The Chill Factory

Disagreement and conflict with others is one of the more stressful experiences we encounter, yet most of us don't employ a strategy that has the great power to difuse these situations and the stress they cause. Jordan talks with professional mediator Chris Sorensen about how we can use mediation and the mediation mindset to ease big and small conflicts with family, friends, colleagues and stranger...

What are you looking forward to? If you can't easily answer, research says you should plan things to look forward to because positive anticipation of events can make you happier and less stressed. Jordan Friedman talks with psychology professor Christian Wough about this powerful mood lifter and how to make the most of it.   After the conversation, we've got something new for you to look forward t...

Ah-ha moments can shift the way we think and live. This second collection of clips from past episodes of The Chill Factory is full of them thanks to our compelling guests who talk about essential balance, chill leadership, imposter syndrome, real-time resilience, being silent and more. It's 20-minutes of 'ear coffee' to boost your spirit and bust your stress forever! Featured Guests and Episodes B...

Do you ever feel like dropping everything and getting away—maybe creating an easier, happier way of living and working? And if you can't actually do that, how can you get away and get more satisfied without going very far? Guest, author and current nomad, Petra Kolber helps us chart a course to a happier life, including dealing with perfectionism which blocks many of us from even trying to reach o...

Does noise bother you? Are you really empathetic and compassionate? Do you have trouble making decisions? If you're saying, "Yes," you might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). So what? Guest Clare Kumar says being a HSP has big benefits and potential drawbacks, so being aware of your sensitivities and those of others is advantageous, especially for work. After the conversation, we talk triggers a...

Like no time in recent history, many are considering work, location, lifestyle and other changes fueled by unprecedented opportunities to do so. Guest and author of The Long Game Dorie Clark says there's something you should do to help ensure your changes, ideas and goals actually happen. It's frustrating and dispiriting when they don't, so this episode (Part 2) along with the previous episode (Pa...

You probably have ideas and dreams about what you want to do and where you want to be in the future, but do you have a long-term plan for getting there? Dorie Clark, author of the new bestseller  The Long Game , says you definitely should, and talks about how to do it, why it reduces stress and how to stick with long-term plans even when it's really difficult. After the conversation, Jordan gives...

How much is your progress and happiness dictated by voices in your head telling you that you don't quite have what it takes to realize your ideas and goals? Guest Denise Jacobs raises our awareness of these inner critics, and teaches us ways to quiet and banish them for smoother and more successful creativity, professional endeavors, relationships and more. After the conversation, Jordan teaches a...

Reducing stress at the White House, a "circular" way to breathe, and wisdom for dealing with today's firehose of stressors, are in Part 2 of Jordan's conversation with stress management guru Brian Luke Seaward. Be sure to listen to Part 1 of Smarter Stress Reduction (episode 28). About Guest Brian Luke Seaward Brian Luke Seaward is one of the foremost experts in the field of stress management and...

Wisdom wins the day throughout this two-part conversation with stress management guru Brian Luke Seaward. For the first time since they hung out in college 35 years ago, Luke and host Jordan Friedman chat about everything from the key to effective stress relief to Luke's gig as the stress reducer for the White House. Part 2 will be the next episode of The Chill Factory. About Guest Brian Luke Seaw...

It's one of life's greatest artforms and stress reducers. In response to tragic events in the US and other places in need of some pease, this week's guest is music. Before Jordan spins tracks from The Chill Factory app, he reviews a simple checklist for gettingmore enjoyment and benefit from listening. The tracks on this week's show are from these playlists on The Chill Factory app (see below for...

Don't miss this powerful and perspective-setting conversation with Ukrainian rock singer Dima Afanasyev from his Kyiv living room. He has been surviving and thriving during unimaginably stressful circumstances. His story, and the stories of many other Ukrainians, are inspiring examples of how to stay strong during extreme adversity and everyday challenges. Stop and listen to this remarkable, real-...

Whether it's online or in person, do you bring yourself to the office? Return guest William Arruda, the world authority on personal branding, tells us what that means, suggests ways to do it, and explains why it makes us more satisfied with what we do. After the conversation, we'll take a quick trip to the 'mind gym,' a powerful place to strengthen mental health. About Guest William Aruda William...

