Shows
How to Live#093 Muscle, Metabolism & Midlife Reset with Amanda LimYour annual health checkup is a good start. But it’s not enough.You’re in your 40s. Your doctor says you're fine. Your weight looks fine.But your energy is low. Your sleep is off. Something just feels… off.Amanda Lim sees this every day.She’s a Harvard-certified coach and co-founder of Singapore’s first Metabolic Clinic, advising companies like Google, PayPal, and Medtronic.Her message?You can look lean and healthy, and still be metabolically unwell.In Singapore, many people look slim and fit, yet we’re facin...2025-05-0539 min
How to Live#092 Let go to grow with Rob BierFounders (and leaders) are addicted to solving problems. It’s their crack cocaine. That’s what startup scaling coach Rob Bier, author of Smooth Scaling and coach to 40+ startups including six unicorns, told me. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Fixing things feels good. It proves we’re still valuable. Still sharp. Still in control.But the addiction comes at a cost.It blocks us from building teams that solve problems without us.And it traps us in an old identity—just when we’re ready t...2025-04-2141 min
How to Live#091 The art of career transitions with Shiv ChoudhuryMost career transitions are treated like cliff jumps.You quit the job. Burn the bridges. Bet everything on your dream.Shiv Choudhury chose a different path.When he left BCG to build a billion-dollar business, he didn’t go all in.First, he faked an app. It didn’t even work.But it taught him one thing: customers wanted what he was offering.That was enough to move to the next stage.He calls it “pre-to-typing.”👉 A way to de-risk big moves by testing the most important assumption before you...2025-04-0739 min
How to Live#090 The success trap: when success holds you back with Sharad LalWhich of These 6 Success Traps Is Holding You Back?After my article on The Success Trap in Esquire resonated with so many, I’ve gone deeper in my latest How to Live podcast.Working with thousands of senior leaders at Google, Unilever, and HSBC, I’ve identified 6 fear-based identities that block evolution:🧠 The Solver – Fixes everything, but fears being dispensable → micromanagement 🎯 The Perfectionist – Sets high standards, but fears not being good enough → delays 🔥 The Workhorse – Outworks everyone, but fears not belonging → burnout 😎 The Charmer – Inspires others, but fears rejection → avoids tough decisions 📋 The T...2025-03-2413 min
How to Live#089 Beating Decision Fatigue with Dr. Shawn WatsonYou Can Only Make So Many Good Decisions - Are You Using Them Right?In 1987, we made 100s of decisions daily.Today, we make 35,000.Here's the problem: we can only make a finite number of quality decisions each day. By evening, when we're making important business decisions during work calls or spending time with our children, we've already used up our good decisions quota.The result? We default to the easiest and safest options - not the best ones.No amount of coffee, Red B...2025-03-1032 min
How to Live#088 Turning purpose into action with Uma BalasingamWhen scaling a cause, should you pick passionate volunteers or capable ones?Most instinctively say passion. But Uma Thana Balasingam’s journey scaling Lean In Singapore to 7,000+ members tells a different story.Here’s the hard truth she discovered: Passionate people don’t always make great leaders. When she and her co-founder started delegating leadership roles to their most committed volunteers, they hit a wall. Leading a movement isn’t just about heart - it’s a skill. Managing complexity, making tough calls, and leading others require more than just good intentions.The dile...2025-02-2438 min
How to Live#087 Wisdom from the Maldives with Afeef HussainWhen resources are limited, how do you still access the best?Afeef Hussain wanted his team - and his country Maldives - to learn from the world’s top minds. But bringing in world-class speakers and trainers isn’t cheap.So instead of saying, "We can’t afford them," he asked, "How can we make it work?"His solution? Leverage what he had.He invited top experts - leaders like Stephen M.R. Covey and other global thought leaders - to experience the Maldives, offering them world-class hospitality at Lux Resorts. In ret...2025-02-1035 min
How to Live#086 Forties Fitness Guide with Alex MearnsForget six-packs - in your 40s, fitness is about feeling good, not looking good.Let’s face it - most of us in our 40s aren’t hitting the gym for six-packs or beach bodies anymore. The idea of chasing aesthetics just doesn’t feel exciting or meaningful. But here’s the twist: strength training and fitness aren’t about looking good- they’re about feeling good.When you feel strong and healthy, everything changes. You’re more productive at work, more present with your family, energi...2025-01-2737 min
Upward Spiral36. Finding Purpose in Your 30s & 40s: Is It Too Late? with Sharad LalUnlock your potential and live a life of momentum and fulfillment with the Upward Spiral Podcast. Hosted by Michelle O'Brien, this podcast explores the power of positive change and continuous improvement.
In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of purpose-driven success with our guest, Sharad Lal. We discuss how to align your purpose with your personal values, the journey of self-discovery, and the emotional challenges that often accompany this process. Sharad shares practical strategies for finding purpose amidst external noise, the role of therapy in healing, and the significance of understanding your values as a...2025-01-2159 min
How to Live#085 Meaning & Success with Fabrice DesmarescauxFeeling stuck? You might be looking in the wrong place.When we hit a crossroads, our instinct is to look outward - more advice, more inspiration, more answers. But here's the plot twist: the most powerful guidance system isn't out there. It's your own story.Our lives leave breadcrumbs - moments that light us up, decisions that felt right in our bones, and work that made time disappear. These aren't random. They're clues to what's next.In the latest episode of How to Live, I sit down with Fabrice Desmarescaux, who walked away...2025-01-1334 min
How to Live#084 Life Lessons Deeper Dive 20244,000 weeks.That’s all we get. The number of weeks most of us will live.The average human life is "absurdly, insultingly brief."As we step into 2025, this perspective—shared by Oliver Burkeman on the How to Live Podcast earlier this year—continues to resonate deeply. It’s a stark reminder to be intentional with the one resource we can never reclaim: time.We’ve put together life lessons from extraordinary guests who appeared on the How to Live Podcast in the second half of 2024—thinkers who are reshaping ho...2024-12-3014 min
How to Live#083 Life Lessons 2024“When I went bankrupt, I begged a friend who had built a unicorn for a 30-minute meeting. The moment we sat down, I could tell he didn’t want to be there.Six months later, after working on myself, I went back with a clear vision and positive energy. This time, he introduced me to his network and offered his full support.That experience taught me a powerful lesson: People are drawn to passion and purpose, not negativity."This gem from Marc Nicholson, Founder of 1880, is just one of many transformative insights from our guests this...2024-12-1614 min
The Wellness HoodEp 56 - Sharad Lal - Purpose In Plain WordsPurpose
In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Sharad Lal—an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and coach who has dedicated his life to helping others discover their purpose and live more fulfilling lives.
Sharad’s impact is remarkable: he’s worked with global giants like Google, Unilever, and HSBC, helping over 25,000 individuals realise their potential.
He’s also the host of the highly acclaimed How to Live Podcast, which is followed in over 140 countries and ranks among the top 3% of podcasts globally.
