The UpLevel Podcast

This week, our guest is the legendary Henry Kimsey-House, one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for professional coaching in the 1980s. It was a privilege to delve into his early life, trace his journey into coaching, and gain insights into the monumental influence his coaching legacy has left on countless lives.

Henry's story is a testament to the transformative power of coaching, which extends far beyond the individual to reshape entire organizations and cultures. As we navigated through his experiences, it was evident that his legacy embodies the philosophy of coaching as a force that elevates people, organizations, and humanity as a whole. Let's embrace these insightful leadership dynamics by tuning in to this episode.

In this Episode:

• Embrace Continuous Learning: Henry's narrative emphasizes the need for continuous learning and growth, where one should always strive to learn new things and expand their knowledge.
• Value Experience: The importance of valuing elders in any system or organization. Their experience and wisdom can provide invaluable insights that can lead to success.
• Practice Active Listening: One of the core skills mentioned in coaching is active listening which is crucial not only in professional settings but also in personal relationships.
• Foster Human Connection: Treating each other as humans rather than objects or labels forms a significant part of successful communication and relationship-building, both personally and professionally.
• Promote Consciousness & Awareness: Being aware helps us understand ourselves better, make informed decisions, and develop empathy towards others, thus contributing positively to our personal lives as well as society at large.
• Express Yourself Fully: Authentic expression fosters trust and understanding among individuals leading to healthier interpersonal dynamics and overall wellbeing.
• Advocate For Humanity: Embracing expressing full humanity aspects of life, particularly the workplace, promotes inclusion and diversity, ultimately leading to harmonious environments and greater productivity.

About Henry:

Henry is the Co-founder and lead designer of the thought-provoking, experiential learning programs of CTI (Co-Active Training Institute), the world's oldest and largest in-person coach-training school. He is the best-selling co-author of Co-Active Coaching and is the co-author of The Stake: The Making of Leaders and Co-Active Leadership: Five Ways to Lead. He has charted a remarkable journey that has left an indelible mark on the world of coaching and leadership development. His path was enriched by his early foray into the world of acting, which began at the tender age of nine. This immersion into the realm of human emotion and narrative intricacies through classical theatrical training, stage performances, television, and film experiences laid the foundation for his deep insights into the human psyche. He worked at the Actors Information Project in New York City for 13 years before he began his coaching profession. His legacy continues to shape leaders and create transformative environments that transcend boundaries. He lives with his wife, Karen Kimsey-House, on the northwest coast of the United States.

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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, our guest is Gail Barker, an entrepreneur and seasoned coach with over two decades of dedication to supporting leaders and aspiring leaders in uncovering and crafting their own meaningful definition of success. Gail believes that finding 'ease' even in challenging situations is the key to successful leadership. Her book "What Matters Now: Lessons On Living With Ease" explores this concept and redefines our understanding of adversity.

Gail Barker shares her insights on writing and creative expression to offer a fresh perspective and highlight the importance of understanding your unique working style instead of blindly following popular norms.

She believes that success isn't solely defined by bestseller status or mass approval. If you have the wisdom to share that can enlighten even one individual, that counts as a successful endeavor too!
In this Episode:

• Understand the difference between 'ease' and 'easy': Acknowledge that a path of ease doesn't mean life is always easy or without obstacles; it's about finding calm amidst difficulties.
• Establish a writing rhythm: By identifying the optimal writing time and environment to foster creativity and productivity.
• Redefine procrastination: Recognize that such activities can stimulate subconscious idea generation, instead of viewing them as distractions.
• Explore different methods for inspiration: Incorporate physical activity into your creative process or try handwriting instead of typing if you find it more effective.
• Silence your inner critics by expressing your unique voice: Remember they are just voices, not truths, and focus on how you want to sound on paper rather than imitating others.
• Manage outer criticism effectively: When seeking feedback, be clear about what kind of input you're looking for so reviewers know their boundaries—this way their input will be more beneficial.
• Honor your own voice amid a multitude of voices: Share whatever message calls out from within you - even if your audience is small because everyone has something valuable worth sharing with the world.
• Pay attention when certain themes repeatedly surface in your thoughts, indicating their significance and need for shared expression; this could indicate an important message that needs to be communicated.
• Remember, being a bestseller isn't everything; there’s more satisfaction gained by disseminating wisdom and allowing others to build upon each other’s insights.

