With the holidays in full swing and a new year just around the corner, many of us are feeling a mix of excitement, stress, and quiet longing for a deeper reset.

That is exactly what I spoke about last week in a heart‑opening interview with Paul Sladkus on his Good News Broadcast podcast.

Paul is a veteran television executive who worked on classics like All in the Family and The Carol Burnett Show before founding Good News Planet to spotlight life‑affirming stories and practical wisdom.

He leads global “Pause the World for Peace” initiatives, including International Day of Peace events in New York City.

In this conversation, we explored:

• Simple, compassionate practices for de‑stressing during the holidays so your body and nervous system can truly exhale.
• How to set clear, soul‑aligned intentions for the new year instead of adding more pressure or perfectionism.
• The emotional healing journey behind my memoir, Free To Be Me: A Memoir of Trauma, Healing, and Rebirth—a story of inner‑child healing, spiritual adventure, and coming home to oneself.
• Why healing is possible for everyone, and how listening to your intuition and the “signs” in your life can gently guide your next steps.

Here are a few of my favorite practices :

• Give your nervous system “micro‑pauses”: 60–90 seconds to feel your feet on the floor, place a hand on your heart, and take three slow breaths before the next conversation, task, or event.
• Let one thing be easier: release one expectation, obligation, or “should” that drains you and choose one nourishing thing your inner child would truly enjoy.
• Choose presence over perfection: focus on one meaningful moment—a real conversation, a quiet walk, a laugh with someone you love—instead of trying to make everything look or feel perfect.

Rather than forcing resolutions, I invite you to:

• Ask: “How do I want to feel in 2026?”
• Notice the signs: dreams, synchronicities, symbols, and body sensations that affirm when you are in alignment versus forcing outcomes.

If this resonates, my memoir Free To Be Me goes much deeper into inner‑child healing, emotional patterns, and reclaiming your authentic self.

Paul Sladkus is a veteran television executive and dedicated humanitarian with over 50 years of experience in media. After a 14-year career at CBS and PBS—where he worked on iconic shows like All in the Family and The Carol Burnett Show—he shifted his focus toward “Good News” broadcasting.
In 1985, he founded Milestone Broadcast Corporation, later launching Good News Planet to provide a platform for constructive, life-affirming content. An ordained interfaith minister and founder of the non-profit Good News Corporation, Sladkus is a prominent advocate for global unity, best known for his “Pause the World for Peace” initiatives and annual International Day of Peace events in New York City.

He is currently seeking sponsors and donors for his upcoming 2026 concerts in Times Square for Earth Day (April 22) and the International Day of Peace (September 21).