101: A Monk, a Lawyer and a President Walk into a Podcast: A Conversation Featuring Brother Curtis

What if shifting from a constant state of doing to one of being could transform your loneliness into deeper connections?

On this episode of Great Practice, Great Life, Steve welcomes Brother Curtis to challenge the notion that leaders in helping professions have it all figured out and dive into the necessity of seeking help. We share Brother Curtis’s profound insights on embracing joy and gratitude, moving beyond marketing’s empty promises, and finding genuine fulfillment by reconciling internal rules of love and belonging ingrained since childhood.

Steve and Brother Curtis also explore the shadow side of connectivity, questioning how well marketing messages deliver on their promises of fulfillment. Through Brother Curtis's wisdom, we discuss the importance of self-reflection, authenticity, and understanding one’s internal rules of love and belonging. Learn how embracing self-love, starting each day with self-appreciation, and being your own best friend can lead to personal peace and authentic connections. Brother Curtis’s teachings remind us that the journey to connection begins with nurturing self-worth and gratitude.

Finally, discover how humility, resilience, and humor can balance the seriousness of life, drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s ability to find humor even in dire circumstances. Brother Curtis shares how gratitude and resilience are vital in crafting a fulfilling life.

This episode offers a masterclass in gratitude with Brother Curtis. We leave you with practical tools to foster authentic connections and live joyously. Let Brother Curtis’s messages of wisdom and humility guide you toward a more meaningful existence.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Exploring the power of shifting from constant doing to simply being to foster deeper connections and personal joy
• Understanding the shadow side of connectivity
• How marketing promises often fail to deliver authentic fulfillment
• Embracing self-love and gratitude as essential practices for personal growth and meaningful connections
• Encouraging self-reflection and humility to connect with your true self and reconcile societal norms of love and belonging
• Incorporating humor and gratitude into daily life, inspired by Viktor Frankl's resilience and finding laughter in adversity
• The importance of living in the present moment and clarifying your vocation as a path to authenticity and fulfillment

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Supporting Resources:

• Brother Curtis Almquist, SSJE: www.ssje.org/br-curtis-almquist

• Society of Saint John the Evangelist, Massachusetts: www.ssje.org

• Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community: www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states