Episodes

A previous client asks for help navigating their own burn out while dealing with a demanding boss. Here’s my advice on managing stress, dealing with demanding bosses, and finding sustainable ways to recharge. I look at the importance of questioning assumptions, setting boundaries, and experimenting with new approaches to reclaim control over one’s work-life balance. Considerations You can’t keep pumping air into the metaphorical balloon; it will eventually pop Does constant pressure need to ...

Sarah Johnson is a library science educator and social worker. She joins me to explain the evolving role of public libraries in modern society. Sarah highlights how libraries have transformed from quiet book repositories into vibrant community hubs addressing diverse needs, from providing Wi-Fi and e-resources to offering social services like legal aid, health information, and even showers for unhoused individuals. Sarah explains that libraries are often the last free public spaces where people...

Tammi Scott joins me to discusses career coaching. Tammi explains that she and her business partner, Elisa, are launching Empowered Careers Group, LLC, which offers a comprehensive career coaching program. We explore various aspects of career coaching, including its definition, approach, and benefits. Tammi emphasizes that career coaching is not about providing a “crystal ball’ solution,” but rather a process of self-discovery and strategic planning. This conversation also touches on the role ...

Katherine Krupka shares her unconventional journey from the Russian Embassy to energy healing. She’s an energy healer, interfaith minister, coach and Executive Director of the Energy Medicine Professional Association. Our conversation reveals Katherine’s fascinating background, including her adventures working at the embassy in Moscow during the fall of the Berlin Wall, her involvement in privatization efforts with the World Bank and consulting projects with oligarchs in Russia. Katherine sha...

Mark Rumbles reflects on his career of 40 years, what he’s learned in the leadership development space and what’s next for him. Mark recently retired after 40 years in HR and leadership development. Mark and I discuss his career journey, the concept of retirement, and insights gained from his extensive experience developing leaders. This conversation touches on various topics, including mentorship, career planning, motivation, and the challenges of leadership development. Mark shares his persp...

Doug Hunter and I discuss artificial intelligence (AI), including how it works, its impact on various aspects of life and work and how to get started with it. Doug provides an overview of AI, distinguishing between classical AI and the more recent generative AI. Doug also explains how AI works on probabilities and patterns, and discusses its current capabilities and limitations. Our conversation covers the potential applications of AI in fields such as marketing, customer service, education, a...

Tammi Scott shares her unique approach to finding new job opportunities by emailing people she knows. Tammi and I were a money coaches together at Capital One. Tammi shares insights from her extensive coaching background, including her experience at Nordstrom selling shoes. She emphasizes the critical role of building and maintaining professional relationships during a job search. One of Tammi’s key strategies is sending regular email updates to her network, sharing her progress, goals, and of...

Nick Accordino shares the emotional rollercoaster of being laid-off, searching for a new job, and landing a new fulfilling role. Key Takeaways Take conscious breaks from the job search process to recharge when needed. Look for opportunities aligned with your authentic values and passions. Focus your search locally to increase human connections. Craft targeted, personalized applications rather than generic submissions. Seek out volunteer experiences to reengage with your community. Be open...

Stephen Warley joins me to explore why your job search and networking strategies aren’t working and what to do instead. Top Takeaways Stop relying solely on online job applications and start talking to real-live people! Create and maintain a list of your existing contacts and reach out to them with curiosity and honesty. Understand your desired lifestyle costs and calculate the income needed to sustain it–don’t chase an arbitrary salary number. Learn to articulate and demonstrate your value...

Seth Vore joins me again to recap the final leg of his family’s 6,000 mile boat journey. We also revisit the original question that turned this dream into reality. Learn More about Seth Vore and His Family Previous conversations with Seth: 121: Captain Seth Progress Report (June 2023) 112: Checking in with Captain Seth Vore (June 2022) 110: Boats and FIRE with Seth Vore (December 2021) The Great Loop is a 6,000 mile, year-long boating trip Seth and his family are on ‘Loopers’ Say the Grea...

Greg Sterling joins me to share his experiences navigating a layoff and finding a job in the current market. Conversation Summary Losing a job is never easy, even when the economy seems strong. Greg Sterling was was part of a layoff at Red Hat after 13 years with the company. He spent the last 7 months searching for a new position. We talked in November 2023 to get his insights on the current job market and advice for others trying to find new work. Key Takeaways Job searching can be very di...

Michael Marvosh joins me to share his experiences and perspective on the Landmark Forum. I’ve heard a variety of things about it over the years and I was curious to get Michael’s take on it. Conversation Highlights Taking responsibility rather than blaming external factors Staying present in relationships “Choosing” (open) vs, “Deciding” (limiting) Letting go of judgment traps–“right vs wrong” and “good vs bad” Learning to be more unconditionally present Exploring “integrity” – Michael ai...