About Gail:
Dynamic, insightful, inspiring, and visionary - these are the words often used to describe Gail Jacob Barker, the renowned author of “What Matters Now: Lessons on Living with Ease.” An entrepreneur and a leadership coach for two decades, Gail has dedicated herself to guiding leaders, aspiring leaders, and their teams to lead at the work they love, without sacrificing their lives on the altar of their leadership. A certified Coactive Coach, and proudly holding the PCC credential through the International Coach Federation, Gail leads public courses for the Co-Active Training Institute and contributes her expertise as a valuable member of the Faculty Development Team at CTI on a part-time basis. Gail is an avid reader, a compassionate listener, and a lover of meaningful human connection.

Website: https://www.stellarcc.com/

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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had an illuminating conversation about the world of mysticism, tarot, and publishing with our special guest - Kelley Knight. As a renowned author and founder of Modern Mystic Shop, Kelly shares her unique journey from spiritual awakening to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

She discusses her book Spells for the Modern Mystic: A Ritual Guidebook and Spell Casting Kit, co-authored with Brandon Knight. We also explored her perspectives on traditional vs. self-publishing routes, dealing with backlash post-publication, co-authorship, and more!
Kelly's story is not just about success; it's about transformation through personal development channels leading to psychic awakening, which changed her life forever.
In this Episode:

• Identify your passion and utilize personal experiences: Identify what truly excites and drives you, and use your own life experiences as the basis for your work.
• Find a mentor or guide: Seek out someone who can help you harness your gifts effectively.
• Understanding publishing vs. self-publishing: Consider both traditional publishing routes and self-publishing options before deciding which is right for you - each has its benefits and drawbacks.
• Get an agent specific to your genre: Find an agent who represents authors in your specific field or genre.
• Craft a compelling proposal: Demonstrate why you're not a risky choice when pitching to publishers.
• Choose the right publisher: Find a publisher that aligns with your vision and can support you throughout the process.
• Weigh the financial implications of different publication methods: Traditional publishing often provides upfront payment but may limit future earnings, whereas self-publication could potentially yield higher profits over time despite requiring more initial investment.
• Identify gaps in existing market offerings: When planning new projects, look at what already exists within the industry and identify areas where unique value can be added without replicating others' works.
• Be open to learning: Embrace new challenges and learnings that come with the publishing journey.

About Kelley:

Kelley Knight founded Modern Mystic Shop in 2016 in an effort to curate and create quality, accessible products for tarot clients’ spiritual practice. What started humbly grew quickly into a well-known brand for spiritual seekers. Since 2014, she has been offering her unique style of reading, which has given her national recognition in publications such as NYLON Magazine. There are now two retail locations; the original store is located in the bustling Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA, where Kelley resided for most of her life. She opened a second location in the NoLita neighborhood of NYC in 2021 when she returned to the city her ancestors immigrated to in the early 1900s, which has now become her new home. She aims to make mysticism mainstream by imparting ancient spiritual wisdom applied to the modern day.

Business Website: https://modernmystictarot.com/

Her Website: https://kelleyknight.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmystic_shop/

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This week’s special guest on the UpLevel Podcast is Afdhel Aziz, a successful marketer turned purpose-driven brand consultant and Chief Purpose Officer of Conspiracy of Love. His journey from corporate life to becoming an advocate for social responsibility is truly inspiring. Afdhel's journey began with an eye-opening experience during the South Asian tsunami in Sri Lanka, which inspired him to shift focus from consumerism towards making meaningful contributions to society. This led him to co-author "Good Is The New Cool: Market Like You Give A Damn," highlighting the growing trend of purpose-driven brands.

Listen in to hear more about his philosophy, which revolves around continuous learning, stepping out of comfort zones, and focusing on what truly matters in life. He believes that joy stems not just from success but also from creativity and a balance between personal and professional lives.

In this Episode:

• Learn about Afdhel's background, including his career with global brands like Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Heineken, and Absolut Vodka.
• Discover his consultancy firm Conspiracy of Love.
• Explore his contributions as a speaker at renowned platforms such as TEDx and SXSW and as a writer for Forbes, focusing on business innovation through social purpose, among others.
• Hear about his commitment to maximizing privilege by expressing purpose through various means, including books that help organizations operate from a place of purpose.
• Listen to insights gathered from over 500 Forbes articles centered around individuals who've found their work's purpose, which informs his global talks, books, and consultancy services.
• Understand Tru Pettigrew's GPS methodology (Gifts/Passions/Serve)
• Gain inspiration from how storytelling became key in aligning passion with service, leading him to assist brands by his firm after realizing business could be used for good while writing “Good as New Cool.”
• Discover his insight into collaborative creativity and how their publishing strategy worked out great.
• Get a sneak peek into his upcoming third book, which encapsulates everything learned regarding finding one's true calling.

About Afdhel:
Afdhel Aziz is a bestselling author, visionary founder, and keynote speaker. He is on a mission to solve one of the biggest problems facing individuals and companies in the 21st century: how to find purpose and meaning in their work and unlock the enormous power of business to do good in the world. He is the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer at Conspiracy of Love, a global purpose consultancy that works with Fortune 500 companies—including Adidas, PepsiCo, Sephora, Microsoft, Unilever, Diageo, AB InBev, and more—to help them grow their businesses by doing more good in the world.

He is also the Co-Founder of Good is the New Cool, a creative company and content incubator focused on creating positive stories that fill the Hope Gap. Afdhel is the co-author of the best-selling book “Good is the New Cool: Market Like You A Give a Damn" and the follow-up “The Principles of Purpose, as well as writing 'The Power Of Purpose” column in Forbes. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son.

Website: https://www.afdhelaziz.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afdhelaziz/

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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we welcome our special guest, Shabadpreet Khalsa, the CEO of the RA MA Institute. In this enlightening conversation, Shabadpreet unveils the transformative power of Kundalini yoga and meditation for awakening a person’s inner strength and clarity. As a seasoned practitioner and business leader, Shabadpreet shares her insights on how these ancient practices can be leveraged to navigate through crisis, chaos, and change.
This engaging conversation will encourage you to find alignment with your mission by engaging in practices that connect you to something greater than yourselves, an increasingly non-negotiable aspect in today's world. Tune in now!

In this Episode:

• Experience a brief guided practice led by Shabadpreet called 'Ego Eradicator,' a technique beneficial for clearing the mind and reducing anxiety, ideal between meetings or during stressful moments.
• Explore the pillars of Kundalini yoga, Breathwork, physical postures, mantra, and meditation that come together in this holistic practice that offers profound benefits for mental clarity and emotional balance.
• Discover Shabadpreet’s pivotal first class in New York City that eventually led her to Rama Institute under Guru Jagat’s mentorship.
• Discover the meaning of the term “Rama” which signifies the balance between solar ('Ra') energy and lunar ('Ma') forces.
• Reflections after Guru Jagat's passing in 2021, and Shabadpreet stepping up as CEO of Rama Yoga Institute.
• Tips on connecting deeply with personal missions include setting clear intentions about ideal work environments; trusting intuitive guidance systems; embracing spiritual practices; finding nourishment through routine self-care; utilizing manifestation techniques; and believing in one’s capabilities as a creator.

About Shabadpreet:
Shabadpreet Khalsa is the CEO of RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology with locations in Venice, California; Mallorca, Spain; New York City, and virtually on RA MA TV. At the side of her teacher and RA MA’s Founding CEO, Guru Jagat for 8 years from shortly after the opening of the Venice flagship to Guru Jagat’s sudden and unexpected death in 2021, Shabadpreet served as Guru Jagat’s Chief of Staff, implementing Guru Jagat’s trail-blazing vision and supporting the fruition of RA MA’s physical and digital expansion from a wellness start-up to an internationally recognized global phenomena.
With the passing of Guru Jagat, Shabadpreet continues RA MA’s mission as a crossroads of consciousness, well-being, and creation culture. Known for her healing approach, Shabadpreet can also be found teaching in RA MA’s Kundalini Trainings and their Global Women’s Programs.
Website: https://www.shabadpreet.com/
Shabadpreet’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabadpreet11/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shabadpreet/
RA MA's Website: https://ramayogainstitute.com/
RA MA Institute’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramainstitute/
Youtube: @RAMATVYOGA

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