What Do You Know To Be True?

With everything that is going on in the world right now, does it feel harder to find your joy, live into your purpose, and thrive? We need a spark to get out of this collective amygdala hijack that I’m seeing my friends and colleagues are feeling overwhelmed by. As someone whose purpose is to work with others to unlock their potential, I am very interested in learning how to help people go from surviving to thriving. So, I reached out to Adam Dorsay, PsyD, CPCC, to get his thoughts on what I think is a “Break Glass in Case of Emergency” moment. Dr. Adam is Licensed Psychologist, he’s the author of the best selling book, “Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love,” and he’s the host of the award-winning podcast, “SuperPsyched.” Below are three top lessons I took from our conversation, and I highly recommend listening to the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast episode. All links in the comments or watch here: https://lnkd.in/gt8GGfcU The three powerful tools that Dr. Adam recommends might sound simple, but they pack a punch when it comes to our neurochemistry and how they fuel our agency, certainty, and reward responses. Question for all y'all: What are you doing to help others move from surviving to thriving? Anna Hall, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, J. Mark Meadows (he/him), Tracy Foltz, Suzanne Weller, Nana Gyesie, PhD, PCC, Bennett Bratt, Sarah Zablotny Buhayar, Asli Aker, PCC, Kristin Link, Garin Rouch Chartered FCIPD, Corinna Calhoun, April McCormick, Jennifer Marcou, Julie Stringham, PCC , CMC, DeDe Halfhill, Carol S. Grant, Kevin D. Monroe +++++++++ Hi, I’m Roger Kastner and I work with leaders and teams to design new ways of working that address the big challenges, achieve audacious goals, and foster workplaces where people can thrive. I do this work as an Org Development consultant and a leadership coach, and as a podcast host I amplify the stories of leaders who make meaningful impact with their superpowers so that we can be inspired to do more of the same. To learn more, check out my profile, visit my Substack (https://lnkd.in/grq2k_BG) or even better, send me a DM.

When was the last time you thought about brain health? Cognitive performance is critical for our ability to make meaningful impact in the world, but perhaps we’re so busy trying to make that impact, we overlook brain health. Several of my previous guests have talked about brain functions or shared their mindfulness practices. But we haven’t spent much time on what it takes to ensure our beautiful brains stay healthy. And we haven’t talked about the risk of burnout for those using their talents aligned to their purpose. That made me curious about the relationship between our pursuit for potential and our physical, mental, and emotional health. So, I sat down with Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, MA to learn more about what we can do to nurture a healthy brain. The 3 True Things I took from the conversation are captured below. To join us in the conversation, check out the “Your Brain Health Fuels Your Superpower with Dr. Krystal Culler” episode of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast wherever you watch/listen to podcasts (see comments for links). If you want to learn more, be sure to check out the Virtual Brain Health Center and sign up for the upcoming Brain Week March 10th-14! Question for y’all: What are you doing to nurture good brain health? C’mon impact makers and big thinkers, would love to hear some of your practices to balance brain health: Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, DeDe Halfhill, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Anna Hall, Bennett Bratt, Nana Gyesie, PhD, PCC, Carol S. Grant, Nicholas Whitaker, Enrique Martin, Asli Aker, PCC, Jennifer Marcou, Corinna Calhoun, Clayton W Kirkland, Garin Rouch Chartered FCIPD, Riley Coleman

How can we create more happiness for ourselves and others? With joy and happiness feeling more elusive right now for many, I wanted to learn more about creating happiness so I reached out to Clayton Kirkland, Life Coach, Public Speaker, and award-winning author of “Happiness Trek: 200 Lessons for Happiness.” The 3 True Things I took from the conversation are captured below. To join us in the conversation. check out the “Finding Happiness for Yourself and Others” episode of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast wherever you watch/listen to podcasts (see comments for links). Question for y’all: What do you do to create happiness for yourself at work? Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, DeDe Halfhill, Anna Hall, Carol S. Grant, Bennett Bratt, Tracy Foltz, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Kevin D. Monroe, Nicholas Whitaker, Sarah Zablotny Buhayar, 📚 Michael Bungay Stanier, Jess Brain #Happiness #Leadership #Joy #Coaching #Wellbeing

