Positively Real Podcast
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Positively Real Podcast episodes

  • Stress Reduction, Stress Resilience, and Practical Strategies for Stress Management

    Welcome to the final episode of our Stress Less podcast series. Over the past month, we’ve discussed various aspects of understanding, managing, and navigating stress. Today, I’ll recap all the valuable suggestions, tools, and techniques from the series to serve as a go-to resource whenever you need a reminder on dealing with stress.

    Stress Reduction

    • Identify stressors and remove sources of stress whenever possible. 
    • Practice “circumstance hopping” by exiting situations that consistently cause stress.
    • Stress Management

      • Cultivate resilience to better adapt to life’s challenges over time.
      • Practice mindfulness. Increase your awareness of stress triggers and either eliminate them or change your response to reduce stress levels. Breathwork and meditation can help with this.
      • Journaling provides the space to work through your emotions and understand the underlying messages behind stress.
      • Incorporate movement into your routine to lower stress levels.
      • Nourish your body through proper food, sleep, and water.
      • Stress Resilience

        • Emotional regulation allows you to manage your emotions and stress levels.
        • Understand that change is inevitable and regularly check in to make adjustments.
        • Cultivate gratitude for both what you have and what you hope to achieve and receive.
        • Remember to start small and gradually incorporate these practices into your daily routine. Begin with just 5 minutes each day and increase the time or activities as you become more confident in your practice.

          Connect with Brittny:
          Instagram: @brittnyking_
          Website: www.brittnyking.com
          Email: [email protected]

          23 min
        • Get Lost with Erin Leider-Pariser

          We’re taking a short break from the Stress Less series to share my second book review. This time I’m lucky enough to have author, Erin Leider-Pariser, join me to discuss her life, adventures, and new book.

          For nearly thirty years, Erin Leider-Pariser, wellness expert and founder of Sports Travel Adventure Therapy (STAT), has designed women's adventure journeys that empower them to push their physical boundaries, bond through ancient rituals, give back to the corners of the world they visit, and learn more about themselves than they ever imagined. Her new book, Get Lost, blends the wisdom and personal insights gleaned from these hiking, biking, and climbing trips through some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes with once-in-a-lifetime tales of dramas in the wild.

          This inspiring book includes her seven principles for Trekking Life with Grace, a set of golden rules for navigating towards your best self.

          I invite you to hear Erin’s story, learn of her seven principles, and appreciate the importance of getting lost and out of your comfort zone in order to be found moving forward in a new direction. 

          Connect with Brittny:
          Instagram: @brittnyking_
          Website: www.brittnyking.com
          Email: [email protected]

          Connect with Erin:
          Instagram: @stattrip
          Website: www.stattrip.com
          Email: [email protected] 
          Erin’s book: Get Lost: Lose Yourself to Find Yourself

          Other Resources:
          Tara Brach’s website
          Sam Harris’s website

          1 hr 1 min
        • Navigating Stress in Relationships

          For our third episode in the Stress Less Podcast Series, we're focusing on how to navigate stress in relationships.

          Stress and relationships are like dance partners, moving in sync with each other. Our reactions to stress are often instantaneous, tied to unresolved issues or traumas from our past. These triggers can be related to our beliefs, values, or even the core of our identity. When these aspects are threatened, it can lead to a powerful emotional reaction.

          In our biology, stress activates our amygdala, triggering the fight-or-flight response. This primal reaction bypasses higher reasoning centers, making stress feel overwhelming, even in non-physical situations.

          How can we skillfully navigate stress in a manner that enriches our relationships?

          Understand Your Triggers

          • Common relationship triggers: rejection, abandonment, control, insecurity, and misunderstanding.
          • These triggers often stem from unmet needs or unclear communication, where expectations are not expressed.
          • Understanding the roots of our emotional triggers allows for more effective communication and coping strategies.
          • Let Go of Your Manual

            • We all carry a manual in our minds, detailing how others should behave to make us feel loved, secure, valued, and happy.
            • If we haven't communicated these needs and directions we set ourselves up for disappointment. 
            • Letting go of our manual means accepting others as they are, even if we don't always like their actions.
            • Try embracing the mantra "So let them" to free yourself of the burden of control.
            • Daily Coping Practices

              • Daily practices can give us ways to cope and meet our own needs.
              • Try movement, breathwork, and grounding exercises.
              • Clean and Assertive Communication

                • Use "I" statements (I feel this way, I need).
                • Be specific when articulating what is going on inside of you. If you need support, explain what support looks like to you.
                • Practice active listening by summarizing what you heard the other person say, asking for clarification, and not planning your response.
                • The people in our lives are our greatest teachers, revealing where we are not free within ourselves. When someone triggers something inside us, it's not about them; it's about us. It's an opportunity to heal and validate those parts of ourselves that need it most.

                  Remember, in the midst of stress, there's always an opportunity for growth and connection. Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.

                  Connect with Brittny:
                  Instagram: @brittnyking_
                  Website: www.brittnyking.com
                  Email: [email protected] 

                  24 min
                • Stress and Emotional Regulation

                  Welcome back to our Stress Less Podcast Series!

                  In today’s episode, we’re looking at the intricate relationship between stress and emotional regulation. Join me to learn how practicing emotional regulation can lead you to a more fulfilling, harmonious, and balanced life amidst inevitable stressors.

                  Emotional regulation isn’t about being calm all the time. Stress is a part of our lives and can be essential for growth and motivation. However, without proper emotional regulation, managing this stress is an uphill battle. 

                  It’s important to identify your emotional triggers and recognize what happens in your body when you are triggered. Here is a worksheet to help you work through this.

                  Techniques for emotional regulation:

                  1. Mindfulness - being aware of what is happening inside of and around you
                  2. Meditation
                  3. Breathwork
                  4. Understanding why - knowing why you want to practice habits
                  5. Physical exercise and movement
                  6. Connect with Brittny:
                    Instagram: @brittnyking_
                    Website: www.brittnyking.com
                    Email: [email protected] 

                    38 min
                  7. Understanding and Recognizing Stress

                    Welcome to a new series dedicated to unraveling the complexities of stress and its profound impact on our lives. In each episode, we'll discuss different aspects of stress, from understanding its origins and effects on the body to exploring practical techniques for stress relief and resilience-building. 

                    Today’s episode begins the series by focusing on what stress is, how it affects us, and most importantly, how to recognize and manage it effectively. Stress isn't a fleeting emotion; it's a powerful signal from our bodies that demands attention and awareness.

                    What is Stress?

                    • In essence, stress is your body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.
                    • It is information, your body’s way of communicating with you.
                    • Our external or internal environment can trigger stress.
                    • Understanding the Stress Response:

                      • Stress arises from perceived threats to our environment, and our response is influenced by past learnings and experiences, whether positive or negative.
                      • While beneficial in the short term, the fight or flight response can lead to health issues when chronically activated.
                      • Stress will always be part of our lives, and we need it for safety, but we also need to get better at managing and reducing our stress.
                      • Types of Stress:

                        • Acute stress: Quick, short-lived response to immediate threats, that allows us to face or escape danger.
                        • Chronic stress: Persistent, long-term stress that can have detrimental effects without proper recovery.
                        • Self-Assessment and Reflection:

                          • Take inventory of your stressors.
                          • Identify physical, emotional, and behavioral responses.
                          • Prioritize stressors based on impact and level of control.
                          • Stress Management Techniques:

                            • Breathing exercises offer control over the autonomic system.
                            • Mindfulness and meditation bring your focus back to the present moment.
                            • Physical activity, such as walking, releases energy and boosts endorphins.
                            • Establishing routines provides structure and control.
                            • Understanding stress is the first step toward effectively managing it. By recognizing its triggers, implementing stress reduction techniques, and fostering self-awareness, we can cultivate resilience and lead healthier, more balanced lives.

                              Connect with Brittny:
                              Instagram: @brittnyking_
                              Website: www.brittnyking.com
                              Email: [email protected] 

                              40 min
                            • When the Work We Do for Ourselves Becomes Our Gift to Everyone Else with Sa'Von Sanders

                              "I am committed" and "I know what to do".

                              Imagine being able to say these statements and mean them. That dream came true for Sa’Von after a lot of hard work and a coaching journey with me. 

                              In this episode, Sa’Von joins me to discuss her inspiring story of growth, self-discovery, and empowerment through coaching. She shares the insights she gained and the remarkable changes she experienced through the process.

                              Join us to hear how Sa’Von:

                              • Reflects on her newfound sense of worthiness, cultivated through intentional effort.
                              • Understands herself on a much deeper level.
                              • Solves her struggles by harnessing newfound skills and techniques.
                              • Reflects on her personal growth: building great relationships, achieving success, and tripling her salary.
                              • Makes courageous decisions, including leaving a relationship that no longer served her.
                              • Overcame commitment issues and embraced new beginnings, including entering a fulfilling relationship and expecting her first child.
                              • Uses what she learned to improve relationships with friends and family and helps them understand the importance of seeking help when needed.
                              • Believes that she has everything inside of her and knows she is capable.
                              • Connect with Brittny:
                                Instagram: @brittnyking_
                                Website: www.brittnyking.com
                                Email: [email protected]

                                45 min
                              • Renewal and Resilience: Embracing Spring’s Lessons

                                🌸 Happy Spring! 🌸

                                In honor of the beginning of spring, today’s episode focuses on embracing the lessons we can learn from the transformation of nature during this season. 

                                Winter is a time to reflect, go inward, hibernate, and set intentions for the year to come.

                                Whereas spring brings new energy and can act as a catalyst for personal and professional renewal and growth.

                                Join me for today’s episode where we’ll discuss:

                                • The three phases of spring and how they apply to your life
                                  • Awakening
                                  • Growth
                                  • Blossoming
                                  • A spring cleaning for your soul
                                  • The opportunity for balance that the equinox brings
                                  • How to set intentions for renewal and growth

                                    We’ll wrap up the episode with a session of grounding breathwork and meditation for entering spring.

                                    Connect with Brittny:
                                    Instagram: @brittnyking_
                                    Website: www.brittnyking.com
                                    Email: [email protected]

                                    37 min
                                  • Embracing Life's Flow: A Dive into The Surrender Experiment

                                    Today, I’m excited to introduce a new format for our episodes! Once a month, I plan to discuss personal development books I’ve read, driven by three key reasons: 

                                    1. To potentially inspire you to read these books.
                                    2. To offer insights for application, even if you opt not to read them.  
                                    3. To aid my integration of the lessons into my life.
                                    4. Our first book is The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection by Michael A. Singer. This book is a memoir, but to me, it’s also a way to show and express what it means to let go of personal preference and surrender to the flow of life. His journey is so inspirational and I am excited to share my insights with you. 

                                      Book overview:

                                      • The experiment begins with him deciding to let go of personal bias and preference and allow life's flow to guide his decisions.
                                      • His experiment led to deeper connections and unexpected opportunities.
                                      • Surrendering encompasses a few key aspects:
                                        • Trusting in a greater process and purpose.
                                        • Active engagement.
                                        • Emotional openness.
                                        • Aspects of letting go:
                                          • Release attachments.
                                          • Healing and renewal.
                                          • Personal decision. 
                                          • My takeaways:

                                            • The power of surrender
                                            • Living beyond our personal preference
                                            • The role of meditation 
                                            • Viewing challenges as opportunities
                                            • Having inner peace no matter what is happening in the outer world
                                            • Favorite quotes:

                                              • “The natural ups and downs of life can either generate personal growth or create personal fears. Which of these dominates is completely dependent on how you view change.”
                                              • “Instead of viewing the flow of life as something to be controlled and manipulated, I would relax and see it as something to be experienced and harmonize with.”
                                              • “I saw that if I wanted life to be a certain way, my preferences were not going to make me happy, they were going to make me miserable.”
                                              • “Life doesn't just randomly fall apart now and then, it falls apart exactly when it needs to in order to give us the opportunity to grow and evolve.”
                                              • “I've had to be willing to let go of what I wanted and open to what was being presented.”
                                              • How I'm applying it in my life:

