Aikido, Embodiment, and Deep Dialogue: Tools for Effective Leadership, with Chris Thorsen

Aikido is more than a martial art—it’s a way of navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience. In this episode, Andrew Cohn speaks with his friend, colleague, and mentor, Chris Thorsen, a longtime practitioner of Aikido and its “off the mat” applications. Chris shares his powerful story, starting with his use of haiku as a tool for recovery after serving in the Vietnam War. This practice connected him with a Zen master who guided him for 30 years. Aikido, Chris explains, provided him the strength to thrive as a crisis counselor, even during years consulting with guards at San Quentin prison. Later, he introduced Aikido as a healing tool to a business leader and combat helicopter pilot processing trauma, sparking a transformative professional connection. Chris reflects on his journey as a “medic in the corporate world,” integrating Aikido and deep dialogue into leadership development and culture building. This conversation offers profound insights into the intersection of personal growth, leadership, and operational effectiveness.