Episodes
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Every single one of us has had an experience of either losing someone or something we love or knowing someone else who has, right?
Even though this is a painful truth about the experience of living, oftentimes we do not have the tools or the support we need to navigate through grief in healing ways.
On this week’s podcast episode, Lisa Heacock, an international best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and international certified life coach, grief coach, and grief educator, offers her perspective on grief. She speaks both from her professional background as well as from her personal story, after losing twelve loved ones through death in twenty-two-months. Lisa offers wisdom and bite-size tools and steps that can easily be digested and implemented when and if needed.
Key Takeaways:
One of the best ways you can support someone in grief is to say something like, “I just want you to know that I'm here, and I love you, and I'm sending all my loving energy your way. No pressure to respond at all.”Often people experiencing grief will wonder if they sound crazy or broken. If you are grieving, you are not broken - you are simply grieving.It is important to reach for as many healthy resources as you can to support you and/or your loved ones in your/their grieving process.Resources:
https://holisticlifecoaching.org.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/holistic_coach_lisa/
https://www.facebook.com/holisticlifecoachingwithlisamarie
https://linktr.ee/CoachLisaMarie
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!
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Do you or someone you know seem to be successful in a variety of ways, and yet chronically stressed?
In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun reflects on the qualities she’s noticed to be present in people with high-functioning anxiety, as well as how they often appear to outsiders. It’s amazing how people who can appear so organized, calm and collected, and high performing can internally feel so overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and exhausted.
Key Takeaways:
High functioning anxiety and stress is multi-facted: it’s a gift to be able to manage so much, and it’s overwhelming and can lead to depletion and stress. It can be difficult for people who are high functioning with stress and anxiety to shift their way of being because often self-worth is closely knit with their ability to achieve. It’s important to offer ourselves and others compassion who struggle with this, and slowly incorporate small steps of slowing down and self-care in order to support a shift.Resources:
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!
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Missing episodes?
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Are you one of the many people who struggle from a creative block at times?
In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun interviews Gregory Halpen, who has 30+ years’ experience as a creative practice coach, solo theater artist, stage & TV actor, and singer. Gregory teaches creatives how to cultivate a creative practice for staying on their creative journey. In this interview, Gregory talks about how creativity, even beyond self-expression, can lead to self-discovery and transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Creativity can flow best when we are engaged in a daily self-care practice. Self-expression through creativity can uncover and offer greater meaning in our lives. Creative expression is a process in the moment, not just about the finished outcome.Resources:
Instagram: @gregoryhalpen
https://www.facebook.com/greghalpen/
https://www.gregoryhalpen.com/
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!
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Do you ever struggle with people-pleasing?
In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores her experience with people-pleasing and the freedom that comes when we respect our own boundaries and those of others. Elizabeth also dives into the importance of connecting with ourselves as a way to be more fully present and aware of the the boundaries that we need to honor.
Key Takeaways:
Your boundaries are not your problem :)A people-pleasing response demands a disconnection from ourselves in order to be in service to others.Self-soothing and self-care is very important as we notice our boundaries and our responses to others’ boundaries.Resources:
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!
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What does it mean to grow our “boundary muscles”?
In this episode, Kelli Younglove, a Self-Awareness and Mindset Coach, dives into exploring boundaries on several levels, and offers actionable advice on how to notice and honor our boundaries.
Kelli Younglove is a Self-Awareness and Mindset Coach who teaches her clients a kinder, gentler way to work with their stress and anxiety so they can show up in their lives as their happy, confident selves. She's also the creator of the boundary course: Creating the Container of YOU— a self-study e-course that teaches boundary fundamentals and lifetime solutions for people pleasers and controllers.
Key Takeaways:
It’s best to practice in small, easy ways at first to grow that boundary muscle first with safe people (or even our pets!). In essence, the term boundary refers to a limit we set. Outer boundaries help protect you in the outer world. Inner boundaries refer to our inner wisdom, which is held in our bodies and helps us stay connected and in relationship with ourselves. Returning to the sensation of our breath and our bodies in the present moment can help facilitate setting and maintaining heartfelt boundaries that honor ourselves and others.Resources:
www.kelliyounglove.com <<free mini-guide for anxiety relief here
https://courses-kelliyounglove.thinkific.com/courses/boundaries-creating-the-container-of-you
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!
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Have you ever felt that your life choices just don’t quite align with who you feel you are inside?
In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda, a holistic psychiatrist, medical intuitive, and life coach. In this conversation, Dr. Ssemanda talks about the importance of reconnecting with ourselves in order to live more authentically aligned lives and make choices that more deeply reflect who we are.
