In this episode of the Love Your Brain podcast, we explore the complexities of gratitude, especially when it feels challenging. We discusses the scientific benefits of gratitude, such as its ability to rewire the brain and promote positivity. We introduce the "Two Peas in the Pod" the concepts of "purpose" and "perfection," as alternative approaches to practicing gratitude. We discuss the importance of finding purpose in difficult experiences and recognizing the balance of good and bad in life. This episode will give you back the power and allow you to discover how you can take control of your thoughts and emotions, ultimately leading to a more empowered and fulfilling life.
In this episode, we explore the profound idea that how we treat ourselves influences everyone around us—regardless of how much we might try to protect or hide our internal thoughts. We often believe our feelings and self-perceptions are isolated, but in reality, they ripple outward, impacting our relationships and our actions.
Join us as we reflect on the journey from macro-level efforts to create societal change to the micro-level impact of loving and repairing the relationship with ourselves. Through personal stories and curiosity, we delve into the power of small changes and unconditional self-love. What would the world look like if everyone loved themselves unconditionally? How might that change how we show up daily?
This episode is an invitation to consider that your biggest influence may come from within. Tune in for a gentle reminder that self-love isn’t just a personal goal—it’s a powerful catalyst for creating a better world.
Today’s episode introduces a unique and calming practice called the "Boomerang Meditation." This exercise is designed to help you create positive feelings or thoughts about something outside yourself, then send that goodness outward and boomerang it back to you. It’s a playful, reflective way to explore and strengthen your relationship with yourself, your brain, and your self-esteem. Whether you’re seated comfortably or taking a walk, this meditation offers a gentle opportunity to shift how you perceive yourself and cultivate a more loving, accepting mindset. Join us as we explore this simple yet powerful exercise to foster self-compassion and positive self-perception.
In this episode, we explore a compassionate approach to transforming how we relate to our brains. Sometimes, frustration and self-criticism can block progress, but what if we treated our minds with patience and love—just like training a puppy? Drawing parallels from child discipline, pet training, and neuroscience, we discuss how to foster positive neural pathways through reinforcement, patience, and kindness. Learn how shifting your mindset from frustration to compassion can pave the way for meaningful change, especially when facing challenges like anxiety, depression, or trauma. Join us in creating a safe, loving space for your brain to grow and evolve.
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Are you a Type A personality who loves to plan and stay on track? If so, this episode is for you. I share my personal journey from frustration with life's interruptions to discovering the power of embracing side quests — those unexpected moments that divert us from our plans but often lead to the most meaningful, fun, and even life-changing experiences.
Learn how shifting your perspective can turn interruptions into opportunities for growth, connection, and magic. I’ll talk about my own story moving from Chicago to Kansas City, and how I transformed my mindset to see unplanned encounters not as nuisances, but as valuable adventures.
Discover simple strategies to respond to life's surprises with excitement and curiosity — because sometimes, the best parts of life happen when you least expect them. Tune in for inspiration on how to make room for spontaneous joy and deepen your experience of living fully.
Connection on Instagram @theloveyourbrainpodcast
In this episode of the Love Your Brain podcast we explore innovative approaches to managing stress by focusing on the nervous system rather than the to-do list. We'll share personal insights and practical exercises to help listeners find safety and calm, ultimately improving productivity and well-being.
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In this episode of the Love Your Brain podcast we explore how small interactions can derail our day and the role of our brain's conditioning in this process. We'll discuss the concepts of 'ratio' and 'meaning' and how understanding these can help us navigate negative interactions more effectively.
Key Takeaways:
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In this episode of the Love Your Brain podcast we delve into the often misunderstood emotion of envy. We'll go deep into the reasons why envy gets a bad wrap and how the brain processes this information. Rather than viewing envy as a negative force, we'll explore how it can be a beautiful and transformative experience. By understanding the brain's role in processing envy, we can use envy as a opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Tune in to learn how to reframe envy into a positive motivator and uncover the hidden potential within your desires. #Envy #SelfDiscovery #LoveYourBrain
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In this episode of the Love Your Brain Podcast, we explore what it really means to have a relationship with your own brain. So often we hear (and maybe even say ourselves) things like, “Why does my brain do this?” or “I hate how my brain works.” But just like the cultural shift we’ve seen with our bodies—moving away from punishment and restriction toward love, care, and appreciation—our mental health deserves the same evolution.
Through stories, examples, and gentle perspective shifts, we’ll look at how your brain is often doing its best to keep you safe and efficient, even when it feels frustrating. You’ll learn how to approach your thoughts with curiosity instead of criticism, and how to start working with your brain instead of against it.
If you’ve ever struggled with negative self-talk, frustration about anxious or depressive thoughts, or just wished your brain would “work like everyone else’s,” this episode offers a compassionate new lens. Your brain isn’t the enemy—it’s your lifelong partner. Let’s learn how to care for it with the same kindness we’ve learned to show our bodies.
