Jim's Take

• Gratitude Without the Holiday Hangover (Ep. 160)

  Episode Summary:In episode 160 of Jim’s Take, Jim dismantles the idea of gratitude as a seasonal, soft, feel-good emotion and rebuilds it as a year-round cognitive discipline. Instead of treating gratitude like a holiday prop, he explores how to turn it into a sustainable, repeatable practice that still works in February when it’s cold, gray, and noisy.Drawing from research (including the work of Richard Boyatzis on the parasympathetic nervous system) and his own cranky mood while recording, Jim reframes gratitude as an interpretation: your brain notices, assigns value, and then you feel it. That insight opens the door to training gratitude instead of waiting for it.In this episode, we cover:Why “gratitude season” feels fake and performativeThe problem with gratitude posts that evaporate on January 2ndThe surprising truth that gratitude is not an emotion, but an interpretationHow the emotion of gratitude follows cognition, not the other way aroundThe rain-and-flowers example (and the urge to smack people who love the rain)Understanding the parasympathetic nervous system as the “anti-stress” responseHow reflection on someone who helped you creates that gratitude feelingWhy our negativity bias makes gratitude intrinsically effortfulGratitude as the elimination of judgment and filling in gaps with worst-case assumptionsPerspective: what you’re taking for granted because you’re used to itPresence: putting the book or phone down and actually being with your lifeWhy he might lock his phone away for DecemberProof: why real gratitude doesn’t need to be broadcast on social mediaBuilding a “pause doc” / proof folder of compliments, progress, and winsImposter syndrome, senior roles, and revisiting evidence that you’re capableSimple daily questions to build a habit of gratitudeWhy gratitude is a power move: clarity, focus, less reactivity, and more strengthKey Takeaways:Gratitude is not effortless; it’s a recognition skill that interrupts your default wiring.You can train gratitude by changing perspective, practicing presence, and capturing proof.Real gratitude doesn’t need a post – it needs your attention.Gratitude is not about settling. You can want more and respect the work that got you here.When you deliberately practice gratitude, you become harder to knock off your game.

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• Never Enough: The Pressures of Our Environments (Ep. 159)

  Title: Never Enough: The Pressures of Our Environment and the Path Back to Self-Worth | Jim FrawleyDescription:In Jim’s Take Episode 159, executive coach Jim Frawley examines why “enough” never seems to be enough anymore. Today’s social, digital, and economic environments constantly shift expectations—pushing achievement over meaning and visibility over value. Jim offers a direct, practical reframe: trade projection for contribution, performance anxiety for self-assurance, and empathy overload for actionable compassion.Listeners will learn:Why external scorekeeping (titles, metrics, followers) breeds conditional worthHow to disentangle identity from other people’s moving goalpostsThe difference between confidence and self-assurance, self-importance and self-worthWhy empathy is often misapplied at work - and how compassion prevents burnoutA better target than “purpose”: usefulness you can feel and measureTwo exercises:Identity Columns: What defines you? In the next column, write who told you that.Participation is greater than Performance: Replace projection with tangible contribution each week.How to reduce duplicity, align inner values with outer behavior, and build calmWhy listen: If you’re a leader or operator in New York / NYC or any fast-moving market, this episode gives you a repeatable approach to rebuild worth from the inside out—without abandoning ambition.Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple/Spotify. Watch on YouTube. More resources at jimfrawley.com.

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• Nothing is Real Anymore: On Trust, Suspicion and Thinking for Yourself (Ep. 158)

  Nothing Is Real Anymore: Trust, Suspicion, and Thinking for Yourself | Jim FrawleyDescription:Trust is the glue that holds society together - yet it’s eroding fast. In this episode of Jim’s Take, executive coach Jim Frawley tackles why “nothing feels real” anymore and how to respond with clarity instead of cynicism. From AI deepfakes and manipulated narratives to algorithm-driven outrage, Jim maps the landscape and offers a practical way forward: rebuild trust locally, reduce isolation, and reclaim your ability to think.You’ll learn:What’s changed: Why truth feels slippery in the age of AI voices, viral clips, and performative expertiseTrust vs. suspicion: Suspicion is a stress response; it can keep you safe, but it won’t make you calm or effectiveBeliefs vs. truth: The illusion of knowing, awareness vs. understanding, and how to audit your assumptionsMental laziness: Stop delegating truth to algorithms and influencers - take responsibility for your interpretationsTwo quick audits:Trust Audit: People, sources, and institutions you rely on - do they actually help you make good decisions?Suspicion Audit: Where you’re filling gaps with fear or imagination - and how to replace that with inquiryIn-person > isolation: Why real conversations, body language, and micro-interactions build trust faster than feedsHumility, curiosity, intentionality: The skill set that turns skepticism into insight (without lapsing into cynicism)Why listen: If you’re a leader, operator, or creative in New York / NYC or any fast-moving market, you’re making high-stakes decisions in an environment wired for distraction. This episode gives you a repeatable mindset to separate signal from noise, reduce stress, and act with integrity.Subscribe, rate, and review Jim’s Take on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Watch and share the episode on YouTube.More insights and coaching at jimfrawley.com

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• Sober October and Sobriety Revisited (Ep. 157)

  Title: Sober October and Sobriety RevisitedDescription:In this episode of Jim’s Take, executive coach and Bellwether founder Jim Frawley shares the story of why he quit drinking - and what happened next. It wasn’t about hitting rock bottom or joining a 12-step program. It was about accountability, honesty, and realizing he no longer liked what drinking brought to his life. From those first awkward days of saying “no thanks” to a beer, to rediscovering presence and clarity, Jim’s reflections offer both humor and hard truth about what it means to grow up and take control of your choices.Listeners will learn:How accountability with someone you trust keeps you honest.Why giving up drinking leads to less stress and greater self-respect.How to handle social situations when you no longer drink - and why most people don’t care.The connection between self-care, maturity, and authenticity.Why quitting alcohol ranks among Jim’s top three life decisions.Whether you’re trying Sober October, considering Dry January, or just questioning your habits, Jim’s insights will help you approach change without shame or pretense.Subscribe, rate, and review Jim’s Take on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Watch the full episode on YouTube.Learn more at jimfrawley.com.

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• That's Not The Flex You Think It Is (Ep. 156)

  Title: That’s Not the Flex You Think It Is | Jim’s TakeDescription:Flexing. We all do it. The humble brag on LinkedIn. The “I never sleep” grind culture line. The social media post that screams, “Look at me.”But here’s the truth: most of those flexes aren’t the wins you think they are — they’re red flags of insecurity.In this episode of Jim’s Take, I dive into the difference between the personality you feel inside versus the one others actually see, and why the disconnect often leads us to “flex” in ways that push people away.You’ll learn:Why insecurity drives most flexing behaviors.The dangers of cultural flexes, corporate buzzword flexes, and social media validation traps.How flexing impacts your credibility at work, in your community, and in your relationships.What true confidence looks like — and why self-assurance and presence matter more than performative confidence.At the end of the day, authenticity and self-awareness aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re your real power, the foundation you need when life gets difficult. The only people who never look foolish flexing are the ones who don’t need to do it.Listen now and learn why dropping the mask is the biggest flex of all.Subscribe, rate, and review Jim’s Take on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Watch and share this episode on YouTube.More at jimfrawley.com

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