Life on Purpose

For Life on Purpose Episode #99, my guest is author, writing, and leadership coach Dave Ursillo.    Dave played a major role in my podcasting journey as not only have we talked multiple times on this show, but 10 years ago, he was guest #1 on my first podcast Radio Enso. So I invited him back to talk about where we were then, where we are now, and our respective journeys through the years.   “The key to living a full and whole life comes down to how well you know your True Self — and how you express that inner truth in your little corner of our planet.”   About Dave Ursillo:   "I'm a writer, an 11-time author, and a writing coach and leadership coach. I'm on a mission to help creatives, business owners and professionals share their voices, stories, and messages in our world. I also love to travel, I'm an avid home cook and baker, and I treat my morning coffee like some do fine wines. Beyond my writing and publishing occasional books, I'm a fully self-employed creative professional and have been working for myself in a small business-of-one called Lead Without Followers, LLC., since 2009. Once upon a time, I quit my job in politics and left a young career path in public service behind so that I could follow my dream to share my words with others — and to share some good in the world. Today, I spend my days immersed in clarifying conversations as a writing and creativity coach, a leadership coach to small business owners and creative entrepreneurs, and occasionally as a communications strategist and story consultant. In between my client work, I write an every-other-weekly newsletter called Chronicles of the Self-Storied Life, which is read by a few thousand readers worldwide, and publish occasional free resources like writing and journaling prompts. I am always creating new and thoughtful educational content like e-courses, hosting occasional in-person workshops, and putting on digital experiences like webinars to help the creatively-curious, conscientious journeyers, everyday-yogis, self-employed entrepreneurs, bloggers, self-starters, and personal development practitioners express themselves more fully." To learn more about Dave and his work, visit: https://daveursillo.com.  

For Life on Purpose Episode #98, my guest is international speaker and positive psychology "play coach” Jeff Harry. Jeff shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by PLAYING.   He's worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day.   Jeff joins me to talk about the crucial importance of play in our lives and how we can begin to rediscover that!   "I believe that play is as important as breathing, sleeping, and love. It's where so much of our happiness, fulfillment, and creativity comes from.”   About Jeff Harry:   Jeff Harry shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by playing. Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day. Jeff is an international speaker who has presented at conferences such as INBOUND, SXSW, and Australia's Pausefest, showing audiences how major issues in the workplace can be solved using play.  Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020 for his organizational development work around dealing with toxic people in the workplace. His play work has most recently been featured in the Upworthy, Mashable, Shondaland, and the NY Times. He has also been featured on AJ+, SoulPancake, the SF Chronicle, and CNN. While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grownups, it's when we let go of that facade and just play, that the real magic happens. Fully embracing your own nerdy genius — whatever that is — gives you the power to make a difference and change lives.  Jeff believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world. To learn more about Jeff and his work, visit: https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com  

Life on Purpose returns for a Spring 2021 Season with Episode #97. My guest is writer, therapist, coach, and founder of the New York Voice Dialogue Institute Bridgit Dengel Gaspard, who joins me to talk about her new book, The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals (New World Library) and powerful techniques she’s developed to help readers/listeners recognize and free themselves from hidden internal conflicts that are blocking their ability to achieve their goals. Bridgit coined the term “the final 8th” to describe the phenomenon when talented, energetic, motivated individuals have accomplished many steps toward a goal (7/8 of it) but stall in front of their finish line, for no apparent reason. In our inspirational conversation, Bridgit and I discussed: • The origin story of the term The Final 8th via working with various clients who were getting stuck; • Has she struggled with Final 8ths in her own life, including writing the book? • “Is the reason you’re stuck because you’re not meant to go any further? It’s served it’s purpose.”; • The idea that our healthy personality consists of many aspects, which she calls inner selves; • Voice dialogue, a technique developed by her mentors Dr. Hall and Sidra Stone; • “They each have wisdom and they have concerns. But they don’t have the whole picture.”; • The fact that this is NOT multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder; • The effects of the pandemic on certain selves and what we can do about that; • The fact that for most people, working harder isn’t the problem or the solution; • The power of the questions, “What are the gifts? And what are the stings?”; • A simple technique that allows you to start to identify these inner selves; • How do these selves start? And where do they come from?; • Her chapter on Practice Safe Success: a concept that is silly but real!; • What is the Double Bind and why is it psychologically painful?; • Her Final Takeaway: “Be curious to see what’s there; if in doubt, get rid of the agenda.” • Her upcoming Final 8th 4-Week Masterclass, which runs in May; • Marianne Williamson: “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.”; • Much more! “My clients were baffled about why they were stuck. They reported feeling frustrated, stressed, sad, and scared. They’d swear to me they yearned for the desired outcome with every fiber of their being,” says Bridgit. “I’d tell them, ‘Believe it or not, some of those fibers just aren’t with the program.’ The truth is, not every part of you wants what you think you want! Some of your inner selves are opposed to your goal.” About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard: Bridgit Dengel Gaspard is a writer, therapist, coach, and master facilitator and trainer of voice dialogue who has led professional workshops for the Omega Institute, the New York Open Center, the International Coach Federation, the Expressive Therapies Summit, Conscious Life Expo, New York University, Columbia University School of Social Work, the National Association of Social Work, the Actors Fund, and other organizations. During her career in acting, improvisation, and comedy, she discovered voice dialogue, a powerful technique of communicating and embodying our inner selves developed by Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone, who would become her mentors. Bridgit earned a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University, acquiring clinical experience in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.) She was an inpatient social worker at Bellevue Hospital Center and Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. She also worked as a psychotherapist at the New York University Counseling Center. She founded the New York Voice Dialogue Institute and has been certified by multiple organizations for continuing education credits for social workers, mental health practitioners, nurses, body workers, psychologists, nurses, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, massage therapists, and life coaches. Bridgit maintains a private practice in Manhattan specializing in creativity blocks, life transitions, and being stuck in sight of the finish line. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. To learn more about Bridgit and her work, visit: https://www.bridgit-dengel-gaspard.com.

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #96 is accomplished coach, speaker, podcaster, and author Angie Swartz, who joins me to talk all about life purpose and why it's so important, even in these uncertain times.  In her work with a wide variety of personal and professional clients, Angie uses a unique combination of coaching methods, business experience, mindfulness practices, and energy tools to help clients realize and awaken their full potential. As the owner of Life Purpose Advisor, she coaches both in one-on-one and group settings. Her mission is to empower people and companies around the globe to create happy lives and meaningful careers that allow them to contribute to the greater good of the world. *PERSONAL NOTE: I've worked with Angie for several years and utilize her practices every day, so I can testify as to how impactful her work truly is! In our inspirational conversation, Angie and I discussed: Should we even be thinking about Life Purpose in the middle of everything happening around us right now? "We’re here to live joyful lives! And there are lots of ways to find joy right now." Tips for people who are struggling to see the bigger picture/wider perspective; The importance of tools/practices/rituals to lessen the swing of life’s pendulum and bring us back to our center; The crucial importance of answering, “What really brings me joy?” More practices that she believes contribute to living a happier life in higher consciousness; Her belief that life is designed to be getting better, expanding, and improving; Returning to your strengths and what to do if you don’t know them; “I don’t have to do everything that I’m good at.” Three key tips to help us Master Happy and navigate these times; "Our purpose is always unveiling itself as our life progresses along!” Her journey from CPA and working with Fortune 500 companies to Life Purpose Advisor; Her work as a coach combining business experience, esoteric practices, and science-based tools; The concept of “spiritual number cars”; Her belief that there is something bigger than us that is supporting us all; The importance of healing old wounds and uncovering our wholeness by removing “emotional mud”; Her Life Purpose Advisor podcast, public speaking, classes, and other projects she offers; Various ways that she works with people who are ready to do the work; Her “Goal Planning and Intention Setting for a Great 2021" Virtual Retreat; Much more! "Suffering is part of transformation, but we get to choose!" says Angie. About Angie Swartz: Angie A. Swartz is a professional coach who uses targeted coaching methods, business experience, and mindfulness practices to help clients grow into their full potential. With over 25 years of business leadership and coaching experience to call on, she assists clients in one-on-one and group settings. Angie's background includes a successful career with five different Fortune 500 companies as well as owning a boutique marketing agency. She is an accomplished speaker and host of the Life Purpose Advisor Podcast. Angie lives in Carlsbad, CA, and sees clients in person and via zoom. To learn more about Angie and her work, visit: http://www.lifepurposeadvisor.com.  

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #95 is award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and researcher Dawson Church. He joined me to discuss his new book Bliss Brain, the Neuroscience of Remodeling Your Brain for Resilience, Creativity, and Joy (Hay House), in which he digs deep into leading-edge science, and finds stunning evidence that rapid and radical brain change is possible. In just eight weeks of practice, 12 minutes a day, using the right techniques, we can produce measurable changes in our brains that make us calmer, happier, and more resilient.   About Bliss Brain:   How Quickly Can You Remodel Your Brain For Joy?    Stunning new research shows that “flow” states begin changing your brain within hours. With practice, they remodel key brain regions completely. Stress circuits shrink while happiness circuits grow. This leads to “Bliss Brain.” It’s a state in which joy is natural. It nurtures the personality traits of patience, compassion, creativity, and love. In this remarkable new book, legendary researcher Dawson Church explains the neuroscience behind these discoveries. He teaches the 7 simple steps that lead to elevated emotional states, and shows how science can take you to Bliss Brain daily. To learn more about Bliss Brain, visit: blissbrain.com.   About Dawson Church:    Dawson Church is an award-winning author whose best-selling book The Genie in Your Genes (www.YourGeniusGene.com) has been hailed by reviewers as a breakthrough in our understanding of the link between emotions and genetics. His follow-up title, Mind to Matter (www.MindToMatter. com), reviews the science of peak mental states. He founded the National Institute for Integrative Healthcare (www. NIIH.org) to study and implement promising evidence-based psycholog- ical and medical techniques. In his undergraduate and graduate work at Baylor University, he became the first student to successfully graduate from the academically rigorous University Scholars program in 1979. He earned a doctorate at Holos University under the mentorship of neurosurgeon Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, founder of the American Holistic Medical Association. After an early career in book publishing as editor and then president of Aslan Publishing, Church went on to receive a postgraduate PhD in Natural Medicine as well as clinical certification in Energy Psychology. Church’s groundbreaking research has been published in prestigious scientific journals. He is the editor of Energy Psychology: Theory, Research & Treatment, a peer-reviewed professional journal. He shares how to apply the breakthroughs of energy psychology to health and athletic performance through EFT Universe (www.EFTUniverse.com). EFT Universe was the first organization to have its courses accred- ited for CME (continuing medical education) for all the major professions, including doctors (AMA), psychologists (APA), and nurses (ANCC). He has trained thousands of practitioners in energy psychology techniques and offers the premier certification program in the field (EnergyPsychologyCertification.com).   ###

Can ONE question change your life? My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #94 is award-winning author, yoga therapist, and spiritual coach Jennie Lee, who believes the answer is yes. Jennie is passionate about helping people to create lives filled with purpose and joy. She joined me to discuss her brand new book Spark Change: 108 Provocative Questions for Spiritual Evolution (just published by Sounds True), in which she brings her practice home to readers everywhere by providing the tools to strengthen our psychological resilience through the process of conscious, introspective questioning. "The question is, 'How do I keep the flame of personal evolution toward LOVE alive in my heart?' And 'how do I ignite the spark of spiritual awakening in others?'" says Jennie. About Spark Change: 108 Provocative Questions for Spiritual Evolution Change is on everyone’s mind, but the first step toward any change begins within your own consciousness. In SPARK CHANGE: 108 Provocative Questions for Spiritual Evolution, Jennie Lee provides a 12-phase personal inquiry process to strengthen your vision of what change is needed and how you can accomplish it pro-actively with clarity and courage. Through 108 introspective questions, you will learn to listen to your soul and determine what life is calling you to learn or express. Whether examining attitudes that hold you back, or investigating your true purpose, these guided inquiries will help build the psychological resilience necessary to accomplish change from the deepest reaches of spiritual consciousness. Inspired by the source teachings of classical yoga, the principles of spiritual psychology, and her own inner journey, SPARK CHANGE delves into some of the most enduring questions of psychology, self-improvement, and the spiritual path. In the book, readers will find: • Self-reflection questions on 12 essential themes for personal transformation • Strategies to move beyond limitation into potential • Help identifying authentic purpose and how to put it into action • Inspiration for implementing conscious change pro-actively • Prompts to greater clarity, courage, and conviction • Ideas for meaningful conversations and creative solutions About Jennie Lee: Jennie Lee is the author of three award-winning books on spiritual living, meditation, and yoga: Spark Change: 108 Provocative Questions for Spiritual Evolution, Breathing Love: Meditation in Action, and True Yoga: Practicing with the Yoga Sutras for Happiness & Spiritual Fulfillment. Her writing has also been featured internationally in magazines such as Mantra Wellness, Light of Consciousness, Yoga Therapy Today and many more. Her essay on the meaning of life was featured in the book Love by Nicolae Tanase. Jennie is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) who is passionate about helping people to create lives filled with purpose and joy. She has been in private practice for over twenty years. In her counseling, she blends the universal ideals and practices of Eastern philosophy with the needs and challenges of modern Western living. Her coaching is based on studies in spiritual psychology, yoga philosophy, and body-centered psychotherapy. The diversity of professionals who have entrusted Jennie with their personal growth speaks to her ability to effectively touch a wide range of individuals. Doctors, lawyers, psychologists, celebrity actors, internationally acclaimed authors, military officers, and more have experienced positive change through working with her. In addition to individual coaching, she has worked with management groups at corporations such as the World Surf League, National Association for Professional Women, Draper Laboratory, Prudential Locations Realty, and the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and made presentations on yoga, meditation, and mindfulness at studios, schools, and festivals nationwide. When she is not writing or coaching, you will find Jennie surfing in Hawai’i or doing headstands on the tops of mountains, making her husband very nervous. Visit her online at www.JennieLeeYogaTherapy.com. ###

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #93 is Sky Nelson-Isaacs. Sky is a physics educator, speaker, author, and musician who has dedicated his life to finding his own sense of purpose, bringing together the connection between synchronicity, physics, and real life using research and his original ideas. We had a great chat about: -His book Living in Flow: The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World; -The responsiveness of the Universe;  -How he believes synchronicities give us the opportunity to heal; -The question: how is my life reflecting my choices and collectively, how are our lives reflecting our choices? -Connecting the dots looking backwards AND forward and how desire plays a part in that; -Authentic power; -Tools he’s created like the LORRAX process that helps us cultivate flow; -His upcoming book Leap to Wholeness; -Grief and connection; -His new album “Stand For Me” featuring 13-original songs; and -Much more!   "When we live in ‘flow,' a state of activity in which we align with our purpose and values, balancing our personal good with the greater good, we make choices that invite synchronicity.” says Nelson-Isaacs. About Sky Nelson-Isaacs:   Sky Nelson-Isaacs is a physics educator, speaker, author, and musician. He has a masters degree in physics from San Francisco State University, with a thesis in String Theory, and a BS in physics from UC Berkeley. Nelson-Isaacs has dedicated his life to finding his own sense of purpose, beginning as a student of the Yogic master Sri Swami Satchidananda when he was less than five years old.    His writing on topics like flow comes from integrating this experience into his life. He brings together the connection between synchronicity, physics, and real life using research and original ideas.    As an active researcher in quantum foundations, his research is supported through grant funding from a private foundation. An educator with nine years of classroom experience, with experience in industry as a software engineer, Nelson-Isaacs is also a multi-instrumentalist and professional performer of award-winning original musical compositions.   To learn more about his work, visit: https://skynelson.com   About Living in Flow:   NEW BOOK LOOKS TO PHYSICS TO EXPLAIN SYNCHRONICTY AND SHOWS HOW OUR CHOICES MAY SHAPE OUR WORLD Synchronicity or meaningful coincidence has been something philosophers and scientists have wondered about for decades. Most of us have experienced it at least once. You are on a much anticipated road trip and your vehicle breaks down. As you’re waiting by the side of the road a mechanic who specializes in just that type of car drives up and lends a hand.  Is this just chance? Can two events be related in a meaningful way without one causing the other? If so, what does this tell us about the cosmos? Can we live in such a way and make choices that encourage synchronicity? Is that something we should strive for?  In LIVING IN FLOW: THE SCIENCE OF SYNCHRONICITY AND HOW YOUR CHOICES SHAPE YOUR WORLD (North Atlantic Books, March 2019, paperback) physicist Sky Nelson-Isaacs turns to quantum mechanics to seek answers. Adhering to what we know from science, while offering a provocative new hypothesis, Nelson-Isaacs proposes that the cosmos may be designed to bring us meaningful, synchronistic experiences in response to the choices we make. When we live in “flow,” a state of activity in which we align with our purpose and values, balancing our personal good with the greater good, we make choices that invite synchronicity. In addition to a layperson’s explanation of the possible physics behind synchronicity, Nelson-Isaacs shows how cultivating flow can empower us individually and help make our world a better place. ###

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #92 is Briana MacWilliam, a Love and Relationship Coach with a passion for serving insecurely attached adults who want to experience soul-deep intimacy in their romantic relationships. She has more than 14 years of clinical experience as a creative arts therapist and is the Founder of CreativeArtsTherapiesOnline.com an online school for continuing education for creative arts therapists and other mental health practitioners.  “Using a psycho-spiritual approach to attachment styles (which are four unique blueprints for how you give and receive love), I help insecure lovers go from self-doubting to self-sovereign, and calling in those soul-shaking, passionate partnerships they want, without having to talk in circles around their feelings for hours or even years on end, with no tangible result. And I do this, using my unique service, The MacWilliam Method.” says Briana. About Briana’s Work: Are you looking for a soul-shaking, passionate partnership, but find yourself trapped in roller-coaster relationships with unhealthy partners that you hate to love? Perhaps you have acquired a lot of skills, tips, techniques or "red flags," to help you make better decisions in love, but no matter what you do, no amount of insight seems to help you break free from unhealthy patterns, or stop feeling attracted to the "wrong" kind of partner.  If this sounds familiar, you are in the right place. Hi, my name is Briana MacWilliam, and I am a licensed and board certified creative arts therapist, with more than 14 years in the field, working with individuals, just like you. About Briana MacWilliam:   Briana MacWilliam has over 14 years of clinical experience as a creative arts therapist, and is the Founder and Director of Briana MacWilliam Inc., which offers continuing education to mental health practitioners, through CreativeArtsTherapiesOnline.com.  She has held two directorial positions in community-based and day-treatment settings, and was a research outcomes coordinator for four years, at the Amen Clinics, Inc.—a brain research and diagnostic facility. She edited and co-authored two books on the subjects of attachment and complicated grief, and working with LGBTQ populations. She is also the Director for Continuing Education for Pratt Institute’s Creative Arts Therapies Department. More About Briana:  Hi, my name is Briana, and I love romance novels and campy science fiction shows (anyone else a die-hard Supernatural fan?). I also like being my own boss. Doing what I want to do, when I want to do it. And treating work like play. Through my education, professional experience, and personal life experiences, I have come to passionately serve insecurely attached adults, who want to experience soul-deep intimacy, in their romantic relationships. Why Attachment?  My passion for working with attachment wounds and personal development stems from a rocky childhood. As a child of divorce, I bounced back and forth between my parents, across state lines. We lived below the poverty line for much of my young life. In my parents, I had an example of hard work but constant struggle. I became a high achiever to compensate. It served me well professionally, until my struggles with relationships in adulthood tore down everything I had accomplished. I’ve Been There: In adulthood, I experienced roller coaster relationships, and ultimately wound up a divorced, single mom. Then, after losing my job due to budget cuts, within a six-month time frame, one after another, both my parents and my brother were diagnosed with serious, chronic illnesses. And the new partner I had fallen madly in love with– the one all the raw parts of myself wanted so desperately to please and keep – couldn’t prioritize me. When he left, my heart broke anew. I felt my soul was split wide open. Finding Grace: As I came face-to-face with my greatest fears. I knew I had to find the grace on the other side, or collapse into a victimized identity. I decided that meant stepping into my own authority, on a spiritual level. And this gave me the motivation to radically change the way I was living, loving, working, and perceiving the world. New Horizons: I decided to dive straight down into my demons, while pursuing certification in Reiki (energy healing), building a private practice, and doing research for a book about attachment and grief. Ultimately, I found several other contributors willing to share their stories of grief, and we got it published! Writing the book emboldened me to shed my shame, and  talk about these things in a way I had never thought I would feel safe doing.This led to creating the curriculum for my online courses in personal development, and building an online community for support. Much to my delight, both caught fire, and I have never looked back! ###

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #91 is author, intuitive, and energy medicine practitioner Ellen Meredith. She's served on the faculty of energy medicine pioneer Donna Eden since 2010 and teaches energy healing techniques all over the world. In her brand new book The Language Your Body Speaks: Self-Healing with Energy Medicine (published on May 5 by New World Library), she helps readers become active participants in the energetic conversations that are constantly happening between their body, mind, and spirit. The book offers a comprehensive guide for using movement, gesture, light, sound, vibration, imagery, actions, and more to dialogue with the body, mind, and spirit. “If you learn the LANGUAGE of energy, learn to let your body, mind, and spirit communicate to you in THEIR wisdom about what your instrument needs, and then provide that moment by moment, you will heal,” says Ellen. About Ellen Meredith: “You have asked to know us, and so we are here.” With these words, in 1978, Ellen's world cracked open. Her beloved – but dead – grandmother appeared in her mind's eye with an invitation to open to inner guidance and training, offered by seven groups of inner teachers that Ellen came to call her Councils. Though this was definitely an unexpected twist in her plot, Ellen embraced the opportunity to dive deeper and learn. Dialogues with her Councils led her into a rich experiential curriculum, exploring a wide range of topics, including sensing subtle energies, what it means to embody spirit, healing, and the language of energy. It is a training that continues to this day. And along the way, Ellen has worked with over 10,000 clients and students worldwide, helping them to hear their own inner truth, activate healing, and cultivate awareness and well-being. Ellen's down to earth, yet inspiring work centers on helping you: • Tap into your inner guidance • Recognize your unique gifts and nature • Learn self-healing • Cultivate well-being In addition to her adventures in the inner realms, Ellen holds a Doctor of Arts in Writing, worked internationally in advocacy work on behalf of children and families living in poverty, and served on the Certification Program faculty of energy medicine pioneer Donna Eden. Ellen lives in San Rafael, California. ###

My guest for Life on Purpose Episode #90 is speaker, mindfulness and performance coach, and author George Mumford, a.k.a. The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer. George is a highly acclaimed expert in sports psychology and performance and NBA Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson’s ‘Secret Weapon’ to winning eight NBA Championships. George’s passion is teaching mindfulness to high profile sports, business and academic teams alike; from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks (he taught Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and many other pro athletes), to senior global executives and systems. He is the author of The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance In our Life on Purpose chat, we discussed mindfulness itself and what that means; how we can all deal with all the uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic; holding hurt and hope simultaneously; his own inspirational life journey from being one of 13 kids growing up in the rough parts of Boston to heroine addiction to recovery and decades of teaching and speaking about mindfulness; The Last Dance (the new ESPN documentary on Michael Jordan and the Bulls for which he was interviewed); the importance of a practice; the Cherokee tale of the two wolves; his Five Spiritual Superpowers; the concept of a Masterpiece Within each of us; and so much more! About George: Michael Jordan credits George Mumford with transforming his on-court leadership of the Bulls, helping Jordan lead the team to six NBA championships. Mumford also helped Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Lamar Odom and countless other NBA players turn around their games. A widely respected public speaker and coach, Mumford is sharing his own story and the strategies that have made these athletes into stars in The Mindful Athlete: The Secret to Pure Performance. His proven, gentle but groundbreaking mindfulness techniques can transform the performance of anyone with a goal, be they an Olympian, weekend warrior, executive, hacker, or artist. With a charismatic teaching style that combines mindfulness techniques with lessons from pop culture icons such as Yoda, Indiana Jones, and Bruce Lee, Mumford tells illuminating stories about his larger than life clients. His writing is down-to-earth and easy to understand. The Mindful Athlete is an engrossing story and an invaluable resource for anyone looking to elevate their game, no matter the pursuit. ###

Life on Purpose returns with Episode #89, the fourth chat in a series I’m calling Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times. My guest for this episode is creative alchemist Diana Rowan, the founder of the Bright Way Guild, a virtual learning environment dedicated to transforming and inspiring a global community of creatives.    Taped in April 2020 as people around the world were dealing with the ramifications and massive uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Diana joined me for an inspiring conversation on the importance of creativity in uncertain times. We also discussed her brand new book The Bright Way: Five Steps to Freeing the Creative Within (just published by New World Library), in which she guides readers on every step, giving the tools needed to create a life full of happiness, inspiration, and purpose. "When we become anxious or afraid, it’s usually because we feel a lack of connection — with ourselves and with our communities. The antidote to fear is creativity. As fear fades, love takes center stage, and we become ourselves once more." About Diana: Diana Rowan is a creative alchemist and founder of the Bright Way Guild, a virtual learning environment dedicated to transforming and inspiring a global community of creatives. From her youngest years, the classical inquiry “What makes a good life?” has driven Diana, and sharing her hard-won dis- coveries with others is her mission. Having recovered from a soul-crushing case of stage fright and other challenges, Diana believes that by shining light on the darkness we fear, we can all become courageous purveyors of Bright Knowledge and live the good life. Diana was born in Dublin, Ireland, to college-student parents, setting the stage for a lifetime of lively learning and seeking. Soon thereafter, her father became a diplomat for the Irish government, taking his family all over the world in a cosmopolitan pilgrimage. Respect for arts and cultures has always been second nature in Diana’s family, along with a deep streak of mysticism, as embodied by her astrologer mother. This unusual combination of intellectual seeking, cultural bridging, mystical opening, and artistic engagement is the hallmark of Diana’s life, whether that be in composing music, teaching, writing, or choosing a wine. Diana holds an MM in classical piano performance and a PhD in music theory.   ###

Life on Purpose returns with Episode #88, the third of several informal chats in a series I’m calling Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times. My guest for this episode is spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, author, and coach Eric Klein of Wisdom Heart and Dharma Consulting, who returns to the show for the fourth time in the past decade. Taped in April 2020 as people around the world were dealing with the ramifications and massive uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Eric joined me for a wisdom-filled conversation on facing our fears and living free in uncertain times. We discussed various ways you can do that and stay connected to your deepest purpose via wisdom from a 2,500 year-old Indian text, the Bhagavad Gita, that Eric says is a guidebook for our times.    We also talked about concepts like integration and wholeness; dharma and your customized path; how to untangle your life from the illusions/tenuous nature of conditioning; letting go of what no longer serves us; the importance of practices (even starting today); how to build the capacity for/cultivate more wakefulness and loving awareness; seeing the openings/doorways; tools for dealing with these times, and so much more! About Eric: Eric Klein is a spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, author, and coach. For the past three decades, he has been a leading voice in the movement to bring greater spirit, mindfulness, and meaning to the workplace through his writing, training, and speaking through his company Dharma Consulting. He’s worked with over 30,000 leaders from a wide variety of settings: Fortune 500 companies, healthcare, governmental and non-profit organizations as well as mid-size companies. Eric is also the author of the bestselling books Awakening Corporate Soul: Four Paths to Unleash the Power of People at Work, To Do or Not To Do: How Successful Leaders Make Better Decisions based on research and experiences with more than 200 companies, and You are the Leader You’ve Been Waiting For which won a 2008 Nautilus Award as a world changing book in the conscious leadership/business category. His new course is called Face Fear – Live Free: A 40-Day Experience of the Bhagavad Gita, based on the teachings of one of the world’s most precious texts of spiritual wisdom. It answers the question: How can you stay connected to your deepest purpose & wisdom – even in difficult and uncertain times?   ###

Life on Purpose returns with Episode #87, the second of several informal chats in a new series I’m calling Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times. My guest for this episode is entrepreneur, speaker, and eternal optimist Elizabeth Shaw, author of The Optimist’s Manifestoand CEO of Davine. Taped in March 2020 as people around the world were dealing with the ramifications and massive uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Elizabeth joined me for a great conversation on Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times. We discussed maintaining or cultivating optimism in challenging situations; optimism as a superpower; the importance of honoring where we’re at right now; being open to possibility; obstacles as opportunities; building your uncertainty muscle; and our own beliefs and faith. About Elizabeth: Elizabeth Shaw is an eternal optimist, entrepreneur, and speaker. She founded Davine Inc., a strategic consulting firm dedicated to using individual and organizational experiences, events, and engagement to build a world of optimism. Elizabeth inspires everyone around her to believe in the best for themselves, in each other, and in the unlimited possibilities of the world. She divides her time between Boston and California, but also considers Bologna, Italy and Paris home. Elizabeth believes that life is best lived with your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground. Optimism is her superpower.

