The Plant Yourself Podcast

Leadership coach Keith J. Corbin and I talk about what's missing from mainstream leadership advice — and why the inspirational messages we see on LinkedIn and in bestselling business books often obscure the structural realities of work. And that’s putting it way too nicely.What We DiscussThe Simon Sinek problemKeith tells the story of working for a CEO who was a devoted Simon Sinek fan — who quoted Start With Why constantly — and then did a massive layoff right before IPO. How can you believe in "taking care of your people" and then respond to investor pressure in ways that contradict that belief? The answer: leaders aren't free agents. They operate within systems that constrain their choices.Why "Start With Why" landed when it didThe book arrived in late 2009, just as the economy was recovering from the 2008 crash and entering a long hiring boom. Caring about employees became structurally important because retention mattered. The message was real — but it was also enabled by market conditions.Missionaries vs. mercenariesLeaders love to say they want people who believe in the mission, not people who just want a paycheck. But we're all both. And when people over-identify with the cause, they can neglect their own material interests — which allows the system to extract more from them.The problem with universal adviceWhen someone on LinkedIn says "here's how to stand out" or "here's how to push back on your boss," Keith asks: who is the particular person being turned into the universal? It's usually someone with privilege, social capital, and easy job mobility — and the advice doesn't transfer to everyone else's lived experience.Fakey languageI remember reading Chip Conley's book Peak (I forgot the name during the conversation, but my Amazon orders list always remembers) about treating hotel customers as "guests" — and realizing that guests don't get a bill at the end. Keith shares Simon Sinek's story about a happy Four Seasons employee who also worked a second job at another hotel — and Sinek never asked why he needed two jobs.Individualism vs. solidarityThe dominant message in coaching and career advice is about individual optimization — how you can get ahead. Keith pushes back: if you're standing out to get ahead, you're getting ahead over someone else in your same position. How do we think about showing up in solidarity with coworkers rather than competing for scarce resources?The rise and fall of DEICorporate social justice movements — from BLM to Me Too to DEI — operated on the margins. DEI was often less about decreasing inequality and more about making sure inequality was evenly distributed. When it got tied to profitability ("diverse teams are more profitable"), it became easy to cut once it didn't deliver on that promise.Freedom vs. choice, solidarity vs. individualismKeith draws on the French Revolution's ideals — equality, liberty, fraternity — and argues that freedom has been replaced by consumer choice, solidarity by individualism, and equality by an even distribution of inequality.Democracy in the workplaceIf we believe in democracy, why don't we bring it to work? You don't choose your manager, you often don't choose what you work on, and you certainly don't vote on layoffs. Keith advocates for employee representation on boards, more democratic structures, and greater worker power — especially as AI reshapes the landscape.AI and the future of laborThe same de-skilling forces that have shaped blue-collar work since the Industrial Revolution are now coming for white-collar knowledge workers. This could create new precarity — or new opportunities for solidarity and collective action.The archeology of the futureKeith shares Fredric Jameson's idea that instead of forecasting from the past, we should look for "the archeology of the future" — finding undeveloped seeds in the present moment that could grow into something radically different.ResourcesBooksStart With Why by Simon SinekPeak by Chip ConleyIn Search of Excellence by Tom PetersThe Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David WengrowThe Engineers and the Price System by Thorstein Veblen (better known for The Theory of the Leisure Class)Other Thinkers & Authors ReferencedJim Collins — Business author (referenced alongside Peters for cherry-picked research)Fredric Jameson — Marxist literary critic; "easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism"; "archeology of the future"Erik Olin Wright — Sociologist; conflicting class positionsPeter Bregman — Author and leadership coach (mutual friend of Howie and Keith)Michael Moore — Filmmaker (on capitalism funding its own critique)Bill Mollison — Co-founder of permaculture ("all the world's problems can be solved in a garden")Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Stephen Porges — Referenced in the discussion of Polyvagal Theory and whose voices dominate the conversationConnect with KeithLinkedIn: Keith J. CorbinWebsite: evolutioncoach.org

I thought this conversation was going to be about meetings. And it was. But it turned out to be about something much larger: a fundamental redesign of power in organizations.Sheella Mierson, PhD is a scientist-turned-organizational-consultant whose whole practice is built on a simple, subversive premise: meetings are a window into culture, and if you can fix the meeting, you can fix the culture. Henry Herschel brings a complementary lens — a business background helping packaged goods startups navigate the journey from entrepreneurial chaos to IPO — now applied to the fascinating challenge of governing a Jewish co-housing community in Berkeley called Berkeley Moshav.And I came to this with skin in the game. I spent nine years in co-housing myself, in a 22-household community in Durham, North Carolina. So I know firsthand how quickly idealistic visions of communal living can devolve into parking disputes, pet policy standoffs, and festering factions. What Sheella and Henry are describing — the governance framework called Sociocracy — is the most elegant answer I've encountered to the question of how groups of passionate, opinionated people (and let's be honest, co-housing and startups both attract people with very strong opinions) can make real decisions together without anyone losing their mind or their dignity.Sociocracy was developed by Gerard Endenburg, a Dutch electrical engineer who looked at a traditional organizational chart and said: I would never design a power system this way. There's no feedback loop. You can't steer it. What he built instead is a system of distributed decision-making, structured rounds, consent (not consensus), and built-in review cycles that treat every policy as an experiment rather than a decree.After this conversation, I've been thinking about what a Sociocratic world might look like. The question that keeps haunting me: what could Google or Meta or Microsoft contribute and stand for if all their talented, idealistic people had a real say in what they built?Topics We CoverMeetings as Cultural Diagnostics"Show me a meeting and I'll tell you what your culture is like" — why fixing meetings is a route into fixing everythingThe difference between meetings that drain and meetings that buildWhat Sociocracy Actually IsGerard Endenburg's insight: a traditional org chart has no feedback loop, so it can't self-correctHow distributed decision-making gives everyone a say in the policies that affect their workWhy Endenburg built the system to run his own electrical contracting company — and what that has to do with power gridsConsent vs. Consensus: A Crucial DistinctionWhy Sociocracy doesn't seek agreement — it seeks the absence of paramount objections"Is this good enough to try?" as a more useful question than "Does everyone love this?"How consent decision-making short-circuits faction formationThe Structure of a Policy MeetingClarifying questions round → Reaction round → Consent roundWhy having a proposal that's well-thought-out before the meeting matters enormouslyWhat happens when someone raises an objection — and why that's the point, not a problemPolicy Meetings vs. Operational MeetingsThe crucial two-track system: setting guidelines vs. coordinating workWhy mixing these up is a recipe for frustration and dysfunctionThe third type: picture-forming meetings, where you gather information before you can even shape a proposalFeedback Loops Built Into the SystemEvery policy has a lifespan, success metrics, and a built-in review dateWhy "we've always done it that way" becomes structurally impossibleHow the system surfaces problems without requiring someone to be brave enough to speak upCircles and Distributed AuthorityHow circles (teams with defined domains) make decisions within agreed-upon boundariesWhy this frees up the whole group from having to weigh in on everythingHow information flows between circles — and how a frontline idea can reach the boardReal-World Application: Berkeley MoshavParking, kashrut, pets — the hot-button issues that tested the modelHenry on the learning curve: making errors, getting over the hump, building momentumWhy having about a third of the community fully competent in Sociocracy is enough to carry the wholeWhat This Could Mean for Your OrganizationHow a manager and direct report can run a two-person policy meeting as equalsWhy people who feel heard stop building factionsA thought experiment: if the employees of major tech companies had real voice, would they be building the same things?ResourcesMierson Consulting — Sheella's practiceThe Sociocracy Consulting Group — Sheella's group practice, and where to find training courses including Foundations of Sociocracy and Facilitating SociocracyWe the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy, by John Buck and Sharon Villines (a great book about Sociocracy)

Ohio therapist, EMDR trainer, and consultant Tom Zimmerman is doing something I find genuinely thrilling: taking one of the most promising trauma treatment approaches in recent memory — the Flash technique — and grounding it in a rigorous neuroscience framework called predictive processing.The result is a model of healing that is both deeply humane and almost startlingly elegant. What if you could help someone process a traumatic memory by barely touching it? What if the brain's prediction machinery — the same system that keeps trauma locked in place — could be gently tricked into releasing it, a micro-slice at a time?Tom connects Flash to Bruce Ecker's work on memory reconsolidation (which long-time Plant Yourself listeners will recognize, and if that's not you, check out the link to my interview with Bruce below), to the neuroscience of rumination, and to the possibility that modern trauma therapies may be rediscovering what ancient communal healing rituals always knew. And he's building a Cleveland-based nonprofit to study all of this formally.This conversation left me buzzing. I hope it does the same for you.Topics We CoverWhat EMDR Actually Is (and Isn't)Why "eye movements" is a misleading shorthand — the real mechanism is present-based bilateral stimulationEMDR's "admission cost": why some clients can't tolerate slowing down long enough for it to workThe Flash Technique: Healing Without RelivingHow Flash "micro-activates" tiny slices of a traumatic memory — just enough to tag it, not enough to overwhelmWhy immediately pivoting to something pleasant (yes, puppy videos) is the therapeutic mechanism, not a distractionThe crucial difference between Flash and ordinary scrolling: one is structured processing, the other is escapismThe Predictive Processing FrameHow trauma functions as a very loud, very sticky prediction: danger is real, I am not safeWhy precision weighting makes it so hard to stay present long enough for disconfirming experiences to landHow Flash creates the "juxtaposition" Bruce Ecker identifies as the key to memory reconsolidation — in micro-dosesWhy Rumination Is the Opposite of HealingHow internally replayed experiences register as new confirming data — reinforcing trauma rather than processing itThe feedback loop that keeps people from getting the sensory mismatch needed for changeFlash vs. Coherence Therapy: Fine Paintbrush vs. Wide BrushWhy a single powerful disconfirmation often can't unlock a schema built from tens of thousands of hours of adverse learningHow Flash targets small representative memories and relies on generalization to update related networksWhen you'd reach for one approach vs. the otherThe Risk of "10-Minute Cure" MarketingWhy the early results from Flash look dazzling — and why that makes it vulnerable to repackagingTom's clear-eyed insistence that complex trauma recovery is not a brief programHealing as a Revolutionary ActHow cultural stories about trauma (reliving scenes until a final cathartic insight) can actually impede healingWhether modern trauma therapies echo ancient communal rituals — drumming, bilateral rhythm, deep witnessingWhy healing your own nervous system is a contribution to a more loving worldWhat You Can Do Right NowStop feeding the rumination loopFind present-based practices that give your nervous system genuine disconfirming experienceScope-of-practice questions for coaches, teachers, and parents interested in these approachesResourcesTom's YouTube Channel: EMDR TomTom's professional trainingsPhil Manfield's work on FlashPYP interview with Bruce EckerThe Experience Machine, by Andy Clark

Today’s conversation explores one of the most urgent questions of our time: What would our world look like if our economic system prioritized human and ecological wellbeing instead of endless growth?I’m joined by Omer Tayyab, researcher and collaborator with economist and author Jason Hickel (Less Is More). Omer works at the intersection of economic theory, political ecology, and democratic reform — with a special focus on degrowth, post-growth futures, and how societies can thrive within planetary boundaries.We met at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he’s currently based, and this episode turned into an expansive, energizing exploration of how we might redesign the systems that shape our daily lives — from work and wealth to democracy, technology, and community resilience.If you're curious about how to build a world that actually works for people and planet, this one’s for you.We cover:What Degrowth Actually MeansWhy “degrowth” is not austerity or “living with less”—but a pathway toward more wellbeing, more leisure, more connection, and more equity.How our current growth-driven system is structurally incompatible with ecological stability.Why “Less Is More” Changed Our Understanding of EconomicsThe key insights from Jason Hickel’s book and why it resonated so deeply.How capitalism’s central goal—maximizing profit rather than wellbeing—creates ecological overshoot and social harm.Rethinking Work and ProductivityWhy the modern economy forces us to produce things nobody needs, simply to keep money circulating.Alternatives that emphasize public services, care work, and meaningful contribution.COVID as a Case Study in System FragilityHow the pandemic revealed the brittleness of global supply chains.The risk of collective amnesia now that we’re “moving on” without actually solving the underlying vulnerabilities.Democracy, Polarization, and System IncentivesWhy many democracies behave like competitive reality shows—pitting groups against each other for votes.How democratic structures might be redesigned to emphasize deliberation, cooperation, and long-term thinking.Technology: Problem, Solution, or Both?Why efficiency alone cannot solve ecological collapse (“Jevons paradox”).Where technology does help—and where it simply accelerates throughput.Imagining a Future that WorksWhy a degrowth society is not about deprivation, but about liberation from unnecessary work, debt, and consumption.How communities across the world are piloting post-growth models right now.ResourcesLess Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, by Jason HickelThe Divide: Global Inequality from Conquest to Free Markets, by Jason HickelThinking in Systems: A Primer, by Donella MeadowsOmer's LinkedIn ProfileOmer on Twitter"Degrowth: a new logic for the global economy," by Omer Tayyab, Jason Hickel et al in the British Medical Journal"US and EU sanctions have killed 38 million people since 1970" - Omer Tayyab article on Al JazeeraRoutledge Handbook of Degrowth (Chapter 10 is about Greece)Today’s conversation explores one of the most urgent questions of our time: What would our world look like if our economic system prioritized human and ecological wellbeing instead of endless growth?I’m joined by Omer Tayyab, researcher and collaborator with economist and author Jason Hickel (Less Is More). Omer works at the intersection of economic theory, political ecology, and democratic reform — with a special focus on degrowth, post-growth futures, and how societies can thrive within planetary boundaries.We met at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he’s currently based, and this episode turned into an expansive, energizing exploration of how we might redesign the systems that shape our daily lives — from work and wealth to democracy, technology, and community resilience.If you're curious about how to build a world that actually works for people and planet, this one’s for you.We cover:What Degrowth Actually MeansWhy “degrowth” is not austerity or “living with less”—but a pathway toward more wellbeing, more leisure, more connection, and more equity.How our current growth-driven system is structurally incompatible with ecological stability.Why “Less Is More” Changed Our Understanding of EconomicsThe key insights from Jason Hickel’s book and why it resonated so deeply.How capitalism’s central goal—maximizing profit rather than wellbeing—creates ecological overshoot and social harm.Rethinking Work and ProductivityWhy the modern economy forces us to produce things nobody needs, simply to keep money circulating.Alternatives that emphasize public services, care work, and meaningful contribution.COVID as a Case Study in System FragilityHow the pandemic revealed the brittleness of global supply chains.The risk of collective amnesia now that we’re “moving on” without actually solving the underlying vulnerabilities.Democracy, Polarization, and System IncentivesWhy many democracies behave like competitive reality shows—pitting groups against each other for votes.How democratic structures might be redesigned to emphasize deliberation, cooperation, and long-term thinking.Technology: Problem, Solution, or Both?Why efficiency alone cannot solve ecological collapse (“Jevons paradox”).Where technology does help—and where it simply accelerates throughput.Imagining a Future that WorksWhy a degrowth society is not about deprivation, but about liberation from unnecessary work, debt, and consumption.How communities across the world are piloting post-growth models right now.ResourcesLess Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, by Jason HickelThe Divide: Global Inequality from Conquest to Free Markets, by Jason HickelThinking in Systems: A Primer, by Donella MeadowsOmer's LinkedIn ProfileOmer on Twitter"US and EU sanctions have killed 38 million people since 1970" - Omer Tayyab article on Al Jazeera

In this episode, Matthew Nagler and I discuss a bunch of things, after intending to focus on cognitive flexibility. That's pretty meta...We meander through various behavioral science "greatest hits," including the endowment effect, loss aversion, and altruism. We explore how these phenomena affect human behavior and social dynamics, specifically by looking at a "prisoners' dilemma" type game show, and how one person's "Golden Ball" strategy shocked a nation.Then we roll up our metaphorical sleeves and get serious about cognitive flexibility. We explore the role it plays in personal identity, career changes, and societal issues like gender fluidity. We also tackle thorny ethical questions of how to balance personal and societal concerns, and how to enhance human welfare for all in a world where my ability to change can seem like a direct threat to you. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:04 Exploring the Endowment Effect04:15 Loss Aversion and Decision Making18:49 Cognitive Flexibility and Personal Growth38:58 Entering the Business World39:36 Challenges in the Private Sector41:18 Reflections on Meaningful Work43:28 The Value of Teaching49:14 Cognitive Flexibility and Social Impact53:52 Balancing Personal and Social Responsibilities01:00:17 Game Shows and Human NatureLinksZen and Economics — a Substack by Matthew Nagler Golden Balls - split or steal on YouTubeThe Will of the Many, by James IslingtonCatalog of Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld seriesAffari Toui - Italian version of Deal or No DealMoral Ambition, by Rutger Bregman

