Beyond Normal: Recent Episodes
The Big Know
Who wants to go back to normal? Normal was making us unhappy and unhealthy. In this weekly podcast, experts in mind, body, finances and family help us create a healthier normal beyond COVID-19. Bonus episodes feature real stories of lives impacted by coronavirus. Send your story to beyondnormal@thebigknow.com. Produced by The Big Know.
Beyond Normal hosts Tom, Amy, and Nate gather online to discuss their favorite moments from season one.
Licensed Nutritionist, Carolyn Denton, talks to Amy about how the pandemic has shaken up our eating routines. Carolyn explains how planning your meals can help you sleep better and deal with stress. She also describes the crucial elements to consider when building your "pandemic pantry."
In this episode, Tom talks with author, speaker, and finance expert, Stefon Walters, about how to think about our money during these uncertain times. He also shares useful finance strategies that are great to practice anytime.
In this episode, Tom chats with Mary Jo Kreitzer, Ph.D., the Director at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing. She shares some of the fundamentals of wellbeing and practical ways to boost it in the era of Covid-19 and beyond.
Diversity and inclusion expert, Aparna Rae, talks with Amy Conger about how the health crisis is impacting the workforce and communities in the U.S. She shares her perspective on the responses of organizations and ways that individuals can step up to support their communities.
This Beyond Normal Voices submission comes from an anonymous listener who's in the midst of navigating a life-changing loss during these unprecedented times. She's using music to help heal shares her song with us all.
Psychotherapist, author, and meditation practitioner, Tim Desmond, chats with Nate Matson about the wave of grief many of us are experiencing during the pandemic. Tim shares ways to slow down, view these feelings in a new light, and ultimately cultivate more joy and contentment.
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University where she runs their Social Connections and Health Research Laboratory. In this episode, she talks with Tom Godfrey about the impact that social isolation and loneliness have on our society, specifically in this time when we're being forced to socially isolate from the ones we love.
Author, hospice and palliative care professional, and caregiving expert, Melanie Merriman, talks with The Big Know's Nate Matson about caring for our aging loved ones during COVID-19 and she shares tips for caregivers to maintain a sense of balance and control in these challenging times.
Writer and thought leader on the art of living purposefully, Richard Leider, talks to Tom Godfrey about why purpose is so fundamental to our health and happiness. He shares his six-step process for discovering your purpose and living with a greater sense of purpose every day.
This Beyond Normal Voices submission comes from our host, Tom Godfrey. When his 9-year-old son handed him his will "just in case," Tom knew he needed to record it. It's adorable and potentially concerning at the same time.
Author, social explorer, and self-described healthy deviant Pilar Gerasimo chats with Tom Godfrey about the challenge of living a happy, healthy life, and she gives practical tips for breaking from social norms to overcome that challenge.
Sleep expert, Dr. Wendy Troxel, explains to Tom Godfrey why sleep is so essential, and she offers practical advice for getting more and better sleep in our lives. Turns out pandemics don't help.
In this Beyond Normal Voices submission, Eliana shares her experience as a member of the gig economy. Like so many others, she is figuring out how to make ends meet amid COVID-19 while rewriting the next chapter in her career.
Award-winning TV personality, chef, and writer, Andrew Zimmern, chats with The Big Know's Nate Matson about the current state of the food industry and how connecting through food is more important than ever.
Marriage and Family Therapist, Jen Elmquist helps us tackle increased relationship stress in this crisis. Tom Godfrey and Jen discuss actions couples can take right now to emerge from coronavirus stronger than ever.
In this Beyond Normal Voices submission, Jacqueline shares her challenge of staying connected with her aging mother when social distancing guidelines dictates that they aren't allowed to be within six feet of each other.
Senior economics contributor at American Public Media's Marketplace, Chris Farrell, talks with The Big Know's Nate Matson about how to manage our money in these uncertain times.
Michael recorded this Beyond Normal Voices submission in the midst of her own struggle to survive covid-19. There's no words to describe it. Just listen.
Beyond Normal put out a call for recordings for people to share their personal experiences of life in the time of coronavirus. In this first of our Beyond Normal Voices, Briana shares her fears and hopes for this unprecedented time in her (and everyone's) life.
Best-selling author, speaker, and all-around powerhouse, Jenny Evans, discusses the causes of stress and ways to build our resilience in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.
Dr. Elisha Goldstein, psychologist and best-selling author on anxiety and mindfulness, helps us understand how stress can create negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. He then gives us strategies for better managing our personal response in these especially stressful times.