Audience of One

#055 - Steve Schlafman on Lostness, Downshifting, & Becoming

Mar 15, 2024

Venture capitalist turned transition coach Steve Schlafman discusses lostness, curiosity, downshifting, and balancing ambition with fatherhood. Topics include personal transformation, intellectualizing emotions, mindfulness practices, and the role of curiosity in growth.

01:10:11

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Episode guests

Steve Schlafman

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Quick takeaways

Embracing curiosity as a compass for transformation and new beginnings.

Shedding old identities and beliefs in the liminal space of 'lostness' to pave the way for enlightenment.

Balancing career ambitions with fatherhood responsibilities presents a perpetual challenge for personal growth and fulfillment.

Deep dives

Embracing Curiosity and Transformation

Transformation is depicted as a prolonged journey that can happen rapidly in certain moments but divulges its full extent over a longer period. The transition coach emphasizes the significance of curiosity in guiding new directions and delving into mindfulness practices. The conversation between Spencer Keir and Steve Schlaffman delves into primal instincts like lossness and shedding known identities in pursuit of enlightenment.

Introduction

3min

Navigating Transformation Through Mindfulness Practices

23min

Exploring the Power of Curiosity in Transformation

4min

Navigating Spiritual Practices and Avoiding Consuming Obsession

4min

Embracing Deceleration for Personal Growth

23min

Navigating Transformation with a Supportive Partner

9min

Exploring Authenticity and Self-Reflection

2min

Exploring Truths and Embracing Uncertainty

2min

Steve Schlafman is a venture capitalist turned transition coach. We talk about lostness, transformation, curiosity, mindfulness practices, his new Downshift program, being a husband and father, and more.

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(00:59) Lostness, navigating liminal identity space, personal transformations

(18:31) Head and heart, mind and body; intellectualizing emotions & feelings

(25:52) The role of curiosity; people, world, self

(29:52) Using practices as a means to an end

(34:21) Is downshifting antithetical to the history of humanity (advancement)?

(41:32) When to upshift

(46:27) Stillness & silence

(52:43) Renewal, rediscovery, experimentation

(57:39) Spouse support during transformations

(01:02:35) Balancing ambition & being a father

(01:06:54) Final question for listeners: what stops you from being at your best