Giving Words: The Pat Poems Edition

Lisa Nichols
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Giving Words to the shared experiences of humanity, podcaster and writer Lisa Nichols shares reflections on life through her eyes and those of her late Uncle Pat, who walked through the world with joy and gratitude as well as autism, schizophrenia and alcoholism. This show does not shy away from the difficult topics but approaches them head on with enthusiasm, compassion and a focus on healing and creating connection amongst all of society.

Episodes

  1. 04/26/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 12: 5 Takeaways in our Final Episode

    Is it really over?! Yes… kind of... maybe not really. In this episode Lisa shares her initial vision for the Pat Poems, how it became this series, and her vision for Giving Words all together. That isn’t without some tangents, some storytelling and of course, a poem! Join us as we discuss the project, the challenges of creativity, what it means to get started, learning and some lessons I’ve learned along the way from podcasting basics to the power of impacting others lives through sharing your own. In our final episode, here are 5 key takeaways: Just start. Do the thing and plan to do it messily. Failure is an amazing teacher. Connect with those you love. Often. There’s power in sharing your story. Everything is just right. It has been a beautiful journey these last four months and I thank you for listening and being here.  Stay connected! Stay tuned and like the show so you can join us at the end of this summer with Giving Words next limited series! Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ page! Episode Links Lisa’s non-fiction works, Camp Wadsworth and Down the Dirt Road with John Jamison Sanctuary: A meditation on Home, Homelessness and Belonging, by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel Simply T Events, “Mask Removal” with Tonya Miller Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong

    53 min

  2. 04/19/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 11: Family Affair - Pat’s Legacy and Impact

    Join two generations of Pat’s family and hear about his impact and legacy through their reflections on life with him, poetry and the podcast. Above all, this episode glimmers with the call to action for unconditional love, each family story, and especially Pat’s legacy, demonstrates how important it is to accept, honor and laugh about life. In this episode my brother, cousin, mother and I share stories about funerals, family parties, what the last few years without Pat have been like and how he still lives with us today. You can expect the same sense of humor, depth of thought, and random side stories from them as you get from me as we explore football, football and family connections, differences and similarities–how understanding those things enhances wellness, the importance of structure and values, how genealogy and historical context shapes family, as well as cultural heritage and family connection. Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ page!

    1h 19m

  3. 04/14/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 10: Discussing the Taboo & Meeting Mistakes with Compassion

    In this episode we explore the power of openly discussing the taboo. We discover that humor not only dissipates shame, but also breaks taboos and we can bond and heal over those moments of disclosure. When thoughts live in our head and are never challenged, they are free to cause havoc and suffering, but with the support of people we trust who care about us, we can share those thoughts and reframe them. Other topics we touch on include the placebo affect, hypervigilance, stigma reduction, the power of listening and connecting, learning how to process failures and mistakes with compassion, and acceptance. Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ page! Episode Links: Mel gibbons, podcast about sex (types of arousal) Khalil Gibran’s poem “On Children” James Pennebaker, Expressive Writing as a healing modality

    46 min

  4. 03/30/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 9: Legacy, Heritage & Love

    In this episode we explore heritage and legacy, and how it impacts our lived experience in myriad ways starting with the question, “Where do we come from?” Through discussion, we find that family history has impact and the definition of success through generational shifts is part of how life is lived in the present. We also explore the interplay of free will and legacy, finances, choice, and the essence of love. In this episode there are two pieces of prose, one of Pat’s and one of Lisa’s, echoing back and forth... plus the usually smattering of random topics: epigenetics, philosophy, writing, poverty, motocross… Enjoy! Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our ⁠Instagram⁠ page! Episode Links: My Grandmother’s Hands, Resmaa Menakem

    53 min

  5. 03/22/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 8: Leadership & Pushing Against Cultural Norms

    In this episode we explore leadership through family dynamics and the power of feminine and masculine energies. In that exploration we also discuss cultural narratives around gender roles and I share my experience as part of a matriarchal family. Other topics we get into include the impact of shame, sexuality, pathologization of emotions, servant leadership, the complexity of female alliances, and the need for both feminine and masculine energies for ultimate success. We also recite multiple Pat poems and dive into the influence of poetry on identity . By the end of this episode we hope you can identify your leadership style and find ways to imbue softness and strength side by side, ways to share your power with those around you to create opportunities for mutual growth. Check out our instagram page and leave a comment! Episode Links Cassandra Speaks, by Elizabeth Lesser Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2016/04/research-we-are-way-harder-on-female-leaders-who-make-bad-calls Stillness Speaks, by Eckhart Tolle

    47 min

  6. 03/15/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 7: Gossip & Ridicule for Good?

    In this episode we celebrate “good gossip” and the effect it can have when wielded as a tool for positive communal growth. This conversation explores family dynamics, sociology, identity and creating a shared experience. (There’s also a cameo a la kitty cat with the Zoomies). Join us to explore what we can learn about the power of gossip and ridicule through shame busting, literature (hellooooo Pride and Prejudice) and setting social norms. Although we highlight positive uses of gossip, we also acknowledge its dual nature and dark side. There are multiple poems of Pat’s included that shine a light on some sad interactions he experienced. It all ends with a call to celebrate someone you know, spreading gossip for good. “Gossiping may actually be beneficial to society” Tribe: On homecoming and belonging by Sebastian Junger

    41 min

  7. 03/08/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 6: Identifying purpose, values and finding yourself

    In this episode we take a medium deep dive into religion and spirituality by exploring Catholicism and Atheism as two approaches that can lead to the same outcome: a life of purpose, value driven action and love. It is also the premiere of poetry by our host, Lisa Nichols. She shares a reflective piece written in response to her uncle Pat's writing. Exploring personal beliefs and their relationship to our values and actions is the catalyst for this week's call to action. Identify what you are deeply rooted and anchored in and use that to guide you like a north star. Links: Just Poets poetry group Non-violent communication

    48 min

  8. 03/01/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 5: Healing ourselves & Communities

    Shifting the story we tell ourselves can lead to positive action. In this episode we explore the alchemy of pain and struggle into healing and service by diving into the role anger plays in advocacy and how service to others compounds our own healing. Other topics include: open-mindedness, social justice, transformation, substance use, and recovery. We end the episode with a call to action, asking how can you use your healing as a guide and map for taking action to heal your families, communities, and the earth itself? What little things can you do to be a catalyst for change? Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our Instagram page! Episode Links: Alliance for Rights and RecoveryDorothy DayHealing Centered Engagements, Dr. Sean Ginwright’s workMy Grandmother's Hands, Resmaa MenakemNonviolent communication (Lisa's favorite workshop)Recovery Coach UniversityROCovery Fitness

    44 min

  9. 02/22/2025

    The Pat Poems Series Episode 4: Tragedy, struggle and Triumph

    This episode hinges on the power of gratitude in the face of adversity and gets to that point by way of stories ranging from segregated schools in the mid 1900’s to present day struggles and triumphs. The focus is on how we can take the reins of our life and happiness through tending our basic psychological needs. Yet this episode also includes tragedy, poverty and hardship. We read another one of Pat’s poems, paint the picture of his decline in health and learn from him how to stay present–how to stay in a moment allowing our emotional range its full expression while not attaching to it, but learning to let it go. Other antidotes for stress and struggle include: service, gratitude and advocacy. Listen in to learn more Don’t forget to visit and leave comments on our Instagram page! Episode Links Alliance for Rights and Recovery advocacy group Research on the Basic Psychological Needs Compeer peer to peer organization serving folks in the community 5 minute daily gratitude journal Pema Chödrön, a Buddhist teacher and author, said, "You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather".

    49 min

  10. 02/15/2025

    The Pat Poems Episode 3: Unearned Confidence, Joy and Growth

    In this episode we ponder bravery and its relationship to risk taking and personal growth, offering the question: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Join us for stories of just that! Times we approached risks with unearned confidence including two adventures to Europe–one solo and without notice, elite level weightlifting, Greenlandic sailing trips, camel riding in Egypt, medical miracles, brothel arrests, lego building habits, South American riptides, homelessness and so much more. While exploring adventure we come to the realization that our routines and day to day are just as nice as the unknown. Listen in to discover how you might spice up your life and stay rooted in your wants, needs and desires to cultivate what works for you and how to classify it all in levels of fun! And as always, there's a lens of vulnerability and scrutiny of social contracts mixed in.

    57 min

  11. 02/08/2025

    The Pat Poem Series Episode 2: Shame, self-love and living purposefully

    In this episode we explore Uncle Pat's poetry for gems on vulnerability and self-love. We explore a possible antidote to shame: radical acceptance, self-reflection and community. We address the power of creativity and finding meaning in your life as a doorway to self-love, the spiral of shame and addiction, as well as balance that can be created with nourishing our bodies. Don't forget to visit our instagram to interact and leave comments! ⁠https://www.instagram.com/givingwordshealing/⁠ Episode Links Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong, Johann Hari https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong Listening to Shame, Brene’ Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psN1DORYYV0  “Why Bother?” Sean Thomas Dougherty https://www.boaeditions.org/blogs/main/poem-of-the-week-august-27-2018?srsltid=AfmBOop7R3gnrfm0zCwuvZ1A3U4idxVUP4SxMDEHneuy19-CxcTEEIc4  Lessons from the world of sports: #1 The 1% improvement rule (Updated)⁠ If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or addiction, visit the National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Issues https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

    47 min

  12. 02/01/2025

    The Pat Poem Series Episode 1: Rituals & Daily Happiness

    In this episode we introduce the series, plant some teasers for future episodes and dive into rituals as a way to create daily habits for happiness. We also explore stigma, what it means to walk through life with a visible mental illness and disability, how we are all more alike than different and of course... some humor. Listen in to learn about ways you can enhance your happiness, add ritual for a more heart-filled life and don't forget to visit our instagram to interact and leave comments! https://www.instagram.com/givingwordshealing/ Episode Links The Ritual Effect:From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions, by Michael Norton https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ritual-effect-michael-norton/1143921951;jsessionid=6287B934493D65A7E5D179154F448F86.prodny_store02-atgap15?ean=9781982153021 The Tim Ferris Show: #786: Tactics and Strategies for a 2025 Reboot - Essentialism and Greg McKeown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjsN9BQRtxE Atomic Habits James Clear https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits “The 3-2-1 Newsletter” James Clear https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1 Atoms. App for Apple: Atoms - from Atomic Habits on the App Store - AppleApplehttps://apps.apple.com › app › atoms-from-atomic-habits Atoms. App for Android: Atoms - from Atomic Habits - Apps on Google PlayGoogle Playhttps://play.google.com › store › apps › details › id=app....

    41 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Giving Words to the shared experiences of humanity, podcaster and writer Lisa Nichols shares reflections on life through her eyes and those of her late Uncle Pat, who walked through the world with joy and gratitude as well as autism, schizophrenia and alcoholism. This show does not shy away from the difficult topics but approaches them head on with enthusiasm, compassion and a focus on healing and creating connection amongst all of society.

Information