Mettle Brain

This episode is part of my monthly series, "Morning Musings" which means you are listening to me, Heather Miller.  In the future if you like these short 10 minute episodes, just look for M.M in the title of the podcast and you will know whether or not it's a Morning Musing. Today I discuss one of my favorite messages on love that J.K. Rowling weaves into the book, "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix." I finished this with my kids last week on a camping trip. Through her characters, Rowling explains that it's your capacity to love that is your greatest gift, and that it is this very gift that will bring suffering. This pain is part of being human. Truthfully, I felt so overcome with emotion. I can't remember the last time I have cried from such a deep place. I wanted to share this beautiful message. I encourage anyone who doubts their inherent goodness to listen to this episode. Sometimes we get flipped on our heads and forget who we are, our pain can help lead us back

Have you ever heard of "The Ship of Theseus"? It is a fascinating thought experiment that I discuss in this episode of Monday morning musings. I came across the allegory of The Ship of Theseus twice in a day and found myself deep in thought about how change is happening at a deep level. I pose some interesting questions and insights to think about in light of this allegory: what are you trying to preserve in yourself? Do you have the tools you need to create? What about your significant other, have key aspects of them seem to have vanished?  Of course, life is an adventure... but after reflecting on The Ship of Theseus life is even more exciting considering everything is changing all the time.  Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

This episode is with Paul Brockbank, when he was interviewed he was the current CEO of Yours.co. (You can now find him at Fat Cats Entertainment. He is a charismatic leader in his community and also my Dad. I am so proud to be able to share some of his ideas that have shaped and guided my life. Paul has developed a tried and true process of edification and renewal that he practices daily and he shares what that is in this epsiode.  Be sure to catch his answer to the question, "what do you love about yourself" at the end.   Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Nikki (Arguinzoni-Gil) is back to share more about what she's learned and seen working with patients for over a decade. We discuss some of the differences she sees between men and women. Dr. Nikki does it all with her patients: inflammation, chronic pain, infertility issues, hormone balance. She is also a gifted cranial therapist. Nikki also works with people of all ages and she described some of the the things she sees a lot of in each generation. i.e. finding your footing in your 20's, or trying to feel like yourself again in your 50's. No matter what the age Dr. Nikki describes what healing involves at any age, asking for help. Dr. Nikki gives some particularly sage advice to people in the midst of menopause/andropause. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Lynda Bunnell is the Director of The International Human Design School. She is also the author of the widely published book The Definitive Book of Human Design, The Science of Differentiation. Human Design is a growth system created in 1987 by founder Ra Uru Hu. We discuss how she came to study and teach Human Design. Lynda was initially a skeptic of Human Design and she addresses what changed her mind in this interview. Lynda encourages listening to our bodies instead of our minds. She breaks down the differences between splenic and emotional authority,  how to identify the not self, and how our auras talk to one another. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Karen Ogden is an author, speaker, and Marriage and Family Therapist in Orange County, California. Karen specializes in treating individuals with dissociative identity disorder, previously known as multiple personality disorder, trauma victims, and empaths. We discuss integration, finding your fit, and how we grow and evolve. Karen teaches radical acceptance through claiming every piece of ourselves, and remembering who we are. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Nikki Arguinzoni-Gil is a naturopathic doctor.  Nikki is the ultimate doctor for the mind, body, and spirit and with her unique ability to do cranial sacral treatments she has a unique approach to health. She's been practicing in the Los Angeles area for over nine years. We discussed her story, and the one thing we can all start doing today to transform our health-- listening. Dr. Nikki gives 150% to her patience and that is what they get out from her.  Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Kelly Faust is a Marriage and Family Therapist working in the Orange County/Los Angeles area. In addition to working with clients, Kelly is a contributor for a number of organizations including local charter schools, and online magazines.  In this episode we discuss family, including the loneliness some people feel while being with family, the reality that anyone can be a parent, and who is parenting the parents-- don't we all need a little parenting? Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Simple Pareek is a dynamic woman with a compassionate heart. She discusses how anyone can cultivate a deep connection with the natural world, earth spirit, or as she refers to it the "Supreme Soul." She explains how man is a "bundle of errors" and how to have compassion for our mistakes. Simple explains that who we are is how we talk to ourselves when we are alone and implores us to be a little more compassionate and deliberate about our thoughts.Simple is a gifted clairvoyant and describes coming to peace with this rare gift. She discusses how she practices sending healing thoughts to those around her. Originally from Calcutta, India, Simple currently lives in Seattle, Washington. This conversation will facilitate greater self-compassion and inspire you to be a more thoughtful human-- even one with a bundle of errors.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

On Today's Monday Morning Musings episode I share how to create a recipe for renewal. When the battery is running low you need a few tried and true things to help you recharge. I share some beautiful suggestions from a few of our listeners along with a simple mental trick you can remember.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Phyllis Laursen is an expert in psychology and family systems. Phyllis has worked and continues to work with an exclusive clientele consisting of politicians, movie stars, and musicians that she hand selects. Phyllis also claims to be an interspecies communicator speaking to people, animals, and ET's. Phyllis discusses her background, her model fact vs. feeling, and our future political climate and why we need to move away from the chaos and become familiar with this question: "Is this a fact or is this a feeling?"Phyllis gives some wonderful communication tips using this fact or feeling model that will be particularly useful on the cusp of this week's holiday, Thanksgiving.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Today on 'Monday Morning Musings' I discuss Sheryl Sandburg and Adam Grant's beautiufl book, "Option B" about facing adversity, building resilience, and finding joy. This book is chalk full of stories that make you feel like you can buy back into life even if it's not as ideal as you would like. I share what keeps coming to mind months after reading it and a critical thing to remember when dealing with adversity. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Have you ever felt overshadowed? Today on Monday Morning Musings I discuss the importance of not over shadowing others and navigating our own personal "shadow" or unconscious self. I share thoughts I love from Carl Jung and Parker Palmer that have really inspired and comforted me when in the midst of working with the more primitive aspects of my personality. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Work, work, work! Sometimes it's all too much. It's easy to forget that it can actually be better than being stuck doing stuff "we have to do." Today's morning musing is all about reminding us that work can be sweet and delicious, so good even that we can't "eat" it fast enough. I share an interesting exchange I had with one of my boys, how we can remember it is possible to get excited over work, and not to forget that there is so much good ahead that we can't even imagine it yet! Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

The first of a new installment, "Trees are Social Creatures" is part of a monthly series called Monday Musings. In this episode I reflect on the shocking reality that trees are social creatures. Trees have a deep web of interconnection with one another and their environment. I share a recommendation for the novel, "The Overstory" by Richard Powers, which was recently written up in the NY Times as the book of the decade. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Joe Bunting is a father, storyteller, and the author of the children's books series "The Untold Classics." The first book of the series, "The REAL story of Rumpelstiltskin" is in bookstores now. The book is a twist on the 1812 Brother's Grimm classic. This time, it's told from Rumpelstiltskin's point of view. Joe shows children and adults there are always two sides to every story. In this interview, we discuss his creative journey, publishing, and fatherhood. Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Anthony Riedelsheimer is a lifelong musician and budding researcher. We discuss how to maximize music in our life, the power music has to transports us and what's really happening when you hear that song that makes you feel like a teenager. As a performer and teacher, Anthony knows the steps to take to develop a rich appreciation for music.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Jeremie Banet is an executive vice president at PIMCO, one of the world' s largest investment management firms. Jeremie discusses opening and running the food truck 'Monsieur and Madame'. We discuss the balancing act of imagining our circumstances differently. Jeremie values keeping the inner child alive and present, despite the rigors of adulthood.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Joanie Sprague is a strong, self-made woman. She was the carpenter on the television show Trading Spaces. Joanie has traveled the world as a model and is widely known as the runner up from America's Next Top Model. We discussed being a woman in a male dominated field like woodworking, how she has found the bravery to go after what she wants, and how she gets out and under from anxiety. This episode was recorded in 2018. Joanie has since started her own podcast, The Little Bit. She releases a new show weekly Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

Carina Longworth is a life coach, yoga teacher, and Reiki master. We discuss getting out from under that choking sense of self doubt, finding trust and bravery in yourself, and the benefits of yoga. The timing of this episode was serendipitous as I was feeling a current of doubt in my own life and really pushed Carina to go deeper on what it means to lean into that confidence in yourself and find your wings. Carina opens up about her own life and how saying no to drama has been key to thriving. She testifies that unfortunately you can't buffer the ground but there is always bravery to be found if you can trust yourself.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)