MINDSET ZONE

“When you are caregiving, it’s very much like being in an airplane: you need to put on your own oxygen mask first, and then you can help others.” Shain Khoja Shain joins us today to discuss the Sandwich Generation and healthy aging. She explains how the need for caregiving impacts the Sandwich Generation’s careers and why healthcare systems need to invest in prevention. She describes the vital role of building intergenerational connections in healthy aging. Shain also reveals how we can prevent isolation and loneliness in the older generation and highlights the importance of self-care when caregiving. This week on The Mindset Zone: The Sandwich Generation and the social implications of caregiving needs The demographics of caregivers and how caregiving impacts women’s careers The challenge of aging in a Western country The value of intergenerational connection and cost-effective ways of healthy aging How technology can help increase and improve human interaction What we can learn from older generations How lack of mobility among older people creates isolation and loneliness Thriving.ai and how it facilitates communication, connection, and learning in caregiving The Guest: Shainoor (Shain) Khoja is a global change maker and serial entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Thriving.ai, a digital platform that addresses aging and caregiving issues by helping keep seniors connected and engaged with family, friends, and caregivers. An advocate for dignified and fulfilling aging, Shain believes that intergenerational interaction and support can lead to a better quality of life, a more robust economy, and lower social and financial healthcare costs. Shain is also the founder and CEO of the Better Business Enterprise and formerly served as the Managing Director of Afghanistan’s #1 mobile operator, Roshan, for over a decade. Resources Mentioned: Book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Are You Making a Difference? | Shainoor Khoja at TEDxBGI Shainoor Khoja at B Inspired Talk, 2017 Connect with Shain Khoja: Thriving.ai - Use code "THRVAM" for 1-year FREE access (Free trial is open to the first 100 claimants.) Thriving.ai on LinkedIn Thriving.ai on Instagram Thriving.ai on Facebook Thriving.ai on Twitter Shain Khoja on LinkedIn Expand What’s Possible

“We can embrace mindsets as habits that our minds depend on—formed by previous experiences and the unconscious and conscious beliefs that we form along the way.” Ana Melikian I believe that leveraging our mindsets can allow us to release our potential as individuals, groups, and organizations. But before we can tap into it, we need to understand what a mindset is. The challenge lies in that there are as many definitions of mindset as there are mindset experts. So, when I was writing the introduction to the Mindset Zone book, I intentionally made a deep dive into the different meanings of mindset and organized them into three categories. In this episode, I define mindsets using three different approaches. I outline positive psychology’s description of mindset as a set of beliefs. I discuss how cognitive psychology sees mindsets as information-processing styles used to accomplish specific tasks. I describe organizational psychology’s view that mindsets are filters that inform our worldviews. I also share my own definition of mindset and underscore the Mindset Zone’s mission to help tap and release humanity’s potential. This week on The Mindset Zone: Identifying the three approaches to defining mindset Mindsets and the human potential for learning and change The “fixed” mindset and my self-perception about singing The “growth” mindset and how dyslexia became my superpower Cognitive psychology’s definition of mindset How setting and implementing goals require different kinds of mindsets to be successful The difference between “deliberative” and “implemental” mindsets The value of knowing when to remain unfocused and focused Tapping and releasing our human potential through self-development work and positive psychology Understanding our nature as connecting beings The different ways to unleash and amplify our potential as human beings My definition of mindsets Challenging our beliefs and expanding what’s possible How learning about habit transformation can shift our mindset and lives What it takes to evolve in a constantly and rapidly changing world The mission of the Mindset Zone podcast Resources Mentioned: Book: Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation by Gabriele Oettingen Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Expand What’s Possible

“With any habit, especially drinking, it’s important to have an accountability source. Declaring what you’re doing to others makes it more real.” - Rose Ann Forte Rose Ann joins me today to describe her journey to becoming alcohol-free. She points out the lack of conversations about alcohol consumption and the options available to those trying to overcome it. She outlines how alcohol can causes an individual’s mental health to spiral by stealing self-esteem, purpose, productivity, and connection. Rose Ann also discusses finding purpose after quitting alcohol and highlights how accountability helps create the mindset shift needed for freedom from alcohol. This week on The Mindset Zone: Different mindsets, belief systems, and relationships with alcohol Psychological triggers and different kinds of drinking problems What made Rose Ann decide to join the coaching program to become alcohol-free Shame, labeling, and why alcohol problems become a hidden issue for many people Why accountability is a critical piece of quitting alcohol Writing The Plans He Has for Me and creating a faith-centered program Forgiving oneself and others and finding purpose after quitting alcohol How having the right community helps people thrive and grow The Guest: Rose Ann Forte is an Alcohol-Free Coach, a Positive Intelligence Coach, and the best-selling author of The Plans He Has for Me: A 12-Week Daily Devotional for Freedom from Alcohol. Rose Ann is a former C-suite executive who served as the Chief Financial Officer of Southwest Capital Partners from 1995 until she became an executive coach in 2021. Resources Mentioned: Book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Connect with Rose Ann Forte: The Plans He Has for Me Book: The Plans He Has For Me: A 12-Week Daily Devotional for Freedom from Alcohol Rose Ann Forte on LinkedIn Rose Ann Forte on Instagram Rose Ann Forte on TikTok Expand What’s Possible

“Most of us start our businesses because we want to make a difference out there—it’s a way of living our mission, and we are in love with that mission.” - Ana Melikian In this episode, I speak with Toby on the Moving Conversations Podcast to share my life growing up in Portugal and how my curiosity and desire to understand led me to study psychology and pursue a career in academia. I explain why I decided to move to the United States after studying in the UK and working in Portugal. I discuss how I found myself in the world of life coaching and how it helped me make sense of my values and aspirations. I describe the challenges I faced when I first started my coaching practice and the health crisis that impacted my life and career. I also underscore how our businesses can be our way of living our mission in the world and highlight how we can live with happiness as a way of being. ***This episode was rebroadcast here at the Mindset Zone with explicit consent fromToby Goodman, the host of Moving Conversations. This week on The Mindset Zone: What life was like for me growing up in Portugal Why I decided to pursue a career in academia The intrapreneur mentality and my journey from Portugal to the UK and US How I found myself in the world of life and executive coaching How I made my coaching business stand apart from others in the market Why I disliked marketing and sales when I first started my life coaching practice Finding the Book Yourself Solid® system, how it saved me and my business, and what it taught me about marketing and sales My fight with breast cancer and the power of humor The “When…Then” habit cycle and how we make conditions of happiness for ourselves The habituation effect and why happiness can’t be forced Choosing happiness and making the best of what we have in the moment Toxic positivity and positive psychology The interviewer: Toby Goodman is a podcast producer and strategist who helps coaches, course creators, and service providers grow their businesses. In his bestselling book, Narrow Podcasting, Toby shows professionals how to make profitable connections and scale without paid ads, sponsors, or thousands of listeners. He is also the CEO and Director of the podcast post-production company, Podcast Network Solutions, and owns Listen Better Marketing Ltd. In addition to his work as a podcast expert and producer, Toby is a professional musician who has spent over 20 years performing with some of the world’s greatest musicians. Our Favorite Quotes: “People in academia find marketing and selling abhorrent—that’s programmed in us.” - Toby Goodman “I found life coaching as a way to make sense of what was going on with me, what I really wanted to do, and what was important.” - Ana Melikian “I’ve been around enough Ph.D. students to know it’s really hard to do it and, when you finally get it, the door slams and you have to find a new way.” - Toby Goodman Resources Mentioned: Original Episode: Moving Conversations - Choosing the Happiness Mindset Zone with Dr. Ana Melikian Book Yourself Solid® Book: Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling by Michael Port Book: I’m Just a Person by Tig Notaro Book: Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy by Whitney Goodman Connect with Toby Goodman: Podcast Network Solutions Narrow Podcasting Book: Narrow Podcasting: Make Profitable Connections and Grow your Business, Without Paid Ads, Sponsors, or Thousands of Listeners Podcast: Moving Conversations Podcast: Moving Conversations on Amazon Podcast: Moving Conversations on Apple Podcast: Moving Conversations on Google Play Podcast: Moving Conversations on Spotify Podcast: Moving Conversations on Stitcher

