{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"Fresh Finds & Friendly Nudges","description":"

Enjoy this replay of our October 2026 Zoom chat with the Team Ripples Patreon Community.

We followed our usual format:

pebble (a resource that I've found useful in my work or life)

boulder (and activity I'm using personally or professionally)

ponder (a collection of information and ideas I've been pondering)


You can also watch the video replay here: https://youtu.be/tfMcZK2s-kM


PEBBLE (resource)

Read Your Color: Discover Your Reading Type and Build a Life-Changing Love of Books, by Steven J. Reese


BOULDER (activity)

I found these three questions over several months from a variety of sources, I gradually combined them into a trifecta of curiosity that has been helping me respond a little more wisely to situations that might otherwise derail me.

What is this? (Ezra Klein)

Is this useful? (Dan Harris on Rachel Martin)

What’s here now that I’m not already noticing? (Jeff Warren)


PONDER

  1. SIDE QUESTS. Coach Colene’s Monday Morning Peptalk talked about Side Quests and I really liked that term.
  2. HOUSE HUSHING. a simple method for decluttering that focuses on quickly turning down the visual volume of a room. to hush a room, simply remove the small decorative and everyday items. Smith recommends placing them in another room — she calls it “your holding area” — for 24 to 48 hours. Then, for the next day or two, simply “enjoy your hushed room. At first it will look weird, but after a few hours you’ll find yourself enjoying the more quiet and simplified space.”
  3. VPAs: SHORT BURSTS. short bursts of exercise make a huge difference. VPA (vigorous physical activity) is different than HIIT (high intensity interval training)
  4. MUSITATION. Using music to escape your negative thought loops..choose pleasant, uplifting or calming music; synchronize your breath (inhale 4 beats, exhale 6-9 beats); focus the attention on music, following phrases, harmonies, emotional arcs OR use affirmations like breathe, relax, let it flow. Emotionally shifting playlist: start with music that MATCHES your mood, then play a series of songs that gradually shift you into a more upbeat mood. (if you’re in a good mood, you can just play some music to help associate that music with a positive state)
  5. BRIGHT Six step plan to combat cyberbullying (from middle schooler)

Block: Block the bully online to create distance

Report: Report the bully to the online platform

Ignore: Don’t respond, and distract yourself with other activities

Get an adult: Tell a trusted adult what’s happening so they can give you advice

Hotline: If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, connect with a hotline like stopbullying.gov or Crisis Text Line

Tech break: Log off and do things that don’t involve technology

","author_name":"Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy"}