Podcast Summary: The Dream – "A Compendium Of New Years Resolutions"

Podcast: The Dream
Host: Jane Marie (Little Everywhere)
Guest: Jessie Munro (Wellness Coach)
Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode marks the return of The Dream, now reimagined as a weekly interview podcast—still centered on the American Dream and its many obstacles, but now with more freedom in format. The episode explores New Year's resolutions: why we make them, why they so often fail, and what might work better. Host Jane Marie interweaves history, personal anecdotes, and a conversation with life coach Jessie Munro to reframe our approach to fresh starts.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Resolutions as Ritual and Marketing Strategy: The show delves into the origin and evolution of New Year's resolutions, examining their roots in history and current role as a driver of consumer behavior.
• Self-Compassion over Self-Improvement: Through conversation with wellness coach Jessie Munro, the episode shifts focus from results-oriented resolutions (like weight loss & productivity) to self-awareness and self-compassion.
• Honest Reflections on Growth: Both host and guest share candid experiences—including failures, setbacks, and how unexpected hardships can shape a healthier approach to change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. History & Psychology of Resolutions

[02:20 – 07:50]

• Jane Marie opens with a Mark Twain anecdote ridiculing the cyclical, often vain nature of resolutions.
  • Quote: “Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” – Mark Twain (read by Jane Marie) [03:10]
• Resolutions date back 4,000 years (Babylonian ceremonies, later adapted by Romans).
• The pattern: High engagement among the young (18-29) with optimism bias; declines after 50.
  • Rooted in periods of life with most “churn” and opportunity.
• Most common modern resolutions: weight loss, personal finance, productivity, and organization.

2. Modern Resolution Trends and Critique

[07:50 – 10:58]

• Media montage lampoons America’s obsession with thinness and financially-motivated resolutions.
• Jane quips about performative self-care and the ongoing grip of consumerism (“…buying a $200 gym membership isn’t going to fix your problems.”).
• Suggests the priorities should be reversed:
  • Quote: “Reversing priorities, putting kindness and generosity above being skinny and rich, will get you there faster. Just as a side effect, you catch a lot more good haircuts and free vacations with honey.” – Jane Marie [09:51]

3. Conversation with Wellness Coach Jessie Munro

[13:21 – 24:47]

• Jessie shares how most new clients come from a place of self-judgment or feeling “broken,” especially during resolution season.
  • Quote: “There’s this situation around resolutions that it’s like judgment and poison and I’m broken and I didn’t do this right, rather than, I’m disconnected from this part of my body or this part of my life.” – Jessie Munro [15:05]
• She rejects working with clients seeking quick-fix body transformations: “If someone calls me and says I need to get ready by the end of the year because I need a six pack, I said, oh, good luck. I’m not taking those clients right now—I’m booked.” [16:08]
• Jessie’s advice: Focus on root causes and motivations, not willpower or shame.
• Recommends Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza as a starting point for mindful change [17:52-18:37].
• Personal story: Jessie experienced a grand mal seizure and grapples with challenges as an undocumented immigrant.
• Her “biggest takeaway” is newfound self-awareness and pride despite falling short of external markers of success.
  • Quote: “I don’t feel shame because I’m undocumented. I don’t feel shame because I don’t have the big house. I am fucking proud that I am sacrificing my life in a country where…my child [can] grow in an environment where there’s more opportunity.” – Jessie Munro [20:38]

Practical Tips from Jessie

[17:36 – 22:39]

• Sit with yourself and breathe; become aware of small things (like turning off the water when brushing teeth).
• Don't judge yourself for not achieving all goals; focus on personal growth and self-connection.
• The most important relationship in 2026 is the one with yourself: “No, just move forward with compassion for yourself. It’s much easier and you enjoy the process. Instead of pressuring yourself, you’re not useful if you’re under stress.” – Jessie Munro [20:52]

Memorable Moment

• Jessie sets a weekly “date with herself” to rediscover what brings her joy, inviting listeners to “reconnect with yourself, learn more about yourself, grow in love with yourself, in a relationship with you.” [23:55]

4. The Science & Marketing of Fresh Starts

[26:06 – 27:40]

• Discusses research (the 2014 “Fresh Start Study”) claiming life events and “special days” can motivate goal-setting, but also how marketers exploit these cycles.
• Observes that setting arbitrary start dates is sometimes even more effective than classic calendar milestones.

5. Virginia Woolf’s Radical Resolutions

[28:42 – 29:52]

• Jane closes with Woolf’s resolve “first, to have none, not to be tied…not goading it to parties, to sit rather privately reading.” Suggests that sometimes, no external targets are needed at all.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---|---|---| | [03:10] | Mark Twain (via Jane Marie) | “Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” | | [09:51] | Jane Marie | “Reversing priorities, putting kindness and generosity above being skinny and rich, will get you there faster. Just as a side effect, you catch a lot more good haircuts and free vacations with honey.” | | [15:05] | Jessie Munro | “There’s this situation around resolutions that it’s like judgment and poison and I’m broken and I didn’t do this right, rather than, I’m disconnected from this part of my body or this part of my life.” | | [16:08] | Jessie Munro | “If someone calls me and says I need to get ready by the end of the year because I need a six pack, I said, oh, good luck. I’m not taking those clients right now—I’m booked.” | | [20:38] | Jessie Munro | “I don’t feel shame because I’m undocumented...I am fucking proud that I am sacrificing my life in a country where...my child [can] grow in an environment where there’s more opportunity.” | | [20:52] | Jessie Munro | “No, just move forward with compassion for yourself. It’s much easier and you enjoy the process. Instead of pressuring yourself, you’re not useful if you’re under stress.” | | [29:00] | Virginia Woolf (read by Jane Marie) | “First, to have none, not to be tied...Second, to be free and kindly with myself, not goading it to parties, to sit rather privately reading in the studio...As for clothes, I think to buy good ones.” |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:20] – Mark Twain, the history of resolutions
• [07:50] – Stat breakdown on who makes resolutions
• [13:21] – Jessie Munro conversation starts
• [15:05] – Jessie discusses clients’ attitudes toward resolutions
• [17:36] – Jessie’s practical advice and book recommendation
• [19:18] – Jessie’s personal story and reflections on self-worth
• [20:52] – Jessie's advice on self-compassion and growth
• [23:55] – Weekly date with self and redefining resolutions
• [26:06] – The “Fresh Start Study” and marketing perspective
• [28:42] – Virginia Woolf’s anti-resolution wisdom

Takeaways

• New Year’s resolutions are an ancient tradition, but today, they’re as much about industry and marketing as personal improvement.
• Most resolutions are about self-discipline, often rooted in self-judgment; Jane and Jessie suggest a more compassionate, self-connected approach.
• Sustainable change is less about arbitrary calendar dates and more about self-awareness, patience, and acceptance of gradual growth.
• Sometimes, the most radical move is to abandon resolutions altogether and focus on loving yourself as you are.

Tone: Candid, irreverently humorous, compassionate, and thoughtful—true to the “The Dream” style.