18.6K
Downloads
374
Episodes
Weekly topics covering life‘s challenges with a positive spin and a new perspective. It‘s time to connect, learn, and grow!
Episodes
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re exploring something that shows up in almost every part of life, yet we rarely sit down and separate it out: the difference between critical and cynical. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to take something at face value, especially when the information comes fast, polished, and wrapped with confidence? Or maybe you’ve had the opposite reaction, where you hear something new and immediately think, “Yeah right…” and shut it down before it even has a chance. Somewhere between believing everything and doubting everything is the space we’re trying to find today.
We live in a world that delivers opinions like a conveyor belt; nonstop, loud, and often disguised as fact. Articles, posts, videos, conversations, “experts,” your cousin’s cousin, all chiming in with certainty. And if you’ve ever wondered, “How am I supposed to know what’s actually true?” you’re not alone. It can feel overwhelming, and honestly, it’s tempting to pick one of two defaults: go along for the ride without questioning anything, or armor up and become suspicious of everything. But neither one really leads us to clarity.
The more I think about it, the more I realize how important it is to bring your own critical eye to what you see, hear, and even feel. Not in a confrontational way, not in a “let me prove you wrong” way, but in a grounded, thoughtful way. It’s your job and my job to ask questions, explore, and do a little digging. To understand not just what might be true, but what might be false. To recognize that believing something at face value can be irresponsible, especially when your decisions, your peace of mind, and your perspective are on the line.
But here’s where today’s topic gets interesting: being critical and being cynical are not the same thing. One opens the door to growth. The other slams it shut. One helps you navigate the world with clarity. The other keeps you stuck behind a wall of distrust. And if you’ve ever felt yourself drifting toward cynicism, maybe from burnout, disappointment, or just being tired of sorting through so much noise, you’re not alone there either.
CHALLENGE: Take one moment this week to notice which window you’re looking through. When new information comes your way, pause before you react. Ask yourself whether you’re leaning in with curiosity or leaning back with cynicism. Choose the version of you that trusts your ability to think, explore, and decide for yourself.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re talking about speaking life. How the words we use, both out loud and in our heads, can either drain our energy or feed our strength. Have you ever noticed how quickly one negative thought can spiral into an entire mood? One complaint, one worry, one “what if,” and before you know it, you’re swimming in tension and exhaustion. It’s wild how something as simple as language can shape how we feel, think, and even heal.
I’ve always believed that we’re more powerful than we realize. The body, mind, and spirit are in constant conversation with one another. Every thought sends a message. Every word carries weight. And when we speak life, when we choose words of hope, belief, and gratitude, we set off a chain reaction toward peace and restoration. I’m not saying life suddenly becomes easy or that we can positive-think our way out of every challenge. But I do believe that we can rise above chaos and confusion by intentionally choosing the voice we let lead.
We’ve all seen what happens when negativity takes over. Worry turns into anxiety, anxiety into stress, and stress into physical strain. Cortisol spikes, sleep suffers, and our patience runs thin. It’s like our entire system is on alert, reacting to a story we keep repeating even if that story isn’t true. But what if we flipped the script? What if we started calling life as we want to see it, not ignoring reality, but speaking possibility into it?
There’s a fine line between being honest about what’s happening and being captive to it. You can acknowledge the storm and still believe in the sun. That’s what speaking life is about: setting your internal thermostat instead of being the thermometer that just reacts to everything around you. Choosing peace even when the world feels loud. Trusting your resilience, your purpose, your ability to heal.
Faith-filled words often come before faith-filled feelings.
CHALLENGE: Be intentional with your words this week. Speak life into every situation: into your thoughts, your relationships, and your dreams. When negativity creeps in, stop it mid-sentence and choose words that reflect faith, hope, and healing instead. Let your language lead your life in the direction you want to grow.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
Tuesday Nov 04, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show… we’re flipping the script and asking, are you giving as much as you’re taking? Have you ever felt like life just isn’t fair? Like you’re stuck playing the hand you were dealt while others seem to coast through with a royal flush? Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking, “Why do they get all the breaks?” or “When is it my turn?” It’s easy to feel that way when we’re hyper-aware of what we’re not getting, but how often do we pause to consider what we’re giving?
