The Empathetic Workplace

Practical Advice on Living Mindfully with Laurie Cameron

With 25 years of international management consulting and business leadership experience, and a passion for creativity, transformation and human development, Laurie Cameron is dedicated to helping people learn mindfulness to live with meaning and lead with purpose-driven performance. As a former Accenture management consultant and business executive with three companies, her clients tell her she “gets their challenges” – in how she translates mindfulness into practical language and applications for everyday life. Laurie founded PURPOSEBLUE on her realization that mindfulness is the foundational competency for achieving human potential,  happiness and optimal well-being. Mindful, resilient leaders deepen their self-awareness and self-mastery, which allows them to be in a place of choice during difficult moments. Mindful leaders are able to stay connected to purpose and thrive during uncertainty, change, and the distractions of our tech world. In this episode, Laurie shares the benefits of mindfulness at work, in our homes, and throughout our lives, and gives advice on starting and maintaining mindfulness every day.  You can learn more about Laurie on her website, https://lauriejcameron.com. See the training she offers to individuals and corporations at https://purposeblue.com. You can buy Laurie's book, The Mindful Day, at https://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Day-Practical-Morning-Evening/dp/1426218362, and if you use Audible, the audiobook is currently free! You can register for the retreat Laurie is planning for March here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-and-science-of-being-fully-alive-tickets-136041771601?aff=erelexpmlt. Finally, don't forget to check out Laurie's guided meditations on the Insight Timer app, https://insighttimer.com.

Dr. Shauna Springer on Healing Trauma--And Supporting Our Loved Ones Through It

Dr. Shauna Springer is a nationally recognized expert on initiatives that benefit the military community. Known as "Doc Springer", she is a trusted adviser for a vast network of veterans, military families and fellow thought leaders. She has helped thousands of veterans and their partners thrive after military service, supporting warriors in reconnecting with their tribe, strengthening their relationships, and building lives driven by their values. In this episode, Doc Springer shares her role at the Stella Center, a treatment facility for those suffering from PTSD that uses the stella ganglion block to target symptoms. She explains how this procedure offers healing by addressing the overactive “fight or flight system” that afflicts many with PTSD. She also discusses her book, Warrior, about supporting loved ones experiencing trauma. You can see more about Doc Springer at https://www.docshaunaspringer.com. Learn about the trauma therapy discussed in this episode at https://stellacenter.com. Doc Springer's book, Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us, is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-How-Support-Those-Protect/dp/1732167818/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=shauna+springer&qid=1612213780&sr=8-1.

Curiosity, Stereotypes, and the Value of a Second Look

This week's conversation with Maryann Karinch got me thinking about a book I read recently, Whistling Vivaldi by Claude Steele. Steele talks about the stereotypes that affect all of us, both those being stereotyped and those who are stereotyping others. What are we missing when we make a snap judgment? What are the opportunities for connection that we can reap when we look past stereotypes to see someone more fully?  In this episode, I recount the story that serves as the basis of the title of Steele's book, involving the college experience of NYT columnist Brent Staples. You can read Staples' account of his experience at https://www.ohlone.edu/sites/default/files/documents/imported/justwalkonbyblackmenandpublicspace.pdf.

Maryann Karinch on Connection, Body Language, and the Power of Curiosity

In this age of social distance, we are hungering for connection. Author Maryann Karinch is an expert in listening and body language. In this episode, she helps us learn how to use our body language to enhance connection, how to recognize the signs of stress in others, and the value of curiosity. We also talk about writing. Maryann's 32nd book (!!) releases Feb. 9th. Hear her tips on writing and learn about her newest book, Cosmic Careers, which releases on Feb. 9th.  In this episode, Maryann mentioned the work of Paul Ekman, https://www.paulekman.com/blog/, and her article on Psychology Today, Paranoid? Not if You Either Go Away or Smile, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/healthy-connections/202005/paranoid-not-if-you-either-go-away-or-smile.  You can find more about Maryann at https://karinch.com and her work at the Rudy Agency at https://rudyagency.com. For more on cosmic careers, see spacetalent.org.

The Power of Reading to Build Empathy

Earlier this week, educator Lynne Azarchi mentioned that reading aloud to kids and discussing the book afterwards helps to build empathy in kids. It also builds empathy in adults! In this episode, I discuss the power of reading and recommend some favorite books that help build empathy.  The study I mention in the article is discussed here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/novel-finding-reading-literary-fiction-improves-empathy/ The books recommended in this episode are: Grendel by John Gardner, https://www.amazon.com/Grendel-John-Gardner/dp/0679723110/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VK04CE3FXOXZ&dchild=1&keywords=grendel+john+gardner&qid=1611227203&sprefix=grendel%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1 Jazz by Toni Morrison, https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Toni-Morrison/dp/1400076218/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6QR145U8QNND&dchild=1&keywords=jazz+toni+morrison&qid=1611227236&sprefix=jazz+toni+%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1 The Life of Pi by Yann Martel, https://www.amazon.com/Life-Pi-Yann-Martel/dp/0156027321/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=life+of+pi&qid=1611226957&sr=8-2 The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=book+thief&qid=1611227341&sr=8-1 A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, https://www.amazon.com/Little-Life-Hanya-Yanagihara/dp/0804172706/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18QTYHNLME15N&dchild=1&keywords=a+little+life&qid=1611227307&sprefix=a+little%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1 Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, https://www.amazon.com/Canto-Harper-Perennial-Modern-Classics/dp/0061565318/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bel+canto&qid=1611227383&sr=8-1 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, https://www.amazon.com/A-Gentleman-in-Moscow/dp/0143110438/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3YMO2Q3DTPK8&dchild=1&keywords=gentleman+in+moscow&qid=1611227423&sprefix=gentleman%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, https://www.amazon.com/Poet-X-Elizabeth-Acevedo/dp/0062662813/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=poet+x&qid=1611227451&sr=8-1 Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Down-Jason-Reynolds/dp/1481438263/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y4VD72V8SLBR&dchild=1&keywords=long+way+down&qid=1611227491&sprefix=long+way%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1