Time is a commodity - you either invest it or you use it. Once gone, it cannot be reused, so we need to make the most of the time we have. For those who say they don't have time, I say find time. The challenge in finding time, is developing habits and routines that maximize your time and minimize wasting it. In today's episode, I will talk about forming habits that serve your higher priorities, leverage the resources available to you, and engaging in behavioral shifts which actually help you find more time.

While I have never really thought about this before, there are multiple ways to listen. People can listen actively, passively, empathetically, critically, and in various other ways depending on the context, their intentions and needs, and the general situation. Listening differently, depending upon context and situation is a big shift from my blunt, impolite, and less than teaching directive, “just shut up and listen.” Join ShaRon Rea and I, as we talk about Sonic Intricacy and how we can utilize different forms of listening to engage in learning conversations with others. For ShaRon, this subject is a passion of hers and I am looking forward to learning more about it through our conversation.

Join host David Cooke for a discussion on personal leadership and the four pillars or principles behind effective personal leadership. Personal leadership involves taking responsibility for your actions, making informed decisions, and inspiring others through your behavior and values. It's not only crucial for your own growth and success but also impacts how you influence and lead those around you. Effective personal leadership can lead to improved relationships, increased productivity, and a positive impact on both professional and personal spheres of life.

When intellectuals believe they are right, it's often due to their confidence in the thoroughness of their analysis, research, and understanding of a subject. However, it's essential to maintain humility and openness to consider alternate viewpoints, as intellectual thinking should involve continuous learning and adaptation based on new information and perspectives. Often it can be difficult to engage in a productive interactive conversation with “superior minded” individuals. As much as I enjoy all conversations, these often are the most challenging for me. Please join ShaRon Rea and I for a discussion around discovering ways to engage in conversations with highly intellectual, sometimes superior minded individuals.

Behind the Badge: The other story Behind the Badge explores the stories, experiences, and challenges as shared by my guest, Korky Vander Ploeg, a retired law enforcement officer with twenty-seven years direct experience. While we are often exposed to the negative side of law enforcement in our media, we are reminded, there are more than two sides to every story. In today’s podcast we will delve into the human side of police work and the complexities and challenges few of us have had an opportunity to learn about. Korky’s insightful and thoughtful perspectives provide just the type of conversation we need to be having when discussing or debating the issues of law enforcement. Join Korky and I, as we engage in a learning conversation and gain a deeper understanding of the broader issues related to law enforcement, such as police-community relations, police reform efforts, and the ongoing evolution of modern policing practices, as well as provide a honest conversation of the difficulties police officers face as they serve their communities today.

Democracy or Republic – what is the United States? What does that really mean anyway? How important is the distinction for us, as citizens? What are our rights AND responsibilities as citizens? No, this is not a civics class, or a discussion on government. My guest, ShaRon Rea and I are going to engage in a discussion about citizenship and what that means in terms of rights, responsibilities, and freedoms. When so many of us are engaged in divisive conversations about these buzzwords we raise the questions: 1. What obligations to we have as citizens of this country to our fellow citizens? 2. How do we define the actions and behaviors relating to responsible citizenship? 3. If we listen, learn, and understand the views of others, what are the possibilities for this country and we battle each other over legal, moral, value and belief related issues? Even though we are not supposed to talk about religion and politics, ShaRon and I know how to do this and have a healthy outcome? Want to hear how its done, Join us…

How do you invest and prioritize your time? Are you investing your time and and energy in alignment to your passions, life purpose, mission, and what feeds your soul? What are you spending your time on that drains you and steals your joy? If you're out of alignment with where and how you invest your time, this podcast episode is perfect for you and worth the hour to listen. This week's guest, Jessica Kaskov (https://www.soulsalary.com/) and I are going to discuss how we give ourselves the salary we deserve, not necessarily a financial salary; but, a of energy, joy, and fulfillment that feeds our soul. When we give in to distractions, misplaced priorities, or the sacrificing of personal needs in the name of career and success, we are not giving ourselves, our souls what it needs to sustain, energize, or fulfill us. Your soul salary is at least as important as your financial salary, yet the time and effort we put out to make more money pales in comparison to the priorities associated with making certain our soul is properly compensated for what it needs. Join us as we explore how to go about obtaining the soul salary we desire and deserve.

They say there are two things we aren’t supposed to talk about in public – religion and politics. In the next episode of “Stop Telling and Start Listening” my special guest, Doug Vrieland, and I are going to break that rule and wade deep into a discussion about religion in politics and politics in religion. Join us for an interesting discussion about these two subjects in relation to evangelical church in the United States today. Doug and I have had several private conversations about the politicization of the modern Christian, evangelical church and the impact of these behaviors on our society – believers and non-believers alike. I have always enjoyed the way Doug articulates his own struggles to support a denomination he loves while battling with the manner in which today’s evangelical church inserts its beliefs into the political issues today. I invited Doug to have one of our conversations on the show because his comments, concerns, and struggles are interesting and enlightening. It isn’t easy to talk politics and religion with most people, but Doug has nice way of authentically and constructively sharing his views without being confrontational, condemming or critical.

We may not realize it, but the phrase “blazing a trail” is an apt summary of path of our life. When we start our journey, it’s a blank map and then, day by year, year after year, every experience and event leaves a mark on the map of our lives. We are blazing our own trail! But, what does that really mean? How do we leverage the experiences from our past with inspiration and enlightenment? Today’s guest, author, speaker and coach, Jodee Gibson has been on a powerful educational, experiential journey. Along the way, she has come to discover how our past experiences, the map of our lives, have tremendous influence on our healing, learning, and the future direction and outcomes. Join me Monday, July 10 for an insightful and inspiring discussion about “Healing your Map,” as we discuss how to find inspiration, guidance, and healing by looking at our life’s map in an unconventional, insightful manner.

It started out as a consultation about one of my clients and the Gallup survey on employee engagement they had taken. We were reviewing and discussing the results and their implications and indicators, when it hit me… …This would be a great discussion for a Stop Telling and Start Listening episode. In the context the interactions I have had with my guest, Engagement has a corporate application to – communication, trust, leadership, connection, productivity, motivation, etc. Yet, when we look at this closely, humans need connection, purpose, and meaning to thrive in their relational dynamics. Join me and my guest, Al Winseman, as we talk about engagement and how being engaged influences the energy and outcomes in our lives. We will also discuss how we can improve engagement and connection with those in our orbit.