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  • The Art of Deep Rest — Rethinking Rest, Productivity, and What It Really Takes to Thrive

    The Art of Deep Rest — Rethinking Rest, Productivity, and What It Really Takes to Thrive
    2026/04/28
    The Art of Deep Rest — Rethinking Rest, Productivity, and What It Really Takes to Thrive Episode Overview What if rest isn't the obstacle to thriving — but actually the foundation? In this episode, Julie is joined by Megan Megenson, a spiritual strategist and sabbatical coach for small business owners, to explore why so many of us struggle to rest, what real rest actually looks like, and how designing a sustainable rest practice can transform not just our well-being, but the lives of everyone around us. What We Cover in This Episode The cultural story around rest — and why so many of us have inherited the belief that productivity equals worthiness and rest equals laziness. Julie and Megan explore the generational roots of this pattern and how it shows up today in the age of social media and the 24/7 hustle culture. Deep rest as a practice — Megan defines deep rest not as simply collapsing at the end of the day, but as any action that simultaneously regulates the nervous system and recharges the energy battery. Understanding the difference between hyperarousal, hypoarousal, and healthy homeostasis — and why both matter for true restoration. Your personal rest menu — drawing on the research of Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith, Megan walks through seven categories of rest and why your recipe for restoration will look different from everyone else's: Physical restMental restSpiritual restSensory restSocial restCreative rest Vision as an entry point — why connecting to the vision you have for your life — and asking "how could I make it 10% more beautiful?" — is one of the most powerful starting places for shifting out of hyper-productivity. Alignment vs. misalignment — how to identify where your daily life and work are aligned with your values and vision, where they aren't, and how to begin making slow, intentional shifts. Plus: a closer look at the "shoulds" that quietly drive so much of our busyness. Rest and intuition — why the voice of intuition is always the quietest voice in the room, and how rest creates the conditions to finally hear it. Megan's powerful metaphor: rest reduces the static on the phone line between you and your own knowing. The sabbatical as an act of resistance — why saying yes to deep rest, when you have the privilege to do so, isn't selfish. It's a ripple effect that touches everyone in your life, your work, and your community. If you have been curious about what more rest might look like and feel like, this episode is for you. Remember, your well-being is the fuel for everything you are and everything you do and rest is an essential part of your well-being recipe. Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with a friend! Reviews and ratings matter <3 We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode. Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing? -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here -Follow Julie on Instagram -Follow her on LinkedIn About Maegan Megginson Maegan is a spiritual strategist and sabbatical coach who helps small business owners recover from burnout, reconnect with their intuition, and design sustainable ways of working. Her approach blends practical business wisdom, therapeutic insight, and grounded spiritual guidance. A former therapist and group practice owner, Megan experienced a pivotal burnout in 2018 that led her to what she now calls an "emergency sabbatical" — and ultimately to her life's work of guiding others through transformative sabbatical experiences. Where to find her: Subscribe to Maegan's weekly newsletter: https://maeganmegginson.com/newsletter/Watch Maegan's YouTube series, Let's Go Outside: https://www.youtube.com/@deeply-restedListen to Maegan's podcast, Deeply Rested: https://maeganmegginson.com/deeply-rested-podcast/Sabbatical Playbook, Maegan's free sabbatical planning resource: https://www.youneedasabbatical.com/playbookDr. Sanda Dalton-Smith's 7 Types of Rest: https://www.drdaltonsmith.com/
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    59 分
  • Step Outside: Your Well-Being is Waiting

    Step Outside: Your Well-Being is Waiting
    2026/04/14

    Spring is here — and she has something to teach us.

    In this episode, Julie invites you to step outside and experience one of the most powerful, most accessible, and most underrated well-being practices available to us: time in nature. As the season shifts and the world outside our windows begins to wake up again, this is your reminder that nature isn't a luxury — it's medicine. And spring is rolling out the welcome mat.

    Drawing on research from positive psychology, environmental science, and neuroscience, Julie explores what actually happens in your brain and body when you get outside — and why even 10 minutes can meaningfully shift your mood, your stress levels, and your sense of connection to something larger than yourself.

    In this episode you'll discover:

    The Japanese practice of forest bathing — and its remarkable documented effects on stress hormones, blood pressure, and immune function. What Attention Restoration Theory tells us about why doing "nothing" outside is actually one of the most productive things you can do for your brain. The science of awe — what it is, why nature triggers it so reliably, and why it's so good for your mental and physical health. Why spring sunshine is literally an antidepressant — and the simple vitamin D truth most of us overlook. The positive psychology practice of savoring — and how to bring it into your time outside so you're not just present in nature but truly receiving it.

    Your practice this season:

    Go outside. On purpose. For at least 10 minutes. Leave your phone behind if you can. Find one thing that makes you go "wow." And let spring welcome you back.

    This week's micro-practice — The Spring Noticing Practice: Once a day, for just two or three minutes, go outside and find one sign of spring that wasn't there last week. A bud. A bird. A change in the light. Let it remind you that things are always changing, always growing, always moving toward more life.

    Your well-being is the fuel for everything you are and everything you do. Now go outside.

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with a friend!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here

    -Follow Julie on Instagram

    -Follow her on LinkedIn

    -Interested in working with Julie? Book an inquiry call here
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    20 分
  • Creating Meaning and Purpose in Complex Times

    Creating Meaning and Purpose in Complex Times
    2026/03/31

    We have more information, more options, and more ways to connect than ever before — and yet so many of us feel adrift. In this episode, Julie explores one of the most essential questions of our time: how do we create meaning and live with purpose when the world feels chaotic and uncertain?

    Drawing on the work of Viktor Frankl, the PERMA-V framework from positive psychology, and the concept of post-traumatic growth, Julie unpacks why meaning matters so deeply to our well-being — and why it feels so hard to access right now. From constant disruption and information overload to the quiet erosion of shared community and ritual, the meaning crisis is real. But so is our power to do something about it.

    In this episode you'll explore six practical strategies for making meaning in complex times, including how to clarify your values, find purpose in small daily acts, reframe challenge and suffering, and tell a more empowering story about your life and this moment in history.

    Key takeaway: Meaning isn't found. It's created. And that creation is available to all of us — starting today.

    This week's reflection question: What makes my life meaningful right now?

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with a friend!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here

    -Follow Julie on Instagram

    -Follow her on LinkedIn

    -Interested in working with Julie? Book an inquiry call here
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    20 分
  • Revisiting Cultivating Hope in a Complex World - with Kathryn Goetzke

    Revisiting Cultivating Hope in a Complex World - with Kathryn Goetzke
    2026/03/17

    In this re-shared episode, I have the privilege of having a profound conversation with Kathryn Goetzke, the Chief Hope Officer of the Shine Hope Company. We explore the delicate balance between despair and hope, discussing how individuals can navigate these emotions in a world filled with challenges. Kathryn shares her personal journey through mental health struggles and her mission to teach hope as a skill. Our conversation delves into the importance of understanding hopelessness, the impact of emotional despair, and the necessity of teaching hope to the next generation, especially in today's divisive climate. In this conversation, Kathryn discusses the importance of peer learning among youth, identifying what is in your locus of control and focusing on those things, the cultivation of happiness habits, and the role of social media in shaping emotional well-being. She emphasizes the need for awareness and personal agency in addressing global issues, advocating for local actions that can lead to meaningful change. We also discuss the significance of hope as a teachable skill, as any age.

    We spoke about the VIA Character Strengths Assessment in this episode because knowing your strengths and utilizing them are so essential to moving away from despair and towards hope by taking action. I encourage you to take this free,15 minute assessment to build awareness around your strengths and what makes you uniquely YOU.

    If you are struggling with cultivating hope these days, this is a must listen episode!

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with a friend!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here

    -Follow Julie on Instagram

    -Follow her on LinkedIn

    -Interested in working with Julie? Book an inquiry call here

    About Kathryn

    Kathryn Goetzke, MBA, is CEO and Chief Hope Officer of The Shine Hope

    Company, the Author of ‘The Biggest Little Book About Hope‘, podcast host of

    The Hope Matrix, and Creator of award-winning Hopeful Minds, Hopeful Cities,

    and Hopeful Mindsets. She is the Founder of iFred, the International

    Foundation for Research and Education on Hope, established in 2004. Kathryn

    and her work have been featured at Harvard University, the World Bank, the

    United Nations, the Kennedy Forum, and more. Kathryn was recently

    appointed to be a representative at the United Nations for the World

    Federation for Mental Health and is working to get an International Day of

    Hope established at the United Nations.

