What does it mean to be mindful?

In this eye-opening episode of our podcast, hosts Eldar, Toliy, Mike, and Katherine dive deep into the often-misunderstood concept of mindfulness, debunking myths like "just meditate for 10 minutes" and revealing it as a powerful tool for escaping autopilot habits and hidden pain. Through candid personal stories—from Katherine's battles with mindless eating and insulin resistance to Mike's rock climbing breakthroughs and Toliy's rushed mornings—the group explores how normalized suffering blocks self-awareness, why arrogance stifles curiosity, and how true mindfulness emerges from recognizing pain, asking tough questions, and eliminating unexamined behaviors. They argue that mindfulness isn't vague zen vibes but a tangible equation: face your pain, get curious about possibilities, and redesign your life for intentional joy, leading to better health, relationships, and self-trust.

Key takeaways include viewing pain as a signal for change, the role of curiosity in broadening perspectives, and practical tips like process-of-elimination for daily routines. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, bad habits, or just feeling stuck, this raw discussion offers actionable insights to wake up from "sleepwalking" through life.

Building on our popular episode 182 "Self-Love and Backing yourself" where we tackled relationship dynamics and self-identity, and episode 181 on "Perfectionism" exploring anxiety behind self expectations, we continue unpacking self-improvement themes. Also, check out episode 183 on "Empowerment" for insights on fairness, corruption and boiling anger of today's world.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9

Will you accept the Rolex to rewrite your career story?

In this insightful episode, the hosts engage in a deep conversation with Dave, a career and leadership coach who has helped transform lives by enhancing self-respect and leadership skills. The discussion revolves around Dave's experiences, the challenges of charging appropriately for coaching services, and the importance of asking the right questions to unlock a person's true potential. The hosts provide valuable advice on positioning coaching as a lifelong relationship and discuss the intrinsic value of self-respect and personal growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in personal development, coaching, and understanding the profound impact of empowerment.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9

How do you properly communicate in friendships?

In this episode, the host, joined by recurring guest Katherine, delves into the complexities of friendships, communication, and self-identity. The discussion spans identifying red flags in friendships, the importance of properly communicating one's true self, and the impact of personal anxieties on relationships. The conversation also explores the dynamics of male and female friendships, the role of curiosity and questioning, and ultimately concludes with the universal importance of having fun as the key to living a satisfying life. The episode emphasizes self-reflection, mindfulness, and the continuous journey of understanding oneself to improve interactions with others.

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How do people truly learn and become receptive to advice?

In this episode, the group delves into the ways people learn through pain—either directly or by remembering past pain. They discuss the common struggle of giving advice and the frustration when the advice is ignored. The conversation explores why people may appear ready for advice but resist implementing it due to attachments, pride, or fear. They emphasize the importance of patience, compassion, and proper timing when offering help. The discussion also touches on the recurring theme of seeing past superficial complaints to identify the core issues and the necessity of allowing people to experience their learning journey. They illustrate these points with personal anecdotes, shedding light on their approach to supporting friends and family through their struggles.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9

When did we as people surrender ourselves to the external world?

Dive into a raw, unfiltered discussion on fairness, corruption, and the boiling anger in today’s world. Toliy, Mike, Eldar, and Katherine unpack why people feel cheated by the system, how social media fuels tribal rage, and whether empowerment can break the cycle of injustice. From real-world scandals to personal accountability, this episode challenges you to rethink what’s fair—and what’s just reality.

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Why do people avoid confrontation, and how does self-love change that?

In this raw, unfiltered group chat, Katherine confronts her people-pleasing past after two brutal friendship "breakups" on a group trip—exposing victim mindsets, the pain of old dynamics clashing with new growth, and the thrill of finally holding court. Eldar drops wisdom on self-love as the ultimate autopilot for healthy bonds, while Toliy's coffee machine meltdown sparks a hilarious epiphany about his own messy delusions. Tommy wrestles with imposter vibes, Mike metaphors the hell out of resentment buildup, and the crew laughs through the chaos of therapy breakthroughs, boundary-setting fails, and why truth always wins. If you've ever bitten your tongue to keep the peace (and regretted it), this episode's your wake-up call—packed with laughs, aha moments, and zero bullshit. Tune in to level up your confrontations and reclaim your fun with the world.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9

Do our high self-expectations paralyze our progress?

In this raw and introspective episode, Tom opens up about his "sobriety anxiety"—a cycle of fear, guilt, and perfectionism that causes him to jump in and out of creative projects like editing videos for "Harris is the Hook." Joined by friends Toliy, Eldar, and Mike, the group dissects Tom's struggles with accountability, past traumas, and delusional thinking, emphasizing the need for humility, mentorship, and actionable steps over endless self-sabotage. Through candid debates, humor, and tough love, they explore how to turn vague desires into real progress while questioning whether Tom's attachment to artistic ideals is helping or hindering his happiness.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9

How can we develop a healthier relationship with death?

In this profound episode, hosts Mike, Toliy, and Eldar dive deep into the taboo topic of death, exploring its role as a reminder of life's impermanence. Drawing from Buddhist principles, personal anecdotes about aging parents, lost friends, and regrets, they discuss how attachments and unexamined lives lead to fear of the end. The conversation challenges listeners to live authentically, respect the natural process of change, and prepare gracefully for mortality, turning the "boogeyman" of death into a catalyst for a meaningful existence.

Feel stuck and can't actualize? We'd love to hear your story - we can even dissect it on our next episode. Submit your story using this form - https://forms.gle/joegCWQ7mHt7eN3K9