Last 8% Morning - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I’ve had a lot of amazing educational experiences in my life, and at 47 this is hands down the missing piece I’ve needed. It couldn’t come at a better time as I said goodbye to my dad (mom died in 2011) after a several year battle with behavior variant frontal lobe dementia (bvFTD). I got through, and even thrived at times, but this level of awareness is helping me overcome so much and making my relationships with others so much better.

I’ve tried multiple treatments to overcome or lessen the effects of depression and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy, intense physical exercise, prescriptions, and other forms of self-help like meditation, Internal Family Systems, and taking the Dale Carnegie course, all have worked to a degree and some better than others, but this podcast is by far the most helpful in that it provides the steps for you to gain an understanding of when your emotions erupt, to take a step back to assess what is happening, and then behave, not by your emotional response, but according to a set of identity statements that you create for yourself.

If something bad happens, how do you want to show up? That’s fairly easy to answer, but how do you overcome whatever is holding you back? These meditations give you the tools to become that person. The methods are based on the experience of the team at IHHS, who’ve been in practice for years, and scientific evidence. They’ve put together this method and successfully trained professsionsl athletes, military, and frontline medical personnel to be at their best in the most difficult circumstances. For them, hiding from reality or behaving emotionally and out of control will lead to failure, just as it will for you.

By walking 15-20 minutes and listening to the podcast each morning, you’ll be introduced to a key idea each time that you’ll find yourself returning to during the course of your day. Over time this gradual learning builds your understanding of practices to follow that, based on research, will help you to take control of your emotions. You won’t stop feeling them, but you will have a better relationship with your emotions, yourself, and everyone you interact with. For me, it’s meant leading a happier, more confident, and more productive life.

One disclaimer to make is that I am not cured of depression or anxiety. But they don’t control me as much as they used to, and I am much kinder to myself when I am down, so it’s easier to refresh and start again, resilient to challenges and open to change.

I am only a few episodes in, but I find my mind “craving” the peacefulness of the podcast and craving time to be able to take a walk. I enjoy the drip-learning method, since it is gentle enough that I am still able to concentrate on my breathing and being present with my feet as I walk.

I am on the other side of the pandemic from when these first episodes were published, but the guidance on how we train ourselves to behave under pressure is timeless. As a hospital chaplain, I find this invaluable, as most homegrown resiliency programs I see offered to our hospital staff are unfocused and have little long-term success.

I have been listening to JP’s podcasts and this is my week 3 and I can say it has helped me focus on things that are important versus the noise my mind makes all the time. It definitely gives you tools to have in your bag to deal with difficult situations. Thank you for the insightful sessions. I am every day feeling grateful for these podcasts.