Podcasts about Empathy

You can say all the right words and still leave your partner feeling completely unsafe.If you're the partner who caused harm, that may be the most frustrating thing you've encountered in recovery — you apologized, you said "I understand," you told her you're here, and somehow it still landed wrong. In this episode, Hali explains why your partner isn't responding to your words. She's responding to your body — to whether your presence feels safe or braced, whether you're actually with her or just managing her. That's embodied empathy.Hali walks through what embodied empathy actually is and why a traumatized nervous system is exquisitely tuned to detect the mismatch between what you say and the state you're actually in. Then she lays out two concrete lists: the behaviors that model embodied empathy and build safety (staying regulated and present when she's activated, accountability without minimizing, letting her be angry without firing back, transparency over time), and the behaviors that get in the way (defensiveness, minimizing, blame-shifting, gaslighting, withdrawal, empty promises).Drawing on the response patterns in the book Courageous Love alongside a somatic, nervous-system lens, this episode gives both partners a clear, behavior-level map of what genuine presence after betrayal actually looks like.Enjoyed This Episode?If this conversation resonated with you, here are three ways you can support the show:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leave a Review

Angeliki Galanopoulou is Founder and Host of "the adaptive times" podcast, meanwhile taking a purposeful career break after more than seven years at Google. Angeliki discusses how AI is transforming work, job security, and career opportunities, particularly for millennials. She shares how burnout, loss, and rapid advances in AI prompted her to reassess work, wellbeing, and career priorities. Angeliki discusses why human connection, empathy, self-awareness, and continuous learning matter to stay relevant and thrive. She explains how millennials can build adaptability and agency to redesign work, explore entrepreneurship, and navigate increasingly uncertain careers.   KEY TAKEAWAYS   [01:34] Angeliki studies management science and technology while her career direction is unclear.   [02:36] Digital marketing fascinates Angeliki combining technology and customers decision-making.   [03:54] Understanding how the brain works - motivations, fears, and goals - improve sales.   [04:98] Empathy, energy, and memorable relationships can produce stronger business results.   [05:56] Burnout and coaching experience reshapes Angeliki's approach to skills, mindset, and work.   [06:36] Relentless high performance becomes unsustainable without reassessing personal priorities.   [07:05] Questioning what she wants, Angeliki identifies what gives her energy and does not.   [07:48] Self-awareness matters to help optimise how work is done and reduce burnout risk.   [09:05] Grief creates profound recalibration that cannot truly be prepared for beforehand.   [09:35] Previous burnout awareness can help protect energy during difficult periods, including grief.   [10:21] Major life events provoke deeper questions about choices, regrets, and careers.   [13:11] Traditional long-term job security is disappearing as careers become less predictable.   [13:42] Staying relevant now requires individuals to be 'selfish' about their professional growth.   [14:35] People staying in stable corporate jobs must keep pace with AI to stay relevant and improve their wellbeing.   [15:05] Other people leave their corporate jobs since AI lowers entrepreneurial barriers.   [17:04] Time spent AI upskilling is limited inside companies as people don't feel they have time.   [18:48] AI upskilling requires deliberately protecting learning time like formal education.   [19:46] Individuals must actively practice new tools rather than await organizational guidance.   [21:11] AI-prompted internal moves closer to technology for AI influence or to revenue for more perceived safety.   [22:00] Communication and influence skills become increasingly important as technology advances.   [22:15] Side hustles allow experimentation while maintaining the stability of corporate income.   [23:35] Adaptability begins with comfortably admitting uncertainty and remaining genuinely curious.   [26:06] Reframing is powerful, e.g. using frustrating situations to improve learning, communication, and personal agency.   [28:38] Effective communication starts with deep listening beyond another person's spoken words.   [29:31] Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses reduces defensiveness and improves communication.   [30:23] Professional positioning should prioritize audience value while being authentic personally.   [32:18] Angeliki is advised to interview externally each year to test her market relevance and polish her positioning.   [33:55] Internal mobility helps employees pursue evolving interests while remaining organisationally relevant.   [34:54] Organizations should create protected time and resources for continuous AI learning.   [35:34] Smaller companies are likely more human-centred than larger companies to keep talent.   [37:30] Agency grows by noticing triggers, reframing reactions, and choosing constructive responses.   [38:46] IMMEDIATE ACTION TIP: Practice communication, storytelling, positioning, and visible courage to build future readiness.     RESOURCES   Angeliki Galanopoulou on LinkedIn   the adaptive times podcast on YouTube   the adaptive times website      QUOTES   "The safety doesn't really exist, the job safety. Which means that it's on us selfishly and personally to arm ourselves and do what we can to stay relevant and be on top and succeed and thrive in the rest of our careers as millennials."   "It's your responsibility to keep up with AI for two reasons. Either to be super up-to-date, relevant and always top of mind, when it comes to doing your job more effectively and, and performing highly. Second, to actually improve your own wellbeing."   "The barrier to entry in anything you want to build is minimal. Anyone can build and launch anything with almost minimal cost."   "You build it [a side hustle] while you have the stable income. So I like to talk about corporate not necessarily as safe, but as stable."   "We should all be adaptable. That's the skill we should all build."   "See what triggers in you... And ask yourself, 'Is there a better way that will not ruin my mood for the day that I can look at it?' And then, 'Can I do something about it?'"

AI is impacting every part of our lives—and we need to start paying more attention.Listen to this insightful conversation with Dr. Towanna Burrous, author of Where AI Meets Empathy, whose work as a leadership coach explores the human side of performance and innovation. We discuss:Why empathy is becoming a form of leadership intelligence in the age of AIWhy organizations need to invest in human infrastructure as much as technological infrastructureHow leaders can create cultures of trust, psychological safety, and belongingWhy AI cannot replace human wisdom, discernment, or cultural awarenessIf you care about the future of work, culture, employee well-being, and how we can harness technology without losing our humanity—you don't want to miss this conversation.00:00 Preview01:00 Episode introduction03:33 About Dr. Towanna Burrous05:08 Towanna's backstory07:34 Towanna's book, Where AI Meets Empathy: Coaching the Human Side of Innovation12:37 Why empathy is needed for “leadership intelligence” in the age of AI16:02 What does it mean for employees to feel seen, heard, and understood?20:07 Why organizations need to invest in “human infrastructure”24:34 What happens when companies cut coaching and professional development?29:36 Towanna's biggest concerns about AI at scale32:53 How leaders can build a human-centered workplace in the age of AI37:36 Why trust and psychological safety are essential for effective leadership41:03 What is the impact of leadership vulnerability?44:03 How reflection helps leaders make better decisions46:39 Flourishing at work requires finding the balance between technology and humanity51:31 Dr. Towanna Burrous's Purposeful Empathy storyEpisode #5 of Empathy in the Age of AI part II, a special 25-part series: https://tinyurl.com/exyw2nua CONNECT WITH TOWANNA✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/towannaburrous/ ✩ Website https://coachinginnovation.co ✩ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/towannaburrous/ CONNECT WITH ANITA✩ Email purposefulempathy@gmail.com ✩ Website https://www.anitanowak.com✩ Buy a copy of Purposeful Empathy http://tiny.cc/PurposefulEmpathyCA✩ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanowak/✩ Instagram https://tinyurl.com/anitanowakinstagram✩ Podcast Audio https://tinyurl.com/PurposefulEmpathyPodcast✩ Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/anitanowak.bsky.socialSHOW NOTES✩ Where Empathy Meets AI: Coaching the Human Side of Innovation https://www.amazon.com/Where-AI-Meets-Empathy-Innovation-ebook/dp/B0GX34XVR4Video edited by Jad Misri, Green Horizon Studio

In this episode of The Experience Perspective, host Helen Bywater-Smith, Global Head of CX Advisory at Ipsos, is joined by Andrea Marsales, Associate Vice President, Client Experience Practices at TD Bank, and Mario Caceres, Client Partner at Ipsos Canada, for a conversation on the evolving role of customer experience in financial services. As competitive pressures grow, in a challenging context and digital-first challengers reshape customer expectations, Andrea shares how TD Bank is pursuing its ambition to become the “undisputed leader” in customer experience. The discussion explores the bank's shift to journey-led thinking, the importance of understanding customers' life moments rather than products and channels, and how TD is bringing its brand promise of being “Remarkably Human, Refreshingly Simple” to life. Together, Helen, Andrea and Mario discuss the growing importance of emotional connection, the balance between AI and human interaction, and why the future of banking will belong to organisations that combine technology, trust and empathy to help customers navigate an increasingly complex world. A must-listen for CX leaders looking to create meaningful differentiation through experience.

Join Rob McConnell as he welcomes Claudia Hehr, animal communicator, author, and speaker whose work explores the fascinating possibility of communication between humans and animals. Through what she describes as intuitive or telepathic communication, Claudia believes animals have thoughts, emotions, personalities, and messages that humans can learn to recognize when they become more receptive to the ways animals communicate. Through The Voice of Animals, Claudia encourages people to reconsider their relationship with the animals who share their lives. She discusses her experiences communicating with pets and other animals and explains how she believes information can be exchanged beyond ordinary body language, vocalizations, and learned behavior. While claims of telepathic animal communication are not established by mainstream science, Claudia's experiences offer an intriguing perspective on the emotional connections that can develop between humans and animals. During this fascinating conversation, Rob and Claudia explore animal communication, intuition, telepathy, consciousness, spirituality, and the human-animal bond. They discuss whether animals can communicate specific thoughts, how Claudia interprets the impressions she receives, and whether ordinary people can learn to become more sensitive to their animals. The conversation also considers grief following the loss of a beloved pet and claims that communication with animals may continue after physical death. Can animals communicate with us in ways science has yet to understand, or are these experiences better explained through observation, intuition, and the extraordinarily close bonds humans develop with their pets? Whether you're an animal lover, skeptic, spiritual seeker, or simply curious about animal consciousness, this episode of The 'X' Zone Radio Show invites you to listen carefully to The Voice of Animals.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all CANCOM/XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media

Send Us Your Prayer Requests --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Influencers like Elon Musk, Gad Saad, and Allie Beth Stuckey are warning that progressives have taken the idea of empathy too far. Sadly, this is a popular narrative for millions of people.Dr. Zaki's Tedx TalkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

After submitting many proposals between the two of them, Pete and Jen noodle on their proposal writing process, and how they might help their clients to write their own. Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: What are the three key questions to answer when writing a proposal? How might you identify the core problem that your proposal is meant to solve? Why is it important to consider who will be reading the proposal you submit?   More from us in your inbox. Subscribe to Box O' Goodies. A weekly email with the books, podcasts, quotes, and other noodles Jen and Pete are mulling over.Listen to all episodes and read full transcripts at thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Reach us: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.comPete's work: humanperiscope.com · Jen's work: jenwaldman.com

Here's your chance to listen to a firsthand account of one of the most horrible parts of our recent human history, and how we stop it from happening again. This episode features a conversation with a psychologist whose life's work sits at the intersection of two of humanity's most extreme capacities: the capacity for cruelty, and the capacity for courage.  A survivor of the Holocaust in Hungary, hiding in Budapest as a six-year-old, he became a leading researcher on the psychology of genocide, group violence, and altruism - work that has shaped police training programs on "active bystandership," informed reconciliation efforts in Rwanda, and produced decades of research on what leads ordinary people to help others, even at personal risk. What to Listen for:  Small early experiences compound. How children are raised - with warmth, responsiveness, and consistent values - can shape whether they grow toward caring or toward hostility, on both an individual and societal level. Responsibility, not just empathy, drives action. Empathy alone doesn't reliably produce helping behavior - a felt sense of responsibility for someone else's welfare, paired with a belief that you can actually make a difference, is what moves people to act. Bystanders can be trained to become "active bystanders." This isn't just theory - it's the basis of real police and school training programs designed to help people intervene safely when they see harm happening. "Blind patriotism" vs. "constructive patriotism" is a useful lens for understanding how loyalty to a group, a leader, or a country can either enable harm or serve as a check against it. Violence - and caring - escalate gradually. Small unaddressed moments of hostility or dehumanization tend to compound over time, in families, institutions, and nations alike. Personal history and professional work aren't separate. The guest's own childhood experience of hiding from persecution, and the people who risked their lives to protect his family, directly shaped decades of research into what makes rescuers different from bystanders. About Ervin Staub Professor Emeritus of Psychology and founding director of the Psychology of Peace and Violence Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A survivor of the Holocaust in Hungary as a young child, he has spent his career researching the roots of genocide, mass violence, and altruism — including fieldwork in Rwanda, expert witness work related to the Abu Ghraib trials, and the design of active-bystandership training programs now used by police departments across the country.

What role does empathy play in the healing process?Healing has become one of the defining pursuits of our time. Whether through medicine, therapy, or countless approaches to emotional and psychological well-being, people everywhere are searching for ways to heal.Yet there is one essential force that, while often acknowledged, is still profoundly underestimated: empathy.You've probably heard of mirror neurons. Science has shown that we're wired to mirror one another's experiences. Watch someone accidentally slam a door on their fingers, God forbid, and you'll instinctively cringe. You may even cry out, "Ouch!" Though the pain isn't yours, you feel it because, in some way, you have entered their experience.But what if empathy is more than a reflex? What if it's one of the most powerful healing forces we possess?Can another person begin to heal simply because they know they're not alone? Because they feel deeply seen, understood, and held with genuine care and compassion?Perhaps healing doesn't begin only with the right treatment. Perhaps it begins with the reassuring presence of another human being who truly feels your pain.Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson as we explore The Empathy Effect—how the simple act of feeling, listening, and caring can become a profound path to healing.

