Courage to be Curious with Adina Tovell
179 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsWhich question will be the one to transform your life, your leadership, and your most precious relationships for the better? After feeling shamefully frustrated at the age of 43 that I could not answer the simple question, ‘What makes you happy,’ I went on a quest to find the answer. I couldn’t locate it in the many books I read, people I talked to, or adventures I pursued. Rather, the answer was revealed over time as I asked myself a simple question again and again and had the willingness and patience to discover the answer. Since that moment, I have embraced Courageous Curiosity as a way of life and this podcast is where I - along with my valued guests - share how we engage with courageous curiosity. It has absolutely transformed our lives, our leadership, and our relationships, and we are excited to see how it will transform yours for the better as well.
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Episodes
Mastering the Art of Change With Mary Marz
August 07, 2020 11:30 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBOne of the things the current moment most assuredly reminds us of is the fact that change is inevitable, it is constant, and we have little control over its coming and going. So how will we respond? On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, Mary Marz, Director of Organizational Change Management for Erie Insurance, a Fortune 500 company, as well as Owner & Image Consultant of Perfectly Poised offers insight into why change can feel so stressful and strategies for both overcoming th...
This Woman’s Leadership has Blown Me Away! With Leslie Richards
July 31, 2020 11:00 - 54 minutes - 19.8 MBJoin me for this week’s conversation with Leslie Richards, General Manager of SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority). Having risen through the ranks of Township Supervisor, County Commissioner, Secretary of PA Dept. of Transportation to General Manager, Leslie has modeled a path of leadership for women that has consistently focused on raising up others, advocating for equity, and facilitating real and lasting change. Tune into today’s episode to hear more about her journey throu...
SEPTA’s New Route Toward Equity With Leslie Richards
July 31, 2020 11:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBJoin me for this week’s conversation with Leslie Richards, General Manager of SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority). Having risen through the ranks of Township Supervisor, County Commissioner, Secretary of PA Dept. of Transportation to General Manager, Leslie has modeled a path of leadership for women that has consistently focused on raising up others, advocating for equity, and facilitating real and lasting change. Tune into today’s episode to hear more about her journey throu...
Who is America… as Seen Through the Lens of the ER
July 24, 2020 11:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBJoin me for a powerful conversation with Dr. Priyam Mammen, Emergency Physician and Public Health Specialist, MOUD Physician, and Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Pennsylvania. During the conversation, we reflect on the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the inequities in our healthcare system and how the healthcare system as a whole is a mirror reflection of our biases, prejudices, and - consciously or unconsciously - determined values as a society.
Equity Allies: How We Can All Be Equity Champions
July 17, 2020 11:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBGender equality begins with ALL of us. People of all genders need to demand change if we want to break down inhibitive gender norms. Sharon Kelly Hake and Robert Ford have been equity advocates for decades. Tune in as they discuss the role of men and women as allies in the equity conversation.
Can You Show Me 50?
July 10, 2020 11:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I have the privilege of speaking with Elba Pareja Gallagher, Director of Finance for UPS and President of ShowMe50.org, a social impact organization that she founded to advance the representation of women in senior leadership roles across the United States to 50%. Although I first met Elba almost 5 years ago, her name popped up again when I read her post: My Open Letter to the CEO’s: Please stop talking and do this where she calls upon CEOs...
How Can We Confront Our Unconscious Bias?
June 26, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I speak with Elmer Dixon, President of Executive Diversity Services, a Washington state-based diversity training company. Dixon’s background growing up in an unusually diverse neighborhood in Chicago uniquely positioned him for this later work and his affiliation with the Black Panther movement certainly honed his fierce determination to advocate for equity and fair treatment. Get Courageously Curious with me and listen in to this episode in...
Have We Failed at Freedom?
June 19, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBI was reading an article about protests in New York. A woman joined the protests as they were passing her house and shared with the reporter that she joined because I want to be able to go to sleep at night and not worry about whether her black son will be safe each day. When I read this, my mind immediately went to the notion of Freedom… and what does it really mean to be Free... As a society and as an individual? I invite you to tune into today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant and...
From Overwhelm to Purposeful Action
June 12, 2020 11:30 - 24 minutes - 17.1 MBWe are living through historic times. Everything is shifting around us from the way we live and work to (hopefully) how we treat others, how we create equity, and what we choose to value - individually and as a society. As productive as it is, this energy can also make us feel like ‘storm-tossed ships,’ a phrase offered by my guest on this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant. Join me for a great conversation with Lauren Yellin Weinberg of Lasting Change Wellness as we talk about ...
The “Gift” from Sheltering
May 29, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we talk about WHAT we mean by connection, WHY it is so important and HOW to create it in ways that feel good. As we know, not all encounters with other humans feel good. What makes for those connections that cause us to lose track of time and let go of our negative thoughts and feelings? What makes for those connections that truly nourish us and touch our hearts?
Anyone Driving You Crazy?
May 22, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we discuss how and why we can fall into the blame game, especially during periods of high stress. Oftentimes, it is those we are closest to who get the brunt of our blame and fault finding and if and when we do, it can be difficult to find our way out. We discuss how to catch ourselves when this begins to happen and how we can stop this downward spiral and change directions.
A New Way to Be in Nature
May 15, 2020 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant. I have the privilege of speaking with Lauren Kahn, a Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist and an ECO-THERAPIST. In this episode, she introduces us to how she journeys with clients into nature to harness the extraordinary healing powers of the natural world as a support to our complex and profound human experience. She also offers us ways that we can all tap into nature in a deeper way for support and guidance, especially during this time ...
How to STOP Talking About COVID!
May 08, 2020 11:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant. I have a fabulous and fun conversation with my friend and colleague Sue Abuelsamid, founder of The Curiosity Project and Coach at Constant Journey Coaching. Our topic… What else we can talk about besides COVID! Sheltering at home, there is not always that much NEW happening in our day so connecting in meaningful ways and staying out of the quicksand of the virus conversation can be tough. We offer some fun and profound alternatives to deep...
A Funny Thing Called Stress
April 24, 2020 19:38 - 13 minutes - 9.43 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant. I get curious about STRESS responses. Do you know what yours looks like? Are you tuned in to how it is showing up right now? We are more than a month into quarantine so it is virtually a guarantee that all of our stress responses are showing up in some way. Tune into today’s episode where we get curious about these responses and how to stop them in their tracks!
What You Most Need Right Now
April 17, 2020 18:56 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I am posing a question I think EVERYONE should be asking themselves regularly during these times. For the vast majority of us, life has changed significantly over the last 4 - 6 weeks and adapting to these circumstances - that have no clear end date - demands that we reflect deeply on this question. In my experience, this single question can help us find our grounding, can activate our most creative juices and can help maintain stability in ...
How to Navigate the Unexpected and Face Mortality
April 10, 2020 20:42 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I am honored to speak with a colleague who has been in my life for about 18 years. Gabrielle Kaplan-Meyer is an educator, author, and speaker… and one of the most ardent seekers and creative people that I know. In our conversation, Gabrielle shares what she has learned about living in response to the unexpected as well as how we might explore our relationship to mortality.
Undeniably Interconnected
March 27, 2020 11:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBSo, there is seemingly no denying it… even if we were not convinced before or were simply not ‘tuned into it’ before… COVID-19 has made it undeniably clear that we are all interconnected. On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant. We look not only at the teaching of our interconnectedness, but also at the role that our self-preservation and self-care play in restoring and preserving the health and well-being of ourselves, humanity, and Mother Earth.
Remaining Grounded During Uncertain Times
March 13, 2020 17:25 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, I explore seven disciplines or practices that help us to remain grounded during these unprecedented times of uncertainty. Without some discipline, it is easy for us to become consumed by anxiety, which is neither helpful for our physical or mental health and well-being. Taking on even one of the seven disciplines offered in the podcast can provide profound grounding support.
Where Did the Authentic You Go?
February 28, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we explore why it is important to get curious about the ways we have been re-shaped by the outside world and how to relocate the authentic version of ourselves. We look at why it is absolutely critical for each of us to live a unique and brilliantly authentic version of ourselves… and how the world literally needs for this to happen.
Why THIS Moment Matters
February 21, 2020 12:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we explore life as a chapter book. From the moment we take our first breath until we take our last, we will pass through many segments, each one important in its own way. Each one part of the unfolding story of our life. Each one having value. And yet… How often do we pause to consider what the value of THIS moment is rather than remaining stuck in one from the past or speeding ahead trying to get to some time or space in the future?
Where Does Your Value Come From?
February 14, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutes - 6.66 MBMany of us are so busy because we believe that our value and worth comes from what we do or achieve. And while many people are in leadership roles because they were good at getting things done or solving problems, this is not often what makes them most valuable as a leader. So, where does our worth come from it is not from doing or solving? And what value do others have that we may not recognize if it does not show up in the form of a ‘product’ or achievement?
What Color Do You Paint the World?
February 07, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 9.36 MBYou can only paint a wall blue if the paint in your can is blue. However, most of us want to be loving and kind people in the world, but we often fill up our proverbial paint can with either traces of or masses amounts of criticism, disgust, judgment, and/or pessimism. Unfortunately, when we fill ourselves up with negative self-talk, this is what fills our paint can. Whether consciously or unconsciously, this is the paint we will put on the walls of our lives. On today’s episode, we talk abo...
The Other Side of Panic and Anxiety
December 27, 2019 12:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBHow do you know when you are in the presence of a yogi? It is not something you read or see, but something that you feel; the energy is compelling. On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, I speak with Dr. Christine Kiesinger, a friend, colleague, speaker, writing, teacher, coach, and yogi. When Christine described the first yoga teacher she ever took a class with, she acknowledged, “From the moment I saw this woman, I knew I was witnessing yoga.” Tune in as she shares how the...
Who Am I?
December 20, 2019 12:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAt some point, each of us gets curious about the existential questions: Who am I? What am I? For Henry Yampolski, yogi and founder of the Living Peace Institute, yoga is about pursuing these answers. On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant Henry shares some reflections about how we can go about thinking about who we are (and who we are not) and what we are (and what we are not). Henry’s teachings are powerful and can help us transcend the limitations we often impose upon ourse...
A Technology for Navigating Life
December 13, 2019 17:40 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBLet’s just say it, life is complicated! There is so much to figure out about ourselves, other people, how the world works... And where pray tell, is the manual for how to find our way? On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I have a spectacular conversation with Kilkenny Tremblay, Yogi, and Founder of Sanctuary Yoga and Mindfulness located in Philadelphia, PA. Having grown up in the yoga tradition from a very young age, Kilkenny shares the inner technology she learned that pr...
Making the Practice of Surrender Less Scary
November 29, 2019 12:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MBOn this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I have a spectacular conversation with Kilkenny Tremblay, Yogi, and Founder of Sanctuary Yoga and Mindfulness located in Philadelphia, PA. This was an amazing gift for me as Kilkenny is magical. Having grown up the child of yogis (how many of us can say that?!), yoga has been the foundation of her entire life. We have been exploring Ishvara Pranidhana, the final of the Niyamas, as the call to surrender. But surrender to what? Kilkenny of...
A Surrender Practice for Thanksgiving
November 22, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutes - 9.19 MBAs we head into Thanksgiving week, we tend to have gratitude on the mind. There are many beautiful reminders for us to pause and remember all that we have in our lives to feel grateful for. On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I invite you to broaden your typical thinking about the things that make it onto your gratitude list. What would it mean to not only express gratitude for the things that make you ‘feel good,’ but to embrace and truly experience gratitude for that whi...
What if...
November 15, 2019 12:00 - 6 minutes - 4.34 MBOn this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I offer up a poem by Rudyard Kipling, “If”, which speaks to what Surrender is and what it promises on the other side. If you are like most of us humans, you may be resistant to the concept of surrender or still feel unclear about what it looks like from moment to moment. If this is the case, take a listen to the powerful and instructive words of Rudyard Kipling.
When the plan falls apart...
November 08, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutes - 9.35 MBOn this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we talk about how we respond to the way life responds to our plans. There is a rare day when just about everything goes according to our plan, but how often does that actually happen? And how much suffering occurs in our lives when the plan is disrupted? On this episode, we explore what it means to plan and then surrender… what it means to stop fighting the way life unfolds and how to begin skillfully navigating the mystery that is great...
Opening the Doors to Self
October 26, 2019 14:05 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBIn the past, I have talked about Newton’s 1st and 2nd laws of physics and their relationship to coaching as I see it. This episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant relates to Newton’s third law: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” What I have come to realize about the practice of Svadhyaya (self-study) is that the more intense an experience is for us, there is going to be an equal and opposite reaction. If the experience is difficult for us, then we may first feel an ...
The World as We See It
October 18, 2019 16:06 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBWhen we look through a pair of tinted sunglasses, it makes sense to us that if the glasses are tinted brown, everything we see through them will have a brown tint. What we may not be aware of is that even if we are not wearing sunglasses, we are all walking through life with ‘tinted lenses.’ On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant find out how you can discover the ‘tint’ of your world lens? How are your lenses shaded? How does it impact not only what you see in the world, but ...
Locating the Treasure Within
October 11, 2019 11:00 - 13 minutes - 9.07 MBHave you ever wrapped a very precious gift in a box and then placed that box inside another, which you then placed inside another box and so on? This episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant begins to explore the Niyama of Sadyaya or Self Study, a process that can often feel like the ‘hoax’ of opening all of those boxes. Listen in to today’s episode as we explore ‘what’s the point’ of this self-study. And then journey with us throughout the month as we look at HOW to do this productively.
A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste
September 27, 2019 11:00 - 11 minutes - 7.84 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we take a final look at Tapas, the Niyama of Self-Discipline and what the point is anyway. As much as we like to think that we can control any part of our world, THIS is assuredly the illusion. The unexpected is around every corner; we never know what is coming next. Join me for this week’s episode where we discuss turning moments of disappointment, frustration or crisis into moments of grace.
Blessed by the Struggle
September 20, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBWhat is the purpose of self-discipline? Whether you are someone who embraces discipline or you are someone who struggles with it, what is the point? Sometimes self-discipline is mistaken for control. “If I am consistent about something, then I can control my environment.” But I do not believe control over the external world is the treasure hidden within the practice of self-discipline. On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we unpack both the purpose and practice of self-discipl...
The Courage to Shed What No Longer Serves
September 13, 2019 23:36 - 10 minutes - 7.43 MBIt is a truth of nature that sometimes things need to die in order for new life to blossom. Leaves fall and new growth appears on the trees. The trimming of bushes gives rise to healthier growth. We shed thousands of cells every day from our bodies making way for new, healthy ones to grow. While the shedding of what no longer serves is a regular part of the natural world, we can have a very hard time when it plays out in our human world. Relationships end, jobs end, children, grow and leave...
Why We Resist Contentment
August 30, 2019 11:30 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBWhat keeps us from experiencing contentment? On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, we explore the six most common barriers to contentment and offer a powerful strategy for overcoming any and all of the six. If you have chosen a life path to align yourself more with Santosha/Contentment, tune in.
The Path to Contentment
August 23, 2019 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBOn this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant, I am grateful to be speaking with my friend, colleague, and teacher, Henry Yampolsky. Henry is the President of the Living Peace Institute and a truly earnest practitioner of yoga. If you have any question about what ‘contentment’ really is, whether you have ever really felt it, and how you can expand your access to this experience, you will want to listen in to this conversation. Find out on today’s episode.
The Secret of Longevity
August 16, 2019 11:30 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBWhat do the following phrases all have in common? I just need…, As long as…, If only…, What I really need…, If ___ would just…, Why can’t…, Why don’t…, If I could…, All I need…, All I want… What do they have in common? Find out on today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant.
The Perfect Moment Might be Right Now
August 09, 2019 12:26 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we dive deep into the Niyama of Contentment. Even more than happiness, isn’t this what we really want? Why is it so elusive? Why do we spend much of life seeking it? How do we claim it? These are the questions we explore in today’s episode. If experiencing contentment is important to you, you will want to listen in.
How Honest Can We Truly Be With Ourselves?
July 26, 2019 13:39 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we explore what it means to be pure with ourselves. As I was reading Deborah Adele’s words, I was struck by how masterful we can be at hiding from ourselves. We create distractions, lie to ourselves, cover ourselves up, wear masks, and the list goes on. What would it actually mean to be honest with ourselves; fully pure with ourselves? Please join me for this final exploration of Saucha (purity) and let’s walk the path together of seeing how...
The True Purpose of This Life is to...
July 19, 2019 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBToday’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant is quite special. I recently spent a week on retreat at the Sivananda Ashram and Yoga Ranch in the Catskills, NY. It was my first time there and I had no idea what to expect. As grace would have it, it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life and I had the good fortune of being enrolled in a class called: From Asana to Stillness with Arjuna, my teacher. Arjuna, a 40+ year practitioner of yoga and 37-year veteran teacher with Siva...
Finding Our Essence
July 12, 2019 13:42 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBOn this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we begin talking about the Niyama of Saucha or Purity... Purity of body, mind (thought), words, and energy. What does it mean to purify ourselves? Why is this important? And HOW do we do this? These are all topics we begin to explore in this episode and continue to explore throughout the month. Please join me for the journey.
Love It...and Let It Go
June 28, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutes - 11.1 MBAs humans, we are faced with a challenging paradox… we are designed to love and care deeply, and yet we can only be free if we learn how to let go of that which we love and care deeply about. On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we continue to talk about Aparigraha or the Yama of non-attachment. We explore deeply this paradox of caring deeply about people, things and experiences, and at the same time, being called to continually practice non-attachment and letting go of the...
Try Letting Go of the Banana!
June 21, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBIn ancient India, when monkey catchers wanted to catch monkeys, they did not chase the monkey. Instead, they put a banana inside a cage with narrow bars. When the free monkey reached their hand in to get the banana, they were easy to catch because they refused to let go of the banana! On this week’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we talk about the ‘bananas’ we cling to that keep us imprisoned in a state of fear, anxiety, guilt, shame, exhaustion… oh, the number of prisons we can cre...
How to Transition with Grace and Ease
June 14, 2019 18:18 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBWhen a trapeze artist swings from one bar to the next or from the bar into the hands of a waiting circus artist, there is a moment when she or he is suspended in mid-air. For the acrobatic act to work, they must fully let go of the old secure bar BEFORE they are able to connect with the new bar or be caught by the hands of their partner acrobat. As the audience, this is typically the moment when we gasp, but the circus artist is not nervous. If they were, they would not succeed. They are not...
Can You Trust Life as You Trust Breath?
June 07, 2019 11:00 - 19 minutes - 13.1 MBThis month, on Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we are discussing the YAMA of Aparigraha - non-possessiveness or letting go. The Yama of Aparigraha presents us with a mindfulness challenge of major magnitude. Can we engage in life fully, love deeply, cherish whole-heartedly, enjoy deliciously, care passionately... and then let go? Can we take in each moment, relationship, experience, possession… and then let it go? Can we have and enjoy without becoming attached? Can we have and enjoy without be...
How to Stop Feeling Exhausted and Drained
May 24, 2019 13:03 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBHow can we reduce or stop the drain on our energy to achieve a greater state of balance and centeredness? How can we achieve a sense of balance and calm? We all encounter times in our life that tax our energy. Sometimes, however, we can over-exert energy to deal with this situation. We can take a minor problem and put the energy appropriate of a major problem towards it. On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we continue to talk about the Yama of Brahmacharya from a slightly diff...
Can You Find the Sacred?
May 17, 2019 15:46 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBFinding the sacred is easy when we look at a blossom that has just opened up or glimpse the smile of a young child. But how willing are we to seek the sacred in moments that are difficult when we feel inclined to indulge in complaining, feeling bad for ourselves, lashing out at others? On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant we continue to talk about the Yama of Brahmacharya - non-excess, walking with God, or the right use of energy. This commitment to the right use of energy call...
Pass on the Next Drink and Take a Walk with God
May 10, 2019 10:30 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBWhy do we reach for one more drink than we really need, one more helping after we are full, another hour of work after we have put in a full day… Why do we excess? On today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I talk about the Yama of Bramacharya - non-excess or walking with God, or right use of energy. Having too much, eating too much, working too much is never helpful for us, yet we can be seduced by them. Why does this happen and how can we turn toward mindful living? How can we step...
Don’t Steal the Wind From My Sails
April 26, 2019 10:30 - 14 minutes - 10 MBOn today’s episode of Wonder Your Way to Brilliant I talk about a topic near and dear to my heart… the non-stealing of energy. Have you ever been really excited about something only to have someone not notice, not care, or even worse, burst the bubble of your enthusiasm? Or have you ever felt bad the moment after you inadvertently stole the wind out of someone else’s sails? I am super sensitive to both of these and invite us to think about them as ‘stealing of energy.’ How do we raise our aw...