Circle Up & Get REAL Podcast

I'm thinking today about an autographed book that's been on my shelf for years: "The Soft Edge: Where Great Companies Find Lasting Success" by North Dakota's own Rich Karlgaard, Forbes publisher, entrepreneur, investor, and board director. What is it that makes our skills "Soft" or "Hard"? What is most needed in our world today? How might we be able to BE the change we want to see in the rest of the world as we move toward the end of this Fourth Turning Crisis and into the next First Turning High? Masculine and Feminine energy aren't necessarily demonstrated only by men or by women. It's not a gender issue, it's an energetic one, and over time, businesses have been forged by a lot of masculine energy: control, certainty, pressure, decisiveness, winning, etc. When this energy is dominant, there is no room for feminine energy like intuition, connection, awareness, collaboration, etc. What if we could access those traits in a collaborative or integrative way instead of an either-or? What would happen for our organizations if we could move from proving to understanding? From fixing to listening first? From reacting to noticing? I briefly mention Neil Howe's book "The Fourth Turning is Here," as well as Rich Karlgaard's book "The Soft Edge."

One of my favorite coaching questions is this one: "What is missing the presence of which would make a positive difference?" Today I ask myself this question. Given all I'm observing - about myself and others - might it be something like Personal Accountability? In this episode I share some observations from politics and sports, including this clip from the Maryland women's basketball game in the NCAA tournament: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SJhqv_2lFhg I also refer to a new (to me) term: Collective Narcissism, and this white paper by Agnieszka Golec de Zavala and Dorottya Lantos: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0963721420917703 Here is more information about the Enlightened Leadership Lab, Mondays at 4 central: https://www.emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab

It's Episode 300! Today I reflect on some of the great interviews I've had over the six seasons of this podcast.

What can history tell us about the seasons of our live? A lot, according to Neil Howe, author of The Fourth Turning is Here: What the Seasons of History Tell Us About How and When This Crisis Will End. This is my current morning reading, and, while it's certainly not easy (nor is it short at 578 pages), it's become essential for my understanding of how Americans have gotten where we are, and gives some hope for where we are going. In this episode I share some of what I'm learning about the concept of "turnings," "saecula," "generations" and much more. If history can teach us anything, so far it's that "this too shall pass," whether we are talking about yearly seasonal cycles or times and places in history. Neil Howe has other interesting takes on investments and other historical information. You can find more about this book and his insights at www.fourthturning.com.

The way you perceive the world has everything to do with your perspective. Today I'm exploring sports—something I've lived and loved most of my life—and how microcosms can become macrocosms when we stop and really look at them. I'm exploring the locker room moment with the men's Olympic hockey team. The celebration. The speakerphone call. The off-hand comment about the women's team. What happens when humor and hierarchy collide, not just in locker rooms, but also in board rooms?

I've been noticing something for the past few years. As a speaker and author, I used to work really hard to make sure the message was "right." But lately I've been experimenting with what happens when I let the message find me. I might say or write something and think "oh, that's good." Not in an ego-based way, but in an aligned way. Like I'm learning from myself in real time. If you've listened to any of these Facebook Lives over the 5+ years I've been doing them, you may have noticed. Something really cool happens when I stop editing myself. Maybe there's real intelligence that only shows up when it's invited, not forced.

I've been watching the conversation about the Super Bowl halftime show unfold online and what struck me isn't the show(s) themselves but how quickly narratives and opinions formed. Some people are saying Bad Bunny's show included vulgar lyrics. There was an alternative halftime show. There are rumors about where it was filmed - if it was lip synced. And I found myself thinking: wait ... what do we actually KNOW? And how do we DECIDE? Today's episode isn't necessarily about the halftime show options. It's about what and how we decide. Is it possible to watch something or listen to someone else without judging? The commenters on today's live recording added so much to the dialogue. One person added actual lyrics to a Bad Bunny song (which were too vulgar for me to repeat). But are those the lyrics he sang at the halftime show? The jury's still out on that. How do we discern? Who do we listen to? Welcome to today's episode.

We humans have a lot to process these days. The two topics we are never supposed to talk about in public are religion and politics, and both seem to be taking up a lot of space in heads and hearts without any way to process, if we are following that advice. What is a human to do with only our own thoughts if we don't have a safe space to process? I took on an experiment over the weekend, which I wouldn't recommend anyone else doing unless you're very prepared. Hint: If you want to connect, there are ways other than social media. In this episode I mention Michael Singer, the author of "The Untethered Soul" and "The Surrender Experiment," among others. I also refer to the CNN story Anderson Cooper did about the Resistance Singers. You can see that here: https://youtu.be/tp3ABvXXEsE?si=VUR9HOzZb5I93_2l Check out the Enlightened Leadership Labs Mondays at 4 central if you're looking for a safe space to practice all aspects of leadership, listening, and real communication. (www.emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab).

I've been sitting with something this week and I want to name it out loud, and see if there is dialogue to be created around it. When people go all-in on any single viewpoint - political or otherwise - it seems to me that nuance disappears. And when we lose nuance, we lose curiosity. So I wonder where curiosity lives in the world of this or that. Does it? What happens when curiosity dies? Is there space for Both/And instead of only Either/Or?

What happens to us humans when we feel like we are the only ones thinking or feeling something? If we don't have a place to process what we are seeing, it's easy to second guess our own perception. I've been thinking about this in a leadership context, and I'm reminded of two books I've studied, both by The Arbinger Institute: Leadership and Self Deception and The Anatomy of Peace. The premise is that when we are under stress, humans tend to see others not as humans but as objects. This can easily happen when we fall below the line into unconsciousness: being closed, defensive, and committed to being right. Is there another way to see things? I'd like to believe so.

In this episode of Circle Up & Get REAL, I'm exploring some thoughts about leadership (no surprise) and what pressure might do to the humans who are in those leadership roles. What role might AI have, not just in our corporate efficiencies, but in creating a culture of awareness and acceptance instead of fear? In other words, if we stay in curiosity instead of falling into certainty, what could the rise of AI mean to our corporate cultures?

In today's episode, I chat with my friend Sue Paulson, a 2-time cancer survivor and a survivor of a near-death experience, all of which have awakened her to her own magnificence, which she now mentors others to understand for themselves. Sue is the author of several books, including her memoir, Magnificent Misery, about her health journey. In our conversation, Sue shared her personal journey with cancer, which she experienced in 2011 and 2012. She realized that her body is a communication device that alerts her to issues, and she learned to pay more attention to these signals. Sue acknowledged that she had deep-seated beliefs about her worth, which she had to challenge during her cancer treatment. Since 2012, she has been cancer-free and has focused on self-care and personal growth, including psychotherapy sessions to understand the underlying causes of her illness. Sue's cancer journey opened her to the concept of each person's inherent magnificence and the dream of experiencing heaven right here on earth. To that end, she co-created The Magnificence Lab in 2023 and is currently conducting workshops and mentoring others about those two concepts. You can learn more about Sue by visiting her website, www.suepaulson.com.

In today's episode I share some ideas from books I'm reading right now, and I apply what I'm learning about leadership to current day affairs. Against advice from many, I talk today about politics, but not from a political lens, rather from a leadership one. I refer specifically to passages from Richard Rohr's "Falling Upward," and Bob Chapman's "Everybody Matters." Leadership is not management, although both are needed to run successful organizations, from business to religion to education to government. If we all understood that leading is a sacred assignment, and we truly treated humans as humans, no matter their political or religious or educational or business affilitations, wouldn't the world be a better place?

Today I'm exploring a thought I first heard about from Steve Jobs: You can only connect the dots of your life looking backward. What have each of us learned about our lives from that perspective? And how might it shape the choices we make from today forward? We'd love to have you join us at the Enlightened Leadership Lab on Mondays from 4-5 central. You can get more information at www.emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab

In today's episode you get to sit in on a conversation between two old friends who haven't connected in a while. Phil Gerbyshak is a blogger and author, and one of the people most influential in my journey into online writing. Phil and I talk about how important friends are, whether they are near in proximity or near and dear to our hearts. He shares his journey from being an IT help desk manager to his current role as a high school teacher. Despite the fact that Phil and I have only met in person once, we have remained good friends since our intital contact in 2004ish when we both started blogging. Phil is the author of several books including his first, 10 Ways to Make it Great (https://happyaf.substack.com/p/10-ways-to-make-it-great-audio) and Zero Dollar Consultancy (https://philgerby.com/zero-dollar-consultancy/). Follow Phil's substack: https://happyaf.substack.com/, find him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/philgerb/), or he has given us permission to call or text him at 414-640-7445.

In today's stream-of-consciousness episode I talk about how what we notice becomes our way of seeing the world. Do we see problems first or possibilities first? When we get clear about noticing what we notice, so much can shift: IF we use our power of choice. I mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab, where we practice emergent conversations on a weekly basis. You can find more information at emergentculturelabs.com/leadershiplab.

When we meditate or even when we are quiet - by ourselves in nature or even, potentially, at a public location but still by ourselves - it occurs to me that thoughts and feelings occur to all of us. What kinds of occurrences are you present to in your own life? What do you do with those "random" thoughts? Today I mention books by The Arbinger Group: Leadership and Self Deception and The Anatomy of Peace along with Simon Sinek's podcast interview with Bob Chapman ( • The Man Who Proved Me Right with CEO Bob C... , Heather Cox Richardson's Tuesday, November 4 report, and Marjorie Taylor Greene's panel discussion (dialogue) on The View, also on November 4.

In today's episode I share some of my recent Wonders and Ponders regarding what it really means to be United, and how we came up with that name for our country. I also explore the original meanings of democracy, republic, and the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." Join me as I wonder how our country has gotten where we are and whether this is what our founders intended for us. I mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab which meets virtually on Mondays from 4-5 central (more info at www.emergentculturelabs/leadershiplab and also our Conscious Business meeting November 4 in Fargo: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conscious-businesses-of-fargo-meetup-tickets-1873031430429?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

There's sure a lot to talk about in our world these days! Are we more committed to fighting against and resisting what we don't want or to stepping into the unknown to create something we prefer instead? If we aren't telling our own stories, someone is telling them about us. Let's step into the space we hold open for true dialogue, even if the outcome isn't guaranteed. It's worth the risk if we go together! Check out the Enlightened Leadership Lab if you'd like more opportunities to talk about these kinds of topics. https://www.emergentculturelabs.com/l...

I've been doing some deep pondering these days (surprise!) and also pairing that with some of the conversations I've been having and books I've been studying. That's a dangerous combination for anyone who prefers NOT to think and wonder and ponder. So if that's not you, feel free to skip this one. If you are in the community of people who find themselves waking up to curiosity and know somehow that there must be another way to BE in the world, tune in. This just might be for you. Today I talk about the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr and also our Monday Enlightened Leadership Lab. We'd love to have you visit if you are interested. Click on this link for more info!

My Indiana Fever basketball team left it all on the floor last night in an overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 5 of the semifinals. On paper, they never should have gotten that far, but the heart and the culture of this team didn't buy into that story. What can we learn about heart and soul and spirit from this team? How might we apply these lessons to infinite games and infinite mindsets?

Skeptical or Cynical. It's sure been a week in America. I don't even have to date stamp this - just go back and check out any news source and you'll have an idea of what I'm talking about. Wherever you turn, you can find someone or something to be upset about, and lots of good reasons to feel that way. Does that mean that all the things that were good yesterday went away? Or is it the world we live in now? I don't pretend to know everything. But there are some things I know, and I know I know them. But is it safe to share knowingness these days? Today I talk about what I'm observing and experiencing from social media and in conversations, both virtual and in person. I mention the book "What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey.

There is something magical about technology which allows us to connect over thousands of miles as if we were in the same room. In this episode I chat with Marcia Werner about her adventures in moving her family from the U.S. to France. We had a delightful chat about Marcia's life journey, including her career transitions from real estate to coaching and her recent move to France with her family. We talked about Marcia's personal motivations and experiences, particularly focusing on her approach to change and her coaching practice that helps others navigate life transitions. We also talked about the conditions which caused Marcia and her husband to consider moving their family from Florida where their kids experienced safety concerns no kids should have to endure to France, where their 5-year-old can walk to school without any fear. I was inspired by our conversation to remember to actually take action toward what you truly desire, even if others in your space might not be able to imagine doing the same. If you'd like to connect with Marcia about coaching, please look her up at her website, MarciaWerner.com.

Back in the days before COVID (they all run together for me now), I had a podcast called Bock Talks. The foundation was Leadership, Communication, and Accountability, and the branding was BE IT, SAY IT, OWN IT. I think I was on to something, but, as is my tendency, just before I gain some traction, I move on to something else. Eventually people catch up and then they are engaged in something I've moved on from. I don't think Personal Accountability is something to move on from. I had the pleasure of helping spread John Miller's message of QBQ for about 10 years as a facilitator of his material, and the message became a part of my being, not just my teaching. So today I'd like to revisit the concept of Personal Accountability as we see it in 2025. On this episode I mention the book and training program called QBQ by John Miller (https://qbq.com/), Peter Block's book "The Answer to How is Yes," (https://amzn.to/4lYaaOO), and the Landmark Forum (https://www.landmarkworldwide.com/).

Today's guest is Liz Campbell, the Experience Director for Emerging Prairie (EP), a Fargo-based resource that provides: A platform to share knowledge, success and experiences The pulse of the region's entrepreneurial activity A network of passionate individuals shaping the region's future Among Liz's many projects at Emerging Prairie is TEDx Fargo, one of only a very few locations to have held a 2-day event. Liz is a connector of people, always wanting to know what makes them tick and how she can help them succeed. She is an enthusiastic believer of personal development and growth, and can often be found in the front row at concerts, catching up with friends at local breweries and coffee shops, or wandering around Downtown Fargo. She calls Fargo home, where she lives with her husband, Scott, their kids Sophie and Noah, and their adventurous corgi, Toby. In this conversation, Liz pulls back the curtain on the TEDx Fargo process, and shows us what it takes to ensure that event is one of EP's signature offerings. Connect with Liz on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizcampbellfargo.

Today is a Wonder and Ponder day and my wonder is about advice. As a certified Life Purpose and Career Coach, I've been trained how to be an effective coach, and that's quite distinct from my current corporate work as a consultant. Coaches do more asking, and consultants do more telling. That line has become a bit blurred over the years, and my style has transformed a bit. I've gotten pretty good at giving advice. But taking it? That can be a different story. Thanks to Ricot and Jody who joined the conversation live. If you'd like to learn more about my coaching and consulting work, check out my website at www.jodeebock.com.

In today's episode I have a dialogue with Jesse Cruz, an entrepreneur and speaking coach from Rochester, NY who helps speakers get paid to travel the world with their families. Jesse shared his journey from being a veteran and youth advocate to becoming a successful speaker and coach who helps others make a living through speaking. Jesse discussed his development of a "lead through story" framework and his experiences organizing events during the pandemic, including his transition from charging $10 to $97 per person while overcoming self-doubt and financial challenges. The conversation concluded with Jesse's evolution into full-time entrepreneurship, his writing and publishing journey, and his current focus on hosting inclusive business networking events that combine family travel opportunities. You can find Jesse on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cruz.5

