The Humanist Chad Prevost

The central focus of the first month's theme for The Humanist is understanding Authenticity. Why? Partly because the title of the podcast almost featured authenticity in the first place. Partly because authenticity seems to be having "a moment" culturally, and we aim to find out what's going on: How authentic is authenticity really when it comes to ways it's used an understood?
Chad Prevost and Ben Cake discuss the creative process and flow states, emphasizing the importance of embracing the unknown and not over-strategizing. They also explore the concept of compromise in relation to living an authentic life, highlighting the need for individualized metrics and prioritizing self-awareness and sustainability in personal growth.
Later, they discuss the challenges of balancing creative aspirations with practical considerations, emphasizing the importance of setting terms with oneself about what success looks like and embracing a creative life without compromise or shame. They also address the fear of failure and pressure to constantly produce content.
SummaryCreativity, flow states, and the source of inspiration.Chad Prevost and guest discuss creativity as a vehicle for a higher power, drawing on Rick Rubin and Elizabeth Gilbert's ideas.Ben Cake experiences flow state when nearing project completion, feeling momentum and possibility.
Compromise and taking one for the team, with insights on self-doubt and fantasies.
Ben discusses compromises made in pursuit of authentic life, framing them as pragmatic decisions rather than losses of faith.The importance of framing compromises in a way that reduces shame and increases positive outcomes.The idea of "taking one for the team" and how it can be a form of self-sabotage, where individuals prioritize the needs of others over their own goals.Examine your own stories and decisions, and to ask if you are holding yourself back from pursuing your true desires.
Living a creative life, overcoming fear and shame, and finding sustainability through self-care and personal growth.Chad discusses living a creative life without compromise, experimentation, and freedom to try new things.Ben argues that setting terms with oneself about success can limit creativity, leading to a different definition of success.The importance of living a fulfilling life, and the need for sustainability and balance in daily activities.Ben describes an ideal day, including self-care, family time, intellectual conversations, and a business meeting, highlighting the importance of nurturing various aspects of oneself.
Creativity, authenticity, and overcoming fear and shame in the creative process.The importance of authenticity in personal growth and transformation coaching.Chad discusses how creating an intentional creative life can lead to positive results, but acknowledges the potential for idealized metrics.The importance of taking action and showing up to create opportunities for success.Stop overthinking and debating, and instead, start doing something to manifest luck and success.Embracing discomfort and overcoming shame and fear in creative pursuits.
Find out more about Big Self School:
Big Self School seeks to democratize wellbeing and happiness. Our methodology is rooted in science and ancient wisdom to help clients improve their outcomes and design their dream life. We are innovating the way coaching is currently practiced. We’re building a community to serve in a variety of high impact ways from coaching to in-person trainings to even using AI. Let's dream of a better future for everyone. Lead yourself first. Others will follow. bigselfschool.com
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The central focus of the first month's theme for The Humanist is understanding Authenticity. Why? Partly because the title of the podcast almost featured authenticity in the first place. Partly because authenticity seems to be having "a moment" culturally, and we aim to find out what's going on: How authentic is authenticity really when it comes to ways it's used an understood?
Chad Prevost and Ben Cake discuss the challenges of maintaining authenticity in creative pursuits and leadership roles. They explore how advertising and marketing can perpetuate idealized versions of life, and the impact of judgment from others on one's creative identity.
They also discuss the balance between artistic integrity and commercial success, using examples from various art forms. They explore the importance of living authentically and being willing to make changes to ensure satisfaction in one's creative pursuits.
In the end, they don't arrive at hard conclusions, but the discussion itself does seem valuable.
Authenticity, creativity, and snapshots in life.Ben Cake discusses authenticity, creativity, and the struggle to stay engaged with life.Speaker discusses how snapshots can be harmful, leading to unrealistic expectations and suffering.Exploring and acknowledging snapshots can help improve self-awareness and authenticity.
Leadership, self-awareness, and the importance of following one's passions.Chad and Ben discuss the importance of leading oneself before leading others.Rick Rubin's success was due to luck and not planning.
The value of persistence in creative fields despite lack of recognition or financial success.Chad admires writers who persist in publishing despite lack of recognition.Chad and Ben discuss the concept of mastery in writing and the challenges of achieving it.Ben argues that pursuing expertise can lead to a paradox where one becomes so focused on pleasing a narrow audience that they neglect to appeal to a broader one.Chad suggests that artists may feel sad or frustrated when they pour their heart and soul into their work, only to find that it goes unappreciated or unnoticed by a wider audience.
Creativity, ambition, and judgment from others.The idea of commitment to art and family, and admiration for authors who commit to their craft despite potential regrets.On judgment from others and its impact on authenticity.
Creative identity, authenticity, and career changes.On peaking early in their career and the challenges that come with it.The impact of criticism on one's self-narrative and identity.
Find out more about Big Self School:
Discover the transformative power of Big Self School, where personal growth meets professional development. Unlock your full potential and achieve your wildest dreams through our innovative courses, workshops, and coaching programs. Led by industry experts and thought leaders, Big Self School empowers you to break free from limiting beliefs, cultivate a growth mindset, and become the architect of your own success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or simply seeking to live your best life, Big Self School provides the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive. Join our vibrant community of like-minded individuals and experience the life-changing impact of investing in your personal and professional growth with Big Self School.
Book a discovery call here
Order a copy of Chad’s a...

Subscribe now and start your journey to a more authentic life.
Find out more about Big Self School:
Discover the transformative power of Big Self School, where personal growth meets professional development. Unlock your full potential and achieve your wildest dreams through our innovative courses, workshops, and coaching programs. Led by industry experts and thought leaders, Big Self School empowers you to break free from limiting beliefs, cultivate a growth mindset, and become the architect of your own success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or simply seeking to live your best life, Big Self School provides the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive. Join our vibrant community of like-minded individuals and experience the life-changing impact of investing in your personal and professional growth with Big Self School.
Book a discovery call here
Order a copy of Chad’s book Shock Point or order an ebook here.
Leave us a review and subscribe on Apple iTunes or Subscribe on Spotify.
Find us at bigselfschool.com

Hey there, Big Self Show listeners!
We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and loyalty throughout our incredible journey together. It's been an absolute pleasure exploring the depths of personal growth, self-discovery, and transformation with you.
As we evolve and grow, so too does our podcast. We're thrilled to announce that we're embarking on a new and exciting chapter, and we'd love for you to join us on this next phase of our adventure.
Now, we could have just replaced the Big Self Show with The Humanist and kept these thousands of downloads and all the benefits that come with that, but this is more than a rebrand. This is a whole new show. We’re going to let Big Self Show live on as it is and as it was. 
So, we’re are excited to direct your attention to The Humanist - a brand new podcast dedicated to helping you live your most genuine, purposeful, and fulfilling life. We'll be diving even deeper into the realms of psychology, spirituality, and creativity, bringing you the latest insights, tools, and strategies to help you unlock your full potential and become the architect of your own reality.
A lot of what you came for already, yes, but with a more specific focus.
Get ready for thought-provoking interviews with renowned experts, immersive solo episodes, and actionable wisdom you can apply to your daily life. We're committed to being your trusted companion on the path to self-actualization and authentic living.
While the Big Self Show may be coming to a close, the spirit of our mission lives on in Authentic Life. We can't wait to continue this transformative journey with you.
So, be sure to subscribe to Authentic Life wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and to join our vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of the Big Self Show family. We look forward to welcoming you to The Humanist and continuing to grow, learn, and thrive together.
Until then, remember: your authentic self is waiting to be unleashed. Tune in to The Humanist and let's make it happen!

Jerry Colonna is the CEO and co-founder of Reboot.io, and for nearly 20 years he has used the knowledge gained as an investor, an executive, and a board member for more than 100 organizations to help entrepreneurs and others to lead with humanity, resilience, and equanimity.
Today, in particular, we are discussing his new book, Reunion. You can order it now from our show notes if you like. It’s available for pre-order until it releases on November 14. Reunion is a life-altering guide for today’s complex and divisive world. Its wise insights and practical advice will help create an inclusive and welcoming workspace, discover the best of who we are, and nurture and support those whom we are privileged to lead.
Time Stamps:
Leadership, belonging, and personal growth. 0:00
The importance of being accepted and belonging to live their "big self."
Personal responsibility and complicity in social issues. 10:00
Complicity in power structures, with Chad emphasizing the importance of acknowledging one's role in perpetuating systems of oppression.
Race, identity, and belonging. 22:37
Jerry explores their family history and how they became racialized as white in the US.
Near-death experience and disconnecting from oneself. 28:01
Personal growth and overcoming toxicity. 36:26
Empathy, kindness, and shared experiences. 44:22
Empathy, belonging, and personal growth. 51:23
The importance of self-reflection and personal growth in creating a more sustainable and equitable society.
Show Notes:
Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong
Find out more about Big Self School:
We still offer our flagship burnout coaching package. We also offer packages for those seeking clarity and reconnecting to their life purpose–and we do this work with individuals and couples. Reach out to us if you’d like to book a discovery call and learn more about our coaching packages.
Want to learn more about the role stress plays in your life, and discover your blueprint for how to handle it based on your Enneagram type and subtype? 
Book a discovery call here
Join us at the Burnout to Big Self Facebook Group
Order a copy of Chad’s a...

For today's show we talk with Matt Zemon, a dedicated explorer of the inner world, and a passionate advocate for the thoughtful and responsible use of psychedelics. With a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health with honors from King’s College London, Matt has studied the effects of psychedelics on the mind and the potential for these experiences to serve as a catalyst for positive transformations.
His work in this field is motivated by a profound desire to help people navigate the sometimes challenging terrain of the psychedelic experience, and emerge from it with a deeper sense of purpose, connection, and understanding. To reclaim their true self.
Matt is the author of the Amazon Best-Seller, Psychedelics for Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to these Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness. As an entrepreneur in the wellbeing sector, Matt has co-founded various companies, including HAPPŸŸ, a mental wellness company specializing in psychedelic-assisted ketamine therapy, PSYCHABLE, an online community connecting people who would like to explore the healing power of psychedelics with a network of practitioners and psychedelic-based treatments, and TAKE2MINUTES, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Time Stamps:
Responsible use of psychedelics for personal growth. 4:41
Unlearning cultural conditioning around scarcity and competition to embrace abundance and collaboration.
Psychedelics as an alternative to antidepressants. 10:44
Neuroscientist advocates for brain growth and learning throughout life, despite common misconceptions.
Ketamine use for mental health treatment and microdosing. 14:56
Ketamine has powerful antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, but can be addictive and lead to bladder issues with long-term use.
Using psychedelics to overcome substance use disorders. 20:46
Unknown Speaker discusses microdosing, a controversial practice where individuals take small amounts of psychedelics to enhance creativity, connection, and mental health.
Psychedelic experiences and their spiritual significance. 27:34
Chad shares personal experiences with psychedelics in the 1990s, reflecting on their spiritual significance despite illegal nature.
Psychedelics for personal growth and healing. 33:19
The potential benefits and risks of psychedelics, with Matt Zemon emphasizing the importance of proper preparation and integration for a positive experience.
Personal growth and healing through meditation and therapy. 38:55
Consciousness and healing with Matt Zeeman. 45:33
Show Notes:
Find Matt Zemon at his LinkedIn Page...