Are empathy and humanity compatible with great leadership, or do they just get in the way? That's the topic of today's conversation with executive coach Jennifer Nash about her book, "Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance." Jennifer's got great war stories (or more accurately, Peace Stories). Like how Alan Mulally turned things around at Ford by NOT being the smartest guy in the room. Looking for a mnifty mnemonic to guide you to become a better, more human-centric leader? The HUMANS framework has you covered. Don't miss this inspiring conversation—you'll definitely walk away with some fresh insights on creating happier, more effective workplaces.01:00 Ballroom Dancing and Leadership02:02 The Story Behind 'Be Human, Lead Human'03:33 Alan Mulally's Transformative Leadership at Ford09:36 The Importance of Human-Centric Leadership21:56 Jennifer's Journey: From Ford to Deloitte23:40 Implementing Human-Centric Strategies in Organizations29:55 The Motivation Behind Transformation30:15 The Power of Semantics in Change30:44 Understanding Human Behavior and Motivation31:22 Organizational Change Strategies32:55 Ford's Inclusive Leadership Approach35:03 Introducing the HUMAN Framework35:51 Breaking Down the HUMAN Framework38:19 The Importance of Relationships in Leadership40:03 Self-Assessment and Feedback in Leadership43:04 Addressing Neurodivergence in Leadership48:18 Coaching Through Self-Awareness and Emotional Reactions52:53 The Future of Leadership with AI

Remember Donna the Deer Lady, and her call to a radio talk show that electrified the nation?To refresh your memory, she was wondering why the highway department place the "Deer Crossing" signs at the busiest sections, where the deer were most likely to get hit by a moving vehicle. “Why are we encouraging deer to cross at the interstate? I don’t get it. That’s a high- traffic area,” she said.That’s exactly the kind of oddball story that grabbed me from minute one with Todd Cherches — a man equipped to wring out profound and useful truths from tales like that one.Todd is not your typical leadership guru—he earned his stripes in Hollywood, teaching actors how to deliver scenes, and later as a project manager sketching theme parks in China.These days, he coaches executives and trains leaders using what he calls visual leadership—a way to help people "see" what you’re talking about, not just hear it.In this episode, Todd unpacks how metaphors sneak into everyday chat (“Feed me, Seymour!” anyone?), why a CEO fetching potato chips for the staff says more about leadership than a big speech, and how to stay real and connected when half your team is working in slippers on Zoom.Show HighlightsHow a radio caller’s confusion about a deer crossing sign turned into a killer leadership metaphorWhy metaphors are baked into 50–70% of our language—and how to notice when you’re spooning them outTodd’s Hollywood adventures—including delivering lunches for Aaron Spelling and battling Mt. Hollywood traffic for extra chicken saladThe three lenses of leadership: microscope, telescope, and kaleidoscope – and why you’ll need ’em all in today’s hybrid, VUCA worldDigital leadership in 2025: making hybrid teams feel seen when you can’t just pop by their desksAI’s place in education and leadership—and how to stay mentally fit in spite of its pullThe four G’s of leadership everybody can start practicing today: Genuine, Generous, Gracious, and GratefulHow a single thank-you note from a student or client can become your secret stash of joyAbout Todd CherchesTodd is the CEO and co-founder of BigBlueGumball, a management and leadership consulting firm. He’s the author of Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life, and a globally recognized speaker and executive coach. A two-time TEDx speaker, Todd teaches at NYU and Columbia University and brings a unique blend of pop culture, practical tools, and visual metaphors to leadership and communication.Connect with Todd on LinkedInLearn more at toddcherches.com and watch his TEDx talk on visual thinkingGet VisuaLeadership at Bookshop.org

Five short years from now, 2030 will be here—and the world of work (and life) is shapeshifting at warp speed. We're all going to have to do some serious surfing to stay afloat, let alone to participate in creating the world we want. Executive coach Anna Glynn helps sales leaders, which isn't me and probably isn't you either. But what she teaches them can help us all stay effective, engaged, and sane in the rough seas ahead. In this conversation we unpack her STRONG framework—six evidence-based levers anyone can pull to build performance, wellbeing, and joy.What We Talk AboutS – Strengths: spotting and flexing what you’re already good at to create robustnessT – Trust (and psychological safety): the foundation for experimentation, feedback, and growthR – Resilience: bouncing forward (not just back) when the unexpected hitsO – Optimism: the power of realistic optimism to fuel action, not complacencyN – Networks: cultivating diverse, generous relationships that expand perspective and opportunityG – Goals & Purpose: aligning what you chase with why you’re here, to avoid burnout and boost meaningMicro-habitsHow to run a quick STRONG self-audit—and choose one lever to pull this weekLinksAnna’s home base: AnnaGlynn.com.auBook: STRONG: How the Best Sales Letters Engage, Achieve, and ThriveConnect with Anna on LinkedIn

Beth Green has lived many lives: activist, Marxist, spiritual channeler, intuitive counselor, and founder of the Healing Arts Network. In this moving and provocative conversation, she shares stories from her remarkable life—beginning with her expulsion from Smith College for protesting nuclear weapons at age 16—and the wisdom she’s gained through decades of navigating political and spiritual contradictions.We explore how ego shows up in both activism and spirituality, and how Beth integrates the two by grounding them in a simple yet radical truth: our job is to care for people and the Earth. She challenges the commodification of human creativity, the spiritual bypassing of systemic injustice, and the failure of both capitalism and traditional leftist movements to recognize the deeper roots of human suffering.This episode also features a powerful (and private) counseling session where Beth guides me through deep personal insight—so powerful that most of it didn't make it into the final cut. What remains, though, is the transformation that session catalyzed, and a conversation that just might do the same for you.Links and Resources:Beth’s counseling and spiritual work: bethgreen.orgFree books, music, and teachings: healingartsnetwork.orgBeth’s nonprofit and activist platform: thestream.infoThe New Declaration of Independence: thestream.info/next-steps Topics We Cover:The cost of courage in a conformist worldThe problem with both capitalism and spiritual escapismHow ego hijacks politics and spirituality alikeWhat it means to live “at the intersection of the human and divine”A radically compassionate vision for collective thriving

Zach Stone’s life arc runs from teenage “knucklehead” to crisis negotiator, trauma-informed facilitator, and head-of-product for thirty health-ed dev teams. In this rich, funny, and occasionally hair-raising conversation we drill down into the how of navigating chaos — on a subway platform, in a corporate boardroom, and inside your own nervous system.Trigger warning: there's a conversation about suicide at about 15 minutes into the episode. Skip to minute 17 if you want to avoid this section.Here's a tasting menu of our conversation:Gang manuals & purple binders – How a Quaker-adjacent conflict resolution course turned a 15-year-old troublemaker into a group dynamics geek.From union hall to board hall – Lessons learned refereeing SEPTA labor fights and why the same “rubber-and-glue” listening works on Zoom stand-ups.OARS in rough water – Using Motivational Interviewing (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) to defuse rage, whether from a bus driver or the voice in your own head.Simulated danger, real breakthroughs – How well-designed role-plays can heal trauma if you hold the container (and what happens when a participant suddenly starts to undress).Signs you’re in a chaotic system – Chronic absenteeism, cortisol tummy, “my work doesn’t matter” syndrome, and 70% burnout in tech.Habit > culture – A shout-out to Paul Gibbons, Prochaska & DiClemente, and the myth of top-down culture change.Martial arts as somatic therapy – TaeKwonDo to Muay Thai to boxing; what Zach saw when veterans laid down their canes and kids in shelters stopped fighting.Virtual heartbreak – Coaching a Kharkiv dev team while missiles shook their bomb shelter.Chaos surfing 101 – Why you don’t control chaos, you ride it; plus simple team-level practices to build collective resilience.TakeawaysName the elephant first. Start every workshop by voicing the resistance in the room; it evaporates faster than you’d think.Watch for survival mode. Tight shoulders, skipped meals, rolling eyes? Slow down before you roll out another initiative.Move the meat-sack. Five minutes of mindful movement (shadow-boxing, Tai-Chi, hallway laps) resets the neuro-chemistry better than another latte.Change habits, not slogans. Draft tiny incentives that make the preferred behavior the easy behavior; culture follows.Links & ResourcesZach on LinkedIn – the easiest place to connect and geek out about behavioral science.Red Kite Project – trauma-informed organizational change (Charlotte DiBartolomeo).AFSC Help Increase the Peace curriculumBooksPeter Levine – Waking the TigerBessel van der Kolk – The Body Keeps the ScorePaul Gibbons – The Science of Organizational Change

Garry Ridge is the former CEO of WD-40 and the co-author of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, a book about building high-performance cultures through servant leadership, emotional safety, and consistent values. In this conversation, Garry shares not just what he learned during his 25+ years at WD-40, but how he lived it—and how other leaders can too.We talked about what it means to lead with a heart of gold and a backbone of steel, how culture can't be microwaved (spoiler: it's a crockpot), and why being a "dumbass" is actually a leadership superpower.Garry tells stories about turning fear into learning, eliminating the word "manager," and why clarity around values—especially in a hierarchy—gives everyone the confidence to make the right decision, no matter their title.We also explore:Why psychological safety isn't fluff, it's foundationalHow “the soul-sucking CEO” lives in all of us, and what to do about thatWhat happened when Garry went back to school as a CEOHow WD-40 went global using three simple marketing questionsWhy organizations should replace “failure” with “learning moments”The real-world power of love and belonging at workThe “Maniac Pledge” and how it eliminates finger-pointingHow even during COVID, WD-40’s engagement scores stayed sky-highThis episode is a warm bath of wisdom, humor, and hope for anyone who wants to lead—at work or in life—with integrity, humility, and heart.LinksGarry Ridge's website: thelearningmoment.netTake the Dumbass Proficiency Quiz hereConnect with Garry on LinkedInJoin the School of Dumb-Assery on LinkedInGarry’s book: Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It

DEI is under serious threat in a "post-Woke" world. Is it still relevant? Does it have to lead to shame?Can we promote diversity without creating zero-sum dynamics of winners and losers?Today's guest, Winitha Bonney, takes on DEI challenges with a clear and compassionate worldview grounded in empathy.Which, in her telling, is what DEI is all about. Ms Bonney helps me understand the importance of cultural context, the challenges of navigating discomfort and shame, and the ethical obligations of organizations to create a more just and inclusive world.AI Thinks These are the Key Takeaways, and Who am I to Argue?There's a lot of work to do in DEI.Cultural context is crucial in understanding DEI.DEI is often oversimplified in corporate settings.Navigating discomfort and shame is essential for progress.Corporate responsibility must align with ethical obligations.The future of DEI holds both challenges and hopes.Understanding different cultural perspectives enriches DEI efforts.Shame and guilt can hinder effective DEI work.Inclusion should focus on equitable resource distribution.The evolution of DEI is a response to societal changes.LinksWinitha.com (cool URL, no?)

Stephen Baxter lives in Tasmania, which has Tasmanian devils which sadly are nothing like the one that gave me nightmares as a little kid watching Looney Tunes cartoons on Saturday mornings.He’s a leadership mentor who promotes a style of leadership very different from the stereotypical command-and-control style of celebrated CEOs and generals: a humble, relational, and community-centered style of leadership rooted in influence, story, and service.Drawing from his diverse experience—as a former pastor, mentor to political leaders, and grassroots organizer—Stephen explains the power of "leading leaders" rather than followers, and how narrative, self-awareness, and collaboration shape a more human and sustainable model of leadership.He shows us how it’s possible to lead without ego and create culture without control. These qualities can foster change in  local communities and global systems.From church pews to parliament halls, from jazz bands to ultimate Frisbee teams, this conversation unpacks how leadership shows up in ordinary places—and why that's where it matters most.What We Talked AboutThe unique leadership ecosystem of TasmaniaHow leadership is different when people come voluntarily (vs. for a paycheck)The myth of the "alpha" leader and the power of facilitationLeadership as storytelling, not statusCultivating leadership in community, not in hierarchyHow fear and unmet needs distort leadershipThe hidden leadership potential in all of usTips for stepping into leadership in your family, workplace, or community

How can we create workplaces that not only support employees and leaders but also contribute positively to the world?Jess Stuart, a former high-achieving burned-out executive turned speaker and leadership coach, shares her journey from corporate burnout to studying with Buddhist monks and nuns around the world.Spoiler: she discovered, and brought back to her clients, a more sustainable and human-centered approach to work.Jess’s expertise bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern workplace challenges, offering actionable insights for leaders and employees alike. We discuss the signs of high-functioning burnout, the importance of quality over quantity in productivity, and how organizations can redefine success to prioritize well-being.We talk about the tension between helping individuals cope and manage within problematic systems and changing those systems from the top down.We explore Jess's work with women leaders, and the additional headwinds they face (double standards, damned-if-you-do-or-don't, assumptions about competence and experience, and more).We also get into the seismic shifts being ushered in through generative AI, and wonder if it will perpetuate the sexist thinking of the (mostly men) who program it, or whether it can actually attain a higher level of wisdom and algorithmically look for solutions that benefit all life.If you're feeling overwhelmed by the relentless pace of work (or if you know anyone who's not having a ball in their job, I highly recommend getting to know Jess and her insights.LinksJess's Website

Tough times for justice, equality, inclusion, and hope these days.With the "anti-woke" attack on DEI, I was wondering how my friend Keith Edwards was doing these days.His practice is one of "aspiring allyship" — how we can all come together to learn and grow, and work for our collective liberation from all forms of tyranny and discrimination.Are businesses, cowering before the Trump/Musk onslaught, running away from diversity, equity and inclusion as fast as they can?Turns out, no.Because these factors are critical to any business that wants to thrive in these turbulent times.As Keith points out, diversity isn't the opposite of meritocracy; it's the only way to get the right people into the right positions.And unlike the performative wokeness that spasmed through society in the wake of George Floyd's murder and the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in summer 2020, companies that are bringing Keith in now are serious about making their organizations better. No more eye-rolling CEOs and checked-out senior managers.One of the ideas that Keith really hammers home is this: equity benefits everyone, not just marginalized groups. The things that really make our lives worthwhile — freedom, dignity, love, joy — aren't in short supply. In fact, the more of these that you have, the more that I can have as well.Leadership around these issues requires soul-searching, humility, a willingness to change and grow, and mindful presence.I shared my own struggles to become a useful ally with Keith, who shared some of his own "embarrassing moments," and pointed out that we're all "wildly unfinished," and as long as we're open, we can still act with integrity and power.Here are the takeaways that AI thought worth recording:Hope is a practice, not an emotion.Joy is a renewable resource that can be cultivated.Equity involves recognizing and removing unfair barriers.Allyship is about action, not identity.Being effective is more important than being right.Corporate language around DEI is shifting, but the work continues.The murder of George Floyd highlighted systemic issues in society.We are all works in progress and can change our perspectives.Helping marginalized groups ultimately benefits everyone.It's essential to recognize that joy and freedom are abundant resources. When we act for the collective, we are also benefiting ourselves.Mindfulness helps leaders stay grounded and centered.Slowing down can be a powerful leadership tool.Recognizing reactivity is the first step to choosing responses.Unlearning harmful beliefs is a gift to oneself.Aspiring allyship requires self-reflection and humility.Feedback should be seen as a gift for personal growth.Our liberation is interconnected with others' liberation.Performative actions can lead to genuine change over time.Creating accessible pathways for equity is essential.LinksKeithEdwards.comKeith's newsletterKeith's YouTube channelAspiring Allyship program"Riding Shotgun Down the Avalanche," by Shawn Colvin"The Big Payback" episode of AtlantaThe Book of Joy, by the Dalai Lama and Desmond TutuThe Lawn Sign Commitment studyThe Serviceberry, by Robin Wall KimmererCloud CultTokyo Vice

John Seed was a 3-piece suit tech worker, then a meditating hippie farmer, before stumbling into his lifelong calling as an environmental activist.He participated in the world's first direct action to preserve a rain forest in the 1970s. He co-founded the Rainforest Information Center and raised money and awareness to save the "lungs of the planet."John soon realized that raising awareness wasn't going to accomplish the mission. After all, most people were aware of the damage humans were doing to the planet, but still weren't taking action to stop it.His discovery of the Deep Ecology movement brought new clarity and led to the creation of new forms of activism. With Buddhist scholar and activist Joanna Macy, John developed what's now known as The Work that Reconnects (and Experiential Deep Ecology in Australia).This work invites us to honor our feelings, even the most painful and hopeless ones. It asks us to see the possibilities that can arise when we see ourselves as part of, rather than apart from and above, nature.In our conversation, we talk about capitalism, economics, advertising, right livelihood, psychedelics, 4 billion years of evolution that lives in each of our bodies, and the distinction between personal biographical trauma and that trauma that every living being experiences on a planet at war with itself.I feel so lucky to be able to imbibe John's wisdom and spirit and humility.I don't know if I have more hope than before, but I have more clarity, direction, and resolve.I wish the same for you, and all my human relations.LinksJohnSeed.netThinking Like a MountainThe Work That Reconnects

https://youtu.be/lqbkngcx5QoLet's talk about persuasion!Whether in the form of sales, or a helpful coaching conversation, or "street epistemology" for a cause you care about, it's very useful to understand how human beings make decisions.Today's guest is Ian Ross, a sales trainer specializing in understanding human psychology and communication.In our conversation, Ian debunks the common misconception that effective sales techniques are inherently sleazy. Instead, he argues, sales can be all about communicating effectively so that our conversation partner makes a good decision.It's certainly possible to misuse powerful communication skills, as with any tool. (You should see the havoc I can wreak with a reciprocating saw.) And there is a fine line between influence and manipulation — ultimately, it's all about intent. After covering the basic principles of sales psychology, which apply to everyday interactions, we pivot into helping me become better at selling my own consulting and coaching services. Ian helps me create a process for the sales call, including the right and wrong questions to ask, how to deal with financial issues, and how to end the call with a decision — whether yes or no — rather than a vague and wriggly "I need to think about it."Ian's wisdom is invaluable for anyone looking to improve their persuasion skills, in both professional and personal contexts.LinksVivid Selling on InstagramIan's Substack newsletterIan's Close More Sales podcastChris Voss on the Plant Yourself Podcast

Join me on a morning walk as I provide a stream of consciousness introduction to my latest book project while dodging traffic and pitying looks from people noticing me talking to myself with two mics attached to my jacket.The book is about triggers — what causes us to behave in ways we don't like, out of alignment with our goals and values. Like breaking our food rules or buying sh-stuff we don't need or losing our temper with family members and colleagues.This is the first of four episodes on triggers, and in it I cover the concept of allostatic load. That's the build-up of stress in our nervous systems, which can turn even the most benign or insignificant glance, comment, or traffic delay seem like a life-or-death struggle.I discuss the science of stress — how and why it occurs, and how and why it subsides — and how our big brains and modern lifestyles have colluded to turn us into constantly stressed-out beings on the verge of exploding.And I briefly cover some strategies for reducing allostatic load, so we can be more resilient and composed in the face of the inevitable stressors that come at us all the time. And here are some photos of the construction in La Plana, which explains some of the ambient noise that you'll hear during the episode.Want more of this type of show? Got questions about triggers? Let me know in the comments.

Michael Gelb returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book, Walking Well, co-written with Bruce Fertman. In our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics:the biomechanics of walkinghow we can powerfully improve the experience of walking through simple mindfulness and imagination exerciseswhy walking is the quintessential human activitythe benefits of walking (physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual)other basic human postures (standing, sitting, lying down)materialist vs spiritual orientation to lifeand much more...Michael makes the case that walking, if done well, is kind of a magic Swiss army knife for life. It can give us the same benefits as meditation, strenuous exercise, yoga, breathwork, and many other "advanced" modalities.From the eminently practical (you'll learn three exercises that will have you walking better in minutes) to the deeply philosophical, this is a conversation (and book) that you won't want to miss.LinksMichaelGelb.comWalkingWell.comWalking WellLessons from the Art of Juggling

I've been on a memory reconsolidation mission since I was first introduced to it a couple of years ago. Two missions, in fact. One, to learn as much as I can and incorporate it into my coaching and mentoring.Two, to share it far and wide.Today, we're going to talk about memory reconsolidation and some of the techniques that you can use to help bring it about for yourself and for others. My guest is my daughter Yael Zivan who has been studying memory reconsolidation and experiential therapies with some of the luminaries in the field that we talk about in this episode. I'm so happy and delighted that she is carrying on this mission in her way, bringing healing and support and compassion and love to people thanks to this recent neuroscience breakthrough, that shows us how to shortcut transformation and make it effortless and permanent.In our conversation, we dive deep into therapeutic modalities and memory reconsolidation. Yael shares her journey in transforming her own trauma into a passion and career, exploring techniques such as AEDP and Coherence Therapy. We talk about the importance of self-compassion, understanding schemas, and innovative approaches to healing triggers and old patterns.

Well, it's getting to be that time of life when I begin to realize that I'm mortal. Next year I turn 60, which, according to the Jewish blessing "May you live to a hundred and twenty," puts me smack dab in middle age.I've been whole food plant-based for decades, and I'm pretty athletic. I meditate, and I keep a journal just in case I ever get the urge to write in it. I drink water, avoid tobacco products, drink about a quart of alcohol a year, and wear a bike helmet.So you'd think that I'd be going into the second half of life all guns a-blazing, ready to tackle any and all challenges.But you'd be wrong.The area where I'm weakest is flexibility.I'm working harder and harder to put my socks on. When I'm playing Ultimate or Padel, I have trouble bending down to catch a disc or return a ball.I'm worried about turning into a caricature of an old man: shuffling around, complaining about the weather and my rheumatism.I decided to do something about it.Maybe I even mentioned this to my wife, because in no time my Facebook feed was swollen with ads for online stretching programs.One caught my eye, because the presenter seemed real and down-to-earth. So I bought a "Science of Stretching" course from Lucas Rockwood, founder of YogaBody.Then I realized that I knew Lucas.In fact, he'd hosted me on his Age Less / Live More Podcast way back in March, 2014, where I talked about my goal of turning the world into a giant food forest. (Ah, permaculture :).We'd first met, in fact, about 8 years before that, when we were both learning the ins and outs of digital marketing.And one thing that caught my eye was that Lucas had settled in Barcelona, less than 30 km from where I live. So I reached out, and he graciously agreed to be a guest on Plant Yourself. I shlepped my recording equipment into the city, and we met at his studio and had a really good conversation.Mostly we talk about how to maintain healthspan, particularly in the second half of life.Lucas shares lots of valuable insights:how our athleticism might evolve as we agethe balance between training and injury preventionhow to get the benefits of yoga if someone (ahem) isn't crazy about actually doing yogathe power of intentional breath practices for regulating the nervous systemthe science of flexibility training (and why it's more or less unknown in most gyms)Lucas gives us the three principles of flexibility practice, and shares why most of the stretching we do doesn't actually increase our range of motion.And he shares three types of breathing and how to apply each one in practice and in daily life.We also cover some of the problems in the yoga community, including sexual exploitation. As you can see, our "range of conversation" parallels Lucas' own range of motion, and hopefully the one that I'm developing as I continue to deepen my own practice.If you plan on living a full and vibrant life, and you're approaching A Certain Age, this episode may serve you — as it did me — as a wakeup call.LinksYogaBody.comLucas' Age Less / Live More PodcastMy appearance on the Age Less / Live More PodcastJob's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork, by Dean Juhan

One of the things I love about being an executive coach and organizational consultant is how creative I get to be and how many different things I get to try.Every year, at least 10 or 20 pretty significant books on related topics get published. They talk about personal performance, about how to get people to change, how to get teams to become more effective, and how to get organizational culture to shift. Helping clients navigate change is definitely fun, but it can also feel like an infinite candy shop. It's hard to choose a single approach as the right one, and hard to combine a bunch of different approaches into anything resembling a coherent strategy and action plan. And the truth is, when you look at the field of consulting and coaching, we don't have a great track record. As in, there's a lot of stuff that people do that seems nice—and just doesn't work. I remember when I first went back to graduate school for public health. I had this naive idea that anything that had a good message was good. So I thought that DARE—Drug Abuse Resistance Education; the drug education program where police would come into the community and tell kids not to do drugs—was great. And then I started looking at the research that DARE just didn't work. The kids who went through DARE were using drugs at least as much as kids who'd never been exposed to it. And then I started looking at abstinence-based sex education and realizing that there were more teen pregnancies there than in communities where kids were taught how to use birth control and how to talk to each other about sexuality and sex. Stuff that seemed like it was obvious, wasn't. Those revelatiopns made me realize how badly we need science in the social sciences to inform what we do. And that is all by way of teeing up today's guest, Dr. Richard Boyatzis, who's written a book called The Science of Change.It's a guide for changemakers, for practitioners, for scholars, for academics, for community organizers, for honorable politicians, and for activists.It explores key questions relating to how we bring about change.What's the recipe? What are the intructions. What are the key elements, and what are the tipping points to pay attention to?In other words, how do we put it all together and lead change effectively and not just creatively and heartfeltly. It's not an easy book. But it's for you if you really want to understand how to create change the most micro level—the personal—and in concentric rings outward, to the familial, communal, societal, and national levels. LinksThe Science of Change, by Richard E BoyatzisHelping People Change, by Richard Boyatzis, Melvin Smith, and Ellen van OostenI Heard There Was a Secret Chord, by Daniel LevitinThis is Your Brain on Music, by Daniel LevitinYou Can Change Other People, by Peter Bregman and Dr Howie JacobsonOutliers, by Malcolm GladwellStart with Why, by Simon SinekThis is What It Sounds Like, by Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas

According to climate activist Joanna Macy, there are three stories that explain the world we're living in.The first is Business as Usual.That is, "Don't worry. Everything's fine."For example: "Global warming? No sweat — we're going to figure out how to suck carbon out of the air. No worries. The capitalist system will figure things out and the people who come up with the best, most valuable ideas will be rewarded. All is good."Sounds reasonable, especially if you consume mainstream news and listen to experts and pundits promoted and funded by capitalism.The second is the Great Unraveling.As in, "We're doomed."And it can sound like this: "The oceans are dying. Fisheries are collapsing. There's poverty everywhere. The climate is chaotic and dangerous. Everything's on fire or under flood waters. There's oppression and war and degradation, and income inequality is skyrocketing. And it's too late; there's nothing we can do anymore."Well, I can't argue with any of that. When I read scientific papers on climate science and oceanography, when I talk with farmers — it's hard to feel a big surge of hope about our future.And then there's a third story: the Great Turning.The Great Turning says, "Let's build a just and life-sustaining society."Living into the Great Turning isn't a spectator bet on what will happen, but rather a decision to get onto the field of play to affect the outcome.And that's what my guest, Jess Serrante, and I, cover in this conversation.So if you have been in despair and rage, bewilderment, and depression; or if you're thinking, if only we had elected the other folks then everything would be fine — this third story will offer you a way forward.LinksWe Are the Great Turning PodcastJessSerrante.comJess Serrante on Instagram"Wild Geese," by Mary OliverAn amazing Padel pointYogaBody.com

Doctors Ayesha and Dean Sherzai founded the Healthy Minds Initiative (HMI) to scale their impact on the tragic epidemic of dementia plaguing the world today. The first thing that we have to understand is that the majority of dementias are preventable through diet and lifestyle. The Sherzai's acronym NEURO—nutrition, exercise, unwinding, restorative sleep, and optimization—encapsulates the pillars that can determine our cognitive trajectory as we age. Second, individual behavior change is hard. And it's especially hard when the community norms are unhealthy.Third, traditionally underserved and marginalized communities are bearing the brunt of the damage and ensuing tragic consequences.And fourth, circling around, those communities can actually become leaders in the public health crusade against toxic lifestyles, since their empowerment can become the solution. HMI exists to empower communities to spread both the message and practice of lifestyle medicine. But in order to do that, the Sherzai's and their partners can't come in as experts. Instead, they approach as curious partners, willing to learn, and willing to stick around and provide support for the long term, and not just until the latest research grant runs out. In our conversation, we talk about the need for systemic change in research models that prioritize community engagement and sustainability. And we talk about what sustainable progress looks like, and can look like—in other words, a blueprint for community engagement and empowerment that can create a grassroots, decentralized, democratic health movement.LinksThe Healthy Minds InitiativeThe Brain DocsNourishing Our Brains and Preventing Dementia with Ayesha Sherzai, MD: PYP 279The Role of Science in Public Discourse and Racial Justice: Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, MDs: PYP 414The Alzheimer's Solution, by Drs Ayesha and Dean SherzaiThe 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution: The Definitive Food and Lifestyle Guide to Preventing Cognitive Decline, by Drs Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

Lewis Bertus was following medical best practices as a physician's assistant when his wife's illness forced him to take a hard look at the limitations of the healthcare industry.The drugs weren't helping her type 2 diabetes, no matter how much her doctors insisted that the pharma route was the only responsible one.So Lewis "did his own research," which can go in all sorts of directions, some of them pretty horrifying.Fortunately, with his grounding in medicine and his deep spiritual faith, he struck gold.Once he learned that a whole food, plant-based diet can reverse type 2 diabetes, he devoted himself to spreading the word. And empowering people with the ability to get that diet off the pages of books and the frames of videos into their kitchens, onto their forks, and into their mouths.In our conversation, we talk about his work as a health coach specializing in diabetes reversal.We look at various barriers to change: cultural, biochemical, and habitual.We dive into the primacy of mindfulness as a tool for managing cravings and reducing stress.We explore the intersection of mindfulness and spiritual practices, and how the "STOP" process can tap into religious beliefs in the service of health.We also talk about the challenges of addressing health disparities in historically marginalized communities, and the urgent need for diversity in healthcare — patients can see healthcare professionals who "look like them" and have credibility talking about their lives.Enjoy!LinksLewisBertus.com

If What Lights You Up were simply an extremely practical guide to job hunting, I wouldn't have been interested in a conversation with the author, Mary Olson-Menzel.Not that job hunting isn't an important topic — it clearly is, especially if you're out of a job or in one that's making you miserable.It's just that I wouldn't be interested in having that convo, and so I'd skip it.That said, What Lights You Up is in fact an extremely practical guide to job hunting.What piqued my interest was the idea that our careers can be powered by joy, self-expression, and contribution rather than opportunism, random chance, or calculated self-interest.What if we lived in a world where people were allowed — hell, encouraged — to break free from unfulfilling work and discover their passions? What might change if that were an unalienable right?But this conversation isn't just about an inspiring thought. It's also an extremely practical guide to job hunting (have I already mentioned that?) that's powered by the principle that you can use work as a means to growing your best self and giving that self to the world.We talk about a tool to help you figure out what lights you up: the "Light Log."Mary shares with me a new (for me) way of networking, with intention and authenticity.She also offers some exercises for job-seekers, and coaches me through the 3 P's of job searching (which are also the 3 P's of prospecting, so I was taking notes!).If you want to make a difference while making a living, this conversation is for you.LinksMVP ExecWhat Lights You Up?

Just because homelessness is a complex problem doesn't mean that there aren't simple solutions.The obstacles to ending homelessness stem from the "address homelessness" industry itself, which benefits from the persistence of the problem rather than its eradication.What's needed, according to today's guest, Momma Kai Sanders, is affordable housing.That's the root of the issue: homes that people can afford to live in.And Momma Kai isn't just talking about it. She's taking action — running for mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, on a write-in ticket.She's running for her son, Wisdom, to create the policies now that can give him a chance at a good life in the future.She's fighting for the most vulnerable and marginalized from a position not just of solidarity, but identity.She's all about compassion and authentic leadership.If you can vote for her, I hope you do so.If you know folks who live in Raleigh who can spread the word, I hope you reach out to them.It's a long shot, sure, but the most important question isn't "Who's going to win?" Instead, it's "Whose team do you want to be on?"LinksMomma Kai's Instagram pageHelping the Unhoused – and Homeless – Move From Poverty to Prosperity: Momma Kai Sanders on PYP 562True Privilege is Growing Up in a Low-Trauma Environment: Momma Kai Sanders on PYP 566

Tom Solid and Paco Cantero are the minds behind the Paperless Movement, a consultancy and educational program for people who aspire to high performance in a fast-changing digital landscape.Which is to say, they're here to help us get shit done in a world of infinite bits and bytes, a world of 24/7 access to information, and a world which will grab our calendar by the short and curlies and impose a zillion external agendas upon us if we don't learn how to defend our time, our priorities, and our purpose.Rather than focus on the latest and greatest individual tools (the "it girls" of the productivity world), Tom and Paco emphasize the need to understand systems, and use tools for particular purposes to achieve desired results.We dive into their ICOR framework, and encounter such things as the Capturing Beast, the Single Source of Truth, and the pitfalls of using the internet as a "Second Brain."We also explore the difference between Deep and Shallow work, and why it's crucial to be deliberate in building time and space for the former. Here are the key takeaways, according to AI:Productivity is about performing at your best without burning out.Understanding that everything is a system can enhance productivity.Busy professionals can be productive if they have clarity in their tasks.Switching tools frequently can lead to confusion and inefficiency.A structured approach to productivity is essential for busy professionals.Continuous improvement happens naturally when systems are in place.Clarity in goals and tasks leads to better tool usage.It's not the tools that matter, but how you use them.A combination of small changes can lead to significant improvements.Ultimately, productivity is simply a means to achieve What Matters Most to us. Joyfully.With peace of mind.And on purpose.LinksPaperlessMovement.comICOR® Journey: Learn how to build your ultimate productivity system with any tools!

