
Spiritually Hungry
240 episodes — Page 3 of 5

S1 Ep 140140. What is Real?: 3 Ways to Rethink What Your Eyes See
Only a fraction of what we see is based on input from our eyes. Everything else is filled in by connection in other parts of the brain. Meaning the way to change the negativity we experience in our lives is not by changing the world around you. It’s by changing your mind. In this summer mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about how to embrace radical optimism for the most fulfilling life.“If you’re experiencing negativity in your life right now, the way to change it is not by changing the outside world. It’s by changing your mind.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Deviate, by Beau Lotto

S1 Ep 139139. How Do I Awaken Appreciation?: 3 Truths About Keeping Gratitude Alive
Even the most cherished gifts in our lives can begin to lose significance if we do not work to keep our appreciation for them alive. In this summer mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about the connection between appreciation and love and how we can awaken them every day.“Our biggest blinder is that when we lose appreciation, we tend to feel like we don’t love—what we once valued is no longer valuable. When we lose appreciation, we can’t access that love.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 138138. The New You Starts Here: 3 Ways to Let Go of Excuses and Start Seeing Results
Gaining popularity among young adults is the idea of “doing the work.” And by “work,” we mean self-improvement and becoming a self-actualized being. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we dive into this trendy topic to sort out what it really takes to evolve into your highest self.“Spirituality is having such certainty in your connection with your source that you can make sense of the most challenging things happening in your life, learn from them, grow from them, and appreciate them.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:“‘Doing the Work’ and the Obsession With Superficial Self-Improvement,” by Jessica Grose https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/03/opinion/do-the-work.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Sunday%20Opinion

S1 Ep 137137. Want to Be Great?: 5 Steps to Owning Your Innate Power
Does embracing your greatness make you feel uncomfortable? You are not alone. It seems counterintuitive that it is difficult to step into your highest self. It should be the easiest thing in the world! In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss what it takes to move through the discomfort and achieve your life’s purpose.“Engage with the question, ‘How deep is my positive impact on the people on whom I have great influence?’ That is really living a great life.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 136136. Are you Ready for Greatness?: 5 Lessons for Overcoming What Holds You Back
Have you ever felt like you were meant for something great, but something was holding you back? It’s hard to embrace our greatness. But if we can identify what’s holding us back, we can overcome the discomfort, find flow, and achieve our highest potential. Join us in this episode of Spiritually Hungry as we unpack the steps to your most successful life.“To the degree that we have ego and, more importantly, to the degree that we are not actively working on diminishing our ego, we are not going to be able to express the greatness of our soul as it is meant to be revealed.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Unlocked: Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success, by George Mumford

S1 Ep 135135. How Do I Become Immortal?: 3 Ways to Live and Leave a Lasting Imprint
Our words and our actions live on long after we have left this world. What many of us don’t realize is that the way we live our lives every day, in every moment, has the potential to render us immortal. Join us as we discuss what we leave behind when we die and the single most important question we should be asking ourselves every day.“The nature of life and death is that it is only a tiny glimpse of what lies in the unseen realms.” – Monica Berg Further Readings:“Why We Never Die” by Gabriel Rockhill, New York Times

S1 Ep 134134. You Are Never Alone: 5 Points for Rethinking Loneliness
Are you feeling lonely? While it's normal to feel lonely from time to time, chronic loneliness can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss key points for cultivating a stronger relationship with yourself and your community in order to tap into deep fulfillment and joy in life.“A positive interaction between two people creates an energy that neither one alone can create. That explains the physiological benefits of connection because there is a tremendous spiritual energy that is awakened when people come together.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

S1 Ep 133133. New Science and Spirituality : 4 Ways to Develop a Healthy Mind
Statistics about the rise of depression and anxiety are startling. But recent scientific studies show an interesting link between our physical wellness and spiritual connection. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss what modern research and ancient kabbalists have to say about achieving a greater sense of well-being and fulfillment through a strong spiritual practice.“You will never ever feel lonely if you have a strong connection to the Creator. One of the profound effects of spirituality is the inclination toward connection.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:The Awakened Brain by Dr. Lisa MillerEverything On It by Shel Silverstein

