Things have been and continue to be crazy right now in our country and our world...and they seem to be getting crazier by the day.  In the midst of all that is going on, it is completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, outraged, and crazy ourselves.  However, it’s important to remember that we’re not crazy, we’re just living in crazy times.  On this episode, I talk about some of the ridiculous and upsetting events of the past few weeks and how we can stay engaged in all that is happening, without making ourselves insane in the process.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Shareables:

“You’re not crazy, this is crazy.” — @MikeDRobbins

“You’re not insane, this is insane.” — @MikeDRobbins

“It’s okay and appropriate to be outraged right now.” — @MikeDRobbins

Things continue to be incredibly intense in our country and our world these days.  At times, like last night as I watched the first Presidential debate, I find myself feeling sad, angry, and scared - wondering how we’re going to make our way through this dark period.  At the same time, I’m often reminded of how strong and resilient we are as human beings.  The only place we can find peace and tap into our power is in the present moment.  As challenging as this can be in general, and especially right now, it’s essential for us to operate moment by moment.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Unlocking Us Podcast with Brene Brown

Shareables:

“Step by step, moment by moment.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Let’s focus on being fully present in this moment.” — @MikeDRobbins

“We have more than this requires.” — @MikeDRobbins

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been feeling outraged in recent days, weeks, and months, with all of the traumatizing things happening in our country and our world.  While this outrage is understandable and normal right now, it’s also volatile.  Instead of either avoiding our outrage or using it in damaging ways, we have the opportunity to turn it into positive action.  I imagine you’re probably also feeling exhausted, as am I.  However, if we’re willing to dig deep, step up, and act with courage and commitment, we can have a real impact on this election, and on the future of our country and our world.  We can’t control the outcome, but we can control our attitude and our effort...and we can leave it all on the field over these next 40 days.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Glennon Doyle on Instagram

Together Rising

Vote Save America

Register to Vote

Confirm That You Are Registered to Vote

Unlocking Us Podcast with Brene Brown

Shareables:

“Let’s turn our outrage into action.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Insight without action makes no difference.” — @MikeDRobbins

“There are really only two things we can control - our attitude and our effort.” — @MikeDRobbins

The country and the world lost a significant and legendary leader this past Friday with the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG).  My guest today, Susan B. Katz, knows a lot about RBG.  She’s the author of the bestselling book, The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Biography Book for Young Readers, which came out in March.  Susan is an award-winning children’s book author and a friend.  Her forthcoming book, Meditation Station, teaches kids about the power and importance of mindfulness.  We discuss the incredible life of RBG, how we can keep our kids and ourselves grounded during these challenging times, and more.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Susan Katz Website

The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Susan Katz

Meditation Station by Susan Katz

Shareables:

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an icon who taught us so many important things.” — @SusanKatzAuthor

“RBG inspired us to stand up, speak up, and fight for what we believe in.” — @SusanKatzAuthor

“Teaching our children mindfulness is one of the best and healthiest things we can do.” — @SusanKatzAuthor

As we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times of change and challenge, there’s a trap that we can fall into - thinking there is some “right” way we’re supposed to be handling it all.  The truth is, there is no right way to do this.  Each of us is doing the best we can with the resources we have.  And, while we can definitely make positive and healthy choices and changes, shaming ourselves and putting pressure on ourselves to do things “right,” especially these days, is detrimental to our well-being, success, and connection with others.  In this episode, we talk about some ways to let go of our obsession with “doing it right,” and instead, focus on trusting ourselves and operating with compassion.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Nothing Changes Until You Do, by Mike Robbins

Shareables:

“There’s no right way to do this.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Stop ‘should-ing’ on yourself.” — @MikeDRobbins

“The truth can’t be rehearsed.” — @MikeDRobbins

As we hit the unofficial six-month mark of the pandemic here in the United States, I’ve been reflecting on some of what I’ve seen, heard, and learned - both personally and from the people around me during this time.  In this episode I highlight five specific lessons from this experience, and also speculate on five things we can do and focus on as we move forward and navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead for us, our families, our teams, our communities, our countries, and our world.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Unlocking Us Podcast with Brene Brown - Day 2

The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, by Richard Carlson

The Universe Has Your Back, by Gabby Bernstein

Life Loves You, by Rober Holden and Louise Hay

Shareables:

“We have more than this requires” — @MikeDRobbins

“We’re all in the same storm, but different boats.” — @MikeDRobbins

“It’s important for us to remember that this, too, shall pass.” — @MikeDRobbins

Taking care of ourselves and focusing on our well-being are important, as we all know.  Right now most of us, myself included, are finding it even more challenging to focus on these things effectively.  My guest today, Deborah Bonzell, is a good friend and an expert in well-being.  She’s a coach, consultant, and the founder/creator of the Well Workout.  Deb works with people, leaders, teams, and organizations - helping them find fun and creative ways to care for themselves, balance their lives, and support their well-being, so that they can keep things in perspective and perform at their best.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

Deborah Bonzell Website

The Well Workout

Deborah Bonzell on LinkedIn

Shareables:

“Being well allows us to do well.” — @TheWellWorkout

“We are human beings, not human doings.” — @MikeDRobbins

“It’s important for us to take breaks and nourish ourselves.” — @TheWellWorkout

With fires raging in Northern California, a hurricane down in Texas and Louisiana, 180,000 Americans dead from Covid-19, and the horrific shooting of Jacob Blake by the police and two people killed during the protests in Kenosha, WI, I’m feeling incredibly sad and angry.  In this intense episode of the podcast, I address these things and share some of my thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on where we are and what we can do right now.  It’s a time for truth, change, and prayer.

Resources:

Campaign Zero

NAACP

Black Lives Matter (organization)

Trevor Noah talking about Jacob Blake

Doc Rivers talking about being Black in America

Black Lives Matter (podcast episode) 

Mike Robbins Website

Shareables:

“It’s time for truth, change, and prayer.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Black Lives Matter.” — @MikeDRobbins

“This is not okay - we must do better than this as a country.” — @MikeDRobbins

My guest on this episode is the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Laney College in Oakland, CA, John Beam.  John and I have known each other since 1989 when I arrived at Skyline High School in Oakland where he coached football for 22 years.  John and his Laney College Eagles are featured in the current season of Last Chance U on Netflix.  As an incredibly successful high school and college football coach over the past 40 years, John knows a lot about what it takes to succeed and how to build a winning culture - in football, business, and life.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

We’re All in This Together - virtual program

Last Chance U (Netflix) - Season 5 Trailer

John Beam on LinkedIn

Shareables:

“If you want people to trust you, you’ve got to keep it real.” — @beam_coach

“Winning teams create a culture of family and have each other’s backs.” — @beam_coach

“For people to count on you...you’ve got to do what you say you’ll do.” — @beam_coach

I learned an incredibly valuable lesson from my pitching coach at Stanford, Dean Stotz...that there are really only two things we can control, our attitude and our effort.  This lesson has served me well throughout my life and is critically important for us to remember, especially when we’re faced with stressful, challenging, and uncertain times as we are right now.  On this episode, we discuss how to stop focusing on what we can’t control, and ways to shift our attitude and take effective actions, which can both liberate and empower us, particularly these days.

Resources:

We’re All in This Together (new book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins on Twitter

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on YouTube

We’re All in This Together - virtual program

Go with the flow (podcast episode #201)

Shareables:

“There are really only two things we can control - our attitude and our effort.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Let go of trying to control that which you can’t control.” — @MikeDRobbins

“Focus on what you can control - your attitude and your effort.” — @MikeDRobbins