What Can Be Found When Losing Sight with Andrew Leland

Andy Couturier lived in rural Japan many years ago and it changed his life. As he lived alongside people who were living profoundly satisfying lives, he learned what they were doing (or not doing!) to achieve this level of satisfaction and then he wrote about it in his book, The Abundance of Less: Lessons in Simple Living from Rural Japan. In this interview, Andy shares this wisdom and his experiences in such a way that you can apply the concepts in a practical manner in your life starting today. This episode is sponsored by Health IQ. Get lower rates on life insurance if you are health conscious. Get free quote here and by Hello Fresh- Get $30 off your first order by going to hellofresh.com and using the promo code FEED30 at checkout   In This Interview, Andy Couturier and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable His book, The Abundance of Less: Lessons in Simple Living From Rural Japan His time living in rural Japan That the people in rural Japan do not use money to entertain themselves Their way of life is slow, humble, connected to their community and time for individual contemplation How they don't suffer from "time poverty" That all life is connected in rural Japan Because there is less to do, the garner more enjoyment from each task The consumerism and busy characteristics of the industrialized west How "convenience speeds you up" Ways to make meaningful strides towards living a lifestyle inspired by the lifestyle in rural Japan Simplify simplify simplify Travel less, know your home city better Make meaningful connections with friends by spending more time together Diving deeper into things in your life in a methodical, thoughtful way I love doing _____. Wouldn't it be wonderful to spend more time doing it? Ways to make time for what we care about How they live profoundly satisfying lives in rural Japan That you don't have to "go back in time" to live this kind of life Building his house entirely with hand tools       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Jan 201842min

Please Support The Show with a Donation Dillan Digiovanni used to be a really angry activist. He believed his anger was an important driver to fuel his work to inspire change in the world. Then he had a revelation: His anger wasn't working. It was driving other people away and it was toxic to himself. Where his path led him from there has turned out to be quite an adventure. He's now an activist without the energy of anger and he now identifies as a man. This interview will inspire you to live your truth. It will inspire you to examine your own life and be better because of it. This important conversation is not only relevant to the issues of today, but it proves to be perennially relevant to how we decide to live our lives in the skin we're in. This episode is sponsored by Health IQ. Get lower rates on life insurance if you are health conscious. Get free quote here and by Casper   In This Interview, Dillan DiGiovanni and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable How, as an activist, his anger was driving people away That there's no right way to do anything If you're angry all of the time you're constantly looking for the threat His gender identity transition That anger can be a healthy thing Searching for the feeling that's underneath the anger The harm in being angry at people for being ignorant about an issue The way anger impacts your perspective on life and other people The harm in saying "they did this because..." when what you're working with is an assumption His relationship to anger now that he's awake to it The power of "allowing" vs "resisting" His story of transitioning his gender identity Resilience How to live in the world when no one person understands all of you The anger that arises when your expectations about how other people should behave aren't met The power of meeting people where they really are How to work with your vision about how the world should be The power of the serenity prayer What happened when he let go of his anger as an activist His Buddhist tradition Having a meditation practice Please Support The Show with a Donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17 Jan 201841min

Dr. Elissa Epel knows a lot about the science of stress. As a health psychologist, she specializes in research surrounding the role Telomeres and their length play in our body's response to stress. In this episode, she explains how the choices we make emotionally, about our thought patterns, our lifestyle etc directly affects our biology in a very clear and measurable way. It turns out, our thoughts and our behavior have a measurable impact on our biology at a cellular level and there are things that we can do to make that impact a positive one. When it comes to telomeres, in most cases, the longer the better and you can do things to impact that variable of length starting today. She is the coauthor with Nobel winner Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn of the book The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier and Longer This episode is sponsored by Health IQ. Get lower rates on life insurance if you are health conscious. Get free quote here   In This Interview, Elissa Epel and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable Her book, The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier and Longer That genes load the gun and environment pulls the trigger How at least 50% of the variance of whether we die early, get sick etc is our behavior, which is shaped by our psychological experience What a telomere is and their role in aging Keeping them long, and sturdy and stable throughout our lives That in mid-life, shorter telomeres predict getting diseases of aging, earlier (cancer is an exception) That telomere length can be epigenetic The role of inflammation in our health Inflamm-aging An anti-inflammatory diet Depression and telomere length The challenge response That not ruminating on a stressor can lead to a quicker psychological recovery which leads to a quicker physiological recovery Linguistic Self Distancing = improved stress resilience It's not about avoiding stress, it's about coping with stress in a way that doesn't amplify the stress in our mind in a prolonged way Time distancing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Jan 201840min