S1 Ep 132132. Living With Our Eyes Open: 4 Ways to Extract Much More Out of Every Moment
When was the last time you felt awe or wonder? Having a deep connection to the Creator means pausing daily to truly pay attention to what’s happening around you. This has become increasingly difficult with the distractions of our modern world. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry we talk about how to nurture a mindful sense of awareness.“The only way to pray incorrectly is to do it mindlessly.” – Monica Berg“How to Pray with Our Eyes Open” by Tish Harrison (NYT Article)https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/opinion/spring-nature-christianity.html A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen

S1 Ep 131131. Naturally Spiritual: 3 Parenting Tips for Raising Successful Children
Did you know that children are born naturally spiritual beings? Children who are allowed to be curious and cultivate their spirituality are more likely to thrive. If fostering a spiritual practice has not been a priority for you in your parenting, it’s not too late! This week on Spiritually Hungry, we discuss the importance of supporting the spiritual growth of our children. We invite you to join us for an important conversation about parenting and raising spiritual kids.“What motivates the guidance we offer our children? Is it about us or is it about them? It’s never too late to instill in them that everything they need to know exists within themselves. But they have to be able to find that.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller

S1 Ep 130130. Letting Go: The Secret to Manifesting Greater Blessings
It’s human nature to try to control things. Some of us, in fact, try to control everything! We spend so much time trying to control our thoughts, what people think of us, and each potential outcome around every possible corner. Of course, the truth is we can't control everything, which creates more anxiety and leads to more stress. In this episode of the Spiritually Hungry podcast, Monica and Michael explore how letting go can make you unstoppable in the pursuit of your desires. It's a great paradox. The more we surrender to the moment, the more we can be present, make space for what we truly want and show up for every area of our lives as our true authentic selves.“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up your autonomy. It means surrendering to the process and the outcome. Everything is about what you learn along the way.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 129129. I Don’t Want to Feel This Way: 5 Ways to Flip the Switch on Anxiety
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety or depression? What if we told you the key to ridding yourself of these emotions resides within you? It’s true—we are imminently capable of changing our thoughts. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we’ll explain exactly what we mean and share ideas about how you can change how you experience life by shifting your perspective and finding more clarity.“If you start to change the lens through which you view your experience of life, your experience will actually change.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 128128. Hear Me, Don’t Heal Me: 4 Powerful Ways to Show Up for a Friend
When a friend is in crisis, how do you show up? Every situation is different. And while you can’t fix someone, you can show up for them in a powerful, life-altering way. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about the act of holding space for friends in need. How do we know when to step in? And how do we show love? We invite you to listen in on this important conversation.“If you are a person who holds yourself back, the one thing you will be left with is regret.”– Monica BergFurther Readings:How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair? by David Brookshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/opinion/despair-friendship-suicide.html

S1 Ep 127127. Your Soul’s Purpose: 4 Ways to Find Meaning Through Reincarnation
Do you still have questions about reincarnation? We know you do because we received more emails about episodes 124 and 126 than about any other episode we’ve ever recorded. This week on Spiritually Hungry, we sit down to answer your biggest questions about reincarnation and what it means for you and this life you’re living right now.“One of the most fundamental truths about any attainment of wisdom is that you understand how little you do understand. The more you study, the more wisdom you gain, the more vast you realize the truth is.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 126126. What Did I Come Back to Learn?: 4 Deeper Understandings About Reincarnation
Have you ever met a stranger and felt instantly comfortable in their company? Or have you ever experienced a deep familiarity with someone you are just getting to know? You may have met them before. Kabbalah teaches that our souls connect and reconnect over lifetimes, and therefore, the people you encounter are part of your higher purpose. We invite you to join us as we continue our conversation about reincarnation in this episode of Spiritually Hungry.“The secret of reincarnation is to make practical and visceral the connectedness of all the souls we come in contact with every day.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 125125. Why Me?: 3 New Ways to Look at Life’s Biggest Challenges
Have you ever felt like the challenges you experience in life are meaningless? According to Kabbalah, every single bump in the road is there to help us evolve into something more than we are today. We invite you to join us for this live-recorded episode of Spiritually Hungry as we discuss the purpose of darkness in life.“You have the ability to say, this isn’t just a terrible thing I’m going through—there’s a purpose to this. And not only is there a purpose to this, but this is actually the purpose of life.” - Michael BergFurther Readings:Far From the Tree, by Andrew Solomon

