Podcasts about Evolve

What if the natural world is already speaking to us—through trees, land, and sacred places—if we only learn how to listen?In this episode of Room to Evolve, Jessica Goulding speaks with spiritual director Nancy Herlin about sacred places, eco-spirituality, and the quiet wisdom that emerges when we slow down and pay attention.Nancy shares the story of how Five Oak Ranch became a retreat space dedicated to listening, contemplation, and connection with the natural world.Nancy Herlin is a spiritual director certified through the Stillpoint Center for Christian Spirituality, where she also serves on faculty. She works with individuals and groups in both spiritual direction and eco-spiritual direction.She is also a Veriditas-certified Labyrinth Facilitator and a commissioned Centering Prayer presenter through Contemplative Outreach.Nancy is most alive when she can hold holy space for others to listen for God's voice in their lives—and when she spends time with her six grandchildren, who remind her of her Essence.Learn more:fiveoakranch.comListen to Jessica and Nancy discuss Centering Prayer:Contemplative Prayer and Spaciousness for PeaceVisit and Subsribe to Room to Evolve:roomtoevolve.com

Most experts are sitting on a powerful asset… and don't even realise it. It's not another social media strategy or a better funnel. It's the intellectual property already inside your business. In this episode, I'm joined by Maeve Ferguson, who works with high-level thought leaders, bestselling authors and experts to turn their ideas and frameworks into lead-generating client engines that work whether they're on stage, online… or completely offline. If you've ever felt like you're constantly “on” just to generate leads — this conversation will change how you think about building your business. Episode Description What if your expertise could generate leads and clients even when you're not actively selling? Many experts rely on constant content creation, social media posting, or launches to grow their business. But according to Maeve Ferguson, the real shift happens when you turn your expertise into infrastructure — a system that consistently attracts and converts the right clients. In this episode of Your Truth Shared, we explore how to transform your knowledge, frameworks, and experience into a client engine that fuels sustainable growth. Maeve shares how thought leaders build systems that qualify leads, position their expertise, and route the right people to the right offers — without relying on endless marketing activity. You'll learn why the hardest stage of business is the journey to six figures, how intellectual property becomes a powerful strategic asset, and why attracting the right clients is far more important than attracting more people. If you're ready to move from busy marketing to strategic growth, this episode is essential listening. What You'll Learn in This Episode By listening, you'll discover: • How to identify the hidden intellectual property already inside your business • Why most experts struggle with growth even when they're working hard • The difference between real intellectual property and “fake frameworks” • How to turn your expertise into a client-generating engine • The role of diagnostic tools and assessments in qualifying the right clients • Why the journey from zero to six figures is the hardest stage of business • How to attract higher-level clients through “rich niche” positioning • Why successful entrepreneurs must continually evolve their frameworks Episode Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: Why Building a Client Engine Changes Everything Finola introduces the concept of building a scalable business engine and welcomes thought leadership strategist Maeve Ferguson. 01:00 — What Real Intellectual Property Looks Like in a Business Maeve explains the difference between true intellectual property, hidden IP, and the “fake frameworks” flooding the internet. 04:30 — How Experts Can Identify the IP Already Inside Their Business A practical framework for extracting your expertise and turning it into a structured methodology. 07:10 — Why Frameworks Need to Evolve in the Age of AI How constant testing and iteration keeps intellectual property relevant and valuable. 11:00 — Standing Out in a Crowded Market: Becoming a Category of One How experts position themselves uniquely in even the most competitive industries. 17:50 — Building a Client Engine That Generates Leads Automatically Maeve explains the systems that bring in qualified clients even when you're not actively promoting. 20:45 — The Three Types of Diagnostic Funnels for Experts Quiz funnels, score-based diagnostics, and enterprise-level assessments explained. 24:10 — How Diagnostics Turn Leads into the Right Clients Using personalised insights to route people to the most relevant offer. 27:00 — Why the Journey to Six Figures Is the Hardest Stage of Business Maeve shares why this stage is challenging and what changes once your systems are dialled in. 30:40 — The Importance of Traffic: Why Funnels Alone Don't Work Why even the best infrastructure fails without a strong traffic strategy. 32:20 — Rich Niche Positioning: Attracting Higher-Level Clients How speaking to “successful people problems” transforms the quality of clients you attract. 36:00 — Final Advice: Focus on the Right Customers, Not Just More Customers Guest Links Learn more about Maeve Ferguson: https://www.maeveferguson.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure you subscribe to Your Truth Shared. Because the more intentional you want to be about building your business, the more important these conversations become. We're here to help you think differently, grow deliberately, and build a business that supports the life you actually want. So hit subscribe now, and I'll see you in the next episode.

Send a textThe mindset that keeps people powerless. In today's episode, we talk about the quiet narrative many people carry that convinces them the world is working against them. Over time, that belief begins shaping how you speak, how you act, and what you believe is possible for your life.We share a perspective on how that story forms, why it feels so convincing, and what begins to shift when someone finally questions it. Sometimes the biggest change starts with one uncomfortable realization. Press play and see if you recognize the story. And if it happens to be yours, good news. Every plot twist still needs an author.Here are the related episodes, each one builds on today's conversation:#226 | Effective Tools for Dealing with Challenges - https://apple.co/4aTSvp5 #448 | What REAL Validation Looks Like - https://apple.co/4hECPHQLearn more about:

There may come a point in your coaching business where on paper, everything is going pretty well. You have clients. You're getting results. Your niche “makes sense.” And yet… Something feels off. In this episode, I'm talking about what it really means when you start to feel like you've outgrown your coaching niche — and how to evolve without blowing up your website, scrapping your SEO, or having a full identity crisis. Because here's the truth: Outgrowing a niche isn't failure. It's often growth. I walk you through: The subtle signs you're feeling misaligned (resentment, depletion, creative boredom) Why niching is about clarity — not a life sentence How I personally test new ideas and programs without rebranding everything The difference between being pushed by frustration and pulled by expansion Why you're absolutely allowed to have more than one niche And how your coaching identity — not your niche — is the real anchor in your business I also share how this evolution has shown up in my own work over the years — from burnout coaching to alcohol work, to life transitions, to business coaching — and how I've allowed multiple niches to coexist under one consistent brand and philosophy. And if you're feeling the pull toward a new niche but questioning whether you have the skill set or confidence to support a broader range of clients, this is exactly why I created the Confident Coaching Skills Intensive (CCSI). The CCSI is designed to deepen your coaching confidence so you're not limited by one narrow topic. It helps you expand your range, coach more flexibly, and trust yourself in new territory — so when you feel that evolution happening, you can move toward it intelligently instead of reactively. Enrolment is closing soon, and it's a small, intimate room. If this episode resonates, that might be your sign. Bottom line? You don't need to burn your business down because you're bored. But you also don't need to ignore the boredom. It might be the beginning of your next great coaching offer. Episode Resources:

In this episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros explore a hard truth about personal growth. You cannot change what you refuse to admit. Drawing from their own experiences building businesses, coaching clients, and producing thousands of episodes, they explain why the ego often protects comfort instead of truth. They unpack how denial and distorted self-perception quietly slow progress, while honest self-awareness becomes the starting point for better decisions and meaningful growth.If you want stronger results in life, leadership, and personal development, the first step is seeing yourself clearly. Press play and confront the truth that can unlock your next level._______________________Learn more about:Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionTrack the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

You cannot improve what you refuse to accept. In today's episode, Kevin and Alan break down the uncomfortable starting point of real self-improvement. Everyone wants growth, confidence, and better results, but far fewer people are willing to face the honest truths that make those outcomes possible. This conversation explores why self-awareness and acceptance sit at the foundation of personal development, leadership, and long-term progress.When the ego protects comfort over truth, growth stalls. When reality becomes clear, better decisions follow. Press play and see what happens when denial quietly leaves the room._______________________Episode Reference:The Pyramid of The Self - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/16-how-build-your-best-self-from-ground-up-alan-lazaros-ya3oe/Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

when should medication be part of your child's support plan?for many parents of autistic kids, medication feels heavy. scary. final. like something you only consider when everything else has failed. but what if medication isn't a cure-all or a last resort — what if it's simply one tool in the toolkit?in this episode, Dr. Tay breaks down the nuanced role medication can play in supporting autistic children, especially when dysregulation, capacity, and mental health are limiting your child's ability to access therapy, accommodations, or even their own joy.this isn't about quick fixes. it's about expanding capacity. in this episode, you'll hear:00:00 introduction to medication support for autistic children00:27 common misconceptions about medication00:56 benefits and considerations for medication use01:23 medication alongside therapeutic approaches02:16 research insights on medication and behavioral support03:08 using medication for anxiety and emotional dysregulation03:33 recognizing when medication might be needed04:03 indicators of nervous system dysregulation in therapy05:06 medication as a tool06:14 understanding stimulant medications (e.g., adderall, ritalin)06:43 the “capacity cup” metaphor07:38 teaching internal regulation alongside medication09:28 anxiety management and exposure-based therapies10:39 environmental stressors and medication's role12:29 medication optimization and careful dosing13:20 addressing fears about personality loss and side effects14:42 weighing risks and benefits to improve quality of life15:31 advocacy tips for working with prescribing providers16:42 invitation to medication consideration masterclass17:11 closing remarksresources⚡️ episodes referenced include 94 and 139 with Dr. Arielle Rubin and 177 with Dr. Stacy Greeter⚡️ medication consideration masterclass (inside EVOLVE the membership):join here >> https://drtaylorday.com/membership⚡️ learn more about Dr. Tay's Whole Family Approach + clinical services:https://drtaylorday.com

Imagine a group of ancient humans, crafting stone tools at the dawn of humankind. What did these creatures look like? To find out, we can stare at the skulls in museums or glance at reconstructions made by paleo-artists. Not a bad start. But what if we move the lens and zoom into their surroundings? What was the scientific “Garden of Eden” like? Was it a lush forest, a dry savanna, or an icy cave? And what can the answer tell us about human nature more broadly?Denise Su is a world-leading expert on these questions. A paleoecologist at Arizona State University's Institute of Human Origins, she uses ever-more imaginative ways to get a glimpse into the nature and the weather that set the stage for the human story.In this episode, we focus on two kinds of “changes” in the ecology of human evolution: both the actual climate change that drummed the beat of human origins, and the theoretical changes in the views of scientists thinking about these topics. Indeed, this episode digs deep into one of the hotly contested questions about the reasons why humans evolved: "the savanna hypothesis".According to the savanna hypothesis, our naked, upright species evolved because African forests were shrinking and dry savannas emerged instead. Other apes stayed in the shrinking forests, but our brave ancestors took the shot, conquering the vast flatlands. As they did so, they started standing upright to better walk on the savanna and lost their fur, to sweat away the heat of the scorching sun. I have told versions of this story on the show, and so have many senior guests. Yet even a brief Google search will give you plenty of critics telling that the savanna hypothesis is nothing but a convenient myth.⁠ Articles by Denise Su⁠ are often included in the evidence. So what's going on? Listen to the episode to find out! TIMELINE Last common ancestor with humans and chimpanzees: 6–7 million years ago Ardipithecus ramidus: 4.5–4.2 million years ago Australopithecus anamnesis: 4.2–3.8 million years ago Austrolopithecus afarensis (e.g. Lucy): 3.9–2.9 million years ago Australopithecus deyiremeda: 3.5–3.3 million years ago Earliest Homo: about 2.8 million years ago Homo erectus: 1.9 million–112,000 years ago Homo sapiens: 300,000 years ago till present FACT-CHECKINGNo factual errors have been detected so far. However, timing estimates and species names are still debated. Furthermore, the “hours” in the metaphorical clock can shift a fair amount based on the “midnight”: our last common ancestor with chimpanzees lived 6 to 7 million years ago, with some estimates pushing the date as far as 8 million. In the episode, our clock is tuned to 6 million years ago. If you see an error, you can get in touch using the form below.LINKSSupport: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/OnHumans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Articles & newsletter: OnHumans/Substack.comGet in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/h5wcmefuwvD6asos8⁠⁠⁠⁠KEY WORDSanthropology | archaeology | paleontology | human origins | human behavioural ecology | savanna hypothesis | paleolithic | paleoecology | hominid fossils | carbon isotopes C3/C4 | human evolution | human biology | climate change | human futures

Why do people stop chasing their dreams even when they once believed in them?In this episode, Kevin and Alan explore the real reason most people quit long before success arrives. It is rarely about effort. Belief fades. Expectations collide with reality. Uncertainty begins to outweigh the goal. Through years of entrepreneurship, coaching, and thousands of podcast episodes, they have watched the same pattern repeat. The people who keep going approach belief differently. They understand the uncomfortable space between starting and succeeding.Press play and confront the moment most people turn back._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionWhere learning turns into action. Join “Next Level Book Club”  every Saturday:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Three Latin-American food brands saw the opportunity to go further, faster, together – so they took it. Stefanie Garcia Turner of Tuyyo, Jocelyn Ramirez of Todo Verde, and Regina Trillo of Nemi share how they met, why they decided to merge their businesses and brands, and what their vision is for the new brand, unified under Tuyyo. The three woman-and-minoroty-owned brands share a mission of amplifying their Latin-American food culture through authentic and innovative latin foods, representation food culture, and community impact . Learn how this strategic merger will allows each leader to lean into their strengths, and how collaboration aligned on shared values can accelerate growth in the challenger food brand space.Takeaways:The origins and individual missions of Jocelyn of Todo Verde, Regina of Nemi Snacks, and Stephanie of Tuyyo FoodsThe strategic process behind their merger—personality tests, role division, and cultural alignmentHow they'll leverage their merger to reduce costs, expand categories, and innovate fasterTransition strategies for branding, retail placement, and consumer education across their unified brand Tuyyo FoodsSupply chain synergies and efforts to lower COGS by 35% or more through manufacturing and sourcing efficienciesThe broader vision: promoting Latin American flavors regionally and globally while supporting farmers and sustainabilityChallenges faced—costs of rebranding, education hurdles around regional products, and maintaining brand integrityThe importance of shared values, culture fit, and a growth mindset for successful mergersRecommendations for founders considering collaboration and merger as a growth pathwayBook and resource recommendations around exponential thinking, sensory storytelling, and personal spiritualityThoughts on building a healthier food system rooted in equity, community, and transparent ingredient sourcingSound Bites:“We can create something that is even bigger, that is even more impactful, that really is going to make a dent in the food industry.” (Stefanie)“We went from, I'm holding this, this is my baby, to really egoless, like this isn't about me, this is about a brand.” (Jocelyn)“We all knew each other relatively well before the merger. Stephanie is better at this than I am, Regina is better at this than I am, you know, so there was already a sense of like, if we came together, we could split the work in that way.” (Jocelyn)“We are planning on bringing everything under the one Tuyyo brand.” (Stefanie)“We're moving towards standardizing our supply chain operations. It's been a constant conversation and communication with suppliers, both in the US and in Mexico to see what's going to be the best way to do it.“ (Regina)“As of right now, [cost of goods optimization has] been at least 35%, which is it's been a big amount. And based on some information that we have, it's probably going to be higher than that.” (Regina)“I think that it's really gonna be about putting our community first and building a brand that not only can we be proud of, but that is a reflection of our heritage.” (Stefanie)“It took me six years to figure out that I didn't want to continue doing it alone.” (Regina)“[A better world is one] with more representation of the reality of how the community and how that should be represented on shelf as well. Ideally with products that are actually better for us, that are made with real ingredients, that are also supporting the farmers that are producing those ingredients.” (Regina)“[A better world is one with] a food system that is actually catered to the betterment of people in their everyday lives. It would just solve so many issues. And with all of the problems that we have between preventable diseases and healthcare systems that don't work for the people, it goes beyond justice for the farmer, but justice for everybody in the food chain.” (Stefanie)“I think that that in an ideal world there are policies put in place that are protecting people [by regulating] what is allowed and what isn't allowed in our food system. And products, especially those we give to children, that allow us to really reshape our palates and create shortcuts for cooking without taking the cooking part away because that's an basic survival life skill that most people should have and it empowers people to like know what's in their food, and how to nourish their families.” (Jocelyn)Links:Stefanie Garcia Turner on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-garcia-turner/Jocelyn Ramirez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyncramirez77/Regina Trillo on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-trillo-a5055711/Tuyyo - https://tuyyofoods.com/Tuyyo on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tuyyofoods/Tuyyo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tuyyofoods/Tuyyo on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/tuyyofoods/Tuyyo on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tuyyofoodsTuyyo on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4b_-VIdL7Yl7UQb91y5Vow…Tuyyo Wefunder - Coming soon……Todo Verde (website will go away soon) - https://todoverde.org/Nemi (website will go away soon) - https://neminative.com/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioTimestamps: 0:00 - Introduction of guests and their brands2:11 - The idea of merging to amplify Latin American food culture3:14 - The role of Jocelyn as a connector4:14 - Initial conversations and alignment of goals5:09 - Personality tests and understanding team dynamics6:18 - Personal insights and alignment of values7:19 - Confirmation of shared vision and responsibilities8:36 - Expanding vision and impact9:23 - Egoless collaboration and shared goals10:16 - Overcoming personal challenges in the merger process11:33 - Open communication and external support12:47 - Technical adjustments during recording13:00 - Introduction and alignment of values and vision13:29 - Discussion on dividing responsibilities among the founders13:49 - Initial retreat and mission alignment14:19 - Specific roles and responsibilities based on skills15:16 - Transitioning responsibilities before the merger15:57 - The natural fit of the founders' skills16:18 - Pre-existing relationships and collaboration17:27 - Importance of enjoying the process and having fun19:20 - Branding and unifying product lines under Tuyo Foods20:11 - Transition phase and retail placement21:11 - Marketing strategies and community engagement22:34 - Plans for easing the transition on retail shelves23:28 - Supply chain synergies and manufacturing efficiencies25:12 - Cost reduction strategies and shared resources26:54 - New shared vision and broader goals27:39 - Community focus and brand representation29:28 - Expanding Latin American food representation31:01 - Becoming a go-to platform for Latin foods33:07 - Benefits and opportunities unlocked by the merger36:30 - Challenges and unresolved issues37:37 - Fundraising and rebranding costs38:20 - Advice for other founders considering mergers41:58 - Future of the industry and collaboration45:26 - Fun questions about favorite Latin American foods53:51 - Book recommendations and personal insights60:10 - Influential voices and brands to watch65:17 - Vision of a more representative, equitable, and sustainable food system71:13 - Upcoming plans and ways to connect with Tuyo FoodsFor more insights on food innovation, community building, and scaling purpose-driven brands, subscribe and stay tuned for future episodes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TRANSCRIPT Robertson: [00:00:00] Gissele: Hello and welcome to the Love and Compassion podcast with Gissele. We believe that love and compassion have the power to heal our lives and our world. Gissele: Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more amazing content. And if you’d like to support the podcast, please go to buy me a coffee.com/love and compassion. Today we’re talking about how to become a more compassionate civilization in light of the world’s most recent events. Robertson Work is a nonfiction author, social ecological activist, and former UNDP policy advisor on decentralized government, NYU Wagner, graduate School of Public Service, professor of Innovative Leadership and Institute of Cultural Affairs, country Director, conducting community organizational and leadership initiatives. Gissele: He has worked in over 50 countries for over 50 years and is founder of the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative. He has five published books and has [00:01:00] contributed to another 13. His most well-known book is a Compassionate Civilization. Every week he publishes an essay on Compassionate Conversations on Substack. Gissele: Please join me in welcoming Robertson work. Hi Robertson. Robertson: Hi Giselle. How are you? Gissele: I’m good. How about yourself? Robertson: I’m good, thank you. I here in the Southern United States. I’m glad you’re in wonderful Canada. Robertson: great admiration for your country. Gissele: Ah, thank you. Thank you. Gissele: I wanted to talk about your book. I got a copy of it and it was written in 2017, but as I was reading it, I really found myself listening to things that were almost prophetic that seemed to be happening right now. What compelled you to write Compassionate Civilizations at this moment in history. Robertson: Yes. Thank You you so much, and thank you for inviting me to talk with you today. Robertson: And I wanna say I’m so touched by the wonderful work of the Matri Center for Love [00:02:00] and Compassion. I have enjoyed looking at your website and listening to your podcast and hearing Pema Chodron speak about self-love. If it’s okay, I’d like to start with a few moments of mindful breathing Gissele: Yes, definitely. Robertson: okay. I invite everyone to become aware of your breathing, being aware of breathing in and breathing out. Breathing in the here and in the now. Breathing in love. Breathing in gratitude. I have arrived. I am home. I’m solid. I am free breathing in, breathing out here now. Robertson: Love [00:03:00] gratitude. Arrived home solid free. Okay. And to your question, after working in local communities and organizations around the world with the Institute of Cultural Affairs and doing program and policy work with UNDP and teaching grad school at NYU Wagner, I felt called to articulate a motivating vision for how to embody and catalyze a compassionate civilization. Robertson: So each of us can embody, even now, even here, we can embody and catalyze a compassionate civilization in this very present moment. We don’t have to wait, you know, 50 years, a hundred years, a thousand years. we can embody it in the here and the now. So I was increasingly aware of climate change, climate disasters, [00:04:00] the rise of oligarchic, fascism, and of course the UN’s sustainable development goals. Robertson: I also had been studying the engaged Buddhism of Thich Nhat Hahn for many years, and practicing mindfulness and compassionate action. As you know, compassion is action focused on relieving suffering in individual mindsets and behaviors, and collective cultures and systems. The word that com it means with, and compassion means suffering. Robertson: So compassion is to be with suffering and to relieve suffering in oneself and with others. So, I gave talks about a compassionate civilization in my NYU Wagner grad classes and in speeches in different countries. Then in 2013, I started a blog called The Compassionate Civilization. So in 2017, there was a [00:05:00] new US president who concerned me deeply and who’s now president again. Robertson: So a Compassionate Civilization was published in July of that year, as you mentioned, 2017. The book outlines our time of crisis and provides a vision, strategies and tactics of embodying and catalyzing a compassionate civilization, person by person, community by community. Moment by moment it it includes the movement of movements, mom that will do that. Robertson: Innovative leadership methods, global local citizen, and practices of care of self and others as mindful activists. So there’s a lot in it. Yeah. The Six strategies or arenas of transformation are environmental sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory governance, cultural tolerance and peace, and non-violence, socio. Robertson: So since then [00:06:00] I’ve been promoting the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative, as you mentioned, to support a movement of movements. The mom, Gissele: thank you for that. I really appreciated that. And I really enjoyed the book as well. It’s so funny that, the majority of people see a world that doesn’t work and they want things to change, but they don’t do something necessarily to change it. When did compassion shift from a private virtue to a public mission for you? Robertson: Great question. Thank you. I think it began the private part began very early in my Christian upbringing. I was raised by loving parents to love others. You know, love of neighbor is the heart of Christianity. And understand that love is the ultimate reality. You know, that you know, as we say in Christianity, God is love. Robertson: So then when I went off to college at Oklahoma State University, I found myself being a campus activist. So I shifted to activism for civil rights. We were [00:07:00] demonstrating for women’s rights and for peace in Vietnam. As you know, the Vietnam War was raging. And after that, I attended Theological Seminary at Chicago Theological Seminary, but. Robertson: My calling happened when I was still in college, and it was in a weekend course, just a one weekend in Chicago. Some of us drove up and attended a course at, with the ecumenical Institute in the African-American ghetto in Chicago. And my whole life was changed in one weekend. I mean, I woke up that I could make a difference and I could help create a world that cared from everyone, you know? Robertson: And here I was. I was what? I was a junior in college. So then after that, I worked after college and grad school. I worked in that African American ghetto in Chicago with the Ecumenical Institute. And then in Malaysia, I was asked to go to Malaysia and my wife and I did [00:08:00] that, Robertson: And then. We were asked to work in South Korea, which we did. And then the work shifted from a religious to secular is we now call our work the Institute of Cultural Affairs. And from there we worked in Jamaica and then in Venezuela, and then back in the US in a little community in Oklahoma Robertson: And then I also worked in poor slums and villages. So then with the UNDP. I worked in around the world giving policy advice and starting projects and programs on decentralized governance to help countries decentralize from this capital to the provinces and the cities and towns and villages to decentralize decision making. Robertson: Then my engaged Buddhist studies particularly with Han and his teachers and practice awakened me to a calling to save all sentient beings. what [00:09:00] an outrageous calling, how can one person vow to save all sentient beings? But that’s what we do in that tradition of the being a BofA. Robertson: So through mindfulness and compassionate actions. So then I continue my journey by teaching at NYU Wagner with grad students from around the world. I love that so much. Then to the present as a consultant, speaker, author, and activist locally, nationally, and globally. So Gissele has been quite a journey, and here we are in this moment together, in this wild, crazy world. Gissele: Yeah, for sure, One of the things that I really loved about your book that you emphasize that we need to have a vision for the world that we wanna create. If we don’t have a vision, then we can’t create it, right? many of us are, focusing on anti, anti-oppressive, anti crime, anti this, anti that. Gissele: But we’re not really focusing on what sort of world do we wanna create? and I’ve had conversations with so many people, and when I ask the question, if people truly [00:10:00] believe. The human beings could be like loving and compassionate, and we could create a world that would be loving and compassionate for all many people say no. Gissele: And so I was wondering, like, did you always believe that civilization could be compassionate or did you grow into that conviction? Robertson: Great question. I definitely grew into it. Yeah. even as a child, I was awakened, you know, by the plight of African Americans in my country, in our little town in Oklahoma. Robertson: So I kind of began waking up. But I wasn’t sure, how much I or we could do about it. So I really grew into that conviction through my journey around the world working in over in 55 countries, it’s interesting the number of people your podcast goes to serving people and the planet. Robertson: So. Everywhere I worked Gissele, I was touched by the local people, that people care for each other, you know, in the slums and squatter settlements, in villages, in cities, the, the rich and the [00:11:00] poor. everywhere I went regardless of the culture, the language, the races, the issues the, the local people were caring. Robertson: So my understanding is that compassion is an action. It’s not just a feeling or a thought. It’s an action to relieve suffering in oneself and in others. but suffering is never entirely eliminated. You know, in Buddhism, the first noble truth is there is suffering, and it continues, but it can be relieved as best we can with through practices, through projects, through programs, and through policies. Robertson: So what has helped me is to see, again, a deep teaching in Buddhism that each person is influenced by negative emotions of greed, fear, hatred, and ignorance. And yet we can practice with these and to become aware of them and just, and to let them go, you know, and to practice evolving into loving kindness as [00:12:00] you, as you do in in your wonderful center. Robertson: Teaching more loving, kindness, trust and understanding. We can embrace inner being that we’re all part of everything. We’re all part of each other. You know, we’re part of the living earth. We’re part of humanity. I am part of you, you are part of me. And impermanence, you know, that there is no separate permanent self. Robertson: Everything comes and goes, and yet the mystery is there’s no birth and death. ’cause you and I. we’re part of, this journey for 13.8 billion years of the universe, and yet we can, in each moment, we can take an action that relieves our own suffering and in others. So, as you said, a vision is so, so important. Robertson: I’m so glad you touched on that, that a vision can give us a calling to see where we can go. It can motivate us, push us, drive us to do all that we can to realize it, you know, if I have a vision for my family. To care for my family. If [00:13:00] I have a vision for my country, if I have a vision for planet Earth, that can motivate me to do all I can do to make that really happen. Robertson: So right now there are so many challenges facing humanity, climate disasters. Oh my, I’m here in Swanno where we’ve had a terrible hurricane in 2024. We’re still recovering from it. Echo side, you know, where so many species are dying of plants and animals. It’s, it’s one of the great diebacks of in evolution on earth, oligarchic, fascism. Robertson: Right now, we’re in the midst of it in my country. I can’t believe it. You know, you’re, you’re on 81. I, I thought I was, gonna die and still live in a country that believed in democracy and freedom and justice. And so now here we, I have to face what can I do about oligarchic, fascism and social and racial and gender injustice. Robertson: Other challenges, warfare. And here we are in this crazy, monstrous war [00:14:00] in the Middle East. You know, what can we do? What can I unregulated? Artificial intelligence very deeply concerns me. we’ve gotta regulate artificial intelligence so it doesn’t hurt humans and the earth. Robertson: It doesn’t just take care of itself. So, you know, it’s easy Gissele to be despairing and to give up, you know, particularly at this moment. But actually at any time in our life, we’re always tempted to say, oh, well, things will be okay, or There’s nothing I can do, you know, but neither of those is true. Robertson: There are things we can do. We can stop and breathe and continue doing what we can where we are. with what we have and who we are. We do not have to be stopped by despair or by cynicism or by hopeism. We don’t. So thank you for that question about vision. I vision still wakes me up every day and calls me forward. Robertson: I’m sure it does. You as well. Gissele: Yeah. I [00:15:00] mean, without vision, it’s like you don’t have a map to where you’re going to, right.what’s our destination if we don’t have a vision? And so this is for me, why I loved your book so much. you are helping us give a vision Gissele: I mean, the alternative is what is the alternative? there’s my next question. What happens to a society that abandons compassion? Robertson: Exactly. Well, I sort of touched on it before. it falls into ignorance and into greed. Wanting more wealth, more power. for me for my tribe and, and falls into hatred, falls into fear, falls into violence, and that’s happening now, she said. Robertson: But I love what Thich Nhat Hahn reminds us of, of is that if there is no mud, there is no lotus. And that, that means is, you know, if there is no suffering, there can be no compassion . So without suffering and ignorance, there is no compassion or wisdom, because suffering calls us to relieve it. when I see [00:16:00] my wife or children in pain, I want to help them. Robertson: or when I see others, neighbors, you know, during the pandemic, our neighbors took food and water to each other. You know, after the hurricane, neighbors brought us water. suffering calls the best from us, it can, it can also call, call other things. But again, there’s no mud. Robertson: The lotus cannot grow. So we can continue the journey step by step and breath by breath. So that’s what I’d say for now. but that’s an important question. Gissele: you said some key things including that, people have a choice. They can choose to be compassionate, or they can choose to use that fear for something else, right. Gissele: But I often hear from people, well, you know, they want institutions to change. why are the institutions more, equitable, generous, compassionate and you know, like. I don’t know if we have a vision for what compassionate institutions look like, [00:17:00] what would compassion look like at that level? Robertson: Oh, that’s where those six areas you know, the compassion would look like practicing ecological regeneration or sometimes called environmental sustainability. You know, that we we’re part of the living Earth gazelle, We’re not separate from the earth . We breathe earth air, we drink earth water. Robertson: We you know, the earth. Hurricanes come. The earth. Floods come We are earthlings. I love that word, earthlings, and so, how do we help regenerate the earth as society? And that’s why, you know, legislation aware of climate change, you know, to reduce carbon emissions. Robertson: The Paris Accord, and that’s just one example, how do we have all laws for gender equality so that women receive the same salaries as men and have the same rights. as men, we gotta have the laws, the institutions you know, and the participatory democracy, that we have a constitution. Robertson: a constitution is a vision. of what we are all about. Why are, we’re [00:18:00] together as a country, so that we can each vote and express our views and our wishes, and that government is by foreign of the people. It is. So it’s, it’s critical, you know, that we vote and get out the vote again and again and again. Robertson: And to create those laws, those institutions they care for everyone. And the socioeconomic justice. we need the laws and institutions that give full rights to people of color to people of every culture and every religion, and every gender every transgender, every human being, every living being has rights. Robertson: That’s why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is so important. I’m so grateful that it was created earlier in the last century in my country our country cannot go to war without congressional approval. Robertson: Aha. did that just not happen? Yes. But it’s in the Constitution. the law says that we must talk about it [00:19:00] first. We must send the diplomats. We must doeverything we can before we harm anyone. War is hell. there are other ways of dialogue and diplomacy. Robertson: we can do better. But again, it takes the laws and institutions. Gissele: thank you for that. I do think that we have some sort of sense in terms of what we find doesn’t work for us, right? these institutions don’t work, they’re based on separation, isolation, punishment, and we see that they don’t work. We see that, like inequality hurts everyone. Gissele: We see that all of these things that we’re doing have a negative impact, including war. And yet we don’t change. What do you think prevents societies from becoming more compassionate? Robertson: if we’re in a society that if harming people through terrible legislation and laws and policies that makes it hard for people then have to either rebel and then they can be you know, killed. Or they have to form movements peaceful movements like the [00:20:00] Civil Rights Movement in my country, you know, with Martin Luther King leading peace marches and our peaceful resistance, in Minneapolis, the peaceful resistance to ice, so what one big thing that’s, that makes people think they can’t be compassionate again, is the, larger society, you know, the institutional frameworks and legislations and laws and government practices. Robertson: But even then, as we’re seeing, you know, in Minneapolis and everywhere, and Canada is leading in so many ways, I think I, I’m so grateful for the leadership of your, your prime minister, calling the world thatwe must not let go of the international rules rules based international practices that we’ve had for the last 80 years, my whole life. Robertson: You know, we’ve had the, the UN and the international rules and now some powers want to throw those out, but no, no, we are gonna say no. we’re [00:21:00] surrounded by forces of wealth and power as we know. And however we can each do what we can to care for those near hand, far away, the least the last, and the last for ourselves, moment by moment. Robertson: Breath, breath by breath. And sometimes we, the people can change history and the powerful can choose compassion. And, we’ve changed history many times. We’ve created democracy. We, the people who have created civil right. Universal education and healthcare of the UN and much more. Robertson: you touched a moment ago on the pillars of a compassionate civilization. You know, there are 17 UN sustainable development goals, as you know, but I decided 17 was a big number, so I thought, why don’t we just have six? That’s why my book, it has six arenas of transformation for ease of memory and work. Robertson: and they are environmental sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory governance, cultural tolerance, peace and nonviolence. So modern [00:22:00] societies can be prevented from being compassionate also by Negative emotions as we were talking about, of ignorance, greed, hatred, and violence. Robertson: Greed thinking, I need more wealth. I’m a billionaire, but I need another billion. You know, I’m the richest billionaire in the world, but I wanna buy the US government hatred, violence. So these all for me, all back into the Buddhist wisdom of the belief that I’m a separate self. Robertson: Therefore, all that’s important is my ego. Hell no, that’s wrong. You know, my ego is not separate. When I die, my ego’s gone. You know, all that’s gonna be left when I die, or my words and my actions, my actions will continue forever. my words will continue forever. May I, ego? No. So the, if I believe my ego is all there is, and I can be greedy and hateful and fearful and violent, but ego, unlimited pleasure and narcissism, fear of the other, ignorance of cause and effect, these don’t have to drive us. So [00:23:00] structures and policies based on negative emotions and the delusion of a separate self and harm for the earth. We don’t have to live that way. We don’t have to believe propaganda and misinformation and ignorance, and we can provide the education needed and the experience. Robertson: We don’t have to accept wealth hoarding. You know, why do we have billionaires? Why isn’t $999 million enough? Why doesn’t that go to care for everyone and to care for the earth? So again, we have to let go of wealth hoarding of power hoarding. Robertson: we don’t need all that wealth. We don’t need all that power. We can, we can care for each other. We can care for the earth. Gissele: There, there are so many amazing things that you said. I wanted to touch on two the first one is that I was having a conversation with an indigenous elder, and he said to me, you know, that greed is just a fear of lack, right? Gissele: And it really stopped me in my tracks because, when we see people hoarding stuff in their [00:24:00] house, we think, well, that’s abnormal. And yet we glorify the hoarding of wealth. But it isn’t any different than any sort of other mental health issue in terms of hoarding. And so that really got me to think about the role of fear. Gissele: And, if somebody’s trying to hoard money, it’s not getting to the root of the problem, issue. It’s never gonna be enough because they’re just throwing it into an empty hole. It’s a a billion Jillian, it’s never gonna be enough because it’s never truly addressing the problem. Gissele: But one of the things that you said as we were chatting is, that the wealthy, the elite, they can choose compassion, they can always choose it, which is an amazing insight. And yet I wonder, you know, in terms of people’s perspectives of compassion and power, do you think that the two go hand in hand or can they go hand in hand? Gissele: Because I think there might be some worries around, well, if I’m more compassionate, then I’m gonna be, taken advantage of, I’m gonna be, a mat. what is your [00:25:00] perspective? Robertson: Oh, I agree with everything you said and your question is so, so important. Thank you so much. Robertson: there are billionaires and then there are billionaires like Warren Buffet. Look, he’s given. Tens of billions of dollars away, hundreds of billions of dollars away, and other billionaires have done that. And then there are the billionaires, who think 350 billion isn’t enough. Robertson: You know, I need more. Well, that’s crazy. That is sick. That is sad that, that is a disease. And we have to help those people. I feel compassion for billionaires who think they need another 10 billion or another a hundred billion, or they need five more a hundred million dollars yachts, or they need another 15 $200 million houses around the world and that that is very sad. Robertson: And that they’re really suffering. They’re confused. Yeah. They forget what it means to be human. They’ve forgotten what it needs to be. An earthling that we’re just here for a moment. Gissele: Agree. Robertson: We’re just here for a moment, for a [00:26:00] breath, and we’re gone. Breathe in, we’re here, breathe out, we’re gone. And so we can stop. Robertson: We can become aware of that fear, as you said. We can take good care of that fear. I love the way Thich Nhat Hahn says. He says, hello, fear, welcome back. I’m gonna take good care of you. Fear. I’m gonna watch you take care of you. You’re gonna Evolve. ’cause everything is impermanent. Everything changes. So fear will change. Robertson: Fear can change. Fear always changes It evolves into Another emotion, another feeling, So let it go. Let it go. In the truth of impermanence. ’cause everything is impermanent. Fear is impermanent. So we also can remember the truth of inter being that I am part of what I fear, I am part of. Robertson: This current federal administration. You know, I’m part of the wealthy elite, and it is part of me. I fear of the US administration right now, but it is part of [00:27:00] me and I’m part of it. I fear climate change, but it is part of me. I’m part of it. I fear artificial intelligence , unregulated. I fear old age, but boys, I’m 81 and a half, it’s here. Robertson: So I’m gonna take care of it. I’m gonna say, Hey, old man, I’m gonna take care of you. And they’re all me. There’s no separation. I love Thich Nhat Hahn’s word. We enter are, we enter are now, how can I stop, become aware of fear, breathe in and out, and know the truth of inter being and impermanence and accept it. Robertson: Care for it. get out to vote, care for the self, write , speak, do what I can to care for what I can. My family, my neighbors, my city, my county, my country, my world. And everything changes. Everything passes away. Everything comes in and out of [00:28:00] being, what happened to the Roman Empire? Gissele: Mm, Robertson: what’s happening to the American Empire. Everything comes in and goes out like a breath, breathing in and breathing out. And then everything transforms into what is next? What is next? what is China going to bring? Ah, there is so much that we don’t know, Robertson: I love Thich Nhat Hahn’s teaching that. when we become aware of a negative emotion, we should Stop, breathe, smile. And then say, oh, welcome. Fear. Welcome back. Okay, I’m gonna take care of you. Okay, we’re in this together. Robertson: And then you just, you keep breathing in awareness and gratitude and things change. Your grandkid calls you, your baby calls you, your dog, your cat. You see the clouds, you see the earth, the sun. You see a star. You realize you’re an [00:29:00] animal. You know the word animal means breath. Robertson: We are animals. ’cause we breathe. We’re all breathing. So I love that. You know it. I love to say I am an animal. ’cause I, you know, we, human beings are often not, we’re not animals. We’re superior To animals, you know? Right. we are animals, that’s why we love our dogs and cats and we can love our, the purposes and the elephants and the tigers and the mountain lions and, and the cockroaches and the chickpeas and the cardinals we are all animals. Robertson: We’re all breathing. So I love that. Gissele: Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that was so beautiful. I felt that also, I really appreciated the practice too. In this time when we, like so many us are, are feeling so much fear and so much uncertainty and not knowing how things are gonna pan out, to just take a moment to breathe and reconnect to our true selves, I think is so, so fundamental. Gissele: And I hope that listeners are also doing it with us. you know, as I have [00:30:00] conversations with people around the world we talk a lot about, the way that the systems are set up, the institutions. Gissele: And it took a lot of hard work for me to realize that we are the institutions, just like you said, so the institutions are made up of people. And I was so glad to see that in your book, that you clearly say, you know, like it’s about people. It’s about us. It’s like we make up these institutions, you know? Gissele: And when I’ve looked at myself, I’ve asked myself, who do I wanna be? What do I really, truly wanna embody? And my greatest wish for this lifetime is to embody the highest level of love and to truly get to the point where I love people like brothers and sisters, that I care for them and that we care for one another. Gissele: And yet, there are times when I wanna act from that place, but the fear comes up, the not wanting or not trusting or believing when the fear comes up, how can compassion really help us change ourselves so that we can create a [00:31:00] different world? Robertson: What you said is so beautiful, and your question is so powerful. Thank you. Yes. And I’m gonna get personal here. we can do what we can, we can take care of ourselves, we can take care of others as we can, but we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we can’t. You know? Robertson: So I, here I’m 80, I’m over 81, and I have issues with balance and walking, and I have some memory issues and some low energy issues. So I have to be kind to myself. I, so I’ve just decided that writing is my main way of caring for the world. That’s why I publish one or two essays a week on Substack, on Compassionate Conversations for 55 countries in 38 states. Robertson: And so I said, you know, I used to travel around the world all the time. Not anymore. I don’t even want like to travel around the county. Robertson: Anyway, I’m an elder , so I have to say , okay, elder, be kind to [00:32:00] yourself, but also do everything you can, write everything you can speak with Gazelle if you can. Robertson: I also have to decide who I’m gonna care for. I’ve decided I’m gonna care for my wife who just turned 70 and my two kids and my two grandkids, my daughter-in-law, my cousins and nieces and nephews, my neighbors here and North Carolina. Robertson: The vulnerable, you know, I give to nonprofits who help the hungry and the homeless to friends and to people around the world through my writings and teachings And so the other day I drove to get some some shrimp tacos for my wife and me for dinner. Robertson: And a lady came up and she had disheveled hair. And she just stood by my car and I put the window down a little and she said. can you drive me to Black Mountain? that’s not where we were. I was in another town. ‘ cause I’m out of my medicine. Robertson: She just, out of the blue said, stood there and said that. And I thought, [00:33:00] oh, oh, hmm. Oh, so, oh yes. So I, I wanted to say, but who are you? How are you? Do you live here? Do do you have any friends or family? Do you, you, can I give you some money? Do you have, but I was kind of, I was kind of struck dumb, you know? Robertson: I thought, oh, oh, what should I do? And so I said, oh, I’m so sorry I don’t live in Black Mountain. And she said, oh. And she just turned and walked away and she asked two other cars and they said no. And then she walked away. And then she walked away. I thought, oh, Rob, Rob, is she okay? Does she have a family? Robertson: Did she have a house? What if she doesn’t get her medicine? How can she walk to that town? Could you have driven her and delayed taking dinner home to your wife? And then I said, but I don’t know. And then I thought, oh, but she’s gone. And I then I said, okay, Rob. Okay, Rob, [00:34:00] you’ve lived 81 years. You’ve cared for people in the UN in 170 countries. Speaker 3: Yeah. Robertson: And you’ve been in 55 countries, you’re still writing every week, you’re taking care of your neighbors and family and friends. Don’t beat yourself up. Old guy. Don’t beat yourself up. But next time, you know what Rob, I’m gonna say, Hey, my dear one, are you okay? I don’t have any money, but I can I buy you? Robertson: We are here at the taco shop, Can I buy you dinner? I would, I’m gonna say that next time, Rob. I’m gonna say that. and then I also gazelle,I’m gonna support democratic socialist institutions. You know, some people are afraid of that word, democratic socialist. Robertson: But you know, the happiest countries in the world are democratic socialist countries. Finland is the world’s happiest country. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland, those are in the top 10 [00:35:00] when they’ve, when there have been analysis of, if you, if you Google happiest countries in the world, Robertson: those Nordic countries come up every year. Why? They are democratic socialist countries. You pay high taxes and everybody gets free college. You know, free education, free college, free health everybody gets taken care of in a democratic socialist country in the Nordic countries and New York City. Robertson: I’m so proud that our new mayor in New York City Zoran Mai is a democratic socialist. He is there to help everybody, but particularly those who are hurting the poor, the hungry , the sick, or the people of color, women, the elderly, the children. I’m so proud of him and I write about him on my substack and I write him Robertson: I he’s one of my heroes just like Bernie Sanders is one of my heroes. And Alexandria Ocasio Cortes, a OC is one of my, my heroes, CA [00:36:00] Ooc. So, and you know, I used to never tell anybody I was a Democratic socialist ’cause I was afraid. I thought, oh, they’ll think I’m a socialist. Hell no. I am now proud to say I’m a democratic socialist. Robertson: I’m a Democrat. I vote the Democratic ticket, but I’m always looking for progressives, progressive Democrats, you know, democratic socialist Democrats. because, you know, our country can be more like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland New York City. New York City is showing us the way America can be like a New York City. Robertson: I’m so proud of New York City and I used to live in New York City so as an old person. I can only do what I can do. and I’m not saying, oh, I poor me. I can’t do anything. No, no. I’m not saying that. I’m saying I can do a hell of a lot as this 81-year-old, it’s amazing what I can do, but that is why I write and speak and care for my family, neighbors, friends, the poor. Robertson: [00:37:00] Donate to nonprofits for the homeless and the hungry vote. Get out the vote. So yes, that’s my story. Gazelle. Gissele: I totally relate. I mean, I’ve been in circumstances like that as well, where you wanna help. But the fear is like, what if a person kills you? What if they don’t really have medication? Gissele: What if you get hurt or they try to rob you or they have mental health problems? Mine goes to protection and it is very human of us to go there first. And so, so then we get stuck in that ping pong in that moment and then the moment passes and you’re like, you know, was it true? Could I have driven that person? Gissele: And that would’ve been something I wanted to do for sure. But in that moment, you are stuck in that, yo-yo, when the survival comes in. And so helping ourselves shift out of that survival mode, understanding and learning to have faith and trust. And for me that’s been a work in progress. Gissele: It really has been a work in [00:38:00] progress. The other thing I wanted to mention, which I think is so important that we need to touch on. It’s the whole concept of socialism. So I was born in South America before I came to Canada and so I remember lots of my family members talk about this, there’s many South American countries that got sold communism, as socialism we’re talking about approaches that instead of it being like a democratic socialism that you’re talking about, which is the government, make sure that people are taking care of and that the people are probably taxed and provided for what would happen in those countries was that. Gissele: Everything got taken away. People were rationed certain things, and, it was horrible. it was not good, but it was not socialism. And there was many governments that took the majority of the money, then spent it on themselves, left the country, took it themselves, and so especially the Latin American community is very much afraid of socialism because they think back to that, the [00:39:00] rationing of electricity, the rationing of food, the rationing of all of that stuff, it wasn’t provided openly. Gissele: It was, everybody gets less. And so you have these people with this history that then have come to the US and think they don’t want socialism. They think democracy means that people aren’t gonna take stuff away from them, but that’s not what it means either. ’cause I don’t even know if like in North America we have a true democracy. Robertson: so thinking about reframing of how we think or experience democratic socialism, that it doesn’t mean less for everybody and in everything controlled by the government. It means being provided for abundantly and, also having the citizens be taxed more, which means we are willing to share our money so that we can all live well, Beautiful. Beautiful. Oh, thank you. Hooray. Wonderful. What country are you? May I ask where you coming? Gissele: Yeah, of Robertson: course. Gissele: Peru, I Gissele: [00:40:00] Yeah. Robertson: Wonderful. I’ve been to Peru a few times. A wonderful, beautiful country. And I, I lived in Venezuela for five years. ‘ cause I love, I have many friends in Venezuela. Robertson: But anyway I agree with everything you just said. That’s why I said what I said that I now can, I can confess that I am a democratic socialist. And that’s not socialism. It’s a social democracy is what it’s called. Yeah. That’s what they call it in Finland and Denmark and so on. Robertson: They call it social democracy. It’s democracy. But it, as you say, it’s cares for everyone and for the earth. We have to always add and the earth, ’cause you know, all the other species and, and the other life forms and the ecosystems, the water, the soil, the air, the minerals the plants, the animals. Robertson: and we have the money, as you said. I mean, if I had $350 billion, think of what taxes I could pay if the tax rate was, you know, 30%. [00:41:00] And rather than nothing, some of these, some of these folks pay, Gissele: well, I think we have glorified that we all wanted that, right? Like we got sold this good that oh, we should all want to be as wealthy as possible, right? And so we normalize the hoarding of money. Not the hoarding of other stuff, right? Gissele: And so we have allowed that, which gets me to my, next point, you talk about the environmental impact as part of a compassionate society, which absolutely is necessary. Gissele: And as human beings, we can be so lazy. We want convenience. We want to, have our package the next day. We don’t wanna wait. are we willing to pay higher wages? Are we willing to wait? Longer for our packages, like, are we willing to, invest in our wardrobe instead of buying fast fashion? Gissele: We don’t do these things and these have environmental impacts, and it also have human impacts, and at the end, they have impact on us. What can we do to ensure that, that we address that [00:42:00] complacency so that we are creating a fair, affordable , and compassionate world. Robertson: So important. Thank you. Robertson: It’s, it’s a life and death question. So yes, we should always ask about ecological and social impacts and take actions accordingly. That’s why I recycle every day. You know, some people say, oh, recycling is stupid. What do they really do with this, with it? You know, are they, are they really careful when you, they pick it up? Robertson: but I recycle religiously every day That’s why I support climate and democracy through third act. There’s a group that Bill McKibbon has started here in the US called Third Act. It’s a group of elder activists, activists over 60 who are working on climate and democracy issues. Robertson: So I’m doing that. That’s why I vote and get it out to vote. And as I said, I vote for Democrats and Democratic socialists. That’s why I write and speak and vote for ecological regeneration for social justice, for peace, for [00:43:00] democratic governance. It’s so critical that we keep questioning our actions like. Robertson: Okay, why am I recycling? Is it really worth the time? You know, deciding about every item, where it goes, and then putting out it out carefully and rinsing it first. And is that really going to help the world? ’cause you also know we need systemic changes, because you can always say, oh, but what the individual does doesn’t matter. Robertson: We need laws, we need institutions of ecological regeneration, and we need laws on caring for the climate and stopping climate change. So you can talk yourself out of individual responsibility when you realize that we need laws and institutions that protect the environment. Robertson: But it’s both. It’s both. what each person does, because there are millions of us individuals. So if there are millions of us act responsibly, that has, is a huge impact. And then if we [00:44:00] also have responsible laws and institutions that care for the environment as well as all people, then that’s a double win. Robertson: So I agree with you. We have to keep asking that question over and over and making those decisions and they’re hard decisions. We have to decide. Gissele: Yeah, I’ve had to look at myself like one of the commitments I’ve made to myself is not buying fast fashion. And so, investing in pieces, even though sometimes I feel lack oh my God, spending that much money on this, you know? Gissele: Yeah. It all comes back to me. if I am not willing to pay a fair wage, that means that the next person doesn’t get a fair wage, which means they don’t wanna pay a fair wage and so on and so forth. And then it comes back to me, you know, my husband has a business and then, you get people that don’t also wanna pay a fair wage. Gissele: It’s all interconnected. And so we have to be willing, but that also goes to us addressing our fear, our fear of lack, that we’re not gonna have enough. All of those things. And the biggest fundamental [00:45:00] fear, and you mentioned death to me, is the ultimate Gissele: fear That we must overcome I think once we do, like, I think once we understand that we are not, this human vessel. Gissele: that we’re not just this bag of bones and live in so much constrained fear that perhaps we could. really open up ourselves to be willing to be more compassionate . What do you think? Robertson: Absolutely. I’m with you all the way. Yes. We fear death because we’re caught in that illusion of a separate permanent self. Robertson: You know, it’s all about me. Oh, this universe is all about me. The universe was created 13.8 billion years for me. Robertson: Yeah. But it’s all about me and particularly my ego, honoring my ego. Building up my ego, praising my ego being, you know, that’s why I wanna be rich and famous. Robertson: Fortunately, I never wanted to be rich or famous, but that’s another story. We’ll talk about that some other time. But everything and [00:46:00] everyone is impermanent. When I realized that truth and it, it came to me through engaged Buddhism, but you could, you could get that truth in many, many ways. Robertson: That everything and everyone is impermanent. we’re part of the ocean. But the waves don’t last forever, do they? But the ocean lasts forever. Robertson: So My atoms, are part of the 13.8 billion year old universe. my cells are part of the living earth. Yes, they remain When I die, you know, go back into the earth. back into the soil and the water and the air but My ego doesn’t remain. What, what remains, as I said before, are my actions. Robertson: Everything I did is still cause and effect. Cause and effect. Rippling out. Rippling out. Okay. Rob, what did you do? What did you say? did you help that, did you touch that? Did you say that? so my actions and words continue rippling forever. So Ty calls that, or in the Plum Village tradition of engaged Buddhism, it’s called my continuation. Robertson: Your actions and your words [00:47:00] are your continuation that last forever as your actions and words will continue through cause and effect touching reality forever. So when my ego does not remain so I can smile and let it go. I often think about my continuation. You know, I say, well, that’s why, maybe why I’m writing so much and speaking so much. Robertson: And caring for so many people every day, you know, caring to care for my wife and my children and grandchildren and friends and neighbors, and the v vulnerable and the hungry, and the homeless, and the, and my country, and my city, and my county, and my, and why do I write substack twice a week? Robertson: And containing reflections on ecological, societal, and individual challenges and practices. And so every, week I’m writing about practices of mindfulness and compassion. So I’m trying to be the teacher. I’m trying to send out words of mindfulness and compassion so that they will continue reverberating when I’m dust, Robertson: So [00:48:00] I’m reaching out. In my substack to just those 55 people in 55 countries, in 38 states, touching hearts and minds and even more on social media. every month I have like 86,000 views of my social media. Why do I do it? It’s not just about ego, you know? Robertson: Oh, Rob, be famous. No, Rob is not famous. I’m a nobody. I gotta keep giving and giving and giving, you know, another word, another action, so I can, care for people around me through personal care, donations, voting, volunteering workshops, I’m helping start a workshop in our neighborhood on environmental resilience through recycling, through group facilitation. Robertson: I’m trained in, facilitation. I’ve been trained my whole life to ask questions of groups so they can create their own plans and strategies and actions. that’s some of my answer. Robertson: I hope that makes some sense. Gissele: Thank you very much. I appreciated your answer and it made me really think you are one of our compassionate leaders, right? [00:49:00] You’re, you’re kind of carving the way and helping us reflect, ’cause I’ve seen some of your substack, I’ve seen like your postings. Gissele: That’s actually how I kind of reached out to you. ’cause I was so moved by the material that you were sharing, the willingness to be honest about what it takes to be compassionate and how hard it can be sometimes to look at ourselves honestly, because we can’t change unless we’re willing to look at ourselves. Gissele: All aspects of ourselves, like you said, we are the billionaires, we are the oligarchy, we are all of these people. The racism that voted that in the, the racism that continues to show the fear, all of that is us. And so from your perspective, what do compassionate leaders do differently? Robertson: Yes. Well, it great question. Robertson: what do compassionate leaders do differently? Well, he or she or they. Robertson: are empathic. I think it starts with empathy. What are like, what are you feeling? What are you thinking? Robertson: What are you, what’s happening in your life? So an empathic [00:50:00] leader listens to other people. They see where other people are hurting. They care. They ask questions and facilitate group discussions, enable group projects. They let go of self-importance, you know, that it’s not all about me. Robertson: They let go of narcissism. They let go of, the ego project. They help others be their greatness. They care for their body mind so that they can care for others. and they donate and vote and recycle and more and more and more and more. did you know in Denmark. In elementary school every week, children are taught empathy. Robertson: You know, they have courses on empathy, Robertson: when I was growing up, I,didn’t have courses in school on empathy in church school, you know, in my Sunday school at, in my church. I was taught to love my neighbor and to love everyone, and that God was love. But in school, in my elementary [00:51:00] school and junior high and high school, we didn’t talk about things like empathy and compassion. Gissele: Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. I did know about Denmark ’cause my daughter and I are co-writing a book on that particular topic. The need to continue to teach love and compassion in, Gissele: being a global citizen. Right? And, and I’m doing it with her perspective because she just graduated high school, so she has like the fresher perspective, whereas mine’s from like many moons ago. Gissele: We need to continuously educate ourselves about regulating our own emotions, having difficult conversations, hearing about the other, other, as ourselves. Because that’s, from my perspective, the only way that we’re gonna survive. a friend of mine said it the best that we were having a conversation and she does compassion in the prison system and she says, I can’t be well unless you are well. Gissele: My wellness depends on your wellness. And that just hit me in my heart, like, ugh. Not that I live it every day, Robertson, Gissele: every day I have to choose and some [00:52:00] days I fail, and other days I do good in terms of like be more loving and compassionate and truly helping the world. But it’s a choice. It’s a continual choice. So this goes to my biggest challenge that maybe you can help me with, which is, so I was having this conversation with my students. We were talking about how. In order to create a world that is loving and passionate for all, it has to include the all, even those who are most hurtful, and that is really difficult . Gissele: I’m just curious as to your thoughts on what starting point might be or what can help us look at those who do hurtful things and just horrible things and be able to say, I see God within you. I see your humanity. Even though it might be hard. Robertson: Yes, It is hard. several years ago when I would hear [00:53:00] leaders of my country speaking on the media, I would get so repulsed that I would turn it off but I began practicing. Robertson: I practiced a lot since those days and I realized, you know. People who hurt, other people are hurting themselves. they’re actually hurting. they’re suffering. People who hurt others have their own suffering of, they’re confused. they’ve forgotten what it means to be human. Robertson: They’re, full of, greed, of their own fears, all about me. Maybe they’re filled with hatred they become violent. they’re suffering. I still find it very difficult to read or listen to certain people. Robertson: But what I do is I stop and I breathe and I smile and I say, okay. Robertson: I care. I’m concerned about you. I don’t know what I can do, but I am gonna do everything I can to care for the people, being hurt, you know, like my fellow activists in [00:54:00] Minneapolis are doing, or elsewhere, we could mention many places around the world where people are risking their own lives. Robertson: You know, in Minneapolis, two activists were killed, Ms. Good Renee Good, and Alex Pretty were killed because they went beyond their fear, you know? they got out there in the street because the migrants were being hurt and they got killed. Robertson: So, you know, At some point you have to come to terms with your own death, I don’t know if I have a, a minute to go or 20 years, I still have to let go. And so how do I care for my wife, my family, my friends, my neighbors my country, the vulnerable, the homeless, the hungry, and, as you said, for the wealthy and powerful who are hurting others, you know, starting wars attacking migrants, killing activists. Robertson: It’s hard. You know? So I have to say, I love the story of [00:55:00] when during the Vietnamese war Thich Nhat Hahn and his monks. They did not take sides. They did not say we’re on the side of the Vietnamese or the us. They did not take a side in the war. This is hard for me ’cause I, I usually take sides. Robertson: The practice was, okay, we’re not going to support we’re Vietnamese or the us. Were going to care for everyone. So they just went out caring for people who were getting hurt and during the war, people who were hungry, people who needed food, people who were bleeding, Robertson: So they decided their role was to care for those who were hurt not to attack. To say, I’m for the blue and I’m against the red. They said, I’m just gonna, care . Like, the activists in Minnesota, They’re, they’re not attacking ice, they’re singing to ice. Robertson: And so yes, we have to acknowledge our own anger. [00:56:00] I’m angry with these politicians. sometimes I want, to hate them, but I have to say, I do not hate you, my friend. You are confused. You’re so confused. You’re hurting others. So you’re so hurtful. Robertson: You don’t realize how you’re hurting others. But, I’ve got to try to stop you from hurting others. I’ve got to try to help those who are hurt and maybe I’m gonna get hurt, you know, because in the civil rights movement, if you’re out there doing on a peace march, you might get beaten up. Robertson: as I said, I’ve lived in villages, poor villages, and. Urban slums in several countries. And some people could say, well, that’s stupid. You could get hurt. You know, you could, you could as a white person living in a African American slum or in a Korean village or in a Venezuelan village, Robertson: So, you know, I say, was I stupid? Was I risking and I was with my wife and children? Was I risking the lives of my wife and children by living in slums and, and villages? Yes. Was I stupid? I mean, [00:57:00] no, I wasn’t stupid, but I was risking our lives. But I somehow, I was, called I wanted to do it. I said, okay. Robertson: but my point is it’s risky, you know? And you have to keep working with yourself. That’s why I love the word practice. Robertson: You know, in Buddhism we keep practicing, and I love your, the teaching of that you have on your website of Pema Chodron, you know, on self-love. You know, you have to keep practicing. How do I love myself? Say, okay, I’m afraid and I’m just this little white person, but or I’m this little old white person, but I’m gonna do everything I can and be everything I can. Robertson: I really appreciated the story of Han not choosing sides. I mean, you’re right. If we are going to see each other’s brothers and sisters and is is one global family, we can’t pick a side over the other, even though we so want to. Gissele: And, and I’m with you. when I think that there’s a [00:58:00] unfairness, when there’s people that are vulnerable or suffering, I’m more likely to pick to the side that is like, oh, that person is suffering. They’re the victim. But what you said is spot on. People that truly lovewho have love in their heart, like when you were raised with love. Gissele: You had love to give others because your cup was full. So it overflowed to want to help others, to want to love others. People that are hurting, that don’t have love in their hearts are those that hurt other people. Robertson: Mm-hmm. Gissele: They must because they must be so separated from their own humanity. Robertson: Yes, yes, yes. Gissele: And yet things are changing. You mentioned Minnesota, and I wanted to mention that I love that they’re doing the singing chants, and they’re not making them wrong. they’re singing chants like you can change your mind. You don’t have to be wrong. You don’t have to experience shame and guilt for the choice you’ve made. You can always change your mind. And in your book, you talk a lot about movements. Do you wanna [00:59:00] share a little bit about the power of movements and helping us create a compassionate civilization? Robertson: Oh, yes. Thank you. I’m, I’m a big movement fan. it started in college with the Civil Rights Movement. I realized, wow, you know, if a lot of people get together and do something together, it can make a difference. Like the Civil Rights movement. Gissele: Yeah. Robertson: And the women’s movement and peace movement. Robertson: And like in Vietnam, the peace movement, we could really make a difference if we get out in March. I think that being an individual or part of an organization that is part of a movement can be a powerful force. And so I focus in my life and that, that book on the six movements that I’ve mentioned, and those movements can work together. Robertson: And when they work together, they become a movement of movements. They become mom. Hmm. I like that because I I’m a feminist and I think that we need so [01:00:00] desperately we need more feminine energy inhumanity and in civilization. Robertson: So I’m a unapologetic feminist. And so that’s why I like that the movement of movements, the acronym is Mom, you know, and so it’s the Moms of the World will lead us like you. And so they’re the movements of ecological regeneration, socioeconomic justice, I’m repeating gender equality, participatory governance, cultural tolerance, peace and non-violence. Robertson: And you know, we also have the Gay Rights Movement, the democracy movement. there’s so many movements that it made a huge difference. So. I began saying that I, after writing the book, I said, okay,now my work is the work of the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative. Robertson: And I decided I wouldn’t make an organization, I it, wouldn’t have a website, I wouldn’t register it. I wouldn’t raise money for it. It would just be anybody and everybody [01:01:00] who was part of the movement of movements who was working to create a compassionate civilization. Robertson: So that’s what I did. And that’s where I am. I’m this old guy in my home. I don’t get out a lot. I don’t drive a lot. I just drive to nearby town. I have a car, but I don’t use it a lot. I don’t like to walk up and down hills. Robertson: IAnd sometimes I can’t remember things and I say, Hey, but look, you have so many friends all over the world and you can keep encouraging through your writing. So that’s why I keep writing, you know, it is for the movement of movements. Robertson: I guess that’s why I write. here’s something I want to share, something I thought or felt or something that I wrote about. And maybe it will touch you. Maybe it’ll encourage you. Maybe we’ll help you in your life. Robertson: I live in a homeowners association neighborhood. It’s a neighborhood that has a homeowners association. We’re 34 families and we have straight families, gay families. we have white families and non-white families. [01:02:00] We have Democrats, Republicans and Socialists. Robertson: We have Christians and Buddhists and Hindus. And so what I do, I say, Hey, we’re all neighbors. We all helped each other during the pandemic. We all helped each other after the hurricane. It doesn’t matter what our politics are or our religion or our sexuality, we’re all human beings. Robertson: We’re all gonna die. we all want love. We all want happiness. And We can be good neighbors. We don’t have to have ideology, you know, we don’t have to quote the Bible, we don’t have to quote Buddha. We can just be good neighbors. So we’re gonna have a workshop this spring And so we’re all going to get together down the street in this big room, in the fire station, and we’re gonna have a two hour workshop. And will it help? I don’t know. Will it make us better neighbors? I don’t know. Why am I doing it? I’m driven to do it. I’ve done workshops all over the world and I wanna do a workshop in my neighborhood. Robertson: I’ve done workshops with the un, I’ve done [01:03:00] workshops with governments, with cities So I love to facilitate. I love getting people together to solve problems together to listen to each other, respect each other, to honor each other. Gissele: so I’m just gonna ask you a couple more questions. But I’m just gonna make a comment right now about what you said because I think it’s so important. Gissele: Number one is I love that your neighborhood is a microcosm of what our world could be like . The fact that people got together to help and make sure that people were taken care of. If we could amplify that, that could be our world. I think that’s such a beautiful thing. Gissele: And the other thing that I think is really fundamental is that even through your life, you are showing us that some people are going to go pickett. And that’s okay. Some people are gonna write blogs to help us, and that’s okay. Some people are gonna do podcasts, and that’s okay. There are things that people can do that don’t have to look exactly the same. Gissele: Some people are going to have more courage, and they’re going to put their bodies in front and potentially get hurt. Other people, maybe they can’t do [01:04:00] that. So there are many different ways to help. The other thing that you said that was really, really key is the importance of moms . And that was one of the things that really touched me about your book, the acronym. Gissele: I was like, oh my God, I so resonate with this. Because I do feel that we need more feminine energy. We really kind of really squash the feminine energy. But the truth of the matter is we need more because fundamentally, nurturance is a mother energy is a feminine energy. Gissele: Compassion’s a feminine energy. Yes, yes, yes, Robertson: yes, yes, Gissele: so if I can share my story. Last night I was at hockey game. My son was playing hockey. Robertson: Mm-hmm. Gissele: And our team they don’t like to fight. Gissele: We play our game and we have fun and we’re good. And so the previous teams that were there, it was under Youth 15, most of the game was the kids fighting. And taking penalties. And so the game ends, the people come off the ice and two men that are starting to get like into a fight [01:05:00] now, woman got in front of them. Gissele: Wow. and said, we all signed a form that said, this is just a game. Remember who this is for? even though she was elevated, she totally stopped that fight between two men that we were not small. And So it was, it was really interesting. Robertson: Wonderful. Gissele: it was a woman who actually stopped a fight Gissele: It’s the feminine power. And that doesn’t mean, and I wanna make this clear, that doesn’t mean that men have to be discarded or have to be treated the same way that women are treated. ’cause I think that’s a big fear. That’s a big fear that some white males have. It’s no, you don’t have to be less than, Robertson: right. Robertson: We need Gissele: to uplift the feminine energy. So there’s a balance. ’cause right now we’re not balanced. Robertson: Exactly. Exactly. Oh, boy. Am I with you there? there’s a whole section in my book, as you noticed on gender equality I’m gonna read a tribute to Mothers I. Robertson: Tribute to Mothers Giving Birth to New Life, nurturing, [01:06:00] sustaining, guiding, releasing, launching, affirming Love. Be getting Love a flow onwards. Mother Earth, mother Tree, mother Tiger, mother Eve. My grandmother’s Sally and Arie, my mother, Mary Elizabeth, my children’s mother, Mary, my grandchildren’s mother, Jennifer, my grandchildren’s grandmothe

