Life's Essential Ingredients

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Season 2 Episode # 21 Dr. Anna Lembke coming from Palo Alto, California

You can find Dr. Lembke via her website annalembke.com

Dr. Lembke is professor of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine and chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. A clinician scholar, she has published more than a hundred peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and commentaries. She sits on the board of several state and national addiction-focused organizations, has testified before various committees in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, keeps an active speaking calendar, and maintains a thriving clinical practice.

In 2016, she published Drug Dealer, MD – How Doctors Were Duped, Patients Got Hooked, and Why It’s So Hard to Stop.  Drug Dealer was highlighted in the New York Times as one of the top five books to read to gain an understanding of the opioid epidemic. 

Dr. Lembke recently appeared on the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, an unvarnished look at the impact of social media on our lives.  Her most recent book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence was an instant New York Times Bestseller, explores how to moderate compulsive overconsumption in a dopamine-overloaded world.  

TOTD – “It is not our perfection, but our willingness to work together to remedy our mistakes that creates the intimacy we crave.”  Dr. Anna Lembke

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

Appreciated your vulnerability in the book with sharing your story…

In preparing for this episode, I listened to you on another show and you mentioned you are most proud of your children.   What did you mean specifically? 

What are your Life’s Essential Ingredients?

Pleasure and pain pathway and the influence of dopamine 

Neurotransmitters  

SELF-BINDING as a barrier, please explain

Leisure hours projected to be 7.2 hours per day by 2040

HORMESIS – studies that show the beneficial effects of administering small to moderate doses of painful stimuli – live example, MIKE HAS a thumb tact he is going to continually poke himself with as Dr. Lembke guides us on the benefits of Mike’s actions

Tolerance to the impact of 24/7 dopamine - 

Living in a world of abundance with 24/7 access to Dopamine, how do you suggest we maintain homeostasis?

DOPAMINE FAST

Legacy

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Season 2 Episode # 20 Jason Holzer coming from Kansas City, Missouri

You can find Jason on Instagram @jholzer on twitter @Coach_Holzer or via his website 4Dathletes.com and on his podcast The 4D Athletes.

About our guest – Jason grew up in a small town in Missouri, and was raised in a loving family that gave him every chance to succeed. His parents were supportive and provided everything a 17-year-old boy desired. That is until Jason’s life changed forever on May 8, 2003, Jason’s  dad unexpectedly committed suicide leaving Jason, his mother and two younger sisters behind.

Through hard work, dedication and practicing a strong faith, Jason is now a certified teacher, accomplished basketball coach, and up and coming author and motivational speaker. His dedication to positively impacting the lives of those around him inspired the hashtag #ACT2IMPACT which serves as a reminder that we all can make a difference. Jason is a Missouri State alum, who is dedicated to being a loving husband and father. He strives to help others overcome the lasting effects of suicide and is on the board of United Suicide Survivors International. Along with others around the world, Jason is raising awareness that suicide doesn’t stop life from getting worse, it eliminates it from ever getting better.  Jason, thanks for the important work you do and welcome to the show!

TOTD – George Bernard Shaw stated, “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?  Small town of 800…

What do you love about playing and coaching sports

Teaching People How To Win In The Game Of Life

Currently reading?

Definition of Success

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients

Started program at Alta Vista High School and currently coaches at St. Therese North School in Kansas City

Congrats on your book – Shattered by Suicide Renewed by Resilience Fall of 2019 lost dad to suicide when he was 17 (may of 2003)…

4 D Athletes develop the entire athlete in four dimensions – mind, body, spirit, environment

Legacy 

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Season 2 Episode # 19 Chancellor “Lucky Chance” Jackson coming from Fulton County, Georgia

You can find at Follow Chance on Instagram & Twitter: @korlehj 

A little about our guest – Chance grew up in Smyrna, Georgia, and attended Stetson University where he played football and graduated with his Bachelors degree in Communication and Media Studies.  Upon graduation, Chance knew that he wanted to see the world and what better way to do that than combining his love of travel and teaching.   After looking at his options, Chance boarded a plan and landed in Beijing, China. The experience started out exactly how Chance had imagined (getting to experience culture, diversity, new foods, new language, new students, new friends).  Unfortunately, things would soon be different.  Much different.  Chance’s worst nightmare was about to come true.   Chance would spend his next 14 days being locked up in a Beijing jail cell with no idea of how long he would remain locked up or for that matter, if anyone even knew he was missing.  

