Grateful Not Greedy™ Podcast

Kris and Rachel
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️ Accepting Real Life Without Giving Up on Growth. Greed isn't wanting more. It's wanting things to be different than they are. You're growth-minded. You set goals, do the work, and genuinely want more from your life. But sometimes the same drive that pushes you forward makes it hard to be at peace with where you are. On Grateful Not Greedy™, best friends Kris and Rachel talk honestly about the everyday moments when we try to fix, control, change, or simply wish away reality, and what shifts when we choose acceptance instead. Together, they explore what it looks like to accept what is without settling, to stop chasing the life you wish you had, and to focus your energy on what you can actually control: your mindset, perspective, and your next best move. Because you can be grateful for the life you have and still be intentional about the life you're creating.

  1. 4d ago

    JOMO The Joy of Missing Out (and Why Saying No Is a Form of Gratitude)

    Ever said yes to something just because you were afraid of missing out? In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, Kris and Rachel dig into JOMO, the joy of missing out, and how to stop overcommitting, quit people-pleasing, and spend your time in a way that truly honors you. From skipping a girls’ weekend to finally get still, to bowing out of a 12-year book club with grace, Kris and Rachel share real stories about the difference between wanting to go and being afraid to miss it. You’ll learn why FOMO comes from scarcity, why life is not an efficiency exercise, and how to let go of commitments you’ve outgrown without guilt. If you’ve been feeling burned out, overscheduled, or stuck saying yes on autopilot, this conversation on boundaries, mindfulness and intentional living is your permission slip to choose joy. Chapters 00:00 What is JOMO? The joy of missing out, explained02:00 Know what you really want: skipping the Oahu weekend04:30 FOMO is greed in disguise: “a no with a yes”06:00 “Shoulding,” the safari, and the 3-to-5-year test07:30 Life is not an efficiency exercise10:00 Why being “efficient” drains your energy11:30 Everything is a season: outgrowing the book club14:00 How to exit with grace, plus the parting-gift idea16:00 Closing the door fully so new things can find you17:00 The first word is joy: final takeaways Key takeaways Know what you really want. When you’re clear on what matters now, most yes/no decisions make themselves. A yes to this is a no to something else.FOMO comes from scarcity; JOMO comes from gratitude. Saying no isn’t a no-and-nothing. It’s a no with a yes to rest, nature, or the people who matter most.Life is not an efficiency exercise. Squeezing in every commitment costs energy and presence. Put JOMO on your calendar.Everything is a season. Ask: “If this came to me today as a new opportunity, would I say yes?”Exit with grace, then close the door fully. A kind thank-you, maybe a parting gift, and no lingering guilt. That makes room for what’s next. Keywords JOMO, joy of missing out, FOMO, how to say no, people pleasing, boundaries, overcommitting, burnout, time management, intentional living, gratitude, abundance mindset, mindfulness, self-care, personal development podcast, women’s podcast

  2. Oct 6

    How to Make Hard Decisions Without Blindsiding People

    What makes a good decision? Often it's not the decision itself but how it's assessed, communicated, and executed. In this episode of the Grateful Not Greedy™ Podcast, Kris and Rachel have a candid conversation about decision-making, emotional maturity, communication, and how we treat people when hard choices have to be made. Whether it's ending a marriage, leaving a business partnership, making a big purchase, or moving across the country, the way a decision is delivered can be the difference between a soft landing and being blindsided. Making the decision is often the easy part. The harder part is what happens next, especially when the decision is unpopular, affects other people, or brings change no one saw coming. Drawing on personal stories about divorce, dating, a business partnership split, parenting teenagers, and losing a parent suddenly versus over time, Kris and Rachel explore why avoiding, delaying, or withholding a difficult conversation makes everything harder. They also explain why bringing people into the process gives them dignity and agency, even when they can't change the outcome. They also look at the other side: what to do when you're the one receiving news you didn't expect. Emotional regulation, personal responsibility, and acceptance can ease the suffering that comes from resisting change. This is where the Grateful Not Greedy™ perspective comes in: seeing clearly what's in front of you, considering the people affected by your choices, and moving through reality with intention instead of letting assumptions, expectations, or emotions drive your behavior. In this episode, you'll learn: Why how you execute a decision shapes its outcome as much as the decision itselfHow withholding information damages trust in marriages, friendships, and business partnershipsHow to approach difficult or unpopular conversations with honesty and respectWhy being the last person to know feels so painful, and how to avoid doing that to othersHow to manage your own emotions when someone else's choice changes your lifeWhat maturity and "adulting" really look like in relationships, leadership, and businessWhy gratitude doesn't mean pretending a loss doesn't hurt Whether you're facing a business decision, a leadership challenge, a breakup, a family conversation, or a major life change, this episode offers a practical, compassionate framework for making hard decisions with integrity. Build the ramps, not the cliffs.

  3. Sep 29

    Homeownership Costs & Gratitude: Finding Joy in Home Repairs

    Gratitude and Homeownership: Finding Joy in the Journey Your home is your sanctuary, until the painting estimate arrives. In this episode of the Grateful Not Greedy™ podcast, Kris and Rachel get real about the emotional rollercoaster of owning a home: the pride, the comfort, and the "wait, how much?" moments that come with keeping it all standing. Rachel shares why her house is her favorite place to be. It's where she feels safe, where she loves to entertain, and where she simply enjoys living. She also talks about deciding to repaint after nearly a decade, budgeting double or even triple what she paid last time, and why she chose to act now rather than pay more later. Kris describes her own sticker shock at a contractor's estimate, which she was sure had to be for the apartment complex across the street and not one little house! Together, they explore how to move from disbelief to acceptance, and from acceptance to gratitude. Every repair and every project is a chance to appreciate the shelter and joy a home provides, and a reminder of why you chose it in the first place. Whether you own or rent, this conversation will help you see the upkeep of your space as an investment in your future happiness, and a reason to honor the memories you make there. Tune in, get inspired, and find the gratitude in your own home sweet home. #GratefulNotGreedy™Podcast #Homeownership #MoneyMindset

  4. Sep 22

    The IKEA Test: How to Communicate When Stress Takes Over

    What can IKEA furniture, a double kayak, a delayed flight, and building a sauna teach you about your relationships? A lot more than you might think. The moments that test our relationships usually aren't the big dramatic ones. They're the everyday situations when we're hungry, tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, traveling, building something, or simply trying to get two people moving in the same direction. That's when communication can break down—and when we have the biggest opportunity to learn about ourselves. In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, Kris and Rachel unpack the surprisingly revealing “relationship tests” hiding in everyday life: assembling IKEA furniture, paddling a double kayak, traveling together, tackling a difficult project, and navigating those moments when someone's stress starts spilling into the room. You'll hear how to: Communicate better when you're stressed, tired, or frustratedRecognize when the situation is the problem—not the other personPause before hunger, exhaustion, or overwhelm turns into conflictStop taking responsibility for someone else's mood or stressAsk, “What do I need to practice here?”—patience, listening, flexibility, self-regulation, apologizing, or letting goGive yourself and other people grace without excusing bad behaviorSeparate what is actually yours to fix from what isn'tUse difficult moments as opportunities to understand your relationships rather than judging them as a pass/fail testReflect after conflict so you can communicate differently the next time And there's a bigger Grateful Not Greedy™ lesson underneath it all: You don't have to expect every relationship, vacation, project, or conversation to go perfectly. Sometimes the grateful response is simply recognizing “I'm grateful to be here, grateful to be doing this with this person, and grateful for what this moment can teach me.” Because the goal isn't to become someone who never gets frustrated. It's to become someone who knows what to do when frustration shows up. So the next time the IKEA instructions make no sense, the kayak won't go straight, the flight gets delayed, or someone you love is having a really bad moment, pause and ask: What do I need to practice here?That might just change the way you communicate—and the way you experience the people you love.

  5. Sep 15

    From Fear to Confidence: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

    What if the thing you’re most afraid to do is actually the thing that proves how capable you are? In this episode of Grateful Not Greedy™, we dive into the mindset shift that happens when fear stops running the show—and confidence starts taking its place. Real estate investing and rental properties may be part of the story, but the bigger lesson is about you: what happens when you step into something unfamiliar, stop trying to control every outcome, and discover that you can handle far more than you thought. Because confidence doesn't always come before the leap. Sometimes, confidence is what you earn by taking the leap. We talk about letting go of the need to have everything figured out, leaning on community, embracing uncertainty, and allowing growth to happen at your own pace. And once you accomplish something that once felt intimidating, you can't unsee what it taught you: I can do hard things. I can figure things out. I can trust myself. That realization doesn't stay confined to one area of your life. It expands what's possible. The investment becomes more than an investment. The challenge becomes evidence. And the fear that once held you back becomes the very thing that shows you how much you've grown. You don't become confident by controlling everything. You become confident by learning that you can navigate whatever happens next. Press play and discover what becomes possible when you stop waiting to feel ready—and start becoming the person who knows they can handle it. "You're never gonna have all the answers.""Letting go of control allows you to flow.""Growth is about stepping into the unknown." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the journey of real estate and growth 01:55 The initial fears and legal considerations of rental properties 04:55 The importance of risk assessment and mindset shift 10:04 Personal growth and expanding mindset through property management 15:09 Building community and networks through rentals 19:57 Letting go of control and trusting the process 25:06 The evolution from fear to confidence in real estate 29:51 The role of mindset and growth in entrepreneurship 34:58 Sharing growth with family and community 40:10 Recognizing and celebrating personal progress 44:58 The importance of gratitude and reflection in growth

    From Fear to Confidence: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

  6. Sep 8

    The Hill You’ll Die On: Is It Really Worth the Fight?

    The Hill You’ll Die On | Grateful Not Greedy™ Podcast What’s the hill you’ll die on? We all have them—the opinions, principles, habits, boundaries, and little things we’re absolutely convinced are worth standing our ground over. But how do we know when something really matters…and when we’re simply being stubborn? In this episode of the Grateful Not Greedy™ Podcast, we’re talking about perspective, communication, relationships, personal growth, and the everyday battles we choose to fight. From family and parenting to friendships, marriage, work, and everyday life, we explore why certain things push our buttons, how our first reactions can shape a situation, and what happens when we take a step back before digging in. Is it about having strong convictions—or needing to be right? Is it about setting boundaries—or refusing to compromise? And when does “standing your ground” become a hill that simply isn’t worth dying on? This is a candid, relatable conversation about life, relationships, communication, self-awareness, gratitude, mindset, personal growth, and learning to choose your battles. No perfect answers. No preaching. Just an honest look at the things we care about, the things that annoy us, and the things that maybe matter more than we realize. In this episode, we explore: The “hill you’ll die on” mentalityWhy some small things become big argumentsPerspective and changing your reactionCommunication and relationshipsKnowing when to stand your groundChoosing your battlesLetting go of the need to be rightPersonal growth and self-awarenessFamily, parenting, and everyday lifeGratitude, mindset, and what really matters What’s your hill? And is it really worth dying on? Listen to the latest episode of Grateful Not Greedy™ for a funny, honest, and relatable conversation about the opinions we hold, the battles we pick, and the things that actually matter. #GratefulNotGreedy #Podcast #PersonalGrowth #Relationships #Communication #Mindset #SelfAwareness #LifeAdvice #ChooseYourBattles #Perspective #Gratitude #Parenting #Family #PersonalDevelopment

    The Hill You’ll Die On: Is It Really Worth the Fight?

  7. Sep 1

    Withholding in Relationships: Are Mind Games Getting You What You Want?

    Mind Tricks, Withholding & the Relationships We Say We Want What happens when you feel slighted by someone you love? Instead of pausing, getting curious, and honestly expressing what you’re feeling, you shut down. You withhold affection, attention, communication, or connection. Maybe you blame, pull away, become cold, or shift into negative energy—all in the hope that the other person will notice, feel bad, or finally understand what they did to you. But here’s the question: Does that actually get you closer to what you want? In this episode of the Grateful Not Greedy™ podcast, we unpack the mind tricks we play in relationships when we’re hurt, disappointed, or feeling unseen. We talk about withholding, shutting down, blaming, shifting into negative energy, and the subtle ways we may try to communicate our pain without actually saying what we need. We explore what’s really happening underneath those behaviors—and whether they create the connection we say we want or quietly push it further away. Because sometimes what looks like “giving someone space” is actually punishment. Sometimes what feels like “protecting yourself” is really avoiding vulnerability. And sometimes we’re trying to make someone feel what we’re feeling instead of simply telling them. The next time you feel slighted, can you pause long enough to ask yourself: “What am I actually wanting right now—and is the way I’m behaving helping me get closer to it?” Maybe the path to what we want isn’t another mind trick. Maybe it’s honesty, vulnerability, accountability, and the courage to say what we actually mean.

    Withholding in Relationships: Are Mind Games Getting You What You Want?

  8. Aug 25

    You Can’t Make Lemonade With Moldy Lemons

    Life doesn’t always hand us lemons—sometimes they’re moldy, rotten, and dropped right in the middle of a storm. In this reflective episode, we explore what happens when life, travel, weather, and our best-laid plans don’t go quite the way we imagined. The conversation begins with the expectations we place on summer, travel, and adventure—and the realization that meaningful experiences don’t always require a plane ticket or a faraway destination. Sometimes the best memories are created close to home, through a spontaneous daycation, a shared meal, an afternoon exploring somewhere new, or simply making intentional time for the people we love. Along the way, we explore the challenges that can disrupt our plans, from difficult weather and natural disasters to the everyday disappointments that force us to adjust our expectations. Rather than focusing only on what went wrong, we consider how gratitude, perspective, and acceptance can help us recognize what is still possible—and even find unexpected gifts in the aftermath. Community plays an important role in that process. Shared experiences remind us that we don’t have to navigate difficult seasons alone. Whether we’re helping others, leaning on our community, or simply sharing stories about what we’ve been through, connection can turn adversity into an opportunity for resilience and growth. We also dig into the lessons hidden inside the “moldy lemons”: developing new skills, becoming more adaptable, accepting what we can’t control, and recognizing that our perspective can dramatically change how we experience a difficult situation. Sometimes resilience isn’t about fixing everything. Sometimes it’s about choosing our role, finding the lesson, appreciating what remains, and deciding what we’re ready to release. This episode is a reminder to slow down and be intentional about the experiences we create. You don’t have to travel far to make memories. You don’t need perfect circumstances to experience gratitude. And you don’t have to wait for life to be exactly what you planned before you start enjoying it. So whether you’re navigating a challenging season, reconsidering your summer plans, looking for ways to create meaningful moments close to home, or simply learning how to let go of a few moldy lemons, this conversation offers a reminder: there is often more beauty, connection, and possibility in the moment than we realize. Because we can’t always control what life hands us—but we can choose how we respond, where we find gratitude, who we share the journey with, and what we carry forward. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to facing life's rotten lemons 01:58 Dealing with weather challenges and expectation management 03:56 Finding gratitude in natural disasters and their aftermath 08:10 The importance of community and shared resilience 12:01 Learning from moldy lemons and developing skills 15:58 Acceptance as a key to reducing suffering 20:01 The role of perspective and gratitude in recovery 24:08 Building resilience and skills for future challenges 27:59 The importance of community and shared experiences 31:52 Recognizing opportunities for growth in adversity 35:47 Choosing your role in challenging situations 40:05 The ongoing lessons from life's challenges 43:57 Letting go of moldy lemons and moving forward

    You Can’t Make Lemonade With Moldy Lemons
See All (62)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

🎙️ Accepting Real Life Without Giving Up on Growth. Greed isn't wanting more. It's wanting things to be different than they are. You're growth-minded. You set goals, do the work, and genuinely want more from your life. But sometimes the same drive that pushes you forward makes it hard to be at peace with where you are. On Grateful Not Greedy™, best friends Kris and Rachel talk honestly about the everyday moments when we try to fix, control, change, or simply wish away reality, and what shifts when we choose acceptance instead. Together, they explore what it looks like to accept what is without settling, to stop chasing the life you wish you had, and to focus your energy on what you can actually control: your mindset, perspective, and your next best move. Because you can be grateful for the life you have and still be intentional about the life you're creating.

Information