The Courageous Life

Amy C. Edmondson, PhD, is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to support the study of human interactions that lead to the creation of successful enterprises that contribute to the betterment of society. Edmondson has been recognized by the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 and was honored with the Talent Award in 2017. If you are not familiar with Thinkers50 it has been described as “The Oscars of Management Thinking.” This year (2019) Amy Edmondson is nominated for the Breakthrough Idea award. Her work on psychological safety is considered to be thinking that has the potential to change the world. Dr. Edmondson studies teaming, psychological safety, and leadership. Her new book,The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation and Growth (Wiley, 2018), offers a practical guide for organizations serious about success in the modern economy. In this episode we explore:-Amy's unexpected journey to discovering the importance of psychological safety-Why fear is not an effective motivator for learning, teamwork, and innovation-A closer look at organizations like Pixar and how they have built strong psychological safety within their teams-How psychological safety is a catalyst for courage-Practical strategies for creating psychological safety-How leaders can make, or break, psychological safety within organizational cultures-And more!Please take a moment and rate the show on iTunes!For show notes and all other episodes visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

Kevin Cashman is a best-selling author, global thought leader, CEO Advisor, keynote speaker, and pioneer of the ‘grow the whole person to grow the whole leader’ approach to transformative leadership. He is the founder of LeaderSource Ltd, and the Chief Executive Institute® recognized as one of the top three leadership development programs globally. In 2006, LeaderSource was acquired by Korn Ferry, where Kevin is now Global Leader of CEO and Executive Development across 130 offices that touch the lives of 100,000+ leaders monthly. Kevin has advised thousands of CEOs, senior executives and senior teams in more than 80 countries worldwide. He has written six books including Leadership from the Inside Out, named the #1 best-selling business book of 2000 by CEO-READ and is now used at over 150 universities globally. You can find out more about Kevin at www.cashmanleadership.comIn this episode we explore a wide range of topics related to leadership including:The importance of, and challenges with, bringing your whole self to workWhy the art of asking questions is one of the most effective ways to influenceThe courage it takes to grow authentically as a leaderThe importance of storytelling to inspireWhy courage may be the most important quality in leadership developmentAnd more!For show notes and more visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastEnjoying the show? Let us know! Rate the show on iTunes. Thanks for listening!Support the show

Brianna Booth, Ph.D. is the Director of Positive Sexuality at Stanford University. Compelled by a deep belief that we as a society can do better on the challenges of sexuality, Brianna aims to transform the cultural conversation to more fundamentally level-up on both the challenges and possibilities of sexuality. She earned her PhD in Human Sexuality Studies, focusing her research on the lived experience of sexuality and the skills of navigating it well. Brianna is working with students to create a series of programs for undergraduates--Beyond Sex Ed--which take a whole-person, whole-culture approach, centering on student storytelling, the skills for growth and connection, and a recognition of sexuality as an integral part of what it is to be human.In this episode we explore:Why listening is the first and most advanced skill of sexualityBrianna’s courageous story of starting a movement to expand how we conceive of, and discuss the topic of sexualityThe importance of storytelling - how stories foster connection, intimacy, and courageHer groundbreaking approach to teaching sexuality at StanfordHow to develop self-trustWhat positive sexuality is, and why Brianna is so passionate about itPlease take a moment and rate the show on iTunes.For show notes and more visit https://www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

In this episode I sat down with bestselling author, TED speaker, and acclaimed psychologist, Dr. Meg Jay. I had been looking forward to this conversation for years, and it did not disappoint. In this episode we explore Meg's wisdom and insights related to her recent book, Supernormal - The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience, including:How we can build resilienceHow love can transform the effects of adversity and trauma (and the science behind it)The relationship between courage, empathy, and deep listeningHow to support friends, colleagues, and loved ones in the face of adversityHow to challenge the stories we tell ourselves and how learning this skill leads to resilienceWhy the past does not define the futureAnd much more!Links to show notes, resources, and more can be found at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastPlease take a moment to rate the show on iTunes!Meg Jay's background:Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist and a narrative nonfiction writer. In her books, she weaves the latest research with what she hears everyday: the behind-closed-doors stories of real people.In Supernormal, Dr. Jay reveals the secret world of the family hero: those who soar to unexpected heights after childhood adversity. In The Defining Decade, Dr. Jay elevates what it means to be a twentysomething. She argues that, rather than a developmental downtime, the twenties are a developmental sweetspot: a time when the things we do—and the things we don’t do—will have an enormous impact across years and even generations to come. The Defining Decade has been published in more than a dozen countries. Her related TED talk — “Why 30 Is Not the New 20” — has been viewed more than 10 million times. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, O Magazine, and on the BBC, NPR and TED. For more about Meg please visit www.megjay.comSupport the show

In this episode I sat down with acclaimed author, trauma expert, leadership coach, and renowned mindfulness teacher, Dr. David Treleaven. This wide-ranging conversation included a variety of topics related to his recent book Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness including: David's experiences and challenges with meditationWhy David is so passionate about looking at mindfulness from a trauma-informed perspectiveThe dangers of viewing mindfulness as a panacea and why mindfulness is not always beneficialWays to engage in meditation and mindfulness practice that maximize the benefits while minimizing potential downsidesWhat trauma is, and why David believes that a greater understanding of trauma can make the benefits of mindfulness even more powerful Ways to stay engaged and present in difficult conversationsHow organizations and leaders can build more positive and inclusive cultures Practical strategies to stay grounded when triggered or overwhelmedIf you enjoyed this episode please take a moment and rate the show on iTunes. You can also find show notes and links to all episodes at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!David's Background:David Treleaven, PhD, is an acclaimed author, educator, and trauma professional whose work focuses on the intersection of mindfulness and trauma. Utilizing contemporary research to inform best practices, David has offered workshops on trauma-sensitive mindfulness at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, as well as keynote speeches at the Omega Institute in New York and the Institute for Mindfulness in South Africa in Johannesburg. Trained in counseling psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, he received his doctorate in psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and is currently a visiting scholar at Brown University. You can find out more about David, his teachings, and his book Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness at www.davidtreleaven.comSupport the show

In this episode I had a deeply moving and powerful conversation with four members of the Parkland community who were impacted by the school shooting that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High School on February 14, 2018. In this conversation MSD students - Danielle Gilbert and Danny Tabares, Adult Chair of March for Our Lives Parkland - Samantha Novick, and community organizer and respected meditation teacher Shelly Tygielski courageously share their experiences of that day and their road to healing. This is one of the most hopeful and inspirational conversations that has taken place on this show (and that I have ever witnessed or been a part of). I hope you enjoy. **This show contains content that some may find to be upsetting, disturbing, or triggering. Please listen at your own discretion. Thank you.**In this episode we explore:Their experiences of Valentine’s Day 2018Insights about transforming pain into purposeStaying hopeful when times get toughHow they have found the courage to be compassionate, and to love after experiencing hateThe importance of listening, and healthy debateWhat they’ve learned about creating conditions that promote healingWhy little acts of kindness are so importantAnd much more. Guest bios - please note these are partial bios. For full bios, show notes, and links to references and resources mentioned in the show please visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/episode-29Please share this episode, rate the show, and subscribe by heading to iTunes. Thanks for listening!Danielle Gilbert, StudentDanielle Gilbert is currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High School in Parkland, Florida. She has lived in Parkland for her entire life. She was located in one of the classrooms that was shot into on February 14, 2018. She will be attending University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida in the Fall of 2019. Daniel ("Danny") Tabares, StudentDaniel Tabares is an 18-year old Sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High School. Danny was a Freshman during the tragic events of February 14, 2018 and experienced, like many others, trauma but he managed to turn that pain into purpose. Originally from Honduras and also part Colombian, Danny has overcome many challenges in his life prior to shooting and has channeled that strength to focus on helping others. He spends a lot of his time volunteering in the organizations that were formed to commemorate and honor the 17 victims of the Parkland shooting. Samantha Novick, Adult Chair of March for Our Lives Parkland, MSD Alumnus Samantha Novick was the Adult Chairperson for March For Our Lives - Parkland which took place on March 24, 2018, a little over a month after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High School, her alma mater. Sam's mother, Sharon Cutler, is a teacher at Stoneman Douglas and her father is the Vice Mayor of the City of Parkland, the city where she was raised. She is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist and the owner of Bridge Therapy, located in Coral Springs, Florida. She is passionate about giving back to her community, ensuring that the memories of the lives lost are preserved and honored, and supports and leads initiatives that contribute to the eradication of hate. Shelly Tygielski, Community Organizer and Mindfulness TeacherAfter spending almost 20 years in Corporate America, Shelly Tygielski turned to teaching “modern-life mindfulness” full-time. For the past decade, Shelly has volunteered as a community organizer in politics, on campaigns, with social justice organizations and on behalf of underserved school districts as well as helping with Support the show

Thomas Crum is an acclaimed author, martial arts instructor, and presenter in the fields of conflict resolution, peak performance, and stress management. He is known throughout the world for The Thomas Crum Approach, designed to help people become more centered under conflict, more resourceful when facing challenges, and more effective under stress. For over 30 years, Tom has delivered dynamic presentations to management and employees at all levels in corporations, government and non-profit organizations. Some of his corporate clients include Amgen, Sony Pictures, Sony Entertainment, Intel, the Navy SEALS and the National Football League. You can find out more about Tom, his books, and his teachings at www.aikiworks.comIn this episode we explore:Tom’s unexpected journey to becoming John Denver’s personal body guard and coachWhat aikido taught Tom about working with conflictStrategies to stay centered and perform under pressureTom’s insights about captivating audiencesOvercoming fearIf you enjoyed this episode please rate the show on iTunes or write a review. You can find show notes and all other episodes at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

Rhonda V. Magee, J.D. is a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, and an internationally recognized thought and practice leader focused on integrating mindfulness into Higher Education, Law and Social Justice. She also is a leading expert on how mindfulness can be an effective way to reduce implicit bias. You can find out much more about Rhonda's remarkable background in her bio below. In this episode we had a deep, authentic, and wide-ranging conversation related to mindfulness, race, and social justice. Some key highlights included: Rhonda’s perspective on building organizational cultures that are diverse and inclusiveImplicit bias - What it is, how it works, the research behind it, and how mindfulness can be an effective means for reducing itHow, and why, Rhonda teaches mindfulness and compassion to law studentsPractices for engaging in meaningful and difficult conversations about race, politics, and other often challenging issuesRhonda’s story, and why she is passionate about mindfulness as a means for addressing race and social justice issuesThemes from her upcoming book, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Our Communities Through Mindfulness, which arrives September of 2019And more!If you enjoyed this episode please take a moment to rate the show on iTunes. Show notes for this episode can be found at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Rhonda’s background:Rhonda V. Magee, J.D. is Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, and is an internationally recognized thought leader focused on integrating Mindfulness into Higher Education, Law and Social Justice. A student of a wide variety of Buddhist and other wisdom teachers, including Norman Fischer and Jon Kabat-Zinn, she trained as a mindfulness teacher through the Oasis Teacher Training Institute of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. Professor Magee is a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, she recently completed a 2-year term on its Steering Council. She is a member of the Board of Advisors of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness and the Board of Directors for the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute.A Professor of Law for twenty years, Rhonda’s teaching and writing support compassionate conflict engagement and management; holistic problem-solving to alleviate the suffering of the vulnerable and injured; presence-based leadership in a diverse world, and humanizing approaches to education. She sees mindfulness and the allied disciplines as keys to personal, interpersonal and collective transformation in the face of the challenges and opportunities that social change represents.Rhonda is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on mindfulness in legal education, and on teaching about race using mindfulness. Her debut book titled, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulnesscomes out September 2019. Support the show

In this episode I sat down with Frank Ostaseski and had a wide ranging and deep conversation about courage, authenticity, and living life fully by embracing all aspects of one's experience. Frank Ostaseski is an internationally respected Buddhist teacher and visionary cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project (the first Buddhist Hospice in America). He has lectured at Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, Wisdom.2.0 and teaches at major spiritual centers around the globe. His groundbreaking work has been highlighted on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and honored by the Dalai Lama. He is the author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully.In this conversation we explore:-Background on Frank’s pioneering work in end-of-life care-Frank's remarkable stories, and the lessons he has learned, about living with greater meaning, purpose, and love from the thousands of people he has sat with as they went through the process of dying-How to live authentically-Practical ways of finding rest in the midst of the fast pace of modern life-How mindfulness can be useful as a means for dealing with fear and finding courage-And much more!If you enjoyed this episode please rate the show on iTunes!For more on Frank visit www.fiveinvitations.com or www.mettainstitute.orgFor show notes, other episodes, and more visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening and enjoy the show! Support the show

Thupten Jinpa holds his Ph.D. from Cambridge University and has been the principal English translator to the Dalai Lama since 1985. He has translated and collaborated on numerous books by the Dalai Lama including the New York Times Bestsellers Ethics for the New Millennium and The Art of Happiness. He is also the author of A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives and is the main author of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) developed for Stanford University in 2009. In this conversation, Jinpa and I sat down to explore a variety of topics related to compassion including:-How compassion differs from empathy-How compassion can be trained and the some of the neuroscience behind it-What Jinpa has learned about compassion from the Dalai Lama-How compassion training may be the next big wave (particularly in healthcare settings) after mindfulness-How compassion may be able to help bring us together, overcome tribalism and decrease polarizationIf you enjoyed this episode check out www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for all episodes, show notes, and more. More background on Thupten Jinpa:Thupten Jinpa, Ph.D. was trained as a monk at the Shartse College of Ganden Monastic University, South India, where he received the Geshe Lharam degree. Jinpa also holds a B.A. in philosophy and a Ph.D. in religious studies, both from Cambridge University.Jinpa has been the principal English translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama since 1985, and has translated and collaborated on numerous books by the Dalai Lama including the New York Times Bestsellers Ethics for the New Millennium and The Art of Happiness, as well as Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World. His own publications include A Fearless Heart: How the Courage to be Compassionate Can Transform Our Lives and translations of major Tibetan works featured in The Library of Tibetan Classics series. Jinpa is the main author of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) developed for Stanford University in 2009. A frequent speaker at various international conferences on mindfulness, compassion, and contemplative practice, Jinpa serves as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University, Montreal and is the founder and president of the Institute of Tibetan Classics. He has been a core member of the Mind and Life Institute and its Chairman of the Board since January 2012.Support the show

Mark Nepo is a world renowned poet, story teller, teacher, New York Times best-selling author and past guest on Oprah Winfrey’s: Super Soul Sunday. In this episode we sat down to explore many topics from his teachings, his life, and his new book, More Together Than Alone, including:Loneliness and it’s antidoteBuilding community, connection, and belongingMark’s creative process and how he approaches writingMark’s journey with cancer and how that has impacted his life and his workCourage and compassionIf you enjoyed this episode please visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for links to show notes, all other episodes, and more!Mark's background:Mark Nepo moved and inspired readers and seekers all over the world with his #1 New York Times bestseller The Book of Awakening. Beloved as a poet, teacher, and storyteller, Mark has been called "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time," "a consummate storyteller," and "an eloquent spiritual teacher." His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published twenty books and recorded fourteen audio projects. In 2015, he was given a Life-Achievement Award by AgeNation. And in 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and was also chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity. Mark was part of Oprah Winfrey's The Life You Want Tour in 2014 and has appeared several times with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday program on OWN TV. He has also been interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. Mark continues to offer readings, lectures, and retreats. For more on Mark, visit www.marknepo.comSupport the show

In this episode - Author, renowned meditation teacher, and Senior Director of the NYU Global and Spiritual Life Center, Yael Shy, and I sat down to discuss:Mindfulness (what it is, and why many people practice)How mindfulness and meditation can support people as they navigate major life transitions (like going to college, starting a career, becoming a parent, etc) Why mindfulness can be considered a form of courageHow meditation can help with challenges and difficulties including strong emotions, and feelings of anxietyMore topics out of her outstanding new book: What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties and BeyondIf you enjoyed this episode you can find all episodes, show notes, and more at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastYael's background: Yael is the Senior Director of the NYU Global Spiritual Life Center and the NYU 'Of Many' Institute for Multifaith and Spiritual Leadership, as well as the Founder and Director of MindfulNYU, the largest campus-wide mindfulness initiative in the country. She teaches regularly at MNDFL in NYC and is a sought after speaker, teacher, and writer on meditation, interfaith engagement and spirituality. She is the author of the award-winning book, What Now? Meditation for Your Twenties and Beyond (Parallax, November 2017). If you are interested to learn more about Yael, please visit: https://www.yaelshy.comSupport the show

Drs. James and Janice Prochaska, and I, sat down to discuss a wide variety of topics related to their new book, Changing to Thrive. Some key highlights include: How we can successfully make changes in our lives, around our health, or in our work that we may have put off, or struggled with in the pastOvercoming fear and other obstacles that hold us back from changingOvercoming self-doubt, and discouragement Finding the courage to changeHow to skillfully support people as they go through the process of changeEvidence-based strategies for thrivingIf you enjoyed this episode you visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more!Background (selected highlights from bio):James O. Prochaska is Director of Cancer Prevention Research Center and Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Rhode Island. He is the author of over 400 publications, including four books, Changing to Thrive, Changing for Good, Systems of Psychotherapy, and The Transtheoretical Approach. Additionally, Dr. Prochaska is internationally recognized for his work as a developer of the stage model of behavior change and is the founder of Pro-Change Behavior Systems. He has also recently been recognized as one of the top three most preeminent clinical psychologists. For more about James or Janice Prochaska please visit www.jprochaska.com One of the most published authors in the field of social work, Dr. Janice M. Prochaska has led research and development teams for health behavior and organizational change programs as the CEO at Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. from 1997 – 2015. Her collaborations include applying the Model to cutting edge issues like simultaneously reducing multiple risk behaviors and enhancing multiple domains of well-being, healthy weight management in children and adults, preventing bullying, keeping individuals out of trouble with the law, and advancing careers with populations like women scientists.Support the show

In this episode I sat down with Professional Coach, Peace Corps Volunteer, Entrepreneur, and Storyteller, Lisa Daron. Lisa has set off on a mission she calls "The Connection Cure" to see if she can heal herself from chronic illness by traveling across the country and forming meaningful moments of connection with people she meets along the way. Topics we explore in this conversation include: -Lisa's journey with chronic illness and how she came up with the idea for the Connection Cure -What micro moments of connection are and the science behind them-Practical ways Lisa deals with fear and doubt -Lessons she learned about forming connection and relationships from her time as a peace corp volunteer -And much more! If you enjoyed this episode, please visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more! Background on Lisa: Lisa Daron Grossman has been a practicing certified Professional Coach from the Coaches Training Institute and the International Coaches Federation since 2010. She is a practitioner of Positive Psychology, holds her MFA in Creative Nonfiction writing, BA in Anthropology, and a certificate in Mind-Body Medicine. As a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Lisa draws on fifteen years of learning and experience working with non-profits and NGOs in the public health and arts sectors of Swaziland. Prior to working as a coach Lisa worked with storytelling as a documentary filmmaker, a copywriter for the Smithsonian channel, a New York City tour guide, and a professional team builder for over ten years. Lisa is currently living on the road full-time.Support the show

At the tender age of 15 Alison Canavan was catapulted onto the international stage when she represented Ireland in the Supermodel of the World competition in Las Vegas. This spawned a near 22 year career in the fashion industry, which has taken her to the main fashion capitals of London, Paris, Milan and New York and as far around the world as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Having travelled the world as one of Ireland’s most successful international models for nearly two decades, in recent years she has devoted her time to her greatest passion: true health and wellbeing. In this episode we explore: -Alison's journey from world-renowned fashion model to health and wellness coach, motivational speaker, and award winning author of the book Minding Mum. -The connection between self-acceptance, courage, and happiness -What Alison has learned through recovery from addiction about lasting happiness and what she terms true health and wellbeing -The relationship between mindfulness and peace and happiness -The courage in vulnerability -Strategies for being more courageous, and attaining meaningful personal or professional goals If you enjoyed this episode please visit: www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and links to all other episodes. More background on Alison: Helping people to join the dots with their health and wellbeing is Alison’s primary goal and passion. Her interest in nutrition began in 2009 when she started studying Fitness Nutrition Coaching under NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association), in the United States. She graduated with distinction in Nutrition and Health Coaching from Irish Institute of Nutrition and Health (IINH). She holds an Advanced Diploma in Diet and Nutrition therapeutics. In addition to these studies Alison is currently continuing her studies in Mindfulness Facilitation at UCLA. She spoke at The Mindful Life Conference in Washington in April 2017. She has lectured in Trinity College on the module of Motherhood and Mental Health. She delivers talks on stress in the workplace to CEO’s and business leaders across the country. Alison has a weekly wellness column in The Sunday Independent in Ireland and has contributed to numerous publications through the years including You Magazine, VIP Magazine, The Daily Mail, and many more. She was also the featured cover story in the June 2018 edition of Mindful Magazine. For more on Alison please visit www.alisoncanavan.comSupport the show

In this episode venerable Buddhist teacher, distinguished visiting scholar at the Library of Congress, and celebrated author, Roshi Joan Halifax Ph.D. sat down to discuss topics including: -Highlights from her studies at the Library of Congress on the science of compassion -How mindfulness and meditation can help us navigate challenging situations in our lives -Putting compassion into action through a process called GRACE -Her pioneering work in end of life care -What she's learned about compassion from her work with dying people and prisoners -Her views on how to live life more courageously and overcome fears If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes, other episodes from the Courageous Life, and more. Background: Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D., is a Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, anthropologist, and pioneer in the field of end-of-life care. She is Founder, Abbot, and Head Teacher of Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She received her Ph.D. in medical anthropology in 1973 and has lectured on the subject of death and dying at many academic institutions and medical centers around the world. She received a National Science Foundation Fellowship in Visual Anthropology, was an Honorary Research Fellow in Medical Ethnobotany at Harvard University, and was a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Library of Congress. She is Director of the Project on Being with Dying, and Founder of the Upaya Prison Project that develops programs on meditation for prisoners. She is also founder of the Nomads Clinic in Nepal. She studied for a decade with Zen Teacher Seung Sahn and was a teacher in the Kwan Um Zen School. She received the Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat Hanh, and was given Inka by Roshi Bernie Glassman. A Founding Teacher of the Zen Peacemaker Order and founder of Prajna Mountain Buddhist Order, her work and practice for more than four decades has focused on engaged Buddhism. She is the author of multiple books, with the most recent being: Standing at the Edge: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet.Support the show

In this long awaited conversation, renowned Stanford Neurosurgeon, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop, and founder of the Center for Compassion at Stanford School of Medicine, Dr. James Doty discusses: -His incredible story of wandering into a magic shop at the age of 12 and meeting a woman named Ruth who taught him powerful lessons (in meditation) that would change his life forever. -The science of compassion and how cultivating compassion can impact our physical and mental health -His journey to founding the Center for Compassion at Stanford -What he's learned about compassion from the Dalai Lama -And much more For show notes, other episodes, and all things related to the Courageous Life check out www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast Background: James Doty, MD, is a clinical professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University and the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine. CCARE is a research center that examines the neuroscience of compassion and altruism collaborating with Stanford colleagues in neuroscience and psychology, as well as throughout the world. He trained in neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and completed fellowships in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP). He also spent 9 years on active duty service in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. Dr. Doty is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart that has been translated to over 30 languages. He is also the senior editor of the Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science and Presently is developing collaborative research projects to assess the effect of compassion training on immune function and other physiologic determinates of health, the use of mentoring as a method of instilling compassion in students and the use of compassion training to decrease pain. His work has been quoted in a variety of publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. He speaks frequently throughout the world on the science of compassion. For more on Dr. Doty visit www.intothemagicshop.comSupport the show