 Do you have an idea, hobby, or passion that you've wanted to pursue? Will you ever do anything with it? When unfulfilled, these interests can cause us stress, especially when we're not satisfied in other areas of our lives. Guest Adam Bloom has been pursuing his dream for years and it's landed him on the road, on The Tonight Show and now on The Chill Factory as an inspiring case study of ways to...

Are you doing what you've always wanted to do? Are you where you should be in your work and personal lives? Are you bummed or panicked because the answers to those questions are, "No!" Guest and "The Thirtysomething Coach" Carrie Spaulding gives us compelling ways to quiet thirtysomething panic, and for that matter, twenty, forty and fiftysomething freakouts. After the conversation, Jordan Friedma...

Is it really a leader's responsibility to reduce the stress of their colleagues, students and communities? And if it is, where do you start in a world full of seemingly endless challenges? Executive coach and leadership expert Ora Shtull provides a thought-provoking playbook for becoming a super chill leader. After the conversation, Jordan spins some binaural beats so you can see if this audio str...

Like a fabulous greatest hits album, this episode of The Chill Factory showcases especially motivating, perspective-setting and moving clips from our first 20 episodes, including a passions reality check, apps that drag you down, aging with chill, and ways to make lots of lives easier. Featureed Guests Kathy Caprino Amanda Baden William Arruda Robin Copple Todd Sevig Ellen Kocher Mary Dino Adi Gol...

Do you second guess yourself? Do you get the respect you deserve? Are you hiding any 'dirty little secrets'? Career and leadership expert Kathy Caprino says your answers reveal whether you have power gaps that are holding you back, and provides examples of how to close them. Stay tuned after the interview because Jordan Friedman introduces a very special project to help thousands in need—one spark...

Do you think you could be silent for a while day? What about for a week? How about a whole month? Tai Bendit just returned from a 30-day silent retreat and he talks with Jordan Friedman about why he did it, what he discovered, and the challenges and benefits of not talking for any amount of time. About Guest Tai Bendit Tai Bendit is a Product Manager and Data Scientist at LinkedIn where he works w...

Why are they bombing those people? Will we have to move, too? Is there going to be a nuclear war? Kids are stressed and anxious about the invasion of Ukraine just like adults, and Jordan Friedman talks with psychologist Amanda Baden about how to notice and respond to their worries. After the conversation, we've got a new and cool way to give some peace to Ukrainians and their families. How are You...

As the catastrophic invasion of Ukraine unfolds before our eyes, many far from the conflict are worried, outraged and anxious about our uncertain future. Jordan Friedman talks with psychologist Cassie Haas about ways to think about, limit and live with these unsettling emotions now and for the forseeable future. After the conversation, we take a couple of calming minutes to experience the opposite...

Do you use stories to make friends, get remembered, impress professionally and feel more valued? Jordan Friedman talks with storytelling CEO Jerome Deroy about why and how to tell stories to enliven all areas of your life. Jordan then offers concrete ways to make bad news and world events less stressful and overwhelming. Listen if you: Want to know what personal storytelling means The many benefit...

Is your news consumption unnecessarily triggering your stress response... and are you even aware of it? Jordan Friedman talks with veteran TV news anchor and reporter Karen Friedman about how the news is made, its connection to your stress and anxiety levels, and how to make your intake of current events less stress producing. Jordan then asks for a favor that will benefit all of us.   Listen if y...

The US Surgeon General just sounded the alarm: we're in a mental health crisis when it comes to our younger kids and adolescents. How do you know if your child is really okay, even if everything seems fine? Jordan Friedman talks with Scott Bloom, a psychotherapist and expert in mental health initiatives for schools, about how and when to talk with your children about their mental health. Then, it'...

You are getting older, but don't feel unhappy or pressured by it because aging today is full of really exciting opportunities and possibilities. Jordan Friedman talks with economist and aging focused health and wellness coach Ellen Kocher about  what to do and pay attention to so that growing and being older are healthier, productive and more positive experiences. After the conversation, Jordan pr...