The Civic Courage Lab™ Podcast

Welcome to the Civic Courage Lab Podcast!Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How-to Guides:Sign up for "The Leader's Handbook" newsletter (scroll to bottom) https://www.civiccouragelab.com/#newsletterAlways freeOnce per month emailCurated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcastDelivered in simple to follow how-to worksheets, videos, and audio guidesFor you and your teams to try and test in your own lifeJOIN HERE (scroll to bottom)Guest:Parker J. Palmer is the founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal, a Quaker educator, activist, and author of ten books — including Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness, and Healing the Heart of Democracy — which have sold millions of copies and are taught everywhere from university seminars to MBA programs. Named by Teaching Tolerance as one of the nation's most influential voices in education, Parker has advised presidents, spoken at the White House, and shaped movements around leadership and integrity for over five decades — almost entirely without spectacle or self-promotion. At 87, he continues writing and thinking on Substack at Living the Questions with Parker J. Palmer. He is a rare and true elder.About the Episode:This is the season one capstone — a little extra treat — of the Civic Courage Lab podcast, and there is no more fitting way to close this first chapter than with Parker J. Palmer. In this episode, I attempt to open-source Parker's prodigious wisdom and experience as an elder and mentor for you. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore what it means to live without regret, how to hear and trust the inner voice that calls us toward our true work, and why the imperative of the soul — not ambition, not external pressure — is the only reliable compass for a meaningful life in public service. Parker shares the pivotal choices that defined his journey: walking away from a guaranteed academic career at 30 to become a community organizer, spending 11 years living under radical economic equality at Pendle Hill Quaker community, navigating multiple serious depressions and ultimately writing openly about them, and now at nearly 87, harnessing anger toward life-giving ends — connection and democracy. This is a conversation about eldership, wholeness, and what it actually costs — and gives back — to lead from the inside out.Key Topics Discussed:[00:01:50] Introducing Parker J. Palmer & the crisis of eldership[00:10:18] What real mentorship looks like — a two-way dialogue[00:15:25] The inner voice: first encounter in the 1960s at Berkeley[00:18:14] Walking away from tenure to become a community organizer[00:19:28] "I can't not do this" — following the imperatives of the soul[00:21:20] Choosing risk over future regret[00:23:32] How to help others listen to their own leadings[00:24:39] The discipline of honest, open questions[00:27:01] A Hidden Wholeness and evocative community[00:29:02] Burning out and arriving at Pendle Hill[00:30:34] 11 years of radical economic equality — and what it taught[00:35:52] Circle learning, egalitarian education, and the evoking of inner gifts[00:38:21] Mental health, burnout, and the definition of wellbeing[00:40:25] Practices that amplify the inner voice — honesty, trusted community, nature[00:44:32] Diet, sleep, exercise, and the woods of Minnesota[00:47:34] The choice to stay at Pendle Hill — and why strategic withdrawal isn't retreat[00:50:02] On living the imperatives of your soul vs. scuttling your convictions[00:52:32] "I can't imagine a sadder way to die" — on showing up fully[00:53:28] Has this path made you less afraid of death?[00:58:03] Depression as a character in the movie of your life[01:02:36] The person following you down the street — and what they want[01:05:59] The hand of an enemy vs. the hand of a friend pressing you to ground[01:09:40] Wholeness is not perfection — it's "all of the above"[01:10:59] Why Parker chose to write publicly about his depression[01:13:15] What Parker most hopes current leaders will experience[01:16:59] Holding compassion and prophetic challenge at the same time[01:18:22] Living the Questions Substack — and why Parker started it at 87[01:19:20] What's an angry old Quaker to do? Harnessing anger toward life-giving ends[01:21:44] Speaking truth to power — and what democracy needs from us now[01:23:22] Keeping your heart open to people who've fallen into MAGA[01:27:02] Final gift: Terry Tempest Williams and the human heart as democracy's first homeKey References and Resources Mentioned:[00:03:55] Center for Courage and Renewal — founded by Parker; has supported hundreds of thousands of leaders in education, healthcare, public life, and beyond[00:04:30] Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer[00:04:30] The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer[00:04:30] A Hidden Wholeness by Parker J. Palmer — his guide to the practice of circles, evocative questions, and listening for inner truth[00:04:30] Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer[00:11:38] Jerry Colonna — executive coach, CEO of Reboot.io, mutual friend of Skippy and Parker whose praise first led Skippy to Parker's work[00:15:25] UC Berkeley — where Parker completed his PhD in sociology in 1969, and where his inner calling first diverged from the academic path[00:24:39] Quaker Testimonies (SPICES) — the core values of Quaker life: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship; the ethical framework underlying Pendle Hill and Parker's approach to leadership[00:24:39] Clearness Committee / Circles of Trust — the Quaker-rooted practice of gathering a small group to ask honest, open questions that help someone listen more deeply to their own inner truth; described extensively in A Hidden Wholeness[00:29:02] Pendle Hill — the Quaker study, retreat, and community center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where Parker spent 11 transformative years; founded in 1930, open to all seekers[00:38:21] The Courage Method — Skippy's leadership development framework, referenced throughout the conversation as a parallel to Parker's work; more at civiccouragelab.com[00:44:32] Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderne...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about About the Episode: Today, in the final episode of our very first season, the tables turn. For nearly 30 episodes, I’ve asked the questions, held space for others to open up, and pulled at threads in hopes that you, the audience - leaders and colleges - could find resources and actionable strategies. Now I find myself on the other side of the mic, sitting face to face with my mirror, Jesse Link - (and by chance a literal mirror!) We get into my own journey — my upbringing, my family, the roads I’ve walked, the mistakes I’ve made, the systems I’ve built to stay standing, and the people and relationships that keep me whole. Guest Host:Jesse Link is a strategic partner to agencies and growing businesses, helping CEOs connect the dots between their numbers, their narratives, and themselves. He’s also the lead researcher at Healing Our Politics, and, proudly, a coaching client turned lifelong friend. From college athlete, to climbing the ladder at Goldman Sachs, and founding a venture-backed startup, Jesse decided to step off the corporate fast track, to follow the crooked path — the kind built through failure, creative discovery, and honest reinvention. Not the one laid out for him on Wall Street, but one that meant something. And while he’s exploring new creative frontiers — through writing, video, and documentary — he’s still learning to lead with not knowing. He’s asking the big questions  — what drives us, what blocks us, and how we find our way back to passion. . Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Episode/Guest Host Intro· [00:09:03] Identifying as a Public Service   · [00:12:43] What Would Grandma Think?· [00:18:17] Skippy Shows His Cards: Political Family History · [00:23:43] Partnership as Lead Domino, Partnerships is a Verb · [00:28:45] Selfishness in a Good Way · [00:29:50] Discipline and Practice · [00:32:55] What Worked for Weirdo (Skippy) · [00:34:20] Hitting the Decision Point  · [00:36:20] Change of Environment · [00:37:43] From the Illusion of Confidence to Genuine Confidence · [00:40:07] It's More of a Spectrum of Growth than a “Before and After” · [00:49:30] Unrelenting Hope · [00:55:22] Ho to be an Unbogged Public Servant · [01:00:48] Skippy’s Happiness Parachute in Office (An Unsolved Bog) · [01:03:54] Time In Office and Campaigning for Conversation · [01:12:25] Leaders are the Wheel, not the Gas· [01:16:20] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15· [01:17:15] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [01:19:35] Comparison in a Bubble of Privilege · [01:24:46] The Dichotomy of Shame and Desire of Wealth · [01:26:12] Available Resources for Public Servants and its Consequences · [01:31:37] Financial Responsibility as a Constraint for High Function · [01:31:37] A Digression into Spinny Flippy Zone · [01:35:25] Safety and Risk · [01:39:25] Fear is a Yellow Light · [01:43:34] Skippy’s Theory of Travel (and tips!) · [01:54:12] How to Stay Charged While at Work · [01:57:16] Rapid Fire Q&A’s: From Favorite Color to Biggest Fear · [02:04:34] Skippy’s Zone of Genius: The Wellbeing of Leaders · [02:13:45] HealingOurPolitics.com · [02:13:50] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [02:14:04] ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [02:14:04] Support ELC Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:28:40] David Allen HOP Episode· [01:10:44] Roland Griffiths· [01:26:30] Rick Doblin HOP Episode · [02:00:23] The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, Jonathan Haidt· [02:13:50] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [02:18:18] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15Where to Find Jesse Link:[email protected] to Find Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.comFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirow@healingourpoliticsBook a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call  to see if coaching is right for you  Episode Sponsor:Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15 Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)Helping You Heal Our Politics

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Dr. Kurt Gray is an award-winning psychologist and one of the country’s leading experts on moral psychology and political polarization. With a PhD from Harvard university, Kurt is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs two groundbreaking institutions: the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. Through these, he explores how our deepest convictions shape society, and how we can bridge divides, and he also serves as an adjunct professor at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he trains future leaders to lead ethically in polarized environments. This fall, Kurt will be the incoming Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in the Social Psychology of Polarization and Misinformation at Ohio State University. Dr. Gray’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Economist, Wired, and NPR’s Hidden Brain, and he's spoken on multiple TEDx stages. He’s the recipient of numerous honors including the Janet Spence Award, the Theoretical Innovation Prize, and the Psi Chi Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. His new book,  Outraged!: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground,  hit #1 in its category on Amazon —  *And it’s a must-read!*About the Episode: In this conversation, Dr. Kurt Gray breaks down the psychological patterns that drive division in our politics—insights that are essential for anyone working in public service or elected leadership today. He explains why we instinctively cast others as either villains or victims, and how that oversimplification fuels polarization and undermines our ability to build coalitions or govern effectively. We explore how fear—far more than fact—shapes political behavior, and why traditional messaging strategies so often fail to persuade. Kurt unpacks the double-edged nature of moral outrage—how it can unite us around shared values or tear us apart when left unchecked. For those working to lead ethically in polarized environments, we discuss how to create the kind of spaces—whether in town halls, policy negotiations, or public messaging— where people actually feel safe enough to listen, reflect, and shift. From the power of storytelling to the importance of ditching the small talk, and braving deeper questions, Dr. Gray offers science-backed strategies that can help restore civility, rebuild public trust, and lead with integrity in times of uncertainty. Whether you're knocking doors, or sitting in a city council seat, this conversation will sharpen your leadership and deepen your impact.Key Topics Discussed: · [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Intro· [00:07:50] Other Minds · [00:09:00] “You never understand me!” · [00:10:20] Learning to Adapt Early in Life· [00:13:07] Skippy’s Experiences from Across the Globe!· [00:16:30] What’s the Protection Narrative Here? · [00:18:50] Fear is Driving Behavior · [00:21:02] The Apex Predator Myth· [00:24:40] We are Herd Animals · [00:26:58] The Trend of Presence · [00:28:28] Social Media is giving Above Clinical Threshold PTSD· [00:29:36] What is the right thing to do?: Norms and Morals · [00:33:48] Statistical Truths Become Irrelevant  · [00:34:32] Rationality, Self Interest and the Breadth of Morality · [00:36:46] What Do We Lose In the Absence of Safety?· [00:39:15] Good Choices for Bad Intent· [00:39:48] What Makes Something/Someone Evil? · [00:42:00] Humanizing Hitler · [00:47:21] The Victim/Villan Narratives: Moral Type Casting· [00:50:35] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15· [00:51:30] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [00:53:50] When is Outrage Bad?· [00:57:40] The Selfish Reason · [01:00:40] When Disagreement is Unsafe · [01:02:05] "E pluribus unum"· [01:03:50] The Power of Trying to Understand · [01:05:43] It’s a Hard Sell · [01:06:21] The Power of Stories· [01:08:15] Better Questions Yield Deeper Connections · [01:11:00] The Fast Friends Protocol · [01:13:11] A Herd Species in the Age of Social Anxiety and Fear · [01:16:15] Moral Creep  · [01:23:07] Step 1: Recognize Shared Intentions/Validity· [01:23:57] Step 2: Share Your Stories· [01:25:35] Final Question: Keep Asking Questions to Understand · [01:29:50] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:30:55] Sponsor: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP155· [01:31:50] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:07:43] Outraged! on Amazon· [00:31:22] The WEIRDest People in the World, Joseph Henrich · [00:59:20] The Habsburg Family · [01:02:05] "E pluribus unum"· [01:03:05] Daryl Davis · [01:03:44] Dr. Dianna Smith HOP Episode · [01:03:47] Remaking the Space B...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Eldra Jackson III is the Co-Executive Director of Inside Circle, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycles of incarceration and violence through healing-centered inner work. But what makes his experience essential is that Eldra doesn’t just lead this work—he lived it.He spent 24 years in prison for robbery and attempted murder, including years in solitary confinement. It was in that extreme isolation that Eldra began the transformational work that would change his life—and now impacts countless others.Since his release, he’s become a national voice in trauma-informed care, restorative justice, and men’s emotional wellness. He’s a TEDx speaker, the subject of the award-winning documentary The Work, and has been featured by NBC News, Forbes, and the LA Times. He also hosts the Inside Circle podcast, where I was honored to join him earlier this year..About the Episode: Whether you're designing policy, leading a team, or simply seeking deeper understanding —this conversation will challenge you, move you, and equip you with new insight. In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Eldra takes us through his journey through trauma, transformation, and the hard truths behind incarceration in America. We begin by exploring Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how untreated trauma in early life can lead to lives marked by crime, apathy, and pain. Eldra offers a rare, firsthand look at the psychology of gang culture, the pursuit of power, and the deep role that fear and survival play in shaping identity and behavior. We dive into big, systemic questions: Should prison be punitive, rehabilitative, or something else entirely? What do most political leaders misunderstand about human behavior and the roots of violence? And if Eldra had the power to wave a magic wand, what would he do to reduce crime and incarceration by 80% tomorrow?We discuss the structure and philosophy behind "circle work," the transformative group healing practice that Eldra now facilitates with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men, the nature of toxic masculinity, the resistance many men feel toward emotional vulnerability, and what it actually takes to undo that conditioning. Perhaps most powerfully, Eldra shares the daily practices and mindsets that keep him grounded and in service to others. This episode is straightforward, surprising, and ultimately hopeful—a powerful reminder that real transformation is possible, not just for individuals, but for systems. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Introduction· [00:06:18] What love means to Eldra· [00:07:36] Learning to Feel despite Cultural Messaging, and Trauma· [00:12:22] Sharing for the first time · [00:14:42] Indoctrinated into Secrecy · [00:16:10] A Central Unnamed Fear · [00:18:53] Who was "Vegas”· [00:21:53] Fear motivating aggression· [00:24:13] What is Gang Culture? · [00:29:05] The danger in apathy· [00:30:40] Eldra’s Rock Bottom: Worse than Charles Manson· [00:33:45] The Mindset of Attempted Murder · [00:36:11] How did you get out of prison? · [00:39:37] What shifted in you to convince the Board? · [00:33:15] Taking Responsibility· [00:43:55] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15· [00:44:50] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [00:47:45] The New Goal: Escaping Internal Prisons · [00:48:23] ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences· [00:51:15] What Keeps you out of prison? · [00:52:19] The Practice of “Who do I want to be today?”/”How did I show up today?” · [00:55:20] Keeping the Practice of Circle · [00:56:56] What is Circle? How does it work? · [01:04:30] Another Story from Circle · [01:08:08] Failures in Understanding and Systemic Apathy · [01:09:35] Emotional Literacy as the Key to fewer Incarcerations · [01:10:50] Evil is real and born from intention· [01:12:51] A Transformational plan (not Rehabilitation) · [01:15:55] Toxic Masculinity · [01:17:50] The Weaponization of the Concept · [01:18:11] Meeting Internal Resistance· [01:21:17] Know and Love Yourself as a Model to others· [01:23:40] Final Question: See Yourself in Other People· [01:24:43]] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:25:50] Sponsor: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP155· [01:26:45] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:04:10] Eldra’s TED Talk· [00:04:34] Inside Circle Podcast · [00:04:36] Inside Circle Episode w/ Skippy · [00:15:57] HOP Episode w/ Bryan Hubbard · [00:36:42] California Board of Parole Hearings· [00:48:23] ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences· [00:48:35] The Violence Project· [01:21:57] InsideCircle.org · [01:23:00] Outside Circle, October 10-12 2025 in SF · [01:24:43]] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:25:50] Sponsor: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP155· [01:26:45] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Where to Find Eldra Jackson III:InsideCircle.org Inside Circle Podcast 

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Rick Doblin  is a man who saw a future no one else believed in: to restore and reimagine the role of psychedelics in society as tools for healing. Today, after nearly four decades of joyful persistence, legal battles, and spiritual grit, that dream is a global movement. Rick is the founder and president of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, or MAPS, a nonprofit that’s been at the absolute forefront of psychedelic research since 1986: If you’ve ever had a serious conversation about psychedelic medicine, chances are, you’ve encountered his work — directly or indirectly.Rick holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where he wrote his dissertation on the regulation of the medical uses of psychedelics and marijuana and his Master’s thesis on a survey of oncologists about smoked marijuana vs. the oral THC pill in nausea control for cancer patients. His undergraduate thesis at New College of Florida was a 25-year follow-up to the classic Good Friday Experiment, which evaluated the potential of psychedelic drugs to catalyze religious experiences. He also conducted a thirty-four year follow-up study to Timothy Leary’s Concord Prison Experiment. Rick studied with Dr. Stanislav Grof and was among the first to be certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner. His professional goal is to help develop legal contexts for the beneficial uses of psychedelics and marijuana, primarily as prescription medicines but also for personal growth for otherwise healthy people, and eventually to become a legally licensed psychedelic therapist. Rick has been a featured guest for TED Talks,  and the Students for Sensible Drug Policy ,SSPD, and just last year was recognized as one of the most influential people in global health, 2024 TIME 100 Health Honoree. He’s part philosopher, part policy strategist, part spiritual truth seeker, and CONTINUES to be one of the most persistent, thoughtful, and — frankly — courageous advocates for psychedelics as tools for healing.About the Episode: I first sat down with Rick months ago, but in light of the FDA’s decision against MDA assisted psychotherapy, dropping just before the original episode release, I HAD to check in with Rick again for the whole picture. In this exciting two-parter you get Rick’s perspective PRE and POST the FDA’s decision. In the first half, we dig into Rick's 40 year journey, including never before told stories about his early life, the founding of MAPS, what it's like to stay true to a vision no one else believed was possible, and Rick’s decades-long chess game with the FDA. We talk about making bipartisan coalitions last, unconventional approaches to management, how to discern grit from stubbornness, and how to reframe fundraising asked to truly connect with lasting mission aligned support, structuring your organization - for profit, non-profit, or something else-  how to turn enemies to allies, and how to fight major institutions and win. In the second half, we discuss how MAPS is paving the way for global psychedelic healing, as well as Rick’s personal approaches for staying committed through uncertainty, how to build systems and practices to sustain yourself over time, how to remain warm, open, and connected in the face of mass public criticism, and what it takes to scale a movement from a single believer to a global institution. We touch on MAPS's new push to measure gross national trauma with a goal of net zero trauma by 2070 and how you as a public servant, leader, or active citizen can help us get there. This episode takes us deep inside Rick’s toolkit so that you are resourced to do what others can’t yet imagine.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Intro· [00:04:45] This is a 2-Part Episode! · [00:08:12] PART ONE· [00:08:12] Moses was high, Dad! · [00:13:30] An Exemplary Pathway for Leaders· [00:14:30] “Then they take you for granted…” · [00:15:50] “Winning” isn’t forever · [00:15:57] Magister Ludi: The Glass Bead Game (*Spoiler Alert*)· [00:20:45] Predicting Civil War · [00:22:05] The Success of Preposterous Lies · [00:25:11] The Beginning of the Mission · [00:27:43] MAPS’ 38th Anniversary · [00:29:27] Core of Darkness Wrapped in Privilege · [00:34:33] What My Bar Mitzvah Should Have Been· [00:38:00] Becoming Political via Landline Propaganda· [00:42:20] Study and Practice of Non Violent Resistance · [00:42:43] Side Note About Getting Sucked Into Systems (Don’t volunteer yourself) · [00:44:33] Oasis of Sanity: Exploring Psychedelics · [00:46:22] From Counter Culture to Culture (“Criminal” to Psychotherapist) · [00:47:30] 1960s Culture of Silence · [00:49:57] The Political Exaggeration of Psychedelics· [00:52:50] Understanding Commonality, Backed by Experience· [00:55:50 Wanting to Quit?· [00:58:20] Science Blocked by Politics: Rick’s Shift to Harvard· [00:59:08] Winning the Lawsuit but Losing the Job· [01:00:00] 14 Years Into MAPS: the STRUGGLE to begin Research· [01:01:54] Independent Institutional Review Boards · [01:02:01] Western IRB, now part of the WCG (WIRB-Copernicus Group)· [01:02:04] 17 Years In: Approved to BEGIN · [01:03:37] Training Inner Work, Renewal of Convictions, and the Measure of Happiness  · [01:07:09] Success in Small Victories and Just Showing Up· [01:11:06] Back to the Story!: Approval Rescinded· [01:12:10] Politics Blocked Science, Again· [01:14:07] Finding Copernicus: Approval Finally Granted

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Bryan Hubbard is a visionary leader in psychedelic medicine reform and one of the most influential voices in America’s fight against the opioid crisis. He’s the former Chairman and Executive Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, Special Counsel for Kentucky’s Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Commission, a board member of the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families, and a commissioner for both the Mental Health and Recovery-Ready Communities Commissions—where he brings his prodigious intellect and force of nature to the work of healing others.As Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Commission, Bryan secured $42 million in opioid settlement funds for ibogaine research and treatment—making Kentucky the first state to publicly pursue psychedelic therapy as a solution to opioid addiction. That bold move placed him in collaboration with an eclectic mix of national leaders—from Rick Doblin and Rick Perry to Senator Kyrsten Sinema—while igniting a rare, bipartisan conversation about what true healing in America might look like.Now, as Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative at the REID Foundation, Bryan is coordinating efforts across more than 20 states to build ethical, science-backed systems for healing trauma, addiction, and despair. Through big wins and big setbacks, he’s remained rooted in his mission: restoring dignity, health, and hope.About the Episode: In this episode, we explore Bryan Hubbard’s journey from rural Appalachia—the son of two coal-mining families steeped in generational poverty—to the front lines of America’s opioid crisis. Bryan shares what it was like to watch loved ones, including family members, die from the slow collapse into apathy, fear, and hopelessness. We talk about the reality of living with a spouse suffering from mental illness, the national tragedy of addiction, and the possibility of real, lasting healing. We examine how the myth of difference and division—fueled by political parties and the media—distorts our sense of shared humanity, and we offer a toolkit to reclaim it. We dive deep into faith, God, and purpose, and how we are more than isolated individuals—we are part of a sacred, interconnected whole. Bryan speaks to how medicines like ibogaine can help reconnect us to the divine, however we understand it. Bryan walks us through his approach to doing hard things—like taking on a politically unthinkable cause—and breaks down the playbook so you can bring forward something you care deeply about, even if others don’t yet understand. Bryan Hubbard is one of the most passionate, eloquent, and insightful men I’ve ever met. He challenges my assumptions, softens my judgments, and gives me hope—for myself, for us, and for what’s possible.I hope he does the same for you. Please enjoy this powerful, healing, and reverent conversation with Bryan Hubbard.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Introduction· [00:10:30] On the Human Level: Jo Alice and Bryan’s Experience· [00:17:00] Logic and Choice Were Not Options · [00:18:35] The Ibogaine Journey begins · [00:21:18] Childhood Trained Me to be Her Husband · [00:22:40] SSRI Free for 5 days· [00:26:00] Jo Alice’s LAST Celexa and Compounded Transformation· [00:27:22] An Answered Prayer, An Affirmation of Love · [00:28:50] Three Words From Before : Fear, Grief, Hope· [00:29:29] Three Words From After: Gratitude, Joy… Rapturous (ie: “Right Carnal”) · [00:31:52] The “C” Word is in the Realm of Possible· [00:32:50] Ibogaine’s 3rd Piece & the Disease of Despair· [00:34:17] The Opioid Epidemic: Engineered Catastrophe · [00:36:07] The 2 Parts of  Purdue Pharma · [00:37:08] Where Oxycontin was Detonated · [00:37:40] The Host Conditions of Addiction · [00:38:47] Brief History of WV and KY’s Appalachian Communities · [00:44:45] Killing the Pain & Public Systems Failures · [00:47:20] Misunderstanding the Conditions · [00:49:46] Owning Your Contribution to the Problem · [00:50:30] Spiritual Pain as Physical Pain · [00:51:35] The Need for Spiritual Recognition· [00:54:25] The Power of Sanctuary, Loving Relationships and Spiritual Affirmations· [00:56:40] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rentals: Use Code HOP15· [00:57:35] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [01:00:00] The Scale of Suffering Today · [01:04:54] Skippy in North Korea!? · [01:06:44] The 2008 Financial Crisis as a Catalyst · [01:09:13] Suffering is EVERYONE’s Problem · [01:11:01] Where do we from here?: “Spiritualize Humanity” · [01:11:56] Opposites Arriving at the Same Conclusion · [01:14:00] Tempering Optimism with Pragmatism: Ibogaine is the Beginning· [01:15:40] “A Tough Row to Hoe” · [01:16:00] Hunter S. Thompson Campaign · [01:16:37] Months of Research and Critical Examination · [01:18:16] The Brain’s Starvation caused by Opioid Dependency · [01:19:05] Ibogaine’s RAPID Restoration of Dopamine and Serotonin· [01:20:00] Persuading the Attorney General · [01:20:45] Listening to the Public · [01:23:35] Ibogaine’s Lack of Cultural Stigma Provided an Opening · [01:25:50] Disconnection from Divine Love · [01:26:15] Respecting the Free Will of Belief & Acknowledging our Connection· [01:28:00] Plant Medicine An Overwhelming Feeling of Gratefulness · [01:29:20] Who Would YOU Be? · [01:31:27] Navigating Good-Faith Pushback · [01:32:39] Meeting Opposition with a Question and Testimony · [01:34:13] Opposition Motivated by Self Interest ($$$)· [01:35:35] Expose, Confront and Hold Accountable · [01:35:51] Relationship to Patience · [01:39:04] Final Question: Your Love Can Break Fabricated Divisions· [01:41:15] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:42:27] SPONSOR: Skyrun Vacation Rental: Use Code HOP15· [01:43:15] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.elected...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about In our 3rd *EPISODE-LETTE* Join us for this quick 15-minute IG LIVE based HOP hot take, with... Sam Daley-Harris, Author of Reclaiming Our Democracy 📖 🇺🇸Founder Civic Courage 💪🏼🦁Creator “Transformational Advocacy” 📣❤️Want to become a "Transformational Advocate"? Use this link, and Sam will help you find the organization right for you!:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCQuqj-4O2eh4Sfy_E-dfVntbPlqg1A4T4oQ8E2J0nuZbD-w/viewform Sam has spent decades studying how to make advocacy an act of courage that brings us together to enact lasting change for the collective benefit. Sam's Book: https://reclaimingourdemocracy.com/We Talk About:🗣️ ADVOCACY, PROTEST, COURAGE, WORKING TOGETHER  🏛️To hear more from Sam shoot us a DM, or email info at Electedleaderscollective.com to request a full episode of the healing our politics podcast 🎙️Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.comFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call  to see if coaching is right for youEpisode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.com Contact the HOP Team:Do you have an episode idea?Want to suggest a guest?Can you provide critical feedback? We'd love to hear from you!Contact our team at [email protected] Your input helps us create content that matters.

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Damien Williamson is a 2024 Bard Environmental Defense Fellow, driving sustainable solutions at both the corporate and policy levels. He is a former editor-in-chief of Aspen Peak Magazine, and Harvard graduate with a B.A. in psychology —yes, Ivy League fancy—but his story starts far from privilege. Damien grew up in Chicago, Illinois in an underserved neighborhood, but with the support of a loved one and a lot of self-described luck, and an unwavering pursuit of education, Damien set himself on an expansive new path. From environmental policy to high-end media, from public service to cultural commentary, Damien has lived a truly miraculous and uncommon journey—one that blends grit, intellect, and relentless purpose, shaping a truly unique and important perspective. About the Episode: In today’s episode we dig into the mental toll and strategic insights that come from living in multiple worlds. You will learn how intense stress, financial disadvantage, and community decay can lead to unrivaled resilience and growth, but more commonly end in tragedy, and what you can do to be or support an expansion of the former, and lessening of the latter.. We get tactical, discussing how being militant with your calendar freedom, especially in high-stakes service work. How stepping outside the noise of cancel culture can lead to better well-being and clearer purpose, and how to be a force to educate rather than condemn, understand rather than judge, and fuel collective healing over self-righteous noise.Damien shares his perspective on nihilism as a precursor to purpose, and opens up about a career-ending mistake that, in hindsight, became the doorway to the life he was actually meant to live. This conversation is raw, deeply human, and packed with wisdom for anyone trying to make a difference without losing themselves in the process.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Intro· [00:05:05] Origin Story· [00:10:38] Circumstance as a Superpower and Hindrance · [00:13:12] The Average Outcome · [00:15:30] Grandma: Someone who gave a sh*t· [00:16:55] The Jump(s) to Harvard  · [00:20:24] Testing Boundaries of Self and Space: Full Sparkle Pony · [00:23:30] Planning is a Privilege: Survival Grows Skills · [00:28:08] Avoiding Survivorship Bias · [00:29:40] Inflection Points· [00:31:48] Mind, Body, Spirit· [00:34:00] The Perfect as the Enemy of Good · [00:35:50] Creating Balanced Experiences · [00:39:42] Meticulous Planning for More Freedom· [00:42:15] Also Doing Nothing ~· [00:43:00] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals· [00:43:50] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [00:46:10] Scandal as a Path to Self Reckoning· [00:49:45] The Stages of Scandal Grief · [00:52:10] Switching from Showing to Being· [00:53:00] Public Perception Inhibiting Individual Growth · [00:54:50] Punishment vs. Accountability · [01:00:14] When Centering Yourself is a Distraction · [01:03:30] Where is the Attack/Trigger Coming from? · [01:07:30] Final question: The Impact of Support · [01:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:51:25] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:31:48] The Aspen Idea: Mind, Body, Spirit· [01:05:15] Terry Cruise Podcast Interview Where to Find Damien Williamson:LinkedInPremiums for the Planet Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.comFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call  to see if coaching is right for you  Episode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.com Contact the HOP Team:Do you have an episode idea?Want to suggest a guest?Can you provide critical feedback? We'd love to hear from you!Contact our team at [email protected] Your input helps us create content that matters.

