Circle Up & Get REAL Podcast

Today I'm exploring a thought I first heard about from Steve Jobs: You can only connect the dots of your life looking backward.

What have each of us learned about our lives from that perspective? And how might it shape the choices we make from today forward?

We'd love to have you join us at the Enlightened Leadership Lab on Mondays from 4-5 central. You can get more information at www.emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab

In today's episode you get to sit in on a conversation between two old friends who haven't connected in a while.

Phil Gerbyshak is a blogger and author, and one of the people most influential in my journey into online writing.

Phil and I talk about how important friends are, whether they are near in proximity or near and dear to our hearts. He shares his journey from being an IT help desk manager to his current role as a high school teacher.

Despite the fact that Phil and I have only met in person once, we have remained good friends since our intital contact in 2004ish when we both started blogging.

Phil is the author of several books including his first, 10 Ways to Make it Great (https://happyaf.substack.com/p/10-ways-to-make-it-great-audio) and Zero Dollar Consultancy (https://philgerby.com/zero-dollar-consultancy/).

Follow Phil's substack: https://happyaf.substack.com/, find him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/philgerb/), or he has given us permission to call or text him at 414-640-7445.

In today's stream-of-consciousness episode I talk about how what we notice becomes our way of seeing the world. Do we see problems first or possibilities first?

When we get clear about noticing what we notice, so much can shift: IF we use our power of choice.

I mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab, where we practice emergent conversations on a weekly basis. You can find more information at emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab.

When we meditate or even when we are quiet - by ourselves in nature or even, potentially, at a public location but still by ourselves - it occurs to me that thoughts and feelings occur to all of us.

What kinds of occurrences are you present to in your own life? What do you do with those "random" thoughts?

Today I mention books by The Arbinger Group: Leadership and Self Deception and The Anatomy of Peace along with Simon Sinek's podcast interview with Bob Chapman ( • The Man Who Proved Me Right with CEO Bob C... , Heather Cox Richardson's Tuesday, November 4 report, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's panel discussion (dialogue) on The View, also on November 4.

In today's episode I share some of my recent Wonders and Ponders regarding what it really means to be United, and how we came up with that name for our country.

I also explore the original meanings of democracy, republic, and the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."

Join me as I wonder how our country has gotten where we are and whether this is what our founders intended for us.

I mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab which meets virtually on Mondays from 4-5 central (more info at www.emergentculturelabs/leadershiplab and also our Conscious Business meeting November 4 in Fargo: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conscious-businesses-of-fargo-meetup-tickets-1873031430429?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

There's sure a lot to talk about in our world these days! Are we more committed to fighting against and resisting what we don't want or to stepping into the unknown to create something we prefer instead?

If we aren't telling our own stories, someone is telling them about us.

Let's step into the space we hold open for true dialogue, even if the outcome isn't guaranteed. It's worth the risk if we go together!

Check out the Enlightened Leadership Lab if you'd like more opportunities to talk about these kinds of topics. https://www.emergentculturelabs.com/l...

I've been doing some deep pondering these days (surprise!) and also pairing that with some of the conversations I've been having and books I've been studying. That's a dangerous combination for anyone who prefers NOT to think and wonder and ponder. So if that's not you, feel free to skip this one. If you are in the community of people who find themselves waking up to curiosity and know somehow that there must be another way to BE in the world, tune in. This just might be for you. Today I talk about the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr and also our Monday Enlightened Leadership Lab. We'd love to have you visit if you are interested. Click on this link for more info!

My Indiana Fever basketball team left it all on the floor last night in an overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the semifinals.

On paper, they never should have gotten that far, but the heart and the culture of this team didn't buy into that story.

What can we learn about heart and soul and spirit from this team? How might we apply these lessons to infinite games and infinite mindsets?

Skeptical or Cynical.

It's sure been a week in America. I don't even have to date stamp this - just go back and check out any news source and you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about.

Wherever you turn, you can find someone or something to be upset about, and lots of good reasons to feel that way.

Does that mean that all the things that were good yesterday went away? Or is it the world we live in now?

I don't pretend to know everything. But there are some things I know, and I know I know them.

But is it safe to share knowingness these days?

Today I talk about what I'm observing and experiencing from social media and in conversations, both virtual and in person.

I mention the book "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey.