Staying Power

Leaning Into Our Learning Curves

Episode 125: Leaning Into Our Learning Curves Learning new things can be intimidating yet fun, challenging yet liberating. Navigating the "learning curve" of something new depends on our ability to confront and move through discomfort in the moment for the benefits of growth and maturation in the future. Why do we often resist such discomfort? How can we better accept the challenges and fears that come with learning new things? How can we help others navigate their own learning curves? All those questions are the subject of today's episode, which begins with a story of something JDK is experiencing in real time in his own life. Take a listen and see what you think of all that gets discussed in this episode - and there is a lot to take in!  And be sure to check out the fine work done by our sponsor, Pars Revive Renovation! https://parsrenovation.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Don’t Screw This Up (And Why That Backfires)

Episode 124: “Don’t Screw This Up (And Why That Backfires)” Have you ever told yourself, “Don’t mess this up”…right before doing exactly that? In this episode of Staying Power, Ashley and JD explore how our internal language shapes our performance, behavior, and emotional state. Drawing from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and performance research, they unpack why focusing on what we want to avoid often backfires — and how shifting toward clear, positive intention can open the door to better outcomes. Because your brain doesn’t just hear what you don't want… it builds around what you focus on. And be sure to check out the fine work done by our sponsor, Pars Revive Renovation! https://parsrenovation.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

When ‘Independence’ Becomes Armor

Episode 123: “When ‘Independence’ Becomes Armor” When people let us down, it can feel empowering to say, “I’m becoming more independent” or “I’m setting better boundaries.” And sometimes that’s exactly what’s happening. But sometimes, what we call independence is actually grief. What we call boundaries is actually bitterness. And what we call self-protection is slowly becoming self-isolation. In this episode of Staying Power, Ashley and JD explore how disappointment can harden into guardedness, why the COVID years and social media may have intensified this pattern, and how to move from rebellion and resentment into healthier discernment, connection, and self-trust. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Circling Back to the 12 Mis-steps

Episode 122: Circling Back to the 12 Mis-steps This week, Staying Power welcomes back K’ai Roberts Fu, speaker and author of the newly-released “12 Mis-steps: How Twelve-Step Programs Trip Up Trauma Survivors." In a wide ranging conversation about the book and about her life since her last visit to the show (Episode 063), K’ai shares her journey to finishing and releasing the book, along with important insights about herself and about public and professional responses to her vocal critique of the harm twelve-step programs can inflict on trauma survivors. Her book, endorsed by prominent authors and experts including Dr. Aimie Apigian, Lance Dodes, Johann Hari, and Maia Szalavitz, is finding its audience, and for good reason – because it resonates with the experiences of many trauma survivors and the therapists seeking to help them. You can become part of that audience and join a conversation that is only going to get bigger… After listening to the conversation, hop over to Amazon and order your own copy – and you can even read an extended sample before doing so: https://a.co/d/00b0IqJI And to connect with K’ai yourself, be sure to follow her on social media: -Website: https://kairobertsfu.com/ -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kairobertsfuauthor12missteps/ -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kairobertsfu/ Lastly, be sure to check out the fine work done by our sponsor, Pars Revive Renovation! https://parsrenovation.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Why We Hold Ourselves Back

Episode 121: “Why We Hold Ourselves Back” What if the biggest limits in your life aren’t external — but internal? In this episode of Staying Power, Ashley and JD explore the science behind scarcity and abundance mindsets, and why our brains are wired to play it safe — often at the cost of growth. Drawing from neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and performance research, they unpack how past experiences shape our sense of what’s possible, why we self-sabotage, and how to expand our thinking in grounded, practical ways. Because abundance isn’t about wishful thinking — it’s about changing what you see, what you attempt, and what you allow. Be sure to visit our sponsor, the amazing people at parsrenovation.com! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].