Sharad brings purpose down to earth, stripping away the buzzword and making it accessible to everyon...2024-12-1637 min
How to Live#082 Rethinking Happy Hour with Nick JonssonWhat’s your relationship with alcohol?This isn’t a preachy “quit drinking” episode but it’s about curiosity. Many of us enjoy a drink. It helps us connect, unwind, and feel at ease. But as we get older, we start noticing the side effects: restless sleep, sluggish mornings, or even feeling a bit off the next day.It got me curious: What’s alcohol really doing to us? How can we enjoy the connection it fosters without the downsides?In this episode of How to Live, I speak with Nick Jonsson, Co-Founder of EGN Netwo...2024-12-0230 min
How to Live#081 Feel Stuck? Design your next stage with Sharad Lal"I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing… because I don’t know what else to do."Sound familiar?Here’s the truth about being stuck: We wait for clarity before making a move. We want to see the whole path before we take the first step.But what if we’ve got it backwards?Think about it: Most people who’ve made significant moves in their lives didn’t start with perfect clarity. Many didn’t even end up where they thought they would.Why? Because our greatest opportunities ofte...2024-11-1807 min
How to Live#080 Humour at work with Drew TarvinShould we bring humour to work?Can it help us connect and achieve more, or risk making us seem trivial?Our guest today, Drew Tarvin, learned engineering in school and was hired for his technical skills. Yet, it was humour—not engineering—that became his edge in the workplace.By using humour, he diffused tension, built strong relationships, influenced others, and accelerated his career. This led him to create Humor That Works, a company that has helped 10,000+ leaders in over 100 organisations—including IBM, GE, and the FBI—harness humour to lead effectiv...2024-11-0434 min
How to Live#079 Finding meaning in everyday stories with Matthew DicksSearching for meaning in life and work? The secret isn’t in those rare, life-altering moments—it’s hidden in the small, everyday moments we often overlook.The key? Storytelling.Even if we don’t share them, simply turning our experiences into stories in our own minds can transform how we see ourselves and our lives. It’s how we grow, learn, and ultimately, find deeper purpose.In today's podcast, I’m joined by master storyteller and five-time Moth GrandSLAM champion, Matthew Dicks. If you’re not familiar with The Moth, it’s New York City’s...2024-10-2136 min
How to Live#078 Crafting a Portfolio Life with Christina WallaceEver felt like a jack of all trades, master of none? Think again! Welcome to the world of Portfolio Life! Just like a financial portfolio, it’s about bringing together all your passions, talents, and needs—balancing them to create a fulfilling life on your own termsIt starts by understanding what truly matters to you: income, flexibility, creativity, intellectual stimulation, family responsibilities, and more. From there, you can design a life that accommodates all these dimensions. And just like rebalancing a portfolio, you can adjust with each new chapter of your life—minimis...2024-10-0741 min
How to Live#077 The anatomy of happiness with Sha-En YeoCan we learn to be happy, or is it something we're born with?Research, including Martin Seligman’s theory of Learned Optimism, reveals that happiness need not be a passing feeling—it can be a skill we develop. The science is clear: happiness can be learned.One simple yet powerful tool is savouring. While happiness may seem fleeting, pausing to fully experience joyful moments can stretch them, turning brief emotions into lasting contentment. By practising this regularly, we can significantly boost our overall well-being.In this episode, I dive into the science of happ...2024-09-2334 min
How to Live#076 Re-inventing: From broadcast to boardrooms with John DykesHow do you reinvent yourself when you’ve already reached the top of one field?It's a question many of us face as long careers, industry disruptions, or even boredom push us to rethink our path.In the latest episode of the How to Live podcast, I sit down with the legendary sports broadcaster John Dykes, who shares his powerful and deeply personal story of stepping out of the broadcast spotlight and into corporate boardrooms.For years, John was the trusted face of the Premier League, someone we all tuned in to see. Bu...2024-09-0938 min
How to Live#075 Being indistractable with Nir EyalWe start projects with excitement, but how often do we end up doom-scrolling when the going gets tough?What really drives distraction? Is it flashy external stimuli or our internal discomfort?Research shows it's primarily internal triggers. Even Plato and Aristotle grappled with this 2,500 years ago. While modern tech hasn't helped, it's not the root cause.The key to beating distraction isn't just removing stimuli. It's about managing our discomfort to push through the boring parts and achieve our goals.But how do we do that?Tune into the 75...2024-08-2639 min
How to Live#074 Visualising million dollar ideas with Simon BowenImagine attending a keynote where the speaker walks up with an iPad and begins sketching live, transforming complex ideas about life and business into powerful visual concepts right before your eyes.Meet Simon Bowen, the Visual Maestro of Business, who turns abstract thoughts into million-dollar realities.Growing up in the rugged outback of Western Australia, Simon's world was defined by visuals. Maps scratched in the dirt for directions, diagrams sketched on paper before assembling electrical circuits – these experiences honed his ability to see the world in geometric patterns and dimensions.Today, Simon stands as...2024-08-1237 min
Don't Step on the BluebellsSharad Lal - Healing with Purpose (#021)In this illuminating episode of "Don't Step on the Blue Bells," host Amanda Parker welcomes Sharad Lal, an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and coach who has dedicated himself to exploring the concept of purpose. Sharad shares his personal journey from a success-driven corporate career to a life-altering loss that led him to question the true meaning of fulfillment. He discusses how this experience sparked his deep dive into spirituality, psychology, and philosophy, ultimately leading to his current work helping others discover their own sense of purpose.Sharad offers valuable insights on what purpose really means, debunking the myth...2024-08-0154 min
How to Live#073 Mind your manners with Sara Jane HoDo you dismiss manners and etiquette as outdated, superficial skills?Think again.Beneath the surface of etiquette lies a powerful combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, coaching, and spirituality. These elements can:Foster deeper connections with othersBuild unshakeable confidenceTransform lives in profound waysThis eye-opening insight came from my conversation with Sara Jane Ho, the Emmy-nominated Netflix host, entrepreneur, and etiquette expert. You may know her from the hit show "Mind Your Manners," but Sara's impact goes far beyond television.As a pioneer entrepreneur, Sara founded a high-end finishing school in China...2024-07-2936 min
EP.IC - Edric Poon In CompanyPodcasters Playground #2 - Sharad Lal | How To LiveWelcome to the podcasters playground, the place for podcasters to share their podcasting stories, tips, and other interesting topics that come to mind. If you're looking to develop your podcast, this is probably the best place to start.
In this episode of the Podcasters Playground Podcast, Edric chats with Sharad Lal, host of the 'How to Live' podcast. They dive deep into Sharad's journey into podcasting, his unique storytelling style, podcast production tips, and how podcasting has impacted his professional life.
