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Guest Introduction: Madisyn Taylor is the co-founder and chief editor for the meditation website DailyOM. She is the author of several books, including “Unmedicated: The Four Pillars of Natural Wellness.” Today, she’s going to teach us how to live a happier and healthier life. Interview Summary: In this interview, Madisyn begins by talking about growing up in an abusive household, which led to years of anxiety and depression, self-medicating, and eventually severe illness. She explains how she came to recognize that these issues were tied to her childhood trauma. Madisyn then walks us through her journey of getting into meditation, journaling, and working with healers to rebuild her body and mind. She describes the many ups and downs, and what she learned about herself throughout this process. She also goes into more detail about her journaling practice and how it affected her. Next, Madisyn talks about her relationship with her boyfriend at the time, who eventually became her husband. She discusses how they met, how their relationship evolved and grew, and how it helped her through the healing process. Madisyn also describes how she added more color into her life, connected with new people, and rebuilt her social life. She then outlines the four pillars of wellness from her book "Unmedicated," and expands on the benefits of deep relationships and spending time in nature. She shares some of her daily practices for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. Madisyn explains how she continues to nurture her tribe, and talks about the importance of becoming a better listener. She also describes how becoming a better listener helped her gain more compassion and empathy. Madisyn then discusses her daily spiritual practice. We ask her how she developed the four pillars of wellness, and what her motivation was for the book. Finally, Madisyn talks more about DailyOM and her inspiration for creating it. She leaves us with some insights and advice for connecting with our intuition, discovering our needs, and developing our own wellness practice. Find out more about Madisyn: http://www.madisyntaylor.com/wp/ https://www.dailyom.com The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Kyle Ingham is the founder of The Distilled Man, a website that provides practical tips on social mastery, self-development, and the gentlemanly arts. Interview Summary: In this interview, Kyle starts by discussing his background and what inspired him to create The Distilled Man. He gives examples of tactical skills associated with being a well-rounded man, and explains how they act as a social bridge. Kyle then talks about recognizing gaps in his manly confidence, and shares the biggest lessons that he learned through the process of becoming a more well-rounded man. He also offers advice for developing social mastery, including increasing social confidence, building positive friendships, and developing charisma. Next, Kyle discusses some of the similarities and differences between making male friends and approaching women. He explains how false beliefs and self-judgement hold us back from developing friendships with other men. Chris shares his insights on how he sees these issues come up in his coaching and the men's groups that he's involved with. Kyle then offers advice for creating close friendships. Chris also talks about the process of developing deep connection and how rituals come into play. Kyle reinforces the importance of rituals in building and maintaining friendships. Chris and Kyle provide a number of examples of rituals that they partake in, and Kyle offers advice for creating simple and sustainable rituals. He then talks about how to cultivate inner game, find more inspiration, and improve our mindsets. He emphasizes the importance of taking action even when we don't feel ready. Kyle also shares recommendations for building and refining good habits. Finally, he expands on what it means to be a gentleman, and goes into detail on the most important gentlemanly skills. He leaves us with practical tips for small talk and extracting ourselves from conversations. Find out more about Kyle: http://www.thedistilledman.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. Dawson Church is an award-winning health writer and researcher who has edited and authored a number of books in the fields of health, psychology, and spirituality. His best-selling book, “The Genie in Your Genes,” has been hailed as a breakthrough in our understanding of the link between emotions and genetics. His follow-up book, “Mind to Matter,” reviews the science of peak mental states. Dawson is also the founder of the National Institute for Integrative Healthcare. He shares how to apply the breakthroughs of energy psychology for health and athletic performance through EFT Universe, a site dedicated to alternative medicine. Interview Summary: In this interview, Dawson first talks about how he became interested in energy and healing from a young age. He touches on the different energy therapies and healing modalities that he's been researching over the past 20 years. Dawson then explains the 14 energy meridians in the body, and gives examples of how unblocking them can help with various issues. He also discusses how stress affects the brain, and how energy therapies significantly reduce stress. Next, Dawson briefly describes some of the healing modalities, including Reiki, EFT, and acupuncture. He goes into the research about how energy flows in the body, and how it can be measured. He also talks about master manifestors and why their brain waves tend to be more highly coherent. Dawson then reveals some of the new research around consciousness, and discusses the importance of replicability and provability of scientific research. He expands on the replication crisis in modern medicine and its potential causes. Dawson talks more about the process of how our brains and minds create reality, and shares a number of studies and examples from his latest book. He then offers suggestions for people who want to start doing energy work on themselves. He describes additional energy therapies, including movement, nature, EFT and acupressure, as well as meditation. Finally, Dawson discusses the motivation for writing "Genie in Your Genes," and expands on the correlation between energy work and epigenetics. Find out more about Dr. Church: https://dawsonchurch.