Podcast 587: Creativity Unzipped with Jan Phillips & Ruth Westreich

My good friend Jan Phillips and her co-author Ruth Westreich joined me for this podcast interview about their new book entitled “Creativity Unzipped-Why Your Thoughts Matter“. In my interview with both Jan and Ruth we discuss we discussed how creative blocks are the biggest challenge that any artists, entrepreneur , author or creative person faces.

Jan states “we are hardwired to find creative solutions to complex problems, but there’s a problem with our software–inherited beliefs and cultural conditioning”.  How we develop our beliefs and hold on to them does more to stifle our creativity that almost anything.

This book is different, the message is that you already know everything you need to know to be fully expressed, creative agent.   Jan quotes Meister Eckhart, the German mystic, and he says that the process of enlightenment is one of subtraction, not addition.  To become luminous, we must let go of the darkness, let go of our negative beliefs–luminous is a natural state.

As we proceed in the act of creation, the litmus test is always about authenticity. It is about your voice, your soul, your story coming through this peace. The idea or seed your cultivating has surfaced for a purpose and awaits the originality only you can bring to it.

If you are attempting to tap into your creativity, then I recommend that you read “Creativity Unzipped“.  Jan & Ruth take the reader on a journey that explores the reason for your creative blocks, and provides you with way to tap back into the creative genius that lurks within.

If you want more information about Jan Phillips & Ruth Westreich I recommend that you visit the book website by clicking here.

 

Podcast 586: Simplicity Survival Handbook with Bill Jensen

Bill Jensen is a returning guest to Inside Personal Growth.  This time he joins me to discuss a book he published sometime ago called The Simplicity Survival Handbook.  Simplicity is something that we all need a bit more of in our lives. We have become more inundated with complexity in our world as a result of the speed of transmission of information, and the devices that keep us tethered every minute.   We are spending more time on email, distracted by social media not to mention that the devices are “always on” which leads to us being so distracted that we are not paying attention to our most important relationship–our family.

Simplicity is the power to do less (of what does not matter), simplicity is the power to do more (of what does matter), states Jensen. Bill guides the reader on how to reduce email clutter, write shorter emails, go to fewer meetings, how to quickly communicate with anyone more effectively, how to leave shorter voicemails and much more.

If you are like most technology workers your day is filled with emails, voicemails, texts, meetings and attempting to put out fires and solve problems.  Now this is what you are probably paid to do, but what if you could shift some of those activities to more productive and creative endeavors?  Imagine the value you would bring to your organization, and how much better you would feel everyday.

I encourage you to listen to and implement some of the thirty-two techniques that Bill Jensen writes about in his book “The Simplicity Survival Handbook“.  You can learn more about Bill Jensen by clicking here to be directed to his website.  You can also watch a presentation on the Future of Work Bill did in 2015 by clicking here.

 

Podcast 585: The Magic of Money with Richard Gaines

My good friend and estate tax attorney Rich Gaines authored a book entitled “The Magic of Money“.  Now, who does not want to learn more about the management of money, and the development of wealth.  Rich has been advising clients for over 25 years on the techniques to acquire, preserve and build a legacy for your family.

In my interview with Rich we explore the twenty-one strategies to make money work for you.  Some of those actions strategies include: mastering fine distinctions, which revolves around commitment, excellence, intensity, repetition, frequency and innovation. Another strategy is:mastering your ego and finding your true self, and there are 19 other eye opening strategies you will want to know about

What I enjoyed most about Rich’s book is that it is easy to understand, read and he has very practical exercises at the end of each chapter.

If you are interested in managing, preserving and building wealth for your family then you will want to read Rich Gain’s book entitled ” The Magic of Money“.

If you want to learn more about Rich and his organization Legacy Legal you can click here to be directed to his website.  If you want to learn more about his book, courses and coaching please click here.

I hope you enjoy this interview with my good friend, and advisor to hundreds of successful entrepreneurs and families–Rich Gaines.

 

Podcast 584: The Selfish Path to Romance with Dr. Edwin Locke

I recently completed an interview with Dr. Edwin Locke the author of a new book entitled “The Selfish Path to Romance“.  In our interview together we explore the objectivist viewpoint of romance.

If you are not familiar with objectivism, it was developed by the famous author Ayn Rand the author of “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead“.  The premise behind objectivism is that reality exist independent of consciousness, that individuals have direct contact with reality through sense perception, that one can attain objective knowledge from perception through the process of concept formation and inductive logic, that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is the pursuit of one’s own happiness.

Dr. Locke quotes sex therapist David Schnarch “Expecting your partner to sacrifice for you in the name of love kills marriage, sex, intimacy and love.”  The Selfish Path to Romance” guides the reader through understanding romance in the pursuit of your happiness as is the tenet of objectivism.

Emotions are not the enemy of rationality states Locke.  Honesty is the refusal to fake reality, it is essential to a romantic relationship. Integrity means being loyal to your rational convictions in action. A breach of integrity means acting against your own convictions. Independence is your commitment to think for yourself and to earn your own keep.  Use you own rational judgment when it comes to romance.

These are just a few of the sensible solutions to having a romantic relationship from the viewpoint of an objectivist. I encourage you to listen to this fascinating and enlightening interview with Dr. Edwin Locke.

You can learn more about the book by clicking here to be directed to a Youtube Video by Ellen Kenner the co-author of “The Selfish Path to Romance.”

 

Podcast 583: A New Psychology of Human Well-Being by Richard Barrett

I first met Richard Barrett about 15 years ago at a workshop that he was conducting in San Francisco.  I was intrigued to attend the workshop, for the topic was about “Liberating the Corporate Soul“.  Richard and I have maintained our friendship since our first meeting, and I have followed his evolution and the numerous books he has written over the years since our meeting.

In our interview for this podcast we are focusing on his newly released book entitled ” A New Psychology of Human Wellbeing–An Exploration of the Influences of Ego-Soul Dynamics on Mental and Physical Health.”  Richard did a tremendous amount of research to write this book, but the content is well presented and is very useful in understanding the dynamics of our soul and ego.

Richard references the four dimensions of our souls energetic awareness.  They are body, mind, science and psychology. “Your soul is a field of conscious awareness that identifies with your energy field.  Is is who you are.  You don’t have a soul, you are a soul.  Your soul and the soul of every other human being is an individuated aspect of the universal energy field from which everything in our physical world arises, states Richard”.   Richard was inspired to write this book as a result of reading “Toward a Psychology of Being” by Abraham Maslow.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful interview with author Richard Barrett who is filled with depth, insight and a wonderful grasp about how our ego and soul compete for our desire to become the aware, conscious and alive individuals we are entitled to become.

If you want to learn more about Richard Barrett you can click here to be directed to his website, or click here to be directed to his Facebook page.

 

Podcast 582: The Self Motivation Handbook by Jim Cathcart

What a great new book my good friend Jim Cathcart has written.  I am speaking about the “Self-Motivation” Handbook.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Jim and discuss some of the highlights of “The Self-Motivation Handbook“, and some of the most revealing themes revolve around 268 one minute lessons in self motivation.

We discussed several of the one minute lessons for this podcast,  here are just a few of the lessons:

#56 “What Makes You Feel Better than Anything?” — As Jim describes it in this lesson it is helping another person, giving of ourselves to others in need.  This is one of the biggest contributions we can make as well as the great feeling we personally get from serving.

#70 Lighten-Up — Stop stressing over the things that only matter to you emotionally.  When life is unfair get over it quickly.  This is a great bit of advice, it does not serve us to spend time being upset and wallowing in the negative energy.  The advice to get over it quickly, and move on it a wonderful way to remove the stress from your life.

#72 The Eight T of Motivation — Here are eight words that begin with T that you can use to motivate yourself and others: 1. Target: Make sure you are clear as to what you are doing and why. 2. Tools: Without the information or equipment to do your job well, you will proceed slowly. 3. Training: Have you accessed the learning that can make you even better at what you do? 4. Time: Has there been enough time for the training to sink in through trial and error? 5. Tracking: As you proceed, be sure that you track your progress and show everyone where they stand. 6. Truth: Get the big picture, and see how everything fits into the overall plan. 7. Touch: Allow for the human factors. Make sure that everyone gets the encouragement and support they need. 8. Trust: Assure that each person is trusted just a bit more than they currently deserve. Allow room for growth, but not so much trust that you put everyone at risk.

What actions will you take on this idea?

I hope you enjoy this interview with Jim Cathcart the author of “The Self-Motivation Handbook“.  If you want more information you can go to Jim’s website by clicking here, or his Facebook Page by clicking here.  He also offers video modules through the Thrive 15 website at www.thrive15.com.

 

Podcast 580: The One Life We’re Given-Finding The Wisdom That Waits In Your Heart with Mark Nepo

I have to admit the deepest interviews I have ever had have been with author Mark Nepo.  In my recent interview with him about his new book ” The One Life We’re Given” we explored together how to reach and listen to our soul’s calling.

As Mark states “Throwing ourselves wholeheartedly into what we’re given brings us alive”–whether we must deal with suffering, pain, fear and loss or surprise, beauty, love and wonder.  Each of these moments is an opportunity to listen more deeply to our feelings to deepen our connections with others, and to sense the sacred nature of ordinary things”.  On this journey we will affirm how precious this one life is and enter the chance we have to be fully alive and to be of us to each other and the world.  We will uncover, how by loving what’s before us and concentrating on what’s particular and personal, we can begin to make sense of our experience. We will learn how, over time, the twin callings of enlivening our soul and enlivening the world become one, and how our sincerity and labor help us survive and thrive.

If you are questioning certain life events from relationships to work, then you will want to read “The Life We’re Given“.  This book is a practical way to reevaluate your life, and find ways to change it for the better.  It will make you think deeply, reflect and listen to your soul.  If you are longing  to make your life better, the answers are right in front of you—the secret is to listen and connect to your soul then take action on your new found insights.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful interview with author Mark Nepo.  If you want to learn more about Mark please click here to be directed to his website, you can also connect with Mark by clicking here to be directed to his Facebook page.  Enjoy another great podcast with author Mark Nepo.

 

Podcast 579: The Laws of Lifetime Growth (Expanded 2nd Edition) with Catherine Nomura

I originally interviewed Catherine Nomura about 5 years ago about ” The Laws of Lifetime Growth” first edition. This new edition is revised and updated to meet with the changing times. If you know anything about Dan Sullivan the co-author of this book and the founder of “The Strategic Coach“, then you know that he is a true thought leader as is Catherine Nomura.

In my interview with Catherine we discuss the laws of lifetime growth which are designed to get the reader to shift their mindset. If you change your thinking, you can go from not growing to growing which they define in the book as making your future bigger than you past. The book consists of a series of laws, and here are just a few to wet your whistle:

Law #1- Always Make your future bigger than you past. We all need a vision, and if we are going to make our future bigger than our past, then having a strong vision is a must. Law # 6- Always make your enjoyment greater than you effort. Success doesn’t have to be hard-earned to be real! When you toil away at things that give you no pleasure, you deny a major source of energy, creativity and motivation. Law #10-Always make your questions bigger than your answers. Some people begin to think they have the answers with age, but all growth lies in the territory of the unknown. Embrace what you don’t know and challenge yourself to engage your curiosity.

If you are attempting to unlock your abilities, then “The Laws of Lifetime Growth’ is a must read. I encourage you to listen to our podcast together I am sure you will find that many of the laws we discuss will apply to you.

To learn more about Catherine Nomura please click here to be directed to her Linkedin profile, or click here to be taken to the Strategic Coach website. I hope you enjoy our interview.

 

Podcast 578: Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want From Your Business with Mark C. Winters

I really love business books that provide value to the reader, and this book “Rocket Fuel” is an easy to read book that is chalk full of value.

In my interview with author Mark C. Winter we explore one of the most important realizations by successful entrepreneurs and that if you want to develop a business it takes someone in the passenger seat, and that person is called an Integrator.  An “Integrator” compliments a “Visionary” and the right combination of these two people is imperative for the success of any business.

What you will learn by reading “Rocket Fuel” is that “Visionaries” have certain characteristics as do “Integrators”. When each person knows and plays their role in the organization you obtain “Rocket Fuel” as the book suggests.

Mark also discusses with me something he refers to as the “Accountability Chart”.  This is not just a normal organizational chart, the “Accountability Chart” helps you define the functions of the organization but to compliment that is defines the five (5) major roles of each of the people in the organization.  When you accomplish this task, it make everything much clearer and allows for leadership team to function with clear lines of communication.

What I appreciate most about “Rocket Fuel” and Mark C. Winters is the fact that all the techniques and tools outlined in the the book are tried and true tools.  Mark’s co-author Gino Wickman is the founder of EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System) out of Detroit Michigan.  EOS Worldwide provides the reader with amazing free resources as well as an opportunity to hire a business coach called an Implementer.

If you want to learn more about Rocket Fuel please click here to be directed to the book website, if you want to learn more about EOS Worldwide please click here to be directed to their website.  

I particularly enjoyed this animated YouTube Video titled “Why Entrepreneurial Companies Need a Visionary and an Integrator.”  I hope you enjoy my interview with Mark C. Winters.

 

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