Being Human

#295 The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model - with Jan Winhall

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week's guest is Jan Winhall, a seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist and author of the book 'Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model'.Jan had a remarkable start to her career. In her early twenties, she found herself leading group sessions for incest survivors. Over time, she learned the power of the Felt Sense and then how to integrate this with the Polyvagal Model. 
We discuss:
Beyond Fight-Flight: The Polyvagal Theory
The importance of the Felt Sense in healing
The nonsense of the DSM diagnoses
The issue with 12-step programmes
You can cure your addiction
Links:Jan's WebsiteTreating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model - The Book

#294 An Autobiography of Trauma - with Peter Levine

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
I am delighted to welcome Peter Levine back on the show. Peter is a world-renowned trauma recovery expert and the creator of the Somatic Experiencing method.
While discussing his latest book, An Autobiography Of Trauma, Peter bravely delves into the painful childhood experiences and the early steps that led him to develop his somatic approach.
We discuss:
Taking our dreams seriously
The role of psychedelics
Confrontations with the academic establishment
His life's mission
Links:Peter's WebsiteAn Autobiography of Trauma - The Book

#293 The Power of Becoming Trauma-Informed - with Lou Lebentz

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with Lou Lebentz, trauma specialist, mental health campaigner, author, speaker, and therapist.
With over 25 years of working in the mental health arena and a deeply personal understanding of the impact of trauma, Lou has developed The Voyage Academy, a theoretical model used for helping others navigate their healing journeys. Her approach is trauma-informed, emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding, and resilience. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of recovery and the possibility of finding hope and healing.
We discuss:
From the rag trade to The Priory
Recovering from psychosis 
Integrating and befriending the body
Alignment and community support
The journey from trauma to resilience
Links:Lou's WebsiteThe Voyage AcademyLou's Books

#292 Transforming Pain into Power - with Michael OBrien

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with Michael OBrien, a speaker, author, business coach, and the creator of the Pause, Breathe, Reflect movement.
Whilst enjoying his life leading marketing for a $700m brand, in July 2011, whilst out riding his bike, Michael was slammed through the windshield of a speeding Ford Explorer. The devastating impact broke bones and damaged nerves throughout his body.
Experiencing depression as the enormity of his injuries bore down on him, Michael learned the power of gratitude and mindfulness.
Having now left corporate life, Michael is on a mission to share the strategies that have worked for him with the world.
We discuss:
The simple gratitude practice that resulted in his Last Bad Day
The breathing technique that started his mindfulness journey 
How he used his Pause, Breath, Reflect approach to powerfully navigate corporate life 
Links:Michael's WebsiteThe Pause Breathe Reflect appShift: Creating Better Tomorrows - The Book

#291 Drop the F-Bomb in Your Business - with Pete Kusiak

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with Pete Kusiak, a proponent of The Fun First Strategy, author of Drop The F-Bomb In Your Business, and advocate for ringing fun and youthful concepts into learning and workplaces
Pete's approach proposes that the cornerstone of a genuinely successful office environment is what most current CEOs view as unimportant or distracting: fun. He argues that incorporating fun into day-to-day operations can have profound benefits not only for businesses’ productivity but also for the mental health of employees.
We discuss:
Prioritizing laughter and youthfulness
Introducing fun for better engagement
Incorporating playfulness in problem-solving
Boosting productivity through a positive culture
Links:Pete's WebsiteDrop the F-Bomb in Your Business - The Book

#290 Campfire Lessons for Leaders - with Tony Martignetti

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with advisor, bestselling author and TEDx speaker Tony Martignetti about his new book, Campfire Lessons for Leaders: How Uncovering Our Past Can Propel Us Forward.
Originally an artist with dreams in the creative realm, external influences pushed Tony into finance. Achieving early success, he faced burnout and lost touch with his identity. A significant boardroom moment prompted him to leave his high-flying corporate career to seek to create a meaningful path.
We discuss:
Making an office campfire
Disrupting yourself
Work, home and your third space
Fulfilment in being not doing
Coach, therapist or something else?
Links:Campfire Lessons for Leaders - The Book Tony's WebsiteTony's LinkedIn Page

#289 Recovering from Complex PTSD - with Dr. Arielle Schwartz

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with Dr. Arielle Schwartz, PhD, a seasoned clinical psychologist, EMDR Therapy consultant and author recognized for her expertise in resilience-informed therapy and post-traumatic growth.
Drawing from her personal experience of overcoming trauma, Dr. Schwartz emphasizes the significance of addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of one's being in order to achieve profound and enduring transformations. 
What stood out for me in interviewing Dr. Schwratz was her brilliant integration of the Western scientific lens on trauma and the yogic wisdom on those same aspects of the human experience.
We discuss:
The need for trauma awareness in coaching
Are psychedelics a shortcut in therapy?
Trauma release and the energetic body
Yoga as therapy
Trauma-aware dentists and more. 
Links:Dr. Schwartz's WebsiteDr. Schwartz's BooksDr. Schwartz's Instagram PageDr. Schwartz's Facebook Page

#288 Rework | Enhancing Work and Life - with David Heinemeier Hansson

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with author David Heinemeier Hansson, a man with a seemingly unending list of achievements. He's the creator of the famed Ruby on Rails programming development framework, multiple best-selling author, business owner, and Le Mans-winning racing driver.
David shares his story of his early days building businesses in high-school before finding co-founder of Basecamp Jason Friend and together creating a highly successful tech firm with no outside funding and ignoring all of the received wisdom on succeeding with start-ups.
We discuss:
The real definition of work ethic
Building Ruby on Rails
Our AI future
The power of working within constraints
How not to bring your whole self to work
Links:David's WebsiteDavid's Books

#287 The Healing Power Of Nature - with Florence Williams

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with author Florence Williams, author of 'The Nature Fix' and winner of the 2023 PEN/E.O. Wilson Award for Literary Science Writing for her book 'Heartbreak'.
Florence shares insights on the hidden connections between human health and the environment, drawing from her experience as a science and environmental journalist. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of spending time in nature and the ways it can enhance focus, inspire, and promote a happier and healthier life.
We discuss:
Rediscovering our primal connection to the Earth
How she's used nature to help with heartbreak
Mindfully engaging with nature
Forest bathing for inspiration
Tips on getting your nature fix no matter your lifestyle
Links:Florence's WebsiteFlorence's Books

#286 The Journey of Possibility-Oriented Thinking - with Maureen K. McCarthy and Zelle Nelson

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/
 
This week, I speak with Maureen K. McCarthy and Zelle Nelson, Co-Founders and Co-Directors of the Center for Collaborative Awareness.
Maureen's life is a wild story. Doctors told her she would die young of a rare, genetic lung disease with no cure in sight. She couldn't change her body, so she decided to change her mind. Knowing that she might die at any time, with her partner Zelle, they had to figure out how to live each day, not knowing if there would be a tomorrow. 
We discuss:
Getting married every day
Consciously designing relationships
Finding joy with 10 per cent lung capacity
Publishing your 'Blueprint of Me'
Radically rethinking business contracts
Links:The Center for Collaborative AwarenessListen here, or watch here.