“Transformation changes your identity. If we change habits, our identity is changed.” - Sue Stevenson Sue joins me today to discuss how shifting our mindset can shift our physical health. She describes her journey in the corporate world and explains how her ability to navigate through change contributed to her success in life. She details the diagnosis that set her on a path of healthy living and changing her relationship with stress. Sue also highlights better methods for building habits and underscores the therapeutic power of humor. This week on The Mindset Zone: Sue’s background and life in the corporate world What the “corporate brain” is and how Sue’s mindset about women’s role in the business world evolved through the years How her ability to navigate and adapt to change contributed to Sue’s success in life Corporate culture’s tendency to reward toxic dedication and the social, physical, and emotional costs to Sue’s success Our tendency to accept sub-optimal health How Sue moved into radical action despite facing the impossible Neurostrategies and the gut-brain connection How long it took for Sue to feel improvements in her health Mental fitness and how our mindset can impact our physical health The Guest: Sue Stevenson is the founder of the global executive coaching firm, Lifted Fog LLC. Sue is dedicated to facilitating learning and positive change through brain-based coaching and consulting that utilizes the latest research in neuroscience, strategic humor management, and positive psychology. She is the co-founder of The San Diego Brain Club and serves as the Editor of The Humor Voice. She is the author of Impossible to Possible: Neurostrategies for Healing, Humor, and a Reimagined Life. Resources Mentioned: Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Connect with Sue Stevenson: Lifted Fog Book: Impossible to Possible: Neurostrategies for Healing, Humor, and a Reimagined Life Lifted Fog Photography on Instagram Sue Stevenson on LinkedIn Sue Stevenson on Instagram Sue Stevenson on Facebook Sue Stevenson on Twitter The San Diego Brain Club Expand What’s Possible

“When confronted by uncertainty, first adapters win not by pushing harder with willpower, but by unlocking the game of patterns.” - Steven Feinberg Steven joins me today to discuss what NeuroStrategy is and how it can help leaders and organizations triumph. He shares how growing up in a world of uncertainty shaped his path to becoming a NeuroStrategist. He explains the characteristics of a “first adapter” and outlines the principles of NeuroStrategy. He also reveals why using willpower alone is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they get stuck in a problem and provides an example of how higher-order pattern recognition can empower leaders and entrepreneurs. This week on The Mindset Zone: Steven’s background and his journey to becoming a NeuroStrategist NeuroStrategy and its applications for entrepreneurs What it means to be a first adapter Seeing your options through Game Spotting Defying expectations with Pattern Busting How framing the future can help you create the exception The Task Commander and the Complexity Thinker How coaches and trusted advisors can help leaders overcome blindspots The difference between a “first-order” and “second-order” change Why we get stuck in solving problems The power of higher-order pattern recognition The Guest: Steven Feinberg is a NeuroStrategist and executive coach. The leading authority on applying NeuroStrategy and game-changing leadership, Steven has been working with entrepreneurs and organizations to strive for exceptionality. He has consulted and coached owners, executives, and C-suite leaders from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies such as Apple, Google, and Wells Fargo. Steven taught at the University of San Francisco School of Business and Professional Studies for over 30 years, focusing on Organizational Behavior and Leadership. He is the author of several books, including the international bestsellers, Do What Others Say Can't Be Done: Play the Meta-Game and Advantage Makers: How Exceptional Leaders Win by Creating Opportunities Others Don't. Connect with Steven Feinberg: Steven Feinberg Website Book: Do What Others Say Can't Be Done: Play the Meta-Game Book: Advantage Makers: How Exceptional Leaders Win by Creating Opportunities Others Don't Steven Feinberg on LinkedIn Steven Feinberg on Twitter Expand What’s Possible

“In your brand, you tell a wide range of stories about yourself. Reflecting that journey with your photos is an opportunity to create an emotional connection with clients.” Raj Bandyopadhyay Raj joins me today to discuss how you can tell your personal brand’s story through photos. He explains why he’s passionate about helping people navigate their reservations around having their photos taken. He describes ageism and the age-related biases present in social media and the entertainment industry. He outlines the four limiting beliefs that hinder people from showing their authentic selves in their personal brand. Raj also reveals how you can bring your relaxed, playful, and spontaneous side when posing for portraits and how you can elevate your brand’s story through photos. This week on The Mindset Zone: How representation for older women has improved in the media over the years The struggle with impostor syndrome and self-worth The manifestations of perfectionism and how social media has taken it to a whole new level The culture of perfectionism in branding The cure for perfectionism How to use your photos to build a deeper connection with your audience and clients Why physical and emotional safety are vital to great portraits How to bring your spontaneous and playful side when posing for photos Telling a multi-dimensional story using photos and images Photography as a cure for the impostor syndrome The Guest: Raj Bandyopadhyay is a personal branding photographer and the founder of Series A Photography, which helps coaches and entrepreneurs convey their full, multifaceted, vibrant stories on camera. Before launching Series A Photography, Raj worked as a data scientist for Springboard, an EdTech startup in San Francisco, CA, and served as the Chief Data Scientist for Pindrop Security. He holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Rice University. Today, as an expert in personal branding photography, Raj is on a mission to help people express themselves fully while building a deep, genuine, lasting connection with their audience. Connect with Raj Bandyopadhyay: Series A Photography Series A Photography on LinkedIn Series A Photography on Instagram Series A Photography on Facebook Raj Bandyopadhyay on LinkedIn Email: raj@SeriesAPhotography.com Expand What’s Possible

“Many women are on a mission to make a difference and create an impact but are very hard on themselves. Relax, do the best you can, and be gentle on yourself.” Ana Melikian In today’s episode, I joined Sandy, the host of the Instagram live “Hey, I’ve Got Something to Say,” to discuss the importance of being gentle with ourselves. We describe how women tend to doubt themselves and how they get critical of themselves before, during, and after their mission to change the world. We discuss mental fitness and how training our mental capacity for resilience takes time, practice, and patience. We also highlight the important role of negative emotions and underscore how we can cultivate the conditions where happiness can thrive and flourish in our lives. This week on The Mindset Zone: Why women doubt that they can make a difference in the world The important role of negative emotions Training our mental capacity for resilience like a muscle The importance of taking brain breaks, resets, and rests “The Happiness Fallacy” keynote and why we can’t force happiness to happen in our lives Creating the conditions where happiness and joy can spontaneously happen How positivity can backfire Honoring grief, bereavement, and mourning How to reset your brain after years of being conditioned with toxic positivity Changing the prince charming/damsel in distress narrative Our Favorite Quotes: “It’s so true that it’s time to get women in the spotlight. We’re good behind the scenes—but we need to challenge ourselves to go out there.” - Sandy Joy Weston “We have to allow ourselves to take the time to rest and restore, to go out of our routine and see things from a different perspective.” - Ana Melikian “Everyone thought that as soon as I graduated, I’d be on fire, but I took some time in the garden, weeding and planting. I felt I needed to take a break mentally to rejuvenate and get my energy back out.” - Sandy Joy Weston The interviewer: Sandy Joy Weston, M.Ed., is an author, entrepreneur, and media personality. A motivational speaker and fitness guru, Sandy is on a mission to spread joy and positivity. By using fitness and her gift of motivation as her tools, she helps individuals achieve their goals with ease and flow. She is the host of the podcasts “Let’s Keep It Real,” “Positive Power Lady” Live on Facebook, and “Hey, I’ve Got Something to Say” Live on Instagram.Her book, Train Your Head and Your Body Will Follow, guides readers in redirecting their thoughts in a positive, focused manner. *This episode was rebroadcast here at the Mindset Zone with explicit consent from Sandy Joy Weston, the host of Hey, I’ve Got Something to Say Live on Instagram. Connect with Sandy Joy Weston: Sandy Joy Weston Website Book: Train Your Head and Your Body Will Follow: Reach Any Goal in 3 Minutes a Day Podcast: Hey, I’ve Got Something to Say on Instagram Podcast: Let’s Keep It Real on Apple Podcast: Let’s Keep It Real on Google Play Podcast: Let’s Keep It Real on Spotify Podcast: Let’s Keep It Real on Stitcher Sandy Joy Weston on LinkedIn Sandy Joy Weston on Instagram Sandy Joy Weston on Facebook Sandy Joy Weston on Twitter Expand What’s Possible

