The end of the year has a way of blurring together celebration, pressure, joy, and exhaustion all at once. It can feel festive and meaningful, yet also overwhelming as we juggle family dynamics, busier schedules, and the expectation to be “on” all the time. But what if this moment in the calendar is actually an opening, a chance to challenge the status quo of how we end our year and step into the next one with clarity and power?

In this solo episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, host Teri P. Cox invites you into a grounding and restorative year-end practice that aligns with the show’s core message of living a self-designed life. Instead of rushing into resolutions or pushing through the frenzy, Teri explores how intentional reflection and small acts of me time can help you reset, recharge, and create the momentum you want for 2026. From breathing techniques that calm your nervous system to quiet moments that reveal what truly matters, she shares practical ways to shift out of survival mode and into purposeful living.

You will hear simple, meaningful prompts that help you look back on 2025 with honesty, compassion, and curiosity. Teri covers the foundations of a year-end audit, including your physical wellness, mental health, relationships, finances, and personal growth. She also shares her own hard-earned lessons on boundaries, stress, caregiving, and the importance of choosing yourself before burnout chooses you. These reflections are not about perfection. They are about designing a life that feels aligned with who you are becoming.

Tune in to Episode 22 of Connecting the Golden Dots and discover how finishing the year with intention can strengthen your mindset, restore your energy, and give you the grounding you need to walk into 2026 with confidence and clarity.

Episode Takeaways:

• How to create moments of me time in the middle of holiday overwhelm (1:20)
• A simple breathing practice that calms your nervous system in five minutes (2:30)
• The role of short meditations and quiet pauses in slowing down an overstimulated day (3:20)
• Why ending the year with reflection sets the foundation for a stronger year ahead (5:50)
• Key questions to evaluate your physical, emotional, and mental wellness from the past year (7:00)
• How relationships shaped your 2025 and which connections deserve nurturing in 2026 (9:00)
• A stress-free way to review your financial decisions and build better habits for the new year (10:10)
• Why boundaries, intention setting, and ditching rigid deadlines lead to healthier progress (12:50)
• How Teri uses reassessment, “done lists,” and the Rule of Five to build momentum (17:20)
• The mindset shifts that help you finish the year strong and carry gratitude into 2026 (22:40)

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Gratitude often lives quietly inside our minds, tucked into late-night reflections or holiday traditions. We feel thankful, we recognize our blessings, and we promise ourselves we will slow down and appreciate what we have. But what if the real power of gratitude comes not from feeling it, but from expressing it?

In this solo episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, host Teri P. Cox takes a thoughtful and refreshing look at what she calls the Gratitude Gap. It is the space between being grateful on the inside and sharing that gratitude with the people who deserve to hear it. Through relatable personal stories and eye-opening research about the effects of gratitude on health, longevity, and emotional resilience, Teri shows how closing this gap can strengthen relationships and enrich daily life in ways we often overlook.

You will hear simple and meaningful practices that turn gratitude into action, including speaking heartfelt appreciation, taking mindful gratitude walks, using small reminders to interrupt negative spirals, and reconnecting with the beauty in ordinary moments. Teri also opens her own gratitude list, offering a glimpse into the people, memories, and experiences that continue to shape her life.

Tune in to episode 21 of Connecting the Golden Dots and discover how expressing gratitude out loud can shift your mindset, deepen your connections, and bring more warmth and meaning into your everyday life.

Episode Takeaways:

• The two halves of gratitude (and why most people only practice one) (2:40)
• Why expressing gratitude deepens relationships and strengthens community (6:10)
• How gratitude boosts resilience through illness, loss, and unexpected change (10:10)
• Why expressing gratitude fuels empathy, compassion, and reciprocity (14:10)
• How nightly gratitude can improve your sleep quality and lower your heart rate (16:20)
• Using gratitude walks to reconnect with beauty, presence, and joy (19:00)
• Small, daily practices that close the Gratitude Gap (21:00)
• Teri's personal gratitude list and how to start your own (24:10)

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Pain affects everyone at some point, whether from an injury, the effects of aging, or the stress of daily life. What if managing pain and improving health could be made simpler by remembering a few powerful acronyms?

In this solo episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, host Teri P. Cox shares the “alphabet soup” of strategies that helped her countless times to recover from injuries and reclaim her energy. From the well-known RICE method to the more effective MEAT framework and the life-changing SMART goal system, Teri explains how these simple acronyms can shift the way you approach pain, wellness, and even personal growth.

You will hear practical tips for increasing physical activity, improving sleep quality, making better food choices, and even changing thought patterns, all designed to help you reduce pain and build resilience. More than quick fixes, these approaches create sustainable habits that improve not just your body but also your mindset and overall quality of life.

Tune in to episode 20 of Connecting the Golden Dots and discover how these easy-to-remember tools can guide you toward better health, stronger habits, and lasting transformation.

• The meaning of RICE and how it supports recovery in the short term (04:30)
• Why MEAT is now considered a better option for healing and long-term mobility (07:40)
• How SMART goals apply not just to pain management but to every area of life (8:00)
• Examples of setting specific, measurable, and realistic goals for physical activity (10:10)
• The importance of sleep quality and a practical nightly routine for healing (12:00)
• Emotional and mental strategies for pain management (19:10)
• How nutrition choices can reduce inflammation and speed recovery (23:00)
• The role of hydration and supplements in supporting long-term health (28:50)
• The importance of taking time to care for yourself (33:20)

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What if the only thing standing between you and your goals was not time, money, or resources, but you?

In this episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, host Teri P. Cox explores one of the most common and frustrating roadblocks to success: getting in our own way. Through negative self-talk, procrastination, perfectionism, and constant comparison, we often create the very obstacles that hold us back.

Drawing from her own experiences, Teri breaks down how to recognize the destructive inner dialogue that fuels fear and self-doubt, and she shares practical strategies for replacing it with positive, empowering action. From reframing “failure” as a learning process to redefining comfort zones, Teri shows how even the smallest daily steps forward create real momentum.

Tune in to episode 19 of Connecting the Golden Dots and gain concrete tools for building resilience, including gratitude practices, journaling, mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with supportive communities. If you have ever felt stuck, sabotaged your own progress, or held yourself back with “not enough” thinking, this episode will help you push past the mental blocks and step boldly into your goals.

• How to recognize when negative self-talk is derailing your progress (2:30)
• Simple ways to interrupt and reframe destructive inner dialogue (4:10)
• The “dance of life”: why progress doesn’t move in a straight line (7:40)
• Success can be as frightening as failure (14:30)
• How to redefine “failure” as a learning experience, not an ending (16:20)
• The comfort zone is not a solid wall (27:00)
• How comparison steals joy—and what to do instead (31:50)
• Setting goals and taking small actions (35:10)
• Practical tips to overcome procrastination and perfectionism (41:20)

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In a world that rewards hustle, glorifies busyness, and rarely encourages rest, many of us push through exhaustion until our bodies say, "enough." But what happens when your immune system, your energy, and even your joy collapse under the weight of nonstop doing?

In Episode 18 of Connecting the Golden Dots, Teri Cox shares a deeply personal and empowering message about the hidden cost of ignoring downtime, and why "me time" isn't a luxury, but a lifeline. After a series of illnesses, injuries, and life changes, Teri was forced to confront the truth: rest and self-care are not signs of weakness. They're the foundation of resilience. From her 24/7 work life to finally embracing long walks, meditation, and joy-filled moments, she's redefining productivity and balance.

Tune in as Teri breaks down how quality me time recharges your mind, body, and spirit, and why you should stop feeling guilty for taking it. This isn't just about self-care. It's about building a life you don't need to escape from.

Episode Takeaways:

• Why "me time" isn't optional. What happens when health issues force us to stop (2:40)
• The toxic loop of guilt around rest (6:30)
• Why stepping away from tasks (even briefly) can reboot your brain and boost productivity (10:50)
• The power of daily walks, dancing, and live performances in creating soul-aligned energy (15:40)
• How "me time" strengthens relationships (21:10)
• Quiet time = clarity time (24:30)
• Make mornings count (28:10)

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When life feels heavy and the world seems to be spinning faster every day, it’s easy to slip into a spiral of negativity. The news cycle, personal struggles, and emotional fatigue can chip away at your well-being. But what if the way back to joy, resilience, and clarity doesn’t require a dramatic life overhaul? What if it just takes a shift in how you start your day, the energy you surround yourself with, and the thoughts you choose to nurture?

In today’s episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, we dive into the transformative power of gratitude and the practical strategies you can use to stay grounded when life feels chaotic. Teri shares how she has learned to reframe negative self-talk, boost her mood through simple rituals, and rediscover joy after years of caregiving and personal loss. From creating a gratitude practice to limiting digital noise and being intentional with your energy, this episode is filled with actionable tips to help you shift from emotional burnout to soulful presence.

Episode takeaways

• Why your attitude shapes your health and energy more than you think (1:50)
• The fastest way to break a cycle of negative self-talk (4:20)
• Three things you can do every morning to reset your mindset (9:00)
• How music and movement instantly shift your mood (11:10)
• Why giving doesn’t have to involve money, and still brings joy (14:00)
• The surprising link between gratitude and emotional well-being (18:00)
• The ripple effect of positivity (24:10)
• Why you should embrace how blessed you are more often (28:30)

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We all face the challenge of staying focused in a world full of distractions—especially as the seasons change and summer encourages us to loosen our routines. Maintaining clarity and productivity can be difficult when life pulls us in multiple directions, but having a clear sense of purpose can make all the difference. From the constant buzz of social media to shifting responsibilities and the irresistible pull of warm-weather activities, this episode is a reminder that focus isn’t about rigidity—it’s about choosing what truly matters.

In today’s episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, we explore how to stay focused during the busy summer months by setting realistic goals and breaking them down into manageable daily steps. We discuss the power of to-do lists, optimizing your workspace, staying energized with breaks and hydration, and creating healthy boundaries with technology. We also highlight the importance of weaving joy into your schedule—through activities that refuel you—so you can stay motivated without losing sight of your priorities.

Episode takeaways:

• Why focus feels hard—and why it matters (0:30)
• The foundation: Goal setting and visual reminders (3:15)
• Small steps, big impact: Building daily momentum (6:00)
• Planning with purpose: To-do lists and nighttime prep (8:30)
• Balancing work and play with a summer schedule (11:30)
• Creating a focus-friendly workspace (14:30)
• Tech boundaries, energy management, and taking breaks (17:30)
• Monthly planning and the importance of joy (21:00)

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As we've already shared on this podcast, there are two types of change. The first is the kind we initiate, one we seek out and work toward with intention. The second is the kind that arrives without warning, uninvited and unexpected. At first glance, these two types of change may seem like opposite sides of the same coin, but they share one undeniable truth: you'll have to deal with both.

In today's episode of Connecting the Golden Dots, we talk about how to prepare ourselves for the kind of change that breaks into our lives, kicking the door, and the importance of self-advocacy when dealing with our health. We also go through the finishing touches of the last episode, as we cover how to allergy-proof our house. You'll hear tips and practical advice on creating an allergy-free environment and a real-life example of the importance of self-advocating for your health.

Episode takeaways:

• Why it is crucial to fight humidity if you suffer from allergies (2:30)
• How often do you change your bedding? (3:50)
• When was the last time you changed your AC filters? (5:00)
• Dealing with unexpected change (7:30)
• Why wouldn't you persevere if your health is on the line? (13:00)
• Don't let complications dictate the rhythm (16:10)

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