Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications

Melissa and Leann discuss Brenè Brown’s concept of story stewardship, talking about how to respect people’s unique experiences while offering compassion and support. Ponder Questions:Am I ready to tell my story?I am assuming what someone else is feeling?Am I hijacking someone else’s story or making it about me?Am I tapping out?Am I separating my emotions from the person who is telling me a story?Am I trying to author someone else’s story?Am I allowing others to explain?Do I have the language to explain?What stories am I creating?Am I ready to create a different story? Invitation:Offer better story stewardship. Ask yourself, “Am I being curious and asking people how I can help them?”Notice how you are responding to others. References:Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 264-266 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa review Brenè Brown’s concept of love vs. attachment as they discuss the true meanings of love, discuss Heavenly Father’s love for us, and how we can pour out that love for others.  Ponder Questions:Am I expecting something in return?Is my love transactional?Am I able to make space for someone else?Am I putting my expectations onto other people?Am I giving others grace?Can I see things from a different perspective?Am I having compassion for others?Am I creating a loving environment?Who needs my love?What am I bringing to the table?What is my impact?Am I changing the way I think about others?Am I making this about me and not others?Am I allowing Christ to be my Master Teacher?What am I grateful for?Am I seeing His hand in my life?Where is my heart right now?Am I praying for help?Am I leading by my example?Am I willing to love those who may seem more difficult to love?  Invitation:Ask yourself, “What are my motives, and how am I loving others?” References:Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 253“Love,” Topics and Questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe Law of Love in Action, Steve Young, pgs. 1, 31-32Moses 1:39"Blessed Are the Peacemakers," Russell  M. Nelson, Ensign, Nov. 2002, pg. 41"The Love of God," Benjamin M. Z. Tai, April 2025 General ConferenceSelf-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Kristin Neff, Ph.D., pgs. 68-69“If The Savior Stood Beside Me,” Sally DeFord, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Music Library John 15:12Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pg. 517 "Love—the Essence of the Gospel," Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2014, pg. 91 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and ApplicationsWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa go over Brene Brown’s concept of “courage to walk alongside” as they discuss the importance of recognizing people’s individual paths, choosing empathy over sympathy, and feeling connected with others on a global, spiritual scale.  Ponder Questions:Am I willing to walk alongside someone else?Am I trying to control the path?Do I have the patience to walk alongside?Am I listening or giving unwanted advice?Am I allowing my ego to get involved?Am I willing to be committed to focusing on the other person?Am I allowing others to do things their way?Am I recognizing where I can show compassion for others after they have hurt us?What would Christ do? What would He want me to say? Invitation:How can we include others and walk alongside others? References:Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 257, 261-264Self Compassion, Kristin Neff, pgs. 68-69 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa discuss Brene Brown’s concept of grounded confidence and its associated skillsets, and they review the importance of learning how to name emotions and reconnect with physical sensations. Ponder Questions:Am I asking questions to understand others' experiences?How can I become more like Christ as I practice these principles?Where am I confusing things?What parts of the gospel am I interpreting differently than they should be?Where am I protecting my fragile self-worth?Where am I practicing courage, and where am I hiding?Am I looking at these things with self-compassion?Am I willing to take an honest look at where I am at?Am I staying curious?Am I asking deeper questions to understand?Am I getting out of my head and being willing to feel in my body?Am I being true to my values? Invitation:Read these sections in the book Atlas of the Heart to see how you can apply these principles in your life. References:Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 254-256, 260-261 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa continue their conversation about connection by reviewing Brene Brown’s concepts of “near enemies” and “far enemies,” the importance of self-acceptance, and how prioritizing truths allow us to form deeper connections. Ponder Questions:Am I intentionally creating connection?Am I giving my power away to other people?Is this fact or opinion?What is truth?Am I safe?In what areas are these near enemies appearing in my life? Invitation:Be aware of the connections in your life and where the lies may be hiding.Be prepared to make changes. References:Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 249-254Episode title quote is from Atlas of the Heart, page 252: “I define spirituality as the deeply held belief that we are inextricably connected to each other by something greater than ourselves.”“Watch the Switches in Your Life,” Gordon B. Hinkley, October 1972 General Conference Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa go over the concept of belonging as an innate need and how authenticity and effort helps yourself and others feel connected and wanted.  Ponder Questions:Do I have a sense of belonging?Am I noticing others?Am I an active participant?Am I being authentic with myself?Am I being my authentic person around others?Am I helping other people feel like they belong?Am I cheering others and myself on?Am I loving like Christ?Am I gathering and bringing others into the heart of Christ?Why don’t I feel safe? Invitation:Study the concept of belonging and choose how you can change so you can feel included and help others feel like they belong. Look at the spaces you feel like you belong and where you don’t. See how you can change that and incorporate it more in your daily life. References:“belonging,” Vocabulary.com Dictionary"Cheering Each Other On," J. Anette Dennis, October 2025 General ConferenceAtlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Brenè Brown, pgs. 155, 162-163“What does it mean to belong,” Brian Stout, Bridging toward Belonging, Substack, March 6, 2023 “Peacemakers Needed,” Russell M. Nelson, April 2023 General Conference"No One Sits Alone," Gerrit W. Gong, October 2025 General Conference Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoE We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Melissa and Leann discuss creating a plan for the upcoming year and how we can trust Christ to help us make changes in our lives and continually begin again. Ponder Questions:What old patterns keep reoccurring that I am ready to change?What went well for me this year?What didn’t go well for me this year?What do I need to stop doing and start doing?What does the Lord want me to stop doing and start doing?What plan am I creating?What is my word of the year?What is my hopeful word? (Examples include a“re” word such as restore, reset, release, rejoice, renew and repent.)What is my hope for greater blessings in my life?How do I want to pattern my next year?Am I preparing my soil?What weeds do I need to pull first?Am I expanding my capacity? Invitation:Take time to plan for the new year.Take the time to release so you have room for the new.Offer yourself self-compassion.Take the time with Christ to make a new plan.Keep choosing “new” again and again. References:"Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning," Patrick Kearon, October 2025 General Conference“Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2012 General Conference "Walk in Newness of Life,” Lloyd D. Newell, BYU Devotional, BYU Speeches, April 11, 2014 "The Parable of the Sower," Dallin H. Oaks, Liahona, May 2015, pg. 32 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa talk about the power of little rays of light, how choosing Christ’s light makes a difference in our lives, and how we can emulate that light. Ponder Questions:Am I seeing the rays?How can I bring more light into my life?Am I seeing the good?What can I do to bring back the light?Am I seeking enough light to illuminate all that is available?What am I going to do to seek the rays when I am in the dark?Can you recognize the difference when the Spirit leaves?Am I prepared for the rocks that can show up on my path?Am I choosing light or dark?Whose side am I on?Do my eyes smile?Does love come through my eyes? Invitation:Ask yourself: “After Christmas is over, how do I continue to feel and shine the light of Christ on others?” References:"Pillars and Rays," Alexander Dushku, April 2024 General Conference“Light Cleaveth unto Light,” Timothy J. Dyches, April 2021 General Conference“Light of Christ,” Topics and Questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"Choose the Light," Vern P. Stanfill, October 2015 General ConferenceTitle quote is from "A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous," Neil L. Andersen, BYU Devotional, BYU Speeches, August 18, 2015“Voices of the Restoration #10 • Liberty Jail • Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat • Oct 20-26 • Come Follow Me,” followHIM Podcast, Oct 20, 2025“Light,” Ted. E Brewerton, October 1991 General ConferenceMatthew 5:15, 3 Nephi 12:14-16John 6:67 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.