Sometimes, entitlement sneaks in wearing the mask of fairness. We may believe we’re owed something: more time, more praise, more help, because we’ve been working hard, showing up, or just surviving. But here’s the deeper question: are we creating the kind of balance we’re craving, or are we tipping the scales with our expectations? This episode isn’t about guilt-tripping or grinding it out harder. It’s about awareness. About getting curious, not critical, and asking, “Am I contributing to the harmony I want to experience in my life and relationships?” Let’s explore what it really means to give as much as you take… and why that shift in focus might be the key to unlocking more purpose, joy, and momentum.
And here’s another angle we’ll explore: how feeling stuck or shortchanged can morph into bitterness and blame if we aren’t careful. That mindset can convince us we’re powerless, resigned to our circumstances, when really, we have far more influence than we think. What happens when we trade frustration for curiosity? When we stop asking “Why not me?” and start asking “What can I do?” That’s where things start to shift.
The B-side asks: “What if your version of 'giving' is actually masking a fear of being seen as selfish?”
Here’s the twist: the most generous people are often the ones who’ve learned to give from a full place—not a place of obligation, fear, or performance.
CHALLENGE: Take an honest inventory of your energetic exchange with the world. Where are you contributing, and where are you simply consuming? Identify one area this week where you can shift from expectation to contribution — whether it’s your time, your presence, your encouragement, or your effort. Give without waiting to feel ready, and see what shifts within you as a result.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re exploring the power of pausing to see what rest can really reveal. We’ll be slowing things down. Literally. In a world where “fast” is the default setting: fast food, fast lanes, fast Wi-Fi, it’s easy to feel like we’re always rushing. Have you ever found yourself impatient in the “wrong” line at the store, agitated by the buffering wheel, or frustrated that someone isn’t replying fast enough? It’s almost as if our value is tied to how quickly we can move through life.
But then, without warning, we hear ourselves say something like, “Where did the time go?” or “Life is just flying by.” Strange, right? We’re racing to get to the next thing…only to mourn how fast it’s all passing.
This week, we’re hitting the brakes because maybe it’s not just about productivity. Maybe there’s something hidden in the quiet. A secret in the stillness. A truth that’s hard to hear when everything is moving too fast.
We’ll dig into what it means to find the middle lane, not stuck, not speeding, but moving with intention. Together, we’ll ask: What am I missing when I never slow down? What could rest reveal if I actually gave myself permission to pause?
And if rest feels like a luxury you can’t afford or a guilty pleasure you never let yourself enjoy, then this is the episode for you.
Ready to shift gears?
What does rest feel like to me?
Does it feel luxurious? Lazy? Guilt-ridden? Productive? Unfamiliar?
Now, here’s a trickier one:
When was the last time I paused, on purpose, not because I was forced to, but because I chose to?
CHALLENGE: Press pause—on purpose. Not because you’re burned out or forced to stop, but because you choose to check in with yourself. Create space this week for a moment of stillness. Let it be awkward, quiet, or unfamiliar if it needs to be. Then listen. Not to the world’s demands—but to your own voice, your own rhythm, your own needs.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re learning when to listen, when to help, and when to just let it breathe. Have you ever found yourself halfway through someone’s story and already mentally rolling out the action plan? They’re still explaining how overwhelmed they feel, and you’ve already drafted three possible solutions, ranked by efficiency. Guilty? Me too.
If you’re a natural-born fixer, hearing a problem can feel like a challenge to solve — like someone just lobbed a ball your way and you’re already mid-pitch with a winning strategy. But here’s the thing: not everyone wants a playbook. Sometimes, they just want a bench to sit on, a shoulder to lean on, and someone to nod and say, “That sounds really tough.”
So how do you know when to jump in and brainstorm, and when to just… be present? When do you absorb like a sounding board, bounce back ideas like a springboard, or wind up like a pitcher ready to throw? And how do we know if we’re solving the real issue or just rearranging the symptoms?
This week, we’re exploring what it really means to support someone in their moment of need. Let’s pull back the lens and see if we can’t shrink this idea into focus. Maybe the key isn’t always to act, but to understand. Maybe the most powerful support we can offer doesn’t come from solving, but from seeing.
CHALLENGE: When someone shares something heavy or hard with you, resist the reflex to fix it. Instead, pause and ask: “Do you want ideas, or do you just need me to listen?” Give space. Offer presence. Trust that just being there might be exactly what they need.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re exploring something that has always been at the heart of Encouragementology: the simple, powerful, and essential need for connection. Not surface-level chatter or algorithmic affirmations, but real, human-to-human interaction. The kind that looks you in the eye, senses your mood, leans in when you’re struggling, and celebrates when you’re rising.
