No Barriers

Continuing on with our Alchemy Series (sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential) our hosts Erik and Dave speak with a world-renowned expert in perception, Dr. Beau Lotto.  Beau's perspective during these particularly uncertain times explains how our brain is built for adaptability and evolution. We've encountered perilous times before and our brain is equipped to handle change and risk. His research explores the ways in which we experience the world through our own versions of reality. As Beau puts it, "the brain never sees the world as it actually is, only the world that is useful to see." By illuminating these principles of perception he has helped individuals and companies transform their approach to creativity and innovation.Beau is a three-time main stage TED speaker. He has spoken at the G8, Google’s Zeitgeist, Wired, Oslo Freedom Forum, Big Think, and contributed to the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix and PBS.Beau is also the founder of the world’s first neuro-design studio, Lab of Misfits. Part lab, part creative studio, Lab of Misfits takes a disruptive approach to research, partnering with brands to blend science, art, and performance to explore pivotal principles in current culture. Their "experiential experiments" invite consumers to engage with brands and offer brands science-backed insights that foster innovation. Previous and current Lab of Misfits partnerships includes Cirque du Soleil (awe and wonder), L’Oreal (empowerment), The Charles Koch Institute (tolerance), BCW Public Relations (insight), and The London Science Museum (curiosity). Beau's latest book, Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently, explores the surprising science of creativity and unveils the unexpected relationship between perception, reality, and innovation.Resources:Visit Beau's website to learn moreExplore Beau's Lab of Misfits Learn more about the No Barriers Summit and Register TodayVisit our Show Page for a downloadable tip sheet and transcripts

Continuing on with our Alchemy Series (sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential) our hosts Erik and Dave speak with a world-renowned expert in perception, Dr. Beau Lotto.  Beau's perspective during these particularly uncertain times explains how our brain is built for adaptability and evolution. We've encountered perilous times before and our brain is equipped to handle change and risk. His research explores the ways in which we experience the world through our own versions of reality. As Beau puts it, "the brain never sees the world as it actually is, only the world that is useful to see." By illuminating these principles of perception he has helped individuals and companies transform their approach to creativity and innovation.Beau is a three-time main stage TED speaker. He has spoken at the G8, Google’s Zeitgeist, Wired, Oslo Freedom Forum, Big Think, and contributed to the BBC, National Geographic, Netflix and PBS.Beau is also the founder of the world’s first neuro-design studio, Lab of Misfits. Part lab, part creative studio, Lab of Misfits takes a disruptive approach to research, partnering with brands to blend science, art, and performance to explore pivotal principles in current culture. Their "experiential experiments" invite consumers to engage with brands and offer brands science-backed insights that foster innovation. Previous and current Lab of Misfits partnerships includes Cirque du Soleil (awe and wonder), L’Oreal (empowerment), The Charles Koch Institute (tolerance), BCW Public Relations (insight), and The London Science Museum (curiosity). Beau's latest book, Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently, explores the surprising science of creativity and unveils the unexpected relationship between perception, reality, and innovation.Resources:Visit Beau's website to learn moreExplore Beau's Lab of Misfits Learn more about the No Barriers Summit and Register TodayVisit our Show Page for a downloadable tip sheet and transcripts

On this episode of our Alchemy Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential we speak with Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.Nadia was our most popular guest to date was one of our first when we began our podcast in 2018. We knew we had plenty to catch up on and that Nadia would be a perfect guest to offer guidance during these confusing times of COVID-19. An ordained Lutheran Pastor, Nadia is not your typical faith leader. She often writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and really whatever the hell else she wants to. As she puts it, she always “sits in the corner with the other weirdoes.” She served as the founding pastor of the House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver, CO and is the author of three NYT bestselling memoirs: Pastrix; The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint (2013), Accidental Saints; Finding God In All The Wrong People (2015) and SHAMELESS; A Sexual Reformation (2019). Shameless was written as a challenge to the antiquated ideas our society views sex, gender, and our bodies. Her latest project is her recently released podcast, The Confessional, presented by PRX and The Moth. As host, she interviews folks about something in their lives that they did or said that they are not proud of - something for which they need grace. In creating this podcast, Nadia aims to normalize conversations about being human and to help people feel less alone in their failings. Rather than confession and absolution, it’s admission and benediction. Our hosts, Erik and Dave, reconnect with Nadia to hear about her new Podcast and to ask her for advice for those of us struggling (that’s all of us) during this particular time in history. Resources:Please revisit Nadia’s original appearance on our show: episode 16: Contemplating Faith & Forgiveness with Pastor and Author, Nadia Bolz-Weber.Visit her website to listen to the Trailer for the Confessional: https://nadiabolzweber.com/Subscribe to The ConfessionalFollow Nadia on Social (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook): @sarcasticlutheranMore details on the HBO show: The Leftovers 