Steve Hagen is the founder and teacher of the Dharma Field Zen Center in Minneapolis, MN and the author of several books on Buddhism, including Buddhism Plain and Simple which is one of the top five best selling books on Buddhism in the United States. In this episode, Steve teaches us about several Buddhist concepts that are often misunderstood: Wholeness vs Unwholesomeness, Perception vs Conception and Belief vs Knowledge. Knowing the true meaning of these ideas will give you great freedom as you seek the enlightenment that is your true nature. This episode is sponsored by Health IQ and Casper Please Support The Show with a Donation In This Interview, Steve Hagen and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable His book, Buddhism Plain and Simple The Horse and the Farmer parable Wholeness vs Unwholesome Consider the welfare of other beings in all you do Awareness Perception (the immediate, direct experience) vs Conception (our construct of things) Belief vs Knowledge That we can't arrive at truth through conception That enlightenment is with us all of the time, we're just not aware of it That enlightenment is our natural state The idea of "stream" as self, the Buddha said That the way things appear to be is more of a construct than a reality How picking and choosing is the mind's worst disease Noticing how the mind leans a certain way That a Buddha is a person who is awake The power of simply observing something about ourselves rather than trying to put a stop to it or judging it The Story about the 84 Problems   Please Support The Show with a Donation   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Jan 201841min

Please Support The Show with a Donation Johann Berlin has worked with some of the world's greatest leaders, Fortune 500 companies, has spoken at a Ted conference and is in the process of writing a book about what it means to live a fulfilling life. Have you ever found yourself hating your day job? Wishing you could do the thing you truly love? Not sure what would make you happy at work but you know what you're doing now isn't helping? In this episode, Johann shares really helpful and practical approaches that you can start applying today in order to bring more meaning and fulfillment into your daily life - both at work and otherwise. Johann Berlin is the CEO of TLEX U.S. Johann has grown TLEX nationwide and into leading institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Prior to joining TLEX, Johann scaled boutique triple bottom line and social sector companies from concept to high-impact with a special focus on innovative and disruptive wellness, leadership, innovation initiatives with the project being mentioned in Harvard Business Review, New York Times, and Wharton Journal. Johann has participated as a speaker/facilitator at TEDx London, Stanford Center for Compassion, Harvard Executive MBA Alumni Summit, Wharton School of Business, UC Berkeley’s Leadership Symposium, Yale School of Management, Impact Investor Sustainatopia Conference, GE HealthCare’s Health Ahead Summit Paris, and Dartmouth on Purpose. In This Interview, Johann Berlin and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable That what you put your attention on grows What love means in a corporate environment The difference between a question and a wonder Moving from desire to finding things that bring you contentment It's not always what you do but that you have meaningful relationships at work "Do service", doing things with honor, treating things as special How if you hate your job, you don't have the energy to do the things you love What you resist, persists Suppressing your thoughts How hating your job causes you to suffer His troubled youth The role that the kindness of other people has played in his life His three reflections on kindness: We choose who we are kind to No act is too small The starfish story Don't lose hope Choosing to show up in the moment If you honor the moment, you can choose to show up for it Living wisely with the changing, advancing age Johann Berlin Links Homepage Twitter    Please Support The Show with a Donation   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 Des 201738min

Please Support The Show with a Donation Andrea Lieberstein can teach you how to nourish your whole self so that you can have a healthier relationship with food. What does that mean? Well, often, we turn to food to nourish parts of our lives that it is not equipped to nourish. Have you ever turned to food to soothe anxiety or stress? This is a really common way that we ask food to do something that it's not meant to do. In this episode, Andrea teaches specific strategies for how to bring mindfulness into the act of eating. These practical, multi-pronged approaches are ones that you can bring to your very next encounter with food. Andrea Lieberstein is a mindfulness-based registered dietitian nutritionist, mindful eating (MB-EAT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor and coach, trainer, and registered yoga instructor has specialized in helping people transform their lives for over 25 years. She leads mindfulness meditation and mindful eating trainings and retreats at retreat centers across the country and internationally. Her individual coaching sessions are accessible to anyone through phone or a virtual video office. She utilizes Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT), MBSR, MSC (Mindful Self-Compassion) and other mindfulness-based and mindful eating practices in her private practice working with individuals on a wide range of disordered eating, healthy weight management, body image and stress-related issues and health concerns. Her latest book is called: Well Nourished: Mindful Practices to Heal Your Relationship with Food Feed Your Whole Self, and End Overeating In This Interview, Andrea Lieberstein and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable Her book, Well Nourished: Mindful Practices to Heal Your Relationship with Food Feed Your Whole Self, and End Overeating The importance of what we pay attention to The 8 bodies that we can nourish Being "fully resourced" Identifying your intention to have a better relationship with food Bringing mindful awareness to our eating triggers and our own bodies Learning to tune into hunger, fullness, cravings Making conscious, informed choices when it comes to food Honoring ourselves and appreciating others at holiday mealtimes Savoring our food so that we're really present and not on autopilot A mindful check-in: Pause, Deep Breaths, Ask "What is Present?"/"What's Going on Here?", Ask, "What do I really need right now?", Take a moment to reflect on your food Highly processed food The myth of needing to wait 20 minutes to know whether or not we're full Satisfaction at mealtime Making one meal or snack a day a silent one The 8 Bodies we need to Nourish: Physical, Emotional, Psychological, Social, Intellectual, Creative, Spiritual, and Worldly Nourishment How to deal with emotions in other ways than turning to food "Surfing the urge" Loving-kindness and cravings   Please Support The Show with a Donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Des 201745min

Dr. Jon Mills is back and in this episode we discuss a paper that talks about self stigmatization and the "why try" effect. Self-stigma and the “why try” effect: impact on life goals and evidence-based practices https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2694098/ Many individuals with mental illnesses are troubled by self-stigma and the subsequent processes that accompany this stigma: low self-esteem and self-efficacy. “Why try” is the overarching phenomenon of interest here, encompassing self-stigma, mediating processes, and their effect on goal-related behavior. In this paper, the literature that explains “why try” is reviewed, with special focus on social psychological models. Self-stigma comprises three steps: awareness of the stereotype, agreement with it, and applying it to one’s self. As a result of these processes, people suffer reduced self-esteem and self-efficacy. People are dissuaded from pursuing the kind of opportunities that are fundamental to achieving life goals because of diminished self-esteem and self-efficacy. People may also avoid accessing and using evidence-based practices that help achieve these goals. The effects of self-stigma and the “why try” effect can be diminished by services that promote consumer empowerment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Des 201720min

Peter Block pursues the big questions in his life. What does that mean? Well, after listening to this episode, you'll know and I'll bet you'll do it, too. Peter has such a way with words that when he chooses them and puts them together, deep, profound wisdom is conveyed. It may be 4 words he speaks, but the truth behind them humans have experienced since the beginning of time. In this episode, he introduces you to perspectives on the free market consumer ideology that will set you free. Does it sound like I'm overpromising? You be the judge. (Hint: I'm not). Please Support The Show with a Donation  Peter Block is an author, consultant and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. His work is about empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, and the reconciliation of community. Peter is the author of several best selling books. The most widely known being Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used.  In addition, he has published Community: The Structure of Belonging, The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods, and The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters The books are about ways to create workplaces and communities that work for all. They offer an alternative to the patriarchal beliefs that dominate our culture. His work is to bring change into the world through consent and connectedness rather than through mandate and force. He is a partner in Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed by Peter to build the skills outlined in his books. He received a Masters Degree in Industrial Administration from Yale University in 1963; he performed his undergraduate work at the University of Kansas. Peter serves on the Boards of Directors of Cincinnati Classical Public Radio; Elementz, a Hip Hop center for urban youth; and LivePerson, a provider of online engagement solutions. He is on the Advisory Board for the Festival in the Workplace Institute, Bahamas. He is the first Distinguished Consultant-in-Residence at Xavier University. With other volunteers in Cincinnati, Peter began A Small Group, whose work is to create a new community narrative and to bring his work on civic engagement into being. His latest book is called: An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture In This Interview, Peter Block and I Discuss... The Wolf Parable His book, An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture "I shop, therefore I am" The 4 pillars of the free market consumer ideology under which we live: Scarcity, Certainty, Perfection, and Privatisation If we believe in scarcity, then it's "I win, You loose" or "You win, I lose" The scarcity mindset is a lie We are drawn to leaders who give us the feeling of certainty "A high control civilization" The longing for perfection, or "Is something wrong with me?" Privatisation, or the implementation of Scarcity, Certainty, and Perfection Privatisation says that you cannot trust the collective In order to live the first 3 pillars, it's me vs the government Perhaps, rather than happiness, freedom, and meaning are the point The importance of having a purpose Have we rendered our youth and the elderly purposeless? The problem with consumerism is that no matter how much you have, it's never enough The creation of modernism Neighborliness and Covenant His book, The Answer to How is Yes That questions bring us together and answers alienate us That sadness isn't a problem to be solved, rather, part of being human If someone can convince you that something is wrong with you, they have control over you Please Support The Show with a Donation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Des 201746min