Calm it Down

Why are you here? What’s left in life? What’s your purpose? My word so much pressure in finding our p-u-r-p-o-s-e. So much so there’s even such a thing as Purpose Anxiety (no, seriously). Take a breather from the rollercoaster and listen in as we talk about a different approach to the life you ‘should be’ living.

Change. We change. Our activities, our elements, even our shoes change. I mean, if you’re still wearing your shoes from 5th grade, I hand it to you. But honestly, dealing with change is simpler than you my realize. In this episode, I show you 3 simple steps to putting the anxiety of the unknowns to rest. The first one may just surprise you.

Drivers license, check. Graduation, check. College (if that’s your thing) check, career, pets, family, kids, grandkids you have an endless array of boxes to choose from if you so desire. Our attention is so often dialed in on the preconceived 'happened' that we miss the happening all together. But today I propose that maybe while we're waiting for those milestones in life to happen, we're missing what's really happening while we're waiting.

The biggest hit song of 2021, Drivers License, is the coming-of-age heart cry that’s been recorded like so many others long before the microphone was invented. Guy meets girl, girl falls in love, guy falls in love….with someone else; leaving said girl feeling of no worth when all said and done. And while Drivers License IS a great “I got dumped” breakup song, Olivia Rodrigo leaves a trail of breadcrumbs pointing back to something more important than a lover’s quarrel; insecurity. Hop in as we drive down Emotional Highway 101 and learn the most important key you’ll ever learn when it comes to matters of the heart. But I’m not gonna tell you here. You’ll just have to listen.

What’s the worst that could happen? And why is it that’s generally the first thing we think about; the worst possible scenario! Listen in as we learn how to stop thinking the worst, or in technical terms, catastrophizing.

Every now and then we need just a little push. Be it a first step or crossing the finish line, sometimes we just run out of steam. Today, in celebrating the 25th episode, we fill our minds and hearts with words of wisdom from some of the most revered individuals to have walked the same steps you’re probably taking today. Listen in as we reflect where we are from 25 weeks ago and take some words of encouragement as we look towards the next 25 weeks ahead.

Depression has many currents and undertows throughout this ocean of life. And while it often feels like you’re surrounded by sharks and drowning, you don’t have to tread the waters alone. Listen in as we discover two vital steps in swimming safely to shore as we close out this three-part series on Depression. You’re not alone. You’re never alone.

This week, we hop over to Japan to learn of the beauty and significance of the Cherry Blossom within the Japanese culture. Sakuras, as they’re known, are stunning to gaze upon but their meaning takes a much deeper root in how we may view life individually. Listen in to part 2 of this series on Depression as we continue bringing this conversation to the coffee tables; casting awareness to the clouds we let linger far too long overhead.

Sure, sure, you’ve heard the Rolling Stones’ “You Can't Always Get What You Want”?, since you were knee-high but do you KNOW the story behind it!? Who would have thought we would tackle the subject of depression with Mick Jagger as our inspiration?! Join me as we start a 3 part series breaking down what depression really is and what we can do about it. Listen in as you may “just get what you need.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

What’s Your Problem!? No, seriously. What is your problem? And let's be honest. Is it really a problem? After years of my asking countless couples “what has kept you together after so many years?”, one couple celebrating their 50th anniversary dropped the most unexpected words of wisdom that I did NOT see coming. Listen in as we not only learn ‘what IS our problem, but what to do about it.’

Think about a day last week. Any day. What was your favorite day from last week? During the noise and the chaos of those seven days was there a moment that made you pause and smile? A bike ride or your favorite ice cream. Maybe something more significant like having a child or finally hitting that career achievement. Our days are so intense, so consuming we’re exhausted before we put our feet on the floor each morning. It’s understandable all we see before us every morning are obstacles and set-backs. But when we make a habit to reflect on the things to be thankful for, to bring to mind those experiences both now and in the past, from the people who love you, to the roof over your head and the food on your table, you will come to see it’s a pretty long list of moments that truly matter.

