Can You Be Fair and Impartial? The Courtroom in My Head.
Sustained Courage
What does it really mean to be fair and impartial? After an unintentional July break, I’m back with a new episode inspired by my recent jury duty experience — a process that felt equal parts fascinating, frustrating, inefficient, and deeply American. What began as a courthouse rant quickly became a much bigger question: can human beings ever truly set aside their life experiences, assumptions, emotions, and biases long enough to judge something clearly? In this episode, I share what it was like to be called for jury duty, sit on two jury panels, answer personal questions in front of...
info_outline
Your Life Is Not a Plot Summary
Sustained Courage
What if the worst thing that happened to you isn't the whole story? After falling down a rabbit hole of Legends of the Fall clips and reading the absolutely wild Wikipedia plot summary, I realized something: if you reduce a life to its biggest tragedies, every life starts to look like a disaster. But that's not how life is actually lived. In this episode, I explore why our brains remember the dramatic moments, why difficult seasons can feel bigger than they really were, and how the ordinary, boring, beautiful moments in between are often where life actually happens. Along the way, Beatrix...
info_outline
Consistency: The Most Boring Superpower on Earth
Sustained Courage
What if the one thing you actually needed… wasn’t motivation, discipline, or a complete life overhaul—but consistency? In this episode, we break down the most underrated superpower on the planet: doing the same small, meaningful things over and over again. From ancient rituals and survival patterns to modern neuroscience and habit formation, we explore how humans have always relied on repetition to create safety, stability, and identity. Why does your brain crave routine? Why does inconsistency feel so unsettling? And how can you actually become consistent in a real, imperfect life?...
info_outline
The Alter Ego Effect: Becoming on Purpose
Sustained Courage
What if your alter ego isn’t fake — what if they are the part of you that’s been waiting for permission? In this episode, we officially welcome Beatrix, my sharp, sarcastic, AI co-host/alter ego with British librarian energy and absolutely no patience for nonsense. Together, we explore the strange and fascinating history of alter egos, from ancient masks and shamans to warriors, superheroes, stage personas, and the modern selves we create to survive. Then we get into the science: self-distancing, the “Batman Effect,” enclothed cognition, and why naming the voice in your head —...
info_outline
When the World Is On Fire… and You Still Have to Do the Dishes
Sustained Courage
January broke me a little. Living in Minneapolis during political tension, violence, and constant headlines left me feeling something I haven’t felt in years: hopelessness. And here’s the truth no one talks about — you can feel grateful for your life and still feel overwhelmed by the world. Those two things live together. In this deeply personal episode of Sustained Courage, we explore: • How humans survived the Black Death, the Great Depression, war, and social upheaval • How people throughout history found meaning during collapse • What your nervous system is actually doing when...
info_outline
The Question That Stops Harmful Conversations Cold
Sustained Courage
The holidays have a way of bringing everything to the surface—old family dynamics, sharp comments, gossip, and conversations that leave us feeling judged, overwhelmed, or activated. In this episode of Sustained Courage, we explore one deceptively simple question that can change how you move through conflict, conversation, and even your own inner dialogue: “What value does this bring?” Rooted in ancient philosophy, modern neuroscience, and practical psychology, this episode breaks down why words are never neutral—and how a single pause can interrupt reactivity, shut down manipulative...
info_outline
How to Transform Your Life Without Burning It Down
Sustained Courage
To celebrate one year of the show, I’m pulling back the curtain on my entire journey—what terrified me, what surprised me, and what transformed me along the way. I dive into the fascinating history of retrospection, from ancient hunters around the fire to philosophers, monks, scientists, and modern innovators. I also break down the neuroscience behind why reflection rewires the brain, reshapes memory, and supports real change. Then I lead you through a guided retrospective to uncover what worked, what didn’t, and what you want to carry into your next chapter. If you’re craving...
info_outline
Shadow Season: Trick, Treat, and the Courage to Face Your Darkness
Sustained Courage
This Halloween, Sustained Courage steps into the dark — exploring the shadow self and the power of embracing both light and darkness within us. I unpack the deeper meaning behind Halloween’s rituals, the psychology of the shadow, and the myths that have always told us the same truth: balance requires both sides. Blending history, science, and self-reflection, this episode is a thoughtful journey through what it means to be human — complex, imperfect, and whole. Listen to “Shadow Season: Trick, Treat, and the Courage to Face Your Darkness” and learn how to turn your inner “tricks”...
info_outline
The Power of Female Friendship: How We Heal, Sync, and Thrive Together
Sustained Courage
When the world feels heavy, friendship can be a lifeline. In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, Rachel explores the deep power of female friendship—why women have always been stronger together, and why that has historically frightened the world. From the ancient Amazons and medieval “covens” to modern sisterhoods, we trace the myths, magic, and history of women’s groups and the enduring fear of their collective strength. Rachel dives into the fascinating science of how women’s bodies and brains literally sync when they spend time together—releasing oxytocin, lowering...
info_outline
20 Minute Guided Ancestor Meditation ASMR
Sustained Courage
This special companion episode is a 20-minute guided meditation designed to help you connect with your ancestors—whether by blood, by choice, or through story and spirit. In this extended practice, you’ll be guided step-by-step into a calm, grounded space where you’ll walk a forest path, enter a sacred gathering place, and invite an ancestor to join you. Unlike shorter meditations, this journey includes ample silence and reflection time so you can have a real, meaningful conversation with the ancestor who appears. Together, you’ll explore questions like: What do I most need to...
info_outlineWhat if the one thing you actually needed… wasn’t motivation, discipline, or a complete life overhaul—but consistency?
In this episode, we break down the most underrated superpower on the planet: doing the same small, meaningful things over and over again.
From ancient rituals and survival patterns to modern neuroscience and habit formation, we explore how humans have always relied on repetition to create safety, stability, and identity. Why does your brain crave routine? Why does inconsistency feel so unsettling? And how can you actually become consistent in a real, imperfect life?
We’ll walk through:
- The weird and fascinating history of human consistency
- What happens in your brain and nervous system when you build habits
- Why tiny actions matter more than big intentions
- And practical ways to become more consistent without burning out
Plus: a companion workbook to help you build systems that actually stick.
Because consistency isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about becoming someone you can rely on.