The MINDset Game® Podcast

Have you ever found yourself in the habit of using a certain product, program, or platform when seeking to alleviate an uncomfortable feeling (such as stress or boredom) or access an overall greater sense of satisfaction? Many of the items that we use in our day-to-day lives were intentionally designed to be habit-forming – and understanding the psychology behind what makes these products so catchy can be beneficial for both their developers and consumers alike.  In his award-winning book, “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products,” Nir Eyal examines the factors that drive customer engagement and lead consumers to use certain products again and again. Nir is also the author of “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life” (which he discussed in Episode 164 of The MINDSet Game® podcast), has taught as a lecturer in marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and has sold to technology companies since 2003. Joining us for the second time in Episode 183 of The MINDSet Game, Nir discusses the following:  The 4 steps of the “hook model” behind habit-forming products: external and internal triggers, action, variable rewards, and investment Specific examples of how these factors come into play in commonly used products How the “lean startup methodology” of building, measuring, and learning can work with the hook model to make products more habit-forming, as well as 5 fundamental questions to ask when striving to develop more engaging products Types of products or services to which the hook model does not apply To learn more, read Nir’s book, “Hooked,” or visit NirAndFar.com.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

Have you ever contemplated the question, “How can I live a good life?” In ancient times, famous Greek and Roman philosophers, such as Aristotle, Plato, and Epictetus, answered this timeless question with one word: “areté,” which translates to “excellence” or “virtue.” However, the word’s deeper meaning refers to being your best self on a moment-to-moment basis.  In our modern times, how can we each be our best selves moment by moment, particularly when faced with seemingly endless distractions and often negative influences? Brian Johnson, our guest in Episode 182 of The MINDset Game® podcast, seeks to help people achieve their highest potential, with a specific goal of creating a world in which 51% of humanity is flourishing by the year 2051. Brian is the founder and CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation and the author of “Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential.” Defining himself as 50% philosopher and 50% CEO, he’s built and sold two social platforms, helped millions of people from around the world, trained 10,000+ Heroic Coaches from 100+ countries, and created a protocol that science says changes lives. In this week’s episode, Brian discusses the following:  How leaders and changemakers can apply the concept of areté in their daily lives – and tips for pursuing the best version of yourself even when you’re feeling depleted  The concept of anti-fragile resilience, which can help you become even stronger when faced with challenges, and how to develop the protocol that is integral to this type of resilience  How to balance self-compassion with the discipline to hold yourself to higher standards  Why focusing on your own consciousness and factors you can control is particularly important for leaders seeking to create positive change within their organizations, communities, and the world at large  To learn more about Brian and the Heroic Public Benefit Corporation, visit https://www.heroic.us or look for “Heroic: The Training Platform” in the iOS or Android app stores.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com. 

Whether you’re seeking to forgive someone in your life, tap into your highest self, or simply access a greater sense of harmony and well-being, a set of practices known as Huna offers a path to living your best and most fulfilled life. Originating from the wisdom of the ancient Hawaiians, Huna can help you work with the power of your energy and eliminate any mental, emotional, or spiritual baggage that may be holding you back. Dr. Jane Lewis, our guest in Episode 181 of The MINDset Game® podcast, has been teaching Huna in Hawaii and the UK since 2005. She is also a certified neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) trainer and has an academic PhD focused on spirituality and leadership, with a particular emphasis on Huna. With a specialty in coaching and teaching people to let go of the blocks that hold them back from living their most fulfilled lives, one of Jane’s superpowers is channeling profound meditations and visualizations for groups and individuals, such as moon meditations, wind meditations, peace meditations and more. In this week’s episode, Jane shares the following: An overview of the origins, practices, and benefits of Huna The different qualities of the four key elements – fire, earth, water, and air – and how we can work with them energetically to achieve a greater sense of balance The importance of forgiveness, and why fostering a culture of forgiveness can be particularly powerful for business leaders  Jane then guides us through a meditative practice focused on finding forgiveness and releasing baggage in order to access greater peace.  To learn more about Dr. Jane Lewis and to access her trainings, meditations, and visualizations, visit https://drjanelewis.com or https://secretartofhuna.com, or search for her YouTube channel.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game podcast, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

As we go through life, we all experience numerous situations that require courage, whether it’s the courage to overcome a perceived failure, to pursue a desired career path or relationship, or simply the courage to let ourselves feel uncomfortable emotions. However, particularly when we feel overwhelmed or depleted, it can be difficult to summon the courage to follow our own “true north,” or true selves.  Known as the “courage doctor” for organizations because of her focus on courage implementation to increase capacity for creativity and innovation, CB Bowman is a venerated expert in courageous leadership. She is the CEO of the Association of Corporate Executive Coaches and has earned countless accolades and distinctions, including being named one of the top 50 coaches in the world by Thinkers50, one of the top 15 experts in branding by Global Gurus, and among the top 50 thought leaders on leadership, diversity, and inclusion by Thinkers360. CB is also the host of an amazing videocast and podcast titled “Courage to Leap and Lead,” and her keynotes inspire people to re-envision how they think about courage in terms of profitability and a willingness to see failure as a success.  In Episode 180 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, CB shares how courage has played a role in her personal and professional lives as she discusses the following: Why it’s important to allow yourself to feel a range of emotions, including imposter syndrome, when striving to transform the fear of failure into success – and then taking charge of those emotions How to persevere through stress and burnout to continue moving towards your true north Tips for navigating the delicate balance of being true to yourself while also honoring the feelings of those you care about To learn more about CB, connect with her on LinkedIn or look for her book, “Courage to Leap & Lead: A Roadmap for Redefining Failure into Success,” on Amazon. To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

When faced with tension or a dilemma, many people seek to resolve it by focusing on one solution or another. However, in situations where a polarity may be at play, supplementing this “either/or” thinking with “both/and” thinking is crucial for successfully navigating change and conflict, thereby leading to better results and greater harmony. As the creator of the first polarity map and set of principles, Dr. Barry Johnson has been sharing his passion for polarity thinking with a wide range of organizations around the world since 1975. He is also the chairman of Polarity Partnerships, which has helped build a collaborative international community of polarity practitioners, and the author of “Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems.” In Episode 179 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Barry discusses the following: The concept of polarities – which are interdependent pairs that need each other over time, as well as energy systems in which we live and work – and why it’s crucial to understand them The importance of distinguishing between problems to solve and polarities to leverage Real-world examples of companies that have navigated polarities in order to optimize results  How polarities may be particularly helpful in the context of organizational change To learn more about polarities and access a variety of resources, including training and certification programs, visit https://www.polaritypartnerships.com, or email Barry at barry@polaritypartnerships.com.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

Throughout our lives, we all have experiences that may feel traumatic to some extent. Whether we realize it or not, these experiences often leave a lasting emotional and psychological impact, which can manifest in physical conditions or illnesses – sometimes many years later. Therefore, when seeking to overcome illness and achieve greater wellness, it may be beneficial to get curious about the psycho-emotional roots underlying our physical health and develop new patterns focused on healing.  One approach that aims to better understand and leverage the power of the mind-body connection is called META Health, which is based on the belief that our lived experiences often show up in our physical and psychological health as symptoms, diagnoses, and conditions. In Episode 178 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, we discuss this approach with our guest, Dr. Craig Weiner. As a doctor of chiropractic medicine and certified META Health trainer, as well as the co-director of the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Tapping Training Institute and an approved Matrix Reimprinting trainer, Dr. Weiner is an expert on EFT Tapping and other techniques intended to alleviate physical pain and emotional distress, while helping others understand the mind-body connection and feel more empowered when it comes to their own health. In this week’s episode, Dr. Weiner discusses the following: The importance of approaching physical symptoms with curiosity and tapping into your body’s innate wisdom, inquiring about what it may be trying to heal or to show you  How the language you use to describe what you’re experiencing physically may be a clue to the psycho-emotional roots of your condition How “UDIN” moments – which are unexpected, dramatic, and isolating moments in which you felt, at the time, that you had no resources to cope with them – can create patterns that eventually affect your physical and mental health Steps and techniques that can help you shift harmful patterns and move toward healing To learn more about Dr. Weiner and his trainings, visit https://www.efttappingtraining.com or email him at craig@efttappingtraining.com.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

Whether you generally enjoy small talk or you dread it, conversational skills offer a powerful way to build rapport and create meaningful connections with others in your personal and professional life. While the art of conversation is crucial for leaders in particular, many people – especially those who identify as introverts – can find it challenging at times. As a self-proclaimed formerly shy, “tongue-tied” engineer, Debra Fine is now an internationally recognized conversation and networking skills expert, motivational speaker, and best-selling author of the book, “The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills – and Leave a Positive Impression!” Debra’s impressive client list includes associations, government agencies, and large corporations such as Google, Lockheed Martin, United Airlines, and Procter & Gamble. In Episode 177 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Debra discusses the following topics: How simple mindset shifts can help anyone (and particularly introverts) become better at small talk Practical tips for starting conversations with both strangers and acquaintances Top conversation “killers,” such as monopolizing and matchmaking, and how to avoid them How to gracefully exit a conversation without appearing abrupt or offensive  To learn more about Debra or to get in touch with her, visit https://www.debrafine.com.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game podcast, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.  

When facing uncertainty in your personal or professional life, it’s natural to experience feelings of fear, discomfort, or resistance to change. However, uncertainty is not always negative – by reframing how you view uncertainty, you may find that it can serve as a powerful source of opportunity.  As a master-certified business growth strategist, keynote speaker, and author of several award-winning books, including “Thrive: Strategies to Turn Uncertainty to Competitive Advantage,” Meridith Elliott Powell helps leaders and business owners learn how to thrive amidst uncertainty. Meridith has also been voted among the top 15 business growth experts to watch by CurrencyFair, as well as the top 100 sales influencers by LinkedIn and top 41 motivational speakers, and has earned the coveted honor of being inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. As our guest in Episode 176 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Meridith discusses the following: How shifting your mindset to believe that uncertainty leads to opportunity can give you a competitive advantage Nine actionable strategies for turning any challenge into opportunity, including adopting a relentless vision, conditioning yourself for change, and focusing on collaboration rather than competition Why it’s important for leaders to give their teams a sense of control and ownership when they’re facing change and uncertainty To learn more about Meridith, visit www.valuespeaker.com or connect with her on LinkedIn. At her website, you will find a variety of resources, including her weekly podcast and free monthly masterclass. To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.   

Imagine walking away virtually unharmed from a near-fatal event. How do you think your perspective on life might change? Would you view the event as a devastating trauma, or as an opportunity to achieve new levels of growth and excellence while serving as an inspiration to others? As one of the last passengers to make it off of US Airways Flight 1549 – also known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” or the flight that crash-landed on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009 – Dave Sanderson chose to view the experience as a transformative opportunity. Dave is now a nationally recognized leadership speaker, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and philanthropist who travels the world to share his inspirational leadership lessons, specializing in working with established and emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to help them find opportunities from uncertainty. With 37 years of experience in sales and sales leadership, he also served as the Director of Security for Tony Robbins for over 10 years, has been named one of Inc’s top 100 leadership speakers, and has raised over $14.8 million for the American Red Cross through his talks. As our guest in Episode 175 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Dave shares the following life lessons: The value of striving to be less judgmental of others and instead, approaching them with a focus on curiosity, compassion, and connection Why it’s important to examine the meanings you attach to things and reframe meanings that might be negative The power of divorcing the mindset of limitation and marrying the mindset of unlimited capacity To learn more about Dave, visit https://davesandersonspeaks.com or find him on LinkedIn. To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.    

When you ask yourself the question, “Who am I?”, several different responses may come to mind related to your professional roles, personal traits, and relationships—for instance, you might answer, “I am an entrepreneur,” “I’m a perfectionist,” or “I am a parent.” However, our identities tend to shift over time, which can lead to feelings of discomfort, but can also present exciting new opportunities.  As the Associate Director at the Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard Business School, Dr. Alexandra Sedlovskaya focuses her research on a variety of areas, including management, education, and pedagogies that support participant-centered learning. She obtained her PhD in Psychology from Yale University, and extended her research training as a postdoctoral associate at the Yale School of Management. Dr. Sedlovskaya also consults faculty at Harvard Business School and leads workshops at academic institutions in the U.S. and abroad, including a course called “Self and Identity” at the Harvard Extension School. In Episode 174 of The MINDSet Game® podcast, Dr. Sedlovskaya starts with an exercise designed to help you gain clarity on the many different identities you may ascribe to yourself, and then discusses the following: The different types of identities that exist within all of us—personal, social, and role identities—and the importance of having multiple meaningful identities The power of reframing identity crises as identity explorations, which may include a cycle of continually shifting from “identity achieved” to uncertainty and discovery, and back again Tips for navigating shifts in your identity, particularly when those shifts may implicate social stigmas and deviations from what you think is expected of you How leaders can create a culture and environment where people can feel safe to be themselves without having to mask different aspects of their identities  To get in touch with Dr. Alexandra Sedlovskaya, she invites listeners to email her at asedlovskaya@hbs.edu. To enroll in her “Self and Identity” course, which can be taken either in person or online, search for it in the course catalog at https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/programs/take-a-course/.  To subscribe to The MINDset Game, visit www.TheMINDsetGame.com.