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POWER POP Minisode 23 – Are You Getting in Your Own Way?
Have you ever decided to do something, like start a business, climb a mountain, write a book or create a podcast, and then before you get started that little voice in your head starts in with limiting beliefs. Things like, “you’re not smart enough to run your own business”, or “you’re too clumsy to ever climb a mountain”, or “if you write a book do a podcast you’re look like a fool and people will laugh at you”. These thoughts are called limiting beliefs, which are deeply held convictions that constrain you in some way., and in today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about where these come from and how you can deal with them.
POWER POP Minisode 22 – How to Stay Focused in a Distracting World
Have you ever noticed that you set out to write a report or get some computer work done, and suddenly an hour has passed and you’ve not accomplished much? Instead, you realize that you’ve been distracted by scrolling Facebook or other social media platforms, checking your emails, or doing a variety of other online things that have nothing to do with your original goal. In today’s Power Pop Sandy looks at how easy it is to become distracted and what you can do about it.
POWER POP Minisode 21 – Do You Have Personal Boundaries?
In every healthy relationship there are rules and boundaries about what behaviors each person will and will not accept. These are the limits or guidelines established by both people to define what behaviors, interactions, and levels of actions and intimacy are acceptable and what are not. They help you feel safe, comfortable, and respected within the relationship, while also fostering healthy communication and understanding. Relationships—whether personal, professional, or social—are a big part of our lives, and they thrive when everyone is clear on the personal boundaries. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about what personal boundaries are and why are they’re so important.
POWER POP Minisode 20 – Do You Make Choices Based on Hopes or Fears?
Life is a series of choices, each one a fork in the road that leads to a new set of opportunities or challenges. But how often do you pause to consider the deeper forces that shape your decisions? Are you making choices based on your hopes, the desires that drive you forward, or your fears, the anxieties that hold you back? Both have the power to influence your life in profound ways, and understanding the distinction between the two can help you navigate the complexities of decision-making. In today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about the balance of hope and fear in being able to make wise choices.
POWER POP Minisode 19 – You Might Be Smart, but are You Emotionally Intelligent?
When you are Emotionally intelligent (EI) you are able to recognize, understand, and manage your own and deal with other people’s emotions. This ability is crucial for building strong relationships, achieving goals, and navigating life’s challenges. In today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about the importance of having this ability, and what happens when you don’t.
POWER POP Minisode 18 – Are you Disciplined?
Discipline is often seen as the key to success and a foundational element of personal growth. Whether it’s in your career, health, relationships, or personal goals, discipline helps you stay on track and reach your full potential. But what does it really mean to live a disciplined life? And what happens when you don’t? In today’s Power Pop, Sandy looks at the importance of discipline, its impact on various aspects of your life, and the consequences of neglecting it.
POWER POP Minisode 17 – Dealing with Dissapointment and Regret
Disappointment and regret are inevitable parts of life. Whether it’s a career path that didn’t go as planned, a relationship that ended unexpectedly, or simply a decision that didn’t turn out the way you hoped, we all have moments that create feelings of disappointment. Often, regret follows closely behind, as you reflect on the choices you made and wonder what might have been if you had done things differently. However, both emotions, while uncomfortable, are natural and can also be powerful tools for self-growth, if you choose to process them in healthy ways. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy looks at disappointment and regret, and how to deal with them.
POWER POP Minisode 16 – Are You Hopeful?
Hope is a powerful force that shapes your emotions, drives your actions, and guides you through the darkest of times. It’s an intangible feeling, often described as a belief in the possibility of a better future, even in the face of adversity. Hope is not just a passive wish but an active, resilient force that can propel you forward when life feels overwhelming. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about the power of hope.
POWER POP Minisode 15 – A Message From Shannon
In today’s Power Pop, Shannon talks a little about what she’s learning while recovering from a health issue and the importance of being honest about when you’re struggling.
POWER POP Minisode 14 – Are You Worried and Anxious?
Worry and anxiety are emotions that most people experience at some point in their lives. While they are a natural response to stress or uncertainty, when these feelings persist or become overwhelming, they can interfere with your ability to live fully and peacefully. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about how learning to identify and manage worry and anxiety is an essential part of a happy life.
POWER POP Minisode 13 – Ingredients for a Fulfilling Life
In a world filled with deadlines, responsibilities, and challenges, the concepts of happiness, joy, and fun can sometimes be overlooked. Yet, these three elements are not mere luxuries or distractions; they are vital components of a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling life. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy looks at how these three things can make all the difference.
POWER POP Minisode 12 – Happiness and Wellbeing
In a world that moves faster every day, where stress and responsibilities weigh heavily on your shoulders, the question remains: What does it truly mean to be happy and how can you cultivate well-being in your life? In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about happiness and well-being and their importance in your life.
POWER POP Minisode 11 – You Have the Responsibility But do You Have the Authority?
Have you ever been in a situation where you were in charge of accomplishing something, but you didn’t have the authority to actually make it happen? If you’ve been in this position, you quickly learned that it’s a no-win place to be. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about the relationship between responsibility and authority, and the importance of having both.
POWER POP Minisode 10 – 12 Truths From Therapy
Many of you know that Sandy is a certified business and life coach, helping people to define and achieve their goals. However, you might not know that she’s also been a licensed therapist for the past 30+ years. And as a therapist, there are many things she believes are important for each of us to know about how we approach and live our lives. So, in today’s Power Pop Sandy shares with you several important truths that will help you live your perfect life.
POWER POP Minisode 9 – When Life Throws You a Curve
Have you ever been going along just fine and then suddenly something throws a monkey wrench into your plans? Life is full of surprises. Some are fun, and some can be challenging and make a change to your carefully laid plans. Whether it’s a sudden illness, a family emergency, or even just the daily grind of responsibilities, it’s easy to feel frustrated or defeated when things don’t go as planned. But setbacks don’t have to mean the end of progress.
I today’s Power Pop, Sandy is looking at how to navigate those moments when life gets in the way.
Season 6 Update
Sandy and Shannon from Your Personal Power Pod, want to give you an update on our upcoming Season 6. We’ve been telling you that we will soon be bringing you many wonderful new full episodes of our podcast.
However, something has come up to slow us down a bit, so in today’s message we’re letting you know what our plan for the next few months will be.
We thank you so much for taking this fun podcast journey with us, and will be back with more Power Pops soon.
Season 5:
POWER POP Minisode 8 – Do You Do or Try?
Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’ll try to make it,” or, “I’ll try to get started tomorrow”? These statements are common in everyday conversation, but they reveal a subtle, yet significant distinction between two mindsets: trying and doing. In today’s Power Pop, Sandy talks about how understanding this difference can profoundly impact how you approach your goals, challenges, and personal growth.
POWER POP Minisode 7 – Are You on Your Priority List?
In the whirlwind of daily life, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself. Between work responsibilities, family obligations, social commitments, and the endless stream of things vying for your attention, you might find yourself placing your own needs at the bottom of the list—or worse, leaving them off entirely.
In today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about how making yourself a priority isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
POWER POP Minisode 6 – Create Your Perfect Year
In today’s Power Pop Sandy is thinking about the ending of this year and what she has learned from it, and the beginning of the new one and how she would like it to unfold.
Also, we have a couple of bonus worksheets that will help you organize your new year:
POWER POP Minisode 5 – Gratitude
In today’s Power Pop Sandy is thinking about gratitude, the power of being grateful, and all the amazing things she is grateful for. So today we’re looking at the importance of finding the positive in your life and always identifying and being grateful for it.
POWER POP Minisode 4 – Can We Agree to Disagree?
In today’s Power Pop Sandy is thinking about how it seems that as a country we are more divided than we used to be. People are so focused on their political, religious, and other beliefs, that they’ve lost sight of the importance of their relationships. If we don’t completely agree on things it seems we can’t be friends, or even family. So today we’re looking at the importance of getting perspective, prioritizing relationships, and being able to agree to disagree.
POWER POP Minisode 3 – Grace
We’re always reminding you to be gentle with yourself but sometimes we need to be prompted to follow our own advice! In today’s Power Pop Shannon rediscovers the importance of grace.
POWER POP Minisode 2 – Are You a Black Hole?
This is our second Minisode we are calling Power Pops! We hope you enjoy these quick little episodes that one of our hosts will share with us.
In today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about people who are black holes. If you’re a black hole it means that you are self-absorbed, talk only about yourself, suck in other people’s caring and energy, and don’t give anything back.
POWER POP Minisode 1- Communication
This is our first Minisode we are calling Power Pops! We hope you enjoy these quick little episodes that one of our hosts will share with us.
