Always Better than Yesterday with Ryan Hartley | A Podcast for Heart Centred Leaders

On episode 180 I am joined by James McCrae, author, poet, creativity teacher, and meme-artist based in Austin, Texas. James is the author of two books: Sh#t Your Ego Says (Hay House, 2017), an autobiographical guidebook for quieting negative self-talk and reconnecting with intuition, and How to Laugh in Ironic Amusement During Your Existential Crisis (Thought Catalog, 2021), a book of poetry and memes about leaving your comfort zone to embrace the unknown. As a creative strategist, James has led workshops and brainstorms with top global brands (including Microsoft, NBC, Target, Organic Valley, and United Healthcare) to help define their mission, vision, and brand story. He has written articles on creativity for publications like Forbes, HuffPost, Adweek, Yogi Times, Entrepreneur, and Elephant Journal, and his poetry has been featured in literary journals such as American Journal of Poetry, 34th Parallel Magazine, Thought Catalog, New Millennium Writings, and Musepaper. On his popular Instagram page (@wordsarevibrations) James shares daily memes, poems, and illustrations that delight and inspire his audience. He also hosts Words Are Vibrations, a podcast that explores the intersection of creativity, consciousness, and culture. In this episode you will hear: 00:50 post apocalyptic psychedelic meme poet 02:30 awakening the inner artist 07:00 creativity as a healing modality 10:30 the limitations of the mind 15:00 creative flow states and the creative process 17:30 a constant state of regeneration 20:00 laughing in ironic amusement during our existential crisis 24:00 we don’t always know what’s best for ourselves 26:00 Russell Brand, a Trojan horse, bypassing the intellect and connecting with the heart 28:30 we are the future ancestors 32:00 why heaven on earth might not be something to strive for 35:30 the homesick alien in me recognises the homesick alien in you 37:30 NDE with David Ditchfield and unity consciousness 39:30 maybe the reason we are here is to feel it all 45:30 listen to the silence I hope this interview inspires your own creation. Please do subscribe, leave a little review and share it with someone you wish to inspire too. Always love Ryan Connect with James Website: https://www.jamesmccrae.com/ IG: www.instagram.com/wordsarevibrations/ Podcast: https://www.jamesmccrae.com/words-are-vibrations-podcast Connect with Always Better than Yesterday Website: www.abty.co.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/alwaysbetterthanyesterdayuk TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@abty_uk LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/abty Thank you to our friends at Elevate OM, proud supporters of the Always Better than Yesterday Interview Sessions. Head to www.elevateom.com for Online Marketing & Web Design services that are affordable, bespoke & awesome. Please email your questions and comments to podcast@abty.co.uk #wordsarevibrations #memepoet

How does love affect our motivation? Why don't we get the leaders we deserve? What has love got to do with leadership? Want to ask John Gray, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus a question? Email me: podcast@abty.co.uk 

From my heart to yours.  "Good Good Father" (written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown) Oh, I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like But I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night And you tell me that you're pleased And that I'm never alone You're a Good, Good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am Oh, and I've seen many searching for answers far and wide But I know we're all searching For answers only you provide 'Cause you know just what we need Before we say a word You're a Good, Good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am 'Cause you are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways to us You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways You are perfect in all of your ways to us Oh, it's love so undeniable I, I can hardly speak Peace so unexplainable I, I can hardly think As you call me deeper still As you call me deeper still As you call me deeper still Into love, love, love You're a Good, Good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am You're a Good, Good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am You're a Good, Good Father It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am You're a Good, Good Father (You are perfect in all of your ways) It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are And I'm loved by you (You are perfect in all of your ways) It's who I am, it's who I am it's who I am

Sometimes out hearts can become heavy. Mine has been over the last couple of weeks. Here are a few reflections on how to keep leading with a heavy heart. 

If you are trying to change people for the better, you might believe you are doing it out of love right? Wrong. Love is unconditional. Drop your desire to change people. Instead love them unconditionally. People grow where they are loved. 

when you feel pleasant inside, you do pleasant things - Sadhguru This episode expands on what that means for heart-centred leaders and the importance of self care. 

If you want to be rich, desire less.  follow @wordsarevibrations (episode out 22/6/22)

Happy Monday. I share a few reflections from our time at a football tournament this weekend. Does pressure get the better if you or the best of you. Does losing leave you bitter or does it make you better?

Let's not make enemies of fear, hopelessness, anger, frustration and despair. Instead, honour your heart, learn to dance under all weathers, and love yourself back to joy. 

The ego doesn't want to be healed, it wants to be held.