Technology For Mindfulness

Mindfulness has become such a huge part of the world we live in and has integrated into mainstream culture. There are a vast number of traditional and spiritual practices that date back hundreds of years and span across cultures far outside of what we’re exposed to in the West and it’s important we educate ourselves on the origin of these methods. Today, I’m joined by thought leader and established teacher, Ron Purser. Ron is a Professor of Management at San Francisco State University, and Published Author of the best selling book, ‘McMindfulness’. He shares a unique perspective, having integrated traditional Buddhist practices into his life, he does a brilliant job of challenging the ideals that are emphasized through modern mindfulness tools. To hear more insights from Ron Purser and learn more about his personal approach to this topic, tune in to Episode 80 of Technology for Mindfulness!Some of the questions I ask: Could you talk about your personal background with mindfulness? (4:08) What are your concerns now that mindfulness is such a mainstream ideology? (9:17) What does mindfulness mean for you in a broader sense and in relation to traditional Buddhist teachings? (14:41) Could you elaborate on how you believe mindfulness apps are being used as overtly solitary experiences (30:22) From your experience, what is mindfulness other than a self-help technique? (37:10) Would you agree that a lot of self-help apps are too introductory and don’t cover mindfulness in a broader sense? (40:19) What would you recommend to those wanting to learn more about mindfulness? (43:09) What you’ll learn in this episode: The history of Martial Arts and Shotokan Karate (1:20) How Buddhism has become synonymous with mindfulness (7:44) How mindfulness ideologies have become part of the mainstream and integrated into Western culture (18:40) The commoditization behind mindfulness in corporate environments (23:44) A brief excerpt from ‘McMindfulness’ - How the US Army have militarized the clinical application of mindfulness (27:24) The privatization of stress and the connection that has to our bodies (33:16) The political ideologies and connotations behind fanatic mindfulness (35:23) Connect with Robert Plotkin: Technology For Mindfulness Website Blueshift IP Website LinkedIn Connect with Ron Purser: Website The Mindful Cranks - Podcast  McMindfulness - Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’ve repurposed an old episode of ‘The Paul Minor’s Podcast’ which I was fortunate enough to be a guest on, to share with all of you! Paul is a Productivity, Business and Self Improvement Consultant who has helped over four hundred clients reach peak efficiency in their line of work. In this interview, we discuss how the consumer's relationship with technology has evolved, how we can incorporate mindfulness into our daily practices, and more on my personal journey intertwining Japanese martial arts techniques with technology use.We also dive into the importance of understanding your responses towards notifications. For us to respond efficiently, we first have to draw our attention to internal solutions and focus on how we can catch bad habits before they become a part of our norm.  If you’re interested to learn more, then have a listen to episode 120 of The Paul Minors Podcast!What You’ll Learn: A brief background on myself (1:46) My journey shifting into japanese martial arts from a computer science background (3:28) How to respond internally to an ‘attack’ from the technology around us (4:45) The neuroscience behind responding to notifications (7:01) How I’ve integrated martial arts practices into my use of technology (8:50) The contrast between notifications feeling overwhelming or something that makes us feel good (9:49) The consumer issue I’m trying to solve through my work (12:40) Key points in the evolution of technology and the way users interact with it (14:34) The challenges of working with algorithms that are designed to keep us engaged (19:46)  How we can catch bad habits within our device usage (26:34) Tips for practicing mindfulness in a team environment (28:34) Meditation techniques that aren’t time consuming & How we can be mindful when we’re busy (35:01) Apps I use to practice mindfulness and relieve my anxiety (42:51) Connect With Paul Minors: Website Youtube Channel  Twitter  Instagram Facebook  Resources:Book: “Digital Minimalism” Author, Cal NewportBook: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Author, Stephen R. CoveyBook: “It Doesn’t Have To Be Crazy At Work” Authors, Jason Fried & David Heinemeier HanssonBook: “Sleeping With Your Smartphone” Author, Leslie A. PerlowBook: “Deep Work” Author, Cal Newport  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Corporate Meditation Teacher and CEO of Peak Wellness Co, Kayla Kozan!After experiencing a sudden onslaught of issues surrounding her mental health and observing how many workplaces were in need of wellness