Pragmatic optimism combines positive expectations with realistic action, creating a powerful mindset that transforms how we approach challenges and improves health, relationships, and goal achievement.

• Optimism and pessimism exist on a spectrum that deals with our expectations and hope for outcomes
• The realistic-idealistic spectrum is separate and deals with our assessment of reality
• Pragmatic optimism merges optimism with realism and practical action
• Martin Seligman's research shows optimism is a learnable skill based on our "explanatory style"
• Pessimists view setbacks as permanent, pervasive, and personal
• Optimists see challenges as temporary, specific, and nuanced with both internal/external factors
• Studies show optimists have better cardiovascular health and live 11-15% longer
• Optimists experience less stress, stronger immune systems, and better mental health
• Benefits include greater persistence, proactive goal-setting, opportunity focus, enhanced happiness
• Cultivate pragmatic optimism by challenging assumptions, focusing on what you can control
• Practice the ABCDE method: Adversity, Beliefs, Consequences, Dispute, Energy
• Pessimism still has appropriate uses for acknowledging tragedy or identifying potential problems

Subscribe and share this podcast with anyone looking to improve their life. You are enough and deserve to fill your inner cup with happiness, true confidence, and resilience.

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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.

Have you ever found yourself saying yes while every fiber of your being screamed no? That small act of self-betrayal often leads to a quiet but persistent resentment that can ultimately poison our most important relationships.

Boundaries are frequently misunderstood as selfish acts or walls we build to keep others out. The truth is quite the opposite – they're the guidelines that define where you end and others begin. They're not punishments or arbitrary rules imposed on others, but standards you uphold for yourself out of deep self-respect. When we consistently allow our boundaries to be crossed, we send a powerful message to ourselves and the world that our needs don't matter, gradually eroding our self-worth and leading to burnout.

Why is setting boundaries so difficult? Many of us were conditioned from childhood to be people-pleasers, taught that keeping peace at our own expense was the right thing to do. We fear disappointing others, being seen as selfish, or triggering conflict. Yet as Dr. Brené Brown brilliantly puts it, "Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others."

The most powerful tool for communicating boundaries effectively is the "I statement" – a three-part formula that shifts focus from accusation to personal experience: "I feel [emotion] when [specific behavior] because [impact on you]." This approach prevents defensiveness and creates space for mutual understanding. For example, instead of "You're so inconsiderate calling this late," try "I feel flustered when I get calls about non-urgent matters after 10pm because that's my time to decompress."

Research confirms that people with healthy boundaries experience significantly less burnout and greater wellbeing. Start small this week by identifying one low-stakes boundary to practice. Notice the discomfort – that's the feeling of choosing yourself – and the sense of peace that follows. Your time and energy are precious resources worth protecting through clear, compassionate boundaries.

Subscribe now and share this podcast with anyone looking to build a life that feels more honest, authentic and true to themselves – one courageous choice at a time.

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 wondered how to break through emotional barriers when you weren't raised to express feelings? Or how to push past gym insecurity when you're just starting your fitness journey? This episode tackles these common but challenging scenarios with practical, actionable advice that goes beyond surface-level solutions.

David Sage explores the profound connection between emotional awareness and confidence, revealing how vulnerability—when approached with social intelligence—actually demonstrates strength rather than weakness. Through a compelling analogy about body language, he illustrates how confident people naturally expose vulnerable areas while insecure people remain guarded and protected. This perspective shift alone could transform how you approach emotional openness in your relationships.

For those struggling with gym anxiety, David breaks down the "physics of action"—a framework for understanding how to build momentum in any challenging endeavor. His insight that "emotion causes motion, but motion also creates emotion" provides a powerful strategy for overcoming inertia and building lasting habits. Rather than waiting to feel motivated, taking even minimal action can generate the positive emotions needed to continue.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is how these principles apply universally across different life challenges. Whether you're working on emotional intelligence, fitness goals, career advancement, or relationship building, the same fundamental approaches to awareness, action, and momentum apply. The episode offers both immediate tactical solutions (like wearing baggy clothes to the gym if that reduces friction) and long-term strategic approaches for changing self-limiting beliefs.

Ready to transform how you approach personal challenges? Listen now, and discover why self-awareness, consistent small actions, and socially intelligent vulnerability might be the keys to unlocking your next level of growth. Then share your experience with us—we'd love to hear which strategies worked best for your unique situation!

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.

Are you weighed down by an invisible backpack filled with regrets, grudges, and disappointments? That mental burden isn't just emotionally exhausting—it's physically harming you.

Picture yourself hiking a beautiful mountain trail. With each step, the view improves, but you're distracted by a heavy backpack. Inside are rocks representing every grudge, mistake, and disappointment you've collected. Initially manageable, this burden has become overwhelming, preventing you from enjoying the journey. Sound familiar?

This episode explores the transformative art of letting go through three essential pillars: detachment, forgiveness, and acceptance. Drawing from cutting-edge research by Dr. Karsten Roche at Concordia University, we examine how holding onto bitterness raises cortisol levels, endangering your physical health. Dr. James Pennebaker's groundbreaking studies demonstrate how expressive writing creates space between you and painful memories, improving immune function and psychological wellbeing.

Contrary to popular belief, forgiveness isn't about condoning what happened or reconciling with those who hurt you. It's an internal process of canceling emotional debts that may never be paid, as meditation teacher Jack Kornfield beautifully expressed: "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." True acceptance isn't defeat—it's acknowledging reality without judgment, freeing your energy to focus on what you can control.

Leave with practical, actionable strategies to release emotional burdens: acknowledge feelings without judgment, reframe narratives from victim to learner, and perform physical release rituals. Start small by removing just one "rock" from your invisible backpack this week. Remember, letting go isn't a destination but a muscle that strengthens with practice.

Every time you choose release, you create space for joy, peace, and presence. Your freedom awaits. Subscribe for more insights on becoming your best self, and share this episode with someone who might need to lighten their invisible load 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.

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.

Mental framing might be the most powerful tool you never knew you had. David Sage delves into this cornerstone of psychological strength that allows you to take back control of your life by simply changing the lens through which you view your circumstances.

We've all experienced days where everything seems to go wrong—spilled coffee, traffic jams, frustrating emails—and it's easy to spiral into negativity. But what if you could completely transform your experience not by changing these often unchangeable circumstances, but by changing how you view them? That's the power of framing.

Through vivid metaphors involving camera angles, picture frames, and eyeglasses, David explains how framing works and why it matters so much to our daily experience. He distinguishes between objective reality and our perspective of it—making clear that while we don't create reality, we absolutely create our experience of it through the stories we tell ourselves. The episode walks you through a practical three-step process for cognitive reframing: catching negative frames, challenging them, and creating empowering alternatives. You'll learn specific questions to ask yourself that instantly shift your perspective from victimhood to agency.

David backs these techniques with compelling scientific research showing how reframing literally changes brain activity, decreasing emotional reactivity while increasing rational thinking. Through a detailed example of reframing job loss, you'll see exactly how to apply these principles to even the most challenging life circumstances.

Ready to transform your life by mastering the art of framing? Subscribe to the Sage Solutions Podcast for more powerful tools that help you become your best self, and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from learning how to change their frame and change their world.

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.