One Idea Away Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP149 - Author and Meditation Teacher, Light Watkins: How to Succeed in Meditation Without Really Trying Jul 24, 2018

Show notes

Turn on the news, scroll through your social feed, talk to your friend—it's hard out there. It's almost as if the universe wants you to give up on the ability to feel happiness. But before you do, listen up! Light Watkins, former Gap model turned meditation guru, shares the light on tapping into your inner bliss and how to even generate it from within.

Light first began attending yoga classes and meditation circles in between castings in New York City. Since '98 Light has been active in the wellness space, first as a practitioner, later as an apprentice to his Vedic meditation teacher, and finally (in 2007) as a meditation teacher himself. He now travels the world giving talks on happiness, mindfulness, inspiration, and meditation and his most recent book, Bliss More, How To Succeed In Meditation Without Really Trying was just released this year. Light writes articles on meditation and happiness, leads sold-out meditation trainings and retreats, and produces The Shine, a global pop up inspiration variety show with a mission to inspire.

Be happy out there. Be happy in there, too. Start now!

Key Takeaways:

Meditation compass. There's a version of inner bliss that's solid, rich, and resilient to anything that tries to defy it. But how do you achieve it when it's so easy to fall into the trap of instant and fleeting gratification? HERE'S the secret…[11:50].

Meditation 101. You heard there's something to it, you weren't sure what to expect, so you tried it but you were still a bit unsure of its full potential—sound familiar to your first meditation experience? Before you give it another shot, try THIS simple approach…[14:29].

Meditation demystified. There's much out there claiming what meditation is and isn't: "it's boring," "you're mind has to be completely cleared for it to work," "it's like falling asleep," etc. The misconceptions you want to AVOID before your next mindful moment…[21:05].

Meditation enlightenment. Stress, distraction, physical issues—with so many things clouding our minds, bliss can be hard to find. And although Light even admits that meditation doesn't provide a perfect life, THIS is what you should look for on your hunt for inner bliss…[27:05].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP148 - Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Faith Hunter: Experience an Awakening Within Jul 17, 2018

Show notes

In the face of struggle, how do you respond? Do you reach for a helping hand or learn the lesson by going solo? In the end, do you ever feel changed by your challenge? Faith Hunter, D.C. and New York City-based yoga and meditation instructor, breaks down the unbelievable power that lies within your adversity, your past, and everything in between. Faith's a global traveler, a life stylist sprinkled with a dash of Louisiana charm, and creator of Spiritually Fly. She began her lifelong love affair with yoga in the early 90s as a way to cope while her beloved brother Michael was dying from a health complication related to AIDS. Through meditation, Faith was able to acknowledge and release her fears and experience an awakening within. From that moment on she was committed to sharing these practices with the world. Faith also owns Embrace Yoga D.C., a yoga training and community center that's located in Adams Morgan, a multicultural nest of Washington D.C. It's up to you to be courageous enough to stop, breathe, and step forward more consciously—your journey starts now! Key takeaways: The truth behind the pose. Who are we and how do we connect to our physical selves? The practice of yoga is more than discovering and appreciating your body—much more. If you haven't yet jumped into the huge craze that is yoga, or even if you have, before you practice it, know THIS…[09:49]. The magic in the silence. You're smack in the middle of finding a good balance and reaching that inner stillness . . . and then it happens. The worries of the day, dark thoughts, and the heaviness in your heart are starting to creep in. The ONE thing you need to do to calm the bubbling inside…[15:30]. The next level of yourself. When you take the time to stop, to listen, to reflect on your life and the experiences you've had, a deep inner wisdom develops; but when you allow yourself to connect spiritually as well, it's an entirely new level of true self. Soar to new heights by learning THIS one philosophy…[29:52].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP147 - Author and Self-Talk Advocate, Cynthia Kane: Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist Jul 10, 2018

Show notes

When you think of yourself, what first comes to mind? Is the thought negative and critical or positive and empowering? When our inner critic determines so much of who we are, it's essential that we make every effort possible to have encouraging self-talk. Cynthia Kane, author and self-talk advocate, shares just how to tap into your internal chaos and build an inner dialogue that helps you thrive.

Cynthia's the author of How to Communicate Like a Buddhist and her latest book, Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist, was just released. She's a certified meditation and mindfulness instructor dedicated to helping men and women change their communication routines so they feel in control of their words and understood at home and work. Cynthia's work has been featured in The Washington Post, BBC Travel, Yoga Journal, Women's Day and so much more. She offers workshops, private coaching, and a certification program in intentional communication.

The journey to a happy life starts within–let's go!

Key Takeaways:

Happy self-talk. Sometimes you can get lost in a dark place where your inner dialogue's bursting with negativity. You may look around for someone to talk to, to reason with, to help you through this rough path but the first person to start with is simple–YOU. Take THIS first step to begin a round of positive self-talk…[07:25].

Critical self-talk. Cynthia describes negative self-talk as any type of talk that promotes suffering. It's something we're conditioned to from the world around us. Not anymore! Now that you're on your way to creating a healthier self-dialogue, banish self-judgment for good by avoiding this ONE destructive pattern along the way…[19:28].

Healing self-talk. Your self-identity encapsulates everything you feel, think, and believe that you are. When you care and think well about yourself, you're connected in a manner that's empowering and in doing so, you reflect that empathetic nature to those around you. The SECRET to getting there is this...[27:40].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP146 - Author and Certified Mindfulness Facilitator, Jennifer Howd: Embrace the Silence Jul 03, 2018

Show notes

At the end of a busy day, we look forward to those moments of peace we have all to ourselves. The reality is, when we sit down to relax, all of the unresolved to-do's, the thoughts, and the worries start to rush in. We reach for a beer, for Netflix, or for social media, but this leaves us feeling disconnected. What if we could interrupt this mindless chatter and increase our ability to experience stillness as a means to connect more deeply and to grow? What if we could access something bigger than us, just by taking a few minutes to be silent and go within?

In the book, Sit, Walk, Don't Talk: How I Survived a Silent Meditation Retreat by Jennifer Howd, she begins to dive into what it means to embrace the silence and find meaning. Her book is a light-hearted, humorous take on the experience of her first nine-day silent meditation retreat. She's an author, editor, filmmaker, and Certified Mindfulness Facilitator from UCLA. A blogger for Elephant Journal, and the Huffington Post, she has co-founded the Eastside Mindfulness Collective in Los Angeles, building a secular mindfulness-based community.

Key takeaways:

Coming out of the spiritual closet. Jennifer had preconceived notions--and even judgmental thoughts--about what it meant to be spiritual. Growing up, she saw people who considered themselves very religious, yet not practicing what they were preaching. Seeking an alternative way to connect with something more significant than herself, Jennifer discovered secular spirituality, which takes a more grounded, pragmatic approach, and created a community where people could connect more deeply, outside of going to church. … [0:02:55]

Sitting in silence. By embarking upon a 9-day silent meditation retreat, Jennifer was forced to face her fears and judgments head on. She noticed how harshly she was judging others, and in turn, judging herself. Our judgment is a spiral, and the practice of meditation can disrupt that vicious cycle. … [0:10:26]

Power of a retreat. You can take time in silence at home, but what other time would you get the opportunity to truly connect with yourself, and to see what you are at the core of your being than when you are sitting in silence? Some people may fear this, because most of what comes up may be difficult to look at. If you don't recognize your behavior for what it indeed is, you cannot make changes to that behavior. You can not only gain awareness, but you can see how to create change when you turn the mirror on yourself. … [0:22:25]

Take the time to be quiet with yourself, and go within to gain self-knowledge, self-connection, and tap into something beyond your limiting beliefs.

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP145 - Special Panel Discussion: When quitting is hard, but staying is harder Jun 26, 2018

Show notes

You're living a good life and there's much to be grateful for, but you're not sensationally fulfilled. Sound familiar? There's something you want more for yourself, maybe it has a name, maybe it's still left undiscovered, but you know it's out there. Ready to find it and make the big, colossal decisions to make it a reality? Prepare to evolve as today's three guests share their very intimate and relatable knowledge with the uncertainty of transition. Listen up!

