What does success look like? How can we live life to the fullest, remain true to ourselves and be kind to others?

These are some of the questions I ask my friend, Ned Grossman, author of How to Succeed in Life: Ideas and Principles They Don’t Teach in School. Ned is wise, witty, and committed to keeping things simple and getting things done. As a prolific doer, Ned believes that actions speak louder than words. And in this heartfelt conversation, we talk about love, grief, and finding the courage to live life on your own terms.

Links from this episode:

Ned’s Books:

How to Succeed in Life: Ideas and Principles They Don’t Teach in School

How to Succeed in the 21st Century: Focus On the Things Over Which You Have Input, Impact and Control

Connect with Keith:

Email: Contact Keith Macpherson

Website: Keith Macpherson

Instagram: @keithmmac

YouTube: Keith Macpherson

How can we learn to love ourselves and treat ourselves more kindly? How can we stop our negative self-talk and start to value our unique qualities and gifts?

In today’s episode, I explore these questions with Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and Christian worship leader Sarah Kroger. We talk about faith, self-love, and self-acceptance, and Sarah shares the story behind her beautiful song Belovedness, which reminds us that we are all lovable, precious, and perfect just as we are. 

Learn more about Sarah:

Website: sarahkroger.com

Instagram: @skroger

YouTube: youtube.com/c/SarahKrogerOfficial

Spotify: spotify.com/artist/22cW8LmhiJAWAaFd0cfEbH?si=zSxIBrvxSN2D0cOSY38AqQ&nd=1

Connect with Keith:

Website: keithmacpherson.ca

Instagram: @keithmmac

YouTube: youtube.com/user/keithmmac

Recommended Books:

Dark Nights of the Soul: amazon.com/Dark-Nights-Soul-Finding-Through/dp/1592401333

Life of the Beloved: amazon.com/Life-Beloved-Spiritual-Living-Secular/dp/0824519868

The Return of the Prodigal Son: amazon.com/Return-Prodigal-Son-Story-Homecoming/dp/0385473079

What does it feel like to come home to yourself?

How can you access your soul’s inner strength and live life with more compassion, grace, and joy?

These are the questions I explore with my guest Dr. Melissa Moore, the co-founder of Karuna Training and author of The Diamonds Within Us: Uncovering Brilliant Sanity Through Contemplative Psychology. Melissa has been following the Buddhist path for over forty years and has extensive experience educating others about the benefits of meditation, mindfulness, and loving-kindness. Today, we discuss how to stop looking for happiness outside ourselves, and Melissa shares the techniques she uses to quiet the ego, connect to the heart, and become aware of the strength and wisdom within us.

Connect with Melissa: 

Karuna Traning's Website: karunatraining.com

Melissa's Book: thediamondswithinus.org

What does it mean to walk deep? And why does connecting with Nature, Self, and Spirit make us feel happier, healthier, and more fulfilled?

These are some of the issues I explore with my guest Abigail Prout, who wrote her first anthology of poetry, Walk Deep, during the Covid pandemic. In that time of enforced isolation, Abigail felt drawn to writing about her relationship with the forest landscape around her home on Lopez Island. Today, Abigail reads two powerful poems from her collection, and she urges us all to slow down, find some stillness, and appreciate the splendour that surrounds us.

Get in touch with Abigail:

Website: abigailprout.com

Walk Deep Poetry Connection: amazon.ca/Walk-Deep-Abigail-Morgan-Prout/dp/195636823X

Spiral Leadership: spiral-leadership.com

Connect with Keith:

Website: keithmacpherson.ca

Instagram: @keithmmac

Teacher, Take Care Book: portageandmainpress.com/Books/T/Teacher-Take-Care

What does it mean to be mindful? Does mindfulness always need to involve sitting in silence and concentrating on our breath, or can we find more creative ways to practise mindfulness that are better suited to our personalities and lifestyles? Today, I explore the topic of creative mindfulness with coach and singer/songwriter Katy Oberle, and we dive into what mindfulness means to us and how we can use it to relieve stress, enhance mood, and help us navigate through the inevitable ups and downs of life.

Links from this episode:

Welcome to the new season of Let’s Connect, where I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned from living through the pandemic and share some of the tools I’ve been using to help navigate these strange and challenging times.

In this first episode, I dive into mindfulness and creative leadership and suggest practical ways to shift stuck patterns like people-pleasing and perfectionism. I also explain why applying for a private pilot’s license and completing a successful solo flight has helped me face up to my fears and given me an unparalleled sense of freedom.

Links from Episode: 

A solo episode of Let’s Connect is a real test of my confidence. Will I be good enough to carry the show? Will people like it? Is everyone laughing at me right now?

How many times a day do you wonder if you measure up, or worse, convince yourself that you’re a total failure?

The invitation in today’s episode is to start telling yourself a new story.

This is the first show of 2021, so I thought it would be perfect to start the year by starting over.

Confidence. I’ve spent a lifetime chasing how to live with it, authentically. Now, I want to help you find a way to stop second-guessing your every move.

When I was in grade seven, I wanted so badly to be an actor. But something painful happened that made me start hiding and telling myself I wasn’t good enough. I will share that story in this episode.

When did you start hiding and feeling like you weren’t good enough?

I have a formula for self-assuredness to offer you today. It fights off the inner saboteur that wants to keep you feeling small, and it brings you back to the present, where your power is waiting.

So let’s not wait another minute to get to them now, and leave what was then behind us.

Connect with Keith Macpherson

Website: https://www.keithmacpherson.ca

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/keithmmac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithmmac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithmmacpherson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithmmac

Why do some people heal, while others don’t? Why are some of us content with just a little, while others can never be satisfied, no matter how much they get out of life?

My guest today on Let’s Connect is someone I fondly call my ginger sister, Bonnie Schroeder, a healing practitioner who has traveled five continents over three decades working as a clinical researcher, in medical management, and doing energy work that merges science and spirit.

Through this drawn-out pandemic, are you longing for a better moment than this one?

Bonnie invites us to start small, taking baby steps towards ourselves with curiosity and heartfulness. Her deep call is to provide healing energy medicine, and how she works her magic is a little hard to pin down in words, but I have been through the energy work she offers and it is transformative.

Resolve to be kind to yourself, starting today. Enjoy some music in this episode.

And some more good news - the Making Sense of Mindfulness course has just been re-launched, and my personal gift to you is a free video workshop on stress and anxiety. Information on these offerings - and much more - can be found on my website, keithmacpherson.ca

Bonnie is going to remind us now that our first relationship is with ourselves. Isn’t that a good way to look forward to 2021?

Connect with Keith Macpherson

Website: https://www.keithmacpherson.ca

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/keithmmac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithmmac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithmmacpherson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithmmac

With Christmas just a few days away, I wanted to offer a gift from my heart to yours.

This time of year, we have an opportunity to reflect on forgiveness and peace. As we’re all staying home, some of us suffering old hurts and new loss, I’m reminded that our souls - everyone’s souls - just need to breathe.

We need to see the glory of the simplicity, harmony, and wonder of life, one day at a time.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or another meaningful tradition, I believe it’s true that the power of music transcends whatever might try to divide us.

The universal language of music is my gift to you today. You’ll also hear a contemplative reading of the work of Celtic mystic and poet John O’Donohue, my rendition of River by the great Joni Mitchell, and Maybe This Christmas by Ron Sexsmith, one of the nation’s best and most underrated singer-songwriters.

I’ve also got a personal story to tell you about how the universe recently nudged me to pay attention to the call to give, wholeheartedly.

My friends, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and season’s greetings to you and yours.

May we all take care of ourselves, and especially our suffering brothers and sisters.

Love on,

Keith

Connect with Keith Macpherson

Website: https://www.keithmacpherson.ca

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/keithmmac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithmmac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithmmacpherson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithmmac

What do you get when you put two professional life coaches and authors behind the mic at the same time? A provocative and inspiring conversation!

As this episode of Let’s Connect begins, I burst at the seams in my excitement to announce a number of new projects that have been simmering on my creative stove for many months during the pandemic. I can’t wait to share these new offerings, all of which are about to be served up at the same time, as 2021 approaches. There’s definitely something in it for you.

My guest on the show today is one of the most experienced, skilled, and respected executive coaches in the world. Karen Wright coaches executives and entrepreneurs around the world, helping them tune into that elusive combination of success, health, and happiness.

Her book, The Accidental Alpha Woman: The Guide to Thriving When Life Feels Overwhelming couldn’t come at a better time.

The book promises to help women stop feeling so alone and tired as they juggle it all.

Full of relatable, practical wisdom from someone who’s been there, Karen joins me to share her own Accidental Alpha stories and the audacious hope she holds for her readers.

Connect with Keith Macpherson

Website: https://www.keithmacpherson.ca

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/keithmmac

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keithmmac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keithmmacpherson/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/keithmmac