Connect with Sharad
Listen: How to live podcast
LinkedIn: sharadlal24
Website: Sharadlal.net
2024-07-2827 min
How to Live#072 The new science of intuition with Joel PearsonEver felt an instant connection on a first date, only to wonder later if it was real? Science says it might not be intuition at all—it's arousal misattribution.Professor Joel Pearson experienced this firsthand during a rock climbing first date. Years later, his groundbreaking research revealed the truth: the exhilaration of climbing created a physiological high he mistook for romantic connection. This phenomenon explains why intuition often fails in emotionally charged situations, both personal and professional.While intuition has been widely discussed from spiritual and coaching perspectives, scientific research was lacking—until now....2024-07-1535 min
How to Live#071 New horizons in midlife with Aneace HaddadEver blanked during a crucial presentation, your mind suddenly empty? The panic, the embarrassment, the self-doubt that follows... Sound familiar?Welcome to midlife, where this happens more often. But here's the twist - it's not a downward spiral, it's an evolution.Our brains start changing in our late 30s, with the prefrontal cortex slowing down. We can't process information as rapidly as before. Clinging to our younger cognitive patterns only makes us brittle, like someone stubbornly insisting they're right when everyone else sees otherwise.But here's the silver lining: while we may not...2024-07-0134 min
How to Live#070 Joy of missing out with Oliver BurkemanDoes efficiently clearing tasks bring you peace or just create more busyness? 🤔We've all tried countless time management hacks to regain control of our schedules. But ironically, the more we optimise, the busier and more stressed we become.The root issue isn't the technique - it's the concept of time management itself.Why? Because the supply of potential tasks is infinite, while our time is painfully finite. There's simply no way to ever "get it all done."This realisation is unexpectedly liberating. By accepting we can't do everything, the things we cho...2024-06-1736 min
How to Live#069 Journey of a Millennial CEO with Karen KimImagine being 30, the youngest on your team, and stepping into the CEO role. How would that feel?Karen Kim, the dynamic CEO of a self-funded disruptive tech startup with a footprint across ASEAN, knows this feeling well.When Karen first took on this incredible responsibility, she experienced the same doubts many of us would: hyper-awareness of others' perceptions, self-doubt, fear of disappointment, and overthinking.But soon, Karen shifted her focus from internal worries to the external challenges and opportunities in the business. By concentrating on the problems at hand, the self-critical voices began to quiet down.2024-06-0335 min
How to Live#068 Connecting the dots to purpose with Marc Nicholson“When I went bankrupt, I begged a friend who had built a unicorn for a meeting. He promised me 30 minutes. The minute we met, I could tell he didn’t want to be there.Six months later, after processing all the difficult emotions and working on myself, I went back to him and said, 'Hey, this is what I want to do.' He responded by introducing me to people and offering support.I learned a valuable lesson: If you go to people and whine about your problems with negative energy, you bring them down. But if you...2024-05-2037 min
How to Live#067 Spirituality and success with Danielle Van de VeldeIs meditation tapping out from high achievement? Far from it.Stress often drives high performers to explore meditation. After years of relying heavily on their intellect, they find themselves burnt out. Meditation does more than offer a break—it rebuilds and rejuvenates.Regular practice not only improves sleep, gut health, and energy levels but also fosters the creation of new neural pathways in the brain—confirmed by fMRI studies. These changes enhance problem-solving abilities, conflict management, and deepen connections with personal purpose.Far from being an exit from high achievement, meditation opens the door...2024-05-0639 min
How to Live#066 Carrying hidden trauma to work with Natalia RachelWhen you hear the word "trauma," do you think, "That's not me. I haven't experienced any major tragedies"?However, trauma doesn't always stem from monumental events. Sometimes, it's the smaller, seemingly insignificant experiences that leave us with unresolved feelings, subtly shaping our behaviours in ways that may not serve us well.Imagine a high-performance workplace bustling with diverse personalities. It's likely that many colleagues carry hidden traumas. Think about the potential impact on team dynamics and overall productivity.We dive deep into this topic in our latest "How to Live" podcast episode featuring...2024-04-2237 min
How to Live#065 Corporate entrepreneurship with Arjun Purkayastha"Don’t simplify. Delete"As business leaders, when we're overwhelmed, our go-to questions often revolve around simplification—can we find a simpler way, eliminate steps, or use fewer resources? However, a more fundamental question to ask might be: Is this task necessary in the first place?It's a common belief that entrepreneurs excel at solving problems, but the most successful ones are those who sidestep problems altogether. This is a significant lesson that we could adopt more widely in the corporate world.In the latest episode of the How to Live Podcast, Arjun Purk...2024-04-0839 min
How to Live#064 How to live with Derek Sivers"The rich can't buy it. The impatient can't rush it. The privileged can't inherit it. And nobody can steal it. You can only earn it through hard work. Mastery is the ultimate status.”Take a moment to let this profound insight from Derek Sivers sink in.In a world filled with easy, superficial pleasures, dedicating five hours a day to hone our skills seems unimportant. Yet, this commitment is not just fulfilling—it's a rare and strategic way to differentiate ourselves and achieve the highest status.We delve into topics such as mastery, crea...2024-03-251h 00
How to Live#063 Winning through giving inspired by Adam GrantHave you ever felt that "Nice guys finish last"?We've all rooted for the underdog. The hero who helps others but is always left behind. However in the end, against all odds, finishes on top. This happens only in the movies right? When we look around, especially in the competitive business world, the reality seems grim. We see good people who give without expecting, being overshadowed by those who master the art of taking credit. I noticed this in my early career but with time a fascinating shift occurred - the pow...2024-03-1113 min
How to Live#062 Authentic leadership without fluff with Mette JohanssonDoes putting family photos in a work presentation makes you an authentic leader? Many of us grapple with understanding what authentic leadership truly means. It's a buzzword that's everywhere, often shrouded in fluff, causing us to tune out when we hear it.That’s what we set out to do in our latest podcast episode with the insightful Mette Johansson. With over 15 years of experience in leadership roles across Asia and Europe, Mette is an awarded speaker, author, coach, and social entrepreneur. Her consultancy, MetaMind, is dedicated to cultivating authentic leaders, with clients including Pfizer, Cit...2024-02-2635 min
How to Live#061 How to optimise energy with Elika TaskerWhat saps your energy the most? Is it your diet, lifestyle, bosses, or relationships? There's another significant factor that often flies under the radar: Purpose.Lack of Purpose can be the ultimate energy drain. When our days are filled with uninspiring tasks and we feel like we're constantly swimming against the tide, our energy reserves are depleted the most.Join us for an insightful discussion with Energy Optimisation Coach Elika Tasker. Elika, the founder of Health Concierge, empowers ambitious leaders to thrive personally and professionally through her holistic program.Elika emphasises that discovering...2024-02-1236 min
