The Courageous Life

Often times gentleness and power can be seen as opposites, ideas or ways of being that may not go together. Today’s guest, Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti invites us to rethink this. Sharing a number of insights from her new book Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu she argues that the intersection of these two qualities can be a catalyst for unlocking some of our greatest potential as people, and as leaders. 

In this episode:

• We dive into more of Elisabet’s journey including reflections from Sisu Not Silence, a 2400km run across the country of New Zealand which she did to help end the silence around domestic and interpersonal violence. Check out part one with Dr. Lahti (episode 69) for more much more of the backstory on this.
• She will share key discoveries she gained during the run as well as her martial arts training over the years, and how these insights and revelations were a key part of her research on Gentle Power as an elevated expression of SISU. 
• We will also take a deep dive into gentleness (what it is, what it’s not, and why it matters)
• Being nice vs. being kind and why being kind is a training ground for gentle power
• How gentleness can transform into strength when it meets difficulty
• Elisabet’s in the moment practices for cultivating gentle power in difficult conversations
• Questions to help cultivate self-awareness that may be the first step toward unlocking true power
• The importance of humility and how it relates to true power
• And more!

Pick up your copy of Gentle Power now and learn more about Dr. Lahti at sisulab.com

About Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti:

Emilia Elisabet Lahti, who goes by her second name Elisabet, is an awarded educator, applied psychology researcher, published author, and international presenter on topics of inner strength in times of adversity and transformation through self-leadership. Elisabet studied applied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. Martin Seligman and completed a PhD at Aalto University in Finland in which she pioneered the research on the Finnish construct of sisu (a psychological strength potential referring to extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity). She is passionate about the study of human flourishing and cultivation of virtues, and to determine how these can be leveraged on a systemic level to promote worldwide change. Founder of Sisu Lab which builds communities and organizational cultures based on everyday leadership as expression of courage and compassion. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Business Insider, BBC, and Forbes. Originally from Finland, she’s taught internationally and given talks at Fortune 500 companies. 

You can find more more information and resources at www.sisulab.com.

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For more episodes, podcast updates, and Joshua's event schedule visit: joshuasteinfeldt.com

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As we continue our kickoff of season 3 we are re-releasing our first ever conversation on the Courageous Life, with Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti.  In celebration of her new book, Gentle Power, coming out next week we will launch an all NEW episode with her that takes a deep dive into themes from the book including why the intersection of gentleness and power may be the future of leadership. We hope you enjoy this before and after (or part one and part two) conversation with Emilia Elisabet!

In this episode we explore:

• Sisu - what it is, what it's not, and Dr. Lahti's original research on this innate human capacity
• Sisu Not Silence - a 1500-mile / 50-day running journey across the length of New Zealand for nonviolence and peace
• How Elisabet works with fear
• Strategies and approaches for accomplishing massive goals
• Self-compassion - how it can be an unexpected and powerful force for training 
• How to effectively work with doubt and the inner critic
• How to create safe spaces and why safety can help to unlock courage
• And more!

About Emilia Elisabet Lahti:

Emilia Elisabet Lahti is an awarded educator, applied psychology researcher, and founder of Sisu Lab and Gentle Power Academy, which build communities and organizational cultures based on everyday leadership as expression of courage and compassion. Her work has been featured by The New Yorker, Business Insider, BBC, and Forbes. Originally from Finland, she’s taught internationally and given talks at Fortune 500 companies, TEDx, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley. For more, see sisulab.com.

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Welcome to Season 3 of the Courageous Life! We are kicking things off with the return of one of our most popular guests of all time, Parker J. Palmer. 

In today’s episode we explore Parker's reflections on: 

• Living with an open heart - the benefits, the drawbacks, and why this can be a lifelong practice
• How to have effective conversations across difference and why letting go ego is a big part of this
• The power of cultivating more humility and curiosity in one’s life and in relationships (particularly when that might not be the easiest thing to do)
• Why honesty can be a prerequisite for compassion
• Stories and practices related to how he has strengthened his ability to be open hearted over time
• Themes from his new book, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old
• The beneficial effects of awe and "big nature"

Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal, holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as thirteen honorary doctorates.

Parker is the author of ten books— which have sold nearly two million copies and been translated into ten languages. Some of his most popular include Let Your Life Speak, A Hidden Wholeness, The Courage to Teach, and Healing the Heart of Democracy. Parker’s work has touched the lives of millions of people around the world seeking to live more courageously and authentically while serving the human possibility. To learn more about Parker you can simply google his name, or you can check out couragerenewal.org or newcomerpalmer.com. 

Did you find this episode inspiring? If so, you might love these past episodes:

Jerry Colonna - Leadership and the Art of Growing Up

Mark Nepo - Finding Inner Courage Where it Lives

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Parker J. Palmer is a writer, teacher, and activist. Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal, he has written ten books, including the bestselling Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness, Healing the Heart of Democracy, and On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and thirteen honorary doctorates. In 1998, The Leadership Project, a national survey of ten thousand educators, named Palmer as one of the thirty “most influential senior leaders” in higher education and one of the ten key “agenda-setters” of the past decade. Since 2002, the Accrediting Commission for Graduate Medical Education has given annual Parker J. Palmer “Courage to Teach” and “Courage to Lead” Awards to directors of exemplary medical residency programs around the U.S. In 2010, Palmer received the William Rainey Harper Award, whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire. In 2011, the Utne Reader named him one of 25 Visionaries on its annual list of “People Who are Changing the World.” To learn more about Parker and his latest project, The Growing Edge, please visit newcomerpalmer.com

In this part one episode we explore: 

• Some of Parker's personal story including challenges and adversities he has faced and how these have shaped his life
• What wholeness is and the courage it takes live an undivided life
• Parker's insights about writing, speaking, and connecting with an audience
• Lessons Parker has learned about finding courage and working with fear
• The power of reframing situations and circumstances one faces
• How to listen deeply
• Finding one's vocation in life
• How to create conditions that foster courage in others 
• And more!

For Joshua's upcoming events and classes please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com

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\For show notes and more visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast


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In today's episode Kevin Cashman shares his incredible story of dying, coming back, and what life and work for him are like on the other side of this experience. 

Kevin and I have a deep and wide ranging conversation that covers:

• What Kevin experienced when he died
• His road back to health and what key factors helped him most on this journey
• How Kevin's experience has shifted his perspective and deepened a sense of meaning and purpose in his work with leaders
• His view on the importance of expressing appreciation and gratitude
• His take on the central question we have been exploring in the Courageous Life: "how do I keep my heart open when it begins to close?"
• Exciting new research on the importance of openness in leadership
• The 3 B's: A framework for keeping the heart and mind open to learning, connection, and growth
• And much more!

**Please note that due to the nature and topic of this conversation it is possible that some listeners may find parts of the conversation to be upsetting or triggering. Please listen at your own discretion. Thank you.**

About Kevin Cashman:

Kevin Cashman is a best-selling author, CEO Advisor, and pioneer of the ‘grow the whole person to grow the whole leader’ approach to transformative leadership. He is the founder of LeaderSource Ltd, and the Chief Executive Institute® recognized as one of the top three leadership development programs globally. In 2006, LeaderSource was acquired by Korn Ferry, where Kevin is now Global Leader of CEO and Executive Development across 130 offices that touch the lives of 100,000+ leaders monthly.

Kevin has advised thousands of CEOs, senior executives and senior teams in more than 80 countries worldwide. He has written six books including Awakening the Leader Within and Leadership from the Inside Out, named the #1 best-selling business book of 2000 by CEO-READ and is now used at over 150 universities globally.

For more on Kevin please follow him on LinkedIn or visit cashmanleadership.com

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Michael Jordan credits George Mumford, a.k.a The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,  with transforming his on-court leadership, helping the Bulls to six NBA championships. As Phil Jackson’s ‘Secret Weapon’ George has also served as Mindfulness Coach to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'neal, and countless other NBA players. George’s passion is teaching mindfulness to high profile sports, business and academic teams alike; from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, to senior global executives and systems. He is the author of The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance. George also has The Mindful Athlete Course, which can be found at GeorgeMumford.com.

In this episode George shares:

• More about his personal journey and how he came to work with Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant
• His perspective on what separates the worlds greatest performers from the rest of the pack
• How mindfulness and meditation can boost performance
• Insights on Flow and finding 'the zone'
• A simple and practical mindfulness framework George calls the 4A's for enhancing wellbeing and performance
• His thoughts about the importance of being a better friend to one's self
• Why "trying" to make things happen can actually be a barrier to success
• Practical tips for growing courage and taking compassionate action
• And more!

