This Tree and Me

This episode begins with a blood vessel popping in Cory's left eye — and ends with five words that changed the ground for everything ahead.This is a storytelling episode. Not a teaching episode. The teachings are inside the story.The arc moves through:A physical limitation that stripped every external support away and revealed the practice beneath itThe worthiness wound named for the first time — the difference between capability and deservingA ceremonial weekend that released what months of journaling had been circlingA conversation with the parts of himself that built himA young part told the one thing he needed to hearA landing in wholeness, calm, and a clear directionThis is not coming from the other side of something.It is coming from inside it.This Tree & Me — hosted by Cory J Riggs.

This is where the pattern used to break.The eye. The financial pressure. Every legitimate excuse available. And two journal entries anyway.In this episode we go into the place where the bad habits come back, the excuses start, and everything around you is telling you to stop — and what finding a way actually looks like from inside it. Not from the other side.This conversation covers:Recognizing the pattern before you repeat itThe difference between a setback and a junctureWhy perfection is the wrong standard for the practiceCapability vs worthiness — and why worthiness is the harder questionThe band-aids that keep us comfortable and smallThe or — and why it never gets spoken out loudThis is not a motivational episode.This is what the practice looks like on a hard day.This Tree & Me — hosted by Cory J Riggs.

You've already proven the process works.In this episode we break down why most people refuse to apply what they've already built — and what that resistance is actually about.This conversation covers:Proof vs confidenceFear that stays but loses authorityApplying a proven process to new and scary arenasLAF as an operating system, not a philosophyThis isn't about starting over.This is about recognizing you've already done this — and building it again.This Tree & Me — hosted by Cory J Riggs.

Do you believe you have to suffer to heal?In this episode of This Tree & Me, Cory J Riggs explores the belief that pain and suffering are required for growth—and challenges the idea that holding onto your past is what proves you’ve changed.This conversation breaks down the difference between feeling pain and living in it, and how identity can become tied to guilt, past actions, and self-imposed punishment.You are not your past.You are not required to live in suffering to prove your growth.This episode invites you to question what you’re holding onto—and why.

In this episode of This Tree & Me, Cory J Riggs explores the role intention plays in personal growth and why many people feel stuck despite consistent effort.The conversation shifts away from productivity and external results, focusing instead on internal alignment. Cory breaks down how ego-driven patterns—comparison, urgency, and outcome chasing—can create the illusion of progress while keeping you disconnected from real movement.Through a grounded and reflective approach, this episode introduces the idea that change begins not with action alone, but with the intention behind it. When you reconnect with how you’re showing up each day, life begins to move differently.This episode also touches on the foundational concept of Listen • Allow • Follow (LAF) as a way to engage with life from a place of awareness rather than control.If you’ve been working toward something but feel like you’re not getting anywhere, this conversation offers a different perspective—one rooted in presence, clarity, and daily alignment.

You think you’re building a life.But what if you’re not?In this episode, Cory J Riggs explores a shift that reframes everything: life isn’t built in the future—it’s built in the present, one day at a time.Drawing from real journal insights and lived experience, this conversation breaks down how ego-driven urgency for results pulls you out of the process, and why most people stay stuck in cycles of starting, stopping, and waiting for something to happen.This episode explores:• the difference between building and waiting• how ego creates the “why try” narrative• why daily patterns matter more than long-term goals• the illusion of success without internal alignment• how to begin building your life—todayThe work is not in the outcome.It’s in the day.

What if the parts of your life you thought were behind you… were never actually repaired?In this episode, Cory J Riggs explores the difference between moving forward and truly healing.Using the metaphor of a damaged road, he breaks down how most people learn to patch over pain, create detours around difficult experiences, and continue forward without ever addressing what’s underneath.But what isn’t repaired doesn’t disappear.It resurfaces.This episode challenges the idea that progress means resolution and offers a deeper perspective:Healing is not about avoiding damage.It’s about learning how to rebuild.Key Insights• Why survival strategies are not the same as healing• How avoidance shows up as progress• The danger of “patching” emotional wounds• What it means to “close the road” and rebuild• Why healing builds the capacity to handle future challenges• How to begin recognizing what still hasn’t been repairedClosing ReflectionWhat in your life have you moved past… but never truly fixed?Show IdentityThis is This Tree & Me, a podcast exploring self-awareness, inner dialogue, and the ongoing process of becoming who you are.Hosted by Cory J Riggs.

