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The View Looks Good

The View Looks Good
Author: Ann de Passos and Kim van Niekerk
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© Ann de Passos and Kim van Niekerk
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The View Looks Good is a podcast about evolving—both personally and professionally. We explore personal development, leadership, collaboration, and growth through the lens of living and working nervous system-first, uncovering how this awareness shapes the way we live and work.
Join us for deep conversations, real-world observations, and practical tools that help individuals and organisations move from competition to connection. Expect insights from experts, personal reflections, and stories of transformation.
Music by Anastasia Chubarova.
Join us for deep conversations, real-world observations, and practical tools that help individuals and organisations move from competition to connection. Expect insights from experts, personal reflections, and stories of transformation.
Music by Anastasia Chubarova.
46 Episodes
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In this conversation, Ann and Kim explore the pervasive nature of comparison in human behaviour and the impact of judgment on self-worth. They discuss how social media amplifies comparison and the various emotional responses it triggers before shifting the dialogue towards finding growth through comparison, emphasising the importance of gratitude as a crucial way to get there.Key Takeaways:Comparison is a natural human behaviour rooted in evolution.Judgment can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discomfort.Social media amplifies the frequency of comparison.Finding growth through comparison can be empowering.Gratitude can serve as an antidote to negative comparisons.Self-worth is essential in navigating comparison healthily.Creating a supportive community can help in personal growth.Awareness of our emotional responses to comparison is crucial.Practicing gratitude can enhance our sense of self.It's important to be gentle with ourselves during this process.
In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the staggering impact of incivility in the workplace, where $2 billion is lost daily in the US due to reduced productivity and absenteeism. Join us as we explore the subtle yet powerful effects of rude and disrespectful behaviour, and how it undermines workplace harmony. Discover practical insights on fostering a culture of respect and understanding, and learn how personal and organisational change can transform the work environment. Tune in to uncover strategies for creating a more civil and productive workplace.
Ann and Kim explore the discomfort and beauty of encountering our personal edges—the moments when we feel completely full, stretched to capacity, and perhaps at the limits of our capabilities. Rather than seeing these edges as boundaries signalling failure or limitation, this episode invites us to reframe them as essential moments for reflection and celebration. Ann and Kim discuss how acknowledging our edges can provide crucial insights, guiding us to pause, look back, and appreciate just how far we've come. They also reflect on how these seemingly uncomfortable moments can direct us forward—helping us reassess our direction, pace, and the company we keep along our journey. Ultimately, this conversation highlights that meeting our edges isn't about stopping but about honouring growth, savouring survival, and embracing the rhythmic waves of life's natural momentum.
How do you lift people to their greatest potential when your country has a legacy of authoritarian leadership that has kept people's identities and their value in small boxes? Nkululeko Dwight Sibiya and Sifiso Ripinga are doing just this in Gauteng, South Africa. They join Ann and Kim to share their remarkable adventure into a new definition of leadership at their company, TC&HS, one that keeps the spirit of Africa and Ubuntu - 'I am because you are'. Hear about their journey into leadership, why they actively don't have a retention plan for their staff and how they keep the collective goal of uplifting communities at the heart of their commercial business instead of shareholder profits. In our opinion, if you are looking to restore your faith in humanity, this is a good place to start.
In this deeply grounding episode, we’re joined by the luminous Noella Moshi—consultant, TEDx speaker, and all-round dynamic and compassionate catalyst for change in the world of leadership and impact. Together, we explore the evolution from overextension to spaciousness, from identity shaped by others to a life built on integrity and intention.Noella shares her journey of partnering with visionary leaders, the shadow side of high-achievement, the quiet wisdom of her “older woman” archetype, and what it truly means to create impact without burnout. We talk about motherhood, inner critics, nervous systems, and the radical act of self-compassion. Expect real talk, poetic insight, and a few goosebumps.A must-listen for anyone feeling the pull toward doing life and work differently.Find more of Noella’s work at noellamoshi.com
This week, we’re joined by Sarah Pritzl — ideas coach, founder of Anomaly, and a quietly joyful force in the world of creativity.Together we explore what it means to live and work from a Nervous System-First perspective - where ideas aren’t just fleeting thoughts, but living entities we’re in relationship with. Sarah invites us into a space where thinking meets feeling, where effort meets play, and where creativity becomes a collaborative dance between self, body, and idea.We talk about connection, abundance, and the gentle art of listening - to ourselves, to each other, and to the ideas that come knocking.#Workplace #Personal #Ideas #CreativeProcess #BodyLedLeadership #ConnectedNotCompetitive
We’re back with Season 4! And in this opening episode, we’re talking about energy. We reflect on the energy behind The View Looks Good - how it began as a voice for our hearts, and became a shared space to explore a more soulful, human way of living and working. We talk about the kind of energy that moves us - the pull of purpose, the power of speaking up, and the charge of an idea that’s bigger than us. This isn’t about pushing harder - it’s about noticing what fuels us, what stirs us, and learning how to channel that in a way that feels sustainable, kind, and true.
After two exciting (and slightly giddy) days of diving into strategic thinking for The View Looks Good, Kim and Ann sit down to share their energy and insights in this episode.
Here, they challenge the notion that we’re fundamentally different in our personal and professional lives. In reality, we’re the same person—our nervous system doesn’t take a break when we shift roles. What changes is the context and circumstance, which can influence whether we extend, retreat, or feel safe and connected (ventral).
Kim and Ann explore how every context—whether at work, home, or elsewhere—comes with its own stories, beliefs, and triggers. These shape whether we feel secure or under threat. By understanding this, we can move beyond broad labels like “personal” and “professional” to tune into what’s truly happening inside us at any moment. However, while the core principles of nervous system awareness remain the same, exploring them alongside others facing similar challenges can help you uncover new insights.
Instead of our usual chat, we wanted to offer you a chance to slow down and connect with the beauty of this time of year by sharing a guided meditation.
We wish you and all those around you a wonderful festive season filled with connection that makes your heart zing!
In this episode Ann and Kim discuss the concept of 'digesting' difficult moments and how important this is to move through life with ease. Do you clear the emotional debris that builds up? Have you got techniques that you consciously use to clear out this debris? Have you felt the growth from going through difficult moments, digesting them effectively and feeling your window of tolerance being bigger for it?
Key Moments:
00:00 Navigating Uncomfortable Conversations
03:00 The Importance of Digesting Difficult Moments
07:10 Recognizing Personal Growth Through Challenges
09:03 Tools for Emotional Processing
14:34 Shifting Energy and Conversations
17:13 The Need for Conscious Digesting
20:22 Breaking the Cycle of Negative Anticipation
25:32 The Rhythm of Life and Emotional Flow
29:44 Balancing Results with Well-being
33:52 The Power of a Toolkit for Emotional Resilience
Key Takeaways
Navigating emotional challenges is crucial for effective leadership.
Energy management impacts our well-being and decision-making.
Reflecting on difficult moments can lead to personal growth.
Understanding the process of digesting emotions is essential.
Awareness of our nervous systems helps in managing stress.
Choice plays a significant role in how we process emotions.
Building a toolkit for emotional digesting enhances resilience.
Balancing extending and retreating energy is vital for well-being.
Healthy relationships in leadership foster a supportive environment.
Clearing emotional debris allows for smoother growth and progress.
Ever noticed your resistance to parts of your life, to particular people, to particular projects or work? Slow down enough and you will notice it tells some powerful stories about your beliefs and stuck emotions on these subjects.
In this episode Ann gets Kim to unexpectedly explore her resistance to big energy and emotions that she has encountered throughout her career and talk about why this is so insightful and important to explore further.
The pair discuss how you can work with this resistance to release it and how this in turn widens your window of tolerance and capacity to deal with life. Our world's get bigger and more vibrant when we can meet more of what is here!
In this conversation, Kim and Ann explore the dynamics of productivity and inactivity, emphasising the importance of recognising and valuing different states of being. They discuss how societal coding often equates productivity with worth, leading to feelings of inadequacy during inactive periods. The dialogue highlights the significance of energy dynamics in partnerships, the redefinition of productivity and excellence, and the necessity of embracing all emotional states to foster a supportive and effective team environment. Ultimately, they advocate for a wider window of tolerance that allows for individual and collective growth.
In this episode, Kim and Ann delve into the profound evolution of human connection. Through candid and energising dialogue, they unpack the unseen forces shaping our relationships—our personal states, the fawn response, and the tension between competition and collaboration. Together, they explore how embracing vulnerability, emotional regulation, and the full spectrum of human experience can unlock deeper connections, foster collective growth, and transform the way we solve problems. This is more than a conversation; it’s an invitation to evolve how we connect with ourselves and others.
In this conversation, Kim and Ann explore judgment—its role in personal growth, relationships, and communication, and how it can trap us. They discuss how judgment can lead to dysregulation and impact our ability to connect with others, and they share ways to shift from judgment to compassion.
The episode covers topics such as creating psychological safety, navigating challenging relationships, and using playfulness to build connection. You'll also hear insights on the power of belief, the importance of self-compassion, and how internal narratives shape our experiences.
With practical reflections and thoughtful discussions, this episode offers tools to better understand yourself and your relationships. Join us as we explore these ideas together.
Kim and Ann dive deep into the transformative journey of conscious evolution, helping us move from a victim mindset to a creator mindset. They explore the powerful concepts of the Karpman drama triangle—victim, persecutor, and rescuer—and how understanding these dynamics can spark personal growth.
Key Takeaways:
Discover how recognising and digesting the feeling of being a victim of life is the first step in evolving.
Learn how shifting your mindset from victim of life to creator can empower your personal growth.
Explore the crucial role of community support in navigating emotional dynamics.
Gain insights on emotional awareness and self-reflection as tools for transformation.
This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you overcome challenges, break free from negative patterns, and evolve into the creator of your own life. Tune in and start your journey of conscious evolution today!
Join the conversation and share your topics for future episodes. We love hearing from you!
And join us at the-view-looks-good.mn.co to discover more.
Welcome to the final episode of season two, where Kim and Ann reflect on their journey of building an online community space from scratch. Join them in celebrating the launch of their community space at The View Looks Good, and discover the lessons they've learned along the way.
This season has been an incredible journey, filled with growth, challenges, and triumphs. We want to share our learning with you.
As co-founders, navigating our partnership has had its unique challenges, but our nervous systems awareness has helped us to grow stronger together and achieve results we are proud of.
Kim shares how she ambushed Ann with the launch 😉 . And they share how their trust and the belief they have in their work and each other helped them through and strengthened their partnership.
Our launch wasn't perfect, and that's okay. Embracing imperfection allowed us to move forward, iterating and improving as we grow. We realized the importance of not striving for unattainable perfection, but rather focusing on sustainable growth and energy. Recognizing our belonging in this space empowered us to nurture it, letting it evolve naturally.
We've learned to stay present, listen to our intuition, and trust that each of us is doing our best. We discuss the importance of taking breaks ("going into the cave") and supporting each other through nervous system swings.
Our journey has taught us to build our business with our whole nervous system, embracing the insights and growth that come from this approach. We've grown in our ability to handle whatever comes our way, and we invite you to join our community to learn how your nervous system can help you grow and have a greater impact. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to continuing it together.
What comes first: waiting for the perfect conditions to belong, or choosing to belong and discovering perfection in the present moment?
In this week's episode, Kim and Ann delve into the transformative power of choosing to belong. Whether it's in a relationship, within an organization, to our work, our physical surroundings, or even the random situations life throws our way—making the conscious choice to belong can fundamentally alter our experience.
Join us as we explore how this mindset shift influences our relationships with people, places, things, and time. What does it truly mean to "choose to belong"? Tune in to find out!
Turning ideas into tasks and actions can easily trigger our nervous systems into a swing state. When two or more people collaborate, the increased complexity makes these swings even more likely, often leading to doubt, fear, and an inability to achieve our goals. However, with conscious awareness of our nervous system's signals, we can learn, intuit, and act with greater confidence.
In business, we typically set visions, hold planning meetings, establish deadlines, align on collaboration methods, and set boundaries. But how aware are we of the reasons behind these processes? In this episode, Kim and Ann explore how to identify nervous system triggers, understand what causes swings, and use this awareness to navigate meetings with clarity and emotional intelligence.
Drawing from two insightful books—Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change by Pema Chodron and Choose Wonder Over Worry by Amber Rae—they share valuable strategies for addressing unhelpful thought patterns and guiding your team toward greater collaboration and success.
In this episode Kim and Ann take a step back from the nitty-gritty of business building and reflect on the expansive landscape of life itself. Exploring how finding our ventral state in every facet of our lives contributes to the foundation of a successful venture.
Living and creating in ventral is like breathing, expanding and contracting to invite wisdom and intuition while releasing past wounds and fear. The more we become familiar with this the more we build our "window of tolerance" - our capacity to stay in a ventral state regardless of what life is asking us to process. Embracing all that life offers and broadening our focus beyond the immediate.
It is when we do this that we are able to consciously evolve. Conscious evolution is the process of compassionately examining our nervous systems and leaning into the lessons they offer. Where we scan all parts of their lives, both individually and as a whole, while questioning the systems and paradigms that define success or failure.
We will know how to spend our energy and time by staying connected to the intuition we gain from our nervous systems, embracing the diverse pulls in our lives, and trusting that the right opportunities will come at the right time.
Join us as we navigate the journey of holistic growth and success, one breath at a time.
We've been putting off sharing this detail...our nervous systems have been swinging all over the place! But in a moment of some grounding it made complete sense to say - we're building a business from a ventral state and we want you to be part of it!
So here is the first episode of the new season where we share what the journey has been so far. From working out what this business should focus on, to realising it wasn't about actioning anything, but rather about stopping to reflect internally before we moved forward.
Share your thoughts with us as we go, we want you o be a part of it!