This ExtraOrdinary Life

When Anthony Thompson was 7 years old, God spoke to him and said: “you’re going to be a preacher.” He heard from God throughout his life, and his work as a man of the cloth, and again in the summer of 2015 when his wife, Myra Thompson, was murdered by a white supremacist while she was at church. Forgiveness is a pillar of many religions, but practitioners often find it easier to talk about than to put into practice. This is not the case for Pastor Anthony Thompson. In this episode of the Higher Purpose Podcast, he shares with us how God helped him to forgive the perpetrator, and feel peace again.

The Lightness of Forgiveness Kevin shares a quotation from Called to Forgive, and Anthony talks about how forgiveness is a journey that ultimately, is about the person doing the forgiving, and heals their life along the way. There are different aspects of forgiveness, and Anthony explains what they are, and how they are involved in the process. Forgiveness is a decision that you make.

Incurring a Debt When you harm someone, Anthony believes you incur a debt. In the case of the murderer, the debt is in the form of multiple life sentences. Paying your debt is different than repentance, and Anthony explores the theological process of forgiveness, debt, and repentance. This process doesn’t necessitate a response to forgiveness, as satisfying as it might be - but it’s important to remember that forgiveness is for the person who was harmed, not the person who caused it. It releases the control the offender has over the victim.

When is Reconciliation the Goal? Not every event that requires forgiveness gets a reconciliation, and that can be challenging, especially when it’s close to home. Kevin and Anthony discuss how to manage those situations and the feelings that arise because of it. “Forgive and Forget” is a saying that may not mean exactly what people think it means. Forgetting, in this context means not hating, and not taking revenge, but doesn’t mean losing the memory of what happened, or working to prevent it from happening again.

The Consequences of Unforgiveness Anthony talks about the physical, mental and spiritual consequences of not forgiving those who have harmed you. The impacts of forgiveness and unforgiveness are not just personal, it affects communities, cities and whole countries. The response of the people of Charleston in 2015 was forgiveness, and that allowed them to begin healing. Kevin points out that when we have been wronged, we often want to take things into our own hands, and Anthony talks about what happens when you choose to put it into the hands of God.

The act of unforgiveness, or not forgiving, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Remembering Anthony shares what the community does each year as a memorial for the victims of the shooting. There are several purposes to these memorials: to honor and remember the victims, to connect with members of the community and other denominations, and to work together towards racial reconciliation and repentance.

Anthony and Kevin close the conversation with a reiteration of the power of genuine forgiveness and the benefits of making the choice to do so.

ResourcesCalled to Forgive

Victims of the Charleston Shooting:Clementa C. PinckneyCynthia Marie Graham Hurd Susie Jackson Ethel Lee Lance DePayne Middleton-Doctor Tywanza Sanders Rev Daniel L. Simmons SrSharonda Coleman-SingletonMyra Thompson 

Rest in Power.

You know Kevin as a Purpose Guy (or Guide) - that’s what this show is about, after all, but today he talks about how sometimes the pursuit of purpose isn’t actually all that easy. His pursuit of purpose often means plowing through or persevering through problems. Sometimes many. This episode is all about helping you navigate through the maze of purpose. All of these problems and their solutions can be useful in your personal life - but the main focus is going to be how purpose applies to business.

The Bottleneck Problem - there are all sorts of different shapes of bottles - but the neck is always at the top. Similarly, with purpose in businesses, the problem is at the top - people perceive purpose as the privilege of the few rather than the many. Often, many employees in an organization feel disconnected from it, and it is the opposite of how it should be. When every person in an organization has a purpose, they are mobilized in many ways.

The World Peace Problem - or the beauty pageant problem. If you have to look at the entire world and all the problems in it - thinking about how to move forward is paralyzing. The problems are so big, and the pursuit of purpose within that is so grandiose. We want to make our purpose granular, and actionable. Kevin shares some strategies on how to make purpose closer and more personal.

The Plaque Problem - when purpose is enshrined on the walls, but never seen in the halls. You see this when company discussions of purpose are all about PR, and not about actions. This filters down to how team members think about purpose. Kevin talks about the worst version of this - purpose-washing. Purpose should permeate the environment, and be a part of every day’s activities, rather than just the marketing departments.

The Megaphone Problem - this is when purpose is more talk than walk, something we've all seen, unfortunately. The solution is to start *doing* it before you start telling people about it. Put your plans into action, and then talk to people about how they’re experiencing it.

The Rainbow Problem - you see this problem come up when purpose is seen only as a dream, and not a reality, or something you can see in the abstract - but isn’t tangible. This is hard for people to connect with individually - it seems like something impossible to achieve. Kevin talks about how you can bring purpose into the day-to-day by breaking it down into something more actionable.

The (Jackson) Pollock Problem - when purpose is too abstract and open to different interpretations in your organization. Kevin points out that while everyone should have their own understanding of purpose when it’s too abstract, people can’t work towards the same goal. Put purpose into practice, instead.

The Marshmallow Problem - when purpose comes up at special occasions - but has no impact on the rest of the year. Purpose needs to be substantive and transformative - the main course rather than the appetizer.

Kevin talks about how these problems, when taken together, can make purpose something that gets eye-rolls and lip-service rather than the immensely powerful tool it is. There are concrete ways for your organization to use and take advantage of purpose, and when purpose permeates your organization, everything you’re trying to achieve becomes possible.

Right now Kevin is available to work with a select number of organizations as a Strategic Purpose Partner and Advisor, to help them identify, experience and enjoy the results that are possible.  Call 678-744-5111, or email [email protected] to put purpose to work in your organization.

ResourcesTheGratitudeChallenge.Community

Everyone has had those moments where you have that feeling that everyone else has it all together, and you’re the only one who is completely paralyzed. Hopefully, you know that’s not true, and today, Kevin speaks with Kimberley Davis and Dr. Melissa Hughes, two women who deal with - and work beyond, the imposter syndrome.

The Irony of Imposter SyndromeMore often than not, it is the people who are the most accomplished who suffer from imposter syndrome the most. Melissa talks about how high achievers aren’t always good at reaching out and asking for help. Kimberley agrees and talks about the steps that she’s taking to combat that hesitance to get involved in projects with others and collaborate professionally. That instinct to do it alone is a self-preservation instinct - but one that often backfires.

The Inner CriticMelissa and Kimberley discuss what the imposter syndrome means to them: sometimes it’s when your inner critic takes over your confidence, sometimes it's about other people’s expectations - or what you think they are. Kimberley makes a powerful statement about giving yourself the right to do what you do, and take up the space you need. Melissa adds that it’s important to share what you’ve done and what you’ve learned without being afraid you’re speaking out of turn, or that you’re not ‘expert’ enough. When you chart your own path, you’ll often be faced with the imposter syndrome.

The Importance of TrustTrust is a huge and critical part of the human experience. Melissa points out how important having trust for others is when it comes to achieving your goals. Kevin adds that the listeners to this episode are also being entrusted with this kind of vulnerability. Our early experiences can have a huge impact on our ability to trust, our bravery, and our confidence. They often supply the sound and tone of those inner voices that tell us we’re not good enough. Kimberley shares some challenges and experiences she has encountered when talking about her background, and what they have taught her about standing up for herself.

We’re Wired to ConnectCreating a Humans First culture makes a huge difference because it increases the sense of belonging we need to take risks and achieve great things. This matters at the organizational level, but on the personal level, we can’t afford to wait until we're in a fantastic culture - we need to take individual action to feel confident in ourselves. Melissa, Kimberley and Kevin discuss different strategies you can use to defeat your imposter syndrome.

Authenticity and Seeking TruthIt’s important to be aware of the impact you have on others and the world - how you show up and how you treat people matters. All too often, someone who is ‘just being honest’ may be telling the truth, but they’re often not being kind or helpful or supportive. None of us can control how other people will respond or react to us, and not having that control leads to imposter syndrome. Melissa points out that we often wouldn’t speak to others the way we speak to ourselves - and why not? Kimberley talks about faith, and the impact it can have on imposter syndrome.

The Jam Session ends with some final thoughts and reflections on imposter syndrome, connecting with others, and being mindful of the impact that we have on the world. One of the biggest fears leaders have is being exposed as an imposter - these feelings plague everyone on the path of achievement - and there is something validating about knowing you aren’t alone.

ResourcesKimberley Davis | onstageleadership.com | Dr. Melissa Hughes | Brave Leadership

In this week’s episode of the Higher Purpose Podcast, Kevin Monroe speaks with Steve Foran. This episode is one that Kevin has been looking forward to - and it’s actually been saved specifically for this week. The next hundred episodes of the Higher Purpose Podcast are going to be grounded in gratitude - and this conversation is going to begin that. 

Steve Foran is a gratitude guide. He has a background in electrical engineering and an MBA - but had a revelation that led him to pursue gratitude as a full-time career. He’s written a book called Surviving to Thriving, and Steve talks about how it came to be, after banging around in his head for several years. Kevin notes that the book ended up cracking him wide open, and helped him solidify his goal of making gratitude his focus for the next 100 episodes of the show.

The Hierarchy of LeadershipSteve talks about the 4 primary points on the leadership spectrum. Underlying them all is Influence.

Surviving is drudgery.Striving is hard work.Arriving is a good place to be.Thriving is where life is like a playground.

Kevin and Steve discuss where you end up spending most of your time because it has a huge impact on how you feel, and what you’re able to accomplish. In other words: when the sh*t hits the fan - lean into gratitude!

One of the unrelenting forces pulling us back down the hierarchy is negative attribution bias  - Steve discusses what they are, and the kinds of impacts they have on us physiologically and emotionally. Kevin notes that this is a good reason to keep your gratitude practice consistent!

You Are Worthy and You Have Much to be Grateful ForGratitude has a profound way of touching each of our lives, and Steve couples it with the concept of worthiness. When you hold onto the belief that you are worthy - the opportunities to thrive and succeed open up for you. Many of us, deep down, don’t feel as if we are - but Steve (and Kevin!) both fundamentally believe that we are - every one of us.

The Benefits of GratitudeMore and more studies are finding there are physical benefits to expressing gratitude. Kevin asks Steve what the implications of gratitude are in business. Steve talks about increases in collaboration, empathy, successful/positive conflict and a general improvement in morale and profitability. It can be as simple as beginning meetings by asking everyone what they are grateful for.

The Gratitude ChallengeAs Kevin was preparing this show, he was thinking about creating a short gratitude challenge - Steve’s immediate response was: Yes! The gratitude challenge is open for registration now  - so whether or not you’ve had a regular formal gratitude practice, or you’re an old hand - Kevin and Steve invite you to go to Thegratitudechallenge.community. This is a 10-day challenge, with a daily email that will help you think about gratitude that day. Over the course of 10 days, Kevin and Steve both believe you could experience a major change in your life. If you don’t feel like you have a huge amount to be grateful for - this challenge could change that for you.

Kevin reminds us that gratitude may not immediately change anything about the situation, but it changes us and how we perceive and experience the situation. Steve adds that it’s easy to get complacent in your gratitude practice - and this challenge can be a way to re-invigorate it. 

ResourcesGratitudeatwork.caUse the discount code: Higher Purpose Podcast for $5.00CAD off the price of the book. TheGratitudeChallenge.Community

The Higher Purpose Podcast has reached its 100th episode. Now, that's a cause for celebration. And to mark this significant milestone, we will be hearing from guests all around the world about their experience with our fellow host Kevin Monroe, or their feedback on the podcast. Sit back, and enjoy! Always Count your Blessings Kevin asks his audience, what is it they are grateful for? On his end, he proceeds by enumerating everything – and everyone – he is grateful for in his life, ranging from his children and grand-children that offer him humorous coffee mugs for Father's Day, to his encouraging wife Gwen who always believes in him, without leaving out a heartfelt tribute to his parents who he considers to be his heroes – his Mother, which he describes as a faithful servant who taught him humility, and his Father, who modeled authenticity and was the most comfortable-being-himself person Kevin has ever known. Heroes -- Mentors -- Encouragers -- Allies Listen to Kevin speak more about his early mentors in the very first episode of the Higher Purpose Podcast - Welcome to the Higher Purpose Podcast

Many Ways to Celebrate There are so many possible ways to celebrate the 100th episode of a podcast or any show for that matter. First off, Kevin explains how the 100th-episode-milestone is always a 'big deal' in business, simply because it is a reminder of success – and how many (most, even) podcasts don't get to make it that far. What are some of the ways other podcasters have celebrated their 100th mark? Kevin shares a few such as highlights, navel-gazing – some kind of introspective look on failures, successes, low and high moments of the podcast – and having special guests on the show.

The People's Voice Kevin mentions all of his guests are special, so none of the standard methods of celebratory episodes really resonate with him. That's why he saw it fitting to stay true to the foundation of the Higher Purpose Podcast and apply the three C's: Connection, Conversation and Community - and decided to put together a beautiful 'audio mosaic' for this 100th episode, hearing from fellow listeners just like yourselves from all over the world, about what moved them, inspired and affected them throughout the podcast.

Final Thoughts

Thanks for joining the celebration of our 100th episode milestone. There’s a quotation attributed to Woody Allen, “80% of success is showing up.” Another way to say that is, you never finish anything you don’t start. I remember receiving an email from a friend in January of this year. “79 episodes?  Wow.  I’m inspired by your commitment, by the content itself, and by your positive energy. “It really is amazing what you – and I mean YOU can accomplish once you start something and “keep showing up.” How did we get to 100 episodes? One episode at a time…week after week and thanks to the encouragement of others, I just kept showing up.

Thank you for showing up and joining in to listen to Episode 100. I hope you’re inspired to take the next step on your journey – however small or insignificant it might seem. TAKE IT TODAY…and then take the next one tomorrow…

Last week, I had the privilege of talking with Al Lopez, and today, we get to speak with him again - along with his daughter and son-in-law Harry and Leticia, the 5th generation of coffee farmers in the family - but the FIRST generation of coffee roasters and cafe owners. Harry and Leticia fell in love with their father’s mission of helping others.

Carrying on a Legacy

Al is thankful that Harry and Leticia have chosen to carry on and extend the legacy he and his family began generations ago. Alma Coffee - the cafe that Harry and Leticia just opened the week this episode was recorded - and being part of history while forging a new path, is something very exciting for everyone involved. This was a huge departure from the couple’s initial dreams of careers in accounting - despite becoming accountants, and getting jobs in their chosen companies, but making a difference through the family’s business was a stronger draw.

Fulfillment is Everything

As accountants, Leticia and Harry had a secure future but were miserable. The long hours, the stress, the whole environment was making them unhappy - and not filling their need for purpose. In being able to spend time at the family farm, and see the work being done - and the difficulties and challenges associated with it - they came to realize they needed to make a change - and fast! They quit their jobs, and committed fully to the family coffee business, learning how to roast and retail the coffee the family had been growing for generations.

Fixing the Supply Chain

For most coffee producers, all of the steps their product goes to - on its path from the farm to peoples cups - involve getting a smaller and smaller portion of the profits. Harry and Leticia believed they could change that, with their understanding of supply chains, marketing, and accounting. They started connecting the farmers directly to the people selling it - and everyone is better off. By controlling (and improving!) every step in the process, they and their clients have a more personal connection to the drink and understand the impact it can have.

Almadoption

Alma coffee adopts farmers they know personally, and that they’re going to re-invest in the industry and their communities - and they pay double the market rate for coffee. They have “Almadopted” three farmers outside of their family - and one of their measures of success is how many other farmers and families they can help. Success means being involved in the communities at all steps along the supply chain: from the farmer to the barista. 

Making a Difference

Not everyone moves from prioritizing success to prioritizing significance at all - but by seeing Al make that transition while they were quite young, Harry and Leticia were able to see the value and the benefits of aligning your personal and work lives around your purpose. Making a difference through business isn’t always easy - but can be extremely satisfying. People talk to them and talk about how they can make their own major life changes - becoming an entrepreneur and making a difference in the world. Leticia advises people to discover what gives them purpose, and see what career opportunities are there. Success can be a solo endeavor - but significance almost never is.

Try Alma Coffee by visiting them at their location at The Circuit Co-Working space, or ordering online! Use the discount code Higher Purpose to get 15% off your online order.

Alma Coffee | Alma Coffee on Facebook | The Circuit Co-Working Space |The Second Mountain Book Summary // Get the Book

Al Lopez is a fourth-generation coffee farmer, so it’s fitting that today’s episode is recorded in a coffee shop. Al has one of the most amazing stories you’ve never heard, and as he and Kevin share a few cups of Alma Coffee, you’ll discover the heart-filled lengths Al went to as he gave back to his community in Honduras.

Journey to the United States

Al grew up with coffee trees in his backyard, and it was his grandfather who instilled a love for them. He shares the story of how his grandfather encouraged him to pick and process the beans by hand, then took it a step further by allowing Al to sell the coffee and keep the profits. His father moved to the United States and Al joined him there on the promise of his own bicycle, and he shares the story of what it was like coming to a place with airplanes, electricity, indoor plumbing, and Coca-Cola in a can. He also shares the troubles he faced being ‘different’ in public schools, how he ended up in the military, and the injury that landed him in a factory.

Inspiration for the Future

While working in the factory, Al’s foreman kept telling him, “You have a head on your shoulders. Go to school.” So he did. From junior college to university, Al graduated with an accounting degree. As he waited for his first job interview, he had the crushing feeling that he wasn’t good enough to clean the bathrooms. Despite that, he had a phenomenal career there and moved to Sara Lee, where he really took off. He credits part of his success to growing up ‘on the streets.’

The Second Mountain

Al retired from his CEO position at age 42, having achieved his biggest goal. But he wasn’t finished yet; Al had a new purpose and it had nothing to do with his ego. He found himself being drawn back to his home in Honduras. For 800 years, farmers sold coffee and starved to death; they weren’t the ones making the money. Al decided to change that, and he shares the story of how he created Alma Coffee based on the idea of D2R, or ‘direct to roaster.’ But his holistic approach to helping the farmers goes much deeper.

The Real Deal

Al’s company was built, and he needed to find a roaster. He partnered with PJ’s Coffee in New Orleans after taking them to his farm in Honduras. He showed them that the story of his company, how he treats employees, and the difference it makes in the community was much more than a marketing ploy. It was the real deal because Al puts people first. He shares the three foundational pillars: improving lives, sustainable farming, and exceptional coffee. Al also shares his vision for the future; he wants the farming operation to continue 300 years after he’s gone.

The Definition of Success

Before Alma Coffee, the definition of success was the size of the paycheck. The golden parachute. Flying in private jets. But today, Al measures his success very differently: his farm director being able to buy his own home; his employees always having food, shelter, and community; lifting up the small town where he came from by improving the quality of life; his children wanting to continue the legacy. These things are the new definition of success.

Resources

Alma Coffee | Alma Coffee on Facebook | PJ’s Coffee | “The Second Mountain” by David Brooks

Wouldn’t you love to live, lead, and work in freedom? Traci Fenton is the founder and CEO of a global leadership and transformation company called WorldBlu. What makes her company special is their unique model called ‘Freedom at Work,’ and helping people find freedom in their lives is the WorldBlu’s mission. They’ve worked with Zappos, Groupon, WD40 and 65 other countries worldwide.

Freedom vs. Fear

Traci and WorldBlu teach people to live, lead, and work in freedom rather than fear. To do that, they tap into a deeper sense of love which results in freedom. In 20-something years of teaching this Traci realized something very important. Sometimes she would hit a brick wall with a company for no discernable reason. Traci discovered that most people have negative voices in their heads which directly affect self-worth, and if a CEO has self-worth issues, then they’re going to be threatened by employees with freedom. She shares one of the best - and worst - moments in her life at a Tony Robbins convention that drove this point home. And she also shares the profound reason why she doesn’t have the negative inner voice.

The Self-Worth Test

This isn’t a complicated test. In fact, you can do it right now. Answer this: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your self-worth right now, and why? When Traci was speaking to a room of about 100 CEOs, she asked them this question and asked them to raise their hands if they had an 8 or higher. You’d expect most of them to raise their hands; they’re successful CEOs, after all. But only 3 raised their hands. That’s one thing, but the more interesting part is when they answer the ‘why’ part of the question. Traci shares some of the answers she received when she asked why people ranked themselves lower.

Why You Are a Perfect 10

True self-worth isn’t tied to anything outside of us. Our worth is inviolate and baked into who we are. Traci points out that our worth is separate from wanting to improve and always be better. She shares some of the common characteristics of people who understand their self-worth: joyous, humble, lifting others up, consistent, loving, and more. She shares something very profound: Your PURPOSE is your reason for being. Your MISSION is what you do with it. Traci shares a story about coaching her nieces and nephews the way she does adult CEOs, and the surprising revelation that came from it.

The Ultimate Protective Factor

Kevin and Traci can both agree that purpose is an anchor. It’s what protects you when the world presses in around you. Consider the connection between purpose and self-worth. When we have low self-worth, it’s ‘me’ thinking, whether it’s negative or not. But when our self-worth becomes higher, infused with purpose, the thinking turns outward and we’re committed to serving others. One exercise that Traci recommends is to have a mantra that you say to the ‘gremlins’ - the negative voices - as soon as they appear. She explains how this simple trick works and why it’s so effective.

Final Thoughts

Here’s a question to ask yourself when you’re dealing with negative gremlins and low self-worth. How would you handle the situation if you WEREN’T afraid, if you WEREN’T listening to those gremlins? Second, if you’re at a 4, what would it take to become a 5? Is it internal or external? Finally, if you decided to spend the rest of your day living and acting like a 10, what would that feel like? Traci encourages you to run an experiment for today: live it as a 10.

Resources

WorldBluThe Freedom-Centered Leader CourseLinkedInTwitterFreedom at Work Podcast

Ben Whitter of the World Employee Experience Institute is known as ‘Mr. Employee Experience.’ It’s a title he’s earned over the years as he worked in over 8 countries, giving him a unique perspective on work, employees, and leadership. Ben’s first book, “Employee Experience,” is due out soon, and today conversation dives into the heart of what the title promises.

Ben’s Path and Inspiration

Ben started work at age 14, and his experiences were on both ends of the spectrum. He points out a very simple way to gauge what kind of experience you’re having as an employee: the way you feel when you walk in the door. Do you feel like you belong, like you’re rewarded for your efforts? Do people ask you how you are? These are some of the basic components of a good experience.

Worldwide Perspective on Work

As we mentioned, Ben has worked as a consultant in over 8 countries, and he’s spent that time observing work across those cultures. He found some striking similarities. That we are all human is obvious, but we also crave the same things regardless of where we are. Ben shares in more detail what those things are, then contrasts how we go about getting those things we crave in different cultures.

How to Observe and Understand

Ben tends to go about observation differently. Where many consultants walk in with a pre-made plan, Ben immerses himself in the culture surrounding him. In other words, experience life as a local, because above all, a sense of community is incredibly important. He shares his experience as a minority in China, and the surprising way people took care of him.

On a deeper level, Ben understood the similarities early in his journey. Humans are very different, but humanity remains the same. We are emotional creatures experiencing the world through our senses. He explains how being ‘human-centric’ has been his driving focus and what he’s seen that trips up otherwise good companies. He launched the World Employee Experience Institute to help solve these issues, and Ben shares the story of how the Institute was born.

The Employer/Employee Contract

The idea of this is simple: a work relationship provides one thing for the employer and a different thing for the employee. But have you considered the psychological contract? This revolves around rewards, being celebrated and appreciated, and growing, learning, and thriving within an organization. It’s a relationship rather than a contract or deal. This is the holistic way to look at employee experience.

The Basic Element of Humanity

Belonging is at the top of the list and that’s why Ben has put community first. When you build something people believe in and unite them within the organization, you achieve that sense of belonging. It’s much deeper than perks and ping pong tables. Ben reveals what creates a real sense of community, and how he can ask one question and learn the state of the community.

The Vital Factors

Ben’s book, called “Employee Experience,” dives into some of the vital factors of creating a great work environment. At the center of a good experience, there is a simple, unwavering belief in what the organization is doing. Partly, it’s about the ‘why,’ the passion, but that’s not enough on its own. You also need the ‘how,’ the mission and values of the organization. Ben calls this the ‘truth’ of an organization, which you’ll find instantly when you walk in the doors. It has nothing to do with marketing gimmicks, and Ben shares how organizations can find their own truth.

Resources

Website | LinkedIn | World Employee Experience Institute | Twitter

This podcast is all about connection, conversation and community. On today’s episode, we’re diving deeper into these three "C's" with the idea of Waves and Ripples. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite stories, and Jason Meucci will join us in a special segment to share the waves and ripples in his life, which he connects to the Higher Purpose Podcast. 

Waves and Ripples 

Both waves and ripples are movements of water or liquid in response to a stimulus. The scientific definition of a wave is "a moving disturbance in the level of a body of water" — there is motion there. There is action, there is energy. Both definitions include movement and a response to some type of stimulus: something has to start the movement. 

The distinction is that waves move you in a specific direction, whereas a ripple is a far-flung effect of something. 

Opportunities in action 

Imagine yourself sitting at the edge of the water, watching and listening to the waves. That’s one way to enjoy a wave’s impact. But unless you seize the opportunity, take action, and jump into the wave to have it carry you somewhere — you’re just sitting on the shore. You need deliberate and intentional action. 

Jason Meucci’s waves and ripples 

Jason has not only ridden waves and ripples, but has also created plenty of his own that we can trace through the Higher Purpose Podcast. 

He shares the story of getting to work with Jake Haupert after listening to him on an episode. They’re spreading the word about how transformational travel works to make the world a better and more connected place, a project that has potentially global ripples.

He also shares a story about connecting with Bernadette Jiwa through the podcast, who, within a week, had sent him a box of her books from Australia for him to share. That’s a ripple that has bounced from the podcast in Georgia, to Jason in Washington, to Bernadette in Australia, and back to Washington — and who knows where else!

He talks about meeting and becoming friends with Renee Smith and Tyler Adams through the podcast, and says he can list another ten to a dozen people he’s connected with through the podcast. All of this because he decided to take action, get involved, get to know these people and invest in their relationships. 

More waves and ripples 

The first ever episode with Mark Tim was an introduction through Chris Patten.

The Profile of Purpose Series, made up of conversations with 12 business owners who are in the business of purpose, also came as part of a wave.

My friendship with Marcel Schwantes led to an introduction to Mike Vacanti, which then kicked off the HumansFirst series on the podcast (and the waves and ripples from each of my guests on the series!) and my involvement with the HumansFirst Club — which also led to my hosting the HumansFirst Hangout, which has been another set of waves and ripples all of its own! 

A call to action 

I want to invite you to share your waves and ripples story that is somehow connected to the tsunami effect of the Higher Purpose Podcast. Go to kevindmonroe.com/waves and you’ll find a page and instructions to record a voice message and share your story. 

If you record it by Saturday, June 15, you’ll be able to hear it on our 100th milestone episode airing on June 25.