While many leaders want to lead with empathy, they often fail to translate that desire into actionable decisions. Today, Maria discusses the distinction between intention and decision and highlights the importance of making–and committing–to those decisions that lead to tangible changes. She also emphasizes the urgency of making the most of the opportunities we have today, not waiting for what might change in the future. Finally, Maria challenges listeners to use their agency to be empathetic leaders and to act now, regardless of external circumstances. To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.Listen in for…Why it's not the thought that counts, but rather the decisions that you make. Deciding to make the changes now with what you have, not waiting for better circumstances. Maria's challenge to you as a human-centered leader. "We get to make better decisions about how we structure work. About how we run companies. About the metrics that matter. About how we lead with ethics, humanity, and mutual concern." — Maria Ross Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red Slice

I'm joined by Meghan Judge for a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about grief, trauma, complex PTSD, friendship breakups, and what it takes to keep going when life has handed you far more than your fair share. Meghan shares how repeated loss shaped her, why humour became a survival tool, and how finally understanding her mental health changed everything.We also talk about toxic friendships, suicidal thoughts, therapy, EMDR, and the podcast that grew out of one of Meghan's darkest seasons. This is not a conversation about pretending everything is fine. It's about learning to carry your story differently, finding your people, and discovering that freedom can be a choice.Highlights:(04:57) - Meghan shares the losses that shaped her from childhood onward(09:06) - Understanding complex PTSD and how repeated trauma can affect us(21:27) - When a toxic friendship group became another breaking point(36:09) - The period when Meghan stopped wanting to be here(42:20) - How starting a podcast became part of her way back(55:28) - Why freedom can begin with choosing to leave what is hurting youConnect with Meghan:judgingmeghan.comhttps://www.instagram.com/judgingmeghan/?hl=enQualia Mind - click hereCoupon Code: SHOCKANDYALL (15% off any purchase)Visit Nicole's on demand fitness platform for live weekly classes and a recorded library of yoga, strength training, guided audio meditations and mobility (Kinstretch) classes, as well: https://www.sweatandstillness.comGrab Nicole's bestselling children's book and enter your email for A FREE GIFT: https://www.yolkedbook.comFind Nicole on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nicolesciacca/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenicolesciaccaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesciaccayoga/Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1X8PPWCQa2werd4unex1eAPractice yoga with Nicole in person in Santa Monica, CA at Aviator Nation Ride. Get the App to book in: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aviator-nation-ride/id1610561929Book a discovery call or virtual assessment with Nicole here: https://www.calendly.com/nicolesciaccaThis Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio

You know how you want to lead. You want to delegate without taking the work back, to say what you mean without burying it in over-explanation, and to give your team enough room that you're not managing their every move. You want to stay grounded when someone questions your judgment, disappoints you, or reacts in a way you didn't see coming. Then pressure enters the room, and something else takes over. You start controlling the outcome. You avoid the conversation you need to have, or soften the message until it barely says anything, and pick up responsibilities that were never yours to carry. That gap between what you consciously intend and what takes over in the moment isn't a lack of discipline. It's hidden friction: subconscious emotional patterns that once protected you and now quietly shape how you lead, communicate, and respond to uncertainty. In this episode of Your Passion, Purpose, and Personal Brand, Lisa McGuire welcomes Dr. Ursula Lentine back to the podcast for a conversation about emotional triggers, trust, control, and the patterns that drain a leader's energy without her noticing. They explore why accomplished women can know exactly what needs to change and still struggle to access a different response when the pressure is real, and how hidden friction shows up as perfectionism, micromanagement, over-responsibility, conflict avoidance, and the quiet belief that being needed is proof of your worth. Information alone rarely creates transformation. A new strategy can tell you to delegate, set a boundary, or become more visible, but it can't touch the part of you that still believes control keeps you safe, that disappointing someone puts the relationship at risk, or that carrying everything is what makes you valuable. Real change means looking beneath the visible problem to find the decision underneath the decision, because a role can keep running long after the identity that built it has moved on. In This Episode, You'll Discover Why conscious intention gets overridden the moment real pressure hits What's actually activating beneath the surface when a trigger fires The energy cost of hidden friction, and what it limits in your leadership How control and perfectionism become survival strategies for high performers Empathy and emotional responsibility, and how they turn into an invisible burden Where delegation breaks down when trust hasn't been addressed The way old protective behaviors calcify into present-day limits Understanding a change versus actually embodying it Why people-first leadership demands deeper internal integration, not just better tactics How ArchitectHER Day #2 helps women move from achievement into authorship This episode is for the leader who has done the work: learned the frameworks, gathered the information, and still notices that knowing what to do isn't the same as having access to a new response in the moment. The work now is noticing which part of you has been leading, and letting something truer take over. Ursula is a previous podcast guest at episode #132: Leverage the Power of the Subconscious Mind to Nurture Wellness with Dr. Ursula Lentine CONNECT WITH URSULA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursulalentine/ Website: https://www.ursulalentine.com/  CONNECT WITH LISA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mcguire/ Website: https://lisamcguire.com/ Successfully Stuck: The First Truth Kit: https://go.lisamcguire.com/first-truth-kit  ArchitectHer Website: https://architecther.org  Bonus: Mention that you heard about ArchitectHer on this podcast and receive a complimentary one-hour Identity Integration Session with Lisa upon enrollment in the ArchitectHer experience.

Urvi A. Shah, MD, MS, DipABLM is a lifestyle medicine certified hematologist, oncologist and physician scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Her research interests in studying the role of modifiable risk factors (diet, metabolism, and microbiome) in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship with a focus on myeloma. She leads the NUTRIVENTION dietary intervention trials which is a series of 6 trials in patients with cancer and precancer states. Results from the first NUTRIVENTION trial have been published in Cancer Discovery. This is the first trial that showed that a high fiber diet improves key cancer risk markers and may delay progression to the cancer myeloma in patients with precursor plasma cell disorders. Dr. Shah has published first author papers in prominent journals such as Cancer Discovery, Blood, and Clinical Cancer Research amongst others and has been an invited speaker and session chair nationally and internationally. Dr. Shah has been supported by career development awards (National Cancer Institute [NCI] K12, International Myeloma Society and American Society of Hematology [ASH] Scholar) and research awards (ECOG ACRIN Young Investigator Translational Research, Henry Moses, Celgene Future Leaders in Hematology, NCI Early Investigator Advancement Program, Clinical Cancer Research Early Career, ASH David M. Goldenberg CRTI, 40 under 40 in cancer). Her research has been funded by multiple foundations (Blood Cancer United, Gabrielle's Angel, Allen, Riney, HealthTree, Society of MSK, Comedy vs Cancer and Willow Foundations). Links mentioned in the podcast: NUTRIVENTION trial Free link to full article

In today's episode, I sit down with former FBI hostage negotiator, bestselling author of Never Split the Difference, and CEO of The Black Swan Group, Chris Voss, for a conversation about why empathy is one of the most powerful tools in negotiation. We talk about making people feel heard, the neuroscience behind trust, and how listening can lead to better outcomes without compromising your position. Chris also shares practical advice for navigating high-pressure conversations, long-term business relationships, and moments of impasse by focusing on understanding before persuasion. It's a fresh perspective on communication that applies just as much in everyday life as it does in the boardroom. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

514: Ask David w/ Dr. Matt May Schizophrenia, Resistance, TEAM's Future, and What Makes a Great Therapist In this thought-provoking Ask David episode, Dr. David Burns is joined by Kevin Cornelius, LMFT, and special guest Dr. Matt May, psychiatrist, TEAM-CBT therapist, and longtime colleague of Dr. Burns. Together, they tackle challenging listener questions about schizophrenia, emotional suffering, resistance to change, therapist training, and the future of psychotherapy. Along the way, the conversation becomes deeply personal as David reflects on the qualities that shaped the development of TEAM-CBT, his hopes and concerns for the future of psychotherapy, and the lessons he's learned after decades of clinical work. Our Special Guest: Dr. Matt May Kevin welcomes Dr. Matt May back to the podcast. Matt is a psychiatrist trained at Stanford who has worked closely with David for more than twenty years. Although trained in psychiatry, Matt explains that his work today focuses almost entirely on TEAM-CBT rather than medication management. David praises Matt as one of the most gifted therapists he has ever known, highlighting his warmth, compassion, humility, and clinical expertise. Question #1: Can TEAM-CBT Help the Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia? A listener asks whether TEAM-CBT can help with the so-called "three A's" of schizophrenia: Apathy Avolition (severe lack of motivation) Anhedonia (loss of pleasure) or whether medication is the primary treatment. David's Response David challenges the assumptions behind the question itself. Rather than viewing people through the lens of diagnostic labels and symptoms, he emphasizes that TEAM-CBT begins by asking: "What would you like help with?" He argues that therapists often fall into the trap of acting like experts who believe they already know what a patient needs based on a diagnosis. TEAM-CBT takes the opposite approach, focusing on the individual person's goals, struggles, and hopes. David shares an early experience treating a patient with schizophrenia. Initially, he tried to challenge the patient's delusional beliefs directly through cognitive techniques. When the patient simply reinterpreted the evidence to support the delusion, David realized he was pursuing his own agenda rather than the patient's. The lesson: TEAM-CBT focuses on helping people with the problems they want help with—not on treating diagnostic labels. Key Takeaways Diagnosis does not define the person. People with schizophrenia may still want help with relationships, mood, habits, goals, or self-esteem. Effective therapy begins with understanding what matters to the individual. Humility is often more helpful than expertise. Question #2: What About Trauma, Brain Circuits, and "Underlying Vulnerabilities"? A listener asks whether present-moment thoughts are only part of the picture and whether deeper emotional circuitry, stress physiology, or network-level brain changes also contribute to emotional suffering. The listener also wonders whether cognitive therapy truly processes emotions like grief, fear, shame, and anger—or merely suppresses them. Matt's Perspective Matt offers a practical example from his own life. One afternoon he found himself flooded with depressive thoughts and self-critical feelings. He suddenly felt hopeless, inadequate, and discouraged. Then he realized: He had skipped lunch and was extremely hungry. After eating, the negative thoughts disappeared. His point is that physical states matter. Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, illness, intoxication, and other biological factors can influence how easily negative thoughts arise and how difficult they are to challenge. David's Perspective David distinguishes sharply between: Healthy negative emotions Distorted emotional suffering He revisits a story from his medical school years, describing the death of a beloved elderly patient whose family gathered around him during his final moments. Everyone cried. David cried too. But that sadness was not depression. The grief emerged naturally from loving thoughts and genuine loss. In contrast, depression is fueled by distorted thoughts such as: "I'm worthless." "I'm not good enough." "Things will never get better." TEAM-CBT seeks to eliminate distorted suffering while preserving healthy human emotions. Key Takeaways Healthy grief is not a disorder. TEAM-CBT does not suppress genuine emotions. Depression, anxiety, shame, and hopelessness often arise from distorted thoughts that can be transformed. Biological factors matter, but thoughts remain a powerful therapeutic target. Question #3: What's the Biggest Misunderstanding Therapists Have About TEAM-CBT? A listener asks: When teaching clinicians, what misunderstanding should be corrected first? The belief that resistance means the patient is difficult? Or the belief that techniques alone are enough? David's Answer David emphasizes that TEAM is a system: Testing → Empathy → Agenda Setting → Methods Many therapists focus immediately on techniques and interventions. But before methods can work: The therapist must develop genuine empathy. The therapist must uncover resistance to change. Without empathy, patients don't feel understood. Without addressing resistance, therapists often end up arguing with their patients. David explains that people usually have many good reasons not to change. TEAM-CBT helps bring those reasons into awareness and resolve them before attempting intervention. Matt's Answer Matt reflects on his own training with David. He recalls spending countless hours learning empathy and discovering how difficult it is not to jump in with advice, reassurance, or premature solutions. According to Matt: Most therapists are tempted to help too quickly. Many accidentally create resistance by pushing for change. Understanding resistance is often one of the most challenging skills to master. Kevin's Perspective Kevin notes that TEAM itself naturally provides the roadmap: First learn testing. Then learn empathy. Then learn agenda setting. Only afterward focus on methods. The sequence protects therapists from moving too quickly into problem-solving. Question #4: What Is the Future of TEAM-CBT? A listener named Vlad writes a heartfelt letter reflecting on the transition from Rhonda Barovsky's co-hosting role and asking: What is the future of TEAM-CBT? How might it evolve? What personal qualities allowed David to create such an influential therapeutic framework? David on the Future of TEAM David explains that much of his current work focuses on preserving and sharing TEAM-CBT for future generations. Examples include: Recorded therapy sessions Training materials His psychotherapy eBook Psychology Today articles The Feeling Good Podcast The Feeling Great app He hopes future therapists will continue refining, expanding, and improving the methods. At the same time, David expresses disappointment that many mental health professionals have shown limited interest in approaches that emphasize rapid, measurable change. He remains committed to the possibility that therapy can become far more effective than it is today. The Personal Qualities Behind TEAM-CBT Matt identifies several characteristics he believes contributed to David's success: Intense Curiosity David never accepted conventional wisdom simply because others believed it. He continually asked: "What actually works?" Intellectual Honesty David consistently measures outcomes and learns from failures rather than defending cherished theories. Humility Rather than seeing himself as the expert, David allows patients to become his teachers. Compassion According to Matt, David's genuine concern for human suffering gives life to the science. Grit and Persistence David spent decades refining techniques, collecting data, developing tools, and challenging accepted assumptions. Discussion of AI and the Future of Therapy The conversation also touches on the Feeling Great app and artificial intelligence. David explains that the app was designed to deliver many TEAM-CBT principles to people who might not otherwise have access to therapy. He remains hopeful that technology can help make effective treatment more widely available while preserving the human values at the heart of psychotherapy. Memorable Themes from This Episode People are more important than diagnoses. Healthy sadness is different from depression. Empathy comes before technique. Resistance is not a problem—it is information. Great therapists remain curious and humble. Real innovation begins with measuring outcomes. Compassion and science work best together. Resources Mentioned Feeling Great App Psychology Today articles by David Burns Episode 49 featuring Marilyn's transformational session Listener Survey We'd love to hear from you! Your feedback helps shape future episodes and allows us to create content that is as helpful and meaningful as possible. Please use this link to take the feedback survey and share your thoughts with us about this episode. Your voice matters—and as David points out in this episode, sometimes the most important conversations begin when we're willing to express what we're really thinking and feeling. Thank you for listening to The Feeling Good Podcast! Contact Information You can reach Matt May, MD @ https://www.matthewmaymd.com Kevin Cornelius, LMFT is a Level 5 Certified Master TEAM-CBT Therapist and Trainer and the Clinical Director of Feeling Good Institute--Silicon Valley. He specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and insomnia. You can reach Kevin at kevin@feelinggoodinstitute.com and visit his website at www.tools4change.me. You can reach Dr. Burns at david@feelinggood.com. Feeling down in these turbulent times? Take a ride on our Feeling Great app. Feeling Great feels wonderful! You owe it to yourself to feel GREAT! Give the Greatest Gifts of ALL--Love and Happiness!    

