Aired on July 24, 2025

The conversation on the 98.1 KZE Up and Running Morning Show between host Rick and guest Caroline Phipps, founder of Living with Inner Elegance and holistic health counselor, explores the complex and powerful emotion of shame. They discuss the deep-rooted role of shame in human psychology, social cohesion, and cultural history. Shame is described as one of the most intense and low-level emotions because it threatens social connection, which is crucial for human survival. The dialogue explores the origins of shame in early human societies, where it served as a mechanism for maintaining group cohesion and survival by discouraging behavior that could lead to ostracism. They also examine how shame is embedded in religious teachings, such as the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, where shame arises as a consequence of moral transgression but can be alleviated through confession or redemption.

Furthermore, they highlight the dual nature of shame: while it can guide moral behavior, it can also be weaponized to divide and marginalize groups on the basis of differences such as race or sexual preference. This weaponization of shame fosters social division and polarization rather than unity. Caroline emphasizes the importance of understanding whether feelings of shame are justified (rooted in one’s own actions) or externally imposed without basis, as this distinction is critical for personal well-being. She advocates moving away from shaming others, as it isolates and alienates people, and instead encourages seeking common ground and connection. The conversation concludes with a call for self-reflection on the motives behind shaming others, urging restraint to avoid contributing further to societal division and to promote a more just and peaceful world.

Caroline also shares ways to connect with her for further discussion and directs listeners to her website and YouTube channel for additional resources and content, including a podcast featuring Divine G. Whitfield, which includes theatrical performances.

• 💡 Shame is one of the most intense and low-level emotions because it threatens social connection, essential for survival.
• 🌍 Shame historically evolved to maintain social cohesion by discouraging behavior that might lead to ostracization from the group.
• 📜 The concept of shame is deeply embedded in religious and moral teachings worldwide, such as the Biblical story of Adam and Eve.
• ⚔️ Shame can be weaponized to divide groups, creating social polarization and marginalization.
• 🤔 Differentiating between justified internal shame and externally imposed shame is vital for emotional well-being.
• 💬 Shaming others rarely leads to positive change; it isolates and entrenches behaviors rather than resolving conflicts.
• 🌱 Encouraging connection and understanding over shame promotes healing and a more peaceful society.

This interview with Caroline Phipps offers a nuanced exploration of shame, prompting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and interactions with shame, thereby promoting emotional health and social harmony.

Caroline Phipps carolinephipps.com

Aired on June 26th, 2025 ENTITLED UNDERSTANDING YOUR PRIVILEGE

The Up and Running Morning Show on 98.1 KZE featured Caroline Phipps, a recurring guest, discussing the complex topic of entitlement. Caroline explores how entitlement manifests both individually and historically, influencing social dynamics, environmental degradation, and personal relationships. She reflects on the evolution of societal attitudes, contrasting the duty-bound “Greatest Generation” with the self-focused “Me Generation” of the 1970s, which emphasized individualism and personal expression but sometimes led to excessive self-centeredness. Caroline highlights the pitfalls of feeling entitled, including damaged relationships and persistent disappointment, urging listeners to cultivate gratitude and community-mindedness instead. She cautions against believing in special treatment, emphasizing that the universe operates on collective existence rather than individual entitlement. Caroline also shares an upcoming podcast project and offers free coaching sessions, inviting listeners to explore her work further through her website. The conversation blends philosophical insights with practical advice, encouraging self-awareness and empathy.

Highlights

• Caroline Phipps returns monthly to discuss thought-provoking topics on the Up and Running Morning Show.
• Entitlement is examined as a historical and contemporary phenomenon with far-reaching social and environmental implications.
• The contrast between the selfless “Greatest Generation” and the self-focused “Me Generation” highlights changes in societal values.
• Excessive entitlement leads to disappointment, damaged relationships, and a fractured sense of community.
• Gratitude and sharing are proposed as antidotes to the negative effects of entitlement.
• Caroline promotes an upcoming podcast featuring John Divine G. Whitfield, related to the film Sing Sing.
• Listeners are invited to connect with Caroline for free coaching sessions and explore her extensive archives online.

Conclusion

Caroline Phipps’s conversation on entitlement provides a nuanced exploration of a pervasive and often misunderstood concept. By combining historical analysis, generational perspectives, psychological insights, and practical advice, she offers a comprehensive view that challenges listeners to reconsider their assumptions about privilege and special rights. Her emphasis on gratitude, community, and interconnectedness serves as a powerful corrective to the divisive effects of entitlement, opening a path toward greater empathy and collective well-being. Through ongoing engagement and resources, Caroline supports her audience in applying these principles to their daily lives, making her contributions both intellectually rich and deeply practical.

carolinephipps.com

Follow me on Substack

Wisdom With Inner Elegance Series Resilience How to Measure Your Strength Welcome to an enlightening episode of the Wisdom with Inner Elegance Roundtable Series. Join Caroline Phipps, founder of Living with Inner Elegance, and Deborah Kelly, Executive Director of the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, as they delve into the crucial topic of resilience in today’s chaotic world. This episode explores how resilience is no longer just about bouncing back but about adapting, transforming, and reflecting on your inner self.

Caroline and Deborah discuss the increasing fears and uncertainties people face due to rapid global changes, ageing, and personal life shifts. They emphasize the importance of community strength, sharing heartfelt stories of how resilience can be drawn from within and supported by connecting with others. Together, they explore the spiritual crisis facing many and how reflecting on one’s purpose and choices can lead to inner growth and development.

Throughout the discussion, they highlight inspiring narratives, including the redemption story of John Devine G. Whitfield, a wrongfully incarcerated man who harnessed his inner resilience to transform his life even while in prison. His journey exemplifies the power of a positive mindset and choice.

Caroline and Deborah also address the societal pressures that challenge the resilience of younger generations, urging a focus on genuine fulfillment over superficial achievements. They stress the significance of surrounding oneself with resilient and supportive people and how shared stories and communities play a vital role in encouraging this strength.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners are invited to reflect on their own strengths and to foster a communal atmosphere that uplifts and empowers. The hosts extend a warm invitation to future events at the Wisdom House Retreat, promising transformative experiences aimed at enhancing personal growth and inner elegance.

Caroline Phipps Living With Inner Elegance carolinephipps.com

Deborah Kelly Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center wisdomhouse.org

Aired on May 22, 2025 In this electrifying episode of the Up and Running Morning Show on 98.1 KZE, host Rick and Caroline Phipps, founder of Living with Inner Elegance, share profound insights on resilience. Caroline engages the audience with an essential topic: the importance of resilience amidst life's challenges, such as balancing work and family, managing financial uncertainties, and caring for elderly parents.

The show's highlight is the inspiring story of Divine G. Whitfield, an incredibly talented actor and a founding member of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA). Wrongfully incarcerated for 25 years, Divine used the power of the arts to cultivate resilience, eventually helping others behind bars and advocating for justice. He shares his journey of finding purpose, evidenced by obtaining degrees and mentoring fellow inmates.

Through Caroline’s conversation with Divine, listeners learn invaluable life lessons. Resilience, as Divine describes, begins from within and is sustained by making conscious, positive choices regardless of circumstances. His remarkable story is a testament to pursuing your passions and giving back, no matter the odds.

Listeners are captivated by Divine's post-incarceration journey, a second chance at life that led him to tour the world with Lil Wayne and earn an Oscar nomination for his screenplay, 'Sing Sing.' Caroline and Rick delve into the broader implications of resilience, as Caroline encourages individuals to focus on their unique strengths and extend kindness, asserting that these intentional choices have profound life-altering impacts.

Tune in as Caroline provides practical tools and strategies to build resilience and extend an invitation to experience her life coaching expertise. With tales of resilience, redemption, and the human spirit, this episode leaves listeners inspired and empowered to face their own challenges with grace and determination.

