Calm & Confident You
Episodes
74 episodes
#49 Stay Calm and Carry On: A Patience Playbook
Using a several days frustrating experience as an example, five pointers for maintaining patience are presented.
#48 Emergency Anxiety: Finding Calm Amid the Chaos of Uncontrollable Events
In this episode, I suggest ways to reduce anxiety that is in response to distressing world events that are outside of our control.
#47 Notice Your Breath without Drifting
It is well known that slowing one's breath and focusing attention on breathing helps with calming and with stress management. But people struggle to keep their focus and start thinking of other things. There are some questions to ask which will...
#46 Pay Attention! Don't Turn Away
In this episode, I discuss the importance of paying attention to discomfort, not always trying to distract away from it.I mention the app: Mindfulness Bell
#45 Do You Think Negative Thinking Causes Depression?
New research changes assumptions about the relationship of negative thinking to the depressed mood state.The book, "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by Aaron Beck is mentioned.Research about depressed people's thinking states was pre...
#44 Simple Self-Care During the First Painful Weeks of Recovery
This episode covers the topic of self-care during the initial, painful phase of physical recovery. Hear about strategies, personal experiences, and practical advice to help you navigate these challenging early days with gentle exercises to e...
#43 Tweaking Attitude Over Time and Situational Struggles
- The author is recovering from rotator cuff surgery about a week and a half ago.- They discuss the ups and downs of pain and outlook during their recovery.- They talk about the importance of managing their attitude.- On a ...
#42 Putting It to the Test
In this episode, I demonstrate the use of directing one's mental focus in a way to manage mood and outlook as I am still experiencing pain following surgery.I reference the book, "The Joy of Appreciative Living," by Jacqueline Kelm
#41 How Much Should You Stretch Your Comfort Zone?
In this episode, we delve into the concept of stretching one's comfort zone for personal growth. The host reflects on her upbringing and the influence of her cautious mother. However, desiring new experiences, she started embracing opportunitie...
#40 The Importance of a Pleasant Human Interaction, even with a Stranger!
I talk about "affiliation" as a basic human need and give examples of some simple interactions which helped to lift my mood.
#39 My Source of Motivation Today
In this podcast episode, I explore the complex nature of motivation, highlighting the role of rewards, punishment, benefits, and discomfort in driving behavior change and promoting healthy habits. I use myself as an example regarding how I can ...
#38 Take One Step at a Time and Don't Stop
In this episode, I tell the story of how I struggled with my physical abilities and insecurity in my school years, which affected my self-esteem. I gradually built confidence by lifting weights and gradually increasing my physical effort. E...
#37 Shifting Anger to the Undeserving
In this episode, I discuss the defense of Displaced Anger. I touch on a few of the reasons it occurs and what you can do about it.
#36 Higher Value Happiness
In this episode, I talk about different types of happiness experiences. I give you examples and explain how you can increase your overall happiness in a way that lasts.
#35 "You are so mean! Never Mind What I Did."
In this episode, I discuss the defense mechanism called "Victim Stance." I explain the various ways it presents, its purpose and effect, and suggest a way to manage it.
#34 Consistent Mini Joyful Experiences
In this episode, I discuss the importance of small but consistent joyful experiences to improve overall mood. I give a few examples of what worked for me when I was in a two-week-long funk.
#33 Who is Calling the Kettle What?
In this episode, I explain the defense mechanism - projection and the strange behavior of one accusing another of the very thing they are doing.
#32 What Are You Getting Out Of It?
This week, I explain the concept of secondary gain, how it comes about and why. I provide a variety of examples.
#31 Analyze Problems into Infinity!
In this episode, I discuss the defense mechanism called "intellectualization" in which thinking is used to distance from underlying feelings.
#30 Intentional Visualization
In this episode, I discuss the practice of intentional visualization in which time is spent imagining a desired outcome. I explain how you can put this to use in your daily practices and how it can benefit you.
#29 Do Your Questions Defeat You or Lead You Forward?
In this episode, I talk about the kinds of questions we think to ourselves or that we say in daily conversation which are not helpful. I present a different kind of question to start asking.
#28 Three Ways Minimization is Used to Fool Us
In this episode, I talk about minimization as a cognitive distortion, a defense mechanism, and a form of manipulation.
#27 Are You Looking for or Waiting for Pleasure?
In this episode, I talk about making the conscious decision to notice things that bring you happiness or cause you to feel pleasure.