From Material Obsession to Inner Joy - Kathleen Cruger (ep. 965)

In today’s heart‑warming episode we sit down with Kathleen Kruger, the creator behind the children’s picture book Thankful Frankie. From her own leap of faith—leaving a stable teaching career in Chicago for a fresh start in Los Angeles—to discovering the transformative power of a nightly gratitude habit, Kathleen shares how listing just five to ten things she’s grateful for each night reshaped her anxiety, focus, and overall outlook on life.

We explore the inspiration behind Thankful Frankie: a story of a toy‑obsessed little fox who loses his treasured stash, only to discover that joy lives far beyond material possessions. Through Frankie’s journey, Kathleen reveals why teaching kids (and their parents) to pause, reflect, and express thanks is more vital than ever—especially in a world saturated with consumerism, environmental challenges, and constant comparison.

Listeners will hear:

• Kathleen’s personal shift from a high‑pressure educator to a yoga‑loving, music‑making author.
• The science of gratitude, including how the practice lowers anxiety, boosts presence, and even fuels risk‑taking for a more authentic life.
• Practical tools from the book’s final pages—conversation starters and journaling prompts that turn reading time into an active gratitude practice for families.
• Why inner success matters more than outward symbols of achievement, and how modeling gratitude at home can spark lasting habits in children aged 3‑5 (and even younger).

Stay tuned for actionable tips, heartfelt stories, and a reminder that true happiness isn’t found in the newest gadget—it’s cultivated daily through simple, mindful gratitude. Grab your headphones, hit that follow button, and let’s dive into a conversation that could change the way you—and the little ones in your life—see the world.

Resources:

Kathleen's website: https://www.kathleencruger.com/

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What's your #1 takeaway from this interview? Would love to hear from you in the comments section on Spotify & Youtube!

Timestamps:

• 01:27 – 02:02 | Kathleen’s background: Los Angeles life, yoga teaching, music, and writing her first children’s book.
• 02:02 – 02:41 | Creative‑career reality: challenges of being an artist and the need for light‑hearted outlets.
• 02:41 – 03:18 | External stressors (fires, violence) and how they affect creativity; the role of gratitude as a counterbalance.
• 03:18 – 04:27 | Transition from survival mode to gratitude‑driven creativity.
• 04:27 – 05:00 | Kathleen’s personal shift: leaving a stressful teaching job in Chicago for a new life in LA.
• 05:00 – 05:33 | Anxiety after the move and the discovery of a nightly gratitude habit (5‑10 things).
• 05:33 – 06:26 | Effects of the habit: reduced anxiety, more positive mornings, and the seed for Thankful Frankie.
• 06:26 – 07:08 | Why gratitude matters for kids: providing a “soft skill” alongside academic success.
• 07:08 – 07:53 | Impact on parents: modeling gratitude and its ripple effect on children.
• 07:53 – 08:45 | Leadership analogy: “lead by example” in gratitude practice.
• 08:45 – 09:27 | Plot overview of Thankful Frankie: Frankie’s love of toys and the loss of the toy pack.
• 09:27 – 10:44 | Lesson from the story: material things are fleeting; gratitude reveals true happiness.
• 10:44 – 11:26 | Societal focus on wealth vs. inner fulfillment; gratitude as a path to the latter.
• 11:26 – 12:09 | Two kinds of success: outward (money, status) vs. inner (daily gratitude habits).
• 12:09 – 12:50 | Kathleen’s teaching experience with older kids and a brief return to younger children.
• 12:50 – 13:37 | Learning from younger students: their pure love for life and how it inspired the book.
• 13:37 – 14:37 | Target age range: 3‑5 years (readable to younger kids too) and lifelong habit potential.
• 14:37 – 16:29 | Critique of “external success” education; importance of life‑skills like gratitude.
• 16:29 – 17:57 | Research on money & happiness: beyond a certain income, gratitude matters more.
• 17:57 – 18:21 | How gratitude reshaped Kathleen’s view of life and productivity.
• 18:21 – 19:51 | Being present: gratitude helped prioritize family, relationships, and meaningful experiences.
• 19:51 – 21:00 | Risk‑taking & freedom: letting go of material expectations to live aligned with values.
• 21:00 – 21:57 | Favorite book feature: end‑pages with journal prompts for kids & adults to discuss gratitude.
• 21:57 – 23:19 | Using prompts to spark conversations, teach self‑reflection, and build a habit together.

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