The fear is real, y’all. Jerry Seinfeld was right when he joked about more people being afraid of public speaking (75%) than of dying (20%). When we’re asked to present something in front of an audience, for many people their ego or saboteurs do something like a fire station getting a 911 call and these gremlins start running around getting ready to party with one faulty purpose: “It’s time to keep Roger safe.” But unless you are Siegfried or Roy, there are no lions on stage or in the audience. (And if there are adversaries in the audience, remember, you are made of stardust and they are 60% water). Many of us support leaders who will need to get up in front of audiences, and their performance has a lot to do with setting the tenor and expectations of teams. Some of us get to be that leader. So, how can we help leaders address their fear? Wanting to more, I turned to an expert, Public Speaking Coach Kristin Link in order to understand how she equips leaders to push past the fear and what to focus on to make an impact. The thing that gives her the most joy is seeing the personal transformation from fear to making that positive impact. Her secret: 💙 focus on the audience 💙 tell a meaningful story 💙 do the darn thing Hope you will enjoy the latest episode of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast, available everywhere podcasts can be found. How do you support leaders when it’s time for them to shine on stage? #PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Coaching #Impact #Joy

What holds you back from giving that presentation or speaking up in a meeting? For many people, it’s a limiting belief we tell ourselves that we’d need to be perfect. And for others it’s their inner saboteur voice whispering “you don’t belong.” I recently spoke with Public Speaking Coach Kristin Link to learn more about her superpower of helping leaders learn how to tell impactful stories. It's in the latest episode of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast [Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g2vcuSAS Additional links in the comments]. For over two decades, Kristin through her company Link Coaching has been working with Silicon Valley technology leaders, TEDx speakers, and everyday professionals to move past their fear, get on the stage, and make an impact through telling their stories. Kristin has helped leaders face their limiting beliefs and their saboteur / imposter syndrome voice by keeping it simple:   ▶️ Tell stories and sprinkle in the data and facts ▶️ Go for impact, not perfection (spoiler: perfect doesn’t exist) ▶️ Focus on the audience Stories connect hearts and minds between the audience members and the speaker. Because of mirror neurons, audience members can feel the emotions of your story. And, when you make the presentation about the audience and their needs, they are going to be engaged. Question for y'all: What holds you back from getting on stage or speaking up in the meeting? I’m grateful to be connected to so many talented speakers, I’d love to hear what they’ve learned to be helpful in going from stage fright to rockstar: Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, DeDe Halfhill, Liv Olson, ACC, Carol S. Grant, Kevin D. Monroe, Anna Hall, Riley Coleman, Guillaume Wiatr, Bill Hefferman, Claudia Timmermans, Suzanne Weller, Vida Killian, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, April McCormick #PublicSpeaking #Storytelling #Coaching #Impact #Joy

“And what else?” I just recently learned about this magical question that uncovers the interesting stuff that lies just below the surface. (Perhaps much more interesting than their initial response to your first question, “So, what’s on your mind?”) I've put this question into practice when coaching and checking in with friends, and their response sometimes is something already in their awareness or it is something they need to explore. Either way, the responses I’ve been hearing to the question, “And what else?” is creating greater awareness for them, and for me. When I’m able to tap into my awareness, or when I witness others tap into theirs, very interesting things show up next: ▶️ Clarity ▶️ Awe ▶️ Joy ▶️ Deeper understanding ▶️ New perspectives ▶️ Agency I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Leadership Coach Nana Gyesie, PhD, PCC, owner of INNER MILEAGE by Nana, to talk about his experience with his superpower, helping others unlock the barriers that get in their way. What does it take to get out of our own way? For Nana, it starts with awareness. Awareness of what we want, of what’s getting in the way, and what are we contributing to getting in our own way. Nana says, once we are able to access our awareness and accept things as they are, we are able to choose a different response. Throughout our conversation, whether we’re talking about... 🔹 epigenetics and generational trauma, 🔹 AI and the future of work, or 🔹 frameworks we use to analyze and solve problems, ...all of our analysis and responses to stimuli are improved when we have awareness of our own thinking, our feelings, and the thoughts and feelings of those around us. It starts with awareness. The inspiration for “And what else?” comes from 📚 Michael Bungay Stanier Bungay Stanier – thank you! I read Michael’s “The Coaching Habit” over the break and found it reinforcing in so many ways, and illuminating in this area. I highly recommend the book. So, my friends, what’s on top of your mind? <pause> And what else? I truly want to know, so please leave a comment… Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, J. Mark Meadows (he/him), Tracy Foltz, Suzanne Weller, Bennett Bratt, Enrique Martin, John Peltonen, Sarah Zablotny Buhayar, Asli Aker, PCC, Kristin Link, Garin Rouch Chartered FCIPD, Corinna Calhoun Jennifer Marcou, Julie Stringham, PCC , CMC, Matt DeVandry #Awareness #Joy #Compassion #Leadership

What gets in your way when trying to use your superpower? If you are like most people I talk with, your response is, “Myself.” Overcoming yourself requires awareness of what is holding you back from your best self and self-compassion to take action. Maybe it's your programing, the negative experiences and trauma you've experienced, and our liberation comes from doing the work. But how? For Nana Gyesie, PhD, PCC, the answers lie in many paths, and all those paths start with mindful awareness and tapping into our innate intuitive intelligence. Nana is a Leadership and Life Coach with INNER MILEAGE by Nana Coaching, a mindfulness teacher, a yoga instructor, a photographer, and a practicing Buddhist. Nana sees the world and his experiences through the lens of his own acceptance of things as they are. He says it’s that acceptance of how things are that gives him his power and efficacy to choose another path. The latest episode of the What Do You Know To Be True? True podcast with Nana is available on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify, and can be watched here: https://lnkd.in/gNFaCsPK We cover a lot of ground in this conversation. From what the Buddha says about Joy, to becoming a learner, from getting in our own way, to preparing for a future of work where AI and sentient computers become commonplace, and through it all, Nana reminds us that we are all creators. We have the power to create our realities and the efficacy to control our present and future, if we make that choice. When you find yourself getting in your own way, what do you do? Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan, Bennett Bratt, J. Mark Meadows (he/him), Enrique Martin, Asli Aker, PCC, Corinna Calhoun, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Nicholas Whitaker, DeDe Halfhill, Riley Coleman, Rick Beaton, PhD, Kevin D. Monroe, Anna Hall, April McCormick, Suzanne Weller, Andrea Wanerstrand, PCC, CMC, Carol Grant, Arnee Gomez, Christine Haskell, Ph.D. #Awareness #Compassion #Joy #getoutofyourownway

How do you help others' tell their story? As #leaders, #coaches, and #mentors, we strive to empower those we work with to find their voice and own their story. But are there things we can do to build trust, not in the big moments, but in the small, everyday moments that lead to that payoff? I recently sat down with Jen Mueller, a professional sports broadcaster, communications expert, and extraordinary storyteller, for the latest episode of What Do You Know To Be True? podcast and she shared how her work with the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners has helped her become very skilled in asking tough, meaningful questions and helping others tell their story—even in moments of triumph or challenge. But before she can ask those tough questions, Jen has to build up the trust with the athletes and coaches, and that takes micro-moments built over months and seasons. In this episode, Jen shares invaluable lessons, including: 🔹 How to build trust through something as simple as saying “Hello.” 🔹 The art of crafting intentional questions that evolve over time. 🔹 Why vulnerability and joy are essential in storytelling and leadership. One of my favorite takeaways: “Don't ask open-ended questions [in all situations]. Open-ended questions create confusion.” While counterintuitive at first, this insight shifted how I think about guiding conversations toward clarity and empowerment. 🎥 Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gFp-fMkC I’d love to hear from you: ▶️ What’s one strategy or insight that’s helped you help others own their voice? ▶️ How do you approach storytelling in your coaching or mentoring practice? #Leadership #Storytelling #Coaching #Mentoring #Empathy #Connection #WhatDoYouKnowToBeTrue

Interesting article that speaks to why we feel so polarized from “the other side” and that empathy and vulnerability are both the path through, but also part of our innate wisdom and our survival. Reminds me of the wisdom that Robert Pérez shared on the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast earlier this year on how to find common ground based on shared values before we align on a common path forward to a better world. NYT article: https://lnkd.in/gq9nG4qK Conversation with Robert: https://lnkd.in/gZbTDyFr #Empathy #Curiosity #Connections

Thank you to my wonderful guests and friends of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast in 2024. I am grateful for every conversation and every bit of wisdom you share with me and the audience this year. Of all the things I’ve learned so far in these conversations, the most powerful thing this experience taught me is the power of empathy, curiosity, and connection. In every conversation, these themes come out loud and clear. To make meaningful impact in the world with one’s superpower, you must tap into ▶️ empathy, ▶️ curiosity, and ▶️ connection. I truly understand and know this to be true. While I’m excited for what’s ahead in 2025, I am grateful for we impact we made together in 2024. 28 episodes in 2024 - 28 beautiful connections: https://lnkd.in/gMDgZfis Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love you, mean it! Roger Juliane Mau, Rebecca Hawkins, Kevin Jones, Bennett Bratt, Kristine Scott, Melissa Janis, Marianna Lead, MCC, aka Marianna Reis, Stephanie Murray, April McCormick, Guillaume Wiatr, Nicholas Whitaker, Anna Hall, Kellee M. Franklin, PhD, Asli Aker, PCC, Claudia Timmermans, Michaela Corning, Robert Pérez, Nicole Kincaid, Rick Beaton, PhD, J. Mark Meadows (he/him), Liz Steblay, Nancy Ancowitz, Steve Smith, Jen Mueller, Garin Rouch Chartered FCIPD, Anna Hall, #empathy #curiosity #connections #purpose #possibility #potential