LATEST BLOG POSTS

Balint Horvath and I are physicists and both podcasters — a rare combination. I think the connection helps make this conversation inspire. That’s the goal. I originally appeared on his podcast, where we connected. His love for environment and interviewing skill brought out mine last summer, when this podcast was taking shape in my mind. He played a big role in Leadership and the Environment forming and my taking the[…] Keep reading →

Useless advice “Just be yourself.” Have you received this advice before a big presentation? Or maybe before a big date? Who else can you be? Or how about, “Play with feeling!” before a musical performance? Or how about, “Just stay calm” or “don’t worry about it” before an anxiety-causing interaction? These are examples of useless advice given more for the person giving it to feel good about themselves than for[…] Keep reading →

People keep acting like I have some special discipline that most people don’t. They think the burpees, cold showers, avoiding packaged food, and so on take effort. They don’t. Creating a lifestyle where they are normal and easy took effort—a once-in-a-lifetime effort—followed by their being the default for the rest of my life. Almost no willpower or discipline needed. People don’t believe me. I think they find it easier to[…] Keep reading →

David Burkus returns to share his cold shower challenge. He’s a leadership expert and shares great insight, especially about networking and tolerance. There’s a lot to learn from him. If I’m honest, in contrast to my usual enthusiasm at a guest’s actions, you’ll hear a failure of leadership on my part. I believe effective leadership is based on learning the motivations and cares of the other person and connecting them[…] Keep reading →

I lost my place for a few seconds, but otherwise, I think, improving. While I hope to improve my skills at making people laugh, my long-term goal is to develop more social and emotional skills of leadership, as I teach and coach my students and clients. I live and practice what I teach and coach. I’m doing this to Face and overcome anxiety Empathize with people Find and express universal[…] Keep reading →

My series answering the New York Times’ Ethicist column with an active, leadership approach instead of an analytical, philosophical perspective continues with “Why Does a Creepy Co-Worker Keep Getting a Pass?”. I’ve been at my job for about a year. The company I work for has grown recently, so there are many new staff members, a majority of whom are young women in their mid-20s, like me. One of my[…] Keep reading →

American cuisine has two simple rules governing it, I found. You often have to step outside a system to see it with fresh eyes. First, I’ll describe that process. Stepping outside the system We’ve seen pictures of plastic choking once-pristine beaches and wilderness. One day three years ago I looked down at my kitchen’s garbage and saw that most of my garbage came from food packaging. This is Hawaii today.[…] Keep reading →