The Mark Groves Podcast

In this episode, I chat with Greer Kirshenbaum, an Author, Mother, Neuroscientist, Doula, and Infant and Family Sleep Specialist. We discuss the power of nurture and how understanding early nurturing experiences can shape our adult lives and parenting styles. Greer talks about the importance of gentleness and modeling foundational pillars like nervous system regulation and setting healthy boundaries with children. We also explore the history and long-term effects of sleep training methods. Join us on this thought-provoking journey into the transformative effects of nurturing and neuroscience.

Greer Kirshenbaum PhD has combined her academic training with her experience as a doula and mother to lead The Nurture Revolution - A movement to nurture our babies’ brains to revolutionize mental health and impact larger systems in our world. Greer wants families, professionals, and workplaces to understand how early caregiving experience can boost mental wellness and diminish depression, anxiety, and addiction in adulthood by shaping babies’ brains through simple intuitive enriching experiences in pregnancy, birth, and infancy. 

—Instagram @nurture_neuroscience_parenting:  https://www.instagram.com/nurture_neuroscience_parenting

—Website: www.nurture-neuroscience.com

—Book: https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Nurturing, Boundaries, Nervous System, Emotional Health, Belonging, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Attachment Theory, Transformation, Parenting, Mental Health

0:00:00 Intro

0:05:30 The Cultural Conversation Around Parenting and Shame

0:08:39 Notable Differences in the Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Prefrontal Cortex

0:12:03 The Key Years for Emotional Brain Development

0:22:42 Epigenetics and the Legacy of Nurturing

0:27:14 The Dose-dependent Relationship of Time Spent with Babies

0:30:10 Breastfeeding and its Benefits for Brain Development

0:37:00 Allowing Toddlers to Explore Boundaries and Teach Healthy Boundaries

0:42:39 The Origins of Sleep Training: A Controversial Topic

0:46:50 Babies' Fight or Flight Response: Distress and Fear

0:47:25 The Intense Experience of Parenting and its Toll.

0:51:33 The Controversy of Sleep Training

0:54:57 The Effects of Chronic Cortisol on Children's Sleep

0:55:25 The Impact of Inconsistent Sleep Training

0:58:39 Exploring Different Therapeutic Tools for Stress Regulation

1:03:05 Reviewing and Teaching Emotional Regulation to Children

1:04:51 Four Questions

1:06:28 Showing Care and Love for Our Children

This episode is sponsored by Organifi: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.organifi.com/createthelove

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This espresso shot solo episode is an excerpt from my recent Masterclass: 2024: Your Breakthrough Year. In this episode, I explore the transformative power of initiations, guided by insights from Francis Weller and James Hillman. I talk about the three parts of initiation: severance from the world you once knew, radical alteration to your sense of identity, and inability to go back to the world you knew. I also discuss the power of community during these personal transformations, the importance of prioritizing our instincts as well as alchemizing our knowledge into action. This episode is an invitation to align our actions and remember that true transformation comes from within. Get the full recording at markgroves.com/2024

—Full Masterclass recording: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/Masterclass-2024-sign-up

—Follow me on Instagram - @createthelove: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove

—Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter

—Subscribe to my Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com

—Follow me on Facebook - @createthelove: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove

—Get My New Book! Liberated Love - Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire: https://a.co/d/91ElXvN

If you want to dive deeper into my content, search through every episode, find specific topics I've covered, and ask me questions, go to my Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Belonging, Breakups, Relationships, Spirituality, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Codependency, Infidelity, Dating, Transformation, Career, Mental Health, Purpose, Initiations, Community

0:00:00 Intro

0:00:33 Initiations and its Three Parts

0:01:58 Identity Shift: Embracing the Unknown

0:02:35 A Radical Alteration: Severance from the Familiar World

0:03:12 The Distractions from Self

0:03:50 The Screen Report and Lack of Time for Personal Growth

0:04:19 The Power of Community

0:06:09 Trusting Your Instincts and Ignoring Outside Opinions

0:06:37 Pursuing Your Calling as an Imperative

0:07:26 Being Yourself in Relationships

0:09:25 Finding Inner Strength Again

0:10:24 Where You’re Not Liberated

0:10:41 The Mind's Limitations in Understanding Reality

0:11:31 Knowledge vs. Action: The Importance of Living in Integrity

Drop us a note at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, guest suggestions, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode, I welcome back Michael Easter, a bestselling author and esteemed professor. Michael shares what the Scarcity Loop is and how to move towards more intentional thinking and decision making. We discuss the detrimental effects comfort can have on our health, the mechanics behind addictive behaviors, and strategies for self-regulation in an increasingly addictive digital landscape. This is a great episode to heighten awareness around our everyday habits and what ways we could be more intentional moving forward.

