TheUPside Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Transformative Power of Gratitude | How to Be Happier in Life & Business
Host: Theresa Flood
Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of TheUPside Podcast, host Theresa Flood explores the transformative power of gratitude, especially during times of both celebration and difficulty. With warmth and sincerity, Theresa delves into gratitude as a foundational mindset for happiness, resilience, and stronger relationships in both life and business. She offers practical insights, personal reflections, and actionable encouragement for making gratitude a daily practice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Gratitude (00:15 – 02:40)

• Acknowledge the diversity of emotions during Thanksgiving:
  Theresa empathetically recognizes some listeners may be overflowing with gratitude, while others may find it difficult during hard times.
  • “I know some of you might be going through hard times. It may be a little harder to see the blessings...and my heart goes out to you.” (00:56)
• Personal gratitude for her listeners and the podcast journey.
  • “I started this podcast really as an expression, in a way to grow personally, to make impact. And I'm just so grateful to every listener...” (01:30)

2. The Meaning and Roots of Gratitude (02:41 – 04:32)

• Etymology lesson: The Latin root gratis is shared by both “gratitude” and “grace.”
  • “It's the very same root of the word for grace. And grace really is undeserved favor.” (03:06)
• Gratitude as an acknowledgment of “undeserved favor” in our lives—blessings not earned but received.

3. Gratitude in All Things (04:33 – 05:40)

• Biblical reference: 1st Thessalonians 5 — Be grateful “in all things,” not necessarily “for all things.”
  • “That scripture doesn't say to be grateful for all things. It says to be grateful in all things. And we're not grateful for bad things...Yet we can be grateful in all things.” (04:52)

4. The Four Transformative Powers of Gratitude (05:41 – 10:00)

1. Keeps Us Humble (05:41)

   • Success is seldom achieved alone; gratitude is a reminder of the contributions of others.
   • “It reminds us that nothing good happens in a vacuum...nobody succeeds alone. And it keeps us humble.” (06:10)

2. Reshapes Relationships (07:00)

   • Vocalizing gratitude, especially to important people, can radically shift connections and communication.
   • “One of the things I'm guilty of is not vocalizing my gratitude...If you have a relationship that's struggling, start coming from a place of gratitude.” (07:28)

3. Makes Us Gracious (08:09)

   • Gratitude leads to extending grace; it softens “hard line stances” and allows better understanding of others.
   • “It causes us to extend grace to others. We see other people’s perspectives a little bit better when we’re in gratitude.” (08:13)

4. Boosts Happiness (08:37)

   • Grateful people are happier; gratitude is the precursor, not the result, of happiness.
   • “If you want to be happier in your life, be more grateful. And don't wait around for that...the more grateful you are, the happier you will be.” (08:49)
   • Practical tip for tough times: find gratitude even in basics like waking up or breathing.

5. The Enemies of Gratitude (10:01 – 12:55)

• Entitlement: Feeling you “deserve” things undermines gratitude.
  • “When we get into gratitude, it takes that entitlement attitude away.” (10:16)
• Self-pity: Focusing on what’s missing leads to a loss of gratitude.
  • “I know I have thrown myself plenty of pity party in my life that nobody really else has wanted to attend, but I threw myself a great little pity party.” (10:45)
• Comparison: Comparing yourself to others diminishes your own thankfulness.
  • “We think, well, I can’t be thankful for what I have because somebody else has more, somebody else has better...” (11:11)
• Gratitude is the antidote to these mindsets.

6. Encouragement and Thanksgiving Reflection (12:56 – 14:34)

• Embrace cliches—and the holiday’s deeper meaning.
  • “Maybe it’s cliche to stop and count your blessings on Thanksgiving week...but there’s a whole reason that we have this holiday besides just a turkey and mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.” (13:03)
• Theresa plans to reflect, pray, and share her gratitude this holiday week, inviting listeners to do the same for greater humility, grace, and happiness.
• Closing words: “Invest in your growth every single day and it's going to yield you great returns.” (14:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the roots of gratitude:
  “It's the very same root of the word for grace. And grace really is undeserved favor.” — Theresa Flood (03:06)
• On happiness and gratitude:
  “If you want to be happier in your life, be more grateful. And don't wait around for that...the more grateful you are, the happier you will be.” — Theresa Flood (08:49)
• On relationship transformation:
  “If you have a relationship that's struggling, start coming from a place of gratitude. Maybe you're not at a place where you want to start verbalizing it. Start just by writing it down, what are you grateful for about that person. And then start speaking it to them and watch that relationship start to shift.” — Theresa Flood (07:28)
• On the dangers of comparison:
  “Our level of gratitude should have absolutely nothing to do with how it compares to something else.” — Theresa Flood (11:25)
• Personal warmth:
  “Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I'm so grateful to you for listening, for tuning in...” — Theresa Flood (00:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 — Opening & Thanksgiving week context
• 01:30 — Host’s personal gratitude and reflections
• 03:05 — Etymology & meaning of gratitude
• 04:52 — “Grateful in all things” insight
• 05:41 — Four impacts of gratitude (humility, relationships, grace, happiness)
• 10:01 — Enemies of gratitude: Entitlement, self-pity, comparison
• 12:56 — Thanksgiving encouragement & actionable reflections
• 14:11 — Closing positivity and signature sign-off

Summary Tone

Theresa’s tone is heartfelt, uplifting, and practical throughout the episode. She balances personal vulnerability with coaching and inspiration, inviting listeners to see gratitude as an ongoing, actionable practice rather than a seasonal one.

Key Takeaway

Gratitude isn’t just a fleeting emotion or a holiday tradition—it’s a transformative mindset that breeds humility, improves relationships, makes us more gracious, and boosts our happiness. In times of challenge and celebration alike, intentionally practicing gratitude is the surest path toward getting “unstuck” and moving forward in both life and business.

“Invest in your growth every single day and it's going to yield you great returns.” — Theresa Flood (14:11)