In the fourth and final episode of the Nonviolent Communication miniseries, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath explore why the NVC framework will only take us so far. They discuss how our needs are never really satisfied, our yearning for eternity, the common way that people misuse gratitude as a practice, the need for spiritual practice, and steps we can take to help us on the path toward meeting the deepest need that we have.  Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

In the third episode of our Nonviolent Communication miniseries, Michael, Hari Prasada, and Rasanath take us through a central teaching of the framework: O-F-N-R. This teaching allows us to separate facts from interpretation, identify our emotions, determine the “why” behind our emotion, and then healthily enroll others in helping us meet our needs.Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

In the second episode of our Nonviolent Communication miniseries, Michael, Hari Prasada and Rasanath take a deep dive into the incredibly tight connection between needs and feelings, exploring how the nuances of these terms affect our conversations and interactions. They reveal how our needs are connected to feelings, how many of us mistakenly use the word “feeling,” and the importance of seeking understanding. They also discuss how acknowledging our feelings and unmet needs can open up a path to self-awareness and compassion for others. Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

In this enlightening discussion, Hari Prasada, a Nonviolent Communication expert, and communicator Rasanath unpack the complexities of everyday dialogue. They reveal how our communication can often be 'violent' and emphasize the crucial distinction between needs and strategies. The acronym P.L.A.T.O. is introduced as a pathway to self-awareness in communication. Listeners learn how to break the cycle of 'emotional slavery' in relationships and cultivate genuine connections through empathy and understanding.

Promotions. Travel experiences. Schools for our kids. Cars. Food. Other people.Our lives are full of lust. And this lust is preventing us from being who we really are. Starting with this powerful realization and from the ideas present in the Bhagavad-Gita, Hari Prasada, Rasanath, and Michael help us peel back the layers of our desires. They guide us through the maze of our selfish tendencies and illuminate the ways in which our lustful impulses affect our lives. They discuss personal examples, including what happens when we attend networking events and how we objectify others just by looking at them. They close the discussion with practical takeaways to have a healthier relationship with our desires.Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

“When you squeeze an orange, you'll always get orange juice to come out. What comes out is what's inside.” It was hearing this quote, by Wayne Dyer, that inspired Rasanath to really look at and feel confronted by a distastefully sarcastic comment that he had made toward someone he loves. In this episode, Rasanath and Vipin do a deep dive into the concept of tolerance, shedding light on the significance of consciously working through problems rather than hastily reacting or seeking escape. They focus on the importance of putting space between stimulus and response, responding rather than reacting, the consequences of a lack of tolerance, and how we can leverage this wisdom for healthier and happier relationships. Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

Why do we gossip and what is the impact of gossip on us and the people around us?In this episode, Vipin, Michael, and Hari Prasada examine why the topic of gossip is applicable to all of us, what we “achieve” when we engage in gossip, and the subtle and not-so-subtle costs that we pay when we do it. They give us actionable next steps to help us understand what is going on inside us when we gossip and how to choose a way of communicating that will create healthier relationships. Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

What happens when we take shortcuts in life? Does this lead us toward more efficiency and success, or does it ultimately lead us down a path of self-deception and erosion of character? In this episode, the entire team gets together to analyze the profound implications of cutting corners. While sharing personal anecdotes and also unpacking some of the world’s most “successful” corner-cutters, they examine how this behavior manifests, the mindsets driving it, and the unexpected consequences it may unveil.Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

In this very personal episode, Hari interviews Michael about a piece he wrote, From "It Happened TO Me to "It Happened FOR Me”, in which he discusses a challenging experience where he was cut off from someone he cares about. They discuss navigating the impulse to blame others, the value of being aware of the stories that we tell ourselves about ourselves, the link between gratitude and empathy, and most importantly, how to turn difficult experiences into lessons that can put us on the path toward being our best selves. They also share some laughs as Michael talks about his staunch opposition to his siblings buying of ice cream when they were kids, and Hari shares about an ex-girlfriend who taught him crucial things he couldn’t see about himself. Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild

In this final episode of the Enneagram Foundations series, we explore how to use the Enneagram in our everyday lives in order to make sure that it has the profound impact on us that it is capable of having. We also discuss how the Enneagram can only take us so far and how a spiritual practice is needed to help us go beyond the limits of our personality.  Links:Upbuild Coaching Training (six-month program, starts October 19th)Enneagram Workshop (October 4-5, 2025) Upbuild Website Instagram: @upbuildnycFacebook: UpbuildLinkedIn: Upbuild