Have you ever found yourself surrounded by communication but still feeling completely alone? Maybe your phone lights up all day with notifications, you scroll past hundreds of smiling faces and inspirational quotes, and yet… you can’t remember the last time you had a meaningful, face-to-face conversation. Or maybe you’ve poured your heart out to your AI assistant lately, been met with warm, empathetic responses, and then struggled to hold eye contact with a real person at the grocery store. If by then… we’re still going into grocery stores.
Let me be honest. Encouragementology didn’t start because I had a collection of clever phrases I thought belonged on coffee mugs or T-shirts. It started because I deeply, truly believe people need people. Encouragement isn’t just a mindset; it’s a shared experience. I’ve led Women Connect, a support group for women helping women find direction. I continue to run Senior Connect, where we create space to combat senior isolation. Because despite all the tools and tech at our fingertips, the greatest impact still happens across the table, not across a screen.
We’re in a time when AI can be more than a tool; it can be a companion. And that’s both exciting and… something worth pausing to think about. When your virtual assistant knows your preferences, mirrors your emotions, supports your every dream…but your real-life partner barely listens, what’s that doing to your sense of connection? When the digital feels safer than the physical, how do we stay human?
Today, we’ll unpack those questions. Not to scare you away from tech or shame you for turning to tools that help, but to remind you of something essential: we were built for connection. Not just convenience.
So let’s talk about it.
CHALLENGE: Step outside the comfort of curated connection this week and make a move toward real, human interaction. Send a message, make a call, show up in person; whatever it looks like, let it be intentional.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
🎶 Music that Moves the Message
All original music featured in this episode—including the Encouragementology intro, outro, and interludes—was written and performed by Matt Martino. His work brings warmth and emotion to every episode.
Find more of Matt’s music here:
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show… we’re facing that uncomfortable yet familiar middle stretch. Have you ever looked around and thought, “How did I get here? Am I doing enough? Is it too late to change direction, or too soon to stop trying?” That moment where the rearview is full of decisions, detours, and dashed hopes, while the road ahead seems just out of focus?
I want to tell you about a song that’s been living rent-free in my heart—and it just happens to be my husband’s new single, “The Horizon.” It’s been 15 years in the making, and 10 years ago when we first met, he sang me a few lines that stopped me in my tracks. The one that’s haunted me (in the best way)goes:
“It’s too soon to be so tired, and too late to start over, nothing but distance over my shoulder, with many miles to go.”
Whew. Can you feel that? This show isn’t just about music. It’s about you—me—us—sitting right here in the middle of the journey, wondering what to do next.
Maybe you’ve had seasons like that. You’re not brand new anymore. No longer wide-eyed and fresh out of the gate. But you’re also not ready to hang it up and ride into the sunset. Instead, you find yourself in that emotional middle lane: checking your mirrors, gripping the wheel, trying to make sense of the scenery. It’s that space where confidence and confusion coexist. You’ve come far, but where exactly are you going? And more importantly… who are you becoming along the way?
So let’s sit in the middle for a moment; not rush through it, not try to escape it. Just… sit.
This space, the emotional middle, isn’t a crisis, even if it feels like one. It’s that quiet stretch of road where the urgency of the starting line has faded, and the excitement of the finish line feels too far off to motivate. You’ve accomplished some things, survived others, made decisions you’re proud of, and a few you wish you could undo. And now? You’re in that foggy space where you’re asking, “Is this where I thought I’d be?” or maybe even “Is this all there is?”
CHALLENGE: Stop seeing the middle as a sign you’re lost—and start seeing it as proof you’re still in it, still growing, still becoming. Take stock of how far you’ve come, let go of what no longer serves you, and choose this moment to recommit to the road ahead. There are still miles to go, and that’s a gift.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re talking about the idea of choosing your hard. Have you ever felt like life just keeps piling on the challenges, like no matter what direction you take, it’s tough? Marriage is hard, but so is divorce. Being in debt is hard, but so is being financially disciplined. Communication is hard, but so is staying silent. The truth is, there’s no easy route. But what if instead of feeling like life is happening to us, we recognized that we get to choose which hard we live with?
