Unpacking Possibility with Dr. Traci Stein

Landscape designer, philosopher, and plant lover Damien Ball discusses everything from whether plants have consciousness to the healing and spiritual aspects of the natural world. He also spoke about how he connects with the energy of natural spaces,  why he believes designing with nature is the highest form of art, and how to create a transformative natural space.

For more on Damien Ball, his landscape design services, plants, and handmade pots, visit:

https://www.cityplantsonline.com

For more on Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Damian Ball

02:52 The Healing Power of Nature and Landscape Design

09:55 The Consciousness of Plants and their Interaction with Humans

17:40 What’s Wrong with Your Lawn? The Problem with Monoculture Plantings

28:49 A Philosopher’s Take on Chaos, Complexity, and Emergence in Nature

31:34 The Interconnectedness of All Things

33:11 A Different Framework for Looking at the World

34:06 Damien's Journey: from Commodoties Broker to Plant Whisperer

36:46 Landscape Design as a Pure and Transformative Art Form

50:26 Tapping into the Energy and Spirit of a Place

59:55 Introducing City Plants Online: A New Way to Connect with Nature

How’s your self-esteem? If it could use a boost, you’re not alone. 

In this week’s episode of “Unpacking Possibility,” Dr. Traci Stein discusses the things that tend to chip away at our self-esteem and the six components of building a strong and healthy sense of self. Traci also shares how affirmations can be a wonderful tool for strengthening self-esteem, and shares how you can listen to her most popular audio track, “Affirmations for Healthy Self-Esteem” for free (it’s true!).

For more information on Dr. Traci Stein, visit: https://www.drtracistein.com/

To listen to “Affirmations for Healthy Self-Esteem,” by Traci Stein, on the free Insight Timer app, visit: https://insighttimer.com/.

To purchase the full album, “Healthy Self-Esteem,” visit https://www.hayhouse.com/guided-self-hypnosis-to-foster-healthy-self-esteem

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Building Healthy Self-Esteem

03:12 Component 1: Self-Acceptance

11:12 Component 2: Internal Locus of Control

21:23 Component 3: Self-Forgiveness

26:47 Component 4: Self-Compassion

33:24 Component 5: Finding Meaning and Purpose

36:17 Using Affirmations to Strengthen Self-Esteem

39:44 Conclusion

In this bonus episode, author and one-time James Bond girl Anika Pavel goes deeper into how a series of helpers and her intuition shaped her journey, propelling her from Iron Curtain Czechoslovakia to a life she never could have imagined possible. 

For more on Anika Pavel, and to order her book, visit https://www.anikapavel.com/.

For more on Traci Stein, visit https://www.drtracistein.com/.

In this episode, author, model, actress, and one-time James Bond girl Anika Pavel spoke about her new book, “Encounter with the Future.” This work details Anika’s journey from her childhood in Iron Curtain Czechoslovakia to her rise as an international fashion model and actress. In this interview, Anika and Traci discuss how while still a teenager, what was intended as a one-year stay in England turned Anika into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded her homeland. Anika described her “crash course” in life that took her from sleeping in a telephone booth at London’s Victoria Railway Station to walking the fashion runways; a role alongside Roger Moore in in “The Spy Who Loved Me;” and ultimately, to returning to her childhood passion, writing.

For more on Anika Pavel, and to order her book, visit https://www.anikapavel.com/.

Did you know what you have in common with Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Napoleon Hill and your favorite Olympic athletes?  It’s self-hypnosis - your innate ability to change the movie in your mind to decrease worry, ease pain, increase confidence, enhance performance and achieve your dreams. In fact, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity reportedly came to him during a self-hypnotic state. Self-hypnosis helped Edison tap into his genius and invent some of the most important technologies of his and our time. Readers of “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill, will recall that he advocated “auto-suggestion” - otherwise known as self-hypnosis - for achieving remarkable professional and financial successes regardless of one’s beginnings. As a psychological tool, there’s plenty of research supporting the use of hypnosis for easing a variety of physical and emotional issues.  Ultimately, re-scripting the movie in our minds can help us to manifest many of the changes we’ve been longing to make. In this episode, psychologist Traci Stein sheds light on what self-hypnosis is and how you can benefit from it. She also shares simple techniques for re-writing your inner script and shaping your life for the better. 

For more on Traci Stein and her audio hypnosis programs, or to sign up for her newsletter, visit www.DrTraciStein.com. Follow her on Facebook (DrTStein), Instagram (@DrTraciStein) or on YouTube (@TraciSteinPhD).

In this solo episode, psychologist Traci Stein discusses grief and the phenomenon of After Death Communications (ADCs). Grief is an experience that absolutely everyone will have, but most of us feel ill prepared to navigate. Yet, the research shows that most people believe in an afterlife, and over half of us report experiencing some sort of after-death communication with our loved ones - whether through feeling their presence, hearing, smelling or seeing them, or through “visitation” dreams. These experiences can be profoundly comforting and give us permission to move forward. In this episode, Traci also shares some personal experiences and invites listeners to share theirs as well.

Citation for the article referred to in this podcast:

Richards, T.A. & Folkman, S. (1997). Spiritual aspects of loss at the time of a partner's death from AIDS. Death studies, 21(6), 527-552.

If you are struggling with grief or other mental health issues:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service providing referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

In this episode of “Unpacking Possibility,” Traci Stein interviews Melanie Lown, a mindfulness teacher and advocate, about the utility of mindfulness in living with and thriving despite multiple sclerosis (MS). Melanie shares her personal journey with mindfulness and how it helped her accept her circumstances with kindness and compassion. Melanie emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and how mindfulness can help individuals with chronic illnesses navigate the sometimes intense and competing emotions that can arise. Melanie also discusses the concepts of toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing, highlighting the need to acknowledge and hold space for uncomfortable feelings while inviting positive and supportive thoughts. She explains how mindfulness can help individuals make lifestyle changes, such as adopting healthier eating habits and engaging in regular exercise, by approaching these changes with curiosity and non-judgment.

For more on Melanie Lown, visit https://www.melanielown.com/ or follow her on Instagram: @melanie_lown

mindfulness, multiple sclerosis, chronic illness, acceptance, compassion, present moment, toxic positivity, spiritual bypassing, lifestyle changes, curiosity, non-judgment

Takeaways

Mindfulness can help individuals with chronic illnesses accept their circumstances with kindness and compassion.

Being present in the moment and accepting discomfort can lead to a sense of ease and equanimity.

Toxic positivity and spiritual bypassing can hinder the healing process by denying or suppressing uncomfortable feelings.

Mindfulness allows individuals to hold space for both discomfort and positive thoughts, fostering a balanced and authentic experience.

Approaching lifestyle changes with curiosity and non-judgment can help individuals make sustainable and beneficial choices.

Chapters

00:00 Guest Introduction - Melanie Lown

02:31 Discovering Mindfulness and Accepting Circumstances

20:53 Defining Mindfulness and Managing MS

29:35 Toxic Positivity and Spiritual Bypassing

36:40 Mindfulness and Lifestyle Changes

44:07 Disentangling Pain and Suffering

48:52 Upcoming Engagements and Conclusion

Description: “Executive Mystic,” astrologer and prolific author Barrie Dolnick talks about how we can use ancient tools to manifest abundance, attract the right relationship, let go of unhealthy baggage, and align with universal energy. Two of her most popular (and my favorite) books,  “Simple Spells for Success” and “Simple Spells for Love” are newly re-released roadmaps for opening the heart, attracting love, and manifesting the life you’ve been dreaming of.

For more on Barrie Dolnick, visit: https://www.barriedolnick.com/

In 1981, Scott Taylor’s life was changed forever when his girlfriend Mary Fran and her son Nolan were fatally injured from a car accident. As 7-year-old Nolan lay dying, Scott witnessed Mary Fran’s spirit escort Nolan to the Other Side. As this transpired, Scott’s consciousness spontaneously joined them, resulting in the most profoundly transformative experience of Scott’s life. Decades later, Scott teaches others how to access expanded states of consciousness and profound spiritual healing. For more information on Scott, his bestselling guided meditations, and his workshops, visit https://neardeathmeditations.com/