Archive for the 'Resources' Category

Podcast 51: Rabbi Brian Mayer-”How to Find Out What (The) God of Your Understanding Wants From You

Published at June 30, 2008 in Spiritual Growth, Resources, Podcasts and Great Books. 0 Comments

Rabbi Brian Mayer’s approach to spirituality is definitely unique. He has founded a website entitled, “Religion-Outside the Box“, where a community of spiritual seekers are gathering on the Internet to read and listen to Rabbi Brian’s philosophy.

Rabbi Brian says that ROTB empowers adults to find and be with (the) God (of their understanding.) ROTB espouses a common ground between the religious right and those who think of themselves as “spiritual but not religious.”

In my podcast with Brian we speak about his book entitled, “How to Find Out What (The) God (Of Your Understanding) Wants From You. Brian makes the statement that we live in four different worlds. The physical, the emotional, the intellectual and the spiritual. He states that the first three are easy to identify, but the fourth is where we get stuck and for good reason. Brian states that the spiritual-religious world…like truth, beauty and love…are hard to categorize.  Spirituality is where we define what and who God is to us, and frequently this is difficult for us to define and get our head around.

In my interview with Rabbi Brian we have an opportunity to explore Religion Outside the Box as well as why his Internet congregation is growing so rapidly. I know you will find this interview to be spiritually enlightening and Brian’s approach will open your mind to new possibilities about your spiritual-religious practice. I thoroughly enjoyed our interview, and recommend Brian’s book.

Rabbi Brian MayerIf you would like to learn more about his Internet spiritual talks, book and seminars please visit his website by clicking here.

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

Podcast 46:The Compassionate Communications Journey

Published at June 9, 2008 in Great Web Sites, Compassionate Communications, Resources, Communications and Announcements. 0 Comments

I truly apologize for not attending to my blog over the last several months. I love writing and doing the interviews with the authors, but my focus has been distracted by a very important project. Along with my son Sean and the team at Compassionate Communications we have been creating a website designed to build communities of support for individuals with life threatening illness. We have developed a website that allows individuals interested in communicating with patients with life threatening illness a place to read their profiles, and select a healing card that they hand write to the patient.

Our website combines the technology of the Internet with old fashion card writing. You can visit our website by clicking here and read the profiles of patients fighting life threatening illness, select a card and Hallmark will send you our patient outreach kit which will include five (5) Hallmark cards for each of the (5) patients you choose, along with pre-addressed and postage paid envelopes. It will also includes (5) postcard addressed back to you so if you choose to place them in the envelopes with your cards to the patients, they can communicate back to you…almost like a pen pal.

I previously placed an entry into my blog at the beginning of the Compassionate Communications journey telling a little behind the inspiration and reason for creating the website. I am pleased to announce that as of May 15th we launched the website, and I am so proud of the work that everyone on the team contributed to make this launch successful. We have seven (7) charities represented to date, and will be adding two(2) more charities this month. We have over 35 patients in the system, and the numbers continue to grow as more patients learn about our program.

I would like to encourage all of my faithful listeners of the Inside Personal Growth Blog and Podcast to visit the Compassionate Communications website by clicking here. Your participation in the program will change the lives of people who are in need of receiving your words of encouragement and inspiration. Just think with the click of a button you can be on your way to making a difference in the life of someone who is less fortunate than you. You also will be contributing 25% of the proceeds of your $25 order to the charity that the patients are affiliated with .

Greg-VoisenIf you know of anyone facing a life threatening illness and you believe they could use a spiritual treatment, one that combines the power of conventional western medicine along with power of intentional acts of healing through the well wishes of hundreds of card writers, then I encourage you to have them or one of their family members get in touch with us. We will help make the enrollment process easy and simple and will get them receiving the outpouring of well wishes they so deserve so we can help them on their path toward better health and happiness.

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

Podcast 43: Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dveirin on “Your Soul’s Compass”

Published at March 16, 2008 in Great CDs, Resources, Meditation, Wellness/Fitness, Wonderfully Inspiring DVDs, Retreats, Personal Growth Courses, Podcasts and Great Books. 0 Comments

I first became acquainted with Joan’s work as a result of reading Dr. Herbert Benson’s book the, “Relaxation Response”. I ultimately found out from Joan that she and Dr. Benson co-founded the Mind Body Institute which is part of the Harvard Medical School. Joan is the author of more that 12 best selling books and lectures and facilitates workshops worldwide.

