Exploring the creativity of the human spirit with just five simple questions. Those questions give us a window to explore the journey and life story of people that look like they have it sorted.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 24, 2020
Thursday Dec 24, 2020
Today’s guest is Jeff Harry, the Play Coach.
Scroll down for Contact details and/or Links regarding this Podcast
Do you play enough?
Play is something that most of us associate with childhood. As adults, we might play with children. But most people gave up playing with stuff when they hit puberty.
Yes, it is ok to play sports, cards or board games, but there are adult responsibilities, so it is believed that there is no time for ‘child’s play’ in this world. There is a little light as the gaming industry has tapped into our desire to play and made it acceptable for adults to play online games. However, all of this play is still confined to our leisure time; the difference with children is that playing is the day job.
But what if we have got it wrong and play should be part of our day jobs as adults?
My guest on the show today is Jeff Harry, and he is a play coach. He shows individuals and companies how to tap into their true selves, to feel their happiest and most fulfilled — all by playing.
Jeff saw the movie “Big” where Tom hanks got to play in a toy shop, thinking that was a job he started writing to toy companies.
“I was spamming before spam was a thing.”
Letters from a 9-year-old get treated as kind of nice but politely rejected. Not that it stopped him, he kept writing, and by the time he was 15, he got some advice to study mechanical engineering.
He got the degree and got the job he had always wanted in toy company, only to discover it was not what he expected or wanted. There was no play!
There he was 25 and working in a cubicle, looking at a screen and writing reports about play. Then 9/11 happened and leaving New York seemed like a good option, so he quit.
Moving to the San Francisco bay area, he got the perfect job building stuff with Lego, and over the next 12 years he turned it into the largest Lego inspired stem organisation with over 400 people doing creative stuff.
Our conversation is the story of how Jeff took play into the business world. He has since worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day.
Jeff is an established international speaker. He has been selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers of 2020, for his work in organisational development.
“While we spend most of our time pretending to be important, serious grown-ups, it’s when we let go of that facade and just play, that the real magic happens.”
It is a wonderful conversation; Jeff encourages us to embrace our nerdy genius, as it gives us the power to make a difference and change lives. He believes that we already have many of the answers we seek, and by simply unleashing our inner child, we can find our purpose and, in turn, help to create a better world.
I hope you enjoy this playful conversation with Jeff Harry. His website is:-
https://www.rediscoveryourplay.com
Do check out his social links and connect with him. You can find him on LinkedIn Youtube, Instagram Medium and Ticktock.
https://youtube.com/jeffharryplays
https://instagram.com/jeffharryplays
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harry-6991a94/
https://medium.com/@jeffharryplays
https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffharryplays
That is it for this week, my final thoughts for the Christmas season…
"Be kind to all, but most of all be kind to yourself. "
It is a reflective time of year, and for those in the northern regions, it is cold, dark and a good time to snuggle up and go within.
I use this time to find inner wisdom, much of that was explained on the advent journey in a previous podcast. referencing our Spirit-duality event: https://spirit-duality.heysummit.com/checkout/select-tickets/
If you are looking for some answers the free ‘5 Questions Workbook‘ is a good place to start: https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/the-five-questions/
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Wednesday Dec 09, 2020
Scroll down for Contact details and/or Links regarding this Podcast
How productive are you? Do you get stuff done?
I have waves of ninja activity and days when it is just not happening. For me, it is all about accountability, so I have partners to hold me to this, or I make a public declaration that holds me to it. I even offer accountability to support in my coaching so that others feel held in achieving their goals.
Some people find organization and productivity easy, others struggle.
Thankfully in this world we are all different, which keeps it interesting, What comes easy to some is almost impossible to others. Of course, in a world of home working and restrictions, mindset implementation and productivity is a huge issue for many people.
There is also a flip side to this conversation; people who are so driven that they drive themselves into overwhelm. That is the story behind my guest on today’s show.
Louise Miller, the productivity mentor could always organise, even as a child she had a tidy bedroom. Efficiency has always been her thing.
“My Degree is in Reading and Colouring In.”