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Melissa Stangl is the Founding Partner and COO of Soltara, Shipibo-based Ayahuasca healing centers in Costa Rica and Peru, where indigenous wisdom meets western medical support to foster life-changing transformations. Melissa holds a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed a strong foundation in science and engineering that would later inform her work in the plant medicine space. Before co-founding Soltara, Melissa served as Operations Manager and Director of Business Development at a top-rated healing center in Peru, gaining years of on-the-ground experience and a deep understanding of plant medicine’s benefits. Her work also includes coordinating scientific studies, expanding public awareness, thought projects like helping to produce a documentary about war veterans with PTSD, and raising funds to support sustainable projects, like installing solar panels in the Amazon village of Libertad. Additionally, Melissa is a forthcoming author, with her book, Roots of Consciousness: A Modern Skeptic's Journey into Plant Medicine & Psychedelic Science, which is available for pre-order now! Melissa is a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between Western medicine and the transformative power of traditional indigenous healing traditions and practices, and an Elected Leaders Collective board member.About the Episode: If psychedelics are a new topic for you, this is the episode for you, designed to be an entry point for public servants. In this episode, we dive into foundational fluencies: What are plant medicines? What’s happening in current research around treatment-resistant PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction? How do we begin to decode statements like "the plants called me to this work" in concrete, understandable terms? We explore the structure these medicines require, including the integration of ancient and modern traditions, the contrast between reductionist and holistic models of health, and the cultural awareness and responsibilities involved in this space. We talk about how to face uncomfortable conversations, how to stay resourced while under stress, and why this kind of work, even if you never come near a psychedelic in your life, offers deeply transferable knowledge for leaders, change-makers, and humans navigating this complex world. This isn't a how-to guide or a policy debate. It’s an invitation to demystify, to explore, and to reflect. I hope you enjoy this curious, thought-provoking, and heartfelt conversation with Melissa Stangl. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Episode/Guest Intro· [00:07:20] Part of the Kaleidoscope of Care · [00:08:12] Winding Path to Peru · [00:09:50] The Basics: What is a Psychedelic?· [00:12:17] Disrupting Default Perspectives: Making New Connections · [00:13:10] Conscious Access to Your Inner Landscape· [00:14:20] Drugs: Tylenol, Caffeine, Banana, etc. · [00:15:05] Chemicals in the Brain · [00:17:10] Brain Says: “Dog = Dangerous” · [00:18:39] Why Care About Plant/Psychedelic Medicine? · [00:20:00] The Reductionist Western Medical Model· [00:22:33] Parallel Perspective: Integration is Essential · [00:25:30] “Self vs. Self”  · [00:26:57] Reductionist vs. Holistic · [00:27:42] A Detour Through the Forest · [00:32:45] Modalities of Healing that Must be Explored · [00:35:20] What is Oni/Ayahuasca? · [00:38:23] The Importance/Science of the Brew · [00:39:32] An Entourage of Alkaloids · [00:40:27] A Master Plant Teacher · [00:41:14] A Pause to Address the Skeptics · [00:43:00] Kené & Icaro· [00:48:05] Is it “Woo Woo” or Simply AS Magical as ALL Science!?! · [00:52:25] It's not just about the Ayahuasca· [00:54:51] An Open Mind Can’t Hurt· [00:56:07] Suspending Disbelief & Welcoming Curiosity · [00:58:23] Soltara Experience Play-by-Play· [00:59:05] Intake Process · [00:59:55] Preparation · [01:01:29] Retreats· [01:02:15] Ceremonies · [01:02:25] About Vomitivo· [01:06:20] Individual Consultation · [01:06:30] Group Shares, or “Sharimonies”· [01:06:50] Integration Workshops · [01:07:20] The Pillars of Soltara: A Bridge to Back Home· [01:07:55] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals· [01:08:50] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com) · [01:11:33] TEASER ALERT! : Roots of Consciousness by Melissa Stangl· [01:13:19] Healing Emotional Wounds & Physical Manifestations · [01:16:19] Starting from a Scientific Understanding· [01:19:08] Melissa Meets Mushrooms · [01:20:43] The Larger Theme · [01:22:35] “From the Bowels of the Internet My Life Sprang Forth!”· [01:24:45] Risk is in Relation· [01:27:50] Following Intuition: Planting The Seed · [01:29:08] Daniel Cleland · [01:31:43] From the Brink of Something Dark to Leaping in Faith · [01:35:26] Shifting Gears to Yester-Year· [01:37:32] Remembering the Dread· [01:40:00] Growing Into Soltara: Honoring Traditions & Furthering Integration· [01:42:55] The Spiral Process of Healing · [01:49:09] Preparedness Paired w/ Trusting Support · [01:53:03] Collaborating Instead of Competing · [01:57:10] Applying Learnings to Service · [01:59:35] The Ritual & Practicality of Setting Intention · [02:07:18] A Productive Environment for Collective Action· [02:12:00] Set the Table!: Invest in the Soil · [02:13:30] Techniques for Grounding · [02:16:45] Finding a Working Dose & Tuning In · [02:19:45] The Grounding Touch · [02:21:22] Orientation for Our Mammalian Brains · [02:26:04] Self Contact for Somatic Relief · [02:29:04] Honoring Traditional Practices: Cultural Bridgework · [02:34:58] The Bullet Points on a Respectful Approa...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about In our 2nd *EPISODE-LETTE* Join us for this quick 15-minute IG LIVE based HOP hot take, with Allison Ralph (forgive the IG LIVE audio quality and join us on a full production episode for the dulcet tones of our guest's voices)Allison Ralph has spent decades studying religion, history, the openness and closeness or society, and it's relationship to human well-being, progress, and conflict.We Talk About: ⛪️ RELIGION, HISTORY, SOCIETY, CONFLICT, & PROGRESS 🕍🎙️**The first few minutes have a bit of audio distortion, so fast-forward to a few minutes in for a clean stream!**  🦁❤️Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.comFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call  to see if coaching is right for youEpisode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.com Contact the HOP Team:Do you have an episode idea?Want to suggest a guest?Can you provide critical feedback? We'd love to hear from you!Contact our team at [email protected] Your input helps us create content that matters.

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Michael Drakovic is a social practitioner, creative producer, and democracy advocate on a mission to create a more participatory democracy. He is a dual graduate, MPA/MBA, of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and MIT Sloan School of Management, and is  currently a PhD student in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies researching the relationship between society and spirituality. Michael is not just about degrees and credentials—he is adoer! He is the Founder and Lead Collaborator at Common Light, a consultancy for renewing human agreements, as well as a co-founder of the state legislative resource Democracy Policy Network and co-lead of Los Angeles for Democracy Vouchers and the citizens’ assembly project Public Democracy Los Angeles. Previously, Michael founded the digital studio Ovrture, where he managed creative campaigns at Bono’s antipoverty advocacy group The ONE Campaign, where he worked on the 2010 and 2011 U2 360° North America Tours. About the Episode: In this very special episode, I sit down with public servant and Renaissance man, Michael Draskovic. Michael was my very first one-on-one coaching client, so this conversation holds a deep personal significance for me. We talk about how to overcome the fear of "not enoughness" and break through to self-assurance. Michael opens up about his experience as a closeted gay man and the shadows and light that have shaped his life and service. We also explore the dynamics of fame and access, sharing a practical guide to navigating high-profile relationships while staying AUTHENTIC to the projects you are leading. Citing Michael’s first-hand experience, you will feel empowered to explore these avenues in your own initiatives. We also talk about how his daily practices, like meditation, have blossomed new ways of thinking and leading: reducing partisanship, and leading by listening to shape an environment where everyone’s needs are respected and considered. Plus, Michael shares his insights into participatory democracy, and co-governance: providing ways that leaders like you can test these waters in your own communities while growing confidence and support. PACKED with wisdom and ACTIONABLE takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to foster a democracy founded on common ground and co-governance nurtured by many voices.   Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:40] Guest/Episode Introduction· [00:08:45] The Grey Shoes Story · [00:11:18] Awareness vs. Embodiment · [00:12:40] Lacking Self-Assurance and Belonging · [00:14:50] Spiritual Abuse & the Lasting Trauma· [00:17:50] The Intrinsic Desire to Cocreate· [00:19:17] Michael’s Creative and Political Influences · [00:21:20] Rethinking Policy: Diverse Voices and Recognizing Community Potential · [00:27:40] Cafes and Porn Stars: A *messy* Introduction to Politics· [00:30:35] Michael and The ONE Campaign · [00:32:45] A little Shop Talk about the ONE Campaign Structure · [00:33:55] Influence and Power Dynamics that come with a Rockstar · [00:37:42]’ The NRA for the World’s Poor’· [00:38:50] Making the Most/Avoiding Pitfalls when working with a high-profile Advocate· [00:40:44] The Resurrection of George Washington! (A Casual Example) · [00:42:14] The Pope, The Quakers, and Institutional Potential · [00:44:50] SPONSOR: SkyRun Vacation Rentals· [00:45:45] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com) · [00:48:05] We Can’t Open Hearts by Just Thinking About It· [00:50:25] Leading with Action with Chi Chi Ossé· [00:53:30] It's Not About George · [00:56:10] What Lit Michael’s Fire · [01:00:57] Get Involved to Fight Fatalism, Recognizing it's a Privilege· [01:03:04] It Will Never Be the Perfect Time to Fix the System · [01:04:43] Meditation to Reduce Partisanship· [01:06:00] Seeing In Many Dimensions· [01:07:35] Owning One’s Flaws · [01:08:48] The Forest· [01:10:25] One New Hire Can’t Save All· [01:13:55] Taking the Practice into the Room · [01:14:30] “The Softest Voice” · [01:16:25] From Polarizing to Polarity: What We Can Agree On· [01:20:52] Reimagining Political Wisdom with Many Diverse Voices · [01:22:21] Starting Small with Civilian Group Policy Making · [01:26:44] The Strategy and Goals of Assemblies· [01:28:40] What’s In the Works?· [01:30:44] Inner Work and Policy Work · [01:32:17] Spaces of Exploration and Development· [01:33:28] Holding an Object in Your Mind · [01:37:00] Final Question: “What We Lose In Power We Gain in Legitimacy” · [01:38:00]  “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:39:10] Sponsor: SkyRun Vacation Rentals· [01:40:05] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:00:01] SkyRun Vacation Rentals· [00:00:00] Common Light · [00:23:55] Community Crisis Response in New Jersey· [00:27:10] LA’s Neighborhood Council System · [00:30:35] The ONE Campaign · [00:35:04]

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guests:Byron Katie is the creator of The Work, an incredibly powerful method of self-inquiry that helps individuals break free from the thoughts that create suffering. Her books, including Loving What Is, A Mind at Home with Itself, and Who Would You Be Without That Story, have become staples in the personal development world, with millions of copies sold and translated into over 30 languages – reaching people in boardrooms, prisons, and even war zones. Her method has had a profound impact on high performers across a wide range of fields, including business, therapy, and conflict resolution, and has been hailed by some of the most influential figures of our time—Oprah, Eckhart Tolle, and Tony Robbins, to name a few. Katie was even recognized by Time magazine as the spiritual innovator of the 21st century. Matt Plourd  is a city councilman in Newington, Connecticut, and a truly remarkable young leader from a family of public servants. Still in his 20s, Matt is already on a determined and productive journey as one of the youngest ever elected officials in his town's history. With a strong sense of responsibility for “the community that raised and loved [him] in [his] most difficult moments,” Matt is dedicating his life to bridging the divide and helping us navigate back to common sense and compassion. Beginning as an organizer in high school for efforts across the country. He has led and created meaningful change in public safety, and environmental security and worked to protect the rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable. Recently, in his appointment as councilman, Matt successfully guided budget changes for Newington’s education system and schools, the largest increase in 20 years, as well as giving the human services department the largest increase in a decade. About the Episode: In today’s conversation, Katie and I dive deep into how The Work came to be, and how it can be a vital leadership tool for public servants. Public leadership requires the ability to navigate conflict, uncertainty, and high-stakes decisions with clarity and compassion—and that’s exactly what The Work helps you do. You’ll learn how to dissolve the fears that arise from rivals or opposition, how to shift from adversarial to collaborative leadership, and how this powerful method can transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth. We also discuss why a setback—whether it’s losing an election or not getting the job—may actually be the best thing that ever happened to your leadership. We also dive into Katie’s remarkable personal story, experiencing a sudden, life-changing realization in 1986, she went from being clinically depressed and agoraphobic on the floor of a halfway house to, in an instant, finding the clarity that changed her life and, ultimately, the lives of millions. And we don’t stop there! In the second half of this episode, I sit down with Matt Plourd, city councilman of Newington, Connecticut, and we put The Work into action on a live situation he’s facing in his service. You’ll get to see how The Work can be applied in real-time, providing not just clarity but profound insight for public servants who want to lead with intention and effectiveness. Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Byron Katie and Matt Plourd. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:42] Guest/Episode Introduction · [00:08:20] Before the Work found me  · [00:09:37] Suddenly I Could See · [00:10:57] People Wanted Help: The Worksheet · [00:12:00] In Play with Ego and Duality · [00:14:07] With Distinction Comes Separation · [00:15:08] "Judging" Your Opponent · [00:17:54] Powerful Outcomes · [00:21:10] True Empowerment In Leadership · [00:22:08] Ego is an Imaginary Banana· [00:24:30] Breaking Free from Imagined Suffering · [00:26:23] “Only 100 Percent of the Time” · [00:27:00] If I Win, I Win. If I Lose, I Win. · [00:27:26] When “Barb” has a Problem · [00:29:36] The Work is an Invitation, not a Demand · [00:31:26] How To Work Through the Worksheet:                      - Anchoring The Ego: Write it Down                    - Questioning the Thought in Stillness                     - Noticing the Reaction                    - “Who Would I be Without the Thought?”                     - Turning it Around · [00:36:20] How to Do the Turn - Arounds · [00:39:50] Final Question: "Judge Your Neighbor.. & Turn it Around” · [00:41:20] SkyRun · [00:42:18] ELC Foundation donors · [01:03:30] SPONSOR: ELC · [00:44:34] Welcoming Matt Plourd · [00:47:00] Matt’s Service Journey: Highlights & Struggles · [00:51:25] What Do Think People Believe About You? · [00:52:22] The Fears You Hold · [00:44:34] Letting Go of Belief · [00:55:40] Doing the Worksheet · [00:56:28] Meeting Matt’s Neighbor· [01:00:45] Crafting a Statement about the Neighbor · [01:01:25] How Do You Want Them to Change? · [01:02:27] What is Your Advice for this Neighbor? · [01:05:36] What Do You Need From Your Neighbor? · [01:06:50] The Petty Part · [01:08:30] The Part Don’t Want· [01:09:38] Embodying the Moment· [01:11:03] Questioning The Statement · [01:11:40] Staying Present in the Moment · [01:12:08] How Do You React to the Belief? · [01:12:38] Do Your Behaviors Change? · [01:13:02] How is Your Leadership Affected? · [01:14:08] Who Would You Be Without that Thought· [01:14:45] Creating the Turn-Arounds· [01:15:16] 1st Turn-Around: I’m Disappointed in Myself · [01:18:17] 2nd Turn-Around: I’m Proud of My Neighbor · [01:21:42] 3rd Turn-Around: I’m Disappointed in My Neighbor for Holding Back · [01:24:33] 4th Turn-Around: I’m Proud of My Neighbor for Contributing · [01:29:30] Bringing The Work to Your...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about In our first Healing Our Politics “episode-lette” a 15-minute bite of goodness, join me with Monica Guzeman, Host of A Braver Way podcast, is a powerhouse of political healing and transformation. Author of I Never Thought of it That Way and renowned TED speaker, she is “the guide across the divide” for the Braver Angels Network.We talk about: ⁉️Why you should care about what folks who disagree with you politically think🦁 The benefit to you in befriending folks who are differentBecoming anti-fragileBuilding resilience through challenge⚡️Free speech as a tool to build courage and alignment💻 How to escape your political bubble using tech🧘🏽‍♀️The power of meditationIf you enjoyed this and want to see more of Monica on a full episode of the Healing Our Politics podcast ❤️🎙️, please DM me with topics you want covered, or reach out to our team at [email protected] light and love ❤️🦁,SkippyWhere to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.comFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call https://calendly.com/skippymesirow/elc-clarity-call  to see if coaching is right for youEpisode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective ElectedLeadersCollective.com (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe Elected Leaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.com Contact the HOP Team:Do you have an episode idea?Want to suggest a guest?Can you provide critical feedback? We'd love to hear from you!Contact our team at [email protected] Your input helps us create content that matters.

