Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

Today I’m talking about a powerful way to simplify during a time when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Whenever you’re facing a challenge, it’s really common to think, I have to figure out an all-new strategy! I need to start doing this new thing! And thinking in this new way! And figure out things that I’ve never figured out before! When really, you’ve probably been in a similar situation before, and there were things you did then that helped. This is one of the benefits of being an adult. For many things that you experience, it’s no longer your first rodeo. So before you go knocking yourself out to figure out what new skills or approaches you need, spend a little time thinking about what’s helped you in the past. It’s how you learn from your own experiences. Kinda like self-mentorship!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

I’m devoting this week of episodes to simplifying. I mean, life is complicated enough. To be clear, it’s not like you can engineer all complexity out of your life. But there are ways you can make things more simple and give yourself a little extra space to think.When you’re at a point where the idea of simplifying is sounding good to you, it’s tempting to want to change a bunch of things–cancel plans, maybe declutter a closet or two, extricate yourself from some commitments, and maybe try to add in some basic self-care things. It’s all good stuff to do, no question. BUT, if you try to do all those things at once, or within a tight span of time, it gets to be a LOT. Here’s how to keep it simple. Or at least, simpler. 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

Wanting to help someone who’s in need of support IS honorable. But what it ISN’T, is about you. You are not the solution for their problems, nor is it your responsibility to solve their problems for them.I think this is another reason why we sometimes resist reaching out to someone in need of help–we fear that we won’t actually be able to help, or that we might get overwhelmed by the amount of help they need. I share a helpful analogy that can help get your head on straight about what your ultimate goal is.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

One of the beneficial roles we can play as someone’s friend or loved one is to notice them. Not judge them, or rate their appearance, but just take in their presence. In this episode, I’ll share some common signs that someone might be having a hard time with life.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

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