Minds and Mics

Caitlin Faas returns to the show to talk about life coaching—what it is, how it works, how it helps, and common misconceptions.Show NotesHere are some of the highlights from our conversation:How Caitlin went from tenured professor to life coachObjections to life coaching:Life coaching isn’t legit…If you think you need a life coach, what you really need is a therapistThere’s nothing you can get from a life coach that you can’t get from a good friendLife coaches are just snake-oil salesman out to make a quick buck off of vulnerable peopleLife coaching is too “woo-woo” or new-ageyHow to find a life coach who’s a good fit for youHow to know if you need a life coach or a therapistThe dangers of using family and friends as your emotional support personCan you do coaching and therapy at the same time?How much does life coaching cost?How often will I meet with a life coach?What does a life coaching session look like?Where to find a life coach?Is there specific credentialing I should look for with a life coach?You can learn more about Caitlin and her work here:DrCaitlinFaas.comGet New Episodes FirstLearn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as they're released.

Lodro Rinzler returns to the show to talk about how a Buddhist perspective on anxiety can help us through difficult times.Show NotesHere are some of the highlights from our conversation:Focusing on stories vs anxiety itselfThe parable of the second arrowAnxiety vs worry vs stressThe Three Vajras: Body, Speech, and MindIs the popularity of mindfulness a good thing?Should we try to get rid of negative thinking?Expressing anxiety vs complaining about itHow to handle other people’s anxiety wellGentle inquisitiveness“You are not your anxiety”You can learn more about Lodro and his work here:LodroRinzler.comTake Back Your Mind: Buddhist Advice for Anxious Times (Book)Get New Episodes FirstLearn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as they’re released.

Dr. Sarah Sarkis joins me on the show to talk about the adaptive unconscious, self-sabotaging behavior, attachment patterns, and therapy vs performance coaching.Show NotesHere are some of the highlights from our conversation:The adaptive unconsciousDefense mechanismsSelf-sabotageImproving self-awarenessDeveloping an observing egoAttachment patternsCompensation and replication of attachment dynamicsEmotional maskingUsing emotional pain as motivationIs it the crime or the cover-up?Psychological flexibilityTherapy vs coachingFlow Research CollectiveYou can learn more about Sarah and her work at her website: DrSarahSarkis.comGet New Episodes FirstLearn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as they’re released.

Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins me on the show to talk about perfectly hidden depression, perfectionism, and the challenges of emotional vulnerability.Show NotesHere are some of the highlights from the conversations:Constructive vs destructive perfectionismAppetitive vs aversive motivationTrauma, childhood strategies, and the origins of perfectionism"Smiling depression"Emotional vulnerabilityBrene Brown — The Gifts of ImperfectionTerrence Real — I Don’t Want to Talk About ItPerfectly hidden depressionRigid positivityClassic depression vs perfectly hidden depressionInsight vs actionHow not help someone else who struggles with perfectly hidden depressionShould more therapists be bloggers and podcasters?You can learn more about Margaret and her work here:DrMargaretRutherford.com (Website)Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression (Book)Get New Episodes FirstLearn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as they’re released.

Nick talks to professional mediator Dr. Adar Cohen about how we can have difficult conversations more effectively.Here are some of the highlights from the conversations:The Farsi concept of TaroffThe psychology behind conflict avoidanceThe 3 main outcomes of difficult conversations: 1) Solution, 2) Plan, 3) UnderstandingAchieving deep understanding in conversationsThe elements of effective listeningOpen-ended questions vs. litigious questionsThe importance of uncovering “gem statements"How to prepare in advance for difficult conversationsHow to handle defensiveness in difficult conversationsThe importance of silence in difficult conversationsHow to be a good mediator for other peopleYou can learn more about Adar and his work here:AdarCohen.com (Website)Adar on Twitter3 Ways to lead tough, unavoidable conversations (TED Talk Video)How to have Difficult Conversations (Article)Get the newest Minds & Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Uddipana Goswami, an author and writing coach specializing in life writing, shares her transformative journey using personal narratives for healing. She discusses how life writing helps individuals process trauma and find purpose, highlighting the balance between private grief and communal mourning. Uddipana also provides insights on how anyone, regardless of writing experience, can engage in life writing by reflecting on vulnerabilities and creating universal connections. Discover how writing can empower and enrich lives!

Tim Stoddart joins me on the show to talk about his journey out of addiction and into entrepreneurship—and how blogging played a pivotal role. You can learn more about Tim and his work on his personal site TimStodz.comLinks and items of note from this episode:Seth GodinSober NationCopybloggerStodzy Internet MarketingLearn more about the Minds & Mics podcast here, including how to subscribe and get all my newest episodes as soon as they’re released.

Getting clarity about how to make a career transition with Lisa Lewis.Show Notes:How Lisa became a career transition expertWhat leads to career dissatisfaction?The four pillars of career fulfillmentTesting career hypothesesExecuting on a new career strategyCourage vs confidenceYou can learn more about Lisa and her work here:Lisa Lewis (Website)Career Clarity (Book)Get the latest Minds & Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Lodro Rinzler is an experienced meditation teacher and the author of many books, including my favorite book about meditation, Sit Like a Buddha: A Pocket Guide to Meditation. In today's episode, I chat with Lodro about how to think differently about meditation, some of the unexpected benefits of meditating, and what you need to know to get a consistent meditation practice off the ground.Show NotesHow he writes so damn much (1:00) Tea and Cake with Demons (1:50)Lodro’s favorite ways that meditation has changed him (3:30) Conscious vs Unconscious intention (6:40)What is meditation, exactly? (9:30)Meditation and judgmentalness (14:15)Mindfulness vs awareness (20:00)Meditation and managing emotions well (22:30) Meditation, anxiety, and the second arrow (27:20) How to stay consistent with your meditation practice (34:30)You can learn more about Lodro and his work here:WebsiteSit Like a Buddha: A Pocket Guide to Meditation (Book)TwitterGet the latest Minds & Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →

Scott Young is a prolific writer and thinker best known for his concept of ultralearning. In today's episode, I pick Scott's brain about what ultralearning actually is and the many psychological benefits that come with it.Show NotesThe MIT ChallengeThe Year without English (6:00)The 30-Day Portrait Drawing Challenge (11:00)What is ultralearning? (18:00)Ultralearning and deep satisfaction (21:00)Ultralearning and the expansion of personal possibility (27:00)Ultralearning and curiosity (37:00)Ultralearning and self-confidence (40:00)The relationship between ultralearning and Deep Work (47:00)Scott’s advice on a first ultralearning project (50:30)You can learn more about Scott and his work here:ScottHYoung.com (Website)Ultralearning (Book)Get the latest Minds&Mics episodes as soon as they're releasedIf you enjoyed this episode of Minds&Mics and want to get notified whenever new episodes are released, you can join Nick's free weekly newsletter here →