Your Daily Dose of Hope

The Future Still Needs You EP 93

Why your presence and potential matter, even when you don’t feel it. There are days when everything feels heavy—when you're tired, uncertain, or just plain stuck. On those days, it’s easy to believe the lie that you don’t matter or that your best days are behind you or that the problems of the world are so big and so complicated that there’s no way what you do can make a difference. I know this well. I feel that way too. But here’s the truth: the future still needs us. You and me and everyone wh...

The Power of a 1% Better Day EP 92

Today we are celebrating small wins and progress over perfection. We live in a world that glorifies big leaps, overnight success, and “all or nothing” mindsets. But real change, the kind that sticks, rarely shows up all at once. It’s built one tiny shift at a time. What if today you aimed to be just 1% better? Not perfect. Not finished. Just a little more patient, a bit more focused, a tiny step closer to the life you want. Hear what 1% might look like for you today. So today, don’t wait for a b...

The Practice of Hope EP 91

We often think of hope as something we either have or we don’t—like a mood that shows up when life is going well. But what if thought of hope differently? What if we didn’t connect it to how we feel at any given moment? What if we thought about it as something we can build, nurture, and strengthen over time? In today’s Daily Dose of Hope, I’m reframing hope as a practice that lives in our habits, our thoughts, and our small daily choices. Whether it’s the way we talk to ourselves, the way we set...

Find Hope in the "What If" with Teresa Cleveland EP 90

In this episode of Your Daily Dose of Hope, guest host Teresa Cleveland shares a cherished memory with her granddaughter that became a lifelong lesson in hope and imagination. During a quiet afternoon together, Teresa playfully suggested to her then-four-year-old granddaughter that she could "kick the sky" while swinging. What began as a whimsical moment blossomed into a powerful metaphor. As Teresa watched her granddaughter climb onto the swing, pump her legs with determination, and shout with ...

The Connection Between Hope and Confidence EP 89

At first glance, hope and confidence might seem unrelated. But if we look a little closer, you’ll find they’re more deeply connected and together they help us bring our best selves forward. Hope says, “Things can get better.” Confidence says, “I can make things better.” Here’s how they work together: • Hope gives you the vision. Confidence helps you move toward it. • Hope lights the path. Confidence takes the first step. • Hope says it’s possible. Confidence says, “Let’s go.” When you nurture on...

4 Questions to Find Your Hope EP 88

4 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need to Feel More Hopeful When life feels heavy or uncertain, hope can feel just out of reach. But hope isn’t something we find outside ourselves—it’s something we can find within. One powerful way to do that is by asking the right questions. Here are four thoughtful prompts that can gently shift your perspective and open the door to possibility and hopefulness. 1. What’s something small that went right today? 2. Who believes in me, even when I forget to beli...

We Can Do Hard Things EP 87

We can do hard things. I know that’s a popular phrase and the title of a podcast and book by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle. I first heard that a few years ago from a friend who was dealing with a health challenge and that’s what she told me. She said – we can do hard things. And she was right. What’s baked into that message is hope and resilience. It’s an acknowledgment that life isn’t always perfect, and it reminds us that we can navigate the challenges ahead. I also love that i...

Joy in Everyday Moments EP 86

Today is a special day. Not because anything extraordinary is happening, but because you’re here. It’s another day that you get to show up and do the things that bring you joy, be with the people that you love and soak up the love they share with you. It’s easy to let days get away from us. It’s not that exciting to celebrate doing laundry or going to work, or any of the other things that make up the day-to-day part of our lives. I think that’s why we HAVE to celebrate the joy in everyday moment...

2 Stories That Inspired Hope EP 84

Two powerful and very different books that explore the theme of hope are The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. While their styles and settings vary, both offer meaningful reflections on how hope can survive—even flourish—in the face of hardship, loneliness, and change.

Songs that Inspire Hope (and are great for your hope playlist) EP 85

1. “Rise Up” – Andra Day 2. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles 3. “Keep Holding On” – Avril Lavigne

What Hope Sounds Like 5: Quotes to Light the Way EP 83

Here are five powerful quotes about hope—each offering a unique lens on what it means to hold on, rebuild, or begin again: 1. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu This reminds us that hope doesn’t require perfect conditions—it just requires a glimpse of possibility. Even in our darkest hours, the presence of hope means the light hasn’t disappeared. 2. “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther Hope is often the s...

3 Steps to Reclaiming Hope EP 82

When hope feels lost, it can be hard to see a way forward—but even the smallest step can begin to shift your perspective. Here are three things you can do to begin reclaiming hope: 1. Name what you're feeling—without judgment. 2. Look for a single bright spot. 3. Ask for help or let someone in.

4 Hopeful Things You Can Count On EP 81

There are 4 fundamental truths about hope that you can always count on. That's today's Daily Dose of Hope.

Hope in Everyday Experiences EP 80

Hope doesn’t always arrive with trumpets or grand announcements. More often, it shows up quietly—like the first light slipping through the curtains after a long night. You might recognize hope in a deep breath before a difficult conversation. In the moment someone offers kindness without expecting anything in return. In the way a child believes tomorrow will be better, just because. Sometimes hope looks like getting out of bed even when your heart is heavy. Other times, it's daring to dream agai...

Crumbs of Hope EP 79

Hope has holes in it’s pockets. It leaves little crumb trails that we, when anxious, can follow it. Hope secret: it doesn’t know the destination it only knows that all roads begin with one foot in front of the other. Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer I love the idea that there are crumb trails of hope don’t you? It’s such a great mental visual that reminds me we find hope when we look for it. There’s always something that will be there for you when you need it, if you are willing to look. The poem also ...

