Weekly companion blogs to the Transformative Journeys to Growth and Resilience™ podcast.
Growth, Grit, and the Courage to Become
What if the biggest obstacle between who you are today and who you're capable of becoming isn't fear... but a story you've been carrying for years? As I wrap up the first season of Transformative Journeys, I'm reflecting on the unexpected lessons that came from creating a podcast - and discovering that maybe becoming isn't about reaching a destination at all.
PowerPoint Johanna: Helping, Fixing, and Learning to Sit in the Suck
I thought I was listening. I thought I was helping. Then I realized I'd mentally opened PowerPoint before the other person had finished talking. This honest, humorous reflection explores active listening, empathy, helping versus fixing, and why genuine support isn't about solving someone's problems—it's about staying present while they navigate them.
The Comparison Trap: When Someone Else's Success Makes Yours Feel Smaller
I hit a podcast milestone and felt incredibly proud of myself... for about five minutes. Then I opened social media. What followed was a fascinating lesson about comparison, self-worth, and why measuring ourselves against other people's success can make our own accomplishments feel smaller than they really are.
The Hidden Cost of "Being Good With People"
People are often surprised when I tell them I'm a deeply introverted person. After all, I speak in front of audiences, facilitate workshops, and spend much of my volunteer work connecting with people. To many, that looks like extroversion. But being good with people and being energized by people are very different things. In this article, I explore introversion, social energy, emotional bandwidth, and the invisible cost that often exists behind competence.
High-Load Seasons: How to Carry a Lot Without Losing Yourself
Maybe yours is caregiving. Maybe you’re parenting. Maybe you’re in the middle of a demanding project at work. Maybe you’re supporting someone you love through a difficult time – or grieving something yourself. And maybe it happens to be several things piled on top of each other. It’s what I refer to as “A High-Load Season”.
The Silent Language of Stress: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You
So what is “silent stress”? It’s generally defined as the subtle, accumulated – and often unnoticed – tension that can build up as a result of the stressful things in life. Bottled up emotions… financial difficulties… over-work… health issues… or just being super-busy. The problem is that unlike a major breakdown or obvious overwhelm, it quietly creeps in under our radar.
