The Courageous Life

“Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” This searching question is one that bestselling author, legendary teacher and activist Parker J. Palmer has been exploring for decades. His practice of living this question, resulting in the type of wisdom that can only come from the crucible of one's direct experience. And Parker being the celebrated teacher and leader that he is Has generously offered what he's learned over the years. Making it accessible through his writing, teaching, and speaking.In Let Your Life Speak, now in it's 25th anniversary edition. Parker writes:"We find a path that's right for us by embracing what gives us life and rejecting what diminishes us, listening more closely to the voice of “true self” than to what others expect or demand of us. As we live more deeply into our own identity and integrity, we find both personal fulfillment and our place in the community to which we belong." In today's episode (which we originally recorded in 2022) Parker returns to the show for a beautiful part two conversation, That builds on these themes, and that actually came 3 years after part one.Together we'll explore his reflections on living with an open heart, And the practice of attuning to the wisdom of our inner teacher As we honor the often quiet voice of our soul.For more on Parker, his books, and the incredible work he's done throughout his storied career please visit newcomerpalmer.com or check out the Center for Courage and Renewal at couragerenewal.orgDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Honoring the Soul (pt. 1) | Parker J. PalmerOn Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaEnjoying the show? Please rate it and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

What leads us to live divided lives that defy our own sense of identity and integrity? When we do, what price do we and the world pay? How can we recover the wholeness that is our birthright? Today's guest, legendary teacher, activist, and author Parker J. Palmer―has helped people in every walk of life rise to the challenge of living “divided no more.”In his book, A Hidden Wholeness, now in its 20th Anniversary Edition, He examines the forces that deflect us from the soul's true north, and ultimately offers up his trademark blend of heart, humor, and wisdom. In addition, Parker generously shares practices that might help us embody integrity in a world where it often feels risky to be who we are. In today's conversation which was originally recorded in 2019 we'll explore what it means to embrace wholeness, The courage required to make the journey,And how we might find sturdy footing along the way - both in solitude and community - as we seek to live with deeper integrity at every level of our lives.For more on Parker, his books, and the incredible work he's done throughout his storied career please visit newcomerpalmer.com or check out the Center for Courage and Renewal at couragerenewal.org. Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Wisdom and Love in Troubling Times | Mark Nepo & Elizabeth LesserOn Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

What if the time is never coming when you're ‘on top of things', or finally feel like you know what you're doing?For years, New York Times Bestselling author Oliver Burkeman has dared to ask provocative questions like these.The sort of questions that invite us to examine popular cultural views about what it means to work and live well.In his beautiful and brilliant books, his longtime column in the Guardian, and other writings,Oliver has been a leading voice helping to unravel myths about the often celebrated idea that we can 'do it all'.Rather than chasing perfectionism he invites us to embrace our imperfections,To confront our mortality,and to explore deeper questions about what matters, and what will bring us fully alive in the brief time we're here.Today we are re-releasing this inspiring conversation from 2024 - one of the most popular we've ever had on the show.In it we'll thoroughly explore how and why imperfectionism may actually be the path to experiencing a more meaningful, productive, absorbing and energizing life –not later, but right here in the midst of the overwhelm, the distraction, and the anxiety-inducing news headlines.For more on today's themes be sure to check out Oliver's profound new book, Meditations for Mortals, which you can pick up wherever books are sold. Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Wholeness, Service, and Enduring Happiness | Stephanie HarrisonOn Unwinding Toxic Productivity | Israa NasirEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!More about Oliver:Oliver Burkeman is a best-selling author and keynote speaker. His books include Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts, Four Thousand Weeks, as well as The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. For many years Oliver wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for the Guardian. His work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Psychologies and New Philosopher. For more please visit: Oliverburkeman.comSupport the show

To care, to love, and to be human,Means we will inevitably experience heartbreak. Whether its the loss of relationship,The end of a job, The death of a loved one,A natural disaster, infertility, a financial crisis, or any shape that loss may take.Heartbreak sends us reeling―Leaving many of us feeling alone and adrift. After her own experience of serial heartbreak over the span of five years, Sara Avant Stover wrote her latest book: Handbook for the Heartbroken.Feeling impacted by our culture's dysfunctional relationship with loss Sara says:“We're encouraged at every turn to hurry up and get on with it, but by trying to power through these messier seasons of life, we're denying ourselves the very answers to our healing and growth.”In today's conversation we are going to slow down and unpack some of Sara's greatest insights about the landscape of heartbreak. Including how we can find the courage, hope, strength, and resilience to move through it.That the path forward is not alone, but together.And how Sara's insights, teachings, stories and practices serve as a powerful reminder - That if we can find the courage to embrace change with an open heart, including when things fall apart completely, we might ultimately become a wiser, more mature, and integrated human being through the process.For more on Sara, including her books, retreats, the work she does as an Internal Family Systems Practitioner, and Business Strategist to entrepreneurial women please visit saraavantstover.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Meditation, Awakening, and Original Love | Henry ShukmanStrong Back, Soft Front: The Practice of a Lifetime | Elizabeth LesserFinding the Strength to Meet Adversity | Mark NepoEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.Thanks for listening!Support the show

When our good friends encounter challenges,A default response for many of us is often:To have their backTo show up fullyTo be kindTo put judgment aside, And to remind them that they are not alone. When we turn this practice, of being for someone, toward ourselves, particularly in the face of:obstacles, hardships, adversity, and failure,it's called self-compassion.A practice that involves recognizing our own suffering, and meeting it with love, As we learn to become a good friend to ourselves. Over time learning to listen less to the harsh whispers of the inner critic, And more to the encouraging words from that wiser part of us - Our inner ally.When we practice in this way, the door to a more sustainable and expansive experience opens, And we have the opportunity to walk through it and into the rest of our life with greater resilience, ease, wellbeing, and balance.Today's guest, Megan Prager, is Director of Compassion Programs at the University of California San Diego's Center for Mindfulness. Megan is one of the leading teachers of mindful self compassion in the US.She hosts retreats, classes, and experiences that offer the opportunity to learn mindfulness, compassion, and a whole host of practices that foster an opportunity to learn to become better friends to ourselves. Today we are going to take a deep dive into Megan's journey to becoming the teacher and leader she is today. A journey that was marked by her own experiences of adversity, suffering, and (particularly at the beginning) skepticism of the very practices she now teaches.We'll also get into the fiercer aspects of self-compassion that involve:Boundary setting, Fnding the courage to show up in integrity, And how self-compassion can be helpful in the challenging and uncertain times we find ourselves in. For more on Megan, her classes, retreats, teacher trainings, and various other offerings, please visit mindfullabs.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Wholeness, Service, and Enduring Happiness | Stephanie HarrisonEmbracing the Journey From 'Doing' to 'Being' with Amy DongEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

Alison Wood Brooks is a celebrated Harvard Business School Professor who studies the hidden architecture of conversations. Her groundbreaking work shows that while all of us can struggle with difficult conversations, We're often not very good at the easy ones either (even though we have them all the time). Alison argues that part of the reason for this is because conversation is one of the most complex, demanding, and delicate of all human tasks. Every time we converse with one another, a wide range of possibilities for misinterpretation and misunderstanding arise. It's just part of it. And yet, at the same time, conversations can also be a source of great joy. Each one offering an opportunity to express who we are,to learn who others are—and to feel connected, loved, and alive.In Alison's words, there's a "magic" that happens when we get conversation right.Today we are going to have a deep and wide ranging conversation about how to have better conversations. Alison and I will dive into themes from her wonderful new book:TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being OurselvesThroughout our time together Alison will offer powerful insights, moving stories, and practical tweaks to not only make our everyday conversations better,but that also might just have a profound positive impact on our relationships at work and in life.For more on Alison, her book, and the wonderful work she is doing please visit alisonwoodbrooks.com.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Mastering Our Emotional Life | Ethan KrossOvercoming Self-doubt and Imposterism | Dr. Jill StoddardEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

Brain scientist Jill Bolte Taylor famously once said:“Most of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, but we are actually feeling creatures that think.”Whether it's anxiety about going to the doctor, Boiling rage when we're stuck in traffic, Devastation after a painful break-up, Joy from the birth of a child, Or peace that arises from being in natureOur emotional landscape is dynamic, complex, and often bittersweet - containing both the painful and the pleasant.And as today's guest, renowned emotion scientist, Dr. Ethan Kross writes:"As difficult as our emotions can sometimes be, they are also a superpower."In his new book: Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don't Manage You, Ethan Challenges us to move away from a binary lens that views emotions simplyas being “good” or “bad.”Reminding us instead that emotions are information. And that when activated in the right ways,and at the right time, they function like an immune system, alerting us to our surroundings, telling us how to react to a situation, and helping us make the right choices. The big question then is: How do we make our emotions work for us rather than against us? How do we unlock this superpower?Ethan has devoted his scientific career to answering this question.Working closely with his team at the Emotion and Self Control Lab at the Ross School of Business,He has been leading groundbreaking research on emotion regulation and how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions and relationshipsIn today's conversation:We will explore a blend of insights, stories, and practices that will shed light on what Ethan has uncovered through this work- the possibility of mastering our emotional lives in ways that allow us to live, lead, and love better. Interested in more Ethan? To find his books, talks, and other illuminating work, please visit ethankross.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:To Feel is To Be Human | Dr. Marc BrackettThe Missing Ingredient to 'The Good Life' | Lorraine BesserEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

"It's not your fault if you are unhappy. You have been told three lies: You're not good enough; You need to achieve fame, wealth, and power; You need to do it all on your own."These are the words of Stephanie Harrison - author, past Director of Learning at Thrive Global, and expert in the science of happiness.In her new book: New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got it Wrong She calls these three lies that emerged in her research,The Old Happy. Old Happy is a definition of happiness, that our society has bought into.Yet Stephanie argues it's making so many of us miserable.Rather than continue to follow this narrative,Clinging to the hope that it will make us happy someday,Stephanie invites us to consider an alternative path that she uncovered through her research into what makes us happy.It's a path that researchers, theologians, contemplative traditions, and philosophers have all pointed to .A path leading to a more enduring, sustainable form of happiness. The first step on that path is toDiscover who you really are.The second step?Use it to help other people.Today we'll take a deep dive into these two invitations, what Stephanie calls "The New Happy."In the first half this conversation Stephanie and I will unpack not only how we might approach answering the question:Who are we really? But we'll also look at how we might embrace the answers - Integrating all aspects of who we are (our whole self) as we cultivate a healthy sense of self worth in the process.In the second half we'll look at:How we can approach our work from a place of greater authenticity and love - Including the art of aligning our unique strengths, gifts, and what we care about most, with the ways in which we serve.Stephanie offers a beautiful reminder That when we come home to who we truly areAnd then use our unique gifts to serveAn entirely different experience of life opens up. And we just might find the happiness we've been looking for all along. For more on Stephanie, her book, podcast, and other resources please visit thenewhappy.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Unwinding Toxic Productivity | Israa NasirOn Imperfectionism and the Art of Living Well | Oliver BurkemanEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

