In this special Thanksgiving episode of Soul Decodes, Dr. Tia Jolie Phillips and Sarah Tirri hope to inspire listeners to fully embody gratitude not just during Thanksgiving but as a daily-waking practice. The assertion being that the quality of one’s ‘external manifestations’ are of a tangibly higher caliber if one mindfully cultivates gratitude with the aim of creating a healthy mind. (Her book, The Mirror World discusses this phenomenon.)

The women discuss Thanksgiving’s cultural significance in the U.S. versus the U.K. Sarah notes that Thanksgiving was absent in British culture and her gradual appreciation of its spirit only occurred after she immigrated to America.

Tia Jolie expresses skepticism about the historical origin of Thanksgiving, suggesting that this treasured narrative might not be factually accurate. Amidst this, Sarah humorously gifts Tia Jolie a book she brought back from her recent trip to England titled Forbidden History which supports the skepticism previously expressed about Thanksgiving's touted beginnings.

Tia Jolie classifies her stance of being a truth seeker (truther) asserting the need for a collaborative human effort to cobble together a more comprehensive picture of what has actually occurred on planet Earth: This she asserts is a essential pursuit that will help safeguard past mistakes from being duplicated whilst putting the heat on ‘future government imperatives’ to be of a better quality so that “We the People’ are treated more favorably.

The conversation again turns to spirituality, emphasizing that individuals should embrace whichever belief system resonates with them but are urged to value ‘outcomes’ as the decisive factor of the validity of one's beliefs.

The value of challenging belief systems is further explored with Sarah referencing her provocative book; Is This the Best God Could Do? which challenges the validity of a monotheistic God. The conversation highlights how the very act of ‘questioning’ goes a long way to fostering clarity and the building of a personal belief system that is more able to resonate authentically. Sarah quotes Emerson’s, “Every banned book enlightens the world.” which suggests that suppressed ideas often illuminate truths.

Tia Jolie talks about how physical challenges, such as recovering from injuries and adapting to change, are opportunities for growth and resilience. She is thankful for the rigorous process she is undertaking to mend a hip, and is thankful that this road towards healing is available to her.

Tia Jolie recounts memories of her childhood festivities in Detroit, including attending the Thanksgiving Day Parade, with her Ukrainian and Macedonian heritage influencing their family’s yummy holiday foods. Cultural traditions are further reflected on, particularly ethnic festivals and their role in fostering community unity. Tia Jolie expresses a desire for a return to such celebrations, emphasizing the importance of celebrating differences rather than being persuaded to kowtow to uniformity.

The women conclude the show by pivoting back to the prized idea that thankfulness is an essential spiritual practice that promotes happiness and well-being, with Tia Jolie sharing her personal goal to reach 100 years of age - leaping and bounding as she goes.

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This show was produced by Earth Angel Media and Sponsored by LivePURE. If you are a podcaster and wish to increase your reach and profits, please contact Dr. Tia Jolie Phillips.