After a two-year hiatus, Life on Purpose returns with Episode #86, the first of several informal chats in a new series I’m calling Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times.   My guest for this episode is Shelli L Duarte (Shell Luna Love), a creative and catalyst who brings heart-centered wisdom to all of her work and endeavors.   Taped in March 2020 as people around the world were dealing with the ramifications and massive uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Shelli joined me for a heart-centered conversation on Seeing The Light In Uncertain Times. We discussed keeping an open heart while still having our moments of fear and stepping into our sovereign unity at this time when the world needs each of us to embrace our gifts. About Shelli:   Shelli L. (Duarte), aka Shell Luna Love, believes in magic and mystery and all the in-between spaces. She suggests we all are ‘magicians’ when we go about finding our own inner essence and start unravelling our own riddles and stories through unconditional love and compassion. Creating, in whatever form, is magical and mysterious, and chock-full of love, joy, and beauty. She uses both the practical and mystical to be her most creative ‘alive’ self. “We are creators whether we are purposefully tending to this aspect or not. No matter if we are artists, parents, spouses, accountants, or engineers, etc., we are always creating.  It’s our inherent design and we have a responsibility to engage it.”  One part of her work in the world is to spark and catalyze others to access their own heart-full self-leadership to allow an embodied life design. She has a passion and mission to bring tools of inspiration through joy, beauty, and experience. Some of her favourite avenues of experiencing, exploring, and serving in the world are through conversation, image, poetry, writing, and wayfinding with those who want to create and design their most heart-full lives.  Her love to inspire and guide people to their edge of self-empowered leadership is a path to the expanded love, joy, and beauty she wishes to see in the world. Shell Luna came into this world as a ‘seer’ and a seeker. She has known herself as a creative being always, just as she sees all others. She sees and seeks beauty, truth, love, mystery, and possibility in the world through inner self-exploration and outer world explorations. She is proud to call herself a ‘Jill-of-many-trades’ in this lifetime, but her soul essence is an illuminary-mystic-dream weaving-designer, an ‘engineer’, an agent of change, wanting to bring healing ideas and tools to hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits.     ###

For Life on Purpose Episode #85, my guest is world-class facilitator and transformation specialist Oren Harris. Described as "a being who is living as Infinite Self within a finite world", Oren is a real life demonstration of the saying, “be in the world, but not of it”, and is capable of showing up in a vast number of ways to best serve those he is inspired to work with. He joined me for an inspiring and in-depth conversation on all things related to Flow. We also discussed consciousness, trust, resonance, surrender, perspective, detachment, limitless living, and Oren's own life story/journey. ”Flow is often times perceived as something that is only accessible to spiritual masters, or during 'peak experiences'. This paints a picture of flow as something impractical, reserved for select individuals, select moments, or select areas of life.” On the contrary, flow is highly practical, accessible to everyone, and applicable to all areas of life." About Oren Harris: It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put a finger on exactly who Oren Harris is. A being who is living as Infinite Self within a finite world, Oren is a real life demonstration of the saying, “be in the world, but not of it”, and is capable of showing up in a vast number of ways to best serve those he is inspired to work with. There are a couple of things you can put your finger on, however. Oren is a world-class facilitator & transformation specialist, and his clients always reach their next level through working with him. Always. No matter how far along an individual is in their personal or spiritual development, and no matter how large and impactful their expression has become, Oren has the special ability to clearly see the next level of their infinite potential that is available to them, and is able to masterfully guide them into embodying their next level of potential over and over again. Because of this, those who work with Oren usually become clients for life, as they realize the immeasurable value of having a being by their side who can see, speak to, and draw out all of who they really are every time they connect with him. Oren’s ultimate “superhero” ability is something that comes naturally to him… so naturally, in fact, that he doesn’t even notice it most of the time, but its impact is very real and frequently life-changing for those who happen to experience it. His presence activates people. Time and time again, individuals who cross paths with Oren, even if for a brief moment, report back that after their encounter with him, their expansion accelerated and significant shifts almost immediately started taking place in their lives. Such is the power and consequence of being beheld with Unconditional Love, a rare and priceless gift that Oren has tapped into, consistently embodies, and shares with the world everywhere he goes. Regardless of where you are on your respective path, if you’re an individual who is fired up about and wholeheartedly committed to fully engaging life and giving it all that you’ve got, then Oren is inspired to connect with, and potentially work with you. What is Flow? Flow is a peak state of consciousness where you feel your best and perform your best . Flow is a state of being in which you are in alignment with your true self and the universe. You spontaneously act in the most intelligent and life supporting way. Life becomes more effortless and charming. When you are in Flow: You perform at your absolute best and beyond You are consistently in the right place at the right time Time disappears and you are fully present Your intentions manifest effortlessly “Miracles” happen more regularly You have access to an infinite well of intelligence that surpasses your own understanding Your levels of efficiency and productivity soar Your true self is awakened Your intuition is off the charts Your creativity becomes unlimited Synchronicity (magical coincidences) are frequent Your individualized sense of “self” disappears and you feel connected to all of life

For Life on Purpose Episode #84, my guest is internet entrepreneur, coach, traveler, and financial freedom enthusiast Tal Gur. He joined me for a great and in-depth conversation on his new book "The Art of Fully Living-1 Man. 10 Years. 100 Life Goals." Shortly after turning 30, Tal himself these following questions: "Imagine knowing you had only 10 years to live - Would you change your life? How?" Inspired by a late-night conversation with friends, and disillusioned with the trappings of "making it", he then drafted a list of 100 goals to achieve in a decade. Through relentless focus, he traded his daily grind for a life of his own daring design as a location-independent entrepreneur and coach. He tackled financial, physical, and spiritual dreams one by one: mastering English in pulsing Melbourne, completing Ironman New Zealand, creating financial independence, surfing at the world’s most sought-after beaches, and rebuilding a Peruvian family’s flood-ravaged home, among other adventures. "What makes a life fully lived? Comfort? Conventional success? For me, it’s all about the thrill and satisfaction that come from a continuous quest for adventure and self-discovery." About Tal: My story has been written from many perspectives and been enriched by the people and places I've encountered along the way. After leaving school, aged 21, I embarked on a long motorcycle trip in Australia & immediately fell in love with this remote, vast and spectacular corner of the world. I went back to my home country to pursue a bachelor's degree but the memory of that epic trip never left me. In 2003, after several years working in the high-tech world and feeling there was something missing, I decided to change direction and follow a lifelong dream of mine: living and studying in Australia. In late 2005, being inspired from the sheer enjoyment that came from pursuing my Australian dream, I made a conscious decision to pursue every big dream I have ever had. I started a long life goals list and gave myself 10 years to be completely finished with this project. After a few blissful years in Melbourne, Australia, I sold everything I had, packed a small backpack, and left on a one way ticket to Nepal. This trip turned to be a fateful encounter, eventually leading me to leave my stable job, become an online entrepreneur, and travel and live abroad in various countries for more than than 6 years. Ever since I remember myself I was intrigued with the endless possibilities of self-expression. I simply see life as a playground to express our deepest desires and experiment with the perceived limits of the physical world. Looking at my life, I have come to realize that my life is not just one linear continuous journey but more as a recollection of different journeys and experiences. I've learnt that it is definitely not all about the destination, but more about the journey. And the greater the challenge, the more satisfying it is. Since my move to Australia, being inspired from the satisfaction and sense of achievement that came from pursing my Australian dream, I found myself constantly seeking new challenges, overextending myself in all aspects of life, ultimately resulting in very happy and fulfilling journeys. To learn more about Tal, visit: https://fullylived.com/.

NOTE FROM GREG: This episode is a very special and emotional one for me. I'm re-publishing a chat I had back in October 2014 with my friend Dr. Alice Bandy, which was the final episode of my first podcast Radio Enso. At the time of this taping, I had just met Alice about a month before, but she's since become a good friend and teacher to me. I'm re-publishing our chat now because Alice was recently diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The cancer has spread to her bones and she's had a series of radiation treatments and surgeries to keep the cancer from moving to other parts of her body. She is also receiving very strong hormone and chemo therapies that are built for her specific type of cancer.  All of this has incapacitated her and she is working to regain her ability to walk. She requires round-the-clock care, the cost of which is very high. Alice’s income is derived from working with students, clients and organizations, which she is unable to do at this time. To help, some friends have set up a GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/AliceBandy. I'm asking all of my listeners, to please consider making a donation to help with Alice’s care through this challenging but important time in her battle. If anyone has a shot to beat this, she does! And through it all, her teaching and wisdom continue to inspire and change lives. So I'd love for you to take a listen.   For Life on Purpose Episode #83, my guest is author, teacher and spiritual guide Dr. Alice Bandy, the Spiritual Director of The Heart of Teaching, a nonprofit educational organization.    Alice joined me to talk about her book The Wisdom of Money: Listening to the Spiritual Message of your Finances, her online self-study course Consciousness of Wealth, and much more! "The Wisdom of Money is my book which walks the reader through a very intensive process of releasing old experiences, pains and resentments so that the natural flow of prosperity and well being can flow into their life. These exercise are based upon my counseling practice. I use them here for money issues, but they work equally well in relationship and health issues." About Alice: Dr. Alice Bandy is the Spiritual Director of The Heart of Teaching, a nonprofit educational organization. She has been leading transformative spiritual classes for adults since 1996. Alice has taught at many universities and is a favorite instructor at the Holmes Institute School of Consciousness studies.    In 2012, Holmes Institute granted her an honorary doctorate for her achievements in authoring, teaching and disseminating powerful spiritual courses throughout the United States. She lives in Encinitas, California. Her book, The Wisdom of Money: Listening to the Spiritual Message of your Finances was published in 2013.    "The Wisdom of Money is my book which walks the reader through a very intensive process of releasing old experiences, pains and resentments so that the natural flow of prosperity and well being can flow into their life. These exercise are based upon my counseling practice. I use them here for money issues, but they work equally well in relationship and health issues." To learn more about the GoFundMe campaign for Alice or to donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/AliceBandy.

For Life on Purpose Episode #82, my guest is author, speaker, and workshop leader Scott Stabile. He joined me for a fantastic conversation on his new book, Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart, which answers the question, "What happens when you fully commit yourself to love?" Endless good, he insists who found that out by overcoming plenty of bad. His parents were murdered when he was fourteen. Nine years later, his brother died of a heroin overdose. Soon after that, Scott joined a cult that dominated his life for thirteen years before he summoned the courage to walk away. In Big Love, his insightful and refreshingly honest collection of personal essays, Scott relates these profound experiences as well as everyday struggles and triumphs in ways that are universally applicable, uplifting, and laugh-out-loud funny. Whether silencing shame, rebounding after failure, or moving forward despite fears, Scott shares hard-won insights that consistently return readers to love, both of themselves and others. "I’d like this book to remind you that you are not alone, not by a long shot. We are all imperfect; we all have busy, fearful minds; and we all struggle. Every single one of us, every single day. I’d like the book to emphasize that you are as worthy of love as anyone who has ever lived, and that nothing you do could ever make you any less worthy. Or more worthy, for that matter." About Scott: About fifteen years ago, a friend asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him I wanted to spread as much love as possible. My answer’s still the same. I know life isn't always a party. It's often hard, sometimes brutal. My parents were shot to death when I was fourteen. My brother OD'd on heroin nine years later. I grew up around a lot of addiction, dysfunction and tragedy. And with too much shame over the fact that I was gay. I hid my pain, and I hid my truth. Not anymore. We all have our stories. We all have our pain. I've come to believe the only way to have a chance at healing our wounds is to be honest about them. Brave and willing enough to face them. The healing part may be out of our hands, but the brave and honest part is certainly within our power. And it changes everything. For me, love supports it all. ALL OF IT. Love is the base note for everything good—compassion, forgiveness, kindness, authenticity—and choices made from love can only serve ourselves and our world positively. Love's got the power. I've been fortunate enough to publish some books and write a movie and be a part of a supportive and wonderful social media community also committed to looking at their lives honestly and through the all-forgiving lens of love. I've finally started doing what I want to be doing with my life—as I told my friend, spreading as much love as possible. Any which way I can do it. I hope you'll join me. To learn more about Scott and his work, visit: http://www.scottstabile.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #81, my guest is Christopher Plowman, CEO of Insight Timer, the most popular meditation Timer in the world. Home to more than 3 million meditators, Insight Timer is rated as the top free meditation app on the Android and iOS stores. Christopher joined me for insightful conversation on Insight Timer, the challenges of maintaining his own meditation practice, the value of community to meditation, The Maharishi Effect, his past ventures in the start-up world and how Insight Timer is different, and the crucial importance of keeping the app free for everyone with no monthly subscriptions or lockdowns. "How do you build a profitable company when you’re committed to a free product which costs millions of dollars a year to run?" NOTE FROM GREG: I've personally been using Insight Timer nearly every day since early 2014; it's easily my favorite and most valuable app, which is why I was excited to have this conversation with Christopher! About Insight Timer: The Timer: Every day our community logs more than 50,000 hours of meditation. 7,461 free Guided Meditations: Every day our community spends more than 6,000 hours listening to guided meditations. 1,609 of the world's best meditation teachers: Every day our community connects with 1609 meditation teachers in 25 languages. 4,937 Groups: 3,000,000 meditators discussing topics from humour and compassion to spirituality and support. 3 million meditators: Every day we welcome more than 2,500 meditators to our community. To learn more about Insight Timer, visit: https://insighttimer.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #80, my guest is Suzanne Scurlock-Durana, one of the world’s leading authorities on conscious awareness and its transformational impact on the healing process. For over 30 years, she has been empowering people to experience joy in each moment without burning out. The practical tools and skills she teaches have helped people all over the world improve every aspect of their lives, from their health and well-being to their relationships, their careers, their creativity, even the growth of their businesses. Suzanne joined me for an excellent conversation on her latest book Reclaiming Your Body: Healing from Trauma and Awakening to Your Body’s Wisdom, in which she provides the tools and guidance necessary to reconnect with our body’s inner guidance system of sensation, imagery, and inner knowing. “While the English language frequently refers to what our bodies know — 'gut feelings,' hearts 'reaching out' to others, etc. — many of us have learned to ignore, deny, or even mistrust our body’s inherent wisdom. Even worse, a lot of people don’t like their bodies very much at all. As a result, we often cut ourselves off from one of our greatest allies." About: Suzanne Scurlock-Durana is the author of Reclaiming Your Body: Healing From Trauma and Awakening to Your Body’s Wisdom and Full Body Presence: Learning to Listen to Your Body’s Wisdom. As one of the world’s leading authorities on conscious awareness and its transformational impact on the healing process, she has been empowering people for over 30 years to experience joy in each moment without burning out. The practical tools and skills she teaches have helped people all over the world improve every aspect of their lives, from their health and well-being to their relationships, their careers, their creativity, even the growth of their businesses. After decades perfecting her methods, Suzanne created the comprehensive Healing From the Core training curriculum in 1994. Today it includes a robust selection of international workshops, webinars, speaking engagements and audio programs. You can visit her online at http://www.healingfromthecore.com. To learn more about Suzanne's work, visit: http://healingfromthecore.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #79, my guest is author and women’s leadership expert Tara Mohr, who gives women (and the men in her audience/community) the practical skills to voice and implement the changes they want to see—in themselves and in the world. Tara joined me for a great conversation on her new book Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead, which was named a best book of the year by Apple’s iBooks. It provides real, practical tools to help women quiet self-doubt, identify their callings, “unhook” from praise and criticism, unlearn counterproductive "good girl" habits, and begin taking bold action. “How did Playing Big come to be? I felt like all around me, I saw women playing small. Brilliant women with fabulous ideas, provocative questions, visions for how the world could be different and better. But those ideas and visions and questions weren't being voiced. And I was very attuned to that because I was struggling with that myself. I sent out a survey and asked my readers and asked them, 'What's the biggest challenge in your life?' and I listed a bunch of the challenges that we typically think loom so large in women's lives. But because of what I'd seen again and again, I added one more challenge to the list, 'I'm playing small.' When the survey responses came back, 'I'm playing small' was what the most women deemed the biggest challenge in their lives." About: Tara Mohr is an expert on women’s leadership and well-being. She helps women play bigger in sharing their voices and bringing forward their ideas in work and in life. Tara is the author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead, named a best book of the year by Apple’s iBooks and now in paperback. In the book, she shares her pioneering model for making the journey from playing small–being held back by fear and self-doubt–to playing big, taking bold action to pursue what you see as your callings. Tara is the creator of the Playing Big leadership program for women, which now has more than 1,500 graduates from around the world, and creator of the global Playing Big Facilitators Training for coaches, therapists, leadership development professionals and other practitioners supporting women in their personal and professional growth. A Coaches Training Institute-certified coach with an MBA from Stanford University and an undergraduate degree in English literature from Yale, Tara takes a unique approach that blends inner work and practical skills training. Her work has been featured on national media from the New York Times to Today Show to Harvard Business Review, and has captivated women from all walks of life. To learn more about Tara's work, visit: http://www.taramohr.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #78, my guest is spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, author, and coach Eric Klein, who for the past three decades has been a leading voice in the movement to bring greater spirit, mindfulness, and meaning to the workplace through his writing, training, and speaking via his company Dharma Consulting. Eric joined me for a very timely conversation on his new course Sacred Sanity for Crazy Times: Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita, based on the teachings of one of the world’s most precious texts of spiritual wisdom, which Eric calls a guidebook for out times. We attempt to answer the question: "How can you stay connected to your deepest purpose and wisdom – even in difficult and uncertain times?" We also discussed the concept of dharma; the difference between knowledge and wisdom; how to re-engage with the lantern of illumination; the benefits of a meditation; practice vs. non-attachment; and the three levels of awakening to our deeper purpose. “The challenges of stress, struggle, and spiritual confusion aren’t new. People have been wrestling with how to live an awakened life for millenia. One of the clearest, deepest, and most practical answers to this profoundly human question is a yogic text that is over 2,500 years old. It’s called the Bhagavad Gita." About: Eric Klein & Devi Bliss are ordained lineage holders in the Kriya Yoga lineage. As a couple, they’ve been practicing and teaching this path for over 40 years, integrating the deepest spiritual principles into a full life of marriage, children, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Along with being a spiritual teacher, for the past three decades, Eric has been a leading voice in the movement to bring greater spirit, mindfulness, and meaning to the workplace through his writing, training, and speaking via his company Dharma Consulting. He’s worked with over 30,000 leaders from a wide variety of settings: Fortune 500 companies, healthcare, governmental and non-profit organizations as well as mid-size companies. Eric is the author of the bestselling book Awakening Corporate Soul: Four Paths to Unleash the Power of People at Work (over 200,000 copies sold) and To Do or Not To Do: How Successful Leaders Make Better Decisions based on research and experiences with more than 200 companies. His book You are the Leader You’ve Been Waiting For won a 2008 Nautilus Award as a world changing book in the conscious leadership/business category. To learn more about Eric's work and community, visit: http://wisdomheart.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #77, my guest is CEO and author Mary Shores, who joined me for a fantastic conversation on her groundbreaking Conscious Communications system, which produces positive results through positive action. We also discussed her unique life story (including her work as founder of Midstate Collection Solutions, Inc., one of the most unique collection agencies in the country!), as well as how to get your thoughts, words, and actions in "Alignment"; our words as a mirror to our subconscious beliefs; probabilities vs. possibilities; cleanse or clog;;the power of "now"; and her brand new book Conscious Communications: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Words to Change Your Mind, Your Choices, and Your Life. “Whether we realize it or not, the words we use dictate and control our lives. The messages we repeat can frame our thoughts and trap us into a mindset that is difficult to break. It often manifests itself with statements like 'I can’t,' and 'I’m not good enough.' This is a common mindset, and many times we do not stop to consider the profound impact that these limiting words have on our mentality, life choices, and the path of possibility that we manifest." About: Mary Shores is a business owner, CEO, thought leader and communications specialist. Like all accomplished people, Mary has created a principle that she lives by: Words That Work. Mary is the owner and founder of Midstate Collection Solutions, Inc., one of the most unique collection agencies in the country. Mary has spent her entire career listening to problems and getting positive results under the most stressful conditions possible. What makes her business successful is what makes her life successful: her three-step Words That Work system of communicating. The principle behind Words That Work is to recognize the importance of effective communication and problem solving skills in the service of leading a more results-oriented and happier life. Unlike others who have tackled the subject of effective communication from the vantage point of psychology, philosophy, linguistics or negotiation, Mary Shores’ Words That Work is based on experience. She has had the great pleasure of seeing her own successes echoed in the lives of her employees, customers and clients once they are taught, understand and implement her Words That Work method of creating dialogue. Mary Shores’ communication system, Words That Work, will take you, and any part of your life, from chaos to being a well-oiled machine. To learn more about Mary's work, visit: http://maryshores.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #76, my guest is Dr. Eric Maisel, a retired family therapist, active life coach, and the author of more than fifty books. Eric was one of my first guests on Life on Purpose and returns to the show for a wide-ranging conversation on meaning, life purpose, and the epidemic of phantom "mental disorders" in children. And we focus on his new book, Your Difficult Family: 8 Skills for Thriving in Any Family Situation, in which he shows how to stay sane when family isn’t, providing practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.   This empowering book is a “field guide” to common types of dysfunctional families, and a big helping of real life success stories that are dinner table tested and approved. Readers will learn to maintain inner peace in the midst of family chaos and maybe even create a better life for their whole family. “There is no pill that can make family life easy. There is no pill that can spare you pain if one of your parents is alcoholic, one of your children is troubled, or your mate is cheating on you. M. Scott Peck begins The Road Less Traveled with a simple, eloquent announcement: “Life is difficult.” Tolstoy famously begins Anna Karenina in an equally eloquent way: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”" About: Eric Maisel was born in the Bronx, New York, where he lived until the age of 5. He grew up in Brooklyn, attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, and briefly attended Brooklyn College. After serving in the Army from 1965 – 1968 he attended Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, where he received a B.S. in philosophy. Dr. Maisel subsequently lived in Boston, New York and San Francisco and traveled extensively in Europe, spending time in London, Dublin and Budapest. He earned a master’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University while ghostwriting mysteries and nonfiction and self-publishing fiction. In the ’80s he returned to school and earned a second bachelor’s degree in psychology, a second master’s degree in counseling, and a doctorate in counseling psychology. After completing training, Dr. Maisel became a California licensed family therapist and worked exclusively with creative and performing artists. In time he moved from therapy and the medical model to coaching, where he founded the profession of creativity coaching. Dr. Maisel has a son, David Maisel, by his first marriage, and two daughters, Natalya Maisel and Kira Maisel, with his wife Ann Mathesius Maisel. In 2012 Eric and Ann celebrated 35 years together.  They live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Maisel served as adjunct faculty at St. Mary’s College (Moraga, California) for ten years and created and wrote Callboard Magazine’s Staying Sane in the Theater column. He has presented lectures and workshops for the American Psychological Association, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Paris Writers Workshop, the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Savannah College of Arts and Crafts, the U. C. Berkeley Counseling Center, and many other venues. Dr. Maisel has been a guest on, quoted in, or interviewed by Redbook, Glamour, Cosmo Teen, Men’s Health, Body and Soul, KRON television news, Martha Stewart Living, Self, Marin Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Daily News, The Arizona Republic, Common Boundary, and has provided hundreds of radio, television, and print interviews. Dr. Maisel has been the keynote speaker at the Jack London Writer’s Conference, Pikes Peak Writer’s Conference, William Saroyan Writer’s Conference, Indiana Arts’ Administrators Conference, Mendocino Writer’s Conference, Santa Fe Conference on Creative Tourism, Arizona State University Arts & Letters Convocation, and many other conferences. He presents workshops at the Omega Institute, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, the Esalen Institute, The Hollyhock Centre (in Canada), the Open Center, and Rowe; and at locations worldwide, including in San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, Antwerp, Prague, and Berlin. Dr. Maisel writes the Rethinking Mental Health blog for Psychology Today online, a monthly print column for Professional Artist Magazine, and occasional pieces for the Huffington Post. He hosted a hundred episodes of The Joy of Living Creatively and Your Purpose-Centered Life with the Personal Life Media Network and provides core trainings for the Creativity Coaching Association. To learn more about Dr. Maisel's work, visit: http://ericmaisel.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #75, Peaceful Warrior's Dan Millman returns to the show! Dan is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor. After an intensive twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan's teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way, expressed fully in his seventeen books — including the seminal Way of the Peaceful Warrior — and lectures. His work continues to evolve over time, to meet the needs of a changing world. In this inspiring conversation, we discussed his brand new book, The Hidden School (Simon and Schuster), the long-awaited conclusion to the Peaceful Warrior saga. Dan takes readers on an epic spiritual quest across the world as he searches for the link between everyday life and transcendent possibility. Along the way, he uncovers lessons of life hidden in plain sight—insights pointing the way to an inspired life in the eternal present. “In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman established himself as a master of teaching through story. Now, in this exciting adventure, he reveals how deep learning can be found in unexpected places. The wisdom he shares will illuminate many lives." don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements About: Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor. After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way, expressed fully in his books and lectures. His work continues to evolve over time, to meet the needs of a changing world. Dan’s seventeen books, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, have inspired and informed millions of readers in 29 languages worldwide. The feature film, “Peaceful Warrior,” starring Nick Nolte, was adapted from Dan’s first book, based upon incidents from his life. Much of Dan’s time is devoted to writing and speaking. His keynotes, seminars, and workshops span the generations to influence men and women from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, politics, sports, entertainment, and the arts. Dan and his wife Joy live in Brooklyn, NY. They have three grown daughters and four grandchildren. To learn more about Dan's work, visit: http://www.peacefulwarrior.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #74, my guest is writer, artist, career coach and community leader Emilie Wapnick, the Founder and Creative Director at Puttylike, where she helps multipotentialites (people with many passions, skills, and creative pursuits) integrate all of their interests to create dynamic, fulfilling and fruitful careers and lives. In this inspiring conversation, we discussed her brand new book, How To Be Everything, A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don't Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up (Harper Collins), in which she flips the script on conventional career advice. Instead of suggesting that you specialize, choose a niche, or accumulate 10,000 hours of practice in a single area, she provides a practical framework for building a sustainable life around ALL of your passions. “You don't have to choose one thing! That's the big secret no one tells you. " About: Emilie Wapnick is a writer, career coach, blogger, and community leader. She is the founder and creative director at Puttylike.com, where she helps multipotentialites (people with many passions and creative pursuits) integrate all of their interests to create dynamic, fulfilling, and fruitful careers and lives. Unable to settle on one path herself, Emilie studied music, art, film production and law, graduating from the Law Faculty at McGill University. Emilie’s TED talk has been viewed over 3.7 million times, and has been translated into 36 languages. She’s been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Financial Times, The Huffington Post, BBC, and Lifehacker. Her book How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up, came out with HarperCollins in May 2017. To learn more about Emilie's work, visit: http://puttylike.com/ or http://howtobeeverything.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #73, my guest is the pioneering therapist Dr. Judith Orloff, a New York Times best-selling author and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA who has helped patients find emotional freedom for more than 20 years. Dr. Orloff synthesizes the pearls of traditional medicine with cutting edge knowledge of intuition, energy, and spirituality to achieve physical and emotional healing. In this enlightening conversation, we discussed her brand new book, The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People (Sounds True), in which she offers an invaluable resource to help EMPATHIC people survive in an often insensitive world, plus her life and career as "the positive energy guru." “Empaths feel things first, then think, which is the opposite of how most people function in our over- intellectualized society,” says Dr. Orloff. "The key to self-care is to recognize when you’re experiencing the first signs of sensory overload or when you start absorbing negativity or stress from others. The sooner you can act to reduce stimulation and to center yourself, the more balanced and protected you will be." About: Transforming the face of psychiatry, Judith Orloff MD asserts that we are keepers of an innate intuitive intelligence so perceptive that it can tell us how to heal -- and prevent -- illness. Yet intuition and spirituality are the very aspects of our wisdom usually disenfranchised from traditional health care. Dr. Orloff is accomplishing for psychiatry what physicians like Dean Ornish and Mehmet Oz have done for mainstream medicine -- she is proving that the links between physical, emotional, and spiritual health can't be ignored. Dr. Orloff is a New York Times bestselling author and is on the UCLA psychiatric clinical faculty. She specializes in treating empaths and sensitive people in her Los Angeles based private practice. She has spoken at medical schools, hospitals, the American Psychiatric Association, Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Women Summit, and alternative and traditional health forums -- venues where she presents practical intuitive tools to doctors, patients, and everyday people. In response to her work, The Los Angeles Times calls Dr. Orloff "a prominent energy-based healer." Dr. Orloff's latest book “The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People” (Sounds True, 2017) is an invaluable resource to help sensitive people of all kinds develop healthy coping mechanisms in our high-stimulus world without experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout. Then empaths can fully embody their gifts of intuition, creativity, and compassion. In Dr. Orloff’s first book, "Second Sight" she chronicles her struggles acknowledging and then finally embracing her gift of intuition. Her second book, "Dr. Orloff's: Guide to Intuitive Healing" shows how breakthroughs in healing our body, emotions, and sexuality can be accomplished by listening to intuition.   "Positive Energy," which has been translated into 25 languages, takes a probing look at the American epidemic of exhaustion and how we can reverse it using specific strategies to build energy and combat draining people. Her New York Times Bestseller, "Emotional Freedom" describes how to transform negative emotions into positive ones with specific techniques. Finally, "The Power of Surrender" describes the power of letting go in everyday life, health, and wellness--an enlivening and sane alternative to pushing, forcing, and over controlling people and situations. Dr. Orloff's work has been featured in O Magazine, Forbes, Newsweek, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Self, Cosmo, The Washington Times, Teen Vogue, Scientific American, and the New York Post. She has appeared on The Today Show, The Dr. Oz Show, CBS Early Show, CNN, PBS, BBC5, and NPR. Dr. Orloff is also an  Elephant Journal, Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, blogger. To learn more about Dr. Orloff's work, visit: http://www.drjudithorloff.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #72, another "Soul Series" interview, my guest is author and minister Maria Felipe, who joined me for a fantastic conversation that can change lives. We discussed her unique story going from a successful (but ultimately unfulfilling) career as an actress, model, and Latina boxing announcer to spiritual teacher and motivational speaker. And we talked about her brand new book, Live Your Happy: Get Out of Your Own Way and Find the Love Within (New World Library), in which she shares more than twenty years of experience studying and living the principles from A Course in Miracles (ACIM). Live Your Happy is not a philosophic explanation of the Course; it is a practical guide for living it. The book includes real-world examples from the author’s life and from her students’ experiences. In nine crystal-clear chapters, she shows readers how to get the “cuckoo voice of the ego” out of the way, connect with their “inner teacher,” and access personal power and strength. “This book is a simple but not necessarily easy guide to learning to live your happy. I will share practical spiritual tools to get you there, along with stories of my own journey and of people I’ve counseled. I empower my clients not by telling them what to do but by helping them understand that they have the answer within,” she writes. “I ask that you trust me and be gentle with yourself. Step by step, I will train you to listen to your right mind. In turn, you will become free to live in happiness consistently. You will even be happy when you have so-called ‘problems.’ How’s that for a miracle?” About: a Cuban-American born in Miami, Maria Felipe stands at 5’9" tall with a towering personality to match. Her charisma has captivated thousands of viewers across the United States and beyond, as her pursuit of an acting career resulted in dozens of appearances in national commercials, hosting successful TV shows (including World Wrestling Federation shows with live audiences of 20,000), and traveling the world as a model. After success in her field she felt called inward, and studied to become a Reverend with Pathways of Light, an accredited religious school inspired by A Course in Miracles. Maria is a dynamic speaker in both Spanish and English. She leads services monthly at Unity Church in Burbank, where she created the church's first regular Spanish service, as well as performing services in English. Her talks now draw both Spanish and English speakers from all over Southern California. She also leads workshops. Maria has created her own channel on You Tube by hosting MariaCoconut TV, a show designed to share and expand the message of love by interviewing other spiritual leaders. In 2013, Maria been a regular guest on Unity Radio, Awakening Together Radio and Center Of Light Radio. She’s also recently appeared as a motivational speaker on TV shows and news programs for Univison, Telemundo and CNN. She has also spoken alongside prominent teachers David Hoffmeister and Gary Renard in Los Angeles, Mexico, and Greece. People magazine once referred to Maria Felipe as ’’Una Campeona Sin Rival,’’ which means a champion without rival. This is an apt label for this young, vivacious and talented actress, host, and minister. And the gifts she can share with countless others continue to multiply as she allows the expression of her talents to be guided by the inner light of God. To learn more about Maria's work, visit: https://www.mariafelipe.org/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #71, my guest is psychologist Rachel Harris, PhD, who joined me for an enlightening and hope-filled conversation about her new book Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction, PTSD and Anxiety (New World Library). Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew from the Amazon rainforest, is entering the Western lexicon through the popular media, the internet, and first-person reports. Considered a medicine by practitioners, the tea has great therapeutic potential that is just beginning to be studied. As a result of her own personal experience with ayahuasca, Dr. Harris was inspired to research how this medicine was being used in North America in the largest study of this kind to date. Listening to Ayahuasca describes her findings, including miracle cures of depression and addiction, therapeutic breakthroughs, spiritual revelations, and challenging or bad trips. “This book is intended for people considering ayahuasca and for people drinking the medicine. I hope it will help them integrate their insights and visions into their daily lives. There is much work people can do on their own to maximize the healing that ayahuasca offers,” writes Dr. Harris. “I also hope this book will inform psychotherapists about the process of integration after ayahuasca ceremonies, so they can provide a supportive and respectful container for the unfolding of healing.” About: Psychologist Rachel Harris, PhD is the author of Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction, PTSD and Anxiety. She was in private practice for thirty-five years working with people interested in psychospiritual development. During a decade working in research, Rachel received a National Institutes of Health New Investigator’s Award and published more than forty scientific studies in peer-reviewed journals. She has also consulted to Fortune 500 companies and the United Nations. Rachel was in the 1968 Esalen Residential Program, Big Sur, CA. This intensive six-month program focused on meditation and body work. In the early seventies, Rachel studied with Dorothy Nolte in the movement system, Structural Awareness, based on Dr. Ida Rolf’s Structural Integration (Rolfing). Rachel also co-edited the Journal of the American Dance Therapy Association for three years. Awareness of how people live and move in their bodies has always been an aspect of Rachel’s approach to psychotherapy. During the mid-eighties into the early aughts, Rachel led workshops at Omega Institute, NY and Esalen Institute, CA. She wrote Twenty Minute Retreats: Revive Your Spirit in Just Minutes a Day with Simple, Self-Led Practices (NY: Holt, 2000). This book describes many of the psychological, meditative and body awareness exercises she taught in her workshops. In 2005 Rachel traveled to a retreat center in Costa Rica and serendipitously found herself with the opportunity to drink ayahuasca with Ecuadorian shamans. The morning after her first ceremony, Rachel began asking questions about the therapeutic potential of this medicine. She conducted a three-year research project with Lee Gurel, PhD that resulted in “A Study of Ayahuasca Use in North America,” published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (Summer, 2012). Rachel has a married daughter, Ashley Mason, who sings in the chorus at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. Rachel is the co-author with Dorothy Nolte of Children Learn What They Live and Teenagers Learn What They Live (NY: Workman, 1998 and 2002) and the author of 20 Minute Retreats (Holt, 2000). Rachel spends eight months of the year on a remote island in Penobscot Bay, ME and winters in Napa, CA. To learn more about Dr. Harris' work, visit: https://www.listeningtoayahuasca.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #70, my guest is transformational photographer and coach Robyn Ivy, who has 20 years of experience helping clients transform themselves by shifting their focus and learning to see their world through a new lens. Robyn joined me for an inspiring conversation about photography as a tool for transformation (a conviction I share), her life and work, and PROJECT 3.8, the compelling campaign she started to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Robyn brings a deep understanding of what holds people back and brings it into the light so it can be seen and overcome. "Have you ever stopped to consider that the way we look at and experience our world is often done by default? Did you know that our vision can be strengthened, like a muscle, and when we exercise it, it transforms, changing the way we view our world and ourselves?" About Robyn: Much like the world around us, I am constantly evolving—driven by an intense passion to help businesses and individuals transform themselves by learning to see their world through a new lens. As a professional photographer, visual brand strategist, creative director, speaker and coach, I explore opportunities from a variety of perspectives that help my clients see the possibilities, truths and solutions to problem that remain invisible others. For nearly two decades, I have encouraged others to step outside the box, shifting their focus to tell a different story about themselves; one in which the heart of who they are and what they stand for shines through for all to see. The impact of storytelling is very real, and I pride myself on uncovering the deeper message behind my clients’ brands and communicating it to the world through powerful imagery. In 2016, I created Project 3.8, a compelling visual campaign to raise awareness for pediatric cancer, born from the heartache of a close friend losing her 8-year-old son to Rhabdomyosarcoma. I produced a traveling gallery of 20 large scale metal portraits of children ages 3-18 who were either active in their fight against cancer or celebrated survivors. The show’s inspiration, Dorian J. Murray, was our only angel. While I learned much from this experience, my mission was simple: to teach people to “see” childhood cancer in a different light and the impact is has on far too many families. Project 3.8 moved thousands of people and, I’m happy to say, will be an annual event. I share this with you because of how passionate I am about helping people see themselves and their cause from new and unexpected vantage points. When you understand what holds people back and bring it to the forefront so it may be overcome, there’s truly no limit to what you can accomplish. Whether you’re looking to create new pathways to growth, increase ROI, find innovative solutions to difficult problems, or guide others in the direction of our true purpose to make a difference in this world, I want to be part of that journey. I want to be part of your journey. Through my photography, I shoot for a wide range of commercial, corporate and editorial clients, as well as entrepreneurs and those who want to change the world. I also offer workshops and speaking presentations on how to transform your business, your brand or your life by changing your viewpoint. Now that I’ve told you about what I do, I’d like to tell you a bit about who I am. Though I’m a native New Englander, in my heart, I am a citizen of the world. At 15, I spent a year in Germany as an exchange student and it changed my life! Traveling became embedded in my DNA and I spent my youth finding ways to see more of the world. A free spirit by nature, I love a great road trip and the kindred spirits you meet along the way. Long before I was a professional photographer, I worked with baby chimpanzees in Africa, led German tourists on adventure camping trips in Alaska and beyond, taught English to folks in Europe, and spent a year working my tail off with an anti-hunger coalition in Vermont. In 2001, I became a mom and began life’s most valuable journey: raising my two boys, who have quickly (yet not quietly) become teenagers. I'm pretty obsessed with Instagram and I’ve promised myself that one day, I will learn how to knit! To learn more about Robyn's work, visit: http://www.robynivy.com/.  