How to Live#060 Psychology of entrepreneurship with Leanne RobersMeet Leanne Robers, a trained psychotherapist who initially believed business and psychology were separate realms. As she scaled up her ventures, she maintained a clinical psychology practice to make ends meet. They were always separate till she Co-Founded She Loves Tech.She Loves Tech is the world's largest startup accelerator, catering to women-led tech startups. Operating across 72 countries, they've kickstarted over 13,000 startups, raising a whopping $350 million in the process. Leanne herself boasts accolades as an Obama leader, inclusion in the 40 under 40 list, and a recent Woman of the Year special award from Princess Charlene and...2024-01-2939 min
How to Live#059 Creativity at work with Eshan PonnaduraiHow can we be more creative at work? Who better to talk about this than top ranked Chief Marketing Officer -Eshan Ponnadurai. Eshan is Vice President and Global Head of Marketing for Meta. He’s worked for the world’s top companies - Google, Uber, AirBnb, P&G and he’s worked across the world - from Australia to Asia to North America. Forbes thinks he’s top notch. Ranking him World’s Top 50 CMO twice. Ad week likes him as well - they’ve ranked him among World’s Top 30 CMOs. He’s worked on incred...2024-01-1535 min
How to Live#058 Purpose in everyday lifeAmidst life's whirlwind, the pursuit of purpose might seem daunting. Yet, within our daily hustle, purpose hides in plain sight. It's not intricate—it's the simplicity of solving a problem, connecting with friends, or lending a helping hand.By becoming aware around these seemingly ordinary activities, we can infuse more purpose into our lives without an extensive overhaul.Seeking a touch of fulfillment in 2024? Join me in the latest short episode, where I delve into uncovering purpose in everyday life. Drawing from insights and stories shared by thousands, I'll guide you thro...2024-01-0111 min
Modern MinoritiesIndia revisited, Rajiv Satyal & Sharad Lal“People are interconnected in India, there's an interdependence that doesn't exist here — a connectedness, togetherness.”To continue our chat on India ahead of Raman’s return trip, we connected with his other “Learning from Leaders” podcast co-hosts Sharad Lal and Rajiv Satyal. Sharad is speaker and coach based in Singapore who Raman worked with in Asia a lifetime ago, and Rajiv is a longtime FrieMMd of the pod - and a stand-up comic and entertainer in Los Angeles. In recent years both have done a ton of work on the subcontinent, so had a unique professional and perspective...2023-12-2546 min
How to Live#057 Best bits of 2023The final episode of 2023 where we reflect on the wisdom shared throughout the year. We're delving into a treasure trove of insights from remarkable guests, each offering a unique facet of the journey towards a fulfilling life.🧘 Travis Elliot delves into the transformative teachings of yoga.🏛️ William Irvine on stoicism🎨 Beth Kempton invites us to discover the beauty within Wabi Sabi.🕉️ Anand Mehrotra shares timeless Ancient Vedic wisdom.🧠 Dr. Kristin Neff intertwines psychology and Buddhism for a balanced life.🏅 Jim Lafferty imparts invaluable life lessons driven by sports.💼 Dean T...2023-12-1818 min
How to Live#056 Emotions at work with Mollie Rogers Jean De DieuWhat role do emotions have at work? How can they help us grow and be more productive at work?We discuss this and more with Mollie Rogers Jean De Dieu. Mollie is the General Manager of the French fashion house Longchamp, a TEDX speaker and an Author. She’s the founder of the non profit organisation called Emotional Inclusion, that’s leading the way for humanising work. Over her two decade career in the fashion industry Mollie came across hundreds of stories of people navigating work while facing adversities at home. Facing the perfect storm and t...2023-12-0431 min
How to Live#055 Money, spirituality & purpose with Samuel RheeHow do we align to a deeper purpose? And how can we create wealth through stress-free investing? That’s the focus of this podcast episode. We have with us Samuel Rhee, Co-Founder & Chairman of Endowus, Asia's largest independent digital wealth platform.With an illustrious career spanning 30 years, including his tenure as the CEO of Morgan Stanley Investments Asia, Sam brings unparalleled expertise to the table. His mission? To revolutionise our approach to finance and investments.Traditional finance often dances in complexity and obscured fees. Yet, Sam, as the visionary co-founder of Endowus, flips th...2023-11-2039 min
How to Live#054 Self-compassion & growth with Dr. Kristin Neff“I’m my own harshest critic”, many high achievers admit. Are they successful because of this or despite this? Research reveals a compelling answer.While self-criticism can be a driving force, studies show that self-compassion is even more effective. It doesn't mean letting ourselves off the hook but offers clear, honest feedback with kindness. On the other hand, harsh self-judgement leads to shame and stress.Kindness and clarity, as opposed to shame and stress, provide better motivation for growth and learning. In our latest podcast, we dive deep into self-compassion with Dr. Kristin Neff, a...2023-11-0642 min
How to Live#053 How to become a CEO with Brenda BenceHow do we make it to CEO? And how do we succeed as a CEO? That’s the focus of this podcast episode. We have with us Brenda Bence, a top ranked executive coach, member of the professional speaker hall of fame, and an award winning author. With offices in the US and Asia, Brenda has coached 1000 senior leaders from 60 nationalities across 70 industries. She’s coached CEOs and board chairs of companies listed in NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE and the Honk Kong Stock Exchange.Brenda has been consistently ranked a top 10 coach by various surv...2023-10-2340 min
How to Live#052 Brain Health with Santiago BrandWhat exactly is brain health, and how can we shield our precious minds from harm? How can we supercharge our brains, enabling us to achieve extraordinary feats? These are the questions we will explore today.To discuss this fascinating topic, we're joined by a true expert in the field, clinical and sports psychologist Santiago Brand. Hailing from Colombia, Santiago is the founder of MinLab Neuroscience Consulting in Singapore. With certifications in qEEG brain mapping, neurofeedback, and biofeedback, coupled with extensive experience as a therapist and Brainspotting instructor, he's a true authority when it comes to all things...2023-10-0942 min
How to Live#051 Social entrepreneurship with Jaideep BansalImagine being offered a lucrative expat role with all the perks, but then feeling an irresistible pull towards a purpose-driven project. What would you do in that moment of choice?Well, that's the very quandary our special guest, Jaideep Bansal, faced years ago during his tenure at Procter & Gamble. As you might have guessed, he chose the path less traveled, the one leading to social entrepreneurship.Here's a quick snapshot of Jaideep's remarkable journey: He's an award-winning social entrepreneur, dedicated to bringing sustainable development to the remotest corners of India. As the co-founder and CEO of...2023-09-2540 min
How to Live#50 How to live a good life, special 50th episodeIn this special 50th episode we dive deep into the very question that kick-started this podcast journey: How do we live? What's the key to leading a good meaningful life?To tackle this age-old question, we've gathered insights from the various incredible guests who've appeared on our podcast. These include world renowned yoga and meditation expert Travis Eliot, the man who popularised Stoicism William Irvine, globally respected spiritual teacher Anand Mehrotra, CEOs James Lafferty and Rameez Ansar, CXOs Dean Tong, Abhinav Kumar and Susie Babani, acclaimed authors Toko-pa Turner, Simone Heng, Michaela Haas and Jem Fuller, creators Sa...2023-09-1117 min
How to Live#049 Third Culture Kids with Nikki MullerDid you know that 220 million people live in a country different from their passport country? Many of us are raising Third Culture Kids – individuals who grow up in a unique way with both gifts and challenges.Today, we delve deep into the fascinating world of Third Culture Kids, as I sit down with a true authority in the field, Nikki Muller. Nikki is not only an expert but also a Third Culture Kid herself, making her insights all the more valuable. Her work and personal experiences have shaped her into a vocal and inspiring voice for the TC...2023-08-2839 min
How to Live#048 Ancient vedic wisdom with Anand MehrotraOver 3500 years ago in Ancient India, the Vedas were created as guidelines on how to live a good meaningful life. These have been passed on orally over centuries and are probably even more useful today. In today’s episode we look at how ancient Vedic wisdom can be applied in the modern world. We have with us Anand Mehrotra - a renowned spiritual teacher, yogi, and entrepreneur, and one of the youngest spiritual masters in the world. Born and raised in Rishikesh, India, the birthplace of yoga, Anand's journey into the world of spirituality began at a...2023-08-1438 min
How to Live#047 Nostalgia, discovering oneselfNostalgia is not just a sentimental journey; it's a powerful mental health tool that can help us find certainty and security in an ever-changing world.Recently, I watched this movie "Air" - the story of how Nike created the Air Jordans. Not only did it have a captivating story, talented actors, and gripping drama, but what I loved most was that warm, fuzzy feeling of being transported back to the 1980s.And you know what? It was exactly what I needed on that tough day. It lifted my mood, filled me with joy, an...2023-07-3115 min
How to Live#046 Life in four quarters with Avivah Wittenberg-CoxWith advancements in healthcare, our lifespans are increasing to an additional 25 years. With this in mind, we must reshape our understanding of life, work, relationships, and how we choose to live.To help us navigate, we are joined by the remarkable Avivah Wittenberg Cox - a respected entrepreneur and advisor to global CEOs and leaders in over 40 countries. Avivah challenges us to view life through the lens of four quarters. She suggests that the third quarter, spanning from 50 to 75 years old, holds 25 new years with countless possibilities—an opportunity for us to become how we’re meant to be.2023-07-1734 min
How to Live#045 Stoicism in everyday life with William IrvineToday, we have the immense pleasure of hosting a true luminary who has played a pivotal role in the revival of Stoicism over the past decade - William Irvine.William is a world renowned philosopher, author, and professor who has been credited as a key figure in popularising Stoicism through his lectures, writing and interviews.His groundbreaking book "A Guide to a Good Life: The ancient art of Stoic Joy" that was published in 2008 has been an instrumental introducing stoicism to countless readers. That’s how I got into Stoicism and I highly recommend the bo...2023-07-0332 min
How to Live#044 Lets talk about deathToday, we're going to dive into a topic that might make you consider leaving this podcast: death. But let me assure you, this is not going to be sad or morose. In fact, by the end of this episode, you might feel energised.Like many, I used to think talking about death was taboo. I held superstitious beliefs, fearing discussing death would bring misfortune or harm to someone I love. However, life confronted me with the deaths of people I loved, and during my healing process, I found myself compelled to explore the concept of...2023-06-1914 min
How to Live#043 Preventing burnout with Aparna DubeyBurnout has been top of mind lately. Searches for burnout are at an all time high. But what exactly is burnout beyond just a buzzword? How can we differentiate it from exhaustion or stress? And most importantly, how can we recognise the signs of burnout and effectively deal with it as well as prevented in the future? That's the focus of this episode.We speak with Aparna Dubey as she describes how she figured out she was burning out, the research she did, how she managed it and built systems to prevent it in the future. 2023-06-0528 min
How to Live#042 Bouncing forward with Michaela Haas PhDHave you ever wondered why some people emerge from adversity with a deeper sense of purpose and go on to achieve remarkable things?Our focus for today's podcast is on this very topic, and we have the pleasure of speaking with Michaela Haas, PhD. Michaela is an accomplished solutions reporter and author of multiple non-fiction books. Her work has been featured in renowned publications such as The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Al Jazeera, and she has received several notable awards for her contributions to journalism.Her latest book, "Bouncing Forward," focuses...2023-05-2241 min
How to Live#041 JealousyIt's natural to compare ourselves to others, especially when we see our colleagues and friends sharing about their accomplishments, life milestones, and happiness in social media.Even though its a natural emotion, jealousy feels yucky and can linger for a days, weeks and months. It can be destructive making us do unreasonable things, pushing us into aggression or depression. However, by understanding it we can learn how to cope in healthy ways and with time understand what it’s telling us and grow through this. In this episode, we explore the distinction between thes...2023-05-0816 min
How to Live#040 Raising resilient kids with Maggie DentHow do we build resilience in our kids? How do we support emotional development? How much should we push our kids? We discuss this and more with Australia’s leading parenting expert Maggie Dent. Maggie has been working with children teenagers and families for 30 years. She’s authored 9 books on parenting, many of which became bestsellers. She hosts the award winning parenting podcast “Parental as Anything” on ABC. She’s a sought after speaker regularly featured in the news, magazines and parenting shows. In our conversation Maggie and I dig into the biggest challenges facing parents today...2023-04-2440 min
How to Live#039 Life principles from yoga with Travis EliotWhat life principles can we learn from the ancient art of yoga. That's the topic for this episode. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration on how to live a good life. We have a conversation with world renowned yoga and meditation teacher, Travis Eliot. Travis, based in LA, works with the world’s top athletes, celebrities, and entertainers. He’s created best selling Yoga DVDs, written acclaimed books on yoga, and his chant album “the meaning of soul” debuted at #3 on the iTunes World music chart . He...2023-04-1047 min
How to Live#038 Learning from Millennials and Gen Z with Vivek IyyaniMillennials and Gen Z often get a bad rap for being entitled and rude. But what can we learn from them? That’s the focus of this episode. To talk through this, our guest today is Millennial specialist & Entrepreneur, Vivek Iyyani. Vivek is the founder of Millennial Minds, author of 3 books on millennials and a creator of highly engaging useful content. Vivek works with a range of companies - Paypal, Julius Baer, Oracle helping folks across generations work more productively. He’s been featured in Channel News Asia, Straits Times, Money FM. His mission is to help...2023-03-2732 min
How to Live#037 Finding purpose at work with Dean TongMany of us spend Monday to Friday waiting for the weekend. We’ve normalised this way of living - 2 days of happiness. 5 days of drudgery. How can we reverse this and make work more meaningful? That’s the focus of this episode. We have with us Banker, ex- BCG Partner. Dean Tong. Dean is the MD and Head of Group HR & Transformation at UOB Bank Singapore. Prior to this, he was Partner & MD at the Boston Consulting Group, where he spent over 20 years. Dean went to Wharton Business School for his MBA. After acing his career...2023-03-1338 min
How to Live#036 Wabi Sabi Japanese Wisdom with bestselling author Beth KemptonWabi Sabi is a Japanese concept of beauty which emphasises simplicity, imperfection, impermanence. It’s become popular recently as a response to excess materialism in modern lives.Beyond beauty, the wisdom from wabi sabi is a lens through which one can make all aspects of life meaningful. Most Japanese instinctively know what Wabi Sabi is - but it’s difficult to put into words. That’s what we attempt to do in this episode with Japanoligst and bestselling author Beth Kempton. Beth is globally recognised as an expert on Wabi Sabi. She’s written a...2023-02-2736 min
How to Live#035 Rekindling RomanceThis Valentine’s day would you like a 15 mins summary on how to spark up your relationship by the best in the business? (It’s not me:) I’m just the messenger).Julie & John Gottman, considered the best relationship therapists in the world, changed the game by bringing in data to track relationships. They studied thousands of couples over 40 years, coded hours and hours of interactions, and created data based principles on what makes a happy marriage. Their latest book distils all their learnings into 7 prescriptions to rekindle a relationship. These are small things we can do e...2023-02-1316 min
How to Live#034 Life lessons from sports with James Michael LaffertyWhat’s the difference between champions like Djokovic/Nadal/Federer and winners like Andy Roddick? What life lesson can we learn from this?In a landmark study done in the late 1980s, Sports Illustrated identified the biggest factor that separates champions from winners as “the sense for the historic”. No one can be at their best all the time. Nor is every match equally important. Some contests are more important than others - grand slams, superbowl finals, olympics. Champions are the ones who turn up at their best in these “sense for the historic...2023-01-3039 min
How to Live#033 Better diet better life with Riyana RupaniDid you know that a bad diet causes stress? Many of us think only externals cause stress - hectic work, relationship challenges, money. But diet, which is internal and something we have complete control over can cause physiological stress.We feel it in the form of low energy, bad mood, anxiety, and other symptoms. No amount of meditation, exercising, or journaling can effectively tackle this physiological stress. Eating lifestyle causes this, and that's what needs to be fixed.In this episode, we discuss holistic nutrition. We focus not so much on losing weight or looking g...2023-01-1638 min
How to Live#032 ForgivenessIsn’t it a great way to start the year by Forgiving? Working through and letting go of that grudge we hold so tightly.When we vow not to forgive - it usually does us more harm. The grudge sits inside us as stuck energy - resentment, anger, vengeance. Forgiveness is not only relevant to big fall-outs where we stop talking to someone for years. It’s equally, if not more important, to small hurtful acts in close relationships. These are small so don’t get much attention. But with time, they add up, creating bittern...2023-01-0215 min
How to Live#031 Entrepreneurship: Taking the leap of faith with Rameez AnsarThinking of entrepreneurship? How do you take that leap of faith?If you manage to jump, how do you thrive as an entrepreneur?We discuss this with Telco founder Rameez Ansar. Rameez is the Co-Founder of Circles.Life, one of the most successful companies in South East Asia and a leading one in the Telco space. Despite a stellar career with the Boston Consulting Group and Temasek, an MBA from Harvard Business School, Rameez took the leap of faith into entrepreneurship back in 2010 when there was limited start-up activity in Singapore.After a...2022-12-1949 min
How to Live#030 Re-inventing yourself with Sarah LalHow should we re-invent ourselves?This is more relevant than ever with so many of us are changing career tracks, starting businesses, and taking time-off. We discuss this with business owner, CEO, and co-creator of this podcast Sarah Lal. She’s successfully reinvented herself many times in different roles, industries and countries. From starting her first business in university to a corporate career in financial services, to artist, fintech leader, coach, & entrepreneur, Sarah's successfully transitioned between diverse roles. She’s served in four advisory board positions and received multiple professional accoladesShe’s...2022-12-0538 min
How to Live#029 Our relationship with moneyWhat does money mean to you? Do you like spending it, saving it or not thinking about it? We all come at money from different angles. Research shows that our relationship with money not only drives financial decisions but more importantly it drives life decisionsWhat career to pursue?Where to live?Who to marry?In today’s episode we’ll help you explore your relationship with moneyWhat shaped it? What’s working favourably?What’s limiting you?And moreWe will tap on wisdom from Financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz, bestselling author Mor...2022-11-2118 min
How to Live#028 Early retirement with Susie BabaniThinking of retiring early? How should you think about transitioning from a full on career to retirement? How can retirement life be both fun and stimulating? In this episode we speak with successful C-suite executive Susie Babani. Susie describes herself as an adventurer at large. Eight years back, she was at the top of the corporate ladder global chief HR for ANZ bank reporting to the global CEO.Looking after an organisation of over 50,000 people spread across the world, Susie's worked in the UK, Australia, China, Philippines, Canada, and the United States leading the HR f...2022-11-0734 min
How to Live#027 The path to belonging with acclaimed author Toko-pa Turner“Most of us think of belonging as an external place, something outside of ourselves, that if we keep diligently searching, maybe one day we'll find. The reason why many of us don’t feel a sense of belonging in our lives, is because we have not inherited the skills for how to practice belonging.”In this episode we speak with critically acclaimed award winning author Toko-pa Turner. Toko-pa’s book Belonging - Remembering Ourselves Home is a global bestseller and has been translated into 10 languages and counting. In our conversation, we speak aboutThe skill of...2022-10-2454 min
How to Live#026 Owning our shadowDo all of us have a dark side? How can we become aware of it? What power can it unleash?We discuss the above questions through the concept of the Shadow in this episode. The word shadow was popularised by renowned psychologist Carl Yung. He believed where there is light, there must be a shadow. Where there is good, there must be evil.We explore the Shadow through real life examples and practical action steps. We refer to the work done by Robert Bly, Jordan Peterson, Molly Tuby and Robert Louis Stevenson.In...2022-10-1017 min
How to Live#025 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Jem FullerHow do we tackle imposter syndrome? What is it to be a man in today’s world?We discuss all this and more with Jem Fuller. Jem is a TEDX speaker, published author, a communications expert, an executive coach, who coaches CEOs and business leaders and he also leads retreats around the world. Jem’s led a colourful life. From years of barefoot backpacking around the Indian subcontinent to senior leader in global companies - he’s done it all. He’s also worked as a reflexologist, Chinese masseuse, reiki practitioner, kindergarten teacher in Asia, a global tattoois...2022-09-2633 min
How to Live#024 Turning passion into a career with Papa CJHow do we take our passion and convert it into a career? We discuss this and more, with world-renowned stand-up comedian, executive coach and published author Papa CJ. Papa CJ has been awarded Asia and India’s best stand-up comedian. He’s performed in over 2000 shows across 25 countries from Broadway in New York to the Sydney Opera House. CJ is an MBA from the University of Oxford and as an executive coach has worked with over 50 companies across the globe. He writes for the Harvard Business Review and has been invited to speak at Harvard and other prest...2022-09-1233 min
How to Live#023 Reducing Mental ChatterHow can we reduce the negative chatter in our mind without mindfulness, meditation or other spiritual practices? We all live busy lives with multiple activities. Adding another activity like meditation - even if it’s for removing stress - can end up adding more stress. So what simple tools can reduce chatter and seamlessly integrate into our life?In today’s episode we meet Gita who’s struggling with constant mental chatter. Through her story we look at A good framework to understand our thoughtsAnd 5 simple mental health tools to manage chatter.These are simple tools th...2022-08-2918 min
The Brand Called YouHow to Live Holistically? | Sharad Lal, Entrepreneur and PodcasterSharad has always been passionate about mentoring and coaching. Through the CKL mentorship program, he found fulfillment in helping people discover their career paths. This led him to connect with a deeper purpose and awareness that coaching impacts not only careers but lives holistically. He co-created MyLifehouse to demystify life coaching, expand its access, and help people find their authenticity. In Nov 2021, he launched a podcast How to Live, to reach a larger audience as we together explore ways to live a good, meaningful life.
