logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
19m 36s

4 Simple Ways to Foster Connection and I...

MERYL ARNETT
About this episode

Want to improve your mental health? One of the easiest and most effective steps you can take is to foster to CONNECTION

But to what?

And how?

In this episode, Dr. Adam Dorsay, author and host of the podcast Super Psyched, joins us for conversation about the intricacies of connection.

What You'll Hear:

  • Understanding Connection

Dr. Dorsay defines connection as "an internal emotional response that makes you feel alive" and reveals how disconnection appears in nearly every mental health diagnosis in the DSM. His framework identifies four essential types of connection: to Self, Others, the World, and Something Greater.

  • Everyday Disconnectors

Discover how our brain's preference for efficiency, constant device use, planning ahead, social comparison, and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) prevent us from experiencing true connection and presence in our daily lives.

  • The Nature Connection

Learn about the restorative power of "forest bathing," how birdsong signals safety to our brains, and why time in nature visibly changes our appearance and emotional state.

About Dr. Adam Dorsay:

Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist, speaker, and author of "Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love." With over 20,000 hours of psychotherapy experience, Dr. Dorsay has developed a unique framework for understanding how connection impacts mental health and overall wellbeing. His approach combines clinical experience with practical wisdom to help people live more fully and authentically.

Resources:

Book: "Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the Four Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love"

Podcast: Super Psyched with Dr. Adam Dorsay

Sign up for my newsletter at https://merylarnett.substack.com/ to receive free mini meditations and soundscapes each week, along with creative musings and more.

New episodes every Monday (just the meditation) and Thursday (a full meditation class).

Learn more or contact me at https://www.merylarnett.com/.

Thank you to Nick McMahan for today’s editing; and thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support. Find them at:

https://www.nickcmcmahan.com

https://www.instagram.com/briannanielsen_marketing

This podcast explores meditation, mental health and the power of connection, offering guidance for caregivers, healers, and therapists facing compassion fatigue, burnout, and other mental health struggles through self-care, self-compassion, and resilience. With a focus on anxiety, depression, and overwhelm, each episode provides tools like meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and grounding to cultivate clarity and reduce stress. Listeners can also experience nature-inspired guided meditations, designed to bring peace and balance in times of distress.

Up next
Yesterday
Entering The Underland: Nature Meditation for Processing Fear and Underground Healing {part 1}
Not all meditation asks us to find the light; sometimes we need to explore the darkness. In this first episode of the October Underland series, meditation teacher Meryl Arnett invites you to stop running from your fears and instead turn around to face them. Inspired by Robert Mac ... Show More
12m 48s
Oct 6
Full Harvest Moon Meditation | Supermoon Guided Practice for Deep Relaxation and Sleep
Experience the ancient practice of moon bathing with this 10-minute guided meditation under the Full Harvest Supermoon. Join Meryl for a deeply restorative nature-inspired meditation that harnesses the moon's soothing energy to calm anxiety, release stress, and prepare your body ... Show More
6m 49s
Oct 2
Safe Meditation Practices for Trauma Survivors: Expert Tips from David Treleaven
Not all meditation experiences are peaceful — and that's something we need to talk about. In this conversation, meditation teacher Meryl Arnett sits down with mindfulness trainer and trauma expert David Treleaven, PhD, author of The Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Workbook, to explo ... Show More
24m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Nature's Balm, Day 7: "From Heartache to Wholeness" meditation series
This meditation invites you to connect with the healing power of nature. By immersing yourself in the beauty of the natural world, you'll experience a sense of peace, tranquility, and renewal. Through guided visualization and mindfulness techniques, you'll learn to draw strength ... Show More
10m 4s
Apr 2025
Your Invitation to Inner Peace, Day 4: Finding Solace in Water's Essence
Immerse yourself in the calming sounds of water with the Vismaya Mudra to gently guide you into a state of relaxed awareness. The sound of water is universally soothing, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility. As you listen, you may notice the ebb and flow, the gentle ripples, ... Show More
12m 18s
Nov 2024
Finding your Inner Oasis, Day 2: "The Healing Power of Silence" meditation ritual
Today, you're invited to create a sanctuary within yourself, a place of peace and tranquility. As you immerse yourself deeper into your inner world, you'll cultivate a sense of calm and centeredness. Visualize a serene space, a place where you can retreat from the chaos of the wo ... Show More
12m 1s
Nov 2024
Affirmation for Mending a Broken Heart, Day 2: "From Heartache to Healing" meditation series
This meditation invites you to embark on a journey of healing and renewal. By focusing on a powerful affirmation and visualizing healing light, you'll cultivate a sense of peace, love, and inner strength. As you practice this meditation regularly, you'll gradually release the pai ... Show More
9m 30s
Nov 2024
Deepen Self-Awareness, Day 5: "The Healing Power of Silence" meditation series
Today, you're guided in a meditation that invites you to delve into the depths of your being, exploring your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment. By cultivating self-awareness, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationship with the world ar ... Show More
12m 2s
Feb 2025
Releasing Trapped Emotions, Day 3: "Meditations for Self-Awareness and Reflection"
Emotions can become trapped in the body, creating blockages to self-awareness. This meditation uses breathwork [mention breathing technique] to gently release these emotional holding patterns, allowing for greater access to your inner wisdom and truth. Through mindful reflection, ... Show More
10m 3s
Apr 2025
The Healing Power of Sound, Day 4: "Creating a Peaceful Environment"
Explore the transformative power of sound to create a peaceful environment within and around you. You'll experience how specific frequencies and soundscapes can soothe your mind, relax your body, and promote a deep sense of tranquility. THIS WEEK'S THEME: Creating a Sanctuary of ... Show More
12m 2s
Feb 2025
Anchored in Breath, Day 3: "Unlocking Tomorrow: Meditations for Peace and Purpose in a Changing World"
In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, your breath can be a powerful anchor, a source of stability and certainty. This meditation guides you to connect with the rhythm of your breath, using it as a tool to find inner calm and groundedness amidst external uncertain ... Show More
11m 2s
Feb 2025
Bhakti and Reflection, Day 7: "Finding Love Within: A Bhakti Meditation Series"
This weekly review meditation offers a space for self-compassion and forgiveness, key aspects of Bhakti Yoga. We'll reflect on the past week, acknowledging both our successes and our shortcomings, with a focus on releasing any judgments or self-criticism that may be blocking our ... Show More
10m 8s
Jan 2025
The Heart's Gateway, Day 4: "Finding Love Within: A Bhakti Meditation Series"
Stored grief, resentment, or past hurts can create blockages in the heart chakra. This meditation uses Anahata Mudra to gently release these emotional blockages, creating space for forgiveness and healing. Inspired by Bhakti Yoga, this practice allows us to open our hearts to new ... Show More
10m 8s