The Difficulty: Creativity, Meaning & the Hard Work of a Life

Chad discusses the growing pressure of stress in modern society and the need to develop mindfulness practices to manage it. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and interrupting compulsive thinking patterns that reinforce negative emotions and emotional reactivity.

Chad introduces the "stop one minute breathing space" technique to help you pause and take stock of your body, feelings, and associated thoughts, all through the lens of modern neuroscience in understanding this phenomenon.

High Notes:Managing stress and emotions through mindfulness practices.

• How thoughts and emotions are linked, leading to patterns of emotional reactivity.
• The "magic quarter second" of choice before acting on impulses.

Mindfulness and self-awareness practices to manage stress and anxiety.

• Pausing before reacting to thoughts and emotions to choose a wiser response.
• Mindfulness meditation can help empower individuals to slow down and respond from a more inner wise place.
• By focusing on breath, individuals can control their heart rate and access natural resilience and wisdom.
• One-minute breathing space for stress resilience.

Find out more about Big Self School:

Big Self School seeks to democratize wellbeing and happiness. Our methodology is rooted in science and ancient wisdom to help clients improve their outcomes and design their dream life. We are innovating the way coaching is currently practiced. We’re building a community to serve in a variety of high impact ways from coaching to in-person trainings to even using AI. Let's dream of a better future for everyone. Lead yourself first. Others will follow. bigselfschool.com

Download our free book, What Do You Expect? Discovering Methods for Deep Calm.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify.

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad discusses the concept of stress in today's fast-paced world, exploring its impact on the human body and mind. He highlights the importance of understanding and managing stress to improve overall well-being. He presents a counterintuitive perspective that stress can be beneficial when viewed as a positive force.

Later, he explores the interplay between stress and social isolation, emphasizing the importance of social support in managing stress. Embrace stress as an opportunity for connection and resilience, and develop courage in handling life's challenges with the support of others.

High Notes:

Stress and its impact on the body, with a focus on understanding and managing stress.

Brain's stress response system and its impact on body.

Relaxation techniques, physical activity, and social support for managing stress.

Cortisol's effects on brain and body due to chronic stress.

Stress, its effects on health, and the importance of community.

Oxytocin's role in stress response and its physical benefits.

Stress, resilience, and the importance of caring for others.

Find out more about Big Self School:

Big Self School seeks to democratize wellbeing and happiness. Our methodology is rooted in science and ancient wisdom to help clients improve their outcomes and design their dream life. We are innovating the way coaching is currently practiced. We’re building a community to serve in a variety of high impact ways from coaching to in-person trainings to even using AI. Let's dream of a better future for everyone. Lead yourself first. Others will follow. bigselfschool.com

Download our free book, What Do You Expect? Discovering Methods for Deep Calm.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify.

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Chris Collins discuss the importance of building strong communities through authenticity and inclusivity. They emphasize the role of small businesses in fostering a sense of community and the need for people to feel welcomed and included.

They also share personal experiences and insights on balancing parental responsibilities and personal aspirations, maintaining focus and setting structure to achieve productivity goals, and the significance of chiropractic care in identifying and resolving underlying health problems.

We highlight the interconnectedness of the mind and body and the importance of prioritizing self-awareness, accountability, and community in personal growth and development.

High NotesTrends in humanities and arts, with a focus on personal expression and creativity.Parenting, communication, and prioritization.Managing distractions and demands on the brain for productivity and well-being.Chiropractic care and its relationship with the nervous system and spine.Chiropractic care and its impact on nervous system function.Health coaching, stress management, and personality types.Mind-body connection, community building, and entrepreneurship.Social health, saying yes to experiences, and the benefits of ice plunges.Top 5 current fatherhood books with insights from authors.Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol' sign up for a weekly roundup of all things happening at Big Self School.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and John M. DeMarco discuss their paths to coaching, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, trust, and connection in their practices. They also explore the evolving nature of careers and skills, particularly among younger generations, and highlight the need for intentional training, experience, and learning agility to navigate this landscape.

And what about the importance of clarity in intention, mindfulness, and coaching, and the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and mental well-being? And how could we forget the intricate dynamics between artificial intelligence and humanity, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to AI and the importance of understanding and compassion in our interactions with others.

