The Meredith Patterson Podcast

Meredith Patterson

The Meredith Patterson Podcast is a heartfelt and inspiring series that delves into illuminating the universal human condition. Hosted by Meredith Patterson—an accomplished actress, dancer, singer, and writer with over 25 years of industry experience—the podcast offers an insider's perspective on the triumphs, challenges, and life lessons of not only a creative career, but any walk of life with a focus on authenticity, vulnerability, and growth. Each episode features candid conversations with people from all industries, with honest reflections on mental health, and practical insights for overcoming obstacles and thriving. Meredith explores what it truly means to become the best version of yourself—no matter your background or journey. Whether you're a creative, performer, dreamer, or simply someone seeking inspiration and meaningful connection, The Meredith Patterson Podcast delivers wisdom, humor, and heart in every episode. Join Meredith once a week for empowering stories, actionable advice, and a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of being human.

  1. Trusting the Universe: Surrender as Strength

    APR 3

    Trusting the Universe: Surrender as Strength

    Trusting the Universe: Surrender as Strength Welcome back, beautiful friends, to The Meredith Patterson Podcast. I'm Meredith — and today we're talking about something that changes everything once you truly understand it: trusting the universe — not as a passive wish, but as a conscious choice of strength. I was listening to some timeless wisdom from Louise Hay about what it really means to trust life, to surrender without giving up, to open your heart instead of clenching with fear — and I knew we needed to explore this together. 🌿 Segment 1: What Does "Trusting the Universe" Actually Mean? So often when we hear "trust the universe," we think it means doing nothing — like some kind of magical passivity. But what Louise teaches — and what I feel in my bones — is that trusting the universe is an inner strength, not a weakness. It's not about giving up control — it's about letting go of resistance while still showing up for life. Trusting here means: • Letting go of the fear that you must force everything into alignment • Choosing peace instead of clenching onto old stories • Opening your heart to life's guidance even when the path isn't perfectly clear It's not weakness — it's brave inner surrender. 🧘‍♀️ Segment 2: Surrender Without Giving Up Let me say that again — surrender does not mean giving up. It means releasing control because you know you don't have to fight for every detail of your journey. Life doesn't need to be wrangled into submission — it needs to be allowed to move through you. Here's something Louise would remind you: Trusting the universe means stopping the white-knuckle grip on every outcome while still showing up for your life with intention and heart. So you can still take inspired action. You can still plan and prepare and work like your life depends on it — and also know that the universe can support you in ways you can't yet see. That's the sweet spot: Action + Surrender = Flow. 💫 Segment 3: Flow Instead of Resistance When you trust the process, the energy inside you changes. Resistance feels like pushing against a closed door. Flow feels like moving with what's opening for you. And trust me — I know how hard it can be to relax that grip. Especially when you're someone who's used to hustling, striving, fixing, controlling. I lived that life. But there's a difference between working your plan and rolling uphill against life's resistance alone. The first feels productive. The second feels exhausting. Here's the truth Louise wanted you to hear: You can trust life — not because life is always easy — but because you are strong enough to handle what comes, and open enough to receive what's meant for you. ✨ Segment 4: How to Practice Trust Right Now So how does trusting the universe feel in your daily life? Here's a little practice you can do: Breathe and soften. When you catch yourself tightening — slow your breath. Let your shoulders soften. Affirm out loud: "I trust life. I trust the process. And I am willing to let what's meant for me show up in divine timing." Feel it in your body, not just your mind. You want trust to be felt, not just thought. Notice evidence of flow. A text that arrives at just the right moment… a door that opens when you least expected it… kindness that shows up out of the blue. These are not coincidences. They are life saying, "I'm with you." ❤️ Closing — A Message from My Heart Trusting the universe is not some airy-fairy idea — it's a practical courage. It's a spiritual muscle you strengthen with every moment you choose peace over fear, surrender over control, and hope over doubt. So as you go about your day, repeat this to yourself: "I am open. I am trusting. I am supported by life." And let that feeling ripple through your experience. Thank you for spending this time with me. Stay brave. Stay open. Stay in the flow.   