The Right Questions

We live in a results-oriented, achievement culture where we value the doing over the being and standing out over blending in. The hustle and the grind are glorified, revered, and the end of the year is usually a time when we reflect on the fruits of our efforts. We look at what we've accomplished from our yearly goals list and calibrate or adjust the direction of where we're headed. One thing is certain, the world around us demands that we keep moving forward.  The end of the year is also the time when we often feel exhausted and the need to rest, both physically and mentally. So, whether our bodies give us signs that we need to slow down a bit or not, we believe lowering the rhythm and pace of our lives has multiple benefits, and we explore some of them in today's episode by answering the question: What Is the Value of Slowing Down? We delve into the multiple benefits and advantages of slowing down. While it may sound counterintuitive, research shows that success has as much to do with slowing down and ‘being’ as it does with the ‘doing’ and hustling all the time. We address how slowing down helps us clarify our values and determine and set priorities. We also highlight the importance of carving out time for self-care, tuning into and figuring out our emotions, making better decisions, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:How slowing down can help us reach new levels of success (4:37)Slowing down is key to gaining more clarity in our values and our priorities (9:35)When we never take the time to slow down, we are missing all kinds of opportunities (11:30)The multiple benefits of carving out time for ourselves (16:24)How important it is to detach ourselves from results for a while (23:03)How slowing down can help us make better choices (25:26)What the difference is between slowing and paring down (41:19)We are not holding up the world, even if we feel as if we are (42:36)Connect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook

The holidays are just around the corner, and for many of us, this could be the first time in almost two years or more that we’ll get to see some of our relatives and extended families. These reunions are, for the most part, joyful, but also, there can be some unpleasant tension due to communication challenges. So today, we decided to wear our professors' hats and offer some valuable academic content that we’re sure you will be able to relate to and put into practice to enjoy more harmonious, loving family gatherings! Today, we talk about family communication patterns, more specifically, conforming versus conversation orientation. The key takeaway of this episode is to pay careful attention to how we communicate with our family, without judgment, simply looking at how we decide to interact, what we say, and how we say it, in order to avoid unnecessary conflict. We teach you the three levels of confirming messages, exploring them, and highlighting their relevance. We also go through the seven types of disconfirming responses, analyze their impact, and offer some practical examples to help you avoid these triggers for defensiveness and disharmony.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How to use conforming messages to engage with our family, and why it should be our first choice (7:45)The importance of recognizing our kids' individuality (11:02)Raising a speech & debate champion. How it was for Bridget to deal with her daughters who were natural debaters and what she learned from the experience (15:55)The three levels of conforming messages (19:28)Seven types of disconfirming messages we should always try to avoid (24:53)Controlling communication versus problem orientation. Understanding what kind of message is expected from us (36:01)Superiority versus equality. Nothing is better or worse than anything else (39:20) Connect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook

As we return to the activities that filled our lives before the pandemic, many of us see our to-do lists growing. Especially for those of us who have kids; soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse, and all the extracurriculars are back. Throw in a return to in-person schooling, our jobs, and dare we add social lives, clearly, our plates are full. And, while we have plenty of tools to get more done and stay organized, still, lots of important things remain undone. Our guest today, the brilliant Sophie Chiche, has some interesting and incredibly helpful ideas about why we all struggle to get things done despite having all the structures and strategies in place. Sophie Chiche is a Psychologist by trade and specializes in teaching fun and effective project management systems that are designed to help people with lots of ideas execute the most meaningful ones. She is the Founder and CEO of becurrent and lifebyme.com. Sophie is an Entrepreneur, Author, TEDx Speaker, Journalist, and her work has been featured on Ellen, Good Morning America, E!, The Today Show, and in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, to name a few. Sophie holds an MBA in Business & Marketing from EBS Paris - European Business School and an M.A. in Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. In this episode, Sophie shares some fascinating ideas and concepts to answer today's question, Why Can’t I Get My Sh*t Done? She invites us to look at time management as “peace management,” focusing on how we feel about what we have to do rather than on the items on our to-do list. We also talk about procrastination, developing the ability to say no to things and people, life's tradeoffs, protecting and valuing our time, and much more. Some Questions We Ask:Based on your experience and the coaching work you do, what do you see as an answer to today's question? (7:42)What if I have a conflict of priorities, such as, I'm not doing this thing because while it's important, there are these other things that keep getting in the way of me doing it? Have you ever heard that one before? (18:35)Each of us comes with ‘stuff’... processing delays, some have ADHD, still others just have idiosyncratic stuff that we have in how we operate. What is the starting point for those who are dealing with something like that? (35:18)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The importance of learning to say NO (9:44)If you have too many priorities, that is precisely your problem (19:56)How having clarity in the things we need to do can help us achieve more (27:26)How knowing our archetype can help us accomplish more and suffer less (29:54)About the importance of encouraging kids' creativity (37:36)It is hard to say no when we don't have our yes, and what is a full-body yes (48:09)Resources for recurrent:websiteFacebookInstagramlifebyme.com websiteBook: Greg McKeown - Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of LessConnect with Sophie:LinkedInInstagram

