Bridges Between Us

Matt and Evan reflect on the 2024 campaign season unpacking the lessons we can learn about our culture, current political landscape, and our technologies' impact on society.

Themes: AI Alignment problem, reasons to be hopeful, technological innovation historical trends, core skills needed in the future Summary: Matt and Evan debrief Labor Day and unpack the key insights from a recent keynote Matt delivered in Dallas on the Future of Leading and Learning. Links: ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to the Work 4.0 Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Matt on Linkedin⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Matt on IG⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Evan on X

Matt and Mathew talk about why relationships matter in life and at work...and why can they seem to be so hard sometimes?

Themes: Defining power, leadership dynamics, culture design, stress regulation, identity shifts Summary: Matt and Evan talk about how to shift corporate complacency and dive into the intricacies of leadership and power dynamics. Their conversation explores the critical role of intentional culture design, relational regulation, and frameworks for an evolving model of leadership in today's professional landscape. Links: Links: ⁠⁠Subscribe to the Work 4.0 Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Matt on Linkedin⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Matt on IG⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Evan on X

Themes: Stress regulation, identity shifting, empowered well-being model Summary: In this episode we dive deep into Evan's journey from a nine-to-five role to embrace the life of a solopreneur. Matt and Evan explore the profound challenges and exhilarating moments that come with such a significant shift in professional identity. Evan opens up about the initial hurdles of managing his own time, the stark contrast between corporate life and the autonomy of entrepreneurship, and the intricate dance between maintaining productivity and personal well-being. They discuss the pervasive culture in big tech companies that often leads to complacency and the crucial importance of intentional culture design in fostering a motivated and empowered workforce. Drawing on concepts from psychology and organizational behavior, they dive into the relational regulation matrix, emphasizing how our connections shape our stress regulation and overall mental health. The conversation navigates through the realms of identity, presence, and societal impact, providing listeners with valuable insights into the inner workings of personal and professional growth. Links: ⁠Subscribe to the Work 4.0 Newsletter⁠ ⁠Follow Matt on Linkedin⁠ ⁠Follow Matt on IG⁠ ⁠Follow Evan on X

Themes: Education, K-12 Ed Policy, L&D Priorities, school choice, school funding, SEL programming Summary: In this episode of Weekly Wire, Matt and Evan delve into the current state of the U.S. education system, its evolution, and its shortcomings. They discuss significant wins and failures, including the rising costs of college tuition, poor academic outcomes in math and science, and the inequitable funding of schools based on property taxes. Matt emphasizes the importance of personalizing education and suggests that the real innovation in learning and development will occur within the private sector due to fewer bureaucratic hurdles and more flexible funding. They also address the need for better mental health support in schools and the importance of adapting the educational system to modern needs. The conversation shifts to the topic of school choice, with Matt criticizing it as a distraction from addressing the fundamental issues in the education system. He argues for equitable funding and greater community involvement in school governance. We wrap-up with reflections on how the private sector can lead in innovating learning and development, highlighting the need for personalized, adaptable, and skill-based training within workplaces. Links: Subscribe to the Work 4.0 Newsletter Follow Matt on Linkedin Follow Matt on IG Follow Evan on X

Themes: value of higher ed, crucial Skills for the workforce, problems within K-12, and the future of L & D Summary: Matt and Evan talk about the rising cost and declining value of college education. Matt shares the greatest challenges he sees facing K-12 education today and they chat through the path forward to innovating learning and development with AI tools.

Themes: AI risks to loneliness and addiction, finding purpose, unlocking motivation and purpose Summary: Matt and Evan discuss the loneliness epidemic, warning against relying on AI to replace human connection through chatbots. They explore how sales teams can leverage AI for automation and augmentation, not replacement. The episode also dives deep into replying to two listener submitted questions about finding purpose, maintaining motivation, and optimizing dopamine pathways.

Themes: ChatGPT Voice Scandal, OpenAI brand, AI Regulation, Creator Economy, Content Strategy Summary: Matt and Evan talk about some of the big AI stories in the news this past week. Matt shares his thoughts around the holes in the armor now showing up for OpenAI. Evan and Matt talk about what the future of the creator economy is going to look like and what they think an effective content strategy should look like.

Themes: AI regulation, intro to the weekly wire series, advice, future of education, future of AI legislation Summary: The weekly wire is a new weekly series co-hosted between Matt and Evan Snyder. In this episode, we introduce what the series is all about and dive into our first weekly Q+A.

Themes: Haircuts, Entrepreneurship, Sales, Venture Capital, Pareto Principle, High School Superlatives Summary: Collin is the founder and CEo of Reachsuite a Demo Automation Platform. Today we talk about the lessons from his career in his twenties led him into becoming a founder, we talk about some of the lessons from the companies first year, we make some live calls to friends on the air, AND we get to chat with someone from The Godfather.  Links: Reachsuite.io Connect with Collin on Linkedin Connect with Matt on Linkedin Follow Mattermore on IG

Themes: Sales, Burnout, Consciousness, Conscious Leadership, AI, Future of Work Summary: In this episode, Sabba Nazhand and I talked about the future of work, the state of modern sales teams, and the qualities that leaders need today. He opens up about his early life challenges, his encounter with burnout, and how these experiences led him to adopt principles of Conscious Leadership. We explored how embracing these principles not only transformed his approach to sales and leadership but also his personal life. Through our conversation, Sabba laid out a blueprint for what it means to lead and sell with intention and heart, underlining the critical role of empathy and resilience in today's fast-paced, often impersonal, business world. Links: Follow Sabba on IG Connect w/ Sabba on Linkedin Connect w/ Matt on Linkedin

Themes: Creativity, Power, Social Media, Israel, Hamas, Gaza, Festival, Art, Culture, Leadership Summary: Reverend Nathan Kohlerman has a diverse background in integrative somatic therapy, transpersonal psychology, mysticism, ritual, and plant medicine.  Nathan struggled in childhood with a lot of pain, confusion and difficulty. He was  introduced to gang culture and was battling addiction at a young age, He felt he was on a path to self destruction. Looking for a new path for his life. He served with the US military for over five years. This time ignited his passion for wellness, health and fitness. He had hopes of serving in special ops but was unexpectedly medically discharged feeling lost in life that went to children's to support explore his passions for physical fitness as a personal trainer, shortly after he suffered a traumatic and debilitating hand injury, which left him again feeling helpless and hopeless just a few years ago, in 2017, as he was contemplating taking his own life, a client invited him to a transformational healing training, which he considered divine intervention. So that turning point  brought him onto the path that he is on today as a devoted father, a leadership consultant, speaker, writer, Minister, and the founder of Neuintention. I invited Nathan onto this podcast a few weeks ago after seeing him post about his decision to go to Arkadia music festival while moving through deep grief about around the loss of his mom and while the world was on fire with the October 7th massacre happening just a couple weeks beforehand. Today we dive into questions around what the value of art and festival could possibly be at times of crisis? Where do our struggles with being able to tap to each productively these days root from? And what the hell can we do to build a better world together.  Links: Check out NeuIntention Follow Nathan on IG Learn more about the NASA Creativity Test

Themes: Gun Violence, Gun Laws, Mental Illness, Myths, Homicide, Suicide, Criminal Statistics Summary: I spoke with criminologist Thomas Gabor about his new book American Carnage, which analyzes the alarming rise in mass shootings and gun violence. We unpacked some of the top myths about gun violence and dove into questions around overcoming polarization and the role of mental illness. Gabor argues that while multifaceted, the core driver enabling rising carnage is the flood of guns in America. He urges that popular, sensible reforms like licensing and liability could curb the epidemic if leaders summon the courage. This conversation isn't aimed at spreading or supporting any legislative agenda. We just need to talk more about this sh*t together. Links: Order American Carnage now Read more about Dr. Gabor's work Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Artificial Intelligence, Organizational Culture, Start-up Advice, Origins of Rewind AI, Leadership Summary: A chat with Rewind CEO Dan Siroker on lessons from starting AI companies. We discussed his career journey, the inspiration for Rewind, and advice for startups. Dan is optimistic about AI's potential to give people "superpowers", but cautions that products must solve real user needs. Understanding human needs is key to developing AI that uplifts. Links: Download Rewind AI Buy the Rewind AI Pendant Learn More About Rewind + Dan Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Oxytocin, connection, neurobiology, trust, belonging Summary: A conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Larry Young about the vital role of oxytocin in human life. We discussed how oxytocin functions and what we can do at work and at home to boost oxytocin in ourselves and those around us. We also talked about how modern technologies can undermine oxytocin systems, driving loneliness and depression. Understanding oxytocin's biology gives insights into designing technologies and policies that support our innate need for belonging. Links: Check out Dr. Young's work Read The Chemistry Between Us Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Oxytocin, Neuroiology, Sociostasis, Safety, Healing, Evolution, Future of Work, and Healthcare Summary: a fascinating conversation with pioneering neuroscientist Dr. Sue Carter about the crucial role of oxytocin in human social bonding and flourishing. We discussed how oxytocin promotes trust, empathy, and prosocial behaviors - essentially helping us connect. However, modern society and technology often work against our oxytocin systems, increasing isolation and anxiety. Understanding oxytocin's biology provides insights into how we can engineer better systems and spaces that nurture our inherent need for belonging. Links: Learn more about Dr. Sue Carter's Work Read about Sociostasis Read about Oxytocin Pathways and the Evolution of Human Behavior Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Confidence, Fear Thresholds, Belonging, Wisdom, Truth, & Manifestation Summary: Cait and I go way back and in this episode we dive way in. We start the conversation with Cait getting real and vulnerable about challenges with her own confidence right now. Then we explored what it really means to cultivate true confidence within ourselves. We discussed how societal systems often erode our self-trust from a young age by telling us not to listen to our inner wisdom. To reclaim confidence, we must make a commitment to connecting with our deepest truth and having our own back. Links: ⁠Follow Cait on Instagram⁠ ⁠Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Leadership, Neuroscience of Change, Culture Change, Addiction, Empowerment, Management Summary: Join me as I chat with Pat Smith, a NeuroChange Solutions consultant and high-performance coach, who's blending Dr. Joe Dispenza's teachings into corporate settings and personal growth. We explore the disconnect between rapid technological advancements and slower adoption of human-centric strategies in workplaces. Learn how Pat's approach addresses these challenges, and helps people foster adaptability, well-being, and elevated performance.

Themes: I-lignment, Empowering Self, Leadership, Authenticity, & Identity. Summary: This episode is the second episode of our leadership series. Excited to be back after a 2 month European escapade. In this episode we're joined by Ron Manseth. We'll be unraveling simple concepts like the essence of life, the core of personal identity, and the process of empowerment and self-discovery. Ron's new book "I-lignment" is a guide to authenticity, purpose, and transformation. From battling emptiness to breaking free from societal molds, we're exploring how each person's individual journey is intimately connected to their ability to lead others and enjoy life. Links: ⁠Buy I"-Lignment: The Journey to Create Your Greatest Life from the Inside Out⁠ Check out Revenue Vortex ⁠Learn more about Mattermore culture coaching Follow Matt on IG

Themes: Change, Burnout, Innovation, Collaboration, Leadership, & Systems. Summary: This episode is the first of our leadership series. We're joined by Jenny Magic and Melissa Brekker. As we talk, we explore the five pitfalls of leadership and review the strategies for preventing burnout and fostering team buy-in. Drawing from their extensive experience, Melissa and Jenny highlight the key elements of effective leadership in today's fast-paced world: clear vision, effective communication, empowered team members, empathy, and accountability. Learn how these factors contribute to sustainable success and gain practical tips for leading through change better. Links: Buy Change Fatigue: Flip Teams From Burnout to Buy-In Explore Change Fatigue templates and resources Learn more about Mattermore culture coaching

Themes: Dopamine, Performance, Pleasure, Pain, Addiction, & Motivation. Summary: "Our primitive wiring is mismatched to our modern world." Today we're talking with Dr. Anna Lembke about how understanding our wiring helps us enhance how we perform in our modern world. Dr. Lembke is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She's written two riveting books Dopamine Nation & Drug Dealer MD. Links: Check out Dr. Lembke's Website Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: People-Pleasing, Boundaries, Authenticity, Well-being, Mental Health, & Systemic Change. Summary: Today we're talking with my dear friend and Pathly Operations coordinator, Nancy McNicol, With a degree in behavioral psychology and another in counseling psychology, Nancy has learned to view the world through a unique lens — one that is rooted in the belief that things are rarely as they seem and change is always possible. I have the pleasure of talking with Nancy during the week and one of the things that I deeply respect about her is the effort that she puts into really trying to see people for who they are and to treat everyone with the utmost kindness. In this episode we talk about the challenges that come with rooting in authenticity AND intentionally leading with kindness. The conversation will bring us face-to-face with modern mental health systems and the challenges that Nancy recently had as she finished her masters degree. Links: Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Embodiment, Human Design, Holistic Health, Grief, & Spirituality Summary: In this second part of a two-part interview, Luisa and Matt talk through core aspects of the Human Design framework and Luisa walks Matt hrough a reading of his chart. Luisa has trained extensively in Contemporary Dance, Yoga, Meditation, and Human Design. She works as a Health Coach, Yoga & Movement Teacher, and at Pathly as a Reflector. In her work her highest hope is to help people vibrantly experience life. This is a 2-part episode. In Part I, Luisa and Matt dove into the foundational questions about what spirituality is and why it matters to living life well. Links: Visit Luisa's Website Follow Luisa on IG Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Embodiment, Human Design, Holistic Health, Grief, & Spirituality Summary: In this episode Luisa and Matt talk about the pain, difficulty, and magic that comes through the grief of losing a parent and that conversation leads into a deep exploration into the career path Luisa has carved throughout her life. Luisa describes herself a body poet, story weaver, & movement alchemist. She's trained extensively in Contemporary Dance, Yoga, Meditation, and Human Design. She works as a Health Coach, Yoga & Movement Teacher, and at Pathly as a Reflector. In her work her highest hope is to help people vibrantly experience life. This is a 2-part episode, in Part II you'll hear Matt and Luisa take a deeper dive into Human Design, as Luisa walks Matt through reading his chart. In this Part I, Luisa and Matt dive into the foundational questions are what spirituality is and why it matters to living life well. Links: Visit Luisa's Website Follow Luisa on IG Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Neuroscience, Development, Diversity, Well-being Summary: Dr. Chantel Prat was the first neuroscientist to directly link two human brains through technology. Her research has explored virtual reality, neural linking, and the diversity of our brains throughout development. Learning about the science of our brains and nervous systems empowers us with greater ability to build the lives we want. Neuroscience studies all brains and much of the field can get stuck zeroing in on what makes brains similar. Some of the power within Dr. Prat's work is that she highlights that neuroscience truly is not a one size fits all field. As Dr. Chantel Prat explains, "being equal does not require us to be the same." Links: Learn more about Dr. Chantel Prat Order her new book The Neuroscience of You Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Mentorship, Network Marketing Myths, Well-being, Entrepreneurship Summary: Sydney Lich is a wellness entrepreneur, who at the age of 22, had a dream and went for it. In the last 5 years, she has gone from broke, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, to a top global earner in her company and an ambassador for success in the modern world for her generation. Mentoring her team of thousands, traveling the world, speaking all over the country, Sydney has helped thousands of entrepreneurs build their health, wealth, and financial freedom. She is deeply passionate & enthusiastic about building her organization and impacting lives. In today's conversation we talk about her story, the essential role of mentorship in the pursuit of excellence, the myths of network marketing, and the power that comes from choosing to see every person as being able to teach us something. Links: Follow Sydney on IG Listen to The Prism Podcast with Sydney Follow Pathly on IG Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Developmental Trauma, Writing, Creativity, Neurobiology Summary: Emily Aube is a storyteller who keeps it real. She works online and in person with clients from all over the world. She teaches a holistic approach to overcoming developmental trauma and regularly writes about the many depths of life including how to build a meaningful life as a neurodivergent highly sensitive person. She is a Coach, Educator, Intuitive, and writer. Today we'll be talking about her book, her life, and diving into some of the hardest conversations our society is trying to talk through right now. Links: Emily's Website Order Can You Turn The Lights Off? : The Journey to Becoming Your True Self Find Pathly! Follow Pathly on Instagram

Themes: Psychological Flexibility, Acceptance Commitment Training, Mindfulness, Language, Relational Frame Theory Summary: When I started mapping out this podcast, I created a short list of dream guests and near the top of that list was Dr. Steven Hayes. Dr. Hayes is a psychologist, researcher, writer, and developer of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and Functional Contextualism. He is one of the highest impact psychologists, not only in the world, but in the history of the field of psychology. The author of 47 books and over 650 scientific articles. His work is vital to how I live my life and essential to all that we do at Pathly. This conversation is quite simply one of the coolest moments of my life. It's such a powerful conversation I had to share it with my Pathly brother Mathew Lazarus. We're so glad that you're here now to share in this conversation with us too... Links: Dr. Steven Hayes' Website Order A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters Find Pathly! Follow Pathly on Instagram

Themes: Emotions, Psychology, Research, Neuroscience, and Language Summary: Dr. Lindquist's work shows us that we don't just use language to express emotions, we use language to shape out emotional experience. In this episode, she and Matt drill down into big questions are what emotions are, what the function of the mind is, and why getting clear on our foundational understanding of those questions matters to our societal systems and tools. #understandingemotions #whatisourmind #psychology Links: Learn more about Dr. Kristen Lindquist Learn more about emotion science Find Pathly! Follow Pathly on Instagram

Themes: Power of Story, Culture Transformation, Education, Neuroscience of narrative Summary: Welcome to the kick-off episode for Season 2! This week I'm talking to Dr. Angus Fletcher, professor and author of Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature, about the science behind the great stories across time. Story is a powerful technology for spurring personal growth and improving our well-being. In this conversation we talk about the process of creating powerful organizational cultures, the science that our education systems neglect, the limitations of inherited societal gender norms, and how sharing stories can ultimately help us improve every aspect of our world. Links: Learn more about Dr. Fletcher Order Wonderworks: The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature Read Pathly's blog post about The Power of Story Learn more about Pathly

Themes: Empowerment, Podcasting, Pathly, Transformation, and Community Summary: What if we had spaces that were dedicated to empowering us to live our fullest lives? What if we had communities that were committed to creating solutions for modern problems rooted in modern science? In this episode, Matt closes out Season 1 by sitting down with Pathly co-founder Mathew Lazarus to reflect on the purpose of the podcast. Matt and Mathew talk about the podcast's intentions, the power of Pathly, the foundational philosophy of Empowered Well-being, and share openly some of the big questions they're carrying in life right now. Links: Visit the Pathly Website! Follow Pathly on Instagram Follow Matt on Instagram Follow Mathew on Instagram

Themes: Time management, joy, community, and journaling. Summary: Dr. Elaine Kiziah is a friend who I've learned from for years now. She teaches, writes, and coaches on soulful approaches to time and life management — and about how to use journaling as a tool for transformation and spiritual deepening. Elaine is an award-winning trainer, and has over 20 years of experience in facilitation and leadership coaching, she's a licensed psychologist, a musician, and the founder of Joybook — an online community and learning space with the motto, "Life is beautiful. Don't miss it." Links: https://joybook.life/ Follow Elaine on Instagram Find Pathly Follow Pathly on Instagram

Themes: Workplace culture, organizational assessment, start-up businesses, Web3, Well-being Summary: Today we're talking with entrepreneur Charley Miller. He was a co-founder of Touchcast, he's served as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Louisville, and most recently he's the founder of OrgVitals, a business that works with organizational consultants to help businesses build culture. In today's conversation we talk about his career journey, workplace culture, start-ups, and Web3. Links: Charley's LinkedIn OrgVitals Visit the Pathly Website! Follow Pathly on Instagram Follow Matt on Instagram

Themes: Bypassing, spiritual community, toxic positivity, shadow work, & communal responsibility  Summary:  Zack Alexander is a Shadow-Work and Men's Coach. He is passionate about helping people explore the unconscious-self and discover the mechanisms held within the subconscious that is driving unhealthy behavior and actions which are often rooted in unprocessed childhood wounding. Zack comes from a heavy history of childhood trauma that then led him into struggles around substance abuse, chronic-illness, and severe financial instability. In this episode Zack talks about his journey through college, law school, dark nights of the soul, shamanic healing, and his sharp criticisms of toxic positivity, harm, and spiritual bypassing littered within the spiritual and wellness community. Links:  Zack's Instagram  Visit the Pathly Website! Follow Pathly on Instagram  Follow Matt on Instagram 

