Archive for August, 2007

Podcast 9: “One” The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership with Lance Secretan

Published at August 20, 2007 in Social Change Agents, Leadership Courses, Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses, Retreats, Mentors and Great Books. 1 Comment

Lance Secretan Book - One: The Art and Practice of Conscious LeadershipI first met Lance Secretan many years ago at a Spirit in Business conference in Santa Fe, NM. I remember being quite impressed with his presentation on the CASTLE principals. In my podcast with Lance we discuss the CASTLE principals in depth. CASTLE is an acronym which stands for Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love and Effectiveness. These principals may sound simple in concept, but not as easy to integrate into our lives and businesses.

The focus of his new book is about the new leader for the 21st century. Lance discusses how we have become detached from our innate sense of oneness which creates “separateness thinking.” He explains how this separateness thinking has created many of the problems both in our business and personal lives. One: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership will help the reader explore new refreshing ideas about leadership and find ways to create a greater sense of connectedness. Understanding the CASTLE principles has lead many to exceptional personal growth, and has transformed the lives of thousands. If you would like to lead your life more consciously and become more connected to the people at your work and at home, One: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership outlines the principles of Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfulness, Love and Effectiveness and they are definitely worth reviewing and considering for integration into your personal values as a leader.

I love how Lance ends his book with an invitation to join his community. He quotes the lines by John Lennon’s ode to oneness, Imagine:

You may say I’m a dreamer,
but I’m not the only one,

I hope some day you’ll join us,
And the world will live as one.

Lance SecretanIf you want to reawaken personally as a leader and build strong communities of support and oneness, then Lance’s book “One” The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership is a must read. For more information on Lance Secretan’s workshops, retreats and blog please visit his website.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 8: Live Dynamite with Cathy Paper

Published at August 17, 2007 in Consulting Organizations, Podcasts and Personal Growth Courses. 0 Comments

Cathy Paper - Live DynamiteI have never met Cathy Paper in person, but the name of her company Live Dynamite captures the essence of who Cathy is. If you want to learn how to gets things done, then Cathy Paper is the person. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and the Live Dynamite process she has created for learners is wonderful. Cathy and her business partner Maryanne O’Brian have created a beautifully crafted guidebook called the “Upside Playbook.” This playbook is at the center of their workshop and the Live Dynamite system. She teaches time-tested principles that connect the learner with his or her personal power.

The purpose of the Upside Playbook it to help the learner identify and form new habits and behaviors to achieve greater success in balancing their life. Even though I have not been through the course I can vouch for the design, layout and intention of this playbook. It is practical, easy, fun, engaging and a process that I think could help anyone who is looking to reevaluate their values and priorities.

And no, this is not just another goal setting course. At its essence it is a process that allows you to connect with your true inner self and explore a new way of doing and being.

I found this quote in the Playbook by Henry Ford to be especially profound: “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do” I agree; you have to build your reputation on taking action and building momentum. So I encourage my listeners to take the necessary steps to gain momentum and reevaluate their current routines, behavior and actions to determine if they are getting what they want out of life. Frequently, our thoughts are the only thing that get in the way of us from having a more fulfilling life.

My friend Larry Wilson says that we all make stuff up anyway, and it is the stuff that we make up that becomes our reality. If you don’t like the life that you have made up for yourself, just start making up new stuff and replace the old beliefs so that you can create a new reality. At the cornerstone of the Playbook is the opportunity to make up new stuff and create new beliefs about who and what you are.

Cathy PaperIf you want more information on Cathy’s workshops, and the Live Dynamite system please visit her website, or if you would like to take a look at some of the content in the Playbook click here.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 7: Synchronistic Meeting with Jim Cathcart

Published at August 16, 2007 in Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

Interview with Jim Cathcart about his book The Acorn Principle A month ago I was at the National Speakers Association meeting in San Diego and one of the first people that I bumped into was Jim Cathcart. I have know Jim for quite a while, as a matter of fact I first meet Jim at a Million Dollar Round Table meeting over 10 years ago. His work in the area of human potential has been a passion of his for many years. His book “The Acorn Principle: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself ” is a wonderful book focusing on developing self awareness. Each chapter is packed full of thought provoking questions to get you to think about personal mastery. In this podcast Jim discusses “thought breaks” and how they assist one in creating greater self awareness. Jim stresses that the more we know about ourselves the better our coping strategies are and the more likely we are to succeed.

