The Mark Divine Show mark@markdivine.com

There is a surprising factor that limits your leadership potential – Unresolved trauma. Trauma is a disruption of the patterns our brains trust to navigate life. 
  
Dr.Julia DiGangi is a neuropsychologist who completed her clinical training at a consortium of Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Medicine, and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. She has nearly two decades of experience studying the connection between our brains and our behavior. Dr. DiGangi has worked with leaders at the White House Press Office, global companies, international NGOs, and US Special Forces. Her understanding of stress, trauma, and resilience is also informed by her work in international development and humanitarian aid, where she served some of the world's most vulnerable communities. The founder of NeuroHealth Partners, a neuropsychology-based consultancy, DiGangi shows people—at work and at home—how to harness the power of the brain to lead more satisfying and emotionally intelligent lives.
 
Key Takeaways
 
The Brain’s Role: The brain is fundamentally a pattern detection machine, moving us through life largely unconsciously based on past memories and experiences.
Trauma Shatters Patterns: Trauma is defined as the violent shattering of expected patterns, causing confusion because it disrupts the brain's meaning-making process. The pain of trauma lies not so much in what happened, but in our response to it - the belief that we are never safe again or can never trust again.
Suppressing Emotions Clogs the Nervous System: When we avoid feeling painful emotions, we "shove them down" repeatedly, leading to a lifetime of a clogged emotional pipe or nervous system.
Leaders are Limited by Unresolved Trauma: A leader's primary limitation is their inability to see and deal with their past traumas. Childhood survival strategies that were once adaptive can constrain adult leadership.
Trust is the Antidote to Uncertainty: The brain is allergic to uncertainty, but seeking external certainty only breeds more anxiety. The opposite of uncertainty is not certainty but surrender and trust.
 
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Brian Hite, Ph.D., is a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in performance, psychology, and coaching. He has a rich background as a stuntman and coordinator in film and TV, an adjunct faculty member at Grand Canyon University, and a performance psychology consultant for the U.S. Army. He holds a Bachelor's in Psychology, a Master's in Sport Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, along with certifications as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant®, Certified Leadership Coach, and Certified Executive Coach. Brian founded Begin Again Performance Psychology to enhance the mental strength and well-being of athletes, performers, and business leaders.
 
Key Takeaways
The Four Phases of Performance: Brian breaks down performance into before, right before, during, and after phases. Mastering the "right before" phase, when emotions and energy can spiral, is crucial for success.
Achieving the Ideal Performance State: Brian uses breath control, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery, and attentional focus on the first 2 seconds of the task to get into the zone or "bubble."
Nervousness and Excitement are Physiologically the Same: The difference lies in perceiving the situation as a threat or challenge. Framing the energy positively allows you to use it to your benefit.
Eastern Philosophy and Western Psychology Overlap: Both emphasize the mind-body connection and achieving optimal mental states. Embracing this connection can lead to more flow experiences.
Three Keys to Personal Change: Develop self-awareness of thoughts, emotions and their influence. Accept current reality. Take self-regulatory action to make positive changes.
 
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Jean Gomes is an author, researcher, and consultant focused on the science of mindset. He studied neuroscience before transitioning into consultancy, where he works with global corporations to transform leaders through mindset training. He is the founder of Outside, a company that offers programs like More Human, which aims to address issues of depletion, defensiveness, and disconnection by building mindsets of well-being through simple practices. 
 
Key Takeaways
The Connection of Neuroscience and Mindset: Your brain is a "prediction machine" and emotions provide valuable information to help navigate uncertainty.
Fixed vs Growth Mindsets: Purely behavioral approaches to change your mindset is limited. Jean emphasizes the importance of building self-awareness of underlying assumptions and emotional responses.
Negative Emotions are Important: They keep us alive and indicate core needs that aren't being met. Understanding them provides actionable information.
The Problem with a “Sacrifice” Mindset: Having a “Sufficiency Mindset,” that priorities meeting your needs enables greater creativity and innovation.
Wellbeing Through Simple Practices: Outside and Jean’s More Human program aims to address issues of depletion, defensiveness, and disconnection by building interoceptive awareness through daily consistent practices. 
 
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Links for Jean Gomes
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Neha Sangwan, MD, is the founder and CEO of Intuitive Intelligence and co-founder of the Conscious Business Leadership Academy (CBLA), which partners with CEOs on implementing the principles of Conscious Capitalism in their organizations. She earned a BS in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering from Michigan State University and worked as a manufacturing engineer for Motorola before getting a medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Dr. Sangwan is nationally certified by the International Federation of Coaches and serves on the faculty of the Center of Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC.
 
Key Takeaways
Burnout as a Wake-Up Call: Burnout isn’t a personal failure, it’s a wake-up call. Recognize when your personal and professional lives are out of balance due to unsustainable practices like overwork and neglect of health.
Need for Conscious Upgrading: Upgrade your consciousness to better cope with the modern world's demands. This involves improving our ability to manage stress and enhance our internal resilience through mindfulness and self-awareness.
Alignment with Biology: We must align our lifestyles and work habits with our biological needs. This includes acknowledging the natural cycles of exertion and rest, which are often ignored in a productivity-focused culture.
Holistic Approach to Health: Dr. Sangwan advocates for a holistic approach to handling stress and burnout, which includes addressing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of an individual's well-being are nurtured.
Empowering Individual Change: You have the power and ability to manage burnout. Take proactive steps to understand and mitigate your stressors, rather than relying solely on external changes in the workplace or broader economic systems.
 
Sponsors and Promotions:
 
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Justin Wren is a humanitarian, author, journalist, former MMA fighter, and founder of the Fight for the Forgotten charity. After overcoming depression and addiction early in his MMA career, Justin embarked on a life-changing journey with the Mbuti Pygmy people of the Congo Basin rainforest. Inspired by a transformative vision, he founded Fight for the Forgotten to combat the global water crisis and expand its impact to serve the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda.
 
Key Takeaways
 
The Essentials: Personal practices, such as meditation, gratitude, and spending quality time with loved ones, are essential for maintaining a positive mindset and cultivating self-mastery.
Overcoming Depression and Addiction: Purpose-driven service can be a powerful tool for personal transformation and healing, as demonstrated by Justin's journey from overcoming depression and addiction to founding Fight for the Forgotten.
Empowering Communities: Providing tools, knowledge, and resources to develop sustainable livelihoods is a more effective approach to creating lasting change than short-term, unsustainable aid.
Sustainability and Rainforests:  Rainforests play a critical role in maintaining the Earth's ecological balance, and indigenous people, such as the Mbuti Pygmies, are essential stewards of these ecosystems.
How to Create Lasting Change: Collaboration between nonprofits and NGOs is crucial for creating a more significant impact and addressing complex global challenges, such as the water crisis and the displacement of indigenous communities.
It All Starts Within: Loving oneself and cultivating self-mastery is essential for being able to serve others effectively and create meaningful change in the world.
 
Sponsors and Promotions:
 
Henson Shaving: 
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Ready for adventure? With a family of vehicles to choose from, you'll have the space, technology, and performance to go further than ever before. Explore the Defender lineup at https://www.LandRoverUSA.com/Defender   
 
Momentus:
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Fuel your body and conquer your limits with SealFit ElectroGreens - a USDA organic superfood packed with over 25 organic fruits, vegetables, and electrolytes. Head to Amazon, search for "SealFit ElectroGreens," and use code SEALGREENS25 at checkout for 25% off your order.
 

Colt Balok, born in Tijuana, Mexico, and adopted at age two, grew up in San Diego among thirteen siblings. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2012 and in 2018, launched "The Colt Balok Show," an international talk show with over 1.3 million followers. The show, which Balok hosts and produces, focuses on love and human connection and features a mix of public figures and everyday individuals. Balok serves on the boards of the New Mexico Heart Gallery Foundation and the National Guard Youth Challenge Foundation.
 
Key Takeaways:
 
Choice in Perspective: Colt highlights how individuals have the power to choose their perspective and reaction to various life situations. He references a story about a monk who turns a mundane task into a spiritually enriching experience, illustrating that happiness and contentment are often a matter of choice rather than circumstance.
Therapeutic Value of Mundane Tasks: Seemingly mundane or arduous tasks, such as washing dishes or manual labor, can be therapeutic. These tasks allow for mental relaxation and can be a form of meditative practice, helping individuals find peace in the simplicity of the activity.
Impact of Attitude on Daily Life: One’s attitude towards everyday tasks can significantly affect one's mental health and happiness. Viewing chores as opportunities for mindfulness and growth rather than burdens can profoundly impact one's quality of life.
Personal Growth Through Routine Tasks: Routine tasks can contribute to personal growth by fostering patience, resilience, and a positive attitude. This mindset can transform routine or challenging tasks into opportunities for personal development.



Sponsors and Promotions:
 
Wild Health:
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DUER:
To experience the ultimate blend of style, comfort, and performance in your denim, head to shopduer.com/DIVINE and get 20% off sitewide on DUER's revolutionary stretch jeans and apparel.
 
SealFit ElectroGreens:
Fuel your body and conquer your limits with SealFit ElectroGreens - a USDA organic superfood packed with over 25 organic fruits, vegetables, and electrolytes. Head to Amazon, search for "SealFit ElectroGreens," and use code SEALGREENS25 at checkout for 25% off your order.