Being Human

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   Prepare for an inspiring conversation with Rijon Erickson, a world-renowned consultant, author and trailblazer in Open Space Technology (OST). If you aren't familiar, OST is a cutting-edge meeting facilitation process that flips traditional agendas on their head. With its unique approach, participants take the reins of their discussions by creating their own agenda and forming self-organised working groups.  I've seen this transformative power firsthand since attending my first Open Space in 2015. It's now my number one facilitation tool. With its ability to enable any group to produce astonishing outcomes, it is the most effective way to enable any group of people to have the magic happen, bar perhaps doing actual magic. We talk: From jazz musician to IT helpdesk to high-level facilitator Discovering Open Space for the first time The core principles of Open Space The issue with Hackathons Tilling the soil for self-organisation Links: Rijon's Website The Open Space Institute

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week, I speak with Deb Dana, a renowned clinician, author and pioneer in elucidating and applying Polyvagal Theory. Polyvagal Theory is a breakthrough in understanding how our nervous system works. It explains how our subconscious detection of danger cues trips us into one of three dominant states: calm, connected, curious - ventral vagas; fight or flight - sympathetic; and shutdown - dorsal vagal. Appreciating this aspect of how our nervous system works can help us to understand our reactions to everyday situations and how to help ourselves, and others return to a connected state. We talk: Beyond the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system What a fidgetting colleague tells us How to ladder up to achieve calm Why employee 'disengagement' is not the problem When to direct and when to give options Links: Deb's Website Deb's Books

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   The leading cause of death for men between 18 and 49 is suicide. Not cancer, not heart disease, men taking their own lives. It was this statistic that prompted my guest this week, veteran broadcaster Russ Kane, to create The Men's Radio Station. On the station, Russ has interviewed many men who have come back from the brink and survived. His show provides knowledge, ideas and solutions across a range of physical and wellbeing areas.  We talk: Why men choose suicide Why it’s now worse than ever What we can all do about it  How his work has changed him Giving up all his possessions Links: The Men's Radio Station The Women's Radio Station Russ' Website

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week, I speak with Ben Guttmann, an author, marketing expert, former CEO of a successful marketing agency and educator at Baruch College. He has worked with the biggest brands in the world and came to the conclusion that the most successful ideas are simple. In his book 'Simply Put', he provides a guide to designing simple messages that encourage action - an invaluable skill whether you're a professional marketer or just want to be a better influencer.  We talk: Why we complicate things The definition of a simple message  The 5 principles of writing simply Fluency over concision Could you really beat a wolf in a fight? Links: Ben's Website Simply Put - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week, I speak with Brent Michael Phillips. MIT-trained Brent was a successful software engineer and entrepreneur who suffered a series of significant personal setbacks. After years of failed treatments, he experienced a miraculous healing and dedicated himself to studying spirituality and energy healing. He started a business and got off disability, but still struggled with relationships and money. One day, he met a mentor who taught him a healing process called Movement Feedback Holography, which helped him achieve breakthroughs in both areas. Now, he is on a mission to share this powerful technique with the world. We talk: Generation 1, 2 and 3 Healing How The Law of Attraction doesn’t work How the body provides clues to subconscious blocks  Surviving divorce, bankruptcy and cancer Getting consciousness back in the body for health and financial breakthroughs Links: Brett's Website Brett's YouTube Channel

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   I've never been much of a horseman. I've been scarred off them since my dog was once aggressively chased and kicked by one when I was a boy. But that, as they say, is another story. So I was intrigued to chat with this week's guest, Rosie Tomkins, a successful entrepreneur, author and now leadership coach. She keeps horses on her smallholding in the west of England and uses them in her work. Rosie's approach differs from conventional methods as she harnesses the inherent potential of the natural world as inspiration for her work in empowering leaders. We talk: How a trip to a friend's stables helped Rosie turn around her business Why nature is such a powerful source of inspiration How 'we are nature'  Using our bodies to change our state Worm poo for good Links: Rosie's website N-stinctive: The Power of Natural Intelligence – her current book Let Nature Be Your Compass: Introducing the Power of Natural Intelligence – her upcoming book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   I interview Damian Hughes, host of the hugely popular The High Performance Podcast, academic, international speaker and best-selling author. I first heard him speak at a client we both share. He enraptured the audience with his humour, fantastic stories and insight. He combines his deep understanding of human psychology with what he's learned interviewing some of the most accomplished people on the planet. We talk: Growing up as the son of a world-class boxing coach Creating High Performance cultures Low efficacy vs. high efficacy personalities Lessons from football legend van Persie High Performance defined (not what you'd think) Links: Damian's Website High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best - The Book How to Change Your Life: Lessons on Transformation from the World of High Performance - The Book The High Performance Podcast

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week I speak with Gilbert Bates, multiple author and practitioner of Janovian Primal Therapy - a highly effective approach for resolving early trauma and leading a rich and love-filled life. Following a breakdown at age 46, Gilbert sought help by traditional psychiatric means. He was told he'd have to be on medication for the rest of his life. After experimenting with shamanistic practices, Gil realised that medication blocks the flow of traumatic memories from coming to conscious awareness, serving to keep his feelings down. In contrast, he discovered that Janovian Primal Therapy gets underneath the brain's inbuilt defences to allow us to experience painful memories for what they are and to heal from them. Today he's sharing the results of his incredible journey. We talk: Curing his depression by 90% Feeling love for the first time in his 70s The fatal flaw in the human psyche and how to resolve it Reconnecting with our animal nature Resolving our primal pain and letting the love flow Links: Gilbert's Website Three Levels Of Mind YouTube Channel Love and the Three Levels of Consciousness - The Book

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   This week I speak with Brent Pohlman, the author of 'Leaders Look Within' and owner and CEO of Midwest Laboratories. Brent started working at 15 in the company his father started and ended up in charge. Through decades of building on his father's legacy, Brent has learned that no matter what incentives you offer, employees will only truly listen to a manager that leads from the heart. After a cardiac scare in 2006 and the loss of his mother a decade later, Brent realised he needed to change how he led. Some introspection led him to a purpose-oriented and people-first approach.  We talk: Developing a personal 'Why' and 'How' The power of monitoring our Heart Rate Variability Rubber bands and negative self-talk A killer morning routine Prayer in the workplace Links: Brent's Website

> Sign Up For Our Newsletter: http://www.firsthuman.com/being-human-newsletter/   I've got a great one for you this week. I speak with the fantastic Fini Cooper, a Breathwork Therapist based in London. I first met Fini hosting the Wellness In The Wild festival, and her speech was brilliant. Despite being a part-time yogi for two decades, I hadn't realised the extent of the benefits of breathwork: the impact that taking conscious control of our breathing can have on our health and well-being.  We talk: Foundational breathing The difference between talk therapy and deep work Why CO2 is good for us Playing with inhale vs exhale Taping your mouth at night Links: Fini's Website