Latest / PTT Music Podcast / Why Support Makes the Hill Feel Flatter: Walking With "On My Way" and "Got My Step"

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Why Support Makes the Hill Feel Flatter: Walking With "On My Way" and "Got My Step" · PTT Music Podcast

• 0:21
  Welcome to the PTT Music Podcast, where music meets purpose and sound delivers
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  impact.
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  I'm Jordan Sterling.
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  And I'm Ava Brooks.
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  As positive behavior specialists and passionate music advocates,
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  we explore how intentional sound, authentic storytelling, and positive behavioral
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  techniques can elevate your mindset, awaken confidence, and inspire meaningful
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  growth every single day.
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  Whether this is your very first episode or you've been with us from the beginning,
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  we're thrilled you're here in this community.
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  And Ava, speaking of daily momentum, I had such an energizing workout yesterday
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  morning taking on that scenic hill trail behind the park with a twenty pound
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  training pack.
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  Reaching the top felt incredible.
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  That's awesome, Jordan.
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  Starting a Tuesday with an ambitious goal like that is such a great way to build
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  momentum.
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  It really set a clear, focused tone for the day.
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  Though standing at the base looking up at that steep incline,
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  it definitely felt like a massive climb ahead.
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  You know, as positive behavior specialists, we look at perception and environment
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  all the time.
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  There's actually wonderful behavioral science behind how our minds evaluate steep
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  goals.
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  It goes right to how our surroundings and social support shape our mindset,
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  right?
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  Exactly.
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  There's a landmark study from 2008 by Simone Schnall and her colleagues.
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  They invited people to look up at a steep hill and estimate the slope.
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  Some stood on their own, while others stood side by side with a supportive friend.
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  And having that positive connection changed their perception?
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  Remarkably so.
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  When standing with a friend, participants perceived the hill as significantly less
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  steep.
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  And the closer and more supportive the friendship, the more manageable and inviting
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  the path appeared.
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  That's such a profound behavioral insight.
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  Having positive support beside you literally reframes how your visual and cognitive
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  systems measure possibility.
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  Exactly.
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  Our minds don't just evaluate tasks in isolation.
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  They naturally calculate available resources and positive reinforcement.
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  It aligns beautifully with bioenergetic modeling and strengths based collaboration.
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  Yes.
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  Psychologist Dr.
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  James Coan highlights this through Social Baseline Theory.
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  In modern culture, we often celebrate going it alone.
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  But in behavioral neuroscience, our natural baseline for optimal functioning is
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  positive connection with others.
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  Interdependence and teamwork are built into our biology as the ideal state for
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  flourishing.
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  That's it.
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  Coan shows that when we operate within an uplifting community,
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  our nervous system conserves energy.
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  We feel calm, centered, and fully capable of performing at our best because we know
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  support is all around us.
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  That offers such an empowering perspective on resilience.
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  Coan explored this in brain imaging studies showing how supportive touch and
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  presence soothe our stress response, didn't he?
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  He did.
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  In functional MRI studies, when participants held the hand of a trusted partner
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  during a challenging situation, their brains responded with immediate calm and
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  reassurance.
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  And rather than having to force self control through sheer strain,
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  their natural state was simply settled and peaceful.
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  Exactly.
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  The brain effortlessly registers the presence of someone we care about as shared
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  strength.
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  Challenge naturally transforms into confidence.
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  That's why positive behavioral intervention always emphasizes building supportive,
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  collaborative environments.
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  In creative projects, inviting colleagues into the process early multiplies our
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  clarity and joy.
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  It shifts the entire experience from solitary effort into shared celebration.
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  Yes, because positive reinforcement and collaboration fuel creativity.
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  Complex arrangements and songwriting challenges become joyful explorations when you
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  share ideas with people who believe in your vision.
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  And behavioral science points to an inspiring distinction here between casual
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  companionship and authentic load sharing.
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  How do positive behavioral techniques harness true load sharing?
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  True load sharing flourishes in an environment of high trust,
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  safety, and mutual encouragement.
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  When team members consistently validate and uplift one another,
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  their mental resources merge into a collective well of optimism and endurance.
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  Because every person knows their contributions are valued and celebrated.
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  Absolutely.
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  Your mind expands to embrace the community as a fountain of shared strength.
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  You don't just divide work.
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  You multiply inspiration and possibilities.
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  That's why sound and music are such vital tools in positive behavior support.
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  Take empowering releases like "On My Way" and "Got My Step."
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  The bright rhythms and uplifting harmonies immediately prime the brain for optimism
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  and belonging.
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  They act as powerful positive cues.
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  When you listen to "On My Way," you immediately feel that purposeful forward motion,
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  and putting on "Got My Step" reinforces that upbeat rhythm and self assurance in
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  your daily walk.
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  It really does.
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  Music reminds us that we're created to thrive in community.
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  Uplifting, purpose driven sound stimulates confidence, focus,
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  and a sense of shared purpose.
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  Which brings us to a wonderful positive behavioral technique we can apply every day.
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  When facing a big goal or starting a brand new venture...
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  Celebrate how far you've come and invite positive allies into your circle.
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  Perfectly said.
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  Focus on your strengths, and invite a mentor, friend, or teammate to share the
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  journey.
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  A collaborative thirty minute brainstorm, sharing a milestone,
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  or exchanging encouraging words creates that shared baseline.
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  Together, we naturally make the path feel joyful and smooth.
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  Well, tomorrow morning on the trail, let's enjoy that hill together and take in the
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  view from the top.
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  I love that plan.
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  We'll celebrate reaching the summit together.
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  Again, thanks for spending this time with us on the PTT Music Podcast.
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  We hope today's conversation left you inspired, encouraged,
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  and ready to carry that energy with you wherever life takes you.
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  I'm Jordan Sterling...
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  and I'm Ava Brooks.
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  We'll see you next time for another conversation that celebrates creativity,
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  purpose, and the power of music.
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  If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to continue the journey with us.
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  Visit PTTMusic.com to explore our latest music, official videos,
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  exclusive merchandise, artist updates, and much more.
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  You can also stream PTT Music on your favorite music platforms.
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  And be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with
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  someone who could use a little inspiration today...
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  Until next time, keep moving forward.
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  And let the PTT Music continue to move you closer to who you truly are.