Reflective OpeningInside every person there are moments when two voices seem to speak at once.Both sound reasonable.Both sound convincing.One voice leads toward truth.The other protects the ego.Learning to recognize the difference is one of the most important practices in personal growth.Episode SummaryIn this episode of This Tree & Me, Cory J Riggs explores the subtle distinction between ego narrative and true inner guidance.Many people believe growth eventually leads to permanent clarity — a place where doubt disappears and the mind becomes quiet.But the ego does not disappear.The voice of doubt continues to arise.The deeper practice is learning to recognize where a thought is coming from.Drawing from reflections in his morning journal and the philosophy behind the LAF Method (Listen, Allow, Follow), Cory explores how discernment becomes a daily practice rather than a destination.Instead of eliminating the ego, we learn to recognize its patterns.And once we see clearly, we simply begin following the voice that leads us forward.Key Insights• Growth does not eliminate the ego• Doubt does not permanently disappear• The same question can come from different sources• Ego often disguises itself as logic or protection• Alignment is something we practice continuously• Discernment grows through awareness

Most people build their lives in survival mode.Working harder.Pushing faster.Trying to prove something.And for a while, that survival energy creates momentum.It builds discipline.It builds resilience.It builds strength.But survival was never meant to lead your life forever.In this episode of This Tree and Me, Cory J Riggs explores the moment when survival must step back and clarity must take the lead.Through personal reflection and the principles of the LAF Method, this conversation explores how healing the ego is not about destroying it — but about teaching it.Survival becomes the engine.Presence becomes the leader.Because real leadership begins internally.And when you finally stop living in survival mode, something changes.Strength becomes steady.

Life will happen.There will be pressure. There will be growth. There will be fear. There will be opportunity.You cannot stop life from unfolding. But you can decide who leads when it does.In this episode of This Tree & Me, Cory J Riggs explores what it means to live from the inside out — taking responsibility for your internal world so your external life reflects clarity, structure, and self-leadership.This conversation dives into:• Internal authority• Emotional regulation• Living from the inside out• Why life does not control you — your response doesFind all episodes and platforms at:CoryJRiggs.com/podcast

If you are not leading your internal system, your ego is.In this episode of This Tree and Me, Cory J Riggs breaks down what true inner leadership looks like — not control, not force, not suppression — but authority through love, structure, and healing.You’ll learn:• Why your ego doesn’t disappear — it breathes• What real leadership inside yourself actually means• Why healing requires structure• How to move from reaction to responsibilityHealing your ego isn’t about killing it.It’s about leading it.🌐 Website: https://www.coryjriggs.comFind This Tree and Me wherever you stream podcasts.

https://coryjriggs.comMotivation can push you forward.Inspiration can lift you up.But neither of them heals the parts of you that keep repeating the same patterns.In this episode, I explore the difference between motivation, inspiration, and true healing—and why ignoring the ego doesn’t make it disappear. It waits.We talk about why cycles repeat, why success doesn’t protect us from breakdown, and why healing the ego is not about killing it—but learning how to lead it with compassion, trust, and honesty.This is not about fixing yourself.It’s about becoming whole.This Tree and Me is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you knew that every path you took would include suffering, pain, and eventually death, which path would you choose? Most of us choose the path of "settlement" because the ego convinces us it’s safer. It plays an internal movie filled with excuses and justifications to keep us from the "doing" that makes our transformation real.​In today's episode of This Tree and Me, Cory J Riggs deconstructs the illusion of "safe" failure and the shadow work required to move toward self-worth. It’s time to stop letting the ego settle the bill on its terms. It’s time to find the path that ends in light, no matter how faint or distant that light may seem.​In this episode, we discuss:​The resistance of the "Doing" and the fear of judgment.​Why we find known failures more tolerable than the unknown.​How curiosity acts as the catalyst for healing.​The ultimate choice between settlement and self-worth.​Links & Resources:​Read the full article: https://www.coryjriggs.com/blog​Subscribe for more studies: https://www.coryjriggs.com/podcast​Follow Cory on Socials: @CoryJRiggs

The gap between seeing what you need to do and actually doing it is where the ego thrives. It uses your own physical discomfort to keep you stuck, turning your anxiety into a reason to stay still. In this episode, we break down how to listen to the vision and move through the resistance by recognizing the body's signals as a compass for growth. It’s time to stop the cycle of non-doing and start the work.​https://www.coryjriggs.com/bloghttps://www.coryjriggs.com/podcast​Follow me @CoryJRiggs on all socialsSearch 'This Tree and Me' on your favorite podcast platform

The pain you are running from is not your enemy—it is your compass. Tonight, we introduce the first step of the LAF Method: Listen. We aren’t listening to join the drama or agree with the narrative. We are listening to hear the lesson. It is time to stop ignoring the shadows and start withdrawing the wisdom hidden within the wound.​https://www.coryjriggs.com/bloghttps://www.coryjriggs.com/podcast​Follow me @CoryJRiggs on all socials.Search 'This Tree and Me' on your favorite podcast platform.​#Mindset #SpiritualGrowth #Healing #SelfDiscovery #Authenticity #Leadership #Wellness

We all have "versions" of ourselves built for survival. But what happens when those protectors—the walls we built to stay safe—start keeping us from growing? In this episode, Cory J Riggs discusses the internal ecosystem, the ego's "warm blanket" of familiar pain, and why there are no shortcuts on the path to healing.​Resources:Explore more at the Blog: https://www.coryjriggs.com/blogOfficial Podcast Page: https://www.coryjriggs.com/podcast​#WellnessJourney #InnerWork #MindsetShift #ConsciousLiving #MentalHealthMatters

"Tomorrow" is a thief that never pays what it owes. In this vulnerable session, Cory J Riggs explores the sacred 5:00 AM window where the day is born and the ego is silenced. Learn why surrender isn't a one-time event, but a daily requirement to stay grounded in a world trying to pull you in ten different directions. It doesn’t matter how good yesterday was—we start at zero today.​Get more insight at: https://www.coryjriggs.com/blog​Follow me @CoryJRiggs on all socialsSearch 'This Tree and Me' on your favorite podcast platform​#InnerWork #Discipline #SpiritualGrowth #SelfMastery #Accountability

Stop fighting yourself. In this episode, Cory J Riggs breaks down why the concept of "killing the ego" is a myth that keeps us stuck in a cycle of internal war. Cory shares the raw details of his morning ritual where he stopped trying to "exhale" the ego and instead started a dialogue with the protectors he created as a child and a teenager. Learn how to identify your own internal protectors, ask the right questions, and move toward a life of Conscious Wisdom and unity.​Get more insight at: https://www.coryjriggs.com/blog​Follow me @CoryJRiggs on all socialsSearch "This Tree and Me" on your favorite podcast platform​#JayShetty #Ego #Mindset #Healing #ConsciousWisdom #SelfImprovement

In this episode of "The Tree and Me," Cory J Riggs explores the "Illusion of Progress" and the trap of the New Year's resolution myth. When we rush, we mistake speed for direction. Cory shares his personal journey of "bringing it down" to a place of success by putting pen to paper and mapping out a daily structure that is almost scripted. It’s about doing the work when nobody is watching and making promises that you can actually keep.​Key Topics Covered:​Breaking the habit of making promises we can't keep.​Identifying "who and what" you are trying to become.​Defining non-negotiables and the work done when it's just you by yourself.​Moving from the noise of "more" into the speed of stillness.​Call to Action:If this message resonated with you, please subscribe and join our community. I’d love to hear from you—what is one promise you can actually keep today?​Links:Visit coryjriggs.com for more insights and to connect with Cory.

In the season two premiere of "The Tree and Me," Cory J Riggs explores the "Industrial Arc"—the historical cycle of progress that often prioritizes the machine over the man. Cory shares a provocative perspective on why he is thankful for the stillness the pandemic forced upon us and how it stripped away our "armor" to reveal our shared humanity. ​This episode is a guide for anyone feeling outpaced by the modern world, offering a roadmap to move from the "backstory" into the "Becoming." We dive into the "two sides of the coin"—how technology was expedited to cover our loneliness, and how we are now finding the strength to return to real, human connection. ​Key Topics: ​The Industrial Arc: From Steel Mills to AI. ​The Digital Trap: When screens became companions. ​Mental Health Realism: Running the same human race. ​Why Humanity is the only key that fits 2026. ​Connect with Cory: Website: coryjriggs.com Social Media: @coryjriggs ​#MentalHealth #Humanity #Mindset #Growth #Spirituality #Leadership #Psychology #Unity #ConsciousWisdom #Wellness #Perspective

What is more scary: letting go, or becoming?​In this year-end finale, Cory J Riggs explores the irrationality of the human ego—the part of us that would rather stay in a familiar hell than risk an unknown heaven. Drawing from his own 45-year journey back to the "little dude" he left behind in the 5th grade, Cory challenges the idea that staying guarded is the safe path.​As we stand on the edge of 2026 and the "Industrial Arc," we discuss why keeping humanity at the center of our lives is the only way to navigate a world dominated by AI and technology.​Turn the mirror around. Look with empathy. Let’s start the work.​Season 2 of "The Tree and Me" begins this Sunday.​#TheRiskOfHappiness #IndustrialArc #HumanityFirst #MentalHealth #SelfImprovement #Storytelling

The bill always comes due.​We tell ourselves that staying in that relationship is "safe." We tell ourselves that shrinking down to make others comfortable is just being "polite." But the cost isn't just your peace—it is your heart.​In the Season 1 Finale of The Tree and Me, Cory J Riggs takes a hard look at the "ledger" of our lives. We discuss the "Hollow Man" syndrome, the exhausting price of toxic positivity, and the raw accountability required to stop waging war against yourself.​Key Takeaways:​The Invisible Debt: What are you buying with your silence?​The Empty Cup: You cannot feed others when you haven't eaten in years.​The Harvest: The quiet, steady strength of finally standing in your own truth.​Looking Ahead: Stick around until the very end for a special announcement regarding the "Industrial Arc" coming in Season 2 (2026).​You can watch or listen to this wherever you get your podcasts.🔗 Website: https://coryjriggs.com

This episode isn’t just about looking back at 2025—it’s about what 2025 taught me: how to look within.The hardest work isn’t what happens out there—it’s what happens inside. It’s facing the questions you’ve avoided, the truths you’ve buried, and the patterns that keep you stuck.Looking within is uncomfortable. It’s messy. It’s humbling. But it’s also where the real change begins.And here’s the beauty: when you choose to look within, you uncover your calling. You discover the path you were meant to walk. You let the light inside finally shine, and you begin to live the life you were created for.Website: https://CoryJRiggs.com🎙️ This Tree and Me — available wherever you watch or listen to podcasts.

There’s a moment in growth where movement feels like momentum—where improvement feels like transformation—yet something inside knows we’re still capable of more.This episode explores that tension:• the comfort of “better”• the plateau disguised as progress• the voice that says “good enough”• and the quiet intuition that says “not yet”This is not a message of shame.It’s a message of potential.Recognizing the illusion of progress isn’t failure.It’s the first step toward deeper, truer, more intentional growth.Website: https://CoryJRiggs.com  This Tree and Me is available wherever you watch or listen to your podcasts.

This Blessed & Grateful Wednesday honors the season of my life known as Coach Cory—where discipline, humility, and growth were forged on the sidelines long before podcasting, wellness, or spirituality ever entered the frame. This episode explores:• how coaching shaped the man I became• why humility was the turning point• the cultures and people who changed me• and the moment I knew it was time to let goSome stories end not because they’re broken—but because the lesson is complete.All socials: @coryjriggs  This Tree and Me is available wherever you watch or listen to your podcasts.#spiritualgrowth #healingjourney #wellnesscoach #mindfulness #selfawareness #lifelessons #growthmindset #genx #humility #coachlife #transformation

Listen and Follow is not about listening to someone else.And it’s not about following an external path.It’s about learning how to listen inward —and having the courage to follow what’s already been trying to guide you.In this episode, I share a deeply personal reflection on what happens when life feels misaligned.Not broken.Not chaotic.Just… off.I talk about the difference between performing the work and living it.About how pushing, managing, and forcing clarity can disconnect us from ourselves.And how listening — real listening — becomes an active, embodied practice.This episode explores:• Why effort stops working when alignment is missing  • How listening is awareness, not passivity  • Why following doesn’t mean giving up agency — it means choosing truth  • What happens when we stop leading with force and start responding with attention  This isn’t advice.It’s an invitation.An invitation to slow down long enough to hear what’s already been speaking.And to trust yourself enough to follow it.I’m Cory J. Riggs — wellness coach, storyteller, and host of This Tree and Me.Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening.

Tonight’s episode is a soft one. A vulnerable one. A necessary one.Blessed & Grateful Wednesday brings us into the quiet room where healing actually begins — the room where our inner child still sits, still waits, still leads.For me, that child is Lil Riggo.He’s been whispering truths my entire life, long before I was ready to hear them.This episode explores:— how comfort became food  — how food became safety  — how safety became silence  — and how silence became the weight I carried for decades  When my gut was off, my life was off — and I didn’t understand why.Only now do I see that gut health wasn’t just about diet…  it was the condition of the house where my child-self lives.When the house is unsettled, he is unsettled.When the house is cared for, he rises and leads.Tonight, I share how:• August 1st, 2022 changed everything  • clarity arrived through discipline and devotion  • spirituality woke up in the same place my pain once lived  • and how every step forward has come through listening to the child within  This episode is an offering —  for anyone who has forgotten the small, brave voice inside them,the one who still knows the truth,the one who still remembers who you were before the world got loud.Your inner child is not behind you.They’re ahead of you.Still leading you home.Thank you for being here.Thank you for listening.Stay connected:YouTube Podcast Playlist (direct)TikTok | Instagram | CoryJRiggs.comStreaming:YouTube Podcast • Spotify • Apple • iHeart • Amazon • Buzzsprout RSS

In this episode of *This Tree AND Me*, Cory J Riggs opens the door to one of the most profound and vulnerable stories of his life — the long, winding path of addiction, and all of the faces it wore before he ever touched a substance.Addiction is never just drugs or alcohol.Sometimes it looks like food.Sometimes anger.Sometimes approval.Sometimes escaping into work or relationships.Sometimes it’s running toward pleasure.Sometimes it’s running from pain.And sometimes… it’s the silence we hide inside when we don’t know where else to put our hurt.In this episode, Cory traces addiction through every stage of his life, beginning long before anyone recognized it — and long before he understood what was happening internally.He revisits childhood moments that shaped him, the emotional fractures that formed in silence, and the ways those early patterns grew into the behaviors that eventually brought him to treatment at nineteen. With honesty and compassion, Cory walks through the complicated years of adolescence, the rupture with his father, the fear of not belonging, and the pain that had no language yet.But the journey didn’t end in treatment.Cory also shares the lesser-talked-about truth: addiction can change form even after substances are gone. Through adulthood, parenting, marriage, divorce, work, chasing success, self-abandonment, and trying to find worth in external things — addiction continued to mirror the places inside him that had not yet healed.And then, the turning.Through grief, spiritual awakening, discipline, writing, the Tree, and the quiet inner work of the past few years, Cory discovered the deeper truth:Addiction is not a disease.It is a mental-health struggle rooted in trauma, fear, unmet emotional needs, and the parts of our story we were never taught to tend to.You don’t “catch” addiction.It forms when a part of you goes unanswered for too long.This episode is not about shame.It is not about judgment.It is about honesty — and the courage to look inward with compassion.Cory offers this story so that listeners might understand their own journey more clearly. Whether addiction has touched your life through substances or through patterns of avoidance, soothing, escaping, or over-functioning, this episode meets you exactly where you are.And if you are struggling with anything that feels bigger than you:Please reach out.Ask for help.You are not meant to carry all of this alone.Thank you for listening to a story that took a lifetime to understand. This is *This Tree AND Me.*

Today’s Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is about writing — as a guide, a teacher, and the place where every answer arrives.I start with an excerpt from today’s journal entry, where writing gave me clarity and direction the moment I began. Then I read a journal entry from a year ago — a simple record of the day — and reflect on how much my writing has transformed.Over this past year, especially after my spiritual retreat, writing has become my connection to God, my truest self, and the deeper wisdom that moves through my life. It shows me the meaning behind every experience. It teaches me. It grounds me. It reveals truth.Writing is my light, my compass, and my calm.If writing is part of your journey — or if you're learning to trust your own voice — this episode is for you.Stay connected and walk this path with me.

In this episode of *This Tree & Me*, we explore the power of intentions —  not as vague hopes, but as real tools for alignment, clarity, and purpose.Your intentions shape your decisions.  Your core values shape your path.  And everything in your life should align with the foundation you set from within.I share my own intentions — love, grace, and compassion —  and how living through them has already changed my life.  I also talk about evaluating your choices, relationships, goals, and opportunities  through the lens of your core intentions… and re-centering when things drift.When you strengthen your intentions, your life strengthens with them.  May this episode help you find clarity, alignment, and a sense of direction in your own journey.Wellness Coach • Storyteller  This Tree & Me

Today’s Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is about the journey — the real journey.  The one with no shortcuts. The one that teaches you through hard lessons,  setbacks, surprises, and the moments that test your spirit.  Because the blessing isn’t the destination.  It isn’t the reward. It isn’t anything external.  The true blessing is the path itself.  It’s learning who you are when life gets hard.  It’s discovering your strength, your resilience, your spirit…  and realizing that everything you need was already within you.  Be grateful for the journey.  Be grateful for the lessons.  Be grateful for the hard days — they shape the best version of you. 🌿If you’re on a wellness journey and want guidance, my messages are open.  Wellness Coach • StorytellerStay connected:  YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzm  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggs  Website: https://www.Thistreeandme.com  Stream the podcast:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7c  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105  iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/  Amazon Music: (Pending)#love #inspiration #motivation #selfcare #mindset #wellness #selfimprovement  #innerpeace #gratitude #ThisTreeAndMe #blessedandgratefulwednesday #journey  #growthmindset #healing #spiritualjourney #resilience #becoming #path  #overcoming #selflove #clarity

Episode 9 reflects on the lessons that have shaped my journey—what I've learned about slowing down, grounding, spiritual wellness, presence, and becoming more aligned with who I’m meant to be. These are the truths that continue to guide me as a Wellness Coach and storyteller, and I hope they bring clarity to your own path.If you're on a wellness journey and want guidance, my messages are open.Wellness Coach • StorytellerStay connected:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

Today’s gratitude is simple and pure — my dog Kirby.  The way he greets me, grounds me, and reminds me to stay present is a blessing I never take for granted.  Sometimes the smallest companions carry the biggest pieces of our heart.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

Today’s gratitude lives deep in the heart.My mom. Her strength. Her love. Her presence in the stories that shaped me. There are moments where memory meets grace, and today I honor the woman who gave me both.Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is about pausing long enough to truly feel the blessings that built us — and she is one of mine.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

Today’s gratitude is an invitation:Slow down. Notice yourself. Celebrate the small wins and the quiet strength it took to reach them. We honor everyone else so easily — but today, Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is about honoring you.Take a breath. Take a moment. You matter more than you know.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

Some weekends don’t just pass… they shape you.This Blessed & Grateful Wednesday honors a weekend of Becoming — a quiet retreat into myself, a chance to let old layers fall away and allow something truer, calmer, and more grounded to rise.Transformation isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s sacred. And it begins with honesty.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

