The Real Intelligence Podcast with Jenny Swim

In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim talks with executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and author Keith Lewis about feedback, blind spots, and the role feedback plays in leadership, relationships, and personal growth.

We all have blind spots. The challenge is that we often can’t see them without help. Keith draws on his experience as a mascot for Northwestern University and the Chicago Bulls to explain why we sometimes need “guides” around us—people who can see what we can’t.

Jenny and Keith explore:

• Why receiving feedback can feel threatening
• The difference between criticism and useful feedback
• How to find the “kernel of truth” in difficult feedback
• What makes feedback “clean” rather than reactive or personal
• How specificity can reduce defensiveness and increase clarity
• Why positive feedback matters just as much as corrective feedback
• How feedback can become a source of greater self-awareness and better decision-making

If you’ve ever struggled to receive feedback, avoided giving it, or wondered why a simple comment can trigger such a strong reaction, this conversation offers a different way to think about feedback—not simply as criticism or correction, but as information that can help you see what you may not be able to see for yourself.

Connect with Keith Lewis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithdlewis/):
VeraSpark: www.veraspark.com
Facebook: VeraSpark Consulting

Get your copy of Sparking Your Inner Leader by Keith Lewis:
https://www.amazon.com/Sparking-Your-Inner-Leader-Perspective/dp/B0FRX18V94/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2J8AT3TNTMZKV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.am_ycEKYycjeVN_Fcu0uuQ.111pLmLKwzEYjHlIdaWRZycZIhvMbHAZHqorlbtzBCY&dib_tag=se&keywords=sparking+your+inner+leader+keith+lewis&qid=1779487093&sprefix=sparking+your+inner+l%2Caps%2C451&sr=8-1

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

Have you ever had a feeling about something before you could explain it? A thought that came out of nowhere, a sense that something was off, or an instinct you couldn't ignore?

In this episode, Jenny explores intuition as an often-overlooked source of intelligence. She shares personal stories and practical insights on what intuition is, why we tend to dismiss it, and how to tell the difference between intuition and anxious feelings.

You'll learn why intuition can help in a world full of noise and information and how we might build a better relationship with our intuition.

-----------------------------------

References & Resources:

This episode draws on ideas from the following sources:

• Gary Klein, Sources of Power — Research on intuition, expertise, and pattern recognition in decision-making. 
• Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow — Insights into intuition, judgment, and decision-making. 
• Stephen Porges, The Polyvagal Theory — The concept of neuroception and the body's ability to detect safety and danger. 
• Robert B. Tucker, "Why Intuition Is the Highest Form of Intelligence" (Forbes, January 2026). 
• The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett (March 1, 2026) featuring Gavin de Becker discussing intuition.
• New York Post (April 16, 2026), "Why Do Nearly 20% of Americans Believe They're Basically Psychic?" highlighting research on Americans' beliefs and experiences related to intuition. 

Quote referenced:
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant." — Albert Einstein

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

Rejection doesn’t just hurt—it trains your system.

In this episode, Jenny Swim explores why rejection lands in the brain and body as something consequential—and how, over time, it begins to shape who you trust, how much you risk, and how open you stay.

You’ll learn the five common response patterns to rejection, the hidden cost of “just getting over it,” and the difference between true resilience and quiet self-protection.

Most importantly, you’ll walk away with simple, practical ways to process rejection without letting it define your identity—or dictate your next move.

Because the goal isn’t to avoid rejection. It’s to stay grounded enough that it doesn’t decide who you become.

Additional Resources:

Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? Science. 

University of Southern California. Your brain learns from rejection.

University of Southern California. What social rejection teaches your brain.

Business Insider. Gen Z and the rise of rejection in modern life.

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

Leadership isn’t just strategy—it’s discernment.

Every day, subtle forces shape how we think, what we prioritize, and the decisions we make—often without us noticing. In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim reveals the hidden pressures influencing modern leaders and why awareness is critical.

Learn the three most common influence traps—urgency, conformity, and stimulation overload—and why protecting your ability to think independently may be your most important responsibility.

Resources & References from This Episode:

• Junto Coaching – Learn more: www.juntocoaching.com
  
  
• YouTube Channel – Watch episodes: The Real Intelligence Podcast
  
  
• James Giordano – The Brain is the Battlefield of the Future: Small Wars Journal
  
  
• The Shawn Ryan Show, Episode #282 – Nik Seetharaman on AI Swarms: Apple Podcasts
  
  
• Todd Rose – Breaking Cultural Norms that Become Collective Illusions: Stand Together
  
  
• Casino Psychology – The Psychology-Gambling Connection: UTPB Online
  
  

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

You’re clear on the goal.
You know exactly what to do.
You’re motivated.

And it’s still not working.

If you’re a high-functioning leader or achiever, your first instinct is to push harder — tighten habits, optimize systems, fix your mindset. But what if the problem isn’t discipline?

In this episode of the Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim introduces a powerful reframe: most stalled growth isn’t a motivation issue — it’s a capacity issue.

When your nervous system is operating at its threshold, expansion feels like threat. And no amount of effort can override a system that doesn’t feel resourced.

You’ll learn:

• Why sustainable change requires surplus
• The difference between feeling rushed and feeling resourced
• How nervous system regulation impacts productivity and leadership
• One diagnostic question that instantly reveals what’s really happening
• Micro-practices that increase capacity without overhauling your life

If you’ve been trying to out-discipline a depleted system, this episode will change how you approach growth.

Real intelligence isn’t pushing harder.
It’s building capacity first.

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

Forgiveness vs Reconciliation — and why confusing them keeps you stuck.

In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim sits down with speaker, author and mental health advocate Ganel-Lyn Condie to untangle one of the most misunderstood concepts in personal growth: forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not access.
It is not trust.
And it is not reconciliation.

Together, they explore how waiting for an apology drains your internal capacity, how resentment quietly erodes leadership and relationships, and why reclaiming your power starts internally — not externally.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation 
• Why you can forgive someone who never apologizes
• What to do when old pain resurfaces
• Practical tools for moving forward without abandoning yourself

This is a grounded, emotionally mature conversation for leaders, parents, and high-capacity humans who want peace without pretending, and boundaries without bitterness.

Forgiveness isn’t about outcomes.
It’s about stewardship of your own energy.

----------

Connect with Ganel-Lyn Condie

To learn more about Ganel-Lyn’s work, speaking, and resources on emotional resilience and relationships, visit:

Website: https://ganellyn.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ganellyn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ganellyn.condie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ganellyn

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

Feeling unsettled by world events, in the middle of a transition, or unsure of your next step? In this episode of the Real Intelligence podcast, Jenny Swim explores the skill of orienting—the simple but powerful practice of knowing where you are physically, emotionally, mentally, and relationally.

You’ll learn how orienting helps you differentiate what’s yours to carry, pause strategically instead of reacting, and calm your nervous system to build capacity. The episode includes practical reflections and simple practices you can use right away. Sometimes clarity doesn’t come from looking ahead—it comes from recognizing where you already are.

Additional Resources:

• The Orienting Reflex and Behavioral States (PMC)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10010463/

• Irene Lyon — Orienting: Its Simplicity and Complexity Explained
https://irenelyon.com/2024/04/05/orienting-its-simplicity-and-complexity-explained/

• The Orienting Response (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZO3vYrJlaY

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

In this episode of the Real Intelligence Podcast, Jenny Swim explores observation as a defining skill shared by experts across disciplines, from leadership and parenting to aviation, medicine, and emergency response. Drawing on neuroscience and the OODA Loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act), Jenny shows how observation creates the critical pause between stimulus and response—and why our bias toward speed and certainty often causes us to miss what matters most.

You’ll learn the difference between true observation and judgment, how autopilot and stress distort perception, and what happens when observation is rushed, as seen in the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. Jenny also shares practical, evidence-informed ways to strengthen your observation muscle, including the 10% Slower Rule and separating data from story. Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or navigating everyday decisions, this episode reveals how observing first leads to clearer orientation, better choices, and more aligned action.

Additional Resources:

National Research Council (2000). How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School (Chapter 5). Read online

Stanford Medicine (2014). Expert pilots process multiple visual cues more efficiently. Read online

Hoffman, K. A., Aitken, L. M., & Duffield, C. (2009). Novice vs. expert nurses: How cue collection drives decision-making. PubMed

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

As we head into a new year, many of us feel pressure to set goals and make resolutions—only to feel overwhelmed, resistant, or unsure where to start. In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, host Jenny Swim introduces a powerful but often overlooked precursor to goal setting: visioning.

Using relatable examples from everyday life—like building a home or creating with Legos—Jenny explains why having a clear vision or “blueprint” matters before committing to resolutions or measurable goals. She breaks down the difference between visioning, resolutions, and goals, explains when each tool is most helpful, and shares a neuroscience-informed framework you can use to design the future you actually want.

You’ll learn:

• Why goals and resolutions often fail without a clear vision
• When visioning is the right tool (especially during transitions or uncertainty)
• The neuroscience behind visualization and neural rehearsal
• A simple 3-step visioning model you can use right away
• How to move from vision → resolution → goals without burnout or pressure

Whether you’re navigating a new year, a career shift, a health reset, or a personal transition, this episode offers a calmer, more intelligent way forward.

Additional Resources:

https://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/study-shows-1-in-5-successful-entrepreneurs-use-vision-boards-backed-by-neuroscience.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/03/29/a-psychologist-explains-the-power-of-vision-boarding-for-success

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind

What if simplifying your life isn’t about doing less—but about living more intentionally?

In this episode of The Real Intelligence Podcast, host Jenny Swim is joined by Alish Anderson, a wife, mother of four, former teacher, and longtime practitioner of intentional living, to explore simplicity as a strategy—not a shortcut.

Together, they unpack how cutting the non-essential creates clarity, peace, and alignment in both leadership and family life. In a culture that equates busyness with worth, this conversation challenges the belief that doing more makes us more.

This episode is for parents, leaders, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by complexity, noise, and constant pressure to keep up.

Connect with Junto Coaching: https://www.juntocoaching.com/

Music by Pumpupthemind https://linktr.ee/Pumpupthemind