The Terri Cole Show

What if real transformation doesn't require blowing up your life?
In this episode, Terri sits down with meditation teacher and author Light Watkins to discuss his book The Year You Transform and the fastest, most accessible path to lasting change.
They explore why success doesn't always lead to fulfillment, the myth of the "Eat, Pray, Love" transformation, and how small, intentional discomfort (like cold showers, forgiveness, or quitting complaining) can radically shift your mindset. If you're feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or craving deeper purpose, this conversation will show you how to create real change—from the inside out.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/808

Many people can communicate just fine until a conflict arises. 
Then the nervous system gets activated, and suddenly you're either shutting down, getting defensive, or saying things you don't mean. 
Sound familiar?
Our nervous systems get activated during conflict. It's normal for communication to be more challenging when you're activated than when you're not. That's just biology. When you understand how your body responds to stress, you give yourself a chance to communicate more effectively.
When you're in conflict, what happens for you?
Do you shut down? 

Do you get loud? 

Or begin attempting to please or appease the other person?

I'm going to walk you through the top challenges I see as a psychotherapist. And I've put together a guide with some scripts for you at terricole.com/guide.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/807

Does fear feel like a stoplight in your head? Have you ever backed down from something important because it scared you? Today's guest, former U.S. Marine Corps Officer Jill Schulman, is here to help you rethink how you respond to fear. Listen to learn why fear is a part of bravery and you should "do it scared" instead of waiting to feel fearless.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/806

I've been hearing from so many of you that you're feeling overwhelmed by what's happening in the world right now. And if you are, you're normal. Because it is overwhelming.
We were not designed to be in this hyper-aroused nervous system state for as long as we've been. Our bodies aren't meant for it. Our minds aren't meant for it. And yet here we are, living in a 24-hour bad news cycle that literally never ends.
You know, it didn't used to be this way. There was a time when the nightly news was one person reporting on the day's events without editorializing. Now it's a circus of talking heads and pundits and narratives coming at you from every direction. And if you're trying to be a well-informed, good global citizen without being buried under a tidal wave of bad news, that's a really hard line to walk.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious, or paralyzed, this one is for you. And you're not alone. I created a free guide including a guided meditation called One Love to go along with this post. You can grab it at terricole.com/guide.
There are things you can do to keep your mental, physical, and emotional health intact right now. None of them cost money. Most of them are about changing your mind about what you're allowed to give yourself. So here's my psychological survival kit.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/805

Are you struggling with codependency, hyper-independence, or feeling lonely in your relationships? In this episode of The Terry Cole Show, therapist and bestselling author Nedra Tawwab shares powerful insights from her new book The Balancing Act: Creating Healthy Dependency and Connection Without Losing Yourself.
We explore attachment styles, boundaries, healthy dependency, and how to stop expecting one person to meet all your emotional needs. Learn how to create balanced, fulfilling relationships without losing yourself in the process.
If you're working on healing anxious or avoidant attachment, improving boundaries, or building deeper connections — this conversation is for you.
Read the show notes for today's episode at terricole.com/804