

Citizens of the World: A Stoic Podcast for Curious Travelers
Communication & Mindset Coach Sarah Mikutel
Thrive through Stoic wisdom, better communication, and global exploration. Host Sarah Mikutel is a communication coach and American expat in England who's here to help you make the most of your brief time on Earth. Memento mori. It’s time to make every moment matter.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2023 • 3min
Sign Up Now: Goal-Setting Workshop Jan 14
I’m hosting a 2023 Goal-Mapping Workshop on Jan. 14. It’s free and a replay will be available for a few days after if you register in advance. This isn’t a lecture – it’s a very interactive session. You’ll:Create a vision for your year that aligns with your values and prioritiesBreak down your big goals into manageable tasks that don't overwhelm youDevelop a plan of action to stay on track and avoid procrastinationPrioritize your tasks and projects in a way that helps you stay focused and motivatedOvercome obstacles and setbacks in a way that allows you to stay true to your values and goalsYou'll leave this workshop with a clear and actionable plan for the year ahead. And you'll have the tools and strategies you need to stay focused and motivated, no matter what life throws your way.What: 2023 Goal-Mapping WorkshopWhen: 10 a.m. EST, Jan. 14How long: 60-90 minutesWhere: Online – you’ll receive a link closer to the dateHow: Book your space hereThis workshop will be especially beneficial for you if you’re great at meeting other people’s needs, but become easily distracted when it comes to prioritizing your own dreams.Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Jan 6, 2023 • 15min
Keep Your Commitments: The Real Reason People Won’t Change
Around January 1, we set goals that we intend to keep. But most of us break these vows before the month is over – why? What’s the real reason people won’t change? And how can we use Stoicism and modern psychology to start?To truly be free and move forward, we need to cultivate helpful thoughts and let go of unhelpful ones. This is how we become resilient and learn to flow with life instead of fighting it. But what if you’re not even aware of your unhelpful thoughts? I’ve talked about different ways to uncover your blind spots on this podcast, and today you’ll learn about a new one from Harvard’s Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey, authors of the book Immunity to Change. sarahmikutel.comDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Dec 30, 2022 • 6min
Auld Lang Syne: What It Means and Why It Matters
What does Auld Lang Syne mean and why is its message so important?Find out in this episode. Also, Happy New Year! What are your intentions for this year? https://sarahmikutel.com/Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Dec 23, 2022 • 17min
This Is Your Second Chance: Stay Present For It
It’s that time of year when we encourage each other to slow down, appreciate what we have, and be present with others. But how do we stay in the moment when our minds keep drifting to what’s happening next week, or what occurred 10 years ago? That’s what this episode is about. sarahmikutel.comDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Dec 16, 2022 • 24min
Ghana: Must-Have Travel Experiences
Today I’m continuing my conversation with Dr. Chocolate Kristy Leissle. an American who now lives in South Africa.Kristy, author of Cocoa and co-founder of the Cocoapreneurship Institute of Ghana, spent four years living in that country. In this episode, she shares why this part of Africa is so special to her and what we should see and do when we visit Ghana on our travels. sarahmikutel.com❤️Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Dec 9, 2022 • 48min
Chocolate: The Politics, Economics, and Cultures of the Cocoa-Chocolate Trade
Chocolate. Lots of us love it. Where does it come from? Who makes it? And how can we be ethical consumers of chocolate? I want the answer to be easy — like, just by such-and-such chocolate bar. But the answer is more complicated than that. Today I’m speaking with cocoa and chocolate scholar (and lover of chocolate) Dr. Kristy Leissle, an American who now lives in South Africa.Kristy, aka Dr. Chocolate, wrote the book Cocoa and has spent her career studying the politics, economics, and cultures of the cocoa-chocolate trade in Africa, Europe, and North America. She also co-founded the Cocoapreneurship Institute of Ghana, which supports entrepreneurs working at any stage of the cocoa value chain in West Africa.I absolutely love the stories Kristy shares in this episode about how travel and learning from and befriending people from other nations and cultures led her to becoming Dr. Chocolate. So, can we be virtuous consumers of chocolate? What does that even mean? Kristy and I get into it. P.S. If you’re in an English-speaking country, it’s pronounced co-co, not ca-cow. So the next time you’re in a snobby artisanal shop and they start talking about ca-cow, you can correct them and say, “Actually, Dr. Chocolate says it’s cocoa and she has a PhD in the matter.”Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Dec 2, 2022 • 12min
How to Talk to People Who Drive You Crazy: 5 Stoic Practices
sarahmikutel, a podcaster and blogger, discusses five stoic techniques for managing anger and anxiety during conversations with difficult people. The podcast explores strategies for handling conversations, engaging in difficult discussions, emphasizing empathy and compassion in stoicism, and improving interactions with others by managing our minds.

Nov 25, 2022 • 9min
Stand for Something (When It’s Easier to Join the Mob)
On a recent trip, I learned that the last so-called witch to be executed in Scotland died in 1727.Of course, there are still people being tortured, killed, and scapegoated around the world today. But we’re more likely to be involved in hanging people on social media.sarahmikutel.comDo you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Nov 11, 2022 • 27min
How to Love Doing the Hard Thing: Stoic Discipline and Eudaimonia
On a recent trip to Scotland, I ate well, I drank well -- didn’t so much sleep well. But I enjoyed just the right amount of indulgence for me on a trip. This kind of happiness is hedonia. Hedonic pleasure is about, well, pleasure. Comfort. Satisfaction. What feels good in the moment. Pleasure coming from external things. A massage after a long day. A bite of flourless chocolate cake. Sprawling out on your beach towel and doing nothing. These pleasures are fun and worthwhile and should be savored in the moment. Hedonic pleasures are also temporary. You may have heard of the hedonic treadmill. This is the idea that we chase hedonic pleasures, we get them, and then that becomes our new baseline. You get the promotion you want, but that’s no longer enough money. You want more. You move into a ‘starter’ home that you love, but one month in you’re wishing you’re already in your ‘forever’ home, one that will be much bigger and perfect and you’ll finally be satisfied then. This kind of happiness is tied to external pleasure. Moving toward pleasure and away from pain.There are two ways we can extend hedonic happiness: 1) by expressing gratitude for and savoring these moments and 2) by abstaining from these pleasures for awhile. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and reminds you to appreciate what you have. There’s a second kind of happiness that’s long lasting: eudaimonia. We achieve this by living as our highest selves. By being people of good character and being good to ourselves. This includes being disciplined enough to do what's best for us and those around us. Enjoy this episode on how to learn to love doing the hard thing through Stoic discipline. Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. But the real question is, who are you? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Can I help you get there?Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how we can work together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.

Apr 15, 2022 • 14min
Starting a Business Abroad: The First Question You Need to Ask Yourself
We’re back with Christine Job, an American business strategist in Spain and host of “Flourish in the Foreign,” a podcast that celebrates and elevates the voices Black women who are thriving abroad.In this mini-episode, Christine shares the first steps to consider if you want to build a business abroad.We’re jumping right into the conversation, where Christine is discussing how her own business has evolved and how entrepreneurship is a form of self-actualization. Enjoy!Hello! I'm your host, Sarah Mikutel. But the real question is, who are you? Where are you now and where do you want to be? Can I help you get there?Visit sarahmikutel.com to learn how we can work together to help you achieve more peace, happiness, and positive transformation in your life.Do you ever go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the spot? I created a free Conversation Cheat Sheet with simple formulas you can use so you can respond with clarity, whether you’re in a meeting or just talking with friends.Download it at sarahmikutel.com/blanknomore and start feeling more confident in your conversations today.