Michael Easter is the author of The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain, to be released in September 2023, and a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. When he's not writing and traveling for his books, he writes the weekly 2% Newsletter. 

—Newsletter: https://unique-painter-9003.ck.page/441934d2f0

—Website: http://eastermichael.com

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Dating, Transformation, Conflict, Mental Health, Purpose, Scarcity, Addiction, Addictive Behavior, Self-Regulation

0:00:00 Intro

0:03:11 Observing Human Behavior and Overconsumption in Las Vegas

0:09:24 The Scarcity Loop: Unpredictable Rewards and Repeatability

0:12:53 Pigeon Studies and the Attraction to the Scarcity Loop

0:16:31 Wired for Unpredictable Reward Games

0:19:42 Society's Acceptance of Harmful Behaviors and Minimizing their Impact

0:23:24 The Lack of Immediate Consequences for Excessive Social Media Use

0:26:57 Embracing the Discomfort of Interrupting the Loop

0:27:16 Changing Behaviors: The Challenge of Consciousness

0:29:32 The Impact of Time Spent on Digital Media

0:33:04 Lack of Exposure to Diverse Thought and Experience

0:36:04 The Art of Capturing Attention

0:40:01 Negativity bias in media and its impact on worldview

0:46:36 Monetizing Opportunity and Rewards in Dating Apps

0:49:56 Cravings and the Evolutionary Drive of Scarcity

0:53:08 Pigeons and their Surprising Gambling Choices

0:54:44 The Need for Stimulation and Optimal Stimulation Theory

1:03:31 Anthropologists and Human Behavior

1:07:24 Realizing the Short-Term Benefits and Long-Term Consequences

This episode is sponsored by Organifi: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.organifi.com/createthelove

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

#342: Trusting The Process

This espresso shot solo episode is an excerpt from my recent Masterclass: 2024: Your Breakthrough Year. In this episode, I discuss breaking generational patterns and embracing self-expression. I explore navigating feeling lost, the importance of embracing past painful experiences, and trusting the beauty of the process. Let’s uncover the wisdom in our journey towards a more authentically expressed future. Get the full recording at markgroves.com/2024

—Full Masterclass recording: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/Masterclass-2024-sign-up

—Follow me on Instagram - @createthelove: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove

—Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter

—Subscribe to my Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com

—Follow me on Facebook - @createthelove: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove

—Get My New Book! Liberated Love - Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire: https://a.co/d/91ElXvN

If you want to dive deeper into my content, search through every episode, find specific topics I've covered, and ask me questions, go to my Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Relationships, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Transformation, Conflict, Mental Health, Purpose, Generational Patterns, Personal Growth

0:00:00 Intro

0:01:06 Letting Go of Baggage and Inherited Suffering

0:02:15 Small Commitments Lead to Big Commitments

0:03:22 Letting Go and Finding More Peace

0:04:52 Discovering Potent Material

0:05:26 Unpacking the Confusion and Impact of Relationships

0:06:29 The Significance of Life Experience

0:06:46 Stuck in the Past

0:08:08 Learning from Fear

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp: Get 10% off your first month at http://betterhelp.com/GROVES

Drop us a note at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, guest suggestions, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

#341: How to Re-Wire from Survival to Greatness with James Silvas

In this episode, I welcome back James Silvas, an International Mindset Specialist and Peak Performance Coach. James encourages listeners to embrace both their individuality and the interconnectedness of all things to live a meaningful life aligned with their values and purpose. We explore the importance of living our values to be in true alignment with ourselves. James dismantles presence and discusses the concept of unselfing and facing our sh*t head on. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that invites us to reflect on and widen our perspective.

