In this inspiring episode, Steve Stein sits down with acclaimed author and mindset expert Karen Salmansohn for an in-depth conversation about her upcoming book, "Year to Die for Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret Before Your Time Runs Out." Karen and Steve explore how mortality awareness can catalyze a life well-lived, waking us up from autopilot to tap into deeper authenticity, gratitude, and actionable joy.

• Near Life Experiences vs. Truly Living:
  Karen explains how many of us go through our days on autopilot—scrolling mindlessly, distracted, and missing out on real, vibrant life. She shares strategies for waking up and savoring every moment.

• The Power of Mortality Awareness:
  Inspired by her father's passing, Karen reveals how pondering life's finiteness isn't morbid—it's motivating. Knowing our time is limited helps us act with greater urgency and intention.

• Writing Your Own Eulogy & "To Die" List:
  Karen introduces practical exercises like writing your own eulogy (with a fun, Mad Libs-inspired template!) and creating a "To Die List"—a collection of what truly matters most.

• Core Values for a Meaningful Life:
  Explore Karen's seven core values (Authentic, Brave, Curious, Discerning, Empathic Love, Fun, Gratitude) and learn how aligning your daily habits with these values helps reduce regret and boost fulfillment.

• Identity-Based Habits:
  How embracing positive self-identity and values leads to powerful, lasting behavioral change.

• Daily Practices to Cultivate Mindfulness:
  Accessible tools such as gratitude rituals in the morning, "speed bumps" (moments of awareness during the day), visual meditations, and journaling for self-reflection.

• Mortality Marble Jar:
  Karen introduces a visual monthly ritual—removing a marble for each month left in your projected life—which brings heightened appreciation and increased mindfulness to each day.

• Building Meaningful Relationships:
  Why time spent intentionally with those you love, and the ripples you leave, matter above all else.

• Simple morning meditations to start your day with gratitude and intention

• How to use speed bumps and discernment to pause and make more meaningful daily choices

• Fun, engaging habits like the "fun jar" and monthly self-reflection with marbles

• Journaling prompts to deepen self-awareness and discover what matters most

• "A spoonful of humor helps the psychological tools go down."

• "Mortality awareness isn't morbid—it's motivating."

• "The more you 'you' you are, the happier you'll be."

• Karen's Website: notsalmon.com

• Preorder the Book: yourtodieforlife.com

• SurfingTheTsunami.com – Wisdom Feed Plus Membership

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Welcome back to another insightful episode of the StreetSmart Wisdom Podcast. I'm your host, Steve Stein, and today we delve into the realm of mental resilience and inner strength with our exceptional guest, Melli O'Brien. Melli, cofounder of mindfulness.com and an esteemed educator and coach in mental health, joins us to explore the concept of "Deep Resilience."

In this episode, we discuss her upcoming book, "Deep Resilience: A Four Step Journey to Unshakable Inner Strength," and dive into the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual strength in navigating the ever-changing, often challenging world we live in today. Melli shares her unique RISE method, aimed at teaching skills to recognize and regulate thoughts and emotions, inhabit the present moment, stay connected to values, and take empowered action.

We also delve into practical exercises like anchoring, which help cultivate states of inner calm and presence. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for a conversation filled with wisdom, practical tips, and strategies to help you rise to life's challenges with resilience and grace.

TIMESTAMP:

00:00 "Street Smart Wisdom Podcast Intro"

04:17 Resilience Patterns in Adversity

10:44 "Deep Resilience Method Overview"

14:57 Mastering Skills Through Practice

17:43 Practice of Anchoring for Stress Management

19:37 Anchoring for Authentic Well-being

24:13 Find Calm Through Breath

29:13 "Embrace Inner Calm"

33:19 Anchoring Practice for Mind Clarity

36:39 Mindfulness Needs Humor

39:10 Recognize and Regulate the Mind

42:46 Humor for Diffusion and Redirection

45:13 Tony Robbins' Power Move Mindset

50:02 Deep Resilience: Embodied Mindfulness Practice

53:50 Join WisdomFeed Plus Community

54:52 "Surfing the Tsunami: Get Started"

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Welcome back to another enriching episode of the StreetSmart Wisdom Podcast! I'm your host, Steve Stein, and today we have a transformative conversation with our esteemed guest, Mark Matousek. In this episode titled "Mark Matousek on Emerson's Path to Self-Reliance and Spiritual Consciousness," we dive deep into the timeless wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson and explore how his philosophies on self-reliance, nonconformity, and spiritual democracy can illuminate our paths today.

Mark, the author of the insightful book "Lessons from an American Stoic: How Emerson Can Change Your Life," shares invaluable lessons on accessing inner wisdom without the need for external permission, and discusses Emerson's relevance in an age overwhelmed by social media and societal pressures. We examine how personal connection to the divine is accessible to everyone, supported by practical spiritual exercises inspired by stoicism to enhance self-awareness.

Together, we navigate the importance of grounding oneself to maintain authenticity, the benefits of taking breaks from social influences, and the profound impact of spending quality introspective time. We also touch on the powerful stoic practice of "viewing from above," reframing life's challenges into opportunities for growth, demonstrating how imagination can reshape our realities.

Join us as we traverse through Emerson's critical ideas on personal wellness, individuality, and the sacred marriage of opposites, alongside insights into Matousek's personal journey influenced by figures like James Hillman and their shared mission to reduce suffering through self-discovery and mindfulness. Don't miss this enlightening episode, providing you with essential tools to thrive in today's complex world.

Remember to check out Mark Matousek's work at markmatousek.com and join our community at WisdomFeed Plus for more resources on personal development, health, and wellness. Tune in and empower yourself with some StreetSmart wisdom!

TIMESTAMP:

00:00 Street Smart Wisdom: Inspirational and vetted content.

04:13 Emerson's ideas offer relevant guidance for today.

08:42 Transcendentalism: Personal divine experience over religious institutions.

10:57 Traditions not needed for spiritual enlightenment.

16:12 Grounded wisdom, Emerson's impact, accessible stoicism.

18:21 Being true to oneself is life's greatest achievement.

20:57 Being eccentric is valuable; individuality fosters creativity.

24:01 Engaged quiet time for self-reflection.

28:33 Stoicism focused on reducing suffering, like CBT.

32:09 Finding opportunity in adversity brings positive change.

36:17 Empowerment comes from changing victim mindset.

37:51 Be present; avoid living life on autopilot.

43:54 Emerson: Embrace contradictions, form unique originality.

45:50 Embrace contradictions; expand understanding and possibilities.

47:59 Opposites teach valuable lessons for reconciliation.

51:23 Join WisdomFeed Plus for wellness and community.

Connect with us:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/FBpageWF

Instagram: https://bit.ly/RealWisdomFeed WisdomFeed

Website: https://bit.ly/WisdomFeedHome BetterListen

Website: https://bit.ly/BetterListenWebsite