Often we choose not to do something because of how we think we’ll feel about it. But it turns out we’re not that great at understanding how something will actually feel—because we can’t account for how we, ourselves, will change in the process. Today we interview father of three kids under four, Mathias Jakobsen, the founder of Think Clearly, about his journey into parenting.
How do you work your way back after experiencing the severe trauma of a great loss? What if that trauma was wrapped up in living through an armed conflict, either as a victim or aggressor? And what if a culture of violence was the only life you’d ever known? The people of Colombia have been endured armed conflict since the mid-1960’s, when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other guerrilla movements began fighting for influence in the country. In 2010, Natalia and María Adelaida López founded Dunna: Creative Alternatives for Peace, to introduce basic poses to both the poor, mostly rural victims of the conflict and the guerilla fighters who once terrorized them. The yoga classes have proven to reduce the symptoms of PTSD and equip locals with the tools to heal themselves. Today Natalia shares the science behind yoga’s ability to heal, the similarities among victims and aggressors of the conflict, and her surprise at people’s capacity for change.
What do entrepreneurs actually look like? Entrepreneurs are a rich mix of women, people of color, old, young, and more — yet round-up lists perpetuate the idea that an “Entrepreneur” is defined solely as an ambitious white male. In fact, the latter is more true: women and people of color tend to embrace entrepreneurship at a disproportionate rate precisely because the landscape of creating a new organization in your vision is so compelling. Here’s why “best of” lists keep missing the mark.
Tamsen Webster, the Executive Producer of the oldest and one of the largest locally organized TED talk events in the world, is self-described as “pattern-driven,” and likes to have a plan. Today, we talk about her journey into parenting, and how her ideas for pregnancy (and even marriage) were very different than reality.She dove into her first pregnancy with a plan: she would have a natural birth and breastfeed her baby, as the research suggests. But nothing went according to plan. Even her work was wildly different than she expected when her boss changed while she was on leave. Tamsen shares her challenging parenting journey, admitting that having her sons “knocked her sideways,”—and that she unexpectedly became an entrepreneur as a result.
Why do we only show outgoing, extroverted, and confident business people as the model for success? In a world where most successful entrepreneurs and business owners are afraid to show any weakness, Morra Aarons-Mele is a breath of fresh air. The mother of three kids and the founder of Women Online, an award-winning social impact agency, she’s a key fixture in the world of digital marketing, even though she does most of her work at home, in her yoga pants. She’s the author of “Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert’s Roadmap to Getting Out There (When You’d Rather Stay Home),” and admits that we’re all just faking it. In her work, book, and this podcast she explores how to harness the power of your “onlyness” and make the work environment work for you.