Written by Dr. Mantel Featherson, EdD, Author of Expert to 100k+ Dr. Mantel Featherson, EdD, is a mental performance researcher, author of Expert to $100K+, and founder of  FutureProof50.com,  a digital education platform. He also created Expertise Ownership Architecture, a four-part framework that helps seasoned professionals shift from increasingly unstable employment into long-term entrepreneurial stability. The corporate promise has quietly broken down for professionals over 50. Not because they've lost their edge or are unable to adapt, it’s because the system we’ve dedicated decades to mastering has fundamentally changed its terms without notice. I'm not talking about the usual forces of technological disruption or economic uncertainty. I'm talking about something more personal and more urgent, the realization that the traditional employment model no longer offers the stability, meaning, or recognition that experienced professionals have earned. After 55 myself, let go despite years of delivering results, I discovered that the real crisis isn't losing a job, it's betting your entire future on someone else's decision about your value. The traditional employment trap Let's be honest about what's happening in corporate America today. Age discrimination isn't just common, it's systematic. Professionals over 50 face unique challenges that younger workers don't, such as unconscious bias in hiring, compensation packages that make them "too expensive," and the persistent myth that experience equals inflexibility.   Unemployment duration for workers over 50 is significantly longer than for younger professionals. Many who do land new positions often accept roles below their experience level or settle for contract work without benefits.   The promise that decades of loyalty and expertise would be rewarded has dissolved into a scramble to appear "relevant" in systems designed for different demographics.   Even those still employed aren't safe. Organizational restructurings, mergers, and "strategic realignments" have become euphemisms for clearing out higher-salary veterans with decades of experience.   The message is clear: traditional employment is no longer a reliable foundation for this stage of your professional life. Related:   The Traditional 9-to-5 Is Dying for Professionals Over 50: Why Owning Your Expertise Is Now Essential A smarter alternative: The one-person expert business A one-person expert business isn't a side hustle or a consolation prize for those who couldn't get hired. It's a deliberate strategy to convert decades of accumulated knowledge, experience, and perspective into sustainable income streams that you control.   Think of it this way, you've spent 25-30 years building expertise in a system that no longer wants you. However, that expertise is valuable outside of traditional employment because you’ve built that expertise because you've: solved problems, navigated crises, implemented systems, mentored teams, and more You possess what I call KEP (an acronym for Knowledge, Experience, and Perspective) Knowledge (what you know) Experience (what you've done) Perspective (what you've learned)   This combination is extraordinarily valuable in the marketplace, but only if you position yourself as the expert, not as an employee.   A one-person expert business lets you package this expertise in formats you control: consulting projects, online courses, coaching programs, speaking engagements, written content, videos, and more.   With this model, you're no longer dependent on a single employer's whim because you're building multiple income channels that reflect the full spectrum of what you know and can share.   Related:   Employee to Expert: The Transformation Every 50+ Professional Must Make to Secure Their Future The five reasons an expert business is essential for 50+ professionals 1. Build income stability This might sound counterintuitive. But an expert business provides a more stable income for you. Why? Diversification. As an employee, you have one income source that can disappear with a single decision. Those decisions that result in job losses in the thousands are happening more frequently because technology is enabling companies to be more productive with less people.   We all know that technology only gets better and cheaper over time, so it's logical to assume that the pace at which technology replaces human workers will only accelerate. However, as an expert business owner, you can leverage technology to build multiple revenue streams. Lose one client? You still have others. One course slows down? Your consulting and community memberships continue generating income. I've built my business on five core channels: content creation, courses, coaching, consulting, and community. When one softens, others compensate.   This isn't theoretical, it's how I weathered my own transition from that last corporate pink slip to six-figure independence. The stability comes not from one guaranteed paycheck, but from an ecosystem of income you've designed and can continuously adjust.   Related:   10 Digital Products That Help Professionals Over 50 Turn Expertise into Owned Income   2. Become independent True independence isn't just about being your own boss. It's about control over your time, your clients, your methods, and your future.   No more forced retirement conversations. No more performance reviews that judge you against metrics designed for 30-year-olds. No more restructuring announcements that make your stomach drop.   As an expert business owner, you decide which clients to work with, which projects to take on, which days you work, and when you step back. You set the terms. You define success. If you want to work 20 hours a week and travel the rest? Build your business that way. Want to dive deep into work you're passionate about? Structure it accordingly. This independence extends to how you deliver value. You're no longer constrained by corporate politics, bureaucratic processes, or someone else's vision. You implement your best ideas immediately. You iterate based on what works. You move at the speed of your own decision-making. 3. Do meaningful work Here's something that isn’t talked about enough, how soul-crushing it becomes to spend decades mastering your craft only to have your contributions reduced to line items in someone else's budget presentation. The expertise that took you decades to build deserves better than that.   When you build an expert business, you work directly with people who seek out your specific knowledge. They come to you because of what you know, not because of your age. Every engagement is a validation of your expertise. Every client's success proves the value of your experience.   The work becomes meaningful because it's direct. You see the impact of your guidance immediately. You're not buried in organizational layers or wondering if your recommendations will ever see implementation. You mentor, advise, teach, and transform, and you witness the results firsthand.   4. Build a legacy Do you know what happens to your corporate accomplishments when you leave? They vanish into PowerPoints nobody will ever open again. Your insights get attributed to the organization. Your methodologies become "just how we do things here." You disappear from the corporate narrative surprisingly fast.   An expert business creates a different kind of legacy. The courses you develop keep teaching long after you record them. The frameworks you create bear your name. The book you publish continues influencing readers for years. The community you build carries your principles forward.   You're not just earning income, you're establishing intellectual property that outlives any single project. You're creating resources that prove your expertise existed and mattered. This legacy becomes both personally satisfying to you and potentially valuable to your family and heirs. 5. Pursue your passion Pursuing passion isn't about following some vague dream, it's about finally having the freedom to focus on the aspects of your expertise that genuinely energize you. In corporate life, your passions often get sidelined by organizational priorities. The project you loved? Canceled for budget reasons. The initiative you championed? Reassigned to someone else.   As an expert business owner, you double down on what you love. Passionate about a specific methodology? Build your entire practice around it. Energized by a particular client type? Specialize exclusively in serving them. Fascinated by an emerging angle in your field? Make it your signature offering.   This isn't frivolous because passion creates sustainability. When you love your work, you show up with energy and insight that attracts premium clients. Your enthusiasm becomes contagious, and that separates you from competitors who treat expertise as a commodity to be packaged and sold with minimal engagement.   The expert path forward The transition to expert business ownership isn't instantaneous, but it's entirely achievable. You start by extracting your expertise, identifying exactly what you know that others need.   Then you package it into formats people will pay for. Next, you position yourself as the authority in your specific domain. Finally, you distribute your expertise through the channels that reach your ideal clients.   This is the systematic approach I developed after my own corporate exit, refined through helping hundreds of professionals over 50 make the same transition. The Expertise Ownership System is a practical tool for converting what you already possess into sustainable income.   The real question isn't whether you should build a one-person expert business. It's whether you can afford not to. Traditional employment has already changed the rules. The only question now is whether you'll respond by scrambling for the next position that might disappear just as suddenly or by taking control of your expertise, your income, and your future.   Your decades of knowledge aren't a liability. They're the most valuable asset you possess. It's time to treat them that way.   Ready to take the first step in building a six-figure expert business? Download the 50-page introduction of my forthcoming book, Expert to $100k+ How Professionals Over 50 Own their Expertise and Earn Six Figures  –  Without a 9 to 5. Click   here  to download. Follow me on Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dr. Mantel Featherson, EdD Dr. Mantel Featherson, EdD, Author of Expert to 100k+ Dr. Mantel Featherson, EdD, is a mental performance researcher focused on expertise development for professionals over 50. He applies his research to help seasoned professionals reclaim control of their careers beyond the traditional 9-to-5 employment system. He is the author of Expert to $100K+ and the founder of FutureProof50, a digital education platform that helps professionals over 50 convert decades of expertise into income-producing assets. He is also the creator of the Expertise Ownership Architecture, a four-part framework that enables seasoned professionals to shift from increasingly unstable employment into long-term entrepreneurial stability

Written by Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Award-Winning Board-Certified Clinical Hypnotists | Board-Certified Coaches Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar are international bestselling authors and globally respected mentors in business, life, and relationship success. As the founders of Blissvana, a premier personal development and success studio, they have dedicated their lives to empowering others. Their proven coaching methodologies have consistently delivered exceptional results across all areas of life, from personal growth to professional achievement. There is a moment in life that comes quietly. It rarely announces itself. Sometimes it appears after a long stretch of exhaustion. Sometimes it emerges after a major milestone. Sometimes it shows up in the soft space between two breaths, when the noise finally settles. You might have felt it yourself, perhaps late at night or in the middle of an ordinary afternoon. A moment where something inside whispers, almost too softly to hear, "There has to be more than this." If you have ever felt that whisper, even once, then this article is for you. Not to fix you, but to walk beside you as you remember who you are. It is the moment you notice that the life you are living on the outside does not fully match the person you feel you are on the inside. Maybe you look around at your life and think, “I should feel happier than I do.” Or you see the habits you repeat and whisper, “I thought I would have outgrown this by now.” Or you find yourself asking, “Why do I keep abandoning myself the moment my needs matter?” This moment can feel uncomfortable. It can feel like failure. It can feel like something is wrong with you. But in truth, this moment is sacred. It is the doorway. It is the moment life is inviting you to become the person you were always meant to be. Why identity is the real source of change Most people try to improve their lives the way they improve a to-do list. They add strategies. They read more books. They try new morning routines. They repeat affirmations in the mirror. These tools are not wrong. They are simply incomplete. Life does not change through improved effort. Life changes when who you believe yourself to be begins to shift. Your identity sits beneath every thought, every behavior, and every decision. It is the blueprint that determines how much love you allow yourself to receive, how much rest you feel permitted to take, how boldly you speak your truth, and how deeply you trust your place in the world. If you believe love must be earned, you will over-give and under-receive. If you believe your needs are inconvenient, you will silence yourself. If you believe the world is unsafe, expansion will always feel like a threat. If you believe you are here to be small, life will shrink around you. Identity is not just who you are. It is who you think you are allowed to be. Until that level changes, everything else requires force. Who you are is not fixed Many people speak about identity as if it were a permanent label. The truth is far softer and far more hopeful. Identity is not fixed. Identity is a pattern. It is formed by repetition. It is shaped by stories. It is influenced by nervous system responses that began before you had language. In childhood, you learned what made you lovable. You learned what kept you safe. You learned what earned approval. You learned what triggered disappointment. Your body remembers these lessons long after your mind forgets. The good news is this, because identity is learned, it can also be re-learned. You are not locked inside who you have been. You are continuously becoming. Even now. Returning to yourself Many people approach personal growth as if they must build themselves from scratch. As if they are broken clay that must be molded into something better. That belief alone is the first wound to heal. You do not need to reinvent yourself. You need to return to yourself. Underneath the layers of protection, people pleasing, performance, and survival, there is a version of you that has always known how to live. If you close your eyes for a moment and listen beneath the noise, you will feel a memory of this self. A self who once moved through the world believing they mattered. A self who once loved without fear. A self who once knew joy without needing permission. You are not here to earn your identity. You are here to reclaim it. Returning to yourself is not a dramatic leap. It is a slow, steady returning home. How identity actually changes: A practical path Identity does not change because you want it to. It changes because your nervous system learns that it is safe to be someone new. The following steps offer a path you can begin today. These steps are not meant to be performed perfectly. They are meant to be lived gently. Step one: Tell the truth about where you are Real transformation begins with honesty. Not the kind of honesty that comes with judgment or shame. The kind that sounds like a quiet exhale. Ask yourself, “Who am I being when no one is watching?” Take ten minutes and write one paragraph that reflects your current identity. Include the parts you love. Include the parts you avoid. Include the parts you are afraid others might see. Truth is the beginning of return. Step two: Name who you are becoming Identity needs language. Without it, growth becomes a foggy idea rather than a lived direction. Write one sentence that describes who you are becoming. One sentence is enough. “I am becoming someone who honors my energy.” “I am becoming someone who rests without guilt.” “I am becoming someone who listens to my body.” “I am becoming someone who speaks truth softly and early.” Say the sentence out loud and notice your breath. The body will tell you where the work is. Step three: Create emotional safety around change Change is impossible when the nervous system is braced. You cannot become someone new while your body believes you are under threat. Place your hand on your chest. Close your eyes. Whisper, “It is safe to become who I am.” Repeat it slowly until the muscles in your shoulders soften. If you cannot feel your exhale, pause. No change can happen from tension. Step four: Practice being your future self in small, lived moments Identity is determined by what you do in small spaces. Ask each morning, “What is one small thing my future self would do today?” Then do only that. Not everything. One thing. If future-you sets boundaries, say one honest no. If future-you rests, take three minutes to breathe with your eyes closed. If future-you speaks, share one sentence that is true for you. You are not practicing discipline. You are practicing becoming. Step five: Integrate before you sleep Identity needs reflection, or it will dissolve back into habit. Before bed, ask: “What moment today reflected who I am becoming?” “What part of me tried to stay small?” “What surprised me?” Do not analyze. Simply acknowledge. Identity is strengthened by witnessing. How hypnosis supports identity transformation Hypnosis is often misunderstood as a tool for change. What it actually does is allow the nervous system to relax long enough to learn. In hypnosis, you experience your future self in a body that feels safe. You imagine boundaries without panic. You imagine rest without guilt. You imagine love without defensiveness. You imagine being seen without shrinking. When your body experiences a new identity before life demands it, the new identity becomes possible. This is not magic. It is familiarization. The subconscious learns through repetition. Hypnosis offers a space where repetition can occur without resistance. A woman once sat across from us, exhausted. She said she had done “everything right.” She had read books, practiced affirmations, and attended workshops. She still found herself abandoning her needs the moment someone else required something. Her mind knew what she wanted. Her body believed silence kept her safe. We did not force her to speak. We guided her into a space where she could imagine one sentence spoken from her heart while staying relaxed. She practiced that in her body before she ever did it in real life. The next week, she spoke the truth she once feared. Her voice shook, but she stayed present. That moment changed her identity. She became someone who could speak even when she felt afraid. That is what becoming looks like. It is often small. It is always powerful. Becoming often begins before we consciously choose it. Sometimes the shift is already happening inside us long before we acknowledge it. If you feel something shifting inside you as you read this, trust that. It is not a coincidence. It is recognition. There is a version of you that life has been calling toward for a long time. Becoming yourself is not a destination. It is a daily relationship with your own soul. Some days you will forget. Some days you will return. Both are part of the journey. You are not late. You are not behind. You are exactly where your becoming begins. One breath. One choice. One moment of honesty at a time. If this kind of becoming feels true for you, we welcome you to reach out and explore what your next step might look like. Connect with Kapil and Rupali If this approach feels different than how you have tried to change in the past, it may be worth exploring what support could look like for you. Change becomes sustainable when the body is included, not overridden. At Blissvana, we believe every person is an artist of their own life. Our programs and sessions are designed to help you shape your inner world with intention, clarity, and love. We support people who are ready to become who they were meant to be. Our work blends spiritual hypnosis, subconscious conditioning, nervous system retraining, and gentle identity work that brings the mind and body into alignment. For gentle daily reinforcement, many of our clients also use our Color and Affirm book series . These books pair calming illustrations with simple affirmations that help the nervous system soften and return to safety, one page at a time. If you feel called to explore this work more deeply, we invite you to join us for a gentle, no-pressure conversation where we can explore what your next step may be . Say yes to where you are going. Say yes to who you are becoming. Say yes to living your bliss. Follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and visit our website for more info! Read more from Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Award-Winning Board-Certified Clinical Hypnotists | Board-Certified Coaches Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar are international bestselling authors and globally respected mentors in business, life, and relationship success. As the founders of Blissvana, a premier personal development and success studio, they have dedicated their lives to empowering others. Their proven coaching methodologies have consistently delivered exceptional results across all areas of life, from personal growth to professional achievement. With a unique blend of clinical hypnosis, coaching, and holistic personal development, Kapil and Rupali have transformed the lives of thousands worldwide. Their signature programs are designed to help individuals unlock their fullest potential, overcome limiting beliefs, and achieve sustainable success in every facet of life. Through Blissvana, they offer workshops, retreats, and one-on-one coaching that provide their clients with the tools and strategies to thrive in today’s complex, fast-paced world.

Written by Paulette Josephine Sterling, Founder of Sterling Business Management Paulette J. Sterling is a transformational leadership advisor and founder of Sterling Business Management. With 25+ years of international experience, she guides organizations through succession, governance renewal, and cultural transformation. Her expertise blends strategic rigor with soulful, legacy-driven impact. Recently, during an interview, someone asked me a question that made me pause longer than expected, “If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?” It’s the kind of question that pulls you back into your roots, into the stories, sacrifices, and legacies that shaped the person you’ve become. And without hesitation, my mind went straight to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a global symbol of leadership, identity, and empowerment. Not simply because he is a Jamaican national hero. Not because he is a worldwide icon of Black pride. But because choosing Garvey feels like choosing the man who shaped my earliest understanding of leadership, my father. Two men from different eras, different circumstances, and different platforms. Yet their spirits, their grit, their courage, their belief in community feel deeply connected. And as I prepare to host Transform to Lead, my virtual leadership training event on January 27, I realize that both Garvey’s legacy and my father’s influence are woven into the very foundation of this movement. My father: The first leader I ever studied Before I ever stepped into corporate leadership or founded Sterling Business Management, I learned leadership in the hum of my father’s shoe factory in inner‑city Jamaica. I learned it in the scent of leather. I learned it in the rhythm of hammers. I learned it in the late nights. I learned it in the small brown envelopes of wages. I learned it in the quiet sacrifices. I learned it in the generosity that sometimes exceeded logic. My father employed up to 30 people, not because he had excess, but because he believed in giving people a chance. He helped community members who weren’t even on the payroll. He adapted when imported shoes flooded the Jamaican market and forced him to downsize. He reinvented himself again and again. He didn’t have formal education, but he had wisdom. He didn’t have wealth, but he had vision. He didn’t have a platform, but he had an impact. And that is why Marcus Garvey feels so familiar to me. Why Marcus Garvey? Because he mirrors the leadership I grew up watching Garvey believed in the brilliance of ordinary people. He believed in economic independence, community upliftment, and the dignity of honest work, values that my father lived every single day. Garvey built movements. My father built livelihoods. Garvey inspired nations. My father inspired a community. Garvey spoke boldly about identity and self‑reliance. My father embodied those principles quietly, faithfully, and consistently. Choosing Garvey is, in many ways, choosing the man whose leadership shaped my life before I even understood the word “leadership.” What I would ask Garvey through the eyes of my father’s daughter If I could sit across from Marcus Garvey for one evening, I would ask questions that come from the little girl who watched her father build a business with his hands, his heart, and his hope. How did you protect your vision when the world doubted you? Because I saw my father hold onto his dreams during the 1990s, even as imported shoes flooded the Jamaican market. What does authentic leadership look like when resources are limited? My father led with integrity even when money was tight, and the factory moved to our backyard. How do you build a legacy that outlives your circumstances? Garvey built a global movement. My father built a legacy of resilience that still guides me today. What advice would you give Caribbean leaders navigating global spaces? Because our identity is our strength, not something to shrink. How do you stay grounded when the work feels heavy? Watched my father carry the weight of a business, a family, and a community, and still show up every day. How Garvey’s wisdom and my father’s legacy shape Transform to Lead As I prepare for Transform to Lead, I feel both Garvey’s influence and my father’s presence guiding me. Garvey taught us to believe in ourselves. My father taught me to believe in people. Garvey taught us to dream boldly. My father taught me to work faithfully. Garvey built movements. My father built character. Together, they shaped the leader I am today, one who values authenticity, service, and transformation. And that is exactly what Transform to Lead is built upon. Transform to Lead is not just a leadership training event. It is a continuation of a legacy of empowerment, identity, courage, and community. It is for the emerging leader who wants clarity. It is for the manager who wants confidence. It is for the entrepreneur who wants direction. It is for the professional who wants to lead with authenticity. It is for Caribbean and diaspora leaders who want to rise without losing themselves. It is for people like my father, people who lead with heart. It is for people like Garvey, who lead with vision. It is for people like you, who are ready to step into their next level. If I could tell Garvey one thing, and my father too I would say, "Your courage made room for mine. Your resilience shaped my path. Your legacy lives in the work I do today." Because it does. Because it always will. My closing reflection We often think of historical figures as distant, unreachable, larger than life. But sometimes, their stories mirror the quiet heroes we grew up with, the ones who shaped us without ever making headlines. If I could have dinner with Marcus Garvey, I know I would leave with wisdom. But I also know I would leave with a deeper understanding of my father, the man who taught me leadership long before I ever knew the word. And through my work, my community, and Transform to Lead, I hope to honour both of them by helping others rise with authenticity, courage, and purpose. To learn more about Transform to Lead or join the January 27 experience, visit here .   Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Paulette Josephine Sterling Paulette Josephine Sterling, Founder of Sterling Business Management Paulette J. Sterling is a transformational leadership advisor and founder of Sterling Business Management. With 25+ years of international leadership experience, she specializes in succession planning, governance renewal, and cultural transformation. Her career includes senior roles at JN across Jamaica, the UK, and Canada, where she expanded diaspora engagement and launched Road to Homeownership. Paulette is known for designing performance systems, leading organizational renewal, and directing branded events, including Transform to Lead: The Sterling Edge. Author of The Power of Influence and The Manager's Playbook for Influence, she blends strategic rigor and soulful leadership to inspire resilience, authenticity, and legacy-driven impact.

Written by Arlana Tanner-Sibelle, Interspecies Connection & Wellness Coach | Author Certified holistic animal wellness and behavior consultant, speaker, facilitator, intuitive, and author of Moving Beyond Words. She blends five-element insight with holistic wellness tools to help guardians create calmer, healthier relationships with their companions. Love and training are an essential part of good communication between guardian and companion, but they aren’t always enough. In this article, Arlana explores two often-overlooked relationship skills that influence trust, attention, and responsiveness in our animal companions. By understanding how advocacy and agency support nervous-system safety, guardians can shift from frustration to deeper connection, engagement, and ease. Many animal guardians are loving, committed, and doing everything they’ve been taught to support their animal companion, yet still find themselves struggling with attention, responsiveness, or engagement. When training doesn’t seem to stick, and connection feels inconsistent, it’s easy to assume more effort is required. But often, what’s missing isn’t love or skill. It’s an understanding of the relational conditions that allow animals to feel safe enough to stay present, attentive, and responsive in the first place. This is where two rarely discussed yet foundational relationship skills come in: Advocacy and Agency. They are not training techniques. They are not permissiveness. And they are not abstract ideas. They are the conditions that make trust, attention, learning, and responsiveness possible. When animals can’t stay present, learning can’t land When an animal doesn’t listen, disengages, or seems “unreachable,” it’s often assumed they’re distracted, stubborn, or insufficiently trained. But beneath the surface, something very different may be happening. If an animal does not feel safe enough to stay present, their nervous system shifts into survival mode: fight, flight, or freeze. In this state, attention narrows. The brain prioritizes scanning the environment, protecting the body, or shutting down altogether. In survival mode: Listening is compromised Learning is interrupted Memory retention decreases This is why lessons don’t stick. This is why cues seem forgotten. This is why responsiveness disappears in stimulating environments. It’s not that the animal won’t listen. It’s that they can’t. And no amount of love or training can override a nervous system that is focused on survival. The two things that change everything When we stop asking animals to push through stress and instead change the conditions of the relationship, something remarkable happens. This is where Advocacy and Agency come in. 1. Advocacy: Helping your animal feel safe and supported Advocacy is your animal knowing, at a nervous-system level, “I’m not alone. Someone is paying attention. Someone has my back.” When an animal experiences consistent advocacy: They don’t have to escalate behavior to be heard They don’t have to stay hyper-vigilant They don’t have to manage stress on their own Advocacy might look like: Recognizing early signs of overwhelm Adjusting environments before stress escalates Intervening when situations exceed the animal’s capacity Communicating for the animal when they cannot When animals feel advocated for, their nervous system no longer needs to stay on high alert. Scattered attention switches to focus. Presence returns. Not because the animal was commanded to focus, but because they finally can. 2. Agency: Restoring choice, voice, and participation Agency is often misunderstood. It does not mean a lack of boundaries or structure. It does not mean animals “run the show.” Agency means the animal has a voice within the relationship. When animals are denied agency: They resist or shut down They disengage They comply outwardly while disconnecting inwardly When animals experience agency: They participate rather than comply They stay emotionally available They remain curious, engaged, and responsive Agency might look like: Offering choice whenever possible Allowing communication signals to be honored Creating opportunities for consent and participation Adjusting expectations to meet the animal’s capacity Choice is not a luxury, it is a biological requirement for learning and engagement. When agency is present, animals don’t need to fight or flee. They don’t need to freeze or disconnect. They stay with us. “Applying this insight is what makes everything else fall into place.” Arlana Tanner-Sibelle Why trust, attention, and responsiveness are linked Trust allows attention to settle. Attention allows learning to occur. Learning makes responsiveness possible. Advocacy and Agency support this entire sequence. Without them, animals are left managing stress alone, and no amount of repetition, reward, or correction can create lasting change. With them, something shifts. Animals become: More attentive More interested More engaged More responsive Not because they were trained harder, but because the relationship became stronger and feels safer. Beyond love and training Love is essential. Training can be helpful. But love alone does not regulate the nervous system. Training alone does not create emotional safety. Animals don’t become responsive because they are controlled. They become responsive because they feel safe enough to stay present. When we understand this, the entire relationship changes. Exploring this more deeply For those who learn best through spoken teaching and real-life examples, I explore Advocacy and Agency more deeply in this video: Watch the video on YouTube. Click here  to watch: Advocacy and Agency: How they can help transform your relationship with your Animal Companion. These principles are also explored in greater depth in my book, where I examine the human-animal relationship as a responsive, living partnership rather than a hierarchy of control: Click here to check out my book: Moving Beyond Words: Our Shared Journey. A closing reflection When animals don’t listen or respond, it’s rarely because they don’t care. More often, it’s because they don’t yet feel safe enough or supported enough to stay present. Advocacy and Agency don’t ask animals to try harder. They ask us to relate differently. And when we do, everything else begins to fall into place. Contact: arlana.wewellness@gmail.com Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Arlana Tanner-Sibelle Arlana Tanner-Sibelle, Interspecies Connection & Wellness Coach | Author Arlana Tanner-Sibelle is the founder of We Wellness Solutions and the author of Moving Beyond Words: A Transformational Guide for Animal Guardians and Their Companions. With over 25 years of experience in holistic wellness and a lifetime of working with animals, she blends intuitive insight with integrative healing modalities to support both people and their companions. Arlana helps animal guardians create happier, healthier, and more harmonious relationships by guiding them from stress and frustration into calm, trust, and a deeper connection.

Written by April Wazny, LCPC, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor April Wazny specializes in trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy. Passionate about helping others heal, she works alongside individuals and families to process generational trauma and build lasting emotional resilience. Trauma is often imagined as an event that happens to an individual, a single wound inflicted by circumstance, loss, or abuse. But what happens when trauma does not end with one life? What happens when it is carried quietly across generations, embedded in gestures, silences, and unspoken rules? These are the echoes of inherited trauma, the unspeakable stories that shape families in ways both subtle and profound. For many children, the impact of a parent’s or grandparent’s trauma is invisible yet palpable. Anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional distance may appear inexplicable until traced back through the lineage of experiences never shared. Researchers in developmental and clinical psychology describe this phenomenon as the intergenerational transmission of trauma, how the emotional and psychological burdens of one generation can ripple into the next, shaping behavior, attachment, and even physiological responses. Silence is a powerful carrier of trauma. When stories of loss, abuse, or fear are never told, the absence itself communicates lessons. Children learn caution, mistrust, or suppression of emotion not from words, but from the tense air in the room, the avoidance of certain topics, or the fleeting glance that seems to warn against asking too much. These silent lessons can manifest as depression, anxiety, or difficulty forming close relationships, even when the child has never directly experienced the original trauma. Yet inherited trauma is not destiny. Awareness and acknowledgment are the first steps toward breaking cycles that have persisted for decades. Healing begins when we name the wounds, even if only to ourselves, and begin the work of creating narratives that affirm safety, resilience, and connection. Family therapy, narrative therapy, and trauma-informed approaches provide spaces where unspoken pain can be voiced, understood, and transformed. There is a quiet power in recognition. When daughters and sons confront the echoes of what was never said, they reclaim agency over their own emotional landscapes. They learn to differentiate between inherited fear and personal experience, and in doing so, they build bridges to the next generation grounded in awareness rather than silence. Trauma may be inherited, but so too can be resilience. By acknowledging the unspoken, naming the unspeakable, and offering empathy across generations, families can cultivate healing, not just survival. The stories that were once unsaid need not remain unspoken forever. They can be transformed into wisdom, compassion, and hope. I was a strong-willed child, one who tried to speak up when things did not feel right, when questions or feelings bubbled to the surface. I was told I was “difficult,” that my voice was a burden, that my questions were too much. What I now understand is that my insistence on being heard was my body and mind reacting to inherited trauma, the echoes of sexual, mental, and physical abuse my parents had endured and silently carried into their parenting. Their wounds shaped the way I experienced love, safety, and connection. Fear, anger, and silence often filled the spaces between us, and I learned early to navigate a world of unspoken rules. My attempts to assert myself were met with resistance or dismissal, teaching me that speaking up could be dangerous, and that my needs and emotions were secondary to the lingering pain they carried. Growing up like this was confusing. I carried anxiety and tension that I could not name. I felt the weight of what was never said, the trauma my parents survived, the fear they could not release, and the unspoken patterns they passed down. I internalized their silence, their hypervigilance, and even their shame, believing for a long time that these burdens were mine alone. But as I grew, I began to recognize the inherited nature of this pain. My strong will, once labeled “difficult,” became a source of insight. Naming the patterns of intergenerational trauma allowed me to understand my own reactions, reclaim my voice, and create intentional spaces for healing. Therapy, self-reflection, and conscious connection have been tools in learning to differentiate my own experiences from the echoes of my parents’ past. Healing does not erase trauma, but it transforms the legacy. By acknowledging what my parents endured and how it shaped our family, I can break cycles of silence and fear. I can honor my own voice and create a future where speaking up is not met with fear, judgment, or dismissal. Trauma may be inherited, but so too is resilience, and the courage to confront, feel, and rewrite the stories that were never spoken. Perhaps many of us carry stories that were never meant to be ours alone. When we listen closely to our bodies, our reactions, our silences, we may begin to recognize what was inherited and what can be released. In that recognition lies the possibility of choice, and with choice, the chance to pass on something different. The chains of physical and emotional abuse are so rarely broken because they are forged not only from harm, but from survival. Those who were hurt learned ways to endure, through silence, control, emotional distance, or fear, and these strategies, once protective, are often mistaken for love. When pain is unexamined, it becomes normalized. When trauma is unnamed, it is repeated. Breaking these chains requires more than good intentions. It demands awareness, safety, and the courage to feel what previous generations could not. Without this, love is filtered through unresolved wounds, and what is passed down is not cruelty, but unfinished healing. “There are wounds that live in the body but have no name. There are stories passed down not in words, but in fear, distance, or a look that lingers too long. A story of what was never told, but always felt.” – April Wazny Visit my website  for more info! Read more from  April Wazny, LCPC April Wazny, LCPC, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor April Wazny is a trauma-informed therapist and founder of Winora’s Hope Counseling. She’s passionate about walking alongside those who are hurting, helping individuals and families heal from generational trauma and reclaim their wholeness. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Liberty University, April’s work explores the lasting impact of inherited trauma and the power of safe, compassionate connection in the healing process. Through both her writing and clinical work, she creates space for people to feel seen, supported, and empowered in their journey.

Written by Paul Corke, Leadership Innovator, Author & Speaker Paul Corke is an executive coach, author, speaker, and is considered to be a leading expert on mindset, leadership, and innovation. and is also the Managing Director of Paul Corke International, an innovative Executive Coaching business. He previously spent 25 years in the corporate world with award-winning results, specializing in organizational effectiveness, coaching, employee engagement, talent management, and leadership development with experience in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the US, and the Middle East. As 2025 draws to a close, most of us are conditioned to do one of two things, rush to finish, or rush to plan. But wise leadership, of self, others, and systems, asks something else, Stop. Clear. Reflect. Reset. In nature, nothing grows in overcrowded ground. Yet many leaders push into a new year with zero space, mentally, emotionally, and physically, still carrying the clutter of the year before. This article is an invitation to create a clearing, a necessary pause to review what no longer serves you, what must continue, and what is ready to begin. It is also a call to prepare for 2026 through the lens of Leadership 5.0, an evolved leadership model centred on self awareness, adaptability, and conscious impact. What is a clearing? And why do leaders need one? A clearing is a deliberate space, mental, emotional, and energetic, that allows clarity to emerge. It is the opposite of clutter, distraction, or burnout. In leadership, clearings help us: See what we have been tolerating Notice what is on autopilot Feel what we have been avoiding Create space for vision and alignment Without clearings, we do not lead. We react. And reaction is the opposite of conscious leadership. “We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Anaïs Nin Clearings give us the chance to see more clearly, not just externally, but internally. The Leadership 5.0 connection In Leadership 5.0, I outline how the future of leadership is driven by: Self leadership, leading yourself before leading others Empathy and emotional intelligence Foresight and future thinking Sustainability and stewardship But none of these traits can thrive in chaos. Every one of them requires space, to feel, to reflect, and to choose wisely. A clearing, then, is not optional. It is the ground from which Leadership 5.0 takes root. The 3-part clearing: Stop, continue, begin Creating a clearing for the year ahead involves asking yourself three essential questions: 1. What do I need to stop? What habits, roles, responsibilities, or beliefs have run their course? What do I need to let go of, even if it once served me? Where am I saying yes to things that deplete me? Research insight: Cognitive load theory shows that when we carry too many open loops, tasks, decisions, and unresolved emotions, we reduce the brain’s ability to focus and plan. Clearings enhance executive function and improve leadership decision making. (Sweller, 1988; Harvard Business Review, 2020) 2. What do I need to continue? What energises me consistently? What aligned practices or relationships are worth sustaining? Where have I made quiet progress that deserves celebration? Leadership note: Often we do not need dramatic reinvention. We need intentional consistency. Clearings help us see what is already working so we can amplify it rather than start over. 3. What do I need to begin? What new behaviours, strategies, or projects want to emerge? What is calling me forward that I have been resisting? What does future aligned leadership look like for me in 2026? Vision insight: Research from Harvard Business School shows that leaders who engage in reflective strategic planning before transitions, such as the end of a fiscal or calendar year, are more adaptive, resilient, and successful in hitting goals. Clearings set the stage for vision led leadership. Creating your 2026 leadership clearing Here is how to start your own personal and professional clearing: The clearing ritual: Set aside 90 minutes, alone or with your team, and use these three columns: Stop, continue, begin Write freely, without judgement. Let insight emerge from reflection, not pressure. Create physical and digital clearings: Clear your workspace of outdated papers or files Declutter your calendar by removing non essential meetings Unfollow social content that no longer aligns with your leadership goals Emotional and mental clearing: Journal your fears, doubts, or resentments from 2025 Practice breathwork or meditation to create space Speak to a mentor or coach to process and plan Vision setting for 2026. Now that space has been made: What is your vision for 2026 as a leader? How do you want to lead differently? What impact do you want to have? Why clearings are non negotiable for future leaders The world does not need more reactive leadership. It needs responsive, grounded, and clear headed leadership. The leaders of tomorrow are those who can pause in the noise, reflect with honesty, and act with intention. Clearings are not a break from leadership. They are where the best leadership begins. A final word: Clear space, clear mind, clear direction As you stand at the threshold of 2026, do not rush to fill the year with more. Start by making space. Because in the clearing, you will find what matters. And from that, a truer, wiser, more impactful kind of leadership will emerge. “The space for greatness is created, not crammed.” Follow me on  Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn  for more info! Read more from Paul Corke Paul Corke, Leadership Innovator, Author & Speaker Paul Corke is an executive coach, author, and speaker, and is considered to be a leading expert on mindset, leadership, and innovation. and is also the Managing Director of Paul Corke International, an innovative Executive Coaching business. He previously spent 25 years in the corporate world with award-winning results, specializing in organizational effectiveness, coaching, employee engagement, talent management, and leadership development with experience in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the US, and the Middle East. With over 25 years dedicated to coaching and mentoring leaders within organisations and with his own clients. His unique blend of innovative techniques and coaching has become a hallmark of his approach to leadership development. Recognised as the No. 1 Health & Wellness Thought Leader by Thinkers 360, Paul is also an accomplished author. His latest book, “Leadership 5.0: The Future of Leadership,” offers profound insights into ground-breaking perspectives on leadership. Paul is an engaging keynote speaker, and his commitment to advancing the field of leadership is evident in his role as a thought leader. His talks and written work underscore his dedication to shaping the future of leadership by challenging norms and fostering a mindset of continuous innovation.

Written by Ariana Hakman, Entrepreneur and COO Ariana Hakman is a former corporate finance executive turned serial entrepreneur in fitness, nutrition, and tech. She’s the co-founder of LunaFit, a multi-brand wellness company anchored by its fast-growing LunaFit app, built to help users take control of their nutrition, workouts, and daily habits. If you have ever felt like you are doing everything right, eating healthy meals, getting your workouts in, and staying consistent, but the scale still will not budge, you are not alone. Everyone focuses on food and workouts, but stress and sleep are the quiet bosses running the whole show. They do not get the spotlight, but they decide whether your body cooperates or completely rebels. We live in a world that treats running yourself into the ground like an achievement. But your body does not care how busy you are. It just knows it is tired. And when it is running on empty, it is not burning fat, it is hanging onto it for dear life. The science behind stress and fat storage When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone designed to keep you alert and ready for action. That is a good thing when you are facing a real threat. But in day-to-day life, cortisol is triggered by constant, low-level stress, tight deadlines, long commutes, too little sleep, too much caffeine, and kids who can sense the exact moment you try to relax from three rooms away. Over time, elevated cortisol can cause your body to: Store more fat, especially around your midsection. Increase cravings for sugar and quick energy foods. Interfere with sleep quality, which makes stress worse. It is a frustrating cycle. Stress makes you tired, tired makes you crave, cravings lead to overeating, and overeating leads to more stress. Why sleep is the ultimate fat loss hack Sleep is not just rest, it is recovery. It is when your body rebuilds muscle, regulates hormones, and resets your metabolism. When you do not get enough quality sleep, several things happen: Hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin, become unbalanced, making you feel hungrier even when you have eaten enough. Your body’s ability to burn fat for fuel decreases. Motivation and decision-making plummet, making it easier to skip workouts or grab whatever is convenient. In other words, poor sleep does not just make you tired. It makes fat loss harder. How to break the cycle The good news is that stress and sleep are trainable, just like nutrition or exercise. You can take small, realistic steps to restore balance and get your body working with you instead of against you. And yes, you have probably heard all the sleep advice before. Most of us know we should not scroll TikTok at midnight or watch one more episode, but we do it anyway. Do not worry, I am talking to myself too. But when you are ready to help your body out, here is a reminder of where to start: Set a bedtime routine: Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep in a cool, dark room. Try dimming lights an hour before bed and limiting screens if possible. Eat to balance energy, not chase it: Meals that are high in protein, moderate in carbs, and low in fat help keep your blood sugar and energy steady. This can lower cravings caused by stress. Move daily, but listen to your body: Exercise relieves stress, but overtraining without recovery adds to it. Walk, stretch, lift, rest. Your body needs both challenge and calm. Practice small moments of stillness: Prayer, deep breathing, or a five-minute break can lower cortisol faster than another cup of coffee can raise it. How the LunaFit App helps you find balance The LunaFit App was built around this exact philosophy, because fitness is not just about pushing harder. It is about creating balance that lasts. The app tracks not only your workouts and nutrition, but also your sleep, hydration, and recovery, so you can see the full picture of your health. If your sleep decreases or stress levels increase, LunaFit automatically updates your plan. It recommends rest days, lighter workouts, or recovery-centered goals to maintain your consistency without overextending yourself. You can still chase progress, but this time, you are doing it in a way your body will actually respond to. Final thoughts You might have the perfect plan, with meals set and workouts completed, but if your stress is through the roof and your sleep is all over the place, your results are likely to stall. Fat loss is not just about willpower or pushing harder. It is about recovery, too. When you actually rest, manage stress, and give your body what it needs to feel safe, it stops fighting you. It finally lets go of what it has been holding onto, physically and mentally. So, the next time your progress slows down, do not double your cardio or cut more calories. Take a breath, put your phone down, and go to bed. Sometimes balance is the thing that moves you forward. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Ariana Hakman Ariana Hakman, Entrepreneur and COO Ariana Hakman is a leading voice in fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle innovation, known for creating practical tools that drive real results. After 13 years in corporate finance within the healthcare sector, she left the boardroom to build a more balanced life for her daughter and a business that aligned with her values. She co-founded LunaFit, a wellness brand and mobile app helping users simplify their workouts, nutrition, and daily habits. Ariana has built four companies across wellness and tech, with a mission to make healthy living simple, sustainable, and achievable for all.

Written by Arian Guedes, Registered Psychologist Arian Guedes is a Registered Psychologist/ Clinical Director & Founder, NewVista Psychology & Counselling Services. Arian is a trauma-focused therapist with years of experience. She is also a Speaker | Workplace Well-being & Burnout Expert. Most New Year’s resolutions fail not because people lack discipline, but because they rely on shame-based language, vague goals, and systems that ignore how the human brain and nervous system actually work. Sustainable change requires self-leadership, not self-criticism. At the beginning of each year, many of us reflect on lessons learned and feel motivated to set new goals. We want to be healthier, calmer, more productive, more financially secure, or more fulfilled. Yet research and lived experience consistently show that most New Year’s resolutions last only a few weeks. This article explores the psychology behind why New Year’s resolutions fail and offers brain-based strategies for goal setting that actually work. You will learn how to clarify your “why,” set specific and realistic goals, shift away from shame-based self-talk, measure progress without self-judgment, and build a system that supports long-term behavior change. This pattern shows up repeatedly at the start of each year. People begin with motivation and good intentions, but without a psychologically informed process, the same cycle repeats. Understanding how the mind works is the first step toward breaking that cycle. Why do New Year’s resolutions fail so often? Many resolutions fail because they are created based on emotion rather than realistic systems. Motivation is powerful, but it is short-term. Change requires structure, repetition, and an understanding of how the brain responds to pressure and reward. People often know what they want, but they do not clearly articulate why it matters or how they will sustain it. When goals are vague or driven by external pressure, the nervous system interprets them as threats. This often leads to avoidance, overwhelm, and procrastination rather than action. How does knowing your “why” change behavior? Knowing your “why” is one of the most important foundations of sustainable goal setting. Many common resolutions describe actions rather than meaning. Goals such as “I want to lose weight,” “I want to regulate my emotions,” “I want to make more money,” or “I want to get fit” explain what someone wants to do, but not why they want to do it. Clarifying the purpose behind a goal adds emotional relevance. For example, wanting to regulate emotions to feel calmer, improve focus, strengthen relationships, or communicate more effectively creates a deeper connection to the goal. Wanting to lose weight to feel more energetic, increase confidence, improve productivity, and have more freedom to enjoy time with family and leisure activities aligns the goal with personal values. From a psychological perspective, goals rooted in values activate intrinsic motivation. This is a key principle in behavior change psychology and self-leadership, making goals more sustainable over time. Why being specific helps the brain stay engaged Another major reason goals fail is vagueness. Statements such as “I want my business to grow” or “I want to be healthier” do not provide the brain with enough information to act. The human brain works best when it knows the next clear step, not just the long-term vision. Specific goals reduce cognitive overload and help break larger objectives into manageable actions. For example, “I want to increase my business revenue by five percent over the next month” or “I would like to work out twice a week for 30 minutes to improve energy and focus” provide clarity. Breaking goals into smaller steps builds self-efficacy, the belief that change is possible. Each small success reinforces motivation through dopamine release, helping momentum build naturally. When goals feel too large or unclear, overwhelm sets in, and procrastination becomes a protective response rather than a character flaw. How do “should” statements sabotage motivation? Language plays a powerful role in how the brain interprets goals. Statements such as “I should,” “I must,” “I need to,” or “I have to” activate pressure and internal alarm systems. When expectations are not met, the brain often translates this into failure-based conclusions such as “I’m not disciplined” or “I’m a failure.” This shame-based self-talk creates emotional distress and reduces motivation. Over time, people begin to associate their goals with fear, disappointment, or avoidance rather than growth. What is the antidote to shame-based self-talk? The antidote is compassionate, choice-based language. Shifting from “I must work out three times a week” to “I would like to work out three times a week to reduce stress and increase energy” allows room for flexibility and learning. Words such as “ideally,” “I would like to,” or “I am choosing to” signal safety to the nervous system. This approach supports self-leadership rather than self-criticism. It allows setbacks to be seen as part of the learning process instead of personal failures. When language is compassionate, the system can self-correct rather than shut down. Why does measuring progress support long-term change? The psyche responds well to evidence of progress. When people can see that their efforts lead to outcomes, behavior is reinforced. This applies to personal goals, leadership development, relationships, and professional growth. Tracking progress does not need to be obsessive. Simple checkpoints at one month, two months, or six months help individuals observe patterns and make adjustments. For example, weight loss, emotional regulation, productivity, or revenue growth rarely show immediate results. Sustainable change takes time. Viewing progress as feedback rather than judgment allows learning to replace self-criticism. When progress stalls, the question becomes, “What can I adjust?” rather than, “What is wrong with me?” How can feedback replace self-judgment? Feedback loops are essential for sustainable systems. If progress has not occurred after a reasonable period, it is helpful to pause and reflect. Questions such as “What worked?” “What didn’t?” “What helped?” and “What got in the way?” promote problem-solving rather than self-blame. In some cases, additional support is necessary. Working with a psychologist to improve emotional regulation, time management, or interpersonal skills can provide structure and insight. Reading, training, or working with a coach can help build systems that align with individual needs rather than fighting against them. Change is not about identity. It is about learning, adjustment, and support. How does removing obstacles increase the chances of success? Goals are more achievable when barriers are addressed proactively. Obstacles may include unrealistic expectations, lack of structure, emotional overwhelm, or insufficient support. Removing barriers means simplifying systems, adjusting timelines, and choosing strategies that work with the nervous system rather than against it. Successful goal setting is not about willpower alone. It is about designing environments, habits, and systems that make progress more likely. Leading yourself more effectively in the new year Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they rely on pressure rather than psychology. Sustainable change comes from understanding how the brain works, aligning goals with values, using supportive language, measuring progress realistically, and allowing systems to self-correct. Self-leadership is not about being harder on yourself. It is about being more intentional, informed, and compassionate. When goals are designed with the human mind in mind, change becomes not only possible, but sustainable. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Arian Guedes Arian Guedes, Registered Psychologist Arian Guedes is a Registered Psychologist/ Clinical Director & Founder, NewVista Psychology & Counselling Services. Arian is a trauma-focused therapist with years of experience. She is also a Speaker | Workplace Well-being & Burnout Expert. She serves as a part-time Professor of Ethics for the City University of Seattle in Calgary, Alberta

Written by Jenny Gaynor, Social Emotional Learning Coach and Founder Jenny Gaynor, author and founder of Calm Education, teaches SEL tools to help kids, families, and teachers build confidence, connection, and calm. Every January, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with the hope of creating a better, healthier, or more productive version of themselves. The crazy part about this is that consistent research shows most resolutions fade by early February. The problem isn’t that we lack motivation. It is that the resolution mindset is built on pressure, perfectionism, and an all-or-nothing mindset. If you’re looking for a gentler, more understanding, and sustainable way to create real change in your life this year, consider shifting from resolutions to intentions. This simple shift can help you stay grounded, emotionally regulated, and aligned with what truly matters, without the guilt that resolutions can often create. Why resolutions fail and what makes intentions different Many New Year’s resolutions focus on outcomes: lose weight, save money, exercise more, stop a habit, or overhaul your life overnight. While motivating at first, outcome-based goals often trigger stress, perfectionism, and self-criticism when we slip. Intentions, however, focus on: Values rather than outcomes. Daily choices rather than achievements. Presence and awareness rather than pressure and perfectionism. Self-compassion rather than shame and criticism. This makes intentions emotionally supportive, especially for adults juggling family, work, and the mental load of daily life. Intentions help you connect with how you want to feel and who you want to be, which leads to more realistic and sustainable behavior change. How to set New Year intentions If you’re new to intention setting, here’s a clear and mindful process. First, reflect on how you want to feel this year. Ask yourself: What do I want more of? What do I want less of? How do I want to show up in my relationships, work, and life? Next, choose a few core intentions. This means choosing a word or two that you want to live by this year. Some popular intention words include calm, presence, connection, joy, balance, confidence, creativity, and resilience. Choose words that support your own personal growth and mindfulness. Third, link each intention to a small, daily practice. This step turns intentions into realistic habits. For example, if your intention is calm, you might choose a daily practice of taking three grounding breaths before reacting to something stressful. Or, if your intention is connection, you could choose to put your phone down during meals with your family. Take time to think through small practices that support your intentions. Fourth, write a clear intention statement and post it somewhere you will see it daily. This structure boosts clarity and attention to your intention every day. You could say something like, “This year, I intend to show up with (intention word) by practicing (action) when life feels busy or stressful.” Finally, revisit your intention often throughout the year. The best part about intentions is that they are flexible. As your life shifts, your intention can shift too, without guilt or pressure. You might choose to tweak or change your intention as you move through the year. If you drift from your intention, it is important to remember that you haven’t failed. You can always come back to it. This returning is where real growth happens. It builds emotional flexibility, compassion, and consistent mindfulness over time. Intentions for families and workplaces Intention setting is adaptable across homes, classrooms, and organizations. Parents can help their children choose intentions such as “be kind with words” or “try new things.” These can help children and families guide emotional regulation in ways resolutions often cannot. Teachers can help students choose intentions such as “I will ask for help when I am frustrated” or “I will lead by example.” These can help support students socially and emotionally throughout their learning. Teams and leaders in the workplace can focus on how to work together more cohesively. Leaders and employees can choose intentions such as “we intend to communicate clearly” or “we intend to listen before responding.” These can help support workplace culture, collaboration, and psychological safety. Intentions reduce the nervous system pressure that resolutions often create. Instead of reacting from stress, intentions help us pause, regulate, and respond with alignment. At home, in schools, and in the workplace, this can improve communication, leadership, parenting, decision-making, self-worth, and emotional resilience. Final thoughts A gentler New Year starts with one question: How do I want to feel, and who do I want to be this year? Let your intentions guide your choices with kindness, presence, and clarity all year long. As you stand on the threshold of a new year, consider this: you don’t need another resolution that focuses on your weaknesses. What you need is a gentle invitation, an intention, that helps you focus on your strengths. Let this year be less about fixing and more about feeling. Make it less about doing more and more about aligning with what matters. Let go of perfection and embrace presence. Want to explore more? For a thoughtful discussion on this approach that breaks down why intentions can be more sustainable and meaningful than resolutions, check out this piece in Psychology Today . Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website  for more info! Read more from Jenny Gaynor Jenny Gaynor, Social Emotional Learning Coach and Founder Jenny Gaynor is the author and founder of Calm Education. She teaches children, families, and teachers essential SEL (Social Emotional Learning) skills. Her mission is to help others build confidence, resilience, and healthy connections. Jenny is a former educator with over 20 years of classroom experience. She holds certifications in both elementary and special education. Jenny also has training in yoga, meditation, and SEL facilitation. She lives in Barrington, Rhode Island with her family and therapy cat, Tiller.

Deborah Moffatt is a healing-centered storyteller, podcast host, and advocate for emotional truth and transformation. As the creator and voice behind The Healing Version Podcast, she has built a platform dedicated to helping individuals unpack trauma, break generational cycles, and reconnect with themselves beyond survival mode. Her work is rooted not only in study and reflection, but in lived experience – shaped by family dysfunction, emotional neglect, and the quiet resilience required to heal without a roadmap. A mother of five and a lifelong learner pursuing higher education in psychology with an emphasis on mental health, Deborah brings both compassion and clarity to conversations that many avoid. She speaks candidly about topics such as accountability, boundaries, fear-based conditioning, and the long-term effects of unresolved trauma, offering insight without judgment and validation without enabling stagnation. What sets Deborah apart is her ability to hold space for honesty. Rather than promoting quick fixes or toxic positivity, she invites her audience to slow down, tell the truth about their experiences, and develop self-trust through awareness and intention. Her podcast blends solo reflections, interviews, affirmations, and storytelling, creating a space where listeners feel seen, understood, and empowered to choose healing on their own terms. Through her work, Deborah reminds others that healing is not about becoming someone new – it’s about returning to who you were before survival took over. Dee-bo-rah Moffatt, Podcast Host Who is Deborah Moffatt? Tell us about your personal life, interests, and what people don’t see behind your work and podcast. I am a healing-centered storyteller, podcast host, and advocate for emotional truth and transformation. I’m also a mother of five, a lifelong learner, and someone who has lived through family dysfunction, generational trauma, and emotional survival long before I ever spoke publicly about healing. Behind the podcast and the platform is a woman who has done the quiet, uncomfortable work of self-reflection – often without support or validation. I value authenticity over perfection and believe healing happens in real life, not just in theory. I enjoy deep conversations, journaling, studying psychology, and creating meaningful content that helps people feel seen. What many don’t see is the resilience required to continue showing up vulnerably while still healing in real time. My work isn’t performative – it’s lived, embodied, and ongoing. What inspired you to create The Healing Version and build a platform dedicated to personal healing and transformation? The Healing Version was born when I realized that no one was coming to save me – and that healing had to be intentional. After years of navigating dysfunction, emotional neglect, and unspoken pain, I recognized how many people were silently suffering while being praised for being “strong.” I created the podcast to be the space I needed when I felt alone – a place where honesty replaces shame and healing isn’t rushed or romanticized. The Healing Version is about choosing yourself, telling the truth about your experiences, and becoming who you are beneath survival mode. What specific problems do people come to you with, and how do you help them move through those challenges? People often come to me feeling emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns rooted in trauma, family dysfunction, and lack of accountability in relationships. Many struggle with boundaries, self-worth, abandonment wounds, and confusion around why the same cycles keep repeating. I help by creating clarity – naming what they’ve experienced, validating their truth, and guiding them toward self-awareness. Through honest conversation, reflection, and practical tools, I help people shift from self-blame to self-understanding and from survival mode to intentional healing. How would you describe your approach to healing for someone who is struggling but unsure where to begin? My approach to healing is grounded, compassionate, and accessible. I meet people where they are – without judgment or pressure to “fix” themselves. Healing, in my view, starts with awareness and honesty, not perfection. I encourage people to slow down, tell the truth about what hurts, and learn to listen to themselves again. My work blends emotional awareness, mindset shifts, boundaries, and self-responsibility while honoring the nervous system and lived experience. What makes The Healing Version Podcast different from other healing or personal development shows? The Healing Version Podcast isn’t about toxic positivity or surface-level motivation. I focus on real conversations about family dysfunction, generational trauma, emotional neglect, fear-based conditioning, and the parts of healing that are often avoided. I speak from lived experience, not just theory, and create space for discomfort, reflection, and truth. The podcast blends solo episodes, interviews, affirmations, and storytelling so listeners feel understood – not talked at. What are the core principles or methods you use to guide people toward emotional clarity and inner strength? My core principles include self-awareness, accountability, emotional honesty, and compassion. I focus on understanding the root of behaviors rather than judging them, setting boundaries without guilt, and recognizing survival patterns without shame. I emphasize truth-telling – both with yourself and within relationships – while empowering people to choose peace over chaos. Inner strength comes from self-trust and emotional clarity. What common mistakes do people make on their healing journey, and how do you help them avoid those pitfalls? A common mistake is minimizing pain or rushing the process. Others compare their journey to someone else’s or remain stuck in self-blame. I help people slow down, normalize setbacks, and understand that healing isn’t linear. Awareness itself is progress, and compassion is essential. For someone feeling overwhelmed, what is the first simple step you recommend to begin creating their healing version of life? The first step is honesty – acknowledging what hurts without minimizing it. Awareness creates space, and space creates change. How can people work with you directly, and what results can they expect when they join your programs or connect with your platform? People can connect with me through The Healing Version Podcast, my digital content, and directly through thehealingversion.com , which serves as the central hub for my work. Through the platform, individuals can explore healing resources, upcoming programs, and opportunities to engage more deeply with content centered on emotional awareness, family dynamics, and generational healing. I am also always open to connecting with new guests who have meaningful stories, professional insight, or lived experience related to healing, transformation, and personal growth. The Healing Version welcomes voices that are honest, reflective, and committed to growth, making the podcast a collaborative space for shared learning and impact. Those who choose to work with me or engage consistently with my platform can expect clarity, validation, and practical tools that support real-life transformation. My work helps people understand their emotional patterns, strengthen boundaries, and build self-trust so they can move forward with intention rather than survival-based reactions. The result isn’t perfection – it’s emotional clarity, inner strength, and the confidence to live as your healing version, grounded in truth, self-awareness, and choice. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dee-bo-rah Moffatt

Written by Clifford Cartagena, CEO & Founder Clifford Cartagena, RN, BSN, is a psychiatric nurse, safety trainer, and founder of Gentleway Systems LLC. Co-founder of Arizona Care Horizon Institute, he is completing his PMHNP degree at Walden University. Author of The Gentle Art of Crisis, he advances trauma-informed, dignified approaches to workplace safety. Dementia care is no longer confined to memory care units. It is present in every hospital department, and too often, staff are left without the practical training needed to communicate, de-escalate, and protect both patients and themselves. This article is a call to transform hospital culture by making memory care training a standard of excellence, not a specialty add-on. A gap we can no longer ignore Despite years of nursing education, countless in service sessions, and mandatory continuing education, I have discovered that many nurses and hospital staff are not truly prepared to care for patients living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Textbooks and lectures teach the disease process, but not how to connect, calm, and communicate with someone who no longer processes the world as we do. This missing piece leads to frustration, unnecessary agitation, and even workplace violence incidents in hospital settings. It is not a matter of competence. It is a matter of training the heart and the hands together. Why this matters for every hospital Dementia is not a diagnosis isolated to memory care homes. It is everywhere, in emergency departments, telemetry units, ICUs, psychiatric hospitals, and rehab facilities. In fact, research shows that up to 25 percent of hospitalized adults over age 65 show signs of dementia, often undiagnosed upon admission. When staff are unprepared, common behaviors such as wandering, confusion, or agitation are misinterpreted as noncompliance or psychiatric illness. This can lead to restraint, sedation, or confrontation, actions that harm dignity, escalate fear, and compromise safety. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) took a bold step by mandating Memory Care Services (MCS) Training for assisted living and memory care facilities beginning July 1, 2025. But the truth is, hospitals need this training too. How my practice changed After completing the ADHS authorized Memory Care Services Training, my understanding of dementia transformed. I began to see not just the symptoms, but the person behind them. I learned communication techniques that reduce agitation, body positioning that promotes safety, and empathy driven strategies that restore connection. The results were immediate. My patients were calmer, more trusting, and safer. As an authorized ADHS instructor, I now train caregivers, managers, and providers across Arizona, empowering them to care with compassion and confidence. What hospital leaders must know Every hospital already trains for code blues, fire safety, and infection control, because lives depend on it. The same must now be true for memory care competency. Here is what adopting MCS training can do for your facility: Reduce patient aggression and staff injuries. Lower use of restraints and unnecessary medications. Improve HCAHPS and family satisfaction scores. Strengthen compliance with CMS and Joint Commission safety goals. Elevate staff morale by giving them confidence, not fear, in caring for cognitively impaired patients. This is more than compliance. It is culture change. A new model for training, blended, accessible, transformative Through the Arizona Care Horizon Institute (ACHI), we have successfully delivered the ADHS approved eight hour initial, four hour manager level, and four hour annual refresher trainings across Arizona. Now, with the support of Gentleway Systems LLC, we are developing an eight hour blended learning format, six hours online and two hours live skills training, to make it even easier for hospital systems to adopt. Our team is also exploring virtual reality integration to create immersive dementia care simulations. This is a new frontier in education, and we want hospitals to be the first to benefit. A call to my fellow nurses and healthcare leaders Every time a patient with dementia enters a hospital, we are entrusted with their safety, comfort, and dignity. That responsibility cannot be left to chance or improvisation. We need a system-wide shift, one that treats dementia care not as a specialty, but as a standard of excellence for all who touch patients’ lives. Hospitals are where crises unfold, but they can also be where change begins. Let’s lead it. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Clifford Cartagena Clifford Cartagena, CEO & Founder Clifford Cartagena, RN, BSN, is a psychiatric and medical-surgical nurse, hospice provider, safety trainer, and founder of Gentleway Systems LLC. He is also the co-founder of the Arizona Care Horizon Institute. He was authorized by the ADHS (Arizona Department of Health Services) to deliver the Memory Care Services Training in Arizona. Cliff is currently completing his Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) degree at Walden University. He is the author of The Gentle Art of Crisis. With more than 20 years of nursing and leadership experience, he developed the Gentleway System, a trauma-informed approach to preventing and managing assaultive behaviors across healthcare and beyond. Learn more here .

Written by Bilyana Wharton, Integrative Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist Bilyana Wharton is an integrative psychotherapist and hypnotherapist specialising in trauma recovery and relationship therapy. She works with adult survivors of childhood adversities, abuse, and relational trauma using the T.I.M.E. model of psychotherapy. Her mission is to change the world, one person at a time. As humans, our instinct to adapt and make sense of the world has shaped our evolution and our survival. On a smaller scale, each of us goes through our own personal evolution throughout life. A key part of this process is our internal dialogue, the ongoing conversation we have with ourselves as we evaluate, reason, and make decisions. We naturally “talk things through” in our minds to understand, choose, or resolve. When we pay attention to the tone and quality of these inner voices, we notice a clear polarity. The Valiant represents courage, dignity, and determination, while the Villain embodies harmful, destructive, or self-sabotaging tendencies. This inner conversation has long been portrayed in stories and art as the Angel and the Devil on each shoulder, one offering compassion and wisdom, the other whispering doubt or temptation. In therapeutic language, these voices are often referred to as the Inner Hero and the Inner Critic. Whatever names we use, they reflect the tension between our positive and negative attitudes toward ourselves, others, and life’s challenges. The story of the two wolves An old tale beautifully describes this inner conflict. A grandmother tells her grandson that two wolves live inside each of us, locked in constant battle. One wolf is dark, destructive, and mistrustful. It sees the world as hostile and people as dangerous. It acts through anger, arrogance, greed, and cruelty. The other wolf is bright, hopeful, and kind. It sees goodness in people and beauty in the world. It acts through generosity, love, joy, and integrity. The grandson asks, “Which wolf will win?” The grandmother replies, “The one you feed, my son. The one you feed.” The observing self The part of us that listens to both wolves, and chooses which one to feed, is the Observing Self. This function resides in the prefrontal cortex, the brain area responsible for reflection, decision-making, and self-regulation. Many factors influence how this part of us operates: Internal psychological processes, our thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and interpretations. Environmental circumstances, the safety of our surroundings, the quality of our relationships, and the presence of stress. Past experiences, childhood and adolescent events, family dynamics, successes, challenges, and meaningful moments that have shaped us. Belief systems, the assumptions and convictions we hold about ourselves, others, and the world. Personality traits, the stable patterns in how we think, feel, and behave, shaped by genetics, environment, and relationships. Three steps to strengthening your inner Valiant Recognise the voice of your Inner Villain. It often echoes the critical or harmful messages you heard growing up. If you experienced mistreatment or adversity, these messages may be false, internalised beliefs that never belonged to you. Choose who you want to be. Notice the thoughts and feelings that align with your values and your sense of what is right. These form the voice of your Inner Valiant, your authentic, congruent self. Stop abandoning your own needs. Constantly putting yourself last weakens your inner strength. Prioritising your own wellbeing nurtures growth, resilience, and the ability to thrive instead of merely survive. We may never fully understand every layer of our complex inner world, but pursuing self-understanding brings us closer to a life that is balanced, meaningful, and genuinely our own. Follow me on Facebook , LinkedIn , or visit my website  for more info! Read more from Bilyana Wharton Bilyana Wharton, Integrative Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist Bilyana Wharton is an experienced psychotherapist assisting clients to overcome the aftermath of trauma and abuse. Her therapy work encompasses conditions such as C-PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Relationship Issues. True to her instinctive and artistic nature, she has transitioned from a career in music and teaching to training as an integrative psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. Studying at Chrysalis Courses UK sparked an interest in the multi-model integrative therapy. Using the T.I.M.E. model, Bilyana utilises strategies and modalities of different therapy schools and theories, including CBT, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Attachment Theory, Parts Therapy, Relational Therapy, and Hypnotherapy.