Life from the Top of the Mind
515 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★ - 21 ratingsThis series of video podcasts is based upon a system for success developed by psychologist, Dr. Bill Crawford, (Ph.D.). The basic premise of this philosophy is that the reason we are less than effective is that the problems in our life trigger the release of certain stress-related chemicals that engage the lower 20% of our brain which is incapable of creative thinking. This results in feelings of stress, frustration, and the desire to either lash out or escape. What makes Dr. Crawford's "Top of the Mind" system unique and powerful is that it shows us how to change the chemical make-up of our body and shift to the upper 80% of our brain where we can access the clarity, confidence, and creativity necessary to bring our best to all aspects of life.
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Episodes
Finally Understanding "Why"
June 01, 2021 14:08“Until we understand why we react to certain situations with stress, anger, or frustration, we will not have the clarity necessary to deal with life from a place of confidence, creativity, or compassion.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Justifiable Anger!
May 25, 2021 14:00“Physiologically, it simply doesn’t matter whether our anger or resentment is justified. The body doesn’t make moral judgments about feelings… it just responds.” ~ Adapted from Doc Lew Childre, Jr. (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
How To Make Core Values Valuable
May 18, 2021 13:56“Core Values are only truly valuable when taken off of the wall and turned into behaviors that are embraced by all.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
How to Avoid Arguments
May 11, 2021 14:06“You cannot have an argument with a fully conscious person.” ~ Eckhart Tolle (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
How to Keep Others from Pushing Our Buttons!
May 01, 2021 13:52“If buttons are to be pushed, let’s ensure we are doing the pushing, and the buttons represent what we want in ourselves and others.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
New Ways to Deal with Negative Emotions
April 15, 2021 13:49"Until we switch to asking solution-focused questions, we will be stuck in the problem-focused part of the brain." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Beyond Just "Coping" With Change
March 27, 2021 13:45"Coping with change is much like just 'managing' stress...while better than the alternative, it will only allow you to survive versus thrive." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
How to be Heard, Understood, & Trusted
March 21, 2021 13:43"To be heard and understood by anyone we need to first be perceived as someone that they trust.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The Need to be Right!
March 14, 2021 13:37"When our need to be seen as knowledgeable gets in the way of our ability to be seen as caring, our connections suffer." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Understanding The Behavior of Others
March 14, 2021 13:21“Our frame of mind is determined by our frame of reference… best to create both of these by choice versus by chance.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Living by Choice or by Chance
February 14, 2021 16:32"A life of choice is a life of conscious action, while a life of chance is a life of unconscious reaction. Unless we choose one, we will experience the other.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
When Helping Doesn't Help!
February 09, 2021 20:03”Helpful advice, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It must be seen as healing before it can be experienced as helpful.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The Case For & Against Optimism
January 30, 2021 16:51"Optimism is simply the belief that the future will be better than the past, and that I have confidence in my ability to influence the process." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Finding Light in the Darkness
January 23, 2021 16:44"When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? …there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it… If only we're brave enough to be it" ~ Amanda Gorman (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Leadership, Power, & Responsibility
January 09, 2021 16:39""With great power comes great responsibility." ~ Spiderman (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Claiming (Or Reclaiming) Our POWER
January 04, 2021 16:42"Feeling powerless is a signal that we have given our power to people or situations that don't deserve the gift." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Teaching Kids to Self-Regulate
December 22, 2020 00:08“Until we teach our kids to self-regulate, we will be stuck trying to reason with their unreasonable brain, which will only leave everyone stuck in the cycle of conflict.” Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
What To Do When Rushed Or Anxious
December 14, 2020 00:06“When feeling rushed or anxious, rather than speeding up, try slowing down… just by 2%.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The Neuroscience of Why We Resist Change
December 10, 2020 00:03"Sometimes we stay in Hell a long time because we have learned the names of the streets." ~ Michael Levine (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Resolving Versus Reliving The Past
November 28, 2020 23:59“In order to resolve (re-solve) the past versus continuing to relive it, we will need to access the part of the brain that solves problems versus remaining stuck in the part of the brain that continues to bring up painful memories thinking this will keep us safe.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
One More Tool to Create the Life You Want
November 22, 2020 23:56“Defining the people and situations in our lives as annoying, frustrating, irritating, and depressing only has us set up to feel annoyed, frustrated, irritated, and depressed.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Four Steps To Creating the Life You Want
November 17, 2020 23:35"We can’t claim what we don’t name.” ~ Adapted from Brené Brown (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Ambiguity
November 13, 2020 23:31"One key to having peace of mind is having a high tolerance for ambiguity." ~ Dr. Sam Buser (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Narcissism & the Fear of Being Ordinary
November 01, 2020 16:05“Narcissism is the shame-based fear of being ordinary.” ~ Brené Brown (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The 1st Essential Element to Effective Influence & Communication
October 11, 2020 20:29“Until we learn to create the sort of interactions that trigger psychological safety in others, we will forever be fighting the neurobiology of suspicion and resistance.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Resolving Arguments Between Coworkers & Family Members
October 04, 2020 20:25"You will never resolve a conflict by fighting another’s existing reality." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Mistakes, Failure, & Blame
September 27, 2020 20:23"The only time a mistake becomes a failure is when we look for someone to blame." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
How We Define Who We Are
September 19, 2020 20:17“Be the kind of person you wished for, when no one was there for you.” ~ Nikita Gil (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The One Question That Will Stop Any Argument!
