Our guest on this meaningful episode is Malcolm Stern, psychotherapist, leadership coach and host of the Slay Your Dragons with Compassion podcast. He is also the former director and co-founder of Alternatives – a world renowned platform for leading spiritual teachers and alternative thinking.Malcolm shares his experience of overcoming personal tragedy and adversity.We also get into the evolution of leadership, psychedelics, ceremonies, rituals and ego death 🙌Slay your Dragons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louisa Harris is a force of nature. In this enlightening conversation we explore how wisdom from the natural world provides tools for leadership and change. We discuss community building and the drivers of creativity plus burnout, growth and collapse as well as what “heart centred” leadership actually means in practice. Also listen out for a guest appearance from our producer Elliot Fisher ❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen Sieroda, a seasoned international psychotherapist and master executive coach, shares her insights on mindful leadership and personal transformation. She explores the challenges of toxic leadership traits, emphasizing the need for empathy in business. The conversation delves into the deep connection between nature and individual growth, highlighting the lessons learned during the pandemic about community and well-being. Sieroda also discusses redefining leadership values, advocating for emotional intelligence and collaboration between corporations and grassroots initiatives.

Ben Kellard, Director of Business Strategy at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, dives deep into the purpose of the economy. He explores how current market practices challenge well-being and urges a shift towards sustainable, ethical frameworks. The conversation highlights the intertwining of political tensions and economic insecurity while stressing the importance of emotional connections within organizations. Kellard also addresses the loneliness stemming from individualism, advocating for community rebuilding as a pathway to collective joy and true fulfillment.

In this bonus episode with author and regenerative business guru Stephen Vasconcellos we discuss his new book The Regenerative Enterprise and lots more! Stephen is a deep and thoughtful guy and we cover lots of bases including indigenous wisdom, regenerative vs sustainable business and whether business can survive at its current scale. https://theregenerativeenterprise.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this vibrant conversation, guest Lily Higgins, a human-centered designer and founder of the Intervention Bureau, shares her insights on fostering a playful approach to transform modern work culture. She highlights the significance of integrating play into adult life to boost creativity and resilience. Lily also discusses her personal journey from America to the Netherlands, embracing cycling culture, and celebrating connection through unique experiences like a DIY rage room. Their exploration of success redefines professional fulfillment beyond traditional metrics.

In this football-related episode we talk to the infectiously positive Romaine Foster from the English Football Association about leadership, mental health, masculinity and diversity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former corporate lawyer turned astrologer and energy coach, Patrick Geary, explores his journey to astrology, discussing the intersection of astrology with science and belief systems, authenticity, and personal growth. The conversation emphasizes embracing individuality, connecting with others through astrology, and the spiritual aspects of astrology in today's world.

Amber Brandner and Brad Harris discuss challenges for mission-driven founders, humanity-centered design, and the power of community in building better businesses. They highlight the importance of triple bottom line brands, healthy beverages, and selecting brands that prioritize people, planet, and profit. The duo also shares their podcast and music preferences, reflecting on their unique approach to sustainable business practices.

Better business genius and spiritual leader John Featherby joins us to discuss the limits to materialism, a crisis of meaning and what spirituality means in the modern world.HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODEReaching the end of a hyper-rational, high secular materialism age - and looking at what comes next to fill the ‘void’ in realising it doesn't provide real meaning Exploring Spiritual Capital as a “resource of collective memory, benefit, and impact of a culture’s religious, spiritual, philosophy history and heritage” and investing in it through honouring purpose, value, virtue, and meaning in cultures Religion as a way of being. It’s a pattern and we’re all in one. We’re all worshipping somethingCENTRES OF POWER ARE MOVING AWAY FROM THE WEST - neutral secular perspectives that are not neutral. Parts of the world are pushing back.How you develop leaders - mindfulness, breathing, embracing the wilderness The agenda of “purpose” in business spaces & leadership programmes - and how authentic and meaningful this actually is. QUOTES & SNIPPETS“We’re in a meaning crisis. Spiritual Capital doesn’t ‘belong’ to big businesses. You cant import purpose, ritual, philosophical ideas etc”“It’s a pattern and we’re all in one”“Consumerism doesn’t provide the meaning people thought it would so they’ve gone looking for meaning in something else”“All people have now IS their work - home - and hobby. People's lives have gone from many layers to work and home. Back in the day, people belonged to a community organisation, there were layers between the individual and the state that gave them meaning and a sense of grounding but we’ve stripped them out”“Most of the stuff you read in these modern business books about purpose and good culture - they exist in all the great scriptures. We’ve had this stuff forever.”REFERENCESRichard DawkinsGus SpethRobert TombsReligion for Atheists, Alain de BottonCONNECT WITH JOHNSubstackWebsiteLinkedIn SUPPORT BETTER BEINGSIf you enjoyed this episode of Better Beings, please share it with your friends and follow us on socials. Thanks for listening! InstagramLinkedInCONTACT Let us know your thoughts, feelings, critiques, and resource recommendations betterbeingspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.