Purpose in the Process

A purposeful life is a better life. In this podcast we'll look for the “why” behind the “how” in processes related to business and career, health and well-being, adventurous living, relationships and family, personal growth, and spiritual connectedness. Join us each week for thought provoking conversations with interesting people from all walks of life.

Episode 29: Stars in the Darkness - What Changes Will Last? 04/26/2020

Episode 28: Mike Garrett - FInding Purpose in Suffering 04/06/2020

Episode 27: Will Blackman - Staying in the Moment 08/25/2019

Episode 26: Peter Merriman - A Humble Approach to Hospitality 06/18/2019

Episode 26: Peter Merriman - A Humble Approach to Hospitality Famous chefs don’t become known because of their humility. But as it turns out, their restaurants might. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with renowned chef Peter Merriman about his unique approach to hospitality in his restaurants. Why is it that a person always feels welcome when they check-in with his hosts? How does Peter motivate his entire staff to entertain like they are “throwing a party every night,” prepare each and every dish like they are “cooking for their mom,” and consistently go above and beyond to “do the right thing” for every customer they meet? In this episode, we discuss: Why service matters as much (if not more) than the food What are his “vital few” that he focuses on with staff? The key importance of establishing and maintaining relationships How Peter hires right, then gives his people a chance to shine What it means to focus on the “internal customers” How those who are served can get the most out of our experience as customers The importance of sustainability, and connecting with the source of our food How customer demand impacts quality The importance of humility to the success of any restaurant Thanks for listening! As always, I appreciate your feedback, and please consider supporting this ad-free podcast by becoming a supporter on Links and More Info: PETER’S STORY: Peter Merriman has been as a culinary pioneer in Hawaii for 30 years. Known as the original “locavore”, Peter is a vocal champion of Hawaii’s farmers, ranchers and fishermen. His restaurants showcase island grown and harvested foods through simple preparations that reflect the myriad flavors of Hawaii’s multiculturalism. Dubbed the “Pied Piper of Hawaii Regional Cuisine” by The Los Angeles Times, he is a continuing inspiration to Hawaii’s thriving culinary scene. Early Years Peter was raised in Pittsburgh, where a passion for food was instilled in him from a young age. His mother, Woodene, was a noted Pittsburgh Post Gazette food writer, and by the time he was 16, he was doing “grunt work” for Master Chef Ferdinand Metz at the H. J. Heinz Co. (Chef Metz later headed the renowned Culinary Institute of America.) Pursuing the opportunity to play football, Peter attended The University of Pennsylvania and studied Political Science. After graduation, Merriman enrolled in a three-year Chef's Apprentice Program with RockResorts under the auspices of the American Culinary Federation. The apprenticeship program took Peter to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and to Woodstock, Vermont, where he studied at the Woodstock Inn, under the supervision of Chef Hans Schadler. He then went on to various stints in resort areas across the United States and Europe, including a summer working among the vineyards of France’s Champagne region. In early 1983, Peter was hired as a cook for the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. He arrived in Hawaii with one suitcase and $75 in his pocket thinking he would stay a few months at the most. But he fell in love with the natural beauty of the islands and the rich culture of the people who live there. In 1985, only two years after his arrival, he was appointed Executive Chef of the Mauna Lani Resort’s new Gallery Restaurant. Chef & Pioneer of Hawaii Regional Cuisine At his interview for the chef position at The Gallery Restaurant, Peter was asked what type of food he wanted to feature. Without thinking, he said “regional cuisine” and went on to explain how no other restaurants were serving the local fish and produce. Peter believed that to be able to offer fish that was caught the same morning and to use vegetables harvested the day that they were served was essential to providing the best gourmet Hawaii cuisine. When Peter got the job, he had to deliver on the concept, but quickly discovered there were almost no local products available. Peter advertised in the newspapers and went out to the farms, ranches and docks to let local producers know he wanted whatever they had. “We’re in this together,” he told them, “If you grow it or catch it, I’ll buy it, and we all succeed.” Pretty soon he had built solid partnerships and local producers would try to get or grow whatever he needed. As he began recruiting other chefs to focus on local foods, “Hawaii Regional Cuisine” was born with Peter as founding president. Peter says it was just the right thing to do. “We were able to serve the freshest, most flavorful food at the restaurant. The bonus is that it benefits the local economy while helping to preserve the land and the agrarian way of life. Merriman’s Restaurants In 1988, Peter opened his signature upcountry restaurant, Merriman’s, in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. He was proclaimed, "A gourmet in cowboy country" by Hana Hou!, the Magazine of Hawaiian Airlines. The New York Times raved “Everything at Merriman’s…features the freshest local ingredients paired in exciting ways,” and San Francisco Magazine exclaimed “His Wok-charred Ahi is to die for!” It was at Merriman’s Waimea that Peter garnered the attention of the James Beard Foundation and as a result, he was a Finalist in the “Best Chef Northwest & Hawaii” category three distinct times. In 1994, Peter partnered with TS Restaurants to open Hula Grill on Maui’s famed Ka`anapali Beach. Hula Grill, touted “the best fish house in the islands” by Honolulu Magazine, brought the concepts of Hawaii Regional Cuisine to a beachside setting. Two more fine dining restaurants were added to the Merriman’s Hawaii group in 2008 and 2009 - Merriman’s Kapalua, on the grounds of the scenic resort on Maui’s West Side, and Merriman’s Fish House in Poipu, Kauai. Downstairs from the fish house, Peter offers casual dining at Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza & Burgers. In June 2018, Merriman’s Hawaii Group opened for the first time on Oahu, bringing Merriman’s Kaka’ako to Ward Village by Howard Hughes. In 2011, Peter launched a new venture in casual dining, Handcrafted Restaurants, with restaurateur Bill Terry. Handcrafted Restaurants is a multi-concept restaurant company operating four restaurants across the Hawaiian Islands: Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman in Wailea and Ka’anapali, Maui and Ko Olina Oahu, Moku Kitchen in Kaka’ako, Oahu, and the Beach House in Poipu, Kauai. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/10188566

Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine 05/20/2019

Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many “chronic” conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire to get to the bottom of what ails her patients, whether as a replacement for, or alongside more conventional treatments. As a renowned expert in functional medicine, Dr. Cass has written extensively about topics such as the nutritional supplementation of prescription drugs, alternative approaches to overcoming addiction, and even ways patients can avoid addiction to begin with by employing natural ways to elevate mood, battle stress, and increase energy. Her latest passion involves the many uses of CBD oil for the treatment of a variety of conditions, which she writes about in her new book . In this episode, we discuss: The importance of recognizing emotional trauma in the treatment of physical symptoms Prevention and treatment of postpartum depression The potential link between prescription drugs and mass shootings The influence of economics on healthcare policy and conventional medical treatment in the US Her viewpoint as a physician on the challenges facing the US health insurance system How CBD oil can be used to address a wide variety of issues Recent developments (and historic research) into the use of hallucinogenics to treat mental illness The importance of organic eating, moving every day, and social/family activities to promoting health and well-being Links: Dr. Cass’ to the article Dr. Cass wrote about the possible connection between prescription drugs and mass shootings. Link to the documentary with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. , a site recommended for information relating to the research behind CBD oil. , the environmental working group site dedicated to empowering people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Link to the movie we discussed, about the unexpected impact of the ingredients in our every day foods. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/9845039

Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine 05/20/2019

Episode 24: Discovering Your Seven Stories 04/29/2019

Episode 23: Finding Meaning In Responsibility 04/13/2019

Episode 23: Finding Meaning In Responsibility In this second part of a two-part special series I focus on the importance, and process, of finding meaning and purpose in life, as found in the book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Frankl explains how responsibility to oneself and others (and to what life is asking of you) is a vital counterpart to freedom, a concept echoed by many present-day authors, including notable thought leaders like Jordan Peterson and Jocko Wilink. If you only listen to one of these two episodes on Frankl’s book, this is the one to listen to for sure, because we talk and reflect on the second section of the book which is where Frankl goes into detail about the actual process of finding meaning in life. My 15 year old son Joseph joined me for this second part of the series, and offers his generation’s unique perspective on this issue. We definitely added a lot of our own thoughts to what Frankl wrote about this topic, so I hope you enjoy as we discuss: Distinctions between Freud, Adler, and Frankl The importance of the pursuit of meaning in general (the will to meaning) How meaning is found in each and every moment What it means to answering life’s questions for each of us - not just challenges, but gifts as well If people aren’t motivated by money and power, then what does motivate them? How smiling more can make you happier Why is that men tend to have more issues with purpose and meaning? What does Peterson mean when he echoes Frankl’s views on how our “rights” are only half of the conversation - what about the responsibilities that come with those rights? What responsibilities might come with our rights as “freedom loving” Americans? What country might gift the US a statue of responsibility? Did Frankl in 1946 predict accurately that technological advancements in AI and robotics would lead to an increase in existential crises from a lack of meaning and purpose? What does it mean when a person in the Christian faith says their purpose is found in God? How spiritual disciplines fit into the daily practice of seeking purpose in faith What does it mean that we find out who we are by discovering who we are not? There’s no one particular abstract meaning of life - it is unique to each person Our invitation for Jocko Wilink to come on the show and change Joseph’s mind The three specific ways Frankl describes as paths to finding meaning What can be done to turn the tide on the lack of responsibility in society - if anything Links: Viktor Frankl’s The TED Talk on Joseph referred to Herzberg’s 2 factor (Motivation/Hygiene) for what truly motivates people The Statue of prototype at UVU in Utah Jordan Peterson’s Self-Authoring Jordan Peterson’s The 4th Industrial Revolution: A Guardian about whether a life lived with robots taking over our jobs is really worth living The , originally taught by Robert Lewis in 2005, where he described a crisis of masculinity due to an unclear idea of what it means to be a man today (and included rejecting passivity as part of the solution) Benjamin Franklin’s exhortation to Jocko Wilink’s The great movie about the importance of outlook and attitude, /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/9383288

Episode 22: Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For Meaning 04/11/2019

Episode 22: Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For Meaning In this special episode of the podcast I wanted to respond to a listener request by offering some takeaways from the globally renowned book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. I’ve mentioned this book in past episodes when discussing the importance of living a life of purpose with various guests, because at the end of the day Frankl’s message regarding the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life is core to the whole point of this podcast. This is not intended to be a summary by any means, and is certainly not a scholarly attempt to interpret what Frankl wrote in 1946 - but perhaps my amateur musings about such an amazing piece of literature will inspire you to get a copy this important book so you can see for yourself the conclusions that might be reached. When I interview guests I’m always interested in the processes and stories about what makes their particular journey, craft, skill, or art so unique, but I’m even more interested in the purpose behind those processes. Frankl’s book offers insights as to why purpose is so important to all of us, and how finding meaning in our lives (and even the process of setting out to do so) can help us to overcome many emotional, mental, and even physical challenges. I hope you enjoy part 1 of this special 2 part series, which covers: Life in the concentration camps of WW 2 How they could tell when a prisoner had lost the will to live, and what that meant for them The delusion of reprieve Is it true that people can get used to just about anything? What does it mean that “love” is the ultimate and highest purpose? The importance of taking refuge in the inner-life Humor as a weapon for saving the soul Freedom from suffering as a form of negative happiness How attempting to avoid suffering can often cause it The importance of paying attention to inward peace (or lack thereof) in making our choices The last of human freedoms: to be worthy of your sufferings The dangers of retrospective living The importance of naming our emotions How loss of hope can have a deadly effect The two races of men LINKS by Viktor Frankl Tara Brach’s “Tea with Mara” /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/9352142

Episode 21: Staying Safe on the Road 03/31/2019

10-Minute Takeaways Bonus Episode: Finding Your Calling 03/22/2019

Episode 20: Joe Villarreal - Stories From the Road 03/18/2019

Episode 20: Joe Villarreal - Stories From the Road If you’re a life-long learner, you will undoubtedly create a lot of stories. The more careers, jobs, skills, and new circumstances you experience, the more people you will cross paths with. But, at the end of the day, who are those stories really for? My friend and fellow polymath Joe Villarreal joined me in this episode for a wide-ranging discussion about the importance of surrendering our own hopes and fears to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living a life in the eternal space we know only as “now”…and the importance of sharing what we experience in that space with others. Joe and I discussed: Why it’s important to embrace who you are The need for change agents How to know what to do next (or, “letting the bubbles land”) What does it mean to have “now” faith? The necessity of surrender How we can often get lost in our own “joy creation” Why regret and hesitation must be “removed from the equation” Why our own happiness is also our own responsibility I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process of telling our own story! More Information and Resources Mentioned: Richard Rohr’s book - I’ve previously discussed this book in other episodes. Another book that has some great short contemplations is Rohr’s . I am still in the process of wrapping my head around some of Rohr’s other writings - and I may not agree with everything Rohr believes to be true, but regardless, these are two books I have very much enjoyed (and one thing I appreciate about Rohr is that he doesn’t expect everyone to agree with everything he believes either). Viktor Frankl’s is another book I have referenced before - a must-read. Here’s a link to a piece on the documentary “The Lady in Number 6” - you can check it out on Netflix. Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/9041882

Episode 19: Will Blackman - Breaking the Outer Man 03/03/2019

Episode 19: Will Blackman - Breaking the Outer Man In Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, author Richard Rohr builds on psychologist Carl Jung’s description of a process by which we let go of who we think we are supposed to be, and start to more accurately express our “true” selves. Rohr, a Franciscan Priest, adds a spiritual perspective to Jung’s framework of first half and second half life experiences, concluding that “Your True Self is who you objectively are from the beginning, in the mind and heart of God.” This is, of course, hardly a view unique to the Christian faith. As Rohr points out, Zen Buddhists have since long ago referred to the true self as “the face you had before you were born.” Rohr’s “second half” spiritual discovery of a true self requires what he calls a “downward process” brought on by a divinely placed “stumbling stone,” resulting in the paradoxically necessary process of self-surrender. Rohr is not alone in his application of scripture, church history, and experience to reach the conclusion that we often stand in our own way when it comes to experiencing all that God has in store for us. “Sooner or later a servant of God discovers that he himself is the greatest frustration of his work.” So wrote Watchman Nee (1903-1972), an early 20th century church leader and teacher who died in a Chinese prison after 20 years of incarceration for his faith. Similar to Rohr’s “downward process,” Nee explains in The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit that our lives inevitably require the breaking of an outer veneer to release the “true” spirit inside each of us. Author John Eldredge, in his popular book Wild At Heart, similarly writes that “In order to take a man into his wound, so that he can heal it and begin the release of the true self, God will thwart the false self. He will take away all that you’ve leaned upon to bring you life.” As Eldredge explains, the process of taking off a mask worn for a lifetime can sometimes be a painful one. So, what’s the point - is this just about building a better “you”? It can end there - but it doesn’t have to. There’s so much more to it than that. Unlike typical “self-help” practices, which make no apologies for perfecting and improving as a means to itself, what Christian authors like Nee, Rohr, and Eldridge all describe in the “breaking” process is not merely a journey of self-improvement for the purpose of “bettering ourselves.” While certainly greater peace and contentment may come from a better understanding of our true nature, Nee explains that by virtue of this journey God “wants to prepare a way to bring His blessing to the world through those who belong to Him.” In other words, it turns out that in finding ourselves (and hence our unique purpose) we will eventually realize, as Rick Warren writes in the first line of The Purpose Driven Life, that “It’s not about you.” Then, who is it about? Answering that question may first require you to reimagine your concept, or description, of God. Is it possible that in the process of helping you to discover your own “true self,” God will also be revealing something to you something about who He is? In addition to becoming a greater blessing to the world, as Nee describes, is it possible that God also wants you to be a blessing to Him? What if it’s just as important to consider not only what God wants for you, but why he wants that, for you? We can often think of prayer (and even faith practices more broadly) as ways by which we discover God’s will for our lives, get answers, obtain guidance, make divine requests, intercede for others, and try to learn more about our purpose. All good things! But what if God might also have something to relate to each of us individually - about himself? What if, by breaking our outer man, we might also learn more not just about our own heart, but also about God’s heart for each of us? If we truly believe that God is both immanent and transcendent (totally unfathomable and yet intensely knowable), then why wouldn’t He be constantly working to reveal Himself to you? My friend Will Blackman joined me in this episode for a deep discussion about not just the process of breaking, but also more importantly God’s desire to use that process to reveal more about Himself. My hope is that this will be the first of several more episodes where we unpack in more detail what it looks like to “get out of our own way” in how we relate to God, and continually seek His purpose for our lives. Will and I discussed: Why God reminds the Israelites (and us) in Deuteronomy about the importance of “remembering” what He has done The difference between having knowledge about God, and learning more from Him about Himself What does it mean that Jesus’ sheep hear his voice, and he knows them? (John 10:27) The difference between our view of sin, and God’s view of sin How the seeking of God’s heart as a spiritual practice now prepares us for our own “trials” ahead Common grace versus specific grace (the importance of both) What does it look like to hear from God? (two questions to consider asking God in prayer) I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process of breaking - stay tuned for more on this topic! Check out for links to the books mentioned in the podcast! /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8859302

Episode 18: MacKenzie Price - Mentoring a Marriage 02/25/2019

Episode 18: MacKenzie Price - Mentoring a Marriage Mentoring can sometimes be a difficult process - especially when it comes to sensitive topics like marriage. How can we best help our friends when they come to us expressing marital conflict? How can we learn to benefit from that same process ourselves, the next time we face challenges in our own relationships? Whether you’re a man or a woman, married or single, you’ll want to listen to this episode about how to help your friends, and how to continually improve your own marriage, by focusing on what we ourselves can do (whether as husband or wife) to better meet the others’ needs. In this episode, I interviewed MacKenzie Price, a trained mentor and lay-counselor who has years of experience helping women recognize the value of living with intentionality in their relationships and creating lives that match their stated priorities. MacKenzie and I discussed: The unique challenges women face in getting good advice about relationships Why marriages can quickly become a lower priority (and how to do something about it) The value of Socratic questions in helping people recognize the danger they are in What’s most important to husbands? (the answer may surprise you) The one thing that can’t be neglected for a healthy marriage (this answer won’t surprise you) Knowing when a mentee is ready for real growth, and how to respond when they aren’t The downsides of offering “blind support” and why it’s worth the confrontation I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process of mentoring a marriage! MacKenzie Price is passionate about helping women see the value of living with intentionality in their relationships and creating lives that match up with their stated priorities. With a husband of 15 years and two daughters, she understands how hard juggling family, work and life in general can be, so she strives to help people create a full and vibrant life that goes beyond just getting by. Always up for conversation and adventure, she does work with personal development trainings through college mentorship with CRU, lay counseling with Women of Care and leads women’s study groups focusing on marriage, parenting, and Bible study. MacKenzie has a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and began her career in software marketing and sales, then spent 17 years building a successful mortgage business from which she retired in 2018. She also hosted a weekly segment on Austin’s TWC News called On the Town. Passionate about education, MacKenzie helped build Alpha, a cutting-edge school for K-12 in Austin, TX. She has made her home in Austin, TX since 1998, but her favorite getaway is a trip to the mountains for some great skiing or hiking. You can find and follow MacKenzie on Instagram , and on Facebook . Links to Resources by Emerson Eggerichs. by Richard Rohr A great for Ennegram testing - I reference this (my favorite personality profile test) in so many episodes…it’s worth your time. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8768987

Episode 17: James Coleman - Living and Working Abroad 02/21/2019

Episode 17: James Coleman - Living and Working Abroad Have you ever thought about living abroad? It seems like every week I meet someone who is seriously considering it - or at least dreaming about the possibility. As so many “knowledge work” jobs become capable of getting done anywhere, and often on any schedule, that dream of living abroad can become a real option. But what does it actually look like to make that decision (and then do it)? The specific answer to that question is obviously highly dependent on where you might be thinking of moving to, but if that place is Japan, you’re in luck - because in this episode I interviewed James Coleman (my brother) about his recent experience making that decision, and then executing on it. He moved his family from the US to Kobe, Japan last year, and I think his story could be valuable for anyone to hear, regardless of where they are considering ending up. Being a technologist who stills runs a US-based business from Japan, he also has a unique perspective on the various work-related factors that play into such a decision. In this episode of the podcast, James and I discussed: The decision making process for moving abroad (as he explains, the toughest part) The significance of language - it may not be as significant as you think The fascinating cultural differences between Japan and the US A discussion of the challenges, and the surprisingly easy things about an international move Tips for considering the process (and technological hurdles) of working remotely I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process living and working abroad! James Coleman is a wired polymath and entrepreneur who draws on multiple disciplines - tech, business and social psychology - within both Japanese and Western cultures, to solve meaningful problems in underserved markets. James founded his first successful startup while still in business school, focused on self-funded profitable growth as primary drivers of continuous improvement and quality. He has been an advisor to numerous companies including Apple and Sony, and he enjoys mentoring entrepreneurs who want to create disruptive, positive change. Today he is co-founder of Tech Concierge, a company that provides a unique combination of cloud tech and services called Carbon-Free IT™ that helps businesses grow and succeed anywhere on the globe, from the biggest metropolis to the most remote regions of the planet. James also currently consults for business leaders in the US and Canada, helping them better understand how to localize their businesses to successfully approach and succeed in Japan’s massive market. James is also a self-described Japaneur, having moved to Japan from Southern California to explore and enjoy the country and its culture while discovering new opportunities to grow personally and professionally. James enjoys living in Kobe, Japan with his wife and two sons. You can find and follow James at () and () /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8726996

Episode 16: Anthony Torns - Coaching While Staying Coachable 02/11/2019

Episode 16: Anthony Torns - Coaching While Staying Coachable What makes a great coach? Maybe the better question to ask is, how can we make ourselves more coachable? I dug into these questions with Anthony Torns, a track coach who has become known not just for results achieved in training young men and women as high-achieving athletes, but more importantly, for the way in which he develops and mentors his athletes as people. In this episode of the podcast, Coach Torns and I discussed: Coaching as a way of life What it looks like to be coachable The truth about motivation - it can never come from a coach (or a parent) The necessity of internal fuel for achieving optimal results The drive to compete, and how it helps him perform as a coach The balance between feeding the need for challenge, and the risks of overtraining Why self-doubt is a common trait among those pursuing excellence The importance of vulnerability What he has learned about faith while on his journey as a coach The importance of routines I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process of coaching, while staying coachable! Coach Anthony L. Torns, has been involved in track and field in some form since he ran his first race as an 8 year old. Coach Torns grew up in Flint, Michigan where he attended Flint Southwestern Academy and competed in track and field as primarily a 400m runner. He earned track and field scholarship to Grambling State University where he competed from 1994 - 1998 as a 400m specialist and mainstay on the universities 4x400m relay team during those years. Coach Torns was introduced to coaching as a volunteer coach of River City Track Club in Bossier City, Louisiana under the tutelage of Juan Plaza. After leaving Bossier City Coach Torns worked in Law Enforcement from 2001 until 2007. During the summer of 2007 Coach Torns started a summer track program (Smoking Wings of Eagles) which he ran from 2007-2010 in Marble Falls, Texas. During this same period Coach Torns began coaching at Marble Falls High school where he had tremendous success improving teams he coached each year beginning with the boys program in 2007. Coach Torns was assigned to the girls program in 2014 as an assistant and training coordinator he shaped the girls program into one of the most successful Central Texas 5A teams in both Track and Cross Country. Coach Torns is Married to his wife Anitra of 19 years. They have 4 children Anthony - 18, Alexis - 16, Ashton - 14, and Amir - 9. You can follow Coach Torns on Instagram and Twitter: @ojay1975. Coach Torns now provides private coaching for athletes and coaches alike, at in Austin. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8595125

Episode 15: Melanie Atha (Part 2) - Advocating for Peace 02/04/2019

Episode 15: Melanie Atha (Part 2) - Advocating for Peace In part 2 of this two-part interview recorded on MLK day 2019, Melanie Atha told us about her other role as the Executive Director of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF). In this second episode of the two-part series, we discussed: How Melanie (and EPF) advocate for peace A discussion from varying viewpoints on policymaking responses to gun violence What it’s like to live a “nomadic” life touring multiple states in “Miranda” (their van) How advocating for peace needs to start by making peace with yourself I hope you enjoy this episode on the purpose in the process of advocating for peace! Melanie Atha received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University and her B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from Birmingham-Southern College. Since 2011, she has been practicing Collaborative Law. She is the Past President and Current Executive Director of the Board of Directors of the Global Collaborative Law Council, () which is an international collaborative practice group dedicated to expanding the use of Collaborative Law to areas of the law other than domestic relations. She also recently served as Co-Chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Collaborative Law Committee. She is Immediate Past President of Birmingham Collaborative Alliance (BCA), Alabama’s first and only Collaborative Law Practice Group (), of which she is a founding member. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), (), the international consortium of lawyers, financial professionals and mental health professionals who are committed to helping clients resolve family disputes outside of traditional legal forums. She founded the Birmingham Bar Association Collaborative Law Committee in 2016, and served as its inaugural chairman. She has extensive training in Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice. She served on the Alabama Law Institute’s Committee on Collaborative Law and the Collaborative Law Rules Committee, and was part of the group which vetted the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (“UCLA”), enacted by Alabama’s legislature in May, 2013. (The UCLA went into effect on January 1, 2014.) A veteran trial lawyer, Melanie was elected by her peers as a Charter Fellow in The Litigation Counsel of America, a national trial lawyer honorary society. She was recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Alabama for 2013, and is regularly listed in The Best Lawyers in America. She often writes about and lectures on Collaborative Law. Melanie is recently retired from the private practice of law after 30 years to assume the Executive Directorship of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. (). In her positions as ED of EPF and GCLC, she has recently started a tour of the country with her husband, Steven, in their Unity Leisure Travel Van (“Miranda”), stopping in cities and towns along the way to talk about peacemaking and collaborating in churches, bar associations, and civic groups. Austin is their second stop. You can follow Melanie and Steven on their year-long journey for peace at at , on Facebook (Episcopal Peace Fellowship), soon also on Twitter (@episcopalpeace) and Instagram. Also at , on Facebook (Global Collaborative Law Council), Twitter (@law_collab), LinkedIn (Global Collaborative Law Council) and soon Instagram. Finally, be sure to check-out Steven’s photographic record of their trip at and on Instagram (missingpersonsrv) (a personal website for the Melanie and Steven – they will be blogging and Steven will be posting beautiful photographs!). The book Melanie mentioned: by Diarmaid MacCulloch Ways to support Melanie and Steven during their "year of action": Offers of hospitality always welcome! Suggestions of icons of social justice, landmarks or museums she must see. Driveway for parking “Miranda”, her home on wheels. (Home or church parking lot welcome) Offer of laundry facilities. Suggestions of coffee shops, eateries, and sports bars she should visit. Identify best walks and hikes in your neighborhood. Invite her to church! Prayers for safe travel. Favorite camp sites (with dump station, preferred). Visits with your pets — she is feeling deprived! Home baked goodies (only if you are baking, anyway). Make time to see her and introduce her around! Favorite sites for photo ops. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8508365

Episode 14: Melanie Atha - the Peacemaking Potential of Collaborative Dispute Resolution 01/29/2019