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Jeremy McCarthy has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, opening and operating spas in luxury resort hotels. He is currently the director for spas and wellness at Mandarin Oriental Group. He began studying psychology early in his career, and 10 years ago, completed his Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Jeremy is the author of the book, “The Psychology of Spas and Wellbeing: A Guide to the Science of Holistic Healing.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Jeremy begins by discussing the main principles of applied positive psychology. He goes into detail on the five key human wants/needs: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement. He also touches on the importance of vitality. Jeremy then explains how he applies psychology to his career in building experiences and spas. He describes how spas are one of the few places in modern society where we can disconnect from technology, have time in silence, and experience nurturing touch. He also talks about the key elements of well-being. Next, Chris and Jeremy share their thoughts on the unhealthiness of the modern food supply, as well as the communal aspect of cooking and eating with other people. Jeremy describes the current epidemic of loneliness and how it negatively impacts our health. Chris and Jeremy also discuss the importance of human touch and why it can't be replaced by technology. They expand on the connection between relationships, wellness, and longevity. Jeremy then revisits the importance of spas and how they contribute to self-healing. We ask him how people can nurture well-being outside of the spa environment. Finally, Jeremy discusses the importance of spiritual or communal gatherings and spending time outside in nature. He also expands on the holistic approach to wellness in Asian cultures, and goes into detail about mindfulness.  He clarifies his views on technology, and then shares his experiences with digital wellness retreats and detoxes. Jeremy reveals some of changes that people experience when stepping away from technology. He then discusses how modern technology is affecting dating and relationships. He leaves us with advice for navigating the challenges of technology and using it to our benefit. Find out more about Jeremy: psychologyofwellbeing.com The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. David J. Linden is a neuroscience professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is the author of several books, including “The Accidental Mind,” “The Compass of Pleasure,” “Touch,” and his latest book, “Think Tank.” Interview Summary: In this interview, David first discusses how neuroscience and the understanding of the brain has changed over the past several decades. He then explains how our senses are influenced by context, expectation, and emotion, and gives some examples of this. David goes into detail about the logical and emotional parts of the brain, and describes how sensory information diverges to these two parts. He also talks about how damage to the logical or emotional side of the brain manifests. David then explains how signals travel through the brain, as well as how electrical activity becomes unbalanced in certain brain disorders. He goes on to discuss where pleasure comes from, why we experience it, and how our reward circuitry works. David also explains how the neurotransmitter dopamine works, and gives some examples of how we constructively and destructively activate our reward system in everyday life. He talks about additional functions of dopamine and serotonin and how they affect our behavior. Next, David discusses the social nature of humans, and how our brains attune to the nuances of social interaction, body language, and opinions of others. He also reveals the purpose of emotion, and explains how emotions affect brain function and memory. David then explains how pleasure is produced and experienced in the brain, mind, and body. He goes into more detail about how pleasure is produced during exercise. He also talks about how artificially activating our reward circuitry can lead to compulsion and addiction. Finally, David expands on the connection between touch, heart, and mind. He discusses how touch activates different parts of the brain and affects our emotions. He then reveals the physical parameters of good touch and explains how we distinguish between positive and negative touch. David also talks about why physical touch is so important for human development, social interaction, and overall health. He closes with some insights and advice for maintaining mental function and having healthier relationships. Find out more about Dr. Linden: http://davidlinden.org/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Alex Hutchinson is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist who writes about the science of endurance for Runner's World and Outside, and frequently contributes to other publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker. He is the author of several books, including “Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Alex starts by talking about his background and how he got interested in the science of fitness and endurance. He reveals some of the biggest things he's learned through the process of being a journalist and writing on these subjects. He also explains how the research in recent decades has shifted from the body to the brain to understand the mysteries of endurance. Chris and Alex share their insights on the gap between theory and application. Alex then discusses where he got the idea for his book Endure. Next, Alex talks about the most surprising and important things he learned during the research and writing process, as well as where the knowledge is still emerging. He explains how people can use subliminal messages to alter their performance. He then goes