mental health – Surprised By Joy

Hope Without Attachment

May 6, 2026May 5, 2026Posted in thelifeoftryTagged Brene Brown, courage, disappointment, expectations, Maya shankar, mental health, podcast, resilience, the life of try34 Comments

“You never fail until you stop trying.” – Albert Einstein

I have been watching a lot of Little League baseball this Spring. It’s a fascinating mix of young athleticism and skill development peppered with moments of bitter disappointment. In most every practice and game there is at least one example of someone who wants to sit on the ground and pout because things aren’t going as they expected.

But disappointment doesn’t just happen to six and seven-year-olds. It reminds me that expectations can inspire us to try—until they harden into a demand for a specific outcome.

In this episode of The Life of Try, I dig in to how unmet expectations fuel disappointment, why that disappointment can keep us from taking healthy risks, and what it looks like to stay hopeful without clinging.

From a childhood lesson I learned from my mom about “pressing for the answer” to Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin, I trace how openness, curiosity, and faith can turn apparent failures into forward motion.

Along the way, I draw from Brené Brown’s research on disappointment, Maya Shankar’s reframing of identity after loss, and spiritual wisdom about surrender and non‑attachment—so you can keep trying even when the path changes.

Takeaways:

Recognize when expectations are motivating you—and when they’re setting you up for disappointment
Practice openness and curiosity when a try doesn’t go as planned (and why that matters)
Name and communicate your expectations to reduce “unspoken contracts”
Reconnect with your deeper “why” when your “what” gets taken away
Hold onto faith that trying will lead somewhere good—even if it’s not the destination you imagined.

Here’s the YouTube video of this episode:

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

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving
Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Expectations can inspire us to try—until they harden into a demand for a specific outcome. In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores how unmet expectations fuel disappointment, why that disappointment can keep us from taking healthy risks, and what it looks like to stay hopeful without clinging. From a childhood lesson about “pressing for the answer” to Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin, we’ll trace how openness, curiosity, and faith can turn apparent failures into forward motion. Along the way, we’ll draw from Brené Brown’s research on disappointment, Maya Shankar’s reframing of identity after loss, and spiritual wisdom about surrender and non‑attachment—so you can keep trying even when the path changes.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Recognize when expectations are motivating you—and when they’re setting you up for disappointmentPractice openness and curiosity when a try doesn’t go as planned (and why that matters)Name and communicate your expectations to reduce “unspoken contracts”Reconnect with your deeper “why” when your “what” gets taken awayHold onto faith that trying will lead somewhere good—even if it’s not the destination you imagined.The Life of Try is a podcast about personal growth, one try at a time.What happens when trying becomes more important thangetting it right?The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence orclarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces achange you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:The Life of Try HomeLetting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving transcriptSir Alexander Fleming – Biographical – NobelPrize.orgHow to Regulate Your Emotions and Mental Chatter When Bad Things Happen | Maya ShankarAtlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Connection by Brene BrownPenicillin Wasn't Alexander Fleming's First Major Discovery | Scientific American

Links for this episode:

Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving transcript

Sir Alexander Fleming – Biographical – NobelPrize.org

How to Regulate Your Emotions and Mental Chatter When Bad Things Happen | Maya Shankar

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Connection by Brene Brown

Penicillin Wasn’t Alexander Fleming’s First Major Discovery | Scientific American

The Courage to Stop Trying

April 22, 2026April 21, 2026Posted in thelifeoftryTagged courage, mental health, personal growth, podcast, resilience, trying57 Comments

“The important thing is to not stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein

We have a strong ethos of trying in my household. There’s an example that we often joke about. When my daughter was about 9, my friend Eric asked her to help deflate a rubber raft so we could take it home from vacation. When she went to put it back in the box, he said it’d never fit.

Her response was something like, “It won’t fit back in the box with that attitude!”

Safe to say, we are primed to try. But sometimes that overshadows the wisdom of when to stop trying. How do you know when to stop trying—especially when you’re someone who prides yourself on perseverance?

In this episode of The Life of Try, I explore the moments when quitting isn’t failure, but wisdom: when our efforts are overly controlled, when something deep inside says “it’s time,” or when passion turns obsessive and starts costing more than it gives.

Along the way, I draw lessons from Marion Jones, Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, Oprah Winfrey, and Andre Agassi, plus insights on harmonious vs. obsessive passion.

Here’s a short section about mining the deep knowledge of when you know, you know:

If you’re wrestling with whether to push through or let go, this episode offers language, perspective, and permission to choose what’s healthy—and what’s next.

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

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Links for this episode:

Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit, or Keep Going? transcript

The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life: Mike Rucker, PhD

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Marion Jones Reflects on Her Kids Living with ‘Reality’ of Her Doping Scandal

From Oakland to Olympic gold: Alysa Liu takes figure skating crown

Alysa Liu’s Olympic figure skating comeback is golden, true to herself

How Alysa Liu Found Her Love for Figure Skating Again

Winfrey Announces Show’s End in 2011 – CBS News

(featured photo from Pexels)

How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience and Coming Alive

April 15, 2026April 15, 2026Posted in thelifeoftryTagged adventure, getting unstuck, inspiration, life, love, mental health, personal growth, perspective, podcast, writing41 Comments

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

When my daughter was two-and-a-half, I installed a seat on the back of my bike. I strapped her in and we pedaled around our neighborhood. She yelled, “this is fantastic!”

A pure jolt of energy and vitality shot threw me. For me, it was such a good example of the fullness of life that surges when we embrace the freedom that comes with getting out on two wheels. As a bonus, it reminded me of how easy it is to get stuck in the humdrum of life. And the cure is just an adventure (big or small) away.

So in this episode of The Life of Try podcast, I talk with tech entrepreneur and author Michael Yang about his memoir Coming Alive on the Ride and the way motorcycle travel became both a literal journey and a powerful metaphor for personal growth. Michael shares how stepping outside your familiar environment can help you hear “life’s invitation” to dream, venture, and rediscover what makes you feel fully awake.

Together we explore resilience through the Korean concept of han—the accumulated weight of difficult circumstances—and how setbacks can become fuel for perseverance. Michael reflects on immigrating from Korea at 14, building a life through gratitude and hard work, and learning (again and again) that rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

From riding thousands of miles with a lifelong friend to a memorable run-in with Steve Jobs at Macy’s in 1982, Michael’s stories remind us that courage grows through companionship and curiosity. We also discuss the Korean guiding philosophy of Hongik—living in a way that benefits all humankind—and how our bravest tries can ripple outward in ways we may not expect.

In this episode, we cover:

Why “accepting the invitation” is simple—but the road rarely runs straight
Han, perseverance, and turning setbacks into strength
The immigrant mindset: gratitude, effort, and going for opportunity
Friendship as a confidence builder—on the road and in life
Curiosity, rejection, and holding onto a vision (plus the Steve Jobs story)
Hongik: living for the wider benefit and making a positive dent in the world

Here’s a small taste of Michael’s brave and bold reminder that saying “yes” to adventure often brings out our best selves:

Whether you’re craving a literal road trip or a fresh start at home, this conversation will nudge you toward your next brave yes.

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

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Links for this episode:

48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive transcript

Michael Yang’s website

Coming Alive on the Ride at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.

Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.

This podcast is for anyone who:

Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s next
Is navigating change, burnout, or reinvention
Wants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easy
Believes progress starts by trying—again and again

The Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.

If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.

(featured photo from Michael Yang — more incredible photos in his book and on his website!)

Creating Without Elbow Grease

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026Posted in thelifeoftryTagged insight, mental health, mindfulness, mindset, mindset shift, personal growth, personal-development, podcast, transformation, wellness50 Comments

“Do the difficult things when they are easy and do the great things when they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

What if “trying” doesn’t have to mean pushing harder?

I’ve been in a flow state often enough to know it exists but not so often to know how to reliably get there. Is it really possible to regularly create — to write, to connect with others, to co-author life in a way that doesn’t leave me sweaty and tired? My guest on this week’s podcast had some insight about finding flow. Even if it falls into the category of easier said than done, it’s the quietness of the approach that makes me think it’s possible

In this Life of Try episode, I talk with author and New York Insight Meditation Center co-founder Joseph Schmidt about The Torchbearer—a collection of short stories born from an unexpectedly effortless creative process. Together we explore the mindset shift from effort to openness: how letting go of the agenda can create space for insight, transformation, and a deeper, more alive way of meeting each moment.

Try smarter, not harder: why forcing outcomes can block creativity—and what changes when you partner with the process instead.
Mindset shift to “empty hands”: Joseph’s Zen chaplaincy training and the practice of entering a room (or a moment) without an agenda.
Personal growth through discovery: how his characters—and we as readers—find the next move by noticing what’s already here.
Feeling alive at the edge of the unknown: mindfulness as the place where consciousness meets what happens next.
Belonging as a practice: building a bond of belonging by showing up with curiosity, care, and presence.

If you’ve been working hard but feeling flat, this conversation is an invitation to loosen your grip, step back into the present, and discover a more natural flow—one where growth comes from attention, not strain. Listen in for a gentler (and often more powerful) way to create, connect, and keep beginning again.

Here’s great clip of Joseph describing the lesson he learned from a Zen monk about a powerful mindset shift:

This is a great episode if you’re craving a mindset reset, rebuilding your creative confidence, deepening a mindfulness practice, or simply want to feel more awake and engaged in your everyday life.

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

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything
Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Links for this episode:

The Transformation That Changes Everything transcript

The Torchbearer: and other Stories of Borderline Redemption by Joseph Schmidt on Amazon

Joseph Schmidt bio – New York Insight Meditation Center

(featured photo from Pexels)

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

March 23, 2026Posted in faithTagged faith, inspiration, mental health, prayer, renewal, self-care, trust, wellness71 Comments

“Faith and prayer both are invisible but they make impossible things possible.” – unknown

About a dozen years ago, a good friend told me a story about her son who was about seven or eight-years-old at the time. Their neighbor’s dog had gone missing and her son was worried. So they looked everywhere they could think of. When they didn’t find the dog, they went home and said a prayer for its safe return. By the next morning, the dog had returned home.

Shortly after, her son was worried about getting a new class seating assignment. He didn’t want to have to sit next to a particular kid. So he prayed about it before he went to bed.

When he came home from school the next day, his mom asked him about the seating arrangement. Did he have to sit next to the kid he didn’t want?

Her son answered, “Of course not. I prayed about it.”

Ah, the wisdom of kids.

I love the time talking with my kids right before bedtime. They snuggle in to bed, we talk about the highs and lows of the day, and if there is a nagging worry or hurt, it usually comes tumbling out.

Then we pray, I kiss them goodnight and turn off the light. Rarely does a worry persist to the morning. They turn it over to a Higher Power and then let it go.

Of course they have smaller worries – but they also have a good practice. One that I need to remember for myself.

We need to empty our cups before we fill them.

(featured photo from Pexels)

Lessons from Letting Go: Parenting Reflections

March 16, 2026March 15, 2026Posted in loveTagged faith, family, grief, life, love, mental health, parenting, relationships83 Comments

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh

There’s a lot of grief that comes with parenting, isn’t there? And I’m not referring to the grief the kids give us. I’m talking about the variety that comes with letting go.

My 10-year-old daughter< Miss O, changed the wallpaper of my phone to be a rotation of pictures of her and her younger brother. Now every time I tap the phone, I see a picture of one of the two of them, usually as younger kids.

Along with the cute pictures comes the grief. It’s small but I feel a stab of knowing I’ll never hold them on my hip like that again. Or that the era of toddler speak that required Momma interpretation has ended. Or that we don’t have so many moments of un-self-conscious joy anymore. There are all sorts of things to mourn as I get that momentary hit of how much we’ve changed. As neuroscientist Maya Shankar explains, every change comes with a loss of identity.

When I leaned into the grief, I found three things blooming underneath.

Gratitude. My sister-in-law’s mom, Georgia, repeatedly told me a story when I first had kids. She said that when my sister-in-law was six or seven, she asked Georgia to play. Georgia laments that her reply was, “No, Honey, I’d rather read my book.”

I learned from that story to say “yes” so that I’m not talking about it when I’m 75-years-old. There have been many moments it has been hard to put down my book or stop progress on something I want to get done. But more or less, when my kids have said, “Mommy, look?” or “Mom, do you want to play ball?” I’ve said yes. So now when I feel the pangs of grief that come with letting go the younger selves of my kids, I also feel the gratitude for all the memories we have made and continue to make.

Learning. My kids have learned to walk, talk, ride a bike, read, play musical instruments, bat a ball and a myriad of other things. But the grief makes me realize how much I’ve learned as well. Things like that I had name my feelings so I could teach them how to name theirs. Also how to pitch baseballs, get grass stains from the ballfield out of pants, make slime, and clean slime from clothes too. These years have not only been full of memories but also lessons and growth too.

Faith. Miss O is heading to middle school next year. The horizon is already changing with boys, more complex relationships, and a wider circle of independent activities. The number of things I can’t control is growing exponentially larger every day.

Of course, I’ve never been able to control much. This whole journey of parenting has helped me lean into faith. To say “yes” to making memories, learning, loving and leading, and then leave the rest to God.

Grief is uncomfortable. Even the small “g” kind that I’m feeling these days. But underneath it is a whole lot of goodness that reminds me to lean in to creating a life worth growing out of.

(featured photo is Miss O and Mr. D in 2019)

Even 10-year-olds Know Better

March 2, 2026March 1, 2026Posted in life lessonsTagged boundaries, integrity, life, mental health, narcissistic-abuse, relationships, responsibility, wellness74 Comments

“There is no better test of a man’s integrity than his behavior when he is wrong.” – Marvin Williams

About 10 days ago I was making breakfast for my family on a calm Saturday morning. The news was on in the background and Donald Trump was responding to the Supreme Court ruling about tariffs.

He started, “I am ashamed…”

And then ended the sentence, “…that a couple of members of the Supreme Court don’t have the courage….”

I don’t recall saying anything. But the next thing I knew my 10-year-old daughter, Miss O, was standing on the couch with a pretend microphone in her hand offering an alternate response.

“I apologize. It was my fault. How can I fix it?”

Miss O is not an expert in the workings of the three branches of the US government. But she does possess the emotional intelligence to know that people should take responsibility for their decisions and actions.

I suspect this US presidency resonates in a unique way for those of us who’ve had significant entanglements with a narcissist.

The chaos.

The willingness to say anything, believable or not, in order to shift the conversation.

The loyalty tests.

The genuine belief that they should not be held to the same standard of behavior as normal people.

The constant need for more recognition and validation.

Being around people who make up their own rules and then blame others when they lose is exhausting. Even 10-year-olds know better.

When I had a business partner who was a narcissist, I was forced to learn the difference between what I can control and what I can’t. The wisdom of Prentis Hemphill helped me cope, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”

Not only did I gain a lot of clarity about boundaries, but I also developed a deep appreciation for the people in my life who are trustworthy enough to hold close. I came through that period with a huge amount of gratitude for when life is calm.

There are enough tariffs being levied these days. So I try to remember not to let narcissists tax my energy more than necessary.

(featured photo from Pexels)

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

Please check out the How to Share podcast, a podcast where guests share what they’ve lived and learned!

How to Share a Mission

February 18, 2026February 17, 2026Posted in howtoshare, UncategorizedTagged courage, healing, how to share, inspiration, life, mental health, personal growth, podcast, relationships, writing48 Comments

”There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots, the other is wings.” – Hodding Carter

In the days when I watched tv (somewhere about a decade ago before I had kids and started going to bed early so I could wake up early enough to write in that hour before they wake up), I really enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars. There is something fascinating about watching someone translate their skills from one arena to another. Like when a football player does a ballroom dance and it reveals something essential about what they bring no matter the format.

It reminds me of the guest I spoke with on the How to Share podcast this week. Anthony Dyer was special missions aviator for the US Air Force for 20 years. Now he’s written a gripping memoir, Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator. In it you see his courage. First on the battlefield and then in his vulnerability in writing about it.