High NotesCareer journey from writing to coaching.Career transition from ministry to coaching, emphasizing skills development and personal branding.Coaching people to clarify their intentions and set achievable goals.Mindfulness, coaching, and connecting physical and mental well-being.Self-criticism, writer's block, and the importance of intention and self-compassion.The power of intention and coaching.Balancing expertise and growth mindset in professional life.Staying human in a world of AI, focusing on empathy, strategic thinking, and soft skills.AI's impact on society, coaching, and meaning-making.Top Five and Why Most Misunderstood Conceptions about Coaching.

Find out more about John M. DeMarco here.

Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol'

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Ben Albert discuss the importance of authenticity and resilience in entrepreneurship, sharing personal experiences with maintaining these qualities in the face of challenges such as burnout, financial struggles, and personal growth. They emphasize the need to be honest about one's struggles and to showcase vulnerability in marketing and storytelling, while also acknowledging the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in navigating these challenges. They also explore the challenges of balancing artistic integrity with financial success, highlighting the need for self-awareness, perseverance, and creativity in navigating these challenges.

High NotesCoaching, authenticity, and marketing with a focus on personal growth and creativity.Career transitions, entrepreneurship, and mental health.Workplace burnout, authenticity, and entrepreneurship.Balancing passion and financial success in entrepreneurship.Creativity, self-awareness, and inner struggles.Authenticity in marketing, self-care, and personal growth.The power of small changes in daily habits for self-care and personal growth.Identity, persona, and growth.Embracing weaknesses and connecting people through marketing.Chad's Top 5 and Why best marketing movie picks.

Find out more about Ben Albert here.

Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol' sign up for a weekly roundup of all things happening at Big Self School.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Charles Moss discuss their experiences in creative freelancing, sharing personal struggles with imposter syndrome and financial stability. They emphasize the importance of persistence, resilience, and community support in navigating these challenges. They also discuss their experiences in the music industry, finding a balance between creativity and financial stability. Finally, they share strategies for maintaining focus and productivity in a highly distracted world, including time-boxing and reward systems.

Possible Follow Up Items:

• [ ] Check out Jose Saramago and Gerald Stern as examples of writers who found success later in life.
• [ ] Consider reading Shop Class as Soulcraft to explore the value of work.
• [ ] Try the productivity technique of working for 45-50 minutes then taking a 10 minute break on a completely different task.

High Notes:Challenges of making a living as a writer with various publications and freelance work.The challenges of being a freelance writer, including finding time to write and balancing creative work with financial needs.Freelancing, job searching, and nonprofit work in the music industry.Freelancing, writing background, and career aspirations.Learning from struggles and finding new opportunities.The struggles of freelancing, creative writing, and balancing financial stability with personal goals.Starting writing careers later in life, with examples from Jose Saramago, Gerald Stern, and Cormac McCarthy.Creating Choose Your Own Adventure books for kids, challenges with marketing and promotion.Creative expression, failure, and market competition.Authentic living, creativity, and fulfillment.Fear, authenticity, and creativity with a focus on overcoming self-doubt and persisting in pursuing one's passionsCreativity, writing, and overcoming self-doubt.Managing distractions and staying productive while working.Choose Your Own Adventure books, highlighting top 5 favorites.

Learn more about Charlie and how to connect here.

Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Adam Hergenrother discuss practical approaches to personal growth and fulfillment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of outer work and inner growth.

Adam shares his experiences in real estate and prioritizes both aspects of life. He explores the concept of awakening and breaking free from the cycle of self-driven desires by becoming aware of the ego and true nature of thoughts and emotions.

Chad highlights the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset and focusing on inner growth. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing work and spirituality, recognizing the ego's influence in leadership, and prioritizing relaxation to make informed decisions.

High Notes:Finding meaning and fulfillment beyond financial success.The importance of money and living below one's means to achieve personal growth and inner peace.Money, happiness, and inner fulfillment.Finding balance between work and spirituality.Personal growth, ego, and the vastness of the universe.Spiritual awakening and recognizing the voice in one's head as a separate entity from the self.The role of ego in life, how it drives actions and decisions, and the importance of recognizing when ego is at play.Conscious leadership and emotional release in business decisions.Mindfulness practices for emotional awareness and self-awareness.Embracing difficult experiences for personal growth.
More about Adam:

ADAM HERGENROTHER is the Founder and CEO of Adam Hergenrother Companies, which includes KW Vermont, Livian™, BlackRock Construction, The Founder & The Force Multiplier, the Hergenrother Foundation, and The 200% Life.

Over the last 17 years, Adam has bootstrapped his way to building a billion dollar organization. He has built businesses, hired exceptional talent, written books, coached leaders, and more. He’s had what others call “success”—but after years of grinding in order to find “fulfillment,” he found himself asking, “Why has success not given me endless happiness? Is this all there is?“

This question sparked his exploration into spirituality. What he discovered on his journey is that the material success we experience in our outer world is only half of the puzzle. We also need to tap into the other part of life that is our inner world—our highest self and who we are beyond our ego, identities and roles—to truly experience the deep fulfillment, joy, and enthusiasm that’s our birthright.

Adam calls this The 200% Life.

Here is the best place to learn more about his book, The 200% Life.

Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a...

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Daniel Lucas discuss personal growth through ultrarunning, coping with life's challenges, and fulfillment in the digital age. They discuss the importance of resilience, mental toughness, and self-awareness in achieving success in ultra-distance running and in life. 

Daniel shares his experiences as an innovation specialist and discusses the challenges of driving innovation and growth within an organization. They explore the challenges of deep work and productivity, emphasizing the importance of setting aside distractions and focusing on meaningful work.

High NotesBurnout, self-discovery through ultra-marathoning.Personal growth and self-improvement through education and ultra-running.Mental toughness and resilience in ultra-marathon running.Building mental resilience through marathon training.Using challenges to build resilience and camaraderie through ultra-distance running.Choosing to not do an ultra-marathon due to injuries and mental preparation.Personal growth through challenges and fulfillment.Personal growth and fulfillment for different generations.Parenting and personal growth.Personal growth, innovation, and leadership.Productivity, creativity, and fulfillment in work.Creating a better way to grow sprouts for commercial use.Sprouting broccoli seeds for nutrition, with coaching services offered.
Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol' sign up for a weekly roundup of all things happening at Big Self School.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Juan Aguinaga discuss the potential of public education to transform society through innovative approaches and collaborations. Juan shares his personal experience with a mentor, Jeremy Beard, who helped shape his belief in himself and his peers.

Chad highlights the work of Chatt Prep, an all-boys public charter school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which is achieving remarkable results through its focus on academics, data analysis, and collaboration with other schools.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovation, and collaboration in transforming public education and ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education.

High Notes:Public charter school's success in Chattanooga, Tennessee.How teacher influenced student's love for reading and led to teaching career.Importance of struggling in school to achieve academic success.Challenges in educating communities about public charter schools.Using data to improve student performance in a charter school.Daily routine, fitness, and upcoming wedding plans.
Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol' sign up for a weekly roundup of all things happening at Big Self School.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Chad Prevost and Jonathan Fisher discuss the interplay between courage and heart health, exploring how fear and lack of courage can negatively impact heart health. They share personal experiences and scientific insights, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and working with fear to strengthen courage and promote better heart health. The conversation also touches on the complexities of the medical profession and the interconnected dimensions of the human heart, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects.

High Notes:Healing, health, and happiness with a cardiologist.Personal struggles with academic achievement, depression, and loss.Burnout, depression, and self-care for healthcare professionals.Emotional intelligence, emotions, feelings, and moods, with a focus on the impact of misinterpreting bodily sensations on disconnection between mind and body, stress, and its effects on physical and mental health.Courage, fear, and their impact on physical health, including the connection between courage and the health of the beating heart.Mind-body connection, emotions, and heart physiology.

Read Dr. Fisher's book Just One Heart to learn more about heart health from a holistic perspective.

Download our free book, Desire: How Do You Want to Feel?

Finding your way to your desire requires a number of the principles we teach at the Big Self School. It requires a calm center, self-knowledge, and courage to put the ideas into practice. Whether you think you know your desires, but want to reconnect to them, or you simply have no idea, this book can help you realize your way to a deeper and more authentic connection with yourself. Desire is ultimately about how you want your feelings, experiences, and values to line up in your life.

This book is only available in print in hardback, but it's yours free as our downloadable PDF.

Book a discovery call for coaching or workshop trainings here.

Want to give us some love but don't know how? Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify!

Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.

Just plain ol' sign up for a weekly roundup of all things happening at Big Self School.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com