Rhinomind Coaching

Imagine how your life would change if you had a clear and consistent approach to having conversations that would strengthen relationships, resolve conflict, and expand future possibilities? Conversation expert Dr. Cheri Torres and I cover those topics and more in this episode. We also talk about the key principles in her book, Conversations Worth Having, and the philosophy and practice of appreciative inquiry.  If you are a leader, coach, or consultant, or someone curious about shifting any local or national conversation, I highly recommend this episode, as I was immediately able to apply what I learned to my coaching work with leaders. Show Highlights: Dr. Cheri Torres explains “appreciative inquiry” [2:22 ] and “generative questions” [3:54] The nuances of creating a positive frame for a conversation [5:33] Dr. Cheri Torres provides examples of “generative questions” [7:53] How these practices may manifest during under-performing employee reviews [9:12] How to run effective meetings [16:40] Workshops: “Conversations Worth Having” and “Strategic Conversations” [20:19] What the “appreciative conversation” with yourself might sound like [22:16] Identifying and addressing fear and other emotions upfront in conversations  [24:00] Broadening conversations with your neighbor to create positive change [27:51]   Resources:   Book - Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres   Have effective conversations, EVEN with your kids! FREE Conversation Toolkit can be downloaded here: https://www.conversationsworthhaving.today   Article - “Business As An Agent for World Benefit” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/business-as-an-agent-of-w_b_2091045   https://www.rhinomind.com   Follow Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind

We can all use a little “tweak” to the habits that make up our lifestyles, especially if we’re interested in optimal performance, endurance, and mastery. Today’s guest has many years’ experience and much wisdom to share, based on what he practices in his own life and how he works with his clients. You don’t want to miss today’s conversation! Brian Cain is widely regarded as the foremost authority on Mental Performance Mastery Coaching in sports in the US. His client list includes five UFC champions, Olympic medalists, Heisman Trophy winners, and over 100 first round draft selections in professional sports, including the NFL, NHL, and MLB. He’s also coached collegiate national champions. In today’s show, we discuss the evolution of his own high-performance lifestyle, as well as his approach and philosophy. We cover his journey to “walking the walk,” his daily and weekly routine, for competing in triathlons, his sleep routine, and his vision for impacting the most people possible over the next 20 years through his work. Brian has created a new Mental Performance Mastery Coaching Certification, which I will be taking, and you can sign up through the link in our Resources section. Brian and I have crossed paths in several ways over the last 20 years, and I’ve been able to witness his passion and dedication firsthand. Show Highlights: Brian’s peak performance life and what his journey has looked like [2:28] How Brian follows through with his meditation process [8:36] How Brian uses discipline and obsession in positive ways [13:48] The impact of endurance sport on Brian’s life [15:48] What spiritual work means in theory and practice [23:56] The importance of sleep [26:10] Brian’s ideal approach to coaching and the future [29:42]   Resources: www.briancain.com  Find out about Brian, his 40 books, and more! www.briancain.com/certification  Find out more about Brian’s course. Follow Brian on Twitter: @briancainpeak Success Hotline  973-743-4690

Episode 11 of the Rhinomind Coaching Podcast is Part 2 of my conversation with creative empowerment coach Calee Lucht. In this episode, Calee shares her perspectives on “callout” culture, the difference between soul work and spiritual work, and the relationship between sex and leadership potential. We also talk about ways in which men and women can partner together in more powerful ways.  For over 17 years at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School, Calee helped many school leaders and alumni around the world tell their stories. Calee leveraged that experienced to build a coaching practice that helps people and performers find their true creative power, and live into their potential. Please enjoy Part 2 of my conversation with Calee!  Show Highlights: Calee’s thoughts on today’s “callout” culture [:58] How a man can become a powerful partner [9:42] Challenges to sex and sexuality in our culture [10:20] The connection between sex and leadership [16:50] What soul work is and why it’s valuable [20:02] How to bring new thinking into traditional organizations [22:33]   Resources: https://caleelucht.com

On Episode 10 of the Rhinomind Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by creative empowerment coach Calee Lucht. Calee also specializes in coaching men, and has some very interesting thoughts about moving away from the “patriarchy” label, and in shifting from systems of domination to systems of partnership in organizations. Previously, for over 17 years at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School, Calee helped many school leaders and alumni around the world tell their stories. Calee has leveraged that experienced to build a coaching practice that helps people and performers find their true creative power, and live into their potential. Please enjoy Part 1 of my conversation with Calee!  Show Highlights: How Calee followed art and creativity on her path to empowerment [3:35] How Calee learned about the kind of leader she wanted to be [5:46] The process Calee uses to help people connect to their purpose, based on core values [10:06] What it means to be a values-driven leader [13:01] Why Calee chose to work with men in coaching [16:46] What “above the line” behavior looks like in systems of partnership [22:42]   Resources: https://caleelucht.com The Chalice and the Blade by Riane Eisler

On Episode 9 of the Rhinomind Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by five-time Olympian Frances Houghton, formerly of the Team Great Britain Rowing team. From Sydney in 2000 to Rio in 2016, Frances won three silver medals and multiple world championships during her time in competition. With her towering 6’4” frame and ability to build high-trust relationships, Frances physically and spiritually wrapped her arms around her teammates during her career. On this episode, Frances shares incredibly insightful leadership and teambuilding lessons from her 20+ years of experience competing at the highest level. As Frances transitions out of the world of elite competition, we also hear about what’s next for her, and her dream for what is possible in developing people through sport.  Show Highlights: Frances’ background and the love of rowing began at age 11 when she was tired of not being successful in other sports [4:50] What happens when you clearly define who you’re trying to become---and a key moment that organized Frances’ life around a goal [11:17] Shifting your mindset from the awe and wonder of “being there” to focus on the competition, with the process sandwiched between the passion moments [15:45] Frances on connection, trust, and vulnerability in building teams [31:42] Frances’ last Olympics, her new perspective and leadership role, and making it to the podium [36:41] The transition to “life after sport” and what’s coming up next for Frances [39:47] Frances’ dream for what’s possible in sport [46:11] Resources: www.thetrueathleteproject.org   Find Frances on Twitter: @houghtonfrances Todd Iarussi’s leadership coaching website: www.rhinomind.com Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind

On Episode 8 of the Rhinomind Coaching Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Eggers, a retired Navy SEAL, former Special Assistant to President Obama for national security affairs, and the current Executive Director of The Leadership Institute at The McChrystal Group. In this interview, Jeff shares stories from his time as a Navy SEAL, and also describes what he feels were President Obama’s most effective leadership behaviors. We also discuss why Jeff feels that redefining leadership around the realities of behavioral science is the key to unlocking future American prosperity. Jeff, General Stanley McChrystal, and Jay Mangone also recently wrote a book, Leaders: Myth and Reality, where the authors show us that leadership isn’t what we think it is…and never was! We discuss the book and a whole lot more, so please enjoy a conversation with someone working at an exceptionally high level to help people develop more effective leaders and teams!  Show Highlights: Jeff’s background, family life, path to the Naval Academy, and how he “one-upped” his Air Force dad [2:58] Discovering a new level of hunger for understanding leadership [6:51] and what Jeff learned about leadership and teams [10:35] The old leadership model, a new threat, and learning to perform under pressure in war [14:54] How Jeff ended up working for President Obama [19:07] and what kept him on the National Security Council for five years [21:30] The #1 leadership skill of President Obama [24:17] Jeff’s plan to start with executive coaching and studying behavioral science---and what he discovered [30:10] The idea for the book---where it came from and how the journey progressed [32:15] Jeff’s burning questions around leadership that still exist [40:11] Jeff’s dream and hope for our culture regarding leadership [45:39] Resources:   www.mcchrystalgroup.com www.newamerica.org Find Jeff on Twitter: @jeff_eggers Leaders: Myth and Reality by Stanley McChrystal, Jeff Eggers, and Jay Mangone Todd Iarussi’s leadership coaching website: www.rhinomind.com Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind

On Episode 7 of the Rhinomind Coaching Podcast, I am joined by one of the world’s foremost experts on high-performance leadership. Mike Feiner was an SVP and Chief People Officer at PepsiCo before spending a decade teaching high-performance leadership at Columbia Business School.    Mike is also the author of The Feiner Points of Leadership, where he breaks leadership down into 50 laws across easy-to-use categories, including leading subordinates and bosses, peers and teams, as well as leading in situations that include change, conflict, and leading with values. Mike is now an executive coach and trusted consultant to senior organizational leaders through his company, Michael Feiner Consulting. Show Highlights: Mike shares how he was very driven to rise to the top of People Operations at PepsiCo. [04:11] Critical feedback may be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary in high-peformance leadership. [07:42] Some upper-level managers lead from the ways they were socialized as kids. [08:21] A leader also has to be a coach. [11:29] What does it take to lead bosses? [19:00] Command and control is still alive today. [21:49] The importance of values conversations [29:18] Leadership is not about power and authority. [30:12]   Resources: The Feiner Points of Leadership Feiner Consulting  Todd's website: www.rhinomind.com Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind  

On today’s Rhinomind Coaching podcast, Todd is joined by executive coach and Coachlogix CEO Dr. Alex Pascal, an entrepreneur who lives at the cutting edge of technology, research, and coaching. Alex was one of the youngest coaches ever to coach executives at the Center for Creative Leadership, and with such a broad, insider’s view of the coaching landscape, Alex founded Coachlogix to address inefficiencies in the coaching marketplace. CoachLogix provides a platform for coaches and organizations to standardize the way coaching is managed, and understand the value and effectiveness of coaching. CoachLogix is also moving into the machine learning / AI space to bring coaching into the future.    For the CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders, Alex will share his journey of creating and leading a successful startup technology company [05:03]. For the coaches, you will hear about the future of coaching and technology [12:35]. Alex also discusses his spiritual journey [21:54], paradox and adult development, and human evolution [25:05], and the nature of the current challenges humans are facing amidst the power of emerging technologies. Alex closes with the responsibilities of leaders of coaches to keep human flourishing at the center of innovation [34:15].   Show Highlights: The history of Alex beginning CoachLogix [5:03] Technology and future trends in the coaching industry [12:05] Alex’s spiritual journey, purpose, and having an impact [22:00]    Resources: CoachLogix  Facebook LinkedIn Twitter   Todd's website: www.rhinomind.com Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind  

Award-winning filmmaker Mike Zimbalist joins the Rhinomind Coaching podcast to talk about his career and life in film. Mike and his brother Jeff are best known  for the ESPN 30-for-30 documentaries The Two Escobars (2010) and Youngstown Boys (2013), and the feature film Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016). Mike and his brother are set to release four films in 2018! Please join Mike and host Todd Iarussi as they discuss Mike finding his calling in film, his perspective on making films that have a cultural impact, and moving into feature filmmaking outside of sports.      Show Highlights What led to the making of the Two Escobars with ESPN [03:55] The moment Mike found his calling in film [07:40] Mike’s perspective on making films with his brother Jeff [14:10] The impact Mike wants to have on the world at this point in his career [19:16] Resources: Mike and Jeff’s film company All Rise Films Mike Zimbalist on IMDB Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind  

In this episode, Todd Iarussi talks to Dr. Richard Levin, one of America's first executive coaches, and the CEO of Richard Levin and Associates (RLA). RLA is the only coaching firm on the 2018 Forbes list of the 50 best US management consulting firms.  Richard actually began his career as a psychologist, but at the request of his executive-level clients, began helping them approach business and leadership challenges by observing them in the workplace. In the process, he has helped to start and shape the field of executive coaching over the last 30-plus years.  Please enjoy one of American’s most experienced executive coaches talking about leadership, coaching, and culture development at the highest levels of organizations! What you'll hear in this episode: What informed Richard’s decision to become a psychologist (2:22) and how he made the transition to executive coach in the 80’s Richard’s opinion about whether or not shadowing and observing leaders in the workplace actually allows for an authentic assessment of their leadership. (16:18) How RLA’s network of 42 coaches makes it easier for organizations to find right the coach. (22:12) How a leader or CEO can work with an executive coach to begin developing the systems and practices that create high-performing, values-driven cultures. (28:12) Re-introducing a more civil discourse - and learning to listen more, trust more, and respect each other more as human beings. (37:55)   Resources: CFAR is the consulting organization that RLA has partnered with. Dr. Richard Levin and RLA's website: www.richardlevinassociates.com   Richard on Twitter: @R_Levin_Assoc Todd's website: www.rhinomind.com Todd on Twitter: @rhinomind

