The Discomfort Practice explores the value of discomfort in shaping who we are, how we are in the world and how discomfort can be a catalyst for positive social evolution. Betsy speaks to leaders, activists, athletes, creatives and others about comfort zones, having a conscious ‘discomfort practice,’ and the superpowers that lie on the other side of discomfort. Come get uncomfortable with Betsy... You can follow Betsy on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebetsyreed/ Twitter https://twit ...
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Episode #108: From the Archives - Paul Davis On Following Your Purpose
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We're trying a new thing over here and have dug out a great episode from our archives. This is a revisit of Episode 55, which is a juicy, insightful interview with Paul William Davis, an intuitive personal advisor, an entrepreneur, a best-selling author, an award-winning business growth consultant, speaker with the best Irish accent you're likely t…
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Episode #107: Betsy by Herself on Exploring Her Shadow Side
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This solo was recorded in November 2023, off the back of a 5-day spiritual retreat with teacher Sabrina Lynn in Ibiza, in which 22 wild souls went deep into their shadows. And healed themselves, their ancestral line and things they didn't even know they were healing for the collective. Shadow work is a term that many know and some of you might not.…
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Episode #106: Carlos Zimbron on Fuckup Nights and Why Celebrating Failure is Important
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In this episode Betsy is joined by Carlos 'Charlie' Zimbrón, Co-Founder and CEO of Fuckup Nights, as well as The Failure Institute. Betsy and Charlie say the word 'fuck' a lot cuz... clue's in the name, really. So if you enjoy 'swear words' as occasional punctuation and appreciate a free-flowing, un-edited conversation, you're gonna LOVE this one. …
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Episode #105: Betsy by Herself on Making Magic
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In this episode, Betsy talks about a subject that is near and dear to her heart (and her life): living magically. She talks about her own experience of having created a life that is full of synchronicity, support, ease, alignment and, well, MAGIC. As is her way, she encourages others to 'let things be magical' and talks about how she has learned to…
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Episode #104: Betsy by Herself on Creating Ease for Yourself
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In this solo episode Betsy revisits a topic she loves to talk about: how her changed relationship with ease - and having greater ease with being at ease - has positively impacted her work, her productivity and her understanding of the world. She shares why she's become evangelical about helping others to create more ease in their lives, stepping aw…
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Episode #103: Oyin Adebayo on Empowering 1million Black Women
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk to the mighty Oyinkansola ‘Oyin’ Adebayo, the Founder and CEO of Niyo Enterprises, which is an ecosystem of brands that exists to economically empower Black women to be builders of high-impact ecosystems. Oyin’s personal purpose is to empower Black women globally to upskill, transform their careers…
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Episode #102: Betsy by Herself on the End of a Personal Seven Year Cycle
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This one is a bit of a chuckle, friends. I recorded it in August 2023, on the day I was marking seven years of living in Spain. I reflect on seven year cycles and who I've become over the past seven years. Who I've rediscovered I am, as I've let go of conditioning that kept me from being my truest, most powerful version of myself. In that seven yea…
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Episode #101: Isidra Mencos on Lust and Pleasure as a Pathway to Self-Discovery
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I speak to Isidra Mencos, who was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, about her journey through life as a young woman who grew up under Franco, a repressive dictator, and came of age as Spain was massively changing after his death. We talk about what happens when a young woman who grew up in a place wher…
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Episode #100: Betsy by Herself, Celebrating and Reflecting on 100 episodes!
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This is episode 100 of The Discomfort Practice! I reflect back on how focusing on discomfort as a path to wisdom and finding my own superpowers has reshaped my perspective since launching the podcast in October 2020. Join me for a guided exercise in which you have the opportunity to reflect on what uncomfortable circumstances you've experienced ove…
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Episode #99: Charles McCarrick on Consciously Building Confidence
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I’m talking with Charles D. McCarrick, entrepreneur, inventor, lead visionary (or ‘Chief Comedian’) and lead scientist of Micro-Ant. With more than 10 patents to his name, he pioneers and supplies unique equipment to the communications industry. Charles' most defining characteristic is enthusiasm—for new …
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Episode #98: Betsy By Herself - A Love Letter to Introverted Moments
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This solo definitely builds on past solos about transitions and life processes because, surprise surprise, I’m still in a big life transition. This is a love letter to other secret introverts and to quiet moments. It’s to those of you out there who crave quiet and alone time and to just be left alone for a while - regularly or from time to time. Ri…
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Episode #97: Matisse Dupont on “Transitions.”
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I’m excited to bring back a past guest: cultural consultant, performance producer and content creator Matisse Dupont. Matisse has spent the last decade facilitating interactive lectures and workshops on gender, sexuality, culture and identity. I enjoyed witnessing their evolution on social media - from be…
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Episode #96: Michael Youngblood on the Value of Beautiful Questions
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with Michael Youngblood, co-founder and CEO of Unsettled, an award-winning travel community for those who embrace the unknown and value meaningful human connection. He has worked in more than 60 countries, collaborated with the White House on entrepreneurship and global development, advised Fortune…
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Episode #95: Betsy By Herself - It's Safe Now to Be in Your Own Power
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A few months back, when I was sitting in a mushroom ceremony, I got the message loud and clear ‘It’s safe now to be powerful.’ And it was a message that I knew was for me, but also one that I had been given to share with others. And, so, in this episode, I talk about what the world needs from you. How it needs you to be able to un-block those parts…
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Episode #94: Nik Govier on Neuro-Diversity being a Superpower
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with Nik Govier, the Founder & CEO of Blurred - a fast growing global management, sustainability and communications consultancy based in London. She is a regular feature in PR Week’s Top 10 Power List and was named PR Communicator of the Year in 2021. But the last five years have been a whirlwind o…
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Episode #93: Betsy By Herself on Navigating the Chaos of A Transition
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In this solo episode, I reflect on the chaos, the confusion and the landing back in Spain after 3.5 happy months in Mexico. I wonder 'Did I do the right thing in coming back here?' muse aloud about 'Why am I here?' and navigate through my own process of feeling like I've landed in chaos... and I'm not sure why. I share a reading from the School of …
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Episode #92: Margaret Heffernan On Willful Blindness
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with entrepreneur, author and someone I’m rather a big fan of, Margaret Heffernan. We chat about Margaret’s sixth book Uncharted, which lays out an inspiring picture of what can lie on the other side of uncertainty - which is a discomfort we as humans naturally avoid. We also dive into her own prac…
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Episode #91: Betsy by Herself on Turning Off the External Noise to Hear Yourself
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I sat down to intentionally record this episode without any notes and with minimal preparation, because I felt strongly this was a message that needed to come through me. It's one I needed to articulate and it's something someone out there needs to hear. The message is this: turn off the external noise so you can hear yourself and tap into your own…
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Episode #90: Dan Schnur on Forging Your Own Path When Everything Shifts
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with Dan Schnur. We chat about the discomfort of his career trajectory: going from being one of the top Republican political strategists and campaign officials in the US to leaving and not affiliating with any political party. (In a bi-partisan political system where you’ve been a big player, that’…
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Episode #89: Selina Donald on Bringing Sustainability To The Event Industry
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with my former client, friend and general badass Selina Donald. Selina has done so much already in her life, so prepare yourself to be inspired to think differently. She has worked on large-scale events, such as the Olympic and Para-Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and Vivian Westwood’s clima…
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Episode #88: Betsy by Herself on Creating Rituals to De-stress and Create Focus
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How can you create habits that support you through times of stress, that help you to create milestones in your day and life, to function optimally? In this solo episode I share ways in which I have created more rituals over the past year and talk listeners through the science-based approach I teach clients to set habits. My intention in recording t…
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Episode #87: Leyla Acaroglu on How Design Can Save The World
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with innovator and designer (among many other things) Leyla Acaroglu. We chat about how small incremental changes are not enough any more to save society from climate change impact, but instead need to change systems and approaches to regenerate our planet, in order to survive. We discuss how impor…
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Episode #86: Pilar Garrido on How Leading With Love Benefits Communities
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with political scientist and economist Pilar Garrido. We chat about her experience leading a sustainable economic development policy in Costa Rica for a green and inclusive economy, as well as designing innovative financial instruments for critical public investment projects. We will also get into …
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Episode #85: Betsy by Herself on Life Transitions and Shedding Skin
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If you’ve listened to some of my recent solos and interviews, you’ll have picked up that I'm on the cusp of entering a new stage of life. I’ve packed up my life in Barcelona, put my things in storage, finished up my academic year as a Professor and am headed to Mexico on a one-way ticket in just a few days. The preparation for leaving one stage of …
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Episode #84: Daze Aghaji on the Power of Love to Create Change
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In this episode, I chat with a young leader who got me excited and optimistic about the future. Daze Aghaji is a climate justice, regeneration & well-being activist with a fascinating story and a skill at delivering it. You are in for a real treat with this interview, as. Daze shares how growing up with an awareness of climate change has shaped her…
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Episode #83: Matthew Williams on Being an Inventor and Mastering Public Speaking
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In this episode, I chat with the Founder & CEO of IONATE, inventor Matthew Williams. He is a systems architect by nature, mechatronic engineer by education, design leader and facilitator by passion. Having spent his career in the front seat of global systems-engineering companies, Matthew is equipped with a unique insight on how to build the most e…
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Episode #82: Betsy by Herself on Loving All Parts of Yourself
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In this solo episode I 'think out loud' about what has been coming up for me during a time of stress and anxiety, as I transition from one stage of life to the unknown of the next. Prompted by a recent podcast episode by Shaman Durek on 'witnessing all parts of ourselves,' I ask myself and you, the listener, questions like: What do you default to w…
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Episode #81: Tiffany Cheng on Swapping Corporate Life for your Passion
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In this episode, I chat with Leadership Coach and Founder of Inspire My Day – Tiffany Cheng. Tiffany shares what she learned from growing up in China and the disappointment she felt from her parents; who left her with her grandparents because she was not a boy. We talk about the work/life culture difference she has found living in Belgium, and the …
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Episode #80: Traver Boehm on Killing The Nice Guy
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In this episode, I am super excited to welcome back, Traver Boehm. This is his second time in this podcast - and that is because he is awesome (which you will discover when you listen). Traver founded the UNcivilized men’s movement, and is inspiring millions of men around the world to shift their experience of masculinity by combining the primal ma…
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In this solo episode, I warmly welcome you to Season 4 of the Discomfort Practice podcast. As always, in this new season, you will find conversations with creatives, activists, leaders, scientists and a host of others about conscious discomfort, the role it’s played in their lives and the value of discomfort in us moving forward as a society. But w…
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Episode #78: Betsy by Herself On the Discomfort of Being in The Void
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As with all of my solo episodes of The Discomfort Practice, in thise one I share what’s on my mind just now, and it’s the most personal I’ve gotten yet. In fact, I even get a bit weepy.I talk about walking into The Void - the shapeless, undefined unknown in which all things are unclear. It’s a bit anxiety-inducing at times, but it’s also the place …
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Episode #77: Paul Dunn on Connection, Meaning, And Purpose
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I sit are with someone who has truly ‘walked his talk’ - and is still walking it in a very impactful way. Paul Dunnis a four times TEDx speaker and was one of the first 10 People in Hewlett Packard Australia. After starting at HP - one of Australia's first computer companies - he founded the Results Corpo…
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Episode #76: Kim Polman on Treating Others and The Planet As You Would Wish To Be Treated
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1:03:59
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In this episode, my guest is someone whose work I have followed for a while and am always impressed by. She's also part of a ‘power couple’ I admire deeply. Kim Polman is an international public speaker, a polymath, and a citizen of the world. She's an American by birth, has lived all over the world and has lived in London (where she’s now based) f…
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Episode #75: Betsy by Herself on the Clarifying Power of Uncomfortable Weather
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I've been on a roll with solo episodes, after admitting they are part of my discomfort practice. And then I met the summer 2022 heatwave in Europe. Barcelona summers are usually brutal, but this one has been particularly rough. But it's also been quite clarifying. Having very little energy creates utility: what do I actually want to put my energy i…
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Bonus Meditation: What Do You Need To Give Yourself?
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Back due to popular demand, here’s a bonus meditation for you. I lead you through a meditation on the question ‘What do I need to give myself?’ Whether you’re tired and stressed or feeling fine it’s a great question to ask yourself regularly. Because as the great RuPaul says (I love drag queens, so here you go): ‘Honey if you can’t love yourself ho…
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Episode #74: Betsy By Herself on What Do You Want To Suck At?
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In this solo episode, I ask ‘What do you want to suck at?’ Because if you want to be good at something, you need to suck at it first. So perhaps ask yourself ‘What have I always wanted to try or to be good at?’ I share my thoughts on trying new things - or not! - because you’re afraid you’re going to suck at it. Oliver Berkman, a great writer, talk…
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Episode #73: Matt Peacock on Messing With Comfortable Assumptions to Create Change
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I am joined by a rock star in his industry, Matt Peacock. Matt is currently a partner at a London-based strategic and creative advisory firm called Blurred, where he provides specialist counsel to clients on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), risk, sustainability, social purpose, and corporate tran…
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Episode #72: Shannon Houde on Finding and Making Your Impact In This World
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In this episode, I’m speaking with someone I’ve known for many years - the fabulous Shannon Houde. Shannon is the founder of Walk Of Life Coaching, and for more than two decades, she's mentored and trained over 1000 change leaders, and used over 3000 hours with them to maximize their personal brands to advance impactful careers. She's had her own i…
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Episode #71: David Richman on How Cycling 5,000 Miles Helped Him Process Grief and Inspire Others.
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In this episode, I’m excited to speak to David Richman. David is an entrepreneur, author, public speaker, endurance athlete, and philanthropist who brings the lessons learned in his life to enrich and inspire others. He pushed out of his comfort zone as a sedentary, overweight smoker stuck in an abusive and unhealthy marriage to seek true satisfact…
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Episode #70: Betsy By Herself On the Power of Trusting Yourself
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In this solo episode of The Discomfort Practice, I share what’s been on my mind lately, and I hope it lands with you as the listener. I talk about trust. Life really becomes difficult when we can’t trust - it messes with our nervous systems, our relationships, our ability to concentrate, our outlook on the world. It’s not hard to see a massive lack…
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Episode #69: Anne Macksoud and John Ankele on Singing About the Dark Times
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In this episode, it is my honour to introduce to you the (amazing people and) filmmakers, Anne Macksoud and John Ankele of Old Dog Documentaries. I first came across them through their film with Joanna Macy: ‘Climate Crisis As A Spiritual Path.’ It has reached international audiences with its powerful message on climate change and reconnection and …
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Episode #68: Blaire Caplan on Finding Our Purpose and Bringing Humanity Back
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In this Discomfort Running Buddies episode, I am joined by an awesome person and friend, Blaire Caplan. Blaire is a certified Life Designer and Mindset Coach. She is a healing presence that serves as a guide on people's personal journeys and helps people manifest their most authentic selves by unlocking answers and unleashing power from within thro…
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Episode #67: Jennifer Moss on Burnout and How Discomfort Is Essential to Resilience
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I speak to Jennifer Moss, a journalist, author, speaker, and strategist driving the conversation towards healthier workplace cultures. She's the award-winning author of Unlocking Happiness At Work and a frequent writer for Harvard Business Review and SHRM. She's also a member of the United Nations Global …
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Episode #66: Aja Barber on Fast Fashion, Choices and How We Can Do Better
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1:06:39
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice I get the chance to sit and talk to someone I’ve admired for a long time. Aja Barber is a well-known and respected stylist, author and activist who focuses on telling the truth about the human and environmental devastation caused by the fast fashion industry. We talk about the stark facts of fast fashion: …
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Episode #65: Tim Collings on Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders
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In this episode, I talk to Tim Collings, CEO of 4I leadership. Tim is also a leadership coach, guiding on strategy and organizational design to help individual leaders and organizations create a sustainable future. Tim is also a fellow podcast host, producing the “Better World Leaders Podcast”, on which I appeared a few episodes back. On it, he spe…
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Episode #64: Betsy By Herself on Finding and Living your Purpose in All Areas of your Life
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28:09
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice Podcast, I go solo to talk about one of my favourite topics: finding and living our unique personal purposes in every area of our lives. Knowing what your personal purpose is serves as a beautiful compass to guide you through life. It's something no one can take away from you and can be a lifeline when lif…
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Episode #63: Adam Nosal on Agreeing to Disagree
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I sit again with Adam Nosal who was my first guest in season 3. I asked him to help me kick off the season and set the tone as we talked about ‘how to have nurturing, nourishing conversations’ in what turned out to be the first two episodes of this season. Well, he’s back and we chat about consensus and disagreement, with special reference to Joe R…
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Episode #62: Rasia Pouncie on Dark Nights of the Soul
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In this episode of the Discomfort Practice Podcast, I am joined by Rasia Pouncie, who shares insights on how she’s made it through her own ‘dark nights of the soul’. Rasia is a spiritual mentor, coach, and lightworker with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. In her work as the Mystical Healing Guide, she weaves together the threads of he…
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Episode #61: Meghan Bonhomme on Aligning Goals Through Self-Love
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In this episode, I sit down with Meghan Bonhomme to dive deep into identifying happiness and self-care. Meghan is a professor in Canada, who owns and funds “The Lovely Human School” with a mission to help individuals realize their true potential and take care of themselves. The school offers an eight-week curriculum to provide people with the roadm…
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Episode #60: Jane Duncan Rogers on planning for the end of life. *Trigger Warning – Death*
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In this episode of The Discomfort Practice Podcast, I am joined by special guest Jane Duncan Rogers. Jane and I discuss end-of-life preparation. This includes preparing for what happens after you die, but it also includes ensuring measures are in place to make sure your last days are enjoyable. Jane is CEO of "Before I Go Solutions", a non-profit d…
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