaged in security consulting, education investigations analysis in commentary to public, private, and media concerns. 

    Today’s episode helps people answer the question: Should I pursue a doctoral degree?

    This is no small decision; we beg you to take time to ensure you will not be a statistic (an estimated 50% of those who start don’t finish). 

    The first question to answer:  Will the degree truly be value-added? Do you need the skills you would learn during the program? Or, maybe not?

    Consider three main areas:

    1.     Physical

    • Have you had a recent physical? 
    •  Do you have a regular exercise routine?  
    •  Do you have healthy eating habits and a way to maintain them?

    2.     Psychosocial 

    • This will impact your relationships because of the huge weekly time investment over a long period of time (4-7+ years)
    • Do you have 15-30 hours a week to devote to study? 
    • Does your social network and employer support this? 
    • Are you willing to miss events like weddings, birthdays, vacations, for a number of years?
    • Are you resilient?  
    • Are you even-keeled (not overly emotional)
    •  How do you take feedback (be sure to check out  episode #18 linked below)

    3.     Financial 

    • Can you afford it? 
    • How much in debt are you willing to go, understanding you may not finish?
    • Will you be able to pay off the debt?

    S.W.O.T.  Analysis - Assess your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

    1. Get out a big poster board and divide it into 4 squares, one for each letter: SWOT

    2. Include input from those who know and love you 

    3. Take time to fill it in BEFORE you apply anywhere

    Check out these episodes:

    • #18 How to Feel Good About Feedback with Dr. Kelly Olson: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/8063165
    • # 17 The Good Goodbye: How to End Your Doctoral Journey with Grace and Ease with Dr. Gladys Ato: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/8016142


    Get the article: The Doctoral Journey - 12 Things You Should Know (that they probably won't tell you!): https://www.expandyourhappy.com/HDSP121


    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    38 min
  • Single-Parenting, Self-Care, & Learning to say "No" with Dr. Gail Brindell

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    Gail Brindell, PsyD, is the founder and owner of WellFITT Solutions, LLC. As a single parent and retired military officer, she completed her PsyD in Psychology with a concentration in Health & Wellness.

    Dr. Brindell is an Exercise Physiologist, a Chronic Pain Specialist, a Credentialed Exercise is Medicine professional, and a Certified Associative Awareness Technique practitioner. With over 35 years in the health and fitness industry in a variety of settings, her passion is helping others reconnect their minds with their bodies through movement and mindset so that they may live a healthy and happy life. 

    Tips:

    1.     Have a detailed plan that includes how you will juggle: Your self-care, your family, and your work

    2.     Take stock of your resources

    3.     Create a space for school and a place where you don’t do school

    4.     Be open and honest with the people you live with about your commitment, especially your kids if you are a single parent (and listen to what they have to say about how they feel)

    5.     Prioritize your self-care (you can’t pour from an empty cup – see Episode #3 for more on this)

    6.     Listen to your body

    7.     Self-care goes beyond taking care of your body (yep, time to take a look at your thoughts)

    8.     Use positive affirmations on your mirror (laugh if you want – it works! I have more to say about this in my free 7-day email adventure – see link below)

    9.     Learn to say NO (this is a practice)

    10.  Find a support system

    11.  Don’t judge yourself (a little self-compassion goes a long way)

    12.  Use kind self-talk (talk to yourself like you’re your best friend)

    13.  Pray (or connect with your source of power)

    14.  Clean up your kitchen/pantry so you can make only healthy choices!

    15.  Ask for help when you need it

    Yes, it will be worth it. Just make sure you take care of you, so you are around to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

    Connect with Dr. Brindell

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-brindell-psy-d-50a643a

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellfittsolutionsraleigh

    WellFITT Solutions: https://wellfittsolutions.com/

    Heather's YouTube channel
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZJ2EkKDtTbuC4C7FeM-69Q

     

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    30 min
  • From GED to PhD: Reaching Higher with Dr. Vernon Czelusniak

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    Dr. Vernon Czelusniak is the author of GED to PhD Reaching Higher, a book that details his journey from a high school drop-out to college campus president.  

