The MindStream Podcast

If you struggle with feeling anxious, lack confidence in what you have to say and know your quietness affects your relationships at home or work, then this MindStream Podcast will help you understand the importance of speaking up. You’ll learn four different approaches that can help you more capably use your voice, speak with ease, assert yourself and develop confidence.

As you listen to the podcast: first, identify yourself in the stories and draw the meaning they hold for you; second, if you know you are hesitant to speak up in situations, set a small goal to speak where you normally wouldn’t . . . consider two, three or four times a day; third, think about how you approach speaking up and see if your speaking pattern shows up in other areas of your life as well; and finally, write down what you would like to say and then bring your notes to your important conversations. The great news is that when you start speaking and experiencing the effects of your words on others, your anxiety decreases, your confidence increases and your relationships are enhanced.

I was interviewed by Mark Sylvester, host of the 805Connect business podcast. The focus of our interview was initially on a topic dear to him . . . he’s been discussing leadership and how to increase your effectiveness as a leader. It was an informative interview that covered my Emotional Mastery approach and a variety of other topics. I think you’ll enjoy the interview just as much as I did.

This podcast is all about ideas, insights and inspirations drawn from books. Think about the words that have inspired you. Think of this podcast as a “wordspiration” – talking about one or more key ideas or the overall theme of books – perhaps elaborating on an idea or talking about its impact.

Today’s podcast draws several ideas from Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, a book by Dr. David Hawkins. He describes aspects of applied kinesiology and non-linear physics, and if you can move through those elements, you can reach the essence of the book - understanding the difference between power and force.

Despite the timelessness of these concepts, now is the time to thoughtfully consider and choose into the attitudes and behavior that embody genuine power. Essentially, by its nature, force is destructive and takes life away whereas power, by its nature, is generative and life-giving. Listen to more specific distinctions and think about how you might apply these ideas to your attitudes, behavior, health, politics, relationships, religion or spirituality.

Ever get into an emotional funk where you're down or depressed mood just seems to have you by the throat? Like you can’t shake feeling sad, blue, or down? Or maybe your mood is mixed in with feeling frustrated, anxious, disappointed, angry or even jealous. And as a result, you feel insulated in your own shell, isolated on your own island, you don’t accomplish what you want to accomplish and you become unproductive. Instead you end up sitting with a glazed over stare.

Today’s podcast is about breaking free of “bad moods” – breaking free of an emotional funk or feeling down. Shaking the blues. Listen for several ideas that can help lift you more quickly into productivity and lightness and ease.

Did you ever get in an anxious, down or depressed mood that you couldn’t shake? Or you felt so emotional that you found it difficult to take any steps toward achieving the goals you set for yourself?

Today’s podcast offers you a variety of ideas, any one of which can help lift your mood and move you back into a more engaged and productive state. They include: calling friends, family or loved ones; self-reflection about what you are thinking and feeling, rejuvenating your brain by attending to your rest/sleep, nutrition and exercise habits; engaging with inspiring material; taking action; being more disciplined and developing better habits including cleaning up clutter; allowing yourself to experience and express unpleasant feelings; and recognizing the down periods may be a time for integrating, being grateful for, and recommitting to your desired goals/dreams. Use these ideas to break free of anxious, depressed or irritable moods so you can take action toward and enjoy what you most desire.

#goal setting,#how to set goals,#goal setting ideas,#senseofmeaning

Today’s podcast starts with ideas drawn from As a Man Thinketh, a classic by James Allen, and one of the early ones about thinking that helped shift and shape my thinking . . . and it's about none other than the power of our thoughts.

Two key ideas are addressed in this podcast. The first – you have to be really mindful of what you are thinking – think harsh self-critical thoughts, then you just get better at the effects of those thoughts. Think positive loving, affirming thoughts – then you get better at those. The second is the importance of having something to pursue in life . . . having a sense of purpose. It’s what gives your life a sense of meaning and the experience of vitality.

Looking for some marriage advice? Leery of marriage counseling tips that don’t really help? Relationships are hard but it can be harder still without the proper roadmap. You need an approach that keeps you on the road to deeper and deeper trust. Whether you are in a marriage or thinking about it before marriage counseling you’re in the right place. This podcast is for men, women, those in love, and those in stress.

 That is what you will learn in this podcast.

 Ever face challenges in your relationship – especially when it involved being away from each other and the stress and strain that causes? Ever feel like your love was tested? Or your ability to trust your partner? Even when there was no sign of straying?

‪While anger, sadness and insecurity are common first reactions to a change in your arrangement, pay attention to the love between you and your partner or spouse. The first element to consider ... the thoughts and feelings tied to an anticipated (and assumed) loss. This is a common and natural reaction.

If you are facing a similar challenge, see the time away from each other as fully supporting what your partner needs; stay fully aware of the evidence you have – if there is no sign of straying, there is no sign of straying. If you feel the love, feel the love. If you have a great connection, honor that. Don’t make stuff up that doesn’t exist.

The key then is to stay fully present to your feelings of vulnerability given that you are highly invested in the relationship and highly invested in the relationship continuing. This means you have to recognize that your vulnerability is growth for you; so that the most important element here is to understand that your worry is really about the feelings you would experience if a loss of the relationship occurred. If you keep these ideas in mind, then you can minimize the stress and strain to your relationship and keep your love and trust alive!  

Consider failure just an opportunity to learn since you didn’t achieve the outcome you were desired. Yet, when many experience failure, they stop pursuing their dreams and goals because the result wasn’t what they wanted. And they turn the failure at a task into a judgment that, as a person, they are a failure.

Fear of failure and fear of taking risks is really about avoiding or backing away from the feeling outcome (e.g., anger, disappointment, frustration) of things not turning out how you wanted. The key to handling failure, fear of failure and risk-taking is to be able to handle the unpleasant feelings that you might experience as you pursue your goals and dreams.

Do you feel like a burden to others when you do ask for help? Feel vulnerable? Feel like a burden to others when you do? Perhaps you find it very uncomfortable to ask for help, believing that if you make a request of others then you are “asking too much”, that your request is burdensome or that you are a burden. Drawing on your own experience and feelings, as well as a simple military analogy, in today’s podcast you will learn why asking for help, is anything but burdensome for others and instead a compliment.

Most of us don’t like to experience negative or bad feelings – those considered unpleasant or unsettling. In today’s podcast, you’ll learn the first of 12 key strategies that help you more easily experience and handle (especially) unpleasant feelings like anger, disappointment or sadness. You’ll learn how to “ride the waves” of feeling.Most of us don’t like to experience negative or bad feelings – those considered unpleasant or unsettling. In today’s podcast, you’ll learn the first of 12 key strategies that help you more easily experience and handle (especially) unpleasant feelings like anger, disappointment or sadness. You’ll learn how to “ride the waves” of feeling.

Don’t confuse feeling better with actually getting better. Feeling better is just a change in your state or mood and is temporary. Getting better is a change in your overall pattern(s) of handling life challenges and is permanent.

Crying makes a difference by releasing toxins, decreasing stress and increasing calm. The vulnerability from crying can even invite connections with others. Be willing to experience the full range of your feelings and know that tearfulness is an integral part of emotional strength. Adopt a fresh attitude towards crying and see it in a new light. Crying simply reflects the intensity of your feelings, yet it is simultaneously an important aspect of your personal growth and transformation.