Your Daily Dose of Hope

Latest Episodes:

Find Hope in the "What If" with Teresa Cleveland EP 90 May 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Your Daily Dose of Hope, guest host Teresa Cleveland shares a cherished memory with her granddaughter that became a lifelong lesson in hope and imagination. During a quiet afternoon together, Teresa playfully suggested to her then-four-year-old granddaughter that she could "kick the sky" while swinging. What began as a whimsical moment blossomed into a powerful metaphor.

As Teresa watched her granddaughter climb onto the swing, pump her legs with determination, and shout with joy, "Grandma, I did it—I really kicked the sky!", the moment solidified two timeless truths:

1. The power of asking “What if?” — Opening the door to possibility can spark hope and courage to try something new.

2. A shift in perspective changes everything — Sometimes, a small change in how we approach familiar routines can lead to pride, excitement, and newfound potential.

This story reminds us that even on the toughest days, we can tilt back just a little, ask “what if,” and find the hope we need to keep going.

The Connection Between Hope and Confidence EP 89 May 22, 2025

Show notes

At first glance, hope and confidence might seem unrelated. But if we look a little closer, you’ll find they’re more deeply connected and together they help us bring our best selves forward.

Hope says, “Things can get better.”

Confidence says, “I can make things better.”

Here’s how they work together:

• Hope gives you the vision. Confidence helps you move toward it.

• Hope lights the path. Confidence takes the first step.

• Hope says it’s possible. Confidence says, “Let’s go.”

When you nurture one, the other often grows.

4 Questions to Find Your Hope EP 88 May 21, 2025

Show notes

4 Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need to Feel More Hopeful

When life feels heavy or uncertain, hope can feel just out of reach. But hope isn’t something we find outside ourselves—it’s something we can find within. One powerful way to do that is by asking the right questions. Here are four thoughtful prompts that can gently shift your perspective and open the door to possibility and hopefulness.

1. What’s something small that went right today?

2. Who believes in me, even when I forget to believe in myself?

3. What’s one thing I’m looking forward to?

4. When have I made it through something hard before?

Looking back and reflecting on your strength and resilience reminds you that struggle isn’t the end of your story. It’s often the start of something new. It also gives us confidence because we know we can do it because we’ve done it before.

These questions won’t magically fix everything, but they can help crack the door open to light. And sometimes, that’s all hope needs—a way in.

Here’s to a great day today and an eve better tomorrow.

We Can Do Hard Things EP 87 May 20, 2025

Show notes

We can do hard things. I know that’s a popular phrase and the title of a podcast and book by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle. I first heard that a few years ago from a friend who was dealing with a health challenge and that’s what she told me. She said – we can do hard things.

And she was right. What’s baked into that message is hope and resilience. It’s an acknowledgment that life isn’t always perfect, and it reminds us that we can navigate the challenges ahead.

I also love that it’s WE as in more than one. We’re not meant to do the hard things in life alone. There’s hope and wisdom in admitting that – even if it’s quietly to ourselves in a difficult moment – and knowing that we’re going to need the help and support of others.

I also like the optimism of that statement. It’s an admission that we won’t shy away from pursuing things that are hard, or challenging. It’s an acknowledgement that what’s on the other side of doing something that’s hard – is worth it.

Lots of things in life require us to grow, to take the step that’s not guaranteed, or do the thing that feels scary but necessary.

In that way, I feel like it’s a mantra. Something we can say over and over as we take a risk, or challenge ourselves to expand and grow.

We can do hard things. Yes, we can. Hope can help us get there too. After all, hope is how we look at the difficult thing and know that we have what it takes to go on. It’s hope that lets us look past the obstacle and see the reward instead.

I hope that today is an easy day full of fun and joy, but if it’s not, then I send you hope and encouragement and a reminder that it’s not always going to be like this and that good days are ahead.

We can do hard things.

Here’s to a wonderful day today and an even better tomorrow.

We Can Do Hard Things Book

We Can Do Hard Things Podcast

Joy in Everyday Moments EP 86 May 19, 2025

Show notes

Today is a special day. Not because anything extraordinary is happening, but because you’re here. It’s another day that you get to show up and do the things that bring you joy, be with the people that you love and soak up the love they share with you.

It’s easy to let days get away from us. It’s not that exciting to celebrate doing laundry or going to work, or any of the other things that make up the day-to-day part of our lives. I think that’s why we HAVE to celebrate the joy in everyday moments – because it’s what makes up a huge part of our lives.

Are some days more exciting than others, sure. Can every day be the best day ever? I have been thinking about that question. What makes the day – a best day? Is it where we are, geography? Is it what we’re doing – activity the actions we’re taking? Is it the people we’re with?

For me, it’s often a blend of all 3. Being with people I care about is really important, and doing something I enjoy and value is too. Geography maybe less so but being at the beach – for example – is definitely going to make it a best day ever.

Even if nothing else of note happens.

I want to find ways to make more days feels special, to mark the passing of time with some joy in small moments. Partly because I think we can all use more joy in our lives. It’s one of those things you literally can’t get too much of.

I also know that when I can recognize the good things in my life, I can better manage the things that are challenging.

Hope is like that too. It’s the way we can find the bright spot in the middle of a day that’s full of things like cleaning the kitchen, and eating leftovers because you just don’t feel like cooking.

I hope your day is a joyful one, but even if it’s not, then I hope you can at least take a minute or two , 120 seconds – to find a moment of hope or a little sprinkle of joy for what is.

2 Stories That Inspired Hope EP 84 May 15, 2025

Show notes

Two powerful and very different books that explore the theme of hope are The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. While their styles and settings vary, both offer meaningful reflections on how hope can survive—even flourish—in the face of hardship, loneliness, and change.

Songs that Inspire Hope (and are great for your hope playlist) EP 85 May 15, 2025

Show notes

1. “Rise Up” – Andra Day
2. “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
3. “Keep Holding On” – Avril Lavigne

What Hope Sounds Like 5: Quotes to Light the Way EP 83 May 14, 2025

Show notes

Here are five powerful quotes about hope—each offering a unique lens on what it means to hold on, rebuild, or begin again:

1. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
— Desmond Tutu
This reminds us that hope doesn’t require perfect conditions—it just requires a glimpse of possibility. Even in our darkest hours, the presence of hope means the light hasn’t disappeared.

2. “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.”
— Martin Luther
Hope is often the silent force behind every action, invention, and movement forward. It’s the belief that what we do matters and that the future can be shaped by our efforts today.

3. “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.”
— Anne Lamott
This quote speaks to the courage of showing up when the outcome is uncertain. Hope isn’t passive—it’s persistence.

4. “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.”
— Christopher Reeve
Here, hope is framed as a decision—a turning point. Choosing hope opens the door to potential, even if we don’t know what comes next.

5. “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—and sings the tune without the words—and never stops at all.”
— Emily Dickinson
A poetic reminder that hope is quiet but constant, nestled deep within us, often singing when we least expect it.

3 Steps to Reclaiming Hope EP 82 May 13, 2025

Show notes

When hope feels lost, it can be hard to see a way forward—but even the smallest step can begin to shift your perspective. Here are three things you can do to begin reclaiming hope:

1. Name what you're feeling—without judgment.
2. Look for a single bright spot.

3. Ask for help or let someone in.

4 Hopeful Things You Can Count On EP 81 May 12, 2025

Show notes

There are 4 fundamental truths about hope that you can always count on. That's today's Daily Dose of Hope.

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