This week, my special guest is Karan Bajaj. Karan is a #1 bestselling Indian novelist with a full-time corporate job and a rather unique approach to life, fulfillment, and personal happiness. His novels have sold more than 200,000 copies worldwide and both are being turned into major films.One thing that really jumped out at me about Karan and got me excited about having him on the show is his ability to write captivating novels with an underlying lesson while working a full-time job AND taking an entire year off every four years.Join us on this episode to hear about Karan’s childhood, growing up in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in northern India, how his Indian upbringing and culture have influenced his decisions along the way, and the incredible story of his journey from small mountain town boy to bestselling author.In This Episode, You'll Learn:How the official divorce rate for arranged marriages is 1%, and why Karan says this can be misleading.What it’s like to be a child in India trying to become a doctor or an engineer (and the insane levels of competition to make a life for yourself).Karan’s 4-1-4 method of taking a year off for every four years of work, and what he’s learned in the processHow Karan builds his “intuitive” muscle and develops his ability to switch from intense working and focus to his “off” years.How you can actually make more progress (and money) in a year off as a byproduct than in a year of intensely focused workThe difference between gradual uncovering to drive change and dramatic movementsThe combination great pieces of art are able to master and how it will make you a better artistMentioned in This Episode:Karan's Website: KaranBajaj.comKaran's Books: The Yoga of Max's Discontent, The Seeker, Johnny Gone Down, Keep Off The GrassStefan Sagmeister Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Good Life Project, we welcome Sharon Salzberg, a renowned meditation and lovingkindness teacher and founder of Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. She travels the world teaching people how to become aware and cultivate lovingkindness in their lives.Sharon also recently partnered with Dan Harris to bring her latest venture to life, 10% Happier, an exciting new app that builds on Dan’s book, 10% Happier.Today, Sharon and I dive into her inspiring path to peace and love and her journey to help others achieve the same. A journey that involved a pilgrimage to India, where she's meet not only her teacher, but a small group of students who, along with her, would eventually rise up to become some of the world's greatest teachers.In This Episode, You'll Learn:How Sharon's difficult childhood set in motion a deeper quest.Why Sharon went to India, what she hoped to find, and the surprises that awaited.How Sharon ended up in the town of Buddha's birth with a small group of students who would become some of the world's greatest teachers.What called Sharon back to the U.S. and why she decided to found the Insight Meditation Center in Barre, MA.What lovingkindness meditation really is and the unusual way Sharon practices it.How Sharon became involved with Dan Harris and the 10% Happier app.Why you need to take care of yourself in order to show others kindness.Mentioned in This Episode:Connect with Sharon: Insight Meditation Society | Facebook | Twitter | 10% Happier App10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story by Dan HarrisDaniel GolemanSusan PiverRam DassJack KornfieldLinda Stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, my special guest is Dr. Shefali Tsabary. If her name sounds familiar, you may have seen one of her appearances as the resident parenting expert on Oprah.Dr. Shefali is the author of multiple books, including her latest, The Awakened Family. She is a clinical psychologist with an incredibly unique East-meets-West approach to helping adults become who they need to be through a relationship with children.I knew that I needed to have Dr. Shefali on the show to share her incredible insight on the anxiety that many families experience. This anxiety can be present not only between parents and children but also between adults.As we talk today, Dr. Shefali shares her own personal journey, from growing up in Mumbai in a strongly patriarchal society to finally striking out on her own and heading to San Diego and then New York. Her growth is an inspirational story of what you can achieve with supportive parents, a dream and the drive to succeed.Listen in to learn to determine how to help people to emerge into a life that’s happy, fulfilled and in a place where you can be truly yourself. In This Episode, You'll Learn:How Dr. Shefali experienced the death of her former life...and why you might want to as well.Why, as parents, we need to let go of what "we" want for our kids.How kids can be a profound vessel of liberation for parentsWhy we are so afraid to step into who we truly are.The unique way Dr. Shefali’s parents helped her to become who she is today.What Dr. Shefali holds most sacred for childhood development.Be mindful of your child's journey of figuring out who they are.Why Dr. Shefali has a deep respect and reverence for Sigmund Freud.Mentioned in This Episode:Shefali’s Website: DrShefali.comShefali’s Books: The Awakened Family, The Conscious Parent, Out of ControlShefali’s Facebook: Dr. ShefaliCalifornia Institute of Integral StudiesSigmund Freud Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you had to live your life in the spotlight. With thousands of people watching not just your every move, but the things you said, the way you looked, the state of your body and life?And, what if earning your living depended on it?That's the place today's guest, Petra Kolber, found herself in. A renowned teacher, speaker, athlete and spokesperson in the fitness industry for decades, she lived nearly every waking minute in the public's eye.It was an extraordinary experience, but it also came with a cost. An obsession with perfection, setting the bar at a level that was persistently emotionally and physically unattainable. And, that led to an inner life that was a very different place than her outer life. Her awakening to this led to a heroine's journey that's left her in a very different place, one of renewal, positivity and a willingness to forgive her own humanity.Moving into a new season in her life, Petra remains "exposed," but now she's speaking directly to the issue, and to the near-maniacal and destructive push for perfection that seems to be fueling so much of life today. She has presented in over 30 countries and spoken at TEDx. Her mission is to help others stretch their dreams, kick fear to the curb, strengthen their courage muscle and build a life filled with joy and purpose.In today's episode, we dive deep into her remarkable journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if success was less about mastery and more about sight?Simple truth: Most of us don’t see what is right in front of us.Instead, we see mental models and imprints of what things “should” look like or what we’ve been told to see. And, we miss what's actually happening, along with all the critical details.As entrepreneurs or professionals, it’s extremely difficult to become extraordinary at anything, to serve on the deepest level or build businesses, careers and lives that are tapped into their potential until we first understand how to see what’s in front of us.Today’s guest, Amy Herman, can help. A former lawyer with a dual education in art, she saw how a pervasive inability to both see truth and details and then share them in a clear way was limiting the work of so many people. So, she developed The Art of Perception, a program to teach (non-artist) professionals strengthen their perception skills using classic works of art in a museum setting.The impact has been astonishing. She now works with everyone from the NYPD FBI to the Department of Defense, doctors and med students, as well as leaders in the fields of education, finance, and policy. Amy’s new book, Visual Intelligence, describes her process and her work. In This Episode You’ll Learn:The impetus behind the launch of Amy’s programs.The experience of The Art of Perception and what people can expect when they go through the program.The four As of Amy’s program and how they help professionals become better at their jobs.The importance of taking a step back and making sure you have enough information if you choose to rely on a bias.Why eyewitness testimonies are not a reliable source of information.Amy’s tip for getting the complete picture of a situation at hand.Why Amy prohibits certain words in her classes.The importance of self-perception and why it’s critical to self-development.Why Amy is unhappy with the state of the formal art education and what she suggests to those majoring in art.Mentioned In This Episode:Connect with Amy: The Art of PerceptionVisual Intelligence by Amy HermanThe Gift of Fear by Gavin de BeckerThe METMuseum of Fine Arts, BostonThe Frick Collection  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you go from being a wine newbie to a sommelier at Thomas Keller’s famed French Laundry?That was the journey that our today’s guest, André Mack, took. And that was just the beginning. From there, André became the head sommelier at Per Se, Thomas Keller’s restaurant in New York, before becoming a winemaker and creating his own, provocative wine brand, Mouton Noir.In this episode of the Good Life Project, André shares his incredible journey and his love affair with learning, entrepreneurship, wine and design, as well as the deep insights he’s gained along the way. We talk about his consuming obsession with becoming extraordinary and how it moved him to become an award-winning sommelier, winemaker, designer & author. You won’t want to miss this inspiring episode!In This Episode You’ll Learn:André’s experience growing up as a prototypical military kid and how it opened up his world.Why André and his wife decided to homeschool their kids.The reason why he left the finance world for the service industry.How the TV show, Frasier, inspired him to learn more about wine.André’s process for committing wines’ subtle nuances to memory.His journey to becoming a sommelier at The French Laundry and Per Se.His consuming obsession with becoming extraordinary.How André’s need for being creative drove him to starting his own business.The power of leveraging past relationships.The idea behind the Mouton Noir’s branding.Mentioned In This Episode:Connect with André: andremack.com | Mouton Noir Wines | Small Thyme CooksFrasierThe French LaundryPer Se David Chang and MomofukuHall & Oates Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is Eileen Flannigan, the Founder and Managing Director of Girls on Fire Leaders, a non-profit that provides young girls in developing nations with personal and community leadership skills through immersive travel, experiential self-learning, authentic self-expression, and global connectivity.Eileen was a successful digital marketing strategist for large tech startups in Silicon Valley. But after two decades in this field, she began listening to the voice inside her that called her to make a bigger contribution to the world.When she turned forty, Eileen went to India and gave herself two guidelines: she would go alone, and she would follow her heart completely. For nearly two months, she hung out with street kids and young girls in brothels. Her time there set her life on a transformational course that blossomed into Girls on Fire Leaders, which now empowers adolescent girls all around the world.Don’t miss this inspiring and insightful look into the life and mind of an entrepreneur who left her familiar world to serve the world in a deeper way.In This Episode You’ll Learn:Why you don’t need to be an extrovert to be a leader.How her tendency as a kid to pay attention to the “underdog” manifested itself in surprising ways.The tension she felt between not wanting to destroy the life she had created, but wanting to do something that made a bigger difference.How Eileen literally followed her heart when she went to India.The story of how Eileen became involved with Kiva, and its connection to eventually quitting her job.The surprising insights Eileen gained about poverty through living and working with people in the slums.Why it’s so hard for women trapped in poverty to escape from it.Why people living under corrupt governments often don’t speak up for themselves.How leading Girls on Fire has impacted Eileen personally.How Eileen defines a “good life.”Mentioned In This Episode:Connect with Eileen: Girls on Fire Leaders | LinkedInKivaPortfolios of the Poor by Daryl CollinsRestore NYCGrab your spot at the Camp GLP at the Early Bird discount rate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is obsessed with wonder. In fact, it's his vocation.Jeffery Davis is the founder of Tracking Wonder, where he explores how to reconnect with wonder and also help people tell their their stories through books, businesses and beyond.As a kid, he became concerned about paying attention to life and ensuring that he'd never lose his imagination. That led him to become a poet, a teacher, an author and then...everything fell apart.He realized he'd been living entirely "from the neck up," largely disembodied and disconnected from his heart. That awakening launched a years-long quest to rediscover a deeper, more soulful driver. It brought him back to wonder as a driving force in his life and eventually as his career.He has taught his signature approaches to creativity, writing, and branding at numerous universities, conferences, and centers around the world. An author, speaker, and online columnist for Psychology Today, he is in dogged pursuit of what helps creatives thrive amidst constant challenge and change. He lives in a farmhouse in the Hudson Valley with his wife and two girls.Maybe his biggest true driver, though, is to be the kind of adult whose life reveals to his daughters the grace and beauty and joy of a wonder that never ends.His new book of poetry is Coat Thief.In This Episode You’ll Learn:The gift that his father gave him, passed down from his grandfather.How he ended up living with his bachelor father during high school.How he faked being an extrovert growing up.Why his friends called him 'The Mystery Man'.His decision between joining the monastery or becoming a poet.The entry point that broke him out of his intellect and into his body.The two-fold silent promise he made to his baby girl after she was born.Mentioned In This Episode:Connect with Jeffrey: Tracking WonderQuiet by Susan CainBeat GenerationWilliam Carlos Williams: "The Red Wheelbarrow"Wallace StevensRobert CreeleyCity Reservoir by Jeffrey DavisFocus by Daniel GolemanTKV DesikacharThe Journey from the Center to the Page: Yoga Philosophies and Practices as Muse for Authentic Writing by Jeffrey DavisShiva SuturasGrab your spot at the Camp GLP at the Early Bird discount rate! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Good Life Project Roundtable™ features guests-in-residence Daniel Lerner and Gabra Zackman. This is session 3 in their three-week residency.Dan Lerner is a leading expert on elite performance, excellence and the realization of unique potential, working with musicians, athletes, and numerous Fortune 500 companies and executives. He's on the faculty at both New York University (where he teaches the always waitlisted “The Science of Happiness”) and the University of Pennsylvania, where he works with the graduate program in Applied Positive Psychology. He is currently writing a book about the process and mindset that leads to healthy, uniquely individual excellence.Gabra Zackman is an actress, writer and voice over artist, frequent traveler and lover of adventure. She works regularly in theater, has a parallel and sustaining career in audiobook narration, having recorded over 300 audiobooks to date, and has had great success with her first writing contract,the humorous, romantic, spy-centered BOD SQUAD series. Her life philosophy is 'Say yes...and rock what you got'.Our three topics in this episode:How do you find those near-mystical collaborations?The surprising origins of mentors, what's in it for the mentor?Why you need to hold on to your most precious relationships loosely.It's fast-paced, fun, utterly unscripted and at times a bit raw, but always good-natured and very real. Enjoy! And let us know if you like this format, over on social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever hear of the 10,000 rule? The idea that it takes 10,000 hours to become world-class at anything?Well, what if it wasn't true?And, what if the research it was based on actually said something very different? Something that somehow got "lost in translation" when the data went mainstream.In today's conversation, we sit down with K. Anders Ericsson, PhD, Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. He studies what it takes to be the best in the world in domains such as music, chess, medicine, and sports. And it was his research that served of the basis for the now wildly popular 10,000 hour rule that's been cited in some of the biggest books of the last 10 years..Problem is, as you're about to discover, it's a lie. There never was a 10,000 rule. That number, along with the idea of a "rule," is based on a series of misinterpretations of his work.In this new book, Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise, and in today's conversation, Ericsson finally sets the record straight. He distills three decades of myth-shattering research into a powerful learning strategy that is fundamentally different from the way people traditionally think about acquiring new abilities.EIn This Episode You’ll Learn:The difference between "traditional" practice, "purposeful" practice and "deliberate" practice.How Malcolm Gladwell may have misinterpreted Ericsson's research on the 10,000 hour rule.How Ericsson sees the importance of the role of a teacher in accelerating the path to expertise.What actually motivates someone to do the often grueling work for the years it takes to become great.How he's studied people who have learned and developed systems to memorize long strings of numbers.Mentioned In This Episode:Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm GladwellWhiplash Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.