754. Coaching Clients To Shift from Fear to Wisdom - With Shirzad Chamine

754. Coaching Clients To Shift from Fear to Wisdom - With Shirzad Chamine

Author: Mark Walsh February 3, 2026 Duration: 1:00:58

I'm joined by Shirzad Chamine, creator of Positive Intelligence, to explore what it really means to learn in difficult times. We talk about fear-based "saboteur" patterns, why toxic positivity makes things worse, and how negative emotions can be useful signals rather than flaws to suppress.

We look at trauma as something all humans experience on a spectrum, how post-traumatic growth actually works, and why compassion must come before reframing. We also explore religion, secular belief systems, technology, political polarisation, and why both faith and rationality get hijacked by fear when we're not paying attention.

This is a wide-ranging conversation about learning to lead — ourselves and others — from love rather than fear, especially in a fractured world.

Read more about Shirzad's work here: positiveintelligence.com

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Shirzad is a New York Times bestselling author of Positive Intelligence, translated into 20 languages.  He has been CEO of the largest coach training organization in the world, has trained more than 100,000 coaches, and trained faculty at Stanford and Yale business schools. Shirzad lectures on Positive Intelligence at Stanford University.  His Saboteur Assessment has been used by more than 2 million people and a majority of Fortune 100 companies. A preeminent C-suite advisor, Shirzad has coached hundreds of CEOs and their executive teams.  He holds a BA in psychology, an MS in electrical engineering, and an MBA from Stanford.

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For seven years, The Embodiment Coaching Podcast has been a gathering place for a curious community. Host Mark Walsh sits down each week with pioneering thinkers and practitioners from across the globe, exploring the profound intelligence of the human system. While it’s essential listening for coaches and embodiment teachers, this series truly speaks to anyone who senses the body is far more than just a vehicle for the brain. Conversations flow naturally through a rich landscape of topics-from the practicalities of coaching and the subtlet of somatics to the grounded wisdom found in martial arts, yoga, and various movement practices. You’ll also find deep dives into mindfulness, meditation, and trauma-informed approaches, all discussed with a light-hearted and accessible tone. The focus remains on tangible, real-world application, stripping away unnecessary jargon. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a thoughtful, ongoing dialogue where theory meets practice, offering insights you can feel in your bones and apply in your daily life. Mark’s genuine curiosity and the diverse range of guests ensure that every episode brings a fresh perspective on what it means to live fully in our skin.
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