Leadership in Action

In this episode of Leadership in Action, host Mark Stiles sits down with Mark Worster, a dynamic entrepreneur, life coach, and psychedelic healthcare professional. Mark shares his journey from running an IT company for 30 years to becoming a proponent of breath work and psychedelic medicine. Dive deep into discussions about the transformative power of these practices, how they help in overcoming depression and achieving personal growth. Mark Worster offers insights into the therapeutic uses of ketamine, psilocybin, and ayahuasca, and explains how they can unlock one’s full potential. Tune in to learn about the intersection of business leadership and mental well-being, and discover practical ways to integrate these powerful tools into your life.Takeaways: • Embracing that “everything is going to be okay” can help navigate business challenges effectively. • Psychedelic medicine and breath work can be powerful tools for personal transformation and mental health. • Committing fully to breath work or psychedelic experiences can lead to profound emotional and psychological releases. • Meditation coupled with breath work can provide a balanced approach to mental well-being. • Transitioning out of a business requires preparing for an identity shift and embracing new opportunities. • Psychedelics like ketamine, psilocybin, and ayahuasca offer alternative treatments for depression and other mental health issues. • Ayahuasca journeys involve rigorous preparation and can lead to deep personal insights and healing. • Entrepreneurs can benefit from integrating mindfulness practices into their routines for better mental clarity and decision-making.Chapters: • 01:00 Welcoming Mark Worster • 02:30 Lessons from Running a Business • 05:00 The Power of Breath Work • 10:00 Meditation and Mindfulness • 12:00 Combining Breath Work and Meditation • 15:00 Transitioning Out of a Business • 20:00 Introduction to Psychedelics • 25:00 Ketamine for Depression • 30:00 Psilocybin and Ayahuasca Explained • 35:00 The Ayahuasca Experience • 40:00 Personal Transformation through Psychedelics • 45:00 Practical Applications for Entrepreneurs • 50:00 Outro and Final ThoughtsQuote of the Show:“Everything is going to be okay. No matter what the difficulty or situation, you always get through it.” - Mark WorsterSponsor:Boston Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization - Leadership in Action is sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization, the world’s only peer-to-peer network exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO helps transform the lives of those who transform the world. Learn more at eonetwork.org.Connect with Mark Worster: • LinkedIn: Mark Worster (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markworster/)Shoutouts: • Evan Zoll: For his insights on the podcast. • Emanuel Ebot: For his calm demeanor in high-stress situations. • Andrew Huberman: For his informative podcast on alcohol and the brain. • Brandon Evans: CEO of OneHeart, facilitating curated ayahuasca experiences.For show notes and other episodes, please visit leadershipinactionpod.com. Like and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other place you get your podcasts.

This week on Leadership in Action, we're joined by Kate Anderson, co-founder of Alchemy Station and a newcomer to the Boston Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization. With a rich background in art consulting, Kate shares how a momentous pause during the pandemic led her to redefine her career and life objectives, ultimately guiding her towards entrepreneurship with a renewed focus on integrating art in business settings.Kate and host Mark Stiles delve into the transformative power of art in corporate spaces, the impactful lessons learned through personal development practices like hypnotherapy and the Enneagram, and how these insights shape the strategic direction at Alchemy Station. They also explore the evolving role of art in expressing organizational values and the unique challenges and triumphs of launching and nurturing a start-up in the art sector. Takeaways:Power of Personal Agency: Kate highlights the significance of recognizing one’s personal agency in entrepreneurship. Emphasizing the importance of taking action towards your dreams and the transformative journey of starting and nurturing a business.Impact of Mindfulness and Inner Work: The journey of personal development through hypnotherapy and the Enneagram helped Kate align her career with her core values. This process significantly influenced her business approach, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness in professional success.Art as a Medium for Corporate Expression: Alchemy Station's unique approach uses art to reflect and enhance corporate values. Kate discusses how art not only beautifies a space but also serves as a powerful tool for expressing a company's mission and connecting with its community.Learning Through Entrepreneurial Challenges: Transitioning from vision to execution involves facing numerous challenges. Kate shares insights on managing the complexities of a growing business and the critical nature of adaptability and resilience in entrepreneurship.Value of Community and Network in Business Growth: Kate's involvement with the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) underscores the benefits of being part of a community that supports personal and professional growth, offering educational resources and peer learning.Innovative Use of Technology in Art: The discussion extends into the innovative realms of AI and technology in art, demonstrating Kate's forward-thinking approach. She explores how technology can be harnessed to enhance creative expression and operational efficiency in art-related businesses. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-o-connor-anderson-5644685/Website: https://www.alchemystation.art/Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-in-action/id1585042233Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2t4Ksk4TwmZ6MSfAHXGkJIStitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/leadership-in-actionGoogle Play - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhZGVyc2hpcGluYWN0aW9uLmxpdmUvZmVlZC54bWwAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4263fd02-8c9b-495e-bd31-2e5aef21ff6b/leadership-in-actionYouTube - https://youtu.be/tZEu-KQbBGs

This week's episode of Leadership in Action features Clark Waterfall, co-founder and Managing Director at Boston Search Group, a seasoned expert in talent acquisition for C-suite leadership. With over 25 years of experience, Clark delves into the crucial aspects of leadership development and the strategies involved in honing top-tier executive teams. Sponsored by the Boston Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization, this episode is packed with insights on navigating the complexities of executive placements and team dynamics. Takeaways: The Essential Role of People in Business Success: Clark emphasizes that despite the rise of AI, the core of business success still revolves around people. Understanding and placing the right people in the right seats is both a joyous and challenging journey.The Art of Tuning Leadership: Discussing the nuances of 'tuning' leadership akin to tuning a musical instrument, Clark shares insights into the delicate process of adjusting and optimizing team dynamics to enhance organizational performance.Navigating Private Equity and Venture Capital Landscapes: With a focus on middle-market private equity-backed businesses, Clark talks about the specific needs and challenges of these organizations, particularly when it involves refreshing or enhancing leadership teams to match growth phases.Long-term Membership and Learning in EO: Reflecting on his 23 years as a member of Entrepreneurs Organization, Clark highlights the unique learning experiences and the value of shared knowledge within this community, emphasizing the irreplaceable benefits of forum participation.Future of Work and Leadership Development: Clark shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of work and how emerging virtual environments might impact the development of future leaders, stressing the need for new tools to facilitate effective leadership training in increasingly digital contexts.Links:Connect with Clark Waterfall on LinkedInLearn more about Boston Search Group at www.bsg.comQuote of the Show:"Companies are run on people as much as AI may transform that in the future, and getting them right is just a joy."Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-in-action/id1585042233Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2t4Ksk4TwmZ6MSfAHXGkJIStitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/leadership-in-actionGoogle Play - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhZGVyc2hpcGluYWN0aW9uLmxpdmUvZmVlZC54bWwAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4263fd02-8c9b-495e-bd31-2e5aef21ff6b/leadership-in-actionYouTube - https://youtu.be/-A4imI1Gntc

In this illuminating episode of "Leadership in Action," host Mark Stiles welcomes the dynamic Kate Morgan, Founder and CEO of Boston Human Capital Partners. With over 25 years of expertise in talent acquisition and a profound commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech innovators, Kate delves into the essential elements of building successful teams and fostering entrepreneurial talent. Sponsored by the Boston Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), this episode is a deep dive into the interplay of emotional intelligence, strategic hiring, and the impactful mentorship that shapes the future of businesses and entrepreneurs alike. Takeaways: The cornerstone of any successful business is its people. The right team can elevate a company to new heights.Emotional Intelligence (EQ) plays a pivotal role in leadership and team dynamics, significantly more so than IQ in many instances.Utilizing assessments like DISC can provide valuable insights into communication styles and team compatibility.The evolving landscape of work is moving towards more socially conscious business models, where success is measured not just in revenue, but in positive societal impact.The significance of mentorship and community support is more pronounced than ever, especially among emerging student entrepreneurs and startups.Adapting to new technologies and methodologies, such as AI, with a discerning approach can enhance, not replace, the human elements critical to business success.Featured Insights:Discover the importance of nurturing a team's emotional intelligence and how it complements technical skills to drive success.Learn about the transformative power of mentorship, both for the mentor and mentees, in EO's Accelerator program.Uncover the balance between embracing new technologies like AI and retaining the invaluable human touch in talent acquisition and management.Explore the evolving concept of work and how future-forward thinking can lead to more fulfilling and impactful business practices. Links: Email: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-morgan/Website: http://www.bostonhumancapital.com/Quote of the Show"Emotional intelligence is not fixed; it's the area of our intelligence that we can grow and improve upon, which in turn, can lead to significant improvements in our professional and personal lives." - Kate MorganWays to Tune In:Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-in-action/id1585042233Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2t4Ksk4TwmZ6MSfAHXGkJIStitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/leadership-in-actionGoogle Play - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhZGVyc2hpcGluYWN0aW9uLmxpdmUvZmVlZC54bWwAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4263fd02-8c9b-495e-bd31-2e5aef21ff6b/leadership-in-actionYouTube - https://youtu.be/Ga2xqcN6etc 

In this riveting episode of Leadership in Action, Mark Stiles sits down with Chris Gasbarro, an innovator in creating impactful meeting and event experience. Sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization, this episode dives into the heart of transformative gatherings, the power of communication, and the intersection of creativity and business acumen. As a new member of EO Boston, Chris shares his journey from forestry major to a pivotal figure in the events industry, highlighting his philosophy of building powerful connections and the unique approach of Ember to curating unforgettable events. Join us as we explore the nuances of effective leadership, the essence of vulnerability, and the innovative use of AI in the event space. Takeaways:The importance of how messages are delivered, opening paths to constructive communication, especially in feedback and challenging discussions.The role of self-awareness and adaptability in leadership, recognizing the individuality of team members and clients to foster growth and positive outcomes.Insights into the blend of creativity and logistical precision in designing events that resonate on a deeper level with participants, transcending traditional formats.The transformative power of gatherings, from intimate executive meetings to grand scale events, driven by purpose and strategic execution.The application of AI and technology in enhancing event planning and creative processes, offering efficiency and novel solutions in a dynamic industry.Links: Chris Gasbarro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgasbarro/  Ember Escapes: http://www.emberescapes.com Email: [email protected] Quote of the Show"If you're not in discomfort, you're not growing." - Chris Gasbarro Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-in-action/id1585042233Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/2t4Ksk4TwmZ6MSfAHXGkJIStitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/show/leadership-in-actionGoogle Play - https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhZGVyc2hpcGluYWN0aW9uLmxpdmUvZmVlZC54bWwAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4263fd02-8c9b-495e-bd31-2e5aef21ff6b/leadership-in-actionYouTube - https://youtu.be/c7MtFVrSZ5A