The Mindset Game® Podcast

Have you ever had times when you felt like you were able to achieve outstanding results without much effort? Conversely, have you ever gone through phases where your energy simply felt "off" and you weren't sure why?

One compelling explanation for these fluctuations that we all experience stems from the earth's solar cycles and energetic fields. While it may seem that these forces are out of our control, research indicates that we are constantly feeding into them at the same time that they are affecting us. By becoming more aware of your own energetic system and those operating around you, as well as by taking steps to self-regulate and become more coherent, you may be able to access greater productivity and harmony within yourself, your teams, and the world at large.

As a psychophysiologist and the Director of Research at the HeartMath Institute, Dr. Rollin McCraty studies the physiology of emotion, heart-brain communication, and the global interconnectivity between people and the earth's energetic systems. Findings from his research have been applied to the development of many educational programs and technologies to optimize individual and organizational health, performance, and quality of life. Dr. McCraty has also acted as principal investigator in numerous studies examining the effects of emotions on heart-brain interactions and autonomic cardiovascular, hormonal, and immune system function, as well as in studies to determine the benefits of self-regulation focused interventions and heart rhythm coherence feedback in diverse organizational, educational and clinical populations. In Episode 156 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Dr. McCraty discusses the following:

• The latest research findings from the Global Coherence Initiative, a science-based cooperative project intended to help unite people in heart-focused love and intention
• Incredible findings from other studies that have explored how the earth's energetic fields affect humans both individually and collectively
• How greater coherence can create more successful teams, as well as tools that can help leaders elevate their own energy and that of their teams

To learn more about research from the HeartMath Institute, visit https://www.heartmath.org.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Under Western medicine – particularly in the U.S. – many people rely on medications and guidance from healthcare providers to treat their physical and psychological ailments. While these types of treatments are crucial in some situations, we all have tools within us that can promote healing and greater well-being, without the costs or side effects that medications may bring.

As the founder and CEO of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C., Harvard-educated psychiatrist Dr. Jim Gordon is internationally recognized for using self-awareness, self-care, and group support to heal population-wide psychological trauma. Dr. Gordon is also the author of the book, "Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing," a clinical professor at Georgetown Medical School, and served as Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush. In Episode 155 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Dr. Gordon discusses the following:

• The concept of mind-body medicine, which can be described in two ways: the recognition of the scientific reality that various aspects of our mental and emotional functioning affect every organ and cell in our body (and vice versa); and the idea that we each have the capacity to impact our physical and psychological wellness through simple techniques of self-awareness and self-care
• Common misconceptions about trauma, which is a natural part of life that we all experience to some degree
• Key steps and techniques in the process of healing trauma in order to unlock greater physical, psychological, and emotional well-being

Dr. Gordon also guides us through a simple concentrative meditation, explaining the physiological benefits of each step.

To learn more about the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and access its resources, visit https://cmbm.org. For more on Dr. Gordon and his work with healing trauma, look for his book, "Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing."

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

As we go through life, we all encounter hardships, which can range from minor setbacks to devastating tragedies. While it may not be possible to avoid these hardships, we can make the choice to be resilient. Defined as "the ability to spring back into shape after being pulled, bent, or stretched" or "the capability to recover quickly from difficulties," resilience can help you lead a happy and fulfilled life, regardless of the challenges you've faced.

Despite experiencing a series of heartbreaking events in her personal life, Nancy Gale – our guest in Episode 154 of The MINDSet Game® podcast – has built an incredible life and career through the power of resilience. She is the founder and designer of the luxury handbag brand, JAMAH, as well as a mentor and passionate activist who founded a nonprofit entrepreneurial program called AMBITION. The mission of this amazing organization is to provide disadvantaged youth with the support, access, and resources necessary to reach their goals. JAMAH clients include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Channing Tatum and Bill & Hillary Clinton. AMBITION special guests include Sir Richard Branson and President Bill Clinton.

In this week's episode, Nancy shares more of her story and discusses the following:

• The concept of resilience as a choice that you have to make over and over again, with a great deal of positive thought and happiness – even if you are forcing yourself to put on a happy face
• How approaching and sharing your hardships with power, not pity, can help you make progress while also having a positive impact on others who may have experienced something similar
• An acronym that can help you gain clarity and get back on track, no matter what you are facing: STOP, which stands for settle down, take a breath, own it, and poof! (Get back to work)
• The value of creating balance between hard work and playfulness, which includes finding joy and meaning in your day-to-day work

To learn more about Nancy and JAMAH, visit https://www.jamah.com. For more on the AMBITION organization, visit https://www.ambition.org.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Driven by both evolutionary instincts and societal hierarchies, we all have a natural inclination to position ourselves as "special" or somehow superior to others. While receiving praise or other confirmation of our positive attributes can quickly boost our happiness and self-esteem, it can also become addictive – and when we then receive criticism or feel that we didn't succeed at something, it can be tempting to simply seek another self-esteem boost in order to feel better. However, this cycle is not sustainable and can lead to the perpetual feeling that we're not enough.

To break free from the endless cycle of self-evaluation and social comparison, Dr. Ron Siegel – our guest in Episode 153 of The MINDSet Game® podcast – suggests embracing the beauty of being ordinary. Dr. Siegel is an assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, where he has taught for over 35 years, and a long-time student of mindfulness meditation who serves on the board of directors and faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He is also the author of several books, including "The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary: Finding Happiness Right Where You Are." In this week's episode, Dr. Siegel discusses:

• Steps to take when trying to shift away from constant self-evaluation as a path to happiness and find joy in being ordinary – and why it's important to do so
• The value of creating genuine connections with others rather than focusing on the impression you are making, as well as strategies that can help you be more present with your friends and loved ones
• Techniques for cultivating self-compassion (which differs from self-esteem), including those that engage your head, heart, and habits

To learn more about Dr. Ron Siegel, visit https://drronsiegel.com, or look for his new book, "The Extraordinary Gift of Being Ordinary."

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Many of us have been taught that the emotions we experience – particularly those that are considered negative, such as anger, fear, and sadness – are less valuable and socially acceptable than our rational thoughts. As a result, we often repress and avoid our emotions rather than paying attention to what they may be trying to tell us.

Karla McLaren, our guest in Episode 152 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, believes that our emotions are special gifts that can offer us important information about our lives and relationships. As a social science researcher and empathy innovator, Karla is the CEO of Emotion Dynamics Incorporated, developer of Dynamic Emotional Integration, and the creator of the Empathy Academy. She is also the award-winning author of several books, including Embracing Anxiety, The Dynamic Emotional Integration Workbook, The Art of Empathy, The Power of Emotions at Work, and her latest book, the updated, revised version of The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You. In today's episode, Karla discusses the following:

- The concept of the language of emotions, or the process of learning how to identify and work with your emotions in order to develop a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world around you - The specific skills and insights that different emotions – including anger, sadness, fear, and shame – can offer when you become more conscious of them, as well as questions to ask yourself in order to access those gifts - Why it's important for teams within organizations to develop a shared emotional vocabulary, rather than trying to eradicate emotions at work - Steps that leaders can take in order to start embracing emotions and an emotional vocabulary in the workplace

To learn more about Karla, visit https://karlamclaren.com. To access her courses and other resources, visit https://empathyacademy.org.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Given the rapid pace of change in today's world, the average worker may expect to be laid off three times over the course of their career. While the experience of being downsized is no longer uncommon, it can elicit a range of emotions, from resentment and shame to excitement for the new opportunities ahead. If you find yourself facing a career transition – regardless of your unique circumstances – there are several steps you can take in order to ease the process and ensure that your next position will be well-suited to your goals, strengths, and interests.

As the Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Delivery at Lee Hecht Harrison, a leading global provider for career transition and mobility services, Katrina Villarreal has over 20 years of experience providing services in the areas of recruiting, workforce planning, leadership development, change management and outplacement support. She is passionate about helping people – at what is often a difficult time in their lives due to having lost their jobs – see what options may be available to them and helping them transition into what could be an even better opportunity than what they had previously. In Episode 151 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Katrina shares the following insights:

• The importance of reflecting on where you currently are and your most recent position, including developing a strong "exit statement" to answer the common recruiter question of, "Why did you leave your last job?"
• How seeking guidance and support from a career coach or trusted friends, colleagues and community can help you discover the different opportunities that may be available to you and lead you to your ideal next step
• The power of mindset, and how approaching your job search in terms of the mutual value that you and an organization can provide one another may help position you as a more attractive candidate
• Tips for networking and helping your connections help you

To learn more about Lee Hecht Harrison's services for both employers and job seekers, visit www.lhh.com.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Many organizations today have workforces that include up to four generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. With each generation tending to have different values and motivations (as well as stereotypes about members of the other generations), organizations may struggle to keep employees of all ages engaged. In particular, many employers are seeking strategies for how to attract, retain, and lead Millennials and members of Gen Z.

As an organizational consultant, trainer, and Millennial influencer, as well as the best-selling author of "101 Secrets for Your Twenties," "101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties," and "25 Lies Twenty Somethings Need to Stop Believing," Paul Angone is an expert in helping companies attract, retain, develop and harness the best strengths of the Millennial and Gen Z generations. He is also the host of the All Groan Up podcast, and has been featured in many publications such as Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Huffington Post. In Episode 150 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Paul discusses the following:

• The concept of emerging adulthood, and how younger employees reaching traditional milestones (such as getting married, buying a house, and having kids) later in life can affect their career choices
• How the need to feel significant is a major motivating factor for Gen Z and Millennial employees, and simple techniques that managers and leaders can use to help younger workers feel that they are part of something important
• Tips for 20-somethings seeking to lay the foundation for a successful career
• How consistency and authenticity can help organizations not only hire, retain, and engage younger employees, but also attract Millennials and Gen Z as customers

To learn more about Paul, visit http://paulangone.com. To access his resources geared toward Millennial and Gen Z workers, visit https://allgroanup.com.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

When faced with a challenge or decision, are you more likely to take time to think it over thoroughly, consider how you feel about the situation, or take action as soon as possible based on your gut instincts? According to Enneagram philosophy, these options represent our three centers of intelligence: thinking, feeling, and action. While we each have a dominant center, the three are complementary – and understanding how each center operates in your life can help you achieve a greater sense of balance and clarity.

As a highly sought-after facilitator, speaker, management development coach, and Enneagram specialist, Michelle Bennetts has trained over 1,500 professionals globally in the Enneagram. With 20 years of experience in training and facilitation, Michelle coaches teams, leaders, and executives on how to lead themselves, others, and ultimately, the business to success. As our guest in Episode 149 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Michelle discusses the following:

• Techniques for identifying your dominant center of intelligence and understanding when it may or may not be serving you
• Why it's also important to identify the center you use the least, and to strengthen it in order to bring the three centers into balance
• How tapping into your intuition can help when your three centers are sending you conflicting messages
• Pitfalls that both individuals and organizations may encounter when they rely too heavily on one center – and how they can achieve better results by balancing out the three centers

To learn more about Michelle and her work, visit https://www.skillsetcoach.com, find her on LinkedIn, or email her at [email protected].

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

Have you ever found yourself pursuing a career path or business that seemed "comfortable," but you began to feel like it wasn't the best fit for you? If so, you've probably realized that the process of finding and fulfilling your true calling involves several key steps – many of which are related to your own belief system.

After enrolling in pharmacy school at his parents' urging, Harvey Goldberg soon felt that it wasn't the path he was supposed to be on in life. Although he persevered and graduated, a transformative week spent with his uncle inspired him to think more critically about what kind of lifestyle he wanted to lead. His uncle's guidance – in conjunction with books Harvey read, such as "The Hero's Journey" by Joseph Campbell and "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill – set him on the path to the successful career he has enjoyed since.

With more than 30 years of experience in company ownership and management and over 5,000 hours of direct coaching of CEOs and business owners, Harvey's life work and passion is helping business owners grow and maximize both their business and personal potential. In Episode 148 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Harvey discusses the following:

• How the people around you can either serve as engines or anchors, and why sometimes — although difficult — it may be necessary to avoid the anchors who may interfere with your own inner guidance system
• The importance of staying open to new ideas, beliefs, and the possibilities that may be available to you
• How examining your beliefs (some of which may be based in fear) can help you overcome self-interference as you pursue your higher calling
• Why it's crucial to approach all feedback – including failure – in a non-judgmental way

To learn more about Harvey, visit his website at https://masteringtriggers.com.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.

By definition, innovation requires a departure from the way things have traditionally been done. However, due to factors such as fear of the unknown and social pressures, many leaders and organizations tend to rely on known solutions without even considering other options. This can lead to stagnation, which may be devastating for companies in a rapidly changing world.

Kaihan Krippendorff, our guest in Episode 147 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, urges leaders to explore the "fourth option." He defines this concept by explaining that our brains have a tendency to sort things into groups of three – for instance, we may consider three different solutions and then stop looking, because three seems like a complete number. The fourth option represents the innovative ideas (which may seem bold or even crazy at first) that lie beyond the point at which most people have stopped thinking.

As an internationally renowned thought leader, consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker on the topics of strategy, growth, and transformation, Kaihan has been recognized by Thinkers50 and ranked by global gurus as among the top 20 management professionals of 2023. With a unique ability to transform difficult concepts into easy-to-understand ideas and practical tools, Kaihan is also the best-selling author of five books and a two-time TEDx speaker whose work has generated over $2.5 billion in annual revenue for many of the world's most recognizable companies. In this week's episode, Kaihan shares the following:

• A helpful acronym that represents the 5 different conversations you need to have in order to find the fourth option: IDEAS, which stands for imagine, dissect, expand, analyze, and sell
• Simple shifts of mindset and language that leaders and their teams may find helpful when trying to explore new ideas and open the door for innovation
• An alternative framework using the elements of metal, water, wood, fire, and earth that can help explain the cycle of innovation and change

To learn more about Kaihan, visit his speaker website at https://kaihan.net or his company site at https://outthinker.com, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.