Between the Covers

06/09/2024

To I talk about the value of mentors and share some recent examples of how mentors and coaches have helped me through some issues these last couple of weeks.

Let's talk about mentoring! It's a large part of the hero's journey. All the great heroes have had individuals invest in them to help them achieve their greatness. Do you have someone in your life who is doing that for you? Do you have someone in your life who can? If not, it's valuable to find thos...

04/09/2024

Happy Wōdnesdæg! Today, Odin has a very special message for you: rest. It's good for you, and you can look pretty cute at it.

02/09/2024

Monday Motivation:
It's okay to rest. Even a little can help get through a week.

31/08/2024

Let's talk about taking.back our creativity!

Let's talk about creativity. In this consumer society we live in, it seems to be more challenging than ever to create. Not only is more being expected of us in less time, there is so much pressure to monetize our creativity. What if there was a different way? Do you even need to make money off your....

28/08/2024

Happy Wednesday (Wōdnesdæg, or day of Odin). Here is Odin to give you a reminder that sometimes the best response to what's going on around you is a tired blep.

27/08/2024

Your mental health is important. Take care of it because you're worth it.

23/08/2024

Today I share some of the things I've learned from Dungeons and Dragons among other table-top role playing games.

Let's talk about Dungeons & Dragons and what I've learned from these adventures. I haven't been shy about my love of D&D and here are only some of the reasons why I enjoy it and other table-top role playing games so much. My original plan was to do ten of these, but I only covered half of th...

09/08/2024

Today's podcast is on the difference between heroes and victims in our stories. Spending most of my life being the victim in my story, it's an easy place to find yourself in and to stay there. We can all use more heroes in our lives!

Let's talk about heroes and victims. This is something that I enjoy discussing coming from the perspective of someone who lived in the victim mindset for way too many years and it's still easy to fall back into. There are some distinct differences between heroes and victims, so let's dive into it! P...

06/08/2024

Thanks Liz and Mollie for this example. This week's motivation is to give yourself the breaks you need!

02/08/2024

Today I talk about boredom. I mention in the episode how I listen to a lot of podcasts, especially first thing in the morning. I may have figured out why. If I'm not listening to anything, then random Disney animated movie music gets stuck in my head and I don't want it!

Let's talk about a very common topic I run into with the people I work with. What do we do when we're bored? What is boredom? When we're talking about boredom, we're talking about stress. Our brains need stimulation to thrive and if we lack it, we are more likely to rely on coping mechanisms to give...

31/07/2024

Odin can be such a cuddle bug sometimes. When it gets near bedtime, there are not many other places he would rather be than pressed up against his papa.

29/07/2024

Monday Affirmation:

You are a beautiful person worthy of love and acceptance.

26/07/2024

Today, let's talk about boredom, a topic that comes up quite often when I'm speaking with clients about maladaptive coping mechanisms, because they help stimulate a hypoarroused brain when we are bored.

Let's talk about how we can make to day better. One of the main issues I've been working through in making my days better have been my own expectations of what the day is supposed to be like. There is also the concept by James Clear of improving yourself by 1% than yesterday. If you do this enough,....

20/07/2024

Here's the latest episode on masking. This is a cursory look at a coping mechanism common among neurodivergent individuals, so I may have missed some details. I'm open to being corrected if I missed anything

Let's talk about masking. I'm not an expert by any means on this topic, however it is something that I possibly do myself and I've seen in my partner and others in my close circle. In fact, anyone who has some level of neurodivergence likely masks. What is masking? Why do people do it? Let's take a....

18/07/2024

Much to my surprise, my dog Odin was perfectly fine for the week of July 4th with fireworks going off in the neighborhood. When we have slight rumbles of thunder tonight on the other hand, that's another story!

Much like the atmosphere in the U.S. with the upcoming elections, it's easy to feel unsafe when so much rhetoric involves language of warfare. Do what you need to to take care of yourself and feel safe. Spend time with those you love. Maybe turn off the news and notifications so your brain and body can have a break.