On leaving University, with a degree in English and Fine Art, her career path was unclear. But those organizational skills came in handy, and she became an administrator. She excelled to the point of promotion into management roles.
It was then that she discovered how unique her skill set was, as managing disorganized people is not so easy and often stressful.
Also, as an efficient and effective manager, more work ends up on your desk. There is truth in the phrase if you want something done ask a busy person.
Louise’s had a successful 15-year career in administration and management until work-related stress and anxiety lead to a near breakdown. It finally dawned on her that being that efficient and productive in an organisation is not always good for your health.
Our conversation is the story from almost total breakdown, to recovery and then on to soul searching discovery.
Louise now supports overwhelmed business owners to reach compassionate, sustainable productivity. It is her mission is to help others land their brilliant ideas in reality, grow a fulfilling business and create space for what they love doing.
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Louise Miller.
If you want to connect with Louise, you can find her at https://www.bettylouonline.com, and on Linkedin,
Do check out her website for the Free resources, particularly “The big idea to inspired action.
https://www.bettylouonline.com/from-big-idea-to-inspired-action
If you are following the Gratitude path we shared in the Sacred Christmas FREE Introduction/Inspiration session, stick with it the outcome is so worth it.
If you want Inspiration or Support to stay on track, You can achieve this with the Advent/Christmas Inspiration and Empowerment Sessions. Tickets are available until 31st December and include all the sessions you have missed so far. The price is £95 for a single ticket / £150 for a group ticket. Both options includes all 40 Sessions.
The link for tickets to the Free Session and tickets for the Advent/Christmas options is here.
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
Scroll down for Contact details and/or Links regarding this Podcast
I first met Karen Darke ten years ago when I was a marketing advisor on a contract with a local enterprise company. The meeting was about her book, and I was told she would be in a wheelchair. I called and made an appointment to meet at her house.
When I arrived there was no answer. Having parked on the drive, I could see the garage door was open, so I walked down the drive to see if she was around. I heard a noise behind me and there was a chirpy “hello”. I turned to see a mud-splattered woman on a low hand bike.
“Been waiting long? I’ve been out on the hills” she said, as she parked the bike in the garage and lifted herself into a waiting wheelchair.
Since that first meeting, I have followed her journey to becoming an Olympic Silver Medallist in London and then on to the Gold in Rio. Our paths crossed again this year when she was a speaker at Reasons and Results.
Karen is a modern-day ‘Alchemist’: an adventurer, athlete, speaker and author, Karen’s purpose is about inspiring and impacting, about turning challenge into an opportunity, turning ‘mud’ into ‘gold’.
Her career started as a Geologist researching gold in the Bolivian Andes; however, a life-changing accident that left her paralysed led her away from being a ‘rock-doctor’ to winning Paralympic Gold in the sport of Paralympic hand-cycling in Rio 2016.
Like all journeys, it was not a straight line.
She has experienced some extreme lows on the roller-coaster of life and knows how trauma, stress and life events can lead to fear, pain and under-performance. Karen was always the adventurer; that was what caused the accident that put her on this path.
However, she does not let her disability define or stop her desire to push the boundary of what is possible. That desire has also created some highs, exploring and extending the limits of possibility physically, mentally and emotionally. She has skied across icecaps, kayaked at extreme latitudes of the planet, and hand-cycled over the world’s biggest mountains.
The Gold in Rio was the 79th medal for Britain, and 79 being the elemental number for gold led to Karen creating Quest 79: Find Your Inner Gold.
The project had Karen cycling 7 continents in 9 iconic rides, raising £79K for Spinal Injuries and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and discover passion, purpose or ability: their ‘inner gold’.
Karen views life as an adventure, and she embraces all its experiences as opportunities to learn and grow.
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Karen Darke
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You can connect with Karen through her website:-
Or on social media:-
Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
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As we come to the end of November, my US friends are about to celebrate Thanksgiving and then they will join the rest of us in the frenzy of activity and utter frustration of trying to think of a suitable gift for Great Aunt Edna, who nobody ever sees except on this one auspicious day of the year. However this year it is unlikely that Great Aunt Edna will be allowed out of the closet! At least if she lives in the UK where we have guidelines on how many households can get together for Christmas.
I am sure it was not an easy decision for those in power, knowing full well that putting Christmas on hold or restricting who and how many can meet is going to be painful. It must also be hard knowing that whatever they do will cause a surge in COVID cases in January.
The truth is Christmas will be different this year, regardless of the COVID rules. Personally, my Christmas has evolved many times with the changes in relationships, children growing up and parents or relatives passing.
Each change has meant finding new meaning and inspiration for the festive season. Having just finished an event about Spirituality, my wife and I realized we have something that could enable you to create a unique Christmas filled with empowerment to face whatever 2021 brings.
Are you ready to create a new way of celebrating Christmas? Something that can be personal to you or shared with friends and family? Something sacred and special that adds meaning to your life throughout the year ahead?
This is the “Sacred Christmas” Adventure.
Christmas doesn’t have to be about frenzied shopping, over-eating and blobbing out in front of TV watching meaningless re-runs.
How would you feel about Christmas if it were an annual opportunity to give thanks for the highs and lows of the year just gone, and reveal the wisdom you need to prepare you for whatever the year ahead throws your way.
It all starts with the sharing of our family rituals, how we put meaning into the Christmas story and how you could create your own traditions to bring deeper meaning to this festive season.
Wednesday Nov 18, 2020
Wednesday Nov 18, 2020
Scroll down for details and links
I had no idea then how different things would be when we first released this recording in March 2020 – living in a world when the Corona Virus was sending us all into lockdown and the sound of a slight cough could set alarm bells ringing.
It was the wake-up call of Covid19 that prompted my first Virtual Summit, and as we are re-releasing this recording in November 2020 I am in the midst of co-hosting my 3rd Summit with my wife Cheryl. The theme for this one is more important and significant at this time than it has been at any
Can you imagine what it would be like growing up if the shadows in the dark were not figments of your imagination? My guest on today’s show is Jennifer Main – the empathic initiator whose psychic abilities meant that as a child those shadows were more real and scary than they are for the rest of us.
A Gift With A Price
Jennifer has been empathic from a very early age, but what does that mean?
It means she was super sensitive to the world around her; she could see, feel and hear stuff that others couldn’t. That might sound like a fantastic superpower. But like all gifts, it came with a price, and for Jennifer it was a high one. As a child receiving love and emotional support was difficult, because hugging people was painful. Adults carry so many emotions and this is very confusing to a young child who receives all this pain and emotional baggage in a hug.
Jennifer was born in North Carolina, known as the Bible belt of the USA. Her family have strong Christian beliefs so there was no easy way to talk about the things that might have been considered ungodly. She learned to rationalise the images and thoughts she received as part of an overactive and creative imagination. But it initiated her interest in psychology as a way of gaining more insight and understanding about the images, feelings and experiences she was having. She says her whole life has been a study of humanity beginning with herself.
The Empathic Initiator
After leaving school, Jennifer went on to study psychology and worked in the field of addiction and special needs.
Presently she is known as the Empathic Initiator and works as a transformational guide and speaker. She is a catalyst for change, her mission being to inspire individuals to recognise their unique potential and calling, to embrace purpose, and to live an aligned and authentic existence.
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Jennifer Main,
If you would like to connect with Jennifer, you can find her through her website: www.WithJennifer.com and on:
An Amazing Time to be Alive
This podcast was recorded with Jennifer in December 2019 when the world was a very different place, and my slight cough was just a seasonal cold.
I had no idea then how different things would be when we first released this recording in March 2020 – living in a world when the Corona Virus was sending us all into lockdown and the sound of a slight cough could set alarm bells ringing.
It was the wake-up call of Covid19 that prompted my first Virtual Summit, and as we are re-releasing this recording in November 2020 I am in the midst of co-hosting my 3rd Summit with my wife Cheryl. The theme for this one is more important and significant at this time than it has been at any other time in our lives.
Spirit-duality is an exploration of what it takes to be living as a Spiritual Being within the confines and complexities of being Human. With 25 speakers and 40 Inspiring and Empowering sessions, a lot of topics and view points are being brought together in this amazing event. It is a privilege to be host to these amazing conversations.
At the time of launching this FREE access to some of the content is still possible, and the link below includes a link with a 35% discount on unlimited video replays and an audio download of the entire event.
Spirit-Duality – Finding Balance with the Dualities of
Being Human and Embracing Spirituality
5 Days of Inspiring conversations about Life, Challenges and Spirituality
followed by 3 Days of Empowering Activities to Enrich your Journey.
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Scroll Down For Links To Today's Speaker
My guest on the show is Ali Shah; he is the founder of a new social media app called TapeReel where you can record and only engage through audio and video.
Like many parents of South Asian origin, Ali’s parents had plans for his future that involved being involved in a key profession, while he was more interested in the creative side of business and marketing. He ended up with a portfolio career in Market Research through Consulting and Project Management.
At some point, the entrepreneurial itch had him buying into a Subway franchise, that he says was like ‘buying’ a job. When he realised this, he quit and went back to the job market.
After years in different companies, both big and small, Ali discovered the exciting work went to the contractors. So, he created a mobile and Web Analytics consultancy that was successful and allowed him to explore various projects and app developments, which lead to several spin-off projects all with varying success.
But he was struggling with his personal life. A search for meaning led him on a journey to South America to a shamanic retreat where he experienced a transformation. You can hear the full detail of this experience in our virtual event Spirit-duality.
On his return, he simplified his life and looked for a means to create more connection.
TapeReel, is a reaction to what Ali sees as a lack of real connection in society. He feels that social media, with its algorithms and advertising is pushing us apart more than it brings us together. His mission is to champion the bond of human connection by helping people truly connect and be themselves in a safe, inspiring, and knowledgeable community where everyone can be heard while building a legacy of meaningful memories.
I hope you enjoy this conversation with Ali Shah.
Connect with Ali:
Ali’s Website is TapeReel https://web.tapereal.com/
Ali is on Linkedin Instagram Facebook and Twitter.
Spirit-duality
As I mentioned, Ali is one of our speakers in Spirit-duality where he is sharing what he discovered on his shamanic retreat to Ecuador.
The event is an invitation to explore and understand the connection and disconnection of living as a human being and a spiritual being. It explores spirituality from many perspectives including the Science of Spirituality and the Spiritual nature of Money.
Together we explore other people’s life stories and help you find your own compass for these challenging times?
Come and be part of the community at spirit duality and let’s do something extraordinary.
Sunday Nov 01, 2020
Sunday Nov 01, 2020
Sunday Reflection
There was a storm here yesterday and there was a calm in the world this morning so we took a little time to walk by the river.
The point is the path is always there.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TICKET for Spirit-duality
Over the past month I have had the most fantastic experience speaking to guests from across the world—people who have generously donated their time to share their expertise and knowledge.
Spirit-duality is an exploration of the human being from the perspective of belief, intuition and our connection to something greater than the sum of our parts.
We are looking at the Science of Spirituality, the energy of Money, what it takes to develop intuition, exploring our senses… and so much more.
You will discover how it is that some people flow through life even when they are challenged and how they have an inner compass as their guide.
Through exploring these lifes stories we aim to help you find your own compass for these challenging times.
There are 2000 free tickets, come and be part of the community at Spirit- duality and let’s do something extraordinary together.
Spirit-duality is the 14th to 22nd November and it is an exploration of what it takes to be human and live on a spiritual path.
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Scroll down for links
Today we are celebrating Nikki Love and her new book. “With a little touch of crazy: 63 Marathons in 63 days Adventure.”
Nikki was a guest on the podcast in March 2019. At the time we were celebrating the launch of her first book “Chasing Extraordinary” and today we celebrate the launch of the second book; With a little touch of crazy: 63 Marathons in 63 days Adventure
Back in 2019, Nikki was preparing another adventure to run across her native Australia. Alas, what with COVID that plan went on hold. However not to be daunted, she looked to run the distance on a treadmill in the garden, here in the UK.
With a Little Dash of Crazy:
The 63 Marathons in 63 Days Adventure
That adventure was going fine however after 42 days and 1040 miles on a treadmill, she snapped a tendon in her foot and the running was over for a while.