into more detail on extreme feats such as free diving. Chris and Alex also share their thoughts on Wim Hof and his extreme cold tolerance. Alex expands on the ultimate limits of human performance, and discusses why human athletic records keep occurring. Alex then expands on the connection between mind and muscle, and explains the difference between muscle fatigue and brain fatigue. He talks about how physical limits are often controlled or influenced by the brain, and reveals how to use motivational self-talk to change our performance. Alex also emphasizes the importance of differentiating between opinions and scientific facts, while also being open to new discoveries. He talks about where he comes across new knowledge through his research. We ask Alex about some of the other physical limits of the human body that he discovered while writing his book. He dispels a common myth about lactic acid, and touches on the limits of hydration and heat. He clarifies the difference between warning signals and our actual physical limits. Alex also expands on the muscle repair process and explains how muscle memory works. Finally, he offers strategies for training our minds to increase endurance and performance levels. He ends by going into more detail on his research and writing process. Find out more about Alex: http://www.alexhutchinson.net/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. Ann Demarais holds a PhD in psychology from New York University. She is the founder of First Impressions Inc., and has more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, executive coaching, and communication training. She is also the co-author (along with Dr. Valerie White) of the book, “First Impressions: What You Don’t Know About How Others See You.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Ann starts by discussing her background and the work she does with her company. She reveals some common challenges that people face with first impressions. Ann then gives examples of open-ended and follow-up questions to ask in a conversation to show continued interest and take the pressure off. We ask her how to navigate a conversation when someone is talking too much and not giving us the opportunity to express ourselves. She also talks about the importance of making people feel good about themselves. Next, Ann expands on the idea of social generosity, and describes the four universal social gifts: appreciation, connection, elevation, and enlightenment. She provides examples of how to be thoughtful and give compliments. Ann goes on to explain why first impressions, body language, and facial expressions are so important. She reveals what makes a great first impression, and discusses how to utilize feedback to become more self-aware of the vibes we give off. She also explains how we can train ourselves to make more eye contact and smile more. Ann then talks more about what it means to be an effective listener, and dispels some common body language myths. She expands on the idea of presence and explains how to use mindfulness to improve the quality of our conversations. Chris discusses how charismatic people express curiosity and make the other person feel important. He also talks about the active process of connection, and how conversational flexibility is a reflection of our social and emotional health. Ann shares some additional insights and revisits the importance of feedback. Finally, we ask Ann how to distinguish between genuine and unfounded negative feedback. She explains how to effectively handle harsh feedback and assess the validity of feedback that we receive. She also offers strategies for releasing unfounded negative feedback, as well as soliciting feedback from our peers. Ann then talks about the importance of practicing self-acceptance. She leaves us with some insights and practical suggestions for building deeper connection and making better first impressions. Find out more about Ann: http://www.firstimpressionsconsulting.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Tom Cronin previously worked as a bonds and inflation swaps broker for 26 years. Highly stressed, he turned to meditation for help, and it ended up transforming his life. Tom left his successful career and founded The Stillness Project, which aims to transform and teach people the power of stillness and calm through deep meditation and coaching. Interview Summary: In this interview, Tom begins by talking about his previous career in finance and living a wild and crazy lifestyle. He then discusses how he got into meditation after having a meltdown in his late 20s, and how it led to a rapid transformation in his life. He goes on to describe several different styles of meditation and their purposes. Tom also gives examples of mantras and explains how to use them in different types of meditation. Next, Tom discusses brain wave frequencies, and how meditation helps lower our brain waves by reducing mental activity. He also talks about some of the different breathing approaches in meditation. He goes into more detail on the differences between zen meditation and deep transcending meditation. Tom then describes the deep sleep state that people experience when doing transcendental meditation, and how this carries over to everyday life. He offers practical guidelines for developing a consistent meditation practice. Tom then talks more about contemplative meditation and what it means to set intentions. He also provides advice for setting good intentions, and describes the two main types of intentions: self-serving and spiritual. He goes into detail on using gratitude as a form of meditation, and shares his insights on how this practice might change our experience of life. Tom then touches on loving kindness meditation and similar types of practices. He walks us through the seven chakras and talks about clearing blocked energy. Finally, Tom shares his insights on the ego, and discusses how different mindfulness practices approach the ego. Chris and Tom talk about different layers of connection and how the ego comes into play. Tom also explains what it means to be an aligned being, and gives examples of zen masters and yogis who fit this description. He closes with practical tips for reclaiming stillness in our day, calming the voice in our heads, and starting a meditation practice. Find out more about Tom: https://www.tomcronin.com/ https://stillnessproject.