The MINDset Game® Podcast

In our complex world, it often seems that we are surrounded by polarities – opposing views, values, goals, or approaches, such as centralization vs. decentralization, introversion vs. extroversion, or autonomy vs. control. While we may feel compelled to choose one side of a polarity or another, striving to connect the opposing sides may offer a more effective, sustainable approach.  Ivo Brughmans has been doing practice-based research on paradoxical thinking and leading for the last 15 years, and has written four books on the topic. His latest book is “Paradoxical Leadership: How to Make Complexity an Advantage.” In his work, Ivo develops a “both/and” perspective as a radical alternative to our current way of living, managing, governing, and coaching. He has a deep conviction that this perspective helps create more sustainable solutions to the challenges of the 21st century, providing the fundamentals for a fulfilled and balanced life, for better-performing and more innovative organizations, and for a better world. He gives keynotes, leads workshops and training programs on paradoxical leadership, and works with public and private organizations throughout Europe and around the globe. In Episode 215 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Ivo shares the following: Why “either/or” thinking may be particularly risky in today’s world, where polarization often leads to more extreme, disruptive measures and countermeasures Why digging deeper and asking questions is often more important than finding answers, particularly when a group collectively engages in a dialogue that involves exploring the different energies underlying polarities Tips for leaders on how to effectively navigate change and other situations where members of their teams may hold opposing views To learn more about Ivo and his work, visit https://paradoxical-leadership.com. To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

Have you ever achieved a goal or reached a certain level of success, yet you did not feel fulfilled and found yourself asking, “Is this all there is?” As with many other areas of life, true fulfillment requires mastering your mindset and using it as a tool to propel you towards your own vision of success and happiness.  Will Polston, our guest in Episode 214 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is an entrepreneur, award-winning business strategist, and highly qualified performance coach who leverages his personal journey from a successful, yet unfulfilled, broker to empowering ambitious individuals to master their mindset. With a unique approach that combines multiple disciplines, he offers powerful insight into behavior and delivers life-altering strategies. Will is also a TEDx speaker and internationally recognized keynote speaker, as well as the author of the best-selling book, “North Star Thinking: Master Your Mindset and Live a Life You Love.” His deep understanding of the challenges faced by others enables him to provide invaluable guidance on how to achieve a fulfilling life. In this week’s episode, Will discusses the following: The concept of a North Star — which is a personal mission that guides you in the right direction and provides fulfillment along the way, even though you may never reach a particular destination — and two exercises that can help you create your own North Star How small steps can compound over time to create significant progress The power of surrounding yourself with people who can help you achieve the outcomes you’re seeking, such as coaches or mentors, and modeling their behaviors Why self-acceptance is crucial for overcoming the roadblocks you may encounter on your path to fulfillment, including behaviors that may show up as self-sabotage  To learn more about Will and access his resources, visit https://willpolston.com. To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

Have you ever had a goal that seemed so ambitious that you weren’t sure it was achievable? When our minds conceive a dream, we typically try to determine whether it is possible before taking steps to pursue it. However, this may lead to prematurely letting go of dreams that not only make you feel alive and inspired, but that also may in fact be possible with sufficient courage, clarity, and determination.  As a pioneering, combat-proven leader, inspiring speaker, and celebrated author, Colonel Martha McSally is a compelling example of overcoming adversity and fear to achieve extraordinary feats, including becoming the first woman in U.S. history to fly an Air Force fighter jet and command a fighter squadron in combat. Martha deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan, flying 325 combat hours in the A-10 attack plane, for which she earned the Bronze Star and six Air Medals. Her book, “Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up,” inspires readers to follow their hearts and live the lives they were meant to live, fully aligned with their divine essence. In Episode 213 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Martha shares incredible stories from her life experiences, as well as the following insights: The importance of getting clear on the vision you have for your future self, embodying it in the present, and taking inspired action toward that vision, rather than getting stuck on how you will achieve it Specific tips for connecting with the true essence of who you are, which can help you identify expansive opportunities that align with your higher calling How to differentiate between the types of goals will enable you to truly expand and grow, versus those that may be rooted in less empowering motivations To learn more about Martha McSally and to sign up for her email list, visit https://marthamcsally.com.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

According to industry leaders such as Forbes, LinkedIn, and the World Economic Forum, the ability to influence and persuade others is among the top three essential soft skills in today’s business world. However, it’s crucial that persuasion is conducted in an ethical manner, ensuring that a favorable outcome is likely for all parties involved. Known as the “godfather of influence,” Dr. Robert Cialdini has spent over 40 years conducting scientific research on how to ethically persuade others. He's the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” which has sold over 8 million copies, and “Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade.” In addition to his groundbreaking research, Dr. Cialdini has built his reputation by going undercover at used car dealerships, fundraising organizations, and telemarketing firms to observe persuasion in the wild. Numerous leading enterprises have sought his expertise, including Microsoft, Google, and Berkshire Hathaway. Through the Cialdini Institute, the world's most trusted educational institute in ethical persuasion, he has combined his knowledge into seven principles of persuasion, offering a systematic approach that anyone can use to get a “yes” more often. In Episode 212 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Dr. Cialdini discusses the following:  Why ethical influence is more effective than non-ethical influence, as well as surprising results from Dr. Cialdini’s research demonstrating the effects that an ethical vs. unethical culture can have on an organization’s employees and bottom line Why it’s crucial for leaders to develop a mindset aimed at developing a culture of ethical persuasion within their organizations A detailed description of the 7 principles of influence: reciprocation; likability; authority; social proof; commitment and consistency; scarcity; and unity To learn more about Dr. Cialdini and his programs through the Cialdini Institute, visit https://cialdini.com.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

As we navigate stressful situations in our personal and professional lives, it’s common to experience feelings of burnout. However, studies indicate that burnout is often not caused by external factors – such as your profession, your boss, or your workload – but rather by your mindset and the beliefs you may have surrounding your work.  Natalie McVeigh, our guest in Episode 211 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is an executive and entrepreneurial coach and practitioner in neuroscience who specializes in Conversational Intelligence. She has expertise in complex conflict resolution and is also a Certified Happiness Trainer and has experience in building and developing cohesive teams through utilizing assessments and creating training curricula. In this week’s episode, Natalie discusses the following:  How ensuring clarity, customization, and conviction can help alleviate stress and bring deeper meaning to your work Why it’s important – particularly if you are in a leadership position – to recognize when you’re having a stress response in reaction to a stimulus, as well as some techniques for shifting the stress response Specific tips for balancing challenging situations that may be happening simultaneously in both your work and home life To get in touch with Natalie, find her on LinkedIn, or click here.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

From a young age, we begin developing thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and the world around us based on the interactions and experiences we have with our families and other influential figures in our lives. As we grow up, these beliefs – particularly those that are rooted in trauma – can have a significant impact on our relationships and the choices we make as adults.  After experiencing a series of difficult and traumatic circumstances throughout his childhood and young adulthood, Steve Bacon (nicknamed “Coach Steve”), is now a master of identity reconstruction, which means helping people shape their self-image, and as a result, transform their life. As an intuitive mentor to leaders, the founder and CEO of Belief Theory, a Master Life Coach, international speaker, and author, Steve is a spiritual teacher who has dedicated his life to helping others achieve self-mastery and emotional well-being, as well as to discover their inner power to overcome any obstacle, rewrite their destinies, and create lives of unparalleled success and fulfillment. As our guest in Episode 210 of The MINDset Game® podcast, Steve shares the following insights: Why examining and shifting the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that you’ve harbored since childhood may be more important than validating your inner child Real-life examples of how childhood experiences can create certain patterns and beliefs in adulthood, including powerful stories from Steve’s own life  Eight key principles that can help you heal from trauma to build healthier relationships and a happier, more fulfilled life To learn more about Steve and to explore his programs and resources, visit https://www.coachstevebacon.com.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

When seeking to reach new levels of greatness in your personal life, your organization, or the world at large, one of the most important steps is to get clear on what you want to achieve and why, in addition to ensuring that you are truly ready to pursue your goals. This requires having an in-depth understanding of where you currently are, where you want to go, and being able to draw a straight line between the two points.  At just 11 years old, Dr. Jeff Spencer wrote a contract with himself to participate in the 1972 Olympic Games, a goal he accomplished when he competed in two separate cycling events – and in the process, solidified his fascination with goal achievement as a human performance. Now, with five decades of experience creating champions, Jeff has helped athletes win over 40 gold medals and cycling teams to eight Tour de France victories. He has also authored three books, been awarded International Sports Chiropractor of the Year, and is the creator of the Champion’s Blueprint methodology. With notable clients that include Tiger Woods, Sir Richard Branson, the band U2, Lance Armstrong, and many others, Jeff is most renowned as a mentor to thought leaders and businesses who want to exponentially grow and catapult to iconic status. In Episode 210 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Jeff discusses the following:  Why our state of readiness – which is informed by the time and resources we have available, our experiences, and how we think and interpret the world – is crucial when beginning to pursue goals The importance of setting goals that are RIGHT, which stands for resonance, impact, growth, humanity, and time  How tapping into your intuition can be even more powerful than the guidance you glean from your conscious awareness Why soothing your hardwired survival instincts is essential for unlocking your “seeker self” and developing a champion’s mind To learn more about Dr. Jeff Spencer or to get in touch with him, visit https://www.drjeffspencer.com.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I.  

