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Have you ever considered the lasting echo your words might leave in someone's life? Join me, Jim Cunningham, on the Unscripted Mind as we unravel the enigmatic power that our everyday language holds over personal connections, self-perception, and the resilience we muster in the face of life's challenges. In a heart-to-heart conversation inspired by the profound insights of Carol Dweck and John Gottman, we'll reveal how the seemingly innocuous labels we assign to children, like "smart," can inadvertently set them on a path of risk-aversion and dishonesty, while the ratio of positive-to-negative interactions can make or break the strength of our relationships. This episode is not just a look at the psychology behind our speech—it's an invitation to become architects of encouragement, crafting our dialogues to uplift and empower those within our sphere of influence.

We often forget to stop and express gratitude, but imagine the cascading impact your words of thanks could have. As we conclude our journey through the spoken and unspoken intricacies of our daily discourse, I challenge you to act on the power of appreciation, to see the remarkable changes it can inspire in both the giver and receiver. This episode is for those ready to embrace the unpredictable narrative of life with intention and curiosity, recognizing that each phrase we choose is a brushstroke in the larger picture of our relationships. So come along and let's forge a community where thoughtful communication is not just practiced, but celebrated.

References

1. Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
2. Becker, W.C., Engelmann, S., & Thomas, D.R. (1975). Teaching 2: Cognitive Learning and Instruction. Chicago: Science Research Associates.
3. Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York: Random House.
4. Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (1999). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York: Three Rivers Press. (While focused on marriage, Gottman's research on positive-to-negative interaction ratios applies to other relationships, including parent-child interactions.)
5. Pfiffner, L. J., Rosen, L. A., & O'Leary, S. G. (1985). The efficacy of an all-positive approach to classroom management. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't]. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(3), 257– 261.
6. Simonsen, B., Fairbanks, S., Briesch, A., Myers, D., & Sugai, G. (2008). Evidence-based practices in classroom management: Considerations for research to practice. Education & Treatment of Children, 31(3), 351–380. https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.0.0007

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The goal of The UnScripted Mind Podcast is to give you fresh perspectives, practical insights and tools you can use to give you more choices, self-awareness and control of your feelings, reactions and behaviors.

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Ever felt like you're a lightning rod for emotions, absorbing the moods of those around you? I'm Jim Cunningham, your guide through the Unscripted Mind podcast, and in this heartfelt episode, we unravel the bittersweet existence of empaths. With my background as a licensed professional counselor, I'm shedding light on how a high sensitivity to others' feelings can be both a profound gift and a formidable challenge. We navigate through the often-treacherous waters of emotional overload, the art of setting boundaries, and the pitfalls of connecting with toxic personalities. Understand why empaths mistakenly think they can mend every heart and soul they encounter, and learn how to avoid the mental health pitfalls when that ideal crashes against reality.

I couldn't end the show without expressing a mountain of thanks for joining the journey. Your engagement fuels my passion for sharing, learning, and growing together. I'm all ears for your questions and burning topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes, so don't hesitate to reach out. Our conversation is aimed to empower you to embrace the unpredictable with an adventurous spirit, and if you've felt a connection with our exploration today, subscribing and leaving a review would be greatly appreciated. So, until our paths cross again, carry with you the courage to find joy in the unscripted moments of life, and seize every day with vigor.

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The goal of The UnScripted Mind Podcast is to give you fresh perspectives, practical insights and tools you can use to give you more choices, self-awareness and control of your feelings, reactions and behaviors.

Send us a Text Message.

Are we losing the battle against the relentless buzz of the modern world? Find out as I, Jim Cunningham, delve into the transformative power of stillness on mental wellness. In this engaging episode of Unscripted Mind, we rekindle the age-old wisdom of Blaise Pascal and examine the heavy toll our omnipresent digital distractions impose on our lives. From the deteriorating mental health of adolescents glued to social media to the eroding attention spans and relationships in adults, we uncover research that reveals today's digital dilemma. But fear not, as we also uncover a cost-free remedy to the stresses of contemporary life that requires no more than a pause.

This episode isn't just a wake-up call; it's an invitation to rediscover tranquility in your daily routine. We offer practical strategies to reclaim moments of peace, which, as Ryan Holiday suggests, help steady the archer's aim in life. We're not just talking theory; we're proposing a lifestyle shift towards balance and mindfulness. Join me in exploring how embracing the profound power of pause can lead to a more balanced existence and the profound benefits that ripple out from the simple act of being still. Whether it's engaging with neighbors or savoring quietude alone, this podcast episode is your guide to stepping back from the cacophony and embracing the profound power of stillness.

Sources:

Exelmans, L., & Van den Bulck, J. (2016). Bedtime mobile phone use and sleep in adults. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(4), 447-453.

Hari, Johann. Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2022.

Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Journaling: A tool for stress relief. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu

Holiday, Ryan. Stillness is the Key. New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2019.

Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 91, 234-243.

Lepp, A., Barkley, J. E., & Karpinski, A. C. (2015). The relationship between cell phone use and academic performance in a sample of U.S. college students. Educational Psychology, 35(4), 507-515. Link

Psych Central. (2021). The mental health benefits of journaling. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com

Ra, C. K., Cho, J., Stone, M. D., De La Cerda, J., Goldenson, N. I., Moroney, E., ... & Leventhal, A. M. (2018). Association of digital media use with subsequent symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adolescents. JAMA, 320(3), 255-263. Link

Shensa, A., Escobar-Viera, C. G., Sidani, J. E., Bowman, N. D., Marshal, M. P., & Primack, B. A. (2017). Problematic social media use and depressive symptoms among U.S. young adults: A nationally-representative study. Computers in Human Behavior, 69, 71-79. Link

Tremblay, M. S., LeBlanc, A. G., Kho, M. E., Saunders, T. J., Larouche, R., Colley, R. C., ... & Duggan, M. (2011). Systematic review of sedentary behavior and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8, 98.

University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Benefits of journaling. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu

Support the Show.

The goal of The UnScripted Mind Podcast is to give you fresh perspectives, practical insights and tools you can use to give you more choices, self-awareness and control of your feelings, reactions and behaviors.