In today’s Power Pop Sandy talks about communication, and reminisces about a time in her life when it went badly.
Episode 130 – Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty?
Do you see the glass half empty or half full? When you see the glass half empty it means that you have a pessimistic outlook, always expect the worst, and focus on the negative aspects of a situation. When you see the glass half full it means that you focus on the positive aspects of whatever is happening, and you probably have an optimistic perspective on things. Saying the glass is half empty or half full are metaphors to describe how you interpret a situation, and whether you focus on what’s missing or what’s already there and will get better. We all have our own ways of approaching life. Some people are more pessimistic and some more optimistic, and in today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at what might be your way and how to work with it.
Episode 129 – Do You Fight or Pick Your Battles?
Today, we’re talking about something that might sound simple but can be really tough to master: picking your battles and letting things go. It’s about knowing when to stand your ground and when to just move on. This is something we all struggle with at times. The important thing is to know to when to speak up, and when it’s better to just let something go. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at when to fight and when to walk away.
Episode 128 – The Balance of Strength, Power, and Vulnerability
Strength and power are often seen as the same thing, but they function very differently in your life. And then there is vulnerability, which many people think is a weakness and the opposite of strength and power. Today on Your Personal Power Pod we look at the dynamics of strength, power, and vulnerability. Their importance in your life, what makes them different, how they intersect, and the positives and negatives of each.
Episode 127 – Are You Exhausted?
At various times you probably find that you are exhausted. Especially when you’re dealing with stressful situations, you might feel physically or emotionally depleted. Both of these are a normal reaction to pushing yourself mentally, physically, or dealing with difficult times, and if they are not identified and addressed, they can cause you a variety of problems. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about both physical and emotional exhaustion, what they are and how to deal with them.
Episode 126 – How Do You Think?
We’ve all heard about being left-brained or right-brained. Left-brained people are logical, analytical, and detail-oriented, while right-brained people are creative, intuitive, and big-picture thinkers. But how much of this is myth, and how much is reality? And how does the dominant hemisphere of your brain affect your decisions, relationships, and career choices? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how you think and the ways that affects your life.
Episode 125 – Are You Lonely?
All human beings have a need for some kind of social connection. We need to be seen and acknowledge to feel complete. But these days, with your fast-paced life, technology, and constant societal shifts, you might find it difficult to create the meaningful connections you crave. When this happens, you might find yourself feeling lonely or isolated. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the causes and cures of loneliness and isolation.
Episode 124 – The Three Powerful P’s
There are three powerful ‘P’s that affect how your life unfolds: Procrastination, Persistence, and Perseverance. These are concepts we all face in our journey toward personal and professional success, and how you choose to navigate them impacts everything in your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the three P’s and how to work with them so you can be successful in all you do.
Episode 123 – Do You Really See, Understand and Connect with Others?
Human connection and being seen and appreciated are at the heart of all meaningful relationships. It’s a basic human need to be acknowledge and validated. If this happens for you when you are young it will help you create a strong self-image and healthy self-esteem, and when it doesn’t, it can cause you to feel insecure, unsure of yourself, and not be able to claim your personal power. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the power of true connection, and what it means for people to really understand each other. We look at how to genuinely see others, why it matters, and what happens when you fail do this.
Episode 122 – Do You Build Walls or Bridges?
Human beings usually crave connection with each other. Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues, or even with yourself, the need to belong and be understood is universal. However, sometimes you intentionally or unintentionally create barriers that keep others out, and other times you make the effort to reach out and connect. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the walls and bridges you might be building in your relationships, and how those choices are affecting the way your life unfolds.
Episode 121 – Are You Worthy
When you feel worthy you have an internal sense of being valuable, good enough and deserving of love and belonging from yourself and others. When you feel worthy you know you’re a good person, respect yourself and expect respect from others. When you don’t feel worthy, you feel like you don’t deserve respect, attention, or love, and that you have to constantly do things to earn it. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at the importance of knowing you are worthy.
(Episode Transcript:https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1798506/episodes/15756136-are-you-worthy)
Episode 120 – How Broadcasting Pioneer Patricia Smullin Found Her Calling
Today on Your Personal Power Pod, we’re excited to be talking with Broadcasting Pioneer Patricia Smullin, President and Owner of California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., which is the longest, continuously operated independent broadcast organization in the West. It was founded by her father in the 30’s, and is based in Medford Oregon. During her career in Television Patsy has been in front of the cameras, an administrator running her company, has received numerous national awards, and currently has a You Tube Channel called Up Close with Patsy Smullin. Today Patsy shares with us how she accomplished all these things, and the role self-esteem and personal power played in her success.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1798506/episodes/15717802-interview-with-broadcasting-pioneer-patricia-smullin)
Episode 119 – What is Your Motivation?
There are many powerful forces that shape your life and how it unfolds, and two of those are motivation and validation. Motivation is the driving force behind human behavior that causes you to act in ways that help you achieve your goals. It’s the process that starts, guides, and keeps you doing goal-oriented behaviors. Validation is the process of acknowledging and accepting your own or someone else’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, accomplishments, and identity. When you combine motivation and validation, you will be unstoppable. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at how your motivation and validation are impacting your life.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/15679332-what-is-your-motivation)
Episode 118 – What Stage are You In?
Just like nature, your life moves through different stages. From the innocence of childhood to the wisdom of old age, each stage offers unique challenges and opportunities. The choices you make and how you choose to navigate each stage will determine how your life unfolds. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the stages of your life and how you deal with them will affect your life.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/15640574-what-stage-are-you-in)
Episode 117 – Are You Still Overwhelmed?
These days we are all busy, with things constantly coming at us from a variety of places, and feeling stressed is a normal response when you have too much going on. However, when you start struggling to cope, are flooded by emotions, become short tempered and angry, and have trouble functioning, you are probably overwhelmed. We looked at this topic a couple of years ago, but because so many of our listeners have suggested we revisit this topic, we thought that today we would do a sequel to Episode 49. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what it means to be overwhelmed, how it can affect your life, and how to deal with it.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/15602187-are-you-still-overwhelmed)
Episode 116 – Words
English is an interesting language. We have many words that sound the same, and some are even spelled the same, yet they mean totally different things. In order to be able to effectively interact verbally and in writing, it’s important to understand words and the power they have to communicate feelings and thoughts. When you can do this well, people will always understand and be receptive to what you’re saying, and when you don’t, there can be confusion and pushback. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about the power of words.
(Episode Transcript https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/15565465-words)
Episode 115 – Are You Your Biggest Obstacle?
The team from Your Personal Power Pod is excited to be bringing you Season 5 of our podcast! This season we will have new exciting episodes for you, many of which have been inspired by your suggestions. We want to thank you for continuing to take this podcast journey with us, and look forward to hearing your comments and thoughts in the coming months.
In today’s Episode we’re looking at the possibility that you might be your biggest obstacle. Have you experienced times when you’ve been hoping something will happen, or trying to make it happen, but for some reason things just don’t come together? You want to overcome issues or achieve goals, but you stay stuck. It might be that without realizing it, you are creating your own obstacles. One part of you wants something to happen, but another part of you is getting in the way, and you might not even know it. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how you might be your biggest obstacle.
Season 4:
Do You Talk or Listen?, Revisited
Just a reminder that the team at Your Personal Power Pod is taking the month of July off so we can create exciting new episodes for you when we begin our 5th Season in August. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of your favorite episodes from the past three years.
In today’s episode we’re looking at how you act with people. Do you talk about yourself and make sure they know everything about who you are, or do you ask questions and really listen to their answers? If you’re one of those people who likes to talk, you might be entertaining, but probably don’t learn much or really connect with people. On the other hand, if you listen you will be amazed at what you find. In today’s episode we revisit communication, and the most effective ways to do it.
What Do You Believe?, Revisited
Just a reminder that the team at Your Personal Power Pod is taking the month of July off so we can create exciting new episodes for you when we begin our 5th Season in August. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of your favorite episodes from the past three years.
In today’s episode we’re looking at what you believe. Have you ever really paid attention to what you believe, or do you just go through life acting on things without giving them much thought? The thoughts and behaviors that come from your values and attitudes can run your life, and you might not even be aware of the fact that you take them for granted and follow them. In today’s episode we look at your belief system and how what you believe makes all the difference in how your life unfolds. Thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy revisiting Episode 27 – What Do You Believe?
Dealing With Conflict, Revisited
Revisiting Episode 21 – Dealing With Conflict.