James Silvas teaches athletes, leaders, and high-performing teams how to clear their minds, break through fear, optimize their performance, and enhance the quality of their personal and professional lives. James is also the founder of Be That 1% – a movement, brand, and podcast that inspires others to live on their terms, overcome obstacles, and do what 99% of people won’t. 

— Instagram @james_silvas: https://www.instagram.com/james_silvas

— TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@james_silvas

— Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jamessilvas

— LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-silvas

— Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-that-1-podcast/id1330345445

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Transformation, Conflict, Career, Mental Health, Purpose, Accountability, Individuality, Performance, Presence, Values

0:00:00 Intro + Understanding our minds, performance, and presence

0:08:34 The Wall of Avoidance

0:24:20 Personal Fulfillment

0:25:33 Establishing Boundaries and Preserving Wholeness

0:28:44 Emotions are constructed in the moment, not pre-determined

0:31:52 Letting go of attachment allows for a relaxed and evolving conversation

0:35:33 Creating Certainty to Avoid Uncertainty

0:37:52 Observing and Selecting Thoughts

0:42:01 Constructed Lives: Society's Influence and Identifiable Labels

0:42:42 The Masks We Wear and the People We Attract

0:45:26 Triggers as Opportunities for Personal Growth

0:49:45 Becoming a Trailblazer in Your Own Life

0:55:12 Honoring Self and Others through Alignment

0:58:43 Unleashing Your Unique Superpower

1:02:59 Shifting from Victim to Victor Mentality

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth: Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at https://cozyearth.com/GROVES

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This espresso shot solo episode is an excerpt from my recent Masterclass: 2024: Your Breakthrough Year. I’ll have a few of these coming out over the next few weeks! In this one, I talk about the importance of self-worth in decision-making and taking proactive steps towards change. We explore the impact of fear and resistance on progress and the transformative power of embracing discomfort. I also share the transformation that a dragonfly undergoes and how we can learn from it by utilizing pain for personal transformation. Get the full recording at markgroves.com/2024

—Full Masterclass recording: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/Masterclass-2024-sign-up

—Follow me on Instagram - @createthelove: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove

—Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter

—Subscribe to my Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com

—Follow me on Facebook - @createthelove: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove

—Get My New Book! Liberated Love - Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire: https://a.co/d/91ElXvN

00:00:00 Intro + Operating from a place of self-worth

0:02:10 Lowering standards and making exceptions

0:03:22 The importance of saying yes to oneself

0:06:14 The Weight of Knowing Without Living

0:06:33 Embracing the Fear and Starting Anyway

0:07:45 Stepping up as an Adult and Taking the Lead in 2024

0:08:14 True acceptance leads to transformation and action

0:09:56 The Fascinating Transformation of a Dragonfly

0:11:23 Shedding Old Skin and Emerging as a New Creature

0:11:31 The Power of New Beginnings

0:12:52 Embracing the Moment of Decision

0:13:02 Embracing Pain and Transformation

0:15:10 The Dragonfly Metaphor: Embracing Change and Growth

0:17:27 Using Emotional Residue for Transformation

If you want to dive deeper into my content, search through every episode, find specific topics I've covered, and ask me questions, go to my Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Belonging, Relationships, Spirituality, Boundaries, Self-Worth, Self-Love, Health, Codependency, Transformation, Career, Mental Health, Money, Purpose, Grief

This episode is sponsored by IIN: Use code MARKGROVES20 for 20% off ALL courses from IIN & Chopra at http://bit.ly/MARKIIN

Drop us a note at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, guest suggestions, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

#339: We’re Afraid to Die, Because We’re Afraid to Live with Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison

In this episode, I welcome Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison to the show. We discuss the fear of confronting mortality and the aversion to facing death, letting go of our sh*t and facing our fears, and how to embrace the present moment. This is an episode you won’t want to miss that will help ground you into the new year and reorient you to the joy of living.

Koshin Paley Ellison (MFA, LMSW, DMIN, NYZC Co-Founder, President, & Guiding Teacher) is an author, Zen teacher, Jungian psychotherapist, leader in contemplative care, and co-founder of an educational non-profit called the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. His books, grounded in Buddhist wisdom and practice, have gained national attention. Through its numerous educational programs, contemplative retreats, and Soto Zen Buddhist practices, the New York Zen Center touches thousands of lives every year. Koshin has appeared on dozens of podcasts and his work has been featured in the New York Times, PBS, CBS Sunday Morning and other media outlets.

— Instagram @koshinpaleyellison @newyorkzencenter : https://www.instagram.com/koshinpaleyellison https://www.instagram.com/newyorkzencenter

— New York Zen Center Website: https://zencare.org

— NYZC Contemplative Medicine Fellowship: https://zencare.org/contemplative-medicine-fellowship

— NYZC Foundations in Contemplative Care https://zencare.org/foundations

— Koshin’s Book: Untangled: Walking the Eightfold Path to Clarity, Courage, and Compassion: https://www.amazon.com/Untangled-Walking-Eightfold-Clarity-Compassion-ebook/dp/B09TZY26J3

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Authenticity, Belonging, Humanity, Spirituality, Self-Worth, Transformation, Mental Health, Purpose, Grief, Death, Aging, Living, Life

0:00:00 Intro

0:01:47 Confronting Mortality and our Aversion to Facing Death

0:04:20 Appreciating the Awareness of Mortality and Embracing Life

0:08:58 Embracing the Inevitability of Death

0:11:56 Confronting Fear and Assessing a Fear-Based Life

0:13:19 The Importance of True Reflection and Conscious Untapped Potential

0:16:08 Letting Go of Patterns and Facing Our Fears

0:19:56 Trauma Response and Identity

0:23:36 Finding Joy and Levity in Life

0:32:58 Embracing the Present Moment

0:34:30 Embracing Feedback and Changing Perspective on Commitment

0:38:13 Embracing the Challenge of Loving Difficult People

0:41:13 Layers of Pain and Betrayal

0:43:52 Opening up to painful self-discovery

0:46:27 Feeling grounded and ready for self-exploration

0:49:20 Developing the courage to untangle and seek help

0:49:37 Searching for Inspiration and Direction

0:52:20 Embracing Dissolution and Self-Limiting Ideas

This episode is sponsored by Open: Get 30 days free with code CREATETHELOVE AT https://withopen.com/createthelove

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Are you ready to live the most happy, fulfilled and abundant life you could ever imagine? Are you itching to create that for yourself?! Diego Perez, better known as Yung Pueblo, has a beautiful ability to inspire and help people find their inner strength; by giving us all tangible techniques and tools, showing us we are capable of embracing change, deeping loving and healing ourselves, and truly unlocking a world of boundless possibilities for a life where we don’t just survive, but we THRIVE!

I am bringing this episode back as another Saturday Special, because it was a top hit of 2023. Topics from self-love and self-healing to creating healthy relationships and truly transforming into the best version of yourself, are all things I need everyone to hear and take into 2024. YOU have the power, and Diego shows us that.

Diego Perez is a meditator and New York Times bestselling author who is widely known on Instagram and various social media networks through his pen name Yung Pueblo. Online he has an audience of over 3 million people. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves. Get his newest book, The Way Forward, today!

— Diego's Book: The Way Forward: https://yungpueblo.com/books-1

— Website: www.yungpueblo.com

— Instragram: @yung_pueblo - https://www.instagram.com/yung_pueblo

— Substack Newsletter: https://yungpueblo.substack.com/

— Vipassana Meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/en/index

00:00 Intro

01:03 The never-ending journey to self-growth

02:50 Embracing the unknown

06:02 Transforming disagreements into understanding

09:24 The Way Forward

13:15 Vipassana Meditation

21:20 For people bad at meditating

23:04 Intuition vs. reactivity

25:35 Intuition as your compass for life

27:20 The benefits of meditation

31:29 The challenges of being seen as a teacher

35:27 Complexities of hierarchy and fame

41:21 Dissolving hierarchy in relationships

44:41 Reclaiming your inner wisdom

49:18 The inspiration behind 'The Way Forward'

51:38 Integrity and embracing impermanence

54:56 Where can you start?

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode, I share about my transformative journey with plant medicine in Peru. I explain the physical sensations, the discomfort I felt and how I worked through it, the visions I saw, the reflections I had, and the profound lessons I learned throughout the experience. I share this with you in hopes that some of my reflections will resonate with you. Sending you so much love.

—Matt Zemon - Beyond the Trip: A Journal for Psychedelic Preparation and Integration: https://a.co/d/akIQfVE

—Branden Collinsworth’s Warrior Retreats: https://www.warriorretreats.com

—Get My New Book! Liberated Love - Release Codependent Patterns and Create the Love You Desire: https://a.co/d/91ElXvN

—Follow me on Instagram - @createthelove: https://www.instagram.com/createthelove

—Subscribe to my Newsletter: https://mark-groves.mykajabi.com/newsletter

—Subscribe to my Substack: https://markgroves.substack.com

—Follow me on Facebook - @createthelove: https://www.facebook.com/createthelove

If you want to dive deeper into my content, search through every episode, find specific topics I've covered, and ask me questions, go to my Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Psychedelics, Ayahuasca, Shamanism, Spirituality, Presence, Introspection, Codependency, Martyrdom, Transformation, Fear, Grief, Truth, Plant Medicine, Reverent Relationship to Plant Medicine

0:00:00 Intro

0:09:44 Preparing and participating in the jungle plant rituals

0:18:59 Physical Sensations and Reflections

0:20:51 Connection to Ayahuasca through Reciprocal Relationship with Land

0:22:46 Feeling the Discomfort

0:24:40 Navigating Dark Entities and Protecting Your Energy

0:25:51 Embracing the Present and the Importance of Integrity

0:27:52 Having Patience with Unresolved Matters in the Heart

0:28:06 Embracing the Mystery of Unanswered Questions

0:30:05 The Importance of Self-Leadership

0:32:14 Stepping into Personal Leadership

0:32:44 Gathering Wisdom

0:34:06 A Commitment Driven by Love for Family

0:34:52 Trusting the Spiritual Realms and Letting Go

0:36:58 Embracing the Unknown and Finding Community

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth: Use code GROVES for 40% off sitewide at https://cozyearth.com/GROVES

Drop us a note at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, guest suggestions, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today I’m welcoming back renowned dating coach Damona Hoffman! Damona shares the top common dating challenges & hiccups that most people encounter, her top four dating myths to watch out for, and many more dating & relationship tips. We explore the concept of soulmates, fear of commitment, and the transformative power of taking it SLOW, and SO much more. Tune in to hear Damona’s top dating tips including what you can do to call in a relationship that aligns with your truth and your values.

Damona Hoffman has created content and collaborated with most major dating apps including Bumble and Match and she was named the Official U.S. Dating Coach of OkCupid in 2021. Her podcast, Dates & Mates, was named Best Podcast of the Year by The Black Podcasting Awards. Damona’s first book F the Fairy Tale releases on January 2, 2024 and is endorsed by Dr. Drew Pinsky, Drew Barrymore, Lori Gottlieb and more.

—Instagram @DamonaHoffman: https://www.instagram.com/damonahoffman

—Website: http://damonahoffman.com

—Book - F The Fairy Tale: Rewrite the Dating Myths and Live Your Own Love Story: http://fthefairytalebook.com

If you want to dive deeper into Mark’s content, search through every episode, find specific topics we’ve covered, and ask him questions, go to his Dexa page: https://dexa.ai/markgroves

Themes: Relationships, Boundaries, Self-Worth, dating, dating advice, dating coach, Transformation, Conflict, Parenting

0:00:00 Intro

0:03:14 The Four Dating Myths

0:14:45 The Importance of Kindness and Generosity in Relationships

0:25:00 The Importance of Self-Value in Dating

0:28:08 Carving Out Time for Self-Love and Personal Growth

0:31:07 Authenticity and Creating Your Own Love Story

0:35:01 The Evolution of Online Dating

0:38:57 The Soulmate Myth

0:45:12 Relationships and Growth

0:48:47 Parenthood and Relationship: Opportunities for Discovery and Growth

0:52:06 Cultivating Trust in Relationships: The Role of Surrender

0:56:22 Embracing the Journey of Love and Connection

This episode is sponsored by Organifi: Use code CREATETHELOVE for 20% off sitewide at http://www.organifi.com/createthelove

Contact us at [email protected] for sponsor product support, questions, comments, or just to say hello!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands