In this episode of Roots of the Rise, we explore the concept of a growth mindset—what it is, why it matters, and how shifting from outcome-based thinking to effort-based learning can change your life. You’ll hear insights from Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Carol Dweck, plus real-life examples of how our mindset shapes identity, risk-taking, and resilience. Whether you're navigating failure, perfectionism, or just want to grow with more ease, this episode offers practical and compassionate tools to support your journey.

• Growth mindset is anchored in the belief that our abilities are malleable due to neuroplasticity
• How we receive feedback shapes our self-perception and approach to challenges
• Performance-based feedback ("you're smart") links identity to results, creating fear of failure
• Effort-based feedback focuses on what we do, not who we are, encouraging risk-taking
• Failure almost always comes before success—it's the first attempt in learning
• Our mindsets typically operate on autopilot but significantly impact our experiences
• Journal prompts can help uncover your own beliefs about abilities and potential
• Summer often requires adjusting expectations and embracing realistic planning

Taking July off to align with priorities and will return in August with quality content created from a place of joy rather than stress.

Resources:

Dr. Andrew Huberman Growth Mindset Content

Related Episodes:

Episode 5 - Beginner’s Guide to Journaling Methods That Work

Episode 29 - Is Competence Keeping You Stuck

Episode 30 - Are you prioritizing your priorities?

Episode 68 - The Six Essential Questions for Inner Growth and Getting Unstuck

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We often become so fixated on perfect end goals that we forget to acknowledge the meaningful progress we've already made in our lives. Taking time to recognize our forward movement, no matter how small, is crucial for maintaining momentum and fostering the self-compassion needed for continued growth.

• Regularly check in with yourself about your progress toward goals to prevent stalling out
• Healing from difficult relationships is like climbing a mountain—it's important to notice the elevation you've already gained
• Celebrating financial wins like paying off debt provides momentum for tackling the next challenge
• Keep visual reminders of what you've already accomplished to help during discouraging times
• Small wins deserve celebration as they build the foundation for bigger achievements
• Self-compassion rather than self-criticism creates sustainable growth
• Journal about your accomplishments to make your progress more tangible


Related Episodes:

Episode 19 - Podcast Recommendation - Self Hatred with Dr. Blaise Aguirre on Armchair Expert

Episode 54 - Why Loving Who You've Been Can Change Everything

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Destination addiction—the harmful "if only" mindset—prevents us from experiencing joy in the present moment. Despite setting goals and making plans, we miss the perfection of right now when we believe happiness exists only in some future state.

• Dr. Andrew Huberman says "the most dangerous thought in life is 'if only'"
• The trap of saying "I'll be happy when..." prevents enjoying present joy
• Moving beyond suffering is the true destination in life
• Heart-based meditation trains us to feel the goodness in each moment
• Acceptance helps us stop fighting reality and appreciate what is
• Using touchstones (physical objects) can remind us to practice gratitude
• Presence isn't about perfection but returning to yourself as you are
• Joy isn't waiting somewhere in the future—it's a skill we build now

Email me at rootsoftherise@gmail.com with questions. If you found today's episode helpful, hit follow or subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review.

Related Episodes:

Episode 2- You are meant for happiness

Episode 6 - Curiosity Required

Episode 7 - Heart Based Meditation

Episode 59 - Discovering the Facets of the Heart and Their Healing Wisdom

Episode 68 - The Six Essential Questions for Inner Growth and Getting Unstuck

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Let's dive into the essential but often overlooked topic of sleep, exploring what constitutes good sleep, how to identify sleep deprivation, and practical strategies for improving rest quality. The episode provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding sleep's critical role in physical health, mental functioning, and emotional wellbeing.

• An estimated 50-70 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders, with many more experiencing sleep issues without recognizing the problem
• Adults need a minimum of seven hours of sleep, with most requiring 8-9 hours for optimal functioning
• The four stages of sleep each serve different purposes—light sleep, deep restorative sleep, and REM for emotional processing and memory consolidation
• Good sleep hygiene includes consistent bedtimes, avoiding screens before bed, keeping your bedroom cool (ideally 67°F), and creating a dedicated sleep sanctuary
• Sleep myths debunked: weekend "catch-up" sleep doesn't work, and brief nighttime awakenings are normal
• Practical sleep supports include binaural beats, yoga nidra, aromatherapy, and foot massage before bed

Resources:

Dr. Andrew Huberman on Sleep

SleepTube

Maharishi AyurVeda Sleep products

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Our energy is limited and distributed across different responsibilities, affecting how we show up for ourselves and others. I explore how understanding someone's full capacity might change how we view their efforts, especially when examining our parents' choices through a more compassionate lens.

• The "energy percentage" metaphor explains how we allocate our finite resources across work, family, and self-care
• Most of us function with our energy spread thin across multiple areas (20% work, 30% kid, 10% marriage, etc.)
• When life becomes unbalanced, certain areas demand more energy, leaving little for other responsibilities
• The way we judge our parents may not account for their limited capacity and different generational context
• Just because someone only gives you 20% doesn't mean they don't care—it might be their full capacity
• Partnership means being aware of each other's battery percentage and adjusting with love
• Compassion for others begins with understanding that most people are doing their best with what they have
• Forgiving doesn't mean excusing harm, but recognizing human limitations

Related Episodes:

Episode 30 - Are you prioritizing your priorities?

Questions or Comments? Message me!

Father's Day can stir up complicated emotions, especially for those whose relationships with their fathers are marked by distance, hurt, or unmet needs. Whether navigating grief, confusion, or seeking clarity about father relationships, it's important to explore why these feelings are valid and how to honor your experience.


• It's okay to feel multiple emotions at once – grief, gratitude, resentment, and joy can coexist
• Don't diminish your pain or judge yourself for setting boundaries with fathers who hurt you
• Our biological need for parental love creates deep-rooted fears when that love seems conditional
• Two things can be true: loving your father as a fallible human AND acknowledging your hurt
• Journal prompts can help navigate complex father relationships: what would you say if you knew it would be heard?
• Consider how you might give yourself what you needed but didn't receive from your father
• Try writing letters – one to your father with unspoken truths, one to your younger self with words you needed
• Ask yourself "dear heart, what do you need today?" and try to provide that care for yourself

Resources

Loving What Is, Revised Edition: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life; The Revolutionary Process Called "The Work" by Byron Katie

Related episodes:

Episode 5 - Journaling

Episode 11 - Forgiveness and one way to get the apology you always wanted

Episode 41 - Answering a Listener Question about Navigating Difficult Relationships with Aging Parents

Episode 67 - Integrating the Essential Truth We Are Both Human and Divine

Ep 72: When Your Parent’s Best Wasn’t Enough: The Myth of Always Giving 100%

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In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at how our personal experiences—and cultural narratives—shape the way we view men. While toxic masculinity and male violence are real and must be addressed, there’s another side to the story that’s often overlooked: the presence of good, kind, emotionally available men who are doing the work, showing up, and helping to heal the collective.

You’ll hear about a client’s honest frustration, a simple social interaction with two very different interpretations, and the invitation to explore your own biases and beliefs. This isn’t about denying harm—it’s about widening the lens.

As Father’s Day approaches, let’s challenge ourselves to notice the men who are doing it right. Because healing comes not only from calling out darkness, but from amplifying the light.

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Discover the powerful distinction between requests and demands that can transform your relationships by honoring each other's autonomy and choice.

• Requests honor the possibility of hearing "no" without emotional fallout
• How we respond to someone's "no" reveals whether we're making requests or demands
• True requests are rooted in openness while demands are rooted in control or expectation
• Four key elements to help distinguish between requests and demands
• Ask yourself: "Can I handle a no without punishing them emotionally?"
• When someone asks something of you, explain the need that prevents you from saying yes
• Even in close relationships, we're allowed to ask for anything but aren't entitled to everything
• Dr. Marshall Rosenberg: "Please do as I request only if you do it with the joy of a child feeding ducks"

Resources:

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships by Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD

Related Episodes:

Episode 22 - Communicate Without Conflict: Non Violent Communication Basics for Everyday Life

Questions or Comments? Message me!