Podcasts by Category
The strength and ability to improve any area of your life isn't in your circumstances: it's in your mind! When we improve the way we think, we can improve our lives. Better mind, better life! Each week, Eric combines insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life. Follow @ericwilbanks or visit www.EricWilbanks.com to learn more about Eric.
- 83 - Life Lessons from a Truly Iconic Arcade Game
I want you to take a little trip down memory lane with me, back to those golden years between elementary and high school. My “golden years” were iconic in more ways than one. Recently I was thinking about some of the things that defined those years for me, and I realized that—believe it or not—one of the most iconic arcade games of all time actually makes a perfect analogy for how life and our brains work! Skeptical? Well, as all the cool kids used to say back in the day, take a “chill pill,” hit that play button, and then afterwards, let me know if I made the trip worthwhile!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 20 Sep 2023 - 11min - 82 - Is ‘Speaking Your Truth’ the Most Powerful Tool You Have?
Chances are, either you yourself, someone you know, or at the very least, someone you’ve read or listened to, has used the phrase “your truth” or “my truth.” And the first time you heard someone use one (or both), you probably found yourself a little confused.
But over the past few years, those phrases have become so common that it’s hard to imagine they haven’t always been part of everyday English language and conversation.
So, what’s the story behind them, and—more importantly—are they a new powerful tool that you should add to your self-development arsenal?
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 17 Jul 2023 - 16min - 81 - Why Are You Even Here?
I recently heard an Instagram influencer (meaning he has 2.6m followers) who said, “You were MADE for greatness! You were BORN for greatness. You weren’t made for average or ordinary.”
So, what exactly does it mean to be GREAT … a great man, a great woman, a great parent, a great friend, a great leader, a great student, a great artist, doctor, teacher, salesman, musician, athlete, speaker …?
If you’ve ever struggled with the thought or even pressure of “GREATNESS” and whether or not you could achieve such lofty ideals, then this episode may be just the information and inspiration you’ve been waiting/searching for. Here’s why: I believe you were made for MORE than greatness … MUCH more. SO much more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 15 May 2023 - 12min - 80 - What Is Gaslighting and Why It Should Matter To EVERYONE
There’s a new, uber-powerful buzzword in town, and its name is “Gaslighting.” In fact, it’s hard to jump on the internet or turn on the TV or radio without someone mentioning either being gaslit or complaining about this or that person gaslighting others. But as is often the case with buzzwords, the true meaning can get lost amidst the noise of abundant usage. So in this episode, I dig into some expert opinions on what gaslighting is and why I think it’s so important for us all to understand it and be aware of it.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 24 Apr 2023 - 10min - 79 - Is "Be Yourself" Good Advice … or Not?
Apparently, this is a debate that has raged for some time in the psychological community. I think it’s an interesting topic. (I think what’s even MORE interesting is what this particular topic has to do with Easter! I’ll also touch on that in this episode.) It certainly is a topic that has become widespread throughout modern American culture. It’s hard to imagine how any self-help guru on the planet could stay in business if this were bad advice. So much of what is being taught is founded on at least some version of this pithy mantra. It was even one of the core concepts behind one of my all-time favorite animated movies from the 90s, Aladdin. (Can you hear Robin Williams as the Genie/Bee saying to Aladdin, “Just beeeeeeee yourself!”) This episode won’t end the debate, but, hopefully, it will give you a unique perspective to think about!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 29 Mar 2023 - 07min - 78 - Good leaders do THIS, but don’t do THAT
What is it that really sets good leaders apart from everyone else? Now, I’ll admit that I’m no expert on the matter, but I’ve got a few … uh, decades, of learning and observation under my belt. And while it may very well be true that there are “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” (H/T to J-Max) it seems to me that there are at least two SIMPLE, but critical components that MUCH of those laws (and others) are built on: do ‘THIS’, but not ‘THAT’. You might even say that these two are part of the basic DNA of good leadership in any situation or context.
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Want the full transcript to this (or another) episode? You can sign up for FREE at ericwilbanks.com and I’ll send you the full transcript every time I release a new episode! I don’t spam, and I will certainly never share or sell your email address.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 07 Mar 2023 - 11min - 77 - Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?
According to the site Quote Investigator, an anonymous filler item in a Plainfield, New Jersey newspaper in September 1936 included the following quote:
They say hard work never killed anyone but some of us are just naturally apprehensive and timid and don’t like to take chances.
It's funny because it's so true! None of us are born wanting to work hard. In the words of Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, most of us would just rather "Take it Easy" if we had the choice. How easy? Well, Lionel Richie says "Easy Like Sunday Morning" (which I guess is true for everyone except pastors and parents of toddlers trying to make it to worship service before it ends).
But easy won't get you where you want to go. You're gonna have to get there the hard way, just like most everybody else.
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Want the full transcript to this (or another) episode? You can sign up for FREE at ericwilbanks.com and I’ll send you the full transcript every time I release a new episode! I don’t spam, and I will certainly never share or sell your email address.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 13 Feb 2023 - 10min - 76 - How to Move from Loneliness to Belonging, Pt 4
This is the fourth and final installment of a mini-series exploring the continuum of loneliness and belonging. In part 1, I talked about loneliness, how disturbingly common it is, and how it can wreak havoc in our lives. In part 2, I went over Self-determination theory and how it might relate to belonging and community. In part 3, I looked at the three-pronged "structure" for making and maintaining friendships! In this episode, I want to share some tips that both experts and the Bible say can help in achieving that three-pronged connection with others.
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Want the full transcript to this (or another) episode? You can sign up for FREE at ericwilbanks.com and I’ll send you the full transcript every time I release a new episode! I don’t spam, and I will certainly never share or sell your email address.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 04 Jan 2023 - 14min - 75 - How to Move from Loneliness to Belonging, Pt 3
This is part 3 of a mini-series exploring the continuum of loneliness and belonging. In part 1, I talked about loneliness, how disturbingly common it is, and how it can wreak havoc in our lives. In part 2, I went over Self-determination theory and how it might relate to belonging and community. In this episode, I tackle the million-dollar question: "How do we move from loneliness to that true sense of belonging?" The answer, according to research, is in learning the three-pronged "structure" for making and maintaining friendships!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 05 Dec 2022 - 11min - 74 - How to Move from Loneliness to Belonging, Pt 2
This is part 2 of a mini-series exploring the continuum of loneliness and belonging. In part 1, I shared why psychologists say loneliness is an “awful, noxious psychological state” that—if left unchecked—can wreak havoc in our lives. (What’s more, it is a disturbingly common problem.) In this episode, I want to explore how this need to connect (or belong) drives our behavior and how that can enhance or diminish our sense of belonging in any group or community.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Thu, 10 Nov 2022 - 11min - 73 - How to Move from Loneliness to Belonging, Pt 1
Everyone—you, me, your friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, and even celebrities—gets lonely. It’s a nearly universal experience.
It’s also nearly universal to not be super clear on why we feel lonely, how serious that can be, and how to move out of loneliness, especially if we feel ‘stuck’ there because of extenuating circumstances.
In this mini-series, I invite you to join me as I explore the continuum of loneliness and belonging, what the latest psychological research has to say, and also how that compares and contrasts to what the Word of God has to say.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 25 Oct 2022 - 12min - 72 - The Tale of Two Abrahams and Why You NEED to Know It!
One of the most fundamental questions that can be asked about human behavior is “why”? Why do we do what we do, in the exact time and way we do it? And why do we stop?!?
These are typically questions of need and motivation. We all have needs, but what exactly are those needs? Better yet, how should we even begin defining and understanding what a need is? And then, what is it that causes needs to initiate and drive our behaviors … or bring them to a temporary end?
Psychologists agree that answers to these questions are fundamental to understanding human behavior and learning. But they also agree that the answers are complicated. In fact, the answers are even more complicated when you realize that most psychologists never stop to consider the spiritual nature of anything, present topic included.
In this episode, I want to introduce you to the tale of two Abrahams, both of whom addressed this important topic of human needs and motivation. I believe this is one of the very best places to start if we want to tackle this important question for ourselves and those we lead and care for.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 05 Oct 2022 - 13min - 71 - Using the DISC to Better Understand Yourself and Others
Why do you do the things you do … in the specific ways and manners in which you do them? Why do you like the things you like? Why do certain things always capture your attention while others get ignored?
Setting spiritual issues and influences aside (for the moment), the basic answer to these types of questions lies in the arena of personality.
Dr. Mels Carbonell, author of “How to Solve the People Puzzle,” once said, “Most of our problems stem from personality clashes. Most of our hurts come from personality conflicts.”
But how do we define and/or measure personality?
There are a myriad of tools available, but perhaps few in the world are more reliable, more researched, more scrutinized, and more accessible to non-academics than the DISC.
In this episode, I want to give you a brief overview of the DISC theory. And when you’re done listening, hop on over to ericwilbanks.com/dischabits to take your free, 7-minute assessment!
Fri, 09 Sep 2022 - 13min - 70 - Enneagram, Pt 2: Sacred, Satanic, or … Something Else?
In a podcast that claims to focus on exploring the very best insights of psychology THROUGH the lense of Scripture, it was inevitable that I would eventually want to explore something called the Enneagram. This is part two of the two-part mini-series. In the previous episode, I explored the origins and history of the tool, and reviewed it from a strictly psychological perspective. In this episode, I review the enneagram from a theological perspective.
If you are interested in looking into some of the resources mentioned in this episode, check out the work of Dr. Gary Gilley hereand the research of Daniel J. Castellano here.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 30 Aug 2022 - 10min - 69 - Enneagram, Pt 1: Sacred, Satanic, or … Something Else?
In a podcast that claims to focus on exploring the very best insights of psychology THROUGH the lense of Scripture, it was inevitable that I would eventually want to explore something called the Enneagram. This is a two-part mini-series. This first episode looks at the history of the tool and gives a brief overview from a psychological perspective.
If you are interested in looking into some of the resources mentioned in this episode, check out the work of Dr. Gary Gilley hereand the research of Daniel J. Castellano here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 15 Aug 2022 - 09min - 68 - This Is My Manifesto. This Is Who I Am.
I've had a lot of time to think about this episode. It is a massive departure not only from a typical episode of this podcast, but a massive departure from my personal style. I am very introverted, and thus a very private person. I rarely (if ever) bare my soul in public. But I am making this exception because I feel like it is necessary and important.
The basic idea behind this manifesto is simple: I refuse to accept that the version of me TODAY is the best, most Christ-like version of me possible. I refuse to believe that God is no longer working on me—molding me and shaping me into the likeness of Christ. I believe that I am slowly being transformed by the continual renewing of my mind. I hope that somehow this both encourages and inspires you to do the same, to just keep loving God and running the race with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 02 Aug 2022 - 07min - 67 - Your Stressed-Out Brain and the False Promise of Relief
When you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or down, what do you do—what do you turn to—to feel better?
There’s an 80s song by the band Fleetwood Mac that describes what many of us do … probably far too often. As Jim Beviglia says, writing for American Songwriter, the song's narrator “decides to suspend disbelief, reveling in the untruth when the actual truth hurts,” as she sings wistfully, “Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies!”
According to scientific research, the brain, it turns out, is especially susceptible to “sweet little lies” when we are “feeling bad.” And that’s especially bad because how we respond to stress makes a tremendous difference in our quality of life.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 29 Jun 2022 - 11min - 66 - How to Have a Top Gun Mind
When Top Gun: Maverick hit the theaters, it was a MUST see for my wife (who loved the 80s version). And after I saw the extended trailer showing some of what they went through to film actual plane footage, I was definitely intrigued. Now having seen it, I have to say that it was incredible.
The air-to-air combat (dog-fights)—both real and training versions—were some of my favorite scenes in both movies. I was easily reminded of the so-called “two minds” inside our brains. What it takes for those Top Gun pilots to win in battle is the same for you and I when we are battling our short-term, impulsive mind: It really comes down to how good our targeting systems are.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 15 Jun 2022 - 11min - 65 - One Brain, Two Minds: The Angel and Devil on Your Shoulders
There’s a fairly well-known TV trope—especially in cartoons—that pops up when someone is wrestling with temptation; two miniature versions of the character’s self, an Angel and a Devil, sit on each shoulder and try to pull the character in different directions.
Psychologists often say it this way: we have ONE brain with TWO minds, and they rarely (IF EVER!!) agree with one another.
That matters, because the constant battle between the two can wreak havoc in your life. In this episode, I take you on a tour of the neurobiology, how it impacts you on a recurring basis, and even a secret weapon you can use in the fight!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 08 Jun 2022 - 11min - 64 - A Lesson from History’s Most Successful Founder and Trailblazer
Years ago, Michael Jackson sang, “You Wanna Be Startin’ Something!” I still have no idea what the song itself actually means, but I do know this: Starting something new can be both exhilarating and terrifying. It’s exhilarating because it’s an opportunity to blaze new trails, even if they are only new to you. But it’s also terrifying … and not just because of the “fear of the unknown” factor. You may have heard the old saying that it’s easy to spot a pioneer because they’re the ones with all the arrows in their back. Being a founder, a pioneer, a trailblazer is never easy.
On this episode, I look at the simple but brilliant start-up strategy of history’s single most successful founder and trailblazer and how that strategy can help you today!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 24 May 2022 - 11min - 63 - The Opportunity Principle and the Science of Regret
In the previous episode of this podcast, I suggested that instead of thinking of regret as a “universal negative emotion,” it could be far more helpful to think of it as a psychological earworm—the brain continuously reminding us that there is an unfinished task or unresolved issue or goal.
On this episode, I want to dig a little into the actual scientific research that has been going on since the 1990s, and it is all remarkably consistent in reiterating one big idea: Opportunity Breeds Regret.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Thu, 12 May 2022 - 12min - 62 - Don't Let Regret Become the Song That Never Ends
There’s a book out, maybe you’ve read it or at least heard of it. It’s by superstar author Daniel Pink and it’s called the Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward. The ideas in it are interesting and could be helpful for some, but—as is often the case with ideas from the world of psychology—I don’t think it tells the whole story. In fact, I think what it doesn’t include is really the most critical lesson concerning regret.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Thu, 05 May 2022 - 14min - 61 - My Daughter Wrote This Episode and Now I’m a Little Salty
My daughter—like her brothers before her—is turning into a great thinker and communicator. At age 16 she earned her first chance to compete in a regional speech and debate tournament. So, being a communications professional myself, I did what professionals sometimes do best: I “borrowed” one of the speeches she developed and used it in this episode. Could I have developed this on my own? Sure … but why would I when she did it better? My only real contribution is the ridiculous riddle at the beginning. Enjoy!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
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Mon, 25 Apr 2022 - 09min - 60 - The Best of Times, the Worst of Times
The opening paragraph from Dickens’ from A Tale of Two Cities reads, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness ….”
I’ve never read the book, but I am familiar with the classic rock song it “sort of” inspired. Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer of the band, Styx, said the song “The Best of Times was “… me stealing from Dickens.” I say “sort of” because there’s no indication that DeYoung ever read the book either.
So if DeYoung can do it, then so can I. Here’s my take on times that are both best and worst.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 19 Apr 2022 - 09min - 59 - A Better Mind Better Life Framework for Interesting Times
Generally speaking, the term “framework” means a structure or system of rules, guidelines, and boundaries that are used to govern a process, decision, or specific goal.
Businesses use frameworks to help ensure that the products or services they deliver are consistent and aligned with the company mission, vision, and values.
I’m what some would call a “frameworks thinker”—someone who is good at bringing clarity and guidelines to complicated situations. So more than 20 years ago I developed a framework for my life and for raising my children. That framework is the heart and soul of who I am, and that means it is also the heart and soul of this podcast. I’d like to share that framework with you in this episode. Maybe it will change your life the way it has mine!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 06 Apr 2022 - 10min - 58 - 4 Common Thinking Traps and How to Escape Them
In this episode of Better Mind, Better Life, I share what psychologists say are four common thinking traps (a.k.a., cognitive distortions) that we all struggle with—two that are people focused and two that are situation-focused—and how we can clear up our thinking and break free from those distorted traps.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
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Wed, 30 Mar 2022 - 10min - 57 - Better Mind, Better Life Trailer
The strength and ability to improve any area of your life isn't in your circumstances: it's in your mind! When we improve the way we think, we can improve our lives. Better mind, better life!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Thu, 24 Mar 2022 - 02min - 56 - To Build Resilience, Learn Your ABCs
Authors and professors Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatté say the very heart and soul—the foundation of resilience—is “the simple realization that our emotions and behaviors are created notby events themselves but how we interpretthose events.” So they recommend “Learning Your ABCs” as the first skill for addressing those situations in which we seem to consistently lack resilience.
In this episode I'll give you a brief overview of the ABCs skill and share some of the tips the authors give to help you put that skill to work right away.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 22 Mar 2022 - 10min - 55 - GRIT - Four Ways We Use Resilience
Here’s the hard news: More than 50 years of scientific research has demonstrated that where you and I fall on the resilience curve—our natural reserves of resilience—affects practically everything.
But here’s the good news: With practice, anyone can grow resilience. And if you increase your resilience, you can overcome pretty much anything life throws at you.
Generally speaking, there are FOUR “ways” we NEED and USE resilience. To make them a little easier to remember, I’m calling these four ways G.R.I.T.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into an easy to digest, bite-sized, 10-minute motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will give you the tools and strategies you need to literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 08 Mar 2022 - 12min - 54 - To Have Effortless Resilience You Need Effortful Practice
“Baseball is 90% mental, and the other half is physical.”
Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, you’ve at least heard the name of the ‘comedian’ who said it: Yogi Berra.
Yogi was entertaining, both on the field as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, and off the field because of his Yogi-isms—the unique and witty observations he became famous for.
And, let's be honest, we loveto be entertained! Part of the joy of entertainment is that we can benefit from the fruits of someone else's labor without having to do the work ourselves! I can enjoy baseball without having to practice and sweat every day. I can enjoy a world class guitar player without having to spend 8 hours a day making my fingers bleed. I can enjoy a martial arts competitions without getting punched or kicked or thrown around.
But … there is a dark side to all this entertainment.
In many ways, we’ve come to believe that world-class athletes, performers, etc. simply HAVE talent, and we forget the blood, sweat, and tears it took to develop their excellence. And when it comes to developing our resilience in life, that mindset really matters.
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 01 Mar 2022 - 10min - 53 - The Brain Process That Can Build or Destroy Resilience
You may not realize it, but there is a very sophisticated factory in your brain, and it has the ability to help build your resilience … or even destroy it.
I’m going to attempt to explain, in the fastest, simplest terms possible, how that works and why it matters for us both today and for the future. Of course, I am NOT a neuroscientist … although I DO play one on TV.
Just kidding. I only accept acting roles that allow me to dramatize the life and times of the Bee Gees.
Also kidding. I never act. I was, however, an original member of the Bee Gees, just behind little brother Andy Gibb’s guest appearances. I was the 5th Bee Gee—not to be confused with the 5th Beatle, a distinction belonging entirely to Clarence Walker.
Jokes aside, I’ve created a simple visual of this brain process—as I understand it—that you can view here. If you can think of a way that I can make the visual more clear or more in line with Dr. Barrett's research, let me know!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Mon, 21 Feb 2022 - 11min - 52 - The Philosopher’s Stone and the Alchemy of Resilience
Despite the fantastical title, this is NOT an episode about an upcoming Harry Potter or other fantasy-related book.
This episode is about resilience, plain and simple. But it is also a peek inside the overlapping space between fantasy and reality, and it starts LONG ago, in ancient times and ancient lands. Be forewarned, though: It takes a minute to wade through the history and separate out the fantasy from reality, but if you'll stick with me for a few minutes, I think it’ll all make sense. And, in the words of one of my favorite 70s childhood cartoons: "If you're not careful, you may learn something before it's done." So let's talk about the alchemy of resilience!
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Please take a few seconds to answer the super brief Better Mind, Better Life Listener Feedback survey. Your feedback will help me to continue improving the Better Mind, Better Life podcast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 08 Feb 2022 - 13min - 51 - Sometimes Life Kicks You When You're Down
I have a story you NEED to hear. But I also need to warn you: Youaren’tgoing to believe that it’s true. You will feel compelled to research it yourself, to try and “fact-check” it because you’ll say, “No way this really happened. Not a chance.”
So feel free to fact check. Because here’s the bottom line. Life has a way of giving us all a beat-down from time-to-time. And sometimes, life even kicks us AFTER we’re down. And that’s when we have a serious choice to ponder: What should we do next?
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Wed, 26 Jan 2022 - 09min - 50 - An Important Life Lesson from the Characters in Cobra Kai
For the past 3 1/2 years, friends have been telling me that I *REALLY* should watch the new Cobra Kai series, so I finally decided to give it a go.
Yeah, the 80s music is awesome, as are the 80s flashbacks, but what REALLY stood out to me are the characters and the important—even critical—life lesson that I was reminded of when watching. To really explore it, I had to dig out another 80s classic, a book that you also likely read years ago! Here's my 10-minute take on the big life lesson from the characters in Cobra Kai.
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 18 Jan 2022 - 10min - 49 - The 5 Principles of Growth That You Shouldn’t Ignore
Question: Is our ability to change, grow, and improve governed by any specific, recognizable laws or principles?
More specifically, are there BIOLOGICAL principles of growth that can at least hint at or even point us to some principles for NON-biological (emotional, mental, spiritual, etc) growth?
I think the answer is "YES!" ... x5, and this episode looks at those five principles!
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 11 Jan 2022 - 11min - 48 - Synchronize Your Clocks ... Your Future Depends On It!
Happy New Year! Are you ready for the FUTURE? No, not the future that requires 1.21 gigawatts of power and a DeLorean time machine running 88mph. I'm talking about the future you RESOLVE to embrace!
But—and here's the really good part—you can forget about coming up with New Year’s resolutions or even a “word for the year,” because I found a guy even smarter than Doc Brown who has written a few resolutions for everyone and they are 100% supported by science. So synchronize your clocks and let's head to the future!
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Every week on Better Mind, Better Life, I combine insights from psychology, theology, and more into a short-form (5-10 minutes) motivational podcast to give you practical, useful tips that will not just change the way you think, but that will literally change your life.
Never miss an episode and follow Better Mind, Better Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Amazon, Podchaser, and more!
You can also connect with me via
Tue, 04 Jan 2022 - 10min - 47 - Christmas Encounters of the Angelic Kind, Part 3
Do you remember where you were and what you were doing the moment you first learned about:
The 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001? Hurricane Katrina in 2005? The deaths of Osama bin Laden and Steve Jobs in 2011? Brexit (or Trump) in 2016? The Global COVID Shutdown of 2020?History is full of iconic, life-altering moments ... and there is one which stands head and shoulders above the rest! That's what this short episode is all about, wrapping up our third and final message in this miniseries on the three "Christmas Angels" mentioned in the Gospel of Luke.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Fri, 24 Dec 2021 - 05min - 46 - Christmas Encounters of the Angelic Kind, Part 2
We’re in the midst of a three-part miniseries titled “Close Encounters of the Angelic Kind.” In the previous episode we looked at the first of three angelic encounters mentioned by the Gospel of Luke—all of which are connected to Christmas and the birth of Christ and each with a message that matters just as much today as it did then. In that first encounter, the priest, Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, had a life-changing experience while inside the Temple of Herod.
In this episode, I want to look at the second angelic encounter. But to really understand the message of that angel, we're first going to have to travel back to the beginning of history, to a time that looked very different from today.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Mon, 20 Dec 2021 - 06min - 45 - Christmas Encounters of the Angelic Kind, Part 1
In the late 1970's Steven Spielberg introduced the world to a cinematic portrayal of one man's obsession with UFOs. In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, electrician Roy Neary (played by Richard Dreyfuss) is prepared to give up his life to pursue the truth about what he saw. The movie is considered a classic in the sci-fi genre and for decades has struck a nerve with those who've encountered things that seem to defy logical explanation. One such encounter happened 2,000 years ago to a priest named Zechariah, and the encounter would not just change his life, but all of history.
In fact, in the Gospel according to Luke, the good doctor mentions three separate encounters with angelic beings that are all critically tied to Christmas and the birth of Christ. And each encounter came with a message that matters just as much today as it did then. In part one of this three-part miniseries, I explore both the incredible encounter with and the powerful message of that special Christmas Angel.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Mon, 13 Dec 2021 - 10min - 44 - The Remarkable Story of the Real Santa Claus
Santa Claus is surely one of the most beloved figures of modern times. But did you know that he was perhaps even more beloved long before he acquired a fur-trimmed red suit, a big round belly, and nine flying reindeer to pull his sleigh?
Believe it or not, the jolly Old St. Nick we know and love today actually took more than 1,600 years to develop!
For many years, one of our family's Christmas traditions has been a retelling of the history behind the colors and symbols of Christmas. Each year we start with the color green and the symbol of the Christmas tree, then we move on to the color red and Santa Claus. Santa really is a fascinating historical tale, one that starts small and then builds and builds and builds! I hope you enjoy learning the story as much as we enjoy rehearsing it each year!
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Here are some additional resources for you that can enrich the history of Santa Claus:
Patara, birthplace of Nicholas (via Google Maps) St. Nicholas Center: The Story of the Three Daughters Voice of the Martyrs: The Persecution of St. Nicholas BeliefNet: St. Nicholas Resurrects Pickled Boys! The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore NPR: Why Does Santa Live In The North Pole? Coca-Cola History: Five Things You Never Knew About Santa Claus and Coca-Cola CBC Radio-Canada: The Real Story Behind Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Youtube: “Here Comes Santa Claus” by Gene Autry~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Mon, 06 Dec 2021 - 10min - 43 - The Amazing Story of the Christmas Tree
It’s difficult to imagine Christmas without decorated trees. But do they have any “redeeming” value for Christians? And how did the idea get started in the first place? I think the answer to the first question is a resounding YES! The answer to the second question is a LITTLE bit longer.
Believe it or not, the Christmas tree as we know it today actually took more than 700 years to make!
For many years, one of our family's Christmas traditions has been a retelling of the history behind the colors and symbols of Christmas. Each year we start with the color green and the symbol of the Christmas tree. It really is an amazing story, one that seems to make the most sense when we think of it as happening in three main acts. I hope you enjoy learning the story as much as we enjoy rehearsing it each year!
