In this special two-part episode of Something to Normalize, Ginny and Brandi each share their stories of losing someone central to their lives and the grief that followed. Grief can be a complex, unpredictable, overwhelming, and isolating experience. And there are so many misconceptions about what it “should” be like. What’s worse than grieving the loss of someone you love and then feeling isolated or wondering if the way you’re grieving is somehow wrong? In this episode, Ginny and Brandi explai...
May 26, 2023•52 min•Ep 607•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Thomas Insel, a highly respected mental health expert, found inspiration in an honest comment from a frustrated family member. He was speaking to a group of mental health advocates about the advances in research and treatment when a man stood up to tell him that their family’s house was on fire, and Insel was only discussing the chemistry of the paint. This striking remark compelled Insel to reevaluate his priorities and look for ways to make a real impact on mental health care. He went on t...
May 23, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 606•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever felt like this? That showing vulnerability is weakness, that asking for help is a sign of incompetence, or that everyone else has the very thing you’re struggling with all figured out? These misconceptions can lead us to isolate ourselves and feel shame about our own struggles. Ginny and Brandi are here to share the power of normalizing our human experiences and how it can dissolve shame and create meaningful connections between us. This is the first episode of a special 5-episode ...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 605•Transcript available on Metacast Eric and Quan Barry discuss the power of intentionality in life and art and some of the important themes that show up in her writing. Quan shares her insights on the importance of consciously feeding our thoughts and actions in positive ways. The conversation delves into the importance of creativity, the role of gratitude in personal growth, and the challenges of staying open to new experiences, as well as... How attention is a form of deep listening The importance of living a deliberate life Ho...
May 16, 2023•53 min•Ep 604•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Chris Palmer is a psychiatrist with a wealth of personal experience and professional expertise in the field of mental health. Having faced mental health challenges himself, Dr. Palmer has a unique understanding and empathy for those who struggle with mental illness. His determination to make a difference in the lives of others is fueled by witnessing his own mother’s battle with mental health and the impact it had on their family. Grounded in both personal and professional experience, Dr. Pa...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep 603•Transcript available on Metacast Ralph De La Rosa explains how there is an important connection between nature and mindfulness. He encourages listeners to engage with nature in mindful presence and open their hearts to the natural healing force of the environment. In this episode, you’ll learn how connecting with nature can be a simple yet impactful way to improve mental and emotional health, and also… How connecting to nature fosters healing and resilience Why spending time in nature more readily draws our attention to mindful...
May 09, 2023•59 min•Ep 602•Transcript available on Metacast Nikki Eisenhauer suggests that practicing mindfulness, being present in the moment, and consciously minimizing distractions such as excessive scrolling can help reduce inner chatter. She mentions the need for repetition and consistency in making these lifestyle changes, as well as replacing old, unhelpful habits with new ones that encourage a serene, focused state of mind. You'll Also Discover: How to take control of your personal journey by embracing responsibility and fostering growth Masterin...
May 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep 601•Transcript available on Metacast Meet Laura Cathcart Robbins, an inspiring writer and speaker who advocates for representation and inclusivity in addiction recovery for people of color. Laura has transformed her personal journey into a message of hope and resilience that has touched the lives of countless individuals. Her powerful storytelling, vulnerability, and candid approach to her writing have made her a sought-after personal essayist and author of a captivating memoir. Laura's passion for promoting empathy and understandi...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 600•Transcript available on Metacast April is National Poetry Month and we put together this special episode to pay tribute to the late poet, Mary Oliver. Special guests James Crews, Danusha Lameris, Ross Gay, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and Ginny Gay will read one of their favorite Mary Oliver poems and share why the poem is meaningful to them. Whether you are a fan of Mary Oliver's work or are just learning about her for the first time, we hope you'll be inspired by some of the beautiful poetry in this episode! For more on this ep...
Apr 28, 2023•31 min•Ep 599•Transcript available on Metacast Get ready to dive into a conversation with Martha Beck and Rowan Mangan, two inspiring individuals known for their incredible ability to guide others towards living an unscripted life. Together, they make a dynamic duo that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace your own unscripted life. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How to distinguish between intuitive and habitual responses that lead to making more informed decisions in your life. Understanding what it means to be living in a le...
Apr 25, 2023•59 min•Ep 598•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: Learning to not resist the pain and grief of a terrible loss to find healing What it means to trust in life, even when the worst thing comes true How poetry embraces life’s greatest paradoxes Asking the question “is this the path of love?” Using the word “Hello” as a way to greet what’s going on within her How to embrace the unknown and cultivate trust during life's unpredictable moments Learning to boost personal growth and mindfulness with the help of powerful ma...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr•Ep 597•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: How to utilize our five senses to more deeply connect with the world Why exploring the world through your senses to experience life more vividly and playfully. How sensory experiences are a meaningful way to connect with others. Keeping a “5 Senses Journal” as a useful tool as a form of appreciation How to elevate everyday moments with heightened sensory awareness techniques. Why sharing impactful sensory memories with others can foster deeper connections Understan...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 596•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: How we can discover unique ways to approach discomfort and uncertainty that leads to personal growth and creativity. Recognizing the significance of small acts of kindness and acknowledging progress in life. Why finding simple beautiful things can be powerful and can help us through grief or difficult times How humor can be the bridge that connects joy and grief Learning to be present with ordinary things broadens our appreciation for them How being willing to ask ...
Apr 14, 2023•59 min•Ep 595•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why it's important to keep asking questions, even when the answers may keep changing The challenge of going through a big life change and not expecting clear answers How looking back through your past can bring clarity to where you are and who you are now Staying open and curious when life is challenging is what keeps you from being stuck. Learning to work with and quiet the loud inner critic Why investigating and taking responsibility for your own role in relation...
Apr 11, 2023•53 min•Ep 594•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, you'll learn: How poetry and writing can be a spiritual practice Recognizing the feeling of joy and aliveness that comes from ordinary moments How inspiration can come from the practice of just showing up Why fear is a regular companion on any creative journey The importance of nurturing our inner life and spirit How self compassion is about embracing whatever comes up within you Why it's important to create a regular practice for whatever brings you joy How poetry can hold both...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 593•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn How his “delight” project was about learning to pay attention Discovering that joy and delight are abundant if you are looking and paying attention Defining joy and all that accompanies this profound emotion How talking about joy and gratitude helps with the difficulties in life The importance of laughter and how it connects us to joy Why we need to slow down and listen to our bodies How busyness is a way of avoiding or escaping How writing can be a tool for self di...
Apr 04, 2023•57 min•Ep 592•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why your attitude and how you pay attention is so important when it comes to mindfulness Understanding the 3 important pillars of mindfulness: intention, attention, attitude How have a mindfulness practice prepares the mind for learning Why shame stifles our ability to learn and grow How we can learn to remember to practice mindfulness by developing daily habits The question you can ask yourself in the morning to prime your mind to look for the good throughout the ...
Mar 31, 2023•44 min•Ep 591•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn … Why we need to honor the history of our ancestors like Harriet Tubman How struggle and hardship are universal and also necessary to learn and grow How Spring came to explore and write about the spiritual nature of Harriet Tubman The lesson and legacy of Harriet and how we can learn to break free from the “prisons” of our mind Defining internal, outer. and ultimate abolitionism and the significance of each phase How the north star symbolizes a guiding light of hope...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 590•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: Exploring the complexity of emotions within us and how our choices feed into that: How to navigate caregiving and its unique challenges How can we better understand the multiplicity of feelings and desires inside of us How the process of writing can allow you to process and find distance from tough emotions The challenges in accepting aging and mortality How paying attention is critical in both creative endeavors and in life The importance of staying curious and un...
Mar 24, 2023•52 min•Ep 589•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn How to investigate suffering and learn how to work with it in a fresh way Why we need to explore the impact of greed, shame, and other "giants" in our daily lives Understanding the power of apology and how it can help us move away from shame and toward freedom How to start bring our actions in alignment with our values to guide your spiritual path Learning to how to acknowledge your trauma and also take responsibility for healing To Learn More, click here See omnyst...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 588•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: How has science proves that practicing self-compassion is more beneficial than self-criticism How touch can be used as a way to activate the body's natural responses to self-compassion Exploring the myths of self-compassion and how it is a powerful antidote to shame How we can use our relationships with close friends as a template to be more compassionate with ourselves Why it's helpful to discover our "inner ally" as opposed to our "inner enemy" The importance of ...
