I (Amanda) have been thinking a lot about the interplay between our intentions and our actions – and how they both impact trust and relationships. In this episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast, I'm doing a little external processing as I reflect on and try to answer the questions:

• How do we assume best intentions in other people, when it doesn't always feel like they're trying as hard as they could?
• What happens when we judge ourselves and others by two different sets of standards?
• What happens to trust in relationships when, even if someone has the best of intentions, their actions don't back it up?

Admittedly, some of these thoughts tend to support each other while others feel contradictory. I think that's the point. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Connect with us online!

• Download the #thrivetoday mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for more great content like this!
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

A powerful driving force for everyone—you, me, our customers, our sales people, and our leaders—is the desire to make a difference. We want our lives to matter, to count for something and, more specifically, we want to know that we matter to someone, that we’re noticed and important and that our words and actions count for something. So today we’re going to dig into how we can say ‘hello!’ to acknowledgment.

Acknowledgement is perhaps the most cost-free, simple, take-it-wherever-you-can-get-it way to say to others that they matter and that they count. Acknowledgments send a powerful message: I see you. I hear you. I understand you. I admire you. You are significant. Its effects are noticeable and lasting – piercing deep into the heart, shaping the inner voice of our employees, teammates, friends and family.

In this episode, Amanda is joined by fellow MJST teammates MarkSteven Reardon and Mark Jewell to discuss:

• What is acknowledgement? What does it mean?
• Why don't we acknowledge those around us more often?
• What are the consequences of not acknowledging ourselves and the people around us?
• How can we play a game of TAG! to acknowledge people and ourselves more effectively? 

It doesn't matter who needs to be seen and heard – your employees, your boss, your customers, your spouse, your kids, or simply yourself – this episode is both thought-provoking and practical. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

• Sign up for the #thrivetoday Fitness Challenge!
• Contact us to learn more about The Thriving Leader, kicking off July 24-25 in Omaha!
• Dying for a Paycheck by Jeffrey Pfeffer
• The Power of Acknowledgment by Judith W. Umlas
• The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
• The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer
• "Am I Dying?" The Honest Answer. – A TED Talk by Matthew O'Reilly
• Episode 104: Focusing on Infusion (aka The "I" in Leadership!)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• MarkSteven Reardon on Facebook and Twitter
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

There are times when we have to make the tough decision to walk away from something – people, jobs, beliefs – when it no longer serves us. On today's episode, Mark Jewell is sharing transparently about having to make one of these hard choices in his personal life. He opens up about:

• Why he waited so long to share his decision with others
• Advice he'd give to other people going through a similar experience
• How you can support people making a tough choice, especially when you may not agree with it
• Why you can't depend on other people to make you happy

We talk about "appropriate effort" a lot in our work – what is the appropriate effort required to get me from where I am to where I want to be? Sometimes, that effort is walking away...in order to discover what you could be walking toward.

Note: This episode contains adult language.

Episode Resources:

• Join us in the #thrivetoday Fitness Challenge, kicking off July 1! Get all the details here.
• Email us to learn more about The Thriving Leader on July 24-25!

Connect with us online!

• Download the #thrivetoday mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for more great content like this!
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Do you ever find yourself in a seemingly constant state of disappointment? Disappointed that you fell short of how you thought you "should" perform. Disappointed in other people because they aren't living up to what you think they "should" be capable of. We've all been there from time-to-time. In those moments, our expectations for what the world should look like and what it actually does look like are disconnected – creating stress, frustration, annoyance and, yes, disappointment.

On this episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast, MJST coach Amanda Sollman is asking, "When is it time to adjust your expectations?" She believes that, in order to truly thrive, we've got to come to terms with those moments and experiences where reality isn't living up to the picture in our head – and choose a different course of action. To dig into that, she's challenging listeners to ask themselves:

• Where are my high expectations coming from? What stories are driving my beliefs about how things "should" be?
• Is my story true?
• What's possible if I let my story go and adjust my expectations?
• Are my expectations realistic?
• Where does adjustment need to occur – in my expectation or in my effort?

