Learning From Your World

In this episode, I talk with Todd Cherches - CEO of Big Blue Gumball, NYU professor, TEDx speaker, and author of Visual Leadership - to explore how visual thinking transforms leadership, communication, and problem-solving. We explore why leadership isn’t just about titles, but about how you see, think, and connect with others. 
 
We discuss:
Why leadership is about influence - not job titles.
How visual thinking strengthens memory, communication, and problem-solving.
The power of metaphors, props, and mental models in making ideas stick and strengthening connections.
 
Challenge: Todd encourages us to become more aware of the metaphors we use and those used by others. This week, listen for metaphors in everyday conversations and try incorporating ones that resonate with your audience to build better connections.
 
Resources:
Todd’s Website
Book: Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life 
TED Talk: The Power of Visual Thinking

In this episode, I explore the critical role of connection in mental health with Dr. Chinwé Williams - licensed counselor, trauma therapist, and co-author of Beyond the Spiral and Seen. We discuss how anxiety and despair impact the brain, why true healing requires relationships, and how we can foster deeper, more meaningful support systems in our lives.
 
We discuss:
- Why feeling seen is essential for emotional well-being.
- How connection rewires the brain and reduces anxiety.
- How to help others feel truly heard - without trying to "fix" them.
 
Challenge: Dr. Chinwé introduces three powerful words, "tell me more," as a tool for deeper connection. This week, practice using this phrase in conversations and notice how it changes the way people open up to you.
 
Resources:- Dr. Chinwé’s Website- Beyond the Spiral: Why You Shouldn’t Believe Everything Anxiety Tells You- Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids Through the Power of Connection

In this episode, Cheryl Ilov returns to dive deeper into the philosophy of martial arts, the neuroscience of movement, and how training rewires both body and mind. We explore the principles that make Ninpo Taijutsu more than just self-defense - it’s a lifelong practice of resilience, strategy, and adaptability.
We discuss:
Why martial arts builds mental toughness, problem-solving skills, and confidence.
How movement reshapes the brain through neuroplasticity.
The unexpected ways martial arts can be a path to healing, empowerment, and personal transformation.
Challenge: At [42:50], Cheryl explains the importance of embracing fear and discomfort in small, intentional ways. This week, choose one thing that pushes you outside your comfort zone and reflect on the experience.
Resources:
Cheryl’s Website
FemiNinja Podcast
The Reluctant Ninja Book
Forever Fit and Flexible Book

In this episode, I talk with Cheryl Ilov (movement expert, author, and podcast host) about how training in Ninpo Taijutsu helped her heal from trauma, rebuild her confidence, and redefine her sense of strength. After years of resistance, she discovered that martial arts offered a unique path to empowerment. At 57, she became her teacher’s first female black belt, proving that transformation is possible at any stage of life.
 
We discuss:
How an unexpected introduction to martial arts became a turning point in Cheryl’s healing journey.
The role movement plays in trauma recovery and why martial arts is particularly powerful.
How facing fear, whether in training or life, can rewire the brain for resilience and confidence.
 
Resources:
Cheryl’s Website
FemiNinja Podcast
The Reluctant Ninja Book
Forever Fit and Flexible Book

In this episode, I talk with Avery Thatcher, burnout specialist and former ICU nurse, about rethinking stress management, recovering from burnout, and building sustainable energy resilience.
 
We discuss:
Why managing energy works better than managing stress—and what most strategies get wrong.
The four types of energy and how they each lead to burnout.
How burnout is shaped by larger societal pressures, not just personal choices.
Challenge: At [00:49:22], Avery shares her challenge to rethink your morning routine. Instead of a rigid to-do list, focus on how you want to feel and choose actions that align with creating that foundation.
 
Resources:
Avery’s Website
Kelly McGonigal’s TED Talk on stress perception.

In this solo episode, I share the backstory of Learning From Your World - why I started this podcast, how it's evolved, and the surprising themes that have emerged from my conversations.
 
I discuss:
How the book I wrote at 16 led to the podcast.
Why connection and courage are the two forces that shape our lives - and how they reinforce each other.
The "two wheels" analogy - how connection creates momentum and drives growth.
 
Challenge: At [09:10], I challenge you (and myself!) to take one small action today: strengthen a connection, start a new one, or do something that scares you.
 
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In this episode, I talk with Chelsey Brooke Cole, licensed psychotherapist, speaker, and author, about understanding narcissistic behavior, healing from narcissistic abuse, and fostering personal growth after trauma.
 
We discuss:
- The difference between narcissistic traits and narcissistic personality disorder.
- The cycle of narcissistic abuse and its impact on victims.
- Recognizing red flags, gaslighting, and DARVO in relationships.
 
Challenge: At [00:52:28], Chelsey encourages listeners to start a documentation practice. Write down your interactions and feelings to help validate your experiences and spot manipulation patterns.
 
Resources:
- Chelsey’s book, If Only I’d Known
- Chelsey’s Website
- Chelsey's LinkedIn

In this episode, I talk with Chuck Wisner, author of The Art of Conscious Conversations, to explore how conscious communication can transform our relationships and professional lives. 
 
We discuss:
- The power of internal narratives in shaping our external interactions.
- How to use self-reflection to reveal and adjust our personal biases and judgments.
- Practical strategies for fostering better storytelling, collaborative, creative, and commitment-focused conversations.
 
Challenge: At [0:50:40], Chuck encourages us to write four key elements on a sticky note: desires, concerns, authority issues, and standards. Use this tool in your next conversation to investigate your own thinking and as a template to ask great questions.
 
Resources:
- "The Art of Conscious Conversations" Book
- Chuck's Website
- Chuck's LinkedIn

In this episode, I talk with Andy Weins, author, entrepreneur, and army veteran, about the impact of language on our reality, psychological resilience, and the role of authenticity in personal and professional life.
 
We discuss:
How the language we use shapes our emotions and actions.
The power of authenticity in building stronger connections and self-acceptance.
How to cultivate a growth mindset and overcome self-limiting beliefs.
 
Challenge: At [1:20:00], Andy challenges us to start each day by expressing gratitude to someone, using the phrase “I feel [emotion] when you….” This practice fosters self-awareness and encourages meaningful communication.
 
Resources:
- Andy's book
- Andy's website
- Experience Andy Weins Live

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Martha Libster, nurse herbalist, historian, and author of Gentle Medicine for Balance in Body and Peace of Mind, about integrating holistic health, traditional medicine, and the power of plants in promoting mental and physical wellbeing.
 
We discuss:
The balance between modern healthcare and traditional healing methods.
How patterns in nature and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help us manage stress, depression, and anxiety.
The importance of learning from plants as partners for holistic self-care and mental health.
Challenge: At [1:07:15], Dr. Libster challenges us to explore the healing potential of the plants outside our backdoor. She also shares the safe place meditation, a tool for cultivating inner peace and balance.
 
Resources:
Gentle medicine Elements of Care Program Oct 4/5 
Membership Self-care Institute
Book a Gentle Medicine personal growth consult for self or family
Gentle Medicine for Balance in Body and Peace of Mind Book- Dr. Martha Libster