How do we become more beautiful together? I speak with Julian Newman about just that.

Julian is the author of Beautiful Together: How to Become a Better Leader & Bridge Builder. He's the founder, and CEO of Culture Creative and The FutureCast Foundation. He is an altMBA graduate and inaugural Anthem Award-winning Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year, along with Trevor Noah.

His thought leadership has been featured in a range of media outlets including Forbes Magazine, Fox News, NPR and PBS affiliates.

We discuss the importance of leadership, empathy, and vulnerability in building connections and fostering personal growth. We explore the transformative power of shared experiences, the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones, and the role of curiosity and competence in effective leadership. Julian shares personal anecdotes and insights on navigating emotions, the significance of real conversations, and the journey of self-discovery. Our discussion emphasizes the need for meaningful interactions and the courage to be vulnerable in order to create a more beautiful and connected world.

Takeaways

Listening is crucial for meaningful interactions.
Stepping out of comfort zones leads to personal growth.
Shared meals can create transformative experiences.
Curiosity and competence are essential for leadership.
Investing small efforts can lead to significant outcomes.
Finding meaning in our actions is vital for fulfillment.
Vulnerability fosters deeper connections with others.
Real conversations are necessary for resolving conflicts.
Empathy can bridge divides and foster understanding.
Reuniting with our true selves is a journey worth taking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Julian Newman and His Work
02:57 The Importance of Presence and Listening
06:03 Experiencing Culinary Adventures and Comfort Zones
08:59 The Role of Collaboration in Leadership
11:38 Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth
14:46 The Hero's Journey and Embracing the Unknown
17:44 Curiosity and Competence in Adventure
20:43 Investing in Small Steps Towards Goals
23:45 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Actions
26:36 Rekindling Wonder and Curiosity
29:46 Building Bridges Through Conversation
32:42 The Power of Connection and Understanding
38:04 The Importance of Face-to-Face Conversations
38:59 Digital Disconnection and Polarization
41:55 Empathy Through Understanding
44:43 Reunion with Our True Selves
50:34 Vulnerability as a Bridge
56:03 The Courage to Apologize
59:49 Finding the Essential in the Immediate

In my conversation, with Pace Randolph he shares his journey as a musician, discussing how he embraced creativity during the pandemic by writing a song every day. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome, and how embracing imperfection can lead to deeper connections through music. Our discussion also touches on the challenges of modern distractions, the joy of road trips, and the significance of community and belonging in our lives. Pace introduces his project, the Choir Imperfect, which aims to bring together 100k voices from around the world to create a collaborative album, highlighting the power of music to foster connection and self-discovery.

Takeaways

Creativity can flourish during challenging times.
Embracing imperfection is key to artistic growth.
Music serves as a powerful form of emotional communication.
Finding balance in life is essential for well-being.
Road trips can provide a sense of freedom and joy.
Being present enhances our experiences and connections.
Modern distractions can hinder our ability to connect with ourselves and others.
Structure and discipline are crucial for creative success.
Community and belonging are vital for mental health.
Self-discovery is a journey that leads to deeper connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:08 Creativity During the Pandemic
05:51 Embracing Imperfection in Art
08:54 The Power of Music and Connection
11:20 Finding Gratitude and Balance
14:20 The Importance of Disconnecting
17:01 Navigating Modern Distractions
20:11 The Pursuit of Effectiveness Over Efficiency
28:29 The Importance of Presence
37:08 Belonging and Connection
45:14 The Choir Imperfect Project
53:35 The Art of Showing Up

In my conversation with Austin Carty we explore the intersection of writing, personal growth, and the art of preaching. We discuss how technology, particularly AI, has revolutionized content creation, making it more efficient. Austin shares insights from his book, 'Some of the Words Are Theirs,' emphasizing the importance of time in both writing, and life experiences.

Austin Carty is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He holds an MDiv from Wake Forest University and a DMin from Emory University. He is the author of High Points and Lows: Life, Faith, and Figuring It All Out and The Pastor's Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters for Ministry, which received the 2023 Christianity Today Award of Merit and was named Book of the Year by Preaching magazine. His new book, Some of the Words Are Theirs: The Art of Writing and Living a Sermon.

Our conversation delves into themes of hope in hardship, the significance of place and personal history, and the journey of self-discovery through writing. We also touch on the complexities of human emotions, and the challenge of caring in a distracted world, ultimately highlighting the legacy of our words and actions.