In this episode of The Empowering Humility Podcast, host Giancarlo Newsome is joined by Tom Ish, publisher of Creation Illustrated, and executive coach and army chaplain Dr. Bryan Hedrick for an honest conversation about humility, awe, and the changing face of faith communities. Together, they examine the decline of humility and awe in both society and the church, unpacking the dangers of narcissism, nihilism, and shallow virtue signaling. With personal stories, surprising data, and practical wisdom, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how humility, gratitude, and genuine service can restore meaning and connection in our lives. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends spiritual insight, real-world experience, and a call to rediscover what truly anchors flourishing communities.

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Chapter Outline
(00:01) Humility as the Core Virtue
(04:42) Creation Illustrated and the Power of Awe
(13:12) Monetizing Virtue and Service
(18:08) Has the Church Adopted Worldly Values?
(24:55) Narcissism, Hypocrisy, and the Need for Repentance
(36:09) False Leadership and Cheapened Grace
(59:30) Nihilism, Narcissism, and Restoring Meaning
(01:12:35) Closing Reflections and the Practice of Humility

On this episode, Giancarlo Newsome sits down with Bobby Charles, a candidate for governor whose experience spans rural hardship, military service, and federal leadership. Charles shares an unvarnished perspective on Maine’s decline in education and public well-being, connecting these outcomes to a long drift away from humility and responsibility in public life. Rather than posture or provoke, Charles turns repeatedly to his roots: a modest upbringing, reverence for service, and a clear-eyed belief that humility, not pride, ought to guide policy and leadership. The conversation remains grounded, asking whether Maine, and by extension, the broader culture, can move beyond hubris and rediscover the practical value of humility in solving what’s broken.

Key Highlights

• Bobby Charles describes his rural upbringing, reflecting on formative lessons: “All of that gives you the kind of appreciation for being close to the earth...real work is mental, but it is also manual.”
• Honest appraisal of Maine’s current challenges: rising overdose deaths (“10,000 overdoses last year”), unaffordable property taxes pushing seniors out of homes, and the slide “from the best to 50th out of 50” in educational outcomes.
• Charles’s critique of government overreach, referencing his writing on leaders “pretending to be God”—urging caution against policies that lack humility and practical accountability.
• Open discussion of faith, humility, and gratitude—“Pray without ceasing...an awareness without ceasing that we are indebted to a loving God”—as necessary correctives for both private life and public service.
• Attention to the subtle harms of technological hubris: “algorithms...are not wired to refresh and reinforce humility,” and a hopeful nod to blockchain’s promise for transparent, responsible governance.

Is Bobby the kind of humble leader politics needs? Help Bobby at BobbyforMaine.com.

Disclaimer: The views shared by the host of The Empowering Humility Podcast are his own —passionate, yes, but absolute never. Not valuing and respecting disagreement and alternate perspectives, especially political ones, would go against everything Empowering Humility stands for! So - feel free to share your thoughts - and yes, disagreement — just keep it respectful (and humble), of course!

In this episode of The Empowering Humility Podcast, host Giancarlo Newsome sits down with Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin to explore the often-overlooked intersections of mental health and humility. A certified Imago Relationship Therapist, Rabbi Slatkin shares his journey from personal marital struggles to founding the Marriage Restoration Project. Together, they strongly question the limitations of mainstream therapy, which too often prioritizes self-expression over self-reflection. The conversation offers a compelling alternative—one where humility becomes a vital, yet neglected, ingredient in lasting relationship repair and genuine personal growth.

Key Highlights:
• Rabbi Slatkin's personal and professional journey to marriage therapy.
• The concept of humility as crucial for resolving marital conflicts.
• Discussion on the role faith plays in therapy and mental health.
• Analysis of therapy culture and often broken incentives at play within the mental health industry.
• Practical advice for couples on setting boundaries and fostering humility.
• Insights on leveraging faith and purpose to navigate marital difficulties.

Quotes:
• "Humility is more than a virtue; it's the foundation for sustainable happiness and flourishing relationships." – Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin
• "We make space for another when we practice humility, turning relationships from battlegrounds into sanctuaries." – Giancarlo Newsome
• "True healing in marriage requires seeing our crises as divine opportunities for growth." – Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin

In this impactful episode of the Empowering Humility Podcast, hosts Brandon Giella and Giancarlo Newsome engage with Ernesto Sirolli, founder of the Sirolli Institute, to explore the profound role of humility in global aid. Together, they unravel the nuances between genuinely doing good and merely appearing to do so, delving into the hidden influences of pride in aid and development sectors. This conversation offers transformative insights into empowering communities by truly listening and respecting their needs, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the authenticity of humanitarian efforts.

Key Highlights:
• Ernesto Sirolli shares his extensive journey from international aid work beginning at 21, emphasizing listening to the needs of local communities rather than imposing external solutions.
• The episode dissects the dangers of paternalism in aid work, highlighting the importance of facilitating the passions and ideas of local entrepreneurs instead of dictating them.
• Ernesto's viral TED Talk, "If You Want to Help Someone, Shut Up and Listen," serves as a pivotal inspiration for approaching global development with humility.
• Insights into how humility can transform not just international aid but also enrich personal relationships and business practices.
• Ernesto introduces a refreshing perspective on humility—viewing it as recognizing the extraordinary potential in others while removing barriers to their growth.

Quotes:
• "To be humble is recognizing that the person in front of you is an extraordinary human being with extraordinary gifts." – Ernesto Sirolli
• "We are all victims of victims, and humility allows us to see and respect that in every individual." – Ernesto Sirolli
• "Humility is the key to empower those who are often unheard and unseen." – Giancarlo Newsom

References:
• Ernesto Sirolli's TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/ernesto_sirolli_want_to_help_someone_shut_up_and_listen?language=en
• The Sirolli Institute: https://www.sirolli.com/
• Book mentioned by Ernesto Sirolli - "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898

Experience the thought-provoking insights as we aim to restore humility and unravel its power in global aid and beyond in this inspiring discussion. Tune in now and join the movement toward genuine human flourishing.

In this insightful episode of the Empowering Humility podcast, Giancarlo Newsome, founder of Empowering Humility, is joined by innovators Matteo Mendula and Francesco Finazzi, co-founders of MynDoor. Together, they discuss how AI can be harnessed to combat the psychological stress caused by existing AI algorithms, emphasizing the transformative role of humility in technology. This episode offers listeners a deep dive into AI's potential to enhance mental well-being and promote personal growth.

Key Highlights

• Explore how social media algorithms contribute to rising stress and anxiety among youth.
• Understand MynDoor's innovative approach to using AI for early detection of stress and cognitive bias.
• Learn about the practical application of AI in real-world environments to improve mental health.
• Discover personal accounts from the founders on how their journey has impacted their lives.
• Gain insights into integrating AI tools with personal mindfulness practices to mitigate stress effectively.

Quotes

• "The brain is like a stomach—what you think, shapes your way of thinking." – Matteo Mendula
• "Acknowledgment is the first step—you need to think about and then act." – Francesco Finazzi

In this episode of "The Empowering Humility Podcast," Chaplain Bryan Hedrick joins Giancarlo Newsome to explore the intriguing concept of "The Happiness without Humility Delusion." Together, they discuss the intersecting roles of happiness, humility, and leadership in human flourishing. Bryan, an army chaplain and leadership studies PhD, shares insights on how humility impacts our sense of happiness and well-being. This episode offers thought-provoking perspectives for anyone interested in personal development and the deeper meaning of happiness in our lives.

Key Highlights:

• Bryan Hedrick discusses how humility influences happiness, drawing from his experience in leadership and theology.
• The episode addresses the common misconception that happiness stems from mere pleasure, emphasizing the role of life satisfaction and contentment.
• A poignant discussion on how pursuit of happiness can lead to narcissism if not balanced with humility and contentment.
• Insights into how traditional definitions of happiness are too narrowly framed and the need for a broader understanding that includes a sense of purpose.
• The impact of role identity on personal happiness and the potential pitfalls when one's identity is too closely aligned with professional roles.

Quotes:

• "Happiness is not just a feeling—it's being content in the moment regardless of circumstances." – Bryan Hedrick
• "True contentment allows room for suffering and imperfection, anchoring happiness in deeper purpose." – Bryan Hedrick
• "When we see ourselves as more than just our roles, we are truly free." – Giancarlo Newsome

In Episode 2 of the Empowering Humility podcast, we explore the complex theme of political divisiveness in the context of the U.S. presidential election. Host and founder of Empowering Humility, Giancarlo Newsome, delves into how humility can bridge the growing chasms in political discourse. Discover why embracing humility might just be the key to reuniting a fractured society.

Key Highlights:

• Discusses the impact of political divisiveness on families and communities and how humility might serve as a remedy.
• Explores the role of fear, uncertainty, and doubt in political strategies and their divisive effects.
• Introduces the idea of "Make America Humble Again" as a unifying political slogan.
• Analyzes recent political debates as examples of civil discourse and respectful disagreement.
• Highlights humility as an antidote for divisive political and business practices, emphasizing its potential to boost long-term success.

Quotes:

• "Humility is really key to bringing people together because we've got such division." – Giancarlo Newsome
• "If we could supercharge humility, restore it... make America humble again." – Giancarlo Newsome

In the inaugural episode of the Empowering Humility podcast, we sit down with founder Giancarlo Newsome to explore the transformative concept of humility and its significance in navigating today's societal challenges.

Through personal stories and thoughtful insights, Giancarlo shares how humility can foster better relationships and mental well-being.

Key Highlights:

• The foundational role of humility in creating a prosperous society.
• Discussions on how modern technology, particularly social media, exacerbates issues of pride, bias, fear, and aggression.
• Personal narratives that highlight the impact of humility on personal and professional life.
• Exploration of humility's benefits in improving mental health, reducing stress, and fostering leadership skills.
• Introduction of technology developed by Empowering Humility aimed at detecting biases and promoting mental well-being.

Quotes:

• "Most of our pain is tied to some form of broken relationship that could have been prevented with shared humility." – Giancarlo Newsome
• "It's not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less." – Giancarlo Newsome quoting C.S. Lewis
• "Humility is mentally, physically, spiritually, a healthy virtue to cultivate." – Giancarlo Newsome