Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

While giving is often energizing, there are definitely times when it’s draining. Or even upsetting. It can leave you feeling taken advantage of, or unappreciated. And that doesn’t feel good. In addition, sometimes *your* giving can make the person you’re trying to give to feel bad--micromanaged, or like you think they aren’t capable. So today, let’s figure out how to keep giving in the realm of feeling good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of what being a better person means, I’m guessing that being generous is one of the first things that pops to mind. BUT, that’s not to say that we have to be 100% selfless, or always put others first, or give until it hurts. So, how do we find that balance? Let’s start by looking at the benefits of being generous–not for the other person, but for you. In today’s episode, I’m sharing some cool research findings on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of giving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I get that there is a lot of work that goes into holiday celebrations and it is so natural and tempting to kind of groan your way through them or talk about how you hate them. You may not feel 100% at peace with all the stuff you’ve got to do all the time, but even just remembering that you could choose to accept that this is just part of it can help you get to a place where you’re not hating every minute. ** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I want to talk specifically about how to navigate family gatherings. And to help with that, I’m interviewing Amy E. Smith, a life coach and communications specialist who specializes in all things self-worth and confidence. Amy has been on the show before sharing how to enforce a boundary without being a jerk. Her e-workbook is called "Stand Up for Yourself without Being a Dick," so I think you can see right there that she’s given this topic some serious thought--let’s find out what she’s got to share. I asked Amy: What is it about holiday gatherings with family that can make it such a stress fest?  What can we do well before the event is even here that will help things get off on a better foot?  Once you’re there, how do you get out of those fraught conversations with grace?  How do we maintain boundaries in a situation where we’re in a room with the people on this earth who know how to push our buttons the most? How can we actually enjoy ourselves at these gatherings, instead of merely endure them?  ** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve got a tool for you that will help you figure out what parts of the holiday you want to prioritize and which you might dial back on. It’s a priority-making matrix that I learned as a tool to help you figure out how to maximize your impact and reduce your stress at work, but it’s really cool to use it on your life stuff too. To make your own priority-making matrix, you need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil.** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't always have control over your environment, but you do have say over what goes on your body. Today I'm sharing my top 5 ways to keep yourself cozy as a baby lamb snuggled up to its mama, no matter where you are. As my favorite pin says, "Cozy does it."** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Environment is such a big piece of your wellbeing. It’s definitely worth taking a little time to set up your space for a little extra coziness. I promise these ideas are inexpensive and you likely already have things on hand that will help you execute them. ** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast is all about finding comfort and coziness. It’s just the time of year when it’s cold and dark (at least here in the Northern hemisphere), so craving feeling all toasty in snug is natural. But seeking coziness is more than just a comfort measure–it’s a survival mechanism that boosts all aspects of health. Yes! That throw blanket and those fuzzy socks really are giving you life!** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This one’s for all you verbal processors–people who have to talk about something in order to figure out what you really think about it (raising my own hand here). There’s just something about how you say stuff to another person that can come straight off the truth, like a wind that comes down a mountain. You’re not overthinking, you’re just talking and boom, there it is. Today I’m sharing three ways to get your verbal processing fix–one free, two that you pay for. For those times you need help thinking clearly, you’ve always got these three tools at your disposal!THERAPYZencare websitePsychology Today’s Therapist FinderCOACHESMelody Wilding’s website (executive coaching)Andrea J. Lee’s website (life and business coaching)Brittany Drozd’s website (small business and leadership coaching)My website (although you can email me at kate@katehanley.com or DM me on IG @katehanleyauthor)** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifierHelloFresh – Use promo code BETTERPERSONFREE to get free breakfast for life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you can tell that you’re not thinking clearly about something it can be so frustrating! Here’s what I’ve learned–it’s not trying to think the same thing, just harder, that helps you think more clearly. It’s thinking differently. Which…how do you do that exactly? I’ve got two questions to ask yourself that help you do just that. My interview with Andrea about breaking the cycle of angerMy interview with Andrea about separating moral outrage from personal outrageAndrea J Lee’s website** This episode sponsored by (thank you for supporting our sponsors!)**:Air Doctor – Use promo code BETTER to save up to $300 on this UltraHEPA air purifierHelloFresh – Use promo code BETTERPERSONFREE to get free breakfast for life! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices