By Joshua Steinfeldt
Founded by coach and teacher Joshua Steinfeldt, The Courageous Life invites you into a deep conversation about finding the courage to pursue what matters most in life, work, and love.
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The podcast currently has 174 episodes available.
This past week clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Meg Jay was back on the show.
One of the big themes we explored together was uncertainty,
And how we can experience more ease in the face of it.
Meg offered a useful reminder that when we experience uncertainty
research shows that our amygdala becomes more active.
The amygdala being the part of the brain that is often casually referred to as the "alarm bell."
Simply put, when things are uncertain we don't tend to like it very much.
Part of the reason for this is that sitting in uncertainty can feel vulnerable,
And by definition when we are vulnerable we are more susceptible to harm,
and more open to attacks.
As a result our body and mind have evolved to respond to uncertainty accordingly.
Our perspective can narrow.
The mind can race.
Our heart rate can increase, and we can become more contracted as we enter into a 'threat state'.
Knowing this can be helpful in that it gives us greater awareness.
But what’s even more helpful (at least in my view) is using that awareness to explore ways we can strengthen our ability to relax into uncertainty.
To explore ways we can find ease in not knowing as we learn to make friends with uncertainty.
This is like a superpower for our time.
Today’s practice will offer up a couple of ideas for how to practically grow this capacity in ourselves.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Meg Jay (if you haven't already):
Or pick up a copy of her book: The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age
Thank you for your practice.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
Looking for more practice opportunities?
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Our 20’s are a unique season in our lives.
While often romanticized as a decade that should be a high point,
they are an age marked by uncertainty and major life transitions.
From leaving the familiar rhythms of school,
To (for many) entering the work force full time, for the first time.
To experiencing changes in meaningful relationships, friendships, and our community.
And as part of this there’s the big questions that begin to arise:
And sometimes it can feel like not only do we need to have the answers, but we need to have them quickly.
This episode is the first in a new mini-series that will shine a light on this unique decade of life, ideas for how to approach the big questions, the possibility of relaxing into uncertainty, and even thriving in the process.
Over the next 3 Wednesdays you’ll be exposed to powerful insights, practices, tools, and stories that hone in on:
Today, we are thrilled to kick these conversations off with one of the world's leading experts in this space, Dr. Meg Jay.
Meg is a therapist and bestselling author who a recent New York Times profile called “the patron saint of striving youth.”
Her TED talk “Why 30 Is Not the New 20” is among the most watched to-date.
And her books have changed the way millions of twentysomethings think about their twenties—and themselves.
During our time together Meg and I will explore:
I hope you enjoy the time with Meg as much as I did.
And if you know someone who might benefit from this conversation, please share!
More about Meg:
Meg Jay is a developmental clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. She is the author of The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age, the cult classic The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now and Supernormal: The Secret World of the Family Hero. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and her work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review and on NPR, BBC and—maybe most important for her audience—TikTok. For more, check out megjay.com
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To fail is human.
It’s built into our experience from childhood.
We begin to walk and we fall.
We begin a project, we work toward a goal, or we start a business and we may fail.
We experience these moments -
And we come up short.
And in these moments there is an opportunity for practice -
Learning to relate to these moments from a place curiosity, care, and compassion (vs. criticism, blame, and judgment).
In my recent conversation with Amy Edmondson we dove into the topic of failure and explored this opportunity under the backdrop of larger questions:
How do we stay open to learning in the face of failure?
How do we stay open in the moments where we come up short?
Today’s practice (which is being re-released) offers some options for opening that build upon the conversation with Amy and the insights that came out of it, including:
An invitation to slow down
To breathe deeply
And to make an intentional shift to curiosity, awareness, and compassion.
When you do, it may just open up more opportunities for learning, growth, and getting better next time.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic I would encourage you to check out the interview with Amy Edmondson (if you haven't already):
Or pick up a copy of her book: Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well
Thank you for your practice.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
Looking for more practice opportunities?
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“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
-Abraham Maslow
What is it that empowers people to make this choice?
To be bold enough to step forward into fear as they move toward purpose, and transcendence?
These questions are at the heart of today’s conversation with Dr. Jordyn Feingold.
Jordyn is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, a researcher, and a positive psychology practitioner who focuses on bringing the work of self-actualization to patients and clinicians around the world.
Jordyn's work is in part inspired by Abraham Maslow and other prominent psychologists who were at the forefront of the human potential movement in the 1950’s, 60's, and beyond.
Today Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, (Jordyn's mentor, co-author, and collaborator), is in many ways carrying this work forward.
Following in Maslow's footsteps Scott is pushing the science of self-actualization into new frontiers as author of the bestselling book Transcend and founder of the Center for Human Potential where he and Jordyn have worked closely together. Jordyn is part of the Center's Senior Leadership team, and is also a member of the founding faculty.
In this episode Jordyn and I will dive deep into the topic of growth and themes related to human potential which she and Scott explore throughout their beautiful book: Choose Growth: A Workbook for Transcending Trauma, Fear, and Self-Doubt.
I hope you enjoy the time with Jordyn as much as I did!
Did you find this conversation inspiring? Here are other episodes we think you'll love:
About Jordyn:
Jordyn H. Feingold graduated from adult psychiatry residency in 2024, and is now a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow. She's also well-being researcher, and positive psychology practitioner. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with her BA and Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) and received her MD from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is also a founder of the emerging field of Positive Medicine. Learn more about Jordyn at centerforhumanpotential.com
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One of the highlights of this season on the Courageous Life has been expanding the show with a new series that features inspiring stories of everyday heroes and the helpers who walk beside them.
One of these helpers conversations featured Amy Dong.
Amy is a talented therapist and a breathwork facilitator.
During our conversation she offered a window into her work and how she walks beside people on their journey in therapy,
where one of her core areas of focus is helping people learn fundamental practices that can help regulate their nervous system in ways that lead to:
For today's Practicing Courage episode I asked Amy if she would be willing to record a brief practice along these lines that we could share here.
She agreed.
And here we are.
I hope you enjoy this brief time with Amy and find that what she offers creates a restful pause in the midst of your day.
More from Amy:
Thank you for your practice today.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
Looking for more practice opportunities?
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“If we don’t work on our stuff, our stuff will work on us. It will run our lives - and show up in our offices and relationships - until we take the reins of responsibility for our own well-being.”
These words were written by today’s guest, Allison Schultz (who goes by Ali).
Along with Jerry Colonna and Dan Putt, Ali co-founded Reboot, the widely acclaimed leadership development and CEO coaching firm.
At Reboot they believe:
That in work is the possibility of the full realization of human potential.
Work does not have to destroy us.
Work can be the way we achieve our fullest self.
Today we are going to take a deep dive into Ali’s work:
We’ll also spend some time highlighting and discussing themes and practices from her beautiful new book:
The Art of Being Human at Work: Meditations for the Work of Your Life
Which is a profound collection of essays that explores the core philosophy of Reboot’s unique approach, and teaches us that if we are to work and lead well—with authenticity, courage, integrity, and compassion—we must first do the necessary inner work of becoming a better human.
Throughout our time together Ali will share more about what it takes to do that inner work,
What becomes possible when we find the courage to do so,
and how life-changing this journey toward wholeness can be.
Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:
Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!
More about Ali:
In 2014, after years of work in a variety of startups and a lifetime of soul-based explorations, Allison Schultz co-founded Reboot with Jerry Colonna and Dan Putt. As a coach, Ali weaves her business acumen with the innate wisdom of the body, the philosophies of the world's wisdom traditions, and "the way of the horse" to help clients seeking personal growth and committed to deep inner work find their voice in service of finding themselves. For more, visit: reboot.io
Thanks for listening!
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In today’s practice you’ll hear a clip from a past conversation with kindness researcher Dr. Kelli Harding.
She’ll offer a beautiful reminder about just how easy it can be to make someone else’s day.
How little it takes to lift others up.
And that when we do,
when we offer these little acts of kindness, they generate positive ripples outward.
One small act of kindness creating a win-win-win proposition:
Curious to explore this topic further? Check out the full conversation with Dr. Kelli Harding:
Thank you for your practice today.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
Looking for more practice opportunities?
Check out:
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How might we learn to better negotiate and navigate seemingly intractable issues?
And what if it was possible to not only navigate these issues, but to meet all people’s needs in the process?
What if it was possible to truly find win-win solutions?
In today’s conversation with Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison, two leaders in the field of bridge building and conflict resolution we’ll address these complex, challenging, and timely questions head on.
Questions that have been at the heart of their work for many years, and are explored in depth in their profound new book: From Conflict to Convergence Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.
