Episodi

  • Unexpectedness in Big and Little Ideas

    Unexpectedness in Big and Little Ideas
    Jul 27 2026
    Episode 391: Unexpectedness in Big and Little Ideas EPISODE NOTES Exciting news! You can listen to the audiobook version of What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas. It is available on Audible, Spotify, LibriVox, Audiobooks.com, and library apps like Libby! You can hear “Chapter 1: Unexpectedness in Big and Little Ideas” in this podcast episode. Talented Swedish author Fredrik Backman reached out to me after reading my book. Once I get his permission, I will share some snippets from our email correspondence—spoiler alert: it’s glowing! Mr. Backman is the brilliant mind behind beloved works like My Friends, A Man Called Ove, Beartown, Us Against You, The Winners, Anxious People, and others. Chapter One begins in this way. “We often think of self-growth as being something we initiate, but what if unexpected experiences are what actually shape us? From those unexpected experiences, we extract the lessons for self-growth that reshape our lives.” Our growth often comes wrapped in the cloak of inconvenience, appearing as grief, curiosity, or unexpected questions we never thought to ask. Let’s embrace the beautiful messiness of becoming and allow this audiobook to inspire and nurture your big and little ideas along the way. So turn up the volume and enjoy my audiobook! You can start with chapter one by clicking on the podcast link. Happy listening! DOWNLOAD Episode Resources Audible Buy Nancy’s Book at Bookshop What Am I Made For? Podcast Episode NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: What is a question you hadn’t planned to ask yourself about your current situation? Apply Self-Compassion: Identify what feeling you are feeling right now. Where in your body do you feel this feeling? Once you know what your universal human need is, you can meet it. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate having taped the audiobook version of What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas. As a result, I articulate words more clearly. I appreciate the team I worked with at Manuscripts, especially my audiobook producer, Stephanie McKibbon and Uros Stojnic, sound engineer.” It’s Your Turn: Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because…” “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, Ph.D. Psychologist, Author, Theorist, Educator When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!! Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS. Visionary Mentor Nancy Meyer, MA Business and Life Mentor | Podcaster | Author | Mindfulness Yogi and Meditation Integrator I integrate mindfulness yoga into everything because breathing, meditation, and movement are essential as you change your life and how you lead. I have a compassionate, collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations supporting your evolution. Bottom Line: My top priority is your transformation and creating a meaningful life through business ownership. You will learn new skills, practice, evolve, innovate, expand marketing efforts, and prosper financially. We start with your desire to develop as a leader. To give you more background, I founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to promote Dual Innovation Leadership, the ability to evolve how you lead as you redesign your business model. To grow our businesses, we must lead differently when our perspective shifts. The thousands of brave leaders I have mentored succeeded by taking charge of how they evolved and learned how to respond to the unpredictable nature of business ownership by innovating on purpose (asserting self-leadership). When your perspective shifts, your intuition nudges you into a growth process so you can learn how to lead differently. As you practice new ways of leading, you notice ways to change your business. It is like remodeling. We start with a plan when we embark on a remodeling project. When we implement the plan, obstacles challenge us to adjust our mindset, gather further information, and brainstorm other options. Adapting the plan to fit our new reality is part of every remodeling project. Budgets always need adjusting, and we need to update our approach to complete the innovation. What I love about renovating our businesses is that new ideas emerge, and the project usually has an even...
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    14 min
  • Midwest Book Review of “What Am I Made For?”

    Midwest Book Review of “What Am I Made For?”
    May 11 2026
    Episode 390: Midwest Book Review of “What Am I Made For?” EPISODE NOTES The official launch of “What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas” was April 10, 2026, at Open Book in Minneapolis. We also celebrated my 65th birthday with delicious food, including vegan entrees, an enormous red velvet cake (not-so-vegan), balloons, flowers, music, and an introduction from Matthew and Olivia. I read from my book, and enjoyed signing books all evening. The event was a huge success. Attendees commented on the high energy, the love, my accomplishment of a big goal, and the fact that people from all walks of life attended, including two high school classmates and their wives!! It was the kind of day you wish could last a month. I am recording an audiobook that will be available on Audible in July! Once my book was out, I started getting book praise and reviews. With anticipation, I received my first book review from Jim Cox, the Editor-in-Chief at Midwest Book Review. It is common in the publishing industry to pay editors to review your book. They review without bias, I am told. I paid $50.00 for this review. Here is the email letter I received on May 7, 2026. I deleted what was unimportant at the end. Dear Nancy Meyer: I’m very pleased to announce that the May 2026 issue of our online book review magazine “Library Bookwatch” features a review of “What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas.” Synopsis: Each of us are born carrying ideas-quiet seeds of possibility that wait for courage, attention, and the rhythm of our lives to coax them awake. Our stories, our losses, our inheritance, and our small, ordinary moments of wonder shape what we create. We evolve each time we say yes to an idea that scares us, or stirs us, or calls us by name. Growth is rarely convenient. It arrives disguised as grief, as curiosity, as a question we didn’t plan to ask. It asks us to listen to our emotions, intuition, relationships, and the wisdom that travels through our lineage. “What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas” by Nancy Meyer is a companion for those who are in the process of fully becoming themselves. It is a reminder that ideas are not separate from us; they are expressions of who we are becoming. To generate, incubate, experiment, and birth an idea is to take responsibility for our own unfolding. The contention of “What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas” is that you are here to create, not perfectly, but earnestly. To lead yourself with tenderness and truth. To shape a life that honors your worth and your peculiar talent. And somewhere inside that unfolding, you will glimpse the answer to the question: What am I made for? Critique: Original, exceptional, ‘real world’ practical, and inspirationally motivational, “What Am I Made For? Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas” by Nancy Meyer is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library Small Business Management and Entrepreneurial collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for MBA students, self-employed entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that this hardcover edition of “What Am I Made For?: Cultivate and Grow Big and Little Ideas” from Manuscripts Press is also readily available in paperback (9798901020784, $19.98) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99 Amazon and eBook, $9.99 B&N). Editorial Note: Nancy Meyer (https://wementor.com/34906) is an entrenovation mentor, author, podcaster, and founder of WeMentor, inc., where she has spent more than three decades guiding entrepreneurs and creative leaders in developing the self-leadership, clarity, and resilience required to bring meaningful ideas to life. Her work blends strategic thinking with mindful practice, helping clients evolve themselves as they redesign their businesses. A former entrepreneurship and small-business finance professor at two private universities, Nancy has shaped curricula and leadership programs that integrate research, innovation, and emotional intelligence. She is known for uniting practical business insight with relational literacy and a deep respect for the creative process. You have complete permission to utilize the review in any manner you deem useful for marketing and promotion. This review will also appear in the Gale Cengage (www.gale.com) online publication Gale General OneFile. Additionally, this review will be archived on our Midwest Book Review website for the next five years at www.midwestbookreview.com under Library Bookwatch: May 2026: https://www.midwestbookreview.com/lbw/may_26.htm#business. I look forward to your next title!” James A. CoxEditor-in-ChiefMidwest Book Review278 Orchard DriveOregon, WI 53575, USA Other places you can...
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    11 min
  • Last Call

    Last Call
    Dec 8 2025
    Episode 389: Last Call EPISODE NOTES First things first. The votes are in. Book cover #2 won and is the cover for this episode. If you missed it, you can still listen to the introduction of “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas.” It is today’s episode. I have scheduled a book launch party for 2026. The room at Open Book is almost full (many of you have already signed up), so this is your last chance to join my book launch and birthday party. The deadline is midnight TODAY! When you register, you get stuff. You can register here. You will get a signed copy of my book, an invite, and you can be named in the acknowledgement section as an early-bird supporter!! Lucky you. A great way to close out the year is to plan something fun for 2026. Be brave. Support local ethnic small businesses. Hug a friend from Somalia and close out the year by celebrating all that is good in the world. We have each other. DOWNLOAD Episode Resources Presale Book Campaign What Am I Made For? Podcast Episode Frank Ostaseski, The Five Intentions NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Hug a Somali friend. Listen to the introduction to “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas.” Sign up to join me for my book launch. Apply Self-Compassion: Sit quietly for a few minutes and send yourself, those attending the book launch, and me positive, loving kindness. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate you. Thank you in advance for listening to my book introduction and signing up to join me for my book launch and birthday party in April 2026. I cherish whom I have met and worked with this year. I cherish the memories created this year with family, friends, colleagues, and fellow entrenovators. I appreciate those we said good bye to this year, especially my dad and uncle. I love you.” Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because…” It’s your turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because…” “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!! Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS. Visionary Mentor Nancy Meyer, MA Business and Life Mentor | Podcaster | Author | Mindfulness Yogi and Meditation Integrator I integrate mindfulness yoga into everything because breathing, meditation, and movement are essential as you change your life and how you lead. I have a compassionate, collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations supporting your evolution. Bottom Line: My top priority is your transformation and creating a meaningful life through business ownership. You will learn new skills, practice, evolve, innovate, expand marketing efforts, and prosper financially. We start with your desire to develop as a leader. To give you more background, I founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to promote Dual Innovation Leadership, the ability to evolve how you lead as you redesign your business model. To grow our businesses, we must lead differently when our perspective shifts. The thousands of brave leaders I have mentored succeeded by taking charge of how they evolved and learned how to respond to the unpredictable nature of business ownership by innovating on purpose (asserting self-leadership). When your perspective shifts, your intuition nudges you into a growth process so you can learn how to lead differently. As you practice new ways of leading, you notice ways to change your business. It is like remodeling. We start with a plan when we embark on a remodeling project. When we implement the plan, obstacles challenge us to adjust our mindset, gather further information, and brainstorm other options. Adapting the plan to fit our new reality is part of every remodeling project. Budgets always need adjusting, and we need to update our approach to complete the innovation. What I love about renovating our businesses is that new ideas emerge, and the project usually has an even better result. We feel changed through the process and have learned many details about remodeling that we can apply in our next project. HEAR why I am doing this ...
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    27 min
  • What Am I Made For? INTRODUCTION

    What Am I Made For? INTRODUCTION
    Dec 3 2025
    Episode 388: What Am I Made For? INTRODUCTION EPISODE NOTES I did it! I am excited to share with you the introduction to “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas.” The book will be available in the first quarter of 2026. My marketing team at Manuscripts.com is working on book covers. Which book cover above best matches the book title? You can respond to my post on LinkedIn. Here is an excerpt of the introduction. You can listen to the whole introduction in this podcast episode. “We all have ideas buzzing in our minds, like bees in a hive waiting to take flight. Most of those ideas remain in the hive and never get implemented, despite the best intentions. One of the biggest roadblocks is us. We often deviate from the natural flow of life and spend too much time in storms of chaos and rigidity without integrating our experiences.1 In other words, we sabotage our progress. There are other ways ideas get tanked, which I will address later, but the most significant outlier is us. The first point of contact with an idea is in our mind. Once conceived, our actions, decisions, and behaviors are the primary factors that affect the outcome of our ideas, before external factors have a significant influence. Knowing we sabotage our progress begs me to ask a few questions.2 What if you knew you were born to incubate and give birth to new ideas? Would you be more likely to implement your ideas and commit to self-growth? Would you spend less time on the banks of chaos and rigidity, struggling to swim upstream, and more time riding with the current in the flow of life, refining ideas that work? Would you be less likely to rain on someone else’s parade of ideas? If you answer yes to all the questions, this book is for you. If your answers varied, this book is still for you. I want to help expand your capacity to incubate and bring to life a wide range of ideas, both big and small. With effort, you can become proficient in generating, refining, and implementing ideas. If we work together and understand how to support each other during the birthing process, as midwives do, we not only enhance our sense of worthiness, well-being, and prosperity but also can significantly improve our troubled world. We need more of us to implement ideas from the inside out and the outside in.” I would like you to listen to the complete introduction HERE. DOWNLOAD Episode Resources Presale Book Campaign What Am I Made For? Podcast Episode Frank Ostaseski, The Five Intentions NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Listen to the introduction to “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas.” 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Try this Metta Meditation exercise again from Frank Ostaseski. He suggests doing this meditation after you meet someone new. Sit quietly. Take a moment to pause and tune into your feelings. Allow the person you just met to appear in your mind. Once you finish saying the meditation aloud, sit quietly and send loving kindness to this person. Then, observe how you feel after generating loving kindness. “This person has a body, heart, and mind, just like me. This person worries and gets frightened, just like me. This person is trying their best to navigate life, just like me. This person is a fellow human being, just like me. Allow some benevolent wishes for well-being to arise: May this person have the strength and support to face the difficulties in life. May this person be free from suffering and its causes. May this person be peaceful and happy. May this person be loved.” (2017, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, p. 168) 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate you. Thank you in advance for listening to my book introduction. Writing is a true labor of love. I appreciate the team at Manuscripts Press. They are remarkably skilled editors, teachers, coaches, and marketers. I am grateful for this year-and-a-half-long process to get published. The hybrid route is more labor-intensive, but worth it to retain my creative rights. I am grateful to beta readers: Matthew, Olivia, Gordon, Jan, Deb, and Drew. Your insights made this book better. I appreciate every backer who has supported me thus far. Without this small village, I would not have reached the finish line. Your dreams are worth pursuing, and I can attest to the benefits of launching new ideas. I have never received this much support ever in my life. I appreciate how I have changed. My heart has expanded. I am grateful for this experience, and am eager to meet the readers of my book in 2026.” It’s your turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because...
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    27 min
  • Discernment or Judgment?

    Discernment or Judgment?
    Jul 14 2025
    Episode 387: Discernment or Judgment? EPISODE NOTES On a transformative day, two friends and fellow “entrenovators”—a term I coined for entrepreneurs who innovate—sparked an intriguing conversation by asking two questions that have the potential to shape our lives. The answers can either cultivate discernment and inner strength or lead to self-judgment and feelings of despair. Which path will they choose? My lovely friend opened our dialogue with, “Is this my life?” This question serves as a compelling invitation to reflect deeply. It prompts us to consider where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we aspire to go. Will we respond with self-judgment, or will we embrace the strength of discernment? Another cherished friend shared her struggles with the weight of emotions after a friendship she valued became strained. Feeling hurt and confused, she wondered whether her friend lacked compassion. Her question of whether it would be easier not to feel so deeply reveals the complexities of connection and vulnerability. Both questions indicate an opening for self-growth—opportunities to nurture new ideas and reflect on our experiences. Perhaps a new chapter is beginning, allowing us to garner lessons from the past, release what no longer serves us, and forge a new path ahead. These inquiries serve as tools to train our minds to think constructively about our lives and relationships. In this instance, one friend has embraced the path of discernment, practicing self-compassion and accepting her friend for who she is, while the other is caught in a cycle of self-judgment and despair, disappointed with her life choices. My role is to support both friends, offering love, a bit of humor as the situation calls for it, and understanding without judgment, while incorporating Metta meditations at home, sending them loving kindness. This gives me something constructive to do after being present to their pain and discomfort. Frank Ostaseski, a pioneer in end-of-life care and the founder of the Metta Institute, shares profound insights on the difference between judgment and discernment. He notes that judgment is like a barrier that stifles conversation, traps us in outdated patterns, and restricts our potential. In contrast, discernment opens up possibilities, granting us a broader perspective and allowing our true selves to flourish. It creates the space for wisdom to emerge and empowers us to make choices that lead to a more fulfilling future. This reflection can help us embrace life more fully, especially in the face of death. (2017, The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, p. 139) Discernment is our pathway to spiritual evolution and personal growth. If we’re questioning our capacity for compassion, it’s a signal that we need to reevaluate expectations and let go of unhealthy ways of relating. We are in such odd times that we have to work to not only preserve what is natural and normal—human decency—but we also have to work harder to be discerning by differentiating between what is the truth and what is deceptive intent in a world overflowing with misinformation. Feeling deeply enhances my ability to think, act, lead, and mentor more effectively. It enables me to embrace my acceptance and to inspire compassion in others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness that enriches my life and strengthens my relationships. I realized I couldn’t access discernment while trapped in a cycle of self-judgment, so I let go of it. With discernment, I can bring my authentic self to every situation and welcome the lessons learned from all parts of my life. I become attuned to what I need to thrive, fostering connections and living a life of abundance. The questions in my book, “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas,” are crafted to cultivate discernment within you, empowering self-leadership and the birth of new ideas. As my pre-sale campaign for the book enters its final week, I invite you to support me by clicking on the link to select a package. You can get a signed copy of my book, participate in assessments, help finalize the book cover, and even sign up for my 65th birthday and book launch party in April 2026. Dive into What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas. I’m thrilled to celebrate this milestone on my bucket list with you. To enhance your journey, I encourage you to complete the three C.A.L.M. activities below, which include a heartfelt Metta Meditation. Let’s continue on this path of self-discovery and leadership evolution together! DOWNLOAD Episode Resources Presale Book Campaign What Am I Made For? Podcast Episode Frank Ostaseski, The Five Intentions NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this...
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    11 min
  • What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas

    What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas
    Jun 16 2025
    Episode 386: What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas EPISODE NOTES I’m beyond excited to share some thrilling news—my manuscript is officially complete! My book, “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas,” is set to hit the shelves in February 2026, and I can’t wait to take you on this journey with me! So, what’s next? A whirlwind of editing, content refinement, and marketing lies ahead. However, before we delve into the presale campaign and its details, I would like to share the inspiration behind this book and what you can expect. Click Here to participate in the Presale Campaign. The seeds of this book were sown in the rich soil of my dad’s entrepreneurial spirit. My dad, a true visionary, has a knack for finding creative solutions to everyday mechanical problems on our busy dairy farm. If you know me, you know our relationship has its ups and downs, but his entrepreneurial spirit has always captivated me. Growing up, I watched him dream up countless ideas, each illuminating a path to problem-solving. One memorable moment was when he casually mentioned wanting to build a cabin in a secluded spot. He envisioned a private retreat for hunting and fishing at a nearby lake, but little did I know that this dream would take decades to materialize. Despite my doubts, the idea clung to him through the years. Finally, at the age of 80, he made it happen, purchasing a DIY kit to construct the very cabin he had envisioned so long ago. We celebrated his 90th birthday in April. Timing of Ideas Timing is everything, and the release of my book couldn’t be more timely. We are living in transformative times, faced with challenges that are reshaping our existence. From urgent health crises and escalating loneliness to the vital fight for gender equality, climate change, and the pervasive influence of surveillance and artificial intelligence, our world is in flux. Add in nutritional scarcity, poverty, and the testing of our democratic foundations, and the complexity of our lives multiplies. It’s clear: these are extraordinary times! That’s where “What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas” enters the scene, inviting you to explore a fresh perspective on purpose. What if our calling is to nurture both grand and small ideas? The journey of discovery can propel our personal growth and offer solutions to the pressing challenges we face today. Imagine a world where each of us embraces this calling, uncovering and cultivating our unique talents at every stage of life. What could our paths look like? What incredible changes could take root in our communities? Now, more than ever, we must harness our creativity, amplify our voices, and take bold action. The complexities of today’s landscape call for more than just innovation; we must transform our ideas into thriving businesses, movements, or organizations that drive real change. Within the pages of my book, you’ll encounter thought-provoking questions, fresh insights, and the empowering notion of self-leadership. Your ideas hold incredible potential! Some may blossom into personal growth projects or cherished hobbies. In contrast, others could evolve into something even larger—a family legacy, a groundbreaking business, or a new movement that strengthens our democracy. The world is hungry for your unique contributions, and my book will serve as your trusted guide as you bring your visions to life. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together! Isn’t it time to discover the depths of what you’re made for? Remember, we aren’t meant to consume more than we create. We are creative, spiritual beings designed to make meaning and evolve our world through our actions and insights. It’s time to step off the sidelines and engage more deeply in our lives. Knowing yourself is the first step toward transforming your ideas into reality, and that’s what my book is all about. Discover the various ways you can support me in launching this book and perhaps grab a copy (or two!) for yourself and a friend. Click Here to participate in the Presale Campaign. DOWNLOAD Episode Resources “What Am I Made For?” Presale Campaign NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Click the Presale Campaign Link to participate: What Am I Made For? Incubate and Birth Big and Little Ideas – Books – Manuscripts 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Take a moment to pause and tune into your feelings today—and every day. When stress creeps in, please don’t ignore it! Instead, acknowledge it and name it. Use that stress as a compass to guide your next move. Recently, I found myself feeling anxious as I prepared for a podcast episode. I decided to share my anticipatory anxiety with a friend and ...
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    9 min
  • What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part IV

    What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part IV
    Oct 28 2024
    Episode 385: What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part IV EPISODE NOTES At a Kamala Harris rally in Michigan over the weekend, Michelle Obama delivered a powerful message about abortion rights and warned male voters. She said, “If we don’t get this election right, your wife, your daughter, and your mother will become collateral damage to your rage.” This striking statement sets the tone for a larger conversation that I had with Dr. Mark Levy, a respected forensic psychiatrist, who explored the psychological dimensions of Donald Trump’s behavior and his impact on our society. We recorded our conversation right after the May 30th verdict in the New York vs. Donald Trump case, where he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to an extramarital affair before the 2016 Presidential election. Rather than focusing purely on legalities, we delved into Trump’s behavior and his troubling attitude toward independent thinkers and the rule of law. With over 3,300 lawsuits and six bankruptcies, his track record raises many questions about accountability and integrity. Dr. Levy categorizes Trump’s followers into three distinct groups, highlighting one particular group he finds most concerning. Yet, amidst the serious nature of our discussion, our conversation brought an unexpected sense of reassurance. Dr. Levy emphasized the importance of preserving our better selves during these trying times, echoing the sentiment that hope is still within our grasp. With over four decades in the field, Dr. Levy isn’t just talking theory; he’s a seasoned clinical and forensic psychiatrist who has been an expert in over 500 civil lawsuits. He brings a unique perspective on how forensic psychiatry operates at the intersection of law and mental health. As he puts it, while the pathologist examines dead bodies, forensic psychiatrists like him analyze behaviors, cognitive capacity, and legal standards. Dr. Levy’s insights into Trump suggest a lifetime of reliance on others to bail him out, prompting us to think critically about leadership and accountability. One of the most revealing terms Dr. Levy coined is “grievance contingency,” referring to a segment of Trump’s followers still clinging to outdated sentiments about the Civil War. This sparked a meaningful conversation about reparations and the ongoing efforts in Minnesota led by Governor Tim Walz. His commitment to partnering with the state’s 11 tribal nations is crucial to addressing historical injustices and achieving healing. Tim Walz is the first governor in Minnesota to meet with the 11 tribal nation leaders in the state. It has led to a signed executive order to appoint tribal-state liaisons at state agencies and other empowering actions. Additionally, I’ve been actively writing grants for the Open Road Fund, which supports Black communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota with $50,000 in wealth-building gifts to 100 Black families each year. This initiative aims to foster pathways to liberation and prosperity, honoring the resilience of ancestors and redistributing resources to uplift present-day descendants of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Such efforts confront our painful history head-on, providing opportunities for collective healing and a vision for an abundant future to build upon for the next generation. As we approach the November 5, 2024, Presidential election, protecting your mental well-being is vital. Listen closely to Dr. Mark Levy’s insights and concerns, and remember to exercise your right to vote. Our democracy relies on your independent thinking and active participation—now more than ever. DOWNLOAD Episode Resources 1st Podcast Episode with Dr. Mark Levy 2nd Podcast Episode with Dr. Mark Levy 3rd Episode with Dr. Mark Levy Open Road Fund Tribal Leaders Weigh In On Tim Walz’s Work NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: What civic activities, in addition to voting, can you participate in right now to help our Democracy move forward? 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge that the question above will take some research and curiosity as you explore your options. Maybe you become an election judge, decide to run for City Council, or support a local candidate by door-knocking. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dr. Mark Levy’s artful flair for psychotherapy and forensic psychiatry. It truly has shone through in his explanations and profound insights, making each of our four podcast conversations feel both validating and enlightening. Each time I listen, I learn a bit more about our Democracy. Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to help us understand the connections between forensic psychiatry, our behavior,...
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    44 min
  • What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part III

    What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part III
    Oct 21 2024
    Episode 384: What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part III EPISODE NOTES Dr. Mark Levy’s unwavering dedication to forensic psychiatry and the law is truly inspiring. After over 40 years in the field, his passion remains as strong as ever. What keeps him so engaged? It’s the intricate nuances of complex civil and criminal cases and building credibility through his unique team approach in the field. This podcast conversation is relevant for every business owner. Since 1992, every business owner I’ve worked with has faced legal issues such as lease disputes, employee problems, partnership transitions, property damages, copyright infringements, embezzlement, economic downturns, natural disasters, and more. Business comes with its share of challenges, and the law is there to help us find solutions. The longer you’re in business, the more you realize that unexpected events can occur, and having the legal system to protect our interests and resolve disputes becomes essential. Dr. Mark Levy provides relevant examples and answers each of the five questions below with prudent eloquence. 1. Dr. Mark Levy gave us a working definition of forensic psychiatry. When we think of forensics, Dr. Levy mentioned we think of dead bodies and autopsies, but forensics means the law and forensic psychiatry is the interface of law and psychiatry. This means you understand legal terminology and medical terms. He can prescribe medication, monitor its effects on the brain and body, and track and test human behavior and how one thinks. What would you like to add to this definition? Dr. Levy says, “Like the Forensic Pathologist or coroner whose task is to determine the cause of death, time of death, and sometimes information about the perpetrator, we are Psychopathologists trying to make evidence-based, accurate diagnoses, addressing in civil matters issues of “causation” and “damages.” In criminal matters, we mostly address issues of “capacity,” e.g., competency to stand trial, or to be sentenced, or NGRI (not guilty by reason of insanity – which is a legal, not a medical term).” 2. Can someone be both a treating psychiatrist and an independent forensic psychiatric expert for the same person, like someone who is a patient and a plaintiff or criminal defendant in a legal matter? If not, why not? 3. What kinds of questions are forensic psychiatrists asked to address by the attorneys who retain you and your team to help them educate and persuade the trier of fact both in Civil and Criminal litigation? 4. What is “mass torts” or “multi-plaintiff” litigation? How do forensic psychiatrists assist litigators who are trying or defending civil cases involving numbers of plaintiffs with similar complaints of emotional damages, for example, in sexual abuse cases like former USA Gymnastics team medical doctor Larry Nassar and journalist, author, and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll? 5. You also work in employment law as a forensic psychiatric consultant. Please tell us how you address wrongful termination and discrimination based on age, race, gender, ethnicity, retaliation, and failure to accommodate. DOWNLOAD Episode Resources 1st Podcast Episode with Dr. Mark Levy 2nd Podcast Episode with Dr. Mark Levy Dr. Mark Levy, Forensic Psychiatric Associates, L.P. Test Your Resiliency NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: What is your ethical duty in your lifework? A forensic psychiatric expert has a duty to the jury or judge, not to the attorney retaining the expert. A discrepancy arises when they don’t know their role. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Vulnerability and resiliency are factored in when assessing emotional damages in criminal cases. Dr. Mark Levy described how our upbringing plays a part in our ability to be resilient. If you grew up in an unconditionally loving home with strong emotional support, you may heal more quickly when you are harmed than others. You can measure your resiliency by clicking on this link. How to Measure Resilience With These 8 Scales (+PDF) 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dr. Mark Levy’s artful flair for psychotherapy and forensic psychiatry. It truly has shone through in his explanations and profound insights, making each of our four podcast conversations feel both validating and enlightening. Each time I listen, I learn a bit more. Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to help us understand the connections between forensic psychiatry, our behavior, and the law.” It’s your turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Dr. Mark Levy…” “I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….” “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by ...
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