#015 - It feels good to belong, doesn't it?  To be part of a group, a team, a family.  One of our most basic needs is to belong, but there's a potential dark side if you're someone who wants to do big things with your life or to follow a call.  

In today's episode, we continue our ascent of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the belonging level and explore what keeps us stuck there and how to rise above it to reach our most full lives.  If you want to go after a big dream but are feeling afraid, our deep dive into belonging might be just the thing for you. 

And listen to the end for an opportunity to connect with others who are living at a higher level through a new app!

Show notes and the Made to Thrive Dream Together app at madetothrive.coach/015.  Join the Made to Thrive Facebook group to watch the video of this lesson at madetothrive.coach/facebook.

#014 - Do you have big dreams?  Are you called to do something more with your life but you're not sure what it is or even how it's going to happen?  Today's guest, Mitch Matthews from the Dream. Think. Do. podcast, shares his story of going after a big dream and finding something even better when it seemed like the dream was no longer possible.  Mitch comes with a perspective of having interviewed more than 300 dreamers on his podcast and having coached high-level executives for more than a decade.   He talks about the faith that's required to chase a big dream and the many intangible benefits that appear along the way... and of course, he answers 5 Big Questions!

You can find out more about Mitch at mitchmatthews.com, the Dream. Think. Do. podcast, and by reading his books: Ignite and Dream Job: Redefined. 

Show notes for the podcast are at madetothrive.coach/014.  You can also get a free assessment to determine whether you're thriving in the 7 Core Areas of life.  Just visit amithriving.com. 

#013 - Are you living in the basement?  In episode 11, we introduced Maslow's Ascent, the idea that we have a series of needs that must be met before we can be our truest selves, experiencing life at its fullest.  Today we explore the first two levels of existence and talk about why many people never move beyond merely surviving, even people who are seemingly successful.  You'll learn the two keys to moving up the ladder of existence so you can have more near-life experiences.  

If you want to watch the video of this lesson, join the Made to Thrive Facebook page at madetothrive.coach/facebook!

#012 - What do you think about when you hear the word "money"?  What about the word "budget"?  If you'd rather have a root canal than talk about money, you need to listen to this episode because your relationship with money might be keeping you from thriving.  In this episode, Jenn Trinidad from BudgetDivas.com shares her story of working out of $90,000 in debt and how it has been a key to thriving in other areas of her life.  If you've heard of Dave Ramsey's "baby steps" but haven't followed through on his advice, Jenn offers coaching on moving toward your financial goals and - of course - answers 5 Big Questions on Made to Thrive!  

You can learn more about Jenn and her financial coaching at budgetdivas.com.

If you  want to determine your level of thriving in all 7 Core Areas, head to amithriving.com for your free assessment. 

#011 - Have you ever had a "near-life" experience?  You know, a time when you felt really, truly alive?  Maybe it was at a sporting event or special time with a loved one; perhaps you were doing something risky or out of the ordinary for you.  Today's Coach's Corner is the beginning of a series called "Maslow's Ascent" or "Next Level Living."  We'll examine the paradigm that's keeping us stuck wherever we are in life and week by week unpack it so we can free ourselves to live more of those "near-life" experiences.  You can get your free Made to Thrive assessment at amithriving.com and visit madetothrive.coach for resources that help you thrive in all areas of your life. 

#010 - Do you have permission to fail?  Whether you're starting a new business, a new relationship, a new season of life, is failure an option?  Or is your identity too tied to your performance that you won't try something new because there's too much at risk?  Today's guest, Gregg Guerrerio, shares his perspective on taking risks and encourages you to adopt a "permission to fail" mindset because of what he has discovered along his journey.  And of course, he answers 5 Big Questions on Made to Thrive!  You can get your free assessment with recommendations at AmIThriving.com.  Show notes for this episode are at madetothrive.coach/010.

#009 - Are you living life at the highest level?  If you're not, what's holding you back?  Each month we review a book that encourages, equips, and empowers us to thrive, and this month's book will not only explain why you might not be living life to it's fullest, but how you can begin to.  This month's book is The Big Leap: Conquer your hidden fear and take life to the next level by Gay Hendricks.  We define the Upper Limit Problem and discuss the four zones people live in: Incompetence, Competence, Excellence, and Genius, revealing one of the biggest reasons people choose not to live in their Zone of Genius.  Enter to win a free copy of The Big Leap at madetothrive.coach/book and get your free assessment of the 7 Core Areas at amithriving.com.

#008 - The journey of faith is a combination of certainty and uncertainty, and often at the same time!  Today on Made to Thrive, Ted Brunner shares his completely non-linear journey to full-time ministry, including waiting two years after leaving his job to begin his work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  His story of navigating the clear and cloudy seasons of serving God will encourage you and invite you to fully live your own story of faith.   And as always, we end the interview with 5 Big Questions: 

1. What does it mean to thrive?
2. When were you not thriving? What made the difference? or What keeps you thriving? 
3. What’s an area that you wish you were thriving more in (relationships, identity, faith, finances, health, career, mission)?
4. Why aren’t more people thriving?
5. What encouragement do you have for others?

#007 - If you're starting your career or looking for a fresh start, how do you know which opportunities will bring fulfillment and which will bring frustration?  On today's episode we look back at Monday's conversation with career coach Curtis Swisher (Episode 006), digging into some of the keys he shared about finding "open doors" and "stop signs" in your career.  Plus, we share our Career Keys short course, which listeners can access for free by visiting madetothrive.coach/careerkeys.  Career Keys is a step-by-step lesson in finding out which of the seven keys to career satisfaction are most important to them and how knowing them can improve their resume, their job search, and their work/life balance!  Show notes at madetothrive.coach/007

#006 - Are you thriving in your career?  While some people enjoy long, fulfilling careers, many trudge through most of their lives in jobs that don't use their natural abilities or make the impact they wish they did.  Today's guest is Curtis Swisher from MyCareerQuest.com, and he shares the many lessons he learned from three decades at a Fortune 500 company and the years immediately following his unexpected retirement.  Now a career coach, Curtis reveals how he pivoted twice to avoid layoffs and how he used his workplace as a mission field.  Enjoy our conversation with Curtis and - of course - 5 Big Questions!  madetothrive.coach/006