Anthony knows how to bring it. Here’s a short excerpt that gives a taste of his inspirational courage:

“In gambling, playing with house money means you’re ahead, taking risks with what you’ve already won. That’s exactly how I wanted to exist earthside: bold, fearless, and unburdened by the fear of losing. Life itself was the ultimate win, and I was determined to make the most of it. Living a ‘house money life’ means living with the mindset that you’re already ahead and willing to take the risks with what you’ve already achieved without fearing losing. It’s about embracing life’s uncertainties and challenges and making the most of every opportunity.” – Anthony Dyer, Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator.

Anthony tells us how he went from a childhood in Appalachia to becoming a special missions aviator for the US Air Force. We talk about how his desire to make a difference in the world led to a 20-year-career in the military.

He reveals how he healed from the visible and invisible wounds of war, healing by picking up a pen instead of a bottle. He tells us how he met his wife and what their mission is now.

Anthony has so many incredible insights about how to live fully, heal, and integrate traumatic experiences. He tells us what motto is inspiring him today. This is a great episode with an insightful author who takes life by the horns. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

Anthony chose writing over alcohol to heal from trauma.
The importance of aviate, navigate, communicate in life.
Healing can come from vulnerability and sharing stories.
Family plays a crucial role in personal healing.
God can help you rebuild after trauma.
Scars are badges of honor, representing resilience.
Conversations with God can lead to personal growth.
Fatherhood is Anthony’s most important mission now.
Roots and wings symbolize balance in life.

Here’s a great clip of Anthony talking about how writing has helped heal the wounds of war:

Here are some ways you can watch or listen to all of this fascinating and inspiring episode:

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Share a Mission with Anthony Dyer
Subscribe to How To Share on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@howtosharepodcast

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Links for this episode:

How to Share a Mission Transcript

Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator on Barnes and Noble and Amazon

From the host:

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

(featured photo from Pexels)

The Feeling of a Fresh New Year

January 5, 2026January 4, 2026Posted in inspirationTagged goals, health, inspiration, mental health, motivation, personal growth, perspective, uncertainty87 Comments

“Be humble. Be teachable. The world is bigger than your view of the world. There’s always room for a new idea, a new step…a new beginning.” – marcandangel

There’s a noticeable expansiveness in the January 1^st entry in meditation books. Setting the tone. Regardless of the theology or philosophy, there seems to be a commonality in the approach to start with the most fresh, audacious, “let’s jump in” message that the author can summon.

I’m not a resolution person but I do like celebrating beginnings. Aren’t fresh starts great? They make me think of the feeling at the bottom of the mountain that encapsulates all the potential energy. Or the intentions at the start of the project, or new job, about how it’ll turn out. And the appeal of a new relationship when the shared history remains to be written. Also the appreciation for babies and children because of their innocence and freshness.

The beginning is before we’ve had to make decisions to change the scope, mitigate the pain, or slip into automatic responses in order to save energy. Before we’ve accepted that most endeavors come with their share of pain, healing, and learning. And that we sometimes fail to deliver even when we intend to do our best.

I have a bad habit of believing I know how things will play out. Especially when new people I meet elicit a reminder of someone else and it feels like I can see a preview of the relationship to come. That habit cuts me off from potential. So I love the fresh energy of messages like January 1st meditation essays that open me back up to uncertainty and a wider perspective.

It’s like new shoes. We don’t know where they’ll take us but we have to get them dirty to find out.

The beginning is important. For me it’s a reminder to stretch – to set our sights on the most expansive goals and being the best human/parent/partner/athlete we can. And to allow space for uncertainty. Then when the messy middle comes, we have some room for scaling back while still getting somewhere worth going.

So here’s to a great 2026! Happy New Year!

(featured photo from Pexels)

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

Please check out the How to Share podcast, a podcast celebrates the art of teaching, learning, giving, and growing!

How to Share Nutrition and Safety

October 29, 2025October 28, 2025Posted in howtoshareTagged deb dana, diet, food, health, how to share, mental health, nutrition, podcast, polyvagal theory, wellness58 Comments

“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:

The podcast player embedded below
Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Share Nutrition and Safety with Meg Bowman
Subscribe to How To Share on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@howtosharepodcast
Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

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)