    While serving in the military, Dr. Czelusniak attended night school to complete his BA and MA. When he retired as an officer from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1994 after 20 years of service, he got the “bug” to return to school and completed is Ph.D. in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University in 1998.

     He has been involved in the Leadership and Education field for over 30 years in 1) Faith-Based, 2) Academic, 3) Bio-medical, 4) Healthcare, 5) Private, 6) Consulting, 7) Government, and 8) Military organizations. He has been working with doctoral students for over 20 years. 

    Dr. Czelusniak never dreamt of going to college but having God in his life propelled him forward.

    Have you asked yourself: How do I find my strength? (if not, you might want to do this ASAP)

    Tips:

    • Be open to finding strength in a source outside of you
    • Be open to opportunities that come your way
    • Know that your past does not define your future (unless you want it to)
    • Try recording yourself (or having your word program read your notes to you (YOU write the notes, don’t just listen to an audiobook or file that you did not create
    • Try Mind Mapping – it’s a great way to organize complex information 
    • Understand that your dissertation is not “just a paper”; it is an academic work built on the foundation of what the researchers before you found
    • You are just bringing one (tiny) brick to the Grand Wall of Knowledge
    • Looking for a research topic? Look in the abstracts and discussion sections of articles – the researchers who came before you will tell you where research is still needed
    • Locate your University’s template and/or rubrics and FOLLOW THEM to a “t”
    • Ask questions! (early and often)
    • Communicate regularly with your Chair (the student/chair relationship is a predictor of success)
    • Establish with your Chair how you will communicate (and be honest about how you receive feedback best)
    • Switching Chairs is not common and can cause you delays, but if things aren't working, have a candid conversation with your Chair and decide together how to proceed

    Link to commencement speech: https://youtu.be/3NshKujlP7I

     Link to “From GED to PhD: Reaching Higher”: https://amzn.to/3l64p3w

     Mind Mapper: http://www.mindmapper.com

    Connect with Dr.  Czelusniak: [email protected]

    Sign up for a free inspirational 7-day email adventure here: https://www.expandyourhappy.com/HDSP121

    Having trouble finding the “BEEF” in your research area? Get the 1-page alignment worksheet here: https://www.expandyourhappy.com/pl/267207

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    32 min
  • How to Feel Good About Feedback with Dr. Kelly Stewart

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    Ask yourself: 

    • How do I receive feedback?
    • How do I find space?

     Dr. Kelly Stewart holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Innovation with a specialization in Curriculum and Policy from Arizona State University.  

    Why does feedback feel so bad? 

    • We aren’t used to it; the educational system does not train us to revise the same work over and over, so we take feedback personal.

    Things to remember:

    • Feedback does not mean failure
    • Feedback is a GIFT
    • Approach feedback with curiosity 
    • The point of feedback is to move you forward
    • Your committee WANTS you to finish! (no one wants to DELAY you)
    • Your committee’s job is to give you feedback
    • The doctoral journey is a GROWTH process
    • No one was born knowing how to write a dissertation
    • An email sent in haste cannot be taken back
    • Use affirmations: “My writing is improving with each revision.”
    • You are playing “Dissertation Jenga”

    Tips:

    • Do not panic
    • Breathe
    • Name the emotion so you can process it and move through it 
    • Talk about the situation in the 3rd person
    • Know when to step away and get perspective (DO *NOT* SEND AN EMAIL TO ANYONE ON YOUR COMMITTEE UNTIL YOU HAVE PERSPECTIVE)
    • Identify how you find SPACE
    • Put a sticky note on your computer that says: “Dr. [insert your name], Remember that your committee loves you and wants you to finish. If you feel yourself stressing out you will: [ fill in the blank with how you find space]).
    • Read ALL comments 
    • Do the easy fixes, then mentally group the comments
    • Ask for help from your Chair in terms of managing the feedback
    • Ask for a Zoom/Skype/phone call – it can change everything
    • Trust the process
    • Learning how to receive feedback is a PRACTICE – you are GROWING

    Committee members: Communicate with your students about the receiving of feedback.

