Where the Road Bends

MAY 26  • 1 hour 15 minutes 35 seconds WTRB Episode #008: Dr. Susan Campbell: From Triggered to Tranquil  — — — — — The eighth guest on WTRB is Dr. Susan Campbell, a former University of Massachusetts professor who left academia in 1967 to become a professional speaker and coach in the world of holistic psychological therapy. A certified Radical Honesty Trainer since 2001 and a pioneer of the Authentic Relating Movement, she has published ten books on relationships, transparent communication, conflict resolution and personal evolution. In this episode we covered: * Susan’s transition from academia to private practice   * How Authentic Relating fosters discovery of our true nature * Navigating emotional pain, and learning to regulate our nervous system * Understanding and adapting personal control patterns * Trigger Work: uncomfortable reactions as a catalyst to whole-making * Using mindful awareness to alter old behavioral patterns Dr. Campbell’s work addresses the core issues that require attention in order for couples and individuals to create deeply fulfilling, authentic relationships. In Campbell’s view, emotional pain itself is the doorway to deeper intimacy and expanded awareness. Her books, workshops, videos, newsletters and coaching classes teach practitioners to embody mindful witnessing of uncomfortable triggers in order to cultivate an empathetic wisdom that greatly enriches relations with self and others.   — — — — — — Listen now on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-road-bends/id1666403538], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7A2KytFrWQBOAtIcKP3B?si=0c4e5728e3a345bf&nd=1], Simplecast [https://where-the-road-bends.simplecast.com/]. To sign up for the newsletter and podcast visit https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/ [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/] — Where to find Steve Schlafman: • Website: https://www.schlaf.co/ [https://www.schlaf.co/]   • Twitter:  @Schlaf [https://twitter.com/schlaf] • Facebook: Steve Schlafman [https://www.facebook.com/schlaf] • LinkedIn: Steve Schlafman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/] — Where to find information on Dr. Susan Campbell: • Website: www.SusanCampbell.com [http://www.susancampbell.com] References: * Getting Real: 10 True Skills You Need To Live An Authentic Life [https://susancampbell.com/product/getting-real-ten-truth-skills-you-need-to-live-an-authentic-life-2/] * From Triggered To Tranquil [https://susancampbell.com/product/from-triggered-to-tranquil/] * From Chaos to Confidence [https://susancampbell.com/product/from-chaos-to-confidence-survival-strategies-for-the-new-workplace/] * Five-Minute Relationship Repair [https://susancampbell.com/product/five-minute-relationship-repair/] * Head Start Program [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Start_(program)] * Office of Economic Opportunity [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Economic_Opportunity] Time Stamps: (00:00) Dr. Susan Campbell Soundbite (00:18) Podcast Welcome (00:47) Introduction to Susan Campbell (02:14) Who is Dr. Susan Campbell? In Her Own Words (03:00) Developing Her Core Philosophy (04:26) Reacting to Resistance in The Corporate World (05:23) Shift from Academia to Couple and Family Therapy (08:08) What It was Like To Be A Woman in Academia in the Mid 60s (10:02) Wanting More Out of Life (11:27) A Season of Personal Discovery in California (13:28) The Authentic Relating Movement (15:13) Publishing Book “Getting Real”, Discovering The Movement (17:03) "10 Truth Practices" Example: Clearing The Air (19:09) Why People Might Withhold Important Information (21:11) The Great Need to Better Handle Emotional Pain (21:57) Self-Generated Stories Vs. Reality (23:48) Security/Control Mindset Vs. Learning/Discovery Mindset (26:59) Communication and The Unconscious Need For Control (29:21) Reparenting Ourselves: Learning How To Regulate Our Nervous System (31:25) Defining Personal Control Patterns in Communication (34:24) Practicing Non-Judgement When Observing Our Unhealthy Patterns (35:59) Being Aware of True Motivation When We Notice Ourselves In a Pattern (36:29) Trigger Reactions As Catalyst to Whole-Making (39:26) The Internet as a Modern Whole-Making Function For Humanity (41:22) Healing and Whole-Making: Peeling Away Defenses (42:06) Exploring "Trigger Work” (47:22) The Empathy and Tenderness of a Witness Mindset (49:23) Trigger Signature Exercise with Steve (57:35) Revealing What We’ve Discovered to Our Partners (60:26) Stumbling On The Path to Peaceful Articulation (61:04) Continuing Trigger Signature Exercise with Steve (62:37) Using Awareness to Alter Behavioral Patterns (64:04) Navigating Transition: Honoring Resistance to Change (69:20) Trigger Work In Relationships (72:49) How To Find Dr. Campbell’s Work (74:08) Podcast Outro — Stay curious and keep exploring the winding road of life. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast go to  wheretheroadbends.fm [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/]

APRIL 22  • 1 hour 10 minutes 23 seconds WTRB Episode #007: Andy Johns: Healing from Childhood Trauma and Silicon Valley  — — — — — The seventh guest on WTRB is Andy Johns, a recovering tech executive, founder of Clues.life, a prolific writer, and a passionate mental health advocate. After several health scares pushed him to finally confront deep psychological pain that stemmed from childhood trauma, Andy discovered a new approach to understanding his sense of self, life purpose and holistic well-being. This resulted in a career transformation that led him to leave Silicon Valley and embark on the mission to “help others heal from emotional pain, transform themselves, and discover their life purpose.  Andy now aims to make Clues.life "the most useful mental health library on the internet." It aggregates and curates humanity's most important knowledge and wisdom regarding the human mind and human condition. Motivated by his own personal healing journey, Andy’s goal is to assist others by reducing stigma surrounding the subject of mental health, and demystify topics in an arena that many may have previously found unapproachable. Before his transformation, Andy was a Silicon Valley startup veteran, holding executive, product, and growth positions at unicorns like Wealthfront, Quora, Twitter, and Facebook. He was also an early investor in unicorns such as Robinhood, Webflow, Reforge, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Homebrew Ventures. In this episode, we delve into topics such as: * The impact of childhood trauma on mental health and self-identity * The role of therapy in addressing harmful identity structures * The liberating power of authentic self-expression * The significance of space, play, and experimentation in emotional healing * The role of community and acts of service in the recovery process — — — — — — Listen now on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-road-bends/id1666403538], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7A2KytFrWQBOAtIcKP3B?si=0c4e5728e3a345bf&nd=1], Simplecast [https://where-the-road-bends.simplecast.com/]. To sign up for the newsletter and podcast visit https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/ [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/] — Where to find Steve Schlafman: • Website: https://www.schlaf.co/ [https://www.schlaf.co/]   • Twitter:  @Schlaf [https://twitter.com/schlaf] • Facebook: Steve Schlafman [https://www.facebook.com/schlaf] • LinkedIn: Steve Schlafman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/] — Where to find information on Andy Johns: • Website: Clues.Life [https://www.clues.life/] • Substack: Andy Johns [https://substack.com/profile/264042-andy-johns] References: * James Hollis [https://jameshollis.net/] * “How To Know When To Stop” Essay By Andy Johns [https://andyjohns.substack.com/p/how-to-know-when-to-stop] * Hormetic Sciences [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormesis] * Carl Jung [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung] * Aristotle [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle] * Clues.life [https://www.clues.life/] * Andy Johns Substack [https://substack.com/profile/264042-andy-johns] Time Stamps: (00:00) Andy Johns Soundbite (00:51) Podcast Welcome (01:20) Introducing Andy Johns (02:11) Old Andy vs. New Andy (04:08) Parallels Between People (05:01) A Traumatic Childhood (07:33) Absorbing The Emotional Pain of Parents (09:01) A Painful Catalyst to Transformation at Age 27 (12:42) How He Continued to Achieve In The Industry During His Crisis (15:02) The Physical Toll of Enduring Crisis (17:40) Finally Leaving Silicon Valley, Embarking on a “Coddiwomple” (21:17) Analyzing Identity Structures Resulting from Childhood Trauma (26:22) Rewriting Identity and Rebuilding Sense of Self (26:54) Writing As Part of Healing (28:31) Recognizing Synchronicities Around Mental Health and Wellness (29:57) The First Substack Publication: A Truth Bomb (30:40) The Freedom That Comes With Confronting Fear and Being Authentic (32:46) Honesty and Loving Support in Groups of Recovering Addicts (33:38) The Universality of Difficulty and Trauma (34:27) Social Effects of Liberated Authentic Expression (36:04) Acts of Service Playing A Role in Rebuilding Sense of Self (37:10) The Importance of Space, Play and Experimentation For Emotional Healing (46:04) How To Know If You Are Pushing Too Hard Past Your Range of Tolerance (52:03) The Effect of Societal Laws on Forming Identity (54:33) Self-Assessment: “Am I A Man?” (56:41) “The Real Adulthood” (58:17) Creating Clues.life To Share Wisdom With Others (64:55) The Human Being is a Creative Dreamer (68:51) Podcast Outro — Stay curious and keep exploring the winding road of life. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast go to  wheretheroadbends.fm [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/] .

APRIL 7  • 1 hour 13 minutes 39 seconds WTRB Episode #006: Kyle Kowalski - Living Intentionally  — — — — — The sixth guest on WTRB is Kyle Kowalski, a former marketing executive who turned an existential crisis into a meaningful career in holistic education. In 2015 Kyle launched the website Sloww.co, which offers a wealth of powerful information to help us explore the deep and many aspects of intentional living and personal development. In this episode we covered: * How Crisis Can Catalyze Significant Life Transformation * How Observation and Reflection Assist in “Connecting The Dots” * Discovering Purpose and Meaning * Concepts of Intentional Living * Curiosity and Fostering A Questioning Mindset * Surrendering Control and Appreciating The Mystery of Life * Perspectives on Free Will, Nature and Nurture Known as “The Art of Living For Students of Life”, Sloww.co shares observations and syntheses on slow and simple living, the search for meaning and purpose, spirituality and consciousness, natural and social sciences, psychology, metaphysics and many more philosophical and science-based materials. Kyle’s mission in offering this rich educational support is to help us better understand ourselves, transcend stuck patterns, and more confidently and consciously traverse the dynamic landscapes to self-actualization. — — — — — — Listen now on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-road-bends/id1666403538], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7A2KytFrWQBOAtIcKP3B?si=0c4e5728e3a345bf&nd=1], Simplecast [https://where-the-road-bends.simplecast.com/]. To sign up for the newsletter and podcast visit https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/ [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/] — Where to find Steve Schlafman: • Website: https://www.schlaf.co/ [https://www.schlaf.co/]   • Twitter: @Schlaf [https://twitter.com/schlaf] • Facebook: Steve Schlafman [https://www.facebook.com/schlaf] • LinkedIn: Steve Schlafman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/] — Where to find information on Kyle Kowalski: • Website: www.sloww.co [http://www.sloww.co] • Twitter: @KyKow [https://twitter.com/KyKow] References: * Maria Popova - The Marginalian [https://www.themarginalian.org/] * Howard Gardner - Frames of Mind and The Theory of Multiple Intelligences [https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Mind-Theory-Multiple-Intelligences/dp/0465024335] * René Gerard - Memetic Desire [https://hub.jhu.edu/2018/08/08/rene-girard-evolution-desire/] * Cal Newport - Digital Minimalism [https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Minimalism-Choosing-Focused-Noisy/dp/0525536515] * Joseph Campbell - The Hero’s Journey [https://www.amazon.com/Heros-Journey-Joseph-Campbell-Collected/dp/1608681890] * Parker Palmer - Let Your Life Speak [https://www.amazon.com/Let-Your-Life-Speak-Listening/dp/0787947350/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580696901182&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004882&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17527317332091857163&hvtargid=kwd-838514945&hydadcr=22594_13493210&keywords=parker+palmer+let+your+life+speak&qid=1680197886&s=books&sr=1-1] * Ikigai [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai] * Dan Buettner - Blue Zones [https://www.bluezones.com/dan-buettner/] * Jim Collins: [https://www.jimcollins.com/] * The Hedgehog Concept [https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/the-hedgehog-concept.html] * The Flywheel Effect [https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/the-flywheel.html] * Neval Ravikant [https://nav.al/] * Marie Kondo [https://konmari.com/] * Joshua Becker - Becoming A Minimalist [https://www.becomingminimalist.com/] * Greg McKewan - Essentialism [https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/] * David Foster Wallace [http://www.davidfosterwallacebooks.com/] * Alan Watts [https://alanwatts.org/] * Ekhart Tolle - A New Earth [https://www.amazon.com/New-Earth-Awakening-Purpose-Selection/dp/0452289963] * Douglas Harding [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Harding] * David Bohm [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bohm] * Michael Singer: [https://untetheredsoul.com/] * The Untethered Soul [https://www.amazon.com/Untethered-Soul-Journey-Beyond-Yourself/dp/1572245379/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=580750785722&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004882&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11278563865751082144&hvtargid=kwd-14651112205&hydadcr=22595_13493276&keywords=michael+singer+the+untethered+soul&qid=1680198364&sr=8-1] * Living Untethered [https://www.amazon.com/Living-Untethered-Beyond-Human-Predicament/dp/1648480934/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20JS7Q9KPFMIN&keywords=michael+singer+living+untethered&qid=1680198390&sprefix=michael+singer+living+untethered%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1] * The Surrender Experiment [https://www.amazon.com/Surrender-Experiment-Journey-Lifes-Perfection/dp/080414110X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=michael+singer+the+surrender+experiment&qid=1680198404&sprefix=michael+singer+the+surren%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1] * Terrance McKenna [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna] * Steve March - Alethia Coaching Academy [https://integralunfoldment.com/] * The Lottery of Birth [https://www.sloww.co/lottery-of-birth/] * Warren Buffet - The Ovarian Lottery [https://www.sloww.co/ovarian-lottery/] * Robert Kegan - Theory of Adult Development [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kegan] * Robert Sapolsky - The Biology of Behavior [http://www.robertsapolskyrocks.com/] * David Eagleman - Livewired [https://eagleman.com/books/livewired/] * John Rawls: [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rawls/] * The Veil of Ignorance [https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/veil-of-ignorance] * Original Position Thought Experiment [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/original-position/] * Victor Frankl - Man’s Search For Meaning [https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=409946359861&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004882&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1711114811592475638&hvtargid=kwd-313653459831&hydadcr=15557_11419157&keywords=man+search+for+meaning+viktor+frankl&qid=1680198808&sr=8-1] * Clayton Christiensen [https://claytonchristensen.com/] * Ken Robinson [https://www.sirkenrobinson.com/] * James Hollis [https://jameshollis.net/] * Ramana Maharshi [https://satramana.org/web/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5pShBhB_EiwAvmnNVznxxAxCZvcL4bXvoEh5nhtaGlZ9TD8iLLs-SUYSdT1iVN33fGMUkRoCw0AQAvD_BwE] Time Stamps: (00:00) Kyle Kowalski - Soundbite (00:44) Introducing Kyle Kowalski (02.06) The Multi-Dimensionality of Kyle Kowalski (05:01) The Synthesizing Mind (06:11) Observation, Reflection and Dot-Connection (07:15) Stumbling Into The Marketing Industry (07:58) Discovering That Self-Worth Was Tied to Work (09:28) Social Conditioning and Material Desire (10:53) Work Burnout, Questioning Purpose (14:06) Existential Crisis, Resetting Life Perspective (15:02) Discovering Concepts of Intentional Living (16:06) Origins of Sloww.co (18:00) Period of Increasing Cognitive Dissonance (20:04) Transformation as a Long Unfolding Process (20:58) Entrepreneurial Projects During Career, Sloww.co Launch (22:42) First Sloww.co Post - Digital Minimalism (23:26) Backed Into A Corner, Stars Aligned For Leap Of Faith (26:11) Transformative Learning and the Importance of Supportive Partnership (27:00) Finding Support on The Internet (27:49) Early Days After Quitting Career & Diving Into Entrepreneurship (29:16) Choosing Between Options: “Which One Can't I NOT Do?” (30:28) The Journey Of Understanding and Articulating Purpose (33:32) Ikigai: A Japanese Perspective on Passion and Life Purpose (36:09) Jim Collins & The Hedgehog Concept (37:22) Bringing Ikigai Full Circle: Sharing Your Gift With The World (38:33) How To Find Your Own Ikigai (39:22) The Role That Money Plays in Ikigai (40:55) Introducing The Four Sloww Stages (42:20) Lifelong Learning: Innate Vs Taught (43:17) Curiosity, A Questioning Mindset (44:16) The Four Sloww Stages (47:05) A Start For Intentional Living: Asking Questions (47:38) Simple Living Vs. Slow Living (48:26) Decluttering, Intentional Spending (49:35) Voluntary Simplicity, Downshifting, Minimalism (51:27) Social Programming: Obstacle and Motivation for Change (53:26) Addressing Potential Concerns About Intentional Living (53:34) Looking Back to Connect The Dots (56:04) Personal And Universal Coherence (56:33) Surrendering Control; Awe and Reverence for the Mystery of Life (57:45) Recognizing Synchronicities in the Unfolding of Life (59:36) Thoughts On Free Will (62:13) A-Ha Moment: Convergence of Conceptual, Experiential and Scientific (64:32) The Paradox: A Seemingly Limiting Idea Is Actually Liberating (65:15) The "Lottery Ball" Thought Experiment (66:36) The "Lottery of Birth", Nature and Nurture (68:25) Book Recommendations for Life Transitions (69:20) Current Projects, What’s Next (70:10) "The More I Learn, The Less I Know" (71:16) Where To Find Kyle’s Work Stay curious and keep exploring the winding road of life.   For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast go to wheretheroadbends.fm [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/].

MARCH 23rd, 2023 • 53 minutes 48 seconds Our fifth guest on WTRB is Diana Chapman, the co-founder of the Conscious Leadership Group and one of the most sought-after executive coaches in the world.  In this episode we cover: * Tools To Navigate Difficult Feelings * How To Honor Your Truth and Take Ownership for Your Reality * The Importance of Body Mindfulness in Emotional Shifts * The Link Between Personal Integrity and Creativity * The Importance of Curiosity and Play in Drama Reduction * Reinterpreting Stories of Identity and Entering the Zone of Genius — Listen now on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-road-bends/id1666403538], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7A2KytFrWQBOAtIcKP3B?si=0c4e5728e3a345bf&nd=1], Simplecast [https://where-the-road-bends.simplecast.com/]. To sign up for the newsletter and podcast visit https://wheretheroadbends.substack.com/ [https://wheretheroadbends.substack.com/] —  Where to find Steve Schlafman: • Website: https://www.schlaf.co/ [https://www.schlaf.co/]   • Twitter:  @Schlaf [https://twitter.com/schlaf] • Facebook: Steve Schlafman [https://www.facebook.com/schlaf] • LinkedIn: Steve Schlafman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/] — Where to find information on Diana Chapman Twitter: @DianaChapman [https://twitter.com/DianaChapman] LinkedIn: @Diana-Chapman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-chapman] The Conscious Leadership Group [https://conscious.is/] CLG Twitter [https://twitter.com/consciouslg?lang=en] CLG Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/consciousleadershipgroup/] CLG Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/consciousleadershipgroup/?hl=en] — References Gay and Katie Hendricks [https://hendricks.com/] Jim Dethmer [https://www.google.com/search?q=jim+dethmer&sxsrf=AJOqlzWN7d8Q1C19wObE4iOw2Y7vyUSIXQ%3A1679316673918&ei=wVYYZNDVN_uu5NoP36ujgA8&ved=0ahUKEwiQusGOxur9AhV7F1kFHd_VCPAQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=jim+dethmer&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIECCMQJzIQCC4QgAQQFBCHAhCxAxCDATIFCAAQkQIyBQgAEJECMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEOgoIABBHENYEELADOgcIABANEIAEOggIABAeEA0QCjoICAAQCBAeEA06BQgAEIYDOgUIABCiBEoECEEYAFDMA1jCB2DJDGgBcAF4AIABcIgB8wKSAQMyLjKYAQCgAQHIAQbAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp] Kaley Klemp [https://www.google.com/search?q=kaylie+klemp&oq=kaylie+klemp&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l3.1828j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8] YPO [https://www.ypo.org/] The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership [https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE] Locating Yourself: Above or Below the Line? [https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=udhrtalK] — Time Stamps 0:00 Diana Chapman Soundbite 00:33 Introduction to Podcast 01:02 Introducing Diana Chapman 02:02 Passion, Play, and Reducing Drama 02:59 Being a Stay At Home Mom 04:18 Shift Into Personal Development Work 06:00 Apprenticeship with Gay and Katie Hendricks 06:42 Meeting Co-Founder Jim Dethmer 07:08 Founding the Conscious Leadership Group 07:25 The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership 08:39 “Above or Below The Line" 10:09 Helpful Handout to Discover If You Are In A Reactive State 10:50 Dealing With Fear During Transition 11:51 How To Accept Yourself When Stuck In Drama 13:21 “Would You Be Willing?”, Taking Ownership of Experience 14:07 The 3 Centers Of Intelligence 15:42 "Whole Body Yes” 19:19 How To Navigate Conflicting Feelings 22:44 Breathing Through Sensations of Grief 24:21 Benefits of Embracing Feelings 26:11 Aliveness and Accepting Emotional Discomfort 28:09 What Full Aliveness Feels Like 28:51 Aliveness and Personal Integrity 30:26 Paying Less "Drama Tax", Freeing Energy for Creativity 30:57 Sexual Energy and Aliveness 34:39 Anger and Sexual Energy 35:26 Anger “Above The Line”, Intelligence of Anger 36:56 Using Play to Accept and Shift Drama 39:08 Play: Why We’ve Abandoned It and How To Bring It Back 41:13 Play and The Zone of Genius 41:49 How To Find Your Zone of Genius 43:47 Importance of Discovering Your Zone of Genius 44:39 What Holds People Back From Stepping Into Zone of Genius 46:09 The Concept Of “Upper Limiting”; Conditioning, Guilt and Sabotage 48:10 Story vs Fact, How Stories Can Create Suffering 49:43 Reinterpreting The Stories We Tell Ourselves 50:19 The Courageous Path of Being Human 51:14 Connect Online With Conscious Leadership Group and Diana Chapman

FEB 10th, 2023 • 1 hour 4 minutes 58 seconds  — — — — — Our fourth guest on WTRB is Andrea Breanna, openly transgender CEO and founder of RebelMouse and former CTO for Huffington Post. In this episode we cover: * What It’s Like To Live In Hiding * Valuing Honesty and Taking Risks * The Power Of Being Openly Vulnerable * The Advantages and Dangers of Being Visibly Trans * The Dynamic Complexity of Human Identity * Honoring Humanity In The Workplace References: Katia Verresen [https://www.kvaleadership.com/] Warren Buffett [https://www.google.com/search?q=warren+buffett&sxsrf=AJOqlzWmk-mV0qrkBan5UALuwRqCZDs0CQ%3A1678212940916&ei=TH8HZPTNN6Wl5NoPhYW94Ao&ved=0ahUKEwj0o82xtsr9AhWlElkFHYVCD6wQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=warren+buffett&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIECCMQJzIHCC4QsQMQQzIFCC4QkQIyBQgAEIAEMggIABCABBCxAzIFCAAQkQIyCwgAEIAEELEDEIMBMgUIABCRAjIICAAQgAQQsQMyCAgAEIAEELEDOgoIABBHENYEELADOgcIIxCxAhAnOggIABCxAxCRAjoNCAAQgAQQsQMQgwEQCjoKCAAQgAQQsQMQCjoMCAAQgAQQFBCHAhAKOgoIABCxAxCDARBDSgQIQRgAULYCWPEDYMIFaAFwAXgAgAFeiAHyAZIBATOYAQCgAQHIAQfAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp] Brene Brown  [https://brenebrown.com/] Jonah Perretti  [https://www.google.com/search?q=jonah+peretti&sxsrf=AJOqlzWyOLIGVaWrEK_qR2WsVRddFk_nhg%3A1678212970033&ei=an8HZKLBAZS05NoPzNWP-AQ&ved=0ahUKEwiinr6_tsr9AhUUGlkFHczqA08Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=jonah+peretti&gs_lcp=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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp] — — — — — — Listen now on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-road-bends/id1666403538], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7A2KytFrWQBOAtIcKP3B?si=0c4e5728e3a345bf&nd=1], Simplecast [https://where-the-road-bends.simplecast.com/]. To sign up for the newsletter and podcast visit https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/ [https://www.wheretheroadbends.fm/] — Where to find Steve Schlafman: • Website: https://www.schlaf.co/ [https://www.schlaf.co/]   • Twitter:  @Schlaf [https://twitter.com/schlaf] • Facebook: Steve Schlafman [https://www.facebook.com/schlaf] • LinkedIn: Steve Schlafman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/schlaf/] — Where to find information on Andrea Breanna • Website: www.rebelmouse.com [http://www.rebelmouse.com] • Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/holly/@andreabreanany [https://twitter.com/AndreaBreannaNY/] LinkedIn: Andrea Breanna [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreabreanna]   Time Stamps: (00:00) Andrea Soundbite (00:22) Steve’s Introduction (00:50) Beginning of Interview (01:28) Who is Andrea Breanna? (02:08) What is RebelMouse? (02:58) Dedication When Starting a Company (03:20) Andrea’s Youth, Privacy, Gender Expression (06:32) What is a Transbian? Transbian Narrative and Marriage (08:18) The Internet as First Opportunity to Express Gender Fluidity (09:17) Paranoia about Transphobic Societal Gender Norms (10:46) Coming Out Later In Life (11:47) Signs That It Was Time to Come Out (14:47) Making Personal Happiness the Most Important KPI at RebelMouse (15:40) Taking The Risk, Valuing Honesty (16:26) What Living Dishonestly Feels Like (16:48) Real Dangers of Coming Out As Trans (17:47) Living As Narrative for Hope, Optimism and Success (18:22) Coming Out To Wife (21:52) Coming Out To The Rest Of The Family (23:25) Magical Feeling of Finally Overcoming Fear (23:53) Kids’ Natural Understanding of Personal Freedom (26:46) How Family Support Made A Difference (27:29) Trans Support Not Dependent on Political Leaning (28:08) What It’s Like Being Visibily Trans - Pros and Cons (30:47) Strength to Face Social Transphobia Comes From Support At Home (31:57) Power of Being Openly Vulnerable (33:43) Unexpected Reactions from Co-Workers (34:48) Rigid Perceptions of CEOs vs. Humanizing CEOs (38:11) The Beautiful Challenge of Breaking Roles To Honor Your Humanity (40:35) Inventing New Roles, Inspiring Ingenuity in Children (41:24) Workplaces that Allow Blurring Roles Are More Creative and Exciting (41:40) Clarity of Roles Is Also Important (42:17) Heaven Is When Work Makes You Happy (44:42) AI Revolution and Human Creativity (47:45) Accepting Personal Identity Impacts Identity of Others (49:03) Identity is Complex and Flexible (52:16) Being Brave and Positive During Life Shift (53:14) Have An Open Mind For Unexpected Support (54:30) Frustration With Politically Advocating Trans Issues (57:57) How Role As RebelMouse CEO Has Changed Over Time (1:00:24) How Being Openly Trans Has Improved The Company, Looking Forward (1:01:37) Being Human Means Being Creative (1:02:48) Where To Find Andrea’s Work Stay curious and keep exploring the winding road of life. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast go to wheretheroadbends.fm.