Episode 46: Just Jump In! (It's Only Freezing For a Minute)

If you’re like most people, you probably spend a lot of energy trying not to feel certain emotions—but what if the fear and resistance are actually worse than the feeling itself? This week, I’m sharing a mindset shift (and a cold plunge moment from girls' camp) that could change the way you think about discomfort. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 45: When You Feel Depleted

Sometimes the hardest part of feeling tired is the way we pile guilt and self-judgment on top of it. This week, I’m sharing a mindset shift (and a super helpful printer analogy!) that helped me see my own depletion in a whole new light. If you’ve been running low, this is your gentle reminder that it’s okay—and that you’re probably doing an amazing job.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 44: The Mote and the Beam

Do you ever find yourself super annoyed by someone else’s faults? Like, if they would just stop doing that one thing, your life would be so much easier? In this episode, I'm sharing a simple coaching tool to help you live Jesus’s teaching—to not fixate on the "mote" in your neighbor's eye, but to gently remove the "beam" from your own. If you're willing to try it, you'll be amazed at how much lighter and freer you can feel! 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 43: How Thoughts Are Like Paint

What do your thoughts have in common with wall paint? Turns out... a lot. We’ve been preparing to have our main floor repainted this summer (and wow, it’s been a process), but it got me thinking about how much thought work is like picking paint colors. In this episode, I’m sharing three ways your thoughts shape the emotional vibe of your life—and how to start telling your mental painter what colors you actually want on your walls! 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 42: Two Thoughts to Lift You On the Hard Days

Sometimes life feels just plain hard. During particularly difficult seasons, our brains love to offer thoughts like “this is awful” or “I can’t do this.”  In this week’s episode, I’m sharing two simple, soul-centering thoughts that will give you a little boost if you've been feeling tired or discouraged. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 41: Three Words That Make A Lovely Gift

What if you could give yourself a gift—right in the middle of the mess, the waiting, or the in-between? In this episode, I’m sharing three simple words that have helped me feel more centered (read less impatient!) during life’s longer journeys. If you're adjusting to something new and it's taking more time than you expected, these words might be just what your heart needs. They’re gentle, grounding, and a lovely little gift you give to yourself...or someone else.  Come find out what they are. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 40: Monkey See, Monkey...Choose

Have you ever been annoyed that someone else is annoyed at you? Or gotten mad that someone else is mad?  That’s “monkey see, monkey do” at work—and most of us fall into this way more often than we realize. Tune in to discover what's really going on, and find out how you can stop merely copying other people’s energy and start choosing your own.  This simple shift can make your life a lot less exhausting...and a lot more fun!  

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Emily Ricks
Episode 39: The Selfishness Trap

Trying not to be selfish can feel like reaching for cheese in a mousetrap—innocent at first, but suddenly you’re stuck, spinning in shame and self-doubt. In this episode, I show you how the fear of selfishness can backfire and keep you focused on yourself in ways you never intended.  You'll learn how to spot the trap and disarm it by choosing love over fear.  It’s a powerful mindset shift you won’t want to miss!

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Emily Ricks
Episode 38: It's Supposed to Look How it Actually Looks

Have you ever felt discouraged that your  life doesn’t seem to match the “picture on the box”? In this episode, I’m offering a totally different way to think about your messy, beautiful, imperfect reality. What if it’s not a problem that things don’t look how you imagined—what if that’s exactly how they’re supposed to look? Tune in to hear why aiming for joyful IMperfection might be the most freeing goal you’ve ever set.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 37: 3 Beliefs That Will Boost Your Confidence

Confidence isn’t something you’re either born with or not—it’s something you believe your way into. In this episode, I’m sharing three specific thoughts you can click on and "buy" inside of your mind and feel the shift almost instantly. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by fear, self-doubt, or decision drama, these beliefs will help you feel steady, brave, and full of grace for yourself. We’ll talk about what confidence really is—and what it definitely isn’t.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 36: Your Brain Can Build New Roads

Your brain is incredible. It can actually rewire itself to believe new things, form new habits, and create totally new outcomes in your life.  Believing something new can feel like bushwhacking through the jungle at first, but if you stick with it, the new road will get easier and easier to drive on.  Whether you're stuck in self-doubt, trying to parent differently, or just craving change, you already have what it takes to build a new road. Let's talk about how to start paving it.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 35: What If Nothing Has Gone Wrong?

Sometimes life stings — literally and figuratively. Whether it's a wasp on your finger, an illness, or the kind of loss that leaves your world in ashes, it's natural to feel like something has gone terribly wrong.

But what if it hasn’t?

In today’s episode, I’ll show you why “nothing has gone wrong” isn’t a dismissive thought, but rather a deeply compassionate way to meet life’s hardest moments. If you're feeling overwhelmed by something unexpected, unwanted, or unfair… this one is for you.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 34: It's Just a Thought

Did you know that most of what we feel isn’t caused by what’s happening—but by what we think about what’s happening?

In this episode, we’re talking about the powerful shift that happens when you realize: It’s just a thought. You'll hear real-life coaching examples, learn how to separate facts from your story, and discover how this simple skill can change everything from your emotions to your relationships. If your thoughts have been weighing you down lately, this episode is your reminder that you can think something new.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 33: If You Think It's Big and Complicated You'll Probably Put It Off

Is there something you need to get done, or want to accomplish... that you keep putting off until "later?" In this episode, I’m sharing why procrastination is really just your brain trying to avoid an uncomfortable emotion—and how to gently outsmart it. You’ll learn how to make things feel smaller, simpler, and more doable—so you can start making progress now, not later.  

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Emily Ricks
Episode 32: The Worst Thing to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed? You might think the ultimate solution is to just push yourself to do more, do more, do more.  In this episode, I’ll show you why overwhelm isn’t caused by your to-do list, but by what you believe about it—and how to shift from burnout to peace by sharpening your mental saw. If you’ve ever felt like there’s too much to do and not enough of you to do it, this one’s for you.

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Emily Ricks
Episode 31: Did You 4:8 Today?

Your brain is kind of like a toddler—it needs gentle reminders to focus on what’s good. In this episode, I’m sharing the idea of “4:8-ing,” inspired by Philippians 4:8, and how this small, intentional shift in thinking can change how you experience your relationships, your body, and even yourself. Whether you 4:8 your mate, your kids, or your life, joy starts with what you choose to see. It won’t erase your problems—but it will change your perspective. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 30: When Someone Else Hands You Their Manual

“Hey, I wrote this manual that lists how I need you to behave so I can be happy. Please follow it exactly. Or else I will be mad."  Sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt trapped by someone else’s expectations, this episode is for you.  We'll cover 3 ways to respond when someone hands you their manual—including the one that will bring you the most peace (hint: it’s not doing the monkey dance). Tune in to find out how to keep your sanity intact!

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Emily Ricks
Episode 29: Oops! That's Not a Boundary

Are you setting a boundary, or actually just trying to control someone else?  In this week’s episode I share the four mistakes people make when they want to set a boundary but end up with a manual instead (hint: if you’re obsessing over someone else’s actions or speaking from frustration, you might be in the OOPS zone). But don’t worry—I’ve also got a simple acronym to help you aim for peaceful, empowering boundaries instead. Whether you’re navigating tricky family dynamics, wanting to set limits as a parent,  or just wanting healthier relationships, this episode will help you step into more clarity and calm. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 28: Your Card to Get Out of Jail Free

Do you ever feel stuck in a Monopoly-style jail, waiting for someone else to change so you can finally be happy? You’ve asked, you’ve pleaded—but they keep making the same choices, and you’re left rolling the dice, hoping for doubles. What if I told you there’s a way out that isn't a game of chance and doesn't require any luck?  In this week’s episode, I’ll hand you the ultimate Get Out of Jail Free card so you can actually feel love no matter what anyone else does (or doesn’t do). Tune in and set yourself free. 

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Emily Ricks
Episode 27: Manuals Create Misery

Operating manuals for cars or printers or refrigerators can be super useful. But operating manuals for people aren't usually as helpful.  When we write up pages and pages of detailed instructions in our minds for how we want other people do things, and then get upset when they don't follow the manuals we wrote, we actually create misery for ourselves in our relationships. Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about manuals--and a different approach that leads to more joy. 

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Emily Ricks