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    • Parenting triplets and a dog: A recipe for disaster?Parenting triplets is already challenging, adding a dog might not be the best idea until the children are older.

      Parenting triplets is an exhausting experience, and adding a dog to the mix might not be the best idea for those already juggling multiple young children. Rob Beckett shared his experiences of coping with the stresses of raising triplets on the podcast "Parenting Hell," and listeners Florence, Esme, and Theo, who are also parents, empathized with the challenges and agreed that they would wait until their children were older before getting a dog. Josh Widdicombe, the other host, added a humorous perspective on the topic, discussing the misconceptions about dealing with dog waste. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of taking things one step at a time and recognizing that every family's situation is unique.

    • Dog diet and waste cycle in impoverished areas vs. busy entertainment industryA dog's diet affects their waste production, and in impoverished areas, dogs may eat their own waste due to lack of nutrition. In contrast, the entertainment industry can be hectic during certain times of the year, but eventually calms down, providing a break for those involved.

      The quality of a dog's diet significantly impacts the amount and smell of their waste. In impoverished areas, where nutrition is lacking, dogs may resort to eating their own waste, creating a vicious cycle. On a different note, during certain times of the year, particularly autumn, the entertainment industry can be incredibly busy with tours, award ceremonies, Christmas parties, and TV productions. This period can be exhausting for those involved, but it eventually dies down. The speaker has had a particularly hectic schedule lately, working long hours and dealing with early mornings, but is looking forward to a break during the first half of January. Despite the demanding nature of their job, they find joy in the family aspect of it. The speaker's work schedule for the upcoming New Year's Eve broadcast has caused some controversy, as they will be recording it before Christmas, which some find inappropriate. Overall, the discussion touches upon the cyclical nature of waste production in dogs and the demanding yet rewarding nature of the entertainment industry.

    • A chaotic night with interruptions and petsDespite unexpected interruptions and pet needs, prioritizing 8.5 hours of sleep is essential for overall health.

      The speaker's night involved multiple interruptions, starting with taking the dog out for a late-night bathroom break, followed by dealing with family members and pets waking him up in the early morning hours. The speaker also accidentally spilled a drink left by his partner, adding to his morning chaos. Despite these challenges, the speaker acknowledges the importance of getting the required 8.5 hours of sleep and tries to prioritize it, even if it means dealing with the aftermath of the disruptions. Another takeaway is the speaker's observation that his whippet refuses to go outside without a coat on in the cold weather. Overall, the speaker's night was filled with unexpected events, but he remains determined to prioritize his sleep and care for his pets.

    • Adapting to Life's ChangesUnexpected events call for flexibility and creative problem-solving to balance personal interests and caregiving responsibilities

      Life's changes can be unexpected and may lead us to reconsider our routines and priorities. The speaker in this conversation has been staying up late and napping during the day, reminiscing about the idea of having separate living spaces with a partner. They also mention the challenge of finding time for personal interests, like watching documentaries, when caring for young children. The speaker shares an example of making the most of a long car trip by doing Christmas shopping, and expresses admiration for individuals who can function on little sleep. The conversation also touches on the unpredictability of plans, as illustrated by a partner's unexpected night out. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of adapting to life's changes and finding creative solutions to balance personal needs with caregiving responsibilities.

    • Father's struggle with early morning wake-upsDespite long nightly stretches, father finds it hard to utilize the time effectively due to early morning wake-ups and child's refusal to eat in the mornings

      Despite having a relatively good sleeper for a 6-month-old, the father in this conversation is struggling with his child's early morning wake-ups. The father's friend's children sleeping through the night has made him feel that his situation is not ideal. The father's child sleeps from 7 pm to 4:15 am, leaving him with a significant chunk of time during the night. However, the father feels that he cannot utilize this time effectively as he is required to get up and attend to his child. The father has tried to get his child back to sleep during these early hours but has had limited success. He feels that it would be easier to put a stranger to sleep than his own child. The father also mentions that his child does not eat in the mornings, making it a challenge to provide adequate nutrition. Overall, the father is feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a young child and the lack of sleep, despite having more hours than some other parents.

    • Childhood circus routine affects sleep patternsSpeaker's past as a circus kid disrupted his sleep schedule, leading to professional setbacks and personal challenges.

      The speaker's past experiences with his upbringing in a circus family have shaped his current life in unexpected ways, particularly his sleep patterns. Despite his attempts to change things, he continues to wake up at 4:30 AM every day, a habit that has disrupted his professional life. The speaker's mother confirmed this childhood routine during a phone call, and the speaker is now dealing with the consequences, including canceling gigs and considering moving out. The speaker sees this as an anomaly but also a potential advantage, as his early experiences may contribute to his success as a comedian. The speaker seems to find some enjoyment in sharing these challenges, but they do present significant difficulties in his life.

    • Adapting to Individual Sleep PatternsEmbrace individual sleep patterns and adapt daily routines accordingly for everyone's safety and well-being.

      Sleep patterns and routines can significantly vary from person to person, especially during childhood. Rob shared his experience of dealing with his son's early waking habits, which he inherited from his own childhood. He mentioned that he's had trouble adjusting to his son's early wake-ups, especially during summer months when his daughter was also an early riser. Rob's mother offered some advice, suggesting that they try to "plow through it" and adjust their daily routines accordingly. She shared her own experience of having a child who required more sleep than she did and emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone's safety during those early hours. The conversation also touched on the idea of trying different sleep schedules and accepting that some people may need more sleep than others. Overall, the discussion highlighted the importance of finding ways to adapt to individual sleep patterns and prioritizing safety during those early hours.

    • Embracing Challenges for a Better PerspectiveAccepting and enjoying life's challenges can lead to a better perspective and appreciation for everyday experiences.

      Accepting and embracing difficult situations, such as early morning wake-ups, can lead to a better perspective and appreciation for life. The speaker's mother, who grew up in a tougher time, offered him advice to accept and enjoy the early mornings instead of fighting against them. The speaker also shared a humorous anecdote about his daughter watching an interview about the man with the biggest penis in the world on TV, which lightened the mood and reminded him of the importance of finding joy in everyday life, even during challenging times. Additionally, the speaker reflected on how he was pampered before having children and how his current situation is just part of being a parent. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of finding ways to accept and enjoy the challenges of life, rather than fighting against them.

    • Elf on a Shelf: A fun holiday tradition for familiesCreate joyful memories through Elf on a Shelf tradition, combine with other calendars for added excitement, consider family preferences, and make it a meaningful part of your routine.

      The Elf on a Shelf tradition can be a fun and engaging activity for families during the holiday season. The elf moves around the house each night and children search for it in the morning, providing an opportunity for parents to be creative in hiding the elf and document their discoveries on social media. Some families also combine this tradition with other advent calendars, like Lego or chocolate calendars, to add more excitement and variety. However, it's essential to consider each family's preferences and routines when deciding which traditions to adopt. For instance, some may prefer a Lego calendar over a chocolate one, while others may prefer to do the Elf on a Shelf activity in the morning instead of before bed. Additionally, some families may choose to incorporate their own lifestyle changes, like intermittent fasting or early morning routines, into their holiday traditions. Overall, the key is to find activities that bring joy and create meaningful memories for the entire family.

    • Planning a cooker installation with a French companyClear communication and precise measurements are crucial for a successful cooker installation experience.

      The process of getting a new cooker installed from a French company involved a meticulous and detailed planning process, which included filling out a questionnaire about the house and measuring every space the cooker would pass through. This was a stark contrast to previous experiences with other delivery companies. The importance of accurate measurements and clear communication was emphasized, as was the sense of satisfaction in taking an active role in the installation process. Another topic touched upon was the anticipation and excitement surrounding a friend's child participating in a nativity play, as well as a rumor about someone being paid to receive COVID-19 vaccines for others. The conversation ended with an update on the sold-out live show and an invitation to join the mailing list for potential future performances.

    • Join the Podcast CommunitySign up to the mailing list and follow on Instagram for exclusive updates, merchandise, and offers. Share experiences, learn from each other, and provide support in a global community.

      By signing up to the mailing list and following the podcast on Instagram, listeners can be the first to know about upcoming events, merchandise, and special offers. The podcast hosts appreciate their support and value their community, which includes listeners from all over the world. A listener from Tokyo shared a personal story about connecting with the hosts, highlighting the global reach of the podcast. Another listener shared a relatable story about the challenges of balancing work and family life, and offered a dog training tip for Rob. The podcast's community is not just about listening, but also about sharing experiences, learning from each other, and providing support. The hosts encourage open communication and value the feedback and engagement from their listeners.

    • The bond between humans and dogs takes time to developIt takes time for people to truly connect with their dogs, and everyone experiences regret during this period. However, it's important to remember that this is a common experience for dog owners and to make peace with it.

      According to ShmoDap, it takes at least two years for people to truly like their dogs, and everyone goes through a period of regretting their decision during that time. Rob is currently experiencing this with his dog, Lou, who seems to favor his partner over him. The situation became particularly embarrassing for Rob during a recall exercise in the park when Lou ignored him, leading to laughter from strangers. ShmoDap's perspective is that this is a common experience for dog owners, and they should make peace with it. In other news, Johnny and Katie reached out to share their appreciation for the podcast and to promote their new business, Spruce Water, a natural fruit powder for flavoring water, which is plastic-free and set to launch in two weeks. They invited listeners to check out their Instagram and website for more information.

    • Parenting Innovations: Solving Common ChallengesEntrepreneurs like Karen are creating solutions to simplify family life through innovative products, such as quick-drying onesies for kids, and listeners shared their own parenting struggles, emphasizing the importance of community support in finding solutions.

      Parenting comes with numerous challenges, and entrepreneurs like Karen, who have experienced these struggles firsthand, are finding innovative solutions to make family life easier. Karen shared her own experience of the hassle of dressing her child after swimming, leading her to create Go Goosey, a unisex kids' quick-drying onesie. After six years of development, she launched the product in September, offering sizes from 2 to 11 years. Karen's goal is to expand her business to create onesies for parents as well. The podcast listeners shared their own parenting challenges, including sleep problems and picky eaters. Overall, the discussion highlighted the importance of finding solutions to common parenting dilemmas and the community support that comes from sharing experiences.

    Recent Episodes from Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe's Parenting Hell

    S8 EP52: Nick Mohammed

    S8 EP52: Nick Mohammed
    Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant actor and comedian - Nick Mohammed. Nick has portrayed his character Mr. Swallow across both stage and television for over a decade. He is also the creator of the Sky One comedy series Intelligence. Mohammed portrayed the character of Nathan Shelley in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, for which he was nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category at the 73rd and 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. Douglas is Cancelled, a four-part comedy drama centered around cancel culture from Primetime Emmy and BAFTA award-winning screenwriter Steven Moffat, starring Hugh Bonneville, Karen Gillan, Ben Miles, Alex Kingston, Nick Mohammed and Simon Russell-Beale.  The drama is set to air late June on ITV1 and ITVX.  Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xxx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP51: "My head's gone..."

    S8 EP51: "My head's gone..."
    More misadventures in parenting, life, and beyond... with Rob and Josh. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show with any correspondence, kids intro audio clips, small business shout outs, and more.... here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available free everywhere every Tuesday and Friday.  Join the mailing list to be first to hear about live show dates and tickets, Parenting Hell merch and any other exciting news... MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP50: Janine Harouni

    S8 EP50: Janine Harouni
    Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant comedian - Janine Harouni. You can get tickets for Janine's new tour HERE Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xxx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP49: The Fathers Day Debrief

    S8 EP49: The Fathers Day Debrief
    More misadventures in parenting, life, and beyond... with Rob and Josh. Small Business Shout-out: Watch and follow 'Silly Billy Toons' HERE Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show with any correspondence, kids intro audio clips, small business shout outs, and more.... here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available free everywhere every Tuesday and Friday.  Join the mailing list to be first to hear about live show dates and tickets, Parenting Hell merch and any other exciting news... MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP48: Oti Mabuse

    S8 EP48: Oti Mabuse
    Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant dancer and presenter - Oti Mabuse. Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xxx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP47: The Favour Tank

    S8 EP47: The Favour Tank
    More misadventures in parenting, life, and beyond... with Rob and Josh. Small Business Shout-out: Watch and follow 'Silly Billy Toons' HERE Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show with any correspondence, kids intro audio clips, small business shout outs, and more.... here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available free everywhere every Tuesday and Friday.  Join the mailing list to be first to hear about live show dates and tickets, Parenting Hell merch and any other exciting news... MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP46: Marcus Brigstocke

    S8 EP46: Marcus Brigstocke
    Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant comedian and actor - Marcus Brigstocke. You can listen to his podcast 'How was it for you?' HERE And give them a follow / subscribe where you're there! Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xxx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com NEW ALBUM OF THE SAME NAME IS OUT MAY 10TH - PRE-ORDER HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP45: The Stiffest Neck She'd Ever Seen

    S8 EP45: The Stiffest Neck She'd Ever Seen
    More misadventures in parenting, life, and beyond... with Rob and Josh. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show with any correspondence, kids intro audio clips, small business shout outs, and more.... here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available free everywhere every Tuesday and Friday.  Join the mailing list to be first to hear about live show dates and tickets, Parenting Hell merch and any other exciting news... MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP44: Ranvir Singh

    S8 EP44: Ranvir Singh
    Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant journalist and presenter - Ranvir Singh Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available everywhere every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xxx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com NEW ALBUM OF THE SAME NAME IS OUT MAY 10TH - PRE-ORDER HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    S8 EP43: "Lou hung up on me..."

    S8 EP43: "Lou hung up on me..."
    More misadventures in parenting, life, and beyond... with Rob and Josh. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show with any correspondence, kids intro audio clips, small business shout outs, and more.... here's how: EMAIL: Hello@lockdownparenting.co.uk INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell Parenting Hell is a Spotify Podcast, available free everywhere every Tuesday and Friday.  Join the mailing list to be first to hear about live show dates and tickets, Parenting Hell merch and any other exciting news... MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: hello@keepitlightmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Related Episodes

    EP24: Demystifying Meditation with Sarah McLean

    EP24: Demystifying Meditation with Sarah McLean

    Summary

    In today’s episode, with the help of Sarah McLean, the owner of the McLean Meditation Institute, my personal teacher, and a woman with an unusual and exciting background, we will demystify meditation.  There are so many brands and types of meditation out there; it can be downright confusing. The important thing is to understand a bit, not make it too hard, and, most importantly, do not delay your practice! Without practice, you are missing all the amazing benefits of meditation. 

    Sarah’s joining us from Santa Barbara, California, and will tell you her journey to demystify meditation.  She will tell you tales of her time in the Army, in an ashram in India, and travels on a nine-month mountain bike trek through faraway lands. She will touch on many experiences from Transcendental Meditation, working with Deepak Chopra to ah-ha moments on a rooftop in Georgetown, DC. She did all the work, and we all benefit from her discoveries.

    On last week’s show, we talked about three things to make your meditation a slam dunk: desire, focus, and a nonjudgmental attitude (which I learned long ago from Sarah herself.) This episode is perfect timing because Sarah will take those three things and go deeper as she unravels the mysteries of meditation.

    My suggestion is to listen intently but listen gently, like the awareness of breath in meditation. You know you are breathing but get lost in the beauty of its simplicity. Do not control or change; just follow and enjoy.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Podcast 

    Hey there, Alexa Z here! I am so excited and a little nervous because I have Sarah McLean, my meditation teacher, on the line. She is kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to help me, help you demystify meditation, specifically the different types/brands of meditation.  

    I found Sarah after many years of meditating. I started meditating when I was 17 years old because I had terrible panic attacks. Meditation was a pill for me. I wish I could go back and start again; I would because now I know all the opportunities meditation has provided me, and I would have had a more consistent practice from the start. 

    Alexa: I want to welcome Sarah! Again, I am a little nervous and excited. This will be a fun back and forth conversation. I am also a bit jealous because I know you are in Santa Barbara, California, and the weather is a lot nicer than the rain, drizzle, and cold here in Annapolis, Maryland.  

    Sarah: Well, it is a bit like heaven on earth, sorry to make you jealous. Maybe we can practice Mudita, which is sympathetic joy, I hope you can feel happy for me, that I get to live in Santa Barbara after trying to convince my husband to move here for 17 years. It's great to be here, and Maryland is not too shabby. 

    Alexa: No, it isn't, and knowing that I can visit and take more classes at your new meditation center with you in Santa Barbara, makes me super happy. So let's, get right into it. Let's demystify meditation. The reason why this came to mind is that my students, clients, and even strangers come to me and say they have been studying meditation but have not started their practice. Typically, they say they are waiting for a particular time in there life to begin meditating or that they need to continue to learn about meditation before starting a practice. Sarah, what do you think about all of this. Why is it so confusing?

    Sarah: There are so many different types, categories of meditation 

    • Uses
    • Formal and informal
    • Religious, historical origin
    • Different names in other languages
    • Brand new/Brand names

    I'll share a little bit about my story and how I got into meditation. More importantly, how I realized I did not know anything about meditation.  

    Alexa: Oh, that's perfect!

    Sarah: When I was younger, I was in the military. I wanted to be a spy, but that didn't work out. I wanted to understand the mysteries of life. I did not become a spy; instead, I became a behavioral specialist; that's when I started to learn the mysteries of the mind. I worked with Soldiers who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). Back then, we used medication versus meditation. Luckily for me, I was introduced to a body awareness practice. I was sitting outside of a psychiatric hospital, where, unfortunately, that's where many Soldiers who were really suffering would end up. Our whole platoon was sitting out on the lawn when one of the male nurses introduced me to a body scan. He had us all laydown, and he guided us from our head to our toes, allowing us to relax. It was only about 10 minutes. In the end, I realized that I worked with very stressed Soldiers, and I didn't even realize the amount of stress I was carrying. That moment planted a seed in me. After I got out of the Army, I looked into contemplative practices. I spent a lot of time exploring world traditions, looking for the secrets of life. I was on my mountain bike for about nine months and bicycled half-way around the world. I kept looking for the answers. I found it when I was sitting in my room in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. I was on the top of a three-story of a brownstone, learning to meditate using a silent mantra practice, through Transcendental Meditation (TM). Again, there was a contrast on how I felt before I learned, and after I silently repeated a mantra that I had no idea what it meant. It was another "ah-ha" moment.

    A few months after that, I moved to a TM community. I answered the phones and discussed mind, body, health. I was working with Deepak Chopra, who, at the time, no one was familiar with. People were looking for alternative practices and alternative healing. Many people would seek our help because of health reasons such as chemotherapy didn't work, diagnosed with Parkinson's, or depressed. I would ask all who called, "do you meditate?" They would answer with, yes, while I am watching TV, driving to work, or in the shower. I would have to convince them all to learn to meditate because meditation was required to be in the TM community. In 1990, meditation was not a "buzz word." No one talked about mindfulness. People would come to the community, and I would teach them about meditation. Unfortunately, at the time, I thought there was only one way to meditate. Though I had that great experience with the body scan, I was still "drinking the kool-aid" on the brand name of TM. So even when someone told me they were Upasana, insight, or mindfulness, or a different type of meditation, I wouldn't give it much credit.  

    Alexa: I have known you for a long time, and I have heard all your stories, but it is so fun to listen to it in order; it's starting to make so much sense to me. I have a lot of military people in this town, and a lot of military people listen to my podcast. I want everyone to take note that Sarah started her journey with meditation in the Army. How long ago was that?

    Sarah: It was 1980/1981. It was only done by a rouge male nurse, who felt the need to take us aside and try the body awareness practice. Meditation was not mandated to be a part of our training.  

    Alexa: It still isn't mandated, but it is interesting that you initially thought you would become a spy, you ended up learning about body scans. A lot of meditators feel that we can't be a meditator unless I do what Sarah does, go all those places, learn all those things. You taught me through your experiences that I can learn, and I don't have to live in an ashram for years. I am really grateful for that!

    Sarah: You are welcome!

    Alexa: Thank you for doing all the learning for all of us. 

    Sarah: I wasn't the mainstream kind of gal, I didn't want just to get married and have kids, get a job, and retire. My motivation in life was, can I find out the mysteries of this existence? What is it that animates all of creation? I know I am a little weird, but that was what was right for me.  

    I have to fast-forward after working and being in the TM organization for years. I won't go into the whole story, as you can google it. Deepak Chopra and I got kicked out of TM. Getting kicked out of an organization tells me one thing, that is that it is exclusive, not inclusive. How can you get kicked out of a meditation organization?! Well, some ways are to change your guru, changing your job, or changes that some tell you not to, but you do it anyway. I am in good company, so is Deepak Chopra. There is also Ravi Shankar, who does the Art of Living program. Many have been "kicked out" of TM. That was a warning for me, how can TM be a great organization? TM practice is a great practice.

    After I left the TM organization, I went to California with Deepak in 1992/1993. We opened up a health center. He came up with his practice, which was also a silent practice that is not TM. Deepak's practice is called Primordial Sound Meditation. I started to learn that there are a variety of practices available and they all work. You can stare at the sky, a fire, etc. to use as your object of meditation. 

    There are so many types of meditation. 

    • Zen Buddist Tradition
      • paying attention to your breath
      • counting your breath
      • asking yourself questions that stopped the mind
    • walking meditation
    • imagination meditation

    Scientists are researching meditation. I have been a research subject in a few studies. Scientists have a hard time differentiating the different types of meditation. Here are a few ways that I categorize mediation:

    • Focus awareness/concentration meditation
    • Open awareness meditation- Advanced practices
    • Guided meditation
    • Imagery meditation

    When I was in India, I learned more about meditation.  

    • Guru
    • Eat, pray, love
    • Chanting
    • Devotion

    After India, I moved into a Zen Buddist Monastery. I wanted to give up the whole notion of devotion and move into emptiness.  

    I want to share the basics of meditation. You went into meditation because you wanted to get rid of your anxiety. I went into meditation because I had a very stressful childhood, and I also suffered from panic attacks. I wanted to feel that life mattered, I mattered, and a deep sense of love.  

    There are three basic ingredients to any type of meditation. 

    [Sarah discusses in detail the below]

    • Your intention
    • Attention
    • What you are paying attention to:
    • something you hear
      • sound-based meditation
    • something you see
      • visual-based meditation
    • something you sense
      • feeling/emotion
      • moving
      • stillness

    Alexa: My listeners might still be a little unsure of where to start. When you talked about focused awareness and open awareness; I compare it to a camera, am I zooming in or am taking a wide-angled, panorama picture. I want to go back to the three things that you taught me, going back to desire, non-judgemental attitude, and focus. Sarah, I started feeling over-whelmed when I didn't have a focus. When I read your book, Soul-centered: Transform your life in 8 weeks with meditation, before knowing you, you helped me simplify meditation. Thank God, science now says we have a body, a mind, and an energy system, and neuroplasticity does exist. Sarah, I am sure you will agree with me, when science proved that neuroplasticity exists, that's when meditation became popular. Sarah, what are your thoughts?

    Sarah: Meditation is not difficult, but you do have to set yourself up to succeed. When I was writing that book, I tried to deconstruct meditation. First off, you have to recognize that many people will say that you have to clear your mind to meditate. The minute I close my eyes, my default neuro network comes in, I start a monologue with myself, and I can't clear my mind. Instead of clearing your mind, you should interrupt the constant activity of the mind by paying attention to a particular object. Yoga is about the union of subject, object. 

    • Subject: You, your consciousness
    • Object: could be:
    • Breath
    • Body movement
    • Behavior
    • Saint
    • Quality of a Saint

    When I was writing that book, it was a ten-week program. Then this study came out about neuroplasticity, neuro meaning nervous system and the brain, and plasticity meaning plastic or flexibility. In 2012, neuroplasticity studies were showing that with meditation, the thickening of the cortex can happen. Meaning you develop new neuro-pathways, new connections that help you to navigate the world more skillfully. Meditation also changes other parts of your brain. Your amygdala, the reactivity center of the brain, lessens its dominance, so you become much more responsive as the executive function of the neocortex start to become more dominant. This all results in the amygdala, "fight or flight" response becomes less apparent. You gain space between stimulus and response. This shows up in meditation as a state, and overtime shows up as traits in the brain.  

    Meditation is a practice. Find the one you like. I used to be very militant due to my time in the military, and I used to think there is only one way to meditate. So, find a practice you like and get in a routine. The best thing to do is to start meditating as soon as you get up in the morning.  

    There are many studies on the different practices of meditation and their benefits. 

    • mindfulness practice - keeps you more engaged
    • Loving-kindness, gratitude practices - cultivate emotions
    • transcending mental activity - direct experience of YOU

    Alexa: If I decided that all this information makes sense and I want to start meditation when I get up tomorrow morning, what should I do?

    Sarah: 

    Gather yourself, welcoming everything, and resisting nothing. 

    Start with 1-2 minutes of mindfulness.

    • Sit down
    • Close your eyes
    • Set yourself up 
      • Turn your phone off
      • Turn music off 
    • Sit up
    • Close your eye or gaze towards your hands/floor
    • Pay attention/observe environment and body
      • Be in the being and not in the doing

    Then, Body Scan

    Choose a focus

    • Start with breath awareness
    • Relaxation Response
    • Refocus

    It's the nature of your mind to think. Your job is to bring your mind back to your focus. 

    [Meditation Practice]

    It does not matter how many times you have to refocus, be kind to yourself, and let go of expectations.  

    Lastly, be sure to determine how long you are going to meditate. 

    Alexa: I would like to wrap up by saying, yes, there are many types of meditation, but don't worry about it and don't feel like you have to learn them all. What Sarah and I say, "just get up and start meditating." The best thing about research is that you are your own best individual subject. Pick a practice, stick with it, and enjoy it. I used the definition of meditation that comes straight from Sarah, "meditation is a practice, it's old, it's new, it's modern, it's ancient, it's all of those things, but it is a training."

    Links:

    Sarah McLean Bio

    Sarah McLean Books

    Alexa Z Meditates

     

     

     

    EP8: Yoga Nidra 101 - Is it Meditation and Why Should I Do It?

    EP8: Yoga Nidra 101 - Is it Meditation and Why Should I Do It?

    SUMMARY

    In this episode, Alexa talks about Yoga Nidra, a yogic practice that some call the sleep meditation or “the art of doing nothing.” It is an ancient technique that helps relieve stress and improve sleep.

     Alexa explains what to expect in a Yoga Nidra class. She explains how people benefit from this practice and how it is different from a seated meditation. She explains what Sankalpa is and talks about the importance of having intention.

    ---------------

    HIGHLIGHTS

    2:16 A little history of Yoga Nidra

    4:50 What to expect in a Yoga Nidra class

    9:10 Who can benefit?

    13:28 Yoga Nidra and hypnosis

    15:54 What is Sankalpa?

     ---------------

     

    RESOURCES

    Full Blog 

    https://alexazmeditates.com/podcast Learn to Meditate Try Day One FREE www.alexazmeditates.com/free

    Joan Cappiello Livingston (A teacher and a friend - we teach the same Amrit Integrated Method) Her Youtube Station

    Free Yoga Nidra Download  (scroll to middle of the site) https://www.alexazmeditates.com

    More Info on Kamini Desai and Richard Miller

    www.kaminidesai.com

    https://www.irest.org

    Your pandemic business takeaways are wrong, with co-authors Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean

    Your pandemic business takeaways are wrong, with co-authors Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean

    Kick the conventional wisdom. In this episode of Rapid Response, Bethany McLean and Joe Nocera sit down with Bob Safian to discuss their book, The Big Fail: What the Pandemic Revealed About Who America Protects and Who It Leaves Behind. The pair faced blowback for their damning investigation of business leadership in the wake of COVID. They share how lockdowns may have miscalculated risk versus reward, the pros and cons of a market-based society, and the era’s parallels to the Enron debacle. Plus, they share vital leadership lessons about adapting to new information instead of relying on precedent, and why no decision should be made out of panic.

    Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.com/

    Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Episode 6: How to achieve work life balance when you run a business

    Episode 6: How to achieve work life balance when you run a business

    Why maintaining work life balance is so difficult for entrepreneurs and I discuss Bronnie Ware's top 5 regrets of the dying. I also talk through my inability to switch off and how I maintain work life balance through:

    (1) a good morning routine;

    (2) sleep;

    (3) meditation;

    (4) visualsation;

    (5) journalling;

    (6) reading;

    (7) learning and personal development;

    (8) diet and exercise;

    (9) spa days and treatments;

    (10) quality family time; and

    (11) working in hotels.

    Wie schläft man eigentlich richtig, Chris Surel?

    Wie schläft man eigentlich richtig, Chris Surel?
    Schlafen ist etwas, was Gründer*innen gerne weglassen: Der Tag hat nur 24 Stunden, also lieber nur vier oder fünf davon schlafen und weiter, immer weiter. Dabei ist guter und ausreichender Schlaf eine echte Geheimwaffe, um Höchstleistungen zu erbringen. Warum das so ist, wie man gut schläft und wie man gleichzeitig erholt und leistungsfähig ist ... darüber spreche ich mit Chris Surel, selber Unternehmer, aber auch erfahrener Recovery- und Sleep-Coach. Chris coacht Einzelpersonen, aber auch DAX-Unternehmen und ist ein echter Schlaf-Experte – mit seinen Tipps schafft es bestimmt jeder, ab sofort noch besser zu schlafen.