Habits. Patterns. Behaviors we’ve put in place purposefully or not. At the start of the new year we kid ourselves with our bravado of new ambitions. But in reality, our zeal usually lasts no longer than a cup of coffee. Not because we’re insincere in our passionate pursuits, we just don’t know how to break the bad and make the good. Until today. Join me in today’s Episode, Breaking Bad - Breaking the Spell of Habits, as we reframe resolutions into forever rituals.

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Ah, the song that everyone sings until the third sentence as we fumble our way through the rest of the melody. While Auld Lang Syne is the traditional catalyst of reflection, goodwill, and remembering those from our past, today we sing this song with someone else in mind. Someone that knows you better than any other person. Your ups, your downs. Your trials, your triumphs. Today, a Cup o’ Kindness Yet as we toast none other than you. As we look back at a most difficult year, I invite you to raise a glass to yourself, pause for a moment and say “I made it. At times I thought I wouldn’t, but I did.” And for that, a song and episode tailored specifically in your honor.

Heartless, egocentric, selfish; these are not the qualities we generally bestow upon role models. A role model is a leader, someone who avows empathy as supreme, who gives without hesitation, who turns the spotlight to others, a hero yet never declaring such a title. Judging not by the cover of his book, we turn the page to someone who has always been the villain. But, perhaps we’ve been looking at poor Ebenezer in the wrong light after all.

Wish. Has there ever been a word so empowering yet so debilitating? It’s the bedrock of fairy tells just as much as the downfall of dreams. “I wish things were different.” “I wish I could.” “I wish my life were like theirs.” As soon as the word Wish comes out of our mouths it’s as if we’ve given up. In this episode of Calm it Down Podcast, we direct our attention to the man whose kingdom was built on the wishes of others; Walt Disney. Listen in as we hear how life is more than wishes and fairy dust. But don’t fret, there’s plenty of room for the happily ever after.

You. You've been 'there' since day one. You know your best days, your not-so-best days, your struggles, your success. And while some days you feel nothing good comes from anything, I want you to know that you are changing lives; realize it or not. You are the difference in someone else's life. The influence they need right now. The whisper of hope. You. You Matter.

In this episode of Calm it Down Podcast, we reframe the stumbling block of Regret. Believe it or not, Regret can be a Reward when we look at it the right way. It's life's way of correcting our perspective and encouraging us to even try again. Sounds absurd? How Regrets are so overplayed? Learn a lesson from your own past and lean into a path you may already be on but didn't realize.

I just heard the first holiday song on the radio. It’s official. The holiday season is here. But, this year, everything is different. Listen to this week’s episode of Calm it Down podcast as we learn a few lessons from Steve Martin & John Candy in the cult classic Thanksgiving film, Planes, Trains & Automobiles as John Hughes so subtlety reminds us ‘this is not the year you get everything you want. This is the year you appreciate everything you have.’

Insomnia. It's the ‘not so sleeping giant in the room’. Exhausted, we climb into bed knowing we'll crash as our head hits the pillow until we don't. We just lay there. One thought racing after the other. How do we stop the cycle? We all know the norms like avoiding caffeine, exercise, etc, etc. But, I’m gonna share two major techniques that have recently come to light during some groundbreaking research in the field. Join me today and every Tuesday as we Calm it Down.

"We can't even climb out of bed in the morning without grabbing our phone. What'd we miss? Emails, news, FB reminding me it's someone's birthday? Wait, it's not my A\anniversary is it?!?! The pandemic has only exacerbated the amount of work on our plates. Can't fly so let's add 15 zoom calls for Tuesday. What's easy to forget, particularly on a weekend, is our iPhone powers down just as easily as it powers on. But not without my prompting. This week on Calm it Down podcast, we recenter our attention on renewal. Even if 2-3 15 minute spots throughout the day to take a mental break, to reset before we reengage. To refocus before returning.

In today's episode we take a little inspiration from Mr. Rogers and a lot from Brad Montague's fantastic book "Becoming Better Grownups". When we stop to think about our influences, those who made us into the persons we are, our character traits, our demeanor, our achievements, you'll be surprised by the list of who's who in your life and by how many you truly have been crafted after.

