148. The Million Dollar Question

Ask me a question or let me know what you think!Have you ever noticed the kinds of questions you ask yourself throughout the day? In this episode of The Modern Creative Woman Podcast, Dr. Amy Backos explores the powerful role of our inner dialogue and how the questions we ask ourselves shape the answers our brains produce. Many women are familiar with harsh inner questions like “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why am I always like this?”—questions that tend to generate equally harsh responses. Dr. Backos introduces the idea that if we want better answers, we need to start by asking better questions.Drawing from principles in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, this episode explains how thoughts are not facts but natural biological events happening in the brain. When we begin to observe our thoughts rather than automatically believing them, we create space to choose how we respond. Dr. Backos offers a simple practice of noticing thoughts throughout the day to build awareness of the patterns that often run on repeat in our minds.From there, she introduces the concept of “thousand-dollar questions.” If every question you asked your brain cost $1,000, would you spend that money on criticism and self-doubt—or would you invest it in meaningful questions that guide you toward your values? Questions like “What matters most right now?”, “How do I want to show up in this moment?”, and “What action would help me feel proud of myself today?” invite curiosity, creativity, and self-compassion.The episode also includes an art-based reflection exercise. By journaling and responding visually to your questions through drawing or collage, you can deepen your insight and engage the creative process as a way of understanding yourself. Combining writing and art allows for a richer form of reflection than thinking alone.This episode is an invitation to rethink how you use your mind. When you begin asking higher-quality questions—questions rooted in curiosity, values, and possibility—you give your brain the opportunity to generate far more meaningful answers.Support the showExplore the Modern Creative Woman Communityhttps://moderncreativewoman.comFree Goodies and Subscribe to the Monthly Newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Connect with Dr. Amy on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/