In a time where the threat of authoritarianism is on the rise, how might we take the next step toward creating truly equitable and thriving societies?This question, for many, may feel increasingly out of reach.And yet for redemptive thinker, and visionary leader john a. powell,it serves as one of the central lines of inquiry in his work. johh a. powell is the Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, A civil rights advocate, And an author who has written books including: Belonging Without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World. Woven throughout his writings and teachings - he brings our attention again and again to the root of inequality. A root born out of the process of 'othering'. A process that primes us to see people as a threat,which leads to fear, disconnection, and the fracturing of our society.And while John addresses the root cause of so much suffering,One of the things I greatly appreciate about his work is that he  simultaneously invites us to consider an alternative path.A way forward that calls upon the better angels of our nature. In his words:“We can overcome the illusion of separateness by honoring our differences, transcending the notion that difference divides us, and instead co-create a world where everyone belongs.”Today we will explore some of John's profound insights, stories, and practices for increasing belonging which include:Bridging, a practice which fosters acceptance both of those we might have othered, and aspects of ourselvesSpirituality and remembering our interconnected natureCuriosityThe power of presenceAnd ultimately how we can meet others, including ourselves, from a place of love instead of fearFor more on john, his work, and his new book The Power Bridging, please visit johnapowell.orgAnd for more on the incredible work coming out of the othering and belonging institute check out belonging.berkeley.eduDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Wisdom and Love in Troubling Times | Mark Nepo & Elizabeth LesserOn Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

In times of great division, disruption, and uncertainty, how can we find the ability to stay grounded? While each of us may find we have different answers, Here are a few that have been emerging for me recently:The first - remembering, in the words of one of today's guests: you don't have to do it alone. Remembering the power (and necessity) of seeking out supportive community, and friends. The second -turning to history. Gaining perspective and insight by revisiting times in the past where humans have collectively endured, and persevered in the face of tremendous adversity.The third - turning to the wisdom of elders.Seeking out the wise and caring teachers, mentors, and leaders in our communities who are further along the path and can offer guidance from where they stand. Two of these modern elders in many ways are Mark Nepo and Elizabeth Lesser.Chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity, Mark Nepo is one of the great poets and spiritual guides of our time. And bestselling author, and Co-Founder of Omega Institute, one of the world's leading conference and retreat centers, Elizabeth Lesser has had the opportunity to learn from, and collaborate with many of the greatest spiritual teachers and leaders around the world. Something she's done since Omega was first founded in 1977. I asked Elizabeth and Mark if they'd be willing to come together to engage in a rich conversation - sharing some of their own insights, practices, and ultimately what they've learned from some of their teachers about navigating troubling times. In today's conversation we'll explore:The possibility of meeting whatever is here, including the grand challenges we are facing, with greater wisdom, balance, and love.For more on Mark please visit marknepo.comFor more on Elizabeth check out elizabethlesser.org, and for more on Omega Institute please visit: eomega.orgI was reminded in this conversation that perhaps the most potent way we might find our way through these times, And back to each other,Is by remembering that at some level we are all made of the same stuff. Each one of us, a human being - part of a larger whole.A reminder which in Mark's words took this form:“When we come back into direct connection with life,There's a reverence for life. And when we have a reverence for life we can't do harm.”Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Strong Back, Soft Front: The Practice of a Lifetime | Elizabeth LesserFinding the Strength to Meet Adversity | Mark NepoEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

What is it that drives our focus on productivity?That colors our experience of work, life, and relationships? Is the motivation to 'do', to achieve, and to push ourselves driven by a subtle undercurrent of fear?A craving to stay relevant, A whisper in the back of our mind that says: If we don't optimize our lives, fill up our calendars, and stay busy, we will be missing out on something. Unsure of exactly what, but sensing that that something is important. Perhaps that if we don't keep up we won't be happy, or even worse, we won't matter. If left unchecked this fear can lead to a mindset that today's guest, talented therapist, founder of digital mental health brand Wellguide, and author, Israa NasirCalls 'Toxic Productivity'  This mindset that is marked by a number of distinct characteristics: Being singularly focused on outcomesFeeling good about yourself only if you get those outcomesDeprioritizing other parts of your life in pursuit of an outcome.Israa shares from her depth of wisdom and expertise that one of the unintended consequences of this mindset is that we can stop thinking about our lives.That curiosity is replaced by just adopting what other people are doing so that we are on par. And so we feel good about ourselves.In today's conversation we are going to dive into Israa's work, and the Toxic Productivity Mindset in more depth. Together we will explore the possibility of letting go of fear and learning to meet life from a place of love.  Israa and I will unpack questions such as:How we might approach working, living, and loving in ways that bring us fully alive? That actually make us happy?And that are not contingent on outcomes, but rather are driven by curiosity, a love of the process, and of knowing and caring about ourselves more deeply?  For more on Israa's beautiful book Toxic Productivity, and the incredible work she is doing please visit Israanasir.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Imperfectionism and the Art of Living Well | Oliver BurkemanA Revolutionary Remedy for Uncertainty - In Our 20's and Beyond | Dr. Meg JayEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

This past November I had the privilege of going to a leadership boot camp hosted by Jerry Colonna and the extraordinary team at CEO and Executive Coaching Firm, Reboot.For 10 years Reboot has been hosting these gatherings. Immersive experiences where a small group of leaders comes together without pretense.Everyone there to explore the possibility of becoming a better human. A truer version of oneself. All of us there to take a courageous step toward living in greater alignment with what matters.To rekindle the ability to lead, and relate, from a place of embodied presence in our lives, our work, and our relationships. And then to carry that experience forward. In today's episodeWith Reboot Co-Founder, and Author of The Art of Being Human at Work, Ali Schultz And Reboot Coaching Supervisor, and renowned Rolfing Educator and Practitioner, Liz StewartWe'll explore some of the profound insights that came out of bootcamp which center around themes of presence and embodiment. Including lessons from what was perhaps the most unforgettable part of the experience - An encounter with a herd of horses. Ali and Liz will share stories, reflections, and engage with related questions:What holds us back from being present?What supports greater presence in our lives, our work, and our relationships?What can horses teach us about both?And, how can strengthening our capacity for presence ultimately help us find our way back home to our true selves?Finally, because the three of us are coaches and because Ali and Liz have worked to create a beautiful and unique suite of new offerings for coaches through Reboot, which includes coaching supervision, and coach retreats, we are also going to spend some time exploring:The evolving landscape of their work.And how their way of working with coaches can be supportive in deepening embodied presence  and showing up more powerfully for the clients they serve.For more on Ali, Liz, and the incredible work they are doing please visit rebootsupervision.ioSo many of us are looking to be more present in our lives. Today we'll get a glimpse of how we might live into that possibility.Did you find today's episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:The Art of Being Human at Work | Ali SchultzOn Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaEnjoying the show?Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

It's here and then it's gone. In so many ways this is the through line of our experience. From the sunny day,To a common cold,To time spent with loved ones,Or the experience of our wedding day.Joy, love, heartbreak, and ultimately Life itself - All by nature impermanent. To walk through this lifeIs to walk hand-in-hand with change. It is simply part of what it means to be human -  Part of what connects us all. This season on the podcast we wanted to make these shared experiences a focal point of our larger conversation. So for 3 episodes we have brought together some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time.To reflect on how we might embrace impermanence,Relax into uncertainty, Loosen our grip of control,And open up the possibility of appreciating, and taking in, the preciousness and beauty of this one life which we are given. Two weeks ago we kicked off this seriesWith world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and palliative care physician and author, Dr. Sunita Puri. Last week we continued unpacking these themes with CEO Coach Jerry Colonna and legendary teacher, activist, and author, Parker Palmer.Today we close this epic 3 part mini series by inviting two pioneers in end-of-life care to engage two of the great mysteries of human life:Love and Death. Legendary Buddhist teacher, activist, author, and founder of Upaya Zen Center, Roshi Joan HalifaxAnd Buddhist teacher, best-selling author, and founder of the Zen Hospice Project, Frank OstaseskiWill explore themes related to:How we might embrace the experiences of loving and dying in ways that lead to living as fully as we can.And the possibility of meeting impermanence with greater wisdom, compassion, and courage. During our time together they will offer reflections on: Mindfulness as a practice of intimacyLearning to let goSurrenderThe joy of discoveryAnd how we might meet all that life gives us with loving awareness. For more on Roshi please visit: joanhalifax.org or upaya.orgAnd for more on Frank please visit: frankostaseski.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry ColonnaImpermanence, Letting Go, and Finding Freedom | Sharon Salzberg & Sunita PuriEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Things are changing all the time. From the seasons,To the weather, our emotions, and our relationships.We are born, we grow old, and ultimately we die. To walk through life means to walk hand-in-hand with impermanence. It is simply part of what it means to be human. And this season on the podcast we wanted to make these shared experiences of change and uncertainty a focal point of our larger conversation. So for 3 episodes we are bringing together some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time.To reflect on how we might embrace impermanence rather than push it away. From learning to relax into uncertainty, To loosening the grip of control as we aspire toward what matters to us with less attachment to the outcome,To opening up the possibility of appreciating the preciousness and beauty of being alive. Last week we kicked off this series with world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and palliative care physician and author, Dr. Sunita Puri. Today, we are continuing with a deeply moving conversation between - Legendary teacher, activist, and best selling author Parker PalmerAnd CEO Coach, and co-founder of leading executive coaching firm Reboot, Jerry Colonna. Both Parker and Jerry have taught, written, and coached extensively on the topic of work - so today that's where much of our conversation will go. Some of the questions we'll explore include:How might we lean into the dynamic ebb and flow of our work experience with greater levity, wisdom, and compassion?What are the ways in which we can work in greater alignment with the imperatives of our soul? And for those on the unconventional path how can we find the courage to keep going in the face of doubt and fear?For more on Jerry please check out reboot.ioAnd for more on Parker please visit: newcomerpalmer.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Impermanence, Letting Go, and Finding Freedom | Sharon Salzberg & Sunita PuriThe Courageous Journey Toward Wholeness | Parker Palmer Pt. 1Reflections on Living With an Open Heart | Parker Palmer Pt. 2Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for tuning in!Support the show

There are certain threads inescapably woven into our experience of being alive.Simple but profound truths which make up the tapestry of what it means to be human. One of these is impermanence. The fact that everything, by nature, changes. From the seasons, to the weather, our emotions, and our relationships.We are born, we grow old, and ultimately we die. The flow of life is inherently dynamic as things are coming together, and falling apart. All the time. And while at times impermanence can be viewed in a grim light (endings, and death),Change also means new beginnings, rejuvenation, and possibility. After Winter ends, the sun comes out, flowers bloom, and the natural landscape comes to life.  And if change is truly just a part of being alive, Then the pragmatic question is:How can we relate to this shared experience in ways that lead to living well? Over the next 3 weeks we are going to explore this question (and versions of it) in depth,With some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time. Together we'll discuss themes like:Learning to relax into uncertainty, Loosening our grip of control as we aspire toward long term goals with less attachment to outcomes,The possibility of appreciating the preciousness and taking in the beauty of being alive.To kick things off today you'll hear a beautiful and often moving conversation between:World renowned meditation teacher, co founder of the Insight Meditation Society and NYT Bestselling author Sharon Salzberg, And Physician, author, and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine where she is also the Director of Inpatient Palliative Care Services, Dr. Sunita Puri.Both of whom have been the show before, but never in conversation together in this way - exploring how we might make the most of the short time we are here. For more on Sharon check out sharonsalzberg.comFor more on Sunita, including her beautiful memoir: That Good night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour please visit https://sunitapuri.com/Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Finding the Courage to Live Without Regrets | Dr. Sunita PuriThe Power of Compassion (pt 1) | Sharon Salzberg & Barbara FredricksonEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

In his new book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground,Neuroscientist and Moral psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray argues that for the majority of our evolutionary history, humans were more hunted than hunter. Which might just be the game changing perspective we need for these times.Kurt reminds us that in contrast to predators,Prey animals are hard-wired to scan for threats, and to do everything in our power to protect ourselves from being harmed. Fast forward to the present and it becomes a bit easier to understand what's driving the division, and moral outrage we see each day.Our shared collective DNA (as a prey species) offering a compelling reminder that we are more alike than we might think.Rather than intending to destroy each other, most of us are actually just trying to protect ourselves, our families, and members of our communities.Drawing on groundbreaking research, Dr. Gray doesn't just offer us a captivating new explanation for our moral outrage, He offers us hope. As well as some incredibly insightful practices for increasing understanding, and ultimately for finding common ground. Perhaps the most basic of these being: If you want to understand the morals of the “other side,” you can begin by asking yourself a simple question—what harms do they see?Today we'll take a deep dive into these themes as we unpack some of Kurt's greatest insights about:What leads to moral outrage, What can help diffuse it, And how we can find our way back to eachother. For more on Kurt, his incredible work at both the Center for the science of Moral Understanding and the Deepest Beliefs Lab, as well as his new book Outraged, check out kurtjgray.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Finding Solutions to Seemingly Intractable Problems | Rob Fersh and Mariah LevisonRediscovering the Art of Constructive Dialogue | Dr. Mylien DuongAbout Dr. Kurt Gray:A social psychologist and an award-winning researcher and teacher, Kurt Gray uses interdisciplinary methods to study our deepest held beliefs and how to bridge moral divides.Dr. Gray is a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Organizational Behavior at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC, where he teaches about organizational ethics and team processes. Dr. Gray received his PhD from Harvard University.Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

In his new book, Original Love, Zen meditation master, award winning author and poet, and renowned spiritual teacher Henry Shukman offers a tantalizing proposition. At any moment there is a powerful possibility available to us.A possibility of piercing the illusion of separateness,And experiencing a profound sense of connection.In these moments which are deemed by some as ‘awakening', it can seem almost as if a spell is broken. That we are waking up from a sort of dream.As we see, feel, and know (in our bones) that there is in fact no separation. That at some level everything and everyone are connected. Henry argues that these experiences can be the single most healing, positively life-transforming events that can happen to us. Well documented for centuries, across different wisdom traditions, and now explored through scientific inquiry,Experiences of waking up to our interconnected nature often lead to large positive shifts in our priorities.We tend to move from self-protection and self-promotion toward a natural flow of compassion and concern for others and the world.This boundless interconnected experience is what Henry calls Original Love. In today's conversation Henry and I will explore this possibility in depth,As we unpack what might lead us back to Original Love. Including practices we can bring into our lives, our work, and our relationships.Practices like :Letting goAllowing what's here to be here as it isLoosening the grip of control and learning to relax into uncertainty. And Henry will share some of his hard earned insight about meditation as a path toward greater wellbeing, connection, and awakening. For more on Henry, including his new book Original Love, please visit henryshukman.com or check out The Way, his popular meditation app - which you can find at thewayapp.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:On Imperfectionism and the Art of Living Well with Oliver BurkemanStrong Back, Soft Front: The Practice of a Lifetime with Elizabeth LesserAbout Henry Shukman:Henry Shukman (IG: @henryshukman) is an authorized Zen Master in the Sanbo Zen lineage, and is spiritual director emeritus of Mountain Cloud Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is the co-founder and lead meditation teacher for The Way, a meditation app that provides a modern update to the ancient path of meditation training. He also leads meditation courses and retreats. Henry is an award-winning poet and author, whose memoir One Blade of Grass recounts his own journey through meditation practice. His new book Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening is a manual and map describing the four key zones of meditation practice. Thanks for listening!For Joshua's live events, coaching, and offerings please visit: practicingcourage.comFor more about Executive Producer Matthew Donner visit: matthewpatrickdonner.comSupport the show

Today is our final Heroes and Helpers episode for Season 4 on The Courageous Life.This series launched earlier in 2024 and throughout the year we've shined a light on stories of everyday heroes,Ordinary people who are navigating life's challenges and adversities with hope, courage, resilience, and love. These are the remarkable stories of:Our neighbors, Our friends, Our colleagues, And members of our communities. And because no one does it alone - We've also focused on elevating the work of the mentors, the coaches, and the guides.Those we call the helpers .They are the ones who walk beside the heroes on their journey. Helping the hero to strengthen themselves, and transform in ways that allow them to meet their life from a wiser, more skillful, and often more responsive place.Today's episode invites you into another one of these uplifting conversations with Lizi Oceransky.Lizi holds an MA in Counseling and is a Master Certified Coach.She's a gifted helper who creates space for those she works with to: connect with their true selves, feel accepted for who they really are, and explore new possibilities for growth and fulfillment.During our conversation Lizi will share more about: Her journey to discovering belonging and self-acceptance, A deep knowing from the time she was young about what the work she was here to do.A helper who challenged her to step fully into that work. And more about her passion for offering spaces where people feel a deep sense of belonging as they pursue what matters to them. To learn more about Lizi please visit lizi4u.comDid you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:Embracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy DongThe power of presence with Vicky Furlan  Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.     Thanks for listening!Support the show

As we get ready to close out the 4th season of The Courageous Life  we are revisiting inspiring stories of everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them.These Conversations, which launched this year, shine a light on ordinary people,Our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and members of our communities, who rise up to meet challenges, And navigate their journey through the messy middle parts of life with hope, courage, compassion, love, and resilience.And because no one does it alone (not even heroes) this series also features conversations with helpers:The mentors, The coaches, The sagesand the guides. The people who help heroes to strengthen themselves and ultimately transform in ways that allow them to meet their lives from a wiser, more skillful, and often more responsive (vs. reactive) place. Today, we are highlighting Vicky Furlan.Vicky is an HR leader, a psychologist, and a coach who believes that leaders are grown not born.For the past 8 years, Vicky been helping people in software organizations make the leap from being high-performing individual contributors to becoming high-performing managers. She helps those she coaches, and works with, to grow and create more fulfilling careers and lives. To learn more about Vicky, and the wonderful work she is doing please visit vickyfurlan.comDuring our conversation Vicky will share more about her own journey, how she walks beside people, and her steadfast belief in the importance of giving people the permission to be human at work. Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:Acceptance and unconditional positive regard with Liliana ÖğünEmbracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy Dong  Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.     Thanks for listening!Support the show

What does it mean to live a 'good life'?For centuries philosophers, theologians, and psychologists have explored this question.Arguing primarily that there are two distinct paths to living well.The first might be casually thought of as sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Choosing pleasure as our primary pursuit - building our life around a simple equation:The more pleasant experiences we have, the better life is. The second path is the pursuit of a meaningful life. Choosing to craft our lives, and our work in ways that lead to a greater sense of purpose, and fulfillment. The reality is, there are strong arguments behind the benefits of taking either path,And when you combine the two it may be an even more potent recipe for a life well lived. But what if these answers are incomplete? If all we need is more happiness or meaning, why aren't more of us achieving that truly “good” life? Today's guest, Philosopher and popular Middlebury professor Dr. Lorraine Besser is shedding light on the missing third piece in our search for the Good Life—what researchers refer to as psychological richness. And what Lorraine calls The Interesting.In today's conversation we will take a deep dive into Lorraine's work and her beautiful new book - The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It,We'll explore how interesting experiences captivate our minds, engage our thoughts and emotions, and often change our perspective.   And how ultimately when we choose to take the path of interesting experiences we live a fuller and more satisfying life. For more on Lorraine, and The Art of the Interesting, please visit Lorrainebesser.comDid you find today's episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Neuroscience, Spirituality, and the Quest for an Inspired Life | Dr. Lisa MillerPride: Is the Deadliest Sin the Secret to Success? | Dr. Jessica TracyEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

What if the time is never coming when you're ‘on top of things', or finally feel like you know what you're doing?For years, New York Times Bestselling author Oliver Burkeman has dared to ask provocative questions like these.The sort of questions that invite us to examine popular cultural views about what it means to work and live well.In his beautiful and brilliant books, his longtime column in the Guardian, and other writings, Oliver has been a leading voice helping to unravel myths about the often celebrated idea that we can 'do it all'. Rather than chasing perfectionism he invites us to embrace our imperfections, To confront our mortality,and to explore deeper questions about what matters, and what will bring us fully alive in the brief time we're here.In today's conversation we'll thoroughly explore how and why imperfectionism may actually be the path to experiencing a more meaningful, productive, absorbing and energizing life – not later, but right here in the midst of the overwhelm, the distraction, and the anxiety-inducing news headlines. For more on today's themes be sure to check out Oliver's profound new book, Meditations for Mortals, which you can pick up wherever books are sold. Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:The Life-Changing Power of Saying No | Dr. Vanessa PatrickLetting Go of Perfectionism and Finding Happiness | Tal Ben-ShaharMore about Oliver:Oliver Burkeman is a best-selling author and keynote speaker. His books include Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts, Four Thousand Weeks, as well as The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking. For many years Oliver wrote a popular weekly column on psychology for the Guardian. His work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Psychologies and New Philosopher. For more please visit: Oliverburkeman.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the show

Dr. Jonathan Fisher, is a Harvard educated cardiologist, a mindfulness teacher, and an outspoken leader passionate about helping to end the epidemic of clinician burnout in healthcare.  In sharing his own story he writes:  "Itook care of 20,000 hearts before taking care of my own.  For years, I hid my anxiety, depression, and burnout behind the facade of being a “perfect” doctor.  That effort took a toll.  So, I began a journey to understand true healing, health, and happiness.  Along the way, I realized others were also seeking the same timeless practices that helped me thrive." Today, Jonathan is on the show, and will generously share some of that journey through:His expertise as a heart doctor, His depth of insight gained both as a student and teacher of ancient wisdom practices like mindfulness and self-compassion,And his experiences of working through the process of burnout recovery and healing his own heart. This conversation sheds a light not only on the transformative power of opening the heart (on our health, our relationships, our work, and our lives broadly)  But also on the courage it takes to do so.   Particularly when the world we find ourselves in can feel cold, and scary.   Jonathan is one of those courageous leaders who engages in the practice of opening the heart and invites us to do the same,   But, importantly, to do with skillful discernment.   Offering a reminder that courage and wisdom are two virtues that are often best paired together. I hope you enjoy the time with Jonathan as much as I did.  Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:The Art of Being Human at Work | Ali SchultzStrong Back, Soft Front - The Practice of a Lifetime | Elizabeth Lesser Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!  About Jonathan: Dr. Jonathan Fisher is a cardiologist who focuses on healing the heart in the broadest sense, encompassing both the physical and emotional aspects of cardiac care. Educated at Harvard and Mt. Sinai, he is a mindfulness meditation teacher and organizational well-being leader. Dr. Fisher has designed programs for an organization with 38,000 team members, reducing stress and enhancing well-being. He is the author of Just One Heart: A Cardiologist's Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness. He has delivered keynotes, workshops, and retreats for organizations globally across various industries. His efforts in addressing burnout in healthcare, including co-hosting the Ending Clinician Burnout Global Summit, have garnered international attention. For more, please visit: drjonathanfisher.comSupport the show

Today's practice features guest teacher Amy Dong.Amy is a talented therapist, and a breath work facilitator, who specializes in helping both individuals and couples to find steady footing through life's inevitable twists & turns. She's also the author of a beautiful sub stack called The Softening.Which she describes as a walk through our internal landscape, a journey with mental health and well-being in long form. In our most recent Courageous Life episode, Amy joined me in conversation as we dove headfirst into the topic of uncertainty and the possibility of opening and softening as we learn to let go, surrender, and trust ourselves. Today's practice builds on that conversation as Amy will invite you to explore a powerful blend of progressive muscle relaxation and breathwork. The intention is to notice where we're holding tension, physically and metaphorically, and pausing to release. Please note: if you're pregnant, it's not advised to do the breath holds.If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Amy (if you haven't already):Everything You Want is on the Other Side of Fear | Amy DongThank you for your practice.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

Our 20's are a unique season in our lives. While often romanticized as a decade that should be a high pointIt's a time often fraught with major life transitionsFrom leaving the familiar rhythms of schoolWhich so many of us have known since early childhoodTo (for many of us) entering the work force full time, for the first timeTo shifts in meaningful relationships, and our sense of community as we say goodbye to good friends, move to pursue jobs, and travel down different paths. The variety of these transitions is connected by our shared underlying experience of uncertainty as we navigate uncharted territory.This familiar experience brings up important questions:What does it mean to live well in our 20's? And how might we do so practically?Which are at the heart of our exploration in a new 3-episode mini series that shines a light on our 20's and the possibility of making the most of this decade. Each episode will invite you into an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with amazing guests who will offer up: Powerful insightsTool sand practicesResearch And some of their own stories about navigating uncertainty and answering some of the prickly existential questions that begin to surface in early adulthood.Last week we kicked things off with Dr. Meg Jay.Meg is a therapist and bestselling author who a recent New York Times profile called “the patron saint of striving youth” Her TED talk “Why 30 Is Not the New 20” is among the most watched ever. If you haven't already I would encourage you to go back and tune in to that conversation as it complements this episode beautifully. You can find it here:Today, Amy Dong is back on the show. Amy is a talented therapist, and a breath work facilitator, who specializes in helping both individuals and couples to find steady footing through life's inevitable twists & turns. She's also the author of a beautiful sub stack called The Softening.Which she describes as a walk through our internal landscape, a journey with mental health and well-being in long form. Amy's work is informed by her own depth of practice, and courageous experiments in living fully, as she embraces all aspects of what it means to be human. And she's in her 20's and works with many clients in their 20's so the perspective she brings is quite unique, and I think you'll find it both interesting and valuable as she shares her own stories, as well as tools and practices that have helped the people and communities she serves. In today's episode: Amy and I will dive headfirst into the topic of uncertainty and the possibility of opening and softening as we learn to let go, surrender, and trust ourselves. We'll talk about the power of embracing curiosity, The subtle and difficult art of slowing down, and why everything we want may be on the other side of fear. This was a powerful conversation, and I hope you enjoy the time with Amy as much as I did.Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love: A Revolutionary Remedy for Uncertainty - In Our 20's and Beyond | Dr. Meg JayEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

This past week clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Meg Jay was back on the show. One of the big themes we explored together was uncertainty,And how we can experience more ease in the face of it. Meg offered a useful reminder that when we experience uncertainty research shows that our amygdala becomes more active.  The amygdala being the part of the brain that is often casually referred to as the "alarm bell."Simply put, when things are uncertain we don't tend to like it very much.We want a plan.We want to feel like we are in control.We want to know.We want answers. Part of the reason for this is that sitting in uncertainty can feel vulnerable,And by definition when we are vulnerable we are more susceptible to harm, and more open to attacks.As a result our body and mind have evolved to respond to uncertainty accordingly.Our perspective can narrow.The mind can race.Our heart rate can increase, and we can become more contracted as we enter into a 'threat state'. Knowing this can be helpful in that it gives us greater awareness. But what's even more helpful (at least in my view) is using that awareness to explore ways we can strengthen our ability to relax into uncertainty.To explore ways we can find ease in not knowing as we learn to make friends with uncertainty. This is like a superpower for our time. Today's practice will offer up a couple of ideas for how to practically grow this capacity in ourselves.If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Meg Jay (if you haven't already):A Revolutionary Remedy for Uncertainty -In Our 20's and Beyond - Dr. Meg JayOr  pick up a copy of her book: The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain AgeThank you for your practice.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

Our 20's are a unique season in our lives. While often romanticized as a decade that should be a high point, they are an age marked by uncertainty and major life transitions. From leaving the familiar rhythms of school,To (for many) entering the work force full time, for the first time.To experiencing changes in meaningful relationships, friendships, and our community. And as part of this there's the big questions that begin to arise:What do you want to do with your life?Who do you want to be?Are you dating? Are you in love? Will you get married?Are you happy?And sometimes it can feel like not only do we need to have the answers, but we need to have them quickly. This episode is the first in a new mini-series that will shine a light on this unique decade of life, ideas for how to approach the big questions, the possibility of relaxing into uncertainty, and even thriving in the process. Over the next 3 Wednesdays you'll be exposed to powerful insights, practices, tools, and stories that hone in on:Navigating uncertaintyMaking major life transitionsAnd answering some of the prickly existential questions that begin to surface in early adulthood.Today, we are thrilled to kick these conversations off with one of the world's leading experts in this space, Dr. Meg Jay. Meg is a therapist and bestselling author who a recent New York Times profile called “the patron saint of striving youth.” Her TED talk “Why 30 Is Not the New 20” is among the most watched to-date. And her books have changed the way millions of twentysomethings think about their twenties—and themselves. During our time together Meg and I will explore: Some of the greatest lessons and insights she's gained from her work with thousands of clients and studentsFascinating highlights from the latest science of the twentysomething years, including what we get wrong about the twenties, and the unique opportunities and challenges during this time.Powerful stories of behind-closed-doors therapy sessions with her twentysomething clients. The possibility of relaxing into uncertainty, and getting excited about positive possibilities. The importance of building skills and gaining experiences that give us "identity capital"The power of acceptance and curiosity in the face of change and transitionLetting go of the need to find answers, and the practice of "living the questions"Tools and practices intended to help us make the most of our 20's - “The Defining Decade” of our lives. I hope you enjoy the time with Meg as much as I did.And if you know someone who might benefit from this conversation, please share!More about Meg:Meg Jay is a developmental clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. She is the author of The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age, the cult classic The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now and Supernormal: The Secret World of the Family Hero. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and her work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review and on NPR, BBC and—maybe most important for her audience—TikTok. For more, check out megjay.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Support the show