Themes: Energy psychology, trauma, EFT, tapping, feminine and masculine energetics. Summary: Catherine has worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Energy Psychology Practitioner/EFT, Certified Neurokinesis Practitioner, Certified Dream Coach® and Dream Coach Group Leader, Passion Test Facilitator, and Reiki Master. In this episode Catherine and Matt talk through her story of transformation and healing while diving into defining powerful topics such as EFT, masculine/feminine polarity, and trauma. Links: Catherine's IG: cewing144 Sacred Heart Alchemy Website Visit the Pathly Website! Follow Pathly on Instagram Follow Matt on Instagram

Themes: Behavior management, nervous system, parenting, Polyvagal theory, & education reform. Summary: Over her decades as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke has routinely counseled distraught parents who struggle to manage their children's challenging, sometimes oppositional behaviors. These families focused on correcting or improving a child's lack of compliance, emotional outbursts, tantrums, and other “out of control” behavior. Science has taught us over the last three decades that these types of approaches are rooted in outdated information. "Behavior management" isn't only ineffective, it's harmful. In this episode, Matt and Dr. Delahooke talk about the challenges within our education system and the essential science of the nervous system that can lead parents to a guidebook on how to parent effectively. Links: Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids Dr. Delahooke's Website Mona Delahooke's IG Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor Visit the Pathly Website! Follow Pathly on Instagram

Themes: Philosophy, Wisdom, Truth, & Leadership Summary: Tom is one of the world's top public philosophers and pioneering business thinkers. He's the author of over 30 groundbreaking books and is a legendary speaker whose electrifying talks reengage people around their deepest values and reignite their passion for work and life. Matt and Tom talk through some big questions in this episode, such as: "What is Truth?" and "What's the purpose of Philosophy?" Links: https://www.tomvmorris.com/ More About Tom Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor

Themes: ADHD, Mindfulness, Dopamine, Meditation  Summary: Dr. Zylowska is a co-founding member of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center where she led the development of the Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) for ADHD, a meditation-based training in self-regulation. She is the author of The Mindfulness Prescription for Adult ADHD. In this conversation she sits down with Matt to talk about mindfulness, ADHD, and caring for our lives.  Links:  https://lidiazylowska.com/ The Mindfulness Prescription For Adult ADHD Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor

Themes: Sex Therapy, Sexuality, Relationships, Trust, Intimacy.  Summary: Figures published in the Journal of Sex Research tell us that most people think about sex 10-20 times a day on average. Yet, despite sex being a healthy and important aspect of human life, talking about sex can be so vulnerable, scary, and anxiety-provoking that many simply don't. In this episode, Matt talks with Michelle Burke, a sex therapist, about what sex therapy is, what her work looks like, and how we can all improve our sex lives.  Links: ElmTree Counseling: https://elmtreecounseling.com/about-me

Themes: Psychological Flexibility, Insubordination, Authenticity, and Belonging Summary: Todd Kashdan is an expert on well-being and psychological flexibility. His most recent book is an exploration of dissent, progress, hope, and authenticity. Matt and Todd dive into what psychological flexibility is and how we cultivate authenticity. Todd prides himself on offering highly practical and research-based tools and ideas for anyone who wants to create a world with more justice, creativity, and courage, and this conversation delivers. His book The Art of Insubordination can be pre-ordered and is being released on February 15th. Links: https://toddkashdan.com/ The Art of Insubordination

Themes: Mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Anti-racism, Diversity Summary: John is a Teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and is an active member of the Greater Richmond community, the primary focus of his work has been on racial equity and reconciliation initiatives, as well as facilitating community dialogues, board service, and teaching mindfulness. He has also been a food security activist who initiated urban farming programs in Newark, New Jersey. He currently serves as Associate Director of Side by Side, an organization that provides supportive communities for Virginia's LGBTQ+ youth as well as training, education, and awareness programs for adults. John's entire life has been an exploration of the relationship between community activism and intrapersonal mindfulness. In this episode, John shares and explores that story with us. Links: The Innerwork Center: https://innerworkcenter.org/ Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor Matt's website: www.themindfulnesscounselor.com

Themes: Addiction, Drug Overdoses, Opiates, Neurobiology, and Grief Summary: Since losing a son to opioids in 2014, Dr. Abubaker, an oral surgeon, has been fighting to change how we deal with pain and talk about addiction. Matt struggled with opiate addiction when he was younger and as a counselor has worked with clients and families struggling with addiction. In this episode Matt and Dr. Abubakker talk about opiates, addiction, grief, and why understanding childhood brain development is essential for preventing addiction within our society. Links: Dr. A. Omar Abubaker's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/a_omar_abubaker_addiction_begins_younger_than_you_may_think 2 End the Stigma: https://www.2endthestigma.org/ Shatter Proof: https://www.shatterproof.org/ Addiction Policy Forum: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/ SAMHA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) A confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year support service

Themes: Forgiveness, Flourishing, Forgiveness VS Reconciliation. Summary: Dr. Worthington is a licensed clinical psychologist, an active researcher and speaker, and has published over 40 books and around 500 articles and scholarly chapters, mostly on forgiveness, humility positive psychology, marriage, family, religion and spirituality. Forgiveness is a choice and as Dr. Worthington would say, "it's complicated." In this episode, Matt sits down and asks Dr. Worthington tough questions about forgiveness, how it works, how it's different than reconciliation, and what happens when we choose "unforgiveness." Links: Dr. Worthington's Website: http://www.evworthington-forgiveness.com/ Book: Forgiving and Reconciling: Bridges to Wholeness and Hope Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor Matt's website: www.themindfulnesscounselor.com

Themes: Scarcity, Relationships, Healing within Relationship. Summary: Matt sits down with his friend and soul sister, Jordan, as they talk about the power of healing through relationship and the vulnerability that relating calls us into. As human beings we are wired to need connection, and yet intimacy can trigger our deepest fears and insecurities. Feeling and healing old patterns that no longer serve us requires courage. In this clip Jordan talks to us about what that looks like in practice.

Themes: Mindfulness Meditation, Flow, Performance, The Peavey Project, Relationship-Centric Mindfulness, & Grief. Summary: Every teacher has a teacher. Jake and Collin sit down with Matt in this episode to talk about how learning about mindfulness from their teacher Alex Peavey radically impacted their life. That impact continues to flow through to today as they have since co-founded The Peavey Project to help spread understanding and application of mindfulness through a research-based & relationship-centric approach. This episode powerfully explore how we can relate with grief, transform organizational culture, face deep pain, and expand joy within our lives! Links: The Peavey Project: https://www.thepeaveyproject.org/ Peavey Project IG: @thepeaveyproject Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor Matt's website: www.themindfulnesscounselor.com Click here to meditate with Matt: https://insighttimer.com/mindfulcounselor

Themes: Creativity, Scarcity, Fear of Rejection, Love, & Vulnerability. Summary: Matt shares a thought here around creativity framed as an essential question.

Themes: Mindfulness Meditation, Inspiration, Transformation, Loneliness, & Community. Summary: We are lonelier and more disconnected than we have ever been. Philip Davidson, a leader in the mindfulness meditation community in Richmond, Virginia, joins Matt to talk about the relationship between mindfulness, loneliness, community, wellbeing, and inspiration. Philip talks about why he stepped into the work of teaching mindfulness after an accomplished career in finance and leadership development. Philip shares how mindfulness has impacted his relationship with his wife as well as his connection to himself. He and Matt talk about the misconceptions of mindfulness as a solitary stress management practice we only do alone. The truth that Philip highlights is that "this is solitary work that we do not do alone." Links: Richmond Innerwork Center https://innerworkcenter.org/practicingmindfulness Philip & Kay's Website: https://mindfulnessmeditationforrichmond.net/index.php/about-us Philip's email: phd600@gmail.com Matt's IG: @mindfulnesscounselor Matt's website: www.themindfulnesscounselor.com

A short solo episode of Matt sharing thoughts about the feeling of financial scarcity.