The Dream Catcher Podcast

If you have a history of being trapped in toxic relationships, you may be caught up in the web of codependency. 

Codependent relationships are an unhealthy pattern of behavior where one person is excessively reliant on the other for their sense of self-worth and identity. 

Learn the signs and destructive patterns that keep codependent relationships thriving, as well as the steps you can take to break free from this cycle, break the chains, and feel more empowered.

Original airdate: June 1, 2021

Happiness is not easy to define, but we all know it when we feel it. While some factors that affect happiness are out of our control, there are always things that we can do to feel better.

My guest, Dr. Robert Carpenter, has studied this subject extensively and developed a framework that offers insight and practices that we can use in our everyday lives. 

Dr. Carpenter is an author, filmmaker, and Creator at DrRob.TV. He advises celebrities, pro athletes, and everyday people on how to live their best lives and has been published in The Oxford Business Review, The Harvard Journal for Public Health, and several others. 

Rob and I discuss the laws of happiness described in his book, “The 48 Laws of Happiness.” We cover the different facets of happiness and how to apply the laws in our lives. We also talk about the common blocks that get in the way.

In today's fast-paced and competitive job market, many people wonder whether to pursue a generalist or specialist career path. Each option has unique benefits and drawbacks, making the choice quite challenging. 

Discover the advantages and disadvantages of both routes to see which aligns best with your personality, skills, and interests. By the end, you'll gain a better insight into which path aligns more with your goals and dreams.

No one is an island. Even though we need to occasionally step away to engage in our solo pursuits, we still need a place that we can come home to. Having roots makes us feel like we are part of a community and are not alone on our quest. That’s why connecting with others is a fundamental need we must fulfill to thrive.

One person who exemplifies the importance of community and being connected to the world around us is ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall.

From her decades of learning and observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat to her more recent years spent educating and building awareness about conservation and solidarity, she’s been guided by a deep spiritual and moral conviction to reveal the common thread that connects us all.

Jane reminds us that we are connected and we are all vital parts of a beautiful whole. When our head and heart work in harmony, we can deeply understand all living creatures, including our fellow humans.

To discuss Jane Goodall’s long and illustrious career and her message of love and hope, I invited Susan B. Katz. Susan is an award-winning, bestselling, Spanish bilingual author/illustrator. She has over a dozen published titles. Her book, The Story of Ruth Bader (baiter) Ginsburg (gins-burg), recently hit #18 on Amazon’s overall Bestseller List and #9 in children’s books. Meditation Station, a picture book about trains and mindfulness, won the 2020 International Book Award for Best Mind/Body/Spirit Children’s Book. She also earned the Moonbeam Gold Award for Best Picture Book in celebration of My Mama Earth.

In our interconnected world, cross-cultural interactions are increasingly common. 

Understanding and respecting social etiquette across cultures is essential for business, travel, or personal relationships. 

Learn the differences in different world regions and how to adapt your behavior to create meaningful connections and avoid unintentionally offending others.

Original airdate: July 26, 2022

As children, we believe that anything is possible. We see the world through the lens of curiosity, openness and joy. Sadly, many of us lose this perspective as we grow up.

The challenges of adult life may cause us to focus on our limitations instead of our possibilities.

Dr. Dravon James is a life coach, inspirational speaker, radio host, and author of “Freedom is Your Birthright.” She is the founder of the Next Step Leadership Academy and Every Day Peace, a platform where she inspires others to build the life of their dreams.  She’s also an actress whose career credits include a recurring role on HBO’s acclaimed “The Wire”, several stage plays, and independent films.

During our conversation, Dravon will inspire us to live our best lives by helping us develop a healthy mindset focused on growth and resourcefulness. She also offers advice on dealing with the obstacles and detours so that it does not deviate us from our path.

In our fast-paced society, time is often seen as an objective concept measured by clocks and calendars. However, a deeper exploration reveals that time is not just a linear progression of minutes and hours but also a subjective experience that varies from person to person. 

This article delves into the battle of our perception of time and explores strategies for managing the interplay between psychological time and what we see on the clock. By learning these dynamics, you’ll discover how to make the most of each precious moment.

We are multidimensional beings, capable of molding our character at any stage in our life. Our identity is fluid and malleable, and we can continue to evolve and enhance it to realize our highest potential.

Viktor Frankl had to learn how to master this, having lived in most of the 20th century, one of the more transformative periods in world history.

This Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist is most known for being a Holocaust survivor, but in reality, his contributions to mental health and psychology are his true legacy.

His seminal book, "Man's Search for Meaning," and logotherapy, a psychological approach centered on meaning creation, is rooted in his observations at the concentration camps, where he witnessed unthinkable cruelty and injustice.

Frankl prioritized guiding people to find their deeper purpose in good and bad times. In the process, he discovered himself and crystallized his mission.

To glean wisdom from Frankl's incredible life and work, I invited Alex Pattakos, Ph.D., affectionately nicknamed "Dr. Meaning." Alex is the co-founder of the Global Meaning Institute and co-creator of MEANINGology® —the study and practice of meaning in life, work, and society.

A prolific author, he has written two international best-selling books on the human quest for meaning: The OPA! Way', inspired by Greek philosophy, mythology, and culture, and 'Prisoners of Our Thoughts', written at the personal urging of Viktor Frankl himself.

In a world filled with distractions and endless possibilities, it's easy to get caught up in overthinking, a cycle that hinders our ability to build and maintain healthy relationships. 

But breaking free from this vicious cycle is essential to nurture meaningful and fulfilling relationships. 

By understanding the roots of overthinking in relationships and implementing practical techniques, you'll gain the confidence to trust your instincts, communicate effectively, and let go of perfectionism.

Original airdate: October 19, 2021

While Buddhism is considered a significant global religion, its ideas, philosophies, and practices have long inspired people of other faiths. That's because it's more of a spiritual tradition that educates us on how to live well and find inner peace.

Learn more about it with Robert Thurman, this episode's featured guest and one of the leading experts on Buddhism.

Robert Thurman is a Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University and Co-Founder and President of Tibet House US/Menla in service of the HH Dalai Lama. The New York Times named him the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism and awarded him the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020 for his help in recovering India's ancient Buddhist heritage. Time Magazine chose him as one of the 25 most influential Americans in 1997.

In this interview, we discuss some of the main concepts covered in Robert Thurman's new book, Wisdom Is Bliss: Four Friendly Fun Facts That Can Change Your Life. He offers his insight into Buddhist principles such as Nirvana, Karma, and the practice of mindfulness and how we can apply them in our everyday lives.