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In this episode, we explore the art of taking small, manageable steps to venture beyond our comfort zones. Discover how creating a sense of safety in new experiences can lead to profound personal growth and resilience. Through relatable stories and tangible ideas, we highlight the importance of stepping out into the unknown to start building new neural pathways of safety in our brains. Whether you're considering a new career path or simply trying a new hobby, learn how to incorporate newness into your everyday. Join us for an inspiring journey into the world of small steps and big transformations.
Connect with us on Instagram @theloveyourbrainpodcast and share what new thing you are trying this week!
This is the third episode in the series “The Lies I Believed” but in this episode we discuss how we actually change the lies we believed into new positive beliefs. Join us as we explore practical strategies to create new neural pathways, fostering a mindset of growth and positivity. The lies you have believed don’t have to hold you back any longer, you can now find the truth of the amazingness you have to offer this world and chose to believe differently. This episode will show you how easy it can be to change how your brain operates and give you the power to change your future.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about fortune telling lies—the kind of lies people tell us about how they think our future will unfold. These often sound like:
“Because you are ____, you’ll never be able to ____.”
Sometimes they come from a place of care, but most often they are projections of someone else’s fear, doubt, or insecurity. And when we internalize them, they can plant seeds of fear that shape the way we move through life—even if those predictions never actually come true.
I’ll share a very personal story about how I was told I would one day lose my love for people if I pursued social work—a fortune telling lie that never came true. Instead, 20 years into the field, my love and respect for people has only grown deeper. But the fear that took root from believing that lie? That did affect me, in ways I only see clearly now.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The two types of lies we’re often told: lies about identity and lies about the future.
• How “fortune telling lies” can quietly shape your mindset and decisions.
• Why these lies usually say more about the person speaking them than about you.
• A story from my career in social work that shows how fear from a lie can take root—even when the prediction never comes true.
• A reframing practice you can use when someone speaks fear over your future.
Why This Matters:
When we absorb fortune telling lies, we often let fear steer our paths—sometimes in subtle but powerful ways. But when we learn to recognize these lies for what they are, we can release them, reclaim our energy, and move forward in alignment with our truth.
If you missed last week’s episode (Part 1 of the series), I encourage you to go back and listen. I shared how lies about identity—being told I was “too muscular” to be a ballerina or “too sensitive” for certain careers—shaped the course of my life. This week builds on that conversation and invites you to look at the lies spoken over your own future.
Many of us are walking around with a false narrative running in the background of our brains that’s negatively impacting how we see ourselves and our overall mental health. In this episode we are breaking down the two different categories of lies people often believe and how that impacts both identity and decision making. I also share two lies I believed from a young age and how it impacted a large part of how I showed up in the world into adulthood.
Highlights:
-How to identify beliefs that might not align with you or are no longer serving you
-How lies that we believe impact virtually every part of our lives
-How to find the positive in what might seem like a negative attribute
-How to use evidence to change your belief system
Welcome (or welcome back!) to the Love Your Brain podcast! 🎉 Today is a BIG day. I’ve been hinting at this for a while, and the moment has finally come — I’m sharing the exciting news I’ve been holding in:
👉 We’re launching an online community for Love Your Brain listeners!
This space has been born from your feedback, the real-life conversations we’ve had, and the overwhelming desire for a supportive, like-minded community to walk with on this journey of mental wellness. This isn’t just a chat space — it’s a place where we’ll grow, share tools, encourage each other, and learn how to love our brains more everyday.
🎧 In this episode, I’m sharing:
-The heart and vision behind our new community space
-A sneak peek into our brand-new podcast series: “The Lies I Believed”
This series is about challenging long-held, limiting beliefs that have shaped our lives in quiet but powerful ways — beliefs we didn’t even realize we were carrying. I’ll walk you through my own belief rewrites and invite you to explore yours too.
Why this matters:
Your beliefs are the silent blueprint of your life. If they’re not aligned with your truth, your experience of life can feel small, heavy, or disconnected. But change is possible — and we’re doing it together.
✨ Whether you’re new here or a long-time listener, now is the perfect time to join the Love Your Brain journey in a deeper way.
In this episode of the Love Your Brain podcast, we dive into the listener question related to how to stop late night snacking. We'll explore the underlying reasons behind this habit, offering insights into how our brains and bodies interact with food. We'll share practical advice on how to address the root causes of unnecessary eating, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and emotional fulfillment.
Key Points:
The connection between late night snacking and emotional needs. How to identify the "itch" you're trying to scratch with food.
The role of human connection in eating habits.
Practical exercises to process emotions and reduce unnecessary eating.
The importance of self-inventory and building a positive relationship with oneself.
Join us next week for a new series and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
It’s officially the two-week countdown until I announce something brand new and exciting for this podcast community—and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Make sure you’re subscribed and on the so you’re the first to know!
But that’s not all…
In just two weeks, we’re also kicking off a brand-new series—one that’s going to be a little more vulnerable than usual for me. I have a feeling it’s going to hit home for a lot of you too.
Before we dive into all that, I’m circling back to a topic that just keeps coming up in your messages and episode requests.
Today, we’re talking about… decision-making, but specifically as it relates to career.
