How can we respond to uncertainty and loss with the power of soul work? In this episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill speaks with Francis Weller, an influential author and psychotherapist, about confronting the 'long dark' — a term he uses to describe our collective and individual challenges. Weller emphasizes the importance of community, imagination, and ritual in overcoming grief and trauma. They discuss key concepts from his book, 'In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty,' and explore practical ways to engage in soul work and build resilience. Listen to this episode to uncover how these practices can help you navigate difficult times and become more connected to yourself and others.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Long Dark
• Rediscovering Rituals in Uncertain Times
• The Power of Grief Rituals
• Creating a Holding Vessel for Grief
• Finding Healing in Community
• The Medicine for the Long Dark

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 157: The Medicine of Surrender, Poetry, and Metaphor With Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.

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• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

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• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

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Feeling scattered, low, or depleted? Join Dr. Diana Hill as she takes you through a step-by-step energy audit to reclaim your vitality and your life. In this episode, Dr. Hill, the author of the new book Wise Effort, shares her personal journey and practical strategies for evaluating and revitalizing your physical, psychological, relational, environmental, and spiritual energy. Discover how to align your energy use with your values and unique strengths, and transform energy drains into gains for a more fulfilling and balanced life. 

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Step-by-step guide on performing an energy audit across key dimensions of your life
• The power of aligning your energy use with your values and unique genius
• Practical tips for boosting energy levels in physical, psychological, relational, environmental, and spiritual areas
• How to leverage positive relationships and environments to enhance your energy

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 123: Pleasure and Intimacy with Sex Therapist Dr. Jenn Kennedy

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• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

How can you develop deep resilience? That’s the focus of this insightful episode with Dr. Michael Kearney. Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Kearney explore the concept of deep resilience, emphasizing the importance of community, interconnectedness, and natural metaphors to navigate life’s challenges. Dr. Kearney shares five vital lessons for building deep resilience, inspired by his experiences and the profound vitality of a redwood tree in Big Sur. This episode invites listeners to delve into self-care, healing connections, and the profound wisdom found within nature and our interconnected human existence.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Burnout and the Need for Deep Resilience
• Lesson #1: Take Care, Know What Feeds You and Restores You
• Lesson #2: Healing Connections
• Lesson #3: You Are Not Who You Think You Are
• Lesson #4: All You Have to Do Is Rest
• Lesson #5: We Thrive Because of Each Other.

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 131: What We Can Learn From Nature’s Genius With Dayna Baumeister

Related Resources

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• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

There’s a reason why Prince Harry called Jennifer Rudolph Walsh his “fairy godmother.” That’s because she has a magical way of creating community, elevating voices, and telling stories that need to be told. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she used this magic to move from scale to intimacy and build meaningful conversations at Godmothers bookshop in Summerland, CA. Diana Hill and Jennifer Walsh discuss how being relevant distracts us from the real connection we need, how we carry our childhood experiences forward and the richness of gathering together, talking, and sharing a good book.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why Prince Harry called Jennifer Walsh his “fairy godmother”
• The sacred pause that led to the birth of Godmothers books
• What to do when people are pushing you to be relevant
• Why community is so central to our wellbeing
• The magic of applying your genius to your values

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 151: Generosity, Greed, and Sustainable Practice with Insight Timer CEO Christopher Plowman

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

This week’s episode is about stabilizing your heart and clearing your mind so you can show up more effectively in a world that’s constantly throwing stress your way. This is a solo episode—and these are my favorite to share, because they come straight from what I’m practicing in real time. I share 5 simple but powerful practices inspired by my recent time at Deer Park Monastery.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• Practice #1. Stop
• Practice #2. Put Down What You Are Carrying
• Practice #3. Sit at the Back of the Heart
• Practice #4. Tune Your Mind to Impermanence
• Practice #5. Prioritize Love

These are practices I’m returning to again and again. I hope they offer you some steady ground, too.

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 78: Slow Down, Resist Busyness, and Other Lessons from My Family Retreat at Plum Village with Dr. Diana Hill

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

Feeling overwhelmed by your addiction or the addiction of a loved one? Discover a creative, non-shaming, and integrative way to understand and address addiction in this episode of the Wise Effort Show. Host Dr. Diana Hill and guest Dr. Carl Fisher delve into the complex nature of addiction, exploring it as a multifaceted issue that affects our energy and life direction. They share personal stories and professional insights, emphasizing compassion and humanity while offering a new perspective that frames addiction as a response to suffering and a call for deeper needs. Learn strategies for managing urges and the importance of a supportive environment in recovery.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• How to view addiction with compassion and without stigma
• Dr. Carl Fisher's personal journey with substance abuse and professional success
• The role of environmental factors in addiction and recovery
• The significance of social support and connection in overcoming addiction

Listen to this episode to learn strategies for managing urges and the importance of a supportive environment in recovery. 

Suggested Next Episode:

Dopamine Nation: The Neuroscience Of Our Everyday Addictions With Dr. Anna Lembke

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

Can poetry be a form of medicine? Dr. Diana Hill explores this profound question with poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on the Wise Effort Show. They discuss the role of poetry in emotional processing, grief, love, and connection. Diana shares how Rosemerry’s poetry has personally influenced her life and work. Rosemerry reads some of her poems, discusses her daily practice of writing a poem everyday, and offers insights into how poetry can help us be present with our pain and transform it. Drawing from her own experiences, especially the tragic loss of her son, Rosemerry explains how metaphors and a daily writing habit can serve as healing practices.

Join this insightful conversation to discover the therapeutic potential of poetry and how it can guide us through life's most challenging moments.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Power of Poetry in Therapy
• Rosemary's Personal Journey with Poetry
• Daily Writing Practice and Its Benefits
• Embracing Imperfection and Truth
• Sharing Personal Grief Publicly

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 138: Holding Space for Yourself and Others With Tom Parkes

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

What do you do when the thing you love—your art, your work, your creativity—starts feeling like a product? When the metrics of success get louder than the pulse of your own heart? In this episode, I sit down with Glen Phillips—lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket and a longtime Santa Barbara creative—for a conversation that meanders, deepens, and opens up space for something honest and healing. Glen shares how his music career took off at age 16, how he lost his way chasing the industry’s definition of “enough,” and how he found his way back—through community song, spiritual practice, Tuesday night yoga class, and a kind of effort that doesn’t grind, but flows.

Suggested Next Episode:

Episode 110: In This Moment You Are Enough with Ofosu Jones-Quartey

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

Feeling boreout? That restless, understimulated, underinvolved sense that your work—or your life—needs a refresh? Creativity might be the key. In this episode, I’m doing something different: a live episode recorded at Communal Table at Jane Restaurant. We dive into the science of creativity and try out some playful creative tasks (including a collective poem!). In a real play, I work with an audience member to get unstuck using the creative power of psychodrama.

It’s insightful, energizing, and honestly—just fun. Tune in!

Listen and Learn About:

• Understanding Creativity and Its Importance
• Exploring Boreout and Its Impact
• The Neuroscience of Creativity
• Real Play Session: Working with Creative Blocks

SUGGESTED NEXT EPISODE:

6 Ways to Boost Your Creativity

Related Resources

Get enhanced show notes for this episode

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses

In this episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill delves into the complexities of dating after divorce with guest Whitney Cubbison, author of 'Will There Be Wine?' and 'Will There Be Love?' Whitney shares her personal journey through divorce and dating in Paris, touching on challenges like rekindling self-confidence, managing emotional baggage, and navigating the evolving landscape of online dating. The conversation also explores broader themes such as staying true to oneself, embracing life experiences, and the importance of having a supportive village in relationships. Whether you're newly divorced or contemplating jumping back into the dating pool, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for forging a fulfilling post-divorce life.

Listen and Learn About:

• Worst Nightmare Dating Stories
• Dealing with Anger and Emotional Baggage
• Cultural Differences in Dating
• Navigating Technology and Online Dating
• Real-Life Dating Tips
• Embracing Your True Self in Relationships

Suggested Next Episode:

• Wise Effort in the Bedroom

Related Resources

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Whitney’s books, Will There Be Wine? & Will There Be Love?

Whitney Instagram

Whitney’s Facebook

• Pre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.
• Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.

Diana's Events

• Reserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!
• See Diana at an upcoming event

Connecting With Diana

• Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.
• Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.
• Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.
• Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.

Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful music.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order My New Book "Wise Effort" and Get the Bonuses

Pre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and GET LOTS OF BONUSES.

Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!

Pre-order Wise Effort Book + Bonuses