Self-Sufficiency, Playing with Dirt, Yoga in Bed, The Altruistic Brain, Couples Claustrophobia, Teaching Kids Independence

Self-Sufficiency (0:00:00) Financial independence is a serious challenge for many families. Unfortunately, some people who are working overtime or juggling 2 or 3 jobs are still living paycheck to paycheck. This can put serious pressure on both individuals and families. Luckily, there’s a non-profit in Colorado who is working to help those in similar situations, and they’re doing it in a unique way. Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute, or RMMFI, is making families more self-sufficient by helping them develop their entrepreneurial business ideas. So, we invited Mary Kate Morr, community engagement manager, to talk about the mission of RMMFI and the steps to self-sufficiency. How Playing with Dirt could Make You Happy (0:16:00) It’s hard to keep your kids out of the dirt. They enjoy playing in it, making mud pies, and digging up worms. But, when kids play in the dirt, they get it everywhere and on everything. It’s a mess for parents. But, it also might be part of the reason your kids are so cheerful.  In fact, scientists have reason to believe that playing with dirt makes you happier. Studies have found a microbacteria in soil called mycobacterium vaccae that lowers stress and helps you feel happier. It almost seems too good to be true. So, we invited Dr. Christopher Lowry, professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder researching this phenomenon, to discuss the connection between dirt and happiness. Yoga in Bed (0:33:45) People have been practicing yoga for around four thousand years and its influence has spread across the world. There are many health benefits to practicing yoga, but unfortunately, we often feel like we don’t have time to do an hour session with a yoga instructor. Well, take a deep breath (take a deep breath) because we might have a way for you to fit the downward dog and sun warrior into your busy schedule. Joining us today is Stephanie Mansour to teach us a 5-minute yoga routine we can do from the comfort of our beds. She’s a nationally recognized Health & Fitness Expert who regularly appears on “The Today Show”. She’s also the host of “Step It Up with Steph” which is on PBS and is launching on Create TV. The Altruistic Brain (0:52:43) Thomas Hobbes defined humans as being naturally selfish. Locke posited that we were moral and peace-loving. Rousseau held the middle ground and theorized that instead we are all born as blank slates—formed and shaped by our experiences. For centuries, philosophers and scientists have theorized, hypothesized, and generally made all sorts of inquiries into the qualities of human nature. However, modern neuroscience science has been able to open previously sealed doors as a result of technological advancements. Dr. Sandra Sherman, co-author of “The Altruistic Brain: Why We Are Naturally Good”, is here to discuss a new addition to the field in the form of altruistic brain theory and how we are physically wired for kindness. Couples Claustrophobia (1:13:31) At the beginning of most marriages, a couple’s natural instinct is to spend as much time together as possible. You wake up together, eat together, shop together... you do everything together. However, as time goes on, each person gradually needs a little more personal space. This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, a little alone time is healthy, it allows you to indulge in your own interests and hobbies, and makes you crave each other’s company more as a result. But the question then becomes, how can couples establish a balance of alone time and together time and how can they do so without causing hurt feelings? Dr. Kathy McCoy, author, journalist, and, psychotherapist, is here to discuss this idea of couples’ claustrophobia and how to find balance while being sensitive to our partner’s needs. Teaching Kids Independence (1:32:06) We watch our kids grow up and become independent, making their own decisions, moving out... and we’re conflicted. We’re proud of them for growing into themselves, but We’re also their parent and want to baby them forever. I think that as parents we have a responsibility to care for our kids, but at some point we have to teach them to let go (and let go ourselves). So how do we do that? Well today, we have Dr. Carl Pickhardt, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience, here with us today to discuss the best way we can teach our children independence.