In this episode of Books to Better your Life, host Anne Brinkman shares her experience with Nick Gray’s book The Two Hour Cocktail Party, which is kinda like a manual for throwing a stress-less party that connects people.

In this episode, you’ll Learn:

Why hosting a gathering is a powerful way to build connections.

How The 2-Hour Cocktail Party breaks down hosting into a simple, actionable formula.

The role of accountability and structure in making events happen

Creative ideas inspired by other hosts in the accountability group.

Resources Mentioned:

The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings by Nick Gray Buy on Amazon or Bookshop

Nick Gray’s website: www.nickgray.net and book website https://party.pro/

Join my newsletter to enter the giveaway for a free copy of the book! Find the link at www.betteryour.life.

Takeaways:

Hosting a simple, structured event like a 2-hour cocktail party can transform your social life and help you build a stronger community. It’s not about being the perfect host; it’s about creating a space where people can connect.

Call to Action:

Ready to host your own 2-hour cocktail party? Let us know how it goes!

Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win a copy of Nick Gray’s book.

Connect with Anne Brinkman

Website: www.betteryour.life

LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman

Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio

Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts

Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

How to communicate in a way to get yourself heard and others to respond well to you.

In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman reviews Marshall Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication, which explores a communication strategy to minimize “violence” and increase understanding in conversations. Coach Anne highlights key concepts such as how to approach conversations with empathy, without judgment, and being clear on feelings and needs.

Coach Anne also explores Rosenberg’s tips for fully using the strategy and where we might get hung up.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

The 4 steps to communicate in a non-violent way

How to respond to someone else to make them feel heard

What to watch for in this communication

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Now the English language isn’t really helping when we’re talking about feelings – it sort of puts a veil over them. When we talk about feelings, just because you say “I feel hurt”, does not mean hurt is a feeling. “

“Then when you share your need, it’s not what the other person did. It’s NOT like “you made me feel angry because you borrowed my shirt without asking” No one can make you feel something. “

“And JUST because you make a request, doesn’t mean they need to do it. You need to be willing for them not to agree to it.”

“And what this really is creating is not just that person being heard, but it’s also focusing on your empathy for that person. When we are feeling empathetic, we are more likely to be able to take their hateful or mocking words and recognize them as unmet needs and an expression of their pain.”

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

Buy on Amazon or Bookshop *

Junto’s Emotion Wheel

Connect with Anne Brinkman

Website: www.betteryour.life

LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman

Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio

Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts

Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

As a Bookshop affiliate, I receive a commission, and every book you buy on Bookshop.org also supports local, independent bookstores.

How do past traumas – even “little t” traumas – affect our bodies, minds, and lives?

In this episode of Books to Better Your Life, host Anne Brinkman reviews Dr. Nicole LePera's book How to Do the Work, which explores the mind-body connection, trauma, and stress. Coach Anne highlights key concepts such as the impact of stress on bodily functions and health, polyvagal theory, and Dr. LePera’s reinterpretation of trauma – one that may better reflect what our body or mind interprets as trauma.

Coach Anne also discusses Dr. LePera’s strategies for healing and self-regulation, emphasizing the importance of small, actionable steps before leaving listeners with a challenge to implement what they’ve learned.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

-LePera’s reinterpretation of trauma to include subtle childhood experiences (what the host calls “little T” trauma), especially experiences where you didn’t feel safe.

-The impact of stress on your bodily functions and physical health.

-Polyvagal theory, which explains the vagus nerve's role in stress responses.

-Practical healing strategies for improving your mind-body connection, including journaling, breathing exercises, and small daily habits.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“If you're not familiar with that idea of doing the work, it's really to be looking at yourself and taking steps to improve yourself, especially at an emotional level. What this looks like is different for everybody. Maybe that's therapy, maybe that's meditation, journaling, etc.”

“Stress is not just in your head. The body must shift resources from its usual place of maintaining homeostasis – that physical, emotional, and mental balance – to protecting itself. Of course, stress is part of life. Normative stress – birth, death, marriage, breakups, job loss – is part of the human experience. And trying to avoid stress could even stress you out. Stress is normal.”

“Dr. LePera’s patients came to her saying they can't connect with others, they can't get friends with emotional depth, they can't find love. This lack of intimacy may actually be because our body's stress response is activated and reducing emotional and attentional regulation.”

“When we grow up with an autonomic response, we might become used to that. Our mind and body are used to that response. And if it was a trauma response, our brain becomes used to that and can even learn to crave the feelings associated with the trauma response. This might be where you get stuck in a loop of emotional addiction.”

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

-Buy How to Do the Work on amazon.com or bookshop.org. *

-Visit Dr. LePera’s website.

-Join Dr. LePera’s community, SelfHealers Circle.

Connect with Anne Brinkman

Website: www.betteryour.life

LinkedIn: @coachannebrinkman

Free confidence recordings: www.betteryour.life/audio

Newsletter: get notified of new podcast episodes or blog posts

Free discovery session: get support on your own personal growth journey

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

As a Bookshop affiliate, I receive a commission, and every book you buy on Bookshop.org also supports local, independent bookstores.