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Owen Fitzpatrick is an international best selling author, globetrotting psychologist, trainer, and speaker who is regarded as a leading expert on Influence. He has authored and co-authored several books, including “How to Take Charge of Your Life: The User's Guide to NLP” and “The Charismatic Edge: The Art of Captivating and Compelling Communication.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Owen first describes NLP and how he uses it in his work. He explains how to use NLP to reprogram our visualizations and internal dialogue, as well as communicate with and impact others more effectively. He goes into detail on the various factors that affect the way we feel, including our thoughts, self-talk, physiology, and body budget. Owen talks about how we filter the world through our beliefs. He also offers strategies for becoming aware of and changing limiting beliefs and shifting into more of a growth mindset. Owen then gives examples of questions we can ask ourselves to identify obstacles and poke holes in our limiting beliefs. He shares some additional insights on NLP and then talks about the other tools he uses in his work. Owen walks us through the process of restructuring our narratives in order to transition from a victim to a hero. He explains how we either change our reality to fit our beliefs or change our beliefs to fit our reality. Chris and Owen also share their thoughts on the relationship between our narratives and skill sets. Next, Owen talks about positive psychology and the difference between happiness and meaning. He offers strategies for increasing happiness and finding more meaning in our lives. He also discusses the importance of having the ability to be cynical about life while also being optimistic about the future. Owen then expands on the idea of anti-fragility, and offers insights for walking ourselves out of a fragile state. Chris shares two stories of people who went through traumatic experiences, and Owen explains how he'd work through those issues. Owen goes on to discuss the benefits of mindfulness practice. He describes the three main mindfulness techniques: observing our body, our thoughts, and our environment. He then talks about social awareness and explains how to recognize congruence and body language clusters. Owen also talks about relationship management, and gives examples of questions to ask to learn more about other people. He briefly discusses how he uses cognitive behavioral therapy in his work. Finally, Owen reveals the essential elements of charisma. He expands on what it means to be more authentic and expressive. He offers strategies for becoming more expressive, and gives some examples. Owen then discusses how to master the art of persuasion and influence. He goes into detail on the three aspects of influence and persuasion: the source of the message, the audience, and the message itself. He leaves us with advice for increasing our influence, having a greater impact, and becoming more of a leader within our social circle. Find out more about Owen: https://owenfitzpatrick.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Kristen Ulmer was recognized as the best female big mountain extreme skier in the world for 12 years. Since retiring as an athlete in 2003, she spent the next 15 years studying intently with a Zen Master. Kristen is now a thought leader, master facilitator, and fear specialist who radically challenges existing norms around this deeply misunderstood emotion. She is the author of the book, “The Art of Fear: Why Conquering Fear Won't Work and What to Do Instead.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Kristen starts by talking about her career as an extreme skier. She explains how repressing fear for many years led to PTSD and started causing problems in her life. She describes fear as the primary emotion beneath many other negative emotions. Kristen then goes into how PTSD manifested in her life, and reveals some of the near death experiences she faced during her skiing career. She also explains how we deal with emotions after trauma determines whether or not we develop PTSD. Next, Kristen discusses how her repression of emotions showed up in other areas of her life. She reveals some common signs of emotional repression. Chris also talks about the anxieties and traumas he sees in his coaching clients. Kristen then contrasts the way animals and humans deal with fear. She explains how the amygdala triggers the fight or flight response, and gives examples of the consequences of repression. She goes on to emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence and feeling our emotions in an honest way. Kristen then explains how to go from a repressive to inclusive relationship with fear by starting a fear practice. She walks us through an exercise where we imagine talking to our fear as if we're talking to a person. She discusses how to accept, feel, and become intimate with fear, and gives an example of this process from her own life. Kristen gives additional examples of how to change our language around how we talk about fear. She also shares her insights on dealing with emotion shaming and expressing emotions around others. Finally, Kristen offers additional strategies for honoring our fear. She talks about some of her work with facilitating ski camps to improve athlete's relationships with fear. She also shares her thoughts on how we're using archaic models of repression in a modern world. Kristen then gives some examples of people who have an intimate relationship with fear. She goes into more detail on her personal journey of changing her relationship with fear and what she learned from this process. Find out more about Kristen: https://www.kristenulmer.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. Art Markman is a cognitive scientist, author, and blogger. He is a professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, and is the Founding Director of the Human Dimensions of Organizations. Art is the co-host of the public radio podcast, “Two Guys on Your Head” for KUT Radio in Austin. He has also authored/co-authored several books, including "Smart Thinking," "Smart Change," and "Habits of Leadership." Interview Summary: In this interview, Art begins by talking about the two components of the motivational system. He explains why the go system is much more efficient than the stop system, and offers strategies to leverage the go system and increase our chances of achieving our goals. Art also describes how this process works in the brain, and how the functions of the outer and inner brain structures differ. He goes on to discuss why mindfulness helps us overcome rumination. Next, Art walks us through the process of reprogramming our brains and developing new habits. Chris talks about how our habits become anchored to relationships. Art then discusses how our communication patterns are laid down early in life. He offers insights on how to break out of old communication patterns and become more open and honest in order to build new trusting relationships. Chris also gives some examples of how he's become more open and honest in recent relationships. Art references his book "Smart Thinking," and expands on the connection between learning and creativity. Chris and Art share examples of new skills they've learned and how they've impacted other areas of their lives. Art also offers some quick insights for developing habits for long-term wellness and getting out of a rut. Chris describes how having a diverse set of experiences gives him greater diversity of thought. Art then discusses how this process works in the brain, and explains how we draw from our knowledge and our environment. Finally, Art expands on the relationship between the mind and the body. He talks about how sleep, social interaction, and stress affect our brain health, and offers tips for optimizing these aspects of our lives. Chris describes how we end up dreaming about unresolved issues. Art then goes into more detail on what the brain does during the different stages of sleep. He leaves us with some insights and advice on using language to our advantage, living a life free of regret, and overcoming fear. Find out more about Dr. Markman: http://www.smartthinkingbook.com/ http://www.kut.org/term/two-guys-your-head The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Keith Mitchell is a former All-Pro NFL football player turned Yogi. As a motivational mindfulness coach and holistic health and fitness advocate, he is committed to providing purposeful holistic tools that help others achieve optimal health, peace, and aliveness to the fullest degree. Interview Summary: In this interview, Keith first discusses his background, playing in the NFL, and then suffering a spinal injury that ended his career. He explains how learning conscious breathing and meditation helped him recover. He also talks about the importance of forgiving oneself and cultivating self-care and self-love. Keith then discusses why letting go of past trauma and improving our relationship with ourselves is key to finding meaningful connection. He walks us through the process of how he healed himself and became more emotionally open. Next, Chris talks about how a lot of men have a tough time feeling and articulating their emotions. He also shares his experience going through a connection exercise at Keith's workshop at Wellspring. Keith explains how it helps us look beyond the package and see where the substance is. He expands on the idea of masculine and feminine dynamics, and how it relates to connection and intimacy. Keith then talks about how to ground our energy by adding intention to it, and gives some examples of intentions. Finally, Keith discusses the importance of nutrition and herbalism. He explains how supplying ourselves with optimal fuel allows the body and mind to function at their highest levels. He also reveals some of the mentors who have most impacted and inspired him on his healing journey, and what he learned from them. Keith then shares his insights on the current state of masculinity and femininity in our culture, and how this dynamic needs to change. He explains how to become more human in order to connect more deeply with ourselves and others. Find out more about Keith: http://www.keithmitchell59.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor, and is now a writer and speaker. After an intensive, twenty-year spiritual quest, Dan’s teaching found its form as the Peaceful Warrior’s Way, expressed fully in his books and lectures. Dan is the bestselling author of 17 books, including “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” and “The Life You Were Born to Live.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Dan starts by discussing his background and why he developed the peaceful warrior's approach to living. He explains what it means to live as a peaceful warrior, discusses how this approach is based on universal or spiritual law, and offers advice on how to embody this approach. Dan emphasizes the importance of taking constructive action over trying to change our thoughts and feelings. He also explains how to work through our thoughts and feelings by developing presence and pure awareness. Next, Dan shares some recommendations for becoming more present. He also talks about the shadow side of being centered, where people often go through a phase of enhanced self-consciousness. We ask him why he thinks people who are more mindful and conscious tend to be happier. Dan then goes more in depth about his practice of becoming more conscious, and how it's changed over time. He expands on the idea of looking at daily life as our classroom or spiritual practice. He also gives examples of voluntary adversity, and talks about the hidden gifts of going through adversity. Finally, Dan offers his insights and advice for finding more purpose in our lives. He walks us through the five universal stages of the creative process as described in his book "The Creative Compass." He then talks about how to bring happiness to others and practice having compassion for ourselves. Dan explains the Goldilocks principle of relationships, and shares some insights and lessons that he's learned from his 43-year marriage. He also reveals the three questions that he contemplates on a regular basis to nurture and strengthen his relationship. Find out more about Dan: http://www.peacefulwarrior.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. Shad Helmstetter is widely considered one of the pioneering leaders in the field of self-talk. He is the best-selling author of more than twenty books in the field of personal growth, including the classic “What to Say When You Talk to Your Self,” as well as “The Power of Neuroplasticity” and the “365 Days of Positive Self-Talk” series. Shad is also the founder of The Self-Talk Institute and The Life Coach Institute. Interview Summary: In this interview, Shad begins by talking about how he got into motivational psychology and self-talk. He explains why thoughts are the number one tool for rewiring the brain. He then discusses how to identify negative self-talk, and gives several examples. Shad offers strategies to identify our self talk, including being more mindful and uncovering the roots of our fears, as well as observing how others respond and react to us. He also explains how developing the habit of self-observation leads to self-awareness, which is the first step to confidence. Next, Shad discusses how we were all born to be successful, and how over time our minds get programmed by ourselves and others. He recommends starting a daily mindfulness habit, and writing down our negative thoughts, beliefs, and feelings to become aware of them. Shad then explains how neuroplasticity works and what the left and right prefrontal cortex control. He reveals why positive thinkers grow more neurons in the left prefrontal cortex, while negative thinkers grow more neurons in the right prefontal cortex. Shad explains how the amygdala triggers the fight-flight response, and how positive self-talk helps tame this response. He then gives examples of positive self-talk, and talks about how to change our self-talk to rewire our brains. Shad reveals how long this process takes to have an impact. He gives examples of the self-talk topics he has created, and explains how to recognize what area we need to focus on. Chris also shares a story about a former client who was able to connect with people much more easily after changing his internal dialogue. Finally, Shad offers practical tips on developing a daily self-talk practice. He talks about how self-talk helps improve various aspects of our lives, such as self-esteem, health, relationships, and more. He also describes how everything is interconnected, and improving one area of our lives leads to positive changes in other areas. Shad then gives examples of what self-talk topics to focus on together, and cautions against doing too much at once. He leaves us with some insights for living happier, healthier, and more meaningful and connected lives. Find out more about Dr. Helmstetter: http://shadhelmstetter.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Jon Levy is a behavior scientist, consultant, writer, and keynote speaker best known for his work in the fields of influence, networking, and adventure. He is the founder of The Influencers Dinner and The Salon, and the author of “The 2AM Principle: Discover the Science of Adventure.” Interview Summary: In this interview, Jon first provides a detailed definition of adventure, and then walks us through the four stage process that all adventurous experiences follow. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right group of people, exploring a novel environment, and setting goals or constraints on our behavior. Jon also talks about how to push boundaries and increase the emotional value of the environment that we're in. He gives a number of examples and shares some of the crazy adventures that he's experienced. Jon then explains how the scope of our lives are directly proportional to our willingness to be uncomfortable. He discusses the benefits of adventure, as well as the biggest mistakes people make when pursuing adventure. He also describes what the peak-end rule is, and how to recognize when to end an adventure at the right time. We then shift gears and ask Jon about his work on influence and community building. He reveals the two factors that are key to achieving anything in life. Jon talks about creating The Influencers Dinner, and shares some of the interesting experiences and conversations from these events. He discusses the main elements for building great community, from big picture ideas to specific details. Chris explores some of the community ideas he's been developing recently. Jon also gives examples of important questions to ask ourselves before starting a community. He talks about some of his favorite communities, and reveals what makes them so strong and successful. Finally, Jon offers recommendations for those who want to build a circle of their people. He also gives examples of possible groups to start, and talks about a group he recently started to help marginalized communities. Jon and Chris then discuss some of the organizations that they're involved with, and what they've learned from these experiences. Jon leaves us with some insights on letting go of self-consciousness and focusing our energy on fun and productive activities. Find out more about Jon: http://www.jonlevytlb.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Dr. John Arden is a psychologist with over 40 years of experience providing psychological services and directing mental health programs. His study of neuropsychology has inspired him to integrate neuroscience and psychotherapy, synthesizing the biological and psychological into a new vision for psychotherapy, known as Brain-Based Therapy. John is the author of 15 books, including “Rewire Your Brain,” “The Brain Bible,” and his latest publication “Mind-Brain-Gene,” which will be released on January 15th, 2019. Interview Summary: In this interview, John starts by discussing his focus on integrating various psychological perspectives and finding common denominators. He describes the main schools of psychology and gives examples of similar therapy approaches that use different language. John goes on to talk about secure and insecure attachment styles in both children and adults. He then gives some examples of how insecure attachment affects our brains and our behavior. Next, John debunks some pop psych myths and clarifies the difference between motor functions and how the cortex responds to and interprets our environment. He explains how anxiety and depression lead to avoidance, which makes those problems even worse. He then talks about temperament, and how we're all born with different emotional patterns. John also describes how we can rewire our brains and adopt new behaviors through nurturing. He provides examples of how to nurture self-care by challenging ourselves and expanding our comfort zones. Chris gives an example of working through issues with a client. John explains how exposure helps us overcome anxiety and induces neuroplasticity in the brain. He gives additional examples of how humans are exceptionally adaptive. Chris and John then share their insights on what might be driving the current political and social regression. John also explains how stress and fear make us more reactive and inhibit our ability to process complex ideas, and Chris offers some examples of this from his own life. John then discusses the five main factors of brain health: social connection, exercise, education, diet, and sleep. He describes how each of these factors affect our physical and psychological health, and offers strategies for optimizing them. Finally, John talks about how traumas are imprinted in our memory. He shares advice on how to depreciate these patterns and balance our stress response so that we can connect more deeply with ourselves and others. He also explains the concept of epigenetics and how lifestyle influences gene expression. Find out more about Dr. Arden: https://drjohnarden.com/ The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Ed Latimore is a former heavyweight boxer, physics major, writer, and speaker. Drawing from his unique life experiences, Ed blogs about self-improvement and shares the methods and strategies he used to turn his life around. He is also the author of several books, including “Not Caring What Other People Think Is a Super Power: Insights From A Heavyweight Boxer,” and a new book called "Sober Letters to My Drunk Self," which will be dropping on December 23rd. Interview Summary: In this interview, Ed first talks about his background and the struggles he faced earlier in his life, and what inspired him to start making changes. He discusses how he tapped into his vision of becoming an accomplished man. He also expands on the idea of wanting to feel in control of himself and his life. Chris then talks about how competency and health leads to a greater sense of control. Ed agrees, and stresses the importance of cultivating general life skills and physical and mental fortitude. Next, Ed and Chris talk about having regrets and wishing they did things differently. Ed explains why dealing with struggle is actually better for our personal growth than having things go well. He also reveals what holds a lot of young men back, and discusses the idea of delaying gratification in order to achieve long-term success. Chris talks about past relationships not working out because he didn't have other aspects of his life together. Ed then explains how financial stability affects the types of relationships we can pursue. Finally, Ed and Chris describe how overcoming challenges leads to the wisdom that they use for the basis of their work. Ed talks about his struggles with overcoming negative habits, quitting drinking, and his mission in talking about sobriety. He explains how true confidence comes from having competency and mastery. Ed and Chris also talk about the importance of being honest and congruent with ourselves and communicating that to others. They emphasize the importance of taking risks, making mistakes, and learning. Find out more about Ed: https://edlatimore.com/ https://soberletters.com The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Christopher Sunyata coaches people how to lean into intensity while still remaining open and relaxed no matter how challenging life gets, expanding their success at work into success with family and intimate relationships. Drawing upon decades of practice and study under masters of yoga, Taoist exercises, and Buddhist meditation, Christopher teaches us how to access our own depth by learning to listen to and trust our body, reclaiming our passion and life energy, and creating intimate relationships that deepen in love and chemistry over the years. Interview Summary: In this interview, Christopher starts by discussing his background and how he got into the work that he does. He talks about coming to the realization that he was contributing to a lot of dysfunction in his relationship. Christopher also shares his experience studying under David Deida, and explains how he used yoga and breathwork to reconnect with his body and increase intimacy in his relationship. He then recounts a traumatic event he went through as a child, and describes how he carried this trauma in his body and breath for years later. Christopher explains how he released his trauma through yoga and meditation. He goes into more detail on specific practices, including hatha yoga and holotropic breathing, and Chris describes his experience at a holotropic breathing class. He also expands on the idea of heart intelligence and how breathwork helps us access it. Christopher then talks about suppressing emotions, and how men's groups provide a trusting environment for us to express our emotions and release trauma. We ask him how his transformation has affected his relationships. Next, Christopher discusses how the inner work and meditation practices helped him through the divorce process with his first wife and helped him overcome depression. He also describes how his life has been better than ever since meeting a new woman and getting remarried. Chris then talks about how men’s work has given him a broader vocabulary to express his emotions and understand other people's emotions. Christopher goes on to explain how inner work affects intimacy. He discusses the potential for spiritual realization through sexuality. Christopher then explains how men can develop multi-orgasmic capacity. He discusses how to experience greater pleasure during sex by peeling away the ego, increasing awareness, and surrendering to vulnerability. He also offers strategies and resources for men who want to build deeper connection and intimacy. Finally, Christopher expands on the idea of looking at your partner as a mirror. He talks about how to guide a woman through authentic pleasure. He offers some last insights on how to connect more deeply with ourselves, our life force, and our partner. Find out more about Christopher: https://christophersunyata.com The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Matt Fitzgerald is an endurance coach, sports nutritionist, and bestselling author of more than 20 books, including “The Endurance Diet” and “80/20 Triathlon.” Matt has been a runner since age 11, and today he’s going to share the wisdom that he's gained through his personal experience, and from studying the world's best athletes. Interview Summary: In this interview, Matt begins by talking about his love for running and writing, and how he combined these passions into a meaningful career. He explains how he learned to trust his intuition and follow his bliss. We ask Matt where he uses his intuition in other areas of his life. He discusses his marriage, and shares the story about how he met his wife, and how their relationship evolved over time. Matt also reveals the most important lessons that he's learned from his experience in endurance sports. He explains how running has helped him develop a higher level of mental toughness and resilience. Matt then discusses how he overcame intense anxiety before races. He offers advice for people who want to get into endurance athletics. He also reveals common mistakes that people make when first getting started, and gives examples of external motivators that might hold people back. Matt goes on to talk about the educational and social components of competitive racing. He describes the differences between recreational and elite athletes. He also emphasizes the importance of choosing advisors carefully, and talks about some more training myths and mistakes. Next, Matt explains what professional athletes do consistently well. He talks about balancing mental toughness with self-trust and good judgement. He also describes his experience living and training with a group of professional runners last summer, and shares some of their motivators. Matt then goes into detail on their training and workout routines, as well as their daily schedules. He discusses what they eat, and gives some examples of their typical meals. He shares his thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of different diets, and offers advice on how to determine our optimal diet. Finally, Matt describes how he works with his clients to develop sustainable diets by making small changes. Chris talks about using intuition to listen to our body, as well as how his cravings change depending on how in or out of shape he is. Matt then discusses some of the rehab strategies that elite athletes use. He references his recent injuries and explains what he did to recover. He also talks about common stretches and warm up routines that athletes do before workouts. Matt leaves us with his thoughts on the importance of mentorship and coaching, and how to find the right people. Find out more about Matt: http://mattfitzgerald.org The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast

Guest Introduction: Mark Gober is the author of the book, “An End to Upside Down Thinking: Dispelling the Myth That the Brain Produces Consciousness, and the Implications for Everyday Life.” His worldview attempts to flip the prevailing view in science that consciousness comes from the brain. Mark has became convinced that biology does not produce consciousness; rather, consciousness produces biology. Today, he’s going to share his theories on human consciousness, and what that means for our lives. Interview Summary: In this interview, Mark first talks about how he got interested in the topic of consciousness. He breaks down the old paradigm that biology produces consciousness, and then defines what consciousness is. He explains where he thinks it comes from, and what led him to that conclusion. Mark then references a couple of phenomena, including particle entanglement and the observer effect, which show how physics breaks down at very small scales. He expands on his theory that consciousness experiences itself through different physical lenses. Next, we ask Mark how this idea has changed the way he thinks about and approaches the world. Chris explores some counterarguments and possible limitations of Mark's theory. Mark then talks about near death experiences and provides some examples from his book. He goes on to discuss "wizard-like abilities" such as telepathy, precognition, and remote viewing, and reveals the scientific evidence for these phenomena. Chris shares his insights and connects Mark's theories to modern technology. Mark then explains what psychokinesis is and offers additional examples and evidence. Chris comments on the limitations of the human mind. Finally, we ask Mark about the implications of this new paradigm of consciousness in terms of how we feel and how we relate to each other. He expands on the notion of interconnectedness, and how it becomes irrational to do harm to others if we're all part of the same consciousness. Chris also relates Mark's ideas to autonomous cars and human needs, and Mark offers some last insights. Find out more about Mark: https://markgober.com The Craft of Charisma Podcast is also available at: bit.ly/Soundcloud-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Stitcher-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iTunes-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/Spotify-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/GooglePlayMusic-CofC-Podcast bit.ly/iHeartRadio-CofC-Podcast