But she put the time to good use and the second book is out and released this week.
I suspect many people will agree that you need a little touch of crazy to run these distances. It takes a special mindset that is for sure. Check out the original podcast and judge for yourself. Better still buy the book.
Nikki Love & A Little Dash of Crazy
Nikki is an amazing woman who is spreading the word about exercise. Taking the message into schools all over the country. She is leading the charge to helping people understand the benefit of getting active and just get moving. The key to her success is not too run fast.
We were speaking on zoom, so I could see how windswept she looked. Before our conversation she was out running with a local school and then out on the hills with a women’s group in the sleet and rain. There is no stopping her.
It was a great conversation, about her drive and why she does what she does. We also explored her latest project which is running across Australia that will be 4000 Km in 63 days. We talk about sponsorship and how that project is structured.
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Nikki love
If you would like to connect with Nikki you can find her on Facebook on at her website Nikkilove.co.uk
As with all projects that are driven by passion and enthusiasm, this event grew out an internal inquiry…
Why do my Podcast Guests Skirt Around The Spirituality Conversation?
…which gets bigger and wider. There is a sense of wonder and synchronicity that comes from the connections and conversations we have.
Spirit-duality is a bit like a Spiritual Christmas Hamper full of delicious goodies. When you dive in, you discover a lot of things you’ve never tried before. Some you’ll love, some you won’t, but unless you try them, you will never know.
The event is in two sections: 5 days of Inspiring Conversations (that is the diving into the Christmas Hamper bit) and 2 days filled with empowering activities or coaching sessions (the bit where you get to taste all the goodies!)
Take a look at our Event Page HERE
Wednesday Oct 07, 2020
Wednesday Oct 07, 2020
Scroll down for further details about today’s guest.
Welcome to the programme and what an amazing week it’s been. In addition to talking to Tracey Rampling Brown about a 20-year journey and a leap of faith. I am having some amazing conversations with people from all walks of life that I would never have spoken to before.
The conversations are all down to the virtual events, the latest being Spirit-duality. This week I have spoken to a Jesuit, a Rabi, an Intuitive Storyteller and I have scheduled a conversation with an Astronaut! More details below the show notes.
Back to today’s guest Tracey Rampling Brown
Back in April when I was planning my first event, I was looking for speakers and via a string of social connections I landed a call with Tracey Rampling Brown.
I was met with her bright Australian accent and we hit it off immediately. Then I discovered she was living near Turin, Italy. She had relocated the family 18 month previously and life was ‘interesting’ as they were in the middle of a full COVID lockdown.
Tracey was a great asset to the event, and she came back and did another session in my second event. But all the while I was aware there was a story.
What is it that makes a family relocate to the other side of the world?
It turns out that the move was the culmination of a 20-year journey and a leap of faith. Tracey and her husband were both born to families that travelled a lot through their work. They know the benefits that travel and new environments can bring and wanted their children to have the same experience.
This podcast is her story. The journey of turning a dream into a new family life became a reality which meant a big change, a leap of faith and trusting in a little magic.
Using that experience and some retraining, Tracey has built a new career as a ‘Mindset and Manifestation Coach’ working with heart-centred women looking to bring a bit of magic into their own lives.
Tracey’s style is a blend of woo-woo with equal measures of science to back it up. She combines elements of Positive Intelligence, traditional and appreciative coaching methodologies with the Law of Attraction, Reiki and Tarot/Oracle reading!
I hope you enjoy this week’s conversation with Tracey Rampling Brown.
If you would like to get in touch with Tracey you can reach her through her website: https://vibrantcoach.com/ or via
As with all projects that are driven by passion and enthusiasm, this event grew out an internal inquiry…
Why do my Podcast Guests Skirt Around The Spirituality Conversation?
…which gets bigger and wider. There is a sense of wonder and synchronicity that comes from the connections and conversations we have.
Spirit-duality is a bit like a Spiritual Christmas Hamper full of delicious goodies. When you dive in, you discover a lot of things you’ve never tried before. Some you’ll love, some you won’t, but unless you try them, you will never know.
The event is in two sections: 5 days of Inspiring Conversations (that is the diving into the Christmas Hamper bit) and 2 days filled with empowering activities or coaching sessions (the bit where you get to taste all the goodies!)
Take a look at our Event Page HERE
Wednesday Sep 16, 2020
Wednesday Sep 16, 2020
Scroll down for further details about today’s guest.
Networking has always been a natural human desire, and while there are some exceptions, most successful people like Matt Clark the Linkedin Rainmaker are those with expansive networks and connections.
To connect is part of the human condition; however, 2020 has been the year that redefined what it means to network, particularly in business.
As a long term user of social media channels, I have watched the pattern change over the last few months. At the beginning of the lockdown, many of the channels went quiet. However, since it became clear that COVID is going nowhere, my Linkedin channel has exploded with people looking to replace their networking options using this online tool.
Full marks for action but is it the right action when what they want is sales?
Sales for many people is a dirty word but the fact remains that everything we do in life is as the result of a sale of some sort. This week’s podcast is very relevant in a post COVID world as making sales will be key for many businesses returning to life after lockdown. So if you need to make sales and not be sleazy, this is worth a listen.
The Linkedin Rainmaker
My guest on the show is Matt Clark, known to many as the LinkedIn Rainmaker, he discovered from an early age that he loves to sell.
As a young 18 year old from South Africa living in the UK, he landed a door to door sales job. He was knocking on doors selling gas and electricity, but he had the spark and the zest for it, and was good at meeting the targets.
Regularly earning close to £1000 per week he knew he had found his role in life. It was big money for a young man, particularly as he came from a poor background; this job opened the opportunity for travel and discovery.
Are you familiar with Maslow and his hierarchy of needs? Once our basic needs are met, most people look towards self-improvement. Matt was no exception, he used his resources well.
Fast forward a few years and back in South Africa, he co-founded a telecom sales company at age 23 and grew that to more than 6M in sales in year 3. You guessed it; they did this with door to door sales.
But here is the thing, instead of enjoying this success he ended up completely burnt out. That business could not function without him; he was the sales kingpin, and they had built this business using a physical paper system, not a computer in sight..
Kelly Clark, Wesley Longueira, Matt Clark and Arthie MooreHe stopped knocking on the physical doors and worked out how he could do it virtually. This is the story of his journey into sales automation using online systems and networking skills. While it is about making sales, it is also about connecting with people and creating real relationships.
It is the story of how Matt went on to co-develop a flagship programme with his business partner, Wesley Longueira. Together they form the LinkedIn Rainmaker and have helped thousands of businesses in 26 countries grow exponentially.
They are now on a mission to reach 10k businesses worldwide and build a vibrant community of Rainmakers!
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Matt Clark.
If you would like to connect with Matt you can find him on Linkedin.
Send him a DM message to let him know that you heard him on this podcast.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mattclarksa
How would you answers these 5 questions and what do you think you would discover? Click here for the FREE 5 QUESTIONS WORKBOOK
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
Sunday Sep 13, 2020
It has been an interesting a week, if you follow my podcast or heard my personal shortcast last weekend you will know that I took my son to start his new life in university housing last week and I am starting my new life as an ’empty-nester’.
I have to say there have been a range of emotions passing through me: grief, joy, sadness and many more. Of course, I want my son to go off into the world and have a fantastic time, but that doesn’t change how I feel having lost my best friend.
It is the beginning of a fascinating journey, and has given me an insight into how estranged parents feel without access to their children or worse when parents literally lose a child. I haven’t lost mine, he is just 2 hours away, but he’s no longer in my daily life, and I’m having to readjust my day life and find new ways of being, filling the gap left behind.
COVID, the gift and curse, has given us an opportunity to be together at home every day for the last 6 months. I am so privileged to have had the opportunity to spend this unique time with my teenager.
His moving on has given me the chance to look at the idea of creating space around transitions, allowing space to be, so that new stuff can come in naturally.
In relationships, it is common for people to jump into a new relationship immediately, and is known as ‘rebound’ and I’m discovering that this rebound action could be applied to anything.
Recognising this, I have used this past week for slowing down and taking stock of what I want over the next period of my life. I joke about the idea that my son was an 18-year project that no longer needs my daily attention. Not true, he is texting daily, but that will slow over time.
The future looks bright. I’ve got lots of opportunities with the podcast, events and all sorts of projects in front of me. But I need to allow space and time to adjust, find my new daily rituals and breathe into the new life that I’m building.
My question to you this week is where are you allowing space and time to listen to the quiet opportunities that are looking to be born? I had an interesting catch-up chat with one of our guests from the last summit, Simon Jordan. He was saying that as entrepreneurs, we can make things happen, but the best results come when we allow things to flow. When we allow time and space for what is waiting to be born, things occurs in a state of natural flow rather than stress and struggle.
So I put this out to you: What are you giving time for, where are you making space so that you can reconnect with passion, excitement and joy?
Tickets for the last virtual summit are still available here.
How will you answers these 5 questions and what do you think you will discover?
Click here for the FREE 5 QUESTIONS WORKBOOK
Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Scroll down for further details about today’s guest.
Over the last few weeks we decided to spring clean of the website and it is amazing what you find when you start digging into the archives.
Some of those early podcasts have great stories, that stand the test of time and of course being so early on in the life of this project they have not been seen by many people. With that in mind, I am returning this week to Martin Murray and the story of Rock Rose Gin.
Over the last 20 years the growth and interest in spirits in the UK has been enormous. First it was with the Whisky industry, then it was Vodka. I suspect the interest in Vodka came about because the younger generation didn’t like the alcohol their parents were drinking.
I remember when Hooch first went on sale. It was alcoholic lemonade, and was used in cocktails but never appreciated in it own right. Always being the poor cousin to Gin.
Part of the problem is that Gin was produced on a mass-production scale with the same flavour and taste. The shift came when the regulations were challenged and changed around the legal size of stills. Originally a still had to be 1800 litres which meant that the column for that still would be over 4 metres high and very much precluded small-scale production.
That law was challenged around 2009-2010 and it open the door of opportunity for craft distilling of Gin.
Martin Murray took the university route, went to look for work and discovered there was none in brewing and distilling, so ended up in the oil and gas industry. He remained there for many years until circumstances coincided with this change in the law that allowed him to start exploring the idea of opening a distillery, that is now home to the famous Rock Rose Gin.
This recorded interview was made March 2018 and since then Rock Rose Gin has grown and developed.
The company has won numerous awards for unique Gins, unique flavours and innovation. They are the first company to develop a completely recyclable gin pouch which can be posted, so it is now possible to buy Gin by mail, refill the your bottle and then return the pouch to them for recycling.
This is the story of Martin Murray, a man that has always been passionate about brewing and the drinks industry. It is his journey from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to rekindling his passion for brewing and distilling.
In our interview, you will hear about the choices he made and how it all began, the experiments, and ‘Holy Grass’. I hope you enjoy the conversation with Martin Murray.
Links from the programme:-
Rock Rose Gin is widely available in the UK and is exported to many countries.
The Distillery in Dunnet is open to the public, and you can connect with Martin through the website or his linkedin profile.
The Ted Talk mentioned can be found HERE
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
Some guests I find and some approach me, Tom Liebelt is the latter and I am so delighted he reach out to me. He is a genuine guy who just wants people to hear his message.
Tom was born in Poland during the Communist era when life was tough for those who were not members of the communist party or knew the right people. To make ends meet Tom’s Dad would smuggle alcohol banned films, VCR’s and other contraband across the border from Germany. As a young boy of 7, Tom had a vital roll to play in the smuggling operation. It was his job to distract the border guards from searching the car by screaming and crying and throwing a tantrum at the right moment.
He learned from a young age how to sell and negotiate business by getting haggled by Russian traders at the football stadium.
Life changed a lot when the family took an opportunity to move from Poland to the USA.
It was a change to escape communism, but life did not get easier. His parents took any job they could to survive, and he saw very little of them as they were always working.
By seeing their struggle as a young man, he never wanted a job, and it motivated him to keep moving.
At 16 he bought into a record shop, his love of music lead him into the industry as an engineer, a DJ and eventually a performer. He returned to his native Poland where he became one of the top Polish hip hop artists.
Moving on, he returned to America and opened a coffee shop, running it for a year.
Tom is one of those guys who sees an opportunity and makes it work.
He has published around 5000 Kindle books and has built a successful SEO. He has owned a coffee shop, a retail store, a record label, created and filmed a documentary and released two albums with five hits on top ten Polish radio.
Now living in Thailand, he has a thriving business employing a team of people creating and marketing online courses.
All of it was bootstrapped and done with zero outside funding.
As Tom says:
“If you can’t sell, then you’re not in business. Marketing and Sales are the backbone of a company.” – Tom Libelt
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Tom Liebelt
If you would like to get in touch with Tom you can find him on:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SBMPodcast/
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlibelt/
Twitter https://twitter.com/TomLibelt
Or at his website https://smartbrandmarketing.com
All of these links can be found at Life Passion & Business on the podcast page at the bottom of the post along with more information about The 5 Questions Worksheet
www.LifePassionAndBusiness.com
Sunday Aug 30, 2020
Saturday Aug 29, 2020
Saturday Aug 29, 2020
Disclosure: This podcast may contain adult content.
This podcast was created and published in June 2018. However as Frankie was one of the speakers at our recent Reasons & Results summit, it felt like a good time to pull it out of the archives and give it a chance to heard again.
Frankie Fihn is a marketing connection that I met through Facebook, and whilst I did not know his full story, there was something in what he was saying that caught my attention. Like many of my connections, he seemed to have the ideal life of travel and exotic locations.
I went straight into this recording without any preconception, and I have to say it may trigger you as it touches on the use of an illegal substance Ayahuasca. Full disclaimer here as this is by no means an advocation of its use. However, it is a fascinating story.
Frankie Fihn is outwardly successful, he is a well-known speaker, entrepreneur and by his description a Master of the Mystical Arts. He operates a coaching and consulting business for lawyers and builds creative marketing systems. He has a laptop lifestyle allowing him to travel and experience the world with his partner.
However, since his exploration of life through Ayahuasca he looks at the world through a different lens. He calls himself a shaman and in his coaching he uses intuition and vibration to work with people on a different level.
The entrepreneurial lifestyle is often held up as a chalice, yet in reality it is difficult. Frankie supports clients to express and release fears, frustration and self-sabotage. He helps them bring more colour, vibrancy and meaningful connections into their lives, all while increasing their business and personal freedom.
It was a great conversation as you will hear Frankie had a real perspective on the big questions of success, passion, and the meaning of life.
I hope you enjoy the conversation with Frankie Fihn
You can Find Frankie here on Facebook
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
This podcast is recorded from a neighbours garden, where I am gathering fruit and vegetables (with permission of course) and I am reflecting on dreams.
What does it look like to live into your dreams?
Most of us have forgotten how to dream or have given up on them and it can feel quite hard to move towards dreams when this happens. Looking back on my father’s life, this appeared to be the way it was for him. In the time I knew him, he didn’t have any aspirations. He just got on with living without any plans to achieve anything new.
If we allow them to, the stresses, strains and challenges of life can get in the way, and it is only when we make a conscious choice to say “I want that” that we can start to build something new.
In reality having a dream, an aspiration or goal to achieve something can be quite easy when we just maintain a steady focus. With this in place we can look back years later and realise we have reached a destination.
16 years ago the dream for my wife and I was moving to Scotland and creating a life full of abundance, with the simple plan being to raise our son in a healthy way. Moving here was really exciting for a while and then we just got on with life. But the focus of having a good life was always there. Looking back I can see we have achieved that dream and life has been abundant for us, not necessarily in a financial way, but that wasn’t our goal.
Now my son is leaving for college and it is time to move towards the next big dream. This has coincided with discovering a passion for creating podcasts and virtual events. I am starting to move more fully into building this dream and having my wife come on board with it, feels really exciting, because now I have my playmate with me.
What are your dreams? Are you living them? Are you exploring new possibilities? Is there a plan?
Life Passion And Business : Reasons & Results Virtual Summit