Finding Brave

What does it really mean to be yourself at work without hiding, performing, or shrinking to fit expectations? In this Finding Brave conversation, we explore why authentic presence is not a soft skill or a personal indulgence, but a powerful leadership practice that builds trust, connection, and impact in today's fast-moving, emotionally complex workplaces. Today's inspiring guest is Claude Silver, the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to shape culture and leadership at scale. A sought-after speaker and the author of Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart, Claude brings a deeply human lens to leadership that is grounded in emotional intelligence, courage, and self-awareness. Her work challenges the outdated belief that professionalism requires emotional distance or self-erasure. In this wide-ranging and deeply personal discussion, Claude shares formative stories from her own life that shaped her understanding of authentic presence. Together, Kathy and Claude unpack what authenticity looks like in real moments at work, from navigating difficult conversations to noticing the inner "song" that shapes how we show up. Claude breaks down her three emotional pillars, namely, emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency, and explains how emotions can guide more grounded and courageous leadership. The episode also explores why leading with heart matters more than ever in an AI-driven, always-on world, and how taking up space, asking for what you need, and speaking honestly can transform both individual careers and workplace cultures. Listen in and consider what might shift if you gave yourself permission today to be fully seen and fully heard at work! Key Highlights From This Episode: Introducing Claude Silver and what's missing from how we talk about authenticity. [00:59] Why being authentic is a privilege and the power of knowing yourself. [06:40] How early experiences with dyslexia shaped Claude's self-image and personal growth. [10:18] A pivotal Outward Bound moment that revealed the power of changing the "song" in your head. [13:56] [18:05] What authentic presence really looks like beyond theory and performative professionalism. [23:27] Claude's three pillars: emotional optimism, emotional bravery, and emotional efficiency. [30:47] Leading with heart in an AI-driven world that often feels rushed, disconnected, or dehumanizing. Why taking up space, speaking honestly, and being fully human changes work and culture. [33:35] For More Information: Claude Silver Claude Silver on LinkedIn Claude Silver on Instagram Links/Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Claude Silver's book, Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart What it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Kathy's Finding Brave interview with Andre Solo on "Being Highly Sensitive is a Super Power: Embrace and Leverage It" and Kathy's article "How I Found Out I'm a Highly Sensitive Person and Used It To Change My Life" ——————— READY FOR A HUGE SHIFT TO ACHIEVE MORE SUCCESS, IMPACT AND FULFILLMENT IN YOUR CAREER? Work with Kathy and get hands-on, transformative CAREER & LEADERSHIP GROWTH COACHING SUPPORT today! Join me today in one of my top-requested career and leadership growth 1:1 coaching programs and take 20% off the price this week with coupon code 'FBRAVE20' as my thank-you for tuning in! Visit my Career Help page, or click the links below for more information and to register today and save 20%: – Jumpstart Your Career Success (3 sessions) – Career & Leadership Breakthrough program (6 sessions) – Build Your Confidence, Success and Impact (10 sessions) ——————— GOT A BURNING CAREER OR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH QUESTION? Ask me on Hubble I'm thrilled to join the Hubble Expert Advisory group, a space for thoughtful conversations and honest advice on life, work, business and career challenges. I often hear from people worldwide seeking guidance on careers, leadership, personal growth, and making a bigger impact. Now, connecting and answering your questions is easier than ever—Hubble lets you book a one-off call or recurring sessions with me. Book some time with me here on Hubble - I'd love to support your top goals: https://app.hubble.social/kathycaprino ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "Who are you when you're brushing your teeth in the morning? There are no kids around, maybe no dog around, it's just you spacing out brushing your teeth. To me, that is very indicative of who we are, when we are our real selves." — Claude Silver [0:04:22] "We are human, and this is the experience we're having. So why not be open about that?" — Claude Silver [0:05:20] "I think that it is an enormous privilege to get to know yourself. [And it] is something that is our birthright." — Claude Silver [0:08:48] "I don't need to see you as anything other than you are, because who you are is who I want to get to know. Who you are is who I'm going to hold space for. I don't want you to act like a PhD or pretend that you have a following of a million people on social media." — Claude Silver [0:18:37] "Emotions are guides. Emotions are data. It is not who we are." — Claude Silver [0:23:53] "Ask questions. Add your two cents. If you're in the room, be big in the room. Share something. You have an idea that no one else has mentioned. I'm sure of it." — Claude Silver [0:34:03] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

The world around us has transformed dramatically—but has philanthropy kept up? For our Finding Brave guest today, John Studzinski, American-British investor and humanitarian and the author of the new book A Talent for Giving: Creating a More Generous Society that Benefits Everyone, this question isn't academic—it's deeply personal. His philanthropic journey began humbly, volunteering at a soup kitchen as a teenager. Today, he's recognized globally for transformative work addressing homelessness through London's Passage Day Centre and championing emerging artists through the Genesis Foundation. In the U.S., he serves on the boards of The J. Paul Getty Trust, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In this inspiring conversation, John shares his views on how the true meaning of philanthropy has been lost and how it needs to transform to inspire the next generation to make a more meaningful impact. John tells us about his book and how it has helped inspire individuals to spend the gift of time serving the common good. From the power and importance of human connection to the essential need for empathy, John shares the critical lessons he hopes readers will take from his book. We discuss why giving is not very beneficial unless we understand how, at the same time, to receive. John walks us through how he manages his time in order to be of service to his communities the way he does. John goes on to explain what he believes would happen to humanity if people stopped giving and caring about the community. And he teaches us that so much of our dignity is dependent on what we've given instead of what we've spent or kept. If you have the desire to contribute in new ways and give of your talents and abilities to support the common good, this conversation will inspire you to action. Every person on this planet has authority that can be used for the common good, and leveraging those strengths and talents for the benefit of our communities is not only rewarding but deeply instrumental and meaningful. Key Highlights From This Episode: A bit about John's book, A Talent for Giving, and how it's a call to action to serve the common good with your talents. [04:48] How John's faith inspires him to give to the community, and why he always tries to put himself in another person's shoes. [12:47] John discusses how he stewards his time and manages to do everything that he does throughout the day. [16:27] Why empathy is a critical piece in giving, how John wants everyone to read his book, and the most important thing to learn from it. [18:23] The concept of shame, setting boundaries around giving, and how giving is only beneficial if you can receive. [24:30] What would happen in the world if everybody stopped caring about the common good and giving back. [28:55] John tells us about his process of dictating his book and which chapter surprised him the most. [33:30] The first place listeners can start if they want to give back to their community today. [38:23] For More Information: John Studzinski on LinkedIn Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: John's book, A Talent for Giving: Creating a More Generous Society that Benefits Everyone John's book on Audible Genesis Foundation Genesis Foundation on Instagram Genesis Foundation on Facebook Genesis Foundation on X PIMCO ——————— GOT A BURNING CAREER OR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH QUESTION? Ask me on Hubble! I'm thrilled to join the Hubble advisory group, a space for thoughtful conversations and honest advice on life, work, business, and career challenges. I often hear from people worldwide seeking guidance on careers, leadership, personal growth, and making a bigger impact. Now, connecting and answering your questions is easier than ever—Hubble lets you book a one-off call or recurring sessions with me. I help with: Career, leadership, and executive coaching Communication and relationship skills training Personal branding and thought leadership strategy Women's leadership growth and advancement Keynote speaking and workshops on confidence and self-trust growth, visibility, thriving through uncertain times, and making a positive impact You'll also learn how to recognize and close the 7 damaging confidence gaps that block thousands of professionals from reaching their highest and most rewarding potential. Book some time with me here on Hubble - I'd love to support your top goals: https://app.hubble.social/kathycaprino ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving it a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "The multiplier effect of giving is much more powerful than people realize." — John Studzinski [0:10:09] "Your greatest gift from God that you have is actually not your talent, but it's actually your time. You don't know how many days you have left on the planet." — John Studzinski [0:14:59] "If you're not empathetic, it's like having your eyes closed and your ears covered. – It's like putting a bag over your head and not trying to engage." — John Studzinski [0:19:25] "If someone asks you for money, I always say, 'Tell them you'll donate your time, and if they don't want your time, you don't want them because they don't appreciate you as a human being.'" — John Studzinski [0:25:47] "Giving is not very beneficial unless you understand how, at the same time, to receive." — John Studzinski [0:27:04] "We are very, very dependent on each other. Perhaps more so than we realize." — John Studzinski [0:30:19] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Everybody wants to believe in something, but the truth is, if you're a leader who shies away from asking tough questions, you're making it harder for people to believe in you. In this Finding Brave episode, we are joined by Matthew Pollard, known as the Rapid Growth Guy and storytelling expert responsible for five multi-million dollar business success stories. He is the author of The Introvert's Edge and has been featured in Forbes and listed by Global Gurus as one of the Top 30 Sales Professionals. In this conversation, we explore what it truly means to lead through authentic, compelling story, not spin. Matthew unpacks how great leaders don't just communicate vision; they shape a living narrative that helps their people see themselves in it. From uncovering the real problems beneath the surface, to crafting stories that evolve and help scale growth through the organization, Matthew shares a framework for growth rooted in empathy, iteration, and truth. We discuss how data can illuminate emotion, why so few leaders understand the why behind disengagement within their teams and workforces, and how fear often blocks the path to authenticity. Ultimately, Matthew shows that leadership isn't about control; it's about giving your people something real to believe in. In today's economy, leaders owe it to their teams to inspire growth and risk-taking, challenge the status quo, and use the power of a compelling story playbook to unite everyone behind a shared purpose they're proud to support. Key Highlights From This Episode: The role of leaders in shaping a strong narrative within their organizations. [04:00] Matthew's method of supporting leaders to identify key problems and tell their story. [06:52] How stories grow in impact through iteration and an organization-wide playbook. [13:58] Using data points as a strategic tool to understand people's emotions. [19:20] Why there often a gap in knowledge about the emotional reasons employees leave an organization. [25:20] Understanding how crucial it is to lead with humanity and empathy. [29:18] How Matthew deals with a fearful response leaders have to creating authentic experiences. [34:43] What it looks like to give your people something they can truly believe in. [38:35] For More Information: Matthew PollardThe Introvert's EdgeMatthew Pollard on LinkedInMatthew Pollard on InstagramMatthew Pollard on X Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Episode 69 with Matthew Pollard: 7 Ways to Leverage Your Introvert Edge in BusinessEpisode 159, where Kathy and Matthew discuss Networking: The Introvert's Edge to Networking ________________ ARE YOU FACING A BIG DECISION IN YOUR LIFE OR CAREER RIGHT NOW? Join Kathy Caprino and David Jurasek in their FREE online workshop "Making Your Big Life Decision: A Workshop and Map For Brave Action" - November 21, Noon to 1:30 pm EST Are you standing at a crossroads right now with a big decision to make — wondering which path would be best in your career, relationship, or life? I'm truly thrilled to invite you to a brand-new FREE live online workshop on November 21 that I'm leading with my esteemed colleague and deeply powerful therapist and community leader, David Jurasek, on "Making Your Big Life Decision: A Workshop and Map For Brave Action." We'll be sharing empowering tools and strategies (and a proven map) to navigate the terrain in making a critical decision in your life or career, and help you move from confusion and self-doubt to clarity and confident action — so you can finally pursue the direction that's right for you. And we're happy to take your questions and work with you directly, right on the call. Join us to receive support in taking the next powerful step in your life. Learn more and register at IntegrityTherapy.org/biglifedecision. Spots are limited. Hope to see you there! ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "As leaders, we need to inspire people to not just be extrinsically motivated, but intrinsically motivated." — @matthewpollard_ [0:04:59] "A lot of times, people don't know the problems that they have until they see things slightly differently." — @matthewpollard_ [0:06:57] "People remember up to 22 times more information when embedded into a story, so because of that, you can actually anchor to these stories so people actually walk away remembering more." — @matthewpollard_ [0:10:45] "Because somebody comes up with a bad idea the first time, they then get hammered for it and then they're too scared to bring up another idea the next time." — @matthewpollard_ [0:22:41] "If you want to stay a senior leader and you want to make sure that you're always on the edge, you need to introduce more humanity into what you do." — @matthewpollard_ [0:31:56] "If you're not willing to take risks to get somebody to start to build momentum, then your organization is just going to fade." — @matthewpollard_ [0:36:33] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Protecting your ideas is a critical step for attracting excellent aligned investors. In this episode of Finding Brave, I sit down with intellectual property expert and attorney David Postolski, senior partner at Gearhart Law, to demystify what it really takes to secure funding and safeguard innovation. Drawing on his extensive experience helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals, David shares how a strong IP strategy serves as both protection and proof of your business's credibility. A registered patent attorney and professor at Temple University, Parsons School of Design, and Radzyner Law School, David teaches emerging leaders how to navigate intellectual property, ethics, and regulation in today's innovation economy. He is also the author of several books, including Marketing Your Invention, Product, or Journey and IP Strategies for Medical Device Technologies: Be Your Own Incubator. His work spans patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, all of which are essential tools for creators seeking to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. In this in-depth conversation, David unpacks how startups can strengthen investor confidence through IP, what to watch for when choosing partners or consultants, and why skipping early legal groundwork often leads to costly setbacks. He shares a client story that shows how clear agreements and solid contracts are as critical as creativity when launching a brand, and explains that taking these steps early not only prevents legal issues but also builds a foundation of trust with investors and collaborators. From patents and trademarks to investor readiness and due diligence, this episode offers a practical roadmap for anyone turning ideas into impact. Tune in to hear David's vital insights on protecting your ideas and attracting investors! Key Highlights From This Episode: An introduction to David Postolski, the four main forms of intellectual property, and why investors see them as key assets. [03:30] David's journey into IP law and how his early experiences shaped his career path. [06:34] Typical clients and the common challenges inventors and startups face when launching ideas. [09:19] Why choosing the right partners and advisors can make or break your business. [12:45] The high cost of skipping clearance searches and the risks of ignoring trademarks. [14:48] Why researching investors and tailoring your pitch is essential before seeking funding. [18:24] The importance of spending strategically and aligning every cost with ROI. [21:59] A costly lesson: a startup that almost lost logo ownership by skipping a simple contract. [25:05] Key lessons for founders on protecting ideas and preparing for investment success. [27:39] How to join the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and connect with the Gearhart Law community. [35:06] For More Information: Gearhart Law David Postolski on LinkedIn David Postolski on Instagram David Postolski on X Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: David's latest book, Marketing Your Invention, Product, or Journey David's book on medical device legislation, IP Strategies for Medical Device Technologies: Be Your Own Incubator David's book on employee contracts, Employment Contracts and Agreements: A Guide for Corporate Counsel Gearhart Law Events Gearhart Law's Entrepreneurial Strategy Series Finding Brave Episode 80, with David Postolski, What Entrepreneurs Need to Understand to Protect Their Intellectual Property ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz Kathy's Speaking programs and Media/Press work ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "In my world, it is best to have at least one of the four forms of intellectual property. The four forms [of intellectual property] are: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets." — @davidpostolski [0:03:45] "At the end of the day, [investors] want to know that they are investing in not just you as a person, but your registered form of intellectual property; they want to know that you went through a process and were awarded a federal right in patent, trademark, or copyright." — @davidpostolski [0:04:29] "You have to have a science background in order to be a patent attorney. — I have a chemistry degree. I also have degrees in computer science. I was going to make the best of this and do as much as I possibly can to be an IP attorney. There [aren't] many of us, actually." — @davidpostolski [0:08:25] "We make it our business to help our clients and introduce them to people that are also startup and entrepreneurial friendly, because it's nasty out there." — @davidpostolski [0:12:45] "Yes, it costs money to get clearance. But it costs more money not to get clearance and to proceed with the name, and then potentially be sued for infringement or something like that." — @davidpostolski [0:16:08] "Sometimes not spending money means you're going to spend triple later. That's what we're always trying to avoid." — @davidpostolski [0:27:32] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Why would someone walk away from a lucrative, 15-year career in software engineering? For Jeffrey Allen, it came down to one thing: learning to prioritize the "spirit mind" over the "material mind." That perspective shift gave him the inner clarity—and the bravery and courage—to finally move into a life and career of deeper purpose. Jeffrey is a spiritual teacher and energy healer whose work has empowered thousands of people, through Mindvalley's Healing Programs and through his own courses, trainings and years of individual and group work with thousands of people around the globe. His mission is to make access to our higher consciousness and to energy healing practices available to all—helping people release pain, deepen relationships, and live with genuine purpose. Alongside his wife, Hisami, he co-created Awakening Your Spirit Mind, a five‑week online training designed to help people reconnect with their true essence, tune into their connected consciousness beyond logic, and live more from joy and inner wisdom. Today, we weave together themes of career, leadership, personal growth, and performance as well as deep healing and growth, in a discussion about making the brave leap to deeper purpose in our lives and work. Jeffrey details