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Every so often a researcher comes along and changes the game. Named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren is doing just that. A leading mind on the science of humility - his work and his new book Humble, have helped debunk many of the myths around this ancient virtue, explaining why humility is a powerful strength at home, at work, in leadership, and how it can lead to thriving relationships.  In this wide ranging and deep conversation Daryl will share more about: The link between humility and authenticity (or feeling at home in our own skin) The myths and misperceptions about humility including that humility is a weakness.  The relationship between experiences of awe, big nature, and humility Humility as a skill - how you can learn to be more humble with dedication, practice, and feedback Why humility is best cultivated in community How to handle tough feedback How to use humility to stay open to learning, to empathy, and to compassion The case for more humble leaders, why organizations need them, and why employees and teams value humility.  And more! More about Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren:Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College. As a social psychologist, his research focuses on meaning in life, religion, and virtues. He loves asking deep and enduring questions about what it means to be human (darylvantongeren.com). His research has been covered by the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and NPR. In 2016, he received a Rising Star designation from the Association for Psychological Science. In his free time, he enjoys running marathons and surviving triathlons. You can learn more about Daryl's work at darylvantongeren.com.Did you find this conversation elevating? Here are more episodes we think you'll love:Tal Ben Shahar - Letting go of Perfection and Finding HappinessDr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity a Superpower?Enjoying the show? Take a moment and rate it on iTunesFor more on the podcast, and upcoming events and courses with Joshua please visit and sign up for the latest updates: joshuasteinfeldt.comThanks for listening!Support the show

Dr. Rick Hanson is a multi-time past guest on the Courageous Life and is back to discuss themes from his new book, Making Great Relationships: Simple Practices for Solving Conflict, Building Connections, and Fostering Love. In today’s wide ranging conversation with Rick we discuss: How to find a sense of calm strength, groundedness, and choice that can help reduce reactivity and improve our relationships 6 guidelines for speaking wisely and in ways that foster more effective communication, feedback, and that improve our connection with others How to work with anger more effectively Rick’s thoughts on how to keep the heart open and come from a place of love more often Rick’s insights from his experiences as a teacher and author on how to connect with your your audience Some of Rick’s favorite tips and practices for great relationships from his new book  And more More about Rick: Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and have sold over a million copies in English alone. He’s the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well podcast – which has been downloaded over 9 million times. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. To pick up Rick’s new book, find out more about him and his work please check out rickhanson.netDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are more episodes you may love:Dr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity a Superpower?Rick Hanson - The Heights of Human PotentialEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!For Joshua's classes and events please visit joshuasteinfeldt.comThanks for listening!Support the show

After spending nearly 20 years in Corporate America, holding executive positions leading public and privately held companies, Shelly Tygielski decided to stop following the expected path and start following her lifelong passion – mindfulness and meditation – and began to fuse this passion with her purpose – community organization and ensuring equity, social justice and access to wellbeing for all. Her journey began by teaching free meditation classes Sunday morning on the sands of Hollywood Beach, Florida. What started as a group of 12 friends blossomed into a community of more than 15,000 in a matter of two years. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Shelly rose to the occasion. On March 14th, 2020, at the dawn of the crisis, she posted two simple Google forms online. One read “Get Help” the other “Give Help”. The next morning, she was shocked to find hundreds of requests from both sides of the equation. She began directly matching those in need with patrons willing to help them meet their needs and the Pandemic of Love movement was born. Those few hundred requests grew to over 600,000 people matched within six months. Today, Pandemic of Love boasts nearly 4000 volunteers worldwide, has directly exchanged nearly $100 million in donations and has connected over 4.5 million people. It has been featured on over 100 media outlets, including CNN's Heroes, BBC and The Kelly Clarkson Show. In today’s conversation:  Shelly and I dive deeper into themes from our part one conversation including how the Pandemic of Love has grown and evolved since that time.   Shelly shares more of the backstory on leaving her work as a successful executive in corporate America to become a full time meditation teacher, the courage it took to take the leap, and what led to her decision Ideas and strategies for how to gain courage and clarity when faced with difficult and potentially life changing decisions How deep meditative states can lead to courageous action and other themes from her book Sit Down to Rise Up. Insights into how to lead and live from a place of love (particularly when it’s difficult) Why proximity is a catalyst for greater empathy, compassion, and building connection across division Details on Shelly's new TV show with Debra Messing based on her work with Pandemic of Love If you’d like to learn more about Shelly and the incredible work she is doing please check out shellytygielski.com and be sure to pick up a copy of Sit Down to Rise Up: How Radical Self-Care Can Change the World wherever books are sold.  Did you find this episode inspiring? You might love these past conversations:Shelly Tygielski Pt. 1 - Pandemic of LoveDr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti Pt. 2 - Gentle Power: Shifting the Way We Define True StrengthFor my upcoming classes and events, and all episodes of the Courageous Life please visit: joshuasteinfeldt.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

At the time we recorded this conversation Shelly Tygielski was ten days into the creation of what has now become a global movement called the Pandemic of Love. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Shelly found a way using simple google forms to connect people in need of groceries, diapers, money to keep the heat on etc, to those who could help them directly. What started out as just an idea sitting around Shelly’s kitchen table boasts nearly 4000 volunteers worldwide and has directly exchanged nearly $100 million in donations and has connected over 3 million people. The Pandemic of Love and Shelly were also featured on CNN’s Heroes. An annual show that features profiles of modern day heroes making an extraordinary impact for the collective good. Next week, in part two we will take a deeper dive into some of the theme’s from this episode as well as dive into themes from Shelly’s new book Sit Down To Rise Up: Find Yourself, Build Community and Change the World. In this episode Shelly shares: Her inspiring story of how and why she got into the work she is doing today as a community organizer, activist, and meditation teacher How meditation has helped her to rise up in the face of adversity and challenges in her life What her meditation practice involves today Coping strategies for dealing with fear and uncertainty related to COVID-19 The incredible story behind the Pandemic of Love, why she started it, and how to get involved Shelly has also offered a brief meditation for dealing with uncertainty that you will find included as a BONUS mini episode of the Courageous Life.  About Shelly:Shelly Tygielski has been hailed by individuals ranging from President Joe Biden to Arianna Huffington and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn to Maria Shriver. She is the founder of the global, grassroots mutual aid organization, Pandemic of Love. Her work has been featured in over 100 media outlets including on CNN Heroes, The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS This Morning, the New York Times and Washington Post. She is a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher and a Garrison Institute Fellow who has been called one of the “12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement” by Mindful Magazine. Shelly has taught formalized self-care and resilience at organizations around the world and is widely considered to be a self-care activist. She is happily married to her husband, Jason, and is the mother of a son she adores, Liam. In her free time, Shelly enjoys skateboarding, playing guitar and making craft cocktails. She and her husband are currently living a nomadic existence, moving to a new location every few months.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are some other conversations you may love:Ian Hockley: Empathy: An Antidote For Our TimeAli Smith - Transforming Communities With Mindfulness (and Love)Enjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Often times gentleness and power can be seen as opposites, ideas or ways of being that may not go together. Today’s guest, Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti invites us to rethink this. Sharing a number of insights from her new book Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu she argues that the intersection of these two qualities can be a catalyst for unlocking some of our greatest potential as people, and as leaders.  In this episode: We dive into more of Elisabet’s journey including reflections from Sisu Not Silence, a 2400km run across the country of New Zealand which she did to help end the silence around domestic and interpersonal violence. Check out part one with Dr. Lahti (episode 69) for more much more of the backstory on this. She will share key discoveries she gained during the run as well as her martial arts training over the years, and how these insights and revelations were a key part of her research on Gentle Power as an elevated expression of SISU.  We will also take a deep dive into gentleness (what it is, what it’s not, and why it matters) Being nice vs. being kind and why being kind is a training ground for gentle power How gentleness can transform into strength when it meets difficulty Elisabet’s in the moment practices for cultivating gentle power in difficult conversations Questions to help cultivate self-awareness that may be the first step toward unlocking true power The importance of humility and how it relates to true power And more! Pick up your copy of Gentle Power now and learn more about Dr. Lahti at sisulab.comAbout Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti:Emilia Elisabet Lahti, who goes by her second name Elisabet, is an awarded educator, applied psychology researcher, published author, and international presenter on topics of inner strength in times of adversity and transformation through self-leadership. Elisabet studied applied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. Martin Seligman and completed a PhD at Aalto University in Finland in which she pioneered the research on the Finnish construct of sisu (a psychological strength potential referring to extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity). She is passionate about the study of human flourishing and cultivation of virtues, and to determine how these can be leveraged on a systemic level to promote worldwide change. Founder of Sisu Lab which builds communities and organizational cultures based on everyday leadership as expression of courage and compassion. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Business Insider, BBC, and Forbes. Originally from Finland, she’s taught internationally and given talks at Fortune 500 companies.  You can find more more information and resources at www.sisulab.com. Enjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes! For more episodes, podcast updates, and Joshua's event schedule visit: joshuasteinfeldt.comSupport the show

As we continue our kickoff of season 3 we are re-releasing our first ever conversation on the Courageous Life, with Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti.  In celebration of her new book, Gentle Power, coming out next week we will launch an all NEW episode with her that takes a deep dive into themes from the book including why the intersection of gentleness and power may be the future of leadership. We hope you enjoy this before and after (or part one and part two) conversation with Emilia Elisabet!In this episode we explore: Sisu - what it is, what it's not, and Dr. Lahti's original research on this innate human capacity Sisu Not Silence - a 1500-mile / 50-day running journey across the length of New Zealand for nonviolence and peace How Elisabet works with fear Strategies and approaches for accomplishing massive goals Self-compassion - how it can be an unexpected and powerful force for training  How to effectively work with doubt and the inner critic How to create safe spaces and why safety can help to unlock courage And more! About Emilia Elisabet Lahti:Emilia Elisabet Lahti is an awarded educator, applied psychology researcher, and founder of Sisu Lab and Gentle Power Academy, which build communities and organizational cultures based on everyday leadership as expression of courage and compassion. Her work has been featured by The New Yorker, Business Insider, BBC, and Forbes. Originally from Finland, she’s taught internationally and given talks at Fortune 500 companies, TEDx, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley. For more, see sisulab.com.Support the show

Welcome to Season 3 of the Courageous Life! We are kicking things off with the return of one of our most popular guests of all time, Parker J. Palmer. In today’s episode we explore Parker's reflections on:  Living with an open heart - the benefits, the drawbacks, and why this can be a lifelong practice How to have effective conversations across difference and why letting go ego is a big part of this The power of cultivating more humility and curiosity in one’s life and in relationships (particularly when that might not be the easiest thing to do) Why honesty can be a prerequisite for compassion Stories and practices related to how he has strengthened his ability to be open hearted over time Themes from his new book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old The beneficial effects of awe and "big nature" Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal, holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as thirteen honorary doctorates. Parker is the author of ten books— which have sold nearly two million copies and been translated into ten languages. Some of his most popular include Let Your Life Speak, A Hidden Wholeness, The Courage to Teach, and Healing the Heart of Democracy. Parker’s work has touched the lives of millions of people around the world seeking to live more courageously and authentically while serving the human possibility. To learn more about Parker you can simply google his name, or you can check out couragerenewal.org or newcomerpalmer.com.  Did you find this episode inspiring? If so, you might love these past episodes:Jerry Colonna - Leadership and the Art of Growing UpMark Nepo - Finding Inner Courage Where it LivesEnjoying the show? Let us know by taking a moment to rate it on iTunes. Know someone who might enjoy hearing the insights in this episode? Please do share with friends. Thanks for listening! Support the show

Parker J. Palmer is a writer, teacher, and activist. Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal, he has written ten books, including the bestselling Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness, Healing the Heart of Democracy, and On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and thirteen honorary doctorates. In 1998, The Leadership Project, a national survey of ten thousand educators, named Palmer as one of the thirty “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the ten key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. Since 2002, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs around the U.S. In 2010, Palmer received the William Rainey Harper Award, whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire. In 2011, the Utne Reader named him one of 25 Visionaries on its annual list of “People Who are Changing the World.” To learn more about Parker and his latest project, The Growing Edge, please visit newcomerpalmer.comIn this part one episode we explore:  Some of Parker's personal story including challenges and adversities he has faced and how these have shaped his life What wholeness is and the courage it takes live an undivided life Parker's insights about writing, speaking, and connecting with an audience Lessons Parker has learned about finding courage and working with fear The power of reframing situations and circumstances one faces How to listen deeply Finding one's vocation in life How to create conditions that foster courage in others  And more! For Joshua's upcoming events and classes please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com Please rate the show on iTunes and let us know what you think!\For show notes and more visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

In today's episode Kevin Cashman shares his incredible story of dying, coming back, and what life and work for him are like on the other side of this experience. Kevin and I have a deep and wide ranging conversation that covers: What Kevin experienced when he died His road back to health and what key factors helped him most on this journey How Kevin's experience has shifted his perspective and deepened a sense of meaning and purpose in his work with leaders His view on the importance of expressing appreciation and gratitude His take on the central question we have been exploring in the Courageous Life: "how do I keep my heart open when it begins to close?" Exciting new research on the importance of openness in leadership The 3 B's: A framework for keeping the heart and mind open to learning, connection, and growth And much more! **Please note that due to the nature and topic of this conversation it is possible that some listeners may find parts of the conversation to be upsetting or triggering. Please listen at your own discretion. Thank you.** About Kevin Cashman:Kevin Cashman is a best-selling author, CEO Advisor, and pioneer of the ‘grow the whole person to grow the whole leader’ approach to transformative leadership. He is the founder of LeaderSource Ltd, and the Chief Executive Institute® recognized as one of the top three leadership development programs globally. In 2006, LeaderSource was acquired by Korn Ferry, where Kevin is now Global Leader of CEO and Executive Development across 130 offices that touch the lives of 100,000+ leaders monthly. Kevin has advised thousands of CEOs, senior executives and senior teams in more than 80 countries worldwide. He has written six books including Awakening the Leader Within and Leadership from the Inside Out, named the #1 best-selling business book of 2000 by CEO-READ and is now used at over 150 universities globally. For more on Kevin please follow him on LinkedIn or visit cashmanleadership.comSupport the show

Michael Jordan credits George Mumford, a.k.a The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,  with transforming his on-court leadership, helping the Bulls to six NBA championships. As Phil Jackson’s ‘Secret Weapon’ George has also served as Mindfulness Coach to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'neal, and countless other NBA players. George’s passion is teaching mindfulness to high profile sports, business and academic teams alike; from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, to senior global executives and systems. He is the author of The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance. George also has The Mindful Athlete Course, which can be found at GeorgeMumford.com. In this episode George shares: More about his personal journey and how he came to work with Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant His perspective on what separates the worlds greatest performers from the rest of the pack How mindfulness and meditation can boost performance Insights on Flow and finding 'the zone' A simple and practical mindfulness framework George calls the 4A's for enhancing wellbeing and performance His thoughts about the importance of being a better friend to one's self Why "trying" to make things happen can actually be a barrier to success Practical tips for growing courage and taking compassionate action And more! Enjoying the conversation? Please rate the show on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Jim Detert is the John L. Colley Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, and perhaps the world's foremost expert on courage at work. His research focuses on workplace courage, why people speak up or stay silent at work, ethical decision-making and behavior, and other leadership-related topics. His research, teaching and curriculum development and teaching have won multiple awards at UVA and Cornell. His work is regularly featured in various media outlets. If you are interested in taking a deeper dive into his work, check out his new book. Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. For more on Jim please check out jimdetert.comIn this episode Jim and I take a deep dive into the topic of courage and explore: What courage is and what it isn't How courage can result in living with less regrets The tie between courage and becoming a better and more respected leader Why courage is not a character trait, and how it can be developed through practice Working with impostor syndrome The contrast between aspirational and core values A behind the scenes look at an experiential lab where Jim and his team train people to be more courageous And more! Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate it on iTunes.Know someone who could benefit from the insights in this, or other conversations on the Courageous Life? Please share the show with them.  For show notes and more please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

Andrew Reiner is a professor at Towson University, where he offers the seminar “The Changing Face of Masculinity.” He has written on masculinity and men’s issues for the New York Times,Italy’s La Republica and the Washington Post Magazine, and his work has been featured on NPR and the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and in The Guardian, Men’s Health magazine, and Forbes. He speaks about masculinity regularly at schools and conferences nationally and internationally.  In this episode Andrew shares themes from his new book, Better Boys, Better Men including: His story and the reasons behind his passion and interest in his work Reflections on traditional messaging around masculinity and why much of this thinking is outdated and no longer serving many of today's boys and men. How he is thinking about healthy masculinity today  Why vulnerability and asking for help are forms of strength, and how these qualities can promote greater courage and emotional resiliency Why living authentically is courageous and is at the core of his work Updated research findings in neuroscience and child development supporting the need for a new vision of healthy masculinity  And more! Enjoying the show? Let us know by rating it or leaving a review on iTunes!For show notes and more please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast Thanks for listening!Support the show

Dr. Sunita Puri is the Medical Director of the Palliative Medicine Service at Keck Hospital and Norris Cancer Center of the University of Southern California, where she also serves as Chair of the Ethics Committee. Sunita is the author of That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour, an acclaimed literary memoir examining her journey to the practice of palliative medicine, and her quest to help patients and families redefine what it means to live and die well in the face of serious illness. Her work has been featured on PBS' Amanpour Show, the Guardian, NPR, the Atlantic, Forbes, and People Magazine, which named her book the Book of the Week. She has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Slate, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. For more, please visit sunitapuri.comIn this episode we explore: Sunita’s personal journey toward greater self-acceptance  Why honesty is a form of kindness How curiosity can be a key factor in keeping the heart open in the face of difficulty Strategies for having courageous conversations about what really matters in life What death can teach us about living well Empathy - why it’s about asking the questions that need to be listened to A few of Sunita’s learnings about when to keep fighting, and when to let go The role of courage in living a life without regret And more! Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate it on iTunes. Thanks for listening!Support the show

Melvin L. Smith, Ph.D., is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and Faculty Director of Executive Education at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. Melvin's teaching and research focus on leadership, leadership development, executive coaching and the development and use of human and social capital in organizations.  He is coauthor of the book Helping People Change: Coaching for Lifelong Learning and Growth. Prior to his academic career, Melvin spent nearly 15 years in a series of Sales, Marketing and Organization Development roles at a number of Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Pepsi and H.J. Heinz. In this conversation Melvin and I explore: What renewal is and why it's fundamental to thriving How we can navigate stress in uncertain times using practices of renewal Every day practices for finding renewal, including meditation, deep breathing, and more How community and compassionate relationships support renewal and thriving Why negative emotions help us survive, and positive emotions + renewal help us thrive Why questions are so powerful when it comes to pursuing your dreams The importance of having a dream, and pursuing it with intentionality How Melvin works with coaching clients to realize their dreams The 4 foundations of a courageous life And more! Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate it on iTunes. Thanks for listening! Support the show

Jeffrey Hull, Ph.D. is an author, educator and consultant with over twenty years experience partnering with C-suite executives on issues of high performance leadership, change management, organizational strategy, structure and culture. Dr. Hull is a highly sought-after facilitator, keynote speaker and executive coach to both non-profit and for-profit global organizations. Dr. Hull is Director of Education & Business Development at the Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate. He is also a clinical instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and an adjunct professor of leadership at New York University. For more about Jeff, and his new book Flex: The Art and Science of Leadership in a Changing World, please visit jeffreyhull.comIn this episode Jeff and I explore: The current landscape of leadership and who is rising to the top Why agility and being able to flex your communication style is key to succeeding as a leader Practical strategies that will help you to flex  Stories of inspirational leaders Jeff has worked with Vulnerability as a form of courage  How to tap into creativity including practices that are supportive of innovation Jeff's latest thinking on the future of leadership and why compassion is at the core And more! Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate the Courageous Life on iTunesThanks for listening!Support the show

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman is a humanistic psychologist exploring the depths of human potential. He has taught courses on intelligence, creativity, and well-being at Columbia University, NYU, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is interested in using his research to help all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and self-actualized life. Scott's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review. In his latest book Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization, he presents a new hierarchy of human needs for the 21st century, one that allows for the fulfillment of individual potential as well as the actualization of transcendent purpose and peak experiences. Scott also hosts the #1 psychology podcast in the world, The Psychology Podcast. To learn more, please visit scottbarrykaufman.comIn this episode Scott and I discuss themes from his new book Transcend, including: His deep interest in the Abraham Maslow's work and motivation for writing Transcend The psychology of everyday saints The link between a "quiet ego" and self-actualization Acceptance as a form of courage  Practical strategies for living a more authentic and fulfilling life Finding meaning and joy in everyday experiences How setting personal boundaries can unlock a deeper capacity for compassion And more! Enjoying the Courageous Life? Please take a moment and rate the show on iTunes!Thanks for listening! Support the show

Have you ever thought about us and them thinking, judgment,  tribalism, or blame as habits? If they are habits, can they be broken using the latest science of habit change? Dr. Jud and I dive deep into this question in this episode. We also explore:  A 3 step process for habit change developed by Jud and his team Why Jud believes curiosity is a superpower How to rewire your brain for greater kindness, curiosity, and connection The key to adopting a growth mindset What Jud's team found when they analyzed Anderson Cooper's brain during meditation How findings from Jud's neuroscience lab can be used to build bridges, counter tribalism, and foster community Practical ways to keep your heart open when it begins to close How mindfulness can be helpful in dealing with difficult emotions About Dr. Jud: Dr. Jud Brewer is passionate about understanding how our brains work, and how to use that knowledge to help people make deep, permanent change in their lives — with the goal of reducing suffering in the world at large. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Brown University. As an addiction psychiatrist and internationally known expert in mindfulness training for treating addictions, Dr. Jud has developed and tested novel mindfulness programs for habit change, including both in-person and app-based treatments for smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety. He has also studied the underlying neural mechanisms of mindfulness. He has trained US Olympic athletes and coaches, foreign government ministers and corporate leaders. His work has been featured on 60 Minutes, TED, Time magazine, Forbes, CNN, BBC, NPR, The Washington Post, Businessweek and others. You can find out more at drjud.comEnjoying the show? Please rate the show on iTunes or leave a review.Thanks for listening!Show notes and more can be found at joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastSupport the show

Samantha Novick is passionate about amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, creating connections and sharing kindness with others. She pursues these passions as a speech-language pathologist, owner of her private practice Bridge Therapy, and President of The Friendship Journey, a charitable organization that cultivates equitable friendships and experiences amongst people of all abilities. Samantha grew up in Parkland, Florida. After a violent mass shooting devastated her community, her passion for activism, social justice and philanthropy grew. Samantha is committed to honoring those who lost their lives to hatred through acts of love and meaningful action in their memories. This summer, The Friendship Journey partnered with Dylan’s Wings of Change of the Sandy Hook community to create a free virtual summer camp for teens and adults with disabilities through the Covid-19 crisis. Their camp motto this summer was “look for the good.” For more about Samantha please visit thefriendshipjourney.orgIn this episode Sam shares: Strategies for finding joy when times are hard How she has developed a quality called equanimity, the ability to "hold it all", and how this has helped her during the pandemic The power of self-care and why she was resistant to it at first Highlights from Camp Wings of Friendship, a free virtual summer camp for teens and adults with disabilities she co-created this summer Why acts of kindness may be a key to resilience and thriving Why "looking for the good" can be a life-changing mindset And more! Please rate the show on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Fred Guttenberg began his public life after the murder of his beautiful 14-year-old daughter Jaime in the Parkland school shooting on Feb 14, 2018.  The day after the murder, Fred decided to attend a public vigil in Parkland.  While there, the Mayor asked him to speak.  His words shook a nation and he has not stopped since. Only four months prior to the murder of his daughter, Fred's brother Michael passed away in October 2017 from cancer related to his service in 9/11.  He was one of the original first responders at the World Trade Center with a team of doctors who got trapped in the building as it collapsed. Amazingly, the room that they hid out in did not collapse and Michael and his team of physicians spent 16 days at ground zero taking care of others. Following his involvement in these two distinct American Tragedies, Fred has traveled the country talking about both events but also talking about perspective, perseverance, and resilience.  He discusses pivotal moments in life and how we respond to those moments.  Fred uses his speech to inspire others. Learn more about Fred's work at orangeribbonsforjaime.org and pick up his book, Find the Helpers: What 9/11 and Parkland Taught Me About Recovery, Purpose, and Hope now. In this episode Fred and I discuss themes from his new book Find the Helpers including: Who his helpers are and how they have helped him to deal with grief, transform pain into purpose, and find hope after Parkland and 9/11 What Joe Biden taught him about grief How he has been able to respond to acts of hate from a place of compassion, and love The importance of community when it comes to being resilient Practical strategies for overcoming 'us and them' thinking More about his mission of reducing gun violence, and some of the incredible progress that has been made in terms of new laws and bills, including Jaime's Law that honors his daughter's death by continuing to save lives in her name Why it's not what happens to you, but your response that matters most And more! Rate the show on iTunes! Find show notes and more at joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastSupport the show

Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of over ten books including NY Times bestseller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness, Real Love, and her latest release Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World. Acclaimed for her humorous, down-to-earth teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. She is a regular columnist for On Being, a contributor to Huffington Post, and the host of her own podcast: The Metta Hour. For more, visit www.SharonSalzberg.com.In this episode Sharon and I discuss themes related to her new book Real Change including: How to deal with strong emotions using mindfulness Working with anger in a skillful way, harnessing it's benefits for action while not getting overwhelmed by it Finding joy today, in the face of these tumultuous times Why joy is a strategy for resilience Equanimity and how to find a sense of balance even in the face of tremendous challenges like the pandemic, election stress, or other adversity Moving away from us and them thinking by embracing common humanity Finding compassion for people we may disagree with or not like Please rate the show on iTunes!Find show notes and more at joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastSupport the show