The Optimistic American

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss trauma and the effects it can have on a person's life.

They cover the different stages of trauma, ways psychologists treat it, and effective practices you can use to work on trauma yourself.

• Emily starts the conversation by defining trauma from a clinical perspective.
• Paul and Emily agree that you cannot treat PTSD if the person is still in a traumatic environment.
• Emily describes the physical changes in a person's brain after experiencing a traumatic event.
• According to Paul, no two traumas are the same - never compare a person's trauma to someone else's. Trauma often comes down to its impact on the individual.
• Paul explains that it's possible for people to hang on to their trauma, especially if it's meshed into their identity.
• Paul and Emily talk about the effects of failure on a person's self-worth.
• According to Emily, a person's brain that was rewired by trauma can be rewired again through healing and therapeutic experiences.
• Paul goes through the three basic elements of motivation:
  1. You have to challenge yourself.
  2. You need someone who will encourage you.
  3. You must see growth and be able to measure it.
• According to Emily, not all trauma is bad or needs to be fixed - you can lead a happy and fulfilling life without needing therapy.
• Paul shares ways to help someone who grew up in a traumatic environment.
• Talking to people about their trauma starts with trust, and you cannot build trust without giving people the truth.
• Paul and Emily go through the seven ideals of healing trauma.
• Emily describes the power of changing your story in trauma healing - you are the story you tell yourself. You are either a victim or a victor of life.
• Paul and Emily share their opposing thoughts on trauma and discuss whether forgiveness is the correct response to trauma.

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart―Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley et al

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss cognitive biases and blindspots and how they relate to you being able to find your sense of agency.

They break down common biases that affect our everyday lives and how you can use love and connection to counter people who get high from being right.

• Paul and Emly start the conversation by defining blindspots and cognitive biases - and how they relate to being able to find your sense of agency.
• Paul uses one of his favorite movies, The Matrix, to describe biases and the ability to see things as they are.
• Emily shares a fun little exercise that makes it possible to navigate typical biases and why not all stereotypes are inherently bad.
• Paul and Emily discuss why some people have this inherent need to always be right.
• Did you know that there's a heightened dopamine release when you feel like you're winning an argument? Paul explains that this is why some people are addicted to the high of always being right.
• Paul highlights how you can use love and connection to counter people who get high from being right.
• Paul explains how the hormone released when you're proven wrong can sometimes feel like enduring physical pain.
• Paul and Emily talk about the power of love and how inspirational people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi used it to drive change.
• Emily talks about cognitive biases and the need to be right from a relationship and political point of view.
• Paul believes the smartest people often don't have all the answers and don't see the need for intellectual superiority.
• Paul and Emily analyze the difference between a narcissist and a psychopath.
• Emily reveals that the reason most relationships fail is the lack of intimacy - relationships these days are transaction-based with little to no commitment.
• Emily goes through the graph of what you know about yourself and what people know about you - and ways to identify deep blindspots.
• Paul and Emily discuss the difference between System 1 and System 2 thinking.
• According to Paul, nobody wants to hear your analysis of them. The best way to do it is to start by talking about yourself and opening with a question.
• We all have biases; if you think you're unbiased, then you're the one with a problem. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson et al

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Marc Bonilla to discuss the art of negotiation and why it's such an important skill to master.

They break down practical ways to improve your negotiation skills, the value of trust in negotiations, and how to protect your reputation during a negotiation.

• Marc and Paul start the conversation by describing the key features of a great negotiation and the benefits of mastering the art of negotiations.
• Marc explains why all negotiations should be built on mutual satisfaction.
• Marc and Paul agree that everything in life is a negotiation. It doesn't matter what you do or who you interact with; you will be in negotiations all day long.
• According to Paul, the easiest way to get people to your side during a negotiation is to make them feel you're doing everything you can to de-risk their concerns.
• Trust is the glue that cements all negotiations - without it, Marc believes the interaction becomes transactional instead of relationship-driven.
• Paul describes the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset - and why you need a growth mindset to become a master negotiator.
• Marc highlights why it's crucial to know what's important to you before going into a negotiation.
• Marc believes the absolute worst thing you can do during a negotiation is waste the other person's time.
• Paul explains why it's never a good idea to lie during a negotiation.
• Paul and Marc debate whether it's advisable to be the first one to make an offer during a negotiation.

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

viaonecre.com

Marc's email - [email protected]

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Dr. Emily Bashah and Paul Johnson discuss ways employees can improve the quality of life at work and get their needs met. 

They break down topics like ways to ask for a raise or a promotion, the rise of the victimhood mentality, and the 5 keys to becoming a superstar employee.

• Emily and Paul start the conversation by describing the difference between a public and a private-sector employer.
• Paul shares why professional services like doctors struggle with great product delivery.
• Emily and Paul talk about negative beliefs employees have and the problems they cause at the workplace.
• Do we actually have control over our own destiny? Paul believes we do, but most people leave it to their environment.
• For Emily, mentors and coaches are the most important people when launching careers or starting a business.
• Paul goes through the 3 main avenues for finding meaning in life.
• Paul and Emily agree that although we cannot control all situations in life, we can control how we think and, therefore, how we feel when tragedy strikes.
• According to Paul, we are all leaders - but high-quality leadership is learned and earned.
• To be an outstanding leader, Paul believes you must be a great follower first.
• Emily highlights the benefits of being a nice boss and a nice employee - and ways to prevent yourself from being too nice.
• What is the victim triangle, and how does the victim mindset impact a person's destiny?
• Paul and Emily discuss the worrying rise of the victimhood culture and why it's time we consider it a worldwide epidemic.
• Paul feels the best way to navigate problems is to first take responsibility and admit it's your fault - only then will you be able to fix it.
• Paul and Emily go through the 5 keys to becoming a superstar:

1. 1. Learn to listen - This is a hard skill to master because to listen, you have to ask questions.
   2. Know the vision - Know the vision of the company you work for and what they're trying to achieve.
   3. Know your value - Be very clear on your strengths, limitations, talents, and what you bring to the table.
   4. Know and deliver on your timelines - If you consistently deliver projects on time, you will be seen as a superstar.
   5. Expand your education - This is a key part to getting promotions and succeeding at work.

• According to Emily, the best way to treat your customers is the exact way you would treat your mother.
• When it comes to income disparities, Paul feels the question to ask yourself is whether it's better to bring down the people at the top and get rid of inequality or raise everybody up but increase the disparity.

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

POWER OF TED (THE EMPOWERMENT DYNAMIC) by David Emerald

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark to discuss what we can do as Americans to have better conversations with one another.

They break down what the Civility Leadership Institute is all about, the role of the US in keeping world peace, and how strengthening public accountability makes democracy work.

• Paul and Wesley start the conversation by breaking down the three main parts of a democracy - Leaders, Laws, and Institutions.
• According to Wesley, strong democracies are built on the culture of a people and what they believe to be right and just.
• Although the internet and social media have greatly boosted access to information, Americans are still struggling with effective communication online.
• Wesley believes everybody has the right to an opinion, and you, as an individual, have a responsibility to respect that opinion.
• Why do we need civil leadership education? Paul and Wesley agree that the main reason is that we are a country of diverse people with diverse opinions.
• Wesley goes through the similarities and differences between the Bosnian war, the American Civil war, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Wesley explains why the US still engages in other people's conflicts, even with all the issues plaguing the country right now.
• For Wesley, America's role in ending international conflict stems from the fact that we are a country that believes in the international order of law and a peaceful settlement of disputes.
• Paul reveals what impressed him the most during Wesley's presidential campaigns.
• The two main concerns about Putin's invasion of Ukraine are whether he'll use Nuclear weapons and how far he is willing to go after capturing Ukraine.
• Wesley and Paul discuss what Americans should expect from Putin and China's Xi Jinping - two world leaders openly against the American World Order.
• With everything happening in Ethiopia, Taiwan, and Ukraine, the world is looking at the US to show its strength and commitment to democracy.
• Paul believes the US cannot make democracy work around the world if we cannot make it work back home.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Wesley Clark's LinkedIn

RenewAmericaTogether.org

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes back Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss psychopathy, decision-making, and agency in the context of hierarchy.

The two also discuss their book Addictive Ideologies, Stanley Milgram’s 1960s experiment and tyranny.

• Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah discuss psychopathy, the mistakes that are often made when trying to define it, and the tools that can help explain and identify a psychopath.
• Bashah explains that not all convicted killers are psychopaths, and that not all psychopaths are killers – there are CEOs, successful politicians, and companies that do share psychopathic traits and tendencies.
• Paul and Dr. Bashah talk about whether psychopathy has a genetic nature to it or not, and about the differences between narcissists and psychopaths.
• Paul shares his definition of power and his hypothesis about how it manifests in different contexts such as parenthood and politics.
• Paul and Dr. Bashah go over taking action, guilt, making decisions, and doing so as an informed person, as well as the tyranny and persecution that happened in Iraq with Saddam Hussein, during the Second World War, in the Bosnian War, and in Rwanda.
• Paul and Dr. Bashah bring up the role that agency has in the context of hierarchy, and they go over the psychology of a con artist.
• Paul’s and Dr. Bashah’s new book is called Addictive Ideologies – they focus on one of the key points they make in it.
• Bashah talks about when and why complacency is key, and about the 1960s experiment of Stanley Milgram.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You

Dr. Philip Zimbardo

How to Become a Tyrant (Netflix series)

Stanley Milgram

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes former Phoenix Mayor and past Attorney General of Arizona Terry Goddard to talk about dark money and the key role it plays in political campaigns.

They discuss what dark money is all about, how it’s influencing political campaigns and the ongoing efforts to get rid of it.

• Paul Johnson shares his thoughts about being optimistic. It doesn’t mean that you don’t recognize that there are problems and challenges. Paul has always been a believer in this: the people who are going to solve our problems are those who think they can.
• Paul and Terry Goddard discuss the role of dark money within politics and its repercussions on political campaigns.
• Amygdala Hijack is a process that can play a crucial role in politics – Paul and Terry unpack the concept and talk about what it can lead to.
• Many people don’t want to have anything to do with politics because “all politicians are sleazy and corrupt”. Paul and Terry go over where this line of thinking and the American voters’ problem actually come from.
• ‘Politicians use a similar trick that cartels use’, says Terry Goddard. He explains what this actually means and how dark money and money laundering are very similar in that respect.
• Paul and Terry go over what Terry is proposing in order to address dark money in Arizona.
• For Paul, if people want the political system to work, it needs to be approached like an industry where people need and receive accurate information to be able to make a judgment.
• Paul and Terry discuss the arguments that the challengers of Terry’s efforts against dark money are going to make.
• Terry shares his advice for people who are thinking about running for office.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Disclosure Initiative

Citizens United

Koch Brothers

Justice Antonin Scalia

Justice Anthony Kennedy

The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy by Katherine M. Gehl & Michael E. Porter

Securities and Exchange Commission

Dark Money: The Hidden History of Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes former Maricopa County County Attorney and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rick Romley to discuss his incredible story of overcoming adversity and finding meaning in life.

The two also discuss Romley’s career and the key challenges he faced, as well as running for office and giving back to the community. 

• Rick Romley joined the Marine Corps in March of 1968 with the goal of joining for two years to get his G.I. Bill and help finance his college studies. He ended up being shipped to Vietnam with the First Marine Division, where he stayed until 1969.
• Rick shares what happened during his deployment, culminating in him getting significant injuries to both legs caused by an IED (also known as a booby trap).
• Rick went through some hard times following the injury, which was labeled as critical. He opens up about being close to giving up, about the moment he believes saved his life, and about how he has been helping and inspiring other veterans.
• Rick Romley ended up going back to college to get his law degree, all while being a single parent of two young boys and being severely handicapped.
• Paul talks about Viktor Frankl’s story of surviving Auschwitz, his Logotherapy concept, and the three things Frankl deemed to be helpful in finding meaning in life – even during hard times.
• Rick and Paul discuss how Rick ended up becoming County Attorney in Maricopa County (Arizona), and some of the great challenges he faced during his time there – including being involved in the investigation and prosecution of the deadliest mass shooting in the history of Arizona. 
• According to Paul, the greatest thing the American Government ever did was empower the individual over itself. Paul and Rick unpack the concept of patriotism.
• Paul and Rick share their thoughts about doing the right thing when it comes to both one’s professional and personal life.
• Paul asks Rick for his advice for someone who’s thinking about running for office.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Rick Romley

Viktor Frank’s Logotherapy theory

Viktor Frankl

The Waddell Buddhist Temple Shooting

Phil Gordon 

Mary Rose Wilcox

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah address several questions they received from people in regards to the concern about the arising recession and how to navigate your way through it, as well as the hierarchy of agency, how to navigate difficult conversations and finding meaning in life.

• The conversation between Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah kicks off by addressing the biggest part of the problem related to the bad national economy: the concept of the ‘dark passenger’. 
• Paul shares something he considers inarguable: the fact that we’re going through a period of Enlightenment where we have dramatically reduced poverty throughout the world, decreased child mortality, and increased literacy, as well as promoted trade and free market, and advanced both the human condition and the economy in the U.S.
• The concept of Enlightenment dates back to the 1800s where it was challenged by followers of the so-called End of the Century movement that promoted the idea of pessimism and the notion that how people felt wasmore important than optimism and rationality.
• The End of the Century “philosophy” came to an end in the 1930s when the stock market crashed in 1929. That was followed by the rise of “isms”, Communism, Fascism and other movements that began to blossom all around the world.
• When talking about contemporary Enlightenment, some people bring the concept of Dark Enlightenment into the conversation. Some people have a very pessimistic view of the world. They believe that democracy isn’t working and that the only way to solve the issues that are bothering them is by overthrowing democratic means.
• Paul believes that many people have the Dark Passenger within themselves, and that’s overpowering their ability to make decisions and move forward in life.
• Paul and Dr. Bashah touch upon the role that showing your own vulnerability can make in regards to agency, having conversations with others and how to approach – and diffuse – difficult situations, and showing that we care about other people.
• Paul and Dr. Bashah unpack four elements of the hierarchy of agency: ‘know the truth’, ‘be accountable to yourself’, ‘finding meaning’, and ‘we, not me’.
• Paul brings up Viktor Frankl’s roadmap for finding meaning in life – and he and Dr. Bashah share what their meaning and purpose are.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Previous episode featuring Prof. Pinker - Free Speech, Human Nature, and the New Wave of Enlightenment with Prof. Steven Pinker

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson

The Hierarchy of Agency 

John D. Rockefeller 

Viktor Frankl

Dr. Philip Zimbardo

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by Professor Michael Beckley.  

They discuss his new book Danger Zone, the role of China and the threat that exists, as well as how it could affect places like Taiwan and how the U.S. should be responding to it.

• According to Professor Michael Beckley, there is such a different narrative about China than the one we see going on in mainstream American politics, where China is inevitably going to keep rising. 
• When looking at Chinese history, one can notice that the last 40 years are an anomaly. In Danger Zone, Prof. Beckley argues that China's exceptional rise has been the result of a few exceptional circumstances, all of which are rapidly turning against China and affecting its economy.
• Prof. Beckley and Paul Johnson discuss the concept of peak China and why China's current socio-economic situation will make it almost impossible to grow the economy.
• Prof. Beckley explains that, typically, rising powers will exist peacefully when things are going well. However, when their economy starts to slow and they start to get encircled and realize their system is no longer working for them, they try to reorganize the system in a better way for them.
• In his book Danger Zone, Prof. Beckley makes the argument that China isn't really an 80-year threat, but rather that it has a limited horizon. 
• Paul Johnson and Prof. Beckley talk about Lenin's theory of capitalist imperialism, the challenge China will face in regards to its growing debt, the concept of danger zone, and potential repercussions for Taiwan and the United States; including military ones.
• Prof. Beckley illustrates the concept of encirclement and the long-term challenges it will create for China.
• Paul Johnson and Prof. Beckley go over their optimism, but also the fragility and challenges toward the United States.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Prof. Michael Beckley

Previous episode featuring Prof. Beckley - America’s Strengths Are Unrivaled!

Prof. Beckley’s books Danger Zone and Unrivaled

Ray Dalio

Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson

Jack Ma

Hal Brands