This Was Supposed to be Easy Podcast

S2 Episode 34: We Thought Noticing the Good Was Supposed to Be Easy

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In this cozy, laughter-sprinkled episode, Amy and Cheryl kick off with weekend stories from Myrtle Beach and Mackinac Island, then dive into why our brains notice what we tell them to notice. Cheryl introduces the Reticular Activating System (RAS), the brain’s sensory filter, and the two explore practical ways to “train” it toward noticing the good and fueling joy without slipping into toxic positivity. From confirmation bias at work to social media algorithms, gratitude habits, and photographing everyday symbols (hello, heart-shaped clouds and Blue Jays), this is a grounded, science-meets-woo conversation for leaders and humans who want more good in their day.

Key topics & takeaways

  • Warm open: Girls’ trip vs. destination wedding at home (Mackinac!) and Michigan’s wild weather mood swings.
  • RAS, in plain English: A brainstem network that filters sensory input, letting through what’s urgent or important and muting the rest.
  • Top-down training: You can influence your RAS by setting intentions and goals (what you want to notice) so it highlights more of that.
  • Leadership lens: Beware confirmation bias, leaders tend to find evidence for what they already believe about their teams. Choose better default beliefs and you’ll notice more of the behaviors you want to reinforce.
  • Algorithm analogy: Your attention works a lot like TikTok’s feed. Engage with something, and you’ll get more of it, for better or worse.
  • Joy is not toxic positivity: This is not glitter over hard things. It’s using neuroplasticity intentionally to notice genuine goodness alongside reality.
  • Simple practices that work:
    • Daily or weekly gratitude reps (e.g., 3 things and why they mattered).
    • Photo-log your symbol (hearts, Blue Jays, a color you love).
    • Start meetings with “What’s going great?” to shift the room’s state.
    • Stories that stick: Bronco Sport “Happy Blue,” heart-shaped clouds, Blue Jays as messages, and how one negative icebreaker can tank a meeting.

      • Memorable lines

      • “Our brains are wired to find what we’re looking for”, Cheryl
      • “It’s fortunate we can train our RAS easier than we can train our algorithm”, Cheryl
      • “We tune in to what we want to see”, Amy
      • “This isn’t fake glitter over hard things”, Cheryl
      • “Ask, what’s going great? and watch the energy change”, Cheryl
      • “All the stuff is still happening, we’re just choosing where to focus”, Amy

        • Challenge for the week

        Find Your Signal (7-Day Mini-Experiment)

        1. Pick a symbol you’ll look for (hearts, a bird, a color, a word).
        2. Snap a photo or jot a note each time you spot it (aim for 10+ finds).
        3. Gratitude add-on: Write one sentence on why one find mattered that day.
        4. Leadership nudge: Open one meeting with “What’s going great?”
        5. Share it: Post your favorite find and tag us so we can cheer you on.

          6. Additional resources or links

          • Mel Robbins, The High Five Habit (RAS + a simple daily experiment)

            • Ways to connect

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            • Say hi on social (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) and share what you’re noticing, tag us so we can celebrate with you!
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              This Was Supposed to be Easy PodcastBy supposedtobeeasy