his own transition from a successful 15-year career as a software engineer to a renowned energy healer and teacher - a move propelled by a "visceral" feeling of emptiness despite great outward success. He urges us to heed our inner guidance, observing that we're in an energy climate today where people are becoming more authentic, so our desires and priorities naturally evolve through growth and change. The discussion underscores the power of recognizing our two minds: the material mind, rooted in logic yet tangled with emotion and regret, and the spirit mind, which offers universal wisdom, a peaceful presence, and love. Jeffrey goes on to explain the difference between material mind spirituality and spirit mind, why our beliefs should be based on our experiences, and details a three-step (plus a bonus fourth) process to shift out of your material mind. Join this riveting conversation to discover how you, too, can take a brave leap to fully live your life purpose. Key Highlights From This Episode: Introducing the title, topic, and guest for today's conversation: the brave leap to live your life purpose. [01:25] What it takes to honor our deep callings and the brave leap to purpose. [07:20] A discussion unpacking our internal guides and guidance, and how listening to our internal guidance shifts us to experience integrated awareness. [14:30] Reframing what we experience as "mistakes" we've made, as an energetic breakthroughs instead. [26:10] The power of two minds: the material mind versus the spirit mind. [30:00] Jeffreys helps explain the difference between material mind spirituality and spirit mind spirituality. [38:30] Why your beliefs should be based on your own experiences. [42:50] The spirit mind: a holistic, unconditional love observation space. [43:30] Three steps to shift out of your material mind. [46:20] The fourth step to finding the beautiful moments every day in life and why that's essential to our best lives. [53:20] For More Information: Jeffrey Allen Jeffrey Allen on Facebook Jeffrey Allen on Instagram Jeffrey Allen on YouTube Jeffrey Allen on LinkedIn Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Explore Jeffrey and Hisami's courses on Energy Training, Awareness Training, and Spirit Mind Training. Visit Dr. Joe Dispenza for more information about his work. Follow this link for more information on Mindvalley Personal Development Programs. Jeffrey and Hisami Allen's Course - Awakening Your Spirit Mind: Jeffrey Allen lives in Tokyo with his wife, Hisami, and together they've created a transformational course and community called Awakening Your Spirit Mind. This deeply inspiring and life-affirming program encompasses the concept of "Spirit Mind Living" - and teaches participants with detailed chapter lessons, videos, visualizations, meditations and more to help participants reconnect with their true essence and remember how consciousness truly works - and how to open yourself up to a whole new mindset and lifestyle to navigate the massive collective energy shift happening on the planet right now. What is Spirit Mind Living? Learn more HERE To register for the course, click HERE ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "I always tell people if you want to have a really fun first date with somebody, don't talk." — Jeffrey Allen [0:06:06] "I think that's the way money is actually set up to work for us. If we focus on helping people and giving, it's natural that abundance and money is going to flow back to us." — Jeffrey Allen [0:08:49] "We can really only see what's part of our belief system." — Jeffrey Allen [0:14:50] "The energy of spirit mind is this sense of peaceful presence, love, this universal wisdom." — Jeffrey Allen [0:32:47] "The spirit mind is always connected. It's not even connected. It just is this universal consciousness and love." — Jeffrey Allen [0:39:25] "Let it be okay that you have two minds. This is such a powerful shift because then you don't have to change the mind that's bothering you. You don't have to change it." — Jeffrey Allen [0:50:36] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

On the surface, you may look like the model employee, partner, or friend: always dependable, always agreeable. But beneath the surface, you may be carrying a lifetime of survival strategies that keep you invisible in your own life. This is the story Dr. Ingrid Clayton knows both personally and professionally, and it's the story she helps so many of us begin to rewrite. Dr. Ingrid Clayton is a licensed clinical psychologist with advanced degrees in transpersonal and clinical psychology. She has maintained a thriving private practice for more than fifteen years and writes the popular Psychology Today blog, Emotional Sobriety, which has been read by over a million people. Her latest book, FAWNING: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves—and How to Find Our Way Back, unpacks the subtle but profound ways we abandon ourselves by prioritizing others' approval. In our conversation, Ingrid reflects on her own experience as a childhood trauma survivor and how it revealed the fawning response: the instinct to please and appease in order to stay safe. Unlike fight, flight, or freeze, fawning resembles caretaking, compliance, and endless yeses, but it often leaves us feeling resentful and disconnected from our own needs. She explains how this adaptation becomes ingrained in the nervous system, how it shapes our relationships and careers, and why breaking the cycle can feel like stepping into the firing line. Yet within that discomfort lies the path to healing. Ingrid offers tangible practices for reclaiming your agency: pausing before you agree, noticing where resentment signals self-abandonment, and daring to let your voice be heard even when it shakes. Listen in to discover how to stop surviving on others' terms and begin living on your own! Key Highlights From This Episode: An introduction to Dr. Ingrid Clayton and her new book on fawning. [02:17] Ingrid's personal story of childhood trauma and survival. [04:40] Defining the fawning response and how it differs from fight, flight, or freeze. [06:19] The spectrum of trauma responses and how conditioning reinforces fawning. [12:16] Signs of an ongoing fawning trauma response and why conflict feels unsafe. [15:02] How fawning embeds in the nervous system and what it takes to heal. [19:59] What happens in the body during the fawning trauma response. [22:22] Fawning behaviors and skills, where they originate, and why they're so common. [26:43] Practical grounding tools to restore safety through your body, senses, and curiosity. [32:05] How to get in touch with a psychologist in your area and find Dr. Clayton online. [37:50] For More Information: Dr. Ingrid Clayton Dr. Ingrid Clayton on Instagram Dr. Ingrid Clayton on Facebook Dr. Ingrid Clayton on YouTube Dr. Ingrid Clayton on TikTok Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Check out Dr. Ingrid Clayton's new book FAWNING: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves—and How to Find Our Way Back, and her Emotional Sobriety blog. Explore Dr. Clayton's other titles, Believing Me: Healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Complex Trauma, and Recovering Spirituality: Achieving Emotional Sobriety in Your Spiritual Practice. Listen to Kathy's interview with Andre Sólo, Being Highly Sensitive Is a Superpower — Embrace and Leverage it. Read