Shows
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #112: Season 4 Wrap-UpIn this final episode of Season 4 of The Discomfort Practice, Betsy looks back at some themes that arose over the course of the year+ it has spanned, before taking a brief hiatus to prep the launch of Season 5 in March 2024. What she found in looking back was some striking themes - the greatest of which was love. This has woven its way into many episodes, including: Episode #76 with Kim Polman, founder of Reboot the Future, whose ethos is based on the Golden Rule Episode #84 with Daze Aghaji, who talked about creating change from...
2024-01-2816 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #111: Betsy By Herself on What You're Meant to Bring to the WorldIn this solo episode, Betsy journeys her way through a personal question at the moment: 'What am I meant to be a channel for on this earth? What is meant to come through me?' It's a very personal question, and there are no wrong answers. She talks about experimenting with being a channel for love, and how that has transformed her life in just a short span of a few months. As with most of Betsy's solo episodes, she leads listeners through practical steps to uncover their own answer to the question she's pondering. What 'special...
2024-01-1414 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #110: Dr. Terence Lester on Opening Our Eyes to Things We’d Rather Not SeeIn this episode, Betsy speaks to Dr. Terence Lester, an activist and scholar who focuses on bringing justice to those suffering from poverty and racism. The founder of LoveBeyondWalls.org and The Dignity Museum, he is also the author of three books: 'I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People,' 'When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together' and 'All God's Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity.' Three ideals drive Terence: (1) anyone can make a difference, (2) we don’t live forever, (3), and it’s worth dedicating one’s life t...
2024-01-0154 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #109: Betsy by Herself on Appreciating the Things That Have Made YouLooking back at your life, at some of the things that have been difficult or even traumatic, how have those things actually been part of your path to becoming who you needed to become? And how have some of the most difficult things you might have gone through actually been divinely chosen training to create the ‘architecture’ of your life, or gain skills you needed to deliver your mission in the world? Betsy thinks out loud while asking these questions and shares how she has come to appreciate how she now appreciates her own Fundamentalist Chris...
2023-12-1016 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #108: From the Archives - Paul Davis On Following Your PurposeWe're trying a new thing over here and have dug out a great episode from our archives. This is a revisit of Episode 55, which is a juicy, insightful interview with Paul William Davis, an intuitive personal advisor, an entrepreneur, a best-selling author, an award-winning business growth consultant, speaker with the best Irish accent you're likely to hear all day, lol. Betsy and Paul deep dive into how you go about figuring out what your personal purpose is and how important intuition - your 'knowings' - are (and you'll get an idea of why Betsy includes it in...
2023-11-271h 01The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #107: Betsy by Herself on Exploring Her Shadow SideThis solo was recorded in November 2023, off the back of a 5-day spiritual retreat with teacher Sabrina Lynn in Ibiza, in which 22 wild souls went deep into their shadows. And healed themselves, their ancestral line and things they didn't even know they were healing for the collective. Shadow work is a term that many know and some of you might not. They are the part of us we haven't yet owned. The things we're ashamed of, don't want to deal with, won't look at, don't want to acknowledge are part of us. We stuff them in the...
2023-11-1321 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #106: Carlos Zimbron on Fuckup Nights and Why Celebrating Failure is ImportantIn this episode Betsy is joined by Carlos 'Charlie' Zimbrón, Co-Founder and CEO of Fuckup Nights, as well as The Failure Institute. Betsy and Charlie say the word 'fuck' a lot cuz... clue's in the name, really. So if you enjoy 'swear words' as occasional punctuation and appreciate a free-flowing, un-edited conversation, you're gonna LOVE this one. Fuckup Nights has become a global movement driven by community of people who share professional failure stories on a monthly basis in 200+ cities in 62+ countries. It's a link I often share with the execs who take the online course I...
2023-10-2946 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #105: Betsy by Herself on Making MagicIn this episode, Betsy talks about a subject that is near and dear to her heart (and her life): living magically. She talks about her own experience of having created a life that is full of synchronicity, support, ease, alignment and, well, MAGIC. As is her way, she encourages others to 'let things be magical' and talks about how she has learned to stop getting in the way of letting life and the good things that are meant for each of us flow. She also talks about the importance of trusting the timing of things you might...
2023-10-1629 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #104: Betsy by Herself on Creating Ease for YourselfIn this solo episode Betsy revisits a topic she loves to talk about: how her changed relationship with ease - and having greater ease with being at ease - has positively impacted her work, her productivity and her understanding of the world. She shares why she's become evangelical about helping others to create more ease in their lives, stepping away from the conditioning that 'the grind is the thing' and examining their own relationship with NOT choosing ease. Maybe you can relate to this: Is hardship, struggle, feeling like you've worked really hard perhaps an...
2023-10-0117 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #103: Oyin Adebayo on Empowering 1million Black WomenIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk to the mighty Oyinkansola ‘Oyin’ Adebayo, the Founder and CEO of Niyo Enterprises, which is an ecosystem of brands that exists to economically empower Black women to be builders of high-impact ecosystems. Oyin’s personal purpose is to empower Black women globally to upskill, transform their careers and create a world-class black female ecosystem of entrepreneurs. Niyo Bootcamps has trained over 500 black women to be upskilled in various tech roles through the “Black CodHer” Bootcamp & Black Disruptor bootcamps, several of whom have gone on to create their own tech businesses or work fo...
2023-09-1739 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #102: Betsy by Herself on the End of a Personal Seven Year CycleThis one is a bit of a chuckle, friends. I recorded it in August 2023, on the day I was marking seven years of living in Spain. I reflect on seven year cycles and who I've become over the past seven years. Who I've rediscovered I am, as I've let go of conditioning that kept me from being my truest, most powerful version of myself. In that seven years, the UK left the European Union in the most ill-conceived divorce in a while. I got married and left my marriage, in one of the best-conceived ideas in a...
2023-09-0319 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #101: Isidra Mencos on Lust and Pleasure as a Pathway to Self-DiscoveryIn this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I speak to Isidra Mencos, who was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, about her journey through life as a young woman who grew up under Franco, a repressive dictator, and came of age as Spain was massively changing after his death. We talk about what happens when a young woman who grew up in a place where kissing in public was illegal finds herself suddenly free to explore whatever she wants. Speaking to Isidra was something of a bridge between my US past and my Spanish present...
2023-08-2051 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #100: Betsy by Herself, Celebrating and Reflecting on 100 episodes!This is episode 100 of The Discomfort Practice! I reflect back on how focusing on discomfort as a path to wisdom and finding my own superpowers has reshaped my perspective since launching the podcast in October 2020. Join me for a guided exercise in which you have the opportunity to reflect on what uncomfortable circumstances you've experienced over the past few years and gain a perspective of gratitude for them. As a 'birthday gift' for episode 100, I ask you to please subscribe, like, leave me a 5-star and written review and SHARE an episode with someone to...
2023-08-0628 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #98: Betsy By Herself - A Love Letter to Introverted MomentsThis solo definitely builds on past solos about transitions and life processes because, surprise surprise, I’m still in a big life transition. This is a love letter to other secret introverts and to quiet moments. It’s to those of you out there who crave quiet and alone time and to just be left alone for a while - regularly or from time to time. Right now I need and crave a lot of solitude, a lot of quiet time, because I'm going through a big internal process and building the architecture of my life for the...
2023-07-0216 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #97: Matisse Dupont on “Transitions.”In this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I’m excited to bring back a past guest: cultural consultant, performance producer and content creator Matisse Dupont. Matisse has spent the last decade facilitating interactive lectures and workshops on gender, sexuality, culture and identity. I enjoyed witnessing their evolution on social media - from being a TikTok-er famous for educating others about gender to showcasing their talents as a multi-disciplinary artist to founder of volunteer-run LGBTQIA+ community theatre company, The Queer Theatre Project. Matisse and I explore their life changes and public persona. In this episode, we focus on tha...
2023-06-1844 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #95: Betsy By Herself - It's Safe Now to Be in Your Own PowerA few months back, when I was sitting in a mushroom ceremony, I got the message loud and clear ‘It’s safe now to be powerful.’ And it was a message that I knew was for me, but also one that I had been given to share with others. And, so, in this episode, I talk about what the world needs from you. How it needs you to be able to un-block those parts of you that you’ve censored, shut down, inherited shame around because your ancestors shut that part of their power down to be safe. I a...
2023-05-2115 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #93: Betsy By Herself on Navigating the Chaos of A TransitionIn this solo episode, I reflect on the chaos, the confusion and the landing back in Spain after 3.5 happy months in Mexico. I wonder 'Did I do the right thing in coming back here?' muse aloud about 'Why am I here?' and navigate through my own process of feeling like I've landed in chaos... and I'm not sure why. I share a reading from the School of Metaphysics, where each Module I study as I go through training to become a certified Metaphysical Therapist, is completely aligned with whatever is going on in my life.
2023-04-2318 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #91: Betsy by Herself on Turning Off the External Noise to Hear YourselfI sat down to intentionally record this episode without any notes and with minimal preparation, because I felt strongly this was a message that needed to come through me. It's one I needed to articulate and it's something someone out there needs to hear. The message is this: turn off the external noise so you can hear yourself and tap into your own wisdom. I've been given wise counsel and channeled messages from intuitives three times in the past month to 'cut out the external influences for a while in order to gain clarity and...
2023-03-2517 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #90: Dan Schnur on Forging Your Own Path When Everything ShiftsIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with Dan Schnur. We chat about the discomfort of his career trajectory: going from being one of the top Republican political strategists and campaign officials in the US to leaving and not affiliating with any political party. (In a bi-partisan political system where you’ve been a big player, that’s a big move.) Dan gives an elegant master class in how to leave your comfort zone, forge your own path and stay true to yourself when everything shifts… and shifts again. Because that’s just life. Dan’s resume i...
2023-03-121h 07The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #89: Selina Donald on Bringing Sustainability To The Event IndustryIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with my former client, friend and general badass Selina Donald. Selina has done so much already in her life, so prepare yourself to be inspired to think differently. She has worked on large-scale events, such as the Olympic and Para-Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and Vivian Westwood’s climate revolution. She worked on England’s 2018 World Cup bid for the Rio Olympics and has been part of the senior management team for ITV events. She co-founded the sustainable events agency The Bulb, which helps companies produce sustainable, creative and meaningful even...
2023-02-261h 05The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #88: Betsy by Herself on Creating Rituals to De-stress and Create FocusHow can you create habits that support you through times of stress, that help you to create milestones in your day and life, to function optimally? In this solo episode I share ways in which I have created more rituals over the past year and talk listeners through the science-based approach I teach clients to set habits. My intention in recording this solo is to help others consider how they might better support themselves by taking a moment to become more conscious of what habits they’d like to set and to take tangible steps to ensure they happen. ...
2023-02-1214 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #87: Leyla Acaroglu on How Design Can Save The WorldIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with innovator and designer (among many other things) Leyla Acaroglu. We chat about how small incremental changes are not enough any more to save society from climate change impact, but instead need to change systems and approaches to regenerate our planet, in order to survive. We discuss how important design is in creating that change and take listeners on a journey with us, so you don’t have to be left wondering what you need to know. Leyla loves problems, because she understands that they are just challenges in disguise! ...
2023-01-291h 13The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #86: Pilar Garrido on How Leading With Love Benefits CommunitiesIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice, I talk with political scientist and economist Pilar Garrido. We chat about her experience leading a sustainable economic development policy in Costa Rica for a green and inclusive economy, as well as designing innovative financial instruments for critical public investment projects. We will also get into what adaptation for climate change is. Pilar leads with a human touch, transforming our ideas of what a leader should be. Pilar has been a key figure, using her government minister role to steer Costa Rica's ambition to be one of the five countries...
2023-01-151h 00The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #85: Betsy by Herself on Life Transitions and Shedding SkinIf you’ve listened to some of my recent solos and interviews, you’ll have picked up that I'm on the cusp of entering a new stage of life. I’ve packed up my life in Barcelona, put my things in storage, finished up my academic year as a Professor and am headed to Mexico on a one-way ticket in just a few days. The preparation for leaving one stage of life and stepping into the next has gotten me thinking a lot lately about transitions and nature and my place in the whole rhythm of things. And, d...
2023-01-0116 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #83: Matthew Williams on Being an Inventor and Mastering Public SpeakingIn this episode, I chat with the Founder & CEO of IONATE, inventor Matthew Williams. He is a systems architect by nature, mechatronic engineer by education, design leader and facilitator by passion. Having spent his career in the front seat of global systems-engineering companies, Matthew is equipped with a unique insight on how to build the most efficient electrical systems. Sustainability and where we get our energy from is increasingly important to our survival and thriving on this planet, because we can't continue to run on the type of resources that we've used for power in the past. M...
2022-12-0446 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #82: Betsy by Herself on Loving All Parts of YourselfIn this solo episode I 'think out loud' about what has been coming up for me during a time of stress and anxiety, as I transition from one stage of life to the unknown of the next. Prompted by a recent podcast episode by Shaman Durek on 'witnessing all parts of ourselves,' I ask myself and you, the listener, questions like: What do you default to when you're anxious? What parts of your shadow side does stress bring up to be recognised and healed? How can you treat the parts of yourself you DON'T love the way...
