

The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast
Jack Shitama
The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast uses a family systems theory approach to increase your spiritual, emotional and physical well-being so you can be the best leader possible. Each episode explores research and practical tips to help you be a personal and professional non-anxious presence.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2019 • 20min
Episode 34: How the Emotionally Dependent Hold Us Hostage
Emotionally dependent people require others to make them feel loved and validated. Giving in to their demands holds us hostage. Understanding how this works, as well as how self-differentiation is a way forward is an essential leadership skill.
Show Notes:
Are You Too Emotionally Dependent on Your Partner? by Leon F. Selzer Ph.D.
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Aug 26, 2019 • 19min
Episode 33: Xenophobia and Self-Differentiation
This episode is a bit personal. Two recent occurrences reminded me that I'm different. The rise of xenophobia is a global phenomenon. Responding in self-differentiated ways to those who emphasize differences in negative ways is the best chance we have to build a more civil and hope-filled world.
Show Notes:
Does Fear Motivate Workers — or Make Things Worse? from KNOWLEDGE@WHARTON
Fear and Hoping: Adding hope to health messages may motivate better behaviors from Penn State News
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8 snips
Aug 19, 2019 • 14min
Episode 32: Why You Get Triangled (and How to Deal with It)
The emotional triangle is the most stable form of human relationship. This is because most of the time we are not able to appropriately deal with tension or stress in a two-person relationship. This episode gives examples of triangles, explains how they are formed and maintained, and shows you how to deal with being triangled.
Show Notes:
Episode 19: Self-Regulation--The Key to Being a Non-Anxious Presence
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Aug 12, 2019 • 15min
Episode 31: All Change Is Loss
"People aren't afraid of change, they're afraid of loss (Sandy Shugart)." Understanding this can help leaders show people how to face the pain of loss directly. This develops strength and results in growth.
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Aug 5, 2019 • 15min
Episode 30: Anxiety Is Poison (Nobody Gets the Problem They Can Handle)
The difference between a challenge and a problem is how we handle it. Anxiety, our own and that of others, is the key factor. Remaining a non-anxious presence will help us and those we lead to rise up to challenges and not make them problems.
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Jul 29, 2019 • 10min
Episode 29: Three Ways a Leader Must Be Flexible
This episode is an example of why it's important to be flexible. My personal travels and a case of stupidity caused it to drop a day late. Here's what I learned from it, and how it can help you.
Show Notes:
Episode 23: Musings from Thailand on Self-Differentiation
Stewart Butterfield's bio
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Jul 22, 2019 • 14min
Episode 28: How to Take a Leadership Stand on Controversial Issues (including a Family Systems take on Donald Trump's Leadership Style)
As a leader, people want to know where you stand. Learning how to do this in a healthy way creates the possibility for conversations that can lead to effective change.
Show Notes:
Gun Reform: Speaking Truth to Bullshit, Practicing Civility, and Effecting Change by Brene Brown
Trump's Chaos Theory by Lance Morrow
What’s Wrong with Donald Trump’s Chaos Theory of Power? by Michael A. Genovese
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Jul 15, 2019 • 19min
Episode 27: How to Stand up for Yourself
The healthy way to stand up for yourself is to take a non-anxious emotional stand. Avoid reactivity by not arguing and not agreeing. Understanding family systems theory will help you do this.
Show notes:
Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue by Edwin Friedman
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Jul 8, 2019 • 14min
Episode 26: How to Handle It When You Are Anxiously Attacked
Remaining a non-anxious presence when someone unleashes their anxiety on you is a challenge. The best response is don't argue, don't agree. This requires the ability to self-regulate your own anxiety. This episode explores the best way to do this.
Show Notes:
Glossary of Family Systems Terms from The Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York
Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts--Becoming the Person You Want to Be by Marshall Goldsmith
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Jul 1, 2019 • 15min
Episode 25: The Positive Consequences of Pain
Pain is not something to be avoided. It is a part of life and can help us grow. Research on physical pain shows that there can be positive consequences. The same is true for emotional pain.
Show Notes:
The Positive Consequences of Pain: A Biopsychosocial Approach by Brock Bastian, Jolanda Jetten, Matthew J. Hornsey and Siri Leknes
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