Albert Einstein said that the hardest part of discovering the theory of relativity was determining how to think about it. Do you often think about thinking? Probably not. Thinking is something that has become automatic and we really don’t give it much thought…pardon the pun. Jim and I explore in this podcast how to become a better observer of self. Think for a minute if we were to have a video camera follow us all day long and record our actions. What would you observe about your patterns, behavior and actions that were either serving you or not?

Jim CathcartI know you will enjoy this lively interview with Jim Cathcart and if after listening you are interested in learning more about Jim’s workshops, books, CD’s, DVD’s, etc. just click here for a link to his web site.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 6: The American Dream Project with Will Marre

Published at August 14, 2007 in Wonderfully Inspiring DVDs, Social Change Agents, Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses and Great Books. 2 Comments

Will Marre DVD - The American Dream ProjectMy first encounter with Will Marre was through a seminar I attended at the University of San Diego. I have been to plenty of seminars and workshops in my day, but Will’s was particularly captivating and his message and topic were just what I needed to hear. The American Dream Project is focused on Generation X and the so-called Millenniums. The mission of the organization is to help individuals and institutions create, design and implement sustainable personal strategies, public policies, and citizen solutions that will lead to the greatest good and least suffering for each individual in our American society and globally. You must admit that this is a big mission and if anyone can be successful in getting people excited about living their dreams and and helping them achieve them it would be Will.

I went to Wikipedia and looked up “social entrepreneurs” to get a definition: “A social entrepreneur is an entrepreneur who works to increase social capital, often by founding humanitarian organizations.” Generation X and Millenniums, as they have been labeled, are generations that are focused on doing good for society whether it be environmentalism or helping to bring awareness to the many social problems we are facing.

I love the spirit of this generation and the fact that they have put their values first, and are not willing to compromise them for a job that will jeopardize their values. I work with several individuals in this age group and I am so impressed with their intelligence and willingness to do their part in making this a better place to live.

Will MarreI would encourage you to visit the American Dream Project web site for more information on this forming community of committed individuals. I would also recommend Will’s book entitled “Your Dream Life,” as well as his set of DVDs. They are an excellent way for you to learn more about this social movement and will provide fascinating insight into the many social issues that we can all become involved in helping to solve.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 5: Falling Awake with Dave Ellis

Published at August 8, 2007 in Wonderfully Inspiring DVDs, Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

Dave Ellis Book - Falling AwakeI was in San Rafael, California a few weeks ago with my son Sean, and we had the pleasure to meet with Dave Ellis. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Dave which gave us an opportunity to learn more about his successful coaching and workshop business. Dave’s story is fascinating! He is a teacher, a coach and now a philanthropist with a mission to help people create the life of their dreams.

If at this point you are asking yourself the proverbial question: What can Dave Ellis do for me that other coaches, books and workshops that I’ve experienced have failed to do? That would be a valid question, and the answer is nothing. Because in the end you are the only one who can take the tools, techniques and processes and apply them to helping transform your life into what you want it to be.

But, in my humble estimation Dave Ellis and his content is the real deal and he provides you with the tools, techniques and processes to help remove the barriers that get in the way of your success. He teaches, through utilizing all of the learning styles, how to identify and work on transforming your beliefs and patterns. His book entitled “Falling Awake: Creating the Life of Your Dreams” is the bible for his students. The format, layout and visual impact that his book uses to engage the reader is truly unique, easy to use and can be approached in a non-linear manner. Dave also conducts workshops by the same name “Falling Awake” and he has a staff of qualified personal/professional coaches to help those students who want to go more deeply into learning how to master the transformation process. I have read lots of material on personal growth and how to live your dreams, but Dave Ellis and his Falling Awake material is amazing. I also recommend his book entitled “Human Being.” You can get this book in PDF form by visiting his web site at www.fallingawake.com.

Dave EllisI hope you enjoy this interview with Dave Ellis.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 4: The Cornerstones of Communications, Jon Forrest

Published at August 7, 2007 in Consulting Organizations, Podcasts and Great Books. 2 Comments

Jon Forrest Book - Stay CalmWhile engaged in my masters degree program in Spiritual Psychology at University of Santa Monica , we were asked to identify our personal quality. I thought for a while, and then wrote down on a piece of paper the words “compassionate communications.” What I meant by this was that I wanted to emanate this quality to others, that I was engaged at a heart-centered level of dialogue when communicating with all people.

This was a big aspiration to have, mostly because it required that I become aware of both my verbal language and my body language that I was using with other people. Misunderstanding of another person usually results from our inability to clarify communications through asking clarifying questions, and also simply by waiting for our turn to speak without hearing the other person. Most of the time we are just waiting for our turn to speak without really listening deeply to what the other person is attempting to communicate. I know this, because I too am a culprit of not listening fully and with all my heart, but when I do deeply connect to this quality of compassionate communications, the encounter between myself and the sender is at a much deeper level. You know the times you have been in dialogue with a very interesting person and then, before you know it, hours have passed by? It is a beautiful thing for your souls to have touched!!!

Jon ForrestIn this podcast with my friend Jon Forrest, I believe that you will learn a great deal about the cornerstones of human interaction. Jon discusses thoroughly the four cornerstones, and his approach by incorporating the martial art of Aikido. His approach is fascinating and will greatly help you to transform your communications skills. If after listening to the podcast you have more interest in Jon’s work, I would recommend his book entitled “Stay Calm.” You can also contact him through his web site at www.icaninternational.com. Keep listening deeply and with an open heart!

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 3: Be On Purpose with Kevin McCarthy

Published at August 3, 2007 in Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

Kevin McCarthy Book - The On-Purpose PersonFifteen years ago my life was certainly not balanced. I was constantly working and was not paying attention to my health or my family. I was on a collision course and headed toward self destruction. I was in tremendous personal pain and really did not know where to go or who to turn too.

Along came a friend who was very in tune with my path of personal self destruction. He knew of my pain even thought I had not discussed my issues with him. I called him my guardian angel for his intervention with a little book called “The On-Purpose Person: Making Your Life Make Sense” was perfect timing. He gave me this book and insisted that I read it. On an airplane trip to Seattle, WA I read the book not just once but twice. I thought the character in the parable was me. This little book was like a whack on the side of my head, a wake up call to take an inventory of what was important. My values were not congruent with what I wanted in life and this was causing tremendous consternation. I was so inspired by the story in “The On Purpose Person” that I had to speak with the author so I called him up and we talked about my pain. He provided me with as much guidance as he could over the phone, but suggested the I might want to take a two-day course called the “The On Purpose Person“. The only challenge is that he did not have any scheduled for California. So I suggested that I help him put together a group of people and have him fly out and do a workshop. So that is what I did. I started calling many of my friends, family and associates about the planned workshop, and I was able to fill the room. I guess that I was not the only one who was feeling out of balance with their life.

The rest is history. Kevin came to California and we became great friends. I am forever grateful for having been introduced to this life changing course. I recommend that you listen to this podcast and link to his web site for more information about “The On Purpose Person” and “The On Purpose Business”. If you are in the midst of reevaluating your priorities in life or business and could use some help, you have come upon the perfect guidance course and book.

Kevin McCarthyI hope you enjoy this interview with Kevin McCarthy.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.

Podcast 2: A Big Heart and Plenty of Wisdom, Dan Millman

Published at August 2, 2007 in Podcasts, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

Dan Millman Book - Way of the Peaceful WarriorAbout two weeks ago I had the good fortune to meet Dan Millman, the author of “Way of the Peaceful Warrior.” I had twice seen the autobiographical movie “Peaceful Warrior” about Dan’s life and was really excited to meet him. Prior to our meeting Dan sent me a copy of a book he wrote entitled “The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation.” This a short read but it is full of wisdom and guidance.


In the Laws of Spirit, Dan articulates the 12 Laws of Spirit that he learns from an encounter with a mysterious mountain sage. One of the Laws of Spirit focuses on balance and was particularly revealingly to me at this juncture in my life. The mountain sage uses a stick balanced on her hand and discussed the pull of desire and the push of fear as an analogy to get the reader to understand the concept of balance.

Think about it: We are either pulled by desire or pushed by fear. What happens if we don’t understand how to balance these two emotions? Frequently it can be paralyzing. If fear gets the best of us we freeze and don’t take any action. On the other hand if we become too focused on our desires and wants we acquire more stuff and get addicted to the stuff in our lives. Finding the balance between the fear and desire is so important to lead a healthy life.

I encourage you to read “The Laws of Spirit” and purchase or rent “Peaceful Warrior.” This is a wonderful movie about Dan’s spiritual journey, and a life changing event that forever alters the course of his life. It is an inspiring film that should leave you with many questions about your own life, and how to shift your perspective so that you might see this wonderfully magnificent world full of opportunity to overcome obstacles and achieve happiness along your path.

Dan MillmanI hope you enjoy this interview with Dan Millman.

Again, I apologize for the lack of sound quality in this podcast. The upcoming podcasts that I’m working on in the next few weeks will feature vastly improved sound quality.

Want more resources and information on personal growth? Try the resources page.