Leaders' Playground

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
• Learn more about the book I’m writing at 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/
• Maureen Murdock’s book by the same title is also quite good 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
• Meet my agent, Kimberley Cameron’s website https://kimberleycameron.com/
  And meet my writing mentor, Allison K Williams https://allisonkwilliams.com/
• Learn more about dramatic arc in storytelling with Allison's blog post https://brevity.wordpress.com/2023/11/10/five-scenes/
• More than you ever wanted to know about Star Wars https://starwars.fandom.com
• And Harry Potter https://www.wizardingworld.com/

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

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 best
You'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 only define but also strengthen authentic leadership.
You'll walk away feeling seen, heard, and valued. You'll be more confident and ready for whatever challenge comes next because you can stand tall in your authentic leadership
Resources:

Learn more about the Heroine’s Journey Women’s Leadership Retreat: https://www.irenesalter.com/leadership-retreat

Bill George’s book, Authentic Leadership: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/255199.Authentic_Leadership
The Brene Brown quote came from Dare to Lead: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40109367-dare-to-lead

A lovely, very accessible article about how to be more authentic at work: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_be_more_authentic_at_work

A great review article on post traumatic growth: http://bit.ly/3ZQRIjN

Identifying your core values lies at the heart of authenticity. Go to the Resources section of my podcast page to download a worksheet to help you name your core values: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

And if you liked this episode, check out Episode 3 to identify the five keys to identifying your leadership style.

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

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
• 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
  • 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
  • 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
• 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/
• 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
• 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

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

I'm writing a book on the science behind why we travel. In this episode, I read the last four pages of my book and share five ways that travel changes us.
When we travel, there’s a sense of meaning and purpose.
When we travel, we are fully here, present and centered.
When we travel, we are open to new experiences.
When we travel, we slow down. We savor. We luxuriate.
When we travel, we expand our horizons and connect to something larger than ourselves: history, science, religion, culture, language, people, ecosystems, humanity.
All of those ways of being are more natural and easy when we're far from home, but it doesn't mean we can't also do them at home everyday. Join me for a very special close to Season 1 and learn more about how travel changes the brain, and how to bring those changes back home with you.
Resources:

For more information about my book: https://www.irenesalter.com/books

I highly recommend reading Vagabonding by Rolf Potts and Timothy Ferris and/or The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau for how to make the most of your travels:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/100247.Vagabonding
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/144951.The_Art_of_Pilgrimage?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_12
If you're considering long term travel with kids, the book Wonder Year is a great "how to" guide: https://wonderyear.com/what-is-worldschooling/
For more on how travel can help you find happiness, read Eric Weiner's Geography of Bliss: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1918305.The_Geography_of_Bliss
For more on finding your WHY, watch this TED conversation with Simon Sinek: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_to_discover_your_why_in_difficult_times?subtitle=en
And for how to bring travel home with you, there's nobody better than Pico Iyer: https://www.ted.com/talks/pico_iyer_the_meaning_of_home_and_the_joy_of_traveling?subtitle=en

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast

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. Tune in to explore how soaking in tranquility—whether through a hot spring or mindfulness practice—can renew your mind, body, and soul.
Resources:

• This article in NPR was the one that led me to the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066585316/mindfulness-meditation-with-john-kabat-zinn
• Jon Kabat-Zinn’s website: https://jonkabat-zinn.com/
• For a fantastic, and fairly accessible review of your brain on mindfulness meditation, see this article in Nature Neuroscience: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn3916
• But if you want a one-page infographic of your brain when centered, head to my podcast page to find that resource. Or better yet, subscribe to my newsletter and get beautiful illustrations of your mind on beauty, awe, adventure, and much more: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• If you’d like to access this episode’s centering meditation directly, you can download the audiofile at: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• Or try one of many many others on my favorite mindfulness app, Buddify: https://buddhify.com/
• Episode 10 - Time confetti, goes more deeply into the default mode network: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast
• Here’s the onsen that I went to visit in Arima: https://www.arima-gh.jp/en/

For complete show notes, transcript, and free downloadable resources go to: https://www.irenesalter.com/podcast