The Courageous Life

Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé has been part of the Canadian Women’s Soccer program since 2002. She made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016 where she started five of six games, allowing just four goals, as Team Canada won the bronze medal. Labbé was on the Canadian roster for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011, 2015, and 2019 (starting all 4 games in 2019). Labbé played collegiate soccer for the University of Connecticut. In her senior year she was named the 2008 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year. Labbé is the current starting goalkeeper for the professional team the North Carolina Courage. Learn more about Steph at stephlabbe.com or on instagram @stephlabbe1In this episode Steph shares: Her inspiring story of walking away from the Canadian National Team to work on herself, and how she came back stronger, happier, and better than ever. Tips and strategies for performing under pressure and boosting resilienceHow to learn from failureMindset practices for dealing with uncertainty, particularly during COVIDThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and allow you to be who you areKey learnings from her ongoing journey toward living a more authentic life The importance of humor for getting through challenging timesTips for anyone looking to pursue really big dreams and goalsAnd more!If you enjoy this conversation, please rate the show on iTunes!You can find show notes at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

When the Hockley family relocated from England to Connecticut in the winter of 2011 it was the realization of a family dream. Ian had visited the United States regularly since childhood, Nicole was from Rhode Island and Jake was born on the 4th of July; in many ways it was coming home.They moved to the idyllic town of Sandy Hook which Ian selected after touring the beautiful neighborhoods and meeting the staff at the elementary school, knowing Dylan especially would get a fantastic start as they made their new life. This bright beginning ran full force into the American nightmare on December 14th, 2012 when Dylan was shot and killed in his first-grade classroom alongside 19 of his fellow students and six educators in one of the worst mass shootings in recent U.S. history. Ian and Nicole created Dylan’s Wings of Change, dedicated to his memory with a mission to inspire empathy, courage & hope. everywhere. Working with experts the foundation created Wingman, a program of experiential learning activities that foster deeper conversations, stronger teams and more connected communities. Wingman is effective for humans of all ages and works especially well as a peer-led social and emotional learning program both in and out of schools.Ian now works full time for the foundation, serving as Executive Director, and is dedicated to spreading the message of acceptance and inclusion for all. He warmly shares Dylan’s story with the world, the 6-year old boy who had his own way of communicating, who radiated pure love and described himself as “a beautiful butterfly” to his mother. Ian addresses the epidemic of social isolation and exclusion today and the need for social and emotional programming everywhere.In this episode we explore:More about Ian's story and the events that occurred on December 14, 2012His road to healingHis motivation for spreading messages of love, kindness, and empathy after experiencing acts of hate and violenceDetails about the Wingman Program and Dylans Wings of ChangeHow the Wingman Program promotes social and emotional learning, and positive leadership in schools Why Ian views empathy as an antidote for our timeWhy it is so important to focus on the things we have, as opposed to things we don't, in the face of adversityAnd much more!For more about Ian please visit Dylanswingsofchange.orgIf you enjoyed this episode please rate the show on iTunesShow notes can be found at joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

Scholars, consultants, teachers, and researchers Monica Worline and Jane Dutton are co-authors of the book Awakening Compassion at Work. Monica and Jane are co-founders of the CompassionLab, the world’s leading collaboratory for research on compassion and work organizations. Working together for more than fifteen years, Monica and Jane offer key insights regarding the value of compassion for addressing pain people bring into the workplace and pain that is created in the conduct of daily work. Monica and Jane teach and consult with leaders, managers, students, and change agents in a variety of organizations who are striving to awaken compassion in their work lives. For more on Monica and Jane, including their background and the important work they are doing please check out https://awakeningcompassionatwork.comIn this episode we explore: The stories behind how Monica and Jane got interested in studying, researching, and teaching compassion.The 4 parts of compassionTraining compassion - looking at compassion as a skill that can be developedThe importance of noticing suffering and how to do so in organizationsHow, and why, the stories we tell ourselves about other people amplify (or hinder) our ability to be compassionateThe business case for compassionWays to build compassion into processes, roles, and routines within organizationsAnd more!Enjoying the show? Please take a moment and rate the Courageous Life on iTunes. Looking for more resources or references from the show? Check out the show notes for this episode at www.joshuasteinfeldt.comMore about Monica Worline: Monica C. Worline, Ph.D., is founder and CEO of EnlivenWork, an innovation organization that teaches businesses and others how to tap into courageous thinking, compassionate leadership, and the curiosity to bring their best work to life. She is a research scientist at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and Executive Director of CompassionLab, the world’s leading research collaboratory focused on compassion at work. Monica holds a lectureship at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and is affiliate faculty at the Center for Positive Organizations.More about Jane Dutton: Jane E. Dutton, Ph.D., is the Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and Psychology at the Ross School of Business. She is a co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizations, and passionate about cultivating human flourishing at work. Her research focuses on compassion, job crafting, high quality connections, and meaning making at work.  She has written over 100 articles and published 13 books, including How to be a Positive Leader: Small Actions, Big Impact.Thanks for listening!Support the show

Please enjoy this free BONUS guided meditation from Rick Hanson. This brief practice is the first of 7 practices outlined in Rick’s new book, Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. This meditation focuses on steadying the mind. For more on Rick please listen to our most recent conversation (episode 49), or our first conversation on the topic of resilience in episode 12 of the Courageous Life. You can also check out rickhanson.net.Support the show

Please enjoy this free BONUS guided meditation from Rick Hanson. This brief practice is the second of 7 practices outlined in Rick’s new book, Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. This meditation focuses on warming the heart. For more on Rick please listen to our most recent conversation (episode 49), or our first conversation on the topic of resilience in episode 12 of the Courageous Life. You can also check out rickhanson.net.Support the show

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books have been published in 29 languages and include Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Buddha’s Brain, Just One Thing, and Mother Nurture. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and is the founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. For more about Rick, his teachings, books, and events please visit rickhanson.net.Rick is back for round 2! In this episode we explore:How he thinks about the heights of human potential What he has learned from exemplars, neuroscience, and decades of meditation experience about realizing one’s potential7 practices for achieving the highest happinessHEAL - a practice for turning positive states into lasting traitsHow Rick thinks about being driven, and achieve-oriented while simultaneously having a sense of easeWhat Rick learned from the Dalai Lama’s body guard about being tough and lovingSome of my experiences with Rick as a participant on two of his 10-day meditation retreatsAnd more!Please also check out the BONUS meditations that Rick has generously shared which focus on the first two (of 7) practices from his new book, Neurodharma. You can find these listed as bonus episodes of the Courageous Life.Interested in learning more from Rick? Check out episode 12 of the Courageous Life where we explored the topic of resilience. Enjoying the show? Please let us know by rating the Courageous Life on iTunes! Show notes can be found at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening! Support the show

Dr. Jo Boaler is a professor of education and equity at Stanford University and the faculty director of youcubed—an education resource that has reached over 230 million students. She is the author of the first MOOC on mathematics teaching and learning, as well as nine mathematics books and numerous research articles. Her work has been published in the New York Times, TIME magazine, The Telegraph, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and many other news outlets. She was named by the BBC as one of eight educators “changing the face of education.” Her latest book is: Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead & Live without Barriers, published by Harper Collins.In this episode Jo shares: Her incredible story of overcoming academic bullying and what it taught her about resilience and connectionWhat neuroplasticity is, why it's a game changing finding in neuroscience, and how understanding the way our brains work can transform the ways we learn, lead & liveThe neuroscience behind why mistakes are actually a good thingHow she teaches students to embrace mistakes, and learn from failureThe neurobiology of fear, and how curiosity may be an antidote to the fear responseHow adopting a growth mindset can be a key to living without limitsThe importance of believing in oneself and why anyone can learn anythingAnd much more!If you found this episode as inspiring as I did, please share it with friends and take a moment to let us know what you thought by rating the show on iTunes.Show notes and more can be found at joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening!Support the show

Tania de Jong (pronounced Yong) AM is a trail-blazing Australian soprano, global speaker, award-winning social entrepreneur, creative innovation catalyst and spiritual journeywoman. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators, developing 5 businesses and 3 charities over the past 3 decades including, but not limited to Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and the With One Voice program, Creative Innovation Global, and Mind Medicine Australia. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and named one of the 100 Women of Influence and the one of the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs. Tania has released eleven Albums and her TEDx Talk How Singing Together Changes The Brain has sparked international interest. To learn more about Tania, and the work she is doing please visit taniadejong.comIn this episode Tania shares: Her incredible story of being told by her best friend at 14 years old not to bother having singing lessons, and how this drove her to a successful career as a singer and entrepreneurPowerful lessons in unlocking creativity and innovation she first learned from the inventor of the foldable umbrella, who just happened to be her grandmotherThe backstory on the With One Voice choir program, a non-profit focused on empowering individuals to find their voice through communityHow she deals with fear and uncertaintyHow to turn failure into opportunities for learning and growthHer thoughts on the importance of diversity, inclusion, and community for creativityAnd more!Please rate the show on iTunes!Find show notes and more at www.joshuasteinfeldt.com/podcastThanks for listening and enjoy the show!Support the show

Please enjoy this free BONUS guided meditation from Shelly Tygielski. This brief practice is intended to promote a sense of ease, and help one deal with uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. For more on Shelly please listen to episode 46 of the Courageous Life and check out pandemicoflove.comSupport the show

This is one of the most important and timely conversations I have had on the Courageous Life. Shelly Tygielski, a friend and return guest to the show, has started a movement called The Pandemic of Love. In response to the challenges surrounding COVID-19 including job loss, furloughs, illness, etc - the Pandemic of Love has connected over 10,000 families (to-date) in need of basic essentials like food and medicine with 10,000+ patrons who are offering support (financial or otherwise). Launched on March 14th, 2020 this movement is already going viral, with over 280 volunteers working behind-the-scenes, and more and more people connecting to help each other, and to spread love each and every day. Shelly and I will get into all the details and backstory on the Pandemic of Love about 30 minutes into the episode. If you want to get involved now, please go to pandemicoflove.comIn 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 is a “modern-life mindfulness” teacher and “self-care activist” who focuses much of her time on communities that are underserved, with social justice and community organizations, non-profits and schools. Shelly was made to create movements and regularly runs into the flames to help people in need. She is deeply involved in offering trauma-informed healing practices to communities affected by gun violence and mass shootings and has led retreats for survivors and victims’ families representing Parkland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Aurora, Columbine and more. She also started the “Sand Tribe”community in Hollywood Beach, Fl that grew from 12 friends meditating together to over 15,000 individuals that practice together on a regular basis. She was featured on the cover of Mindful Magazine® in June 2019 for her work in this space and was recently referred to as one of the most “Powerful Women in Mindfulness” by mindful.org. Her work and classes have been featured on mindful.org, Tricycle, The New York Times and dozens of national and international television and online platforms. Support the show