2022-11-2016 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #81: Tiffany Cheng on Swapping Corporate Life for your PassionIn this episode, I chat with Leadership Coach and Founder of Inspire My Day – Tiffany Cheng. Tiffany shares what she learned from growing up in China and the disappointment she felt from her parents; who left her with her grandparents because she was not a boy. We talk about the work/life culture difference she has found living in Belgium, and the discomfort of juggling her corporate goal led career path and family life and how that ultimately didn’t work. Tiffany shares how leaving corporate life very recently has already brought her into a place of living a more...
2022-11-061h 14The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #79: Welcome to Season 4In this solo episode, I warmly welcome you to Season 4 of the Discomfort Practice podcast. As always, in this new season, you will find conversations with creatives, activists, leaders, scientists and a host of others about conscious discomfort, the role it’s played in their lives and the value of discomfort in us moving forward as a society. But what’s going to be a new ‘take’ on discomfort – and something I’m really excited about this season – is that it is likely to be a little more raw and unscripted. It will include interviews with those I consider the pioneers o...
2022-10-1011 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #78: Betsy by Herself On the Discomfort of Being in The VoidAs with all of my solo episodes of The Discomfort Practice, in thise one I share what’s on my mind just now, and it’s the most personal I’ve gotten yet. In fact, I even get a bit weepy.I talk about walking into The Void - the shapeless, undefined unknown in which all things are unclear. It’s a bit anxiety-inducing at times, but it’s also the place where evolution and transformation take place. I don’t know when my time in this current iteration of The Void is going to be end, but I am cer...
2022-09-2516 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #75: Betsy by Herself on the Clarifying Power of Uncomfortable WeatherI've been on a roll with solo episodes, after admitting they are part of my discomfort practice. And then I met the summer 2022 heatwave in Europe. Barcelona summers are usually brutal, but this one has been particularly rough. But it's also been quite clarifying. Having very little energy creates utility: what do I actually want to put my energy into? Extreme weather, discomfort, pressure - all of these can be forces to help each of us clarify what really matters and let go of the things that we're tired of putting subconscious effort or energy into. For...
2022-08-1414 min
The Discomfort PracticeBonus Meditation: What Do You Need To Give Yourself?Back due to popular demand, here’s a bonus meditation for you. I lead you through a meditation on the question ‘What do I need to give myself?’ Whether you’re tired and stressed or feeling fine it’s a great question to ask yourself regularly. Because as the great RuPaul says (I love drag queens, so here you go): ‘Honey if you can’t love yourself how the hell you gonna love someone else?’ EXACTLY. So, join me in this special meditation episode to find out - and then give yourself - what you need. Key Points Discussed...
2022-08-0209 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #74: Betsy By Herself on What Do You Want To Suck At?In this solo episode, I ask ‘What do you want to suck at?’ Because if you want to be good at something, you need to suck at it first. So perhaps ask yourself ‘What have I always wanted to try or to be good at?’ I share my thoughts on trying new things - or not! - because you’re afraid you’re going to suck at it. Oliver Berkman, a great writer, talks about sucking at things. The experience of sucking in itself expands you and takes you to a place of discovery. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but that’s where...
2022-07-3111 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #73: Matt Peacock on Messing With Comfortable Assumptions to Create ChangeIn this episode of The Discomfort Practice, I am joined by a rock star in his industry, Matt Peacock. Matt is currently a partner at a London-based strategic and creative advisory firm called Blurred, where he provides specialist counsel to clients on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), risk, sustainability, social purpose, and corporate transparency. Together, Matt and I discuss important and relevant topics about how to lead and support others to step away from things that are not working and actually create positive change in your organization and more broadlyin society. Matt sheds light on some mindsets tha...
2022-07-171h 15The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #70: Betsy By Herself On the Power of Trusting YourselfIn this solo episode of The Discomfort Practice, I share what’s been on my mind lately, and I hope it lands with you as the listener. I talk about trust. Life really becomes difficult when we can’t trust - it messes with our nervous systems, our relationships, our ability to concentrate, our outlook on the world. It’s not hard to see a massive lack of trust right now in the world, after some massive collective core-shakers like pandemic, war and the ongoing erosion of confidence in leaders and governments. When we let fear overtake us, we...
2022-06-0517 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #68: Blaire Caplan on Finding Our Purpose and Bringing Humanity BackIn this Discomfort Running Buddies episode, I am joined by an awesome person and friend, Blaire Caplan. Blaire is a certified Life Designer and Mindset Coach. She is a healing presence that serves as a guide on people's personal journeys and helps people manifest their most authentic selves by unlocking answers and unleashing power from within through co-creation and life design. Also, she set up the Lonewolf District, which is dedicated to creating safe spaces in external environments and internally within oneself, and to help people grow, heal, and evolve. Blaire and I discussed brilliant insights on g...
2022-05-0846 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #65: Tim Collings on Empowering Tomorrow's LeadersIn this episode, I talk to Tim Collings, CEO of 4I leadership. Tim is also a leadership coach, guiding on strategy and organizational design to help individual leaders and organizations create a sustainable future. Tim is also a fellow podcast host, producing the “Better World Leaders Podcast”, on which I appeared a few episodes back. On it, he speaks to leaders on a quest to make the world a better place. Tim talks about current leadership styles, many of which are based on authority or hierarchy, and how this type of leadership fails to have the impact soci...
2022-03-2740 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #64: Betsy By Herself on Finding and Living your Purpose in All Areas of your LifeIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice Podcast, I go solo to talk about one of my favourite topics: finding and living our unique personal purposes in every area of our lives. Knowing what your personal purpose is serves as a beautiful compass to guide you through life. It's something no one can take away from you and can be a lifeline when life gets chaotic or confusing. I guide you through a little exercise to help you uncover your own personal purpose. Echoing what past guest Paul Davis and I talked about in episode 55, y...
2022-03-1328 minThe Discomfort PracticeEpisode #62: Rasia Pouncie on Dark Nights of the SoulIn this episode of the Discomfort Practice Podcast, I am joined by Rasia Pouncie, who shares insights on how she’s made it through her own ‘dark nights of the soul’. Rasia is a spiritual mentor, coach, and lightworker with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. In her work as the Mystical Healing Guide, she weaves together the threads of her personal path and journey as a mentor and life coach to assist others in reaching their highest frequency and living their ideal life. Rasia takes us on a journey of discovery as she describes her own li...
2022-02-131h 00
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #60: Jane Duncan Rogers on planning for the end of life. *Trigger Warning – Death*In this episode of The Discomfort Practice Podcast, I am joined by special guest Jane Duncan Rogers. Jane and I discuss end-of-life preparation. This includes preparing for what happens after you die, but it also includes ensuring measures are in place to make sure your last days are enjoyable. Jane is CEO of "Before I Go Solutions", a non-profit dedicated to ensuring the procedures are in place to provide the end-of-life care you deserve. Jane and I talk about the life we leave behind after death and how to ensure that we live the best life possible as we...
2022-01-1652 min
The Discomfort PracticeBONUS Episode: Betsy By Herself on What Happened When She Meditated For Five DaysIn this solo I recorded the first half before heading into five days of intense meditation between Christmas and New Year 2021, and then the second half of the episode afterward, reflecting on what came up. Having done the same retreat in 2020, my 2021experience was entirely different. What came up for me was how I want this coming year to FEEL - and an associated word: REDISCOVERY. Pausing to ‘clear the channels’ at the end of 2021 really set me up for a 2021 full of joy, in which I magnetised and manifested fulfilling work, a great romantic relationship and a tr...
2022-01-0926 min
Better World LeadersBetsy Reed shows us that embracing discomfort gives birth to the greatest transformationsIt's a very great pleasure to share with you the conversation I co-created with Betsy Reed. Betsy has spent the past 18+ years working as a sustainability expert, running big advocacy campaigns, working for corporates, running her own sustainability consultancy, lecturing, and being invited to write and publish her first book, 'Communicating Social & Environmental Issues Effectively.' Above all, Betsy is a lifelong social justice activist who wanted to grow up and become a lobbyist (and did). She's spent years honing her skills as a meditation and yoga teacher, as well as embracing and becoming more comfortable in her range of...
2022-01-051h 09
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #59: Betsy By Herself on The Power of Self-Acknowledgement & Gratitude‘Tis the season of joy, giving and reflecting on the year that has been. In this solo episode of the Discomfort Practice, I share my insights on gratefulness and self-care. Since my podcasting journey began, I have realized that interviewing people isn't as difficult as I had thought it would be. In fact, it comes quite easily to me and is a joy. But on the other hand, recording solo episodes has been a stretch for me - my own ‘discomfort practice.’ Why would anyone want to listen to me waffle on for 10 minutes or more? I’ve...
2022-01-0222 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #58: Matisse DuPont on Eradicating Gender CategorizationIn yet another thought-provoking episode of The Discomfort Practice Podcast, I’m speaking to Matisse DuPont, an artist, educator, and consultant in gender, sexuality, and identity. Matisse has a Master’s degree in Gender and Cultural Studies and has been showcasing their talents/creativity on their informative, delightful, and binge-watchable videos on social media. They offer individual and institutional gender consultation services and inclusivity consulting and cultural competency training concerning transgender, non-binary gender, non-conforming individuals, and the LGBTQIA plus community. I found my chat with them truly enlightening to my understanding of gender. Matisse takes me on a fas...
2021-12-271h 03
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #56: Judith Favor on finding peace through contemplative practicesIn this episode of the Discomfort Podcast, I speak to Judith Favor who is an author, former professor of theology, and retired minister from the Quaker church. I admire the Quaker church because it’s grounded in restful practices like contemplation and reflection, which I discuss in-depth with Judith. Judith’s mission is to bring spirituality and well-being to the world through her career as a spiritual guidance coach and we discuss what she means by ‘spiritual guidance’ and the practices she guides others in to find inner peace. We talk about her time in a Buddhist monastery and Judith s...
2021-12-121h 03The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #55: Paul Davis on Living Your Best Life by Following Your Intuition (Trigger Warning: discussion of suicidal thoughts)In this episode of The Discomfort Podcast, I talk with one of the people I adore when it comes to intuitive business, Paul William Davis, and together, we took a deep dive into how we can all find our life’s purpose, and how to truly tap into intuition. Paul is an intuitive personal advisor, an entrepreneur, a best-selling author, an award-winning business growth consultant, speaker, and more. Paul gives great insight into how we can all become more in tune with our intuition, and how we can all manifest our best life by taking th...
2021-12-051h 00
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #54: Betsy By Herself on Aligning With Your Purpose and Addressing Energetic LeaksIn my latest solo episode of The Discomfort Practice, I’m excited to dive into some of my current self exploration as part of my own discomfort practice. I have gotta confess: doing these episodes has been the real edge of my own comfort zone. It is truly uncomfortable - part of my own discomfort practice - to reveal myself on the Internet. Not the professional persona, not the stuff that’s already public. The real stuff going on in my life right now, set loose for others to interpret through their own filters. Yikes. But I...
2021-11-2818 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #53: Razan Ibrahim on How Becoming a Refugee Helped Positively Shaped Her Perspective on LifeIn the latest episode of The Discomfort Practice, it was such a treat to interview journalist and fellow media professional, Irish Syrian journalist and activist, Razan Ibraheem. Razan is a multi-faceted woman with an impressive career. She’s had a high profile, passionate ethos-driven career in journalism, spoken to the UN and worked in a news agency focusing on addressing misinformation in the media. She also sits on the Amnesty board in Ireland and her work has led to her being named International Woman of the Year by Irish Tatler in 2016. Because she is also incredibly glamorous an...
2021-11-2155 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #52: Kasia Urbaniak on How Taoist Training and Dominatrix Work Helped Her Understand PowerIn this episode, I was delighted (and a little bit awestruck) to speak to Kasia Urbaniak, the Founder, and CEO of The Academy, a school that teaches women the foundations of power and influence. Kasia's perspective on power is unique. Over the course of nearly 20 years, she has worked as a professional Dominatrix, practiced Taoist alchemy in one of the oldest female-led monasteries in China, and obtained dozens of certifications in different disciplines, including Medical Qi Gong and Systemic Constellations. Since founding The Academy in 2013, Kasia has taught over 4,000 women to radically increase their power, agency, and influence.
2021-11-141h 07
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #50: Alina Siegfried on The Power of Story to Transform the World and OurselvesIn this episode, I had a chat with Alina Siegfried, a New Zealand-based storyteller, narrative strategist, systems change advocate, TEDx speaker, and award-winning spoken word artist whose stage name is Ali Jacs. Alina’s journey in storytelling and communications has taken her through environmental advocacy, political issues campaigning, social enterprise, crowdfunding, arts, and community development. In her role as the founding communications lead of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, she’s helped bring together a global community of 500 world-leading entrepreneurs, investors, artists, and system change leaders to develop transformative solutions to pressing global challenges. Her book, A Future Untol...
2021-10-3149 min
The Discomfort Practice49: Becky Burchell on Inspiring Imagination and Change Through the ArtsIn this episode, I chat with Becky Burchell, a talented and inspiring Arts Producer and Curator who specializes in “Hopeism” - the idea that sharing stories of hope through the arts can help us to imagine and create a better future. Becky is the founder of CHANGE Festival, a new arts festival in the UK which she created as a platform for inspirational performance, music, discussion, and workshops that invited audiences to consider their own role in manifesting positive change. Becky has previously curated big-name festivals as an Arts Producer (like the UK’s Bestival and Camp Bestiva...
2021-10-2453 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #48: Betsy By Herself on Confronting Her Own Implicit BiasesIn this episode, I’ll break down what implicit biases are, how they cause unconscious discrimination, impact relationships, and how we interact with the world. See how you can discover your own biases (because we all have them) so you can address them and be a bigger and better human. It’s all about conscious awareness of something that is largely unconscious (implicit biases). Knowing that is freeing. While a lot of people might like to believe that they don’t have any biases, the reality is that we all do, whether we like it or not. Someon...
2021-10-1718 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #47: Martin Roberts on Impactful Leadership and the Opportunities of Online EducationIn this episode, I’ve interviewed Martin Roberts, the Director of eLearning at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Martin leads CISL’s open, customized, and blended digital learning programmes and is an expert in digital education, sustainability, and business leadership. He’s worked in diverse sectors around the world, including the private and public sectors in several African countries, where he built the capability of leaders to address their natural resource challenges. Martin has a track record of creating ambitious and commercially successful digital learning programmes with proven impact and has a set of unique skills...
2021-10-1241 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #46: Ben Bowen on How Bias in Tech Impacts Indigenous CommunitiesIn this episode, I’ll be sitting down with Ben Bowen, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Shared Path Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation in Australia. Shared Path is a social enterprise that aims to incubate indigenous entrepreneurial talent and business skills. They develop small enterprises and micro-businesses to use as training grounds for indigenous people to develop their own capacity and their own enterprises. That enables indigenous communities to positively impact social issues and achieve economic independence through business development and community capacity. Access to tech and skill in working with it also gives them the freedom to st...
2021-10-0354 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #44: Adam Nosal Part 1: how to disagree on topics like the Covid vaccine and still have a nurturing conversationIn this first conversation of Season 3, Betsy & guest Adam Nosal talk about their opposing vaccine decisions & co-host a nurturing conversation in which they disagree, learn some things and still like each other. We hope you find it enjoyable, thought-provoking and productive. Check out episode 45 for the second part of this conversation, focusing on Adam's tech startup & mission to help people make tech more human. Find Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed to get more info about Adam and Tula
2021-09-251h 01The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #43: Intro to Season 3 and a focus on the discomfort of changeAfter a wee summer break, Betsy is launching a shiny new season. She'll focus specifically on the discomfort of change and how each guest's work is helping to shape, evolve and innovate how we think, act and ARE in creating 'the new human experience,' in which all beings and this planet can truly thrive. Dive into this season, explore past episodes and join Betsy in exploring the usefulness of discomfort. Find Betsy on Instagram and Twitter @thebetsyreed Share this podcast with other people!
2021-09-2509 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #42: Betsy By Herself on the value of rest, naps as her superpower and wrapping up Season 2This is basically a love story to naps. Betsy talks about how the stillness of 2020 revealed her super power: when she is well-rested opportunities and invitations come her way. Hear her talk about her Human Design journey as a Projector. The Discomfort Practice will be taking August off, so catch up on episodes you haven't listened to yet, get some rest yourself and tune in for Season 3, launching in September. Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed
2021-07-3115 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #41: Nicole Lohse on somatic experiencing, listening to your body and how discomfort can be a gateway to growthNicole Lohse is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner whose work helps people listen to their bodies and move past the blocks that are stopping them from living a fulfilling life. Betsy and Nicole talk about somatics, neuroscience, trauma and discomfort and Betsy does a bit of somatic experiencing herself. Find Nicole on IG @nlohse and Betsy @thebetsyreed
2021-07-241h 07
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #40: Discomfort Running Buddies with Jen Carr, on stepping into your own voiceIn this Discomfort Running Buddies chat with Betsy's IRL friend, voiceover artist Jen Carr (who's also a mindful eating coach), they talk about stepping into their gifts, what it took to give themselves permission to use their voices and speak up in the world, and how following what's easy has taken them amazing places. They shoot the shit on vocal technique, the value of breathing, power poses and other juicy nuggets on how to unleash your voice and personal power on the world. Find Jen's voice on the Passport podcast. She's on IG @mindandplate F...
2021-07-1749 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #39: Marilise de Villiers on taming bullies, claiming your superpowers and playing with powerMarilise de Villier's book 'Roar' is an inspirational story about dealing with the bully in her life, finding her voice and having the courage to ROAR! As a writer and coach, she's passionate about giving vulnerable people a voice and helping people to get over their biggest obstacles to live their best lives. Betsy & Marilise talk about lessons in submissive & dominant power via pro dominatrix Kasia Urbaniak's book 'Unbound,' when life shows you you’re ‘climbing the wrong mountain’ the power of being able to ask for help. Mmm, juicy. Marilise's Tedx talk from June 202...
2021-07-1156 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #38: Chitra Nadarajah on working in a political organisation, personal resilience and work-life balanceChitra Nadarajah leads the climate emergency work at England's largest county council. In her native Malaysia she worked in environmental issues before moving to the UK, establishing her career & starting a family. Betsy & Chitra discuss Chitra's experience as an Asian female leader in a largely white male environment and as a single mother to a mixed-race teenage daughter. They chat about the joy of personal style & creating work-life balance. Find Chitra on IG @chitrasthings Betsy is @thebetsyreed
2021-07-031h 14
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #37: Betsy By Herself on Quitting, Disappointing Others and 'Being Difficult'In this episode, Betsy shares the edges of her own comfort zone just now. She talks about quitting things and leaving space, the freedom of shaking off fear of disappointing others and how fear of 'being difficult' is a massive energy suck. She also invites listeners to contribute to the planning of Season 3, launching in September and focused on the discomfort and inspiration of 'stepping into the new human experience.' Get in touch if you like: betsy@betsy-reed.com / IG @thebetsyreed
2021-06-2722 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #36: Discomfort Running Buddies with Luis AmaroIn the second 'Discomfort Running Buddies' episode, Betsy talks to one of her IRL friends about trauma. Betsy talks to her friend Luis Amaro, an art director & professional wrestler from Venezuela who experienced significant violence due to the ongoing instability in his home country. Betsy talks about childhood trauma and abuse, & both discuss how trauma has shaped them, how they've healed & how it's accelerated personal growth. Luis is on IG @louchakao Betsy is on IG @thebetsyreed
2021-06-2051 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #35: Flaviano Bianchini on the scientific mind, receiving death threats and fighting mining companies on human rightsFlaviano Bianchini is a scientist, the Founder of Source International & a Fellow of the Ashoka Foundation. His work on the extractive industry's impact on local environments & communities has led to the modification of mining laws and practices in Latin America. Betsy & Flaviano chat about what's in our smartphones, how the scientific approach can help us navigate fake news & what it's like to live with death threats because of his work. More on IG @source_int Ashoka Foundation is on IG @ashokaglobal Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed
2021-06-1344 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #34: María Scharrón-del Río on education, language and shifting culture to make space for everyoneMaría Scharrón-del Río, Ph.D. is Associate Dean of the School of Education & Professor of the School Counseling Graduate Program at Brooklyn College. They're a leader in GLARE (GLBTQ Advocacy in Research & Education), committed to the development of multicultural competencies in counselors, psychologists, & educators. Betsy & Maria chat about the role of education in making space for all people to show up as themselves in all of their intersecting identities. Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed
2021-06-0658 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #33: Jean Callanan on leaving corporate life, solo hiking and the need to have conversations about death and dyingJean Callanan's international corporate career spans well-known names like Unilever, Waterford Crystal & Guinness. She runs 'strategic thinking consultancy' Momenta Hub & is Chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation, which promotes discussion of death, dying & bereavement. Betsy & Jean chat about burnout, leaving corporate life, hiking the Camino de Santiago alone & the need to have uncomfortable but necessary conversations about death & dying. The Irish Hospice Foundation provides a 'Think Ahead' guide for planning & recording wishes for key details related to illness & death. Jean is on IG @jeancallananmomenta Betsy is @thebetsyreed
2021-05-301h 01
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #32: Hannah Vaughan Jones on being a CNN news anchor, failing in public and her journey with infertilityHannah Vaughan Jones is an Emmy-nominated journalist & broadcaster for CNN International and Sky News. She & her husband, fellow newsreader Lewis Vaughn Jones, publicly documented their struggles with infertility in a widely-watched YouTube series 'Our IVF Diary.' Betsy & Hannah talk about how experiencing failure has been freeing, how to support those going through IVF & what Han has learned through infertility. Find Hannah on IG/Twitter @hvaughanjones Follow Betsy on IG/Twitter @thebetsyreed
2021-05-231h 15
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #31: Christina Bradley on giving yourself permission to be creative and having a creative practiceChristina Bradley is a creative coach, author, former actress & founder of The Creativity Campus. Betsy & Christina talk about how everyone is creative but often need to give ourselves permission to connect with & nurture it. Betsy shares how she reconnected with playing her cello after having had to leave her instrument behind when moving to another country. This is a juicy, joyful episode. Enjoy! Find Christina on IG @the_creativity_campus_official Betsy is on IG/Twitter @thebetsyreed
2021-05-1657 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #30: Scott Robinson on neuroscience and rewiring your brain to live the life you wantScott Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at The Academy of Applied Movement Neurology who brings his background in competitive sports to his work helping people to rewire their nervous systems to live the lives they truly want to live. Betsy & Scott chat about how our nervous systems and subconscious programmes determine our wellbeing, and can hinder or help us to live our best lives. Find Scott on IG @the.brain.guy Follow Betsy on IG/Twitter @thebetsyreed
2021-05-101h 15
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #29: Betsy By Herself on having a rough week, being imperfect and being nice to yourselfAfter a tech shitshow of a week, Betsy gave up on salvaging the interview she had wanted to post and recorded a solo episode on how uncomfortable it is to fail. On some of the neuroscience of failing and discomfort. And on how important it is to ask for help, say no or let yourself rest if you are also a recovering control freak overachiever like she is. Enjoy. Relate. Get in touch. Find Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a Patreon supporter to access bonus content www.patreon.com/thediscomfortpractice
2021-05-0212 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #28: The Rev. Fred Davie on purpose, faith, police reform and stepping into the full expression of who you areThe Rev Fred Davie is an openly gay, Black ordained minister who's Executive VP of Union Theological Seminary, Chair of the body providing civilian oversight of the NYC Police Department & a Commissioner for the to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Betsy & Fred chat about the power of just showing up, focusing on the flow rather than the barriers & how to step into the full expression of everything you are. Betsy's on IG @thebetsyreed Patreon = patreon.com/thediscomfortpractice
2021-04-251h 08
The Discomfort PracticeBONUS Episode: Finding Silence MeditationSometimes being someone who practices discomfort means being able to step away and find comfort. Here's a brief meditation recently given live by Betsy that can help you find your way back to your natural state of inner silence. Whether you're sitting, lying down, walking somewhere or driving, tune in and get quiet...
2021-04-2210 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #27: Betsy By Herself - What Our Need to Take Down Our Heroes Says About Us?In this solo episode, Betsy talks about recent news that Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-founder and volunteer Chair of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, has recently bought herself some nice properties and the media and 'activist types' have expressed outrage. Betsy asks, 'What does it say about us that we require our heroes to be martyrs, and we attack them when they aren't? What are we avoiding in ourselves?' Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a supporter & access bonus material at my Patreon
2021-04-1824 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #26: Roopa Mehta on Personal Power and the Gratification of Conscious ConsumptionRoopa Mehta is President of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), leads the Sasha Association for Craft Producers in India and has been a champion of conscious consumption since the 1970s. Betsy and Roopa talk about whether or not life is actually 80% discomfort, the power of anyone to have a positive impact and whether or not Covid has made people more conscious in their purchasing decisions. Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a Patreon supporter to access bonus material from Betsy
2021-04-1147 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #25: Introducing Discomfort Running Buddies - Comfort and Making Art with Catherine GarnerThis is the first 'Discomfort Running Buddies' episode, in which Betsy talks to one of her IRL friends who's a companion on the path of inner exploration and challenging and supporting each other to get uncomfortable in order to evolve. She's joined by Catherine Garner, a former medical professional whose deep understanding of comfort and discomfort informs her work as an artist. Each Wednesday at 16.00 CET/15.00 BST /10 EST Betsy & Catherine will be hosting #ComfortZoneChats on Clubhouse, where anyone can join and listen or contribute to discussion on the theme of the week in a safe space. April 7...
2021-04-0545 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #24: Traver Boehm on Masculinity, Shame and How Teaching Men to Feel Makes the World Safer* Explicit content alert* There is a healthy amount of swearing in this episode, so if that's an edge of your comfort zone you're happy to keep where it is or you have children around, you might want to skip this one or grab your headphones. Traver Boehm is a former MMA fighter who's also an acupuncturist, TEDx speaker and the founder of #UNcivilized, a movement inspiring millions of men to shift their experience of masculinity. Betsy and Traver talk about how cage fighting gave him a fundamental relationship with discomfort, how men's inability to express...
2021-03-251h 09
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #23: Betsy By Herself On the Discomfort of Getting Personal on the InternetIn this latest solo episode of Season 2, Betsy talks about how revealing her personal life on this podcast is part of her own discomfort practice, and how to find the balance between stepping into her full powers while not traumatising herself. She talks about her intention in running her 'sex book club' and commits to give the world what it needs from her - holistic, glorious, flawed. Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a Patreon supporter to access bonus material!
2021-03-2014 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #22: Maggie Murphy On Equal Pay in sports and How to Handle Tough ConversationsMaggie Murphy is the General Manager of Lewes Football Club in England. Lewes is a fan-owned club and the first in the world to pay its male and female players equally. Betsy and Maggie talk about sports as a platform to lead social change and how important great communications are when changing norms. Find out more about Lewes FC (and even become an owner yourself!) at https://www.lewesfc.com/owners Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a Patreon supporter to access bonus material from Betsy
2021-03-141h 05
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #21: Maria Beatrice Giovanardi On Changing the Dictionary Definition of 'Woman' and How Language Shapes SocietyMaria Beatrice Giovanardi's communications research led her to notice the Oxford English Dictionary (& Google) definition of 'woman' was outdated, largely negative & sexist. She started a Change.org petition to change that & in November 2020, following 34,000 signatures, the OED changed it. Betsy & Beatrice discuss how language is everything & her next focus on changing the Italian dictionary's definition of 'woman.' Follow Beatrice on Twitter @mbgiovanardi Find & add your name to the petition by following Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed And become a supporter to access bonus material for The Discomfort Practice podcast
2021-03-0659 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #20: Robin Sundaram On Living Personal Values at Work and the Power of Big Business to Do GoodRobin Sundaram is the son of Sri Lankan immigrants to the UK, a trained economist & a key person leading sustainable sourcing for the world's biggest food company. Betsy & Robin chat about finding allies for positive impact within a big corporate, working with dairy farmers & how to bring your true self to work to be a leader wherever you are. Prepare to be uncomfortable & inspired... Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed Become a Patreon supporter to access bonus material!
2021-02-2858 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #19: Aine Rose Campbell On Modeling and ActivismAine Rose Campbell is a model, producer, activist & founder of The Model Mafia, a collective of nearly 400 models supporting each other & making a difference on issues like #MeToo & climate change. Betsy & Aine talk about the power dynamics in modelling, the negative impact of fashion, the beauty of community & Aine's own discomfort practice. Betsy also reveals far more than she intended to about her own background. On the Internet. Welcome to Betsy's own discomfort practice... Find out more about the Model Mafia Find Aine on IG @ainerosecampbell Become a supporter & access bonus material at Patreon www.patreon.com/thediscomfortpractice Follow Betsy on I...
2021-02-2159 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #18: Ed Gillespie On the Future of Humanity and Covid Lockdown Creativity Ed Gillespie is a keynote speaker, writer, serial entrepreneur & futurist. He’s co-founder of the Global Goals Accelerator, a board member of Greenpeace UK & author of ‘Only Planet – a flight-free adventure around the world' & a poetry collection, ‘Songs of Love in Lockdown.’ Betsy & Ed chat about when optimism is insulting, creativity in lockdown & collective wake-up calls. We ponder the future of work and life, find reasons for realistic optimism & end with one of Ed's poems. Check out Ed's podcasts: The Great Humbling The Futurenauts Buy 'Songs of Love in Lockdown' on Etsy.
2021-02-141h 06
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #17: Julia Dujmovits On Winning Gold Medals, Flow State and Breathing as a SuperpowerJulia Dujmovits is the first Austrian to win an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding and the founder of RE/Mind company, a tech company using technology to get a billion people breathing together for a minute a day. Julia lives life on the edge of her comfort zone as an elite athlete training for her next gold medal, and as an entrepreneur. Betsy and Julia talk about 'letting go to flow,' crashing as a necessary part of learning and how meeting guru Ram Das on Richard Branson's Necker Island changed the course of her life. https://remindunite.c...
2021-02-0738 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #16: Introduction to Season 2 of The Discomfort PracticeWelcome to Season 2 of The Discomfort Practice! Betsy talks about some of her upcoming guests and invites listeners to get in touch to suggest guests - leaders, activists, educators, artists and other extraordinary people whose experience of discomfort has shaped who they are and what they do to make the world a better place. Become a supporter to access bonus episodes and meditations: www.patreon.com/thediscomfortpractice Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed & keep in touch.
2021-02-0708 min
In Conversation with Nathalie Nahai48. Values, Discomfort & Holding Space / Betsy ReedIn today's conversation, I speak with Betsy Reed, an author, speaker and award-winning director of innovative behaviour change approaches, whose work explores social and environmental issues. Her first book, ‘Communicating Social and Environmental Issues Effectively,’ was published in July 2020 by Emerald Publishing and the UK’s PRCA, the largest PR association in Europe.
Betsy has led sustainability public affairs work for the world’s biggest food company and worked as an independent consultant advising executives in the food, tech and fashion industries on sustainability strategy, risk, and internal and external engagement.
With her passion to engage people in exploring 'How connecti...
2021-01-3152 min
The Discomfort PracticeBONUS Episode: Sitting With Discomfort MeditationAlong with hosting this podcast, Betsy is also a meditation teacher. Any time you're feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable, take 10 minutes to sit, listen, centre yourself & set yourself a bit more free with this meditation. Follow Betsy on IG @thebetsyreed and @betsyreedyoga Music attribution Deep Relaxation Preview by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5726-deep-relaxation-preview License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
2020-12-3109 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #15: Season 1 Wrap-Up2020 felt like both the longest decade & best year of Betsy's life. In this episode, she sits with the discomfort & ponders what's come of it. Look for Season 2, launching January 31st, with special bonus content for Patreon supporters -www.Patreon.com/thediscomfortpractice Lend Betsy your feedback! DM her IG @thebetsyreed or email hello@betsy-reed.com: * What questions do you have about discomfort? * What guests or discomfort-related topics would you like to see featured?
2020-12-3119 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #14: Khandiz On the Ugly impact of the Beauty Industry and Transforming the Film and TV Industries Khandiz is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work ranges from high fashion makeup artist to fine art installations. Originally from South Africa, she's a self-educated, impactful and passionate activist who's focusing her creative talents and knowledge on challenging and ups killing the beauty industry and film and tv industries to have a more positive impact on the environment and the humans who work in these industries. Betsy and Khandiz talk about the content and impact of the products in our makeup bags and bathroom cabinets, greenwash and how art isn’t beautiful if it has an ugly impact. Find out more about...
2020-12-2857 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #13: Steve Whiteley On Getting Laughs and being a Buddhist Comic Steve Whiteley is a writer, director, producer & comedian whom the British Comedy Guide recently called ‘One of the pioneers in the new wave of online comedy.’ Betsy & Steve talk about the role of discomfort in comedy & our ability as those in the audience to sit with discomfort, the benefit of mindfulness on creativity & how ego gets in the way. Steve talks about being a beginner with each new project - from his first standup shows to directing a tv pilot - & how his Buddhist practice centres him. You can find more of Steve’s work via his we...
2020-12-2644 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #12: Sophie Anderson On Physical and Energetic Alignment and Human Design Sophie Anderson is an expert in alignment. She's one of only 15 chiropractors in Europe specialising in upper cervical care, & is a Human Design guide, helping others find and live their personal design through this powerful energetic mapping system. Betsy & Sophie talk about the impact of discomfort on the nervous system, Human Design and how discomfort can actually get worse as you start to heal. You can find your Human Design by going to mybodygraph.com Sophie can be booked for online Human Design readings via her website The podcast Sophie refers to is 'The Expanded Podcast' by...
2020-12-2039 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #11: Bodhi Eira Jones On Flow State, Creativity and Breaking Binary ThinkingBodhi Eira Jones is a flow state expert, binary-breaking revolutionary and the founder of KaiFlow, a practice that’s described as 'martial arts for the mind.’ Betsy and Bodhi talk about how breaking up with binary thinking can help to unlock and unleash our deepest, raging creativity, how Bodhi’s gender fluidity means getting to reinvent themselves every day and how 2020 has given space for us to reexamine our lives and reality. Find out more about KaiFlow and their new Rebel Majesty programme by going to kaiflow.com You can support The Discomfort Practice on Patreon Follow me on Instagram...
2020-12-1435 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #10: Betsy By Herself On 2020 and Healing Our Collective Shadow SideIn this solo episode, Betsy talks about 2020 as the massive stirring stick to bring up some deep, dark... STUFF. We're all facing our individual and collective shadow sides - the 'dark side' of the ego. And it's only through healing it that we can move forward. Become a patron of The Discomfort Practice here: www.patreon.com/TheDiscomfortPractice And follow Betsy on: Instagram @thebetsyreed and @betsyreedyoga Twitter @thebetsyreed LinkedIn thebetsyreed
2020-12-0912 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #9: Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic On How Leaders Fail When They Avoid DiscomfortDr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is an organisational psychologist, prolific author and entrepreneur whose latest book is called ‘Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And what to do about it).’ Betsy and Tomas talk about why society prefers male incompetence to female competence, how most leaders are failing to lead by avoiding discomfort, how cultivating comfortable work cultures get in the way of the innovation needed to tackle pressing issues and how 2020 has forever changed our expectations of work. You can find out more about Dr Tomas at drtomas.com Check out his writing on Forbes here Support...
2020-12-0636 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #8: Isa Noyola On Being a Transgender Latina Activist and the Precarious Lives of Trans MigrantsIsa Noyola is a well known and respected translatina activist and trans leader in the US. She talks about her work to end ICE detention of trans migrants, what it’s like to come out as trans when you’re a first generation Mexican American pastor’s kid and how none of us is free until all of us are free. Betsy & Isa talk about being free to express the feminine in a patriarchal world, the strong values and community organising experience their religious backgrounds gave them both and reasons to be optimistic, even in (and especially in) difficult times. You can fi...
2020-12-0136 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #7: Kirsty Schneeberger On Species Decline, Climate Crisis & Living Heart-FirstKirsty Schneeberger MBE is a distinguished environmental campaigner, leader, and CEO of London-based conservation non-profit Synchronicity Earth. Betsy and Kirsty talk about the truly uncomfortable facts around species decline, environmental degradation, climate change and political inaction. They end up in paradigm shift and the importance of living with the heart as we collectively face our 'butterfly soup’ moment, knowing some beautiful shifts will occur while still living in the dark.
2020-11-1547 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #6: Betsy by Herself On Being In The UnknownIn this quick solo episode, Betsy talks about being in the unknown - in a pandemic, recording while not knowing the results of the US Presidential Election, unsure of where Brexit negotiations will leave her as a British person resident in Spain. She talks about being in the 'butterfly soup' moment and how sometimes, stepping back from discomfort and nourishing ourselves is the way through discomfort. You can find Betsy’s Patreon at www.patreon.com/TheDiscomfortPractice And follow her on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebetsyreed/ Twitter https://twitter.com/thebetsyreed...
2020-11-0809 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #5: Dr. Mick Jackson On Extreme Adventures and Why He Founded Wild Hearts GroupDr. Mick Jackson is the Founder of WildHearts, which works with business and channels its profits back into projects that help humankind. His life-changing moment (and the reason he set up WildHearts) came after a harrowing adventure that involved carrying his dying sherpa for four days after his lungs collapsed while climbing Broad Peak and K2. Betsy and Mick talk about getting comfortable with discomfort, how travel helps us to see the world through the perspective of others, how anyone can be an entrepreneur, and how he’s had to pivot his business model and successful MicroTyco pro...
2020-10-291h 00
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #4: Nick Bridwell On Uncomfortable ConversationsNick Bridwell is a writer and journalist living in Plano, Texas. The murder of George Floyd by police was the catalyst to prompt him and long-time friend, performer So Sique, to create the Uncomfortable Conversations podcast. It’s a place for real conversations about the social issues plaguing modern-day America - conversations people haven’t had but need to. Betsy and Nick talk about Nick’s fresh decision to quit his job to pursue work he feels is more aligned with his purpose, the value of dialogue with people you know will disagree with you, and how uncomfo...
2020-10-2940 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #3: Lucie Lincoln On the Scariness of Creativity and Why Don't Need to Act GrownupLucie Lincoln is a writer, content creator, organisational culture expert and host of the podcast ‘Almost Grown… Up,’ the podcast ‘for Millennials who don’t want to grow up but have unfortunately realised they might have to.’ Betsy and Lucie talk about being ‘discomfort running buddies’ together in Barcelona, how excruciating it can be to put creative projects into the world and explore the idea that the current global discomfort (we’re - hopefully - mid-pandemic at this stage), just might be a golden opportunity to nurture our creativity and a collective shift as humanity. You can follow Lucie...
2020-10-2938 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #2: Jonelle Lewis On Challenging White Privilege in the Wellness IndustryJonelle Lewis is a yoga teacher, mentor, brand ambassador and respected figure in the London wellness industry (and is currently based in Los Angeles). For years she’s pointed out inconsistencies around lack of diversity, sexual harassment, cultural appropriation and privilege in the yoga and wellness world. With the spotlight on #BlackLivesMatter and systemic racism in all areas of society, Jonelle has stepped into her voice and been invited to contribute her wisdom more widely. Betsy and Jonelle talk about ‘spiritual capitalism’ in the modern yoga industry, how Western yoga teachers need to be honest about the spirit...
2020-10-2952 min
The Discomfort PracticeEpisode #1: Introduction to The Discomfort PracticeWelcome to The Discomfort Practice, where this first episode is being re-posted late, due to technical issues posting it. In it, Betsy invites you into her own discomfort practice as she puts it all out there on the Internet, talking about coming from a conservative Christian family, coming out of the spiritual closet and reflecting on the pivotal moment over 17 years ago when she realised her White Privilege was a superpower to be used to hold space for those who don't have it. Follow Betsy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thebetsyreed Her yoga account...
2020-10-2809 min