Teaching Humanity Remotely with Dr. Mindy Shaw

In this episode, Dr. Shaw addresses what to do when you are stuck in an emotional loop, especially a negative one. This discussion was in part inspired by her 10-year-old granddaughter who, when reflecting on being in a state of agitation and exhibiting a bit of a tantrum, said that she felt like when she was in that state she wanted to stay there for a little while. Dr. Shaw theorizes that that state of being in that loop can be comfortable and comforting. She also says there are choices to be made when stuck in that state... one can re-calibrate, or one can feel the feelings as they make their way through it. She reminds us that the first phase of any transition is seeing and observing what is going on. Then be gentle with yourself and try to use your energy in a more productive way. We may think it's helpful to be in that state, but ultimately it may be harming us.

In this brief but impactful episode, Dr. Shaw tackles the subject of what to do when someone disappoints you. She is not referring to someone who falls short results-wise perhaps at work or while playing a sport... she's talking about when you are in close contact with someone who may not be the kind of person you want to have in your life. These are people who might be unkind or manipulative or gossipy, and they can be challenging when you choose to life your own with integrity. She discusses how to treat that person with respect, but to also be observant and to keep your distance. The fact is that a person who challenges us in this way also provides learning lessons for us. You must remember to know your own aim, to avoid negative behavior and to have someone you trust to be your buddy when you might be in a hostile environment. Be engaged without lowering yourself, and of course, be present. PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE #betterlife #lifecoach #education #parenting #selfhelp

In this brief but insightful episode, Dr. Shaw presents one of her most common themes in her own study of human behavior, and that premise is that behavior equals need. When you see certain behaviors from people, and in her educational experience that means children, those behaviors stem from a need that is unfulfilled. She discuss how a child that is throwing a tantrum is learning the exact wrong lesson if that tantrum is silenced or satisfied by giving the child what they want in that moment. At the same time, no two people or two children are the same or come from the same experience, so there can be differentiation between how you respond to a child expressing a need via misbehaving. If behavior equals need ... Dr. Shaw says "let's own it and get our needs fulfilled so we can behave appropriately."

In this brief but powerful episode, Dr. Shaw begins (and ends) by urging the listener to take responsibility for the choices that we make in our lives. Sometimes it will take someone else to open our eyes to a bad situation... sometimes, and hopefully more often, we can see the road map that we've laid out for ourselves and take control of where we are in life. When it's someone else guiding us, it might be because we have a blind spot about a certain person or situation. Her advice is to pay attention to that other pair of eyes. The other option is to observe ourselves over and over and over because our awareness and the learning gained from observation can steer us to the best possible choice. Your choices are up to you... your children's choices are up to them... sometimes it may not feel that way, but that's the reality. Be motived to make the right choices.

In this brief but insightful episode, Dr. Shaw talks about the concept of how we label ourselves and how it impacts our life. A "label" could be that you say you have anxiety or that you're phobic about something or any number of things. When we label ourselves we can often limit our options and limit our growth in life. Dr. Shaw talks here using illustrative examples and she discusses how to move past the limits that our own self-labels might create for ourselves.

In this brief but fascinating episode, Dr. Shaw connects the dots between the way we all suffer as human beings and the way that we all have preferences. Some of our preferences get satisfied and others don't, and when we suffer disappointment we suffer in life. Her suggestion here, using some illustrative examples, is to be more neutral about our preferences... not to the point of living a boring life, but in a way that neutralizes our suffering. It's a lesson for adults and for our children, and it will take some practice, but it's an approach that can truly eliminate much of our emotional pain.

In this meaningful episode, Dr. Shaw walks us through the importance of not just showing up, but HOW we show up... and more importantly, it's important we we remain open and not be reactionary to what's said to us. We all have the tendency to defend our actions or defend our position in interpersonal relationships. But perception is reality, and what someone feels is all that matters. We must respond to circumstances in a way that correctly matches the understanding of others, and checking for understanding is an important principle in getting that done. It's all about knowing your audience, noting and marking the common reality of the situation and paying attention to that which allows us to learn and evolve.

In this very personal episode, Dr. Shaw shares one of the topics that is very important to her in manifesting her own personal growth, and that topic is the process involved in breaking away from old habits and developing a new "muscle" in order to evolve. She describes the process as it works for her, and that process begins with self-observation. In observing ourselves, we see how we are and we can in turn compare that to how we want to be. That re-set in our mind is so valuable in creating the path to betterment. Then, in the course of this podcast, Dr. Shaw outlines the road map for personal transformation.... it begins with intention, focuses on attention, and then we can recalibrate if our old patterns that we observe and that we hold onto don't serve us any longer.

In this brief but very powerful episode, Dr. Shaw coaches us on how to have confidence and also that by being confident, we can manifest our best life. She begins by acknowledging that confidence is not about having swagger, nor is it about one-upmanship... it's about having a strong belief in oneself. By valuing yourself, the world will meet you as someone of value. She shares some of her own goals, and by doing so Dr. Shaw illustrates how meeting your goals gives you self-worth which in turn improves your station in life. We all have an old belief system in which we don't believe in ourselves, but when we see that, we simply need to recalibrate and move ahead. And again, having confidence does not mean that you need to outshine others.... in fact by shining light on others even more light reflects back on us.

In this fascinating episode, Dr. Shaw put forth the notion that SINCERITY leads to greater fulfillment. On the surface that may seem like a leap, but as she discusses and illustrates how it works, and it comes together as a smart, interesting and very true theory. She begins by talking about the power of the word, and specifically, she talks about words of affirmation. For example, if words of affirmation are offered without sincerity, they won't have the power. The same thing goes for actions in addition to words... actions that should be sincere but are not will not be as fulfilling as actions offered and received with sincerity. As with all of Dr. Shaw's teaching and podcasts, listen and ponder, and watch the puzzle pieces of life fit together.

This episode in this series presents a highly personal point of view while at the same time is completely a "must-listen" for teachers and educators. Here, Dr. Shaw discusses her recent return to classroom teaching, and in doing so she dissects her motivations, her own insecurities and her strategies for success. She talks about her self-examination and her implementation of intention. She points out that we need to recalibrate when we see ourselves going in the wrong direction and that we should demonstrate to our children what those actions look like. She discusses her own challenges, perspectives and resiliency in a way that can provide a roadmap for all of us on how to live a better professional life.

Once again, Dr. Shaw takes us on a journey through the power of positive thinking. Early in the this episode she states that "We are what we think about," and she follows that up with the philosophy that she is trying to treat people as they ought to be and not as they are. That attitude allows us to see everyone we encounter in the most positive light, and by doing that, we also create self-respect. It's a philosophy that can extend easily to our children but it is also applicable in any adult's life. One key habit to break is focusing on the negative... by marking and noting and celebration the good things that come along, no matter how small they may seem, that attention paid to the good stuff will only bring more good stuff.

In this brief episode, Dr. Shaw explores her philosophy that we should all live the life that we love, and that we should teach our children to do the same. It starts by identifying what you love. Dr. Shaw is a contributor right now at a Montessori School and she shares some of the wonderful experiences she is having there. She also mentions her children's book called "Time Out is Time In" which postulates that when a child is getting a time out they are really give the opportunity to reflect and to check in on themselves. Learning how to navigate the world is an important ingredient to learning what you love. Dr. Shaw talks about having quality relationships, and the bottom line for this topic is that the first quality relationship we need to have is with ourselves.

In this ultra helpful episode, Dr. Shaw shares the eight (8) key principles that guide her life, and she shares these in order to provide help and guidance to anyone who hears these. So many of us are looking for answers and trying to figure out what we are doing incorrectly in our lives. As Dr. Shaw says, in some ways her list of principles are obvious and common sense, but by listing them out and offering a bit of explanation for each, she really does provide a remarkable roadmap for a fulfilling life.

In this brief but timely episode, Dr. Shaw takes advantage of the turning of the page of the calendar year in order to put forth a key tenet of her philosophy.... and that is that we should treat others as they ought to be, not as they are. That practice of treating others as they ought to be puts the focus on helping and improving, and there is no better quality to a relationship than to be capable of lifting each other up. Also, the gift is remembering in the moment what that intention looks like. Wishing a Happy and Healthy and Fulfilled New Year (2026) to you and yours!