We're All in This Together

There seems to be quite a bit of uncertainty and fear in the air these days, economically and otherwise. Even though we've been through so much uncertainty over the past few years (and throughout our lives), whenever it gets significant, it can cause quite a bit of stress and challenge.  On this episode, I talk about some of the things that make uncertainty difficult and scary. I also share some s...

For many reasons, both practical and emotional, it has been more challenging for us to connect with one another over the past few years.  And while things have improved on this front in recent months, it still seems more difficult for us to engage with one another these days both professionally and personally.  On this episode, I talk about some of these challenges, as well as how important it is...

Trust, patience, and letting go of control are all things that are important to our success and wellbeing, and that of our relationships, families, and teams.  However, these things can be challenging.  On this episode, I talk about some of what makes them hard and I share specific ways for us to be more trusting and patient, and less controlling - both at work and at home.  Resources: We're All i...

I spent this past weekend at a wonderful meditation retreat.  Although I have had my own meditation practice for almost three decades and have been attending workshops of all kinds for years, this was the first time I'd been at a multi-day event like this.  I found being in silence as much as we were to be both challenging and enlightening.  There is so much power in silence, if we're able to slow...

As the New Year gets underway there is a lot of focus on resolutions, goals, and intentions, which makes sense and can be both important and impactful.  However, what we're usually wanting to experience with whatever healthy practices or desired achievements we focus on is feeling good about ourselves.  And what can often get in the way of our success and fulfillment is being harsh and critical of...

Joy is something most of us want to experience in life, yet it can often be elusive.  For a number of reasons, especially these days, it is challenging to be joyful.  On this episode I talk about some of the specific things that make joy difficult.  I also share some ways we can more authentically and effectively experience joyfulness in our lives. Resources: We're All in This Together (book), by...

Our ability to support and empower others, as well as create success and fulfillment in our lives has to do with if and how we show up.  For a number of reasons, especially these days, this isn't always easy.  On this episode I share about some recent struggles and a tragic loss and what they have taught me about the importance of showing up.  I also talk about how we can show up for ourselves and...

Being grateful doesn't mean everything is great, it means we're willing to look for, find, and acknowledge the gifts, lessons, and blessings in our life.  Doing this in an authentic and effective way can be challenging for a number of reasons, especially these days.  In the spirit of our Thanksgiving holiday this week here in the US, I talk about the importance of gratitude in this episode, and sh...

Many years ago, I heard Dr. Michael Beckwith say, "Don't waste a good crisis."  At first, I thought this was a bit strange and even harsh, but the more I thought about it and experienced it, the more I understood the importance of this paradoxical wisdom.  On this episode, I talk about how we can authentically reframe difficulty and I share some specific things we can do to navigate crises as effe...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential in business and life.  They can be challenging to understand, discuss, and implement for many reasons.  My friend and colleague, Ray Arata, is an expert in inclusionary leadership and the founder of the Better Man Conference.  He joins me  again on the show today to talk about these important topics and about his upcoming event. Resources: We're All i...

Even though things are much "better" these days in terms of our ability to gather with others, travel, go into the office, and more…it still feels weird in so many ways, doesn't it?  As I speak to people, leaders, and teams throughout the country and world, I'm hearing a lot about exhaustion, awkwardness, and difficulty, given all that we've been through the past few years.  On this episode, I tal...

At 44, Sarah McDonald was newly married, newly promoted, and planning pregnancy. It felt like a time of new beginnings in her life when suddenly she was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer. Two months later she was diagnosed with another, unrelated cancer.   Ten years later, Sarah is healthy, the mother of a beautiful daughter, and the author of a brand-new memoir called The Cancer Channel: On...

This is the 300th episode of this podcast.  As a way of acknowledging this milestone, I reflect back on some of the journey over the past six years - both with the show and my work, and with all that has happened in the world. I also discuss the importance of marking occasions in our lives and our work, and the impact celebration has on us personally and collectively.    Resources: We're All in Th...

I was quoted in a recent New York Times op-ed entitled, "Do Not Bring Your 'Whole Self' to Work."  While I appreciated being mentioned in this piece, as you can imagine, I disagree with it on many levels.  On this episode, I talk about some of the misconceptions and challenges of bringing our whole selves to work.  I also discuss some of the specific reasons why it's important to do so these days....

My guest on this episode, Tyler Merritt, believes that proximity breeds empathy…and that with empathy, humanity has a fighting chance. I agree and am so inspired by him, his work, and his books.  Tyler is an actor, activist, founder of the Tyler Merritt Project, and the author of the remarkable memoir, I Take My Coffee Black , as well as the brand new children's book, A Door Made for Me .  In our...

Change may be inevitable, but it definitely can be tricky, especially these days.  Most of us seek and fear change at the same time, which is part of what makes it so complicated to navigate.  On this episode, I talk to my friend and colleague, Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, about her new book, The Change Guidebook .  Elizabeth shares some specific things we can do to more effectively embrace change...

Self-reflection is an important and necessary part of growth.  Self-criticism, while common and understandable, is almost always detrimental to us and those around us .  On this episode, I talk about the important difference between self-reflection and self-criticism, why we can sometimes collapse them together, and ways we can truly create positive change.   Resources: We're All in This Together...

Trust and surrender are two things that I've found challenging for much of my life.  I've recently been reminded of both the difficulty and importance of both of these…and have been working on embracing them more deliberately.  On this episode, I talk about why trust and surrender can be so hard, especially these days.  I also discuss how essential they are for our own wellbeing, as well as the he...

I've often thought of vigilance as just a more intense version of discipline.  And while there is some truth to this in a practical sense, as I've been unpacking it more for myself recently, I'm now realizing that there's a big difference between these two which is important for us to understand.  On this episode, I talk about this essential distinction and how we can shift from fear-based vigilan...

For a number of reasons, especially these days, it's easy to feel like we're alone.  When things get hard, scary, and even painful, many of us, myself included, have a tendency to judge and isolate ourselves.  However, one of the best things we can do when things are challenging (and even when they aren't), is to remember that we're not alone and to reach out to those around us.  On this episode I...

I've been dealing with some setbacks recently - both personally and professionally.  I'm also aware of the collective struggles many people and groups are dealing with these days.  The nature of progress is often messy, and it can be hard to navigate for a number of reasons.  On this episode I talk about this phenomenon and why it can be so challenging.  I also offer some specific things we can do...

The level of collective anxiety seems pretty high these days.  The accumulation of stress related to the pandemic, violence, political divisiveness, uncertainty, change, and more can take a real toll on us - individually and collectively.  On this episode, I talk about some of the key reasons we may be feeling anxious these days and some specific techniques we can use to cope with it as best as po...

With the United States Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe vs. Wade, I've been feeling angry, sad, and deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have.  I've also been thinking about the importance and power of choice - both in terms of this specific decision and also in terms of how we react to challenging circumstances.  Viktor Frankl famously said, " Between stimulus and response the...

As a lifelong Golden State Warriors fan I am, of course, fired up that they recently won another NBA championship - their fourth in the past eight seasons.  However, as impressed and excited as I've been about their sustained success, what I find most inspiring is the incredible culture they've built.  On this episode I talk about some of the key elements of creating a championship team.  And whil...

An essential element of any strong team is their ability to lean on one another.  This takes trust, willingness, and safety…it is foundational to individual and collective success.  On this episode I talk about why this is so important, especially these days, and some specific things we can do to lean on those around us, make ourselves available for people to lean on us, and enhance the culture of...