We're celebrating one year and 52 episodes of the Sage Solutions Podcast. I'm excited to share our plans for year two as we continue providing tools for personal growth and development.

• Moving to a bi-weekly format with longer episodes (averaging 40 minutes) to provide deeper value while maintaining long-term sustainability
• Continuing our "Curiosity Conversation" format as introduced in our 52nd episode
• Revisiting the five core fundamentals: Perspective of Reality, Locus of Control, Lifelong Learning, Self-Worth, and Taking Action
• Balancing intellectual depth with practical, actionable advice for daily life
• Focusing more on the concept of taking action in our second year
• Slight update to the fifth fundamental: "Life is like a muscle, so take action and build it"

Our goal with this podcast is to share free, helpful tools with you and anyone looking to improve their life. Take action, subscribe, and share this podcast with them.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Ever caught yourself wondering if you were being "fake" in a social situation? Or perhaps you've judged someone else for seeming inauthentic? This fascinating conversation between David, Hannah, and Anna Sage explores the gray area between necessary social adaptation and problematic inauthenticity.

The trio introduces a new format called "Curiosity Conversations" - unstructured discussions that allow personal development topics to flow naturally and intersect in surprising ways. What unfolds is a thoughtful examination of how we present ourselves in different contexts and what that means about our authentic selves.

As they navigate this complex topic, each host brings unique insights. Anna questions how we know when we're crossing the line into "fake" territory, while Hannah shares her experience as someone who sometimes needs to "turn on" her social side despite being naturally more introverted. David challenges the group to consider whether judging others' authenticity is even helpful, noting "we're so caught up in the stories that we're telling ourselves about the situation that's based on our perspective, when most of the actual intent is based on the stories that they're telling themselves that we can't hear."

The conversation takes fascinating turns as they discuss physiological responses to inauthenticity, whether small talk can ever feel genuine, and the complex relationship between social intelligence and authenticity. Each host reveals their own method for determining when they're being true to themselves - with surprising differences between them.

Perhaps most compelling is their exploration of how we define our core selves beyond just our consciousness. Hannah identifies herself as fundamentally "loving," while Anna sees herself as "deep," revealing how our self-concept directly shapes our experience of authenticity in daily interactions.

Whether you're someone who craves deep connection or struggles with surface-level conversations, this episode offers valuable perspective on navigating social situations while honoring your true self. Give it a listen and join the curiosity conversation - you might discover something surprising about your own authentic nature.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

The dance between dependence and independence shapes every connection in our lives, yet few of us truly understand the patterns dictating our relationship behaviors. David and Hannah Sage unravel the complex spectrum of dependency – from the complete reliance we experience as infants to the fierce independence many strive for as adults.

Through vivid tree analogies and real-life examples, this thoughtful exploration reveals why neither extreme dependence nor rigid independence leads to fulfilling relationships. The hosts challenge the American ideal of complete self-reliance, pointing out that even the most "independent" among us rely constantly on others through the fabric of society, language, and cooperation.

The discussion takes a particularly illuminating turn when examining codependence – that tangled dynamic where one person's self-worth becomes enmeshed with another's needs. Using popular culture references like "The Notebook," the Sages show how media often romanticizes unhealthy dependency patterns. Ernest Hemingway's poignant quote about losing yourself while loving too much strikes at the heart of why codependence damages both individuals in a relationship.

Where does the balance lie? The podcast introduces interdependence as the relationship sweet spot – when two whole, capable people consciously choose to connect and collaborate because it enhances both lives. Drawing from Stephen Covey's principles of win-win thinking and synergy, the hosts demonstrate how interdependent relationships create something greater than either person could achieve alone – where one plus one equals three.

For anyone struggling with relationship patterns, this episode offers practical strategies to foster healthier connections: developing self-awareness about dependency tendencies, practicing honest communication, embracing vulnerability, and maintaining individual interests. The wisdom shared applies not just to romantic partnerships but to friendships, family dynamics, and workplace relationships.

Whether you're recovering from a codependent past or working to open up after years of fierce independence, this conversation provides a roadmap toward connections that nurture rather than deplete. Ready to transform how you relate to everyone in your life? Listen, reflect, and take one small step toward interdependence today.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.