Just a reminder that the team at Your Personal Power Pod is taking the month of July off so we can create exciting new episodes for you when we begin our 5th Season in August. In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of your favorite episodes from the past three years.
Today we’re looking at dealing with conflict. Unless you’re a hermit, you probably have people in your life, and if you do, at times there will be disagreements about something. If you don’t handle it calmly, this disagreement can turn into conflict, which can get out of hand an cause damage to your relationship. In today’s episode we talk about what conflict is and the different ways you can deal with it.
We hope you enjoy revisiting Episode 21 – Dealing With Conflict.
The Power of Positivity, Revisited
The team at Your Personal Power Pod is excited to let you know that in July we are celebrating the 3rd anniversary of this podcast! We want to thank you for taking this personal power journey with us, and be sure you know that we’ll be taking the month of July off to create great new episodes for Season 5, which will begin in August. Between now and then we will be revisiting some of your favorite episodes, and hoping that you will find value in them as you remind yourself of how powerful you are.
In today’s episode we’re looking at the “fun stuff.” These things are fun because they are all about being positive, finding the joy and good, and appreciating the people and things in your life. It’s also fun because when you spend your time looking at these things, your life changes for the better, and that process is big fun to watch! We hope you enjoy revisiting Episode 18 – The Power of Positivity.
Personal Power, Revisited
Today we’re reaching back into the archives to talk about a topic that runs through everything we discuss on Your Personal Power Pod: Personal Power! Knowing where yours lies and understanding how to claim it will make a difference in every part of your life. (Originally aired July 30, 2021)
Episode 114 – How Do You Love?
When you love someone, it means you feel an intense, deep affection for them. We all express and receive love in our own unique ways. When you know how the important people in your life express and receive love, and let them know how you do it, you and they will be able to feel loved and appreciated and your relationship will be strong. When you don’t know these things, there can be misunderstandings, lack of communication, confusion, and tension between you and the other person. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the importance of knowing how you love.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/15298479-how-do-you-love )
Episode 113 – Are You Shy?
When you’re shy it means you feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, nervous, bashful, timid, or insecure around people. You might also experience physical sensations like blushing, feeling speechless, sweating, rapid heartbeat upset stomach, shaky or breathless.
When you are shy it can affect how you feel and behave in social and professional situation, especially when you[re around strangers. If it is extreme, it can cause problems in your personal and professional life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at shyness, how it can affect your life and what to do about it.
Episode 112 – What Makes Your Heart Sing?
We often talk about doing what makes your heart sing. What we’re really talking about is doing what gives you joy and happiness. What is the thing that lights you up when you think about it. The thing that puts a spring in your step, a song in your heart, and a twinkle in your eye. Or the thing that brings you comfort, or that makes you lose track of time while you’re doing it. When you are aware of what these things are, and make time for them in your days, it allows you to live a happy and purposeful life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the importance of identifying and making time for what makes your heart sing.
Episode 111 – What Are You Creating?
Is your life going the way you want it to? Do you have enough money, a clean safe place to live, food to eat, satisfying work, and loving people in your life? Or are some of those things not what you hoped they would be? Many people don’t realize that how your life unfolds is usually up to you. The goals you set, the choices you make, and the ways you choose to move ahead. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what kind of life you are choosing to create and what you can do if you want to change it.
Episode 110 – Do You Know Your Talents, Strengths, and Weaknesses?
Each of us comes into this world with a unique set of talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Your talents are the natural capacities you were born with to behave, create, think, or feel in a certain way, and that enable you to perform well in specific areas. When you work to develop these, they become your strengths. Weaknesses are things that don’t come naturally to you, and that you might have to work on to improve. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about we talk about how the combination of your talents, strengths and weaknesses shape who you are, how you interact with the world, and the paths you choose in life.
Episode 109 – Interview With P.K. Hallinan
Today on Your Personal Power Pod, we’re excited to be talking with world-renowned children’s book author P.K. Hallinan. For over 45 years P.K. has been writing and illustrating wonderful children’s books, focused on supporting and empowering young people in many ways. Over the years he has sold almost 12 million books, and his driving force has always been to help all people be the best they can be, and then use that to serve others. He says he wants to inspire everyone to leave “heartprints”, which he says are formed when you do something kind and your love touches others. He has also been a pastor for 25 years, and married to his wife for 40 years. In addition to all this, P.K. is a musician who enjoys singing and playing his guitar for residents of memory care facilities. He says his life goal is to help as many people as he can, without expecting anything in return.
Today P.K. will share with us how he accomplished all these things, and the role self-esteem and personal power played in his success.
Episode 108 – Are You an Extrovert, an Introvert, or an Ambivert?
How do you act and feel when you’re with a group of people? Are you energized, excited, talkative and outgoing, quiet, a good listener and observant, or a little bit of both? Being an extrovert, introvert or ambivert are examples of three different personality types. Most people are not 100% one of any of these, but more often act on a continuum, and draw energy from different settings. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the positives and negatives of each, and how you choose to work with them can affect your life.
Episode 107 – Are You Stuck?
When you are stuck it means that you are unable to move from a particular position or place, are at a loss for ideas or vision, or feel powerless to change a situation. You can be stuck in a relationship, a career path or work setting, a pattern of behavior, a physical place, trying to make a large of small decision, and a wide number of other situations. At times being stuck can be OK, because it’s familiar and you know what to expect. But if it lasts too long, staying stuck can cause you stress and anxiety, interfere with your happiness and stop your professional and personal growth. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about what it means to be stuck, what happens when you are, and what you can do about it.
Episode 106 – Criticism
When you criticize you are expressing a negative opinion or evaluation of a person, a decision, a point of view, a piece of art, a situation, or any other number of things. When this is done in a positive manner, criticism can be constructive and helpful. However, when it is done in a hurtful way it can be negative, controlling, and cruel. In today’s episode of your Personal Power Pod, we look at the different kinds of criticism and how to deal with them.
Episode 105 – Do You Respect Yourself?
Self-respect is the way you show you appreciate and love yourself just as you are. Usually, when you have strong self-esteem, you will also have strong self-respect, and when you exhibit this, other people will usually respect you too. It is not dependent on success or performance, but is a positive view of yourself and your worth, based on the unique person you are. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at self-respect. Where it comes from and what happens when you have it and when you don’t.
Episode 104 – What are Your Gifts and How Do You Use Them?
We are all special in many ways. Each of us has our own set of skills and talents, which are ours to enjoy and share with the world. Some people are fortunate to discover their gifts when they are small. The child who is a great artist, loves to sing, or is a good athlete, has already discovered some of his/her talents. However, for many of us it takes longer to see all that makes us special. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how to identify your special gifts, share them with the world, and use them to create a fulfilling, happy and purposeful life.
Episode 103 – How Do You Present Yourself?
How do you want others to perceive you? Do you want them to see you as a reliable, strong, capable and competent person, or do you want to fade into the background and be invisible, or worse, have them think you are weak and incapable? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about how the ways you present yourself determine how others perceive you and the way your life unfolds.
Bonus Episode – Sandy’s Ordinary Visionaries Interview
Today on Your Personal Power Pod we are doing something different. A few weeks ago, Sandy was honored to be interviewed by Marketing Guru Robert Middleton for his Ordinary Visionaries series, and now we are excited to share that interview with you. You can listen to the audio version on our website and regular streaming platforms, and see the video version on our Your Personal Power Pod YouTube Channel.
Robert Middleton, Ordinary Visionaries – https://actionplan.club/ov
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, and next week we will be back to our usual format with Sandy and Shannon sharing thoughts and having fun.
Episode 102 – Trauma
Trauma is the emotional condition that results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening. Sometimes it can have lasting adverse effects on your functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Drama is a behavior choice, and is the way you decide to react to situations. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about the different kinds of trauma and drama, and what you can do to work through them.
Episode 101 – Do You Procrastinate or Produce?
When you procrastinate it means you put off doing things, and sometimes never get around to them. When you are productive you are clear about your goals and what you need to do to achieve them, and then take action to make that happen. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at procrastination and productivity, why you do them and the consequences and rewards of both.
Episode 100 – Our Favorite Quotes
Today we’re excited to share with you the 100th episode of Your Personal Power Pod, and to celebrate this momentous occasion we are doing something a little different. Instead of having a specific topic that we talk about, we have each chosen a few of our favorite quotes, and spend our time together sharing why they are important to us. We hope you enjoy this fun and different episode of Your Personal Power Pod.
Episode 99 – Do You Carry Emotional Baggage or Emotional Balance?