resources, she was inspired to launch her company and influence businesses to prioritize the wellbeing of their employees. By implementing strategies into her programs that have benefited her own life, she has successfully helped businesses across all different fields create a solid wellness structure and received many outstanding reviews.For many leaders, particularly in corporate offices, the idea of adopting a mindful mentality can feel foreign or intimidating to approach. However, providing a safe space for workers to treat their mental needs has been proven to not only increase morale and reduce stress, but also improve productivity and performance within the workplace. The time for these services has never been more needed, especially now as we have entered such unprecedented times and have had to adapt to new ways of working. For more information on Kayla and the incredible work she does, tune in to Episode 78 of Technology for Mindfulness.Some of the questions I ask: What motivated you to launch Peak Wellness? (5:39) How did mindfulness help you during a period in your life when you knew your mental health was suffering? (8:09) What specifically have you found in corporate work environments that showed you there was a need for your service? (9:46) What are some new challenges you’ve noticed people facing in terms of their mental health since working from home? (12:47) How have you helped your clients with staying connected while apart? (15:05) What work have you done to help teams adapt to working remotely? (20:29) Have there been any other unexpected challenges that you have faced? (21:32) What would a company in need of your services expect from a Peak Wellness introduction? (23:26) How would you suggest ways to integrate a mindful work environment in corporate companies from a business standpoint? (26:03) Can you share any projects you’re working on at the moment? (28:16) What you’ll learn: My take on mindfulness during the pandemic (1:34) How you can apply mindfulness practices in your home workspace (4:21) An introduction on Kayla Kozan (5:24) Kayla’s experience with formal education to becoming a Corporate Mindfulness Trainer (9:04) The challenges and opportunities Kayla has encountered in transitioning her business online in the wake of Covid-19 (10:37) Techniques and strategies Kayla promotes in her Peak Wellness seminars (14:10) Kayla’s advice for setting boundaries while working at home and why you should be implementing breaks for yourself (17:19) Connect With Robert Plotkin: Technology For Mindfulness Website Blueshift IP Website LinkedIn Connect With Kayla Kozan: LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Peak Wellness Website Resources:Wellness Tool: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s focus on Technology for Mindfulness is all about productivity and social connections! In this episode, I discuss some creative ways we can connect with each other using technology, how to effectively set boundaries in your home, as well as sharing some personal insights from the years I’ve spent working remotely. Now more than ever, dividing time between our work and personal lives has never been more essential. We’re all finding our own ways to adjust to this new norm and work efficiently, but we also need to remember to make time for the things we enjoy too. Whilst there is a lot of change going on, there’s always a silver lining that can be taken out of the situation, even if it is hard to see. If you’re looking for advice on how to improve your own productivity, then join me on episode 77 of Technology for Mindfulness! In This Episode You Will Learn: How to set clear boundaries in your home to improve productivity (5:02) What my listener’s greatest challenges have been working from home (10:13) Ways to shift your thinking around boundary setting and structure (12:37) Strategies I learned from the early years of working remotely (13:46) How to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation (18:05) Creative ways of using technology to connect and engage with each other (18:36) Why I’ve been actively communicating through video calls (23:39) How changing your physical appearance and workspace affects your productivity when working from home (24:53) How people in supervising positions should approach their work environment remotely (26:29)  Tips on how to adjust to your technological needs at home (29:04)  Connect With Robert Plotkin: Technology for Mindfulness Website Blueshift IP Website Linkedin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 76, Mitra Manesh joins us for a conversation around the powers of storytelling, binaural beats, and integrating them into mindfulness practices. Mitra is a mindfulness thought leader, storyteller, educator, and founder of Innermap. She has over 3 decades of experience helping people develop a more mindful mindset at home and at work. Throughout our conversation, Mitra shares about her product Innermap and how it offers support for living a mindful life. She also offers advice on staying present, how to interact with both the past and future, and practices to help you and your loved ones feel heard every day. In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How Innermap helps people develop mindfulness practices. (3:37) How telling stories help transfer wisdom. (6:16) How binaural beats condition your brain to lead you into a meditative state. (16:50) How disconnecting from the present moment can lead to learning, lamenting, or anxiety. (27:43) Practices to help you and your loved ones feel heard. (31:57) Connect with Mitra Manesh: InnermapLights On Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 75, Nadja Streiter joins us for a conversation around navigating our tech habits and the potential surge of tech use while practicing self-isolation during the COVID-19 epidemic. Nadja is a psychotherapist, speaker and coach that helps people with digital addictions, including video game addiction. Throughout the conversation, Nadja shares the story of how she became a psychotherapist that works in the niche of tech addiction, along with some immediately practical strategies for parents and families to incorporate immediately – including giving ourselves some grace during these unprecedented times. Some Questions I Ask:  How did you first begin helping people with digital addictions? (6:04) What does addictive VS non-addictive tech use look like? (10:18) What are some of the challenges of helping people with technology use when it’s not an option to stop using it completely? (11:49) Can you talk a bit about the relationship between parental tech use and kids’ tech use? (17:03) What are some basic red flags that parents should watch out for? (20:15) How can people get in touch with you? (28:49) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  Tips for balancing tech use during self-quarantine. (1:05) How technology addition is similar to substance abuse. (8:39) How to tech like you eat. (11:58) How parents can model healthy technology habits to their children. (17:17) How to navigate and balance tech use in a healthy way while self-quarantining. (23:55) Connect with Nadja Streiter: EmailInstagramTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 74, Caroline Welch joins us for a conversation about cultivating and pursuing a mindfulness practice. Caroline is the Co-founder and CEO of the Mindsight Institute and author of The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women. Throughout the conversation, Caroline shares her personal stories about how her mindfulness journey began 40 years ago in Japan, what she’s learned through her practices, and how women can cultivate their own practices as well. She also shares about how mindfulness practices infiltrate technology habits and help establish healthy tech use over time. Some Questions I Ask:  How did you get started practicing mindfulness? (4:02) Why did you decide to focus on presence in your book? (7:36) What are the Three P’s? (8:28) What do women specifically gain from practicing mindfulness? (17:23) How does changing your pacing make you more effective? (22:09) Why did you decide to focus on writing a book that’s a guide for women? (29:06) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  What practicing Zen looked like in Japan for Caroline. (4:15) What the difference between presence and mindfulness is. (8:01) Why mindfulness practice is not the same thing as taking time to relax. (13:22) How having a strong sense of purpose provides a sense of direction, presence, and resilience. (20:30) How setting an intention can change your technology use. (28:35) Connect with Caroline Welch: Mindsight InstituteFacebookLinkedInTwitterYouTubeResources: The Gift of Presence by Caroline Welch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 73, Jeremy Edge joins us for a conversation about breaking video game addiction. Jeremy is the founder of Escaping the.Com, a counseling practice for those struggling with an internet addiction or problematic screen use. Jeremy helps his clients strengthen relationships, manage stress, stop problematic screen use, and improve tech life balance overall. Throughout our conversation, Jeremy explains what the spectrum of video game addiction looks like, and what signs to mindfully watch for. He also shares strategies for seeking support and how teenagers and families can help each other overcome screen misuse. Some Questions I Ask:  What motivated you to start working with people on video game addiction? (5:07) What does a video game addiction look like? (6:56) What are the consequences of video game addiction? (11:39) How can people reach out for support? (16:44) How can friends help one another in changing unhealthy gaming habits? (25:33) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  Robert’s tip on applying mindfulness to your technology use and misuse. (0:48) How Jeremy overcame his personal video game addiction. (5:25) What to do if you suspect you have a video game addiction. (10:26) How Jeremy incorporates mindfulness into his practice. (15:32) How parents need to address their own screen use. (22:46) Resources: Escaping the .ComAddictive Screen UseComputer Gaming Addicts Anonymous Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 72, David Klein joins us for a conversation about America Offline, which aims to create transformational offline experiences for teens and their families. David is passionate about reconnecting through various learning and development programs. Throughout our conversation, David explains how today’s teenagers are a product of how society has developed. He’s witnessed the side effects of technology overuse, and it’s impacting their personalities and how they relate to one another. David continues by sharing some strategies for creating more connection-focused spaces at home. Some Questions I Ask:  What motivated you to start America Offline? (4:18) What are the key additional factors other than technology that drive the changes in teenagers today? (11:58) How can people take part in America Offline? (21:50) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  Robert’s weekly tip for staying connected and present. (0:48) What’s driving anxiety and depression in kids. (12:36) How America Offline retreats help participants authentically connect with others. (15:32) How David reintegrates smartphones at the end of America Offline retreats to teach kids how to continue to reap the benefits of mindful tech use. (23:27) Resources: America OfflineiGen by Jean Twenge Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 71, Ashley Sumner joins us for a conversation about how to connect more with people throughout the world, face-to-face. Ashley is the CEO and Co-Founder of Quilt, an app that allows women anywhere to spark offline conversations that bring community together in a fun, safe, and intimate way. Throughout our conversation, you’re going to learn a lot about how she and her organization helps people to use technology to connect with each other. Quilt goes a step further, finding ways to create spaces to raise social awareness and lift up one another’s voices. Some Questions I Ask:  What motivated you to start Quilt? (4:08) What has surprised you about how discussion groups have developed organically? (15:03) What role does technology play in Quilt? (18:58) How does Quilt handle online conflicts? (24:58) What’s included in the conversation guidelines? How do you facilitate a conversation with Quilt? (30:48) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How to find new, meaningful ways to connect with others face-to-face. (1:14) How Quilt facilitates welcoming environments to have meaningful conversations. (9:11) What is Quilt’s philosophy on community. (13:05) How Quilt creates social awareness and raises up women’s voices. (25:52) How Quilt creates safe environments for socializing. (26:30) Resources: QuiltInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 70, Charlie Hartwell joins us for a conversation about scaling mindfulness technologies. Charlie is the managing partner of Bridge Builders Collaborative. He’s part of a group of successful investors who have invested in startup companies in the mental wellness, consciousness, and spirituality spaces. Throughout our conversation, Charlie Hartwell shares about how the mental wellness space has grown and shifted over the years, and where it’s at today. He shares about the limitations of the industry, how it’s become secularized over time, and other challenges these startups face in today’s society. Some Questions I Ask:  What changes have you seen in the mindfulness industry? (7:06) How are mindfulness technologies being tailored to meet customer needs? (10:36) What limitations does the mental wellness industry have? (19:14) Are you working with any companies that help people meet in person? (30:18) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How letting go can help you become more successful. (3:57) What challenges health & wellness apps face when scaling up. (9:32) How mindfulness practices have been secularized. (18:17) How companies help support consumers’ going deeper into themselves. (27:55) What Charlie looks for when investing in a startup. (34:06) Resources: InstagramMediumRocket Fuel by Gino WickmanFull Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 69, Dr. Wayne Pernell joins us to talk about realigning actions with intent. As a Global Executive Coach, Wayne brings a suite of resources, training and coaching to lift people up to reach their highest potential of productivity, personal effectiveness, and fulfillment. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Wayne Pernell shares his story for how he entered into the executive coaching world, how to follow through on goals, and what people can do to become more focused and productive overall. He also dives into the idea of becoming more human in a world that’s increasingly dehumanized. Some Questions I Ask:  How did you start coaching people for leadership, focus, and productivity? (3:41) How can people realign their actions with their intent? (7:27) Why are we becoming dehumanized? (29:53) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How to take small steps to change your relationship with technology. (0:59) The 4-step process for following through on your goals. (8:43) How to find meaning in your life. (19:06) How to practice being more deeply human. (27:50) How technology dehumanizes us. (30:01) Resources: WebsiteBooks by Dr. Wayne Pernell#StartsWithOneStuck at the TopFacebookInstagram  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 68, Marygrace Sexton, Natalie Sexton & Bethany Baker join us to talk about their organization: A-GAP. This nonprofit organization hosts events called reprieves, where people learn to recalibrate their relationships with technology in both their work lives and personal lives. Throughout our conversation, the A-GAP team shares their origin story and all about how they have dedicated their lives and careers to helping young adults reconnect with themselves, loved ones, and the world around them. The three of them share various tips for changing your own technology habits, how to inspire your family to change their habits, and why living a life with boundaries around technology ultimately leads to a life of success and fulfillment. Some Questions I Ask:  What inspired you to start an organization to help people learn to be more mindful of their technology use? (4:14) What are the reprieves at A-GAP like? (9:03) How can people bring their family into a lifestyle of mindful technology use? (15:55) What developments do you see over the span of a single reprieve? (27:28) How can people sign up for the A-GAP reprieves? (38:53) In This Episode, You Will Learn:  Tips for leading by example in your technology habits. (0:51) How A-GAP helps young adults learn to live intentionally. (6:48) What tools young adults can use to solidify what they learned from the reprieve as they enter back into their day-to-day lives? (12:40) Why going cold turkey with unhealthy technology habits is ineffective. (22:41) Tips for changing your technology habits to make you a happier and more successful person. (40:59) Resources: A-GAPJoin the A-GAP ExperienceInstagramFacebook  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Robert Plotkin closes out 2019 by unpacking some helpful tips for developing healthy digital habits that you can cultivate in the coming year and decade. He provides strategies and tips for engaging in deeply reflective practices to assess your relationship with technology and how to break free from the unhealthy technology habits that carry you from day to day. In This Episode, You Will Learn:  How to reflect on your relationship with technology throughout 2019. (0:58) How to determine what types of interactions with technology you’d like to remove from your life. (7:52) Why evaluating habits is essential to developing a healthy relationship with technology. (11:41) How to come up with your own 2020 intention plan. (14:13) Strategies to remind you of your intentions throughout the new year. (16:17) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 66, Amy Giddon, Co-Founder and CEO of Daily Haloha, joins us for a conversation about her app that functions as an alternative to existing social media platforms. It provides a structure within to engage in social networking more mindfully. Throughout our conversation, Amy shares her personal story about what inspired her app. It all started in the fall of 2016 around the Presidential Election and all that unfolded. She felt disheartened by how the process created such a stark divide between people. With these circumstances, Amy was determined to find a way to find connection again in the wake of division and create a collective experience of expression and sharing. Some Questions I Ask:  What inspired you to create Daily Haloha? (4:31) What went through your mind as you developed Daily Haloha? (12:42) How does Daily Haloha help promote a new way of connecting with others? (22:13) What’s the plan for giving people a channel for expression without the opportunity to seek popularity and status? (41:04) How can people learn more about Daily Haloha? (49:18) In This Episode, you Will Learn:  How to break the cycle of compulsively checking social media to seek out a “reward.” (2:03) How the Subway Therapy project transformed Amy’s perception of connection. (6:46) What 4 core attributes of a project unite anonymous strangers in a moment of shared humanity. (14:25) How perpetual feedback and judgment impacts our wellbeing and connection to others. (19:19) What role empathy plays in Daily Haloha. (30:51) Connect with Amy Giddon: LinkedInTwitterResources: Daily HalohaSubway Therapy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.