The Hidden Why Podcast

Description:

Benjamin Spall is a writer and the founding editor of My Morning Routine. Originally from England, he moved to the United States two years ago for love (and married her).

He has written for outlets including The Huffington Post, 99U, The Next Web, and Thought Catalog. In this episode I chat to Ben about his book My Morning Routine: How Succesful People Start Every Day.

A worthwhile listen and relevant to everyone. Let me know what you think of our conversation by leaving your comments below.

My book reflection of Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright

Robert Wright has written a collaborative piece that combines the teachings and ideas of Buddhism with the science of psychology and science – particularly as it relates to evolutionary science, to highlight why Buddhism is true.

Importantly, Wright clarifies that science is as true as there is substantial corroborative evidence in favour of its theory and little evidence that is incompatible with it. And Wright does a fantastic job explaining why he believes Buddhism is "true" based on current modern day science - biological and psychological truths found in the theory of natural selection. Enjoy this review.

Today's featured guest is Joshua Spodek. The topic is Environment.

Let the show begin.

Guest Bio & Links

Joshua Spodek, bestselling author of Leadership Step by Step, is an Adjunct Professor at NYU, leadership coach and workshop leader for Columbia Business School. He is a columnist for Inc. and founder of SpodekAcademy.com.

He has visited North Korea twice, swam across the Hudson River, and has done burpees every day for six years, 100,000 and counting. He blogs daily at www.JoshuaSpodek.com.

Description:

519 Time to Quit or Persevere?

“Think about all the time, brainpower, and social or political capital you continued to spend on some commitment only because you didn't like the idea of quitting.” Steven D. Levitt

This episode has been inspired by an article I wrote about how to know when it’s time to quit and when it’s time to persevere. In the first half, I talk about what it means to quit and persevere including how and why such tendencies may develop. In the second part, I share my thoughts and practical insight as to how to make this assessment so we can reduce wasted time/energy investments and continue to live intentionally and aligned with what is important.

In this episode, I chat with Ron Carucci, author of Rising to Power and co-founder and managing partner of Navalent - a company dedicated to working with CEOs and executives pursuing transformational change for their organizations, leaders, and industries. In particular, we talk about his methodology for creating organisational excellence via the elements of identity, organisation and leadership. With constant reference to how this process can be beneficial at the individual level to ensure we live more meaningful and fulfilled lives.

Ron has a thirty-year track record helping some of the world’s most influential executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization and leadership. From start-ups to Fortune 10’s, turnarounds to new markets and strategies, overhauling leadership and culture to re-designing for growth, he has worked in more than 25 countries on 4 continents. He is the best-selling author of 8 books, including the recent Amazon #1 Rising to Power. He is a regular contributor to HBR and Forbes and has been featured in Fortune, CEO Magazine, BusinessInsider, MSNBC, Business Week, Smart Business, and thought leaders.

Today's featured guest is Maureen Zappala. The topic is Imposter Syndrome.

Let the show begin.

Guest Bio

Maureen Zappala is a former NASA propulsion engineer, turned professional speaker, and the founder of High Altitude Strategies. She encourages high-performers who struggle with the “Impostor Syndrome,” the internal voice that says “I’m not as smart as everyone thinks I am, and they’re about to figure it out!”

With a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame, she became the first female and youngest manager of NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory. While most engineers are not known for verbal communication skills, Maureen has shattered that stereotype.  In 2009, she was in the top 10 of 30,000 contestants in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking contest. She’s the author of “Great Speakers are Not Born. They’re Built” and is working on her next book ““Over-Achiever, Under-Believer: How to Match Your Confidence to Your Competence.”

My book reflection of GRIT by Angela Duckworth.

In this book Grit, the author, Angela Duckworth, argues that the key to success is not an innate talent or genius but rather a matter of grit. Anyone can create their success, but they must embark on whatever they choose to do with a good dose of grit. Duckworth defines grit as the passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals. Enjoy my review.

“Grit is that 'extra something' that separates the most successful people from the rest. It's the passion, perseverance, and stamina that we must channel to stick with our dreams until they become a reality.” Travis Bradberry

I believe we are all prone to it. I believe that some people are more prone to depression than others but I don’t believe anyone is entirely exempt. I suppose it depends on many varying factors including our upbringing and our current situation in life. The conditions that allow depression to thrive could be brought upon any one of us, anytime. If you are fortunate never to have experienced depression it is likely you’ve to know someone who has.

I’ve never experienced deep depression myself but I can certainly acknowledge that I’ve been depressed. In this episode, I felt the need to talk about this topic. It is said that 5% of the world’s population suffer depression and if we don’t talk about it and try to understand it, how are we able to resolve it. I am not an expert on depression but I’ve got a thought or two to share. I encourage you to leave your comments.

Dr Brian Boxer Walcher has pioneered treatments in vision correction, has published more than 100 scientific, peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters, and is the first choice of many doctors for their own eye treatment. In his new book - Perceptual Intelligence, he offers a fascinating, accessible description of how we see what we see and why this affects every aspect of our lives. This forms the basis of our discussion in this interview.

Dr Brian is fascinated by the connections among our five senses — sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch — and how our brains register and interpret them to distinguish reality from illusion. Defining Perceptual Intelligence (PI) as to how we interpret and occasionally manipulate our experiences to distinguish fantasy from reality. PI relies heavily on our senses and instincts, but it is frequently influenced and distorted by our emotions and memories. I hope you enjoy this interview.

Freakonomics Radio is the podcast the explores the hidden side of everything. Each week the host Stephen Dubner produces entertaining, fun and often fascinating conversations about the economics that influence, define and shape daily life. Presented by WNYC Studios and his partner and co-author of several New York Times best-selling books, Steve Levitt.

Here is my review of this well produced and very interesting podcast that'll make you think.