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If you'd like to read it to your own family, here's the written version of this podcast.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 30 Nov 2021 - 10min - 42 - This Is Your Brain On God
In the previous episodes I talked about #gratitude and #Thanksgiving as the gateway to peace. I looked at the fascinating science behind gratitude as well as what the Bible has to say on the subject. I specifically referenced Philippians 4:4-7 which says "In every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."So I talked about both thanksgiving and peace, but there's still a critical element implied by the Apostle Paul: This all happens through PRAYER!
But instead of just giving you a bunch of Bible verses about prayer, I thought I'd share with you just a snippet of some of the amazing scientific facts about prayer, specifically what happens in our brains when we pray. Enjoy!
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Join the "Let's Say Thanks!" campaign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsSayThanks
And here's my 3-hour Thanksgiving playlist (the Spotify version)! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/24iMm65L3wtQNU3w2fwnqs?si=94c8f0566dde443f
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Thu, 25 Nov 2021 - 13min - 41 - 12 Things the Bible Says to Be Thankful For
For several years, many of my Facebook friends have participated in the activity of making a daily post to identify their thankfulness for something or someone. That’s fantastic! A number of years ago, I started the “Let’s Say Thanks” campaign on Facebook and each year try to get a few more people to participate. Also fantastic. And in episode 39 I shared a boatload of research from the past 30 years about the power of gratitude. But even with all this, I believe an important element is still missing.
Honestly, it's because when it comes to having a Better Mind that leads to a Better Life, I believe the Bible—the Word of God—is the very best place to start. So a few years ago I started wondering, what does the Bible have to say about thankfulness? I did a thorough study of every passage in Scripture that touches the topic of thankfulness and found that the Bible really does have a LOT to add to this conversation. And then I summarized my findings into twelve uniquely Biblical reasons to give thanks. That's what this episode is all about!
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Join the "Let's Say Thanks!" campaign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsSayThanks
And here's my 3-hour Thanksgiving playlist (the Spotify version)! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/24iMm65L3wtQNU3w2fwnqs?si=94c8f0566dde443f
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 16 Nov 2021 - 10min - 40 - Gratitude is the Gateway to Real, True Peace!
In the previous episode, season 1, episode 39, I did my best to give you a brief (and, hopefully, fascinating) look at 30 years of psychological research on the subject of gratitude, a virtue which psychologists say may very well be the most important virtue a human can have.
In this episode, I want to continue exploring gratitude, but I want to go back much further in history and take a look from a slightly different angle by diving into some ancient wisdom on the subject—especially as it might apply to the “Holiday Season” in the United States.
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Put Gratitude to work! Join the "Let's Say Thanks!" campaign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsSayThanks
And here's my 3-hour Thanksgiving playlist (the Spotify version)! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/24iMm65L3wtQNU3w2fwnqs?si=94c8f0566dde443f
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 09 Nov 2021 - 10min - 39 - Gratitude: The One Virtue That Can Transform Your Life
I know this probably sounds like a bunch of marketing, clickbait hype, but it isn't at all.
After 30 years of research and countless numbers of peer-reviewed studies, psychologists are finally agreeing with writers throughout the ages who argue that gratitude may very well be the most important virtue a human can have.
Now, I can't give you a thorough account of all that research in just 10 minutes, but I can give you a peek at some of the powerful benefits of gratitude as determined by these studies, many of which were spearheaded by psychologist, author, and UC-Davis Professor Robert Emmons, considered to be the world's leading authority on the subject of gratitude.
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If you want to dive into Dr. Emmons' research for yourself, grab a copy of his book THANKSor the follow-up Gratitude Works! from Amazon.
Join the "Let's Say Thanks!" campaign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsSayThanks
And here's my 3-hour Thanksgiving playlist (the Spotify version)! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/24iMm65L3wtQNU3w2fwnqs?si=94c8f0566dde443f
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Thu, 04 Nov 2021 - 10min - 38 - The 8 Dimensions of Leadership
Are you a "one-dimensional leader"? More importantly, how would you know if you were (or weren't)?
This is the fourth and final installment in a series of episodes talking specifically about leadership. In this episode, I want to make one simple argument about leadership, taken from the world of psychology—specifically DISC personality styles—and that argument is this:
ALL leaders need to be able to stretch BEYOND their primary leadership styles.
The truth is, a one-dimensional leader, no matter how good he or she is at that one thing, can't provide the kind of leadership that is often required for the "next level" in his or her development. You're going to need to stretch, and that's the idea behind The 8 Dimensions of Leadership, a concept created by DISC CEO Dr. Jeffrey Sugerman and and Director of Research for DISC, Mark Scullard.
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To grab your copy of The 8 Dimensions of Leadership, just click here: https://www.amazon.com/Dimensions-Leadership-Strategies-Becoming-Business/dp/1605099554
To learn more about the DISC model, visit my website: https://ericwilbanks.com/discernible/
Wed, 27 Oct 2021 - 08min - 37 - The 5 Phases in the Making of a Leader
Beginning in the 80s, Dr. J. Robert Clinton and his students began a massive study of leaders: historic, biblical, and contemporary. At the time of the original publication of Clinton's book, The Making of a Leader, in 1988, they had researched 500 case studies. Over the next 15 years, they researched another 3,000 case studies. As they have compared findings from those studies, they’ve gained insights that they believe are transferable to other leaders’ lives, including your own.
First and foremost, Clinton believes those insights can help leaders in all kinds of situations to identify and become more sensitive to God's working in their own lives as he forms them into the leaders HE wants them to be.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Wed, 20 Oct 2021 - 11min - 36 - The One Thing That Seems to Matter Most in the Making of a Leader
I’m in the middle of a series of episodes talking about leadership. My goal is to offer you some ways of thinking about the subject that both encourage and challenge you with a unique (or, at least less familiar) perspective.
In a previous episode I mentioned that life can be complicated and confusing at times. But it’s in those times when you have to remind yourself that you aren’t lost, and that your situation may be HARD, but it is most definitely not impossible or hopeless.
I want to continue on that theme based on some research from leadership studies pioneer, Warren Bennis, in which he talks about what he and his researchers discovered as the one thing that seems to matter most in the making of a leader.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 12 Oct 2021 - 09min - 35 - What Your Pumpkin Flavored (ANYTHING!) Can Teach You About True Leadership
For this and the next few episodes of Better Mind, Better Life, I want to tackle the subject of leadership, and, HOPEFULLY, offer you some ways of thinking about the subject that both encourage and challenge you with a unique (or, at least less familiar) perspective. For starters, it's possible that most of what people hold up as examples of leadership, aren’t leadership at all. And the explanation might be in your hand right now!
