How to Share Nutrition and Safety

Nutrition requires nuance—it’s personal.” – Meg Bowman

I’ve spent a good portion of my career helping people organize data in a way so that it is informative. For example, saving a file to a misnamed or wrong location makes the content practically useless. So much of passing on wisdom and goodness requires it to be in context to be helpful.

I’m thinking of context and the bigger picture because of the How to Share podcast episode this week. Vicki Atkinson and I were fortunate enough to talk with licensed nutritionist and author, Meg Bowman. Meg’s newly released book, This is Your Body on Trauma, is incredible because in it she maps out how nutrition is interconnected with our other systems. Meg explains why safety is the most important nutrient for our nervous systems.

She also explains why how you eat is as important as what you eat. She encourages us to understand that we need two strategies at play. One is the toolkit we build for when we are underwater and the second is for when we are feeling safe.

Meg tells us about how to meet our bodies with more care and less judgment. We talk about how this extends to others, especially in the food season we are in with the holidays ahead.

This is a fantastic conversation about a topic that affects us all. As Meg says, when we are well-nourished, it lessens our experience of stress at any age. This is an episode that will leave you feeling satisfied. We know you’ll love it!

Takeaways

  • Safety is the most important nutrient for the nervous system.
  • How you eat is as important as what you eat.
  • Understanding your nervous system state can influence food choices.
  • Food is often a reflection of deeper needs for safety and stability.
  • Nutrition requires a personal and nuanced approach.
  • Creating a safe eating environment can enhance well-being.
  • The FIGS protocol helps assess individual nutritional needs.
  • Storytelling and emotional state impact our relationship with food.
  • Removing shame from food choices is crucial for healing.
  • Self-care should focus on centering individual needs.

Here’s Meg’s compelling elevator pitch for This Is Your Body on Trauma:

Here are some ways you can watch this fascinating and informative episode:

Links for this episode:

How to Share Nutrition and Safety transcript

This Is Your Body on Trauma — Meg Bowman

This Is Your Body on Trauma | Book by Meg Bowman | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster

This Is Your Body on Trauma on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

Nutrition Hive

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

How To Share the Ball

It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela

There was a moment on Monday night when I thought, “I hate baseball” as both of my kids were sitting on the couch crying.

The Mariners had just lost Game 7 of the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays (congrats to my Blue Jay friends). Six-year-old Mr. D cried, “I don’t think I can go to school tomorrow.” And 10-year-old Miss O plaintively added, “Maybe if I buttoned up my jersey they would have won.” I was thinking, “I can’t believe I let them watch the 9th inning right before bed!” And then we thought of how the Mariners must be feeling and it started a whole new round of tears.

As with many things that can reduce us to tears, baseball also has great power to lift us up. I have a fantastic example of this in the How to Share podcast this week with hydrogeologist and Mariner’s fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll.

Glenn caught a ball at a Mariner’s game in September. But it wasn’t just any ball, it was Cal Raleigh’s 60th homerun ball. A significant marker when Cal joined the ranks of Babe Ruth, Roger Maris and Aaron Judge to hit that milestone.

Glenn and I talked about what happened next – because Glenn gave that historic ball away to a 12-year-old boy near him in the stands.

I’m so grateful that Glenn agreed to podcast with me because he didn’t do this for the recognition. We talk about what inspired him to share the ball and the ripple effects of kindness. What’s so incredible about this example is that we can see the rewards of giving in this case to both the giver, receiver, and everyone around.

Glenn tells us about the serendipity of the moment and how the action was more automatic than deliberated. We also discuss that the long effect that this lesson will have to this next generation – especially Marcus, the boy that Glenn handed the ball to as well as Glenn’s own sons.