To fail is human.It's built into our experience from childhood.We begin to walk and we fall.We begin a project, we work toward a goal, or we start a business and we may fail.We experience these moments -When we are engaged in learning, When we are moving toward something we care about And we come up short.And in these moments there is an opportunity for practice -Learning to relate to these moments from a place curiosity, care, and compassion (vs. criticism, blame, and judgment).In my recent conversation with Amy Edmondson we dove into the topic of failure and explored this opportunity under the backdrop of larger questions:How do we stay open to learning in the face of failure?How do we stay open in the moments where we come up short?Today's practice (which is being re-released) offers some options for opening that build upon the conversation with Amy and the insights that came out of it, including:An invitation to slow downTo breathe deeplyAnd to make an intentional shift to curiosity, awareness, and compassion.When you do, it may just open up more opportunities for learning, growth, and getting better next time.If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Amy Edmondson (if you haven't already):Meeting Failure with Curiosity and Compassion | Dr. Amy EdmondsonOr  pick up a copy of her book: Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing WellThank you for your practice.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”-Abraham MaslowWhat is it that empowers people to make this choice?To be bold enough to step forward into fear as they move toward purpose, and transcendence?These questions are at the heart of today's conversation with Dr. Jordyn Feingold. Jordyn is a resident physician in psychiatry, a researcher, and a positive psychology practitioner who focuses on bringing the work of self-actualization to patients and clinicians around the world.Jordyn's work is in part inspired by Abraham Maslow and other prominent psychologists who were at the forefront of the human potential movement in the 1950's, 60's, and beyond.Today Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, (Jordyn's mentor, co-author, and collaborator), is in many ways carrying this work forward. Following in Maslow's footsteps Scott is pushing the science of self-actualization into new frontiers as author of the bestselling book Transcend and founder of the Center for Human Potential where he and Jordyn have worked closely together. Jordyn is part of the Center's Senior Leadership team, and is also a member of the founding faculty.In this episode Jordyn and I will dive deep into the topic of growth and themes related to human potential which she and Scott explore throughout their beautiful book: Choose Growth: A Workbook for Transcending Trauma, Fear, and Self-Doubt.I hope you enjoy the time with Jordyn as much as I did!Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:The New Science of Self-Actualization | Dr. Scott Barry KaufmanFinding the Strength to Meet Adversity | Mark Nepo  About Jordyn:Jordyn H. Feingold is a resident physician in psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, well-being researcher, and positive psychology practitioner. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her BA and Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) and received her MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is also a founder of the emerging field of Positive Medicine. Learn more about Jordyn at centerforhumanpotential.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.Thanks for listening!Support the show

One of the highlights of this season on the Courageous Life has been expanding the show with a new series that features inspiring stories of everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them. One of these helpers conversations featured Amy Dong.Amy is a talented therapist and a breathwork facilitator. During our conversation she offered a window into her work and how she walks beside people on their journey in therapy,where one of her core areas of focus is helping people learn fundamental practices that can help regulate their nervous system in ways that lead to:Greater wellbeingAn increased sense of agencyAnd the possibility of experiencing inner peace amidst the everyday hustle. For today's Practicing Courage episode I asked Amy if she would be willing to record a brief practice along these lines that we could share here. She agreed. And here we are. I hope you enjoy this brief time with Amy and find that what she offers creates a restful pause in the midst of your day. More from Amy:Heroes and Helpers #4 - Embracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy DongThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

“If we don't work on our stuff, our stuff will work on us. It will run our lives - and show up in our offices and relationships - until we take the reins of responsibility for our own well-being.” These words were written by today's guest, Allison Schultz (who goes by Ali). Along with Jerry Colonna and Dan Putt, Ali co-founded Reboot, the widely acclaimed leadership development and CEO coaching firm.At Reboot they believe:That in work is the possibility of the full realization of human potential. Work does not have to destroy us. Work can be the way we achieve our fullest self.Today we are going to take a deep dive into Ali's work: From her early experiences co-facilitating the first ever CEO bootcamp at RebootTo her deep appreciation for horses and how they can help people seeking personal growth, To the qualities she has witnessed in her coaching work which can lead to the realization of our unique potential as human beings.We'll also spend some time highlighting and discussing themes and practices from her beautiful new book:The Art of Being Human at Work: Meditations for the Work of Your LifeWhich is a profound collection of essays that explores the core philosophy of Reboot's unique approach, and teaches us that if we are to work and lead well—with authenticity, courage, integrity, and compassion—we must first do the necessary inner work of becoming a better human.Throughout our time together Ali will share more about what it takes to do that inner work, What becomes possible when we find the courage to do so, and how life-changing this journey toward wholeness can be. Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:The Future of Work: Love, Safety, and Belonging | Dr. Leah Weiss and Jerry ColonnaLeadership and the Art of Growing Up | Jerry ColonnaEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!More about Ali:In 2014, after years of work in a variety of startups and a lifetime of soul-based explorations, Allison Schultz co-founded Reboot with Jerry Colonna and Dan Putt. As a coach, Ali weaves her business acumen with the innate wisdom of the body, the philosophies of the world's wisdom traditions, and "the way of the horse" to help clients seeking personal growth and committed to deep inner work find their voice in service of finding themselves. For more, visit: reboot.ioThanks for listening!Support the show

In today's practice you'll hear a clip from a past conversation with kindness researcher Dr. Kelli Harding.She'll offer a beautiful reminder about just how easy it can be to make someone else's day. How little it takes to lift others up.And that when we do, when we offer these little acts of kindness, they generate positive ripples outward.One small act of kindness creating a win-win-win proposition:For the giver,The receiverAnd for anyone who witnesses the kind act. Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Kelli Harding:In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind | Dr. Kelli HardingThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

How might we learn to better negotiate and navigate seemingly intractable issues? And what if it was possible to not only navigate these issues, but to meet all people's needs in the process?What if it was possible to truly find win-win solutions?In today's conversation with Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison, two leaders in the field of bridge building and conflict resolution we'll address these complex, challenging, and timely questions head on. Questions that have been at the heart of their work for many years, and are explored in depth in their profound new book: From Conflict to Convergence Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.Today, they will offer up their hard-earned wisdom about how we can all get better at navigating difficult conversations, resolving challenging conflicts, and building meaningful connection in the process. Much of what they will share comes from their work at Convergence a leading non profit organization of which Rob is the Founder and Mariah is the CEO. For more than a dozen years, convergence has pioneered a distinctive approach to collaborative problem-solving across divides. Bringing people together across ideological, political, and identity lines to help solve seemingly intractable challenges at the intersection of national politics and policy. Convergence's success offers a beacon of hope for the majority of Americans frustrated by divisiveness and toxic polarization. Their work demonstrates that change is possible under the right conditions, and that we can affect lasting, consistent changes that improve people's lives when we come together to recognize our common humanity.For more about Convergence, Rob, Mariah, and their book please visit convergencepolicy.orgThis episode is the final conversation in our mini series that brought together leaders at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and writing about how we can:Engage in more constructive dialogueFind collaborative solutions to seemingly intractable problemsAnd build bridges across differenceFor more, check out these other conversations in the series: Rediscovering the Art of Constructive Dialogue | Dr. Mylien DuongBuilding Bridges Back to Each Other | Juliana TafurMore about Rob Fersh and Mariah LevisonRob founded Convergence in 2009 and served as its first CEO until 2020. He has spent over 45 years bridging policy differences and moving important public policy solutions forward in Washington DC, working for Congress, in the Executive Branch, and in leading non-profit organizations. Head here to learn more about Rob.Mariah serves as CEO and President of Convergence. With decades of experience, Mariah is a seasoned consensus-builder who excels in bringing diverse groups together to address critical state and national issues. Her expertise extends to speaking and training on a national and international level, engaging with a wide range of audiences including local communities, law schools, foreign governments, and TED. Head here to learn more about Mariah.Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Yesterday we re-released a moving Courageous Life conversation with Juliana Tafur.  Juliana is a journalist, award winning documentary filmmaker, and bridge builder.  She serves as the Program Director for the Greater Good Science Center's Bridging Differences Program.   During our time together she shared shared some of her story, and insights from her incredible work as we explored the art and science of listening in ways that lead to: Meaningful connectionDeeper relationshipsAnd ultimately that build bridges across difference.  Today I'd like build on that conversation by re-releasing a practice that can support finding ways to connect.  Particularly when it's difficult. Given that we're human, imperfect, and not always at our best (at least speaking for myself) this idea of finding ways to connect when it's difficult, when we are in conversations that are charged, or there's reactivity etc…  Can be quite a useful inquiry to explore.   Today's practice will infuse a blend of storytelling, research-backed insights from leading organizational scholars, and simple ways to deepen self-awareness and tap into more empathy, understanding, and compassion.  For more ways to have constructive conversations, including insights and practices for connecting across difference, check out these conversations (if you haven't already):Building Bridges Back to Each Other | Juliana TafurRediscovering the Art of Constructive Dialogue | Dr. Mylien DuongPracticing Courage #40: Let go of assumptions and embrace curiosity  Thank you for your practice.  I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!  -Joshua    Looking for more practice opportunities?   Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and Unlocking Creativity a brand NEW 5-day challenge for realizing your unique creative potential.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the show