02/07/2024

You're worth it.

Whatever you've said, done, or thought: you're worth it.

28/06/2024

Ever have the thought that it's impossible to please everyone? Me too! Today's episode is all about the whys and what we can do about it.

Let's talk about pleasing others. Tell me if you've heard this one before: you'll never please everyone. If that sounds familiar, then it makes me wonder why there are so many people I talk with who are so focused on making sure everyone else is happy and pleased. In reality, there is only one perso...

15/06/2024

To all my friends and family who tolerate me.

04/06/2024

My mentor, Laurie Hardie is giving out awards for podcasts and awarded me the Just You! award this week!

10/05/2024

I challenged myself for this month's hero study episode by talking about Taylor Swift. Instead of going alone, I interviewed a friend who has some great insights into their love of Taylor Swift as a person and her music. Enjoy a glimpse into a modern hero of our day!
Audio: https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-kyhx9-160ad26
Video: https://youtu.be/pEyINj9bN6U?si=8gP62A07q6Ak-NX4

Let's talk about a modern hero: Taylor Swift. Instead of trying to research all of this on my own and bumble my way through, I did the heroic endeavor of admitting I'm not qualified to talk about this individual and bring someone else in who could enlighten me of the work and personality of Taylor S...

14/04/2024

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habit.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
~Lao Tzu

02/03/2024

How many of you have experienced resistance while trying to change? In today's episode, we talk about the external and internal forms of resistance.

Let's talk about resistance. When we are working on ourselves and becoming the heroes of our stories, we often find resistance. This can come from external and internal sources. The external sources of resistance can be:FriendsFamilySocietyCommunity/Religious GroupsEven complete Strangers The intern...

23/02/2024

I found out today that podcast episodes haven't been going to other feeds since episode 15. It's being worked on and episodes 16-30 will be available soon on Spotify and Apple, and likely more feeds.

23/02/2024

Today we're talking about affective communication! Here are the basic tips:
1) Use "I feel" statements
2) Do what you can to keep the other person from becoming defensive
3) Set boundaries with others
4) Use stories

For more on these strategies, give the podcast a listen!

Let's not just talk about communication, but effective communication! Today I explore ways that we can be honest in our communication with others, how to avoid becoming defensive or having others become defensive in our discussions, and how we can be better communicators in general. Please rate and....

05/02/2024

The more podcasts I hear, the more I'm hearing from the hosts that 2023 was brutal to them. I can relate. My story is that 2023 was the year robbed from me.

What's your story of 2023?

26/01/2024

Let's talk about loving ourselves!

In my experience personally and working with others, one of the aspects of our lives that many of us struggle with is loving ourselves. With statements like "I'm my own worst critic," to the hurtful messages we use to reinforce our negative core beliefs, today I want us to work to change that. Let's...

12/01/2024

In today's podcast, I share a couple of helpful tools and some good books I've found beneficial on my journey of personal development.

Today I share some of the helpful tools I've used and books I've read (or am reading) that have helped me through various journeys in my life. Below are links to check them out for yourself if you are interested. These are all paid links. I'm not making anything by recommending any of these tools. T...

05/01/2024

On theme with today's podcast, what is a dream you wish you attained?

"All of us have had the dreams. All of us deserve to see our dreams come true. Were it not for the brick wall of bad programming that stands in our way, each of us, each day, would be living out more of those dreams, reaching heights of attainment we seldom even dream of." -Shad Helmstetter, What To Say When You Talk To Your Self, page 40

22/12/2023

Trying something new this week and launching a monthly series on the podcast where we study various fictional and non-fictional heroes. For the inaugural launch, in theme with the holiday season, we're looking at Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

As we near the end out 2023 and the winter holiday season, let's do something different and study a hero! This is the inaugural launch of a new monthly series where we look at the characteristics and values of fictional and real heroes. Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast or your fav...

20/12/2023

This is the look of someone who is ready for an end of year break.