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Welcome to a soul-stirring episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times with your host, Chris Schembra. Set against the festive backdrop of New York City during the holiday season, this conversation is an inspiring reminder of the power of gratitude, connection, and intentional living. Joining Chris is Felipe Gómez, a world-renowned thought leader, virtuoso pianist, and keynote speaker who has captivated audiences across 33 countries with his unique blend of music and leadership insights.
Felipe’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days learning piano under a patient and dedicated teacher to delivering over 1,000 electrifying performances on global stages, Felipe’s life is a testament to the power of passion and purpose. As a speaker, he combines ancient philosophies, modern leadership principles, and his prodigious musical talent to create experiences that resonate deeply with audiences. In this episode, Felipe and Chris unpack timeless lessons on gratitude, love, learning, and leadership, offering listeners a playbook for transformational living.
Chris kicks off the episode with his signature warmth, reminding us all of the magic of small moments and the power of shared experiences. Felipe’s reflections on his first piano teacher, Clara Lucia Sanchez, lay the foundation for a conversation that seamlessly weaves personal stories with actionable insights. Together, Chris and Felipe explore themes like the tension and release of life, the science of gratitude, and the profound impact of small, intentional choices.
Felipe’s philosophy is rooted in Aristotle’s golden mean—the balance between excess and deficiency—and he brings this ancient wisdom to life with practical examples and heartfelt anecdotes. He also highlights the transformative power of listening, encouraging leaders to embrace questions like “Tell me more” and “How can I help?” to build trust, empathy, and connection. Throughout the episode, Felipe and Chris demonstrate how gratitude, music, and human connection can serve as antidotes to a world often consumed by division and distraction.
As they close out the conversation, Chris and Felipe share their vision for a live event series that combines their passions—food, music, and leadership—to inspire and unite communities. This episode is a masterclass in finding beauty in the everyday, cultivating resilience, and making the choice to live with gratitude and purpose.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Felipe reflects on the life-changing impact of his first piano teacher and how her dedication inspired his lifelong love of music.Chris and Felipe explore the golden mean, Aristotle’s philosophy of balance, and how it applies to modern leadership and life.The importance of listening as a leadership skill is unpacked, with Felipe urging listeners to ask powerful questions like “Tell me more.”Chris shares the science of gratitude, detailing how it improves physical health, mental resilience, and overall happiness.Felipe draws a parallel between life and music, emphasizing the rhythm of tension and release as essential for growth and harmony.Together, they discuss how small, daily choices to learn, love, and explore can lead to a more meaningful and joyful life.Notable Quotes:
"Gratitude is the bridge between where we are and where we want to be." – Chris Schembra"We are designed to learn, to explore, and to love—every day is a chance to do all three." – Felipe Gómez"The most profound moments of joy come when we serve others, not ourselves." – Felipe Gómez"Ingratitude is the seed of all wickedness—it’s time we turn it into gratitude and growth." – Chris Schembra"Listening is an act of love, and it opens the door to empathy, understanding, and trust." – Felipe Gómez"Tension is part of life, but release is where growth happens. Don’t dwell in the tension." – Chris Schembra"Love, in its truest form, is the ultimate virtue—it has no limits, only power to transform." – Felipe Gómez"If you want to live a life of gratitude, don’t wait for the big moments. Start with the small ones." – Chris Schembra"In every conversation, the most important thing isn’t what’s said—it’s what remains unsaid." – Felipe Gómez"Virtue is found in the balance—between excess and deficiency lies the path to greatness." – Felipe Gómez"The greatest civilizations crumbled when gratitude disappeared. Let’s not repeat history." – Chris Schembra"To become virtuous, you have to act virtuously. Justice requires acts of justice, love requires acts of love." – Felipe Gómez"Gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s a tool for healing, hope, and humanity." – Chris Schembra"Ask two questions every day: 'Tell me more' and 'How can I help?' These will change your life." – Felipe Gómez"You don’t need permission or privilege to make the choice to learn, explore, and love. It’s yours to claim every day." – Chris SchembraActionable Takeaways:
Gratitude fuels growth: It fosters healing, connection, and personal transformation.The power of small choices: Everyday acts of learning, exploring, and loving lead to a meaningful life.Listen to lead: Effective listening builds trust, empathy, and innovation in leadership and life.Tension and release: Life’s challenges are part of a rhythm—embrace the tension and find moments of release to thrive.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Felipe Gómez is a globally renowned speaker, virtuoso pianist, and thought leader whose work bridges the worlds of music, leadership, and personal transformation. With over 1,000 captivating performances delivered in 33 countries and 111 cities, Felipe has earned standing ovations from audiences around the world. His unique ability to blend classical music with practical leadership insights makes him one of the most sought-after keynote speakers today.
Felipe’s success is built on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, business leader, and artist. He has delivered his message at some of the world’s most prestigious management and leadership forums, including the Global Peter Drucker Forum, the Oslo Business Forum, and the World Business Forum in New York, Madrid, Milan, and Sydney.
In his keynote presentations, Felipe uses a grand piano on stage to create a deeply interactive and transformative experience. Through music, he teaches profound lessons on leadership, trust, innovation, and teamwork, inspiring individuals and organizations to achieve greatness. His philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Aristotle and the concept of the “golden mean,” which he applies to modern challenges in life and business.
Felipe is also a celebrated author. His best-selling book, Attitude-E, offers practical frameworks for living with an entrepreneurial mindset, while his upcoming release, Virtuoso, explores the art of living and leading with excellence. Felipe hosts Pensando en Voz Alta, a weekly interview program where he engages with global leaders on topics of creativity, resilience, and transformation.
Born in Colombia, Felipe holds an MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, where he also completed a program on Leading Digital Business Transformation. He combines his global perspective with the sensibility of an artist, delivering a message that resonates across cultures and industries.
Whether he’s inspiring corporate executives, performing on stage, or engaging with audiences through his 42-Day Listening Challenge, Felipe’s mission is clear: to help people orchestrate transformational change in their personal and professional lives.
Connect with Felipe Gómez:
Website: Learn more about Felipe's work and upcoming events.
Felipe GomezLinkedIn: Connect with Felipe on LinkedIn.ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS**
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Felipe’s 42-Day Listening Program: Subscribe for a daily dose of classical music and reflection.Chris Schembra’s Book: Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hour.Adam Grant’s Book: Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.Barbara Fredrickson’s Research: Learn about the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. -
In this captivating episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra welcomes innovation expert, entrepreneur, and jazz musician Josh Linkner to explore the profound connection between creativity, gratitude, and success. Josh, a New York Times bestselling author and founder of five tech companies, shares how his diverse experiences—from navigating high-stakes business ventures to performing over 1,000 jazz concerts—have shaped his unique philosophy on unlocking human potential.
Josh dives deep into the principles behind his latest book, Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results. He explains how small, consistent acts of creativity—not risky moonshots—are the key to driving transformational outcomes in business and life. Together, Josh and Chris unpack the importance of mindset, the power of gratitude in unleashing creative potential, and why celebrating others' success (a concept known as Mudita) can bring unparalleled fulfillment.
This episode is packed with actionable insights, including Josh’s “Two-Minute Creativity Ritual” for daily innovation and his revolutionary approach to brainstorming—“Role Storming”—that encourages you to think outside the box by stepping into a new persona. Josh also shares vulnerable stories of overcoming self-doubt, from learning to sing in his 50s to embracing mistakes as vital stepping stones to greatness.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking fresh ideas, a leader looking to inspire your team, or simply someone striving for a more creative and fulfilling life, this conversation offers a roadmap to transform fear into curiosity, inaction into experimentation, and stagnation into growth. Prepare to be inspired to awaken your inner artist and embrace the small, deliberate acts of creativity that can lead to life-changing results.
Grab a notebook, settle in, and get ready to tap into the power of gratitude, belief, and everyday innovation to create a life filled with purpose and possibility.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The Power of Gratitude: How gratitude opens the door to creativity, minimizes fear, and enhances problem-solving.Big Little Breakthroughs: Why small, incremental innovations often outperform giant moonshots in driving success.The Two-Minute Creativity Ritual: A simple daily practice to cultivate creative thinking in just two minutes.Role Storming vs. Brainstorming: A fun and effective technique for generating bold ideas by stepping into a character or role.Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: How Josh shattered his own self-imposed limits by learning to sing at 50—and how you can tackle your own doubts.Mudita: The joy of celebrating others’ success and its transformative impact on personal and professional growth.Notable Quotes:
"Gratitude is the antidote to fear and suffering. It helps us plug into our creative potential and see the world through a lens of abundance." — Josh Linkner"Instead of ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ shift to ‘I’ll see it when I believe it.’ Belief is the starting point for innovation." — Josh Linkner"We’re all artists. Whether you’re a chef, a trial lawyer, or a parent, creativity is about challenging norms and creating something new." — Josh Linkner"The riskiest move is often inaction. Small creative experiments allow us to de-risk and learn as we go." — Josh Linkner"Gratitude doesn’t just shift perspective; it opens the door to innovation and creates space for others to succeed alongside us." — Chris SchembraActionable Takeaways:
Try the Two-Minute Creativity Workout: Spend one minute immersing yourself in another’s creativity (e.g., music, art, poetry) and one minute brainstorming solutions to an unrelated problem.Challenge a Limiting Belief: Identify something you’ve told yourself you “can’t do,” and take one small step to prove yourself wrong.Practice Role Storming: At your next team meeting, role-play as someone like Lady Gaga, Yoda, or an alien to generate bold ideas without fear of judgment.Reflect on Gratitude: Answer the question, “Who’s one person you’ve never thanked, but whose impact on your life deserves recognition?” Take action to express that gratitude.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Josh Linkner— a New York Times bestselling author — is a rare blend of business, art, and science. On the business front, he’s been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which created over 10,000 jobs and sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s the co-founder and Managing Partner of Muditā (moo-DEE-tah) Venture Partners - an early-stage venture capital firm investing in groundbreaking technologies. Over the last 30 years, he’s helped over 100 startups launch and scale, creating over $1 billion in investor returns. He’s twice been named the EY Entrepreneur of The Year and is the recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award. While proud of his business success, his roots are in the dangerous world of jazz music. He’s been playing guitar in smoky jazz clubs for 40 years, studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and has performed over 1000 concerts around the world. His experiences in both business and music led him to become one of the world’s foremost experts on innovation. Josh is the co-founder and Chairman of Platypus Labs, a global research, training, and consulting firm. Today, he’s on a mission to help leaders Find A WayTM through creative problem-solving, inventive thinking, and ingenuity.
FOLLOW JOSH:
Website:joshlinkner.comLinkedIn:Josh LinknerInstagram:@joshlinknerTwitter:@JoshLinknerABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS**
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Josh Linkner’s Latest Book: Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized ResultsMudita Venture Partners: WebsitePlatypus Labs: WebsiteFelipe Gomez’s Art of Listening: Subscribe -
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In this inspiring episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with David Landman, a former senior HR executive at Goldman Sachs, to explore his transformative journey from corporate success to living a life centered on joy, gratitude, and purpose.
David, who is passionate about making work more sustainable, fulfilling, and inclusive for everyone, shares how his career transition was sparked by a desire to escape stagnation and create a more meaningful life. After 20 years at Goldman Sachs, David now dedicates his time to supporting visionary founders, investors, and innovators who are redefining what it means to thrive in the workplace.
Through his work, David:
Advises some of the world’s most innovative HR tech startups and venture capitalists.Builds communities of CHROs and HR executives passionate about giving back.Shares his knowledge with the next generation of HR leaders.In the episode, David introduces “The Long Exhale,” a framework for rediscovering joy and purpose. He shares actionable steps for leaders to break free from burnout, foster gratitude, and create lasting impact—both in their personal and professional lives.
This conversation is filled with practical insights, including how to:
Take small actions to get unstuck.Shift from an inward to an outward mindset.Adopt an abundance mindset and embrace joy over achievement.David’s guiding principle is clear: When we lift others up, we can all succeed. This episode is a call to action for leaders and changemakers to co-create a better future of work together, fueled by empathy, gratitude, and human connection.
