Why Feeling Valued Matters: Creating a Culture of Significance with Zach Mercurio
Ever wonder why feeling valued and significant at work (and in life!) matters so much? This week, I'm thrilled to welcome researcher, author, and purposeful leadership expert Zach Mercurio to Grow the Good. Zach dives deep into the critical concept of mattering—the foundational human need to feel significant, seen, and valued by others.Drawing from his latest book, The Power of Mattering, Zach shares compelling insights on why feeling significant isn't just nice to have; it's essential for our mental health, resilience, and overall performance. We discuss authentic purpose, how digital life impacts meaningful connection, and practical strategies anyone can use to foster mattering in their relationships and workplaces.Key takeaways include:Why authentic purpose must benefit others, not just ourselves.How feeling insignificant contributes to loneliness and decreased performance.Practical strategies for creating meaningful interactions that communicate value.Why care and hurry can't coexist—and how to slow down to truly see others.The critical role leaders play in shaping a culture where everyone feels they matter.This episode is packed with stories, research, and actionable advice you can apply immediately to your own life and leadership. Because when people know they matter, amazing things happen.LINKS:- Connect with Zach- Read The Power of Mattering- Finding Meaning and Mattering with Andrew Soren- Purpose is the Compass--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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1:04:59
The Power of Connection: Why Friendship Matters More Than You Think
We all crave connection—but in the busy shuffle of adult life, it’s easy to lose touch with the very relationships that keep us grounded. In this solo episode of Grow the Good, I’m diving into the topic of friendship and why it’s essential—not just for happiness, but for our health and longevity.I explore why making new friends gets harder after 30, the different types of friendships we need, and the surprising power of spontaneity when it comes to feeling close and supported. I’ll also share the one thing I’ve started doing that has completely transformed how connected I feel day to day.This episode is a reminder that connection isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a pillar of well-being. Whether you’re craving more meaningful relationships or simply want to bring more playfulness into your life, this one’s for you.Key Takeaways:Connection is foundational to a fulfilling lifeQuality of friendships > quantityMaking friends gets harder with age—but it’s possibleSpontaneity and hearing someone’s voice deepen bondsBe proactive, playful, and pick up the phone🎧 Tune in, then call a friend—because other people matter.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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19:23
Mind-Body Mastery: Building Resilience, Flow, and Confidence with Pete Kadushin
How do you truly unlock your potential—not just in sport, but in life?In this episode of Grow the Good, I’m joined by Pete Kadushin, performance psychologist, educator, and Manager of Learning and Development for the Chicago Blackhawks. Pete brings over 15 years of experience working with elite performers in professional sports, collegiate athletics, and the military.We talk about why building a mindful relationship with your body is crucial for resilience, flow, and sustained high performance. Pete shares powerful insights on nervous system regulation, the sweet spot between challenge and relaxation, and how to translate low-stakes practice into high-stakes performance.We also explore the personal side of performance psychology—how these practices show up not just at start lines and game days, but in everyday life, from raising your hand in a classroom to handling life’s unexpected challenges with more grace.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected from your body, or struggled to bring your best under pressure, this conversation is packed with practical tools and inspiring mindset shifts.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why mindfulness and nervous system regulation are essential performance toolsHow to use body awareness to build confidence and resilienceThe role of flow—and how to create the right conditions for itPractical ways to simulate pressure and prepare for peak momentsHow to build a better relationship with your body for long-term wellbeing and successJoin us for this eye-opening conversation and learn how to grow your resilience, performance, and connection—on and off the field.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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1:00:56
Meaningful Work Matters featuring Sonya Looney
Today's episode features an episode of the Meaningful Work Matters podcast hosted by Andrew Soren. Beyond Perfect Performance: Lessons from Sonya LooneyIn this episode of Meaningful Work Matters, host Andrew Soren explores the intricate relationship between perfectionism and meaningful work with Sonya Looney, a unique voice at the intersection of elite performance and well-being. As a World Champion mountain biker with two decades of endurance racing experience, NBC-HWC-certified mental performance coach, and researcher, Looney brings both scientific rigor and lived experience to the conversation. Her unique combination of athletic achievement, coaching expertise, and interdisciplinary education allows her to offer distinctive insights into resilience, healthy striving, and the complex dynamics of perfectionism in high-performance settings.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
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48:12
Mindfulness in Action: How to Regulate Your Emotions for Resilience and Performance
Have you ever found yourself overcome by emotions—whether excitement at a race start, stress at work, or overwhelm from everyday life? In this Mindfulness in Action session, I explore practical strategies to regulate your emotions, inspired by Ethan Kross’s insightful new book, Shift. I'll share powerful tools, including mindfulness techniques focused on sound, cognitive strategies, and personal examples from my life as an athlete and mom.Tune in to learn how to effectively recognize, manage, and harness your emotions, even during fatigue or stress, to enhance resilience and boost performance.--------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.
Grow the Good, formerly The Sonya Looney Show, is your guide to continual personal growth, meaningful connections, and positive impact in the world. Challenge the idea that you are broken or need fixing. Instead, discover how to cultivate the good that already exists within you and amplify the strengths and potential you may not yet realize you have. Grounded in the science of positive psychology and guided by the pillars of purpose, vitality, resilience, hope, and connection, each episode is packed with tools, stories, and evidence-backed insights to help you create a more authentic and flourishing life.
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