Christopher Lochhead Follow Your Different™

On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we engage with psychologists Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener to explore the concept of radical listening. We discuss why effective listening is challenging in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world and identify cultural and emotional barriers that hinder genuine communication. We’ll also highlight how radical listening can transform personal and professional relationships by making others feel seen, valued, and heard through active curiosity and empathy. This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to cultivate deeper connections through intentional and empathetic listening practices. You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go. Introduction to Radical Listening Christopher sets the stage by introducing his esteemed guests, Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener. He poses them a critical question: why do so many people struggle with listening effectively? This question serves as the foundation for a deep dive into the nuances of listening and its impact on human connection. Dr. van Nieuwerburgh begins by highlighting a paradox: despite being born with the ability to hear, many individuals fail to listen well. He attributes this to several factors: our current fast-paced modern lifestyles, technological distractions, and each person’s internal emotional barriers. Dr. Biswas-Diener adds that cultural dynamics play a significant role in shaping our listening habits. In Western societies, individualism often leads to conversations becoming competitions for airtime. People frequently listen with the intent to respond rather than to understand, resulting in superficial interactions. This “waiting to talk” mentality is a significant barrier to genuine listening. The Importance of Curiosity Chistopher shares his personal journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of personal development in improving listening skills. He recalls a coach who taught him that what many people call listening is often just waiting for their turn to speak. This insight underscores the need for a shift in mindset. Dr. van Nieuwerburgh agrees and adds that a key aspect of radical listening is approaching conversations with curiosity. When individuals genuinely seek to understand others, they create a space for deeper connection. This involves asking them open-ended questions, avoiding assumptions, and practicing patience and letting the other person finish their thoughts without interruption. Cultural Influences on Listening The conversation shifts to the impact of technology and social media on listening habits. Christopher points out that many platforms prioritize self-promotion and broadcasting over genuine interaction. This environment fosters a culture of “me first,” where individuals are more concerned with sharing their own experiences than engaging with others. Christopher also reflects on the teachings of Stephen Covey, who emphasized the importance of seeking first to understand before being understood. He contrasts this with the current trend of self-centered communication, where individuals prioritize their own narratives over listening to others. Dr. Biswas-Diener acknowledges this shift and highlights the need for a rebranding of listening practices to emphasize connection rather than mere comprehension. To hear more from Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh & Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener and how Listening can be a superpower in everyday life, download and listen to this episode. Bio ​Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh is a distinguished executive coach, academic, and consultant, renowned for his contributions to coaching and positive psychology. He currently serves as Professor of Coaching and Positive Psychology at the Centre for Positive Health Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Ireland and is a Principal Fellow at the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne. Additionally, he holds the position of Consulting Professor, supporting Growth Coaching International and the Instructional Coaching Group. ​ Dr. van Nieuwerburgh has authored and edited numerous influential works in the field, including “An Introduction to Coaching Skills: A Practical Guide” and “Coaching in Education: Getting Better Results for Students, Educators and Parents.” His research interests encompass intercultural coaching, the creation of coaching cultures, and the integration of coaching within educational settings. He is also the editor-in-chief of “Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice.” Passionate about fostering positive learning environments, Dr. van Nieuwerburgh collaborates with educational institutions worldwide to implement coaching initiatives. His work emphasizes the transformative power of coaching in education, aiming to enhance outcomes for students, educators, and parents alike. ​ Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener ​Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is a psychologist, researcher, and author renowned for his work in positive psychology. Dubbed the “Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology,” he has conducted research on happiness and well-being among diverse groups, including the Amish, Inuit, and Maasai. ​ He has authored over 75 peer-reviewed articles and multiple books, such as “Positive Provocation” (2023) and “The Upside of Your Dark Side” (2014). His research focuses on topics like happiness, strengths, and leadership. As an executive coach and trainer, Dr. Biswas-Diener has worked with organizations worldwide, including Deloitte and the Australia Department of Defense. In 2024, Thinkers50 recognized him as one of the 50 most influential executive coaches globally. ​ Links Connect with Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh & Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener! Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener LinkedIn | Website Dr. Christian van Nieuwerburgh LinkedIn | X (formerly Twitter) We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on iTunes!

On this episode of  Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we explore the transformative potential of intellectual capital (IC) with our fellow Pirate Eddie Yoon. Intellectual Capital (IC) is a valuable yet often overlooked asset, which can help you to shift from being knowledge workers to creator capitalists. We also discuss the challenges of making complex ideas accessible and highlights the importance of diagnostics in leveraging IC, and go into the concept of “lenses,” or perspectives, that can illuminate new opportunities. This episode serves as a call to action for individuals to recognize and monetize their unique knowledge, fostering innovation and personal growth. You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go. The Essence of Intellectual Capital Christopher opens the discussion by talking about how intellectual capital is often an underappreciated asset. Intellectual capital is not just for academics or certified experts; it is an asset that everyone possesses. Many individuals possess a wealth of knowledge accumulated over their careers, yet they fail to recognize its potential value.  The key is understanding how to package and monetize this knowledge effectively. Eddie Yoon elaborates on this point, discussing the transition from being a knowledge worker to becoming a creator capitalist. A knowledge worker typically replicates existing knowledge, while a creator capitalist actively creates new knowledge and value. This shift is crucial in a rapidly changing job market, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence and automation, which threatens many traditional jobs. The Importance of Diagnostics Another key point in their discussion is the role of diagnostics in understanding and leveraging intellectual capital. Eddie Yoon notes that many industries, particularly healthcare and fitness, utilize diagnostic tests to establish baselines and measure progress. He argues that this practice should be more widely adopted in other fields, including consulting and sales. Eddie cites the historical context of management consulting, referencing Marvin Bower and James O. McKinsey, who emphasized the importance of accounting as a diagnostic tool for financial health. Just as doctors assess patients’ health through tests, businesses should evaluate their performance through similar diagnostics to identify areas for improvement. The Power of Lenses The conversation then shifts to the concept of “lenses”—the perspectives through which we view our ideas and experiences. Eddie Yoon reflects on how writing and teaching have helped him develop a clearer understanding of category design, a concept he believes is crucial for business success. Christopher adds to this by discussing the various types of lenses we encounter in life, using the metaphor of prescription glasses. Just as different lenses can enhance our vision, new perspectives can illuminate previously unseen opportunities. He likens this to using a microscope or telescope, which allows us to see details or distant objects that are otherwise obscured. To hear more from the Category Pirates and their thoughts on Intellectual Capital, download and listen to this episode. Subscribe to Category Pirates today and join the crew in our Category Design journey on the business seas! Don’t forget to grab a copy (or gift!) of one of our best-selling books:  Snow Leopard: How Legendary Writers Create A Category Of One  The Category Design Toolkit: Beyond Marketing: 15 Frameworks For Creating & Dominating Your Niche  A Marketer’s Guide To Category Design: How To Escape The “Better” Trap, Dam The Demand, And Launch A Lightning Strike Strategy The 22 Laws of Category Design: Name & Claim Your Niche, Share Your POV, And Move The World From Where It Is To Somewhere Different  **NEW!** The B2B Tech Marketer’s Guide To Category Design: How To Engineer Your Market, Find What Makes You Different, And Become A Category Queen We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on iTunes!

Eddie Yoon, co-host of the Category Pirates podcast and an expert in business strategy, joins the discussion on the significance of Relationship Capital. He explains how success is not merely about strategy and skills but deeply rooted in personal connections. Yoon argues that true wealth is built through trust and loyalty, asserting that businesses thrive on shared purpose and collaboration. Listeners discover how investing in relationships can lead to unbreakable bonds and long-term success, transforming the way we view personal and business interactions.

On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, Andrew Gilmour, a visionary entrepreneur, discussed how capital markets can transform the way we approach environmental sustainability. The global carbon market is a trillion-dollar opportunity waiting to be realized, yet it remains inefficient and fragmented. By leveraging financial innovation, Andrew Gilmour believes we can create scalable, investable assets that will not only fight climate change but also generate wealth for developing nations. His insights shed light on the current barriers, the revolutionary potential of financial instruments, and why bold action is necessary to disrupt the status quo. You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go. Andrew Gilmour on the Broken State of Carbon Markets Carbon credits were originally designed as a solution to global emissions, allowing companies and governments to offset their carbon footprint by investing in environmental preservation. However, as Gilmour explains, the current system is deeply flawed. The voluntary carbon market, which should be a powerful tool for change, is dramatically undersized. In 2024, it only accounted for about $3 billion in trade volume, a minuscule amount compared to the estimated $4-5 trillion in annual demand​. One key reason for this inefficiency is the absence of liquidity. Unlike traditional stocks or commodities, carbon credits are not structured as financial instruments that can be easily bought, sold, or held as assets. Many companies treat them as a charitable expense rather than a tradable commodity, further limiting the market’s potential. Andrew argues that to unlock real value, we must introduce market structures that allow investors to buy, hold, and even short carbon credits—just as they would with any other financial asset. A Capital Market’s Approach to Environmental Change Andrew Gilmour believes that the only way to make carbon markets work is to integrate them into the global financial system. By structuring carbon credits as assets with clear ownership, transparency, and liquidity, the market can become attractive to a wider range of investors. “The beauty of capital markets is that they harness enlightened self-interest. It’s not for the benevolence of the butcher, the baker, or the brewer that we owe our daily bread, but to their own self-interest.” — Andrew Gilmour​ His approach has already yielded groundbreaking results. In a deal with Bolivia, $5 billion worth of carbon assets were structured and made available for trade, equivalent to 11% of the country’s GDP​. This transaction not only helps reduce emissions but also creates an economic lifeline for developing nations. Through financial innovation, Andrew is proving that environmental sustainability and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. Andrew Gilmour on the Path Forward: Disrupting the Status Quo For decades, climate action has been largely dominated by NGOs and government initiatives. Although they are well-intentioned, these efforts have failed to create scalable solutions. Andrew argues that the key to meaningful change lies in disrupting the existing model and adopting a fully market-driven approach. His vision for the future includes turning forests, kelp beds, and other natural carbon sinks into structured financial assets. By leveraging AI, satellite data, and advanced trading mechanisms, he is building a platform that ensures transparency and accountability in carbon trading. This approach not only benefits the environment but also attracts investors who might not have previously considered sustainability as a viable financial opportunity. As the world moves toward a net-zero future, the need for innovative, market-based solutions has never been greater. Andrew Gilmour’s bold vision challenges conventional thinking, proving that financial markets have the power to drive environmental change at an unprecedented scale. To hear more from Andrew Gilmour and how to unlock trillions in the Carbon Markets, download and listen to this episode. Bio Andrew Gilmour is the Co-founder & CEO of Laconic, a pioneering company revolutionizing carbon markets through financial innovation. With a background in capital markets and data-driven solutions, he is transforming carbon credits into tradable assets, unlocking trillions in environmental investments. Under his leadership, Laconic utilizes AI, satellite data, and regulatory frameworks to bring trust, transparency, and liquidity to carbon trading. His groundbreaking work has already led to billion-dollar deals, proving that sustainability and profitability can coexist. A visionary entrepreneur, Andrew Gilmour is redefining how financial markets drive global climate action and economic growth. Links LinkedIn | Laconic Website We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on iTunes!

Eddie Yoon, co-host of Category Pirates, explores how to break free from traditional career confines by leveraging personal capital: financial, reputation, creator, and relationship. He emphasizes transforming fear into ambition through resilience and self-empowerment. Yoon shares insights on navigating personal growth amid career changes, the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of collaboration over competition in the digital space. His anecdotes highlight the significance of creativity and purpose in crafting a fulfilling life on one’s own terms.

Pastor Evan Mawarire, a Zimbabwean clergyman and activist known for founding the #ThisFlag movement, shares his inspiring journey fighting for justice and social change. He discusses the importance of defying societal norms to embrace authenticity and resilience. Evan reflects on the pursuit of true happiness linked to one's spiritual purpose, navigating faith amid challenges, and the power of language in shaping perceptions. His candid insights reveal how joy can coexist with grief, urging listeners to find meaning and connection in their struggles.

Eddie Yoon, a member of Category Pirates, introduces the innovative concept of Grief Design, advocating for radical self-expression and community support as essential tools in navigating grief. The discussion revolves around the powerful metaphor of the 'empty chair', symbolizing the ongoing presence of loss during the holiday season. Together with Katrina Kirsch, they emphasize the importance of open conversations about grief, balancing pain with joy, and how shared experiences can foster deep connections and healing.

In a delightful conversation with Ken Honda, a bestselling Japanese author known for merging financial wisdom with self-help, listeners explore the concept of 'happy money.' Honda emphasizes that money can bring joy when received and spent mindfully. He promotes gratitude during transactions to transform spending into a joyful experience. The discussion also delves into our emotional relationships with money, encouraging a shift from traditional financial metrics to a more fulfilling, community-oriented approach that prioritizes happiness over wealth.

Welcome to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different 2025! In this New Year’s episode, we reflect on the past year and look forward to 2025, with a focus on significant career trends and the impact of AI on the workforce. With 60% of Americans considering job changes, the episode highlights the diminishing value of traditional knowledge work and the rise of “creative capitalists” who leverage AI for innovation. Our 2025 focus includes helping individuals identify their unique strengths, connect them to meaningful contributions, and achieve personal and financial fulfillment. Join us in embracing these transformative opportunities for a legendary year ahead. You’re listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let’s go.   Trends in Job Changes Recent surveys reveal a striking trend: approximately 60% of Americans are contemplating job or career changes in 2025. This statistic, reported by Gallup and corroborated by a résumé templates survey, indicates a widespread desire for new opportunities. Specifically, 56% of individuals are looking to pursue new jobs, with 27% actively searching. This data suggests that more than half of the workforce is seeking meaningful transitions in their careers.   The New Reality of AI As we navigate this new landscape, we must acknowledge the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). We are no longer in a future where AI is a distant concept; it is now a present reality. The workforce will be divided into two categories: those who thrive in this new environment and those who struggle to adapt. For the past 70 years, the highest value work has been classified as “knowledge work,” a term coined by the renowned Peter Drucker. Knowledge workers acquire valuable information and apply it to produce results. However, in an AI-driven world, the value of existing knowledge is diminishing daily. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can provide insights and strategies that were once the exclusive domain of high-end knowledge workers.   The Rise of Creative Capitalists In this evolving landscape, the new high-value role is that of the “creative capitalist.” These individuals are not just knowledge workers; they are innovators who generate new knowledge and ideas, leveraging AI to enhance their creativity and productivity. Those who can harness AI to create unique solutions and insights will find themselves at the forefront of success in 2025 and beyond. Conversely, those who cling to traditional knowledge work without adapting to the changes brought about by AI may face significant challenges. The tech industry has already seen substantial layoffs, with around 200,000 job losses reported in 2024. This serves as a stark reminder of the need to evolve and embrace new ways of working. To hear more about the new trends and what you need to adapt in this new year 2025, download and listen to this episode.   We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe on iTunes!

Renowned author Steven Kotler, a leader in human performance, shares insights from his book, "The Art of Impossible." He explores intrinsic motivation, detailing how curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery drive peak performance. Delving into the neurobiology of flow states, Kotler emphasizes the role of neurochemicals like dopamine in achieving extraordinary results. He also highlights the importance of aligning actions with passions for fulfilling outcomes, while reflecting on risk-taking in extreme sports and the need for environments that foster creativity and productivity.