The Dream Catcher Podcast

The Halo Effect: How it Influences Our Relationships (and why it matters)

All of us judge people by their appearance. From hairstyle to posture, we look at everything to build a picture of them in our minds. We instantly evaluate and make assumptions based on outer personas. Other people do the same to us.

By nature, we’re prone to taking people at face value. It’s convenient, and it’s an instinctive response to determine trustworthiness. First impressions count, but we must know that our judgments can go wrong due to the cognitive bias of the halo effect. 

Find out what the halo effect is and how to prevent it from affecting your decision-making.

The Different Types of Success and How to Focus on The Right One’s

In looking at your life, can you unequivocally say that pursuing your goals makes you happy? If not, it’s time to redefine what success means to you.

Success lies in the process of creation and discovery, not in the potential side-effects of money or praise. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to climb the proverbial ladder of success - the problem lies in how we relate to it. 

Consider other perspectives and the different types of success to create a definition that feels right and is worthy of your time, effort, and emotions.

[Interview] Living Your Epic Journey: How to Distill Wisdom from Your Story (feat. Amy Edelstein)

So many of us undervalue our own experience and overlook the wisdom that can support us daily. These habits of self-sabotage knock the wind out of our sails and keep us searching and grasping for what we have already realized. 

One way to overcome this is to see our life as a unique epic journey and to become aware of the transformation we experience through the peaks and valleys of life. 

To help us find inspiration, I invited Amy Edelstein.

Amy Edelstein is the author of six books, including the award-winning The Conscious Classroom. Founder of the non-profit Inner Strength Education and recipient of a Philadelphia Social Innovator's award, Amy's work has empowered 17,000 teens in under-resourced schools with mindfulness and systems thinking.

During our conversation, Amy shares what she learned during an epic journey she took in 1983 when she journeyed to the remote western corner of the Tibetan Plateau in Zanskar, India. She also offers ideas on how to view our own life as a journey so that we feel empowered and immersed in the richness of everyday living. 

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!

What is Paganism and How it’s Celebrated Today

Paganism is a broad term for various traditions that are commonly polytheistic and steeped in the natural world. 

Because Pagan beliefs are so entrenched in nature, there’s genuine respect for the planet and conserving its beauty and resources. Today, Paganism is either shrouded in mystery or misunderstood. 

Find out everything you need to know about Paganism, including its beliefs, history, early and modern-day practices, and how we can incorporate some of it into our own lives.

4 Decision Making Models to Help You Make Better Decisions

Every day, we face hundreds of choices — from what to eat for dinner to the more complex ones that impact our future.

Most of us aren't equipped for problem-solving because it's not something we're taught in school. But, it's a skill set that everyone should have in their toolkit. 

One way to acquire it is by using decision making models, a process used to simplify the process. These four decision making models offer different ways to help you think about various problems and make better decisions.

[Interview] The Power of Storytelling and Telling Women’s Stories (feat. Elizabeth Lesser)

History is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values. That’s why stories have the power to shape our world and define our identity.

However, for most of human history, the storytellers have been men — and women’s voices have been largely absent. 

According to my guest, Elizabeth Lesser, had there been an equal blend of male and female voices, it would have changed our culture, our values, and the way we live.

In her new book, “Cassandra Speaks,” she explores these issues in-depth, which we will be discussing in this episode.

Elizabeth Lesser is the author of The Seeker’s Guide, Marrow and the NYT bestseller Broken Open. She is the co-founder of Omega Institute, recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, spirituality, creativity, and social change. She’s given two popular TED talks and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, a collection of leaders using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.

In this interview, Elizabeth and I discuss the messages in stories we’ve been told through the ages and its impact on how women feel about our appearance, sense of power, and their abilities. We also talk about the steps that we can take to change the narrative so that it empowers both women and men. 

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!

Energy Vampires: Who They Are & How to Handle Them

Have you ever been in the presence of someone who left you feeling tired and exhausted because of their behavior? The chances are high that you encountered an energy vampire. 

An energy vampire is a person who feeds off your emotions and life force. They get their energy fix by preying on and consuming the vitality of their victims, leaving them feeling drained. 

Find out everything you need to know about energy vampires, including the six types and how to handle each one to protect you and your loved ones.

Threatened by Others Success? Here’s How to Regain Self Confidence.

Whether it's a co-worker, friend, or influencer, seeing others succeed can lead us to question our abilities. 

Feeling threatened by others' success is normal and does not make you a bad person. But it does mean that there are some beliefs that you need to take a closer look at. 

The good news is that we all have the power to override feelings of envy. Find out what's at the root of this emotion and the steps you can take to regain self confidence.

[Interview] The Samurai Code: How Bushido Can Help Us Live a Meaningful Life (feat. Yoichi Utebi)

The term Bushido literally means the way of a warrior. It’s been used in Japan since the 9th century when samurai soldiers bravely served their lords.

Today, Bushido is seen as a collection of ideals that lead to fidelity to one’s values and self-improvement. My guest, Yoichi Utebi, believes that Bushido can serve us well in dealing with our personal and collective challenges. 

Yoichi Utebi is a movie producer and lecturer. Born in Japan, Yoichi grew up in Lebanon and the U.S. and where he was exposed to multiple cultures and ethnicities. After 12 years of experience in marketing and management in IT companies, Yoichi decided to join Happy Science, a spiritual movement in Japan, as a minister and lecturer, and produce movies.

During our conversation, Yoichi talks about the Samurai’s bushido code of conduct and ideals and how we can apply it in our lives. Bushido is showcased in his new movie “The Cherry Bushido” a film about a young devotee and group of friends who unite to protect Japan from the threat of extinction by its neighboring country. 

If you liked what you heard, don’t forget to like, rate, share and subscribe to this podcast. Thank you!

The Truth About Finding Your Purpose in Life

Your purpose is the reason you wake up in the morning feeling eager to start the day. However, most people move through life not quite knowing what they’re here for. 

Instead of digging deep, they follow the social scripts for success, like going to a good school, getting a well-paying job, and starting a family. 

To break away from this, we need to think outside the proverbial box and keep these seven truths in mind when finding our purpose.