We’re checking in again with Seth Vore and his family. So far they’ve completed 5,000 miles of their 6,000 mile journey. Last time we talked it was June of 2022, and they had just bought their boat. Learn More about Seth Vore and His Family Previous conversations with Seth: 112: Checking in with Captain Seth Vore (June 2022) 110: Boats and FIRE with Seth Vore (December 2021) The Great Loop is a 6,000 mile, year-long boating trip Seth and his family are on ‘Loopers’ Say the Great Loop Is Th...

Sometimes we’re afraid to slow down because we’re afraid we’ll fail. What if the opposite is true? Highlights Brad Solomon’s post on LinkedIn about slowing down inspired today’s thoughts What if you can’t slow down too much? The important distinction between slowing down and stopping Slowing down to speed up What would be possible for you if you slowed down, but didn’t stop? Straight-Line Leadership: Tools for Living with Velocity and Power in Turbulent Times by Dusan Djukich Stop Stoppi...

Have you ever learned something you already knew? That happened recently with what’s written on my About page. I was surprised to find many of them relate to the theme of commitment I’ve been sharing on recently. Credits Original photo source The post 119: Here’s What I Know and Believe appeared first on John Poelstra.

The other day I was overwhelmed with all the things I needed to. This is how I got organized and less overwhelmed. Highlights Getting email and Trello under control Where are the places you store things that need to get done? Trello Post-it Notes Email Slack 3×5 Cards Notebook Offline email client–Thunderbird Used in conjunction with GMail and other email providers All of my email is stored locally where it can’t be hacked or lost Recomendo (my favorite newsletter of all) Getting t...

You might find it easier to honor your commitments by eliminating the things that waste your time and energy. Here’s how to do it. Highlights Time leaks are things that eat away at your commitments and increase the possibility that you will not honor them Straight-Line Leadership: Tools for Living with Velocity and Power in Turbulent Times by Dusan Djukich “What you have committed to, up to now, is revealed by what you have produced or failed to produce” “Involved with” vs. “committed to” ...

When I’m looking to move something forward I’ve found better results by getting clear about what I’m committed to rather than searching for motivation. Highlights Where does motivation come from and where do you get it? Motivation is illusive and there is a better way What if you aren’t motivated and that isn’t a problem? Motivation as a by-product of commitment Partial commitment is no commitment What are you committed to in your life? How much time and attention do you give them? What...

Here’s how I got back up again after getting off track. I hope it helps you do the same. Highlights Restarting Intention vs. commitment Resizing a task or situation in order to commit Honoring the promises we make to ourselves as much as the ones we make to others Simple process to restart Short list of things to do when you wake up Set an alarm Get up when the alarm rings Get moving by getting some things done! “Good enough” and be done–get it out Stop putting the restart off and jus...

One of the keys to the universe and a better life is our relationship with judgement of self and others. Setting it aside has been one of my biggest paths to freedom. The Path to Removing Judgement I originally posted this on LinkedIn earlier in the year. I saw a post at the start of 2022 on LinkedIn encouraging people to “purge negativity” from the new year by removing connections who post negative things. It seemed like a good idea and yet missing something. My take from the post and the co...

Maybe you can relate to my experiences and discoveries here and the revelations I had upon waking one day. Reflecting on themes around Judgement Being Doing Conversations with Lisa DiMateo Super salient thoughts right after waking The illusion that if we figure out why we will actually change Mel Robbins The Five Second Rule Credits Original photo source The post 113: Slowing Down More appeared first on John Poelstra.

Seth Vore joins me in June 2022 to give an update on the plans he shared in December 2021. Everything has come to fruition. Seth no longer lives in his house or has a job, however he does have a new boat his family is preparing to live on for the next year as they travel. Learn More about Seth Vore and His Family The Great Loop is a 6,000 mile, year-long boating trip Seth and his family are on ‘Loopers’ Say the Great Loop Is Their Appalachian Trail onFIREfamily – Website onFIREfamily – YouTub...

Lisa DiMatteo joins me to revisit our previous conversation (Being, Doing & Enoughness) while consciously exploring new things we thought might be uncomfortable and weren’t. Background This conversation came about as a result of two things. First was feeling that we played it too safe in our first conversation. Second was misunderstanding Lisa’s reaction to a podcast I shared with her. That podcast was a conversation between Jerry Colonna and Tim Ferriss about Jerry’s two month sabbatical each...

Seth Vore shares about his local boat tour company, being debt free, retirement and the year-long adventure his family is looking forward to next year on a boat. Conversation Highlights You never know how following your inklings can inform you–I would have never met Seth a couple of years ago if I hadn’t gone to a podcasting conference several years before that Stephen Warley Unstuckable Podcast Life Skills That Matter Seth’s background as a chemical engineer and how he got into wooden boat...