In this episode, Giovanna interviews Kendra Cunov, co-founder of Authentic World. Kendra has been teaching, facilitating, and most importantly, practicing authentic relating and integral circling for the last 15 years. She works with organizations, leaders, and coaches who know that connection, truth, and integrity are points to success. Listen as Kendra talks about the true meaning of authentic relating, the interpersonal activities that create opportunities for genuine connection, and the benefits of investing in both solo and interpersonal experiences.

Today’s guest is Kendra Cunov

“Kendra is one of the most powerful coaches & leaders I know. If you are looking to deepen your personal relationships, grow your business, build your team, or improve the communication and leadership skills of your team leaders, you would be well-served to work with Kendra. Her guidance has supported me in scaling my events, while simultaneously creating even deeper and more intimate experiences for our participants. Her impact is magical.” – Rich Litvin, Author of The Prosperous Coach & 4PC Founder

Kendra is the co-founder of Authentic World

She works with people who know that connection, truth, and integrity are points to success

She has consulted for companies like GenenTech and the staff at 4PC

Learn more about Kendra on her website, KendraCunov.com

Giovanna has known Kendra for a year now

Sometimes, even Kendra thinks about how she came into her position right now

She was born into a Zen Buddhist Monastery

She went back to the monastery and lived there for 3 years as an adult

The monastery was her life

At 5, Kendra and her mom left the monastery

When they moved, her memories became sharp and clear

Kendra thinks that intentionally surrounding herself with people who are on the path of personal growth impacted her a lot

At 19 or 20, Kendra looked around and saw a group of people dedicated to their awakening and their personal paths

Kendra felt a part of her was already curious about this interpersonal experience

There’s a dynamic tension between our solo experience and our interpersonal experiences

Meditating solo everyday won’t improve interpersonal relationships; working on interpersonal relationships won’t build your inner stamina

The test comes when you’re in a relationship – not necessarily a romantic one

Authentic relating comes from a myriad of different communities/practices coming together

Kendra’s husband and his business partner created the Authentic Man Program – it’s where Kendra first engaged herself in this interpersonal relating

Kendra and her fiancé held authentic relating games nights

It was creating experiences for people to connect in ways they don’t do on their own

When you’re face to face with someone, you can think of your answers to that person, in that moment

“It allowed people to share to others in the way that they were longing to”

After 3 years of facilitating the game night, they started facilitating events for a dating company

The dating company worked with more middle-aged, professional people

This opportunity led Kendra to realize that authenticity works for everyone

Another key was: “You gave us permission”

Giovanna shares her experience with Kendra’s intimacy workshop last year

Giovanna believes there was the sense of essential longing that she felt was fulfilled in that workshop

Kendra feels fulfillment when people tell her how they felt with her sessions or workshops

It’s normal to feel the way you do, especially in a container

It takes a setup to play formally or informally

“Containers hold us”

Container or context is the thing that people say, “You gave us permission”

“Set people up so they know what’s happening”

Women operate on a deeper level than men

Men are single-focused

Women have dispersed attention

One game Kendra plays is Curiosity

Only one person asks, and another person answers for 3-5mins

Nothing is off limits

“The only rule is you have to be curious”

The role of the person answering is