The Dream Catcher Podcast

The Scarcity Effect in Love: How it Shapes Our Relationships and Drives Desire (and When It Backfires)

When something seems out of reach, that often makes it more appealing. The feeling that comes with wanting what we can’t have is called the scarcity effect. It’s the reason we keep thinking about someone who doesn’t text back right away or why an uncertain romance feels exciting. 

Scarcity shapes our dating habits, affects how we use dating apps, and even colors our feelings once we’re in a relationship. In this post, learn how the scarcity effect in love shapes desire and find out how to handle these emotions with confidence.

[Interview] Surviving Storms: How to Deal with Challenges & Adversities (feat. Mark Nepo)

Original airdate: Feb 21, 2023

We all face adversity from time to time, but some of us are able to flourish when things get difficult, while others seem to struggle. So, what does it take to stand firm during these tough times?

According to my guest Mark Nepo, the key to standing strong against life’s unavoidable storms is to know our true self and solidify our connection to all Spirit and all life. He's here to explain more.

Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for over 40 years. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, he has published 22 books and his work has been translated into over 20 languages. Mark has been interviewed several times by Oprah Winfrey and was also chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. In 2016 he was named one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit.

During our conversation, Mark offers his valuable insights and practical steps on navigating difficulties based on principles from his book “Surviving Storms.” He eloquently brings us to common passages and paths, urging us forward on the journey. 

Life's Price Tag: How to Decide What You Want and What You're Willing to Give

Most of what you do each day comes with a hidden price. Every decision takes something from you, whether it’s time, energy, or focus.

Learning what each choice really costs can help you decide what you want most and where you want to put your effort.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to spot what each decision asks from you and how to spend your effort and attention where it really counts. Start focusing on the actions that matter most and build the life you want, one choice at a time. 

[Interview] Breaking Generational Silence: How to Disrupt Unhealthy Family Patterns & Heal Inherited Trauma (feat. Nicole Russell-Wharton)

Imagine if a single conversation could set your life on a new path and spark healing that reaches your whole family, even future generations. 

My guest today, Nicole Russell-Wharton, believes that real change starts when we challenge old family paradigms and work through past pain. Nicole will share her thoughts on stopping the silence that has held so many families back. She’ll explain how speaking up and facing hard topics can help us and those who come after us grow stronger.

Nicole Russell-Wharton is a bestselling author and lead advocate for mental health and the well-being of children. She serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of Precious Dreams Foundation, the non-profit empowering youth in foster care and homeless and is also CEO of a consulting agency dedicated to educating corporations on best practices for serving vulnerable populations. Nicole has earned her awards and recognition from GLAMOUR, the Observer, Walmart, NBC, Essence, NBC and Oprah Magazine.

Join us for this episode where Nicole shares her findings and exercises to help you start learning about your family history. She will guide you in starting honest talks about health, money, social issues, and more, so you can break through silence and face family challenges with confidence.

Unlocking Your Soul's Journey: 5 Key Signs to Identify Life Lessons

Life is a profound journey, often filled with twists, turns, and valuable lessons waiting to be discovered. Many of us grapple with the same challenges, wondering why certain patterns keep repeating. 

What if these experiences are not merely obstacles but vital clues guiding you toward personal growth and enlightenment? You can embark on a transformative path by identifying your soul’s life lessons. 

This episode will illuminate the unique indicators that signal when life is nudging you toward deeper insights and revelations.

[Interview] The Art of Focus: Bringing Time, Energy, and Money into Flow (feat. Pedram Shojai)

Original airdate: Apr 5, 2022

In our unpredictable and ever-changing world, we’re constantly in a state of figuring out how to sow our seeds for a happy life. The information age has turned our attention into a currency that’s being mined, and time seems to be an increasingly scarce resource.

But what if it wasn't? What if we had the ability to take control of how we trade our energy for time and increase our vitality to live our fullest life?

That’s what my guest, Pedram Shojai, and I discuss in this episode.

Pedram is a former Taoist monk, doctor of Chinese medicine, and qi gong master. He is a New York Times best-selling author of several books including The Urban Monk and the producer of multiple films and series. He’s lectured on wellness around the world and is known for his no-nonsense approach towards teaching esoteric concepts to readers in an easy-to-understand way.

Pedram shares his thoughts on how we can make healthier choices in our life and design a lifestyle that fulfills our needs. We also talk about the major energy drainers in the modern world and what we can do to regain vitality.

Discovering the Mysteries: Ancient Rites of Passage and Their Significance

Rites of passage are ritual events commemorating a person's transition from one state of being to another. This could be social or religious, like a graduation or a wedding. 

Conventionally, a rite of passage marks the transition between a person's childhood and full inclusion into a social group or tribe, but over time, it has become applicable to other milestones. 

Learn about various ancient rites of passage that have been part of human civilization since time immemorial and how we've adapted those in modern times for social and psychological purposes.

[Interview] The Key Pillars of Mastering Your Inner Game and Realizing Your Highest Vision (feat. Dhiren Harchandani)

What if you could remove the obstacles that stand in your way and shape your life’s direction with purpose?

My guest, Dhiren Harchandani, believes that the secret to overcoming challenges and flourishing in life boils down to one essential skill: mastering our inner game. Today, he will share with us how to achieve this through his insightful wisdom and personal stories.

Dhiren Harchandani is a growth coach who has mentored entrepreneurs and organizations. As a TEDx speaker, he passionately advocates for unlocking human potential. An entrepreneur with over two decades of experience scaling businesses across five industries, his contributions have earned him recognition among the Top 40 Change Management Leaders. A graduate of Harvard Business School’s OPM program, Dhiren’s approach integrates a dynamic blend of NLP, neuroscience, and psychology to achieve transformative results. Beyond his mission to guide one billion individuals in mastering their Inner Game, Dhiren is an avid mountaineer. He competes in Ironman races and has traversed the diverse landscapes of over 70 countries, spanning all 7 continents.

In our conversation, Dhiren will help us in identifying the patterns that hold us back and share practical techniques we can incorporate into our everyday lives to break free and live with more meaning. You’ll discover how to cultivate resilience, confidence, and self-belief to realize your dreams and fulfill your potential.

Unlocking the Creative Genius: What Fuels the Imagination of Today's Most Successful People

In a world where innovation drives success, unlocking the creative genius within has never been more vital. The most successful people today, like entrepreneurs, artists, and thought leaders, exhibit an unyielding ability to fuel their imaginations and transform ideas into reality. 

But what ignites this creative fire? It all comes down to habits and mindset. By making a few simple changes to your daily routine described in this episode, you can cultivate the creativity you need to succeed.

[Interview] How to Find Flow and Achieve Peak Performance (feat. Steven Kotler)

Original airdate: August 9, 2022

Have you ever dreamed of doing the impossible? When you’re always motivated to grow, push your boundaries and get outside your comfort zone?

My guest, Steven Kotler, says that doing the impossible is possible. After studying elite athletes, artists, CEOs, scientists, and more, Steven found that we can be consistently unstoppable even when faced with unexpected setbacks and adversity.

Steven will tell us what it really takes to maximize our potential and achieve peak performance.
Steven Kotler is a NYT bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, and one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. He is the author of ten bestsellers (out of fourteen books), including “The Art of Impossible.” His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, translated into over 50 languages, and has appeared in over 100 publications, including the New York Times Magazine, Wall Street Journal, TIME, and the Harvard Business Review.

In this interview, Steven shares his expertise on flow state and how to enter and sustain it so that we can stretch ourselves and achieve impossible feats. He also talks about his new sci-fi thriller, “The Devil’s Dictionary,” and the inspiration behind its message about animal rights.