On this episode of our Alchemy Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential we speak with Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.Nadia was our most popular guest to date was one of our first when we began our podcast in 2018. We knew we had plenty to catch up on and that Nadia would be a perfect guest to offer guidance during these confusing times of COVID-19. An ordained Lutheran Pastor, Nadia is not your typical faith leader. She often writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and really whatever the hell else she wants to. As she puts it, she always “sits in the corner with the other weirdoes.” She served as the founding pastor of the House for All Sinners & Saints in Denver, CO and is the author of three NYT bestselling memoirs: Pastrix; The Cranky, Beautiful Faith Of A Sinner & Saint (2013), Accidental Saints; Finding God In All The Wrong People (2015) and SHAMELESS; A Sexual Reformation (2019). Shameless was written as a challenge to the antiquated ideas our society views sex, gender, and our bodies. Her latest project is her recently released podcast, The Confessional, presented by PRX and The Moth. As host, she interviews folks about something in their lives that they did or said that they are not proud of - something for which they need grace. In creating this podcast, Nadia aims to normalize conversations about being human and to help people feel less alone in their failings. Rather than confession and absolution, it’s admission and benediction. Our hosts, Erik and Dave, reconnect with Nadia to hear about her new Podcast and to ask her for advice for those of us struggling (that’s all of us) during this particular time in history. Resources:Please revisit Nadia’s original appearance on our show: episode 16: Contemplating Faith & Forgiveness with Pastor and Author, Nadia Bolz-Weber.Visit her website to listen to the Trailer for the Confessional: https://nadiabolzweber.com/Subscribe to The ConfessionalMore details on the HBO show: The LeftoversVisit our Show Page for a downloadable tip sheet with takeawaysFollow Nadia on Social (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook): @sarcasticlutheran

Part 6 of our Alchemy Series (sponsored by Prudential and Wells Fargo):Our hosts, Erik and Jeff, meet with Rebecca Rusch - a familiar face from the adventure scene.  Rebecca speaks about her journey "home" and what that means in this pivotal moment in history. Known as the “Queen of Pain” with a heart of gold, Rebecca Rusch is a multi-decade professional athlete and 7x World Champion. Her career includes numerous adventure sports, and countless wins and accolades including induction into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. In 2017, Rebecca released an Emmy award-winning feature film, Blood Road, which followed her personal journey along the 1,200 kilometer Ho Chi Minh Trail. Now, as CEO of Rusch Ventures, she hosts her signature gravel bike event, Rebecca’s Private Idaho (RPI), Rusch Academy backcountry gravel camps, and her epic travel adventure MTB-LAO. She is also the best selling author of Rusch to Glory, a world-renowned motivational speaker, and volunteer firefighter. Finally, her Be Good™ Foundation, a nonprofit organization has raised over $500,000 for bike-centric charities on a local, national, and global level.Join Rebecca for her Giddy Up for Good Challenge for COVID-19 Relief. Choose from four elevation challenges to complete over Memorial Day Weekend. Proceeds go to CDC, World Bicycle Relief, and People for Bikes. Follow Rebecca Rusch on Social Media: #JoinTheRuschLearn more at Rebecca's Website. Watch Rebecca's TED Talk: Navigating HomePlease visit NoBarriersPodcast.com for our downloadable Tip Sheet for this episode.  

Part 6 of our Alchemy Series (sponsored by Prudential and Wells Fargo):Our hosts, Erik and Jeff, meet with Rebecca Rusch - a familiar face from the adventure scene.  Rebecca speaks about her journey "home" and what that means in this pivotal moment in history. Known as the “Queen of Pain” with a heart of gold, Rebecca Rusch is a multi-decade professional athlete and 7x World Champion. Her career includes numerous adventure sports, and countless wins and accolades including induction into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. In 2017, Rebecca released an Emmy award-winning feature film, Blood Road, which followed her personal journey along the 1,200 kilometer Ho Chi Minh Trail. Now, as CEO of Rusch Ventures, she hosts her signature gravel bike event, Rebecca’s Private Idaho (RPI), Rusch Academy backcountry gravel camps, and her epic travel adventure MTB-LAO. She is also the best selling author of Rusch to Glory, a world-renowned motivational speaker, and volunteer firefighter. Finally, her Be Good™ Foundation, a nonprofit organization has raised over $500,000 for bike-centric charities on a local, national, and global level.Join Rebecca for her Giddy Up for Good Challenge for COVID-19 Relief. Choose from four elevation challenges to complete over Memorial Day Weekend. Proceeds go to CDC, World Bicycle Relief, and People for Bikes.Watch Rebecca's TED Talk: Navigating HomeLearn more on Rebecca's WebsiteFollow Rebecca on Social Media with hashtag: #JoinTheRuschDownload our tip sheet for this episode on NoBarriersPodcast.com

