What if the key to transforming your entire day—your mindset, your leadership, your grief—was simply shifting one word?

Dr. Matthew Arau discovered that power on a cold September morning when he swapped “have to” for “get to.” That simple shift became the heartbeat of his “Power of G.E.T.” philosophy: Gratitude, Enthusiasm, and Treasure.

In this high-energy, heart-forward conversation, Matthew shares the powerful tools he’s developed as a music educator, conductor, leadership coach, and founder of Upbeat! Global. Through personal stories of loss, the science behind music’s effect on the brain, and real-life strategies for shifting from stress to strength, Matthew helps us see how our “upbeat”—that anticipatory moment before something begins—can shape how we show up, no matter what we’re facing.

From conducting students after 9/11 to leading global workshops during the pandemic, Matthew shows us how music becomes a language for what can’t be said… and how purpose and positivity can transform even the hardest moments into something meaningful.

Whether you’re facing a loss, seeking inspiration, or simply want to show up with more intention and joy, this episode will lift your spirit—and help you choose your own upbeat in life.

🎵 “It just takes a little bit of light to transform darkness… and you can be that light.” — Dr. Matthew Arau [Please visit https://www.upbeatglobal.com/ to learn more about Dr. Matthew Arau’s work, books, resources, events, and the Upbeat! Global movement.]

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Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.

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Note: This is Part Two of a two-part series. For the full story, we encourage you to start with Episode 10: "Charting the Course: A Father’s Legacy of Loss, Love, & Living Well."

When our mom realized she wouldn’t live to see our birthdays, graduations, weddings, or the birth of our firstborn children, she created a legacy of love in the most tangible way she knew how—through a collection of hand-wrapped boxes, each containing a handwritten note and a deeply personal gift for life’s milestone moments still to come.

In this second part of our Father’s Day series, we sit down again with our dad—the man who became the Keeper of the Boxes. With quiet devotion and heartfelt resolve, he protected and delivered each one of those gifts over a decade, fulfilling a sacred promise made before our mother’s death in 1994.

These weren’t just boxes. They were time capsules of love, symbols of presence in absence, and a living expression of legacy that continues to shape our lives. In this emotional and unforgettable conversation, our dad shares what it meant to be the steward of such an extraordinary mission—and how the final delivery became a moment of profound closure, completion, and connection.

If you’ve ever wondered how to carry someone’s love forward… this is that story.

Support the show

Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.

💬 Love what you’re hearing?
Please subscribe on your favorite platform, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who may need to hear it.

🔗 Want to connect?
If you have a powerful personal story or meaningful expertise to share, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about The P-I-G, apply to be a guest, or explore sponsorship opportunities at:
🌐 www.thepigpodcast.com
📬 thepigpodcast.com/contact

📱 Follow along:
Facebook
Instagram

💖 Support this work:
Each episode is created with deep care and intention. If The P-I-G has touched your heart, please consider supporting us so we can keep sharing these powerful conversations: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2449606/support