The Rachel Hollis Podcast

895 | Construction Update / This week's epiphany / Going WAY too hard at the Halloween Carnival

October 6, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Effective goal setting, as outlined in "The One Thing," requires choosing a big, audacious goal that is entirely within one's control and for which a concrete plan of action can be formulated. 
  • The emotional reality of a child leaving for college is often unprepared for, leading to significant feelings of loss even when the child is thriving. 
  • Home renovations, especially when living through them, can be incredibly stressful and lead to moments of self-doubt, requiring the hiring of professional help for overwhelming tasks like kitchen remodels. 

Segments

Podcast Subscription Request
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(00:02:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Subscribing to a podcast is a crucial action that supports the host and staff and ensures listeners never miss new episodes.
  • Summary: Subscribing to a podcast is one of the best ways to support the show and its staff. This action guarantees the listener receives new episodes immediately upon release. Listeners can easily unsubscribe if they dislike the content later.
Episode Format Disclaimer
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(00:03:14)
  • Key Takeaway: This specific Monday episode deviates from typical tactical advice, serving instead as an informal life update and story time.
  • Summary: Unlike typical Monday episodes offering tactical advice, this installment is structured as a casual conversation covering life updates and personal stories. The host admits to bringing a low-energy approach, exemplified by using coffee ice cubes to maintain iced coffee.
Oldest Child College Update
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(00:04:43)
  • Key Takeaway: The emotional difficulty of a child leaving for college is often unexpected, contrasting with the child’s successful adjustment.
  • Summary: The host’s oldest son, Jackson, who planned for college since age 10, is thriving at Northwestern, having proactively made friends before arriving. The host struggles emotionally with his absence, noting that the lack of good campus food makes him miss home cooking. The host also observed and judged parents who seemed unemotional during drop-off, contrasting with her own tears.
Home Renovation Woes and Progress
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(00:11:04)
  • Key Takeaway: DIY home renovation efforts, while educational, can lead to severe burnout, necessitating the hiring of professional contractors for major tasks.
  • Summary: After firing their initial contractor, the host and her husband undertook many projects themselves, learning skills via online resources but experiencing extreme burnout. A major setback involved the sewer line backing up into a shower, which was emotionally devastating. They wisely hired a new contractor to handle the kitchen, avoiding further self-inflicted stress.
Mental Health Advocacy and BetterHelp
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(00:15:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Therapy is a valuable tool utilized across different life seasons, and online platforms like BetterHelp reduce hurdles to accessing mental health support.
  • Summary: October is recognized as World Mental Health Day, emphasizing the importance of destigmatizing mental health discussions. The host advocates for therapy, having worked with several therapists throughout her life. BetterHelp facilitates matching users with therapists quickly based on needs, offering a convenient path to support.
Thrive Market for Healthy Swaps
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(00:16:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Thrive Market offers a wide selection of ingredient-restricted, healthier food swaps, simplifying stocking up for holidays like Halloween.
  • Summary: Thrive Market is recommended for finding healthier alternatives to common treats, such as sugar-free options suitable for Halloween candy swaps. The platform features over 1,000 ingredient restrictions, allowing customers to shop confidently for healthy pantry staples. Listeners can receive 30% off their first order plus a $60 gift by using the specific URL.
Focusing on Controllable Goals
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(00:19:12)
  • Key Takeaway: A goal must be something actionable and within one’s control to be effective, distinguishing a true goal from a mere daydream.
  • Summary: The host realized that for ‘The One Thing’ methodology to work, the chosen goal must be something the individual can actively work toward, unlike a vague desire like ‘become a millionaire’ without a clear path. A goal without discernible steps is merely a daydream, as Dolly Parton noted: ‘A goal is a dream with its work boots on.’ Setting a timeline for an audacious, controllable goal clarifies the necessary steps for the entire team.
Entertainment Recommendations
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(00:34:36)
  • Key Takeaway: “K-Pop Demon Hunters” offers surprising depth beyond its surface-level entertainment, while “The Great British Bake Off” remains a cherished family viewing ritual.
  • Summary: The animated series “K-Pop Demon Hunters” was praised for its fantastic music, animation, and deeper themes concerning shame, featuring a significant, unexpected plot twist involving the character Rumi. The family also enjoys the new season of “The Great British Bake Off” every Friday night, with the host jokingly suggesting her British husband should apply to compete.
Over-the-Top Halloween Carnival Plan
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(00:37:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The host is channeling her unfulfilled desire for home Halloween decorating into an elaborate, pun-based volunteer booth theme called ‘Martha Boo-Art.’
  • Summary: Unable to decorate her own house due to construction, the host volunteered to run her child’s third-grade Halloween carnival booth. Her elaborate plan involves dressing as a deceased Martha Stewart, branded as ‘Martha Boo-Art,’ with a sign reading ‘It’s a Ghoul Thing.’ This level of commitment stems from her Enneagram 3 tendency to feel like a failure if the booth is not the most successful.