The Wise Effort Show

Are you struggling to find inspiration and express your creative self? In this special episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill shares a vulnerable and insightful conversation from the bonus episode of the Emerging Form podcast. Delving into the nuances of creativity and recovery, Diana discusses her journey with poetry, metaphor, and wise effort. She reveals how personal imperfection and vulnerability can become powerful tools for growth and connection. Learn how to harness your creative energy and face challenges with courage and resilience. In This Episode, We Explore:The role of vulnerability in creativity a...

Are your thoughts holding you back from doing wise effort? In this episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill shares how our thoughts can both facilitate and hinder our efforts. Drawing from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), contemplative science, and her insights from going on a surf trip with her 16-year-old son and three of his buddies, Dr. Hill provides practical strategies for working with your mind so you can run your life, not let your thoughts control it. Learn about the three Cs of cognitive inflexibility—confirmation, coherence, and compliance effects—and discover how shifting perspectives and...

Do you find yourself trapped in the cycle of chasing things that ultimately make you unhappy? Dr. Diana Hill, a clinical psychologist, explores how non-attachment can help you redirect your energy towards more fulfilling pursuits rather than harmful ones. Through personal anecdotes and insights from Buddhism and clinical psychology, Dr. Hill discusses the nature of experiential attachment and offers practical steps to break free from this cycle. Learn how to become disenchanted with harmful cravings, identify your true yearnings, and align your actions with your core values for a more satisfying life. In This Episode, We Explore:<...

How can we cultivate more openness in our lives? In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill explores this question with cognitive psychologist Dr. Jonathan Schooler on The Wise Effort Show. They delve into the essential role of openness, mind wandering, and curiosity in enhancing creativity, well-being, and empathy. Dr. Schooler shares his insights on the distinctions between openness and mindfulness, the science behind mind wandering, and his theory of consciousness. Learn practical strategies for fostering an open mindset and its profound impact on personal growth and societal change. Don’t miss Dr. Schooler's innovative approaches to nurturing curiosity and his th...

What is Wise Effort? In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill is interviewed by Dr. Carl Erik Fisher about her new book Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most. They explore how wise effort can help navigate life’s demands. Discover the balance between striving and letting go, and learn actionable methods to apply wise effort in your daily life across various domains, including health, relationships, and work. In This Episode, We Explore:Diana’s personal journey with addictionWhat is Wise EffortUnderstanding Genius and Energy FlowIdentifying and Channeling Your GeniusSugge...

Struggling with the connection between your sleep, nutrition, and stress levels? In this episode, Dr. Diana Hill sits down with Shawn Stevenson, the dynamic host of The Model Health Show. Shawn dives into his personal journey from a debilitating health crisis to becoming a leading voice in holistic health. They discuss the importance of a solid sleep routine, the impact of essential nutrients on sleep quality, and the life-changing benefits of family meals. Discover actionable steps to create your own sleep sanctuary, the power of nutrient-dense foods, and why community is crucial for holistic health. Don’t miss this de...

How can you regulate your nervous system? Feel less stressed and get back into your body. In this episode, the founder of the Yoga Tune Up Method and author of Body by Breath. She's a renowned fascia expert, a movement educator, and she's the co-founder of Tune Up Fitness Worldwide.  And in this episode, we are gonna walk through some key things that you need to  know about your body. You need to know about your diaphragm.  You need to know about your fascia and you need to know how to regulate your nervous system, how to decrease your stress...

According to Courtney Smith, fear can send us “below the line” in relationships. When you act from fear, you end up scrambling for security, control, and safety–often at the expense of wholeness. In this conversation, Dr. Diana Hill and Courtney Smith, author of Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness, explore ways to shift into more authentic relating. They explore how to stay grounded while connecting, how to notice when we are caught in a story, and how to become growth-oriented co-creators. Along the way, Diana and Courtney demo some of these skills in their relationship, in real time. This is a fun o...

To be honest, I used to be a bit of a purist when it came to yoga—and I’ll admit, I was judgmental about CorePower. But then I tried it. Now I love it—for the heat, the community, the challenge. And I love it even more after getting to know Brandon Cox, its co-founder.Brandon started CorePower Yoga back in 2002, and he’s very rarely interviewed. You’re going to love this episode of The Wise Effort Show, where you’ll not only hear the story behind CorePower, but also get to know the good people behin...

Are your relationships and household dynamics feeling out of balance due to money and work stressors? This episode explores insights and strategies for creating equitable and harmonious relationships across financial and domestic spheres. I, along with guest Melissa Hogenboom, dive into the impact of gender dynamics on household responsibilities, power imbalances, and the mental load frequently shouldered by women. We discuss the importance of communication, valuing care work, and sharing responsibilities effectively. Learn practical steps to rebalance efforts in your life and foster a more equitable future for the next generation.In This Episode, We Explore:...

Are you an aspiring writer struggling to find your voice? This week’s episode explores how to tap into your unique creative genius and align it with your values to become the writer you were meant to be. Dr. Diana Hill, along with book coach Jennie Nash, delves into the Wise Effort Method. Hear about Diana's personal journey of overcoming her challenges and how Jennie guided her through unleashing her true writing genius. They also discuss how to clear mental blocks, focus creative energy, and integrate daily rituals to enhance your writing process. If you’re ready to dig deep...

How can we respond to uncertainty and loss with the power of soul work? In this episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill speaks with Francis Weller, an influential author and psychotherapist, about confronting the 'long dark' — a term he uses to describe our collective and individual challenges. Weller emphasizes the importance of community, imagination, and ritual in overcoming grief and trauma. They discuss key concepts from his book, 'In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty,' and explore practical ways to engage in soul work and build resilience. Listen to this ep...

Feeling scattered, low, or depleted? Join Dr. Diana Hill as she takes you through a step-by-step energy audit to reclaim your vitality and your life. In this episode, Dr. Hill, the author of the new book Wise Effort, shares her personal journey and practical strategies for evaluating and revitalizing your physical, psychological, relational, environmental, and spiritual energy. Discover how to align your energy use with your values and unique strengths, and transform energy drains into gains for a more fulfilling and balanced life. In This Episode, We Explore:Step-by-step guide on performing an energy audit across ke...

How can you develop deep resilience? That’s the focus of this insightful episode with Dr. Michael Kearney. Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Kearney explore the concept of deep resilience, emphasizing the importance of community, interconnectedness, and natural metaphors to navigate life’s challenges. Dr. Kearney shares five vital lessons for building deep resilience, inspired by his experiences and the profound vitality of a redwood tree in Big Sur. This episode invites listeners to delve into self-care, healing connections, and the profound wisdom found within nature and our interconnected human existence.In This Episode, We Explore:Burn...

There’s a reason why Prince Harry called Jennifer Rudolph Walsh his “fairy godmother.” That’s because she has a magical way of creating community, elevating voices, and telling stories that need to be told. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she used this magic to move from scale to intimacy and build meaningful conversations at Godmothers bookshop in Summerland, CA. Diana Hill and Jennifer Walsh discuss how being relevant distracts us from the real connection we need, how we carry our childhood experiences forward and the richness of gathering together, talking, and sharing a good book.In This...

This week’s episode is about stabilizing your heart and clearing your mind so you can show up more effectively in a world that’s constantly throwing stress your way. This is a solo episode—and these are my favorite to share, because they come straight from what I’m practicing in real time. I share 5 simple but powerful practices inspired by my recent time at Deer Park Monastery.In This Episode, We Explore:Practice #1. StopPractice #2. Put Down What You Are CarryingPractice #3. Sit at the Back of the HeartPractice #4. Tune Your Mind to ImpermanencePractice #5. Prioritize LoveThe...

Feeling overwhelmed by your addiction or the addiction of a loved one? Discover a creative, non-shaming, and integrative way to understand and address addiction in this episode of the Wise Effort Show. Host Dr. Diana Hill and guest Dr. Carl Fisher delve into the complex nature of addiction, exploring it as a multifaceted issue that affects our energy and life direction. They share personal stories and professional insights, emphasizing compassion and humanity while offering a new perspective that frames addiction as a response to suffering and a call for deeper needs. Learn strategies for managing urges and the importance...

Can poetry be a form of medicine? Dr. Diana Hill explores this profound question with poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on the Wise Effort Show. They discuss the role of poetry in emotional processing, grief, love, and connection. Diana shares how Rosemerry’s poetry has personally influenced her life and work. Rosemerry reads some of her poems, discusses her daily practice of writing a poem everyday, and offers insights into how poetry can help us be present with our pain and transform it. Drawing from her own experiences, especially the tragic loss of her son, Rosemerry explains how metaphors and a...

What do you do when the thing you love—your art, your work, your creativity—starts feeling like a product? When the metrics of success get louder than the pulse of your own heart? In this episode, I sit down with Glen Phillips—lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket and a longtime Santa Barbara creative—for a conversation that meanders, deepens, and opens up space for something honest and healing. Glen shares how his music career took off at age 16, how he lost his way chasing the industry’s definition of “enough,” and how he found his way back—through c...

Feeling boreout? That restless, understimulated, underinvolved sense that your work—or your life—needs a refresh? Creativity might be the key. In this episode, I’m doing something different: a live episode recorded at Communal Table at Jane Restaurant. We dive into the science of creativity and try out some playful creative tasks (including a collective poem!). In a real play, I work with an audience member to get unstuck using the creative power of psychodrama.It’s insightful, energizing, and honestly—just fun. Tune in!Listen and Learn About:Understanding Creativity and Its Importance...