x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Grow the Good

Grow the Good, formerly The Sonya Looney Show, is your guide to continual personal growth, meaningful connections, and positive impact in the world. Challenge the idea that you are broken or need fixing. Instead, discover how to cultivate the good that already exists within you and amplify the strengths and potential you may not yet realize you have. Grounded in the science of positive psychology and guided by the pillars of purpose, vitality, resilience, hope, and connection, each episode is packed

health & fitness mental health

All Episodes

64:59

The Science of Brain Fatigue: How to Balance...

Grow the Good ·

2025/12/11

Why do we sometimes feel mentally exhausted even when our bodies are rested? I’m your host Sonya Looney, and in this episode of Grow the Good, I’m joined by neuroscientist Dr. Scott Frey and former professional cyclist Brent Bookwalter to dig into the science of central (brain) fatigue, life transitions, and how to balance performance with well-being. Through stories from elite sport, neuroscience, and personal growth, Scott, Brent, and I explore how understanding brain fatigue can help us be...

en

64:59

Building Stronger, Deeper Relationships with Suzie...

Grow the Good ·

2025/11/20

What makes relationships truly thrive, not just survive? In this episode of Grow the Good, I sit down with Suzie Pileggi Pawelski, positive psychology expert and co-author of Happy Together: Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts, to explore how strengths, gratitude, and intentional effort create lasting connection. Suzie shares her evidence-based framework for building flourishing relationships using character strengths, gratitude, and virtue. We talk about how to ...

en

28:15

Finding the Courage to Put it All Out There

Grow the Good ·

2025/11/13

Today I’m sitting down for an honest reflection about something I’ve been moving through lately: change, identity, and social connection. As I’ve transitioned away from professional mountain biking being the center of my identity, I’ve been exploring how to define value beyond performance, productivity, or outside validation. It’s been a humbling and deeply human process, one that I know so many of us can relate to. In this episode, I share some personal stories, research on well-being and ma...

en

11:51

Mindfulness in Action: 10 Min Meditation for Cycling...

Grow the Good ·

2025/11/06

Bringing meditation into daily life is a different beast. Today’s moving meditation will be short, simple—and really hard, because we’re taking meditation on the move so you can apply mindfulness to everyday activities like workouts or a quiet hike. In today’s episode, I break down how to shift from an ego-focused to a task-focused mindset during physical activities. I’ll guide you through techniques to anchor your focus, using sounds from your environment or your own breath, to help maintai...

en

64:59

Building Antifragility: Thriving Through Challenge...

Grow the Good ·

2025/10/30

What if resilience isn’t enough? In this episode of Grow the Good, I sit down with Dr. Nick Holton and Dr. Adam Wright, co-founders of the Antifragile Academy, to explore how to move beyond just surviving life’s stressors and instead use them to grow stronger. Nick and Adam share a science-backed, integrative framework that blends psychology, physiology, and purpose to help you thrive under pressure, navigate transitions, and build a more grounded sense of identity. We unpack the difference b...

en

30:01

How to Be a Better Communicator | REPLAY

Grow the Good ·

2025/10/09

THIS EPISODE IS A GROW THE GOOD REPLAY // I'll let you in on a secret: communication is not just about talking and using words. It's about listening. Yes, the foundation of communication is being a good listener. As a health and wellness coach, I've received formal training in communication, plus recording over 350 hours of podcasts has been a master class in listening and communication. In today’s solo deep dive, I will share strategies and actionable practices to help you become a b...

en

10:16

A Moving Meditation for Your Next Ride | REPLAY

Grow the Good ·

2025/10/02

GROW THE GOOD REPLAY // Though mental well-being is the cornerstone of high-performance, achieving the elusive harmony between mind and body can feel impossible. I recorded this moving meditation as a guide for being mindful while riding a bike; encouraging us to connect with different parts of our body and senses while riding to help us stay focused and present. Together, we'll unleash the potential of blending athletic pursuits with the power of meditation and discover new techniques...

en

64:59

Embracing Life Transitions with Grace and...

Grow the Good ·

2025/09/18

Transitions are inevitable. Whether it’s becoming a parent, shifting careers, retiring, or simply navigating unexpected change. But why do transitions feel so unsettling, and how can we meet them with more self-compassion and patience? In this episode of Grow the Good, I sit down with my friend and fellow MAPP grad, Ilene Schaffer, to explore the psychology of transitions. With more than 25 years of experience in counseling psychology, Ilene shares her wisdom on navigating endings, sitting wi...

en

57:30

The Travis Macy Show: Perfectionism, Purpose, and...

Grow the Good ·

2025/09/12

On this special crossover episode of Grow the Good, I'm resharing a conversation with Travis Macy from The Travis Macy Show. - - - - - - - The Travis Macy Show Ep. 195. Perfectionism, Purpose, and Letting Go with Sonya Looney What does it really mean to accomplish something and why doesn’t it always feel the way we think it should? This week, I’m joined by my good friend, longtime pro mountain biker, and mindset coach Sonya Looney for a deep and honest conversation about somethi...

en

61:53

Validation: The Communication Skill That Can...

Grow the Good ·

2025/08/21

Validation is more than just nodding along. It’s the foundation of healthy communication, trust, and connection. And for today’s guest, it could change the world as we know it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Caroline Fleck, licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life. Her work has been translated into nine languages and has been fea...

en

15:46

The Mattering Mindset: How to Feel Valued and Add...

Grow the Good ·

2025/08/07

Have you ever achieved a big goal, only to feel something was missing afterward? Or wondered why no amount of external validation ever seems quite enough? Today, I’m excited to reshare a meaningful conversation from the Mental Training Lab podcast, where I sat down with sport and performance psychology expert Pete Kadushin to talk about the powerful concept of “mattering.” If you are a regular listener, you know how this message has impacted me: how shifting from perfectionistic, outcome-driv...

en

47:53

Regenerating Our World with Positive Psychology:...

Grow the Good ·

2025/07/17

I just got back from the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress in Brisbane, and I’m still buzzing with ideas that stretched how I think about well-being, purpose, and what it means to truly flourish. This week, we're unpacking the big shifts happening in the world of positive psychology. Specifically, moving from individual optimization to regenerative systems that benefit our communities and the planet. We'll explore how mattering, contribution, and collective thriving...

en

60:16

Why Pursuing a Psychologically Rich Life Beats...

Grow the Good ·

2025/07/10

What does it really mean to live a rich life? Today’s guest, Dr. Shige Oishi, challenges what we usually think of happiness and meaning by introducing us to the concept of a "psychologically rich life." A psychologically rich life is about collecting diverse and transformative experiences that shift our perspectives and expand our minds, rather than just chasing positive feelings or a singular sense of purpose. Social psychologist and author of the new book, Life in Three Dimensions, Dr. Oish...

en

21:28

Mindfulness in Action: How to Combat Self-Criticism

Grow the Good ·

2025/07/03

Today, I’m taking you along a trail ride, not just through the physical landscapes but through the terrain of our minds. It’s about confronting and managing the self-criticism that often accompanies our high expectations, especially when we push towards big goals in high-performance settings. In this episode, I’ll share how I transform self-criticism into a tool for growth and resilience. Whether you’re riding a bike, running a trail, or pursuing any challenge, this meditation is designed to...

en

50:12

Flourish FM: Resilience, Performance and Growing the...

Grow the Good ·

2025/06/19

Can you chase high performance and well-being without burning out? In this special crossover episode of Grow the Good, I'm resharing a super relevant conversation with Dr. Jon Beale and Nick Holton from the FlourishFM podcast. On the other side of the mic, I open up about my journey as a world champion athlete, speaker, and coach, and how this pursuit of meaningful accomplishment has led me to reimagine success. We get into what it means to matter, why outcome-focused goals can drain us, and...

en

65:57

Redefining Exercise: How Flexible Movement Boosts...

Grow the Good ·

2025/06/12

Are your “exercise rules” helping or hindering your joy, vitality, and overall well-being? I’m your host Sonya Looney, and in this transformative episode of Grow the Good, I sat down with renowned movement experts Katy Bowman and Diana Hill to challenge traditional fitness narratives. Together, we explore how rigid identities around exercise can limit our potential and discuss practical strategies for creating a more flexible, joyful, and values-driven relationship with movement. You’ll gain ...

en

23:44

Mindfulness in Action: Slowing Down the Rush

Grow the Good ·

2025/06/05

Lately, I've been grappling with motivation—questioning what to share, how to show up authentically, and the pressure to always be productive. Let's dive into the emotional and physical toll of constantly hurrying, the societal glorification of busyness, and the importance of setting boundaries to protect our well-being. Together, we'll reflect on: Recognizing the signs and sensations of rushingUnderstanding the costs of over-scheduling and overcommittingEmbracing the power of subtraction to ...

en

64:59

Why Feeling Valued Matters: Creating a Culture of...

Grow the Good ·

2025/05/15

Ever wonder why feeling valued and significant at work (and in life!) matters so much? This week, I'm thrilled to welcome researcher, author, and purposeful leadership expert Zach Mercurio to Grow the Good. Zach dives deep into the critical concept of mattering—the foundational human need to feel significant, seen, and valued by others. Drawing from his latest book, The Power of Mattering, Zach shares compelling insights on why feeling significant isn't just nice to have; it's essential for o...

en

19:23

The Power of Connection: Why Friendship Matters More...

Grow the Good ·

2025/05/08

We all crave connection—but in the busy shuffle of adult life, it’s easy to lose touch with the very relationships that keep us grounded. In this solo episode of Grow the Good, I’m diving into the topic of friendship and why it’s essential—not just for happiness, but for our health and longevity. I explore why making new friends gets harder after 30, the different types of friendships we need, and the surprising power of spontaneity when it comes to feeling close and supported. I’ll also shar...

en

60:56

Mind-Body Mastery: Building Resilience, Flow, and...

Grow the Good ·

2025/05/01

How do you truly unlock your potential—not just in sport, but in life? In this episode of Grow the Good, I’m joined by Pete Kadushi, performance psychologist, educator, and Manager of Learning and Development for the Chicago Blackhawks. Pete brings over 15 years of experience working with elite performers in professional sports, collegiate athletics, and the military. We talk about why building a mindful relationship with your body is crucial for resilience, flow, and sustained high performan...

en

356 results

Similar Podcasts

Доктор Тройняшкин

Доктор Тройняшкин

The Dry Eye Treatment PODCAST

Dry Eye Treatment

Différent et alors ?

PATRICK SULAY

Kyle Kingsbury Podcast

Kyle Kingsbury

The Real Weight Loss Coach

Matty Lansdown