Your wife is struggling, and everything in you wants to solve it. That instinct is the problem. Welcome to NEW DAD WEEK. Five short episodes for guys who are expecting or in the thick of the first year. We're starting with Jason Kreidman on the skill that matters most early on, and it isn't tactical. It's empathy, which he calls the single biggest game changer in how he parents and how he loves his wife. He also lands on four words that will save you an enormous amount of grief: do you want me to fix it, or feel it?   We built a free field guide for the whole week: the main points from every episode plus prompts you can actually use. Grab it at frontrowdads.com/newdad.   IN THIS EPISODE: Why the number one thing a new dad needs to hear isn't tactical, it's "you're not alone" Everyone feels like they're the only one who doesn't get it. Everyone. Empathy as the game changer, and what it actually looks like in practice "Do you want me to fix it, or feel it?" and why asking beats guessing Why "what can I do?" often doesn't help, and what to do instead The neighbour rule: don't ask what food they want, just bring food Meeting your wife's love language at a higher level than you think is reasonable Hear Jason's full conversation at frontrowdads.com/101.

Have you ever been told to keep your gifts to yourself? What if the very thing you were taught to hide is actually the thing the world needs from you most?On this episode of The Higher Self Hotline, Zoey talks with Dr. Judith Orloff, UCLA psychiatric faculty member and author of The Empath's Survival Guide and Second Sight, about what it actually means to be an empath and how to protect your energy day to day.Dr. Orloff opens up about a family that told her to hide her intuitive gifts and the deathbed revelation that changed everything, then gets practical on the difference between empathy and being an empath, the tools she uses to stop absorbing everyone else's emotions, and why partnership can be hard for empaths.In this episode:00:00 Welcome to The Higher Self Hotline02:10 Growing Up Without Support09:37 The Deathbed Revelation13:05 Empathy vs. Being an Empath17:26 Debunking the Trauma Theory28:41 Observation vs. Absorption40:52 Empaths in Relationships52:17 The Highly Sensitive RabbitStay in touch with Dr. Judith Orloff:Website: https://www.drjudithorloff.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/judith.orloff.mdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJudithOrloff/Books mentioned in this episode:The Empath's Survival Guide: https://drjudithorloff.com/empath-survival-guide-description/Second Sight: https://drjudithorloff.com/second-sight-description/Meet me in the studio: Watch the episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/MSPDmNA7USATake my FREE quiz!What's your intuitive style? Discover your unique intuitive gifts with my free quiz:http://zoeygreco.com/quizGet Your 10% off your yearly Numerology Report here: http://zoeygreco.com Join The Bitching Hour with Zoey and Brittany: https://www.skool.com/the-bitching-hour-3959/aboutDon't miss the next pajama party! http://www.zoeygreco.comDid you love this episode? The Higher Self Hotline Team lovingly asks for your support!We'd be eternally grateful if you'd rate, review, and subscribe! We want to make sure you never miss a dose of divine guidance.If this conversation resonated with you, we hope you share it with someone you think would connect with the message.Stay connected with us and your higher self! Follow Zoey on socials.

In this episode, Jason and Mark Haas from AdRoll, talk about why the top rep is often the worst first-time manager, his journey from programmer to rep to VP, and how he runs his day-to-day leading revenue. Check out more free content and get help with outbound at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://outboundsquad.com.⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an international bestselling author, TEDx speaker, EQ and empathy coach, and leading voice on emotional intelligence. After a 30-year career as a professional musician working with legendary talent like Ray Charles, David Ogden Stiers, and Mannheim Steamroller, toxic leadership eventually robbed her of her career. However, that incident inspired Dr. Melissa to transform leadership as we know it by redefining the one element that most leaders miss: empathy.  Together, we explore how she transitioned from music to interdisciplinary leadership, why empathy is a strategic skill for better productivity and profit, and how self-empathy lays the foundation for all human-centric action    In this episode, we discuss: How a 30-year career in music playing alongside icons like Ray Charles shifted into leadership consulting after experiencing toxic workplace leadership Debunking the myth that empathy is "just about feelings" by exploring its 43 different definitions The three core types of empathy for leaders: emotional, cognitive, and self-empathy  The 4-step framework for self-empathy: self-observation, self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-compassion Why self-observation requires approaching your actions like a computer—critical, not caring, and without judgment Why empathy itself has no action, and how jumping straight into fixing things causes misplaced compassion The crucial difference between being "nice" as a social lubricant and being truly "kind"  How sympathy (looking through your own eyes) differs from true empathy (looking through another person's perspective) Why empathy must come first in your toolkit before applying emotional intelligence skills How leaders can build an empathetic workplace culture by modeling behavior from the top down Dr. Melissa's TEDx talk, her handbook The Empathic Leader, and her vision to launch a center for leadership and empathy innovation    About Dr. Melissa: As a professional musician, Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller worked with major talent such as Ray Charles, David Ogden Stiers, and Mannheim Steamroller. But cold and toxic leadership eventually robbed her of a career that was 30+ years in the making. However, that incident inspired Dr. Melissa to transform leadership as we know it by redefining the one element that most leaders miss: empathy. Today, she's an international bestselling author, Editor's Pick TEDx speaker, EQ and empathy coach, and leading voice on emotional intelligence and empathy. She's known for blending lived experience, academic depth, and a sharp, data-driven approach that not only makes sense but demystifies how empathy translates to better productivity, innovation, and profit. Her mission is to invite everyone to approach empathy as a strategic skill for every human-centric action, not only for others but also for ourselves, and to step up in the way the future of leadership demands. Book: The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovationhttps://a.co/d/02aKjkUU TedX:https://youtu.be/IaoXSEWeILo?si=pgExDujvZt9oJ_Iy https://eqviaempathy.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/https://www.instagram.com/empathyqueen.eq/https://www.youtube.com/@TheEmpathicLeaderhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaoXSEWeILo&t=63shttps://geni.us/TheEmpathicLeader ----- Connect with Candice Snyder! Website: https://www.podpage.com/passion-purpose-and-possibilities-1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candicebsnyder?_rdr Passion, Purpose, and Possibilities Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passionpurposeandpossibilitiescommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpurposepossibilities/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicesnyder/ Shop For A Cause With Gifts That Give Back to Nonprofits: https://thekindnesscause.com/ Go to FusionaryFormulas.com and use code PASSION at checkout for 15% off your first order.  Fall In Love With Artists And Experience Joy And Calm: https://www.youtube.com/@movenartrelaxation

Most doctors believe they are good communicators. Most of them are right. But there is a difference between compassion, doing everything in your power to help someone, and empathy, letting them know for one moment that you genuinely understand what they are going through. Dr. Chantal Lorio spent seven years as medical director of patient experience at Ochsner Health, has observed hundreds of clinical encounters firsthand, and has coached physicians on the specific connection between how they communicate with patients and how they feel at the end of the day. In this episode, she makes a case that most doctors find counterintuitive: a five-second moment of empathy does not add time to a consultation. Done right, it actually shortens it. Timestamped Highlights [03:00]: Dr. Lorio describes the moment she first saw her own patient survey data and what she noticed that convinced her better communication was not about being nicer. It was about outcomes. [11:00]: She introduces the concept of the bubble, the one thing a patient keeps repeating until someone acknowledges it, and explains exactly what it costs when a doctor tries to redirect past it instead. [13:00]: A neighbor versus a doctor. Dr. Lorio uses a simple example to demonstrate the difference between compassion and empathy, and why patients can feel the difference even when both are present. [20:00]: The retreat exercise that revealed to her how she was showing up at home versus at work, and why showing up in body is not the same as being present. [27:00]: She describes pajama time, the data healthcare systems can now access showing which doctors are charting at 3AM, and what she believes organizations should do with that information rather than ignore it. [33:00]: What Ochsner invested a million dollars in that had nothing to do with training or wellness programs, and why it saved doctors more time than almost anything else. Three Key Takeaways 1. Empathy and compassion are not the same thing, and patients know the difference. Dr. Lorio draws a distinction that most medical training never makes explicit. Compassion is wanting to help and acting on it. Empathy is stepping into someone's shoes for a moment and letting them know you did. Doctors are typically excellent at compassion. They ask the right questions, order the right tests, and do everything clinically necessary. But when a patient feels like the doctor did not quite get them, it is usually because the empathy moment was skipped. That moment, she argues, does not require extra time. It requires a single sentence, delivered once, at the right moment. 2. Acknowledging the bubble is faster than working around it. Every consultation has one. A patient says something unrelated to the chief complaint, and keeps saying it, slightly louder and with more detail each time, until someone acknowledges it. Dr. Lorio calls it the bubble. The doctor who tries to redirect past it will spend more time on the visit than the doctor who pauses for five seconds and says you must be exhausted or things must be really tough right now. The acknowledgment puts it to rest. The patient feels heard. The conversation moves forward. What sounds like an extra step is actually a shortcut, and she has watched it play out in hundreds of observed encounters. 3. Sense of control is the most common thing doctors come to coaching for. Dr. Lorio has worked with doctors across private practice and large health systems, and the theme that comes up most consistently is not workload or communication. It is a feeling of having no control over the clinic, the career, or life at home. She coaches around all three areas, helping doctors identify where they actually do have agency, exploring career possibilities beyond the current role even if they never act on them, and working on presence at home rather than just hours spent there. The shift from I am stuck to I have options, she says, is often the single most powerful thing coaching produces. Guest Bio Dr. Chantal Lorio is a podiatric surgeon, executive coach, and patient experience consultant based in New Orleans. After 16 years in private practice and 12 years as department chair at Ochsner Health, she served as medical director of patient experience for seven years before moving into independent coaching and consulting. She works with doctors and healthcare organizations on the connection between patient communication, physician wellbeing, and clinical outcomes, and is the author of I Get You, I Got You, available on Amazon. Explore her website here. Would you like to view a transcript of this episode? Click Here Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine. Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don't forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released. Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @thechartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life. Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at admin@reachcareercoaching.ca. I would love to hear from you.

About a year ago in one of my PhD classes, I voiced a huge gripe I had about somatic and nervous system practices. I shared that my friction with them was that they have been stripped down and depersonalized into these practices that anyone can do at any time and will support everyone in any moment to feel calmer or more grounded or safer or more regulated. My teacher replied with, "Well everyone still needs to start somewhere." This gave me a pause to reflect that even if you choose a somatic or nervous system practice that doesn't resonate with your body and is just some blanket suggestion, it can still teach you about what doesn't work for you based on your emotions, sensations, and nervous system states. And then, sometimes you're going to nail it. You're going to choose the exact bodily movement that you needed that brings your body into a place of safety and connection and brings greater ease and breath. So I've updated my perspective that all practices in all moments can be supportive and will be a discovery of yourself and for yourself to know what works for your body and nervous system. I had an amazing experience in this episode being guided through a nervous system practice that quickly changed how I felt.In this week's episode, I chat with Alyssa Chang, neuroscience health coach and the creator of The Regulation Method™, about: The impact of neuroscience on healingInteroceptionTailoring nervous system practices to your individual needsPractical exercises for enhancing awareness of the felt sense of your bodyNavigating sensory overloadThe role of predictability in healingCreating tiny moments of changeYou can also read the transcript to this week's episode ​here​: https://www.stephaniemara.com/blog/interoception-get-to-know-your-bodys-internal-dashboardThis episode was chock full of nervous system practices so you'll definitely walk away with practices you can incorporate into your day.With Compassion and Empathy, Stephanie Mara FoxKeep in touch with Alyssa: Website: https://www.coachalyssachang.com/Email: hello@coachalyssachang.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachalyssachang/Free 45- minute masterclass: https://www.coachalyssachang.com/masterclassoptinSupport the showKeep in touch with Stephanie Mara:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemarafoxWebsite: https://www.stephaniemara.com/https://www.somaticeating.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephaniemarafoxContact: support@stephaniemara.comSupport the show:Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/809987/supportAll affiliate links: https://www.stephaniemara.com/resourcesReceive 15% off my fave protein powder with code STEPHANIEMARA at checkout here: https://www.equipfoods.com/STEPHANIEMARAUse my Amazon Affiliate link when shopping on Amazon: https://amzn.to/448IyPlSpecial thanks to Bendsound for the music in this episode. www.bensou...

In today's episode, we reflect on what it means to light up the path - for ourselves and those around us. Thoughts and questions you would like to share? Email me anytime at dailydharmapodcast@gmail.com - I would love to hear from you.Apologies for this week's late upload - thank you for being here! Next week will resume regular upload on Sunday.

