30. The Antidote to Affirmations

How to Ask Better Questions for Real ChangeWe’ve all tried them — affirmations.“I am abundant.” “I am radiant.” “I am calm.”But what happens when those words just… don’t land? When your brain (and your body) roll their eyes and whisper, “yeah, right.”In this episode, Kate Garland — midlife reinvention coach, intuitive guide, and nervous system mentor — cracks open the science and soul behind why traditional affirmations often fail and introduces you to their powerful upgrade: afformations.Afformations (coined by Noah St. John) flip the script — turning your statements into questions that work with your brain and body, not against them. The result? Less resistance, more curiosity, and a nervous system that finally says yes.🌙 Inside this episode:Why your subconscious doesn’t believe your affirmations — and what neuroscience reveals about self-talk, mirror neurons, and nervous system congruenceThe hidden link between manifestation and embodiment (and why your body always tells the truth)How a single word — afformations — pulled Kate out of a “deep existential funk” during eclipse seasonThe brain’s built-in search engine (your reticular activating system) and how to activate it with better questionsThe ancient spiritual roots of inquiry in Yoga, Buddhism, Christianity, Sufism, Kabbalah, and Toltec wisdom — all pointing to one truth: transformation starts with curiosityWhy women in midlife especially need circles of safety, belonging, and shared inquiry to anchor real changeFive powerful “swap this for that” afformations you can try todayEmail me or send me a DM on Instagram and tell me how trying afformations landed for you!🌙 The conversation doesn’t end here.My Inner Circle gets the first drops—new podcast sneak peeks, early access to offers, and the notes I only share off-mic. Join us here.🌿 Free Support for Your Nervous SystemStart here → The Free Anxiety Reset: a 7-minute guided tool to calm spiraling thoughts and come back to yourself. Think of it like a nervous system reboot—on demand.✨ Enjoying this podcast?Leave a review—it helps other women find this work. 🙏Or forward this episode to a friend who could use a little nervous system magic today. 💛💛 Connect with Kate:Email [email protected] or DM on Instagram: @radicallyKate