For more resources and coaching opportunities, visit www.mercyrice.com

Have you ever noticed how quickly your mind fills in the blanks after something happens?

A text goes unanswered. Someone seems distant. A conversation feels awkward.

Before we know it, we've written an entire story—and we often believe it's the only possible explanation.

In this episode, we're exploring how curiosity can interrupt that pattern and become one of the most powerful tools in self-coaching. By learning to pause, ask better questions, and create space between what happens and the story we tell ourselves, we can respond with greater wisdom, emotional peace, and compassion.

• Why our brains rush to create meaning
• The difference between assumptions and reality
• How curiosity reduces emotional reactivity
• Powerful self-coaching questions to ask yourself
• How curiosity strengthens relationships
• A simple practice you can begin using today

• What story am I telling myself?
• What evidence do I actually have?
• What else could be true?
• What am I feeling beneath the surface?
• Is this situation reminding me of something older?
• What would peace ask me right now?

✨ This week's encouragement:

Curiosity doesn't mean doubting yourself—it means giving yourself enough grace to explore before you decide. Sometimes the path to emotional peace begins with one simple question instead of one quick conclusion.

For more inner work and emotional peace resources, please visit www.mercyrice.com

🎉 We made it! Episode 100!

It's hard to put into words what this milestone means. When I recorded the very first episode, I simply hoped these conversations would encourage someone. I never imagined how much they would change me too.

In this special episode, I'm reflecting on the lessons God has gently taught me over the past one hundred conversations about self-coaching, emotional wellness, and becoming the person He created us to be.

This isn't a list of one hundred tips.

It's an honest conversation about growth that often happens quietly—in ordinary moments, ordinary days, and through God's extraordinary grace.

Together we'll explore:

• Why you don't have to believe every thought you think
• How curiosity creates more growth than self-criticism
• Why your emotions are messengers, not managers
• The freedom that comes from letting God set the pace for your healing
• One simple question that may change the way you look at your own journey: Who have I become?

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or this is your very first conversation with me, I'm so grateful you're here.

Thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you through seasons of joy, grief, healing, growth, and hope. It has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

As we celebrate one hundred episodes together, my prayer is that you'll pause long enough to recognize just how faithful God has been—and how much you've grown, even in ways you may not have noticed.

Remember...

You don't have to become someone else.

You simply have to keep becoming the person God has been lovingly shaping all along.

Thank you for being part of these first one hundred conversations.

Here's to the next one hundred.

Who have you become over the last season of your life?

Instead of focusing on everything you still want to accomplish, take a few quiet moments to celebrate the ways God has been growing your heart.

If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.

Until next time...

Take good care of your heart. 💗

Mercy

Podcast Title: Inner Work Coaching

Host: Mercy Rice

Mission = I help listeners turn their inner critic into a trusted ally through:

• Applying simple & practical self-coaching tools

• Offering Faith-based encouragement & resources

• Learning to uncover your God-given purpose

• Understanding the value of creating intentional connections

Episode #3

Title: One question to ask your inner bully to help stop the emotional downward spiral of self criticism

Tags: self talk, inner work, coaching, self criticism, emotional support, Christianity, self help, coaching skills

Resources:

• Click to subscribe to my biweekly encouragement newsletter & grab the DiSC Communication Style Guide as my thank you gift!

• Download the Inner Work Questions Worksheet

• Click to access my curated playlist on Spotify for songs to encourage you on your inner work journey.

• Are you getting any value from these episodes? I’d love to hear about it! Please leave me a review in the Apple Podcast APP. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• You can also spread the word by sharing this podcast with a friend!

I'm glad you're here! For additional information and resources, please visit www.mercyrice.com and check out the "shop" tab. :)

Today we are getting to know the benefits of building a persona for your inner bully. You'll also hear one of the most embarrassing moments in my career so you'll want to stay 'til the end for that!

Have you figured out your communication style yet? Click to subscribe to my weekly newsletter & grab the DiSC Communication Style Guide as my thank you gift!

Loving the podcast? Click here to leave a review and don't forget to share it with a friend. SPOILER ALERT: They have an inner bully too.

Emotional boundaries protect your energy, identity, and peace. In this episode, Mercy explains how emotional enmeshment develops, how to recognize it, and how to stop absorbing responsibility for other people’s emotions.

• What emotional boundaries really are • Signs you may be emotionally enmeshed • The Ownership Test • How to care without carrying • Practical tools for emotional separation

1. Whose emotions do I carry most often?

2. What am I afraid will happen if I stop managing their feelings?

3. Where did I learn to over-function emotionally?

4. What would it feel like to let someone own their own reaction?

When emotional tension rises, ask: “Is this mine to carry?”

Click Here to see how best you can connect with me.