Key Discussion Points:
David’s Journey from Corporate Executive to Joyful LivingSigns of Feeling StuckThe Long Exhale FrameworkThe Role of Gratitude in Leadership and LifeRedefining SuccessNature as a Tool for Perspective and RenewalChallenges of Transitioning to a New Way of BeingPractical Actions for Leaders and IndividualsDavid’s Vision for the Future of WorkThe Call to Rediscover JoyNotable Quotes:
David Landman:
“I’m working for joy now, and it’s so freaking amazing.”Chris Schembra:
“Misery is optional. Let’s rediscover joy and wake up to the beauties of life.”David Landman:
“The Long Exhale is about relaxing into the moment, finding gratitude, and following the things that bring you purpose and joy.”David Landman:
“When we lift others up, we can all succeed. Let’s co-create a better future of work together.”Chris Schembra:
“Just because you find your purpose doesn’t mean the journey will be all sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. But it will be worth it.”David Landman:
“I was stuck, not because I didn’t know what to do next, but because I was afraid to take that first step. Small actions are the key to big transformations.”David Landman:
“I spent 20 years climbing the corporate ladder, and now I’ve discovered the joy of walking the forest trail.”Chris Schembra:
“Adopting an outward mindset opens the door to connection, gratitude, and rediscovering joy.”David Landman:
“Life doesn’t have to be about rigid plans or fixed destinations. It’s about following the breadcrumbs of what brings you joy and meaning.”Chris Schembra:
“Gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice that can transform your relationships, your leadership, and your life.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
David Landman is a seasoned Human Resources executive with a distinguished career, primarily spent at Goldman Sachs where he served for over 20 years. As the Global Head of Talent Development and a member of the Human Capital Management Executive Committee, he played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's talent strategy and implementing strategic initiatives that drove business performance and enhanced diversity. Renowned for his expertise in talent practices, Landman's work has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes. Following his tenure at Goldman Sachs, he has dedicated his time to supporting visionary companies and innovators, serving as an advisor to HR technology companies and leading the CHRO community at PeopleTech Enterprise. An active speaker at institutions like Columbia University and a participant in various conferences and podcasts, Landman emphasizes the importance of feedback in personal and professional growth. He recently joined Loupe's Advisory Board, where he promotes employee development and feedback as key business priorities, advocating for a humane, connected, and fulfilling work environment.
Connect with David Landman:LinkedIn:David Landman
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS**
Resources Mentioned:Book: 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanPractice: Japanese Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) -
In this insightful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra welcomes Mitch Warner, Managing Partner at The Arbinger Institute and co-author of Leadership and Self-Deception. Mitch guides us through the core principles of Arbinger’s groundbreaking work, exploring the central idea of self-deception—a psychological barrier that prevents individuals from seeing others clearly and, ultimately, impedes personal and organizational growth.
Mitch introduces the concept of self-deception as the tendency to see ourselves inaccurately, often with a biased or distorted lens, which leads us to misjudge others as obstacles or tools rather than as people with legitimate needs and perspectives. This inward mindset results from what Arbinger terms self-betrayal, a failure to act on our internal sense of how we should treat others. Mitch emphasizes that self-deception is not just a personal issue but a core problem in organizations, affecting everything from team collaboration to leadership effectiveness. He explains how leaders unwittingly create and sustain the very conflicts they seek to resolve by failing to see their own role in the challenges they face.
The discussion shifts to Arbinger’s proposed solution: shifting from an inward mindset to an outward mindset. Mitch explains that an inward mindset centers on self-justification, blame, and defensiveness, where others are seen merely as obstacles or means to achieve personal goals. By contrast, an outward mindset recognizes others as individuals with needs, goals, and aspirations as real as our own. Mitch discusses how adopting an outward mindset can transform workplaces, leading to stronger relationships, better communication, higher accountability, and improved results.
One of the most powerful concepts discussed is the idea of collusion—a cycle of conflict where two or more people reinforce each other’s negative behaviors. Mitch describes how this dynamic is fueled by self-deception, as individuals are more focused on defending their own views than understanding others’ perspectives. Collusion often manifests as blame, resentment, and resistance, creating silos and perpetuating dysfunction in teams. Mitch explains that breaking the cycle of collusion requires leaders to first recognize their own part in the conflict, shifting their focus from changing others to changing themselves.
Mitch also offers insights into the updated 4th edition of Leadership and Self-Deception, which features modernized examples, diverse characters, and new scenarios that address contemporary workplace challenges. The new edition incorporates practical tools and study guides to help readers apply Arbinger’s principles in both personal and professional contexts. Mitch outlines some of these tools, such as identifying moments of self-betrayal, practicing active curiosity about others, and implementing feedback loops that promote transparency and accountability.
The episode concludes with a discussion of why these concepts are particularly relevant today. Mitch emphasizes that in a world marked by uncertainty, division, and rapid change, the ability to see others clearly and adopt an outward mindset is more urgent than ever. He explains how leaders who embrace these principles can create workplaces that are more inclusive, resilient, and adaptable. By fostering cultures where people are genuinely seen and valued, organizations can enhance performance, improve retention, and unlock greater potential at every level.
Why You Should Listen:
If you’re a leader, manager, or someone interested in personal development, this episode offers a practical framework for understanding how mindset shapes behavior, relationships, and organizational outcomes. Mitch Warner presents Arbinger’s concepts with clarity, making complex psychological principles accessible and actionable. Whether you're facing communication breakdowns, conflict, or disengagement within your team, the concepts of self-deception, collusion, and outward mindset will provide you with new ways to diagnose and address root problems. By applying these principles, you can transform not only your leadership but also your everyday interactions, creating deeper connections and achieving sustainable results.
Key Discussion Points:
Self-Deception as a Barrier to Leadership.The Inward vs. Outward Mindset.Collusion: A Cycle of Blame and Justification.Self-Betrayal as the Root of Dysfunction.Practical Tools for Mindset Shift.Notable Quotes:
“Self-deception isn't about the other person—it's about us and the stories we create to justify our behavior.” — Mitch Warner“To change others, leaders must first change themselves. It starts by seeing our own contributions to the problems we face.” — Mitch Warner“When leaders have the courage to recognize how they contribute to problems, they open the door to transformational change—not just for themselves, but for their entire organizations.” — Mitch Warner“Imagine a workplace where no one has an image to protect—where people are fully open to feedback and focused solely on the mission.” — Mitch Warner“We often create the very conflicts we seek to resolve by failing to see others clearly and acting from a place of self-deception.” — Mitch Warner“Gratitude is one of the tools that can shift us from an inward to an outward mindset, helping us to acknowledge the humanity and value of others.” — Chris SchembraAction Items:
Subscribe: If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe for more heart-centered discussions on leadership, empathy, and gratitude.Share: Send this episode to someone who could use inspiration and a reminder to practice gratitude.Reflect: Who in your life deserves a thank you? Take a moment today to reach out and express your gratitude.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Mitch Warner is a bestselling author and Arbinger managing partner with a background in healthcare and organizational turnaround. Mitch is the co-author of Arbinger’s latest bestseller, The Outward Mindset. He writes frequently on the practical effects of mindset at the individual and organizational levels as well as the role of leadership in transforming organizational culture and results. He is an expert on mindset and culture change, leadership, strategy, performance management, organizational turnaround, and conflict resolution.
Mitch is a sought-after speaker to organizations across a range of industries, bringing his practical experience to bear for leaders of corporations, governments, and organizations across the globe. Specific clients include NASA, Citrix, Aflac, the U.S. Army and Air Force, the Treasury Executive Institute, and Intermountain Healthcare. Mitch carries his first-hand perspective as a proven leader into his speeches and facilitation, dynamically bringing Arbinger’s concepts and tools to life through his powerful stories and hands-on experience. His audiences leave inspired to improve and equipped with a practical roadmap to effect immediate change.
In his role as managing partner, Mitch directs the development of Arbinger’s intellectual property, training and consulting programs, and highly customized largescale organizational change initiatives. He has been instrumental in Arbinger’s rapid growth, including its expanding international presence in nearly 30 countries. Mitch received his B.A. in philosophy and is a licensed nursing administrator. Trained in fine art at the Art Students League and the National Academy, he spends much of his free time painting. His work hangs in organizations nationwide.
FOLLOW MITCH:
Leadership and Self-Deception (4th Edition):Amazon LinkThe Arbinger Institute:WebsiteFollow Mitch Warner on LinkedIn:LinkedIn ProfileFollow the Arbinger Institute on Twitter:@ArbingerInstABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS**
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In this deeply moving and insightful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra engages in a heartfelt conversation with Sandeep Angra, Chief Information and Technology Officer (CIO/CTO) of the 40,000 person strong company, Unifi, the largest airport ground-handling company in North America and Europe. With over three decades of IT leadership experience spanning various industries, Sandeep’s professional achievements are significant, but today’s conversation takes us beyond his impressive resume.
This episode focuses on the themes of gratitude, humility, and spirituality, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the personal beliefs and life lessons that have shaped Sandeep's journey. He reflects on his upbringing in a small village in India, where his parents made enormous sacrifices to provide him with the opportunity to pursue education—a theme that resonates deeply throughout the episode. Sandeep’s father, a schoolteacher who walked 15 kilometers to work to save money for his children's tuition, and his mother, a primary school teacher, instilled in him values of hard work, humility, and gratitude that continue to guide him today.
Sandeep's personal philosophy centers on the belief that gratitude is the cornerstone of success, both in life and leadership. He speaks candidly about the importance of acknowledging the people who have supported us along the way—whether they are still with us or not—and how expressing gratitude strengthens both personal and professional relationships. Throughout the conversation, Sandeep delves into his spiritual beliefs, sharing his thoughts on karma, incarnation, and the interconnectedness of life, drawing on influences from both Eastern philosophy and scientific thought, such as Einstein’s reflections on the nature of reality.
Listeners are invited to consider three essential questions: Who am I? Why am I here? How can I help others? These questions form the foundation of Sandeep’s life philosophy, one that calls us to live with purpose, to give selflessly, and to remain humble regardless of external achievements.
The episode is not just a reflection on leadership in business, but also on the leadership of the heart—how empathy, kindness, and serving others can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional success. Sandeep shares stories from his career in global IT leadership, highlighting the ways in which gratitude and humility have not only helped him navigate challenges but have also allowed him to build high-performing teams, implement transformative technology projects, and align corporate objectives with human values.
Chris and Sandeep also explore the power of giving without expectation—a recurring theme that underscores the entire conversation. In a world that often values material success and self-promotion, Sandeep reminds us that true fulfillment comes from giving generously, whether through acts of kindness, mentorship, or simply acknowledging the contributions of others.
By the end of the episode, listeners will walk away with not just actionable leadership advice, but a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of how gratitude can enrich both their personal and professional lives. Sandeep’s wisdom reminds us that the journey of giving, whether to our families, our communities, or even to strangers, is a difficult but immensely rewarding one—one that ultimately defines our legacy.
Whether you’re an executive, a leader, or simply someone seeking more meaning in life, this episode offers valuable insights into how we can all lead with humility, harness the power of gratitude, and create a more compassionate, connected world.
