The Plant Yourself Podcast

I thought this conversation was going to be about meetings. And it was. But it turned out to be about something much larger: a fundamental redesign of power in organizations.Sheella Mierson, PhD is a scientist-turned-organizational-consultant whose whole practice is built on a simple, subversive premise: meetings are a window into culture, and if you can fix the meeting, you can fix the culture. Henry Herschel brings a complementary lens — a business background helping packaged goods startups navigate the journey from entrepreneurial chaos to IPO — now applied to the fascinating challenge of governing a Jewish co-housing community in Berkeley called Berkeley Moshav.And I came to this with skin in the game. I spent nine years in co-housing myself, in a 22-household community in Durham, North Carolina. So I know firsthand how quickly idealistic visions of communal living can devolve into parking disputes, pet policy standoffs, and festering factions. What Sheella and Henry are describing — the governance framework called Sociocracy — is the most elegant answer I've encountered to the question of how groups of passionate, opinionated people (and let's be honest, co-housing and startups both attract people with very strong opinions) can make real decisions together without anyone losing their mind or their dignity.Sociocracy was developed by Gerard Endenburg, a Dutch electrical engineer who looked at a traditional organizational chart and said: I would never design a power system this way. There's no feedback loop. You can't steer it. What he built instead is a system of distributed decision-making, structured rounds, consent (not consensus), and built-in review cycles that treat every policy as an experiment rather than a decree.After this conversation, I've been thinking about what a Sociocratic world might look like. The question that keeps haunting me: what could Google or Meta or Microsoft contribute and stand for if all their talented, idealistic people had a real say in what they built?Topics We CoverMeetings as Cultural Diagnostics"Show me a meeting and I'll tell you what your culture is like" — why fixing meetings is a route into fixing everythingThe difference between meetings that drain and meetings that buildWhat Sociocracy Actually IsGerard Endenburg's insight: a traditional org chart has no feedback loop, so it can't self-correctHow distributed decision-making gives everyone a say in the policies that affect their workWhy Endenburg built the system to run his own electrical contracting company — and what that has to do with power gridsConsent vs. Consensus: A Crucial DistinctionWhy Sociocracy doesn't seek agreement — it seeks the absence of paramount objections"Is this good enough to try?" as a more useful question than "Does everyone love this?"How consent decision-making short-circuits faction formationThe Structure of a Policy MeetingClarifying questions round → Reaction round → Consent roundWhy having a proposal that's well-thought-out before the meeting matters enormouslyspan...

Ohio therapist, EMDR trainer, and consultant Tom Zimmerman is doing something I find genuinely thrilling: taking one of the most promising trauma treatment approaches in recent memory — the Flash technique — and grounding it in a rigorous neuroscience framework called predictive processing.The result is a model of healing that is both deeply humane and almost startlingly elegant. What if you could help someone process a traumatic memory by barely touching it? What if the brain's prediction machinery — the same system that keeps trauma locked in place — could be gently tricked into releasing it, a micro-slice at a time?Tom connects Flash to Bruce Ecker's work on memory reconsolidation (which long-time Plant Yourself listeners will recognize, and if that's not you, check out the link to my interview with Bruce below), to the neuroscience of rumination, and to the possibility that modern trauma therapies may be rediscovering what ancient communal healing rituals always knew. And he's building a Cleveland-based nonprofit to study all of this formally.This conversation left me buzzing. I hope it does the same for you.Topics We CoverWhat EMDR Actually Is (and Isn't)Why "eye movements" is a misleading shorthand — the real mechanism is present-based bilateral stimulationEMDR's "admission cost": why some clients can't tolerate slowing down long enough for it to workThe Flash Technique: Healing Without RelivingHow Flash "micro-activates" tiny slices of a traumatic memory — just enough to tag it, not enough to overwhelmWhy immediately pivoting to something pleasant (yes, puppy videos) is the therapeutic mechanism, not a distractionThe crucial difference between Flash and ordinary scrolling: one is structured processing, the other is escapismThe Predictive Processing FrameHow trauma functions as a very loud, very sticky prediction: danger is real, I am not safeWhy precision weighting makes it so hard to stay present long enough for disconfirming experiences to landHow Flash creates the "juxtaposition" Bruce Ecker identifies as the key to memory reconsolidation — in micro-dosesWhy Rumination Is the Opposite of HealingHow internally replayed experiences register as new confirming data — reinforcing trauma rather than processing itThe feedback loop that keeps people from getting the sensory mismatch needed for changeFlash vs. Coherence Therapy: Fine Paintbrush vs. Wide BrushWhy a single powerful disconfirmation often can't unlock a schema built from tens of thousands of hours of adverse learningHow Flash targets small representative memories and relies on generalization to update related networksWhen you'd reach for one approach vs. the otherThe Risk of "10-Minute Cure" MarketingWhy the...

Today’s conversation explores one of the most urgent questions of our time: What would our world look like if our economic system prioritized human and ecological wellbeing instead of endless growth?I’m joined by Omer Tayyab, researcher and collaborator with economist and author Jason Hickel (Less Is More). Omer works at the intersection of economic theory, political ecology, and democratic reform — with a special focus on degrowth, post-growth futures, and how societies can thrive within planetary boundaries.We met at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he’s currently based, and this episode turned into an expansive, energizing exploration of how we might redesign the systems that shape our daily lives — from work and wealth to democracy, technology, and community resilience.If you're curious about how to build a world that actually works for people and planet, this one’s for you.We cover:What Degrowth Actually MeansWhy “degrowth” is not austerity or “living with less”—but a pathway toward more wellbeing, more leisure, more connection, and more equity.How our current growth-driven system is structurally incompatible with ecological stability.Why “Less Is More” Changed Our Understanding of EconomicsThe key insights from Jason Hickel’s book and why it resonated so deeply.How capitalism’s central goal—maximizing profit rather than wellbeing—creates ecological overshoot and social harm.Rethinking Work and ProductivityWhy the modern economy forces us to produce things nobody needs, simply to keep money circulating.Alternatives that emphasize public services, care work, and meaningful contribution.COVID as a Case Study in System FragilityHow the pandemic revealed the brittleness of global supply chains.The risk of collective amnesia now that we’re “moving on” without actually solving the underlying vulnerabilities.Democracy, Polarization, and System IncentivesWhy many democracies behave like competitive reality shows—pitting groups against each other for votes.How democratic structures might be redesigned to emphasize deliberation, cooperation, and long-term thinking.Technology: Problem, Solution, or Both?Why efficiency alone cannot solve ecological collapse (“Jevons paradox”).Where technology does help—and where it simply accelerates throughput.Imagining a Future that WorksWhy a degrowth society is not about deprivation, but about liberation from unnecessary work, debt, and consumption.How communities across the world are piloting post-growth models right now.ResourcesLess Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, by Jason HickelThe Divide: Global Inequality from Conquest to Free Markets, by Jason HickelThinking in Systems: A Primer, by Donella MeadowsOmer's LinkedIn ProfileOmer on Twitter"a...

In this episode, Matthew Nagler and I discuss a bunch of things, after intending to focus on cognitive flexibility. That's pretty meta...We meander through various behavioral science "greatest hits," including the endowment effect, loss aversion, and altruism. We explore how these phenomena affect human behavior and social dynamics, specifically by looking at a "prisoners' dilemma" type game show, and how one person's "Golden Ball" strategy shocked a nation.Then we roll up our metaphorical sleeves and get serious about cognitive flexibility. We explore the role it plays in personal identity, career changes, and societal issues like gender fluidity. We also tackle thorny ethical questions of how to balance personal and societal concerns, and how to enhance human welfare for all in a world where my ability to change can seem like a direct threat to you. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:04 Exploring the Endowment Effect04:15 Loss Aversion and Decision Making18:49 Cognitive Flexibility and Personal Growth38:58 Entering the Business World39:36 Challenges in the Private Sector41:18 Reflections on Meaningful Work43:28 The Value of Teaching49:14 Cognitive Flexibility and Social Impact53:52 Balancing Personal and Social Responsibilities01:00:17 Game Shows and Human NatureLinksZen and Economics — a Substack by Matthew Nagler Golden Balls - split or steal on YouTubeThe Will of the Many, by James IslingtonCatalog of Terry Pratchett's DiscWorld seriesAffari Toui - Italian version of Deal or No DealMoral Ambition, by Rutger Bregman

Are empathy and humanity compatible with great leadership, or do they just get in the way? That's the topic of today's conversation with executive coach Jennifer Nash about her book, "Be Human, Lead Human: How to Connect People and Performance." Jennifer's got great war stories (or more accurately, Peace Stories). Like how Alan Mulally turned things around at Ford by NOT being the smartest guy in the room. Looking for a mnifty mnemonic to guide you to become a better, more human-centric leader? The HUMANS framework has you covered. Don't miss this inspiring conversation—you'll definitely walk away with some fresh insights on creating happier, more effective workplaces.01:00 Ballroom Dancing and Leadership02:02 The Story Behind 'Be Human, Lead Human'03:33 Alan Mulally's Transformative Leadership at Ford09:36 The Importance of Human-Centric Leadership21:56 Jennifer's Journey: From Ford to Deloitte23:40 Implementing Human-Centric Strategies in Organizations29:55 The Motivation Behind Transformation30:15 The Power of Semantics in Change30:44 Understanding Human Behavior and Motivation31:22 Organizational Change Strategies32:55 Ford's Inclusive Leadership Approach35:03 Introducing the HUMAN Framework35:51 Breaking Down the HUMAN Framework38:19 The Importance of Relationships in Leadership40:03 Self-Assessment and Feedback in Leadership43:04 Addressing Neurodivergence in Leadership48:18 Coaching Through Self-Awareness and Emotional Reactions52:53 The Future of Leadership with AI

Remember Donna the Deer Lady, and her call to a radio talk show that electrified the nation?To refresh your memory, she was wondering why the highway department place the "Deer Crossing" signs at the busiest sections, where the deer were most likely to get hit by a moving vehicle. “Why are we encouraging deer to cross at the interstate? I don’t get it. That’s a high- traffic area,” she said.That’s exactly the kind of oddball story that grabbed me from minute one with Todd Cherches — a man equipped to wring out profound and useful truths from tales like that one.Todd is not your typical leadership guru—he earned his stripes in Hollywood, teaching actors how to deliver scenes, and later as a project manager sketching theme parks in China.These days, he coaches executives and trains leaders using what he calls visual leadership—a way to help people "see" what you’re talking about, not just hear it.In this episode, Todd unpacks how metaphors sneak into everyday chat (“Feed me, Seymour!” anyone?), why a CEO fetching potato chips for the staff says more about leadership than a big speech, and how to stay real and connected when half your team is working in slippers on Zoom.Show HighlightsHow a radio caller’s confusion about a deer crossing sign turned into a killer leadership metaphorWhy metaphors are baked into 50–70% of our language—and how to notice when you’re spooning them outTodd’s Hollywood adventures—including delivering lunches for Aaron Spelling and battling Mt. Hollywood traffic for extra chicken saladThe three lenses of leadership: microscope, telescope, and kaleidoscope – and why you’ll need ’em all in today’s hybrid, VUCA worldDigital leadership in 2025: making hybrid teams feel seen when you can’t just pop by their desksAI’s place in education and leadership—and how to stay mentally fit in spite of its pullThe four G’s of leadership everybody can start practicing today: Genuine, Generous, Gracious, and GratefulHow a single thank-you note from a student or client can become your secret stash of joyAbout Todd CherchesTodd is the CEO and co-founder of BigBlueGumball, a management and leadership consulting firm. He’s the author of Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life, and a globally recognized speaker and executive coach. A two-time TEDx speaker, Todd teaches at NYU and Columbia University and brings a unique blend of pop culture, practical tools, and visual metaphors to leadership and communication.Connect with Todd on LinkedInLearn more at toddcherches.com and watch his TEDx talk on visual thinkingGet VisuaLeadership at Bookshop.org

Five short years from now, 2030 will be here—and the world of work (and life) is shapeshifting at warp speed. We're all going to have to do some serious surfing to stay afloat, let alone to participate in creating the world we want. Executive coach Anna Glynn helps sales leaders, which isn't me and probably isn't you either. But what she teaches them can help us all stay effective, engaged, and sane in the rough seas ahead. In this conversation we unpack her STRONG framework—six evidence-based levers anyone can pull to build performance, wellbeing, and joy.What We Talk AboutS – Strengths: spotting and flexing what you’re already good at to create robustnessT – Trust (and psychological safety): the foundation for experimentation, feedback, and growthR – Resilience: bouncing forward (not just back) when the unexpected hitsO – Optimism: the power of realistic optimism to fuel action, not complacencyN – Networks: cultivating diverse, generous relationships that expand perspective and opportunity

Beth Green has lived many lives: activist, Marxist, spiritual channeler, intuitive counselor, and founder of the Healing Arts Network. In this moving and provocative conversation, she shares stories from her remarkable life—beginning with her expulsion from Smith College for protesting nuclear weapons at age 16—and the wisdom she’s gained through decades of navigating political and spiritual contradictions.We explore how ego shows up in both activism and spirituality, and how Beth integrates the two by grounding them in a simple yet radical truth: our job is to care for people and the Earth. She challenges the commodification of human creativity, the spiritual bypassing of systemic injustice, and the failure of both capitalism and traditional leftist movements to recognize the deeper roots of human suffering.This episode also features a powerful (and private) counseling session where Beth guides me through deep personal insight—so powerful that most of it didn't make it into the final cut. What remains, though, is the transformation that session catalyzed, and a conversation that just might do the same for you.Links and Resources:Beth’s counseling and spiritual work: bethgreen.orgFree books, music, and teachings: healingartsnetwork.orgBeth’s nonprofit and activist platform: thestream.infoThe New Declaration of Independence: thestream.info/next-steps Topics We Cover:The cost of courage in a conformist worldThe problem with both capitalism and spiritual escapismHow ego hijacks politics and spirituality alikeWhat it means to live “at the intersection of the human and divine”A radically compassionate vision for collective thriving

Zach Stone’s life arc runs from teenage “knucklehead” to crisis negotiator, trauma-informed facilitator, and head-of-product for thirty health-ed dev teams. In this rich, funny, and occasionally hair-raising conversation we drill down into the how of navigating chaos — on a subway platform, in a corporate boardroom, and inside your own nervous system.Trigger warning: there's a conversation about suicide at about 15 minutes into the episode. Skip to minute 17 if you want to avoid this section.Here's a tasting menu of our conversation:Gang manuals & purple binders – How a Quaker-adjacent conflict resolution course turned a 15-year-old troublemaker into a group dynamics geek.From union hall to board hall – Lessons learned refereeing SEPTA labor fights and why the same “rubber-and-glue” listening works on Zoom stand-ups.OARS in rough water – Using Motivational Interviewing (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) to defuse rage, whether from a bus driver or the voice in your own head.Simulated danger, real breakthroughs – How well-designed role-plays can heal trauma if you hold the container (and what happens when a participant suddenly starts to undress).Signs you’re in a chaotic system – Chronic absenteeism, cortisol tummy, “my work doesn’t matter” syndrome, and 70% burnout in tech.Habit > culture – A shout-out to Paul Gibbons, Prochaska & DiClemente, and the myth of top-down culture change.Martial arts as somatic therapy – TaeKwonDo to Muay Thai to boxing; what Zach saw when veterans laid down their canes and kids in shelters stopped fighting.Virtual heartbreak – Coaching a Kharkiv dev team while missiles shook their bomb shelter.Chaos surfing 101 – Why you don’t control chaos, you ride it; plus simple team-level practices to build collective resilience.TakeawaysName the elephant first. Start every workshop by voicing the resistance in the room; it evaporates faster than you’d think.Watch for survival mode. Tight shoulders, skipped meals, rolling eyes? Slow down before you roll out another initiative.Move the meat-sack. Five minutes of mindful movement (shadow-boxing, Tai-Chi, hallway laps) resets the neuro-chemistry better than another latte.Change habits, not slogans. Draft tiny incentives that make the preferred behavior the easy behavior; culture follows.Links & ResourcesZach on LinkedIn – the easiest place to connect and geek out about behavioral science.Red Kite Project – trauma-informed organizational change (Charlotte DiBartolomeo).AFSC Help Increase the Peace curriculumBooksPeter Levine – Waking the TigerBessel van der Kolk – The Body Keeps the ScorePaul Gibbons – a...

Garry Ridge is the former CEO of WD-40 and the co-author of Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It, a book about building high-performance cultures through servant leadership, emotional safety, and consistent values. In this conversation, Garry shares not just what he learned during his 25+ years at WD-40, but how he lived it—and how other leaders can too.We talked about what it means to lead with a heart of gold and a backbone of steel, how culture can't be microwaved (spoiler: it's a crockpot), and why being a "dumbass" is actually a leadership superpower.Garry tells stories about turning fear into learning, eliminating the word "manager," and why clarity around values—especially in a hierarchy—gives everyone the confidence to make the right decision, no matter their title.We also explore:Why psychological safety isn't fluff, it's foundationalHow “the soul-sucking CEO” lives in all of us, and what to do about thatWhat happened when Garry went back to school as a CEOHow WD-40 went global using three simple marketing questionsWhy organizations should replace “failure” with “learning moments”The real-world power of love and belonging at workThe “Maniac Pledge” and how it eliminates finger-pointingHow even during COVID, WD-40’s engagement scores stayed sky-highThis episode is a warm bath of wisdom, humor, and hope for anyone who wants to lead—at work or in life—with integrity, humility, and heart.LinksGarry Ridge's website: thelearningmoment.netTake the Dumbass Proficiency Quiz hereConnect with Garry on LinkedInJoin the School of Dumb-Assery on LinkedInGarry’s book: Any Dumb-Ass Can Do It

DEI is under serious threat in a "post-Woke" world. Is it still relevant? Does it have to lead to shame?Can we promote diversity without creating zero-sum dynamics of winners and losers?Today's guest, Winitha Bonney, takes on DEI challenges with a clear and compassionate worldview grounded in empathy.Which, in her telling, is what DEI is all about. Ms Bonney helps me understand the importance of cultural context, the challenges of navigating discomfort and shame, and the ethical obligations of organizations to create a more just and inclusive world.AI Thinks These are the Key Takeaways, and Who am I to Argue?There's a lot of work to do in DEI.Cultural context is crucial in understanding DEI.DEI is often oversimplified in corporate settings.Navigating discomfort and shame is essential for progress.Corporate responsibility must align with ethical obligations.The future of DEI holds both challenges and hopes.Understanding different cultural perspectives enriches DEI efforts.Shame and guilt can hinder effective DEI work.Inclusion should focus on equitable resource distribution.The evolution of DEI is a response to societal changes.LinksWinitha.com (cool URL, no?)

Stephen Baxter lives in Tasmania, which has Tasmanian devils which sadly are nothing like the one that gave me nightmares as a little kid watching Looney Tunes cartoons on Saturday mornings.He’s a leadership mentor who promotes a style of leadership very different from the stereotypical command-and-control style of celebrated CEOs and generals: a humble, relational, and community-centered style of leadership rooted in influence, story, and service.Drawing from his diverse experience—as a former pastor, mentor to political leaders, and grassroots organizer—Stephen explains the power of "leading leaders" rather than followers, and how narrative, self-awareness, and collaboration shape a more human and sustainable model of leadership.He shows us how it’s possible to lead without ego and create culture without control. These qualities can foster change in  local communities and global systems.From church pews to parliament halls, from jazz bands to ultimate Frisbee teams, this conversation unpacks how leadership shows up in ordinary places—and why that's where it matters most.What We Talked AboutThe unique leadership ecosystem of TasmaniaHow leadership is different when people come voluntarily (vs. for a paycheck)The myth of the "alpha" leader and the power of facilitationLeadership as storytelling, not statusCultivating leadership in community, not in hierarchyHow fear and unmet needs distort leadershipThe hidden leadership potential in all of usTips for stepping into leadership in your family, workplace, or community

How can we create workplaces that not only support employees and leaders but also contribute positively to the world?Jess Stuart, a former high-achieving burned-out executive turned speaker and leadership coach, shares her journey from corporate burnout to studying with Buddhist monks and nuns around the world.Spoiler: she discovered, and brought back to her clients, a more sustainable and human-centered approach to work.Jess’s expertise bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern workplace challenges, offering actionable insights for leaders and employees alike. We discuss the signs of high-functioning burnout, the importance of quality over quantity in productivity, and how organizations can redefine success to prioritize well-being.We talk about the tension between helping individuals cope and manage within problematic systems and changing those systems from the top down.We explore Jess's work with women leaders, and the additional headwinds they face (double standards, damned-if-you-do-or-don't, assumptions about competence and experience, and more).We also get into the seismic shifts being ushered in through generative AI, and wonder if it will perpetuate the sexist thinking of the (mostly men) who program it, or whether it can actually attain a higher level of wisdom and algorithmically look for solutions that benefit all life.If you're feeling overwhelmed by the relentless pace of work (or if you know anyone who's not having a ball in their job, I highly recommend getting to know Jess and her insights.LinksJess's Website

Tough times for justice, equality, inclusion, and hope these days.With the "anti-woke" attack on DEI, I was wondering how my friend Keith Edwards was doing these days.His practice is one of "aspiring allyship" — how we can all come together to learn and grow, and work for our collective liberation from all forms of tyranny and discrimination.Are businesses, cowering before the Trump/Musk onslaught, running away from diversity, equity and inclusion as fast as they can?Turns out, no.Because these factors are critical to any business that wants to thrive in these turbulent times.As Keith points out, diversity isn't the opposite of meritocracy; it's the only way to get the right people into the right positions.And unlike the performative wokeness that spasmed through society in the wake of George Floyd's murder and the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in summer 2020, companies that are bringing Keith in now are serious about making their organizations better. No more eye-rolling CEOs and checked-out senior managers.One of the ideas that Keith really hammers home is this: equity benefits everyone, not just marginalized groups. The things that really make our lives worthwhile — freedom, dignity, love, joy — aren't in short supply. In fact, the more of these that you have, the more that I can have as well.Leadership around these issues requires soul-searching, humility, a willingness to change and grow, and mindful presence.I shared my own struggles to become a useful ally with Keith, who shared some of his own "embarrassing moments," and pointed out that we're all "wildly unfinished," and as long as we're open, we can still act with integrity and power.Here are the takeaways that AI thought worth recording:Hope is a practice, not an emotion.Joy is a renewable resource that can be cultivated.Equity involves recognizing and removing unfair barriers.Allyship is about action, not identity.Being effective is more important than being right.Corporate language around DEI is shifting, but the work continues.The murder of George Floyd highlighted systemic issues in society.We are all works in progress and can change our perspectives.Helping marginalized groups ultimately benefits everyone.It's essential to recognize that joy and freedom are abundant resources. When we act for the collective, we are also benefiting ourselves.Mindfulness helps leaders stay grounded and centered.Slowing down can be a powerful leadership tool.Recognizing reactivity is the first step to choosing responses.Unlearning harmful beliefs is a gift to oneself.Aspiring allyship requires self-reflection and humility.Feedback should be seen as a gift for personal growth.Our liberation is interconnected with others' liberation.Performative actions can lead to genuine change over time.Creating accessible pathways for equity is essential.LinksKeithEdwards.comKeith's newsletterKeith's YouTube channelAspiring Allyship program"Riding Shotgun Down the Avalanche," by Shawn Colvin"The Big Payback" episode of Atlantaa

John Seed was a 3-piece suit tech worker, then a meditating hippie farmer, before stumbling into his lifelong calling as an environmental activist.He participated in the world's first direct action to preserve a rain forest in the 1970s. He co-founded the Rainforest Information Center and raised money and awareness to save the "lungs of the planet."John soon realized that raising awareness wasn't going to accomplish the mission. After all, most people were aware of the damage humans were doing to the planet, but still weren't taking action to stop it.His discovery of the Deep Ecology movement brought new clarity and led to the creation of new forms of activism. With Buddhist scholar and activist Joanna Macy, John developed what's now known as The Work that Reconnects (and Experiential Deep Ecology in Australia).This work invites us to honor our feelings, even the most painful and hopeless ones. It asks us to see the possibilities that can arise when we see ourselves as part of, rather than apart from and above, nature.In our conversation, we talk about capitalism, economics, advertising, right livelihood, psychedelics, 4 billion years of evolution that lives in each of our bodies, and the distinction between personal biographical trauma and that trauma that every living being experiences on a planet at war with itself.I feel so lucky to be able to imbibe John's wisdom and spirit and humility.I don't know if I have more hope than before, but I have more clarity, direction, and resolve.I wish the same for you, and all my human relations.LinksJohnSeed.netThinking Like a MountainThe Work That Reconnects

https://youtu.be/lqbkngcx5QoLet's talk about persuasion!Whether in the form of sales, or a helpful coaching conversation, or "street epistemology" for a cause you care about, it's very useful to understand how human beings make decisions.Today's guest is Ian Ross, a sales trainer specializing in understanding human psychology and communication.In our conversation, Ian debunks the common misconception that effective sales techniques are inherently sleazy. Instead, he argues, sales can be all about communicating effectively so that our conversation partner makes a good decision.It's certainly possible to misuse powerful communication skills, as with any tool. (You should see the havoc I can wreak with a reciprocating saw.) And there is a fine line between influence and manipulation — ultimately, it's all about intent. After covering the basic principles of sales psychology, which apply to everyday interactions, we pivot into helping me become better at selling my own consulting and coaching services. Ian helps me create a process for the sales call, including the right and wrong questions to ask, how to deal with financial issues, and how to end the call with a decision — whether yes or no — rather than a vague and wriggly "I need to think about it."Ian's wisdom is invaluable for anyone looking to improve their persuasion skills, in both professional and personal contexts.LinksVivid Selling on InstagramIan's Substack newsletterIan's Close More Sales podcastChris Voss on the Plant Yourself Podcast

Join me on a morning walk as I provide a stream of consciousness introduction to my latest book project while dodging traffic and pitying looks from people noticing me talking to myself with two mics attached to my jacket.The book is about triggers — what causes us to behave in ways we don't like, out of alignment with our goals and values. Like breaking our food rules or buying sh-stuff we don't need or losing our temper with family members and colleagues.This is the first of four episodes on triggers, and in it I cover the concept of allostatic load. That's the build-up of stress in our nervous systems, which can turn even the most benign or insignificant glance, comment, or traffic delay seem like a life-or-death struggle.I discuss the science of stress — how and why it occurs, and how and why it subsides — and how our big brains and modern lifestyles have colluded to turn us into constantly stressed-out beings on the verge of exploding.And I briefly cover some strategies for reducing allostatic load, so we can be more resilient and composed in the face of the inevitable stressors that come at us all the time. And here are some photos of the construction in La Plana, which explains some of the ambient noise that you'll hear during the episode.Want more of this type of show? Got questions about triggers? Let me know in the comments.

Michael Gelb returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book, Walking Well, co-written with Bruce Fertman. In our conversation, we cover a wide range of topics:the biomechanics of walkinghow we can powerfully improve the experience of walking through simple mindfulness and imagination exerciseswhy walking is the quintessential human activitythe benefits of walking (physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual)other basic human postures (standing, sitting, lying down)materialist vs spiritual orientation to lifeand much more...Michael makes the case that walking, if done well, is kind of a magic Swiss army knife for life. It can give us the same benefits as meditation, strenuous exercise, yoga, breathwork, and many other "advanced" modalities.From the eminently practical (you'll learn three exercises that will have you walking better in minutes) to the deeply philosophical, this is a conversation (and book) that you won't want to miss.LinksMichaelGelb.comWalkingWell.comWalking WellLessons from the Art of Juggling

I've been on a memory reconsolidation mission since I was first introduced to it a couple of years ago. Two missions, in fact. One, to learn as much as I can and incorporate it into my coaching and mentoring.Two, to share it far and wide.Today, we're going to talk about memory reconsolidation and some of the techniques that you can use to help bring it about for yourself and for others. My guest is my daughter Yael Zivan who has been studying memory reconsolidation and experiential therapies with some of the luminaries in the field that we talk about in this episode. I'm so happy and delighted that she is carrying on this mission in her way, bringing healing and support and compassion and love to people thanks to this recent neuroscience breakthrough, that shows us how to shortcut transformation and make it effortless and permanent.In our conversation, we dive deep into therapeutic modalities and memory reconsolidation. Yael shares her journey in transforming her own trauma into a passion and career, exploring techniques such as AEDP and Coherence Therapy. We talk about the importance of self-compassion, understanding schemas, and innovative approaches to healing triggers and old patterns.

Well, it's getting to be that time of life when I begin to realize that I'm mortal. Next year I turn 60, which, according to the Jewish blessing "May you live to a hundred and twenty," puts me smack dab in middle age.I've been whole food plant-based for decades, and I'm pretty athletic. I meditate, and I keep a journal just in case I ever get the urge to write in it. I drink water, avoid tobacco products, drink about a quart of alcohol a year, and wear a bike helmet.So you'd think that I'd be going into the second half of life all guns a-blazing, ready to tackle any and all challenges.But you'd be wrong.The area where I'm weakest is flexibility.I'm working harder and harder to put my socks on. When I'm playing Ultimate or Padel, I have trouble bending down to catch a disc or return a ball.I'm worried about turning into a caricature of an old man: shuffling around, complaining about the weather and my rheumatism.I decided to do something about it.Maybe I even mentioned this to my wife, because in no time my Facebook feed was swollen with ads for online stretching programs.One caught my eye, because the presenter seemed real and down-to-earth. So I bought a "Science of Stretching" course from Lucas Rockwood, founder of YogaBody.Then I realized that I knew Lucas.In fact, he'd hosted me on his Age Less / Live More Podcast way back in March, 2014, where I talked about my goal of turning the world into a giant food forest. (Ah, permaculture :).We'd first met, in fact, about 8 years before that, when we were both learning the ins and outs of digital marketing.And one thing that caught my eye was that Lucas had settled in Barcelona, less than 30 km from where I live. So I reached out, and he graciously agreed to be a guest on Plant Yourself. I shlepped my recording equipment into the city, and we met at his studio and had a really good conversation.Mostly we talk about how to maintain healthspan, particularly in the second half of life.Lucas shares lots of valuable insights:how our athleticism might evolve as we agethe balance between training and injury preventionhow to get the benefits of yoga if someone (ahem) isn't crazy about actually doing yogathe power of intentional breath practices for regulating the nervous systemthe science of flexibility training (and why it's more or less unknown in most gyms)Lucas gives us the three principles of flexibility practice, and shares why most of the stretching we do doesn't actually increase our range of motion.And he shares three types of breathing and how to apply each one in practice and in daily life.We also cover some of the problems in the yoga community, including sexual exploitation. As you can see, our "range of conversation" parallels Lucas' own range of motion, and hopefully the one that I'm developing as I continue to deepen my own practice.If you plan on living a full and vibrant life, and you're approaching A Certain Age, this episode may serve you — as it did me — as a wakeup call.LinksYogaBody.comLucas' Age Less / Live More PodcastMy appearance on the Age Less / Live More PodcastJob's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork, by Dean Juhan