Close the Gap

What if distraction isn't something we need to eliminate?

In this conversation, I speak with Concetta Cucchiarelli about perception, attention, creativity, decision-making and the role of curiosity in finding your path.

Concetta's work began with sound: from composition and sound engineering to exploring how what we hear can influence how we move, behave and perceive the world around us. She argues that we often think we know what is "signal" and what is "noise", when in reality much of what we dismiss as distraction may be telling us something important.

We explore:

• Why we might need "different ears" rather than more content
• How our senses influence us without conscious awareness
• Why removing all distractions may not necessarily improve focus
• The surprising relationship between safety, predictability and concentration
• Why creativity often happens after we stop actively working
• Why rest and recovery are actually part of the creative process
• The tension between research and action
• How to tell the difference between postponing action and waiting for the right time
• What our sense that "something is missing" might be trying to tell us

One of my favourite ideas from the conversation is that whenever we create something, there may actually be two products: the thing we create, and the person we become through creating it.

Concetta's final question is one worth sitting with: what is the gap between what you feel should be in your life and what you perceive is missing?

Concetta's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/concettacucchiarelli/

Concetta's free resource https://focus-gym.kit.com/freepdf

#Creativity #Focus #Perception #Entrepreneurship #Attention #PersonalGrowth #ConcettaCucchiarelli

Gemma Bulos has reinvented herself many times: preschool teacher, bartender, professional singer, traveller, social entrepreneur and changemaker.

In this conversation, we explore how those seemingly disconnected chapters shaped the person she is today. We talk about following curiosity, learning to listen before trying to solve, finding purpose, letting go of control, and creating the conditions for other people to realise their own potential.

Rather than focusing on what Gemma has built, we explore how she became the person who could build it.

Connect with Gemma:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmabulos/

Speaker website: http://gemmabulos.com/

Org website: https://shebuildspower.org/

Pedro shares his journey from facing industry setbacks to founding a successful game studio, emphasizing the importance of action, belief in oneself, and embracing chaos as part of the creative process.

Key topics:
The importance of taking action despite uncertainty
Building a team without initial funding
The role of chaos and unpredictability in creativity
Self-belief and mental resilience in entrepreneurship
Managing a large, remote team in game development
Learning from setbacks and failures
The significance of clear objectives in creative work
Innovative approaches to game design and collaboration

Links:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atabeycreationsdevs/eyes-on-yuki-co-op-tower-defense-about-babysitting-a-frog
https://www.linkedin.com/company/atabey-creations/

In this episode, Kremena Tordanova shares her journey from entrepreneurial beginnings in Bulgaria to her insights on leadership, intuition, and the importance of rest. Discover how her practices in yoga and mindfulness have transformed her approach to life and work.

Key Topics

• Entrepreneurial beginnings in Bulgaria
• The role of habits and self-awareness in leadership
• The integration of yoga and spirituality into professional life
• The importance of rest and recovery for high performance
• Distinguishing between intuition and anxiety

Connect with Kremena

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kremena-yordanova/

https://www.kremenayordanova.com/services

Rodrigo de Alvarenga's Journey of Impact, Resilience, and Purpose
In this inspiring episode, Rodrigo de Alvarenga shares how a lack of traditional planning, coupled with a relentless curiosity and resilience, has fueled his impactful career across startups, corporate innovation, and investments. His stories reveal that success often comes from asking questions, showing up with purpose, and embracing the long journey of impact.

Main topics
The power of curiosity and asking questions over traditional planning

The role of resilience and persistence in personal and professional growth

Impact as the long-term delta of transformation and value creation

Living spontaneously and learning from failures

The significance of meaning, language, and authentic purpose

Closing the gap: moving into phase four of life with action and intentionality

Managing complexity through mental models and self-awareness

In this episode:
Rodrigo recounts how he built his career without a formal plan, relying on curiosity and purpose
He discusses the importance of resilience, learning from failures, and small wins in achieving impact
Insights into how impact is the result of long-term transformation, not quick wins
The significance of understanding one's strengths, limitations, and the meaning behind actions
How his personal journey with Asperger’s syndrome and emotional disconnect shaped his professional approach
The concept of passing through the 'gap' to reach the next level of impact and self-orchestration

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Rodrigo Alvarenga: a journey of impact without a plan
02:23 - The importance of living spontaneously and asking questions
03:44 - Impact as the long-term delta of transformation
05:30 - Resilience and small wins in entrepreneurship and life
07:10 - The role of purpose in impact-driven startups
08:41 - Money as utility, not value in itself for impact
09:39 - How impact is a long journey, not an immediate result
11:38 - Impact can be positive or negative, depending on transformation
12:35 - The importance of meaning and language in human progress
14:34 - Learning through failure and the importance of persistence
15:31 - Comparing success in sports and life: effort over recognition
17:29 - Personal stories of striving, recognition, and understanding parental influence
20:09 - The recurring theme of perseverance and learning from mistakes
23:10 - Building skills through diverse sports and life experiences
25:37 - The absence of a rigid plan and the importance of curiosity and observation
28:40 - How the brain manages complexity by breaking down problems into smaller parts
30:35 - The importance of understanding oneself in context
33:01 - Phases of self-awareness and decision-making without a plan
36:37 - Navigating career shifts through curiosity and purpose
40:14 - Surprising career move in banking driven by genuine interest and persistence
44:33 - Impact of authentic purpose over strategic planning in relationships and career
48:47 - The importance of purposeful relationships and working with intention
54:25 - Developing self-awareness and closing the personal and professional gaps
56:29 - Moving into phase four: action, impact, and orchestration
62:38 - Final thoughts: the gap as an opportunity for growth and self-structureResources &

Links:
HAG Consulting hag(dot)ventures
Xcelerate Impact xcelerateimpact(dot)com
Connect with Rodrigo:
LinkedIn linkedin(dot)com/in/rodrigodealvarenga/

This episode offers a powerful message: embracing spontaneity, curiosity, and purpose can propel you toward impactful actions—closing the gap between ideas and real change.

In this episode, I spoke with Sagar Kalra about what brings more life into the world. We discussed being present, grateful, and spontaneous, as well as connecting authentically with others. Sagar shared his personal story of starting his own company and the lessons he learned from that experience. He offers insights on building relationships, overcoming setbacks, and continuing to pursue your ambitions. Listen in to hear Sagar's thoughtful perspectives on bringing your full self to life and work.

### Key Discussion Points - The importance of being grateful and spontaneous - Making time to observe and learn from your surroundings - Creating space for others to share their personalities at work - Observing others' quirks to better understand them - Pushing through difficult times by accepting what happened and moving forward - Finding support and external validation after setbacks - Continuing to pursue your ambitions despite obstacles CONNECT WITH SAGAR KALRA:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagar-kalra-/

CONNECT WITH JORIM HOLTEY-WEBER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/ https://emergetoprosper.com/

In this episode of More Life, Jorim Holtey-Weber interviews entrepreneur Marina Petrakova about her medical technology startup, Vreach, and the challenges and rewards of managing it. They discuss topics such as toxic work environments, mental health, and the affordability and effectiveness of therapy for neurodivergent individuals. Marina emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and inner acceptance, as well as understanding and meeting one's deepest needs. She also discusses the significance of diversity and neurodiversity in business settings and the importance of leading by example. Finally, Marina highlights the importance of mental health and building a positive work environment, and she emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to prioritize their personal well-being.

Key topics include: - Letting go of self-criticism to increase space for creativity and risk-taking - Being a role model by living authentically - Creating psychologically safe and collaborative startup cultures - Combining entrepreneurship education with psychology and mental healthcare Guest Bios: Marina Petrakova is the CEO and founder of Vreach, a medical technology startup using VR to provide therapy for neurodivergent individuals. She is a leader in the tech space in Latvia, having founded the community Riga Tech Girls. Marina is a certified professional in clinical audiology, speech language pathology, rehabilitation, and cognitive sciences. Vreach is a Latvian startup using virtual reality to assist neurodivergent patients in receiving engaging, measurable, and effective therapy. Their tool empowers doctors to provide productive therapy while avoiding burnout.

CONNECT WITH MARINA PETRAKOVA:

vreach.eu

linkedin.com/in/marina-petrakova-18b854110/

CONNECT WITH JORIM HOLTEY-WEBER

emergetoprosper.com

linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/

In today’s episode of More Life, I’m happy to speak with Krissie McMenamin delving on emotional intelligence skills. Strong interpersonal and professional connections need the development of emotional intelligence. It entails being aware of, cognizant of, and capable of managing your own emotions as well as those of others. Krissie's program could provide valuable insights and techniques to improve these aspects of emotional intelligence. Remember to actively engage in the program and practice what you learn to see meaningful results in your life. Enjoy the journey of mastering emotional intelligence. Don't miss out, subscribe to More Life today!

Connect with Krissie McMenamin:

AskHuh.com

http://mindlevers.com/

Connect with Jorim Holtey-Weber:

Emerge to Prosper

Emerging Men

More Life podcast

Ever wondered how compassionate inquiry can transform your perspective on life? 🤔 In this episode of More Life, I'm joined by Ruth Veda and Marcus Druen to explore the profound impact of bringing fun into moments of seriousness. We delved into the concept that change always unfolds in the present moment. Join us for a captivating conversation as we uncover the power of compassionate inquiry and the art of infusing joy into the serious aspects of life. Tune in now to gain fresh insights on embracing change and living more fully. Don't miss out, subscribe to More Life today!

Connect with Ruth Veda:

https://ruthveda.com/

Connect with Marcus Druen:

https://audacify.com/

https://www.inner1st.io/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusdruen

https://twitter.com/marcusdruen

Connect with Jorim Holtey-Weber:

https://www.emergetoprosper.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/

Listen in as we discuss essence, innovation, caring leadership, and more.

CONNECT WITH CAROL SANFORD:

https://carolsanford.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolsanfordkeynote/

CONNECT WITH JORIM HOLTEY-WEBER

https://emergetoprosper.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jholteyweber/