Today on the podcast I interview Jen Singer, a writer friend of mine who has survived cancer, Covid, and heart failure and who now writes books aimed at helping people–both those who have just been diagnosed, and the people who love them–deal with big, scary, illnesses. In this episode, Jen shares the things we tend to say to sick people that really aren’t that helpful, shares some ideas of what to say that actually help, and offers great ideas for how to really show up for people who are going through a health scare. Check out Jen’s Just Diagnosed GuidesFollow Jen on InstagramSupport this podcast by buying “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more!This episode sponsored by: Better Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are three questions you can keep in your back pocket that will make it super easy to check in with someone. This way, you won’t be at a loss for words–which is a big reason why we may be tempted to stay away when someone we know or love is going through something hard. I know you don’t want to say the wrong thing--so say these things instead.Support this podcast by buying “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more!This episode sponsored by: Better Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the podcast I’m replaying episodes that talk about how to be there for the folks in your life who are going through it–whatever it may be. The blues, anxiety, stress, illness, family stuff are all normal parts of life and we all get by with a little help from our friends (or family members, or neighbors). But just because it takes a village, it doesn’t mean that we automatically know how to be a helpful village person!Today’s big idea is that when someone you know and maybe love is facing something tough, it’s easy to want to help, but not so easy to know HOW to do that, exactly. Let's talk about the very most important--and powerful--thing you can do, that doesn’t even require you to say a thing.Support this podcast by buying “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more!This episode sponsored by: Better Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may not think that you’re making negative assumptions about other people–after all, most of us know that to assume makes an “ass” out of “u” and “me. But, trust me, your brain is filling in a lot of blanks about the people you encounter every day, and probably in a fairly ungenerous and judgmental way.Today's quick-hit helps with that. It’s a mantra I remind myself of again and again and again. It always helps.Go shop for “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more! This episode sponsored by:Better HelpNutrafol promo code “BETTER” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saying thank you is about more than being polite--it's about training yourself to look for the good, even in situations that are otherwise neutral or even negative. It helps you re-wire your brain, which is trained to look for and remember the bad. So–what kinds of unusual stuff can you muster up some gratitude for today? Go shop for “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more! This episode sponsored by:Better HelpNutrafol promo code “BETTER” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably say the words “how are you?” a few times a day without thinking much about it. But if you put just a little more oomph in to that question, you create a really cool and powerful opportunity to connect with another human–and that really helps you feel like a better person.Come get all the guidance you need to have a moment that fills both your cups. Go shop for “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more! This episode sponsored by:Better HelpNutrafol promo code “BETTER” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re in a hurry it’s easy to wish everyone would just get out of your way already. It’s a real “me first” state of mind: “Please step to the side so that I may get to my very important destination!”Today's quick hit can help you pull yourself out of that subconscious way of thinking, and potentially even make someone else's day (which feels just as good to you as it does to them).Go shop for “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more! This episode sponsored by:Better HelpNutrafol promo code “BETTER” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast recently celebrated its third birthday and passed a million downloads!!Whoop whoop!!We’ve also gained a lot of new listeners over the last couple of weeks, so this week I’m taking it back to basics and re-sharing episodes that offer one quick, practical, and impactful thing to do to help you feel like a better person who is making the world a better place. Today’s quick hit is to look people in the eye. This may seem like no big deal, or like it doesn’t have anything to do with being a better person, but listen in for how much it matters. Go shop for “I Give a Shit” and “Be Kind” mugs, tees, hoodies, totebags and more!This episode sponsored by: Better HelpNutrafol promo code “BETTER” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever wish you could get a clear sign of the universe about what you should do in a certain situation? The current obsession I’m sharing with you today helps you do just that. Which is why I’m obsessed with it. What’s your current obsession?? Come share it on the aptly-named Running List of Current Obsessions Google sheet! This episode sponsored by: Better Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s come to this, I’m afraid. I’m currently obsessed with a household appliance. A vacuum cleaner, to be exact. But I have never vacuumed so much in my life, and certainly never had fun while I was doing it. Come hear what happened when I showed it to my mom. What’s your current obsession?? Come share it on the aptly-named Running List of Current Obsessions Google sheet! This episode sponsored by: Better HelpWOZtvfes9wXe35WouoDn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices