The Courageous Life

On Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry Colonna

Feb 20, 2025

Parker Palmer, a legendary teacher and activist, joins Jerry Colonna, a CEO coach and co-founder of Reboot, for an insightful discussion on embracing impermanence. They explore how accepting change enriches our lives and fosters community. Personal stories highlight the beauty of vulnerability and the importance of deep connections amidst uncertainty. They advocate for letting go of control and finding genuine purpose, emphasizing growth through our shared experiences of loss and the transformative power of supportive relationships.

01:11:08

Episode guests

Jerry Colonna

Parker J. Palmer

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Embracing impermanence allows individuals to cultivate gratitude, leading to deeper appreciation for life's transient nature and shared experiences.

Sharing vulnerabilities fosters empathy and mutual healing, creating a supportive community that transforms individual struggles into collective growth.

Recognizing that value is not tied to outcomes encourages authenticity in work, allowing fulfillment through alignment with one's values and purpose.

Deep dives

The Relationship Between Impermanence and Community

Experiencing impermanence can initially feel like a painful reminder of loss, but it ultimately leads to the realization of shared suffering and the importance of community. The fear of uncertainty often stems from an underlying fear of loss, prompting individuals to seek connection with others. As one embraces this awareness, they discover that others, too, are navigating their own struggles, leading to a deeper understanding of kinship. This sense of community fosters a supportive environment where individuals can collectively confront and transcend feelings of isolation created by impermanence.

Intro

3min

Embracing Impermanence: An Introduction to a Transformative Discussion

4min

Embracing Impermanence

23min

Embracing Impermanence: Growth Through Uncertainty

30min

The Journey of Embracing True Calling and Finding Community

5min

The Power of Kinfolk and Impermanence

4min

Embracing Community and Overcoming Fear

4min

Things are changing all the time.

From the seasons,

To the weather, our emotions, and our relationships.

We are born, we grow old, and ultimately we die.

To walk through life means to walk hand-in-hand with impermanence.

It is simply part of what it means to be human.

And this season on the podcast we wanted to make these shared experiences of change and uncertainty a focal point of our larger conversation.

So for 3 episodes we are bringing together some of the great teachers, physicians, writers, and leaders of our time.

To reflect on how we might embrace impermanence rather than push it away.

From learning to relax into uncertainty,

To loosening the grip of control as we aspire toward what matters to us with less attachment to the outcome,

To opening up the possibility of appreciating the preciousness and beauty of being alive.

Last week we kicked off this series with world renowned meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg and palliative care physician and author, Dr. Sunita Puri.

Today, we are continuing with a deeply moving conversation between -

Legendary teacher, activist, and best selling author Parker Palmer

And

CEO Coach, and co-founder of leading executive coaching firm Reboot, Jerry Colonna.

Both Parker and Jerry have taught, written, and coached extensively on the topic of work - so today that’s where much of our conversation will go.

Some of the questions we'll explore include:

How might we lean into the dynamic ebb and flow of our work experience with greater levity, wisdom, and compassion?
What are the ways in which we can work in greater alignment with the imperatives of our soul?
And for those on the unconventional path how can we find the courage to keep going in the face of doubt and fear?

For more on Jerry please check out reboot.io

And for more on Parker please visit: newcomerpalmer.com

Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:

Enjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Thanks for tuning in!

Support the show

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

The Courageous Life

On Work, Friendship, and Embracing Impermanence | Parker Palmer & Jerry Colonna

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Relationship Between Impermanence and Community

Embracing Impermanence as a Path to Growth

The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity

Finding Meaning Beyond Outcomes

The Journey Toward Shared Purpose

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts