Give & Receive

Podcast Heat, LLC

Yes, it’s possible to be successful AND happy. This podcast will show you how. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and lawyer, Brian H. Potts, and top self-compassion and leadership of self expert, Elizabeth Pyjov, this podcast will teach you how to be successful—and be happy. Elizabeth Pyjov is a founder, CEO, theologian, lawyer, facilitator, published poet, and business school faculty who holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seven countries, and has created over a hundred different programs for happiness, energy, connection, and resilience. Through her organization Lead with Compassion, she has reached over 20,000 people. Brian H. Potts is a partner with Husch Blackwell but is best known for being a mentor and a connector. He serves as a resource to anyone he can help in any way. He loves connecting clients and potential clients with investors and likely business partners (as well as other lawyers), and as the founder and board chair of The Legal Mentor Network. As a law student, Brian was rejected by each of the top 100 law firms in the U.S.—including the one where he made equity partner less than a decade later. After posting about this experience on LinkedIn in 2020, he found himself inundated with requests for mentorship. Over the next few months, he built a nationwide network of attorneys willing to mentor law students and recent J.D. grads—which formed the beginning of the now-nationwide Legal Mentor Network. Brian has since connected thousands of mentors and protégés through the program, personally mentored more than 1,000 individuals, and helped thousands of others obtain mentorship.

  1. 2d ago

    Madonna, Music Videos & a Life of Giving: Ed Steinberg on Money, Success & Happiness

    What happens when you spend a lifetime giving without expecting anything in return? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with music industry pioneer Ed Steinberg for a fascinating conversation about success, money, generosity, relationships and what it really means to live a happy life. Ed shares stories from an extraordinary career that helped shape the modern music video era, including directing Madonna’s early music video for “Everybody,” working with artists including Prince and Queen Latifah, and building Rock America into a groundbreaking music video distribution and promotion company. But some of Ed’s most powerful stories have nothing to do with celebrity or the music business. After spending decades helping friends, artists and people around him, Ed now finds himself on the receiving end of that generosity. He explains why friends have repeatedly opened their homes to him, how relationships built over a lifetime can become more valuable than money, and why learning to receive can sometimes be harder than learning to give. Brian, Elizabeth and Ed also explore the complicated relationship between money and happiness, why trust can be one of the most valuable assets in business, the danger of transactional relationships, and whether people actually become more successful when money isn’t their primary motivation. It’s a funny, candid and unexpectedly moving conversation about the music industry, friendship, generosity, success and building a life you actually like living. In this episode:• How Ed Steinberg helped pioneer the modern music video business• Directing Madonna’s early “Everybody” music video• Working with Prince, Queen Latifah and other major artists• Why Ed never made money his primary motivation• How decades of generosity came back around later in life• Why receiving is just as important as giving• The importance of trust and reputation in business• Why money alone rarely creates happiness or fulfillment• Brian Potts’ philosophy on money, security and defining “enough”• Elizabeth Pyjov on compassion, purpose and choosing fulfilling work Subscribe to Give & Receive for more conversations about success, happiness, compassion and creating a more meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 23

    Why Aligning Incentives Is the Secret to Business, Relationships & Happiness

    What if one simple principle could improve your business deals, your relationships, and even your happiness? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the power of aligning incentives and why understanding what people truly want can completely change the way you approach business and life. Brian explains why misaligned incentives can cause even promising business relationships to fall apart, sharing real-world examples involving investors, lenders, advisors, salespeople, marketing firms, and even his own experiences inside large law firms. He also explains why understanding someone else's incentives can be a powerful form of empathy and help you negotiate, communicate, and make better decisions. Elizabeth takes the idea beyond business, exploring what it means to surround yourself with people whose values and goals align with your own. They discuss negativity, personal responsibility, the "Eeyore" mindset, happiness, and why the people around us can have such a powerful influence on the direction of our lives. Brian also shares a personal "Give & Receive" story about how helping someone with no expectation of getting anything back eventually led to one of his favorite legal projects. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice centered on a powerful question: If there is something you haven't yet received, what is something you haven't yet given? In this episode: Why aligning incentives matters in business How misaligned incentives can destroy good partnerships Understanding what motivates the people you're dealing with Aligning your relationships with your values Negativity, happiness, and the "Eeyore" mindset Giving without expecting anything in return How giving can unexpectedly come back to you A mindfulness exercise for aligning with what you truly want If Give & Receive has helped you, share the podcast with someone who could benefit from it and help grow the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 4

    How to Spot a Narcissist: Red Flags, Gaslighting & Recovery with Dian Oved

    How do you recognize a narcissist before it's too late? What are the warning signs of manipulation, gaslighting, and love bombing? And if you can't avoid a narcissist, how can you protect yourself? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome entrepreneur, branding expert, and advisor Dian Oved for an honest conversation about narcissistic personalities, toxic relationships, and the journey back to confidence and self-worth after emotional abuse. Drawing from her own experiences surviving years of narcissistic abuse and litigation, Dian explains how narcissists operate, why they manipulate others, and the common patterns of love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation, and discard. She also shares practical strategies for recognizing narcissistic behavior early, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting yourself in both personal and professional relationships. Brian and Elizabeth add their own perspectives on building self-worth, developing self-compassion, and creating the confidence that makes manipulation far less effective. The discussion also explores how to navigate difficult workplace dynamics, deal with narcissistic bosses or business partners, and why trusting your instincts can be one of your greatest strengths. In this episode: How to identify the biggest red flags of narcissism What love bombing and gaslighting really look like Why narcissists often rely on manipulation and dishonesty How to protect yourself in business and personal relationships Setting healthy boundaries with difficult people Building self-worth so you're less vulnerable to manipulation Why believing your own pain is the first step toward healing If you've ever questioned whether someone in your life is manipulating you or wondered how to recover from a toxic relationship, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, and actionable advice. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 15

    The Secret to Happiness and Success? Why Giving Without Expecting Anything Changes Everything

    What if the biggest key to success isn't networking, self-promotion, or chasing opportunities, but simply giving without expecting anything in return? In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome attorney Dave Marcus to explore how generosity, authentic relationships, and a willingness to help others can create extraordinary opportunities in both business and life. Dave shares the incredible story of traveling to Morocco to compete in a grueling 250-mile mountain bike race across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. What started as a personal adventure became a fundraising mission for Big City Mountaineers, helping underserved youth experience the outdoors while creating unexpected friendships and lifelong connections around the world. Brian explains why the world's most successful people consistently embrace a "give first" mindset, while Elizabeth highlights fascinating research showing how your own happiness can positively influence the people around you, even if you never speak to them. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you cultivate more joy and share it with those around you. In this episode: Why giving without expectations leads to greater success Dave Marcus' unforgettable Morocco cycling adventure How generosity creates powerful professional relationships The surprising science behind contagious happiness Why mentoring changes lives, often in ways you never see A guided meditation to increase joy and reduce stress Practical ways to create more meaning, purpose, and connection every day If you're looking to build stronger relationships, live with more intention, and discover how generosity can transform your career and personal life, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, mindfulness, leadership, happiness, generosity, and living a meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jun 28

    People-Pleasing vs. Authenticity: How to Stop Seeking Approval and Start Living Honestly

    Are you a people-pleaser, or are you simply a compassionate person? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the critical difference between healthy compassion and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elizabeth explains why constantly seeking approval from others can leave you feeling drained, disconnected from your values, and stuck in fear, while authentic living creates greater peace, confidence, and stronger relationships. The conversation covers: The psychology behind people-pleasing and approval-seeking Why authenticity leads to greater happiness and emotional freedom How to stop letting other people's reactions control your decisions Why our minds fixate on negative experiences and how meditation can help Practical exercises for spring cleaning your emotional life through forgiveness and making amends Brian also shares an incredible real-life legal battle involving Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources that highlights the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing pressure from powerful institutions. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice designed to help listeners reconnect with their values, quiet their inner critic, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear. If you've ever struggled with saying "yes" too often, worried about disappointing others, or wondered how to live more authentically, this episode offers practical tools that can change the way you approach your relationships and your life. Subscribe to Give & Receive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations on mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. May 30