On a recent trip to Boulder, CO, I had the pleasure of meeting Joan along with a couple of her colleagues. We had the opportunity to briefly discuss her new book entitled, “Your Soul’s Compass: What Is Spiritual Guidance?“, co authored with her husband Gordon Dveirin. I must admit that this is one of the best podcasts I have completed, for I was intrigued by the research they both had completed with the Sages to have written this book. They consulted over 27 Sages from diverse wisdom tradition to explore the nature of spirituality guidance. What they found out is that several themes emerged from their research. First, that there’s no map no definitive “10 steps” for the journey of becoming fully human–what Joan and Gordon call Homo sapiens caritas ( a person of wisdom and compassion). But what they did find out is that there are guiding principles that can help us recognize whether or not we’re on the right track. The capacities for stillness, curiosity, comfort and uncertainty cultivate receptivity, rather than reinforcing secular or religious fundamentalism that promote rigid, in-the-box thinking.

I welcome you to join with me in listening to this wonderfully enlightening podcast with Dr. Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dveirin on, “Your Soul’s Compass”. During this podcast I explore with Joan and Gordon insightful questions about what the Sages taught them and how we can apply this wisdom and understanding to our everyday life. So if you are seeking greater understanding about your path of mastery, then this podcast is a must listen.

Dr. Joan BorysenkoI also encourage you to to visit Joan’s web site by clicking here. There you can learn about her books, CD’s, workshops appearances and subscribe to her newsletter. So sit back relax and enjoy our interview on “Your Soul’s Journey”

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

Podcast 42: Bringing Your Soul to Work with Alan Briskin

Published at February 18, 2008 in Leadership Courses, Resources, Consulting Organizations, Social Change Agents, Podcasts and Great Books. 0 Comments

I personally had the pleasure of meeting Alan Briskin at a “Thought Leaders Gathering” in San Fransisco. A good friend of mine Craig Neal, has been bringing together some of the great leaders to explore new innovative ways of designing organizations and assisting in organizational transformation. It was at the “Thought Leaders Gathering” that I was introduced to Alan, and was very impressed with is knowledge and personal spiritual quest.

Over the years Alan and I have stayed in touch, and I called him a few months back to see if he would like to do a podcast about his book entitled, “Bringing Your Soul to Work: An Everyday Practice.” He agreed and the attached podcast is an exploration into how amidst the frenetic pace and constant urgencies at work, one is often left feeling barren inside.

There is often the question of “how” that follows any call for a new vision, especially one that includes an orientation that joins the inner life of the individual with the outer need to be effective in the world. Along with co-author, Cheryl Peppers, Alan Briskin set out to provide provocative practices, useful questions, and strengthening exercises to those seeking answers to the “how” question. This book can be very useful to individuals looking to act on what matters and to become more mindful of constructive and destructive patterns — in ourselves as well as in groups and organizations.

Alan BriskinI encourage you to relax and listen to in my estimation, one of the predominant thought leaders in the area of spirituality in the workplace. If you would like to know more about Alan and his workshops and books, please visit his web site by clicking here.


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

Podcast 41: Having it All with John Assaraf

Published at February 13, 2008 in Resources, Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

I was introduced to John Assaraf by a good friend of my David Corbin. I first saw John speak at the National Speaker Association meeting in San Diego about a year ago. He was fascinating, especially his discussion that all of life is just energy. Many of you probably know John from his appearance in “The Secret“, and his many appearances on television as an advocate for the principles taught in “The Secret“.

In my interview with John, we explore his past and how he grew up with very few resources as his disposal. We get to learn how his drive to consistently improve evolved. John was fortunate early on in his life to have been exposed to positive principles and good strong work ethics. I believe that this had much to do with his ambition, accomplishment and success. We explore “The Great Law and the Seven Natural Laws that will Change Your Life Forever”. The Great Law is: “Energy is everything”, and all of the natural laws relate back to the Great Law.”

You might be wondering how does this relate to your personal growth and development? Well, because we are all energy, how we control our thoughts, (which is energy), effects everything within our body, mind and soul. Just remember, you don’t have to believe everything that you think, and how you relate to the issue is the issue. So if you choose to channel your energy properly, as John discusses in our interview, you can achieve your life’s goals and dreams.

John’s new book, “Having It All: Achieving Your Lifes Goals and Dreams “, is quite informative and not just another self help book. He provides exercises and guidance on how to find your “True North” by using what he refers to as his, ” life design matrix”. You will also find vast resources at his web site which support you on your journey. I would also check out his blog, for he frequently has great advice and it is chock full of valuable information to help you on your personal mastery journey.
John AssarafSo set back relax and enjoy this wonderful interview with John Assaraf the author of, “Having It All: Achieving Your Lifes Goals and Dreams.”

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

Podcast 39: Life Lessons with Harvey Mackay

Published at February 11, 2008 in Business Growth, Resources, Podcasts, Mentors and Great Books. 0 Comments

My good friend Cathy Paper helped to set up this interview with Harvey Mackay. I remember her saying that Harvey was quite busy and that he might have only 2o minutes for our podcast. Before I knew it Harvey and I had spent over an hour on the phone, and what a wonderfully inspiring interview it turned out to be.

This podcast is full of life lessons from a very wise and astute businessman who truly knows the art of communication. The stories that Harvey conveyed in this interview are worth their weight in gold, for we all can learn so much from this man with his indomitable spirit.

Harvey Mackay probably does not need an introduction to my listeners, for he is so well known for his books and public speaking. I was first introduced to Harvey when I read his book, ” Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive: Outsell, Outmanage, Outmotivate, and Outnegotiate Your Competition (Collins Business Essentials). At the time I was in the financial planning business and found the advice in his book quite helpful. I went on to purchase his Swim With The Shark Client Management Software, which currently is no longer available.

Harvey is also the designer of what he terms “Mackay’s 66 Questions“. If you are not aware of Mackay’s 66, you should be. Harvey believes that every good salesperson should know more about his prospect than the competition. So early in his career he developed 66 questions that he believes the salespeople in his envelope company should know about their customers. In my previous career as a financial services representative, I found his 66 questions to be invaluable. If you would like to learn more about these questions, click here for a link to the questions.

Harvey has gone on to write many books from, “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty : The Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need“, to “We Got Fired!: . . . And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us“. Harvey’s books are full of lessons, wisdom and stories that will encourage, uplift and inspire you.

Harvey MackayI encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy the wonderful wisdom from a man we can all learn so much from. If you would like to learn more about Harvey’s books, CD’s and speaking engagements, please go to his web site by clicking here.

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

Podcast 37: Idea Mapping with Jamie Nast

Published at January 8, 2008 in Resources, Great Web Sites, Idea Mapping, Great CDs, Consulting Organizations, Personal Growth Courses, Podcasts and Great Books. 0 Comments

I do not know how many of you have been exposed to the concept of, “Idea Mapping“, but it is a wonderful way to collect and organize your thoughts. I personally started Idea Mapping about 10 years ago and have been using the process ever since. I happen to run across Jamie Nast’s Idea Mapping while doing a search on Amazon. I called up Jamie and asked her if she would be interested in doing this podcast and she gracefully accepted.

Jamie is one of the foremost consultants on Idea Mapping and has a wonderful knowledge of the process and how it can assist you both professionally and personally. Idea Mapping, as she refers to it, is a process using either software or colored pens and paper to capture your ideas and thoughts without binding you to a linear process as we learned in college while note taking. We don’t think linearly so why would we want to capture our thoughts and ideas that way?

Idea Mapping frees the mind and opens up the unlimited possibilities of creativity and innovation. It is a wonderful process and something that I highly recommend to my listeners to learn more about. Jamie’s new book entitled, ” Idea Mapping: How to Access Your Hidden Brain Power, Learn Faster, Remember More, and Achieve Success in Business“, is simple to read and packed full of examples and methods to get you started. She has even included a CD from MindJet which is a 21-day free trial software for both Mac and PC.

Jamie NastIf you wish to achieve greater success, learn faster and capture your ideas to be organized for monumental personal and professional growth, then I highly recommend Idea Mapping by Jamie Nast. You can find out more about Jamie, her courses, books and trainings by clicking here.

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

Podcast 32: Meditation and Mind Chatter with Bill Harris

Published at December 28, 2007 in Meditation, Resources, Podcasts, Retreats and Great Books. 0 Comments

Bill Harris is the director of Centerpointe Research Institute in Portland OR. He is the originator of a method of meditation called, “Holosync”, which is being practiced and used by thousands of people today.  Centerpointe Research Institute had its modest beginnings in the fall of 1989. Bill Harris and Wes Wait, both with a long-term interest in meditation and personal growth, had spent the previous four years with a small circle of friends researching and personally experiencing the effects of what later evolved into Centerpointe Research Institute’s Holosync® audio technology.

The idea of using precise sounds to alter a listener’s state of mind came from a 1973 article in Scientific American by researcher Dr. Gerald Oster of Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York. In this article, “Auditory Beats in the Brain,” Oster describes a characteristic of the brain wherein electrical brain wave patterns resonate to certain precise frequencies when presented with audio tones of certain frequencies.

As long-time practitioners of Transcendental Meditation, Harris and Wait were familiar with research done in the 1970s establishing a relationship between specific brain wave patterns and a variety of states including those of meditation, superlearning, increased focus and concentration, and enhanced creativity.

After four years of personal experimentation, during which those in the research group experienced what could only be described as profound mental, emotional and spiritual changes, Harris and Wait decided to create a structured method for using Holosync, and in 1989 they began marketing this program to the general public. With electronic tone generators and frequency counters borrowed from a local university, the master soundtracks were recorded for a series of 13 program levels, each more powerful than the last.

The initial idea was to re-create, with modern high-tech methods, the meditation experience usually reserved to those dedicated few willing to meditate many hours each day for many years. To recreate the second ingredient of the meditation process—the “rescripting” that takes place as meditators reach an altered, meditative state and then reprogram their unconscious mind through mantras, affirmations, or prayers—they added, beginning with the second level of the program, silent affirmations chosen by the participant and recorded in his or her own voice, and delivered using Centerpointe’s proprietary Autofonix® silent messaging technology.

The results were spectacular and participant feedback extremely positive. Participants reported a dramatic acceleration of positive results in their meditation practice, often reporting more change in a single year of the Centerpointe program than in ten or fifteen years of traditional meditation.

Today, Centerpointe has grown to be one of the largest personal growth companies in the world, with program participants in 172 countries.

Bill HarrisI hope that you enjoy this interesting and informative podcast with a man who has revolutionized the art of meditation. If you would like to learn more about Bill Harris and the Centerpointe Research Institute please click here.

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

Podcast 31: Life Journaling with Ruth Folit

Published at December 28, 2007 in Journaling Software, Software, Journaling, Resources and Podcasts. 0 Comments

Life JournalIn this interview with Ruth Folit we explore the wonderfully powerful and rewarding aspects of journaling. I know that I have journaled from time to time and when I was inspired to journal, I found the process to be very cathartic.

In my interview with Ruth we explore the benefits of regular journaling and the various types of journaling. Ruth is the founder of a company called, “Chronicles Software“, and she developed one of the only software applications that assists journal writers in organizing their thoughts for easy retrieval. The software also allows the journal writer to:

  • Write securely and privately, journaling within feature-rich entries.
  • Be inspired with prompts and quotes to see new perspectives: your journaling becomes more consistent.
  • Track your health or energy levels; hours slept or miles walked (create up to 10 scales)–a unique journaling tool.
  • Search and review your diary entries effortlessly by topic, date, journal type and more.
  • Remember your past and create your memoir, as memories surface.
  • Understand your life better by making connections and gaining insight.
  • Customize your diary to make it YOUR OWN journal program.

Ruth FolitIf you are interested in learning more about the art of journaling and would like to know more about Ruth’s software please visit her web site by clicking here. I know you will enjoy our podcast if you are interested in becoming more focused on the regular benefits of journaling. I was inspired by our interview and am going to start journaling again.

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

Podcast 30: Seven Dragons, A Guide to a Limitless Mind with Jen Blackert

Published at December 28, 2007 in Business Growth, Resources, Podcasts, Personal Growth Courses and Great Books. 0 Comments

Jen Blackert is a wonderfully energetic person. I have never personally met her, but I feel as if I have known her forever. I decided to do this podcast about her new book because I believe she is very intuitive when it comes to the focus, direction and use of one’s energy. Her book is a guide to finding, identifying and changing our mental limits. It offers probing questions to ponder in an effort to get the reader to eradicate unhelpful habits and behaviors so you can live a life without limits.

So just what are the Seven Dragons that Jen has identified?

1. Mental Incongruence: Shift your subconscious feelings into alignment with logical thought.

2. Overwhelm: Clarify your needs and map your way to success.

3. Decision Procrastination: Change your procrastination habits for good.

4. Attention Deficit: Gain focus and concentration.

5. Resistance: Reset your mindset and go with the flow.

6. Finances: Learn to give, receive and feel confident with the flow of money.

7. Unworthiness: Be, do and feel fabulous.

Jen BlackertJen’s book is a guide to helping you overcome the Seven Dragons and achieve a limitless mind. I hope you enjoy this podcast and learning how to achieve personal mastery by working on your Seven Dragons. If you would like to learn more about Jen’s workshops, audio CD’s, and books please visit her site by clicking here

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