more about trauma and the nervous system in The Body Keeps the Score. Find a psychologist in your area with Psychology Today's nationwide directory ——————— Join Kathy starting October 15, 2025, in her brand new monthly "The Most Powerful You" Group Coaching Program! Over the years, many graduates of my courses and readers of my books and articles, and other professionals have told me: "I wish there were a way to keep my momentum going — with supportive guidance, community, and accountability all year long." This program is the answer to that wish. Beginning October 15th, 2025, you'll meet monthly online in a small, global group for 12 months of live 60-minute coaching calls where you'll: Celebrate wins and breakthroughs Bring real-life challenges for direct support and guidance Revisit and apply core success and growth principles from my courses, articles, and 500+ interviews with top experts Learn from peers, insights, and encouragement Sort through key decisions in front of you Leave with clear, actionable steps to move you forward fast in your life and career You'll also get: A private Facebook group for ongoing support Call recordings if you miss a session Exclusive perks (with upfront payment), including additional curated resources, free access to Kathy Caprino AI, LinkedIn support, and two private coaching calls with me This is a space for professionals who are ready to grow their confidence, impact, and fulfillment — with consistent and uplifting support all year long. 👉 Learn more and join here: The Most Powerful You Group Coaching Program (If you prefer private, 1:1 support, explore my 6-session Career & Leadership Breakthrough program and other private coaching programs.) And don't forget to leverage Kathy Caprino AI – my digital career coaching tool – for instant access to answers and guidance about your most pressing career and leadership growth challenges. ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "A lot of what I call fawners, the people [who] have this long-term experience of a chronic fawning response. — We don't really know where fawning ends and where we begin. We don't really have conscious agency around our caretaking or appeasing. It just happens so reflexively all the time." — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:07:38] "Even though [the fawn response is] a genius adaptation, even though it keeps us safe, even though I'm grateful for it, it causes us to self-abandon at the same time. Because, — we're having to privilege and prioritize our external environment over who we are." — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:08:07] "I was repeating these dynamics over and over, not knowing that one part of that is the fact that I was living in survival mode in a chronic fawn response, and that leads to trauma reenactment." — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:09:11] "This is some of the hardest, bravest work I've ever had to do, and I've ever invited my clients to do." — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:18:01] "If you think about childhood, we need our caregivers longer than any other species, and it truly is life or death. You cannot essentially believe that your caregiver is a monster — so you have to find a way to stay alive in this system, which means [that], ultimately, the child goes 'It must be me.'" — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:27:52] "I'm definitely not trying to pathologize us for having a trauma response, or living [for] there long past when we needed to. This is normal. This is healthy. This is what it means to have a body, AND we don't want to live 24/7 in survival mode." — Dr. Ingrid Clayton [0:31:26] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

What if the parenting behaviors you dislike most in yourself aren't really "you"? What if they're trauma responses your brain learned long ago to survive, and what if you could change them? In this episode of Finding Brave, Dr. Robyn Koslowitz explores how trauma shapes our parenting and what we can do to change the cycle. Dr. Koslowitz is a trauma expert, child psychologist, and author of the new book Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be. She treats children, adolescents, and families at the Center for Psychological Growth of New Jersey, and hosts the Post-Traumatic Parenting YouTube channel and podcast. In this conversation, she explains how trauma responses can surface in family life through yelling, dissociating, or people-pleasing, and why social media often deepens parents' shame instead of easing it. She introduces the concept of the "trauma app," which rewires the brain, and shows how children, unlike bosses or spouses, can reveal these hidden patterns. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible and that parenting can become a path to breaking cycles and reclaiming emotional presence. Tune in to learn how Dr. Koslowitz's insights and practices can help you move beyond trauma and become the parent you always wanted to be! Key Points From This Episode: Introduction to Dr. Robyn Koslowitz and her book Post-Traumatic Parenting. [02:19] Why parents often judge themselves harshly for yelling, dissociating, or people-pleasing. [05:01] How social media can amplify shame and harm post-traumatic parents. [07:41] Dr. Koslowitz's definition of trauma: something that is too big to metabolize, shakes your sense of self or safety, and is faced alone. [10:29] The "trauma app" metaphor and how our brains create default responses to feel safe. [15:34] Why trauma strategies may work at work or in marriage but fail with children. [21:00] Recognizing both the costs and hidden "superpowers" of trauma responses. [23:24] Parenting as a path to healing and breaking cycles for the next generation. [27:43] Three practices for parents: undoing shame, journaling new narratives, and learning parenting skills. [30:34] How to access post-traumatic parenting resources. [35:04] For More Information: Dr. Robyn Koslowitz Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on LinkedIn Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Instagram Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on Threads Dr. Robyn Koslowitz on X Post-Traumatic Parenting Podcast Post-Traumatic Parenting on YouTube Center for Psychological Growth of New Jersey Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Check out Dr. Robyn Koslowitz's new book Post-Traumatic Parenting: Break the Cycle and Become the Parent You Always Wanted to Be ——————— Join Kathy starting October 15, 2025 in her brand new monthly "The Most Powerful You" Group Coaching Program! Over the years, many graduates of my courses and readers of my books and articles, and other professionals have told me: "I wish there were a way to keep my momentum going — with supportive guidance, community, and accountability all year long." This program is the answer to that wish. Beginning October 15th, 2025, you'll meet monthly online in a small, global group for 12 months of live 60-minute coaching calls where you'll: Celebrate wins and breakthroughs Bring real-life challenges for direct support and guidance Revisit and apply core success and growth principles from my courses, articles, and 500+ interviews with top experts Learn from peers, insights, and encouragement Sort through key decisions in front of you Leave with clear, actionable steps to move you forward fast in your life and career You'll also get: A private Facebook group for ongoing support Call recordings if you miss a session Exclusive perks (with upfront payment), including additional curated resources, free access to Kathy Caprino AI, LinkedIn support, and two private coaching calls with me This is a space for professionals who are ready to grow their confidence, impact, and fulfillment — with consistent and uplifting support all year long. 👉 Learn more and join here: The Most Powerful You Group Coaching Program (If you prefer private, 1:1 support, explore my 6-session Career & Leadership Breakthrough program and other private coaching programs.) And don't forget to leverage Kathy Caprino AI – my digital career coaching tool – for instant access to answers and guidance about your most pressing career and leadership growth challenges. ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "The way I define trauma is any experience that's too big for your brain to metabolize, that shook your sense of self or safety in the world, and that you had to cope with alone." — @DrKoslowitz [0:12:09] "There's no such thing as little T trauma." — @DrKoslowitz [0:13:02] "Your kids are not okay with you lashing out over the slightest provocation. They're gonna hold you to account and say, 'Why do you yell at me all the time?'" — @DrKoslowitz [0:16:48] "My son was 10 years old, he looked at me and he said — 'Mommy, where do you go when you go away behind your eyes? Sometimes when you're talking to me, it's like, you're not really there, and I don't like it.' And he burst out crying." — @DrKoslowitz [0:22:40] "That's another thing I want to say about trauma. [To this day] I do have the good parts of the trauma app that I can toggle on and select. One of those is I can focus on work in tiny pockets of time with a high level of focus." — @DrKoslowitz [0:23:37] "There's a lot of research that shows if you put new mothers into fMRI machines, their brains are reorganizing. So it's a great time to rewire your brain. Not only is your damage not going to damage your kids. In raising your kids, you can heal your damage, because your brain is uniquely set up to do that." — @DrKoslowitz [0:29:12] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Uncertainty has become the defining condition of our time, yet most of us still struggle to find our footing in it. What if you could reframe change itself as a source of strength? Today on Finding Brave, we're joined by global change advisor, futurist, and author April Rinne to uncover how to cultivate a "flux mindset" and discover the hidden opportunities within constant change. April, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and one of Forbes' 50 Leading Female Futurists, is a trusted advisor to organizations from Airbnb and Nike to the World Bank. She is the author of Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change, a book that helps readers reimagine leadership, success, and well-being through eight powerful practices. Grounded in her global career and shaped by personal tragedy, April's work invites us to step into uncertainty with greater courage, compassion, and clarity. In this conversation, April reflects on her own journey with flux, beginning with the sudden loss of her parents at age 20 and the lessons she learned from rebuilding a life turned upside down. She explains how journaling, curiosity, and cultural wisdom shaped her approach, and why letting go of what no longer serves us can open space for growth and freedom. Far from being quick fixes, the "flux superpowers" are daily practices that help us navigate both personal and professional uncertainty. April also offers insight into what it really means to be a futurist: blending research with lived experience and intuition to recognize patterns and possibilities. She invites us to see change not as something to fear but as the opportunity of a lifetime to evolve how we live and lead. If you're ready to shift your relationship with uncertainty and explore new ways to design your future, this episode will leave you both grounded and inspired! Key Highlights From This Episode: Introduction to April Rinne and the concept of a flux mindset. [02:07] Why Flux was not a pandemic book, but became even more relevant during it. [05:47] The personal tragedy that shaped April's lifelong relationship with change. [09:04] Learning from global cultures and wisdom traditions about navigating uncertainty. [10:29] The eight "flux superpowers" as daily practices, not quick fixes. [17:13] Building a portfolio career as an alternative to the career ladder. [25:45] The role of curiosity, journaling, and self-reflection in adapting to flux. [26:53] What it really means to be a futurist: blending research, intuition, and pattern recognition. [32:59] Seeing change as the opportunity of a lifetime to reshape how we live and lead. [39:50] For More Information: April RinneApril Rinne on LinkedInApril Rinne on FacebookApril Rinne on XApril Rinne on Instagram READY FOR A HUGE PERSONAL SHIFT TO ACHIEVE MORE SUCCESS, IMPACT, AND FULFILLMENT IN YOUR CAREER THIS YEAR? Work with Kathy and get hands-on, transformative CAREER & LEADERSHIP GROWTH COACHING SUPPORT today! Are you ready for a big positive shift in how you're working and what you're achieving today in your career? Let's make that happen for you! In my 6-session Career & Leadership Breakthrough 1:1 coaching program, I help professionals create and achieve what they want most, which includes more confidence, impact, advancement, financial reward, and fulfillment. I've worked with over 20,000 professionals across 6 continents, and before that, I served as a therapist, and before that, I was a corporate VP, managing multi-million dollar budgets and global initiatives. I bring all of that experience to our work together, helping you build a new chapter that aligns with who you really are and what you're ready to create. Check out kathycaprino.com/careerbreakthru and I hope you'll register now. And to join me for a free 20-minute Career Consultation, apply now on my Coaching Page. I'd love to support you this month and beyond!! And don't forget to leverage Kathy Caprino AI – my digital career coaching tool – for instant access to answers and guidance about your most pressing career and leadership growth challenges. ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "There is more change, uncertainty, unknown, flux. There's going to be more flux in the world every year that passes, not less." — @aprilrinne [0:06:24] "These are not superpowers of the kind that will instantly make you Superwoman. They're not birthright gifts. These don't drop from the sky. These are practices that we have to practice every day." — @aprilrinne [0:17:21] "I had to practice trusting others, I had to practice vulnerability. I had to practice lots of things that ended up in Flux, in the book, as superpowers. But I certainly didn't have those on day one." — @aprilrinne [0:24:21] "We are all works in progress, and no sooner than you think you're good at one of [these skills], some other change is going to happen, and it's going to humble you." — @aprilrinne [0:24:53] "Curiosity will beat certainty any day." — @aprilrinne [0:27:06] "When you journal — you're really cultivating a relationship with yourself and your self-awareness and your intuition." — @aprilrinne [0:31:05] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!

Thank you for listening to our Finding Brave show, ranked in the Top 100 Apple Career Podcasts! "Whether you're on an athletic team, a sales force, or a symphony orchestra, you better be honest about what you think about yourself. What you think about yourself and what you think about all the things that happen day by day, that's what constitutes your confidence." – Dr. Nate Zinsser Confidence is a character trait that has relatively little to do with what happens to you, but rather it's a function of how you think. Today's Finding Brave guest reveals how you can change your level of confidence, but first you must be aware of certain things. You absolutely can develop confidence for any situation that you care to, and our guest shares the ways that confident performers think differently from the average person in order to do this.​​ Dr. Nate Zinsser is an expert in the psychology of human performance who consults for individuals and organizations seeking a competitive edge. Nate's book, The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide for Unshakable Performance, hit shelves January 2022, and has been endorsed by two-time Super Bowl Champion and MVP Eli Manning, bestselling authors Jon Krakauer and Steven Pressfield, and US Olympic Bobsled Head Coach Mike Kohn. Nate was a regular consultant to the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Giants for twelve seasons and has been a keynote speaker for General Electric, Facebook, McDonald's, Staples, UBS, Major League Baseball, the NBA, and many more, as well as a consultant for the FBI Academy, the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, (mentoring four Olympic medalists), the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, and the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Since 1992, he has directed a cutting-edge applied sport psychology program at the United States Military Academy's Center for Enhanced Performance, personally conducting over seventeen thousand individual training sessions and seven hundred team training sessions for cadets seeking the mental edge for athletic, academic, and military performance. He also helped launch the highly successful magazine Sports Illustrated for Kids and was presented with an American Library Association award for his 1991 children's book Dear Dr. Psych: A Kid's Guide to Handling Sports Problems. I'm beyond excited to bring you the first installment of this special two-part mini-series with Nate on the subject of confidence, and I've loved learning from a master on this topic as it's something that I teach about often in my courses and in my career and leadership coaching. This is an excellent opportunity to learn, grow, and stretch our understanding of confidence, and I'll see you back here next week for the conclusion of this riveting conversation! Highlights from this Episode: How Nate entered this field of work and the way that a school sports team from his youth helped him understand the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies [6:00] The impact that your thoughts will play on the overall level of confidence that you have in yourself [10:26] What Nate had to do at an early age to develop a strong belief in himself [13:22] The key factors that influence our own systems of beliefs and approach to growth, success and progress [14:23] The 7 deadly sins and limiting beliefs that hold us back and lower our confidence [16:50] Why being socialized to the norms of society is often a formula to be mediocre [20:35] For More Information: Nate's Latest Book, The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide for Unshakable Performance https://natezinsser.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-zinsser-35349010/ https://twitter.com/DocZinsser https://www.facebook.com/nathaniel.zinsser Dr. Zinsser interviewed in Kathy's Forbes.com blog "Career Bliss, discussing Developing a Confident Mind: Key Strategies for Experiencing Unshakable Success Resources Mentioned: Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most damaging power gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ___________________________________________________________ Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer QUOTES FROM TODAY'S SHOW: "At the conclusion of my junior year, our wrestling team had our first winning season in a long time, and in my senior year it had another winning season. I don't think it was so much because we were all that physically gifted, but it was just as much a function of the fact that we did not buy into that negative self-fulfilling prophecy." [9:20] "I don't recall moments in my earlier childhood where I received a series of messages that really encouraged me to believe in myself. I had to work at that." [13:22] "We've got to be honest about which [limiting belief] is hanging us up, and be willing to let it go to cultivate an alternative belief." [21:40] Watch video versions of my interviews on Finding Brave! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave interview episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my Youtube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show! * * * * * * Please share your positive ratings and reviews!If you enjoy the show, we'd be so very grateful for a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts! These great ratings help us reach more and more people who are interested in boosting their careers, businesses, and their leadership, and keep in the Top 100 Apple Career Podcasts in the U.S. and around the world and in the top 1.5% of over 2.6 million podcasts! Thank you! * * * * * * Thank you so much and here's to becoming The Most Powerful You!

Are your thoughts and actions regularly dictated by a harsh inner critic? Do you find yourself filled with feelings of unworthiness and that you are undeserving of love? If so, you may well be dealing with the symptoms of core shame. Our guest, David Jurasek, knows firsthand the devastating impact shame can have on your life and relationships, and he joins us today to shed light on this urgent topic. Drawing on his 25 years of experience as a mentor and therapist, David's work is defined by his belief that your biggest source of sabotage is driven by core shame. He is the founder of Powerful and Loving, a community helping men and boys become powerful leaders who cultivate thriving relationships. Additionally, he is the author of My Heart Is A Muscle, a book that he wrote with the hopes of moving 500 men in the deepest way possible. In today's conversation, we unpack the concept of core shame, where it tends to stem from, the devastating impact it can have on our lives, and how we can begin to release and heal from it. David opens up about the role that shame played in his life and explains why identifying its root cause is so important. We explore how our shame-based society prevents us from looking inward and the power of healthy relationships and community in helping us heal from shame. Our conversation also investigates the role of shame in our relationships and how we can break patterns of blame and criticism, before exploring how to go about dethroning your inner critic, followed by simple and effective techniques to help you process and let go of shame. Today's episode is filled with profound insights and will give you a newfound understanding of the complexities of shame and its impact. We hope you'll join us for a thought-provoking and empowering conversation on healing from shame and the power of love and community. Key Highlights From This Episode: Unpacking the concept of core shame, the impact of seeing yourself as unworthy or unlovable, and how this influences our lives and behavior. [06:40] Why it's so important to understand where your shame comes from and what it's attached to. [12:10] David's vulnerable account of how shame impacted him, and how the kindness of a friend, who had confronted his own core shame, altered David's life. [21:23] The symptoms of shame, why most people don't realize they are carrying core shame, and why a shame-based society doesn't want us to look internally. [26:13] How patriarchal, racist, and capitalist systems have created a shame-based society, and what David has learned from studying healthy communities. [30:17] Understanding how shame can show up in relationships; how we project our shame onto loved ones; and what it looks like to unlearn shame and your unique conditioning. [33:40] Dethroning your inner critic and how this shifts your perspective; the physiological effects of releasing shame; effective and accessible techniques for letting go of shame. [39:37] The nuances of shame and how interrogating it can teach us powerful lessons about our natural gifts. [49:40] Find out where you can learn more about David's work and get in touch. [55:47] For More Information: David Jurasek on LinkedIn David Jurasek on Instagram Powerful and LovingCritical Love Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Check out David's book My Heart Is A Muscle ——————— Ready for a true Career Breakthrough? Are you ready for a BIG positive shift in how you're working and what you're capable of achieving today in your career and leadership? Let's work together and make that happen! While you might know me best as a podcast host and writer, a key focus in my work is career and leadership coaching and consulting for mid to high-level professionals around the globe. In my top-rated Career & Leadership Breakthrough coaching programs, I help people address root causes of their core challenges today, and move through those challenges to create what they want most, which includes more confidence, impact, recognition, advancement, financial reward, well-being, and fulfillment. I also help them close their existing power and confidence gaps and embrace their most exciting visions for the future, along with experiencing greater self-worth (sometimes for the very first time in their lives) so they can move forward to greater joy, reward and fulfillment In the past 18 years, I've worked with over 30,000 professionals across 6 continents. Before that, I served as a therapist, and prior to that, I was a corporate VP managing multi-million-dollar budgets and global initiatives. I leverage all of that experience to help professionals build an exciting new chapter of work to reach their highest and happiest potential in careers they love. For organizations looking for top-level career and leadership coaches to support the emerging and seasoned leaders in your workforce to expand their confidence and make a more positive impact, please feel free to contact me here. Check out my private coaching programs >> Kathy's Career & Leadership Growth Help. I hope you'll register now. I'd love to support you! ——————— Need some great podcast production support? Check out We Edit Podcasts! Hi, folks! Kathy here. So, are you thinking of launching a new podcast or have you been at it a while and recognize it's time for more or better production help to create the best podcast you can? I totally understand — I've been podcasting for over 6 years and know how challenging it can be. That's why I'm very excited to share key info about the great product team I'm using called We Edit Podcasts. I've been working with them for well over a year, and I've been so happy with the results! They're a full-service production agency and their services give me access to a wonderful team of seasoned audio engineers and editors who help create a polished, professional sound. And they work hard to ensure that my particular podcasting approach and style comes through in every episode. They also help me make sure my guests are reflected in the best possible light through the creation of terrific show notes, which is an important part of the show for me. Their process is easy and streamlined, and their responsiveness and customer service are terrific too. If you're ready for better production help, definitely check them out and take advantage of their FREE trial episode, allowing you to sample their process and quality to see if it's a great fit for you. I'm confident you'll love them. Just paste this link into your browser: >> http://weeditpodcasts.com/findingbrave that's my special link for you. Book your free call with We Edit Podcasts! Happy podcasting! ——————— Order Kathy's book The Most Powerful You today! In Australia and New Zealand, click here to order, elsewhere outside North America, click here, and in the UK, click here. If you enjoy the book, we'd so appreciate your giving the book a positive rating and review on Amazon! And check out Kathy's digital companion course The Most Powerful You, to help you close the 7 most power and confidence gaps in the most effective way possible. Kathy's Power Gaps Survey, Support To Build Your LinkedIn Profile To Great Success & Other Free Resources Kathy's TEDx Talk, Time To Brave Up & Free Career Path Self-Assessment Kathy's Amazing Career Project video training course & 6 Dominant Action Styles Quiz ——————— Sponsor Highlight I'm thrilled that both Audible.com and Amazon Music are sponsors of Finding Brave! Take advantage of their great special offers and free trials today! Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "We all have shame. It's a question of what is your shame about? What is it attached to? What's the label?" — David Jurasek [0:14:28] "It's really hard to identify it and notice [shame] because it's so internal. It's who you think you are. You don't know your soul. But when you look deep, deep, deep down, you meet your shame. And your shame tries to tell you, this is who you are, trust me." — David Jurasek [0:18:34] "To un-shame, is to start to name it. And I think often in intimate relationships, it's so easy to project our shame on our partner on our kids." — David Jurasek [0:34:24] "It's confronting that voice inside and saying, 'Whoa, when did I make you the authority of my life? It must have been when I was a child, because I'm a 46-year-old adult now. You better sit the fuck down.'" — David Jurasek [0:38:48] "We need support because that shame is so sticky. It's like black tar, gunky stuff, it hides and it sticks." — David Jurasek [0:44:20] "I'm breaking the chains of the past. I'm healing society by releasing shame from my nervous system. So I don't recreate it. And I don't add to it and don't put it on other people. I think it's the most important thing we could ever do." — David Jurasek [0:45:04] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats! Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!