From the messages we receive from our families growing up to fad diets trending on social media, we are constantly bombarded with ideas about how we should or should not eat and what our bodies should look like. Unfortunately, for many of us, these messages may lead to disordered eating, harmful emotions surrounding food, or body image issues.  As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Jeanne Catanzaro has specialized in treating eating disorders and trauma for the past 25 years. She trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, somatic experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), before discovering the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, which we discussed in last week’s episode with Dr. Richard Schwartz. As an approved IFS consultant, Dr. Catanzaro served as the director of a day treatment program for eating disorders for two years, and is the author of the book, “Unburdened Eating: Healing Your Relationships with Food and Your Body Using an Internal Family Systems Approach.” In Episode 208 of The Mindset Game® podcast, Dr. Catanzaro shares the following: The various “burdens” we may take on over time as a result of the messages we receive from our families and society, and how these may impact our beliefs and behaviors regarding food and our bodies How the framework provided by IFS – which describes the relationships between our core, undamaged selves and our various parts that have taken on burdens throughout our lives – can be helpful in building healthier relationships with food  The power of getting curious and compassionate (rather than critical) about the parts of yourself that may be driving certain beliefs or behaviors regarding food, inquiring about how they came to harbor those beliefs, and healing them if needed  Dr. Catanzaro then guides us through an exercise designed to help us better understand our protective parts, connect with them, and begin to shift them if need be.  To learn more about IFS and access a variety of resources, visit https://ifs-institute.com, or look for Dr. Catanzaro’s book, "Unburdoned Eating" on Amazon.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I. 

As complex beings, we all encompass many different inner parts, or aspects of ourselves. Often, these parts may conflict, or we may feel ashamed or angered by those parts that we consider “bad” and therefore, try to suppress them. However, each of our parts serves a particular function that is meant to help us in some way, and by understanding where they all might have come from, how they work together, and how to foster healing and harmony among our various parts when needed, we can create space for our true, core selves to shine through.  Dr. Richard Schwartz, our guest in Episode 207 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is the creator of Internal Family Systems (IFS), a widely used, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is particularly effective for dealing with trauma. It provides a non-pathologizing, optimistic, and empowering perspective and a practical set of techniques for working with individuals, couples, families, corporations, and classrooms. After beginning his career as a family therapist, Dr. Schwartz now serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and has published five books, including “No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model.” In this week’s episode, Dr. Schwartz shares the following: The 8 Cs of “Self” or Self-leadership — calm, confident, curious, compassionate, courageous, creative, clear, and connected — which represent who we truly are at our core when we allow the other parts of ourselves to step aside and create space How understanding the different parts of ourselves can help us become more effective leaders, particularly for those who may have developed an over-attachment to the inner parts that have fueled their success A framework to better understand the different parts of yourself – including the critics, protectors, managers, and inner children – and why they may behave in certain ways Dr. Schwartz then guides us through an exercise designed to help us get in touch with those parts of ourselves that serve as protectors.  To learn more about Dr. Schwartz and Internal Family Systems (IFS), visit https://ifs-institute.com.  To learn more about The Mindset Game podcast, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com. To subscribe, visit https://apple.co/3oAnR8I. 

Ensuring proper nutrition and staying physically active are the keys to maintaining health and vitality – particularly as we age. However, many of us may encounter setbacks and find ourselves struggling to follow through with the steps required to live a healthier lifestyle. Overcoming this resistance often begins with shifting our mindset.  Whitney Jones, our guest in Episode 206 of The Mindset Game® podcast, is a three-time winner of Ms. Fitness Olympia, a prestigious professional bodybuilding competition. She is also the owner of Pro Physiques, the largest personal training gym in Arizona, and owns and runs five additional companies, such as the Unstoppable 365 mindset, fitness, and nutrition online program, the Fearless by Whitney Jones fitness apparel line, and Whitney Jones Productions, a fitness event at which everyone from first-time competitors to pro athletes have the opportunity to step on stage and compete. In this week’s episode, Whitney shares the following:  The importance of mindset in health and fitness, as well as specific steps to help shift your mindset — particularly when you’re not feeling mentally, emotionally, or physically optimal — and gain momentum towards a healthier life How to avoid common mistakes and overcome sources of resistance related to proper diet and exercise  The power of accountability, such as working with a coach or investing in a fitness class 3 top tips each for both nutrition and fitness that can help anyone reach a healthier state  To learn more about Whitney and her programs, visit https://www.fitwhitjones.com or find her on Instagram at @whitneyjones_ifbbpro.  To subscribe to The Mindset Game, visit www.TheMindsetGame.com.