Life Beyond The Numbers

#72 Element of Surprise - Ella Clark

"I kept reading about languishing and it occurred to me that we were missing the element of surprise..... surprise adds that sort of element of surprise, but it does more than that. It takes your brain on a little journey .... it fires you up." Ella Clark
 
Ella Clark and I talk about the element of surprise and how life can present us with many surprises, some are a delight and some might be unwanted. We speak about ways of reframing some of those unwanted surprises - being made redundant as an example. We chat about how our identities can be intertwined with the jobs that we do or our careers and how to pivot. Ella herself talks about how she "ended up doing financial communications" and had an epiphany in a cardiac ward - she pivoted. Ella is an identical twin which brings an interesting twist to the identity conversation. Diamonds, canaries and battles are some of the metaphors we explore during this conversation - Ella's love of storytelling and the use of metaphors helps her help people reveal their inner desires. If you are at a crossroads in your career or even starting to think about what might be next for you in your work-life this episode is full of recommendations on how to start exploring. 
 
Ella Clark specialises in career coaching & life coaching for people who are highly successful and capable and at a crossroads in their work or personal life. Ella has a science background, and uses evidence-based scientific coaching approaches from social sciences and psychologically-informed practices that are successful in health and wellbeing, and the disability sector. She works as a person-centred integrative coach, with a mix of neurologically-based behavioural tools from social sciences, CBT, NLP, existential philosophy and positive psychology theories. She is a a licensed Firework Career Coach and a certified Life Coach & Master NLP Practioner. Ella loves working with people at the intersection of work, life and the many identities that people can have, to create a life that makes them happy, fulfilled and balanced.
 
Connect with Ella:
Through Life Coaching with Ella website
On Instagram and LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned:
The Body Keeps The Score by Besser van der Kolk
Emilie Wapnick: Why some of us don't have one true calling TED Talk
The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell 
The Johari Window Model 
Ikigai (reason for being)
Spectrum of Possibilities
Double Diamond (Diverge & Converge)
16 Personalities test
Values in Action (VIA) Personality test
 
 

#71 Your True Self - Jonathan de Potter

"This is a tool to amplify your sensitivity to some of those lower-level energies that might be keeping you away from your true self." Jonathan de Potter
 
Jonathan de Potter is the founder of Behold Retreats and in this episode we talk about the benefits of unpacking and exploring our inner world in a way that begins to give us a very different perspective in the relationship between self and the outer world. Jonathan and I chat about psychedelics or plant medicine. Psychedelics he says is an interesting term because different people with different interests define it differently. What he is focused on is the psychedelics that have a neurogenerative effect meaning they can actually facilitate the growth of new neurons and facilitate an increase in neuroplasticity. The medicine is fundamentally trying connect, reconnect, and harmonise body, mind, heart and spirit into a single vibration - to bring us back to our true self. We talk about energy and vibrations and Jonathan encourages us all to find the people who reflect the energy that we aspire to ultimately and to figure out what would truly make us happy. 
 
Jonathan de Potter is the Founder of Behold Retreats, passionate about plant medicine, and believes that absolutely everyone can improve their mental health and consciousness. Behold Retreats facilitate life-changing plant medicine journeys to explore your inner world, discover your truth, and live to your full potential. A primary focus for Jonathan is to raise awareness and education on the subject of plant medicine, and to begin conversations on if and how to bring this important science to the many cultures in Asia- Pacific. Prior to working in plant medicine, Jonathan worked in management consulting, supporting clients in APAC with innovation, digital strategy, scaling, and transformation programs.
 
Connect with Jonathan:
Through Behold Retreats website
On Instagram
 
Resources Mentioned:
Articles, videos and books on the science on Behold Retreats Website
Netflix Documentary - Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics 
Rick Doblin TED Talk
 

#70 Hidden Gems from 2021

Happy New Year. Welcome to 2022 and episode 70 of Life Beyond the Numbers - a compilation episode from some of the least downloaded episodes of 2021 ... or the hidden gems from 2021
 
Lisa LLoyd introduces us to the difference between Imagination and Thinking (minute 4)
Alison Jones talks about thinking, deep thinking and reflective thinking (minute 6)
Lisa LLoyd covers our brain and pattern recognition (minute 13)
Glin Bayley illustrates pattern recognition and writing from the heart (minute 17)
Gavin Andrews introduces HeartMath and we chat about emotions (minute 23)
Lisa Milnor goes deeper into feelings and the mind body connection (minute 33)
And finally Lisa LLoyd on the importance of knowing how our brain works (minute 40)
 
Podcast Episodes - Hidden Gems of 2021
#38 Wisdom & Technology with Gavin Andrews (HeartMath)
#39 H.E.A.R.T with Glin Bayley (Heart of Human)
#58 Making Connections with Alison Jones (WriteBrained)
#59 Weird & Wonderful with Lisa Milnor (Shaping Clarity)
#61 Imagination with Lisa LLoyd (It's Time for Change)
 
You are welcome to write to me on susan@beyond-thenumbers.com or connect with me on social media with guest or topic suggestions.  
 
 

#69 What Works for You - Alyn Mitlyng

"Figure out what works for you. Whether it be, your physical health, your nutritional health, your financial health, figure out what works for you." Alyn Mitlyng
 
Alyn Mitlyng has two rules in life 'Modification and Moderation'. And we talk about her approach to figuring out how to define and achieve personal goals by modifying conventional rules and approaches to fit your personal preferences and motivation style. Alyn wrote a book, Dirty Goals, to fully explore personal goals. She explains her formula that allows you to TAP (Thought, Action, Process) into your own thoughts so you can mine them, perhaps for gold. We talk about the difference between personal goals and a life purpose and she shares her own life purpose, being kind. Alyn explains she chose kindness when she had enough of being an abrasive person, or a jerk as she calls it. We also talk about the difference between goals and resolutions (it is that time of year!), signs from the universe and feeling fulfilled. 
 
Alyn Mitlyng is an author, girlfriend, dog mom, industry professional and goal enthusiast. Dirty Goals is her first book and was inspired by an obvious lack of guidance when she was developing her own personal goals. Originally from Montevideo, MN, Alyn now enjoys the milder climate of Colorado with her boyfriend and two dogs, Rozi and Zoe.
Dirty Goals Breaking Conventional Rules to Achieve Your Dreams
Connect On Instagram
 
Resources Mentioned: 
The Miracle Morning Hal Elrod
DIY Angela Rose on Instagram

#68 Extreme Experiences - Anna Haslock

"I think part of his personality and a lot of our riders' personalities is they need to test themselves like this. They need to push their boundaries. And try these extreme experiences and the rewards that they get very important to them, life affirming to them." Anna Haslock
 
Content Warning: Topics discussed in this episode include a fatal road collision and rape (c. min 22-29). Some listeners might find the content disturbing. If anything does impact you while listening to this episode please reach out to or speak to someone you trust. 
 
Anna Haslock has a powerful story to tell; a story about adventure, resilience, personal growth as well as dealing with and learning from extreme life experiences. We talk about the Transcontintenal Race - an unsupported ultra endurance single stage cycling race where the clock never stops. One of the aims of the organisation she runs, Lost Dot, is to promote adventure cycling for self-development and personal growth. And this is something quite close to her heart because both herself and race founder Mike Hall experienced, for different reasons, the real benefits that you can get from having been tested to your extreme. For Mike his was mostly self-imposed doing these events. Anna, although not a racer, experienced this test of herself through two very difficult life experiences. Lost Dot was set up to honour Mike's legacy and promotes road justice, cycling as a sustainable form of transport and celebrates integrity in sport over winning at any cost. We talk about the race, the racers, the community, the Dot Watchers and the 2019 race winner, Fiona Kolbinger. 
 
Anna Haslock co-founded Lost Dot Ltd to ensure Mike Halls's legacy is nurtured and preserved. She is the Race Director of the Transcontinental Race and Trans Pyrenees Race and previously the Race Coordinator of the Transcontinental Race from 2014 to 2017. 
Trans Continental Race
On Instagram and Twitter
2019 Race Winner Fiona Kolbinger
 

#67 Better Understanding - Matt Phelan

"If you can measure it, you can manage it. I used to say that for years. And  now I say if you can measure it, you can better understand it. If you can better understand it, you can make better decisions." Matt Phelan. 
 
Matt Phelan, co-founder of the Happiness Index, and I talk about how The Happiness Index provides organisations with an index of people's emotions. Emotions are data points that give you a better understanding of how your people feel so you can make better decisions. Matt says they are providing people with data to achieve emotional intelligence (EQ) at scale. We talk about how emotional data is four dimensional (4-D) and Matt takes me through an example of this using the interview process. Matt shares some of the evidence to support the business case for happiness at work. We chat about employee engagement, how happiness is associated with energy, that relationships are the number one driver of happiness at work and the impact of discrimination in the workplace. We also cover biases, belief systems, ignorance and incompetence as well as Matt's book 'Freedom to be Human'. 
 
Matthew Phelan is a co-founder and the Head of Global Happiness at The Happiness Index. He is on a mission to improve the way organisations treat people. He co-founded a global data and digital marketing agency before leaving the business after a trade sale and focussing entirely on The Happiness Index. His passion is to understand how people experience happiness and his vision is to use data to visualise culture in a similar way to how Google Maps visualises the world. He is the author of "Freedom to be Happy: The Business Case for Happiness." 
 
Connect with Matt:
On LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram or write him a letter!
If you want to collect data - go to The Happiness Index and book a demo
Read his book Freedom to be Happy
Tune into the Happiness & Humans podcast 
 
Resources Mentioned:
Jana Dowling Arkeo app
Advancing Racial Equity Conference and Sheeren Daniels
Happiness & Engagement Model
Happiness & Humans Podcast Episodes:
Employee Engagement with William Kahn (Mar 2021)
Employee Happiness with Professor Jeremy Dawson (Sept 2020)
Data & Research into Workplace Happiness with Professor Alex Edmans (Aug 2020)
 
 

#66 Lift the Lid - Amantha King

"So that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to lift the lid on it. It's not just me, it's my friends. I want it for our daughters. That's what I want it for more than anything." Amantha King. 
 
Amantha King and I talk about menopause. Every woman deserves the right to a fulfilling life and she says hands down we know the number one thing that improves menopause is actually women's awareness going into it. Amantha talks us through the phases of menopause from peri to post. We talk about some of the symptoms and some of the different ways to get help. We both speak openly about our own symptoms and our menopause stories. We talk about the workplace and what employers can do and how important it is to take the whole person into consideration. We talk about lifting the stigma, speaking openly, honestly and transparently, with kindness, compassion and humour and not suffering silently. 
 
Amantha King spent over 20 years spent soaking up people skills in pharmaceutical sales, training and management roles.  In 2010 she set up her own coaching and development business around her passion that coaching using NLP and neuroscience creates behaviour changes that have far reaching positive outcomes. She is also passionate about educating and providing support for women transitioning through menopause and is an advocate for sharing best practice within organisations who are looking to support their teams. Amantha is also a Judge at The UK Business Awards and advises businesses on how to get the most from their important asset, their people.
 
Connect with Amantha:
On LinkedIn
On Twitter
On Instagram as My Meno Coach and Amantha King Coaching
 
Resources Mentioned:
My Menopause and Me - Amantha King
Dr. Louise Newson website
Balance App
NICE Guidelines
Oestrogen Matters: Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women's Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives - Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris 
Headspace App
Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause on Channel 4
 
 

#65 Leadership Reinvented - Special

The theme of International Leadership Week (#ILW21) is Leadership Reinvented. What does reinvented leadership look like? 
Many guests on this podcast share their views on leadership and their experiences of leadership. This week I've compiled some excerpts from different episodes, including an intro about what reinvented leadership might mean. 
The estimated start times for each of the segments is:
8:30 Helen Joy on workplace engagement from Episode 6, Learning How to Manage
9:40 Gib Bulloch on leadership problems from Episode 28, Breakthrough 
13:10 Jenny Ashmore on the day you find out what type of leader you are from Episode 49, A Sense of Belonging 
15:00 Caroline Mabon on aligning intentions and action when it comes to leadership from Episode 60, Leadership
16:40 Luke Kyte on a cultural evolution from Episode 43, Putting People First
21:00 Sheila Walsh on working in a people first environment from Episode 27, Healthy High Performance
24:00 Kevin Ashley on leading individuals and being a leader from Episode 32, Serial Entrepreneur
27:00 Sue Rosen on inclusive leadership and workplaces from Episode 1, Stepping into the Unknown
32:30 Eamon FitzGerald on being authentically you, flaws and all from Episode 64, Being Yourself
36:30 Helen Joy on why changes are finally happening from Episode 6, Learning to Manage
and
37:30 Caroline Mabon on leadership as an honour and a huge responsibility from Episode 60, Leadership
 
