Flourish FM

We interview Dr. Sara Kuburic, existential psychotherapist, writer, and columnist for USA Today, about how existential psychotherapy can help us to flourish. In particular, we discuss Sara’s work on “self-loss”: what it is, how to identify it and rebuild our sense of self; how overcoming self-loss can help us flourish; and how to live a more authentic and meaningful life. Sara is the author of It’s On Me: Accept Hard Truths, Discover Your Self, and Change Your Life (Penguin Random House, 2023). The book is a guide to identifying self-loss – one of our greatest unspoken human sufferings, that feeling of being estranged or disconnected from your true self – so we can stop feeling the pain and emptiness that comes from performing or observing life, rather than living it. Sarah was born in Yugoslavia and raised in Canada, and completed her doctorate in psychotherapy science in Vienna, under the supervision of Dr. Alfried Längle, the founder of existential analysis. She is a trauma-informed clinician with a person-centered approach that is grounded in existential analysis, as well as somatic and experiential techniques. She specializes in moral trauma, identity, existential crisis, and relationship issues.   Sara is passionate about helping people seek change and live authentic, free, and meaningful lives. Her interest in psychology stems from her personal experience living through wars, navigating complex relationships, and continually learning what it means to be human.   Learn more and subscribe at flourishfmpodcast.com   Follow us: YouTube @flourishfmcast Instagram @flourishfmpodcast TikTok @flourishfmpodcast Twitter @flourishfmcast Facebook @flourishfmcast LinkedIn @flourishfmpodcast   Dr. Sara Kuburic: Website Substack Instagram LinkedIn TikTok YouTube Facebook Twitter It’s On Me: Accept Hard Truths, Discover Your Self, and Change Your Life (Penguin Random House, 2023)   Timestamps: 00:00:05 - Introduction to Dr. Sarah Kuburic 00:00:26 - Understanding Self-Loss 00:00:37 - Sara's Approach to Psychotherapy 00:01:05 - The Existential Lens on Flourishing 00:02:02 - Defining Existential Psychotherapy 00:03:04 - Core Concepts in Existential Psychotherapy 00:03:38 - Empowering Clients to Face Truths 00:04:08 - Sara’s Specialisms: Moral Trauma and Identity 00:04:42 - Insights from Existential Psychotherapy Practice 00:05:05 - Study on Moral Injury in Infidelity 00:06:20 - Understanding our Sense of Self 00:07:09 - The Ingredients of our Sense of Self 00:08:33 - Constructing vs. Finding the Self 00:09:34 - Self-Loss and the Journey to Self-Discovery 00:10:19 - The Process of Creating the Self 00:11:42 - The Role of Community in Self-Formation 00:12:17 - Trauma and Its Impact on the Self 00:13:33 - The Importance of Facing Ourselves 00:14:15 - The Role of Responsibility in Flourishing 00:16:09 - The Complexity of Human Psychology and Trauma 00:17:33 - The Connection Between Trauma and Self-Loss 00:18:32 - The Role of Flourishing in Existential Psychotherapy 00:19:32 - The Complexity of Moral Trauma and Infidelity 00:20:37 - The Relationship Between Flourishing and Suffering 00:21:07 - The Importance of Community and Humor in Well-Being 00:22:21 - Psychological Flexibility and Inner Safety 00:23:27 - The Role of Responsibility in a Good Life 00:25:06 - Building Inner Safety and Trust in Oneself 00:26:08 - The Empowering Message of Responsibility 00:27:16 - The Role of Reflection in Building Well-Being 00:28:46 - Practical Tips for Self-Discovery and Well-Being 00:30:14 - The Role of Community in Authentic Living 00:31:24 - Using Humor and Reflection for Self-Understanding 00:32:20 - The Runaway Bride Analogy for Self-Discovery 00:33:11 - The Importance of Continual Self-Exploration 00:34:03 - Disconnection from Self: Emotions, Body, and Mind 00:35:17 - Cultural Observations on Flourishing and Self 00:36:07 - The Role of Community and Confidence in Self-Formation 00:37:04 - Finding Meaning in Suffering for Fulfillment 00:38:58 - Psychological Richness and Flexibility 00:39:55 - WEIRD Populations in Psychological Research 00:40:05 - Building Psychological Agility and Inner Safety 00:41:09 - The Relationship with Oneself and Inner Safety 00:42:12 - The Impact of Meaning and Happiness on Well-Being 00:43:45 - The Importance of Emotional and Psychological Flexibility 00:44:59 - Inner Safety and Standing Behind Oneself 00:45:44 - Journaling for Self-Reflection and Well-Being 00:47:55 - The Role of Community and Humor in a Good Life 00:49:28 - Final Thoughts on Self-Reflection and Well-Being 00:50:36 - Where to Find Sara’s Book

Josh Hernandez, an entrepreneur, MBA, AI consultant, and father, shares his remarkable journey from a lower-middle-class upbringing in El Paso, Texas. He highlights the power of antifragility, showcasing how resilience can be built through personal challenges and community support. Josh reflects on the importance of social connections, faith, and vulnerability in cultivating happiness. He also discusses his transition from trucking to AI consulting, emphasizing the value of integrity and relationships in business.

Join Bob Goulet, a resilient entrepreneur and inventor with over two dozen patents, as he discusses his inspiring journey from tragedy to transformation. He illuminates the concept of antifragility, sharing how challenges enhance strength and purpose. With insight into personal growth, he emphasizes the value of embracing adversity for unexpected successes. Bob also dives into parenting, offering practical tips for fostering independence in children while promoting resilience. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes and strategies for thriving in life!

In this engaging conversation, Jackie Space, an aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and defense expert, shares her remarkable journey from the military to national security innovation. She discusses the concept of antifragility, illustrating how challenges shape resilience. Jackie reflects on balancing motherhood with her career, the intersection of commercial space and military tech, and the transformative impact of adapting entrepreneurial principles for government solutions. Her insights on personal growth through adversity and nurturing her daughter's independence are both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Peter Goldstein, a seasoned entrepreneur and capital markets expert with over 35 years of experience, shares valuable insights into antifragility. He explains how embracing challenges leads to personal growth, contrasting it with mere resilience. Goldstein discusses chosen suffering and its role in meaningful pursuits, as well as the influence of family values on his entrepreneurial journey. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and optimism in navigating adversities, drawing from his wealth of experiences, including successful IPOs and strategic investments.

Professional author, speaker, and world champion Donene Taylor discusses antifragility and personal growth. She shares insights on embracing challenges, overcoming self-defeating loops, and the path to antifragility. The podcast explores developing resilience, emotional regulation, and the impact of mindset shifts. Donene's journey from victimhood to empowerment is highlighted, inspiring listeners to thrive through adversity.

Combat veteran and leadership trainer Kawika Lau discusses embracing antifragility for personal growth after trauma. He shares insights on navigating trauma, finding purpose in adversity, and weaving anti-fragility principles into parenting for holistic well-being.

We interview Emmie Bidston and Dr. Katy Granville-Chapman, authors of Leader: Know, love and inspire your people (2020), about leadership for flourishing. Our conversation focuses on what makes a great leader and how to promote flourishing through leadership. Emmie is an Associate Fellow of the Oxford Character Project and a Senior Fellow of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Flourishing Network. Emmie studied Economics at the University of Cambridge before working for the UK civil service in a range of areas from education to contingency planning. She is currently head of Economics at Wellington College and Director of the Wellington Leadership and Coaching Institute. She co-founded a charity to help develop young leaders in Africa and runs conferences, coaching and leadership training for adults and young people. Katy is an associate fellow of the Oxford Character Project, a Doctoral Teaching Fellow at Oxford University’s Department of Education, a Research Associate at the Oxford University Wellbeing Research Centre, and a Senior Fellow of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Flourishing Network. She is the co-founder of Global Social Leaders, a movement of young people in 105 countries who design and lead social action projects that make a meaningful change in their communities. Katy is also a Deputy Headteacher at Wellington College, focusing on teacher performance and development, and founder of the Wellington Leadership and Coaching Institute. Emmie and Katy’s book Leader has been shortlisted for the Business Book Awards ‘leadership book of the future’ and longlisted for the Chartered Management Institute’s Management Book of the Year.   Learn more and subscribe at flourishfmpodcast.com   Follow us: YouTube @flourishfmcast Instagram @flourishfmpodcast TikTok @flourishfmpodcast Twitter @flourishfmcast Facebook @flourishfmcast LinkedIn @flourishfmpodcast   Emmie’s LinkedIn Katy’s LinkedIn Katy’s Instagram Leader: Know, love and inspire your people (2020) Leadership for flourishing course, based on the book Leadership for Flourishing Global Social Leaders Wellington College Leadership and Coaching Institute Oxford Character Project   Timestamps: 00:00:06 - Introduction to the Episode 00:00:17 - Emmie's Background 00:00:48 - Katy’s Background 00:01:21 - Their book on Leadership for Flourishing 00:02:27 - Guests' Connection with the Hosts 00:03:09 - Guests' Varied Career Paths 00:03:27 - Emmie's Journey to Leadership 00:04:47 - Katy's Military Experience and Leadership Insights 00:06:12 - Katy's Transition into Education and Leadership 00:08:36 - Emmie and Katy's Collaboration 00:09:33 - Overview of their Various Projects 00:10:56 - Katie's Role at Wellington College 00:11:34 - Leadership for Flourishing 00:15:03 - Defining Human Flourishing 00:18:16 - Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Well-Being 00:22:16 - The Role of Unpleasantness in Flourishing 00:24:03 - What Makes a Great Leader 00:26:01 - Examples of Courageous and Loving Leaders 00:30:38 - The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 00:32:23 - Developing Character and Virtues 00:34:14 - The Double-Edged Sword of Character Strengths 00:37:49 - The Three Key Lessons for Leaders 00:39:09 - Practical Advice for Leaders 00:41:11 - The Role of Authenticity in Leadership 00:42:37 - Factors for Outstanding Team Performance 00:44:59 - Love as a Central Leadership Skill 00:47:19 - Love's Role in Team Dynamics 00:50:59 - Matthew Lee's Work on Love in Education

In this episode, Dr. Adam Wright discusses building antifragility for peak performance and fulfilling potential. He shares insights on mental skills, working with high-stakes clients, and the importance of fostering flourishing. The conversation explores the journey to alignment and self-discovery, the Anti-Fragile Academy, and the transformative nature of embracing discomfort for personal growth.

We interview Dr. Sharon Grossman, also known as the “Burnout Doc,” about how to prevent and recover from burnout, and manage stress. We discuss what burnout is, its symptoms and causes, and how to identify and reduce the risk of it. The conversation provides practical tips and strategies for preventing and recovering from burnout, managing stress, and building resilience.  Sharon Grossman is a leading expert on burnout, stress, productivity, and employee well-being. She is a psychologist, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of the international bestseller The Solution to Burnout: 7 Steps from Exhausted to Extraordinary (2020). Her most recent book is The Stress Advantage: Lessons from the Tennis Court (2023).    Sharon teaches, trains and coaches people and organizations to become resilient in the face of stress, build the skills for optimal performance, redesign their mindsets, habits and lifestyle, and overcome resentment.    Learn more and subscribe at flourishfmpodcast.com/sharongrossman    Follow us: YouTube @flourishfmcast Instagram @flourishfmpodcast TikTok @flourishfmpodcast Twitter @flourishfmcast Facebook @flourishfmcast LinkedIn @flourishfmpodcast   Sharon’s website: drsharongrossman.com Sharon’s LinkedIn Sharon’s YouTube Sharon’s Instagram The Solution to Burnout: 7 Steps from Exhausted to Extraordinary (2020) The Stress Advantage: Lessons from the Tennis Court (2023) Sharon’s Burnout Meter quiz   Timestamps: 00:00:05 - Introduction to Dr. Sharon Grossman 00:00:53 - Burnout and Its Symptoms 00:01:36 - Stress and Burnout 00:02:21 - The Complexity of Burnout 00:03:14 - Empowering Individuals to Address Burnout 00:04:08 - Chronic Stress and Its Impact 00:05:26 - The Role of Organizational and Personal Factors in Burnout 00:06:11 - Understanding Stress and Its Chronic Nature 00:07:07 - Psychological Triggers and Chronic Stress 00:08:12 - The Stress Bucket Analogy 00:09:17 - Identifying Patterns in Burnout Experiences 00:10:07 - Mindset Shifts to Combat Burnout 00:11:00 - The Importance of Personal Responsibility in Burnout 00:12:15 - The Stress-Burnout Continuum 00:13:17 - The Stigma Around Burnout 00:14:19 - The Role of Personal Factors in Burnout 00:15:20 - Defining Burnout Beyond Workplace Stress 00:16:26 - The Stress Bucket Overflowing 00:17:19 - Symptoms of Burnout: Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Reduced Performance 00:18:35 - The Emotional Impact of Stress and Burnout 00:19:14 - The Importance of Coping Mechanisms 00:20:20 - The Role of Triggers in Stress and Burnout 00:21:20 - The Importance of Self-Awareness in Managing Stress 00:22:22 - Clarifying the Definition of Stress 00:23:09 - The Role of Emotional Responses in Stress 00:24:29 - The World Health Organization's Definition of Burnout 00:25:21 - Challenging Standard Definitions of Burnout 00:26:16 - The Three Contributing Factors to Burnout 00:27:21 - The Thinker, Feeler, and Doer Personality Structures 00:29:29 - The Nuances of Burnout and Personalized Recovery 00:30:32 - The Symptoms of Burnout and Their Variability 00:31:31 - Gender Disparities in Burnout Experiences 00:32:37 - The “7E Solution” to Burnout 00:35:18 - Understanding the Spectrum of Burnout Symptoms 00:36:05 - Necessary Conditions and Symptoms of Burnout 00:37:09 - The 7E Solution to Burnout and Emotional Intelligence 00:38:13 - The Importance of Self-Awareness in Burnout Recovery 00:39:09 - Identifying Personal Contributors to Burnout 00:40:26 - The 7E Solution Framework for Burnout Recovery 00:41:10 - The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Burnout Recovery 00:42:35 - The 7E Solution to Burnout: Emotional Intelligence 00:43:47 - The Impact of Appreciation and Purpose on Burnout 00:44:29 - Deciding to Stay or Leave a Stressful Work Environment 00:45:12 - The Trap of Financial Obligations and Burnout 00:46:06 - A Blueprint for Self-Coaching 00:47:14 - Emotional Intelligence as the First Step to Burnout Recovery 00:48:06 - Breaking Negative Thinking Patterns to Prevent Burnout 00:49:00 - A Client's Experience with Catastrophizing and Burnout 00:49:54 - Realizing the Power of Networking to Overcome Burnout Fears