Grow the Good, formerly The Sonya Looney Show, is your guide to continual personal growth, meaningful connections, and positive impact in the world. Challenge t...
NEW Practice: A Moving Meditation on Resilience and Recovery
Join me, Sonya Looney, in our first moving meditation of 2025. Today's journey is about harnessing patience and acceptance amidst life's unavoidable interruptions. I'm back on the bike after my longest training break, so it feels more relevant than ever to highlight the importance of emotional regulation, the power of naming our emotions, and the crucial role of acceptance in building resilience.As we ride together, I'll guide you through mindfulness practices to help manage discomfort - both physical and emotional - and reinforce the value of optimism and social support. Whether you're sidelined by illness, facing personal setbacks, or just feeling overwhelmed, this meditation is a reminder to embrace the present, accept your circumstances, and find strength in your experiences.Here's what we'll do:1. Embrace patience and let go of control.2. Practice acceptance and emotional regulation.3. Zoom out and find broader context.4. Leverage your inner strength.5. Focus on the present moment.Check out other moving meditations:- Grounding in Nature- Daily Meditation in Motion- A Moving Meditation to Combat Self-Criticism--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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A New Chapter in Cultivating Personal Growth and Wellbeing
Are you ready to transform the way you think about success and happiness? This isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about creating a life filled with purpose, vitality, and meaningful connections. Welcome to 'Grow the Good,' where we explore not just surviving, but truly thriving in every area of life.Formerly the Sonya Looney Show, this podcast is all about leveraging the principles of positive psychology to not just fix what's wrong, but to amplify what's right within us and around us. Today, I'm diving into what 'Grow the Good' stands for, exploring the rich philosophy of meliorism, and why we’re focusing on five foundational pillars: purpose, vitality, resilience, hope, and connection. These pillars are the heartbeat of our personal growth and wellbeing.Here's what you'll learn:- Purpose & Vitality: Emphasizing the importance of living with intention and energizing our everyday lives.- Resilience & Hope: Strategies for overcoming challenges and maintaining optimism through focused goal-setting.- Connection: The power of nurturing relationships and building strong, supportive communities.- Embracing Meliorism: The belief that we can improve the world through our efforts and actions.- Building a Positive Community: An invitation to join in and help cultivate a community that thrives on mutual growth and support.Get ready to be inspired, to challenge yourself, and to truly grow the good in every aspect of your life.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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Performance-Based Identities with Dr. Ben Walker
How do your achievements shape your sense of self? In this episode of Grow the Good, I sit down with Ben Walker, an expert in organizational behavior from Victoria University of Wellington, to explore the intricate world of performance-based identities. We discuss how the labels we attach to ourselves shape our sense of self and influence our deeper motivations. Ben offers enlightening perspectives on the risks associated with tying our self-worth too closely to performance and provides actionable strategies for fostering a healthier, more balanced identity. From expanding our social circles to engaging in activities just for the joy of it, learn how to break free from the cycle of constant self-evaluation and thrive in authenticity. Tune in to start transforming how you view success and to nurture a more resilient and genuine version of yourself.Here’s what you’ll learn:Complexity of Identities: Performance-based identities involve how we see ourselves and the underlying reasons why achievements are so crucial to our self-concept.Multiple Identities: It's possible to have several performance-based identities that merge into a broader high-performer persona, which can lead to burnout if not managed well.Social Influences: The groups we interact with significantly affect our performance identities. Introducing variety in our social lives can help maintain balance.Value of Hobbies: Pursuing activities that don’t revolve around evaluation is vital for mental health, providing a break from the pressure of performance.Importance of Reflection: Regular self-reflection and the courage to shift away from outdated identities are essential for managing and evolving our self-perception healthily.LINKS:Ben Walker LinkedIn | Google Scholar Work Ethic, Perspective, and Identity with Alsion TetrickPlay Your Way to Peak Performance with Elaine O’Brien--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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Welcome to Grow The Good!
As a world champion mountain biker, mental performance coach, and someone deeply passionate about positive psychology, I’ve always believed in focusing on the good that already exists within us and around us. “Grow the Good” isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement towards living authentically and thriving through the pillars of purpose, vitality, resilience, hope, and connection. Why tune into “Grow the Good”? 1. Purpose: We’ll explore how to align your daily actions with your deepest values and how those actions can make meaningful impacts. 2. Vitality: I’ll share strategies to boost your energy and well-being, helping you to thrive in all areas of your life. 3. Resilience: Together, we’ll learn how to bounce back from challenges stronger and smarter, building the mental toughness that true resilience requires. 4. Hope: You’ll discover how to set goals that matter, find paths to achieve them, and build the confidence to enact positive change. 5. Connection: We’ll dive into building strong, meaningful relationships and how true connection can enrich both personal and community well-being.I’m super excited about this new direction and I invite you to join me in cultivating a life that celebrates and amplifies the good within us and around us. Subscribe to join us on the ride. Let’s grow the good together!--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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Practice: Grounding in Nature
December can be a joyful yet challenging time - full of excitement for the holidays and a new year, but also heavy with grief, difficult family dynamics, and feelings of loneliness. Let's step away from the chaos and immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world to find calm amidst the storm.By slowing down and really tuning in, we can experience awe and a profound sense of connection to something greater than ourselves. This practice is not about escaping our problems, but about finding the resources within to face them with more clarity, resilience, and compassion. So join me on this journey to grow the good - in ourselves, in nature, and in our relationships. Here's what you'll learn:- How to use nature to ground awareness and attention- Practices to cultivate awe and wonder- Benefits of connecting to something larger--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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More Health & Wellness podcastsMore Health & Wellness podcasts
Grow the Good, formerly The Sonya Looney Show, is your guide to continual personal growth, meaningful connections, and positive impact in the world. Challenge the idea that you are broken or need fixing. Instead, discover how to cultivate the good that already exists within you and amplify the strengths and potential you may not yet realize you have. Grounded in the science of positive psychology and guided by the pillars of purpose, vitality, resilience, hope, and connection, each episode is packed with tools, stories, and evidence-backed insights to help you create a more authentic and flourishing life.
New Zealand