• Watching Discovery and Discovering Myself: A First-Person Commentary on "The Vulcan Hello"
    Apr 21 2025

    Forget plot summaries. This commentary dissects Star Trek: Discovery's "The Vulcan Hello" as a catalyst for self-discovery. Kostucki explores how reactions to Klingons, character names, and even impatience with intros reveal deeper truths about judgment, communication styles (like Sarek's "Vulcan Hello"), inner conflicts, and the power of self-awareness. Using pop culture as a mirror, the article connects sci-fi to psychology, philosophy, and personal growth, inviting readers to examine their own responses.

    Join the Transcendence Community, a daily support group for personal and professional growth: https://www.planksip.org/join-the-transcendence-community/

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    11 mins
  • Normal Is a Moving Target: Redefining Difference in a Fractured World
    Apr 21 2025

    Normal is just the majority on a small map. Redraw the map, and you redefine the world. From a bullied Jewish kid in Belgium to a trans entrepreneur in Costa Rica, Mercedes Kostucki learned that 'normal' is a moving target—and difference, when embraced, becomes a compass for belonging, healing, and reinvention.

    Join the Transcendence Community, a daily support group for personal and professional growth: https://www.planksip.org/join-the-transcendence-community/

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    12 mins
  • Digital Sabotage: Resilience and Rebuilding After Online Attacks
    Apr 14 2025

    This conversation explores the chronicles of Mercedes Kostucki's experience of facing a series of disruptive online events, including hate mail, social media bans, a LinkedIn hack, and a drop in TripAdvisor ranking for her restaurant.

    Initially dismissed as glitches, these incidents increasingly suggest a targeted attack, causing significant emotional and financial distress. Kostucki reflects on the paranoia and uncertainty of determining the cause and the struggle to maintain resilience.

    Despite the setback, she outlines a three-step process for navigating crises involving emotional processing, channeling emotions, and strategic action, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and growth. Ultimately, she shares her journey as a coach, offering her services and seeking support to rebuild her life and business.

    Join the Transcendence Community, a daily support group for personal and professional growth: https://www.planksip.org/join-the-transcendence-community/

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    11 mins