The Paterson Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Paterson Podcast
Although known by many as an artist, Leonardo da Vinci’s creativity was grounded in a scientific method and practice. Elegantly oscillating between the left and right hemisphere of the brain, da Vinci masterfully integrate the curious and critical mind in order to harness the genius of his creativity. Join us for today’s episode as we look to harmonize the scientific and artistic mind as we approach creative innovation to today’s presenting issues.
Although his plan to be a doctor was interrupted by World War II, Max De Pree returned from service in the Army to found Herman Miller and develop a philosophy of leadership focused on the integration of employee care and business success. Join us on today’s episode as we marvel at the wisdom of a man leading organizations 35 years ago, and why his leadership style survived the test of time.
Tom Paterson said that "Success is not unlimited opportunity, but focused possibility." He was articulating the power of focus; the power of saying 'yes' to the right things and 'no' to the wrong things. That discipline is hard. Greg McKeown gives us inspiration and tools to live the life of the Essentialist. As Greg reminds us, "if it isn't a definite yes, then it's an easy no." Join us this week as we explore Greg's book, Essentialism.
Greg Alexander has committed his professional life to helping owners of small service firms close the gap on scalability. In today’s episode, David and Stephen draw from Alexander’s book The Boutique and discuss the challenges small start-up firms face in preparing to scale.
In this short series, we'll be exploring some books and ideas that are helping leaders and teams around the world. Viktor Frankl's seminal book, Man's Search for Meaning, is one of the most impactful books of the last 100 years. Frankl shares from his own experience of being held captive in the Nazi concentration camps, and talks about his work creating the theory of logotherapy (a therapeutic approach to help us find meaning). In this book, Frankl speaks to us about taking responsibility for our own lives, living with tension, and allowing success to "ensue" rather than it being something we pursue.
Rebecca Bender is the CEO of the Rebecca Bender Initiative, and the Founder of Elevate Academy. She is also the Executive Producer of the upcoming Showtime Show, Coercion, inspired by her own story. Rebecca was trafficked for 6 long years. In her book, “In Pursuit of Love” she shares her journey from enslavement to escape, and to now leading Elevate Academy, an organization dedicated to supporting Survivors of human trafficking on their journey of healing and recovery. Here at the Paterson Center, we've partnered with Elevate, to bring free copies of LifePlan Launch to Survivors, to help many more Survivors step fully into the purpose they are created for.
Powerful Purpose is about choosing to live with meekness and humility in your authentic purpose, rather than living in the pressure of a purpose that is not yours to own. Our purpose is intended to be a labor of love, and not a labor of striving, or a labor of people-pleasing, or a labor of fear. Powerful Purpose is therefore where love is the driving force.Too often we are driven by the results, or the fame, or the money. We're driven by our need for affirmation and applause. But these needs can sometimes keep us from living our most powerful lives. This week, we wrap our series on power by considering the power of the purpose within each of us, and explore how we can live that out more authentically.
In today’s episode David and Stephen introduce the power of pause – the power found within the stillness of life that proves to enhance and support the activity of it.
In today’s episode David and Stephen explore the relationship between your power and your unique privilege and responsibility to elevate the voice and opinion of others around you.
How do we build powerful teams? How do we empower others? What is possible when we move forward together, as one? As Stephen reminds us on this week's podcast, "Where could we possibly get, together, if we were able to actually celebrate even the degree of influence, and power, and ability that you have to begin with?" It can be easy to think of power as something that is scarce. Something we have to claw our way after, to bring it within our own grasp. But in building powerful teams, we find the gift of empowering others. We find the gift of giving up a life of striving, and choosing a life of service and support. That kind of posture takes us to places of impact we never could get to alone.
There may be places within your life, or your leadership, where you feel powerless right now. Where you feel like your power has been lost, or even taken away. This week on the Paterson Podcast we're investigating the power within each of us, and considering how to use that power for great good.
In an age filled with endless noise and distraction vying for your attention and energy, it’s become increasingly difficult to protect the space in your day to renew in a truly replenishing way. Join us this week on the Paterson Podcast as we consider the inner and outer noise of our life. As we review the outer-noise of our environments that obscure our full engagement and productivity, and the inner-noise of our life that - when managed - offers the intermittent renewal we need to live healthy and sustainable lives.
So often, we only recognize the value of rest and replenishment when we're on the other side of burnout. When everything has shut down. When we've reached breaking point. The encouragement, then, is to be intentional today. Before everything falls apart. Before we find ourselves exhausted and stuck. The invitation is to consider all that you need to do and to practice, to show up in every arena of life filled up. Consider your own Replenishment Cycle. What are those 4-5 Replenishers in your life, that keep you replenished Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, and Spiritually?
Deep work. Over a long period of time. In community. That's what it can look like to really uncover all of the talent and heart that is buried inside of us. This week on the Podcast, we're talking about what it means to do that deep work ourselves, and to commit to it for many years. We consider what it looks like to surround ourselves with those who will encourage us on (especially when it's really hard).
We all need people in our lives who can spur us on towards good. This week on the Podcast, we're talking about what it means to surround yourself with people who will encourage you. People who will call you into more. People who will challenge you into greatness.
This week on the Paterson Podcast, we explore the importance of story – the importance of recovering the subtle intricacies of the past to shed light and meaning on the otherwise disconnected and alarming experiences in life.
What is the Operating System of your life? Are you living in alignment with what's true about you, or are you living in alignment with lies? This week on the Podcast, we're exploring strongholds -- those things in our life that keep us trapped. Strongholds might resemble words spoken to us or by us; wounds done to us or by us; the act of comparing ourselves to others; or our misguided seeking of perfection.
The way in which we define ourselves is directly related to who we become in this world. What we think about when we think about ourselves is the well we draw from to irrigate our lives. If the well is rich in nutrients, the soil becomes rich in nutrients. If the well is contaminated with microorganisms, we can expect the soil of our lives to have serious implications on the health and stability of our growth.
In this new Podcast series, Unearthed, we begin by looking at questions of identity. We explore the difference between looking in, looking out, and looking up, as we each seek an answer to the question: Who Am I?
Todd Elliott, Founder of FILO (First In, Last Out) works with Technical Creatives around the country, helping them do their work with greater impact. In this conversation, we learn about what it looks like to guide creative teams forward; how to surface the very best ideas (that at first can appear to be hidden); and how to execute with excellence. Todd speaks about how this kind of work is often both invisible and transparent. Invisible, in that you are doing work that very few people will ever see, understand, or even care about. Transparent, in that you are a conduit for what’s happening in the room or on the stage. It’s an invitation to consider the hidden parts of our leadership, purpose, and impact. And to consider how we might focus on supporting other voices, other people, and other talents. Let’s engage the invisible and transparent parts of our own impact.
We all know the pain and suffering our choices have made. We’ve promised to change. We’ve sworn to do better. We’ve vowed to leave it all behind. Yet we continue to do the things we don’t want to do, and not the things we want to do. In today’s conversation, we talk with Steve Carter about curiously and courageously exploring The Thing Beneath the Thing – the title of Steve’s latest book. Steve transparently recounts the mending of past wounds through the process of unlearning the patterns that have kept him stuck, insecure and afraid. Join us as we look to integrate the painful elements of the past into the present moment at hand - that we may believe as Steve believes: “There’s nothing to prove, there’s nothing to lose, there’s nothing to hide.”
Mark Stoleson is the CEO of Legatum, an investment firm based in Dubai. Legatum uses proprietary capital to invest in breakout business opportunities. They are focused on improving people’s lives by increasing prosperity across the world. Since their founding, 15 years ago, they’ve launched some remarkable organizations focused on ending modern-day slavery, ending neglected diseases, and giving the most impoverished children access to an excellent education. In this conversation, David and Mark talk about the power of patience, getting to conviction, and leaving a legacy.
Super Bowl Champion Don Davis joins us on the Podcast this week. Don is the Senior Director of Player Affairs for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), the union that governs the professional football players of the NFL. In this role, Don serves as the union’s direct point of contact and lead player rights advocate for all 1900 active players within the NFL. Prior to joining the NFLPA, Don enjoyed a successful 11-year playing career and earned two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots. Upon retirement, he was then handpicked by Coach Bill Belichick to serve as the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and Team Chaplain in 2007. Read the synopsis of Don's dissertation here.
