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
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Embracing neurodiversity, we are all different, and there is no normal; every human is a mix of thoughts and feelings. But some in society struggle to fit in or keep up with what is expected of being normal. Thankfully, we are aware of terms like ADHD and other conditions, and yet we still live in a world where there is stigma associated with people who are different.
In our conversation today, we are looking at neurodivergence and how it is recognised and needs to be embraced.
My guest on the show is Ellice Whyte, a Consultant Business Psychologist who is neurodiverse with ADHD.
Elice started life with a passion for music, singing, and performing. She can pick up any musical instrument and has become proficient at many. Music was her happy place, allowing her to express feelings and move freely.
However, other aspects of education were not easy, and she struggled in some areas. At some point in her late teens, she developed an eating disorder. Upon finishing school, University was the plan, but she took a gap year to get some life experience in the world of work.
Returning to education, she played to her strengths and went for a music degree. However, in her second year at University, she took a module in music therapy, which changed her perspective and gave her a new direction. She moved toward psychology and helping people.
The Master lecture that changes everything
In her mid-20s, she was studying for her master’s, and it was while sitting in a lecture that she effectively diagnosed her neurodiverse condition.
“ I literally realised, “hmm I do a lot of these!””
This revelation deepened her interest in neurodiversity and fueled a passion for helping others understand their unique brain functionalities.
Funny enough, she is qualified today to identify and give people a neurodiverse diagnosis. But she is still waiting for the medical profession to confirm her own officially.
Our conversation is a discussion of what it means to be neurodivergent and how bullying in the workplace can go so wrong. We look at how you can identify your own condition and get access to testing, it is essential to know that support is out there.
Today, Ellice provides services as a business psychologist; her work revolves around applying psychological principles to enhance organisations’ health, productivity, and culture.
Further details about this podcast along with my guest’s website and social links, are all available at:
https://www.lifepassionandbusiness.com/ellice-whyte-embracing-neurodiversity
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories, however the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Could you be a freedom seeker? But what is freedom, and how do you find what you truly want? Our guest on the show is a man who set out in life to find out what it was he wanted before committing to a path.
Jordan Tait was born in Canada. His father was a carpenter, and the perfect role model to show that building or fixing anything is possible.
On leaving the university after studying geography, Jordon followed the practical side of life and started a painting business with a difference. It was just about making and saving every dollar for six months until he hit a target. The business would go on hold while he travelled.
The Freedom Seeker
Over five years, he visited over 40 countries, living the backpacking lifestyle. He learned so much on his travels and was different every time he returned home.
By his mid-20s, the idea of being a painter for life did not fit with his dreams or who he had become. However, a coaching opportunity appeared where he could coach people to start their own painting business, and that was much more interesting.
It opened the door to scratch the travel itch as he travelled all over the US and Canada. It is interesting how travelling for yourself feeds the soul, but lots of travelling for work every week eventually leads to burning out.
Now, with a life partner, they both decided to quit their jobs and travel to Australia. The timing was just before COVID… and Australia’s tough initial reaction; the closing of the country worked in their favour and led to them discovering how they wanted to live when they returned to Canada.
Ever the freedom seeker, on returning to Canada he bought a 21ft school bus and converted it into a camper and continued his exploration of the wild places in his home country.
It is a lovely story and shows how purposeful intention is the path to build the life you want. Jordan is all about personal development and continuing his exploration of life and it opportunities.its
Today, Jordan runs his own consulting business; he calls himself a business and lifestyle coach who helps underpaid and overworked owners grow their income while working fewer hours.
Further details about this podcast, along with my Guest’s website and social links, are all available at:
https://www.lifepassionandbusiness.com/jordan-tait-freedom-seeker
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services, visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Slow down and take some time for yourself. The power of slowing down is life-changing, for me this conversation about slowing down is fundamental to who we are as human beings.
In this show, we look at the power of slowing down
During the interview podcast, we talk about contribution and how we contribute to ourselves. We live this life for ourselves although we do things for other people, it is about us our life journey and our experience. We can only discover this stuff by asking the right questions and giving space to hear the answers.
So much of the time we spend either looking forward or looking backwards, I have been here. The action of living in the moment is about slowing down to appreciate what we have, finding a moment of grace, a time just to breathe and be.
It’s no wonder that the world is fascinated by mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, and these internal practices are so popular. It is because we are crying out to discover how to put something back into our lives.
That something is most probably meaning, but that is another conversation.
When we take a moment to slow down and connect with who we are and understand what we want in this moment, it connects us to the bigger picture.
Check out the podcast and see how taking time to slow down might be just what you need.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
It is all for you. What I mean by this is everything that unfolds in front of you is for you, and that is the journey of life. It is a simple thought that can change your life.
In the show, we are exploring some of the quotations around this point and looking at how you embrace the idea so that you can have a better journey.
“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it… it’s just easier if you do.” Byron Katie
“Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” Jim Carrey
There are thousands of comments and quotes like this, and they all stem from the Buddhist idea that life is suffering and our only option is acceptance and non-attachment. I appreciate that when the sh1T is hitting the fan, such comments and quotes are not always helpful.
In this show, we explore the thinking behind the idea that life happens for you and why it is important to use that mindset because it opens the opportunity for resilience, new experiences and growth.
Going into the hole of the world is out to get me never leads anywhere good.
Check out the show and see how that simple thought can change your life.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
Sunday Nov 26, 2023
I am currently visiting my son and recorded this show outside, so the audio quality, will be a little different, and there will be birds and traffic.
Our subjective today is thanks to Russell Dalglish, who posted a question on Linkedin “If not now, then when?” For me, tomorrow will do is right up there with don’t do today what you can put off until tomorrow.
I have my own painful procrastination experience this weekend. I got a parking ticket but how is that relevant?
Procrastination is the art of not making choices. Why are we so bad at making choices? Actually, some people are very good, and they are the people who get loads of stuff done. Russel, for example, has his own system.
But what is it that separates them from everyone else?
People like Russell have discovered the system that works for them, a means to overcome the fear of choices and attachment to outcomes.
On this show, you will discover the tools I use on myself and with clients to get us through the indecision and into the place of making a firm choice.
The point is most of the time, there is only one choice or realistically there no choice just the option we like the least.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
We all need a little calm in our lives, and our guest on the show is Clare Downham, who went from being a burnt-out teacher to becoming the queen of calm. Not overnight, of course; there is a story to be told.
Her recovery came once she discovered a place of calm by stripping back rather than adding more. It was the application of the three principles and the realisation that reality is not what we think it is.
The three principles are a tricky concept. They inspired Sydney Banks, a Scottish Welder from the 1970s. He was living in Canada and struggling with insecurity. While attending a weekend course, a passing comment about thoughts opened a door in his mind.
I have been exploring the principle for many years. It is an incredibly simple concept but really hard to implement and explain.
Queen of Calm
Clare is a great storyteller; her original plan was to be an engineer, and she learned to weld, cut and mill metal. But the science of engineering was not her thing. In a 180-degree shift, she went into the humanities and on to do a teaching degree.
She met her husband, became a teacher and set about the process of building a life with a family. Hungry to succeed, she took all of the promotions she could get, moving quickly into school management.
Nothing in the training teaches you to manage a school. How does a van with no wheels end up blocking the school gates, and more the point, how or who gets to move?
We explore what caused her to go off the rails and how self-care may have prevented her eventual burnout.
It is a lovely conversation with a woman who has been on the journey of life and realised that reality is not what it seems.
We get to explore the three principles, something I have wanted to do but never had the confidence to do on my own. Today, Clare is a three-principle practitioner, is known as the Queen of Calm and has a large following on Insight Timer.
She is dedicated to helping busy women create a life “Powered by Calm” by guiding them to transcend stress, anxiety, and overwhelm without the addition of tools, techniques or trawling through the past.
Further details about this podcast, along with my Guest’s website and social links, are all available at:
https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/clare-downham-queen-of-calm/
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories, however the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Support For Podcasters:
Running a podcast is fun, but it takes time and dedication. Whenever you enjoy a podcast please share your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It helps other listeners find good content and supports the content creators and their guests.
Another way you can support the Life Passion & Business podcast is with small donations: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion
Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Are you motivated by pain or value? So the bigger question is, do we need to experience pain in order to move or change?
In the shortcast, we are exploring how there are times when pain is a motivation, but for the really big changes in life, there has to be something else driving the action.
Looking at pain as in the ex-marketer, I can say marketing techniques will use pain to drive people towards a buying decision. It is about convincing people that buying stuff will make their lives better.
There is no doubt that some pain is a powerful motivator physical pain like toothache needs drugs, followed by a dentist appointment to solve the problem. There is nothing that you would not do to get rid of toothache.
But these are base-level problems and dovetail into Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. ( if that is new to you, see here. At the bottom of the pyramid, we're looking for safety, security and physical comfort. Physical pain is physical discomfort, and we want to change that.
As we move up the pyramid, when all of the basic needs and desires are met, it is time to self-actualise and do things in the world. But the question still comes: what is it that motivates us to do something to make a difference in our lives.
In this shortcast, we explore how pain, values and meaning are the core seeds of motivation for change.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Is your credibility important? You need to feel you are, but more importantly, Are you Credible? Because your potential clients need to believe it first. But how do we get there?
Our guest on the show this week is Mitchell Levy from Credibility Nation, and as you will hear, we both discovered and learned much from this conversation.
Mitchell Levy has had a long and classically successful business career, from banking to internet systems and more. He has several publishing companies supporting business leaders to write books and has written over 60 of his own. He has spoken at TEDx events and is an executive coach at Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches—an accomplished man.
In 2019, he was looking for a change and decided to follow Napoleon Hill’s steps. He set out to interview 500 executives on success and credibility. The findings from that research have changed his life.
He has discovered that how we do business has changed forever and will never go back. Credibility is key.
So join me in this conversation to explore Mittchel’s journey and discover some critical tools for your credibility.
My full introduction to this recording and social links are all available at:
https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/mitchell-levy-are-you-credible/
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services, visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Support For Podcasters:
Running a podcast is fun, but it takes time and dedication. Whenever you enjoy a podcast please share your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It helps other listeners find good content and supports the content creators and their guests.
Another way you can support the Life Passion & Business podcast is with small donations: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
I am taking a break from editing this week, but I will return with a new programme next week. In the meantime, I want to share with you a conversation recorded a couple of years ago at the event, reasons, and results. That event is still available, and there are some free tickets available—details at the end.
This conversation is about being in flow and taking aligned action. Simon Jordan was an old friend who passed away just 18 months after this show was recorded.
Being in flow with life is about taking aligned action; in my weekend show, we explored the idea of being in that flow and open to the opportunities that pass; it is about breathing into the space.
When I think of a guest demonstrating the process well, it had to be the late Simon Jordan; he died suddenly in December 2021. I made a tribute programme for him at the time.
Simon was a long-term online friend. I had known each other for ten years, yet as in common in the digital world, we never managed to meet in person.
Taking Aligned Action
Going back to my point about flow and aligned action. There is a view and narrative that you will crawl through the swamp to get to your goal if you want something enough. You will put your shoulder to the wheel of life and push until you get what you want.
I do not deny the idea’s validity, and sometimes, getting results requires this level of commitment and sacrifice.
However, at what personal cost do we ask ourselves if we want to pay that price? There was a time when I did the 7 am to 7 pm life. Did it get me anything? I thought it did, but it meant I ate late, watched too much TV and went to bed to do it all again the following morning.
In this show with Simon, we explore his journey from the ego-driven on-stage marketing professional whose life was falling apart to the free-flowing mountain climber, swimmer, adventurer and branding coach. At the time of recording, his life philosophy was about taking aligned action, simplicity and moving with the flow.
The conversation was taken from the event Reason and Results, in 2020. The detail of this and all of our past events can be found in the events tab above.
https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/simon-jordan-aligned-action/
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Support For Podcasters:
Running a podcast is fun, but it takes time and dedication. Whenever you enjoy a podcast please share your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It helps other listeners find good content and supports the content creators and their guests.
Another way you can support the Life Passion & Business podcast is with small donations: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
We all have them occasionally, so why do expectations hurt? Because most of the time, they are unrealistic, and we are attached to the outcome.
On the show today, we are exploring expectations, why the hurt when not met and how we can become less attached and free ourselves from the pain.
Today, I was running a 10k race, a real one that would give me an official time. Last year I ran this race About a month after I completed a marathon, and I achieved a time of 50 minutes and one second. it was very frustrating having just tipped over the 50 minutes.
There is a story here, but the long and short is when I booked this race, I had an expectation that I would train hard and reach my goal of a sub 49 minute 10K. But the training did not happen, and there I was at the start line and in my opinion, I was not ready for it.
However, it allowed me to release my expectations. I approached this race with the sense that if I could get under 55 minutes, I would be happy enough, but if I could actually get below 50 minutes, that would be an achievement. Did I achieve it? Actually, I was pleasantly surprised.
The point of this conversation today is that we are looking at expectations and why they trip us up. It is always about an attachment to the outcome. When the target becomes more important than the journey to get there, we make the target really important. That is when we open ourselves to the pain of failure.
The solution is smart goals that are a stretch but will fall back positions.
Check out the podcast and get in touch if you need support with your expectations.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Taking an editing break while focusing on a new project this week, so as we all like to find a little joy in life, I thought to share this show from 2021, all about finding it for yourself.
Finding Your Joy explores thoughts, feelings and anxiety with today's guest, Erin McCullough. She reveals how finding joy is possible at any time and that we do not have to do anything to matter. We are always relevant, and our existence is enough.
Erin had no idea what to expect when she agreed to couples therapy. During the first session, she had an unexpected reaction, which the counsellor explained was a panic attack. She had never experienced a panic attack before, nor had she any awareness of her suppressed emotions.
“It was a defence mechanism not to feel the emotions of when I was a kid.”
Our conversation explores the life transitions that occurred for her through a near-fatal accident, divorce and meeting the man of her dreams on the first 'swipe-right'. It's also a story about the baggage we carry always, wherever we go.
Towards the end of the podcast, there is an exercise to explore and discover your own joy.
My full introduction to this recording, along with Erin’s website and social links are all available at:
http://www.lifepassionandbusiness.com/erin-mccullough-finding-your-joy
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Support For Podcasters:
Running a podcast is fun, but it takes time and dedication. Whenever you enjoy a podcast please share your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It helps other listeners find good content and supports the content creators and their guests.
Another way you can support the Life Passion & Business podcast is with small donations: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Sunday Oct 29, 2023
Perfection is an ideal that can break the soul and spirit of the best of us; getting hooked into a perfectionist state can lead to all manner of self-depreciation.
On our show today, we are looking at the mindset of perfection how chasing perfectionism can lead to shame and a sense of failure.
Where did the need to be perfect come from? It may have been sports. Watching elite athletes, there is no doubt that they are looking for the perfect performance every time they step up to the line. But they train for this moment, and much of that moment’s performance is out of their control. Of course, only the winners are celebrated; they get to take it all.
One of the biggest factors in performance thinking is the comparison with others. That is with family, friends or work colleagues. Company culture can feed the peak performance narrative, as can social media.
Part of this conversation is looking at the success model and exploring strategies that can make us aware and tackle the self-deprecation caused by perfectionism.
Do you have any thoughts about chasing perfection?
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
How do we communicate with clarity? It is about using the right words at the right time to the right people. As a communicator, I am very aware of the power of my words. There have been times when I have used the wrong words and got into trouble.
Our interview is about the power of communication, and our guest on the show today is a master. It has become his mission to help leaders across the globe find the right words and make a bigger impact.
Dr Michael Gerharz was born in Near Koln in Germany. His first passion was music. The guitar became his instrument of choice, and as he progressed through education, he enjoyed jazz and studied classical music.
There came a decision point: music or follow his second love, computer science. It was the 90s, a time of unlimited opportunity in this new, exciting field.
After his degree, he became a researcher and programmer and got his Ph.D. in Communications Systems. He had arrived in the computer industry just as the internet became a thing and was there at the birth of mobile phones and networks.
The inability to communicate with clarity
Throughout his work in research, he became aware of how many brilliant ideas or projects failed because of the inability to communicate and use words well. That realisation has led to a whole new career as an author and a communications coach.
Our conversation is about his journey through music and computers. It is about the common thread that unites them.
Michael started his exploration of communication with a daily blog, now with over 800 posts. He is the author of the book “ Leaders Light the Path” and hosts the “Irresistible Communication“ podcast.
Further details about this podcast, along with my Guest’s website and social links, are all available at:
https://lifepassionandbusiness.com/dr-michael-gerharz-communicate-with-clarity/
Life Passion & Business is dedicated to exploring what it takes to be Extraordinary, to face challenges and rejoice in the opportunities they bring, and to expand our vision into new ways of thinking and living.
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories, however, the real work begins by taking action in your own life.
For full details of Events, Resources and Services visit:
www.lifepassionandbusiness.com
Support For Podcasters:
Running a podcast is fun, but it takes time and dedication. Whenever you enjoy a podcast please share your appreciation with comments, likes, shares and reviews. It helps other listeners find good content and supports the content creators and their guests.
Another way you can support the Life Passion & Business podcast is with small donations: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifeandpassion
Sunday Oct 22, 2023
Sunday Oct 22, 2023
Being of service, what does that mean to you? How do you see service, is it like any other transaction or something more?
In the interview podcasts, one of the questions is about contribution both to the world and ourselves. Our contribution to the world is about making a difference, and for most people on the show, that is their life work; it’s what they do and get paid for. It is a service, but not necessarily “giving service”.
I am the same. I’m a coach, and when I produce podcasts, it is a service because I give freely, but at the same time, it’s about getting my name out of the world so that people like yourself know that I’m available to give you support. It is a contribution, but it is not about serving freely with no strings.
In this podcast, we consider being of service, and how we serve, the thinking behind it and how the world could be a better place if service were given without it being transactional.
Being of Service
On Friday, I saw a woman struggling to move a few tonnes of recently delivered firewood; she was rushing to get it under cover before the rain hit. I stopped what I was doing and took over the wheelbarrow so she could focus on the stacking. She was so grateful. “ Thank you so much; this is what real community is about”.
My wood carrying felt good to know that I had supported her to get the fuel moved and under cover before that rain hit, and it was a good move because, boy, not 30 minutes later, it rained hard and for hours and hours.
Back to the point, being of service is a beautiful gift, but when it comes with strings, it is no longer a gift of service.
Life Passion & Business Podcast is about finding answers to life’s big questions through weekly interviews with guest speakers. The Shortcast is my ongoing commitment to staying interested and passionate about life with whatever is alive for me each week. Follow the links below to discover what else is on offer.
Discover Life, Passion & Business:
There is a lot to gain from listening to other people’s stories. However, the real work begins by taking action in your own life. Now you’re here, please explore our Events and Resources pages to discover how Life Passion & Business can support you.
Quick Links:-
- The Five Questions eBook
- Focus Coaching
- Male Midlife Challenges
- Support the Podcast with BuyMeACoffee.com
(or click on the cup for more info.)
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
Singing for hope and freedom was fundamental for Black African-American slaves. It gave them the resilience they needed through the darkness and was the path to emancipation.
I was in a singing workshop on Sunday with Dr Kathy Bullock, a music professor, Gospel leader, singer, performer and teacher of music from the black traditions. Over the day, we explore the early spiritual music, the songs of slavery, Gospel and African rhythms.
She is a descendant of slavery; her great-grandfather was born a slave, so the history is very close.
It has been her mission for over 30 years to bring this music and the stories it contains out to the world. Full of passion and energy, she can hold a room with 100 people or more, teach them a piece in 4-part harmony and have them singing within minutes.
Singing for Hope
It was sad, reflective and uplifting as we sang the songs written by people experiencing and living the injustice and pain of slavery and ongoing repression. These songs are about singing for hope, but it is so much more than that. It was about creating a shared vision of a better life and making it an affirmation.
Singing together is a powerful experience, and living close to the Findhorn Foundation, I consider myself privileged to live in a community where singing together in harmonies is normal and world-renowned teachers and presenters come to share their wisdom and experience with us.
The day was about the power of shared music as a means of communication, an expression of faith and resilience. This conversation is my reflection on the day and on the power of singing together. On reflection, I can see that music could be one of the tools to transcend our differences.
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