<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new">We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. </a>In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore a surprising truth about healthy aging: helping other people may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your own brain. Drawing from long-term research following more than 30,000 adults over nearly two decades, we unpack how consistent acts of helping—whether formal volunteering or everyday support for neighbors, friends, and family—were linked to slower cognitive decline, stronger purpose, and better overall well-being. This conversation highlights why the benefits are not just emotional or social, but deeply practical for memory, resilience, and long-term brain health.We also talk about what makes helping so effective, why informal acts can matter just as much as organized service, and how to build this habit into daily life in ways that are sustainable rather than overwhelming. At its core, this episode is an invitation to see helping others differently—not just as something generous, but as something restorative and protective for your own life too. If you are looking for a meaningful habit that strengthens both community and personal well-being, this episode offers a hopeful and practical perspective. To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/ Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new"&gt;We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Home Sweet Home&lt;/em&gt;, we explore a surprising truth about healthy aging: helping other people may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your own brain. Drawing from long-term research following more than 30,000 adults over nearly two decades, we unpack how consistent acts of helping—whether formal volunteering or everyday support for neighbors, friends, and family—were linked to slower cognitive decline, stronger purpose, and better overall well-being. This conversation highlights why the benefits are not just emotional or social, but deeply practical for memory, resilience, and long-term brain health.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also talk about what makes helping so effective, why informal acts can matter just as much as organized service, and how to build this habit into daily life in ways that are sustainable rather than overwhelming. At its core, this episode is an invitation to see helping others differently—not just as something generous, but as something restorative and protective for your own life too. If you are looking for a meaningful habit that strengthens both community and personal well-being, this episode offers a hopeful and practical perspective. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&amp;apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp;amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion.  In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore a surprising truth about healthy aging: helping other people may be one of the most powerful things you can do for your own brain. Drawing from long-term research following more than 30,000 adults over nearly two decades, we unpack how consistent acts of helping—whether formal volunteering or everyday support for neighbors, friends, and family—were linked to slower cognitive...

How Helping Others Helps You!

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new">We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. </a>In part two of this conversation, Jon Lewis reflects on what it has meant to begin again in more ways than one—building a new career while also becoming a father again in midlife. This episode explores the emotional weight of that decision, the hesitation and hope that can come with starting over, and how maturity can reshape the way a person experiences parenting, responsibility, and purpose. Jon shares how this season of life has changed his perspective on fatherhood, success, and what truly matters, while also speaking honestly about the demands of balancing work, family, energy, and identity.This episode also takes a real look at the rewards and challenges of choosing a different path later in life. From unexpected joys and deeper intentionality to sacrifice, doubt, and the pressure of holding multiple responsibilities at once, the conversation offers a thoughtful and grounded picture of change in adulthood. At its heart, this episode is about meaning, timing, and the courage to build a life that reflects who you are becoming. It is a conversation for anyone wondering whether a major life change is still possible, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful chapters begin when you are finally ready to live them well.To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/ Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new"&gt;We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In part two of this conversation, Jon Lewis reflects on what it has meant to begin again in more ways than one—building a new career while also becoming a father again in midlife. This episode explores the emotional weight of that decision, the hesitation and hope that can come with starting over, and how maturity can reshape the way a person experiences parenting, responsibility, and purpose. Jon shares how this season of life has changed his perspective on fatherhood, success, and what truly matters, while also speaking honestly about the demands of balancing work, family, energy, and identity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode also takes a real look at the rewards and challenges of choosing a different path later in life. From unexpected joys and deeper intentionality to sacrifice, doubt, and the pressure of holding multiple responsibilities at once, the conversation offers a thoughtful and grounded picture of change in adulthood. At its heart, this episode is about meaning, timing, and the courage to build a life that reflects who you are becoming. It is a conversation for anyone wondering whether a major life change is still possible, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful chapters begin when you are finally ready to live them well.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&amp;apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp;amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion.  In part two of this conversation, Jon Lewis reflects on what it has meant to begin again in more ways than one—building a new career while also becoming a father again in midlife. This episode explores the emotional weight of that decision, the hesitation and hope that can come with starting over, and how maturity can reshape the way a person experiences parenting, responsibility, and purpose. Jon shares how this season ...

When Life Calls for a New Direction ~ Part 2

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new">We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. </a>In this episode of Home Sweet Home, Jon Lewis joins the conversation to talk about what it looks like to recognize when life is no longer fitting the way it once did—and to have the courage to change course. Together, we explore the internal and external tension that comes with major transition, especially in midlife, when career decisions carry real weight and personal fulfillment becomes harder to ignore. Jon reflects on what was no longer working, what drew him toward something different, and how he navigated the fear, uncertainty, and risk that come with stepping into a new direction.This episode is about more than career change. It is about identity, courage, and the quiet realization that growth sometimes requires letting go of the familiar. If you have ever felt the pull toward something new but wondered whether it was too late, too risky, or too disruptive, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with the simple willingness to be honest about what is no longer working.To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/ Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new"&gt;We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Home Sweet Home&lt;/em&gt;, Jon Lewis joins the conversation to talk about what it looks like to recognize when life is no longer fitting the way it once did—and to have the courage to change course. Together, we explore the internal and external tension that comes with major transition, especially in midlife, when career decisions carry real weight and personal fulfillment becomes harder to ignore. Jon reflects on what was no longer working, what drew him toward something different, and how he navigated the fear, uncertainty, and risk that come with stepping into a new direction.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This episode is about more than career change. It is about identity, courage, and the quiet realization that growth sometimes requires letting go of the familiar. If you have ever felt the pull toward something new but wondered whether it was too late, too risky, or too disruptive, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with the simple willingness to be honest about what is no longer working.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&amp;apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp;amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion.  In this episode of Home Sweet Home, Jon Lewis joins the conversation to talk about what it looks like to recognize when life is no longer fitting the way it once did—and to have the courage to change course. Together, we explore the internal and external tension that comes with major transition, especially in midlife, when career decisions carry real weight and personal fulfillment becomes harder to ignore. Jon reflects ...

When Life Calls for a New Direction ~ Part 1

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new">We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. </a>In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore what it means to choose authenticity in a world that often rewards performance, productivity, and visible success. We talk about the pressure to keep up, the comparison culture that quietly shapes our self-worth, and the tension many people feel between external expectations and internal peace. This conversation looks at what authenticity actually looks like in everyday life—saying no to opportunities that do not fit, letting old goals go when they no longer align, and choosing a life that feels meaningful rather than simply impressive. We also unpack why outside judgment can hurt so deeply, how those voices can become an internal critic, and why learning to define success for yourself is such an important part of living honestly. At its heart, this episode is about building self-trust, staying grounded in your values, and finding the courage to live your own life rather than chasing someone else’s definition of success.To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/ Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new"&gt;We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Home Sweet Home&lt;/em&gt;, we explore what it means to choose authenticity in a world that often rewards performance, productivity, and visible success. We talk about the pressure to keep up, the comparison culture that quietly shapes our self-worth, and the tension many people feel between external expectations and internal peace. This conversation looks at what authenticity actually looks like in everyday life—saying no to opportunities that do not fit, letting old goals go when they no longer align, and choosing a life that feels meaningful rather than simply impressive. We also unpack why outside judgment can hurt so deeply, how those voices can become an internal critic, and why learning to define success for yourself is such an important part of living honestly. At its heart, this episode is about building self-trust, staying grounded in your values, and finding the courage to live your own life rather than chasing someone else’s definition of success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&amp;apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp;amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion.  In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore what it means to choose authenticity in a world that often rewards performance, productivity, and visible success. We talk about the pressure to keep up, the comparison culture that quietly shapes our self-worth, and the tension many people feel between external expectations and internal peace. This conversation looks at what authenticity actually looks like in everyday life...

Are You Your Authentic Self?

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new">We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. </a>In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore a timeless and thought-provoking perspective on love through the wisdom of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. Together, we unpack five distinct expressions of love, from the unhealthy patterns of possessiveness, codependency, and romantic illusion to the freer, more mature forms of love rooted in openness, compassion, and harmony. This conversation challenges the common cultural idea that love is about ownership, control, or finding the “perfect” person, and instead invites us to consider love as something deeper: a way of relating to others and to life itself. As we move through these five levels, we reflect on how fear, ego, and insecurity can distort love, and how awareness can help us move toward relationships that are healthier, more authentic, and less conditional. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that love is not just something we seek—it is something we learn to embody. To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/ Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1790860/fan_mail/new"&gt;We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion. &lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Home Sweet Home&lt;/em&gt;, we explore a timeless and thought-provoking perspective on love through the wisdom of Lao Tzu and the &lt;em&gt;Tao Te Ching&lt;/em&gt;. Together, we unpack five distinct expressions of love, from the unhealthy patterns of possessiveness, codependency, and romantic illusion to the freer, more mature forms of love rooted in openness, compassion, and harmony. This conversation challenges the common cultural idea that love is about ownership, control, or finding the “perfect” person, and instead invites us to consider love as something deeper: a way of relating to others and to life itself. As we move through these five levels, we reflect on how fear, ego, and insecurity can distort love, and how awareness can help us move toward relationships that are healthier, more authentic, and less conditional. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that love is not just something we seek—it is something we learn to embody. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;To find out more about Rod McCall and Eryk&amp;apos;s Place of Hope check out https://fortheloveoferyk.com/ &amp;amp; https://eryksplaceofhope.com/&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We want to hear from you! Please, send us a text comment or suggestion.  In this episode of Home Sweet Home, we explore a timeless and thought-provoking perspective on love through the wisdom of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. Together, we unpack five distinct expressions of love, from the unhealthy patterns of possessiveness, codependency, and romantic illusion to the freer, more mature forms of love rooted in openness, compassion, and harmony. This conversation challenges the common cultural ...

Love According to Tao Te Ching

Home Sweet Home is more than a podcast — it’s a place for real conversations about building a life filled with purpose, connection, and joy. Join hosts Rod and Scott each week as they explore ways to strengthen your relationships, find meaning in everyday life, and create a home — and a world — where you and those around you can truly thrive. New episodes drop every Monday, with a library of past conversations always ready to inspire.

Home Sweet Home - Helping People & Families Thrive

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