Finding Brave

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "I'm scared out of my mind in these environments, but what I've realized is that fear as a normal human emotion can actually work in your favor. It can keep you alert and aware of everything going on around you. Fear is only dangerous when it paralyzes you." - Alison Levine I'm so excited to be talking with today's Finding Brave guest about tackling challenges and achieving goals in unpredictable environments, because her personal story is so relevant in these trying times. Her journey reveals that sometimes you must go backwards before you can move forward, but this is still progress towards the summit of your life. Alison Levine is a history-making polar explorer and mountaineer. She served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam—which only twenty people in the world have achieved. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse across west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Alison completed this arduous journey on skis while hauling 150 pounds of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist. She made history again in 2016 when she completed two first ascents: Hall Peak in Antarctica and Khang Karpo in Nepal. Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from Raynaud's disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather—leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite. In addition to climbing mountains, Alison has also spent time climbing the corporate ladder. She has worked for several Fortune 500 companies in both sales and marketing roles and spent three years at Goldman Sachs. She left Wall Street in 2003 to serve as Deputy Finance Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become governor of California. When not challenging herself in the outdoors, Alison focuses on training others to become strong leaders. She spent four years as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership. In 2013 she transitioned from training cadets to working with corporate leaders and currently serves on the board and faculty of the Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point—one of the nation's premiere executive leader development programs. She was a contributing author to the book Leadership in Dangerous Situations: A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services and First Responders and is the author of the New York Times bestseller On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and other Extreme Environments. In this episode, Alison reframes fear by explaining how you should allow yourself to feel it as a normal human emotion, and her perspective on failure is also especially powerful. Alison's story serves as a reminder that you do not always have to be the best, fastest or strongest to get to the mountain that you are climbing. You just have to be relentless about putting one foot in front of the other. To learn more about today's guest, visit: http://www.alisonlevine.com/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "We're talking about a marriage with that part of yourself that has a voice, that wants to be heard, and that has a story to tell. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks about it. If you have a story to tell and you have a voice, and you want to tell it, then you can write that book." - Bruce Gelfand So many women and men I hear from have something they so long to share with others in writing. Whatever your walk of life or professional focus, it's important to understand that you have a voice that is worthy of being heard and shared, and it's important to give yourself permission to share it. Today's Finding Brave guest is a wonderful writing coach I've worked with personally to help me hone the ability to excavate my own authentic voice, and find the courage (and give myself permission) to share my core messages with the world. Bruce Gelfand is a writer, teacher and writing coach based in Santa Monica. He has taught hundreds of writing workshops and seminars in venues around the world, and has worked with thousands of writing students – from masters in the field to absolute beginners. His private coaching clients include CEOs, corporate trainers, Academy and Emmy-Award winning writers, directors, actors, and leaders in the worlds of politics, health, and spirituality. As a writer, Bruce has over 30 years experience in theater, film, television, and publishing in both New York and Hollywood. His plays have won national playwriting awards, been produced Off-Broadway and in theaters around the country. He has written numerous feature films and movies-for-television, as well as writing and directing the feature-length documentary, "The Family Safe". He is also a writer of fiction, non-fiction, songs, and award-winning poetry. His book, Brighter the Light, Deeper the Shadow was published in 2004. He has launched a new program for writers - A Writers' Hour - which is an inspirational program to writers of all levels around the world. In this episode, Bruce shares his best advice for pursuing your next writing project, whether it be an article, blog, book, memoir or screenplay. As Bruce reveals, your life is a better one and the world is a better place when you share the distinctive voice that is inside of you. To learn more about today's guest, visit: http://brucegelfand.com/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "This disruption in particular that we're faced with is an enormous opportunity for each of us to step into a very powerful mission that inspires us, so that we can be a force for good. In fact, that is actually the key to help us thrive." - Henna Inam If there is one thing we can be certain about right now, it's that disruption is here to stay and we must evolve as individuals, as well as collectively, if we're to thrive. The good news is that we absolutely can do this, and today's Finding Brave guest explains the five key challenges of leading in times of disruption, and the shifts in agility that will allow us to thrive, grow and succeed in the future workplace. Henna Inam is an executive coach, global speaker and the author of the book, Wired for Disruption: The Five Shifts in Agility to Lead in the Future of Work. A 20-year veteran of Fortune 500 companies she has seen first-hand the pressures of leading in times of disruption. Her book details the five shifts in agility and 15 Agility Accelerators (tools and practices) to help activate our innate agility and be a force for good in times of disruption. Her neuroscience-based research shows that agility is already built into our DNA. In her book, she shares how these shifts are within our control and how they promote well-being to help us reach our highest and best in the future of work. Henna's insights and perspectives are uplifting, as she shares her unique leadership perspective that demonstrates how each of us can take the reins on our own lives and reshape our leadership approach so we can more successfully lead our own lives as well as our ventures, teams and projects, to greater heights. To learn more about today's guest, visit: https://transformleaders.tv/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "The biggest challenge business owners have is knowing what their biggest challenge is, so that became the thesis of the book. How do we figure out what our business really needs from us next?" - Mike Michalowicz Whether you have a large or small business, often you can face times where you're not scaling as quickly as you'd like. However It can be tricky to know what the main problem or problems could be, which is why I am so excited to have today's Finding Brave expert on the show today to share his powerful knowledge of this issue. Mike Michalowicz is the author of Profit First, Clockwork, Surge, The Pumpkin Plan, and his newest release Fix This Next. By his 35th birthday, Mike had founded and sold two companies - one to private equity and another to a Fortune 500. Today he is running his third multi-million dollar venture, Profit First Professionals. Mike is a former small business columnist for The Wall Street Journal and the former business makeover specialist on MSNBC. Over the years, Mike has traveled the globe speaking with thousands of entrepreneurs, and is here today to share the best of what he has learned. In this episode, Mike reveals the importance of knowing and relying on what he refers to as a "business hierarchy of needs," especially during challenging times, to identify the hidden problems in your business. Mike shares his simple yet very impactful framework for gaining clarity on what to fix next, as well as bringing it to a successful conclusion. Every time I interview Mike, I learn something truly instrumental to apply to my own business growth and I believe you will too. To learn more about today's guest, visit: https://mikemichalowicz.com/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "For those who've sold their soul for money, their professional lives can be extremely painful, crushing and in fact, unsustainable because they've unconsciously chosen to walk away from the exciting dreams for their lives that would bring fulfillment, internal reward and a sense of purpose." - Kathy Caprino On this episode of Finding Brave I share the audio version of Chapter 6 of my new book, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss, which launches this month. This chapter is very close to my heart, as it explores the damaging power gap of losing sight of your thrilling dream for your life, which I've lived through, and it can be a crushing experience. This is something that has not only impacted me, but countless others in the pursuit of "success" and "safety" in their careers and professional lives. Things will happen to each of us that derail our dreams, and often you'll take a direction that you think is right for you, but it ends up being the wrong path. It's a universal experience -- that what we once believed was possible and desirable can change, and we have to change as a result. If you don't want to wake up unhappy years from now, you have to accept this fact and realize that you alone are responsible for how you you respond to the life that's before you, and to the challenges and hardships that you've faced. You alone have the power to shape your future, and now is the time to choose your own way in pursuit of the life you want to live and the mark you want to make in the world.

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "So if you really want to incubate innovation, you cannot ignore the culture. You do so at your peril, because there is no way that you can ignore the culture. I understood that before, but not at the depth that I understand it today."- Timothy Clark As humans, we want to be included and to contribute, and psychological safety is an inborn human need. We want to challenge the status quo when we believe things need to change, all without fear of being embarrassed, punished, or marginalized. Unfortunately, when organizations quash psychological safety, fear reigns and people shut down. But as today's Finding Brave expert guest reveals, when psychological safety is nurtured, there's an explosion of confidence, innovation, and performance. Timothy R. Clark is the founder and CEO of LeaderFactor, a leadership consulting and training organization that works with executive teams around the world. An Oxford-trained social scientist and sought-after international authority on organizational change, Dr. Clark is the author of five books on leadership, including his newest release, The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety: Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation. In this episode Timothy shares how the absence of physical safety is fraught with peril, and that condition can inflict devastating emotional wounds, crater self-worth, and paralyze potential. The fact is, in today's highly dynamic marketplace, organizations that lack psychological safety are actually galloping their way to extinction. To learn more about today's guest, visit: https://www.leaderfactor.com/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "You don't even necessarily have to have the best ideas, but if you have the most influence, then those are the ideas that are going to win the day." - Steve Herz Whether you're looking for work, worried about remaining competitive and keeping your job during a recession, or trying to reach your highest potential when things start looking up, having the ability to make deep human connections with others is key. That "connectability" is imperative to our personal career success, and today's Finding Brave guest shares his knowledge on how we can all start developing this attribute. Steve Herz is Founder of IF Management, President of The Montag Group, and a talent agent for some of the most successful broadcast journalists in the country (at organizations such as CNN, MSNBC, CBS, etc). His new book, Don't Take Yes For An Answer: Using Authority, Warmth, and Energy to Get Exceptional Results is available now. If you're stalling out in your career, it's most likely because you need to work on your soft skills. It takes authority, warmth, and energy to make real human connections with people. Knowledge, experience, and hard skills are just the minimum requirements now, but you can actually make specific changes to your voice, presence, body language, eye contact and more to turn up your authority, warmth and energy and make the impact you long to. To learn more about today's guest, visit: https://stevenherz.com/

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "You are not your past. You are all of it, your past, present, and future. So do the work to release the shame, the humiliation, and the negative judgments you have about yourself. Release yourself." - Kathy Caprino Over the past several weeks on the podcast I've been highlighting the critical power gaps and chapters from my new book, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss. In this 7th installment of the series, I share the power gap that may be closest to my own heart and soul. I'm talking about how we allow our past trauma and deep challenges to continue to define us. I have lived this in such a deep way (and continue to work on it) and never fully understood this phenomenon until I became a therapist and did the work to uncover it. Life can hurt us badly sometimes and leave deep scars, and no one is immune. Every single one of us has experienced some form of pain, suffering, sadness, isolation, rejection, and trauma in our lifetimes. Many have experienced and witnessed things that forever alter how they see the world and operate within it. Sometimes, pain and hardship make us close down and stop trusting others. Other times, it makes us turn our pain into rage and violence against the world. Yet some people, while crushed by their pain for a time, are able to find a way to become more of who they really are at their core – more loving, compassionate, helpful, generous, insightful, brave, committed, and resilient -- through all of it. And some are fortunate to know exactly how to turn their emotional challenges into new ways to be of service in the world so they can uplift others while healing themselves. I sincerely hope that this "The Most Powerful You" series has been enlightening, and in conjunction with my new book, can help you uncover the power gaps that may be holding you back at this very moment. As always, I want to thank you for listening and I would be so happy to hear your feedback on not just this episode, but the entire series and the upcoming book. Remember that tremendous success, joy, and reward aren't just reserved for a handful of people, but everyone, including you. You are worthy of an amazing life and career, and it's waiting for you.

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! "In the end, the people that bail on their dreams often pursue a direction that isn't right for them. Many didn't learn, or they weren't taught, that the only constant thing in life is change and the only secure thing resides inside of you, not outside." - Kathy Caprino At this very moment in time, the future -- and where we are all going as a society -- is on everyone's mind more than ever. On this week's Finding Brave show, I explore a critical power gap and chapter from my new book, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss, which is Power Gap #6: Losing Sight of Your Thrilling Dream for Your Life. Things will happen to each of us that derail our dreams, and often you'll take a direction that you think is right for you, but it ends up being the wrong path. It's a universal experience -- that what we once believed was possible and desirable can change, and we have to change as a result. If you don't want to wake up unhappy years from now, you have to accept this fact and realize that you alone are responsible for you how you respond to the life that's before you, and to the challenges and hardships that you've faced. You alone have the power to shape your future, and now is the time to choose your own way in pursuit of the life you want to live and the mark you want to make in the world.

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Podcasts in Careers! " I understand that in some cases people truly have no options, for a variety of solid reasons, but for so many other people there are options. There are different avenues available, but we have to feel strong enough to find the right kind of help." - Kathy Caprino I've seen firsthand--and research and data confirm it--that there is widespread gender bias, sexual harassment, and other forms of unfair and illegal behaviors at work. From Chapter 5 of my new book, The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss, I share what has happened to me personally around mistreatment and sexual harassment as well as experiences from other women I've worked and spoken with, as the dynamics of these particular situations resemble in critical ways what millions of women around the world are experiencing. Even though I started writing this book several years ago, all of these power gaps, including and especially this gap of Acquiescing Instead of Saying "STOP!" to Mistreatment, is even more relevant right now. I hope that anyone listening who has been on the receiving end of mistreatment will get something helpful from this episode. I believe with all my heart and soul -- and have dedicated the past 10 years of my life to teaching and supporting this principle -- that each and every one of us can take important bravery-boosting actions today that will generate new options for us, and help us muster the bravery and the power to stand up, speak truth to power, and do the important work we must to end abuse and mistreatment in the workplace.