Shows
Soul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeWounded Helper, Heal Thyself: Inner Child Work for ProfessionalsSend us your thoughts!Feeling like you're constantly battling self-doubt in your professional life? The roots might be deeper than you realize. This transformative episode dives into the powerful connection between inner child work and developing unshakable self-trust—especially for those of us in helping professions.As professional helpers, we're experts at guiding clients through their wounds and struggles, yet often neglect how our own childhood experiences shape our professional identities. Your inner child—those aspects of yourself that developed during your early years—remains active within your psyche, influencing your reactions, beliefs, and emotional respon...2025-07-2831 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeYour Intuition Is Speaking. Are You Listening?Send us your thoughts!What if the most profound gift you could give your clients is something you struggle to give yourself? For those of us dedicated to helping others, there's a strange paradox at play: we excel at building trust with clients, yet often fail to extend that same unwavering trust to ourselves.Unconditional self-trust isn't about blind confidence or ignoring feedback. Instead, it represents an unshakable belief in your capacity, judgment, intuition, and resilience—even when facing self-doubt, challenging outcomes, or professional setbacks. This episode examines why trust erosion happens specifically in helping pr...2025-07-2126 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeThe Art and Science of Professional IntuitionSend us your thoughts!Your primary instrument is you. Just as no one wants a surgeon with a dull scalpel, no client deserves a helping professional who hasn't maintained their most essential tool—their own clarity of mind and intuitive capacity. Dr. Julie Merriman unpacks the profound connection between intentional self-care practices and our ability to maintain clarity and access our professional intuition. Rather than vague concepts, these qualities emerge as precise professional assets that directly impact our effectiveness and resilience in helping roles.Clarity, as explored in this episode, extends far beyond cle...2025-07-1427 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeYour Inner Voice Matters: Why Self-Communication Shapes Your External BoundariesSend us your thoughts!Your inner voice shapes your outer boundaries—but what happens when they're out of alignment? This essential exploration of boundaries delves beyond the surface level of simply saying "no" to others and into the profound connection between your throat chakra, self-communication, and external expression.For helping professionals and anyone struggling with burnout, these three interconnected pillars create the foundation for sustainable self-care. The throat chakra—your center for authenticity and expression—governs how you communicate with yourself and others. When balanced, you speak your truth confidently; when blocked, that familiar lump in you...2025-07-0730 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeSetting Limits from the Heart: The Throat Chakra ConnectionSend us your thoughts!Setting boundaries isn't just a skill—it's a vital energy practice connected to your throat chakra that prevents burnout and sustains your capacity to help others.When your throat chakra—the energy center of communication and self-expression located in your throat—is balanced and flowing, you speak your truth confidently, express needs clearly, and establish limits that honor your wellbeing. But when blocked, you'll likely struggle to say "no," feel perpetually unheard, or even develop physical symptoms in your throat.For helping professionals, this connection proves profoundly important. We readil...2025-06-3026 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeWhat does your communication style reveal about your inner truth?Send us your thoughts!Your voice matters—but are you using it in a way that truly reflects your authentic self? The throat chakra governs how we communicate, express ourselves, and share our truth with the world. When balanced, we speak clearly, feel heard, and honor our inner truth without shame. When blocked, we might swallow our words, speak excessively without listening, or let our truth emerge sideways through passive-aggressive comments.The way we communicate directly reflects our throat chakra's health. Passive communicators—those who avoid expressing feelings, apologize excessively, or defer to other...2025-06-2324 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeFinding Courage: The Journey to Authentic Self-ExpressionSend us your thoughts!Ever wonder why some days you can't find the right words—or courage—to express how you really feel? The answer might lie in your throat chakra.Dr. Julie Merriman takes us on a deeply personal journey through her decades-long struggle with authentic communication. Beginning with her childhood abandonment when her mother left with a rock band in the 1970s, she reveals how early rejection created patterns of conflict avoidance and people-pleasing that blocked her throat chakra for years. This energy center, located at the base of the throat, governs not just...2025-06-1629 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeShow Up, Speak Up, No Apologies: Why Your Throat Chakra MattersSend us your thoughts!Struggling to express yourself authentically? Constantly apologizing for having needs? Your throat chakra might be blocked, and the consequences could be more serious than you realize.Dr. Julie Merriman dives deep into the throat chakra – the energy center that governs communication and self-expression. She reveals how our evolutionary history as "herd humans" created deep-seated fears of judgment and confrontation that many of us still carry today. When we stuff down our needs and silence our voices, we're not just compromising our relationships; we're potentially endangering our health.Research from th...2025-05-1220 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeSelf-Talk Makeover: From Inner Critic to Best FriendSend us your thoughts!Ever wondered what truly lies at the heart of sustainable wellness? It all begins with how you treat yourself.Welcome to a soul-nourishing exploration of the heart chakra and its profound connection to self-relationship. This week, we're diving deep into what it means to cultivate genuine, unconditional love for yourself—not as an act of selfishness, but as the foundation for all other relationships in your life.Many of us, especially those in helping professions, have been conditioned to believe self-focus is somehow selfish. I invite you to question wh...2025-05-0519 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeEmbracing Your Flaws: The Power of Being Perfectly ImperfectSend us your thoughts!The crushing weight of perfectionism affects so many of us, subtly draining our energy while convincing us that we're never quite good enough. Perfectionism doesn't just rob us of joy—it's a direct pathway to burnout, compassion fatigue, and a disconnection from our authentic selves.Drawing from both clinical expertise and personal experience, Dr. Julie Merriman explores how perfectionism infiltrates our lives, whether through academic pressure, professional expectations, or harsh self-criticism about our appearance and abilities. She shares how her own journey involved moving past the need for straight A's during he...2025-04-2817 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeYour Amygdala Is Listening: What Are You Telling Yourself Today?Send us your thoughts!Your heart chakra holds the key to experiencing true soul joy. This week, we're continuing our exploration of the heart chakra by diving into the transformative practices of self-compassion and gratitude – two essential components of sustainable wellness care.Did you know your amygdala – that little almond-shaped structure in your brain – is constantly listening to how you speak to yourself? When we practice harsh self-judgment, this "lizard brain" actually works to make those negative thoughts our reality. But there's a beautiful alternative. By speaking to ourselves with compassion and focusing on gratitude, we can...2025-04-2122 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeSacred Space Within: Holding Compassionate Room For Your TruthSend us your thoughts!The most foundational relationship in your life isn't with your partner, friends, or family—it's with yourself. In this deeply personal exploration, I reveal how the relentless self-judgment that once dominated my thoughts became the catalyst for understanding the profound importance of "holding space" for ourselves.Many of us live in a state of perpetual self-criticism, mentally flagellating ourselves over every perceived misstep or imperfect interaction. This harsh internal dialogue creates a prison of self-loathing that makes it impossible to show up authentically in our relationships or work. Drawing from my ow...2025-04-1424 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeDecision Fatigue: Reclaim Your Mental EnergySend us your thoughts!Ever been asked "What's for dinner?" after a long day and felt your brain completely shut down? That's decision fatigue – the mental exhaustion that comes from making countless choices throughout your day. And for helping professionals making upwards of 40,000 decisions daily, it's a recipe for burnout.In this revealing episode, I pull back the curtain on my own painful experience with decision fatigue during a career transition. I share the embarrassing rollercoaster of changing my mind repeatedly about leaving my day job for private practice, all because decision fatigue had hijacked my...2025-04-0721 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeTrapped in Time: Breaking Free from the Overscheduling CycleSend us your thoughts!Time management isn't sexy, but it might be the secret key to your happiness and well-being. Drawing from personal experience, I share how I evolved from an exhausted overachiever cramming impossible to-do lists into each day to someone who now guards her mornings and evenings zealously for what truly matters.My journey reveals the hidden connection between time management and your solar plexus chakra—that energy center governing personal power and self-worth. When this energy is balanced, you can set boundaries, prioritize effectively, and finally kick guilt to the curb when sa...2025-03-3118 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeWhen Your Goals Are Met but Your Journey Isn't Over: Discovering New Life PurposesSend us your thoughts!The quest for purpose is a lifelong journey that evolves as we move through different life stages. What happens when you've achieved all your major life goals and that once-unquenchable fire in your belly begins to fade? This fascinating exploration of life purpose delves into the sometimes disorienting period that follows major achievements.Drawing from personal experience navigating the empty nest phase while enjoying a 34-year marriage to her "bestie," Dr. Julie Merriman offers profound insights into rediscovering purpose when your checklist of life goals has been completed. She shares her...2025-03-2415 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeFear: The Big Fat LiarSend us your thoughts!Fear is the silent thief that steals our joy, authenticity, and potential – and Dr. Julie Merriman isn't afraid to call it what it truly is: a big fat liar. Drawing from her own journey through paralyzing fear to empowered living, she offers both personal testimony and practical wisdom for anyone ready to stop letting fear dictate their choices.Dr. Merriman vulnerably shares how fear of rejection and abandonment kept her from living in her authentic skin for years. Having attended 13-14 different high schools before graduating, she experienced firsthand how unstable fo...2025-03-1714 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeMastering Your Personal PowerSend us your thoughts!Feeling like you're constantly breaking promises to yourself? That persistent self-betrayal isn't a character flaw—it's an energy imbalance in your solar plexus chakra. Today's soul-stirring exploration takes us to the powerhouse energy center in your upper belly that governs self-esteem, personal power, and integrity.We've all experienced that morning motivation that somehow evaporates by evening. You wake up determined to exercise, eat clean, or maintain boundaries, but by day's end, exhaustion and decision fatigue hijack your best intentions. This episode dives deep into why we struggle to keep our word to...2025-03-1015 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeIgnite Your Hot and Sexy CreativitySend us your thoughts!Step into a vibrant discussion on the importance of hot and sexy creativity in our lives as we explore its link to holistic wellness. Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we dive into how embracing our sexuality can become a key component of sustainable self-care, strengthening relationships and boosting resilience against burnout. Through personal anecdotes and relatable insights, I share my journey of maintaining passion and connection in a long-term marriage, illustrating how playfulness and creativity can bring couples closer together.We tackle the often-taboo topic of sexuality with directness and...2025-03-0316 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeFrom Burnout to BrillianceSend us your thoughts!What if recognizing and prioritizing your personal needs could be the key to unlocking your full potential and fostering resilience? Join Dr. Julie Merriman on SoulJoy as she shares invaluable insights from her book, "In Pursuit of Soul Joy," to guide professional helpers through the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. After a heartwarming recount of her recent family adventures in Montana, where laughter and sports filled the air, Dr. Merriman turns her focus to the vital importance of self-care. She extends a compassionate invitation to explore where you stand on...2024-12-2315 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeJourney to Joyful Living and Meaningful BondsSend us your thoughts!Rediscover the secret to a fulfilling life by engaging with the transformative power of holistic self-care, as shared by Dr. Julie Merriman. Through her personal journey of overcoming burnout, especially in the demanding field of helping professions, Dr. Merriman provides valuable insights into cultivating what she calls "SoulJoy." With heartwarming stories about her beloved horse, Rex, she beautifully illustrates the profound connections with our furry companions that can enhance our well-being and rejuvenate our spirits. Learn how to combat burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma by consistently practicing self-care strategies that empower you...2024-12-1820 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeRevitalizing Your Spirit with Balanced EnergiesSend us your thoughts!Ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, leaving you frazzled and drained? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I reveal how holistic and sustainable self-care can be your pathway to profound happiness and fulfillment. Drawing from my own experiences overcoming burnout and compassion fatigue, I'll share how balancing energies and reframing our brains can help us reclaim control over our destinies. Discover the surprising role that our beloved fur babies, like my horse Rex, play in nurturing our spirits, especially for those navigating the transition of an empty...2024-12-0920 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeRestoring Passion in The Helping ProfessionSend us your thoughts!After enduring a year marked by personal trials, including my husband's melanoma diagnosis and my own battle with breast cancer, I've gained a deeper understanding of the often-unseen challenges faced by those of us in the helping professions. I am Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode of SoulJoy, I open up about my journey through these hardships and the critical lessons I've learned about burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. These occupational hazards, if left unchecked, can severely impact our body, mind, and soul, stripping away the joy we once felt in...2024-12-0215 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeTransforming Stress into Soulful LivingSend us your thoughts!Ever wondered how first responder families celebrate the holidays amidst the chaos of service demands? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unpack the emotional complexities faced by professional helpers and explore holistic self-care strategies to combat burnout and compassion fatigue. As we approach the holiday season, emotions can run high, and understanding how they manifest in our bodies is crucial. I'll share insights from my personal journey and guide you through recognizing and embracing emotions, while navigating the inherent messiness of life. Together, we'll delve into the importance of emotional education and...2024-11-2521 min
Make Your Damn Bed1287 || hope guide to resisting political violence"When threats achieve their intended results, they embolden those who use them. It’s clear that inciting PV has become politically or economically profitable for certain individuals and groups. Some perpetrators also find threat-making to be psychologically gratifying. For these reasons, the very small minority in the US who incite, threaten, and enact PV won’t stop on their own. We, the vast majority, must take action to stop them by imposing costs on their actions." - Hardy Merriman THE HOPE GUIDE PDF: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/666b71d25d155b3509763e61/t/6696...2024-11-2209 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeEmbracing Creativity, Sexuality, and Emotions for Soulful LivingSend us your thoughts!Picture this: a herd of baby calves frolicking in the pasture, embodying pure joy and playfulness. That's the energy we're tapping into today on SoulJoy as we journey through the essential but often overlooked aspects of self-care—creativity, sexuality, and emotions. I'm Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode, I share cherished memories of my great-grandmother Wade from 1974, whose life was a testament to embracing these energies. From her creative resourcefulness during hard times on a Texas dairy farm to her stories of family and resilience, she taught me the importance of a ba...2024-11-1816 minSoul Joy: Ditch Burnout and Fall in Love with LifeHealing Your Money Story and Inner PeaceSend us your thoughts!What if your financial beliefs are unconsciously impacting your well-being? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unravel the intricacies of your money mindset in the latest episode of SoulJoy. We embark on a journey to uncover how our childhood and family history shape our "money story," which often operates beneath our conscious awareness, much like hidden emotions in therapy. By understanding these hidden influences, we can transform our relationship with money and enhance our holistic self-care, particularly during the demanding holiday season. Discover how aligning your financial beliefs with your root chakra...2024-11-1115 min