The Beyond Listening Podcast

E46: More Than Fitness w/Coach Ellis and Coach Moore | We are Open Circle

Resiliency, compassion, community, safe haven, mentorship.

These are just some of the fruits of a powerful conversation shared with two committed and inspiring individuals, Coach Ellis and Coach Moore of More Than Fitness.

Founded in 2018, More Than Fitness seek to serve the young people of their local community through mindfulness and exercise - creating a program that pushes physical limits, shares meaningful discussion and forges positive life experiences.

Having recently partnered with WeAreOpenCircle on a wilderness expedition, Coach Ellis and Coach Moore share insights into their own journeys and the draw of the ‘purpose’ that they are dedicating their lives to.

With MTF now developing and delivering programs for adults and adjudicated youth, it’s not just about exercising - it’s about better habits, wiser decisions, serving the community and building trust.

Join us for a candid, thoughtful and inspiring conversation.

Support More than Fitness: https://www.morethan.fitness

Contribute to Listening Circle Training and Wilderness Programs for the MTF community: https://opencollective.com/the-open-circle-foundation

Enroll in Listening Circle training in Delaware with the MTF community: https://weareopencircle.com/new-events/delawareoctlisteningcircle

E45: WTH just happened?: Big disruptions and the need for collective integration | We are Open Circle

Welcome to a reflection on the process of change.

Three years after the pandemic, it’s important to take a step back and take stock. 

What on earth just happened? And how can we move on?

Adam and Miriam fly solo again this week, sharing a candid discussion on how to reintegrate after disruption to our routines, philosophies, organizations and in the world as a whole.

They share their own experiences of evolution within We are Open Circle, and the key reintegration lessons of group wilderness retreats, to reveal the steps you can take to battle cynicism and create lasting change in your organization.

Experimentation, play, diversity, discovery… let’s dive in!

E44: The 3 Kinds of Trust: w/Miriam Jones and Adam Rumack | We are Open Circle

Integrity, capability, commitment.

Welcome to a rounded reflection on the role of trust within our communities, organizations and in society as a whole.

Trust is a practice, not a skill - a lifelong process of evaluation and maintenance. 

Sharing reflections on the ‘three kinds of trust’ and the cyclical parallels of our professional lives and the natural world, today’s discussion reveals the inner tenets of the We are Open Circle methodology.

Join us, as hosts Adam and Miriam share experiences from their careers educating and developing leaders - shining a light on the intrinsic need for trust in individuals, values and systems.

E43: The Challenges of Returning From War w/Mike Waldron and Brandon Harding | We are Open Circle

We are all one human tribe, travelling on the journey of life together.

This message reveals itself as central to today’s discussion between Adam, Brandon Harding and guest Mike Waldron, founder of 23rd Veteran.

Speaking candidly on his own experiences as a young adult in the Marine Corps, Mike reveals the scale of the difficulty he experienced when re-integrating into society, his journey toward hope and the calling he answered in setting up the not-for-profit organisation and sharing his methodology with both veterans and civilians alike.

In outlining the 14-week 23rd Veteran process, Mike reveals how immersive experiences in nature encourage teamwork, camaraderie and a vulnerability to share our stories, connecting with each other and with ourselves - rediscovering our sense of tribe.

Join us to learn about his empowering and important work, bettering the lives of veterans across America.

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Mike Waldron served in the Marine Corps Infantry during the initial invasion into Iraq. Five years later, Mike began to suffer from combat-related anxiety, panic attacks, and depression which left him feeling that death was a better option than life.

After pulling out of his severe symptoms of combat stress, Mike returned to college at Purdue University to grow his skills in entrepreneurship so that he could help other veterans in their battle against combat stress. He now leads 23rd Veteran, a nonprofit organization reconditioning our veterans to live more comfortably and successfully in the civilian world.
In recent years, Mike has provided education on the science and evolution theory behind lack of happiness to mental health conferences, respected universities, military units, fortune 100 companies, and our representatives in U.S. Congress. Becuase of his creativity and efforts in growing unique and impactful transition programs, the Institute for Veteran and Military Families awarded 23rd Veteran the U.S. “Best Venture Impacting Veterans”.

E42: Education as Revolution: w/ Roblin Webb of Freedom Prep Charter Schools | We are Open Circle

Joining us for a moving discussion on race, class and the power of education is Roblin Webb, Founder and CEO at Freedom Prep School in Tennessee.

Roblin J. Webb, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Prep Charter Schools, has dedicated her life’s work to striving for equality for all people.

A passionate advocate for civil rights, Roblin outlines her definition of the movement - and reveals her inspiring journey from university graduate, to attorney, to becoming a tireless educator serving her community and boosting the possibilities for children of colour.

Through reflection on her path and discussion of her motivations and thoughts on where we need to do better, Roblin shares movingly on her connection to her ancestry - and why she seeks to change the status quo, for the benefit of each and every child who passes through her school.

Ms. Webb founded Freedom Prep in the Fall of 2009 with a class of approximately 100 6th graders. Freedom Prep has now grown to five schools, elementary, middle, and high, serving over 2,300 students in Southwest Memphis.