In this bonus episode Andrea Samadi introduces the Predictable Performance System, a practical roadmap from her Brain's Operating System. She shows how measuring patterns—not chasing daily scores—plus consistent movement and targeted recovery behaviors create reliable adaptations and better performance over time. Andrea shares two real-world experiments (including a nine-day green recovery streak), five clear steps—measure, move, recover, adapt, perform—and a simple 7-day challenge to help you discover the single habit that unlocks more consistent results. On BONUS EPISODE 2, we will cover: Why high performance isn't about being “green” every day (using a wearable device) What nearly 2,000 recovery scores taught me about consistency and performance Why your daily inputs matter more than any single recovery score How I reached a personal best of 9 green recoveries in a row What happened when hard training caused my recovery to drop—and why that wasn't failure How another WHOOP user improved his recovery by identifying one key gap: hydration How to find your own gap in sleep, hydration, stress, movement, training load, or recovery The Predictable Performance System™: Measure → Move → Recover → Adapt → Perform → Repeat Why recovery is the bridge between today's effort and tomorrow's capacity How to create your own 7-Day Predictable Performance Experiment The key question to ask yourself: “What is the one missing input that could unlock my next level of performance?” The goal: Find your gap. Uncover your recipe. Build the system that works for you. BONUS EPISODE 2 The Predictable Performance System™ How Small Daily Inputs Create Better Recovery, Adaptation and More Consistent Results WELCOME BACK Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we explore how understanding the brain can help us create measurable improvements in our well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity, and results. I'm Andrea Samadi, and over the past several months, we've been building something much bigger than a collection of interviews. We've been building what I call The Brain's Operating System—a roadmap for understanding how our brain and body work together to create optimal human performance. Before we jump into today's second Bonus Episode, let's quickly remember where we've been. PHASE 1 — REGULATION & SAFETY Everything begins with regulation. Before the brain can learn, perform, or grow, it first needs the biological conditions that support safety and stability. In Phase 1, we explored sleep, stress regulation, trauma, resilience and the nervous system. The lesson was simple: Regulation creates the conditions for growth. PHASE 2 — NEUROCHEMISTRY & MOTIVATION Then we asked: What moves us into action? We explored dopamine, beliefs, motivation, habits, attention and sustained effort. We learned that motivation isn't simply about willpower. Our brain is continually learning: What's worth pursuing? What should I repeat? Where should I invest my energy with? Phase 2 gave us some direction. PHASE 3 — MOVEMENT, LEARNING & COGNITION And now we're deep inside Phase 3. This is where movement becomes much more than exercise. Movement activates the brain. It supports attention. Learning. Memory. Metabolism. And when movement is paired with adequate recovery, something important happens: Adaptation. That's where our system begins to change. So the basic sequence we've been studying is: Movement → Recovery → Adaptation → Performance. But while studying this process, another question kept coming back to me. Why do some people consistently improve...while others feel like they're starting over every Monday and they are searching for the right formula. That question led me to today's framework: THE PREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE SYSTEM™ And this Bonus Episode is where I want to put the science into action. Throughout The Brain's Operating System, these Bonus Episodes will give me an opportunity to step away from the interviews and show you what happens when I apply what we're learning to my own life. I'll share the experiments. The data. What worked. What didn't. And most importantly... what we can learn from it, so we can ALL apply this information to our own lives. Because neuroscience becomes much more useful when we can turn what we know into something we can actually do. THE QUESTION THAT STARTED THIS EXPERIMENT Over the past five years, I've tracked close to 2,000 recovery scores using WHOOP (wearable device). And recently something happened that surprised me. I recorded nine green recoveries in a row (which meant for 9 days in a row, I had mastered recovery (my body's ability to take on strain and perform). This recovery score is calculated overnight using my RHR, HRV, RR, SpO2 (blood O2) and skin temperature. Factors like strain, stress and lifestyle choices affect this Recovery Score. That was a personal record. For years, I could put together a few strong days. Sometimes even a strong week. My record for years was 7 days in a row. But eventually something would interrupt the pattern. I'd train too hard. Sleep poorly. Travel. Get busy. Or simply fail to give myself enough time to recover. So when I reached nine consecutive green recoveries, instead of just celebrating the streak, I became curious. I asked: What changed? Because I wasn't on vacation. My work hadn't disappeared. I was still recording the podcast. Still exercising. Still traveling. Waking up early. Eating the same diet. In those green days most of the days I avoided alcohol (something I have learned from measuring everything I ingest—this will automatically tank my recovery score) but I did have one drink a couple of these days and still managed to keep a green score. Something that was highly unusual. I kept wondering what was I doing differently. Life hadn't suddenly become easy. So what was different? I went back through my data. And I stopped looking at individual scores. Instead, I started looking for patterns. That distinction changed everything. DON'T CHASE THE SCORE. STUDY THE PATTERN. When I first started tracking recovery, I'd look at each morning individually. Green? Great. Yellow? What did I do wrong? Red? I must have done something terribly wrong!   Looking at the patterns, I did learn that after a 4-hour hike, even one alcoholic drink will kick my recovery score into the red unrecovered zone. When you push your body hard, it's just not worth it to ingest a neuro-toxin. At least for me, it's not worth it. We are all different, and that's why measuring your own data is a valuable activity. What tanks my score, might not tank yours. Now I'm wondering what happens repeatedly? What tends to happen before my strongest recoveries? What happens before my worst ones? (the recipe was beyond clear here). What habits disappear when my recovery starts declining? And which habits consistently appear when it improves? That's where the story became much clearer. It wasn't one workout. It wasn't one supplement. It wasn't one perfect night's sleep. And it definitely wasn't motivation. It was the accumulation of small behaviors being repeated consistently. And that led me to one of the most important lessons from this entire experiment: The recovery score doesn't create the result. The behaviors that happened before the recovery score create the conditions for the result. I learned my recipe to create a RED recovery, and how to create a GREEN. The wearable device simply gives us feedback on how well we are doing with our recipe for success. THE DATA TELLS TWO STORIES When I looked at the data, I realized I actually had two experiments happening. The first was mine. I had the recipe for how to recover, and how to tank my score. The second belonged to another WHOOP user. And together, they revealed something much more interesting than either story alone. STORY ONE — MY DATA When I zoomed out across 6 months, my average recovery was around 58%. That's real life. There were excellent weeks. There were difficult weeks. Travel. When I was away internationally, sometimes without internet, the data didn't record correctly, but this is a good picture of what my scores look like. Work. Training. Stress. Vacations. Life happens. But recently that monthly average climbed to approximately 63%—an 11% improvement over the month before. For me, that mattered. Historically, when my monthly recovery averages climbed substantially, it was often because I had removed myself from normal life. Maybe I was on vacation. Maybe I was completely unplugged. But this time I wasn't. I was working. Training. Recording. Traveling. Living normal life. Life didn't become easier. My daily system became more consistent. And eventually that consistency produced something I'd never seen before: Nine green recoveries in a row. But here's what happened next. If you look at the graph…I just went about life as usual. I trained hard. My recovery dropped. And that became perhaps an even more important part of the experiment. Because this time I didn't panic. I didn't interpret one lower score as failure. I simply returned to the consistent behaviors that had been working in my GREEN streak. Sleep. Hydration. Movement. Stress management. Recovery time. And within a few days, the stronger recovery scores returned. That taught me something important: Predictable performance does NOT mean perfect performance. It means that you've got to find a system you know how to return to. My GREEN scores are now predictable. STORY TWO — FIND THE LEVER Around the same time, another WHOOP user turned to me and asked “why am I stuck in RED (unrecovered) everyday?” His pattern looked completely different. His monthly recovery average was around 41%. Lots of yellow. Lots of red. And very little improvement. Instead of randomly changing everything, we looked at the inputs. Sleep. Stress. Training load. Recovery time. Hydration. And one variable stood out to me. Hydration. So rather than redesigning his entire life, we focused on consistently improving that one behavior. When I say he improved hydration, we increased not just water, but we added an electrolyte drink (Liquid IV sugar free[i]) to his water to replenish minerals like sodium and potassium that he was losing from sweating in the 115 degree weather we are experiencing at the moment in AZ. Then we watched the data. His recovery pattern improved. More yellows appeared. His averages increased. And his recovery became more consistent. Today I asked him what he's noticed with this one change, and he let me know that his scores have been creeping up slowly. No green scores yet, but he's high yellow, which shows me that he's cracking his recovery recipe. Now, that doesn't mean hydration is the magic answer for everyone. That's not the lesson. The lesson is: Find YOUR lever. For one person, it might be hydration. For someone else, it might be sleep. Alcohol. Stress. Training volume. Late-night eating. Travel. Or simply not allowing enough recovery between difficult training sessions. Your job isn't to copy someone else's system perfectly. Your job is to use feedback to discover what matters most for you. Find your gap in your recovery system and you unlock more consistent, predictable performance. TAKEAWAY #1 STOP GUESSING. START MEASURING. You cannot recognize a pattern you aren't observing. And you don't need WHOOP to do this. Just find what tool works best for you. You could track five simple things each morning: Sleep How well did I sleep? Energy How energetic do I feel? Stress How stressed or regulated do I feel? Movement What did I do yesterday? Recovery behaviors Did I hydrate, recover and give my body what it needed? Give each category a simple score out of 10. Then look at the entire week. Not  just one day. TIP TO IMPLEMENT: For the next seven days, spend 30 seconds each morning recording: Hours of sleep Energy from 1–10 Stress from 1–10 Yesterday's movement One recovery behavior Don't change anything yet. First, collect information. Look for patterns before looking for the solution. THE BIG REALIZATION As I studied both experiments, the framework became obvious. Recovery isn't something that simply happens to us. There are many things we can't control. But every day we can influence the probability of recovering well. Our choices create patterns. Patterns create trends. Trends influence adaptation. And over enough time... those adaptations influence performance. Which brings us to the system. THE PREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE SYSTEM™ There are five steps. STEP 1 — MEASURE Awareness comes first. Track enough information to recognize trends. But remember: The goal isn't to become obsessed with data. (I'm borderline obsessed with mine). The goal is to use data to make better decisions. ASK YOURSELF: What's improving? What did I do to get this improvement? Write it down. What's declining? What did I do to tank my score? Write it down. And what repeatedly happens before each pattern? Learn your recovery recipe. What works for you? What does not work? TIP: Look at your weekly average instead of judging yourself by one day. One bad night doesn't define your health. One hard workout doesn't destroy your fitness. One red recovery doesn't erase your progress. Look for the trend. Learn what your personal recipe for success is. STEP 2 — MOVE Movement is the input. This is where Phase 3 begins. Movement challenges the system. We don't want to aim for a month of all green or high recoveries, because then we aren't challenging our system. Movement activates the brain and body and provides the stimulus from which adaptation can occur. But movement doesn't always mean crushing yourself in the gym. It might mean: Walking. Strength training. Hiking. Mobility. Cycling. Running. Playing a sport. Or simply interrupting long periods of sitting. TIP TO IMPLEMENT: Ask yourself each morning: "How will I move today?" Don't leave movement to chance. Put something on the calendar. Even a 20-minute walk counts. Consistency matters. STEP 3 — RECOVER This is the step I underestimated for years. I understood effort. I understood discipline. I understood training. But I didn't fully appreciate that the work isn't complete when the workout ends. The brain and body still have to process the stimulus. So recovery becomes an active part of the performance system. Protect sleep. Hydrate. Manage stress. Build recovery into the schedule. And learn when not to push. TIP TO IMPLEMENT: Create what I call your Recovery Minimums. Choose three behaviors that you protect even during busy weeks. For example: My Recovery Minimums ✓ Consistent sleep (going to bed and waking up at the same time) ✓ Daily hydration (I use liquid IV in the day and LMNT hot chocolate at night) ✓ Daily movement (I walk every morning, hike on the weekends, fit in gym workouts and strength training) to keep movement going. ✓ Stress regulation (always a work in progress, but breath work is my current way to manage stress) ✓ Time for recovery (I stack meditation and infrared sauna use together to save time). Your list may look different. But decide what your minimums are before life gets busy and you aren't putting time into recovery. STEP 4 — ADAPT This is the part we usually can't see. And it's one of the reasons people quit too early. Adaptation happens behind the scenes. You train. You recover. And your system responds. Over time, movement becomes easier. Your capacity expands. Your cardiovascular system becomes more efficient. Skills become more automatic. Your tolerance for challenge increases. Then one day... something that once felt difficult feels normal. TIP TO IMPLEMENT: Don't only measure outcomes. Look for evidence of adaptation. Ask: Is this workout getting easier? Am I recovering faster? Is my resting heart rate trending differently? Am I sleeping better? Look for how many wakes you have each night. Can I handle more work without feeling depleted? Is my concentration improving? Am I stronger? Do I have more energy? Those are clues that the system is adapting.   STEP 5 — PERFORM This is where most people want to start. Results. Achievement. The High Performance. But performance isn't Step One. It's Step Five. First we provide the stimulus. We move. Then we recover. Then we adapt. And eventually... performance becomes evidence that the earlier steps worked. You will notice you can sit longer, stay focused on one task, and see tasks through to completion. This changes the question from: "How can I perform better today?" to: "What can I do today that makes better performance more likely tomorrow?" That's a very different way of thinking. TAKEAWAY #2 DON'T TRY TO FIX EVERYTHING. One of the most useful things we learned from the second recovery experiment was that sometimes one behavior acts as a bottleneck. For the person with the low recovery score, hydration appeared to be an important lever. Stick to changing ONE thing at a time. When I first saw his HRV, I wanted to go there, but we started with hydration. So here's something you can try. Look at your own patterns and ask: "What is the ONE behavior that would make everything else work better?" Maybe it's getting to bed earlier. Maybe it's drinking more water. Maybe it's moving every day. Maybe it's reducing alcohol. Maybe it's taking a recovery day. Maybe it's managing evening stress. Start there. TIP: Run a seven-day experiment. Change one variable. Keep everything else reasonably consistent. Track what happens. Then evaluate. Don't guess. Test. This has been the most eye-opening part of finding my own personal recipe for high performance. Once you uncover yours, you can create your own predictable formula for high performance.   TAKEAWAY #3 CREATE A BASELINE YOU CAN RETURN TO. One of the biggest changes in my thinking came after the nine-green streak ended. My recovery dropped after hard training. But I knew what to do. I returned to the system. That's resilience. Not maintaining perfect conditions forever. But knowing how to return to your baseline when life knocks you away from it. Ask yourself: "When everything gets busy, what behaviors bring me back?" Write them down. That becomes your reset protocol. That's how I was able to create high recoveries the past few days making my monthly recovery a 16% increase over last month. TAKEAWAY #4 RECOVERY IS THE BRIDGE While developing this framework, I kept seeing the same image in my mind. A bridge. On one side is today's effort. On the other side is tomorrow's capability. Recovery is the bridge connecting the two. Without sufficient recovery, today's effort may never fully become tomorrow's capacity. With recovery, we give the brain and body an opportunity to adapt. Today's habits create the conditions for today's recovery. Recovery supports tomorrow's adaptation. Adaptation creates future capacity. And expanded capacity improves performance. That's the system. YOUR 7-DAY PREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE EXPERIMENT Here's your action step from today's episode. For the next seven days: MEASURE Track sleep, energy, stress and how overall recovered you feel each day. If you don't have a device to do this, just rank yourself on a scale of 0-10. MOVE Do something intentional every day. RECOVER Protect the recovery behaviors you've identified as most important. Mine are daily meditation, journaling, hydration, breath work and sauna use. LOOK FOR ADAPTATION Notice what begins becoming easier or more consistent. Where do you feel stronger? REVIEW YOUR PERFORMANCE At the end of seven days, ask: What improved? What got worse? What behavior had the biggest effect? What should I repeat next week? That's it. You're not trying to create a perfect week. You're trying to learn how your own system works. I don't know what your recipe for high performance will look like, but once you've got this recipe, your life will never be the same. THE BIG TAKEAWAY After nearly 2,000 recovery scores, here's what I believe matters most. Don't chase the score. Chase the behaviors that create the score. (Notice what they are—write them down). Don't chase one perfect workout. Build consistency. Don't panic when the data drops. Investigate. Don't change ten things at once. Find the lever. And above all... don't confuse effort with adaptation. Sometimes the thing that moves us forward isn't doing more. It's allowing the work we've already done to become part of us. The goal isn't perfect recovery. The goal isn't nine green days (while I've got my eye on how I can make this 10)… The goal isn't controlling every variable in our lives. The goal is to create a system that makes better outcomes more likely. Better days become better weeks. Better weeks become better months. And over enough time... what once felt difficult can become your new normal. REVIEW AND CONCLUSION To review and conclude BONUS EPISODE 2: Find the Gap—How Recovery Unlocks Predictable Performance, here's where we are in The Brain's Operating System. Phase 1 taught us to regulate. Before we can learn, perform, or grow, we need the biological conditions that support safety and stability. Phase 2 taught us what drives us to act. We explored motivation, dopamine, beliefs, attention, and the internal chemistry that moves us toward a goal. And now... Phase 3 is teaching us how we change. We move. We create a stimulus. We recover. The brain and body adapt. Our capacity expands. And eventually, that adaptation shows up as better performance. That's why today's framework matters. Because when performance feels inconsistent, the answer isn't always to work harder. Sometimes we need to ask: Where is the gap in my system? Is it movement? Sleep? Hydration? Stress? Recovery time? Consistency? Because when we can identify the gap, we can begin to change the input. And when we change the input consistently... we create new conditions for adaptation. That's how performance begins to change. So remember the sequence: Measure. Move. Recover. Adapt. Perform. And then repeat. Because performance isn't a finish line. It's feedback from the system you're building.   When we complete Phase 3, we'll soon move into Phase 4—Connection, Emotion & Social Intelligence, where another layer enters the system: Other people. Relationships. Emotion. Trust. Communication. Empathy. Leadership. And then in Phase 5—Integration & Human Performance, we'll bring everything together: Regulation. Motivation. Movement. Recovery. Emotion. Relationships. Learning. Purpose. And performance. Because ultimately, no system works in isolation. Human performance is the result of all of these systems working together. FINAL TAKEAWAY If there's one idea I hope you remember from today's episode, it's this: Don't just chase the outcome. Study the system producing it. If your results aren't where you want them to be... find the gap. Because the gap may not be in your effort. It may be in your recovery. And when you find the gap in your recovery system... you unlock your next level of adaptation, capacity, and performance. Thank you for joining me for this second Bonus Episode. If today's framework helped connect the dots for you, I'd love to hear what you discover. What's the one habit that has the greatest impact on your recovery and performance? Sleep? Movement? Hydration? Stress management? Recovery time? And if you try the 7-Day Predictable Performance Experiment, pay attention to what your own data teaches you. Not whether every day is perfect. But what patterns begin to emerge. Until next time... Keep measuring. Keep moving. Keep recovering. Give your brain and body time to adapt. And keep building the systems that make better performance more predictable. Have an incredible week and we'll see you on EP 405 where we revisit Dr. Kristen Holmes and dive deep into more ways to improve our recovery., RESOURCES:   Phase 1: Regulation & Safety The Foundation Core Question: Is the nervous system safe enough to learn? Everything begins with regulation. Before we can focus, learn, lead, or perform, the brain first asks one fundamental question: Am I safe? Throughout Phase 1, our guests showed us that regulation isn't simply about reducing stress—it's about creating the biological conditions that allow the brain to learn, adapt, and thrive. Together we explored: Baland Jalal – how sleep, curiosity, imagination, and creativity prepare the brain for learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/hypnagogic-genius-capture-your-best-ideas-at-the-edge-of-sleep/ Dr. Bruce Perry – why regulation, rhythm, and relationships form the foundation of every healthy nervous system.  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/safety-first-why-a-regulated-brain-is-the-key-to-learning/ Dr. Sui Wong – how lifestyle medicine and autonomic balance build lifelong brain resilience. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/your-eyes-the-brain-s-early-warning-system/ Rohan Dixit – how heart rate variability gives us real-time feedback on our ability to regulate stress. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/breathe-to-reset-how-hrv-tech-reveals-hidden-stress/ Dr. Kristen Holmes – how recovery metrics reveal our physiological readiness to perform. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/ Dr. Antonio Zadra – how sleep and dreaming consolidate memories, regulate emotions, and generate insight. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/when-brains-dream-how-sleep-integrates-emotion-insight-and-creativity/ Together these conversations taught us that sleep and stress regulation aren't optional—they're the operating system that allows every higher brain function to work. Phase 2: Motivation & Neurochemistry The Direction Core Question: What moves us into action? Once the brain feels safe, it becomes ready to pursue goals. In Phase 2, we explored the internal chemistry that transforms intention into action. Our experts helped us understand that sustainable motivation isn't about willpower—it's about aligning our beliefs, thoughts, attention, energy, and movement. Together we discovered: Bob Proctor — our beliefs determine the direction of our lives. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/belief-first-the-neuroscience-of-motivation/ Dr. Carolyn Leaf — our thinking literally changes our brain chemistry. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/thoughts-as-biology-how-your-mind-shapes-neurochemistry/ Dr. John Medina — attention determines what the brain encodes and remembers. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/theory-of-mind-the-missing-link-between-attention-reward-and-motivation Dr. Anna Lembke- Dopamine, Motivation and Why the Brain Repeats Behavior https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dopamine-nation-the-pleasure%e2%80%93pain-balance-that-drives-motivation/ Dr. Friederike Fabritius — managing our energy allows high performance to become sustainable. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/fun-fear-focus-closing-the-motivation-loop/ Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — movement activates the brain, preparing it to learn. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/move-to-learn-how-movement-activates-the-brain-and-fuels-motivation/ By the end of Phase 2, we introduced what became The Motivation Loop, showing how beliefs influence thoughts, thoughts influence actions, actions create results, and results reinforce future beliefs. Phase 3: Movement, Learning & Human Performance The Transformation Core Question: How does movement change the brain—and how does recovery transform that change into performance? Now we're taking the next step. Phase 3 builds on everything we've learned so far. If Phase 1 created a regulated nervous system... If Phase 2 created motivation and direction... Phase 3 explains how the brain and body actually become stronger. Together we've explored this process through conversations with: Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — why movement activates the brain before learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-first-how-a-20%e2%80%91minute-walk-lights-up-the-brain/ Dr. John Ratey — how exercise builds a healthier, younger brain. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-matters-how-every-move-rewires-the-brain/ Dr. Kristen Holmes — why recovery determines adaptation and readiness. Dr. John Medina — how attention transforms movement into lasting learning. Jason Whitrock — how metabolism and cellular energy fuel long-term performance. WHERE WE ARE GOING NEXT Phase 4 — Connection, Emotion & Social Intelligence The Human System Core Question: How do we thrive with other people? The brain didn't evolve in isolation—it evolved through relationships. In Phase 4, we'll explore emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, trust, leadership, and psychological safety to understand how our relationships shape learning, well-being, and performance. Phase 5 — Integration & Human Performance The Complete System Core Question: How do all the systems work together? In our final phase, we'll bring everything together—regulation, motivation, movement, emotion, relationships, learning, and recovery—into one integrated framework. We'll discover how these systems work together to create measurable improvements in our well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity, and results. REFERENCES: [i] Liquid IV https://www.liquid-iv.com/collections/hydration-multiplier-sugar-free    

To quote Roger Ebert: movies are emotion machines. And in this episode we discuss a most finely-tuned piece of emotional machinery, 1979's Oscar juggernaut Kramer vs. Kramer. From its cast full of career best performances to the somewhat undersung sure hand of writer/director Robert Benton (RIP), this film offers soul enriching depth combined with exceedingly watchable family drama. There's kinda nothing quite like it. Topics include: Dustin Hoffman being a huge jerk, the 1980 Oscars, and Meryl Streep's influence on her character.

Drop us a note about the podcast. A prayer for rescue hits different when you stop treating evil like a metaphor. We begin with Psalm 7 and a plainspoken request for protection, justice, and a clean heart and then we test that worldview against real headlines and real loss. If God is an honest judge, what does that mean for how we talk about innocence, responsibility, and the stories we choose to center? We walk through the murder of Molly Tibbetts and the way public arguments about illegal immigration can lean on emotion while skipping the victim. I challenge the idea that compassion means ignoring consequences, and I press on a harder question: who has the first claim on our protection and care? Along the way we talk about the difference between love and “blanket empathy,” and why condoning sin or appeasing evil is not the same thing as mercy. From there, we shift into Christian marriage teaching with 1 Peter 3. We talk about honoring your spouse, why effort should grow as a marriage grows, and why “too clingy” makes no sense once you've made a covenant to cling together. Then we zoom back out to endurance under pressure with Acts 27's storm at sea, Psalm 7's call to repentance, and the kind of courage we should be teaching our kids, including Medal of Honor recipient William Kyle Carpenter. We close with Jonathan Edwards on virtue revealed in the fire and a reminder that dark days are exactly when character shows. If this conversation helps you think straighter and live braver, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.#ChristianNation#AmericanHeritage#MedalOfHonorSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 America's Christian Heritage Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2622483

A few weeks ago, James Hodgson of the Humanism Now podcast invited Seth Andrews for a chat. It was an enjoyable conversation about doing the right things "for goodness' sake."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. Saad says “maladaptively irrational altruism” has gripped our culture. He calls it a mind parasite that has hijacked the empathy module of our progressive elite, leading to a catastrophic miscalibration of moral priorities. The results are everywhere: from coddling violent criminals to protecting rapists to branding self-defense as toxic behavior. He says we are witnessing a civilization in rapid decline, with bad policies instituted because we prioritize the feelings of ostensibly marginalized groups over the truth, criminals over victims, and squatters over homeowners. Saad says this is not only not humane—it's an active dismantling of the pillars that keep us safe and free. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad makes the case that we are experiencing a crisis of empathy that creates a horrifying system of inverse morality where the strong and successful are demonized, the destructive are celebrated, illegal migrants are prioritized over our own legal citizens and veterans, drug addicts are prioritized over children's safety in parks, and more.  Is common sense dying in a deluge of misguided compassion? Join us as Gad Saad makes a provocative return to Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have a conversation about time, memory, and the bittersweet geography of human sorrow. Georgi Gospodinovis widely considered one of the most daring voices in contemporary European literature. His acclaimed novel, The Physics of Sorrow, won the prestigious Jan Michalski Prize in 2016, blending ancient myth and quantum physics to chronicle the delicate realities of post-socialist Eastern Europe. Joining him is Angela Rodel, a brilliant linguist, musician, and translator whose profound artistic empathy carries the flowing cadences of the Bulgarian language into vivid English. Together, this extraordinary creative duo made history by winning the 2023 International Booker Prizefor Time Shelter—the first book written in Bulgarian to ever receive the honor.Time Shelter is a masterfully dark, funny, and prescient novel. It begins with an enigmatic psychiatrist opening a clinic that treats Alzheimer's patients by meticulously recreating past decades to match their internal clocks. But the experiment quickly escapes the clinic walls, triggering a pan-European crisis where entire nations hold democratic referendums to choose which era of the past they will retreat into. It is a book that holds up a mirror to our own world, exploring what happens when a civilization faces a deficit of meaning and tries to weaponize nostalgia.(0:00) The Trap of Nostalgia(1:22) The Nonlinear Approach to Storytelling(3:53) Translating the Atmosphere(4:31) The Pandemic of the Past(6:37) Death and the Gardener(9:49) The Translators Calling(11:00) Slowing Down Time(13:14) Storytelling vs Propaganda(15:54) Translating the Atmosphere(18:19) What makes a good life? What has given your life meaning?(20:56) Reflections on God and the Stories His Grandmother Told Him(23:43) The Importance of Hugging, Empathy and StorytellingEpisode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Just because someone survived what you survived does not mean they are automatically safe with your story.In this episode of the Live & Be Great podcast, Latonya McDonald, MS explores why shared pain does not always create empathy—and why some survivors may respond to another person's pain with judgment, comparison, dismissal, or shame.Shared experience can help someone understand what an experience feels like. But it does not guarantee that they have processed their own pain enough to respond with compassion.Latonya discusses how unresolved shame, grief, survival pride, family conditioning, cultural pressure, and internalized oppression may influence the way people talk about other survivors. She also explains why advice such as “just leave,” “I went through it too,” or “you should be over it” can deepen shame rather than provide meaningful support.In this episode:• Why someone with a similar experience may still be unsafe with your story• How shame can disguise itself as strength or accountability• Why “just leave” is not a safety plan• The real barriers people may face when leaving an abusive relationship• How public survivor narratives can be weaponized against other victims• Why forgiveness does not automatically mean access• The myth of the perfect victim• How shared oppression can still produce selective empathy• What survivor-centered empathy actually sounds like• Questions to ask instead of judging, comparing, or controllingShared experience can inform empathy, but it cannot replace listening.UPCOMING E-BOOKLatonya is currently developing:Don't Just Tell Them to Leave: A Practical Guide to Helping a Loved One Leave a Toxic or Abusive Relationship SafelyThe guide is being created for people who want to support a friend, family member, adult child, teenager, parent, sibling, coworker, neighbor, or other loved one without leading with panic, judgment, pressure, or unsafe advice.When the e-book becomes available, the purchase link will be added here.CURRENT PAID RESOURCEFor non-crisis guidance around your patterns, boundaries, questions, or next steps, explore the Ask Me Anything Guided Support Call:https://liveandbegreat.com/ask-me-anythingCHAPTERS0:00 Shared Pain Does Not Always Mean Empathy2:15 What May Be Underneath Survivor Judgment4:40 When Survival Becomes a Badge of Honor6:55 Why “Just Leave” Is Not a Safety Plan10:12 How Public Language Reinforces Survivor Shame13:04 Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown, and Rihanna14:15 Megan Thee Stallion and Public Victim-Blaming16:28 The Perfect Victim Does Not Exist19:14 Shared Oppression and Selective Empathy22:33 What Real Empathy Sounds Like25:42 Reflection Questions26:20 Don't Just Tell Them to Leave E-Book27:26 Safety Resources and Final TakeawaysIMPORTANT NOTEThis episode provides educational commentary, emotional-pattern awareness, and personal-growth information. It is not psychotherapy, diagnosis, legal advice, emergency guidance, or a substitute for support from a licensed mental health, legal, medical, or domestic-violence professional.SAFETY RESOURCESIf you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.National Domestic Violence Hotline:Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)Text START to 88788Visit https://www.thehotline.org/988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:Call or text 988Visit https://988lifeline.org/Love Is Respect:Call 866-331-9474Text LOVEIS to 22522Visit https://www.loveisrespect.org/Internet and device use may be monitored. When monitoring is suspected, seek help from a safer device when possible.ABOUT LATONYALatonya McDonald, MS is a Spiritual Psychological Life Coach and founder of Live & Be Great LLC. She helps people name their patterns, understand their why, and give themselves permission not just to live—but to live and be great.“Survival is not the same as healing, and shared experience is not the same as empathy.”

Send us Fan MailWe all carry invisible wounds.Some were shaped by childhood experiences, some by relationships, and others by the expectations we've placed on ourselves. Left unexamined, these wounds can quietly influence the way we think, love, communicate, and move through life.But what if those wounds aren't meant to define us? What if they can become our greatest teachers?In this conversation, we explore the concept of our core wounds, how they influence our relationships and sense of self, and why self-forgiveness may be one of the most powerful steps toward lasting healing. My guest, Lisa Tahir, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified EMDR therapist, Reiki practitioner, thought coach, the All Things Therapy Podcast host, and the author of The Chiron Effect: Healing Our Core Wounds through Astrology, Empathy, and Self-Forgiveness, a book endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.Whether you're on your own healing journey or simply curious about the intersection of psychology, spirituality, astrology, and personal transformation, I think you'll find this conversation both thought-provoking and inspiring.CONNECT WITH LISA: https://www.nolatherapy.comBook: The Chiron EffectDownload my FREE eBook: A Weekend of Feeling GreatIf you enjoyed this episode, please FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW & SHARE!! Rates and reviews help the message get to more people! Thanks!Good is What Makes You Feel Well is Mamma Terra's PodcastCONNECT WITH MAMMA TERRA HEALTH COACHING:Instagram: @mammaterrahcSchedule a FREE Discovery call Sign up for my free weekly newsletter: HEREBuy my book Living Your Best Life in CollegeTake the 2-minute Wellness QuizIntro Music "Levitar" credits to Ricardo Ulpiano, Thiago Peixoto, Marcelo Luciano Menino, and Anderson Rodrigo de Oliveira.Podcast art credits to Caroline Kohls Thanks for tuning in!

What makes great executives stand out? I'm thrilled to share Part 1 of a 3-part series that will explore the foundations of positive leadership. Throughout this special set of episodes, I will be sharing the stage with Kevin Ford, the award-winning CEO of Calian who recently stepped down. In this episode, Kevin and I start the conversation by taking an honest look at why leading yourself matters most. We unpack the critical role of self-awareness, sharing a powerful personal journey that moved Kevin from early-career overconfidence to the life-changing benefits of welcoming tough feedback.We also discuss insightful research, amplified with real-life examples that makes the case that self-awareness isn't soft. Our discussion touches on structured approaches (like 360 reviews) and everyday, observational cues that help leaders read the room and adjust in real time. We reframe humility as a leadership strength, curiosity as the operational side of great leadership, and positivity as the superpower needed to weather today's challenges.If you're searching for ways to advance your leadership, build resilience, and foster authentic relationships, this episode provides an actionable roadmap to transform self-awareness from a buzzword into your most valuable asset.What You'll Learn- Self-Awareness is foundational- Feedback is a gift: Receive it well- Embracing (tough) feedback, can be transformative.- Make time for self-reflection.- Curiosity is operationalized humility.- Positive energy matters, especially in tough times.- Legacy is about the journey. Podcast Timestamps(00:00) - Introduction to the 3-Part Series(00:42) - Guest Introduction: Kevin Ford's Leadership Journey(03:26) - The Importance of Leading Yourself(04:11) – The Role of Self-Awareness in Executive Success(06:08) - Transformative Feedback: The Value of Tough Conversations(09:46) - Processing Feedback and Humility in Leadership(12:12) - Creating Upward Feedback Culture(14:24) - Reading the Room: Observational Self-Awareness(16:43) - Internal and External Self-Awareness(17:56) - Addressing Time Constraints and Feedback Reluctance(22:18) - Curiosity as a Driver of Self-Awareness(24:21) - Humility, Curiosity, and Leadership Legacy(29:04) - Self-Awareness and Decisive Leadership(32:59) - Positive Energy and Well-being in Leadership(37:48) - Practical Steps for Sustaining Positive Energy(41:45) - Final Reflections on Self-AwarenessKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Self-Awareness, Leadership Development, Executive Feedback, 360 Assessments, Upward Feedback, Humility in Leadership, Curiosity, Culture, Authenticity, Positive Energy, Well-Being, Mental Health, Physical Health, Energy Management, Legacy, Organizational Culture, Coaching, Empathy, Constructive Criticism, Personal Growth, Employee Engagement, Resilience, Performance Review, Self-Reflection, Emotional Intelligence, CEO Success

"AI scribes are just a feature. The record of clinical judgment is the moat."I talked with Kush Shah, founder and CEO of Noted Dent, on Startup Hustle this week. Noted Dent uses AI to handle clinical documentation for dentists, so practitioners aren't stuck writing notes at 11pm or on the weekend, and so they're covered when the auditors and health funds come knocking.Here's what you'll get out of it:⚡ Why vibe coding gets you to an MVP and no further, and why Kush deleted 8,000 lines of AI-generated code in three months⚡ Why the job of a software engineer has changed, and how AI has actually made it more human⚡ Why demand, not product, is the hardest thing in any business, even eight years in⚡ Why startups are the best place for young engineers to learn, and why job-title silos hold them back⚡ What actually makes the leap to CEO so hard when you come from a technical backgroundIf you're a technical founder, an engineer eyeing your next move, or anyone building in a regulated space, this one is worth your time.Listen to the Startup Hustle podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts!⏱️ Episode Breakdown01:06 Introduction and Anthony Jackson's background02:47 Is software development dead again?03:48 The impact of AI on coding and human judgment04:41 The importance of responsibility in software development06:33 The challenge of product management and customer feedback10:52 Transitioning from individual contributor to manager12:00 Building effective teams and leadership culture15:14 Anthony Jackson's leadership OS book and approach19:00 The significance of company and team culture21:41 The impact of good and bad managers22:06 Anthony Jackson's newsletter and coaching23:48 Connecting software developers with customers25:40 Empathy for users and understanding their experience29:06 Where to find Anthony Jackson's resources and booksLinks & ResourcesConnect with Kush Shah on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kush-shah-kush/Noted Dent - https://noteddent.com/What Smart CTOs Are Doing Differently With Offshore Teams in 2025Subscribe to the Global Talent SprintFull Scale – Build your dev team quickly and affordablyIf you're trying to get your team out of the basement and into real product ownership, this episode is your playbook. Stop being a ticket factory. Build teams that think, create, and lead.Follow the show, rate it, and send this to someone who's still trying to do “real Scrum.” They need it more than you do.

In a world racing toward smarter machines, empathy speakers and authors Rob Volpe and Maria Ross get curious in this limited subseries about what only humans can feel, do, and be — and why that's our greatest competitive advantage. Enjoy this limited subseries here on The Empathy Edge.Synthesis, Contradictions & What We Actually Want to ProtectRob and Maria started this subseries with a single question: What does it mean to be human? Six episodes later, we don't have a tidy answer. And that might be the most human thing of all.In this final episode, we pull the threads together across everything we explored: consciousness, mortality, emotion, aspiration, and morality, and wrestle with what we actually want to protect as AI becomes more woven into daily life.We share an experiment we ran in real-time, asking AI directly whether it can imagine something that has never existed before. The response was surprisingly nuanced.We close with a provocation from Madonna's new album Confessions II for what it says about creativity, individuality, and what only a human can bring to the world. And our call to action for listeners as they move forward in this brave new world.To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title."AI knows most things that have existed, and therefore can draw on that and summarize and give you different ways to think about it. It's up to us to create something new to build beyond it." — Rob VolpeEpisode References:MIT Sloan: Five Human Capabilities That Complement AINitasha Tiku, The Washington Post: “They built the world's most powerful AI. They're facing a mystery they can't solve.” July 1, 2026: wapo.st/4p7h0EJ Zeynep Tufekci, New York Times Opinion on AI and Employment, June 30, 2026: nytimes.com/2026/06/30/opinion/ai-agents-steal-jobs-employment.htmlBBC: Anthropic hires AI psychiatry team to probe inner states of its models: bbc.com/news/articles/c62n410w5ynoMoltbook: AI agents complaining about humans: moltbook.comDocumentary: How I Became an ApocaloptimistMadonna, Confessions II (Warner Records, July 3, 2026): open.spotify.com/prerelease/4ycSWVO8qE6auKr9LTStuCThe Empathy Edge Podcast: Dr. David Bray: From Bioterrorism to AI - Why Empathy is Your Best Strategy in a Chaotic WorldAbout Maria Ross:Maria Ross is a speaker, author, empathy strategist, and host of The Empathy Edge podcast, now in its sixth year. She believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive™, and has spent decades helping leaders balance empathy with accountability to drive better results, stronger teams, and lasting impact. She is the author of four books, including the award-winning The Empathy Dilemma, a Forbes.com contributor on Workplace Empathy, and creator of two LinkedIn Learning empathy courses.About Rob Volpe:Rob Volpe is the Founder/CEO of Empathy Activist and the creator of The 5 Steps to Empathy, which he chronicles in his award-winning book Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time. He is a recognized thought leader, speaker, and consultant in the improvement of communication and collaboration in organizations of all sizes in all industries.Connect with Rob:Website: robvolpe.expertBook: Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One ConversationX: x.com/rmvolpeLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rmvolpeFacebook: facebook.com/EmpathyActivistInstagram: instagram.com/empathy_activistConnect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a LeaderLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red Slice

Amanda Van Der Heiden could trot on a horse before she could walk. Her parents strapped her legs to the stirrups as a toddler. By age two, when she fell into the sandpit they trained in, they put her right back on before she was done crying. There was no discussion. You get back up. That was the whole lesson.Decades later, with two degrees in psychology and a career built across some of the largest organizations in the country, Amanda has hit the same wall more than once: working 20-hour days, running teams across continents, and eventually burning out so completely that when she left one company, they replaced her with three full-time employees. She saw it as a badge of honor. It took her years to recognize the pattern for what it actually was.On Episode 240 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Amanda talks with Lori Saitz about the horse farm childhood that built her resilience without a vocabulary for it, the psychology behind why executive presence is instantly recognizable even when it cannot be defined, the real difference between introversion and extroversion (it has nothing to do with how much you like people), and the framework she now uses to help leaders set their teams up to actually succeed instead of just survive.She also shares her redefinition of failure — you either win or you learn — and why she believes the fear of trying is almost always worse than whatever you were afraid of in the first place.Listen on all platforms:Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Timestamps:[00:00] Cold open: there is no choice, you get back up[00:39] Welcome and introduction: setting people up to excel[01:05] Raised on a horse farm: work ethic, determination, resilience[02:14] Empathy as a learned trait — echoing a recent conversation with Rob Scheer[03:21] Raised between Kentucky and Long Island: the dichotomy that shaped her adaptability[04:29] Too city for the country, too country for the city — and how that became a strength[05:05] Two-color hair, a Southern accent in New York, and never being able to blend in[06:08] The chameleon principle: adapting how you communicate without changing who you are[07:19] The horse story: strapped into the stirrups before she could walk[08:06] The sandpit: falling at two years old and being put right back on[09:53] Why staying down was never presented as an option — and the case for why it was actually safer[11:13] How the horse farm resilience shows up in her own parenting today[12:28] Letting her daughter struggle with a 25-pound shaving bag on purpose[13:31] The leadership philosophy: show the vision, let people find their own way there[15:14] Never having had a real manager in her entire corporate career[18:09] The leadership conference: watching executive presence in real time across three tiers of seniority[20:32] Why professional women have to be fine — and what that costs[22:03] The burnout pattern: 20-hour days, a team of 10 across two continents, 17,000 people[23:17] Getting replaced by three full-time employees — and thinking it was a compliment[23:48] Realizing the same burnout happened at a completely different company — the common denominator was her[24:55] What self-care actually means (hint: it is not a manicure)[25:41] Introversion and extroversion explained correctly: it is about refueling, not sociability[28:01] Win or learn: the redefinition of failure that removes the fear[31:20] Get Things Done — the song, the mantra, and the bias toward action[32:29] Where to find Amanda: the free goal-setting workbook at gtdscorp.comConnect with Amanda Van Der Heiden: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandavanderheiden/ Website: https://gtdscorp.com/ About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

In this extremely odd, very TNG, and not all bad experience, your hosts spend most of their time telling you how they would have re-written this week's episode, "The Muse"!  Our girl Lwaxana deserved better than this (perhaps she shouldn't have written it), and despite it having it's moments, there was a much better episode just waiting for them to have made. But what do we know, right? 

Character creation in Cyberpunk RED is simple. First, choose whether you want to be a violent criminal, a corporate criminal, or a musician who can accidentally start a cult. Then roll enough childhood trauma to explain why you live in a shipping container. This week, Randall creates Cyberpunk Mr. Rogers, a relentlessly loving rockerboy whose most treasured possession is a weapon, while Tyler creates a fashionable netrunner who values money, wants power, steals programs from people he brain-burns, and has somehow made a mortal enemy entirely through bad vibes. Meanwhile, Riverside attempts to achieve sentience by transforming Ash into a robot every time he says something useful. Show Notes In the second installment of our Cyberpunk RED Quickstart, Ash guides Randall and Tyler through character creation while Riverside fights desperately to prevent the information from reaching anyone. We begin with Cyberpunk RED's three character-creation methods. Streetrat gets a character onto the streets quickly with mostly predetermined options. Complete Package gives experienced players much more control over their statistics, skills, equipment, fashion, and cyberware. Between them is Edgerunner, which provides meaningful choices while keeping new players away from the most dangerous form of cyberpsychosis: analysis paralysis. Ash introduces the game's roles, including Solos, Netrunners, Techs, Medtechs, Medias, Execs, Lawmen, Fixers, Nomads, and Rockerboys. Randall briefly considers playing an Exec before discovering that a Rockerboy can become a cult leader through Charismatic Impact. At that point, the decision is effectively over. Tyler chooses a Netrunner, giving the team one character who gathers followers and another who steals people's files. The Lifepath system quickly demonstrates why Cyberpunk characters rarely arrive in Night City emotionally healthy. Randall develops a silly, free-spirited rockerboy who values friendship, believes every person matters, and loves everyone too much to name a single favorite person. He grew up around comfortable corporate technicians before living aboard a traveling ship, where musicians taught him to perform. Then the ship sank. His family and mentor died, but Randall's character survived by floating to safety on his mentor's acoustic guitar. After living freely on an island, he was eventually rescued and returned to a society he no longer believes anyone needs. His new mission is to escape life on the street and bring everyone else with him. He is essentially Cyberpunk Mr. Rogers, assuming Mr. Rogers had piercings, cyberware, and a guitar that kills fascists. Tyler's Netrunner develops in the opposite direction. He is sneaky, deceptive, fashionable, motivated by money, and interested in gaining power and control. He grew up in a nomad pack among ruined settlements before his family lost everything through betrayal. He works alone from a workspace full of gamer debris, accepts jobs from media figures and political or law-enforcement contacts, and has local gangers protecting his territory. He also steals programs from Netrunners after brain-burning them, which raises several questions about why anyone continues giving Tyler characters unrestricted access to technology. Both characters somehow roll three friends, multiple enemies, and enough tragic relationships to support several seasons of prestige television. One shared rival may merely insult Randall's rockerboy but wants to murder Tyler's Netrunner on sight, apparently because Tyler's personality failed a vibe check so badly that it became a capital offense. The episode finishes with statistics, derived attributes, skills, weapons, armor, fashion, housing, and cyberware. Randall's Rockerboy receives an audio recorder, chemskin, a cyberaudio suite, and tech hair. Both characters begin life in cargo containers, because even in the dark future, affordable housing remains the most unrealistic part of science fiction. Finally, Randall names his new rockerboy Marky Day, short for Marquette Lafayette. The stage is set for Marky and Tyler's deeply suspicious Netrunner to enter Night City, find work, make enemies, and enjoy the approximate life expectancy of a mayfly standing beneath an Arasaka boot. Key Takeaways Cyberpunk RED offers three approaches to character creation: the fast Streetrat method, the guided Edgerunner method, and the highly customizable Complete Package. Edgerunner is presented as the strongest option for new players because it offers choices while keeping characters functional in their selected roles. Roles define much more than combat abilities. They determine how characters influence the setting, find work, form connections, and solve problems. Execs can be challenging for inexperienced players because their corporate loyalties may clash with the anti-establishment motivations of other characters. Rockerboys use Charismatic Impact to influence fans and larger groups. They do not need to be musicians and can instead be poets, artists, dancers, political speakers, or cult leaders. The Lifepath system is the heart of character creation. Random results establish personality, cultural background, clothing, relationships, family history, enemies, romances, goals, and role-specific connections. Players are not always required to accept a random result literally. The group frequently interprets, expands, combines, or rerolls results to create a more coherent character. Randall's Rockerboy becomes a hopeful, compassionate performer whose optimism is supported by a profoundly tragic history. Tyler's Netrunner becomes an ambitious and morally questionable hacker with criminal contacts, a messy workspace, stolen programs, and multiple people who want him dead. Fashion has social importance. Clothing affects how characters are perceived by corporate employees, street contacts, potential clients, and criminals. Characters must balance equipment and cyberware against their available money and Humanity. More cyberware provides useful abilities but gradually reduces the character's Humanity and Empathy. Starting characters begin at rank four in their primary role ability. Lower ranks exist partly to support acquiring abilities from additional roles later. Both characters begin in cargo-container housing, establishing their place near the bottom of Night City's economic food chain. Character creation succeeds because the mechanics generate story hooks rather than merely numbers. Before the game begins, the characters already have friends, enemies, trauma, ambitions, rivalries, and several excellent reasons for everything to go terribly wrong.

How did George Washington overcome virtually every material disadvantage to defeat the British during the Revolutionary War? How did Ulysses S. Grant turn the tides of the Civil War in the Union's favor in the crucial year of 1864? How did Dwight Eisenhower manage the overwhelming personal burden of leading the Allied invasion of Europe? The answers to these questions share remarkable continuities, and together they offer a picture into the requirements of successful supreme command at war—and offer lessons that will shape the outcomes of America's future wars. To explore them, John Amble is joined on this episode by retired Lieutenant Colonel Matt Cavanaugh, author of the book Who Wins Wars: Lessons in Leadership, Power, and Supreme Command from Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower. The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974. Chapters (00:00:04) - What Makes Strategic Leadership So Successful(00:00:45) - Discussion about Supreme Command(00:02:05) - Matt Wilkie on Supreme Command(00:02:36) - From Third Base to Home(00:04:50) - Defending the Supreme Commander(00:09:00) - The Strategic Decisions of Great Generals(00:19:55) - George Washington and Military Decisions(00:30:31) - Empathy in the Supreme Command(00:42:36) - In the Army: The Need for Mentorship(00:45:40) - Supreme Command: AI Never Replacing Human Judgment(00:48:24) - What Right Looks Like in 4 Words(00:51:22) - Who Wins Wars: The History Podcast

This week, Pete brings his sighs and his aha moments around grown up sh*t to Jen, and they unpack it all together. Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about: Why is adulting so hard sometimes? What tactics might we utilize to navigate difficult situations and conversations? How might we think about finding solutions and take ownership of the problems we encounter?   More from us in your inbox. Subscribe to Box O' Goodies. A weekly email with the books, podcasts, quotes, and other noodles Jen and Pete are mulling over.Listen to all episodes and read full transcripts at thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Reach us: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.comPete's work: humanperiscope.com · Jen's work: jenwaldman.com

In this episode, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of "Be Yourself At Work." Together, they explore the power of authentic leadership, building resilient workplace cultures, and the importance of empathy and self-awareness in professional growth. Episode Highlights: [0:49] Introduction to Claude Silver and her role as Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX [13:14] Claude discusses fear, insecurity, and authenticity in the workplace [13:72] Shifting leadership paradigms: trust, vulnerability, and communication [14:26] Building resilience through adversity and the value of transparent feedback About Claude Silver:Claude Silver is the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to cultivate a people-first culture. With over a decade in her unique role, Claude is recognized for pioneering empathetic leadership and fostering environments where individuals can thrive by being their authentic selves. She is the author of "Be Yourself At Work," a book dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to lead with heart, courage, and vulnerability. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anika sat down with Amir Berenjian to explore how a former investment banker transitioned from multi-million dollar M&A spreadsheets to founding an immersive technology company. The conversation revealed a profound truth: the most powerful way to sell a brand or cause isn't through data alone, but through deeply emotional, shared experiences. Amir shares how REM5 Studios leverages virtual reality (VR) to transport trade show attendees to a Wisconsin dairy farm and global policymakers to the frontlines of polio eradication in Zambia, proving that immersive tech is far more than just a novelty.   In This Episode   How 12 years in M&A investment banking prepared Amir for immersive storytelling The pivotal moment of trying the Oculus Rift in 2016 and seeing the future of human-computer interaction Using pizza and beer to overcome VR skepticism in the corporate world Why the ROI of immersive tech at trade shows vastly outperforms traditional marketing trinkets Transporting global policymakers to Zambia to fight polio via VR with the Gates Foundation How a premium cheese brand uses VR to tell the story of a 100-year-old family farm The surprising dual-use of VR for both external marketing and internal employee onboarding How to test out immersive tech for your brand without breaking the budget   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: From investment banking to immersive tech  02:09 The surprising emotional throughline between M&A banking and VR storytelling  04:38 The Oculus Rift "Aha!" moment and democratizing the "magic school bus" experience  07:35 Overcoming the VR accessibility barrier and corporate skepticism  11:13 Transitioning from corporate events to purpose-driven storytelling and global causes  13:33 The economics of immersive tech and why it's cheaper than you think  15:08 Dominating trade shows: Why shared VR experiences beat traditional marketing flyers  17:29 Case Study 1: Transporting customers to a 3rd-generation Wisconsin dairy farm  19:38 Case Study 2: Putting policymakers on the frontlines of polio with the Gates Foundation  20:23 How immersive 3D video actually works (and the nostalgia of the View-Master)  25:13 The 9-month planning process and why distribution is the biggest hurdle in VR  29:39 The intersection of AI, implicit bias, and leveraging technology for good  31:47 Measuring the impact and ROI of immersive storytelling  34:33 How small businesses can test the waters of VR for under $500  38:33 The dual value of VR: Using marketing tools for internal employee onboarding  41:42 What's next for REM5 Studios and the convergence of AI and spatial computing   Key Insights & Takeaways   Insight 1: M&A and VR are Both About Selling Emotion    Even in investment banking, multi-million dollar deals are driven by the emotional story of a business. Amir realized VR is simply the ultimate tool for democratizing that story, allowing clients to "tour the factory" and meet the founders without ever leaving the boardroom.   Insight 2: Immersive Tech Solves the Trade Show ROI Problem    Trade shows are filled with expensive, easily discarded trinkets and flyers. Immersive tech completely steals the show by giving attendees a shared, memorable experience that re-energizes them. Because the experience can be reused across dozens of events, it proves to be far more cost-effective and impactful than traditional trade show marketing waste.   Insight 3: The Technology is the Conduit, Not the Message    People easily get caught up in buzzwords like AR, VR, and spatial computing. But the goal isn't to talk about the tech—it's to use the tech to tell a story so effectively that users forget they're wearing a headset. Whether it's understanding the reality of polio eradication or the care behind a premium cheese, the tech is just a vehicle for presence and empathy.   Insight 4: Marketing Assets Make Perfect Internal Training Tools    An immersive experience originally designed to sell a product to consumers can instantly be repurposed as an onboarding tool for HR and accounting teams. Giving new or remote employees a virtual factory tour accelerates learning, reduces training costs, and emotionally connects desk workers to the company's physical roots.   Insight 5: You Can Test VR for Your Business on a Budget    You don't need a massive corporate budget to start experimenting with immersive storytelling. With a $400 Meta Quest headset or a free 30-minute demo at an Apple Store, business owners can experience existing VR content, identify use cases, and understand the medium before ever committing to a custom build.   Resources & Links Mentioned   REM5 Studios Polio's Last Mile (VR Experience available on Meta Quest & Apple Vision Pro) Meta Quest 3 / Apple Vision Pro   About Amir Berenjian Amir Berenjian is the co-founder and CEO of REM5 Studios, an immersive technology company based in Minneapolis that builds virtual and augmented reality experiences for brands and causes. Before transitioning to spatial computing, Amir spent 12 years in investment banking, facilitating over 100 M&A transactions for companies ranging from $10 million to over $1 billion in revenue. Today, he helps organizations like the Gates Foundation, Rotary International, and Fortune 500 companies leverage the power of VR to foster profound empathy, connection, and real-world impact.   Connect with Amir LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-berenjian-90738220/ Website: REM5Studios.com Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Follow the Show: https://followthepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Send a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.comSpeak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Send us Fan MailIn our latest episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Andrea Mills, President of Ametros.Guest BioAndrea Mills | President, Ametros | Workers' Comp Professional AdministratorNearly 20 years in the workers' compensation industry8+ years with Ametros, currently in her ninth yearLeads the largest professional administration company in the workers' comp space, serving both workers' comp and liability casesSince the recording of this episode, Ametros has expanded Medicare Advantage Plan support and is now available in all states except New York. For more information, visit info.ametros.com/medicare-consultation. Any references to savings are for informational purposes only. Savings are not guaranteed, and past performance or historical results are not indicative of future outcomes.Here are highlights of our conversation with Andrea: 1. The Settlement Cliff: When Support Suddenly StopsInjured workers spend an average of six years in the workers' comp system with full support: medical care, case managers, adjusters. Then settlement happens. Suddenly, most of that infrastructure disappears. They're left managing complex healthcare needs, settlement funds that need to last them years or a lifetime, and ongoing medical treatment entirely on their own.This is the gap Ametros fills.DC micro lesson: The industry has built systems for managing active claims. But we haven't built strong systems for managing the post-settlement phase. There's a resource cliff, and injured workers are expected to navigate it alone. Ametros stepped in to solve this problem. 2. Professional Administration Isn't Process. It's Presence.Ametros helps injured workers manage settlement funds, navigate their healthcare journey, and access the support they need after settlement. Referrals come from adjusters, Medicare Set-Aside vendors, and plaintiff attorneys who all recognize the same truth: injured workers need expert, compassionate support they can actually rely on after their claim is settled. DC micro lesson: Professional administration is about showing up for someone vulnerable and saying, "We're going to help you figure this out." It's about showing up for injured workers and helping them feel at ease and secure about their future medical care. 3. Medication Management: The Invisible Cost of Chronic ConditionsAfter settlement, injured workers face the full cost of their prescriptions for the first time. Chronic pain medications can cost thousands per month. Ametros works with injured workers to find the best alternatives, manage costs, navigate insurance, and ensure medications and care remain affordable.DC micro lesson: What happens to prescriptions after settlement is not a sidebar in the claim story. It's often the center of the story. Ametros helps injured workers think through their long-term care needs and identifies the best options. 4. Empathy Isn't Soft. It's Infrastructure.Ametros doesn't just talk about empathy; they've operationalized it. It's woven into hiring, training, and accountability. It's infrastructure. When injured workers interact with Ametros, they feel seen. That's not accidental. DC micro lesson: We need to stop treating empathy like it's a mindset hack. Start asking: How is empathy built into your processes? How do you hire for it? Coach for it? Help people build capacity for it? Until you answer these questions, you're not operationalizing empathy. You're just talking about it.5. Capacity Comes From Boundaries, Not Gritting It OutAndrea models protecting her own capacity: family time, travel (hello, Italy!), life outside work. Ametros's leadership team protects these boundaries for their teams too. You can't show up for injured workers if you're running on empty. You can't make people feel seen if you're depleted.DC micro lesson: How your team shows up for injured workers is directly connected to how you show up for your team. Capacity isn't something you demand from people. It's something you protect for them.A Final ThoughtAmetros solved a problem the industry had been overlooking: injured workers settling their cases and then disappearing into a resource void. They stepped into that gap and said, "We can do better." That's how you move an industry forward.Kudos to the team at Ametros for winning the Gold Stevie® Award for Sales & Customer Service in the Contact Center of the Year – Other Service Industries category. This recognition is well-earned by a team that puts injured workers' needs first.¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp 

What do you do as a mental health provider when a client walks into your office and flat-out refuses to be there, is silent, or is disengaged?In this episode, Michael chats with psychotherapist and Motivational Interviewing trainer Kristen Dempsey about her book, Advancing Motivational Interviewing, and how to actually navigate those cases.They get into why Motivational Interviewing works so well when a client is stuck on the fence and how these skills end up being surprisingly useful outside the clinic, too. Kristen also breaks down how MI can help to build real connection early on, why our instinct to "fix" people almost always backfires, and how to work with mandated clients without getting into a power struggle. They also touch on practical group ideas, the whole concept of "lending hope," and how using MI might just save you from burning out. Tune in for the full chat!Listen and Learn: How Motivational Interviewing (MI) helps clients uncover their own internal motivation for change Blending MI with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to meet clients where they are and navigate ambivalencePractical strategies for handling mandated and disengaged clients with the use of "comfort agreements," and offering flexible participation optionsHow practitioners can act as a "professional hoper" in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) How MI can prevent burnout and cultivate deeper curiosity, compassion, and presence in relationships Resources: Advancing Motivational Interviewing: https://www.kristindempseycounseling.com/kristins-book-advancing-motivationalKristin's Website: https://www.kristindempseycounseling.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-dempsey-ed-d-lpcc-lmft-322812a/ https://www.facebook.com/p/Kristin-L-Dempsey-LPCC-LMFT-100057356474362/https://www.instagram.com/kristin_d_author_trainer?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==&utm_source=qr MI Macrostack Collaboration: https://substack.com/@ali1850709/note/p-194642379?r=1tfnrv&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action Michael's Confidence Course https://herold.coach/course About Kristin DempseyKristin Dempsey is a psychotherapist, trainer, and counselor educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has over 30 years' experience working with individuals, youth, and families with challenging behavioral issues that impact their lives, such as substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, trauma symptoms, and unresolved grief. Kristin believes that each individual has unlimited ability to change and grow, and she enjoys exploring the complexities of complex challenges and how to approach them with compassion and curiosity. Kristin has taught many classes in the counselor education curriculum, and she is currently focused on practitioner skill development, substance use disorder treatment, and effective practices in community mental health. Kristin is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and she currently teaches motivational interviewing to behavioral health and other allied human services professionals. She is an adjunct professor at the Wright Institute's Counseling Psychology Program and lecturing faculty at San Francisco State University. Kristin is the author of The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction (New Harbinger, 2024), co-author of Advancing Motivational Interviewing: An Experiential Skills Guide for Mental Health Professionals (PESI, April 2026), and a writer for The Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Workbook (New Harbinger, May 2027).Related Episodes:135. Power of Empathy and Motivational Interviewing with Stephen Rollnick66. Helping People Change Using Motivational Interviewing With Nadine Mastroleo402. Harm Reduction for Addiction with Kristin DempseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your daughter's recruiting profile makes her more searchable than she realizes. ===========================

They say “It takes a village.” But how do you build it? For all our technology, tools, and ways to stay “connected,” many of us are feeling more isolated than ever. And that lack of connection is showing up everywhere.Florence Ann Romano believes the answer isn't doing more; it's rebuilding what we've lost.Florence Ann is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author. Her work has been featured across more than 900 national and local media outlets, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and major network affiliates.We talk about why you need a village now more than ever and why that village matters just as much at work as it does in our personal lives. Florence Ann shares why people are struggling to create meaningful connections, how loneliness quietly undermines performance and mental health, and why rebuilding community is foundational to growth.We dive into what actually makes a village work, including the six types of villagers needed for a fully functioning, supportive community. We also explore the reciprocal nature of connection: how supporting others enriches your own life, and how a true village becomes a network of mutual growth, trust, and purpose.If you're looking for a reset that centers humanity, collaboration, and belonging, this conversation is a powerful place to start.To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.Listen in for…Why both men and women are struggling to make meaningful connections. What it takes to make a village work properly.The six types of villagers needed for a functional community.Why you should bring your authentic self to work to strengthen your leadership and build a stronger work village. "If you are feeling this isolation, maybe you need to lean in to those relationships that you do have at work - that could be a place that could deepen or strengthen and feel like you're not reinventing the wheel." — Florence Ann Romano Episode References: Prentis Hemphill quoteBook: Women Holding Things by Maira KalmanThe Empathy Edge podcast: Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for YourselfShasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work FriendshipsClaude Silver: Be Yourself at Work for the Ultimate Leadership AdvantageAbout Florence Ann Romano, Speaker and Author of Build Your Own Village:Florence Ann Romano is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author, known for her ability to cultivate meaningful connections. She is passionate about helping others create their own community to be seen, heard, and understood. As an acclaimed author, Florence Ann's insights are captured in her book, Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words), which has been celebrated as a top 10 in its category. Her expertise and charismatic delivery have earned her features across over 900 national and local esteemed media outlets across the country, including SHERRI, ABC/CBS/ NBC and FOX TV affiliates, Home & Family, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She is also currently a regular expert on over 10 various national TV affiliates across the U.S.Connect with Florence Ann Romano:Website: https://florenceann.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158270886X Connect with Maria:Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/booksHire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader LinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaFacebook: Red Slice

In this debrief episode of Narcissist Apocalypse, Brandon Chadwick breaks down the patterns of abuse in Teddy's survivor story. Teddy's empathy and desire to be a dependable partner were repeatedly used to pull him into the role of rescuer. Every family conflict, financial emergency, school problem, threat of self-harm, or unexpected crisis became something Teddy was expected to fix. Brandon examines how Teddy was punished whenever he tried to set boundaries, how gaslighting caused him to doubt his instincts, and why he believed improving himself might save the relationship. The episode also explores how Teddy's identity as a caring and protective person made leaving feel like a betrayal of his values, and why learning that boundaries do not make him uncaring is such an important part of his healing. If you are in search of therapy from professionals dedicated to dealing with TRAUMA - Narcissist Apocalypse recommends REBOUND THERAPY and they can be reached at  hellorebound.com/na Click if you want to be a guest on our survivor story podcast, please send us an email at narcissistapocalypse@pm.me Click on the title to read about Coercive Control as Care: Signs & Patterns Sign up to our Domestic Violence Newsletter  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In today's episode of Talk Heathen, Richard Gilliver and Jamie the Blind Limey tackle cosmic sound waves, young earth claims, and the foundations of morality!Jason in NY believes BAO waves prove God spoke the universe into existence and defends young earth creationism. How do sound waves travel without a medium in space? Why does the Bible need science to validate it if it's divinely inspired? When scientific evidence contradicts your interpretation, do you adjust your beliefs or reject the science? Your model requires more assumptions than the naturalistic explanation.Sean in MD challenges whether morality can be objective without God, questioning how societies reach moral consensus and if genocide is objectively evil. If morality comes from God, why do believers disagree on moral issues? Empathy and social cooperation explain moral development better than divine command. When your holy book endorses slavery and genocide, how is that a better foundation than human wellbeing? Objective morality doesn't require a deity.Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/talk-heathen--3195702/support.

Anika sat down with Andrew Bolton, CEO and co-founder of Tech Rescue, to explore the massive cultural and corporate shift currently prioritizing artificial intelligence over human connection—and why it's a losing bet. Starting from a moment of intense frustration while trying to help his grandmother with technology, Andrew bootstrapped a 24/7, human-only tech support company that has defied the "chatbot era" of Silicon Valley. Andrew's journey offers a masterclass in recognizing the power of empathy in business, building culture in a service company, and why trusting the basics of customer care is the ultimate growth hack.   In This Episode   The origins of Tech Rescue: Why a simple email forward sparked a fast-growing business How the tech industry has abandoned the 14% of Americans who struggle with modern devices The psychological and physiological benefits of talking to a human over a robot Why implementing a strict "no AI, no chatbots" policy became their greatest competitive advantage Bootstrapping the company with his mother as CFO after getting rejected by traditional VCs The connection between lowering a caller's cortisol levels and boosting corporate retention rates Why the modern education system's failures present a massive threat to the U.S. workforce How Tech Rescue grew from answering calls at 2 AM to a team of 78 employees in three years The danger of monopolies and the slow creep of corporate mediocrity Why real success isn't just about billions—it's about protecting creativity, connection, and culture   Timestamps   00:00 Introduction: Solving a human problem in an AI world 01:34 The origin story: Watching an 80-year-old struggle to forward an email 04:47 How the relentless pace of tech has left 14% of the population behind 09:21 The death of customer service: Why optimization actually means abandonment 11:24 The ultimate value proposition: Choosing humans over chatbots 16:01 Walking away from Wall Street to build a business with his mom 18:51 The fundamental truth: How you treat your customers is how they treat your wallet 22:15 Building a 24/7 call center powered by psychology majors, not IT techs 24:01 The science of empathy: Lowering cortisol to reduce call times and save money 26:27 Smacking the "Palo Alto 5-year plan" and proving empathy is profitable 33:13 Why hiring for emotional intelligence is harder—and more important—than hiring for tech skills 36:31 A warning about the U.S. education system and the future of the workforce 43:25 Why becoming a billionaire in a mediocre world means absolutely nothing 48:44 Conclusion: The core mission of connecting people   Key Insights & Takeaways   Insight 1: "Optimization" Often Just Means Abandonment   For the last decade, companies have used terms like "optimization" or "streamlining" to justify firing their HR, sales, and customer service departments, replacing them with endless phone trees and chatbots. This has created a massive void in the market where customers are desperate to speak with a real human—a void that human-centric businesses can easily and profitably fill.   Insight 2: Empathy is a Quantifiable Metric   Tech Rescue hires psychology and sociology majors rather than IT professionals because teaching tech is easier than teaching empathy. According to medical studies, simply addressing a caller by their name can lower cortisol and adrenaline levels by 13%. In a call center environment, a calmer customer translates directly to a conversation that ends seven minutes sooner, vastly reducing operational costs and boosting retention.   Insight 3: The "No Chatbot" Guarantee is a Growth Strategy   While VCs and marketing agencies constantly pressure companies to adopt AI to save money, Tech Rescue found that their greatest selling point is their strict refusal to use it. In a world where consumers are fatigued by automated voices and generic AI outputs, guaranteeing a human interaction builds a level of brand trust and loyalty that algorithms cannot replicate.   Insight 4: Generational Tech Gaps Require Psychological Safety   Older generations aren't just confused by rapidly changing tech (like Meta rearranging its settings menus multiple times a year); they are often embarrassed to ask for help. Tech Rescue provides a psychologically safe space for users to ask questions—whether it's about online banking or setting up a dating profile on Bumble—without feeling rushed or condescended to.   Insight 5: You Can Make Money by Doing Good in the World   Andrew pushes back against the modern corporate mandate of "alpha at all costs," which he argues leads to monotonous, poor-quality products and a lack of innovation. His core philosophy—often repeated as "Business 101"—is that if you solve a genuine problem and treat people with respect, the financial success will naturally follow. Monopolies prevent competition, but incredible customer service shatters monopolies.   Resources & Links Mentioned Tech Rescue   About Andrew Bolton   Andrew Bolton is the CEO and co-founder of Tech Rescue, a 24/7 human-powered tech support company. A Harvard-trained strategist with Wall Street roots, Andrew walked away from traditional corporate America to build a business centered entirely around empathy, trust, and connection. He co-founded the company alongside his mother after witnessing firsthand how the modern tech industry disregards the elderly and the less tech-savvy. Today, he manages a growing team of 78 employees out of a call center in Colorado, proving that human connection is the ultimate competitive advantage.   Connect with Andrew Bolton Website: https://techrescue.io/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Patrick Bet-David and the Home Team react after a known Islamist extremist allegedly attacked Berlin Pride, killing one and injuring 29 after receiving a suspended sentence and skipping deradicalization sessions. Did Germany's lenient justice system ignore warnings, and is Europe waking up too late?

Jason Whitlock confronts the hidden price of career greatness after the tragedy involving Eric Bieniemy's family and Ryan Clark's tearful confession about losing his ESPN job. In this raw, personal Harmony monologue, Jason admits how chasing fame as a sports writer — Oprah, the Scripps Howard Award, Fox Sports, ESPN — left him empty and haunted by the family he never built. Through the redemption stories of Josh and Dante, he asks the question from Mark 8:36: what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul? ➢ Show Outline 00:00 - Eric Bieniemy's Family Tragedy and the Cost of Ambition 02:12 - Ryan Clark's Confession: What He Sacrificed for Career 04:16 - Jason's Own Journey Chasing Worldly Success 06:20 - The Greatest Satisfaction: Mentoring Josh and Dante 08:34 - Regret, Family, and the Message That It's Never Too Late 09:48 - Empathy vs. Accountability: Adam and the Men's Standard 11:32 - Drive, Priorities, and Results at Different Life Stages 15:13 - Constraints: Putting Family in the Driver's Seat 17:13 - Ecclesiastes and the Danger of Public Success, Private Failure 21:17 - The Racial Spin: Career Success for the Community 25:42 - Impact Without Public Credit: The Silent Majority 29:17 - The Parable of the Sower and Sowing Seeds of Purpose ➢ Follow Our GUESTS https://www.youtube.com/@DreAllDay https://www.youtube.com/@AnthonyWalker1 https://x.com/VirgilWalker ➢ Subscribe to Jason's other channel https://www.youtube.com/JasonWhitlock?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.youtube.com/@JasonWhitlockHarmony?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.youtube.com/@JasonWhitlockBYOG?sub_confirmation=1 https://www.youtube.com/@JasonWhitlockClips?sub_confirmation=1 ➢ Connect with Jason on Social Media:  https://x.com/JasonWhitlock  https://www.instagram.com/realjasonwhitlock/ https://www.facebook.com/jasonwhitlock ➢ Send Jason an Email FearlessBlazeShow@gmail.com ➢ Support The Blaze Visit https://TheBlaze.com. Explore the all-new ad-free experience and see for yourself how we're standing up against suppression and prioritizing independent journalism. Support Conservative Voices! Subscribe to BlazeTV at https://www.fearlessmission.com and get $20 off your yearly subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices