Encore Living

Have you ever felt like you were this close to reaching a goal, only to find yourself moving in the opposite direction?

Last week, I was walking a labyrinth at Unity Village in Kansas City when I noticed something fascinating. Several times, the path brought me within one brick of the center, only to lead me almost all the way back to the outside.

And I realized something: Just because you're moving away from your destination doesn't...

When was the last time you discovered something interesting that you weren't even looking for?

Recently, I started reading the Sunday New York Times. The actual paper version. And it reminded me of something I'd almost forgotten about the experience of turning pages instead of clicking links.

When we get our information online, algorithms tend to show us more of what we already like. But what about all the things we don't yet know we...

One word changed my entire experience of a two-hour dental procedure.

I went to the dentist thinking I was having an appointment. But halfway through, I overheard the dental assistant describe what was happening as "surgery."

Suddenly, I felt differently about the whole thing.

Nothing about the procedure had changed. Same dentist. Same chair. Same two hours. But one word gave the experience an entirely different meaning.

In today's epi...

We all have unwritten rules about how the world is supposed to work. But what happens when someone breaks one?

A strange elevator experience on a recent Mediterranean cruise left me surprisingly irritated. But when I stepped back and got curious about my reaction, I realized the problem might not have been the other people. It might have been the rule I assumed everyone should be following.

In this episode, I explore how noticing our...

Sometimes changing what you believe about yourself starts with one small decision.

While traveling in Italy, I found myself standing beside the beautiful blue water in Vernazza after a long, hot day. I wanted to jump in. There was just one problem: I didn't have a swimsuit.

So I had a choice. Walk away, or become the kind of person who goes swimming in his shorts.

I went in.

Two days later, on Capri, I had almost the exact same opportu...

I recently got a Peloton bike, and I may have become a little bit of an evangelist for it.

But this episode isn't really about Peloton.

It's about something I've noticed since I started: there's an energy that comes from doing something new.

It's easy to settle into the things we already know. The same routines. The same activities. Even the same half-hour walk along the same route.

But what happens when we become a beginner again?

In t...

Ever found yourself caught in the traffic, complaining about how it's ruining your day? What if I told you that you can transform your life by simply changing the way you react to such situations? 

In this episode, I continue to break down my experience in "No Complaining Week." I just completed this week in "Mental Muscle," a spiritual boot camp experience I've done multiple times.  "No Complaining Week" happens i...

Ready to break free from the endless loop of complaints? Join me in this first episode of a four part-series on complaining.

In this episode, I explore why complaining rarely solves problems. The key takeaway: redirecting your energy toward proactive solutions can change your life.

Inspired by Dr. James Mellon's "Mental Muscle: 16 Weeks of Spiritual Boot Camp," I'll explore the foundation of complaining and how it reflects our uncons...

In this episode, I share my perspective on a TED talk given by author Anne Lamott. Her talk is called, "12 Truths I Learned From Life and Writing."

You can find her talk HERE.

As I mentioned, you can watch MY TEDx talk here:

https://www.thorchallgren.com/tedx

Anne Lamott shares 12 truths in her talk, and I look at 3 of them in this episode. Here are three quotes from her talk that I unpack:

• "Every w...

Can you truly attract abundance into your life by conveying the impression of increase to others?

In this episode, I explore into Chapter 14 of Wallace D. Wattles' classic work, "The Science of Getting Rich," written back in 1910.

This marks the conclusion of my four-part series on this influential book.

Wattles' insights continue to resonate even a century later. Success writer Bob Proctor recommends readin...

Can mere thoughts alone bring riches, or is action an essential ingredient for success?

In this episode, I explore Chapter 11 of Wallace D. Wattles' timeless book, "The Science of Getting Rich," written over a century ago.

I delve into the question of whether thoughts can manifest wealth independently or if they must be coupled with personal action.

The key takeaway here is that thought and action must g...

Immerse yourself in a transformative journey as we crack open the wisdom of Wallace Waddles' 1910 classic, the Science of Getting Rich, and uncover the profound power of gratitude. Not just in saying thank you, but as a pivotal mental adjustment that aligns us with the universe's bountiful creative energies.

In this episode, I talk about Waddles' principles of success and reveal how practicing gratitude can quickly multiply ...

Are your thoughts shaping your destiny, or are you simply going through the motions of life?

In this episode, I dive  into the mind-expanding pages of Wallace D. Wattles' 1910 classic, "The Science of Getting Rich."

Have you ever wondered if your thoughts could truly create your reality? Today, I explore this profound concept and uncover the hidden power within it.

In this episode, I'll guide you through Chapter ...

Have you ever felt that nagging self-doubt creep in just as you're about to pursue your dreams? That moment when you ask yourself, "Who am I to do this?" 

In this episode, I dive into the remarkable TEDx talk, "Programming your Mind for Success," delivered by the inspiring entrepreneur Carrie Green.

To watch Carrie's talk on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

As I mentioned, you can watch MY TEDx talk here:

https://www....

Are you staring down a seemingly endless stretch of time or a monumental task that feels insurmountable? How do you maintain your focus and keep your spirits up when the road ahead seems never-ending?

In this episode, I delve into the art of enduring the long haul. I'll share with you a powerful strategy that can transform your perspective and make even the most challenging journeys feel achievable.

Discover the secre...

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of a seemingly endless traffic jam, unsure when it will finally clear up? It's a universal frustration we've all experienced. 

Of course most of us can check the map on our phones and tell when the traffic will clear up. And that knowing can make all the difference in feeling frustrated.

In today's show, I explore the secret to navigating the route to your dreams a...

We all face challenges in life, but what if we could change the way we think about them? 

Instead of dwelling on the lowercase hurdles, why not focus on the UPPERCASE blessings that often go unnoticed?

In today's episode, I share a story of my recent trip to Alaska, filled with breathtaking scenery, sumptuous room service, and unforgettable moments. But there's a twist – amidst all the beauty, there were challenges...

In today's episode, I pose a question: when you look at a picture, do you see the circumstances behind the photo? And do they matter?

I recently returned from an Alaskan cruise, and had an amazing time seeing the sights. On one morning, I took dozens of pictures as we sailed up Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier. Everything about this moment was perfect; the weather, the light, the glacier. 

Oh, also, I had COVID....

You reach a point in life, and you think to yourself, I’ve done everything I want to do in life. But have you? I just watched a TED talk that’s made me re-evaluate how I look at what’s mine to do. And I talk about it in today’s episode.

Clifford Stoll is an astronomer, physicist, and educator extraordinaire. In this episode, l venture into the depths of his dynamic TED Talk, "The Call to Learn."