Finding Purpose in Turbulent Times with Shaun Tomson

In this inspiring episode, former world surfing champion Shaun Tomson shares his powerful methodology for finding purpose and transforming mindset during challenging times. Tomson discusses the creation of his book,"The Surfer and the Sage," co-written with philosopher Noah benShea during COVID-19, which addresses the widespread feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, and disconnection. He introduces "The Code" - a transformative 12-line exercise where each line begins with "I will" - that has helped millions worldwide shift from negative to positive mindsets. Through compelling storytelling, including the beautiful "Sacred Story Stone" legend, Tomson demonstrates how personal transformation comes not from inspirational words of others, but from writing and sharing our own words of commitment and purpose. Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher Robbins introduces the Helping Families Be Happy podcast and welcomes Shaun Tomson, former world surfing champion, leadership mentor, entrepreneur, and author of "The Surfer and the Sage." 00:01:09: Tomson explains his work as an ambassador for Boys to Men mentoring and the annual 100 Wave Challenge fundraiser that guides boys through their journey to manhood. 00:01:54: Tomson shares the origin story of "The Surfer and the Sage," describing how he met co-author Noah benShea during COVID and conceived the book concept in just five minutes. 00:02:43: Tomson describes his interactive presentations where he asks audiences to text words describing how they're feeling, creating word clouds that revealed widespread stress, anxiety, depression, and disconnection even among fully employed workers at successful companies. 00:03:39: Discussion of how the book addresses the "sad mind state" and creates 18 chapters (a sacred number in Judaism) designed as journeys from darkness to light, despair to hope, and powerlessness to empowerment. 00:05:25: Tomson expresses gratitude for the book's impact across multiple sectors, from Kellogg Business School to Harvard Kennedy School to large resort groups in Mexico, demonstrating its universal appeal. 00:06:11: Christopher asks Tomson to share what he tells audiences to help them find greater purpose in turbulent times. 00:06:48: Tomson emphasizes the power of storytelling over facts and data, citing Stanford research showing stories are remembered 27 times more than data, and explains that stories serve as both mirrors and windows for people. 00:07:49: Description of Tomson's presentation structure: telling four key stories about the Code's origin, perseverance and resilience, courage and commitment, and deep emotional connectivity. 00:08:49: Tomson explains the Code writing process where everyone writes 12 lines beginning with "I will" in 12 minutes, then shares their codes with the group. 00:09:38: Discussion of how the Code reveals the two halves of life's meaning and purpose: "I'll be better" and "I'll help others be better," with participants texting lines from their codes that display positive values. 00:10:24: Tomson defines purpose as "a committed intention to realize goals that are meaningful for oneself and for the broader world." 00:11:21: Description of the transformation that occurs during presentations, with mindset shifting from 80-90% negative at the beginning to 99-100% positive by the end. 00:12:52: Discussion of how great leaders' words inspire but personal transformation requires writing one's own words, with reference to JFK's famous quote (originally from Cicero). 00:13:46: Tomson explains that the Code method is "open source" and can be used by anyone, particularly families, to bring people together around shared purpose. 00:14:18: Christopher sets up the context that the episode will air at the beginning of 2026 and asks for a story to help engage listeners in the new year. 00:14:39: Tomson introduces his mission to create a "positive wave tribe" with the simple formula: "Drop a stone, create a ripple, build the wave" 00:15:45: Tomson begins telling the Chumash legend of the Rainbow Bridge, explaining how the Chumash people lived in Santa Barbara 13,500 years ago before any Western religion developed. 00:16:48: The legend describes how the earth mother planted a magic seed on Santa Cruz Island, and people crossed a rainbow bridge to the mainland, with those who looked down being transformed into dolphins. 00:17:28: Description of Hammonds Reef and Shaa Meadow, dedicated to the Chumash people, with its memorial bearing the inscription "The sacredness of the land lies in the mind of its people." 00:18:20: Tomson shares a personal story of visiting the beach with his son Matthew, where they were the only two people present. 00:19:04: Matthew creates a sacred story circle out of cobblestones with a stick decorated with feathers and kelp, establishing a rule that whoever holds the stick tells the story while the other listens. 00:20:09: Tomson reflects on this as one of the best times he's ever had on a beach, ...