The Science of Your Hidden Genius With Alex Ellison

There’s a reason why Prince Harry called Jennifer Rudolph Walsh his “fairy godmother.” That’s because she has a magical way of creating community, elevating voices, and telling stories that need to be told. In this episode, Jennifer shares how she used this magic to move from scale to intimacy and build meaningful conversations at Godmothers bookshop in Summerland, CA. Diana Hill and Jennifer Walsh discuss how being relevant distracts us from the real connection we need, how we carry our childhood experiences forward and the richness of gathering together, talking, and sharing a good book.In This Episode, We Explore:Why Prince Harry called Jennifer Walsh his “fairy godmother”The sacred pause that led to the birth of Godmothers booksWhat to do when people are pushing you to be relevantWhy community is so central to our wellbeingThe magic of applying your genius to your valuesSuggested Next Episode:Episode 151: Generosity, Greed, and Sustainable Practice with Insight Timer CEO Christopher PlowmanRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig...

This week’s episode is about stabilizing your heart and clearing your mind so you can show up more effectively in a world that’s constantly throwing stress your way. This is a solo episode—and these are my favorite to share, because they come straight from what I’m practicing in real time. I share 5 simple but powerful practices inspired by my recent time at Deer Park Monastery.In This Episode, We Explore:Practice #1. StopPractice #2. Put Down What You Are CarryingPractice #3. Sit at the Back of the HeartPractice #4. Tune Your Mind to ImpermanencePractice #5. Prioritize LoveThese are practices I’m returning to again and again. I hope they offer you some steady ground, too.Suggested Next Episode:Episode 78: Slow Down, Resist Busyness, and Other Lessons from My Family Retreat at Plum Village with Dr. Diana HillRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of Bell & Branch for your beautiful...

Feeling overwhelmed by your addiction or the addiction of a loved one? Discover a creative, non-shaming, and integrative way to understand and address addiction in this episode of the Wise Effort Show. Host Dr. Diana Hill and guest Dr. Carl Fisher delve into the complex nature of addiction, exploring it as a multifaceted issue that affects our energy and life direction. They share personal stories and professional insights, emphasizing compassion and humanity while offering a new perspective that frames addiction as a response to suffering and a call for deeper needs. Learn strategies for managing urges and the importance of a supportive environment in recovery.In This Episode, We Explore:How to view addiction with compassion and without stigmaDr. Carl Fisher's personal journey with substance abuse and professional successThe role of environmental factors in addiction and recoveryThe significance of social support and connection in overcoming addictionListen to this episode to learn strategies for managing urges and the importance of a supportive environment in recovery.&nbsp;Suggested Next Episode:Dopamine Nation: The Neuroscience Of Our Everyday Addictions With Dr. Anna LembkeRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/drdianahill/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Can poetry be a form of medicine? Dr. Diana Hill explores this profound question with poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer on the Wise Effort Show. They discuss the role of poetry in emotional processing, grief, love, and connection. Diana shares how Rosemerry’s poetry has personally influenced her life and work. Rosemerry reads some of her poems, discusses her daily practice of writing a poem everyday, and offers insights into how poetry can help us be present with our pain and transform it. Drawing from her own experiences, especially the tragic loss of her son, Rosemerry explains how metaphors and a daily writing habit can serve as healing practices.Join this insightful conversation to discover the therapeutic potential of poetry and how it can guide us through life's most challenging moments.In This Episode, We Explore:The Power of Poetry in TherapyRosemary's Personal Journey with PoetryDaily Writing Practice and Its BenefitsEmbracing Imperfection and TruthSharing Personal Grief PubliclySuggested Next Episode:Episode 138:&nbsp;Holding Space for Yourself and Others With Tom ParkesRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;Diana’s...

What do you do when the thing you love—your art, your work, your creativity—starts feeling like a product? When the metrics of success get louder than the pulse of your own heart? In this episode, I sit down with Glen Phillips—lead singer of Toad the Wet Sprocket and a longtime Santa Barbara creative—for a conversation that meanders, deepens, and opens up space for something honest and healing. Glen shares how his music career took off at age 16, how he lost his way chasing the industry’s definition of “enough,” and how he found his way back—through community song, spiritual practice, Tuesday night yoga class, and a kind of effort that doesn’t grind, but flows.Suggested Next Episode:Episode 110:&nbsp;In This Moment You Are Enough with Ofosu Jones-QuarteyRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of&nbsp;Bell &amp; Branch&nbsp;for your beautiful music.Mentioned in this episode:Pre-order "Wise Effort" and Get the BonusesPre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to

Feeling boreout? That restless, understimulated, underinvolved sense that your work—or your life—needs a refresh? Creativity might be the key. In this episode, I’m doing something different: a live episode recorded at Communal Table at Jane Restaurant. We dive into the science of creativity and try out some playful creative tasks (including a collective poem!). In a real play, I work with an audience member to get unstuck using the creative power of psychodrama.It’s insightful, energizing, and honestly—just fun. Tune in!Listen and Learn About:Understanding Creativity and Its ImportanceExploring Boreout and Its ImpactThe Neuroscience of CreativityReal Play Session: Working with Creative BlocksSUGGESTED NEXT EPISODE:6 Ways to Boost Your CreativityRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of&nbsp;Bell &amp; Branch&nbsp;for your beautiful music.Mentioned in this episode:Pre-order "Wise Effort" and Get the BonusesPre-order my new book "Wise Effort:...

In this episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill delves into the complexities of dating after divorce with guest Whitney Cubbison, author of 'Will There Be Wine?' and 'Will There Be Love?' Whitney shares her personal journey through divorce and dating in Paris, touching on challenges like rekindling self-confidence, managing emotional baggage, and navigating the evolving landscape of online dating. The conversation also explores broader themes such as staying true to oneself, embracing life experiences, and the importance of having a supportive village in relationships. Whether you're newly divorced or contemplating jumping back into the dating pool, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for forging a fulfilling post-divorce life.Listen and Learn About:Worst Nightmare Dating StoriesDealing with Anger and Emotional BaggageCultural Differences in DatingNavigating Technology and Online DatingReal-Life Dating TipsEmbracing Your True Self in RelationshipsSuggested Next&nbsp;Episode:Wise Effort in the BedroomRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodeWhitney’s books,&nbsp;Will There Be Wine?&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Will There Be Love?Whitney InstagramWhitney’s FacebookPre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave

In this touching episode of The Wise Effort Show, Dr. Diana Hill converses with Dr. Jennifer Gregg, a psycho-oncologist with vast experience in behavioral medicine and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Gregg, who has written notable books like ‘Stop Avoiding Stuff’ and ‘The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills Workbook,’ shares her profoundly personal journey through her husband and son’s battles with cancer. She discusses how these experiences shaped her professionally and personally, highlighting the importance of showing up with love, staying grounded in the present moment, and maintaining psychological flexibility amidst life’s toughest trials.&nbsp;Listen and Learn About:Children's Reactions to a Parent’s DiagnosisSon's Cancer Diagnosis and Family ImpactLiving in the Present MomentUnwise Efforts and Coping MechanismsThe Importance of Community SupportPsychological Flexibility and Values3 Big TakeawaysFacing New UncertaintiesTune in to hear an inspiring story about love, pain, vulnerability, and wise effort in relationships, and gain insights from Dr. Gregg's expert strategies for supporting those dealing with cancer.Suggested Next Episode:Getting Past You and Me to Build a Better Relationship with Terry RealRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdianahill/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this heart-opening episode, Dr. Diana Hill invites you to step into big love—the kind of deeply nourishing, energizing relationships that align with your values and genius without compromising your authenticity. Through personal stories, scientific insights, and actionable tools, Diana guides you to explore how you can get the friendships, partnerships, and connections you truly want—without shrinking yourself or playing small.Related ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of&nbsp;Bell &amp; Branch&nbsp;for your beautiful music.Mentioned in this episode:Pre-order "Wise Effort" and Get the BonusesPre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and get lots of bonuses. Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to offer the world with passion and generosity. And it's going to change your life. Pre-order today!Pre-order Wise Effort Book

Diana Hill shares her morning routine, which includes her personal meditation practices using Insight Timer as a tool. This episode features an in-depth conversation with Insight Timer CEO Christopher Plowman about democratizing mental health, the intersection of generosity, greed, and capitalism, the future of AI in meditation, and the challenges and principles of sustaining practice. They also touch on recent research affirming the benefits of consistent and varied meditation practices.Listen and Learn About:Generosity and Free ResourcesAI and MeditationConsistency and Variety in MeditationChallenges in Maintaining MeditationRelated ResourcesGet enhanced show notes for this episodePre-order my upcoming book, Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most, and receive special pre-order bonus gifts.Want to become more psychologically flexible? Take Diana's "Foundations of ACT" course.Diana's EventsReserve your spot in Diana's Costa Rica retreat in 2026!See Diana at an upcoming eventConnecting With DianaSubscribe for free on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts and&nbsp;Spotify.Leave a 5-star review on Apple so people like you can find the show.Sign up for the free Wise Effort Newsletter.Become a Wise Effort member to support the show.Follow Diana on&nbsp;YouTube,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;LinkedIn,&nbsp;Facebook, and&nbsp;Diana’s website.Thanks to the team, Craig and Ashley Hiatt, and Benjamin Gould of&nbsp;Bell &amp; Branch&nbsp;for your beautiful music.Mentioned in this episode:Pre-order "Wise Effort" and Get the BonusesPre-order my new book "Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters" today and get lots of bonuses. Wise Effort is about asking bigger questions, feeling more alive, and making decisions from your body, head, and heart. It's about contributing the genius you have to...