

- 18
- Episodes
- 6
- Ratings
- 2024
- First episode
About Leaders' Playground
What if work could feel like play? Join Irene Salter PhD for stories, science and strategies that help leaders thrive, not just survive.
- Publisher
- Irene Salter, PhD
- Category
- business · education · science
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 12 Mar 2024
- Latest episode
- 22 Nov 2024
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.

22 Nov 2024
18: The five lessons travel taught me about how to live
Irene Salter shares five life-changing lessons from her book on the science behind why we travel, teaching us how to bring meaning, purpose, and connection home.

12 Nov 2024
17: How storytelling can help identify your authentic leadership style
There’s dozens of leadership styles to try on, but choosing one off-the-rack can feel inauthentic, like putting on armor or wearing someone else’s clothes. How can you create a leadership identity that’s completely authentic? The answer lies in the one-of-a-kind design of your brain at its very bestYou're going to need a partner for this podcast episode (ideally) because we're going to use the power of storytelling to craft a leadership style that is uniquely yours. Personal narratives not on...

2 Oct 2024
16 - Leading with Heart: What if your heart did the thinking and mind did the feeling?
What can the Pixar movie Inside Out teach leaders about management? A lot!In this episode of "Leaders' Playground," we dive deep into the emotional landscape. A whirlwind of emotions can hit in a single day—fear, joy, sadness, and everything in between. By understanding those emotions, we can transform our leadership style.We unpack the science of emotions, drawing on the groundbreaking research of psychologists like Paul Ekman, Dacher Keltner, and Lisa Feldman Barrett. Discover how emotional...

15 Sept 2024
15 - Rooted in Connection: How trees can teach humans to build stronger connections
The other day, my husband and I were looking at the impact of a recent heat wave on the trees near our property. Some trees were doing okay, others were dying. Why? We consider access to resources, the type of tree, the amount of shade, but ultimately, I think it comes down to the connection between trees -- whether they're all alone in a field or in relationship with others.Just as trees thrive in connected communities, so do we as humans. The Harvard Study of Adult Development shows that co...

2 Sept 2024
14 - Soaking in Mindfulness: Lessons in centering from a Japanese onsen
Join me, Irene Salter, as I reflect on a serene visit to Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most charming hot springs. I'll describe how the tranquil waters and peaceful ambiance offered a profound sense of relaxation and inspired a deep dive into mindfulness.In this episode, I’ll guide you through a centering meditation, dive into the neuroscience of mindfulness, and offer practical tips on how to bring the peace of a hot spring back to work, a moment of calm amidst life’s chaos. T...

15 Aug 2024
13: How to change a habit. How to change a culture.
Stuck in the grip of bad habits? Me too. In this episode, we dive into the challenge of altering entrenched habits, starting with my own terrible phone habits, ending with my friend who is shifting her company from a rigid, top-down culture to one driven by collaboration and innovation. Both scenarios highlight a common theme: despite knowing what needs to change, actual transformation is elusive.Our discussion will center on the science behind motivation and behavior change, drawing on Chip ...

1 Aug 2024
12 - How to free yourself from impossible expectations
Ready to ditch the "super-mom" cape and toss out those impossible workplace expectations? The newest episode of eaders' Playground" is here to shake things up! We're diving into the wild world of social norms and asking the big questions: Can anyone really "have it all"? Why do we keep tying ourselves in knots to please everyone? And what does Barbie have to say about it all? Join us for a fun, science-filled ride (yes, fun and science belong together) as we explore the myths we've all bought into - from the "ideal worker" (hello, 24/7 email responder!) to "ideal success" (TED talk, anyone?). We'll chat about cognitive biases, share stories, and even draw our own "ideal" selves (spoiler: mine looked suspiciously like Legally Blonde's Elle Woods). So grab a coffee, put your feet up, and let's rewrite those old-school rules together. It's time to turn work into play and find success on our own terms. Who's in? Resources: The Barbie movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517268/) America Ferrera’s monologue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqlDWHkdHk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqlDWHkdHk) Psychology 101 primer on social norms: https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-roles.html (https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-roles.html) All about that persnickety anchoring bias: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/anchoring-bias (https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/anchoring-bias) Great Forbes article on the bandwagon effect: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brycehoffman/2024/05/26/bandwagon-effect-what-it-is-and-how-to-overcome-it/ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/brycehoffman/2024/05/26/bandwagon-effect-what-it-is-and-how-to-overcome-it/) Find Brigid Schulte’s fabulous books and TED talk here: https://www.brigidschulte.com/ (https://www.brigidschulte.com/) Why Women Still Can’t Have it All by Anne-Marie Slaughter: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/ (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/) William Ouchi’s Theory Z merges Japanese and American management philosophies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_Z_of_Ouchi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_Z_of_Ouchi) If ideals show up for you in the form of impostor syndrome, then check this out: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/how-to-get-good-at-impostor-syndrome (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/how-to-get-good-at-impostor-syndrome) For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

15 Jul 2024
11: How to become a master (Hint: hone your brains uniqueness!)
Can anyone truly become a master, or is it a talent reserved for the naturally gifted? This episode of the Leader's Playground promises to shatter the myth that genius is inborn by drawing upon Robert Greene's book "Mastery" and the lives of icons like Zora Neale Hurston, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Ben Franklin. We'll reveal the hidden truths behind their extraordinary achievements—truths rooted in relentless dedication, practice, and the honing of unique talents. And of course we'll dive into the neuroscience of mastery! Are new neurons are born in adult brains? How did bird brains help change the minds of an entire field? What actually happens to a master's brain as they hone their craft? How long does it take? Ultimately, we find that mastery is within reach for all of us. For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

1 Jul 2024
10: Escaping the time trap: How to turn time confetti into time serenity
Tick-tock goes the clock, echoing the relentlessly busy pace of life. From my early days as a teacher to life as a principal juggling a young family, my obsession with time management and productivity twisted my days into a chaotic, multitasking, exhausting whirlwind. In this episode, we explore the concept of "Time Confetti," a term coined by Brigid Schulte, representing the way time in our modern lives gets chopped up into tiny scraps like confetti. Through a series of experiments (try it with me!) and surprising studies (featuring a unicycling clown?!?) we'll explore the science of task switching and multitasking, revealing how they drain energy, increase errors, and reduce productivity. We'll end with practical tips for reclaiming your time, from focused time blocking to batching small tasks. Transform your scattered days into a balanced flow, achieving what time researchers call "Time Serenity." Resources: Read Brigid Schulte’s book Overwhelmed! It’s great. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17934399-overwhelmed?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dej8btydIc&rank=3 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17934399-overwhelmed?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=dej8btydIc&rank=3) In this episode I mention... Episode 5 about avoiding overwhelm https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/14850884-5-how-to-cut-one-million-to-do-items-down-to-just-three (https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/14850884-5-how-to-cut-one-million-to-do-items-down-to-just-three) Episode 6 where we talk about decision fatigue https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/14967365-6-how-to-dump-delegate-date-do-re-define-your-to-do-list (https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/14967365-6-how-to-dump-delegate-date-do-re-define-your-to-do-list) Episode 9 about executive attention and default mode https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/15196587-9-four-ways-to-make-conferences-worth-the-effort-with-the-science-of-creativity (https://leadersplayground.buzzsprout.com/2282726/15196587-9-four-ways-to-make-conferences-worth-the-effort-with-the-science-of-creativity) Here’s a link to some NYTimes coverage about that WWU study on task switching https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/what-clown-on-a-unicycle-studying-cell-phone-distraction/ (https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/what-clown-on-a-unicycle-studying-cell-phone-distraction/) To learn more about time blocking and bunching the little things, see this blog post https://www.irenesalter.com/post/overwhelmed-by-your-to-do-list-5d-s-to-the-rescue (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/overwhelmed-by-your-to-do-list-5d-s-to-the-rescue) Learn about pulsing in Tony Schwarts’s book The Power of Full Engagement https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68985.The_Power_of_Full_Engagement?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=m3DBV1malu&rank=1 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68985.The_Power_of_Full_Engagement?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=m3DBV1malu&rank=1) For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

15 Jun 2024
9: Four ways to make conferences worth the effort with the science of creativity
Why do we endure the hassle of conferences and retreats with time away from family, expensive travel, noisy venues, and exhausting days? The allure of online professional development is strong. Yet, something magical happens at the best events that leave us feeling rejuvenated and inspired. Why? In this episode, we’ll learn what makes some conferences and retreats so powerfully invigorating. After attending a playful and creative DnD convention, I began to see a pattern. The best events reignite our creativity. We explore three unique professional gatherings I experienced this year, dive into the four stages of creativity, and learn how to harness this power to make our future conferences and everyday lives more creative and fulfilling. Join us to discover the top 4 ways to transform your next conference into a creativity-fueled adventure! Resources: Links to the four conferences I mention in the episode: Join me in Mendocino for the annual women’s leadership retreat! https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat (https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat) Charter School Development Center’s annual Leadership Update and other trainings https://www.chartercenter.org/support/leadership-trainings (https://www.chartercenter.org/support/leadership-trainings) DunDraCon an annual Dungeons & Dragons convention takes place Presidents Day weekend every year https://www.dundracon.com/ (https://www.dundracon.com/) Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference https://www.bookpassage.com/travel (https://www.bookpassage.com/travel) This BYU article offers a great introduction to Graham Wallas’ four stages of creativity https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/graham-wallas-the-creative-process (https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/graham-wallas-the-creative-process) This is a surprisingly readable research report on the neuroscience of creativity in the premier scientific journal, Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/srep10964.pdf (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep10964.pdf) Anna Abraham’s book, The Neuroscience of Creativity, is a great deep dive http://www.anna-abraham.com/book-the-neuroscience-of-creativity-2018.html (http://www.anna-abraham.com/book-the-neuroscience-of-creativity-2018.html) For more on the stuck cycle vs inquiry cycle https://www.irenesalter.com/post/are-you-stuck (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/are-you-stuck) For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

1 Jun 2024
8: This is your brain on beauty in Paris
Why can music move you to tears, while other times you walk right by it, not noticing? Why does some art freeze you in your tracks, but other times it's just a desktop screensaver? How does beauty happen in the brain? In this episode we visit Paris! We'll explore museums, chapels, and subway stations on an expedition to understand your brain on beauty. You'll meet several neuroscientists who specialize in neuroaesthetics such as Andrew Chatterjee and Samir Zeki, as well as violinist Joshua Bell who conducted a social experiment in the subway that reveals a lot about how to prime your brain to find more beauty. Together, we'll learn practical ways to shift your perspective in order to find beauty even in the most mundane everyday moments. The writer Leo Tolstoy said, “We are accustomed to understand art to be only what we hear and see in theatres, concerts, and exhibitions... But all this is but the smallest part of the art by which we communicate with each other in life.” By understanding the neuroscience of beauty, we can understand how to find beauty everywhere. Resources: Learn more about my book at https://www.irenesalterbooks.com (https://www.irenesalterbooks.com/) Original Joshua Bell in the subway video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw) Joshua Bell returns to the subway 10 years later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhZ0J3bIYc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJhZ0J3bIYc) Anjan Chatterjee’s book, TED talk, and research on the three components to beauty in the brain https://www.ted.com/speakers/anjan_chatterjee (https://www.ted.com/speakers/anjan_chatterjee) Semir Zeki’s work on beauty and the mOFC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlzanAw0RP4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlzanAw0RP4) The fMRI research on how shifting perspective shifts the perception of beauty https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-22048-052 (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-22048-052) If you’re in Paris, go visit the Musee D’Orsay https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en (https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en) And go see Rodin’s Dance at the Moulin de la Galette https://mymodernmet.com/renoir-bal-du-moulin-de-la-galette/ (https://mymodernmet.com/renoir-bal-du-moulin-de-la-galette/) Or listen to a concert in Saint Chapelle https://www.classictic.com/en/special/concerts-in-la-sainte-chapelle/216/ (https://www.classictic.com/en/special/concerts-in-la-sainte-chapelle/216/)

14 May 2024
7: Hero or Heroine? Which Journey Suits You?
In this episode of the Leaders' Playground, we'll examine how the craft of storytelling can inspire the art of leading. We'll begin by comparing and contrasting two dramatic arcs used by bards from Homer to Steven Spielberg: the well-trodden hero's journey versus the often-overlooked heroine's journey. We traverse through familiar tales and myths, pondering the archetype of the solitary superhero or Jedi knight and wondering whether the stories of community and collaboration found in Harry Potter and heist flicks might offer a different way to triumph, a different way to lead. This episode peels back the layers of these narrative arcs, revealing how they sculpt our understanding of leadership and champion the idea that strength can be collective, not just a lone conquest. What kind of leadership journey are you on? Resources: Heroine’s journey leadership retreat https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat (https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat) Learn more about the book I’m writing at https://www.irenesalterbooks.com (https://www.irenesalterbooks.com/) (and sign up for updates by joining my newsletter) I highly recommend Gail Carriger's book, The Heroine’s Journey https://gailcarriger.com/books/the-heroines-journey-for-authors-book/ (https://gailcarriger.com/books/the-heroines-journey-for-authors-book/) Maureen Murdock’s book by the same title is also quite good https://maureenmurdock.com/ (https://maureenmurdock.com/) Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/588138.The_Hero_With_a_Thousand_Faces (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/588138.The_Hero_With_a_Thousand_Faces) Meet my agent, Kimberley Cameron’s website https://kimberleycameron.com/ (https://kimberleycameron.com/)And meet my writing mentor, Allison K Williams https://allisonkwilliams.com/ (https://allisonkwilliams.com/) Learn more about dramatic arc in storytelling with Allison's blog post https://brevity.wordpress.com/2023/11/10/five-scenes/ (https://brevity.wordpress.com/2023/11/10/five-scenes/) More than you ever wanted to know about Star Wars https://starwars.fandom.com (https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page) And Harry Potter https://www.wizardingworld.com/ (https://www.wizardingworld.com/) For more info, transcript, and full show notes go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

29 Apr 2024
6: How to Dump, Delegate, Date, Do, Re-Define your To Do List
Follow me through my day as I declutter my to-do list. In an era where adults on average make 35,000 decisions in a single day (it's true!), this episode peels back the curtain on a process you can use to not just manage your overwhelm, but fix it. Learn about the actual capacity of your working memory and the impact of cognitive load. We've all felt the weight of an overflowing inbox and the endless stream of tasks vying for our attention. Me too. With an overwhelming to do list of my own, it's time to use the 5Ds, my personal strategy for task prioritization, delegation, and completion. This episode is "a day in the life" of Irene capturing the thirty minutes where I sat down to get a grip on my overwhelm. I use three tools that you too can use: 1) staying true to my purpose, 2) managing my energy with a break after each bout of deep thinking, and 3) using the 5Ds to dump, delegate, date, do or re-define each and every item on my list. Resources: For the 5D handout, download it from irenesalter.com/podcast (http://irenesalter.com/podcast) Link to episode 3 on character creation Link to episode 4 with movement break Link to episode 5, part 1 of overwhelm! Decision fatigue https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1359105318763510 (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1359105318763510) My blog post on how to 5D your to do list https://www.irenesalter.com/post/overwhelmed-by-your-to-do-list-5d-s-to-the-rescue (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/overwhelmed-by-your-to-do-list-5d-s-to-the-rescue) All about time confetti from Cosmopolitan Magazine https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a38696205/time-confetti/ (https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a38696205/time-confetti/) Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17934399 (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/17934399) Retreat website! https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat (https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat) For links, resources, and full show notes go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

15 Apr 2024
5: How to Cut One Million To Do Items Down to Just Three
Feeling overwhelmed by your to do list? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the ins and outs of overwhelm, its connection to burnout, how your brain handles the cognitive load, and what to do about is. From the demands-resource imbalance to the limitations of our working memory, this episode explores how our brains handle stress and juggle tasks. I’ll share personal experiences, practical strategies, and insights from experts like Oliver Burkeman and Michael Bungay Stanier. We will break down overwhelming tasks into doable steps, prioritize effectively, and seek support when needed. In the end, we’ll be taking the million and one things on your to do list and turning them into three. Imagine how it would feel to have just three things on your to do list. Tune in and I’ll show you how! LINKS: Irene’s blog, “What’s the opposite of overwhelmed?”: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/what-s-the-opposite-of-overwhelmed (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/what-s-the-opposite-of-overwhelmed) A great article published in World Psychiatry on burnout: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/wps.20311 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/wps.20311 ) Emily and Amelia Nagoski’s book, Burnout: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42397849-burnout (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42397849-burnout) Allison William’s website: https://allisonkwilliams.com/ (https://allisonkwilliams.com/) Laura Vanderkam’s TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time (https://www.ted.com/talks/laura_vanderkam_how_to_gain_control_of_your_free_time) Oliver Burkeman’s book, Four Thousand Weeks: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54785515-four-thousand-weeks (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54785515-four-thousand-weeks) George Miller’s famous 1956 article: https://pure.mpg.de/rest/items/item_2364276_4/component/file_2364275/content (https://pure.mpg.de/rest/items/item_2364276_4/component/file_2364275/content) Michael Bungay Stanier’s book, The Coaching Habit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29342515-the-coaching-habit (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29342515-the-coaching-habit) For links, resources, and full show notes go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

1 Apr 2024
4: Instead of Fight, Flight or Freeze... Dance! The Power of Movement.
As I watched the dancers on stage at a fundraiser supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, a profound sense of joy washed over me, contrasting with the gravity of the cause. This was a powerful reminder of dance's impact on our emotional landscape. Trauma makes us freeze (or take flight or brace for a fight). The opposite is dance. In this episode we celebrate the mind-body connection via movement and music, sharing stories of my own experience with sexual assault and the collective effervescence of dance. Together, we explore how dance is your brain's "pleasure triple play", share a musical brain break, discuss the benefits of letting loose in professional settings, and provide a multitude of ways to inject play into your work life. Links: One Safe Place website: https://www.ospshasta.org/ (https://www.ospshasta.org/) National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ (https://www.thehotline.org/) or (800) 799 - SAFE (7233) Harvard study showing that music is a human universal: https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/epl/files/mehr_et_al_2019_science.pdf (https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/epl/files/mehr_et_al_2019_science.pdf) Albert Einstein College of Medicine study showing how dance improves cognition in the elderly: https://www.einsteinmed.edu/research-briefs/8930/social-dancing-to-improve-cognition-reduce-alzheimers-risk (https://www.einsteinmed.edu/research-briefs/8930/social-dancing-to-improve-cognition-reduce-alzheimers-risk/#:~:text=The%20authors%20concluded%20that%20social,Department%20of%20Neurology%20at%20Einstein.) Scientific American article on dance and the brain: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-dance/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-dance/) Collective effervescence article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/202108/please-don-t-take-my-collective-effervescence-away (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/202108/please-don-t-take-my-collective-effervescence-away) Shake and dance with the Center for Mind Body Medicine: https://cmbm.org/self-care-resources/resource/shaking-and-dancing/ (https://cmbm.org/self-care-resources/resource/shaking-and-dancing/) For chapters, transcripts, and downloads go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

12 Mar 2024
1: Rediscovering Joy in Your Work by Harnessing the Power of Play
Welcome to the very first episode of the Leaders' Playground -- a podcast for people who wish their work could feel more like play. In this episode, you’ll hear the origin story of how this podcast came to be and why it's called the Leader’s Playground. I’m your host Irene Salter, a PhD neuroscientist and science educator with a passion for helping people thrive, not just survive. Consider me a story-telling scientist. In this and every episode you will find: 1) A story: Being challenged to create a podcast initially felt heavy and overwhelming, but an excellent question by my friend and coach turned work into something playful and creative. You’ll also hear about a hike up “Death Hill”, and a Dungeons and Dragons game involving cats and Ferris Bueller. 2) Some science: We’ll explore dopamine systems; brain areas like the amygdala and the ventral anterior cingulate cortex; and the research of play scientist, Stuart Brown. 3) A strategy: To start making work feel more like play, begin by identifying what play looks like for you. Links: Stuart Brown's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_play_is_more_than_just_fun (https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_play_is_more_than_just_fun) Stuart Brown's book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/4997659 (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/4997659) David Vox’s website: https://www.davidvox.com/ (https://www.davidvox.com/) Christina Howard’s website: https://www.intentlyco.com/post/meet-christina (https://www.intentlyco.com/post/meet-christina) For chapters, transcripts, and downloads go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

12 Mar 2024
3: Design Your Leadership Character Just As You'd Design a D&D Character
Ever felt pigeonholed by traditional leadership definitions? Ever looked at leaders like Steve Jobs, Abraham Lincoln, or Martin Luther King and thought, I'm not that, so how can I consider myself a leader? In this episode, we shatter the traditional leadership template to create something from scratch that's completely genuine and authentic. I'll walk you through five steps to craft your own unique leadership style, just as you would customize a Dungeons & Dragons character or video game avatar. It's what I do with all my one on one leadership clients and the heart of a full day leadership identity workshop. The five steps are: Strengths – the things we’re good at. Values - the core beliefs that define us. Passions - the things we love. Vision - the place we’re headed. Purpose - the meaning behind everything we do. Links: VIA strengths survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/ (https://www.viacharacter.org/) Stuart Brown TED talk on play: https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_play_is_more_than_just_fun?language=en (https://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_play_is_more_than_just_fun?language=en) Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi TED talk on flow: https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_flow_the_secret_to_happiness (https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_flow_the_secret_to_happiness) Simon Sinek TED talk on purpose: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action (https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action) Irene's “Two ways to forge your leadership compass” blog post: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/forge-your-leadership-compass (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/forge-your-leadership-compass) Irene's “Making hard choices by leaning into your values” blog post: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/making-hard-choices (https://www.irenesalter.com/post/making-hard-choices) Awe outing/vision walk: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/awe_walk (https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/awe_walk) For chapters, transcripts, and downloads go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)

12 Mar 2024
2: Soothe Impostor Syndrome by Inviting Your Inner Critics to a Dialogue
Do you ever suffer from impostor syndrome? I do. In this episode, we'll peel back the layers of self-doubt and get to know our inner critics. There’s a voice in my head that sometimes (often) says, “Who do you think you are? You’re a fraud!” Well, today we’re going to sit down to tea with our inner critics. You'll hear my growing up story. Learn about the work of Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance who described the impostor cycle. Get the scoop on the latest rage in therapy, internal family systems courtesy of Richard Schwartz. And sample a taste of an exercise that was the breakthrough moment for several women at last year's Mendocino leadership retreat. It's time to get good at impostor syndrome. Links: Pauline Rose Clance’s book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8212 (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8212 ) New Yorker article pushing back against impostor syndrome: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/02/13/the-dubious-rise-of-impostor-syndrome) Richard Schwartz’s book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55384168 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55384168) Richard Schwartz videos: https://ifs-institute.com/resources/videos (https://ifs-institute.com/resources/videos) “How to get good at impostor syndrome” blog: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/how-to-get-good-at-impostor-syndrome (blog: https://www.irenesalter.com/post/how-to-get-good-at-impostor-syndrome) Heroine’s Journey Women’s Leadership Retreat: https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat (https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat) For transcripts, chapters, and downloads go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast (https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast)
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