About Mr. Sharad Lal
Sharad Lal is an entrepreneur and a...2022-08-2524 min
How to Live#022 Loneliness & Human Connection with Simone HengWhat are the early signs of loneliness? How do we work through loneliness? What does an authentic human connection look like? How do we move our relationship with parents/family from a place of compulsion to a place of love?We discuss all this and more in our conversation with Simone Heng. Simone is a human connection expert. Her latest book Secret Pandemic: The search for connection in a lonely world is a bestseller in Singapore. It’s also #1 in Amazon US in the social science reference category. By combining science with personal stories and providing actionable to...2022-08-1540 min
How to Live#021 From bad to good health with Zach and Jeremy from the Fit Mess podcastHow should we deal with addiction to junk food, cigarettes, alcohol and other bad habits that limit fitness? What role do emotions and vulnerability, especially for men, play in the path to good health? We discuss this and a lot more with Zach Tucker and Jeremy Grater, founders and hosts of the podcast the Fit Mess, a leading fitness podcast in the US. Back in 2017, they launched the Fit Mess podcast for folks who are sick of their own shit and ready to make a change. Their goal is to help people take small steps every week t...2022-08-0139 min
How to Live#020 Consumerism: More Joy, Less CravingMany of us enjoy the good things in life - a cool car, the latest bag, or an exotic holiday but sometimes without realising the joy of consumerism gives way to stressful pursuit of more and more. We need to have the latest iphone before others or wear designer clothes to be seen. The more we have, the more unsatisfied we become, and the more we want. It becomes a vicious cycle. Giving up materialism altogether - renunciation - isn’t appealing to many of us. So how do we enjoy the good things in life without get...2022-07-1815 min
How to Live#019 My experience with anxiety, a conversation with Stephanie DicksonThis is the second part of our conversation with Stephanie Dickson. Steph opens up about her struggles with anxiety and darkness. For background, Steph is a high performing entrepreneur - a pioneer in the space of sustainability and climate change in Asia. She founded Green is the new Black, Asia’s first conscious festival and media platform. She’s a two times TED X speaker, a Prestige 40 under 40, and a Leader of Tomorrow by Tatler. Having excelled at the highest levels, Steph has had her share of struggles with mental health. In today’s episode she talk openly...2022-07-0418 min
How to Live#018 The power of regretsThe best time to start a business, mend a close relationship, apologise for bad behaviour, or forgive ourselves for an irreversible mistake may have been 20 years back. The second best time is now. Regret is a complex emotion that combines anger, shame, self blame, helplessness, anxiety, remorse and many other negative feelings. Most of us hold regrets for years and decades. They weigh us down. But these can be valuable and helpful. In today’s episode we will deep dive into this emotion. We will look at what regrets tell us about ourselves, how we can grow thro...2022-06-2015 min
How to Live#017 Intimate relationships, a conversation with Dr Oberdan MarianettiHow do we build a healthy relationship with our spouse/partner? What’s the balance between being dependent on our partner vs being fiercely independent, between thinking of our needs vs our partners? How do we have a regular joyful sex life?We address the above questions and more in our conversation with Dr. Oberdan Marianetti. Dr Oberdan is a leading psychologist and clinical sexologist in Singapore. As a founder of multiple wellness initiatives, Dr Oberdan has served a clientele of individuals, couples and groups from over 50 countries. He’s a TED X speaker and an influential thou...2022-06-0641 min
How to Live#016 Don't quit your day job with Aliza KnoxA conversation with Aliza Knox, who built and led APAC business for 3 of the top tech firms - Google, Twitter and Cloudfare. In 2020 she was named the APAC IT woman of the year. Prior to tech, Aliza worked in Financial Services and Consulting. This included the Boston Consulting Group, Visa, and other notable companies. At BCG, Aliza became the first woman partner in APAC. She has been featured in Business Insider, Tech Crunch, Quartz and is a regular columnist for Forbes. Aliza now spends her time serving multiple boards and sharing her passion with the next generation of leaders2022-05-2344 min
How to Live#015 Saying NoMany of us struggle with saying no. If we say yes we feel resentful, if we say no we feel guilty. Either way we lose. In today's episode we look at why it's difficult to say no, the impact this has on our life and how we can create healthy boundaries. Concepts discussed include complaint, avoidant and controller personality types; guilt and fear; the guilty conscience, boundaries, among others. Episode Shownoteshttps://howtolive.life/episode/015-saying-noFollow us onFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastHowtolive/Instagram...2022-05-0915 min
How to Live#014 Sustainability and climate change with Stephanie DicksonA conversation with Stephanie Dickson, entrepreneur and leading voice for sustainability on Asia. Steph is a two times TED X speaker, Prestige 40 under 40, Leader of tomorrow by Tatler. She founded Green is the new Black back in 2015, Asia's first conscious festival and media platform. CNBC describe her as the “sustainability entrepreneur helping Asian businesses combat climate change” She also hosts a successful podcast . Steph is on a mission to make conscious living mainstream, accessible and sexy. Steph and I spoke about the momentum behind climate change and sustainability and how there isn't a better time for us as i...2022-04-2522 min
ShopTok: Lessons from Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Freelancers and CreatorsST14 | Sharad Lal On Growing A Business With Just A Few Big ClientsMost people don't even get started on one business idea. And it's rare to find someone who's worked on two or three. But six, come on, that's crazy talk, right? Well, not really. Today we are speaking with Sharad Lal, Founder and currently chairman of 24 Inc, a Singaporean advertising agency that helps large clients execute on digital and retail campaigns. He also runs a successful podcast called “How to Live”, which was recently number 3 in Singapore. And I'm really frankly quite jealous, because that's a higher rank than my podcasts have ever achieved.
And that's not all. He's...2022-04-2238 min
How to Live#013 Simple ways for better sleepWe know that sleep is very important, but think huge changes are needed to enhance sleep. However, with a few small manageable changes, we can dramatically improve our sleep, without compromising on our lifestyle. In today's episode we look at the basic science of sleep and outline 6 ways to get a better sleep. Through these we can identify the 2-3 tips that work best in our current context. For the science of sleep, we've referred to the work done by Mathew Walker. We feel his book, podcasts, videos, TED Talk, and masterclass are the best resource to all t...2022-04-1116 min
How to Live#012 Shaping a global career with Abhinav KumarA conversation with Abhinav Kumar, CMO & CCO of Tata Consultancy Services, the 2nd biggest IT services brand globally overtaking IBM. Abhinav has been instrumental in growing the TCS brand to $16.8 Bn- having grown 8 times in the past decade. Abhinav heads marketing for 45 countries across the globe with a gender balanced global team- comprising of folks from 40 nationalities He’s been featured as a global influencer in multiple list including the prestigious Influence 100 list, the top 20 global communication leaders listHe’s been awarded the SABRE award in London for outstanding career achievement as a CMO. Abhinav holds e...2022-03-2834 min
How to Live#011 Knowing what we wantHow do we know what we want in life? If we do know, how should we integrate this dream sensibly into our life? In this episode we meet Nick and Ana - who think about their dreams with two opposing mindsets. Through their stories, we understand the challenges associated with discovering and aligning our aspirations. We look at a 2 step framework to figure out our innermost dream and integrate it holistically with our life. Concepts discussed include surface level goals, rat race, individualistic vs collective cultures, subconscious mind, me time, mindfulness, vision boards, pow...2022-03-1416 min
How to Live#010 Mindfulness 101 with Erin LeeIf you are new to mindfulness and not sure where to start or how to sustain a practice - this episode is for you. We look at how mindfulness works in everyday life, simple ways to get started, challenges one might face, early benefits we could see and also address the elephant in the room - does mindfulness suppress ambition? We talk this and much more with Erin Lee, the founder of Mindful Moments, a Singapore based company that brings mindfulness to the world. She's a mindfulness coach and teacher who runs multiple programs across the globe. T...2022-02-2839 min
How to Live#009 Embracing negative traitsAre bad traits really bad? When we get told off for being pessimistic, shy, messy, bossy, or arrogant. Should we just get rid of these? In today's episode, we'll see how dismissing negative traits can restrict our growth. We will look at techniques to process the negative feelings towards these traits and then harness and reframe them to unlock hidden parts of ourselves and grow in dimensions we never imagined before. Concepts discussed include visualisation, silver linings theory, reframing, no-go zones, and repression, stoicism. Related episode (Stoicism) - https://howtolive.life/ep6apple2022-02-1414 min
How to Live#008 Making friends in adulthood with Amanda ParkerHow do we make friends in adulthood - when we move cities or enter a new life stage (parenthood, empty nest etc) or feel stuck and need new energy and excitement? How do these friends differ from childhood friends? Amanda Parker, an entrepreneur and global citizen, and I discuss 6 useful techniques for making friends in adulthood in this episode. Amanda, born in New York, has traveled to over 65 countries, and lived around the world in places including Paraguay, Berlin, Singapore, and now London. She's accomplished much in her career as the founder of the...2022-01-3122 min
How to Live#007 Fighting well with our partnerFighting is a natural part of being human. Fights between couples can be nasty, but often something positive emerges. How can we have a constructive fight with our partner? How can we get a good end outcome, without the nastiness? How can we understand and build a deeper bond with each other during fights?In this podcast episode, written jointly by Sarah and Sharad Lal, we look at common fight patterns between couples, understand the reason for the animosity between two people who dearly care for each other, and look at ways to be able to have...2022-01-1716 min
How to Live#006 Stoicism: How to live a good lifeHow can we control our minds, handle adversity, set goals, manage expectations, access logic, and protect ourselves by creating an inner citadel? Stoicism, a philosophy that originated in ancient Rome, helps answer the above questions and many more. Stoicism consists of practical principles on how to live a good life. This episode provides a brief introduction of this philosophy.Concepts discussed include control the controllables, serenity prayer, negative visualisation, voluntary discomfort, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), resilience, mental strength, inner citadel, expectation setting, catastrophizing, happiness. People discussed include Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, Dr Aaron Beck.2022-01-0314 min
How to Live#005 Thriving in your career with Ruchira ChaudharyDiscussion on thriving in the future of work, the gig economy, why do top performers struggle in becoming great leaders, coaching as a life skill, listening vs giving advice, becoming self-aware, practical ways to build confidence, ways to network authentically, how to ask, uncommon leaders - Satya Nadella, Sheryl SandbergIn conversation with Ruchira Chaudhary - Executive coach, adjunct faculty at several top tier business schools including Chicago Booth and London Business School; regular contributor to Harvard Business Review; acclaimed author who's recent book on Coaching is globally recognised with leaders like Sheryl Sandberg endorsing it and...2021-12-2045 min
How to Live#004 Managing Everyday Stress Part 2Sid has been let down by a close friend. We lean on psychology to understand why this situation stresses him. Then see how a psychological tool helps him process this setback and deal with it using his intellect.Concepts discussed include thought suppression, rumination, expressive writing, coherent self-narrative, and journaling. Psychologists discussed include Dr. Timothy Wilson, Dr. Daniel Wegner, Jamie Pennebaker, Susan Nolen-Hoeksema.Shownoteshttps://howtolive.life/episode/managing-everyday-stress-part-2Follow us onFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastHowtolive/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcasthowtolive/2021-12-0615 min
How to Live#003 Managing Everyday Stress Part 1Disappointing situations are a common occurrence in life. If we are passed over for a promotion, have a heated argument with our spouse, feel let down by a friend, or face any negative event in this realm - it's common to exaggerate and dramatize the situation in our minds, making the issue exponentially worse. This causes stress and anxiety. It affects our mental health. Why does this happen and how do we deal with this? That's the focus of this episode.Concepts discussed include second arrow syndrome, mindfulness, mindfulness technique noting, Sufi poet Rumi, work-life, personal-life, s...2021-11-2216 min
How to Live#002 Achievement vs Fulfillment Some of us spend years working towards success accomplishing extraordinary feats - but this does not bring us happiness. Why does this happen? We look at the above via the lens of the achievement vs fulfillment mindsets. The episode discusses these mindsets through the story of Maya, who despite achieving more than she ever imagined isn't fulfilled. Concepts discussed include values, midlife crisis, rat race, goal setting, career planning, stage of life, conscious decision making, wheel of life. Shownoteshttps://howtolive.life/episode/achievement-vs-fulfillmentInformation on Podcast & Ho...2021-11-0317 min