The Wisdom Coalition Podcast — Well Of Wisdom (WOW)

How you perceive the world is really the key to your happiness and your success, according to our guest Lynda Ross Vega who recently released a book with co-author Gary Jordan, called, Unlock the Power of Your Perception: Claim Your Natural Strengths, Reframe Your Weaknesses, Reshape Your Most Important Relationships. Vega says, "We spend so much time chasing our weaknesses." She says understanding our perceptual style will show us our strengths and give us an opportunity to focus on those instead. A great discussion to help you understand why you think the way you do and how you can use the power of your perception to unlock your full potential. To find your perceptual style, you can take an assessment at https://www.yourtalentadvantage.com/.

They say it's the most wonderful time of the year, but that certainly is a lot of pressure, isn't it?! With that kind of expectation, it's no wonder we can end up feeling stressed, exhausted, and disappointed. In this episode, Kim and Nancy https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/, examine how we can let go of unrealistic expectations so that we can really enjoy the season. They look at how expectations can create a turmoil in many situations that we just don't need. Take in this information so you can enjoy your next big event without strings attached.

We have all had those moments that change everything. When something turns your life upside down, it's positivity that can help you find your way again, says our guest Tracey Iraca, retired Executive Director of the MDS Foundation https://www.mds-foundation.org/ , who suffered a significant spinal cord injury in 2022. Tracey shares her difficult, personal journey, as it continues to evolve with adaptations and a positive attitude. Tracey is living a different life than she did before, but she says she's discovered things about herself that are so valuable, and that now carry her and sustain her. Listen to this remarkable woman share her story, her hopes, and her inspiration. Her words might just help you the next time your life changes in the blink of an eye.

“We are joy at the core,” says Lisa McCourt, https://lisamccourt.com/ author of the new book, Free Your Joy: The 12 Keys to Sustainable Happiness. Lisa dives into the specific methods she teaches to show people how to build authentic, sustainable joy every day. Lisa tells us how to find and elevate your “joy setpoint”, so you can discover the inner peace and joy you were meant to live with.

Did you ever wish you could step out of your life and rediscover yourself again? Did you ever want to explore what’s troubling you in a place that wraps you with love? This is what happens at Tumble Tails Farm in Coopersburg Pennsylvania https://www.tumble-tails-farm.com/ with animal assisted interventions. Why animals? Because they can sense our energy and help us to tune in to ourselves. Nancy and Kim speak with farm owner Gail Hunsberger, and explore what they learned about themselves at a recent visit they took to Tumble Tails. Listen into this insightful discussion so you can learn about your life, your heart,and how to connect with yourself.

“Freedom is a skill, not a pill. Once you’ve trained your body and mind how to do it, it will begin to happen all by itself while you continue to enjoy all the other bits of your life,” says Bob Gardner, Founder of The Freedom Specialist, https://www.thefreedomspecialist.com/ a body based approach to happiness, health, and well-being. Bob says we can be free from struggles, things like anxiety, addiction, chronic pain and depression, by retraining our minds to react differently to our bodies. Bob has developed a formula that involves breath work and self-reflection that he says is the road to freedom.

Even in the worst possible time, can you be your best possible self? In this podcast, we explore Nancy’s realization that being her best self as her father passed away was an incredible gift she could give to everyone she loved. She felt a domino effect that triggered love, compassion and strength in her other family members. In this episode, Nancy and Kim of https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/ explore the incredible power of the best possible self and explain this positive psychology term that can change and brighten your life anytime.

“Self-sabotage is self-protection in disguise,” says our guest Laura K. Connell https://laurakconnell.com/ a trauma-informed author and coach. She has a new book coming out called, It’s Not Your Fault: Unconscious Reasons We Self-Sabotage And How To Stop. Connell explains ways that we abandon ourselves, the reasons why we do, and the understandings we should have about ourselves to limit this behavior. She says many times we continue behaviors we needed to survive growing up that we don’t need today, but we don’t know how to change our lives and our reactions. Tune in to learn more!

After an earthquake, we might experience aftershocks that are sometimes just as damaging as the original event. Turns out our emotional landscape can be just like that. Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, https://drgerilynnutter.com/ a clinical psychologist has a new book out called. Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today. She explains how we can continue to be troubled by stressful events from the past with delayed mental health symptoms. But, she says, our timeline is our timeline, and that’s okay. Dr. Utter explains what you need to know about the pain that lingers, why it does, and how you can make sense of it.

What do you choose to see and what do you choose to be blind to in your life? Are you really seeing what’s right in front of you, or are you concocting a story that is only based on your thoughts and not on reality. The ladies of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/ explore engaging questions about how you can really focus the lens on your life, your relationships and your future.

When was the last time you were awestruck? When you looked at something or felt something that filled you with a feeling of wonder. These moments can have a huge impact on our lives, our outlook, and our capacity for love.These experiences shift our attention away from ourselves and make us feel we are part of something greater. In this episode, Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/, explore how you can increase your opportunities for wonder and awe and how you can harness that power to feel more joy and positivity.

We will all face a crisis at some point. How can we navigate these difficult times in the best way we can, embracing our best selves and the positive impact we can have on other people? Kim and Nancy of The Wisdom Coalition, dig into the latest science on the subject, but also their recent personal experiences with hardship. Positive psychology teaches us to feel ALL or our feelings while still being open to the joy that surrounds us. Kim and Nancy create a verbal handbook you can consider and take with you to navigate the next difficulty in your life with strength, kindness, love, and resilience.

After a traumatic childhood, David Dennis is living his life “with urgency.” He wants to create his best life, but also share what he has learned about thriving, despite disaster. David is a licensed counselor and President and CEO of Eckerd Connects, a child welfare non-profit. His new book is called Gameness: Land on Your Feet, Not on Your Feelings. He tells us what “gameness” is and how you can have it too! He says we should all ask ourselves, “Am I living a life I feel good about?” David also explains the four elements of “gameness” that he has developed in the book.

Do you hate to exercise? Think of it as “joyful movement” instead. Our guest says joyful movement is like Miracle Grow for the brain. And what’s even better is if you get to move and play with other people! All of this is hugely important to our well-being. Dr. Elaine O’Brien, PhD, MAPP https://elaineobrienphd.com/ one of the most informed academics on the intersection of the science of happiness and human movement science, has co-authored a book called The Power of Play: Optimize Your Joy Potential. And, oh by the way, Elaine is one of the first people in the world to earn a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, under Dr. Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology! She explains how and why we should play because she says, “Play provides the foundation to be resilient.” Listen to her great advice, wonderful enthusiasm and powerful words.

Do you find that you take steps to minimize yourself without even knowing it? Do you sacrifice your own needs for the needs of others? Have you stayed silent in a relationship to keep the peace? Do you distance yourself from what you really feel? In this podcast, Nancy and Kim, of The Wisdom Coalition https://www.thewisdomcoalition.com/ , explore Silencing the Self (STS) theory and how it relates to women, especially women over 40-years-old. They discuss ways to recognize when we silence ourselves, how to find our true selves and proudly be who we are without caution or trepidation.

After the tragic suicide of her husband, Lynette Eddy set out to find out how she could have helped him out of the spiral he fell in to. Her plunge and research allowed her to write her book, The Fight Inside: Winning the Battle Between Your Ego and True Spirit, which details how people can overcome destructive thoughts. Eddy, a social worker and creator of the Open Heart Mindfulness approach to life, is also founder of Eddy House (www.eddyhouse.org), a nonprofit that focuses on helping homeless and at-risk teens in Reno, Nevada. She says everything in life comes down to our thoughts and whether we side with fear (our ego) or love (our spirit). She describes how we can understand ourselves and the intersection between our thoughts and our actions.

How do you handle your emotions? The difficult ones? The fantastic ones? How could your life be better if your emotional regulation was different? Experts say emotional regulation is the key to our success, our relationships, and our level of joy. We speak with Jason Sizemore, co-executive director of the Mindful Child Initiative (MCI) in Allentown Pennsylvania. https://themci.org/, a non-profit that teaches kids in schools and the adults who care for them about mindfulness. Jason says when he knows he has something difficult coming up, he “takes a pause for joy” to get ready.

“Our lives are a summation of the choices we make,” says our guest Dr. Sherry Skyler Kelly, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist at Mind and Heart Coaching https://mindandheartcoaching.com/ . Dr. Kelly deconstructs our attitudes about choices and gives us a tangible framework to understand how to make choices that will propel us to our best life. We discuss why choices are so difficult, why we avoid choices, and how to give up the struggle to make the “right choice.” She says, when you have a choice you have a chance. Tune in to this fascinating discussion.

Did you know your brain has the ability to rewire itself? It’s an amazing ability called neuroplasticity. Our guest, Dr. Tami Berry www.drtamiberry.com, a master mindset and life coach, explains it, and how she created a simple, scientifically-proven, step-by-step process to build a life brimming with health, happiness and joyful success. Dr. Berry says we have to live in “co-partnership with our stress response,” instead of fighting against it, so we can learn to quiet our minds and bodies and think with clarity and purpose.

How can art and love help you overcome pain and be more positive? Our guest tells us how! He is artist Kyle Edwards and his brand is called A True L.O.V.E. Story (with LOVE standing for looking on to victory every day) https://atruelovestoryllc.com/ Kyle has an incredible strength and positive outlook that he wants to share with others through his art and his words. Kyle says, “My deepest desire is to aid others in their efforts to fall in love with themselves and dream again.” Tune in to hear how Kyle can inspire you!