From the moment we become parents we are concerned about the safety, happiness, and success of our children.  But how much of that is in our control? And how much of it is our responsibility? In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing three important distinctions that will allow you to improve the relationship you have with your children by releasing all the things you can’t control and focusing on the things you can.  You’ll learn the big difference between being a responsible parent and taking responsibility for your children’s choices, how your influence can make a difference, and how to know that your children have everything they need for their best life.   

While it’s true that most of us appreciate the ease and entertainment that we get from our digital devices, it may also be true that we are spending more time on them than we want to be. Why is this?  Well, it turns out that our brains are biologically programmed to respond to the content and the alerts of digital media and there is an entire attention economy dedicated to taking advantage of that, and using your neurobiology to get more and more of your time, attention, and money there. Over the last two months, I drastically limited the amount of time I spent on my phone and digital devices and today on the podcast, I’m sharing that experience, the things I learned about myself and my brain by doing it, and the overall impact less digital media has had on my life.  This episode will teach you about your own neurobiology and shine a light on how our brains respond to the digital experience, so you can make more conscious decisions about how you spend your time, and the quantity and quality of the things you let take up space inside your own head.

All of us know about trying harder. We’ve been taught to believe that if your life doesn’t look the way you want, you probably need to try harder! But today I want to offer you the idea that instead of being harder and tougher on ourselves in order to create what we want in our lives, what we really need to do is to be warmer with ourselves. Instead of criticism and impatience with our efforts, what is really going to help us grow and become is learning and practicing in an environment of encouragement, understanding, and love.  Join me on the podcast today where I’ll tell you all about the power of trying warmer instead of harder. Trying warmer isn’t about indulging ourselves or our excuses—it’s about making sure we have the support we need to try and keep on trying until we get what we want.

I can’t believe it, but this is the 250th episode of the podcast! And today, I’m showing my appreciation for all the things that have helped me reach this milestone. I have been the recipient of an endless supply of encouragements and today I want to take a moment to say thank you. During the episode you’ll learn how you have your own endless supply of encouragements and how you can use those encouragements to bolster others and strengthen yourself as you meet the challenges of your life and go after the things you want. Because no matter what you’re trying to do in your life, encouragement can play a key role in whether or not you get there.  

Perhaps there is no category of thoughts with more stigma or misunderstanding than suicidal thoughts. These kinds of thoughts scare us. We don’t like to talk about them and most of us don’t know what to do when we find them in our own heads or in the heads of the people we love and care about. But suicidal thoughts are common for human beings and really understanding why we have them and what we should do with them is an important part of taking care of yourself and protecting others. Today is a special episode of the podcast dedicated to understanding why brains sometimes have suicidal thoughts and reducing the fear and the stigma that is associated with them.  You’ll learn the simple and practical things that you can do when you’re scared because you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, how to prioritize your own mental and emotional wellness to minimize your risk of suicide, and some important things to remember when you feel hopeless. I know that today’s episode is focused on a sensitive, tender topic, but I hope that the tools and thoughts I share will help you feel more empowered and courageous and hopeful whenever you encounter these thoughts. For more resources and help with suicide: QPR Mental Health First Aid NAMI

There’s a famous concept that is often used in business, in teams, and in other organizations that says that when it comes to success, culture is way more important than strategy. When it comes to accomplishing your own dreams and creating results in your own life, this idea is just as true. It’s easy to focus your energy and effort on the “strategies” and all the things you need to do. But what if your personal, internal culture has a much greater impact on your success than any of the things you do? In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m inviting you to evaluate your own personal, internal environment and I’m sharing five keys to creating an amazing personal culture: vision, vulnerability, buy in, belief, and love.  When you ask yourself to grow and change and do new things, strategy will only get you so far and you can’t ever outwork a toxic culture. Instead, you need to build a strong, supportive internal culture that allows you to do hard things, try brand new things, and keep going no matter what. 

It’s been a tough week for coaches in the NFL. The playoffs are in full swing and right now there are a lot of coaching changes happening across the league and lots of talk about who’s in and who’s out.  Just like in fashion or in NFL coaching, our thoughts go in and out of usefulness. There are times when we decide that thinking one way has got to go and it’s time to make room for something new. In today’s episode of the podcast, I’m sharing what’s in and out for me this year, especially in terms of what I really want to believe right now, what I want more of in my life, and what I’m ready to part ways with. This week I’m talking all about the tradeoffs I’m making in my life in the hopes that it will inspire you to think about the ones you want to make.  You can’t get everything. But you can make trades for the results you really want so you can have your own version of a well-lived life.  

There’s a good reason that many of our dreams go unfulfilled: our brains always get in the way.  In the first three weeks of the year, I have already been reminded how just as soon as we start working towards our dreams, our brains step up to stop us—which is why all of us have to learn to fight for our dreams. Today on the podcast, I’m sharing three recent experiences and three lessons to help you fight that good fight and help you if you’re scared or discouraged or unsure where to start.  Your dreams have the power to change the world—even if it’s just your world. Don’t let your brain keep you from creating them! 

You are not your brain.  You are not your biology or your physiology or your neurochemistry. You are a being separate from your brain, but your brain chemistry is making a far bigger impact on your life, your feelings, and your choices than you may realize. Today on the podcast I’m teaching you about some of the most important neurotransmitters in your brain, why they work the way they do, and how you can use that knowledge to hack your neurochemistry so that you can get more of the things you want in your life.  We’re going to be talking about specific, actionable changes and behaviors that you can do to stimulate more of the neurotransmitters you want and limit the ones that may be getting in your way.  I think this discussion will change the relationship you have with your brain and allow you to be much more proactive in nurturing your brain health. It will also help you understand why you feel the way you do and how to use your neurotransmitters to create the life you want and not the one your brain gives you on default.  **Episode note: This episode is packed with helpful things you can do to increase certain neurotransmitters. To make it easier for you, I created a guide with all the information I share as well as a dopamine menu template and you can download a copy of that guide here : https://www.aprilpricecoaching.com/blog/new-year-new-neurotransmitters During the episode, I talk at length about a dopamine menu. To learn more about this idea, you can check out this video:  https://youtu.be/-6WCkTwW6xg?si=btEpCHD9YcdC9ZJr

This time of year we hear lots of talk about goals, but I think many of us have goal trauma. We’ve been hurt by goals we’ve set in the past or hurt by our own mistreatment of ourselves as we pursued them. A lot of us are disillusioned and tired and maybe we’re even a little bit scared to set goals because, instead of helping us, many of our goals have ended up eroding the relationship we have with ourselves. And today I’m hoping to change that.  Today on the podcast, I’m inviting you to join a “goal revolution” and do your goals this year in a way you’ve never done them before. I’m sharing five revolutionary, radical shifts that you can make in your goal setting that will not only make your goals more achievable but also way more enjoyable as you work towards them.  ********* If have goals this year and you want to work with me as your coach to help you achieve them, I have a couple of spots open. Email me at [email protected] or sign up for a free coaching call to try coaching for yourself: https://www.aprilpricecoaching.com/call