Being Human

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

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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

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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

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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.

#285 Finding Purpose After a Near-Death Experience - with Licia Sky

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This week, I speak with Licia Sky, a highly regarded trauma educator and Co-Founder with Bessel van der Kolk of the Trauma Research Foundation.
In the midst of experiencing severe domestic abuse, at age twelve, Licia attempted suicide, resulting in a near-death experience. From this out-of-body moment, she received a clear message that she had an important purpose in life.  
It led her on an extraordinary path into bodywork, the arts and now her role as a pioneering researcher and educator.
We discuss:
The gift of nearly dying
Breaking the mould of 'bodywork'
Artistic expression as therapy
Meditation for healing
How MDMA isn't just for raving
Links:Licia's WebsiteThe Trauma Research Foundation

#284 How To Improve Your Life Daily - with Doug Fleener

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This week, I speak with Doug Fleener, a business advisor, coach, author, and keynote speaker, also known as The Daily Performance Expert.As hero's journey arcs go, Doug takes some beating, from a former addict bankrupting his family business to a successful businessman and coach.Doug has brilliantly developed the recovery mantras of 'Keep it in The Day' and 'Keep It Simple Stupid' into a philosophy for life and business. I personally spent many years in 12-step recovery and benefitted enormously from the 'wisdom of the rooms', so this one is close to my heart.We talk:
Waking up after blacking out on a flight to Hawaii
Bankrupting the family business
Getting sober and learning to keep it the day
Applying the principles of recovery to business
Practising relentless simplicity
Links:Doug's WebsiteThe Day Makes the Year (Makes a Life) - The BookListen here, or watch here.

#283 Emotional Healing: Finding Resilience in Difficult Times - with Tian Dayton

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This week, I speak with Tian Dayton, PhD, a psychologist, prolific author with over fifteen published books and developer of the Relationship Trauma Repair programme.
This brilliant conversation explores the themes of resilience, emotional healing, therapy, and personal growth while emphasising the significance of finding outlets for emotions, connecting with others, and being heard and understood. Tian emphasises the importance of self-reflection, emotional literacy, and support in navigating life's challenges.
We talk:
Growing up with an alcoholic dad
Getting conscious at 14
The fight with her husband that changed it all
Learning to feel
The power of sociometrics
Links:Tian's WebsiteTian's Books

#282 Mind-Shaping Strategies for a More Fulfilling Life - with Ryan A Bush

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This week, I speak with Ryan A Bush, a philosopher, author and co-founder of Designing The Mind.With a design background, Ryan uses the metaphor of individuals having their own psychological software that they can design for a more fulfilling life. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing virtues and understanding our strengths to unlock our true potential while challenging the conventional notion of the importance of meaning in our lives.
 
We talk:
Why to not let go of your ego
How depression might be serving you
Why self-approval, not self-esteem, is the key
Living the good life
Why not to live your purpose
Links:Designing The MindRyan's Books

#281 The Art of Being Authentic - with T. Mark Meyer

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This week, I speak with T. Mark Meyer, author of 'The Art of Being Authentic', and advocate for authenticity in our lives and cultures.
Mark's story is a dramatic example of following your purpose. Mark walked away from riches and status as the CEO of a successful start-up to follow a calling to lead a more intentional life. His transformative epiphany became the catalyst for his ambitious mission: to illuminate the pathway to authenticity for people everywhere.
We talk:
Finding authenticity
What it means to be authentic
Understanding intention
Trauma and intention
Purposeful living
Links:T. Mark's WebsiteThe Art of Being Authentic - The Book

#280 Leading With Love - with Glenn Akramoff

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This week, I speak with Glenn Akramoff, team building consultant and the author of The Human Centered Team.
Glenn led an extraordinary public career, starting as a maintenance worker and rising to City Manager. Experiencing the tragic loss of two work colleagues during his climb to the top led him to re-appraise what it means to be a leader.
We talk:
Showing love in leadership
Gaining trust and permission to lead
Building a 'communication culture'
Surfacing 'hidden rules' of culture
The issue with rolling out change programmes on a schedule
Links:Glenn's WebsiteThe Human Centered Team - The Book

#279 The Learn-It-All Leader - with Damon Lembi

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This week I speak with Damon Lembi, a working CEO, leadership expert and author of "The Learn-It-All Leader." Lembi explores the mindset and traits that distinguish exceptional leaders in our rapidly changing world. 
Drawing from extensive research and real-world examples, he explores the concept of continuous learning as a cornerstone of effective leadership. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, curiosity, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. 
We talk:
The importance of learning agility
The "trust tax" in business
How humility requires confidence
Dealing with imposter syndrome
Purposeful awfulizing
Links:Damon's WebsiteThe Learn-It-All Leader - The Book