That One Sentence That Changed My Life (and Maybe It’ll Change Yours Too)

In this episode, I share the one simple sentence that completely shifted how I see myself — and still challenges me to grow today. It’s an honest look at how facing what we’re worst at can open the door to real peace, confidence, and transformation.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The surprising sentence that replays in my mind — and why it matters.
• How being “the best at what I’m the worst at” changed everything for me.
• Why inner peace isn’t about perfection, but about embracing all of who we are.
• What to do when growth feels uncomfortable or impossible.
• How small, consistent effort turns weakness into wisdom.

It’s an invitation to stop hiding from the parts of yourself that need love the most — because they just might hold your greatest potential.

0:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:21 A Life-Changing Sentence

01:23 Embracing Inner Peace

02:01 Facing Our Worst Qualities

03:11 The Path to Self-Improvement

04:22 Practical Steps for Growth

08:16 Investing in Yourself

10:23 Overcoming Challenges

11:26 Reflecting on Growth

12:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.

When Life Hits Hard: The Resilience You Forgot You Have

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the hardest seasons of my life and the truth I learned on the other side of them: we all have resilience inside us, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. If you’re in the middle of a tough time, this conversation is meant to help you remember your strength.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why resilience is your birth-given right — and how remembering that truth can shift how you face challenges.
• How grit can help you stay steady when you feel overwhelmed or tempted to give up.
• Why adaptability is essential for navigating life’s unexpected changes and landing on your feet.
• How problem-solving strengthens resilience and helps you move through hard seasons with clarity and confidence.

00:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:21 The Power of Resilience

01:30 Embracing Life's Challenges

05:00 Cultivating Grit

06:03 Adaptability and Problem-Solving

09:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.

Episode 26: Tough Times : When Nothing Seems to Go Right

When life feels like there's nothing but never-ending problems, it’s easy to think something’s wrong with you or that you’ve fallen off your path.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize when you’re in a tough season instead of assuming you’re failing

• How to find meaning in what feels meaningless

• How to approach time of change and rebirth

• How to trust that your own wisdom

0:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:19 Addressing the Rough Times

00:51 Exploring the Energetic Shifts

02:29 The Rebirth Process

03:26 Finding Meaning in Tough Times

06:52 Embracing Emotional Release

07:42 Rebuilding and Moving Forward

10:10 Dreaming Wildly and Setting New Goals

13:37 Conclusion and Encouragement

Whether you’re in the middle of a storm or just feeling off lately, this episode is a gentle reminder: tough times don’t mean you’re losing — they’re calling you to reconnect with your peace.

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.

Episode 25: What You Resist Persists – How to Stop Fighting and Start Flowing

Intro: Ever notice that the harder you fight something, the more it sticks? Resistance is sneaky, but it doesn’t have to keep you stuck.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why resistance shows up and what it’s really trying to tell you
• How leaning into discomfort can actually free you
• Tiny actions that help you move past blocks without forcing it
• How to shift from struggle to flow in work, life, and personal growth

0:00 Welcome to Purposely Peaceful

00:20 Personal Struggles and Resistance

01:15 Understanding Resistance

02:15 Overcoming Personal Resistance

03:43 Starting the Podcast Journey

06:36 Practical Steps to Overcome Resistance

11:03 Embracing Resistance

13:50 Finding Inner Peace

14:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.

Episode 24: Trying to Control Life? This Is Where Your Power Really Lies

Do you catch yourself trying to control everything—your day, your relationships, even the smallest details? You might think it’s helping, but it’s quietly draining your peace.

In this episode, I dig into why the need to control is one of the biggest obstacles to inner calm, how it shows up in our lives, and what subtle shifts can completely change how you experience stress, relationships, and even love.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frustrated, or exhausted by trying to force life to go your way, this episode is for you.

Press play and discover where your real power truly lies.

00:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:22 The Peace-Killing Need for Control

01:38 The Domino Effect of Anxiety

05:05 Accepting Life's Surprises

06:30 Finding Your Person and Self-Worth

07:55 The Art of Surrendering

09:36 Focusing on Self-Growth

10:56 Reclaiming Your Inner Peace

11:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.

Navigating the Search for Inner Peace in the Age of AI

AI Can’t Be Your Therapist: Why Peace Starts Within

In this episode, we dive into the quest for inner peace in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.

We explore how AI is being used for advice, guidance, and even emotional support—but why it may never truly replace the soul, intuition, and inner knowing that are essential for genuine peace. I share my personal experiences experimenting with AI, the lessons I learned, and the potential pitfalls of relying on technology for emotional and therapeutic guidance.

If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can help you navigate life’s challenges, this episode will remind you why listening to your own inner voice is irreplaceable. Stay tuned for insights on maintaining your individuality, personal power, and intuition in an AI-driven world.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the modern quest for inner peace in a tech-heavy world.
• How AI is being increasingly used for advice, validation, and emotional support.
• My personal experience experimenting with AI and what it revealed about human connection.
• The limitations and potential dangers of relying on AI as a therapist.
• Maintaining your intuition and individuality in the age of AI.
• The future of AI and its impact on personal power and emotional wellbeing.
• Practical reminders for keeping inner peace rooted in self-awareness, not algorithms.

Timestamps:

00:21 – The Quest for Inner Peace

01:02 – AI and Its Role in Our Lives

02:33 – Personal Experience with AI

04:36 – The Misuse of AI for Emotional Support

05:25 – The Experiment with AI Advice

09:10 – AI as a Therapist: Concerns and Implications

14:36 – The Future of AI and Personal Power

17:05 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Values or Bust: How Knowing What Matters Shapes Your Life

Everyone talks about values, but how often do we actually stop to think about ours? In this episode, I break down what personal values really are, why they matter, and how they serve as the guardrails of your life.

I share my personal journey of discovering my values—how clarity around my inner peace, health, and family transformed my choices, shaped my life, and even influenced how I interact with the world. From growing our own food and raising chickens to taking a year off to focus on my kids, I explain how living in alignment with your values can lead to more peace and fulfillment.

We’ll also explore:

• How values evolve with different seasons of life
• Why your values naturally connect with boundaries
• How respecting others’ values is part of the journey
• The importance of aligning your choices (even who you support as a consumer!) with your principles

I’ll share practical examples, lessons I’ve learned over the years, and a framework for using your values as a guide when life throws dilemmas your way.

Whether you’ve consciously defined your values or they’re operating quietly in the background, this episode will help you notice them, refine them, and live more intentionally.

Resources:

• List of Core Values to Explore

In this episode, I’m keeping it real—no fluff, no sugarcoating. Living with inner peace doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes the truth stings before it sets you free.

I’m sharing a few of the guiding principles I live by every single day—the practices and perspectives that keep me grounded, mindful, and purposely peaceful even when life throws chaos my way.

You’ll hear about:

• Why “having no idols” frees you from comparison and attachment.
• How choosing to believe there’s no such thing as a bad person reshapes how you respond to others.
• Trusting that everything (yes, even the flat tire, the heartbreak, or the tragedy) happens with purpose.
• The role mindfulness plays in shifting your thoughts, assumptions, and reactions.
• How to navigate tragedy, news, and collective grief without losing your peace.

If this episode challenges you—good. That means it’s working. The path to peace takes awareness, self-discipline, and self-restraint, but it’s also the most rewarding journey you’ll ever walk.

💛 Join me on this journey to become more purposely peaceful.