Key Takeaways:
Many people are living on auto-pilot and not fully consciously making important decisions in their lives. People already have the answers within us; we need to cultivate the courage to deeply listen to our inner voice in order to access these truths. Oftentimes making decisions that deeply align with our core selves and values involve setting important limits and boundaries. This requires courage, too, and yet offers us an opportunity to feel into the power of making decisions based on our own truth and inner voice and spirit.Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzzA2XnfAS_p7ASow6K0q5g
https://soulinyou.com/
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
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How are you living your life that brings about fulfillment for yourself and others? Dawn Glasco reflects on this important question in her interview on The Calming Ground podcast.
In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with Dawn Glasco, a community engagement strategist, speaker, author, and consultant. Dawn reflects on creating and maintaining boundaries as a way of choosing what we allow into our hearts and minds and what we judiciously select to protect ourselves from in order to preserve our own integrity and alignment with what truly matters to us.
Key Takeaways:
It can be valuable to ask yourself the questions: “How can I be more loving? How can I hold more space for myself?” Engaging with and tapping into your own creativity may offer a more deep connection with yourself and a form of expression to reach others. Creating and maintaining your boundaries can allow for greater space for you to be authentically you and nourish the energy within you that aligns you with your highest and most vibrant version of yourself.Resources:
https://www.dawnglasco.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Community-Engagement-Leadership-Unleashing-Within/dp/B0C9K6GY8L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MWSPCHW3E8KM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lrZ7m5xcftCafjQpTBc1kfMAP03p1AoEJPFI3CApFVva8Xeu56x9sdJdQxj8qbQxdLagifRaTfRFPo7JOpDTMC74U42er5U2CKevhY0WQ567NCv9ra2Hl6F4x3lxTcOEokzaH54mXvlsTUqDPAOCvRuRGeBzPiqUSgQuG_r430oSVe77jvvUHLUcJwJ5USURYYc_MZTU5ofC1P3miBB9x0Qid7ZI1wSjbfyloeRWdWk.SIco_DrLM0VNUA1kUhXo3fRTbW570EK_YVBYzVFOffo&dib_tag=se&keywords=community+engagement+leadership+unleashing+the+power+within&qid=1711808493&sprefix=community+engagement+leadership+unleashing+the+power+within%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
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Did you know that rest can take many forms?
Often when we think about resting we think about sleeping or being otherwise inactive. But, rest can actually come in many different forms! In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores seven different pathways to rest and replenishment and examples within these to help us regain our balance and feel renewed.
Key Takeaways:
It can be helpful to notice which areas of rest tend to come more easily to you and which you might struggle more to attend to. As you notice which areas of rest you struggle more to nourish, using a curious and compassionate mind, you might ask yourself what barriers are here making this difficult for you to lean into? A practice of tuning in and sitting in stillness may offer the space to discern what kind of rest you might need in a particular moment.Resources:
https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation
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Have you ever struggled with tuning into the wisdom of your own inner voice?
In this episode, psychotherapist Allison Bruce talks about the importance of listening to the wisdom of our bodies. Allison talks about the “demand culture” that we live in that is focused more on achieving and producing rather than the quality of our “be-ing”. She talks about the importance of staying with the process of noticing how we experience tension in our bodies and gradually leaning into easing that tension.
Key Takeaways:
The pace of the lives and society we’re living in has a significant impact on our ability to connect with ourselves. When people are able to still themselves and notice their tendency to go toward distractions rather than staying present with themselves. Sometimes it can be very important to seek professional support to help us reconnect with ourselves and navigate what might emerge in our still moments.Resources:
https://www.allisonebruce.com/
https://www.gestaltcleveland.org/
https://emdrtherapy.com/
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Have you ever wanted to speak up, but never ended up finding the right words or the confidence to do it?
Joan Stenzler is a motivational speaker, communication specialist, holistic psychotherapist, and women’s empowerment coach. In this episode, Joan shares her own background and insight into when to use our voices to speak our truths, and the power of the words we choose.
Key Takeaways:
Prior to deciding your moment to speak up, it can be useful to ask yourself what are the chances that this conversation will have your desired outcome and what does that mean to you? It can be helpful to explore what might be getting in the way of speaking your truth as a way of discerning what you are needing and wanting to say. Often people avoid speaking their truth because they are afraid of conflict.Resources:
www.youramazingjourney.com
Free Master Class entitled “Turn your Hesitation into Determination and Find the Courage to Speak Up: https://youramazingjourney.lpages.co/joan-stenzler-masterclass/
Free guide: “A Compassionate Woman’s Guide to Empowered Communication”: https://youramazingjourney.lpages.co/speaking-up/
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Have you ever felt the brain fog and emotional rollercoaster of sleep deprivation? In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores the fascinating subject of sleep with Dr. Catherine Darley.
