Productivity Smarts

In this episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast, host Gerald J. Leonard engages in a compelling conversation with Dr. Daisy Khan, a renowned leader in social change and human rights. Dr. Khan takes us on her journey from architecture to community building, sharing her transformative four-pronged change theory: education, collaboration, communication, and action. She underscores the power of empathy and non-judgmental listening as crucial tools for bridging divides and fostering mutual understanding. The discussion delves deep into change management, exploring the challenges of resistance to change and the pivotal role of emotional intelligence in effective communication. Dr. Khan emphasizes that the messenger often holds more power than the message itself, highlighting the importance of building trust through personal connections. She offers valuable insights on overcoming resistance by identifying its root causes and creating a sense of urgency around change. Listen in to learn how self-reflection, collaboration, and individual actions can drive sustainable social change, all while reinforcing the importance of education and communication in creating lasting impact. What We Discuss [00:02:01] Introduction to Dr. Daisy Khan [00:07:15] Exploring Dr. Khan's career shift [00:10:24] The importance of education in social change [00:14:22] Four-pronged change theory [00:21:18] Application of the four-pronged approach [00:23:23] Framing perspectives [00:27:08] Neurological impact of emotions [00:33:03] Understanding the root cause of resistance [00:39:02] The importance of self-reflection [00:44:26] - Scaling change efficiently [00:48:14] - The role of leadership in movements Notable Quotes [00:07:29] "The falling of the towers and the tragedy that unfolded thrust a mandate upon us, and I had to quit my career because the demand was so great on reaching out to Americans, explaining who we were and who we were not." - Dr. Daisy Khan [00:18:57] "This is what I mean by long-term sustainable social change: when you change not only the minds but also the hearts of people." - Dr. Daisy Khan [00:21:47] "We are such a polarized nation right now, and people don't know how to even communicate across divides." - Dr. Daisy Khan [00:22:16] "Imagine his grandchild not being able to even see him. That’s the state we’re in, and that’s why people dread Thanksgiving because they don’t know how to speak to one another." - Dr. Daisy Khan [00:25:26] "Everybody wants to be heard, everybody wants to be valued, and everybody wants to be respected." - Dr. Daisy Khan Our Guest Dr. Daisy Khan is an award-winning author, public speaker, and media commentator renowned for her dedication to promoting peacebuilding, gender equality, and human dignity. She is the founder of the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), a global network committed to advancing women's rights and combating anti-Muslim bias.  Born in Kashmir, Dr. Khan emigrated to the United States, where she initially pursued a career as an architectural designer in New York City. After 25 years in corporate America, she transitioned to community service, focusing on building bridges of understanding across diverse faiths and communities.  Throughout her career, Dr. Khan has been a prominent advocate for Muslim women's rights and has worked tirelessly to foster interfaith dialogue. She has authored several influential publications, including "WISE Up: Knowledge Ends Extremism," "Born with Wings," and "30 Rights of Muslim Women."  Dr. Khan's contributions have been recognized globally, earning her numerous awards and accolades. She has been featured in major media outlets and was named among TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People." Resources & Links Dr. Daisy Khan, D.Min Website https://daisykhan.com/ LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdaisykhan/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fdaisykhan.com%2F Books https://daisykhan.com/books/ Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard   Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds  

In this episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Andrew Kadar, a physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Kadar opens up about his personal journey of resilience after being diagnosed with heart disease, sharing the challenges he faced and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. He discusses how mindset, adaptability, and seeking help were key to his recovery. Dr. Kadar also reveals how his experience as a patient has deepened his empathy and transformed his approach to patient care.  Tune in to hear Dr. Kadar's powerful insights on overcoming adversity and the critical role of empathy in medicine.  What We Discuss [00:02:01] Introduction to Dr. Andrew Kadar [00:11:09] Vulnerability in healthcare [00:13:49] Trusting caregivers [00:18:32] Adapting to challenges [00:22:23] Understanding patient perspective [00:24:50] Dual perspective in writing [00:27:00] Reflection and perspective shift [00:29:10] Caregiver consideration Notable Quotes [00:06:30] "My story is very similar to lots of other patient stories. First of all, I thought I was perfectly healthy... I had no expectation that I would, at a relatively young age, all of a sudden have symptoms of heart disease and end up having what's known as the widowmaker." - Dr. Andrew Kadar [00:12:09] "Of course, the thing that strikes immediately is the vulnerability that you're under. Because as a doctor or as an advisor, you're not really vulnerable to anywhere near the degree that a patient is." - Dr. Andrew Kadar [00:16:07] "Getting better is a cooperative effort. You need your caretakers to be guiding you, but you have to put the work in to help yourself get better." - Dr. Andrew Kadar [00:26:01] "I never say to patients after surgery that they're going to have no pain. I tell them that we'll be able to alleviate their pain to make it bearable, but any time you have a major surgery, you're unfortunately going to have to go through some struggle." - Dr. Andrew Kadar [00:29:10] "Having a major illness is a family affair. It affects your spouse, your colleagues, and it's important to be considerate of your caretakers and to be appreciative of them." - Dr. Andrew Kadar Our Guest Dr. Andrew G. Kadar is a distinguished anesthesiologist affiliated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, California. He earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine and completed residencies at both Stanford University and Harvard University's Massachusetts General Hospital. Throughout his career, Dr. Kadar has served on the faculties of the UCLA School of Medicine, Charles Drew University, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In addition to his medical practice, he has pursued literary studies through the UCLA Writers’ Program and the Antioch University MFA writing program. Dr. Kadar is the author of "Getting Better: A Doctor’s Story of Resilience, Recovery, and Renewal," a book that offers a unique perspective on the patient experience from a physician's viewpoint.  His contributions to both medicine and literature underscore his commitment to patient care and the human aspects of medical practice. Resources and Links Dr Andrew G. Kadar M.D. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kadar-5b1b1113 Book - Getting Better: A Doctor's Story of Resilience, Recovery, and Renewal Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard   Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds  

In this episode of the Productivity Smarts Podcast, host Gerald J. Leonard welcomes  Pastor Ray Lane, a 92-year-old veteran, author, and lifelong mentor. Pastor Ray shares the remarkable story of his life, beginning with his challenging upbringing during the Great Depression. Despite the hardships of growing up without running water or electricity, he excelled academically, becoming the valedictorian of his grade school. His resilience and determination are woven throughout his life, serving as a testament to viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth. Pastor Ray reflects on the profound influence of mentors in his journey. From agriculture to education, these guiding figures offered him valuable insights and opened doors that helped shape his path. He also shares his love for gospel and classical music, a passion ignited during a college music appreciation class. Though the course was initially a struggle, it introduced him to composers like Brahms, Haydn, and Beethoven, leaving an indelible mark on his life. In today’s fast-paced world, Pastor Ray emphasizes the importance of listening to the wisdom of older generations. He encourages us to seek out mentors and learn from their experiences, reminding us that their stories hold timeless lessons. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, faith, and the power of mentorship, leaving listeners inspired to lead purposeful and impactful lives. What We Discuss [00:02:01] Introduction to Pastor Ray Lane [00:09:15] Learning environment in childhood [00:16:14] Mentorship and guidance [00:19:08] Transition to ministry [00:21:30] Faith and life experiences [00:26:06] Book availability [00:26:40] Life lessons and purpose [00:27:50] Marriage reflections [00:29:11] Health and longevity Notable Quotes [00:02:01] "The longer I live, the more I have come to believe that God puts us where He wants us to be for a specific purpose." - Gerald J. Leonard [00:06:37] "Even though I was unwanted at the time I was conceived, I got to live, and my parents were good to me. They never treated me as unwanted." - Pastor Ray Lane [00:15:19] "People just looked over her, like she wasn't even there, and that was a hard thing for her and for us." - Pastor Ray Lane [00:23:56] "The longer I live, the more I appreciate life because there are so many different ways I could have died." - Pastor Ray Lane [00:26:15] "I count it a rich privilege to be able to write the book." - Pastor Ray Lane [00:27:50] "I just want to encourage people that when they get older, it's not the end of life; life goes on until you go out under." -Pastor Ray Lane Our Guest Pastor Ray Lane is a 92-year-old veteran and an inspiring figure whose life story reflects resilience, faith, and purpose. Saved from abortion during the Great Depression, Pastor Ray's journey has been shaped by his deep belief that God places us where we are for a specific purpose. As a writer, he authored Conceivable: The Unlimited Potential of the Unborn, a powerful book that explores the value and potential of every life, no matter the circumstances of their beginning. Throughout his life, Pastor Ray has embraced the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and unwavering faith in God. His journey has been one of living with intention, striving to do his best, and making meaningful contributions to society. These values have led him to a life filled with achievement, fulfillment, and a profound sense of satisfaction. Pastor Ray's reflections on his life and experiences offer wisdom for others to embrace purpose, resilience, and faith in their own journeys. Resources Pastor Ray Lane LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-lane-4847583b Book- Conceivable: The Unlimited Potential of the Unborn Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Ready to level up your personal and professional life? It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Imagine harnessing the power of delayed gratification, pausing before reacting, and setting goals that are both concrete and achievable.  In this episode of the Productivity Smarts podcast, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Emilio Justo—Cuban refugee, eye surgeon, TEDx speaker, and author of The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Success. Together, they explore the power of pausing before reacting, setting meaningful goals, and harnessing delayed gratification to achieve lasting success. Dr. Justo shares the inspiring "Cuban triad" of self-discipline, perseverance, and delayed gratification, along with his concept of positive obsession. This conversation dives deep into the role of passion, commitment, and self-discipline in unlocking peak productivity. Whether you're aiming to work smarter, find your focus, or level up in every area of life, this episode offers the tools and inspiration to make it happen. What We Discuss [00:02:01] Introduction to Dr. Emilio Justo [00:11:34] The power of pause [00:12:02] Delayed gratification and productivity [00:18:28] Building habits for pausing [00:22:19] Goal setting and its importance [00:26:27] Embracing failures and leveraging setbacks [00:36:53] Resilience paradox [00:42:24] Cuban triad of success [00:44:52] Cuban quartet concept [00:45:23] Finding Dr. Justo online [00:48:30] Closing remarks   Notable Quotes [00:07:57] "Life has dealt you some lemons right now, but it's up to you to make lemonade." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:12:17] "When we pause and be patient, digest what comes our way, and think things through before making rash decisions, we often build something greater later." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:20:17] "I don't need to have a wide circle of friends and parties; I'm so comfortable just sitting in a room, sometimes turning the lights off, and thinking about things." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:23:27] "Each time that we achieve something, we've got to be able to rejoice and celebrate. Emotionally, we want to celebrate so that we can recharge ourselves to get to the next step." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:25:28] "The goal of the goal is who we become in the process of accomplishing that goal, and that's why it's so important to create a goal that's a little bit bigger than we are." - Gerald J. Leonard [00:26:56] "We need to be in a mindset where we rejoice in having failures because when we have those failures, it's going to teach us something and further accelerate our progress in the future." - Dr. Emilio Justo   [00:43:21] "We have to be obsessed, and obsessed means to have passion for our goals and what we're trying to achieve." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:46:36] "If anyone out there is looking for a keynote speaker, fill out that contact page, and I will answer you within 24 hours." - Dr. Emilio Justo [00:47:37] "The best investment any of us can make is in a book because, for the cost of a meal, we can gain 5 to 10 years of somebody else's experience." - Gerald J. Leonard   Our Guest Dr. Emilio Justo is a Cuban refugee, renowned eye surgeon, and two-time TEDx speaker. With his third TEDx talk, he earned recognition as the third most-viewed TED talk of 2023, amassing over 9 million views. As the author of The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Success, Dr. Justo empowers others to embrace intentional decision-making and long-term success. His expertise in both medicine and personal growth has established him as a sought-after speaker, guiding audiences to unlock their full potential through resilience and mindful living.   Resources   Dr. Emilio Justo Website -https://dremiliojusto.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliojustomd/ Book- The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Success   Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com   Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds