The Ripples Pondcast

Enjoy this replay of a special Zoom talk I gave on October 30th (please note this has different content than the October 28 talk; be sure listen to part 1).For this presentation I created a Google Doc with the content we explored, and I also created a PDF version that you’re welcome to download and share. You can also watch the video replay here.

Enjoy this replay of a special Zoom talk I gave on October 28th (please note this has different content than the October 30 talk; be sure listen to part 2!)For this presentation I created a Google Doc with the content we explored, and I also created a PDF version that you’re welcome to download and share.You can also watch the video replay here.

Enjoy this replay of our Monthly Zoom 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)The notes and links from the session are pasted below.You can also watch the video replay.PEBBLEGroup Therapy documentaryAnatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict (and we explore the book in this episode of The Ripples Pondcast)BOULDERGratitude Prompt: Tell me about a memorable moment of gratitude where you were either the giver or receiver, or share a note of gratitude you wish you’d previously shared with someone.From this NYT articleSoul Pancake: The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in GratitudeSoul Pancake: Street ComplimentsPONDER1. Anne-Laure Le Cunff: The Peril of Productivity, and the Happiness of Tiny Experiments (No Small Endeavor Podcast episode)2. There’s a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning (Washington Post Article Giftlink)3a. Dan Harris, 10% Happier Podcast Your Brain Is Suggestible. Here’s How To Turn That to Your Advantage3b. Dan HarrisThe Science Of Burnout — And How To Recharge From Stress | Kristin Neff4. Fauxstalgia (Ghost Longing)Fauxstalgia, or ghost longing: terms that ChatGPT helped me and my friend use to short hand a form of grief that occurs when you find yourself missing something that you never had (Here's the ChatGPT thread I created in the midst of our conversation)

In this lighthearted and thought-provoking conversation, Paul sits down with leadership trainer and coach Roach Finley to unpack key insights from The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute. Together they explore what it means to move from a “heart at war” to a “heart at peace,” how the “box” and “influence pyramid” shape our relationships, and why this book is more about being than doing. Along the way, Roach shares personal reflections from her leadership journey and how the book is still working on her.Connect with Coach Roach via her website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

My childhood friend Pidge returns to the Pondcast...this time for a conversation about Polarities. You can also watch the video recording if you'd like...we move our hands a lot! ◡̈ -pw

[PLEASE NOTE: I shared two different sets of content this month, so I recorded both sessions and published them as "Part 1" and "Part 2". They have DIFFERENT pebbles, DIFFERENT boulders, and DIFFERENT ponders, I promise!]Enjoy this replay of our Monthly Zoom 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)The notes and links from the session are pasted below.You can also watch the video replay here: https://youtu.be/8Dvf1c-0aysPEBBLE
Hopeful Tunes 4U:
A massive playlist of upbeat tunes assembled from the Ripples community. Playlist can be accessed through these links:Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/playlist/PL:196407963240367522:1146596940Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4IOsYREjf1scMlmDKapRacApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hopeful-tunes/pl.u-4Joma4ltZ77qbXTidal: https://tidal.com/playlist/d33c22dc-677e-4200-b4af-d945f9f8367fBOULDERBody based Calming exercises https://www.envisionkindness.org/guide/shifting-how-we-feel/body-based-calming-or-energizing-exercises/calming-exercises/PONDER1.20 short rules for better days at work https://breegroff.substack.com/p/20-short-rules-for-better-days-at?2. Dopamine Menu: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/18/whats-on-your-dopamine-menu-15-ideas-for-a-positivity-boost?3. Mapping space: Largest map of the universe announced UC Santa Barbara (6/11/25)https://news.ucsb.edu/2025/021905/mapping-space-largest-map-universe-announced4. Facebook Reel We don’t uncover triggers to avoid them, we uncover triggers to heal them: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1717862865476423SEEN Method of healing triggers. (be prepared: she’s presenting this in a somewhat manic way)
(no safety, control, or choice)
5.
“I can’t do this.” actually means “You’re about to do it” Excellent reel from a birth doula  https://www.facebook.com/reel/1121419086523458

[PLEASE NOTE: I shared two different sets of content this month, so I recorded both sessions and published them as "Part 1" and "Part 2". They have DIFFERENT pebbles, DIFFERENT boulders, and DIFFERENT ponders, I promise!]Enjoy this replay of our Monthly Zoom 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)The notes and links from the session are pasted below.You can also watch the video replay here https://youtu.be/DxOI4uPb3e0PEBBLEStuff I can Control (based on Don Griner’s share)https://2rpl.me/i/Stuff_I_Can_Control.pdfBOULDER:Japanese Walking: https://wapo.st/3H6hPMt (Wash Post gift link)https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/07/13/japanese-walking-interval-walking-training/?PONDER1. Joyspan: (from NYT article about Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half)Life span: how long you liveHealth span: how long you live well (in good health)Joy span: how long you enjoy livingfour actions: Grow ~ Adapt ~ Give ~ Connect2. Wind Phone: https://wapo.st/3J7Jayh (Wash Post gift link)3. Hacking your Happy Horomones (Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphins): https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hormoneFacebook Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/6859742073687014. Tender vs. Fierce Self-Compassion (via Dan Harris 10% Happier Podcast episode #894: The Science Of Burnout — And How To Recharge From Stress: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821?i=1000682587392Tender vs. Fierce Self compassion. If compassion is about alleviating suffering, Tender self compassion is about ACCEPTING things, and Fierce self compassion is about taking action, CHANGING things.5. Have You Tried Lemonading? Researchers Tout the Power of Playfulness in Tough Timeshttps://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/lemonading-playfulness-face-adversity/

This is a different kind of episode for us; I invited my longtime friend Pidge (we've known each other since 5th grade!) to an experiment: we'd each bring a handful of questions to the table for discussion and exploration. The conversation went longer than we originally anticipated, but we had such a blast! I'm already wondering who I'll invite to the conversation next...

Enjoy this replay of our May 2025 Monthly Zoom with the Team Ripples Patreon Community (https://www.patreon.com/RipplesGuy for more info)The notes and links from the session are pasted below.You can also watch the video replay here.Intriguing article on Hope vs. OptimismSlow HopeSlow Hope post on Instagram:Slow Hope: Rethinking Ecologies of Crisis and Fear, by Christof MauchThis 2019 article lays out why and how the author began using the term “slow hope.”Resilient HopeYou can access 13-minute video and audio summaries of the four pillars of our WE GOT THIS resilience sticker, because it’s still true that WE GOT THIS if we come together with Curious Minds, Open Hearts, and Calm Spirits while we Nurture Health.WE GOT THIS Sticker: If you'd like a sticker, this Google Doc will give you options for how to get one (for free, if you want!):Active HopeActive Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in with Unexpected Resilience & Creative Power, by Joanna Macy & Chris JohnstoneThree Questions for The Great Turning:Where and how are you turning up?What are you turning away from?What are you turning towards?Hopeful Stories we didn't get to:Nearly 40 Years After Chernobyl’s Nuclear Explosion, the Area Is One of Europe’s Biggest Nature ReservesViolin of HopePeace Tree turns 400 years old