Looking InWord

ENDINGS - Endings can take many forms: redundancy, divorce, changing jobs, moving houses, death, and lot of other smaller endings. These can feel very differently to different people--and at different times. They can be painful, involving a similar grieving process to death, with similar stages of anger, denial, and so on.It was a tough decision, but we have decided to end our podcast project. While this journey has been rich in laughter and growth, we have arrived at a fork in the road--one direction drawing Stacey and another beckoning Courtney.In this last episode, we reflect on our podcasting partnership with gratitude-filled hearts and explore what the future may bring for each of us.To those who have been on this journey with us--thank you. Thank you for your feedback, encouragement, and hearts. You have allowed us a safe space to chit AND chat! We have enjoyed each step of the way. Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

BELONG(ING) - A feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you. A sense of belonging is one of humanity's most basic needs.If it's one of our basic human needs, why do we tend to work so hard to accomplish it? Worse, what makes us even consider that our confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth are worth trading for the idea of belong in a relationship or group?In this episode, we ask: Where do you feel like you most belong? Have you ever NOT fit in, despite your efforts--and what did that cost you? What is the difference between Belonging WITH and Belonging TO?In this episode, we reference a few items YOU may want to check out:Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong - Johann Hari (TED Talk) The Power of Healthy Belonging - Tristan Love (TEDx Talk)Fancy - Reba McEntireWe also love our Wheel of Words. Want to make a wheel of your own? Check out the free Wheel of NamesFollow us on Instagram: @lookinginwordpodcastOr email us: lookinginword@gmail.comTheme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

FORGIVENESS - Stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake; No longer feel angry about or wish to punish (an offense, flaw, or mistake). Release from the guilt of penalty or offense. Reacting to something you can't control.This opening episode of Season 2 comes in like a lion. Forgiveness is a big one! Suggested as a word by several listeners during Season 1, it seemed appropriate to select this as our first word.Whether you are easy to forgive, refuse to forgive, or fall somewhere in between, there is something in this discussion for you. Is forgiveness about absolving the other person of responsibility or about letting go of resentment in order to find your own peace and serenity on the other side of pain?In this episode, we reference a few items YOU may want to check out:Sobriety Uncensored Podcast hSeven Steps to True Forgiveness We also love our Wheel of Words. Want to make a wheel of your own? Check out the free Wheel of Names!Follow us on Instagram: @lookinginwordpodcastOr email us: lookinginword@gmail.comTheme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

"The One Where We Say Goodbye to the Season That Was First!" In this episode, Stacey and Courtney answer questions submitted by followers, as well as from one another. From "What wisdom would you share with your 17 year old self" to "Would you rather burp before everything you say or walk backwards for the rest of your life," it's a kaleidoscope of sharing new information and reflecting on the season that was one!Also included: A montage of all of the end-of-episode word reveals! You've never heard as many "Oooooohs," "Ahhhhhhs," and "Mad Dicks?!" in your life!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

ARROGANCE - Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.Stacey chose this episode's word: ARROGANCE. While we quickly established arrogant behavior tends to annoy us, it didn't take long for us to dig deeper and consider there may be more to someone displaying arrogant behavior than just being full of themselves!The final episode in Season 1, this epi ends with the teaser: The season finale's format is Stacey and Courtney interviewing one another. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS for us to answer? Tell us in the comments or email us at LookingInWord@gmail.com.Also mentioned in this episode (not a paid promotion): Stacey's Apana water bottle. If hydration is difficult for you and you could use a bottle that provides clear hydration instructions, check it out!https://a.co/d/4oaZnvKTheme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

SUCCESS - Success refers to the accomplishment of a particular goal; failure refers to the inability to accomplish a particular goal. Success and failure often go together as the success of one brings about the failure of another.Courtney's selection of this episode's word, SUCCESS, laid the foundation for a rewarding conversation. How does society measure success? What symptoms of success do WE seek? What are you willing to sacrifice for what you consider "success?"We asked you--How do YOU measure SUCCESS or what do you consider "SUCCESSFUL?" Tell us in the comments!Also asked in this episode: Do YOU have questions you'd like Stacey and/or Courtney to answer during the season finale (episode 17)? Drop them in the comments or email LookingInWord@gmail.com before Thursday, May 4, 2023.Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

LUCK - Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions; chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen.Stacey rolled the dice and landed on LUCK for this episode! Is there such a thing as good (or bad) luck? Luck has quite a place in our society, showing up in so many familiar phrases (i.e., dumb luck, beginner's luck, shit out of luck, stretch of bad luck, etc.) that is has to have some impact on the way we view the world and our place in it.Is luck really an opportunity to invest effort? Does anything really happen by chance? Is it possible we want to blame "bad luck" for careless decisions (or indecision) and dismiss “good luck" in favor of crediting our talent, effort, skill, and ability?Three questions we posed to viewers for comments:Do you prefer to listen or watch the podcast on YouTube?Do you believe in random luck?Have you even heard of hanging a piece of pizza on a string in order to motivate someone (or yourself)?Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

SURRENDER - Giving up the notion that we should  be able to, or even can, manage the situation. We give up belief that we can make reality different than what it is.SURRENDER was Courtney's selection, as it is one of the words she embraces most deeply.  The definition shared by Stacey was non-traditional (screw YOU, dictionary!), but resonated the most with us. During our discussion, it became clear we embraced the idea that, for us, surrender doesn't necessarily equal losing, but is more about letting go, releasing, and pivoting.WARNING: This episode has a lot of focus on Courtney's personal story of how surrendering was crucial in realizing alcohol was killing her and also the key to the gate of recovery, for her. Freedom is not just for other people, it is for each of us. If you think you or someone you love have a problem with alcohol, visit the https://www.samhsa.gov (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) for information on safe stopping and treatment options.Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

TRADITION - The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation; a long-established custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to another.Stacey's choice, TRADITION, offered us a lot of different angles to explore. What traditions have been passed down to us that we treasure? What traditions have we maintained in our adult life? What traditions have we created? Additionally, we explored the potential traps of traditions: What happens when the people with whom we enjoyed traditions pass on? What about traditions that no longer suit us? And why do we create traditions, anyway?We promise we won't have you singing from The Fiddler on the Roof in your best Tevye impression ("Tradi...TION! TRADITION!"), although once you get that ear-worm stuck in your head, we dare you to forget it!What do you think? Join the discussion in the comments!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

CONFLICT - A state of mind in which a person experiences a clash of opposing feelings or needs; A serious incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, or interests.Courtney chose this week's word: CONFLICT.  The discussion exploring productive conflict is thwarted a bit when Stacey surprises her co-host with the gloriously dramatic tale of...well, take a listen to find out! There is chatter about the dangers of score-keeping (spoiler: Courtney is a score keeper) and the power of letting go and accepting differences.What do you think? Join the discussion in the comments!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

CONNECTION - A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else—for example, the connection between social attitudes and productivity (synonym: Link - a relationship between two things or situations, especially where one affects the other; something that enables communication between people)Stacey comes at us with her selection, CONNECTION, and poses two foundational questions: How/when do you feel connection with others and how/when do you feel disconnected? Both hosts share their answers and explore how preferences for  introversion or extroversion may influence the desire to bridge the space between us and another with words or with intimate quiet. The conversation turns to a chicken/egg dilemma: Does communication create connection or does connection need to exist in order for real communication to occur? What do you think? Join the discussion in the comments!In the pre-pod chat, Stacey notes that the direct link to the Abraham Hick's "Leading Edge" podcast she enjoys doesn't seem to work for everyone, so we wanted to direct you here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrahamhickspublications/Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

BOUNDARIES - A line which marks the limit of an area; a dividing line; the lines we draw for ourselves in terms of our level of comfort around othersCourtney keeps choosing words that are challenging for her--and this one is no exception. The idea that we must traverse the discomfort of seeing boundaries in order to create comfort for ourselves can sometimes be the hardest thing to embrace. Courtney has an "a-ha" moment in which she realizes (and confesses) that there may be times when she has believed she was setting a boundary to protect herself, but may have actually been trying to control others. (Can you identify?) As card-carrying "People Pleasers," how difficult is it when our boundaries disappoint others?In this episode, Stacey references the Abraham Hicks' podcast "Leading Edge." https://www.instagram.com/abrahamhickspublications/ https://www.youtube.com/@AbrahamHicks Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

HOME - The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household; a place where something flourishes, is most typically found, or from which it originates; a safe haven and a comfort zone, a place to live with our families and pets and enjoy with friends, a place to build memories as well as a way to build future wealth, a place where we can truly just be ourselves.Stacey's selection, HOME, compelled us to take a look at what home is for each of us. Do we get homesick? Do we hide at home? Is home a feeling or a place or a moment in time...or all of the above? Our sense of home changes throughout our live--wouldn't it be nice if we knew, in any moment, that it might be the last time we experienced home in a certain way...and with certain people? Have you ever been made to feel ashamed of your home?THE FRIENDS STEW JINGLE WE COULDN’T IDENTIFY:"Home is never far away...home is Home-star Stew..."https://youtu.be/VawnIu6bAOETheme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

OPTIMISM - Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of somethingCourtney threw out OPTIMISM as this episode's word with hope and confidence it would be the BEST EPI EVER! (See what we did there?) We hear about Stacey's experience of writing a fan letter to her childhood crush with the expectation she'd hear back (spoiler: SHE DID) and Courtney's confession of being a recovering pessimist. Maybe optimists don't think everything is great all the time, but just hold a belief that things can become great at any moment!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

MAGIC - The power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forcesStacey's selection, MAGIC, is the focus of the episode. From finding magic in everyday experiences to the marvel of nature; from overcoming relationship struggles to serendipitous coincidences--magic is everywhere. Could it be as simple as recognizing that so much magic is found when we stop trying to control things and see the beauty of what it is sharing with us? With practice, can we work to create magic in our lives and in the lives of those around us? Do our egos get in the way of us experiencing magic we can't see?Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

ESTEEM - Respect and admiration; to respect and admire (Self-esteem: Confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect)Courtney selected this episode's word: ESTEEM. It didn't take long for this discussion to hone in on the real aspect of the word that needed exploration--SELF-ESTEEM. Courtney and Stacey speak openly about the ways their life experiences have shaped their views of themselves and how those perspectives have caused them to limit themselves. It's so great to learn we are not alone in this battle!In this epi, we also give a shout-out to Dave Kippen--the artist who supported our first  design ideas with some original artwork. Check him out on Instagram (@Dave.Kippen.Art) and at www.davekippenart.com!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

CHILDHOOD - The state or period of being a childThis episode's word, Childhood, was chosen by Stacey. The discussion is filled with our own memories of childhood--viewed through our now-mature eyes--which reveals many awarenesses we missed at the time. This epi presented an opportunity to reflect on our own emotional immaturity, realize the grown-ups in our lives may have had their own struggles "adulting,"  and embrace the idea that it's okay for us to resist the urge to label childhood as "good" or "bad."Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

ACCEPTANCE - The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered; the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group; Agreement with or belief in an idea, opinion, or explanationAcceptance, selected by Courtney, proves to be a challenging word in this episode. Could the "theory" of accepting reality, other people--exactly where they are, and choosing not waste energy fighting uncontrollable things be easier to embrace than the actual "practice" of acceptance can be in our everyday lives?Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

JOY - a feeling of great pleasure and happiness / a thing that causes joyIn this episode, Stacey brings the word Joy to the table. While it was expected that it might have a bright, shiny flavor, this episode also brought in a few surprise guests: Grief, Frustration and Expectations!Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios

BEGINNING - The point in time or space at which something starts / the first part or earliest stage of something / the background or origins of anythingIn this very first episode of Looking InWord, Courtney and Stacey explore the significance of the word "Beginnings." Whether new beginnings bring excitement, fear, or self-limiting procrastination, the discussion is sure to encourage you to take a fresh look at a familiar word.Theme music credit: Oh My - Patrick Patrikios