Explore every episode of the podcast The Pivot Dialogues with Dave Schoof

Dive into the complete episode list for The Pivot Dialogues with Dave Schoof. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Old Alarm or Real Signal?	18 Sep 2026	00:14:52
This shows up in leadership, but it shows up everywhere else too, especially right now, with so much shifting under all of us at once. Knowing the difference between an old alarm and something real is one of the quieter skills nobody teaches.    In this solo episode, Dave shares the story of turning down a job he wanted because a feeling inside him said no, and he read it as a verdict instead of what it actually was. Years later, sent back to the same city, he finally knew what to do with that alarm instead of obeying it. Along the way: a practice for sorting intuition from an old pattern, and why this distinction matters more now than ever, when most of us are navigating several disruptions at once instead of one. In this episode: The moment a job offer turned into a whole-body no Sorting intuition from pattern, trauma, and an old protector part A practice for telling a real signal from an old alarm What changed the second time disorientation hit Why old, sequential strategies don't work when change is stacked and running in parallel Becoming an inner wilderness guide for your own signals _________________ 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot on Substack: https://dschoof.substack.com Pivot Commons: Join our free community for thoughtful conversations, shared exploration, and practical ways to navigate change and uncertainty. [https://www.skool.com/the-pivot-commons-4650/about?ref=99a271ec9e194ed5a83253bc91a78dc6] Pivot Lab: A nine-week guided experience for people ready to move beyond old maps and develop new ways of navigating what's next. [ https://www.daveschoof.com/pivot-lab] _________________________ ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction 02:14 — The call that changed everything 05:14 — Sorting the signal 06:33 — The protector part 07:25 — The raincoat practice 10:18 — Building an anchor on the inside 12:48 — Why this matters more now than ever 14:00 — Old strategies built for one change at a time 15:16 — Old alarm or real signal 15:35 — The inner wilderness guide
	What If Nothing Is Missing? — Steve March on Innate Wholeness and Unfoldment	07 Aug 2026	01:23:14
What if nothing is missing — and everything it takes to meet this moment is already here? Dave sits down with Steve March, founder of Aletheia and creator of Aletheia Unfolding, for a conversation about a different way of being with ourselves and each other. Steve makes the case that we don't develop into wholeness — wholeness unfolds through us — and that every attempt to fix or improve the self tightens the very knot it hopes to release. They get into the exhaustion of continuous improvement, what it means to attune to life poetically rather than technologically, being designed to thrive in complexity, and why none of us makes sense of the world alone. In this episode: Why self-improvement fails on its own terms Attuning to life poetically vs. technologically Innate wholeness — and what a newborn reveals about it Being designed to thrive in complexity, not just survive it Sense-making as something we do together, never alone About Steve March Steve March is the founder of Aletheia Academy LLC and the creator of Aletheia Unfolding, a post-developmental approach to human transformation. He teaches that we do not develop into wholeness; instead, wholeness unfolds through us and as us. A professional coach since 2000, Steve founded Aletheia in 2013 to work from a recognition that kept sharpening across his practice: every attempt to fix or improve the self tightens the very knot it hopes to release. In Aletheia, reality is not a machine to master but a living poem — and unfolding is not the management of change but the art of participation. Through the Aletheia Coach Training Programs, he mentors coaches, therapists, and guides who want to offer more than self-improvement to clients who are exhausted by it. To learn more about unfoldment — and how to practice it yourself and offer it to clients — visit integralunfoldment.com, where you'll find Steve's writing and his training programs for coaches, therapists, guides, and change agents. 00:00 — What if nothing is missing? 03:13 — Meeting Steve March 07:03 — The tyranny of continuous improvement 12:24 — Innate wholeness: the whole comes first 27:19 — Why self-improvement fails on its own terms 47:09 — Functional freeze, and thriving in complexity 53:59 — Why we don't do this alone 01:07:41 — What if nothing is missing? (the turn) 01:12:34 — Toward a new archetype ━━ 🔗 CONNECT WITH STEVE Website: https://integralunfoldment.com 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com Substack (essays + The Pivot Newsletter) Field Notes — free five-part reflection series LinkedIn
	Stop Trying to Figure Life Out. Start Figuring Yourself In.	19 Jul 2026	01:15:25
What does real leadership require when the old maps stop working? In this conversation, Dave sits down with leadership expert and coach Andy Cahill to explore the fantasy that someone out there has life figured out, and the alternative Andy offers instead: learning to figure yourself in. They get into why so many of us are pulled toward crisis and quests without meaning to be, what it looks like to drop the change agenda in coaching and in relationships, and how strength and gentleness work together rather than against each other. In this episode: The fantasy that someone else has it figured out Figuring yourself in versus figuring life out How leaders unconsciously create the crises they thrive in The change agenda, and what it costs a coach or a parent Holding strength and gentleness together The micro pause, and why real reflection happens in the moment Book recommendations on embodied cognition and the psychology of environment The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain — Annie Murphy Paul The Architecture of Happiness — Alain de Botton __________ Chapter Timestamps ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction 04:57 — The fantasy of someone having it figured out 05:26 — Figuring yourself in 17:15 — The crisis I was creating 19:20 — The change agenda 33:52 — Strength and gentleness 46:47 — The micro pause 1:13:08 — Book recommendations [00:xx] — Closing question ______ Andy Cahill is a leadership development expert who works with purpose-driven executives and entrepreneurs. Past and current clients include Microsoft, Marriott International, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Patagonia, lululemon athletica, The Obama Foundation, MIT, and a variety of A-to-D series funded startups in the tech and social impact sectors. Andy earned his master’s degree in leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is a professionally certified coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Foundation, and he is also a Level 2 certified Internal Family Systems practitioner. He is also the host of Wonder Dome, a podcast with a global listenership that explores explores the intersections of philosophy, psychology, science, and spirituality. And his critically acclaimed science-fiction novel Gradient brings a mythic frame to the interplay of human and artificial intelligence, surfacing themes of leadership, cultural adaptation, identity formation, technological innovation, and collective resilience in the face of loss. Website: https://wonderdome.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjcahill/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a Substack: https://dschoof.substack.com Podcast: https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/
	What Makes Navigation Possible	28 Jun 2026	00:13:16
We live in a culture that rewards movement. Answer faster. Decide sooner. Keep going. But movement and navigation aren't the same thing. You can move all day and still become increasingly lost. What actually makes navigation possible isn't a better map, more information, or greater confidence. It's something that happens before any of that. Its orientation. Knowing where you are before deciding where to go. This is a solo episode recorded during an unexpected pause in the south of France — and an inquiry that's been quietly reshaping how I think about The Pivot itself. 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a Substack: https://dschoof.substack.com Podcast: https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/
	Surviving to Flourishing — and What the Modern World Gets Wrong \| with Dr. Rodney King	05 Jun 2026	00:54:21
Dr. Rodney King has navigated some of the hardest terrain a person can cross — homelessness on the streets of Johannesburg, a health crisis that ended his career, and the disorienting question that follows when everything you've built around yourself falls away: who am I now? He came out the other side not with a framework, but with a direction. As a philosopher, coach, and founder of Coaching Philosophia, Rodney now works with people navigating the meaning crisis — the growing gap between what modern life promises and what it actually delivers. In this conversation, Dave and Rodney get into why the modern world has confused excelling with flourishing. Why the self-help industry is largely a repair mechanism for a broken environment. Why you can be content without being happy. And what it actually looks like to find your way back to something real. This isn't an optimization conversation. It's a return one. About This Episode Dr. Rodney King is a philosopher, coach, and internationally recognized self-preservation expert. Originally from South Africa, he spent decades as a martial arts coach with programs in 15 countries — working with everyone from Tier One Special Forces operators to airline cabin crew. A health crisis in 2020 ended that chapter and opened a new one. He now lives on the Isle of Man and works under the banner of Coaching Philosophia — bringing lived philosophy, mindfulness, and embodied practice to people navigating uncertainty, reclaiming meaning, and learning to flourish in a world that has largely forgotten how. What We Explored The modern world has confused excelling with flourishing. Rodney had the car, the house with the right zip code, the global travel. He'll tell you directly that wasn't the best time of his life. The self-help industry is largely a repair mechanism for a broken environment. When the chimp is rocking back and forth in the zoo, the problem isn't the chimp. It's the zoo. We've built an unnatural environment, normalized it, and then told people to optimize their way through it. The meaning crisis is real - and it's structural. We are running ancient hardware in an artificial environment. The evolutionary mismatch between what we're designed for and what modern life asks of us is showing up everywhere. Happiness and contentment are not the same thing. The Western obsession with constant happiness may be doing significant damage. Contentment is something you can actually build. Happiness comes and goes. Vulnerability as a practice — from someone who spent his career in a world where it was seen as weakness. Rodney's move from fighter to philosopher-coach carries real weight here. Viktor Frankl on the streets of Johannesburg. The book ("Man's Search for Meaning" ) Rodney happened to pick up two weeks before becoming homeless — and the passage that kept him going. A Line Worth Sitting With "Everything the self-help world advocates as solutions are really just solutions to help you slot back into the mainstream and keep the machine going. And I don't think that's good for us." — Dr. Rodney King 🔗 CONNECT WITH RODNEY Search for Sophia bi-monthly calls: https://www.coachingphilosophia.org/searchforsophia Philosophy-inspired coaching: www.coachingphilosophia.org/coaching 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com \| Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a Substack: https://dschoof.substack.com \| Podcast: https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s \| LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/
	When the Signal Breaks Down	18 May 2026	00:15:15
What leadership instrument are you actually navigating with when the information environment breaks down? In this solo episode, Dave Schoof explores one of the most disorienting challenges facing leaders right now: the gap between what the official story says and what people are actually living. Prices move week to week. Markets say one thing while experienced leaders feel something else entirely. And the default response — consume more, find better sources, read more analysis — isn't producing more clarity. The problem isn't the data. It's the instrument. In this episode: Why the most important question right now isn't "which source do I trust?" but "what am I navigating with?" The difference between the information you're working with and the instrument you're running it through What it looks like to navigate from a steadier place — not detached, not checked out, but fully present without being run by the noise A simple 30-second practice you can try right now Why developing your internal instrument is the most practical leadership move available in this moment 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com Newsletter: [The Pivot: From the Map to the Terrain] 🌀 THE PIVOT COMMONS [Pivot Commons link] 🧪 THE PIVOT LAB Six weeks. Small group. Starting soon. [Pivot Lab sign-up link]
	After the Map: Grief, Regeneration, and a New Way to Lead \| Leadership & Consciousness	13 Apr 2026	01:17:00
What does leadership look like when the old maps stop working — and the social contracts that guided your career have dissolved? In this second conversation with JJ Vega, leadership coach and founder of Art of Unfolding, Dave Schoof goes deeper into the territory most leadership development avoids: grief as a necessary passage, natural cycles as an organizational practice, and the embodied awareness that makes a genuinely different kind of leadership possible. Drawing on William Bridges' transition model and their shared background in somatic and consciousness-informed coaching, Dave and JJ explore what it actually takes to lead well through endings — not just survive them. In this episode: Grief as a leadership skill — why it belongs in the room The neutral zone: what lives between endings and new beginnings Resilience vs. permeability — replacing the wall with a membrane Regenerative leadership: honoring fallow seasons, natural cycles, and rest Embodied awareness as the foundational leadership practice Rewilding the human being — and the organizations we lead Guest: JJ Vega is a leadership coach working at the intersection of the inner world and organizational impact. Together, we cover emergence as a leadership practice, somatic intelligence, edge walkers, the disintegrating success template, and whether the Hero's Journey needs a postmodern update. CONNECT WITH JJ VEGA Website: artofunfolding.org Inside Out Leadership: leadinsideout.io Co-Creation Loft Berlin: co-creation.loft LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-vega/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot Newsletter: [https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a] Substack: [https://dschoof.substack.com] Podcast: [https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/ ]
	When the Map Runs Out — Leading Through the Hormuz Crisis	20 Mar 2026	00:15:36
Leadership in a crisis nobody's playbook covers — what happens when the map runs out. Three weeks into Operation Epic Fury, the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and crude above $100 a barrel — this episode covers what's happening inside the people running organizations through it. The financial briefings tell you what's happening to the system. I want to talk about the moment leaders reach for their map and find it doesn't cover where they are. Through the story of a composite leader I call Isabel — a CFO navigating this crisis in real time — I explore what it actually looks like to lead from genuine orientation rather than performed certainty. The difference between managing a situation and actually meeting it. And why the most practical thing in the room right now might be the one nobody's briefing you on. In this episode: Why working harder on the map is producing more noise, not more clarity What paralysis actually is — and why it's information, not weakness The 6 am practice that changed how Isabel showed up in the boardroom The 48-hour decision that changed the outcome What the unthinkable becoming real means for the next decade of leadership ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction 01:30 — What the briefings aren't covering 04:00 — The moment leaders reach for the map 06:30 — Why working harder on the map stops working 09:00 — What paralysis actually is 12:00 — Meet Isabel 15:30 — Before — how she used to lead 19:00 — This week — leading differently 24:00 — The board call 27:30 — The Stefan moment 30:00 — The 48-hour decision 33:00 — What actually changed 36:00 — What this crisis is really revealing 38:30 — The question worth sitting with 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot Newsletter: [https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a] Substack: [https://dschoof.substack.com] Podcast: [https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/ ]
