Changing Lives Is Transforming in 2026
A preview of the new content and community that could help you change your life
I started this blog in 2022 as a way to connect with others seeking to change their lives and share the resources and practices that have helped me change mine. My honesty about my struggles with depression, an unexpected midlife career change, evolving spiritual beliefs, and other challenges resonated with many people.
“Changing Lives” has evolved into a mental and spiritual health ecosystem. It now includes a podcast (featuring amazing guests like Melinda Blau, Brad Wetzler, Laura Davis, Karen Blue, Gail K., and others), online and in-person groups, digital resources like my “Hope For The Holidays” and “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit,” and private coaching.
The more people I talk with, the more strongly I sense that what we need most in order to heal our personal and collective wounds are authentic communities. We need safe spaces to question old beliefs and explore new ones. We need to have in-depth conversations about things that matter and listen to each other with open minds and hearts.
To foster deeper conversations and create a safer community, the following transformations to Changing Lives will begin in January 2026:
There will be at least one personal essay per month, usually on the first Friday.
There will be monthly live Zoom gatherings (with replays) for paid subscribers.
Only paid subscribers will be able to comment on the personal essay posts.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive community that enables us to truly get to know and trust each other. I want commenters to feel safe sharing personal struggles and other potentially sensitive information; limiting comments to paid subscribers greatly reduces the likelihood that anyone will be mocked, shamed, or otherwise harassed.
To encourage the ongoing participation and commitment necessary to build an authentic community, annual paid subscriptions will provide significant savings compared to monthly ones.
Monthly Themes
Another 2026 transformation is that “Changing Lives” will have a different theme each month. Podcast episodes, written posts, and the Zoom gathering will all center around that broad topic. Those monthly topics are:
January - Beginnings
February - Love (for ourselves as well as others)
March - Courage
April - Spiritual Transformation
May - Trust
June - Play
July - Freedom
August - Intergenerational Wisdom
September - Depression Recovery (September is National Suicide Prevention Month)
October - Acceptance
November - Gratitude
December - Endings
I hope that you’re as excited about these transformations as I am. More importantly, I hope that they will help you change your life and form closer connections with me and others! Give yourself the gift of a supportive community by becoming a paid subscriber today.
Note: Because of the holidays, Changing Lives will not be published next Friday. See you in 2026!
P.S. Best wishes for happy holidays - and for people in your life who love you as you are and won’t pressure you to pretend you’re happy if you’re not. If you’re not feeling merry or bright, you may find my free “Hope For The Holidays” PDF helpful.
Thanks for the shout-out Wendy. Keep up the great work. I’m sure you’re helping many!
Wendi, it’s great discovering you and your work. I’ll be back to learn, grow, and share.