For our 40th episode, we're switching things up with a Q&A format to address listener questions about personal development, coaching approaches, and practical self-improvement strategies.

• Passion for self-improvement stems from personal transformation from a muted version to authentic self
• Self-improvement feels like leveling up in a video game—building skills, finding synergies, and growing stronger
• First coaching step is deeply understanding a client's situation before tackling self-limiting beliefs
• Currently reading "Language in Thought and Action," "Sapiens," and "Tools of Titans"
• Don't push personal development on reluctant partners—model the behavior and inspire through actions
• Balance self-improvement with self-acceptance and compassion for yourself and others
• Growth requires both consistency and intellectual humility to keep learning

Send us your questions for future Q&A episodes by clicking the link in the description or messaging us on our Facebook page.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Fear of failure holds most of us back from reaching our potential, but what if we've been looking at failure all wrong? In this transformative exploration of "failing forward," we challenge the deeply ingrained belief that failure represents the end of the road rather than a necessary part of the journey toward success.

We dive into the fascinating reasons behind our aversion to failure, examining both our evolutionary hardwiring and the unintentional conditioning from educational systems that teach us to avoid failure at all costs. Through cognitive biases like pain avoidance, binary thinking, and loss aversion, we develop patterns that limit our willingness to take risks - even when the potential benefits far outweigh the potential losses.

The path forward requires embracing a growth mindset, where abilities are viewed as developable rather than fixed. By extracting valuable lessons from each setback and building resilience through continued action, failure becomes not just acceptable but essential to meaningful progress. We explore inspiring examples from innovators like Thomas Edison, who famously found "10,000 ways that don't work" before succeeding, and entrepreneurs like Sarah Blakely, who transformed countless rejections into stepping stones toward building her empire. Perhaps most powerfully, we examine how we all once mastered the art of failing forward as babies learning to walk - failing hundreds of times daily without becoming discouraged.

Ready to transform your relationship with failure? Try our actionable strategies: take imperfect action rather than remaining paralyzed by analysis, reflect regularly on lessons learned, set smaller achievable goals, build a supportive network, and practice self-compassion through the process. Your failures aren't the opposite of success - they're the building blocks that make success possible. Subscribe now and start your journey toward embracing failure as a catalyst for personal growth and achievement.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Patience is a complex emotional strength that shapes decision-making, manages stress, and influences creativity—it's not just the ability to wait without frustration but a muscle that can be built over time through practice and intention.

• Scientific research like the "marshmallow test" shows children who delay gratification often experience better life outcomes including academic success and improved emotional regulation
• Patience is closely linked to discipline and grit—the number one predictor of success according to researchers like Duckworth
• Neurobiologically, practicing patience activates brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation
• Growing up with ADHD taught David to develop extraordinary patience as a coping mechanism, becoming one of his greatest strengths
• In our fast-paced society conditioned for instant gratification, patience has become a rare and valuable superpower
• Balance is key—combining the initiative of "Eager Eagle" with the thoughtful preparation of "Patient Pig" creates the most effective approach
• Practical strategies to build patience include mindfulness meditation, reframing challenges as opportunities, practicing deliberate delay, setting realistic expectations, and reflecting on past successes

Subscribe to the Sage Solutions Podcast and share it with anyone looking to improve their life through practical personal development tools.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels in your personal growth journey? You're not alone. In this reflective episode, we take a step back to revisit and connect the core concepts that truly move the needle in personal development.

Courage isn't what most people think. It's not the absence of fear, but rather feeling that fear and moving forward anyway. This distinction matters because it means courage is deeply personal – only you know when you're truly being brave. We examine how this connects to taking consistent action, which creates the compound effect that transforms lives over time.

Sleep might be the most underrated superpower in personal development. When you're well-rested, you're more likely to maintain perspective, exercise self-control, and approach life with curiosity. Yet many of us sacrifice sleep while trying to optimize everything else. We explore why this fundamental element affects literally every other aspect of growth.

The most powerful tool at your disposal isn't a fancy technique or app – it's your ability to shift perspective. The hedonic treadmill causes us to adapt to positive circumstances until they no longer bring joy, but conscious perspective management lets us extract more fulfillment from our existing reality. Combined with focusing on your locus of control and meeting your six human needs in healthy ways, these interconnected principles create sustainable change.

Meeting your six human needs (certainty, variety, connection, significance, growth, contribution) prevents destructive behaviors. Growth and contribution are the ultimate fulfillment needs

Whether you're a longtime listener catching up or new to personal development, this episode provides a valuable framework for thinking about growth holistically. Subscribe to continue the journey, and remember – you are enough and deserve to fill your inner cup with happiness, confidence, and self-compassion.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Laughter might just be your secret superpower for building unshakable confidence. In this revealing episode, I share my personal journey from crippling self-criticism to embracing a lighter approach to life's inevitable stumbles and missteps.

The science is clear - when we learn to laugh at ourselves, we create a psychological buffer against setbacks that makes us more resilient. One fascinating study from the University of Kansas reveals that people who practice self-deprecating humor report higher life satisfaction and stronger social connections. But there's a crucial balance to maintain - too much self-directed humor can signal deep insecurity rather than confidence.

This paradoxical relationship between humor, ego, and confidence creates one of personal development's most interesting dynamics. Those operating primarily from ego (whether manifesting as arrogance or insecurity) struggle to genuinely laugh at themselves because they're protecting a fragile self-image. True confidence allows for self-directed humor because you're secure enough in your worth to acknowledge imperfections without being diminished by them.

I offer practical strategies for incorporating this powerful tool into your life, from embracing imperfections to practicing mindful laughter. The vulnerability required to laugh at yourself demonstrates courage, and courage builds confidence. As my father wisely told me growing up: "It's important to be able to laugh at yourself. It shows that you can take a joke and that you don't take yourself too seriously."

Ready to reclaim your power through laughter? Subscribe now and join our community of growth-minded individuals who are discovering that lightness and self-compassion might be the most direct path to authentic confidence and deeper human connection.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Fear has a way of twisting our perception, doesn't it? That small mistake at work suddenly threatens your entire career. The awkward social moment becomes evidence that everyone secretly dislikes you. This mental spiral—catastrophizing—feels protective but actually amplifies our suffering.

David and Anna Sage unpack this universal human tendency with both scientific insight and personal vulnerability. Anna courageously shares her lifelong struggle with catastrophic thinking, especially in social situations, while David explains how our ancient survival mechanisms misfire in modern contexts. Their conversation moves beyond simply identifying the problem to offering practical, evidence-based solutions that listeners can implement immediately.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is its nuanced approach to different catastrophizing scenarios. The hosts distinguish between "small-scale" catastrophizing (personal situations within our control) and "big-scale" catastrophizing (larger events beyond our influence), providing tailored strategies for each. From mindful stoicism to rational optimism, the episode presents a toolkit rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Research supports their guidance—studies show traditional pessimism doesn't actually prepare us for negative outcomes but instead intensifies both emotional distress and physical pain. The alternative they propose—rational optimism paired with practical planning—offers a more effective approach to life's uncertainties.

Whether you're facing a job evaluation, relationship challenges, or anxiety about world events, this episode provides clarity about why your brain jumps to worst-case scenarios—and more importantly, how to interrupt that pattern. These techniques don't just reduce anxiety; they help restore your sense of agency and perspective when fear threatens to overwhelm.

Subscribe to continue this journey toward greater self-awareness and emotional resilience. Your thoughts shape your reality—learn to choose them wisely.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Daylight savings time just sprung forward, gifting us longer evenings and a powerful reminder to reconnect with the natural world around us. As David and Hannah Sage explore in this illuminating conversation, those extra hours of sunshine offer much more than just practical benefits—they're an invitation to transform our health, mood, and perspective.

For those struggling with seasonal depression or simply feeling disconnected after long winter months, this episode delivers both scientific insights and practical strategies. The Sages dive deep into fascinating research showing how birdsong actually improves our mood and cognitive function throughout the day, while exposure to natural light regulates our circadian rhythms and boosts vitamin D production. They explore why hearing birds chirp evolutionarily signals safety to our ancient brains, and how even brief nature walks can dramatically reduce anxiety and negative thought patterns.

Beyond the scientific benefits, David and Hannah share their personal experiences of nature's healing power, from family camping trips to simple daily walks. They introduce listeners to the practice of "grounding" (physically connecting with the earth) and its remarkable effects on inflammation and sleep quality. The episode culminates with a gentle challenge to spend just 20 minutes outside this week, along with practical tips to remove friction points that might prevent you from getting outdoors. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or someone who rarely ventures outside, this conversation will inspire you to step out your door and experience what Lao Tzu understood centuries ago: "The earth does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." Subscribe now to continue your journey toward becoming your best self with the Sage Solutions Podcast.

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.

Discover how to effectively handle disagreements in your interpersonal relationships in this insightful episode about transforming conflict into growth. We unpack the three main approaches to disagreements: arguments, debates, and discussions, each with its unique impact on relationships and personal development. Arguments often lead to emotional escalations, blinding us to the other person's perspective and damaging our connections. In stark contrast, debates aim to seek the truth while remaining structured and rational, allowing for a fascinating exchange of ideas.

This episode emphasizes that discussions provide the most constructive pathway to resolving differences, fostering a collaborative approach to understanding and problem-solving. We offer actionable strategies to help you cultivate self-awareness and active listening skills, manage emotional responses, and focus on shared values.

Leverage these insights to navigate your future disagreements with empathy, curiosity, and intention. Learn how to create respectful dialogues that deepen your relationships and encourage both personal and relational growth. Join us in exploring these critical communication skills, and remember to subscribe for more transformative content!

We would love to hear your feedback! Click here to tell us what you think.

https://sagesolutions.buzzsprout.com

If you are interested in one-on-one coaching, email us at:
sagecoachingsolutions@gmail.com

**Legal Disclaimer**
The Sage Solutions Podcast and content posted by David Sage is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. No coaching client relationship is formed by listening to this podcast. No Legal, Medical or Financial advice is being given. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a psychotherapist, physician, professional coach, Lawyer or other qualified professional. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The opinions of guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of the podcast.