Lou Blaser's guest appearances

Lou Blaser

What Works

The Happier Approach: Quieting your High Functioning Anxiety

Late Bloomer Living Podcast

Nicole Lewis-Keeber

Jacquette Timmons

Mara Glatzel

Tonya Dalton

Shannon Siriano Greenwood

Charlene Lam

Brittany Berger

Shulamit Ber Levtov

Jessica Abel

Hillary Rea

Tara McMullin

Sarah Von Bargen

Andrea Owen

Jennifer Louden

Kate Northrup

OwlTail

Are you making plans and setting goals for the coming year?  We do it every year, don't we? We make resolutions. We commit (again) to improving ourselves.  In this episode I'm welcoming Lou Blaser, editor of Midlife Cues, back to the podcast for the 3rd time!  This will be the first of a series of ongoing conversations about intentional living and personal growth in midlife.  We let you in on our process for looking back at the last year and planning for the new year. 

Are you making plans and setting goals for the coming year?  We do it every year, don't we? We make resolutions. We commit (again) to improving ourselves.  In this episode I'm welcoming Lou Blaser, editor of Midlife Cues, back to the podcast for the 3rd time!  This will be the first of a series of ongoing conversations about intentional living and personal growth in midlife.  We let you in on our process for looking back at the last year and planning for the new year.

EP 125: Getting Smarter about Goal Setting: A New Year Conversation with Lou Blaser

Sean McMullin

ClickUp

In This Episode:* Why Sean McMullin &amp; Lou Blaser, from YellowHouse.Media, switched their project management software from Notion to Clickup (and why it’s not the right move for everyone!)* How they’ve reduced their podcast management procedure from 75 sub-tasks to 11 umbrella tasks* Why streamlining the procedure has allowed them to bring a more customized approach to each podcast they produce* How focusing on the system behind podcast production has helped them create a lot more capacity for new clientsA couple of months back, I read a downright beautiful article about systems.Yes, you heard that right: a beautiful, thoughtful, and useful article about… systems.It was written by Donella Meadows, an influential environmental scientist and leading thinker on systems change in the 20th century.The article outlines 14 principles for *dancing* with systems. But today I want to focus on the first: get the beat.When we talk about business systems, it’s easy to default to software, automation, or project management.But a system is much more organic than that.And if we don’t allow for a system’s inherently organic nature, we miss out on really understanding that system in order to work with it, dance with it.Meadows explains that a mistake we so often make when we approach systems is that we see understanding the system as a way of predicting and controlling its output.She writes, “The goal of foreseeing the future exactly and preparing for it perfectly is unrealizable.”I get that that might be frustrating—especially as we see data and the ability to instantly connect with customers as modes for the ultimate in business predictability.It can also be a relief.If the goal of understanding systems isn’t to control them or predict their output but to dance with them and learn from them, we don’t have to be so hard on ourselves!And that brings me to Meadows first dance step—get the beat. The mistake I see business owners make with systems is that they try to impose systems on their businesses. They create or build systems for different areas of their businesses.But that negates the systems already at work in a business. And inevitably, trying to create a system instead of investigating a system, leads to frustration.Meadows writes, “Before you disturb the system in any way, watch how it behaves.”So let’s say you want to work on your marketing system. If you start with a blank page and start building something from scratch, you’re missing out on all of the data &amp; feedback that already exists in your marketing system as it is now (whether you know it’s a system or not).If instead, you map out your existing marketing system, no matter how haphazard or messy, you can start to ask some really interesting questions about that system:* How did we get here?* How else could this work?* What might happen if we don’t make a change?* What are the long-term ripple effects of allowing this system to continue to play out...  ★ Support this podcast ★ 

In This Episode: * Why Sean McMullin &amp; Lou Blaser, from <a href="http://yellowhouse.media" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">YellowHouse.Media</a>, switched their project management software from Notion to Clickup (and why it’s not the right move for everyone!)* How they’ve reduced their podcast management procedure from 75 sub-tasks to 11 umbrella tasks* Why streamlining the procedure has allowed them to bring a more customized approach to each podcast they produce* How focusing on <a href="https://www.yellowhouse.media/articles/flow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the system behind podcast production</a> has helped them create a lot more capacity for new clients A couple of months back, I read a downright beautiful article about systems. Yes, you heard that right: a beautiful, thoughtful, and useful article about… systems. It was written by Donella Meadows, an influential environmental scientist and leading thinker on systems change in the 20th century. The article outlines 14 principles for *<a href="https://donellameadows.org/archives/dancing-with-systems/?utm_source=pocket_mylist" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">dancing* with systems</a>. But today I want to focus on the first: get the beat. When we talk about <a href="https://explorewhatworks.com/thinking-systems-what-small-business-owners-need-to-know/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">business systems</a>, it’s easy to default to software, automation, or project management. But a system is much more organic than that. And if we don’t allow for a system’s inherently organic nature, we miss out on really understanding that system in order to work with it, dance with it. Meadows explains that a mistake we so often make when we approach systems is that we see understanding the system as a way of predicting and controlling its output. She writes, “The goal of foreseeing the future exactly and preparing for it perfectly is unrealizable.” I get that that might be frustrating—especially as we see data and the ability to instantly connect with customers as modes for the ultimate in business predictability. It can also be a relief. If the goal of understanding systems isn’t to control them or predict their output but to dance with them and learn from them, we don’t have to be so hard on ourselves! And that brings me to Meadows first dance step—get the beat. The mistake I see business owners make with systems is that they try to impose systems on their businesses. They create or build systems for different areas of their businesses. But that negates the systems already at work in a business. And inevitably, trying to create a system instead of investigating a system, leads to frustration. Meadows writes, “Before you disturb the system in any way, watch how it behaves.” So let’s say you want to work on your <a href="https://explorewhatworks.com/only-3-marketing-questions/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">marketing system</a>. If you start with a blank page and start building something from scratch, you’re missing out on all of the data &amp; feedback that already exists in your marketing system as it is now (whether you know it’s a system or not). If instead, you map out your existing marketing system, no matter how haphazard or messy, you can start to ask some really interesting questions about that system: * How did we get here?* How else could this work?* What might happen if we don’t make a change?* What are the long-term ripple effects of allowing this system to continue to play out... <a href="https://cocommercial-llc.ck.page/products/support-what-works" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">★ Support this podcast ★</a>

EP 353: Dancing With Systems In Clickup With Lou Blaser & Sean McMullin from YellowHouse.Media

Anyone with High Functioning Anxiety knows what I mean when I talk about the Swan Effect. It basically boils down to the feeling of being so on top of it and accomplishing everything we set our sights on… compared to the overwhelm and exhaustion that we feel under the surface that no one can see.  My guest on this series about the performative nature of high functioning anxiety is no stranger to the Swan Effect.  In part one of this podcast, Lou Blaser from the Second Breaks Podcast and I talked about the Swan Effect and what it feels like to be calm on top and yet paddling like mad, metaphorically, underneath. We also discussed when Lou realized she needed help and what therapy taught her about anxiety and depression.  On today’s episode, Lou and I continue the conversation around the performative nature of high functioning anxiety with Lou. For her, learning to recognize that tendency is a sign that her depression and anxiety have spiked and that she needs to step up her self-care. If you feel like no matter how anxious you are that you need to appear on top of it, this episode is for you. And don’t miss part one, which you can listen to here. Listen to the full episode to hear:  Why sharing your anxiety is so hard and finding the right pair of ears is essential The sneaky ways we sabotage ourselves  Why therapy isn’t a fix-all and the disappointment in realizing Lou won’t be magically fixed The power of self-loyalty and changing how Lou had her own back was so important  Learn more about Lou Blaser:  secondbreaks.com  Learn more about Nancy:   Coach in Your Pocket The Happier Approach Book Live Happier Website  --- Coach in Your Pocket Helping people with High Functioning Anxiety is a personal mission for me. I have a special place in my heart for this struggle because it’s both something I dealt with unknowingly for years, and because it silently affects so many people who think this is just how it is.   Working with me this way is an incredibly efficient and effective way to deal with your anxiety in the moment–without waiting for your next appointment. I have been doing this work for over 20Visit: https://NancyJaneSmith.comLearn More About Self Loyalty School: https://selfloyaltyschool.com

Anyone with High Functioning Anxiety knows what I mean when I talk about the Swan Effect. It basically boils down to the feeling of being so on top of it and accomplishing everything we set our sights on… compared to the overwhelm and exhaustion that we feel under the surface that no one can see.  My guest on this series about the performative nature of high functioning anxiety is no stranger to the Swan Effect.  In part one of this podcast, Lou Blaser from the Second Breaks Podcast and I talked about the Swan Effect and what it feels like to be calm on top and yet paddling like mad, metaphorically, underneath. We also discussed when Lou realized she needed help and what therapy taught her about anxiety and depression.  On today’s episode, Lou and I continue the conversation around the performative nature of high functioning anxiety with Lou. For her, learning to recognize that tendency is a sign that her depression and anxiety have spiked and that she needs to step up her self-care. If you feel like no matter how anxious you are that you need to appear on top of it, this episode is for you. And don’t miss <a href="https://live-happier.com/162-lou-blaser-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">part one, which you can listen to here.</a> Listen to the full episode to hear: <ul> <li>Why sharing your anxiety is so hard and finding the right pair of ears is essential</li> <li>The sneaky ways we sabotage ourselves </li> <li>Why therapy isn’t a fix-all and the disappointment in realizing Lou won’t be magically fixed</li> <li>The power of self-loyalty and changing how Lou had her own back was so important</li> </ul> Learn more about Lou Blaser: <ul> <li><a href="http://secondbreaks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">secondbreaks.com</a></li> </ul> Learn more about Nancy: <ul> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/work-with-me/coach-in-your-pocket/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Coach in Your Pocket</a></li> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/books/the-happier-approach/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Happier Approach Book</a></li> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live Happier Website</a></li> </ul> --- Coach in Your Pocket Helping people with High Functioning Anxiety is a personal mission for me. I have a special place in my heart for this struggle because it’s both something I dealt with unknowingly for years, and because it silently affects so many people who think this is just how it is.   Working with me this way is an incredibly efficient and effective way to deal with your anxiety in the moment–without waiting for your next appointment. I have been doing this work for over 20Visit: <a href="https://www.nancyjanesmith.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://NancyJaneSmith.com</a> Learn More About Self Loyalty School:<a href="https://www.nancyjanesmith.com/course" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://selfloyaltyschool.com</a>

Episode 163: Lou Blaser and the Performative Nature of High Functioning Anxiety - Part 2

Well, we made it to 2021! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I know I’m excited to be back at the podcast after a short break.  One of the most challenging aspects of High Functioning Anxiety is the Catch-22 of the positive affirmations you receive for being so on-it and accomplishing so much versus the overwhelm and exhaustion you feel under the surface.  Does this sound familiar? This Catch-22 causes those of us with HFA to be extremely performative in how we approach our lives. The never-let-them-see-you-sweat idea permeates everything we do.  On today’s episode, I’m going to go deep into the performative nature of high functioning anxiety and talk with Lou Blaser from the Second Breaks Podcast. Lou was kind enough to agree to come on and talk about her experience with anxiety and depression.  Lou and I refer to that Catch-22 as The Swan Effect: you look beautiful and calm on the outside but underneath the surface you are paddling like crazy. I am so excited for you to hear this interview.  This is part one of this conversation with Lou. Check back next week for part two!  Listen to the full episode to hear:  When Lou realized she needed help What therapy taught her about anxiety and depression  The signs for Lou when she needs to step up her self-care practices  How both our larger culture and the culture of the corporate world keep us stuck in performing.  Learn more about Lou Blaser:  secondbreaks.com  Learn more about Nancy:   Coach in Your Pocket The Happier Approach Book Live Happier Website  --- Coach in Your Pocket Helping people with High Functioning Anxiety is a personal mission for me. I have a special place in my heart for this struggle because it’s both something I dealt with unknowingly for years, and because it silently affects so many people who think this is just how it is.   Working with me this way is an incredibly efficient and effective way to deal with your anxiety in the moment–without waiting for your next appointment. I have been doing this work for over 20 years and Visit: https://NancyJaneSmith.comLearn More About Self Loyalty School: https://selfloyaltyschool.com