In today's episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros question the belief that success requires certainty. Many people wait for perfect clarity before they act. That mindset quietly caps growth. The next level demands something different. It requires the ability to move forward when the outcome is unclear and the pressure is real. As your tolerance for uncertainty grows, so does your capacity for leadership, progress, and long-term success.If you want to strengthen your mindset and build the resilience required to pursue bigger goals, this episode will shift how you think about discomfort and the unknown. Hit play and start developing the capacity most people never build._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionWhere learning turns into action. Join “Next Level Book Club”  every Saturday:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Legacy Love — Episode 3 of 4 (Official Legacy Love Episode 2)In this powerful episode of Legacy Love, IAYAALIS goes beyond surface-level self-care and gets into the real work of Self-Love: the kind that shows up when you're triggered, when your boundaries are tested, and when old patterns try to pull you back into self-abandonment.This is not the “treat yourself” version of healing. This is a grounded, body-based conversation about what Self-Love actually looks like in real life.Inside this episode, we explore:Why Self-Love can feel hard when your nervous system was trained for survival instead of safetyThe Calm Check — a simple body-based way to tell the difference between real love and anxietyHow “chemistry” can sometimes be trauma activation in disguiseReparenting in plain language (no heavy therapy jargon)3 Self-Love standards to help you move differently: clarity, consistency, and reciprocityA short guided reset practice to help bring your body back to safetyReflective journal prompts to help you identify where you're still abandoning yourself and what standards you're ready to holdThis episode is for anyone who has heard “love yourself” a thousand times… but was never truly shown how to do that in a way that changes your life.And yes — this is about you, but it's also about what comes after you.Because every standard you set…every boundary you hold…and every pattern you break…becomes part of your Legacy Love.

Send a textIn this episode of Evolve Ventures Tech, we talk about why avoiding the truth can feel easier today but create bigger problems tomorrow. From health to money to relationships, we break down how denial, fear, and emotional discomfort keep people stuck and what it really takes to move forward. This conversation is honest, practical, and designed to help you see where short-term comfort might be costing you long-term growth.Episode Reference:Lying and Health ConsequencesHere are the related episodes, each one builds on today's conversation:#466 | Instead of New Year's Resolutions, Do THIS - https://apple.co/4aWMjLF #447 | The Dark Side of Consistency: When Sticking to the Plan Holds You Back - https://apple.co/4pPMjmXLearn more about:

in this episode, I talk about my QUEEN Trisha Paytas and why she is an amazing expander & example of getting every. f*cking. thing. that you want. She's a manifestation queen and doesn't get enough credit for what she's been able to create. Let's talk about itttt.  ♥︎ 

Hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros challenge a belief that quietly derails progress. Many people assume consistency requires perfect conditions. It does not. Some days are rushed, imperfect, and far from ideal. Those are often the days that reveal your real standards.After thousands of podcast episodes, years of coaching, and building a business around personal development, they have watched the same pattern repeat. The people who grow are not waiting for perfect circumstances. They keep moving anyway. Press play and keep this in mind. The rep you almost skipped today might be the one holding your progress together._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionWhere learning turns into action. Join “Next Level Book Club”  every Saturday:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

If you are afraid to change your art style because you might lose collectors, this episode will set you free. After 22 years as a professional artist, I have evolved through more styles than I can count. From sassy word paintings to farm animals to mixed media to abstract expressionism, every shift came with fear. What if they leave? What if I lose momentum? What if I ruin my brand? Here is the truth. Changing your style is not betrayal. Staying stuck is. When artists cling to a style just because it sells, they start to resent their work. Curiosity fades. Experimentation stops. The creative fire dims. And eventually, the business plateaus, too. In this episode, I share how to evolve your art style without losing your audience and why your voice matters more than your visual language. You will learn: Why your style is not your identity. How to bring collectors along in the process The one mindset shift that keeps your brand from going stagnant Collectors are not just buying your art. They are buying your courage, your voice, and your evolution. If you're feeling the itch to experiment, this is your permission slip. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you don't miss a thing! And don't forget to come hang with me on Instagram @jodie_king_. Interested in being a guest on a future episode of Honest Art®? Email me at amy@jodieking.com! Resources mentioned: Join me for an in-person workshop: https://jodieking.com/workshop  Learn more about my mentorship program, Studio Elite: https://www.jodiekingart.com/studioelite  Looking for an artist community? Join us in the Honest Art Society: https://www.jodiekingart.com/has  View some of Jodie's Past Work and How It's Evolved: https://shop.jodieking.com/collections/sold-works?page=1  Not sure about your artistic voice? Listen to Episode 95: Unleashing Your Inner Rebel: 10 Tips to Owning Your Voice Discover Your Why with Episode 109: How to Turn Your Why Into Revenue Have a question for Jodie? Ask it here: https://forms.gle/hxrVu4oL4PVCKwZm6  How are you liking the Honest Art® Podcast? Leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform and let us know!     Watch this full episode on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMquJfuMsSg0fr46BRdia1cWd-81GThzF For a full list of show notes and links, check out my blog: www.jodieking.com/podcast

Last week, we explored Aaron's Instagram detox and evaluated some hot takes from photographers on Threads. This week, we're back for round two! We dive even deeper into the Threads community, breaking down more opinion posts from photographers and creatives. From debates about building a photography style to whether wedding photographers need to "love" their craft, we're here to evaluate, elaborate, and share our own perspectives.Expect to Learn:Whether you need to "love" a genre of photography to succeed in itHow to Build and Evolve a Photography StyleWhy finding your community isn't just about waiting for them to come to you, but about actively participatingWhy black-and-white photography isn't just for people who "can't handle color"Why opportunities don't just fall into your lapSponsors:Thanks to WhiteWall for being our lead sponsor this episode! They're the top choice for photographers who want the highest-quality prints: https://www.whitewall.com/Our Links:Join our subreddit where you can share stories and ask questions:https://www.reddit.com/r/photographermindset/Subscribe to TPM's Youtube page and watch full length episodes: https://www.youtube.com/thephotographermindset/Make a donation via PayPal for any amount you feel is equal to the value you receive from our podcast episodes! Donations help with the fees related to hosting the show: https://paypal.me/podcasttpm?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_USThanks for listening!Go get shooting, go get editing, and stay focused.@sethmacey@mantis_photography@thephotographermindsetSupport the show

Adapt. Evolve. Scale. That's the Mantra at Subatomic.Ai and in this episode, Fred Davis sits down with Karl Simon, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Subatomic AI, to explore how agentic AI is reshaping industries from manufacturing to wealth management to legal services. Karl has been in the data game since the 90s (yes, building data warehouses at Oracle before it was cool), and now he's leading a company that's gone from 23 to 100+ AI coworkers internally — while maintaining zero dissatisfied customers.This conversation delves into: ✅ Why businesses should hire AI coworkers, not buy software ✅ How agentic workflows adapt, evolve, and scale at the speed of business ✅ The "SaaS apocalypse" and why static software is dying ✅ How Subatomic turned a pessimistic prospect into their lead investor ✅ The AI bubble: infrastructure vs. application layer✅ Why "seeing is believing" — and how to demo AI in days, not months ✅ The future of work: humans as managers of AI coworkers ✅ What we're getting right (and wrong) about AI

Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation with Vietnam Era veteran and nurse Joanne Malear, who is the coordinator of the 11th Hour Squadron. They are an all-volunteer organization that believes in taking care of dying veterans like family. They can be there at a loved one's bedside during those final nights when family members are at home getting much-needed rest.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestJoanne Melear is a former U.S. Navy nurse and the founder of the 11th Hour Squadron, a volunteer initiative dedicated to ensuring that veterans in hospice care are not alone at the end of life. Drawing on her military medical experience and deep commitment to lifelong service, she created the program to bring trained veteran volunteers to sit bedside, provide companionship, and honor fellow service members in their final hours.Links Mentioned During the Episode11th Hour Squadron Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Caring for Veterans Through the End Of Life: Compassionate Communities. In this course, you will learn how you can provide compassionate care through the end-of-life for those who have served our country. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/caring-for-veterans-through-the-end-of-life-1 Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Host Kate Boyle speaks with Larissa Porter about nervous system regulation and practical breathwork tools adapted from military psychology to school and family life. They discuss how breathwork supports children, teens and adults, signs of dysregulation, simple routines (like co-regulation and nightly practices), and when to seek extra help. Listeners will gain quick, actionable techniques to calm stress, build resilience and support multi-generational emotional regulation. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to Breathwork and Its Importance (02:57) Breathwork in Military Psychology (05:50) Understanding the Nervous System's Response (08:46) The Impact of Stress on Daily Life (12:00) Recognizing Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation (14:53) Seeking Support and Community for Well-being (17:49) Breathwork for Children and Teenagers (20:47) The Role of Parents in Supporting Young People (24:11) Building Resilience Through Routine (26:47) The Importance of Trusted Adults (30:03) Practical Tools for Parents and Teens (32:56) Final Thoughts and Advice   More about Larissa Porter: Lou Porter is a high school educator, Master Breathwork Instructor and former military Psychological Examiner who helps families and school communities turn stress and overwhelm into clarity, calm and confidence. Drawing on 11 years in military psychology and her current work with teens, parents and educators, Lou specialises in nervous system education and practical breathwork tools that fit the reality of modern family life—supporting kids facing anxiety, social media pressure and school stress, while helping parents manage their own overwhelm and burnout. Through her business, Evolve by Choice, Lou delivers resilience programs for girls, teacher and parent workshops, and community breathwork sessions that support emotional regulation for both kids and adults.   Connect with Larissa: Website: https://evolvebychoice.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Evolve-by-Choice/100089491119708/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolve_by_choice/ Email: admin@evolvebychoice.com.au   Want to try Breathwork? My Regulate and Restore Breathwork classes are a 4-week guided breathwork series designed to calm your nervous system and help you feel grounded, balanced and safe in your body. If you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low on energy or constantly on edge, this series uses gentle, intentional breathing to shift you out of stress and into true rest and regulation. You'll learn practical tools to calm your mind, restore your energy and build lasting nervous system resilience. Join us for one class or all 4 classes.  Can't make it live? That's ok, a replay will be emailed to you. Use the code 'PODCAST' at checkout to get 50% off your first class! Check it out and join here.   Sign up to our weekly newsletter and become an M&M Insider! You'll receive special discounts, bundles, behind the scenes podcast insights and simple tips to help you improve your health. Don't miss out!  Join here: https://www.mindmovementhealth.com.au/subscribe/   Connect with Kate: Website: MindMovementHealth.com.au Facebook: facebook.com/MindMovementHealth Instagram: instagram.com/MindMovementHealth Haven't subscribed to the podcast yet? Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review at: Apple Podcasts  

What does it take to build a title company that doesn't just survive market cycles but grows through them? In this episode, Chip Ridge, founder of Perpetual Title, shares his journey from launch in 2002 to navigating corporate life, rebranding, expanding into multiple states, adding 1031 exchange services, and aggressively leaning into automation and AI. From instant escrow funding and fee transparency to agentic AI workflows and fraud-prevention layers, Chip breaks down what technology actually matters and what's just noise. This conversation challenges independent agents to rethink their value proposition, embrace automation strategically, and stay "all in" amid increasing consolidation pressures.   What you'll learn from this episode ●     How to improve revenue per employee without sacrificing human touch ●     Where AI agents fit into the title workflow, and where humans still must lead ●     Why 1031 exchanges and commercial capabilities diversify long-term revenue ●     The way cybersecurity layers and vendor partnerships mitigate fraud risk ●     What independent agencies must do now to compete in a consolidating industry   Resources mentioned in this episode ●     Traction by Gino Wickman | Kindle, Audiobook and Paperback ●     The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Blake Erickson | Kindle, Hardcover, and Mass Market Paperback ●     Qualia ●     SoftPro ●     CloseSimple   About Chip Ridge Chip Ridge is the Founder of Perpetual Title, a title and settlement company focused on delivering responsive, relationship-driven service to real estate professionals, lenders, and investors. With extensive experience in the title insurance and closing industry, Chip is known for his commitment to transparency, accuracy, and client education throughout the transaction process. He built Perpetual Title to prioritize clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and long-term partnerships in an industry often known for delays and complexity. Chip is also an advocate for professionalism and ethical standards in real estate transactions.   Connect with Chip ●     Website: Perpetual Title ●     LinkedIn: Donald (Chip) Ridge   Connect With Us Love what you're hearing? Don't miss an episode! Follow us on our social media channels and stay connected.   ●     Explore more on our website: www.alltechnational.com/podcast ●     Stay updated with our newsletter: www.mochoumil.com ●     Follow Mo on LinkedIn: Mo Choumil Stop waiting on underwriter emails or callbacks—TitleGPT.ai gives you instant, reliable answers to your title questions. Whether it's underwriting, compliance, or tricky closings, the information you need is just a click away. No more delays—work smarter, close faster. Try it now at www.TitleGPT.ai. Closing more deals starts with more appointments. At Alltech National Title, our inside sales team works behind the scenes to fill your pipeline, so you can focus on building relationships and closing business. No more cold calling—just real opportunities. Get started at AlltechNationalTitle.com. Extra hands without extra overhead—that's Safi Virtual. Our trained virtual assistants specialize in the title industry, handling admin work, client communication, and data entry so you can stay focused on closing deals. Scale smarter and work faster at SafiVirtual.com.

If you've ever watched your child struggle and felt that almost unbearable pull to step in, fix it, smooth it over, or make it disappear, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with author and parent coach Michelle Icard to explore why setbacks—real, uncomfortable, sometimes humiliating ones—are not detours from development but the very path toward adulthood.Michelle joins me to talk about her latest book, Eight Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success, and to unpack why adolescence is meant to include missteps, awkward experiments, and moments of regret. We explore rites of passage, identity formation, impression management, and the fine line between support and overprotection. Most importantly, we discuss how parents can respond when things go sideways in ways that build resilience rather than shame.Episode Highlights:[0:00] – Why we revert to old parenting habits, even when we know better[2:06] – Why watching kids struggle is painful—and why that discomfort is necessary[5:00] – Rites of passage: separating, stumbling, and reintegrating wiser[9:46] – “Am I doing this for them, or for me?” A powerful parenting pause[10:28] – Impression management: how teens hide, deflect, and protect their identity[15:00] – Modeling mistakes out loud so kids can learn how adults process setbacks[18:25] – Friend shifts, value testing, and why adolescence requires trial and error[21:21] – Why insisting on values can backfire—and how to invite real conversation instead[26:33] – Curiosity over correction when teens embrace rigid or controversial ideas[30:52] – Why natural consequences are often enough—and why piling on rarely helps[38:11] – Failure vs. setback: when disconnection becomes the real danger[40:00] – Contain, Resolve, Evolve: a three-step model for responding to setbacks[43:45] – Letting the bruise heal: why parents must eventually stop poking[46:23] – The turkey story: a rite of passage, public shame, and lasting growth[51:00] – The question parents answered almost unanimously: would you erase the hard years?Links & Resources:8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success by Michelle IcardHomesick and Happy by Michael Thompson14 Talks by Age 14 by Michelle IcardMichelleIcard.comErving Goffman: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life Scott Galloway: Notes on Being a Man Sarah Rosensweet: Reimagine Peaceful Parenting Dr. Devorah Heitner: Mentoring Kids in a Connected World Dr. Lisa Damour: Untangling 10-20If this episode has helped you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference.If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

What if your future is not uncertain, just misunderstood?In this episode, Kevin and Alan explain why outcomes are rarely random. They unpack how patterns, distinctions, and honest self-awareness shape your trajectory far more than motivation alone. Drawing from years of coaching and personal experience, they reveal why some people consistently move forward while others stay stuck despite effort.This conversation is direct, practical, and rooted in how long-term growth actually works. If you want more control over where your life is heading and fewer surprises along the way, this episode will challenge how you think about planning your future. Listen closely. One shift in awareness can redirect years of your life._______________________Learn more about:The “Next Level Dreamliner” is a productivity journal that turns clarity and accountability into consistent action. Grab your copy

Send a textWhat if the reason you feel conflicted isn't confusion, but the fact that two truths are trying to exist at the same time?In today's episode, we challenge the black-and-white thinking that keeps people stuck in relationships, emotions, and decisions. We talk about why the brain resists complexity, how the nervous system overwhelm shuts down perspective, and what it actually takes to hold opposing feelings without losing your sense of self.This conversation is honest, practical, and meant to stretch how you think about growth, emotional intelligence, and personal evolution. If your brain feels slightly uncomfortable while listening, congratulations. That's expansion. Press play.Here are the related episodes, each one builds on today's conversation:#465 | How Good Are You REALLY At Making Better Decisions - https://apple.co/44PNCtO #444 | Why Your Deepest Insecurities Hold the Key to Your Greatest Growth - https://apple.co/4qymY0CLearn more about:

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable identify five key questions coach Pat Narduzzi will have to answer during the Panthers' spring football practices. This show is presented by FanDuel. After breaking onto the scene as an unknown freshman, how will QB Mason Heintschel evolve mentally and physically in his second year under center? Who of Malik Knight, Blue Hicks, C.J. Lee, Bryce Yates or Tony Kinsler will step up to fill the wide receiver roles left behind by Kenny Johnson and Poppi Williams? How does a reloaded secondary shake out? Who of Raion Strader, Kanye Thompson or Shadarian Harrison ends up starting opposite Shawn Lee Jr. at corner? Are transfers Alex Sanford, DeMarco Ward, plus returners Cam Lindsey, Jeremiah Marcelin, enough to cover for losses of Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis? And which freshmen could come out of nowhere to surprise us? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lash Legend makes Brian H. Waters first prediction of 2026 come true as she and Nia Jax win the WWE Women's Tag Team Title. Plus Ricky Sosa proves he is more than an entrance with a huge win at Bodyzoi New Blood and he is reportedly heading to TNA. Je'Von Evans brings Offset with him to Monday Night Raw and more! Rundown(1:34) Jazz and Rodney Mack awarded the Verne Gange Trainer Award(3:47) Athena tells Black Rasslin' she is chasing Brunno Sammartino's record(6:45) Lash Legend wins her first title in WWE(9:12) Je'Von Evans def Kofi Kingston with Offset by his side(10:24) Oba Femi says Miz cannot be his "Undertaker"(10:53) Carmelo Hayes continues to be a fighting champion(11:47) Zaria betrays Sol Ruca(14:06) Ricochet retains AEW National Title at New Japan The Beginning of USA(14:43) Shalonce Royal scores win in OVW(15:26) Tyra Mae Steele & Kali Armstrong victorious on Evolve(15:52) Cappuccino Jones retains WWE ID Title(16:09) Jonathan Gresham scores wins on both nights of Beyond Wrestling(16:14) Willow Nightingale def Gabby Forza(17:00) Sandy Parker honored on the Wrestling Wrealm NOW Podcast(17:37) The Official Congregation retain the NGC Tag Team Titles(18:40) Devon Monroe def Charles Mason(18:54) Lee Moriarty picks up win at West Coast Pro Wrestling(19:10) Red Velvet continues reign as Ring of Honor Women's TV Champion(20:00) Ones to Watch: Aleah James and Aminah Belmont(20:55) Isaiah Broner picks up two big wins at Action Wrestling(21:03) Darian Bengston retains Action Wrestling Title(21:37) Jha'Quan McNair is the new AML Wrestling Prestige Champion(22:04) Ricky Sosa Michael Oku and Alex Zayne(22:19) Amale def. Dani Luna(22:36) VCC defeat Kuro andLJ Cleary(22:53) Mecca is France's best big man according to Dijak(23:53) Lashka wins the KHAO Title

Return-to-office mandates are being sold as “culture resets.” At the same time, AV Trust says our security practices “haven't kept pace.” So let's ask the uncomfortable question: are we demanding employees show up in person while the technology behind the walls still isn't fully ready or fully secure?The video version of this podcast can be found here.Host Tim Albright and his industry expert guests return with a focused AVWeek episode exploring the full spectrum of change in commercial AV, from the real-world impact of RTO on collaboration spaces and infrastructure planning to AV Trust's potential influence on cybersecurity standards, accountability, and vulnerability disclosure across an increasingly connected ecosystem.Host: Tim AlbrightGuests:Kelly Teel – TLDJustin Dawson – Dublin City UniversitySusan Wilhite – BluefinThis Week In AV:Inavate – Google Collaboration With Neat & TeamsrAVe Pubs – AWS Elemental Inference AI ServicesAurora – Aurora Partners with NETGEARResidential Systems – ISE Launches ISE FoundationAV Magazine – Clive Couldwell Steps Down From AV MagazineRoundtable Topics:AV Magazine – Newcastle United Enforcing Return to OfficeAVNation – AV Trust Launches nonprofit organizationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's threat environment, attackers don't just target systems. They target people—and artificial intelligence is accelerating that reality. Generative AI enables social engineering at a scale and level of personalization that many organizations are not prepared to meet. Especially with yesterday's security awareness models.Today's guest is Matt Lindley, the Chief Innovation & Information Security Officer at NINJIO, a cybersecurity awareness training and human risk management platform. Matt is known for his work in emerging cyber threats, social engineering, compliance, AI strategy and transformation, and security risk management—especially where the human element is the critical variable.This conversation explores what modern human risk management looks like when the adversary can quickly and cheaply produce convincing messages, voices, and narratives. We'll also touch on two practical supporting themes: How to measure human risk with meaningful metrics, and how to drive culture change without creating security fatigue.

In today's episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros explore why success becomes predictable when you stop treating it like luck and start treating it like a system. They break down how habits, identity, learning, and consistency combine to produce real results, and why overthinking keeps most people from ever starting. This episode challenges the belief that progress should feel complicated and replaces it with a more disciplined, experimental approach to growth.If you want clearer direction, stronger habits, and measurable improvement across life, love, health, and wealth, this conversation will recalibrate how you think about getting better. Press play, run the experiment, and if nothing changes, at least you'll know it wasn't for lack of trying._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Kareen Zahr is a leadership strategist, founder, investor, and keynote speaker known for helping high-performing leaders navigate uncertainty, pivot with intention, and scale sustainably. She's the creator of the Evolve methodology and the Hey Kareen On Demand AI coaching platform, and she serves as a business coach and advisor to fellows at the Tory Burch Foundation. With a background that spans fintech, mergers and acquisitions, and executive coaching—including consulting for firms like BlackRock—Kareen blends strategic rigor with human-centered leadership to help entrepreneurs and executives build wealth without sacrificing fulfillment. On this episode we talk about: Kareen's early money mindset and how her childhood shaped her financial discipline Climbing from $35K to $225K in five years—and what that rapid growth really cost Avoiding lifestyle creep and the “golden handcuffs” trap Transitioning from corporate executive to self-employed consultant to scalable CEO The 90/10 scaling strategy that helped her hit seven figures in under six months Top 3 Takeaways Don't let lifestyle creep trap you. Keeping fixed expenses low gives you the freedom to pivot, take risks, and build on your own terms. If you don't want to become the people above you, it's time to pivot. Looking up the ladder is one of the fastest clarity tools for your career. Shift from trading time for money to building leveraged offers. Scaling requires designing revenue models that don't depend solely on your hours. Notable Quotes “I'm never going to let the limitations of others become my own.” “Sometimes the chase for the money grab is not what actually fills you up.” “I realized I had employed myself—I gave myself a job.” Connect with Kareen Zahr: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareenzahr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealkareenz Website: https://heykareen.com Money Mindset Workbook: https://heykareen.com/money-mindset  Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.  Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Palmieri interviews Alan Lazaros to confront why hard work alone does not guarantee progress. A lot of people feel stuck because their awareness has not caught up to the results they want. With years of coaching experience and thousands of sessions studying real performance patterns, Alan brings a grounded lens to growth, decision-making, and personal responsibility.This is direct. Practical. Built for people who want clarity, not comfort. If you want better outcomes, you need a better diagnosis. Listen closely. The thing you overlook is usually the thing that keeps you where you are._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

What if the habits that helped you build success are now the very things holding you back? Today, I explain how your attitude toward money is shaped far more by your early experiences than by how much wealth you currently have—and why that matters as you grow. You'll learn how to identify outdated financial behaviors that once served you but may now be limiting your leadership, profitability, and long-term security. Listen in as I break down how to spot whether you're too risk-averse, too risk-tolerant, overspending in the name of growth, or under-investing out of fear. I also cover when scrappiness becomes a ceiling, why doing everything yourself slows scale, when thoughtful debt can be strategic, and how to shift from wealth-building to wealth-protection. This episode will challenge you to evolve your habits so your business and wealth can evolve with you. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/4yraxz7j Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.   Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups?  Subscribe via email.

Your philosophy predicts your results. In today's episode, Kevin and Alan unpack the thinking patterns that quietly keep people stuck, even when they are putting in real effort. Progress is not usually blocked by laziness. It is blocked by beliefs that shape how you interpret setbacks, time horizons, and responsibility. When those beliefs go unexamined, motivation alone is not enough to create change.This episode brings a sharper lens to personal growth, discipline, and long-term success without pretending the path is easy. If you want better outcomes, it starts with better thinking and more honest self-awareness._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Why do we wait to feel confident before we act, when confidence only shows up after we move?In this episode, Kevin and Alan continue the conversation from the last episode and go deeper into what actually builds self-belief. They unpack why motivation gets too much credit, why discomfort is unavoidable if you want to grow, and how mindset and accountability shape long-term progress more than talent ever will. The discussion moves beyond theory into real patterns they have seen across years of coaching and thousands of conversations with people trying to level up their lives.This is not about hype. It is about understanding how belief is built through behavior over time. Listen before your comfort zone convinces you that waiting is productive._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionWhere learning turns into action. Join “Next Level Book Club”  every Saturday:https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiupjIqE9QlkptiKDQykRtKyFB5Jbhc_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Send a textGrowth begins when avoidance ends. In this episode, we talk about why facing reality is often harder than staying stuck, and why that difficulty is actually a sign you are moving forward. We share honest perspectives from real client experiences, challenge common myths about healing, and offer a grounded way to think about pain, change, and personal growth.If you have been feeling overwhelmed, resistant, or unsure about your next step, this conversation will meet you where you are while pushing you toward something better. Do not negotiate with the part of you that wants to stay small. Step forward anyway.Episode References:1. Cognitive Defusion (Deliteralization)2. The Grief Cycle3. EVC The Acceptance Cycle4. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Psychological Well-Being: A Narrative Review5. Acceptance and commitment therapy Pathways for general practitioners6. Cognitive Defusion TechniquesHere are the related episodes, each one builds on today's conversation:#469 | What the Growth Journey Actually Feels Like - https://apple.co/3OtYw2V #451 | Healing From the Guilt of Staying in a Toxic Relationship - https://apple.co/46pnhUfLearn more about:

This week I look at the Kuro VS Ricky Sosa match https://youtu.be/QAr8GSXt16g?si=bBFj4eJclPeW3KkNwhich leads me to say this is the best era for Black Pro Wrestling because how deep the roster of great black wrestlers out here men and women. Then I discuss ASE' March 22nd show updates and then review Elimination Chamber PLE. Then I discuss NXT and Evolve and finish with my thoughts about AEW. Sponsored ByPassDat Apparel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-inhaling-potnas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeKind THCA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://smokekind.com/?ref=bobbie_lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sara Jay's CBDsUse Promo Code: BOBBIE To receive 10% off your order⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sarajaycbd.com/

are you constantly wondering if you're doing too much… or not enough… for your autistic child?in autism parenting, it can feel like every decision is high stakes. you hear “lower demands.” you hear “do exposure.” you hear “presume competence.” you hear autistic voices sharing lived experience. and somehow, you're still left wondering what actually applies to your child.this episode won't give you a black-and-white formula. but it will help you understand how to think through this question in a grounded, regulated way — and how to navigate the tension between accommodation and over accommodation without swinging to extremes.in this episode, you'll hear:why nothing in autism parenting is black and whitehow to filter research, professional advice, and autistic voiceswhat accommodation vs overaccommodation actually meanswhy overaccommodating anxiety can unintentionally reinforce ithow “low demand” can slide into eggshell parentingwhen to gently peel back support to presume competencehow to use trial and error without turning it into self-blametimestamps00:00 the importance of nuance in autism parenting03:05 navigating accommodation vs over accommodation11:29 understanding exposure therapy and its nuances16:08 balancing structure and flexibility in parenting23:08 empowering autonomy and self-advocacy in childrenresources⚡️ join EVOLVE the membership and be live for the upcoming masterclass on this topic (March 2026)⚡️ learn more about dr. tay's whole family approach + clinical services⚡️ follow me oninstagram → @the.dr.taytiktok → @the.dr.tay

in this episode, my client and friend, Yennhi and I talk about the ways that you dilute your expression, how to use sacred theater & improv to become more YOU, PLUS how to deal with backlash & haters online... to become unapologetic and unbothered

In today's episode of Next Level University, hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros challenge one of the most common assumptions in personal growth that confidence must come before success. Many people wait to feel ready, certain, or worthy before they take meaningful action, and that delay quietly keeps them stuck. This episode goes straight into the psychology of self-belief, momentum, and why progress often starts before your mindset catches up.If you've been hesitating, overthinking, or questioning your capability, this may change how you see readiness and what it really takes to level up your life. Do not wait for belief to appear. Create evidence that forces it to._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

What if our biggest edge in an AI world isn't more data—but better learning? In this episode of 2050 Investors, host Kokou Agbo-Bloua pits biological intelligence (BI) against its artificial counterpart (AI). Creativity and synapses on one side; scale, speed, and 24/7 recall on the other. We discover why deep learning happens in alpha, not frenetic beta; why a 20 watt human brain still outperforms giant models on imagination; and what centaur-style teaming (humans + machines) means for faster search, synthesis, and simulation. Later, guest Dr. Barbara Oakley, Professor of Engineering at Oakland University and a scholar on how people acquire expertise, shares pragmatic protocols for busy professionals to build “chunks” of expertise that hold up under market stress; the dangers of fully offloading cognition to AI (and how to protect internal knowledge and critical thinking), and why embracing discomfort is the price of neural rewiring and real growth. Unpack this episode for a science-backed career playbook to stay ahead in 2026.CreditsPresenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is impacting the preparation of cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to stakeholder testimony Tuesday. Beginning Sunday, Secretary Kristi Noem halted all non-disaster-related Federal Emergency Management Agency response efforts and scaled back FEMA operations to “bare-minimum, life-saving operations only.” Host city representatives said the agency has yet to send out the $625 million investment — referred to as the FIFA World Cup Grant Program — that Congress already appropriated as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The FIFA World Cup Grant Program is meant to support security activities, including training and readiness exercises, cybersecurity defense and operational requirements associated with increased information sharing and analysis needs. With just over 100 days before the World Cup festivities begin, officials advocated for the release of funding during a House Homeland Security hearing. The Department of State announced nearly 50 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity awards under its Evolve program aimed at IT modernization last week. In a notice posted to SAM.gov, the department said 28 contractors had received awards spanning five function categories for services related to IT management, cloud and data centers, application development, network and telecommunications, and end user support. The contract has a ceiling of $10 billion and a base period of one year plus six one-year option periods. Of all the categories, cloud and data center services and application development had the most awardees, with 14 and 13 respectively. Leidos and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) had the highest number of awards across the categories, winning four contracts each. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Following our recent conversation with Jill Geoffrion, it's time to explore the theme of thresholds in our own lives in an embodied way. This episode is the first of a series of podcasts that will follow our interviews each month on the Room to Evolve podcast. They are called Labyrinth Walk Companions. In this Labyrinth Walk Companion episode of Room to Evolve, we explore the theme At the Threshold. This guided walk invites you to pause before taking the first step and notice what life is calling you into right now.Whether you are tracing a handheld or printed labyrinth, or walking one of the thousands of labyrinths around the world, these recordings are here to help you pause, reflect on what life is calling you into right now, and meet yourself exactly where you are before taking the first step.You might also use them as meditation prompts, or as preparation for a yoga or movement practice.You will begin with centering and breath, open the labyrinth with awareness, and step forward with reflective guidance to accompany you. If you are practicing from home, you can download a printable tracing labyrinth below. Paid subscribers to Room to Evolve receive access to downloadable Labyrinth Walk Companion Guides.May your life's thresholds be blessings, and your walk sure-footed. Much love,JessicaThe inspired reading for this episode is Blessing the Threshold, © Jan Richardson from How the Stars Get in Your Bones: A Book of Blessings. janrichardson.com...Locate a labyrinth near you at labyrinthlocator.com, hosted by The Labyrinth Society and Veriditas:HEREOrder a handheld labyrinth from Veriditas:HERE.Download a printable tracing labyrinth PDF:HEREAccess this episode's Labyrinth Walk Companion Guide by becoming a paid subscriber.

During chaotic times, our ability to adapt is more important than ever. In this episode, resilience expert and author Anne Grady sits down with host Paula Felps to share how to stay grounded in a world that's changing faster than our nervous systems can keep up. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from her new book EvolvAbility, Anne explains why adaptability is not a soft skill but a critical survival skill. In this episode, you'll learn: Anne's EVOLVE framework and how emotions shape our reactions. How to reduce overwhelm and navigate uncertainty with intention. How simple, science-backed practices — like gratitude, humor, and setting boundaries — build adaptability over time.

Hosts Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros break down the uncomfortable reality that real success rarely feels exciting while you are building it. Through years of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and coaching high performers, they have learned that mastery is less about motivation and more about structure, repetition, and identity. What most people call “boring” is often the exact environment where results are created.If you want a clearer understanding of why progress sometimes feels harder than expected, this episode will recalibrate your standards. Hit play before you talk yourself out of doing the thing you know you should do._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

In this episode, Mary Sullivan, co-founder of Sweet but Fearless, talks with Sheronda Rochelle about career reinvention, bold pivots, and redefining yourself in your 50s and beyond. Sheronda shares her career journey and why she's passionate about helping women over 50 reimagine what's next. They explore the power of support systems, friendships, and why you don't have to reinvent your life alone. Sheronda also introduces her newest endeavor, Revelre, (Relatable, Evolve, Elevate, Rediscovery) a membership community that brings businesswomen together through meaningful, dinner-based networking experiences. If you're navigating a pivot, craving connection, or ready for your next chapter, this episode is for you. Outside of her professional work, Sheronda enjoys writing, cooking, and traveling. She credits much of her success to strong mentors and a supportive community and to embracing a nontraditional path. Looking ahead, she hopes to publish her first novel, write a cookbook, and continue advancing her career.   ABOUT SHERONDA ROCHELLE JD, MFA: LinkedIn – Sheronda Rochelle Website – Revelre ABOUT SWEET BUT FEARLESS: Website - Sweet but Fearless LinkedIn - Sweet but Fearless

Easy choices now create hard consequences later. In today's episode, Kevin and Alan challenge the belief that progress should feel fast, easy, and convenient. They break down why comfort often becomes the invisible barrier that keeps people stuck and how real discipline, resilience, and confidence are built by doing what most people avoid.If you want results that actually last, this conversation will shift how you think about effort, standards, and long-term success. Decide who you are becoming. Then move accordingly._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/Book Alan's Business Breakthrough Session. Your first 30-minute coaching call is FREE. Learn how to prioritize success and let your quality of life become the byproduct. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-session_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Send a textIn today's episode of Evolve Ventures Tech, we talk about the quiet cost of waiting. So many people believe clarity will arrive first and action will follow, but real life rarely works that way. We share what we see behind the scenes with clients who feel stuck, why hesitation can feel so convincing, and what finally shifts momentum when nothing else seems to help.If you feel stuck, scared, or unsure about your next step, this episode may challenge you more than you expect. Waiting is not neutral. It drains time, energy, and opportunity. Action creates evidence. Evidence creates confidence.Here is a related episode that builds on today's conversation:#453 | What it REALLY Feels Like with High Quality Therapy - https://apple.co/4anaO6dLearn more about:

What if the loneliness you feel is actually proof that you are growing?In this episode, Kevin and Alan unpack a reality most people are not prepared for. As your goals get bigger and your standards rise, fewer people will understand your choices. Drawing from years of business building, client coaching, and their own personal growth journeys, they explain why ambition often creates separation and what it really takes to protect your vision when others question your path.If you have ever felt misunderstood, pressured to slow down, or tempted to shrink your goals to make others comfortable, this conversation will challenge how you see the cost of leveling up. Do not trade long-term alignment for short-term approval._______________________Learn more about:Track the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.