                                                • Turning my daily practice of breathwork and meditation into a devotion.
                                                • Embrace new opportunities while staying in line with my values.
                                                • Daily mindfulness activities.
                                                • Letting go of resistance and discomfort.
                                                • Continue to view challenges as growth opportunities.
                                                • Journal prompts:

                                                  • What areas of your life are you trying to control the most? What fears are driving this need for control?
                                                  • Try to recall a time when something didn't go as planned, but turned out better than expected. What did this teach you about the outcomes of surrendering?
                                                  • What does surrendering mean to you? How does it differ from giving up?
                                                  • What are your thoughts on viewing challenges as growth opportunities? Do you like this idea or do you feel resistant to it? If you feel resistant, can you identify a current challenge in your life and look at it from the perspective of how this could be a growth opportunity for you?
                                                  • How can you incorporate the practice of surrender into your daily life? Are there any specific rituals or reminders that you can set for yourself?
                                                  • Books discussed in this episode:
                                                    The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer
                                                    The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

                                                    Connect with Brittny:
                                                    Instagram: @brittnyking_
                                                    Website: www.brittnyking.com
                                                    Email: [email protected]

                                                    31 min
                                                  • You Don't Have a Motivation Problem

                                                    Do you think you have a motivation problem? 

                                                    What if I told you motivation isn't the problem?

                                                    As we move into the third month of the year, this feeling of struggling with motivation tends to surface for most of us. So for today’s episode, I want to walk you through why your motivation isn’t the problem and how you can move past the feeling that you aren’t motivated. 

                                                    Your motivation comes from your thinking, and your thinking is about the circumstances in your life. Your thinking is impacted by your feelings, and your feelings drive your action or inaction. 

                                                    If you're not feeling motivated, you aren't thinking thoughts that make you feel motivated. Motivation starts the party, but you have to keep thinking motivating thoughts to get the job done. 

                                                    So what is the solution for the lack of motivation?

                                                    1. Acknowledge that it's okay that you don't feel motivated.
                                                    2. Normalize it! You're not the only person feeling this way.
                                                    3. Get curious. Think about why you were feeling motivated at the beginning of the year but aren’t feeling it now.
                                                    4. Get clear on what emotion would move you forward. Is it motivation, courage, trust, or something else?
                                                    5. Do something kind for yourself. Fill up your cup to restore balance and equilibrium in your body.
                                                    6. Reframe your goals. Maybe they need to be adjusted or broken down into smaller steps.
                                                    7. Connect with Brittny:
                                                      Instagram: @brittnyking_
                                                      Website: www.brittnyking.com
                                                      Email: [email protected] 

                                                      20 min
                                                    8. Don’t have time to feel? Think again.

                                                      We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s okay to not be okay,” and while the message behind the phrase is obvious, the next steps aren’t as clear cut. One of my clients recently asked me, “How do I be okay with not being okay sometimes?” and it prompted me to record this episode for you.

                                                      Emotions are an integral part of the human experience, yet many of us claim not to have time for them. This episode explores why embracing emotions is essential for personal growth and well-being.

                                                      Join me to discuss:

                                                      • How to Understand Emotional Growth
                                                      • The Truth About Time and Emotions
                                                      • How to Embrace Negative Emotions
                                                      • The Body-Mind Connection
                                                      • How to See Emotions as Waves
                                                      • I walk through a process that can help you take control of your emotions:

                                                        1. Pause: Take a moment to step back.
                                                        2. Notice and Observe: Without judgment, observe what you're feeling.
                                                        3. Name the Emotion: Giving it a name can help you understand it better.
                                                        4. Allow Yourself to Feel: Without pushing the emotion away or judging yourself.
                                                        5. Embracing emotions is not a luxury; it's a necessity for personal growth and well-being. By taking the time to feel and understand our emotions, we can navigate life's ups and downs with more resilience and authenticity.

                                                          Connect with Brittny:
                                                          Instagram: @brittnyking_
                                                          Website: www.brittnyking.com
                                                          Email: [email protected]

                                                          24 min

                                                        About Positively Real Podcast

                                                        From the publisher's feed

                                                        When Brittny asked those in her life what her superpower was, they ALL said "positivity." It's true; even during the dark periods of her life, Brittny has maintained a genuine positive attitude. It's…