    You can find out more about Kathryn and her work at The Shine Hope Company and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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    45 分
  • The Story You're Living In — How Our Beliefs Create Our Experience

    The Story You're Living In — How Our Beliefs Create Our Experience
    2026/03/03

    In this solo episode, Julie explores one of the most transformative ideas in positive psychology and in our ability to thrive: that our beliefs don't just reflect reality — they create it. Drawing on her own personal story about inherited beliefs around rest and worth, she walks listeners through the science of how beliefs wire the brain, and shares a simple four-step inquiry practice for identifying, questioning, and transforming limiting beliefs into ones that actually serve the life you want to build, based on Bryon Katie’s ‘The Work”.

    Practice for the Week:

    Take one belief you're carrying — especially one you inherited rather than consciously chose. Write it down. Take it through the four steps: name it, question it, feel what it costs you, and find the turnaround.

    Start with one story. See what happens when you hold it up to the light.

    Our stories are not facts. And when you change the story you're living in, you change the life you're living. You move from surviving to thriving.

    Thrivers, you are the author. The pen is in your hand.

    Here is the link to Byron Katie’s “The Work”

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with friends!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here.

    Follow Julie on Instagram or LinkedIn for more daily thoughts and reflections on what it means to thrive and flourish in our complex world.
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    16 分
  • Pathways for Peace in Challenging Times with Diane Dreher, PhD

    Pathways for Peace in Challenging Times with Diane Dreher, PhD
    2026/02/17
    We're living through a period of profound disconnection—from ourselves, from each other, and from any sense of peace. The pandemic, technology, political division, and the World Health Organization's reported rises in anxiety and depression have left many of us feeling fragmented and alone. AND there is a pathway forward. In this episode, Julie sits down with Dr. Diane Dreher, positive psychology researcher, coach, and author of Pathways to Inner Peace, to explore nine powerful pathways drawn from centuries of spiritual tradition and validated by modern science that can help us restore connection, peace, and hope. From mindful presence and community to joy and intuition, Diane offers practical wisdom for navigating these challenging times with resilience and active hope. KEY TAKEAWAYS We've substituted convenience for community: COVID, social media, and digital delivery have broken many of our circles of connection—neighborhood stores, religious communities, face-to-face gatherings—leaving us more isolated despite being more "connected" than ever.Chronic stress keeps us stuck in fight-or-flight: When we're constantly in survival mode, we react instead of respond. Learning to pause, breathe, and shift from the amygdala to presence is essential for problem-solving and connection.50% of our time is spent doing one thing and thinking about something else: Mindful presence—simply being here now—is the foundation for all other pathways. Start with three deep breaths and one-pointed attention.Micro-moments of connectivity matter: A wave to a neighbor, a kind word to a grocery clerk, or eye contact with a stranger activates our immune system, relieves stress, and creates positive ripple effects in our communities.The nine pathways to inner peace are: Mindful presence, nature, community, meditation, kindness, purpose, intuition, the arts, and joy—all interconnected and reinforcing each other.Joy is an act of resistance: We can acknowledge challenge while choosing joy.Community is essential to individual well-being: We're wired for belonging. Whether it's a book club, meditation group, spiritual community, or study group, connection with others makes us happier, healthier, and helps us thrive.Start with presence: If the nine pathways feel overwhelming, begin with mindful presence. Pause, breathe, and notice beauty around you. Presence opens the door to everything else. YOUR PRACTICE THIS WEEK Choose ONE pathway from this episode and commit to incorporating it into your life this week. Remember: small changes can have a huge impact. Start with presence, gratitude, or one kind greeting to a stranger. Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with friends! Reviews and ratings matter <3 We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode. Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing? -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here. Follow Julie on Instagram or LinkedIn for more daily thoughts and reflections on what it means to thrive and flourish in our complex world. About Diane: Diane Dreher, PhD, PCC, is a positive psychology researcher, coach, professor, and author of eight books including the best-selling Tao of Inner Peace, and her new book, Pathways to Inner Peace. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of California, Riverside, Diane has a PhD in Renaissance English literature from UCLA, and a master’s degree in counseling from Santa Clara University. She is a regular blogger for PsychologyToday.com, professor emeritus and associate director of the Applied Spirituality Institute at Santa Clara University, and senior research advisor/lecturer for the Positive Psychology Guild in the United Kingdom. Where to find Diane: https://www.dianedreher.com/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianedreher/ Purchase her book Pathways to Inner Peace
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    53 分
  • Getting Off the Hedonic Treadmill

    Getting Off the Hedonic Treadmill
    2026/02/03

    Ever feel like you're constantly chasing the next achievement, the next milestone, the next thing—thinking that “happiness” lives there? Like most of us at some time or another, you are on the hedonic treadmill. If you have ever felt like you are on this treadmill, this episode is for you. We explore why we adapt so quickly to the good things in our lives and how our culture keeps us “running in place”. More importantly, we dive into the science-backed strategies that can help you step off the treadmill and cultivate lasting, sustainable well-being. From gratitude and savoring to meaning and connection, discover how to shift from chasing happiness to actually thriving.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • The hedonic treadmill is real: Research shows we quickly adapt to both positive and negative life events, returning to our baseline happiness—which keeps us chasing the next thing.
    • 40% is within your control: While 50% of happiness is genetic and 10% is circumstances, a full 40% is determined by your intentional activities and choices.
    • Shift from hedonic to eudaimonic well-being: Instead of chasing fleeting pleasure, focus on meaning, purpose, growth, and connection for more sustainable satisfaction.
    • PERMA-V is your blueprint: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Vitality are the building blocks of flourishing.
    • Six practical strategies: Practice gratitude, savor the good, prioritize experiences over things, cultivate relationships, find meaning and purpose, and practice mindfulness.
    • Reframe your relationship with "more": It's not about stopping growth—it's about wanting more while knowing you're already enough.

    YOUR PRACTICE THIS WEEK: Choose one strategy from this episode and commit to it for seven days. Notice what shifts.

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with friends!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here.

    Follow Julie on Instagram or LinkedIn for more daily thoughts and reflections on what it means to thrive and flourish in our complex world.
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    29 分
  • Writing Better Stories for Ourselves

    Writing Better Stories for Ourselves
    2026/01/20

    What if you approached your own life with the same strategy and intention as a major global exec or a brand launching a major campaign? In this conversation, Julie will sit down with reputation strategist and communications advisor Kate Haranis to explore how the principles of PR can be powerful tools for personal transformation.

    Kate will share why narrative matters not just in business, but in how we show up for ourselves. Together, they'll unpack how to identify the old scripts holding you back, reframe your story with clarity and compassion, and activate the kind of visibility that feels authentic, not performative.

    Whether you're in a career pivot, navigating burnout, or simply craving more alignment, this episode will help you get intentional about the story you’re telling to yourself and those around you. Because it IS possible to be intentional and still stay true to yourself.

    At the end of the episode, we make reference to Byron Katie’s “The Work”. Here is a link to her four powerful questions that help you to get curious about the stories you tell yourself.

    Thank you for listening. We are so happy you found us.

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow Nine to Thrive: The Well-Being Podcast so our new episodes are automatically delivered to your favorite podcast feed, and please share it with friends!

    Reviews and ratings matter <3

    We would be so grateful if you left a 5 star rating and a few words about what you liked (or loved) about this episode.

    Want more tools and strategies for thriving and flourishing?

    -Check out Julie’s website and subscribe to her monthly newsletter here.

    Follow Julie on Instagram or LinkedIn for more daily thoughts and reflections on what it means to thrive and flourish in our complex world.

    About Kate:

    Kate Haranis is a reputation strategist and strategic communications advisor. As founder of Haranis & Company, she helps executive leaders and organizations—especially in technical and highly-regulated industries—build reputational capital and communicate more clearly.

    Throughout a career spanning nonprofits, private agencies and the Fortune 500, Kate has led national media campaigns, developed high-impact content for C-suite leaders, and advised clients ranging from social impact startups to global health innovators.

    Her expertise lies in understanding the intersection of what matters most to her clients and what matters most to their audiences, creating narratives that lead to action without pulling leaders away from the work in their zone of genius that only they can do.

    Clients describe her as a “secret weapon" and say she "doesn't just help us sound better, she actually makes us better."

    Kate also serves as chair of a Massachusetts state agency focused on preventing child abuse and is a recognized leader in civic advocacy and organizational leadership. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: everything is storytelling.

    You can find out more about Kate here:

    www.haranisandco.com,

    www.linkedin.com/in/kateharanis
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    53 分