Dr. Darley is an internationally recognized expert in the use of natural behavior and lifestyle medicine for the treatment of sleep disorders. She provides interesting information about sleep, as well as actionable advice about how to get the nourishing night’s rest your body craves.
Key Takeaways:
If you are chronically sleep deprived, you are impacting heavily your REM sleep, which impacts your memory and emotional regulation. 20-30 minutes of being outdoors in the morning daylight can help your day get started off right and eventually lead to a better night’s rest. Certain times of day are better for napping than others - it is important to nap at times that will not negatively impact your night’s rest.Resources:
https://naturalsleepmedicine.net/
Instagram: @skilledsleeper
https://www.skilledsleeper.com/
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In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores the science behind self-messaging and affirmation. She talks about the physiological and psychological benefits.
Elizabeth also interviews Leslie Wood, who was a teacher for 4 years, a school counselor for 15 years, and currently also works in a part-time private practice setting. Leslie is an online course realtor and coach helping teachers level up their skills in mental health areas. As part of her work in her career and as a parent, affirmations have been key. Leslie shares this experience and knowledge of self messaging and affirmations in this episode.
Key Takeaways:
Supportive self-messaging and affirmations and improve the functioning of your immune system and help prevent depression and anxiety. Affirmations in key areas of life (including health, financial health, personal worth, etc.) can make a big difference in wellbeing and choices.Resources:
Leslie Wood - YouTube
Home | Master Your Moment
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In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun interviews Harvey Laguerre, a stay-at-home dad and Men’s Life and Success Coach.
Harvey discusses the importance of men’s vulnerability and creating safe spaces for men to express their inner thoughts and feelings and to be supported by other men.
Key Takeaways:
Men are suffering from the lack of permission in our society to express their vulnerability and have safe spaces with other men. Toxic masculinity deprives men of having the space to explore the full range of their emotional experience in their lives.Resources:
www.inspiretheprize.com
https://www.instagram.com/menofzealousnature/
https://www.facebook.com/ThePrizeIsMen
https://twitter.com/MenZealous
https://anchor.fm/harvey-laguerre5
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPTXSTShP_9R0pMoovV_FjQ
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In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun dives into exploring the power of our inner voice (and the inner critic that often accompanies it). Elizabeth talks about the ways our inner voice can impact the way we see and experience ourselves, make our choices, and evaluate our life.
Elizabeth offers a five-step exercise to help you offer yourself compassion, understanding, a refreshing and new way to approach yourself and your life. Elizabeth encourages you to tune in and listen to the messages and stories you are telling yourself and consider how you would respond to a friend giving you that same message.
Key Takeaways:
Listening to and shaping the messages you’re giving yourself can make a tremendous impact on your experience of yourself and your life. Elizabeth quotes Mister Rogers, who says: “Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors.” Noticing your thoughts and feelings is a form of practicing mindfulness, and that presence can offer ease and help you recognize more choices and possibilities. -
Shari Lillico is a best-selling author, speaker, coach, and intuitive healer. In this interview, Shari talks about her journey from feeling completely lost as an empty-nester to feeling confident and filled with joy and purpose.
Specifically, in this conversation Shari shares the powerful and life-changing impact committing to noticing and connecting with 3 statements of gratitude and self-love affirmations had in her life, as well as the ways this impacts the women she coaches.
Key Takeaways:
Practicing 3 gratitude statements followed by 3 self-love statements daily can significantly transform the way people experience themselves and their lives. Practicing gratitude and love can enhance a sense of worthiness, which offers courage and confidence to take risks and opportunities that are presented in life. When people practice affirmation and gratitude on a regular basis, it can become easier to find pleasure and abundance in their lives.Resources:
Website: https://www.sharilillico.com
Link to Book Fred Does it His Way: https://www.amazon.ca/Fred-Does-His-Shari-Lillico/dp/1738679012
Link to Book Women who Shine: https://www.amazon.ca/Women-Who-Shine-Shari-Lillico-ebook/dp/B09DTQ2CKJ -
Have you ever wished you could calm yourself down when you feel guilt come over you, but just can’t quite figure out how?
In this episode, Elizabeth offers two simple steps to begin to ease feelings of guilt when they arise. Elizabeth also explores the ways guilt can present itself and typically the reasons that feelings of guilt appear in the first place.Lastly, she suggests the possibility that guilt can actually serve as an ally, if we can understand what’s underneath it and offer ourselves permission to get our healthy needs met.
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Key Takeaways:
Unchecked guilt can lead to shame. Curiosity can help us explore what might be the underlying issue beneath the guilt. Underneath guilt is typically a healthy need that, if given permission for and attended to, can allow us to act with greater authenticity and integrity. -
Dr. Fred Moss is a psychiatrist, mental health advocate, keynote speaker, expert witness, author, and mental health coach. In this conversation, he normalized mental discomfort, strong emotions, and feelings of imbalance as a part of being human and emphasizes the importance of human connection as a way of navigating and regaining balance.
Dr. Fred talks about the damage that shutting people off due to differences in opinions creates in communities and in our individual lives. He suggests that what people need most deeply is to be heard and seen and to authentically listen and speak; and this is what offers true healing as a community and self realization individually.
Key Takeaways:
When we are living with guilt and/or shame, we are being our own critical assessor. Releasing guilt is something we have the gift of doing; connecting with others and being listened to compassionately can offer this release from guilt. It can be extremely hard for people to accept that there may be nothing wrong with them and actually they are simply coping with life as best they can; having difficulty and struggling is simply part of the human experience.Resources:
https://drfred360.com/
https://welcometohumanity.net/
https://www.facebook.com/drfredmoss/
https://instagram.com/drfredmoss/
https://www.youtube.com/@drfredmoss
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Have you or anyone you know experienced a coercive relationship? Jennifer Parker, therapist and author of the book Coercive Relationships: Find the Answers you Seek, shared her knowledge and insight with The Calming Ground Podcast.
In this episode, Jennifer offers a deeper understanding of coercive control and the importance and power of recognizing, acknowledging, and naming this relationship dynamic for what it is.
Key Takeaways:
Being able to identify and name the relationship dynamic as coercive control is a step towards empowerment. While attempting to prevent an outburst and/or abuse from happening is natural, there is nothing that is in anyone else’s control to truly prevent abuse from happening; the abuser is responsible for their behavior. Taking moments that are available (such as 5 minutes in the car of the parking lot of the grocery store) to practice self-care can be empowering and offer centering peace.Resources:
Link to buy book with 20% discount: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/nonfiction/coerciverelationships
Promo code: CR20 (if used before May 2024)
For those who prefer Ebooks: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ dp/1684336678/
Website: https://madisonmentalhealthcounselor.com/
Blog signup: https://madisonmentalhealthcounselor.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferCParkerMSSW
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferc.parker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jennifer-parker-therapy-training-consultation/
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Do you ever find yourself longing to feel more freedom and acceptance in your life?
Behavioral health coach and owner of Alchemy Coaching, as well as the host of the Pragmatic Alchemy podcast, Courtney Edwards came on the show to talk about finding greater internal balance and freedom. Courtney blends her background in psychology and counseling with the practical framework of coaching to help folks invite more mindful wellbeing into their everyday life. In this episode, Courtney talks about the difference between guilt and shame, and her own struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned on her journey to greater internal balance and freedom.
Key Takeaways:
It can be very useful to connect with a trusted person and share your feelings of guilt in order to receive support and to prevent guilt from turning into shame. When we are feeling guilt, relating to ourselves and asking questions from a lens of curiosity as though we are talking to a child, can help us reach self compassion and growth. Meditation and mindfulness can help slow the mind down and help calm and shift feelings of guilt.Resources:
Pragmatic Alchemy Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pragmaticalchemy
Alchemy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/alchemybhc
Alchemy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/alchemybhc
Courtney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyredwards/
Website: www.shineandsoar.com
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Have you ever felt pressure to “fit in” in a yoga or pilates class? Ivory Howard shares the importance of inclusivity and welcoming diversity in physical fitness.
Ivory Howard is a certified yoga and pilates instructor with a Master of Public Health and an advanced training in plant-based nutrition.
Ivory understands that everyone's relationship with health and wellness is different, and she seeks to honor that with her work. She's been seen in US News & World Report, Health Digest, Fit & Well, Weight Watchers, The Zoe Report, Sisters from AARP, and other publications for helping others achieve their health and fitness goals.
In this episode Ivory talks about the nuances of the yoga and pilates culture that may create gatekeeping and exclusivity and the importance of physical wellness and fitness to be available to people of all backgrounds and body shapes.
Ivory offered my listeners a special gift: the guide How to Survive your First (or next) Pilates class. Find this gift at http://eepurl.com/djI949
Resources:
Website - http://www.ivoryhoward.com
Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/flatbelly
FB - https://www.facebook.com/flatbellypilates
IG - https://www.instagram.com/flatbellypilates
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@flatbellypilates
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@flatbellypilates
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