Stress Management + Resilience Tools for Your Happified Life

Host Susi Vine and her guest Stavros, founder of the artistic tea brand Leaf Sweat, explore inspiration, creativity, and mindfulness. Stavros is a lifelong creative, finding expression as a documentary filmmaker, author, musician, and artist, and shares how discovering herbal tea brought him the focus he needed through the pressure of editing a documentary film. From the ashes of a failed art-studio venture, he developed custom 12 blends that grew into a wholesale business. Stavros talks about meeting his own high standards and being able to pivot after a trademark challenge undermined his original Vampire brand. The conversation ranges from managing ego, making space for ideas, and holding space for diverse creative pursuits. Stavros describes his goal to bring “make the leaf sweat” into common parlance, and find authentic expression by honoring the artistic process.Inside this episode:00:57 Meet Stavros and Leaf Sweat02:00 Tea Discovery and Curiosity04:57 Tea as Creative Fuel07:35 Blending Breakthrough09:47 From Art Studio to Brand11:16 Signature Blends with Dark Flair14:35 Suitcase Sales to Loyal Clients16:50 Vampire Pivot19:07 Staying Inspired as Creators21:19 Creativity Flows and Connects23:31 Making Space for the Spark24:18 Ego and Perception25:52 Tea Snob Confessions27:20 Mindfulness in Tea28:13 Writing Process Ritual30:14 Tuning the Creative Filter31:45 Ideas Find Their Maker34:10 Leaf Sweat Vision37:24 Crazy Shoots and Rebrands40:03 Leaf Sweat Online40:37 Gimme Some of That StuffFind Stavros online at leafsweat.com and @leaf.sweat on Social /  Find Tacos and Venus and Anatomy of a Mixtape by Cherokee Starlight on Spotify Search all episodes of Happified by topic at happifiedlife.com The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production. Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. Be well, and thrive!

Host Susi Vine revisits people-pleasing and the hidden mental and emotional labor it creates, focusing on what happens next, when you find your “No". You may be feeling guilty or wanting to soften newly established boundaries, however Susi invites you to notice that patterns of being the helper or peacekeeper may be tied to identity and self-worth, to practice tuning into quieter signals of what you truly want and ways in which to receive support. She encourages listeners to make choices from love rather than fear, and care for others without trying to protect them from painful lessons as everyone learns and loves in reciprocity.In this two-part Happified series, we explore how to recognize where people pleasing is costing you your own voice, create boundaries that honor your needs, and move beyond guilt and approval-seeking to build the self-trust to live and express yourself more authentically. Catch episode 1 Here: https://3xlessstress.com/people-pleasing/ Inside this episode: 01:20 The Healthier Boundary Conundrum04:01 Second Guessing Your ”No”05:05 Guilt Is Not Proof08:57 When Others Push Back10:43 Stop Over Explaining12:43 The Helper’s Identity Trap16:25 Let Others Learn19:38 Practice Receiving Help20:11 Rediscover What You Want22:30 Body Signals And Preferences24:55 Aligned Choices And Compromise26:23 Authentic CommunicationSearch all episodes of Happified by topic at https://happifiedlife.com The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production. Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. Be well, and thrive!

Susi Vine is joined by Dr. Gary Sprouse, a retired primary care physician who now uses hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming to help people reduce stress and access their “happy place.” The author of ‘Highway to Your Happy Place: A Roadmap to Less Stress,’ Dr. Sprouse describes “stress blindness,” distinguishes stressors from stress responses, and outlines “happy place” rooms, such as gratitude, pleasure, anticipation, fulfillment, that you can decorate as you desire. He explains how perceptions arise from a “perspective prism” and how reframing can transform trauma, panic, and low self-esteem to end cycles of overwhelm and victimhood. Dr. Sprouse pokes holes in the prevailing addiction disease model, sharing his “stress reducer loop” concept that recognizes coping mechanisms and resolves the source of stress to help his patients successfully free themselves from the habits that sabotage their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.Inside this episode:02:41 From Western Medicine to Neurolinguistic Programming05:13 Stress Blindness Explained06:53 Defining Stress08:23 Finding Your Happy Place12:33 Gratitude and Perspective14:49 50 Point Wake Up!15:36 Perspective Prism Model21:31 Reframing Trauma with Hypnosis23:56 Victim to Creator Mindset26:41 How the Brain Stores Fear28:53 From Trauma to Growth29:50 Rethinking Addiction Models31:39 Stress Reducer Loops Explained36:55 Addressing Stress to Break Loops39:13 Three Types of Loops39:34 Self Sacrifice Trap42:11 Control and Lifeguard Story44:53 Stress Ingredients Framework48:13 De Lumping OverwhelmResources: Connect with Dr. Sprouse online at thelessstressdoc.com and stay tuned for his new books coming soon: Highway to Your Happy Place, Mile Marker 2 and a book describing his new approach to addiction called New Outcomes, The Stress Reducer Loop.  Dr. Sprouse recommends ‘The Power of Ted’  bookSearch all episodes of Happified by topic at happifiedlife.com, and join the conversation in the Live with Less Stress facebook group.   The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production. Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. Be well, and thrive!

Host Susi Vine speaks directly to people pleasers about why it can feel easier to defend loved ones than to protect one’s own peace, exploring the intersection of boundaries, self-care, and authentic self-expression. She distinguishes kindness from people-pleasing, and uncovers the emotions like fear, guilt, obligation, anxiety, and conflict avoidance that continue the pattern. Listeners can practice tuning in to whether a “yes” is genuine or motivated by discomfort, explore the costs of overcommitting, and how emotions like resentment carry useful information. Practical tools include mindfulness, the “power of pause,” and body-based check-ins, emphasizing that boundaries are stress-management tools that protect your personal peace, energy and wellbeing. Inside this episode:  00:54 Why We Defend Others, But Not Ourselves 03:11 Kindness Versus Pleasing 04:43 Roots and Rewards 06:13 The Cost of Yes 07:30 Resentment is a Sign 09:38 Mindful Self Care 11:26 First, Pause 12:28 Body Wisdom Check In 16:06 Boundaries Are Not Walls 18:28 Authentic Self Expression 19:42 Practice Small Choices 21:44 Capacity and Fear 23:46 Boundaries Manage Stress 25:53 Love Yourself Enough to Protect Your Peace Related Podcast Episodes:  You Can Feel Big Things: Flip the Script on Dysregulation The Power of Releasing Shame to Shine Your Light with Janelle Anderson Reclaim Control! Free Your Emotions + Release Stress Leaving Victimtown: Navigating Shitstorms and Finding Freedom with Liz Long Living in Full Color: The Spectrum of Emotions Flower Power for Emotional Recovery: Nature’s Remedies for Lighter + Brighter Moods  Search all episodes of Happified by topic at happifiedlife.com, and join the conversation in the Live with Less Stress facebook group.  The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production. Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. Be well, and thrive!

Dr. Amy Behimer joins Susi on Happified to share her tools refined in her own work to meet the challenges of myriad autoimmune diagnoses, including multiple sclerosis at the age of 27.  As a Doctor of Pharmacy and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, she brings a truly complementary approach to restoring autoimmune health through optimized inner and outer habits, including mindset, nutrition and restorative practices.  Dr. Amy shares how Western medicine and functional approaches can work in synergy, and how health can mean so much more than simply “the absence of disease” when you focus on the days in between medical visits where essential lifestyle habits are built. Exploring the power of mindset coaching to reframe optional thoughts, how emotions influence habits, and how to start small—one habit at a time—to build resilience and self-efficacy, Dr. Amy makes true wellbeing feel attainable even if you’re starting out with low energy and a maxed out schedule.  Inside this episode:  00:57 Meet Dr. Amy Behimer, PharmD, NBC-HWC 02:06 Western Meets Functional Medicine 02:50 MS Diagnosis Becomes a Turning Point 04:36 Maximizing Opportunities 06:39 Redefining Autoimmune Health 09:02 Making the Essential Mindset Shift 11:51 Permission to Get Support 14:44 Reclaiming Energy, One Habit at a Time 17:10 The Power of Celebrating Small Wins 18:54 Empowering Future Generations 21:45 Fostering a Resilience Habit 24:20 Practice Makes Patience 27:17 Building on Micro Moments 28:56 Emotions Create Habits 32:05 Acceptance vs Resistance 34:01 Trust the Tiny to Overcome Overwhelm 35:08 Restoring Confidence and Self Efficacy 37:49 Where is Your Line in the Sand? 40:27 Insights & Inspiration within Coaching Circles Connect with Amy online:  Free QUIZ to identify your #1 habit for feeling and functioning better  Amy’s podcast, Autoimmune Health Secrets helps you cut through the noise and reduce overwhelm    Search all episodes of Happified by topic at happifiedlife.com, and join the conversation in the Live with Less Stress facebook group.  The information in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any specific health problem, and it is not a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. The content of this podcast is not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. It provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects that are deemed reliable at the time of production. Always consult with your health care provider so that they can address your specific situation with all the information and knowledge they need in order to provide the fullest extent of medical support that you require. Be well, and thrive!