Today's guest is a former co-worker of mine who, although we only worked together for less than a year, made a huge impact on me in a very positive way. Dan Austin has been a corporate executive for 25 years for Fortune 100 and entrepreneurial ventures. He currently lives in Florida where he coaches team members to Connect, Contribute, and Continue (among many other life lessons). In this episode Dan and I explore the deep shift from external validation to authentic service. We reflect on personal growth, unconscious leadership, competing desires, emotional healing, and the power of real connection in business and life. From neuro-linguistic programming to spiritual practice, this conversation offers practical insights on influence, purpose, and how to lead with presence. You can find Dan via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaustin/

Today I'm wondering about preferences: why we like the things we like, and what happens when we forget that it's OK to like different things. I share some of my own stories about when I thought I was wrong for liking different things than my friends, and how that had me question my own values. Values and preferences are not the same thing. Values guide our behavior and decisions in deeper ways - like integrity, connection, compassion, truth. Preferences are more like our style of expression. They're how we dress our values, not the values themselves. I reference the Enlightened Leadership Lab (www.enlightenedleadershiplab.com). You can find out more about other offerings at my website, www.jodeebock.com.

Today's guest is Mark Berntson, someone I've known his entire life. Mark is a guitar teacher in West Fargo, ND where he splits his loyalty between the West Fargo HS Packers and the West Fargo Sheyenne HS Mustangs. Mark is a true connector, certainly through his music, but also by inviting people to join him for coffee dates and baseball games, all on his dime. Mark demonstrates the power of relationships in everything he does, including what he shares on his Facebook page on peoples' birthdays. Even his Facebook profile picture is an AI created version of him resembling Mr. Rogers (which isn't a far stretch). Join us in this dialogue where we reminisce about growing up in the same home town, with parents who were teachers, and the influences made for each of us. Follow Mark on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/readychild

Mark French is nearing the end of his epic 2024-2025 photographic journey through the lower 48. When he started this adventure, his plan was to document the beauty of each state he visited in his trusty Dodge Journey SUV which doubles as his living and work space. While that was part of the experience, Mark shares some of the unexpected joys and a few heartaches that came with that intention. His goal is to live his life with no regrets, and during this conversation, he shares some of the lessons he learned with me and also with a high school classmate and her husband, Suzanne and Bob Schultz, who joined us for this coffee shop conversation. Shout out to Bully Brew Coffee, where we shot this episode, and the partner who kept Mark caffeinated throughout his travels. To find out more about Mark, visit his website, www.mafrenchphoto.com where you can also purchase photos and contribute to a charity that's near and dear to Mark (you'll hear a bit about it in this episode).

I'm facilitating another cohort of the REAL Me: Intensive course and today's lesson is on Energy. As I'm contemplating our agenda today, I'm pondering some situations in my life recently that have shown me pretty blatantly that awareness and understanding are not the same. Awareness means we perceive the fact of something. We have knowledge about it. Understanding involves comprehension, perspective, context, and wisdom. When we have knowledge and even awareness but lack understanding, it's as if we are wasting the knowledge. We haven't come from curiosity and contribution but from telling. Here is where you can get more information about my course REAL Me: Intensive: www.getrealcircle.com

Often, the effectiveness of a communication exchange isn't so much what's said as how it's said. I've had some really amazing conversations in the past few days, some of which really surprised me. One in particular wasn't planned, and with that spontaneity a really enjoyable connection was enhanced. What are you noticing about the conversations and dialogues, discussions, debates, that are happening around you, with you, for you? In this episode I mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab (www.enlightenedleadershiplab.com) as well as the book "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Dethmer, Chapman, and Klemp.

Today is the 20th anniversary of the launch of my coaching and consulting business, so I'm reminiscing about who I've become over this 2-decade career.

Today I'd like to talk about rules. Not because I love them, but because I wonder what life would be like without them. Is there a purpose to rules? If so, what is it? Today I share information about the government and the rules it's working to keep in place, namely to make people more free. I also share upcoming events I've got coming up: REAL Me: Intensive 6-week live virtual course (www.getrealcircle.com) and Think and Grow Rich in Ten Minutes a Day, 6-week study starting Wednesday, June 18 from 11-12 central. Reserve your spot here: https://getrealwithjodeebock.regfox.com/think-grow-rich-in-10-minutes-mastermind-study

In today's episode I explore what might keep us (me included) from taking action on the outcomes we desire. Why are we so sure about complaining and so unsure about moving toward what we want instead? I share information about upcoming learning opportunities: Dare to Lead book study - Brewhalla in Fargo starting June 3 at 5 p.m. REAL Me: Intensive 6-week live virtual study starting June 11. Application open at www.getrealcircle.com Think and Grow Rich in 10 Minutes live virtual study - June 18 - July 23, 11 - 12 central (register here: https://getrealwithjodeebock.regfox.com/think-grow-rich-in-10-minutes-mastermind-study)

In today's episode I share some current wonders and ponders regarding what it really means to be unconventional. The opposite is conventional, which means based on, or in accordance with, what is generally done or believed. Normal. Regular. Ordinary. What if that's not what we really desire? Or what we really are, deep down? What if we're more wired to be deviants? That means departing from an established course or accepted standard. The book I mention in this episode is "The Economics of Higher Purpose" by Robert E. Quinn and Anjan V. Thakor. I also mention the Enlightened Leadership Lab (www.enlightenedleadershiplab.com) and Purple Dialogue (www.purpledialogue.com).

Today's guest is Glen Stevens, a former pastor turned entrepreneur in 2019. He continues to help people, but with a new calling: He helps people rewire their brains for a more positive and enjoyable approach to work and life--think, personal trainer for your brain. Known as the Mental Fitness Guy, Glen is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and executive coach. As a Certified Mental Fitness Coach™, he combines cutting-edge techniques and strategies from neuroscience and psychology that are simple to understand, get to the root of the problem, and are easy to apply. In this episode Glen and I talk about his journey, and also why Mental Fitness is so crucial for not only corporate success, but also for so many situations where mental health could use a boost. We talk about Positive Intelligence or PQ, created by Dr. Shirzad Chamine, which exposes mental saboteurs which keep us from achieving our true potential. Glen is focusing his work on rural electric cooperatives, where he helps them address five critical areas: Safety practices and culture Preventing burnout Equipping teams to thrive during change Teaching professionals to maintain peak performance under pressure and stress Building stronger, more cohesive teams If you'd like to connect with Glen, visit his website, www.mentalfitnessguy.com or find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mentalfitnessguy/

"What does it mean to stay human in a world that can feel so inhumane?" This was a question my Facebook friend Patti Digh asked this morning at the beginning of a beautifully articulated essay she shared. And that first question got me wondering and pondering. I'm nowhere near as eloquent and poetic as Patti, but I wanted to share my ideas this morning. What are your thoughts? What do you truly desire? What are you willing to do to get that?

I was given advice from a colleague a few years ago as I left an organization as an employee to venture out on my own - yet again - as a coach, consultant, facilitator. He told me, "Whatever you do, don't talk about culture." I took his advice seriously at the time. But the more I've been back at my own business full time, the more crucial I feel this concept of company culture really is. Culture is the container that holds all of the organization's activities. It's not what you do, it's how you do it that reflects the culture for the people doing the work. Today I mention several books: "The Power of Company Culture" by Chris Dyer, "Holacracy" by Brian Robertson, "Human-Centered Communication" by Ethan Beute and Stephen Pacinelli, and "Humanocracy," by Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini.

When I say "bugging" in the title, I mean what's on your mind? What's getting you uncomfortable? What's irritating you? What's not right in your world? Often those irritants are trying to tell us something, and we don't listen until they provoke anger and even rage. What if we learned to listen earlier? Not only to ourselves, but to others? What are they trying to tell us, even when the words they are using are clunky? Listening is an art and a skill we can get better at when we practice it. My mom used to say, referring to my piano lessons as a kid, "practice makes perfect." That's true when we are practicing perfectly. But really, practice makes permanent. The WAY we practice makes all the difference. How are we listening? ARE we listening or are we just hearing? This is a huge distinction and one I'm still working on.