“Our definition of success has to continue to grow, change, and evolve as we continue to grow, change, and evolve.” Laura Gassner Otting Laura joins me today to share her wisdom on success and being limitless. She defines success and explains why we need to allow our own definition to change as we grow. She describes why we need to plan for success and why planning for failure gets us stuck. She also discusses why being successful doesn’t necessarily make us happy, underscores what consonance is and why it matters and highlights the importance of frequently reevaluating our lives as we continue to grow as people. This week on The Mindset Zone: Laura’s definition of success How the meaning of success evolves throughout our lives Why we need to allow our definition of success to grow and evolve What encouraged Laura to leave law school to pursue something that mattered to her How working in executive search inspired Laura to write Limitless Why being successful doesn’t mean being happy The four C’s of consonance Identifying your calling and your connection to it Assessing the contribution of your calling and your control over it The importance of frequently reevaluating our lives Why finding your consonance as a leader means understanding the consonance of the people around you The Guest: Laura Gassner Otting (a.k.a. LGO) is an author, executive coach, and the founder of Limitless Possibility. Laura inspires people to push past doubt and indecision by helping them think bigger and accept greater challenges that reach beyond their current, limited scope of belief. Her 25-year-long career as an entrepreneur began when she joined the presidential campaign for Bill Clinton—an opportunity that led her to become a Presidential Appointee in the White House and Program Officer for AmeriCorps. Before becoming the renowned keynote speaker and coach that she is today, Laura served as the founder and President of the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, one of the fastest-growing search firms in the country. Resources Mentioned: Why doesn’t success bring happiness? | Laura Gassner Otting | TEDxReno Stop Asking “How Can I Help?” | Laura Gassner Otting | TEDxCambridge Limitless Life Assessment MyFourQuestions.com Connect with Laura Gassner Otting: Laura Gassner Otting Website Book: Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life Podcast: LGOtv Big Talk Laura Gassner Otting on LinkedIn Laura Gassner Otting on Instagram Laura Gassner Otting on Facebook Laura Gassner Otting on Twitter Expand What’s Possible

“We will never say we’re going to solve hunger—that’s a much bigger issue tied with many layers of public and social policy. What we’re going to do is not let really good food go to waste while people need it.”Cathy Snyder Cathy joins us today to discuss food insecurity, poverty, and how the Rolling Harvest Food Rescue movement is alleviating food waste and hunger in the country. She shares how she became aware of what poverty and food insecurity really look like in the country. She describes the events that led to the founding of Rolling Harvest Food Rescue and explains the importance of dialogue in solving problems. She also elaborates on how movements like Rolling Harvest create a ripple effect and highlights how alleviating food insecurity benefits society entirely. This week on The Mindset Zone: How Cathy became aware of the realities of food insecurity, hunger, and poverty in the countryThe first steps Cathy took toward improving the food pantry she servedCreating and innovating the Rolling Harvest Food Rescue modelHow food is spoiled and wasted in the fieldsHow dialogue creates, sustains, and improves solutions to problemsWhat it takes to create a more sustainable food system for everyoneThe value of nutritional educationWhat gleaning organizations are and how to find themOvercoming the lack of awareness about food insecurityThe Rolling Harvest take on food justice and equity The Guest: Cathy Snyder is the Founder and Executive Director of Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit gleaning organization. After a decade of working a sales career in broadcasting, Cathy began her social impact journey and awakened to the depth of food insecurity while volunteering at a food pantry in New Hope, PA. Since then, what started as Cathy’s efforts to connect farms and food pantries has grown into Rolling Harvest, a vibrant network of volunteers, farms, food producers, and hunger relief sites. Through effective delivery and distribution of local food producers’ surplus, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue increases access to donated fresh produce and other healthy foods to hunger-relief sites that serve at-risk, food-insecure populations—including domestic violence shelters, low-income senior centers, children and family homeless shelters, and others. Connect with Cathy Snyder: Rolling Harvest Food RescueRolling Harvest Food Rescue on InstagramRolling Harvest Food Rescue on FacebookRolling Harvest Food Rescue on TwitterCathy Snyder on LinkedInEmail: info@rollingharvest.org Expand What’s Possible