    “It always seems impossible until it is done” – Nelson Mandela 

    “When we know better, we do better” – Maya Angelou

    “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Viktor E. Frankl

    Additional resources
    1. Ladder of Inference (Senege): https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_91.htm
    2. Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck: https://youtu.be/hiiEeMN7vb
    3. Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence https://www.ycei.org/ - Mood meter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj6AIczvDhg &
    4. Episode #12 Is Meditation a Waste of Time with davidji:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/7485712
    5. Episode #16 Why Reason & Logic Will Only Get You So Far with Anna Yusim, MD:

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    37 min
  • The Good Goodbye: How to End Your Doctoral Journey with Grace & Ease, with Dr. Gladys Ato

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    Gladys Ato, PsyD,  is a leadership mentor, clinical psychologist, public speaker, grief specialist, and author of The Good Goodbye: How to Navigate Change and Loss in Life, Love, and Work. She teaches community leaders to amplify their joy and leadership in uncertain times using The Good Goodbye® approach. Recognized as a Latina leader by Hispanic Executive magazine and winner of the Women Worth Watching in Education award, Dr. Ato is featured in BBC WorkLife, Forbes, TEDx Lincoln Square, NBC News and other top publications and podcasts. 

    The word “Goodbye” is associated with feelings like sadness, anger, & anxiety.

    So, how can we have a GOOD Goodbye?

    Understand how to embrace both ends of the emotional spectrum so that you can process your loss in a way that allows you to move forward with grace and ease. 

    How can you look at transition through a different lens?

    Recognize this as a right of passage that you are going through so you can be liberated by the loss.

    Five Pillars to a Good-Goodbye  (note: This is an on-going dance; a sacred practice)

    1.     Acceptance: Acceptance is NOT the final destination; what if you start here? Can you recognize what has happened without trying to change it? This is a powerful re-positioning of your energy.

    2.     Understanding: How do you accept the change/your decision without judgement? Be intentional regarding what you desire. Where do you want to go?

    3.     Gratitude: A healing salve for your heart. Look at the situation and ask: What am I learning? What can I appreciate here? What is the opportunity that may come? (you can even be grateful that you are trying to be grateful!)

    4.     Forgiveness: Starts with you. Can you forgive yourself? Then others?

    5.     Saying Goodbye: Ritualize this; honor it as a rite of passage (it can be as simple as lighting a candle). Say goodbye to what you are letting go and welcoming in the magic that is on the other side (yes, there is MAGIC on the other side…if you are open to it!). Remember: YOU get to CHOOSE how you are saying goodbye.

    Save yourself 5 years of therapy: Get curious about the root of your FEAR.

    Don’t be indebted to perceptions & expectations that don’t serve you - don’t deny your own evolution. 

    “If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” 

    --Paulo Coelho

    Reset Your Nervous System with the RESET REMEDY
    Reset Remedy available here: https://drgladysato.com/gift/

    Connect with Dr. Gladys Ato:
    Website: https://www.drgladysato.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.gladys.ato
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gladysato
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gladys.ato.9

    Dr. Ato’s book: The Good Goodbye: How to Navigate Change and Loss in Life, Love, and Work
    https://amz

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    29 min
  • Why Reason and Logic will Only Get You So Far with Anna Yusim, MD

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    Feel like the world is trying to take you down? Understand why AND what to do about it.

    Dr. Anna Yusim is a Stanford- and Yale-educated, Board Certified Psychiatrist with a private practice and serves on the clinical faculty at Yale Medical school. She is presently starting a Spirituality and Mental Health Center at Yale and making a feature-length documentary on the interface of mental health and spirituality. 

    Is it possible that your Doctoral Journey is the trigger for YOUR healing?

    Explore your dark night:

    • Reduce fear, anxiety, uncertainty, overwhelm 
    • Heal your emotions, body, mind, thoughts AND  soul

    Key Points:

    • Because you don’t have a ton of control in a doc program, allow situations to humble you and grow through the humility
    • Don’t resist your growth  
    • Be aware of victim mentality (there is a difference between being victimized and living with a victim mentality)
    • Get help if you need it
    • Self-care is non-negotiable; you cannot pour from an empty cup

    Soul Correction:

    1.    Identify your Soul Corrections: “What is my greatest source of pain?”

    2.    Notice how you respond: “How do I usually respond to this challenge?”

    3.    Correct it by going against your nature: “How do I go against my nature and do something different?” (see techniques below)

    Remember: You don’t draw into your world what you want, you draw into your world what you ARE. This is either empowering or feels like a cruel joke. 

    Practices:

    1.    2, 4, 8 Breath – Breathe in quickly for 2, hold for 4, release slowly for 8. This creates a net positive oxygen saturation signaling all is OK!

    2.    Shift Your Emotions - Label the emotion (i.e., exhausted), then take your attention away from the thought and bring it onto your body and all your senses (what does it taste like in my mouth, what do I see, etc.). The creates a conscious shift away from difficult thoughts.

    3.    Cloud Floating Mediation - Label your thought, put it on a cloud, and watch it float away. Within a few seconds, a new thought will enter. Put it on a cloud, watch it float away…repeat. This shifts the balance from thoughts controlling you to you controlling your thoughts. 

     "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.

    Dr. Anna Yusim’s Book: Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life:https://amzn.to/3ps2DKz

    Spirituality and Mental Health Course:
    https://www.innersanctumcenter.com/a/26602/iqFiWvdh

    Connect with Dr.  Yusim:
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/annayusim/
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/annayusimmd/
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DrAnnaYusim
    LinkedIn:

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    33 min
  • Getting Published with Dr. Jules

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    Dr. Julie D. Conzelmann (Dr. Jules) earned her doctorate in management at the University of Phoenix and her Copyeditor's Certification from U.C. San Diego. She is a faculty member at the Jack Welch Management Institute, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Scholar Chatter LLC; and CEO and Copyeditor at Superior Editing Services. Dr. Jules is an accomplished, inspirational, and empowering entrepreneur, business leader, copyeditor, mentor, teacher, public speaker, journal reviewer, and author.

    Should you publish your dissertation or doctoral project? YES!!!

    “Publishing” it in PROQUEST isn’t enough, because it is not peer-reviewed (decreasing the likelihood other researchers will cite your work).

    Why don’t people do it? Exhausted, no support, confusing process, and FEAR. Rejection rates can also be very high and because the doc process is full of rejections, so students are rejection adverse.

     Scholar Chatter is a journal that fills the need for recent graduates to publish their work: Be a life-long learner and get your work out there!

    Scholar Chatter

    ·      Allows scholars to continue to evolve their work

    ·      Assistance is available through workshops (which lowers the rejection rate)

    ·      All genres published

    ·      Also great for faculty!

     Scholar Chatter Vision: The vision of Scholar Chatter is to empower researchers to enhance the world innovatively through publication of the written word.

    Scholar Chatter Mission: Our mission is filling the gap in research, disrupting the norm, and publishing articles while upholding the scholarly standards of rigor and truth.

    Don’t stop at your oral defense. You put in a ton of work into your doctoral research. Don’t let it sit on a shelf – get it out there. Scholar Chatter just might be the vehicle you need!

    How to connect with Dr. Jules

    Scholar Chatter: https://www.scholarchatter.com 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drconzelmanncopyeditor/

    Doctoral Dissertation Cohort/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/301089466349

    Doctoral Scholar Community Connection/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/376169072958256

    Keep it Simple Scholars/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Keep-it-Simple-Scholars-by-Dr-Jules-1101217903251116

    Books by Dr. Jules

    Keep It Simple Scholars! Volume 2: Outlining the Elements of the Dissertations Step-by-Step https://amzn.to/398CPyv

    Keep It Simple Scholars! Volume 1: A Basic Guide for Writing and Editing Dissertations and Theses https://amzn.to/3657lar

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    19 min
  • The Best Dissertation is a DONE Dissertation with Dr. Melanie Shaw

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    #14 The Best Dissertation is a DONE Dissertation with Dr. Melanie Shaw

    Dr. Melanie Shaw has her PhD in Education and has spent two decades teaching and serving as an administrator in online higher education settings. She is known for getting students who are stuck at the dissertation writing stage unstuck.

    NEWSFLASH: The BEST dissertation is a FINISHED dissertation. Focus on creating a concise and straightforward research study that demonstrates you are worthy of the degree (that is, design a study that meets the criteria of your program; it need not save the world). 

    Where should an idea originate?

    ·      Let RECENT peer-reviewed published research drive the idea 

    ·      In applied programs, a professional need may drive the project, but your project still needs to be grounded in research (and contribute to your field of study)

    ·      Understand that you are creating one  puzzle piece in a field of research

    ·      You are not setting out to “prove” something you know; you are gathering knowledge about an unknown (careful if you are setting out to prove something, the bias in your writing will delay you)

    Can you write a 6-word sentence or question that captures your topic? If not, it might be too complicated; pause and use the 1-page alignment worksheet 

    Problem Statement:

    ·      It is likely the single hardest thing you will EVER write

    ·      If it is taking you months, understand why – it is the CORNERSTONE of your entire study

    ·      Do NOT include your purpose here – when you read your problem statement, you should hear horror music in the background

    ·      “We need to know more about…" is NOT a problem

    ·      Finish this sentence: The problem is (fill in the blank) that results in (fill in the blank).

     Three questions:

    1.     What is the problem as documented in the literature (in an applied program, this might be a problem in an applied setting, but you will still need to talk about this in terms used in recent literature and use that literature to inform how you will study this)?

    2.     Whose problem is it?

    3.     What happens if the problem isn’t solved?

     Purpose: Complete this sentence:  The purpose of this (insert type of study) is to (fill in the blank – this should solve the problem).

     Research Questions: These should align with the problem and purpose. Further, the answers to these should provide information that may help to resolve the problem. 

    How to make sure you have alignment: Redundancy is a way to ensure alignment; are you using the same words in the problem statement, purpose, and research questions?

    Still stuck?  Try out the 1-page alignment worksheet (link below), then have a dialogue with your Chair in real-time 

    Get the 1-page alignment worksheet here: https://www.expandyourhappy.com/pl/267207

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    30 min
  • Easy Breath Meditation with davidji

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    In this episode I continue my captivaating conversation with davidji.

    davidji:

    ·      Had a 20-year career in business, finance, and mergers and acquisitions lead him to a state where he felt like he was sleepwalking through life (sound familiar?)

    ·      Apprenticed for a decade under Drs. Deepak Chopra and David Simon, serving as the Chopra Center COO, Lead Educator and then as the first Dean of Chopra Center University

    ·      Trained more than 300,000 people to meditate and certified more than 2,500 meditation teachers. 

    What do you suggest for someone who's listening and they're thinking, I really need to give this a try? Where do I start? 

    Suggestions for cultivating a daily meditation practice:

    •  It's about consistency versus duration
    • You can cultivate a practice in a small space
      • Start with the 16-Second Technique (a pattern interrupt): Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds

    Practice meeting your own needs (aka: Self-Love):

    • You’re beautiful
    • You’re doing a great job
    • I love you

    The reason you are not meditating is NOT that you don’t have time. It’s because you don’t think you’re worth the investment. 

    What is the ONE main benefit of a meditation practice?

     “We are simply cultivating our ability to witness. Witness ourselves, witness our emotions, witness our purpose in life, witness our direction, witness the world outside of us, witness other people's emotions (we call that emotional intelligence).” And we do this everything else in our lives fall into place. 

    Feeling overwhelmed? Meditation.

    Looking for clarity? Meditation.

