Podcast 267: The Art of Convening with Craig Neal

 

Craig NealI have known Craig Neal for a number of years, as a matter of fact I attended one of his “The Art of Convening” meetings at the Gap in Northern California several years ago.   I recently reconnected with Craig and had the opportunity to discuss his newly released book entitled “The Art Of Convening-Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations“.

If you are like me, you have attended lots of meetings during your career and frequently walk away wondering “why” did I attend?  If you have ever asked this questions, then Craig’s new book “The Art of Convening” is a must read.

In my interview with Craig we discuss what he refers to as “authentic engagement”.  Authentic engagement is , simply, a genuine expression of what is true for us, and an attentive listening to what is true for another, or others.  Why this simple human interaction often eludes us can be a matter of habit, distrust, faulty modeling, lack of attention, or fear.

Craig has created a wonderful model in the book that assists “the convener” in understanding the art associated with creating a gathering.  The model is referred to as the “convening wheel” and at the center is “The Heart of the Matter” with eight adjacent spokes:  Clarifying Intent , The Invitation, Setting Context, Creating the Container, Hearing all the Voices, Essential Conversations, Creation, Commitment to Action.   Craig states that there is a lot of pressure in our lives to go, go, go all the time–to drive to results and spring into action, often before the actions’s optimal time has come.  It’s counterintuitive to take the time to reflect on how we ill be in relationship with others. In a way, we have to slow down and do the internal due diligence to know what results we really want to drive and when it is time to take the action.
If you are at all interested in better understanding how to hold meeting with meaning, purpose and aligned outcomes then I highly recommend that you obtain a copy of “The Art Of Convening“.  This book will instruct you with essential questions to better understand your purpose, your meetings purpose and the associated actions you really would like to achieve from meetings, gatherings and most importantly conversations.  I hope you enjoy this interview with one of the masters in the business of “authentic engagement”.

You can learn more about Craig and Patricia Neal the authors by clicking here to be directed to their website.

Podcast 264: Loyalty To Your Soul with Ron and Mary Hulnick

Ron and Mary HulnickI had the distinct honor to interview two spiritual teachers of mine  who have had a significant impact on transforming my life for the positive, and countless thousands of other University of Santa Monica graduate students in the study of Spiritual Psychology.

In my interview with authors Ron and Mary Hulnick we get the opportunity to discuss their new Hay House book entitled ” Loyalty To Your Soul-The Heart of Spiritual Psychology“.   This book at it’s essence distills the teachings of the Spiritual Psychology, a two year graduate course and it does an amazing job of covering so many of the valuable lessons of the course.

There are 22 Principals of Spiritual Psychology covered in the book, and while Ron, Mary and I only have time to cover a few you will certainly want to purchase a copy of the book so that you can learn more, believe me it is well worth you investment of money and time.

A key point of the Spiritual Psychology course is something that Ron and Mary call your “Learning Orientation to Life“.   Most people in life are on the “goal line” of life.  Acquiring more things in the physical world reality, home, cars, more money etc.  While this is part of our physical world reality, it is not the most important.  We will soon get tired of just seeking the next new thing in life, and ultimately it will not fulfill our soul.  On the other hand if our orientation to life is on the learning line, we are focused on our spiritual evolution.

Ron and Mary state in Principle #5 ” Physical-world reality exists for the purpose of spiritual evolution.  If you understand this point, it changes your life perspective and will have major positive implications for your lifetime. Wins on the Goal Line stay here, while wins on the Learning Line go with you.  It’s the Learning Line that leads Home to God where progress is spiritual evolution is made.

Mary and I discuss that consciousness functions on three levels, physical, mental and emotional.  On each of these levels we have either positive or negative experiences.  As we grow in our consciousness evolution we seek to ascend to what is referred to as our Authentic Self Level.   At this level of understanding and peace is where we know Unconditional Love.

