In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James dive into the world of values—what they are, how they guide us, and why they’re essential for meaningful living. From personal stories to practical tips, they unpack how understanding and aligning with your values can transform your decisions, relationships, and daily life.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What are values, and why are they important?
• Personal and professional values: How they intersect and evolve.
• Practical exercises to uncover your values:
  • Reflect on who you admire and why.
  • Analyze how you spend your time and attention.
  • Ask the question: “What’s important to me?”
• Stories of how values shape decisions, from friendships to entrepreneurship.
• The role of values in creating purpose and achieving alignment in life.

Resources Mentioned:

The Breakthrough Experience by Dr. John Demartini

• Book: The Breakthrough Experience: A Revolutionary New Approach to Personal Transformation
• Seminar: The Breakthrough Experience Seminar
• Documentary: Breakthrough (2024) - IMDb

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

• Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
• Publisher's Page: Mindset by Carol S. Dweck - Penguin Random House Canada
• Author's Profile: Carol Dweck - Wikipedia

The Five Whys Method (Root Cause Analysis from Toyota)

The Five Whys Method (Root Cause Analysis from Toyota)

In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James dive into the pervasive stress in today’s world—what causes it, how to manage it, and why it’s a natural part of growth. From simple breathing techniques to cultivating daily rituals, this episode unpacks practical strategies to navigate pressure and emerge stronger. Tune in to explore how you can turn stress into a tool for growth and deeper meaning.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The global rise in stress and anxiety post-COVID.
• Recognizing acute stress vs. chronic stress.
• Tools for managing stress, including morning rituals, gratitude practices, and mindfulness.
• The importance of safe spaces and authentic expression.
• Shifting focus from self to others as a pathway to reducing stress.
• How stress and pressure can be catalysts for personal and professional growth.

Tools and Practices Mentioned:

• Morning Rituals: Meditation, exercise, journaling, and juicing.
• Breathing Techniques: Learn about mindful breathing from Huberman Lab.
• Vision Expansion Exercise: Open your peripheral vision to relax your nervous system.
• The ABCDE System for Optimism: From Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman.
• Meditation Resource: Vipassana Meditation.

Books and Experts Referenced:

• Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
• Tony Robbins on Emotional State
• Huberman Lab Podcast

In this episode of Meaningful Mischief, Mary, Stel, and James explore strengths—what they mean, how to uncover them, and why they are essential for a fulfilling and impactful life. From finding your flow state to leveraging your strengths in your career and relationships, this episode dives deep into understanding what makes you uniquely you.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What are strengths, and how do they differ from skills or hobbies?
• The role of flow state in discovering your strengths.
• Overdone strengths: When a strength becomes a blind spot.
• Using tools and assessments to uncover your strengths.
• The importance of aligning strengths with contribution and impact.

Tools Mentioned:

• Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI): SDI by Core Strengths
• Kolbe A Index: Kolbe A Index
• PRINT Assessment: PRINT Assessment by The Paul Hertz Group
• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni: Working Genius Assessment

Resources for Reflection:

• Ask 10 people what they think your strengths are.
• Reflect on past experiences where you felt in flow or deeply fulfilled.
• Journaling prompt: What gives you a sense of self-worth?