Do you believe in life after death? Does consciousness exist outside our bodies? Does the language of the dying points the way to a transcendent world beyond our own? For this special Soul Series episode of Life on Purpose, my guest is author, linguist, educator, and poet Lisa Smartt who founded the Final Words Project, an ongoing study devoted to collecting and interpreting the mysterious language at the end of lives. Lisa joined me for an inspiring conversation about her new book, Words at the Threshold: What We Say as We’re Nearing Death (New World Library), in which she decodes the symbolism of those last words, showing how the language of the dying points the way to a transcendent world beyond our own. She shares the compelling language she has heard and the coherency that emerges in even the most puzzling phrases. She also provides tools for more meaningful communication with loved ones who are at the end of life. And we discuss her work with Dr. Raymond Moody, the pioneering researcher who coined the term Near Death Experience (NDE) in the 1970s. “Words at the Threshold marks a new era in the understanding of the process of dying. Lisa Smartt’s work has profound psychological, spiritual, and clinical implications for the care of terminally ill patients and their families. And I believe that her work also opens unexplored pathways for the genuinely rational investigation of human kind’s deepest mystery: the prospect of life after death.” — from the foreword by Raymond Moody Jr., MD, PhD, author of Life After Life About: Lisa Smartt, MA, is a linguist, educator, and poet. She is the author of Words at the Threshold: What We Say When We’re Nearing Death (New World Library 2017). The book is based on data collected through The Final Words Project, wwwfinalwordsproject.org, an ongoing study devoted to gathering and interpreting the mysterious language at end of life. She has worked closely with Raymond Moody, guided by his research into language, particularly unintelligible speech. They have co-facilitated presentations about language and consciousness at universities, hospices and conferences. About Words at the Threshold: A person’s last words can often be enigmatic, confusing or powerfully meaningful; they can also offer tantalizing clues about the ultimate fate of the human soul. Until now, no author has systematically studied end-of-life communication by collecting and analyzing the final utterances of the terminally ill. When her father faced his final weeks, linguist Lisa Smartt began transcribing his conversations and noticed that both his language and personality underwent inexplicable changes. Smartt’s father, a skeptical man with a secular worldview, developed a deeply spiritual outlook in his final days — a change reflected in his last words. Baffled and intrigued, Smartt began to investigate the near-death utterances of others, collecting over a hundred case studies with interviews and transcripts. In Words at the Threshold, Smartt decodes the symbolism of those last words, showing how the language of the dying points the way to a transcendent world beyond our own​ To learn more about Lisa's work, visit: http://www.finalwordsproject.org/.

Have you ever asked yourself what is your life purpose? Have you considered what you are doing here and whether you are on the right track to being fulfilled? For Life on Purpose Episode #68, my guests are world-renowned Human Design experts Chetan Parkyn & Carola Eastwood. They joined me for a fascinating and timely conversation about a tool that can help answer those questions: Human Design and their brand new book The Book of Destinies: Discover the Life You Were Born to Live (New World Library). The book offers readers the opportunity to use the place, date, and time of their births to reveal their Life Theme, which offers a portrait of their true nature and allows them the peace of knowing who they really are. “Just like the storyline of a book, or the theme music to a movie, there is a unique, consistent, and recognizable undercurrent to your whole lifetime. It is your Life Theme, which is your melody, your part in the symphony of life, and only you can play it,” say Chetan and Carola. “Knowing and accepting your particular Life Theme is truly transformative. Embodying this awareness gives you reassurance and clarification about your life purpose.” About Chetan Parkyn: Chetan Parkyn has been giving Readings to people of all walks of life and all nationalities for over 35 years. He has spent the past 23 years mastering Human Design. He is more than a leading practitioner of the system. As the author of the first major book on the subject, which has been translated into eleven different language versions, he has made it his mission to bring Human Design to the whole world. An entrepreneur’s son by upbringing and an engineer by training, Chetan has fully explored both the mystical and the technological worlds. He’s been a deep-sea dive engineer and a devoted student of meditation. Travels in India and time spent in the company of the enlightened mystic, Osho, finally opened Chetan to his own purpose — helping people develop self-knowledge. The details of how Chetan discovered his abilities came about through a reading he experienced from a Chayyashastri (Shadow Reader) in Bombay, now Mumbai, in 1979.  Finding himself no longer satisfied with everything he had understood about himself especially in the field of engineering, Chetan was guided to have a session to find some personal clarification.  Chetan was given a transfixing view of himself in all aspects of his life.  He was told things about himself that he had long forgotten, barely imagined, or never considered important.  At the end of the session, the Shadow Reader asked Chetan to come and work with him : ".......because you know how to do this kind of work." Completely startled by the depth of the information he had just received, Chetan declined the invitation.  The Shadow Reader laughed in response and told Chetan that it did not really matter .... "because you are going to do this work anyway," he said. "There is a system that is going to come into your life, and you are going to write books about it, and introduce it to many thousands of people all over the world, and you are going to transform their lives.....and my advice to you is to find a way of reading for people that you like and practice it so you are ready." A week later, Chetan met a Psychic Palm Reader who for 10 minutes showed Chetan about many of the lines and markings in a hand.  At the end of the 10 minutes, the Psychic Palmist closed up Chetan’s hands and said : "That's enough!  Now go practice!"  And for the next 14 years, Chetan gave Readings for everyone who held their hands out to him. He also studied numerous systems of divination and ways of revealing people to themselves.....all the time wondering what this "system" the Shadow Reader had been talking about could be. In 1993, Chetan met a man called Ra Uru Hu, who had been given Human Design and who first introduced it to the world. Chetan worked with Ra over the next 7 years, beginning his journey towards fully mastering the system. Chetan’s unique gifts include a balance of technical skill and pure intuition. In addition, Chetan is a compelling speaker — fun, inspiring, down-to-earth and personal. Simply through hearing him, many experience the beginnings of deep inner change. As Chetan studied Human Design over many years, gave thousands of personal and partnership Readings, he began to realize how few people had access to its extraordinary riches. In 2000, he felt called to make the system accessible to a far wider audience. Chetan began offering Trainings and Seminars along with his life-partner Carola Eastwood. The couple also started training Practitioners in the art of giving wholesome Human Design Readings. But this was not enough. In 2009 Chetan wrote the first major book on Human Design, published by Harper Collins UK, and in 2010 by New World Library in the US, and subsequently in many other languages. Combined with powerful free software, the book makes it easy for everyone to create and interpret his or her own Life Chart. Recently, he and his wife, Carola created the first On-Line Human Design Comprehensive Report. Thanks to Chetan Parkyn, Human Design today is becoming available to the whole planet. And as more and more individuals live in alignment with their unique design, the quality of life on Earth will change! About Carola Eastwood: Carola Eastwood has been a Human Design consultant, teacher and coach since 1999. Prior to that she had an established counseling practice and an Astrology clientele in Santa Fe, NM and in San Diego, CA. She has been author of the monthly column, “Planetary Cycles” published by the Life Connection since 1988, and is a highly acclaimed astrological consultant and intuitive counselor. Carola has appeared on national TV, hosted radio shows, and spoken at national conventions. As a young woman, Carola discovered her passion to help others awaken to a richer view of themselves and their world, by finding their inner essence, that core of being within each person that is the Spirit expressing in form. She undertook years of post graduate training in a variety of human development disciplines, including psychology, psychosynthesis, past life healing therapy, intuitive reading arts, and the science of spirituality. When she discovered Human Design, she realized that this was the missing piece of the puzzle in helping others to change their consciousness and create their own destiny. Today, she co-presents Human Design seminars and trainings alongside her husband and partner, Chetan Parkyn. Carola created the experiential seminars as a tool that quickly puts one in touch with one’s own Human Design, and with the Designs of others. She also assists Chetan in presenting Human Design Consultant Trainings. Her passion is to assist others to awaken to their own power to create the life they have always dreamed of. To learn more about Chetan and Carola's work, visit: http://humandesignforusall.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #67, my guest is tailor made careerist Julian Mather, who says he wasn’t at school the day they taught conventional career planning. A chronic truant, he self-educated and read between the lines to find the secrets to turning his obsession into his profession. From high school failure to Army sniper to globe trotting TV cameraman to kids entertainer to online entrepreneur he really hasn’t felt he has a worked a day in his life. And at 55 he says he’s only just beginning to hit his straps. Julian joined me for a high-energy chat about realizing your career potential after age 40; how to use your own life experience/journey to create content that others can benefit from; shifting from an hourly rate model to charging for value; and tales from his own unique life story. "The day and age of the massive corporations that take care of us from beginning to end are over. That’s just a reality. Workforce change is upon us. It is time to look for alternatives. As a 40+ worker, you must expand your options. Allow me to show you the way. In the decade or so that I've been earning income online something struck me along the way. The 20 to 30 year olds are taking the lead with this but they have relatively little experience to impart. 40,50,60 year olds don’t even know about this and they have rich experience that is going to waste." About Julian: This is the best time ever to be over 40. Never has it been so easy to leverage your life experience, your hard won knowledge, your relative financial stability, your wits and your deep down belief that you have more to say, more to give, more to ‘be’, than just a cog in the big post industrial workforce. Your guide Julian Mather wasn’t at school the day they taught conventional career planning. A chronic truant he self educated and read between the lines to find the secrets to turning his obsession into his profession. From high school failure to Army sniper to globe trotting TV cameraman to kids entertainer to online entrepreneur he really hasn’t felt he has a worked a day in his life. And at 55 he says he’s only just beginning to hit his straps. And he wants you to realise your potential too. Whether for income or just for fun, creating your own career is possible, it’s very real and it’s the best time history to do this. 350,000 hours in the making, Tailor Made Career gives you tools, resources and roadmaps so you don’t go to the grave regretting the job choices you made. To learn more about Julian and his work, visit: https://www.tailormadecareer.com/.

Life on Purpose Episode #66 is the long-promised return of the LoP Round-Table! For my third RT, I was joined by Marsha Shandur, Charles Gupton, and Rick Charlie. They are each storytellers and creatives who work in a variety of different mediums (podcasts, storytelling, blogs, photos, video) and each use prompts on social media to examine the human condition and show that "I Don't Have It All Together", as Marsha's weekly Tuesday post proves! They joined me for an in-depth conversation on the topic of "pretending" — both online and in-person — including examining why we do it, what's actually behind the "look how cool I am" postings many of us make, and what purpose is pretending serving? We also discussed practical tips for being more authentic, intentional, and vulnerable in both your online and IRL interactions. This discussion was prompted by the following Facebook post from Rick Charlie, based on a question originally asked by author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek: Something to think about: How much of your time and energy is put into pretending? Pretending things are okay, when they are not. Pretending there is not pain, when inside you hurt so much. Pretending that you know what you are doing, yet are actually terrified of the next step. Pretending you have a really good life, but you are totally unsatisfied in it. Pretending that all those past things don't affect you, yet they really continue to plague you like an addiction you can't shake. Pretending that you have it all together when you don't even have a clue what it all is in the first place. How.Much.Energy? About LoP Round-Table #3 Guests: Marsha Shandur is a Storytelling Coach, Memory Scavenger, and Networking Mentor at Yes Yes Marsha as well as the Benevolent Dictator at True Stories Told Live Toronto. To learn more about Marsha and her work, visit: http://www.yesyesmarsha.com/. Charles Gupton is a photographer, videographer, and visual storyteller at Charles Gupton Productions. He also produces the The Creator's Journey podcast, on which I'm honored to have been a guest. To learn more about Charles and his work, visit: http://www.charlesgupton.com/. Rick Charlie is a computer forensics expert who knows how to ask probing questions about life, including the prompt that was the inspiration for this discussion. To learn more about Rick and his work, visit: http://rickcharlie.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #65, my guest is award-winning author Linda Johnsen, a long-time student of religious philosophy. Linda holds degrees in Eastern and Western Psychology, and has post-graduate training in theology and Sanskrit. She is the award-winning author of eight books on spirituality including Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hinduism. Linda joined me for an enlightening chat about her new book Lost Masters: Rediscovering The Mysticism of the Ancient Greek Philosophers, in which she offers a fascinating opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the ancient Greek masters, revealing a side of Western philosophy that has been almost completely ignored by traditional academia. "Ashrams in Europe twenty-five hundred years ago? Greek philosophers studying in India? Meditation classes in ancient Rome? It sounds unbelievable, but it’s historically true. Alexander the Great had an Indian guru. Pythagoras encouraged their students to meditate. Apollonius, the most famous Western sage of the first century c.e., visited both India and Egypt." About Linda Johnsen: I'm a writer who shuttles back and forth between two universes: the modern Western world and India! I've published over 200 articles on topics related to yoga and Hindu spirituality in many magazines including Yoga Plus, Yoga International, Yoga Journal, Himalayan Path, The Mountain Astrologer, and Light of Consciousness. I'm also author of eight books so farincluding Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hinduism. My essays have appeared in a half dozen anthologies including The Divine Mosaic, Uncoiling the Snake, Science of Breath, Shree Maa: The Story of a Saint, Hindu Astrology Lessons, Yoga Abenteuer Meditation (in German), and In the Footsteps of the Goddess. I've lectured throughout the U.S. on Goddess spirituality, yoga, Hinduism, and Vedic Astrology. I've suffered through numerous radio and cable TV interviews. I have a Master's degree in Eastern Studies. For four years I was Manager of the Center for Holistic Medicine in Glenview, Illinois. Later I served as Administrator of the Program in Eastern Studies, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. This was a fully accredited Master’s degree program which focused on the many facets of the yoga tradition: hatha yoga postures, stress reduction and breathing exercises, diet, physiology, ethics, philosophy, Sanskrit studies, meditation and research. These days I'm still writing, teaching, and introducing people to their Vedic horoscope. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area where my husband, Johnathan Brown, shares my passion for the Vedic tradition. To learn more about Linda and her work, visit: http://thousandsuns.users.sonic.net/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #64, my guest is Zen priest and teacher Richard Diedrichs, whose work presents basic Buddhist teachings that keep you on the wholesome path of self-realization toward a happy life. Richard joined me for an inspiring chat about his new book Living in Blue Sky Mind: Basic Buddhist Teachings for a Happy Life, in which he offers simple lessons, anecdotes of personal transformation, and reflective questions to guide us along Buddha’s enlightened way. We also discussed the opportunity to learn, grow, and practice these principles when host Greg mistakenly lost the audio file of the original interview that was taped and had to admit his mistake and request a second interview. Says Richard about the book: “Living in Blue Sky Mind began as short talks that I gave to children, parents, and grandparents at Daifukuji Zen Buddhist temple in Kona, Hawaii.  (For the youngest among us in the family gatherings, I read a children's picture book.) To further spread the Dharma, I had the idea of publishing the talks in a blog that I called, "I Can See Clearly Now." By the time I published about a hundred talks as posts, the blog had amassed nearly twelve thousand views.  Like myself, I think people are searching for ways in which they can think, say, and do things that bring caring and wisdom into their lives and into the lives of everyone around them.  We all want to be happy!” About: We live with minds as open and spacious as the deep blue sky. Living in Blue Sky Mind presents basic Buddhist teachings that keep us on the wholesome path of self-realization and oriented toward a happy life. Zen priest and teacher, Richard Gentei Diedrichs, offers simple lessons, anecdotes of personal transformation, and reflective questions to guide us along Buddha’s enlightened way. Richard Gentei Diedrichs grew up in Los Angeles. He edited travel and health magazines in Seattle, worked as an editor at the schools of Engineering and Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, and then taught in public elementary schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. The author of four books, Richard was fully ordained a Zen priest in 1990 by Genki Takabayashi Roshi. Currently, he is a Dharma teacher at Daifukuji Zen Temple in Hawaii. To learn more about Richard and his work, visit: https://richardgenteidiedrichs.wordpress.com/ or https://livinginblueskymind.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #63, my guest is author, actor, teacher, and creativity/productivity specialist Samantha Bennett, who has counseled thousands of artists in all disciplines on their way to success. Sam is the creator of The Organized Artist Company – a multi-six figure business she has built by hand, from scratch. Her previous book, the bestselling “Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day” received rave reviews, including Seth Godin, who called it, "An instant classic." Sam joined me for a high-energy chat about her new book Start Right Where You Are: How Little Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Overwhelmed Procrastinators, Frustrated Overachievers, and Recovering Perfectionists (New World Library), which is based on the premise that small shifts in the right direction can yield big results in the realization of our creative dreams. Start Right Where You Are offers 66 small, doable changes that will help readers: • Complete projects that are dear to their hearts • Change their relationship with their bodies and improve their physical health • Transform their relationships with people who are important to them • Get their work out in the world “When you decide that you want something and you move toward it physically, emotionally, or spiritually, then your movement opens up new pathways by which things can appear in your life. Even a very small step can cause a radical change in your relationship to the thing you want. Even a small shift in perspective can allow you to see new opportunities.” About: Originally from Chicago, Samantha Bennett is an author, actor, teacher and creativity/productivity specialist who has counseled thousands of artists in all disciplines on their way to success. She is the creator of The Organized Artist Company – a multi-six figure business she has built by hand, from scratch. Her bestselling book, “Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day” (New World Library) has received rave reviews, including from than the great Seth Godin, who called it, "An instant classic." She is an an email marketing and small business automation expert and was named the 2010 Ultimate Marketer Finalist by Infusionsoft, and she is an Infusionsoft Certified Consultant, Reseller and Partner. Sam has self-published four books: “By The Way, You Look Really Great Today,” "An Artist Talks to God," “365 Reasons To Write” and "Less Crazy, More Money: 52 Secrets to Running a Serene, Profitable Business." Her latest book is the critically- acclaimed, "Start Right Where You Are: How Little Changes Can Make a Big Difference for Overwhelmed Procrastinators, Frustrated Overachievers and Recovering Perfectionists" - the book that emerged from this workshop. Still a working actor (Modern Family, Drew Carey Show, Strong Medicine) Samantha has also written several plays, including, “Kiss The Monster,” “Miss Millicent’s Fall Recital” and “In A Booth At Chasen’s.” As an alumni of The Second City in Chicago, ComedySportz LA, The Open Fist Theatre Company and LA TheatreWorks, Samantha is known for her quick wit and warm heart. Her 12 years as a professional Personal Branding Specialist with Sam Christensen Studios has given her an uncanny ability to help people recognize and capitalize on their own brilliance. Sam abides in a quiet little beach town outside of Los Angeles, where she hangs out with the dolphins and the seals, living the life of her dreams. To learn more about Sam and her work, visit: http://www.startrightwhereyouare.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #62, my guest is Thomas Sterner, the founder and CEO of The Practicing Mind Institute. As a successful entrepreneur, he is considered an expert in Present Moment Functioning or PMF. He is a popular and in-demand speaker who works with high-performance individuals including, athletes, industry groups and individuals, helping them to operate effectively within high-stress situations so that they can break through to new levels of mastery. As an expert Present Moment Functioning Coach, Tom has brought clarity to thousands regarding how they can accomplish more with less effort, in the least amount of time and with greatly reduced stress. Top media outlets such as NPR, Fox News, and Forbes have sought his advice. Tom joined me for an inspirational chat about his new book Fully Engaged: Using the Practicing Mind in Daily Life (New World Library) in which he expands on the concepts from his previous book The Practicing Mind by helping readers apply them to daily life. He shows readers how simple shifts in perspective — such as learning to center their attention on the process of what they are doing instead of what they are trying to achieve; using goals as rudders instead of reminders of what is left to be done; and learning to work without judgment about the process — can completely transform the experience of going through each day. “To be fully engaged in an activity means to be present in this moment with whatever you are doing. It also means to be completely content in that experience. There is no anxiousness about or sense of longing for the future, and there is no regret about the past.” About: Thomas M. Sterner is the author of Fully Engaged and The Practicing Mind. He is accomplished as a musician, composer, and technician in various fields of music; as a recording and audio engineer; and in athletic pursuits from archery to golf. He speaks around the world on developing focus and discipline and lives in Wilmington, Delaware. Visit him online at http://www.practicingmind.com. Thomas M. Sterner is the founder and CEO of The Practicing Mind Institute. As a successful entrepreneur, he is considered an expert in Present Moment Functioning or PMF tm. He is a popular and in-demand speaker who works with high-performance individuals including, athletes, industry groups and individuals, helping them to operate effectively within high-stress situations so that they can break through to new levels of mastery. As an expert Present Moment Functioning Coach, Thomas has brought clarity to thousands regarding how they can accomplish more with less effort, in the least amount of time and with greatly reduced stress. Top media outlets such as NPR, Fox News, and Forbes have sought his advice. He is the author of the best seller The Practicing Mind (New World Library 2012). Prior to founding The Practicing Mind Institute he served as the Chief Concert Piano Technician for a major performing arts center preparing instruments for the most demanding performances. During his 25 year tenure as a high-level technician, he personally worked for industry giants such as Van Cliburn, Pavarotti, Andre Watts, Ray Charles, Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis and many more. An accomplished musician and composer he has also worked in the visual arts and as a recording studio engineer. In his down time, Tom is an accomplished musician, private pilot, an avid sailor and proficient golfer. He lives in Wilmington Delaware and enjoys spending time with his two daughters and in his recording studio. To learn more about Tom and his work, visit: http://tomsterner.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #61, my guest is speaker, professional coach and mentor, trained licensed therapist and tenured associate professor of counseling Dr. Tiffany Stewart. Dr. Tiffany joined me for an inspirational chat about her L.E.A.P. Success System and how it helps others shift their mindset and create the lives they want. We also discussed her own life story — how she went from being a single parent who had been fired from four jobs in two years with very little money ("failing at life") to building a successful business and life lived on her own terms in just a few short years. “Failure is a part of the process. You can ALWAYS recover from it. And the transformation that I have been through in a few short years is not because I am a lucky person. You do not need lady luck on your side to create the life you want. I went from literally losing everything I had to creating the life I want.” About: Dr. Tiffany is national speaker, professional coach and mentor, trained licensed therapist and tenured associate professor of counseling. She works with individuals teaching step-by-step how to actually create the very life they want and desire. Dr. Tiffany is a trained licensed therapist with years of training in the counseling profession and as a tenured associate professor of counseling. Soon after entering the world of academia, Dr. Tiffany recognized it fostered an environment of constant criticism, people telling you what you could not do and how good you were not. She then made it her mission to do the opposite by empowering people, helping realize their gifts and showing them how to obtain them. Through working with a mentor and learning the best methods to use, Dr. Tiffany created a formula to teach others who feed into the belief of not being good enough or not knowing the next steps to take to create a life they love. Her passion is to help individuals who may be stuck in some area of life, tap into their power and give themselves permission to step into their purpose and create the create life they want to live. She is the creator of the L.E.A.P. Success System. To learn more about Dr. Tiffany and her work, visit: http://www.tiffanystewartphd.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #60, my guest is certified life coach, mindfulness meditation teacher, author, and blogger Ora Nadrich. Ora joined me for a great chat about her new book, Says Who? How One Simple Question Can Change the Way You Think Forever, how her own life story — including her sister's nervous breakdown when Ora was 14 years old influenced her work, and the Says Who? Method she developed. In the book, she vividly illustrates and breaks down her simple yet highly effective method, based on the principle that while we all face obstacles and negative thoughts in our lives, it is not enough to simply examine and be aware of them — we must question and challenge them in order to bring about true change. “We think 60,000–70,000 thoughts a day, and sadly, it’s the negative ones we tend to hear the loudest. But using a set of daily, simple questions, we can stop them the instant they pop up to sabotage us. It’s as simple a practice as brushing your teeth.” About: Ora Nadrich is a certified Life Coach, and Mindfulness Meditation teacher. She is a frequent blogger for the Huffington Post on Mindfulness, and leads workshops on “Living a Mindful Life.” Ora was an actress and screenwriter, where she worked in film, episodic television, and commercials for more than a decade, which she feels provided her vast experience in exploring motivation and the process of self-discovery. During that time, she simultaneously embarked on a two-decade psychological and spiritual journey towards self-awareness and transformation. Ora retired from acting, and devoted her time to studying the workings of the mind. On her psychological and spiritual journey she explored Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and a multi-year, intensive study of various disciplines and techniques, including the Technology of Change with Robert Lorenz, and extensive Jungian analysis. She studied Kabbalah and Buddhism, and met some of the finest spiritual teachers and leaders like, Gurumayi of Siddha Yoga, Sonam Kazi, the Dalai Lama’s interpreter, and, ultimately, His Holiness himself, the Dalai Lama. Her exploration of self-realization continues today. Ora lives with her husband, Jeff, and two sons, Jake and Benjamin in Los Angeles. To learn more about Ora and her work, visit: http://www.oranadrich.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #59, my guest is serial entrepreneur, growth strategist, and award-winning author Jonathan Fields. Jonathan joined me for a fantastic chat about his new book, How To Live a Good Life, Soulful Stories, Surprising Science, and Practical Wisdom, in which he steps out from under the entrepreneurship umbrella and into the realm of the subject that truly fuels him, a broader exploration of human potential. The book is a practical and provocative modern-day manual for the pursuit of a life well lived. We also talked about human potential; the incident at age 17 that planted the seeds for his work with the Good Life Project; the art of a great interview; vulnerability; Elizabeth Gilbert's "secret"; Camp GLP; the concept of the three buckets; teaching that thing we each need to learn most; how 9-11 motivated him to live life NOW; and MUCH more! “If I'm asking people to be open to ideas, I need to model that same state myself.” About: A dad, husband, serial entrepreneur, growth strategist and award-winning author, Jonathan Fields inspires possibility. He currently runs mission-driven media and education venture, Good Life Project®, where he and his team lead a global community in the quest to live more meaningful, connected and vital lives. They produce a top-rated podcast and video-series with millions of listens and views in more than 150 countries, where Jonathan regularly shares conversations with the world’s leading voices, like Sir Ken Robinson, Elizabeth Gilbert, Milton Glaser, Brene Brown, Grethcen Rubin and hundreds more. Along the way, Jonathan has built a number of community-driven ventures or, as he calls them, Businesses of Belonging™, taught everything from yoga and mindfulness to entrepreneurship, branding and innovation to thousands. Along with his world-class faculty, he now offers a growing catalog of events, trainings and courses that range from mission-driven entrepreneurship to building innovative cultures and living good lives. He begins with cracking open the often long-closed window to possibility, then offers strategies and tools for action and progress. Jonathan is regularly featured in the media, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, FastCompany, Inc., Entrepreneur, USA Today, Real Simple, HOW, O Magazine, Self, Outside, Slate, Vogue, Elle, Allure, SELF, Yoga Journal, CNBC, Fox News, Today Show, PBS Nightly Business Report and thousands of other places that sound cool, but don’t impress his daughter all that much. He also speaks globally for organizations and events of all sizes, from keynoting private meetings for clients like Paypal, GE, Novartis and twitter to taking the stage at mega-events like SXSW, World Domination Summit and many others. When not building ventures, writing and producing, he can be found dancing around his living room with his wife and daughter, writing in the third person and listening to “real music.” #AirSupply. #KissFanClub. To learn more about Jonathan and his work, visit: http://www.jonathanfields.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #58, my guest is artist, executive coach, author, actor and filmmaker Aaron Anastasi. Aaron joined me for an inspirational chat about his new book, The Voice of Your Dreams, a practical guide about silencing the voices of limitation that may be impeding your progress and living a life full of greater possibility. We also talked about his own unique life journey (surfer, singer, theological student, actor, and more!), overcoming fear, the "Rackets" that can limit us in life and how to shift those, "the Work" of Byron Katie, and MUCH more! “All fear comes from contemplating the future. Action eradicates fear, as does shifting the focus from self to the end user—those being served by you.” About: Aaron Anastasi is a Southern California native who graduated with a master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, where he studied philosophy, psychology, and theology. He’s also a serial entrepreneur with online businesses such as Superior Songwriting Method, Signing Success, and the internationally recognized, Superior Singing Method, an online singing lesson program that grosses seven-figures annually. Aaron has the #1 singing/life lesson channel on YouTube and has over 11.5 million organic views and over 130 thousand subscribers total on his three channels. Having a love for adventure, he was a pro snowboarder in Vail, Colorado, scaled Glacier Lake mountains in Bolivia, and cut pathways through the jungles of Contagem, Brazil. Along with being a Los Angeles based actor and filmmaker, Aaron is also a prominent success coach for clients in industry-leading roles, ranging from film directors to marine biologists to TEDx speakers. His new book, The Voice of Your Dreams, was released in April 2016, and reached Amazon's top 100 best sellers within the first week of release. To learn more about Aaron and his work, visit: https://thevoiceofyourdreams.com/home-a.

For Life on Purpose Episode #57, my guest is author and psychotherapist Susan Anderson, who has devoted more than 30 years of clinical experience and research to working with the victims of abandonment trauma, grief, and loss and teaches people around the world how to overcome abandonment and its aftermath of self-sabotaging patterns. Susan joined me for a powerful chat about her new book, The Abandonment Recovery Workbook: Guidance through the Five Stages of Healing from Abandonment, Heartbreak, and Loss, as well as how her own life journey paved the way for her most powerful work, and MUCH more! “Learning the steps to take after surviving a great loss is a hopeful process. You discover your ability to benefit from the experience rather than be diminished by it,” says Anderson. “Many of you are going through heartbreak, getting separated or divorced, or feel isolated and alone. Many of you are grieving over someone close to you who has died. Some seek recovery from childhood wounds that impinge on the quality of your current life. But our journey will take us beyond the specifics of your loss, all the way to the underlying source of the fear and despair —abandonment — the crux of the human condition.” About: Susan Anderson is a psychotherapist who has devoted over 30 years of clinical experience and research to working with the victims of abandonment trauma, grief, and loss. Author of Taming your Outer Child: Overcoming your Self Defeating Patterns; Journey from Abandonment to Healing; Black Swan: Twelve Lessons of Abandonment Recovery; and The Abandonment Recovery Workbook, she is founder of the Abandonment Recovery movement, a worldwide program of techniques and support groups that help people heal their abandonment wounds past and present, overcome their self-defeating “Outer Child” patterns, and find greater life and love. Through extensive clinical research, group work, and scientific study, she has developed a treatment protocol specific to overcoming the impact of abandonment trauma in adults and children. Her five universal stages of abandonment recovery (Shattering, Withdrawal, Internalizing, Rage, and Lifting) are based upon scientific findings related to the psychobiology of separation and attachment. Through her books and public appearances, she shares her own experiences with abandonment, grief, and recovery, speaking passionately from personal and professional experience. In addition to her national tours to promote abandonment recovery, she continues in private practice in Manhattan and Long Island. To learn more about Susan and her work, visit: http://www.abandonment.net/.

This week on Life on Purpose, we celebrate a momentous occasion: my five-year podcast anniversary — during which time I've produced 56 LoP episodes and nearly 200 hour-long conversations overall! To help commemorate my journey, I'm joined by the man whose work and community inspired me to start my first podcast (Radio Enso) back in the summer of 2011: author and world-changer Chris Guillebeau. Chris joined me for a wide-ranging, inspirational, and personal conversation centered around his work and philosophy ("There's more than one way to live your life."); making deliberate and intentional choices in your life; asking, "How can I use my power for good?"; the changes and challenges he's faced since our previous conversation in 2012 including the loss of his brother; the annual gathering of world-changers and "non-conformists" that he hosts each summer in Portland (WDS); his new book Born for This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do; and MUCH more! About: Chris Guillebeau is a New York Times bestselling author and modern-day explorer. During a lifetime of self-employment that included a four-year commitment as a volunteer executive in West Africa, he visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. Since then he has modeled the proven definition of an entrepreneur: “Someone who will work 24 hours a day for themselves to avoid working one hour a day for someone else.” His first book, The Art of Non-Conformity, was translated into more than twenty languages. His second book, The $100 Startup, was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, selling more than 300,000 copies worldwide. That was followed by The Happiness of Pursuit — published in September 2014 and also a New York Times bestseller. And in his latest book Born for This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do, he's created a practical guide for how to find the perfect job — whether within a traditional company or business, or by striking out on your own. Plus every summer in Portland, Oregon, Chris hosts the World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative, remarkable people with thousands in attendance. He's also the founder of Pioneer Nation, Unconventional Guides, the Travel Hacking Cartel, and numerous other projects. To learn more about Chris and his work, visit: http://chrisguillebeau.com/. dukwb2y8

For Life on Purpose Episode #55, a special "Soul Series" interview, my guest is preeminent theologian and bestselling author Matthew Fox, a popularizer of Western mysticism. Matthew joined me for an enlightening chat about his new book A WAY TO GOD: Thomas Merton's Creation Spirituality Journey, the Cosmic Christ, the divine feminine, eco-justice, and MUCH more! “A WAY TO GOD is a powerful book about Merton’s pioneering work in deep ecumenism and interfaith; about his essential teachings on mixing contemplation and action; and about how the vision of thirteenth century mystic Meister Eckhart profoundly influenced both Merton and Creation Spirituality, which Fox has long espoused and written about.” “Merton was above all a man of prayer, a thinker who challenged the certitudes of his time and opened new horizons for souls and for the church. He was also a man of dialogue, a promoter of peace between peoples and religions.” —Pope Francis About: Matthew Fox is a preeminent scholar and popularizer of Western mysticism, who became an Episcopal priest after being expelled from the Catholic Dominican Order by Cardinal Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict. He holds a doctorate in spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris and has authored 32 books on spirituality and contemporary culture that have been translated into 60 languages. He's devoted 45 years to developing and teaching the tradition of Creation Spirituality and in doing so has reinvented forms of education and worship. His work is inclusive of today’s science and world spiritual traditions and has awakened millions to the much neglected earth-based mystical tradition of the West. He has helped to rediscover Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, and Thomas Aquinas. Among his books are Original Blessing, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, The Reinvention of Work, A Spirituality Named Compassion and Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior for Our Times. In his latest book A WAY TO GOD: Thomas Merton's Creation Spirituality Journey, he reimmersed himself in Merton’s journals, poetry, and religious writings, finding that Merton’s marriage of mysticism and prophecy, contemplation and action closely paralleled that of Meister Eckhart, the thirteenth-century mystic who inspired Fox’s own Creation Spirituality. To learn more about Matthew and his work, visit: http://www.matthewfox.org.

For Life on Purpose Episode #54, my guest is author, speaker, blogger, coach, and social entrepreneur Arvind Devalia. Arvind joined me for a great chat about about making an impact in the world, increasing your own ripple effect, getting clarity on what your life is about, asking for help, and MUCH more! “I am committed to opening you to the possibility of discovering your deepest purpose, living a fully expressed life filled with peace, love, well-being, courage and integrity.” About: Arvind Devalia is an author, speaker, blogger, coach, and social entrepreneur who extols the virtues of a life of contribution by making a positive and powerful impact on the world. His Amazon best-selling book “Get the Life you Love & Live It” is the complete self help manual for your life with anecdotes and examples from his own life. And he has been interviewed and quoted in The Mail, The Daily Express and various mainstream magazines in the UK, USA, India and other countries around the world. To learn more about Arvind and his work, visit: http://www.arvinddevalia.com/.  

For Life on Purpose Episode #53, my guest is internationally renowned teacher, speaker, and coach Zen Cryar DeBrücke. Zen joined me for a fascinating conversation about her new book Your Inner GPS: Follow Your Internal Guidance to Optimal Health, Happiness, and Satisfaction, what that is, and how to use it. “You were born with a factory-installed guidance system. It is like the GPS in a car. This system is called your Internal Guidance System, or IGS,” writes Zen. “The guidance it gives you has many different purposes. The most important one is to get you from one end of your life to the other with as much joy, ease, and fulfillment as possible.” We began the interview with a short interactive exercise that listeners can use to better understand what we're talking about. We also discuss the concepts of opening, closing, and some simple, straightforward techniques for accessing this powerful source of inner wisdom on a daily basis. About: Zen Cryar DeBrücke is an internationally renowned teacher, speaker, and coach whose programs have helped people all over the world transform their personal and business lives for the better. As a Master intuitive coach and stress expert, she teaches about the physical sensations in your body that are called anxiety, worry and fear. She uncovered their relationship to one's thoughts and how to manage them for optimal health and happiness. Zen is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council with experts such as Marianne Williamson and Jack Canfield, who said "Zen Cryar DeBrücke us a master who takes us by the hand and shows us that we all have deep wisdom within.” In her brand new book Your Inner GPS: Follow Your Internal Guidance to Optimal Health, Happiness, and Satisfaction (New World Library), she says that each of us is born with access to a powerful tool called an Internal Guidance System (IGS). Not unlike the GPS system that is built into cars, its purpose is to guide us through our lives by letting us know whether our thoughts and actions are moving us closer to, or further away from, the things we most want to create in our lives. To learn more about Zen and her work, visit: http://zeninamoment.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #52, my guest is author, yoga teacher, mental strength coach, former pro-skater, and entrepreneur Cara Bradley. Cara joined me for an inspirational conversation about her new book On the Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine and what it means to be "On the Verge": to show up in THIS exact moment and meet our potential to shine in all aspects of our lives. She empowers listeners to live from that place through practices and strategies designed to shift them out of their heads and fully into the present moment. “When you show up in this moment — when you are 100 percent engaged right here and right now — you arrive in a space where you are fully aware,” says Cara. “In this space, beyond your busy mind, you glimpse your naturally occurring state of being awake and fully alive. In this natural state your mind is clear, your body bright, and your heart open.” We also discuss the life-changing epiphany she had at her final college track race and how the question she asked then has shaped her life and work since. About: Cara Bradley is an author, yoga teacher, mental strength coach, former pro-skater for Team Rollerblade® and entrepreneur having devoted more than three decades to movement disciplines and personal transformation. She is the founder of Verge Yoga in Philadelphia and the cofounder of a non-profit Mindfulness Through Movement, providing full year mindfulness programs to more than a dozen schools in urban Philadelphia. She is the host of a podcast series for Women for One called Real Women, Courageous Wisdom. Her upcoming book, On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine (New World Library) will be available in April 2016. Cara reaches a nationwide audience through her Verge On-Demand Classes, workshops and retreats, and talks on human potential and presents at national conferences, corporations and universities. Known as a mental strength coach to athletes, she has been training teams and elite athletes, including professional athletes, for over ten years with her unique Fierce Focus Mental Strength Training Program. Teams include Villanova Football, Lacrosse, Soccer and Basketball, Penn State Basketball, University of Pennsylvania Soccer, St. Joseph’s Soccer and Field Hockey, and the USYSA Olympic Development Program. Cara competed as a figure skater and turned professional at the age of fifteen when she began teaching. As a pro skater for Team Rollerblade, a performance group for Rollerblade Inc., she performed shows in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. She created and starred in SkateFit: The Complete In-Line Skating Workout (ABA Productions, 1994) and co-authored In-Line Skate New England: The Complete Guide to 101 Tours (Countryman Press, 2003) with Cindy Copeland Lewis and Tom Lewis. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University, B.S. International Business and Economics and has started a dozen successful businesses including Blade Skatewear and Camp Rollerblade. She is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher ERYT with Yoga Alliance. To learn more about Cara and her work, visit: http://www.carabradley.net/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #51, my guest is bestselling novelist and "striving yogi" Karan Bajaj. Born and raised in the Indian Himalayas, Karan now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Via his website and thriving online community, he shares his attempts to live a Yogic life in the heart of the material world. Karan joined me for a great conversation about his new book The Yoga of Max's Discontent, which was published by Random House on May 3rd 2016. The book, called "The greatest adventure of our Generation" by The Daily Telegraph was inspired by his one year sabbatical traveling from Europe to India by road and learning yoga and meditation in the Himalayas. "Growing up in the Indian Himalayas, I saw a steady stream of professionals — doctors, engineers, lawyers — leave their careers and live in ashrams and caves near my village. I never fully understood their motives. But 20 years later, I had the same strong urge to spend an extended time in silence and find a deep center of stillness within me after my mother’s untimely death from cancer." About: Karan Bajaj is a bestselling novelist and striving yogi. Born and raised in India, he has trained as a Hatha Yoga teacher in the Sivananda ashram in South India and learned meditation in the Himalayas. He is the author of the novels Johnny Gone Down and Keep off the Grass, both of which were No. 1 bestsellers in India. His first worldwide novel, The Yoga of Max's Discontent, was published by Random House on May 3rd 2016. The book, called "The greatest adventure of our Generation" by The Daily Telegraph was inspired by his one year sabbatical traveling from Europe to India by road and learning yoga and meditation in the Himalayas. He's has also worked in senior executive roles at companies like Procter & Gamble and the Boston Consulting Group and was named among Ad Age's "Top 40 Under 40 executives" in the US. About The Yoga of Max's Discontent: A violent encounter on the streets of Manhattan forces Wall Street banker Maximus Pzoras to confront questions about suffering and mortality that have dogged him since his mother’s death. His search for a mentor takes him to the farthest reaches of India, where he encounters a mysterious night market, almost freezes to death on a hike up the Himalayas and finally, finds himself in an ashram in a small drought stricken village in South India where strange things begin to happen to him. But are Yogis who walk on water, do impossible poses, and live agelessly for 200 years the stuff of fiction or fact? Can a flesh and blood man ever truly achieve nirvana? Max struggles to overcome his rational skepticism and the pull of family tugging him back home. In a final bid for answers, he embarks on dangerous solitary meditation in a freezing Himalayan cave. Will Max penetrate the truth of human suffering, or is enlightenment just a new age illusion? To learn more about Karan and his work, visit: http://www.karanbajaj.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #50, my guest is psychotherapist, award-winning writer, former Buddhist monk, and teacher Donald Altman. Donald joined me for a excellent conversation about his new book Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What’s Blocking Your Fulfillment and Transformation (New World Library). In the book, he offers readers easy-to-use daily practices designed to dissolve emotional clutter, whether it is old emotional wreckage from their childhood or new emotional clutter that they take on every day.“The purpose of Clearing Emotional Clutter is to help you heal and move on from pains, insults, traumas, toxic stressors, and emotional clutter from the past and the present — without blaming, shaming, or punishing yourself,” says Altman. “I like to think of it as a mindful lifestyle reboot — a way of clearing out the old, habitual methods of living and thinking that keep us stuck in emotional clutter to the point that we can’t imagine a way out.”About: Donald Altman is a prolific writer and expert on mindful eating whose career spans more than twenty-five years. He's authored several pioneering books on mindfulness, beginning with his 1998 Art of the Inner Meal. His book The Mindfulness Toolbox is the winner of two 2015 Ben Franklin National Gold Awards, Another book,  The Mindfulness Code, was named as "One of the Best Spiritual Books of 2010." He has also authored Living Kindness, Meal by Meal, The Joy Compass, and a personal guide to developing a mindfulness pratice, A Course in Mindfulness.In addition to his books, he was a staff writer for an EMMY-Award winning children's television show (The Magic Door, CBS Chicago), he won an American Medical Writer's Association Award, he co-created the first interactive comic strip on America Online, and has had articles appear in New Age Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and Independent Business Magazine, among others.Donald is also a practicing psychotherapist and former Buddhist monk who teaches in the neurobiology program at Portland State University.To learn more about Donald and his work, visit: http://www.mindfulpractices.com/.

For Life on Purpose Episode #49, my guest is writer, author, yoga teacher, and traveler Dave Ursillo, who returns for a fourth conversation on my shows. Dave was Guest #1 on my very first podcast (Radio Enso) back in 2011 and his wisdom, tools, and life experience always make for an excellent chat! Throughout the various threads of his work, he helps creatives, self-starters and everyday yogis use their words to live the stories they want to be telling. Dave joined me for a great conversation about conscious life evolution, creativity, the freedom of NOT knowing, what he's learned from teaching yoga, habit change, cultivating the right container for personal and creative growth, the notion of "service", the importance of tribe, karma vs. dharma, and much more! About: Dave Ursillo is a teacher of writing, yoga and self-expression. He helps self-starters use their words, stories and voices to create healing within and share love in our world. In his former life, Dave was an aspiring presidential speechwriter and sought a path of leadership after 9/11/2001 to become a part of positive change in our world. He abandoned his career in 2009 to dedicate his life to his writing, through which he knew he could lead by example. Today, as a teacher, workshop leader and founder of an online writers' group, The Literati Writers (LiteratiWriters.com), Dave teaches conscientious creatives, self-starters and everyday-yogis how to cultivate their gifts, speak their truth and embody their deepest values. He has brought his teachings to hundreds of thousands of readers and across three continents, and has been seen on CBS News Sunday Morning, Psychology Today, Zen Habits, Inc.com and the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. He lives in Rhode Island. To learn more about Dave and his work, visit: https://www.daveursillo.com/.