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Russell J. Pappas, known by friends as Russ, is a true master of his craft. He is a Shamanic Bodyworker and Transformational Coach with over 20 years of experience in massage therapy, energy work, and ceremony. As well as having formal training in over 12 different modalities of massage—from Myofascial Release, Shiatsu, Trigger Point Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Western Sports Massage, Rolfing, and the list goes on —Russ’s work stands out beyond his technical mastery with an approach to healing, relaxation, and realignment is in a league of its own—truly unmatched. Russ has worked with a diverse roster of clients including CEOs, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals—but he’s never one to name drop. His focus is on the work itself, and his commitment to healing is absolute. Every moment of his practice is imbued with great intention to nourish, relieve and listen to the body, mind, and spirit.About the Episode: We decided to try something a little different today! In this episode, I sit down—and actually, lay down—with none other than Russell J. Pappas: legendary bodyworker who weaves together a fascinating tapestry of bodywork, energy healing, coaching, and ceremony. We explore how bodywork and massage therapy, in its various forms, can be a GAME-CHANGER for public servants who spend long hours at the computer, immersed in high-stress environments that create unhealthy work habits. We dive into body alignment issues common to the public servant— like "keyboard forearm" from hours at the desk, and the infamous "camel neck" or “dowager’s hump” from craning over your phone, and Russ shares actionable tips and techniques to combat these problems that you can implement into your busy routine. Recording the conversation before and after my treatment provides a rare, intimate and in depth review of a bodywork experience, as well as a practitioner’s perspective, and honest advice on finding the type of therapy you might want as well as how to find it, navigating what’s often a very murky landscape of options! Russ shares his thoughts on how to evaluate the work of a therapist while maintaining a receptive mindset, how to best give feedback (spoiler alert!: this approach will translate well into your leadership roles!) as well as how to get the most value from your sessions by setting intention and knowing your preferences.  If you’ve ever been curious about the power of bodywork—or if you're just looking for ways to feel better in your own skin—this episode is going to hit the spot. (it definitely did for me!!) Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:10] Guest/Episode Intro· [00:03:59] Where Are We Right Now??· [00:08:40] Bodywork Therapy & Massage Therapy · [00:12:12] A Receptive Mindset · [00:15:00] Request from Kindness and Appreciation· [00:16:03] Thought Loops Disrupting the Present Pleasure · [00:17:46] Setting Intentions for the Session · [00:18:30] SPONSOR: ELC· [00:21:03] The Practitioner's Experience: The Dance · [00:22:30] The Recipient’s Experience· [00:23:30] Thinking about the Spectrum of Massage · [00:25:40] How Russ’s Skills Were Cultivated · [00:28:45] The Moment it Became Clear · [00:30:04] Applying the Science to Real World Experiences · [00:31:35] Understanding some Techniques · [00:31:55] Targeting the Middle Scalene · [00:34:21] Tractioning, Decompressing the Joints · [00:35:52] A Trick of the Trade: Start with the Compacted Leg · [00:37:54] The Computer-Trained Forearm· [00:40:00] Contraction and Expansion· [00:41:51] Two Minutes is EVERYTHING! (but take it slow) · [00:42:53] The Long-term Consequences of “GO-GO-GO”  · [00:44:30] Bodies Tell Stories· [00:48:43] Skippy’s Body-Story· [00:49:47] Correcting Neck Posture: Tuck, not Raise · [00:51:27] Breath into Your High Heart · [00:53:23] Remake your Routines to be FUN/Beneficial · [00:57:18] Finding the Right Modality for You· [01:02:17] Massage is Like Pizza · [01:02:40] An Educational Opportunity· [01:03:43] Finding the Right Practicioner(s) · [01:06:00] Massage Envy: A Good Place to Start · [01:07:32] Price (and Experience) Expectations, and “Hacks” · [01:12:35] Look into TAX Deductible Self Care! · [01:14:01] Know Your Preferences  · [01:14:55] Provide Direct Feedback · [01:16:46] How to Provide Feedback: Be Kind and Specific · [01:20:00] Use Your Intentions to Anchor Your Actions· [01:23:43] Final Question: Individual Space, Without Pressure· [01:25:30] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:26:26] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:08:40] Bodywork Therapy & Massage Therapy · [00:18:30] SPONSOR: ELC · [00:26:26] Structural Integration · [00:26:27] Neuromuscular Massage Therapy· [00:26:29] Myofascial Release Therapy· [00:26:30] Western Sports Massage · [00:26:31] Russian Sports Massage· [00:26:32]/[01:01:05] Shiatsu Massage Therapy · [00:26:34] Craniosacral Therapy· [00:26:35] Hydromassage Therapy · [00:26:43]/ [00:58:50] Rolfing · [00:26:50]

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Japman Bajaj is an award-winning, transformational leader and a true polymath, recognized in 2012 as a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum. A force in technology, entrepreneurship, policy, culture, and service, Japman seamlessly bridges human potential with the systemic structures that support it. He is a passionate storyteller, empathetic leader, and lifelong learner with a unique ability to balance left- and right-brain thinking, creating meaningful impact that nurtures human potential and fulfillment. Japman has contributed to several industries creating an impressive and diverse portfolio: He served as a senior leader at Long View Systems, where he led the Managed Cloud and Infrastructure Services, co-founded and served as Managing Director for Soshal Group, an award-winning digital media agency, and served as a Senior Leader at TELUS, one of Canada’s largest telecom conglomerates. Japman has also made significant contributions to social innovation, managing the Ottawa Innovation Community Challenge, curating at the Global Shapers Community, advisor to the Calgary Arts Development, and sat on the Board for The Trans Canada Trail Project. He also co-led the WeView DEI podcast, and is a published author. Currently, he is the Executive VP at Vametric, where he is redefining human ability, testing, and assessment. The list goes on, spanning both the corporate and social innovation sectors. Whether it’s building businesses or fostering deep social connections, Japman has a rare ability to focus on the big picture while also zooming in on the nuances that make a lasting difference.About the Episode: In this episode I touch base with ELC Board Member, Japman Bajaj, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion, exploring how spirituality can drive service, and influence our daily lives. Scratching the surface of what the Sikh religion means to him as an individual, we talk about how his faith continues to inform how he navigates leadership, trauma, trust building, and so much more. We discuss the personal and communal challenges he faced as a Sikh after 9/11, and how those events have shaped his views on service and wellbeing. Japman confesses that he came to understand the full gravity of his father’s work as a public servant relatively recently, and shares his evolution from believing that policy was in the way, to seeing it as the way in moving the needle forward. We contemplate the hard choices to be made and commitment needed to pursue an elected position, all while battling a system that favors blame, rather than extending grace. Plus, we touch on the transformative power of meditation and journaling in healing trauma and processing life's struggles. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:05] Guest/Episode Intro· [00:05:33] Learning Yourself via Experience · [00:09:07] It’s Your Story: Listen to Yourself · [00:10:57] Japman’s Throughline · [00:12:11] The Unexamined Life w/ a Service Lens· [00:13:03] Contemplating a Life of Elected Politics · [00:14:52] A Little Background· [00:18:43] To be a Sikh is to be a Learner · [00:20:03] The One God is Us · [00:20:55] The Saint-Solider · [00:24:04] Being Political by Default · [00:24:32] Violence against Sikhs after 9/11 · [00:27:50] Coming From Trauma · [00:29:10] Success Born from Struggle · [00:30:18] (Pause for a Crazy Cute Story) · [00:33:55]  We’re More Alike Than We are Different · [00:35:55] The Religious Atheist · [00:38:18] How Does Faith Show Up? · [00:41:37] Rejecting Institutional Policing, not “Doctrine” · [00:45:10] Learning from Mom & Dad · [00:45:48] A Life Long Public Servant · [00:49:45] Understanding the Gravity of Service · [00:52:27] From Target Turban to Strength in Numbers  · [00:55:55] Understanding the Gravity of a Lonely Kid · [00:58:27] Owning up to Ego is part of Leadership · [01:00:35] Some Ego Keeps Your Jug Full! · [01:05:00] Modern Politics’ Focus on Differences · [01:08:15] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [01:08:15] ELC Foundation donors (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com/donate)· [01:10:40] A Traumatic Event Sets the Tone · [01:15:18] The Universe Demands the Headphones Come Off! · [01:17:17] Isolation as a Path, Not a Pathology · [01:20:25] Everybody Had Something to Offer· [01:21:08] Hukam, Accepting Reality · [01:23:25] The Practice of Processing · [01:25:48] We are Dynamic Beings · [01:27:] Japman’s Bullet Point Practices             · [01:27:16] Find Self Inspired People             · [01:27:55] Journaling (Identifying Core Questions)             · [01:30:04] Meditate · [01:30:43] Meditation Can Be Fluid · [01:35:03] Wandering Thoughts Could be the Gift · [01:37:37] Journaling is Data · [01:41:07] Left Brain - Right Brain Balance · [01:44:47] Policy Can Be The Way to Innovation · [01:49:30] Distrust Towards the Private Sector · [01:55:31] Contemplating Rebuilding Trust: It’s Work  · [01:57:00] Mistakes Are a Non Partisan Issue · [01:59:53] Don’t Be Angry, and Inactive · [02:01:25] Open Aggression Towards Public Servants: New Territory · [02:03:32] A Simple Question · [02:06:15] Internal Lessons: Extend Grace · [02:08:49] We All Have Trauma · [02:10:00] A Wish for Positive Politics · [02:11:38] What is True?· [02:14:22] Final Question: Start At Home and Seek Home in Others· [02:16:45] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [02:17:45] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:19:45] Sikhism&nbsp...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Dr. Jerome Burt II is a clinical psychologist, therapist, and Ph.D. based at the Heritage Group in Nashville, Tennessee, with an expansive career that blends deep expertise in psychology with a uniquely diverse background. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi, followed by a Postdoctoral Residency at the Psychological and Counseling Center at Vanderbilt University, but his career path has been anything but traditional—before becoming a psychologist, he spent 20 years as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.  With expertise in neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and human behavior, Dr. Burt II’s work spans a wide range of individuals, from Forbes-featured CEOs to college graduates figuring out what's next. He has been a featured TED speaker, with his talk, How a Dinner Party Can Save Your Life, and recently hosted TEDx in Nashville. As the co-host of the Billboard Happiness Podcast, Jerome redefines the way we think about psychology, infusing it with his deep belief in the redemptive power of good friends, good food, and good conversation. In his sixth decade, he is a convener of community, a preacher of possibility, and an acolyte of abundance. Anyone lucky enough to know him can attest to his ability to transform lives!About the Episode: In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Jerome Burt II, a mentor, friend, and one of the most intentional people I know. We dive into the importance of elders and your social network, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can propel you to success. Jerome shares how something as simple as a dinner party can save your life, why ease leads to dis-ease, and the concept of pocket pebbles for personal freedom. Packed with fun anecdotes, and valuable insights, we get into everything from navigating anger to the importance of professional—and non-professional—support in shifting from blame and shame to effective leadership. We discuss using annual retreats to unite teams, how exercise and home-cooked meals can elevate your leadership, and building connections across partisan divides. You’ll also hear about the science of being the good Samaritan, the distinction between "getting shit done" juice and "cuddle juice," and how to tap into them to elicit the best from your nervous system. We explore the five S's of success, the power of mentorship, and the importance of being lovingly challenged. Jerome’s wisdom, heart, and vision will challenge you to think about leadership in a whole new way. Key Topics Discussed:    · [00:01:05] Guest/Episode Intro · [00:04:46] ! Naked ! A ‘No Notes’ Conversation !· [00:05:10] An Interesting Morning · [00:09:09] Having a Cold, but staying Heart Healthy · [00:10:38] Heart Hardening & Stories of Righteousness· [00:12:25]How Long Have We Known Each Other? (The Best Question) · [00:15:16] Slay The Dragon · [00:17:30] Why Do We Get Stuck in Mental Constructructs?: The Juices · [00:19:48] The Good Samaritan (is not in a car line) · [00:21:17] ! Pattern Interrupt Reminder ! · [00:22:33] The Samaritan Experiment · [00:24:34] Women Are the Biggest Liars · [00:26:11] Shift to Heart Opening · [00:28:33] I Don’t Wish for What’s Not Available · [00:29:30] Do What You Can. · [00:30:30] Making it Sticky · [00:31:31] The Small, LOUD Room · [00:34:03] An Anecdote for Context and Contemplation· [00:39:15] Advice for the Individual· [00:41:45] The 5 S’s: Sleep, Sun, Sweat, Self-Compassion, & Self-Talk· [00:42:23] To be Effective, You’ve got to be Elected· [00:43:23] ELC Foundation donors (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com/donate)· [00:43:57] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [00:46:16] Pebbles in Your Pocket · [00:50:30] Live WELL by “Making Your Life Difficult” · [00:53:08] Preventing Dis-Ease· [00:54:33] Complaining as a Loop/Social Mechanism· [00:56:29] From Victim to Leader: We Believe What We Think · [00:58:22] A Digression on Traffic & Cars · [01:01:27] Take Care of Your Heart · [01:02:24] TEDX Talk: How A Dinner Party Can Save Your Life· [01:03:54] “Freakin’ Enjoy It”· [01:05:47] You’re My Gravlax Club· [01:06:45] Welcome Love & Offer It In Return · [01:07:24] Welcome “White Girl Wasted” · [01:09:06] “There’s Cute Shit Everywhere” · [01:11:36] Don’t Get Bored · [01:12:23] When to Seek Professional Help· [01:13:24] Therapist vs. Coach · [01:13:53] Determining the Right Fit · [01:15:01] Therapy Comes in Many Valid Forms · [01:16:19] We Are All at Risk · [01:20:12] Final Question: Knowing & Magic Can’t Coexist· [01:22:51] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:23:50] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:15:16] Slay The Dragon · [00:19:48] The Good Samaritan · [00:21:50] Mel Robbins, The ‘Let Them’ Theory · [00:22:33] The Samaritan Experiment · [00:25:46] The Christ Rock Bit · [00:43:23] ELC Foundation donors · [00:43:57] SPONSOR: ELC· [00:50:43] “Why Zebras Don’t get Ulcers” · [00:52:30] Sisyphus · [01:02:24] TED...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Guest:Anna Miley is a powerhouse in mindset and mental well-being, working with leaders to create a successful balance in their lives as Lead Coach at Locale Learning, an organization committed to transforming the experiences of Australia’s elected leaders. A graduate of the University of Canberra with degrees in sports science, physiology, and psychology, Anna is also a certified hypnotherapy practitioner, a neuro-linguistic programming expert, an accredited exercise physiologist, and yoga therapist. Anna’s professional mission is to educate on the power of self-care in leadership. She has a deep understanding of the impact of stress on the body and the mind, and how to boost performance and reduce the mental load through mindfulness techniques.About the Episode: In today’s episode, I sit down with Anna Miley, an expert in mindset, mental well-being, and leadership. We dive into her personal journey, starting with a genetic childhood condition that set her on the path to healing and helping others do the same. We cover practical strategies for building your own “mental health first aid kit,” the importance of movement, the “Middle Way,”  and how to tackle people-pleasing and perfectionism. Plus, we get into the science behind affirmations and how to use them to amplify your leadership. Anna shares her insight and experiences as lead Coach with Locale Learning, an Australian-based company focused on transforming the experience of elected leaders developing ethical, mindful, and high-performing leaders. Recognized by the Apolitical Foundation as one of 26 international political well-being trailblazers, Locale Learning is revolutionizing leadership development in Australia, mirroring the work of the Elected Leaders Collective here in the U.S. We’ll explore how their Eight step Political Well-Being Framework can help you pinpoint the areas in your life and leadership that need the most growth—and how to take action. It’s a packed episode, so let’s dive in!Key Topics Discussed:· [00:00:58] Epidsode/Guest Intro · [00:04:20] “It’s All Too Hard Basket” · [00:05:55] Our Twin in Australia· [00:07:40] The Mere Mortals Report: A-Political Foundation · [00:09:24] How the Health Journey Began · [00:12:38] Lessons Learned Early · [00:16:02] What was the “Story” · [00:18:30] What was Working? · [00:20:26] The Permission into Self Inquiry · [00:22:13]  “Mental Health First Aid”  · [00:29:40] 15 Second Meditation · [00:33:00] Anna’s Broad Skill Set: Anna’s Style · [00:35:44] ELC Foundation donors (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com/donate)· [00:38:07] Describing the Work of Supporting our Leaders· [00:40:27] How Anna Got Roped In · [00:42:12] The Stats of Stigma · [00:44:20] A Pharmaceutical Approach: Not Right for Everyone  · [00:45:40] The Perks of “The Work”· [00:47:13] High Performance, Passionate People · [00:48:42] Ahead of the Curve(ball) · [00:50:20] Boundaries are Your Job · [00:52:40] Modern Politics · [00:53:55] Prescriptive vs. Self Directed & The Middle Path · [00:56:44] None of this is Easy· [00:57:37] The Transformational Coach vs. The Athletic Coach (YES!  AND! ) · [01:00:28] Locale Learning Containers · [01:05:48] Session Methods & Takeaways · [01:08:00] Locale Learning’s Wellbeing Framework · [01:12:12] How to Navigate the Framework: I. Awareness II. Identify III. Adopt Mindset IV. Developing Micro Skills V. Access Resources  · [01:13:54] The 8 Core Elements of Political Wellbeing: i.   Physical and Mental Health ii. Social Connection iii. Digital Safety iv. Technical Know-How v. Motivation & Attitude  vi. Time & Capacity  vii. Relationships & Conflict viii. Ethical Action · [01:20:52] Mindsets & Affirmations · [01:23:55] Empowering with Tools of Self Reflection & Action · [01:26:00] Affirmations are Science !!!· [01:28:48] Feedback about the Framework· [01:30:53] Financing · [01:33:15] We’re All Human: Performance is Relative · [01:34:54] Heartlead Work: The Human Side of Politics  · [01:36:30] Overcoming People Pleasing & Perfectionism · [01:37:22] Saying No & Taking a Literal Step Back · [01:40:30] Stop Apologizing: Thank & Acknowledge · [01:42:47] Humor in the Work? · [01:44:32] The Best People · [01:45:00] Getting Braver: Letting Go of Inner Doubt · [01:48:45] Final Question: Remind Yourself of Your Purpose · [01:50:00] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter· [01:50:55] Sponsor: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:01:20] Locale Learning· [00:02:17] The University of Canberra · [00:02:25] Santosha Yoga· [00:07:40] The Apolitical Foundation· [00:14:30] Sachinanda Yoga · [00:33:12] Exercise Physiologist · [00:35:04] Hypnotherapy · [00:35:44] ELC Foundation donors· [00:38:57] Emma Broomfield · [00:43:20] Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison · [01:03:45]

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE Guest:Paul Anderson is a writer, historian, and humanitarian with a jaw-dropping 40+ years of experience. He’s written thousands of news columns, authored 17 books, and even scripted over a dozen movies and IMAX films. But Paul’s story doesn’t stop there. He’s a changemaker. He founded 'Nature and Society,' a groundbreaking seminar at the Aspen Institute, and 'Huts for Vets,' a nonprofit offering transformative wilderness experiences for veterans in the stunning 10th Mountain Division hut system near Aspen, Colorado. Inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame just last year, Paul is a force of nature who’s always aiming higher—whether it’s growing 'Huts for Vets' or living by his mantra to give 'meaning to every interaction.' If you’re looking for a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership, you’re in the right place.About the Episode: In this episode, we explore the profound connection between nature, philosophy, and healing. Discover the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or 'forest bathing,' and how immersing yourself in nature can help you reconnect, rejuvenate, and boost performance. We challenge the label of PTSD as a 'disorder,' reframing it as PTS—the body's natural response to life-or-death trauma—to reduce stigma and support healing. We delve into the overlooked issue of sexual trauma in the military and uncover lessons civilians can learn. Our conversation takes us into the world of classic philosophy, examining the links between disconnection—from others, from purpose, and from something greater, and self —and mental health. We unpack the 'Aspen Idea,' exploring the “three-legged stool” of mind, body, and spirit, and share practical ways to cultivate balance in your life. We discuss the transformative power of a “solo”, the ways we shape and are shaped by our environments, and the enduring impact of history and service. Finally, Paul shares his extraordinary journey to founding Huts for Vets, a nonprofit that has touched countless lives.I hope you enjoy this soulful, wide-ranging, and thought-provoking conversation with Paul Andersen.**Content Advisory: Suicide and SA are discussed in this episode. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:02:00] Episode/guest intro · [00:05:35] What is ‘Huts for Vets?’ · [00:06:25] The 10th Mountain Division Huts System· [00:07:03] Why this cause? · [00:08:27] The “Choice” of War for the Solider: The Unavoidable Repercussions · [00:11:03] Huts for Vets origin story · [00:11:53] Authentic, selfless motivation speaks volumes· [00:16:52] What is the Process? · [00:17:30] What is the Aspen Idea? · [00:19:52] The Aspen Idea as a Tripod: Balance· [00:22:03] The Methodology at Huts for Vets · [00:22:45] Shinrin-yoku · [00:26:36] Military Unit as the Family Unit · [00:27:18] It's a ME world, not a WE world.· [00:29:10] What is The Aspen Institute?· [00:30:39] “No man is an island” · [00:32:34] “Thank you for your service" · [00:33:35] What can we do? · [00:35:38] SPONSOR: ELC (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)· [00:38:05] Huts for Vets in Ukraine· [00:39:02] The Science of Spirit · [00:44:35] Self-realization and the power of a Solo · [00:47:57] Soldiers, Civilians and Enemies all need Healing · [00:48:40] Some Aspen History · [00:49:45] Founders from both sides of the Civil War · [00:50:58] A population primed for violence · [00:53:26] The History of Trauma · [00:54:40] The many names of PTS(D) or Moral Injury · [01:59:55] From Convincing to Waitlisting · [01:02:22] Women in Military Service · [01:03:53] SA prevalence in Military Service · [01:04:55] Offering Tools through a Dialogue· [01:05:48] Other Tools for Coping · [01:06:44] Funding and Facilities · [01:08:35] Can Huts for Vets Expand to Other Wilds? · [01:09:38] How can Leaders use the Huts for Vets Methodology? · [01:10:44] The Power of 20 minutes in Nature · [01:12:50] Transcendence in Nature marks the Leaders of 3 Major Religions · [01:14:18] Your Inner Voice · [01:16:24] Converting “Matter into Spirit” · [01:18:49] Living your Values· [01:22:40] “Let us not live trivial lives” · [01:25:05] “The Leader’s Handbook” (https://www.healingourpolitics.com/#newsletter) Newsletter · [01:26:06] Sponsor: ELC; Coaching for Public Servants (https://www.electedleaderscollective.com)Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:06:25] The 10th Mountain Division Huts System · [00:13:20] Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. · [00:17:14] Nature and Society · [00:17:30] The Aspen Idea · [00:22:45] Shinrin-yoku · [00:24:34] Victor Frankl ,  ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ · [00:24:54] Auschwitz · [00:26:30] Sebastian Junger, “Tribe” · [00:26:40] Plato · [00:29:10] The Aspen Institute · [00:29:28] ‘The Great Books of Western Wold’ · [00:29:39] Homer · [00:29:39] Sigmund Freud · [00:30:36] John Donne,  ‘No...

Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Jamie Butemeyer is a transformational mastery coach + movement facilitator, and former musical theater artist whose coaching practice exists at the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship. Based in Aspen, Colorado, Jamie’s client roster includes women CEOs, billionaires, and leaders of all kinds, working one-on-one and in group formats. Her signature program, “Leading Lady,” helps women step out of the background and into the main stage of their lives. Jamie is the head female coach for the Elected Leaders Collective and the co-creator of the Body Alive practice at Aspen Shakti, transforming bodies and lives nationwide. She is also a certified breathwork facilitator. Her journey includes achievements as a prestigious University of Oklahoma’s theater program graduate and a Miss Teen Oklahoma title. Jamie’s mission as a coach is to help individuals step into their most authentic, empowered selves through emotional mastery and personal transformation.About the Episode: In this episode, I sit down with the best human I know, my better half and partner in life and love, Jamie Butemeyer. We discuss the intersection of authenticity, leadership, emotional intelligence, and success. We delve into Jamie’s background, growing up in Lawton, Oklahoma, and being on stage as a beauty queen from a young age. We talk about childhood patterns and the unconscious programming she picked up as a little one. Jamie shares where her insecurities and limiting beliefs held her back from becoming the Broadway star in NYC she wanted to be but ultimately planted the seeds of her success. Jamie talks about how making big bets on herself paid off and reflects on how embracing emotions, owning her fear, and cultivating emotional mastery skills freed her to become the world-class coach and leader of leaders she is today —all essential skills for leaders like you in high-stakes environments.We dive into practices like nonviolent communication, somatic awareness, and the power of community to foster healing and connection. Jamie offers unique insights into being a partner to a public servant and what she learned about how you, as a spouse or partner, can contribute to a conscious relationship that safeguards and supercharges the relationship and your service.This episode is a heartfelt invitation to claim your fullest potential by integrating the full human experience into your leadership. Jamie has been right here with me, helping me find the courage, compassion, and authenticity to be here with you today, and I know in her wisdom that you will find more of these things for yourself.**Content Advisory: SA is discussed beginning at [01:06:03] and ending at [01:06:51]**Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:50] Episode Overview· [00:04:13] Guest Introduction · [00:06:42] Early life in Oklahoma· [00:09:09] Miss Oklahoma· [00:10:53] Young Jamie stood out· [00:13:52] Personas and masks· [00:15:37] When is it time to hang it up? · [00:18:34] Paralyzed by fear· [00:19:39] Kobe Bryant’s keys to success · [00:21:21] The efficacy of unconditional lover · [00:25:46] Lifestyle to support goals · [00:27:42] Learning from my past· [00:29:09] Working with fear· [00:30:53] Knowing what I know now· [00:31:34] Feel it to free it· [00:33:40] Make BIG: bet on yourself· [00:36:51] Are you ready to die?· [00:39:24] What is a transformational coach? · [00:42:10] What does one do in coaching? · [00:43:40] Unconscious emotional suppression· [00:46:00] SPONSOR: ELC · [00:48:25] Avoidant behaviors· [00:51:46] Emotional Indulgence· [00:55:03] Finding Balance· [00:57:45] Owning your fears· [00:59:12] Effective confrontation · [01:00:30] 4 F’s of the nervous system - fight, flight, freeze, faun· [01:03:00] “Poet Lauriet” Macklemore· [01:04:25] Victim to empowerment mindset · [01:05:22] Happening for you, not to you· [01:06:03] Podcast: Suffering to Strength: Ashley Grimmel on Transmuting Pressure into Power, Resilience, and Health· [01:07:16] Caroline Myss; archetype work· [01:08:00] Nonviolent communication framework· [01:11:15] The fire of love· [01:14:25] The partner/spouse of public leaders experience· [01:18:59] Supporting yourself as a partner· [01:20:56] Approaches to support your partner· [01:22:50] “The third entity” - Family first· [01:24:20] Work/life harmony · [01:25:14] Abundant time use· [01:27:12] Closing question: Feel your feelings!· [01:28:40] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter· [01:29:43] Sponsor: ELC Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:04:50] Leading Lady · [00:05:07] Body Alive @ Aspen Shakti· [00:05:30] University of Oklahoma · [00:05:37] Miss Teen Oklahoma, Miss Oklahoma, Miss America · [00:06:50] Lawton, Oklahoma · [00:17:20] World Tour · [00:19:38] Natalie Hummel · [00:19:39] Kobe Bryant’s 10 Rules for Success · [00:39:24]  Transformational Coaching· [00:43:25] Emotional Mastery · [00:45:00] Alcohol as an Emotional Suppressant · [00:46:00] SPONSOR: ELC · ...

Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter ·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Dr. Jasdeep Saluja is the Chief Medical officer and Co-Founder of the Aroga Institute, which has served over 10,000 patients through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, fun physical activity, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, restorative sleep, and social connections, and his seventh pillar, purpose and meaning. With this integrative approach, he helps patients improve their lifespan and healthspan while reclaiming their joy and impact in the world. Dr. Saluja is widely regarded as a preeminent leader in his field, serving as a diplomat at the American Board of Obesity Medicine, an advisory council member of the Global Positive Health Institute, an advisory board member of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, and at the Elected Leaders Collective. About the Episode: In this episode, we explore Dr. Jasdeep Saluja’s deeply personal path to discovering Lifestyle Medicine. This journey began with changing his habits to support his father and evolved into transforming the health of thousands. Dr. Saluja shares how Lifestyle Medicine bridges the gap between lifespan and healthspan, empowering you to take control of your health future. We discuss the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and actionable steps to improve your well-being—whether you’re struggling with weight, hypertension, pre-diabetes, brain fog, or want to feel better in your body and mind. We explore how to integrate these tools effectively, from the essential health screenings and evaluations you should consider to wearable technology for tracking fitness. We also dive into the critical role of mindset, language, and culture in shaping health outcomes—like why framing movement as “fun physical activity” leads to better results than mandated “exercise.” Jasdeep introduces Aroga's Journal Club process, a collaborative method for evaluating new research and integrating evidence-based decisions into your health and leadership. Additionally, we uncover lessons from Blue Zones, regions with the highest concentrations of centenarians, and how their insights can inspire healthier, more connected communities. Dr. Saluja shares practical resources, books, and tools to help you create the mind, body, and life you want—while uplifting those around you. If you’re ready to make small changes that deliver big impacts, this insightful and applicable conversation with Dr. Jasdeep Saluja is for you.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:57] Guest Introduction · [00:02:28] Episode Overview· [00:03:34] Get ready to nerd out with us! · [00:03:50] Summary of Tools/Practices we discuss· [00:05:25] Origin Story: What made Jasdeep want to be Dr. Saluja · [00:07:19] The meeting point of caring and learning· [00:08:02] Deeds and actions come from people· [00:08:22] Who inspired your drive to help others? · [00:08:50] Teachers & Doctors· [00:09:33] 3 Sikh Principles· [00:09:46] An Honest Living · [00:10:19] The Systems do not incentivize or support. · [00:11:15] What is Lifestyle Medicine? · [00:11:29] (It should just be called “Medicine”) · [00:11:50] The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Change. · [00:12:20] Positive Psychology · [00:12:57] The “7th Pillar” · [00:13:24] Meaning vs. Purpose· [00:13:43] Clarity of purpose & meaning in the everyday· [00:14:32] The winding path, the obstacles, and trusting the universe. · [00:15:52] Putting out fires - at a price. · [00:15:52] Not the person I want doing surgery!   · [00:17:00] Convincing the Medical Community · [00:17:27] The pivotal point: “My Pops.”· [00:18:19]  He had “excellent care” · [00:18:44] That one friend. · [00:18:56] We all knew: something’s got to change.· [00:19:17] Heart Attack · [00:19:17] This does not make sense. · [00:19:40] Not just genetics· [00:20:09] Literally a Google Search· [00:20:15] Dr. Dean Ornish & Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn  · [00:21:07]  Wait, you said Google?· [00:21:22] There was nothing lacking in his standardized medical care. · [00:21:49] HOW. IS. THAT. POSSIBLE?· [00:21:52] Nutrition study in medical school was minimal. · [00:22:04] Nutrition and Lifestyle are not given time. · [00:22:22] Nutrition and Lifestyle is not Assessed, aka unimportant. · [00:23:02] In the meantime, we are ruining our Ferraris!! · [00:23:41] Learning from Blue Zones · [00:24:15] We’ve traded one set of problems for another. · [00:24:43] Healthspan vs. Lifespan · [00:25:51] We make healthspan a personal responsibility · [00:26:11] Health is a societal concern. · [00:26:40] The healthy decision should be easy · [00:27:35] Prioritizing joy · [00:28:27] Bring back laughter· [00:28:45] Community sense of purpose· [00:29:43] ‘Heart of Wellness’ by Kavitha Chinnaiyan· [00:30:00] ‘Undo It’ by Anne Ornish & Dr. Dean Ornish· [00:31:10] ‘The Lifestyle Medicine Handbook’ by Dr. Beth Frates· [00:32:10] What was Dad like pre & post Lifestyle Changes?· [00:32:40] I had to change first. · [00:33:06] Feeling the difference!· [00:33:54] Dad is now a world traveler. · [00:34:20] Dad is getting younger! · [00:35:06] The stories we tell ourselves about aging. · [00:36:29] Our communities inform our stories· [00:37:27] Through-Put  vs. YOU-put · [00:37:58] How does the You-put model actually work? · [00:38:20] The Fee-For-Service Model · [00:38:50] Patients become numbers. · [00:39:23] The system is at fault, not the Patient or the Doctor. · [00:39:56] “I’ve done my job” · [00:40:30] A belief system based on a bad system: People can’t change. · [00:41:13] Models/Systems in the USA · [00:41:44] Big organizations are starting to get on board. · [00:42:30] Groundswell of Change: How do we implement these findings? · [00:43:16] What is Aroga’s financial system? · [00:44:00] Group Medical Visits· [00:44:50] Physician Extenders· [00:45:17] Aroga’s patient demographic· [00:47:19] Can a healthy person get referred to Aroga? · [00:48:38] Medical tests for baseline health · [00:49:43] Cardiometabolic health: Blood pressure & Resting Heart Rate · [00:49:54] BMI can be useful but not the best indicator of health. · [00:50:47] Not everyone...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter ·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Dr. David Rabin is an MD PhD board-certified practicing psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and entrepreneur who has studied resilience and the impact of chronic stress on our lives for over 15 years. He is the co-founder and chief medical officer at Apollo Neuroscience, which developed the first scientifically validated wearable technology to improve sleep and mood. In his practice, doctor Dave specializes in treatment-resistant illnesses, including PTSD, personality disorders, substance abuse, and more, using minimally or noninvasive treatment strategies. He is a co-founder of the Board of Medicine, a MAPS-trained MDMA-assisted therapist, and a trained ketamine-assisted therapist studying the epigenetics of trauma. He invests as part of the Noetic Fund. Dave is the host of the Psychedelic Report + You Brain Explained podcasts.About the Episode: In this episode, we dive into how Dr. Dave Rabin stays highly productive and how you can use his methods to tackle the issues you care about most effectively. Dr. Dave shares simple physical practices to help you stay calm and centered, even when triggered so that you can respond with clarity and connection. We talk about his Jewish upbringing, a culture of curiosity and questioning, and how it shaped his approach to leadership and teamwork. He explains how creating psychological safety within yourself and with your team leads to better conversations, stronger decisions, and improved outcomes. We also explore the fascinating world of epigenetics, uncovering how trauma can be passed down through generations and how you can break the cycle to heal yourself and your family. Plus, Dr. Dave reveals the surprising top predictor of weight gain, burnout, and anxiety—and shares actionable tools to address it. This conversation is packed with energy, practical advice, and wide-ranging insights. I hope you enjoy this engaging and inspiring talk with my friend and expert, Dr. Dave Rabin!Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:51] Episode/guest intro· [00:05:23] Question everything· [00:08:40] Beneath the surface of perceptual reality· [00:13:18] A culture of questioning· [00:16:05] Coming of age ceremony · [00:19:22] Casting “spells”· [00:21:07] The Torah· [00:22:19] Multi-hyphenate-human· [00:23:01] Ketamine-assisted therapy· [00:24:23] Multi-tasking effectively · [00:27:05] Practicing Presence· [00:29:30] Increase your cognitive capacity· [00:30:19] What is “manifestation” really?· [00:35:35] Technology moves us forward· [00:36:50] A new mental health paradigm · [00:39:20] The contribution of LSD to knowledge of psychology · [00:40:30] Depression: What comes first? · [00:42:54] Handwashing as heresy · [00:42:25] Mental health cures coming? · [00:47:21] Could it be me?· [00:48:42] Shame is your teacher· [00:50:07] ELC Foundation donors· [00:50:46] SPONSOR: ELC· [00:53:16] The neuroscience of familiarity · [00:55:13] Neuroscience of psychedelic therapy· [00:56:42] Create an environment for life-changing growth· [00:58:27] Vulnerability is where healing occurs· [00:59:48] Amplifying safety pathways for healing · [01:01:45] MDMA therapy: What happens in the brain· [01:02:27] Vagus nerve· [01:04:40] Why stress makes your tummy hurt· [01:05:03] Stress: Body and mind· [01:07:10] You control your physiology · [01:08:50] PTSD + MDMA therapy · [01:12:08] Oh fuck - It’s not my fault! · [01:13:20] Cognative Vs. embodied knowledge · [01:15:23] Epigenetic code· [01:16:50] Healing generational trauma · [01:20:49] How to treat someone who has been hurt· [01:22:41] Being a “victim” is not your fault, and you are in control· [01:24:25] Breaking a fearful mindset· [01:29:15] Hugs matter· [01:31:27] 1-minute breathing practice · [01:32:30] Regulating fear in public meetings· [01:34:00] What ALL humans need· [01:36:40] Sharing aliveness· [01:38:22] Structure public meetings for trust and efficacy · [01:39:54] Where to find Dr. Dave (links below)· [01:41:03] Final Question: Temple of Delphi (links below) · [01:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter· [01:51:25] Sponsor: ELC Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:04:00] Jewish upbringing · [00:11:24] Goosebumps books · [00:11:24] X-Men· [00:15:46] Bar-Mitzvah coming of-age ceremony · [00:20:31] Torah· [00:21:07] Dark Matter + Dark Energy · [00:23:07] Apollo Neuro · [00:23:01] Ketamin Assisted Therapy · [00:23:06] The Noetic Fund · [00:36:50] Biological Psychology · [00:36:50] Sigmond Freud· [00:36:50] Carl Jung · [00:36:50] Theory of Mind · [00:39:20] Albetr Hoffamn · [00:39:20] 1950’s LSD based research video intro· [00:42:54] Alexander Flemming + the invention of Penicillin · [00:42:54]

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Shakeyla Ingram served on the city council in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she focused on community empowerment, small business support, and housing issues. It was not all roses. Shakeyla was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while in office and faced significant challenges as she found herself embroiled in the middle of factional community anger during the COVID-19 epidemic and immersed in dysfunctional behavior between council members and herself. As a councilwoman, Shakeyla released a book, Intentionality Here, ran her consultancy, Haus Host, and relaunched her podcast, The Key to the City. Since losing re-election, Shakeyla has blossomed - releasing Provisions Boot Camp, an Entrepreneur's Toolkit, and starting a newsletter, Intentional Impact, along with traveling the country to train newly elected officials on effective governance.About the Episode: In this episode, we dig into adolescence’s impact on our adult leadership: the importance of family and role models in shaping who we become. How early childhood experiences, adverse childhood events (ACEs), and trauma manifest unconsciously in our leadership and how to discover and break those patterns to uplevel and expand our leadership. We discuss coming out as battling bipolar depression on council and how you can disclose and work with your challenges. Shakeyla shares stories of inter-council conflict and the impact of public hate - being stuck in the middle of community factions - and its effect on our well-being and performance as leaders.  Shakeyla shares some of her most significant learnings from her journey, including techniques to identify and work with triggers, practices to exhume yourself from depression, creating “goal friends” and “journey agreements,” the distinction between trauma and healing as she understands it, what “intentionality” is and how to use it for your success, and so much more. Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:51] Episode/guest intro· [00:04:45] Heart-centered leadership · [00:06:16] The secret commonality between us· [00:07:10] Grandparents· [00:07:30] The essence of community · [00:10:04] The forgotten history of racism · [00:11:37] LOVE no matter what · [00:12:15] Grandparents supplanting parents· [00:14:22] Healing parental wounds · [00:15:08] The impact of divorce · [00:15:35] The shadow of childhood in office · [00:16:45] Unethical behavior· [00:19:42] Childhood patterns in leadership · [00:21:50] Be the soulution · [00:22:30] Three ways to use your energy · [00:23:59] “Leader” Vs. “Human” personas · [00:26:10] Public service and romantic relationships · [00:31:42] Fear to win· [00:32:28] Internal duality· [00:33:10] Patterns and vlaues · [00:35:59] Bi-polar diagnosis in office · [00:37:14] Public response to bi-polar · [00:39:14] Techniques to mitigate depressive symptoms · [00:41:57] Bi-polar mitigation practices summary · [00:43:40] How to identify triggers · [00:46:05] Meditation + Journaling · [00:47:27] The importance of self-honesty · [00:48:25] Therapist of solo work?· [00:50:20] COVID-19 challenges in office · [00:50:40] ELC Foundation donors · [00:51:18] SPONSOR: ELC Coaching · [00:54:00] Shakeyla’s COVID collapse · [00:55:13] Keep doing the work · [00:57:00] A cold welcome to office · [00:58:15] Self-work post office · [01:00:01] A different type of podcast · [01:01:30] Post-loss integration · [01:02:55] The secrets we keep · [01:03:24] Fear at the grocery store  · [01:05:55] Train people how to treat you· [01:06:30] Create conscious email boundaries · [01:10:25] Public record traps· [01:11:25] Day one elected: How-to-guide · [01:14:10] Trauma vs. connection-based partnership · [01:15:50] The functional power of a trusting relationship · [01:16:50] Trauma Vs. healing· [01:19:02] Dealing with falsified personal attacks · [01:20:48] Apolitical Foundation’s “Mere Mortals” report· [01:24:28] Victimization to healing · [01:26:55] Intentionality - what is it?· [01:27:21] “Goal friends”· [01:28:04] Healing in the environment you got sick in · [01:31:59] Final Questions: You must show up· [01:33:30] Where to find Shakeyla· [01:34:09] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter· [01:35:19] SPONSOR: ELC Coaching Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:19:42] Transference: Psychology · [00:19:42] Childhood Patterns: Psychology · [00:19:42] Trauma: Psychology · [00:22:30] Three things you can do with your energy video· [00:43:40] Triggers: Psychology · [00:46:05] Meditation · [00:46:05] Journaling · [00:54:00] Yoga · [00:54:00] Running · [01:06:30] Conscious Email Boundary Tools:      · Inbox When Ready     · Setting a Gmail away message · [01:20:48] Apolitical Foundation Report “Mere Mortals: the State of Politicians' Mental Wellbeing and Why It Matters” · [01:33:30] Where to find Shakeyla and her projects (listed below) · [01:34:09] “The Leader’s H...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter ·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Andrew Hutton is co-founder of Day One, which supported early-stage founders and their teams in navigating from 0 to 1 by taking a customer-discovery-led approach to go-to-market. Andrew is an industry-leading expert in human and user-centered design principles, a master at customer interview techniques, a teacher, coach, a former illustrious Parsons School of Design professor, and an Elected Leaders Collective board member. This episode is all about transferrable knowledge, learning from another wisdom tradition to set yourself apart in public service - in this case, entrepreneurship and start-up mindset. About the Episode: In this episode, we discuss how a pig farm in Uganda took Andrew from West Wing dreams to the mean streets of entrepreneurship. The principles, practices, and strategies of an entrepreneurial mindset and how they can be applied in your public service journey. Human-centered design and design thinking, how you can use small tests to improve professional and personal efficacy and mitigate downside risk to drive public policy innovation. Creating positive constraints to encourage growth and nimbleness to shake your organization out of its rut. How to re-frame “failure,” learn to fail forward, and use setbacks to build resilience and organizational power. How can we work with societal factors and constraints to more effectively measure and plan around risk - professionally and otherwise? How can we speak to citizens differently, using customer discovery techniques to create better policies and bring people together? I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with my friend, Andrew Hutton.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:51] Episode/guest intro· [00:03:20] The value of entrepreneurial mindset · [00:05:55] West Wing Dreams · [00:09:47] Building a pig farm in Uganda · [00:11:51] Throw your hat over the wall· [00:15:30] Raising the bar to do harder things· [00:16:50] The invisible public hand in individual success · [00:18:49] You CAN fail + survive · [00:19:58] The fear of failure· [00:21:30] Using failure as a ladder · [00:22:35] Progress in action · [00:23:18] Andrew’s framework for challenges · [00:27:50] Strength and success through vulnerability · [00:29:20] Skippy failing forward · [00:31:00] Compressing the learning curve· [00:31:42] Build an entrepreneurial mindset · [00:32:55] Supercharge your personal growth· [00:35:22] The value of cohort work · [00:36:50] The experiential approach to life · [00:39:23] For victory: Chunk down· [00:42:36] Design thinking + strategy· [00:43:32] IDEO· [00:44:10] Human-Centered Design· [00:44:55] TED Human-Centered Design in Affordable Housing · [00:47:05] Principals of User-Centered Design· [00:51:10] Moving policy forward w/o institutional support· [00:51:50] Leading through trust· [00:55:00] Day One Accelerator · [01:02:52] ELC Foundation donors· [01:03:30] SPONSOR: ELC · [01:07:26] The more I know, the more I know I don’t know · [01:08:00] VC’s + politicians  · [01:08:58] Happiness = reality - expectations · [01:13:05] The value of entrepreneurial mindset · [01:13:37] The Tim Ferriss Show· [01:14:28] Performing like a superstar· [01:15:00] Bend your bell curve · [01:17:04] “Internet literacy”: Busting the bubble · [01:20:00] The mirage of comparative success · [01:22:10] Businesses lie · [01:23:30] Should everyone be civically active? · [01:25:17] Design thinking in public spaces · [01:29:22] Carbonated water foundations· [01:31:12] Question all assumptions · [01:32:36] The problem with public comment · [01:33:42] Going rouge for citizens · [01:34:46] Customer discovery · [01:43:51] Asking the “right” questions· [01:45:15] The emotional danger in identification· [01:48:00] Secret name game · [01:49:28] Final question: Create the space you want to lead in· [01:50:47] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter· [01:51:25] Sponsor: ELCKey References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:05:55] West Wing Dreams· [00:09:47] Uganda· [00:35:22] The value of cohort work· [00:42:36] Design thinking· [00:43:32] IDEO· [00:44:10] Human-Centered Design· [00:44:55] TED Human-Centered Design in Affordable Housing · [01:13:37] The Tim Ferriss Show· [01:29:22] Carbonated water foundations: Paris· [01:34:46] Customer discovery; The Mom Test; Rob Fitzpatrick Where to Find Andrew Hutton:Linked In Twitter: @AWHutton  Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective Follow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call to see if coaching is right for ...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter ·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Ashley Grimmel is the founder of both Grimel Biometrics and the Fresh Program and an ultra-endurance athlete. With a passion for pushing the limits of human performance, she trains UFC fighters, endurance athletes, race car drivers, and even everyday individuals. Ashley herself is a seasoned athlete, having competed in extreme events like the World’s Toughest Mudder—a grueling 75-mile race over 24 continuous hours featuring over 350 obstacles, including freezing water submersion, in which she places in the 10 top women, in the world. Ashley has faced innumerable personal challenges, coming our stronger on the other side, and can teach you how, too. In addition to her athletic achievements, Ashley serves as a board member for the Elected Leaders Collective, bringing her dedication to high performance and well-being to the political realm. Simply put, Ashley is the real deal.About the Episode: In this deep and personal episode, we explore a range of topics designed to help you enhance both your physical and mental well-being. Ashley shares actionable tips on improving your diet with minimal time and budget, strategies for sustainable weight loss, and how to boost brain health and longevity. She introduces the concept of the "human audit" to improve relationships and workflow and walks us through the 7 S’s of stress reduction. Ashley also opens up about how her life was shaped by tragedy, death, and sickness and offers a raw and honest discussion on overcoming personal trauma, including rape. This episode contains potentially triggering content, but it’s real, and Ashley’s story shows how even the most difficult moments can fuel personal growth and self-improvement. You’ll walk away with tangible tools and inspiration from this real, deep, and highly tactical conversation.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:52] Episode/guest intro· [00:04:35] Little Ashely· [00:07:45] Staying small for safety· [00:09:23] Growing up with sick parents· [00:11:41] Abandonment wounds· [00:12:54] Trauma catalog· [00:13:52] Human impact of rape· [00:16:30] Silencing and victim self-blame · [00:19:52] Personal and collective healing through sharing· [00:25:09] Finding positivity in depravity · [00:28:55] Where to shine your spotlight· [00:30:48] Physical transformation and weight loss· [00:39:50] Med school false start · [00:42:35] Inheriting our parent's mindset· [00:43:45] Boliemia as control · [00:47:35] Mind, body, spirit connection · [00:50:17] Animal balloon theory of “fucks to give”· [00:52:30] Healthy eating for high-stress, time-limiting jobs· [00:55:03] Micronutriants for brain health · [00:59:10] You brain = BMW 1200GS moto· [01:01:30] Eat REAL food· [01:02:45] Minimal time diet protocol· [01:04:20] Health eats w/o cooking· [01:05:37] How to determine if your diet is working· [01:07:35] Diet non-negotiable cheat sheet· [01:09:32] ELC Foundation Donors Add 2min 18 seconds· [01:17:30] Animal protein and anxiety/depression· [01:25:01] Where and how to source animal protein· [01:26:56] Sedentary vs. active diet· [01:28:16] Ashley’s mindboggling athletic achievements· [01:33:06] Self-talk in extreme conditions· [01:39:10] Do something you believe you can’t do every year· [01:39:38] “Suffering is one of life’s greatest gifts”· [01:42:09] Discerning when to push through and when to give up· [01:46:34] Human relationships· [01:47:21] The Human Audit· [01:54:25] Annual “Human Audit” review process· [02:00:16] Is the audit “mean”?· [02:03:16] How does the “Human Audit” affect your work?· [02:04:44] Direct feedback is LOVING· [02:08:36] What is stress?· [02:10:01] Skippy’s definition of stress· [02:12:01] “6 S’s of Stress Relief”· [02:22:51] Choose what is in YOUR control· [02:24:40] Use the stress· [02:25:31] Final Question: Treasure the hard shit.· [02:26:18] “The Leader’s Handbook” Newsletter· [02:27:18] Sponsor: ELC Key References and Resources Mentioned:· World’s Toughest Mudder · David Goggins' Book - Can't Hurt Me · The Grand Traverse · MegaFit Meals · Ice Age Meals · Breathwork Where to Find Ashley Grimmel:Website: The Fresh Program (https://www.thefreshprogram.com/)Website: Grimmel Biometrics (https://www.grimmelbiometrics.com/)Linked In (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-grimmel-762055b7/)Instagram: @shlee.mariel (https://www.instagram.com/shlee.marie)Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the Elected Leaders CollectiveFollow on Instagram www.instagam.com/skippymesirowBook a free Clarity Call to see if coaching is right for you Episode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe Elected Leaders Collective (ELC)...

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HEREGuest:Reggie Hubbard is the founder of Active Peace Yoga, a former Capitol Hill strategist, and a respected leader in the wellness space. As a Yale graduate and board member of multiple organizations including Be Here Now Network and Elected Leaders Collective, Reggie blends political activism with ancient wellness practices to guide leaders in healing from burnout and stress. He teaches at esteemed institutions like Kripalu Institute, TED Stage Summit, and Wanderlust Festival, focusing on the power of yoga, sound healing, and mindfulness to enhance well-being.About the Episode: In this episode, Reggie Hubbard shares his transformative journey from high-pressure Capitol Hill work to becoming a leader in holistic wellness. He discusses how burnout and poor mental well-being in public service nearly broke him, and how discovering yoga and sound healing helped him reclaim his health. Reggie explores the ancient activist roots of yoga and how it can help public servants build resilience, process trauma, and embrace their authentic selves.We delve into Reggie’s personal transformation, how well-being affects leadership effectiveness, transforming anger into healing, simple tools anyone can use to foster inner peace and mental clarity,  and why the wellness world is accessible to everyone.Reggie also shares how spreadsheets can be a surprising tool for personal accountability and wellness.Key Topics Discussed:· [00:01:51] Reggie’s stroke recovery update, plus details on contributing to his GoFundMe campaign· [00:03:05] Guest Intro· [00:04:08] Episode Intro· [00:06:45] The impact of Active Peace· [00:07:23] At our worst we…· [00:09:05] Destroying myself…· [00:10:25] The power of non-coercive support· [00:11:50] The seeds of trauma· [00:15:20] Reggie’s experience of unconscious bias · [00:19:30] Radical and uncomfortable responsibility · [00:22:01] “Thank you for how poorly you treated me”· [00:24:35] Waking up· [00:25:31] Dark night of the soul· [00:28:51] The interconnection of healing· [00:32:12] Reggie, the civics teacher: “Mr. Awesome”· [00:34:41] Reborn Day· [00:35:15] Cold Turkey’s stablemate · [00:37:17] Cultivating external support for internal change· [00:38:29] Reggie’s weight loss accountability system · [00:39:38] Where to do from a weight loss plateau? · [00:42:35] (ESP) Extrasensory perception · [00:45:30] Balance > outcomes· [00:46:12] Reggie’s wellbeing practices· [00:50:07] Build an institutional memory database· [00:53:51] ELC Foundation Donors· [00:54:28] Sponsor: The Elected Leaders Collective· [00:56:53] What is yoga?· [00:59:31] The history of yoga· [01:01:39] Commonalities amongst all yogic practices· [01:02:45] The Active Peace method · [01:06:21] Resilience is built in adversity · [01:07:44] The palace of privilege· [01:10:10] The transformative nature of trauma· [01:11:27] Me, me, me –> we, we, we. · [01:13:25] Cancel cancel culture · [01:16:26] Irradicating delusion · [01:17:05] The power of (imperfect) progress· [01:19:20] The CURSE of comfort · [01:20:47] An act as BOLD as LOVE· [01:23:17] Wellbeing “malpractice” · [01:28:20] Gateway drugs to wellbeing · [01:29:40] Turning your breath to medicine · [01:31:11] Stress in the face (relief) · [01:35:39] Closing Question: Making my place· [01:38:41] The Leader’s Handbook Newsletter· [01:39:41] Reggie’s stroke recovery: contribute to his GoFundMe campaign· [00:41:05] Sponsor: The Elected Leaders CollectiveKey References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:04:10] Active Peace Yoga – Reggie’s wellness platform· [00:15:22] Kripalu Institute – A leading yoga and wellness retreat center· [00:15:45] Be Here Now Network – A platform for mindfulness and spiritual teachings· [00:20:25] Wanderlust Festival – A major festival for yoga, mindfulness, and music· [00:59:31] Traditions of yogic practice:Kula YogaSunga YogaAsana YogaNada YogaNedra YogaQigong · [00:59:31] Core Power Yoga· [00:43:30] Gong Hits for Peace Instagram – Reggie’s sound healing Instagram channel· [00:46:12] Sound and singing bowls· [00:56:45] TED Summit Reggie’s talk · [01:09:10] Vinyasa Yoga· [01:20:47] Jimmy Hendrix; and act “as bold as love”  Where to Find Reggie Hubbard:Website: Active Peace Yoga Instagram: @oreggieglobal Sound Healing: Gong Hits for Peace Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:Receive Support at the

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life, and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about  Guests:Lisa Witter is the Co-Founder of Apolitical, a certified B Corp, and the Apolitical Foundation, which are collectively the largest trainers of public servants in the world. They have trained over 200,000 leaders in over 160 countries and focused on improving government effectiveness through sharing policy ideas, peer connections, and leadership training. A key advocate for more inclusive governance, Lisa’s work has spanned the intersections of politics, social innovation, and gender equality. She has also served on the World Economic Forum’s Council on Agile Governance.Kimberly McArthur is a senior researcher and strategist at the Apolitical Foundation, focusing on democratic innovation and political well-being. Through her research, she addresses the mental well-being challenges faced by politicians globally and works on fostering healthier political systems. Her extensive psychology and political science background allows her to analyze the intersection between leadership and mental health, contributing to global conversations on how leaders can best serve their communities without compromising their mental health.About the Episode: In this episode, Lisa Witter and Kimberly McArthur discuss the critical underpinnings of political leadership and well-being, emphasizing the importance of creating a political environment that nurtures mental health for leaders and politicians. The conversation dives into how poor mental health among politicians can destabilize democracy, leading to burnout, harassment, and declining civic participation. Lisa and Kimberly share their groundbreaking research on mental well-being in politics and how a shift towards more inclusive, supportive political structures is urgently needed. The episode also explores actionable steps public leaders can take to prioritize well-being, break down barriers like cynicism, and adopt a leadership style rooted in gratitude, community, and joy. Key Topics Discussed:·  [00:01:52] Guest into·  [00:03:59] Episode intro·  [00:06:20] What is Apolitical Co / Foundation·  [00:10:26] Kim loves the struggle·  [00:11:00] Be kind, work hard, have fun!·  [00:12:13] “Citizenship” - what is it to you?·  [00:15:32] Where to apply your service?·  [00:17:16] Kim - Citizen of the world·  [00:19:57] Motivation for public service·  [00:23:49] Hiring for curiosity + Courage·  [00:27:10] The art of iterative organization building·  [00:29:43] To fix things, we must get “transformational”·  [00:31:23] “It’s hard to un-swallow the pill of cynicism” ·  [00:32:14] Build up > tear down·  [00:33:50] Two types of folks…·  [00:37:58] Mental wellbeing in leadership·  [00:39:25] Blueprint: World-class teams doing impossible things·  [00:41:05] Win-win-win dynamics·  [00:44:35] Generous, kind, curious FTW!·  [00:48:40] The feeling of kindness·  [00:48:18]  Nice vs. kind (there’s a right answer)·  [00:51:23] “Clairity is kind”·  [00:52:21] SSG (succinct, specific, generous) ·  [00:52:50] Investment deficit: Inner development·  [01:07:08] Importance of Representation·  [01:09:40] “Desertification” of our politics·  [01:11:35]  Sponsors: ELC Foundation & Donors·  [01:15:03] Mere Mortals Report·  [01:16:38] The sad state of Politician’s well being·  [01:19:00] Harassment·  [01:19:15] Overwork and underpay·  [01:22:24] Psychological violence·  [01:23:58] Which leader’s wellbeing is affected?·  [01:26:49] Varying approaches to wellbeing internationally·  [01:30:24] “Disagree, and be human about it.”·  [01:32:59] Love letters to politicians·  [01:36:08] Common contributors to low wellbeing·  [01:39:44] Elected training deficit·  [01:42:16] Respect Required: New public comment policy·  [01:46:09] Is “public service” the right frame?·  [01:48:14] Effective tools leaders are using·  [01:50:24] Awareness to action·  [01:54:26] Apolitical reports and toolkits·  [01:57:24] University wellbeing studies·  [01:58:03] How citizens can support politician’s wellbeing·  [02:00:35] Resources for citizen learning·  [02:01:19] Media wellbeing·  [02:01:44] Better journalism resources·  [02:03:04] Lisa’s wellbeing practices·  [02:06:15] Kim’s wellbeing practices·  [02:07:51] Closing Question: People are doing their best (Lisa)·  [02:07:51] Closing Question: Stay hopeful (Kim) Key References and Resources Mentioned:·  [00:31:23] Bill Moyers·  [00:51:23] “Clairity is kind”; Coach Stephen McGhee·  [01:15:03] Mere Mortals: the State of Politicians' Mental Wellbeing and Why It Matters·  [01:46:09] Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is All of Us; Jon Allexander·  [01:54:26] Apolitical Trilblazer organizations and services ·  [01:57:24] Princeton Bridging Divides Institute ·  [01:57:24] Brennan Center for Justice local elected officials survey·  [01:57:24] National Leauge of Cities Report:

