E383-Inner Voice/A Heartfelt Chat with Dr.Foojan Zeine & Michael Thompson -Standing Out from Shyness

E383 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Michael Thompson, a career coach, lecturer at EAE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, and strategic communication advisor to top business leaders worldwide. Growing up, his stutter and social anxiety kept him from pursuing his goals. By turning his supposed weaknesses into his greatest strengths, he developed a system of principles to help people express themselves more confidently and build meaningful relationships without sacrificing their nature. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Fast Company, Insider, Forbes, INC, MSN, and Apple News. We discuss his new book, Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out. Learn more at https://michaelthompson.art/book/. 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts/ Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Michael and Dr. discussed the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in personal growth and success. Michael shared his experiences with stuttering and his past struggles with anxiety, depression, and substance use, highlighting how these challenges have helped him connect with others. Dr. emphasized acknowledging and embracing vulnerabilities as a source of strength and confidence. They also touched on treating curiosity as a primary responsibility, encouraging self-reflection, and questioning past experiences. Michael and Dr. discussed the importance of curiosity about oneself and others and how this can lead to better relationships and personal growth. Michael shared his experience overcoming his stuttering by focusing on listening rather than speaking, making him more curious about others. Dr. agreed, emphasizing that curiosity is essential for creating meaningful relationships. They also touched on being bold in the moments that matter, with Michael sharing his practice of keeping a record of his accomplishments to encourage further boldness. They talked about strategies for boosting confidence and overcoming self-doubt. Michael shared his experiences of facing challenges and overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of self-validation and maintaining a positive mindset. He also suggested keeping a 'brag sheet' of personal achievements to remind oneself of past successes. Dr. agreed with these strategies, adding that reflecting on past achievements can help tap into one's inner power and resilience. They both emphasized the importance of focusing on personal strengths and accomplishments rather than seeking external validation. Michael and Dr. discussed strategies for overcoming anxiety and fear in personal and professional settings. Michael introduced the "trip away framework," which involves acknowledging feelings, accepting reality, and asking oneself what is needed to move forward. He emphasized the importance of taking the next step, even if uncomfortable, to grow and learn. Dr. agreed with Michael's approach, noting that people often avoid pushing through due to fear and anxiety. They both recommended that facing fears and doing what's uncomfortable can lead to personal growth and learning, even if mistakes are made. Michael shared how he had to learn to listen to his internal signals and not let others dictate his path. He also talked about changing his mindset to see his stuttering as a positive aspect. Dr. emphasized that Michael's shyness and stuttering were still present but had been managed through creating comfortable structures. Michael also shared his approach to helping others, emphasizing the importance of asking for help and designing environments for personal growth. Lastly, Dr. asked Michael about how he supports his introverted and shy children, to which Michael responded by sharing his experiences and empathizing with their struggles. Michael shared his experiences with his two children, aged 10 and 6, who have speech difficulties. He mentioned that the 10-year-old is highly intelligent but sometimes lazy with his speech, while the 6-year-old is very quiet and has difficulty speaking. Michael and his wife are cautious about the potential long-term effects of these habits and are trying to encourage their children to speak more. He also shared his personal journey of self-discovery and how writing helped him gain confidence and clarity about his values.