Meet the Macs

Anderson Silver - Accountant by day, Stoic by conviction.

Anderson Silver came by his revelation honestly: through success. As he tells it, money, family, the perfect “white picket fence life” all did little to fill a remaining void of purpose and direction. For him, unhappiness was the trigger. In the middle of a life of doing without thinking and a lack of fulfilment with his “success”, Anderson discovered stoicism. It changed his life. And we talk about it!

Join us for an energetic exchange of thoughts about joy and purpose and re-education. Anderson’s approach may not be for you (he can meditate all day long!), but you’ll certainly be provoked by his thoughts on happiness as a consequence. Along the way, we touch on Buddha’s revelation and Marcus Aurelius’ maxim of “If it’s good, do it.” It’s all so simple, really. Especially with Anderson as a proponent and guide.

Maximize your equanimity for the next 40 minutes. Just press play

More information about Anderson:

• www.patreon.com

If you like to know more about me and my Leadership Programs:

• www.fiefmacrander.com
• [email protected]

Finally - a not only-nice girl! After all, the only nice ones don’t get rich and they definitely don’t get the corner office.

 It was a thrill to have Lois Frankel join me for a conversation on Meet the Macs. Lois, an ex-therapist, is an executive coach, an author, an evocative thinker, and the founder of the MOSTE and Bloom Again Foundations. Our time together was far too brief but was replete with recognition and powerful insights.

 Why don’t women speak up or stand out? What’s so important about being polite? We discussed these limitations - the ones we place on ourselves – along with women’s tendency to use far too many words. Why do we do this? Do we really think we have to explain? And how can we communicate better? Lois navigates this “thin pink line” with aplomb, with handholds for when to stop. She clarifies how headline communication can help us get our messages across. Number, sort, categorize, be more structured. Combining eastern face-saving and western assertive approaches, she sketches a brilliant rejoinder to all those condescending mansplainers out there (you know who you are) who interrupt and appropriate ideas.

 Want to learn how to have a difficult conversation? It’s easier than you think. Just press “play” and join us!

About Lois:

• www.drloisfrankel.com
• Books: Nice girls don't get the corner office , Nice girls don't speak up, See Jane lead, Ageless women, timeless wisdom, Nice girls don't get rich, Stop sabotaging your career, Nice girls just don't get it, Women, Anger & Depression.
• www.Bloomagain.org 

If you like to know more about me and my Leadership Programs:

• www.fiefmacrander.com
• [email protected]

This time an interview with Richard Borden, an environmental geologist AND a fascination by world’s traditions and wisdom.

In his book Sage advice he examined the lives and the maxims of eighteen sages selected for their unique contributions to human thinking. From Confucius to Ghandi. From Elizabeth Tudor to Benjamin Franklin.

 Despite the great separation in time, space and culture their teachings are remarkably consistent, he found out. Richard likes to look at their common strenghs and insights instead of the distinctive flaws of the world’s different religions and philosophical tradition.

He lives a sustainable lifestyle. And with his 6 years old mobile phone he surely puts into practice what he preaches!

About Richard Borden:
Richardkborden.com

If you like to know more about me and my Leadership Programs:
www.fiefmacrander.com
[email protected]

An Intellectual Johnny Appleseed

Julian Baggini is no musician, he’s a philosopher, a journalist and writer (The Godless Gospel, Babette’s Feast, How the World Thinks, A Short History of Truth…). But he knows how to make music. It’s about awareness of otherness, he says, attention to underlying unity. Spin the knobs, adjust your value sets, create more tolerance, nothing is completely alien.

Julian’s ideas resonate across domains and make for captivating conversation. Sharing small thoughts about big things and big thoughts about small things, our conversation touched on ballet, the NHS, comparative philosophy, jazz and, oh yes – leadership and ethics.

Along the way, we discuss what Covid has exposed in individuals and society. Our culture, for example, hasn’t equipped us for transience. And the myth of self-sufficiency has blinded us to how the individual and the collective intertwine. Cutting yourself off makes you less creative; it’s precisely collaboration that allows for the expression of individuality. You never really piss in just your end of the pool.

Julian mentions the embarrassment of non-awareness - that there’s more than one way to be intellectual and rational. The history of western thought is NOT the history of thought, he emphasizes. The attempt to understand the world by applying reason, without religion or mythology, has been underway for centuries, everywhere.

And while admitting that philosophy is a luxury – requiring time to think – this generous intellectual Johnny Appleseed forged ahead, scattering seeds of thought everywhere along the way. I wish we could have elaborated on his view of universal basic income.

Join us. Stay tuned!


About Julian Baggini:
www.julianbaggini.com


If you like to know more about Fief Macrander and her Leadership Programs:
www.Fiefmacrander.com
[email protected]

What makes us better people? How do we grow to become better leaders, lovers, friends?

 I had just finished reading Jerry Colonna’s book “Reboot – Leadership and the Art of Growing Up”, and was chewing over childhood experiences and their impact on our own behaviors. Intense introspection may yield insight. But at what point does it get in the way of living life, pursuing our journey, growing? So I called him.

Our conversation touched on Jung and Freud, alcoholism and spiders – grace notes in this week’s podcast. But we mainly discussed leadership. Jerry proved gentle, gracious and ruthless at once in his approach. He looks at behaviors we don’t want; conditions we (say we) don’t want. And asks us to acknowledge our own complicity in sustaining these behaviors and situations. This “CEO whisperer” even showed me the tattoo on his chest. “Alleviating suffering,” he said, has to do with “being what you choose to become.” 

                                  “You worry too much. It’s all gonna be OK.” Have a listen!

About Jerry Colonna:
www.reboot.io
About the book Jerry mentioned: To bless the Space by John O'Donohue
About Joyce Rupp reading her poem Old Maps No Longer Work http:/vimeo.com/315916263

If you want to know more about me and my Leadership Programs, please let me know!
www.themacs.partners
[email protected]

I’ve got a lot of questions. In a fascinating 40-minute conversation, John Sellars answered them all succinctly. “How do I discern the right path?” “What is success?” “How can I reduce anxiety?” If similar life questions keep you busy, then this podcast is for you.

John, a writer, professor of philosophy and founding member of Modern Stoicism, is a learned, approachable and accomplished thought-weaver. His most recent book, “The Fourfold Remedy”, follows on earlier works that include “The Art of Living”, “Lessons in Stoicism” and “Marcus Aurelius”. It drills down into the Epicureans' question about how best to live life (the short answer?: pursue tranquility), borrowing from his mailman along the way.

Our interview carried us from the individual to the universal – from practical coping techniques and the avoidance of pain to the rationale of social existence. Turns out we are not isolated predators after all. All kinds of things may incline us toward egotism, but in the end, we’re unimportant. So cultivate social relationships. That’s where the joy lies.

We also spoke about chosen and unchosen roles. The contingencies, duties and responsibilities these carry. And particularly about how to put these into perspective. Which roles can we choose and which ones should we choose? In the absence of religion and in a tsunami of social media voices, rituals and routines offer guidance. Observe yourself; get to recognize your own value judgements. How? By slowing down and reflecting. By spending time alone. By spending the next 40 minutes with your headphones on.

Those 4 remedies? He ticks them off in a single sentence.

About John Sellars:

www.johnsellars.org.uk

www.modernstoicism.com

If you want to know more about my Leadership programs and me:

www.themacs.partners

[email protected]

David Langiulli claims he’s certain of one thing: uncertainty. This thought stayed with him on mountaineering expeditions throughout the world. It’s with him today on the jiu-jitsu mat. “Don’t react, respond!” he exhorts. “Get your mind right.”

David and I sat down to mull over the Stoics and leadership. Our conversation romped off quickly toward responses to the things beyond our control. How to act. Whether (!) to act. Join me for an engaging half hour with the author of “The Essential Leadership Journal”. Along the way, he offers his take on rousing to motivation and about clarifying what’s essential.

Does your work give you joy? You’re on the right track. Where, exactly, does that joy originate? (Be mindful: both the rational and the emotional may be floating your boat. And your “inner critic” often clouds vision, grabbing at the tiller.) David Langiulli, an experienced guide, provides insight.

About David:

www.fundraisingleaderhip.org

www.davidlanguilli.com

If you want to know more about Leadership and me:

[email protected]

www.themacs.partners

In the 90s, Tiffany Mika traveled the world playing pro tennis. Today she's at the top of het game .....of golf, tennis and life! I spoke with this remarkable athlete about her mental approach, about her recent book "Focus- How to Reach Your Potential in Sport, Business & Life" and about changes in her life.

Join me for this enjoyable conversation with Mika in which she reveals how little wins lead to big ones. Little wins can be as simple as waking up in the morning the right way or just making your bed! We spoke about peeling back the "levels of why". And about her practical TFAR system(thoughts feelings actions results)-for use in your life both on and of the court.

Discover more about Tiffany Mika's website and social media:

tiffanymikapodcast

theladygolfteacher.com 

www.Tiffanymika.com

Ben Aldridge writes about practical philosophy, comfort zones, mental health and adventure. His first book How to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: 43 Weird & Wonderful Ways to Build a Strong Resilient Mindset is an exploration of unique ways to leave our comfort zones, face our fears and overcome our anxieties. Heavily influenced by Stoicism, Buddhism, Popular Psychology and CBT, Ben's challenges encourage us to get uncomfortable and experience the personal growth that we can only gain from pushing ourselves to the limit. Discover more at Ben's website and on social media: www.benaldridge.com Instagram: @dothingsthatchallengeyou

Twitter: @iambenaldridge

A great interview with David Allen!

David is widely recognized as the World's leading authority on personal and organizational productivity. He is an author, consultant, international lecturer, and Founder of the David Allen Company.

Author of the book Getting Things Done, the Art of Stress-Free productivity (ISBN 978-0-14-200028-1)

It has been a perennial business seller since it's publication in 2001, and is now published in 28 languages.

Getting Things Done is a personal productivity methodology that redefines how you approach your life and work. With 5 clear steps that apply order in chaos.

- Capture

- Clarify

- Organize

- Reflect

- Engage

He borrows a simile used in martial arts termed "mind like water". The opposite of "mind like water" is a mind that never returns to quiescence but remains continually stressed by every input. With a trusted system and a "mind like water" you can have a better perspective your life.

His other books: Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work(ISBN 978-0-670-03250-1) and Making it all Work (ISBN:978-0-7499-4103-1)

Check: www.gettingthingsdone.com