Podcast 48: "The Art of Surrender" with Becca Smith

I have known Becca Smith for many years now. My first introduction to her was through your journal company called Oberon Designs. I had purchased one of her beautifully crafted leather journals, and was so impressed with the quality that I contacted her just to acknowledge her for the wonderfully designed journals and also to purchase additional journals as gifts.

During our dialogue recently I found out that she is also an author of a book entitled The Art of Surrender, about her personal journey with breast cancer. Becca is also an artist and used art as an expressive outlet while she journeyed through her challenges with breast cancer. I love this quote from her book “As an artist I responded to my cancer diagnosis in the only way I knew how, to be as creative as my diminished energy would allow. As a daughter, sibling, friend and colleague, I did my best to relinquish the independence and self-absorption of my previous life and open as wide as possible to the help and love of others. My ultimate goal was not to be victimized. I did all I could to embrace, not the disease, but my life story that had suddenly, when I needed it most, taken a mythic twist. I welcomed a poetic and mystical quest fueled by the power of symbolism, metaphor and analogy. I wanted to embark on my own hero’s journey and make the most of what life might offer while it lasted.”

It does not really matter if you are a survivor of cancer, or have never been touched by the disease at all. Becca’s personal journey and the lessons learned about life in general are interesting. In my interview with her we explore the fears and blessings that having a potentially life threatening illness can impart upon one as they traverse the treacherous battle with the disease. What you will find is that surrender to the disease both through her art and emotiona is what helped heal Becca.

I encourage you to listen to this wonderfully revealing podcast, and if you would like to learn more about Becca’s book, visit her website by clicking here.

Podcast 47: "Happy for No Reason" with Marci Shimoff

Marci ShimoffAt the beginning of this year I met Marci Shimoff at a conference in Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of being able to listen to a presentation she made on happiness. I was so impressed with her research and findings that I asked her if she would be interested in doing this podcast with me.

There is something you might want to know about Marci, and that is she is also the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, and is a featured teacher in “The Secret”. She is a highly sought after speaker, and has done her research to find what creates happiness in our lives.
Marci conducted interviews with what she terms her “Happy 100”. What she found out is that happiness is not an abstract emotion–it’s a physiological state that can be measured and experienced more often in our everyday lives. She found that we all have a “happiness set point” that is approximately 50% genetic and 50% learned. Marci states that no matter what happens to us we tend to return to our set level of happiness. The good news is that we can reprogram our happiness set-point to a higher level of peace and well-being. Marci explains in her book “Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out” that instead of trying to change our outer world in order to be happier, all we really need to do is change our happiness set-point. And it’s easier than we think.

In her interviews with the “Happy 100″, Shimoff found that happy people live their lives differently than unhappy people; they have different habits. The three guiding principles or universal laws, that she calls, The Guiding Three” are: First, what expands you makes you happier,(The Law of Expansion). Second, the universe is out to support you, (The Law of Universal Support) And third, what you appreciate, appreciates, (The Law of Attraction).

In my interview with Marci we cover the 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out. I know you will love listening to this vivacious, outgoing and wonderful soul, Marci Shimoff dialogue with me about what creates happiness. I highly recommend her book entitled “Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out” and for more information about her seminars and workshops please visit her website by clicking here.

Podcast 45: "Creating the Rest of Your Life" with Cathy and Gary Hawk

Cathy and Gary HawkI first met Gary Hawk many years ago in San Diego when he was involved in the development of a program called the, “Inner Circle.” Gary is a wonderfully gifted facilitator helping CEO’s and top executives transform their organizations into more effective and efficient operations. Gary had lots of prior experience having held top executive positions of leadership in major national corporations.

A few years back Gary’s life took an interesting shift when he met his new wife Cathy. Cathy is the founder of, “Clarity International“, an organization who’s focus is the development of personal and professional vision. Cathy is a pioneer in the field of energy coaching, and has the first trademarked interview system based on chakras. She refers to the process as “Lights on Learning Method”. When the two of them teamed up with their unique talents, they brought to the world a unique partnership focusing on helping people transform their lives for success.

Our podcast focuses on their new book entitled, “Creating the Rest of Your Life, An Atlas for Manifesting Success & Excellence in Life & Work“, which is a combination book and guide to helping individuals manifest success and excellence in their life and work. They use a very interesting graphic in the book called a “journey map”. This journey map helps guide you on a path to living you life with your “lights on” as Gary and Cathy refer to it. There are 27 different points of reflection and insight along the way, all focused on helping you gain clarity about yourself and where you want to go.

I love a quote they have used in the book in the first chapter from Elisabeth Kubler-Ross “People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within”. Gary and Cathy will truly help you see the light within.

Please enjoy this wonderful interview with Gary and Cathy as we explore their new book, and how setting out on a path of clarity, focus, purpose and intention will help you become your authentic self.

If you would like more information about Gary and Cathy’s workshops, books, CD please visit their web site by clicking here Clarity International. Enjoy this interview…

P.S. I apologize for the audio quality for my internal mic as it was not set correctly, but Gary and Cathy’s audio quality is great.

Podcast 44: Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dveirin on "Your Soul’s Compass"

Joan BorysenkoI 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.

I 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”

Podcast 43: Bringing Your Soul to Work with Alan Briskin

Alan BriskinI 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.

I 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.

Podcast 42: Having it All with John Assaraf

John AssarafI 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.

So set back relax and enjoy this wonderful interview with John Assaraf the author of, “Having It All: Achieving Your Lifes Goals and Dreams.”

Podcast 40: The Laws of Lifetime Growth with Catherine Nomura

Catherine NomuraDan Sullivan and Catherine Nomura are the authors of a wonderful book entitled, “The Laws of Lifetime Growth: Always Make Your Future Bigger Than Your Past (Bk Life)“. I have been a fan of Dan’s since being introduced to his work entitled the ,”Strategic Coach“, many years ago while in the financial services industry.

I got a hold of Dan’s assistant and was able to get Catherine Nomura to grant us an interview for this podcast. Catherine has been affiliated with Dan for many years and they recently published this book together. The Laws in the book are very simple but quite powerful. In my interview with Catherine we explore the, 10 Laws of Lifetime Growth. Through the stories that Catherine tells and the examples she gives, you will better understand these principles and how they can help you in your own personal growth and development.

I encourage you to sit back, relax and listen to my interview with Catherine Nomura about the, “Laws of Lifetime Growth”. If you would like to learn more about the please visit their web site by clicking here. If you are interested in Dan Sullivan’s coaching programs, please click here for more information.

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