We’re celebrating! One year ago, we decided to start this exciting journey in the podcasting world, and we couldn't be happier with the experiences it's offered us. We've learned a ton along the way about podcasting, collaborative creative work, and, most importantly, about ourselves and how we interact with others. We are eternally grateful for the possibility of adding value to your lives with each podcast we create, and today’s episode won't be any different.In this episode, we use our experience of creating and producing the bi-weekly The Right Questions Podcast and our 10+ years of working together to answer a question that each of us wrestles with, What Can I Do When A Colleague Is Driving Me Crazy? We explore some of the challenges we faced in the process of putting this project together, how we discussed, navigated, and ultimately solved these issues, and what we've learned about ourselves through it all. We also offer insight into the communication and negotiations surrounding creative endeavors, tips for successfully navigating those tense conversations, and the critical roles that listening, emotional intelligence, transparency, and clarity play in the situation. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Coming up with a name for the show. One of our first significant obstacles (4:31)How important it is to have clear goals (7:31)How asking “the right questions” helped us unlock “the right title” (9:07)How important it was for us to remain faithful to our vision of how we want to communicate and treat other people, from colleagues to clients, and collaborators (16:03)The importance of being clear about who we are, and at the same time, being transparent about it (22:32)How turning the lens back on ourselves can help us achieve massive growth (27:01)Connect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook

We are filled with hope as the world is slowly returning to normal. Nevertheless, spending time in virtual environments is still a massive part of our lives, and we all know it's here to stay. We've become used to having online parties, attending classes, training, coaching sessions, executive meetings, team huddles & stand-ups, all from our couch or office, and sometimes with people from around the globe. Still, we crave authentic human connection, which remains both scarce and necessary. As Aristotle said, humans are by nature social animals. So, what can we do to nurture this human trait in times that require us to remain apart? Our guest, Anthony Frattali, has developed a formula that seeks to respond to this need for both himself and his team. Anthony has agreed to share it with us today to help answer the show's question: How Can Leaders Keep Remote Teams Connected?In addition to being a great person and dear friend of 20+ years, Anthony Frattali is the VP of Sales at Procore Technologies. He is responsible for building, managing, and scaling the sales organization at Procore. Since the pandemic started, Anthony and Procore have been trying a myriad of approaches to increase human connection within their teams, reduce burnout, and ensure they care for their associates and families. In this episode, Anthony's humility and openness shine bright, lighting a path for leaders to follow. We talk about the two pillars of Procore leadership: taking care of their people and instilling creativity. We explore some of the ideas Anthony and Procore have implemented to increase connectivity, reduce stress, and build a culture of trust and balance in the organization. We talk about the ones that worked very well and those that didn't! We also talk about the importance of being surrounded by the right people, the keys to being a servant leader, and how to make time for and prioritize ourselves.   Resources:Procore TechnologiesConnect with Anthony:LinkedInConnect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook

Leadership is quite nuanced, making it exciting, rewarding, and highly challenging all at the same time. Perhaps, one of the trickiest parts of being a leader in both our personal and professional lives is finding a balance between getting things done while keeping our teams happy, motivated, and proactive with a growth mindset. Our core values and leadership style are made evident in our choices and actions. For Chief Operations Officer, Sam Zehngut, healthy leadership means being transparent, authentic, and kind. She holds a firm belief that when leaders are not clear and honest about who they are, their message gets garbled and loses its meaning. Joining us today is Samantha Zehngut, COO at H-Wave - Electronic Waveform Lab, Inc., an exceptional leader, mother, spouse, and dear friend. Sam contributes to increasing the company's revenue by helping people learn to take risks. She develops teams built on a strong foundation of trust and care for one another, enabling them to execute innovative ideas and strategies. Sam holds a double degree in Education & History from California State University, Long Beach, and an MBA in Organizational Leadership & Change Management from Pepperdine University, The George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management. Sam is the perfect person to answer today's question: How can I be clear and kind? Together, we explore various aspects and challenges of being a servant leader. Sam explains her leadership style; she tells us what inspired it, and what circumstances in her life helped her build it. We also talk about the importance of making employees feel heard and cared for, the proper way of approaching hard conversations, why leaders must always set their egos aside, and much more.Some Questions We Ask:What is your process for preparing to have challenging conversations? (18:13)Could you speak a bit about what your self-care practices are? (24:51)How do you balance showing up in all these ways where your staff feel cared for, safe, and included, while also taking care of yourself? (39:05)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The consequences of not being transparent and authentic as a leader (10:12)About Sam's love for having challenging conversations (15:34)The benefits of approaching challenging conversations with a curious mindset (20:25)Some brilliant insights about blended families (41:55)The importance of building and maintaining clear boundaries for others and ourselves (49:13)Resources: Book: Brené Brown - Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.Book: Marilee Adams - Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 12 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching, and LifeH-Wave Electronic Waveform Lab, Inc.Connect with Sam:LinkedInConnect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook

It was the winter of 2019, life was going great, and 2020 was looking bright! After finishing his doctoral program, Deazell Johnson felt at the top of his game, ready to move into his first teaching experience and satisfied with the opportunities he had manifested. Then, life happened! The pandemic hit, and soon after, in a span of only two weeks, he lost two family members to non-COVID-related deaths. Deazell felt himself slipping back into a dark place he thought he had overcome; where financial, racial, & homophobic hardships left him anxious and depressed. At this point, feeling stuck inside all of this loss, Deazell’s accomplishments didn't mean anything to him. Life was tough, it was difficult to manage his mind, he was going in circles, and making little progress. With 2021 right around the corner, Deazell decided it was time to make changes in his life. The following day, he discovered The Right Questions Podcast for the first time... That was the turning point! We are thrilled to bring servant leader Deazell Johnson Ed.D to the show; he is an Adjunct Faculty Member at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), and California Lutheran University. Deazell is also an Academic Advisor & Mentor at California State University, Northridge. He holds a BA in Screenwriting, an MA in Educational Administration in Higher Education, and an EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from California State University, Northridge. In this episode, Deazell helps us answer today's question, How Do I Go From Ideas to Action? We talk about intersectionality, the power of habits, consistency, self-value, and the importance of being open-minded and receptive to people's thoughts and guidance. Deazell also talks about his identity, his experiences with intersectionality as a queer black male, and the pressure of finding a role model. The way Deazell has absorbed, repurposed, and consistently applied our content and suggestions to improve his mind and life has been deeply moving for us to hear about. His story is uniquely inspiring and demonstrates, in concrete ways, how to take our ideas and put them into action. Deazell provides so much raw honesty and value, this episode is definitely a must-listen! Some Questions We Ask:You mentioned that the podcast came around at a time when you were looking for something. Could you talk about that? (10:21)Have you developed a question yourself? What questions are you using to guide you, and how are those working to transform you? (19:09)You mentioned breaking out of your mental prison, and that ties right to building change resilience. What actions can you share with us that you're doing and have done? (38:54)In This Episode, You Will Learn:Deazell's ups and downs. From manifesting a dreamed reality to having to start all over again (11:29)How asking the right questions gave Deazell a new perspective and helped him rise (15:05)The power of committing to ourselves (25:13)Forming a habit. From comfort to courage zone (32:31)How Deazell went from idea to action (43:15)Connect with Deazell:LinkedInConnect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeBridget’s TED TalkInstagramFacebook

Soon after Cherise started interacting with other kids, she realized that her childhood and upbringing were anything but typical. She was born at home, the daughter of Jewish and Christian parents who celebrated both religions but continued seeking answers, constantly exploring new spiritual spaces, trying to find the path to truth. Dinner conversations commonly centered around books such as The Alchemist or The Celestine Prophecy. Cherise realized that most people weren't on the same path as her, and this boosted her curiosity and need to find life’s truths. Cherise started to understand that as she went deeper into her spirituality and honed her spiritual practice, everything in her life became better!In today’s episode, we welcome the intelligent and divinely tuned-in Cherise Bangs -- Actress, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, Tarot Card Reader, Reiki Master, and Co-curator of Madison Charles Oils. She helps us answer the question, Why Invest Time in Spiritual Growth? Cherise has starred in an array of hit TV shows and films like To Tell The Truth, iCarly, 3 Days Gone, and The Ones, to name a few. She loves coaching people to be the best version of themselves through Ayurvedic consultations, private yoga and meditation sessions, sound healing, Reiki, and Tarot card readings. Throughout this episode, we talk with Cherise about the spiritual connection people are constantly craving, the power of mantras, and the need for compassionate self-reflection. Cherise shares valuable insights on the importance of having a positive outlook and being free in our minds. We also talk about love, marriage, and the ways life partners can inspire each other to become the best possible versions of themselves.Some Questions We Ask:What is spiritual growth? (8:14)What are some of the practices that help us get to a place of love, joy, and connection? (11:37)Saying a mantra, what does that really do for me? Why would I say that to myself, over and over again? What's the purpose? (16:02)What are we missing when we're so stuck in the “doing”? (20:53)You have this whole Hollywood career, yet you break every stereotype; you are the most generous, kind, giving, authentic person. How did those jive together? (33:34)In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Cherise found spirituality and, in so, her place in the world (9:34)About the power of mantras and their millenary tradition (16:07)Spiritual practice can take us anywhere (21:26)The power of being free in our minds (23:46)Cherise's brilliant answer to our previous guest's question (37:14)Resources:Cherise Bangs websiteCherise Bangs Link TreeIMDBBook: Paulo Coelho - The AlchemistBook: James Redfield - The Celestine ProphecyConnect with Cherise:InstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterConnect With Bridget Sampson:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInConnect With Todd Parker:InstagramLinkedInSampson Coaching and Consulting:Sampson Coaching and ConsultingThe Right Questions Podcast on YouTubeSampson Coaching and Consulting Videos on YouTubeTED TalkInstagramFacebook