Mind the Dash

Do I even have a dream pot anymore? 🦋 Week one of Butterfly Self begins at the very beginning — the egg stage. Gabby shares the story of her own forgotten "dream pot," crusted over with fear and limiting beliefs, and what it took to put it back on the front burner. Anchored in Psalm 139:16, this episode is an invitation to honor your small, hidden beginnings: buried does not mean dead. Includes a tender moment from the live Butterfly Self circle, a guided reflection, and a simple 5-minute daily practice to carry into your week. Watch transformation. Practice transformation. Become who you were meant to be.

Show notes:

Butterfly Self — Week 1: The Egg (Beginnings: The Seed Within)

Welcome, beautiful soul. This is week one of Butterfly Self: Give Your S.O.U.L. Wings — a six-week journey following the stages of the butterfly, from egg to wings.

In this episode:

• The dream pot: what happens when dreams get tucked into the back of the refrigerator of life
• Naming the layers — fear, limitation, old beliefs — and why awareness is the first step
• The mystery of the egg stage: small, hidden, fragile, and full of divine design
• A tender moment from our live Butterfly Self circle
• Guided reflection: What seed within me needs protection, warmth, and attention in this season?
• Why not every dream needs to be announced — Mary "kept all these things and pondered them in her heart"

Your weekly practice: Each day, take five minutes and ask — What is one small beginning I can honor today?

Scripture anchors: Psalm 139:16 · Zechariah 4:10 ("Who has despised the day of small things?")

About the series: Over six weeks we'll walk through Beginnings (Egg), Nurture (Caterpillar), Stretch (Molting), Surrender (Chrysalis), Birth (Emergence), and Wings (Butterfly). Watch transformation. Practice transformation. Become who you were meant to be.

Mind the Dash is Gabby Upham's podcast about mindfulness, motherhood, journaling, compassion, and the spiritual work of becoming.

**Raising Lifelong Learners**
What does it actually take to raise a child who loves to learn — not just forthe test, but for life?
In this episode, Gabby sits down with two veteran educators (and moms!): Katie Bach, a fellow teacher who leads the Faithful Scholars umbrella school in South Carolina and an online homeschool village, and Bobbie Cuelo, mom of 13. Together they bring 25 kids, 16 grandkids, and 89 years of teaching experienceto one honest conversation.
Gabby opens with a challenge that sets the tone for everything that follows:"Each child is a precious treasure sealed with a heavy lock — and it's our duty to study the lock, pick it, and release the treasure hidden inside."
In this conversation:
- Why a worksheet is not learning — and what real learning actually looks like
- Screens vs. senses: the "screen squirrel" lesson onexperience-first education
- How to draw your children in with curiosity instead of candy-coated shortcuts
- Encouraging kids that they can do hard things — including a beautiful win: an11-year-old with severe dyslexia who couldn't wait to keep reading on hisown
- What one family's Aliyah to Israel taught them about environment, resilience,and learning differences
Whether you homeschool, support a classroom teacher, or are just trying to keep wonder alive at your kitchen table — this one's for you.
💌 Gota story about raising a lifelong learner? We'd love to hear it:[email protected]

Katie Bach

www.FaithfulScholars.com

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The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart

Remember Consciousness = Choice!

We've mentioned the mindful acronym of C.H.O.I.C.E. - when we bring an awareness into our life we can choose to respond with Compassion, Humor, OPTIMISIM, Intuition, and self Expression. Today we will here our podcast hosts take on what it is to have optimism and a few year end tips to make it through this season with mindfulness. Hear a simple way to set up healthy intentions for the new year.

You are invited to attend the Mind the Dash- Breakthrough Journal Workshop on Zoom, January 14, 2024 at 2pm EST.

Please email [email protected] for zoom link

This was a great Mindfulness check in with Dr. Ryan Adamczyk. Gabby simply shares with him some of the challenges she is currently facing and hopes that this conversation will encourage you to keep on your journey of mindfulness as well.

This is the 2nd season check up. We discuss topics like:

How to gain more clarity in life.

Checking in with identity and purpose.

Transitions in life.

Seasons of change.

and of course... the Shadow "self"!

*Action brings clarity.

*What out for cultures pressure of measuring value or out sourcing self esteem.

*We live in a culture where we want the freedom without the responsibility. You can't separate one from the other.

*The "inner critic" changes costumes at each stage. However, Confronting negativity is part of the process and not meant to defeat you.

You can find more info about Dr. Ryan Robert Adamczyk on the Psychology today website. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ryan-robert-adamczyk-charlotte-nc/439038

What are the differences between stress and trauma? Turns out prolonged stress can have the same effects of trauma in our mind and body. Today we will discuss some mindful strategies to deal with the stress and trauma in our lives.

Some Takeaways:

Schedule "strategic" time off. Allow yourself time to sit, we are after all human BEings, not human DOings

Learn how to trigger the pleasure center of the brain

Make a "tadah' list... capture moments to remember and highlight the good, enjoyable emotions, feelings, and memories that we experience.

Use the formula- Many or Most ___________, Myself _________, how about YOU? This formula can help with a powerful connection and brings a sense of "We are NOT alone.

About Melinda;

Melinda Marasch is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a social work/mental health consultant. She has dedicated 20 years to her passion in helping others. Melinda is a member of the international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and has presented numerous trainings across the U.S. on therapeutic approaches such as Trauma informed care, self-care, mental health issues, de-escalation and more. You can check out her website:https://www.aspire2bu.org/

and email [email protected]

Welcome back. We need the practice of mindfulness everyday and even more so when there is war and rumors of wars. There is no doubt that there will be times in our life that our world is turned upside down and nothing makes sense. Here is some encouragement to help the battle in the mind to keep us productive and moving in the right direction. It's raw... which is the same letters as war.

I share a story from my time in Israel, and some encouragement to guide us in this dark time.

I wrote this in my journal...its a poem or prayer really.

We danced and the rockets rained down.

Please G-d make us one.

The differences between us has no distinction with the enemy.

The enemy sees us as one.

The enemy came in- surrounds us all around

Help me G-d, with out you I am only one.

Unity, Strength, and light will come from this darkness.

We trust in You, G-d the Mighty One.

written by: Gabby Upham

Take aways: Do good, Learn bible, share love and light to make the world a better place.

Today Gabby is in the interview seat. You will get to know your host of Mind the Dash, a little more. Special thanks to fellow Toastmaster, Estephany Escobar for conducting a great interview.

Topics include:

Origin story

Being married at age 16

Homeschooling journey with 5 kids

Welfare to Wealth Management

Love, Loss, and Legacy building

And so much more. You will hear one of Gabby's recent poems.

If you have any follow up questions for Gabby or other Podcast ideas, Please reach out via email at [email protected]

The parenting journey is a tough one. You can feel like you are losing your temper and loosing your mind. Today's episode offers blunt and relatable advise on how to calm our own parenting fears, discipline our children my modeling and offering a deep connection. Today's episodes tackles topics like:

"Discipline isn't something you do to children, It's something you develop within them." Dr. Becky A. Bailey

Show take aways:

Please Check out CelebrateCalm.com to find more of Kirks offerings. He has a great package deal! You will also want to listen to him on his podcast Calm Parenting on all podcast platforms.https://celebratecalm.com/our-story/