Free Your Inner Guru

Latest Episodes:

Brad Warner: Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

Brad Warner and Free Your Inner Guru host Laura Tucker talk about Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen and the dangers of pushing for a spiritual breakthrough before you are ready. Brad Warner is a Soto Zen priest, bass guitarist for the punk band Zero Defex and the author of Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen. In his most recent book, Brad Warner introduces us to Zen Buddhism through the perspective of letters he writes to his friend Marky, who has died of cancer. But he’s not just talking to Marky, he’s talking to you in the frank tone and language of telling it like it is, to a close friend on borrowed time. First, I loved this book and highly recommend it. Second, I’ve been saving this interview for just the right time. We recorded this interview three days after I sat for my interview for the just-released Guru: The Dark Side of Enlightenment podcast by Wondery. After speaking about Zen Buddhism and Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen, Brad and I get going about some of the issues in the spirituality and self help circles that have become important to me based on lived experience. It was reassuring to speak to a spiritual leader about why all things don’t work for all people, and the dangers of inducing altered states in the pursuit of spiritual growth. Enjoy this big conversation with someone who doesn’t shy away from going counter to the status quo. Conversation highlights: Why Brad started writing letters to his dead friend Marky. How Brad became a Zen monk, without setting off to be a monk. Is Zen Buddhism a religion, or a lifestyle? Sitting Zazen without a goal to be mindful or a better person. Re-thinking detachment: The Sanskrit word that’s usually translated as attachment has a double meaning of fuel. Laura on how meditation is like running: Even my worst run was better than the run I didn’t take. Brad on how Zen practice is like playing music, especially in front of a group. The dark side of meditation and the pitfalls that can happen when you extract mindfulness from the ethics and culture surrounding it. The down side of using drugs and altered states to push for spiritual experiences. Mentioned in this episode: Book – Letters to a Dead Friend About Zen Brad’s Blog – hardcorezen.info Hardcore Zen Youtube Channel Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at freeyourinnerguru.com/leadership-community

BLKBOK: Music is Medicine Jun 19, 2020

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BLKBOK is a pianist and composer who believes music is medicine. Artist and composer BLKBOK plays the piano and tours at the highest levels of the music industry. He has worked with Justin Timberlake, Rhianna, John Mayer, Demi Lovato and Cirque de Soleil’s Michael Jackson Immortal. BLKBOK shares his professional journey, including his recent return to his roots in classical music. At his publisher’s request, began to compose a ten track classical piano album at the beginning of 2020. While the pandemic shut down everything around him, BLKBOK got to work. He made a promise that he would compose – for others to see – every day for 100 days in Seth Godin’s The Creatives Workshop, where we met. After 107 consecutive days of composing, writing and sharing, Charles thought his album was complete. But then he received a second request – to compose an eleventh track – a “George Floyd piece.” In this conversation, BLKBOK shares what it was like to go back to the keyboard to compose a piece of music that encompasses his desire for equality, his many personal experiences of racism, and the global Black Lives Matter movement that George Floyd has come to represent. Special bonus: During our interview, BLKBOK and I discovered we were both at the infamous Toronto SARS concert on July 30, 2003. I was in the audience, and he played keyboard for Justin Timberlake. If you’re familiar with the story, you’ll know it wasn’t Toronto’s finest moment. I’ll leave it for you to listen to the full story, but Charles was generous to send over some photos from that day. Mentioned in this episode: Website - blkbok.com BLKBOK on Instagram – @BLKBOK Seth Godin – Akimbo Workshops Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at freeyourinnerguru.com/leadership-community

Nafissa Shireen: Believe and See Our Common Humanity Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

Nafissa Shireen is an Income Growth Mentor and Coach, the owner of Believe & See Ranch, and the host of Living Forward TV on YouTube. I invited Nafissa on to pick her brain about why British Columbia has had a less dramatic experience of the COVID 19 pandemic compared to Ontario, Quebec, and much of the United States. We had a big conversation that touches on every theme that’s important to this podcast: conscious leadership, coaching, spirituality, marketing in the self help industry. And then there is the pandemic, and a deep dive into how horses help raise consciousness and the transformation Nafissa wants to bring to the equine industry. Everything is moving so quickly these days, it’s relevant to share the context of when our conversation happened. We recorded on May 7, 2020, back when all anyone had on our minds was the pandemic. On June 5, Nafissa shared a post on Facebook with her response to George Floyd’s murder, and subsequent events. Since its contents are relevant to every part of our conversation, I received her permission to read it after we said “goodbye.” As a bi-racial person of colour, with a Muslim sounding name, I didn’t want to squander the opportunity to amplify her voice on racism and anti-racism. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to a big conversation with Nafissa Shireen. Conversation highlights: Challenges we each experienced as a woman in leadership in the male dominated corporate environment. What it was like for Nafissa to be called the “token brown girl” when she never saw herself as an ethnic or religious minority. The very different journey we each made from corporate to coach. Our different takes on why so much of the marketing for coaching focuses on making “6 figures” and “7 figures.” Is it really all about money? The power of meaning and purpose: Nafissa illustrates how her passion and point of view on horses informs her business goals. We also get a huge education on how horses are trained and the awareness she wants to bring to the equine industry. Nafissa explains the transformational power of horses from both a scientific and spiritual perspective. The distinction between coaching, consulting and mentoring. Why Nafissa is tired of hearing “in these uncertain times” and “crisis.” Why Dr Bonnie Henry is an exemplary leader and what we can learn from her approach to the pandemic. Mentioned in this episode: Nafissa Shireen online website Instagram – @nafissashireen Living Forward TV on Youtube Believe and See Ranch website Instagram – @believeandseeranch Laura Tucker on social Instagram – @lauraatucker Facebook Free Your Inner Guru on social Instagram – @freeyourinnerguru Facebook Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Where Can We Use Our Power For Good? Jun 03, 2020

Show notes

Listen. Empathize. Amplify. In this episode, host Laura Tucker shares her point of view on racism, the role of shame in suppression, and how we can all use our power of influence for good. Mentioned in this episode: Written version of “Where Can We Use Our Power for Good?” David R Hawkins, Power vs Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Jill Castle: Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders May 20, 2020

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Jill Castle says every child, from toddler to teen, wants some level of autonomy and agency. She says it’s all very normal, but it can throw parents for a loop. It’s difficult for parents to know in their heart that they are struggling, and not know where to get help. In this episode, Jill Castle and Free Your Inner Guru® host Laura Tucker talk about the dance between getting what you need as a parent, raising an independent, autonomous child, and how systemic change is needed to raise more physically and psychologically empowered humans. Meet Jill Castle: Jill is one of North America’s premier child nutrition experts. Known as a paradigm shifter who blends current research, practical application and common sense, Jill inspires audiences to think differently about child nutrition and feeding kids. A sought-after speaker, advisor, and media contributor, Jill has inspired TEDx, government, medical and parent audiences. She serves on the Board of Advisors of Parents Magazine, and a handful of privately held child nutrition companies. Jill is the author of Try New Food, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids, Eat Like a Champion, and co-author of Fearless Feeding. She pens The Nourished Child® blog, is the voice behind a popular podcast of the same name, and regularly contributes to US News & World Report’s For Parents. Conversation highlights: Jill shares how she became a pediatric nutritionist and her subsequent challenge of having a child who was not interested in eating. The powerful impact media and marketing has on children and their parents. The role of a parent’s intuition in guiding your child’s nutrition. Jill’s biggest frustration about nutrition. Avoiding overwhelm: why the breaking it down into what you CAN do works. Changes Jill would like to see in the North American nutrition culture. How Jill works with nutritionists and dietitians to have a broader impact as a leader. Memorable quotes from Jill Castle: “You have to know your child. I ate my humble pie and learned a lot. I had seven years of education and training in my field, and I struggled. What is it like for parents with no education, training and experience feeding children?” “I have great compassion and experience for parents who are struggling.” “I would like to see companies and corporations offering this kind of education to their employees. They are working parents. They don’t have the time to go see a nutritionist if they have a problem.” Mentioned in this episode: Jill Castle’s website The Nourished Child® Podcast More information on the Free Your Inner Guru® Community Free Community, Connection & Coaching Zoom Calls Support the podcast or join the members only Patreon community Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Why “Pandemic Pivot” Makes Me Want To Throw Up May 06, 2020

Show notes

The expression “pandemic pivot” is making me nauseous. Especially when it’s used in marketing. Apparently I’m not alone on this one. How we use our words says a lot about us, literally, figuratively, and spiritually. And some things are just cringe-worthy. Whether the cause is the words themselves, how they’re being used, or the person using them, we should pay attention. Would you want to know if you are triggering a barf reflex? Mentioned in this episode: Update: The free Community, Connection & Coaching Zoom Calls have become the Free Your Inner Guru Leadership Community Free Your Inner Guru® Patreon Community Laura Ambrozic, aka LA’s LinkedIn post for sanitation stations and reasonably priced sanitizer Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

James Victore: Feck Perfuction Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

James Victore is a MoMA artist, designer, and author of Feck Perfuction – Dangerous Ideas on the Business of Life. James Victore joins Laura to explore his book Feck Perfection and creativity as an essential leadership skill in our suddenly changed world. Highlights from this conversation, recorded on March 26, 2020: How social isolation and physical distancing have affected James Victore’s day to day life and business. Why we can’t operate out of fear and resistance. The importance of establishing a new normal. Why being weird is our original default, and a source of power. What happens when creatives choose to fight. What James would like to see come out of our time of challenge. Fear and scarcity vs becoming resourceful The role of creativity, innovation and humour in emerging as a leader. Memorable Quotes: On leadership: “Part of the problem with the world right now is creativity on a cultural level comes from top down. The world has very few creative leaders right now.” On his role as a leader: “All I can do is keep moving and keep doing what I’m doing and try to come at it from a place of love and compassion and creativity. And to be of service.” Mentioned in this episode: James’ book Feck Perfuction Website: jamesvictore.com Instagram: @jamesvictore Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Connection in the Time of Coronavirus Mar 31, 2020

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Have you been feeling disconnected in this time of physical isolation? We can be physically isolated and still use one of our superpowers – creativity – to connect with others in new ways. In this unprecedented time of physical isolation, Free Your Inner Guru host Laura Tucker explores the importance of community and connection. Mentioned in this episode: Want something to make you smile? Here’s Laura’s family singing Happy Birthday on Zoom Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Dr Stuart Eisendrath: When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Dr Stuart Eisendrath is the author of When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Alleviate Depression and the founding director of the University of California San Francisco Depression Center. “One of the most important ingredients in self compassion is realizing that you are part of a large community. So if you’re suffering from depression, you’re not alone. It’s not a strange or unique illness. That’s not to say it’s not a painful condition. Many people are suffering from it. And there is no need to be harsh and critical of yourself for having a condition that is so common in the world.” – Dr Stuart Eisendrath A senior clinician and research psychiatrist at UCSF, Dr Eisendrath’s lectures on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy have been viewed more than 1.5 million times. We take on some serious topics in this interview, and you may find that I am more subdued than usual. There were a couple of things going on! I was a little intimidated, but even more so, I was also reflecting on the people in my life who suffer and are suffering with depression, and my own struggles with it. This gave me extra incentive to mine Dr Eisendrath’s experience and vast knowledge. It was a pleasure and a privilege, and I’m delighted to share this conversation with you. Conversation highlights How Dr Eisendrath’s interest in depression evolved into mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The epidemic level occurence of depression. The difference between cognitive therapy and mindfulness therapy. How mindfulness helps with depression. How do distinguish between inappropriate depressive guilt and appropriate guilt. A formula for happiness, and how depression skews the formula against you. How self compassion helps you recognize you are part of common humanity. Why brooding, a type of rumination, is a big driver of depression. How depression and MBCT alter your brain. Suicide – feeling helpless and hopeless Alternatives and hope when antidepressants don’t work. What to do if and who to call if you need help.*** Mentioned in this episode Book – When Antidepressants Aren’t Enough: Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness to Alleviate Depression Website for accompanying meditations – stuarteisendrath.com ***The information in this podcast is not a substitute for help from a licensed mental health professional. If you are in crisis, links to hotline numbers around the world are listed below. Crisis Services Canada United States – Suicide Prevention Lifeline Wikipedia List of suicide crisis lines Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

Feeling Bored? It’s Time to Grow Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Feeling bored is an opportunity to look within and make a shift. “I’m bored!” It’s tempting blame outside factors like the season or the weather when we’re feeling stuck or restless. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear what Laura’s mother said to her as a teenager that still rings true today. Boredom and stagnation can be an opportunity to look within for solutions on the personal growth journey. We can take responsibility for our inner state and wake up to new possibility. It may be time to dig deeper and play bigger. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 58 with Lee Harris Free Your Inner Guru on Instagram Free Your Inner Guru on Facebook Want more conscious conversations in your life? Support the podcast and join the Free Your Inner Guru® Leadership Community at patreon.com/freeyourinnerguru

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