When you carry emotional baggage, you have unresolved and unprocessed emotional issues, traumas, or negative experiences from the past that you bring into the present. When you are emotionally balanced you can effectively manage your emotions, and experience them in a healthy and appropriate way without being overwhelmed or controlled by them. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at these two ways of dealing with emotions, and the rewards and consequences of each.
Episode 98 – What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to say? It might be because the person you’re talking to is emotional and dealing with some kind of trauma, or it might be because someone has just said something to you that is harsh, insulting, critical, hurtful or cruel. Either way, in these kinds of situations you might be confused and unsure about how to respond. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at these kinds of situations, and what to say when you don’t know what to say.
Episode 97 – How Do You Decide?
Life is full of choices. Some are easy, such as what to have for dinner or which movie to watch, and others are more serious, like, choosing a career or a life partner. Regardless of how important a decision is, good decision-making skills are a vital part of your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what happens when you are able to make decisions, and what happens when you are indecisive and stuck.
Episode 96 – Are You Judgmental, Tolerant, or Accepting?
“Judgmental,” “tolerant,” and “accepting” are terms that describe different attitudes and approaches you might have towards people, ideas, or behaviors. Using these approaches can have both positive and negative consequences, and it’s important to decide which to use in every situation. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the pros and cons of each approach.
Episode 95 – Are You Resilient?
When you’re faced with a big change or challenging situation, there are several ways you can respond to it. You can let it overwhelm you, stop you in your tracks, and throw you backwards. Or you can be resilient, grow, learn, and thrive. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we are looking at resilience, the amazing strength that lies within each of us to help us face and overcome challenges, and grow stronger in the process.
Episode 94 – Are You Rigid, Flexible, or Adaptable?
There are several ways to approach your life and deal with the people in it. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we’re looking at being rigid, flexible, and adaptable, the delicate balance between these, and how the one you choose will make a huge difference in the quality of your relationships and your life.
Episode 93 – Sympathy, Empathy, and Compassion
Being able to feel and express sympathy, empathy and compassion is an important part of every healthy relationship. Most people are able to do this on some level, but some get confused and go overboard with one when another one would be more appropriate. Also, some people aren’t able to do any of these, which causes problems for the people in their lives. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at sympathy, empathy and compassion, and the way they impact your relationships.
(Episode Transcripts: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/14350384-sympathy-empathy-and-compassion)
Episode 92 – Claiming Your Personal Power
When you have personal power it means you have the ability to influence and control your life, circumstances, and how the people around you treat you. It’s the capacity to act and make choices according to your values, goals, and beliefs. Whether or not you choose to claim your personal power is always up to you. Unfortunately, when you choose to not access your power there can be many negative consequences. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about personal power, what it is, where you get it, and what happens when you don’t use it.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/14309324-claiming-your-personal-power)
Episode 91 – Are You Independent, Interdependent, or Codependent?
All relationships require walking a delicate line between meeting the other person’s needs while also taking care of your own. Finding this balance can be difficult at times, but can also be incredibly rewarding when it’s done in a healthy way. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about three different ways a relationship can play out, and the rewards and consequences of each.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/14266597-are-you-independent-interdependent-or-codependent)
Episode 90 – Do You Enable or Empower?
The team from Your Personal Power Pod is very excited to be back with you, beginning Season Four of our podcast. We greatly appreciate your patience and loyalty while we took December off to get ready for this new season, and are looking forward to continuing to share this podcast journey with you.
In today’s episode we’re talking about enabling and empowering, which are two ways of dealing with another person. When you enable, you over indulge, have low expectations, and make excuses for their behavior. When you empower, you support, encourage, and help the other person become independent, confident and self-reliant. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about enabling, empowering, and the consequences of both.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/14228332-do-you-enable-or-empower)
Season 3:
Reprise – The Fun Stuff!!
We are now in the middle of the holiday season, and the team at Your Personal Power Pod wants to remind you of what this time of year is all about. With that in mind, we are reposting some episodes that might help you cope with the stress and make your holidays bright.
In previous episodes we’ve talked about a lot of important but difficult things, so we’re excited that in today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we are talking about the fun stuff! These are things like happiness, joy, fun and appreciation. We look at their importance in your life, and the ways that these things can make all the difference in how your days, your relationships, and your life, unfold. (Originally aired Nov. 5, 2021)
Reprise – Attitude, Gratitude, and Appreciation
We are now in the middle of the holiday season, and we at Your Personal Power Pod want to remind you what this time of year is all about. With that in mind, we are reposting some episodes that might help you cope with the stress and make your holidays bright. Today we’re talking about your attitude, gratitude, and the power of appreciation.
Your attitude reflects your thoughts and beliefs, and can affect how you feel, behave, and treat others. When you choose to have an attitude of gratitude it will positively impact your life and the lives of those around you. You will then find many things to appreciate, in yourself, in other people, and in all areas of your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how powerful your attitude, gratitude, and appreciation can be. (Originally aired 3/12/23)
Reprise – Holidays, Traditions, and Change
As we move into the holiday season, the team at Your Personal Power Pod wants to help you be ready for the challenges that we often experience at this time of year. So, this month we’re focusing on topics that we hope might help you cope with the stress, and make your holiday season a bit easier and brighter.
For many people the holidays are a time filled with love, joy and celebration of family and friends, and we often create traditions around these important events. However, at some point things may change, and when that happens, we can be left feeling confused and lost about how to move forward. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the holidays, traditions, and change. (Original airdate 12/18/22)
Reprise – Stress and Anxiety
Happy holidays from Your Personal Power Pod! We know this time of year can be challenging what with crowds of stressed-out shoppers, family gatherings, and larger than normal expenditures. So, all through December we’ll be focusing on topics that we hope might make the holiday season a bit brighter.
This week were reprising Stress and Anxiety: where they come from, how they’re different, and how they can affect you emotionally, physically, and socially. We’ll also give you some tools to help you handle them when they threaten to overwhelm you. Be gentle with you! (Original airdate 10/15/21)
Episode 89 – Chapters in Your Book of Life
Your life is like a book with many chapters. Some chapters you write, and some are written by others or circumstances. Chapter one is when you are born and are young, and pages turn as you grow. Some chapters are sad, some are happy, some are exciting and some are calm. The important thing is to understand that you are writing your life book, so whether it’s filled with drama and angst, or is a happy, feel-good adventure is up to you. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the chapters in your book of life.
(Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13782995-chapters-in-your-book-of-life)
Episode 88 – Do You Hold Grudges?
Holding a grudge happens when you can’t let go of feelings of anger or resentment toward someone who wronged you. It can be in response to something that actually happened or a perceived threat or action against you. When you feel that someone’s hurt you, it’s difficult to move past it right away — or ever. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at why you might hold grudges, what happens when up do, and how to let them go.
(Episode Transcript https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13739318-do-you-hold-grudges)
Episode 87 – Do You Sabotage Yourself?
Self-sabotage is when you consciously or unconsciously do or don’t do things that block your success or prevent you from accomplishing your goals. When you do these kinds of behaviors it can affect your personal and professional success, your relationships, and your mental, physical and emotional health. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about self-sabotage and how it can impact your life.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13694740-do-you-sabotage-yourself)
Episode 86 – Where Do You Get Your Identity and Validation?
Your identity is how you and society define you, based on a wide variety of things from your family, nationality, age and ethnicity to your social standing, appearance, and job. When you have a solid sense of self, you are in charge of your personal identity, and you will be mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. However, when things in your personal or social life change, your identity might be shaken and you could feel lost and confused. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about your identity, where it comes from, what happens when it shifts, and the value of validation.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13653136-where-do-you-get-your-identity-and-validation)
Episode 85 – Do You Fear or Embrace Failure?
When you fail it means you are unsuccessful at accomplishing something or achieving your goals. Some people are so afraid of failure that they don’t ever try something new. Others understand that when you fail it’s not a reflection on who you are, and there are actually many benefits from it. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about what happens when you embrace failure and what happens when you don’t.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13564993-do-you-fear-or-embrace-failure)
Episode 84 – Do You Avoid Difficult Conversations?
In every relationship, whether with friends, work colleagues, partners or family members, there will come a time when you disagree about something. If you want to preserve the relationship you will need to have a conversation about it, even if that could be uncomfortable. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how to have those difficult conversations.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13522282-do-you-avoid-difficult-conversations)
Episode 83 – Do You Judge or Empathize?
Are you one of those folks who looks at people, and even if they are very different from you, accepts and allows them to be who they are, realizing that everyone has their own story and life to deal with? Or do you look at others, notice how they are different from you, and then negatively judge them for those differences? The first kind of people are empathetic, and the second kind are judgmental. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the difference between judging and emphasizing, and how what you choose to do will influence your life.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13480224-do-you-judge-or-empathize)
Episode 82 – How Do You Navigate Change?
As we all know life is about change. You can be going along with your comfortable status quo, and then for a variety of reasons things change. Sometimes these are planned and positive changes, and sometimes they are unplanned and unwanted shifts. The important thing to know is that how you choose to approach and deal with life changes will determine how your life unfolds as you move ahead. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the most effective ways to navigate change.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13438712-how-do-you-navigate-change )
Episode 81 – Interview with Brian Proctor
Have you ever wondered how hugely successful people got that way? How they go from struggling to find their niche, to living the life of their dreams?
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we have the honor of talking with Brian Proctor, inspirational speaker, son of Bob Proctor, and the author of a new book titled, My Father Knew the Secret – Growing Up with Bob Proctor. Brian shares his journey from being a kid who was inspired by his Dad, to figuring out how to apply this knowledge to his own life, and to then be able to share this wisdom with the world. Find his book and more at BrianProctor.com.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13398010-interview-with-brian-proctor)
Episode 80 – The Ebb and Flow of Relationships
Have you ever noticed that you can be going along in a relationship, thinking things are just fine, and suddenly things change, the bottom drops out and everything falls apart?
This happens in all kinds of relationships: business, romantic, friendships and family. For some reason (the moon is weird, the wind blew the wrong way, or whatever) what was good for a long time suddenly isn’t so good anymore. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the ebb and flow of relationships, and how to deal with it.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13359351-the-ebb-and-flow-of-relationships)
Episode 79 – Are You in Touch with Your Shadow?
Are you in touch with your Shadow? This is the part of you that is the opposite of everything you want to think you are. You probably like to see yourself as positive, strong, smart, loving, caring, kind, supportive and all around amazing. Which is true, you probably are. However, as with all in nature, human beings are balanced, and have an opposite side as well. It’s called your Shadow because it is dark and follows you wherever you go. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about your Shadow, and how to identify and come to terms with it so it doesn’t run your life.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13273181-are-you-in-touch-with-your-shadow)
Episode 78 – How Do You Cope?
What do you do when your plans fall apart, your relationships implode, or things just don’t work out the way you want them to? Do you lose it and fall apart, or find the good, take charge and move ahead? How you choose to deal with the situation is the way you cope, and in today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about the positive and negative ways to do this.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13234976-how-do-you-cope)
Episode 77 – How Do You Parent Your Adult Children?
If you’re a parent, when your child was young you had certain ideas on how you wanted to raise your little person. Your job as parent was to guide him/her into becoming a reliable, responsible, healthy, happy adult. In the process you probably made some mistakes (as we all do) and eventually grew into the role. However, once your child becomes an adult, the parent/child roles shift, and you might be left feeling lost and confused about how to relate to the now independent person who you once guided and parented.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the changing roles of both parent and child, and how to navigate it as your little person becomes an adult.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13190844-how-do-you-parent-your-adult-children)
Episode 76 – Do You Think For Yourself?
These days it seems that many people are so busy following influencers or people on the news or in positions of power, that they have given up their own personal power and are no longer thinking for themselves. One of the most valuable things about having positive self-esteem is that you know, trust and believe in yourself. When you ignore what you know or disregard your own wisdom, you are giving up your right to decide what works for you, what you choose to believe, and how you want to run your life.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the difference between gullibility and critical thinking, and which you choose will affect your life.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13157143-do-you-think-for-yourself)
Episode 75 – Who Am I Now?
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how you define yourself, and what happens to your self-image if circumstances change so you can no longer fill that role and be who you think you are. When you’re clear about where your self-image comes from, you’re then able to claim your personal power, and live life the way you want it to be, even when things change.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13105243-who-am-i-now)
Episode 74 – Are You a People Pleaser?
Are you a nice person or a people pleaser? If you’re someone everyone considers to be helpful and kind, and are always willing to step up and be there for others, this can be a good thing, as long as you balance this with self-care. However, if you are neglecting your own needs because you’re constantly making yourself available to others, it can negatively impact your relationships and damage your emotional, mental and physical health.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at the pros and cons of pleasing other people.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/13018873)
Episode 73 – Do You Think Outside the Box?
When you’re confronted with a challenge you’re not sure how to handle, do you just give up, do what you’ve always done, or do you decide to get creative and think outside the box? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what happens when you stay stuck, and the magic that happens when you think outside the box.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/12977506)
Episode 72 – Do You Hold On or Let Go?
When something changes or ends, or things aren’t the way you want them to be, do you stay stuck and hold on to what you hoped for or to what happened, or do you choose to take control, learn the lessons, let it go and move ahead? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what happens when you hold on, and the power of letting go.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/12936115-do-you-hold-on-or-let-go)
Episode 71 – Are You Offended?
These days it seems that people are easily offended. If you have an opinion different from theirs, they instantly get defensive and go on the attack. There is no room for respectful discussion, or even agreeing to disagree.
If you are one of these folks, it might be that you are choosing to take things personally and be offended, instead of respectfully allowing the other person to have an opinion.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about being easily offended, what causes it and what you can do about it.
(Episode transcript: https://yourpersonalpowerpod.buzzsprout.com/1798506/12892445-are-you-offended)
Episode 70 – Does Your Work Run Your Life?
Are you one of those people who is so reliable and responsible that you spend all your time either at work or thinking about work? Do you allow your work to take precedence over everything else in your life, including your family, your health, and your relationships? If so, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious and unhappy. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the importance of work/life balance and how to achieve it.
(Episode transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1798506/episodes/12801783)
Episode 69 – Do You Feel Like an Imposter?
When you begin something new it’s normal to struggle a bit, and feel insecure and like a fraud. Whether it’s a sport, a new job, a new skill, or taking on a new role in your life, at the beginning it’s common to feel unsure of yourself. However, as time goes on and you learn and grow into the role, most people begin to feel more confident and certain of your ability to do the new thing.
However, if you continue to feel anxious, insecure and doubt yourself after doing the new thing for months or even years, you might be experiencing Imposter Syndrome.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about Imposter Syndrome. What it is, where it comes from and what you can do about it.
Episode 68 – Do You Believe in Yourself?
When you believe in yourself you know that you’re a loveable, valuable, capable, competent person. You have positive self-esteem and know you have the right and ability to live your best life and accomplish whatever you set out to do. For some people this is easy, but for others it can be a challenge. So, how do you get there? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the power of believing in yourself.
Episode 67 – Who Are Your People?
Throughout your life you will have a wide variety of relationships with family, friends, church or school communities, etc. With these people you feel you belong and are part of something bigger than yourself. As time passes, some of these relationships might change, you will no longer feel connected to some of these people, and will move on and find others to be part of. The hard part is recognizing when one person or group no longer fits and finding your new people. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about who are your people.
Episode 66 – Do You Live in the Past, Present, or Future?
Are you one of those people who spends all of your time thinking about and focusing on the past? The things you liked, and also the things you regret? Or do you just focus on the future, and spend your time planning ahead and putting current things on hold so you can do them later? Or do you focus on right now, find the good in it but ignore possible consequences? In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the positives and negatives of living in the past, the present and the future.
Episode 65 – Are You Discouraged?
When something isn’t working the way you want it to, it’s normal and easy to become discouraged. You might get frustrated and just want to give up. However, if you let your discouragement stop you, you will never get anything done and it can become a pattern that stalls your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about discouragement and how to deal with it.
Episode 64 – Fuzzy Brain
Do you ever get brain fog or a fuzzy brain? You know what that is, when your usually sharp and witty mind gets sluggish and refuses to function. This is something we all occasionally experience, and is what I was dealing with last week. So, in today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we’re talking about brain fog: what it is, where it comes from, and what to do about it.
Episode 63 – Are You Reliable, Responsible, and Respectful?
Being reliable, responsible, and respectful are a big part of all positive relationships. However, it seems that recently these values aren’t as prevalent as they once were. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at these three values and their importance in your life.
Episode 62 – Attitude, Gratitude and the Power of Appreciation
Your attitude reflects your thoughts and beliefs, and can affect how you feel and behave. When you choose to have an attitude of gratitude it will positively impact your life and the lives of those around you. You will then find many things to appreciate, in yourself, in other people, and in all areas of your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at how powerful your attitude, gratitude, and appreciation can be.
Season 2:
Episode 61 – We Answer Your Questions
In the past year the team at Your Personal Power Pod has received many questions asking us to expound on some of the topics we’ve discussed, so today we’re going to answer a few of them. We apologize that we weren’t able to get to more in one episode, but will be sure to do another Q & A episode in the future. Hopefully that way we’ll make sure we cover what you’d like to know.
Also, today’s episode is the final one of Season 2. We will be taking a couple of weeks off to put together more great topics for your listening pleasure, and will resume with Season 3 in early March.
We greatly appreciate you and thank you again for taking this fun personal power journey with us.
Episode 60 – Are You Happy?
Are you happy? This can be a tricky question for some people. If you were raised in a family that always expected the worst you might bring that attitude into adulthood and struggle to find the joy in your life. However, there are many reasons to identify your happiness level and raise it if necessary. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about what happiness is, where it comes from, and how it impacts your life.
Episode 59 – Do You React, Respond or Reciprocate?
When something happens or someone does something for you or to you, what do you do? Do you react, respond or reciprocate? There are many ways to deal with events and in today’s episode of Your Personal Power Podcast we look at several, and discuss what is effective, what is not, and how it can affect your life.
Episode 58 – How Do You Talk to Yourself?
When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you tell yourself? Do you say, “this will be a great day”, or do you say, “my body hurts and today is going to be a pain”? Are you aware that you’re constantly talking to yourself? You might not always pay attention to it, but that little voice in your head continually runs, interpreting and defining all that’s happening around you. What’s important to know is that your inner dialogue determines how you feel and function, and how your day will go.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about the power in how you talk to yourself.
Episode 57 – What Do You Want?
n a recent episode we talked about Self-Care and the importance of being good to yourself. Part of that is giving yourself permission to get what you want.
This time of year, many people make resolutions about what they want to experience and accomplish and what they’re willing to do to make that happen.
For some people that works out well, but for others the good intentions fade away and disappear after a few weeks or months. Then what happens to being happy and getting what you want?
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about getting clear on what you really want.
Episode 56 – Is it Selfish or Self Care?
Are you one of those people who is always rushing around trying to get everything done? Your focus is on doing what others expect and making sure things are always done right. If this is you, then you might get so caught up in celebrating the holidays, focusing on doing things for other people, and end-of-the-year stuff, that you don’t leave room to take care of yourself.
This might work for a while, but eventually your body and mind will rebel and you could end up feeling overwhelmed, overworked, stressed and physically and mentally exhausted.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about the difference between being selfish and self-care.
Episode 55 – Holidays, Traditions and Change
For many people the holidays are a time filled with love, joy and celebration of family and friends, and we often create traditions around these important events. However, at some point things may change, and when that happens, we can be left feeling confused and lost about how to move forward. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we talk about the holidays, traditions and change.
Episode 54 – Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you. It’s also the ability to pardon yourself if you’ve made a mistake or violated your values.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at the importance of being able to forgive, and how your ability to do or not do this impacts your life.
Episode 53 – What Do You See?
When you get up in the morning what do you think about and see? Do you expect your day to go well and for wonderful things to come to you, or do you expect things to be a struggle? Either way, you will probably be right!
In today’s Episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about what you choose to see and how it affects your life.
Episode 52 – Regrets
Have you ever done something, or not done something, and then later regrated it? Of course you have, because you’re human and humans occasionally make mistakes. The important thing is to be aware of it, pay attention to what happened and then decide what to do about it.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at regrets, what they are and how to deal with them.
Episode 51 – Where Do You Fit? Birth Order, Personality and Family Roles
We’re all born into some kind of family. It might have been a family with two parents, a family with just one parent, or some other kind of situation. However, when you were a baby there were adults taking care of you, and there might have been other children there either before or after you were born.
What’s important is where you fit in the family structure, because research has shown that your position in the family can affect your personality, behavior and view of the world.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we discuss the power of family.
Roles that children can play within a family:
· Hero: This is the “good” and “responsible” child. This person is a high achiever, carries the pride of the family, and he/she overcompensates to avoid looking or feeling inadequate. He/she is often a good leader and organizer, and is goal-oriented and self-disciplined. Sometimes the hero lacks the ability to play, relax, follow others, or allow others to be right.
· Rescuer: The rescuer takes care of others’ needs and emotions and problem-solves for others in the family. The rescuer might have difficulty with conflict. He/she takes on the role of rescuer in the name of helping others, though it is often to meet his/her own needs, such as relieving anxiety. This person doesn’t realize that sometimes helping hurts. He/she also lives with a lot of guilt and finds it challenging to focus on him/herself.
· Mediator: The mediator can be a rescuer-type although he/she works to keep peace in the family system. This person does the emotional work of the family to avoid conflict. He/she acts as a buffer, and does it in the name of helping others, although it may be for his/her needs. This can be a healthy role depending on how the person mediates.
· Scapegoat/Black sheep: This is the person the other family members feel needs the most help. Usually this is the family member in need of treatment or in treatment. This person often shows the obvious symptoms of the family being unable to work through problems. The person may have strengths such as a sense of humor, a greater level of honesty, and the willingness to be close to his/her feelings. Yet there can also be an inappropriate expression of feelings, and the person may experience social or emotional problems.
· Switchboard: This person is the central information center in the family. He/she keeps track of what’s going on by being aware of who is doing what and when. This person has strength in being the central person to go to and understanding how the family is doing. However, this person focuses on everyone else’s issues rather than his/her own.
· Power broker: This person works at maintaining a hierarchy in the family with him/herself at the top. His/her safety and security with life depends on feeling in control of the environment around him/her.
· Lost child: The lost child is the subservient good child. He/she is obedient, passive, and hidden in the family trauma. He/she stays hidden to avoid being a problem. Generally, this person is flexible and easygoing. However, he/she lacks direction, is fearful in making decisions, and follows without questioning.
· Clown: The clown uses humor to offset the family conflict and to create a sense that things are okay. This person has a talent to readily lighten the moment but he/she hides his/her true feelings.
· Cheerleader: The cheerleader provides support and encouragement to others. There is usually balance in taking care of his/her own needs while providing a positive influence on those around him/her.
· Nurturer: This person provides emotional support, creates safety, is available to others, and can be a mediator. He/she focuses on having and meeting emotional needs, usually in a balanced manner.
· Thinker: The thinker provides the objective, reasoning focus. His/her strength is being able to see situations in a logical, objective manner. However, he/she may find it difficult to connect emotionally with others.
· Truthteller: This person reflects the system as it is. At times the challenge is how that information is relayed. Other members in the family might be offended or avoid the truthteller because of the power of the truth he/she holds. Strength occurs when this person is coupled with another positive role, such as a nurturer or cheerleader.
Episode 50 – Interview with John Javna
Today we’re excited to bring you the 50th episode of Your Personal Power Pod, and are celebrating by interviewing John Javna. John is a bestselling author of countless books on environmental and political topics, including 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth and the hugely successful Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader series, both of which have sold millions of copies. He is also a publisher, co-founder of ScienceWorks Museum in Oregon, and is the founder of the national Neighborhood Food Project.
John has had the courage to do a wide variety of things in his life, all of which were new to him when he began them. In today’s episode John shares how he tackled all these things, and the role self-esteem and personal power played in his success.
Episode 49 – Are You Overwhelmed?
When you have so much going on that you’re struggling to cope with it all, or you’re dealing with a specific stressful situation, you might feel overwhelmed. Being overwhelmed can cause you to be flooded by thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that are difficult to manage.
Feeling overwhelmed is a normal response to everyday stressors. Things like constant news, social media, phones always demanding your attention, general work and family challenges, etc. can cause overwhelm. But when it becomes constant it can create problems.
In today’s episode we look at feeling overwhelmed, what causes it and what you can do to control it.
Episode 48 – Anxiety
Most people occasionally feel anxious. When you’re doing a new thing, or something that has been stressful in the past, it’s normal to feel some anxiety as you go into it. However, for some folks, anxiety can become a way of life, and they eventually feel the fear, dread and uneasiness about almost everything.
In today’s episode we talk about anxiety, what it is, where it comes from and how to deal with it.
Episode 47 – Are You Stuck in Your Comfort Zone?
When you’re in your comfort zone you feel at ease because you’re not being tested. You don’t engage in new experiences or take on any challenges. You only participate in activities or stay in relationships that are familiar and make you feel “in control” of your environment. At times this can be a place to rest and rejuvenate, and can be a positive experience.
However, a comfort zone can also be a trap where you get stuck, stop growing or accomplishing things, your self-esteem diminishes and your life stalls.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at the positives and negatives of comfort zones, how to identify if you’re in one and how to get out of it so you can continue to create the life you want.
Episode 46 – What Do You Think?
People often believe that they are controlled by their feelings, or by things that just happen in their lives. They feel they are at the mercy of these things and just have to go with it. However, the reality is that is not true.
The great news is that your thoughts control your life, and since YOU are in control of your thoughts, you always have the power to be in charge of your life.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at what you are thinking, how powerful your thoughts are, and what kind of life you are creating with them.
Episode 45 – Coach Yourself to Success
Working with a coach has long been acknowledged as the most effective way to succeed in the sports world, and savvy business people have also learned the value of having a coach on their team. Even if you aren’t able to hire a coach to support you as you define and achieve your goals, you can still Coach Yourself to Success.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at the ways to coach yourself to create the success you desire.
Episode 44 – Drama
Drama is created when someone gets emotional about a situation, so that it quickly escalates and often gets out of control. We’ve all known people who react to life with drama, and dealing with it can be a challenge to any relationship.
In today’s episode we talk about drama. What it is, how to identify it, how it affects us, and how to deal with it.
Episode 43 – Difficult People
Most people are positive, happy, like to find the good in life and are a pleasure to be around. However, there are also those who always seem to expect, and find, the negative about everything. We call these difficult people. No matter how great things are, they are all gloom and doom, and are really uncomfortable to spend time with.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod, we look at the different kinds of difficult people, how to identify them, and how to protect yourself from their negativity.
Episode 42 – Taking Care of Yourself
When you were a child you were taught many rules and expectations about how you were to treat yourself and others. You might have been told that taking care of yourself and meeting your needs is selfish, and since nobody likes someone who is selfish you should always put yourself last.
The reality is that if you don’t love and appreciate yourself and your needs as much as you do those of others, you will find that it’s difficult to be happy and your life will be a struggle.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about self-care. How important it is and what happens when it is, or is not, part of your life.
Episode 41 – Friendships
Good, positive friendships are an important part of a healthy, happy life. However, as one of our listeners who asked us to talk about this topic said, “friendships can be tricky.” Having good friends can bring happiness in many areas, but having people who you think are friends, but are actually negative and toxic, can cause you emotional, mental and physical pain.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we talk about all kinds of friendships and what you can do to create and make them great.
Episode 40 – Do You “Should” On Yourself?
When you were young you probably learned a set of rules about how to behave and what you should and should not do. Sometimes these were positive and still serve you well. However, often they were negative, and now that you’re an adult they might be holding you back from being your best self. We call these rules that have become self-talk in your head, “shoulds”, and it’s important to be aware of when you “should” on yourself and how that impacts your life. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at your “shoulds” and how they affect you.
Episode 39 – How Do You Apologize?
When you’ve done something, on purpose or by mistake, that hurts another person, it’s vitally important that you give a sincere apology. How effectively you do this will make a huge difference in the quality and longevity of your relationships. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at how you apologize.
Season 2:
Episode 38 – Do You Stay Stuck or Move Ahead?
When someone does you wrong, or things don’t turn out the way you want them to, do you hold on to it and relive the situation over and over, or do you learn the lessons and move on? As we’ve talked about in previous episodes, life is about change, and it can come from a variety of things. Whatever it is, you always have a choice about how to deal with it. You can continue to revisit the event, or you can learn the lessons and move on with your life. Your choice will make all the difference. In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod we look at being stuck and moving ahead.
Episode 37 – Interview with Jon Perry
Have you ever wondered how hugely successful people got that way? How they go from struggling to finding their niche to living the life of their dreams?
In today’s episode we have the honor of talking with the creator of a hugely popular Science YouTube Channel and founder of STATED CLEARLY, Jon Perry. Jon shares his journey from being a kid who was fascinated by science, to figuring out how to share his knowledge and wisdom with the world.
Episode 36 – Do You Talk or Listen?
When you meet a new person, what do you do? Do you talk about yourself and make sure they know everything about who you are, or do you ask questions and really listen to their answers? If you’re one of those people who likes to talk, you might be entertaining but probably don’t learn much or really connect with people. On the other hand, if you listen you will be amazed at what you find. In today’s episode we revisit communication, and the most effective ways to do it.
Episode 35 – Building Your Self Esteem
This podcast is about your personal power, which comes from positive self-esteem. In one of our early episodes we talked about self-esteem, and since then several listeners have asked us to talk more about where it comes from and how to build it. So, in today’s episode we discuss how to increase your self-esteem so you can be personally powerful and live your life filled with joy and success.
Episode 34 – Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
Are you one of those people who thinks you’re supposed to know everything? When you start something new, do you go into it assuming you already know how it all works? It seems that these days it’s really hard for people to admit they don’t know something because they think others will look down on them for not knowing. However, this attitude can get you into a lot of trouble.
In today’s episode we look at the importance of knowing what you don’t know.
Episode 33 – Trust and Betrayal
Trust is when you have a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. When you trust, you place confidence in how something or someone will act, and make yourself vulnerable in the process. When the person or thing you’ve trusted lets you down or doesn’t follow through, you feel betrayed. Trust is a cornerstone of any good relationship, and in today’s episode we look at how trust and betrayal play out in your life.
You can listen to this episode, and all our episodes, wherever you stream your podcasts or on the website at www.yourpersonalpowerpod.com . Check us out on Instagram at Your Personal Power Pod.
You can also visit Sandy on her business and life coaching website at www.insidejobscoach.com to sign up for her free newsletter. Sandy Abell is a best-selling author, speaker, business and life coach and Licensed Professional Counselor. Shannon Young spent nearly 25 years in broadcasting on TV and radio, and is now focusing her efforts on empowering others to reach their full potential.
Episode 32 – What Do You Believe? – Reprise
When you look ahead to your day, your week, or your year, what do you expect? Do you believe that things will come together just as you want them to and all will be great? Or do you believe that even though you really want a certain outcome, something will happen to sabotage the result you want?
Either way you will probably be right!
In today’s episode we look at expectations and disappointment, and how you can manage them both.
Episode 31 – Do You Expect to Succeed or Fail?
Are you one of those people who decides you want something, sets the goal, backtracks to outline the action steps necessary to achieve it, and then believe it will work and moves ahead expecting to succeed? Or do you decide you want something, set the goal, and then start coming up with all the reasons why it will never work?
If you are the first kind of person, your life is most likely fantastic, and exactly as you want it to be. If you operate in the other way, you’re probably not living the life of your dreams, and might be confused about why nothing ever works out for you.
In today’s episode we look at success and failure and how both of those are achieved.
Episode 30 – Choices, Rewards, and Consequences
Are you aware that you make choices, big and small, all day long, throughout your life? Often you might not even notice you’re doing it, but you are.
How you choose to see things, and then the behavior choices you make based on that, determines the way your life unfolds. Since this is so important, in today’s episode we’re looking at choices, rewards and consequences, and the powerful impact they can have on your life.
Episode 29 – Endings and Beginnings
Recently it seems that things are changing at a rapid rate. People are moving far away, businesses are closed or have new owners and are not what they used to be, people are getting sick and dying, and attitudes seem to be different.
In a previous episode we looked at Change, Grief and Loss, and in today’s episode, we are revisiting that topic since it seems that so much has changed during and after the pandemic.
Episode 28 – Procrastination
Do you have a “round to it” problem? There are things you need to do to improve your finances, relationships, health or other areas of your life? Yet for some reason you never get around to doing them?
This is called procrastination, and it can stop you from ever achieving your goals or attaining the life of your dreams.
In this episode we look at what procrastination is, where it comes from, and how you can overcome it so you can move ahead in your life.
Episode 27 – What Do You Believe?
Have you ever really looked at what you believe? The thoughts, that come from your values and attitudes, that you run your life by? Many of us just take these for granted and follow them without thinking. However, these things form your belief system, which dictates how you conduct your life. You might believe that things will always work out well, and this attitude creates a happy and successful life. Or you might believe that things will never work the way you want and even when they are going well, something will go wrong. This usually ends up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. You get what you expect, often based on your belief system.
In today’s episode we look at your belief system and how it affects your personal power and makes all the difference in your life.
Episode 26 – Respect
Have you noticed that in the past few years it seems that the concept of respect has gotten lost? Many people are so intent on promoting or defending their own beliefs that they’ve lost sight of other people’s humanity. Along with that, some people seem to have lost respect for themselves as well as each other.