Aired on May 18th, 2025 Resilience How to Measure Your Strength In this thought-provoking episode, Caroline Phipps dives deep into the transformative power of resilience, exploring its significance in creating a just and peaceful world. Caroline shares her relationship with John Divine G. Whitfield, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and a beacon of resilience, who shares his inspiring journey from wrongful incarceration to international recognition.

The episode unpacks Divine's life story, highlighting how he overcame a 25-year sentence for a crime he did not commit, pursued higher education, authored books, and fought tirelessly for justice, both for himself and for others entangled in the justice system. His experiences at Sing Sing prison, including his involvement with Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), underscore the critical role of the arts in rehabilitation and resilience-building.

Caroline proclaims the essence of resilience, emphasizing constant reflection as a tool for growth, the importance of cultivating a strong sense of self, and the impact of understanding one’s unique strengths. They explore the nuanced challenges to resilience, from fear of others' opinions to toxic relationships, and the necessity of nurturing resilience to lead a productive life.

Listeners will be inspired by Divine's embodiment of resilience and the powerful message that what we give to the world returns manifold. Through Divine’s story, this episode illustrates the potential of resilience to not only transform individual lives but also contribute to societal change, urging listeners to nurture their own resilience for a brighter future. Caroline Phipps carolinephipps.com Click to Watch this Podcast on YouTube Substack

Aired on May 2, 2025 Welcome to the "Wisdom with Inner Elegance Roundtable Series," where hosts Deborah Kelly, Executive Director of the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center, and Caroline Phipps, founder of Living with Inner Elegance, take you on an enlightening journey in these turbulent times. This episode explores how individuals worldwide unite against injustice, inspiring a global movement of peace and community despite the chaos.

Caroline shares her observations on the growing phenomenon of people coming together, transcending specific causes, and advocating for one another in peaceful resistance. This global solidarity is analyzed through both scientific and spiritual lenses, touching upon Isaac Newton's laws of motion and the philosophies of karma and Christian teachings.

The episode delves into the power of truth, the contagious nature of courage and kindness, and the role of technology in mobilizing communities worldwide. Historical anecdotes highlight how figures like Mahatma Gandhi used non-violent resistance to inspire mass movements and challenge powerful empires.

Listeners are encouraged to embrace their power and live intentionally, fostering unity and empathy. The discussion highlights the simplicity of truth and the exhausting complexity of sustaining untruths, offering insights into the importance of standing up for justice and equality.

Don't miss the chance to join Caroline Phipps for an inspiring live program at Wisdom House on May 13th, and explore more resources on living with inner elegance at carolinephipps.com. Stay connected with Wisdom House at wisdomhouse.org for updates and inspiring programs to uplift your spirit.

Aired on April 24, 2025 Welcome to another enlightening Up and Running Morning Show episode on 98.1 KZE. In this engaging conversation, host Rick chats with the insightful Caroline Phipps, founder of 'Living with Inner Elegance.' Caroline brings her wealth of knowledge on truth, peace, and community, touching upon her own experiences and the enduring message of songs like John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance."

Caroline illustrates powerful analogies, such as the art of horsemanship and the importance of not 'breaking the spirit,' both in animals and humans. This metaphor extends into human interaction, where cooperation and mutual respect replace force and dominance.

The conversation dives deep into historical figures like Gandhi, who exemplified the power of peace and truth against the odds, while encouraging listeners to explore the strength of aligning with truth and justice within their own lives.

Moreover, this episode highlights the significance of mindfulness in everyday actions and how changing our internal dialogue can result in profound external changes. With a delightful mix of humor and warmth, Rick and Caroline discuss her ongoing projects, including the 'Keeping Your Sanity' workshop and the 'Wisdom with Inner Elegance Roundtable' series in collaboration with Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center.

Please tune in to discover how you can become a part of this growing community and explore the tools Caroline offers through her workshops and podcasts. Join us for a transformative journey of insights and wisdom coupled with a bit of laughter and joy.