    Feeling disconnected? Meditation. 

    Impatient? Meditation.

    Annoyed? Meditation. 

    YOU ARE WORTH IT! Your best decision demands it.

    Activate your secret superpowers here with a 10-day FREE meditation series. We must remind ourselves that we have a choice in each moment, and that we can choose the best outcome or the most painful outcome. When we make the choice from a place of detachment—trusting that we are not alone and that the Universe is in control—then the highest choice wins!

    Bookmark this URL >> https://davidji.com/welcome-10-day-path-becoming-calm-amidst-chaos/

    A few of my favorites (I find these on SoundCloud although he is on other platforms):

    • Cultivating Right Speech
    • Stepping into Your Power
    • Embracing the Unknown 

    Connect w/davidji
    Facebook @flowoflove and IG @davidjimeditation

    Books by davidji

    destressify: The Real World Guide to Personal Empowerment, Lasting Fulfillment, and Peace of Mind https://amzn.to/3sKcVJb

    Sacred Powers: The Five Secrets to Awakening Transformation: https://amzn.to/396TNgC

    Secrets of Meditation: A Practical Guide to Inner Peace and Personal Transformation:

    Support the show

    Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
    Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
    Other resources at:  http://Expandyourhappy.com

    Want to make my day?  Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

    24 min
  • Is Meditation a Waste of Time? with davidji

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    This podcast was recorded as a YOUTUBE and you can view the unedited interview here: https://youtu.be/9ssJbh7ibRg 

    davidji is a globally recognized mind, body, health & wellness expert, mindful performance trainer, meditation teacher, and author. As the most prolific creator of guided meditations in the world, his work has touched literally millions of people's lives. 

    Is meditation a waste of time?

    We've been trained from the earliest of ages that the person who's not doing is the person who distinctly is not achieving, and the person who is going, doing right to the brink of exhaustion and burnout is the champion. It's not really nourishing thinking and it's not true.

    Meditation will help you: in a physical sense, in a mental sense, in an emotional sense, and if you care, in a spiritual sense. 

    Landmark studied provided evidence that meditation changes the physical structure of the brain: 2012 study at the University of Massachusetts Mass General with Harvard Medical Center.

    16 test subjects who agreed to MRI's of their brain before, during, and after. It was an eight-week study, and they were instructed to meditate just once a day for 30 minutes, simply watching their breath. 

    Results:

    ·       Increase (at least 5%) in the grey matter of hippocampus, the part of our brain responsible for learning memory, spatial orientation, hand-eye coordination

    ·       A shrinkage of more than 5% in the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for stress, anger, anxiety, fear (um, hello!! are you getting this?)

    Stress is in the eye of the beholder

    Dr. Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin in Madison has done extensive work on consciousness and the brain.  25,000 people participated, and they asked two questions: 

    1) Do you have a lot of stress or a little stress?

    2) Do you think it's harmful to you? Or do you think it is not harmful to you?

    Tracked participants' lives over 8 years & looked at death records.

    ·       People who said “I have a lot of stress and  it's very harmful” had a 43% higher mortality rate

    ·       People who said “Yeah, I have a lot of stress, but it's not going to kill me,” had the lowest mortality rate (don't you want to be here?) 

    Definition of stress: How you respond when your needs are not met. 

    Four basic needs: Attention, Affection, Appreciation, Acceptance

    Fight-Flight and the Autonomic Nervous System

    It's our autonomic nervous system that's running the show. And in less than 5 seconds it's going to kick us into the self-preservation mechanism where we will either fight the threat or run away from it. 

    What gets shut down when you are stressed: Sex hormones, Growth hormones, Immune system, Digestive system, Critical thinking AND your blood starts to clot.

     Destressifying could be one of the most important things that we could ever put our attention on.

    Meditation can help you have fewer crises in your life. It really is that simple.

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    24 min

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Feeling alone, frustrated, confused? Thinking of throwing in the towel? Founded on the belief that you can realize your dream of becoming a doctor with your sanity, health, and relationships…