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Jim Detert is the John L. Colley Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, and perhaps the world's foremost expert on courage at work. His research focuses on workplace courage, why people speak up or stay silent at work, ethical decision-making and behavior, and other leadership-related topics. His research, teaching and curriculum development and teaching have won multiple awards at UVA and Cornell. His work is regularly featured in various media outlets. If you are interested in taking a deeper dive into his work, check out his new book. Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. For more on Jim please check out jimdetert.com

In this episode Jim and I take a deep dive into the topic of courage and explore:

• What courage is and what it isn't
• How courage can result in living with less regrets
• The tie between courage and becoming a better and more respected leader
• Why courage is not a character trait, and how it can be developed through practice
• Working with impostor syndrome
• The contrast between aspirational and core values
• A behind the scenes look at an experiential lab where Jim and his team train people to be more courageous
• And more!

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Know someone who could benefit from the insights in this, or other conversations on the Courageous Life? Please share the show with them. 

For show notes and more please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast

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Andrew Reiner is a professor at Towson University, where he offers the seminar “The Changing Face of Masculinity.” He has written on masculinity and men’s issues for the New York Times,Italy’s La Republica and the Washington Post Magazine, and his work has been featured on NPR and the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and in The Guardian, Men’s Health magazine, and Forbes. He speaks about masculinity regularly at schools and conferences nationally and internationally. 

In this episode Andrew shares themes from his new book, Better Boys, Better Men including:

• His story and the reasons behind his passion and interest in his work
• Reflections on traditional messaging around masculinity and why much of this thinking is outdated and no longer serving many of today's boys and men.
• How he is thinking about healthy masculinity today 
• Why vulnerability and asking for help are forms of strength, and how these qualities can promote greater courage and emotional resiliency
• Why living authentically is courageous and is at the core of his work
• Updated research findings in neuroscience and child development supporting the need for a new vision of healthy masculinity 
• And more!

Enjoying the show? Let us know by rating it or leaving a review on iTunes!

For show notes and more please visit joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast

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Dr. Sunita Puri is the Medical Director of the Palliative Medicine Service at Keck Hospital and Norris Cancer Center of the University of Southern California, where she also serves as Chair of the Ethics Committee. Sunita is the author of That Good Night: Life and Medicine in the Eleventh Hour, an acclaimed literary memoir examining her journey to the practice of palliative medicine, and her quest to help patients and families redefine what it means to live and die well in the face of serious illness. Her work has been featured on PBS' Amanpour Show, the Guardian, NPR, the Atlantic, Forbes, and People Magazine, which named her book the Book of the Week. She has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Slate, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. For more, please visit sunitapuri.com

In this episode we explore:

• Sunita’s personal journey toward greater self-acceptance 
• Why honesty is a form of kindness
• How curiosity can be a key factor in keeping the heart open in the face of difficulty
• Strategies for having courageous conversations about what really matters in life
• What death can teach us about living well
• Empathy - why it’s about asking the questions that need to be listened to
• A few of Sunita’s learnings about when to keep fighting, and when to let go
• The role of courage in living a life without regret
• And more!

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Melvin L. Smith, Ph.D., is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and Faculty Director of Executive Education at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. Melvin's teaching and research focus on leadership, leadership development, executive coaching and the development and use of human and social capital in organizations.  He is coauthor of the book Helping People Change: Coaching for Lifelong Learning and Growth. Prior to his academic career, Melvin spent nearly 15 years in a series of Sales, Marketing and Organization Development roles at a number of Fortune 500 companies including IBM, Pepsi and H.J. Heinz. 

In this conversation Melvin and I explore:

• What renewal is and why it's fundamental to thriving
• How we can navigate stress in uncertain times using practices of renewal
• Every day practices for finding renewal, including meditation, deep breathing, and more
• How community and compassionate relationships support renewal and thriving
• Why negative emotions help us survive, and positive emotions + renewal help us thrive
• Why questions are so powerful when it comes to pursuing your dreams
• The importance of having a dream, and pursuing it with intentionality
• How Melvin works with coaching clients to realize their dreams
• The 4 foundations of a courageous life
• And more!

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate it on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

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