Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting

Optimal Living Daily | Greg Audino
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Jun 19, 2025 • 7min

2629: Parenting is Not What I Expected! What Happened? By Kristena Eden of Core Living Essentials on Advice for Parents

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2629: Stephanie Wiggins explores the raw emotional terrain of parenthood, unraveling the often-unspoken reality that parenting rarely matches our expectations. With unflinching honesty, she sheds light on the grief, identity shifts, and deep personal growth that emerge when we embrace the gap between idealized visions and lived experience. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://corelivingessentials.com/parenting-is-not-what-i-expected-what-happened/ Quotes to ponder: "Parenting, for me, was not what I expected - and no one really warned me." "There was grief. Deep grief. And anger, too." "I had to go back and rescue myself from the pressure of perfection." Episode references: The Conscious Parent: https://www.amazon.com/Conscious-Parent-Transforming-Ourselves-Empowering/dp/1897238452 Hold On to Your Kids: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Your-Kids-Parents-Matter/dp/0375760288 Raising Good Humans: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Good-Humans-Conflict-Reducing/dp/1684033888 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 18, 2025 • 7min

2628: Crafting an Escape Plan for Your Grief by Shelby Forsythia on Self-Love and Healing

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2628: Shelby Forsythia shares a deeply practical and compassionate approach to managing anticipatory grief by creating a personal escape plan for when devastating news arrives. This strategy helps transform unpredictable emotional overwhelm into a sequence of intentional, self-loving actions that offer safety, stability, and support during life's hardest moments. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://medium.com/@shelbyforsythia/crafting-an-escape-plan-for-your-grief-5e3e2d48ffe7 Quotes to ponder: "A grief escape plan is a premeditated plan of exactly what you want to take place after you get the call." "A grief escape plan is a form of self-love that goes beyond the bubble bath." "This is an exercise in creating a loving safety net for yourself." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 17, 2025 • 9min

2627: [Part 2] 5 No BS Tips on How to Talk to Anyone. The Real Truth by Renee Benes of The Fun Sized Life on Intentional Listening

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2627: Renee Benes shares how truly connecting with others starts by shifting from self-focused narratives to deep, intentional listening. Through relatable stories and grounded spiritual insights, she invites us to embrace our shared humanity, release judgment, and begin with compassion, for others and ourselves. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com/talk-to-anyone/ Quotes to ponder: "If you remember, that's ok. If you forget, that's OK." "When one tree falls, the rest don't gradually shift their roots away from their fallen brother." "Embrace the dark parts of you and allow them to intermingle with the light parts." Episode references: The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 16, 2025 • 9min

2626: [Part 1] 5 No BS Tips on How to Talk to Anyone. The Real Truth by Renee Benes of The Fun Sized Life on Anxiety

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2626: Renee Benes dismantles common myths about social anxiety and connection, revealing how real conversation starts by letting go of ego and self-focus. By challenging internal narratives and cultural conditioning, she offers grounded, uncomfortable truths that empower you to connect more deeply with others, starting with a genuine desire to know them, not impress them. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com/talk-to-anyone/ Quotes to ponder: "Other people's movement tends to make us hyper-aware of our stagnation, and in an attempt to justify our lack of action, we simply talk poorly about others." "Whenever I found myself lost in a thought spiral, I am instantly transported out of the moment, and my consciousness is so lost in my mind, concerned with whatever new thing I have found to concern myself with." "No one in the history of the world actually knew what they were doing, they just made up everything as they went along and then handed down that made up stuff to their ancestors, AKA you." Episode references: Bob Proctor on paradigms: https://www.proctorgallagherinstitute.com/22787/what-is-a-paradigm Presence by Amy Cuddy: https://www.amazon.com/Presence-Bringing-Boldest-Biggest-Challenges/dp/0316256579 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 15, 2025 • 9min

2625: Do You Want To Date People Who Don't Want To Date You By Evan Marc Katz on Dating Advice

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2625: Evan Marc Katz explores the painful but liberating truth about romantic expectations and the importance of mutual desire in relationships. Through a candid coaching conversation, he highlights how fixating on unavailable partners can sabotage love, urging us instead to focus on those who are truly open to loving us back. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.evanmarckatz.com/blog/dating-tips-advice/do-you-want-to-date-people-who-dont-want-to-date-you Quotes to ponder: "It doesn't matter what she wanted, there's no relationship to discuss." "You can only be the best person that you can be, and hope to attract the person that wants YOU, flaws and all." "Focus on the men who want you, and you'll find a man you want as well." Episode references: BeachBound: https://www.beachbound.com Match.com: https://www.match.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 15, 2025 • 9min

