Tag: Blog

Leading with Presence, not panic

Feminine Wisdom for the Future of Work I found the Economist’s recent article, “A Manager’s Guide to Handling Crises”, offers two insights that resonate deeply with the evolving landscape of leadership—especially for women, technologists, and wellbeing advocates. Although traditional crisis management tends toward hierarchy, a horizontal, decentralized approach is far stronger. When you distribute authority and decision-making, teams closest to the action can respond in real time. Decentralized leadership breaks down silos. This enables organizations to be flexible, able to pivot at any moment and adapt faster to disruption. Because women naturally foster collaboration, women leaders excel here. The more

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Finding Stability in an Upside-Down World—The Wisdom of Inversion

Recently, my world is turning upside down every morning at 6am. It all began when my niece Dena came to visit us here in Italy from Atlanta a few weeks ago. Upon learning that Dena is a black belt in Karate, my neighbor Charles, a Kung Fu teacher, invited her to give a demonstration of her practice. As I watched my gentle, petite niece stamping and screaming like a fierce roaring tiger across Charles’ porch, I realized something profound. My yoga practice, which has been my anchor for 3 decades, needs an upgrade. In today’s world—where uncertainty reigns and democracy

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Happy May 1st to you all!

I hope you’re getting some sunshine – the roses here in Cordovado are in bloom, and after picking up my car in Austria (post-accident repairs!), I even braved a quick dip in freezing Attersee lake in the Salzkammergut. Today to celebrate May Day, I have a little gift for you: a 2-minute video: “From Distraction to Presence: Inside the Launch of Embody” Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JObooS6sKxw In it, I share why I wrote Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction. If you’re tired of being told to “just stop scrolling,” this is for you. I don’t want you to

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The Third Intelligence

We’ve developed our IQ (Intelligence Quotient) through education and cultivated our EQ (Emotional Intelligence) through personal development. Yet there’s a crucial third intelligence that is a crucial skill to develop in today’s digital world: Body Intelligence (BQ). What is Body Intelligence? Body Intelligence is your capacity to listen to, interpret, and respond to the wisdom of the body. It allows you to: Unlike IQ, which measures cognitive abilities, or EQ, which addresses emotional awareness, BQ focuses on the intelligence that resides in the body—a powerful wisdom that has evolved over millennia. Why BQ Matters More Than Ever In our screen-dominated world,

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It’s time to forage

Where I live in Italy, there’s wild garlic in the fields right now—earthy, pungent, alive. I’m kneeling in the damp grass, fingers brushing green blades, and for these moments, I’m not a brain on a screen. I’m in a body in the world. This is the basis of embodiment. Neuroscientifically, it’s called sensory grounding (touch, smell, movement). This shifts us out of hypercognitive mode—that frazzled state where we mistake ourselves for thinking machines. Studies show even brief nature exposure lowers cortisol, while tactile engagement (like foraging) reactivates the vagus nerve, dialing down stress. My new book, Embody: The Power of Presence in an

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Three Ways to Come Alive this Spring

The first one is skiing—just look at those colors! I took that photo a few weeks ago in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy). This rejuvenates the soul as well as body. I’ve got two other ways that are equally as powerful. The “24-hour reset The first one is the “24-hour reset.” Carving out a day dedicated to sleep. That’s right: 24 hours in bed, free from distractions, responsibilities, and external stimuli. Why wait until you’re completely burnt out or sick to give yourself this incredible gift? What Does It Involve? My rules are simple: 24 hours in bed with no input from

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Welcome to Spring! 

Today is the vernal equinox. The official start of spring is a great time for new beginnings, which is why I’ve chosen to show you the new cover of the book Embody. Designed by the fabulous American graphic designer Pamela Berry, the cover shows me watching the sunset in 650,000 square meters of sand in the Empty Quarter Desert of Oman. I was in Oman to prepare my last great Scottish event. Sitting in the silence of the desert, I realized just how small and inconsequential I—and all my plans—were compared to the magnificence of nature. It was a wonderful

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Room with a View 

Guincho beach in Portugal, as seen from our hotel room window. Every year we come here, staying at our favorite hotel, the quirky Muchaxo, to recharge our batteries. I try to limit all digital and electronic input while I’m here. Nothing but stare at the sea, walk on the beach, and see old friends. It’s great to do something like this once a year. Stop the input. Check in with myself. See what’s new. Mourn what’s gone. Be open for new ideas.  It’s so wonderfully simple and yet so nourishing I had to show you a photo of where we are.

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An Ode to Women 

This was NOT written by AI but from my heart to celebrate Women’s Day When a woman understands her power, she doesn’t move, she dances. She embodies a beautiful paradox – she can melt into others while maintaining her center. This dance reflects the essence of being a woman: She knows how to connect to others without losing herself in the process. So to celebrate Women’s Day, I wanted to write something which shows the magic of being a woman that I’ve learned along the way. I’ve written about it in both my fictional books, The Extraordinary Awakening of Annabel Jones (embracing

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Why I Don’t Share Political Posts

In researching my recently published book “Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction,” I discovered something important about those clever, witty political posts we’re all tempted to share. Even if they align with our views, unless it provides something that allows us to learn new information or offers a different perspective that helps us grow, these posts do three things that undermine the wellbeing of everyone who is tempted to forward them: 1. They hijack our nervous system Those momentary hits of righteousness trigger the body’s stress response. Brains can’t distinguish between physical threats and perceived social/moral

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