S1E24: Follow What Lights You Up — Reflections on Rebecca Campbell’s Light Is the New Black

Feeling the pull of a quiet “yes”? In this episode, we explore Rebecca Campbell’s Light Is the New Black and how small, aligned choices can transform your life.

Join me for a reflective practice, takeaway, and affirmation to help you follow what lights you up. One simple step at a time.

Have you ever felt a whisper inside saying, “Yes, this is it!”? In this episode of Read, Reflect, Rise with Wils Struthers-Cooper, we dive into Rebecca Campbell’s bestselling book Light Is the New Black and explore how following your inner light, through small, easily achievable choices, can bring more clarity, courage, and alignment to your daily life.

Here’s what you’ll find in this episode:

·      A short, powerful excerpt from Light Is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell

·      A calming reflective practice you can do anywhere—on a walk, during naptime, or before bed

·      A personal takeaway on the power of forging your own lit up path to create meaningful change

·      A simple affirmation to carry into your day: “I begin to notice when I light up. I say yes to growing my light.”

Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, practical mindfulness, or a gentle reminder to follow what lights you up inside, this episode offers a grounded pause in your week.

Join the Read, Reflect, Rise community:
If this episode resonated, click to follow the show wherever you listen, and consider sharing it with a friend who could use some light today. For show notes, resources, and weekly reflections straight to your inbox, head to www.readreflectrise.com

Because clarity grows from tiny, honest steps. And when the world feels dark, that’s often the invitation to practice tending your inner light.

Until next time, remember: “There is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.”

Choose wisely and follow that light.

S1E23 – Andrea Gibson's Attitude: How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best

Today on Read, Reflect, Rise, we explore Andrea Gibson’s powerful poem how the worst day of my life became the best, a gut-level story about heartbreak, rupture, and resilience. Andrea Gibson, an award-winning spoken-word poet and activist, blends radical honesty and tenderness to show how the darkest moments can open unexpected doorways to healing and renewal.

In this episode, I read a short excerpt from a seriously powerful poem, reflect on its lessons, and lead a practice to turn challenge into blessing — all designed to help you notice the doorway when life feels like it’s breaking you. We’ll also explore:

·      How challenge can become an entry point for growth

·      The healing power of language and naming your experience

·      Small acts of care that create direction from pain

·      A weekly affirmation to help you rise, even after the hardest day

If this episode lands with you, subscribe so you never miss a reflection, and leave a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

You can also sign up for my newsletter for episode extras:reading recommendations, journal prompts, grounding practice, and the weekly affirmation to integrate into your week. Visit www.readreflectrise.com

Remember, there is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.

www.readreflectrise.com

What if awareness could rewire your brain? In this episode, Wils shares Daniel Siegel’s Mindsight and guides you into a reflective practice for clarity, choice, and lasting change.

What if awareness could literally reshape your brain—and your life?

In this episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, Wils Struthers-Cooper explores the groundbreaking insights of Dr. Daniel J. Siegel’s bestselling book Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation.

You’ll hear a powerful passage from Siegel on how “mindsight” helps us move beyond autopilot, calm emotional storms, and make new choices with clarity and intention. Wils then guides you through a reflective journey inspired by Siegel’s words, offering space to pause, reconnect, and rise into greater presence.

In this episode you’ll discover:

·      What “mindsight” is and why it matters for personal growth

·      How awareness can rewire the brain for resilience and balance

·      A reflective practice to help you name, tame,and navigate emotions

·      A mantra-based affirmation to carry into your week

Whether you’re seeking more mindfulness, self-compassion, or practical tools for change, this episode will leave you grounded, inspired, and ready to create freedom from within.

Subscribe to Read, Reflect, Rise for weekly episodes featuring wisdom from authors like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Brené Brown, Glennon Doyle, Martha Beck, and more.

Join the Community: Get free meditations, affirmations, and mindful living tools straight to your inbox. Sign up here: ⁠www.readreflectrise.com⁠

Help others Read, Reflect & Rise: If these words support you, share this episode with a friend or leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast reach more people who are ready to Read, Reflect, and Rise.

Discover the freedom that comes from letting go.
Join Wils for a mindful reflection on Danna Faulds’ poem “Allow” and the strength in surrender.

What if surrender was the most powerful thing you could do today?

In this episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, Wils Struthers-Cooper shares the timeless words of poet and yoga practitioner Danna Faulds from her much-loved poem “Allow” (featured in Go In and In).

Together, we explore how mindfulness and self-compassion can help you release control, find inner peace, and move with life instead of against it.

You’ll hear an excerpt from the poem, then be guided through a short reflection on letting go of resistance, embracing emotional wellbeing, and discovering the quiet strength in flexibility. We’ll finish with an empowering daily affirmation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

·       How to stop resisting life and start flowing with it

·       Why surrender to reality is not weakness but opens a gateway to peace

·       A simple affirmation to anchor more ease and clarity in your day

If you’ve been feeling tense, overthinking, or craving a calmer mind, this episode is your gentle mindset reset, because, after all is said and done, when you see clearly what life is, you can choose your next step with clarity and power.

Join the Community: Get free meditations, affirmations, and mindful living tools straight to your inbox. Sign up here: www.readreflectrise.com

Help others Read, Reflect & Rise: If these words support you, share this episode with a friend or leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast reach more people who are ready to Read, Reflect, and Rise.

Discover how neuroscience and intuition work together to shape your future. Wils shares a powerful excerpt from Tara Swart’s The Source and guides you to rewire your brain through intention, visualisation, and action.

Join host Wils Struthers-Cooper as she explores The Source by neuroscientist, medical doctor, and MIT lecturer Dr. Tara Swart. It's a groundbreaking book that reveals how you can rewire your brain to create the life you truly want.

Discover how neuroplasticity, visualisation, and intention work together to biologically “favour your future over your past.” Wils reads a powerful excerpt on attracting what you really want, guides you through a future-self visualisation, and shares an affirmation to help you turn belief into action.

Whether you’re curious about manifestation backed by science, want to break old patterns, or are ready to align your focus with your dreams, this episode offers both the insight and the tools to begin today.

You’ll learn:

·       How your brain physically changes in response to thought, feeling, and imagery

·       Why visualisation is more than “wishful thinking”

·       A simple daily affirmation to rewire your mindset and build resilience

·       How to connect intention with meaningful action

Want more? Visit www.readreflectrise.com for freereflection resources, episode show notes, and to join Wils’ newsletter for weekly inspiration, affirmations, and meditative practices.

If this episode resonated, Iinvite you to follow the show, rate or review it, and share it with someone who’s ready to rise.

TaraSwart, TheSourcebook neuroscience and manifestation, neuroplasticity, future self visualisation, personal growth podcast, mindset rewiring, law of attraction science, brain rewiring, well-being podcast, manifestation tips, guidedmeditation podcast, mindfulness and neuroscience, Wils Struthers-Cooper.

S1E19: Your Soul is a River: Healing Through the Poetry of Nikita Gill

What if your soul isn’t something to fix but something to rise with?

In this soothing and evocative episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, host Wils Struthers-Cooper invites you to reconnect with the current of your inner life through the luminous, poetic voice of Nikita Gill. Drawing from Gill’s evocative collection Your Soul is a River, Wils explores how we can meet ourselves not with judgment, but with gentleness, flowing with, not against, who we are, and what we are becoming.

You’ll hear a carefully chosen excerpt from Nikita’s work followed by a guided moment of reflection to help you realign. You’ll leave with an affirmation to anchor intothroughout your week, because your soul deserves space to rise too.

This episode is for anyone navigating emotional healing, spiritual fatigue, inner growth, or simply longing for permission to rest, feel, and begin again.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Nikita Gill’s poetry is balm for the soul
• How to soften into yourself instead of striving to connect
• A short meditative reflection led by Wils to gently reconnect you to the universe
• A weekly affirmation designed to encourage flow, strength, and compassion

Sign Up
Join Wils’ newsletter for free reflection prompts, meditations, and updates you won’t hear on the podcast. Head to www.readreflectrise.com to subscribe — it’s where the real magic unfolds.

If this episode resonates with you:
✅ Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
✅ Leave a review to help others discover this healing space
✅ Share this episode with someone who’s ready to rise in their own time

Let this be your weekly pause, your poetic reset, your permission slip to soften.
There is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.

#SoulWisdom #PoetryHealing #NikitaGill #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #MindfulLiving#ReadReflectRise #WilsStruthersCooper #PodcastForHealing #SpiritualFatigue#WellbeingPodcast #mindfulness #podcast #reading #poetry

S1E18: How to Stay Sane in a Mad World — with Help from Ruby Wax’s Sane New World

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just done with yourown thoughts? You're not alone and you’re not your mind. In this episode of Read, Reflect, Rise with Wils Struthers-Cooper, we explore powerful insights from comedian, mindfulness expert, and mental health advocate Ruby Wax,through her bestselling book Sane New World: Taming the Mind.

This uplifting episode blends mental health awareness,mindfulness, and neuroscience with a dose of Ruby’s signature humour to help you feel more grounded, self-aware, and yes, a little saner.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Want More?

Get the affirmations, exclusive pratices, andself-reflection prompts straight to your inbox at www.readreflectrise.com

Get your copy of Sane New World by Ruby Wax: https://linktr.ee/wilsstrutherscooper

Explore past episodes, affirmations and show notes: www.readreflectrise.com

If this episode helped you pause, reflect, or laugh, please subscribe, rate, and review. It helps more mindful, curious listeners like you find the show.

There is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weaveand wield.

#RubyWax #SaneNewWorld #MentalHealthPodcast #MindfulnessTools #CalmTheMind#WellnessPodcast #WomenInPodcasting #AffirmationPractice #ReadReflectRise#MindfulLiving #AnxietySupport #Neuroplasticity #EmotionalResilience

Episode 17: The Big Leap: Upper Limits & Living in Your Zone of Genius

Read, Reflect, Rise with Wils Struthers-Cooper

What if the real block to your happiness isn’t fear of failure… but fear of feeling too good?

In this week's episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, Wils Struthers-Cooper takes us into The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks — a modern classic on success, self-sabotage, and the powerful shift from playing small to living in your Zone of Genius.

If you’ve ever felt like joy, success, or peace comes with a secret expiry date… if you find yourself “accidentally” messing things up when life is going well… or if you’re stuck in your comfort zone when you know there’s something more — this episode is your invitation to leap.

What You’ll Hear:

·       A powerful excerpt from The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

·       A meditative reflection on the invisible ceiling we place on joy

·       An empowering affirmation to guide you through self-expansion

·       Gentle encouragement to trust your gifts — and use them fully

Want to go deeper?
Join Wils’ weekly email for free podcast extras, mantra-based resources, and soothing reflections designed to help you trust your timing, your gifts, and your next leap.
 Sign up at www.readreflectrise.com

If this episode resonated:Please take a moment to rate or review the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. It helps Read, Reflect, Rise reach more people — and it helps us know what’s landing, and what you’d love more of.

🎧 Listen now

Because there is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.

#TheBigLeap #GayHendricks #ZoneOfGenius #SelfSabotage #MindsetShift #ReadReflectRise #PersonalGrowthPodcast #MindfulLiving #UpperLimitProblem #WellbeingPodcast #SelfCompassion #SpiritualSelfHelp

Episode 16 | Welcome Every Feeling: Reflections on Rumi’s The Guesthouse

Read, Reflect, Rise with Wils Struthers-Cooper

Why do certain emotions keep resurfacing when you thought you’d moved on? What if anger, sadness, or fear aren’t interruptions—but invitations?

In this short but powerful episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, host Wils Struthers-Cooper reads Rumi’s timeless poem The Guesthouse, exploring the radical idea that every emotion—no matter how uncomfortable—is worthy of welcome.

You’ll be guided through a reflective, meditative space where feelings are not problems to fix, but guests to receive. If you’re moving through grief, change, or simply trying to be more present with what is—this episode is your permission slip to soften.

🌿 What You’ll Hear:

• A gentle reading of The Guesthouse written by 13th-century mystic Rumi

• A mindfulness-inspired reflection on making space for challenging feelings

• A calming affirmation to carry through your week

• A reminder that healing doesn’t require perfection or rejection —it asks for presence

Shownotes will become available at www.readreflectrise.com

________________________________________

📬 Want more calm?

Join Wils’ mailing list for free meditations, affirmations,and exclusive resources you won’t hear on the podcast. Sign up at www.readreflectrise.com.

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Liked this episode?

Follow the show, leave a 5-star rating, or share it with someone who may need to hear it today. It’s a simple way to support the show’s intention and help more people access calm, clarity, and care through the power of words.

There is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.

#Rumi #MindfulnessPodcast #EmotionalHealing #ReadReflectRise #TheGuesthouse #SpiritualGrowth #PersonalDevelopmentPodcast #Podcast #SelfCompassion #PoetryForHealing #WilsStruthersCooper

Start Your Day with Purpose and Power – The Miracle Morning Method by Hal Elrod

Feeling rushed, reactive, or exhausted before your day even begins? What if the way you start your morning could completely shift the course of your life?

In this episode of Read, Reflect, Rise, Wils dives into Hal Elrod’s bestselling book The Miracle Morning — a modern-day classic that has helped millions transform their lives through simple but powerful morning habits. You'll hear the words that changed everything for Wils, and be guided into a reflective, meditative space to help you reconnect with your purpose, power, and potential.

Learn how Hal’s six Life S.A.V.E.R.S. — Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing — can help you design your day (and your life) with clarity and intention. Whether you're a morning person or not, this episode offers you the insight and encouragement to wake up to who you are becoming — anytime of day.

🔗 Ready to go deeper? Get the shownotes for this episode at readreflectrise.com. Join the mailing list to receive weekly soulful inspiration and updates on new offerings, live events, and exclusive content.

📲 Share this episode with a friend, tag @WilsStruthersCooper on social media, or leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Every share helps this community grow.

🌀 There is magic, medicine, and power in the words we weave and wield.