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Paula discusses the challenges of expressing gratitude during difficult times, emphasizing the importance of gratitude as a grounding practice rather than a performance. She highlights the complexities faced by marginalized communities, including financial stress, racial trauma, and burnout. Paula suggests practical ways to practice gratitude, such as micro-gratitudes, daily reflections, and community acknowledgments. She emphasizes that gratitude can help with emotional regulation, resilience, and reducing anxiety. Paula also addresses the historical weaponization of gratitude and encourages listeners to be gentle with themselves and to seek support from peers and the community.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ gratitude and Thanksgiving reflections
+ challenges of gratitude in difficult times
+ gratitude as a tool and practice
+ practical ways to practice gratitude
+ role of community and peer support

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Shellee discusses her mission to help families navigate college admissions without debt. She shares her personal journey as a first-generation college student and the challenges faced by her son, who became an orthopedic surgeon without debt. Shellee emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, community service, and early financial planning. She highlights the need for students to choose majors early and avoid using AI in college applications, as it leads to automatic rejection and offers free resources and a 30-minute consultation to help families assess their college readiness.

In this episode, you will hear:

+ the college ready approach
+ challenges and strategies for parents
+ community service and career exploration
+ navigating college admissions
+ financial considerations and resources

Guest Bio:

Shellee Howard is the Founder and CEO of College Ready and a Certified Independent College Strategist who helps families navigate the college admissions process with a proven, personalized approach. A best-selling author and global speaker, Shellee specializes in helping students gain admission to top-tier schools and graduate debt-free. With real-world experience as a mother of four college graduates, she empowers students to build standout strategies for academic, financial, and personal success.

Episode Resources:

Free 30 Min College Admissions Strategy Call- https://collegereadyplan.info

Contact/Socials:

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collegereadyplan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward/

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Paula discusses neurodivergent masking in adulthood and defines masking as the daily effort to appear normal, which can lead to burnout, identity confusion, and emotional exhaustion. She identifies that masking often begins in childhood and evolves into adulthood, particularly affecting communities of color. Unmasking involves practicing sensory comforts, setting boundaries, and using identity-affirming language. Paula emphasizes the importance of utilizing supports such as therapy, community, and self-compassion in the unmasking process, highlighting the need for representation and support for neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ categories of neurodivergence and its implications
+ common behaviors of adults who mask
+ emotional, physical, and social tolls of masking
+ intersectional factors and survival strategies
+ unmasking and the process of growth
+ representation and hope for neurodivergent individuals

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