In today’s episode of Your Personal Power Pod Sandy and Shannon look at the importance of respect and how it affects your personal power.
Episode 25 – Interview with Marketing Guru Robert Middleton
Have you ever wondered how highly successful people got that way? How they go from struggling financially, having no money or credit, and change that into living the life of their dreams.
In today’s episode we have the honor of talking with marketing guru Robert Middleton from Action Plan Marketing, about how he went from bankruptcy to doing the work he loves and making millions of dollars. Robert shares his journey and the role self-esteem and personal power played in his success.
Episode 24 – Routines, Habits, and Comfort Zones
We all have routines and habits we follow throughout our day. Some are positive and help us accomplish what we want, and others can be negative and stop us from being an effective person and living the life we want. In today’s episode we look at your routines and habits, how these repeated actions can create a comfort zone, and how these affect your personal power.
Episode 23 – Power and Control
Many people believe that power and control are the same thing. However, they are very different, and both can be used for positive or negative purposes. In today’s episode we look at what you do and do not have power and control over, and how to use these things in your life.
Episode 22 – Do You Settle?
Have you ever been in a situation where you feel stuck? You’ve settled for something even though it’s not what you want? A relationship, a job, a financial situation, etc. You might feel you don’t deserve anything else, or you might not know what to do next, or believe you deserve more but are staying where it’s comfy. Whatever the reason, you are unhappy. In today’s episode we talk about being stuck and settling, and what you can do to change that situation.
Season 1:
Season 1 Wrap Up
Thank you for listening to Season 1!
Season 2 will start in a few weeks! Let us know what you would like to hear on the podcast
Episode 21 – Dealing with Conflict
Unless you’re a hermit you probably have people in your life, and if you do, at times there will occasionally be disagreement about something. If you don’t handle it calmly, this disagreement can turn into conflict, which can get out of hand. In today’s episode we talk about what conflict is and the different ways you can deal with it.
Episode 20 – Are You Afraid?
How does fear operate in your life? Does it keep you safe from really dangerous things, or does it stop you from pushing your comfort zone and trying something new? In today’s episode we look at fear and the role it plays in your life.
Episode 19 – Who Are You?
In today’s episode we look at who you are. How you define yourself, and if this description fits the person you really are, or the person others want you to be. Do you see yourself as a list of labels (mother/father, employer/employee, etc., or as a human being who brings special skills and talents to the labels? When you’re clear about who you are, you’re then able to claim your personal power, and live life the way you want it to be.
Episode 18 – The Power Of Positivity – It’s Cheesy But It’s True
In today’s episode we’re looking at more “fun stuff.” These things are fun because they are all about being positive, finding the joy and good, and appreciating the people and things in your life. It’s also fun because when you spend your time looking at these things your life changes for the better, and that process is big fun to watch!
Episode 17-Authenticity
How do you show up? Are your thoughts, values, beliefs and behavior congruent? If you “walk your talk” you are authentic. However, if you say or believe one thing and do another, you give away your personal power and lose your own and other’s respect. In today’s episode we look at how you respect yourself and show up in the world.
Episode 16-Priorities and Life Balance
How do you choose to live your life? What are your priorities and how do you balance them so you have the quality of life you want? In today’s episode we look at how you determine your priorities, where you spend your time, and if that is meeting your needs.
Episode 15-Relationships and Communication Revisited
Several listeners asked us to talk more about relationships and communication, so in today’s episode we do that. Different kinds of relationships at work and elsewhere, and how the way we interact, use our personal power, and communicate, makes all difference in how things flow.
Episode 14-Powerful Communication
In today’s episode we’re talking about communication. What it is, the many different ways we do it, how it impacts all of our relationships, and the way we claim our power.
Episode 13- The Fun Stuff
In previous episodes we’ve talked about a lot of important but difficult things, so we’re excited that in today’s episode we are talking about the fun stuff! These are things like happiness, joy, fun and appreciation. We look at their importance in your life, and the ways that these things can make all the difference in how your days, and your life, unfold.
Episode 12- Anger and Shame
In today’s episode we look at Anger and Shame. Two emotions that most of us feel at various times and under different circumstances. We will look at why Anger happens, what purpose it serves, and what we can do about it. We also explore what Shame is and how to deal with it.
Episode 11- Stress and Anxiety
In today’s episode we look at Stress and Anxiety. Two emotions that we all feel at times, and have felt more often in the last 18 months because of the pandemic and other local and world situations. Many people think that stress and anxiety are the same thing, but they are not! Today we talk about the causes, the differences, how they affect you emotionally, physically and socially, and what you can do to deal with them.
Episode 10- Boundaries Revisited and Guilt
We heard from several people about their struggle with setting boundaries, so we decided to take another look at it. In today’s episode we will be talking about what setting boundaries means, how to do it, how people might react when you do, and the feelings of guilt that others might try to lay on you when you make your boundaries known.
Episode 9- Transitions, Change, Loss, and Grief
In today’s episode, we will be looking at change and how it affects you. There is an emotional process we all go through with each change, big and small, in our lives. It’s important to understand this process so you will know that what you’re feeling is normal, and how you can get through it and claim your personal power.
Episode 8- Passive, Aggressive, Assertive
In today’s episode, we will be looking at different ways of behaving: how you behave and treat others, and how others behave and treat you. It’s important to understand these different modes so you can pay attention to what you do, what you allow others to do to you, and how you can claim your personal power.
Episode 7- The Shadow
Today we’re talking about your Shadow. This is the part of you that is the
opposite of everything you want to think you are. You want to think you are all positive, but as with all in nature, we are balanced, and have an opposite side, as well. Once you identify and come to terms with your Shadow, your life will be much easier.
Episode 6- Relationships
In today’s episode, we will be talking about many of the relationships in your life and how they directly relate to your ability to claim and use your personal power as you create the life you dream of.
Episode 5- Boundaries
In today’s episode, we will be talking about boundaries and how to set them so you can be successful and achieve your goals and dreams.
Episode 4 – Self-Talk, Shoulds, and Inner Child
In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about your inner child and self-talk, and the importance of understanding how the way you talk to yourself will directly affect your ability to be powerful.
Episode 3 – Where Did You Come From?
In today’s episode, we will be talking about where you came from, and why understanding and working with this directly affects your ability to feel, and be, powerful.
Episode 2 – Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
In today’s episode, we’ll be looking at self-esteem and self-confidence, and how these two things impact the level of your personal power.
Episode 1 – Personal Power
Welcome to Your Personal Power Pod, a podcast about tapping into your personal power in order to create the life you want! Today, we’re talking about… Personal Power! What it is, where it comes from, and how you can claim yours and make it work for you!
Your Hosts:
“I want to share all I know about what it takes to be emotionally healthy so that your relationships with yourself and others will be effortless, uncomplicated, trouble-free, and fun.“
~ Sandy Abell
“You might not know it but you’re having a relationship with… YOU! That relationship affects your entire life so, shouldn’t it be as healthy and happy as possible? “
~ Shannon Young
Reviews
This is a wonderful podcast. The topics discussed are great. Personally, I have learned a lot from them and they have helped me to improve in many departments. I find both Sandy and Shannon great to listen to. They make the topics interesting and enjoyable even though what they are discussing could be a tough issue to discuss. The two ladies are just great fun and make me happy just listening to them. God bless them both.
Karim Tawfik
I have really enjoyed listening to these! Great tips and takeaways.
Alicia
Fantastic, and speaking from a radio perspective, Super Fantastic! You compliment and highlight each other genuinely. I was engaged entirely.
Jane
I am currently listening to Episode 27 – What Do You Believe, it is awesome. Thank you so much for this episode, I find it really useful and empowering. You and Shannon are fantastic. Sometimes, we make our beliefs and then our beliefs make us.
Karim
Thank you once again for spreading great lessons to help people to have better lives.
Today I had a couple of significant projects to do in the backyard, edging, transplanting etc. I had been wanting to get some time to listen to Your Personal Power Pod podcast and this was the opportune time. I put on my good headphones and listened as I worked. What a great experience!
Scott
I listened to the episodes “Respect”, “Routines, Habits and, Comfort Zones”, “Power and Control”, and “Do You Settle?” I really enjoyed all of them. My personal favorite was “Power and Control” and the highlight for me was when you shared your own story about your earlier marriage and how that experience was a foundational piece of your personal power journey
The content of your podcasts was very informative and the delivery was strong as well. I really enjoyed how you interact so comfortably with each other and keep the listener engaged with personal anecdotes and examples.
It was a delightful afternoon spent with the two of you! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m a fan and will be listening more in the future.