	The Grass Through the Concrete — Emergence, Desire, and the New Human Blueprint \| Leadership & Consciousness	20 Feb 2026	01:15:50
Leadership coaching meets consciousness work in this wide-ranging conversation with JJ Vega — exploring what actually guides us when the old maps stop working. What if desire, not strategy, is the real GPS for navigating complexity? That's where this conversation ended up — and neither of us saw it coming. JJ Vega is a leadership coach working at the intersection of the inner world and organizational impact. Together, we cover emergence as a leadership practice, somatic intelligence, edge walkers, the disintegrating success template, and whether the Hero's Journey needs a postmodern update. In this episode: Why emergence requires holding your experience lightly enough for something new to come through The body as an intelligence system that most leaders aren't using Edge walkers — the people at the margins, your organization is probably ignoring The Michelangelo principle — revealing what's already there vs. fixing what's broken When the old success contract stops delivering, and what the disquiet actually means Desire as navigation instrument — the GPS for a world without templates The Hero's Journey as fractal, not an arc Self-organized communities and the new human blueprint TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction & how Dave and JJ connected 01:25 JJ introduces himself — coaching at the intersection of inner world and leadership 03:00 Expat life — Americans who chose another home 03:48 What emergence means — holding experience lightly 06:38 JJ on emergence — complexity theory and the relational field 09:22 Making emergence practical — bridging the esoteric 11:40 Invisible winds of the system — why teams repeat the same patterns 13:51 The body as intelligence — somatic coaching and why leaders aren't machines 16:14 From controlling to holding space — the identity transition 18:32 Intellectually getting it vs. embodying it 20:39 Supporting the destabilization — how transformation actually takes hold 21:11 Case study — the high-performing technician becoming a people leader 23:35 The two axes of transformation — vertical inner work and horizontal skills 25:31 From mechanic to gardener — a new orientation toward people 27:41 The field multiplier — how one leader raises the whole team 28:42 Navigating polycrisis — what JJ is finding in the field right now 29:20 Functional freeze — why people are maxed out and what to do 31:16 Crisis as threshold — the opportunity inside the breakdown 32:15 Check-in — modeling presence in real time 33:19 The coaching relationship as a leadership model 35:10 Behavior is contagious — how leaders infect their systems 38:33 Quantum physics never took off — why the relational field is still too spooky 41:23 Edge walkers — pay attention to people at the margins 43:51 The prophet not welcome in his own company 45:12 Upgrades to your sensemaking dashboard 46:25 Avoiding confirmation bias and echo chambers 47:22 The edge walker on your team right now — a concrete example 49:27 Polarity navigation — both/and leadership 51:16 Tolerating the unknown — why innovation requires accepting failed bets 53:42 White water was supposed to be temporary — why that story is over 54:03 JJ's life breakdown three years ago — the story of accelerating change 59:00 The new human — new capacities for a new world 01:00:31 Inheriting a template — and what happens when it disintegrates 01:03:58 The old contract is breaking down 01:05:23 Desire as the new GPS — what if spark is your navigation instrument CONNECT WITH JJ VEGA Website: artofunfolding.org Inside Out Leadership: leadinsideout.io Co-Creation Loft Berlin: co-creation.loft LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-vega/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE Website: daveschoof.com The Pivot Newsletter: [https://tinyurl.com/4vn8832a] Substack: [https://dschoof.substack.com] Podcast: [https://thepivotpodcast.net/?v=zm7s] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveschoof/ ]
	You're Not Burned Out: Understanding Polycrisis vs Metacrisis"	07 Feb 2026	00:18:38
Navigating the Polycrisis and Meta-Crisis: Strategies for Leaders in Uncertain Times In this episode, Dave Schof explores the complex landscape of multiple simultaneous crises shaping our world — the polycrisis and the metacrisis — and offers practical tools for leaders to respond with clarity, resilience, and purpose. Discover how shifting from reactive survival to strategic navigation can transform your approach to leadership and change. If you're feeling overwhelmed by complex interconnected crises, this episode offers a lens to see beyond the noise and act from a deeper awareness. Shift your focus from merely surviving the storm to understanding its climate — and start navigating with intention. Most of us feel overwhelmed by the chaos of today’s world—climate crises, economic instability, AI disruptions, and collective anxiety. But what if the real challenge isn’t just managing these crises but understanding the deeper system that causes them? In this episode of The Pivot, Dave Schof reveals the distinction between the polycrisis—the storm of many crises occurring simultaneously—and the metacrisis, the underlying operating-system breakdown shaping it all. You’ll discover how shifting your perspective from reacting to symptoms to addressing core patterns can transform your response to chaos. Key Topics The difference between polycrisis and metacrisis and why understanding both matters How the experience of overwhelm reflects deeper systemic patterns Naming symptoms versus patterns to create space for decision-making Practical attention hygiene practices to reduce reactivity Using relational questions to move from symptom management to systems thinking Reframing anxiety around AI and change as deeper fears about security and identity Cultivating embodied capacity and relational awareness to navigate uncertainty The importance of shifting your inner operating system to influence external change Ways to incorporate these insights into daily leadership behaviors Timestamps 00:00 - Exploring the shifting landscape of global crises 02:13 - The collective experience of overwhelm and confusion 03:11 - Understanding polycrisis: many crises occurring simultaneously 05:35 - Introducing the meta-crisis: the operating system problem 07:32 - Responding to the polycrisis vs. the meta-crisis 08:30 - Practical questions to understand what the moment asks of us 12:57 - The shift from drowning in the storm to recognizing the pattern 13:26 - Practical steps: Connect with Dave Schof LinkedIn Substack Website
	The Knowing That Comes Before Proof: Intuition as Your Navigation System	21 Dec 2025	01:22:43
What if your strongest strategic signal feels like your weakest hunch? In this rich conversation, Dave Schoof sits down with Maurice Jenkens—host of The Intuitive Leader™ Podcast and an expert in psychological safety and high-performing teams—to explore the vital yet often overlooked role of intuition in leadership. Chapters/Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction  03:00 - Maurice's origin story with intuition  10:00 - The four types of intuition explained  35:00 - Neuroscience of intuition  45:00 - Psychological safety and team dynamics  55:00 - Morning ritual for intuitive mind  65:00 - Real-world applications and challenges  75:00 - Closing reflections and how to connect Guest Bio:   Maurice Jenkens is a two-time nominated Speaker on Trust, Psychological Safety, and High-Performing Leaders and Teams. He hosts The Intuitive Leader™ Podcast, where top global scientists, CEO,s and entrepreneurs share their best practices on how intuitive leadership boosts high performance. Maurice's journey from high-performing sales strategist to leadership coach gives his work both depth and credibility. Backed by years of research, 50+ deep interviews, and 22+ years of real-world experience, his evidence-based approach builds self-awareness and helps leaders stay calm and strategic during uncertainty. His programs help leaders read the room effectively, build high-trust teams, and develop strategic decision-making. Maurice runs signature programs in High-Trust & High-Performance and leads a by-invitation-only Intuitive Business Network (IBN). Born in the Netherlands, Maurice currently lives with his family in Sweden. Connect with Maurice:  Website: https://www.intuitiveleader.net/masterclass  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricejenkens/   Podcast: https://www.intuitiveleader.net/podcast For More on the Pivot:  https://www.daveschoof.com/ Music by Phil Schoof
	Why the Strongest Signals Appear Weakest: When Your Gut Knows What Your Data Doesn't	20 Nov 2025	00:13:26
Episode Description: A senior executive had all the green lights for a major reorganization—board approval, stakeholder buy-in, perfect timing. Yet something in his gut wouldn't settle. When he tuned into subtle signals—brief sidebar conversations, shifts in energy, what wasn't being said—a deeper intelligence emerged. In this episode, Dave reveals the four essential capacities for future-sensing leadership and how to recognize strategic wisdom hidden in plain sight. Podcast Description: In a world of complexity and uncertainty, the leaders who thrive are those who develop the capacity to sense what's emerging before it shows up in reports. Join Dave Schoof, international executive coach and leadership consultant, as he explores the hidden intelligence embedded in weak signals, somatic awareness, and relational field dynamics. Discover how to navigate rapid change with presence and wisdom—and find the future that's already whispering. What You'll Learn: Why gut instinct often knows what data doesn't The four domains of future-sensing: somatic intelligence, relational field awareness, edge-walking, and question-holding How to recognize weak signals before they become obvious The real competitive advantage in uncertain times Practical questions to develop your future-sensing capability Key Takeaways: Your nervous system processes information faster than your analytical mind The most valuable information rarely comes through official channels Weak signals appear weak because they don't fit current frameworks Future-sensing develops through practice, not analysis The signal isn't buried in the noise—often the signal is what we've been calling the noise Resources & References: Dave's website: www.daveschoof.com Subscribe for more on navigating uncertainty and building inner wealth [Link to full newsletter article] Guest: Dave Schoof is an International Coach Federation Master Certified Coach with 15+ years of experience coaching accomplished leaders and high-achievers. His background spans 19 years in government counterintelligence and national security, alongside deep experience with Fortune 500 firms across consulting, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. He specializes in helping successful people uncover greater meaning and navigate the meta-crisis—the complex challenges reshaping our world. Connect with Dave: Website: www.daveschoof.com Podcast feed: https://feed.podbean.com/daveschoof1/feed.xml
	Part 2: Metabolizing the Poly-Crisis with Rob McNamara	06 Aug 2025	00:58:33
There’s an anxiety humming beneath everything—like tinnitus that never stops. You feel it in leadership meetings where reactions explode out of proportion. In hair-trigger responses to small disruptions. In that 3am wakefulness that’s become a collective companion. In this second conversation, Rob McNamara and I go deep into the question: How do we metabolize the poly-crisis, both personally and relationally—rather than being consumed by it? We explore why survival mode has already lost the game, how intimacy with death becomes intimacy with life, and why relational space holds untapped generative power. We also discuss a simple practice to let life move through you, rather than against you. This episode is especially for leaders, founders, and coaches ready to navigate complexity beyond survival—those seeking to develop the sensitivity to dance with uncertainty and access the intelligence that emerges between us. About Rob McNamara: Rob is an expert in adult development, performance, and transformational leadership. He is the author of The Elegant Selfand teaches at the intersection of human development, relational intelligence, and inner work. Learn more at robmcnamara.com Key quote: “Enlightenment isn't intimacy with all things—it’s intimacy AS all things.” Topics include: The grip and the open hand: how contraction blocks clarity What it means to be radically available to life Reclaiming presence and potency in relational space Why doing less can create more impact in complexity Episode Highlights: 00:02:05 – Why complexity feels so personal 00:07:43 – The grip and the open hand: contraction vs clarity 00:17:15 – Intimacy with death and the generativity of mortality 00:27:40 – The intelligence arising in relational space 00:36:12 – A somatic practice for metabolizing overwhelm 00:49:00 – Redefining leadership in complex times 00:57:30 – Becoming radically available to life To explore the Pivot Podcast or my coaching work, visit daveschoof.com. If this episode resonated, please subscribe—or forward it to someone navigating these times. Production and Music composition: Phil Schoof
	Part 1: Depth, Coherence, and Leadership When the Maps Fail. What if the space between us is the map?	15 Jul 2025	01:22:48
🎙️ Part 1 — Depth, Coherence, and Leadership When the Maps Fail Subtitle: “What if the space between us is the map?” Rob McNamara joins Dave to explore how relational depth, love, and presence may be the most strategic responses to the crises of our time. Guest Bio – Rob McNamara Rob McNamara is a transmitted Zen master, advisor, consultant, and executive coach. He is the author of four books, most recently "Foundations for Elegant Relationships and Powerful Listening." He is a co-founder of Dragon Lake Zen, where he works to fit the lineage to address existential and catastrophic risk. Rob serves on faculty at the Ivey School of Business’s LIFT Advanced Coaching Program and Real LIFE Programs. He is a former Harvard University Teaching Fellow, teaching adult development at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.  Rob currently coaches, trains, and advises individuals, teams, and communities on how to protect and cultivate value-dense capabilities necessary for successfully navigating today’s changing landscapes. Standout Quotes “Depth isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival skill.” “The crisis isn’t out there—it’s moving through us.” “You don’t need a new map. You need a deeper relationship with the unknown.” Timeline: 0:00 – Meta-crisis, personal pivot, and transformation as orientation 6:00 – From individual growth to collective and relational transformation 13:00 – Polarization, limbic overwhelm, and the weaponization of media 21:00 – Psychological warfare, attentional hijack, and digital overwhelm 29:00 – Death as a calibration tool for meaning and perspective 37:00 – Coherence, sameness/difference, and leadership blind spots Referenced Resources Zachary Stein – Educational Meta-Crisis. Forest Landry – 'The faster the change, the deeper the depth required'. Video. Concepts: psychological warfare, digital overwhelm, coherence, relational practice, death as a calibration lens Music and production: Phil Schoof
	Rewilding, Resonance, and the Future of Leadership with Sonja Blignaut	27 Jun 2025	01:07:04
🎙️ Episode Overview What if leadership isn't about control, but resonance? In this episode of The Pivot, Dave Schoof speaks with Sonja Blignaut about rewilding, untaming, and how to lead through complexity and change. They explore how to find your way in liminal times — when the old maps no longer work — and why resonance, embodiment, and imagination may be the skills most needed now. Sonja is a Wayfinding guide and complexity practitioner with 20+ years of experience helping leaders navigate uncertainty. Her work bridges natural science, art, and contemplative practice — weaving intellect and intuition, structure and emergence. 🎧 More about Sonja: https://www.morebeyond.co.za 🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://www.daveschoof.com ⏳ Episode Highlights 03:01 – The Liminal Phase: Collective Rite of Passage 07:48 – Complexity as Braiding 11:28 – Rewilding vs. Untaming 15:19 – The Disquiet & Existential Angst 19:13 – Embodiment & Breaking the Woo-Woo Barrier 24:40 – Bridging & Liminal Creatures 29:35 – Hope vs. Despair Oscillation 35:17 – Love as an Organizing Principle 37:57 – Science, Rationality & the Imaginal 40:45 – Wayfinding Framework Deep Dive 47:48 – Emergence & Fields 50:18 – Evolving the Coach/Guide Role 54:58 – Capacity Building & Resilience 58:44 – Future Directions & Retreats 1:02:20 – Enchantment & Integration 💬 Key Quotes “We are all in the flux… there's an ‘all in this together’ kind of sense.” “Complexity means braided together — it doesn’t really serve us to keep things apart.” “We don’t need more rational. We need more imaginal.” 🔗 Resources Mentioned Michael Mead (mythologist)  Polynesian Wayfinders  Glennon Doyle – Untamed  Marcus Buckingham (Harvard research on love at work)  Trish Blaine – “Airlock” concept  Original music by Phil Schoof Production: Phil Schoof
	Navigating the Global Realignment: Human Rights at the edges.	12 Jun 2025	01:21:46
Episode Description In this compelling conversation, Dave speaks with Florian Irminger about his journey from high-visibility political leadership to behind-the-scenes human rights advocacy, and what he calls the "Global Realignment" we're all navigating. This episode explores how leaders can pivot from old ways of working to meet unprecedented challenges, why admitting "I don't know" is becoming essential leadership, and how human rights work is at the leading edge of what we all need to learn to thrive in this new world. Guest Bio: Florian Irminger Florian Irminger is the founder of Progress & Change Action Lab, an advisory group dedicated to supporting organizations and institutions navigating complex social and political transformations. Following his tenure as Secretary-General of the Swiss Green Party, Florian made the conscious decision to step back from high-visibility political leadership to work behind the scenes, supporting others in creating meaningful change. Inspired by Robert F. Kennedy's words that "Progress is the nice word we like to use. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies," Florian has dedicated his work to addressing what he calls the "Global Realignment"—fundamental shifts in our political, social, and human rights landscape. Recently, Florian launched two significant initiatives: the Human Rights Compass, which brings together organizations beyond traditional branding to collaborate on key recommendations for addressing global challenges, and the Human Rights Index, launched in response to political and social media shifts. Dave first met Florian when he was working at Human Rights House headquarters in Oslo, and later worked with him as he opened offices in Geneva and Brussels. They've maintained their connection as Florian's career and life have evolved. Episode Timeline & Key Themes 00:00 - 03:00: Opening & Origins Introduction and reflection on their 10+ year relationship since meeting at Human Rights House in Oslo The memorable story of humor as a mask - early coaching insight that stayed with Florian 03:00 - 07:40: The Personal Pivot Florian's decision to step back from his own career to support his wife's diplomatic career Moving from 250 emails a day to 10, but each with real value The luxury of being able to focus on what's essential 07:40 - 12:54: From Public to Behind-the-Scenes Leadership Shifting from getting energy from public attention to finding nourishment in deeper work Creating breathing spaces for overwhelmed human rights CEOs The loneliness of leadership and the power of authentic connection 12:54 - 21:10: The Global Realignment How COVID revealed similarities between different sectors facing uncertainty The challenge for human rights CEOs in an increasingly hostile environment RFK's insight: "Progress is the nice word we like to use. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies" Why the resistance isn't to human rights values but to the change required 21:10 - 26:48: Working with "Angels" - The NGO Challenge Managing organizations full of well-intentioned, highly educated people who see themselves as "doing good" The difficulty when "angels" suddenly find themselves labeled as enemies The need for inward-looking organizational development, not just external solutions 26:48 - 34:02: The Compass Has Lost North Why traditional approaches no longer work in the current environment The image of a compass that's lost its north - we need to learn to hold it differently How social recognition for human rights workers has disappeared in many places The question: "Where will these people find recognition now?" 34:02 - 38:04: From Classical Music to Jazz The need to stop having all the answers and start asking better questions Moving from classical music (well-written, well-played) to jazz (improvisation and listening) The challenge when "the paper the music is written on is burning" 38:04 - 43:10: Recognizing Readiness for Change How to identify when leaders are ready to change (hint: it's not about tenure) The power of admitting uncertainty as an indicator of readiness The counterintuitive truth that vulnerability creates organizational strength 43:10 - 46:39: The 3AM Disquiet Why this is a moment for public leaders to be authentic about not knowing The parallel between Dave's coaching work and Florian's policy work How both are seeing similar patterns across different sectors 46:39 - 52:00: Working Between Organizations The freedom and authenticity that comes from not being institutionally bound How COVID changed how people want to work - more connection to family, less institutional boundaries The future of human rights work: organizations adapting to individuals rather than vice versa 52:00 - 1:00:14: Navigating Crisis Fatigue The story of the 13-year-old who believed "we're all going to burn" How we've been "exhausting the public" with constant crisis messaging The fear that continuous pressure will create numbness and loss of empathy in human rights workers 1:00:14 - 1:06:32: The Lost Decade Working with people who don't have all the answers (the easy tell: if they say they do, they're not ready) The regression of human progress indicators for the first time since 1945 Why this decade (2020s) may be remembered as "the black hole decade" The hope that universal suffering will create unity across all sectors of society 1:06:32 - 1:11:54: Personal Navigation Strategies Florian's shift from traditional meditation to playing saxophone as breathing/connection practice How the saxophone reveals his emotional state The importance of reading classic literature to gain a historical perspective Stepping back from the immediacy of social media and current events 1:11:54 - 1:16:31: Whispers from the Future The recognition that mental health support is needed but still stigmatized Faith that humanity is equipped to overcome this moment, as it has before The reminder that it takes only seconds to destroy what humanity builds over centuries "The pyramids are still standing." 1:16:31 - 1:21:08: Closing Reflections The impact of stress on leadership capacity and judgment How people are reverting to more instinctive, animal-like reactions The importance of "getting the individuals right" for society to come together Key Quotes "I want to work with people that I like. So that is my new life journey - to value the family first, and value the people that I want to work with." "Progress is the nice word we like to use. But change is its motivator. And change has its enemies." - RFK "We need to stop thinking that we have answers and learn better how to ask questions... We need to start playing jazz, because then we're improvising and listening to each other." "I think admitting the uncertainty is, to me, an indicator of readiness to change." "We are really equipped to deal with all of this and to come together. I just don't know who will be the 'we' and where it will happen and when." Resources Mentioned Human Rights Compass: http://humanrightscompass.org Human Rights Index: https://bsky.app/profile/humanrightsindex.bsky.social Progress & Change Action Lab: https://progress-change-actionlab.org Books mentioned: The contemporary author mentioned is Karine Tuil (I think some of her work was actually translated); The book from which I was quoting at the start, about the use of humour by Boris Johnson, was Anthony Seldon’s “Johnson at 10. The Inside Story”; Jean-Claude Guillebaud’s “La foundation du monde” is the book discussed regarding the 20th century's lack of closure. At the very end, the book was Jostein Gaarder’s “Maya”. Connect with Florian Progress & Change Action Lab: https://progress-change-actionlab.org Human Rights Compass: http://humanrightscompass.org Key Takeaways The Power of the Pivot: Sometimes stepping back from visibility creates more authentic impact Admitting "I Don't Know": In times of uncertainty, vulnerability becomes a leadership strength From Answers to Questions: Moving from classical music to jazz - improvising and listening rather than following old scripts The Global Realignment: We're all navigating similar challenges across different sectors Personal Navigation: Finding practices (like saxophone for breathing, classic literature for perspective) to maintain balance in chaos Future Hope: Humanity has overcome difficult moments before and is equipped to do so again This was a profound conversation about leadership, change, and hope in uncertain times. Perfect for anyone navigating their own pivot in work, leadership, or life. My website: www.daveschoof.com Original music: Phil Schoof Production: Phil Schoof
	Dancing with the Unknown: The First Step into The Pivot	27 Apr 2025	00:54:25
Episode 1: Pivoting into Possibility with Amah What if the pivot you’re seeking isn’t a sharp turn — but a deep surrender into something bigger? Welcome to the very first episode of The Pivot! I’m your host, Dave Schoof, and today we’re not doing a classic interview. Instead, I’m sitting down with the brilliant Amah for an open exploration of what it means to navigate uncertainty, embrace emergence, and trust the wisdom unfolding through us. If you’re feeling the tremble of change and wondering how to find your way forward — you’re in exactly the right place. In this very first episode of The Pivot, Dave invites Amah — an intuitive guide, deep listener, and explorer of human transformation — for a conversation that’s more of an unfolding than an interview. Together, they dive into: The art of surrendering control during major life transitions, How to listen for what’s emerging rather than forcing outcomes, Why uncertainty is not a problem to solve, but an invitation to evolve, Personal stories of pivotal moments that reshaped their paths, The power of authentic presence in creating new realities. This episode is about more than insights — it’s about feeling into the living edge of change itself. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to The Pivot 03:15 – Introducing Amah: Healer, guide, and navigator of emergence 07:40 – Redefining “the pivot” in uncertain times 14:20 – The tension between control and surrender 22:00 – Real-life stories of trusting the unknown 31:45 – What it means to be in conversation with life 40:10 – Closing reflections + invitation to listeners Connect with Amah: Amah Sia Follow The Pivot: Dave Schoof: Wilderness Guide Writings from The Pivot: form the map to the territory
	Emergent Leadership and Psychdelics	06 Jan 2025	00:00:55
Paul Auston, CEO of Thirdwave, and I explored the emerging field of Psychedelicdelics and leadership as well as other aspects of my own journey to working with psychedelics. For the full episode, here is the links: YouTube

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