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Guests:

Byron Katie is the creator of The Work, an incredibly powerful method of self-inquiry that helps individuals break free from the thoughts that create suffering. Her books, including Loving What Is, A Mind at Home with Itself, and Who Would You Be Without That Story, have become staples in the personal development world, with millions of copies sold and translated into over 30 languages – reaching people in boardrooms, prisons, and even war zones. Her method has had a profound impact on high performers across a wide range of fields, including business, therapy, and conflict resolution, and has been hailed by some of the most influential figures of our time—Oprah, Eckhart Tolle, and Tony Robbins, to name a few. Katie was even recognized by Time magazine as the spiritual innovator of the 21st century.

Matt Plourd is a city councilman in Newington, Connecticut, and a truly remarkable young leader from a family of public servants. Still in his 20s, Matt is already on a determined and productive journey as one of the youngest ever elected officials in his town's history. With a strong sense of responsibility for “the community that raised and loved [him] in [his] most difficult moments,” Matt is dedicating his life to bridging the divide and helping us navigate back to common sense and compassion. Beginning as an organizer in high school for efforts across the country. He has led and created meaningful change in public safety, and environmental security and worked to protect the rights and freedoms of the most vulnerable. Recently, in his appointment as councilman, Matt successfully guided budget changes for Newington’s education system and schools, the largest increase in 20 years, as well as giving the human services department the largest increase in a decade.

About the Episode:

In today’s conversation, Katie and I dive deep into how The Work came to be, and how it can be a vital leadership tool for public servants. Public leadership requires the ability to navigate conflict, uncertainty, and high-stakes decisions with clarity and compassion—and that’s exactly what The Work helps you do. You’ll learn how to dissolve the fears that arise from rivals or opposition, how to shift from adversarial to collaborative leadership, and how this powerful method can transform difficult conversations into opportunities for growth. We also discuss why a setback—whether it’s losing an election or not getting the job—may actually be the best thing that ever happened to your leadership. We also dive into Katie’s remarkable personal story, experiencing a sudden, life-changing realization in 1986, she went from being clinically depressed and agoraphobic on the floor of a halfway house to, in an instant, finding the clarity that changed her life and, ultimately, the lives of millions. And we don’t stop there! In the second half of this episode, I sit down with Matt Plourd, city councilman of Newington, Connecticut, and we put The Work into action on a live situation he’s facing in his service. You’ll get to see how The Work can be applied in real-time, providing not just clarity but profound insight for public servants who want to lead with intention and effectiveness. Get ready for an enlightening conversation with Byron Katie and Matt Plourd.

Key Topics Discussed:

· [00:02:42] Guest/Episode Introduction

· [00:08:20] Before the Work found me

· [00:09:37] Suddenly I Could See

· [00:10:57] People Wanted Help: The Worksheet

· [00:12:00] In Play with Ego and Duality

· [00:14:07] With Distinction Comes Separation

· [00:15:08] "Judging" Your Opponent

· [00:17:54] Powerful Outcomes

· [00:21:10] True Empowerment In Leadership

· [00:22:08] Ego is an Imaginary Banana

· [00:24:30] Breaking Free from Imagined Suffering

· [00:26:23] “Only 100 Percent of the Time”

· [00:27:00] If I Win, I Win. If I Lose, I Win.

· [00:27:26] When “Barb” has a Problem

· [00:29:36] The Work is an Invitation, not a Demand

· [00:31:26] How To Work Through the Worksheet:
- Anchoring The Ego: Write it Down
- Questioning the Thought in Stillness
- Noticing the Reaction
- “Who Would I be Without the Thought?”
- Turning it Around

· [00:36:20] How to Do the Turn - Arounds

· [00:39:50] Final Question: "Judge Your Neighbor.. & Turn it Around”

· [00:41:20] SkyRun

· [00:42:18] ELC Foundation donors

· [01:03:30] SPONSOR: ELC

· [00:44:34] Welcoming Matt Plourd

· [00:47:00] Matt’s Service Journey: Highlights & Struggles

· [00:51:25] What Do Think People Believe About You?

· [00:52:22] The Fears You Hold

· [00:44:34] Letting Go of Belief

· [00:55:40] Doing the Worksheet

· [00:56:28] Meeting Matt’s Neighbor

· [01:00:45] Crafting a Statement about the Neighbor

· [01:01:25] How Do You Want Them to Change?

· [01:02:27] What is Your Advice for this Neighbor?

· [01:05:36] What Do You Need From Your Neighbor?

· [01:06:50] The Petty Part

· [01:08:30] The Part Don’t Want

· [01:09:38] Embodying the Moment

· [01:11:03] Questioning The Statement

· [01:11:40] Staying Present in the Moment

· [01:12:08] How Do You React to the Belief?

· [01:12:38] Do Your Behaviors Change?

· [01:13:02] How is Your Leadership Affected?

· [01:14:08] Who Would You Be Without that Thought

· [01:14:45] Creating the Turn-Arounds

· [01:15:16] 1st Turn-Around: I’m Disappointed in Myself

· [01:18:17] 2nd Turn-Around: I’m Proud of My Neighbor

· [01:21:42] 3rd Turn-Around: I’m Disappointed in My Neighbor for Holding Back

· [01:24:33] 4th Turn-Around: I’m Proud of My Neighbor for Contributing

· [01:29:30] Bringing The Work to Your...