Shows
Business Minds Coffee ChatKristen Rainey | The Business of Getting Better SleepKristen Rainey, Founder and CEO of Northstar Sleep School, certified sleep science coach, and host of the popular Northstar Unplugged podcast joins me on this episode. Prior to launching Northstar Sleep School, Kristen led sustainability and procurement for Google's 271 cafes across 54 countries. She is a graduate of Princeton University and received a MALD in International Affairs at the Fletcher School at Tufts University and an MBA at Cornell University. We talk about Kristen's college and professional journey, the experience of working for Google, the impact of her aggressive work and travel schedule on her health...
2022-09-011h 11
Northstar Unplugged#090. Philip Henderson: Leader of first expedition of Black climbers to summit Mount EverestPhilip Henderson has spent nearly 30 years in the outdoor industry. He has been on several major expeditions including Mount Everest, Mount Denali, Mount Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. Most recently, in May 2022, he led the first all Black team on an expedition of Mount Everest. Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-07-2542 minNorthstar Unplugged#089. Lucia Giovannini: how to create changeLucia Giovannini is a former international Italian supermodel turned transformational speaker and author of 13 books, including her most recent one, A Whole New Life.Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-07-1151 minNorthstar Unplugged#088. Doug Peacock: from Vietnam to Montana grizzliesDoug Peacock is a Montana-based American naturalist, outdoorsman, and author who has spent decades of his life alone in the wilderness, observing Grizzly Bears in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks following several tours as a Green Beret medic in the Vietnam War.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-06-2736 minNorthstar Unplugged#087. Kareen Erbe: Permaculture 101Kareen Erbe owns Broken Ground, a permaculture education and design business in Bozeman, Montana that teaches people how to grow their own food and become more self-reliant.Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-06-131h 02Northstar Unplugged#086. Rick Ridgeway: Mountaineering to conservation, K2 to PatagoniaRick Ridgeway is an outdoor adventurer, writer and advocate for sustainability and conservation initiatives. For 15 years, Rick was the VP of Environmental Affairs and then VP of Public Engagement at Patagonia, Inc. In addition, Rick is recognized as one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. With three companions, he was the first American to summit K2, which at over 28,000 feet is the world’s 2nd highest peak after Everest and is located on the China-Pakistan border. Rick has done other significant climbs and explorations on all continents. He has written seven books, many magazine stories and produced and directed dozens...
2022-05-3059 minNorthstar Unplugged#085. Laura Putnam: Workplace Wellness That WorksLaura Putnam is the author of the award-winning Workplace Wellness That Works and CEO and founder of Motion Infusion, a leading well-being provider.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com.
2022-05-1645 minNorthstar Unplugged#084. Marah Hardt: author of Sex in the SeaMarah Hardt is both a scientist and a storyteller, focused on our oceans. In this interview, we dive into some of her research on the global impacts of COVID on the seafood industry. We also talk about her book Sex in the Sea to hear how human activities- including those leading to climate change- are wrecking havoc on how fish mate in the sea. Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-05-021h 11
The Black Diamond PodcastEp. 63 The Business of Better Sleep with Kristen RaineyKristen Rainey is the Founder and CEO of Northstar Sleep School, offering online classes and in-person workshops to help people get better sleep. Using a data-driven approach, her clients learn what behavior changes they can make in their daily lives to yield the most impact. She is also the host of the Northstar Unplugged podcast, focused on rest, unplugging, transitions, and finding what fuels you.Prior to launching Northstar Sleep School, Kristen led sustainability and procurement for Google’s 271 cafes across 54 countries. She is a graduate of Princeton University and received a MALD in International Affairs at the Fletcher School at...
2022-04-2149 minNorthstar Unplugged#083. Eric Malzone: The Future of FitnessAfter 9+ years of owning multiple gyms including CrossFit (™) affiliates, and a deep analysis of his “ideal day,” Eric Malzone decided to sell his businesses to create a bigger impact in the fitness industry while living the lifestyle that he and his wife had always dreamed of. He is now the host of two top-rated podcasts - The Future of Fitness and Fitness Blitz Radio, where he has interviewed 650+ professionals in the areas of fitness, health and wellness. Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-04-1847 minNorthstar Unplugged#082. Tanja Hester: how to use your wallet as a force for changeTanja Hester is the author of Wallet Activism: How to Use Every Dollar You Spend, Earn, and Save as a Force for Change and Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny Pinching Way. She’s a former political consultant and journalist turned activist and early retiree.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-04-041h 04Northstar Unplugged#081. Nic Bryce: owner of Grotto Meats, a charcuterie company in BozemanNic Bryce is the founder and owner of Grotto Meats, a charcuterie company in Bozeman, Montana. He also launched Bozeman’s first food truck, Rendezvous, with a crepe and taco menu.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-03-2158 minNorthstar Unplugged#080. Sarah Calhoun: Founder of Red Ants Pants, workwear for womenTired of wearing men’s work pants that didn’t fit, rural entrepreneur Sarah Calhoun founded Red Ants Pants, designing pants that would fit and flatter working women. Based in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, Calhoun is also the founder of the Red Ants Pants Music Festival held there every summer. Festival proceeds fuel the Red Ants Pants Foundation, supporting women’s leadership, working family farms and ranches, and rural communities.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-03-0742 minNorthstar Unplugged#079. Chris Mehl: on Bozeman’s housing crisis, climate change, and local politicsChris lives in Bozeman, Montana and has worked professionally and volunteered in public service for more than three decades, most recently as Mayor and City Commissioner for Bozeman. He previously worked for ten years as the Policy Director at Headwaters Economics, a research group that works with communities across the West to promote community development and local economic growth. Before, Mehl was the Communications Director in the Northern Rockies Office of The Wilderness Society. Chris started his career working for 15 years in Washington, D.C. as Press Secretary for Members of the House of Representatives. Full show n...
2022-02-2149 minNorthstar Unplugged#078. Paige Davis: Mindfulness Through Cancer and BeyondPaige Davis is a mindfulness trainer, entrepreneur, author, and cancer survivor. She facilitates mindfulness, meditation, and resilience programming designed to enhance communication, productivity, and manage high-demand situations with more clarity, compassion and creativity. Paige, along with her sister, Melissa Nathan, is co-founder of Pebbl, a comfortable floor chair with back support. Described as "the yoga mat for meditation," Pebbl provides a lil' cush for the tush, peace for the soul, and support on the pathway to presence and well being.Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-02-0744 minNorthstar Unplugged#077. Clint Ober: how grounding reduces inflammation and improves sleepClint Ober is a leader in the grounding or earthing movement which consists of reaping the health benefits- including better sleep and reduced inflammation- from spending more time with our bodies in direct contact with the earth- such as simply walking in the grass barefoot. After spending 30 years in the communications industry where everything has to be grounded to the earth, Clint is now CEO of a business called Earthing FX, focused on the topic of grounding.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2022-01-2457 minNorthstar Unplugged#076. Eva Gruber: mental fitnessEva Gruber is a Habit Coach, Mental Fitness Advocate, and International Best-Selling Author. She supports people who have too much on their plate to improve their wellbeing, relationships, and peak-performance.Full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2022-01-1044 minNorthstar Unplugged#075. Matt Skoglund: starting a bison ranch from scratchMatt Skoglund is the founder and owner of North Bridger Bison, a bison ranch rooted in Regenerative Agriculture principles located in Montana's Shields Valley.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2021-12-2752 minNorthstar Unplugged#074. Justin Farrell: author of Billionaire Wilderness: The Ultra-Wealthy and the Remaking of the American WestYale professor Justin Farrell’s most recent book, Billionaire Wilderness, offers a revealing look at the intersection of wealth, philanthropy, and conservation.Full show notes at www.northstarunplugged.com
2021-12-131h 03Northstar Unplugged#073. Vasu Sojitra: Diversity, Inclusion & Intersectionality in the outdoorsWhen Vasu was only nine months old, he was diagnosed with septicemia, resulting in the amputation of one of his legs. Since then, Vasu has not looked back; with the motto of “ ninjasticking through the woods to bring intersectionality to the outdoors,” Vasu continues to challenge the biases that go with being a Disabled person of color with a through his intersectional work which include being the first adaptive athlete for The North Face, a founding member for The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E Initiative, the co-founder of Inclusive Outdoors Project, and a Disability Access strategist for The...
2021-11-2936 minNorthstar Unplugged#072. Morgan Lindsey: resilience building, self-compassion, trauma recoveryMorgan Lindsey is an Austin, Texas based psychotherapist, specializing in resilience building, self-compassion, and trauma recovery. Her work consists of individual therapy, group psychotherapy, corporate mindfulness, and training coaches and therapists up and coming in the field. Her work aims to weave modern neuroscience with ancient wisdom traditions in an effort to help people find the love and connection they long for both within themselves and each other.See full show notes at northstarunplugged.com
2021-11-1848 minNorthstar Unplugged#071. Brandon LaGreca: do our cell phones cause cancer?Brandon LaGreca is a licensed acupuncturist, a thought leader in the synthesis of traditional and functional medicine, and the author of Cancer and EMF Radiation: How to Protect Yourself From the Silent Carcinogen of Electropollution.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast.
2021-11-0142 minNorthstar Unplugged#070. Julie Fathy: creating a zero waste lifestyleBased near Bozeman, Montana, Julie Fathy is an expert is zero waste living. Through systems she has developed throughout her home, Julie shares how to make this happen and why less is more.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast.
2021-10-1836 minNorthstar Unplugged#069. John Ratey, MD: exercise as fuel for the brainBest selling author John J. Ratey, MD is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 17 languages. With the publication of Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection. See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast.
2021-10-0438 minNorthstar Unplugged#068. April Rinne: Flux: 8 superpowers for thriving in constant changeApril Rinne helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationship with change, uncertainty, and a world in flux. She’s the author of the newly-launched book, Flux: 8 Superpowers for thriving in constant change. April has been weaving a story about how to thrive amid flux for as long as she can remember, drawing on her history as a futurist, advisor, global development executive, microfinance lawyer, investor, mental health advocate, certified yoga teacher, globetrotter (100+ countries), and insatiable handstander. April also harnesses her very personal experiences with flux, including the death of both of her parents in a car accident when...
2021-09-2052 minNorthstar Unplugged#067. Jillian Johnsrud: mini-retirement, financial independence, silencing the inner criticAfter becoming financially independent at 32 years old, Jillian turned her personal and professional experience towards a creative life. She is a popular public speaker, coach, writer, and teacher of online classes. Her book Fire the Haters: Finding the Courage to Create Online in a Critical World helps creatives and entrepreneurs share their best work with the world. She hosts the Everyday Courage Podcast. Her husband and she live in Montana, near Glacier National Park, with their 5 kids, and a dog named Cheesy Taco. She’s an avid traveler and drinker of hot tea. You can connect with her at jil...
2021-09-1348 minNorthstar Unplugged#066. Richard Manning: eat fat, run free, follow our ancestors’ leadIn one of Richard Manning’s 11 books, Go Wild, he and co-author John Ratey share why returning to a lifestyle more like that of our ancestors will restore our health and wellbeing.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-09-0650 min
Mile High FI PodcastHabit Changes for a Successful Life – Kristen Rainey | MHFi 019Doug and Carl interview Kristen Rainey. Kristen is an amazing human who graduated from Princeton, taught in Indonesia, hiked the Appalachian Trail, worked at Google, and so much more. In this episode, Kristen discusses:
Spending a week cut off from technology in Katmai National Park
Grizzly bears!
Holding individual stocks
Moving to Bozeman Montana
Implementing effective behavioral change while working at Google and beyond
Intermittent fasting
Enhancing your life through travel
Happiness
→ Check for Northstar Sleep School spots in Sept 2021.
Meet Kristen Rainey
We’d have to write a novel to even scratch the s...
2021-08-311h 17Mile High FI PodcastHabit Changes for a Successful Life – Kristen Rainey | MHFi 019Doug and Carl interview Kristen Rainey. Kristen is an amazing human who graduated from Princeton, taught in Indonesia, hiked the Appalachian Trail, worked at Google, and so much more. In this episode, Kristen discusses:
Spending a week cut off from technology in Katmai National Park
Grizzly bears!
Holding individual stocks
Moving to Bozeman Montana
Implementing effective behavioral change while working at Google and beyond
Intermittent fasting
Enhancing your life through travel
Happiness
→ Check for Northstar Sleep School spots in Sept 2021.
Meet Kristen Rainey
We’d have to write a novel to even scratch the s...
2021-08-311h 17
Mile High FI PodcastHabit Changes for a Successful Life – Kristen Rainey | MHFi 019Doug and Carl interview Kristen Rainey. Kristen is an amazing human who graduated from Princeton, taught in Indonesia, hiked the Appalachian Trail, worked at Google, and so much more. In this episode, Kristen discusses:
Spending a week cut off from technology in Katmai National Park
Grizzly bears!
Holding individual stocks
Moving to Bozeman Montana
Implementing effective behavioral change while working at Google and beyond
Intermittent fasting
Enhancing your life through travel
Happiness
→ Check for Northstar Sleep School spots in Sept 2021.
Meet Kristen Rainey
We’d have to write a novel to even scratch the s...
2021-08-311h 17Northstar Unplugged#065. Anna Lembke, MD: social media is a drugYou may have seen Dr. Anna Lembke in the 2020 Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma about the impact of social media on our lives. She is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Clinic. She’s the author of the book Drug Dealer, MD about the opioid epidemic and the forthcoming book Dopamine Nation, about compulsive overconsumption, including digital products. Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-08-3038 minNorthstar Unplugged#064. Bryan Stewart: CEO, Hacker Paradise, on the future of remote workBryan Stewart is CEO of Hacker Paradise, the longest running remote work and travel community, and he is also cofounder of Outpost, a network of coliving, coworking, and social spaces for location independent entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals. Bryan is based in Indonesia, on the island of Bali.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-08-2339 minNorthstar Unplugged#063. Berra Yazar-Klosinski PhD: psychedelic therapy for PTSD, sleep, and moreAt the non-profit MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), Berra Yazar-Klosinski oversees research on the risk/benefit profile of psychedelics in compliance with the global regulatory landscape. In this episode, we hear more about how various psychedelics- such as MDMA and cannabis- have been successful in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD), sleep disorders, and more. See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-08-1648 minNorthstar Unplugged#062. Bruce Kirkby: a family journey to the HimalayaIn 2015, Canadian adventurer, writer, and photographer Bruce Kirkby, his wife, and two young sons left Kimberley, BC and began a six month adventure that included 97 days of overland travel to Ladakh, India where they spent three months living in a remote monastery, Karsha Gompa.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-08-0942 minNorthstar Unplugged#061. Lina Menard: tiny house livingLina Menard has resided in a yurt and three tiny houses on wheels, exploring questions around intentional living, less stuff, and happiness. With a background in sustainable design-build and urban planning, Lina also has a penchant for experiential learning and healthy communities. She has found her niche nestled between small spaces, collaborative education, and community planning.See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast.
2021-08-0252 minNorthstar Unplugged#060. Carl Jensen: how to retire in 1500 daysAfter a particularly challenging day of work as a programmer, Carl Jensen typed into Google “How do I retire early?” He then started a blog, 1500 days to Freedom, about his ensuing journey of downsizing, saving and investing. Six years later, at the age of 43, he found himself with the newfound freedom to retire and spend his time however he wished. In this episode, we learn how he made it happen, as well as Carl’s sleep tips and his recent investigations into what actually makes us happy.See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-07-2653 minNorthstar Unplugged#059. Paul Snyder: Executive VP of Stewardship at Tillamook, a dairy co-op in OregonPaul Snyder is Executive Vice President at the Tillamook County Creamery Corporation. A member of the Executive Team and reporting to the CEO, he leads several functions including corporate responsibility, sustainability, community engagement, corporate communications, government affairs, farm services, and co-op member relations. He works with a talented team to bring together these critical areas through the development, management and execution of comprehensive member relations, external relations and outreach, philanthropy and social responsibility strategies. He joined Tillamook in June of 2019.Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-07-1936 minNorthstar Unplugged#058. Kristine Zeigler: co-founder & CEO of Planet WomenKristine Zeigler is the co-founder of and chief executive officer at Planet Women, which addresses climate change and other conservation challenges through projects led by women and for women around the world. For the past 22 years, Kristine has been an environmental nonprofit leader focused on helping nature and people thrive.Full snow notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-07-1243 minNorthstar Unplugged#057. Dr. Mark Nelson: Living inside Biosphere 2Dr. Mark Nelson was a member of the eight person “biospherian” crew for the first two year Biosphere 2 closure experiment, 1991-1993. The project included pioneering regenerative agriculture and waste and water recycling. Full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-07-051h 09Northstar Unplugged#056. JL Collins: The Simple Path to WealthJL Collins is widely regarded as one of the founders of the Financial Independence movement. His very popular stock series blog can be found at jlcollinsnh.com, and that blog and his book The Simple Path to Wealth have been credited by many as transformative in helping them think or rethink investing, allowing many to reach financial independence or “FI”, providing the freedom to do whatever they want with their time at a much earlier age than they might have otherwise. See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-06-2345 minNorthstar Unplugged#055. Susan Comfort & Tyecia Powell: tackling burnout in teachers and nonprofit professionalsAfter Susan Comfort and Tyecia “Ty” Powell each experienced burnout, they teamed up to start an organization called Nonprofit Wellness, which is focused on supporting teachers and nonprofit employees, who, in their commitment to caring for others, tend to neglect their own care.See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast
2021-06-1546 minNorthstar Unplugged#054. Rick Curtis: 40 years of leading outdoor education at PrincetonRick Curtis has served as Director of the outdoor education program at Princeton University for 40 years. He has utilized small group experiences in the outdoors for team building, personal growth and leadership development for tens of thousands of students. He has helped people develop their skills in the outdoors through his book The Backpacker’s Field Manual, published by Penguin Random House and through his web site—OutdoorEd.com—which has been an online resource for outdoor education professionals since 2001. Rick has focused specifically on risk management and accident prevention and is the CEO and Founder of IncidentAnalytix, a cloud...
2021-06-0945 minNorthstar Unplugged#053. Mary Tabacchi, PhD: the keys to longevityMary Tabacchi is a founder of the International Spa Association, The New York Spa Alliance, and the Global Wellness Summit/Institute and on the Board of Green Spa Network, a member of the New York Academy of Science, Sigma Xi, and serves on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House in NYC and an early fellow of Cornell Institute of Healthy Living. She is Professor Emerita, School of Hotel Administration, Johnson College of Business, Cornell University. Since 1972, Mary served as Professor and Researcher. Before joining The Hotel School in 1978, she taught in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and...
2021-06-0243 minNorthstar Unplugged#052. Tom Cronin: inspiring 1B people to meditate dailyTom Cronin spent 26 years in finance markets as one of Sydney’s leading bond and swap brokers. He discovered meditation in the early stages of his career, when the anxiety and chaos he was experiencing hit a crisis point. Meditation completely transformed his world, both personally and professionally. Today Tom is passionate about reducing stress and chaos in people’s lives, and his mission is to inspire one billion people to meditate daily. In this episode, we discuss Tom’s transformational journey and his newly-released film, The Portal.Full show notes can be found at northstarsleepschool.com/po...
2021-05-2643 minNorthstar Unplugged#051. Mellie Pullman, PhD: craft beer, social enterprise, cannabis supply chainMellie Pullman is a professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. Since 1997, she has held previous appointments at Cardiff University, Cornell University, London Business School, Colorado State University, Southern Methodist University, University of Utah and is currently a visiting professor at University of Groningen in the Netherlands.Professor Pullman’s major research interests include social impact supply chains, sustainability and supply chain management, food and beverage supply chains, impacts of regulatory turbulence on supply chains, and experiential service design. Currently, she is researching supply chains and UN sustainable development biodiversity goals, social enterprise supply chains in fo...
2021-05-1758 minNorthstar Unplugged#050. Crist Inman, PhD: conservation-focused tourism in Costa Rica and beyondCrist began his career in restaurant and hotel operations, followed by graduate studies at Cornell University. His doctoral dissertation provided a foundation for the entrepreneurial conservation work he has been involved in ever since. In 1995 he was invited to lead the Tourism Competitiveness & Sustainable Development project, facilitating innovation in Latin America’s emerging “green” destinations. Starting in Costa Rica he worked with public and private sector leaders to ensure a coherent national strategy with conservation commitments as a key selling point. He continued this work over the next several years in the other Central American countries, followed by the Andean...
2021-05-1049 minNorthstar Unplugged#049. Brigid Schulte: author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love & Play when No One has the TimeBrigid Schulte is a journalist, public speaker, and program director of the Better Life Lab, the work-family justice and gender equity program at the nonpartisan think tank New America. She’s also the author of the New York Times bestselling book on time pressure, gender and modern life, Overwhelmed: Work, Love & Play when No One has the Time, which was named one of the notable books of the year by the Washington Post and NPR, and won the Virginia Library Association’s literary nonfiction award.Resources:Brigid’s website, and Facebook page. Follow her on Twitt...
2021-05-031h 03Northstar Unplugged#048. Andrew Shakman: food waste, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and filmmakingAndrew Shakman is CEO and co-founder of Leanpath, a mission-driven foodservice technology company based in Portland, Oregon. Leanpath invented the world’s first automated food waste tracking technology in 2004, which now operates in thousands of foodservice kitchens in 40 countries, cutting their food waste in half. From the beginning, Andrew has worked to catalyze the global movement to address the food waste crisis. He has been featured in BusinessWeek, NPR, Forbes, Fast Company and many other publications. He has presented at the World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Culinary Institute of America, Harvard, and before hundreds of ot...
2021-04-2658 minNorthstar Unplugged#047. Beverly Winterscheid, PhD: nature as a teacher for women who want to change the worldBeverly is a mentor and motivator for women who want to change the world through passionate commitment to their ideas, families, organizations, and communities.After 20 years of a successful business and academic career that included a Ph.D. in Business Strategy, a post-doc at the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management, positions as VP, Strategy and Organization for Manco-Henkel, Inc. and Director of Strategic Initiatives for Stratton Corporation, she had a profound awakening. After investing two decades in change management with a large systems focus, she came to the conclusion that change happens one pe...
2021-04-1945 minNorthstar Unplugged#046. Michiel Bakker: behind the scenes with Google’s renowned workplace programs- food, transportation, fitness, and moreAs the Vice President of Global Programs for Real Estate & Workplace Services, Bakker leads Google’s renowned workplace programs and services such as food, transportation, events, guest services, sustainability, placemaking as well as fitness, massage and well-being. Bakker is focused on providing integrated offerings and experiences that enable Google to thrive. He is also focused on supporting the growth and future of Google through the scaling of these programs, ongoing innovation and partnerships. Bakker has spent over 25 years in global hotel and food and beverage operations, creating and building out partnerships, hotel F&B developments, openings, and foo...
2021-04-1253 minNorthstar Unplugged#045. Katie Holloran: How to get your kid to sleepSince 2005 Katie Holloran has run her own business supporting families as a teacher, special education teacher, behavior analyst and sleep coach. Prior to starting her business, Katie graduated from Georgetown University and then earned her Masters in Special Education from George Washington University, both in Washington, DC. While teaching and working with children with Autism and Developmental Delays in Public, Private, Charter schools as well as in-home therapy programs in the DC area, Katie completed the coursework and obtained her Board Certification in Behavior Analysis in 2010.While she had worked with many children and helped many families s...
2021-04-0549 minNorthstar Unplugged#044. Christopher Gardner, PhD: on the intersection of taste, health, environmental sustainability + social justiceChristopher Gardner is a nutrition scientist and Professor of Medicine. For 28 years at Stanford he has studied what to consume and to avoid for optimal health, and how best to motivate individuals to achieve healthy dietary behaviors. Some of the dozens of human nutrition intervention trials he has conducted include studies of garlic, omega-3 fats, soy phytoestrogens and antioxidants. Among his most cited studies are the A TO Z (2007) and the DIETFITS (2018) weight loss diet trials. His ongoing trials involve examining the impact of dietary changes (e.g., alternative meat, ketogenic diet) on the gut microbiome and inflammation/immune...
2021-03-2959 minNorthstar Unplugged#043. Julie Kunen, PhD: Director of Sustainability, Oatly North America- on the nexus of food, culture & the environmentJulie Kunen’s passion for sustainability studies began with her PhD studies in archaeology, where she focused on agricultural practices of the ancient Maya. Following completion of her degree she went on to hold roles in academia, government, non-profit, freelance journalism, and business consulting before joining Oatly at the end of 2020.Dr. Kunen served as the forestry and natural resources advisor for Latin America at the US Agency for International Development, and then stepped into dual roles as chief of staff of the policy bureau and senior environmental policy advisor, leading development of USAID’s first climate chang...
2021-03-2251 minNorthstar Unplugged#042. Christopher Lindholst: tackling workplace fatigue as co-founder & CEO of MetroNapsChristopher Lindholst is CEO and co-founder of MetroNaps. A pioneer in corporate fatigue management solutions, he oversaw the development of MetroNaps’ i20 system, which has since become the leading technology for optimizing workplace napping. Christopher has been instrumental in putting sleep on the corporate wellness agenda and has established partnerships on four continents. He is a frequent speaker at corporations and conferences, where he talks about implementing sleep into corporate wellbeing programs. He has been cited in the media hundreds of times, including by the BBC, Monocle and the Financial Times. MetroNaps was founded in 2003 with...
2021-03-1550 minNorthstar Unplugged#041. Selena Ahmed, PhD: a deep dive into tea, the 2nd most consumed beverage in the worldIn this episode, Montana State University Professor of Sustainable Food Systems Selena Ahmed PhD notes that “tea is the plant that’s carried me through my career.” Selena shares insights about the connection between taste and environment, the launch of her business providing education around tea and bitters, the magic of the 3rd infusion of pu’er, and her research around climate change’s impact on tea.''Selena’s bio:Selena Ahmed, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at Montana State University where she co-leads the Food and Health Lab and serves as...
2021-03-0845 minNorthstar Unplugged#040. Matt Colgan: Culinary Director of healthy fast casual chain Mixt- on innovation, umami, and the wonders of a backyard fire pitChef Matt Colgan found his way into a kitchen as a cook and dishwasher at age 14 and never left. Matt is a native of the Bay Area and has cooked in several restaurants here and everywhere else he has lived and traveled. Matt has a degree in philosophy having studied at UC Santa Cruz, CA and UC Galway in Ireland. His travels brought him to cooking stages in Europe with an extended stay at L’Albergaccio Restaurant in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. There, Matt learned much of what has shaped him today; cook with quality seasonal ingredients, respect those...
2021-03-011h 09Northstar Unplugged#039. Darcy Winslow: sustainability@Nike; women’s leadership in climate; walking the Oregon Coast TrailDarcy Winslow is the co-founder and President (2010-2020) of the Academy for Systems Change, an organization focused on advancing the field of awareness-based systemic change in order to achieve economic, social, and ecological well being. The Academy designs, develops and delivers a range of programs to support, coach and build community among emerging and existing leaders who are at the pioneering edge of systems change work. Unlike conventional leadership training organizations, the Academy’s approach fosters deep understandingof the powerful connection between change within the individual and changing the systemsin which they work. The Academy was in par...
2021-02-2257 minNorthstar Unplugged#038. Jud Brewer: conquering our addictions through mindfulnessJud Brewer MD PhD (“Dr. Jud”) is a thought leader in the field of habit change and the “science of self-mastery”, having combined over 20 years of experience with mindfulness training with his scientific research therein. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry at the Schools of Public Health & Medicine at Brown University. He is also the executive medical director of behavioral health at Sharecare Inc. and a research affiliate at MIT. A psychiatrist and internationally known expert in mindfulness training for addictions, Brewer has develope...
2021-02-1549 minNorthstar Unplugged#037. Suzan Beraza: Festival Director of Telluride’s Mountainfilm; filmmaker addressing single-use plastics, uranium mining, humanitarian crisis in the Dominican RepublicSuzan is an Hispana-Latina-American and was born and raised in the Caribbean. Her films have been shown on Independent Lens, World Channel, Pivot TV and on the Documentary Channel, at Lincoln Center, and at many festivals. Her first film, BAG IT, was a winner of the Britdoc Impact Award in Berlin and has been televised in over fifty countries. URANIUM DRIVE-IN was a recipient of Sundance Institute and Chicken and Egg funding and was featured at Good Pitch and at Hot Docs Pitch Forum. The film was awarded the Big Sky Award, was honored for documentary excellence by the...
2021-02-0853 minNorthstar Unplugged#036. Andrew Towne: crossing the Drake Passage from Chile to Antarctica in a rowboatAndrew Towne is an endurance athlete, speaker, lawyer and international business consultant.Andrew holds 5 world records in ocean rowing, US national championships in collegiate rowing and club running, and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has also climbed the tallest mountain on every continent (including Mt Everest).Passionate about international relations, Andrew advises multi-national corporations on strategic and organizational issues as a Principal in the Boston Consulting Group's Minneapolis office. Andrew has lived/worked in 8 countries, promotes intercultural exchange as the Board Chair of Youth For Understanding USA and has served the US...
2021-02-011h 18Northstar Unplugged#035. Angella Ahn, violinist of Ahn Trio: on growing up in two cultures, studying at Juilliard, performing at the White House, teaching at Montana State UniversityViolinist Angella Ahn of the Ahn Trio shares her experience growing up in two cultures- in Korea and the US; studying at Juilliard; performing with her two sisters as the Ahn Trio all over the world including at the White House; teaching at Montana State University in Bozeman; and redefining her relationship with her violin during COVID.Resources:Ahn Trio: website 11th and Grant | Angella Ahn & Friends Ahn Trio: Facebook page Ahn Trio: InstagramAhn Trio: Twitter Ahn Trio: TEDWomen2010Tippet Rise: "The Hive"Ahn Trio: N...
2021-01-2552 minNorthstar Unplugged#034. Stuart Brown, MD: author of PLAY: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the SoulDr. Stuart Brown is a medical doctor, psychiatrist, clinical researcher, founder of the National institute for Play, and author of the book Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. From his research on young murderers to animals in the wild, Dr. Brown addresses why he calls play “a public health necessity.” Resources:National Institute for Play PlayCore | Stuart’s blogPlay is more than just fun (TedTalk, 2008, 26 mins)Why is Play Important? (2016)The Neuroscience of Play (The Aspen Institute, 2015The Promise of Play...
2021-01-1850 minNorthstar Unplugged#033. Stephanie Cheng: channeling creativity via Netflix animation studio, Biden campaign & game designStephanie was most recently on the Biden 2020 campaign, leading the product team for Fundraising to help elect our next president. Previously, she was at Netflix's animation studio building out tools and technology to create original animated content. Prior to these experiences, she worked at Hillary for America building products such as the Hillary 2016 mobile app and a live debate fact checker, DreamWorks Animation designing production tools, and her own game company, Kooapps, building immersive mobile games. She loves building products for spaces that are historically untouched by technology, and is passionate about using game design to...
2021-01-1151 min
SuicideLife In Spite of Me (Part One) - Kristen Jane Anderson FamilyLife Today® Radio TranscriptReferences to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Life in Spite of MeDay 1 of 3 Guest: Kristen Jane Anderson From the Series: On the Edge of Hopelessness________________________________________________________________Bob: Kristen Jane Anderson was 17 years old and was ready for life…to be over. When she heard a ‘Freight Train’ approaching at the park where she was sitting; she decided to lay her body across the tracts. Kristen: When the train stopped I wasn’t sure if I was alive...
2021-01-0629 minSuicideLife in Spite of Me (Part Two) - Kristen Jane Anderson FamilyLife Today® Radio TranscriptReferences to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Life in Spite of MeDay 2 of 3 Guest: Kristen Jane Anderson From the Series: A Flicker of Hope________________________________________________________________Bob: When she was 17 years old, Kristen Jane Anderson sought to end her life by lying across a railroad track as the train was approaching. Miraculously, she survived; although her legs were severed. She was soon to realize that God had a purpose for her life. Kristen: Three month...
2021-01-0624 minSuicideLife in Spite of Me (Part Three) - Kristen Jane Anderson FamilyLife Today® Radio TranscriptReferences to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Life in Spite of MeDay 3 of 3 Guest: Kristen Jane Anderson From the Series: And Then God...________________________________________________________________Bob: At age 17, Kristen Jane Anderson survived a suicide attempt. Today, more than ten years later, she has a powerful message for those who find themselves in despair. Kristen: If you’re struggling with pain in your life or with suicidal thoughts or with depression, I want you to kn...
2021-01-0624 minNorthstar Unplugged#032. Calvin D. Sun, MD: emergency physician on NYC’s COVID frontlines & founder & CEO of the Monsoon Diaries, a travel communityCalvin D. Sun, MD is a currently practicing Attending Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine, a public speaker, phoblographer, activist, choreographer, and entrepreneur based in NYC.Calvin is also the Founder & CEO of The Monsoon Diaries: a blog-turned-travel community that has taken hundreds of readers to 190+ countries and territories in the past 10 years including North Korea, Nauru, Iraq, and Antarctica. The Monsoon Diaries has since been featured on BBC News, ABC News, MSNBC, TED, National Geographic, and USA Today.He completed his residency training at Jacobi Medical Center in 2018 where he served as...
2021-01-051h 21Northstar Unplugged#031. Kristen Rainey: on predictable impulsiveness, curiosity, and trusting her gutThis episode turns the tables on Northstar Unplugged’s host, Kristen Rainey. Guest host Holly Fowler navigates the conversation to explore various threads from Kristen’s past and present, including her prior work in sustainable food at Google, her inability to slow down, her recent move to Bozeman, and the launch of Northstar Sleep School and The Northstar Unplugged podcast.About Kristen:Kristen Rainey is the founder and CEO of Northstar Sleep School, offering online classes and in-person workshops to help people get better sleep. Using a data-driven approach, her students learn what behavior change...
2020-12-311h 11
Old Wisdom New EraBig Leaps and Sleep with Kristen RaineyCharles Vogl welcomes Kristen Rainey who shares her experiences that taught her to listen to her gut for big leaps. She also shares about why sleep is essential to help us daily and for growing more productive. Kristen recently worked for six years at Google where she led sustainability and procurement for Google’s 271 cafes across 54 countries. She is the Founder and CEO of Northstar Sleep School, offering online classes and in-person workshops to help people get better sleep.
2020-12-2939 minNorthstar Unplugged#030. Katie Gamble Marvin, MD: a family doctor in rural VT addressing opiate use disorderAbout Katie (in her own words):I grew up in Maryland, was a lacrosse goalie, went to Princeton and taught high school for 2 years prior to med school at University of Maryland. Since I loved taking care of babies, children, teens and adults, as well as doing procedures, I landed in family medicine and did my residency at the University of Vermont. A one-year Obstetric fellowship took me and my husband to Seattle, and then back to Vermont where he was raised and we now have three daughters, 11, 9, 6. He and his family own Butternut Mountain Farm whi...
2020-12-2853 minNorthstar Unplugged#029. Jesse Friedman: building community through a multi-year dinner series of 194 countries’ cuisinesIn 2011, Jesse Friedman and his wife Laura began welcoming both friends and strangers into their 500 sq ft apartment in Brooklyn for a series of dinner parties to celebrate the cuisine of each of 194 countries, in alphabetical order. Since then, they have moved to Portland, OR, and have since hosted dinners featuring 152 out of 194 countries’ cuisines. Although interrupted by COVID, they look forward to resuming sometime in 2021 with Senegal.About Jesse (in his own words):I'm from Oakland, graduated with a degree in linguistics from the University of Chicago, and lived in San Francisco and Br...
2020-12-2347 minNorthstar Unplugged#028. Naomi Darling: on sustainable architecture designed with climate in mind, from the Australian desert to the South PoleAbout Naomi:Naomi Darling, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP is founding principal of Naomi Darling Architecture and Five College Associate Professor of Sustainable Architecture. Prior to founding Naomi Darling Architecture in 2011, Naomi worked in Seattle, Washington, with Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, in New Haven with Studio ABK and in Tokyo, Japan with Kengo Kuma and Associates. Resources:www.naomidarling.comhttps://www.instagram.com/naomidarling_architecture/https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/architecturalhttp://fcarch.org/Thailand collaborative studioSea Education AssociationSolid Foundations: Na...
2020-12-211h 01Northstar Unplugged#027. Tim Geoffrion: a multi-year pilgrimage across America's National Parks & beyondIn the wake of suddenly losing his job, marriage, and grandmother at the beginning of 2019, Tim left home and headed west. What he imagined would be a brief solo road trip has become something else entirely: a multi-year pilgrimage across America's wildest places, especially its National Parks. He shares reflections, stories, and images from his wanderings on his website (This Walking Life). Tim is currently writing a book about his experiences on the road these past two years. Resources:Tim’s blog: www.thiswalkinglife.cominstagram: @this.walking.lifeNew Year’s Virtu...
2020-12-171h 15Northstar Unplugged#026: Kristy Shen & Bryce Leung: how to retire in your early 30s and travel the worldAbout Kristy & Bryce:Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung are world traveling early retirees. Their story has been featured in media outlets all over the world, including the New York Times, CBC, CNBC, Women's Health Magazine Australia, Germany's Handelsblatt, GQ Russia, and the UK's Independent. They spend their time helping people with their finances and realizing their travel dreams on www.millennial-revolution.com.Financial resources:Quit Like a Millionaire (Kristy & Bryce’s book)Little Miss Evil (Kristy & Bryce’s children’s book)www.Millennial-Revolution.com -The 8 Stages of Early Retire...
2020-12-141h 10Northstar Unplugged#025: Annie Fenn, MD: food’s role in promoting brain health & prevention of Alzheimer’sDr. Annie Fenn is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist specialized in menopausal health. After practicing medicine for 20+ years in Jackson, WY, she began focusing on health care through the lens of diet and lifestyle. She traded her stethoscope for a chef’s coat and went back to school to study culinary arts in Mexico, Italy, and at the Culinary Institute of America.In 2015, Dr. Fenn founded the Brain Health Kitchen, an evidence-based online resource about how and what to eat to resist cognitive decline. The Brain Health Kitchen Cooking School, founded in 2017, is the only school of its ki...
2020-12-091h 17Northstar Unplugged#024: Tim McCollum: founder & CEO of Beyond Good, a chocolate company, on sourcing direct from farmers in Madagascar and manufacturing at originTim McCollum is founder and CEO of Beyond Good. In 1999, Tim traveled to Madagascar as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Twenty years later, that experience still colors Beyond Good’s mission and model.Today, Beyond Good is the only brand in the U.S. making chocolate at source in Africa. Beyond Good recently celebrated one year and one million bars at Africa’s most modern chocolate factory. Beyond Good sources organic, heirloom cocoa from 100 farmers and employs 42 full-time employees at origin in Madagascar. By manufacturing finished product in Africa, Beyond Good is redefining quality and sustainability for the glob...
2020-12-071h 00
HR LeadersTalking Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Kristen AndersonIn this episode of the HR Leaders podcast, I'm joined by my guest Kristen Anderson, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Barilla.Episode Highlights[02:48] - What inspired Kristen to take on international assignments and how the experience benefited her[06:38] - The biggest challenge Kristen faced when building a D&I function[07:34] - Practical advice and initial steps for you when starting your own function[09:56] - Tackling unconscious bias and educating others on the value of Diversity and Inclusion[19:35] - Kristen's though on social injustice and...
2020-12-0346 minNorthstar Unplugged#023: Lynn Simon: battling insomnia, living in a multi-generational household, leading real estate sustainability at GoogleThis episode goes behind the scenes with Lynn Simon to hear how she has addressed nearly 20 years of battling insomnia; her recent transition to a multi-generational household; and her career path in the sustainable building industry, including her current role leading real estate sustainability globally for Google.Lynn’s bio:Lynn N. Simon, FAIA, LEED Fellow, is head of Sustainability for Real Estate and Workplace Services at Google. She leads a team that focuses on three primary areas: accelerating carbon free buildings, mobility & living; advancing circular systems; and cultivating healthy spaces and places. Lynn is...
2020-12-0350 minNorthstar Unplugged#022. Leon Pellicer: a personal wellness journey- giving up meat, dairy, and alcohol; daily meditation; completing an IronmanIn this episode, Leon Pellicer shares the significant lifestyle changes- giving up alcohol, meat, and dairy- that he has made over the past few years. He is an enthusiastic wellness advocate, and includes running, meditation, and healthy eating into his day to day, all while raising three beautiful young daughters with his wife and managing a demanding day job overseeing the food program at Google's Pacific Northwest locations.Resources:The Science of Well-Being- online course (Yale/Coursera)The Happiness Lab & PodcastPurple CarrotWhistler Ironman eventSeattle MarathonBoku p...
2020-12-0157 minNorthstar Unplugged#021. Deana Zabaldo: trekking and cultural guide in Himalayas, somatic coachDeana Zabaldo is a certified coach and a professional guide. She supports inner journeys exploring mind, body, and soul and also leads adventures through the Himalayas. An award-winning trekking and cultural guide, Deana has more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the Himalayas and a passion for its culture and peoples. She designed and led Outside Magazine’s Best Himalayan Trip in 2012 and won first place in the 2013 World Guide Awards based on her service, knowledge, and ethical travel standards. She continues to lead in-depth cultural, spiritual, and trekking journeys in Nepal and Bhutan.As a s...
2020-11-281h 00Northstar Unplugged#020: Newton Cheng: Google’s Director of Health & Performance, powerlifting world medalist, breakdancer, IPA aficionadoNewton Cheng has spent his 12-year career at Google developing, launching and scaling global programs aimed at helping Googlers to thrive. Today he oversees Google’s global fitness and massage/recovery programs. He explores how Google can leverage spaces and services, community, culture and technology to drive the physical, mental, and social health of Googlers, their families, and neighbors. He lives in Sunnyvale, CA with his wife, daughter and four cats. In his spare time he trains as a competitive powerlifter, has set five U.S. and 18 California state records, and is a world bronze medalist and two t...
2020-11-231h 09Northstar Unplugged#019. Margot Darling & Callie Martin: launching Starseed vegan food truck in BozemanMargot Darling and Callie Martin met several years ago while kickboxing and together launched the Starseed vegan food truck in Bozeman which just completed its first season. This episode explores the challenges and joys of launching a food truck, and each of their journeys prior to the collaboration, including Margot’s experience co-leading a whitewater rafting company and raising two kids and Callie’s career as a pastry chef and her battle with anorexia.Resources:Starseed- website Starseed- Facebook pageForever Strong kickboxing + fitness studio (Bozeman)Krav Maga self-defenseMarg...
2020-11-171h 22Northstar Unplugged#018. Sally Wolf: wellbeing coach, media executive, proud auntie: on surviving breast cancer, dance, positive psychology, gratitude & glitterIn this episode, Sally Wolf will share how she combines her love for personal development, positive psychology and the corporate world to empower clients to flourish in both their jobs and their lives. Sally has spent two decades developing strategies for leading media companies and brands, including creating and launching OneFifty, an incubator within WarnerMedia that invests in innovative storytellers and filmmakers. She is a breast cancer survivor and thriver, an avid dancer, and an enthusiastic iPhone step counter. Resources:https://www.sallywolf.com/“12 Ways to Pract...
2020-11-121h 34Northstar Unplugged#017. Nigel Smith: Trinidad roots, AARP innovation, beverage entrepreneurshipIn this episode, Nigel Smith shares his journey from roots in Trinidad to becoming Valedictorian at Howard University and a graduate of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, as well as career chapters at Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and AARP. Most recently, he has begun his latest chapter, focusing full-time on growing his beverage company, Zurena, whose core product is a mixer for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.Resources:Zurena (website)Zurena (Facebook group)@MyZurena (IG) / #MyZurenaUplifting Spirits (website)Uplifting Spirits (Facebook group)@UpliftingSpirits.By.Zurena (IG) / #UpliftingSpirits.By.Zur...
2020-11-041h 16Northstar Unplugged#016. Thea O'Connor: the power nap as the new coffee break, body intelligence, worker wellbeing, fatigue’s role in menopauseThea O’Connor is a senior advisor on workplace wellbeing and productivity, helping leaders, teams and individuals improve their workplace engagement and effectiveness through body intelligence and better health. She draws on 30 years of experience in health promotion including in the fields of nutrition (as a dietitian), body image, sleep science and workplace health. Thea is committed to rehumanising our work ethic so it is fashioned around human biological rhythms rather than around machines. That's why she is a Naptivist, promoting the powernap as the new coffee break. She also promotes a life stage approach to worker wellbe...
2020-10-2943 minNorthstar Unplugged#015. Chip Conley: Modern Elder Academy founder, Airbnb Strategic Advisor, Joie de Vivre founder- on career transitions, cancer & flatlining, creating space for opportunities, an equation for happinessNew York Times bestselling author Chip Conley is the hospitality maverick who helped Airbnb's founders turn their fast-growing tech start-up into a global hospitality brand. In Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder he shares his unexpected journey at midlife — from CEO to intern — learning about technology as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, while also mentoring CEO Brian Chesky. Chip is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy, where a new roadmap for midlife is offered at a beautiful oceanfront campus in Baja California Sur, Mexico. He serves on the board of Encore.org and the ad...
2020-10-2354 minNorthstar Unplugged#014. Tara Youngblood: co-founder & CEO of Chili Sleep- on temperature’s impact on sleep, insomnia and depression, EMFs, chronotypes, and weighted blanketsIn this episode, Tara Youngblood, Co-Founder and CEO at Chili Sleep, shares why temperature is such a critical component of getting good sleep. She’s the author of Reprogram Your Sleep: The Sleep Recipe That Works and a highly regarded international speaker to high profile platforms including TEDx, Skookum Tech Talks, and National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Show.chiliPADWhite paper on connection between temperature and deep sleepOOLERHow a Sleep Recipe Changed My Life TedX talk by Tara Youngblood (Dec 2...
2020-10-201h 03Northstar Unplugged#013. Alan Donegan: Pop-Up Business School, FIRE, nomadic lifestyle, working in “sprints,” screenwriting, intermittent fasting, managing your energyAlan Donegan is co-founder of the PopUp Business School, which has helped over 7000 people in six countries start their own companies. Alan is also a well-known member of the FIRE Movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early), he’s a Chautauqua speaker (which we talk about in this episode) and an outspoken critic of both traditional business and financial advice.Alan works tirelessly to inspire people to take control of their own financial destiny, making and investing their own money to build the life of their dreams. He does this through PopUp Business School, Rebel Entrepreneur Podcast, and...
2020-10-1557 minNorthstar Unplugged#012. Alex Soojung-Kim Pang: Silicon Valley author on the four-day workweek; rest’s impact on creativity and problem-solving; deep play; refocusing our relationship with technologyMany of us check our email within 30 seconds of waking. Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of three books, Shorter, Rest, and The Distraction Addiction, shares in this episode why we might consider refocusing our relationship with technology (“managing our attention”), why mind wandering, deep play, and rest are so critical for creativity and problem solving, and why many companies are successfully adopting a four-day workweek or a shorter workday.Resources:"How better routines create happier workers," (Financial Times, Sept 2020)"How do you switch to a four-day week?” Kingsley (The Economist Applied) (Oct 2020)“Surprising COVID-19...
2020-10-111h 11Northstar Unplugged#011. Shauna Sadowski: regenerative agriculture, sustainable sourcing at Annie’s and General Mills, meal planning & nightly family dinnersShauna Sadowski’s career as a sustainability leader in food companies has spanned from Clif Bar to Annie’s to General Mills to Simple Mills, where she is now. Shauna grew up with six siblings on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada and has an intimate understanding of how agricultural and farming systems connect to the foods we eat, why that matters, and what a food business can do about it. She has leveraged her background in business and agriculture to be a voice for change in the food industry, including as a huge advocate of regenerative agriculture which we’ll dig...
2020-10-081h 14Northstar Unplugged#010. Anthony Michael Russo: founder of #bethechange- on positivity, risk taking, relentlessness, and emceeing the Super BowlAnthony Michael Russo's career pursuits span from emceeing large sporting events like NCAA championships and the Super Bowl, to motivational speaking, to founding an organization/platform/movement called #Be the Change. Drawing on his roots with a gambling-addicted father, Anthony embraces what he calls the "double down approach" and has found failure, coupled with positivity, can accelerate success.Resources:#bethechangeBetheChange Facebook pageBe the Change YouTube channelDouble Down StrategyThe Dallas Five- N...
2020-10-0550 minNorthstar Unplugged#009. Sarah Nelson: leading 18 Reasons, SF-based nonprofit cooking school, during a pandemic; running effective meetings; sleeping strategies for babiesIn this episode, Sarah Nelson shares the history of 18 Reasons, a San Francisco-based nonprofit cooking school, and what strategies she's using to successfully navigate the organization through a pandemic. Sarah explains the E.O.S. system for running the most efficient and productive team meetings you've ever heard of and also offers secrets on how she successfully got her baby to sleep through the night consistently.About Sarah:Sarah Nelson has worked on food-related projects in the Bay Area since 2008. She launched Cooking Matters in the Bay Area in 2010 to bring free c...
2020-09-3058 minNorthstar Unplugged#008. Charles Hall: inventor of the waterbed & holder of 40+ patents including the solar shower and inflatable kayakIn 1967, while a student at San Francisco State University, Charles Hall designed a 300 lb gelatin-filled chair for his masters thesis. This concept eventually evolved into the modern day water bed. He has also designed and earned over 40 patents for other products, from inflatable kayaks to solar showers. In this episode, we'll hear from Charles about his various designs, why a water bed might provide a better night's sleep than a traditional mattress, and how Charles has recently revamped the water bed into a version for today, called AFLOAT.Charles’s current companies:Adv...
2020-09-2341 minNorthstar Unplugged#007. Kraig Kempt: alpine ski racer and coach, amputee, ultimate frisbee national champion, entrepreneur, 4th generation BozemaniteKraig Kempt was described in 2012 in a Bozeman Daily Chronicle article as “a hulking athlete of a man and lifelong skier.” That’s for sure. Kraig has been a highly successful ski racer, an alpine ski racing coach and director for 33 years in Bozeman and beyond, an ultimate frisbee national champion, and an entrepreneur. In 2009, Kraig experienced a traumatic skiing accident, resulting in amputation of his leg nearly three years after. He has been rebuilding his life and lifestyle since then.Videos of Kraig:Whitetail Peak: The Inspirational Story of One...
2020-09-1858 minNorthstar Unplugged#006. Charles Vogl: best-selling author on building community, malaria in the Peace Corps, embracing downtime, the art of writingCharles Vogl supports leaders in technology, finance and government to grow more effective in creating change. Using principles drawn from 3000 years of spiritual traditions, he teaches how to build critical connections for leadership that impacts generations.In his 20s, Charles served in the U.S. Peace Corps in northern Zambia. There, he witnessed inspirational community inside his rural village. After the Peace Corps, Charles founded Broken English Productions in New York City. His PBS projects touch on topics such as education, school reform and civil rights advocacy. His film work won many awards including the Amnesty International...
2020-09-1544 minNorthstar Unplugged#005. Kendall Youngblood: vanlife, minimalism, unschooling, pleasure as a compassKendall Youngblood is a recovering achiever who walked away from a six figure salary over six years ago. Since then, she has been exploring the transformative power of choosing pleasure. She and her husband of 19 years and their two teenage daughters are “unschoolers,” meaning they learn by following their passions and interests. They are also unlearning the cultural stories that no longer serve people or the planet. They gave up their home a year ago to travel the world. They made it through 26 of the US states living in a 24’ RV (160 square feet of living space!) before the virus inspire...
2020-09-1050 minNorthstar Unplugged#004. Carl Honoré: award-winning writer, broadcaster, TED speaker, voice of global Slow MovementThe Huffington Post has referred to Carl Honoré as “The unofficial godfather of a growing cultural shift toward slowing down.” His first book, titled In Praise of Slow is an international best-seller. His 2005 TedTalk on this topic has gotten over 3 Million views. Before spearheading the Slow Movement, Carl spent a decade working as a journalist. He covered Europe and South America for the Economist, Observer, Miami Herald, Houston Chronicle, Time, National Post and other publications. Carl grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and is based in London.
2020-09-021h 03Northstar Unplugged#003. Rory Martin: growing up in Foreign Service, expedition travel in Antarctica, BozemanBy age 16, Rory Martin had already lived on five continents due to his father’s career as a US diplomat. Rory was born in Bogota, Colombia, and grew up there as well as in Paraguay, Brazil, Pakistan, Iceland, and Botswana.His adventures have continued into his adult life, from the Russian Arctic to the South Pole. He even re-entered the workforce to pursue his passion for expedition travel. Rory currently resides in Bozeman, MT.
2020-08-2959 minNorthstar Unplugged#002. Jeff Kirchick: sleep apnea, healthy habits, and Princeton wrestling/creative writingWhen Jeff Kirchick was a 17 year-old high school senior, he fell asleep at the wheel while on the way home from soccer practice and crashed into a tree. In this episode, we’ll get to the bottom of what caused the accident and what Jeff has learned from it….
2020-08-281h 07Northstar Unplugged#001. Amy Yip: launching a business from Ghana, inspiring & empowering women globallyIn January, Amy Yip left her job at Google, sold everything in her New York apartment, and took a 1-way flight out to Ghana with her husband to volunteer at a breast cancer non-profit. The plan was to volunteer until May then start traveling around the world. Clearly COVID had different plans for them. Amy is still in Ghana now and embracing the gift in all of this: the time to focus on her area of passion: inspiring and empowering more women to let go of their 'should's' and write the narrative they want to tell about the rest...
2020-08-281h 01