Bright Spots

For the first time ever on the Bright Spots podcast, I welcome multiple guests. Nita Baum of b*free and David Osborne and Michael Weyandt of Team Theory join me in this episode. We are all passionate about how to continue evolving the ways we work. That was front and center in this episode, while the conversation drew in many references beyond that. This was a fascinating 4-way conversation in which we didn't shy away from some of the uncomfortable shadows that have shaped where we are today. And we also didn't shy away from positive visions that attract our imaginations towards what might be possible. We tried through the diversity and unity of our perspectives to grasp the reality driving the way we currently do things in organizations, which includes considerations of individuals and society. And throughout the conversation, we consider and highlight new pathways. I apologize that the sound quality could have been better, though it is more than passable. I did my best in the edits. Themes are wide-spanning and include: Co-Creation and the power of dialog especially when trying to charter into unknown territory Relevance of Diversity Organizations as a great lever for change, as a meeting point between individuals and the collective How do we accept all of us in all of our humanity in work? How might holistic approaches which consider the human spirit create better realities? A Human Symphony and the human body as metaphors for a New Economy The collective grief which still exists and shaped many choices we made coming out of two world wars Common flaws in ways of thinking about hiring Growth and deficit-based mindsets and outcomes when applied to specific situations How both job-seekers and companies sometimes set a very low bar for what they want Understanding situational context and drawing on a wide repertoire of responses in approaching challenges Fear The magic of connection And of course much more. I hope it's as much a pleasure to listen to as it was for us to experience. All the best.

(Please note this is the 2nd in a 3 part series. I highly recommend starting with episode 12.) David Osborne and Michael Weyandt of Team Theory bring clear, cohesive, constructive insight to how we can evolve and revolutionize hiring. Their numbers speak for themselves. High quality fit of candidates with teams leaps from 20 to 80% where they get involved. When you listen to them, you'll see why they realize such impressive results. Their approach is both systematic and artful. Their clients have said things like, "You guys were able to bring this objective process to the entire equation. At the end of the day we felt so good. We’ve never felt so good about a decision." The stakes are high. Effectiveness at hiring considerably contributes to our effectiveness as teams. And our fulfillment has a ton to do with who we surround ourselves with. As Michael says, it's ultimately about forging unforgettable relationships. What a beautiful, high aspiration to attribute to hiring. As they remind us, what they do is not rocket science. But this belies how much expertise and insight they have developed. When you talk with them, you see they understand with refined nuance the essence of what hiring simply IS and can be. It starts with a clear grasp for the fundamentals which are more overlooked than you might think. It deepens from there. Too many teams and orgs rely on the status quo of hiring. They don't have references for how they could be transforming their teams. I spoke to Michael and David of Team Theory independently for two different episodes of the Bright Spots podcast, episode 12 and episode 13. My feeling after re-listening to both conversations is that they are peanut butter and jelly conversations. The individual conversations complement each other. I recommend starting with episode, #12, with Michael Weyandt. I reference elements from the conversation with David occasionally (which happened first chronologically), but it doesn't present an obstacle. Michael helps us get a clear understanding with concrete examples the types of changes they recommend and why. It becomes startlingly clear. We start with elements of his own journey. Getting a feel for his relevant references helps us as we go into hiring from there, about 10 minutes in. After we gain this clarity with Michael, David helps us understand how they conceptualize: (1) the challenges teams are facing, (2) the common fallacies in the hiring process; and (3) 360 fit in their Beyond Recruiting methodology. If hiring is relevant to your professional life, start with the 50 minute conversation with Michael and continue with the conversation with David. I promise it will open a pathway to revolutionizing your hiring process. I don't say that lightly. I believe in their work. Michael and David will be back with Nita Baum of b*free for a 4 way conversation in early January.

David Osborne and Michael Weyandt of Team Theory bring clear, cohesive, constructive insight to how we can evolve and revolutionize hiring. Their numbers speak for themselves. High quality fit of candidates with teams leaps from 20 to 80% where they get involved. When you listen to them, you'll see why they realize such impressive results. Their approach is both systematic and artful. Their clients have said things like, "You guys were able to bring this objective process to the entire equation. At the end of the day we felt so good. We’ve never felt so good about a decision." The stakes are high. Effectiveness at hiring considerably contributes to our effectiveness as teams. And our fulfillment has a ton to do with who we surround ourselves with. As Michael says, it's ultimately about forging unforgettable relationships. What a beautiful, high aspiration to attribute to hiring. As they remind us, what they do is not rocket science. But this belies how much expertise and insight they have developed. When you talk with them, you see they understand with refined nuance the essence of what hiring simply IS and can be. It starts with a clear grasp for the fundamentals which are more overlooked than you might think. It deepens from there. Too many teams and orgs rely on the status quo of hiring. They don't have references for how they could be transforming their teams. I spoke to Michael and David of Team Theory independently for two different episodes of the Bright Spots podcast, episode 12 and episode 13. My feeling after re-listening to both conversations is that they are peanut butter and jelly conversations. The individual conversations complement each other. I recommend starting with episode, #12, with Michael Weyandt. I reference elements from the conversation with David occasionally (which happened first chronologically), but it doesn't present an obstacle. Michael helps us get a clear understanding with concrete examples the types of changes they recommend and why. It becomes startlingly clear. We start with elements of his own journey. Getting a feel for his relevant references helps us as we go into hiring from there, about 10 minutes in. After we gain this clarity with Michael, David helps us understand how they conceptualize: (1) the challenges teams are facing, (2) the common fallacies in the hiring process; and (3) 360 fit in their Beyond Recruiting methodology. If hiring is relevant to your professional life, start with the 50 minute conversation with Michael and continue with the conversation with David. I promise it will open a pathway to revolutionizing your hiring process. I don't say that lightly. I believe in their work. Michael and David will be back with Nita Baum of b*free for a 4 way conversation in early January.

In response to an article on LinkedIn about major "ubertrends" shaping societal movements, Jody had posted a comment which described succinctly, clearly, and convincingly that the most important trend of all was not mentioned--the massive growth in numbers of people wanting to connect to a deeper dimension of human life. I was impressed and decided to reach out to Jody and see if she would be interested in joining me for a conversation. Fortunately she was happy to share her wisdom with us. I see Jody as an elder who has deepened into the ways of living by the heart, beyond the prevailing norms of rationality and intellectualism. She has understood something about the human experience and that for which we truly long. As a Spiritual Educator, she practices what she shares with others. She has practiced authenticity and courage for a long time now and bears many insights to show for it. She helps us by placing her observations in an informative historical, evolutionary context. Our conversation touches on the following themes: How society corrodes without the rudder of the human heart How each person awakening, one by one, step by step is the key to remaking the fabric of our culture How the inner life came to be overlooked historically What makes this time so remarkable, so exciting How we can create a new consciousness and a new way of being in the world How religion and spiritual paths can be used for bad purposes—but having faith that each person is exactly where they should be. How a sense of expansiveness is the big test for whatever spirituality you are exploring How chaos can be creative and good, even if it’s challenging How it can be a good thing when the collective shadows are more obviously out in the world Scientific findings and research findings of rising levels of spirituality while lowering sense of religion And further research from the Heartmath institute about the high intuitive guidance of the heart Finding people for support and community as a spiritual person in the prevailing culture Unlearning rules of how we are supposed to do it Classic relationship challenges in western culture based on assigned gender roles Practical advice from Jody for moving into the heart and much more I hope you enjoy it. As always, thanks for listening. All the best.

And so, the special 5 part series with the ever-talented, insightful, and generous Nita Baum concludes here. We go out on a high note, while feeling very grounded in the earth. This conversation in my humble opinion carries groundedness within its essence. Nita and I found such a nice flow in our conversations and used our own shared community/friendship as the basis for this 5 part series. In this conversation, I express the value I hold for her friendship and how much it has meant to me. We go deep into the interconnectictivity between healthy practices, fear, self-acceptance, community, and vulnerability. We touch on the following topics: Nita gets us started with a lovely experiential grounding practice Why might everybody be meditating in a century and what does that have to do with dentists? The right and importance of each person discovering and integrating healthy practices for themselves How the healthcare system in the US has its strengths but is also largely reactive How we learn how to systematically dismantle and gain power over fear Accessibility and simplicity of practices which support our well-being and growth Connection of groundedness to community, home, family, connection, relationship The challenge and universality of feeling separated, isolated, different than, otherness How community opens our eyes to the richness of our shared experience and humanness Personal story about how the community I share with Nita as a friend helped me to overcome the feeling of cognitive dissonance and challenge for stepping out onto a road less traveled Roots of other are in our fear, uncertainty, vulnerability, highlights the power of turning towards that fear—our kinship in realizing shared experience of fear What do you turn to when you feel afraid? What grounds you? Reference to M Scott Peck’s 4 stage sequence for community building Intimate relation with being truthful, protecting against the feeling of being not good enough and pretending we’re not dealing with that on some level Practice, fear, self-acceptance, community, vulnerability and all comes together in groundedness As always, thanks for listening and all the best.

"To be powerful is a possibility to create because nothing can be created without power. It is only when power becomes a means to dominate that power becomes ugly. Unfortunately, as most human beings have not found any sense of deep fulfillment within themselves, they are constantly hankering for dominance. We need to understand that power is not just political or economic power – there are various ways to be powerful. There is the power of love, the power of compassion, the power of meditation, the power of self-absorption, the power of surrender, the power of selflessness, and above all, the power of being human. " ~ Sadhguru The 4th part in the special 5 part series with Nita Baum on the 5 values of b*free continues. This time we speak about being in power. We both have enjoyed this series immensely. The conversation touches on the following themes: How power begins with self-responsibility and the vast difference between responsiveness and reactivity The theme of practice and flexing the muscle of self-responsibility Power vs Force and the support we receive, and the flow we experience, when we align and harmonize our work with the best in ourselves and in service of the common good A couple of worthwhile mindset experiments to conduct in social or networking situations Cycle of giving and receiving and how the consciousness of having something to give, even the generosity of fully listening can be supportive How self-trust connects you to the power within you and around you How our fears related to money keep us from our power and what is true in our hearts How status and ego may reflect power but have little to do with that motivation Transition from old paradigm to new paradigm Radical experiment of considering the positive possibilities of what would happen if our financial systems collapsed? How we use crisis to find our power and turn towards each other—discover our own power anew, see the lens of possibility What is the role of humility in being powerful and is it about owning or denying our strengths? How money itself is not the villain but our mindsets connected to money create problems "At what point does the shift from survival to thriving happen and how much is money related to that?" Nita’s encapsulation in the last 5 minutes really stands out.

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism the world has known." ~Oscar Wilde "The artist is not a special kind of person, rather each person is a special kind of artist." ~Ananda Coomaraswamy Elements of the interconnection between art, capitalism, politics, citizenship, society, and individual choice/power is what emerged from this conversation. The conversation between Bryan and I reached into the realm of the current bleak political landscape and direct challenges on capitalism. It was a welcome opportunity. Most forward-thinkers and modern seekers are no strangers to perspectives on cultural and political degradation. I want to keep pushing my own boundaries and I am glad Bryan and I both were up for what emerged organically. It was great to learn about Bryan's path as an artist. It was amazing to see how Bryan's career has been influenced by prevailing norms and has morphed into something self-defined which allows him fulfillment, creative expression in his professional digital media work, and the opportunity to simultaneously pursue meaningful, substantive artistic projects. Ultimately here was one of my key takeaways...hope and optimism always seems to come from the power inherent in each individual to stand up for their own artistry, what he/she believes in, and to boldly pursue a relationship with society which expresses truth, justice, and love. And it was great to see how Bryan's choices have shaped a life which represents the possibilities of transformation and supporting others to realize greater degrees of self-expression. Our conversation touched on the following themes: Broader social context and individual decision-making Interconnection between valuation of arts, the role of corporations, and lack of cultural appreciation Balance between optimism and criticism to get real and move the conversation forward in constructive ways What is our civic duty in times of bleak political landscape (might even be called a soap opera) Role of compassion and avoiding blame in political discourse Democratization and empowerment through social media—there’s a story behind even a simple product because there’s a person behind it ("Even if it’s a simple product and you don’t think there’s a story behind it, there’s a story behind it because there’s a person behind it") The feeling of overwhelm that many are dealing with, shortcomings of hyper capitalism—panic and anxiety Practical approach to transitioning from a more traditional job context Why it can be scary to make transition—why not try, life is too short to be miserable— How showing up for yourself is one of the best things you can do The collective trap of looking for a person out there to tell you what to do As always, thanks for listening and all the best.

'I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.' ~Albert Einstein "Equality is not in regarding different things similarly, equality is in regarding different things differently." ~Tom Robbins As Nita and I continue this special series, we continue to explore topics almost every thoughtful human being has reflected on. We share our understandings and ideas about how we see equality and how essential it is to good living, good professionalism, and a healthy society. The ultimate message of equality is that our differences are many, but more superficial, while our similarities are infinite and exist at the very essence of being human. This conversation touches on the following themes and ideas: The need for evolving the way we relate What value and pitfalls does the hierarchical model have? How can you be equal to a CEO of a big corporation? What are the touchpoints between equality and leadership How hardship, grief, and struggle are connective and level the playing field How in observing our own narratives, mindsets, and attitudes we see our self-responsibility in creating inequality How the practice of values support us in our daily lives The drawbacks of an outcome orientation and much more As always, thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy it. Know thyself. Do your thing. Namaste.

"Your contribution is necessary. You are free to define what that contribution is in a way that is an actual reflection of you in a more fully self-expressed way." ~Nita Baum We arrive in this world with birthright gifts—then we spend the first half of our lives abandoning them or letting others disabuse us of them. As young people, we are surrounded by expectations that may have little to do with who we really are, expectations held by people who are not trying to discern our selfhood but to fit us into slots. In families, schools, workplaces, and religious communities, we are trained away from true self toward images of acceptability; under social pressures like racism and sexism our original shape is deformed beyond recognition; and we ourselves, driven by fear, too often betray true self to gain the approval of others. We are disabused of original giftedness in the first half of our lives. Then—if we are awake, aware, and able to admit our loss—we spend the second half trying to recover and reclaim the gift we once possessed. Sometimes you don’t know how great life truly can be until you are there. ~Parker Palmer This conversation on Giftedness with Nita Baum is one of the best podcast conversations I have had yet. We touch on the following themes: How your unique contribution is essential for you and for the rest of us How it may take time to figure it out The education system's impact on our giftedness A surprising landmark study on creative genius conducted by Beth Jarman and George Land using a test created by NASA Systemic issues—diversity/tolerance begins with our own self-acceptance—even our own weirdness and idiosyncrasies The role of elders Not holding fast to what you know because it’s going to change Your lens is valuable and each of us has the right to our own lens—we can all do that at the same time. A nod to artists and those who are marginalized including incarcerated--the need to find common ground And much more The series will continue for 3 more weeks! Look out for Special Episode 3 next week.

"If struggling were the way, we'd all be there by now." Victoria Castle reveals for us a deep root of one of the main causes of difficulty in our lives as individuals and a society. It is deceptively simple to understand cognitively, but a true master key in changing our lives and our happiness for the better. She makes very clear the difference between facts/reality and the stories, interpretations, perspectives, lenses, and assumptions we bring to those circumstances. She shares warmth, clarity, and humor in describing a phenomenon that easily goes unnoticed -- the Trance of Scarcity. The Trance of Scarcity is the prevailing norm in how we see the world in terms of survival, struggle, stress--that there isn't enough, we aren't good enough, that we don't have enough. It has become so commonplace to our way of thinking that we rarely challenge those thoughts and stories. Our immensely enjoyable and insightful conversation touches on the following: The limitations of struggle The simplicity of using breathing consciously and centering to make positive change moment-to-moment The power of daily practices to come from our best selves How the stories I am not good enough, competent enough, wealthy enough, beautiful enough, smart enough, old or young enough, "I am only lovable if…"etc—how that is a story, an interpretation, an assessment, a lens on reality which produces our experience The surprising downside of thinking in terms of right/wrong or good/bad instead of what is practical and useful in terms of our higher aims The power we have in what we think to align with greater possibility, without devolving into affirmations or positive thinking How struggling and striving externally won’t fix the things that feel off inside us Pitfalls once we see scarcity of measuring ourselves by perfection Life-changing power of gratitude The Trim Tab insight: Finding the best leverage points for change And more Thanks as always for listening and for doing your thing in the world.

What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes. ~Marcus Cicero The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage. ~Thucydides For my regular listeners, you may remember that Nita and I spoke in Episode 5 about the possibility of exploring a special series based on the 5 values of her work in the world, B*Free. This includes being Free, Gifted, In Power, Equal, and Grounded. This is the first of that series. Nita and I took an idea, a word, a concept...that hints at an experience, a universal human ideal, and a universal longing -- and played with it. We had a free-flowing conversation, riffing off each other. We played off each other in the moment, and we both enjoyed it immensely. I found myself more passionate and animate and playful at times, and enjoyed being with my dear friend to explore something so meaningful to all of us. We speak about how freedom is intimately connected to: being present an inner state rather than dependent on circumstances a matter of practice about moving from judgment to discovery a paradox of experiencing it now as well as building towards ever more expansive states creation and growth through creative expression our relationship to pain and what we typically consider negative or difficult vulnerability, honesty, transparency, authenticity--being able to see our experience is valid as long as we are able to own it, but otherwise contributes to the feeling of not being good enough and much more. We often assume we're free. But how free do we really feel in our everyday lives to be what we want, say what we want, do what want? Can we be ourselves? What gets in the way? As always, I hope you enjoy it. As always, thanks for listening.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson This conversation starts with Peter's take on the modern corporate world and how and why it is in need of change and in the midst of change. As he says, not merely rearranging chairs on the Titanic, but fundamental change. And from there the conversation continues through the lens of his work and personal story of deep transformation into human and universal questions. Especially touching is his authenticity and vulnerability around the struggles and challenges he faced around the phenomenon of "not good enough" earlier in his outwardly super-successful career. I feel we all struggle with this in some way, that it's part of being human. Scarcity is the root of our challenges in fact. It's good to hear Peter's experiences with this. He never had issues with money externally which helps reveal that scarcity is an inner phenomenon, not an outer one. All-too-often we look for answers outside ourselves which cannot be found there, unfortunately. As Peter indicates, the outdated notion of success is at the root of many of our problems. Peter reminds us that human transformation is incredibly possible for any of us and he even outlines an archetypal framework of 5 steps of how this happens. Many of us simply don't have references for how this can happen on an inner level because prevailing norms don't provide these indications. But fortunately that is being shaken up day by day. I notice that many of my conversations deepen as they go. We get to know each other and feel each other in these conversations and we open up to each other and learn a lot. I am struck by the depth of the learning I am taking away through connection with my guests. I pray that it is the same for my audience. I hope something of the seeker in me represents something of the questions they too would like to ask. I also learn that the surface level differences and semantic differences of opinion matter less and less inside this space when we are talking about human values and motivations and behavior. Because we are united in this. I am grateful for the patience and warmth my guests exhibit and Peter certainly is no exception. Peter offers precious insight about the possibilities of True Change and, as I said, even a step-by-step understanding of important milestones on the journey. I think anybody sitting in an office somewhere who is bored and tired could receive inspiration from Peter's story. Anybody outside an office too. Especially those who are tired of a one-size-fits-all definition of success and trying to answer the longing that rages in their hearts. I want to comment further on the corporate aspect because of my personal relationship to it. Because I know many seekers inside and outside corporations have become disillusioned with their dominant role. My own take is that every sector of human endeavor and society itself is in the midst of major change right now. No matter where we stand in this, it's good to be knowledgeable about trends in areas of society which impact us all. As someone formerly corporate myself, and who has held onto some resentment towards that aspect of the world, Peter's words are like opening some curtains and letting in sunshine in a dark, dusty room of my past. I know others hold this kind of resentment as well and as Peter guides us that those beliefs doesn't serve us. It's ultimately human beings we are talking about. I remind myself to be careful here about the all-too-easy trap of othering and using enmity to project my own shadows. Peter reminds me that it's great to recognize those of us looking to build a new paradigm. We can be so grateful for each one of us that is doing the challenging and rewarding work of stepping into our power--and are at service of a better world through the expression of our unique gifts and talents. In sanskrit, the exclamation for victory is Jai ho! (I named my external hard drive that incidentally.) As I re-listened to our conversation, I enjoyed it as much as the first time. Sometimes I can enjoy it in other ways even more. I felt gratitude all over again for Peter's generosity. From my perspective, he brings the clarity, warmth and respect of someone who has faced and overcome many challenges.

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." ~Nelson Mandela This conversation with Eric Klein is full of depth, humor, and insight. It was a pleasure to speak with him. As a spiritual practitioner with a steady practice for over 45 years, and as someone who has also wrote a best-selling business book, he has a lot to share. He remains relevant to seekers and corporate audiences alike because of his emphasis on our deeper shared humanity and steady presence. He shares some touching anecdotes with personability, meaning, and wit. He has touched thousands of people around the world with his work and it is easy to see why. There's much I could say about the conversation, but this time around I feel more compelled to let it speak for itself.

As a former hard-charging consultant burdened with insomnia, Hylke was surprised to find that exploring meditation on a trip to Vietnam allowed him to sleep more restfully than he had in quite some time. What's amazing for me is how much I am learning through this process of podcasting and having these exploratory conversations. Hylke is no exception and helps me highlight this for myself even more. It brings up deep questions of human nature and I get a chance to share myself and learn with my guests. Here's a few things I am learning: 1) I am learning slowly what it is to just be vulnerable in these conversations and not put up a mask simply because I have impressive guests and other people may be listening. It's not always easy, but it is a great growing experience. 2) I am also learning the most basic things--like genuinely respecting the other's point of view while sometimes holding a different opinion, and then choosing to focus on where our common ground is. 3) While I have an audience and I respect them, I think I do them fewer favors if I am constantly thinking about them. I am learning to explore the curiosities that arrive for me in the moment and trust that that is where the conversation is best suited to go for all interested parties. To think with my own mind rather than try to think with many other people's minds, which of course is impossible anyway. I find Hylke to be kind, thoughtful, deep, and brilliant. For those on a path of dharma in the modern world, this will be an enjoyable conversation. Hylke is through and through a Truth-seeker who places primacy on awakening to deeper levels of reality, while making a positive contribution to the world at a high level. As somebody who works with well-known, "name brand" institutions while being someone who pursued monkhood at one point, he helps me to build a bridge between spiritual life and material life, and remember my own values. A great synchronicity at the end and Hylke's love for music brings us to a nice close. This conversation was a real pleasure for me. It also challenged me to reflect a lot afterwards. I am grateful for it. You can find out more about Hylke's work at Constancee.com and growthleadersnetwork.com.

This conversation with Nita Baum was an exciting chance to dig deep into powerful social trends that are shaping the modern world of work. With the awareness that 50% of the US workforce will be freelance/entrepreneur by 2020, we have yet another confirmation that we live in an era of great change. It was a little bit longer conversation than I have had with my guests until now, but worth every uplifting minute of it. Like every conversation which has come before on the TC Podcast, it was a wide-ranging one. We go deep into the interdependence between individual and collective change, as well as B*Free's 5 values, and Nita's experience with the recent death of both parents and how their legacies live on through her. It ends as a wish and a prayer for humanity and even a vision for perhaps how utopia can be realized. Regardless of how proximate or possible utopia may actually be, it's hard to deny that it's worth working in that direction. And similarly any vision of realizing our collective potential must consider the participation and inclusion of each one of us. When you have been through what Nita's been through in the last few years, and had your heart break open, there is a thoughtfulness, clarity, and tenderness which grants a beautiful sense of perspective. When that outlook is backed up by action in the world in service of others, wonderful things can happen. I look forward to witnessing and participating in the evolution of B*Free.

“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”— Nelson Mandela I think we all intuitively know that good leadership is heart-driven and service-based--that it empowers other instead of aggrandizing ego. He shares that looking inward is an important key to good business practice. It's impossible to listen to Niraj's insights and not see how he has aligned his and his company's goals and achievements with the heart. He shares a theme of what it is to mature past rebellion and morality to finding systems that are practical and have real-world applicability. It's an impressive accomplishment to have a team of 40 creatives, delivering projects all around the world with well-known companies, and do it with great integrity and without selling out. I couldn't help but be impressed. And if you are the type who is interested in business, or in spirituality and want to see a strong example of how these intersect, this conversation with Niraj will open you to new horizons. Niraj is a dear friend and I was very glad and inspired to get to know even more about his professional side. He shares only a fraction of his amazing sense of humor in this conversation, but it's enough for a couple of chuckles. :)

'A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.' ~Leopold Stokowski Speaking with Prem Moham is a treat of thoughtfulness, kindness, vulnerability, and courage. Behind music of value is the heart of an artist. Exploring Moham's path of dharma and hearing his stunning voice is an inspiration. Another wide-ranging conversation touching on everything from Jesus, homosexuality, creativity, mantra, and devotion to a Guru. Moham owns who he is with a refreshing authenticity that can't help but gently challenge people to open their minds. Moham is indeed an artist of silence. Along with his wonderfully talented partner Surya, they have created a spiritual triumph of a cd. I encourage all but especially yogis to do themselves the favor of downloading. http://premmohamsurya.com/ I sometimes half-jokingly call this album the anthem of the (non-new-agey) new age. I predict it will be a favorite and classic in spiritual communities very soon. You can catch Prem Moham and Surya in the Western US this summer with their tour culminating at Bhaktifest in California this September.

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. ~ Henry David Thoreau Speaking with Julian Lunt about his path of transformation, and commitment to his heart project was a reassurance and confirmation. When one is connected to higher purpose, and takes on the challenge of fear and resistance to realize that higher purpose, good things happen. Julian is a great example of what it can look like to follow one's heart. I am grateful for the conversation and confident that Julian's project with flotation tanks/sensory deprivation chambers will continue to grow in beauty and impact. It's something that has helped him come more and more alive, sharing his love with the world in a very tangible way. Quite a difference from his old Oil & Gas days of seeking fulfillment in a fast and wild lifestyle... Thanks for listening.

“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” ~ Heraclitus This quote arrived in my inbox in the moments I was preparing to publish this very first podcast episode with Fernando Belatto. This is about as suitable a quote to fit Fernando as I could imagine. Fernando is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu who is innovating and challenging the Status Quo in the Martial Arts world, especially to acknowledge the importance of self-knowledge. While Fernando appreciates competition and traveled that path himself, he understands Martial Arts as something fundamentally spiritual. Fernando touches people not traditionally interested in Martial Arts and black belts alike because his interest in helping people awaken their inner warrior so that they can navigate everyday life challenges with greater harmony and ease. I was struck once again by the depth of my friend Fernando's knowledge. Indeed this was a wide-ranging conversation that touched on many deep! and meaningful themes including following one's heart on the path of Dharma (higher purpose), the relevance of warrior spirit to our everyday challenges, how martial arts and having an army can be at service of peace, yin/yang (masculine/feminine within each one of us) and how this relates to reactivity and presence, the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, and money. Whew! Fernando's purpose is Martial Arts at Service of Love. He is a beautiful man who has helped many, many people. I felt energized the whole time speaking to him and I hope you enjoy listening to it. Visit Fernando at ODGI.com.br and follow him along with many fans on Facebook page also at ODGI.