    How to Resolve Conflict: Mediation, Difficult People & Finding Common Ground | Give & Receive

    How do you resolve conflict without losing your mind... or your energy? In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into the art of mediation, conflict resolution, and navigating difficult conversations in relationships, business, and everyday life. Brian shares real-world experiences mediating disputes in both his legal practice and personal life, while Elizabeth brings research-backed insight into how tone, emotional intelligence, and human connection can completely change the outcome of disagreements. The conversation explores: Why most conflicts are decided in the first few moments How to mediate disputes between family members, coworkers, and business partners Why people often don’t actually want what they say they want Practical ways to stay calm and impartial in emotional situations The hidden emotional toll of conflict and how to protect your energy Whether AI could ever replace human mediators Plus, Elizabeth shares a simple but powerful mindfulness exercise to help you approach conflict with more empathy, clarity, and compassion. If you’ve ever struggled with difficult people, workplace tension, family disagreements, or simply want to communicate better, this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right away. Listen now and learn how to turn conflict into connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. May 18

    How to Set Healthy Boundaries Without Guilt | Protect Your Time, Energy & Relationships

    How do you set healthy boundaries without feeling guilty? When should you say no? And how do boundaries actually help you give more to the people you care about? In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into one of the most important (and hardest) life skills: setting healthy boundaries. From work-life balance and difficult personalities to family time, emotional energy, people-pleasing, and self-care, they explore how boundaries shape our happiness, relationships, and personal growth. Elizabeth shares practical ways to create boundaries that protect your energy without cutting people off, while Brian opens up about struggles with overcommitting, work demands, and balancing career with family life. They also discuss: ✔️ Why saying “no” is really saying “yes” to what matters most ✔️ Emotional, financial, digital, and time boundaries ✔️ How to stop people-pleasing and burnout ✔️ Practical phrases to set boundaries respectfully ✔️ Work-life balance and protecting family time ✔️ Why self-care is not selfish ✔️ How boundaries improve relationships and authenticity Whether you struggle with overworking, overgiving, people-pleasing, or simply protecting your peace, this conversation will help you rethink boundaries in a healthier, more compassionate way. Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, giving, relationships, happiness, and living with intention. #HealthyBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #MentalWellness #Relationships #WorkLifeBalance #PeoplePleasing #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #GiveAndReceivePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ratings & Reviews

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About

Yes, it’s possible to be successful AND happy. This podcast will show you how. Hosted by serial entrepreneur and lawyer, Brian H. Potts, and top self-compassion and leadership of self expert, Elizabeth Pyjov, this podcast will teach you how to be successful—and be happy. Elizabeth Pyjov is a founder, CEO, theologian, lawyer, facilitator, published poet, and business school faculty who holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seven countries, and has created over a hundred different programs for happiness, energy, connection, and resilience. Through her organization Lead with Compassion, she has reached over 20,000 people. Brian H. Potts is a partner with Husch Blackwell but is best known for being a mentor and a connector. He serves as a resource to anyone he can help in any way. He loves connecting clients and potential clients with investors and likely business partners (as well as other lawyers), and as the founder and board chair of The Legal Mentor Network. As a law student, Brian was rejected by each of the top 100 law firms in the U.S.—including the one where he made equity partner less than a decade later. After posting about this experience on LinkedIn in 2020, he found himself inundated with requests for mentorship. Over the next few months, he built a nationwide network of attorneys willing to mentor law students and recent J.D. grads—which formed the beginning of the now-nationwide Legal Mentor Network. Brian has since connected thousands of mentors and protégés through the program, personally mentored more than 1,000 individuals, and helped thousands of others obtain mentorship.