Well, we made it to 2021! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I know I’m excited to be back at the podcast after a short break.  One of the most challenging aspects of High Functioning Anxiety is the Catch-22 of the positive affirmations you receive for being so on-it and accomplishing so much versus the overwhelm and exhaustion you feel under the surface.  Does this sound familiar? This Catch-22 causes those of us with HFA to be extremely performative in how we approach our lives. The never-let-them-see-you-sweat idea permeates everything we do.  On today’s episode, I’m going to go deep into the performative nature of high functioning anxiety and talk with Lou Blaser from the Second Breaks Podcast. Lou was kind enough to agree to come on and talk about her experience with anxiety and depression.  Lou and I refer to that Catch-22 as The Swan Effect: you look beautiful and calm on the outside but underneath the surface you are paddling like crazy. I am so excited for you to hear this interview.  This is part one of this conversation with Lou. Check back next week for part two!  Listen to the full episode to hear: <ul> <li>When Lou realized she needed help</li> <li>What therapy taught her about anxiety and depression </li> <li>The signs for Lou when she needs to step up her self-care practices </li> <li>How both our larger culture and the culture of the corporate world keep us stuck in performing.</li> </ul> Learn more about Lou Blaser: <ul> <li><a href="http://secondbreaks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">secondbreaks.com</a></li> </ul> Learn more about Nancy: <ul> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/work-with-me/coach-in-your-pocket/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Coach in Your Pocket</a></li> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/books/the-happier-approach/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Happier Approach Book</a></li> <li><a href="https://live-happier.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live Happier Website</a></li> </ul> --- Coach in Your Pocket Helping people with High Functioning Anxiety is a personal mission for me. I have a special place in my heart for this struggle because it’s both something I dealt with unknowingly for years, and because it silently affects so many people who think this is just how it is.   Working with me this way is an incredibly efficient and effective way to deal with your anxiety in the moment–without waiting for your next appointment. I have been doing this work for over 20 years and <a href="https://live-happier.com/work-with-me/coach-in-your-pocket/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Visit: <a href="https://www.nancyjanesmith.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://NancyJaneSmith.com</a> Learn More About Self Loyalty School:<a href="https://www.nancyjanesmith.com/course" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> https://selfloyaltyschool.com</a>

Episode 162: Lou Blaser and the Performative Nature of High Functioning Anxiety - Part 1

In This Episode:* Why I chose “embrace uncertainty” as one of my commitments for 2020 and how it’s served in this wild year* How Charlie Gilkey recommends finding the most courageous next step* What led Second Breaks founder Lou Blaser to rethink her business model—and return to a years-old vision for her work in the process* What 2 questions she used to find new ways of creating value* How she used existing assets in her business to start building toward her new visionThe tweet that’s pinned to the top of my profile lists my 3 commitments for this year.Those commitments are my guiding principles, the things I’m actively trying to cultivate more of in my life, the ideas that guide the decisions I made.My three commitments for 2020 are: Question normal. Expect success. And embrace uncertainty.Now, most people I know have had to recalculate their goals for 2020. But these commitments? Well, they’re more relevant than ever.In fact, I’ve had a few people @ me on Twitter and ask if I’m psychic!While each of my commitments for 2020 have been a huge help for navigating this wild year, it’s that last one–Embrace Uncertainty–that’s really asked me to grow.Uncertainty seems to be the theme of 2020.With everything that’s happened so far this year and no real confidence in what might be coming, we’ve all had to recalculate.Some business owners I know have had to completely rework their business models. Others have taken huge in-person gathering online. Others are discovering they have skills that are incredibly useful in the pandemic economy. And still others still aren’t sure what they’ll do next to bring in some revenue.As I’ve worked with business owners on making decisions and reworking plans, there’s one thing I keep coming back to, though. While 2020 might have presented us with a unique batch of unpredictable circumstances, uncertainty is not a new condition of entrepreneurship.Uncertainty is baked into the operating system of how we function every day as business owners……whether we like it or not… and whether we like to admit it or not.When I chose embracing uncertainty as one of my commitments for this year, I didn’t have a pandemic in mind.I wasn’t gearing up for a historic upheaval in the labor market. I didn’t predict the long overdue tectonic shift in public opinion about systemic racism and police brutality.I chose to commit to embracing uncertainty because I wanted to take more courageous action. I wanted to see what would happen for me and for my business if I stopped trying to predict the right thing to do and started leaning into my full potential and my full vision.And while you might think I’m a natural risk taker, I can assure you I am not.This idea wasn’t really mine at all. It was a very important lesson I learned from my friend Charlie Gilkey during an interview for this very podcast.Before we get into this week’s interview with Lou Blaser, I want to share a snippet from this interview to tee up all of the conversations we’re having this month around embracing uncer...  ★ Support this podcast ★ 

In This Episode: * Why I chose “embrace uncertainty” as one of my commitments for 2020 and how it’s served in this wild year* How <a href="http://productiveflourishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie Gilkey</a> recommends finding the most courageous next step* What led Second Breaks founder <a href="http://secondbreaks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lou Blaser</a> to rethink her business model—and return to a years-old vision for her work in the process* What 2 questions she used to find new ways of creating value* How she used existing assets in her business to start building toward her new vision The tweet that’s pinned to the top of my profile lists my 3 commitments for this year. Those commitments are my guiding principles, the things I’m actively trying to cultivate more of in my life, the ideas that guide the decisions I made. My three commitments for 2020 are: Question normal. Expect success. And embrace uncertainty. Now, most people I know have had to recalculate their goals for 2020. But these commitments? Well, they’re more relevant than ever. In fact, I’ve had a few people @ me on Twitter and ask if I’m psychic! While each of my commitments for 2020 have been a huge help for navigating this wild year, it’s that last one–Embrace Uncertainty–that’s really asked me to grow. Uncertainty seems to be the theme of 2020. With everything that’s happened so far this year and no real confidence in what might be coming, we’ve all had to recalculate. Some business owners I know have had to completely rework their business models. Others have taken huge in-person gathering online. Others are discovering they have skills that are incredibly useful in the pandemic economy. And still others still aren’t sure what they’ll do next to bring in some revenue. As I’ve worked with business owners on making decisions and reworking plans, there’s one thing I keep coming back to, though. While 2020 might have presented us with a unique batch of unpredictable circumstances, uncertainty is not a new condition of entrepreneurship. Uncertainty is baked into the operating system of how we function every day as business owners… …whether we like it or not… and whether we like to admit it or not. When I chose embracing uncertainty as one of my commitments for this year, I didn’t have a pandemic in mind.I wasn’t gearing up for a historic upheaval in the labor market. I didn’t predict the long overdue tectonic shift in public opinion about systemic racism and police brutality. I chose to commit to embracing uncertainty because I wanted to take more courageous action. I wanted to see what would happen for me and for my business if I stopped trying to predict the right thing to do and started leaning into my full potential and my full vision. And while you might think I’m a natural risk taker, I can assure you I am not. This idea wasn’t really mine at all. It was a very important lesson I learned from my friend <a href="http://productiveflourishing.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charlie Gilkey</a> during an <a href="https://explorewhatworks.com/finishing-what-you-start-charlie-gilkey/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">interview for this very podcast</a>. Before we get into this week’s interview with Lou Blaser, I want to share a snippet from this interview to tee up all of the conversations we’re having this month around embracing uncer... <a href="https://cocommercial-llc.ck.page/products/support-what-works" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">★ Support this podcast ★</a>

EP 288: Rethinking Your Business Amidst Change With Second Breaks Founder Lou Blaser

If you are considering a career change or just doing some soul searching about your career path you’ll want to listen in this week.  The road to reinvention is not always on the straight and narrow path. Sometimes it’s a winding road.  This week I’m talking to Lou Blaser, the editor and publisher of Briefing Notes, a digital newsletter about career resilience, longevity, and the future of work. She also hosts Second Breaks, a podcast about navigating a changing world and thriving in our careers. Lou’s work is focused on how we can make smart bold moves and stay relevant as the marketplace shifts and morphs. In her previous roles, Lou was a change management consultant and an IT leader.

If you are considering a career change or just doing some soul searching about your career path you’ll want to listen in this week.  The road to reinvention is not always on the straight and narrow path. Sometimes it’s a winding road.  This week I’m talking to Lou Blaser, the editor and publisher of Briefing Notes, a digital newsletter about career resilience, longevity, and the future of work. She also hosts Second Breaks, a podcast about navigating a changing world and thriving in our careers. Lou’s work is focused on how we can make smart bold moves and stay relevant as the marketplace shifts and morphs. In her previous roles, Lou was a change management consultant and an IT leader.