February invites reflection on self-love and compassion, making it the perfect time for a heartfelt conversation with author, speaker, and personal development coach Ginger Rothhaas. In this episode, the discussion explores why being human is hard — and how it can become gentler through self-compassion, awareness, and intentional practices. Drawing from her book Being Human: 150 Practices to Make It Easier and her work through Compassion Fix, Ginger shares how neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality intersect to help us navigate self-criticism, overwhelm, and disconnection. From the power of the Compassionate Pause to learning when it's time to make a personal "U-turn," this conversation offers grounded wisdom, hope, and practical tools for living with more ease, alignment, and kindness toward ourselves and others.

Key Takeaways:

Self-compassion is a learned skill that helps interrupt self-criticism and create emotional safety.

Pausing to reflect on what's "mine to do" can shift overwhelm into clarity and empowerment.

The way we talk to ourselves shapes our sense of worth, resilience, and hope.

Compassion for self and others grows when we recognize our shared humanity.

Small, intentional practices can realign us with our purpose and make being human feel lighter.

About Ginger Rothhaas:

Ginger is an author, speaker, and personal-development coach who helps people with the hard parts of being human. She works with clients in the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and theology to help them quiet racing minds, practice self-compassion, improve relationships, and trust their decisions. She founded Compassion Fix in 2017 by herself in Brookside and moved to a larger space in Leawood as she has built a team of 10 therapists and coaches who help children, teens, and adults navigate life.

Ginger began her career as a change-management business consultant in a large firm. She also was an adjunct professor at Xavier University. And then at age 40 decided to go to seminary. She studied world religions and theology for four years, achieving a Masters in Theology and Divinity. Following that she became a coach, wrote a book, and founded Compassion Fix. Most importantly she is mom to Chase and Lauren, a college sophomore and a college freshman, one in Manhattan Kansas and one in Manhattan New York. She loves spending time in the flint hills of Kansas and swimming in the ocean as often as possible.

Connect with Ginger Rothhaas at: https://www.compassionfix.com/

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Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at: https://smallchangesbigshifts.com

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Soulful Lessons from Ginger Rothhaas on Navigating the Human Experience