Episode Description:

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I reflect on the role of completion and new beginnings as we close out a year and look ahead. Instead of focusing on resolutions, I explore how endings in relationships, work, and seasons of life invite reflection, emotional awareness, and growth.

I share why honoring what worked, what did not, and who you became matters as much as setting intentions for what comes next. Tune in to learn how reflection, repair, and intentional practice can help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

Completion Holds Both Grief and Possibility - Completion often brings grief and uncertainty, but it also opens the door to what comes next. When you honor what is ending and reflect on what worked, you create space for growth, clarity, and new possibilities to take shape.

Healthy Respect Comes from Reflection - Taking time to reflect helps us see not just what happened, but how we showed up along the way. Acknowledging what worked and honoring who you became builds respect for your own growth, even when the outcome was not perfect. Top of FormBottom of Form

Emotions Move in Waves, Not Timelines - Change often brings endings and beginnings at the same time, and that mix can stir excitement, grief, and uncertainty all at once. Emotions rise and fall like waves, and they cannot be rushed or controlled. Emotional awareness, flexibility, and courage allow you to name what you feel, honor it, and move through transitions without blocking joy in what is beginning.

Model the Future Through Repair - New beginnings are shaped by how you close what came before. Reflecting on what worked and what did not, taking responsibility for harm, and engaging in repair allows you to model the behaviors, values, and relationships you want to carry forward. Repair is not weakness. It is a courageous practice that creates healthier foundations for what comes next.

Helpful Resources:

• Progress Grows Through Practice, Not Perfection - Every new beginning invites a beginner’s mindset. Growth happens through practice, small consistent actions, and ongoing learning, not by getting everything right. When you give yourself grace and honor your humanity, even small efforts can lead to meaningful progress and lasting change.

• Accountability Sustains Growth - Clarity about what you are committed to is strengthened through accountability. Trusted partners help reflect who you are becoming, support your growth, and remind you to care for yourself along the way. Accountability is not about pressure. It is about shared responsibility that keeps progress moving, even when the pace is slow.

• Intentional Reflection Helps Remap the Future - Pausing to reflect on endings and beginnings allows you to reset direction, clarify priorities, and intentionally shape what comes next instead of repeating old patterns.

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships. Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I talk about why honoring your feelings does not mean letting them run your life. Through lessons from my trip to Japan, I share how frustration, setbacks, and unexpected moments can be met with intention, perspective, and even laughter.

I also explain why choosing joy and play is a form of regulation, not avoidance, and how it helps us stay engaged, clear, and effective in our relationships, leadership, and daily responsibilities when the world feels heavy. Tune in to learn how to make space for your feelings while still protecting your capacity for joy and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

Lemonade and Laughter Require Choice – Joy and connection do not just happen when life gets easier. Without intention and a deliberate mindset, frustration and worry often take over. Choosing to see the lessons in difficult moments and allowing space for laughter turns challenges into opportunities to learn, connect, and restore energy instead of letting circumstances dictate our experience.

Laughter Requires Intention – Life often puts us on tight timelines, with expectations and plans that don’t always go as expected. It’s easy to let frustration take over in these moments, but choosing to bring in laughter and perspective transforms how we experience challenges.

Protecting Joy Takes Intentionality – Feeling good doesn’t just happen, especially with all the stress and chaos around us. By creating intentional spaces at home, in our communities, and even in how we use social media, we can protect moments of joy and laughter. Honoring our feelings without letting them take over helps us stay present, clear, and able to show up fully in life.

Infusing Daily Life with Joy While Respecting Your Feelings – It’s possible to honor your emotions while also creating space for laughter and joy. Being intentional about noticing bright spots and carving out time for play helps you stay balanced and energized. Even if daily moments aren’t always possible, setting aside time once or twice a week can make a real difference.

Helpful Resources:

• Joy Requires Intentional Spaces – Joy and laughter don’t just happen automatically. Creating intentional spaces at home, in communities, or even online allows us to access moments of play and connection, even during busy or stressful times.

• Accessing Joy Supports Giving – Experiencing joy isn’t ignoring challenges. It’s a form of restoration that helps us continue to give, serve, and lead in every space, from advocacy and education to family and community care.

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships. Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I talk about why rest is not a luxury but essential for staying healthy, connected, and effective. Inspired by Dr. Sandra Dalton Smith’s book Sacred Rest, I break down the different kinds of rest we often miss and share real-life examples of how constant stimulation, emotional effort, and unplanned time can quietly drain us.

Tune in to learn how to recognize the rest you really need and set up simple routines that help rest become a regular and renewing part of your life, especially during the holiday season and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

Rest Requires Structure – Rest does not just happen when life slows down. Without intention and planning, rest is often the first thing sacrificed during busy seasons. Creating structure allows rest to become consistent instead of optional.

Rest is Multidimensional – True restoration goes beyond sleep or quiet time. Our minds and bodies need sensory, emotional, and social rest to recover from constant stimulation, emotional labor, and social demands. This kind of rest allows emotions to be felt and released, overstimulation to calm, and the nervous system to fully recharge.

The Power of Creative Rest - Creative work consumes significant mental energy, even when it feels fulfilling. Creative rest is not disengagement or laziness. It is the intentional pause that allows ideas to settle, integrate, and mature. Stepping away from active creation creates space for clarity, insight, and more sustainable creativity to emerge.

Structure Protects Your Rest - Rest requires intentional planning and structure. Without scheduling it, daily tasks and “just one more thing” moments can easily push rest aside, reducing its effectiveness and leaving us exhausted.

Helpful Resources:

• Spiritual Rest Requires a Flexible Structure - Spiritual rest looks different for everyone. It may be attending a place of fellowship or engaging in daily rituals like gratitude writing or yoga. The key is to recognize your structure for spiritual connection and allow flexibility, balancing alone time and community practice to feel replenished.

• Rest Doesn’t Always Require Complex Routines - Stepping outside into nature, wandering through a store, or immersing yourself in music can provide mental, creative, and even spiritual rest. The key is to recognize what helps you recharge, have it ready, and intentionally create dedicated time to step away and rest.

• Be Intentional About Your Rest - To truly benefit from rest, start by asking yourself what you need and which types of rest will serve you best. Identify the tools or practices that support that rest, implement them consistently, and create disciplined structures, like an accountability partner, to ensure you follow through, not just for the holidays but for the year ahead.

Resources Mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Rest-Recover-Energy-Restore/dp/1478921676

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I share the power of letting go of expectations and how it can create freedom, presence, and connection in our lives.

Using a personal story from traveling in Japan, I explore how detours, big or small, can reveal new possibilities and help us trust ourselves, embrace flexibility, and align with our true purpose. Tune in to learn practical insights for releasing limiting expectations and creating flow, trust, and meaningful connection in every area of life.

Letting Go of Expectations Frees Us – Holding tightly to how things “should” go often leads to disappointment, tension, and frustration. When we release rigid expectations, we create space to experience freedom, joy, and connection in the moment.

The Ripple of Tension - Our emotions silently affect those around us through a phenomenon called limbic resonance. Micro expressions and subtle body movements communicate our inner state, so tension we carry can spill over, shaping the mood of others. Holding onto expectations confines both our experience and the energy we share.

Freedom in the Detour - Sometimes plans go off track, and the natural reaction is tension or frustration. Yet when we let go of rigid expectations and embrace the detour, a new space opens. Relaxing allows laughter, connection, and unexpected discoveries to emerge. What initially seemed like a setback can become an experience richer than the original plan.

Trust Yourself and Your Path – Letting go of expectations starts with trusting ourselves. Trust that we can handle unexpected turns, adapt, and still reach meaningful destinations.

Helpful Resources:

• Expectations Are Often Inherited – Many of the standards we try to meet come from parents, teachers, or society rather than our own desires. Recognizing which expectations are ours versus inherited helps us make choices that resonate with our heart’s purpose.

• Courage to Trust the Path - Freedom begins when we let go and trust, ourselves, the journey, and the guidance of those who genuinely care for us. By releasing expectations that don’t align with our heart, we open space to follow our true purpose. Courage and resilience guide us along paths that may be less traveled but ultimately lead to fulfillment.

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

Youtube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors and the Brain, I explore reality strategies, mental models, and how they shape the way we communicate, connect, and understand one another. We break down how our brains construct reality from past experiences, values, culture, and environment, and how this affects our daily interactions. I share practical tools to listen across different realities, clarify understanding, and keep conversations open, whether in leadership, family, or community settings.

Key Takeaways:

Reality Strategies Shape Everything – Every person sees the world through a unique lens, called a reality strategy or mental model. Understanding that each person’s reality is different helps us approach conversations without judgment and allows us to better connect with others, even when their perspective is different from our own.

Listening That Bridges Perspectives – Listening is more than just hearing words; it is about trying to understand the other person’s world. Staying curious and genuinely open during conversations allows us to bridge gaps between different perspectives. This kind of listening creates space for connection, reduces misunderstandings, and helps relationships grow stronger.

Clarifying Understanding – Communication is a mix of words, tone, and body language. Sometimes what we say is not exactly what the other person hears. Clarifying understanding ensures that both people are on the same page and prevents confusion, frustration, and unnecessary conflict.

Speak in Pictures: The Power of Metaphors – Sometimes words alone are not enough to explain what we mean. Using examples, stories, or metaphors can help the other person picture what we are trying to say. Metaphors and examples help bridge the gap between different mental models, making it easier for people to understand and connect.

Protecting Yourself While Connecting – Not every situation or person requires deep communication across reality strategies. It is important to protect your own emotional space and recognize your triggers, while still being open where connection matters.

Helpful Resources:

• Avoid Ranking Realities as More or Less Valid – When engaging with others, recognize their reality as simply different, not inferior. Listening without judgment allows for clearer understanding and reduces conflict caused by comparing perspectives.

• Practical Tools for Meaningful Connection – Intentional communication can transform relationships at work, at home, and in the community. By listening carefully, asking clarifying questions, using metaphors, and observing responses, we can create trust and understanding.

• Developing curiosity and Active observation Enhances Communication – Observing how others respond, paying attention to body language, and asking clarifying questions encourages curiosity and helps you understand their reality. This keeps conversations open and prevents misunderstandings.

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

Youtube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode, I talk about how different people see and handle conflict. You'll learn how personality types like introverts, extroverts, thinkers, and feelers approach tough conversations and why that matters. We’ll also look at how our past experiences shape how we deal with conflict. By the end, you’ll have tools to listen better, respond with care, and find solutions that help everyone feel respected and understood.

Key Takeaways:

Society Often Frames Conflict as Dangerous – Media and culture often show conflict as dramatic and harmful, making many people fear or avoid it. In reality, it’s often just a difference in opinion or perspective. When we begin to shift the story around conflict, we can start seeing it as a chance for understanding and growth.

Everyone Has a Different Perception of the Same Interaction – Every person brings their own lens, shaped by experiences, beliefs, and emotions, to every interaction. What one person hears and feels during a conflict may be completely different from the other person’s experience. Understanding this helps us avoid assumptions and encourages empathy.

Conflict Can Feel Like a Threat to Safety – For those with past trauma, conflict may feel unsafe and trigger fear, avoidance, or aggression. Understanding this helps us respond with compassion instead of taking it personally.

Not All Difficult Conversations Are Conflict – Tough conversations don’t always mean someone is angry or there’s a fight. Sometimes it’s just an uncomfortable topic or a disagreement that doesn’t escalate. Learning to differentiate between discomfort and danger is essential in improving how we communicate.

Helpful Resources:

• Personality Affects Conflict Styles – Our personality preferences strongly shape how we handle conflict. Using the Myers-Briggs framework, we can understand how people process, express, or avoid conflict based on whether they’re more introverted, extroverted, logical (thinker), or relationship-focused (feeler).

• Thinkers and Feelers Can Challenge and Support Each Other – Thinkers may need to practice tuning into people’s emotions and honoring the relationship, not just the facts. Feelers may need to learn to assert facts and advocate for their needs without giving up their values. When both sides grow in these areas, conflict becomes more productive and respectful.

• The Goal of Conflict Is Connection, Not Control – The point of a disagreement is not to dominate, win, or prove who’s right. It’s to understand each other, find common ground, and make progress. Healthy conflict leads to growth and clarity.

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

Youtube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs