Welcome to 2026—and to the 20th anniversary year of Food for Thought! I’m kicking off the new year with an episode about stretching our comfort zones through small, intentional practices that help us live with more clarity, resilience, and purpose.
In this episode, I explore:
Why the idea of “doing hard things” isn’t new at all—and how it’s rooted in Stoic philosophy
What thinkers like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius actually meant by hardship (hint: it wasn’t suffering for suffering’s sake)
How we can manifest this ancient practice in our modern lives
Why trends like cold plunges miss the point if we focus only on promised (and alleged) health benefits
How Dry January fits perfectly into this framework—not as a detox or moral stance, but as an experiment in awareness, habit, and choice
I also reflect on looking back at 2025—what I learned, what I practiced, what I shared with you—and why I still believe that setting intentions (whether for 24 hours or 365 days) is a powerful way to orient our lives.
If you’re feeling curious about:
Doing something different this year
Letting go of what’s familiar just long enough to learn from it
Or giving yourself a gentle nudge instead of a total overhaul
…this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.
💛 And if you’re a paying Substack subscriber, I’ll see you in our weekly live chats.
Happy New Year—and thank you for being part of this journey with me.
For the animals,
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Support the Podcast (20-Year Anniversary)!
To keep Food for Thought Podcast ad-free and accessible to all, I rely on the support of paid subscribers. If you’re already one—thank you. If you’re not, please consider becoming one. None of the companies below sponsored this episode. They’re simply brands I personally use, love, and trust—which is why I agreed to be an affiliate.
If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
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Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.
