This week on "The Practical Path," we explore the powerful, practical, and spiritual muscle of Gratitude.

It's more than just saying thank you—it's a complete mindset shift that re-wires your brain from lack to abundance. We dive into five ways to make gratitude an active, daily micro-practice, moving beyond the journal to find blessings in the most unexpected places.

Plus, our in-depth segment analyzes a groundbreaking article on why our relationships are essential for brain health, examining the neurochemical rewards—like oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine—that fire when we truly connect. Learn how social connection isn't just a choice, but a biological necessity that dramatically affects your physical health, emotional resilience, and ability to pursue long-term goals.

Don't miss this episode on how to cultivate a more thankful heart for a happier, healthier life!

Click here for the post we discussed!

With appreciation;

Bill Sklodowski

Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

In this week’s episode we explore the theme of clarity—that calm insight that allows you to see your values, your choices, and your path from a place of peace. We begin by reflecting on how clarity is born out of stillness, how it asks you to let go of what’s not yours, and how it invites you to live from your true self rather than external expectations. Through practical and spiritual talking points, listeners are encouraged to notice where they might be distracted, judging themselves by others’ standards, or losing sight of what really matters.

Then we dive into an inspiring article by Sandy Woznicki from Tiny Buddha. She offers five specific mindset shifts to stop worrying about what others think—shifts that restore your inner clarity and reduce external pressure. From knowing your values, staying in your own business, owning your emotions, recognizing you’re doing your best, to learning from mistakes—these are tools for anyone seeking to livestream their authenticity rather than accommodation.

Click here to visit the blog post we disussed.

If you’ve ever felt ruled by the fear of judgment, or lost in the fog of others’ expectations, this episode offers gentle insight and practical steps to reclaim your vision and move forward with clarity.

With appreciation;

Bill Sklodowski

Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

Word of the Week: "Perserverance." Why that idea of "staying the course" is often challenging, yet always worth it.

This Week's Discussion: Based on the post: Why Your ‘Window of Tolerance’ Is the Most Important Psychological Concept You’ve Never Heard Of by Anna Phillips-Waller — https://www.aconsciousrethink.com/52328/why-your-window-of-tolerance-is-the-most-important-psychological-concept-youve-never-heard-of/

In this episode we invite you into the theme of perseverance — that quiet, often unseen force that carries us forward when the finish line isn’t visible and the terrain is uncertain. We’ll explore what perseverance truly looks like when it’s grounded in purpose, supported by rhythm, and aligned with identity.

We then dive into an insightful article by Anna Phillips-Waller that shares the powerful concept of the window of tolerance — the zone in which our nervous systems are calm enough to engage, adapt, and keep going. When our window narrows from stress, overwhelm, or burnout, our ability to persevere becomes compromised. The article helps us understand why staying the course sometimes feels impossible — and what we can actually do to widen our window and sustain forward movement.

With appreciation;

Bill Sklodowski

Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

The Word of the Week is "Renewal." Bill just returned from a week of dog and cabin-sitting for his co-host Vicki at her (and hubby's) home in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It was a week of chlling out, relaxing, a little bit of being a tourist, and lots of "renewal." More talk of how we can all benefit from that idea on the show to start things off this week.

Then the bigger discussion if based on a blog post from author Sahil Bloom. The post is titled "A Monthly Ritual That Changed My Life." It's all about taking some much-needed time to reflect on what you're doing in life and if the "stuff" that you are doing is actually moving you towards (or away from) your goals and visions for yourself. Some very powerful questions to ask yourself!

If you'd like to read the full post yourself, you can find it by clicking here. Big thanks from the both of us to Sahil Bloom for the thoughtful post.

With appreciation;

Bill Sklodowski

Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

Word of the Week: Stillness

Quote Discussion: “There’s No Deadline” (Moses Kuria)

Source: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/

In this week’s episode, we explore Stillness — the quiet center inside each of us that often gets lost in the rush of daily life. We’ll talk about why stillness isn’t the same as doing nothing, how it reveals truth, and how it helps us connect to something greater than ourselves. You’ll hear practical ways to practice stillness and reflection, even when the world feels like it’s moving too fast.

Then, we move into a beautiful and timely quote that begins, “There’s no deadline for life…” Together, we unpack its powerful message: that there’s no single timeline for success, love, or purpose. Life unfolds at its own pace, and trusting that unfolding can bring deep peace. We’ll explore the pressure society places on us to meet invisible milestones — and how to free ourselves from those expectations to live more authentically, joyfully, and at ease.

Join us for a warm and thoughtful conversation about learning to let go of comparison, embrace your unique timing, and rediscover stillness as both a practice and a perspective.

Because in the end, the only moment that truly matters is the one you’re in right now.

With appreciation;

Bill Sklodowski

Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

This week on The Practical Path - a Podcast for Personal and Spiritual Growth...

Word of the Week: Flow

Article Discussed: “Stop Obsessing Over Passion: What Your Brain Really Needs” — by Psychology Today

Full URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/motivate/202510/stop-obsessing-over-passion-what-your-brain-really-needs

This week’s episode explores the idea of flow—that powerful state of being where everything seems to click, time fades away, and action feels effortless. We begin by reflecting on what flow means in both a personal and spiritual sense: how it aligns our inner and outer worlds, how it requires deep focus rather than frenzy, and how it teaches us the balance between control and surrender. Through a series of reflections and gentle questions, we invite listeners to consider where they find energy instead of exhaustion—and what that might reveal about their deeper purpose.

Then, we shift to an insightful article from Psychology Today titled “Stop Obsessing Over Passion: What Your Brain Really Needs.” The author challenges the cultural myth that success and fulfillment come only from “finding your passion.” Instead, the article shows how the brain thrives on control, small wins, and steady engagement—conditions that actually help us access flow more naturally. Together, we unpack the science behind motivation, explore why chasing passion can backfire, and share ways to cultivate focus, progress, and purpose in daily life.

We close with a gentle reminder: flow isn’t something to chase; it’s something to allow. When we align challenge with choice, and attention with presence, we rediscover the quiet joy of being fully alive in the moment.

Thanks again for joining us! As always, feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions and comments on our Facebook page. Just do a search for "The Practical Path Podcast," and you'll find out page.

With appreciation;
Bill Sklodowski
Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

Our Word of the Week: Intention. Not just setting goals, but bringing conscious direction into everything you do. When we act with intention, we step out of autopilot and lean into purpose.

Bill is really - shall we say - challenged by intention / motivation and discipline this past week. On the show, he talks about a new project he's intererested in, but the challenges of "following the rules" for what he wants to accomplish. "Intention" is his lesson for the week (grin).

Our weekly discussion is related. It's based on a blog post from Lauren Barri, on her blog. Check it out at: https://laurenbarri.com/how-to-build-self-discipline-like-building-muscles/

Just like the title says, it's all about building and growing willpower... in a "Practical" way: not as harsh willpower, but as a muscle you can strengthen with consistency — and just like physical training, it requires smart strategy, rest, and patience.

Thanks again for joining us! As always, feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions and comments on our Facebook page. Just do a search for "The Practical Path Podcast," and you'll find out page.

With appreciation;
Bill Sklodowski
Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube

This week, like the episode title says, it's a very special show with a special interview from a special friend. Too many specials? We don't think so, and we trust you won't either after you listen in.

Our guest is a good friend to both Bill and Vicki, BJ Odom. BJ was Bill's partner on the radio for many years. He underwent heart transplant surgery more than 20 years ago, and he's been an active advocate for organ transplantation since then.

The big news is that - after years of his friends demanding it - he's finally written a book about his life, his journey of medical challenges and healing, and the love and good energies he's tried to maintain through all of it. We feel he's done a great job of all that, and the book talks about exactly that. We think it's an interview and story you'll want to hear.

Thanks again for joining us! As always, feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions and comments on our Facebook page. Just do a search for "The Practical Path Podcast," and you'll find out page.

With appreciation;
Bill Sklodowski
Vicki Wagoner

PS#1 - Interested in a personal session with Vicki? She connects with clients everywhere through Zoom and phone call. Get in touch with her via email: VickiWagoner53@gmail.com, phone at 239-248-0586, or visit her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vickiwagonerrhepracticalintuitive

PS#2- Bill is a computer and technology geek...it's something he's passionate about. You can see his iPhone, iPad and computer training videos on YouTube. Here's his channel: Bills iPhone Tips - YouTube