The Discomfort Practice with Betsy Reed

In this solo episode, I reflect on the chaos, the confusion and the landing back in Spain after 3.5 happy months in Mexico. I wonder 'Did I do the right thing in coming back here?' muse aloud about 'Why am I here?' and navigate through my own process of feeling like I've landed in chaos... and I'm not sure why.

I share a reading from the School of Metaphysics, where each Module I study as I go through training to become a certified Metaphysical Therapist, is completely aligned with whatever is going on in my life. Every time we expand, every time we unblock a part of our lives that needed to be unblocked, every time we get closer to fully remembering who we are and how powerful we are... we will experience discomfort. Chaos is what shows us what we really want to stop doing or who we want to stop dragging with us.

I talk about how 'taking my hands off the wheel' is something I'm trying out - because my ability to steer my life is limited by my own imagination and experience.

So for some Betsy Musing Out Loud, as well as some hopefully helpful thoughts on how to navigate the unknown and appreciate chaos, give it a listen. And reach out if it's landed for you. Email me at [email protected] / IG me @thebetsyreed and spread the word. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and/or drop me a five star and written review. Share this episode with others and help me grow the reach of this podcast. Don't forget to tune into our other episodes and share your favourite ones on social media!

In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with entrepreneur, author and someone I'm rather a big fan of, Margaret Heffernan. We chat about Margaret's sixth book Uncharted, which lays out an inspiring picture of what can lie on the other side of uncertainty - which is a discomfort we as humans naturally avoid. We also dive into her own practice of surrendering to experiencing discomfort, by which she has not only learned new things, but grown as a person.

Margaret's TED talks have been seen by over 15 million people. You read that right! 15 million people. She's also written six books (so far). Her third book Wilful Blindness is one that I picked up last year and found more incredibly relevant now, during a pandemic, than ever - even though it was published in 2014. It was a finalist for the Financial Times Goldman Sachs Best book award and the Financial Times named it as one of its "Best business books of the decade".

Margaret has done a lot of things and done them all well. She worked in BBC Radio for five years where she wrote, directed, produced and commissioned dozens of documentaries and dramas. But just to add to her cool points, she then also produced music videos with Virgin Records. She was once described by the Financial Times as the most formidable lobbying organization in England, which is high praise indeed. She bought and sold leading Internet businesses as a chief executive and was named one of the Internet's top 100 by Silicon Alley reporter in 1999. She's won many, many awards.

Margaret really is a leading thinker and her now-or-never attitude is so inspiring, so tune in and enjoy!

Key Points Discussed:

• Taking the experience from discomfort to euphoria: being encouraged by her father as a teenager to ask for forgiveness rather than permission (6:00)

• That experience has helped support her in her speaking engagements now: she speaks freely. Saying what others are thinking, but are too afraid to say (8:00)

• How writing a BBC play, opened up Margaret to looking at where abusive attitudes to nature come from (16:18)

• How important it is to do something, however small. Margaret became part of her local Parish Council and hosted events to help people reduce their energy consumption, carbon footprint and enhance biodiversity (23:38)

• How positivity is contagious: you can be the catalyst for change (26:30)

• Surrendering to the practice of experiencing discomfort in many different parts of her life, has helped Margaret not only learn new things, but grow as a person in so many different ways (33:02)

• How ethical decisions being made by economists are a disaster waiting to happen (42:58)

• How reframing the way you view uncertainty in your mind, can actually open you up to new exciting possibilities (49:54)

• How the early death of Margaret's first husband when she was 30 gave her a really visceral experience that it's always now or never time. That is how she lives her life (56:46)

Connect with Margaret:

• Margaret's Website

• Margaret on Twitter

Connect with Betsy:

• Betsy on Instagram

• Betsy on Twitter

• Betsy on Linkedin

Rate, Review, Learn and Share

Thanks for tuning into The Discomfort Practice. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and/or drop us a five star and written review. Share this episode with others and help spread the word and grow our audience. Don't forget to tune into our other episodes and share your favourite ones on social media!

I sat down to intentionally record this episode without any notes and with minimal preparation, because I felt strongly this was a message that needed to come through me. It's one I needed to articulate and it's something someone out there needs to hear.

The message is this: turn off the external noise so you can hear yourself and tap into your own wisdom. I've been given wise counsel and channeled messages from intuitives three times in the past month to 'cut out the external influences for a while in order to gain clarity and confidence in your inner knowing, to set loose your creativity to do what you need to do in the world.' And one of those intuitives (@lisaintuitiveguide on Instagram), without knowing anything about me, told me what it is I am meant to do in the world. And it is EXACTLY what I do in the world, though you might not know it from the official wording of my website.

So I've done a cull - of emails I'm subscribed to, of social media accounts I follow - and am still circling what this 'diet' from external influences is meant to look like. But in having to un-subscribe / unfollow those external influences that flow to me every day, I began to realise a) how many there are and b) how much I want to rely on them for confidence in my own intuition. My own 'knowings.'

So this episode is me planting a flag at the beginning of a process of creating quiet - of turning off all of the radio noise - so I can hear my own voice. My own intuition. My own knowings. And if that lands for you, I invite you to do the same.

Reach out and let me know if you're going to do the same. I'd love to hear your process and share mine. Feel free to connect and to share this episode with others.

In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with Dan Schnur. We chat about the discomfort of his career trajectory: going from being one of the top Republican political strategists and campaign officials in the US to leaving and not affiliating with any political party. (In a bi-partisan political system where you've been a big player, that's a big move.) Dan gives an elegant master class in how to leave your comfort zone, forge your own path and stay true to yourself when everything shifts… and shifts again. Because that's just life.

Dan's resume is impressive. He previously worked on four Presidential and three Gubernatorial campaigns, as one of California's leading political strategists. He served as the national director of Communications for the 2000 Presidential Campaign of US Senator John McCain, and was the chief media spokesman for California Governor Pete Wilson. He's been an advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He's the founder of the leading University of Southern California (USC) LA Times state-wide political pol and currently teaches courses in politics, communications and leadership at UC Berkeley.The list could go on…

Join us for Dan's remarkable, humble and thoroughly enjoyable style and story about the process of going through discomfort to create your own freedom on the other side. Enjoy!

Key Points Discussed:

• As a college undergraduate, Dan was not particularly academically motivated and he was asked to leave. Even though it was uncomfortable moment, Dan was able to see this as an opportunity to move to Washington to pursue his interest in Politics (6:30)
• One of Dan's favourite quotes: "If you don't take risks, nothing good will happen." And how taking risks has played out in his life (11:20)
• The risk Dan took from having a successful career the Republican Party to leaving to become an Independent Politician (16:10)
• The generation that leads society out of a crisis, is one that is exceptional (Gen Z) (31:50)
• The News by definition is going to look for conflict and controversy. It's easy to sucked into that narrative, as all the acts of kindness aren't reported on (42:20)
• How interacting with others with different views is uncomfortable, but is needed in order to grow and learn (52:20)
• How helping others energises Dan: when you do something that puts someone else in a better mood, it boosts your mood too (57:40)
• Dan quote: "For every decision I ask myself: What's the best thing that can happen? What's the worst thing that can happen? The overwhelming majority of the time, the worst thing that can happen, isn't that bad. So it's worth a try." (1:04:18)

Connect with Dan:

• Dan on Twitter

Connect with Betsy:

• Betsy on Instagram
• Betsy on Twitter
• Betsy on Linkedin

Rate, Review, Learn and Share

Thanks for tuning into The Discomfort Practice. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and/or drop us a five star and written review. Share this episode with others and help spread the word and grow our audience. Don't forget to tune into our other episodes and share your favourite ones on social media!

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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with my former client, friend and general badass Selina Donald. Selina has done so much already in her life, so prepare yourself to be inspired to think differently. She has worked on large-scale events, such as the Olympic and Para-Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and Vivian Westwood's climate revolution. She worked on England's 2018 World Cup bid for the Rio Olympics and has been part of the senior management team for ITV events. She co-founded the sustainable events agency The Bulb, which helps companies produce sustainable, creative and meaningful events. She also often passionately speaks on issues of women's empowerment, female entrepreneurship and gender equality.

We chat about the current unsustainable practices of the creative and events industry, and how Selina has been proving through her own work that it's possible to be creative, exciting and environmentally responsible. We will get into what sustainable brands can do when their events don't reflect their company values (because, spoiler alert, they often don't). We also dive into how Selina structures her day to allow the time and space to make conscious, sustainable choices in her own life and business.

This is a super fun episode full of laughs, so tune in for Selina's inspiring story and so much more. Enjoy!

Key Points Discussed:

• How Selina being a vegetarian as a child triggered her to how sustainability could be applied to her career (3:40)
• The discomfort but also movement that has come in the events industry, because of the Pandemic, which has ended up working to Selina's advantage (10:40)
• How the discomfort of the failure of her first business Bulb 101, made her take a step back and come back with knowledge from the failures and resurrected into a sustainability consultancy for event organisers (12:55)
• Being burnt out and moving back in with parents at age 35, with no savings and no pension (17:00)
• How learning to put a value on her time made Selina charge for her worth and say no to things that don't reflect that. Protecting both her energy and her time (21:15)
• The power of saying No (24:50)
• The environmental and sustainability issues that the Event industry faces (29:40)
• Making the Olympics opening and closing ceremonies the most sustainable events possible. As well as bringing sustainability to the forefront (36:35)
• Working on Lush's naked packaging and other brands/artists on recycled materials (38:05)
• How Selina's hatred for her legal career took her through another story of failure to an exciting career (48:25)
• How composting at events is not actually a viable sustainable option (54:10)

Connect with Selina:

• Selina on The Bulb website
• Selina on Twitter

Connect with Betsy:

• Betsy on Instagram
• Betsy on Twitter
• Betsy on Linkedin

Rate, Review, Learn and Share

Thanks for tuning into The Discomfort Practice. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and/or drop us a five star and written review. Share this episode with others and help spread the word and grow our audience. Don't forget to tune into our other episodes and share your favourite ones on social media!

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How can you create habits that support you through times of stress, that help you to create milestones in your day and life, to function optimally? In this solo episode I share ways in which I have created more rituals over the past year and talk listeners through the science-based approach I teach clients to set habits. My intention in recording this solo is to help others consider how they might better support themselves by taking a moment to become more conscious of what habits they'd like to set and to take tangible steps to ensure they happen.

Intention often needs action to bring it to life, so I hope this little solo helps listeners to do just that!Enjoy listening and share with me what habits or rituals you decide it's time to create for yourself. It might just be starting your day with a thought about what you're grateful for, or doing squats while you brush your teeth or setting reminders in your daily calendar to pause and breathe (all of which are things I have done or am currently doing). Reach out and let me know, and if you want support, just ask!

You can find me on Instagram @thebetsyreed or email me at [email protected]

Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a 5-star and written review on this podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps me to reach new listeners and, hopefully, to reach someone on exactly the right day with exactly what they needed to hear. Let me know what you think of this episode and others!

In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with innovator and designer (among many other things) Leyla Acaroglu. We chat about how small incremental changes are not enough any more to save society from climate change impact, but instead need to change systems and approaches to regenerate our planet, in order to survive. We discuss how important design is in creating that change and take listeners on a journey with us, so you don't have to be left wondering what you need to know. Leyla loves problems, because she understands that they are just challenges in disguise!

Leyla's insight breaks through some deeply-entrenched environmental folklore around things like recycling and discusses the true impact of the products and materials we use every day. As a designer and consultant, that's just how Leyla sees the world.

So plug yourself into this episode and enjoy hearing Betsy talk to an award-winning designer, sustainability provocateur, social scientist and entrepreneur who creates tool and businesses that design a sustainable and regenerative future. Leyla is a mainstage TED speaker, a LinkedIn Changemaker and a United Nations Environmental Programme Champion of the Earth.And she's also the founder of the UNSchool of Disruptive Design.

This is a juicy episode that challenged Betsy's thinking, so tune in for Leyla's positive story and so much more. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with political scientist and economist Pilar Garrido. We chat about her experience leading a sustainable economic development policy in Costa Rica for a green and inclusive economy, as well as designing innovative financial instruments for critical public investment projects. We will also get into what adaptation for climate change is. Pilar leads with a human touch, transforming our ideas of what a leader should be.

Pilar has been a key figure, using her government minister role to steer Costa Rica's ambition to be one of the five countries piloting the Sustainable Development Goals. SDG's were launched by the United Nations in 2015. Their aim is to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030: all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

So, buckle yourself in for this episode and be inspired by a politician who governs with both heart and strength. She has served as Chief of Staff, Deputy Minister, Minister of Planning and Policy, Technical Secretary of the Sustainable Development Goals in Costa Rica and as Costa Rica's co-ordinator of the Economic cabinet. A woman of many talents!

This is an inspiring episode, so tune in for Pilar's positive story and so much more. Enjoy!

Key Points Discussed:

• The discomfort Pilar experienced whilst becoming a politician and minister at a young age, especially during the Pandemic, as she describes as being like on the front line (5:20)
• Choosing to work from a place of love (08:20)
• Making difficult choices and creating policies to protect people during the Pandemic (12:20)
• Pilar's journey from political scientist to advisor to politician (14:50)
• Costa Rica's initiatives to put humanity and sustainability first, before economics (23:40)
• How to have a big impact in politics: where your job is not forever (27:00)
• Part of Pilar's legacy: diversifying an economy that has previously heavily relied just on tourism, so that it is healthy and robust (31:00)
• The IDG framework (that Costa Rica are one of the first countries to pilot), which aims towards eradicating hunger, poverty, sustainability and ensuring human rights. The IDG's (Inner Development Goals) consists of five dimensions: Being (relationship to self); Thinking (using your brain); Relating (and caring about others in the world); Collaborating (social skills and society) and Acting (driving change) (36:40)
• How everyone can do something small, that will collectively make a big impact (46:00)
• Pilar's optimism for the future (51:10)

Connect with Betsy:

• Betsy on Instagram
• Betsy on Twitter
• Betsy on Linkedin

Rate, Review, Learn and Share

Thanks for tuning into The Discomfort Practice. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow, like, and/or drop us a five star and written review. Share this episode with others and help spread the word and grow our audience. Don't forget to tune into our other episodes and share your favourite ones on social media!

If you've listened to some of my recent solos and interviews, you'll have picked up that I'm on the cusp of entering a new stage of life. I've packed up my life in Barcelona, put my things in storage, finished up my academic year as a Professor and am headed to Mexico on a one-way ticket in just a few days. The preparation for leaving one stage of life and stepping into the next has gotten me thinking a lot lately about transitions and nature and my place in the whole rhythm of things. And, during the deep discomfort and anxiety that has come up as I've been in the deep discomfort of not knowing what comes next, of a big transition, I haven't been the nicest or happiest or most serene version of myself. It's been interesting to observe and it's gotten me thinking about a snake shedding its skin. As a Wyoming Kid, I have always been taught that, during seasons when you know rattlesnakes are shedding their skin (which they do regularly), do whatever you can to avoid them because they're scared and blind and MEAN. They can't see very well, so they're more likely to strike. But then I started learning more about the process of a snake shedding its skin - and WHY it sheds its skin regularly - and it all started to feel like a very relevant personal metaphor for big moments of transition.

So settle yourself in and consider how this metaphor might be relevant for you, and be sure to listen to the end, when I share one of my favourite poems of all time, Desiderata by Max Ehrman.

Don't forget to like, subscribe and leave a 5-star and written review on this podcast, wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps me to reach new listeners and, hopefully, to reach someone on exactly the right day with exactly what they needed to hear. Let me know what you think of this episode and others!

In this episode, I chat with a young leader who got me excited and optimistic about the future. Daze Aghaji is a climate justice, regeneration & well-being activist with a fascinating story and a skill at delivering it. You are in for a real treat with this interview, as. Daze shares how growing up with an awareness of climate change has shaped her and Generation Z. We talk about how climate change is not the issue, but, rather, toxic systems are - and climate change is just a by-product of them. She shares her own story, as someone who is disrupting, innovating and inspiring change, leading by example and showing the impact young people can have in demanding serious action on climate change.

Daze is a multi-faceted talent and climate activist from London who focuses on regenerative culture intersectionality; radical social justice and youth political engagement in her work. She herself lives with intersectionality as a black woman, a daughter of immigrants from Nigeria and as a professional who grew up in poverty.

In 2019, (before the pandemic took off), she was the youngest candidate to stand in the European parliamentary election. Daze's advocacy for racial systemic change has led her to work with many leading charities, NGOs and grassroots changemakers around the world. She has strong ties with the climate movement, Extinction Rebellion, and she's currently a creative director at Earthrise Studios, which is an environmentally focused media company, as well as a consultant for a variety of NGOs. She's also an artist in residence at Vitalogy, and a monthly contributor to Sky TV's climate show. She gave a TEDx talk in 2021 that I loved was about how we're going to solve climate change. Stay tuned for her inspiring story and so much more.