The Practice of Being Human

Marta Brummell
  • 5.0 (64)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

This podcast cultivates real conversations about real topics for young adults, parents, and everyone in between. It talks tools and practices for how to navigate the often treacherous and sweet road of being human, and how to walk it more consciously, skillfully, and successfully. Relationships, adulting, parenting, marriage and more will be on tap. Come join us! Interested in learning more? You can find Marta at www.martabrummell.com.

  1. Aug 30

    Taking the Road Less Traveled: Learning to Trust Your Own Path

    In this episode, Marta sits down with Grace, who has been part of The Practice behind the scenes for the past year and a half, to talk about what it means to listen to your own voice and trust your own path when the world around you is telling you what you should be doing. Drawing from Grace's experience of graduating from USC, moving to Australia without a traditional career plan, and discovering an unexpected love for a slower, smaller-town life, they explore what happens when we give ourselves enough space to discover what is actually true for us. This conversation focuses on belonging, self-trust, curiosity, decision-making, and the courage to take a path that may look different from the one everyone else is choosing. Marta and Grace explore the difference between fitting in and belonging, why discomfort is often part of the process, and how moving away from the familiar can help us hear parts of ourselves that may have gotten quieter over time. They also talk about the pressure young adults often feel to have their lives figured out—the right job, relationship, city, timeline, and next step—and the possibility that there may be no single “right” life waiting for us to discover. At its heart, this is a conversation about becoming. About making decisions without knowing exactly where they will lead, allowing ourselves to change our minds, and learning to meet uncertainty with curiosity rather than judgment. A thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about trusting yourself, finding your people, belonging without shape-shifting, and allowing your life to unfold one decision at a time.

  2. Aug 23

    Ask Better Questions, Build Deeper Relationships

    In this week's spontaneous episode from her car, Marta reflects on the transformative power of asking different questions and how a single thoughtful question can open the door to deeper connection, greater self-awareness, and more meaningful conversations. Drawing from recent moments with close friends, young adults, and families, she explores how curiosity creates intimacy, why the questions we ask shape the conversations we have, and how moving beyond surface-level exchanges allows us to truly see, hear, and know one another. Through personal stories and reflections, she invites us to consider how wisdom is often uncovered not by having better answers, but by learning to ask better questions. This episode focuses on curiosity, authentic connection, emotional intimacy, meaningful conversation, self-discovery, relationships, and the art of listening. It explores how thoughtful questions help us uncover what matters most, why vulnerability creates deeper belonging, and how creating space for honest conversation has the power to change both ourselves and the people around us. This is a warm and reflective conversation about presence, curiosity, human connection, emotional growth, and the quiet beauty of being deeply known. A reminder that sometimes the most meaningful conversations don't begin with better answers—they begin with a better question.

  3. Aug 16

    Performance vs. Formation (Part 2): Raising Humans, Not Performers

    In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Marta reflects on what it means to raise humans instead of performers, and why belonging should never have to be earned through achievement. She explores how parents can move from fixing to supporting, from controlling to guiding, and from measuring outcomes to celebrating growth. Through practical questions and compassionate examples, she shares how struggle, revision, and honest conversation become some of life's greatest teachers. This episode focuses on parenting, young adults, belonging, emotional resilience, relationships, identity, personal growth, and formation. It explores how families can create environments where people feel safe to wrestle, repair, learn, and become. This is a hopeful and deeply practical conversation about parenting with curiosity, supporting without rescuing, and remembering that life's greatest education isn't found in perfect performance, but in who we become along the way.

  4. Aug 9

    Performance vs. Formation (Part 1): Why Becoming Matters More Than Achievement

    In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Marta explores the difference between performance and formation, and why becoming who we are matters far more than simply looking successful. Inspired by philosopher Paul Blasco's reflections on education, she examines how grades, resumes, internships, and achievements can quietly become substitutes for the deeper work of discovering our values, our voice, and the life we truly want to build. She also offers a thoughtful perspective on AI, suggesting that its greatest impact may be revealing what we've unintentionally been teaching all along. This episode focuses on identity, education, purpose, personal growth, authenticity, AI, and becoming. It explores why frustration, curiosity, and uncertainty are essential parts of learning, and how true success begins when we stop measuring ourselves solely by outcomes. This is an encouraging and thought-provoking conversation about self-awareness, meaningful work, values, education, and the lifelong practice of becoming more fully ourselves.