When we encounter loss in our story, the process of grief begins and we must respond. Will we choose to cooperate with the process, allowing ourselves to experience the array of emotion, or will we isolate in an attempt to block out our feelings? If you have experienced deep loss, you understand that grief can be a disorienting and unexpected visitor. We may feel miles away from a time of loss, going through the motions of the day, when we are struck by grief. A rush of emotion floods our heart and mind once more, bringing tears to our eyes and an ache in our chest. Other times, we find ourselves smiling and laughing as we recall sweet memories of the past. One of the beautiful gifts of living life in community is that we can go through the process of grief, surrounded by people who love us and desire to support us in meaningful ways. This week, David is joined by Meghann Guentensberger, President and Co-Founder of Rylie’s ARK. The Guentensbergers seek to honor the legacy of their daughter Rylie through practical acts of kindness, impacting the world around them and inspiring others to do the same. Join us on the Paterson Podcast to hear how Meghann has journeyed through grief with her community alongside. If you are interested in learning how you can make a difference through Rylie’s ARK, visit RyliesARK.org for more information. Meghann's Blog
Join us as David and Stephen review the different guides you meet in pursuit of your individual and organizational purpose – today we’ll hear about the role of Master Guides and the unique way in which they lead us into the hidden truth behind the circumstances of our life.
Stepping into places of purpose can feel like stepping into terrain that is risky and dangerous. The dangers can be both real and imagined. They might be emotional risks, like the danger of disappointing others or the danger of failing. Or they might even be physical risks, like if our purpose calls us to step into places around the world where our safety is in jeopardy. Protective Guides don't rescue us from all of the danger, but rather they can empower us to navigate the journey with greater wisdom and courage.
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss the characteristics found within the nurturing figures of your life. We’ll peel apart the layers of why they’re so influential and submit ideas on how to satisfy that need in your own life.
Often, when looking for the right answer in life, we seek out the most intelligent person within your field of inquiry. However, when you’re seeking greater perspective in life, you don’t pursue the most intelligent person you can find, you seek the wisest one. Intelligence can provide us with excellent answers to our questions; Wisdom will offer you a whole new set of questions to consider. Join us today as we look to distinguish that difference and pursue Wise Guides in our journeys of purpose.
Kirk Noonan leads the Convoy Nation at Convoy of Hope. A faith-based nonprofit, focused on easing suffering in the world, Convoy of Hope has served 150+ million people in 125 nations or territories around the world. In this conversation, Kirk speaks of taking people to the trailheads of great adventures, and guiding many more of us to step into the adventure we are being called into. We hear how when Kirk arrives with the Convoy team in a place of great suffering and devastation, his prayer is not to be kept safe, or to experience great success; rather, his prayer is to be guided to the people in greatest need, and to the greatest stories possible. It’s a prayer and intention of great courage and service.
Corey is the Co-Founder and CEO of Zuul, a technology company powering a brand new model of food delivery. Their innovative approach expands the revenue and reach of restaurateurs, while delivering a unique experience to customers. Whereas so many of the food delivery apps eat away at the (already razor-thin) restaurant margins, Zuul’s model is crafted to put more money in the pockets of the Operators — to help many more people thrive in the business of food. The journey to get here hasn’t been easy. After Corey had heard his 200th “No” from Venture Capitalists, his wife bought him a framed copy of Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” quote, and encouraged him to press on. Corey kept going, and eventually the eyes of Investors were opened to what Corey already saw — a remarkable opportunity to bring innovation and value throughout the entire food industry.
Before we set out on a journey, we take time to gather our necessary supplies and chart our course. Even with the most informed strategy to reach our destination, we may encounter glitches in the system that lead us down the wrong path. What does it look like to have the courage and decisiveness to pursue what we know is right? During this episode of the Paterson Podcast, we will consider the evolution of modern-day navigation and how this mirrors the way we negotiate the turn-by-turn directions of our own lives.
When does preparation for your journey change from precaution to panic? How do you know if your preparation is motivated by resourcefulness or if it is driven by fear and anxiety? This week on the Paterson Podcast we’ll discuss the subtle nuances of preparation and how to distinguish if they are fueling your confidence or your cowardice.
What distinguishes a treasured map from a trivial one? A treasured map highlights all of the essential information and shields you from all the distractive and noisy stuff. Without the essential information, every step we take forward is planted with caution, suspicion and fear. What about the maps, plans, and playbooks we use to navigate our life and work? Join us today as we discuss how to distinguish the essential information from the distractive stuff so you can confidently plant your feet on your pathway forward.
If we can define what we’re pursuing, then lost is any time we’re in conflict or misalignment with that purpose.” — Stephen Milburn We’ve all experienced that feeling of being lost. Perhaps it’s on a road trip, or a hike. Or perhaps it’s in your vocation, your community, or your relationships. Perhaps it’s in the organization you help to lead. What do we do when we sense we’re moving in the wrong direction? What can we do when we feel lost in the different arenas of our lives? We have to first get really clear on what we’re trying to pursue. This is true for our personal lives and for our organizations. And when that true north is clear, then we can build the right strategies and steps to stay in alignment with that purpose.
Changing with the times is an essential component for anyone seeking a fresh expression of their calling in the world. Before Nokia was ever a mobile phone empire it was first a pulp manufacturer and at one point in their story even tried their luck at footwear. Join us today as we explore the hidden connection behind a calling and the creativity needed to adapt under the tectonic shifts of today’s world.
When asked to describe yourself, you may not struggle to find words that illustrate either your reflection in the mirror, or your personality. However, defining our individual purpose is a difficult challenge for most. While you may not feel you have the words to articulate why you exist, your purpose is not hidden on another continent. Your purpose is deep within you, ready to be lived out each day — in every relationship and applied to life’s greatest challenges.
For many of us, we base our identity on the things we do, how well we perform, and what we achieve. Although the things we do are certainly important, identity is more than doing something; identity exists before we do anything. Join us today as we explore our understanding of identity and how it will transform the way you do everything.
A quest is a noble pursuit of truth and purpose. To search for something that was lost or taken, often in the face of great danger and risk. Great quest-ions do the same; the search us and pursue us, to find truth and things that are hidden. Every story is a quest. It's a journey of great struggle, challenge, opportunity, and impact. Think of the story of your life; it's been a quest, and continues. What are you on the quest for? What are you seeking and searching for? On the Paterson Podcast, we're exploring the quest and the questions we are facing today.
The greatest wasted resource in the world is human talent. It's a treasure that is buried all around us -- in our schools, businesses, churches, and families. Imagine a world where millions more people are awakened to their unique, creative purpose, unleashed to use their heart and talents in remarkable ways. How would that reality change your family, your company, and your community? Through the Paterson Purpose Project, we're partnering with businesses, churches, and nonprofits, to launch and inspire a global movement of identity, purpose, and impact. Over the last 40 years, we've been able to help 10,000s of people and teams, but we believe the call of this moment is to help millions more. There's buried treasure everywhere. Let’s go find it, together.
Along the path of life, we will all navigate moments of great joy and deep pain. If conflict is unavoidable, how might we approach the challenges we experience in this life to ultimately bring about transformation? In this episode, David and Stephen discuss the reality that we will all encounter times of conflict, confusion and calamity. While we are unlikely to find the silver lining of our struggles in the moment, we will have the opportunity to look back on even the most painful experience with a heart of gratitude. Listen in as we share practical tips for those who wrestling with life’s challenges and an invitation to integrate conflict in a way that brings life and love to the world around us.
Parker Palmer encouraged us to “let your life speak.” So the question is, as your life speaks, what does your life story have to tell you?
We continue our series on Story this week, looking together at the themes of our story. As you look at your own story, what themes do you see rising to the surface? Perhaps themes of struggle and challenge. Or themes of loss and failure. Themes of success and breakthrough. And what about you, the protagonist — what themes do you learn about yourself in your story? Perhaps you see a theme of leadership. Or a theme of overcoming the odds. Or a theme of perseverance through trials.
Understanding the themes of our story helps each of us to understand what we’re made from, and what we’re made for.
