The Greg McKeown Podcast Greg McKeown

About the Guest:
James Rhee is the CEO, educator, and acclaimed author of "Red Helicopter: A Parable for Our Times." He holds the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship at Howard University and serves as a senior lecturer at both MIT and Duke Law School. Influenced by the caregiver values of his first-generation Korean immigrant parents, James has played a transformative role in business and education, notably reviving Ashley Stewart from the brink of liquidation while advocating for leadership rooted in kindness and numerical acuity.
Episode Summary:
Greg McKeown hosts James Rhee, an accomplished CEO, educator, and author of the transformative book, "Red Helicopter: A Parable for Our Times." Throughout the conversation, James Rhee uncovers his journey from a young Korean immigrant sharing his lunch in kindergarten to leading a monumental turnaround at Ashley Stewart. His story is rich with lessons on resilience, transformation, and the undeniable power of kindness in leadership and everyday actions.
James and Greg delve into the themes of chaos and intuition, discussing how modern life’s overwhelming noise can obscure our innate wisdom and kindness. James eloquently shares how the metaphor of the "red helicopter" symbolizes pure acts of kindness and navigates us towards simplicity amidst chaos. The episode also explores how the pursuit of success can sometimes stifle curiosity and diminish one's true self, with James reflecting on the years he spent following societal norms of success that ultimately left him unfulfilled. He challenges listeners to rediscover joy, connectedness, and meaningful human interactions in a world increasingly driven by digital distractions.
Key Takeaways:
The Power of Simple Acts: Small, intuitive acts of kindness, like sharing a meal, can have profound impacts and serve as a guiding principle throughout life.
Navigating Chaos with Intuition: In a world filled with information overload, trusting one's intuition can help navigate the noise and make meaningful decisions.
Distinction Between Intelligence and Wisdom: Being smart and being wise are distinct, with wisdom requiring lived experiences and the ability to ask deeper questions.
Rediscovering Curiosity and Joy: Success shouldn't come at the cost of losing one's curiosity and joy in life. James encourages engaging in meaningful hobbies and reading for pleasure to enrich life.
Human Connectedness: Emphasizing the Korean concept of Chung, James highlights the importance of genuine human connections that transcend time and space, vital for a fulfilling life.
Notable Quotes:
"The problem was very simple. There was a boy. I liked him. He made me laugh. He didn’t have food. I had some. I solved the problem and I gave it to him." — James Rhee
"I felt myself becoming less interesting, you know, like lost hobbies. I have a big passion for music. Stopped playing music, stopped taking lessons." — James Rhee
"Most of the books that get written these days, they profit off of you being confused." — James Rhee
"Intelligence is about information and skills, but wisdom is about the lived experience and connecting with the deeper aspects of life." — Greg McKeown
"Chung is like a connectedness between people. It’s a feeling of just... it’s a feeling that transcends linearity. It transcends. It bends time." — James Rhee
Resources:
James Rhee's Book: Red Helicopter: A Parable for Our Times
Greg McKeown's Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
TED Talk by James Rhee: "The Value of Kindness at Work"

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About the Guest:
Matt Gutman is the ABC News Chief National Correspondent whose career and personal journey have captivated millions. With a coverage history spanning nearly 50 countries, Matt has reported from the battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe to natural disasters and key events in the US. He is the author of "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks," a candid memoir about his battle with panic attacks. He also authored "The Boys in the Cave," detailing the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Matt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Episode Summary:
Greg engages with renowned journalist Matt Gutman to explore the profound impacts of panic attacks and the journey of self-discovery that follows. Matt candidly discusses a critical error in his reporting on Kobe Bryant and its aftermath, highlighting the pressures of being first in the news media versus the importance of accuracy. This enlightening conversation delves into the mental health challenges faced by those in high-pressure roles and the transformative journey Matt undertook to address these issues.
The discussion reveals Matt's struggle with panic attacks, triggered by the demanding environment of TV journalism, and his subsequent journey towards mental well-being. Matt shares his experiences with various forms of therapy, including breath work and altered states induced by psychedelics, which played crucial roles in helping him access and process deeply buried emotions. This episode is a deep dive into the vulnerabilities we all face and the continuous effort required to confront and overcome them.
Key Takeaways:

The dilemma of accuracy versus being the first to report in journalism can have significant personal and professional consequences.

Panic attacks in high-stress professions are common and often require unconventional methods to address.


"Wellness is work" - the journey to mental well-being is ongoing and requires constant effort.

Holistic and alternative therapies, such as breath work and psychedelics, can be instrumental in accessing and processing deep-seated emotions.

The support of loved ones, exemplified by Matt's wife's unwavering support, is crucial during times of personal crisis.

Notable Quotes:

"In the trust fall of life, I'll be caught. It's gonna be okay."

"Conventional therapy couldn't get there for me because I'm the gold Olympic medalist in compartmentalization."

"Humans are among the most cooperative species on the planet. Social rejection is essentially a fear of death."

Resources:
Books:

"No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks" by Matt Gutman

"The Boys in the Cave" by Matt Gutman

Contact:
Matt Gutman Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn


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About the Guest:
Matt Gutman is the ABC News Chief National Correspondent whose career and personal journey have captivated millions. With a coverage history spanning nearly 50 countries, Matt has reported from the battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe to natural disasters and key events in the US. He is the author of "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks," a candid memoir about his battle with panic attacks. He also authored "The Boys in the Cave," detailing the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Matt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
Episode Summary:
Greg dives deep with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman. Matt shares his enthralling journey reporting from hotspots around the globe and delves into his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, revealing a facet of his life seldom seen on TV. With a career spanning wars, natural disasters, and pivotal events, Matt's life and career are marked by resilience and remarkable bravery.
Matt discloses the profound impact of early traumas, including the loss of his father in a plane crash and his mother's battle with Hodgkin's disease, on his career choices. He also speaks about his tenure at the Jerusalem Post, the burden of perfectionism, and the eventual on-air panic attack that drastically altered his path. The discussion intricately weaves through themes of mental health, high-stakes journalism, and personal growth, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in human resilience and storytelling.
Key Takeaways:


The Effect of Early Trauma: Matt shares how the loss of his father and his mother's illness shaped his life and career.


Journalism Adventures: His time at the Jerusalem Post and the intense experiences that characterized his early journalism years.


The Burden of Titles: How the prestigious title of ABC's Chief National Correspondent brought an unexpected pressure that contributed to his panic attacks.


Panic Attack Live on Air: Details of the on-air panic attack during the reporting of Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash and its aftermath.


Mental Health Journey: Insights into how Matt confronted and managed his anxiety and panic attacks through various means, including writing his book.

Notable Quotes:

"With great negligence comes great opportunity."

"My greatest characteristic was grit and pluck. It was chutzpah."

"I felt like I had to achieve to a higher standard, and that put more pressure on me."

Resources:
Books:

"No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks" by Matt Gutman

"The Boys in the Cave" by Matt Gutman

Contact:
Matt Gutman Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn


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Do you ever feel like you want to make a more meaningful contribution but you’re not sure how?
Or maybe you know what you would like to do but get hung up on the fear of the unknown?
Join me as I talk with Ken Coleman, Ken is a successful author and host of The Ken Coleman Show where he helps people define their purpose and discover the steps they need to take to pursue it. 
Join us as we discuss: 

How to clearly discover your purpose.

How to overcome fear and other obstacles that keep you from pursuing your purpose.

What leaders can do to make work more meaningful for employees.


You’ll love Ken’s simple, actionable ideas on how to live a more meaningful life.

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When you get clear on what really matters in your life, everything else starts to fall into place. 
You make decisions differently. Your perspective changes. You begin to seek purpose over achievement.  
This week I am joined by Molly Fletcher. Molly is a former sports agent turned speaker, author, and consultant. As someone who has represented some of the world's most notable athletes, she offers a unique perspective on success. 
In this episode, we discuss:

Why purpose is more important than achievement.

How to manage your energy, so you are at your peak performance when it really matters.

Strategies to help you be a better negotiator.


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One of the most significant setbacks of the last few years has been the dismantling of many of our boundaries and routines. I think we have all felt this. Whether you are living out of your inbox, overwhelmed with texts and notifications, or have found yourself caught up in a zoom-eat-sleep-repeat lifestyle, it's an exhausting way to live.
Join me this week to learn how you can reestablish boundaries and routines that will allow you to take back control of your calendar - and your life - making it easier to accomplish what’s most important.

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