Mental Notes From My Minivan

Thoughts on how shutting down others is counterproductive, putting feelings into words so that we can separate ourselves from, and how facing our fears is the only way forward --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

A year ago I posted the barest details of the abuse at the hands of my stepfather and how my mother had been complicit in protecting him and shaming me as part of the #whyididntreport campaign. This sent shockwaves through our #lds #mormon community of which we had been a prominent golden family. Three of my four siblings courageously stood by my public claims. A year later I talk about the path to healing and why it was imperative that this revelation had to be as public as it was. What my gratitude to our unlikeliest of allies and the betrayal of others has meant for us and the lessons I am carrying forward into my own parenting. This is a story of harrowing healing and hope. #C-PTSD is not a life sentence and our abusers do not get to write our stories. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

In this episode I chat about how getting vulnerable with my family drastically improved all of our lives, why mom guilt will wreck your relationships and how to get closer to your kids after you have a parenting screw up. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

In this episode I talk about how a calm and soulful Summer dedicated to mastering my mindset and finding my spiritual groove again gave me the strength and resilience to withstand the perfect storm of a few of my greatest fears recently. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

Long distance running is the perfect metaphor for life. Here are some of the most important nuggets of truth and wisdom I have gleaned on my long runs which anyone can apply to the Marathon of Life. Alternatively titled: I run long so you don’t have to ;) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

In this episode I talk about the simple epiphany I recently had which instantly allowed me to become drastically more resilient to former triggers, far less affected by the actions of others, and infinitely more confident in my ability to handle whatever life may bring. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

In this episode I talk to my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/MMA teacher and friend Joe Garcia about the mentality of being a fighter and how the lessons from the ring (and before and after) synch up perfectly with anything we are facing in our life. We also talk about my experience with using BJJ as therapy for PTSD and what I gained from going One Inch Past Scary and being embraced by a Fight Club Family. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

In this episode Ben who will be 21 in a couple of weeks speaks candidly of his struggles with perfectionism, burden of being a habitual high achiever and the ensuing depression and burnout he experienced in college. With his life in a state of hedonistic disarray, m and his attitude apathetic at best, he signed on for an intense summer job of field coursework in the Mojave desert. There he struggled with anxiety and Imposter Syndrome and resolved to give up before even starting. Instead he made a drastic mental adjustment and literally overnight began discovering reserves of strength and coping skills he forgot he had and a renewed zest for life and sense of direction as well as a deep testimony of the gift of vulnerability. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

The next episode in my series of “What If” questions.: What if you stopped trying to control your life and instead chose to participate in it? A lesson in radical acceptance of WHAT IS and how it’s healing and changing me, recharging my physical energy, my relationships, (and helping me to be the parent I wish my kids had always had). I surprised myself by crying (with joy!) in this one. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

A year ago my friend Jennifer Knowles made a simple set of 4 daily goals to make the most of her Summer. This quickly exploded into a 1000+ person strong incredibly active online community which is making a profound difference in countless lives. Based on radical kindness with Mr Rogers as their mascot this group is changing the world in the best possible way. Prepare to be inspired! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

Are you paralyzed by the fear of criticism? Are you stuck in life and not progressing the way you should because you are terrified of being “caught” in your imperfections? Are you waiting to be “enough” of something before you put yourself or your work out there? It’s a trap! Asking myself this second “What If”question and implementing these mindset adjustments has freed me up to do my thing and respect myself so much more, --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

I was wallowing in insecurity and fear of failure when I woke up and wrote a question to myself in my journal. I answered it and within that same day my life had completely changed in trajectory. Does that sound like clickbait bullshit?! The good news is that it’s totally true and can work equally well for you too! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

How being vulnerable and making human connections with total strangers helped me through some tough spots recently and some strategies for asking for help and being vulnerable while protecting yourself. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

My podcast baby turns one today and I have big plans for it as a toddler! ALSO!!! Do you have anxious sensations which lead to negative thoughts which quickly lead to downward spirals? This one is for you! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

Are you in the driver's seat of your life or are you at the mercy of moods and motivation? Here are some of my tried and true tips for effectively negotiating with your sometimes bratty, sometimes frightened, sometimes just OVER IT inner child to keep it safely strapped in its car-seat and allow you to the freedom to drive your own life . Practical ideas for pushing past fear, apathy and inertia, to get the results you want out of yourself. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

Any growth, healing and major accomplishment requires us to look ahead and commit to the process. But we also have to be ready and willing to move “one inch past scary”. In this episode, I talk about a couple of recent experiences where I used intentional (and slightly scary) methods to break lifelong patterns and reach the next level in both my healing and my goals. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

Do you have a sense of being stuck and unable to get out of your own way? Do you sense that you could be doing more with your life? Maybe you are trapped in the cycle of addiction or feeling helplessly weighed down by depression and anxiety. Do you start a lot of things and never finish or are you maybe too afraid to even start, or even to dream if more? It’s shockingly common and there are scientific ways to overcome it. This episode talks about why we do this and gives helpful concrete steps for overcoming these cycles. Life is short, let’s break the self defeating cycles and get on with it! It’s not very complicated once you figure out where it’s all coming from! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

My 18 year old son Gabe chats with me about what he’s learned so far about life, and what he has found valuable in his upbringing. Kids don’t come with personalised manuals, and none of us have all the right answers but Gabe is doing alright so far, and I think his wisdom is well worth listening to whether you are a parent, a teen or anything before, after or in between. I’m really super glad to call him ours. (We discuss home culture/environment/supporting your kids’ dreams (and not), social media, addictions, depression and the upsides of a big family living in a small house. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

10 steps for using your past experiences to accomplish your goals even when you aren’t feeling highly motivated or even remotely ok. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support

The holiday season can be difficult for many people but it can be notoriously painful for people who have experienced trauma. Practical ideas for how to proactively recognise and manage triggers for yourself and others you may gather with this season. I include many tips for handling stress, depression and anxiety in general during this intense season. This is for anyone and everyone who wants to have a happier and more functional year end regardless of whether you choose to celebrate or not. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kirsty-sayer/support