Mar 17, 2023•39 min•Ep 587•Transcript available on Metacast In This Episode, You'll Learn: How slowing down the mind and increasing concentration leads to freshness in the creative process Why we need to pay attention to both our natural and habitual tendencies Why there is power in moments of uncertainty and how we can one navigate them How fear and doubt are common struggles when trying to create something meaningful How specificity leads to higher levels of thinking and less reactive behaviors To Learn More, click here See omnystudio.com/listener for ...
Mar 14, 2023•55 min•Ep 586•Transcript available on Metacast In this Episode, You'll Learn: How a deeper spiritual life bring us inner freedom Defining the term “overculture” and how we’re impacted by this strong voice Why many people struggle with the various spiritual traditions How we can learn to trust our own connection to the sacred Why there is often a feeling of relief when we find and go deeper on our spiritual path How we can discern between the good and bad voices that influence us Why “spiritual sampling” can be troublesome How distractions ar...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 585•Transcript available on Metacast In the episode, you'll learn: Eric shares his story of his lowest points of addiction that led him to recovery How shame is usually at the center of the addiction cycle Why a fundamental aspect of AA is finding meaning in helping others How one can define spirituality as connecting to what matters most to you in your life Defining and practicing some of the core principles to live a good life The challenges of being present is how we relate to our thoughts about the present moment Why finding th...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 584•Transcript available on Metacast In this Episode, You'll Learn: How there are many different forms of grief Why we need to surrender to our grief and turn toward painful feelings How there are many painful emotions that exist under the "grief umbrella" The challenge of surrendering to grief in a culture that constantly pushes for happiness and avoidance of pain. How we can strengthen our ability to cope with grief by continuing to allow it in The importance of finding emotional support when grieving Why animals provide the best...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 583•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode with Nedra Glover Tawwab, you'll learn: Why it’s important to connect who you are and who you were in relation to your family How we can learn to recognize unhealthy relationships in our family dynamics How shame limits our ability to be honest with ourselves and others Why we need to unlearn certain ideas of what love means How to manage a relationship with someone who won’t change The difference between changing behavior and changing personality How can we move away from unheal...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 582•Transcript available on Metacast In this Episode, You'll Learn: The importance of being with and opening up to pain to find healing Why working with a spiritual teacher can be an important part of a healing path How awakening experiences are doorways we must walk through to find spiritual growth The value of community in a spiritual journey How to discover the deep experience of life's ordinary moments What Zen and poetry have in common What it means to come home to and discover a deeper part of ourselves To learn more about He...
Feb 24, 2023•45 min•Ep 581•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Deepak and Eric discuss his new book, Living in the Light: Yoga for Self-Realization . How awareness can be defined by what it is and what it isn't The purpose of meditation and the value it can bring to your life Why it's important to understand that there is no good or bad meditation The ancient teachings of yoga and how the different yoga poses are shifts in awareness Defining the different types of yoga and their meanings To learn more about Deepak Chopra, click here See omn...
Feb 21, 2023•43 min•Ep 580•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we discuss radical self-love: what it is, why we struggle to practice it, and the pathways to cultivate it so that we become the highest version of ourselves. You'll also learn: How radical self love is defined and how it differs from self esteem or self confidence Why we need to uncover our issues with self love that result from damaging societal messages How to bring inquiry, the thinking, doing, and being proces,s that leads to insight and healing How it takes repetition and ...
Feb 17, 2023•53 min•Ep 579•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, you'll learn: How to defining burnout and learning how to identify symptoms of burnout Why the stereotypes of men and women in their family roles can be damaging The importance of mothers giving themself permission to take breaks from their children What leaders and organizations can do to avoid burnout in their workplaces How change needs to happen on the individual, organization, and society levels to combat burnout To learn more about Jacqueline Kerr, click here. See omnystud...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep 578•Transcript available on Metacast 