As we continue to speak with thought leaders and experts during this pandemic for our Alchemy Series, it became clear a voice was missing: how are younger people adapting during this time? After all, Gen Z is notably affected: missing graduation ceremonies, virtual learning replacing the classroom entirely, proms, and other milestone moments being called off - we wanted to hear how someone in this demographic was responding to this moment in time. This past Earth Day, our guest was Maya Penn - a suitable fit as Maya has been working in sustainability for 12 years and she started her eco-fashion company in 2008 at only 8 years old. She has been hand chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her youngest Supersoul 100 changemaker and thought leader and received a commendation from President Barack Obama for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship. Maya made history in 2016 during the Obama administration when she was commissioned to create an animated film for the opening of the first-ever digital report to congress, which was to have an American museum of Women’s History built in Washington. She also founded a nonprofit organization called Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet and started an ongoing initiative where she designed and has created eco-friendly sanitary pads for women/girls in developing countries and she has shipped pads to healthcare facilities in Haiti, Senegal, Somalia, and more. Maya is clearly someone who takes action and has never let her young age dictate how she will conquer her goals. Her lessons in this episode are poignant for any time in our lives but she honed in on some of the trauma and despair that is happening now and how to harness this adversity. Her simple advice to take small steps toward any goal, or to look for the many available resources now made easily accessible for all online is helpful for a listener of any page. For more tips and ideas go to NoBarriers.com for a downloadable tip sheet. A special shout out to Wells Fargo and Prudential: our generous Alchemy Series sponsors. Additional Resources:Follow Maya on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @mayasideasMayas Ideas 4 The PlanetTEDTalk Women from 2013Show Page

As we continue to speak with thought leaders and experts during this pandemic for our Alchemy Series, it became clear a voice was missing: how are younger people adapting during this time? After all, Gen Z is notably affected: missing graduation ceremonies, virtual learning replacing the classroom entirely, proms, and other milestone moments being called off - we wanted to hear how someone in this demographic was responding to this moment in time. This past Earth Day, our guest was Maya Penn - a suitable fit as Maya has been working in sustainability for 12 years and she started her eco-fashion company in 2008 at only 8 years old. She has been hand chosen by Oprah Winfrey as her youngest Supersoul 100 change maker and thought leader and received a commendation from President Barack Obama for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship. Maya made history in 2016 during the Obama administration when she was commissioned to create an animated film for the opening of the first-ever digital report to congress, which was to have an American museum of Women’s History built in Washington. She also founded a nonprofit organization called Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet and started an ongoing initiative where she designed and has created eco-friendly sanitary pads for women/girls in developing countries and she has shipped pads to healthcare facilities in Haiti, Senegal, Somalia, and more. Maya is clearly someone who takes action and has never let her young age dictate how she will conquer her goals. Her lessons in this episode are poignant for any time in our lives but she honed in on some of the trauma and despair that is happening now and how to harness this adversity. Her simple advice to take small steps toward any goal, or to look for the many available resources now made easily accessible for all online is helpful for a listener of any page. For more tips and ideas go to NoBarriers.com for a downloadable tip sheet. A special shout out to Wells Fargo and Prudential: our generous Alchemy Series sponsors. Additional Resources:Follow Maya on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook: @mayasideasMaya’s Ideas 4 The Planet TEDWomen talk from 2013Show Page

For our fourth episode of our Alchemy Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential, there is no greater example of harnessing adversity than No Barriers co-founder, Hugh Herr. In his early 20s, Hugh had both of his legs amputated after a tragic mountain climbing accident. An avid rock-climber, he was determined to return to the sport. Hugh created new iterations of prosthetic limbs for legs and feet he could use to climb even better than before. Watch some of his videos in the resources below to see his technology in action. Inspired by his own self-improvement through tech he set out to change the world for others. Now, Hugh heads the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab, where his team is creating bionic limbs that emulate the function of natural limbs; providing greater mobility and new hope to those with physical disabilities. He is the author and co-author of more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and patents, chronicling the science and technology behind his many innovations. These publications span the scientific fields of biomechanics and biological motion control, as well as the technological innovations of human rehabilitation and augmentation technologies. As published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation in 2014, Herr’s team advanced the first autonomous exoskeleton to reduce the metabolic cost of human walking, a goal that has eluded scientists for over a century. Takeaways from Hugh:Tip 1: Pause to Process this Moment in TimeRecognize the current situation you live in. Embrace what you are feeling and take a moment to understand what others in your life are going through in light of this pandemic. Examine how you should invest your energy and time now and in the future. If this means not working (if you are able) then take a break. Now is the time to reset.Tip 2 - Perform Acts of Good Will & Strengthen Human Connection During these uncertain times, look beyond yourself and your fears. Find ways to help others and demonstrate kindness. For example: reach out to senior citizens, sew masks for first responders, or donate goods or funds to your local food bank.Right now there is a lack of human connections which can cause a lack of empathy. By performing small acts of kindness, you are reminding others of the goodness and love in the world.Tip 3 - Rethink FailureWhen testing new ideas in his lab, Hugh emphasizes that failure is common. Reframing those failures as explorations that help bring them closer to their goal.  Each new failed experiment is not a waste of time but rather provides new knowledge and information to bring them one step closer to their vision and desired outcome. What perceived “failure” in your own life can you reassess with this mindset? For example, maybe a job loss due to the pandemic, make you reevaluate your future career aspirations.Tip 4 - “Believe Without Seeing”In order to achieve a goal that others might see as impossible, you must have faith in yourself, your vision, and be emotionally committed. Hugh’s work has often been considered groundbreaking and unthinkable before he demonstrated it was possible. When faced with a difficult or daunting goal ignore the naysayers, and have faith in yourself. What audacious goals can you set for yourself? After you’ve had time to process and reflect, what are some takeaways you’ve learned about yourself over these last few weeks?  Perhaps the current situation makes you realize the importance of family or finding a new career path. Use this time to put a plan in place for refocusing your attention on what matters most to you in the upcoming year.  Develop your No Barriers Mindset! Enroll now: www.nobarriersleadership.com/join Resources:NoBarriersPodcast.com for a downloadable Tip SheetCheck out Hugh’s Vineyard: Mermaid Hill Hugh Herr's story has been told in a National Geographic film, “Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr” Hugh Herr's page at MITTED talk 2014 No Barriers Leading Beyond Barriers video: PioneerFurther Reading on Hugh Herr

For our fourth episode of our Alchemy Series, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Prudential, there is no greater example of harnessing adversity than No Barriers co-founder, Hugh Herr. In his early 20s, Hugh had both of his legs amputated after a tragic mountain climbing accident. An avid rock-climber, he was determined to return to the sport. Hugh created new iterations of prosthetic limbs for legs and feet he could use to climb even better than before. Watch some of his videos in the resources below to see his technology in action. Inspired by his own self-improvement through tech he set out to change the world for others. Now, Hugh heads the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab, where his team is creating bionic limbs that emulate the function of natural limbs; providing greater mobility and new hope to those with physical disabilities. He is the author and co-author of more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and patents, chronicling the science and technology behind his many innovations. These publications span the scientific fields of biomechanics and biological motion control, as well as the technological innovations of human rehabilitation and augmentation technologies. As published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation in 2014, Herr’s team advanced the first autonomous exoskeleton to reduce the metabolic cost of human walking, a goal that has eluded scientists for over a century. Takeaways from Hugh:Tip 1: Pause to Process this Moment in TimeRecognize the current situation you live in. Embrace what you are feeling and take a moment to understand what others in your life are going through in light of this pandemic. Examine how you should invest your energy and time now and in the future. If this means not working (if you are able) then take a break. Now is the time to reset.Tip 2 - Perform Acts of Good Will & Strengthen Human Connection During these uncertain times, look beyond yourself and your fears. Find ways to help others and demonstrate kindness. For example: reach out to senior citizens, sew masks for first responders, or donate goods or funds to your local food bank.Right now there is a lack of human connections which can cause a lack of empathy. By performing small acts of kindness, you are reminding others of the goodness and love in the world.Tip 3 - Rethink FailureWhen testing new ideas in his lab, Hugh emphasizes that failure is common. Reframing those failures as explorations that help bring them closer to their goal.  Each new failed experiment is not a waste of time but rather provides new knowledge and information to bring them one step closer to their vision and desired outcome. What perceived “failure” in your own life can you reassess with this mindset? For example, maybe a job loss due to the pandemic, make you reevaluate your future career aspirations.Tip 4 - “Believe Without Seeing”In order to achieve a goal that others might see as impossible, you must have faith in yourself, your vision, and be emotionally committed. Hugh’s work has often been considered groundbreaking and unthinkable before he demonstrated it was possible. When faced with a difficult or daunting goal ignore the naysayers, and have faith in yourself. What audacious goals can you set for yourself? After you’ve had time to process and reflect, what are some takeaways you’ve learned about yourself over these last few weeks?  Perhaps the current situation makes you realize the importance of family or finding a new career path. Use this time to put a plan in place for refocusing your attention on what matters most to you in the upcoming year.  Develop your No Barriers Mindset! Enroll now: www.nobarriersleadership.com/join Resources:NoBarriersPodcast.com for a downloadable Tip SheetCheck out Hugh’s Vineyard: Mermaid HillHugh Herr's story has been told in a National Geographic film, “Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr” Hugh Herr's page at MITTED talk 2014No Barriers Leading Beyond Barriers video: PioneerFurther Reading on Hugh Herr