Pivot with Jenny Blake

“Vulnerability is a one-way ticket to trust,” says today’s guest Billy Anderson, founder of The Courage Crusade and mutual friend of longtime friendtor Michael Bungay Stanier (two-time guest of the Pivot Podcast). Billy is the author of Your Comfort Zone is Killing You: Finding the Courage to Be You. In this conversation we cover finding the courage to move past others’ expectations toward greater authenticity, transparency, vulnerability, and self-expression. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/231 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When was the last time you experienced a truly ecstatic flow state when working? Where time was flying, and you didn’t even notice it passing? Do you know how to create more of these in the future? It took 10 years for The Office to find success after it aired. What would you create for the intrinsic reward of the project itself? What if you knew it wouldn’t find popular success until 10 years from now, if at all? Would you still create it? The very notion of a “flow” state was popularized and explored in Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s seminal book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. We’re unpacking the first half of his book, flow ingredients and impediments, in this “BookRx” episode. Get my curated weekly(ish) PivotList newsletter at http://pivotmethod.com/pivotlist » I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Submit a question or comment for future episodes at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/230 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you wish you had that doesn’t exist? Whether it’s a podcast episode, an article, or a physical product — innovation requires pausing the “infinite stream” of passive content we consume in receiver mode, and intentionally pausing to ask the question: how can you create what you need? Your magnet means something . . . pause and pay attention to it. This episode ties into topics covered in 142: Creative Economy Lessons from “The Great Race to Rule Streaming TV” and episode 219: Swimming Upstream—A tale of two platforms. Get my curated weekly(ish) PivotList newsletter at http://pivotmethod.com/pivotlist » I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Submit a question or comment for future episodes at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/229 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If social media drains you, yet continues to dangle itself as a “sexy should,” this episode is for you. I share my own process—mindset shifts and business focuses—that allow me to keep moving, even without platform-building or posting on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Tik Tok. From a business perspective, social media is a means to two primary ends: social connections and media (consuming and contributing). I share how I work toward both of those in ways that energize me, even without directing my attention toward the platforms above. This episode ties in to topics covered in 142: Creative Economy Lessons from “The Great Race to Rule Streaming TV” and episode 219: Swimming Upstream—A tale of two platforms. Subscribe to my weekly(ish) curated PivotList newsletter at http://pivotmethod.com/pivotlist » I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Submit a question or comment for future episodes at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/228 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Michael and I were throwing together our very agile wedding at City Hall in New York City back in November 2018, with just a few weeks notice I asked two friends for a photographer recommendation. Both separately replied with the same person, today’s guest, which was all the serendipity I needed to say yes! That photographer is Phillip Van Nostrand, an instant friend and exactly the kind of guy you’d want on board for big events. When Phil told me how he was networking during the pandemic, and earning more revenue than ever despite so many events cancelled, I knew I needed to have him on the show. A self-described super extrovert, he’s provides a much-needed balance to my introverted curmudgeon :) We’ll also dive into his recent Medium article, How to Live an Epic Freelance Life (in the time of Covid-19), where he describes what he’s been up to for the past five weeks to help my (photo) business and how he put over $15,000 into his bank account during this time. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/227 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Henna Inam is on a mission to impact one million people by 2030, partly by helping us “Marie Kondo our mindset.” In this episode, you’ll learn about the five shifts in agility we can all make and the antidote to burnout, starting with our built-in neuro-emotional capability for resilience and collaboration. She is the CEO of Transformational Leadership Inc., a company that helps Fortune 500 organizations grow transformational leaders. A former C-suite executive, Henna drove transformation throughout her corporate career before pivoting toward coaching. She is the author of Wired for Authenticity, and a new forthcoming book, Wired for Disruption: Five Shifts in Agility to Lead in the Future of Work (available June 1). Get show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/226 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. MJC is back for part two of our most recent installment in the Pivoting Around a Pandemic series (listen to episode 224 first). In this session we riff on not quite feeling ready to leave our pandemic bubbles, the meta skill of self-education, and conscious luck (Gay Hendricks’ new book). What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/225 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. MJC is back for the first time since episode 203, when we talked about re-opening three weeks ago. Today we riff on a range of timely topics: Joe Rogan’s exclusive Spotify deal and how it mirrors larger pandemic and content-creation trends, “blue” versus “red” ocean when it comes to competition, the important meta skill of self-education, and not quite feeling ready to leave our pandemic bubbles. And for curious minds! Our new word of the episode: ar·ma·men·tar·i·um (är′mə-mĕn-târ′ē-əm) The complete equipment of a physician or medical institution, including books, supplies, and instruments. The complete range of materials available or used for a task. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/224 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m peeling the curtain back on the shifts I’ve made to move from weekly to daily podcast publishing during the pandemic across five key areas: mindset, motivation, systems, skills, and software. Interested in learning more? Join me LIVE for a much-requested update on my (He)art of Podcasting course! I’m facilitating a 3-hour masterclass on June 25 where you can ask me anything, get my best templates for visioning, interview prep, and post-production, and request walkthroughs of the most confusing aspects of podcasting and systems. Learn more at http://pivotmethod.com/heart » Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/223 and the full Pivot podcast archive at http://pivotmethod.com/podcastarchive » I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the universe possibly be always working “for” you and not just happening to you? How can that be if bad things that happen to good people? In this episode I respond to a listener question with my take on helpful ways to apply the placebo effect and pronoia, the belief that “the world around you conspires to do you good.” I talk about noticing what you’re noticing, and how to discern fears versus wants through your inner magnet (aka intuition). I recorded on a Saturday afternoon at the park, so pardon the background noise! I took it as extra emphasis for various points :) As Eckhart Tolle writes in A New Earth, “Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at this moment.” If you are a recent grad looking for a portable coach to help you hold your highest vision even while navigating the nuts-and-bolts of adulting during these challenging times, check out my first book Life After College (first launched 2011, revised edition launched 2018). Compliment it with Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One, and you’ll be well-equipped to navigate change now and in the future. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/222 I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t bench yourself before the game begins. Be willing to be the exception. What problems can you solve during this unique time? What skills can you teach yourself? For any disempowering article or statistic, what if the opposite were true? Systemic inequality, student debt, lack of social support — these are massively broken systems in America. But that doesn’t mean you need to hang your head in defeat from now until forever. This episode is a message to 2020 grads (and anyone else who needs to hear it): do not let headlines like the one below hang over your head like dark, depressing rain clouds for the rest of your career, no matter how tough the job market might be right now. Shake it off, and be willing to be the exception (even if statistically speaking, we can’t all be). Just this week The New York Times published on the front page, Facing Adulthood With an Economic Disaster’s Lasting Scars: “Those entering the job market in a downturn may never catch up in pay, opportunities or confidence.” It continues, “The question is what kind of scars this will leave in the hearts, minds and pockets of younger people.” See this scar as a good thing: how is it uniquely shaping your heart, mind, and pocket? What lessons are you learning that will serve you for the rest of your career? If you are a recent grad looking for a portable coach to help you hold your highest vision even while navigating the nuts-and-bolts of adulting during these challenging times, check out my first book Life After College (first launched 2011, revised edition launched 2018). Compliment it with Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One, and you’ll be well-equipped to navigate change now and in the future. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/221 I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Part 3 of Wandering with Michael (Part 2 here) — we talk about my favorite band, how to protect your flame, the importance of not planning or problem-solving too much around one’s creative process . . . and then! Around minute 22, Michael jumps into facilitating (his first!) spontaneous guided meditation with more passion than most :) More background: Feeling stuck and bored for the first time in a loooong time last Saturday, Michael and I decided the only thing that would alleviate our Groundhog’s Day discomfort on yet another freezing New York City weekend would be to hop on the podcast mic with no direction in mind (his idea not mine!). This is the third of several such sessions we recorded that day :) Get show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/220 Leave us a message at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Everything is the pandemic’s fault,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of nascent streaming platform Quibi last week. Is it? I share my thoughts in this week’s riff on how streaming companies are responding and piloting during this time. Building on episode 142: Creative Economy Lessons from “The Great Race to Rule Streaming TV”, I share a tale of two platforms — and encourage you to examine where you might still be stuck in unhelpful thinking. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/213 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m releasing exactly the kind of episode I can’t usually stand . . . but maybe that’s a good thing? Michael even said in all seriousness, “I don’t think you should release this one on the main channel.” We cover everything and nothing, and digressions in-between. Welcome to Part 2 of Wandering with Michael. Our alternative titles for this one are, “Infinitely Boring” and “The Household Ramble”— so listen at your own risk! More background: Feeling stuck and bored for the first time in a loooong time last Saturday, Michael and I decided the only thing that would alleviate our Groundhog’s Day discomfort on yet another freezing New York City weekend would be to hop on the podcast mic with no direction in mind (his idea not mine!). This is the second of several such sessions we recorded that day :) This is decidedly not an episode with a clear agenda, takeaways, or template! In fact, you’ll probably wonder how we even manage to get along given our completely different approaches to life. Opposites attract as they say ;-) Our biggest hope is that we provide just a little entertainment and reprieve on any future day you might find yourself bored too . . . Get show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/218 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life on lockdown means a perfect opportunity to capture spontaneous thoughts from a very special guest . . . and no, it’s not Ryder :) Feeling stuck and bored for the first time in a loooong time last Saturday, Michael and I decided the only thing that would alleviate our Groundhog’s Day discomfort on yet another freezing New York City weekend would be to hop on the podcast mic with no direction in mind (his idea not mine!). This is the first of several such sessions we recorded that day :) Listen at your own risk, as this is decidedly not an episode with a clear agenda, takeaways, or template! In fact, you’ll probably wonder how we even manage to get along given our completely different approaches to life. Opposites attract as they say ;-) Our biggest hope is that we provide just a little entertainment and reprieve on any future day you might find yourself bored too . . . Get show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/217 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dani Zoldan is a lifelong entrepreneur. In 2008, he purchased Stand Up NY, the famous comedy club on the Upper West Side of Manhattan that made its name in the 80’s and 90’s with many of the world’s best comics including Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Louis CK and Jon Stewart. Today, (at least pre-pandemic when we could still gather in person!) the club has been home to many current A-listers including Amy Schumer, Michael Che, Pete Davidson and Judah Friedlander. I met Dani through James Altucher, who bought into club ownership in 2016, and was honored to participate in their inaugural Podcast Row. When I saw Dani quoted in the New York Times March 18: Open Your Laptops, the Comedy Show Is About to Begin, as businesses started shutting down, I knew he’d have an interesting Pivot perspective to share! Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/216 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are so many of us allergic to the word innovation, solving the wrong problems, and experiencing idea-fatigue? Because, as Stephen Shapiro brilliantly shares in his new book, Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems, what we’re really aiming for is relevance. How can you apply the 5D’s of disruption to solve difficult problems? We dive into that and so much more during this conversation—one I can’t wait to listen back to at least twice more to absorb all the powerful pivot-related concepts! I’ll tell you one thing: you’ll never brainstorm the same way again . . . Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/215 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Godin recently described Mitch Joel (in celebration of his 700th episode) as “in the pantheon, one of the greats.” I couldn’t agree more. Mitch is a well-respected friend and colleague to so many of us in the business, writing, and speaking communities. He sees trends and platforms coming long before they hit mainstream, and his output, ideas, and incisive interviewing style consistently leaves me with inspiration and new information. He was gracious to have me on his Six Pixels of Separation Podcast when Pivot launched, and the conversation (among dozens and dozens) left such a mark on me that I quoted him in the afterword for the paperback edition of Pivot in 2017 the following year. Here’s an excerpt: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building on the previous episode that covered virtuous circles (or cycles), this is an excerpt from my Pivot to Profit course where I go deeper into Jim Collins’ Hedgehog and Flywheel concepts. This will help you think more strategically about the highest impact activities in business and career that create self-perpetuating, unstoppable momentum. Join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Help us tip Pivot over the 200 reviews on Amazon milestone! At the time of recording, we are just TWO reviews short!! Visit http://bit.ly/Pivotpaperback Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/213 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can virtuous circles (or cycles) help us think more strategically about the highest impact activities in business and career that create self-perpetuating momentum? That’s the topic of this episode; how we can transform even “time for money” or marketing activities into something more. I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Help us tip Pivot over the 200 reviews on Amazon milestone! At the time of recording, we are just TWO reviews short!! Visit http://bit.ly/Pivotpaperback Join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum Work with a Pivot Coach at http://pivotmethod.com/coaching Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/212 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If you truly are diversified, that means something is underperforming (in the short-term).” Today’s Pivot conversation is with wealth manager Kathryn Brown, whose mission is changing families’ traditional relationship with money to foster a healthy relationship between money and life for the families she serves. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions at http://www.pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://www.pivotmethod.com/211 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her first bestseller, The Woman’s Comfort Book. Since then, she’s written seven additional books on well-being and whole living, including The Woman’ s Retreat Book and The Life Organizer, with close to a million copies of her books in print in nine languages. She’s been profiled or quoted in two of Brené Brown’s books, Daring Greatly and Dare to Lead; and even appeared on Oprah. Jen and I met way back in the day at SXSW 2012 — my first time attending, and have kept in touch from afar ever since. Today we’re talking about her newest and most personal book, Why Bother? Discover the Desire for What’s Next. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/210 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This riff is inspired by the synchronous confluence of two things: re-reading a note to self on “sensitivity as a tool for trend spotting” and a recent NYT interview with Jerry Seinfeld (who I also highlight in the chapter on pilots in Pivot), Jerry Seinfeld Is Making Peace With Nothing: He’s ‘Post-Show Business.’ Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://www.pivotmethod.com/209 I’d love your help tipping Pivot over the 200 reviews milestone! If you’ve read the book, please share your honest thoughts at http://www.bit.ly/Pivotpaperback What’s on your mind? Take the Pivot listener survey at http://www.pivotmethod.com/survey and/or submit a question at http://www.pivotmethod.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part two of my recent Momentum Masterclass on Your Book & Big Idea (recorded 3/3/20). Whether you’re creating a course, a speech, or a book learn how to map the transformation you’re trying to create, and the difference between different stages such as harvesting, thinking, outlining, writing, editing, and launching. As Richard Bach says, “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” Listen to part one at http://pivotmethod.com/207 I’d love your help tipping Pivot over the 200 reviews milestone! If you’ve read the book, please share your honest thoughts at http://bit.ly/Pivotpaperback To dive deeper into these topics: join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum or take the week-long course, He(art) of Book Publishing. Be sure to also check out the free Author Toolkit (the tools and templates that were most helpful for writing, editing, and marketing Pivot). Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/207 What’s on your mind? Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this replay of a Momentum Masterclass on Your Book & Big Idea (recorded 3/3/20), I’m walking you through how to hone in on a powerful, resonant message that will connect with and help you build your ideal community, as well as next steps to getting it out into the world. As one of my earliest book mentors Michael Larsen said to me, "It's not a question of if you'll get published, but when and how." I’d love your help tipping Pivot over the 200 reviews milestone! If you’ve read the book, please share your honest thoughts at http://bit.ly/Pivotpaperback To dive deeper into these topics: join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum or take the week-long course, He(art) of Book Publishing. Be sure to also check out the free Author Toolkit (the tools and templates that were most helpful for writing, editing, and marketing Pivot). What’s on your mind? Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/207 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A morning riff at the park, taking a page out of Valerie K. Martin’s podcast book ❤️ Thank you for listening! I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey at http://pivotmethod.com/survey Join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/206 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s right there in her last name: Maggie Reyes is a ray of sunshine who brightens every room she enters. Maggie’s energy in contagious, particularly when it comes to creating delightful, conscious relationships full of affection and appreciation. We’ve both hired each other as a coach, and in just three sessions (and a surprise book she mailed me), Maggie completely transformed my approach to sticky relationship situations. I hope you enjoy this conversation around what it means to create a “5-star” marriage—and even who we’d each cast in the TV sitcom of our lives :) What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/205 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining the Pivot Podcast today are two of my closest friends in NYC, Alex Jamieson and Bob Gower. I spend Friendsgiving with them almost every year, and Bob is actually featured in the Pilot section of Pivot. Alex and Bob are one of those couples we all admire—they are warm, loving, respectful, and creative. Today we’re talking about their new book, called Radical Alignment: How to Have Game-Changing Conversations That Will Transform Your Business And Your Life. If you want to help them get a big boost of momentum, please consider pre-ordering today! What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/204 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/30/20) No matter when your area “opens back up,” when and how will you go on public transportation, or to restaurants, for example? (If you have the luxury to make that choice independent of your livelihood) These are the questions Dr. MJC and I tackle in this week’s pandemic podcast conversation. We start with a brief overview of how different states and countries are approaching re-opening, and how we are wrapping our minds around it. We don’t have the answers, but we are exploring how to frame thinking and important questions about risk, safety, and personal responsibility. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/203 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universal Mind, Universal Consciousness and Universal Thought. From the Three Principles Foundation website: “In 1973, Sydney Banks, an ordinary working man, experienced a spontaneous and profound spiritual enlightenment. His experience uncovered three foundational Principles; elemental principles that create and govern the human experience: Universal Mind, Universal Consciousness and Universal Thought.” These are the three principles that guide Inside Out coaching, which I first heard about from today’s guest, Bev Willcocks. Bev is a Cape Town based adventurer, artist, and coach who “finds freedom in coming alive to the joy and raw energy of life” and helping her clients do the same. Bev first reached out in July 2018 to share more about the practice, and after this conversation I’m sure you’ll be interested to learn more too, with powerful tools to find your footing during times of immense uncertainty. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/202 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do your systems spark joy, or are they cluttering your mind and creating bottlenecks in your business? If the flow of your work is a river, where are the eddies? Where is the water flowing, and where are the rapids ahead? Are you telling yourself unhelpful stories like, “I’m not good at technology?” If so, or even if you love systems (like me!) and want to improve your systems-thinking mindset even further, this episode is for you. This is excerpted from a 90-minute lesson within the Pivot to Profit bonus course in Momentum ($997 value). To access the video version with detailed walk-throughs of how I use apps like TextExpander, Asana, Google Drive, Dropbox, Kajabi, etc — join us in Momentum at http://pivotmethod.com/momentum. The investment is just $220 per month (you can cancel at any time), and you’ll get access to the entire Pivot to Profit course, along with 5+ years of archives and a private Facebook group with heart-based business owners. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/201 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From my heart to yours, in celebration of episode 200 ❤️ Thank you for listening! Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/200 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Morris is on a mission to help organizations and their leaders rise to their potential to live and work wholeheartedly, all while making a positive impact on the world. We last spoke in episode 173 on Beautiful Questions for Challenging Times, which many of you gave us great feedback on—thank you! Today we’re taking a page out of the Co-Active Training Institute’s playbook on Brilliant Conversations, the context for their recent open Zoom call. As CTI defines it, a Brilliant Conversation has the following qualities: Larger than how we hold a regular conversation Intentional conversation where there is no answer, no destination, no problem to solve Resist the temptation to converge; allow ourselves to expand, to explore, and to play Place and a space where contributions come from ideas, emotions, intuitive hits or spirit or strategy—we use all of us as a resource and our entire field to contribute. Divergent nature, where as so many conversations aim to converge Call upon on our “brilliant mind” or collective consciousness. We create a brilliant mind together, rather than a singular mind. The process is organic and flowing, much like polishing a brilliant diamond. You leave with more questions than you had when you came We tap into a larger mystery and unfolding that is playing out around us You are attuned to what life then starts offering you back as you walk the world with these questions in your heart, spirit, and mind I hope you enjoy this unfolding, wandering, improvised, in-the-moment conversation with Steve! Be sure to also check out his free Care Package for COVID-19. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/199 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve got a big smile today to be sharing sharing this experimental compilation episode with you! Please enjoy some comforting words from the Momentum Community, from our hearts to yours. Big thank you to our Momentum members who contributed to today’s episode! Solopreneurs: Want support in navigating these crazy times, with ease, joy, and crazy-smart systems? Join us in the Momentum Community: http://Pivot.love/Momentum Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the market too saturated? Have people stopped listening to podcasts given that they no longer have a commute? Is it worth all the effort? How do you know if you have something meaningful to say? Building on yesterday’s Listener Q&A around Agile Public Original Thinking, I’m sharing the interview from Petra Kolber’s recent Re-Imagine summit on the pros and cons of podcasting. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/197 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m answering a listener Q&A from Kerstin on how to serve during this time, without getting too caught up in systems and perfection. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://PivotMethod.com/196 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love a good serendipity story, and this is one of my favorites! Bill and my brother were both 20 minutes early, waiting for a store to open in San Francisco; they started chatting, talking about business and books — and next thing I know, I got a text saying that Bill and I had to meet. This is our first conversation, and I was riveted! Bishop William Swing is doing incredible work in the world — he is on a mission to build bridges between people and religions; helping people of (what seem to be) competing religious loyalties to discover each other and work together. The 20th anniversary of his organization, the United Religions Initiative, is in June, and he has over 1 million participants in over 1,000 interfaith cooperation circles. As Bill says, "If you’re really committed and you’re on the right track, the right person shows up at just the right time.” This mindset, and saying yes at every open door, led to meetings with the Pope, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and many other religious leaders in his efforts to create the United Nations of religions. Happy Earth Day! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did :) View full show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/195 What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pivot Insider and creativity expert Kathryn Haydon is back to discuss her emerging studies of Deep Souls, building upon her background in education and creativity. As she describes in her article, 7 Strengths of Deep Souls: The Thinkers We Need But Rarely Understand: "Is Everyone a Deep Soul? The underlying traits that fuel deep soul strengths are universal characteristics of creative thinking. Research shows that nearly all of us have an intense combination of these strengths in early childhood, but they get dulled over time—especially during our school years. Deep souls, however, have resisted this dulling. They can't help it. The intensity of their ability to think differently cannot and will not be stopped.” Listen in as we discuss the seven strengths, and how to best support and encourage the deep souls around you in life and work. View full show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/194 What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Time Facilitator host Leanne Hughes and I team up today to bring you our best pro tips for presenting on Zoom. She covers a range of great advice from the importance of run-throughs to whiteboards, polls, and group participation—and I chime in with tips on maintaining high energy while speaking into “the void,” and managing the many incredible (yet sometimes overwhelming) features while speaking. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/193 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pivot Insider and coach Olivia D’Silva is here to help people to “realize the value of dissatisfaction and self-doubt in their live” and use these energies as the sources of power and motivation they can represent when harnessed intentionally. I was honored to be the first featured guest for her new community, The Doubters, and am sharing here on the Pivot Podcast with her permission :) Enjoying the show? Pivot Podcast is listener supported—consider donating to become a Pivot Insider and you’ll get access to a private monthly Q&A call where you can ask me anything, and discuss the latest books, tools and topics I’ve shared in recent episodes. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at PivotMethod.com/192 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling digitally overwhelmed or maxed out during this time? Big thanks to Brooke, who submitted this week’s Listener Q&A on something I mentioned in a previous Pivot podcast: digital introversion. Contrary to the dictionary definition of introverts as “shy or reticent” (lame!) I resonate more with the etymology of the word from the mid-17th century: in latin intro- (to the inside) and vertere (to turn) combine to be defined as: to turn one’s thoughts inwards (in spiritual contemplation). How epic is that?! Susan Cain, author of the mega-bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking and accompanying 2012 TED Talk with nearly 26 million views, has been a central leader in redefining the term introversion to correspond more with how one gets energy and recharges. She founded a movement called Quiet Revolution, and I encourage you to take her online assessment. In this episode, I share 7 strategies that I’m still practicing as it relates to navigating this new, even more digital world as I answer Brooke’s question: How can I connect with heartfelt community in this digital world? What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/191 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How lucky are we? One of my favorite friendtors, Michael Bungay Stanier, is back to share his wisdom on creating while pivoting in this special Pivot Podcast + Momentum Book Club. We talk about his favorite powerful coaching questions, navigating uncertainty, and his new book, The Advice Trap, as it relates to the pandemic—particularly with advice flying fast and furious everywhere these days! He was recently on the podcast episode 156 talking about pivoting out of the CEO role of Box of Crayons, the company he founded nearly 20 years ago, and before that he helped kick things off waaay back in episode 26. Today you can find him at MBS.works, and check out his new podcast, We Will Get Through This. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at PivotMethod.com/190. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/8/20) In Part 3 of our Pivot Insider Q&A with Penney Peirce, she responds to Theo’s question about how to find momentum with a job search when it seems like no one is hiring. Michael mentions Albert Camus’ The Plague (related article: Alain de Botton’s Camus on the Coronavirus) and the challenge of leading with transparency, and Penney closes out this three-part series with her perspective on merging the physical and non-physical realms, along with what those who have passed know. Be sure to also listen to Part 1 (episode 185) and Part 2 (episode 187), and subscribe to Pivot with Jenny Blake so you don’t miss a future episode. We have many earlier conversations in the Penney & Jenny show. In episodes 168 and 169, we unpack her essay in conversation together, How Coronavirus is Speeding Us Toward Transparency. If you’d like to submit a question for us for a future episode visit http://PivotMethod.com/ask » View full show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/189 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life on lockdown means a perfect opportunity to capture spontaneous thoughts from a very special guest . . . and no, it’s not Ryder :) First I give an overview of Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies framework (take the quiz along with nearly 3 million others!) and how you can tackle this time according to your personality. Then you’ll hear from my favorite “Rebel” on tackling contemplation without the guilt of procrastination. Get show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/188 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/8/20) “We don’t run out of energy, we just stop being present. Energy goes in a circle, like a figure 8. Just stay in the turn; the flow is the energy.” —Penney Peirce I was thrilled to welcome Penney Peirce to April’s Pivot Insider private Q&A last week; listen to Part 1 if you haven’t already (episode 185). In Part 2 of this call, Penney shares how to practice “vibrational hygiene” (hat tip to Patrick for the great question!), going with the flow, finding spaciousness, and loosening our identity attachments. We have 11 conversations in the Penney & Jenny show so far, and be sure to also check out episodes 168 and 169 — listen in as we unpack her essay in conversation together, How Coronavirus is Speeding Us Toward Transparency. We talk about the stock market, how money is like a child and responds to our inner energy blueprint, and making the most of creative lulls (when ready). Do the next courageous thing. If you’d like to submit a question for us for a future episode visit http://PivotMethod.com/ask » Join us at http://PivotMethod.com/insider by supporting the podcast with a small monthly donation, and you’ll also get instant access to 7+ months of archives and a slew of bonus resources, including a two-hour Upgrade Your Energy workshop. View full show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/187 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/11/20) Dr. MJC and I start this week’s check-in with the New York Times article, “To people of many religions, crisis has signs of apocalypse.” As the intro states, this is the first time in nearly two decades all three of the major April holidays overlap: Easter, Passover, and Ramadan. In Greek “apokalypsis" means an unveiling, a revelation. Michael and I discuss collective catharsis and gratitude, finding meaning and light in the dark, and how improvisation can help with acceptance. What’s on your mind? Submit follow-up questions for a future conversation at http://pivotmethod.com/ask Check out show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/186 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/8/20) I was thrilled to welcome Penney Peirce to April’s Pivot Insider private Q&A this past week, and knew that her refreshing perspective would be the perfect breath of fresh air for this holiday weekend. In Part One of this call, Penney shares how to drop our attachment to suffering (and bad news) and shift into our preferred state of of being instead. Penney sees 2020 as the Year of Choice: the time to choose your reality after this all clears. Make sure you stay tuned and subscribe to the Pivot podcast so you don’t miss the next installment :) We have 11 conversations in the Penney & Jenny show so far, and be sure to also check out episodes 168 and 169 — listen in as we unpack her essay in conversation together, How Coronavirus is Speeding Us Toward Transparency. We talk about the stock market, how money is like a child and responds to our inner energy blueprint, and making the most of creative lulls (when ready). Do the next courageous thing. If you’d like to submit a question for us for a future episode visit http://PivotMethod.com/ask » Join us at http://PivotMethod.com/insider by supporting the podcast with a small monthly donation, and you’ll also get instant access to 7+ months of archives and a slew of bonus resources, including a two-hour Upgrade Your Energy workshop. View full show notes from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/185 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded 4/9/20) Join me and business bestie Dorie Clark as we discuss how we’re reinventing and navigating our way through the unknowns of this crisis on a day-by-day basis. In our recent LinkedIn Live session we covered a range of topics including: When is it time to pause, and when is it time to double-down? How can we create offerings during this time in a way that is sensitive and respectful, not salesy? What about those who are furloughed and feeling in a state of limbo? If you haven't already, listen to our previous episodes together on how to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following, How to Monetize Your Ideas, and Creating Multiple Streams of Income. Check out Dorie's Recognized Expert Evaluation Toolkit and her Entrepreneur Self-Assessment, which we mention in this episode. Get full show notes and links from this episode at http://pivotmethod.com/184 » Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded April 8) There is no one I was more delighted to connect with during this wild, winding time than longtime friendtor Alexandra Franzen. I’ve been following her work since 2011, and consistently delighted by the devotion, care, and creativity she gives to her community. Alex is a writer, consultant, entrepreneur, retreat leader, and proud “checklist freak” based in Hawaii. She is the founder of the Tiny Press, a publishing imprint specializing in very short books–100 pages or less. Today we’re talking about her 6th book, The Checklist Book: Set Realistic Goals, Celebrate Tiny Wins, Reduce Stress and Overwhelm, and Feel Calmer Every Day. Other books include You’re Going to Survive and So This Is the End: A Love Story. In this conversation we touch on many of the topics she writes about: life, love, grief, unplugging from technology, creativity, focus, simplicity, time–and yes, the power of checklists for self-care, not just productivity! Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/183 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Recorded April 8) Mori Taheripour is an award-winning educator and globally-recognized executive with over fifteen years of experience leading initiatives at the intersection of sports, social change, and negotiations in both the public and private sectors. Today we’re talking about her new book, Bring Yourself: How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly. We cover what it’s like launching amidst a global crisis, how negotiation has accelerated for all of us these days, why anyone can be a good negotiator, and strategies for problem-solving and relationship-building during crazy times like these. Check out full show notes from this episode with links to resources mentioned at http://pivotmethod.com/182 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices