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Gratitude in Action: Family Conversations to Build Connection and Appreciation This Thanksgiving
Episode 4624th November 2025 • Car Ride Conversations For Sports Families • Valerie Alston
00:00:00 00:18:16

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Keeping the Gratitude Alive: Thanksgiving Conversations with Valerie Alston

In this special Thanksgiving episode, we explore the power of expressing gratitude out loud to deepen relationships and turn appreciation into action. Valerie shares practical tips for sparking meaningful conversations about gratitude at the Thanksgiving table and beyond, along with insights from her extensive experience teaching resilience to Army soldiers. Tune in to learn how to make gratitude a lasting practice in your family, hear conversation prompts to use during the holiday, and get motivated to keep the gratitude practice alive year-round. Join us for an episode full of heartfelt stories, valuable lessons, and actionable ideas to enhance your family's connection and wellbeing. Happy Thanksgiving!

00:00 Introduction to Thanksgiving and Gratitude

00:26 Welcome to Car Ride Conversations

00:59 Thanksgiving Preparations and Family Plans

01:53 Reflecting on Last Week's Gratitude Practice

03:01 The Power of Sharing Good Things

05:02 Deepening Gratitude Through Conversation

09:35 Thanksgiving Gratitude Prompts

11:21 Continuing Gratitude Beyond Thanksgiving

13:57 Conversation Prompts for Gratitude

16:32 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources


To try the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge for Free go here: https://www.confidentcalmclutch.com/30daygratitudechallenge 




Discussion questions:

  1. What’s something you noticed or learned from doing the gratitude practice last week?
  2. Who is someone you want to thank in person this week, and how could you do it?
  3. What’s one Thanksgiving tradition or moment that makes you feel most grateful?
  4. How can we keep gratitude part of our family routine after the holiday?





Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.

For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter 

For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychology

If you are a coach looking for ways to build mental toughness into your practices then check out my coaching resources (books, assessments, conversation starters, community and more) here.


Parents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for Parents

Have an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: valerie.alston@valstoncoaching.com

Follow Me on:

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666


Watch every episode of Car Ride Conversations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjguEFjF88w5Wl-eA9dlkwLk7f_sI12V 

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