September 13, 2020 20:13“One question that can stop almost any argument is…are you wanting to understand my position, or do you just want to convince me that I’m wrong?” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
5 Clues To Watching The News!
September 06, 2020 20:11"If we consume simply what we are fed with respect to 'the news,' we run the risk of being inflamed versus informed." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
When To Trust Our Judgement
August 30, 2020 19:57"In order to trust our own judgement, we must first determine if we are accessing the trustworthy part of who we are." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The Case For (and Against) Anger
August 25, 2020 19:49“Anger can be a signal that something needs to change… however, it is often not the most effective energy to trust in making the change.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Choosing Conscious Action Over Unconscious Reactions
August 23, 2020 16:37"A Life lived by choice is a life of conscious action. A life lived by chance is a life of unconscious reaction." ~ Neale Walsch (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Steps 5 & 6 - Step 5 Being the "Magic Step" in Dealing with Difficult People
August 18, 2020 12:45“To create solution-focused conversations, we must be truly focused on the solution and the future, not the problem and the past.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
6 Steps to Dealing with Difficult People - Step One
August 11, 2020 12:51“In order to deal with difficult people effectively, we must be coming from the ‘effective’ (versus the reactive) brain.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
6 Steps to Dealing with Difficult People - Step Two
August 04, 2020 19:34“Dealing successfully with difficult people initially requires us being aware of two things… what we want to bring to the conversation… and what we want to bring out in others.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Steps 3 & 4 - Dealing with Difficult People
August 04, 2020 12:40“Until we understand the 'why' behind another's resistance, we will be forever stuck in a brainstem debate about who's right.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Does Compassion Make Us Vulnerable to Manipulation?
July 07, 2020 13:36“Compassion doesn’t make us more vulnerable to manipulation any more than understanding makes more vulnerable making bad decisions.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Dealing With People Who Just Want To Argue
June 27, 2020 14:26“When an argument is generating more heat than light, it’s time to stop fanning the flame.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Breaking the Cycle of Stress, Anxiety, & Resentment
June 23, 2020 19:46"In order to break the cycle of stress, anxiety, and resentment, we must shift from trying to stop the problem, to starting the solution by accessing the clear, confident, creative part of the brain." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Bringing A Powerful Idea to Life!
June 21, 2020 14:21“Any powerful idea is absolutely fascinating and absolutely useless until we choose to use it.” ~ Richard Bach (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Outrage Versus Rage
June 08, 2020 01:20“Outrage is a natural, normal, heathy response to an outrageous event (especially when compared to apathy or indifference), and can be effective in initiating change. Rage, on the other hand, is an out of control, lower-brain reaction that can have us making decisions that we would not recommend to someone we love.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
The Purpose of Anger & Outrage
June 02, 2020 19:42"Anger and Outrage are valuable signals that something needs to change. However, they become less effective when used as the drivers of that change." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Changing What We Can!
May 24, 2020 16:34“In order to influence our experience of life, we must have a deeper understanding of how the mind and body affect each other, as well as, a system for influencing this process.” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Grieving Isn't "Losing it" - It's Finding It!
May 21, 2020 01:13“Grieving isn’t ‘losing it’… it’s finding it!” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
A GPS For Life!
May 14, 2020 16:29"What we need is a GPS for life, or a system that shows where we are and where we want to go, and gives us turn by turn, step-by-step instructions on how to get there." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Exhausted?
May 06, 2020 16:25"We cannot serve from an empty vessel." ~ Eleanor Brown (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Regaining Control
April 29, 2020 16:22"In order to regain control, or have as much influence in our experience of life as possible, we must be willing to start where we have the most control, and make sure we know the difference between our circle of influence and our circle of concern." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
What Do We Trust to Show The Way?
April 08, 2020 16:05"In order to reach the destination that we most desire, we must choose what to trust to show us the way." ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)
Starting Different: The What, Why, & How to Deal With Life!
April 07, 2020 15:25“Clarity, Confidence and Creativity: Strategies for Leaders (and everyone else) to Reduce Stress” ~ Bill Crawford (https://www.billcrawfordphd.com/quote-video-blog/)