Best Isabel Alexander Podcasts (2024)

1
“The End of Poetry” by Ada Limón 1:43

24m ago1:43

1:43

An impassioned plea, a yearning for connection — the poem U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón wrote when she says all language failed her. Take in Ada's reading of her piece, “The End of Poetry” — and hear her read more of her work in the On Being episode, “To Be Made Whole.” Ada Limón is the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. She’s written six book…

1
Atul Gawande — On Mortality and Meaning 1:02:48

13h ago1:02:48

1:02:48

We are strange creatures. It is hard for us to speak about, or let in, the reality of frailty and death — the elemental fact of mortality itself. In this century, western medicine has gradually moved away from its understanding of death as a failure — where care stops with a terminal diagnosis. Hospice has moved, from something rare to something ex…

1
“Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” by Elizabeth Alexander 1:17

7d ago1:17

1:17

Today, a poem with a poignant question to live: “...and are we not of interest to each other?” Carry Elizabeth Alexander’s reading of her poem “Ars Poetica #100: I Believe” with you — and hear Elizabeth read more of her poetry in the On Being episode, “Words That Shimmer.” Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, author, and educator. Since 2018, she has ser…

1
Luis Alberto Urrea — On Our Belonging to Each Other 59:10

8d ago59:10

59:10

We humans have this drive to erect barriers between ourselves and others, Luis Alberto Urrea says, and yet this makes us a little crazy. He is an exuberant, wise, and refreshing companion into the deep meaning and the problem of borders — what they are really about, what we do with them, and what they do to us. The Mexican-American border was as cl…

1
Ross Gay — On the Insistence of Joy 59:05

15d ago59:05

59:05

In our world of so much suffering, it can feel hard or wrong to invoke the word "joy." Yet joy has been one of the most insistent, recurrent rallying cries in almost every life-giving conversation that Krista has had across recent months and years, even and especially with people on the front lines of humanity's struggles. Ross Gay helps illuminate…

1
Janine Benyus and Azita Ardakani Walton — On Nature's Wisdom for Humanity 1:16:20

22d ago1:16:20

1:16:20

In this all-new episode, Krista engages biomimicry pioneer Janine Benyus in a second, urgent conversation, alongside creative biomimicry practitioner Azita Ardakani Walton. Together they trace precise guidance and applied wisdom from the natural world for the civilizational callings before us now. What does nature have to teach us about healing fro…

1
Befriend Your Body: A Compassionate Body Scan 11:16

28d ago11:16

11:16

In a time of stress, uncertainty, and isolation, Christine Runyan turns our attention to what often evades our awareness — the response of our nervous systems. As part of On Being’s 2021 Midwinter Gathering, she offered this brief, practical, gently guided practice as an invitation to befriend your beleaguered body, to “blanket it with a little bit…

1
Christine Runyan — On Healing Our Distressed Nervous Systems 1:01:11

29d ago1:01:11

1:01:11

The years of pandemic and lockdown are still working powerfully on us from the inside. But we have trouble acknowledging this, much less metabolizing it. This conversation with Christine Runyan, which took place in the dark middle of those years, helps make sense of our present of still-unfolding epidemic distress — as individuals, as communities, …

1
“Joy is the Justice (We Give Ourselves)” by J. Drew Lanham 14:26

1M ago14:26

14:26

We are overjoyed to share this heart-stirring performance with you, which transpired when we invited the ornithologist/poet/former On Being guest J. Drew Lanham to offer some poetry at a live On Being event in January 2024. We could not have imagined the lightning in a bottle that unfolded — a live adaptation of the title poem that appears in Drew'…

1
Lyndsey Stonebridge and Lucas Johnson — On Love, Politics, and Violence (Channeling Hannah Arendt) 1:15:26

1M ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Here is a stunning sentence for you, written by Lyndsey Stonebridge, our guest this hour, channeling the 20th-century political thinker and journalist Hannah Arendt: "Loneliness is the bully that coerces us into giving up on democracy." This conversation is a kind of guide to generative shared deliberations we might be having with each other and ou…

1
New From Poetry Unbound: A Series on Conflict and the Human Condition 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

A taste of a special mini-season of Poetry Unbound — bringing contemplative curiosity and the life-nurturing tether of poetry to the very present matter of conflict in our world. In this first offering, Pádraig introduces the intriguing idea of poems as teachers and ponders Wisława Szymborska’s “A Word on Statistics," translated by Joanna Trzeciak.…

1
Colette Pichon Battle — On Knowing What We're Called To 1:02:38

1M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

There is an ecological transformation unfolding in the places we love and come from. On a front edge of this reality, which will affect us all, Colette Pichon Battle is a singular model of brilliance and graciousness of mind and spirit and action. And to be with her is to open to the way the stories we tell have blunted us to the courage we’re call…

1
Kate DiCamillo — On Nurturing Capacious Hearts 54:16

2M ago54:16

54:16

In her writing, it is Kate DiCamillo's gift to make bearable the fact that joy and sorrow live so close, side by side, in life as it is (if not as we wish it to be). In this conversation, along with good measures of raucous laughter and a few tears, Kate summons us to hearts "capacious enough to contain the complexities and mysteries of ourselves a…

1
Wisdom, Solace, and Courage for 2024 2:58

2M ago2:58

2:58

A special two-month season of On Being starts May 9. Freshly curated conversations from across the On Being archive. Big new conversations and extra offerings. To be present to the suffering and sorrow of this world from a place of love. To accompany each other in this — and accompany the young. To honor the fragility of being human. To keep our ca…

1
Outsourcing Success: Building a High-Performing Team Beyond Borders | LAYC 105 25:10

4M ago25:10

25:10

In this episode, Tobe Brockner, founder of Katuva, shares valuable insights on building a successful virtual team for entrepreneurs. Topics covered include: 1. Managing Differences: Tobe discusses how Katuva addresses timezone, cultural, and currency differences, emphasizing the importance of minimizing fees and optimizing payment platforms. 2. Cul…

1
Designing Your Life: The Power of Choice | LAYC 104 20:17

4M ago20:17

20:17

In Episode 104, we explore the profound concept of designing your life and unlocking the freedom to live on your terms. Tobe Brockner, founder of Katuva, emphasizes the importance of choice in shaping our work and personal lives. The episode touches upon the challenge of giving oneself permission to break away from traditional norms and adopt a mor…

1
The Mindset Shift: Building a Business for Time Freedom | LAYC 103 18:23

4M ago18:23

18:23

In Episode 103 of the Lift As You Climb Podcast,we engage in a conversation with Tobe Brockner, Founder of Katuva, exploring the paradigm shift that shaped Tobe's journey towards time freedom and autonomy. Key Highlights: **Empower Plus Program:** Tobe emphasizes the reciprocal nature of empowerment, creating a symbiotic relationship between person…

1
From Chaos to Clarity: The Katuva Success Model | LAYC 102 16:23

4M ago16:23

16:23

Join us in Episode 102 of the Lift as You Climb Podcast as we delve into the Katuva Success Model, demystifying the process of matching entrepreneurs with the perfect virtual assistants. From recruitment strategies to personality-based matching, discover the keys to transforming chaos into clarity in your business journey. - Introduction to the Kat…

1
Unlocking Time Freedom with Virtual Assistants | LAYC 101 21:53

4M ago21:53

21:53

Join us in this episode as we explore the world of virtual assistants with Tobe Brockner, Founder of KATUVA. Delve into the reasons, dos, and don'ts of having a virtual assistant, backed by real experiences. Discover the unique approach of Katuva in matching entrepreneurs with the right VAs, and the transformative impact on achieving time freedom. …

1
365 Days, 36,000 air miles and more | LAYC 100 11:29

6M ago11:29

11:29

Welcome back to the Lift As You Climb podcast! In this special 100th episode, Isabel Alexander reflects on an incredible year filled with growth, adventure, and celebration. Join the journey as Isabel shares insights, experiences, and exciting plans for the upcoming year. Highlights: - Milestones: Isabel celebrates reaching the 100th episode of the…

1
Strategic Plan Celebration | LAYC 99 14:00

6M ago14:00

14:00

Welcome to Episode 99 of the Lift As You Climb podcast with Isabel Alexander. In this episode, Isabel reflects on the past five or six episodes dedicated to strategic planning. She shares personal examples of the results, experiences, and memorable moments from implementing strategic planning in her business journey. **Key Points:** 1. Team Ownersh…

1
Strategic Accountability - An Inside Job | LAYC 98 19:34

6M ago19:34

19:34

In this insightful episode, Isabel Alexander continues her exploration of strategic planning, focusing on the vital element of accountability. She underscores the transformative power of accountability as an intrinsic, internalized commitment to achieving results. Drawing from her own experiences and coaching insights, Isabel challenges the convent…

1
Strategic Plan - Minimize Grit, Gruel, and Grind | LAYC 97 14:46

6M ago14:46

14:46

Welcome back to the Strategic Planning series with Isabel Alexander. In this episode, Isabel delves into the crucial steps of creating a realistic strategic plan that goes beyond collecting dust. Join her journey as she breaks down the process, offering valuable insights and a modified methodology. Show Notes: 1. SWOT Analysis: - Explore your organ…

1
Strategic Planning - Right Sized, Intentional Results | LAYC 96 13:38

6M ago13:38

13:38

Isabel Alexander delves deeper into the mini-series on strategic planning, providing timeless insights applicable year-round. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, Isabel shares wisdom gained from over 50 years in business. 1. The Importance of Strategic Planning: - Small to medium-sized businesses and solopreneurs must…

1
Rockefeller Taught Me About Strategic Planning | LAYC 95 14:32

6M ago14:32

14:32

Isabel Alexander continues the mini-series on strategic planning, spotlighting fundamental elements crucial for SMEs and solopreneurs. 1. Foundational Core Values: - Your business's cornerstone lies in its core values. - Aligning decisions with personal values ensures ease and confidence. - Imperative for fostering loyalty in teams, attracting clie…

1
How To Create Your One Page Strategic Plan | LAYC 94 16:37

7M ago16:37

16:37

In this episode, Isabel Alexander dives into the world of strategic planning for solopreneurs and smaller businesses. Learn how to create your own one-page strategic plan and gain valuable insights from her years of experience. Discover the secrets to unlocking business success. Key Takeaways: The Importance of Values and Mission: Isabel emphasizes…

1
How to Choose Your Word for a New Year | LAYC 93 11:17

7M ago11:17

11:17

In this episode of the Lift As You Climb podcast, Isabel Alexander explores the powerful tradition of choosing a guiding word or theme for the upcoming year. Discover how this simple practice can bring clarity, focus, and intention to your personal and professional goals. Isabel shares her own process for selecting the perfect word and offers pract…

1
Why SMEs Need Strategic Plans | LAYC 92 13:23

7M ago13:23

13:23

Welcome to Episode 92 of the Lift As You Climb podcast! In today's episode, our host, Isabel Alexander, dives into the critical topic of why entrepreneurs need a strategic plan for their businesses. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting on your entrepreneurial journey, this episode offers valuable insights into the importance of…

1
Your Business, Your Life, 5 Years, 5 Options | LAYC 91 20:49

7M ago20:49

20:49

Welcome to Episode 91 of the Lift As You Climb podcast with your host, Isabel Alexander. In this episode, Isabel dives into a topic that many entrepreneurs eventually grapple with: what to do when you no longer love your business. With her signature insight and candor, she explores the five key options available to business owners at this crossroad…

1
Failing To Love Your Business Sets You Free | LAYC 90 9:26

7M ago9:26

9:26

In Episode 90 of the Lift As You Climb podcast, host Isabel Alexander delves into a topic that can be challenging for many entrepreneurs: the fear of failure, especially when it comes to loving your business. She explores the pressures we feel to maintain a facade of success and why it's essential to acknowledge when we're no longer passionate abou…

1
Bottleneck In Your Business | LAYC 89 8:17

7M ago8:17

8:17

In this episode, host Isabel Alexander explores a tough but crucial question: Are you the bottleneck in your own business? Many entrepreneurs and business owners find themselves stuck in the role of the sole decision-maker, which can limit growth and put the company's future at risk. Isabel delves into the importance of recognizing when you might b…

1
Nick Cave — Loss, Yearning, Transcendence 1:03:59

7M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Here are some experiences to which Nick Cave gives voice and song: the "universal condition" of yearning, and of loss; a "spirituality of rigor"; and the transcendent and moral dimensions of what music is about. This Australian musician, writer, and actor first made a name in the wild world of ’80s post-punk and later with Nick Cave and the Bad See…

1
Accidental Entrepreneur | LAYC 88 8:13

7M ago8:13

8:13

Isabel shares her journey of becoming an entrepreneur, a path she didn't plan but embraced out of necessity. After her employer went bankrupt, she found herself in the role of the primary breadwinner for her family. Motivated by her circumstances, she took the plunge into entrepreneurship, learning the ropes on the job. Starting from her dining roo…

1
A Word from Krista 2:22

7M ago2:22

2:22

A little musing on this season, the spectacular finale headed your way — and ways to stay connected in the time ahead. Subscribe to the The Pause Find our Starting Points Peruse our Libraries And on YouTube, grab a Poem to Carry in Your PocketBy On Being Studios

1
Resistance or Regret - Which Scares You More? | LAYC 87 10:53

7M ago10:53

10:53

In this thought-provoking episode, host Isabel Alexander dives deep into a question that might seem unconventional but carries immense significance: Would you rather face resistance on the path to becoming who you truly want to be, or live a life weighed down by regrets for not trying? Isabel reflects on the natural evolution of life and the power …

1
Sara Hendren — Our Bodies, Aliveness, and the Built World 1:01:26

7M ago1:01:26

1:01:26

Our built world is designed around something called "normal," and yet every single one of our bodies is mysterious, and constantly adapting for better or worse — and always, always changing. This is a fact so ordinary — and yet not something most of us routinely pause to know and to ponder and work with. But Sara Hendren has made it her passion, br…

1
Why Your Business Is No Fun | LAYC 86 8:58

8M ago8:58

8:58

In this candid episode, host Isabel Alexander explores a topic many entrepreneurs may hesitate to admit: when your business stops being fun. Isabel creates a safe space to discuss this natural evolution and shares personal insights from her entrepreneurial journey. As we age and gain experience, our perspectives shift. Isabel reflects on the value …

1
Want More Time or More Life | LAYC 85 7:16

8M ago7:16

7:16

In this thought-provoking episode, Isabel delves into the timeless challenge of balancing life and time. Discover the profound perspective that emerged from a conversation with a contractor and how it shifted her outlook. Join her as she explores the seasons of life and how they relate to our precious time. As women entrepreneurs, the constant jugg…

1
Christiana Figueres — Ecological Hope, and Spiritual Evolution 1:19:41

8M ago1:19:41

1:19:41

The ecological crisis we are standing before is at once civilizational and personal — intimately close to each of us in the places we love and inhabit, and unfolding at a species level. And as much as anyone alive on the planet now, Christiana Figueres has felt the overwhelm of this and stepped into service. She gives voice so eloquently to the gri…

1
Judged By Everyone | LAYC 84 9:23

8M ago9:23

9:23

In this episode, Isabel Alexander reflects on the misconceptions and judgments that often surround women entrepreneurs, especially those aged 50 and above. She shares her personal experiences of facing skepticism and stereotypes about her life as a business owner. People outside the entrepreneurial journey sometimes see it as glamorous, filled with…

1
Clint Smith — What We Know in the "Marrow of Our Bones" 1:04:22

8M ago1:04:22

1:04:22

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words can hold encrypted wisdom — in this case, the reality that memory and emotion lodge in us physically. Words and phrases have carried this truth forward in time long before we had the science to understand it. Clint Smith is best known fo…

1
“Dance Party” by Clint Smith 2:25

8M ago2:25

2:25

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Dance Party.” This poem is featured in Clint’s On Being conversation with Krista, “What We Know in the ‘Marrow of Our Bones.’” Find more of his poems, along with our full collection of poetry films and readings from two decades of the show, at Experience Poetry. Clint Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic. His narrati…

1
“Ode to Those First Fifteen Minutes After the Kids Are Finally Asleep” by Clint Smith 1:55

8M ago1:55

1:55

Clint Smith reads his poem, “Ode to Those First Fifteen Minutes After the Kids Are Finally Asleep.” This poem is featured in Clint’s On Being conversation with Krista, “What We Know in the ‘Marrow of Our Bones.’” Find more of his poems, along with our full collection of poetry films and readings from two decades of the show, at Experience Poetry. C…

1
[Extended] Clint Smith with Krista Tippett 1:48:38

8M ago1:48:38

1:48:38

This phrase recurs throughout Clint Smith's writing: "in the marrow of our bones." It is an example of how words can hold encrypted wisdom — in this case, the reality that memory and emotion lodge in us physically. Words and phrases have carried this truth forward in time long before we had the science to understand it. Clint Smith is best known fo…

1
Three Skills for Staying Calm, Sane, and Open in a Chaotic World | Krista interviewed by Dan Harris for Ten Percent Happier 1:05:34

8M ago1:05:34

1:05:34

From Krista: I loved being interviewed by Dan Harris as much as I've ever enjoyed being on the other side of the microphone (as the saying goes). He drew things out of me I didn't know I had to say. And I'm so impressed with him as a human being, and what he's created with Ten Percent Happier. I hope you might enjoy this! Listen to Ten Percent Happ…

1
Latanya Sweeney — On Shaping Technology to Human Purpose 1:01:21

8M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor and grace as well as brilliance — she has led on the frontier of our gradual understanding of how far from anonymous you and I are in almost any database we inhabit, and how far from neutral all the algorithms by which we increasingly navigate our …

1
[Unedited] Latanya Sweeney with Krista Tippett 1:24:48

8M ago1:24:48

1:24:48

You may not know Latanya Sweeney's name, but as much as any other single person — and with good humor and grace as well as brilliance — she has led on the frontier of our gradual understanding of how far from anonymous you and I are in almost any database we inhabit, and how far from neutral all the algorithms by which we increasingly navigate our …

1
Matthew Sanford – The Body's Grace 57:19

8M ago57:19

57:19

A wondrous, buried treasure from the 20-year On Being archive, with renowned yoga teacher Matthew Sanford. Be prepared, as you listen to what follows, to take in subtleties and gracefulness you've never before pondered — or tried to feel in yourself — in the interplay between your mind and your body. Matthew has an immensely energetic physical pres…

1
Baratunde Thurston — How to Be a Social Creative 1:09:36

9M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

Baratunde Thurston is a comedian, writer, and media entrepreneur. He has eyes open to the contradictions, strangeness, and beauty of being human. He looks for learning happening even amidst our hardest cultural tangles. And he intertwines all of this, innovatively and searchingly, with his lifelong joy in the natural world. The kaleidoscopic view o…

1
Reid Hoffman — AI, and What It Means to Be (More) Human 1:23:20

9M ago1:23:20

1:23:20

In this season of On Being and those to come, we are going to train the core human questions on the emerging “generative AI.” Beyond the hype and the doom, what is this new technology calling us to as human beings? What is our agency to shape it to human purpose, and how might it bring us — literally — to our senses? This inaugural conversation wit…

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