StephUp Podcast

**This podcast contains adult conversation with sensitive matter.**On today's episode, I welcome 2x international best-selling author, podcast host, award-winning professional artist, coach, speaker and activist, Catana L. Malinowski. Her latest book, "Why Are You Happy?" is a heartwarming story about a little blue whale named Happy who gets caught in some challenging situations but remembers to remain calm and through it all, he learns how to be more resilient.Catana and I discuss blockages, the conscious and unconscious mindsets and energies like fear, judgment, perfectionism, etc. that can keep us stuck and prevent us from moving forward in life. Catana shares a lot of her own story and how she was able to keep going and break through many of her own blockages by becoming aware of what they were, being curious, open, and willing to challenge herself and adapt. Learning to love ourselves is key to overcoming those barriers and blockages in our lives."I learned to love myself which is probably the best gift ever because that also unloaded many blocks. I walked through the shadows. I went into those dark spaces of mine from the past that I was afraid to ever talk about and I gave it love and I gave it acceptance because it was about getting me to here; keeping me safe, protecting me. No judgment, no right or wrong. I was learning where I was seeing those as weaknesses and finding the strengths in there."Catana mentioned our mutual friend, Katie, who helped her realize her creativity block with her art for the past few years.Katie loves to help people clear their creative blocks.Connect with Katie through her website:https://clearingthecreative.com/You can purchase "Why Are You Happy?" here:https://clmalinowski.wixsite.com/authorhttps://us.amazon.com/Why-Are-Happy-Catana-Malinowski/dp/B0DPCVBZ8L/#overcomingblockages #catanalmalinowski #whyareyouhappy #lovingyourself #stephuppodcast #challengingourmindset

Who do you want to be?In this episode, I keep asking the question "who do I want to be?" Lately, I've been allowing the fear of other people to affect me. But that fear is really an illusion. Because I'm afraid of their opinions and words but ultimately, they cannot scare me unless I let them. Who do I want to be? Do I want to be someone who allows that to keep me stuck?Lately, I've also been feeling the weight of the world. I'm sure many of you can relate. But it doesn't help to take all that feeling on. I've also been in "fight" mode. Trying to force my opinions and beliefs upon others. But that doesn't help anything. I was raised that way and to see anyone outside of us as "the others". Do I want to be that person? No.I was feeling stuck about all this and a friend reminded me to "be more curious". Instead of seeing other people as the enemy or trying to force my own beliefs and opinions on others, I can be more open and learn to ask why other people think and believe as they do. The #1 Law of the Universe is the Law of Divine Oneness. We are all connected and how we show up in the world affects everyone else and it affects us.If we want to learn and grow, we need to be open and curious. That's who I want to be. And who I choose to be moving forward.So who do you want to be? #stephuppodcast #stephanieannwebb #whodoyouwanttobe? #whodoIwanttobe? #bemorecurious 

A little sneak peak reading of my book "What Should Dragon Do?""Dragon, Racer and Scout are friends and roommates who get along most of the time. But living together can be hard too. Many times, Dragon gets very angry and doesn't always say or do the nicest things. Come join the adventures of Dragon, Racer and Scout as they learn to live with each other and find out the answers to what should Dragon do?"This is a book for ages 3-6 but not just limited to children. I know I need to remind myself of how to still be open and kind even when I'm angry or tired or annoyed."This is a great book for kids and adults alike. For anyone who has, is, or will be living with other people." - Sarah P. Book available for purchase through my website:www.stephanieannwebb.onlineAlso available on Kindle.

In this episode, I talk about my own experiences coming from a culture of fundamentalist evangelicalism. I wasn't super fundamentalist, more on the lighter side but it was nonetheless.I discuss the authoritarian teaching, the control and fear used in the culture and with the people I've known. This is my own experience and does not reflect everyone, however, there are a lot of people who can speak to the same experiences as I, so this is way more common that you might imagine. I'm still working through and healing from a lot of it and while it is still painful at times, I'm also grateful for my experiences and my past because this is me and I can understand it and empathize with those who are still in it and those who are breaking free.

Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada. We talk a lot about being thankful for what we have and how important that is but do we really know how? I know for many years, I would say I was grateful for something but then complain about it the next minute. I wasn't embodying thankfulness and I wasn't living with gratitude. It is more than saying it. When we start to attach feelings to what we are grateful for, it becomes so much more than the words. And living with gratitude can start to change our lives in better and healthier ways.

Are you aware when judgment pops up in your life? Whether it's directed at others for their actions or appearance, or turned inward as self-criticism, judgment can have a significant impact on us. I know judgment well. It was a big part of my environment growing up and it became ingrained in my mindset. I judged everyone around me but none more harshly than myself. This created a major roadblock in my life for many years. Understanding ourselves and knowing the triggers behind those thoughts and feelings is a huge step in moving away from being judgmental. Adopting compassion and letting go of perfectionism and comparison and focusing on our personal growth are essential steps in this transformative journey.

Can labels serve a purpose? YESCan labels also create limitations and judgment?YESLet's dive in!

"If nothing changes, nothing changes" This is a true statement but we must also recognize that it can sometimes be used to pressure us into making decisions that do not align with who we are. Often, people suggest we push through discomfort by changing our mindset, but it’s crucial to discern whether this discomfort comes from fear or if its our intuition signaling that something isn’t right.Change is naturally uncomfortable, and our bodies resist it. However, when we pursue what truly aligns with us, it may feel scary but also undeniably right. The key is to trust our inner knowing and not force ourselves into paths that don’t feel aligned. Meaningful change comes from a place of authenticity, self-awareness, and courage. It’s about embracing change that feels both challenging and deeply right, rather than conforming to others' expectations.We can learn to trust our journey, embrace growth, and make decisions that resonate with our true selves. This may take time and it takes knowing yourself but do not give up hope. It is possible.

Last week, I was listening to a live talk on the Noom Vibe app by podcaster and Recovery Mentor, Martin Jon Garcia. He does the "Tao of the Day" and you can pick a number between 1 and 81 to get the Tao of the Day. I went up as a guest on his live and it was such an encouraging talk that challenged me. I picked the number 7 and this is what MartinJon read to me:#7 – The Wisdom of Not Having PreferenceTao is infinite.It doesn’t grow old or tired.Because it has no preference for itself. It can always persist.The master puts her self lastAnd always finds herself first. By being detached from preference.She can give herself to what isAnd find fulfillment there. I broke down crying because this spoke to me as I just want to “arrive” already. Some days I want to forgo the journey and be in a place of complete healing and be like those people who are so eloquent and who are in a much better place. But like they say “the joy is in the journey” and detach yourself from this idea of “arriving”. You can check out MartinJon at his website: www.martinjon.comDownload the Noom Vibe app:Apple:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/noom-vibe-healthy-habits/id1576484544Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.socialaudio.wisdom&hl=en_US&pli=1