The Conscious Entrepreneur

EP25: Less Corporate, More Conscious

“I really had to face off with myself,” says Dom Farnan, founder of DotConnect, about the courage, humility and work it took to admit that since 2019, when she transitioned from a solopreneur to leading a team of nearly 100 people, she had been acting as a toxic boss. She was controlling, deep in her ego, and helped foster a culture of drama and gossip. In 2020, however, after hiring a coach, attending the MasterMind personal growth summit, and reading books such as “The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership,” she began to create a conscious culture with her team, a “Dot 2.0,” as she calls it. And she chronicled the whole journey in a book entitled “Now Here: A Journey from Toxic Boss to Conscious Connector.”
On this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur, Dom explains how she dealt with the skepticism and eye rolling she received from certain team members when she explained the new direction in which she’d be taking the company. She discusses which of the 15 commitments she uses most often in her daily practice, the therapeutic modalities she incorporates into meetings and the deep digging she did to find the source of her toxicity. 
As Alex notes, of all the resources available to entrepreneurs, bosses, and CEOs, there are few that deal with the inner feelings involved with those positions. Dom describes the burnout that led her to create a team in the first place as well as her struggles with imposter syndrome and how she leaned on fellow women entrepreneurs when male counterparts rattled her confidence. Led by DotConnect’s Vivid Vision mission statement, Dom and her team are continuing to co-create a more conscious working environment. 
 
Quotes
“I was really scared. I thought my clients wouldn’t want to still work with people who were not me. I was really big in my ego, ‘Oh, they’ll only work with me.’ Well, it turns out that they would work with my team, whoever I endorsed to bring in.” (5:20 | Dom Farnan)
“I didn’t know that I was toxic, I wouldn’t have called myself that. That wasn’t a term that was even on my radar. But how that showed up in my company was there was drama, there was gossip, there was probably a sense of insecurity from the team. I was super emotionally reactive. I was a perfectionist and so if things didn’t go exactly perfect, my way, I would lose my mind over the small details and very much controlling of everything.”  (9:54 | Dom Farnan) 
“I just really had to unlearn everything that I thought I knew, so it’s been an unbecoming-who-I-thought-I-was process, and now a kind of putting-myself-back-together process.” (10:58 | Dom Farnan) 
“I put that out into the world and I shared it with the team, and some people were excited and some people left. They just weren’t aligned and didn’t want to support the vision, which was totally acceptable. That’s exactly, actually, what I wanted to happen. I wanted it to weed out anybody who wasn’t game for it.” (22:02 | Dom Farnan)
Links
Connect with Dom Farnan:
Website:https://www.domfarnan.com/
Vivid Vision: https://dotconnectllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/VIVID-VISION-X-DC-1-1.pdf
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom-farnan/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP24: A Modern Trail Guide to Leading a More Intentional Life with Bart Foster

“It’s not just outside in nature, it’s out of your comfort zone and outside of corporate norms, and doing things a little bit differently.” Shortly after moving to Boulder, CO, Bart Foster, founder and CEO of BusinessOutside, took a meeting with a fellow entrepreneur. Instead of meeting for lunch or coffee, they went for a walk. Hiking in nature, Bart found, imbued him with a sense of creativity, vulnerability, renewed energy and wellbeing, and allowed him to open up to his colleague about a recent professional trauma. 
Soon he began rethinking traditional workplace settings and culture, and how we can cut through mindless small talk and ask questions that “go deeper, faster” and generate more genuine and productive business relationships. Motion, he says, causes emotion.
After all, time is precious. He explains how he used the “zip code strategy,” taught by Jim Sharpe of Harvard Business School to move his family from Atlanta to Boulder. Picking out where you want to live first, and figuring out the rest later is part of Bart’s goal to minimize regret. 
Bart’s story is one of personal growth, creativity, and self-discovery in entrepreneurship. He walks listeners through some questions they can ask themselves to determine their personal value set, outside of the values assigned by society, and how to create what he calls “a gratitude loop.” 
 
Quotes
“I realized when I’m outside, I’m more creative, I’m more authentic, I’m more innovative. I feel happier, I feel more alive, I feel more energetic.” (4:12 | Bart Foster) 
“What I learned is if I can go deeper, quicker, it gives other people the permission.”(10:09 | Bart Foster)
“It’s lonely. We often feel that we have to put up this mask, this veneer, ‘I’m raising capital,” and all these things. It’s hard. It’s really, really hard to be an entrepreneur and it’s lonely,” (11:50 | Bart Foster)
“I got people to be vulnerable. I got them outside, we walked and all of a sudden, you could just feel it, the energy was different. And that just put me on this journey of, ‘Hey, I wonder if there’s a different way to do business?’” (23:40 | Bart Foster) 
“It’s not just outside in nature, it’s out of your comfort zone and outside of corporate norms, and doing things a little bit differently.” (24:52 | Bart Foster)
“Health, money and time. How do we calibrate to maximize our life energy? That’s what I’m trying to do.” (33:40 | Bart Foster)
“Shared experiences, not advice. We say to have empathy, not to judge. You want to have no judgment and just say, ‘Hey, this is what happened to me, here’s how I handled it.’ And then you get to make the decision.” (39:34 | Bart Foster)
 
Links
Connect with Bart Foster:
Website: https://www.businessoutside.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosterbart/
Connection Questions: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/658f0890ea656379d1a749a6/t/659db7683bf81b506ddc4a06/1704834920419/BusinessOutside+Connection+Questions.pdf
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP23: Transcending The Entrepreneurial Journey

“The real source of why I’m starting this company is actually deep love–deep love for myself, deep love and a desire for connection for anybody that struggles with loneliness,” said Tracy Lawrence of founding her company Chewse. The company, which provides group format catering for offices, was founded as a response to the social isolation and bullying she experienced as a kid in school. 
Throughout the next decade she would have subsequent encounters with loneliness which she met with rigorous introspection, honesty, and courage. Each time she emerged with an understanding that while she was fully empowered on her own, we are all interconnected and can—and must—rely on each other in order to thrive. 
Her journey brought her into the world of psychedelics and after selling Chewse, she began to practice psychedelic integration work and now does healing coaching in Honolulu. She explains modalities that listeners can engage in to promote their own healing, including Peter Levine’s alternative therapy known as somatic experiencing, as well as helpful teachings from Richard Schwartz and Joe Dispenza. 
On today’s episode of the Conscious Entrepreneur, Tracy takes us through her experiences with burnout, and shares what she learned from and about her team each time she chose to be honest and vulnerable with them instead of hiding her emotions. 
 
Quotes
“I built a company that was group format-style catering because I wanted to make sure nobody ever ate alone.” (5:42 | Tracy Lawrence) 
“I thought ‘No, no, no.’ Leaders do not express fear. We are always in control and we are always powerful.’ No fear. We’re courageous.” (9:19 | Tracy Lawrence)
“And in the moment, I looked at the team, and I told them, I said, I love working with you. And genuinely, I would be so devastated if we didn't raise this round, and we didn't get a chance to work together. And there was not a dry eye in the room. And it was a huge moment for my personal leadership philosophy being developed.” (9:46 | Tracy Lawrence)
“In the psychedelic world, and in that journey, what happens is that all of the defense systems, all your layers, what you might call the protectors, they all stand down. You’ll see them start to stand down in layers, so that you can really see what your pure, highest self looks like looking out at the world.” (21:14 | Tracy Lawrence) 
“There is no spiritual practice like being deathly ill and coming to terms with the fact that you might not wake up the next day.” (36:58 | Tracy Lawrence)
“If the brain thinks, the heart knows.” (45:44 | Tracy Lawrence)
Links
Connect with Tracy Lawrence:
Guide: https://tracy-lawrence.ck.page/banishburnout
Website: https://goloveengine.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylawrence/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
 
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP22: Mental and Emotional Resilience for Entrepreneurial Success

