Life Lived Better

Life Lived Better

By Joseph Massey and Paula GarlandEducationSelf-Improvement
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Life Lived Better episodes

  • Episode 126: Breaking Free from Overcommitment

    Breaking Free from Overcommitment: How to Reclaim Your Time and Energy

    Are you part of the 60% of people who take on more than they can accomplish? Do you find yourself saying "yes" to everything, only to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin?

    In this episode, Joseph and Paula are tackling the habit of overcommitment—why we do it, how it affects our well-being, and, most importantly, how to stop.

    Join us as we explore:

    • The hidden reasons behind overcommitting
    • The impact of overcommitment
    • Practical strategies for setting priorities and saying “no” without guilt
    • The power of rest and learning to embrace downtime

    If you're ready to take back control of your time and energy, this episode is for you.

    🎧 Tune in and learn how to break free from the cycle of overcommitment and start living with more intention!

    Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

    Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

    We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

    Sources used in the development of this episode include:

    7 Time Management Tips for the Overcommitted

    Signs You’re Overcommitted & How To Stop It - LifeHack

    20 min
  • Episode 125: The Power of Boundaries

    The Power of Boundaries: Protecting Your Peace and EnergyIn this episode, Joseph and Paula are discussing the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries in all areas of life—relationships, work, family, and even with ourselves. Boundaries are not about building walls; they’re about creating a space where we can thrive, feel respected, and maintain our well-being.

    • Join us as we discuss: Why boundaries are essential for mental and emotional health
      How to recognize when your boundaries are being crossed
      Practical tips for setting clear and firm boundaries
    • Red flags for boundaries being violated


    Whether you struggle with saying "no," feel drained by toxic dynamics, or just want to create a healthier balance in your life, this episode is for you. Tune in and learn how to set boundaries that empower you, not limit you!

    🎧 Listen now and start protecting your peace.

    Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

    Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

    We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

    Sources used in the development of this episode include:

    6 Steps For Setting Good Boundaries & Maintaining Them | mindbodygreen

    The 6 Types Of Healthy Boundaries & How To Set Them | mindbodygreen

    47 min
  • Encore - Abuse, Part 1

    Joseph and Paula bring you Part 1 of one of their most listened to episodes. They will continue to bring you these Encore episodes in between their new ones, as requested by many listeners.

    We continue to be grateful for the engagement.

    This multi-episode topic is a tough one. Joseph and Paula are talking about abuse. This is not a pleasant topic, but definitely a necessary one. According to the National Statistics on Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people each minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. For one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. Those figures only take into account domestic violence. We are covering 8 different types of abuse. We are examining the different types of abuse, their symptoms, and how to seek support if you find yourself experiencing any of them and how to support a person who has. 

    Part 1 addresses Physical, Emotional, and Verbal Abuse.

    Due to the nature of the content, we hope you will take care while listening.

    Resources: You can visit the website we acquired our sourced material at ⁠HealthyPlace.com⁠.

    Should you need support for any of the topics we discuss, please use any of these hotlines:

    Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-4-A-CHILD (800 422 4453)
    National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233
    Missing & Exploited Children Hotline - 1-800-843-5678
    Suicide Hotline: Dial 988
    4UTrevor for gay and questioning youth - 1-866-488-7386

    Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

    Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

    We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

    40 min
  • Episode 124: Detox Your Life: Dealing with Toxic People

    You deserve relationships that uplift and inspire you. By recognizing toxic behaviors, setting boundaries, and focusing on personal well-being, you can protect your energy and create space for healthier connections.

    Joseph and Paula are back with another episode! During this episode they are discussing Toxic People! They will share the characteristics of toxic relationships and toxic people, some tools for dealing with them, and how to stay away from them altogether.

    Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at
    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected] ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

    Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession.  

    We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

    Sources used in the development of this episode include:

    10 Reasons Why Accepting Responsibility in Life is Important

    11 Distinct Characteristics That Define a Toxic Person 

    18 Red Flags You’re Letting Toxic People Sap Your Energy and What You Can Do About It

    People who are deeply selfish often display these 12 involuntary behaviors

    The Toxic Person Test

    Toxic People: How to Recognize and Avoid Them | Psychology Today

    Toxic People Will Often Display These 9 Habits

    Want to Stop Attracting Toxic People? Then You Need to Accept These 15 Harsh Truths

    Why Toxic People Are So Harmful | Psychology Today

    37 min
  • Encore - Communication Styles

    In 2025 Joseph and Paula will be opening the vault to share some of their most popular episodes. They are beginning with this one - the number one most listened to episode!

    Enjoy venturing back in time with them to one of their first-year episodes ~ Communication Styles.

    Enjoy!

    If someone asks you to go to dinner, what is your response?

    • Sure. I will go if I can pick the restaurant.
    • Sure. I will go and I will go to the restaurant you pick.
    • Sure. I have no opinion on where we go. But I will complain if it isn't what I secretly wanted.
    • Sure. We can go to the restaurant you pick this time and my choice next time.
    • Each of these responses represent a Communication Style. Do you know your Communication Style?

      Listen as Joseph and Paula address the 4 Styles to determine which you most frequently use.

      Resourced information:  

      ⁠4 Types of Communication Styles | Alvernia University⁠ 

      Burr, W. R. (1990). Beyond I-Statements in family communication. Family Relations, 39(3), 266. ⁠https://doi.org/10.2307/584870⁠ 

      ⁠Understanding Your Communication Style | Princeton University⁠ 

      If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at www.lifelivedbetter.net or email them directly at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

      You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠. 

      Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better. 

      32 min
    • Episode 123 : Setting Goals

      Happy New Year!

      The research tells us that resolutions don't work. Of the people who set them:

      • 23% quit in the first week

      • 43% give up in the first month

      • 91% quit before the end of the year

      • In this episode, Joseph and Paula discuss setting goals rather than resolutions. They will share the research, the resolutions Americans made for 2025, tips to get to your goals, and some apps and other resources that help you reach goals.

        Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

        Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. 

        We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

        Resources used to create this episode: 

        10 Great Ways How To Achieve New Year’s Resolutions

        77 New Year's Resolution Ideas and How to Keep Them | Quicken

        A Radical Alternative to New Year's Goal-Setting | Psychology Today

        How can I follow through with my New Year's resolutions? – Deseret News

        How to Make Goals You’ll Actually Stick to This Year, According to a Psychologist

        These are America’s most popular New Year’s resolutions for 2025 - The Columbian

        34 min
      • 122: Tips to Decrease Holiday Stress

        Paula shares the 9 Tips to Decrease Holiday Stress that are recommended by the Mayo Clinic.

        Joseph and Paula, both wish you the happiest of holidays and look forward to being with you again in 2025.

        Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠⁠⁠

        You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

        Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. 

        We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

        Resources used to create this episode: 

        Tips to fend off holiday stress - Mayo Clinic Health System

        11 min
      • Episode 121: Questions for Counselors

        In this episode, Joseph and Paula are bringing you a listener's favorite! Questions for Counselors. 

        Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

        Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. 

        We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

        Resources used to create this episode: 

        What is Mental Health? 

        Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 117: Staying Mentally Healthy 

        Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 114: After the Relationship Ends

        Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 107: Healthy Coping Strategies 

        Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 67: Love Addiction 

        Life Lived Better Podcast Episodes 48 - 51 - our series on abuse

        30 min
      • Thanksgiving

        Joseph and Paula are so grateful for you. We are grateful you listen and interact with us on our social media platforms.

        Our website is www.lifelivedbetter.net

        You can find us on

        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • Instagram
        • TikTok

        • 1 min
        • Episode 120: Questions for Counselors

          In this episode, Joseph and Paula are bringing you a listener's favorite! Questions for Counselors. 

          Questions? If you have a question, you would like Joseph and Paula to answer during an episode of Questions for Counselors, feel free to reach out through the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email them directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find information about this and other episodes on the website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lifelivedbetter.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  

          Just a reminder - anything shared by the pair during this and all other episodes is based on personal experiences and opinions. It is not to be viewed as professional counseling or advice and is solely the opinion of the individual and does not represent their employers or profession. 

          We would love for you to rate our show and tell others about us. And remember, Knowledge leads to a Life Lived Better.

          Resources used to create this episode: 

          What is Mental Health? 

          Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 117: Staying Mentally Healthy 

          Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 114: After the Relationship Ends

          Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 107: Healthy Coping Strategies 

          Life Lived Better Podcast Episode 67: Love Addiction 

          Life Lived Better Podcast Episodes 48 - 51 - our series on abuse

          26 min

        About Life Lived Better

        From the publisher's feed

        Your space for self-discovery, mental wellness, and personal growth. Join two close friends, both seasoned counselors and wellness enthusiasts, discuss facets of living a more fulfilling and balanced…