Achieving a black belt in the martial arts requires years of training, dedication, practice and personal evolution. The primary evolution centers around moving from a primary focus on self-achievement to a transcending focus  that centers on improving the life-circumstance of others. This self-actualization or transcendence defines what it means to achieve the rank of black belt. The same is true in leadership. Successful leaders move from a focus on their personal success to the success of those they lead. Tune into this podcast to learn how to become a black belt in leadership and lead humanely.

Life transitions are often extremely difficult for people. The difficulty often stems from an inability to recognize that "what"  they do may be different from "who"  they really are. By focusing on the "why" we do things, or the innate calling of our job or profession, we can separate out who we are and our clear purpose from the mere language of the J.O.B., or the What we do in life. Tune in to this podcast to discover how searching for the real you, the "who" you really are, will aid you in major life transitions by separating the language of the "what"  and "how" from your true underling purpose- your "why".

In the martial arts we train our students to trust their instincts about people, places and things. The best self defense is being aware of your surroundings and  listening to your "gut feelings". Author Gavin de Becker, in his book, The Gift of Fear, writes about how our primitive brain drives our "Fight or Flight instinct" for survival and our cortex  or "human brain" provides our problem solving and rational thinking. Listen to this podcast to learn how trusting your gut and resisting the trap of inappropriately rationalizing that things are "ok", will keep you safe in all aspects of your life.

Inevitably, we all experience conflict almost every day. It could be at work, school, or at home. Conflict, although anxiety provoking, is a means for personal growth. Tune into this podcast to learn different styles of dealing with conflict. We may use a direct approach, meeting the conflict head on. We may try a clever approach-avoiding the conflict by being innovative. Or-we may adapt a child-like demeanor and use vulnerability and a peaceful calm to build a relationship to manage the conflict.

Samurai warriors were taught to create a hyper- state of awareness by clearing their mind creating a state referred to as "Mushin". This state of "no mind" improved the warrior's ability to be overcome their opponent in battle. The teaching comes from a concept termed "Mind Like Moon--Mind Like Water. Tune into this podcast to learn how this ancient training may improve our insight to living a happy and fulfilling life.

We all remember the old western movies where there is a barroom brawl. Inevitably, one of the characters throws a punch and when his target moves out of the way he tumbles uncontrollably over the bar crashing into the glassware! This is moving with ill intent. There was not stability and the intent was to do harm. In the martial arts, moving with good intent means we are firmly grounded, with our mind's eye on the floor, not the punch or kick.  Moving with good intent implies we are firmly rooted and grounded in all of  our actions. Tune into this podcast to learn how to move with good intent in life, firmly grounded with a strong foundation of character, and purposeful living.

In the martial arts we teach the skills of how to fall on the ground safely to avoid injury. We tuck our chin to our chest and round the surface of our back so we can dissipate the energy of the fall over the rounded surface of our back--much like rolling a ball. We prevent the energy of the fall from entering our bodies, and creating injury,  by forcing it to roll over our round surface.  We  stop our roll and give the fall-energy back to the earth by slapping the ground with our open hands and flat arms. Listen to this podcast to understand how we may manage difficult conversations and insults by not accepting the negative energy inside and letting it roll over our external surface without taking it in to create harm.  Be like the ball :-)

Tradition brings great joy and value in many societies across the world. Tradition aligns practices and beliefs and contributes to a feeling of comfort in the familiar.  It is also important to recognize that tradition is often a practice without a corresponding concern or purpose. Sometimes we do things because "we have always done it that way around here". Listen to this podcast to better understand how to create meaning by aligning concerns with actions or practices. Discover the concept of Shu-ha-ri and how one moves from a foundation of tradition to break free and innovate with purpose.

Learning that experiencing gratitude leads to generosity is the premise of this podcast. A virtuous cycle is created that perpetuates generosity from the foundation of appreciation and gratitude. Examine your life circumstance and uncover what gifts of spirit and care you have received and how you may innately pay it forward, by your own good works, to positively influence the life-circumstance of people you encounter day to day.

As we move toward the end of our careers or even as simply as moving up the corporate ladder,  we will need to consider who will take our intent forward.  Who will  carry out proverbial "ball" forward, into the future, to preserve and enhance the legacy we  have forged.Tune into this podcast to listen how  lessons from ancient stories may help you pick your successor that will best continue your intended  legacy.