2 words; social media. Our lives are consumed by it. We've successfully entered a world where reality is wrapped in horseback rides at sunset, helicopter views over manhattan, champagne, and caviar dreams. But what's behind the photo filtered life? Why are we so obsessed with the world of other's who have their own path already. Listen in as we ponder what Van Gogh would have thought and he to let go of the lie that we don't measure up.

Life’s every query imaginable is just a touchscreen away. Umbrella or sunscreen? Google it! Dinner reservations via phone? Open Table! Birthday present for mom? Amazon! A fix is always a click away. With a life of such ease, the one thing Amazon doesn’t stock is calm. Our anxieties are at an all-time high. Depression, debilitating. Stress, suffocating. Separation, soulless. The only place we’re not looking is within. In this week’s episode of Calm it Down podcast, Wax On, Wax Off - The Mundane Mastery of Mr. Miyagi, I share 3 incredibly useful, effortless, even mundane techniques in calming our mind, pressing through the obstacles and finding the purpose in every outcome.

It would be redundant to say this year has been one besieged with perplexities and uncertainties. Covid, civil unrest, emotional distress, a people divided to great extremes politically, take your pick. Even for those who have never considered themselves emotionally strained or anxious, it has been mentally taxing to the point of breaking down for a much-needed cry. But why though? What is it about crying that we consider 'weak' or 'at the breaking point'? For some, stress release comes from jabbing a boxing bag, others through baking. What is it about crying that turns heads and says "Oh, dear. That person isn't well." In today's episode "It's Okay to Cry" we learn not only why we cry, but how we should embrace this emotional reset.

It's redundant to say 2020 has been a doozy. The ups & downs have been like two kids playing seesaw on an emotional playground. In reality, though, we're still here and all have our place in the lives of others. So how do we keep a grateful mind during such times of uncertainties? Listen in as we find ways to see things in a more positive light.

Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan & Daniel Craig. These 007 icons are the epitome of cool no matter the danger. But who needs spiked umbrellas or flamethrowers (well, besides Elon Musk, which would be pretty dang cool but THAT'S not the point!)? Listen in to understand how keeping a cool head isn't just for secret agents.

We plan, we schedule, we assume we're in control of our destiny but what do we do when those plans turn to poop? Life certainly has its share of disappointments, it's own rainy days without the umbrella. But it's how we deal with the rain that determines if we're splashing puddles for fun or stomping them out of self-pity. Listen in as I have some insights to share as well as some words of wisdom by #1 best selling author, Ryan Holiday, from his number 1 selling book, The Obstacle is the Way.

In Super Bowl 54 the Kansas City Chiefs met the San Francisco 49ers in Miami, Florida before a ruckus crowd of more than 60,000 fans. Spoiler alert, San Francisco lost. But what if they blamed the loss entirely on....the coin toss? In Part 1 of a series about 'letting go of control,' we learn how to deal with life's unexpected uncertainties.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Over 1 million Americans attempt suicide every year. Every 40 seconds around the world someone dies from suicide. It's time we bring this conversation from the hushed corners to the dinner table.

We take a few lessons from the star of the Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy, as he shows us a most creative way of processing our thoughts.

I go searching for inspiration in the most random of places, birthday cards. All in hopes of finding what really to tell a 10-year-old.

In the Disney classic film, Finding Nemo, we learn from the character, Dory, a superpower technique in calming the mind. And while we all know 'Just Keep Swimming' we're saving that song for something else down the road. Dory shows us a secret in keeping our head above water that even she didn't know about. While this episode is the official trailer for Calm it Down, it also outlines what this podcast is about. Simple, positive, encouraging techniques to calm the waters in the midst of a storm. Even though the podcast is centered around emotional awareness, our website offers additional resources and support relating to emotional and mental health. In addition to these resources found at calmitdownpodcast.com website, we also encourage you to engage in conversations at our social media platforms such as Facebook & Instagram.