It's perfectly okay to have high expectations – when those expectations are creating results and growth in ourselves and others. High expectations aren't so great when they're creating unnecessary stress. This episode tries to hash out the difference. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

• Loving What Is by Byron Katie

Connect with us online!

• Download the #thrivetoday mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for more great content like this!
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Thinking about food can be hard. On one hand, it's a basic human need that often tastes delicious and has deep cultural or emotional meaning (e.g., bring on that comfort food!). But on the other hand, it can feel like we're never getting it right – everybody's got an opinion it seems and that opinion can make you feel like you're eating too much food, not enough food, or the completely wrong food. And that can lead to emotions of an entirely different kind.

On this episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast, MJST coaches Christina and Amanda are having a real conversation with nutrition – why it's important, but also really hard to figure out. In their discussion, they dig into:

• The most common questions people have about food and nutrition
• Why you can't separate the "food" from the "feelings" when it comes to making a nutrition plan
• How Christina thinks about nutrition differently now that she's a mom
• A few pieces of nutrition advice that anyone looking to shift how they eat can put into practice today

In addition to her role with MJST, Christina has been actively coaching in the fitness and wellness community for seven years. Her certifications include: CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Level 2, Stages Cycling, and Precision Nutrition Level 1, and she'll be beginning her Precision Level 2 certification training in the near future.

Logically, we know that nutrition is an important part of any health and wellness journey – that doesn't mean it's easy. Hopefully, though, this conversation will shed some light on a complex topic and give you some tools to consider what nutrition looks like in your life. Enjoy!

Episode Resources:

• Precision Nutrition
• Feeding Littles
• Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
• Alex Q Maclin – Health & Fitness Coach

Connect with us online!

• Download the #thrivetoday mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for more great content like this!
• Christina Schroeder on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (user: cgallant86)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

If you're anything like us – and hundreds of our clients – you probably find that you put other people before yourself a lot. At work, at home, in your community. While the idea of "self-care" and "filling your cup" sounds great, in reality it's a lot more challenging. Therefore, we put ourselves last and think that we'll take care of ourselves later – once everyone else is taken care of.

What are the consequences of that approach, though?

In this episode, Amanda is joined by fellow MJST teammates MarkSteven Reardon and Mark Jewell to dig into the concept of "infusion." They discuss:

• Why do we feel this strong need to put others before self?
• What's the tradeoff of that decision?
• What is "infusion"?
• Why do we need to be infusing ourselves as leaders, parents, friends, community members and colleagues?
• Where have MarkSteven and Mark fallen prey to not infusing themselves – and how did they pivot?

There may not be an "i" in team (or so the saying goes!), but there definitely is an "i" in leadership – and today that "i" stands for "infusion." Enjoy!

Like what you're hearing? Do us a favor and subscribe and review on iTunes, or your favorite podcast catcher!

Episode Resources:

• Book an Office Hours session! Note: You will need a MINDBODY account to register.
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Want your team to be more engaged? Frustrated with bad attitudes or low enthusiasm? Have a sneaking suspicion your employees are avoiding you? Here's a #protip: quit ignoring your team's wins!

Way too often, we blow past success and achievement because "that's your job – it's just what you're supposed to do" and any feedback employees get is centered solely on what they screwed up. No wonder your people are unengaged, unenthusiastic, and screen your calls until they know what you want! #spoileralert: it doesn't have to be that way.

On this episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast, MJST coaches Jon and Wade are talking all about appreciation, recognition and celebration. They're uncovering:

• Why we don't celebrate wins – ours or anyone else's
• The stories we have to change if we want to hold on to talent and improve employee engagement
• Why we need to shift away from the "no news is good news" approach
• The difference between appreciation and recognition – and why you need both
• How you can celebrate the success of your team in ways that don't equal $$$

This is not the 1950s – we don't just show up for work each day, simply happy to have a job and do what we're told. Now, you can argue with us about whether that's right, wrong or indifferent, but the truth is still there: the modern workplace has to shift to meet the needs of the modern worker. Some of those needs? Feeling significant, appreciated, valued and important. Start celebrating your wins to help them feel that more often!