Key Discussion Points:
Sandeep’s Humble Beginnings: Growing up in a small village in India, with parents who sacrificed everything to ensure their children received a quality education.Gratitude for Life’s Guides: Sandeep reflects on the people who shaped his journey, including his parents, teachers, and his wife, who supported him through difficult decisions.Living with Gratitude and Humility: The importance of giving thanks and remaining humble, no matter where life takes you.Spiritual Reflections: How spirituality and karma play a significant role in Sandeep’s approach to life, including his belief in reincarnation and universal connection.Leadership through Service: Sandeep shares the idea that true leadership is about serving others selflessly, and how that has been the foundation of his career.Applying Gratitude to Everyday Life: Simple yet profound questions everyone should ask themselves: "Who am I?" and "How can I help?"Notable Quotes:
Sandeep Angra: "If you want to attract good, you must be good. What you give to the world is what you will get in return. That is the law of karma."Chris Schembra: "To do something without expecting anything in return is the most difficult journey a human being will take."Sandeep Angra: "You cannot give to the world what you don’t have. If you have anger, that’s what you’ll give. If you have kindness, that’s what you’ll give."Action Items:Subscribe: If this conversation resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe for more heart-centered discussions on leadership, empathy, and gratitude.Share: Send this episode to someone who could use inspiration and a reminder to practice gratitude.Reflect: Who in your life deserves a thank you? Take a moment today to reach out and express your gratitude.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Sandeep Angra is the Chief Information and Technology Officer (CIO/CTO) for the largest airport ground handling company, which operates across more than 250 airports in Europe and North America. With over 30 years of experience in IT leadership, Sandeep has worked in industries including Big4 consulting, travel and logistics, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and consumer goods. He has led a range of digital transformation projects, such as ERP implementation, Cloud Adoption, AI/ML integration, and Automation, managing budgets up to $250 million. These projects have contributed to business growth, improved customer value, increased productivity, and cost reductions. Sandeep is experienced in building teams, developing IT strategies, and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
**WEBSITE |INSTAGRAM |LINKEDIN |BOOKS**
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In this insightful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with Michael J. O'Brien, founder of The BluePrint Toolset®, Inc., to explore how leaders can ignite the joy of work and foster positive cultural transformation within organizations. With over 35 years of experience coaching executives and consulting across diverse industries, Michael shares his journey from finance to becoming a leader in behavioral economics and corporate culture.
Michael explains the significance of focusing on strengths through appreciative inquiry—shifting attention from solving problems to amplifying what works well. He introduces his coaching model based on five key questions that help leaders foster growth and resilience in their teams. They discuss how mindset plays a crucial role in shaping outcomes, drawing on Barbara Fredrickson’s Broaden and Build Theory to highlight how positive emotions drive innovation and productivity.
The conversation also touches on the parallels between leadership and parenting, emphasizing the importance of helping others grow independently. Michael reflects on the power of gratitude in overcoming adversity and building resilient teams. They discuss the negativity bias, which makes it easier to focus on problems, and how cultivating a mindset of gratitude can break this cycle, leading to greater fulfillment.
The episode closes with an exploration of whether kindness is on the rise or decline, with both Chris and Michael asserting that while negativity captures our attention, acts of kindness are more prevalent than we think. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders and anyone looking to bring more joy, purpose, and positivity into their work and life.
Key Discussion Points:
From Problem Solving to Possibility Thinking:
Michael’s BluePrint Toolset helps leaders unlock their teams’ potential through positive psychology and mindset shifts.Focus on what’s working and build on that through appreciative inquiry.The Importance of Joy in Work:
Instead of striving for happiness, aim for joy and flow in work. When people find joy in their work, productivity and fulfillment follow.Michael highlights that joy can be as rewarding in the workplace as it is in personal hobbies.Leadership & Parenting Parallels:
Michael draws a parallel between leadership and parenting, stressing that great leaders inspire and develop others, much like a good parent fosters growth in their children.He encourages leaders to focus on the long-term development of their teams and help them see how their efforts make a difference.Gratitude & Growth in the Face of Adversity:
Gratitude plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth. Adversity, if reframed positively, can lead to resilience and transformative change.Referencing research, both Michael and Chris discuss how mindset and gratitude can create an upward spiral of growth and fulfillment.Shifting from Negativity to Opportunity:
The human brain has a natural bias towards negativity, but by shifting focus to positive experiences and possibilities, leaders can create a more optimistic, resilient, and productive culture.Notable Quotes:
“To go from average to amazing requires appreciative inquiry. It’s about focusing on what’s working and finding ways to do more of it.” – Michael J. O'Brien“Joy in work leads to happiness, not the other way around.” – Michael J. O'Brien“Gratitude shifts our perspective, which shifts our beliefs, our actions, and ultimately our reality.” – Chris Schembra Action Items:Take the Blueprint Toolset® Assessment: Unlock your organization’s potential and enhance your team’s leadership abilities.Practice Appreciative Inquiry: Begin asking your team members about their recent successes and how you can help them grow. Implement Michael’s five questions for regular one-on-one check-ins.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Michael J. O’Brien is the visionary founder of The BluePrint Toolset®, Inc., a platform that transforms intangible cultural insights into actionable strategies for organizations, leaders, and teams. With a diverse background in finance, economics, and human behavior, Michael has been guiding organizations to success for over 35 years. He has personally coached over 5,000 senior executives across six continents and co-authored ThinkBanking & Corporate Webbing — 50 Secrets to Success in the Digital Age. Michael currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife Angela and their dogs, Luna and Daisy.
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ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
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In this powerful episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Dr. Tony Nader, a leading neuroscientist, global head of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement, and author of the groundbreaking book Consciousness Is All There Is. Together, they explore the profound impact of understanding and expanding consciousness on personal well-being and collective transformation.
Dr. Nader shares his journey from his early life in Lebanon to his academic pursuits at MIT and Harvard Medical School, and ultimately to his role as a global leader in the TM movement. He explains the core idea that consciousness is the foundation of reality, challenging the traditional belief that the material world is the primary source of existence. The discussion dives into the four states of consciousness—sleeping, dreaming, waking, and transcendental consciousness—and how TM uniquely allows access to a deeper, more restful state that enhances creativity, peace, and fulfillment.
Listeners will also learn about the higher states of consciousness—cosmic, God, and unity consciousness—and how they can be achieved through the practice of TM. Dr. Nader emphasizes the practical benefits of regular meditation, including improved health, increased productivity, and a profound sense of inner peace.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the deeper aspects of consciousness and how it can transform their life. Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, Dr. Nader’s insights offer valuable guidance on living a more meaningful and connected life.
Key Discussion Points:
Core Philosophy of Consciousness:
Dr. Nader introduces the central thesis of his book Consciousness Is All There Is, proposing that consciousness is the fundamental reality that shapes everything in existence.He challenges the traditional materialistic worldview that prioritizes physical reality as the basis of life, instead arguing that consciousness is primary and material reality emerges from it.This paradigm shift encourages listeners to reconsider their understanding of reality and their place within it, highlighting the transformative potential of expanded consciousness.The Four States of Consciousness:
The episode dives into the four major states of consciousness: sleeping, dreaming, waking, and transcendental consciousness.Dr. Nader explains how TM uniquely facilitates access to transcendental consciousness, a state of restful alertness where the mind is deeply quiet yet fully awake.This fourth state of consciousness is described as a gateway to profound inner peace, heightened creativity, and a deeper sense of fulfillment, distinguishing it from the other three states.Higher States of Consciousness:
The discussion expands to the higher states of consciousness: cosmic consciousness, God consciousness, and unity consciousness.Dr. Nader explains that these states represent increasingly refined levels of awareness, where one begins to perceive the interconnectedness of all things and experiences a profound sense of unity with the universe.These advanced states are attainable through consistent practice of TM and contribute to a deeper spiritual awakening, where the individual self merges with the universal self.Practical Benefits of Transcendental Meditation:
TM is presented as a simple yet powerful practice that, when done for 20 minutes twice a day, can have significant impacts on both mental and physical health.Dr. Nader outlines the practical benefits, including reduced stress, improved focus, enhanced creativity, and greater emotional resilience.TM is also linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and a more balanced nervous system, making it a highly effective tool for overall well-being.Meditate America Initiative:
Dr. Nader introduces the Meditate America program, set to launch on September 12th, with participation from celebrities like Hugh Jackman and public figures like the U.S. Surgeon General.The initiative aims to bring the benefits of TM to a broader audience, particularly in America, to address societal challenges such as stress, crime, and public health.The program highlights the potential for TM to not only transform individual lives but also to create positive shifts in collective consciousness, leading to a more peaceful and harmonious society.The Role of Gratitude and Inner Awareness:
Chris Schembra and Dr. Nader explore how gratitude plays a crucial role in expanding consciousness by focusing on the sources of our blessings, not just the material outcomes.They discuss the importance of appreciating the creator behind every creation, encouraging listeners to shift their perspective from the external to the internal.The combination of gratitude and meditation is presented as a powerful practice for deepening one’s connection to the self and the world, leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.Notable Quotes:
Dr. Tony Nader:
"Consciousness is not just another aspect of life; it is the very foundation of reality itself.""When we dive deep into our consciousness, we discover that we are not just individual waves in the ocean, but the entire ocean itself.""True happiness and fulfillment come not from acquiring more, but from realizing and being more—expanding our awareness to its fullest potential.""The beauty of Transcendental Meditation is that it allows you to connect with the deepest part of yourself, that infinite reservoir of creativity and peace.""In the stillness of transcendence, we find the clarity to see the world as it truly is—not as we think it should be."Chris Schembra:
"Meditation is a way to retire within yourself, to find peace in a world that often feels overwhelming.""We often look outside for fulfillment, but the truth is, everything we need is already within us—if we take the time to access it.""By giving ourselves the gift of meditation, we’re not just investing in our own well-being, but in the well-being of everyone we interact with.""Dr. Nader’s work teaches us that the most profound changes in our lives come from within, from the simple act of being present with our true selves.""Gratitude isn’t just about acknowledging what we have; it’s about appreciating the source of all that we are and can be."ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Dr. Nader is a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience). He was a Clinical and Research Fellow in Neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; and the Assistant Director of the MIT Clinical Research Center. He has conducted research in neurochemistry and neuroendocrinology; the relationship between diet, age, behavior, mood, seasonal influences, and hormonal activity; and the role of neurotransmitter precursors in medicine.
As founder and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Mathematics and Consciousness, Dr. Nader also offered a mathematical model for how the multiplicity of matter arises from a fundamental “singularity” of Transcendental Consciousness. For decades, Dr. Nader worked closely with TM Founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the science of consciousness, which integrates modern research with the broad-based areas of knowledge stemming from the ancient Vedic tradition, including landmark studies in peer-reviewed journals establishing Transcendental Consciousness as a fourth major state of consciousness and expanding the scientific understanding of enlightenment. Today Dr. Nader directs the international organizations that teach the Transcendental Meditation program in over 100 countries and is the definitive authority on the TM technique.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, host Chris Schembra sits down with Ash Shehata, Chief Information Officer of AHMC Healthcare System, to explore the intersection of leadership, adaptability, and human connection. Ash shares the story of a life-changing health crisis that transformed his perspective on healthcare and leadership, leading him to adopt a philosophy inspired by the adaptability and humility of water.
Chris and Ash dive into the importance of human connection in leadership, emphasizing the value of truly listening to understand rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. Drawing on lessons from Ross Perot Sr., Ash discusses how vulnerability, empathy, and the courage to make mistakes are crucial for effective leadership. They also explore the challenges of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, highlighting the need for proactive pauses—moments to step back, prioritize, and move forward with purpose.
In addition to his professional insights, Ash reflects on how the principles he applies as a father—understanding, listening, and unconditional love—inform his approach to leading a large healthcare organization. Whether you're in healthcare, business, or simply looking to lead a more connected and purposeful life, this episode offers valuable lessons on the power of empathy, adaptability, and human connection.
Key Discussion Points:
The Philosophy of Water: Ash discusses how a TED Talk on the adaptability of water profoundly influenced his approach to leadership and life. He explains that water’s qualities of being adaptable, humble, and harmonious have become central to his personal and professional philosophy (06:42:305).A Life-Altering Health Scare: Ash recounts a near-death experience in 2017 that reshaped his perspective on healthcare delivery and leadership. This moment of vulnerability emphasized the importance of empathy and the human connection in healthcare, leading Ash to re-evaluate the systems he once helped build (08:37:537).Leadership Lessons from Ross Perot Sr.: Ash shares valuable insights learned from working at Perot Systems under Ross Perot Sr. He emphasizes the importance of listening to understand rather than just waiting for a pause to speak, a lesson that has deeply impacted his leadership style (19:56:654).The Power of Human Connection: Reflecting on a dinner party where they first met, Chris and Ash discuss the significance of understanding and connecting with people at a human level. Ash notes that despite the differences in professional roles, we are more alike than different, and it’s these shared experiences that bind us together (22:28:042).Navigating Healthcare Challenges: Ash talks about the complexities of the healthcare industry and the importance of taking proactive pauses to evaluate and prioritize initiatives. He shares how sometimes taking two steps back is necessary to move forward with greater clarity and purpose (30:57:397).Closing Thoughts on Fatherhood and Leadership: Although not deeply explored in this episode, Ash’s principles of fatherhood—seeking to understand, listening without always solving, remembering childhood complexities, and loving unconditionally—are touched upon as part of his broader leadership and life philosophy (36:28:833).Notable Quotes:
"Technology is irrelevant without the human connection, the ability to listen, to support, to understand, to connect." — Chris Schembra"Water is silently successful; it adapts to its environment and grows, nourishes, and feeds. That’s how I strive to live my life." — Ash Shehata"Some of the most thought-provoking conversations I've had were during those 47 days in the hospital, where I learned the true power of empathy from the nurses who cared for me." — Ash Shehata"The biggest mistake in leadership today is listening for the pause instead of listening to truly understand the person in front of you." — Chris Schembra"You don't have to be everything to everyone. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause, listen, and then respond with intention." — Ash Shehata"Human connection is the foundation of great leadership. We are more alike than different, and it's those shared experiences that bind us together." — Ash Shehata"The unavoidable pause is where growth happens. It's where you step back, evaluate, and decide how to move forward with purpose." — Chris SchembraABOUT OUR GUEST:
Ash Shehata is the Chief Information Officer of AHMC Healthcare System, one of California's largest healthcare providers. With over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry, Ash is known for his innovative approach to technology and leadership. He has played a pivotal role in transforming healthcare delivery by integrating cutting-edge technology with compassionate patient care, overseeing a system that serves over 200,000 patients annually.
Ash’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in adaptability, humility, and empathy, principles that were significantly shaped by a life-altering health crisis in 2017. This experience gave him a unique perspective on the importance of human connection and the critical role of empathy in healthcare. Beyond his professional achievements, Ash is a dedicated father and husband, drawing on his personal life to inform his approach to leadership. He is passionate about fostering environments where teams can thrive by prioritizing human connection, understanding, and the courage to make mistakes.
Ash’s career has also been influenced by his time at Perot Systems, where he worked under Ross Perot Sr., learning valuable lessons about the importance of listening, understanding, and leading with integrity. Today, Ash continues to advocate for a patient-centered approach to healthcare, combining the latest technological advancements with the timeless values of empathy and human connection.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," host Chris Schembra welcomes Francesco Pastore, the Chief Marketing & Sales Officer and Corporate Communication Director of the global paper leader, Sofidel.
Francesco discusses the concept of a "portfolio career," emphasizing the importance of diverse experiences, continuous learning, and adaptability. He shares his strategy for balancing short-term business results with long-term personal and professional growth, using a blend of strategic focus and the Pareto principle (80% execution, 20% learning).
The conversation delves into the significance of soft skills in leadership, with Francesco stressing the importance of humility, vulnerability, and communication. He shares his approach to inspiring his team, especially those early in their careers, to invest in their long-term growth.
A key takeaway from Francesco's leadership philosophy is the importance of creating space for failure and learning. He highlights how AI can facilitate rapid testing and learning, enabling leaders to fail fast and small, which ultimately drives innovation and growth.
Chris and Francesco discuss the role of gratitude in leadership, with Francesco expressing his deep gratitude for his wife, Paola, and how her support has been crucial throughout his career. This moment underscores the personal side of leadership and the power of acknowledging those who support us.
In closing, Francesco shares a powerful quote about treating people as they could be, not just as they are, emphasizing the impact of a future-focused leadership approach. Chris echoes this sentiment, reflecting on how envisioning and supporting people's growth can lead to remarkable business outcomes.
Join Chris and Francesco in this insightful conversation on leadership, growth, and the power of gratitude.
Quotes:"If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be." – Francesco Pastore"Live as if you were going to die tomorrow, learn as if you were going to live forever." – Francesco Pastore's LinkedIn header"When you have space, you can fail more." – Francesco Pastore"Strategy is the ability to say no." – Francesco Pastore"Leadership is not a framework. Leadership is adaptable and you have to programmatically deliver your style of leadership based on what the person needs in the moment." – Francesco Pastore"Soft skills are crucial in this new world of work." – Francesco Pastore"AI helps us fail in a much more healthy way." – Francesco Pastore"You need to test more things. Otherwise, you will just copycat the other and doing marginally better. You want to be much, much better than the other." – Francesco Pastore"You can't chase two rabbits at the same time; they'll both get away. Focus equals growth." – Chris Schembra quoting Dave Lindsey"It's important to fail fast and fail small on a continual basis to achieve the long-term growth in the future." – Chris Schembra"For me, a portfolio career has two directions: one is the core experiences you have had, and the other is the balance between soft skills and hard skills." – Francesco Pastore"Learning agility is the key to navigating different roles, companies, and cultures successfully." – Francesco Pastore"The ability to say no is linked to clear strategy and prioritization. Without this, everything becomes equally important, which means nothing is important." – Francesco Pastore"To me, failure is not the devil. Failure is learning." – Francesco Pastore"A good strategy means building the organization and building the business. You need to know how to build both for long-term success." – Francesco Pastore"Theory seems easy, but execution is what brings the theory to life." – Francesco Pastore"Connecting the dots backwards is easy, but doing it forward requires adaptability and a focus on continuous improvement." – Francesco Pastore"Communication and visioning are essential to help people understand that there's more beyond short-term results." – Francesco Pastore"In any job, always secure 20% of your time for learning or growing as a person and leader." – Francesco Pastore"Leadership is about being humble and honest, showing vulnerability, and leading by example." – Francesco Pastore5 Key Takeaways from the Episode:Importance of a Portfolio Career:Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals:Significance of Soft Skills in Leadership:Embracing Failure for Growth:Gratitude in Leadership:ABOUT OUR GUEST:Francesco Pastore is a seasoned and dynamic leader, holding a degree in Economics from Pisa, earned in 1996. His portfolio career journey began at Procter & Gamble, where he honed his fundamental skills in sales and marketing. After departing from P&G in 2004 in Geneva, Francesco continued to cultivate his international career, initially at Bain & Company, and later at leading consumer goods companies such as Coca-Cola and Coty.
In 2019, Francesco took on a pivotal role at Sofidel, where he oversees the European market as the Chief Marketing & Sales Officer. Since December, he has also assumed the role of Corporate Communication Director, showcasing his versatility and ability to manage diverse business areas.
With a longstanding passion for digital, his expertise lies in general management, sales, and consulting. Thanks to Sofidel, he has gained significant experience in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Gratitude Through Hard Times and Gratitude and Pasta. USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru", he's a Founding Member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council, and he sits on the Executive Board at Fast Company Magazine.
He is the Founder and Chief Question Asker of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™ — an evidence-based framework used to strengthen client and team relationships in profound ways. He's used the principles of gratitude to spark thousands of relationships within the workplace.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," host Chris Schembra welcomes Steve Tcherchian, Chief Product Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at XY Pro, to discuss the profound impact of gratitude, resilience, and vulnerability in leadership. The conversation begins with Steve’s journey through the competitive cybersecurity industry, where he transitioned from a high-pressure, success-driven mindset to a gratitude-centered approach that transformed his personal and professional life.
Steve shares his experience of hitting rock bottom after being passed up for a promotion and losing his marriage. These events became catalysts for a profound transformation, leading him to embrace gratitude and vulnerability as core principles in his leadership. Steve introduces the concept of "return on rock bottom," highlighting how the lowest points in life can lead to significant personal growth and renewed purpose.
Throughout the episode, Steve and Chris explore the importance of empathy, communication, and creating a safe space for connection within teams. They discuss how leaders can turn failures into learning opportunities and persist through adversity with purpose and vision. Steve emphasizes the value of serving his team and finding joy in the service of others, contrasting this with the fleeting happiness derived from material success.
This episode is a testament to the enduring power of gratitude and the importance of empathy and human connection in achieving lasting success and fulfillment. It offers listeners practical insights and strategies to navigate life's challenges with resilience and a mindset geared toward continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways
1. Embracing failure as a valuable learning opportunity.
2. The importance of vulnerability in leadership.
3. Gratitude can ground us amidst chaos and stress.
4. Persistence with purpose can turn adversity into growth.
5. The concept of "return on rock bottom" as a measure of personal growth.
6. Shifting from a competitive mindset to a service-oriented approach.
7. The role of empathy and human connection in effective leadership.
8. How resilience and optimism can transform challenging situations.
9. The impact of gratitude on personal and professional fulfillment.
10. Strategies for leading teams with purpose, vision, and resilience.
Quotes
1. "Gratitude grounds us all and gives us a different perspective."
2. "Rock bottom was not the end; it was the beginning of my biggest growth."
3. "You succeed because of adversity, not in spite of it."
4. "Failure is not the end; it’s just the beginning of something greater."
5. "Return on rock bottom measures the growth from our toughest times."
6. "Leaders eat last, serving their teams to drive collective success."
7. "Empathy, communication, and closeness are key to impactful leadership."
8. "Finding meaning and purpose in service brings lasting joy."
9. "Adversity and failure are the greatest teachers."
10. "Every day is a learning experience; there’s always room for growth."
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Steve Tcherchian is a visionary cybersecurity executive with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In this role as Chief Product Officer and CISO, Steve leads global sales, technology, product direction, and go-to-market strategy for XYPRO’s cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that fortify the digital backbone of economies worldwide.
Based on his unique leadership, strategic vision, deep cybersecurity experience and penchant for relationship building with customers and partners, Steve has helped transform XYPRO into a top tier cybersecurity provider evidenced by record growth and accelerated adoption of XYPRO’s threat detection and compliance solutions across diverse sectors.
As a passionate advocate for cybersecurity, Steve is dedicated to demystifying the complexities of the industry, sharing invaluable insights and experiences across global stages as a sought-after speaker at events and conferences.
His contributions extend beyond the podium; as a former member of the ISSA CISO Advisory Council, the X9 Security Standards Committee, the Forbes Tech Council, and a patent holder, he has influenced pivotal cybersecurity standards and innovations.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours," he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
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In this episode of "Gratitude Through Hard Times," Chris Schembra welcomes Elaine Knight, the Chief People Officer at Behavioral Health Link. Elaine shares her journey and insights on creating a positive and supportive work culture in the behavioral health sector. The conversation delves into the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and empathy in leadership, and how these values can transform workplace dynamics. Elaine also discusses the challenges and rewards of crisis work, the significance of servant leadership, and the systems that support employee well-being and engagement. Join Chris and Elaine for a heartfelt discussion on leading with purpose and compassion.
Takeaways:
1. Gratitude in Leadership: Integrating gratitude into leadership can foster a positive and resilient work culture.
2. Servant Leadership: Effective leadership involves removing obstacles to help team members perform their best.
3. Importance of Onboarding: A smooth onboarding process is crucial for setting employees up for success.
4. Performance Management: Regular feedback and clear communication are essential for maintaining employee engagement.
5. Systems Theory: Addressing systemic issues can help prevent employee burnout and enhance productivity.
6. Personalized Leadership: Tailoring leadership styles to individual needs can strengthen manager-employee relationships.
7. Role of Optimism: Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly impact personal and organizational success.
Quotes:
1. "Gratitude is an expression of love. It's the heartbeat of a thriving work culture, fueling our connections and lifting our spirits."
2. "People inherently want to do well; we just need to create systems that empower them to unleash their full potential."
3. "Slow down to speed up. In the rush of daily life, taking a moment to breathe and reflect can propel us forward with greater clarity and purpose."
4. "Servant leadership is about removing obstacles so your team can shine. It's about putting others first and fostering an environment where everyone can succeed."
5. "Mindfulness and self-care are not just nice-to-haves; they're essential for well-being. They are the anchors that keep us grounded in the stormy seas of life."
6. "Leadership is about inspiration and helping others find their best selves. It's about lighting the path so others can walk confidently and boldly."
7. "Invest in your people proactively to prevent burnout and attrition. A thriving team is the backbone of any successful organization."
8. "Start with why: It brings clarity and motivation. When we understand our purpose, we are unstoppable."
9. "Optimism is a great predictor of success. Believing in positive outcomes can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of achievement."
10. "In the face of adversity, ask yourself: What is this challenge teaching me? Every struggle is an opportunity for growth and learning."
ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Elaine Knight, MBA, SPHR, is a transformative and engaging HR executive with over fifteen years of expertise in human capital strategy and execution. As the Chief People Officer at Behavioral Health Link, Elaine has crafted unparalleled employee experiences through well-planned and data-driven business strategies, specializing in environments where high performers thrive and drive optimal business results.
Elaine’s distinguished career includes a proven track record in revitalizing performance management initiatives and ensuring legal compliance across multiple states. She excels in supporting rapidly growing organizations with a unique blend of corporate and consulting experience. Elaine’s credentials include a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgia State University.
At Behavioral Health Link, Elaine has implemented organizational strategies, HR system infrastructures, and programs to drive operational excellence and employee engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in streamlining contract workflows, launching a new talent acquisition strategy, and overhauling the performance management system. She has also played a key role in supporting the organization’s growth across 26 states, improving retention, and reducing turnover.
Elaine’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), wellness, employee relations, and engagement is reflected in her past achievements, including the creation of employee resource groups and fostering a companywide culture of inclusion. Her service-oriented mindset and team-oriented approach have made her a strong communicator and collaborator, providing executive teams with invaluable HR insights.
Elaine is deeply passionate about mindfulness, gratitude, empathy, and self-care She believes that nurturing these qualities within workplace cultures is essential for building resilience and fostering a supportive environment. Her personal interests include enjoying nature walks by the Chattahoochee River, practicing yoga, and exploring new cultures and cuisines through international travel.
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours," he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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In this conversation, Chris Schembra interviews Enrico Galasso, the CEO of Peroni, an iconic Italian beer brand. They discuss Enrico's new book, “Per I Prossimi 175 Anni”, the importance of empathy and meaningful connections in leadership, and the challenges and opportunities of managing a brand with a long history. Enrico emphasizes the need for leaders to be adaptable, to learn from both successes and failures, and to create a culture of connection and psychological safety. They also explore the value of investing in a premium experience and the role of emotions and experiences in building a brand.
Enrico talks about Peroni's efforts to translate the Italian lifestyle into a global success, focusing on rugby and Ferrari as partnerships that embody the brand's values. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and shares his personal journey of becoming more empathic. Enrico's purpose is to leave a better place for future generations and to give his children the opportunity to be happy. The conversation highlights the power of authenticity, simplicity, and connection in leadership.
Support Enrico’s New Book HERE
https://www.store.rubbettinoeditore.it/catalogo/per-i-prossimi-175-anni/
Takeaways
Leaders need to be adaptable and learn from both successes and failures.Creating a culture of connection and psychological safety is crucial for fostering innovation and engagement.Investing in a premium experience and building a brand that evokes emotions and experiences can differentiate a product from a brand.The world is moving towards premiumization, where people are willing to spend more for products and brands that offer value and a sense of accomplishment.Success in the long run requires investing in people's well-being and creating a culture that attracts and grows talent.Empathy is a crucial trait for leaders, and being intentional about connecting with people in an empathic way can have a significant impact.Enrico's purpose is to leave a better place for future generations and to give his children the opportunity to be happy.Authenticity, simplicity, and connection are key elements of effective leadership.Success and happiness come from being true to oneself and serving others.Taking small steps, such as asking people how they feel instead of how they are, can lead to more meaningful connections and better understanding in the workplace.Leaders should strive to be consistent in their awareness of who they are and be open to learning and growing.Changing one person's whole world is a powerful way to make a positive impact.The Italian culture embodies a commitment to tradition and innovation, honoring history while dreaming of the future.Sound Bites
"Sometimes you also need to be looking at the positives even when something doesn't go well. Everybody can be somebody you can learn from.""Peroni is a historical icon, but every icon has to be relevant in the moment. To be relevant in the moment, it has to look at the future to ensure that when the moment comes, it is ready.""When you look back too much, it becomes a form of nostalgia. It's not something you actually look for to find your strengths.""We are here for a legacy. We always need to think what the new people of Peroni and the new Italians and consumers worldwide will think of us in 20 years, in 25 years.""Successes of the past can be a fuel for future success, or they can be a weight that should hold you back.""Excellence is something that changes every year. Whatever helped you have success yesterday, probably it's not going to be enough.""You need to learn from your failures, but also from your successes because there is always an inch that you can gain and be faster in what you do.""In an organization, the ability to deliver a plan, to build a strategy cannot be of one person. Whatever strategy you are building is going to be old tomorrow.""You need people that don't feel like they have a hierarchical barrier in front of them or they need to feel like they have the courage to actually talk and express what they think.""The more you realize that with the impact you can do good, then you can be much more intentional in doing good at being empathic with people."Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Earthquake
01:10 Welcoming Repeat and New Listeners
03:36 Enrico's Book and Peroni's History
04:15 Expressing Gratitude to Enrico's Father
07:18 Remembering Challenging and Great Moments in Peroni's History
10:15 Understanding the Present Moment and Building the Future
12:25 Learning from Successes and Failures
13:24 Managing Ambiguity and Elevating Excellence
15:35 Creating a Culture of Connection and Horizontal Leadership
19:10 Avoiding Excuses and Investing in People
21:22 Investing in a Premium Experience and Building a Brand
23:25 The Shift Towards Premiumization
25:18 Investing in People's Well-being and Talent
25:45 Translating the Italian Lifestyle into Global Success
26:42 The Power of Rugby and Ferrari in Peroni's Brand
31:36 The Importance of Empathy in Leadership
41:24 Leaving a Better Place for Future Generations
45:34 Authenticity, Simplicity, and Connection in Leadership
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In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, we're thrilled to welcome Lisa Besserman, a luminary in both the technology and venture capital worlds. Lisa, the Founder of Startup Buenos Aires—which was successfully acquired—has made remarkable strides in the tech industry, earning her a spot among Business Insider's "Top 100 Most Influential Women in Tech," alongside notable figures like Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington. It's worth noting, with a humble chuckle, that she ranked #94 on this illustrious list.
Currently, Lisa serves as the Head of Innovation at JP Morgan Chase Operations. In her role, she collaborates with startups and leverages emerging technologies to address complex challenges within the world's leading financial institution. Before this, she was the Managing Director at Expa VC, a venture fund and startup studio with a $350M investment focus ranging from pre-seed to series A startups.
Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked as the Founder and CEO of Startup Buenos Aires, an accelerator program designed to nurture and connect startups across Latin America. Her influence and insights have been recognized by NBC, Bloomberg TV, Reuters, Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, and CNN, and she's shared her knowledge through guest lectures at prestigious institutions like NYU, MIT, Northwestern, Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Aside from her professional accolades, Lisa shares her personal journey to Everest Base Camp in this episode. She delves into the essence of mountaineering versus hiking, the value of setting finite goals, and the emotional rollercoaster of nights spent on the mountain. Lisa's story is a testament to the power of living in the moment, embracing challenges, and the profound impact of pursuing meaningful goals.
Takeaways
Mountaineering offers a unique sense of completion and achievement, unlike many other pursuits.Embracing the present and the journey itself is key to personal fulfillment and happiness.Success in reaching challenging goals demands perseverance, effort, and an open mindset.The investment in meaningful experiences yields lasting benefits.Chapters
00:00 The Dream of Everest
03:20 Mountaineering as a Finite Goal
05:22 Atelic Activities
06:22 Finding Calm in the Midst of a Daunting Goal
08:57 The Moving Goalpost of Success
11:21 The Challenges of Nights on the Mountain
13:41 Type 1 Fun vs Type 2 Fun
15:42 The Desire to Achieve
17:04 Living in the Present
19:44 Stepping Out of the Future and into the Present
22:02 The Positive Benefits of Bucket List Achievements
23:23 The Impatience of the Impulsive World
27:14 Investing Time for Energy
33:16 Feeling Nothing at the Destination
39:48 The Trainer Who Took a Chance
42:07 Closing Remarks
Lisa's multifaceted life—from her accolades in tech to her adventures in the great outdoors—inspires us to pursue our passions, tackle formidable goals, and cherish the moments of tranquility along the way.
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We’ve all experienced it: that feeling of being stuck on an endless treadmill. It can be soul-crushing, but our guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times is a peak performance coach is here to help us change the narrative heading into 2024. Erin Stafford, author of "The Type A Trap: Five Mindset Shifts to Beat Burnout and Transform Your Life," explains to Host Chris Schembra the underpinnings for her five mindset shifts. Each of her valuable techniques is designed to check and challenge the assumptions that leave us stuck in overdrive. You’ll learn how to interrupt hyper-focused pursuits, be agile in the face of dead-ends, let go of counter-productive self-criticism and celebrate the wins that are often all too fleeting. “Burn-out will keep knocking on our door. It’s not going anywhere,” says Erin, who has herself been on the frontlines as marketing director for a healthcare brand undergoing exponential growth, “but there are tools you can gather to get you out of that black hole.” Find out about the tools this dynamic keynote speaker uses to help business leaders connect with and honor their highest selves with an attitude of gratitude all along the way!
Ready to read Erin’s new book? Click here to get your copy of "The Type A Trap: Five Mindset Shifts to Beat Burnout and Transform Your Life." Or click here to book a discovery call!
If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribe to his newsletter, please visit this link.
Click hereto hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainers who have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or enough thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be? So many amazing people, but most importantly a high school math teacher, Randy Scott, who showed Erin respect and taught her to simplify hard things.The Trap: Why so many of us don’t realize the full-scale stress we’re under until a life-altering (often painful) experience opens our eyes to the toll “success” is taking.Type A Profile: What it looks like to define success based on ability to achieve and derive self-worth based on a scarcity mindset.Getting Off the Treadmill with Five Key Mindset Shifts:Decoding Your Flow: Realize that you don’t have to do it all. Releasing the Reins: Focus on letting go, rather than grasping and controlling.Pivot Like a Pro: Be nimble and able to shift away from a singular goal.Slow Down to Speed Up: Be okay with doing a little less.Take that Victory Lap: Enjoy your wins before moving on to the next challenge.Stress Is Here to Stay: Why Erin believes there’s no silver bullet for curing (or avoiding) burn-out. It’s the small decisions we make and self-care we practice daily.Moving Towards Gratitude: How human connection is crucial in today’s world and finding like-minded people leads us deeper into our most authentic selves and self-acceptance.What’s Your Status? Why everyone can benefit from taking Erin’s self-assessment (featured in her book) to determine their place on the burn-out spectrum and set a course for inner balance.QUOTABLE
“The more simple you can make it, the more you actually understand the subject matter.” (Erin)“I think we live in a world that rewards stress, burnout and anxiety. We idolize people who are ‘doing it all.’ … but we don’t know the toll it is taking on their physical and mental health, relationships and spirituality.” (Erin)“You can have the big dream of things you want to accomplish AND you can take care of yourself and the people around you and do it in an efficient way. Both can be true at the same time.” (Chris)“Just because you’ve said you’re going to do something doesn’t mean that if it’s no longer interesting you can’t pivot. Move! Change. Be okay with cutting losses.” (Erin)“We have to make the mindset shift. We have to change ourselves, our thinking, our behavior, so that we don’t burn out again.” (Erin)“All you really need to make this full shift away from burn-out into well-being is yourself. You don’t have to rely on your external situation to make the change.” (Chris)“Burn-out will keep knocking on our door. It’s not going anywhere … but there are tools you can gather to get you out of that black hole.” (Erin)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
Find out more about Impact Eleven trainings at this link.Listen to this talk by Laura Gassner Otting to find out why “I’ll be happy when” are the four worst words in the English dictionary.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Erin Stafford is a marketing guru, burnout survivor and hyper-growth business leader. From working with the world’s highest achievers throughout her 20+ year career, being a Type A poster child herself and interviewing Olympians, start-up founders, Fortune 500 CEOs, leading researchers and celebrity coaches, Erin has seen firsthand how Type A personalities and constant over-achievement are coveted in the world of business, yet can lead to debilitating burnout. In addition to her current role as the head of marketing for the country’s largest healthcare staffing company, where she leads dozens of marketing professionals and has helped the organization grow by 9x in two years, Erin has made it her mission to help leaders, most recently with her book: "The Type A Trap: Five Mindset Shifts to Beat Burnout and Transform Your Life."
