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The Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen

The Positive Persistence Podcast with Ian Bowen

Written by: Ian Bowen
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 Welcome to "Positive Persistence, with Ian Bowen," the podcast that will ignite your spirit and fuel your journey to greatness! I'm Ian Bowen, and I'm here to tell you stories of ordinary people who've conquered extraordinary challenges. If you're ready to unleash your potential and leave an indelible mark on the world, you're in the right place. Each week, we'll dive deep into tales of triumph that will inspire you to overcome your obstacles and reach new heights. But this isn't just a podcast – it's a movement. By joining our "Positive Persistence" family, you're taking the first step towards activating your highest potential and living the life you truly deserve. After each episode, don't keep this inspiration to yourself! Share the show with friends who need that extra push. Hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment of motivation. Want more? Head over to thepositivepersistence.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter. You'll get access to my free RINSE playbook – your guide to crushing obstacles in life, business, and relationships. The conversation doesn't stop here. Follow me on Instagram @ianrbowen for more content and daily doses of motivation. Remember, your journey to greatness starts with a single step. Let "Positive Persistence" be that step. Together, we'll help you step into the next best version of yourself. Now, let's dive into today's incredible story of resilience over adversity!2024 Hygiene & Healthy Living Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • 88. Remembering Forgotten Victories with Ian Bowen

    88. Remembering Forgotten Victories with Ian Bowen
    Feb 25 2026
    Have you forgotten the victories that built your resilience? In this powerful solo cast episode, Ian Bowen shares a transformative insight he discovered from another podcast: our past is full of victories we have forgotten. Ian explores why remembering these forgotten wins is essential for building genuine resilience and overcoming life's current challenges. He challenges listeners to tap into their personal history of success—both big and small—as a source of strength and confidence. Ian explains the science behind why remembering past accomplishments creates new neural pathways that enable us to take on new challenges with greater self-belief. He emphasizes that resilience isn't built from someone else's success stories, but from recognizing our own track record of getting through hard times. From learning to swim to landing that long-awaited promotion, every victory matters and contributes to our momentum. This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing adversity, feeling stuck, or needing a reminder of their own strength. Ian provides practical advice on how to catalog your wins and create a personal success inventory you can turn to when life gets hard. He reminds us that we are truly stronger than we think, we just need to remember. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. Why our past victories are the foundation of true resilience and how we've forgotten most of them. 2. The science behind how remembering past accomplishments creates new neural pathways that boost confidence and self-belief. 3. How stacking small wins over time creates momentum that can help you break through current barriers. 4. Why other people's affirmation of your achievements matters—and how to save those moments for when you need them most. 5. The practical value of creating a written inventory of your successes, big and small, to reference during difficult times. 6. How recognizing that you've overcome adversity before proves you have the strength to do it again. Key Takeaways: 1. Your Past is Your Resilience Blueprint: Every struggle you've survived and every victory you've achieved is evidence of your capability. Your resilience isn't theoretical, it's built from real experiences you've already lived through. 2. Forgotten Wins Still Count: Just because you don't regularly think about your past successes doesn't mean they don't exist or can't help you now. The victories are there, waiting to be remembered and leveraged. 3. Stack Small Wins Into Big Momentum: Learning to swim, getting a promotion, handling a difficult conversation, these small victories stack on top of each other. Over time, they create the momentum and confidence needed to face major challenges. 4. Save Affirmation for Later: When someone compliments your achievement, don't brush it off. Let it sink in and store it away. You'll want that memory when you're facing self-doubt in the future. 5. Create Your Success Inventory: Take time to write down your wins in your phone or journal. Make it a living document you can revisit whenever you need reassurance that you've overcome hard things before. 6. You Are Stronger Than You Think: The barrier in front of you right now is just a roadblock in the momentum you've already created. Tap into that existing momentum; it's yours, and it's real. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Ian's first solo cast 00:15 - The inspiration behind today's message 00:30 - The forgotten victories concept 00:45 - Why past victories build resilience 01:05 - How the speaker has overcome personal adversity 01:45 - The science of remembering past accomplishments 02:30 - Creating new neural pathways through past success 02:45 - Introduction to the Rinse Method 03:20 - When was the last time you prioritized you? 04:25 - Cataloging small and big wins 05:10 - The surprising realization of looking back 05:25 - Stacking victories into momentum 06:00 - Resilience built on your own success, not others' 06:20 - Accepting and saving affirmations from others 07:10 - Creating a success list in your phone 07:55 - The ability to make a comeback 08:05 - Closing Connect with Ian Bowen: Website: https://watchmemindset.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowen YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IanBowenPositivePersistence CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN:Website: https://watchmemindset.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowenYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    9 mins
  • 87. Saving Your Marriage with Dr. Lee Baucom

    87. Saving Your Marriage with Dr. Lee Baucom
    Feb 19 2026
    Is your marriage in crisis or have you drifted into parallel lives with your spouse?In this transformative and deeply practical episode, Ian Bowen sits down with Dr. Lee Baucom, a marriage therapist and relationship expert with decades of experience helping couples navigate crisis and restore connection. Dr. Lee specializes in a hope-infused, action-oriented approach that goes beyond surface-level fixes to address the fundamental dynamics that make or break marriages.Dr. Lee shares powerful insights on shifting perspectives in relationships, the critical difference between "me" thinking and "we" thinking, and why most marriage problems stem from a disconnect rather than incompatibility. He explains his revolutionary three-path framework for marriage restoration: connecting, changing, and creating a path to "we." The conversation covers everything from understanding the crisis cycle to practical strategies for rebuilding trust and emotional connection.This is a must-listen for anyone in a struggling marriage, life coaches working with couples, or anyone who wants to strengthen their relationship before problems escalate. Dr. Lee provides actionable wisdom that can help you move from crisis to connection.In this episode, you’ll discover:1. The power of perspective shifts in marriage and how viewing yourself, your spouse, and your relationship differently can create immediate transformation.2. Why most marriage problems aren't about compatibility issues but about losing connection and the sense of "we."3. The three essential paths to marriage restoration: connecting emotionally, changing yourself to bring your best, and creating a sustainable "we" mindset.4. How the crisis cycle works in struggling marriages and what practical strategies can break you free from destructive reactive patterns.5. The fundamental difference between defending your ego in arguments versus actually defending and strengthening your relationship.6. Why addressing surface-level conflicts one at a time keeps couples stuck, and how focusing on building better systems creates lasting change.Key Takeaways:1. Learn to Look Back Thoughtfully, Not Regretfully: Reflection can trap you in guilt or help you grow. Choose thoughtful learning over regretful rumination so past relationships inform your future rather than haunt it.2. Perspective is Your Marriage Superpower: Humans can observe themselves in action. Use this ability to pull back from reactive patterns and see yourself, your spouse, and your relationship dynamics with fresh, compassionate eyes.3. Crisis Narrows, Connection Broadens: When you're in pain or crisis mode, your perspective collapses to survival thinking. Expanding your view beyond your immediate hurt is essential for breaking destructive cycles and rebuilding connection.4. Systems Trump Individual Fixes: Addressing conflicts one at a time won't fix a broken relationship system. Focus on building better patterns for how you communicate, connect, and resolve issues together as a team.5. "We" Thinking Transforms Everything: Moving from "me versus you" to "us together" fundamentally changes how you approach money, parenting, in-laws, and every decision. This shift is the foundation of a thriving marriage.6. Connection Requires Vulnerability, Not Negotiation: Real emotional intimacy comes from being present and vulnerable together, not from transactional bargaining, scorekeeping, or trying to win arguments. You can't negotiate your way to genuine connection.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the Positive Persistence Podcast00:30 - Meet Dr. Lee Baucom: marriage therapist and relationship expert01:17 - Thoughtful reflection vs. regretful rumination: learning from past relationships02:23 - The power of perspective in relationships03:00 - The observer effect: watching yourself in action04:00 - Why crisis narrows your perspective and how to expand it06:38 - Moving from "bad fit" to understanding systemic relationship issues16:11 - The three paths to marriage restoration: connect, change, create24:26 - Building connection through vulnerability and emotional presence32:05 - The crisis cycle: understanding reactive patterns in marriage37:48 - From "me" thinking to "we" thinking: a fundamental shift42:03 - Taking care of yourself to show up better in your relationship44:36 - Resources: Save The Marriage and Unpause Your Marriage programsConnect with Dr. Lee Baucom:Website: https://leebaucom.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leebaucom/?hl=enAmazon (Books): https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00FNRZEJC CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN:Website: https://thepositivepersistence.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowenYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    47 mins
  • 86. A Mother’s Journey on CDLS with Megan Dahl

    86. A Mother’s Journey on CDLS with Megan Dahl
    Feb 11 2026
    What does it mean to choose love in the face of adversity… not once, but twice?In this deeply moving episode, Ian Bowen sits down with Megan Dahl, a mother of three boys, two of whom have Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CDLS). Megan shares her journey of raising children with special needs—one biological, one adopted—and how she’s turned life’s toughest challenges into opportunities for growth, advocacy, and unwavering love.Megan opens up about the realities of CDLS, a genetic syndrome with a wide spectrum of abilities, and how her sons Mason and Charlie navigate the world nonverbally. She discusses the intentional choice to adopt a child with CDLS, the daily therapies, immune challenges, and the profound joy her boys bring to everyone they meet.Beyond parenting, Megan is a fierce advocate for inclusion, highlighting the ongoing struggle for accessibility and basic human rights for people with disabilities. She also courageously shares the story of Mason’s abuse by a home healthcare nurse—and how she channeled her anger into action by founding Mason’s Mission to provide security cameras for vulnerable families.Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, advocate, or simply someone looking to live with more empathy, this episode is a powerful reminder that strength is built in everyday acts of love, service, and persistence.In this episode, you’ll discover:1. What Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is and how it varies across a spectrum.2. Why Megan and her husband chose to adopt a child with CdLS.3. The daily realities of raising children who are nonverbal and immunocompromised.4. How Megan maintains resilience while balancing motherhood and former nursing.5. Why inclusion is more than a buzzword; it’s a basic human right.6. The story behind Mason’s abuse and the creation of Mason’s Mission.7. How small acts of kindness can transform someone’s day, and your own.8. Why adversity can refine us, not define us, if we choose to grow from it.Key Takeaways:1. Love Is a Choice: Megan’s decision to adopt a child with CdLS reflects a profound commitment to love without limits.2. Inclusion Is Action: Accessibility, whether a ramp, a changing table, or a kind word, should be a given and not a privilege.3. Resilience Is Built in Community: Support from family, partners, and a village is essential in navigating challenges.4. Turn Pain Into Purpose: Megan transformed her anger over Mason’s abuse into a mission to protect other families.5. Small Acts Matter: Holding a door, making eye contact, or sending a meal can be a powerful act of service.6. Your Story Is Yours to Write: Adversity doesn’t have to define you, but how you respond does.7. Advocacy Starts with Empathy: Seeing the world through someone else’s experience is the first step toward change.8. Joy Can Be Found in the Hardest Places: Even in struggle, there is space for love, laughter, and growth.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to the Positive Persistence Podcast00:15 – Introducing Megan Dahl and her story of love and resilience00:55 – What is Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CsLS)?02:00 – The spectrum of CsLS: from mild to severe02:50 – Megan’s two sons: one biological, one adopted03:25 – The story of adopting Charlie06:30 – The role of family and partnership in her journey09:40 – Megan’s passion for inclusion and accessibility11:15 – The real-world impact of rolling back DEI initiatives12:20 – Challenges of accessing public spaces with a disability17:05 – Mason’s experience with abuse by a home healthcare nurse23:40 – The importance of in-home cameras for caregivers29:20 – Learning from adversity and refusing to be a victim32:10 – Dealing with blame, shame, and public judgment33:00 – The power of therapy and mental health support33:45 – One key takeaway: You write your own story34:40 – How to support the CsLS Foundation35:00 – Closing thoughts: Stay positive, persistent, and lovingConnect with Megan Dahl:Website: https://linktr.ee/watchyourmouthsisterTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meggdahlOrganization: Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation https://www.cdls.org/ CONNECT WITH IAN BOWEN:Website: https://thepositivepersistence.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianrbowen/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ianrbowenYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PositivePersistence-ch8fk Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    36 mins
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