Resources Mentioned:
Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy video
Nine Lies About Work by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall
 

#64 Being Yourself - Eamon FitzGerald

"As it turns out being authentically me means more sales when it comes to marketing and everything. So that was the big lesson I learned early on. It took a very tough learning experience. But that sense of being yourself for all its flaws and all its good things as well that was a huge learning for me." Eamon FitzGerald.
 
Eamon FitzGerald and I talk about wine. Eamon has a passion for connecting great wine makers with people who appreciate their wine and loves to share the winemaker's stories. With his new venture, WineSpark, he has created a business model that makes amazing wines accessible and affordable to regular people. Eamon spent 10 years with Naked Wines in the UK and became Managing Director within a year of joining the fast growing company. He talks openly about taking on this role at a young age, and how he learned to lead and grow a business. As he says businesses are a complex beast but the key is to focus on some simple things - not rocket science. We talk about the Customer Happiness Team and culture at Naked Wines, being yourself and the importance of quality and service for customers. Eamon also talks about wine production costs and shares some stories from his extensive travels. 
 
Eamon FitzGerald loves discovering talented winemakers and sharing their wines and stories with his friends. He did this for 10 years when he was MD and Global Wine Director for Naked Wines in the UK and US. He spent most of his time hunting down the best independent winemakers and setting them up in business. Now back in Ireland he has set up WineSpark. WineSpark is a community of passionate wine drinkers and winemakers aiming to make the world’s best wines accessible and affordable to everyone. Eamon has worked for Decanter magazine, and on the side of a mountain in France picking grapes. He also worked in financial services in London and Dublin for Accenture. 
 
Connect with Eamon:
Through his website WineSpark
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
If Disney Ran Your Hospital: 9 1/2 Things You Would Do Differently by Fred Lee
Legacy by James Kerr
Frederico Cerelli winemaker
Johan Kruger winemaker
Naked Wines

#63 A Quest - Spyros Gousetis

"We are both in a quest. We are partners in this quest, both the coach and the coachee, and when we have this quest it is something that unites us." Spyros Gousetis. 
 
Spyros Gousetis and I talk about becoming the best version of ourselves. Becoming the best human being that we can be - personally and professionally. Spyros compares this journey to a virtual computer game - as we learn we go up a level. We learn skills and competencies but we also have to learn about ourselves, our inner world. One way to do this is to understand how we think. Evaluating our own thinking style Spyros says is like tickling yourself: you know what to do but you just can't do it and so you stop. This is where a coach can help. A coach becomes your thinking partner, a thinking partner who helps you to think purposefully and helps you determine your choices. Spyros also explains that all beliefs, or limiting beliefs, fall under three categories: possibility (it is not possible to do that) ability (I cannot do that) and self worth (I don't deserve that). We talk about motivation, discipline, habits, action and how Aikido is like coaching. 
 
Spyros Gousetis is an international executive and business life coach and NLP practitioner, former corporate board member and strategic consultant. He has 20+ years of Europe and Middle East corporate business experience, in Strategic Marketing and Business Development, spanning Foods, Personal Wash and Skin with Unilever, Consumer Electronics with Sony. Driven, motivated with sense of humour, curiosity and a bias for learning. Ability to influence within C-suite, critical thinker and Board facilitator. Comprehensive knowledge of the human and operational strategies required to succeed in sectors with rapidly changing competition and technologies leading to Business Model Innovation and Digital Transformation.
 
Connect with Spyros:
Through his website
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned:
Elie Wiesel