If you enjoyed this episode, I invite you to join my free weekly newsletter, Encore Living Insider.

That’s where I share reflections like this, along with what I’m working on next — including a free upcoming bonus called “99 Ways to Celebrate You.”

👉 Sign up for Encore Living Insider here: https://insider.drthor.tv

************************

January has a way of rushing us forward before we’ve had a chance to look back.

In this episode of Encore Living, I talk about why—especially if you’re a parent or empty nester—this might actually be the perfect moment to pause and celebrate what you’ve already lived through.

Not in a forced, confetti kind of way. But in a grounded, honest, “that mattered” way.

If your house feels quieter than it used to…
If your kid just went back to school…
If you’re feeling a little behind heading into the new year…

This episode is for you.

As I mention in the episode, before you decide what comes next, make a list of the most memorable things you did last year.

Big things. Small things. Moments that took energy, courage, or heart.

To give you a sense of what I mean, here’s my list from 2025:

🗽 NYC for my birthday
🎭 Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway
🖼️ NYC museums
📚 Taught an 8-week Let Them Theory class
🌴 Cabo villa (with a chef!)
🇫🇷 Traveled through France for 12 days
🪖 Normandy
🙏 Finished a year-long spiritual program
✍️ Wrote my first novel in 30 days
🔥 Led Whatever It Takes (30 days)
🎓 Ordained as a minister
🚪 Retired after 8 years
🎉 Made it to 2026

When I put it all in one place, I didn’t feel behind anymore. I could actually see what I did. And celebrate it.

After you make your list, ask yourself:

What kind of person does this list describe?

Then finish this sentence:

“I’m the kind of person who…”

P.S. If someone came to mind while you were listening this, feel free to share the episode with them.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

The house gets quiet, the bins come out, and a single question sneaks in with the tangle of lights: what am I still carrying that doesn’t belong in this season? We lean into that moment with honesty and humor, using the ritual of packing decorations to spark a reset for empty nesters and anyone navigating a fresh start. The noise of the holidays fades, and with it comes a pull toward self-judgment—those sticky shoulds that make January feel heavier than it needs to. We unpack why that happens, how to notice it without letting it run the show, and what it looks like to put old narratives on the shelf so something new can breathe.

Drawing from personal experience of a career pivot and the transition from all-in parent to a new chapter, we map out a practical, compassionate approach to starting again. You’ll hear a simple framework: sort your last year like a storage bin—keep what strengthens you, store what doesn’t fit right now, and set down what drains you. We explore the difference between wisdom and self-judgment, how perfectionism disguises itself as responsibility, and why momentum beats polish when you’re building a next act. Along the way, we offer three reflection questions designed to lower the pressure and raise your clarity: which belief can rest for now, which pressure doesn’t belong, and which small part of you is ready to wake up.

This conversation won’t hand you a grand reinvention plan. It will give you space, language, and encouragement to make room for what fits who you’re becoming. If the silence after the holidays feels too loud, you’re not alone—and you’re not at the end. You’re between seasons. Listen, reflect, and then tell us: what will you put down to begin again? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find their way to a gentler January.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

It’s April—aka College Decision Month. Your teen is making a huge life decision. But have you stopped to consider your own?

Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Living Insider

Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

If you're an empty nester (or soon-to-be), now is the perfect time to ask: What do I want next? This episode is about reclaiming your power to choose—and giving yourself permission to start planning your next chapter, just like your teen is planning theirs.

In this episode:

• "My kid is making a huge decision—shouldn’t I be focused on them?"
  Yes—but don’t forget your own future matters too. You can support them and invest in yourself.
• "I’ll figure it out later."
  Will you? Or will you keep waiting for the 'right time'? (Spoiler: now is the right time.)
• "Okay… but where do I start?"
  I’ll give you one small decision you can make this week to start shaping your next chapter.

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

Feel lost after the kids leave? You're not alone. Today I share one shift that can change your empty nest experience.

Subscribe to Dr. Thor’s FREE Encore Living Insider newsletter here > Encore Living Insider

Sign up for an Encore Roadmap Strategy Session with Dr. Thor here > Encore Roadmap Session

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

In this heartfelt episode of Encore Living, Dr. Thor unpacks a feeling many people experience but rarely talk about — that disorienting sense of loss after your kids leave home.

If you’ve ever said, “I should be enjoying this, but I just feel… off,” you’re not alone. This episode offers validation, perspective, and a gentle path forward.

It’s not a midlife crisis — it’s a midlife recalibration. And it’s 100% normal.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the empty nest often triggers identity confusion (even when you were “ready”)
• The unexpected emotional wave that follows years of parenting
• How to honor your feelings without rushing to “fix” them
• Why feeling lost can be the starting point for your greatest chapter
• A simple mindset shift to help you start living with more clarity and confidence

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

Ever found yourself caught in the traffic, complaining about how it's ruining your day? What if I told you that you can transform your life by simply changing the way you react to such situations?

In this episode, I continue to break down my experience in "No Complaining Week." I just completed this week in "Mental Muscle," a spiritual boot camp experience I've done multiple times. "No Complaining Week" happens in the second week of "Mental Muscle."

Drawing from this experience, I delve into the negative power of complaining, and how it strips us of our power to take control of our lives.

This episode is an exploration of the causes and consequences of complaining, with a focus on making positive changes to our habits.

I share my personal experiences and the questions I ask myself when I notice a complaint brewing, inspired by the teachings of Dr. James Mellon and the wisdom of Wayne Dyer and Eckhart Tolle.

We'll also examine the underlying beliefs that often provoke our complaints.

As always, thanks for listening!

You can find Dr. James Mellon's book, "Mental Muscle", here on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/2Eo6s4y

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

Ready to break free from the endless loop of complaints? Join me in this first episode of a four part-series on complaining.

In this episode, I explore why complaining rarely solves problems. The key takeaway: redirecting your energy toward proactive solutions can change your life.

Inspired by Dr. James Mellon's "Mental Muscle: 16 Weeks of Spiritual Boot Camp," I'll explore the foundation of complaining and how it reflects our unconscious mind.

• When are you most likely to complain?
• What situations or relationships trigger your complaints?
• And most importantly, what can you do about it?

I'll delve into these questions and more, using insights from Randy Pausch's Last Lecture to guide our thoughts.

By the end of our discussion, I hope to inspire you to invest your energy into solving problems rather than complaining about them, and in doing so, achieve greater happiness and fulfillment in your life.

As always, thanks for listening!

You can find Dr. James Mellon's book, "Mental Muscle", here on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/2Eo6s4y

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

In this episode, I share my perspective on a TED talk given by author Anne Lamott. Her talk is called, "12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing."

You can find her talk HERE.

As I mentioned, you can watch MY TEDx talk here:

https://www.thorchallgren.com/tedx

Anne Lamott shares 12 truths in her talk, and I look at 3 of them in this episode. Here are three quotes from her talk that I unpack:

• "Every writer you know writes really terrible first drafts, but they keep their butt in the chair. That's the secret of life. That's probably the main difference between you and them. They just do it. They do it by prearrangement with themselves. They do it as a debt of honor. They tell stories that come through them one day at a time, little by little."
• “Everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you.”
• "Everyone is screwed up, broken, clingy and scared, even the people who seem to have it most together. They are much more like you than you would believe, so try not to compare your insides to other people's outsides."

I love this talk and highlight recommend you watch it, and listen to my thoughts on it, and how we can apply it in our own lives.

As always, thanks for listening!

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/

Can you truly attract abundance into your life by conveying the impression of increase to others?

In this episode, I explore into Chapter 14 of Wallace D. Wattles' classic work, "The Science of Getting Rich," written back in 1910.

This marks the conclusion of my four-part series on this influential book.

Wattles' insights continue to resonate even a century later. Success writer Bob Proctor recommends reading specific chapters from this book, including Chapter 14, for 90 days to reprogram your mind for success. In this final chapter,

Wattles emphasizes the importance of conveying the impression of advancement in everything you do and inspiring others with your unshakable faith in your own journey towards success. By doing so, you not only attract people to you but also motivate them to seek their own success.

Wattles reminds us that the desire for increased wealth is not negative; it's the aspiration for a more abundant life in all aspects.

The key takeaway is that when you genuinely desire success for yourself and others, people will be drawn to your energy and want to be associated with you.

If you're inspired by these ideas, consider reading the book and applying Wattles' principles in your life for 90 days to witness the transformation.

Subscribe or follow the show on your favorite podcast app and join me in this journey of self-improvement. As always, thanks for listening!

You find the first three episodes in the series here:

#142: Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 4
#143: Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 7
#144: Unpacking The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles - Chapter 11

You can find Wattles' book here:
https://a.co/d/9CEH51B

You can find me here:

Dr. Thor on Instagram @drthor.tv
Dr. Thor on TikTok @drthor.tv

Website: https://drthor.tv/