This is a fantastically inspiring example of how (and why) to share. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Glenn’s act of kindness was spontaneous and automatic.
  • The decision to give the ball away was influenced by his role as a parent.
  • Kindness can have a ripple effect on the community.
  • The media response highlighted the importance of positive stories.
  • Glenn’s children learned valuable lessons about generosity.
  • The experience brought unexpected joy and recognition to Glenn’s family.
  • Acts of kindness can uplift people’s spirits in challenging times.
  • Sharing experiences can inspire others to act kindly.
  • The moment of catching the ball was filled with serendipity.
  • Glenn’s story serves as a reminder of the power of giving.

Here’s a clip of Glenn telling the story of the catch and release:

Here are some ways you can watch this heartwarming and inspiring episode:

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

How to Share the Ball transcript

Links for this episode:

Cal meets fan who gave HR No. 60 to kid — and comes bearing gifts

Mariners reward fan who gave valuable Cal Raleigh 60th home run ball to nearby child – The Athletic

From the host:

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share a Sandwich

When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or the life of another.” – Helen Keller

Karen Olson shares a statistic in her book Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose that one in thirty children in the United States experience homelessness annually.

That means that when I volunteered last week at my kids’ elementary school last week to walk the approximately 400 students at school down to have their photo taken for Picture Day, statistically speaking, 13 of them could have experienced homelessness in the last year. It’s overwhelming to even try to comprehend that.

So I love the conversation that Vicki Atkinson and I had with Karen Olson because she has done so much to help homeless families. Karen is the founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, an organization committed to ending family homelessness.

Karen shares the story of her encounter with Millie, a woman experiencing homelessness, and how that her decision to not only share a sandwich but also her time as she listened to Millie’s story changed her life forever (see clip below).

She tells us how her sons who were 10 and 12 at the time got involved. And she shares how the “no’s” she received help shape her mission into something even better – an organization that has involved a million volunteers and a nation-wide presence.

In her book, Meant for More, Karen tells not only her story but also some stories of the people Family Promise has helped – from those who experienced homelessness to the volunteers.

In this episode we talk about some of the reasons we hesitate to help people experiencing homelessness. Karen’s guidance is so helpful to help direct our efforts in ways that make a difference.

This is a great episode with a woman who was wired to help others. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways from this episode:

  • Karen Olson founded Family Promise to help homeless families.
  • The organization mobilizes community resources to provide shelter and support.
  • 80% of families in the program find housing within nine weeks.
  • Personal acts of kindness can lead to significant change.
  • Engaging with the homeless can break down barriers and stereotypes.
  • Community service fulfills the needs of both the giver and receiver.
  • Advocacy is essential for systemic change in homelessness.
  • Many homeless families are hidden from public view.
  • Compassion and kindness can inspire others to act.
  • The journey of helping others can lead to personal healing.

Here’s Karen telling the story about the sandwich that started it all.

Here are some ways you can watch this heartwarming and inspiring episode:

How to Share a Sandwich transcript

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

Links for this episode:

Karen’s book: Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Purpose on Barnes & Noble , Bookshop.org and Amazon

Karen Olson, Author

Family Promise Organization

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

(featured photo from Pexels)

The Power of Sharing: Lessons from a Bunny Encounter

We form friendships with unrelated people. It’s universal in human groups. We cooperate with each other, altruistically. We’re kind to strangers — again, to unrelated individuals. This is different than many other types of cooperation, which are also seen in other animal species, but often that cooperation is between genetically related individuals. We do it with genetically unrelated individuals. We teach each other things. People take this for granted, but it’s actually unbelievable” – Nicholas Christakis

I find it fascinating when my kids demonstrate something that we do all the time as grown-ups. In this case, discern who to share with.

My six-year-old son, Mr. D, and I were walking on our favorite beach on Whidbey Island this weekend when we saw a bunny in trouble. It was trying to climb the bank back to the grassy top about 100 feet above. It kept on getting about two-thirds the way up. But then the incline was too vertical so the bunny fell back down.

Mr. D and I were watching it. He said the thing that was running through my head. “Take a rest. Calm down. Try another approach.

But its frantic efforts made it lose ground and attract our dog, Cooper’s attention. The bunny started running along the bank parallel to the beach about 10 feet up. Cooper started chasing it. Because he wasn’t on the leash, all I could do was call him (good luck with that) and run after him to try to leash him.

The bunny finally exhausted itself and fell to beach level. Cooper caught up and nosed it but I don’t think did any more damage than what happened when it fell. When Mr. D and I got there, it was breathing and moving its front paws, but I’m not sure its back paws worked any more. We put Cooper on leash and left the bunny to rest but we weren’t feeling hopeful about its survival. It was a tender moment.

Later that afternoon, Mr. D quietly said to me, “I told Miss O about the bunny. I didn’t tell Eric though. He’s too funny for that.

It was such a great example of what we all do when we share something. We evaluate who the audience is, whether they can be trusted with the information, and if it’s the appropriate time. It’s just like sharing a file in the office. Are we putting it in the correct location with the right permissions?

Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong but we keep trying. Because to share is human, and as Yale sociologist Nicolas Christakis says, it’s unbelievable!

There are times I get rusty and the words for any experience that is hard or tender come out slowly. I’ve found that it’s easier to keep it flowing than let myself get encased in my armor. Thank goodness for kids that show me how. And for this beautiful blogging community who receives so beautifully!

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about collaboration – sharing leads to success.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

How to Share a Short Story

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

Back when my brother had his pilot’s license, I would occasionally fly with him when he needed to get time in practicing take-offs and landings. We’d go on days where the weather was nice and spend an hour or two flying to nearby airports to land and take-off again to meet the minimum requirement for flight hours necessary to maintain his license.

Taking off and landing is the hardest part of flying. And I think that’s the same with writing, isn’t it? It’s why I’m so impressed by short story writers. That’s a lot of take-offs and landings, so to speak.

So I loved this How to Share podcast conversation that award-winning playwright Jack Canfora and I had with author Maxine Rosaler. We delve into her recently released book, The Missing Kidney, a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships set against the backdrop of New York City in the 1970s and 80s. There are 14 short stories in this collection – and Maxine is an expert at take-offs and landings.

Maxine shares her journey as a writer, discussing her preference for short stories, the therapeutic nature of writing, and the importance of character development. We touch on the evolution of New York City, the themes of truth and denial in her work, and the challenges of navigating personal relationships in fiction. Throughout the conversation, Maxine emphasizes the significance of finding one’s voice and the role of encouragement in a writer’s journey.

Takeaways

  • Maxine’s stories are character-based and often autobiographical.
  • She prefers writing short stories over novels for their conciseness.
  • Writing can be therapeutic, helping to process emotions and experiences.
  • The city of New York serves as a character in her stories.
  • Maxine believes in the goodness of people and explores themes of denial.
  • She emphasizes the importance of finding one’s angle in writing.
  • The evolution of New York City influences her writing and themes.
  • The unconscious mind plays a crucial role in the creative process.

Here’s a short of Maxine’s introducing one of her stories and some of the themes she likes to explore:

Here are some ways you can watch this engaging episode with the “best short story writer you’ve never heard of” per Kirkus Reviews. Until now, of course…

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

How to Share Short Stories transcript

Links for this episode:

⁠The Missing Kidney⁠ website

The Missing Kidney on ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ and ⁠Amazon⁠

From the Hosts:

⁠Jack Canfora’s website⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

How to Share: Secrets of Collaborative Leadership

The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” – Theodore Roosevelt

I played on a tennis team when I was in my 20’s. It was a loosely organized group of women who played at the public tennis courts. We were part of a league that created matches with other teams, some of whom were the “fancy” ones who belonged to a club with a pro.

But my team had a secret weapon: our coach, Evan. A quiet-spoken man who seemed to take everything in. He’d meet with us at practice and not only run drills to improve our skills but also strategically position who should play singles versus doubles, and forehand versus backhand.

I don’t remember our records of wins and losses so it probably wasn’t that great. But I know we got better as a team and also as individuals. It was largely because of Evan. He could see our strengths and vulnerabilities and help us position them to the best advantage.

I was reminded of Coach Evan when I recently talked with John Hernandez, the Director of IT at Leisure Care on the How to Share podcast. John has an incredibly collaborative leadership style and knows how to balance giving people on his team leadership, agency, and backup when needed.

In short, he’s a very good coach for a strong team.

John told me how he landed on this leadership style and how it’s worked as his team and responsibilities have grown. We talked about how people in technology can sometimes be protective of their knowledge and not want to share. And we discussed how AI changes the game for so many people in technology and how to wrangle it as an asset, not a competitor.

I asked John about how he adapts his message for people who are less technical. He brought it back to the power of telling a story and finding key beats, regardless of the topic.

This is a great episode about how leadership, openness, curiosity translates to infectious passion for sharing – and for team building. I know you’ll love it!

Takeaways

  • John emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge to build effective teams.
  • A collaborative leadership style fosters a culture of openness and mentorship.
  • Technology professionals often hoard knowledge due to fear of job security.
  • AI is changing the landscape of IT, enabling more collaboration.
  • Storytelling can help convey complex technical concepts.
  • Creating a supportive environment encourages team members to grow.
  • Passion for technology can be infectious and motivate others.
  • Adapting messages for different audiences is crucial in IT.
  • Building a knowledge-sharing culture can lead to better team dynamics.

Here’s a clip of John describing how he landed on his leadership style:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this infectiously energizing episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

Secrets of Collaborative Leadership transcript

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

Links for this episode:

John Hernandez on LinkedIn

How to Share SCI Support and Advocacy

Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” – Christopher Reeve

I recently watched the original 1979 Superman movie with my kids – the one with Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman. Such a classic.

My 10-year-old daughter started asking questions about Christopher Reeve, the accident that left him paralyzed, and when he died. Christopher Reeve was 44 years old when he was paralyzed in a horse riding accident, he died 9 years later.

Looking this up clarified a point that arose when Vicki Atkinson and I recorded this week’s How to Share podcast conversation with the amazing activist and author, Micki Purcell. Micki’s son, Anthony, was paralyzed in a diving accident 15 years ago. Micki spent seven years by Anthony’s side navigating the difficult hurdles of rehab and recovery.

Along the way, Micki and Anthony started the Walking with Anthony foundation. It is the go-to foundation for helping individuals and families navigate the physical, mental and financial challenges that come with this life-changing injury.

Here’s where Superman meets Super Mom. The Christopher Reeve foundation focuses primarily on research related to spinal cord injuries. In contrast, Walking with Anthony mentors individuals and families through the process of recovery: connecting them to rehab, personally spending time with them, and by providing grants for caregiving, rehab and special equipment.

In our podcast conversation, Micki tells us how Anthony is doing now and we get to heartwarming stories about how all of their large family is involved with Walking with Anthony. Micki’s hands-on advocacy will grip and delight you!

Micki shares some details about their Stand up for a Cause event in Newport Beach on October 24th. The event will honor courageous medical staff doing incredible Spinal Cord Injury work and a Tony award winning actress, Ali Stoker. Micki’s goal is to raise $1 million to fund grants for people with spinal cord injuries.

September is spinal cord injury awareness month and 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act. Vicki and I are so grateful to be able to bring you this episode to honor both.

This is a powerful episode that will inspire and touch you. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Micki Purcell founded Walking with Anthony to help families affected by spinal cord injuries.
  • Insurance often fails to cover necessary rehabilitation for spinal cord injury patients.
  • The organization has become a vital resource for those in need of support and guidance.
  • Recovery from spinal cord injuries requires a strong desire and commitment to progress.
  • Micki’s advocacy work is deeply personal and driven by her family’s experiences.
  • Community support plays a crucial role in the recovery process for individuals with disabilities.
  • Micki emphasizes the importance of mental health and emotional support for patients and families.
  • The upcoming event aims to raise funds to help more individuals receive necessary care.
  • Micki’s family is actively involved in the charity, showcasing the power of collective support.
  • There is a pressing need for systemic change in healthcare coverage for spinal cord injuries.

Here’s a clip of Micki describing how insurance falls short for individuals with a spinal cord injury.

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this incredibly inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

How to Share SCI Support and Advocacy transcript

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

Links for this episode:

⁠Walking with Anthony⁠ Foundation

Micki’s Book: Walking with Anthony on Barnes & Noble and Amazon

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

How to Share Patience

Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” – Charles Dickens

I love story time at night. Having 6-year-old and 10-year-old kids means that most evenings for the past 10 years, we’ve read a children’s book at bedtime. As they’ve gotten older, it’s been so heart-warming to hear them start to read the books aloud to me.

No matter what has happened in the day or what is scrolling across the news feed, this ritual has meant we end the day centered around messages like acceptance, kindness, sharing, love, or gratitude.

For example, I would guess that most people who spend five minutes with Good Night Moon feel the calmness that comes with the simple practice of saying good night to what’s around combined with the lovely rhythm. Even as the books get more sophisticated, they usually come with an uplifting message that is good for both kids and adults.

This is certainly true with Christine Devane’s book Elephant Beach. Vicki Atkinson and I were lucky enough to talk with Christine on the How To Share podcast about this terrific tale of patience and appreciating our differences.

Christine tells us what in her childhood made her want to write this book. She also shares how it applies to her young kids now. We learn how she brings this inspiring message to classrooms to enchant young audiences and what she hopes adults will take away from this beautiful book.

This is such a heartwarming episode that speaks to how we show up for each other. We know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Christine Devane’s book ‘Elephant Beach’ promotes kindness and social skills.
  • The story features a shy girl who learns to embrace fun and friendship.
  • Elephants symbolize social connection and humor in the book.
  • The book encourages children to step out of their comfort zones.
  • Patience is essential for understanding shy children.
  • Parents should be supportive and patient with their shy kids.
  • Every child has a unique personality and needs different encouragement.
  • The importance of inviting others to join in activities is highlighted.

Here’s Christine talking about Elephant Beach:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this heart-warming episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

Transcript for How to Share Patience

Links for this episode:

⁠Christine Devane’s ⁠website

⁠Elephant Beach⁠ on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Archway Publishing

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠

My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠;

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Make a Difference

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

I try pay extra close attention when I hear the same message from many sources. It’s like a wake-up call that is too powerful to ignore.

Here’s a message that I keep hearing: Getting involved with an issue or cause you are passionate about will change your life as well as do good for the world. To make a difference, start small, stay local, and be consistent. I’ve heard that in conversations with filmmaker Peter Samuelson, activist Sam Daley-Harris and now in this latest episode of the How to Share podcast with Sharon Eubank.

Sharon is the Global Director of Humanitarian Services for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are talking about her book Doing Small Things With Great Love. It is such a helpful and hopeful book that provides a blueprint for effective service.

Sharon shares a few of the 92 stories in her amazing book that she provides as illustrations of the 12 principles for effective and lasting service. Based in her years of experience working in communities near and far, Sharon has distilled some thoughtful truths that inspire us to action.

We talk about how we sometimes don’t feel we can make a difference as individuals and why sometimes it seems easier to contribute to project far away than the ones in our own cities and towns. Sharon gives some great examples of why local solutions for local problems are more effective.

We talk about how service and volunteering can make such a difference in our own lives. Sharon not only provides a blueprint for effective and lasting service, she also provides some suggestions to get us started doing small things with great love. I highly recommend this book!

This is an incredible episode that gets to the very heart and soul of collaboration – how we can be useful to one another. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Sharon emphasizes the importance of local solutions for local problems.
  • Volunteering can be a transformative experience for both the giver and receiver.
  • Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional development.
  • Small acts of service can lead to significant community impact.
  • Overcoming barriers to service often starts with individual passion and energy.
  • Building bridges of understanding is essential in a polarized world.
  • Effective service requires understanding the needs of those being helped.
  • Storytelling enriches the experience of service and community engagement.
  • Creating opportunities for connection can foster a sense of belonging.
  • The cycle of replenishment is vital for sustaining service efforts.

Here’s a delightful taste of Sharon describing the magic of volunteering:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

Links for this episode:

Doing Small Things With Great Love by Sharon Eubank at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Audible

Sharon Eubank on LinkedIn

How to Make a Difference with Sharon Eubank transcript

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Share Creativity

Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.” – Henri Matisse

I’ve often joked that I have a math brain. But have I mentioned how much of a math geek I am? When I was in college, I loved math so much that I looked through all the engineering majors to see which one required the most math classes. That’s how I ended up with an electrical engineering degree.

Nothing in the more than 30 years after I graduated from college has convinced me that I’m a natural creative. Not the three books I’ve published (because two of which are technical so that doesn’t count, right?), more than 2,000 blog posts I’ve written, or anything else.

Until now.

Because Pia Mailhot Leichter’s book, Welcome to the Creative Club, is a myth-busting, research-based, fantastically inspiring book that will change your perspective and power. The clip below gives a small taste of that.

Vicki Atkinson and I were recently blessed enough to be able to talk with the amazing creative director, entrepreneur, and author Pia Mailhot Leichter on the How to Share podcast.

Pia’s book is an incredible invitation into our own creative power. She beautifully weaves agency and awe together in a way that helps bring us alive again. Pia delivers a reminder to move out of autopilot and a perspective to help with adversity, and everything else!

She tells us the story of how coming undone was a trip back to knowing herself and remembering that she’s the creative director of her life. We talk about creating evidence of our resilience.

Pia’s view of creativity will leave you feeling empowered. Which is part of her mission helping others live and lead from creativity.

Takeaways

  • We often need to lose ourselves to find our true selves.
  • Creativity is a response to life’s challenges.
  • Creativity is not just for artists; it’s for everyone.
  • Embracing uncertainty can lead to greater joy and creativity.
  • Vulnerability fosters connection and understanding.
  • Storytelling is a way to honor our journeys and experiences.
  • Collaboration enhances the creative process and outcomes.
  • We are all natural born creators, regardless of our paths.
  • Reclaiming our creativity is essential for a fulfilling life.

This is a great conversation full of energy and inspiration. Buckle up for a beautiful ride. We know you’ll love it!

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this powerful episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

What Do You Know To Be True? How To Share

This episode is different – because Wynne Leonis a guest on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast with the brilliant host and producer, Roger Kastner. What Do You Know To Be True? features conversationsat the intersection of leadership, neuroscience, belonging, and personal growth—inviting guests to explore the truths that shape how they lead and live.Roger is a master at getting his guests to reveal theirsuperpower. Watching this episode reminded me how skillful Roger is at digging into the heart of what I know to be true. In my case, my superpower is trying. In this conversation,Roger and I talk about:How Wynne's electrical engineering background helped develop her superpowerWhy trying is different than persistenceHow mountain climbing helped shape and shift Wynne's ability to tryWhat her system is for creating order when tryingHow trying helps keep us from being stuckHow documenting what we've tried helps us to pass on the learning to othersSo, please go to What Do You Know to Be True and listen tothis episode. And subscribe – because Roger has so many fantastic conversations that helps us dig into our superpowers, share them – and thrive!Links for this episode:How to Share homeWhat Do You Know To Be True? websiteWhat Do You Know to Be True? on YouTubeRoger Kastner on LinkedIn
  1. What Do You Know To Be True?
  2. How to Share a Return Home with Mario Cartaya
  3. How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
  4. How to Share Your Superpower with Roger Kastner
  5. How to Share Perspective with Andrea Simon

Transcript for How to Share Creativity with Pia Mailhot Leichter

Links for this episode:

Welcome to the Creative Club on Amazon, Audible and Barnes and Noble

Famished a spoken word album on Spotify

Pia’s site: kollektiv studio

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

(featured photo from Pexels)