The Right Questions

Whether we’re stuck in the 9-5 grind or hustling in entrepreneurship, how often do we ask ourselves, “Why do I do what I do, and what would happen if I didn’t do it?” 

Joining us today is Quan Gan, Founder and Owner of Gantom Lighting & Controls, as well as  Creator and Chief Engineer of ZTAG. You would never guess that Quan started out as a haunted house actor! He got hooked, abandoned his corporate job and made a leap of faith. He leaned on his robotics background, his experience with haunted houses, and his wife's design expertise to create Shanghai Nightmare, China's first Halloween Haunted Attraction! This was Quan's first step into the world of entrepreneurship.

Quan is a visionary entrepreneur who approaches his projects from a customer experience perspective, enhancing his ability to understand and solve problems. His current social-entrepreneurial venture, ZTAG, is a real-life game designed to take kids into the playground, away from their devices. He feels the need to nurture children's physical, social, and mental health in a world that gets more digital every day. 

In this episode, Quan will help us answer today's question, why do I work myself to death? We talk about his life experience and what questions led him to decide to start his own business and deal with the cultural and family mandates against his decision. We also spoke about his experience in the corporate world, why he decided to quit, his identity crisis when he first moved to the US, and his commitment to working on his own personal growth.

To learn more, tune in to Episode 10 of The Right Questions!

Some Questions We Ask:

• Can you tell us just a little bit about what launched you into what you do today? (5:01)
• What was the question that made you take the massive risk of departing from what you had known and gave you the courage to change your life? (9:58)
• Are profound personal growth and transcending materialism to do something much bigger, deeper and spiritually aligned, important to you? (19:12)
• This idea of being a workaholic leads to a poor balance with the things that are important in our lives. What did this knowledge do to you? Did it release you? (21:39)
• What would you say to folks who feel compelled by what you're sharing but maybe feel stuck? (25:45)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Quan's first wake up moment (6:21)
• Asking ourselves what makes us really happy (10:24)
• The importance of achieving internal goals (15:40)
• Focus on the present and stop thinking about the next goal (22:30)
• The how and what won't let us think about the why (26:03)
• Why we must put hours into working on ourselves (30:59)

Resources:

• Book: Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson - The Wisdom of The Enneagram
• ZTAG website
• Gantom Lighting & Controls website

Connect with Quan:

• LinkedIn

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There must be as many theories about the secrets to lasting love as there are couples in the world. But we’re all different, what works for some might not work for others. Still, couples who’ve stood the test of time know there are some fundamental principles that increase the likelihood of a stable and enduring love story. 

In this episode, we chat with Neal Thornhill, owner of Thornhill & Associates Inc. - a company that handles claims investigations for insurance companies - and who also happens to be Bridget’s spouse. We do our best to answer the perplexing question, What Makes Love Last? by exploring some of the behaviors and secrets that have helped Neal and Bridget’s 31+ year relationship thrive. We bring to light the importance of avoiding dependency, how working on ourselves enhances the relationship, some healthy rituals we have adopted, how we manage differences in parenting styles, and much more. 

To learn more, tune in to Episode 9 of The Right Questions!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Two versions of the same story - how Neal and Bridget met (2:31)
• Perseverance and hard work goes a long way (12:53)
• Asking ourselves if we did everything possible to make it work (14:30)
• Turning unrealistic expectations into fulfilling our own needs (17:31)
• Depend on each other without generating dependency (18:01)
• The full tank analogy (19:56)
• How having rituals as a couple can help (23:59)

Connect with Neal Thornhill:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the moment, many of us are juggling working at home and making sure our kids (and we) get the most out of distance learning - not an easy task! We weren't really prepared for this, and while some adjusted faster, many of us are still trying to find that harmony and balance. 

If you're in the second category, give yourself some grace! Have patience! And, know that there are ways to shift your deeply ingrained habits, little by little. 

In today's episode, we talk with the show's first guest, Jana Parker, about balancing parenting, distance learning, and being a successful professional through this pandemic. Jana is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), Board Certified School Neuropsychologist (ABSNP), and a certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)… She's also a parent. We have a spirited chat about the parents we want to be, the best way to change what we don't like about ourselves, and the consequences of not making those changes.  

To learn more, tune in to Episode 8 of The Right Questions!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The effects of distance learning on our kids (7:05)
• What kind of parent do I want to be? (9:30)
• Self-control is easier when we can see the consequences at the other end (13:25)
• Changing little by little is the right way to reach our desired self (14:50)
• Picking the right thing to change about us (21:00)
• Embodying the traits of the person we want to be (26:40)

Connect with Jana:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Facebook
• Podcast: EduSwitchboard

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram
• LinkedIn

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Resources:

• Book: James Clear - Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
• Episode 4: What Mini Habits Will Lead You To Big Results?!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does confidence come from? Does it stem from being showered in praise and compliments? Or is it something that's deeply rooted in each of us? 

Well, good news, friends! Confidence doesn't depend on external factors… it is developed and nurtured in the mind and comes from the beliefs you have about yourself! That means, we can work on building it, like any muscle. And, if an eight-year-old can do it (yes, we have a surprise guest for you today), then you too can step out of your comfort zone, and into your courage arena. 

Today, we do our best to answer questions about confidence: where it comes from, how we can boost it, its connection to courage, and why accomplished people don’t always appear confident. We also talk about public speaking confidence and what we can find on the other side of our fears. 

To learn more, tune in to Episode 7 of The Right Questions!

Resources:

• The Man in The Arena - Theodore Roosevelt
• Cure For The Common Life Podcast with With Joseph McClendon III

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Question of the Day - How can I be more confident? (1:56)
• Where does confidence come from? (3:31)
• Core values and confidence, how are they related? (6:12)
• The man in the arena analogy (8:57)
• The step from the comfort zone into the courage zone (16:00)
• Why and how to retrain the primitive part of the brain (20:20)
• Unboxing our fears of public speaking (31:30)

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Bridget Sampson - Instagram
• Bridget Sampson - LinkedIn

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram
• Todd Parker - LinkedIn

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s your vision for 2021?

In today’s episode, we will be breaking down our personal goals for the new year, and share why clear, action-oriented visions are so beneficial for our personal and professional growth. We'll also be discussing the concept of shared visions, particularly in business, and how it impacts those within an organization.  

To learn more, tune in to Episode 6 of The Right Questions!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Question of the Day — What is a vision and why do I need one? (0:49)
• Our definition of what a vision consists of (3:17)
• Company vision statements we’ve resonated with (6:29)
• Why having a clear and succinct vision is so beneficial (10:10)
• The professional impact that having a shared vision creates (16:01)
• Our personal aspirations for the future (21:45)

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Bridget Sampson - Instagram

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We know you’re bombarded with messages reminding you to ‘be in the moment.’ We also know that it’s a lot easier said than done! In our hyper-connected and fast-paced world, many of us are operating on auto-pilot and running on fumes… feeling the need to constantly do, do, do, and then ‘do’ more, with no time left to just… ‘be.’ You know, to just ‘be’ with your partner, your kids, your pets, your food, your hike, your work, your hobbies, even… yourself! This exhausting rhythm isn't sustainable in the long run, and you know it! 

Today’s episode invites you to intentionally carve out the time and space necessary for you to unplug, recharge, and gain some perspective on what’s most important. In other words, making time to reconnect with ‘being!’ Join Todd and Bridget as they talk about their own struggles with doing vs. being and the lessons they’ve learned over the years about how to find balance in this tension. They also offer some helpful, concrete tips on how you can integrate mindful practices into your daily routine. 

Tune in to Episode 5 of The Right Questions to hear more!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Question of the Day — Am I a human being or am I a human doing? (1:56)
• The differences between being and doing (3:26)
• Bridget’s relationship with these two concepts & her perspective on why we have a stronger connection with doing (6:01)
• Lessons Todd has learned from his children in regards to being (9:59)
• How Bridget and Todd have learned to appreciate being in the moment with people (14:23)
• Why ‘doing mode’ hindered Bridget during the delivery of her first child (19:25)
• Ways we can improve our relationships with being and doing (22:02)
• Why Bridget is a huge proponent for self-love (36:55)

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Bridget Sampson - Instagram

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• Sampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Resources:

• Book: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - Author, Michael A. Singer
• Book: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment - Author, Echkhrdt Tolle

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"

And so does every success in life! No matter how big or small our goals are, the only way to accomplish them is by advancing one step at a time, while creating the proper habits for ourselves that can ensure we don't stop walking! 

After reading Stephen Guise’s bestseller, Mini Habits, we were inspired to explore the concept further and hopefully pique your interest in how you can start to build a mini habit of your own! In this episode, we give our perspectives on how we’ve approached habit-building both as parents and in our personal lives, as well as share our advice on how to commit to a routine once you’ve set out to create it. 

If you’re interested in learning more, then have a listen to Episode 4 of The Right Questions! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Question of the Day — What mini habit can I implement today to get me big results? (2:25)
• Why reading Mini Habits brought Todd back to a memorable childhood lesson (4:56)
• Our experience with neuroplasticity, goal setting, and habit building (8:37)
• How we’ve implemented healthy routines in our children over the years (14:33)
• What to do after committing to your mini habit (19:19)
• Todd’s advice on breaking down your habits into smaller steps (23:45)
• The current mini habit Bridget is working on (26:59)

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Bridget Sampson - Instagram

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram

Resources:

• Book: Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results - Author, Stephen Guise
• Book: Atomic Habits - Author, James Clear
• Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Author, Stephen R. Covey
• Book: The 5 Second Rule - Author, Mel Robbins

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re all about asking the right questions here, which requires self-reflection and ongoing re-evaluation of our own rules: rules for others and rules for ourselves. In this episode, Todd interviews Bridget on tips for managing expectations and the concept of ‘the manual.’ As a business leader and graduate of Brooke Castillo’s Life Coach School Certification Program, Bridget has harnessed these teachings in her own relationships and as a coach. 

It may be a challenging road for some, but with the right mindset and attitude, we can shift our perspective and maintain control of our emotional wellbeing. Bridget shares personal stories about her own manuals, the value of letting them go, and how to adjust expectations to a reasonable level. 

If you’re interested in hearing more, tune in to Episode 3 of The Right Questions!

Questions asked:

• What could someone’s ‘manual’ potentially look or sound like? (5:45)
• Do you think we need to let go of our expectations of other people? (7:41)
• What does having expectations of others mean for you as a parent and leader? (14:27)
• How can I stop ‘shoulding’ on the people in my life? (20:36)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Question of the Day — How can I stop ‘shoulding’ on others and on myself? (1:58)
• The concept of ‘the manual’ (2:35)
• Why reframing a situation teaches us to set reasonable expectations and control our emotional responses (8:51)
• How to free ourselves from the rigidity of our manuals & Why we need to control our expectations of others (17:09)

Connect With Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Bridget Sampson - Instagram

Connect With Todd Parker:

• Todd Parker - Instagram

Resources:

• Website: The Life Coach School - Brooke Castillo

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Bridget’s Transgender School:

• Instagram
• Website 
• Facebook
• Community Facebook Group

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year’s US election has been an important one, to say the least.

The last four years have been wrought with such overwhelming division, it almost feels impossible to think we will collectively reach a sense of common ground. In this episode, we will be sharing some of the ways we will be aiming to achieve unity after such a rigorous and stressful election period, why it’s important for us to understand one another in this current political climate, and how we can best manage our own emotions when engaging in passionate conversations. 

Creating balanced, healthy, and respectful discourse is so crucial right now. It won’t be easy to achieve by any means, but with the right approach and an open-minded attitude, we’ll be able to make the first steps to unifying our communities. 

To learn more, tune in to Episode 2 of The Right Questions!

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How we’re feeling about this year’s US election (1:10)
• Question of the day - How can I be a force for unity, post-election? (3:28)
• How Bridget is going to strive to understand those who hold vehemently different opinions than her (4:55)
• Why managing our own emotions and opinions is sometimes necessary (9:08)
• Todd’s perspective on creating a dialogue between those with differing points of view (13:02)
• How Todd is aiming to be a force for unity (18:08) 
• Our thoughts on Kathryn Schulz’s TED Talk & Why Bridget believes in the hope and possibility of understanding (22:34)

Connect with Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Instagram

Connect with Todd Parker:

• Instagram

Resources:

• TED Talk: On being wrong - Kathryn Schulz

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

• Sampson Coaching and Consulting
• The Right Questions Podcast on YouTube
• YouTube
• TED Talk
• Instagram
• Facebook

Bridget’s Transgender School:

• Instagram
• Website 
• Facebook
• Community Facebook Group

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life is full of surprises! We welcome some of these unexpected events, but others can really rock us to our core. While we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control our perceptions and responses. And we’re here to show you how. 

In this episode, we’re going to share a few very personal examples of how we harness the power of questions to shift our mindset. We’ll show you how to develop a questioning habit to take control of your decision-making process and clear the way for breakthroughs in every aspect of your life.

This podcast will help you determine your most powerful question(s), leading you to a process of self-inquiry that will ultimately help you become a better human. If you’re struggling with big decisions in your life or you just need a new way of looking at things, this episode is your first step towards experiencing meaningful, perhaps even profound, transformation.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

●  How to reframe your questions to gain powerful insights (2:51)

●  The perfect prompt to help gauge how you’re really feeling  (4:47)

●  An example of shifting your thought pattern from fear to acceptance (6:32)

●  How asking questions about the future can help guide you in the present (16:52)

●  An exercise that can help you shift your thoughts about a challenging situation in your own life (31:43)

Connect with Bridget Sampson:

• Bridget Sampson
• Instagram

Connect with Todd Parker:

• Instagram

Resources

Sampson Coaching and Consulting:

1. Sampson Coaching and Consulting
2. TED Talk
3. Instagram
4. Facebook

Transgender School:

1. Instagram
2. Website (launching early November, 2020)
3. Facebook
4. Community Facebook Group

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.