S1 Ep 124124. Reincarnation—Why Do I Need It?: 4 Teachings That Will Change Your Life
Does life ever feel so surprising that it doesn’t seem to make any sense? We know the feeling. Nothing in life is entirely random. There are many lifetimes at play. In part 1 of this 2-part episode of Spiritually Hungry, we get into the nitty gritty of reincarnation and discuss how to go beyond simply being a “good person" so we can clear the debts of the past.“Our soul’s purpose in this world is to get back to 100% of who we actually are. The spiritual work we do as we endeavor to become a better person is what makes us greater. We keep coming back until we become 100% of ourselves.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 123123. Great Love: 5 Steps to Grow the Love in Your Relationship
What happens after that dramatic kiss in the rain? A romantic commitment is not the end of a love story. It’s just the beginning. In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are excited to bring you this episode of Spiritually Hungry, all about the evolution of love after a couple drives off into the sunset.“This internal work is never complete, it is ever-evolving, and our relationships are intended to be as well. Individuals evolve individually so they can evolve together.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:The Art of Loving by Erich FrommOutliers: The Story of Success, by Malcolm Gladwell

S1 Ep 122122. Nurture the Soul: 3 Tools for Internal Growth
How do you nurture your soul? We would love to share a few simple but essential ways to give your soul the things it needs to grow and thrive. Spirituality is not a luxury for when we have extra time or energy. Rather, it can be integrated into every aspect of our lives. Join us, Monica and Michael Berg, as we talk about how to prioritize a daily spiritual practice on this episode of Spiritually Hungry.“Spirit is something that needs to be taken care of. It’s more important than any other pursuit, including the mind or the body.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore

S1 Ep 121121. Life Lessons from Mother Nature: 6 Take-Aways from the Great Outdoors
Nature is all around us. But how often do you really connect with the great outdoors? One of the most profound lessons we can learn from the natural world is the deep interconnectedness of all living things. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss the unique ways nature can expand our consciousness and impact our lives. “I don’t think it’s possible to live the life we are meant to live unless we are learning from nature, experiencing the awesome expansiveness of nature, and then internalizing that into our consciousness.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wohlleben The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants by Karen Bakker

S1 Ep 120120. There is Power in Silence: 5 Ways to Remain Authentic When You Have Something to Say
In a desire to share their truth, some people overshare and mistake it for authenticity. Not every truth needs to be shared. Authenticity is about being brave enough to be yourself and genuine enough to live according to your values. There is a time to speak up and a time for quiet reflection. In this insightful episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of oversharing and remain aligned to your core beliefs.“When you are actively looking at another person and judging them or saying something negative about them, you are actively putting yourself in a place of darkness and negativity.”– Michael Berg“Prince Harry and the Value of Silence” by Patti Davishttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/opinion/prince-harry-and-the-value-of-silence.html

S1 Ep 119119. Awe Effect: 6 Tools to Ignite the Power of Awe
There are moments in life when we are struck speechless, so overwhelmed that we almost can’t process an experience. This is awe. It’s the feeling of being small in a way that also makes us feel part ofsomething larger. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael unpack the complexities of awe and why it’s such an important component of our spiritual practice. “In the deepest sense, awe takes us outside of physical selves and our ego into a connection with a much greater reality.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher KeltnerThe Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Lisa Miller

