Dying To Ask dyingtoask

What time did you get up today? What time did you intend to get up today?

This week on the podcast, we're doing a deep dive into how to wake up early even if you're not a morning person.

Sounds simple. Set an alarm clock and then get out of bed when it goes off.

But we all know it's tougher than that. Americans are more sleep deprived than ever before.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says one in three Americans isn't getting enough rest.

That makes getting up with that alarm clock tough, if not impossible, some days. And the reality is that the alarm is set for a reason. You have kids, work, school and life to get to!

But what if we told you there are ways to make getting up earlier a little easier?

You might not feel like a million bucks. But you won't feel the added stress of running late because you snoozed 14 times.

The only thing worse than sleeping poorly is waking up miserably. Improve your outlook by improving how you start the day from the second you open your eyes with wake-up tips courtesy of the KCRA 3 morning team, experts in all things early.

In this Dying to Ask:
Why getting up early is one of the top productivity hacks
How the morning news team gets up hours before sunrise
Why your inability to wake up might be your alarm clock's fault
And learn the quirky ways the KCRA morning team gets going long before sunrise

Is your house quiet? Do you keep buying more food than you can eat in a week? Is your laundry basket empty for the first time in decades?

If you answered "yes" to any or all of those questions, then you might be an empty nester!

Kids are off to college. And, if you are finding yourself with fewer heartbeats at the dinner table, don't worry if you're finding it unsettling.

Empty nest syndrome is legit.

And, it makes sense. You've been a caretaker of another human being for at least 18 years. It's going to take a while to get used to a new normal.

Many people experience fear, anxiety, depression and flat-out confusion during this time.

In this BONUS episode of the podcast, Amy Schmidt shares her personal experience of having kids leave home for college and adulthood. And, she's honest about the conflicting feelings parents have when kids take off. She also explains the term "gray divorce" and why relationships face new challenges during this time.

Amy is an entrepreneur and the creator and co-host of the Better Than Gossip streaming show and podcast.

Don't have college-aged kids? Don't worry. The advice is applicable to anyone facing a big lifestyle transition.

In this Dying to Ask:

6 tips to embrace an empty nest
Why it's time to lose the predictability in your life
The importance of rediscovering hobbies and developing new interests

Want to get something done? Consider finding an accountability partner.

Accountability partners can be friends, work colleagues or even strangers at first.

They agree to help coach each other toward goals, personal or professional. They can be a really effective tool in setting and reaching milestones.

But, there are dos and don'ts to finding and being a good partner.

Amy Schmidt, the co-host of the Better than Gossip podcast, is back on the show with how she relies on accountability partners.

A good partnership can help you reach goals faster. And, isn't it more fun to work hard with the support of a friend?

In this Dying to Ask:

How to choose an accountability partner
How to structure the relationship so that both sides are getting something out of it
Why bluntness is important in the relationship
How accountability partners add purpose and enrich our personal and professional lives

How can I become a runner? Easy. Start running.

It sounds a little flip, but it's actually the truth. Goals don't become reality until you take the first steps.

If your goal is running, those first steps are quite literal.

Running consistently is a goal a lot of people struggle to meet. Why? Running is hard. It's tiring. It can be painful. It's annoying at times. You know, kind of like life.

And that's why conquering a running goal is a powerful confidence booster for so many people.

This episode came from a listener's suggestion.

Listen if you have a goal of becoming a runner.

Listen if you just like talking about goals period. The hacks are applicable to any fitness goal or life challenge.

In this Dying to Ask:
A three-step plan to get your feet moving and your brain cranking this fall.

Feeling blah?

Dr. John Whyte has a prescription to feel and look better with three tweaks to your day.

No drugs. No supplements — and best of all, no copay!

Whyte is the Chief Medical Officer of WebMD. It's his job to make sure the medical info on the site is factually correct. He's a medical storyteller with a background that includes stints at the Food and Drug Administration and time as the chief medical expert at Discovery Channel.

The good news heading into fall? Whyte is positive about our ability to manage COVID-19 without the world shutting down and needing to mask mandates.

The bad news? We have some work to do on our mental health. Like a lot of work.

This episode starts with some good news about the pandemic.

Then, Fitz and Whyte have some fun breaking down five medical myths. Spoiler alert: Fitz isn't on board for two of them!

Think it's gross when someone doesn't shower every day? That person may have a health edge. Pop a lot of Vitamin C when you get a cold. Skip it. Get irritated when your family members don't make the bed? Get over it.

Finally, Whyte has three hacks to improve your health, physical and mental. You can implement them today and he'll be surprised if you don't feel different quickly. They'll cost you nothing. They don't take much time. They're backed by science.

On this Dying to Ask:
Why showering daily is overrated
The health benefits of not making your bed
Why Vitamin C is probably a waste when you're sick
Three changes you can make today to improve your health dramatically in days

Sorry, not sorry.

Know someone who is horrible at apologizing for a mistake? Or, for those self-actualized among us, maybe you're that person?

Quickly taking responsibility for messing up has a near-instant impact on your mental health and well-being.

Blaming others for your own mistakes is a one-way street to sabotaging your mental mindset.

So, what if you commit to accepting responsibility for screwups quickly? It could be a lifestyle hack that could change how you perceive the world and how it perceives you.

In this episode, Fitz shares a personal story about a podcast guest scheduling mistake she recently made. It left a CEO stranded solo in a Zoom waiting room while Fitz ate breakfast at the TV station. She shares how she handled it that preserved the relationship with the CEO's company and how it allowed Fitz not to beat herself up about the error.

On this Dying to Ask:
The surprising mental health benefits of apologizing for mistakes quickly
The link between responsibility and anxiety
Fitz' "Triple A" method of saying sorry and actually meaning it