How can we more effectively navigate conversations with people who have different values, and beliefs than we do?Neighbors, community members, co-workers, and family members who care deeply about the same issues, but who have widely different views about them. What are the conditions that would be needed in order to have productive conversations? What are the intentions, skills and mindsets we need to cultivate? In this new 3-episode mini series we will  explore these complex yet practical questions with Courageous Life guests new and old. You'll be exposed to leaders at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and sharing their hard earned wisdom, about how to have constructive dialogues, find win-win solutions to our hardest problems, and build bridges across difference. As we move into election season here in the US, these conversations are particularly timely,But the skills and insights contained within each conversation are also timeless.Today we'll continue this series with our second conversation - a past episode with Juliana Tafur who is the Program Director for the Greater Good Science Center's Bridging Differences Program. Together we explored the art and science of listening in ways that lead to meaningful connection, deeper relationships, empathy, and can build bridges across difference.  Highlights include:A framework for compassionate listeningThe importance of giving ourselves and others grace while engaging in constructive dialogueWhy opening the heart across difference begins with tuning into selfDiscerning when to engage in constructive dialogue and when it's safer, and wiser, not to. The power of asking questions from a place of genuine curiosityLetting go of winning as a fundamental practice of effective listeningWhy listening is an act of courageThe importance of appreciating complexity in other people's stories, and lived experiences Ways to quiet the ego in tough conversations Interested in diving deeper into this topic? Check out the Bridging Differences Program for free resources including the Bridging Differences Playbook. Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Rediscovering the art of constructive dialogue | Dr. Mylien DuongIs curiosity a superpower? | Dr. Jud Brewer More about Juliana:Juliana Tafur is the Program Director for GGSC's Bridging Differences Program, applying her experience as social entrepreneur and founder of Listen Courageously, and as Emmy-nominated senior television producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker. Juliana creates resources rooted in science to bridge political and cultural divides. She also forges strategic partnerships across sectors—government, education, philanthropy, and public service—and oversees communities of practice, to ensure bridge-building skills and resources reach people and strengthen social cohesion across the US. As a Colombian-American devoted to listening to bridge what divides us (as seen on her TEDx talk), fostering a broader culture of belonging—through dialogue, connections, and understanding—is her life's mission.Support the show

When I was first learning to be a coach we had a saying before stepping into a coaching conversation:Leave your assumptions at the door and embrace curiosity. In reality we often know SO little about someone's experience, and about their story.And when we recognize that, what seems to make the most sense is to get curious.To ask questions,And to listen deeply. In a recent episode with Dr. Jonah Paquette we took a dive into the depths of awe and wonder he offered a beautiful reminder of the power of curiosity. And that reminder is the inspiration for today's practice which centers around finding ways to let go of your assumptionsAnd to choose learning over knowing.This practice is being re-released as a powerful complement to our new mini-series which highlights Courageous Life guests new and old. Each episode in the series featuring leaders who are at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and sharing their hard-earned wisdom related to how to have constructive dialogues, how to find win-win solutions to some of our hardest problems, and ultimately how to build bridges across difference. Want to dive deeper into these topics? Check out these past Courageous Life episodes:Rediscovering the Art of Constructive Dialogue | Dr. Mylien DuongAwe, Wonder, and Everyday Miracles | Dr. Jonah PaquetteIs Curiosity a Superpower? | Dr. Jud BrewerThank you for your practice. I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-Joshua Looking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

How can we more effectively navigate conversations with people who have different values, and beliefs than we do?Neighbors, community members, co-workers, and family members who care deeply about the same issues, but who have widely different views about them. What are the conditions that would be needed in order to have productive conversations? What are the intentions, skills and mindsets we need to cultivate? Over the next few weeks these are the complex yet practical questions we will explore with Courageous Life guests new and old. You'll be exposed to leaders at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and sharing their hard earned wisdom, About how to have constructive dialogues, find win-win solutions to our hardest problems, and ultimately build bridges across difference. As we move into election season here in the US, these conversations are particularly timely, Bet the skills and insights contained within each conversation are also timeless. Today we'll begin this powerful mini-series by re-releasing a past episode with Dr. Mylien Duong. Mylien is Senior Director of Research at The Constructive Dialogue Institute, where they define Constructive dialogue as a form of conversation in which people who have different values, beliefs, and perspectives seek to build new ways to understand and interact with each other, even as they sustain commitments to their own principles and perspectives. Mylien helps to build out evidence-based content for having constructive dialogues, and oversees measuring the efficacy and effectiveness of the programming.  So far programming offered by the Institute: Has impacted over 50K learners Is being leveraged by 900+ Institutions Shows that 86% of learners improved communication across differenceAnd, 95% of educators recommend their programmingTheir work has been featured in Time Magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, Oprah Magazine, Psychology Today and moreIn today's conversation: Mylien's story about how she came to this workThe 5 principles of Constructive Dialogue that the Institute has establishedThe power of curiosity and storytelling in constructive dialogueThe importance of humility, self-worth, and feeling that you matterThe power of emotional intelligence and nervous system regulation in navigating hard conversations more effectivelyMore about Mylien:Dr. Mylien Duong has deep expertise in developing scalable behavioral interventions. Trained as a clinical psychologist, she was previously a senior research scientist at the Committee for Children, where she led the research to develop a social-emotional learning program for teachers in K-12 schools. Prior to that, she was faculty at the University of Washington, where they conducted federally funded research studies to develop and test behavioral interventions for youth in school and juvenile justice settings. She has received over $17 million in grant funding and published over 40 scientific articles and book chapters. For more please check out https://constructivedialogue.org/Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are more conversations we think you'll love:Dr. Marc Brackett - Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional IntelligenceParker Palmer - Reflections on Living with an Open HeartEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen!Support the Show.

Always do your best.When I was growing up I heard that a lot. "Just do your best.""Leave it all on the field."Or some similar version of that message.It seemed like a generally positive and empowering message. An invitation to show up fully and give it my all. I was on board. But what I didn't realize was that this message was incomplete. It was missing an important piece. Today we'll explore what was missing.The piece, that when leveraged, makes this a much more potent practice. Thank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

One of the most extraordinary manifestations of human potential is:Our ability to grow and strengthen ourselves in the face of pain, trauma, and those moments where life falls apart.Today's guest, Dr. Amrita Sen Mukherjee, has not only studied what contributes to this deeply human capacity for post-traumatic growth but has experienced it first-hand. In our conversation we'll dive deep into her story and insights she's gained about what fosters positive psychological change in response to trauma and adversity.The qualities and conditions that support us in finding the courage to rise again after we fall,And the potential we have to come back stronger.  In today's episode Amrita will share:Parts of her own story including facing illness after childbirth, and the many layers of adversity she experienced as both a mother, and a physician with invisible disability.Insights into Post-Traumatic Growth and her original research that explored the lived experiences of doctors with invisible disability.The conditions that contribute to other people being courageous in the face of significant obstacles.Practical skills for creating psychological safety, compassion, and empathy.The importance of mattering, and feeling at home in our own skin, and at home on the earth.  Practices that support showing ourselves and each other we are valued and that we matter.Reflections on the healing power of silence.Why humility, curiosity, and the willingness to not know can lead to people feeling seen.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:The Courageous Journey Toward Wholeness | Parker PalmerGentle Power - Shifting the Way We Define True Strength | Dr. Elisabet LahtiEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!A quick note about the conversation today. There were some occasional minor sounds you'll hear in the background as it wasn't a perfectly quiet spot during recording which comes with the territory from time to time. We feel it didn't detract much from the conversation though and are still very excited to share it with you.More about Amrita:Dr. Amrita Sen Mukherjee, Co-Chair of the Disabled Doctors Network, challenges the frameworks and biases that society imposes. She invites us to consider the potential for change when we unmask the strengths and abilities of the marginalised and to discover how adversity can enable growth, strength and compassion.  She is a dedicated Wellbeing Expert, Positive Psychology Coach, and accomplished Portfolio GP. Specialising in Posttraumatic Growth and guiding high performing professionals through life transitions, Amrita fosters environments of psychological safety and individual curiosity for personal and team growth. Amrita, conducted groundbreaking research on Posttraumatic Growth in Doctors with Invisible Disability, which was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. As Co-Chair of the Disabled Doctors Network and EDI Lead at The Joyful Doctor, she actively promotes equality and is a Disability Advocate. She also serves as a Trustee for the Thomas Wall Trust and is the ambassador for Doctors in Distress. A sought-after TEDx speaker, Amrita has shared her expertise on wellbeing and equality across platforms like BBC News, podcasts, webinars, and International Conferences. For more please visit: yourwellbeing.doctorThanks for listening!Support the Show.

In yesterday's Courageous Life episode with psychologist and author, Dr. Jill Stoddard, we took a deep dive into overcoming self doubt and imposterism. Part of which reminded me of a powerful practice for transforming stress.A practice I first learned from Dr. Alia Crum and her team at Stanford's Mind and Body Lab. I originally created this practice for the 5-day Transforming Stress Challenge, which features 5 days of guided practices, insights from leading experts, and different tools that can help you change your relationship to stress in a whole host of beneficial ways. Today we are re-releasing a modified version of this practice.In it you'll be exposed to Dr. Alia Crum and her growing body of research on the power our mindsets hold to transform our lives, our health, and our performance.You'll learn three powerful steps for shifting your mindset on stress. Rather than push it away, you will be invited to acknowledge, welcome, and utilize your stress in ways that can lead to positive ripple effects in life, on health, and that lead to better performance. Simply put, this practice can help you to stress better.Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Jill Stoddard or the 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge:Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposterism | Dr. Jill StoddardTransforming Stress ChallengeThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

Today's guest identifies as a recovered imposter. For years, she was convinced that the only reason she was accepted into a competitive grad school program was because her father knew the program director. One thing research shows is that Dr. Jill Stoddard, psychologist, and author of Imposter No More, isn't alone in this.Deep down, a majority of successful people feel a sense of self doubt and question their professional legitimacy a good amount of the time. In today's conversation we'll dive into Jill's fascinating and important work around this often relatable experience of Imposterism, including:Understanding what it is, why we do it, and how it worksWhy the notion of imposter syndrome is actually a misnomer. We'll explore some of Jill's personal stories and experiences of working through her own imposter thoughts and feelings of self-doubtWhat she's learned from personal experiences as well as through her work as a psychologist running an anxiety clinic. How to work with imposterism - Specifically how strengthening psychological flexibility can ultimately be a way to free ourselves from the experience of being constrained by fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Today's episode is one that I think will be deeply relatable for so many. After listening If you know someone who may benefit from it, I would encourage you to share with friends. If you want to dive deeper into Jill's work please visit jillstoddard.com or pick up a copy of Imposter No more: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career, wherever books are sold.Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts! Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love: Letting go of Perfectionism and Finding Happiness | Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharMeeting Failure with Curiosity and Compassion | Dr. Amy EdmondsonMore about Jill: Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. She has authored three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner's Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman's Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. Thanks for listening! Support the Show.

In the hero's journey, the hero or heroine is called to adventure. Often in the form of a quest, a challenge, or an adversity.And often in unexpected ways.One of the things that's interesting about the heroes journey is that shortly after the call a helper enters the picture.A mentor, sage, guide, or a coach who helps the hero to navigate the adventure,as they strengthen themselves and ultimately transform in ways that allow them to meet their life from a wiser, more skillful, and often more responsive place. Today, we're bringing you the next episode in this new adventure on the Courageous Life - inspiring stories from everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them. I am thrilled to share another beautiful helpers conversation, with Liliana Öğün.Liliana is an Executive & Career Coach with more than 20 years of experience in leadership coaching, career coaching, and communication consulting. She holds a Master Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. And since 2010 has been helping leaders across the globe enhance their productivity while maintaining work-life balance. Through coaching, she empowers her clients to raise their awareness and take personal accountability, leading to transformative changes in their careers and lives. For more on Liliana please visit surfingchange.comToday, we'll explore some of Liliana's journey:Including a personal story of her parents loss of one of their children, and how she and her sister navigated the experience together.  What she learned, and how the adversity shaped how she approaches her work today. Liliana will share more about how she “walks beside” her clients. Including meeting them with curiosity, unconditional positive regard, and challenging them to realize their potential.She'll offer tools and practices that have helped her clients to deepen awareness, and transform their relationship to themselves, and others. This conversation was beautiful.  Liliana showed again and again how she embodies the qualities she speaks of, and if you're looking for practical takeaways, you'll find she offers those as well.I hope you enjoy the time with her as much as I did. Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:Building a future starts with feeling seen with Hayley PhilanderEmbracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy Dong Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

"It's very important work to be calm in a storm. To be a center for the people in your life." -Elizabeth Lesser (Courageous Life Episode 112)So often when storms arise in our life they unleash a variety of feelings:UncertaintyFearGroundlessnessWhen these experiences arise the mind will often will enter into a cycle of trying to find ground, often by running through future based scenarios, and planning thinking. And while planning can be helpful up to a point, if we spend too much time focusing on what ifWe can get lost in cycles of worry. In these moments a helpful practice to find calm, and return to center is to remember that: The only moment we have is this one.That, there is no "there".There's only here.And to return to the present. Finding calm again even in the midst of a storm. Today's practice will offer a clip from yesterday's Courageous Life conversation with Elizabeth Lesser, and a story of my time with Mark Nepo in 2018 where he offered a reminder of this beautiful practice. Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversations Elizabeth Lesser and Mark Nepo:Strong Back, Soft Front: The Practice of a Lifetime | Elizabeth LesserFinding Inner Courage Where it Lives | Mark NepoThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaLooking for more practice opportunities? Check out:LIVE 6 Week Training in Positive Neuroplasticity with Joshua (begins October 5th, 2024)Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.The FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

In the more than twenty-five years since she co-founded Omega Institute—now the world's largest center for spiritual retreat and personal growth—Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which people weather change and transition. In our conversation I shared the question we have been exploring on the show for years.A question that can serve as a natural companion to the experience of change, and transition we so often face in the many facets of our lives:When my heart begins to close, how do I open it again?Her response was that this question, may be the one that she's explored more than any other in her life. Today we'll explore the practice of opening the heart and mind again when it begins to close.The conversation is broken into 3 parts:In part one: Elizabeth will offer share some of her own insights she's gained over the years about opening the heart and finding the courage to blossom into who we were meant to be.In part two:She'll offer some of her hard-earned wisdom about staying open, curious, and engaged in tough conversations. Whether it be across the political divide or elsewhere.She'll also share some of her personal story about an experience with her sister that centered around uncovering the depth of their love through the life-and-death experience of a bone marrow transplant. Particularly how this experience opened the door for them to engage in a practice of being radically honest with eachother. A practice that ultimately transformed them both.In part three:We'll discuss perhaps the most challenging form of opening. Relaxing into uncertainty.  Cultivating the ability to let go and relax into the vulnerability of being human. And as we wrap up Elizabeth will leave us with a closing thought around why a spiritual practice is so important for the challenging times we are facing now.Today's conversation is just scratching the surface on these themes. For more, I would highly encourage you to pick up a copy of her beautiful book, Broken Open.Did you find today's episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity | Mark NepoNeuroscience, Spirituality, and the Quest for an Inspired Life | Dr. Lisa MillerMore about Elizabeth:ELIZABETH LESSER  is the author of several books, including New York Times Bestseller Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow and Marrow: Love, Loss & What Matters Most. She is the cofounder of Omega Institute, recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, spirituality, creativity, and social change. In 2011, she gave a popular TED talk called “Take The Other to Lunch,” a call for civility and understanding as we negotiate our differences as human beings. She gave her second TED talk in 2016, about the power of truth-telling. She is also one of Oprah's Super Soul 100, a collection of a hundred leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity. Fore more about Elizabeth please visit: Elizabethlesser.org. and for more about the programming and wide variety of offerings at Omega Institute please visit https://www.eomega.org/Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

In the hero's journey, the hero or heroine is called to adventure. Often in the form of a quest, a challenge, or an adversity,And often in unexpected ways.One of the things that's interesting about the hero's journey is that shortly after the call a helper enters the picture.A mentor, sage, guide, or a coach of some sort.They help the hero:Navigate the adventureStrengthen themselvesAnd ultimately transform in ways that allow them to meet their life from a wiser, more skillful, and more responsive place. As we looked at starting a new series featuring everyday heroes, the role of the helper was striking.And we couldn't help but think this new series would be incomplete if we didn't include episodes featuring helpers.So here we are.Launching our next episode in this new adventure.Conversations featuring inspiring stories from everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them.Today I am honored and excited to share another beautiful helpers conversation, with Hayley Philander.Hayley is a Lawyer who cofounded an organization called IseeU.On the organization's website they share:Every morning young women from the Cape Flats face an overwhelming challenge – they wake to a community with some of the highest rates of gangsterism and drug addiction in South Africa. They also face an epidemic of gender based violence alongside a failing education system. It is from this environment that our young women begin to formulate their identity, their sense of potential and their dreams for the future.IseeU was launched eight years and offers a three-year mentorship programme supporting young female students from Grade 10 to 12, who are from the Cape Flats.The name IseeU was inspired by one of the young women participating in the programme – who shared that she felt seen, for the first time in her life. Building a future starts with feeling seen.Today, we'll explore some of Hayley's journey in co-founding IseeU, including:Growing up in Apartheid South Africa and the story of a mentor who saw her potential, believed in her, and helped her to feel deeply seen. More about the mission of IseeU and the incredible work they are doingTools and practices that have helped young women in their program move from reactivity, to responsiveness, dream about their future and find hope in the face of immense challenges. For more on Hayley and ways to get involved and support IseeU please visit iseeu.org.zaDid you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other Heroes and Helpers episodes we think you'll love:Becoming your own inner ally with Alfreda McCrayEmbracing the journey from 'doing' to 'being' with Amy Dong  Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.     Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

After work one evening I met a friend who has been navigating big questions about their career and what's next.We sat outside and they shared some of their story.A close friend of theirs, whom they care about and deeply respectHad called them up And offered advice about what to do.While well intended it completely missed the mark. My friend left feeling much worse than they had before. Wishing that the advice had never been given. Wishing that their friend had been aware that the advice they were giving, while well intended, was really more about their own discomfort with the situation, then truly about helping. Have you had this experience? Either being on the receiving end? Or the giving end of well intended advice that completely misses?It's such a common experience as humans. When we care, when people matter to us, there can be a whole host of emotions and desires that arise in these types of moments. A desire to fixTo solveTo saveTo adviseTo pleaseSometimes these are born out of fearSometimes they are born from our lived experience (well this is how I did it so it should work for them). Or (well this happened to me, so I want to make sure it doesn't happen to them). These are various Expressions of the ego.Expressions that we can only see when we pay attention closely, when we bring mindful awareness to our inner life in these moments.Without awareness it's all too easy to fall into a trap of offering unwanted advice. Today's episode will offer ways to not fall into the trap nearly as oftenAs you are invited into the practice of being real A practice that can help deepen relationships and foster more meaningful connection in our lives. Today's episode was in part inspired by a recent Courageous Life conversation with renowned therapist Dr. Jacob Ham.Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Ham:The Art of Meeting Life with Curiosity, Presence, and Love | Dr. Jacob HamThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaWant these practices delivered via text?If you are located in the U.S. text the word COURAGE to 805-430-6801 to join Joshua's text community and you'll get a text once/week with a link directly to the practice.Looking for more practice opportunities? Check out:Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.Past Practicing Courage episodes in the podcast feedThe FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

When veteran executive coach, professor, and ultra-endurance champion Urs Koenig signed up to be a NATO peacekeeping commander and United Nations peacekeeper in his fifties, he thought he knew a thing or two about leadership.In his new book Radical Humility he openly shares that what he discovered as he embarked on this journey was a new leadership paradigm. One that replaces the top-down, “heroic” leadership of the past,With a more human-centered approach that views humility as a strength and key to achieving goals in today's complex world.Today we will take a deep dive into the topic of humility as we explore:Urs stories of facing various challenges, including struggling with academics and getting kicked out of school, and how these moments helped shape his professional trajectory.Why humility is a strength, but not a replacement for competenceAn athletic dream of completinga race across America. How it unraveled, and what Urs learned from failure that helped him find the resilience to come back stronger.How to stay open and receptive to learning when it's hard. Including when we: Receive tough feedback, When we fail, And when we experience difficult emotions. Reflections on the intersection of backbone and heart in leadership and how leaders can get better at being tough on results but tender on people. The importance of building thriving relationships and practices that support doing so at work and in our lives.If you find this conversation intriguing I  would encourage you to check out Radical Humility: Be a Badass Leader and a Good Human, which you can find wherever books are sold. More about Urs:Urs Koenig is a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander, a highly accomplished ultraendurance champion, a widely published professor, bestselling author of Radical Humility, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker with more than three decades of experience helping hundreds of leaders and dozens of executive teams unlock new levels of achievement across four continents. He is the founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute and speaks frequently on the topic of leadership to corporations and associations across the globe. His message of Radical Humility in leadership has inspired teams from across the spectrum, including Amazon, Starbucks, the Society of Human Resource Management, Vistage, the University of Melbourne, and Microsoft. He holds a PhD in geography and a Master of Science from the University of Zürich, Switzerland, and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.  For more, please visit urskoenig.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll loveMeeting Failure with Curiosity and Compassion | Amy EdmondsonThe Transformative Power of Humility | Dr. Daryl Van TongerenMeeting Challenges with Backbone and Heart | Roshi Joan Halifax and Rhonda MageeEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

The blank canvas.The blank page.The big questions:What's next in my life?What do I want to do for work? How do I want to live?These are familiar moments and seasons of life marked by the unknown.Often filled with feelings of uncertainty, what's beautiful about  these moments, and these seasons is that They are an invitation into creativity.But there's a catch.To accept the invitation we often need to be able to practice opening. Finding ways to relax into uncertainty. What I see as a great superpower for our time. When we do, we find possibility. Today's recording comes from Day 3 of Unlocking Creativity, our most recent 5-day guided meditation challenge for living well and realizing your unique creative potential. In this practice you will be exposed to two eye opening insights from Courageous Life conversations with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, and yesterday's guest: leading meditation teacher Kaira Jewel Lingo. Together they will offer inspiration, and ideas for facing the unknown with greater joy, passion, and possibility.Interested in Unlocking Creativity? Learn more and sign up hereWhen you do you will also gain access to our two other guided meditation challenges:The 5-Day Transforming Stress ChallengeThe 28-Day Practicing Courage ChallengeCurious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Kaira Jewel Lingo:Lessons for Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption | Kaira Jewel LingoThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaWant these practices delivered via text?If you are located in the U.S. text the word COURAGE to 805-430-6801 to join Joshua's text community and you'll get a text once/week with a link directly to the practice.Looking for more practice opportunities? Check out:Free Meditation Events - 60 minute gatherings with Joshua held 2x a month over zoomThe Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.Past Practicing Courage episodes in the podcast feedThe FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

Kaira Jewel Lingo is a mindfulness and meditation teacher with a lifelong interest in blending spirituality and meditation with social justice.She spent her formative years growing up in an ecumenical Christian community where families practiced a new kind of monasticism and worked with the poor.When she turned 25 she entered a Buddhist monastery and spent fifteen years living as a nun under the guidance of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Today she sees her work teaching Buddhist meditation, mindfulness, and compassion, as a continuation of the Engaged Buddhism she learned from Thich Nhat Hanh,As well as the work of her parents, inspired by their stories and her dad's work with Martin Luther King Jr. on desegregating the South. In our conversation we will take a deep dive into Kaira Jewel's story of entering the monasteryAnd the reasons for leaving 25 years later.The moments she'll describe are deeply human.They are examples of those times we find ourselves at a crossroads, uncertain about which path to take.Kaira Jewel will generously share some of the practices and insights that were most helpful for her as she navigated these moments:From finding the strength to be in a place of not knowingTo sitting in the questions and discerning whether she was making these decisions driven by fear, or pulled by love. To engaging in the practice of finding stillness and listening to her life.As we explore these themes through Kaira Jewels story we'll also talk about:What she's learned about transforming the fear that often accompanies uncertainty into hopeful possibilityFinding the balance between letting go and taking wise action What she learned from her father and Thich Nhat Hanh about opening the heart in the face of some of the most pressing challenges of our time The possibility of fighting for what we care about from a place of love. This raw and moving conversation was inspired by themes from her beautiful book:We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons for Moving Through Change Loss and Disruption, which you can find wherever books are sold.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Meeting a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love | Oren Jay SoferNeuroscience, Spirituality, and the Quest for an Inspired Life | Dr. Lisa MillerMore about Kaira Jewel:Kaira Jewel Lingo is a mindfulness and meditation teacher with a lifelong interest in blending spirituality and meditation with social justice. She began practicing mindfulness in 1997 and at the age of twenty-five she entered a Buddhist monastery and spent fifteen years living as a nun under the guidance of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. She is also a teacher in the Vipassana Insight lineage through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In addition to writing We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons for Moving through Change, Loss and Disruption, and co-authoring Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy and Liberation, she is also the editor of Thich Nhat Hanh's Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children. She teaches and leads retreats internationally, provides spiritual mentoring, and interweaves art, play, nature, racial and earth justice, and embodied mindfulness practice in her teaching. Visit kairajewel.com to learn more.Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

There is a beautiful teaching metaphor that comes out of buddhist psychology about 2 darts.As we move through life we inevitably experience pain.From minor bumps and scrapes,To major injury, loss, heartbreak, and catastrophe.This is the 1st dart.What's interesting about pain though is that it can often be accompanied by thoughts about the pain:“This shouldn't be happening.”“What if this doesn't end?”“There's something wrong with you." Etc.These are add ons.They're the extras that in moments where we are in pain, can pile on.Adding to the weight and intensity of the experience.Turning what is already painful into experiences marked by additional suffering.These add ons are the 2nd dart. Within this metaphor though there is a possibility for less suffering. When we learn to put the second darts down, to not throw them as much, or not throw them at all, we suffer less and we experience more freedom. Today, we'll look at a simple practice for turning this possibility into a reality which in part was inspired by yesterday's Courageous Life conversation with renowned therapist Dr. Jacob Ham.Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Ham:The Art of Meeting Life with Curiosity, Presence, and Love | Dr. Jacob HamThank you for your practice today.I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!-JoshuaWant these practices delivered via text?If you are located in the U.S. text the word COURAGE to 805-430-6801 to join Joshua's text community and you'll get a text once/week with a link directly to the practice.Looking for more practice opportunities? Check out:The Practice Pass - An annual membership that gives you on-demand access to robust practice experiences including the 28-Day Practicing Courage Challenge, The 5-Day Transforming Stress Challenge and the brand NEW Creativity Challenge.Past Practicing Courage episodes in the podcast feedThe FREE Practice LibrarySupport the Show.

When I first started coaching I was introduced to the idea of: Meeting the client where they are. This idea being both a cornerstone of coaching,And a practice that involves attuning to the person in front of you in such a way that opens up a possibility of working with them wherever they are in their development or growth journey.While it may sound simple enough, there is a profound depth and precision to meeting someone in this way. In part this is because whether it's a client, a friend, a colleague, a partner, a child, a parent, etc There are a myriad of factors that can influence where they are on their path:The conversation you've been engaged in with them to that pointWhat is arising in them in the moment (thoughts, feelings, sensations)What is arising in youWhat is arising in the relationshipTheir past experiencesYour perceptions, beliefs, biasesThe list goes on...And this practice of attunement is one of the things that today's guest, renowned therapist Dr. Jacob Ham does exceptionally well which you'll hear in, and throughout, our conversation as we dive into a deep exploration of growth, curiosity, love, and the art of living in the present moment. Dr. Ham is the Director of the Center for Child Trauma and Resilience and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Equal part therapist, speaker, trainer, program developer, Dr. Ham applies an open-hearted, empathic approach to all aspects of his work, ensuring that the needs of patients, audiences, and trainees are prioritized and met in the most meaningful ways. He specializes in using authentic relationships to self and others as paths to healing in trauma and other forms of mental suffering including the self-harm of fear, doubt, loathing and despair. To learn more please visit drjacobham.comIn today's conversation:Dr. Ham's story about how he came to work in the way he does - including his general disillusionment with a lot of traditional approaches and paradigms in therapeutic treatment.What is this moment calling for? The role of this question in his work. And how an expertise in trauma and a deep contemplative practice inform his ability to skillfully offer what is needed. The wisdom that can be found in contraction, closing off, and shutting down. Practices for significantly improving communication in relationships.How to work with anger in more skillful ways when it arisesAsking for what you need in relationship and why he thinks this isn't always such a beneficial practiceThe possibility of responding to hate with loveLearning to not be so afraid of the pain that comes with growthThe practice of surrender and embracing the growth processAnd the role loving awareness plays in growth, healing, and his work as a therapistOf all the interviews we've released on the show I found this to be one of the most moving and profound. It is such an honor to be able to shine a light on the incredible work Dr. Ham is doing in the world. I hope you enjoy the time with him as much as I did.    Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:Finding the Strength to Meet Adversity | Mark Nepo Finding the Courage to Live Without Regrets | Dr. Sunita PuriEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts. Thanks for listening!Support the Show.

In the hero's journey, the hero or heroine is called to adventure. Often in the form of a quest, a challenge, or an adversity,And often in unexpected ways.One of the things that's interesting about the hero's journey is that shortly after the call a helper enters the picture.A mentor, sage, guide, or a coach of some sort.They help the hero:Navigate the adventureStrengthen themselvesAnd ultimately transform in ways that allow them to meet their life from a wiser, more skillful, and more responsive place. As we looked at starting a new series featuring everyday heroes, the role of the helper was striking. And we couldn't help but think this new series would be incomplete if we didn't include episodes featuring helpers. So here we are. Launching our fourth episode in this new adventure on the larger Courageous Life podcast. Conversations featuring inspiring stories from everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them. Last week we released a helper interview with Executive and Leadership Coach Alfreda McCray where we explored the practice of becoming your own inner ally.Today, I am honored and excited to share another beautiful helpers conversation, with Amy Dong. Amy is a therapist who specializes in working with individuals and couples, navigating anxiety, supporting relational health, healing from burnout, reprocessing trauma, and finding steady footing through life's inevitable twists & turns.Amy is also a gifted writer.You can find her beautiful and inspiring work on her substack: The SofteningWhich she describes as a walk through our internal landscape, a journey with mental health and well-being in long form. Personally I subscribe to Amy's blog and look forward to receiving each new piece as I find her writing a breath of fresh air. It offers an invitation to slow down in the midst of the hustle of everyday life, to reflect on what's truly important, and often leaves me feeling hopeful and energized. I would encourage you to check it out.Today, we'll explore:The story of a helper who during a particularly challenging point left a deep positive impression on Amy - not in what she did, but rather through her way of being. How she approaches her work, and the ways in which she walks beside her clients. Some of her favorite tools for regulating the nervous system, and finding greater ease as we navigate the 'messy middle' parts of our lives. Reflections about the practice of becoming a better friend to yourself. This conversation was deep, heartfelt, and also offered a number of practical takeaways. I hope you enjoy the time with Amy as much as I did. Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:Becoming your own inner ally with Alfreda McCrayCuriosity, trust, and inner wisdom with Shandra Lamotte Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts.   Thanks for listening!Support the Show.