Change Your Story, Change Your Life

CRAZY STORIES You’re probably familiar with the idea of self talk. Maybe, you’re too familiar with it. You just assume you know what it is, so you take it for granted. You understand self talk in your head. But, you don’t pay close attention to it in your daily life. Don’t worry. You are not alone. This episode looks closely at the real power of self talk to enrich your life, or to destroy it. When self talk happens automatically and is not monitored it can create crazy stories. Crazy stories are vivid narratives that sometimes lead to horrible actions. In this episode, we explore the self talk that triggers  the violent actions of young school shooters. When a human being loses it, goes ballistic, and explodes into a murderous rampage that ends the lives of many people, we are usually at a loss to explain the killer’s motives and actions. We distance ourselves from the horror by labelling the person crazy. It makes us feel safe. We are sane, and the killer is crazy. It see

WHO WRITES YOUR STORY? Is your life based on lies, made-up stories, or noble beliefs? What if they are all the same thing? Then, the important question becomes, “Who writes your story?” This episode explore the idea that we all need stories to motivate and inspire our lives, and that all our beliefs serve to keep us in the game of living. But, make no mistake about it; all beliefs are constructs. They are made up. Most of us grew up with strong beliefs about the importance of formal education. The story goes that education defines intelligence, it bestows respect, and it opens the doors to success and happiness. That education story is coming apart quickly in our world. Look around you, and you will find many happy highly successful people who do not have much, if any, formal education. My perception is that the education story is designed to do three things: prepare you to think and live as an employee conditions you to seek external approval for your life choices define who is intellige

ZERO LIMITS This episode takes a deeper dive into the premise of my podcast; it explores the idea that every thought you have, every word you speak, is a story or part of a story. That means that you are making up reality; you are making up and creating your life. You have the potential to create a life with zero limits. Will you do it? I found the inspiration for today’s show in the work of Joe Vitale, one of the teachers in the famous movie, “The Secret.” Vitale co-authored, with Dr. Hew Len,  a powerful book called, Zero Limits: The Secret Hawaiian System for Health, Wealth, Peace, and More. The insights from the book support the idea that we are all storytellers, and that the lives we live, and the world we perceive, are creations of our minds. You will discover the power behind Joe Vitale’s six zero limit insights: http://changeyourstorypodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Zero-1.png ()   Your mind chatter may strongly resist what you hear in this episode. That̵

THOUGHTS ARE THINGS Today’s episode is truly a game changing, story changing thing. You will learn why and how your thoughts are things; they are thought things. Thoughts are things is not just an analogy.  It is literal. A thought is as much a thing as a hot burning coal, a shard of glass, or a soft pillow. And, like things, thoughts affect your physical body. You’ll be amazed at what science is revealing about the power of your thoughts to create any reality you desire. Enjoy this adventurous exploration into the science history behind our views of the world and ourselves. Here are just a few of the mind expanding nuggets in this episode of Change Your Story, Change Your Life: 17th Century Beliefs – Our current view of the physical world and reality is based on the outdated thinking of Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia, written in 1687 17th Century Mind – Our predominant view of human consciousness is a hand-me-down from Rene Descartes’ idea that mind and matter are se

STORY LOOPS We all get caught in story loops, but often we don’t know it. In fact, we may not even know what a story loop is. A story loop is a recurring thought or series of thoughts that play in our heads over and over. It’s like listening to a broken record that’s stuck in one spot. We experience three different kinds of story loops: Obsession – We are preoccupied with something or someone that we have made very important in our minds. Resistance – We have recurring unpleasant thoughts that make us feel anxious and upset. We try to make the thoughts go away by fighting them. This makes them even stronger and more dominant. Identification – We identify with a a label about us or a belief relating to our self image. Usually, these thoughts are not empowering. There is a way to free ourselves from the incessant repetition of these loops. It requires us to become observers of the mental stream that constantly flows through our minds. When you are the observer, you

NAME GAME This episode explores the question, “What’s in a name?” Listen and play the name game while you learn some fascinating things about your name and your persona. We all have a name. Most of us take our names for granted. We don’t think about the stories our names tell to the world. Robert tells a different story than Bobby.  In my case, Louis tells a different story than Louie. Here’s my story about that. I play a lot of mobsters in movies. I used to go by the name of Louie. And, on many movie sets, people joked around with me, using my name in a casual way. Basically, the name made them treat me, not badly, but in a manner that was sometimes too familiar for my liking. One day, on a new movie shoot, an assistant director asked if I went by Louie or Louis. I said Louis. What a game changer. People treated me differently. It was as if I had gained a new instant authority. You’ll discover some eye-opening and entertaining insights in my discussion of some promin

GOOD HOOD This episode will empower you to triumph over any of life’s circumstances. You will hear the true inspiring story of a man who was born into extreme adversity and chose to create an extraordinary life in spite of it. The man is Johnny Wimbrey. He was raised in a battered women’s shelter. He learned to survive on the street as a fourteen year old drug dealer. He had a rap sheet before he was twenty. Today, he is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, coach and team builder to pro athletes, high performing business people, politicians, and media celebrities. He is also devoted husband, father, and humanitarian who helps relieve suffering worldwide. You will not only learn and be inspired by what he says. You will also discover how a compelling communicator speaks when you hear and feel his authentic energy. Here are just a few of the gems in this interview with  Johnny Wimbrey, the good hood: How a friend’s murder led to Johnny’s redemption Why Johnny gave away

FOMO It must be pretty widespread to have its own acronym. I’m talking about FOMO, the fear of missing out. Missing out on what? Anything. You name it. Not having the latest smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. Not getting in on the prelaunch of a marketing guru’s latest course or product. Missing the deadline for that VIP membership site; hey, who knows when or if it will open again? We’ve all experienced the fear of missing out to some degree in our lives. After all, this is the digital age when shiny objects pop up out of thin air 24/7 to taunt and entice us. This episode explores three ways that FOMO can show up to influence our emotions and our actions: SHOPPING Fear of Missing Out – This is the classic shiny object syndrome. Usually, this kind of fear stalks us online. We get hooked by an “irresistible offer” for a digital product or course. Can be expensive, but it’s fairly harmless. OVERWHELM – This is the fear that constantly reminds us th

STAGES OF TRUTH The philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, gave us the concept of the three stages of truth. There’s a debate about whether or not it was Schopenhauer. That’s not what this podcast is about. This episode explores the brilliant observation that any new truth must pass through three stages before it is fully accepted and embraced by society. The three stages of truth are: Ridicule Violent Opposition Self Evident It’s fascinating that people will accept something as self evident, and, at that stage, even embrace it and passionately promote it after they violently opposed it. What does that mean? It means that humans are hardwired to strongly resist change and to make many of their choices irrationally. Most of our decisions are emotionally based and rationally justified. That’s what makes us storytelling machines. Here are some examples in our world of things that have either passed through or are still going through the three stages of truth. The automobile The a

SCARY STORY This episode is about a scary story that isn’t scary at all. In fact, it’s an exciting story if you choose to see what it’s really about. First, an important reminder. Tyrion Lannister, at the finale of Game of Thrones, says that people are not united by armies, gold, or flags. They are united by stories, and that there is nothing more powerful than a good story. The people who laugh at that statement don’t get how profound it is. Tyrion is saying that all of life is a magnificent story. Civilizations are built on stories. Think of the Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud. You will learn about three brilliant authors, all critical thinkers, who passionately articulate the message that the world we perceive with our senses is a made-up story, it’s an illusion that veils a powerful limitless reality behind it. These three people of higher consciousness are: Bruce Lipton, a biologist who wrote The Biology of Belief. The book scientifically explodes the idea that we are

OWN YOURSELF This episode is an interview with Jennifer Leigh, a woman who refused to be defined by anyone’s standards but her own. Her journey of self-determination will inspire you fully own yourself. Jennifer is a successful crisis management and social strategy consultant who works with companies and people to help them through growth and change. She earned the right to do what she does by creating a new life when her marriage and business fell apart. She picked up the pieces and launched Graceful and Gumption, her current company that empowers others.  Here are just a few of the empowering gems you’ll discover in this episode: How Jennifer became the compassionate “pitbull in a dress” A positive spin on being high maintenance The important difference between alpha feminine and alpha masculine Insight – we teach people how to treat us The growth secrets Jennifer learned by working in palliative care How Jennifer learned to heal and remain true to herself BOOKS IN

GAME OF THRONES What secrets can you learn from Game of Thrones? More than you can imagine. This episode reveals some fascinating gems in the finale of the epic series, Game of Thrones. There are powerful lessons in the show about life, power, and storytelling. First, we must answer the question, “Who won the Game of Thrones?” We know that Bran the Broken was named emperor of six kingdoms. Many audience members were shocked and appalled by this choice. But, did Bran really win the throne? I don’t think so. I believe that true leader and winner of the game is Tyrion Lannister. The last episode demonstrates this beautifully. And, it is perfect. Tyrion is the only character fit to rule. Here’s why: Compassion – Tyrion is a deeply compassionate person. He genuinely cares about people. Intelligence – No one in the seven kingdoms is smarter than Tyrion Lannister. Diplomacy – Tyrion has proven himself as the ultimate diplomatic negotiator throughout all eight season

EXPONENTIAL INCOME This 200th episode of Change Your Story, Change Your Life looks at the stories behind our beliefs about money. It explores some facts and myths that may affect your life in ways your never thought about. You’ll learn: The fascinating link that unites these three things – sewing machines, cars, and hamburgers A brief history of franchises The powerful difference between linear and residual or exponential income Why exponential income is so attractive and so scary limiting beliefs, Sylvester Listen in for a surprising, thought provoking, entertaining ride.

SINGULARITY This episode is about human evolution. It’s about digital technology. It’s about disruption. It’s the story of the singularity. What is the singularity? It’s that moment in time when AI exceeds human intelligence and man merges with the machine. Sounds like a sci-fi horror story? To some. To others, like Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near, it’s a step in human development that takes us closer to genius and immortality. I do not try to impose a point of view on you in this podcast. I do want you to open your mind to the dramatic changes that are happening and will continue to happen to your world as digital technology advances. You will learn fascinating things about the latest developments in: Manufacturing with 3D Printing Construction – homes can be 3D printed in a few days Transportation – the emergence of driverless vehicles Retail – it will slowly disappear as more people shop online Longevity – the ability to live

RULES OF CONSENT Should we hate or thank Harvey Weinstein. His behavior as a sexual predator awakened a new social awareness about the dialogue between men and women when it comes to sex. The Me Too movement has raised uncomfortable and important questions about the rules of consent. One of those questions is, “When does yes mean no?” It’s a heated question; some may feel that yes can only mean yes.. Today’s podcast guest is talented Canadian playwright, Amy Lee Lavoie. Her latest play, C’MON, Angie, puts the challenging question, when does yes mean no, front and center. I interviewed the actors of the Toronto production of C’MON, Angie in episode 193. Now, you get to hear from the woman who created this smart play that explodes our notions about the rules of consent between sexual partners. Are you ready to learn, grow, and get uncomfortable about the way you may view sex, seduction, and what is right and wrong in the bedroom? Then you will enjoy this discussion betwee

IDEAL STORY It’s good to pursue ideals. Right? Not always. When you set goals that are really ideals, you create a blueprint for disappointment and failure. How do you know the difference between an ideal and a real goal? That’s what this ideal story reveals. This episode presents the core ideas of Dan Sullivan’s brilliant book, The Gap and the Gain: Building Your Progress and Happiness on How Your Brain Works for You. Dan is a powerful agent of change whose thinking can dramatically transform your personal and financial life. In today’s podcast you’ll learn: The huge difference between and ideal and a real goal Why pursuing an ideal is like trying to reach the horizon Why looking back is more productive than looking forward How to set and pursue goals that constantly energize you Why you should want a progress vs. results mindset Dan Sullivan created Strategic Coach, a company that has catapulted the success of entrepreneurs for decades. he has a gift for explainin

TRUE STORIES Is it possible for a true story to be untrue? Yes. Although true stories are based on”facts,” the person “telling” the story must present those facts in a frame that carries his/her bias  or interpretation of the facts. Simply put, what we call objective reality is always tinged by subjectivity. What you look at is always colored by the lens through which you view it. This episode explores fascinating examples of this. The first one focuses on a famous Impressionist painting, “Le Pont de l’Europe,” by Gustave Caillebotte. The English translation is “The Bridge of Europe.” The painting seems like a realistic representation of the bridge. Closer inspection reveals a “distorted” or exaggerated perspective that the artist used to create specific feelings and thoughts about his society. You may be intrigued when you learn about: Diane Arbus – her famous photographs of people are far from objective representations of their

SUITS People wear suits. People love suits. People hate suits. There’s a popular TV series called Suits. Suits tell stories. They tell stories, and we buy into them. Sometimes, the stories are innocent. Sometimes, they’re not. This episode explores the history of suits in Western culture. It looks at how styles have changed as well as the symbolic stories that accompany those styles. You’ll learn about how you see others and yourself as we travel through time with changing fashions. These are some of the stops we’ll make along the way: Regency period – early 19th century – the age of Beau Brummell, a British dandy and fashion setter. Victorian period – mid 19th century – the age of the morning coat and the introduction of the dinner jacket for men. Edwardian period – early 20th century – the morning coat becomes standard business dress in town and country. Post World War I into the 1920s – short suits become popular and the dinner jack

STORY OF A HAT Imagine if your clothes could talk. What would they say? What stories would they tell? This episode is about a “talking” hat; it’s about the story of a hat. This no ordinary hat. It is the  red MAGA hat worn by Trump supporters. Not only does this hat talk, it tells different stories to different people. Strong, loud, passionate stories that, all too often, trigger violent actions. Earlier this month, a black man wearing a MAGA hat was violently assaulted and robbed by two other black men because he would not remove the hat when they ordered him to. The hat inflamed them. It triggered a STORY in their heads that led to violence. We project all sorts of stories onto neutral objects and onto people. When we do that we are slaves to our narratives. Here are a few of the provocative questions and insights you’ll discover in this episode: What is the nature of story? How do your story filters color your view of the world? What happens if you don’t  take full r

GETTING LAID Yes, today’s podcast is all about sex. It’s all about getting laid. No, the show is not becoming a porn pod. Today, we will explore what sex means to a man and a woman who spend a night together between the sheets. You’ll discover that it can mean very different things to each of them. Our guests are Anne van Leeuwen and Ryan Hollyman, two very talented actors who are currently performing in a play called C’MON, Angie at the Assembly Theatre in Toronto. This is a smart, compelling, provocative play that confronts the uncomfortable question, “What is sexual consent?” It’s an important and even dangerous question when the people forced to answer it have spent what could be seen as a “wild night in bed.” This episode will take you on a fascinating journey that will challenge you, make you feel and think differently, and take you on an important inner journey toward the heart of who you are as a man or a woman. This is some of the territory