This ExtraOrdinary Life

"Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won." That is the West Point Cadet Prayer, but it’s not just for cadets. It‘s for all of us, especially those of us who strive to live our purpose. Today, Kevin talks about thing things that get in his way on his path to purpose. If you’re anything like him, you have probably experienced them, too.

As we’ve often said, purpose thrives in community and dies in isolation. Today’s guest, Rusty George, agrees. In fact, he published a book entitled Better Together where he talks about the power of community. Rusty is a pastor, speaker, and leader, and in today’s episode, Rusty and Kevin talk about what community really means when you’re living a purpose-filled life.

Kevin reflects on 52 weeks of the Higher Purpose Podcast, sharing some of the things he’s learned and experienced along the way. Kevin discusses five ways that purpose benefits all of us - a retrospective on the incredible guests that have been on the show and some of the big takeaways from a year of energizing and inspiring conversations.

What would your workplace look like without any managers? Brian Robertson says that management hierarchies create a parent-child dynamic between managers and workers that actually undermines organizations. Through experimentation in his own entrepreneurial enterprises, he found a new kind of organization –  one that allows us to use our collective consciousness for a purpose. He called the system Holacracy, and now it is implemented by thousands of businesses worldwide.

How can we make work more human? Kevin talks to Renee Smith about the high cost of fear, and the deep impact of love. Renee Smith is the Director of Organizational Development at Washington state’s Department of Enterprise Services. She’s not just bringing love into workplace, but into government – the most stereotypically bureaucratic kind of workplace! She has her work cut out for her – but her story is that much more inspirational for it.

Alexander McCobin was on his way to a Ph.D. and a career in academia when he changed life paths and started Conscious Capitalism, an organization and global movement that blends philosophy and practicality to promote ethics in business. Alexander discusses how he helps businesses find their purpose and discover what they can contribute.

Just over 10 years ago, Bo Burlingham wrote Small Giants - a book about “companies that choose to be great, instead of big.” Now Small Giants is a movement, a community, and an annual Forbes list. Kevin talks to Bo about the rise of entrepreneurship, his personal journey, and the role of purpose in doing business differently, and succeeding.

Kevin sits down with Bruce Ballengee, founder and CEO of Pariveda Solutions. Pariveda is a tech consulting company doing things differently. The mission of Pariveda is helping people achieve their highest potential – including both their clients and their employees. Bruce discusses how focusing on purpose has translated into success for his business.

Brandale Randolph is a social activist and entrepreneur who is working to alleviate the cycle of poverty through business. He runs the 1854 Cycling Company, a company that employs those who are most at risk of living in poverty – specifically, mothers with criminal records. He also runs Project Poverty, a non-profit aimed at reducing poverty.  Brandale discusses the power of business to give back to society and break the cycle of poverty.

Kevin is currently in the first phases of the Extraordinary Experiment. What is the Extraordinary Experiment? It’s a program open to anyone who wants to join - anyone who believes that living an extraordinary life is within your reach. Each week incorporates a simple challenge that is tailored specifically to you. Kevin gives us a rundown of what being extraordinary means, and how to move beyond the ordinary.