S1 Ep 118118. Daily Renewal: 6 Ways to Seize the Moment for Change
The New Year invites us to start new chapters in our lives. The idea of a clean slate is motivating as we pursue change, but the truth is we can start something new at any time. Every breath of every day is full of possibilities. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael welcome 2023 with deep insight about how to seize the opportunity to create change in any given moment so you can live your best life.“Learn to become comfortable and sit with the things that make you uncomfortable.”– Monica BergFurther Readings:Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life Hardcover, by Dr. Mark Hyman MD (Available – February 21, 2023)How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, by Katy Milkman

S1 Ep 117117. Your Unique Power: 3 Ways to Tap Into Your Greatest Gifts
The interesting thing about superpowers is they are often hiding in places we least expect to find them. But why is life set up in such a way that the most beautiful and powerful parts of ourselves are often concealed? And why is it so hard to discover them? In this live-recorded episode of Spiritually Hungry, with special guest Abigail Berg, Monica and Michael ask the tough questions that help us identify our most remarkable gifts we are meant to share with the world.

S1 Ep 116116. I Know I Can: 4 New Ways to See Self-Doubt
Self-doubt is part of being human. The way we use it colors our experiences in life. Kabbalists teach that the greater the potential for Light, the greater the force of darkness there will be trying to challenge that Light. That darkness can manifest as self-doubt. Join Monica and Michael as they discuss how to rethink doubt and use it to achieve your highest potential.“Self-doubt can act as the opposition that we need and create for ourselves in order to push us toward our greatness and our greatest potential.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 115115. Perfect By Design: 6 Ways to Reframe the Holidays with Family
Navigating family or group dynamics of any kind during the holidays can sometimes feel heavy. Many of us even dread it. But we always have the choice to shift our mindset to be one of gratitude and joy and, in doing so, completely transform our experience of the holidays. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss the most powerful ways to reframe your interactions with relatives during the holidays and close the calendar year with appreciation.“Every situation I am in, be it my family dynamic or otherwise, is a place for me to be restricting and growing and changing and learning. When you view it like that, the person triggering you is simply the teacher.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 114114. What We Must Learn: 4 Truths About Our Greatest Teachers
Some of the greatest teachers in our lives come to us disguised as friends, partners, children, or even a taxi driver whose story touched us somehow in a matter of minutes. They are the people who help us discover ourselves in new ways. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, join Monica and Michael as they share some of the most powerful influences in their lives and the lessons that have been deep and lasting. “The kabbalists share that in order to receive wisdom from a teacher, particularly a teacher imparting holy wisdom or truth, there needs to be great toiling or effort on the student’s part. And this toiling is usually in direct proportion to the student’s desire.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 113113. Living Inspired: 6 Ways to Keep Motivation Alive
Each of us can fall into a slump from time to time when we lack the drive to achieve our goals. Though many of us attempt to troubleshoot this problem backwards. In truth, motivation is the result of action, not the cause of it. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, join Monica and Michael for a compelling conversation about keeping desire and motivation alive as we work toward our higher purpose. “If you do not protect your desire, you will find that you lack the motivation necessary to achieve big and important things.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 112112. Do More, Care Less: 4 Tools for Letting Go of the Opinions of Others
We all want to be thought well of. That’s just how we are built as humans. Approval equals survival on a primal level. But if we become so concerned about what others think that we are reluctant to ask for what we want for fear of judgment or rejection, it’s time to reevaluate how much weight we put in the opinions of others. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss when and why to stop caring about what others think so we can place more value in our own opinions of ourselves.“If you haven’t upset anybody, you haven’t done anything.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 111111. The Gift of Being Different: 5 Ways to Identify Your Superpower
While we seldom feel blessed when challenges arise, they can provide us with a lot of good information if we’re willing and open to looking at things from all sides. In fact, kabbalists teach a concept called Olam Hafuch, an upside-down world. What if positive and negative switched places? In this upside-down world, what seems like a disaster may actually prove to be a great gift in the long run. In this very special episode recorded in front of a live audience, Michael, Monica, and their daughter, special guest Abigail Berg, discuss The Gift of Being Different. Together, Monica and Abigail created The Gift of Being Different, a new children’s book that follows Abigail as she discovers what makes us different is, in fact, our superpower.“Everybody is different. And when we really accept that and honor that idea, we remove fear and judgment. And we’re able to embrace the uniqueness that everybody has to offer.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 110110. Curiosity Creates Solutions – 4 Ways to Rethink the Stories You Tell
As humans, we have a tendency to keep rereading the same chapter of our lives, dwelling on the past, and making up stories that are not based on fact. The assumptions we make about situations and people in our lives prevent us from seeing solutions or opportunities. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to embrace curiosity so we can be more engaged in the moment, put assumptions to rest, and discover what brings us joy.“The stories that we have assumed are often a great barrier to relationships, certainly a great barrier to happiness. Curiosity is what pierces through those assumptions.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 109109. Setting Intentions: 5 Ways to Reframe Your Goals