Nina Cashman is a PCC certified coach. She's the founder of Pave Your Way and a lead trainer for iPEC, Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching. With over 17 years of marketing experience on both the agency and client side, Nina recognized her true passion to build people over products and left corporate marketing to pursue her passion. Since 2014, she's been paving her own path as a career and executive coach specializing in career growth and development, leadership, team building, and individual branding. Nina's a self-proclaimed paver who firmly believes that you can accomplish anything if you develop your own self-supportive belief system.

Alison Deutsch thought she "had it all," another marketing executive, this time at the Pepsi-Cola Company, happily married with two children, about to renovate their dream home. Then she and her husband made a decision that unexpectedly altered the trajectory of their lives. Seeking new answers Alison returned to school, earning two new certifications in Applied Positive Psychology and became a Certified Professional Coach. Think of her as a personal trainer for your brain. Utilizing research-proven assessment tools and practices that she's road tested throughout her own life experiences, Alison helps women get through making big life decisions, allowing them to gain peace of mind as they develop confidence in their ability to handle anything that comes their way.

Andrew Michinard is a champion for those who are struggling with alcoholism and addiction and believes that we should shine a light on recovery as well as celebrate it. The mission of his blog "The Alcoholic Next Door" is to change the stigma associated with the disease so that more people will feel empowered to ask for help. He connects those seeking recovery with others who've been through the exact same situations and are now living a life that they never originally thought possible.

Understand the concept that quitting's hard, but staying's harder--start now!

Key takeaways:

Your push-pull situation. You've got passion, you've got grit, but are you really going to take that leap knowing all the adulting you have to do? Whatever or whomever is keeping you in the "rationalization zone," now (more than ever) is the time to break free. HERE'S why…[18:21].

Your unfound moment. Do you hear it? That relentless nagging voice in your head that tells you over and over again that there's more-- more happiness, more life out there to be lived-- and it's all waiting for you. Your "moment" to let go and soar is here; just look for THESE signs...[42:46].

Your future narrative. Think of where you are now and where you want to be in 10 years. You can rationalize the "big picture" to death, but what if you succeed? What if you fail? What risks will you have taken? What opportunities will pass you by? What's your story going to be in 10 years? Before taking another step, learn THESE lessons…[56:05].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP144 - Certified Coach and Organizational Psychologist, Dr. Beth Linderbaum: Finding Happiness and Purpose in Your Work Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

A recent report from Wakefield Research states that a whopping 75% of Americans who are working traditional jobs (nine-to-fivers) are unfulfilled--is that you? Do you wake up ready to make your American Dream a reality? And what does that dream look like to you these days? The workplace environment's shifting, radically, and Dr. Beth Linderbaum, who's in the business of helping employees, leaders and teams grow, is here to guide you to your next working space of happiness and purpose.

Beth serves as a managing consultant through the Right Management Practice with the Manpower Group. She has over 15 years of experience in the area of talent management. Beth has a PhD and MA in industrial and organizational psychology. She's a certified retirement coach, Gestalt professional-certified coach, and certified coach with the International Coach Federation, who joins her clients on the journey of discovery. Beth's philosophy is based on a quote from Edith Wharton, which claims there are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

Find real joy in all you do and be led by your working experiences, starting NOW!

Key takeaways:

The working schedule. The working environment's shifting into a "gig economy" in which people are realizing the nine-to-five mentality isn't just the only way to work anymore. It's about building an on-demand work schedule and becoming indispensable in your own talents. The ONE thing you need to know before turning in your resignation…[07:48].

The job description. When focusing on the typical life stages and generational differences within the workforce, millennials are making waves. Seeking purpose and meaning in their jobs, this group is speaking out on things we all really do want. How can you reach that level of freedom and purpose as well? Start HERE…[15:37]

The personal hunt. Today's workforce runs harder, works faster, and achieves more. There's NO "me time." So, how can you carve out a moment to really focus on the job possibilities ahead, let alone toy with the idea of building your personal brand? It's a series of simple steps, the first one is…[22:00].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP143 - Feminist Activist and Pussyhat Project Creator, Krista Suh: Create Your Own Movement Jun 12, 2018

Show notes

It comes to us like a flash. We're angry, or inspired, or ready to take action, but then the thought passes, as we begin to feel like it is insurmountable, or to think things like we can "never make a difference." What if we could heed the call, and listen to that inner voice, beyond what we think we "should" be doing? What if we could rally a community around that idea to have it to go viral, reaching way beyond what we could imagine is possible?

Today's guest is an advocate for women's rights and empowerment who got together an intimate group of thoughtful, committed citizens, and their actions caught the attention of the country. In January 2017, the Pussyhat Project inspired the sea of pink hats worn by the hundreds of thousands of people who marched for women's rights. Krista Suh sparked this big idea and is a feminist activist who wants to make the world safer for women and to inspire creativity. Her new book, DIY Rules for a WTF World: How to Speak Up, Get Creative, and Change the World is full of passion, purpose, and inspires others to create their own movements.

Here are the takeaways:

Turn frustration into action. On election night of November 2016, Krista found herself devastated, and learned that across the country, other women were feeling the same way. A few days later, Krista knew that the women's' march plans were forming and she wanted to be a part of this history in the making. She began to think of how she could make a change in the world and participate, what outfit she could wear, or what sign she could hold up. Knowing it would be much colder in Washington, D.C. than her temperate Los Angeles home climate, the idea came to her to knit a warm, simple item. A sea of pink hats would make a visual statement of strength and solidarity, and as a newbie knitter, she wanted something that was easy enough for a beginner to make … [0:02:42]

Tap into your community. Krista feels she tapped into crafts that seemed like "women's work" such as knitting and crocheting, to make a rebellious statement against the patriarchy. When you view yourself as a hero of your own life, the simple act of wearing or making these hats would make these people heroes too. Krista also tapped into the community that was already there for women who wanted to connect and support one another; it was automatic in the culture of the "stitch and bitch." By putting the need for action with the need for community together, she gave women a way to take a stand … [0:09:08]

Let go of the "shoulds" and listen to your inner voice. We often feel the pressure of what we "should" do next; turn your idea into a non-profit, market something, or take more action. After her idea went viral, people in the know were throwing ideas at Krista, but none of those things felt right to her. She continued to follow her intuition and her voice and wrote a book at that time. Through learning how to breathe, Krista learned to slow down her mind and listen to what was important to her, rather than getting distracted by other people's ideas … [0:12:50]

We hope you enjoy the conversation and walk away feeling empowered enough to blaze your own trail. Give it a listen and then download this week's Momentum Builder to uncover the "spark" that lights your fire.

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP142 - Authors Simone and Malcolm Collins: The Pragmatist's Guide to Life Jun 05, 2018

Show notes

When you look in the mirror, who do you see? What do you believe in? What are you all about? The real answers to these questions are buried deep inside, but with a little help and some tangible advice from the authors of The Pragmatist's Guide to Life, Simone and Malcolm Collins, you can break down the hard truths you must face in order to achieve your highest potential.

Malcolm was originally a neuroscientist focused on the brain-computer interface and the evolution of human cognition. With an interest to learn more about the way humans interact with the world and each other he pursued an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he met his wife and co-author, Simone. Simone at the time was the director of marketing at hubpages.com, managing a team of over 20, 000 freelancers. Together they went on to co-found the art commission marketplace www.ArtCorgi.com, after which Malcolm became the director of strategy at South Korea's most desired source of early-stage capital, while Simone earned her graduate degree from Cambridge.

Get to know why you do what you do and how you've arrived to be the person you currently are, starting now!

Key takeaways:

Your true self. You are who you are--from the style of clothes you wear down the vocabulary you use. Those simple, yet vital, details of yourself define you at first glance, but what if you want more? What if there's a version of you that's just waiting to burst through? For your ultimate transformation, start by asking yourself THIS question…[14:40].

Your reason for being. Going through a deep discovery process is tough. You're going to ask yourself challenging questions, uncover hard truths about yourself, and eventually evaluate what your purpose in life is. And that "purpose" is so much more than one achievable thing, it's bigger than life; but when you find it, it'll look like THIS…[26:51].

Your tree of life. To build a sturdy structure, you have to have a strong foundation. The same applies to the body and soul. You want to nourish and fuel it with everything it needs to be fulfilled, but you need a game plan. Learn THIS secret to establishing your roots …[37:17].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP141 - Author and Counselor, J.A. Plosker: On Being a Nobody May 29, 2018

Show notes

What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Who are we? These questions seem to be coming up more and more in our daily pursuits. Is it a lack of faith or a decrease in church attendance that has us in an existential crisis? Is a decreased satisfaction at work having us examine if we are on the right path? These questions are out there, and we may need to look back to old philosophies and historical books to find the answers we're seeking. We have come across just the right "nobody" to delve into this inquiry with.

By a "nobody," we mean someone who's not rich, famous, or religiously ordained--who's just a regular guy who mows the lawn every weekend and lives a "normal" life. A former social worker and counselor, J.A. Plosker spent years teaching philosophy and comparative religion to college students seeking answers to life's most important questions. In his quest for the truth, he chose to publish the award-winning book, The Nobody Bible: Uncovering The Simple Wisdom In Ordinary Life. By examining ancient wisdom, he found that the keys to discovering satisfaction in everyday life are by focusing on the simple things.

Key takeaways:

Benefits of being a nobody. The word nobody tends to have a negative connotation, but when J.A. approached the idea of a book, he thought "who am I to write a book on philosophy? I'm NOBODY." Then, he happened upon a spiritual teacher who said that being nobody is the highest level you can attain in spirituality. You can let go of the ego, and surrender to what is … [0:03:38]

It's all love. As Plosker studied religious philosophies, he learned that they all had one thing in common--they all start with love. This experience radiates to kindness, compassion, and being of service. Even today, with the instant way social media can connect us, it is a medium to reach out and love one another … [0:08:35]

Practice discipline. Whether it's time on the meditation cushion, the yoga mat, or in the church or synagogue, part of our devotion and putting in the work takes discipline. Take the time to be quiet with yourself, and go within to gain self-knowledge, self-connection, and tap into something beyond your limiting beliefs … [0:14:56]

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

EP140 - Author & Hospice Chaplain, Kerry Egan: What You Might Regret May 22, 2018

Show notes

How are you living? Are you moving forward freely each and every day, without any regrets, living a life that as full and rich as it can be? For many of us, the answer is 'no.' Can we change that response? Kerry Egan, a hospice chaplain, shares how it doesn't matter whether you have 10-days left on this earth or 45 more years, change is possible and your life, today, right at this very moment, is worth making it as meaningful as it can be.

Kerry's a Harvard Divinity School-educated hospice chaplain and author of the book On Living. She's a former Writer in Residence at the Aspen Institute's Aspen Words program and has been featured on PBS News Hour as well as CNN's Morning Edition. Kerry's essays have appeared in The New York Times, CNN.com, The Washington Post, Oprah.com, Woman's Day, Parents and Reader's Digest, among many others.

Have your world, your entire world, open up—and see your life for the incredible journey that it is.

Key takeaways:

Living in strength. All too often we're put into situations where we feel powerless; a loved one passes, your child's relentlessly sick, etc. And although you feel helpless, you're stronger than you think. HERE'S where your true power lies…[10:22].

Living in shamelessness. When someone feels ashamed about themselves it means there's a part of them they feel is unlovable and it's as though revealing this terrible, hidden side of themselves will make their world crumble and become unlivable. But there's another way to see it. THIS is why a shameless secret is really kept…[22:55].

Living in regret. Take a few minutes and think about where you are in your life right at this very moment. If you were to die tomorrow, would you have any regrets? What would they actually reveal about you? Instead of looking at them in sorrow, try THIS approach…[27:47].

Tune in and turn the volume up for a dose of inspiration and life lessons. You're never more than One Idea Away from a whole, new reality.

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