Grow the Good

• The Travis Macy Show: Perfectionism, Purpose, and Letting Go with Sonya Looney

  On this special crossover episode of Grow the Good, I'm resharing a  conversation with Travis Macy from The Travis Macy Show. - - - - - - - The Travis Macy ShowEp. 195. Perfectionism, Purpose, and Letting Go with Sonya LooneyWhat does it really mean to accomplish something and why doesn’t it always feel the way we think it should?This week, I’m joined by my good friend, longtime pro mountain biker, and mindset coach Sonya Looney for a deep and honest conversation about something a lot of us wrestle with, perfectionism.Sonya and I dive into what it means to strive with purpose, how to redefine accomplishment through contribution instead of comparison, and why feeling like we matter isn’t always about metrics. We also talk about big transitions, like Sonya’s move from full-time bike racing to trail running and mental performance coaching—and the freedom (and fear) that comes with letting go of old identities.If you’ve ever been stuck chasing numbers, doubting your worth, or wondering if it’s okay to want something new, I think you’ll find a lot to chew on here. Sonya brings her usual clarity, research-backed wisdom, and vulnerability to the table and I’m always grateful to learn from her!--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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• Validation: The Communication Skill That Can Transform Your Relationships with Dr. Caroline Fleck

  Validation is more than just nodding along. It’s the foundation of healthy communication, trust, and connection. And for today’s guest, it could change the world as we know it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Caroline Fleck, licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life. Her work has been translated into nine languages and has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, and more.We find out why validation is the key to making people feel truly seen and understood, how to avoid the trap of invalidation, and why self-validation is just as important as validating others. You’ll also hear about Caroline’s “Validation Ladder,” a simple, actionable framework you can use to strengthen your relationships, improve your influence, and even boost your own mental health.Top 5 Takeaways:Validation Builds Connection: It’s about acceptance, not agreement, and it’s essential for building trust.Self-Validation Fuels Resilience: Being kind to yourself and acknowledging your feelings can help you model healthy behavior for others.The Validation Ladder: Caroline’s step-by-step framework teaches mindfulness, understanding, and empathy as skills you can practice daily.Avoiding Invalidation: Dismissing or minimizing feelings can harm relationships and mental health.Validation vs. Praise: Learn why genuine, non-judgmental acceptance is far more powerful than approval or flattery.If you want to become a better communicator, a stronger leader, or simply deepen your personal relationships, this conversation is packed with practical tools to help you get there.LINKSDr. Caroline Fleck’s book about validationMeaningful Work with Tamara Myles and Wes AdamsThe Mattering Mindset on The Mental Training Lab--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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• The Mattering Mindset: How to Feel Valued and Add Value | The Mental Training Lab with Pete Kadushin

  Have you ever achieved a big goal, only to feel something was missing afterward? Or wondered why no amount of external validation ever seems quite enough? Today, I’m excited to reshare a meaningful conversation from the Mental Training Lab podcast, where I sat down with sport and performance psychology expert Pete Kadushin to talk about the powerful concept of “mattering.”If you are a regular listener, you know how this message has impacted me: how shifting from perfectionistic, outcome-driven mindsets toward purposeful action and intrinsic motivation can transform not just your performance but also your entire approach to life. We discuss why feeling valued and adding value to others is far more fulfilling than chasing external accolades, how to recognize and use your character strengths to foster deeper connections, and practical strategies for cultivating lasting resilience and well-being.Here is what you’ll learn:The power of matteringOvercoming perfectionismLeveraging character strengthsThe importance of recognition and communicationSavoring and gratitude practices LINKS:- Listen to The Mental Training Lab with Pete Kadushin- Finding Meaning and Mattering at Work with Andrew Soren- Insights from IPAA Brisbane 2025--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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• Mindfulness in Action: How to Combat Self-Criticism

  Today, I’m taking you along a trail ride, not just through the physical landscapes but through the terrain of our minds. It’s about confronting and managing the self-criticism that often accompanies our high expectations, especially when we push towards big goals in high-performance settings.In this episode, I’ll share how I transform self-criticism into a tool for growth and resilience. Whether you’re riding a bike, running a trail, or pursuing any challenge, this meditation is designed to help you maintain focus and foster a positive mindset.Key Takeaways:- Understanding self-criticism- Cultivating acceptance- Strategies for boosting optimism- How to embrace mental flexibilityLINKS- Listen to another moving meditation- Learn about the science of meditation with Dave Vago- Feel skeptical about meditation? Check out this interview with Jeff Warren--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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• Flourish FM: Resilience, Performance and Growing the Good, with Sonya Looney

  Can you chase high performance and well-being without burning out? In this special crossover episode of Grow the Good, I'm resharing a super relevant conversation with Dr. Jon Beale and Nick Holton from the FlourishFM podcast.On the other side of the mic, I open up about my journey as a world champion athlete, speaker, and coach, and how this pursuit of meaningful accomplishment has led me to reimagine success. We get into what it means to matter, why outcome-focused goals can drain us, and how intentional imbalance (yes, imbalance!) can actually help us thrive.You’ll hear about:- Why “intentional imbalance” can be a healthier alternative to chasing perfect balance- The difference between personal success and meaningful accomplishment- How the concept of “mattering” fuels motivation, connection, and sustainable performance- Practical tools to align goals with values and avoid burnoutOriginally aired on FlourishFM, this is a conversation I couldn’t wait to share again.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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