
Mike‘s Search For Meaning
Mike‘s Search For Meaning is the intersection between philosophical and practical. How do leaders organize their inner world? What tools and tactics can we use to enhance our relationships and careers? Join host and life coach Mike Trugman as he seeks to unlock the keys to living a deeply fulfilling life.
Latest episodes

Oct 15, 2023 • 1h 30min
#94 - Chrystal Bell on What Crime Scenes Teach About Humanity, & Vision Questing In Wilderness Without Food for 3 Days
Chrystal Bell is an executive coach and facilitator. She works with leaders and teams to support them in bringing their best work and unique gifts forth. A former scientist, Chrystal spent 20 years in forensics, literally and metaphorically digging deeply to uncover what was hidden.
She brings that same energy and inquiry to her work with clients. Whether it’s working toward transformation, stepping into a new position, or navigating a transition, Chrystal draws from her experience leading and working in difficult places to help others cultivate grounded presence in the most challenging of situations.
Outside of coaching, Chrystal is currently exploring grief ritual work, nature as healer, and belonging. You can read her reflections on belonging in the afterword of the book “Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong” by Jerry Colonna.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Ekone Ranch. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Chrystal on:
Website - https://www.reboot.io/team/chrystal-bell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystal-bell/
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong - Jerry Colonna
Awe - Dacher Keltner
Jerry Colonna
Ekone Ranch
Krista Tippett
On Being - Krista Tippett

Oct 8, 2023 • 51min
#93 - Solo Episode: The Madness, Joy, and Messiness of Being a New Dad
I’m a new dad! Being a new dad has brought up a LOT for me. I’ve heard a lot of well-meaning advice, like:
-Get some sleep while you can!
-Soak it all in. Being a parent is the best.
-You might not connect with your child immediately, and that’s ok.
These are all true, but they are very surface level. My intention with this episode is to provide depth, color and texture to what it’s like to bring a child into the world.
Being a dad has tested me in every way imaginable, and hopefully the lessons I have learned (and surely continue to learn; as I’m writing this, I went through one of my most challenging days as a parent) can show more of the full picture of fatherhood and parenthood.
Enjoy this conversation!
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, I’ve selected 2 wonderful organizations: AllKings and The Unstoppable Foundation. Any and all donations make a difference!
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Valerie Livesay's Episode.
Down By The Bay
Son of Man
For Good

Oct 1, 2023 • 1h 42min
#92 - Justin Mulvaney on Emotions in the Workplace, Loving What Is, & Taking 100% Responsibility in Your Life
Justin Mulvaney is a conscious leadership and executive coach. He coaches founders and founding teams to reduce interpersonal drama, take radical responsibility, and become more conscious, connected, and effective.
Justin's training and coaching philosophy is heavily based on the work of the Conscious Leadership group. He helps founders and leaders in technology and corporate environments use the principles of conscious leadership to identify and shift the beliefs and patterns that hold them back and build more conscious, connected, and effective cultures.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called GiveDirectly. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Justin on:
Website - https://www.justinmulvaney.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/justinmulvs
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmulvaney/
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Loving What Is - Byron Katie
Awareness - Anthony De Mello
Memories, Dreams, Reflections - Carl G. Jung
Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership - Diana Chapman & Jim Dethmer
Diana Chapman
Josh Waitzkin
Tim Ferriss
Jim Dethmer
Elisa Haggarty - School of Unlearning Podcast with Justin Mulvaney
Dammit Doll
Enneagram
DISC
Big 5 Personality Traits
Myers Briggs
Strengths Finder

Sep 24, 2023 • 1h 26min
#91 - Le’Angela Ingram on Creating Strong Culture, The Importance of Pivoting, & Systems Thinking
Le'Angela Ingram brings, over a decade of experience in a variety of private, public, and academic organizations in the areas of Change Management, Staff Training and Development, Career Development, Organization Development, Human Resource Assessment, Workforce Diversity, her work efforts focus on improved organization effectiveness, staff skills and employee commitment, and increased employee sensitivity to individual and cultural differences; reduction in cycle time and cost; and increased effectiveness and efficiency of workflow. She designs, develops, and launches customized seminars and conferences in diversity, leadership skills, change management, and team building yielding high ratings in content and quality for more than 200 federal agencies. Selected clients include Washington Hospital Center, US Department of State, USAID, US Department of Commerce, US Attorneys' Office, District of Columbia Superior Court, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Graduate School USA, Department of Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, Anne Arundel Community College, Johns Hopkins University and Sprint.
Ms. Ingram earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing from Howard University. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Science (Organization and Human Resource Development) from The Johns Hopkins University, where she also completed Fellowships in Change Management and Women, Leadership and Change and holds coaching certificates. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in Leadership and Learning Organizations, Candidate 2023. She is certified in Transition Management and Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
She is the proud Nina to Alex, Kayla and Brianna and the mother of 2, Dannielle and Joshua. For fun you can find her on blue water beaches, listening to jazz and investing time with friends and family. As a native Washingtonian she enjoys seeking out new small venues for dining.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called House of Ruth. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Le’Angela on:
Website - https://www.consultingram.com/about
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/le-angela-ingram/
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Servant Leadership - Robert K. Greenleaf
Appreciative Inquiry - David L. Cooperrider
Getting to Yes - Roger Fisher
Black Faces in White Places - Randal Pinkett
Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes - William Bridges
Flawless Consulting - Peter Block
The Consultant's Calling - Geoffrey M. Bellman
Nancy Rosenshine
Appreciative Inquiry
Kouzes and Posner

Sep 17, 2023 • 1h 31min
#90 - Susan Olesek on Enneagram Prison Project, Following Your Green Lights, and Human Potential
Susan Olesek is an unapologetic idealist, a Human Potentialist in passionate pursuit of what is possible for people. Born outside of Boston, raised in Hong Kong and Japan, and educated in England and California, she earned a BA in Sociology from Occidental College and has cultivated a compassionate interest in human behavior during her lifetime.
Susan brings her conviction that there is something inherently “good” in people to anyone in her presence. During her 15 years of developing self-awareness training for Fortune 500 executives, corporate teams, schools, and those experiencing incarceration, she became known for her compassionate approach to the Enneagram. In 2012 she founded Enneagram Prison Project (EPP): a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the self-awareness education of people who are incarcerated, now scaling around the globe.
While working with wildly diverse groups of people using the same insightful tool, Susan became convinced that the Enneagram has always been meant for everyone. In 2019, she founded The Human Potentialists (THP) a Benefit Corporation with a vision to democratize the Enneagram, and whose mission is guiding people to their highest potential while connecting them to the core of our shared humanity. THP is dedicated to doing business for good.
Susan lives in the Santa Cruz mountains with her husband who is EPP’s Executive Director, along with their three children, 12 chickens, and 3 cats.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Enneagram Prison Project. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Susan on:
Enneagram Prison Project Website - https://www.enneagramprisonproject.org/
The Human Potentialists (THP) Website: https://www.thehumanpotentialists.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanolesek/
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
The Essential Enneagram - David Daniels
Enneagram Institute

Sep 10, 2023 • 1h 57min
#89 - Raj Sisodia on Conscious Capitalism, Healing Personal and Collective Trauma, and Wise Fools of Tough Love
Described as an “Intellectual Shaman” in a book with that title, Raj Sisodia has been on a mission to bring caring, humanity and healing to business and capitalism since the 2007 publication of his groundbreaking book Firms of Endearment: How World Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose. A founding member and Chairman Emeritus of the Conscious Capitalism movement, Raj Sisodia is FEMSA Distinguished University Professor of Conscious Enterprise and Chairman of the Conscious Enterprise Center at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico.
Raj is co-author of the New York Times bestseller Conscious Capitalism (2013) and Wall Street Journal bestseller Everybody Matters (2015). Raj received an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University and has served on the boards of Mastek and The Container Store.
Most recently, Raj authored the book ‘Awaken’, which we explore at length in this conversation. I highly recommend engaging with Raj’s book and his work.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Pratham USA. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Raj on:
Website - www.rajsisodia.com
His Most Recent Book: Awaken - https://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Inner-Peace-Purpose-Healing/dp/1119789192
Books - https://www.amazon.com/Libros-Raj-Sisodia/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARaj+Sisodia&language=es
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajendrasisodia/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RajSisodiaCC
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
Absent Mother God of the West - Neela Bhattacharya Saxena
The Bully Society - Jessie Klein
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus - John Gray
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
The Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith
The Theory of Moral Sentiments - Adam Smith
Dharma
Joseph Campbell
James Bowen
Conscious Leadership
Carl Rogers
Path

Sep 3, 2023 • 1h 35min
#88 - Danielle Sunberg on Atlas of Being: From Briefcase to Backpack, One Former Lawyer’s Exploration of the Human Way
Danielle Sunberg is an award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and authentic leadership coach. A former commercial litigator, Danielle left her Washington D.C. law firm after successfully defending her client against a $6 Billion judgment. Diagnosed with depression, she realized that she needed to redefine what success looked like without sacrificing her wellness and her values, taking her on a journey across six continents studying conscious self-development.
Danielle then founded a CPG wellness brand that she scaled and sold in 2021. Danielle believes that personal development fuels professional success, and she speaks to organizations and coaches individuals to drive transformative change within themselves, their organizations, and society as a whole.
danielle@daniellesunberg.com
www.daniellesunberg.com
Watch the TEDx
Get the award-winning book
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Kiva. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Danielle on:
Website - www.daniellesunberg.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-sunberg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danielle.sunberg/
Her Book - Atlas of Being: From Briefcase to Backpack, One Former Lawyer's Exploration of the Human Way
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Transcendental Meditation
Kiva
Atlas of Being

Aug 27, 2023 • 1h 42min
#87 - Rikki Goldenberg on Why Discipline is BS, Jealousy as a Tool, and Getting Good at Messing Up
Rikki Goldenberg is an executive leadership and career coach who partners with seasoned folks on figuring out what comes next in their careers. A former product marketing director, consultant and human-centered service designer researcher, Rikki leverages her breadth of experiences from start-ups to fortune 500s to bring unique perspectives to her clients. Rikki loves pushing her clients to hang out on the edge of growth - all while not taking themselves too seriously.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is the Trevor Project. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Rikki on:
Website - https://www.rikkigoldenberg.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikkigoldenberg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rikki_goldenberg/
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. https://calendly.com/mike-trugman/15min
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman-37863246/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/?hl=en
Website - https://miketrugmancoaching.com/
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter - https://miketrugman.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=986490d5c62a0102122f3ce27&id=33d78ffe68
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUPyP3vEWc-oDlGASe2XIUg
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts! - https://podcasts.apple.com/vg/podcast/mike-s-search-for-meaning/id1593087650?utm_source=Mike+Trugman&utm_campaign=dcbd0b11b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_03_08_12_14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_33d78ffe68-dcbd0b11b0-510678693
Resources/People Mentioned:
Radical Candor - Kim Scott
Clifton - StrengthsFinder
Grit - Angela Duckworth
The Art of Gathering - Priya Parker
Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) - Amy Gallo
Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab

Aug 20, 2023 • 1h 25min
#86 - Matthew Matheson on Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety, Quiet Power, & The Myth of Rapport
Matt is a public speaking and communications coach, hailing from Brighton, UK.
Working with clients ranging from The World Health Organization and the EBRD through O2 and Virgin, he specializes in helping people say what they need to say when it matters most.
He runs workshops, coaching cohorts and speaking at conferences globally, speaking and training on topics including public speaking, interpersonal communication skills, navigating “failure” and change, meeting etiquette, improvisation and leadership development.
You can find out more about Matt’s work, including audio, video, and writing, over on his website at www.thespeakingcoach.co.uk.
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is Cancer Research. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Matthew on:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here.
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter
YouTube
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts!
Resources/People Mentioned:
The Art of Shouting Quietly - Pete Mosley
Quiet - Susan Cain
Unpacking Michelle Obama's Impostor Syndrome
David Ferrers
Brene Brown
CODA
The Edge of Seventeen
Tony Robbins
Judi Dench
The Pressure Principle - Dave Alred

Aug 13, 2023 • 1h 34min
#85 - Yash Singri on Healing Trauma and Pain, Peak Performance, and The Joy of Being Alive
Yash is a strategic partner to founders, executives, and senior leaders. He’s spent nearly a decade in corporate America and technology startups consulting and coaching leaders on their most pressing issues. He also loves to nerd out on peak performance, leadership psychology, philosophy, and science fiction. You can usually find him outdoors hiking, playing a sport, or climbing something.
Learn more about him at yashassingri.com. He loves to chat with new people!
Additionally, I’ll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest’s choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is the Mid Atlantic Vipassana Association. Any and all donations make a difference!
You can connect with Yash on:
Website
LinkedIn
To connect with me:
Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here.
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter
YouTube
Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts!
Resources/People Mentioned:
The Soul of Money - Lynne Twist
Headspace - App
The Stranger - Albert Camus
Waking Up - Sam Harris
Why Buddhism is True - Robert Wright
The Body Keeps the Score - Bessel van der Kolk
Andy Puddicombe
EMDR
Optimize - Peak Performance
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Aristotle
S.N. Goenka
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