It’s tempting to believe that we’ve been dealt a bad hand or that everyone else has it easier. When things get hard, we can get stuck; stuck in self-pity, stuck in resentment, stuck in the belief that we don’t have options. But here’s the reality: every hard comes with its own kind of growth. Being fit is hard, but so is carrying the weight of poor health. Working through conflict is hard, but so is living with unresolved tension. When we stop waiting for life to be easy and start owning the hard we choose, we take back our power.
I once had someone in a support group tell me, “You can’t just choose to be happy. It doesn’t work that way.” And I get what she meant, it isn’t instant. But I believe happiness is a choice, because when you decide to lean toward joy, you’re also deciding to turn away from sadness. It doesn’t mean your circumstances change overnight, but your posture does. And over time, those choices add up. That’s what we’ll explore today: how to shift your perspective, own your decisions, and recognize that while life will never be without struggle, you do have the power to choose which struggle you embrace.
When we say, “life is hard,” what do we really mean? Hard can look like stress, sacrifice, discipline, heartbreak, or persistence. Hard is waking up early to work out when you’d rather sleep in. Hard is having the difficult conversation instead of ignoring the problem. Hard is sitting with grief, or pushing through self-doubt, or choosing to budget when spending feels easier. Hard doesn’t mean impossible; it means uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or requiring effort.
The truth is, we don’t get to opt out of difficulty. Every path comes with its own version of hard. If you avoid exercise, you might face the hard of poor health. If you avoid saving, you might face the hard of financial instability. If you avoid conflict, you might face the hard of broken relationships. The meme that inspired this episode puts it plainly: marriage is hard, divorce is hard. Choose your hard. In other words, difficulty is part of the human experience; you just get to decide which type of difficulty leads you closer to the life you want.
What makes this powerful is recognizing that choice is always involved. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, you are making a choice, whether it’s by acting or by avoiding. Choosing your hard isn’t about pretending the struggle doesn’t exist. It’s about asking yourself: which hard moves me toward growth, peace, or joy, and which hard keeps me stuck? Once you see that you have agency, the focus shifts from “why is this happening to me?” to “which challenge am I willing to embrace for the sake of something better?”
Choose your HARD - (a short film for motivation)
CHALLENGE: Take a clear look at the “hard” you’re living with right now and ask yourself—did I choose this, or did I drift into it? Make one intentional choice this week to embrace the hard that moves you toward growth, even if it’s uncomfortable in the moment.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we’re talking about searching for fulfillment and discovering true satisfaction. Have you ever felt like you were on a constant quest for “the next thing”—a new job, a new relationship, a new milestone—believing that once you achieved it, you’d finally feel complete? It’s a familiar cycle: the anticipation, the accomplishment, and then the quiet realization that the longing is still there. What if the reason we keep searching isn’t because we’re broken, but because our hearts are tuned to look for something deeper than surface-level success?
We live in a world that applauds striving and achievement. “What’s next?” becomes the refrain, as though staying in motion ensures meaning. But that chase often leaves us restless. Sometimes it feels like chasing the horizon—you can see it, but the closer you get, the more it moves. In that gap between what we hoped to feel and what we actually feel, questions begin to bubble up: Why isn’t this enough? What am I really searching for?
That’s where things get interesting. Many people turn to psychology, self-help, and personal development for answers—and those tools can be incredibly valuable. But what if part of the search is overlooked? For some, fulfillment is found not just in doing more or having more, but in cultivating something bigger—a relationship, a connection, a sense of being supported by more than ourselves. Some call that spirituality, some call it faith, some simply call it purpose. Wherever you land, today we’re going to explore how satisfaction may come not only from what you achieve, but from who and what you invite into your search.
When we talk about fulfillment, satisfaction, and purpose, the words can sound interchangeable, but they carry different weights. Fulfillment is that deeper sense of wholeness, like your life has substance and meaning beyond the day-to-day. Satisfaction is more about contentment with your circumstances—feeling that what you have is enough, at least for the moment. And purpose is the guiding direction that pulls you forward, often tied to your values, your passions, and how you contribute to the world. Together, these elements form the framework most of us are chasing, whether consciously or not.
Psychologists often make a distinction between the search for meaning and the presence of meaning. The search is the active, restless phase—when you’re hungry for clarity, digging for something that explains or validates your existence. The presence of meaning is the experience of already having it—living in alignment with your values and feeling that your life matters. Interestingly, research shows that people who feel they are actively searching tend to report lower well-being than those who feel they already have meaning. That doesn’t mean the search is bad; it simply highlights the emotional toll of always chasing but never landing.
Now here’s where it gets tricky. Many of us stop at the surface—looking to career achievements, personal milestones, or material comforts as the ultimate answer. And while those things can absolutely add joy and motivation, they rarely deliver lasting satisfaction on their own. What often goes overlooked is the spiritual dimension: the idea that fulfillment is tied to something bigger than ourselves. For some, that “something bigger” is community, legacy, or contribution. For others, it’s a relationship with God. Too often, spirituality is dismissed as something you have to give up your worldly joys to experience, when in reality, it can be the piece that helps everything else fall into place.
Seven Ways to Bring More Meaning to Your Life.
Chasing a Richer, Fuller Level of Happiness.
CHALLENGE: Pause your constant search long enough to ask yourself what you’re really longing for—beyond the next milestone or accomplishment. Take one small step this week, whether that’s aligning with your values, connecting with someone who matters, or even opening the door to a conversation with God, to move from restless striving toward true satisfaction.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
SHOW NOTES:
On this show, we are letting go of our old ways of thinking to learn why silence, perspective, and always needing the last word may be holding us back.
Have you ever caught yourself clinging to a belief simply because it feels like yours to protect, even when it no longer fits the moment or serves the relationship? Or felt compelled to say one more thing, just to make sure you’re understood, validated, or seen as right, only to walk away feeling a little more frustrated than fulfilled?
We’re taking a closer look at the roots of our thinking: where they came from, how they became so automatic, and why they can be so hard to release. We’ll explore the underestimated power of silence, the gift of stepping back, and the clarity that can come from listening to the B-side of your beliefs. That’s the perspective we often ignore, but it just might set us free. This episode is your chance to pause, reflect, and make room for something new.
Before we can begin letting go of our old ways of thinking, we have to understand what those “old ways” really are and why they’re so sticky. This segment sets the foundation by exploring four core ideas that will guide the rest of our conversation: inherited thinking, the compulsion to be right, the power of silence, and the value of perspective.
1. Old Ways of Thinking: Where Did They Come From?
We don’t just wake up one day with a fixed mindset. Most of our beliefs, assumptions, and mental habits were inherited. We picked them up from family, culture, community, trauma, school, media, or lived experience. Some were explicitly taught, like “Don’t speak unless spoken to.” Others were absorbed through repetition or modeled behavior. Over time, these ideas become so ingrained that we stop questioning them. They feel safe and familiar, but that doesn’t mean they’re serving us.
2. The Need to Be Right and Have the Last Word
Let’s face it. Most of us have been in a conversation where we had to make our point, clarify our stance, or get the last word in. That compulsion often comes from fear: fear of being misunderstood, fear of looking weak, or fear of losing control. In some cases, it’s ego. In others, it’s a form of protection, often shaped by past moments when staying quiet came at a cost. But constantly defending our viewpoint keeps us stuck. It makes learning and connection harder and turns dialogue into debate.
3. The Power of Silence
Silence gets a bad reputation. We rush to fill quiet moments in conversation, viewing them as awkward or uncomfortable, or assuming they mean something is wrong. But silence can be a powerful tool. It gives us time to process, to listen fully, to think instead of react. Silence invites reflection. It creates space for others. And sometimes, saying nothing speaks volumes. In a world of noise, silence can be the most honest response.
4. Perspective: The B-Side of the Story
Imagine your beliefs as a 45-record. The A-side is your familiar story. It’s what you’ve always believed to be true. It’s catchy, comfortable, and easy to play. But flip it over, and there’s a B-side—a quieter, less popular track that offers a different rhythm. Perspective means seeing beyond the obvious and stepping outside your default view. It’s not about abandoning your truth but creating space for more than one version of reality. When we only ever play the A-side, we miss the deeper track that might change everything.
Black & White Thinking in Relationships: Examples, Impacts, & Solutions
Make An Impact - Inspirational Video
CHALLENGE: Notice when old thinking shows up and instead of reacting, pause long enough to ask yourself, “Is there another side to this?” Be willing to release the need to be right and choose growth, peace, and presence instead.
I Know YOU Can Do It!