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Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
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Nothing creates team buy-in more effectively than the “ownership mindset” espoused by our guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. What’s the secret sauce? Kerry Siggins, CEO at StoneAge Inc., shares with Host Chris Schembra her powerful building blocks for cultivating workplace cultures rooted in accountability. It’s about caring – for colleagues, customers and ourselves – and ensuring that everyone feels seen and heard as well as empowered to act. She explains how StoneAge, an employee-owned manufacturer of waterjet tools and equipment for industrial cleaning based in Colorado, instills a sense of community and the safety to fail among its 250 employees (all of whom Kerry hopes to see become millionaires one day, thanks to their Employee-Owned Stock Plan, or ESOP). You’ll also hear all about Kerry’s latest passion project, her recently released book, "The Ownership Mindset: A Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership." In it, she highlights her personal “hero’s journey” as well as hard-won lessons about how to conceive and execute corporate strategy. The formula includes several ingredients, the most important of which is learning how to formulate the right questions. Then ask, ask, ask again! Says Kerry: “You learn so much and quickly get to the root of what’s really going on if you’re curious. So that’s my superpower: Questions!” Find out how to find and foster an “ownership mindset” in your workplace by prioritizing gratitude, empathy, agency and curiosity. The show wraps up with a reminder from Chris that in today’s business global environment, these aren’t just soft skills, “they’re the hard skills needed to instill an ownership mindset within your team!”
Click here if you’d like to grab a copy of Kerry’s just-released book, "The Ownership Mindset: A Handbook for Transforming Your Life and Leadership."
Or check out her podcast, Reflect Forward: Conversations on Leadership, at this link.
If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribe to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click here to hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or enough thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be? So many people, but above all her first boss out of college, whom she “did wrong” and disappointed but who taught her so much nonetheless.It’s Never too Late: About the power of bringing shame out of the shadows.Why Now and Why This Book?For starters, Kerry loves to write!It provided a creative outlet and alternative to her day-to-day tasks as CEO.A compelling need to give back by sharing her personal story. Changing One World at a Time: How Kerry’s journey – both personally and professionally – is a reflection of the “ownership mindset” she exemplifies.Defining “Ownership”: Why taking full responsibility for everything that happens in your life is transformational, empowering and foundational to leadership. Leaning In: About what it looks like to take full accountability, even when the future is unclear and outcomes unpredictable.Building an Ownership Mindset Culture:Ensure everyone feels like part of something bigger than themselves.Cultivate engagement and self-motivation.Encourage an ethos of caring – for co-workers, customers and ourselves.How StoneAge Team Members Learn to Take Full Agency:Training in both how to give and receive feedback.Teaching strategies for collaborating with people who hold differing viewpoints.Making it easy for people to admit mistakes and learn from them.Infusing the workplace culture with a communal sense of purpose, commitment and accountability.Modeling behaviors that reinforce an “ownership mindset” across the enterprise.You Must Act: Why all the best intentions in the world will not make things happen.Three Key Components to an Ownership Mindset:Take ownership: Lead yourself: Lead others.Curiosity is Key: How a growth mindset depends on asking questions.Kerry’s Superpower: Giving people the space to open up and brainstorm valuable ideas!Best Advice for Leaders: Learn how to ask good questions!Then ask, ask, ask!Research Shows: Managers who demonstrate empathy by asking their direct reports questions are viewed by bosses as better performers in their jobs.Gratitude & Recognition: Why people excel and businesses thrive when leaders foster workplace cultures in which everyone feels seen, honored and empowered.Look Inward: How problem-solvers and champions can (and must!) come from up, down and across the corporate structure.Two Questions to Check Imposter Syndrome and Quiet Self-Doubt: What’s the best things that can happen?What’s the worst thing that can happen?The Power of Reframing: What it looks like to move from a place of fear to a “posture of otherness” that focuses on bringing tools like empathy and gratitude to others.What’s Next for Kerry?She can’t wait to get started on her next book, about transformational change and the power of purpose in the workplace of today – tomorrow!Leveraging a culture of ownership, growth and innovation to create a thousand millionaires through StoneAge’s employee stock ownership plan.Speaking about and inspiring others to build an “ownership mindset.”QUOTABLE
“When you feel shame, regret or guilt, the action urge is usually to hide, avoid, withdraw, shy away, be meek and small and that doesn’t help. Then we just ruminate on the guilt and shame.” (Chris)“It was really important for me to get back in touch with the creative, free spirit that is within me. And writing is a way to do that!” (Kerry) “If (my story) inspires even one person to overcome their own shame around choices they’ve made in life or show up differently as a leader and be the very best version of themselves … then I’ve done my job.” (Kerry)“(The ownership mindset) is the idea that things don’t happen to me, they happen because of me and I’m willing to lean into the responsibility of my choices, attitude and the way I show up.” (Kerry)“(The ownership mindset) is really a tool to help people feel like they’re more in control of their work, that they have autonomy and are trusted, that they’re cared about.” (Kerry)“The only way to own it is to act, but you have to create the safe space for people to act.” (Chris)“People want to share their stories, their opinions and ideas. So, if you ask really good questions, you can find out all kinds of information and get all kinds of new ideas.” (Kerry)“You learn so much and quickly get to the root of what’s really going on if you’re curious. So that’s my superpower: Questions.” (Kerry)“The economic potential of any successful team or organization lies not in the strength of individuals on your team but in your ability to help them connect, collaborate and champion a shared vision.” (Chris)“When we’re feeling Imposter Syndrome and fear, we’re really focused on ourselves ... (but) you can make it about somebody else and turn that negative self-doubt into a positive impact on someone else’s life.” (Kerry)“The power of questions, empathizing with those around you, giving gratitude around you – these are not just the soft skills that were once avoided in the boardroom. They’re the hard skills needed to instill an ownership mindset within your team.” (Chris)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
Learn more about “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss, at this link.Click here to find out about “the hero’s journey” and work of Joseph Campbell.More about the Gallup Organization’s survey work and CliftonStrengths here.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Kerry Siggins is the CEO of StoneAge, Inc., a global leader in designing and manufacturing high-pressure waterblasting and sewer cleaning tools and equipment used in the industrial cleaning industry. StoneAge sells and supports its products throughout the world and has over 170 dealers in 45 countries. She is also the Vice President of the Waterjet Technology Association (WJTA). Kerry joined StoneAge in January of 2007 as the Director of Operations. In 2009, she was named CEO by StoneAge’s Board of Directors and has since led the company in building a robust global presence resulting in double-digit growth year over year. She recently acquired Breadware, an Internet of Things (IoT) product development firm based in Reno, NV.
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ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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Seek the stress. Scale with soul. Embrace your uniqueness. These are just a few of the pearls of wisdom flying fast and furious when Christina Luconi, Chief People Officer at Rapid7, visits with Host Chris Schembra on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. Her self-awareness, strength and positive vision have not only been central to building out staff for some amazing startup companies (from inception through IPO). These are also the traits that have defined her full and fascinating life – whether taking her teen-aged daughters on a transformational trip to Tanzania or snatching life-giving lessons from a life-changing cancer diagnosis. This is a woman who brings her whole, authentic self to every interaction and in the process offers connection and empathy to others. You’ll learn about how Christina expresses gratitude and the powerful benefits it confers, rippling out in how she frames “negative autobiographical experiences.” Where did she find the courage to reinvent herself at the age of 14 without erasing who she was before? When did she realize that she held within her the ability to embrace things in tension and turn them into opportunity? Christina shares her journey and explains how she has been able to bridge her reality as the lone woman in many C-suites by staying true to her core values: “If you work hard enough, there aren’t a lot of boundaries you can’t overcome. IF you’re committed and drive towards that!” Tune in to find out why this Bostonian dynamo hopped in her car to pay Chris a visit. It’s a very special episode chalk full of “news you can use” and that you won’t want to miss!
Interested in hearing more from Christina? She offers a treasure trove of interesting perspectives in more than 200 LinkedIn posts you can find at this link.
Check out this brand new website to learn about the keynote topics and workplace leadership trends that are top of mind for Chris these days! And if you’re interested in having a 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribing to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click hereto hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be and why? Although she’s always been very intentional about sharing her appreciation, she still feels she couldn’t possibly have thanked her parents – whom she so admires – enough.Using the Right Words: About the power of expressing gratitude in language that resonates with the recipient.Breaking Rules: How Christina reinvented herself at the age of 14, figuring out how to expand her world and thinking in ways that have served her well ever since. Three Options for Managing Through a “Negative Autobiographical Experience”:Ignore it, pretend it didn’t happen and just move on.Talk it out with a therapist or by journaling and then move on.Specifically assign positive benefits that have occurred as a result and give thanks to it for becoming a beneficial part of your life story, a practice known as "grateful processing."Why Not Me? What Christina has come to understand about our ability to challenge our self-imposed limitations through humility, determination and drive.Breaking the Ceiling: How Christina figured out ways to leverage being the only woman in the room to break boundaries and elicit vulnerability in C-suites full of male entrepreneurs. A superpower!Buck the Statistics: Why it’s important not to get trapped by what is and surrender to a victim mentality rather than pushing the envelope and making change!Leading With Empathy: About the importance of understanding other people’s experiences and perspectives when navigating corporate culture and decision-making.Be the Change: When living with unresolved conflict impacts others with forms of entitlement and hearts at war.How Trauma Lands: Why every person’s threshold is different.Scaling With Soul: How to stay authentic under even the most stressful circumstances, like taking Rapid7 from being a startup with 75 employees to a publicly traded company with more than 2,000 global personnel.Christina’s World View: About the role of challenge and seeking while also keeping balance through life experiences that promote openness and awareness.Observing Versus Engaging; Empathy Versus Sympathy: It’s all in the perspective!Hope & Healing: How an attitude of gratitude – not found in comparison – yields very real mental, emotional and physical rewards. 365 Days: About Christina’s decision to write – and post publicly – her thoughts and experiences by pretending no one was reading them! It was about seeking connection with others and by putting herself out there, she did exactly that.When In Rome: How pasta and all its associations creates magic for Chris and Christina!Three Things From the Conversation:The power of Mudita, the dharmic concept of joy that comes from delighting in other people’s well-being (as Christina experienced in her chemo encounter).Christina lives life in a dialectic posture, embracing black and white as well as the gray. She is able to hold things in tension.While she’s open to therapy, what Christina finds most helpful and healing is candid conversations like this one with Chris!Timing Is Everything: How, when and why Chris and Christina connected.Honor the Moose: About the concept of aligning individual and team collaboration as part of the core corporate ethic at Rapid7.The 3C Model of Collaborative Leadership: Connect, Collaborate and Champion.In Parting: What it was that inspired Christina to get in her car and drive 3.5 hours from Boston to NYC in order to connect and share meaningful conversation with Chris!Closing the Gratitude Loop: Christina’s message for her parents and daughters.
QUOTABLE
“Life is about connections … For me what has made the work that I’ve done or my life interesting is the connections I’ve made with people. It makes my world expand.” (Christina)“There’s something beautiful about (not) turning your back on the past but looking for the positive benefits in it and keeping it as part of your life story.” (Chris)“Everything I have lived through is an opportunity. There are things that I’ve screwed up or am not proud of, but I don’t dwell on them. I look at what I can take away from that moment and do better.” (Christina)“If you work hard enough, there aren’t a lot of boundaries you can’t overcome. IF you’re committed and drive towards that!” (Christina)“Life is not about avoiding bad things happening to you. Life is about avoiding a negative mental attitude when those things occur.” (Chris)“Scaling with soul is about how you keep the essence of your value set and what you’re trying to be … You can still be a really great place!” (Christina)“You can observe or you can engage. And those are two really different things.” (Christina)“There’s good in everybody. You just have to be open to finding it and open-hearted to know that just because someone is different from you doesn’t make them better or worse. We’re all just humans.” (Christina)“Hard times don’t have to create loneliness. Hard times can create meaningful moments of connection.” (Chris)“All the best things in my life have happened when I’ve said ‘yes,’ versus ‘no.’ ” (Christina)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
Click here to learn more about “Taking Care of Business? Grateful Processing of Unpleasant Memories,” the study conducted by researchers at Eastern Washington University."The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict," by The Arbinger Institute.More about the many benefits of an attitude of gratitude available at this link."No One Wins Alone," by Mark “the Moose” Messier.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Christina Luconi leads Rapid7’s strategic people initiatives as its Chief People Officer. She is responsible for the entire employee lifecycle, with critical focus on recruiting stellar talent, building and inspiring corporate culture, acquisition integration, and “scaling with soul.” Prior to joining Rapid7, Christina was the owner of People Innovations, an independent consulting firm focused on the creation of innovative people strategies for startups and high-growth companies, primarily in the high technology industry. Christina also served as Chief People Officer at @stake, a professional services security firm that she helped build from the launch through its acquisition by Symantec. She also played the role of Vice President of People Strategy at Sapient Corporation. Joining the company prior to its public offering, she was responsible for building the people-focused side of the company from the ground up, aligning business strategy with people needs. Christina also played a critical role as a member of the senior management team, focusing on the strategic and operational direction of the company as well as executing acquisitions, from due diligence through integration.
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ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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Core values take center stage on this heartfelt episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, featuring a highly successful entrepreneur whose accomplishments reflect his commitment to creating human connection. Rich Balot, CEO at Victra (the largest authorized retailer of Verizon products in the nation), is all about fostering innovation, collaboration and integrity – at home, on the job and in his community. That passion for doing the right thing infuses the ethic you’ll encounter at any of his 1,700 locations across all 50 states and in the dedication his 7,500 employees bring to their work. Host Chris Schembra gives us a window into what drives Rich – from his reverence for family to his belief in offering kids alternatives to traditional four-year college educations; from thoughts on how to build a great and growing company to why celebration is critical to making a meaningful life. “If you get a really well-functioning group of people together, you can get way more out of them and they can accomplish much more than they would individually,” says Rich, whose leadership and vision have secured for Victra a place on Inc. Magazine’s list of top 5,000 fastest growing U.S. companies every year over the past decade. Most of all, you’ll come away with the strong sense that – no matter the current economic, technological or political climate – we’re not meant to be in isolation or make the journey all on our own!
Don’t miss the far-ranging and fascinating topics that Rich and his team tackle in the Victra Blog. You may also be interested in supporting Haven at Blue Creek, an amazing nonprofit run by Rich’s wife, Colleen, that provides residential support for women in recovery.
Check out this brand new website to learn about the keynote topics and workplace leadership trends that are top of mind for Chris these days! And if you’re interested in having a 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribing to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click here to hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be and why? Mom! Marlene is on the quieter side and not in the business, but she’s the heart of Rich’s family-oriented company!The Quiet One: How listening is a skill that Rich has cultivated (with assists from his mom and wife) as part of a bigger philanthropic mission to give back on a daily basis. The Hitchhiker Rule: Why it’s important to recognize those who are trying to help themselves. It’s about giving a “hand up” not a “hand-out.”Critical Skill: How a desire to reach, give effort, try to do better shows up in outcomes.Big-Picture Education: About Rich’s belief that traditional four-year colleges aren’t for everyone and that trade schools are a great, financially viable alternative.An Entrepreneur is an Entrepreneur: Anyone who founds their own business – no matter its size – represents independence, innovation and opportunity.The Pursuit of Happiness: How challenging, meaningful work intertwines with and serves our sense of purpose, quality of life, mental, physical and emotional well-being.Renewable Resources: Why it’s important to cultivate practices and hobbies that nourish us and recharge our batteries so we can be of service to others.Brand Identity: How a sense of belonging is woven into the culture at Victra, where customers are considered “guests” and given the attention and help they deserve.Rich Cultivates Human Connection in the Workplace By: Recognizing that humans need social interaction.Looking for ways to replicate things that work.Sharing notes about what works – and doesn’t!Promoting collaboration as the secret sauce!What Drives Victra's Success: A good model, a good team. It’s not just a J-O-B.What Excites Rich Most? Learning! And inspiring curiosity and drive among younger generations as well. (Also: catching fish – including a recent 500-pound blue marlin!)In Closing: We aren’t meant to be alone or isolated on our journeys – and we don’t have to be when we persevere, keep faith, seek connection and hold space for one another!QUOTABLE
“One of the goals of our giving has been to not tell people what we’re doing … because we’re not doing it to get credit.” (Rich)“When you can give, you do. When you can do, you do. And you’re not doing it because you need credit for it. You’re doing it because it’s the right thing and needs to be done.” (Rich)“There are some people out there who say they want help but don’t do anything about it.” (Rich)“I can’t make someone hungry – and I’m not talking about food but about wanting that next thing.” (Rich)“Not everyone needs to go to college. Not everyone needs a college degree … Kids need to be exposed to more than technology and books. Technology is very important but they need to be exposed to other opportunities.” (Rich)“Not everyone was designed for college and, by the way, in our work force we need tradespeople to keep the world moving forward day by day.” (Rich)“An entrepreneur is an entrepreneur. It doesn’t matter whether you’re running a huge company or a small company.” (Rich)“I’m in business to make money for both myself and my employees but we’re not going to just cram things down people’s throats.” (Rich)“If you get a really well-functioning group of people together, you can get way more out of them and they can accomplish much more than they would individually.” (Rich)“Your people are your secret sauce for human connection and that leads to outsized business results.” (Chris)“Do the hard stuff you need to do to get ahead in life, but celebrate it all thoroughly – with your family, amongst community. Do things that are good for the heart at the same time that you’re doing things that are good for others.” (Chris)“We are suffering under the agitation of uncertain times. But the good news is that we can get through these tough times if we go through it together. Don’t go through it alone!” (Chris)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
More about Ron Carson, Founder of Carson Wealth, at this link.To learn about Catholic Charities’ relief efforts, click here.Find out about the Ron Clark Academy charter school in Atlanta, Ga.Harness passion with Dwayne J. Clark and his E.P.I.C leadership offsite at this website.Learn more about the residential recovery work being done at Haven at Blue Creek.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Rich Balot is a serial entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of building successful teams and businesses. Skilled in Business Planning, he also provides coaching expertise in sales and retail strategy as well as how to build a winning culture.
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Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
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Are you all in? Our guest, Valeria Torres, wants to know! As Director of Operations & Strategic Consulting at 8 Figure Firm – a fast-growing Atlanta-based provider of professional services for law firms – she is sharing with Host Chris Schembra the key ingredients for leadership success on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. A research maven, Valeria explains the value in personality assessments and has stats to back up her approach to increasing workplace flow (and life flow, too, for that matter!). You’ll learn about the pivotal figures (shout out to her brother, Pablo) and very personal experiences that have shaped Valeria’s dynamic approach to life. She’s also teaching us how to managing through those inevitable “fight-or-flight” moments and highlighting the benefits that accrue to leaders (at law firms and everywhere else) who recognize the good in themselves and extend that gratitude out towards others. As we know, both from science and lived experience, an atmosphere of empathy in which people feel seen, heard and valued is an atmosphere of growth without limitation. Don’t miss this lively conversation with an industry thought leader whose unique perspective and suggestions will leave you clamoring for more!
Whether you’re looking for dedicated consulting, group coaching, marketing management or a mastermind experience, 8 Figure Firm was created by lawyers for lawyers. Founded by Seth Bader and Luis Scott, based on practices developed in their tremendously successful practice, they offer the tools you need to grow the legal team you desire!
In other breaking news, please join us in inaugurating a new phase of 7:47’s quest to help amazing companies build strong, connected client and team relationships. With the launch of ChrisSchembra.com comes an exciting opportunity to explore the power of asking the right questions and framing the important conversations. Founder Chris Schembra, the bestselling author of "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours," offers compelling keynotes on topics such as how to elevate workplace engagement by fostering human connection and why it’s critical to cultivate client relationships that are transformational – not just transactional!
If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribe to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click hereto hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be and why? Her brother, Pablo, whose empowering love has been an “instrumental” part of her life.Finding the Words: How Pablo’s acts of service and ability to express love set the stage for Valeria’s drive and commitment to “being there.”Making the Climb: Why it’s important to remember that leaders are made – not born – and it’s a process that requires grace along the journey.Valeria’s Leadership Learnings:Allow yourself to sit back and listen rather than speak.Ask – don’t assume.Don’t take things personally.Find ways to receive constructive feedback.Put yourself in a place to embrace the wisdom of others.Holding Space: How Valeria learned (through mentors as well as trial and error) to take a step back and open herself to lessons she needed to learn and hear.Listening vs. Solution Design: Chris shares a recent client breakthrough – realizing that leaders don’t necessarily have to have all the answers. Not at all!Teaching Leaders How to Listen:Know who you are talking to and how they can best be reached.Tailor your message in a way that your audience can hear it.Use the “mirroring technique” to shift motion and tone.Ask questions that reframe the communications dynamic.Use what, when, where, why and other questions to open conversation.Leveraging Your Personality Profile:Be self-aware and able to step back, observe.Know that there’s no such thing as perfection.Leverage personal tendencies to optimize potential.Valeria’s Formula for Strong Law Firm Leadership:Moving drive into discipline.Moving motivation into obsession.Having a drive to succeed and accomplish goals.Being all in!Passing on the Gratitude: Why thanks for things or people in the past can’t always be given, but the chance to pay it forward is always there!Getting Into the Flow: How a challenge to her mental health enabled Valeria to know and face fears that were holding her back from claiming an authentic life of self-awareness.Know Your Amygdala: How to manage “negative memory bias” by deliberately balancing "fight-or-flight" reflexes with gratitude, which invites positivity.Scaling Gratitude: Why Valeria invites participants in leadership trainings to offer something that’s going right! Opening Doors: About recognizing the good in ourselves as a conduit to feeling similarly generous and open-hearted towards others. It creates community!Concentric Circles of Gratitude: First: Find gratitude for yourself.Second: Find gratitude for your team.Third: Find gratitude for your customers.Fourth: Find gratitude for your communities and humanity as a whole.In Closing: Valeria asks, “Are you all in?” If not, it’s time to commit to locating your truest self and purpose!QUOTABLE
“I’ve learned to sit back and listen rather than speak; ask and not assume.” (Valeria)“The biggest lesson in asking a question is not asking just to ask it, but asking and waiting to listen to what has to be said.” (Valeria)“It’s about creating space for transformation – asking or sharing something that might shift a perspective on life. You need space to process that.” (Chris)“You’re going to touch people’s ego when you try to teach them something. You’re going to have doubt, fear, all these emotions that are very human and normal but that people don’t talk about.” (Valeria)“Not all successful people know everything. Not all successful people are without fear or doubt. All of us have it. It’s just how well can you manage it and move forward rather than stay stagnant and stuck?” (Valeria)“Not all gratitude given is gratitude heard. Gratitude … can sometimes come across as convenient, selfish or lazy.” (Chris)“The failures and bad moments can be a privilege to experience … (because) what you don’t know can start eating away at you.” (Valeria)“Gratitude is just really good for business and it’s really good for people. Because, at the end of the day, we aren’t profit-making monster machines. We are humans and every human deserves to be loved, heard and valued.” (Chris)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
More about Dr. Gary Chapman’s 5 Love Languages can be found here.Learn about mirroring and other communication techniques in Chris Voss’s book, "Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It.""The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer," by Steven Kotler.Learn about how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works at this link.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Valeria Torres is the Director of Operations and Business Portfolio Consultant for 8 Figure Firm. She provides operations management methods to law entrepreneurs nationwide, helping them streamline their operations and strengthen their businesses’ portfolios. Using a specialized methodology, she fosters new ways of thinking and develops strategic opportunities and managing projects intended to enhance your law firm’s growth.
FOLLOW OUR GUEST:
WEBSITE | LINKEDIN
ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
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We’re shining a light on the difference between luck and blessings when Patty Arvielo, co-founder & CEO of New American Funding, joins host Chris Schembra on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times. Running the largest Latina-owned mortgage company in the U.S. while nurturing a network of younger women coming up behind her, Patty is all about leaning into humanness. She shares the many ways in which gratitude and empathy have served as beacons professionally, as a parent and throughout a 27-year marriage that embodies commitment and respect. You’ll learn about how Patty and her husband, Rick, founded New American Funding in 2003 and grew it into a juggernaut that has underwritten 250,000 mortgages worth $69 billion and employs 4,000 people – a majority of whom are women and 41% of whom are minorities. All this success is rooted in Patty’s intentionality around core values, like creating positive impact and improving the lives of others. Want to manifest abundance and overcome fear? Patty is here with words of wisdom and perspective you won’t want to miss!
You can learn much more about what Patty is up to and the mentorship opportunities she hosts by clicking this link to follow her on Instagram and following #WeAllGrow and the many initiatives she supports.
Cultivating moments of meaningful connection is hard – and perhaps not a value central to our workplace cultures. But if we show up in vulnerability and truth, we erase poverty of the soul while building great businesses!
If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribe to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click hereto hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainers who have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or enough thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be? Her husband, Rick, who has committed his life to the project of building a life, business and family together.It All Takes Work: How her commitment to marriage mirrors the commitment Patty believes is required to establish and grow anything meaningful in life.Expressing Gratitude: Why it’s so important that we teach our children to appreciate and cultivate a sense of appreciation in the day to day.Consider This: Are you using fear or a lack of gratitude as a protection mechanism against pain or disappointment?Managing Fear:Look at life holistically as a full range of experiences, including adversity.Build self-awareness and spiritual strength into your framework.Prepare for hard times.Learn from setbacks (and how to stop repeating them!).Climbing Out of the Hole: How life’s hard times provide us a necessary invitation to growth and human connection.Being Blessed: How Patty’s commitment to doing the right thing combined with hard work and gratitude add up to “getting what I give.” It’s not luck!Dreams v. Manifestations: About being fully awake to the visions we want to work towards and building a solid infrastructure for what we want.Being in the People Business: Why the heart of Patty’s daily work is understanding, developing, mentoring and celebrating the people with whom she’s in business.Seeking Change and Practicing Radical Acceptance: How Patty pursues her goals and dreams while also tempering them through self-awareness and understanding the “why.”Questioning: The key to growth, purpose and recognizing what’s most important!Daily Impact: How Patty is using her experience and skill set to empower and support younger Latinx women embarking on their entrepreneurial paths.Closing Thoughts:The person Patty respects most on the planet is her husband, Rick, with whom she has built a committed and intentional life.Because of its positive nature, Patty felt good about visiting the GTHT pod.Promoting empathetic leaders in all their humanness is a core value and priority for Patty, who leads with her heart.The levels of despair among members of the American workforce – including among executive ranks – are troubling. You can push back by focusing on abundance, gratitude and human connection.QUOTABLE
“(My husband and I) see commitment as a daily event in our lives. Not just walking down the aisle and a piece of paper.” (Patty)“When I feel fear or am scared of making decisions, it’s in action that I’m able to move forward. I’m not complacent. I don’t hide. And I don’t complain.” (Patty)“If you look at a negative autobiographical experience that put you in a hole or a moment of adversity, the positive benefits far outweigh the negative. You can actually be grateful that that thing occurred.” (Chris)“Anything you intend to do to impact your life and make it better is creating blessings for yourself and putting in the work to create the life you want. That isn’t luck. That’s work!” (Patty)“I find myself getting a lot of satisfaction in helping others and creating happiness for others when they’re aligned with things that I’m doing.” (Patty)“If you’re competing with companies that are like yours, they have the same journey and struggles as you. When you’re around like-minded people in the same business as you, it’s really an ‘aha’ moment!” (Patty)“When you seek out and find your purpose, things will become clearer to you … I know my purpose is to impact others. It’s what I enjoy. I love the little wins.” (Patty)“Yes, cultivating meaningful moments is hard. It requires unyielding vulnerability and courage and deep trust and truth … but it erases the poverty of the soul. It’s the way to build a business that you’re proud of.” (Chris)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
Check out Gary Chapman’s book, "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts."Find out more about the Hogan Personality Assessment.Click here to find out about Kurt Vonnegut’s “Man in the Hole” theory.About "Grateful Processing," a concept developed by Prof. Phillip Watkins of Eastern Washington University.Explore Mike Foster’s "Seven Primal Questions."Follow this link to learn about “Ubuntu” and how the South African philosophy triggered one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Patty is an award-winning entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of New American Funding. A first-generation Hispanic, her path to mortgage industry began at age 16 with a hard-work ethic and an entry-level position at TransUnion Credit. From there, she landed a job at a prominent mortgage company, where she would rise through the ranks and learn the business from the ground up, eventually becoming branch manager and assistant vice president. In 2003, Patty and her husband, Rick Arvielo, launched their own mortgage company, New American Funding. In the years since, Patty has helped transform the company into one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the United States today with a servicing portfolio of over 250,000 loans for $69 billion. She also oversaw the creation and expansion of the company’s retail lending operation, which grew a small local operation to a national powerhouse with more than 170 locations and thousands of employees across the country. Today, Patty oversees nearly 4,000 employees, 54% of whom are women and 41% who are minorities.
FOLLOW PATTY:
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ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
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Are you ready to awaken your greatness? On this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times we learn why Darleen Santore – known affectionately as “Coach Dar” – is all about cultivating self-awareness and clarity – not tomorrow, but today! A bestselling author, she mentors professional athletes at the peak of their careers as well as C-suite leaders across a spectrum of Fortune 500 companies. Host Chris Schembra invites Coach Dar to share insights into the 9 Principles that form the basis for her powerful new book, "The Art of Bouncing Back: Find Your Flow to Thrive at Work and in Life -- Any Time You're Off Your Game." We’ve all experienced – and will continue to experience – adversity. That’s just part of the human condition, explains Coach Dar. The question is: Are we willing to do the work and bring the awareness? Do you have the toolkit to ensure “Setbacks don’t define you. Comebacks only refine you.” If not, you’re in luck! You’ll come away from this compelling conversation with actionable ideas to help propel you through even the toughest downturns (which Coach Dar, who has battled back from three strokes, understands very intimately). Based on decades of experience as an occupational therapist, mental strength and conditioning coach, her book is full of scorecards, exercises and a concrete framework to help us find our flow and thrive – even (or especially) when we’re facing hard times! Here’s your invitation to increase mental toughness, resilience and a sense of wellbeing. Embrace your “why” power!
Visit this link if you’d like to order Coach Dar’s empowering book full of tips to shift your mindset and ensure peak performance, "The Art of Bouncing Back: Find Your Flow to Thrive at Work and in Life -- Any Time You're Off Your Game."
If you’d like to learn more about Chris and his 7:47 Virtual Gratitude Experience or subscribe to our newsletter, please visit this link.
Click here to hear more fascinating conversations with Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes and entertainerswho have shared their human stories on Gratitude Through Hard Times.
KEY TOPICS:
“If you could give credit or thanks to one person in your life that you don’t give enough credit or thanks to – that you’ve never thought to thank – who would that be? The go-to has to be Dar’s mom, Linny. Even though she’s no longer alive, the inspiration and faith she inspired in her daughter are a living, breathing part of every day.Setbacks don’t define you. Comebacks only refine you! About understanding the power of getting back up from our knees, only to do better and be stronger.Cultivating Resiliency: What it looks like to use Coach Dar’s tools to develop mental toughness (of the kind she has used in overcoming multiple strokes).Raising the Bar: Why human beings have within them the ability to sow seeds of hope and nurture them into powerful advances for the collective good.Understanding Principle #6: Activating emotional intelligence – and embracing the full range of human response – is not only empowering but a platform for leadership and connection.Learn to take a pause, bringing intentionality to what you’re feeling and then expressing it in a clear, constructive way.Reactivity does not serve or enhance communication.It’s a balancing act between expression and self-restraint that leaves room enough for meaningful conversation.Actionable Advice: How Coach Dar interweaves scorecards, worksheets and other exercises throughout the 9 Principles framework spelled out in her bestseller.The Transformational Power of Gratitude:Principle #1: Embracing the suck fosters hope.Principle #7: Reframing setbacks shifts perspective.About the Journey: The message of hope Coach Dar found while recovering from three strokes and how it applies to the lives of professional athletes and the rest of us as well!It’s All Waves: Coach Dar reflects on the cycles of challenge we all inevitably face and how we can navigate adversity by marshalling tools like those she offers.Words to the Wise:Do not do this work alone!Our life journeys require communal wisdom and support.Never be too proud to work on being better!“Why” Power: About the importance of developing a clear understanding of what motivates you and will propel you forward, even when things get tough.Remember: Will power dies where “why” power stays lit and lives on!QUOTABLE
“It’s all about the impact we make on the community in front of us.” (Coach Dar)“When you give someone hope and something to hold onto and look forward to, they’re going to get up – even when everything is working against them.” (Coach Dar)“I can’t take adversity away from you but I can sure as heck help you be stronger when it hits!” (Coach Dar)“We connect not through our accolades but through vulnerability. When we behave vulnerably we have a bond that is so beautiful. It’s showing the humanness in us.” (Coach Dar)“Feeling emotion is so important. And then what you do with it is equally important ... Feel emotion and then do the right thing with it!” (Coach Dar)“When you shift your perspective, you shift your life. If you can go to a place of gratitude, then you can start to see … how obstacles become opportunities.” (Coach Dar)“When you love and are grateful for where you are, everything starts to shift.” (Coach Dar)“You’re going to leave this world. How you leave it, what people feel around you, the work you put out there – let it be of excellence, service or gratitude.” (Coach Dar)“When you live with greater intention, you show up better. And when you show up better, things happen. Let your ‘why’ fuel you!” (Coach Dar)LINKS/FURTHER RESOURCES:
More about the Pixar film – heartily recommended – "Inside Out."Click here to find out about Kurt Vonnegut’s “Man in the Hole” theory.ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Known as “Coach Dar,” Darleen Santore helps individuals gain mental strength, clarity and focus in order to live well, lead well and reach new heights. She believes the key to achieving goals and dreams is to Raise the Bar in our thinking and daily approach to life through customized coaching techniques. Coach Dar has spent the past 24 years as an occupational therapist, personal development, and mental strength & conditioning coach helping thousands reach their fullest potential. Her clients range from Fortune 100 executives, artists, professional athletes to high school and college students as well as large organizations.
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ABOUT OUR HOST:
Chris Schembra is a philosopher, question asker and facilitator. He's a columnist at Rolling Stone magazine, USA Today calls him their "Gratitude Guru" and he's spent the last six years traveling around the world helping people connect in meaningful ways. As the offshoot of his #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling book, "Gratitude Through Hard Times: Finding Positive Benefits Through Our Darkest Hours,"he uses this podcast to blend ancient stoic philosophy and modern-day science to teach how the principles of gratitude can be used to help people get through their hard times.
FOLLOW CHRIS:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | BOOKS
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