Today, they will offer up their hard-earned wisdom about how we can all get better at navigating difficult conversations, resolving challenging conflicts, and building meaningful connection in the process.
Much of what they will share comes from their work at Convergence a leading non profit organization of which Rob is the Founder and Mariah is the CEO.
For more than a dozen years, convergence has pioneered a distinctive approach to collaborative problem-solving across divides.
Bringing people together across ideological, political, and identity lines to help solve seemingly intractable challenges at the intersection of national politics and policy.
Convergence’s success offers a beacon of hope for the majority of Americans frustrated by divisiveness and toxic polarization. Their work demonstrates that change is possible under the right conditions, and that we can affect lasting, consistent changes that improve people’s lives when we come together to recognize our common humanity.
For more about Convergence, Rob, Mariah, and their book please visit convergencepolicy.org
This episode is the final conversation in our mini series that brought together leaders at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and writing about how we can:
For more, check out these other conversations in the series:
More about Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison
Rob founded Convergence in 2009 and served as its first CEO until 2020. He has spent over 45 years bridging policy differences and moving important public policy solutions forward in Washington DC, working for Congress, in the Executive Branch, and in leading non-profit organizations. Head here to learn more about Rob.
Mariah serves as CEO and President of Convergence. With decades of experience, Mariah is a seasoned consensus-builder who excels in bringing diverse groups together to address critical state and national issues. Her expertise extends to speaking and training on a national and international level, engaging with a wide range of audiences including local communities, law schools, foreign governments, and TED. Head here to learn more about Mariah.
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Thanks for listening!
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Yesterday we re-released a moving Courageous Life conversation with Juliana Tafur.
Juliana is a journalist, award winning documentary filmmaker, and bridge builder.
She serves as the Program Director for the Greater Good Science Center’s Bridging Differences Program.
During our time together she shared shared some of her story, and insights from her incredible work as we explored the art and science of listening in ways that lead to:
Today I’d like build on that conversation by re-releasing a practice that can support finding ways to connect.
Particularly when it’s difficult.
Given that we’re human, imperfect, and not always at our best (at least speaking for myself) this idea of finding ways to connect when it’s difficult, when we are in conversations that are charged, or there’s reactivity etc…
Can be quite a useful inquiry to explore.
Today's practice will infuse a blend of storytelling, research-backed insights from leading organizational scholars, and simple ways to deepen self-awareness and tap into more empathy, understanding, and compassion.
For more ways to have constructive conversations, including insights and practices for connecting across difference, check out these conversations (if you haven't already):
Thank you for your practice.
I look forward to continuing together next Thursday!
-Joshua
Looking for more practice opportunities?
Check out:
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How can we more effectively navigate conversations with people who have different values, and beliefs than we do?
Neighbors, community members, co-workers, and family members who care deeply about the same issues, but who have widely different views about them.
What are the conditions that would be needed in order to have productive conversations?
What are the intentions, skills and mindsets we need to cultivate?
In this new 3-episode mini series we will explore these complex yet practical questions with Courageous Life guests new and old.
You'll be exposed to leaders at the forefront of researching, facilitating, and sharing their hard earned wisdom, about how to have constructive dialogues, find win-win solutions to our hardest problems, and build bridges across difference.
As we move into election season here in the US, these conversations are particularly timely,
But the skills and insights contained within each conversation are also timeless.
Today we’ll continue this series with our second conversation - a past episode with Juliana Tafur who is the Program Director for the Greater Good Science Center's Bridging Differences Program.
Together we explored the art and science of listening in ways that lead to meaningful connection, deeper relationships, empathy, and can build bridges across difference.
Highlights include:
Interested in diving deeper into this topic? Check out the Bridging Differences Program for free resources including the Bridging Differences Playbook.
Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:
More about Juliana:
Juliana Tafur is the Program Director for GGSC’s Bridging Differences Program, applying her experience as social entrepreneur and founder of Listen Courageously, and as Emmy-nominated senior television producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker. Juliana creates resources rooted in science to bridge political and cultural divides. She also forges strategic partnerships across sectors—government, education, philanthropy, and public service—and oversees communities of practice, to ensure bridge-building skills and resources reach people and strengthen social cohesion across the US. As a Colombian-American devoted to listening to bridge what divides us (as seen on her TEDx talk), fostering a broader culture of belonging—through dialogue, connections, and understanding—is her life’s mission.
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The podcast currently has 174 episodes available.
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