30 Apr

jeffrey-hull-copy

Certified Executive/Life Coach, Dr. Jeffrey Hull, MBA, Ph.D.

About Jeffrey Hull: Jeffrey Hull, MBA, Ph.D. is a writer, psychotherapist, and certified executive/life coach whose clients range from single individuals in private practice to multinational Fortune 500 corporations. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Hull has worked with hundreds of individuals, organizational teams, and community groups, and is widely recognized as a pioneer in the fields of performance coaching for executives and life coaching for individuals.  A former Director of Human Resources at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Dr. Hull has worked with senior executives at AT&T, Banque Paribas, Bankers Trust, MasterCard International, TD Ameritrade, and HSBC.

Over the past decade in private practice, Dr. Hull has created an innovative approach to healing and personal growth called The Life-Shifting Method ™ that synthesizes the most up-to-date methods of life coaching and psychotherapy.  He works with clients in every domain-mental, emotional, physical and spiritual-addressing the full spectrum of life's challenges.  His new book, "Shift! How to Let Go of Fear and Get Your Life in Gear" will be published by GPP (Globe Pequot) books later this year.

An avid meditator and yoga practitioner, Dr. Hull is a certified Vinyasa yoga instructor and regularly leads retreats and workshops for East/West Living, One Spirit Interfaith Alliance, The Forge Institute and SpiritJourneys, Inc.  Dr. Hull has been featured in the NY Times and IBD (Investors Business Daily) and has published numerous articles in the New York Jung Institute Journal, Quadrant, and the San Francisco Jung Institute Library Journal. He has appeared on NBC news and was featured in a story on "Creativity in Business" for Good Morning America on CBS-TV.  You can learn more about Dr. Hull and the Life-Shifting Method at www.life-shifting.com.

LM: At what point in your life did you say, "I'm going to become a life coach and help people find joy in their lives"?

JH: I'm not sure that I ever did say such a thing specifically.  I started "coaching" people as a natural outgrowth of my job as a Human Resources Director for Booz, Allen & Hamilton, back in the mid-90's.  My favorite part of the job was interviewing candidates, asking them about their dreams and talents, and holding meaningful "career discussions" with the consulting staff.

It was always so gratifying to help someone experience that "aha" moment of awareness around their passions, interests and talents.  I'm not sure exactly how it came to pass, but one day I found myself in a workshop with Thomas Leonard, the founder of Coach University, and lo and behold, discovered that one could actually make a living counseling people and supporting them in manifesting their dreams.

LM:You are recognized as a pioneer in the fields of performance coaching for executives and life coaching for individuals.  Can you expound on the key components for both Performance Coaching and Life Coaching?  Are there any key similarities between the training you provide in these two fields?

JH: In my work, "performance coaching" specifically refers to supporting executives in "raising their game" as leaders.  In the corporate and professional worlds, I work with leaders who are interested in developing their skills, talents and capabilities as strategic thinkers, creative collaborators, and team builders.  It is crucial, especially in today's challenging economic environment that executives and professionals of all kinds constantly seek out opportunities for personal growth.  "Performance coaching" can be a powerful contributor to this goal.

corporatae-play

Executive at Play

For me, the critical success factor for "high performance" almost always comes down to
18:51 / Interviews
15 Apr

barbara-bizou-owner-blue-lotus-production

Barbara Biziou, Owner, Blue Lotus Productions

About Barbara Biziou: Barbara Biziou, author of The joy of ritual and The Joy of Family Rituals, is an internationally acclaimed teacher of practical spirituality. A national television and radio guest, she is president of Blue Lotus Productions, a multi-media company, specializing in wellness and personal growth. Barbara inspires her clients to create goals that reflect their values and dreams and offers them the tools, options, and courage to turn those dreams into realities. Her teachings, practices, and rituals gently allow others to incorporate spirituality into their hectic schedules and existing lifestyles without creating extra work or stress! In her words, "it's practical spirituality," a modern approach to age-old customs and traditions from a variety of cultures around the globe. Barbara is a certified coach, hypnotherapist, voice dialogue facilitator, meditation teacher and Inter-faith minister whose workshops attract an eclectic crowd of upwardly mobile professionals, artists, celebrities, high profile personalities, and Fortune 500 corporations. She has consulted for the likes of Coca-Cola, Weight Watchers, JP Morgan Chase, International Red Cross, Lord & Taylor, Equinox Gym, and Calvary Hospital. With her never-ending wealth of knowledge, warm, inviting heart, open mind, and natural gift for teaching, she brings her global travels, from Bali to South America, and personal experience to her work, enlightening everyone she meets along the way. She is on the faculty of the American Management Association (AMA), The New York Open Center, East West Living, and One Spirit Learning Alliance. She is also on the board of the New York Women's Wellness Society and Miriam's Well. Barbara has been featured in Body & Soul, Harper's Bazaar, New York Magazine, and Parents Magazine. She also starred on Morgan Spurlock's hit F/X show 30 Days and was the everyday ritual expert on New Morning airing on the Hallmark Channel.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MW0ZxFaGVg[/youtube]

LM: You have often been described as a teacher of "practical spirituality," can you tell us a little bit more about this?

BB: I believe that we need to integrate spirituality into our everyday lives. It is easy to be centered when you are away in a retreat, but the key is how to do it in the midst of chaos. I have studied with many amazing teachers and like to integrate many modalities into my work.

LM: Can you tell us a little bit about your practice with rituals and life coaching?

BB: I became passionate about using rituals after a very personal experience. I lost my sister when I was 6 weeks pregnant and because I was fearful of harming my child, I never really grieved. Years later, while in retreat in Arizona, I found myself creating a ritual to honor my sister. Without knowing it, I brought in elements of Native American, Balinese and ancient women's rituals. When I was finished, I felt a feeling of lightness that I had not experienced for years. I realized

10:24 / Interviews