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HERE Guest: Jerry Colonna, known as the "CEO Whisperer," is the founder of Reboot, an executive coaching and leadership development firm dedicated to the notion that better humans make better leaders. Jerry made a name for himself as one of the world’s top venture capitalists before transitioning into his role as a coach. His books, Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up and Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong, have deeply influenced leaders around the globe. Jerry’s work focuses on radical self-inquiry, bringing one's whole self to leadership, and fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace and beyond.About the Episode: In this episode, we challenge the misconception that vulnerability is a weakness in leadership. We explore Jerry Colonna’s practice of radical self-inquiry, how it works, and how you can apply it to enhance your leadership effectiveness in public service. We dive into the importance of understanding your personal triggers and how this awareness can transform your responses to public criticism and internal stress. We discuss actionable techniques for bringing your whole self to your leadership role, even in the face of potential backlash or misunderstanding. Jerry shares his experiences of growing up in challenging circumstances and how these shaped his journey towards becoming a more compassionate and effective leader. By embracing your full humanity, Jerry emphasizes, you can create more authentic connections, foster a sense of belonging, and lead with greater resilience and clarity—learn how to bring deeper purpose and well-being into your leadership in this powerful conversation.Key Topics Discussed:·  [00:01:48] Guest into·  [00:06:34] Healthy masculine: “Adulthood”·  [00:10:00] Growing up fast (Jerry)·  [00:13:18] Don’t romanticize pain ·  [00:15:41] The wounded leader·  [00:17:02] Humans are VERBS·  [00:21:09] Why we wear masks·  [00:22:23] Jerry as coach·  [00:23:00] A broken heart got me here·  [00:24:14] King of the fairies·  [00:26:15] First suicide attempt·  [00:27:25] Rockstar venture capitalist·  [00:32:28] Depression lies·  [00:33:05] The thought that changed everything·  [00:34:04] Your birthright ·  [00:34:38] Experience your worth·  [00:38:49] ELC Foundation donors ·  [00:39:32] HOP Sponsor - Elected Leaders Collective·  [00:41:38] Become a “better leader” ·  [00:44:05] Fear of “doing the work”·  [00:45:31] The longing to belong·  [00:46:26] The inner work comes first·  [00:48:03] “The price of the ticket”·  [00:50:38] Love, safety, and belonging·  [00:51:21] EBITA alone  is not leadership·  [00:51:35] Physical safety·  [00:53:48] Summit at Sea·  [00:55:47] Who are you not to speak? ·  [00:56:53] Democracy requires belonging ·  [00:58:35] The better angels of our nature·  [00:59:33] The benefits of “doing the work”·  [01:01:08] Moral acts are the reward·  [01:02:39] The face of courage·  [01:04:11] The dissonance of belonging and courage·  [01:06:11] “Loving Kindness” meditation (meta) ·  [01:07:05] The tradition of non-violence ·  [01:09:12] How to de-escalate a public  meeting·  [01:10:25] Harden, not your hear·  [01:11:51] Final takeaway: Gratitude ·  [01:12:25] Rabbi Tarfun Quote https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.2.16?lang=bi ·  [01:13:04] Where to find Jerry (below)·  [01:14:12] “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:05:52] Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colonna · [00:05:52] Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong by Jerry Colonna · [00:05:52] Reboot Coaching and Leadership Development Firm · [00:09:24] Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter by Benjamine Perry https://www.amazon.com/Cry-Baby-Why-Tears-Matter-ebook/dp/B0B5M7KDHT· [00:17:02] Naropa University · [00:31:42] Parker J. Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak · [00:51:21] What is EBITA? · [00:53:48] Summit at Sea· [01:02:59] The Soul of America by John Meacham · [01:06:11] Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness by Sharon Salzberg· [01:07:58] Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg · [01:07:58]

SKIPPY HOP SHOW NOTESWelcome to the Healing Our Politics Podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HERE https://leadershandbook.substack.com/about   Guest: David is the creator of the GTD (Getting Things Done) Methodology. David has sold over 3 million GTD books worldwide, is hailed by Forbes as one of the top five executive coaches globally, and calls amongst his followers high-preforming humans like Howard Stern, Will Smith, Robert Dr. Junior, and Groupon founder Brad Keywell. GTD has revolutionized organizations and the lives of their leaders by cultivating a “mind like water,” emptying the mental RAM, eliminating stress, and creating space for creativity and relaxation while staying productive. His new book, GTD TEAM, with co-author Edward Lamont, empowers leaders to cultivate aligned, harmonious, and successful teams using his renowned structure. About the Episode: In this episode, we debunk the myth of overwork as a prerequisite for success. We review the GTD methodology, how it works, and how to implement it in your workplace, complete with real-world public service examples. We explore who GTD is for and why you should bust through resistance. We discuss techniques and tools for tasks, reminders, and email management to alleviate stress and quell anxiety. We delve into David’s orientation as "Mr. Approval" and how effective systems facilitate boundary setting and create space for self and others to shine, complete with how to give “concious nos” that will be well received. GTD, David emphasizes, cultivates space for creativity, freedom, and peace, fostering a "mind like water" – learn how to find better productivity, peace, and connection in this episode. Key Topics Discussed:·  [00:01:48] “HOP” introduction·  [00:03:40] David Allen guest introduction·  [00:05:58] How David changed my elected life·  [00:08:24] GTD reduced my stress by 93%·  [00:11:10] Growing up, David·  [00:13.24] “Mr. Lazy”·  [00:16:25] David’s parents + influences·  [00:18:21] “pre-crastination”·  [00:19:45] The gift of living abroad ·  [00:23:07] American Vs. European upbringing·  [00:26:43] What is GTD?·  [00:28:24] GTD “Eeiphenets” ·  [00:29:47] Clearing your mind·  [00:31:47] Managing Agreement·  [00:33:19] What stress is·  [00:35:18] Control AND freedom?·  [00:37:04] Externalizing your commitments·  [00:38:03] Your head is a crappy office·  [00:40:23] The steps of GTD·  [00:40:56] Step 1: Capture·  [00:43:54] Step 2: Clarify ·  [00:41:11] Famous GTDers (links below)·  [00:44:58] Step 3: Organize·  [00:48:52] Step 4: Review·  [00:50:00] Step 5: Engage·  [00:50:26] ELC Foundation donor·  [00:51:05] Implementing GTD in office·  [00:57:50] Tool options for your GTD system·  [01:03:56] David’s review process ·  [01:07:02] GTD Team; GTD w/other·  [01:11:21] “New frameworks” (links below)·  [01:13:43] The art of tidying up for your brain·  [01:15:06] When is change for you?·  [01:17:18] Is GTD for you? ·  [01:19:28] Busting through resistance·  [01:22:40] Overcoming “Mr. Approval”  ·  [01:23:42] Conscious Nos ·  [01:25:23] Strengthening teams with the power of “no.” ·  [01:26:40] iPhone Zombie -> Email manager·  [01:28:18] Avoid channel creep·  [01:29:53] Claire Hughes “Working with me letter”·  [01:31:44] The natural planning process·  [01:34:30] Applying GTD in your city·  [01:40:01] Uplevel management: command -> free·  [01:41:16 Taking burnout seriously·  [01:48:26] How I got the name Skippy (world premiere) ·  [01:45:26] “Your head is a crappy office”·  [01:46:54] GTD Resources·  [01:57:36] Final takeaway: RelaxKey References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:19:45] American Feild Service· [00:41:16] Famous GTDers:Howard Stern, Robert Downey, Jr, Will Smith,  Charles Duhigg (Power of Habit), Brad Kelly (Groupon + Uptake)· [00:60:10] Tools to implement GTD with: Moleskin journal, Minimalist Art XL journal, Uniball pen, Evernote, Todoist, Task (Microsoft), Palm Pilot, Microsoft One Note, Lotus (IBM) Notes · [01:09:23] GTD Team w/Ed Lamont· [01:11:33] New Frameworks:    Six Sigma, Agile, Deming, Kanban, Harvey Balls· [01:17:31] Famous GTDers: Brad Kelly (Groupon + Uptake)· [01:27:02] Tools to implement GTD with:

Welcome to the Healing Our Politics podcast!  Join Our Community and Receive Free Tools + How to Guides:Join “The Leader’s Handbook” newsletter·  Always free·  Once per month email·  Curated selection of tools, techniques, and practices discussed on this podcast·  Delivered in simple to follow how-to-guides·  To try and test in your life and teach your teams.JOIN HERE Guest: With over 40 years of experience in social science and relational dynamics, Diana holds a Master of Education and Doctorate in Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and is the author of Remaking the Space Between Us, her fourth book. Dr. Smith has spent 25 years teaching top executives, educators, and leaders to build relationships to master tough challenges. About the Episode: In this episode, we explore that relationships must be fixed before policy to heal our politics. Diana breaks down the science of in-group–out-group thinking, extreme partisanship, and repairing relationships. We discuss leveraging biases for connection, historical decline, and how to reverse the trend. She provides playbooks to test if you are unknowingly under the influence of malevolent leaders, media, and profiteers, how to engage those you disagree with, and how to beat conspiracy theories. Diana shares techniques for building stronger teams, reviving trust, and cultivating support, along with the behaviors of bridge-building leaders like Abe Lincoln and Nelson Mandela that you can cultivate in your leadership. Key Topics Discussed:·  [00:01:48] “HOP” introduction·  [00:03:29] Dr. Diana Smith guest introduction·  [00:05:30] Relationships before policy to heal our politics·  [00:08:02] Healing of South Africa·  [00:09:52] Cultivate the approaches of transformational leaders·  [00:12:19] The power of curiosity·  [00:13:54] Constructive Vs. destructive challenge  ·  [00:16:02] Building “failure muscles”·  [00:19:37] Power of radical ownership·  [00:23:00] How to give constructive feedback·  [00:25:00] Michael Caine “Use the difficulty”·  [00:27:57] Dr. Diana’s upbringing·  [00:32:12] Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)·  [00:34:14] Root of extreme partisanship·  [00:37:18] Defining “the space between us”·  [00:39:36] Environmental contributors to authoritarianism·  [00:46:44] The “problem with democracy”·  [00:48:56] Not In Our Town·  [00:53:06] Leveraging hot and cold brain systems·  [01:03:22] Benjamin Franklin on “constitutional imperfection”.·  [01:07:33] Impact of loneliness and isolation·  [01:11:50] Birds Aren’t Real·  [01:13:51] How to beat conspiracy theories·  [01:14:40] Curate media consumption for well-being·  [01:16:45] Solutions Journalism·  [01:21:26] Leveraging media for healing  ·  [01:24:12] Is evil real?·  [01:28:45] Test: Under the spell of a malevolent leader?·  [01:35:15] How to: Engage with those you disagree with·  [01:39:10] How to: Reform a White Nationalist·  [01:48:54] Redefine winning·  [01:53:14] Citizen’s call to action·  [01:54:12] New non-violent resistance movement·  [01:56:13] How to: Proceed through pushback·  [01:59:20] Final Takeaway: Stockdale’s Paradox  Key References and Resources Mentioned:· [00:10:06] Amanda Ripley, Solutions Journalist, formula for hope: “This element is critical to human flourishing — yet missing from the news· [00:25:20] Michael Caine “Use the difficulty video” · [00:32:12] Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) · [00:48:41] Billings MT. Not In Our Town. · [01:11:50] Birds Aren’t Real Book + 60 Minutes Coverage· [01:16:45] Solutions Journalism Network · [01:22:30] Common Ground Film · [01:44:22] 500 Groups bringing hope into existence ·  [01:47:52] Sharon McMahon - Sharon Says So·  [01:59:20] Final Takeaway: Stockdale’s Paradox Where to Find Dr. Diana Smith:· Remaking the Space Between Us - We, the People, have become the problem. Let us become the solution. Join the tens of thousands of citizens working together across our nation to build a future that works for all. Learn how you can become the solution: The essays in Remaking the Space Between Us will inspire and empower you to work across divides for a better future for all, not just some. That may strike you as a stretch, but the stories you read in this book prove that it is possible; indeed, it is already happening, as the tens of thousands of citizens showcased in this book demonstrate. A powerful new movement is afoot. Join us!· Diana’s Five Books · Action Design - Action Design LLC is a consulting and education firm specializing in organizational learning and leadership development.  We help leaders build the capabilities and relationships needed to sustain high levels of trust, commitment, and learning so that they are able to master their toughest challenges.· Remaking the Space - Substack Newsletter · LinkedIn· Facebook· InstagramWhere to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:·    Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective<...

Welcome to the Debut Episode of Healing Our Politics!Guest: Jonathan Cappelli, a dedicated public servant, Executive Director, and regional expert in affordable housing and urban development.In this inaugural episode, host Skippy Mesirow delves into Jonathan's remarkable journey in public service. From the mangroves of Ecuador to the forests of Colorado, Jonathan shares his experiences, highlighting how he has navigated his career while managing ADHD and a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis. Together, they explore how Jonathan's unique challenges have become strengths, enhancing his problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills.Ultimately, Jonathan has learned to leverage personal challenges as strengths to improve problem-solving, decision-making, and management abilities, and you will learn how you can, too…Get more custom tangible tools by joining the newsletter! Key Topics Discussed:[00:03:32] Protecting Mangrove Ecosystems: Jonathan's internship in Ecuador and his efforts against illegal shrimp farming.[00:05:27] Cultural Insights: Understanding the Afro-Ecuadorian community and culture.[00:11:40] Environmental Conservation: Reflecting on the lessons learned from conservation challenges.[00:27:40] Nature & Mental Health: The therapeutic role of nature in Jonathan's life.[00:41:47] Managing Neurodiversity: Insights into living with ADHD and bipolar disorder.[00:51:00] The Role of Jiu-jitsu: How practicing jiu-jitsu has been a transformative experience for Jonathan.[01:01:15] The Concept of Monotaxyphilia: Discussing the love of single explanations.[01:15:30] Reflections on the Keshet Program: A look into special needs education.[01:30:25] Coping Strategies: Jonathan’s techniques for managing stress and staying productive.[01:57:45] Workplace Strategies: Effective approaches for managing neurodiversity in professional settings.Where to Find Jonathan Cappelli:Neighborhood Development Collaborative - The Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NDC), is a 501(c)3  composed of 20 Front Range affordable housing and community development organizations. Their mission is to build thriving communities by connecting the voices and coordinating the efforts of NDC members working to create stable, secure, and affordable re-housing, rental, homeownership, and wealth-building opportunities for Coloradans, regardless of their race, class, and zip code.Cappelli Consulting - Specializing in affordable housing and urban development strategies. Cappelli Consulting provides comprehensive solutions to complex regional planning and development challenges.LinkedInWhere to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:WebsiteInstagramKey References and Resources Mentioned:[00:03:32] Mangrove Ecosystems[00:05:27] Afro-Ecuadorian Culture[00:41:47] ADHD[00:41:47] Bipolar Disorder[00:51:00] Jiu-jitsu[01:01:15] Monotaxyphilia[01:15:30] Keshet Program[01:20:00] Split Estate DocumentaryEpisode Sponsor:Elected Leaders Collective (ELC)Helping You Heal Our PoliticsThe ELeaders Collective (ELC) organization is the leading US-based provider of mental well-being training for public servants, conducted by public servants and the world's best mental health and human optimization professionals. With ELC Training, you will learn to rise above and become the political healer you were meant to be, improving your well-being in the process.Website: ElectedLeadersCollective.comContact the HOP Team:Do you have an episode idea, want to suggest a guest, or want to offer critical feedback? We'd love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] with your suggestions and thoughts. Your input helps us create content that matters.

COMING AUGUST 1ST 2024! Hello, I’m Skippy Mesirow, host of “Healing Our Politics,” the show that empowers you, the heart-centered public servants and political leaders, how to heal our politics by starting with the human in the mirror.Healing Our Politics, “HOP,” is a first-of-its-kind show that provides tools and practices for mental well-being, health, and balance so we can do good by feeling good and safe in our jobs.HOP brings together experts, scientists, doctors, thought leaders, healers, and coaches to share their insights in practical, tactical, actionable ways specifically tailored to the public service experience for you to test and implement with yourself and your teams. Episodes feature intimate conversations with global leaders about their self-care practices and personal challenges, providing insights for a more holistic, connected approach to leadership. Whether you're a Mayor, teacher, police officer, or staffer, this podcast will guide you to be the best version of yourself in service to yourself and the world!Sign up (below) for our once-per-month Leader’s Handbook newsletter to receive an actionable toolkit of how-to guides on topics discussed on the podcast that month to test and implement in your life and with your team.https://leadershandbook.substack.com/aboutVisit our website to learn more and sign up for notifications about our first episode, airing on August 1st. https://www.healingourpolitics.com/podcast-reminder