Gratitude is one of the most powerful forces we can tap into—for our mindset, relationships, and work. Yet it's also full of paradox. It can be hard to access authentic gratitude when things are messy, stressful, or hard and it can even become hollow when we use it to cover up discomfort. On this episode, I talk about the power and the paradox of gratitude, especially at this time of year. I share how genuine appreciation can help us stay grounded, connected, and strong, even in the midst of uncertainty or challenge.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

Gratitude and Grief Can Coexist (blog post)

This is an episode to honor the late, great John Beam who passed away last week. John was the Athletic Director and former Head Football Coach at Laney College in Oakland, CA. He and I met in 1989 when I arrived at Skyline High School in Oakland where he coached football for 22 years. John and his Laney College Eagles were featured in the series Last Chance U on Netflix in 2020. As an incredibly successful high school and college football coach over more than 40 years, John knew a lot about how to build a winning culture – in football, business, and life. This interview was conducted in August of 2020 and we are re-airing this conversation in honor of John's great life, wisdom, and legacy.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

Skyline High School

Laney College

Last Chance U on Netflix

John Beam on Wikipedia

John Beam on X

In challenging times, optimism can seem hard. But honest optimism isn't about ignoring the difficulties or uncertainties; it's about choosing to see what's possible while telling the truth about what's real. On this episode, I talk about the difference between false positivity and genuine hope, and why authentic, grounded optimism is one of the most powerful traits we can bring to leadership, culture, and life right now. I also share specific ways to practice honest optimism in our work and relationships every day.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

In times of uncertainty, fear, and negativity—both at work and in the world—our mindset and energy matter more than ever. On this episode, I talk about what it means to be a positive force in leadership and in life, not by ignoring challenges, but by facing them with authenticity, courage, and perspective. I explore how our attitude shapes culture and I share specific ways we can bring steadiness to our teams and the people around us, especially right now.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

We all know that change is a constant, especially these days, yet our instinct is often to resist it or try to control it. What if we met change with curiosity instead of fear? On this episode, I talk about how curiosity can help us stay open, grounded, and resilient when things around us are shifting, as they are on so many levels right now. I explore why it can be hard to stay curious in the midst of uncertainty and share specific ways we can cultivate a mindset of learning and possibility even when there is a lot of disruption.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

Many of us, myself included, can be incredibly critical of ourselves, especially when things are stressful and uncertain, as they are these days. However, self-criticism not only gets in the way of our success and fulfillment, it also negatively impacts our ability to navigate change and the relationships with those we work with and live with. On this episode, I talk about why it can be challenging to be kind and gentle with ourselves, and why it is so important for us to do so, particularly right now. I then share some specific techniques for how to be more compassionate and appreciative of ourselves.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

Karen Drucker (website)

These days it can feel like we're living in a world where disagreement is everywhere — in our country, our workplaces, and even within our families. And while conflict and differing opinions are part of life, the real challenge is finding the courage to stay connected when things get tense. On this episode, I talk about what it means to find common ground even when we don't see eye to eye. I share why this takes vulnerability, curiosity, and empathy, and offer some specific ways we can bridge divides, deepen understanding, and reconnect with one another…even when we disagree.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

Many of us, myself included, focus a lot of attention on the gap between where we are and where we want to be. And while this makes sense, it's important for us to balance our focus a bit more on where we've come from and what we've accomplished to get where we are. On this episode, I talk about this dynamic of the "gap and the gain." I discuss why we tend to be much more obsessed with our gap and much less aware of our gain. I then share some specific things we can do to balance this out in a healthy and effective way.

Resources:

We're All in This Together (book), by Mike Robbins

Mike Robbins Website

Mike Robbins Blog

Mike Robbins Podcast

Mike Robbins on LinkedIn

Mike Robbins on Instagram

Mike Robbins on Facebook

Mike Robbins YouTube Channel

Mike Robbins on TikTok

Mike Robbins on X

Mike Robbins on BlueSky

The Gap and the Gain (book), by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy