Shows
The DevelopmentalBecoming Deliberately DevelopmentalWelcome to a soulful, candid conversation with experienced coach Donna Trebilcock who is, without a doubt, one of the wisest and most passionate people leaders I have ever met, working in service of a one-of-a-kind brave, norm-bending organisation: Chorus. Together, we explore how deliberately developmental principles are being put into practice within Chorus — through redefining leadership, cultivating collective responsibility, and fostering environments where people can grow into their next developmental edge, but also Donna’s own journey or vertical development and the way it has enabled her to hold space for others’ growth. Donna invites us to a spac...2025-06-031h 04
The DevelopmentalConcept of SelfFor this episode, I sat down with researcher, coach, and lifelong explorer Heather Frost to dive into her fascinating work on the concept of self. From global travel to coaching, psychology and philosophy, Heather shares how her journey led her to ask one of life’s most fundamental questions: What is the Self? Together, we unpack the difference between self-concept and the Concept of Self, explore how different understandings of self shape behaviour and identity, and consider what this all means for coaching, adult development, and how we relate to each other. I hope you leave this co...2025-03-251h 25
The DevelopmentalA Lived Experience of Vertical GrowthThrough my work, I have been immensely lucky to meet some exceptional humans who have inspired me, taught me precious lessons of wisdom and even offered me the most precious gift of all: their friendship. This episode features one of these remarkable people: Samantha Kropff. Sam shares with us her journey from being a forensic investigator to becoming a leader and later a leadership development expert and the accompanying transformation she experienced in her work and life. She vulnerably shares the ups and downs of her growth - revelations, setbacks, hard-won lessons and the courageous choice to...2024-06-281h 18
Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.Dr. Alis Anagnostakis & Dr. Valerie Livesay - Frontiers in Vertical DevelopmentSend us a textDr. Alis Anagnostakis is a group facilitator, coach, and adult development researcher walking the fine line between the study and the practice of leadership development and human transformation. Over the past 15 years, her work has focused on designing and implementing learning journeys that help foster leaders’ maturity and practical wisdom. She is also an ICF-accredited coach and coaching educator, training and mentoring professional coaches inside and outside organizations.Alis' research centers on leaders’ consciousness transformation as they navigate long-form executive programs. As the founder of the Vertical Development Institute (VDI), Alis aspi...2024-05-291h 02
The DevelopmentalCancer as a Developmental JourneyIn this emotional conversation, I sit down with my dear friend, Belinda Forman, who shares her profound journey with cancer, not just as a battle to be fought, but as a deeply personal developmental journey. Belinda opens up about the initial shock of diagnosis, the rollercoaster of choices around treatments, and the unexpected pathways to personal growth that emerged from her experience. Through her story she invites us into a vulnerable exploration of the intersection of health crises and adult development, shedding light on the power of mindset, the importance of facing our mortality, and showing us...2024-02-191h 03
The DevelopmentalEmotions as SuperpowersIn this episode we dive into the rollercoaster of emotions and how they secretly power our lives. I’m thrilled to learn from Dr. Cindy Sholes, a neuroscientist, coach and co-founder of the rREST™ technique, as we explore "Emotions as Superpowers." In this chat, Cindy takes us on her personal journey, from the foundational experiences of her early years to her research into neuroscience and her journey into the heart of human emotion. She sheds light on the mysteries of emotional agility and introduces us to the rREST technique – her unique approach to taming emotional stress. We'll explor...2024-01-251h 05
The DevelopmentalEmbodiment and Vertical DevelopmentIn the final episode of 'The Developmental' podcast for 2023, I explore a topic that has so far received very little attention - the role of the body in adult development. My guests, Natalie Goni and Hayley Linthwaite, are both pioneer practitioners at the intersection of vertical development and somatic practices and they bring a wealth of wisdom on the value of embodiment as a vehicle for personal growth. We explore what embodiment is (and what its opposite - disembodiment - feels like), the importance of understanding and befriending our body, the impact of ignoring physical discomfort, and...2023-12-211h 23
The DevelopmentalPositive DisintegrationContent warning. This episode contains references to mental illness and suicide, which may be emotionally confronting or triggering to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a healthcare professional or call your local helpline. Episode summary:Kate Arms introduces us to the work of Polish psychologist and psychiatrist Kazimierz Dąbrowski, a brilliant developmentalist virtually unknown outside of the gifted and neurodivergent community, whose work centred on exploring how developmental growth unfolds through cycles of disintegration and re-integration. I talked with Kate about why such moments o...2023-11-051h 08
The DevelopmentalNarrating Your Growth: Lifelong Lessons from Keeping a JournalYou can listen to an audio version of this article by clicking the ‘play’ button in the Substack app or, if you’re reading this on your email, click ‘play’ in the voiceover section above. Please let me know in the comments if this audio feature is useful to you and if you think it’s worth adding the audio to every article going forward. Saturday, 20th of February 1999. 11pm“I have long worried that if I were to lay down my thoughts in the pages of a journal that would give anyone a gateway into...2023-10-2617 min
The DevelopmentalNeuroscience and Vertical DevelopmentWhile empirical evidence for adult development theories is robust, we still have much to learn about the cognitive and neurological substrates of human development. What changes in our brain when we develop vertically? How can the idea that humans evolve in ever-increasing stages of mental complexity and perspective-taking be reconciled with research on neuroplasticity and cognition? I was very excited to step into this fascinating in-between space together with Johan Mellerup Traekjaer a cognitive scientist with deep expertise in adult development. Here are a few of the key ideas we touched on: Brief Episode Notes:2023-10-051h 13
The DevelopmentalA Systems Perspective on Vertical DevelopmentRecently I began exploring some prevailing (and to my mind, quite damaging) myths around vertical development. You can find the first article in this series below. Another one of these myths is that adult development is an individual journey. Much of the existing research on vertical development (including my own) has focused on individuals’ journeys through the stages and on the impact leaders operating from various stages (particularly later ones) can have on their teams and organisations. This is partly perhaps because individuals are much easier to study than whole systems. Whatever the reason for this preference fo...2023-09-131h 36
STaR Coach Show354: Vertical Development and Coaching: Dr. Alis Anagnostakis, PCCWhat are you doing to keep your coaching skills strong? How are you bringing your impact into the world? Today’s show is packed with new tools and techniques in our informative conversation around better communication and ways to honor the growth and development of others while leaning into partnership. Join us to learn more!Dr. Alis Anagnostakis, PCC, is an adult development researcher, group facilitator, executive coach, and founder of the Vertical Development Institute. For over 15 years, she has been supporting the development of leaders toward the later stages of psychological complexity and maturity. Alis is an...2023-09-0637 min
Level Up LeadershipHow Grown-Ups Grow Up: Exploring Vertical Development with Dr. Alis AnagnostakiWelcome to today's leadership podcast episode, which marks the beginning of our exciting leadership interview series. In this series, we will be diving deep into the world of leadership by talking to leaders and specialists to shed light on the multifaceted concept of leadership.Our first guest is none other than Dr. Alis Anagnostakis. Alis and I crossed paths in Spain and have collaborated on various projects throughout the years. Her expertise lies in the realm of Vertical Development, which essentially delves into how adults continue to "grow up" personally and professionally.Here are some...2023-09-0651 min
The DevelopmentalDevelopmental Coaching Starts With the CoachAs those of you who listen to this podcast or read my articles probably already know, the topic of ‘walking the talk’ – the capacity to be the person you are asking (or raising, coaching, teaching) others to be – is very important to me. I believe this to be true in many contexts, but particularly so in professions where the very focus of our work is supporting others’ growth. Therapists, Coaches, Facilitators – all have, I believe, a big responsibility in doing the work of development for themselves, just as they do it with their clients. Scaffolds like mentoring and supervision go a long wa...2023-08-101h 21
The DevelopmentalWhat Does it Mean to Be a Developmental Leader?Thanks for listening to The Developmental Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and support my work.This has been a very important and emotional conversation for me. The topic itself, being a developmental leader, is at the core of my own work and research. With every new answer I uncover, a hundred more questions come up so this subject is likely to keep me busy for the rest of my professional life. On a personal level, I am very grateful I was gifted with people like Mike Vierow in my life...2023-08-011h 24
The DevelopmentalHow Do We Design Learning for Vertical Development?Our guest for this episode is one of the leading researchers and practitioners in the space of vertical development. Nick Petrie has been a pioneer in bridging the science and application of adult development theories into organisational learning. His whitepapers on designing and implementing developmentally effective learning programs have inspired a whole new generation of researchers. Nick is currently breaking new ground in studying burnout and its developmental implications, as well as supporting leaders and learning designers to create their own developmental programs through his Vertical Incubator project. Nick is a researcher and speaker on leadership...2023-06-261h 09
The DevelopmentalVertical Development and Parenting: How Raising Kids Raises UsIn this very special episode, we explore how raising children can be a catalyst for vertical development and how our kids end up, in a very real sense, raising us, just as we are raising them. My dialogue partner is a dear friend, senior leader and a mother who has walked the talk of personal transformation in the act of raising her (now adult) children and has then taken those lessons back into her leadership. Genevieve Hawkins is General Manager Transformation and Supply Chain at Coles Liquor Group and the author of the book "Mentally at...2023-05-301h 07
The DevelopmentalGiftedness, Neurodivergence and Vertical DevelopmentIn this episode, I am joined by a self-confessed fellow 'nerd' to explore a topic that has hardly ever been discussed in relation to vertical development: adult giftedness and neurodivergence. Dr. Tracy Winter is is a leadership coach specializing in neurodiversity and the founder of Nerd Coach. She enjoys coaching clients who are gifted, ADHDers, autistic, dyslexic, and more. Each client she meets has a unique brain that deserves its own unique approach, and she partners with her clients to use their strengths to reach the outcomes they desire. Tracy trains new ADHD coaches and is a me...2023-04-201h 23
The DevelopmentalMindfulness: A Path to Vertical DevelopmentIn this episode, we explore the bridges between the new field of vertical development and the ancient practice of mindfulness with the help of Michael Bunting - author, researcher, and leadership expert. We discover how certain types of meditation - such as insight-mindfulness practice - can actually create an impact on vertical development by teaching us to recognise and lean into the most difficult feelings (the ones we usually try to avoid). This ancient practice is consistent with the newest research on adult development and the role of contrasting emotions in vertical growth. We also talk about love, addiction...2023-03-131h 20
The DevelopmentalFriendship: Catalyst for Vertical DevelopmentThis is a very special episode of The Developmental, featuring two adult development experts who are also best friends. They will open up the inner sanctum of their 12-year friendship to explore why and how it has transformed each of them, and what other people might learn from it all. This is an episode filled with personal life stories, but also one grounded in a research-based framework on transformative relationships. The story of one friendship will illuminate how this framework actually works and how you might bring it to life in your own friendships or other meaningful relationships. 2023-02-131h 20
The DevelopmentalDr. Valerie Livesay on Fallback: How We Grow from Being at Our WorstIn this episode, I am joined by Dr. Valerie Livesay, a passionate researcher who has devoted her work to illuminating the darker corners of our beings and the role our worst moments play in our long-term development. We talk about a core concept stemming from Valerie's research - Fallback - which describes those moments in life when we involuntarily revert to less mature ways of behaving and find ourselves simply unable to access our usual sense of perspective and wisdom. We discuss how vertical development is not at all a linear journey and is more of a 'two steps...2023-01-091h 13
The DevelopmentalVertical Development And Leadership Learning with Marti Hughes and AlisThis has been a great conversation with a leader who actively integrates the practices of vertical development into both his own life and his work. Marti Hughes is currently the Principal of Organisational Leadership at Tennis Australia, and has been involved with leadership and capability development for the past 20 years. Adult development has become a passion subject in recent years and he has been introducing it into leaderships programs at Tennis. He has equally used the developmental lens to make sense of his own life's growth and continue to stretch himself into new octaves of development. W...2022-12-1248 min
The DevelopmentalWhat is Vertical Development and Why Does It Matter?In this episode it is just me and you, trying to unpack some of the core theories of adult development and lay a foundation for the conversations to come. I invite you to reflect on your own journey of growth up to this point in your life and on what you feel might still be needed. Together we explore what vertical development is, how it is different from horizontal development and why we need both. We also look at some of the science around vertical development and what different researchers suggest it is that develops as we continue to...2022-11-0824 min
The DevelopmentalWelcome to The Developmental Podcast!This is a podcast about the messy, beautiful ways grown-ups grow up. Here we explore turning science into the day-to-day practice of adult development in teams, homes, organisations, and life.I'm Alis Anagnostakis, host of this podcast and founder of the Vertical Development Institute. In this short introduction, I share a bit of the story that led me to study adult development and ready you for what you can expect from this monthly podcast. I will invite leaders, learning experts, and developmental researchers to share their own experiences of growth, to help make the science accessible a...2022-11-0405 min
The Rules That Limit UsEmotionIn this episode, we will be talking about emotions, uncovering why we do what we do when it comes to responding to our emotions we will be joined by Alis Anagnostakis2020-04-1700 min