Bearded Wisdom with Les McDaniel Les McDaniel

Did you know you can be addicted to your trauma? 
We all have trauma. However, some of us are so used to experiencing trauma that their lives look something like this: things are always bad and never seem to get better. The sleepless nights are getting worse, the wounds are getting deeper, and it's like we're in a constant cycle of bad luck. 


Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell if you're addicted to your trauma. That's why it sometimes takes external help before you can finally move forward. The good news is that there is a small but very effective action you can take to overcome deep trauma. 


In today's episode, Les reveals a simple action people addicted to their trauma can take to finally move forward. He also explains how childhood trauma can stop you from living a long, fulfilled, and happy life. 


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Les shares his experience at a recent Front Row Dads event
02:23 The source of all our trauma
05:07 Things you were told as a kid that led to you developing trauma 
07:07 Les shares a sad childhood encounter with bullies
09:23 Trauma is the abandonment of your playful younger self
12:09 Our origin story as a species
14:18 Why you should start doing the things you enjoyed doing as a kid
15:43 The voices in your head stopping you from living a long, fulfilled life
17:00 Can we link our trauma to our lack of play?
18:17 Challenge for 2023 - Have fun and play more 
20:36 Parting thoughts 


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com

Are you a liberated leader -- are you the type of leader worth following?
The problem with most people is that the person they're following doesn't know where they're going. We live in a crowd mentality where we think, act, and talk like everybody else. Yes, there is safety in numbers, but following the herd only leads to one thing - unfulfilled potential. 


In today's episode, Les describes what it's like to step out of line and create a new path for yourself and those willing to embrace true liberation. Tune in to learn how you can develop the stomach to go against the crowd and build a community of liberated leaders destined for success.  


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Keys on how to create meaning in your life
02:19 The entrepreneur's plight is real
03:17 Do you know why you get up for work?
04:21 The things holding you back from complete liberation
06:44 Benefits of building a supportive community around yourself
08:22 What to expect when you start living up to your potential
09:23 Make the choice to become a liberated leader
10:58 How to grow into liberated leadership 
12:29 Finding your people on the path to liberation
13:41 Parting thoughts 


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com

Does the person you're following know where they're going? 
The problem with most people is that they're playing the world's most unrewarding game: Follow the Follower. We live in the crowd, yield to herd mentality and often think, act, and talk like everybody else. The problem with this kind of mentality is that there is a very high chance that the people you're following don't have the answers you need to succeed as a human being. It's even more depressing when the person that's supposed to be leading you is actually following you. 


In today's episode, Les talks about the herd mentality and why it's the biggest problem most people struggle with today. Tune in to learn how you can develop the stomach to go against the crowd and increase your odds of succeeding in life.  


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
02:11 Are you an intentional or accidental leader in your world?
02:43 The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale
04:34 When the person you're following is actually following you
05:41 Does the person you're following know where they're going?
07:40 Shocking stats on entrepreneurial failures 
08:49 Why most entrepreneurs struggle with mental health issues
10:01 Are entrepreneurs touched with fire?
11:18 How to turn your mess into your message 
14:02 Understand that there are no real experts in life
15:14 Parting thoughts


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com

Would you risk abandoning your true self just to be accepted by others? How much of your true desires and beliefs are you willing to give up just to fit the perfect mold of who "society" wants you to be?
In today's episode, Les breaks down what it means to be a leader and a follower. This episode is perfect for people unsure of how to live a bold and uncompromising life, free of external influence. 


As the year comes to a close, ask yourself, are you living true to yourself or blindly following the people in front of you just because they're ahead? Use your answers to plan for 2023 and create a future you would be proud of.


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
01:05 The caterpillar pothead experiment 
03:37 Mental Emotional and Spiritual States (MESS)
05:04 Looking at the flower pot of our lives
07:25 When your entire existence is based on "towing the line"
09:27 There is no such thing as cultural norms
11:03 Is it really a bad thing to be a follower?
12:10 How to become a true liberated leader
12:45 Who says you can't?
15:08 Prohibitions are actually a good thing
16:55 What's keeping you from living the life of your dreams?
19:33 Parting thoughts 


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com

What is a good way to move from a "reactive" way of living to a more "creative" way of living?
Simple, be consciously aware of where you're focusing your energy. You see, stress is just energy. So any time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, know that you're focusing your energy on the wrong things - which means you're placing responsibility for your peace on someone or something other than yourself. 
In today's episode, Les describes how we can awaken the conscious leader within us by moving from a reactive to a creative way of life. Tune in to learn the role of emotional intelligence when navigating stress, anxiety, and frustration. 


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
01:51 Awakening conscious leadership
03:57 Understand that stress is energy
06:01 How emotional reactivity leads to a life full of dis-ease
07:06 Using creativity to tap into our life's purpose
08:44 The role of emotional intelligence in managing stress
10:34 Core emotions and why they are so complex
13:16 How to live a life knowing things will never stay the same
16:24 Moving from a reactive to a creative way of life 
18:16 Love people as they are, not as you wish they were
20:44 We all can be good human beings
22:31 Parting thoughts 


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com

Would you like to experience the fully human way of co-creating a life where we all get to experience peace?
Living a life of peace is about understanding that nothing is permanent. No matter how badly you mess up, life goes on. No matter how great you become, there's always someone out there who is better than you. As you navigate life, remember that your time here is limited. So, live this life not for yourself but for the highest good of others. 


In today's episode, Les reveals how you can use emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of modern life. Tune in to learn the peace that comes with understanding the emotions of others and where they come from. 


IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Using emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of life
03:30 Life is about living for the good of others
05:40 Understanding and processing other people's emotions
06:47 Managing emotions in more meaningful ways 
08:07 Using both IQ and EQ for business success
09:30 Deep down, we all want to be understood
11:09 Stop going through the motions and start living your life
13:50 How to have a deeper connection to oneness
15:10 Understand the present is never in your control
16:28 Whatever happens, life must go on 
18:08 No emotion is your permanent reality
20:20 Parting thoughts


Links and Resources:
Lesismore.life
Follow Les on Instagram
Bearded Wisdom on TikTok
Connect with Les on Facebook


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lesmcdaniel.substack.com