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 05 Oct 2021 - 08min - 34 - When Life Feels Like a Maze, Change Your Mindset!
Life can often feel very much like a maze.
It feels like each day is filled with difficult choices—left or right—in which the consequences of those choices seem complex beyond comprehension. Will this help or hurt? Will it cause me to win or lose? Will I sink or swim?
And some choices, once we’ve fully committed ourselves to them, seem in retrospect like tremendous dead-ends.
But that's the wrong way to think. When life starts to feel like a maze, that's when you need to change your mindset!
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 - 09min - 33 - You Really Need to Stop Trying to Prove Yourself
If I had to pick one thing that I knew for SURE you and I both had in common—along with every other person we know—I’d probably say this: We’re all losers.
I don’t mean that in a harsh way. I mean that we’ve all experienced what it feels like to lose. Repeatedly. Even the people we think of as “winners” have most likely lost far more often than they’ve won. And losing can be tough. But what matters most isn't whether or not we will win or lose in any given context, because losses will definitely come. It's what we do WHEN we lose that really matters.
So stop trying to prove you're a winner. There's a better way to live.
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Tue, 21 Sep 2021 - 08min - 32 - 5 Conditions to Help You 5x Your Productivity
If you want to do things like improve your performance, learn faster, be happier, be more creative, and be five times more productive (on average!), then maybe you should give some thought to the conditions that will enable you to accomplish this seemingly superhuman feat.
And, believe it or not, it isn't complicated! In this episode of Better Mind, Better Life, I'll go over the research and give you the basics to help you get started, all in less than 10 minutes ... which is probably less time than it's going to take you to 'zip through' that drive-through that's seven cars deep!
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Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Mon, 13 Sep 2021 - 08min - 31 - 4 Ways the Best of the Best Get Better and Better
What does it take to “make it,” to be successful? Honestly, there are probably tens of thousands of unique definitions from countless numbers of books and lectures throughout history. The trick is knowing WHERE to look, and WHAT to look for.
I’ve done some digging for you, and I’ve found some gold inspired by the work of Dr. Graham Jones. Dr. Jones is a former Professor of Elite Performance Psychology and consultant to Olympian and world champions, so he knows he few things about success. Here’s my take on his work with a look at what I'm calling Mindset, Maps, Mentors, and Movement.
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW and leave a review. That helps you never miss an episode and it helps me get noticed by others who are searching for new podcasts!
Thu, 02 Sep 2021 - 11min - 30 - 5 Simple Ways to Add 'Soul-Care' to Your Daily Routine
I saw a post on Instagram recently titled “60-minute self-care” that had 5 simple ways that you and I can take care of ourselves in just an hour a day.
It was a good post. I liked it. I even saved it to my phone. But as I read through the tons of comments on the post, I saw plenty of people adding their own thoughts about something they personally would include on the list. And I was struck by how easily this good list for 'self-care' could become a great list for 'soul-care'. Let’s look at each of them, one at a time.
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so that you never miss an episode.
Wed, 25 Aug 2021 - 09min - 29 - Should You ‘Speak Truth to Power’?
Recently, New York Times Bestselling Author and Leadership Expert, Michael Hyatt, made the following comment on his LinkedIn profile. He said:
“Speaking out takes courage. You will never grow into the leader you were meant to be if you are not willing to take a risk and occasionally speak up. Being a suck-up will not get you promoted. Being courageous eventually will—so long as it’s done in the right spirit.”
His comment really made me think: When it comes to “speaking up and speaking out,” what is the better mindset that will lead to a better life?
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so that you never miss an episode.
Mon, 16 Aug 2021 - 06min - 28 - 10 Time-Tested Ways to Manage Your Anger
Everyone feels angry from time to time: it’s a natural emotion and it’s always situational. But, just because anger is natural doesn’t make it healthy or helpful. Some plants, although 100% natural, are deadly poisonous. Anger can also be deadly, and controlling it is almost always not just important, but critical.
Of course, anger isn't necessarily a 'bad' emotion; it can be useful in the right circumstances. The key is learning to CHECK your anger. So, taking that age-old advice to take a deep breath and count to ten, here are ten bits of time-tested wisdom to help you re-wire your brain, improve the way you think, and improve your life ... especially when you are angry!
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so that you never miss an episode.
Mon, 09 Aug 2021 - 04min - 27 - Bright Lines: A Simple Choice for Saving Willpower Energy
I recently heard a “success coach” say we have no self-control, our willpower sucks, and thinking we have discipline is delusional. He even said willpower is a "terrorist" that must be fought against. He suggested an "all-powerful alternative," which, ironically, requires willpower to execute.
The research is voluminous: willpower is absolutely critical—especially at the beginning—to any and every conscious attempt to improve our lives. Some changes require a "little" willpower energy, and some require a lot, but they all require some. When it comes to change, being "energy efficient" with our willpower requires a long-term strategy, starting with clear goals and bright lines.
Thanks so much for listening to Better Mind, Better Life! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here’s how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so that you never miss an episode.
Mon, 02 Aug 2021 - 06min - 26 - How to Outsmart Yourself When It Really Counts
Ever heard of the "hot-cold empathy gap"? It's a concept in psychology that was first identified by renowned Carnegie Mellon psychologist, George Lowenstein. It describes our tendency to subconsciously reference our currentfeelings and attitudes to try and predict how we might behave in the future. Spoiler alert: Our prediction skills aren't that good.
In other words, the "hot-cold empathy gap" is our inability during a cool rational peaceful moment to appreciate how we will behave when it REALLYcounts—when the heat is turned up and our less-desirable nature threatens to get the best of us.
Thanks so much for listening! I genuinely hope this content helps you improve your life in some way. Now it’s your turn to help someone else. Here's how you can do that. Think of the one person you know who would most benefit from listening to this episode today. Now simply share it with them, and consider including an encouraging note explaining why you sent this episode to them specifically. You never know how that one simple act can help someone else have a better life! And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW so that you never miss an episode.
Tue, 27 Jul 2021 - 07min - 25 - Are You Ready to 'Thrive Like A Palm'?
Every year, me and my sons watch the 1996 movie Independence Day starring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. It's a fun tradition that we just never get tired of. But there is one scene in the movie that always used to confuse me. After the alien ship blows up Los Angeles, there's a scene where Jasmine, played by Vivica A. Fox, is surveying the aftermath. Everything is leveled and charred. Everything, that is, except two tall palm trees. That scene didn't make any sense until I read about an ancient battle that ended in 'similar' fashion.
And then it all made sense: Palm trees are even more awesome than I thought! We all need to be more like palm trees.
Thanks so much for listening! Leave a review in your podcast app, and consider sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to never miss an episode!
Mon, 05 Jul 2021 - 06min - 24 - A Truly Simple Strategy for Managing Anxiety
Google the word "anxiety" and you'll probably get—like I did—302 MILLION results. That's a lot of talk about anxiety.
You may even see that anxiety is “very common, with more than 3 million US cases PER YEAR.” In fact, search trends for the word anxiety have risen steadily from a search score of 30/100 in 2009 to 100/100 in March 2021.
As someone who is "anxiety-prone," I've had to learn how to tame that beast. My sincere hope is that what I've learned can help you and/or those around you who may wrestle with anxiety.
If this episode helps you in some way, please consider sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to never miss an episode!
Tue, 29 Jun 2021 - 08min - 23 - 5 Things Your Brain Always Wants
In 2008, Dr. David Rock of the NeuroLeadership Institute developed a "brain-based model for collaborating with and influencing others." The model is based on neuroscience research that implies there are five very specific areas of the human social experience that influence our behavior by activating either our brain's reward or threat circuits. And when it comes to interacting with others, doing things that activate the threat circuits will cause you (and the relationship) to stumble every single time.
Stop stumbling. It's time you learned what the human brain really wants: a SCARF Sandwich!
Thanks so much for listening! Leave a review in your podcast app or at ericwilbanks.com, and consider sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to never miss an episode!
Wed, 23 Jun 2021 - 05min - 22 - A Revelation About the Sandwich Approach to Communication
When I was in my early twenties, someone introduced me to the idea of the 'sandwich approach' to communication—an approach that is apparently hotly contested. Who knew? Certainly not me ... until a few years ago. So whether you are familiar with it or not, whether you regularly use it or avoid it like the plague, I've had a "revelation" about this method that I think you'll find both interesting and helpful! Take a listen and let me know what you think. Extra points if your feedback uses the sandwich approach!
Thanks so much for listening! Leave a review in your podcast app, and consider sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to never miss an episode!
Mon, 07 Jun 2021 - 07min - 21 - The A.R.T. of Diplomacy [3/3]
This is the third and final episode in a special miniseries titled The “A–R–T” (ART) of Everyday Diplomacy. If the GOAL of diplomacy is to “Think WIN/WIN,” as Stephen Covey would say, then achieving that goal is where the ART comes in.
In the first episode, we looked at the letter A, which is the value of Active listening, why hearing and listening are NOT the same, and some practical ways to become an Active listener. In the second episode we talked about the letter R—what it means to build Rapport.
The T, the third and final letter in our ART of Everyday Diplomacy model is to use T.A.C.T.ful communications in order to achieve diplomatic relations and solutions.
Thanks so much for listening! Leave a review in your podcast app, and consider sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to never miss an episode!
Thu, 20 May 2021 - 05min - 20 - The A.R.T. of Diplomacy [2/3]
We’re in the midst of a special miniseries titled The A.R.T. of [Everyday] Diplomacy. Some of the biggest stumbles I’ve had in my life—both personal and professional—were the times when I failed to be diplomatic in tenuous situations, so I thought this series could be helpful to you as well.
The GOAL of diplomacy—in most if not all cases—is to “Think WIN/WIN,” as Stephen Covey says in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. To use diplomacy and “Think WIN/WIN” is often the KEY to reaching an agreement or negotiating a solution which includes mutual benefit for everyone involved. It involves some give and take, and getting there is an art in and of itself.
So, what is the “ART” of everyday diplomacy and how does it work to keep the flames of conflict from getting out of control? I think there are at least three critical areas—A, R, T. In the first episode, we looked at the letter A, which is the value of Active Listening, why hearing and listening are NOT the same, and some practical ways to become an Active Listener.
This episode is all about the second critical area in getting to diplomatic relations and solutions—the "R"—and it is what happens between the initial meeting of two people (coming together) and actually communicating with one another.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to leave a review and help me spread the word by sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And if you don’t mind, please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode!
Tue, 11 May 2021 - 06min - 19 - The A.R.T. of Diplomacy [1/3]
Some of the biggest stumbles I’ve had in my life—both personal and professional—were the times when I failed to be diplomatic in tenuous situations. But have you ever *REALLY* thought about what it means to be diplomatic, to behave LIKE a diplomat? Until recently, I had not. So I did some research, and painfully compared what I was learning to what I already knew from my own past failures.
One of the most popular quotes I could find on the subject is from 1920s sports writer Walter Trumbull who once quipped that diplomacy is “the art of saying ‘nice doggy’ ... until you can find a rock.”
But the definition I like the most is from a group called School of Life. They say, “Diplomacy is the art of advancing an idea or cause without unnecessarily inflaming passions or unleashing a catastrophe.”
So, what is the "ART" of everyday diplomacy and how does it work to keep the flames of conflict from getting out of control? I think there are at least three critical areas—A, R, T—and in this episode I explore the first area.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to leave a review and help me spread the word by sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And if you don’t mind, please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode!
Tue, 04 May 2021 - 06min - 18 - The Reason You Should Never Give Up On Yourself
I recently had a real "A-HA!" moment that I want to share with you, a realization that for me was both extremely simple and elementary, but also seriously profound: NOTHING is impervious to change.
A rushing stream or river can wear away their banks and beds to become massive canyons that are miles long and even hundreds of feet deep. Wind can blow sand into towering dunes 1,300 feet high or turn jagged mountains into smooth rocks. The right temperature can liquify just about anything from ice (32°F) to graphite (6,872°F).
Given enough time and the right conditions / effort, EVERYTHING—even things that by all appearances are super permanent—eventually yields to change. And that is REALLY good news for me and you!
Thanks so much for listening! Be sure to leave a review and help me spread the word by sharing a link to this podcast on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! And if you don’t mind, please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode.
Fri, 23 Apr 2021 - 06min - 17 - The Truth About Toxic Thoughts That You Can't Afford To Ignore
It’s fairly common these days to hear people talk about toxic thought patterns living deep inside our brains and how these toxic thoughts can impact our lives. But what I DON’T hear people talking about is the role that music can play in both creating and combatting toxic strongholds. And once you understand the science, you'll realize that may be one of the most overlooked mistakes we make in regards to our mental health and stability.
Tue, 13 Apr 2021 - 08min - 16 - The Little Change That Can Give You Big Results
When it comes to making sure you stick the landing—oftentimes your results come down to how well you are able to control yourself when you get put to the test. But as you've probably already figured out, self-control can be a monumental task at times. Everyone has at least one area of life that seems to be a constant struggle. Most of us have multiple areas of weakness.
But what if the problem isn't how much Herculean power you can demonstrate in controlling a certain area of your life, but how much stamina you have in all areas? That's the topic of this episode, and, thankfully, the answer may be just one little change away!
If you enjoy this episode/podcast, would you do me a favor and help me spread the word? You can share a link on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! Let’s just say I’ll owe you one!
Oh, and if you don’t mind, please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!
Mon, 05 Apr 2021 - 06min - 15 - Have You Looked in a Mirror Lately?
Developmental psychologists say that babies don’t have what we would think of as self-awareness until somewhere around 18 months. When they look in a mirror, they see another baby, not themselves. Same with most animals. But eventually, we figure out that what we are seeing is really ourselves, and—interestingly enough—that's also where the hard work of self-control begins. In some classic experiments, psychologists found that when people were placed in front of a mirror, or told that their actions were being filmed, it consistently changed their behavior. In this episode, I take a look at that research and how it can help us better regulate our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.
If you enjoy this episode/podcast, would you do me a favor and help me spread the word? You can share a link on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues! Let's just say I'll owe you one! Oh, and if you don't mind, please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode. Thank you so much!! I am truly grateful for your help.
Tue, 30 Mar 2021 - 06min - 14 - SPECIAL EPISODE: The Messiness of Grief After Facing a Loss
When we lose a loved one, the pain we experience can feel overwhelming, confusing, and truly unbearable. With such a roller coaster of emotional responses, we can find ourselves wondering if the pain will ever end. Add to that the fact that grief is messy, complicated, and extremely personal: Those messy emotional experiences just can’t be tucked into neat, linear stages.
But they can be recognized and worked through as we learn to live and cope with a loss.
The first step may very well be recognizing that the feelings we have are fairly common, fairly normal, and mostly temporary in the healing journey, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
In this special, extended edition of Stick the Landing, I cover the most common responses to grief. My goal is to help you learn to recognize those responses so that you can, hopefully, stop criticizing yourself for “not doing grief right” just because your grief seems messier than someone else’s.
If this episode helps you in some way, please share it with others who are wrestling with the messiness of grief after a loss.
Wed, 24 Mar 2021 - 10min - 13 - Why You Need to Be Mindful of Decision Fatigue
If you were to randomly ask 10 people whether making decisions would deplete their willpower and make them vulnerable to temptation, most of them would probably say no, or, at least, not that they know of...
Yet the reality is that decision fatigue is very real, and it influences the behavior of me, you, and everyone you know, every day. Sadly, though, few of us are even aware of it. And that’s a real tripping hazard. In this episode, I cover the basics of how decision fatigue works as well as three ways to combat it.
SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if you enjoyed this episode/podcast, help me spread the word. Share a link on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even in an email to friends, family, and colleagues!
Tue, 16 Mar 2021 - 05min - 12 - Thou Shalt Be Flexible
Psychologists, coaches, and pretty much anyone involved in human improvement all seem to agree: The first step in anything that involves self-control (which means practically everything) is to set clear goals.
But here’s the interesting thing about that: Setting goals isn’t really a problem for most people. We all have goals, even the least disciplined among us. So, the problem for most of us, researchers say, is not a lack of goals but rather TOO MANY of them! Oh, and we're also WAY TOO fussy about those goals!
SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if someone comes to mind who you think might be encouraged by this episode (or podcast), let them know you were thinking of them and share this podcast with them!
Tue, 09 Mar 2021 - 04min - 11 - Where Does Willpower Come From?
According to Dr. Roy Baumeister, author of WILLPOWER: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, in their early eagerness to chart the brain as the human equivalent of computers chips and circuits, most psychologists had neglected one mundane but essential part of the machine: the power cord. In a computer, chips and circuit boards are useless without a source of energy. And so is the brain. Research has shown that a drop in that energy source correlates to low self control in both children and adults.
SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if someone comes to mind who you think might be encouraged by this episode (or podcast), let them know you were thinking of them and share this podcast with them!
Tue, 02 Mar 2021 - 05min - 10 - How to Boost Your Willpower
In today's world, where temptations, distractions, and opportunities to stumble can make us feel like we are in an endless obstacle race, it can seem as if our willpower is under constant siege, and at times, non-existent. But, we have more tools available than we know. In this episode, I take a look at just some of the abundant science behind willpower.
SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if someone comes to mind who you think might be encouraged by this episode (or podcast), let them know you were thinking of them and share this podcast with them!
Tue, 23 Feb 2021 - 05min - 9 - Searching for That Judgement Free Zone
It seems like everywhere we turn these days, someone somewhere is passing judgment. And it really doesn't matter if it is about something serious or ridiculous: that judgment can be really painful. So we work overtime to create and keep a space that is "free of judgment, negativity and draining energy"? But is that really the most productive solution? I think surfers may know the answer!
Please SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if someone comes to mind who you think might be encouraged by this episode (or podcast), share it with them!
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 - 05min - 8 - Baby Steps, Baby Steps: A Half Step Ahead!
When pursuing your dreams, you don't need to make giant, monumental strides forward with every single effort. In fact, you can learn to be a leader, a winner, and an inspiration to others at every level along your journey, no matter where you are!
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, if someone comes to mind who you think might be encouraged by this episode (or podcast), share it with them. By doing so, you might just provide them with the simple spark they need to reach the next level in THEIR lives!
Mon, 08 Feb 2021 - 05min - 7 - The Learning CURVE
Every single one of us has a whole laundry list of things that make us feel like failures, like we just aren't good enough or smart enough or talented enough. It's in those times that understanding "The Learning CURVE" is most critical. Your breakthrough may be closer than you think!
Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button to make sure you never miss an episode! Also, leave a review, and then help a friend by sharing this podcast with them. By doing so, you might just provide them with the simple encouragement they need to turn things around in THEIR lives!
Mon, 01 Feb 2021 - 05min - 6 - Which Way Is Up?
Have you ever wondered how cats (and apparently, squirrels) always seem to land on their feet? They can actually turn themselves the right way around during a fall in order to land safely. They can even do it BLINDFOLDED! Their secret isn't really a secret at all ... and you and I can learn to do the same!
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Mon, 25 Jan 2021 - 05min - 5 - Play-Doh On the BrainTue, 19 Jan 2021 - 04min
- 4 - These Go To ElevenThu, 14 Jan 2021 - 04min
- 3 - Is “Newsworthy” Actually Worthy of Your Time?
Unfortunately, far more often than not, the Four Ds of Abnormal Psychology do a really good job of summing up what the media considers “newsworthy”—deviant, dysfunctional, distressing, and dangerous. And having your mind constantly flooded with this kind of information can create a sense of panic that leaves you overwhelmed and anxious.
Fri, 08 Jan 2021 - 04min - 2 - Religion Is a Crutch?Thu, 07 Jan 2021 - 04min
- 1 - Introduction to "Stick the Landing"Tue, 05 Jan 2021 - 02min
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