In this episode, Laura McKowen explores why community and courage matter more than ever in making change in your life. She dives into the “messy midle” – theu ncertain space between giving up what umbs us and becoming someone new. She shares the story of the Luckiest Club, a global sobriety community.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding that real transformation is messy
• Learning how sobriety isn’t the finish line, but the starting point for deeper healing
• Understanding why community is so important and powerful
• Discover fawning as a trauma response and how it shows up in life
• Learning to balance honesty with fear
• How discernment and clarity often come in conversation with others

If you enjoyed this conversation with Laura McKowen, check out these other episodes:

How to Tap Into the Longings of the Heart with Sue Monk Kidd

A Journey to Self-Discovery and Sobriety with Matthew Quick

Special Episode: Finding Hope on the Path to Sobriety

For full show notes, click here!

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In this episode, David Whyte explores anxiety, beauty, and the unknown as a true map to emotional resilience. David shares how anxiety can be a doorway to deeper understanding and connection. He and Eric discuss the paradox of holding both joy and struggle, the surprising wisdom hidden in everyday emotions, and how poetry and language can bring us closer to the heart of life. This is an inspiring look at how we can build resilience by embracing life’s uncertainties.

Key Takeaways:

• Exploration of human emotions, particularly happiness and anxiety.
• The duality of human emotions and the internal struggle between positive and negative qualities.
• Insights from David's book"Constellations Two," focusing on the rehabilitation of common words and their deeper meanings.
• The significance of the parable of the two wolves in understanding personal struggles.
• The relationship between anxiety and unspoken truths about care and vulnerability.
• The role of poetry in expressing and understanding complex emotions.
• The importance of recognizing and embracing both happiness and unhappiness in life.
• The concept of horizons as boundaries that inspire imagination and growth.
• The idea that nagging in relationships can be a form of love and care.
• Encouragement to engage in meaningful conversations and reflect on personal emotional landscapes.

If you enjoyed this conversation with David Whyte, check out these other episodes:

The Art of Poetry and Prose with David Whyte

Beautiful and Powerful Poetry with Marilyn Nelson

The Power of Poetry with Ellen Bass

For full show notes, click here!

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This is a special episode from our archives with one of my favorite musicians, Mike Peters. Mike recently passed away, and this episode is more than a conversation; it’s a tribute to a beautiful soul. In our chat, we explored the idea of our lives being anthems; how defiance, hope, and inner strength were a soundtrack for his formative years, and later in life. This was an open-hearted talk about what it means to fight not just with force, but with love. We talked about instinct as a spiritual guide, about staying true to yourself when the world tries to pull you off course.  Mike’s life and his music were reminders that strength can come from stillness, from surrender, and from the simple act of standing up for light when everything around you feels dark.

Key Takeaways:

• Mike’s experiences with cancer and resilience.
• The founding and mission of the Love Hope Strength Foundation.
• The significance of positivity and community support in overcoming adversity.
• The impact of music as a source of strength and healing.
• Reflections on the parable of two wolves and nurturing positive traits.
• Early musical influences and the evolution of Mike's career.
• The deeper meaning behind the song “Strength” in relation to Mike’s health journey.
• The inspiration and themes behind the song “Blaze of Glory.”
• The role of spirituality and self-trust in navigating life’s challenges.
• The communal aspect of music and its ability to foster connection and unity.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Mike Peters, check out these other episodes:

The Journey of Life Through Song with Frank Turner

Mike Scott of the Waterboys

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

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In this episode, Brian Klaas explains the concept of whether things are a fluke or fate, and explores how embracing uncertainty can lead to a living a fuller life. Brian makes the case that randomness and chaos might be exactly what makes our lives matter so much, and how we tend to worship at the “Altar of Progress in the Church of Control.” We make plans, set goals, and these are good things, but we only have so much control. And Brian teaches that accepting this can be a relief, because the point isn’t to control everything, but to influence what we can.

Key Takeaways:

• The concept of happiness derived from intrinsic values rather than material possessions and social status.
• The importance of thoughts and actions in shaping our lives and experiences.
• Exploration of chaos theory and the unpredictability of life.
• The idea that we control nothing but influence everything, emphasizing the ripple effects of our actions.
• Personal stories illustrating how random events can profoundly impact lives.
• The empowering nature of recognizing the influence of our choices.
• The tension between control and acceptance of life’s randomness.
• The critique of societal values that prioritize material success over personal fulfillment and relationships.
• Encouragement to embrace individual uniqueness and create for personal expression rather than external validation.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Brian Klaas, check out these other episodes:

What If You’re Wrong? How Uncertainty Makes Us More Human with William Egginton

How to Find Zest in Life with Dr. John Kaag

Unsafe Thinking with Jonah Sachs

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

• Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod
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In this episode, Susan Cain explores the bittersweet truth about beauty, sorrow, and what makes life worth living. She emphasizes the transformative power of music and bittersweet emotions and also discusses how acknowledging grief can lead to deeper connections and creativity. This episode encourages listeners to embrace their emotions and seek beauty in life’s bittersweet moments, offering profound insights into the human experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Exploration of the relationship between sorrow and beauty.
• Discussion of the transformative power of music and its emotional connections.
• Insights into the concept of bittersweetness and its significance in human experience.
• The importance of acknowledging grief and its role in personal growth.
• Differentiation between “moving on” and “moving forward” in the context of loss.
• The concept of poignancy as a blend of joy and sorrow.
• The role of creativity and art in navigating difficult emotions.
• Emphasis on seeking beauty in everyday life, especially during challenging times.
• The impact of personal experiences on understanding grief and longing.
• Encouragement for listeners to embrace their emotions and foster connections through shared experiences.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Susan Cain, check out these other episodes:

Life Transitions with Bruce Feiler

The Longings of our Heart with Sue Monk Kidd

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

• Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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In this episode, Claire Hoffman explores the idea behind how our flaws, doubt, cynicism, and even ambition aren’t signs of failure, but can be used as fuel. She tells the story of Aimee Semple McPherson, a woman who built a religious empire and faked her own kidnapping. But this episode isn’t about scandal. It’s about the tension that we all carry between our light and dark sides. Claire says sometimes the bad wolf does good work. This conversation is about embracing contradiction and finding grace in the mess.

Key Takeaways:

• Claire’s book: “Sister Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson.
• Aimee Semple McPherson’s duality of character, embodying both “good” and “bad” traits.
• The impact of McPherson on American religion and her role in establishing one of the first megachurches.
• The complexities of fame and its effects on personal identity and mental health.
• The concept of “audience capture” and its implications for public figures.
• Societal pressures and judgments faced by women, particularly in the context of McPherson’s life.
• The significance of grace, forgiveness, and personal transformation in the human experience.
• Reflections on authenticity, compassion, and the challenges of extending grace in a judgmental world.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Claire Hoffman, check out these other episodes:

How to Embrace Your Authentic Self with Carmen Rita Wong

Faith, Identity, and Finding Your Voice with Dante Stewart

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

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In this episode, Chip Conley defines a midlife makeover and how to redefine success and happiness after 40. He shares how the most difficult stretches of his life ended up being the start of something completely new. Chip also explains the pull of the ego, the search for identity and how letting go of traditional success can open the door for something more meaningful. If you’re in a season of life where things feel uncertain, or if you’re wondering what this phase of life is really for, this episode will help you feel a little more hopeful.

Key Takeaways:

• • Personal experiences and challenges faced during midlife, including burnout and loss.
  • The importance of perspective on aging and reframing societal perceptions of midlife.
  • The concept of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset in personal development.
  • The relationship between time management and personal autonomy in midlife.
  • The physical and emotional changes associated with aging, particularly for men.
  • The role of purpose in maintaining energy and engagement in life.
  • The significance of gratitude and specificity in practicing gratitude.
  • The idea of positive commitments versus commandments in guiding life choices.
  • Navigating disappointment and expectations during midlife transitions.

If you enjoyed this conversation with Chip Conley, check out these other episodes:

Life Transitions with Bruce Feiler

Successful Aging with Alan Castel

The Happiness Curve with Jonathan Rauch

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

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In this episode, Maggie Smith explores how to nurture creativity in a noisy world. A lot of people think creativity is something you do with a paintbrush or a poem but Maggie challenges us to think differently about creativity. It isn’t about what you make, but how you live. She dives into what it really means to be creative, even when you’re overwhelmed, unsure, and not feeling particularly inspired. And we tackle a bigger question: How do we keep creating when the world is so loud and we’re so tired?

Key Takeaways:

• Insights on creativity and the challenges of staying inspired in a chaotic world.
• The role of intuition in the creative process and the significance of listening to one’s inner voice.
• Balancing the need to stay informed with personal well-being and mental health.
• The concept of hope in creativity and the idea of being a “possibilist.”
• Practical advice for overcoming creative blocks and finding inspiration.
• The value of feedback and community in the creative process.
• The relationship between restlessness and creativity, and how it can drive artistic growth.
• Embracing playfulness and curiosity in creative endeavors.

f you enjoyed this conversation with Maggie Smith, check out these other episodes:

The Lost Art of Living Creatively with Austin Kleon

Creativity as a Cure with Jacob Nordby

Writing for Healing with Maggie Smith (2021)

For full show notes, click here!

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In this episode, Jillian Richardson discusses the journey from loneliness to belonging and shares the small steps that can change everything. She delves into why friendship takes more effort than we expect and how we can actually get better at it. Jillian also explores what gets in the way of connection, why it’s not just about putting yourself out there, and how real community is less about finding perfect people, and more about staying when things feel a little uncomfortable.

Key Takeaways:

• Challenges of forming friendships as adults
• The impact of loneliness on social interactions
• Importance of intention in building connections
• Strategies for fostering deeper relationships
• Role of vulnerability in authentic friendships
• The significance of consistency in maintaining friendships
• Practical advice for initiating and nurturing friendships
• The influence of societal factors on feelings of isolation
• Encouragement to engage in uncomfortable conversations

If you enjoyed this conversation with Jillian Richardson, check out these other episodes:

How to Find Joy and Community with Radha Agrawal

Belonging and Connection with Sebene Selassie

For full show notes, click here!

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In this episode, William Egginton invites you to ask the question, “What if you’re wrong?” as he explains how being uncertain makes us more human. William explores the surprising overlap between a physicist, a philosopher, and a poet—each of whom came to the same unsettling truth: that we mistake our model of reality for reality itself. But this isn’t just about subatomic particles or dusty old philosophy books. It’s about how certainty—especially in our relationships—can blind us. What if embracing uncertainty is actually the doorway to wisdom, compassion, and a more connected life?

Key Takeaways:

• Exploration of the intersections between philosophy, literature, and quantum physics.
• Discussion of the nature of reality and the limitations of human knowledge.
• Examination of biases and their impact on perception and understanding.
• Importance of interpretation in both science and philosophy.
• Relational understanding of identity and its formation through interactions.
• Analysis of free will versus determinism and its philosophical implications.
• Concept of “degrees of freedom” in understanding human agency.
• Implications of quantum mechanics on our understanding of reality.

If you enjoyed this conversation with William Egginton, check out these other episodes:

How to Find Zest in Life with Dr. John Kaag

Unsafe Thinking with Jonah Sachs

For full show notes, click here!

Connect with the show:

• Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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