Your Authentic Self knows the curriculum you have come here to learn. It knows what ego work you’re here to complete.  It also knows that until your ego work is done, your spiritual agenda in the physical world will serve you by continually providing experiences that will tend to trigger your unresolved issues.  These experiences are actually spiritual opportunities to learn, grow and complete what must be done.  The Authentic Self cooperates with this structure, for it knows what it’s here to do and how this physical form supports it spiritual progression.
If you are at all interested in exploring your personal spiritual growth, and want a book that will provide you with so many of the answers you have probably been seeking then I highly recommend Ron and Mary’s Hulnick’s new book ” Loyalty To Your Soul”.  You can also visit the books website by clicking here, or you can learn more about the Spiritual Psychology Master’s program by clicking here to be directed to the USM website.

Please enjoy this wonderful interview with two of the most amazing spiritual teacher I have ever encountered.

Podcast 258: Elemental Love Styles with Dr. Craig Martin

Dr. Craig MartinI had a lot of fun interviewing Dr. Craig Martin the author of “Elemental Love Styles“.  In his book people find and understand the deeper needs through the four natural elements which represent the human personality types: Fire (creative and enthusiastic) Air, (communicative and social), Water (emotional and intuitive) and Earth (practical and grounded).

Dr. Craig  guides the reader through an understanding of the elements, and how this effect your relationships.  He states that each person is a reflection of the elements found in nature.  Because the elements exist inside us as well as outside us, we don’t just go out in the elements; we live in them.  They are part of us.

Dr. Craig has a very simple 44 question questionnaire which assist the reader in determining their personal elemental style. Once you have determined your style the book does a great job of providing stories and examples of how your particular elemental style relates to the other elemental styles.  With this information you are ready to better understand, communicate and find a type that is better suited toward your personality type.

In our interview together Dr. Craig and I discuss what he refers to as “true intimacy”.  All relationships need intimacy, but what is true intimacy.  True intimacy is getting to know someone and having that person get to know you–and I mean more that knowing your name and what you do for a living. Getting to know each other means finding out how you affect each other. Intimacy is about openness with truth.   Dr Craig explains when we have this kind of intimacy, we have the likelihood of have a much deeper, loving and compassionate relationship which will last.
Dr. Craig also states that one of intimacy’s major components is dynamic inner growth or DIG.  DIG is about making better choices.  It enables your relationship to work out better.  A lasting relationship is one where you are going to have to work it out.  You can’t run, blame, or become immobilized by fear.

So if you are interested in learning more about the “Elemental Love Styles” so that you can better understand your partner, then I highly recommend reading Dr. Craig’s book.  It is one of those books where you have an aha not only about yourself, but about the people you love.  If you would like more information please visit Dr. Craig’s website by clicking here.

Podcast 223: Shift: Change Your Words, Change Your World with Janet Smith Warfield

Janet Smith WarfieldIf you are interested in changing your world, then changing how you speak to others and yourself can be the catalysts, says author Janet Smith Warfield.  In her new book entitled “Shift-Change Your Words, Change Your World” she emphasizes the importance of words being used to sharpen your focus, expand our thinking, and transform our planet.

Janet had an epiphany early in life, she realized that the meaning of words depends upon the human consciousness that hears and understands the words.  Words have meaning only in the context of particular experiences and mindsets.  Words carry energy and can be used to heal, transform, or to harm – the choice is yours.  In my interview with Janet we explore the power of words, and the importance of a mutual understanding of our use of words.

Janet states in her book that when we try to move beyond the edge of the “Human Truth Puzzle”, we can’t know, we simply have to trust. That’s what a leap of faith is all about .  We leap beyond our linear thinking our divisive language, and our fear of the unknown to free our creativity.   We all have the ability to put this “Human Truth Puzzle” together, but it’s not easy.  Janet says “Who  is up to the challenge of looking hard at his or her own thoughts, emotions, and actions?

Words can point to Truth, but words are not Truth.  This “Human Truth Puzzle” can only be experienced–as synthesis, peace, harmony and unity.  As soon as we label the experience of non-dual consciousness Truth, the mind jumps in and opposes Truth to Falsehood.  The human mind has then created the very duality the unification experience dispels.

If you are at all interested in how words are shaping you and the world in which you live, then I encourage you to listen to this podcast with author Janet Smith Warfield.  In her book “The Shift” you will be exposed to concepts, stories, and ideas that will most likely stretch your thoughts about how words are shaping your world–and what you can do about it.

Janet has a wonderful blog and website, just click on the links attached to be directed to her websites.  Enjoy this wonderful interview.

Podcast 220: Leaders Without Borders with Doug Dickerson

Doug DickersonI believe that Doug Dickerson has written a book that not only leaders need to read, but everyone.  Doug’s new book entitled ” “Leaders Without Borders-9 Essentials for Everyday Leadership” really spells out the necessary attributes and skills that one needs to be a great leader.  He discusses the “why” of leadership not just the “how-to”of leadership.

We are all leaders, no matter what our occupation, and one of the keys to being a good leader is to remove “the borders” as Doug mentions.  Frequently, we are influenced by other’s good opinions of ourselves or we listen to the little voice within us that is limiting our human potential as a leader.  We need to identify these factors, and remove the borders allowing us to flourish us much better people and leaders.

One of the most important aspects of becoming a good leader is our ability to be optimistic.  Optimism is not only a positive attitude but the ability to move forward in the throws of adversity.  Doug speaks with me about the three (3) factors associated with someone who is optimistic.  1) The factor of positive response.  This factor is associated with how you react to a problem or circumstance that is out of your control.  If you can keep a cheerful temperament then your customers, family, or co-workers are going to react so much more favorably.  2) The factor of positive attitude.  Doug quotes Herm Albright’s observation: ” A positive attitude may not solve all of your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort”. What a great quote and axiom to follow. 3) The factor of positive perseverance. When you choose a positive response to negative circumstances, you begin to experience exponential growth as a leader.

Doug’s new book “Leaders Without Borders” is a great book to read, and is packed full of wonderful stories and examples of leaders that we should all model.  If you are looking for a short, easy to read book with new information on the attributes of leadership, as well as, revisiting some of the ones we always need reminding of, then you have come to the right place.

Please visit Doug’s website for more information, videos, and writings on the subject of leadership.  Also if you would like to purchase the book please click here and you will be directed to the Tremendous Life book store.

Enjoy my interview with a wonderful man and a great leader himself.

Podcast 218: It’s A Jungle In There with Steven Schussler

Steven SchusslerAuthor Steven Schussler is an amazing man.  He is an entrepreneur who has had tremendous success in the development of his Rainforest Cafe’s and other theme based restaurants.  His new book entitled ” It’s a Jungle in There-Inspiring Lessons, and Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring” is a great book for anyone who wants to learn lessons on personal mastery.

During our interview together we discuss what Steven refers to as the five (5) P’s of successful entrepreneurship.  Those P’s are: Personality, Product, Persistence, People and Philanthropy.   Steven emphasizes that if you are going to be an entrepreneur then you have to be willing to take risk, that is just part of being in business for yourself.  He has a wonderful formula, that in his estimation is an important element, it is PASSION + AMBITION=YIELDS SUCCESS.  Steven says that without passion for your product or service you are going to be hard pressed to become successful.  Your belief in what you are doing, and your passion are going to be the elements that assist in your personal success.

Steven is someone who listens to his inner voice or intuition.  He admits that all good entrepreneurs have the ability to listen and act on their intuition.  Many of his good decisions came from listening, then having the faith to act on his intuition.  I know that many of us hear the voice within, but do we act or are we afraid?  As Steven says you can’t be afraid, you have to go for it!

Steven also emphasizes that you need to dream big to become successful.  He mentions that when you do dream big and if you are passionate about what you are doing the outcomes are much more rewarding and fulfilling.  He quotes Norman Vincent Peal “Believe It and You Can Succeed”.  That is so true, if you believe in what you are creating and in yourself you can do almost anything.

If you want to learn from a man who not only believes in his projects, and himself then  you need to listen to this podcast with author Steven Schussler the author of “It’s A Jungle In There“.  For more information about Steven Schussler and his new book please click here to be directed to his website.