This moment of the Hebrew calendar is a time for reflection. As we look ahead toward what the New Year has in store for us, we often set intentions, focus our desires, and create plans for change. In this live episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael answer pressing questions from the audience about healing, readying ourselves for abundance, and achieving our highest purpose.“The most exciting thing is when there is a real thirst, a real desire, not just for more blessings and more Light, but to achieve the purpose of one’s soul in this world… It’s a binary decision. There is no way that any of us can accomplish the purpose of our soul without a tremendous investment of work… Personally, I want to be of the few who actually accomplish completely what my soul came to this world to do.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 108108. Ask, Don’t Assume: 5 Ways to Stay Curious
You know what they say about assumptions? In short, they are bad. The danger in making assumptions is that they set us up for disappointment. They can easily evolve into expectations and lead us to make decisions based on information we assume is still valid. The truth is change is inevitable, which makes assumptions counterproductive. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss the best spiritual tool we have on hand to end the trap of making assumptions.“So much of our pain is based on assumptions. If we were able to really live a life that questions more and is more curious, rather than assuming, the benefit of that would be, not just that we’d be wiser and know more, but more importantly we’d have less pain and more joy.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 107107. The Foundation of Wellbeing: 5 Ways to Adopt Sustainable Self-Care
Hustle culture leads many of us to wear ourselves thin while taking care of all our responsibilities, plus the needs of everyone else. This is simply not sustainable. In order to be spiritually nourished, we must listen to the needs of our souls. If you don’t know what you want, no amount of self-care will make you happy or fulfilled. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss the foundation of wellbeing and five tools for cultivating a true self-care practice.“You can search for ways to take care of yourself. But I think the big question is, does any of that really lead you to greater happiness? It will not be possible—except maybe in the short term—unless you are really taking the time to know yourself.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 106106. 4 Easy Fixes: How to Overcome Challenges
Unexpected troubles have a tendency to overwhelm and overpower us, even when everything else in our lives looks pretty good. The truth is, the problems we face are often not as dire as they feel. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss four key ways you can turn your feelings of helplessness into empowerment.“How you respond to the stressors, the challenges, and the unknown in life is really what your life becomes.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 105105. Re-Energize Your Life: How to Radically Reprioritize Each Aspect of Your Life
Often we’re so caught up in the day-to-day that we don’t have the headspace to see what’s working for us and what isn’t. We have just entered the month of Virgo, which brings with it an energy that supports transformation. The month of Virgo is an auspicious time to re-think, re-frame, and re-energize absolutely everything in our lives. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss a step-by-step process to uncover how happy we really are so we can become clear on what is important to us and what isn’t.“The reality is that compared to the greatness of our soul and the power that we actually have, we’re like a boat lost in the ocean. Only if you start there can you create the changes that you need to make and create a new life for yourself.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 104104. Don’t Be Afraid to Want More: How to Embrace Desire
Our desires, every single one of them, are gifts from the Creator. They are invitations to follow our unique purpose, clues that lead down the path of our unfolding potential. To deny our desires is to deny ourselves. But why is it so hard to ask for what we truly want? In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to communicate our desires so we can cultivate more balance between giving and receiving. “To claim what we desire, we first have to believe that we are deserving of it.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 103103. You’re Not Broken: How to Release the Shame of Mental Health Challenges
Everyone experiences mental health challenges. Yet, wading through these difficult times can feel isolating or as if there is something wrong with you. The truth is, you’re not alone; many people struggle in the exact same way. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael lift the shame of mental health issues and discuss how to reframe your assumptions in order to overcome shame and hopelessness.“I think we need to embrace a messy life. And a messy life means there’s no room for perfection. That word is not even in your lexicon. That means each day you can have a plan—if it happens, great. If it doesn’t, then just embrace it. It’s probably going to be better than the one you had anticipated. There’s true freedom and joy in being the creator of your life.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 102102. Speed Bumps: How to Move Through Life With Objectivity
Every single one of us experiences challenging moments or times when the spotlight is on us. These times can amplify the drama of our experience. Yet the truth is, almost nothing in life is a catastrophe. And most of the time, everyone else is busy with their own lives and their own drama. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to practice objectivity in light of life’s speed bumps.“When something happens, even when you are right to be disappointed by it, in the true perspective of life, of history, or reality, it’s a tiny speed bump. It is not the end of the world.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 101101. Life’s Tiny Miracles: How to Find Appreciation in the Ordinary
When was the last time you felt awestruck? Was it last week? Last month? It’s not our nature to hold a space for daily appreciation and gratitude. However, consistent recognition of life’s little miracles leads to deeper fulfillment in life. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to find beauty in the ordinary and shift our thoughts so we can increase the level of appreciation we have for our tiny blessings.“It’s not human nature, but it is something we should fight extremely hard for every single day. Have at least one moment each day in which you are overwhelmingly appreciative, not of something great that just happened, but of the normal workings of life.” – Michael Berg Further Readings:The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

S1 Ep 100100. No, Thank You: How to Say Yes to What’s Important
It’s not uncommon to say yes to things without really considering whether it is aligned with your priorities. Saying no can leave us feeling guilty, like we’ve let others down. But if we don’t learn how to say no to others, we won’t have the time, energy, or space to say yes to ourselves. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to get clear on your boundaries, so you can spend more time on the people and things that really matter.“We only have so much time on this earth; it’s impossible to do all the things that interest you. Pick the ones that interest you the most in order to spend time with the people you love the most, including yourself. That’s the hard part: that balance.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 9999. Not Who We Used to Be: Change in the Aftermath of Life Quakes
We each experience trauma in unique ways, but one thing is certain: it forever changes us. Processing trauma comes with grief, disappointment, and a fundamental shift in how we exist in the world. However, we ultimately get to choose how it changes us. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica and Michael discuss how to weather life quakes and become softer and more open because of them.“We can either be hardened by things that happen to us, or we can know that we are changed and choose growth and transformation.” – Monica BergThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Traumaby Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

S1 Ep 9898. Love Speaks: Decoding the 5 Love Languages
How do you know you are loved? Whether you are in a relationship or not, it’s helpful to know when you most feel loved, as well as the ways you enjoy showing the people in your life that they are important to you. In this mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, Monica & Michael discuss Gary Chapman’s pivotal book, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, as a tool to better understand the important people in your life.“The Five Love Languages is a way to be empathetic and put yourself in your partner’s shoes, so you know how to give love to them in the way they want to receive.” – Monica BergThe 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman

S1 Ep 9797. Becoming a Better Couple Part 2: 4 Tools for Deepening Your Relationship
One of the most important aspects of a relationship is the work each person puts into it. When both partners are making the effort to focus on and elevate the other, a true, lasting relationship blossoms. Tune in as Monica and Michael take questions from listeners on common relationship issues and share practical advice for growing your emotional intelligence and becoming ever closer to your partner.“The reason you are in a relationship is because there’s something for you to learn from your partner in order to change and grow.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 9696. Becoming a Better Couple: 6 Ways to Rethink Balance in Relationships
When couples decide to create a life together, they often approach the relationship with unrealistic expectations. Strong relationships are built on connection and communication. Listen as Monica and Michael answer questions from listeners that address some of the most common issues couples face as they navigate responsibilities, roles, and respect in a partnership.“When you come together and decide to create a life together, build a home together, and perhaps have children, couples can have these expectations that are never discussed and aren’t really fair, and it doesn’t create connection. It’s not about right or wrong. It has to work for the couple.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 9595. Perfect Imperfections: 4 Ways to Rethink Our Mistakes
We fail and make mistakes because we are all works in progress. Life is messy. But we are not supposed to be perfect. Our flaws are the aspects of ourselves we are meant to focus on and correct. Listen in as Monica and Michael explain the deeper purpose of imperfections and why they are so important to our soul’s work in this lifetime.“What one might call the ugly parts of themselves are actually the work that their soul has taken upon themselves for the betterment of the world at large. Our imperfections are the part of the world we need to correct.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 9494. Feeling the Blue: 5 Ways Sadness Can Improve Your Life
This week, Monica and Michael continue their conversation about sadness and unpack more fascinating ways we can use our emotions to learn and grow. Recent studies show that being sad can unlock clarity, generosity, and motivation. Join us for part 2 of Monica and Michael’s illuminating conversation about feeling our feelings.“Inviting sadness to be your teacher is a sure way to start transforming it.” – Monica Berg

S1 Ep 9393. The Purpose of Sadness: 5 Ways it Can Help You Grow
As humans, we are built to experience big emotions. For some, this is uncomfortable, and we try to avoid feeling them fully. However, Kabbalah teaches that when we are in touch with our emotions, they can guide us and tell us how we’re doing. In this insightful episode, Monica and Michael discuss the importance of making space for sadness in our lives while simultaneously working to transcend it in healthy ways.“Sadness is a call from our soul telling us that things aren’t as they should be and we aren’t paying attention.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 9292. Bouncing Back: 4 Strategies for Becoming More Resilient
Things won’t always go our way. We know this. Yet, equanimity may not come naturally as we experience adversity. Resilience isn’t necessarily something we are all born with, though it is certainly something we can learn. Kabbalah teaches that the goal is not to be unbothered by difficulties but to work towards a peaceful acceptance of hardship, even as we strive to create significant change in our lives. Join us as Monica and Michael discuss how we can foster resilience in ourselves so we may push through to the other side of each challenge we encounter and emerge stronger than we started.“We are aiming to find that perfect balance of equanimity—being able to take the strong winds of life and bend with them, while at the same time, not being too rigid. The goal is to flow with life.” – Michael Berg

S1 Ep 9191. The Urgency of Now: 6 Ways to Cultivate Alacrity in Our Lives
Each of us experience times when we feel disinclined to take action or do a good deed. We put it off until tomorrow or the next day. But what happens when a few days or weeks go by? Kabbalah teaches that this kind of laziness can lead to complacency, which separates us from the Light. In this motivating episode, Monica and Michael discuss how to cultivate alacrity, do more good in the world, and invite more blessings into our lives.“If you have an idea of something positive you can do, do it as quickly as possible. If you are doing something positive, do it faster, and finish it as quickly as you can.” – Michael Berg