The Relationships We Live In

Erik Thompson | The Universal Self, Meditation, and Transcendence

In this episode Erik Thompson and I explore meditation, transcendence, and the idea of the Universal Self. Erik is the founder and president of Thompson Leadership Development [https://thompsonleadership.com/], an executive coaching firm designed to assist high performing teams in becoming exceptional leaders together. Trained as a leadership psychologist, Erik Thompson’s focus is on the DNA of successful teams. He uses this knowledge to challenge high-performing leaders to expand their impact. For 20 years Erik Thompson has brought precision tools from the science of leadership development to his executive clients.. He developed the “Leading by Managing Self” course [https://thompsonleadership.com/executive-leadership-courses/], which has been embraced by over 40 companies across the United States. Through thousands of meaningful conversations with senior leaders, Erik was inspired to launch the LeaderSight [https://thompsonleadership.com/business-coaching-podcast/] interview podcast. LeaderSight explores topics ranging from CEO succession to the art of coaching and the profound lessons we learn from personal loss. Beyond his work in leadership development, Erik Thompson is deeply invested in family health and well-being. He is a co-founder and Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Family Studies [https://vermontcenterforfamilystudies.org/], a nonprofit dedicated to empowering family leaders to cultivate stability, maturity, responsibility, and effective communication within their families. As a 40-year practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, Erik understands the value of presence in leadership. When he’s not immersed in the world of leadership development, you might find him playing pickleball, cheering on his daughter’s high school basketball team, or reading on his porch. The picturesque mountains of Vermont are his home, where he enjoys hiking alongside his wife Sarah, and their daughters, nephews, and nieces.

Ep.18 - Dr. Meredith Elkins | Parenting Anxiety: breaking the cycle of worry and raising resilient kids

In this episode Dr. Meredith Elkins and I discuss the concepts and ideas in her latest book "Parenting Anxiety: breaking the cycle of worry and raising resilient kids. Dr. Meredith Elkins is a clinical psychologist who helps kids, teens, and parents break the cycle of anxiety and build resilience. She co-leads the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital and is a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Some of her most meaningful work comes from supporting families as they navigate big feelings. Her approach blends science-backed strategies with compassion, making it easier for parents to feel confident and for kids to grow braver every day. You can learn more about Dr. Elkins and her work by visiting https://www.meredithelkinsphd.com [https://www.meredithelkinsphd.com]. Her book is available on Amazon, https://a.co/d/08ZyrMtV\ [https://a.co/d/08ZyrMtV\]

Ep. 17 - Michael Long | An Exploration on Taming Dopamine, the "Molecule of More"

In this episode writer, comedian, teacher, and systemic thinker, Michael Long and I discuss his recent books "The Molecule of More" and "Taming the Molecule of More." We explore how dopamine actually works, how that differs from the popular understanding, how it influences human thinking and behavior, and what people can do to gain more control of how they think and behave so they can live more thoughtfully and embodied in the present. Mike Long is the author of “Taming the Molecule of More” and co-author of “The Molecule of More,” the international bestseller that for the first time explained the profound ways dopamine affects love, ambition, commitment, and politics. Trained as a physicist, he’s also a playwright and a DC-based speechwriter who teaches writing at Georgetown University. Personal Website: mikelongonline.com [http://mikelongonline.com] Book Website: tamingthemolecule.com [http://tamingthemolecule.com]

Ep. 16 - Randy Frost | Becoming a researcher of Yourself, your Family, and Society

In this episode, Randy Frost, former director of the Bowen Center in Georgetown, discusses the challenges of family research, and the benefits of taking on a research position in your own life, your relationships, and your role in society. We explore marriages, parenting, and civic responsibility.

Ep 15. - Andrea Schara | Exploring Stories, the Life of Dr. Murray Bowen, and the Struggle of Differentiating a Self

In this episode Andrea Schara discusses her relationship to Murray Bowen, his impact on the field of Family Therapy, the importance of stories in the lives of individuals and as a therapeutic vehicle, and how humor is essential for living in a challenging world. Andrea has a forthcoming book entitled "When Your Brother Tells You He's Jesus Christ What Will You Do" where she dives in to the stories that shaped her personally and professionally. She is a systems coach and you can find her at https://www.andreaschara.com/ [https://www.andreaschara.com/] https://yourmindfulcompass.com [https://yourmindfulcompass.com] Faculty http://navigatingsystemsdc.com/ [http://navigatingsystemsdc.com/] Andrea's book is available on Amazon: Your Mindful Compass: Breakthrough Strategies For Navigating Life/Work Relationships