There are areas around the world called "Blue Zones" where there are concentrations of people that have lived longer than 100 yrs. The people of these areas have much to teach all of us regarding how to live a long and purposeful lives. Ikigai is a Japanese word that roughly translates to "The happiness of always being busy". Tune in to this podcast to learn the valuable lessons that come from Ogimi in Okinawa, the famous village of longevity.

The space between two martial arts combatants is a finite separation which we call the "gap". In order to engage in combat, participants must close that gap to initiate the physical interaction or combat. In order to close that gap--combatants  must have the courage to step up, skills to engage and follow-through to create action.  Tune into this podcast to see how this concept is paramount to achieving your own personal goals and ultimately, life harmony.

When we establish our life goals we can either approach the process with abandon  and run the risk of burn out or exhaustion in an"all-out" effort to achieve them, or we can be more metered and take smaller more disciplined  steps to get to our destination. Tune in to this podcast to learn the wonderful lesson taught by Jim Collins in the book Great by Choice. The foundational principles of fanatic discipline, empiric creativity and productive paranoia will serve us well on our 20 mile march of life.

In today's day and age we are constantly faced with new challenges, obstacles and dilemmas. To discover success we must maintain the ability to adapt and change as our environment dictates. Our ability to be a life-long learner comes from  our understanding of the importance of maintaining a beginner's mind; open and receptive. The value of a cup comes from its emptiness--its ability to be receptive to new content. Tune in to this podcast to listen to why it is important to maintain a beginner's  mind and leave room for more tea.

As leaders, we are often approached by colleagues who relay a situation or incident to us and ask us to do something about it! We must first seek the truth by evaluating all perspectives.  We cannot put the "stake in the ground" about what we believe to be true without looking at things from all sides. The non-abiding or non-discriminating mind philosophy used in the martial arts during sparring, forces us to see things holistically - from all perspectives before acting. Tune in to this podcast to see how developing a non-abiding mind will make you a more effective leader at work and at home..

With all that is going on in our society today we often find negative emotions affecting our  ability to flourish. Negative emotions impede effective communication and often lead to many interpersonal breakdowns.  To discover personal inner peace,  we must effectively recognize our personal negative triggers and the negative trigger in others to apply moderating strategies. Tune in to this podcast to learn strategies to effectively moderate negative emotions.

The internet and all social media make sharing information globally an instant reality. Unfortunately, the things we read are frequently only perception of truth and not actually true. We tend to believe what we read or see as irrevocable truths and emotions are created to support our narratives. Listen to this podcast to discover that rumors are like "Feathers in the Wind" and  once released into cyberspace, cannot be retrieved. False narratives and rumors are harmful as they are wrongly perceived as irrevocable truths. The podcast helps you gain perspective about looking at things cautiously and seeking the truth for yourself.

Have you encountered a problem that seems to be so difficult to solve that the answer is just not apparent? The problem seems to rent a space in your brain and preoccupies your thinking. You become overly focused and persistent on finding a solution. You can't seem to stop thinking about it and it is driving you crazy. You get headaches, backaches and don't sleep well. The relationships around you suffer.  What do you do? Tune in to this podcast to hear the story of the Prince and the Mosquito and how this ancient story helps you find the answer to the impossible.

During the pandemic many of us have felt burned-out and are merely existing instead of passionately embracing life. We find ourselves searching the internet, binge-watching Netflix and impulse-buying on Amazon to get an endorphin high to escape from life for awhile.Listen to this podcast to discover how by discovering and acting on your strengths (Now Discover your Strengths by Clifton and Buckingham), you can emerge, find your spirit, and rediscover passionate and purposeful living again!

The word team is used in may areas of lives, work, school, play, sports, etc.  We use acronyms like "Together Everyone Achieves More-TEAM" or "Team work makes the dream work!".  The language implies that we are involved in some sort of competition. Teams compete. The members of Second City IMPROV, in Chicago, use the word "Ensemble" instead of the word team. Tune into this podcast to learn the advantages of an ensemble mentality and how it may transform  your "team work".