Hope is Good for Your Mental Health EP 78

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is celebrated to increase awareness about mental health and wellness, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental illness. It provides a national platform to educate the public, advocate for better policies, and encourage open conversations about mental health. I am not a mental health expert, but I know that hopefulness helps our mental health so I want to share a few things that mental health experts want us to know and be awa...

What's One Hopeful Thing You Can Do Today? EP 77

I want to talk about recognizing what makes you feel hopeful, in good times, in everyday moments and yes, in those times when you are frustrated or sad or worried. We all know that our thoughts determine our feelings, but many times it feels the other way around. In moments of sadness or distress it can feel like my brain is in a loop of one worrying thought after another. There are legitimately challenging things that happen in life and pretending that things are okay when they aren’t, isn’t he...

How a One-Sentence Daily Journal Inspires Hope EP 76

I recently read a book about a midwife from the 18th century who kept a journal and the entries were often 2 or 3 sentences at the end of each day it a shorthand summary style. Example: Cold today. Checked that Dolly’s fever is gone. I was home. And that made me think of modern day bullet journaling. I’ve tried it but it didn’t work for me but now I have a new idea and it could be a great recording of hope. We know it’s a renewable resource – so what if writing once sentence at the end of each d...

Your Tomorrow Self Wants You To Do This EP 75

I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of your tomorrow self. I use this little trick when I really need to take care of something I’d rather avoid or do something I don’t want to do. Reminding myself that tomorrow Phyllis will be really happy it’s done, is a good way to stop procrastinating and get it done. It’s crazy how I can dread something that ends up not really taking that long. Lots of wasted mental energy there! Recently I was looking through some old journals and planners where I k...

Hope Beyond Always and Never EP 74

It’s okay to let go of always and never. Not much in life is that consistent. Sometimes I think our desire to have calm, predictable days and weeks leads us to fight against the always things that don’t show up or to not acknowledge the never things that do. Hope Beyond "Always" and "Never" In a world of uncertainty, we cling to absolutes. "This always happens" or "that never works out." These rigid beliefs offer the illusion of control but often leave us frustrated when reality refuses to confo...

Your Personal List of Hope EP 73

Today I want to do something a bit different. Each day I want to share something that will help you find hope or remain hopeful or possible share hope with someone else. It’s a renewable resource after all and we know it grows the more we share it with others. Today I want to suggest creating your personal hope list. Use your phone or something easy – don’t make this a big project. It’s best if you go with what comes to you right away. Who and what in your life keeps you hopeful or gives you hop...

Hope is Remembering and Looking Ahead EP 72

3 years ago, my younger brother passed away. He’d been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just 3.5 years earlier. I He never gave up hope. In fact, he packed a ton of living in those years even with 2 surgeries and regular chemo treatments. I miss him of course, and I wish he was still here and also appreciate his enthusiasm for life and his desire to be clear-eyed about what was most important to him. As sad as those hospice days were, they also gave me hope. I’m sharing this because i...

Seasons of Hope Spring Edition EP 71

I know I’ve talked about this before, but here in Ohio where I live we are finally having some sunny days and temperature that make you want to kick off your boots and go grab your flip flops. And there’s nothing like it. I love it all and try to appreciate it all as well. Life has a seasonality to it too. I’m truly hopeful for what’s next. I hope you are too wherever you are – that you can look back with appreciation for what you’ve accomplished and overcome and look forward with hope for the f...

Dolly Parton: Ambassador of Hope EP 70

I once heard someone refer to Dolly Parton as in American treasure and I think that feels right. she's is beloved by people in the country music world and her popularity has exceeded Way Beyond her humble Tennessee upbringing. I consider Dolly an ambassador of Hope because she’s always done things on her terms with thoughtfulness for others. In 2023 she published a beautiful book titled Behind the Seams, that is about all of her costumes and gowns and wigs and all of her clothes that she wore th...

Your Are Allowed to be Happy EP 69

Today I'm reading a post written by someone who made such a great point that hope and happiness are ours to treasure, even if things aren't perfect. 3 minutes of happiness!

Hope in Daily Moments EP 68

Life Experiences That Give Hope • Witnessing unexpected kindness - Those moments when someone goes out of their way to help another without expecting anything in return remind us of the fundamental goodness that exists in humanity, even during challenging times. We also know that our brain releases feel-good chemicals when we show kindness to others, received kindness ourselves and witness the kindness – it’s the ultimate win/win/win. • Recovering from failure or setback - The experience of fall...

Something To Hope For EP 67

Tom Bodett, author, NPR essayist, and if that doesn’t ring a bell, you may know him as the Motel 6 spokesman has said: “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” That sounds right to me too. Something to hope for keeps popping up so I decided to share a few things that we might not always connect with being hopeful to remind us that the day-to-day things help us keep hope alive and well. My good friend...

The Connection Between Empathy and Hope EP 66

Empathy—our ability to understand and share the feelings of others—serves as a profound bridge between human hearts. It allows us to step outside ourselves and truly see the world through another's eyes. But there's another dimension to empathy that's often overlooked: its intimate relationship with hope. When we practice empathy, we don't just connect with another person's pain or joy; we create the possibility for transformation. This connection forms the foundation for genuine hope—not wishfu...

The Power of Both/And Thinking EP 65

When the World Feels Overwhelming EP 64

When life feels overwhelming, especially when confronted with deeply troubling events or information that seems beyond our control, it's important to find constructive ways to respond while taking care of your own wellbeing. Start with self-care Verify information Constructive action Find community Maintain perspective Remember that even when facing serious challenges, small positive actions matter. Throughout history, positive change has often started with individuals taking modest but meaningf...