  5. Jul 31

    When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

    In this episode, Marta reflects on an unexpected and deeply personal week after her son sustained another concussion, prompting her to explore what it means to stay grounded when life doesn't unfold the way we hoped or planned. Drawing from her own experience as a mother, wife, coach, and human being, she shares the delicate balance between caring deeply for the people we love without allowing fear to consume us. She explores the difference between control and agency, the importance of tending to our own nervous systems, and how staying connected during difficult seasons requires both courage and intention. This episode focuses on uncertainty, emotional resilience, parenting young adults, nervous system awareness, vulnerability, connection, and learning to meet life's unexpected challenges with greater trust and compassion. It explores how fear can quietly disconnect us from ourselves and others, why honoring our emotions is different from becoming consumed by them, and how true agency begins when we soften our resistance to what is. This is a thoughtful and deeply human conversation about navigating adversity, staying present through uncertainty, cultivating emotional awareness, and choosing connection even when life feels overwhelming. A reminder that while we cannot always control what happens, we can choose how we meet it—and that our greatest strength often lies not in having all the answers, but in remaining open, grounded, and connected through whatever life brings.

  6. Jul 26

    What Life Is Teaching Me at 56 (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Marta shares a personal story about an honest conversation with her son that transformed the way she thinks about parenting, connection, and love. She reflects on the courage it takes to receive difficult truths, the importance of allowing others to grow in their own time, and why our deepest relationships often ask us to love differently than we imagined. Through conversations with trusted mentors and friends, she explores what it means to stop forcing the bloom, trust the roots we've already helped plant, and return to our own lane. This episode focuses on parenting young adults, emotional honesty, trust, healing, relationships, and learning to let go with love. It explores how curiosity creates deeper connection than control, why healing cannot be rushed, and how freedom grows when we loosen our grip. This is a compassionate and deeply reflective conversation about family, growth, vulnerability, emotional maturity, and becoming. A reminder that love isn't about holding on tighter—it's about trusting ourselves and those we love enough to let them become who they're meant to be.

  7. Jul 19

    What Life Is Teaching Me at 56 (Part 1)

    In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Marta reflects on the lessons that have emerged as she celebrates another birthday and the invitation each new season of life offers to pause, awaken, and become. Through stories from her own life, she explores marriage, parenting young adults, post-menopause, identity, and the quiet ways life continually asks us to loosen our grip on who we once were. She reflects on emotional maturity, curiosity, and learning new ways to love ourselves and those closest to us. This episode focuses on becoming, self-awareness, relationships, emotional growth, and the courage to let old identities fall away. It explores how life continues to shape us through every season, and how freedom often begins when we stop trying to stay the same. This is a reflective and encouraging conversation about growth, aging, awakening, curiosity, parenting, identity, and learning to meet each new chapter with openness instead of resistance.

  8. Jul 9

    The Power of a Morning Practice: Begin Your Day with More Peace and Presence

    In this episode, Marta explores the quiet power of beginning each day with intention, presence, and self-connection. Drawing from her own morning practice and conversations with clients navigating stress, transition, and emotional overwhelm, she reflects on the difference between immediately checking in with the outside world and first tuning in to ourselves. Through breath, gratitude, stillness, and meditation, she explores how small daily practices can transform the way we move through life. This episode focuses on presence, resilience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of creating space to return to ourselves before responding to the demands of the day. It explores how slowing down helps quiet the noise of the mind, why stillness strengthens us from within, and how a simple morning ritual can become an anchor through life's inevitable challenges. This is a calming and thoughtful conversation about mindfulness, intentional living, gratitude, emotional well-being, and learning to meet each day with greater peace and awareness. A reminder that before we check in with the world, we can first tune in to ourselves—and that this simple practice has the power to change everything.

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5
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

This podcast cultivates real conversations about real topics for young adults, parents, and everyone in between. It talks tools and practices for how to navigate the often treacherous and sweet road of being human, and how to walk it more consciously, skillfully, and successfully. Relationships, adulting, parenting, marriage and more will be on tap. Come join us! Interested in learning more? You can find Marta at www.martabrummell.com.

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