The Ripples Pondcast

Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Self-Improvement

Join Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy, as he shares quick splashes of inspiration and explores how even our smallest actions can have an ongoing impact on our lives, the people we connect with and the whole world. Are you in? Ooh, I hope so! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4d ago

    Fresh Finds & Friendly Nudges

    Enjoy this replay of our October 2026 Zoom chat with the Team Ripples Patreon Community. We followed our usual format: pebble (a resource that I've found useful in my work or life) boulder (and activity I'm using personally or professionally) ponder (a collection of information and ideas I've been pondering) You can also watch the video replay here: https://youtu.be/tfMcZK2s-kM PEBBLE (resource) Read Your Color: Discover Your Reading Type and Build a Life-Changing Love of Books, by Steven J. Reese BOULDER (activity) I found these three questions over several months from a variety of sources, I gradually combined them into a trifecta of curiosity that has been helping me respond a little more wisely to situations that might otherwise derail me. What is this? (Ezra Klein) Is this useful? (Dan Harris on Rachel Martin) What’s here now that I’m not already noticing? (Jeff Warren) PONDER SIDE QUESTS. Coach Colene’s Monday Morning Peptalk talked about Side Quests and I really liked that term.HOUSE HUSHING. a simple method for decluttering that focuses on quickly turning down the visual volume of a room. to hush a room, simply remove the small decorative and everyday items. Smith recommends placing them in another room — she calls it “your holding area” — for 24 to 48 hours. Then, for the next day or two, simply “enjoy your hushed room. At first it will look weird, but after a few hours you’ll find yourself enjoying the more quiet and simplified space.”VPAs: SHORT BURSTS. short bursts of exercise make a huge difference. VPA (vigorous physical activity) is different than HIIT (high intensity interval training)MUSITATION. Using music to escape your negative thought loops..choose pleasant, uplifting or calming music; synchronize your breath (inhale 4 beats, exhale 6-9 beats); focus the attention on music, following phrases, harmonies, emotional arcs OR use affirmations like breathe, relax, let it flow. Emotionally shifting playlist: start with music that MATCHES your mood, then play a series of songs that gradually shift you into a more upbeat mood. (if you’re in a good mood, you can just play some music to help associate that music with a positive state)BRIGHT Six step plan to combat cyberbullying (from middle schooler)Block: Block the bully online to create distance Report: Report the bully to the online platform Ignore: Don’t respond, and distract yourself with other activities Get an adult: Tell a trusted adult what’s happening so they can give you advice Hotline: If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, connect with a hotline like stopbullying.gov or Crisis Text Line Tech break: Log off and do things that don’t involve technology Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Apr 30

    Pep Talks & Questions w/Coach Colene

    Colene Elridge — known to many as Coach Colene — is a speaker, writer, and success coach on a mission to help people and organizations create better work and better lives. She and I met 10 years ago at a conference we both spoke at, and have been good friends ever since. Our conversation was a blast! PEBBLE Colene's Monday Morning Pep Talks are in the same vein as Ripples, and I'm telling you, they are awesome! They are the only other weekly email that I consistently save nuggets from! You can sign up for them at her website. To sign up for Coach Colene’s Monday Morning Pep Talk emails, visit her website. Her book is pretty awesome, too: Read This When...: Pep Talks For When You're (Barely) Holding It Together BOULDER Here’s the question that Colene spends 45-ish minutes journaling each quarter: “If I were my Best, Most Empowered, Happiest Self, what would I be doing?” PONDER: She mentioned two books that have had a profound impact: Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, and Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons We also talked about the Just Record app for iPhone/Apple Watch/MacOS. (Yes, it's $4.99. Yes, it's worth it!) Here are the conversations decks that I pulled questions from: Holstee Reflection Cards
 Basecamp Cards (apparently no longer available) BoredWalk Delve Deck BestSelf Conversation Decks A huge thank you to the members of the Team Ripples Patreon Community who make these possible. When it feels like your turn to help keep the Ripples flowing freely, join us and get behind the scenes access and more contact with The Ripples Guy! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Apr 29

    Making Love Lists w/Sherry Belul

    Sherry Belul is a writer, gift maker, and life coach who gets excited about helping people find creative, intentional, and impactful ways to celebrate life and to express love for family and friends. Among her many gifts to the world, Sherry is the author of Say it Now: 33 Creative Ways to Say I Love You to the Most Important People in Your Life, and most recently, The Love List of a Lifetime: Your Essential End-Of-Life Planner. We also mentioned Postagram. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Feb 5

    Micro-Boosts with Macro Impact: Gentle Resets for your Head, Heart & Habits

    Enjoy this replay of the February 2026 Zoom talk with the Team Ripples Patreon Community. We followed our usual format: pebble (a resource that I've found useful in my work or life) boulder (and activity I'm using personally or professionally) ponder (a collection of information and ideas I've been pondering) You can also watch the video replay here. Pebble: Ezra Klein Podcast Episode: This Question Can Change Your Life: WHAT IS THIS? Boulder: Three Questions What is it time to let go of? What will be important to hold on to? What might be useful to look forward to? Ponder: Thrive Loop s Virtuous Cycle of Flourishing: our thoughts support us, our emotions energize us, and our actions align with our values Vicious Cycle of Floundering: our thoughts undermine us, our emotions drag us down, and our actions miss the mark—or don’t happen at all Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. 10/30/2025

    Anchors for Peace & Hope (Part 2)

    Enjoy this replay of a special Zoom talk I gave on October 30th (please note this has different content than the October 28 talk; be sure listen to part 1). For this presentation I created a Google Doc with the content we explored, and I also created a PDF version that you’re welcome to download and share. You can also watch the video replay here. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. 10/30/2025

    Anchors of Peace & Hope (Part 1)

    Enjoy this replay of a special Zoom talk I gave on October 28th (please note this has different content than the October 30 talk; be sure listen to part 2!) For this presentation I created a Google Doc with the content we explored, and I also created a PDF version that you’re welcome to download and share. You can also watch the video replay here. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. 09/25/2025

    Cider for the Soul: A Gentle, Autumnal Chat with The Ripples Guy

    Enjoy this replay of our Monthly Zoom with the Team Ripples Patreon Community We followed our usual format: pebble (a resource that I've found useful in my work or life) boulder (and activity I'm using personally or professionally) ponder (a collection of information and ideas I've been pondering) The notes and links from the session are pasted below. You can also watch the video replay. PEBBLE Group Therapy documentary Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict (and we explore the book in this episode of The Ripples Pondcast) BOULDER Gratitude Prompt: Tell me about a memorable moment of gratitude where you were either the giver or receiver, or share a note of gratitude you wish you’d previously shared with someone. From this NYT article Soul Pancake: The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude Soul Pancake: Street Compliments PONDER 1. Anne-Laure Le Cunff: The Peril of Productivity, and the Happiness of Tiny Experiments (No Small Endeavor Podcast episode) 2. There’s a path to a good life beyond happiness and meaning (Washington Post Article Giftlink) 3a. Dan Harris, 10% Happier Podcast Your Brain Is Suggestible. Here’s How To Turn That to Your Advantage 3b. Dan HarrisThe Science Of Burnout — And How To Recharge From Stress | Kristin Neff 4. Fauxstalgia (Ghost Longing) Fauxstalgia, or ghost longing: terms that ChatGPT helped me and my friend use to short hand a form of grief that occurs when you find yourself missing something that you never had (Here's the ChatGPT thread I created in the midst of our conversation) Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. 09/17/2025

    A Heart at Peace in a World of Conflict

    In this lighthearted and thought-provoking conversation, Paul sits down with leadership trainer and coach Roach Finley to unpack key insights from The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute. Together they explore what it means to move from a “heart at war” to a “heart at peace,” how the “box” and “influence pyramid” shape our relationships, and why this book is more about being than doing. Along the way, Roach shares personal reflections from her leadership journey and how the book is still working on her. Connect with Coach Roach via her website, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Join Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy, as he shares quick splashes of inspiration and explores how even our smallest actions can have an ongoing impact on our lives, the people we connect with and the whole world. Are you in? Ooh, I hope so! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ripples. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Paul Wesselmann
  • Show Website
    The Ripples Pondcast

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