The Middle Way with Dr. Matthew Goodman Matthew Goodman, PhD

Dr. Vikram Mansharamani is a global trend-watcher who shows people how to anticipate the future, manage risk, and spot opportunities. He is the author of "The Making of a Generalist," "Think For Yourself," and "Boombustology." He has been a frequent commentator on issues driving disruption in the global business environment. Vikram’s ideas and writings have also appeared in Bloomberg, Fortune, Forbes, The New York Times and a long list of other publications. Linkedin twice listed him as their #1 Top Voice for Money, Finance and Global Economics and Worth has profiled him as one of the 100 most powerful people in global finance. Millions of readers have enjoyed his unique multi-lens approach to connecting seemingly irrelevant dots.



In this episode, Vikram shares how a “generalist mindset” can help us navigate a world full of complexity and uncertainty; and why, from his perspective, this opens up more creative, innovative, and effective solutions to our global problems.



Highlights/quotes from this episode: " Every single perspective is limited, biased, and incomplete. And if that’s the case, then why not use more than one perspective to really integrate a view of what’s happening in the world?”



Specifically, we discuss:

-The "migrant mindset" and how his family's immigrant background helped shape him today.

-What a "generalist mindset" is and how it helps us connect the dots.

-How being a generalist is a "call for empathy" and the integration of multiple perspectives.

-Vikram’s view of some of the forces contributing to polarization.

-How diversifying our media diets and other sources of information can help us think more comprehensively.

-How renewable fuel in the U.S. may be tied to the Arab Spring and other examples of global interconnection.

-Vikram's "global developments to watch" over the next 5 years.

-And much more!


Vikram's website: https://mansharamani.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikrammansharamani/

Substack: https://substack.com/@mansharamani

Book: "The Making of a Generalist: An Independent Thinker Finds Unconventional Success in an Uncertain World"

Article: "24 Global Trends to Watch Over the Next 5 Years"



Have comments or questions on this episode? An idea for a future guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of. Email: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Let's connect:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matthewgoodmanphd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zen-prov! Improv Classes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zen-improv.com⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@matthewgoodmanphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-middle-way.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!


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Did you hear?! LOVE is "in." And hate... so 2000-and-late.

That's my prediction, anyway, for the next 10-20 years. Or maybe it's simply a necessity.

We are approaching the two year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war. It seems like conflict in the world continues to ratchet up, the possibility of a global conflict becoming ever more realistic and sadly palatable.

Is there another way? What new possibilities and paradigms are attempting to emerge in the world?

In this episode, I share my thoughts on:

-The tragedy of the Russia-Ukraine war and why I believe a pragmatic approach leads us closer to peace, not more conflict.

-The paranoia of the current world paradigm and why offensive defense is not a strategy for peace but a trigger for conflict and escalation.

-The flawed idea and "projection" of the West about other countries' own imperialistic ambitions and how this relates to spiritual maturity ("if you spot it, you got it").

-Leading by example - creating peace through peace, not through force.

-Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin - what was weird and what was right.

-The natural rise and fall of empires and the indications of decline.

-The new paradigm of multipolarism: not power over, but power together (competition as a form of cooperation) and how this brings us closer to our evolutionary destiny.



Thoughts on this episode? What points do you agree or disagree with? I'd love to hear from you. Send a message to: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!



~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthewgoodmanphd/support

The psychologist Carl Rogers famously wrote, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself, just as I am, then I can change.” The same is often true on a collective level. The more we use shame, blame, and "othering" as tactics to inspire behavior change, the more resistant and defensive people tend to be. This has hardly been more on display than in the highly charged area of climate change.

Our guest on this episode, Dr. Renée Lertzman, explains why the status quo approach of "yelling, telling, and selling" on climate action has underperformed its aims based on insights from clinical psychology and behavioral neuroscience.

Dr. Renée Lertzman is a researcher, educator and engagement strategist who translates relational psychological insights to change our approach to our planetary crisis. She works with founders, innovators, companies and organizations across public and private sectors, looking to strengthen climate and sustainability initiatives, develop more effective campaigns, and harness the creativity and innovation needed to address our most complex and intractable problems with speed, creativity and imagination. A popular international keynote speaker, trainer and facilitator, she works with organizations, leaders and teams across sectors and regions, including clients such as Google, VMWare, IKEA, California Academy of Sciences, WWF, and the City of London.


Learn more about Dr. Renée Lertzman: ⁠https://reneelertzman.com/

Learn more about Project Inside Out: ⁠https://projectinsideout.net/



Topics covered in this episode:

-How Renée's confrontation with our planetary crises shaped her career path as a psychologist.

-Understanding social and ecological issues through the lens of trauma.

-How polarization on climate has insidiously developed over the last few decades.

-The role of safety, threat, and identity in the interpersonal dynamics of climate conversations.

-Why shame, blame, and "othering" may be well intended, but are not effective strategies for change.

-How to guide people through their ambivalence around action through "Motivational Interviewing" skills.

-Renée's work with leaders on the "inner" skills for outer change: self-awareness, self-regulation, and listening and empathy.

-Renée's work with consulting, research, and strategic messaging during the 2016 election.

-The three A's affecting climate behavior change: Anxiety, Ambivalence, and Aspiration.

-"Call out" culture and the alternative opportunity to "call in" or "call off" conversations.

-And much more!



Have comments or questions on this episode? An idea for a future guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of. Email: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Let's connect:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matthewgoodmanphd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zen-prov! Improv Classes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zen-improv.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@matthewgoodmanphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-middle-way.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!



~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthewgoodmanphd/support

There's one certainty in life: life is uncertain. Especially in our rapidly changing world, individuals and organizations are forced to adapt to constant challenges and change. The ability to improvise - the respond to each moment with openness, flexibility, and grace - is pivotal to thriving in a complex and constantly changing world.



In this episode, I speak with entrepreneur Mary Lemmer about how improv can help us better navigate business and life.


Mary Lemmer is a creative impact-driven entrepreneur and consultant helping leaders and companies innovate, navigate change and thrive in an unpredictable world. She is the founder of Improve, a company that improves lives, teams, companies, and impact, in ways that work and just so happen to be fun and engaging. She designs and delivers engaging keynotes, offsites, and conference sessions, bringing two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, author, humorist, and recovering venture capitalist and startup unicorn director. She gave the TED
Talk “How improv can improve your leadership and life” and has spoken at The Social Innovation Summit, TED Women, TechCon, The Positive Business Conference, multiple years at the Agile Alliance conference, among speaking and leading interactive and empowering sessions for hundreds of companies around the world.



In this episode, we discuss:

-Mary's trip to Africa to help aspiring entrepreneurs.

-Starting a business at 14 years old.

-Dealing with stress, uncertainty, and lack of control in business (and life).

-The blocks of "overthinking."

-How improv can improve our ability to listen, communicate, and have difficult conversations.

-Noticing and debunking our internal stories about other people and the world.

-Improv as a mindfulness tool and what it offers that meditation doesn't.

-How to use improv to improve companies and leadership.

-Mary's research on improv and sleep, physiological health, and happiness.

-And much more!


Connect with Mary at www.marylemmer.com and learn more about Improve at www.chooseimprove.com.



Have comments or questions on this episode? An idea for a future guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of. Email: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠⁠⁠



Let's connect:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matthewgoodmanphd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zen-prov! Class (Improv + Zen): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠zen-improv.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@matthewgoodmanphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-middle-way.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ccg-group.eu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!



~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthewgoodmanphd/support

Hello beautiful souls! In this episode, I flip the script and share an interview I did on my friend Rachael Bonetti's podcast, "What It Means To Be Well." In it, Rachael and I discuss the art of "conscious communication," including the power of deep listening, building trust, showing up authentically, and taking "radical responsibility" in relationships and as a leader. We discuss tips for having safe and productive conversations at work, home, and everyday life.

Rachael is the founder of The Elite EA Academy, a corporate trainer and consultant who supports organizations to create the conditions that allow everyone to thrive. She was our guest on Episode #49 of The Middle Way, "Talking Burnout and Taking Care" (Apple, Spotify).

Thank you for tuning in!



Have comments or questions on this episode? An idea for a future guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of. Email: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠⁠



Let's connect:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matthewgoodmanphd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zen-prov! Class (Improv + Zen): ⁠⁠⁠⁠zen-improv.com

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@matthewgoodmanphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-middle-way.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ccg-group.eu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!



~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthewgoodmanphd/support

Kristen Ulmer is a thought leader, master facilitator and fear/anxiety expert. Her education comes from practical, real- world experience, starting with being a mogul specialist on the US Ski Team. Kristen then became more notoriously recognized as the best female big mountain extreme skier in the world, a status she kept for 12 years. Known for big cliff jumps and you-fall-you die descents, she became sponsored by the likes of Red Bull, Ralph Lauren, and Nikon, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame September of 2019. Her mastery of other danger sports such as paragliding, ice and rock climbing, and adventure mountain biking also gained her the outdoor industry vote as most extreme “fearless” woman athlete in North America. After retiring in 2003, she spent the next 15 years studying Zen Buddhism. Her current work as a facilitator and teacher is the culmination of her decades-long experiences becoming intimate with fear.



In this episode, Kristen and I explore:

-Kristen's view that fear underlies other emotions such as anxiety, anger, sadness, and excitement.

-Kristen's own unhealthy relationship to fear, and when extreme behaviors turn into unhealthy addictions.

-How to be "intimate" with fear versus trying to conquer it or understand it intellectually.

-Seeing fear as "person" who needs to be accepted and validated (versus controlled).

-Re-imagining anxiety, PTSD, and mental health through Kristen's paradigm of understanding fear.

-How fear gets conditioned in childhood.

-How meditation and spirituality can inadvertently interfere with feeling fear.

-Non-resistance and "being in love" with our emotions.

-How our culture reinforces resistance and distraction from our emotions.

-How Kristen's model compares and contrasts with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

-Noticing your resistance patterns as the first step to being "intimate" with fear.

-The four levels of working with fear.

-Getting into "flow" with fear.



Audio Clip (at beginning of episode) - Kristen's induction in USSSHOF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujrrubEivBU



Kristen's Book, "The Art of Fear: Why Conquering Fear Won't Work and What To Do Instead"

Kristen's Website: https://kristenulmer.com/



What are you thoughts on this topic/episode? Have an idea for a future episode or guest? I'd love to hear what you liked, agreed/disagreed with, and what you'd like to hear more of! Email: hello@the-middle-way.com



Listen/Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmga5Z4JdHziQjtCdnVhYuw⁠⁠



Let's connect:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matthewgoodmanphd.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zen-prov! Class (Improv + Zen): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.matthewgoodmanphd.com/zenprov⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@matthewgoodmanphd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Consulting: ⁠⁠⁠https://the-middle-way.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ccg-group.eu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Your support is a HUGE help and allows the show to continue reaching a wider audience. Please consider leaving a RATING, REVIEW, or SHARING this episode if you found the content useful. Thank you for listening!



~May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you live with ease and joy. May you be free of suffering~


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthewgoodmanphd/support