How does it feel to be at your highest high, on top of the world, and then take the biggest fall you could ever imagine? Can you bounce back? Can you find the mental strength to keep going? What if your very character and integrity are called into question? You’ll find answers to these questions and more in this episode.   Chris Colabello is one of the great Cinderella stories. He was undrafted out of Division II college and played 7 years of independent league baseball in Worchester, MA, for the Tornadoes. He made some swing changes with the help of a hitting coach named Bobby Tewksbary, and the two of them began a meteoric rise to the major league level. Chris ended up hitting in the middle of the Blue Jays lineup in the 2015 ALCS, which was one of the best offenses ever. I wanted to have Chris on the show because he is thoughtful, genuine, and about as open-hearted as a pro athlete gets about the mental game, leadership, and the struggles he’s faced and overcome. He’s also from my hometown of Milford, MA, and our dads grew up playing together in high school and college.   Today we pick up right after Chris found out he had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PED’s) and cover the work he is doing today in educating young ballplayers and making his way back to the majors. Join me now for Part 2 of my conversation with Chris.   What you’ll hear in this episode:   When you feel that your ability to prove yourself is very limited and “you are basically screwed.” How this ripped his life apart and caused him to scrutinize every detail to figure out how he could have ingested any banned substances Why he went in 5 days early that season for his physical and drug test, never suspecting that he would end up with a positive result The suspension, the ramifications, and the presumptions from the outside world The fear that his character and integrity would be questioned Why he won’t apologize for something he didn’t do and why he doesn’t feel that he deserves this After his suspension, Chris was optioned down to AAA and did not perform well DFA’d (designated for assignment) by Toronto Why Chris saw a psychologist because he needed extra support Last year, he signed with Cleveland, went to Spring Training, and was sent to AAA When Chris needed help again because of the anxiety attacks and depression that kept him from enjoying the game Let go by Cleveland and signed by Milwaukee to a wonderful experience in AAA Why Chris’ baseball career is on hold right now The book he wrote with Bobby Tewksbary: Be a Hitter Being a good hitter is so much more than good mechanics, but takes mental and emotional preparation. Baseball is truly “the thinking-man’s game.” What Chris says about the opportunities he has had at the highest level: “To put becoming a great human at the forefront of your daily life is everything. With that comes leadership. Figure out how to have a positive impact on the people around you and make the world a better place.” What it means for Chris to live with “no regrets” What Chris says about his life today: “I’m secure in who I am and how I feel People are more likely to listen to me My platform has expanded I can better the game on a broader level with today’s youth”   Resources: Find Chris on Twitter: @cc20rake Find out more about the book: www.tewkshitting.com  and www.hittingdaily.com  

  Chris Colabello is one of the great Cinderella stories in baseball. He was undrafted out of Division II college and played 7 years of independent league baseball in Worchester, MA, for the Tornadoes. He made some swing changes with the help of a hitting coach named Bobby Tewksbary, and the two of them began a meteoric rise to the major league level. Chris ended up hitting in the middle of the Blue Jays lineup in the 2015 ALCS, which was one of the best offenses ever. I wanted to have Chris on the show because he is about as thoughtful as a pro athlete gets about the mental game, leadership, and the struggles he’s faced and overcome. He’s also from my hometown of Milford, MA, and our dads grew up playing together in high school and college. We had never actually met until this conversation, so we have a lot to talk about--so much so that we’ve cut the interview into Part 1 and Part 2. Join us!   What you’ll hear in this episode:   How Chris started out hot in the minor leagues in New Britain, CT. He was the MVP of the team, made the all-star team, and was on to winter ball in Mexico How Chris got invited to big league camp and really felt relaxed going into AAA after playing in the World Baseball Classic The mental struggle of performing well at each level--day in and day out Why Chris says that a 21-22 year-old kid who is drafted is in NO WAY prepared for the challenges ahead Why you MUST have support systems in place and not “go it alone” Playing for high stakes at the highest level when someone is always ready to take your job can take the fun out of the game 2013: in AAA with the Twins, where Chris made a name for himself and combined talent with confidence The major league mentality, turning the corner, and how Chris didn’t let an 0-for-2 start in a game bother him No one is immune from the small seed of doubt that starts to take root and grow in your mind How he found out about the call to the big leagues - the quick flight to Atlanta and a start in right field 2014-2015: Why Chris turned down an offer to play in Korea to pursue his MLB dream How Chris started out like gangbusters the first week of the season, with “an incessant belief in myself, where preparation meets opportunity.” Much success, but suspicious thumb pain which turned out to be an almost completely severed nerve in the right thumb Chris struggled and was sent back to the minors and claimed by Toronto off waivers How Chris started out 6-for-8 for the Blue Jays, had the “most fun” of his life, and got to post-season play What it was like to be in the middle of one of the best offensive lineups in history The importance of leadership on the Blue Jays How the veterans and young guys were on equal footing, always doing whatever it took to get the job done Consistency was the key to their success, but it wasn’t of the cookie cutter variety How Chris was on top of the world with the highest high when he got the shocking March 11 phone call that changed everything   Resources:  www.rhinomind.com Find Chris on Twitter: @cc20rake

Think back to your high school days. How would your life have been different if Mindfulness was offered as a course? It’s mind-boggling, isn’t it? Believe it or not, there are numerous schools across the country that are seeing the need for this training and offering it as part of the curriculum. Today’s show is about one man who is making mindfulness an integral part of the curriculum at his school, and he’s working to bring it about in other schools across the US.   Doug Worthen is the Director of Mindfulness and Head Boys Lacrosse Coach at Middlesex School, an independent high school in Concord, Massachusetts. He is the first person to hold the title of Director of Mindfulness at a major independent school in the US. He also has an epic life story that he’s never before revealed so fully in an interview. Once upon a time, Doug was on a very different path. He went from being a national champion lacrosse player at the University of Virginia to sailing around the Caribbean for two years with a friend to working in the family business---all of this before a Stage 4 Lymphoma stopped him in his tracks and awakened him to a mindfulness practice.    Relying on this practice is what got him through a very long and difficult recovery and an eventual relapse. That experience set him on a new path to following a dream to teach mindfulness practice at his alma mater and look for ways to help other schools expose their communities to the power of contemplative learning and practice. Doug and I met five years ago when I worked in Contemplative Studies at Brown, and we connected over a shared excitement about combining mindfulness practice and sports. Since then we’ve worked multi-week retreats together on leadership and a few week-long retreats on meditation. He shares his story because he genuinely believes that it can serve people.   What you’ll hear in this episode:   What Doug does as Director of Mindfulness at Middlesex School How new students are required to take a semester of mindfulness and “are invited to practice in an atmosphere of healthy skepticism” The training available to faculty, staff, students, and parents through different levels of mindfulness How the program started at the school in 2009 and has grown each year since then Why mindfulness practice is a required course at Middlesex School Defining mindfulness: the ability to understand and stabilize attention and the relationships we have to what arises around us in experience and acceptance How empathy and self-compassion fit into mindfulness practice What Doug’s life was like at Middlesex School---way before mindfulness! Doug’s transition to UVA as a lacrosse player How pressure on the field and a book prompted Doug to mindfulness and helped his anxiety and athletic performance The idea to sail the Caribbean with a friend and what the experience taught Doug Why Doug went to Hawaii to scuba dive and teach others--but still wasn’t happy How his insight led him to Australia and then home to Boston and the family business With plans in place to attend business school in Hong Kong, he received a Stage 4 Lympoma diagnosis How mindfulness practice became a lifeline as Doug fought the disease Two years of full-blown treatment, including chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant The lessons of isolation and learning impermanence How Doug’s calling became clear: to share mindfulness practice with youth The dream to have a Director of Mindfulness in every school, so everyone can be introduced to it as a teenager The teachers and retreats that have been most influential in Doug’s life The benefits of Maha Mudra practice in noticing thoughts, feelings, and contractions in the body A powerful week in December of 2009 that eventually led him to meet his wife How Doug weaves mindfulness into sports as Head Lacrosse Coach The challenges Doug has faced as a coach and how he teaches poise and bringing attention back to the moment at hand Doug’s vision for the future with mindfulness education and making it the norm The organization started by two former students that matches interested schools with experienced practitioners What a “no regrets” life looks like for Doug over the next 5-7 years Doug’s recommendation to get started in mindfulness: “Get started with a retreat. There is no substitute for it.”   Resources:   Email Doug: dworthen@mxschool.edu   Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn   Contact Doug through his wife’s organization: Inward Bound Mindfulness Education See more at www.rhinomind.com