In this episode, Kimberly and Vicki peel back the layers of gratitude, exploring the difference between polite thankfulness and true embodied gratefulness. From ancestral patterns to holiday pressure to the small moments that stop time, this conversation invites you back into a deeper, more honest connection with the world around you.

• There is a meaningful difference between being thankful (external, polite, fleeting) and being grateful (internal, embodied, sustaining).

• Many of us were taught to “be grateful for scraps,” which can minimize real experiences or pain.

• Gratitude journals can help shift attention but can also become intellectual exercises instead of embodied practices.

• Embodied gratitude often shows up in small, vivid, sensory moments where time seems to pause.

• Childhood patterns and family dynamics heavily influence how we experience holidays and gratitude as adults.

• Simmer pots can be a simple, powerful ritual for cultivating presence and appreciation.

• Friendsgiving and intentional community can offer deeper connection than traditional family gatherings.

• Gratitude is not a one-season practice; it’s a daily relational rhythm with life.

• Honoring the labor, lineage, and energy behind food and traditions can deepen the experience.

• Authenticity and self-care matter during the holidays, especially when navigating complex family systems.