Life is messy — between burnout, stress, clutter, and emotional overload, most of us are just trying to hold it together. But you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. In this episode of This Is It! by Thriving Yinzers, we’re redding up the chaos — starting with what’s actually in our control: our daily habits, routines, and physical environment. We break down why chaos overwhelms your brain, how it hijacks executive function, and why it keeps you stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn....
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Life is messy — between burnout, stress, clutter, and emotional overload, most of us are just trying to hold it together. But you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. In this episode of This Is It! by Thriving Yinzers, we’re redding up the chaos — starting with what’s actually in our control: our daily habits, routines, and physical environment. We break down why chaos overwhelms your brain, how it hijacks executive function, and why it keeps you stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn....
Life is messy — between burnout, stress, clutter, and emotional overload, most of us are just trying to hold it together. But you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. In this episode of This Is It! by Thriving Yinzers, we’re redding up the chaos — starting with what’s actually in our control: our daily habits, routines, and physical environment. We break down why chaos overwhelms your brain, how it hijacks executive function, and why it keeps you stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn....
When life tests us with unimaginable challenges, we discover capacities for strength and resilience we never knew we had. Megan Grau's story embodies this truth in ways that will leave you speechless, inspired, and perhaps forever changed. On a single day in May 2020, while the world grappled with pandemic uncertainty, Megan's world shattered: her husband Mike was diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer, her brother was hospitalized with kidney failure, and her mother entered hospice care. ...
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. While medical treatment targets the disease, what about the person—their fears, their appearance, their family, their spirit? Laurin Scanlon from AHN's Integrative Oncology Division reveals the extraordinary support system maybe you never knew existed. The program, fully launched in 2023 after years of development, focuses on four pillars: health and fitness, diet and nutrition, image and appearance, and mind and body. What makes these services extra sp...
When life piles up fast—schedules, stress, emotions, unfolded laundry—it's easy to overlook how you're still showing up. That's why we created our #4Wins4Yinz framework, a simple tool to help you see progress when everything feels overwhelming. This episode guides you through four essential dimensions of well-being: spiritual (what gave you peace or purpose?), physical (how did you care for your body?), mental (what helped your mind feel clearer?), and connection (who did you meaningfully int...
When was the last time you felt truly aligned—mind, body, and spirit working in harmony? For too many of us, that sense of wholeness feels increasingly elusive in a world that treats our physical and mental health as entirely separate domains. Matt Plutko, co-founder and Director of Wellness at Revelations Counseling and Wellness, joins us to share a perspective on healing that bridges this artificial divide. "Studies show exercise has the same effect on the brain as Prozac," Matt explains, ...
That little word "yet" might be the most powerful tool in your mental toolkit. When you catch yourself saying "I can't do this," adding "yet" transforms limitation into possibility—opening the door to growth where you once saw only roadblocks. In this reflective conversation, we explore the science and practical application of developing a growth mindset based on Dr. Carol Dweck's groundbreaking research. Rather than viewing abilities as fixed traits written in permanent marker ("I'll never b...
Dr. Tony Kovatch, known as "Slow Tony" after being the last to cross the finish line at the 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon, shares insights from his 40+ years as a pediatrician and his philosophy on living a meaningful life shaped by personal struggles and professional triumphs. • Early exposure to his mother's battle with Huntington's disease influenced his decision to become a doctor • Viktor Frankl's logotherapy provided a framework for finding meaning in suffering throughout his life • T...
Living with intention means taking the wheel of your life instead of letting it happen to you. We explore practical strategies for making deliberate choices that align with your values and create the life you actually want. Moving from autopilot living to intentional decision-makingWhy setting boundaries might make others uncomfortable—and why that's okayHow meditation and mindfulness can shift your nervous system from fight-or-flight to rest-and-recoverUnderstanding your "why" as a fou...
Valerie Pedigo’s journey through burnout began with a shocking moment—finding herself crawling up her stairs, physically unable to walk, yet still answering work calls from the floor. This powerful visual captures what burnout truly means: not just having too much to do, but having nothing left of yourself to give. As a certified life coach, human design reader, and co-founder of Renewed Spirit Adventures, Valerie transforms her hard-won wisdom into a framework that helps women reclaim ...
When life gets heavy, sometimes the best we can do is make a hard day "nicer" rather than "good." That's the powerful distinction at the heart of our new segment and hashtag: #4WINS4YINZ Drawing from behavioral science and psychology, we're introducing a simple framework to help you notice your daily progress across four dimensions: spiritual (what gave you peace or purpose)physical (how you cared for your body)mental (what helped your mind)connection (who you meaningfully engaged with...
We explore the concept of autopilot—that feeling of going through the motions without being present and how to break free from this cycle before it leads to burnout. • Autopilot sneaks up in small ways like driving somewhere with no memory of the journey • Our brains default to habits and routines to conserve energy, especially during stress • Warning signs include feeling constantly busy but making no meaningful progress • Small, intentional disruptions can break the cycle—meditation, plann...
Dan Heffley's journey of recovery and resilience after experiencing a massive stroke at age 31 demonstrates extraordinary courage & determination as he continues to build a fulfilling life despite significant challenges. • Former Army Ranger who suffered a stroke after a carotid artery tear, affecting the entire left side of his brain • Lives with apraxia (difficulty coordinating speech muscles) and aphasia (knowing what to say but being unable to form the words) • Family support played ...
Small daily actions compound over time to completely change the trajectory of your life, whether in health, career, finances, or relationships. • Trying to change everything at once leads to burnout and failure • Starting small creates achievable wins that build momentum • Shifting perspective during challenges is crucial for finding forward momentum • Habit stacking combines new habits with existing routines for easier adoption • The 5-minute rule makes new habits feel achievable and non-th...
We've passed 412 downloads and since that's our lucky number, want to thank our listeners for making this podcast journey possible – your support means the world to us as podcast newcomers. • Our podcast aims to create a space where you can catch your breath while finding your path forward • We don't compare pain or make assumptions about anyone's story – everyone carries something • Being on autopilot might mean different things for different people, and all experiences are valid • Growth i...
We explore the transformative power of choosing betterment over bitterness when life doesn't go as planned, featuring part of Sherry's personal journey of recovery from medical and other life events. • Sherry shares how a series of small strokes affected her family life • Learning to accept a new reality and choosing better over bitter • How small daily actions compound into significant progress • Practical strategies to combat bitterness including gratitude practices • Understanding ...
In the introduction to 'This Is It: The Podcast by Thriving Yinzers,' hosts Sherry Ehrin and Jodi Chestnut delve into the inspiration behind their podcast's name and its foundational philosophy. They discuss embracing life's present moments, inspired by Sherry's late father's simple yet powerful words of wisdom. The podcast aims to provide listeners with conversations about resilience, finding hope, and navigating life's challenges. The hosts emphasize that while they are not mental hea...
Life throws challenges at us, but we don’t have to stay stuck. This Is It - The Podcast by Thriving Yinzers is here to help you conquer overwhelm, build resilience, and create the life you want—one small step at a time. Join hosts Sherry and Jodi as they explore growing through all the seasons of life. Whether you're rebuilding after hardship, navigating everyday struggles, or just looking for practical ways to keep going and growing, you’re in the right place. This is it! Let’s move forward ...
Life is messy — between burnout, stress, clutter, and emotional overload, most of us are just trying to hold it together. But you don’t have to stay stuck in survival mode. In this episode of This Is It! by Thriving Yinzers, we’re redding up the chaos — starting with what’s actually in our control: our daily habits, routines, and physical environment. We break down why chaos overwhelms your brain, how it hijacks executive function, and why it keeps you stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or fawn....
