The Introvert Entrepreneur

Life as Improvisation with Leif Hansen

Does the idea of standing up in front of a group of people and having to think on your feet, well, freak you out a little? Or does not knowing what to expect make you just a wee bit uncomfortable? My guest today is a friend, colleague and co-conspirator who has helped me take steps to increase my confidence in these situations and more. Leif Hansen is an experienced coach, seasoned facilitator, and creator of innovative workshops. His workshops have been featured internationally, including NBC's Today Show. In our conversation today, Leif and I talk about how the principles of improvisation can improve your personal and professional relationships, and how it can get us unstuck when we introverts get too much in our heads. We cover how to fail fast, build trust in yourself and get over trying to look good in favor of being authentic. And listen carefully... we include a special offer for our Jan. 19, 2011 "Improv for Introverts" workshop in Seattle!

Having Heart-Filled Holidays with Sandy Fowler

As surely as Christmas happens on December 25 every year, stress levels seem to skyrocket during the holiday season between just before Thanksgiving to just after New Year's. There is pressure coming from all sides: to be happy, to attend parties and family dinners, to feel connected to the "reason for the season" while also running around like a crazy person, shopping, eating and socializing. This is exhausting for most people, and doubly so for the introvert who needs lots of time and space in the midst of the joyful chaos. How can we navigate the holiday season while honoring the needs of our hearts, minds and spirit? How do we stay sane through it all? Author Sandy Fowler shares how we can take some of the stress out of the holidays and stay connected to what's most important. Sandy shares with us

• How introverts can not only survive, but actually enjoy, all of the holiday socializing
• Why you should take a "no excuses" approach to the holidays (it's not what you might think!)
• How to stay centered in choice
• What you can do to make traditions your own
• The most important word to have in your holiday vocabulary
• Why the holidays aren't the right time to try to have this, that and the other.

Creating Introvert Pride of Ownership with Beth Buelow

When I witnessed a recent claim - and subsequent retraction - of "I'm an extrovert" by an introvert, it got me thinking again about how we introverts sometimes negate that part of our personality. We think it's a curse. We think it needs to be changed. We think we need to hide it, because we get messages that our introvert traits are not OK. The less our personality is affirmed, the more we disown it in order to be socially acceptable. In this podcast, I share some thoughts on what happens when introvert strengths are turned inside out, why we often feel an internal tug-of-war between our personal and public personas, and how a method called Voice Dialogue can help introverts reclaim "pride of ownership" of their innate personality. PS: The post picture is a recent photo session I held with my "gremlins," or parts of myself that clamor for my attention or razz me. You can get your very own gremlins at Archie McPhee's.

Fearbashing with Patty K.

Do any of these things sound familiar to you?

• You're smart, capable and want to make a difference
• You have fears: of rejection, of failure, of success.
• You worry about what other people think.
• You're held back by lack of confidence.

If you said "Yes!" to even one of those statements, you're in the right place. My guest in this episode of The Introvert Entrepreneur is Patty K. Famous for her love of pajamas, Patty is a on a mission to help people overcome the fears that get in the way of doing their "Thing." She's a blogger, motivational speaker and nonconformist. She's also an introvert, an optimist and an idealist who loves animals and Jimmy Buffet. Our conversation covers Patty's "Purple Cow" moment, how a work field trip and 17 seconds of terror informed her new career path, how logic can combat fear, and why the worst case scenario actually may be in your best interest! And did I mention that Patty's funny? She's funny. :-)

Peeling Mom Off the Ceiling with Leslie Irish Evans

Are you an entrepreneur, an introvert AND a mom? If so, this show is meant for you. (And if you're not a mom, you'll still come away with oodles of info.) "Mommy Martyrs No More!" is the rallying cry Leslie Irish Evans, founder of Peeling Mom Off the Ceiling, shares to empower moms in the midst of the madness of modern motherhood to find peace, calm, and purpose, no matter what. A modern day Erma Bombeck who offers quick wit and powerful truth, Leslie's popular workshops, keynote presentations, radio segments, blog posts and articles touch hearts and shape formerly crazy lives for the better. In this interview, you'll hear about

• How the simplest vision can be the biggest
• How to be a lousy entrepreneur
• What's so great about "the con"
• What raising a baby and raising a business have in common
• Why things will never be the same again, and how to deal with it

Leslie's humor, insights and tell-it-like-it-is approach will win you over!