 What would any teacher/athlete/spiritual being do…self-reflect and find a way to turn a difficult situation into a transformative experience.   Chance decided to take a chance and write his first book “14 days in Beijing” and has followed that book up with a second – You Love and You Learn.   Chance – Welcome to the Show!

TOTD – “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”   Helen Keller 

In this episode:

Hawks or Falcons

Falcons or Braves

Chinese food or Southern Double Fried Chicken

Writing or Teaching

Teaching or Coaching

Meat Pizza or Veggie

What was life like growing up?

Non-profit work with youth…if you could give the youth of today one gift, what would it be?

Mentor who changed your life?

What does a world of equity look like from your perspective?

What was the process of writing your two books and do you have plans for more?

Legacy 

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Season 2 Episode # 18 coming from Baltimore, Maryland

You can find at Mo at mobarrett.com and please check out her book Pardon My Quirk available anywhere you purchase books.

Mo is the daughter of a World War II veteran and the sister of an Air Force Officer, early in her life, Mo knew she wanted to fly the Air Force way.  When her high school guidance counselor laughed at her plan to apply to the Air Force Academy, Mo was even more motivated to achieve her goal.  Needless to say, a few years later, Mo graduated from the Air Force Academy (yeah Mo!!!).  Upon graduation, Mo flew the Alenia C-27A (first and only female C-27A pilot) throughout Central and South America, she flew a turbo-prop around triple-canopy jungles, and the C-5 around the globe. Immediately following the 9/11 attacks, Mo deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and served in various piloting roles. 

Mo was still a minority as a female pilot in a male-dominated profession, but was always treated as an equal.  Mo quickly learned there were a lot of things that made her “different,” but found that what mattered most was contributing to the mission as a competent professional. That lesson resonated with Mo for the rest of her career and post-Air Force life.

After a 25-year career, Mo joined her wife (also a retired Colonel pilot) in retirement and continues to leverage hard work and an ability to view the world through lenses of humor, optimism and perspective. Mo currently works as a professional speaker, author and licensed tour guide in Washington, DC.  

Mo, congrats on an amazing military career and thank you for your dedication and service to our country. Mo, Welcome to the show!

TOTD – An eastern Tibetan greeting – “TASHI DELAY – I honor the greatness in you.  I honor the place in you where lives your courage, your hope, your love, and your dreams.”

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

What was it like to fly the C5 and how cool is the Visor (front opening), 

Anecdoteist – someone skilled in telling brief amusing tales with a point, resulting in a laugh,, a pondering thought…

Suck Squeeze, Bang, Blow… analyzing our decision making process and the impact on others via the chambers of an internal combustion engine

Laugh, Learn, Think

Permission to play

Fight for centerline – defining, assessing, and adjusting for the many roles we play and reminding us that what we are is not who we are

Legacy 

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Season 2 Episode # 17 Simon Drew coming from Australia

You can find Simon at simonjedrew.com or via his Instagram @simonjedrew and please make sure to listen to his podcast The Walled Garden.

Simon is an Australian philosophical mentor, poet, author, musician, and photographer.  He received his Bachelor of Music Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and is currently studying for a Master of Divinity at Trinity College.   Simon is well known for his work with the Practical Stoic Podcast, which has since evolved into The Walled Garden.   

Simon finds great satisfaction in helping artistic and creative clients to think differently about the creative process, the philosophical and theological implications of artistry, and the role of the artist in culture at large. Inspired by his creative heroes, as well as by his own experience as a creative artist, he helps clients get the most out of their gift, and to overcome major personal objections while creating the conditions for their talents and gifts to shine.  

Speaking of gifts and shining, Simon’s authored his first book, The Poet and The Sage  - congrats on so many fronts and for the hard work and dedication to being a student of life… Simon, welcome to the show!

TOTD – “No one can live happily who has regard for himself alone and transforms everything into a question of his own utility,” wrote Seneca in 63 AD (Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger)

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients

Jazz Music and Trumpeter… what do you love about music

Your love of poetry and where do you find the inspiration

Stoicism – the endurance of pain without the display of hardship or complaint

Seek Truth, Love Wisdom, Cultivate Virtue, Imitate the Divine

In looking at the challenges of the world today, if you had to solve them with character values, what values would a SAGE choose for humanity moving forward?

Known as the intrepid soul traveler… explain

How incredible is it that we can read a piece of literature and have it ignite a spark in us to take action today…

What is in our control and what is not

Legacy 

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Season 2 Episode # 16 Kara Bitar coming from Greensboro, North Carolina

You can find Kara via her website karanicolebitar.com or via Instagram @karanicolebitar

Kara holds a J.D. from Duke Law and for 6 years practiced high-stakes corporate litigation at one of the largest law firms in the southeast.   Kara planned her whole life to become an attorney and thought she had everything she wanted, except for one of life’s essential ingredients - HAPPINESS.  

 Kara enjoyed many aspects of her work as an attorney but knew something was off.  Kara left the one profession she worked hard at, she dreamed of, she made her living with… Kara was empty on the inside and knew she would have to make a difficult life decision…

After years of research, experimentation, and many dark moments, Kara eventually found what she was her missing ingredient - HAPPINESS.  

 Kara started Optimize Your Life and has not looked back.  Kara has transformed her life and I now helps others do the same.  Kara, Welcome to the Show!

 TOTD – “It’s hard to know whether to laugh or to cry at the human predicament. Here we are with so much wisdom and tenderness, and - without even knowing it –we cover it over to protect ourselves from insecurity. Although we have the potential to experience the freedom of a butterfly, we mysteriously prefer the small and fearful cocoon of ego.”  The Places That Scare You - Pema Chodron 

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

Planned your life around practicing law.  Years of education and investment and you decided to walk away.   How did you finally make the decision to leave?

Trading one job for another… have sunken cost mindset…

Journey of finding out who you were and what you needed to be happy?

The SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS – what was that process…

Define happy?

Define passion, energy…

Definition of Success

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients

Define Optimization Coaching

Kundalini Yoga and the difference vs. other forms of yoga?

How do you help people find truth in who they are?

Live their values to experience happiness, joy, love, vulnerability…

The power of our thoughts, explain how taking conscious control of our thoughts leads to empowerment.

Legacy - The only thing you take with you when you are gone is what you leave behind.  What is it you want your family, friends, clients to feel in their heart when you take your last breath?

Thanks for listening and enjoy the show!

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Season 2 Episode # 15 Kel Haney coming from an island in Maine

You can find Kel at kelhaney.com or on Instagram @kelhaney

Kel empowers individuals with the knowledge that they already possess the most critical tools needed to be skilled fundraisers (empathy, candor, vulnerability, enthusiasm, and storytelling). Kel uses her skills acquired as an accomplished theater director and how she leads a rehearsal room,… as her fundraising methodology – Kel’s methodology - focus on what makes each person unique and engaging.  The results: Kel has raised over $10 million dollars for various performing arts organizations and other business and nonprofit organizations.

Kel divides her time between New York City and Maine. When not working, she likes to be physically active: yoga, bodyweight strength training, and long walks; she loves to cook, listen to podcasts (especially Life’s Essential Ingredients) & memoirs/personal development audiobooks.  Kel, Welcome to the Show!

TOTD – “Sometimes we feel that what we do is just a drop in the sea, but the sea would be less if it lacked a drop.”                                                              Mother Teresa

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

I’ve always wanted to go to Maine, what is it like?

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients – best thing you do for you?

How did you get into acting, directing, theater…

What is it like to lead a rehearsal room?

How did it feel to get someone to donate a large sum to support an organization you believe in?

Getting over rejection… insights?

Tip for someone just starting out in fundraising.  Best bang for the buck so to say…

Best way to tell your nonprofits story?

Reading the D, how do you know when to cut ties and seek out new donor opportunities?

All the info you need to launch a phone-based fundraising campaign.

Tell me about Donorly and how your organization helps raise money?

Legacy "The only thing you take with you when you are gone is what you leave behind."  John Alston

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Season 2 Episode # 14 Leah Ellis coming from the North Los Angeles area

You can find Leah via her website at endeavorfinancialcoaching.com or via Instagram @endeavorfinancialcoaching.com

Money mentor by day and financial coach-slash-bookkeeper by night, Leah is all-in to help eliminate money stress in America's families and small businesses.  Leah offers money management classes for kids and teens to help the next generation gain confidence in their money handling skills while learning how to plan for the future and avoid debt. 

Leah started Endeavor Financial Coaching and dedicates her time to teaching fed-up Americans how to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle and reach their money goals. 

TOTD – Why to do something is much more important than how to do it. If you get a big enough why, you can always figure out the how. If you have enough reasons, you can do virtually anything in this world.                                                    - Anthony Robbins 

In this episode:

What was life like growing up?

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients

Raising three children thru the pandemic

When did you learn about money?

Is there a right time to buy a house?

Dynamics of communicating finances in the home – doing the bills, allowance, partnership in managing money

Investing money vs. paying off house

Greatest financial tip ever received

Credit score, please share a few tips of how to increase your score

Best tip for a family of four who is living month to month

Best tip for a 18 year old who is moving out and getting their first job, first apartment…

Mentor – Dave Ramsey – 7 Baby Steps = save $1000, pay off all debt, save 3-6 months of fully funded er fund, invest 15% of household income for retirement, children’s college fund, pay off home, build wealth and give…

Importance of teaching children how to manage money

Ted X speaker, goal…what would your message be

Legacy 

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Season 2 Episode # 13 Dr. Christian Montag is coming from Ulm, Germany

Dr. Montag is an author, speaker, psychologist, and neuroscientist and currently works as a Professor for Molecular Psychology at Ulm University and as a visiting Professor at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu.

Dr. Montag’s research interests are centered around molecular genetics of personality and emotions. He combines molecular genetics with brain imaging techniques such as structural/functional MRI, to better understand individual differences in human nature. He also conducts research in the fields of Neuroeconomics and addiction, including new approaches from Psychoinformatics.  Listeners, it is going to be one educational and informational episode.
Dr. Montag, Welcome to the show!

TOTD  B.F. Skinner – “the emotions are excellent examples of the fictional causes to which we commonly attribute behavior.”

In this episode:

Tell me about life growing up 

Please tell the listeners about Ulm, founded in 1181 have a beautiful astronomical clock, on the Danube River and of course, the Ulm Minister Church…

Jaak Panksepp coined “Affective Neuroscience.” Dr. Panksepp was your mentor… what attracted you to his work?  

What are your essential ingredients?

Instagramization – what are your thoughts on the influence it has on our brains and ability to connect to one another

Addiction

Smartphones – the impact of digital societies on human brains

What are our emotional needs in a digital society?  Is technology changing those needs?

Gaming Disorder 

Your most recent book (6)– Animal Emotions – please provide an overview of the book.  

Psychoinformatics – is that another way for psychologists to market to our vulnerabilities…

All of this has been very interesting but if you had to summarize your work and why it is so important in answering this question – what is the implication for humanity if we don’t take action to better understand our emotions and therefore, the influences that cause us so to say, to be emotional

Legacy

Other place to find Christian
www.thescienceof.art (project with John Wright)

My book "Animal Emotion" on Pankseppian Affective Neuroscience (PDF version free!): https://punctumbooks.com/titles/animal-emotions-how-they-drive-human-behavior/

​​​​​​My book "DU GEHÖRST UNS" on the data business model behind digital applications (only German language): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.de/Paperback/Du-gehoerst-uns/Christian-Montag/Blessing/e583737.rhd

More on me: www.christianmontag.de

Or on my research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian-Montag

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrismontag77

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Season 2 Episode # 12 John Wright coming from London, England

You can find John at johnwrightphoto.com or Instagram @johnwrightphoto

John’s work communicates the way he feels about the human beings he sees in the world. John hopes his images will entertain, challenge, reward, and delight you.   John’s work is held in the permanent collection of The National Portrait Gallery in London and are displayed in countless commercial galleries throughout Europe.  John had the honor to shoot the last formal portrait of Michael Jackson and has captured beautiful life images of the likes of Lady Gaga, Pink, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and other ICONS of the times.

John is a student of Taoism, Buddhism and Stoicism and these studies guide the work he creates.  John continually strives to take everyday images that perhaps we take for granted and to bring them to life…as to be seen for the very first time.  

John, Welcome to the show!

TOTD – “The object of painting a picture is not to make a picture – however unreasonable this may sound. The picture, if a picture results, is a by-product and may be useful, valuable, interesting as a sign of what has passed. The object, which is back of every true work of art, is the attainment of a state of being, a high state of functioning, a more than ordinary moment of existence.” Robert Henri

In this episode:

What was life like growing up in Scotland?

How did your artistic career begin?

What have you learned about yourself throughout the years of your career?  How does life-long learning help create a fresh lens?

How do you develop your creativity?

How do you title your work?  

Love the Clouded Judgements Collection.

Redwoods are my favorite tress and you have a beautiful and deep picture of a woman hugging caressing a tree.   Please tell me about that shoot?  

Your Life’s Essential Ingredients – 

30 pairs of shoes – what do you love about shoes?  What life essential ingredient do they represent?

Study you and Christian are doing…The Science of Art – can you tell the listeners more about it? https://www.thescienceofart.de

Legacy 
Thanks for listening and enjoy the show.