Dear Listeners,
Welcome to the My Legacy Podcast & Syndicated Radio Show, where we honor stories that shape purpose, legacy, and connection. As we enter this season of reflection, we’re reminded that gratitude isn’t just a feeling- it’s a practice. It’s found in transformation, in community, and in the grace we give ourselves and others.
This week’s Thanksgiving special brings together voices from across our season - each with a powerful story of struggle, surrender, and soul-deep growth. From Gabby Bernstein’s courageous path to sobriety, to Sarah Jakes Roberts’ awakening to self-worth, to Simon Sinek’s reflections on community, and Sophia Bush’s profound personal evolution- we revisit the moments that reveal what it truly means to live with gratitude.
Joined by Radhi Devlukia and Jay Shetty, this episode is a love letter to the people, practices, and principles that ground us. It’s a reminder that our journeys are never walked alone, and that legacy is built moment by moment, heart to heart.
Episode Summary
In this special episode, we reflect on the wisdom shared by beloved past guests whose stories invite us into deeper appreciation and connection:
- Gabby Bernstein shares her 20-year journey of sobriety, revealing how hitting rock bottom opened a path to service, healing, and spiritual clarity.
- Sarah Jakes Roberts speaks powerfully about the toxic relationship she had with herself- and how choosing “just a little better” became her path to personal redemption.
- Simon Sinek transports us to rural Kenya, where he witnessed the joy, strength, and imagination of a community rich in human connection- and how it reframed his understanding of addiction, wealth, and happiness.
- Sophia Bush opens her heart about the cost of people-pleasing, societal expectations, and the liberating journey of stepping into her full identity through a community of brave, loving women.
- Jay Shetty and Radhi Devlukia reflect on the quiet acts of love that sustain their partnership, reminding us that gratitude often lives in the smallest, most intentional moments of care.
Together, these stories form a mosaic of grace, growth, and grounded joy- an offering of thanks to the past, present, and all those who walk beside us.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How struggle can awaken purpose- from addiction to alignment
- The power of choosing “just a little better” as a catalyst for lasting change
- Why true happiness isn’t found in wealth, but in connection
- How community can be a force of healing, not judgment
- Why the smallest gestures in relationships can leave the biggest impact
- How authenticity, even in heartbreak, leads to wholeness
Deep Dive: Psychology, Social Science & the Practice of Gratitude
Gratitude, as a practice, has been extensively studied. Research published in the journal Psychological Science shows that practicing gratitude enhances emotional resilience, strengthens relationships, and even improves physical health.
- Gabby Bernstein’s story illustrates what researchers call post-traumatic growth- a positive psychological change following adversity. Her spiritual awakening aligns with findings from studies on addiction recovery that emphasize meaning-making as a cornerstone of healing.
- Sarah Jakes Roberts’ journey echoes the therapeutic principle of incremental change. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, small, consistent steps toward self-improvement are proven to produce lasting transformation.
- Simon Sinek’s insight reflects data from Rat Park experiments in addiction science, showing that connection—not deprivation—is key to reducing addictive behaviors. Communities with strong social ties show dramatically lower rates of addiction and mental illness.
- Sophia Bush’s reflections point to the power of relational autonomy—reclaiming one’s identity within and through a supportive community. This aligns with feminist psychology’s emphasis on self-in-relation as a model for healing.
Gratitude isn't just about counting blessings- it’s about the stories we choose to carry, the people we choose to walk with, and the truth we allow ourselves to speak.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
Journal Prompts
- What challenges in my life have ultimately deepened my sense of gratitude?
- Where am I being called to choose “just a little better”?
- Who in my life do I need to thank- out loud, today?
- What internal voice or wisdom have I been ignoring that’s ready to be heard?
Group or Personal Reflection
- What does “home” feel like for me- and how can I create more of it?
- How do I differentiate between performing gratitude and truly living it?
- Who are the people whose quiet acts of love have shaped my legacy?
Family Conversations
- How do we model gratitude as a family?
- What’s one tradition we can create this holiday season that reflects our values?
- How do we teach children to value presence over perfection?