Bryan Leach spent his school days and much of his early life “chasing a series of brass rings.” A self-described “anxious achiever,” he basked in the social cache of attending Harvard, Oxford University, and finally Yale Law and later clerking for U.S. Supreme Court justices and making partner at a major firm. Eventually, though, he found himself wanting to be more creative and to put something new into the world. He founded Ibotta, leading cashback rewards network in the United States and the first-ever performance-based marketing tool, one which powers large loyalty programs with major corporations like Kroger, Walmart, and Dollar General.
This new venture required not only a new set of skills, but a whole new mindset from the one he developed as a lawyer. Being driven by praise and reward helped him to advance academically and professionally, but left him averse to taking risks–a trait essential to entrepreneurship.  As a lawyer, he was used to boasting his credentials and “being paid to be right,” while as an entrepreneur, he had to stand on the strength of his ideas and the results he delivered. How could he change his perspective so that the same obsessiveness and passion that made him successful didn’t burn him out or drive him crazy? 
The answers are somewhat paradoxical. You have to be vulnerable enough to care deeply about your work, but also be OK if it never works out and you don’t get what you want. By asking more questions, showing you don’t have all the answers, sharing credit as well as pressure, you show yourself to be a more effective leader than if you act like you can do it all and have it all under control. The bigger the company grows, the more you must trust others to help control it.
Though you must keep your identity from being too wrapped up in your company, your personal history and life events will show up in your work style. Bryan tauts the virtues of therapy and shares how he navigated the many instances of what Ben Horowitz calls WFIO (We’re F**ked, It’s Over). Everyone has WFIO moments, and their own unique path to success, despite our cultures insistence on sharing only superhero stories. In this episode, Bryan shares how, through  mental and emotional resilience, we can successfully navigate our own course. 
 
Quotes
“You have to figure out how to build the muscle of rebounding from emotional setbacks and failure at a much higher rate than you ever did when you were striving to be a lawyer.” (9:18 | Bryan Leach)
“It’s very tempting to fall back on that storytelling trope that we have as a society which overemphasizes the contributions of the founder, hides all the struggles of the founder, and also leads everyone to kind of expect that.” (19:28 | Bryan Leach)
“The more vulnerable you are, the more you admit you don’t know, the more you seek opportunities to apologize, take responsibility, the stronger you come across, the more authentic you are seen as a leader, the more effective you are.” (25:03 | Bryan Leach)
“A lot of people who are successful are happy to share credit but when there’s blame they internalize all that blame within themselves. What you should be able to do is share credit and share ownership and responsibility for problem solving, so you’re not putting the weight of the Western world on your shoulders all the time.” (28:30 | Bryan Leach) 
“You have to create a world where if the company fails you’re still OK and proud of yourself, and you’re still happy and you learn things and you can go on and try something different. (29:26 | Bryan Leach)
Links
Connect with Bryan Leach:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEriFU1JEYM
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwleach/
Website: https://home.ibotta.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP21: Are Entrepreneurs Touched with Fire?

Entrepreneurship is more than a career or an identity; it's an emotional journey that demands resilience. In this episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, host Alex Raymond invites Dr. Michael Freeman to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and entrepreneurial success. Dr. Freeman, a renowned psychiatrist and expert in entrepreneur mental health, sheds light on the unique challenges faced by those in the entrepreneurial world.
Discussing the highs and lows inherent in entrepreneurship, Dr. Freeman emphasizes the critical role of mental health resources in sustaining growth and wellbeing. His research offers a surprising perspective: entrepreneurs with mental health conditions often have an edge in business, a testament to the complex interplay between personality traits and mental wellbeing.
Dr. Freeman shares essential strategies for maintaining mental health, including prioritizing rest, exercise, and connecting with nature. He also highlights the value of building a support network of peers and engaging in authentic relationships within entrepreneurial communities.
As the conversation draws to a close, Dr. Freeman calls for a shift in entrepreneurial culture – one where mental health is as prioritized as business strategy. He envisions a future where entrepreneurs openly embrace their mental health journey, integrating self-care into their roadmap to success. By redefining the entrepreneurial narrative to include mental wellness, Dr. Freeman believes we can foster a new generation of resilient, balanced, and successful entrepreneurs.
 
Quotes:
“The research over and over and over again demonstrates that entrepreneurs would have had more successful lives by a number of metrics had they pursued a career instead.”  (4:46 | Michael Freeman)
“My colleagues and I studied a thousand entrepreneurs and we found that there was a 3% suicide rate among these people. It's a very good sample that we did this with the Gallup organization and we got a national probability sample, a very good robust methodology, 3.3% suicidality, suicide attempts, 1.7% psychiatric hospitalization, and about 40% of this whole group had one or more diagnosable mental health conditions. So that's worth knowing because the symptoms from those mental health conditions can derail your personal life and your professional life, and they can mostly be prevented. That's part one. Part two is that they're also associated with superpowers, and you can make those superpowers work for you, and that's part of why entrepreneurs succeed.” (8:32 | Michael Freeman) 
“Personality traits are neither good nor bad. You just need to understand what they are and then have ways of managing them so they work for you, not against you.” (18:21 | Michael Freeman) 
“The entrepreneurs that I've worked with tend to feel like they are the hero in the action drama of their own startup. And that if the startup succeeds, that means they succeed. And if the startup fails, that means they're a failure. Not true. And so being able to get out of that mentality, I think, is a level of consciousness that allows you to be way less stressed out about building business.” (26:00 | Michael Freeman) 
 
 
Links
Connect with Michael A. Freeman:
Website: https://econa.net/ 
Are Entrepreneurs Touched with Fire? https://econa.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Are-Entrepreneurs-Touched-with-Fire.pdf
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP20: Thriving in the New World of Work

"There's a people revolution," says Kendra Prospero, founder and CEO of Turning the Corner, in this insightful episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast hosted by Alex Raymond. Kendra delves into the evolving dynamics between employees and employers, emphasizing the growing demand for workplaces that genuinely respect and value their staff.
Kendra discusses how leaders must adapt to this shift, creating environments where employees don’t just show up for work but feel truly supported and appreciated. She shares strategies for developing an outstanding company culture, focusing on the importance of leaders addressing their own "head trash" to become more effective and empathetic.
Regular pulse surveys and stay interviews are highlighted as key tools for measuring employee satisfaction and addressing concerns proactively. Kendra advocates for these practices as vital to maintaining a positive and responsive work culture.
Flexibility stands out as a cornerstone of Turning the Corner's culture. Kendra talks about implementing flexible schedules, benefits, and compensation to meet the varied needs of their team, underlining the importance of adaptability in fostering a thriving workplace.
A particularly challenging aspect of leadership, the decision to fire employees, is also addressed. Kendra emphasizes the importance of aligning these tough decisions with company values and maintaining authentic leadership throughout the process.
This episode offers valuable insights into the "people revolution" in the modern workplace and practical strategies for entrepreneurs looking to build a culture that aligns with the needs and goals of today's workforce. Kendra Prospero's expertise provides a roadmap for nurturing a company environment that respects, supports, and grows with its people.
 
Quotes:
“We can no longer just have this command and control, I'm paying you, so do what I say, kind of environment. People are not going to stay in those types of companies.” (5:25 | Kendra Propsero)
“When you're an entrepreneur, you are always, always, always, always, always on a roller coaster. It will be up and it will be down and it will be up and it will be down. You're never going to get off of it unless you go get a regular job. Like you will always be on this roller coaster. And the minute I just accepted that, I felt peace because it's like, okay, some days are going to be great and some days are just going to be awful. All right.” (15:41 | Kendra Propsero)
“There will always be some spoilage. You will always have some customers who are unhappy. You will always have some staff that leaves you and you didn't want them to go. That's just inevitable. And it's so much easier to just embrace it. Now, you don't want a lot of it, obviously. You wouldn't survive if there's a lot. But there's always going to be a little bit.” (16:08 | Kendra Propsero)
“My top three priorities are my family, my business and my health. And if you look at my calendar, that's where my time goes. So I spend time with my kids and my family. I work on the business and then I work out every day. I get good sleep. I eat well.” (1:38 | Kendra Propsero)
Links
Connect with Kendra Prospero:
Website: https://turningthecornerllc.com/
Website: https://www.kendraprospero.com/
Podcast: https://turningthecornerllc.com/podcast/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
 
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP19: Becoming a Business Titan is Your Spiritual Path

Is your definition of success conventional?  This episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast features host Alex Raymond in conversation with Dr. Srikumar Rao, celebrated author, speaker, and coach. Dr. Rao’s shares what some may consider an unconventional definition of success. He encourages entrepreneurs to seek joy and fulfillment in their work, steering away from the pursuit of material gains and societal recognition. 
He guides clients to recognize their true nature as pure awareness, transcending ego-based goals. His focus is on personal development through business, cultivating gratitude and well-being.
A key theme of the episode is the idea of a benevolent universe. Dr. Rao suggests entrepreneurs embrace life’s uncertainties, letting go of the need for control. This acceptance can lead to reduced stress and a more peaceful approach to the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.
Dr. Rao also offers strategies for reframing stress and adversity. He encourages viewing events without immediate judgment, opening the door to resilience and optimism. His perspective is supported by references to spiritual teachings and figures, enriching the conversation with profound insights.
This episode provides practical advice and profound insights for entrepreneurs looking to align their professional journey with personal and spiritual growth. Dr. Rao's unique perspective offers valuable guidance for navigating the entrepreneurial path with a deeper sense of purpose and consciousness.
Quotes:
“You want to grow your business, you want to take care of your employees, you do it to the best extent you're capable of. But in the process of doing that, what you're really doing is you're working on yourself. You want to be the best parent you can if you have children, but in the process of doing that, you're really working on yourself. The only thing you ever do in life is you work on yourself.” (8:39 | Srikumar Rao)
“Give up the sense of doership. And as you give up the sense of doership and allow the universe to unfold, you'll be pleasantly surprised at what it can do in your life. That's the message I have for entrepreneurs.” (26:33 | Srikumar Rao)
“Whatever is your path in life, which is going to give you your spiritual growth is going to come into your life. Recognize that and be patient.” (38:16 | Srikumar Rao)
“Ask yourself, is what happened necessarily a bad thing? And if not, is there anything I can do to make it good? This is how you move seamlessly from the realm of despair to the realm of possibility.”  (51:12 | Srikumar Rao) 
 
Links
Connect with Srikumar Rao:
Website: https://theraoinstitute.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Wisdom-Ancient-Roots-Unstoppable/dp/1632995417
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP18: Hard-Headed, Soft-Hearted

"How are venture capital firms redefining their role to support both business performance and founder well-being?" This pertinent question sets the stage for a captivating episode of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast, where host Alex Raymond, following up on a discussion from the Conscious Entrepreneur Summit in 2023, sits down with Lisa Mikkelsen, Global Head of Human Capital at Flourish Ventures. Lisa shares her insights on how venture capital is evolving to encompass not just business metrics but also the mental health and overall well-being of founders.
In her role, Lisa focuses on various critical aspects like HR, recruiting, and building a nurturing company culture. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the pervasive issue of burnout in startups, advocating for building resilience, self-care practices, and a culture of psychological safety. The conversation also explores the nuanced dynamics between investors and founders, highlighting the need for empathy, trust, and transparent communication in these relationships.
Under Lisa's guidance, Flourish Ventures implements several initiatives aimed at founder support, including CEO retreats for personal development, founder circles for peer coaching, and individualized coaching services. These programs reflect the firm's holistic approach to nurturing entrepreneurial talent.
This episode not only delves into the strategic role of human capital in venture capital but also paints a broader picture of the evolving startup ecosystem. It underscores the necessity for venture capital firms to play a more active role in nurturing founder well-being. As the conversation with Lisa Mikkelsen concludes, it becomes evident that the future of successful entrepreneurship lies not just in financial metrics but in fostering environments where founders can thrive both professionally and personally. The call to action is clear: the venture capital industry must lead the way in creating a more empathetic, resilient, and transparent startup culture.
 
Quotes:
“As an entrepreneur, of course, you need to show that you're strong and things are going well and you have a plan and all of these things. But it's okay to be real. And we want to make sure that at the highest level, that's what we're striving towards.” (13:08 | Lisa Mikkelsen)
“It's great if we're doing this work for founders and ensuring that they have outlets for building their well-being. But it's also important that everyone else is doing that too.” (15:19 | Lisa Mikkelsen) 
“Only 10% of founders feel comfortable sharing difficult or stressful or negative issues with their funders only 10%. That's a very small number. So I'm thinking about that, like, wow, I don't want to be the funder that is in the dark. That's not getting this information. Um, you know, we talk about power dynamics, but in some sense, the entrepreneur has the power because they have the power of information of what's going on. And their willingness to share that really depends on the relationship that they've built with the funder, that they're not going to be judged, that they're not going to be thrown out, that all of these bad things aren't going to happen, that we've been programmed to think are going to happen when we share unfortunate news. So having psychological safety is so important to improving that relationship, improving that dynamic.” (50:41 | Lisa Mikkelsen) 
 
Links
Connect with Lisa Mikkelsen:
Website: https://flourishventures.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
 
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP17: Getting Clarity on Your Gifts

Are psychedelics the next frontier for entrepreneurial growth and self-discovery? In this episode, Alex Raymond chats with Austin Mao, co-founder of Ceremonia, a psychedelic church in Colorado. Austin recounts his journey from a successful entrepreneur in tech and real estate to embracing the healing power of psychedelics.
At Ceremonia, Austin combines elements of psychology, spirituality, science, and shamanism to offer a holistic experience with substances like psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca. He discusses the significance of a religious context in their use, akin to traditional sacramental practices. Austin talks about setting up Ceremonia, emphasizing the importance of legal knowledge, creating a safe environment, and choosing substances like psilocybin for their therapeutic potential and cultural acceptance.
Shifting focus to the healing aspect, Austin highlights how Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy complements the psychedelic experience. He stresses that these journeys are not just for those with deep trauma but for anyone on a path of personal and professional growth.
Austin also dives into his daily practices, which support his well-being and aid in his work at Ceremonia. He suggests insightful resources, including "Letting Go" by David Hawkins and "The Second Mountain" by David Brooks, for listeners on their own entrepreneurial journeys.
There is growing interest among entrepreneurs in psychedelics, and this episode offers valuable insights for those who are curious about these substances and how they may offer new perspectives on personal development and business innovation.
 
Quotes:
“I don't invite founders to quit what they're doing and start having dreadlocks and lighting sage around their home. That's not the path. It's to actually get clarity around our gifts, get clarity around why we do what we do.” - Austin Mao (7:34) 
“One trait of founders is they look for that direct path, right? The most efficient way, the most accelerated way to scale. Well, here we're scaling consciousness. We're scaling ourselves, right? I equate this work to 10 years of therapy in 10 hours. And what people are able to experience in the course of just five days here is 96% say it's the most transformative experience of their lives.” - Austin Mao (13:15 )
"The impact here is on four levels: mental, physical, spiritual, and relational." - Austin Mao (14:14)
“The furthest distance that you'll travel in your life is the 18 inches from your mind to your heart.”  - Austin Mao (16:01) 
"The end point of psychology is the beginning of spirituality." - Austin Mao (55:32)
Links
Connect with Austin Mao:
Website: https://www.ceremoniacircle.org/
Website: https://www.austinmao.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP16: Go Big, With Ease

The Enneagram helps us see ourselves at a deeper, more objective level, and can be of invaluable assistance on our path to self-knowledge. With this insight, host Alex Raymond of The Conscious Entrepreneur podcast welcomes Rudir Krishtel, a former lawyer turned transformation coach. Rudir shares his journey from a demanding legal career to discovering his true calling in coaching, guided by the principles of the Enneagram.
Rudir's transition was spurred by the challenges and burnout he faced as a litigator. Seeking a more fulfilling path, he found solace and direction in the Enneagram, a tool that deepens self-awareness and understanding. This framework helped Rudir not only in his personal evolution but also became a cornerstone of his coaching practice, where he emphasizes meaningful conversations and addresses crucial aspects of well-being, leadership, and diversity.
In the episode, Rudir explains the Enneagram's role in categorizing individuals into nine types, each defined by unique fears and motivations. He highlights how this understanding is critical for entrepreneurs who wish to foster a work environment that is both compassionate and effective. By starting with self-awareness, leaders can extend their insights to their teams, enhancing connection and understanding.
The conversation takes a personal turn as Rudir conducts an impromptu coaching session with Alex, delving into Alex's fears and motivations and illustrating the transformative power of the Enneagram in action!
 
Quotes:
“We have a value at the company which is go big with ease. We want to go big with ease. We want this company to do really well, and we're growing. And yet, at the same time, can we do it while we care for ourselves, while we care for each other, while we hear each other out, while we understand what's going on? And so there's a neat opportunity in this phase.” (10:48 | Rudhir Krishtel) 
“I mentioned the Enneagram and I find that to be the most valuable tool. And really, foundational for the work that I do and the work that we do, which is just giving people a real deep understanding of who they are so they can then come from a place of self-awareness and authenticity in any work that they do.” (24:52 | Rudhir Krishtel)
“The Enneagram essentially, it's less of a personality assessment and a bit more of a spiritual assessment, which is what I really appreciate about it. It really gets to you at your core. And essentially, it says that there are nine different ways of being, nine different ways that people show up in the world. How we show up in the world connects and relates to and is an extension of our deepest fear.”  (27:27 | Rudhir Krishtel)
“Our increasing of our own depth allows us to have a deeper understanding and awareness of others.” (46:00 | Rudhir Krishtel) 
“If you want everyone to succeed at the organization, you can't treat them all the same. You actually have to engage with them differently as a leader. You understand that different people have different strengths, challenges, scenarios. And then when you are acknowledging and aware of that, then you can actually have a meaningful dialogue.” (50:29 | Rudhir Krishtel) 
 
Links
Connect with Rudhir Krishtel:
Website: https://www.krishtel.com/ 
Website: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/
 
Connect with Alex Raymond:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afraymond/
Website: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/
 
HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm