Bearded Wisdom with Les McDaniel

Did you know you can be addicted to your trauma? 

We all have trauma. However, some of us are so used to experiencing trauma that their lives look something like this: things are always bad and never seem to get better. The sleepless nights are getting worse, the wounds are getting deeper, and it's like we're in a constant cycle of bad luck. 

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell if you're addicted to your trauma. That's why it sometimes takes external help before you can finally move forward. The good news is that there is a small but very effective action you can take to overcome deep trauma. 

In today's episode, Les reveals a simple action people addicted to their trauma can take to finally move forward. He also explains how childhood trauma can stop you from living a long, fulfilled, and happy life. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

00:35 Les shares his experience at a recent Front Row Dads event

02:23 The source of all our trauma

05:07 Things you were told as a kid that led to you developing trauma 

07:07 Les shares a sad childhood encounter with bullies

09:23 Trauma is the abandonment of your playful younger self

12:09 Our origin story as a species

14:18 Why you should start doing the things you enjoyed doing as a kid

15:43 The voices in your head stopping you from living a long, fulfilled life

17:00 Can we link our trauma to our lack of play?

18:17 Challenge for 2023 - Have fun and play more 

20:36 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Are you a liberated leader -- are you the type of leader worth following?

The problem with most people is that the person they're following doesn't know where they're going. We live in a crowd mentality where we think, act, and talk like everybody else. Yes, there is safety in numbers, but following the herd only leads to one thing - unfulfilled potential. 

In today's episode, Les describes what it's like to step out of line and create a new path for yourself and those willing to embrace true liberation. Tune in to learn how you can develop the stomach to go against the crowd and build a community of liberated leaders destined for success.  

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Keys on how to create meaning in your life

02:19 The entrepreneur's plight is real

03:17 Do you know why you get up for work?

04:21 The things holding you back from complete liberation

06:44 Benefits of building a supportive community around yourself

08:22 What to expect when you start living up to your potential

09:23 Make the choice to become a liberated leader

10:58 How to grow into liberated leadership 

12:29 Finding your people on the path to liberation

13:41 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook

Does the person you're following know where they're going? 

The problem with most people is that they're playing the world's most unrewarding game: Follow the Follower. We live in the crowd, yield to herd mentality and often think, act, and talk like everybody else. The problem with this kind of mentality is that there is a very high chance that the people you're following don't have the answers you need to succeed as a human being. It's even more depressing when the person that's supposed to be leading you is actually following you. 

In today's episode, Les talks about the herd mentality and why it's the biggest problem most people struggle with today. Tune in to learn how you can develop the stomach to go against the crowd and increase your odds of succeeding in life.  

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

02:11 Are you an intentional or accidental leader in your world?

02:43 The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

04:34 When the person you're following is actually following you

05:41 Does the person you're following know where they're going?

07:40 Shocking stats on entrepreneurial failures 

08:49 Why most entrepreneurs struggle with mental health issues

10:01 Are entrepreneurs touched with fire?

11:18 How to turn your mess into your message 

14:02 Understand that there are no real experts in life

15:14 Parting thoughts

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook

Would you risk abandoning your true self just to be accepted by others? How much of your true desires and beliefs are you willing to give up just to fit the perfect mold of who "society" wants you to be?

In today's episode, Les breaks down what it means to be a leader and a follower. This episode is perfect for people unsure of how to live a bold and uncompromising life, free of external influence. 

As the year comes to a close, ask yourself, are you living true to yourself or blindly following the people in front of you just because they're ahead? Use your answers to plan for 2023 and create a future you would be proud of.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 The caterpillar pothead experiment 

03:37 Mental Emotional and Spiritual States (MESS)

05:04 Looking at the flower pot of our lives

07:25 When your entire existence is based on "towing the line"

09:27 There is no such thing as cultural norms

11:03 Is it really a bad thing to be a follower?

12:10 How to become a true liberated leader

12:45 Who says you can't?

15:08 Prohibitions are actually a good thing

16:55 What's keeping you from living the life of your dreams?

19:33 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Connect with Les on Facebook

What is a good way to move from a "reactive" way of living to a more "creative" way of living?

Simple, be consciously aware of where you're focusing your energy. You see, stress is just energy. So any time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, know that you're focusing your energy on the wrong things - which means you're placing responsibility for your peace on someone or something other than yourself. 

In today's episode, Les describes how we can awaken the conscious leader within us by moving from a reactive to a creative way of life. Tune in to learn the role of emotional intelligence when navigating stress, anxiety, and frustration. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Awakening conscious leadership

03:57 Understand that stress is energy

06:01 How emotional reactivity leads to a life full of dis-ease

07:06 Using creativity to tap into our life's purpose

08:44 The role of emotional intelligence in managing stress

10:34 Core emotions and why they are so complex

13:16 How to live a life knowing things will never stay the same

16:24 Moving from a reactive to a creative way of life 

18:16 Love people as they are, not as you wish they were

20:44 We all can be good human beings

22:31 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook

Would you like to experience the fully human way of co-creating a life where we all get to experience peace?

Living a life of peace is about understanding that nothing is permanent. No matter how badly you mess up, life goes on. No matter how great you become, there's always someone out there who is better than you. As you navigate life, remember that your time here is limited. So, live this life not for yourself but for the highest good of others. 

In today's episode, Les reveals how you can use emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of modern life. Tune in to learn the peace that comes with understanding the emotions of others and where they come from. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Using emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of life

03:30 Life is about living for the good of others

05:40 Understanding and processing other people's emotions

06:47 Managing emotions in more meaningful ways 

08:07 Using both IQ and EQ for business success

09:30 Deep down, we all want to be understood

11:09 Stop going through the motions and start living your life

13:50 How to have a deeper connection to oneness

15:10 Understand the present is never in your control

16:28 Whatever happens, life must go on 

18:08 No emotion is your permanent reality

20:20 Parting thoughts

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

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Connect with Les on Facebook

We all want to be seen, heard, and understood. It's a basic human need. Yet, most of us are so desperate to be understood that we forget to be understanding. 

The sad reality is that many people focus on the problem when it would be much better to focus on the person. You see, understanding others does not require agreement. You just have to put yourself in their shoes before trying to put them in their place. 

There is joy and connection to be found when we take the time to seek understanding instead of constantly trying to be right. In today's episode, Les shares what it means to move from misunderstanding to understanding by perceiving our emotions at a much deeper level. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

01:41 Understanding the purpose of our emotions

02:48 Ways our emotions influence our judgments

05:18 Leveraging other people's emotions for mutual gain

06:28 The outcome of genuinely understanding other people's emotions

07:50 Reasons it's so easy to misunderstand other people's emotions

08:51 We all want to be seen, heard, and understood

11:07 Practicing a way of life that leads us to oneness

11:30 We are all born, and someday we'll all die

13:30 The goal is to multiply liberated leaders

14:36 The impossible situation we're all born into

15:20 Parting thoughts

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

Follow Les on Instagram

Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook 

Have you ever felt completely controlled by your emotions? It happens to the best of us; some trigger event can lead to an emotional reaction that is nothing close to who you truly are.

Although such powerful emotions can feel like riding a runaway horse, emotional intelligence can help you take back the reins. Remember, if you'd like to expand your peace, never let emotions interfere with what you want to accomplish. Yes, sometimes situations can be a little overwhelming, but the better control you have over your emotions, the more peace you'll have in your life.

On today's episode, Les breaks down ways you can use emotions to expand your peace and take control of your internal wellbeing. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

02:30 Are you controlled by your emotions?

03:22 Using trauma to create your ideal life

04:37 Your thoughts influence your emotions 

05:55 How to use your thoughts to improve your ability to connect with others

08:58 To solve a problem, focus on the desired outcome

10:45 How Les handled a partner who double-crossed him out of a deal

13:40 Be creative instead of reactive

15:25 Understanding your emotions to build flourishing connections

16:28 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

Follow Les on Instagram

Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook

How high is your emotional intelligence? Can you accurately perceive your emotions based on context and culture? 

The first step to mastering your emotions is to perceive them accurately - this might involve understanding how your emotions promote thinking and cognitive activity. However, as Les explains, the ability to differentiate between real and false emotions is even more important when navigating the testy waters of personal and professional relationships. 

In today's episode, Les goes through 7 key factors influencing your ability to express and control your emotions and those of others. He also shares how you can learn to use your emotions to act with assertiveness and defined boundaries.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

00:40 The difference between personal intelligence and emotional intelligence

03:30 Emotional intelligence in everyday life

05:11 Experiences that alter how we perceive emotions

06:35 The truth about our emotions

07:52 Accurate versus inaccurate emotional expressions 

09:44 How to regulate your emotions based on context & culture

10:55 How to express emotions accurately when desired

12:45 Situational awareness: Do you have it?

14:41 Swimming in the waters of your own emotions

15:57 Understanding dishonest emotional responses

16:45 Parting thoughts 

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

Follow Les on Instagram

Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook

What is emotional intelligence - and is it more important than IQ when it comes to success in life? 

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to interpret, control, and use emotions to relate with others effectively and constructively. Scientists have repeatedly proven that Emotional Intelligence can be a better predictor of success, quality relationships, and overall happiness than IQ. This is why Les believes EQ is essential, especially when trying to find peace in the chaotic world we live in. 

In today's episode, Les breaks down the benefits of developing your emotional intelligence. He also reveals why the more successful people have a fine balance between EQ, IQ, and PQ(personal quotient). 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

00:00 Introduction

00:35 Emotional intelligence in a post-pandemic world

01:46 How to experience a healthy emotional understanding of life

02:36 Is IQ more important than EQ?

04:14 The cycle of death and life

05:52 Why sadness is at an all-time high

06:31 Living from the core of who you really are

08:22 Understanding the intersection between EQ, IQ, and PQ

 12:47 Exercise: Figure out how EQ, IQ, and PQ show up in your life

14:08 Parting thoughts

Links and Resources:

Lesismore.life

Follow Les on Instagram

Bearded Wisdom on TikTok

Connect with Les on Facebook