Finland has been dubbed the happiest country in the world, but in reality Finns are content, not overwhelmed with joy. They have a high GDP per capita, good healthcare, low corruption, and a decent amount of personal freedom - all great things, but not necessarily a recipe for joy and happiness.

Most people claim their biggest aspiration in life is to find happiness. This is a beautiful sentiment, and while we all love positive emotions like joy, laughter, celebration, adventure, and curiosity; these only exist because they are juxtaposed with negative and challenging experiences.

My guest on this week’s podcast suggests that rather than look toward happiness for a more fulfilled life, we should focus more on wonder.  

Listen and learn:

• How nature promotes wonder
• The difference between superficial vs. epistemic curiosity
• The tyrannical pursuit of happiness
• Trait openness and its role in wonder

Links

Monica’s site

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Monica Parker is a speaker, writer, and authority on the future of work. She is the author of the book, The Power of Wonder, and founder of HATCH, an organization that helps companies with culture change and workplace strategy.

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If you’re struggling with chronic pain and trying to find help, you’ve probably noticed that the pain management industry is a big minefield with hardcore drugs on one end of the spectrum and questionable potions and placebos on the other. In an ideal world, pain is adaptive and part of our body’s defense mechanisms, but all too often it can become untethered to the original insult and begin to attack your quality of life.  

Listen and learn:

• The purpose of pain in our bodies 
• When to medicate and when to ignore
• The confusing connection between pain and healing
• Why some people are prone to opioid abuse more than others

Links

Amy’s Site

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Amy Baxter is a medical doctor and entrepreneur known for her research on pain. She is the inventor of Buzzy, a simple device to help kids get injections.

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In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan coined the term, “Just say no!” and spearheaded the social aspect of the so-called war on drugs. It didn’t work, nor have any of the dozens of public, private, and international efforts to curb the disease of despair. Things have become so much worse that today, almost every single person listening has a friend or family member affected by addiction. My guest on this week’s podcast is a recovered addict herself and uses yoga as part of an integrated 12-step program to support others.

Listen and learn:

• The importance of support for addiction recovery
• The benefits of talk therapy vs. movement based therapy
• How trauma can feel like it’s stuck physically
• The integration of past, present and future self

Links

Y12

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Nikki is the founder of Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR). Her approach is based on her personal journey through addiction and recovery, leading her to blend the somatic aspect of yoga with the cognitive approach of 12-step programs.

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Injuries can derail your best healthy lifestyle plans, and if you’re not careful, they can lead to deconditioning and loss of function. But here’s what you need to understand and accept: everyone with an active life gets injured - everyone. So rather than feeling guilt or regret about your aches and pains, it’s a much smarter approach to swiftly move into healing mode and take full ownership of the process. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a career yoga teacher and physical therapist whose work focuses on overcoming injuries.

Listen and learn:

• Why many injuries simply require time to heal
• The importance of things like shoes, sleep position, and lifestyle choices
• The power of walking and how to titrate movement vs. pain
• How to potentially get help from a physical therapist or qualified professional

Links

Ariele’s Anatomy Site

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Ariele Foster is a physical therapist and yoga teacher with over two decades experience helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and rehab from surgeries.

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