The Expansive

In this episode of The Expansive, John Sanei and Erik Kruger dive into the power of rituals and their role in modern life. They explore the contrast between rituals and habits, sharing personal experiences with smoking, San Pedro ceremonies in Peru, and the ancient practices of the Temple of the Moon. The conversation then shifts to the balance between optimization and mindfulness, the backlash against hustle culture, and the importance of patience. John and Erik also discuss the realities of building a career as a speaker, the role of speaker bureaus, and why personal branding is essential in today’s AI-driven world. Key Takeaways:🔹 Rituals offer a deeper sense of connection than everyday habits.🔹 Smoking has cultural and spiritual significance beyond its modern stigma.🔹 San Pedro ceremonies can be emotionally transformative experiences.🔹 Ancient rituals, like those at the Temple of the Moon, held deep meaning in their time.🔹 Over-optimization can lead to burnout—slowness and mindfulness are key.🔹 The backlash against hustle culture highlights the value of patience.🔹 Becoming a successful speaker requires consistent effort and personal branding.🔹 AI is augmenting, not replacing, jobs—adaptation is key.Notable Quotes:🗣️ "Tobacco is a very sacred plant."🗣️ "I was sobbing, uncontrollably sobbing."🗣️ "Optimize my creativity in the morning."🗣️ "There's been a backlash to hustle culture."🗣️ "The biggest companies spend billions on marketing."🗣️ "AI is augmenting jobs, not automating jobs."Chapters:00:00 – The Ritual of Smoking and Its Cultural Significance02:14 – Experiencing San Pedro: A Journey in Peru09:53 – The Temple of the Moon: Ancient Rituals and Sacrifices16:04 – Rituals vs. Habits: The Importance of Intentionality22:37 – Optimizing Life: The Balance Between Efficiency and Calmness31:35 – The Backlash Against Hustle Culture32:49 – The Luxury of Patience and Calmness33:46 – The Realities of Becoming a Speaker36:30 – The Role of Speaker Bureaus39:42 – Building Relationships in Speaking40:54 – The Importance of Marketing Yourself42:44 – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Work🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Connect with Us: Subscribe to The Expansive: link.chtbl.com/expansive   Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

Click the link. to listen to the latest Investec Episode on the 2025 South African Budget Speech: https://www.investec.com/en_za/focus/no-ordinary-wednesday-with-jeremy-maggs.html2025 brings three key themes—tension, transformation, and transcendence. To thrive, leaders must navigate change with intentionality, foster psychological safety, and embrace transformational leadership. The overwhelming access to information fuels turbulence, making collaboration and open communication more critical than ever.In this episode, we explore:The leadership behaviors that drive team engagement and performance.Why psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams.How transformational leaders inspire and support change.The power of self-awareness, vulnerability, and intellectual stimulation.Tune in to discover how leaders can create an environment where growth, innovation, and resilience thrive. Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

In this episode of The Expansive, John Sanei and Erik Kruger dive into the evolving landscape of the creative economy, discussing how authenticity and recalibration play a crucial role in personal and professional growth. They explore the shift from influencer culture to a more creator-driven economy, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in navigating change. The conversation highlights the art of recalibration as a powerful tool for aligning actions with goals, while also underscoring the significance of mindfulness and adaptability in achieving long-term success.Key Takeways:The creative economy is on the rise, presenting new opportunities for individuals.Authenticity is essential to standing out in a saturated market.Recalibration is necessary for aligning actions with goals.Self-awareness helps identify when we drift off course.Mindfulness plays a crucial role in the recalibration process.Change doesn’t need to be rushed; small, consistent shifts can be highly effective.Focusing energy properly helps navigate distractions and achieve goals.The influencer economy is evolving into a creator-driven landscape.Understanding personal desires leads to more authentic goal setting.Building relationships through authenticity enhances engagement.Sound Bites:"The influencer economy is over.""The creative economy is picking up.""Authenticity makes you unique.""You need to catch yourself drifting.""Change doesn’t have to be rushed.""Mindfulness is key to recalibration."Episode Chapters:00:00 – Introduction and Paddle Game Banter03:04 – The Rise of the Creative Economy05:59 – Influencers vs. Creators: A New Paradigm09:00 – The Art of Recalibration11:54 – Self-Awareness and Drift Signals14:57 – Navigating Change and Adaptability17:59 – Mindfulness in Recalibration20:59 – The Importance of Authenticity24:06 – Conclusion and Future Insights Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

