The Simplifiers Podcast

Q: are you ready to get unstuck in your life? It's time, you're ready. There's no better moment than now.

My special guest today is author (and fan favorite) Lisa Linfield and she's simplifying how to get unstuck in life. So much has changed recently in your life in a relatively short amount of time, am I right? And for some, you might feel totally, utterly stuck right now.

That's okay because Lisa is going to share the secret sauce to getting your life back on track and your beautiful brain back in order.

It's simpler than you think. Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why the "Truth" you believe now might not actually be the truth at all - and why HERE is the best place to start
• What the "deep grooves" are in life and how to identify, define, and climb out of yours
• How to use the "reverse thinking stack" to help you get unstuck
• Why defining the signposts in your life and creating a vision for the journey is the very best way to accomplish your next major goal - here's how to do it, simply
• …and ultimately, she shares a few simple, practical ways to create "step-change success" to help you take action and get unstuck in life

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/lisa-linfield-get-unstuck-in-life

Q: have you been faced with death recently, either in your immediate circle or in your community? As many of us are realizing how fragile life really is, we're starting to reimagine things in new ways. Life, death, rebirth and start once again. It's an age old concept but one to evaluate with new eyes, especially now.

My special guest today is Jess Weiner and she's simplifying how to reimagine your life by understanding death. Whether you or someone you know is grappling with a positive COVID-19 test result or you've simply got aging parents and you wish the clock would slow way, way down… death is inevitable for all of us, eventually.

How we interpret it and face life now is a whole other matter, completely.

Here's how to live life to the fullest from this day forward.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• What led her to this work and inspired her to study death and dying, as a whole
• With the many profound conversations on death that she's had so far for her new podcast, "We're All Going to Die, Anyway," she shares why facing loss (really) does help people to live better
• What the first step is to reimagining your own life, especially now during a pandemic
• There is trauma and grief that needs to be processed from experiencing COVID-19… how she is handling it and how to preserve and protect the business you've built
• …and ultimately, how to minimize the burnout that comes from the grief and recovery process of BIG change

So, the question is simple. Are you afraid of dying? What about really living? If you've found yourself reevaluating your core values and what's most important in your life during these last few (insane) months, I hope my conversation with Jess inspires you.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/jess-weiner-reimagine-your-life

Q: are you feeling like your relationships need a bit of strengthening right now, especially through COVID-19? For many of us, we've been in lockdown with our partners, children, and roommates, spending more time with them than you've likely spent in years! Things are getting frayed at the edges, to say the least. Welp, time to bring in the big guns!

My special guest today is author Dr. Gary Chapman and he's simplifying how to strengthen your relationships through COVID-19. I phoned up Dr Gary wanting to get his valuable insight on things, especially given his 5 Love Languages wisdom. Lord knows, things have changed significantly since we last spoke and I knew that Dr Gary would have the words to help us calm our hearts and build bridges in our relationships.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• How to avoid going stir-crazy during lockdown and how we can give each other a little space and a whole lot of grace
• How to improve your relationship if the other person doesn't want to make the effort. There's still things you can do to take responsibility for your part in the relationship
• For many, deep rooted issues are getting uncovered right now. He shares simple, practical tips on how couples can tackle issues as a team, rather than resorting to the "blame game"
• Why he believes we are seeing an increase in domestic violence during this time - how it starts and what can be done to prevent it
• …and ultimately, how couples can begin to tear down emotional walls and become stronger together

I think of Dr Gary Chapman like Dolly Parton or Betty White… an absolute national treasure who should be wrapped in bubble wrap and protected, at all costs during these times. He's a delight to chat with and is overflowing with wisdom and love.

My hope is this conversation sparks a new idea in you, too.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/gary-chapman-strengthen-relationships-COVID19

Q: how do you live a life of substance in an artificial world? For so long, we've been a society that ranks celebrities over charities and pretty over profound, especially in women. This has led us to overworking, a constant dread of "not enough-ness," and a never-ending yearning to consume. It's toxic, vapid, and I dare say, it's starting to break us wide open.

My special guest today is civil rights attorney Maaria Mozaffar and she's simplifying how to live a life of substance. One that isn't built on Instagram filters and amassing a storage unit full of useless stuff or a mountain of debt… but instead, a life worth living. One where you feel empowered as a vital part of your local community and you're creating change (not only for yourself but for others), built on a foundation of deep purpose.

Yes, I want this too. Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why it feels like the human race is so polarized and disconnected from one another, now more than ever before and what she believes is a better way
• Her take on George Floyd's murder and the US government's response to it. People are angry and hurting right now, Maaria shares her ideas on how we can collectively become part of the solution and rebuild together
• Why she started 'The SkinLess Project,' a hub that provides women with role models of empowerment globally and how the core tenets of this project can help us all live a life of substance and be "more than pretty"
• How it's critically important to break through your echo chamber and start to talk to people who are nothing like yourself to create real change
• …and finally, she shares the difference between being "nice" and being "polite" - which is better for women, especially now.

I'm inspired by Maaria's work and I know you will be too. In fact, her new digital series called 'A Way Forward' is definitely one to bookmark as she has one-on-one, impactful conversations with people of all walks of life, helping us navigate difficult conversations. It's here where she leads us through this uncomfortable territory where we may feel safe but stuck. We can disagree without descending into disrespect when our focus is the humanity we share. She helps us find A Way Forward.

I hope this conversation is the gateway for you on this journey.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/maaria-mozaffar-live-a-life-of-substance

Are you struggling to calm your nervous system these days? Let's be clear… I'm not a board certified doctor nor am I a specialist in medicine of any sort… however, I (like you) have decades of experience navigating my own nerves and compounding stress like a BOSS.

So let's bring it back to the basics for a hot second and just focus on our breath once again. Wherever you are, listening to this right now, let's take the next 3 minutes together to slow down and simply breathe.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/how-to-calm-your-nervous-system

Q: how do you lead when you're not ok yourself? There's a myth out there that if you're a leader in any way, shape or form, you must have it all buttoned up and figured out, at all times… and that's simply not true. There is a better way.

My special guest today is author Patrick Regan and he's simplifying how to lead when you're not ok. I'll be the first to admit, at times this year, I've found myself not having the "right" words or the emotional fortitude to rise up and lead 24/7. So much is happening, so quickly, I've found myself needing to put extra focus on my mental wellness by nourishing mind, body, and spirit. Well, Patrick gives us insight on how it's not an either/or situation. It's ok to not be ok and still lead in your work, your community, your families, and beyond. Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• As we start to rebuild from a pandemic and systemic racism, what his team have learned from studying past natural disasters as the 3-phase process:
• • Response
  • Recovery
  • Reconstruction
• What the Japanese practice of Kintsugi is and how we can "discover treasures in life's scars"
• Why "self-compassion" is the first step in helping leaders reduce anxiety and panic
• His five simple pathways to better wellbeing for when you're not ok
• • Connect
  • Be active
  • Take notice
  • Keep learning
  • Give back
• …and finally, what role entrepreneurs and small business owners play in the recovery phase. He shares his hope for the future as we pick up the pieces and start again, Kintsugi style.

Patrick and his team want to see a world where "mental and emotional health is understood and accepted with safe and supportive communities for everyone to grow and flourish." It's time we stop putting a filter on life and start coming together to discuss mental wellbeing as a whole. Instead of hiding the scars, let's bring them to the forefront. This is where deep healing can be found.

I hope this conversation sparks a new light inside you.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/patrick-regan-how-to-lead-when-youre-not-ok

Q: how do you start over again and transform your life? You see things are all out of whack and your life is headed down a path you don't want to go. It's time for a big shake-up, but it's beyond scary and you're not sure where to begin. Girl, I feel you.

My special guest today is Alicia Haywood and she's simplifying how to transform your life and start over again. She shares the story of how she went through a massive life cleanse recently, letting go of most all of her possessions, and the process she followed to get to the other side. It's incredibly inspiring and as she says, "at times, filled her with rattling terror." So if you're on the verge of a big change in your work or life, here's how she did it.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• How to decide where to jump to next once you've come to realize it's time to make a big change
• Her story about her life cleanse in 2014 and how she let go of the majority of her possessions along the way… what it felt like and what steps she took in surrendering to the process
• What she means by "clear the clutter and your brain breathes again"
• How to handle the uncertainty of life (and not having definitive answers) when you're hitting the reset button
• …and how her ever evolving spirituality helped her along the way as an entrepreneur

She's a bright light and I was really struck by the fact that when she decided to start over again, she was also opening herself up to new opportunities, new perspectives, and a new reality. In this release and opening, she found herself having beautiful, random encounters with great people whom before she wouldn't have even noticed along the way.