In this conversation acclaimed Stanford Business School Professor, and author, Leah Weiss and I sat down to discuss a variety of topics including: -Why mindfulness and compassion are important in leadership and organizations -What mindfulness and compassion are and are not -How to respond and persevere in the face of failure or negative feedback -What she's learned about communicating and presenting from teaching a wildly popular course on leading with mindfulness and compassion at the Stanford GSB -The relationship between courage and compassion -How experimentation supports behavior change If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background: Leah Weiss, Ph.D., MSW, is a teacher, researcher, and meditation expert at Stanford University specializing in the application of mindfulness and compassion in secular contexts. Her perennially waitlisted course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Leading with Mindfulness and Compassion, is breaking new ground in an MBA program already famous for innovation. In 2015, she was given the role of Women in Management Facilitator at Stanford business school. As Principal Teacher and Trainer for Stanford’s Compassion Cultivation Training program, founded by the Dalai Lama, Leah developed the curriculum to train more teachers to meet a growing interest in compassion as it applies to people’s work, family, community, and selves. Her first book, How We Work, has recently been released. In addition to her wide range of speaking and consulting work for leading organizations and healthcare settings Leah also works with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she teaches mindfulness and compassion to help veterans cope with post-traumatic stress, and to help VA staff around the Bay Area cope with the stress of their jobs helping veterans. For more on Leah visit www.leahweissphd.comSupport the show

In this episode acclaimed professor, author, speaker, and performance coach Dan Lerner and I explore: -How to answer big questions like what I am going do when I grow up? -The art of achieving success and fulfillment and other insights from his wildly popular science of happiness class at NYU. -How passion isn’t something we often find, but something we develop over time -The difference between harmonious passion and obsessive passion and how harmonious passion can lead to happiness and success -How overnight success is often celebrated even though it’s mostly a myth -The art of teaching and presenting and how to connect in meaningful ways with any audience If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background on Dan: Daniel Lerner is an in-demand speaker, author, strengths-based performance coach and instructor of the science of happiness, one of the most popular undergraduate courses at New York University. Employing cutting-edge research into positive psychology and peak performance, Dan works with students, established and high-potential performing artists, athletes and numerous Fortune 500 companies and executives around the world helping them manage stress and anxiety, achieve well-being, uncover their core strengths and define and realize their own brand of success. With a deep passion for helping the next generation of talent achieve their utmost potential, Dan, along with his co-author and teaching partner Dr. Alan Schlechter, penned U Thrive: How to Succeed in College (and Life). For more on Dan visit www.daniellerner.comSupport the show

In this conversation world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and I discuss a wide array of topics related to meditation, mindfulness, courage, and her new book Real Love, including: -How Sharon defines love -How love can be an antidote to fear -How Sharon overcame her own fear of public speaking -How to connect with anyone (insights she's gleaned from over 40 years of teaching) -How to be with suffering (our own, and that of others) -How to cultivate mindfulness and compassion through meditation -How compassion can help us to overcome burnout If you enjoyed this episode please visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background on Sharon: Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher, and New York Times best-selling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts and the author of ten books including the New York Times best-seller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness, and, Real Love, her latest release by Flatiron Books. Acclaimed for her humorous, down-to-earth teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. She is a regular columnist for On Being, a contributor to Huffington Post, and the host of her own podcast: The Metta Hour. For more on Sharon please visit www.sharonsalzberg.comSupport the show

Today's episode features Mike Erwin - West Point Leadership Instructor, author of Lead Yourself First, and founder of The Positivity Project (a non-profit organization that brings character education to America's youth). In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike and I explored topics like: -Handling pressure -Emotional mastery in the heat of the moment -Solitude and how spending time reflecting and turning inward can promote effective leadership, positive relationships, moral courage, meaning and fulfillment (all of which are themes in Mike’s book Lead Yourself First). -Mike’s experiences in the military as an intelligence officer -Promoting character education in schools through Mike's non-profit, the Positivity Project. For show notes, links to more about Mike and his work, and more, visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast Mike Erwin's background: Mike Erwin is the CEO of The Character & Leadership Center and co-founder & president of the Positivity Project - a non-profit organization with the mission to empower America’s youth to build stronger relationships. He is the co-author of Lead Yourself First by Bloomsbury Press (2017). The book focuses on how solitude strengthens people’s character---and their ability to lead with clarity, balance and conviction. Mike is also a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he serves as an Assistant Professor in Leadership & Psychology. Mike graduated from West Point in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer, serving in three combat tours with the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). Mike earned two Bronze Star Medals from these tours. Following his third deployment, Mike attended the University of Michigan from 2009- 2011, where he studied positive psychology and leadership under the tutelage of the co- founder of positive psychology, Dr. Chris Peterson. While in graduate school in 2010, Mike founded a non-profit organization named Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB). Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their communities through physical and social activity. He volunteered as the Executive Director for 3 years and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Team RWB has 138,000 members and 212 chapters across the world.Support the show

In this conversation acclaimed writer and journalist Emily Esfahani Smith and I discuss a wide array of topics related to meaning in life including:-The difference between meaning and happiness -Why we should pursue meaning -Insights from the science of meaning -Leveraging meaning and purpose to overcome adversity and fear -Practical ways to build meaning into our lives and ultimately craft a life that matters. If you enjoyed this episode check out www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background: Emily Esfahani Smith is a journalist and the author of The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed With Happiness. Her articles and essays have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Atlantic, The New Criterion, and other publications. The former managing editor of The New Criterion, Smith is also an editor at the Stanford University's Hoover Institution, where she advises the Ben Franklin Circles project, a collaboration with the 92nd Street Y and Citizen University to build meaning in local communities. To find out more about Emily visit www.emilyesfahanismith.comSupport the show

In this conversation with Rick Hanson we dive into the topic of his new book, Resilient, and explore: -Resilience as a skill -How to grow inner strengths -Keys to accelerating the process of learning harnessing insights from neuroscience -Self-compassion -Strategies for having difficult conversations If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background on Rick Hanson: Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available in 26 languages and include Hardwiring Happiness, Buddha’s Brain, Just One Thing, and Mother Nurture. His latest book, Resilient, is due out in 2018. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA and founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, he’s been an invited speaker at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and other major universities, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. His work has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR, and other major media. To find out more about Rick, his teachings, writings, as well as freely offered resources check out www.rickhanson.netSupport the show

In this conversation renowned leadership expert Johann Berlin and I discuss some of his wisdom and perspective about what makes a good leader, how to have difficult conversations, peak performance under pressure, and the importance of letting go, as well as, the role of courage in actually being able to do so. Johann provides a number of practical strategies for putting these ideas into practice along the way. If you enjoyed this episode please visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background: Johann Berlin is the CEO of TLEX Institute North America. Working alongside some of the biggest influencers and top leaders in the U.S. and throughout the world Johann is committed to harnessing people's passions by strengthening the connection individuals, teams and organizations have to themselves, to each other, and toward greater shared purpose. He has delivered talks and led workshops at places like TEDx London, GE HealthCare, Stanford Center for Compassion, Microsoft, AMEX, Amazon and the Wharton School of Business (among others). You can also find his writing on leadership and other subjects in places like Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Virgin Unite, Real Leaders, Thrive Global, and the Huffington PostSupport the show

In this powerful conversation with Dr. Fred Luskin we unpack forgiveness, talk about what it is, what it's not, the benefits of it, address forgiveness as a skill, and discuss some of our guests biggest insights after decades of work helping people all around the world learn to forgive. If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background: Dr. Fred Luskin is the author of multiple books, including the bestseller Forgive for Good. He is also the Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. The forgiveness project has successfully explored forgiveness therapy with people who suffered from the violence in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone as well as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. In addition, his work has been successfully applied and researched in corporate, medical, legal and religious settings. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Health Promotion at Stanford University and offers lectures, workshops, seminars and trainings on the importance, health benefits and training of forgiveness, stress management and emotional competence throughout the United States. For more on Dr. Luskin visit: learningtoforgive.comSupport the show

In this passionate interview with Dr. Judson Brewer we explore how our brains learn, how habits are formed, and how people might use this knowledge to create lasting changes, and find happiness in their lives. If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more. Background: Dr. Judson Brewer is a thought leader in the field of habit change and the "science of self-mastery", having combined over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training with his scientific research therein. He is the Chief of the Division of Mindfulness, Director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness and associate professor in medicine and psychiatry at UMass Medical School. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, trained US Olympic coaches, and his work has been featured on 60 Minutes, TED (4th most viewed talk of 2016, with over 8 Million views), Time magazine (top 100 new health discoveries of 2013), Forbes, BBC, NPR), Businessweek and others. A psychiatrist and internationally known expert in mindfulness training for addictions, Brewer has developed and tested novel mindfulness programs for habit change, including both in-person and app-based treatments for smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety. He is the author of The Craving Mind: from cigarettes to smartphones to love, why we get hooked and how we can break bad habits. For more on Dr. Brewer visit: www.judsonbrewer.comSupport the show

Kevin is the Founder and CEO of Miracle Messages, an award-winning nonprofit that reunites the homeless with their loved ones. To date, MM has facilitated over 100 reunions, with 25% getting a person off-the-streets. Their vision is to reunite 1 million people by 2023. For his work, Kevin has been named a TED Resident, TED Speaker, MassChallenge winner, and "Emerging Innovator" by American Express / Ashoka. Miracle Messages has been featured widely, including in the New York Times, NPR, People, on a Shinola billboard in Times Square, and NowThis, whose video reached 26 million views. For more on Kevin check out kevinfadler.comIf you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and moreSupport the show

Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, is an author, researcher, speaker, and public science communicator who is interested in using psychological science to help all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and meaningful life. He is a professor of positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and author and/or editor of 7 books, including Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined and Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind (with Carolyn Gregoire). His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review, and he writes a blog at Scientific American called Beautiful Minds. Kaufman is also host of The Psychology Podcast.If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and moreSupport the show

Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn was a triathlete who passed out during a race, died, and then came back to life. Afterward she wrote a book detailing her journey to recovery, her research on posttraumatic growth, and her trademark rehabilitation process called metahabiliation. In this episode we explore her incredible story and more.Dr. Mikal Flynn received her BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) from University of San Francisco, her FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) from University of California, Davis, and her MSN (Master’s of Science in Nursing) from California State University, Sacramento. Her Doctor of Education was completed in 2007 at St. Mary’s College, Moraga. She is CEO of Metahab.com and an associate professor at Sacramento State University teaching courses in: Neuroscience and Traumatology. Her system of recovery and rehabilitation, MetaHabilitation©, guides survivors and families toward posttraumatic growth (PTG) and is currently utilized in veteran and oncology programs, individuals with chronic pain, addiction and dependency and in private practices. Her work is presented internationally and nationally. Multiple publications include her book, Turning Tragedy Into Triumph. Metahabilitation; A Contemporary Model of Rehabilitation. For more on Dr. Mikal-Flynn head to www.metahab.com. If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more.Support the show

Cory Muscara is on a life-long journey to understand the causes and conditions that lead to suffering and wellbeing. As founder of the Long Island Center for Mindfulness, Cory's work is primarily in the field of mindfulness meditation. In 2012, he spent 6 months in silence practicing Vipassana meditation as a Buddhist monk in Burma under the instruction of Sayadaw U Pandita. Cory currently serves as faculty at Columbia Teachers College where he teaches mindfulness to school leaders from across the country, and is also an assistant instructor for the Master of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He offers keynotes, mindfulness training and mindfulness-based leadership consulting to businesses, schools and healthcare systems, and is a regular guest on the Dr. Oz show in the topic of mindfulness meditation. You can learn more about Cory at www.corymuscara.comIf you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and more.Support the show

Background: Sunny Grosso is a happiness consultant, a Zappos culture specialist, and a thought leader in the culture movement. She helped found the Delivering Happiness consulting team where she co-built the model, developed the approach and led the coaching team. Passionate about creating positive work cultures, she travels the world speaking, coaching and consulting on sustainable culture building. If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes, resources, and more.Support the show

This episode offers an exploration of the science behind courage and overcoming fear, and focuses on how those findings might be used to live a more courageous life. The guest featured on this episode is Dr. Cindy Pury. Cindy sits on the faculty at Clemson University where she is a professor of psychology. Trained as both a clinical psychologist and a researcher, Cindy started out with an interest in studying cognition and fear, looking specifically at threat appraisals. In 2003 she shifted the focus of her work to better understand courage from an empirical standpoint. Cindy is now one of the world's leading thinkers on the science of courage.If you enjoyed this episode please follow the courageous life on soundcloud, or head to www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes, resources, and more.Support the show

Paddy Steinfort is the founder of Toughness.com and a performance coach to elite athletes. A former professional athlete himself, Paddy stayed in the world of elite performance after his playing days ended, serving as a physiotherapist, coach, and manager for a variety of professional football teams in Australia. Through these experiences he saw a huge need to help talented people on the human side of performance and decided to enroll in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Under the guidance of Dr. Angela Duckworth, he ran research on performers. Specifically looking at how to train and shape environments to help these individuals handle stress better. He has since provided performance improvement program design and coaching for teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA Division 1 Football. Paddy also authored the bestselling book Breakfast With Bails - What a Dying Coach Taught Me About Life, Learning, and Leadership. If you enjoyed this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for more episodes, and show notesSupport the show

Emilia Lahti, MsC, MAPP, is a doctoral candidate at the Aalto University School of Science and Technology in Helsinki. She is passionate about action research, social justice, and unearthing new, innovative ways to apply scientific knowledge to solve humanity's grand challenges. She holds master's degrees in social psychology (University of Tampere, Finland) and applied positive psychology (MAPP, University of Pennsylvania) and is an alumna of the Singularity University Global Solutions Program located at NASA Ames Research Park in California. Under the guidance of Dr. Angela Duckworth, Emilia completed her master's thesis on the Finnish construct of 'sisu'. She is also the founder of the Finnish Positive Psychology Association. To find out more about Emilia, her mission, or how to support the SISU Not Silence campaign check out www.emilialahti.comIf you liked this episode visit www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcast for show notes and other resources.Support the show