In this week’s episode of The Expansive Podcast, John Sanei and Erik Kruger dive into three transformative themes: personal development, the rise of artificial intelligence, and why emotional intelligence matters more than ever.The conversation kicks off with Mel Robbins’ powerful concept, the ‘Let Them’ Theory, which challenges us to stop chasing validation and instead focus on our own self-worth. John and Erik share their personal takes on letting go of the need to control others’ opinions—and how freeing it can be when you do.From there, they shift gears to tackle the big buzzword of our time: AI. John and Erik break it down for business leaders, cutting through the jargon to emphasize why a simpler understanding of AI can lead to smarter decisions in the boardroom. They explore how AI is reshaping workplaces and why leaders need to focus on creating adaptive, resilient organizations for the future.But here’s the twist: It’s not just about tech. It’s about people. John and Erik highlight how healing past traumas can free up the mental space needed for innovation. Because at the end of the day, they argue, the future isn’t just about AI—it’s about human consciousness and adaptability.Expect insights, practical takeaways, and a reminder that simplicity and self-awareness are the ultimate business superpowers.Key Themes Discussed:Why Mel Robbins’ ‘Let Them’ Theory is a game-changer for personal growthDemystifying AI: How business leaders can embrace it without getting overwhelmedThe connection between healing, innovation, and creating future-ready organizationsTakeaway Quote:"Complexity kills execution. Simplify to succeed."Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream your shows. Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

Join a laid-back chat exploring how travel changes your perspective and appreciation for life. The discussion dives into the concept of miserable success—achieving wealth yet feeling unfulfilled. They tackle the addiction to dopamine from social media and the importance of boredom for creativity. A transformative psilocybin experience leads to discussions on gratitude and the power of empathy in overcoming envy. It's all about finding balance, tackling negative self-talk, and embracing both wins and losses in life's chaotic journey.

Happy New Year, Expanders!!We are back and READY to make 2025 the best year yet!John and Erik have chosen their words for the year — and they’re good ones: Sovereignty and Magic? Yes. Yes. Yes.They talk about Gstaad Guy’s recent interview, the changing landscape of marketing, and how John has unfollowed all news outlets on social media to independently think this year without any distractions!The guys discuss their optimism surrounding 2025, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and digital detox. They explore the rapid advancements in AI and the implications for content creators, as well as the potential for revolutionary changes in society.Erik tells us about his personal “retreat” day he did to close out 2024 — which we’ll hear more about in the next episode!!As always, we’re so happy to be back doing what we love with our amazing community! This is going to be a GREAT year — let’s do this!  00:00Welcome to 2025: A Fresh Start02:54Digital Detox: Shedding the Old05:59The Rise of AI: Competing with Machines12:04Revolution and Change: The Year Ahead19:02Sovereignty: Thinking Independently24:24Awakening to Personal Sovereignty27:11Curating Information for Independent Thinking29:12Deep Self-Reflection and Internal Dialogue30:37Embracing Masculinity and Personal Growth31:15Authenticity in Expression and Communication33:19Setting Intentions for the New Year36:33Believing in Magic and Creating Reality Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

TakeawaysAuthenticity is more valuable than metrics.The podcast should focus on genuine conversations.Vulnerability fosters deeper connections.Self-discovery is an ongoing journey.Power dynamics in media are shifting.Personal growth often requires facing inner dialogues.Meditation can help in understanding oneself.Sharing experiences can resonate with others.Relationships are crucial for personal enrichment.The importance of being present in conversations.   Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

Dive into a reflective journey filled with personal growth and transformative experiences from a 10-day meditation retreat. The hosts share valuable insights into resilience, the importance of meaningful intentions, and the complexities of navigating grief and joy. They discuss celebrating life through Dia de los Muertos and highlight the significance of connections, especially with friends and beloved pets. As they prepare for 2025, the episode offers inspiring lessons and a heartfelt perspective on embracing change and setting authentic goals.

In this mini episode, Erik is treating us to a keynote on transformational leadership. He breaks down the four key qualities every transformational leader must embody: Individualized Consideration, Inspirational Motivation, Idealized Influence, and Intellectual Stimulation. Erik also shares a powerful case study of Vinit Nair and his leadership transformation at HCL Technologies, where his visionary approach led to massive revenue growth and market cap increase.Erik covers:Psychological safety as a critical foundation for innovation and creativity.How inspirational motivation is used to create a compelling, shared vision.Idealized influence and why leaders must model the behavior they expect from others.The case study of Vinit Nair and his approach to leadership that empowers employees to drive organizational change.The concept of Blue Ocean Drops—small, focused initiatives that accumulate to create big, sustainable results.Erik’s insights remind us that transformation starts from within. As a leader, you must evolve first to inspire growth and change in others. This mini episode is a powerful lesson in how leadership evolution leads to organizational success. Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast      

John and Erik discuss the transformative impact of AI on creativity and traditional education, including its role in reshaping industries. They also share insights from their speaking tour and introduce their upcoming book. The conversation explores why standing out matters more than ever and how time influences personal growth. Vote for John below!!! https://globalgurus.org/futurist/Key takeaways:How AI is disrupting industries and redefining creativity.Why uniqueness is essential in an increasingly crowded world.Strategies for managing emotional responses to change.The evolving concept of time and its implications for personal development.Sneak peek into John and Erik’s new book and its focus on reflection and growth.  Hello! Please like and subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment! We love hearing from our listeners and we thank you for being apart of our community! Socials:Instagram: @theexpansivepodcastX: @theexpansivepodLinkedin: The Expansive PodcastTik Tok: theexpansivepodcast