The Coca-Cola Compassion Lab

Life is a journey filled with questions that help us uncover who we are. We are spiritual beings walking to find the deeper meaning of life. Embark on a transformative journey with our guest, Tom Rapsas, writer, author, and blogger known for his column at Patheos, Inc. In this episode, Tom shares his origin story, highlighting a pivotal realization that sparked his transition from ego-driven success to a purpose-driven second mountain. Join us as we explore the integration of spiritual practices into the workplace and the nuggets of wisdom from Tom’s recent book, Wake Up Call: Daily Insights for the Spiritually Curious. Uncover the essence of a life well-lived, moments of peace, and the profound concept that the journey itself is the path. This episode is a captivating blend of personal anecdotes, spiritual wisdom, and practical strategies to awaken to life’s profound beauty. Tune in to not miss out!

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, it has unfortunately become rare to find people who love their work. That is because we have made the workplace very difficult to be in. Our guest believes that when it comes to the world of work, we can create something better. In this insightful episode, Scott Shute and Nicholas Whitaker, founders of Changing Work Collective, share their personal journeys and the evolution of mindfulness and well-being initiatives in corporate settings like Google and LinkedIn. From overcoming personal challenges to fostering a culture of compassion and holistic well-being, they emphasize the crucial role of leadership support and cultural alignment in prioritizing employee well-being amidst corporate restructuring and budget constraints. Through their shared experiences and practices for personal growth, Scott and Nick highlight the transformative power of mindfulness, collaboration, and living authentically. Their inspiring conversation resonates with the importance of investing in the human element and prioritizing holistic well-being initiatives to cultivate thriving and resilient organizations.

Life's journey isn't always a smooth, sunlit path; at times, it leads us through the densest jungles or across stormy oceans. Embracing life's adversities is an integral part of our growth, demanding courage and gratitude. In this episode, Dr. Ken Druck, the author of How We Go On and The Self-Care Handbook, generously shares his inspiring journey, navigating challenges with courage. He imparts invaluable insights on cultivating resilience and compassion amidst life's trials, touching on the transformative concept of the Eight Honorings and offering guidance on navigating grief support dos and don'ts. Join us as we immerse ourselves in Dr. Ken Druck's profound wisdom, embarking together on the onward trudge through our individual life journeys. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Leadership is not just about steering a ship; it's about creating a culture by design, not by default. In the world of business, be a '911 person'—always ready to serve, lead with heart, and make a difference in the lives of others. In this episode, we hear golden leadership lessons from Red Robin CEO G.J. Hart. He explores the core principles of leadership and shares how to design a thriving culture— one with care, consistency, courage, and heart. But despite having a strong culture, G.J. acknowledges the struggles of leadership in this modern age where technology, uncertainty, and the need for emotional intelligence play pivotal roles. With this, he reveals his proven strategies to go beyond traditional leadership notions and become an effectively adaptive leader. Tune in now!

Our guest in this episode once famously said, “We live our lives in the Outer world, and we understand them through the Inner.” It is this inner knowing that shows us the power of perspective, of viewing the world from our own vantages and making do of what we can to change lives—our own and others. Katherine Twells is with no other than renowned essayist and novelist, Pico Iyer. With everything that has happened and is happening in the world, Pico grounds us in stillness by reflecting on the wisdom that these moments provide. He takes us on a retreat of really observing what we can learn in this life journey we are on despite the chaos. From his travels around the world, Pico shares the many lessons he encountered from various experiences and people he met. Throughout this conversation, he reminds us of the beauty that is ever present in our world; we just have to open our eyes and shift our perspective to see them. Stay still and listen to the wisdom that flows in today’s episode.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Similar to the changing seasons, human emotions can also have their seasons. There are highs during certain periods and lows during others. However, this ebb and flow can become problematic, especially when it leads to what is now recognized as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This episode’s guest is a foremost authority on the subject and he is here to help you defeat it so you can thrive in all seasons. Katherine Twells is with Dr. Norman Rosenthal, who is currently the Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine and is listed as one of the Best Doctors in America. Dr. Rosenthal provides us with deep insights into this disorder, tapping into its history, our connection with nature, and how it differs from the winter blues. In his book, Defeating SAD, he gives a guide to overcoming the miseries millions of people experience with the changing seasons. Find out what these measures are. Tune in and learn the keys to defeat this disorder and live a much better life.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Anxiety isn't always the enemy; it's a guide, urging us to embrace discomfort and discover our greatest strengths within its grasp. In this episode, we have Dr. David Rosmarin—associate professor at Harvard Medical School, program director at McLean Hospital, and founder of Center for Anxiety—discuss how anxiety, often seen as a roadblock, can actually be a catalyst for personal growth and resilience. Throughout the episode, Dr. David discusses the various facets of anxiety and its intersection with personal and societal well-being. He shares intriguing statistics and eye-opening insights, revealing surprising connections between anxiety levels in different socio-economic environments. Dr. Rosmarin shares his vision for a world that embraces emotional struggles with compassion and understanding. Tune in now and discover how you can make anxiety work for you. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

“We're being called to integrate the heart and the head because neither one is sufficient on its own to solve these challenges.” This is what today’s guest, Annie Perrin, says as she highlights the value of cultivating both wisdom and compassion in this day and age. Annie is the Founder of the Annie Perrin Consulting, where she leverages all of her education and experience to help leaders tap into their innate wisdom and compassion to achieve better business outcomes in a humane and sustainable way. In this episode, she talks to Katherine Twells about the importance of doing this much deeper inner work—mingling both the mind and the heart—for leaders to create a stable and unshakable core and become the absolute best of who they are: their wisest and most compassionate self. Join Annie as she tells us more about how we can cultivate this, how it’s related to the Spiral Dynamics Theory, why emotions are critical, and why we need to keep our hearts open. Let’s all be a fuller expression of ourselves so we can be in greater service. Tune in to this conversation where wisdom meets compassion.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

In a world where we are taught that there are certain metrics to success, it can be so easy to lose sight of our gifts and authentic selves trying to fit in. This episode’s guest has learned that life is often not that linear, and our paths to success are winding and can never be the same as everyone else. All we need is to flow. Author and singer-songwriter Alex Woodard is back on the show to talk about how we can sow the seeds of flow, believing that opening up into the flow of life can lead us to the path that is most authentic to us. He shares his thoughts on finding our gifts, having success by living a balanced life, and listening to intuition versus instinct. Giving us a peek into his upcoming book, Ordinary Soil, Alex takes us into his foray into the “faction” genre to tell the story of a multi-generational family farming in Oklahoma Panhandle. From songwriting to book writing, Alex shows us how he surfs through life flowing into his passions. Find inspiration from his journey and the lessons that flowed along the way.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

By mastering the mind's inner symphony, we compose our reality, finding success and joy in every note. Today’s guest is Larry Olsen, author of Get A Vision and Live It, who dives into neuroscience and how it can be the guiding force towards both success and lasting joy. Larry explores the impact of our subconscious on our actions, reactions, and the choices we make. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating self-awareness and understanding the role of our inner critic. Discover how the power of vision can shape your life, and why gratitude and appreciation are essential tools for rewiring your reality. Larry also shares brain hacks for a more fulfilling life, encouraging us to bring out the best in ourselves and others. It's not about striving for perfection, but about making progress and bringing joy to every circumstance. Tune in now and rewire your reality.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

In this episode, we discuss the art of living a life of purpose, passion, and fearlessness with the remarkable Ben Nemtin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? and The Bucket List Journal. Today, Ben shares how to track our true and original course in life, unlocking boundless potential and fulfillment. He discusses how to create a culture that encourages individuals to pursue their bucket list dreams, both inside and outside the workplace. At the heart of this conversation is the powerful message that we often hold ourselves back due to fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of the unknown. Join us in this exploration of fearless living, and remember, your bucket list isn’t just a list—it’s a roadmap to a life well lived.

Past traumas and adversities, coupled with societal expectations, have the power to hold us back from developing our true potential. It is time we reclaim that power and elevate these experiences, transforming them from chains to catalysts that propel us toward our life’s purpose. Just like our guest today, her childhood trauma and, later on, mental collapse from overwhelming stress and anxiety led her to completely change her approach to life. Now, she is a motivational speaker, sales leader, and business consultant living her passion of teaching others that there is a better way. Katherine Twells interviews none other than Violet Rainwater. Together, they explore Violet’s journey across her path toward healing and how it allowed her to understand the human brain and the power it holds. Violet shares the brain map and its five channels that can help you thrive and elevate your experience—be it in your personal lives or in the workplace. She also dives deep into how trauma catalyzes healing, what society has programmed in our minds, and how we can break free from that. We have the power to change what society has led us to believe. Ascend beyond and join Violet in this episode to learn the tools to change the trajectory of your life.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

You have the potential to embrace your greatness, find the flow, and discover success. All you need is a proven strategy that works for you to unleash your innate strengths to avoid burnout and discover success. In this episode, George Mumford, the Author of The Mindful Athlete, offers his proven strategy to guide us on the path to harnessing our strength and getting Unlocked. The ever-changing place can be quite scary because of the “unknowns” of it, so George urges everyone to embrace it because, like a butterfly, we are bound to feel the “uncomfortable” to transform ourselves into greatness. Approaching our curiosity with interest and wonder allows us to move forward no matter the roadblock. Gobble up insights from this transformational episode with George Mumford today.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

In today's fast-paced and chaotic world, maintaining balance and finding inner peace can feel like an uphill battle. Break free from the patterns that hold you back and unleash the power within to create a life of purpose, peace, and unyielding strength. Welcome back! In this thought-provoking conversation, we dive deep into the realm of personal development and mental well-being. Our guest today is Dr. Friedemann Schaub, a respected physician, researcher, personal development coach, and author of the acclaimed book, The Fear and Anxiety Solution. Dr. Friedemann sheds light on the often unkind voices that plague our minds, causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Why do we sometimes make ourselves invisible or constantly seek approval from others? The answer lies within our subconscious patterns, and Dr. Friedemann is here to guide us toward greater self-awareness and empowerment. With practical advice and deep insights, Dr. Friedemann shows us how to navigate life's challenges and create a harmonious relationship with our inner selves. Tune in now and take the first step towards a more fulfilling and authentic life.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Embrace the transformative power of emotional intelligence, cultivate confidence, and gain clarity to unlock a more powerful path in leadership and life. Join us for an enlightening episode as we engage in a captivating conversation with Dr. Karyn Gordon, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, TED Talk speaker, and CEO of DK Leadership. With a heart of service, Dr. Gordon discusses how to cultivate confidence and clarity in both leadership and life. She centers the discussion around her book, The Three Chairs: How Great Leaders Drive Communication, Performance, and Engagement. Explore the transformative power of emotional intelligence (EQ) as she guides us through the key beliefs and patterns that shape our way of being. Dr. Gordon explores how these elements influence our connections, problem-solving skills, and overall sense of fulfillment. She provides examples from her experience working with diverse individuals such as executives from Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and family-owned businesses to showcase how her approach has worked out. Get ready to feel motivated as we explore how confidence, clarity, leadership, and personal growth intersect, and discover practical tips to unlock a more influential path in your life. Tune in now!Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Life is unpredictable. We don’t know what and who might come into our lives. While it can be challenging, there are those who find success in the undetermined path, just like our guest in this episode. Victoria Labalme is a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Speaker Hall of Fame, and Founder of Rock The Room® & Risk Forward®. She sits down with Katherine Twells to share her amazing journey of following her bliss and watching as opportunities unfold themselves in front of her. Victoria talks about limiting goals, the importance of a through line, and bringing our internal power out into the open. She then discusses why most of us fear not knowing what is to come and how we can overcome this. Through it all, Victoria reminds us to pursue what lights us up, even if it makes no sense. Because it is in embracing our calling, despite the unknown, can we move towards an expansive life.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Addiction recovery can be a daunting task, but remember that substance use disorder is a treatable condition. There is always hope for living a drug-free life again. But current methods of addressing substance abuse do not encourage seeking treatment. Carrie Wilkens, PhD, Co-founder of the Center for Motivation and Change, wants to change that conversation. In this episode, Carrie shares her “Invitation to Change” approach to help people experiencing substance use disorders more effectively. Tune in to find out how best to encourage your loved ones who have this problem to seek professional treatment.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

A compassionate leader is someone whose heart seeks to understand other people’s experiences. This openness shows the importance of curiosity in each step of one’s journey. Our guest for today is not one who takes for granted curiosity in her life, taking her across different roles and cultures. Katherine Twells sits down with Valerie Love, the Senior Vice President for Human Resources for Coca-Cola North America. In this episode, Valerie shares with us her journey and the lessons she learned from her diverse professional background. She highlights the value of curiosity in her journey and how this allowed her to be more compassionate and conscious as a leader. Valerie then shares what she learned from going through tough times with the pandemic and why self-care is important. Join this conversation and discover how we, as compassionate leaders, can illuminate our path and those of others.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

If you don't recover from or find meaning in grief, you can negatively affect the people around you. If you don't heal your wounds, you'll bleed all over those that didn't even hurt you. While losing someone is permanent, losing hope isn't. Find the light at the end of the dark tunnel, face your grief head-on, and stop it from blowing up.  Join Katherine Twells as she talks to Death and Grieving Expert David Kessler, author of Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage Of Grief. Discover how David helps people process grief by sharing his own experience of dealing with it. Learn what to say and not to say to those in the middle of this complicated phase of sorrow. Find out why people need to start talking about grief in the workplace and how to discover hope in this sad journey.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter

Our dreams are full of symbolism that perhaps only the subconscious mind can ever understand. To have a better idea of what they mean, Machiel Klerk developed a method called dream incubation. Joining Katherine Twells, he explains how talking to your dreams before going to sleep can uncover its messages lying deep within. Machiel discusses how tapping into your subconscious can lead to profound self-discovery, healing from emotional wounds, and unlocking different levels of creativity. He also talks about how dream incubation can help deal with anxieties caused by the pandemic and reconnect with the ancient wisdom that gives you a better idea of your place in the world.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!Here’s How »Join The Coca-Cola CMO Leadership Summit Podcast community today:cokecmosummit.comFacebookTwitter