🎙️ The Meredith Patterson Podcast Episode Title: Train Your Personality — Attract What You Truly Want Hello and welcome back to The Meredith Patterson Podcast — the place where we explore not just what it means to survive, but to thrive. To transform fears into confidence, scarcity into peace, dreams into reality. Today we're diving deep into something profoundly life-shaping: your personality. Not the mask you wear. Not the roles you play. I mean the core you — the way you think, feel, behave, and become. There's a reason Napoleon Hill's work (Think And Grow Rich) has stood for nearly a century. His insights aren't just about wealth — they're about the inner architecture of success. And the beautiful thing? These principles apply to your finances, your purpose, your relationships, your creativity, your health — everything you call "my life." What Hill teaches is this: Who you become determines what you attract. And today, we're going to unpack that truth — without watering down the advice, but in language that feels like you and me sitting and talking. 🎯 1. Decide Who You Are, Then Act Like It Hill says that success begins with a strong, unwavering decision. Not maybe or I hope so, but a firm commitment. You have to decide: Who am I? What do I want? And what am I willing to become to get it? Clarity of purpose is the spark that ignites everything else. Without it, you wander, drift, feel stuck. So today, I want you to pause and ask yourself: 👉 If I were already the person who had exactly what I want — how would she think? Speak? Act? Behave every day? That vision shapes your personality — because personality isn't fixed. It's trained, like ballet training or vocal training. You don't suddenly become skilled — you practice skillfulness. 💡 2. Your Mindset Is Your Magnet Hill believed that thoughts are powerful — they influence behavior, actions, and outcomes.  Your personality becomes a magnet when you consistently think in a way that matches what you want. Here's the secret people overlook: ❌ You cannot attract success with self-doubt. ✅ You attract what you consistently believe — not just what you wish for. So if you want: peace, money, connection, health, joy… You are training your personality first to expect it. This is the work where Napoleon Hill meets soulful living. 🔥 3. The Power of Self-Belief (Belief Is the Engine of Success) Hill emphasized that belief, not hope, moves mountains.  Belief is not blind optimism. It's a decision you make before you have proof. Belief is saying, "I'm going to show up for what I want even when I can't see it yet." That's what trains your personality to attract what you want. Belief rewires your nervous system. Belief changes your language. Belief reshapes your behavior. And here's the rich human part: Belief doesn't make you fearless — it makes you fear forward. 🧠 4. Repeat the Thoughts You Want to Live Hill was a big talker about repetition and autosuggestion — because your subconscious mind listens to what you say over and over.  You are what you tell yourself most of the time. So choose your internal dialogue wisely: Instead of: "I'll settle for what I get." Shift to: "I attract opportunities that reflect my worth." Instead of: "Money is stressful." Shift to: "Money is a tool I use with calm and clarity." This is not fluff. This is neuro-training. Your personality becomes the soil your life grows in. 💪 5. Train Your Personality to Stand for Something Hill didn't talk about personality as surface charm — he talked about character and willpower.  He said a personality trained for success: doesn't shrink from challenge, doesn't get derailed by fear, doesn't abandon purpose when life gets messy, doesn't trade peace for approval. That's the version of attraction we're talking about. Not momentary symptoms. Not insta-style confidence. Real, deep, grounded magnetic attraction. ✨ 6. Your Personality Is Trained, Not Born You want to attract: • calm finances • radical self-love • fulfilling work • soulful relationships • creative expression • meaningful legacy Then become the person who attracts those things. You don't wait to feel worthy first. You show up worthy, over and over — until the belief becomes instinct. Your personality becomes the lighthouse — not just the ship seeking shore. When your personality is trained to expect value — everything valuable gravitates toward you. 🎤 OUTRO — A FINAL PRACTICE Here's your homework — not pushy, just powerful: Every morning for the next seven days, say this aloud: "I am becoming the person who naturally attracts what I deeply want." "My personality is a magnet for growth, peace and abundance." "I take action every day that reflects who I am becoming." Not perfect. Not flashy. Just consistent. Because that's the Hill way. You are here to become, not just to wish. Thank you for being here. I'll see you next week.

