MINDSET ZONE

"The Zone of Proximal Growth, that zone just outside our comfort zone, but not too far out to paralyze us, yet enough to stretch us and to expand us a little." -Ana Melikian In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, shares an insightful story from her vacation in Portugal that dives deep into the nuances of cultural perceptions and stereotypes. Drawing from an experience at a "typical" Portuguese restaurant, Ana reflects on how stereotypes can often boxing us in ways that don't align with our own perceptions. Ana recounts a vibrant evening spent at a local eatery and the mixed emotions it stirred within her, offering a candid look at how these feelings led to personal growth and greater self-awareness. She uses this experience as a springboard to discuss the human tendency to categorize and label, and the discomfort that arises when these labels don't fit. By examining her reactions and thoughts, Ana sheds light on the importance of looking beyond surface-level categorizations and embracing the complexity of cultural identity. She also ties this back to her own experiences and broader societal trends, making connections to how we can understand and respect the diversity within communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community. Ana prompts listeners to reflect on their own experiences with stereotypes and cultural perceptions, encouraging a mindset of growth and self-awareness. She underscores the value of stepping out of our comfort zones into the "zone of proximal growth," where meaningful personal development happens. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:06 Introduction and Welcoming Remarks 01:26 Setting the Scene: A Vacation in Portugal 02:32 The Vibrant Evening at a Local Eatery 03:38 Navigating Language Barriers and Cultural Differences 05:12 Mixed Feelings and Reflections on Stereotypes 08:33 The Discomfort of Being Put in a Box 09:06 Parallels with the LGBTQIA+ Community 10:30 Embracing Dialogue and Personal Growth 14:11 Insights into Human Nature and Cultural Identity 16:37 Practical Takeaways and Journal Prompts 18:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: BOOK: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential Ana's Musings on Medium.com - A Taste of Stereotypes: Reflections on a “Typical” Portuguese Restaurant Related episodes: Exploring the Zone of Proximal Growth Expand What’s Possible

"How can we transform something obsolete into something new that honors the past and brings innovation and joy?" -Ana Melikian In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, takes us on an intriguing journey through the streets of London, where she discovers a reinvented red telephone booth that serves as an inspiring metaphor for innovation and adaptability. Ana emphasizes the significance of transforming the obsolete into something meaningful and useful in today's fast-paced world. Leveraging the experience of the red telephone booth turned coffee stand, she delves into the broader implications of change and creativity, urging listeners to rethink and repurpose old beliefs and objects. She shares her thoughts on how this transformation process mirrors our own ability to adapt, innovate, and find new opportunities. Ana shares her PIE Method exercise—Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, and Embrace Experimentation—highlighting its potential to foster continuous growth and a resilient mindset. Ana concludes by inviting listeners to challenge themselves to find new ways to thrive amidst change and to share this insightful episode with others who might benefit from it. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:07 Introduction and Welcome 01:12 The Story of the Red Telephone Booth 02:07 Discovering the Innovative Coffee Stand 03:33 Reflecting on the Power of Transformation 05:06 Applying the Concept to Our Own Lives 07:10 Introduction to the PIE Method Exercise 08:16 Final Thoughts and Invitation to Share Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: BOOK: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential Ana's Musings on Medium.com Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"We live in what I call today, a phygital world, physical and digital." -Giles Crouch In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, dives into the intricate relationship between humanity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with special guest, digital anthropologist Giles Crouch. Ana shares her experience of using an AI avatar as an introduction for her talks, sparking a rich dialogue on the human side of AI and the emotional responses it provokes. Giles Crouch provides a compelling breakdown of how the concept of identity has evolved over time and articulates why AI presents unique challenges. Together, they explore the duality of AI's potential—its ability to bring positive advancements while also posing significant risks. Giles highlights the necessity of integrating experts from the humanities into AI discussions, suggesting that we are on the brink of a resurgence in fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, and philosophy. The talk underscores the importance of balancing technological innovation with cultural and humanistic considerations to ensure that advancements in AI technology serve the greater good of humanity. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 01:09 Meet Giles Crouch: Digital Anthropologist 02:06 Understanding Digital Anthropology 05:29 The Evolution of Technology and Culture 11:46 The Acceleration of Technological Change 16:21 AI and Human Identity 23:32 The Future of AI and Society 28:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Meet Our Guest: Giles Crouch is a digital anthropologist with over 25 years of experience in the technology sector. He applies cultural anthropology principles to understand human interactions with digital technologies, spanning areas such as blockchain, social media, AI, and robotics. Crouch helps organizations develop human-centric digital products and services. His work includes bringing tech products to global markets, conducting UX research, and developing digital strategies. He has also collaborated with governments and non-profits to analyze the societal impacts of digital technologies worldwide. His international experience includes projects for the UN, Freedom House, and Médecins Sans Frontières in various countries. Since 2009, Crouch has delivered over 80 public speaking engagements and has been interviewed by major news outlets like CBC, Wired Magazine, and BBC Channel 4. Through his work, Giles Crouch bridges the gap between technology and human behavior, helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of digital anthropology in our increasingly connected world. Connect with: Linkedin.com/in/gileswcrouch/ Resources: Medium.com/@gilescrouch Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

Neil Redding, an innovation architect and near futurist, discusses the intersection of AI and human potential. Topics include practical AI applications, mindset's influence on experiences, and shaping a positive future through co-creation and collaboration.

Ana Melikian challenges listeners to imagine themselves as pencils, symbolizing untapped potential. She emphasizes the importance of pressing pause to sharpen ourselves regularly to unlock our full potential. The podcast explores the concept of mindset transformation and aligning life with dreams through mastering mindsets.

"Mindsets are habits of mind." -Ana Melikian In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, revisits a significant discussion on leveraging the power of mindsets to unlock human potential. Originally recorded in January 2023, this rebroadcast celebrates the release of her book, "Mindset Zone," which delves deep into how our mindsets can shape our possibilities. Ana outlines three primary approaches to understanding mindsets: - Mindsets as beliefs, popularized by positive psychology and Dr. Carol Dweck's work on fixed and growth mindsets. - Mindsets as information processing styles, stemming from cognitive psychology research on goal setting and implementation. - Mindsets as lenses or filters, frequently utilized in organizational leadership to comprehend worldviews and frames of reference. She shares personal anecdotes, such as her journey with dyslexia, to illustrate the impact of adopting a growth mindset and the importance of understanding our cognitive processes. Ana emphasizes the need for a holistic perspective on mindsets, considering both internal and external dimensions, as well as the systemic contexts in which we operate. This comprehensive approach not only fosters personal transformation but can also catalyze innovation and problem-solving in teams and organizations. Tune in to explore these insights and discover how expanding your mindset can significantly elevate your impact and avoid burnout. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:02 Announcement of Book Launch 02:31 Defining Mindsets and Their Approaches 04:13 Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets 07:53 Cognitive Psychology on Mindsets 10:09 Mindsets as Cognitive Filters 12:00 The Power of Inner and Outer Dimensions 14:38 Holistic Framework for Expanding Possibilities 16:00 The Etymology of "Mindset" 18:56 Conclusion and Invitation to Follow the Podcast 20:25 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: BOOK: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"Mindsets are habits of mind." -Ana Melikian In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, celebrates the release of her new book, "MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential." Ana discusses the motivation behind writing the book and shares insights about the diverse definitions of mindset and their origins. She explains how she sees mindsets as habits of mind that can be changed and optimized for personal and professional growth. Ana recounts the exciting launch week where her book achieved various top rankings on Amazon, including number one in organizational learning. She expresses gratitude for the support of her community and illustrates how her book aims to help readers expand their mindsets and try new approaches. Ana introduces the P.I.E. Method (Pause, Increase self-awareness, Embrace experimentation), which is designed to help individuals develop effective mindsets. She believes that making pauses, increasing self-awareness, and experimenting without fear of failure are keys to unlocking one's potential. The episode also touches on universal practices for mindset enhancement, like the importance of maintaining a beginner’s mind and continuously learning new things. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:50 Motivation Behind Writing the Book 01:41 Book Launch Celebration and Amazon Rankings 03:18 Diverse Definitions of Mindset 05:54 Origins of the Word ‘Mindset’ 06:52 The Concept of Habits of Mind 07:46 Practical Approaches to Changing Mindsets 09:16 Importance of Pauses (PIE Method) 10:09 Increasing Self-awareness and Embracing Experimentation 12:04 Cultivating a Beginner’s Mind 12:19 Book Availability on Amazon 13:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 13:51 Expand What's Possible Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: Book: MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential Expand What’s Possible

"There's a bigger purpose for you." -Dawn Marie Rapaport In this episode, host Ana Melikian is joined by Dawn Marie Rapaport, the inspiring founder of HELP (Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership). Dawn Marie shares her remarkable journey from experiencing homelessness herself as a child to creating a transformative organization that now serves over 300 schools with their H.E.L.P.Snackz program. Dawn Marie recounts the struggles and traumas she faced growing up homeless in Arizona and how her grandfather's positive messages helped her persevere. She discusses the pivotal moment that led her to start HELP and how the organization has evolved over 13 years. The conversation delves into the powerful impact of H.E.L.P.Snackz and the personalized messages that uplift the spirits of at-risk children. Ana and Dawn Marie explore the ripple effect of one person making a difference, the importance of empowering homeless children, and the various programs HELP offers to break the cycle of homelessness. They also discuss the vital role of community support, partnerships, and volunteers in sustaining HELP's mission. Join us in this heartfelt episode that showcases the power of resilience, positivity, and community in transforming lives and expanding what’s possible. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Expanding Impact in School Districts with Help Snacks 00:33 Meet Ana Melikian: Mission to Support and Avoid Burnout 01:16 Introducing Dawn Marie Rappaport and Her Mission 02:03 Dawn Marie's Personal Journey from Homelessness to Helping Others 07:20 The Birth of a Life-Changing Organization 10:51 The Evolution of Help Snacks: From Idea to Impact 15:58 Expanding Support Beyond Food: Life Skills and Community Engagement 18:55 Harnessing Community Support and Volunteer Power 22:07 How to Get Involved and Support the Cause 24:04 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement to Make a Difference Meet the Guest: Dawn Marie Rapaport is the founder of the Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership (H.E.L.P.), transforming the lives of families with children for over 13 years. Her personal experience with homelessness fuels her empathy and dedication, driving her to help families transition out of homelessness. Dawn Marie's efforts extend to educating and mobilizing the community, becoming a respected voice in the field. Creating and nurturing H.E.L.P. has been both the most challenging and rewarding endeavor of Dawn Marie’s life. Her unwavering determination to improve the system, work on prevention and reduce the size of the Family homeless community continues to drive her mission forward. Connect with: Dawn Marie Rapaport on LinkedIn Resources: helpnowaz.org Related episodes: Changing the Mindset of Homelessness with Jenna Juniper Problem Solving and Social Justice with Cathy Snyder Expand What’s Possible

"AI is a 100-foot wave. It's going to disrupt everything directly or indirectly." -Ana Melikian In this episode, host Ana Melikian, delves into the intriguing topic of AI and its impact on our emotions and humanity. Ana explores how AI, much like a 100-foot wave, is a force of disruption that brings with it a mix of excitement and apprehension. Ana discusses various audience reactions to AI, ranging from curiosity and amazement to discomfort and skepticism. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these diverse feelings and leveraging them to navigate the AI wave effectively. Ana shares her innovative approach of using AI avatars in her presentations to engage audiences and gather their emotional responses via surveys, creating fascinating insights. She highlights the need for a balanced approach to AI, urging listeners to neither ignore nor be overwhelmed by it. Instead, Ana encourages adopting a strategy akin to surfing the 100-foot wave—embracing AI while safeguarding human potential and well-being. She underscores the importance of collective effort, comparing it to the teamwork seen in big wave surfing to ensure AI enhances rather than detracts from humanity. Tune in to explore how to press the pause button, increase self-awareness, and embrace an experimentation mindset to harness AI's potential without falling into burnout. Ana calls for diverse, humanistic voices to join the conversation, ensuring a holistic approach to AI's integration into our lives. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:59 AI and Human Response 02:12 Using AI Avatars in Presentations 03:24 Audience Reactions and Emotional Responses to AI 05:15 The Importance of a Balanced Approach to AI 07:02 Surfing the 100-Foot AI Wave: A Team Effort 10:00 Pressing Pause and Increasing Self-Awareness 12:00 Embracing Experimentation Mindset 16:51 Bringing Humanistic Voices to the AI Conversation 18:16 Conclusion and Call for Listener Input Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: Survey - AI - How does it make you feel? Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"Celebrating craft, celebrating what you're good at, is what I wanna spend my life's work on." -Adam McKee In this episode, host Ana Melikian is joined by Adam McKee, a visionary small business owner and craftsman from Lincoln, Nebraska. Adam delves into the ethos of celebrating craft in both business and life, sharing his experiences from taking over Contemporary Woods, a custom cabinetry business specializing in high-end homes. Ana and Adam discuss the intricate relationship between craftsmanship and mindset, emphasizing the importance of focusing on both the tangible and intangible aspects of one's work. Adam sheds light on his personal journey, detailing the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and the transformative power of continuous learning and community engagement. The conversation also covers strategic and tactical approaches to business, highlighting how maintaining high standards and fostering a culture of teamwork and improvement can propel a business forward. Adam's commitment to changing the legacy of his last name and enhancing the lives of those around him through his work truly encapsulates the spirit of celebrating craft. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Ana introduces Adam McKee and the theme of the episode 01:33 Adam discusses his background and his business, Contemporary Woods 02:33 The concept of celebrating craft and its impact on personal and professional life 04:23 Exploring the deeper values behind craftsmanship 07:15 The transition from being a craftsman to a business owner 10:14 Strategic and tactical learning in business development 13:09 The importance of culture and core values in a business setting 16:18 Learning from books and the significance of choosing the right mentors 19:24 Discussion on personal growth and legacy within family and business 22:50 Final thoughts and where to find more about Adam and his work Meet Meet the Guest: Adam McKee is the owner of Contemporary Woods, a family-owned small business that serves their local community by delivering fine craftsmanship with integrity and creativity. Connect with: Adam McKee's LinkedIn ContemporaryWoods.com Instagram @contemporary_woods Related episodes: Listen also to Stickability: An Essential Mindset for Success with Greg S. Reid Expand What’s Possible