This solo episode was, in part, inspired by a post from Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg. In the post Sheryl addressed a policy she implemented at Facebook to give employees additional days of bereavement leave – 20 days total. But what had a deeper impact for me was how Sheryl shared her own personal experience of going through the sudden loss of her husband at the end of 2015, and how hard that was and still is for her. Having lost my father, my mother, and my sister Lori just a little over a year ago, I know a lot about loss and grief, and what an intense journey it can be.

In a business with employees, it is important to have policies and parameters around people showing up at work, in the face of losses or other life changing events. In this episode I talk about how business leaders and influencers can create a work environment that is more conducive to allowing people to be human beings.

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My guest today on today’s show is my friend Rachel Macy Stafford.  She is sharing bite-sized portions of her personal revelations in a beautiful new book, Only Love Today: Reminders to Breathe More, Stress Less and Choose Love. Her previous two books were best sellers, and her blog, HandsFreeMama.com, has been read by millions, and referenced by Arianna Huffington during a Wisdom 2.0 conference. The reference, and a recommendation from my wife, prompted me to reach out to Rachel a few years ago, and we’ve become friends since then.

Rachel was once one of the many people who let their phone take precedence over their time, their children, and their life. She had what she calls a breakdown/breakthrough moment, which miraculously provoked her hand to put down the phone. In an effort to take her life back, she started with a small break from the technology, so she could start to breathe again. Her story resonates with so many of us, because many of us are experiencing the same struggles, especially in the fast-paced, technology obsessed world in which we live.  In today’s episode, Rachel and I discuss how to take back our lives and focus on what truly matters.

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My guest on this episode is Jen Glantz. Jen is definitely someone who brings all of who she is to everything she does. Jen has done a number of things in a relatively short amount of time. After graduating with an English degree, Jen was told she had two options, become a teacher or a lawyer. Knowing she had to create her own opportunities, she headed to New York City to follow her dreams and begin her career as a Creative Writer.

Today, Jen runs her own bridal consulting business, has recently released her second book, Always a Bridesmaid (For Hire), has 15-20 monthly revenue streams, writes a successful blog and has an inner sense of urgency which propels her forward to do great things.

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In this week’s episode, I share my thoughts on the paradoxical nature of working hard. The value of hard work is foundational to so much of what we have been taught about how to succeed in our culture. The harder we work, the more effectively use our time, the more we demand of ourselves (and others), are all things which are validated everywhere in our society. But does hard work equal success?

In contemplating the difference between healthy hard work and workaholism, as well as the challenge of “efforting,” I wonder if maybe hard work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Maybe the myth of hard work is actually getting in our way of real success and fulfillment?

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In this week’s episode, I talk with Jon Gordon. Jon is an author and keynote speaker, whose core message is positive leadership. During our conversation, Jon details the times he received divine inspiration, which led him to discover his ultimate purpose. Jon is open about his faith, and tells of how it helped him to overcome the fear of trying something he believed he was meant to do, even when he wasn’t certain he had what it would take. He also shares how he helps coaches create great teams through communication, connection, commitment, and caring.

Jon has written 14 bestselling books, including The Energy Bus and Training Camp. His tips have been featured on the Today Show, CNBC, The Golf Channel, and Fox and Friends. He works with companies and sports teams, including Southwest Airlines, Dell, the LA Dodgers, and the Miami Heat, to name a few.

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