While you're listening today, I want you to notice the people you come across in the next 24 hours. Make eye contact, give a smile. Open your heart to the humanity that surrounds you on the daily. Eyes up.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/alicia-haywood-transform-life-start-over-again

I've sat down to voice this for the last few days and coming up short. Without words. Horrified by what I'm seeing on my screens, saddened by the injustice and separation in the world.

Bottomline, FACT.

And maybe my lack of the right words (right now) is exactly the right message.

I'm not the expert, but as Erica Courdae says in this conversation I had with her back in August 2019, instead… I aim to "be an imperfect ally."

My special guest today is Erica Courdae and she's simplifying how to champion diversity in the workplace.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why it's important for small business owners to talk about diversity, and do it with courage, empathy, inquiry and love
• Simple, little shifts you could make in the workplace that'll ripple out and make a big impact for women of color (WOC)
• Erica's simple process for change:
• • Realize you want to make changes
  • Set goals of how you want to change
  • Find someone to support you through those changes
  • Discuss how you're feeling to make sure you're staying aligned with your goals
  • Uncover where you needed more clarity
  • Feel yourself expand into the best version of yourself today
  • And then, start the process all over again... because this is a journey not a destination
• Plus, Erica shares her ideas on how women of color can be more present and "stay in the room"

As a bonus for wellness practitioners, Erica shares her ideas on how to increase diversity in yoga studios and self-care retreats.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/erica-courdae-diversity-replay

Q: how do you set healthy boundaries in life, especially if you feel like yours have been trampled over and over again lately? For many of us, this current season has been space for deep reflection. And for some, we've realized it's time to reset once again.

My special guest today is author Nancy Levin and she's simplifying how to set healthy boundaries. She is known for helping overachieving people-pleasers live life on their own terms. Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why some women struggle to define and uphold their boundaries, personally or professionally
• How to begin the process of defining your boundaries by writing "boundary script"
• What to do if you're attempting to conquer codependent behaviors
• The steps to creating your own "boundary pyramid," a simple tool to help you set healthier boundaries
• How to say 'no' effectively and stick with it
• …and understanding what your "bottom-line boundary" is and how to set it and communicate it with others, confidently

During the 12 years that Nancy was the Event Director at Hay House, she produced more than 1,000 events. So, it was such a pleasure to speak to another events professional on this specific topic. The events industry is one that revolves around being a "people pleaser" and going the extra mile, no matter the cost. If you work in events, you're going to love this conversation.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/nancy-levin-how-to-set-healthy-boundaries

Q: what is the best way to motivate and empower your remote workers? No matter if you're new to managing your team remotely or have been doing it for ages, well before COVID-19, we've all been flung into a new way of working.

My special guest today is author Dr Paul White and he's simplifying how to motivate and empower remote workers, tapping into new research his team has collected over the last two months during the pandemic lockdown.

It's fascinating, new insight and the millions of new remote workers are unlike any people who chose to work remotely in the past. They've gathered real-world stories and data on remote worker's concerns, frustrations and ultimately, positive lessons learned during lockdown. Here's the inside scoop of what they want and (actually) need from you, their manager, in order to thrive.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• What a few of the common obstacles are that managers tend to create with their teams and how to overcome them
• How he describes a "vibrant workplace" and what the new research has uncovered when it comes to remote workers who haven't stepped foot inside the office space in months
• What the inter-relationship is between recognition, appreciation, and performance when motivating your remote workers and how to improve antiquated employee recognition programs at larger firms, especially now
• How to neutralize negativity and conflict with team members, finding the root cause of it all
• …and ultimately, how to work with someone who you actually DON'T appreciate at all… do you fire them and start again? Or do go deeper and press on?

Dr Paul White was on the podcast previously (episode 056) simplifying how to apply the 5 Love Languages in the workplace. He and Dr. Gary Chapman are a wealth of knowledge in helping get to the heart of people… and I'm thrilled to have him back to share more.

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Book a free discovery call today: https://www.goodboycreative.co/simple

(And make sure to tell them The Simplifiers sent ya!)

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/paul-white-motivate-empower-remote-workers