Conversations with Cinthia

Gender Speaks, Part 1: Hardwiring of the Brain in Communication

Do you believe that men and women are different?  It's long been out of fashion in some circles to assert that there are basic differences beyond the obvious anatomical ones we can see.  However, science is uncovering differences in the brains of men and women.  While these are generalities and we may all differ from the "norm" to some extent, learning the basics of gender can give us a framework that allows us to make sense of ourselves and the people with whom we have close relationships.  Join Cinthia today as she starts an important series with a look at the basic wiring of the male and female brains and some of the ways these differences appear in our day-to-day interactions.

Dilemma of Change: Steps to Growing Through Loss and Suffering

It is possible to do more than just survive suffering; it is possible to require even the worst evils and tragedies to fertilize some seeds of beauty and goodness.  Yesterday, Cinthia talked about getting through change, particularly when it's painful.  Today, she talks about how to prevent suffering from making you bitter and how, instead, to become stronger through the process of change.  

Dilemma of Change: We Can't Prevent Suffering, But We Can Ease Pain

If change is inevitable and going through the grief and loss process is necessary, then what?  How do we actually walk through it day by day?  Cinthia discusses how to walk through change, even change that involves tremendous suffering, with hope.  

Dilemma of Change: Grief and Loss Process and Defense Mechanisms

Yesterday, Cinthia introduced the topic of defense mechanisms; she explained that the mechanisms we use to avoid grieving our losses can become even bigger and more painful than the original grief and loss.  Today, she continues looking at specific defense mechanisms, then discusses how engaging the stages of grief can help us let go of the mechanisms that entrap us with the promise of protection.  

Dilemma of Change: Three Types of Change

Changes don't all come to us in the same way.  Some changes we choose, and some we don't.  Some we anticipate, and some are shocking.  Each kind of change brings its own stresses and requires something different from us.  What kind of change are you facing today?  Join Cinthia for a look at how to handle each kind of change, as well as an introduction to how unhealthy coping mechanisms can take hold if we try to avoid facing parts of the reality of change.

Dilemma of Change: Introduction

What change is happening in your life?  What defense mechanisms do you find yourself using in the process?  Whether a particular change appears positive or negative, change always involves loss.  Cinthia explores what it means to spend our energy growing stronger in the storms of change rather than fighting the storm and trying to change things beyond our control.  This episode is the introduction to a week-long series you won't want to miss.  

The Best Year Ever: Don't Worry!

How would your life be different if you could let go of worrying?  Did you know that worrying significantly impacts physical health?  It may be a common habit in our society and is even seen sometimes as a sign of love, maturity, or importance, but worry isn't making us any better.  If we are going to become the best versions of ourselves, we are going to have to let go of worrying.  Join Cinthia to explore why God tells us not to worry about anything.  

The Best Year Ever: Practice Living In Love

If the idea of "living in love" makes you think of gritting your teeth and trying harder to feel loving about everybody or be nice to everyone, this episode will be a welcome surprise.  Cinthia explores what it means to manage our own challenges-- our worlds, our wounds, our feelings, our relationships with ourselves, even the voices we hear from the enemy-- in a way that frees us to love genuinely.  This approach offers freedom that just trying harder to feel or act loving can't offer.  If you want to be more loving but don't want to just buckle down and pretend, start with this episode.

The Best Year Ever: Managing My Internal and External World

If we want the new year to be a good one, we're going to have to make peace with ourselves and manage the lives that we have.  So how do we do that? Cinthia explores how to manage our physical, social, intellectual, emotional/psychological, and spiritual lives so that we can be whole and congruent.  This episode has lots of practical advice on how to manage life in the next year in order to move toward being the best versions of ourselves!

The Best Year Ever: Create New Beginnings For Yourself

The promise of a new year can seem hollow when our mistakes and other circumstances overshadow us, and we sometimes adopt ways of thinking that deepen these shadows.  What would you do with the new year if you could do it without the mindsets that keep you stuck?  Cinthia discusses how managing our own thought processes can create new beginnings.