2624: 7 Signs You're Highly Sensitive (and How to Keep It From Holding You Back) by Luis Congdon on Self-Care and Growth

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2624: Luis Congdon explores what it means to be a highly sensitive person (HSP), highlighting key traits like emotional absorption, sensory sensitivity, and overstimulation. With practical strategies for self-care and insight into how sensitivity can be a strength rather than a weakness, this reflection helps listeners better understand themselves or the sensitive people in their lives. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/signs-highly-sensitive-how-to-keep-it-from-holding-you-back/ Quotes to ponder: "I used to feel guilty about asking my friends to turn off their fluorescent lights. Now I know that it's essential that I make this small request to feel good in my skin." "Crying more often than the average person is a perfectly natural result of feeling everything more intensely." "The most essential thing for an HSP is to honor your needs whenever they arise." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 14, 2025 • 8min

2623: Money and Marriage: How We Manage Our Finances by Amanda Kruse with Women Who Money

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2623: Amanda Kruse shares 25 years of lessons learned managing money within her marriage, emphasizing how consistent communication, shared financial goals, and evolving strategies built long-term trust and success. Her story highlights the power of transparency and teamwork over perfection, offering practical tools couples can adapt to align their values with their spending. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://womenwhomoney.com/how-we-manage-our-finances-couple/ Quotes to ponder: "Combining finances seemed like the best option for us. So after getting married, we viewed it as 'our' money, and that's how it's been ever since." "Even when we both earn money, we pretend like we only have one income." "Through it all, we discussed money with honesty and transparency. And after many conversations about our future, we set shared financial goals." Episode references: Equifax Credit Reports: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ Tiller Money: https://www.tillerhq.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 13, 2025 • 7min

2622: Why Getting Outside, and Doing New Things, Makes Your Kids Happy by Jay and Heather Harrington of Life And Whim

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2622: Jay and Heather Harrington make a compelling case for prioritizing outdoor experiences with kids, emphasizing how nature and novelty foster deeper happiness and family connection than material things ever could. Backed by research, their perspective shows how simple planning and shared creativity can transform family life and strengthen emotional well-being. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.lifeandwhim.com/first-moments-blog/2018/outside-kids-new-experiences Quotes to ponder: "You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you." "Memories born out of experiences form emotional 'anchors' that give kids comfort during tough times, they promote brain development, and they help forge close bonds between family members." "Creating something doesn't require a table saw, ladder, and carpentry skills, it just means working with your kids on something simple outside that your kids care about and, consequently, will care for." Episode references: The Science of Giving Experiences, Not Things - Cindy Chan: https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/FacultyAndResearch/Faculty/FacultyBios/Chan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 12, 2025 • 8min

2621: Why Pregnancy and Postpartum Can Trigger Eating Disorder Relapse by Crystal Karges on Nutrition Advice when Pregnant

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2621: Crystal Karges compassionately unpacks how pregnancy and postpartum can reactivate eating disorder behaviors, even after recovery. By shedding light on physical, emotional, and social triggers often left unspoken, she reminds women that needing extra support during this time is not weakness, but a vital part of healing. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.crystalkarges.com/blog/why-pregnancy-and-postpartum-can-trigger-eating-disorder-relapse Quotes to ponder: "Awareness helps you understand that you aren't alone, nor are you failing in your recovery." "Pregnancy and birth are transformative: physical, emotionally, and mentally, though the physical changes are what may feel most apparent." "Even with all the triggers you might be experiencing, it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and baby while remaining in eating disorder recovery." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jun 11, 2025 • 8min

2620: Royal Wedding, Shloyal Fledding by Mr. Money Mustache on Marriage and Money Advice

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2620: Mr. Money Mustache challenges the culture of extravagant spending on weddings by spotlighting the financial consequences of prioritizing appearances over substance. He offers a refreshing, rational perspective on how celebrating love can be joyful, meaningful, and debt-free - ultimately freeing couples to focus on what truly matters. Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/08/17/royal-wedding-shloyal-fledding/ Quotes to ponder: "A wedding is just a party, and a party does not have to cost tens of thousands of dollars." "Life gets much better when you stop trying to impress others and just live according to your own values." "You can have a rich life, or you can have a rich-looking life. Pick one." Episode references: Your Money or Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0143115766 The Millionaire Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Thomas-Stanley/dp/1589795474 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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