    19 min
  2. #MentalHealthMonday - From Survival Mode to Calm: Reset Your Nervous System Now

    MAR 31

    #MentalHealthMonday - From Survival Mode to Calm: Reset Your Nervous System Now

    Hello beautiful souls, and welcome to Mental Health Monday on The Meredith Patterson Podcast. I'm Meredith Patterson, and as always, I'm so grateful you're here — taking this time for yourself, for your mind, for your heart, and for your healing. Because if you're anything like so many people I talk to — clients, friends, listeners, even myself at times — you may feel like you're constantly "on edge," overwhelmed, exhausted, or just… stuck in go-go-go mode. And here's the truth: 👉 You're not broken. 👉 You're not weak. 👉 Your nervous system is simply overwhelmed. Today, we're going to talk about what survival mode actually is, why your body gets stuck there, and most importantly — simple ways you can reset your nervous system starting right now. 🧠 What Is Survival Mode? Survival mode is when your body believes you are under threat — even if no actual danger is present. Your nervous system has two primary states: Sympathetic — fight, flight, freeze (stress response) Parasympathetic — rest, digest, heal (calm state) Survival mode means your sympathetic system is running the show. Your body is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. You may notice symptoms like: Constant anxiety or worry Racing thoughts Trouble sleeping Fatigue but wired energy Irritability or emotional overwhelm Brain fog Muscle tension Digestive issues Feeling numb or disconnected Always waiting for the "next thing to go wrong" And here's something important: Your nervous system doesn't care whether the threat is a tiger… or an overflowing inbox. It reacts the same way. 💛 Why So Many of Us Are Stuck Here Modern life is basically a survival-mode factory. Constant notifications. Financial pressure. News cycles. Family responsibilities. Perfectionism. People-pleasing. Trauma — past or present. Lack of true rest. And for many high-achieving, deeply caring people — especially women — calm can feel unfamiliar… even unsafe. Your body gets used to stress. So when things finally slow down, you may feel restless, uneasy, or guilty. Sound familiar? 🌿 The Body Cannot Heal While It Feels Unsafe This is the key message of today's episode. Your nervous system must feel safe before it can calm down. You cannot think your way out of survival mode. You must signal safety to your body. And the good news is… 👉 Safety can be taught. 👉 Calm can be practiced. 👉 Regulation is a skill. ✨ Reset #1 — Breathe Like You're Safe Breath is the fastest way to communicate with your nervous system. When you're stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and rapid. When you're calm, your breathing slows and deepens. So let's do this together right now. Place one hand on your chest… one on your belly. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4… Hold for 2… Exhale through your mouth for 6… Again. Inhale… 2… 3… 4… Hold… 1… 2… Exhale… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… Long exhalations tell your brain: "I am safe." Even one minute of this can begin shifting your state. 🌸 Reset #2 — Ground Your Body in the Present Survival mode pulls you into catastrophic future thinking or painful past loops. Grounding brings you back to now. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: Name: 5 things you can see 4 things you can feel 3 things you can hear 2 things you can smell 1 thing you can taste This anchors your brain in reality — not imagined danger. 🧘‍♀️ Reset #3 — Move Stress Out of the Body Stress hormones are designed for action. If you sit still all day while stressed, that energy gets trapped. Gentle movement helps discharge it: Walking Stretching Shaking out your hands and arms Dancing in your kitchen Yoga Even rolling your shoulders You don't need an intense workout. Your body just needs completion. 💗 Reset #4 — Soothing Sensory Input Your nervous system responds deeply to sensory cues. Ask yourself: 👉 What feels comforting to me? Examples: Warm tea A cozy blanket Soft music Nature sounds A hot shower Petting an animal Gentle touch Dim lighting Aromatherapy These are not luxuries. They are regulation tools. 🌼 Reset #5 — Safe Connection Human beings regulate each other. A calm nervous system can calm another nervous system. This is called co-regulation. Think about how you feel when someone kind, grounded, and warm sits with you. You can seek this through: Talking with a trusted friend Hugs Laughter Therapy Support groups Community You don't have to do everything alone. 🕊️ A Gentle Truth If you've been in survival mode for a long time, calm may not feel comfortable immediately. You might even feel bored, restless, or emotional. That's normal. Your body is recalibrating. Be patient with yourself. Healing isn't dramatic — it's repetitive. Small signals of safety, over and over again. 🌅 A Simple Daily Nervous System Reset Routine Here's a quick routine you can use anytime: Morning: Deep breathing before checking your phone Midday: Walk or stretch break Afternoon: Hydration + grounding moment Evening: Dim lights, calming activity, slower pace Think of regulation like brushing your teeth — maintenance, not crisis response. 💫 You Are Not Meant to Live in Emergency Mode Your body was designed for joy, connection, creativity, and peace. Survival mode is meant to be temporary. If you take one thing from today's episode, let it be this: 👉 Calm is not selfish. 👉 Rest is productive. 👉 Safety is healing. And you deserve all three. Take a slow breath with me one more time. Inhale… Exhale… Ask yourself gently: "What would feel supportive to my nervous system right now?" Then give yourself permission to do that — even if it's small. Especially if it's small. Thank you for spending this time with me today. If this episode resonated, I would love for you to share it with someone who may be feeling overwhelmed right now. And remember… ✨ Bliss is your birthright. ✨ Calm is available to you. ✨ You are allowed to feel safe in your own life. I'll see you next Mental Health Monday.

    15 min
  3. Train Your Personality To Attract What You Really Want

    MAR 27

    Train Your Personality To Attract What You Really Want

    Hello and welcome back to The Meredith Patterson Podcast — the place where we explore not just what it means to survive, but to thrive. To transform fears into confidence, scarcity into peace, dreams into reality. Today we're diving deep into something profoundly life-shaping: your personality. Not the mask you wear. Not the roles you play. I mean the core you — the way you think, feel, behave, and become. There's a reason Napoleon Hill's work (Think And Grow Rich) has stood for nearly a century. His insights aren't just about wealth — they're about the inner architecture of success. And the beautiful thing? These principles apply to your finances, your purpose, your relationships, your creativity, your health — everything you call "my life." What Hill teaches is this: Who you become determines what you attract. And today, we're going to unpack that truth — without watering down the advice, but in language that feels like you and me sitting and talking. 🎯 1. Decide Who You Are, Then Act Like It Hill says that success begins with a strong, unwavering decision. Not maybe or I hope so, but a firm commitment. You have to decide: Who am I? What do I want? And what am I willing to become to get it? Clarity of purpose is the spark that ignites everything else. Without it, you wander, drift, feel stuck. So today, I want you to pause and ask yourself: 👉 If I were already the person who had exactly what I want — how would she think? Speak? Act? Behave every day? That vision shapes your personality — because personality isn't fixed. It's trained, like ballet training or vocal training. You don't suddenly become skilled — you practice skillfulness. 💡 2. Your Mindset Is Your Magnet Hill believed that thoughts are powerful — they influence behavior, actions, and outcomes.  Your personality becomes a magnet when you consistently think in a way that matches what you want. Here's the secret people overlook: ❌ You cannot attract success with self-doubt. ✅ You attract what you consistently believe — not just what you wish for. So if you want: peace, money, connection, health, joy… You are training your personality first to expect it. This is the work where Napoleon Hill meets soulful living. 🔥 3. The Power of Self-Belief (Belief Is the Engine of Success) Hill emphasized that belief, not hope, moves mountains.  Belief is not blind optimism. It's a decision you make before you have proof. Belief is saying, "I'm going to show up for what I want even when I can't see it yet." That's what trains your personality to attract what you want. Belief rewires your nervous system. Belief changes your language. Belief reshapes your behavior. And here's the rich human part: Belief doesn't make you fearless — it makes you fear forward. 🧠 4. Repeat the Thoughts You Want to Live Hill was a big talker about repetition and autosuggestion — because your subconscious mind listens to what you say over and over.  You are what you tell yourself most of the time. So choose your internal dialogue wisely: Instead of: "I'll settle for what I get." Shift to: "I attract opportunities that reflect my worth." Instead of: "Money is stressful." Shift to: "Money is a tool I use with calm and clarity." This is not fluff. This is neuro-training. Your personality becomes the soil your life grows in. 💪 5. Train Your Personality to Stand for Something Hill didn't talk about personality as surface charm — he talked about character and willpower.  He said a personality trained for success: doesn't shrink from challenge, doesn't get derailed by fear, doesn't abandon purpose when life gets messy, doesn't trade peace for approval. That's the version of attraction we're talking about. Not momentary symptoms. Not insta-style confidence. Real, deep, grounded magnetic attraction. ✨ 6. Your Personality Is Trained, Not Born You want to attract: • calm finances • radical self-love • fulfilling work • soulful relationships • creative expression • meaningful legacy Then become the person who attracts those things. You don't wait to feel worthy first. You show up worthy, over and over — until the belief becomes instinct. Your personality becomes the lighthouse — not just the ship seeking shore. When your personality is trained to expect value — everything valuable gravitates toward you. 🎤 OUTRO — A FINAL PRACTICE Here's your homework — not pushy, just powerful: Every morning for the next seven days, say this aloud: "I am becoming the person who naturally attracts what I deeply want." "My personality is a magnet for growth, peace and abundance." "I take action every day that reflects who I am becoming." Not perfect. Not flashy. Just consistent. Because that's the Hill way — and the Meredith way. You are here to become, not just to wish. Thank you for being here. I'll see you next week.

    29 min
  4. #MentalHealthMonday - Detox Your Space

    MAR 23

    #MentalHealthMonday - Detox Your Space

    ARBONNE - Healthy, Whole & Complete Hello beautiful souls, and welcome to Mental Health Monday. Today I want to talk about something that doesn't get nearly enough credit in our healing journeys… our space. Because our environment plays a silent role in how our bodies feel. A pile of unopened bills on the counter. A cluttered corner you keep walking past. A drawer that won't close. Even the products we spray into the air or rub onto our skin without thinking twice. Your nervous system is always listening. Not just to your thoughts. Not just to your emotions. But to what surrounds you. Feng Shui teaches us that our homes are living mirrors—reflecting back our internal state while also shaping it. Energy, or chi, wants to move freely. And when energy gets stuck in our physical space, it often gets stuck in our bodies too. Think about it. When your space feels congested or chaotic, how does your body respond? For most of us, it shows up as stress… fatigue… irritability… anxiety. A low-level hum of tension that we normalize because it's been there so long. But something beautiful happens when we begin to clear what no longer supports us. When we finally fold the laundry that's been sitting there for days. When we throw away the broken item we keep meaning to fix. When we open a window and let fresh air move through. When we swap a harsh chemical cleaner for something gentler and more natural. According to Feng Shui experts, clutter isn't just "stuff." It represents unfinished business, postponed decisions, and emotional weight. So when you clear clutter, you're not just cleaning—you're completing energy loops. And your body feels that. Breathing deepens. Shoulders soften. The nervous system begins to downshift out of survival mode. Your immune system strengthens. A sense of safety returns—not because everything is perfect, but because your environment is no longer asking your body to stay on alert. One of my favorite Feng Shui principles is this: Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary, not a storage unit. This is where your body repairs. This is where your subconscious rests. If there's clutter under the bed, stacks of paper by the nightstand, or objects that hold old emotional charge, your body never fully settles. Start there. Clear one surface. One drawer. One corner. Another powerful tip from Feng Shui experts: Remove items that remind you of who you used to be—but no longer are. Clothes that don't fit your life. Objects tied to pain or obligation. Things you're keeping out of guilt instead of love. Energy wants honesty. Your space wants to reflect who you are now. And as this becomes a practice, tending to your space starts to feel less like a chore… and more like self-love. Each drawer you organize. Each surface you clear. Each product you consciously choose. You're telling your nervous system: You are safe here. You don't have to brace. You can rest. What remains doesn't have to be a perfect home. It just needs to be a space that regulates your nervous system… a space that creates room for clarity, calm, and well-being to naturally unfold.     Journal Prompt Where in my home does my body feel the most tension—and what is one small, loving change I can make there today? If this episode resonated with you, take a breath… look around… and choose one small act of clearing today. Not to be productive—but to be kind to yourself. Because bliss isn't something you earn. Bliss is your birthright. I'll see you next Monday. 💙

    21 min
  5. Wake Up Strong & Live Honestly: 8 Morning Mindset Training + 9 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner

    MAR 20

    Wake Up Strong & Live Honestly: 8 Morning Mindset Training + 9 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner

    ARBONNE - Healthy Whole and Complete Welcome to The Meredith Patterson Podcast Today I want to blend two powerful trainings that have changed *how I wake up and how I live — rooted in mindset, heart, reality, and real growth. First, we'll walk through something life-altering from Mel Robbins — 8 things she says to tell yourself every morning that set your inner state for confidence and momentum in your day. Then I'll bring in 9 Harsh Truths inspired by Lewis Howes' teaching from his The School of Greatness podcast — truths he says he wishes he knew sooner — and I'll tell you how I translate them into your life, right here, right now. 🌞 Part 1 — Morning Statements That Rewire Your Day (Mel Robbins) Mel teaches that the way you begin your inner conversation dictates how you experience your day. So say these with intention each morning: 1️⃣ "Today is going to be a great day." You anchor expectation before distraction knocks. 2️⃣ "Something cool is going to happen today." You train your mind to notice opportunity. 3️⃣ "No matter what happens, I can handle it." Resilience before resistance. 4️⃣ "A new chapter in my life starts today." You untether yourself from what was and open to what can be. 5️⃣ "Give myself more credit for trying." Self-appreciation builds confidence. 6️⃣ "I'm allowed to be a work in progress." Perfection leaves — growth arrives. 7️⃣ "If I keep showing up, life will reward me." Faith with effort wins. 8️⃣ "I have something important to contribute." Your story matters — and today is another page. These statements prime your nervous system for hope before life throws you anything. They shape your day from the inside out — and it starts before your phone gets your attention. 💡 Part 2 — 9 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew Sooner (Lewis Howes–inspired) Lewis teaches lessons that many of us learn the hard way — by living them, not just reading them. Here are nine core truths that come up again and again in his solo work and interviews — truths that don't feel good at first, but transform everything once you accept them. 1️⃣ You cannot control what others think or do. You can only control your response — and that's where your power lies. 2️⃣ Success doesn't heal what's unhealed inside. You can climb mountains in the world and still feel empty if your inner world isn't tended. 3️⃣ Real worth isn't earned by achievement — it's recognized. Your value isn't tied to trophies — it's tied to truth. 4️⃣ You learn more from slow, hard lessons than from easy wins. Pain refines you. Ease comforts you. 5️⃣ Most people will not choose you — and that's okay. It frees you to choose someone better aligned for you. 6️⃣ You will outgrow people, but that's growth, not loss. Some connections are meant to season you — not stay forever. 7️⃣ Comfort zones shrink your dreams. If it feels safe first, it probably isn't growth. 8️⃣ You will fail — and failing doesn't make you a failure. It means you showed up. 9️⃣ Truth is painful — but lies cost you far more. Avoiding honesty short-circuits growth; choosing it builds integrity. These are the truths he's talked about over years of teaching, interviews, and solo episodes — the ones that come not from books, but from late nights, lonely moments, and breakthroughs that only happen when you finally stop running from yourself. 🧠 Part 3 — Merging Both Into Your Life Here's the piece most people miss: Mindset + reality = transformation. Your morning statements prime your inner world. These hard truths ground your outer reality. So when you wake up tomorrow — say your Mel statements with feeling, not just words — and before the hustle begins, ask yourself: ✨ "Where am I choosing comfort over growth?" 🔥 "Where am I holding onto something that no longer serves me?" 🌱 "What truth is telling me — not telling me a story?" Because the day you finally accept both the hopeful truths and the hard ones, that's when real transformation begins. ❤️ A Note from My Heart You are worthy of kindness — from others and from yourself. You are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to be honest with your feelings, your boundaries, your dreams — and your fears. Every morning is a chance to strengthen your mind. Every truth you face is a chance to strengthen your soul. Thank you for listening — for choosing growth — for choosing you. I'm Meredith — and this is The Meredith Patterson Podcast.

    25 min
  6. #MentalHealthMonday - The Rule Of Thirds

    MAR 16

    #MentalHealthMonday - The Rule Of Thirds

    ARBONNE - Healthy Whole & Complete Welcome to Mental Health Monday Today I want to share a mindset that has completely reframed the way I move through hard seasons, creative stretches, motherhood, business, aging, healing — life. It's called The Rule of Thirds, and it's something I first heard articulated so powerfully by Emma Grede on the ASPIRE Podcast. And the moment she explained it, my entire nervous system exhaled. What Emma Grede teaches in ASPIRE Emma says this: When you are doing something meaningful — building a company, raising children, pursuing a dream, changing your life — your experience will naturally fall into thirds. One-third of the time, things feel great. You're aligned. Energized. Confident. Everything clicks. One-third of the time, things feel… fine. Not amazing. Not terrible. You're showing up, doing the work, moving forward. One-third of the time, things feel hard. Heavy. Uncertain. Frustrating. Emotional. Doubt creeps in. And here's the key insight Emma shares on ASPIRE: 👉 The hard third is not a problem. It's part of the design. That one sentence alone can save you years of self-judgment. Why this matters for your mental health So many of us were taught — directly or indirectly — that if something is right, it should feel good most of the time. And when it doesn't, we assume: "I'm failing." "I've lost my spark." "Something is wrong with me." "Maybe I should quit." But the Rule of Thirds gives us a truth-based framework instead of an emotional one. Hard days don't mean you're off track. They mean you're in the hard third. And once you expect that third, you stop panicking when you land there. Let me teach you how to use this (Meredith-style) This isn't just an idea. It's a practice. 1. Identify the third you're in — without making it mean anything Instead of spiraling, try saying: "Ah. I'm in the hard third today." No drama. No diagnosis. No identity crisis. Emma talks on ASPIRE about how naming the season removes its power. You stop arguing with reality — and that alone regulates your nervous system. 2. Create three different ways to support yourself Because here's the truth: You don't need the same version of yourself every day. Great third (expand): take the risk make the pitch train harder dream bigger Okay third (maintain): do the basics keep promises small one meaningful task steady over spectacular Hard third (protect): fewer decisions nervous system first rest without guilt minimum viable day This isn't weakness. This is wisdom. 3. Stop rewriting your identity in the hard third This is where most of the damage happens. On hard-third days, the mind loves to say: "See? You're inconsistent." "You've changed." "You're losing momentum." No. You're human. Emma makes this distinction beautifully: if your life is always in the hard third, something needs support or adjustment. But visiting the hard third? That's not failure — that's growth. 4. Let this end comparison When you're watching someone online and thinking, "How are they thriving all the time?" Remember: You're seeing their good third, edited and curated. You have no idea what third they were in yesterday. Or what third they're in when the camera's off. The Rule of Thirds brings you back into compassion — for yourself and for others. 5. Use it to be braver This might be my favorite part. Once you stop fearing the hard third, you stop building your life around avoiding discomfort. You stop waiting to feel "ready." You stop postponing joy. You stop thinking confidence comes before action. And if Broadway — especially performing through 9/11 and everything that followed — taught me anything, it's this: You don't get to a bigger life by skipping the hard parts. You get there by learning you can survive them. A 2-minute practice for today Write this down or put it in your notes app: Today I'm in the: Great / Okay / Hard third What my mind is saying: _______ What's actually true: _______ One loving action I can take today: _______ That's it. That's the work. Journal Prompt Where am I judging myself for being in the hard third — instead of honoring it? If this episode landed for you, share it with someone who's been quietly struggling and thinking they're "behind." And if you are in the hard third right now, hear me clearly: You are not broken. You are not failing. You are not off track. You're just in the part that asks you to soften, simplify, and stay. Because bliss isn't something you earn when everything is easy. Bliss is your birthright. 💙

    17 min
  7. Mastering Your Money: Wealth, Worth & A Life That Feels Rich

    MAR 13

    Mastering Your Money: Wealth, Worth & A Life That Feels Rich

    Mastering Your Money: Wealth, Worth & A Life That Is Rich Today we're talking about money. Not hustle culture. Not shame. Not fear. We're talking about mastering your money with calm, clarity, and confidence. Because here's the truth: Money is not just math. Money is emotion. Money is identity. Money is self-worth. Money is safety. Money is freedom. And if we don't consciously decide our money story, we end up living the one we inherited. Today's episode is inspired by the wisdom of incredible women in finance and mindset: • Dow Janes www.dowjanes.com • Suze Orman www.suzeorman.com • Jen Sincero www.jensincero.com • And many women leading the minimalist money movement. This episode is about building a rich life, not just a big bank account.   YOUR MONEY STORY Before we talk strategy, we have to talk psychology. Because your financial life is not built from spreadsheets. It is built from beliefs. Ask yourself: • What did your family say about money? • Was money stressful? • Was money secret? • Was money scarce? • Was money something "other people" had? Most of us grew up hearing things like: • Money doesn't grow on trees • We can't afford that • Rich people are greedy • Artists can't make money • Women shouldn't talk about money And we absorbed those beliefs before we were old enough to question them. Dow Janes teaches that before women build wealth, they must rewrite their money identity. Not "I hope I'll be good with money someday." But: I am a woman who handles money with confidence. Identity comes first. Behavior follows identity.   MONEY = SELF WORTH (SUZE ORMAN TRUTH BOMB) Suze Orman says something powerful: "Money is a reflection of your self-worth." That sentence alone can change your life. If you undercharge… If you overspend to feel better… If you avoid your bank account… If you fear investing… It is rarely about math. It's about: • Feeling undeserving • Fear of loss • Fear of success • Fear of being judged • Fear of being seen Women especially were not raised to feel powerful with money. We were raised to be: • Helpful • Generous • Modest • Quiet about finances And yet we live longer than men. We experience career breaks. We often become caregivers. We NEED financial power. Money is not selfish. Money is security and choice.   THE MINIMALIST MONEY SHIFT Now let's talk about the minimalist lifestyle approach to money. Minimalism is not deprivation. Minimalism is intentional spending. It's asking: "Does this purchase support the life I actually want?" Women in the minimalist movement teach this: Stop upgrading your lifestyle every time your income increases. Instead: Increase your freedom. Freedom > Stuff. Examples of minimalist money shifts: • Fewer subscriptions • Fewer impulse purchases • Smaller but meaningful wardrobes • Experiences over things • Time over clutter Every dollar you don't spend impulsively becomes a dollar that buys: • Future freedom • Peace • Opportunity • Choices Minimalism isn't about having less. It's about needing less to feel happy.   JEN SINCERO: MONEY IS ENERGY Jen Sincero reframes money beautifully. Money is not moral. Money is not evil. Money is energy. And energy responds to attention. If you ignore money → it disappears. If you resent money → it feels stressful. If you fear money → you avoid it. But if you respect money and direct it intentionally… It grows. One of the biggest mindset shifts: Stop saying: "I can't afford that." Instead ask: "How can I afford that?" That small shift moves you from victim → creator.   THE WOMEN'S WEALTH FOUNDATION (PRACTICAL STEPS) Let's get practical. Here is the simple wealth foundation taught by Dow Janes and Suze Orman. STEP 1 — KNOW YOUR NUMBERS You cannot master what you avoid. You need: • Monthly income • Monthly expenses • Total debt • Total savings • Total retirement No judgment. Just clarity. Clarity reduces anxiety immediately.     STEP 2 — BUILD AN EMERGENCY FUND Goal: 3–6 months of living expenses. This equals: Peace. Confidence. Calm nervous system. Emergency savings are emotional security, not just financial.     STEP 3 — INVEST CONSISTENTLY This is the big one. Women invest less — and that costs us millions over a lifetime. Investing is not gambling. Investing is participating in growth. Simple investing principles: • Start early • Invest consistently • Think long term • Ignore daily market drama Time in the market beats timing the market.     STEP 4 — AUTOMATE YOUR FUTURE Wealth grows from systems, not willpower. Automate: • Savings • Retirement • Investing Future you becomes wealthy because present you built systems.   THE RICH LIFE QUESTION Now here's the heart of it. What does a rich life actually look like to YOU? Not Instagram's version. Not society's version. Yours. Maybe your rich life includes: • Travel • Creative freedom • Time with family • Health and wellness • Giving back • Owning your time Money is simply the tool that supports that vision. Money is not the goal. Money is the vehicle.   AFFIRMATIONS FOR FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE Let's close with affirmations you can repeat daily: • I am a woman who is confident with money. • I respect and manage my finances with ease. • Money supports my freedom and my dreams. • I am worthy of wealth and security. • My future self thanks me for the choices I make today.   Mastering your money is not about becoming obsessed with numbers. It's about creating peace, freedom, and choice. You deserve to feel calm when you look at your bank account. You deserve to feel confident about your future. You deserve to live a life that feels rich in every way. Because bliss is your birthright. Thank you for being here, and I'll see you next week.

    46 min
  8. #MentalHealthMonday - The Power of Preventive Mental Health

    MAR 9

    #MentalHealthMonday - The Power of Preventive Mental Health

    🎙️ Mental Health Monday The Power of Preventive Mental Health Why You Don't Have to Hit Rock Bottom to Start Taking Care of Yourself I took a self-curated break. Not because anything was wrong. Not because I was falling apart. But because I could feel — subtly — that I needed to recalibrate. And that right there is what today's episode is about. Preventive mental health. Not waiting until you're burned out. Not waiting until you're resentful. Not waiting until your body forces you to stop. But choosing to check in before the crash. 🌿 WHAT IS PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH? We go to the dentist before our teeth fall out. We get annual physicals before we're hospitalized. But emotionally? Most of us wait until we're overwhelmed, anxious, snapping at our kids, disconnected from our partners, exhausted, or quietly numbing. Preventive mental health is simply this: It's checking in with yourself before life checks you. It's emotional hygiene. It's maintenance for your mind and nervous system. And culturally right now, this is trending for a reason. People are done glamorizing burnout. We are realizing that functioning isn't the same as thriving. Especially high-achieving women. Especially mothers. Especially entrepreneurs. Sound familiar? 💙 WHY THIS MATTERS (ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS) You can be: • Successful • Productive • Responsible • Showing up And still be running on fumes. Preventive mental health asks a radical question: "How am I really doing — before it becomes a problem?" Not: "What do I need to get done?" But: "What do I need?" That shift changes everything. 🧠 THE 5-MINUTE EMOTIONAL CHECK-IN Here's something practical. Every morning or every evening, ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? Where do I feel it in my body? What might this emotion need? Is there something I've been ignoring? What would support look like today? Not fixing. Not judging. Just noticing. Emotional literacy — being able to name what you're feeling — is one of the most powerful mental health tools available to you. Because what you name, you can manage. What you suppress… manages you. 🔥 SIGNS YOU NEED A PREVENTIVE RESET You don't have to be in crisis. But here are subtle signs: • Irritability that feels disproportionate • Feeling "flat" even during good moments • Trouble sleeping • Over-scheduling to avoid stillness • Fantasizing about disappearing for a week That's not failure. That's feedback. Your nervous system whispers before it screams. 🌊 WHAT I DID DURING MY BREAK I stopped producing. I stopped pushing. I stopped needing to be visible for a minute. And I let myself ask: "What version of me wants to emerge next?" I journaled. I moved my body. I allowed quiet. I shed old expectations. I didn't force clarity. And here's what I realized: Preventive mental health isn't dramatic. It's subtle. It's mature. It's self-respect. 🌸 4 PREVENTIVE MENTAL HEALTH HABITS Scheduled stillness If it's not scheduled, it won't happen. Boundaries before resentment Don't wait until you're angry to say no. Body movement daily Emotion literally moves through the body. Honest conversations Say the thing gently before it builds into something sharp. These aren't emergency tools. They're daily hygiene. 💬 A HARD TRUTH You don't earn rest by burning out. You don't deserve peace only after collapse. You are allowed to maintain your mental health the same way you maintain your car, your business, your home. Maintenance is wisdom. ✨ BRINGING IT HOME As we move into this new season — for me, and maybe for you — I want us to normalize this: You don't have to break to begin healing. You don't have to lose everything to re-evaluate. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support. Preventive mental health is power. And bliss is still your birthright — not after exhaustion — but alongside ambition. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who looks like they're "doing fine" but might need this reminder. Like, subscribe, write a 5-star review — it truly helps this message reach more people. And if you haven't done your emotional check-in yet today… Pause. Ask yourself how you really are. And honor the answer. Happy Mental Health Monday, my friends. I'm so glad to be back. 💙

    20 min

About

The Meredith Patterson Podcast is a heartfelt and inspiring series that delves into illuminating the universal human condition. Hosted by Meredith Patterson—an accomplished actress, dancer, singer, and writer with over 25 years of industry experience—the podcast offers an insider's perspective on the triumphs, challenges, and life lessons of not only a creative career, but any walk of life with a focus on authenticity, vulnerability, and growth. Each episode features candid conversations with people from all industries, with honest reflections on mental health, and practical insights for overcoming obstacles and thriving. Meredith explores what it truly means to become the best version of yourself—no matter your background or journey. Whether you're a creative, performer, dreamer, or simply someone seeking inspiration and meaningful connection, The Meredith Patterson Podcast delivers wisdom, humor, and heart in every episode. Join Meredith once a week for empowering stories, actionable advice, and a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of being human.