In the movie There's Something About Mary, there's a scene where Ben Stiller's character picks up a hitchhiker who tries to pitch him on a business idea.There's a popular exercise video called Eight Minute Abs, but the hitchhiker is going to capture market share by making a video called Seven Minute Abs.He explains, "If you walk into the video store and you see Eight Minute Abs and Seven Minute Abs, which one are you going to take? Seven minutes, of course.But he gets stumped by the question, "What if somebody else comes out with Six Minute Abs?"I thought of that scene when I got pitched for a new book called Three Minutes a Day: A Fourteen-Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life, by Richard Dixey.I thought, boy, have we really dumbed down the tradition of meditation from its origins.Starting with Buddha sitting under the tree for days or weeks at a time until enlightenment descended upon him, to the practices of of monks and nuns of the monastic orders in Europe who would sit and pray for several hours a day.And now, just like everything else in the West, we've turned it into something that you can package and microwave and sell to the masses who just want a quick fix.Then I took a look at the book and completely changed my mind.And in fact, the conversation you're about to hear with Richard Dixey, the author, is actually one of the deepest explorations of spirituality I have ever had. It's changed how I think about my own spiritual practice. And it's been a couple of weeks now of going through the exercises in the book, and my spiritual practice has transformed for the better.I understand if you're skeptical. So have a listen, and let me know what you think.A Mantis Carol, by Laurens van der PostA Story Like the Wind, by Laurens van der PostThree Minutes a Day: A Fourteen-Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life, by Richard DixeyYet Being Someone Other, by Laurens van der PostDharma CollegeRichardDixey.com

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Let's get started because we don't have a lot of time.At least that's the perspective of today's guest, Jodi Wellman. Jodi is an executive coach and speaker, and the author of You Only Die Once. And she's a big fan of Memento mori, Latin for "remember that you will die."Acknowledging the scarcity of our time, she insists, can help us make the most of the time that we have.And it doesn't have to be morbid. It can be fun. Jodi keeps skulls as decorations, and they're surprisingly cheerful-lookingRemembering that we don't have infinite time and infinite opportunities can provide a much needed push when we're stuck. So we can live the life we want, rather than waiting and rationalizing and looking back with regret at the end.In our conversation, I get free coaching on making some bold moves in my life.We talk about my fear of "indulging," even a little — that it will turn into a one-way highway to depravity — and how I might explore some balance between self-indulgence and Puritanical austerity. In summation: "Life is short. We gotta get on with this shit."Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Sarah Davis was a corporate risk manager who began to chafe at the limitations on her life.Sure, she had a safe job and a comfortable income. She ran marathons (3:38 PR — damn!) and was living the dream in Bondi, Australia.But something was missing.When Sarah interrogated herself, she realized that she wasn't living as big or as bold as she wanted.Did risk management always have to be about minimizing risk at all cost? Or could the principles of risk management inform and guide actual risk taking?Could she use her professional skill set in tandem with her experience in surf sea kayaking and her love of travel and her pursuit of novelty to do something big and bold and amazing?In our conversation, we talk about the life lessons learned as she became the first woman to paddle the Nile River from its headwaters in Rwanda all the way to the Nile Delta in Egypt.I hope you're inspired to step outside of any comfort zones that have got you stuck. I hope you're inspired to identify a passion project and pursue it. And I hope you stay safe and well the whole time!A couple of the quotable quotes from this episode, as identified by AI:"Control the controllables""Life is for living"LinksSarahJDavis.comPaddle the Nile: One Woman's Search for a Life Less Ordinary, by Sarah DavisInstagram: @sarahpaddlesSarah's LinkedIn profileSarah's YouTube channelClick to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Over the years I've had the privilege of supporting thousands of people to make changes in their lives:entrepreneurs sharpening their focus and implementing their action plansexecutives growing their leadership and influence chopsregular folks adopting healthy habits and uprooting self-sabotaging impulsesAnd I like to think that the net effect of all those individual changes is a more global shift, as the ripples extend beyond my clients to their families, organizations, communities, and the world.But that's different from engineering large-change scale from the get-go.And heaven knows, the human species could really use some transformation at scale at the present moment, if we are to survive on a livable planet for much longer.So I reached out to change expert Huw Thomas to explore the keys to behavior change at scale.In our conversation, we cover Huw's three keys to change:leadershipmanagementgovernanceWe dig into empathy, resistance, adaptability, and influence, and a bunch of other buzzwords that actually contain real nuggets of wisdom.And we talk about our own journeys of change, and the obstacles we've created, faced, and overcome.Enjoy!LinksHuwThomas.com.auMaximum Achievement, by Brian TracyThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R CoveyLeading with Emotional Courage, by Peter BregmanClick to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.This is the first conversation that I had with Dr Richard Hodge, and it's the fourth podcast that I've published.That's because after we talked, Richard sent me an email basically saying, "Hey, we covered some pretty advanced stuff, but I think we need to really break it down for folks."So the last three conversations with Richard have been reverse engineering our way to this conversation, the culmination (so far).This is the conversation about how to make a difference in the world.How to use systems thinking, how to approach problems and issues holistically.How to listen to up-until-now marginalized voices and community.And how to still be how to be a small, insignificant human beings and still look at the world and know that there's "no problem too big."I hope you enjoy our conversation, and that you're inspired to lend your mind, spirit, and shoulder to the wheel of Better.LinksDrRichardHodge.comRory Sutherland's TED TalkThe Memory Code: Unlocking the Secrets of the Lives of the Ancients and the Power of the Human Mind, by Kelly LynneUnlocking the Emotional Brain, 2nd Edition, by Bruce Ecker, Robin Ticic, and Laurel HulleyRight Story, Wrong Story, by Tyson YunkaportaAntifragile, by Nassim Nicholas TalebAwakening from the Meaning Crisis (Video series by John Vervaeke on the Four Ways of Knowing)The Greatest Night in Pop (Netflix documentary on the making of "We Are the World" in 1985)Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.You don't hear the word joy thrown around a lot in business. And that's why I'm delighted to share this conversation with you with business psychologist Simi Rayat.Simi is the author of the upcoming book Productivity Joy. And her thing is, are you a joy to be around at work, at home, on the streets? It's such a great question. It reminds me of my friend Howard Prager's trademark question: “How can I make someone's day?”They’re both a sort of mantra that allows you to orient your whole life towards a really beautiful goal. And for Simi, it's about being a source of joy for others; being someone that other people actually want to be around. And if you think about it — what a powerful focus for the workplace, for our volunteer organizations, for our families, for anywhere that we want to have a positive changeThere’s so much wrong with the world and there's so much to be angry about and there's so much to be sad about. And if we want to mobilize people to action, to make a difference, to make a change, we can't just run on the fuel of negativity. We also need joy. And the harder it is to generate that joy, the more it's needed. So I'm really excited to share this conversation. It's chock full of science. It's chock full of joy. And I hope it helps you bring about the world that you want to see. Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.In this conversation, the brilliant Dr. Richard Hodge (aren't you glad you live in a universe that includes him?) introduces the four quadrant model as a way of clarifying and codifying our approach to complex problems.Before we get into it, I wanna say: This is high-level stuff.It's meaty (ok, seitan-y) and will take a while for most folks to digest. (I'm still working on it after being introduced to Richard's work over 3 months ago.)And it's the real deal — a ninja path to high level impact at scale in a TUNA world.(TUNA, which we learn about in this episode, stands for Turbulent, Uncertain, Novel, and Ambiguous. Richard likes it better than VUCA, and now I do too.)The four quadrants are:WHY (drives meaning)HOW (drives connection)WHAT (what we're going to do)IF (impact if implemented)The beauty is, we can apply this process to both large-scale organizational problems and personal challenges.The process is question-based.First, we ask why to uncover meaning and values.Then we explore how to build connections between people, nodes of the system, and outside forces.We inquire into what we're going to do, diving into the oft-overlooked details of strategy, operations, and governance. (Yes, this is complex, but you can apply it to your personal goals and challenges, like improving your diet or starting a journaling habit or upgrading how you communicate with work colleagues and loved ones.)Then we look at the projected consequences and outcomes, and ask if they match our initial goals and values.We go deep here, covering concepts like identity and policy framework. And I realize this isn't your usual podcast-while-taking-a-walk episode.In fact, I highly recommend you set aside time and space to watch the video — there's a lot of valuable white-boarding, which will make the whole thing way more understandable.And I don't want the complexity to obscure the big idea here: that every person has a role to play in making the world a better place. By understanding their place in the larger system, they have exponentially more power to contribute to positive change.LinksDrRichardHodge.comSir Ken Robinson's TED Talk: "Do Schools Kill Creativity?"Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor FranklWalking Well, by Michael Gelb and Bruce FertmanClick to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.What can we learn from indigenous knowledge systems about how to navigate and transform our world?My guest, Dr Richard Hodge, points out several aspects of Aboriginal culture that can help us act effectively and with heart and wisdom in a world full of problems.To guide us in a complex world, we need touchstones of value.For many indigenous peoples, that's the function of totems and totemic beings: kangaroo, echidna, wallaby, and so on.Counterintuitively, seeing the world through a totemic perspective offers greater clarity than how we often view it, through the lens of our limited egoic state, entangled with fight-or-flight fancies that superimpose themselves over reality.Our perception colors our interpretation of the world.The Western mindset sees the world as a number of separate objects, ourselves among them. Which means our prime directive is always control and domination of the "other" — whether it be nature, or the weather, or animals, or other people.Shifting to an indigenous way of seeing creates connection and opportunities for collaboration and synergies on a systems-level.And that's the level at which transformational change at scale becomes possible.With that foundation, Dr Hodge shares his Dragonfly Model of systemic, deep change.If you can, watch rather than just listen, because there are diagrams and models that can help you follow the concepts and the conversation.Enjoy our yarning, and please let us know what you think.LinksDrRichardHodge.comThomas Berry, "The Meadow Across the Creek"Stephanie Kelton, economistMariana Mazzucato, economistBertrand Russell, "In Praise of Idleness"Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.I'm particularly excited about this conversation. Dr. Richard Hodge is not just an expert; he’s deeply inspirational. On his home page, he writes about two core beliefs:Each of us matters more than we think.We can do more than we think in the time we have on this Earth.Are you as jazzed as I am to unpack those beliefs?In our conversation, Richard speaks about his philosophies with a blend of humility and urgency, encapsulated by his forward mantra: “No problem too big.”This isn't our first conversation. We did one a couple of months ago, but Richard actually suggested we hold off on releasing it as it should be 'conversation number four'. He stressed the importance of laying a foundational framework first—a classic systems thinker approach! So, this episode is the first of four, culminating in our original chat.In today's episode, we explore topics ranging from the profound impact of value and relevance on our actions to the importance of doing no harm as we navigate an increasingly complex world. Richard introduces his engaging framework connecting value, relevance, and consequences, guiding us toward profound sustainable change.One aspect we delve into is the idea that individuals at any level can make a significant impact.Richard tells an insider story about the design and construction of Heathrow's Terminal 5 which illustrates how removing bureaucratic obstacles and embracing collaboration can lead to remarkable success. It’s a shift from the reductionist, profit-driven models we’ve become accustomed to, spotlighting the importance of human-centric and life-centric designs.Look forward to exploring more of Richard’s models, like the interplay between value, relevance, and consequences, in subsequent episodes. For now, I'll leave you with a new perspective, inspired by Richard, on finding worthiness in our actions and seeing the bigger picture in everything we do.LinksDrRichardHodge.comThinking in Systems, by Donella MeadowsKathryn Cormican Industry 5.0Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Divya Ramachandran helps startup founders do the hard work needed to bring new ideas into the world.And while she advises on strategy and investment and go-to-market and minimum viable product, her real focus lies in sharpening the mind and body of her clients.That is, she guides them to clarity, which helps them prioritize and make better decisions.And she helps them explore their energy expenditure. Energy is partly about working long hours, but it's also related to how much the founder's identity is bound up in the eventual success or failure of the business.Through emotional clarity and self-awareness, people who are doing hard things to make the world a better place can find peace and joy even within the most intense moments of the struggle.Enjoy!LinksDivya's WebsiteThe Guest House, by Rumi (translation Coleman Barks)Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Hey, jan Tokawi here, and we're going to be talking about languages.jan Tokawi is my Toki Pona name. Toki Pona is a language that I had not heard about until three weeks ago. It's a Conlang, a constructed language, meaning that it was created by, in this case, basically one human being and then a community formed around her.The entire language consists of somewhere around 140 words or so.And as I'm learning Spanish and dealing with 50 or so different forms of each verb, there's something very appealing about a language I can learn in a weekend.When I encountered the Toki Pona community, I became intrigued about the implications of communicating using such a limited vocabulary.What's it like trying to get complex ideas across? How do we make sure that our conversation partner or reader understands what we mean?And then I thought, Gee, I've got that same problem in my native tongue. Maybe there's stuff I can learn here that can make me a more effective communicator in English.I reached out to jan Usawi, who is a proficient speaker of Toki Pona, and also a musician who write lyrics in the language.In our conversation, we explore lots of philosophy and epistomology and other long Greek words.To my delight, we even tied it into transformational healing and the linguistics of radical mindset shifts.And — and this will make sense if you watch the video — we explored the function of jan Usawi's antlers.Enjoy!LinksSina – song by jan UsawiDivergent Translation presentation by jan UsawiToki Pona official siteRobWords video intro to Toki Ponajan Usawi on YouTubejan Usawi on Bandcampjan Usawi on PatreonNo Bad Parts, by Richard Schwartz (book about Internal Family Systems)Maria Mison – gamesClick to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Christopher Miller is an unlikely poster child for psychological well-being. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as an adult, and losing his wife to brain cancer in 2021, he has nevertheless turned his personal struggles and tragedies into a mission to help people get the most out of life.His first book was all about how to find FISH in your life: Fulfillment, Inspiration, Success, and Happiness.In our conversation, we focus on his new book, Finding FISH in a Strengths-Based Practice, which talks about how to identify and leverage your talents and strengths, rather than spending energy trying to fix your weaknesses.Of course, unchecked strengths can themselves become weaknesses. We talk about the potential downside of strengths, and how awareness and balance are needed in order to get the benefits while mitigating the costs.Awareness and balance are orienting themes in Miller's life, and provide him with the self-management tools to navigate his mental health challenges as a successful organizational consultant, coach, trainer, and facilitator.And emboldened by the things that have happened to him and his own resilience in the face of tragedy and mental illness, Miller has doubled down on Love as a core operating system, both in personal and professional relationships.In this conversation, we explore the power of following the heart as much as the head, and leading with Love in all aspects of our lives.Enjoy!Here's what ChatGPT thinks are the key takeaways:Strength-based approaches focus on identifying and leveraging individuals' talents and strengths.Appreciating and valuing the unique strengths of individuals requires a mindset shift.Awareness and balance are crucial in utilizing strengths effectively.Strengths can have dark sides, and it's important to be aware of and manage them.Personal development and growth can occur even in the face of challenges and loss. Monitoring well-being using the FISH score can provide insights into one's happiness, success, inspiration, and fulfillment.Purpose, values, and life roles can serve as anchors during challenging times and contribute to one's well-being.Self-awareness and self-management play a crucial role in navigating mental health challenges and maintaining stability.Individuals with mental health conditions often possess a unique creative potential that can lead to significant contributions in various fields.Integrating oneness consciousness and love can lead to profound personal and professional transformations.Following the heart is essential for personal growth and creating a more compassionate and connected world.LinksChristopher-Miller.com (books available from here) Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.How to become the kind of listener who can bring out the magic in the people around you.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.What can the rest of us learn from Olympic athletes about doing our best under pressure?Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.The world needs us to show up and stand out. So how do we get over ourselves and shine our lights?Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Modern economics assumes that humans spend all our energy "maximizing satisfaction." Don't buy it.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Discover the science-based "magic" that fuels rapid, effortless, and permanent positive change: memory reconsolidation.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Questions are far more powerful than answers. Today's guest explains how and why, and shares mind-bending examples.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Nava Atlas has been writing and publishing vegetarian cookbooks and advocating for a more plant-based lifestyle for 40 years. And she's not slowing down any time soon!Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.What's the problem with being a "problem-solver?" How can we create the future we want for ourselves, and help others do the same? On today's Walk and Talk, let's explore the Magic Question.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.There's an epidemic of burnout in the modern workplace. What's causing it? And how can we prevent and treat it?Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show

Thoughts on the episode? Let us know.Glenn and Howie discuss the ahead-of-its-time book Immunity to Change, and Howie demonstrates the power of memory reconsolidation as a coaching tool to help clients overcome resistance to action that doesn't seem to make much sense.Click to subscribe to the Mindset Mastery Memo.Support the show