Episode 14: Melanie Atha - the Peacemaking Potential of Collaborative Dispute Resolution You’ve likely heard someone say that “the only people who ‘win’ in litigation are the attorneys.” While the right to go to court will always remain an important part of our civil justice system, if you’ve been involved in litigation yourself you may understand why “winning” doesn’t always provide a clear victory, for anyone involved. There’s no question litigation will continue to dictate the outcome for many difficult to resolve matters, but it’s important to know about the potential for other less adversarial ways of resolving disputes as well - especially when there’s more than just money at stake. In a collaborative approach to resolving disputes, the lawyers for each side sign an agreement promising they won’t represent the parties if the matter goes to court. The parties also pledge to pursue an open process with their lawyers (and sometimes other professionals acting as neutral experts) with the mutual desire to reach a resolution that brings true closure to the issues they are facing together. In this episode we’ll discuss how this process works, and why it often leads to transformational experiences for everyone involved. In part one of this two-part series on peacemaking that we recorded on MLK day of 2019, Melanie Atha, Executive Director of the Global Collaborative Law Council, joined us for an interview about “Collaborative Law,” a revolutionary dispute resolution movement that has the potential to help many people resolve disputes peacefully, and in ways that salvage their relationships. In part-two we’ll discuss peacemaking in general with Melanie, and how yet another non-profit she represents has worked tirelessly to promote the cause of peace since 1939 (stay tuned!). In this first episode of the two-part podcast, we discussed: The importance of protecting the dignity of the parties to any dispute How non-legal neutral professionals, such as mental health and finance experts, can help to shed light on difficult situations for everyone involved Why parties who both see the need to preserve a relationship are perhaps the best candidates for the collaborative approach to resolution Why the clients themselves are responsible for driving this movement towards a more peaceful approach to dispute resolution The ways that this collaborative approach can lead to transformational moments, not just for the clients, but for the lawyers who participate in the process as well Every situation is unique, and some matters will always require litigation, but hopefully this episode sheds light on one more possibility. Talk to your own attorney about the options available in your state (this podcast is of course not to be taken as legal advice). I hope you enjoy this episode on the purpose in the process of collaborative resolution! Melanie Atha received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University and her B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from Birmingham-Southern College. Since 2011, she has been practicing Collaborative Law. She is the Past President and Current Executive Director of the Board of Directors of the Global Collaborative Law Council, () which is an international collaborative practice group dedicated to expanding the use of Collaborative Law to areas of the law other than domestic relations. She also recently served as Co-Chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s Collaborative Law Committee. She is Immediate Past President of Birmingham Collaborative Alliance (BCA), Alabama’s first and only Collaborative Law Practice Group (), of which she is a founding member. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), (), the international consortium of lawyers, financial professionals and mental health professionals who are committed to helping clients resolve family disputes outside of traditional legal forums. She founded the Birmingham Bar Association Collaborative Law Committee in 2016, and served as its inaugural chairman. She has extensive training in Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice. She served on the Alabama Law Institute’s Committee on Collaborative Law and the Collaborative Law Rules Committee, and was part of the group which vetted the Uniform Collaborative Law Act (“UCLA”), enacted by Alabama’s legislature in May, 2013. (The UCLA went into effect on January 1, 2014.) A veteran trial lawyer, Melanie was elected by her peers as a Charter Fellow in The Litigation Counsel of America, a national trial lawyer honorary society. She was recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Alabama for 2013, and is regularly listed in The Best Lawyers in America. She often writes about and lectures on Collaborative Law. Melanie is recently retired from the private practice of law after 30 years to assume the Executive Directorship of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. (). In her positions as ED of EPF and GCLC, she has recently started a tour of the country with her husband, Steven, in their Unity Leisure Travel Van (“Miranda”), stopping in cities and towns along the way to talk about peacemaking and collaborating in churches, bar associations, and civic groups. Austin is their second stop. You can follow Melanie and Steven on their year-long journey for peace at at , on Facebook (Episcopal Peace Fellowship), soon also on Twitter (@episcopalpeace) and Instagram. Also at , on Facebook (Global Collaborative Law Council), Twitter (@law_collab), LinkedIn (Global Collaborative Law Council) and soon Instagram. Finally, be sure to check-out Steven’s photographic record of their trip at and on Instagram (missingpersonsrv) (a personal website for the Melanie and Steven – they will be blogging and Steven will be posting beautiful photographs!). /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8433893

10 Minute Takeaways (from Episode 12): Working Your Goals to Achievement 01/23/2019

Episode 13: Jason Pierce - A Balanced Perspective on Youth Sports 01/20/2019

Episode 13: Jason Pierce - A Balanced Perspective on Youth Sports American families spend $15.3 billion on youth sports activities, an amount that has literally doubled in the last 10 years. A family’s investment in youth athletics can often represent as much as 10% or more of a family’s income. Given these numbers, it may come as no surprise that more kids are placed onto “travel” and “select” teams than ever before. Year-round specialization and private training have become the norm in many communities, and the market incentives driving what has become known as the “youth sports industrial complex” show no signs of slowing. Gregory, S. (2017, August). How Youth Sports Became a $15 Billion Industry . There’s no question that getting and keeping kids involved in a sport of some kind, at any level, is of tremendous value. Sports help teach teamwork, build character, and are important in promoting health and fitness. The time spent bonding with teammates and parents, and of course the incredible value of developing mentoring relationships with coaches, can be priceless. But as the “scholarship chase” trickles down to younger and younger age groups, many families are ow waking up to the stark reality that the intense pressure to perform is also causing them to burn out at an early age - and maybe even worse, to never learn to enjoy “the game.” So, what can be done to put the “fun” back in sports for these kids who are now at the epicenter of a multi-billion dollar pressure cooker? I asked that very question of Jason Pierce, a professional youth sports coach. In this episode of the podcast, Jason and I discussed: His tips on effective coaching and relationship building with players Why adults sometimes need to step back and “let the kids play” The importance of avoiding early specialization What can be done to increase retention and keep kids playing longer How coaches can help parents keep a healthy and balanced perspective How Jason’s understanding of the problem has led him to coach the way he does - and why that’s still an effective way of developing a youth athlete I hope you enjoy this episode on the purpose in the process of keeping sports fun! About Jason: Jason Pierce grew up in Massachusetts, about 20 miles west of Boston. Jason started skating at 5 years old. He joined his first travel league (select hockey) at the age of 10, playing for the AAA Assabet Valley Patriots in the Greater Boston Metropolitan Hockey League. After, he joined the 495 Stars organization where he played up until his freshman year of high school. After four years of public high school hockey in Massachusetts, Jason attended Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, a NCAA Div. II school. He went on to 4-year career that saw him hold the single season point record (if only for one year!) and was Captain of the team his senior year. Jason’s coaching career started a few years after graduating from college. His first year coaching was for a AA bantam team in Newton MA. After that, he was hooked and wanted to pursue coaching as a career. In 2011, Jason became the head coach for the Boston Bruins FUNdamentals program in Greater Boston. In 2012, Jason relocated to Austin, Texas to open a new rink, The Pond Hockey Club, where he currently serves as the Director of Player Development. Jason also serves at the Director of 12U & 14U leagues in the Austin Metro Hockey Association. When not on the ice, Jason enjoys mountain biking, reading, golfing, playing guitar and spending time with his 3 year old son, Keegan, his wife, Brandi and their two dogs, Haley and Lula. Links and More Information on this Topic: , by Joe Ehrmann. , by Malcom Gladwell. In addition to the Time article cited in the top paragraph above (which has some interesting statistics on the topic) here’s an focused on the actual chances of obtaining full-ride athletic scholarships, and on why it may not even truly be what you or your kid may want for his or her future. - where Jason leads up the youth development programs. This rink was started by a team of people who believe strongly in both kids and adults keeping “fun” at the center of every practice, and every game. I can tell you from experience that they run a great adult program as well! (a “beer league” full of novice to former college/pro players, all just wanting to hit the ice and have some fun). If you’re in Austin, Texas and want to get your kids involved in the locally growing sport of ice hockey, you can learn more about youth hockey in Austin in general at the The - while it’s definitely centered on youth and adult hockey, their online training materials on coaching kids and developing youth athletes really first-class. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8327063

Episode 12: Working Your Goals to Achievement 01/14/2019

Episode 12: Working Your Goals to Achievement I got a lot of positive feedback from the New Year’s show, which was the first non-interview episode. I’ll be continuing with interviews, but that feedback also made me realize that people appreciate thoughtful content even without a guest on the show. In that same feedback I got a lot of questions that mostly centered around one topic: moving beyond goal setting to goal accomplishment. So I asked my wife Trisha to join me for this show (since she joins me every year for this process) and we discussed what we do each year to both set and achieve our goals. Our conversation on working your goals to achievement covers: The importance of starting with purpose before setting goals for the year Goals versus habits Habit development tips SMART goals Reducing goals to definite tasks Integrating your responsibilities into the overall process Creating a master list of weekly tasks as an output of thinking through your goals, habits, and responsibilities A final three step process we have used for years for working our own goals, which, if you follow, will result in the creation of an “ideal week” that you can use to guide each week, and each day of the week. As I mention in this podcast episode, stay tuned for something NEW in 2019 called “10 minute takeaways” where I’ll summarize in 10 minutes or less the high points and takeaways from each interview or show. This was the result of other great feedback from people in my audience - so thank you! My regular long-format interviews will continue, but these will be useful for people who just want to go back and get a quick summary after enjoying the conversation, or for people who just don’t have the time that week to listen to the entire interview but want to benefit from the highlights. To allow for visuals, and just to reach non-podcast folks, I plan to format these new short bonus episodes both for IGTV (you can follow me on Instagram @bartlebytx to get ready for these), as well as for YouTube, and of course we will also release them in the same high-quality audio format on the website and through your podcast subscriptions for our regular podcast listeners. Enter your email at to get announcements for when these new shows come out, and for other inside news! Links and More Information on this Topic: (and his Excel template at ). I’ll work on getting my own up at some point, but this is a great starting point that I used to figure out my own. David Allen’s great book on productivity (which started my own journey in productivity years ago) by Jay Papasan and Gary Keller (you can listen to an interview with Jay Papasan in episode 6) /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8244356

Episode 11: US Air Force Surgeon General Mark Ediger - Lessons From 32 Years in Public Service 01/07/2019

Episode 11: US Air Force Surgeon General Mark Ediger - Lessons From 32 Years in Public Service Lieutenant General (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger retired last year after serving as the Surgeon General of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va. General Ediger served as functional manager of the U.S. Air Force Medical Service. In this capacity, he advised the Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff, as well as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on matters pertaining to the medical aspects of the air expeditionary force and the health of Air Force people. General Ediger had authority to commit resources worldwide for the Air Force Medical Service, to make decisions affecting the delivery of medical services, and to develop plans, programs and procedures to support worldwide medical service missions. He exercised direction, guidance, and technical management of a $6.1 billion, 44,000-person integrated health care delivery and readiness system serving 2.6 million beneficiaries at 76 military treatment facilities worldwide. Prior to that assignment, General Ediger served as Deputy Surgeon General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Arlington, Va. General Ediger is from Springfield, Missouri. He entered the Air Force in 1985 and has served as the Aerospace Medicine Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, commanded two medical groups, and served as command surgeon for three major commands. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Southern Watch. . I was so thankful that General Ediger, who retired just last year after 32 years in the military, agreed to be interviewed for the podcast to discuss a distinguished career spanning six administrations. We had a great conversation about everything from combat medicine advancements to tips on leadership, and even some quick advice on staying healthy and fit. His rise to the top of medical leadership the United States Air Force, from joining as a reservist to eventually becoming the Air Force Surgeon General, was (as he explains) the result of a quest for life-long learning, staying open to new experiences and opportunities, and building strong relationships with solid mentors. Truly great advice for all of us - and our kids! We discussed several important topics during this episode, including: Advancements in combat medicine that he witnessed serving from the Cold War until now The remarkable ways in which the modular and agile USAF expeditionary medical systems (EMEDS) are being used to support special forces missions in the fight against ISIS (as well as to assist civilian populations caught in the crossfire of war and in other humanitarian crises) The role of a flight surgeon in keeping airmen fit and ready for difficult roles, whether as jet fighter pilots or special forces missions The rewarding mindset that comes from focusing on serving others, regardless of occupation Advice for anyone considering a military career His thoughts on what made his own career so rewarding and successful What it’s like to be deployed, and how we can support veterans and their families as they transition back to civilian life Links and More Information on this Topic: Here are links to a few of the things we discussed: Here’s a link that will take you to the national website for the BSA Explorers, and you can also find several posts in your own area specializing in medicine, fire, police, and so on. The Civil Air Patrol (the USAF Auxiliary unit that includes both cadet and senior opportunities for service and exposure to Air Force). The article on health concerns arising from the youth vaping epidemic: /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8159510

Episode 10: 2019 New Years Special 01/02/2019

Episode 9: Peter Ostebo - Finding Your Creative Voice 12/23/2018

Episode 9: Peter Ostebo - Finding Your Creative Voice All great writers have a “voice” - a way of expressing the written word in a way that is immediately recognizable as their own. Finding and harnessing your creative voice, in any art form, allows for the expression of emotional authenticity that leads to a true connection with the audience. For many people who make their living creatively, however, that’s easier said than done. After all, where exactly does that unique voice come from, and how can it be expressed “on-demand,” not just when inspiration strikes? Screenwriter Peter Ostebo, a 2017 Nichols Fellowship quarter-finalist, is discovering and learning to rely on structured processes that allow for professional consistency and collaboration, while still expressing the distinct voice that gained him attention in the first place. In today’s episode, Peter answers my questions about some of those processes, and walks us through a few of the ways he has learned to overcome the challenges that all writers and creatives face. Peter and I talked about: Creative collaboration, and the importance of staying true to an original vision Tapping into creative energy and discovering your own voice The importance of connecting with an audience by first feeling what you want them to feel Getting past procrastination and fear Tips for getting motivated, and approaching writing as a professional Structuring and outlining in the midst of developing story and characters Set-ups, pay-offs, and exposing the “world” of a script Getting the first draft done, then knowing what to take out The importance of feedback and notes Why there’s actually no such thing as a bad script This is a great episode for anyone interested in learning more about connecting with their own creative voice, and reaching any audience in a more authentic, personal way. We also covered a few craft questions and tips that any screenwriter will appreciate hearing more about. I hope you enjoy! Links and More Information on this Topic: Peter Ostebo is a video and film producer in Austin TX. Currently he is the lead video producer for marketing at and Accenture. With over ten years of experience, he has worked on numerous projects that have gained world wide attention. Additionally, he is an avid screenwriter, working on numerous short films, feature films, and TV pilots. He has also edited short films that have played major film festivals nationwide. Peter’s script After the Invasion, gained attention after reaching the 2017 quarter finals of the screenwriting contest of the Academy of Motion Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. You can connect with Peter on Instagram and Twitter (@peterostebo) and check out what he’s up to on his website: . /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/8023100

Episode 8: Jessica Dupuy - the Passion Driven Purpose Behind Great Food & Wine 12/17/2018

Episode 8: Jessica Dupuy - the Passion Driven Purpose Behind Great Food & Wine Great artists and artisans are driven by a passion that expresses itself from within. In the case of world class food, wine, and even hospitality, we get to experience the results of that passion in a tangible way that involves all five senses. Yet, when sitting down for a meal or opening a bottle of wine it can be easy to take for granted the talent, work, and drive that culminated in that moment. Discovering and presenting the stories of great chefs, winemakers, distillers, and restauranteurs, is what drives the literary work and honest, journalistic approach of today’s podcast guest. Food and wine author Jessica Dupuy’s desire for her readers to truly understand and genuinely benefit from the passion driven purpose behind some of Austin’s best chefs and restaurants makes itself clear in both the subjects she chooses to write about, and the story-driven way she reveals their ingredients, methods, and historical foundations. Jessica’s own journey as a writer, and the journalistic integrity with which she continues to intentionally approach her work, made for an incredibly fascinating interview. We touched on a wide ranging number of topics, including: The importance of “looking back” to recognize the value of past experiences How difficult decisions must be made when charting your own course, and the necessity of “the pivot” when chasing down a dream The unique challenges faced in journalism today (and what we can all do about it) The burgeoning Austin food scene (and why some restaurants stand the test of time) Texas wine - where it’s been, where it is, and where it might be going Introductions to just some of the stories behind some of Austin’s best restaurants (more in her books!) The rewarding dream projects of summarizing and presenting Texas and Southern cuisines Jessica’s advice for picking wine, and for hosting your guests this holiday season This was definitely one of my most enjoyable interviews - and it made me very hungry (I probably shouldn’t have been on the tail-end of an intermittent fasting cycle!). So, pour a great glass of wine to enjoy, and make sure you have snacks nearby, as you listen to Jessica tell the story of her own passion driven purpose as an author and journalist in the fascinating world of wine, spirits, food, and travel. Links and More Information on this Topic: Jessica Dupuy is a native Texan who writes about wine, spirits, food, and travel. She is a contributing wine and spirits columnist for magazine and has regular credits for magazine, magazine, , and travel publications. Her magazine work has also been featured in , , , and numerous Austin publications. She has also written , in conjunction with James Beard Award winning Executive Chef Tyson Cole; on the iconic Texas barbecue restaurant; the J about revealing the true flavors of Texas through its seasons and farming community; and and the in collaboration with magazine. Dupuy holds a BA in History from Trinity University and a MA in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. In her coverage of Texas wine and spirits for the past decade, she’s discovered a deeper passion for the world of all things fermented and distilled. She is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, an Advanced certificate holder for the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust, and is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. She is a member of Les Dames D’Escoffier–Austin. Dupuy lives in Austin with her family. Among the things she enjoys most are cooking with her kids, Gus and Ashlyn, sharing great wine with friends, and fly fishing with her husband, Myers. You can read more of Jessica’s past work, and follow her future projects via her website and on instagram @jdewps. /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/7932860

Episode 7: Fraser Pajak - Trust Based Leadership 12/12/2018

Episode 7: Fraser Pajak - Trust Based Leadership Leadership as a topic has been written about and discussed ad nauseam, yet good leadership remains elusive for so many organizations and teams. How can the subject of such exhaustive research and discussion continue to be the glaring root cause of business failures, mission-killing morale problems, and weak vision at the top of otherwise strong organizations? Perhaps it’s because talking about optimal leadership will never replace the disciplined practice of good leadership. That’s why for today’s episode on leadership, I wanted to talk to someone who has actually walked the walk of trust based leadership to peel back the layers on what works, and what doesn’t. It didn’t take me long to think of who that would be. All of us can think back to those leaders we have both respected and admired. One of those people for me is Fraser Pajak, a business veteran who has spent most of his career serving in leadership positions in the ICT industry, at one point having responsibility for 1,275 employees and a $133 million budget while running coast-to-coast operations and networks for the second largest telecom carrier in Canada. Fraser later served as chairman and CEO of a global quality benchmarking and standards organization, leading paid staff and volunteer teams across the Americas, APAC, and EMEA regions in responding to the rapid technology changes that have now become the norm for today’s quickly evolving telecom industry. In this wide ranging interview full of real-world war stories and practical advice, Fraser and I discuss his pragmatic tips, lessons learned, and workable strategies for leading teams through organizational changes, power struggles, culture shifts, and other challenging circumstances. In this episode, we discuss: Why gaining trust is more important than having the answers (and how to earn that trust to begin with) The importance of leadership as a learned discipline How to use anger appropriately (the distinctly Canadian way) Dealing with negative players on a team Stepping into a new leadership role within an existing organization Backing your people The importance of “the inevitable test” and standing your ground Understanding what truly motivates people (and what doesn’t) Articulating a vision for “the galvanizing goal” Managing change Tips for leaders in hiring right, and getting hired The proper perspective of mentorship The unseen aspects of adventurous living (bonus topic!) I hope you enjoy this show as we talk to Fraser about the purpose in the process of trust based leadership. Fraser Pajak is the former CEO and board chairman of QuEST Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of products and services delivered to customers of information and communication technologies (ICT). Fraser has over 30 years’ experience in the ICT industry, having served as VP of National Service Infrastructure Support for TELUS Communications where he directed a team of over 1,200 of the most highly skilled technical people in Canada. Fraser’s team took care of incident management, escalation, resolution, root cause analysis, change management and service performance for the wireline, wireless, internet and TV networks and data centers across Canada. In his spare time Fraser likes spending time with his wife Maggie and their four children as well as flying his airplane, snowboarding and waterskiing. Fraser is an investor and active partner in the Vancouver based , voted best brewery in B.C. for 2018. Canadian olympic coach and business school professor Dr. Peter Jensen wrote the book , recommended by Fraser in learning to use anger productively and in a controlled manner. Here’s also a to Dr. Jensen’s website covering a variety of topics in sports psychology and more. Some other tools mentioned that you might want to consider for your leadership toolbox: Fraser alluded to Theory X and Theory Y - what he was talking about that we didn’t have time to delve into further. Here’s a good summary of Herzberg’s 2 factor theory of motivation from . An explanation of the (the impact of observation). The ITIL change management “If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!” — If, by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/7881122

Episode 6: Jay Papasan - Figuring Out Your "One Thing" 12/05/2018

Episode 6: Jay Papasan - Figuring Out Your "One Thing" It was almost called the “success habit.” Instead, Jay Papasan and Gary Keller released their popular book on purpose driven productivity as The ONE Thing, which went on to sell over 1.3 million copies worldwide, made 400 appearances on national bestseller lists (including # 1 on The Wall Street Journal’s hardcover business list), and was translated into 30 different languages. The reason for the book’s success is clear: learning to ask the all-important “focusing question,” and figuring out your own “one thing,” can be a true game changer. While application of the books’ principles of highly leveraged action may be focused onto a different priority for each of us, the common starting point in everyone’s journey is a determination of purpose. In this episode, Jay goes into detail on how purpose driven priority helps reveal the road map for a productive life of fulfillment and meaning. As Jay explains, it’s not as hard as you might think to get started in the right direction. In today’s podcast, Jay introduces us to the concepts in the book, and offers examples and insightful explanations that have no doubt been informed by the hundreds of hours he has spent speaking and teaching on these principles to scores of audiences worldwide. In this episode, we discuss: The importance of taking failure out of the equation through practice of fundamentals, developing positive habits, and getting the basics right How travel helps shape our perspectives Application of the economics and quality management theory known as the Pareto Principle (also called the “80/20 rule”) to everyday life What is the focusing question, and how does that reveal your own “ONE Thing”? Why it’s more important to set a direction, rather than picking a destination, when determining purpose The myth of a balanced life Happiness - no, it’s really not about money Building purpose driven culture as a leader Daily techniques for protecting time and priority Common thieves of productivity I hope you enjoy this show as we talk to Jay about the purpose in the process of figuring out your own “ONE Thing”! Links and More Information on this Topic: Here's a direct link to the on Amazon (just in time for Christmas!) About Jay: Jay’s curiosity about why some people get extraordinary outcomes and others do not helped fuel his work with Gary Keller to write , which has sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide, has garnered more than 400 appearances on national bestseller lists (including #1 onThe Wall Street Journal’s hardcover business list), and has been translated into 30 different languages. Whether working with his wife Wendy to raise funds for , inspiring others to take action toward their goals, or aiming to be the best husband and father he can be, Jay strives to remain awake and aware – with clarity and focus on his values and goals. Jay Papasan is a bestselling author and Vice President and Executive Editor at c., the world’s largest real estate company. He is also co-owner, alongside his wife Wendy, of . They live in Austin, Texas with their two kids, Gus and Veronica, and their dog, Taco. Here are links to the other books mentioned in the show: , by George Leonard , by Charles Duhigg , by Greg McKeown , by Jonathan Haidt And here’s a link to Reid Hoffman’s great podcast mentioned by Jay: /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/7806164

Episode 5: Dave Klug - the Challenging Process of Keeping Us Safe 11/29/2018

Episode 5: Dave Klug - the Challenging Process of Keeping Us Safe Law enforcement is a difficult job. Not many people would argue with that. Today’s 24-hour news cycle and the proliferation of citizen video journalism has allowed an ever-closer view into the outwardly visible world of police officers like never before, but the average citizen remains unaware of the actual processes, rationale, and training that inform and dictate how our police departments respond to today’s critical incidents. I wanted to shed light on some of the inner-workings of public safety, and talk about the purpose behind various processes of the very difficult job done every day by the men and women of law enforcement. To do so, I interviewed my friend and former colleague Dave Klug, now a 22-year veteran police lieutenant, whose career (still ongoing) has already given him a wide range of experiences, including working in patrol, as a detective, in narcotics, internal affairs, and even SWAT. In addition to this real-world experience, Dave also happens to hold a Master’s degree from UC Irvine in Criminology, Law & Society, and he has completed graduate studies in public policy from Cal State Long Beach. Needless to say, Dave was the perfect person to interview about this topic! In this episode, we discuss: The importance of good training The multi-factored problem of errant police shootings How the societal issue of implicit bias impacts law enforcement The internal affairs process, and what actually happens when a complaint gets filed against an officer The challenging problem of police response to mental health related incidents How police are training to respond to the continuing epidemic of mass shootings Prevention of school violence, and what our kids can do to help What the war on terror looks like, at a local level Links and More Information on this Topic: Harvard’s free online . Try it - you might be surprised by the results! Also, here’s an article from the on how implicit bias impacts the medical profession, and an article addressing the issue from a legal perspective. LAPD’s , featuring (among other things) critical incident videos released to inform the community about what occurred long before such videos would have normally have been released under previous policies. The on active shooter incidents in 2016-2017. Here’s an from the city of Houston on the “Run Hide Fight” tactic we discussed. Here’s also a video on the for responding to active shooter incidents that was referenced as well. While the majority of Dave’s time is spent serving the public, he also makes himself available in an off-duty capacity to assist businesses and other organizations who want to take prevention and preparation for handling the worst case scenarios like those we discussed in today’s episode to the next level. You can reach out to Dave directly, at [email protected]. I hope you enjoy this very important episode of the podcast, and maybe even learn something that will improve your personal safety, and that of your loved ones. You can sign-up to hear first about upcoming guests, special shows, and inside news at . Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get the podcast and if you like the show, leave a review and tell a friend - thanks!! /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/7725188

Episode 4: Jim Flores & Lee Rothenflue - Storytelling Through Film 11/22/2018

Episode 3: Justin Marler - Warring Against Yourself 11/15/2018

Episode 3: Justin Marler - Warring Against Yourself The ancient disciplines of silence, solitude, and fasting have been, and remain today, a constant in many faith practices and belief systems spanning continents and cultures. Why is that, and what can be gained by the practice of intentional self-denial? We’ve all heard how important it is to learn to say “no” to the ever-growing list of distractions and external demands on our time and energy to stay productive; and we have all been on one kind of diet or another. In this episode, however, we will look at how the importance of learning to say “no” to yourself might actually go far beyond productivity and nutrition. We do this by talking to an “expert” on the subject: Justin Marler, a former monk who ditched a lucrative record contract as a punk rock musician to instead dedicate the next 7-years of his life to the daily practices of extreme self-denial in two Eastern Orthodox monasteries (one of which was on a remote, sparsely populated Alaskan island). That’s just the beginning of a remarkable story that continues to play itself out today in how Justin and his wife Nova view their family’s personal and professional priorities, and continue to selflessly pour into others. Whether for spiritual, philosophical, or practical purposes, the process of self-denial remains a time-honored and universally recognized way of connecting with something deeper within. We see this in the context of the Stoic’s intentional practice of poverty (as endorsed by the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca and his Greek counterpart Epicurus), with modern day minimalists who, often without any faith-driven intentions simply choose to do without, and of course with spiritually motivated asceticism adopted by monks in the dedication of their lives to faith (whether Buddhism, Jainism, Vaishnava, or Christianity). Although this podcast will not always discuss religion and faith, we certainly don’t avoid it. I’m personally a follower of Christ, and so is today’s guest. That said, I am always seeking to gain perspective by learning about people and practices from diverse backgrounds, and I would encourage my listeners to do the same. There’s a lot to be gained from Justin’s story for anyone who wants to choose to live more humanely in our modern tech-infused society. In this episode, we discuss: What it’s actually like to live as a monk in a monastery The spiritual connection of the mind, heart, and will The distinctions between Eastern and Western views on suffering The similarities between the teachings of Christianity and the rebellion of punk culture Contrasts between the early Christian church and that of today Prayer as a “state,” and how that relates to the practice of meditation Why monasteries are sometimes referred to as hospitals The benefits of being surrounding by nature The necessity of “rejection” for a purpose (rather than despair) How spiritual disciplines can help us become more self-aware The purpose and benefits of fasting as a practical method of self-denial Links and More Information on this Topic: , by Andy Crouch, the book that brought Justin and I together during an impromptu conversation about the need for solitude, especially when surrounded by our tech-infused modern lifestyle. Justin’s music project, along with fellow musicians Jim Watson and Tony D’amato, launched with the mission of raising awareness and funds for the millions of people of all faiths and backgrounds worldwide who are suffering in extreme circumstances due to war and persecution. 100% of proceeds go directly to those in need. Justin’s own dedicated to, as he puts it: “the practice of warring with ones deficiencies, faults, sins and passions in order to restore ones life and relationship with God” by looking at the virtue and prayer of “early Christian monks, mystics, theologians and saints as preserved by the Eastern Orthodox Church for over 2,000 years.” This is a well-designed and easily navigated site which has a wealth of information and resources on the subjects discussed. The in Alaska where Justin spent some of his time in solitude. The (now online) ‘zine originally started by Marler in his early days as a monk, as the website explains: “a ‘zine to inspire the truth-seeking and soul searching amidst the modern age of nihilism and despair, promoting the ancient principles of the last true rebellion: to be dead to this world and alive to the other world.” Very interesting articles, as well as a shout-out to its co-founder and the publication’s now 21-year history on the page. I once again made mention of Dr. Madeline Levine’s eye-opening book, . Dr. Levine is a well-known clinical psychologist who writes about the epidemic of emotional dysfunction of modern American youth contributed to by the intrusive parenting practices that inhibit healthy self-development. I mention her work in other episodes as well (I hope I get to interview Dr. Levine at some point in the near future!). Other bands and acts mentioned during the show were , , and (with Marler’s former Sleep bandmate Al Cisneros). As the current projects Justin spoke about get released, we’ll be sure to update the show notes here with additional links. I hope you enjoyed the show! You can sign-up to learn first about upcoming guests, special shows, and inside news at . Don’t forget to subscribe, share with your friends, and spread the news - thanks!! /episode/index/show/purposeintheprocess/id/7535870

Purpose in the Process

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