In Your Right Mind with Monique Rhodes

I know, I've said the V Word. What one earth am I going to say here? You'd better come and listen.

What happens when we become afraid of fear itself? In this episode, I explore how our reluctance to admit vulnerability can fuel stress, anger, and disconnection. We'll look at why so many of us try to master every situation instead of simply acknowledging, "I'm afraid," and how that avoidance keeps us stuck. Together, we'll talk about the power of facing fear honestly, allowing change, and using that honesty to become more grounded and compassionate. Discover how accepting your fear can open the door to strength, clarity, and more authentic relationships.

We often see our friends as people who are there to give us advice and support. However, there is another purpose of friendship that is even more profound and healing.

I want to discuss the art of being a Sunday driver. When I was young, going for a Sunday drive was a treat. Now it is looked upon with disdain.

How does manifesting fit with faith and surrender? In this episode, I explore the relationship between manifesting and divine will, and why true co-creation means showing up fully while also letting go of attachment to the outcome. I'll share how manifesting is not about control, but about participating in a partnership—one rooted in trust, effort, and surrender.

Have you ever pushed yourself onto a path that didn't feel quite right? In this episode, I explore the importance of trusting life's timing—of learning to wait for the train that's truly yours. I'll share how chasing the wrong opportunities can pull us out of alignment, and why contentment in the present moment allows clarity to emerge.

How can choosing less lead to more peace, joy, and fulfillment? In this episode, I reflect on the surprising freedom that comes with simplicity—why letting go of what we don't need can open space for what truly matters. Through stories and insights, we'll explore how a quieter life can be a deeper one. If you'd like to go deeper into this work, visit iintendtobehappy.com—it's a wonderful place to begin your journey with me.

Are you afraid of making mistakes, or do you see failure as part of the process? In this episode, I explore why embracing an innovative mindset—one that values experimentation and learning—can transform the way we approach challenges. I'll share why trying new things, even if they don't work, is key to growth and success.

When we want something to show up in our life one of our biggest obstacles is fear. We must learn how to manage this fear otherwise, we end up blocking what we want.

Sometimes, knowing that someone else has a different spiritual or religious belief can feel threatening. We may want to prove that our way is right.

The highest-grossing TV series ever right now is called Squid Game. The fact that this TV show even exists is an insight into the world we are living in.

A story from New Zealand has gone worldwide this week. It involves a Wizard and can teach us an important lesson right now.

As I get ready to teach my course next week, I have taken some time to ask myself some questions. Where is it that I am not living the life I dream of living?

In today's podcast, I answer a question about dealing with other people's bad moods. Sometimes it can be too easy to get caught up in them.

In today's podcast, I answer a question from one of my students about chanting? Does it have a place in meditation? And if so, how?

Is it ok to want more? In today's podcast I answer a question from one of my students about wanting more for herself and her kids.

How do we support others without trying to control their path? In this episode, I explore what it means to love someone unconditionally while giving them the freedom to grow. We'll talk about how trust, presence, and letting go can create the safety that nurtures real strength—and why sometimes the most loving thing we can do is simply let someone be.

How do you create an environment where people feel loved, seen, and uplifted? In this episode, I explore the quiet power of humility, contentment, and inspiration—not to impress others, but to help them feel safe and valued. I'll share how choosing presence over performance can strengthen connection and create space for others to be their true selves.

How do we create deeper connection in a world that often feels rushed and disconnected? In this episode, I explore the quiet power of encouragement, presence, and deep listening—and how these simple acts can transform the way we relate to others. I'll share how uplifting the people around us and truly hearing them can build a sense of love, safety, and ease in our relationships. Let's talk about what it really means to offer presence—and how being fully present can be the most generous thing we give.

How do you handle opinions that challenge or even offend you? In this episode, I explore why accepting that people see the world differently can lead to deeper understanding, better conversations, and less frustration. I'll share why shaming or attacking others for their views rarely leads to change and how curiosity and compassion can open the door to real connection.

As we look a little more into how we can create a loving environment that people will enjoy being in, I give you three more ways to consider.

In this contemplation on creating an environment of love, I discuss three new elements that are important to remember.

One of my students asked me how to be more likeable. I found this an interesting question, and I've got to teach about it in the coming days. How can we create a loving environment for others?

There is a question we struggle to ask ourselves. It's not comfortable. However, if we dare to ask it, we can transform our lives.

What happens when we rely on others to meet our emotional needs? In this episode, I explore the difference between healthy interdependence and emotional dependence—and how we can start meeting our own needs through self-love, generosity, and presence. I'll share how shifting from waiting to receiving changes everything.

Today I answer a question from one of my students about toxic positivity. I explain what it is and how we can avoid our positivity becoming toxic.

I met some kids a few days ago who challenged me in a conversation. It reminded me about how important it is to dig deep.

What if the key to shining is accepting your shadows? In this episode, I reflect on how we, like the stars, shine brightest against the darkness. By embracing all parts of ourselves—the light and the shadow—we can cultivate deeper self-respect and extend the same kindness to others. Discover how self-acceptance transforms relationships and creates a more loving world. If you'd like to go deeper into this work, visit iintendtobehappy.com—it's a wonderful place to begin your journey with me.

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on things that don't really matter in the long run? In this episode, I share a simple perspective-shifting question: Will it matter in five minutes, five weeks, or five years? I'll explore how this mindset can help you let go of unnecessary worries, put things into perspective, and focus on what truly matters. Let's learn how to free ourselves from the weight of small concerns and embrace a lighter, more joyful way of living.

Do you believe success or happiness comes from sudden bursts of effort? In this episode, I explore why consistency, not intensity, is the key to achieving long-term goals and creating lasting change. I'll share how small, steady actions build momentum over time and why developing consistent habits can transform your life. Let's dive into how embracing the power of consistency can help you reach your dreams and find true fulfillment.

Rejection is probably one of the most painful feelings you could ever feel. I am sure we can all agree that it feels like a punch in the gut, but you can learn to deal with rejection and bounce back. Rebounding after facing rejection is a skill worth mastering. When facing rejection, one should focus on the lessons learned and keep moving forward. Don't get discouraged. Regardless of one's stature, we have all experienced rejection at some point or another and sometimes we don't even know why. Whether it is in our place of work or in our personal lives, rejection is something we never want to experience and can be hard for us to process. In this episode, you'll find out why it's important to bounce back and how you can turn rejection into redirection.

Is healing a destination, or is it an ongoing practice? In this episode, I explore whether true healing has an endpoint or if it's a lifelong journey of growth and self-compassion. I'll share why daily practices—like meditation and kindness toward ourselves—are essential for maintaining and deepening our inner peace.

What happens when giving starts to feel like a burden? In this episode, I explore the hidden cost of overextending ourselves—especially when caring for someone we love. I'll share how resentment is often a sign that boundaries are needed, not that your heart is in the wrong place.

One of my students wrote that she has many aches and pains when she sits down to do her meditation practice. How wonderful!

As humans, complaining is a way for us to release tension and bond with others. It can also be a form of venting frustration or connecting with others who share in your feelings. But does complaining make you feel better? It's a way to let off steam, and that's fine, but does it help you feel better in the long run? In today's episode, we will discuss a new way to connect with ours.

There is so much we take for granted. It's powerful when we stop and realise this.

It can be challenging for us when we come up against the ignorance of others. How do we cope? And today's podcast, I answer a question about this from one of my students.

What if the feeling of safety you take for granted isn't something everyone experiences? In this episode, I talk about a powerful realization—one that came through a conversation with a student—that many people live in a constant state of hyper-alertness, shaped by trauma and past experiences. I share personal insights and stories that show just how deeply a lack of safety can affect someone's life. Most importantly, I explore how learning to work with your mind can help shift your sense of security from the outside world to within, allowing you to find a more grounded, peaceful way of being.

I am noticing a trend that is worrying me. The way we are connecting is more disconnecting than ever.

Last week I released a podcast called Happiness In The Midst Of Adversity. We got a lot of very positive feedback from it. However, there were some more clarifying questions that I answered in today's Part 2. In order to achieve happiness, you must first accept the world as it is. This can be difficult to do because we are all conditioned to think that the world should be a certain way. We want things to go our way and when they don't, we become unhappy. The world is never going to be the way you want it to be. The world is always changing, and so are you. You can't control everything, but you can control your response to it. You may feel like you can't just accept the world as it is and achieve happiness at the same time. When there is so much adversity in the world, how can we be happy? In today's podcast, I answer an important question about this from one of my students.

Some of us are currently in lockdown. This can be very challenging because the days have a tendency to bleed into each other. In today's podcast, I discuss how we can cope when things start getting dull in our lives, whether we are in a pandemic or not.

What if the most productive thing you could do today was… pause and think? In this episode, I explore the power of deep thinking and how setting aside time for reflection—not rushing from task to task—can lead to greater clarity, creativity, and impact.

What if moving forward in life means taking thoughtful risks? In this episode, I share stories from my own life to explore how assessing risk versus reward is key to personal growth. I'll talk about why it's not about being fearless, but about being intentional—choosing the kind of risks that bring momentum, learning, and joy.

Why do so many good ideas never make it past the starting line? In this episode, I share the key ingredient that helps turn vague hopes into real results: planning. I'll tell the story of a massive project I took on—and how mapping it out helped me succeed without overwhelm.

Do you ever feel like there's too much to do and not enough time to do it? In this episode, I explore how overwhelm can leave us feeling stuck and drained, and I share simple strategies to break it down into manageable steps. I'll talk about the power of lists, setting realistic goals, and the joy of ticking things off to create a sense of progress.

You may feel like you can't just accept the world as it is and achieve happiness at the same time. You have to change it, make a difference and stand up against things that don't align with your values. The world as it is isn't the way we want it to be. The good news is that we don't need to change the world to be happy, just ourselves. When we accept that there are things beyond our control--and accept them with grace--our lives become easier and more peaceful. In the end, it's important to remember that life is a journey. You can't control everything that happens and you shouldn't try. But at the same time, there are things in this world that are worth fighting for--and it's okay to stand up for things that do not align with your values when those things occur in front of you. In today's episode, we will discuss an important question about how we can be happy even with so much adversity in the world.

Why do some of life's toughest challenges leave us feeling more alive and fulfilled? In this episode, I reflect on my own experiences trekking in Bhutan and riding through the Himalayas—and how these moments of suffering and perseverance taught me the joy of pushing limits. I'll explore the difference between obsessive passion and what researchers call harmonious passion, and how pursuing challenges for your own growth—not for praise—can unlock a deeper sense of happiness.

Are you fully present in what you're doing, or is your mind always pulled in different directions? In this episode, I explore how multitasking and constant distractions create stress and prevent us from truly experiencing life. I'll share why learning to focus on one thing at a time can bring more clarity, peace, and fulfillment.

It can be hard to say no. I have had a week of it. But as difficult as it may be it is also vital that we do.

What does it mean to go gently in a world full of chaos and challenges? In this episode, I explore how finding true peace within ourselves allows us to navigate life with openness and resilience. I'll share why accepting life as it is, rather than resisting it, helps us reduce suffering and respond to difficulties with grace.