I get it. The mental tug-of-war, the “should I stay or should I go,” the endless ping-ponging between options… it’s exhausting. And let’s be honest—it’s quietly draining our time, energy, and joy more than we realize.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
• What “decision-making limbo” actually does to your brain and energy levels
• Why the whole “Option A or Option B” mindset keeps us stuck
• The power of exploring “Option C” (or D, or E…)
• How our brains can’t always predict outcomes—and why that’s not a bad thing
• A tool to help you generate new paths forward (yes, we’re talking about ChatGPT!)
• Why your exhaustion might not be from work, but from work that drains your soul
• And how to begin designing a path that aligns with your real values—not just survival mode
If you’ve been paralyzed in indecision, this episode is a gentle but honest invitation to zoom out, get creative, and take your brain out of the tight grip of either/or thinking.
👀 HINT: What if the best option isn’t one you’ve even considered yet?
Hey friends — today’s episode is short, sweet, and straight from the heart. 💛
I felt led to share a gentle reminder that might go against everything we’re used to hearing: Doing less is not lazy. It’s actually powerful.
So much of what we talk about on this podcast revolves around doing — how to feel better, how to improve your brain, how to live a more aligned and productive life. And while those things are valuable, there’s another side to that coin we don’t talk about enough:
✨ The healing power of not doing.
In this episode, we explore:
• Why “doing nothing” gets such a bad rap in our culture
• How your value is not tied to your productivity
• What it looks like to experience life rather than rush through it
• The beautiful shift that happens when you give yourself permission to be instead of do
• A simple way to visualize what “doing less” could look like for you
• And… a little sneak peek at something new coming soon! 👀
If the idea of slowing down makes you a little uncomfortable — this one is especially for you.
Remember: You are valuable even if you don’t do a single thing today. Just being you is enough.
💌 Don’t forget to follow the podcast so you don’t miss what’s coming in the next few weeks — I’ve got something exciting in the works to help you bring more rest, reflection, and intention into your life.
⸻
💬 Let’s Stay Connected:
If this episode spoke to you, send it to a friend who might need this reminder too. And tag me on social — I love hearing what’s landing with you. 🫶
@theloveyourbrainpodcast
Let’s be honest — most of us have a mental to-do list that never quits. That little voice reminding you to send that email, clean out the garage, or finally text Aunt Judy. Sound familiar?
In today’s episode, we’re diving into why a good old-fashioned brain dump might just be the reset your mind is craving. You’ll learn how the clutter in your head (think: mental junk drawer) is secretly draining your focus, energy, and even your sense of direction. But don’t worry — I’ve got you.
We’ll walk step-by-step through my favorite brain dump method — one that’s not only therapeutic but also super practical. You’ll learn how to:
Offload all the unresolved thoughts, tasks, and worries swirling in your head
Organize them into clear, color-coded categories
Identify what’s urgent, what’s meaningful, and what’s just noise
Turn big overwhelming goals into bite-sized, doable steps
Build trust with yourself by showing up for the stuff that really matters to you
Whether you treat this like a Sunday reset or a once-a-month mental detox, this tool is going to help you clean out that headspace and refocus your energy where it counts — on what matters to YOU.
Grab a pen, open a doc, or fire up that spreadsheet. Let’s get all those thoughts out of your head and into a plan. 🧠📝
Today’s episode is all about a concept you’ve probably heard tied to college kids — the gap year — but I’m flipping it on its head and making it make sense for midlife.
👀 Ever felt stuck in a rut, wondering if this is really all life has to offer?
⚡ Ever craved a reset but convinced yourself you couldn’t afford the time, money, or space to do it?
What if I told you a shorter, more intentional version — a Gap Quarter — could be the most transformative thing you ever do?
In this episode, I’m sharing:
Why the Gap Quarter is just as powerful at midlife as the traditional gap year is for 18-year-olds.
The science behind breaking from routine and why your brain needs novelty to grow.
How I personally planned, structured, and navigated my own Gap Quarter — including the surprising things I tried (hello, improv and modeling 👋).
Common fears and obstacles (money! responsibilities! time!) — and how to work through them.
The mindset shifts and practical tools that helped me reinvent how I see myself, my work, and my life.
Whether you’re burnt out, uninspired, or just feeling the pull for something more, this episode is your permission to pause, reflect, and reimagine what your next chapter could look like. 💫
🎧 Press play and hear how this 3-month experiment changed my confidence and my entire outlook — and why it might be exactly what you need too.
☂️ In this whimsical and uplifting episode, we explore what it means to embody the energy of Mary Poppins—the practically perfect blend of fun, magic, and grace.
Mary Poppins didn’t just care for the children; she transformed the entire family through her ability to bring joy, wonder, and playfulness to everyday life. And she did it all while keeping her poise and boundaries.
We’re breaking down how you can tap into this same energy to bring the magic to life and how we can use fun to grow and learn even as adults.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
The power of playfulness and imagination in adult life
Why fun is not frivolous—it’s transformative
How to hold both playfulness and structure at the same time
The importance of following the flow of life and unexpected adventure
How we can all let our magic shine through naturally
🎧 Tune in now to embrace your inner Mary Poppins and start sprinkling a little more magic, fun, and wonder into your everyday life.