For some time The Courageous Life has featured conversations with people who are leading the way when it comes to researching, practicing, and teaching about ancient virtues like courage, kindness, empathy, compassion, humility, and love. Together we have explored the intersection between ancient wisdom traditions and modern science; discussing insights, tools, and practices that can be used to help people live well in the reality of our busy everyday experience. Today’s guest, Dr. Stephen G. Post, is a trailblazer in this space. He has helped to push so much of this work forward through his leadership in the fields of medicine, positive psychology, and spirituality.  As part of his groundbreaking work, Stephen founded the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, which researches and distributes knowledge on kindness, giving, and spirituality. We'll dive into this and much more in today's episode!In this deep and wide-ranging conversation we explore a variety of highlights from Stephen's pioneering career including:A variety of stories that offer a glimpse into some of the key moments that helped to shape the work he is doing today, including the amazing origin story of how, with the help of Sir John Templeton, he founded the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love. Why we lose access to compassion and empathy in busy environments, and a simple 3-step process for counteracting this, which he uses with healthcare workers and medical students.Practices to develop our ability to listen more fully and deeply. Highlights from his work on giving - including why How much you give isn’t as important as how much kindness you put into the giving.Some of the most intriguing research findings on giving, kindness, and love.The backstory on how the field of positive psychology was founded, and how an evidence-based book of character strengths and virtues came to be.Insights from his work on forgiveness and compassionate caregiving.More about Stephen: Stephen G. Post, PhD is an international speaker, and best selling author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People. He is also a frequent contributor to major magazines and newspapers including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine. He has also been interviewed on major broadcasts, including ABC 20/20, Nightline, The Daily Show, John Stossel, “Talk of the Nation,” and The Mehmet Oz Show. He is the founder and director of the Stony Brook Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics. A leader in medicine, research and religion. Visit him online at StephenGPost.com and UnlimitedLoveInstitute.org.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love!Dr. James Doty - Into the Magic ShopDr. Daryl Van Tongeren - The Transformative Power of HumilityEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Marc Lesser is a speaker, workshop leader, and executive coach. He is the CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company and has led mindfulness and emotional intelligence programs at many of the world’s leading businesses and organizations including Google, SAP, Genentech, and Kaiser Permanente. Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program within Google - a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders. He was also the founder and CEO of the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI). He has authored 5 books. His most recent is: Finding Clarity (which we explore in depth in this conversation). Prior to his successful business and coaching career, he was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the Western world. For more on Marc please visit marclesser.netIn this episode:Marc’s inspiring story about his somewhat non-traditional career path, and how he found the clarity and courage to pursue itThe importance of finding time to get quiet, and the practice of listening to our inner voice that may offer insight into what will contribute to deeper meaningThe role of compassion and an open heart when it comes to performance and accountabilityHow to receive feedback more skillfullyInsights from helping to build the world renowned Search Inside Yourself mindfulness and emotional intelligence at GoogleMarc’s answer to the age old question, what’s the least amount of meditation I  can do to get the most benefit?How to turn breakdowns, failures, and missteps into breakthroughsMoving from reactivity to responsiveness and how this can contribute to vibrant relationshipsSome of Marc’s favorite practices for cultivating an open heart and greater compassion in life and leadership Please rate the show on iTunes!Did you enjoy this episode? Here are two others we think you will find inspiring:Parker Palmer Part Two: Reflections on the Power of Living With an Open HeartTal Ben-Shahar: Letting go of Perfection and Finding HappinessThanks for listening! Support the show

Today we're continuing our four-part series on the power of compassion with a deep, insightful, and moving conversation between Dr. Jacinta Jiménez and Dr. James Doty. Each episode in the series will showcase a powerful duo made up of a leading researcher and practitioner who will explore themes related to compassion, courage, and living with a more open, kind, and loving stance toward the world. If you happened to miss the first installment in the series with Barbara Fredrickson and Sharon Salzberg you can go back and listen to it now. It's become one of the most popular conversations in the show's history and we hope you enjoy this part two conversation just as much! In today’s episode Jacinta and James will explore: How moving from fear to love can be a powerful catalyst for wellbeing, performance, and flourishing in life and workA personal story from Jacinta about the power of having someone who sees you, and creates spaces for belongingThe research backed benefits of belonging, compassion, and kindness The argument for compassion and kindness at work and how these qualities can both fit into, and enhance, performance culturesHow qualities like compassion, empathy, and altruism can be learnedTools for practicing compassion in daily lifeLeadership practices for creating environments of careAnd more!More about Dr. Doty:James R. Doty, M.D. is an Adjunct Professor and the Founder & Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University School of Medicine. As the Director of CCARE, he has spearheaded research projects on compassion and altruism, and their relationship to the brain. He is also an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discovery the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart. Dr. Doty is also the senior editor of the Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science.More about Dr. Jiménez:Jacinta Jiménez, (also known as “Dr. J”) is an award-winning Stanford-trained Psychologist and Board-Certified Leadership Coach with a 20+ year career dedicated to the betterment of individuals, leaders, and top organizations in Silicon Valley and throughout the world. Sought-after for her expertise bridging the fields of psychology and leadership she regularly contributes to international news and TV outlets, including CNN/HLN, Business Insider, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company. Her book, The Burnout Fix debuted as #1 New Release on Amazon, has been recognized by Business Insider as a top book to read about burnout, and was the winner in getAbstract’s prestigious 2021 International Book of the Year Reader's Choice Award.  More about Dr. J: drjacintajimenez.comLearn more about the Practicing Courage Challenge HEREDid you find this episode inspiring? We think you'll love these conversations too: The Power of Compassion: Part 1 with Sharon Salzberg and Barbara FredricksonDr. James Doty: Into the Magic Shop Thanks for listening!Support the show

Today's guest, Dr. Marc Brackett, is on a mission to educate the world about the value of emotions and the skills associated with using them wisely. “I want everyone to become an emotion scientist”, he says. “We need to be curious explorers of our own and others’ emotions so they can help us achieve our goals and improve our lives.”In this deep dive conversation, Marc and I explore themes from his book Permission to Feel  as well as his broader work as a leader in the field of emotional intelligence, including:Some of his story and how events in his childhood including surviving abuse led to his dedication to the work he does todayWhy people so often suppress emotions and what happens in our brains and bodies when we doWhy it’s so important to ask people “how are you feeling?” and to genuinely listen to the answerThe story of his Uncle Marvin, and what he learned from him about the power of creating safe spacesHighlights from the biggest study he has ever conducted and the case for empathy, compassion, non-judgment, and good listening as life changing qualities for leaders, parents, and individuals.An introduction to the RULER skills (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions)How he uses the RULER skills in his own life to navigate daily challenges, enhance wellbeing, and stay on track with goals that are important to himThe link between emotions and performance - why and how emotions matter when it comes to thriving teams and organizationsWhy giving people the permission to feel may be one of the most important things we can do to help people thrive at work and in life. More about Marc: Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine. As a researcher for over 20 years, Marc has focused on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. His book, Permission To Feel,  has been translated into 22 languages. Most recently, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created the Apple award-winning app, HowWeFeel, that was designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being. Marc is the lead developer of RULER, a systemic, evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by over 5,000 schools across the United States and has reached over 4 million children. Marc regularly consults with large companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft on best practices for integrating the principles of emotional intelligence into training and product design. For more please visit: https://www.marcbrackett.comDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are more episodes we think you’ll love!Dr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity is a Superpower?Kelly McGonigal - Finding the Hope, Connection, and Courage to TransformEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listeninSupport the show

Today we're kicking off a 4-part series on the power of compassion which will feature inspiring conversations between some of the world's most renowned thought leaders, researchers and practitioners. Each episode will showcase a powerful duo who will explore themes related to compassion, courage, and living with a more open, kind, and loving stance toward the world. We hope you enjoy this first installment with Barbara Fredrickson and Sharon Salzberg.In today's episode we will explore themes from Sharon’s new book Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom as well as: How Barb and Sharon began their work together How Sharon’s deep expertise on lovingkindness and contemplative practices have influenced Barb’s conception of love as a co created positive stateA new definition of love that focuses on micomoments of connection Why love is the state where the most learning, growth, and expansion occur and details on groundbreaking research that Barb and her team are working onSome of Barb’s and Sharon’s practical and research informed strategies for opening the heartSharon will offer an overview of Lovingkindness and some of her latest thinking on this ancient contemplative practiceWhy compassion and love are so important nowAnd more!Interested in Sharon's new book? Order it here: sharonsalzberg.com/reallife/More about Barb:Dr. Barbara Fredrickson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Award-winning Director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab at the University of North Carolina. Her research reveals how micro-moments of love and other forms of positivity nourish your health, wisdom, and longevity. One of the most highly-cited contributors to psychological science, Barb is best known for her broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Barb’s scientific contributions have influenced scholars and practitioners worldwide, in disciplines ranging from business to healthcare and beyond. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, The Economist, CNN, NPR, PBS, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Oprah Magazine, and elsewhere. She has twice been invited to brief His Holiness the Dalai Lama on her research.More about Sharon:Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her forthcoming release, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom, is set for release in April of 2023 from Flatiron Books. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed six million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. For more on Sharon visit www.sharonsalzberg.comDid you find this episode inspiring? We think you'll love these conversations too:Sharon Salzberg - Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the WorldDr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity a Superpower?Support the show

Every so often a researcher comes along and changes the game. Named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science, Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren is doing just that. A leading mind on the science of humility - his work and his new book Humble, have helped debunk many of the myths around this ancient virtue, explaining why humility is a powerful strength at home, at work, in leadership, and how it can lead to thriving relationships.  In this wide ranging and deep conversation Daryl will share more about:The link between humility and authenticity (or feeling at home in our own skin)The myths and misperceptions about humility including that humility is a weakness. The relationship between experiences of awe, big nature, and humilityHumility as a skill - how you can learn to be more humble with dedication, practice, and feedbackWhy humility is best cultivated in communityHow to handle tough feedbackHow to use humility to stay open to learning, to empathy, and to compassionThe case for more humble leaders, why organizations need them, and why employees and teams value humility. And more!More about Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren:Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College. As a social psychologist, his research focuses on meaning in life, religion, and virtues. He loves asking deep and enduring questions about what it means to be human (darylvantongeren.com). His research has been covered by the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and NPR. In 2016, he received a Rising Star designation from the Association for Psychological Science. In his free time, he enjoys running marathons and surviving triathlons. You can learn more about Daryl's work at darylvantongeren.com.Did you find this conversation elevating? Here are more episodes we think you'll love:Tal Ben Shahar - Letting go of Perfection and Finding HappinessDr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity a Superpower?Enjoying the show? Take a moment and rate it on iTunesFor more on the podcast, and upcoming events and courses with Joshua please visit and sign up for the latest updates: joshuasteinfeldt.comThanks for listening!Support the show

Dr. Rick Hanson is a multi-time past guest on the Courageous Life and is back to discuss themes from his new book, Making Great Relationships: Simple Practices for Solving Conflict, Building Connections, and Fostering Love. In today’s wide ranging conversation with Rick we discuss:How to find a sense of calm strength, groundedness, and choice that can help reduce reactivity and improve our relationships6 guidelines for speaking wisely and in ways that foster more effective communication, feedback, and that improve our connection with othersHow to work with anger more effectivelyRick’s thoughts on how to keep the heart open and come from a place of love more oftenRick’s insights from his experiences as a teacher and author on how to connect with your your audienceSome of Rick’s favorite tips and practices for great relationships from his new book And moreMore about Rick:Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and have sold over a million copies in English alone. He’s the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well podcast – which has been downloaded over 9 million times. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. To pick up Rick’s new book, find out more about him and his work please check out rickhanson.netDid you find this episode inspiring? Here are more episodes you may love:Dr. Jud Brewer - Is Curiosity a Superpower?Rick Hanson - The Heights of Human PotentialEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!For Joshua's classes and events please visit joshuasteinfeldt.comThanks for listening!Support the show

After spending nearly 20 years in Corporate America, holding executive positions leading public and privately held companies, Shelly Tygielski decided to stop following the expected path and start following her lifelong passion – mindfulness and meditation – and began to fuse this passion with her purpose – community organization and ensuring equity, social justice and access to wellbeing for all.Her journey began by teaching free meditation classes Sunday morning on the sands of Hollywood Beach, Florida. What started as a group of 12 friends blossomed into a community of more than 15,000 in a matter of two years.When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Shelly rose to the occasion. On March 14th, 2020, at the dawn of the crisis, she posted two simple Google forms online. One read “Get Help” the other “Give Help”. The next morning, she was shocked to find hundreds of requests from both sides of the equation. She began directly matching those in need with patrons willing to help them meet their needs and the Pandemic of Love movement was born. Those few hundred requests grew to over 600,000 people matched within six months. Today, Pandemic of Love boasts nearly 4000 volunteers worldwide, has directly exchanged nearly $100 million in donations and has connected over 4.5 million people. It has been featured on over 100 media outlets, including CNN's Heroes, BBC and The Kelly Clarkson Show.In today’s conversation: Shelly and I dive deeper into themes from our part one conversation including how the Pandemic of Love has grown and evolved since that time.  Shelly shares more of the backstory on leaving her work as a successful executive in corporate America to become a full time meditation teacher, the courage it took to take the leap, and what led to her decisionIdeas and strategies for how to gain courage and clarity when faced with difficult and potentially life changing decisionsHow deep meditative states can lead to courageous action and other themes from her book Sit Down to Rise Up.Insights into how to lead and live from a place of love (particularly when it’s difficult)Why proximity is a catalyst for greater empathy, compassion, and building connection across divisionDetails on Shelly's new TV show with Debra Messing based on her work with Pandemic of LoveIf you’d like to learn more about Shelly and the incredible work she is doing please check out shellytygielski.com and be sure to pick up a copy of Sit Down to Rise Up: How Radical Self-Care Can Change the World wherever books are sold. Did you find this episode inspiring? You might love these past conversations:Shelly Tygielski Pt. 1 - Pandemic of LoveDr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti Pt. 2 - Gentle Power: Shifting the Way We Define True StrengthFor my upcoming classes and events, and all episodes of the Courageous Life please visit: joshuasteinfeldt.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

At the time we recorded this conversation Shelly Tygielski was ten days into the creation of what has now become a global movement called the Pandemic of Love. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Shelly found a way using simple google forms to connect people in need of groceries, diapers, money to keep the heat on etc, to those who could help them directly. What started out as just an idea sitting around Shelly’s kitchen table boasts nearly 4000 volunteers worldwide and has directly exchanged nearly $100 million in donations and has connected over 3 million people. The Pandemic of Love and Shelly were also featured on CNN’s Heroes. An annual show that features profiles of modern day heroes making an extraordinary impact for the collective good. Next week, in part two we will take a deeper dive into some of the theme’s from this episode as well as dive into themes from Shelly’s new book Sit Down To Rise Up: Find Yourself, Build Community and Change the World.In this episode Shelly shares:Her inspiring story of how and why she got into the work she is doing today as a community organizer, activist, and meditation teacherHow meditation has helped her to rise up in the face of adversity and challenges in her lifeWhat her meditation practice involves todayCoping strategies for dealing with fear and uncertainty related to COVID-19The incredible story behind the Pandemic of Love, why she started it, and how to get involvedShelly has also offered a brief meditation for dealing with uncertainty that you will find included as a BONUS mini episode of the Courageous Life. About Shelly:Shelly Tygielski has been hailed by individuals ranging from President Joe Biden to Arianna Huffington and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn to Maria Shriver. She is the founder of the global, grassroots mutual aid organization, Pandemic of Love. Her work has been featured in over 100 media outlets including on CNN Heroes, The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS This Morning, the New York Times and Washington Post. She is a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher and a Garrison Institute Fellow who has been called one of the “12 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement” by Mindful Magazine. Shelly has taught formalized self-care and resilience at organizations around the world and is widely considered to be a self-care activist. She is happily married to her husband, Jason, and is the mother of a son she adores, Liam. In her free time, Shelly enjoys skateboarding, playing guitar and making craft cocktails. She and her husband are currently living a nomadic existence, moving to a new location every few months.Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are some other conversations you may love:Ian Hockley: Empathy: An Antidote For Our TimeAli Smith - Transforming Communities With Mindfulness (and Love)Enjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes!Thanks for listening!Support the show

Often times gentleness and power can be seen as opposites, ideas or ways of being that may not go together. Today’s guest, Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti invites us to rethink this. Sharing a number of insights from her new book Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu she argues that the intersection of these two qualities can be a catalyst for unlocking some of our greatest potential as people, and as leaders. In this episode:We dive into more of Elisabet’s journey including reflections from Sisu Not Silence, a 2400km run across the country of New Zealand which she did to help end the silence around domestic and interpersonal violence. Check out part one with Dr. Lahti (episode 69) for more much more of the backstory on this.She will share key discoveries she gained during the run as well as her martial arts training over the years, and how these insights and revelations were a key part of her research on Gentle Power as an elevated expression of SISU. We will also take a deep dive into gentleness (what it is, what it’s not, and why it matters)Being nice vs. being kind and why being kind is a training ground for gentle powerHow gentleness can transform into strength when it meets difficultyElisabet’s in the moment practices for cultivating gentle power in difficult conversationsQuestions to help cultivate self-awareness that may be the first step toward unlocking true powerThe importance of humility and how it relates to true powerAnd more!Pick up your copy of Gentle Power now and learn more about Dr. Lahti at sisulab.comAbout Dr. Emilia Elisabet Lahti:Emilia Elisabet Lahti, who goes by her second name Elisabet, is an awarded educator, applied psychology researcher, published author, and international presenter on topics of inner strength in times of adversity and transformation through self-leadership. Elisabet studied applied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania under the guidance of Dr. Martin Seligman and completed a PhD at Aalto University in Finland in which she pioneered the research on the Finnish construct of sisu (a psychological strength potential referring to extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity). She is passionate about the study of human flourishing and cultivation of virtues, and to determine how these can be leveraged on a systemic level to promote worldwide change. Founder of Sisu Lab which builds communities and organizational cultures based on everyday leadership as expression of courage and compassion. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Business Insider, BBC, and Forbes. Originally from Finland, she’s taught internationally and given talks at Fortune 500 companies. You can find more more information and resources at www.sisulab.com.Enjoying the show? Please rate it on iTunes! For more episodes, podcast updates, and Joshua's event schedule visit: joshuasteinfeSupport the show