We can so quickly race to the question, “where am I going?” but we can miss the invitation to pause and ask, “where am I from?” We invite you this week to pay attention to your story, and identify the themes therein, that have so much to teach you about your talents, heart, and purpose in the world.
In this week’s episode, we take a moment to consider the various settings of our story. From our earliest memories in our family home, to the encounters we will have tomorrow, each takes place in an enviroment that brings our senses to life. The rich landscapes -- filled with sights, sounds, textures, smells, and emotions -- provide meaningful context for the experiences that are stamped into our memory. Join us today as we take a look at our relationship to setting and why it really matters.
Join us this week on the Podcast as we embark on a new series; a series on story. In this first episode in the new series, we're talking about our own personal stories and the characters we meet along the way; the characters that challenge, support, or breathe life into our purpose and calling. We're also thinking about the characters that push against us; the characters who come alongside us; and the characters that we ourselves are pursuing. Just as Anais Nin described years ago, “we do not see the world as it is, we see the world as we are.” We are the protagonist of our own story. We each have a goal inscribed on our soul; a compass pointing us forward. Yet we also experience the antagonist; something or someone inside or outside of ourselves, revealing a tension we must enter and integrate in order to move forward. In this episode, we explore the different characters in our story, and how understanding those characters (including understanding ourselves) can help us live with greater purpose and impact.
Before he ever set out to publish his own titles, Mark Batterson consumed the published work of others. Reading over 3000 books over 13 years, he reverse engineered them to become self-taught in his own writing craft.Today, Mark is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC and a New York Times bestselling author. His latest title, Win the Day, shares practical insights to harnessing the power of twenty-four hours. The vision at NCC is ever-expanding, and their impact on the DC community is tangible.In this week’s podcast episode, David Mitchell hosts Pastor Mark in a candid conversation that naturally gravitates to Mark’s ability to inspire others in their leadership. “What we’ve got to do I believe, is stand in the gap as peace-makers, grace-givers and tone-setters. This is the moment when leaders lead.”
Living out purpose within your community may feel difficult at first. But as we salvage where and how to replenish personally, clarifying where and how to most fully express our talent and heart becomes a simple extension of what we already do. Join us today as we explore ways to acknowledge our purpose, and bring what we find into calibration with our hunger for community.
It’s intimidating to discern your life purpose alone. It’s frustrating to know your purpose and not have a way to express it. It’s daunting to consider a way to express it in a practical and compensatory way. Join us today as we share simple and meaningful ideas for how to narrow the gap between your great delight in the world and the world’s great appreciation for it.
For many of us, we relegate our purpose in life to the area of life where we are most productive. We see our purpose as a means to an end – as a way to bring helpful compensation into our bank account. Join us today as we broaden our understanding of purpose to include the ripple effect it creates within our family.
Today we begin a four-part series on Purpose. Purpose can be an intimidating conversation. When we consider our individual purpose, we might feel pressure to generate an inspiring phrase that captures who we aspire to be. We also run the risk of misunderstanding our unique contribution to the world if we only think about our existence in the most general terms of humanity’s purpose. Join David and Stephen as they discuss the importance of living into our unique purpose and how it plays out within our personal Life Domain.
When Jake Weidmann puts his calligraphy pen to paper, there is an immediate connection between his heart and his hand. As Jake explains, the calligraphy pen is so sensitive to pressure and force, that it literally picks up the heartbeat of the one holding it; the murmurings and tremors of the heart show up in the pressure and flow of the pen on the paper. As a master penman (one of only 9 in the world and the youngest by a few decades), Jake brings his heart and theology to every piece he creates. In our latest Podcast episode, we sit down with Jake to talk about art, theology, and the creative process.
If you spend even a few moments with Austin and Esther Havens Mann, two professional photographers focused on capturing travel and humanitarian subjects, respectively, you’ll hear them talk about light. Whether it’s Esther helping people see themselves in “new light,” or Austin finding places where the light breaks through; through their lens, you’ll see the world in a whole new way. The Mann’s work has been featured in National Geographic, Forbes, and the New York Times. Their clients include Apple, Charity:Water, and TOMS shoes. In today's podcast episode, we caught up with the Manns, to talk all things creativity, humanity, and mastery. Listen in today.