Today’s gratitude is wrapped in memory, love, and the kind of connection only siblings understand.This Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is a tribute to my sister — her heart, her presence in my life, and the ways her spirit continues to shape the man I’m becoming. Some bonds stay with us forever, quietly guiding us home.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

A simple beginning.  Blessed & Grateful Wednesday is my weekly moment to pause, honor the good, and remind myself — and all of us — that gratitude is a practice, not a performance.  Thank you for being here. Let’s build something beautiful, one Wednesday at a time.Stay connected:YouTube (Main Channel): https://www.youtube.com/@CoryJRiggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsWebsite: https://www.Thistreeandme.comStream the podcast:YouTube (Podcast Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=ed5e47aaa7104d7cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music: (Pending)RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2559357.rss

In Episode 8 of *This Tree & Me*, we talk about becoming—who you are now, who you’re growing into, and who you’re called to be. This episode comes from a powerful spiritual retreat, a space that opened my heart, reset my direction, and reminded me what it means to listen deeply. I share the lessons, the people who impacted me, the mentorship moments, and the clarity that rose from the quiet. Becoming isn’t a single moment; it’s a way of moving through the world with intention, honesty, and a willingness to grow.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 7 of *This Tree & Me*, we talk about self-belief—the kind that doesn’t come from applause, approval, or anyone else’s vision of you. This is about proving it to yourself. People may doubt you, misunderstand you, or protect themselves by holding back their support, but your growth has never depended on their permission. This episode is a reminder that the real work, the real courage, and the real proof all begin within you.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 6 of *This Tree & Me*, we explore the quiet power of showing grace and compassion to yourself. So many of us offer kindness to the world but forget to extend it inward. This episode is a reminder that healing begins when you stop judging, stop punishing, and allow yourself room to grow, rest, and simply be human. Compassion is not weakness—it is the doorway to peace.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 5 of *This Tree & Me*, we explore meditation—not as perfection or discipline, but as a gentle return to yourself. Meditation is the master key that opens your inner quiet, your clarity, and your truth. It’s where your mind learns to soften and your spirit learns to breathe. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to the practice, this episode reminds you that peace is always waiting within you.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 4 of *This Tree & Me*, we talk about creating boundaries—not as walls, but as acts of self-respect. Boundaries protect your peace, your energy, and your emotional clarity. They teach others how to treat you, and more importantly, they teach you how to honor yourself. If you’ve struggled with saying no, giving too much, or carrying more than you should, this episode offers the calm reminder that your needs matter too.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 3 of *This Tree & Me*, we explore the deep tension between fear and courage—the quiet war inside each of us. Fear tries to protect, but it also keeps us small. Courage doesn’t erase fear; it invites you to move anyway, to take one honest step toward becoming who you’re meant to be. If you’ve been held back by doubt, insecurity, or old stories, this episode helps you breathe through it and find your strength again.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 2 of *This Tree & Me*, we explore the power of grounding—returning your body, mind, and spirit to a place of stability and calm. Grounding is where peace begins, where clarity rises, and where you remember that you are allowed to slow down and reconnect with yourself. If you’ve been overwhelmed, stretched thin, or drifting from your center, this episode brings you back home.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller

In Episode 1 of *This Tree & Me*, we begin where all healing begins: with a single, honest breath. This opening chapter is about returning to yourself, grounding your spirit, and choosing to become again—one quiet truth at a time. If you're rebuilding peace, rediscovering your voice, or walking through a season of change, this episode invites you to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with who you truly are.Thank you for taking this moment. You deserve the peace you create. 🌿🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EVERYWHERE:YouTube Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1G_NUJJ38zOMfV9u30xtjHYUVwHwpPzmSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ne4sQVLyoEQZ47JZKYp66?si=7267b6f17bde420fApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-tree-me/id1855227105iHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/308632064/Amazon Music/Audible: Coming SoonBuzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2559357🌱 CONNECT WITH ME:Website: https://www.CoryJRiggs.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coryjriggsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coryjriggs— Cory J RiggsWellness Coach • Storyteller