John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market and proponent of conscious capitalism, shares his enlightening journey in this engaging conversation. He discusses how love and compassion can redefine business, emphasizing mutual benefits over profit alone. Mackey reveals the personal and spiritual influences that shaped his philosophy and introduces his new venture, Love Life, aimed at promoting wellness. He also confronts misconceptions about capitalism, encouraging us to foster forgiveness and resilience even amidst betrayal.
01:28:23
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Capitalism: A Win-Win System
Capitalism isn't a zero-sum game; it's a system of voluntary trade for mutual benefit.
Competition drives progress, benefiting all stakeholders like customers, employees, and investors.
question_answer ANECDOTE
LSD and the Genesis of Whole Foods
John Mackey's life changed after an LSD trip at 22, leading him to see life as a spiritual adventure.
This experience prompted him to explore vegetarianism, work at a natural food store, and eventually co-found Whole Foods.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Life as a Lucid Dream
Mackey likens life to a lucid dream where our thoughts and emotions shape our experiences.
Forgiveness, kindness, and compassion create a happier dream, shifting our world positively.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this book, John Mackey and Raj Sisodia argue for the inherent good of both business and capitalism. They illustrate how well-known companies like Whole Foods Market, Southwest Airlines, Costco, Google, and Patagonia use four tenets—higher purpose, stakeholder integration, conscious leadership, and conscious culture and management—to create value for all stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, investors, society, and the environment. The authors advocate for a more cooperative, humane, and positive future by advancing capitalism toward its highest potential through these principles.
A Course in Miracles
Dr. William Thetford
Dr. Helen Schucman
A Course in Miracles is a three-volume set consisting of the Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers. It aims to undo the illusion of separation from God and others by teaching forgiveness, releasing the past, and cultivating higher guidance. The Text presents the theoretical foundation, the Workbook provides 365 daily lessons to change the student's mind and perception, and the Manual for Teachers addresses practical questions and clarifies key terms. The course emphasizes the importance of spiritual vision, the unity of all, and the correction of misperceptions to achieve inner peace and happiness[3][4][5].
The Whole Story
Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism
John Mackey
The Whole Story is more than just a business success story; it is a tale of a retail, cultural, and dietary revolution that has forever changed the industry and the way people eat. John Mackey shares never-before-told tales of the people and passions behind Whole Foods, including the colorful cast of idealists and foodies who formed the company’s DNA, the many breakthroughs and missteps, and the narrowly avoided disasters. The book delves into Mackey’s spiritual journey, from Christianity to New Age mysticism and Eastern wisdom, as well as his political and intellectual development from a countercultural co-op dweller to a libertarian and Conscious Capitalist. It also explores his personal passions, such as long-distance backpacking, and his philosophical and ethical awakenings, particularly regarding animal welfare and industry practices.
SUMMIT OF GREATNESS IS 30 DAYS AWAY! Get your tickets before they’re gone at lewishowes.com/tickets.
Welcome back to The School of Greatness! In today's episode, we have a legendary guest who has revolutionized the way we think about business and wellness. John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods, joins us to share the incredible journey that led him to create one of the most successful and beloved brands in the world. We'll dive into his philosophy of conscious capitalism, the powerful role love has played in his leadership, and his latest venture, Love Life, which is all about helping people become the best versions of themselves. Get ready for an inspiring conversation with one of the most visionary entrepreneurs of our time!
The School of Greatness 
