Felipe Gomez: The Beauty of Listening

Welcome to a soul-stirring episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times with your host, Chris Schembra. Set against the festive backdrop of New York City during the holiday season, this conversation is an inspiring reminder of the power of gratitude, connection, and intentional living. Joining Chris is Felipe Gómez, a world-renowned thought leader, virtuoso pianist, and keynote speaker who has captivated audiences across 33 countries with his unique blend of music and leadership insights.Felipe’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days learning piano under a patient and dedicated teacher to delivering over 1,000 electrifying performances on global stages, Felipe’s life is a testament to the power of passion and purpose. As a speaker, he combines ancient philosophies, modern leadership principles, and his prodigious musical talent to create experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. In this episode, Felipe and Chris unpack timeless lessons on gratitude, love, learning, and leadership, offering listeners a playbook for transformational living.Chris kicks off the episode with his signature warmth, reminding us all of the magic of small moments and the power of shared experiences. Felipe’s reflections on his first piano teacher, Clara Lucia Sanchez, lay the foundation for a conversation that seamlessly weaves personal stories with actionable insights. Together, Chris and Felipe explore themes like the tension and release of life, the science of gratitude, and the profound impact of small, intentional choices.Felipe’s philosophy is rooted in Aristotle’s golden mean—the balance between excess and deficiency—and he brings this ancient wisdom to life with practical examples and heartfelt anecdotes. He also highlights the transformative power of listening, encouraging leaders to embrace questions like “Tell me more” and “How can I help?” to build trust, empathy, and connection. Throughout the episode, Felipe and Chris demonstrate how gratitude, music, and human connection can serve as antidotes to a world often consumed by division and distraction.As they close out the conversation, Chris and Felipe share their vision for a live event series that combines their passions—food, music, and leadership—to inspire and unite communities. This episode is a masterclass in finding beauty in the everyday, cultivating resilience, and making the choice to live with gratitude and purpose. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Felipe reflects on the life-changing impact of his first piano teacher and how her dedication inspired his lifelong love of music.Chris and Felipe explore the golden mean, Aristotle’s philosophy of balance, and how it applies to modern leadership and life.The importance of listening as a leadership skill is unpacked, with Felipe urging listeners to ask powerful questions like “Tell me more.”Chris shares the science of gratitude, detailing how it improves physical health, mental resilience, and overall happiness.Felipe draws a parallel between life and music, emphasizing the rhythm of tension and release as essential for growth and harmony.Together, they discuss how small, daily choices to learn, love, and explore can lead to a more meaningful and joyful life. Notable Quotes:"Gratitude is the bridge between where we are and where we want to be." – Chris Schembra"We are designed to learn, to explore, and to love—every day is a chance to do all three." – Felipe Gómez"The most profound moments of joy come when we serve others, not ourselves." – Felipe Gómez"Ingratitude is the seed of all wickedness—it’s time we turn it into gratitude and growth." – Chris Schembra"Listening is an act of love, and it opens the door to empathy, understanding, and trust." – Felipe Gómez"Tension is part of life, but release is where growth happens. Don’t dwell in the tension." – Chris Schembra"Love, in its truest form, is the ultimate virtue—it has no limits, only power to transform." – Felipe Gómez"If you want to live a life of gratitude, don’t wait for the big moments. Start with the small ones." – Chris Schembra"In every conversation, the most important thing isn’t what’s said—it’s what remains unsaid." – Felipe Gómez"Virtue is found in the balance—between excess and deficiency lies the path to greatness." – Felipe Gómez"The greatest civilizations crumbled when gratitude disappeared. Let’s not repeat history." – Chris Schembra"To become virtuous, you have to act virtuously. Justice requires acts of justice, love requires acts of love." – Felipe Gómez"Gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a tool for healing, hope, and humanity." – Chris Schembra"Ask two questions every day: 'Tell me more' and 'How can I help?' These will change your life." – Felipe Gómez"You don’t need permission or privilege to make the choice to learn, explore, and love. It’s yours to claim every day." – Chris Schembra Actionable Takeaways:Gratitude fuels growth: It fosters healing, connection, and personal transformation.The power of small choices: Everyday acts of learning, exploring, and loving lead to a meaningful life.Listen to lead: Effective listening builds trust, empathy, and innovation in leadership and life.Tension and release: Life’s challenges are part of a rhythm—embrace the tension and find moments of release to thrive. ABOUT OUR GUEST:Felipe Gómez is a globally renowned speaker, virtuoso pianist, and thought leader whose work bridges the worlds of music, leadership, and personal transformation. With over 1,000 captivating performances delivered in 33 countries and 111 cities, Felipe has earned standing ovations from audiences around the world. His unique ability to blend classical music with practical leadership insights makes him one of the most sought-after keynote speakers today.Felipe’s success is built on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, business leader, and artist. He has delivered his message at some of the world’s most prestigious management and leadership forums, including the Global Peter Drucker Forum, the Oslo Business Forum, and the World Business Forum in New York, Madrid, Milan, and Sydney.In his keynote presentations, Felipe uses a grand piano on stage to create a deeply interactive and transformative experience. Through music, he teaches profound lessons on leadership, trust, innovation, and teamwork, inspiring individuals and organizations to achieve greatness. His philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Aristotle and the concept of the “golden mean,” which he applies to modern challenges in life and business.Felipe is also a celebrated author. His best-selling book, Attitude-E, offers practical frameworks for living with an entrepreneurial mindset, while his upcoming release, Virtuoso, explores the art of living and leading with excellence. Felipe hosts Pensando en Voz Alta, a weekly interview program where he engages with global leaders on topics of creativity, resilience, and transformation.Born in Colombia, Felipe holds an MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, where he also completed a program on Leading Digital Business Transformation. He combines his global perspective with the sensibility of an artist, delivering a message that resonates across cultures and industries.Whether he’s inspiring corporate executives, performing on stage, or engaging with audiences through his 42-Day Listening Challenge, Felipe’s mission is clear: to help people orchestrate transformational change in their personal and professional lives. Connect with Felipe Gómez:Website: Learn more about Felipe's work and upcoming events.Felipe GomezLinkedIn: Connect with Felipe on LinkedIn. ABOUT OUR HOST:Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace. FOLLOW CHRIS:**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS** RESOURCES MENTIONED:Felipe’s 42-Day Listening Program: Subscribe for a daily dose of classical music and reflection.Chris Schembra’s Book: Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hour.Adam Grant’s Book: Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.Barbara Fredrickson’s Research: Learn about the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions.