New Year’s resolutions often sound motivating—but they can quietly damage your relationship with yourself.

In this episode, Kory offers a gentler, more sustainable way to set goals—one that prioritizes wellbeing over self-criticism. Using the A Well Cared For Human framework, she walks through how to align your goals with your body, mind, spirit, and relationships, while paying close attention to the thoughts, language, and actions that shape how growth actually feels.

This episode explores:

• Why results-based goals can harm your mental health

• How to replace self-judgment with compassion

• A practical framework for setting supportive, realistic intentions

• Why the action itself—not the outcome—is the real win

If you’re craving growth without shame, this episode is for you. Learn more about how to become A Well Cared For Human by visiting www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Episode 145: Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World

In this week’s episode, Kory explores why so many of us feel exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed, or “out of sync” — and why none of it is a personal failing. Living in a fast-moving, hyperconnected world constantly pulls us off center. Add in the pressure to “get it together,” stay productive, and keep up with endless expectations, and balance becomes nearly impossible to maintain.

Drawing from the four pillars of wellbeing — Body, Mind & Emotions, Spirit, and Connection — Kory breaks down what imbalance really looks like, how quickly it shows up in our daily lives, and how to use gentle “counterweights” to restore harmony.

You’ll learn:

• Why awareness is the key to finding balance • How to identify imbalances before they spiral • What your energy, emotions, creativity, and relationships are telling you • How overworking, under-resting, or overstimulation quietly drain you • Why systemic narratives make us feel like we’re failing • Simple, compassionate ways to get grounded again — no shame, no pressure

This episode is for anyone who feels tired, stretched thin, creatively stuck, or disconnected from themselves. You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel whole again — just a few mindful shifts and a lot of self-kindness.

Listen now to reconnect with your center, replenish your energy, and remember that balance is something you practice, not something you perfect. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Author James Clear said, “"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The only problem is that most systems that dictate our lives are not built by us, let alone for us.

In this episode, host Kory discusses how systemic structures impact our relationship with ourselves and our ability to nurture the four pillars of wellness: body, mind and emotions, spirit, and connection. Kory explains how societal expectations, particularly within American culture, often undermine our self-care efforts. From productivity pressures affecting our physical health to consumerism influencing our mental and emotional state, Kory details how these systems manipulate our well-being. Despite systemic challenges, Kory emphasizes the importance of investing in self-care and cautions against self-blame. Learn more about Kory and her work at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Gratitude can feel impossible when life feels chaotic, uncertain, or overwhelming — and yet this is when we need it most.

In this episode, we explore why gratitude often feels out of reach during stressful seasons, and why shifting your practice inward (toward gratitude for yourself) is one of the most powerful healing tools available.

I share three simple, grounding practices that help you:

• Build internal stability when the world feels unpredictable

• Strengthen resilience and emotional safety

• Reconnect to your worth, enoughness, and inner strength

• Experience gratitude as empowerment — not performance

This episode is a gentle invitation to honor where you are, celebrate who you are, and remember that gratitude begins with you.

Note: This podcast shares ideas for personal development, reflection, and healing. It is not a substitute for professional mental-health support.

Remember how fun it was to be scared as a kid? Haunted houses, scary stories, and Halloween thrills made fear feel playful — even exciting. But as adults, fear often feels heavier: anxiety, doubt, and self-criticism replace curiosity and courage.

In this Halloween-inspired episode of A Well Cared For Human, Kory M. Shrum shares two powerful tools for transforming fear: self-belief and curiosity. You’ll learn how to reframe fear as an opportunity for growth instead of paralysis, and how to bring back the light-hearted bravery we once had as children.

Plus, Kory introduces her newest release, Final Cut — a chilling new collection of Halloween ghost stories — and other spooky reads to keep you company this season.

Tune in to reconnect with your courage, rekindle your curiosity, and remember that fear doesn’t have to control you. Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com

Addiction can take many forms: substances, screens, shopping, work, or even relationships. In episode 141 of A Well Cared For Human, your host Kory opens up about her personal journey of overcoming several addictions over the years and share the five practices that helped her break the cycle.

You’ll learn:

• What addiction really looks like (and how to spot it in your own life)

• The mindset shifts that make recovery possible

• Five simple, compassionate steps to start healing

• How to rebuild trust with yourself along the way

This episode was made with love and lived experience, but it is not a substitute for professional help. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified mental health or addiction professional. 💙

Most adults forget to make time for play — but play is one of the most powerful (and free!) mental health tools we have. In this episode, Kory explains why play matters, how it reduces stress and sparks creativity, and five simple ways to add more play into your daily life.

If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or craving more joy, this episode will give you lighthearted, practical tools to reset your mind and reconnect with what makes you feel alive.

💛 Learn more at www.awellcaredforhuman.com 💙Join Kory LIVE for a Virtual Play Date on YouTube: Thursday, Sept 25 at 8PM ET

Birthdays are supposed to feel joyful, but for many of us, they bring something else: anxiety, self-doubt, or a quiet sadness we can’t quite name.

In this personal and honest episode, I share what my most recent birthday revealed about aging, self-worth, and the passage of time, and how I want to move into the year ahead with more clarity, joy, and compassion.

Whether birthdays fill you with excitement or dread, this conversation will help you see them differently: not as proof of what’s slipping away, but as an invitation to live more fully, right now.

Aging doesn’t have to mean fear, regret, or invisibility. It can mean stepping into wisdom, freedom, and deeper self-love. Your next birthday isn’t a deadline. It' s a doorway into who you’re becoming. Learn more self-empowerment strategies at www.awellcaredforhuman.com