PS – Don't want to miss out on a single episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast? Click that 'Subscribe' button in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast player NOW!

PPS – Want to help other people find this show? Leave a rating and review on the show page of the podcast catcher of your choosing!

Episode Resources:

• The Power of Appreciation – Mike Robbins at TEDxBellevue

Connect with us online!

• Download the #thrivetoday mobile app from the App Store or Google Play for more great content like this!
• Wade Johannes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat (user: wadejohannes)
• Jon Anderson on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (user: jdanderson4274)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

One of the things we try to do here at MJST and on The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast is challenge the notion of what life can look like. That goes for work, as well! If you think about the changing nature of work over the last decade or so, one thing that can't be ignored is the increase in remote working. With expanded access to high-speed internet, cell service, and travel options, there are a lot of jobs out there that can be done from almost anywhere. But, if you're a company who's always had a team located in a certain geography, you might be asking yourself...how does a remote set-up work?

In this episode, Amanda – who has been working remotely for four years now – shares both what she's observed about remote working and tips for how to make it work for you and your team. She goes into:

• Some of the most common reasons companies or leaders give when they're opposed to remote working – and what those reasonings can reveal
• How hiring and management changes in a remote working set-up
• Things to think about when your team is split between an office and remote work
• Why good communication is not optional when you work remotely

Even if you don't have team members who work remotely, research shows that employees across the board value some level of flexibility. The tips shared in this episode walk you through ways to make that flexibility most beneficial for all. Enjoy!

Like what you're hearing? Do us a favor and subscribe and review on iTunes, or your favorite podcast catcher!

Episode Resources:

• Do Your Employees Have Buyer's Remorse? by Vipula Gandhi for Gallup
• SG2T Episode 101: What Does it Mean to "Manage Up"?
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

There's no doubt about it – learning to work effectively with your manager can be hard. But, at the same time, it's absolutely critical if you're going to be able to do your job and serve your customers as effectively as possible. One of the approaches that can make this relationship easier is something called "managing up." This process challenges traditional beliefs about communication and responsibility between manager and employee, and creates a culture where initiative can come from anywhere.

In this episode, Amanda digs into managing up, what it means and how to do it. She walks you through:

• What can make the employee/manager relationship challenging
• The experience that taught her the importance of managing up
• What managing up is – and what it's not
• Tips for implementing a managing up approach with your boss or your team

We feel really passionate about helping people experience a greater sense of empowerment and self-advocacy in all areas of life – including the workplace. Managing up is one strategy to help you feel that. Enjoy!

Like what you're hearing? Do us a favor and subscribe and review on iTunes, or your favorite podcast catcher!

Episode Resources:

• SG2T Episode 50 – Managing & Setting Expectations
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

It's hard to believe, but this is the 100th episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving Podcast! In honor of this special occasion, we've brought the entire MJST team together for reflections on our experience so far and some (bold!) predictions for the future. Join Mark Jewell, Amanda Sollman, Wade Johannes, Christina Schroeder, Jon Anderson and John Sanow as we talk about:

• Our favorite part of working in personal growth and development
• Where most people are missing the boat in self/team-improvement
• Our favorite client success stories
• What's changed over the last 100 episodes
• Where we think MJST will be when we record episode 200
• ...and more!

Thank you for being part of our journey thus far – we hope you enjoy this episode!

Like what you're hearing? Do us a favor and subscribe and review on iTunes, or your favorite podcast catcher!

Episode Resources:

• Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
• The New Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
• Leadership & Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
• The Only Way to Win by Jim Loehr
• Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
• Loving What Is by Byron Katie
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)
• Wade Johannes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat (user: wadejohannes)
• Jon Anderson on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (user: jdanderson4274)
• Christina Schroeder on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (user: cgallant86)
• John Sanow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn