CREATIVITY by Pia & Bart

We reflect on how gratitude shifts energy—both individually and collectively—and how it can be a powerful tool for leadership. When we enter a challenging space, like a tense team meeting, and lead with genuine appreciation instead of pressure, we witness a tangible shift. Shoulders relax, attention sharpens, and solutions begin to emerge. Gratitude doesn’t erase the problem; it transforms the emotional environment in which the problem exists. We discuss the idea of being “above the line”—a state of openness, creativity, and high emotional frequency—as opposed to being “below the line,” where stress and fear dominate. Through practices like gratitude journaling, we train ourselves to raise our frequency, not only over time but also in the moment.

We share our personal experiences with gratitude as a daily discipline—writing not just from the head, but from the heart. By feeling gratitude fully, we activate emotional coherence, measurable in heart rate variability, and supported by tools like those from the HeartMath Institute. As leaders, when we show up with this elevated frequency, we influence the emotional state of our teams. We touch on stoic reframing, Bali’s cultural embodiment of gratitude, and the neuroscience behind frequency and emotion. Ultimately, we see gratitude not as a fluffy add-on, but as a rigorous, embodied practice that improves well-being, sharpens leadership presence, and uplifts the energy of any room we walk into.

We explore vulnerability through personal experiences, beginning with the quote “Dance like no one is watching…” and how acts like dancing or singing often stir discomfort and self-consciousness. For many of us, these expressions bring up old memories of shame or judgment, often rooted in childhood. Exposing our inner selves feels risky, as if we might be rejected or ridiculed. We share stories—freezing during a speech, dancing sober for the first time in years—that reveal how vulnerability surfaces when we step outside our comfort zones. These moments remind us that shame lingers because, biologically, we associate exclusion with danger. Yet when we allow ourselves to show up authentically despite the fear, we connect more deeply—with ourselves and others.

In professional settings, we see that vulnerability isn’t about oversharing or emotional display—it’s about building authentic human connection. When we as leaders admit we don’t know, own our mistakes, or simply let down our guard, we foster trust and psychological safety. We reflect on the trust equation—credibility, reliability, and intimacy divided by self-orientation—and recognize that authenticity strengthens team dynamics. Vulnerability becomes a leadership asset, not a liability. Whether in a meeting, on a dance floor, or in a relationship, it’s our willingness to be emotionally exposed, within thoughtful boundaries, that creates space for truth, learning, and meaningful connection.

In this episode, we explore the complexity and fluidity of identity, beginning with a playful challenge: how would we describe ourselves in the time it takes to ride an elevator? We unpack how our self-descriptions shift depending on context—age of the listener, setting, or even language. We share our discomfort with reducing identity to a concise pitch, noting how what we say tends to be externally focused (job, nationality, hobbies) rather than delving into personal values or deeper characteristics. We discuss how identity is often a story we tell ourselves and others, influenced by language, culture, and experience. The idea that different languages unlock different aspects of our identity was especially thought-provoking, revealing how language shapes not just communication but self-perception.

We then move into how material elements—like clothing or gadgets—signal aspects of identity, both to ourselves and to others. Examples like yoga attire, running shoes, or the Oura ring illustrate how external symbols can reinforce internal self-concepts. The conversation highlights how adopting a new identity, such as becoming a runner or embracing a dual-city lifestyle, can precede and facilitate behaviour change. We also touch on the tension between comfort and authenticity in personal growth, and the challenge of integrating multiple, sometimes conflicting, roles into a cohesive sense of self. Ultimately, we raise the question: what parts of our identity do we want to evolve or let go of, and how can we consciously shape the stories we live by?

In this episode, we confront one of life’s most profound and universal truths: death. Despite its inevitability, death remains a taboo topic in many cultures, often shrouded in fear and avoidance. We explore the concept of a “good death” versus a “bad death,” discussing how saying goodbye, letting go, and even planning one’s end can create a more peaceful passing for both the dying and their loved ones. From personal anecdotes about witnessing death to cultural perspectives like Hindu cremation ceremonies in Varanasi, we examine how exposure to and understanding of death impacts our relationship with life.

We also delve into practical preparations for death, from creating a will and organizing personal affairs to embracing the “Say It Now” philosophy—expressing gratitude and love to others while they’re still here. Inspired by books like Die with Zero and The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, we reflect on the importance of living fully and intentionally. Whether it’s experiencing life’s milestones at the right time or ensuring you leave a meaningful legacy, this conversation invites us to embrace death as a reminder to live authentically and connect deeply.

In this episode, we dive into planning versus spontaneity, using the lens of personality types, particularly the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). We explore the dynamic between “judging” (J) and “perceiving” (P) traits, examining how these preferences play out in our daily lives, relationships, and work. We reflect on the benefits and challenges of structured planning, like creating routines and long-term strategies, versus the freedom and creativity of staying open to possibilities. Along the way, we share how these tendencies shape our decision-making, resource management, and overall quality of life.

Through personal stories and insights, we discuss the importance of self-awareness in balancing these approaches. Whether it’s planning for major life goals, fostering personal growth, or leaving room for spontaneity, we explore how to make our time and energy align with what truly matters. We invite you to join us in reflecting on your own relationship with planning, discovering how to find a rhythm that works for you, and considering where you might need a little more structure or a little more openness.

We often believe in the myth that relaxation must be earned—that we can only truly rest after being productive. However, we recognise that this belief, while deeply ingrained, is not necessarily helpful. Relaxation should not be conditional, yet many of us struggle to truly unwind. The conversation explores different perspectives on what relaxation means, distinguishing it from simply sleeping or taking a break. We reflect on how modern distractions, like social media, create the illusion of relaxation while actually adding to our stress. True relaxation, we realise, is about restoring our physical, mental, and emotional states—allowing us to reset and be more present in our daily lives.

To truly relax, we find that engaging in structured activity before stillness can be a powerful method—whether through intense exercise, breathwork, or even laughter. Practices like yoga, running, or time spent in nature prepare us for a deeper state of relaxation, fostering resilience and creativity. We also acknowledge that relaxation looks different for everyone; for some, it involves solitude and quiet, while for others, it might be time spent with animals or engaging in hands-on activities. Ultimately, making relaxation an intentional part of our lives—rather than something squeezed in after productivity—allows us to live with greater balance, clarity, and well-being.

In this episode, we dive into the reflective process of personal growth and intention-setting as the year draws to a close. We explore how stillness, the balance of being versus doing, and self-leadership have been prominent themes in our lives throughout 2024. We emphasise cultivating personal growth through tools like journaling, meditation, and deliberate reflection on our life journeys. As we discuss, memories evolve over time, and journaling provides a unique way to connect with our past selves, enriching our reflections and guiding our future. For us, setting intentions isn’t about rigid goal-setting but rather a flexible framework that helps align our aspirations with the more prominent themes of our lives.

We also reflect on how stepping outside our comfort zones can spark profound growth. We emphasise the value of community and shared experiences in fostering growth, drawing on the connection and support of like-minded individuals. We discuss examples of transformative retreats and the importance of those in personal development. To close, we share a creative New Year’s exercise: writing a letter to ourselves filled with intentions to be mailed later in the year as a reminder of our aspirations. This practice ties together the themes of reflection, growth, and intentional living that guide our journeys.

Towards the end of the episode we talk about a personal growth challenge that will be launched on WhatsApp on 7 January. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Bart or Pia directly. You will find our contact details on vidya-cc.com

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of breathwork with Tim van der Vliet (Bart’s brother), a global breathwork coach and creator of the TT5 technique. Tim shares his journey from high-stress stock trading to finding balance and purpose through breathwork, eventually becoming one of the world’s leading breathwork specialists. With his signature blend of science and simplicity, Tim explains how deliberate breathwork can reduce stress, improve focus, boost athletic performance, and even decrease inflammation. He emphasises the accessibility of breathwork, highlighting how just five minutes a day can create profound mental and physical well-being shifts.

We also explore the science behind breathwork, discussing its effects on the autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular health, and cellular energy production. Tim demonstrates his TT5 technique—a quick and powerful practice that blends intentional breathing with moments of stillness. Whether you’re seeking calm before a big meeting or looking to enhance your daily mindfulness routine, this episode offers practical insights and tools to harness the full potential of your breath. Visit Tim’s website at https://www.timvandervliet.com/ or try the Breathing Room App, which is available on the App Store and Google Play.

In this episode, we explore the emotional responses that arise from common, everyday triggers, focusing on how we become aware of and manage them. The conversation starts with a look at the stress of queuing at airport gates, where many of us experience heightened anxiety over small things, like whether there will be space for our luggage. Even when we know the anxiety is irrational, it persists. This leads us to reflect on how being conscious of these reactions allows us to manage them better over time, even if they remain part of our lives. We touch on various examples, from stress at the airport to dealing with unknown callers and the immediate negative reactions they evoke.

We delve deeper into the concept of triggers—both positive and negative—and how they influence our energy and interactions with the world around us. For example, the feeling of anger after hitting our head or the satisfaction of seeing a free taxi can have immediate emotional impacts. These triggers shape our behaviour and, by extension, the environment we share with others. By understanding what triggers us, we can start to regulate our reactions and potentially shift how we respond. The episode closes with the idea of keeping a “trigger journal” to better recognize the patterns in our emotional responses and become more mindful of how we bring our emotional state into our interactions.