Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2901:

Amanda Brownlow shares how she and her family dramatically reduced their out-of-pocket medical costs during pregnancy and childbirth by overhauling their budget, maximizing their HSA, and staying proactive with insurance billing. Her detailed strategy, covering savings tactics, insurance calls, and even negotiating a bill settlement, offers practical, empowering steps for anyone preparing for the financial side of having a baby.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://hellobrownlow.com/2018/09/24/preparing-for-baby-how-we-saved-half-of-our-income-and-cut-down-our-medical-bills/

Quotes to ponder:

"We did a no spend month and every month after that we cut out everything that wasn't necessary."

"With putting money into our HSA pre-tax it reduced our overall taxes that were taken out of each paycheck."

"Less taxable income = more dollars in our account."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2900:

Orna and Matthew Walters explore how emotional unavailability can sabotage relationships, highlighting key behaviors, like defensiveness, poor conflict resolution, and boundary violations, that signal a partner may not be ready for lasting love. This empowering guide helps listeners recognize red flags early and choose relationships rooted in emotional maturity and mutual respect.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.loveonpurpose.com/too-much-emotional-baggage-for-a-relationship/

Quotes to ponder:

"A man who can't handle your emotions certainly can't handle his own."

"If he can't take responsibility, let him go. The last thing you need is to be in a relationship with a man who behaves like a child."

"Setting and keeping clear boundaries will scare away a man like this."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2899:

Orna and Matthew Walters explore how emotional baggage can sabotage a relationship, no matter how strong the chemistry feels. Learn how to spot early red flags, like mixed signals, passivity, and conditional acceptance, so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting your intuition.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.loveonpurpose.com/too-much-emotional-baggage-for-a-relationship/

Quotes to ponder:

"A man who has too much emotional baggage for a relationship will send mixed signals."

"If he is asking you to change that could be a red flag that he is looking for something that you're not."

"You can't say or do the wrong thing with the right person."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2898:

Courtney Carver shows how emotional healing begins by creating space in your heart, clearing out pain, guilt, and cluttered thoughts to make room for joy, connection, and purpose. Through gentle yet powerful steps like speaking your truth, slowing down, and letting go, she offers a path to a more meaningful, present, and love-filled life.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bemorewithless.com/heartspace/

Quotes to ponder:

"While your bookshelves and countertops have a finite amount of space, the capacity for space in your heart is limitless."

"Busyness might mask that heavy heart, but the only way to repair the damage is to slow down, pause and then come to a full stop and address your heart ache."

"You deserve a big, full, open heart. A heart full of joy, wonder, love and gratitude."

Episode references:

Thrive: https://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Arianna-Huffington/dp/0804140847

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2897:

Brooke Blanton explores the quiet power of touch in moments of distress, sharing how something as simple as holding hands with a loved one can offer profound emotional relief. Backed by research on interpersonal synchronization, her story reveals how physical connection can literally align brainwaves, reduce pain, and deepen emotional bonds.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.gottman.com/blog/holding-hands-synchronization/

Quotes to ponder:

"You might be surprised at the kinds of emotional connection you can experience together through a small gesture of physical connection."

"When the couple was sitting next to each other holding hands, the brainwave sync was the strongest."

"We spend years building connections with the people in our lives, romantic partners, close family members, best friends, so consider the importance of physical touch."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2896:

Ross challenges the common perception that self-improvement, especially in fitness, requires sacrifice and suffering, instead advocating for a mindset that finds joy in the process. His message encourages listeners to reject quick-fix solutions and instead embrace daily growth through passion, consistency, and personal challenge.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://rosstraining.com/blog/2014/01/enjoy-the-process/

Quotes to ponder:

"Hard work is not always viewed favorably. Yes, people understand that it is effective, but they have been led to believe that hard work is not enjoyable."

"People begin the new year by prepping for deprivation. They believe that the only way to improve is by depriving themselves of life's pleasures."

"It all starts by finding something that you are passionate about pursuing."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2895:

Evan Marc Katz offers a powerful mindset shift for women frustrated with unclear relationships: stop overanalyzing and let men reveal their intentions through their actions. By doing nothing and observing effort, women can avoid emotional burnout, spot dead-end situations early, and regain control over their dating lives.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.evanmarckatz.com/blog/dating-tips-advice/the-most-important-dating-advice-you-will-ever-hear-dont-do-anything

Quotes to ponder:

"Men reveal themselves in their efforts. Nothing else they do matters."

"You don't have to DO anything. Just see what he does, and say yes."

"Let him do what he wants. If you like it, stay. If you don't like it, go."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 2894:

Rachel Jones offers practical, compassionate guidance on raising children with minimalist values, emphasizing autonomy, emotional intelligence, and leading by example. Discover how small shifts in conversation, organization, and parental behavior can gently instill lifelong habits of simplicity and intentional living.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://nourishingminimalism.com/raise-children-minimalist-preferences/

Quotes to ponder:

"Talking is essential to decluttering because there is an emotional process that we have to go through as we get rid of things."

"Don't go through stuff while they are away, don't toss the junky toys and papers without asking permission."

"It's ok to get rid of an unfinished project if they took up knitting and got through 4 inches of a scarf before acknowledging that it frustrated them, give them permission to let things go."