In Sanity: A piece of mind

What does it mean to be brave? Kylee joins me this week to talk about how to be authentic and true to yourself. You are not for everybody, and you don't need to be. What does that mean? What ways can you be brave? Be Brave Little One 57 Modern Manners for Today's Teens

I am taking another pause to talk about Deborah Adele's The Yamas and Niyamas. My purpose is two-fold: 1. It is a book with concepts I am really trying to incorporate into my life, and this is a helpful way for me to accomplish that; 2. I need another week to do some more research on the Fourth Face of Mara.I highly recommend this book. It is simple, short, and easy to read. However, it is packed with deeply important topics that should resonate with everyone.

You can't do two things at once.That simple, scientific fact is the target of our third discussion about the forces of modern distraction. In this episode, we expose the Third Face of Mara: Multi-Tasking.We dismantle the costly myth that we can split our focus. The truth? We're not multi-tasking; we're frantically task-switching—and it's making us slower, more error-prone, and shockingly unaware of our own impairment. We'll explore the devastating "switch cost" and how it resets our brain's ability to achieve deep focus.Then, we examine how "The Shimmer"—the glow of our screens—has weaponized this weakness, rewiring our brains for shallow skimming, harming our memory, and fracturing our attention.But there is an antidote. Drawing on the work of Cal Newport—Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, Slow Productivity—and the Buddhist concept of "contraction training," there are practical things that can be done to reclaim your focus. Learn how to move from frantic fragmentation to purposeful depth and how slaying this particular face of Mara also quiets the forces of mindlessness and mind-wandering.

Did you know you are missing 47% of your life? Research shows that nearly half our waking hours are spent "mind-wandering"—a state directly linked to unhappiness. In this episode, we dive into the "Second Face of Mara" to understand the difference between creative daydreaming and toxic rumination. We explore the neuroscience of the Default Mode Network, the power of the Pennebaker writing protocol, and insights from Erick Godsey’s Make Your Myth course. Plus, a revealing story about the Dalai Lama that proves negative self-talk isn't biological—it’s a bad habit we can break.

I am taking a break from the Four Faces of Mara. Enjoy this short podcast about nonviolence and courage. The foundational principle of Ahimsa (do no harm) from The Yamas and Niyamas is a wonderful foundation for building a resilient, satisfying life.

 In this episode, we look at the First Face of Mara: mindlessness. We will explore how mindlessness, often triggered by boredom, can lead to carelessness in our actions and decisions. Join me this week as we discuss the implications of this first trap, exploring how it diminishes the quality of our experiences, strains our relationships, and hinders personal growth.Drawing on insights from Godsey's Mental Fitness framework, there are practical strategies to cultivate mindfulness and reclaim our attention, transforming our everyday existence into a more intentional and fulfilling journey.

This week, I am back to the Shimmer discussing our untrained minds and attentional systems. Untrained minds are one of our most significant sources of suffering. Understanding that and how our attentional systems work is critical to living and thriving in the digital age.

I am taking a break from the deep dive into the internet, the Shimmer, and deep work to briefly talk about an idea from a book I am reading - for the second time in the last couple of months. Ahimsa, or nonviolence, has within its precepts the idea of feeling powerless in our lives. Often, this feeling of powerlessness translates to violence against oneself and violence against others. Listen to this week's podcast to find out more. The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yogas Ethical Practice

This week is another episode about Erick Godsey's The Shimmer. It's a review of his ideas to build a foundation for exploring different concepts from his Shimmer metaphor.

Erick Godsey uses the term "The Shimmer" as a metaphor to describe the modern internet and its effects on our minds. In this podcast, I'll talk about where this reference comes from and how Godsey relates it to the internet and our digital lives. There are four key qualities of The Shimmer, which are present in both the movie "Annihilation" and in the internet world. Using Erick Godsey's framework, I'll explain what these qualities mean for us and what we can do to navigate the internet landscape. To listen to the series, start here.https://open.spotify.com/episode/21UXKoHLhOSx3w3iZMYyPp?si=f70020a2b7df4f58

This week's episode continues a discussion about Cal Newport's book about deep work. The purpose of these podcasts is to bring understanding to the necessity of deep work in a world that values the shallow. Stick with me and share your thoughts about this idea.

Cal Newport wrote the book titled "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World." I have been talking about this idea of shallow thinking and how damaging it is to humanity. In 2016, Cal Newport discussed the idea of shallow work. The concepts go hand-in-hand. Join me this week for a deeper dive into what deep work is and why it is more important than ever. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldFlow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

As a continuation of the discussion about the internet and its effects on all of us, this podcast addresses the issues related to our kids and their mental health. Jonathan Haidt, in his book "The Anxious Generation," provides us with information critical to confront the stark realities of how technology and social media are shaping the minds of our children. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

Join me this week for another episode on the importance of mindfulness. Because of the way most of us use the internet, digital devices, social media, and artificial intelligence, we are experiencing severe attention deficits. Mindfulness is a way to heal those deficits. Full Catastrophe Living How to Cope with Stress, Pain and Illness Using Mindfulness MeditationThe effect of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing stress in future health professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This is the third episode in a series of several. This week I talk about some basic comparisons between the digital world and the analog world. Is comprehension better when you read vs. listen? What is "cognitive mapping?" Do I still think I can multitask? Join me this week for the answers to these questions and more. Also, I give more ways to be intentional with your digital use to support change - of that's what you are looking for.

In the last episode, we discussed Nicholas Carr's 2010 book, "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains." Carr argued compellingly that the internet's very structure – its hyperlinks, its constant stream of notifications, its demand for quick, shallow engagement – was fundamentally rewiring our brains, diminishing our capacity for deep thought, sustained attention, and contemplative reflection. He painted a picture of us becoming "jet-ski minds," skimming the surface rather than diving into the depths of knowledge.Today, in Part 2 of the series, let's pick up where Carr left off, but with a crucial update. It's 2025, and the digital landscape has not only evolved, it's been fundamentally reshaped by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. So, how do Carr's prescient warnings hold up in this new era? Are the "shallows" getting even shallower, or have we found new ways to navigate the digital ocean? Let's dive in.

I have an idea for a podcast series that builds on last week's discussion about fiction reading, specifically exploring the difference between reading a book and listening to an audiobook. This idea (a question from my husband) reminded me of the book "The Shallows" and the impact the internet has had on learning, cognition, attention, deep thinking, etc. So, here's part 1 of the series, which will dive deeper into these ideas.

Join me this week for an interesting and profound look at the impact of reading fiction on the adult brain and our daily lives. There are incredible benefits of storytelling for adults, from boosting empathy and cognitive function to reducing stress and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience. Discover how fiction shapes our minds and enriches our world, no matter your age.

This is the final episode in the series. It has been my personal pleasure to learn about Fowler's Stages of Faith alongside all of you. Understanding these stages is not about labeling or judging, but it is about recognizing the dynamic nature of our spiritual lives. I encourage you to reflect on your own journey using Fowler's model. Where do you see yourself in these stages? How might you better understand them? Thanks for joining me, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this series.

In this podcast, we return to Fowler's Stage Five, conjunctive faith. There are scriptures that help us see the accepted and appreciated paradox in this stage. There are certainly pros and cons to this stage, and some potential pitfalls, if we stay in this stage too long. Join me this week to discuss these ideas and explore what a community of people in stage five might look like.