TRANSCRIPT — Extraordinary Purpose Podcast
Episode: The Two Truths Tool — How to Break Old Patterns and Create New Possibilities
Hosts: Erin Verdis & Chris — Extraordinary Purpose Life Coaching
Chris: Hello everybody and welcome to the Extraordinary Purpose Podcast. I am Chris, and right to my right—as usual—I’m such a lucky man—is the confident and empowered Erin Verdis.
Erin: Thank you. What’s up, sweetheart?
Chris: Hey babe. How’s it going?
Erin: It’s going great. Are we ready to do this?
Chris: I’m ready. And today is a big topic. I’ll give everyone a little preview before Erin shares what we’re talking about. This is something she’s been teaching me and our family for months. It comes up all the time, and honestly—it works. It’s incredible. So she said, “We have to share this with all of you.” Today’s a big day.
Erin: I’m excited to share this. You know how it is—you learn something, and it takes a while to fully integrate. This concept eventually became a tool Chris and I use constantly. I use it in my own life all the time, especially lately. I actually learned it from a mom in my daughter’s class about three years ago.
Chris: Amazing how things stick like that.
Erin: It was during a tough situation at their school. A long-time teacher was retiring and there were a lot of mixed feelings—sadness, disappointment, confusion. Parents didn’t know how to feel. And then one younger mom said something that stopped the room: “Two things can exist at the same time.”
Chris: Wow.
Erin: She explained that the teacher had been a wonderful presence in our kids’ lives and she had clearly been struggling physically and emotionally the last few years. Both were true. That moment stuck with me, and I texted her last year to tell her how much it changed me.
Chris: It’s amazing that a simple idea can become something that shifts your entire inner world. We now use this tool constantly—in our business, in parenting, in our relationship, and with every parent, teen, and young adult we coach.
Erin: We call it The Two Truths. And it gives you freedom. Freedom from being stuck in one story. Freedom from being the victim of your thoughts, assumptions, or pain.
Chris: So let’s name the truths. Truth #1 is the fear. The story. The overwhelm. The frustration, the anger, the shame. The repeated self-talk that keeps looping until you believe it’s the only reality.
Erin: Truth #1 keeps you stuck. When you’re stuck, you feel hopeless, powerless, or like you’re failing.
Chris: And then there’s Truth #2. Erin?
Erin: Truth #2 is the possibility. The growth. The compassion. The perspective you haven’t allowed yourself to consider. It’s the truth that says: Yes, this is hard… and there is still another way to see this. Yes, I’m afraid… and I’m also capable of something more. Yes, this relationship hurts… and there is space for healing or choice.
Chris: Just hearing you say that gives me chills. It makes me think of my own struggles—our business, our kids, my past—and suddenly there’s room to breathe again.
Erin: Exactly. So let’s share some examples to help everyone connect this to their own life.
PARENTING EXAMPLES
Erin: I recently used this with my son, River, who’s 18. His father moved away a few years ago and hasn’t seen him or his sister since. It’s been heartbreaking for them. Truth #1 for River was: My dad left me. Maybe he doesn’t love me. Maybe I did something wrong. Truth #2 was: He’s struggling. He loves you deeply. Both things are true. I could literally see relief wash over him.
Chris: For me, the example is my son Ben. He’s on the spectrum, he’s brilliant, he’s creative, but he’s had challenges socially. And during COVID, when he needed support the most, I went through a divorce. Truth #1 says: I failed him. I wasn’t enough. I didn’t do enough. Truth #2 says: He’s thriving academically. He’s hardworking. He has a future filled with possibility. And I’m a loving, committed father. Both truths exist. And when I lean into Truth #2, I can actually show up better for him.
RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIP
Chris: From our very first date, I saw so much potential in us—big love, big dreams, big growth. And that terrified me. Truth #1: I’m not enough for this kind of relationship. Truth #2: We can grow together, communicate better, choose each other, and build the life we see. And we have.
Erin: And for all the parents listening—your marriage, partnership, or co-parenting situation can hold two truths. “This is hard” and “There is hope.” “We’re struggling” and “We can get help or create change.” Two truths make room for possibility.
CAREER, PURPOSE, AND THE FUTURE
Erin: Same with your future. Truth #1 may say: I’m stuck. I’ve lost myself. I’m too overwhelmed or too late. Truth #2 says: My passions still exist. I can start again. I can choose differently tomorrow. That shift changes everything.
THE THREE-STEP PROCESS
Erin: Here is how you practice The Two Truths Tool:
1. NOTICE
Pause. Check in with your emotions. Name them without judgment.
2. REFLECT
Ask yourself:
What’s happening inside me right now?
What am I resisting or ignoring that also might be true?
What other possibility could I lean into?
3. RESPOND
Choose the truth that liberates you—not the one that traps you. This changes your emotional resilience, your relationships, your parenting, and your sense of self.
WHY THIS WORKS
Chris: When you practice this, you strengthen your emotional resilience.
Erin: You release shame and guilt.
Chris: You improve forgiveness—of yourself and others.
Erin: You stop reacting from pain and start responding from clarity.
Chris: And you reconnect with your purpose and possibility.
CLOSING
Erin: We included a free One-Page Two Truths Worksheet in the show notes if you want to start practicing this today.
Chris: Another great conversation, babe.
Erin: Always is. We hope this supports you and your family. Have a beautiful week.
Chris: Thanks for being here. Talk to you soon.
