Episodes

  • New Year, The Old You

    New Year, The Old You
    Jan 13 2026

    Happy New Year! As we kick off 2026, the world is screaming "New Year, New You." But before you perform a total system upgrade or commit to 50 impossible goals, host Denise has a radical suggestion: What if the inspiration you’re looking for isn’t in a "future" version of yourself, but in the archives of who you’ve already been?


    Episode Resources:

    • Song Mentioned: "Old Phone" by Ed Sheeran

    • Reference: The 1% Rule (Episode 6)

    • Reference: Red String Theory (Episode 4)


    Connect with the Show:

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    11 mins
  • Just 1%: The Secret to Real Progress

    Just 1%: The Secret to Real Progress
    Oct 22 2025

    Does your brain feel less like a powerful processor and more like a laptop running 47 separate Chrome tabs (and 12 of them are playing music)?


    You’re not alone. Host Denise Ivy is here to save you from 'hustle culture' and the endless pressure to 'crush it.' We're diving into James Clear's 1% Rule (from Atomic Habits), the only productivity hack that encourages minimal effort. We discuss why focusing on the system (the boring stuff you do every day) is the actual secret, and how being 1% better (or even 1% less bad!) guarantees massive, compounding results. If you feel like you're perpetually stuck in quicksand, this is the episode where we hand you a tiny, manageable spoon.
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    13 mins
  • The Red Thread of Connection: Finding Your Soulmates

    The Red Thread of Connection: Finding Your Soulmates
    Jun 25 2025

    Ever wonder if there's an invisible string connecting you to the people you're meant to meet?

    This week, Denise dives into The Red String Theory, exploring how these fated connections go way beyond romance. Inspired by Lauren Kung Jessen's novel, "The Red String Theory," Denise discusses how the universe sends us creative collaborators, platonic soulmates, and mentors, and how consistent effort strengthens these threads. Plus, get ready for your own "bucket list of chance" challenge to help destiny along!
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    14 mins
  • The Magnetic Self: Your Destiny's Open Tab

    The Magnetic Self: Your Destiny's Open Tab
    Jun 4 2025

    Tired of the endless chase?

    Denise explores Alice Walker's profound quote: "Whatever is mine is looking for me." Discover how to become a "magnetic self" and let your destiny find you, inspired by Chihiro's transformative journey in Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away. It's a cosmic scavenger hunt where you're the treasure!
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    12 mins
  • Trust Your Creative Flow: The Unscripted Tab

    Trust Your Creative Flow: The Unscripted Tab
    May 27 2025

    Ever feel like your best ideas come from unexpected places?

    In this episode, Denise explores the messy, magical art of trusting your gut in the creative process. Inspired by the non-linear beauty of "Strawberry Fields Forever," discover how letting go of rigid plans and embracing your unique, unscripted flow is crucial for both your creative projects and your mental well-being. Plus, a simple "Free Play" tool to help you start your own unscripted journey today.
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    11 mins
  • Balancing the Plates: The Control Tab

    Balancing the Plates: The Control Tab
    May 18 2025

    Starting something new can feel like adding another plate to an already full table. In this episode, join Denise as she draws inspiration from The Internet's "Under Control" to explore the desire for control, the anxiety that arises with new responsibilities, and strategies for finding balance on that mental tightrope.


    Want more?

    Listen to the playlist that started it all ⁠here⁠.

    Learn more about mind mapping ⁠here⁠.

    Mental Health Resources (USA) ⁠here⁠.
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    11 mins
  • Mapping the Mess: The Perfectionist Tab

    Mapping the Mess: The Perfectionist Tab
    May 17 2025

    Ever feel like your thoughts are scattered? Host Denise kicks off Too Many Tabs Open by exploring the power of mind maps for mental clarity and storytelling, drawing from her own experiences with perfectionism and the start of a new chapter.


    Want more?

    Listen to the playlist that started it all here.

    Learn more about mind mapping here.

    Mental Health Resources (USA) here.
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    9 mins