The Way of Integrity with Martha Beck

In this episode, we’re delighted to be interviewing the phenomenal Martha Beck. For those of you who do not know Dr. Martha Beck, she is a New York Times bestselling author, a speaker, and a life coach, with an infectious humor. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey once called her the smartest woman she knows.

Martha is passionate and engaging, and she is well known for her unique combination of science, humor, and spirituality.

Having a son with Downs syndrome caused Martha to really consider what human life was about and set her off on “a lifetime adventure of breaking the rules”.

To quote Martha Beck “Emmerson said Beauty is its own excuse for being, and I decided that joy is the felt equivalent and the only real reason to be here”.

In her new book, “The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self,” Martha explains why integrity, or being in harmony with ourselves is the key to a meaningful and joyful life, which is what we discuss in today’s episode.

Martha perfectly helped us understand integrity beyond a virtue to strive for: “the word Integrity comes from the Latin integer, which means whole or intact, undivided”. We need integrity to function as a whole being. In the same way that an airplane needs to be in structural integrity to fly, we need to be true to ourselves in all situations and with all people to be wholly intact, to be in integrity.

Possibly our favorite part is when Martha life coaches Jeni on navigating climate change activism, so make sure to listen out for that!

We also talk about how social pressure can be a benevolent problem for entrepreneurs – “it’s forcing us to find ourselves”. We delve into what we can learn about mentorship from the hero’s saga, and how committing to your integrity can be a force for social change. Finally, the vital importance of self-care, which Martha sees as radical action.

This is a remarkable interview with a world-renowned sociologist about what you need to do to find your integrity and, with it, a sense of purpose, emotional healing, and a life free of mental suffering, so make sure not to miss this episode!

Here’s a peek at what else we discuss:

• An introduction to Martha Beck, from her formal education to her pursuit of joy.
• Learn about integrity, which Martha describes as a feeling of being whole or intact.
• Hear what Martha has to say about overcoming self-doubt, finding your truth, and then walking your talk.
• The idea of being at odds with culture for the sake of individuality rather than conformity.
• The different social pressures that men and women experience and how they affect us.
• Find out how entrepreneurs are affected by conflicting value systems and social pressure.
• What the hero’s saga has to teach us about change and receiving a mentor.
• How Martha found her way through conflict when she was pregnant with her son, Adam.
• Whether or not integrity coincides with happiness; turning suffering into joy.
• How going into your integrity relates to social activism; activating positive, not righteous anger.
• Martha emphasizes the idea that self-care in and of itself is radical action.
• Why self-help should not be about ‘fixing’ yourself but rather about letting the mess that culture has made of your mind fall away.

Resources

• Martha Beck on Twitter
• Martha Beck on Instagram
• Martha Beck
• The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
• The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
• The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
• Tao De Ching by Laozi
• Jennifer Barcelos on LinkedIn
• Sandy Connery on LinkedIn
• Marvelous
• Marvelous on Instagram

This week’s Joy: 

Pretty much everything in Martha's life brings her joy and talking to other people is certainly a part of it.

This week’s Hustle: 

Martha’s hustle is attention without effort - she goes towards what's pulling her and right now (she has no idea why) that's painting — she’s always been doing a lot of art. And she has noticed that “people who just go with their fascination end up creating things that sell well.” According to Martha, “When you are doing something you love in a place you love with the people you love in a way you love, love sells better than hate. So do whatever pulls on you, do it. See what happens.”

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