RiseUp - Live Joy Your Way

In this episode, Kamini Wood explores the powerful and often misinterpreted silence in relationships that emerges during conflict, which is distinct from peaceful quiet. She explains that withdrawal is rarely about punishment; instead, it's often a survival mechanism or a shield rooted in old attachment wounds or feelings of shame that whisper, "You're not good enough." Kamini highlights the dangerous mismatch: one partner...

In this episode, Kamini Wood dives into the dark reality of narcissistic manipulation, detailing how manipulators subtly twist facts and events to make victims doubt their own memory, feelings, and sanity. She explains that this is a form of gaslighting and a psychological warfare that targets a person's core identity, leading to nervousness, agitation, and a profound loss of self-trust because humans are wired for connect...

In this episode, Kamini Wood challenges the societal myth that happiness is a permanent destination, explaining that it is a fleeting emotional state, much like sadness or fear, subject to the hedonic treadmill. She argues that chasing constant happiness leads to disappointment and offers a more sustainable goal: contentment and meaning. Contentment, she explains, is about being at peace and grounded regardless of life's c...

In this episode, Kamini Wood explores the science behind humor, revealing that laughter is far more than just a fun distraction—it's a powerful, scientifically-backed tool for enhancing happiness and reducing stress. She shares fascinating research, including a study where daily humor therapy significantly increased participants' happiness and reduced physical pain. Kamini explains the physiological effects of laughter, su...

In this episode, Kamini Wood explores the concept of high-functioning anxiety, which she describes as an internal struggle often hidden behind a facade of success and productivity. While not a formal DSM-5 diagnosis, it's a recognized experience among high achievers characterized by persistent worry and a fear of failure, despite outward appearances of being composed and successful. Kamini explains that this anxiety is oft...

In this episode, Kamini Wood redefines vulnerability in the context of leadership, challenging the outdated notion that it's a weakness. Drawing on research from Brené Brown and the Harvard Business Review, she explains that vulnerability is a courageous act of showing up authentically, and it builds emotional safety, trust, and loyalty within teams. Kamini uses a client's story to illustrate how moving from a controlling,...

In this episode, Kamini Wood defines gaslighting as a form of emotional manipulation where one person deliberately twists information to make another person question their own reality, feelings, and sanity. She outlines its three stages: disbelief, where you dismiss your gut feelings; defense, where you argue your point but become exhausted and confused; and depression, which leads to emotional exhaustion and a loss of sel...

In this episode, Kamini Wood delves into the concept of toxic positivity, which she defines as the pressure to maintain a cheerful and optimistic outlook regardless of the circumstances. Kamini explains that while well-intentioned, phrases like "just stay positive" can invalidate a person's genuine emotions, such as grief, sadness, or anxiety. She highlights that research has shown that suppressing these negative emotions ...

In this episode of "Rise Up Live Joy Your Way," life coach Kamini Wood tackles the pervasive habit of overthinking, also known as rumination. She dives into the psychological and neuroscientific reasons behind this cycle, explaining how repetitive thoughts can trap us in a state of anxiety and decision paralysis. Drawing on research from cognitive behavioral therapy and authors like Barry Schwartz, Kamini reveals how cogni...

In this episode of "Rise Up Live Joy Your Way," certified life coach Kamini Wood dives into the common habit of people-pleasing, exploring why it's so pervasive and how to break free. She explains that people-pleasing is a persistent tendency to prioritize others' needs and desires over your own, often stemming from a fear of rejection or a need for approval. Drawing on research from neuroscience and psychology, Kamini dis...

In this episode of "Rise Up Live Joy Your Way," certified life coach Kamini Wood challenges the myth that we must wait for perfect circumstances to find peace. Drawing on research from psychology and neuroscience, she explains that calm is not a destination but an internal state we can intentionally cultivate. Kamini discusses how practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and sensory grounding can regulate your nervous s...

In this episode, Kamini Wood explores the phenomenon of the inner critic, that voice of self-doubt and judgment that often becomes loudest just before a significant achievement. She explains that this is a common psychological occurrence, as the inner critic's primary, albeit misguided, function is to protect us from perceived emotional threats. Drawing on research from Dr. Valerie Young, Kamini notes that 70% of successfu...

In this episode, Kamini Wood explores "experiential avoidance," defining it as the conscious or subconscious effort to evade uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, sensations, or conversations. She explains that while this behavior is a natural, wired-for-survival response, it ultimately proves unhelpful. Avoiding difficult emotions or situations, such as conflict, rejection, financial anxiety, or vulnerability, only causes the...

In this episode, Kamini Wood addresses the common challenge of setting boundaries, highlighting that the discomfort experienced is normal and does not signify wrongdoing. She explains that fears of rejection, disappointing others, confrontation, or being perceived as mean often make setting boundaries difficult. This discomfort is compounded by a societal conditioning that prioritizes others' feelings over our own. Kamini ...

In this episode, Kamini Wood reframes procrastination not as laziness or poor time management, but as an emotional coping strategy to avoid uncomfortable or challenging tasks. She explains that underlying emotions such as fear of failure, perfectionism, overwhelm, or a lack of control often drive procrastination. Understanding these emotional roots is crucial to breaking the cycle, as procrastination can erode self-trust, ...

In this episode, Kamini Wood delves into emotional regulation, defining it as the ability to intentionally manage one's emotional reactions rather than controlling them. She explains that emotional dysregulation occurs when the nervous system interprets situations as threats, pushing us into fight, flight, or freeze mode, even when there's no life-threatening danger. Poor emotional regulation can significantly impact relat...

In this episode, Kamini Wood challenges the common perception of conflict, reframing it from a problem to an opportunity for growth and connection. She acknowledges that most people experience tension or dread when facing conflict due to past negative experiences, leading to conflict avoidance. However, avoiding conflict also means missing opportunities for authenticity and deeper connection, often resulting in resentment,...

In this episode of "Rise Up, Live Joy Your Way," Kamini Wood emphasizes that boundaries are essential guidelines for healthy relationships and personal peace, often misunderstood as walls that push people away. As a "recovering people pleaser," Kamini shares her own struggle with setting boundaries, initially viewing them as rude or mean, but now understanding them as "fences" that allow for connection and deeper, healthie...

In this episode, certified life and wellness coach Kamini Wood debunks the pervasive myth that fear equals respect in various relationships, including parenting, partnerships, friendships, and leadership. She explains that fear hinders trust, connection, and authentic performance, often stemming from upbringing where respect was demanded, not earned, or silence was mistaken for obedience. Kamini details how fear impacts th...