Do you or someone you know seem to be successful in a variety of ways, and yet chronically stressed?In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun reflects on the qualities she’s noticed to be present in people with high-functioning anxiety, as well as how they often appear to outsiders. It’s amazing how people who can appear so organized, calm and collected, and high performing can internally feel so overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and exhausted. Key Takeaways: High functioning anxiety and stress is multi-facted: it’s a gift to be able to manage so much, and it’s overwhelming and can lead to depletion and stress. It can be difficult for people who are high functioning with stress and anxiety to shift their way of being because often self-worth is closely knit with their ability to achieve. It’s important to offer ourselves and others compassion who struggle with this, and slowly incorporate small steps of slowing down and self-care in order to support a shift. Resources: https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans! 

Are you one of the many people who struggle from a creative block at times? In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun interviews Gregory Halpen, who has 30+ years’ experience as a creative practice coach, solo theater artist, stage & TV actor, and singer. Gregory teaches creatives how to cultivate a creative practice for staying on their creative journey. In this interview, Gregory talks about how creativity, even beyond self-expression, can lead to self-discovery and transformation.Key Takeaways: Creativity can flow best when we are engaged in a daily self-care practice. Self-expression through creativity can uncover and offer greater meaning in our lives. Creative expression is a process in the moment, not just about the finished outcome. Resources: Instagram: @gregoryhalpen https://www.facebook.com/greghalpen/https://www.gregoryhalpen.com/https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans! 

Do you ever struggle with people-pleasing?In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores her experience with people-pleasing and the freedom that comes when we respect our own boundaries and those of others. Elizabeth also dives into the importance of connecting with ourselves as a way to be more fully present and aware of the the boundaries that we need to honor.Key Takeaways:Your boundaries are not your problem :)A people-pleasing response demands a disconnection from ourselves in order to be in service to others.Self-soothing and self-care is very important as we notice our boundaries and our responses to others’ boundaries.Resources:https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!

What does it mean to grow our “boundary muscles”? In this episode, Kelli Younglove, a Self-Awareness and Mindset Coach, dives into exploring boundaries on several levels, and offers actionable advice on how to notice and honor our boundaries.Kelli Younglove is a Self-Awareness and Mindset Coach who teaches her clients a kinder, gentler way to work with their stress and anxiety so they can show up in their lives as their happy, confident selves.  She's also the creator of the boundary course: Creating the Container of YOU— a self-study e-course that teaches boundary fundamentals and lifetime solutions for people pleasers and controllers.Key Takeaways: It’s best to practice in small, easy ways at first to grow that boundary muscle first with safe people (or even our pets!). In essence, the term boundary refers to a limit we set. Outer boundaries help protect you in the outer world. Inner boundaries refer to our inner wisdom, which is held in our bodies and helps us stay connected and in relationship with ourselves. Returning to the sensation of our breath and our bodies in the present moment can help facilitate setting and maintaining heartfelt boundaries that honor ourselves and others.  Resources: www.kelliyounglove.com <<free mini-guide for anxiety relief herehttps://courses-kelliyounglove.thinkific.com/courses/boundaries-creating-the-container-of-you https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation“I love Elizabeth and The Calming Ground Podcast.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! Your feedback on this platform helps me support more people - just like you - move toward the balanced life they desire. Scroll to the bottom, tape to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, remember to follow the podcast so you keep receiving the wisdom and insights of all of these amazing humans!

Have you ever felt that your life choices just don’t quite align with who you feel you are inside? In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Ssemanda, a holistic psychiatrist, medical intuitive, and life coach. In this conversation, Dr. Ssemanda talks about the importance of reconnecting with ourselves in order to live more authentically aligned lives and make choices that more deeply reflect who we are. Key Takeaways: Many people are living on auto-pilot and not fully consciously making important decisions in their lives. People already have the answers within us; we need to cultivate the courage to deeply listen to our inner voice in order to access these truths. Oftentimes making decisions that deeply align with our core selves and values involve setting important limits and boundaries. This requires courage, too, and yet offers us an opportunity to feel into the power of making decisions based on our own truth and inner voice and spirit. Resources: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzzA2XnfAS_p7ASow6K0q5ghttps://soulinyou.com/https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

How are you living your life that brings about fulfillment for yourself and others? Dawn Glasco reflects on this important question in her interview on The Calming Ground podcast.  In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun speaks with Dawn Glasco, a community engagement strategist, speaker, author, and consultant. Dawn reflects on creating and maintaining boundaries as a way of choosing what we allow into our hearts and minds and what we judiciously select to protect ourselves from in order to preserve our own integrity and alignment with what truly matters to us. Key Takeaways: It can be valuable to ask yourself the questions: “How can I be more loving? How can I hold more space for myself?” Engaging with and tapping into your own creativity may offer a more deep connection with yourself and a form of expression to reach others. Creating and maintaining your boundaries can allow for greater space for you to be authentically you and nourish the energy within you that aligns you with your highest and most vibrant version of yourself. Resources: https://www.dawnglasco.com/https://www.amazon.com/Community-Engagement-Leadership-Unleashing-Within/dp/B0C9K6GY8L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3MWSPCHW3E8KM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lrZ7m5xcftCafjQpTBc1kfMAP03p1AoEJPFI3CApFVva8Xeu56x9sdJdQxj8qbQxdLagifRaTfRFPo7JOpDTMC74U42er5U2CKevhY0WQ567NCv9ra2Hl6F4x3lxTcOEokzaH54mXvlsTUqDPAOCvRuRGeBzPiqUSgQuG_r430oSVe77jvvUHLUcJwJ5USURYYc_MZTU5ofC1P3miBB9x0Qid7ZI1wSjbfyloeRWdWk.SIco_DrLM0VNUA1kUhXo3fRTbW570EK_YVBYzVFOffo&dib_tag=se&keywords=community+engagement+leadership+unleashing+the+power+within&qid=1711808493&sprefix=community+engagement+leadership+unleashing+the+power+within%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Did you know that rest can take many forms? Often when we think about resting we think about sleeping or being otherwise inactive. But, rest can actually come in many different forms! In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores seven different pathways to rest and replenishment and examples within these to help us regain our balance and feel renewed. Key Takeaways: It can be helpful to notice which areas of rest tend to come more easily to you and which you might struggle more to attend to. As you notice which areas of rest you struggle more to nourish, using a curious and compassionate mind, you might ask yourself what barriers are here making this difficult for you to lean into? A practice of tuning in and sitting in stillness may offer the space to discern what kind of rest you might need in a particular moment. Resources: https://www.thecalmingground.com/free-guided-meditation

Have you ever struggled with tuning into the wisdom of your own inner voice? In this episode, psychotherapist Allison Bruce talks about the importance of listening to the wisdom of our bodies. Allison talks about the “demand culture” that we live in that is focused more on achieving and producing rather than the quality of our “be-ing”. She talks about the importance of staying with the process of noticing how we experience tension in our bodies and gradually leaning into easing that tension. Key Takeaways: The pace of the lives and society we’re living in has a significant impact on our ability to connect with ourselves. When people are able to still themselves and notice their tendency to go toward distractions rather than staying present with themselves. Sometimes it can be very important to seek professional support to help us reconnect with ourselves and navigate what might emerge in our still moments. Resources: https://www.allisonebruce.com/ https://www.gestaltcleveland.org/ https://emdrtherapy.com/

Have you ever wanted to speak up, but never ended up finding the right words or the confidence to do it? Joan Stenzler is a motivational speaker, communication specialist, holistic psychotherapist, and women’s empowerment coach. In this episode, Joan shares her own background and insight into when to use our voices to speak our truths, and the power of the words we choose. Key Takeaways: Prior to deciding your moment to speak up, it can be useful to ask yourself what are the chances that this conversation will have your desired outcome and what does that mean to you? It can be helpful to explore what might be getting in the way of speaking your truth as a way of discerning what you are needing and wanting to say. Often people avoid speaking their truth because they are afraid of conflict. Resources: www.youramazingjourney.com Free Master Class entitled “Turn your Hesitation into Determination and Find the Courage to Speak Up: https://youramazingjourney.lpages.co/joan-stenzler-masterclass/ Free guide: “A Compassionate Woman’s Guide to Empowered Communication”: https://youramazingjourney.lpages.co/speaking-up/

Have you ever felt the brain fog and emotional rollercoaster of sleep deprivation?  In this episode, Elizabeth Mintun explores the fascinating subject of sleep with Dr. Catherine Darley. Dr. Darley is an internationally recognized expert in the use of natural behavior and lifestyle medicine for the treatment of sleep disorders. She provides interesting information about sleep, as well as actionable advice about how to get the nourishing night’s rest your body craves. Key Takeaways: If you are chronically sleep deprived, you are impacting heavily your REM sleep, which impacts your memory and emotional regulation. 20-30 minutes of being outdoors in the morning daylight can help your day get started off right and eventually lead to a better night’s rest. Certain times of day are better for napping than others - it is important to nap at times that will not negatively impact your night’s rest. Resources: https://naturalsleepmedicine.net/ Instagram: @skilledsleeper https://www.skilledsleeper.com/