Changing Lives Podcast

Links to resources mentioned: My Self-Love Workbook (PDF download)Veronica's courses and guidebooksMost of us (at least those of us in capitalist societies like the U.S.) grow up learning to conform, do what we’re told, and stay silent when something upsets us. We learn that it’s not wise or safe to express our thoughts or emotions. But masking our true feelings and pretending to be fine when we’re not comes at a cost. So does compromising our values to fit in with the crowd or advance our careers.This conversation explores why it’s hard to trust ourselves as well as why it’s so important to be vulnerable and authentic. The quality of our relationships with ourselves and others depends on our ability to trust, as the personal experiences we share demonstrate.Watch, listen, or read the transcript and share your takeaways in the comments!P.S. If you’d like extra support as you learn to find and trust your own answers and create a life that aligns with your values, Wendi’s 1:1 coaching via Zoom may be perfect for you. Check out Wendi’s private coaching page or DM her on Substack for more information. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

This conversation about how journaling can improve mental and spiritual health includes me reading a letter to my inner child. I also describe my morning and evening journaling routines in detail to give examples of possible topics to write about. For more writing prompts, excerpts from my journal, and other practices to help you be more compassionate to yourself, see my Self-Love Workbook. P.S. Want additional support as you work on loving yourself more and/or gaining the confidence to talk or write about personal experiences? My 1:1 coaching via Zoom may be perfect for you! Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Links - Katie’s “The Joy Reset” book club: onegirlstanding.com/eventsWendi’s self love workbook: bit.ly/mylovebook A powerful conversation between a former pastor (me) and an atheist (Katie) about rejecting patriarchal religious and cultural beliefs and embracing beliefs and practices that honor both divine feminine and divine masculine energies.Interested in a six-week small group on Zoom devoted to exploring your authentic spirituality and learning about others’? Comment below or DM Wendi on Substack for more details.P.S. Want 1:1 help from Wendi to navigate the spiritual wilderness between old religious beliefs and those you’re exploring now? Need support as you deal with people who think you’ll spend eternity in hell unless you share their beliefs? Get info about Wendi’s private coaching here: https://wendigordon.substack.com/p/am-i-the-right-coach-to-help-youKnow of an organization that might want to host or sponsor an in-person or online workshop about mental health and/or spirituality? Please share this link: https://wendigordon.substack.com/p/presentations-and-groups Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Showing up for our local No Kings Day protests won't stop the horrible things happening now. But it will connect us, encourage us to persevere, and bring us joy as we admire the creative signs and costumes. Other ways to help create a loving and just world: 1. Donate to organizations helping immigrants or others harmed by the cruel and reckless actions of this administration.2. Vote for candidates who will hold Trump accountable for his crimes and refuse to fund ICE.3. Help with voter registration and mobilization 4. Have respectful conversations with friends and family members who support Trump about why you don't. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Kelly shares parts of her recovery journey, including leaving a high-control religious environment and unpacking the conditioning that shaped her early life. I share my recovery from a severe depression and the religious beliefs I’ve rejected. Thankfully, we both got professional help, embraced Divine Love, and created better lives that include helping other people deconstruct toxic religious and cultural beliefs and reclaim their authentic selves.We discussed topics we’re both passionate about, like:* how patriarchal cultures shame women into self-hatred and submission* why self-love is essential and how it impacts our ability to love others* how dangerous it is to trust “gurus” who tell you what you must believe or do* why we need to equally value the Divine Feminine and Masculine within all of usEnjoy this conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below.P.S. Grab your copy of my self-love workbook here. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Our brains have been conditioned by childhood experiences, fairy tales, ads, and cultural norms to view love in unhealthy ways. Lillian is an anthropologist who has studied how this happens and what we can do to change our “love GPS.”We discussed why self-love is so important and what my husband Steve and I learned to do differently than our parents did (both sets divorced after long, unhappy marriages) that has kept us happily married for nearly 35 years now.P.S. I’ve created a self-love workbook which you can get for free (enter $0 in the “name a price” field) at bit.ly/mylovebook. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

I have no affiliation with Valarie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love Project, but I share its goal: to “reclaim love as a force for justice, healing, and transformation.” I agree that “the root of the social, political, and economic crises of our time is disconnection–from the earth, from each other, and from ourselves.”I’m committed to creating safe spaces for us to reconnect to ourselves and each other. We need mutually supportive spaces to process our emotions and explore ways to combine our lights to create a path through the darkness. Together we can achieve what none of us can on our own, as the brave people of Minnesota are proving.One of the safe spaces I’m creating is my online community for paid subscribers. We have monthly gatherings on Zoom and continue the conversation in member-only chat threads on Substack. Our next live gathering will be on Sunday, February 8, at 1 PM Central; paid subscribers will be emailed the Zoom link.I hope to see some of you on Zoom Sunday, February 8 at 1 PM Central. In the meantime, I hope to have more conversations with community members in our private chat. Let’s find creative ways to support and encourage each other’s efforts to be the change we want to see!P.S. I also offer private coaching via Zoom for those who want 1:1 support. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Nell and I had a great conversation about what we had to subtract from our lives to begin creating new lives that are healthier and happier. Perhaps the most important subtraction was our utter devotion to careers that involved helping others at all costs - including the cost of our own wellbeing.Another was the idea that success means outperforming others to get achievement awards, promotions, or other “gold stars.” When we see each other as allies and combine our knowledge and skills, we can accomplish far more than when we see each other as competitors or enemies. True success benefits everyone.Another subtraction was the illusion of control (COVID shattered that illusion for me). We discussed doing small things that make a positive difference in the world while accepting that there are some things we cannot change (at least not by ourselves).It would be nice if these ideas we’ve subtracted were gone for good. But we live in a society that encourages us to compete starting in early childhood and measures success based on our achievements, wealth, and power. Subtracting ideas like these requires ongoing practice and grace for ourselves when we get sucked back into unhelpful thoughts or behavior patterns. But it’s well worth the effort required to get to the new beginnings and other transformations that become possible when we subtract what’s not working! I’d love to know what you’ve subtracted (or would like to subtract) from your life! Comment below to share your experience.P.S. If you could use some extra support as you try to let go of old beliefs or habits that are negatively affecting your wellbeing, DM me or schedule a call to explore whether my private coaching is a good fit for your needs. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

3 Life Lessons From the Grinch, including the power of communities to help us do what we can't on our own. Join my community: https://wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Jane’s husband died. My former career ended abruptly and painfully. We share our journeys from wanting to die to creating new lives and how we help others navigate difficult transitions and age with confidence and clarity.Join Sunday’s Zoom gathering and my “Changing Lives” community here. Get Jane’s “Gifted By Grief” book and more info about her work here. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

It’s so liberating to have honest conversations like the one Julie and I had! The first monthly “Changing Lives” Zoom gathering is on Sunday, January 11 at 1 PM Central. We’ll be discussing beginnings of all kinds. Subscribe now and help create a safe, mutually supportive community! Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks to those who joined me live; here’s the “Hope for the Holidays” PDF I mentioned. Please share the link with anyone you know who would appreciate this free 20 page PDF of prompts, quotes, and practices I created to add light to what is a dark time for many. I also created an easier to remember link - https://bit.ly/iwanthope - and a QR code: Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Halloween isn’t the only time we wear masks. We learn at a young age to mask our emotions because it’s not safe to express them. We’re told to “stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about” and to say we’re sorry when we’re not. We learn to hide any aspects of ourselves that other people deem unacceptable. We do what others expect us to and get attention, approval, or something else we desperately want.I’ve worn at least three masks, which I talk about in the video:* The expert who knows all of the correct answers * The emotionally numb person who isn’t hurt when mocked or shamed* The person who always tells the truth and does the right thingAs I’ve grown older and wiser, I’ve learned that the costs of wearing those masks far outweigh the benefits. It’s flattering to be seen as smarter than others, but it’s also lonely. I’d rather be seen as a peer than put on a pedestal; I’d rather be honest than pretend to know all there is to know about God, life, or anything else.It seems safer to not let others see how much their words hurt, but it’s not. Emotional pain that’s masked still hurts, and it gets expressed in other ways. As the saying goes, “hurt people hurt people.” Emotions trapped in the body can also cause physical pain and serious health problems. It’s admirable to tell the truth and do what’s right, but no human always does both.Honesty and fairness are very important to me. I challenge lies and unjust policies, but I also admit that I am sometimes guilty of the same bad behavior I condemn in others. We are all imperfect and I’ve learned that it’s not healthy to see myself as superior or inferior to anyone else.What masks have you worn? What happened when you took them off? Are you still wearing one that you’re afraid to remove?P.S. If you’d like additional support as you take off a mask and deal with the reactions of people who expected you to keep wearing it, DM me or schedule a call. I offer private coaching and other helpful resources. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Nathalie’s I Am Alive book includes art that she created from her hospital bed while undergoing painful round-the-clock radiation treatment. She could only move her arms and feet. Oil pastels enabled her to paint emotions as layers of different colors; she then used a bamboo pencil to scratch words into them.As she struggled to recover from that ordeal, she also struggled with depression. She wanted to die, just as I did when I experienced a severe depression a few years ago. We both found creativity (in my case, writing) and time in nature essential to our survival and spiritual health. We share our stories and the spiritual practices that continue to sustain us. We also share what loved ones did when we were hurting that was NOT helpful: tried to cheer us up, pressured us to do things we didn’t want to or couldn’t, and told us we should be more grateful. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, please seek help from a medical or mental health professional. For 24/7 help in a crisis, call 911 or 988 in the United States; go here for a list of helplines in other countries.P.S. Want additional support as you deal with challenges to your mental and spiritual wellbeing? Get my free “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit” here. Get information about private coaching (via Zoom) here. Note: I am not a licensed medical or mental health professional, my suggestions are not medical advice, and I cannot diagnose or treat mental illnesses. I offer peer support that is not a substitute for professional help. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

At 56, I’m happily childfree. Liz is decades younger and dealing with infertility. We discuss how personal, religious, and cultural expectations about motherhood affect our mental health and our favorite places to go when we need to calm our anxious minds and nourish our spirits.I’d love to hear about your experiences. Have you dealt with infertility? How did it affect your mental health? What challenges have you faced as a parent, as someone who has tried unsuccessfully to become a parent, or as someone who has chosen not to have children? Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

It sounds crazy, because it is. Allegra and I both thought that our families would be better off without us. Death by suicide seemed like the only way to escape our misery and free our loved ones from the burden of supporting us.Thankfully, we both got professional help and chose not to end our lives. The right medication, therapy, supportive friends and family, and practices like journaling and nature walks were (and still are) essential to our recovery. We’re sharing our stories because we know that depression’s lies can be very convincing. We know that some “help” does more harm than good. We know how easy it is to blame yourself for not being strong, grateful, or productive enough, especially when society reinforces that message.We also know that recovery and a better life is possible even when it seems impossible. We know that it’s worth the time and effort it takes to get the help you need to feel better.I hope that our stories encourage other people who are struggling to do whatever it takes to recover and rediscover that life is worth living, even when it’s hard!Please seek professional help when necessary. If you or a loved one is considering death by suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for immediate help 24/7. P.S. I created a “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit” PDF download based on what has helped me. I also offer private coaching. Neither is a substitute for professional help from a licensed medical or mental health professional, but both are great ways to get additional support and resource suggestions! Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Swimming next to sea turtles is a spiritual experience. Making eye contact with the humpback whale that just sprayed you with its breath is memorable. And saving an animal’s life is the ultimate “feel good” experience.I’ve been fortunate enough to do all of the above. Robin has done much more. Her wildlife conservation and rehabilitation experience is extensive and impressive, as is her advocacy work. Enjoy the stories we share about our animal encounters, and please share yours in the comments! P.S. We also talked about how connecting with nature helps us reconnect with ourselves other humans and how we need to unite to heal. If you’d rather join hands than point fingers, I hope you’ll participate in this Sunday’s Zoom conversation. You’re also welcome to join my online membership community anytime. Let’s help each other be the change we want to see in the world! Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Some people see their religious beliefs as absolute truths. My husband Steve saw a bumper sticker today that said, “Jesus is Lord whether you believe it or not.”Other people, including Brad and me, change our spiritual beliefs. We can’t reconcile some “truths” we used to cling to with what we’ve learned and experienced. Our spiritual journeys take unexpected turns. At first, we fear those turns are dead ends. They lead us into unfamiliar territory and we feel lost and afraid. Over time, we learn to live with uncertainty and trust our inner compass - the divine guide we can consult anytime - to guide us. We are never sure where we’re going, but we’re willing to go wherever we are led. It’s an adventure like no other! P.S. If you want 1:1 support as you learn to live with uncertainty and trust your inner compass, I offer private coaching. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks to all who joined me live! Among other things, I talked about:* The supportive community I’m creating, starting with Sunday’s Zoom gathering* Melinda Blau’s awesome Wisdom Whisperers book* Why I attend this church even though I no longer consider myself a Christian* What I’d say to Bruce Springsteen (the second most important man in my life)Share your thoughts in the comments, and I hope to see you this Sunday on Zoom! Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

I don’t claim to have all the answers or trust anyone who does. Nor do I think this Sunday’s Zoom conversation will change the world. But an honest, respectful discussion is a step in the right direction! bit.ly/changingliveszoom Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

No one has a perfect life or the right answers for everyone. But talking about how we each handle life’s challenges helps us all find new ways to cope and to be the change we want to see. September 7 Zoom conversation sign-up: bit.ly/changingliveszoomAs Laury wrote (and I read aloud during our conversation):Our world, personally and globally, has been touched by danger, abuse, greed, cruelty, and volatility, and we can't wipe out the fear of being unsafe by cloaking it in deception or denial …I think I need to surrender the illusion of safety … and instead strive for contentment, kindness, hopefulness, and connection with my fearfully disillusioned fellows. I want to believe that we can all hold each other’s hands in turbulent skies. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Join the conversation at my September 7 Zoom gathering and connect with other people who would rather be real than perfect. Key points from today’s conversation:* Do what you really want to do now, because you may not be able to later* There’s more to life than being productive or successful by society’s standards* Do what you know is right for you regardless of what others think* Being comfortable is not the same as being content* No job or relationship is worth sacrificing your health and happiness for Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Resources mentioned: Valarie Kaur’s See No Stranger book and Revolutionary Love Project. My Changing Lives Zoom Community GatheringOur personal wellbeing is affected by many factors. Some are beyond our control: adverse childhood experiences, unhealthy cultural norms, wars, global pandemics, etc. But as adults we can control how we respond to events and circumstances that threaten our wellbeing. Broadly speaking, there are three possible responses.* We can blame others and see ourselves as innocent and powerless victims. * We can blame ourselves and decide we are weak or stupid and deserve to suffer.* We can take responsibility for our behavior while also holding others accountable for theirs and working to change unjust laws and unhealthy systems.The third option seems like the healthiest choice, but it my experience it’s also the hardest. We can challenge and change negative beliefs about ourselves and others - I’ve done that and helped others do it - but it’s not easy. We can change our “default” responses - behaviors once essential to our survival but now harmful - to healthier ones, but it takes time, hard work, and ongoing practice. There are no quick fixes, enlightened gurus with all of the answers, or guaranteed solutions, because we’re all imperfect humans. But I believe that when we decide we’d rather get real than get revenge or get rescued, remarkable personal and social transformations happen. So I’m creating an online community of people ready to have honest conversations about how current events are affecting us and what we can do to make our lives and the world better. Register here for our initial Zoom gathering on September 7. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Deborah and I discuss her new novel, how writing reduces shame, toxic politics and social norms, and the healing power of supportive communities. Want to have honest conversations about things that matter? Come to my FREE Zoom gathering Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Blue is 81. She’s had seven careers and lived in multiple countries. A post on her “Reinvent Your Life” Substack mentions how rough the early days of one career she started “not with a vision, with a quiet refusal to keep pretending” were. I left my former career as a pastor for the same reason, though my refusal to pretend was not (and is not) quiet. I’m forming an online community of people who are ready to stop pretending. Register here to participate in an honest conversation on Zoom about what’s really happening in our lives and the world, how it’s affecting us, and what we can do about it. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Tamy and I changed our lives by embracing authenticity and vulnerability. We left our former professions (she was a plastic surgeon and I was a pastor) to become writers and coaches. We made that choice because we realized it was healthier for us and more helpful to others to share how we dealt with challenges similar to theirs than it was to keep our personal struggles private. Personal struggles that I’ve faced and had radically honest, in-depth conversations with other people about include:* a severe depression that lasted for more than a year and almost killed me * the very unexpected and painful job losses my husband and I experienced in 2020* the financial and other challenges of starting new careers in our 50s* my dad’s death in 2021 * the loss of self-esteem and challenge of separating my self-worth and productivity* the best way to respond to cruel and dangerous government actions I abhorThe most important thing I learned from going through those struggles was the importance of choosing the right people to support me. Honest conversations with people who helped me discern what I really wanted and trust myself to know and do what was best for me were incredibly valuable. Honest conversations with people who claimed that they knew what was best for me and said I should do what they advised me to do instead of what I wanted to do were incredibly harmful.If I could go back and share what I know now with my former self who was hurting, vulnerable, and desperate for relief, this is the wisdom I’d offer: Consult your inner compass, not someone else's map, for directions. And get support from people who will help you trust your inner compass to point you in the right direction and your ability to go wherever it is pointing. DM me on Substack for details about how I provide that kind of support or schedule a free call to discuss your specific needs. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Sign up for free Zoom gathering at https://lu.ma/88fob8q2 for the community conversation we all need to cope with hard times and change our lives and the world!“If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” - Mahatma Gandhi Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

The Soulful Sales Society* proves that sensitive, empathetic online coaches and content creators - including neurospicy ones like me - can promote and sell our offers successfully without compromising our values or wellbeing. Its founder, Ruth Poundwhite, has built a thriving business that way and helps me believe and teaches me ways I can do that, too. Here’s what Soulful Sales Society * includes that’s helping me and could help you (the benefits currently helping me the most are in bold italics):☑️ Monthly live sessions (all have replays): – Q&a/coaching calls with Ruth (you’ll be able to submit questions even if you can’t be there live/ aren’t on FB) – Monthly kick-off call for the get it done week – Mindset & intention sessions twice per month that include great journaling prompts – Plus quarterly debrief & planning sessions☑️ Monthly “get it done” week challenges☑️ Full resource vault of sales tools including launch planners, timelines, email examples, visualizations, AI assistants to help you get it done & more☑️ The Soulful Sales & Launching curriculum including: – Sales mindset & self-belief – Laidback launching course – Sales booster & soft-selling strategies (for between launches)☑️ Access to an optional Facebook group Ruth leads (and actively participates in) ☑️ The chance to have Ruth promote your free (or low-cost) offers every month to her email list☑️ The “sell every day” challenge, with incentives to get it done & stretch your sales comfort zone+ Extra Bonus 1: An “offer Oracle” Soulful AI bot to help you decide what to sell next using your past content, current energy, and intuition.+ Extra Bonus 2: Access to the Soulful Growth Club (to help you grow your audience).I hope you’ll join me in Soulful Sales Society and think you’ll love it as much as I do!(*affiliate link, so you’ll also help me if you join, but you’ll help yourself a lot more): Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Note: The Soulful Sales Society* I mention is an amazing combination of courses, workbooks, “get it done” weeks, live calls, and other resources. It's helping me change my mindset and sell my services effectively and ethically. Join by 6/30 to save 40%! *affiliate link At 69, Gail says the best years of her life are happening now. At 56, I believe my best years are yet to come. We know that honesty and vulnerability helps us and others heal, so we don’t claim to have the “right” answers. We help people find and trust their own answers. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve been told, "You’re the problem. Fix yourself so you can function normally.” But to function “normally” in a toxic culture is not healthy.Want to discuss ways to stay sane in an insane world and help create a better one? Join the “We Can Do Hard Things” chat and Zoom conversations from now - August or register here for the Sept. 7 Changing Lives Zoom Gathering. It’s free and open to the public, but seats are limited and registration is required. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

“The Wisdom Whisperers: Golden Guides to a Long Life of Grit, Grace, and Laughter” is Melinda Blau’s 16th and favorite book. It’s the story of her friendships with nine “old ladies” and what each woman teaches her. It’s a fun read with interesting characters, humorous quotes, and wise insights that, at age 56, I appreciate.Melinda and I also talk about broader issues related to aging, like age discrimination, pressures to look younger (because society equates beauty with youth and smooth, wrinkle-free skin), and negative assumptions about older people.I’d love to know whether you consider yourself “old” and at what age you think people qualify as “old.” Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Wendi and Nan discuss the joy and freedom of embracing your authentic self, speaking your truth, and doing what you love instead of what pleases others. Go here for Changing Lives videos, blog posts, and other helpful mental and spiritual health resources. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Ren and I discuss how the bad things in our lives and the world may seem all-consuming, but we can always find (or create) moments of beauty, goodness, and kindness. We can notice and appreciate small good things without denying that big bad things are happening. In fact, when we pay more attention to good things, it becomes easier to cope with and do something about bad things. We are reminded that most people are kind and want to help create a better world. Witnessing or becoming aware of their kindness gives us hope, renews our spirits, and motivates us to take positive actions. Admiring the world’s beauty inspires us to help protect, preserve, and add to that beauty. Finding and celebrating good things gives us the strength to deal with bad things and help other people survive and recover from bad times. Glennon Doyle's latest book, We Can Do Hard Things* (co-authored by Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle) is one good thing that I believe can help us deal with the bad things. I’m hosting an online book club so we can have live conversations on Zoom (with replays for those who can’t join us live) and in a group chat on Substack about the book and how it can help us. This book club will start in mid-June; if you’d like to participate, please comment below or DM me on Substack. *affiliate link to bookshop.org Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Because of their religious beliefs or society’s expectations, women often do things that endanger their health and wellbeing to please other people. Andrea Amador and I discussed some harmful beliefs that we had to reject in order to love ourselves and do what was best for us.Did you have to reject a former belief in order to love yourself? If so, how did you do that? Please share your story in the comments!Note: This post is audio only (with captions) due to problems with the video recording. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

I recorded this for NAMI’s “In Every Story, There’s Strength” Mental Health Awareness Month campaign. One reason I began publishing Changing Lives more than three years ago was to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions. Another was to share free and low-cost resources, along with tips based on my experience, to help other people who don’t know what to do or where to turn to get the help they need.This video does both, and I hope it is shared widely and my story inspires someone else to hang in there. Life does get better, even when that seems impossible. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

A conversation about our horrible and wonderful experiences with mental health professionals, the need for a more holistic approach to mental health care, the spiritual practices that sustain us, and the peer support groups we lead to help ourselves and others. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Daria and I were successful by society’s standards. We were high achievers with graduate degrees and professional careers. She was a lawyer; I was a pastor. Our work was meaningful, but it was also all-consuming. Ultimately, the negative effects of those careers on our mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life outweighed the benefits. We decided that the freedom to set our own schedules and spend more time with family and friends was more important than career success. So we have started new careers at the same age many of our peers have finished theirs and retired. Daria is now a certified health and wellness coach. I am a mental and spiritual health writer, speaker, support group leader, and coach. Our conversation is about the crises that led us to make that choice. It’s also about the difficulty of rejecting deeply ingrained beliefs about what it means to be successful, what “the good life” includes, and what determines our worth. Most of all, it’s about the importance of being true to yourself, prioritizing your values over others’ expectations, and creating a sense of self-worth that is based on who you are instead of what you do. Learn more about my Zoom spiritual support group here Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Kara Westerman (she/her) and I discuss the memoir she is writing with her deceased husband, our evolving spiritual beliefs, our ongoing recovery and self-love journeys, and more. Zoom spiritual support group info: https://bit.ly/wearysouls Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Resources mentioned during this conversation: Wendi's "Nature + Nurture ebook (free until April 30 with coupon code “Substack”)Lauren's "Happy & Free On Purpose" course (free until April 30 with code “Wendi”)Wendi’s Zoom Spiritual Support Group (paid six week private group starting May 4) Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

laura davis and I talked about our trauma recovery journeys, how we use writing to help ourselves and others heal, politics, religion, and more. The Zoom spiritual support group I mentioned starts May 4; please share the link with anyone you know who may want to discuss spiritual issues in a safe, supportive community. For more information about Laura’s books and retreats, see her Substack, The Writer’s Journey.Thanks for your interest in our conversation, and please comment below to share your thoughts about what you heard (or read in the transcript). Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Wendi and guest Nancy Norbeck discuss what they've learned (or unlearned) and done that has made life at 50+ better than life before age 50.Wendi's "Spiritual Support for Weary Souls" Zoom groupNancy's "Make Bad Art" courseNancy's "Follow Your Curiosity" podcast with Wendi as guest Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

My six week Zoom Spiritual Support Group is one way to get support from people who don’t claim to know and teach the right answers. I’m passionate about creating safe spaces for honest conversations about spiritual doubts. I know how confusing and lonely it can be to reject religious beliefs because I’ve done it. And how hard it is to explain or even discuss that decision with family members and friends who still accept those beliefs as absolute truths that it is wrong to question.So if you could use some support as you figure out what you believe and don’t believe and why, I encourage you to check out that spiritual support group. It could provide the support you need to change your beliefs and life! And if you want to know more about me and my work, see my "Changing Lives" Substack page. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Lori Bickel and I discuss how we changed our spiritual beliefs and help other people change theirs. My next Zoom Spiritual Support Group starts May 4. Use promo code MM and join by March 30 to save $30. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

My most powerful spiritual experiences weren't in churches. And I wanted to help people with spiritual questions find their own answers, not teach them the "right" answers. I still support and accompany people on spiritual journeys, but as their peer, not their pastor. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Wendi talks about why she's rejected some Christian teachings and how she helps people who question religious beliefs or leave faith communities. Wendi is a former pastor who believes Jesus taught and modeled love for everyone, especially marginalized people condemned by others. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

We may not be able to stop the terrible things some people are doing or enabling, but we can choose to pay more attention to the good things other people are doing. We can choose to do what we can to make the world better, as a family I saw picking up trash at a local park did and inspired me to. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

Together, we CAN change our lives and the world, even when it seems hopeless! More info on how: wendigordon.substack.com Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe

3 ABCs for Adults Ready to Make Shifts HappenWendi Gordon discusses 3 ABCs she learned the hard way that helped her change her life and how others can use the ABCs to help change their lives. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe