Strands of Genius: Interest in Work Relating to Mental Health, Getting To Know Your Core Strengths, Movement Matters
Guest curated by Darlene Marshall
This year we’re aiming to highlight 50 creative thinkers that have inspired us, by giving them the opportunity to guest curate this newsletter, Strands of Genius. We met Darlene on the dance floor at our friend Nikki’s wedding, and immediately connected over her area of study, and how she inspires behavior change.
:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, DARLENE MARSHALL::
I'm a holistic wellness coach in the midst of a scope pivot from the small box of fitness to the wide world of well-being and human flourishing. Currently at University of Pennsylvania, I'm getting a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology while running a coaching practice (and far fewer miles than I used to). I was fortunate enough to meet Rosie and Faris on the dance floor at one of the most fun weddings I've ever been to. (Editor’s Note: The photograph below is of Faris and Darlene getting down on the dance floor at said wedding.) The conversation turned to well-being, and how creative and high-mileage people care for themselves. Right now I'm working on getting momentum behind a new workshop exploring why the concept of "self care" has become so confusing and leveraging Maslow to learn to take care of yourself better. With that frame in mind; all the links are resources to aid you in your journey to flourish!
Editor’s Note from Rosie: I got to sit in on a self-care workshop that Darlene designed for one of the big technology companies, and found it incredibly powerful. If you happen to be in the Northeast, and you want to hear what Darlene's been working on in her Master's program, she's delivering a Ben Talk (TED Talk style) at the University of Pennsylvania on Feb 21st. Details here: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/events/GradBenTalks
:: THE LINKS ::
WE’RE A BUNCH OF CHARACTERS
Before you roll your eyes at another "strengths finder"; VIA is quite possibly the most scientifically robust strengths leveraging tools out there. Psychologists, Anthropologists, and Sociologists collectively recognized 24 ubiquitous traits (and 6 virtues categories) we all have in some measure, and our top ones aid us as core strengths we can leverage towards achievement. (VIA Character)
PROOF THAT INTEREST IN YOUR WORK REALLY DOES MATTER
The Humanities and Human Flourishing project is researching how the arts contribute to human flourishing. Their recent research of college grads shows that if we're actually interested in our work we have better wellbeing outcomes across the board. While it feels like an example of science telling us something we know; it's important to have something to point to while public education pushes people towards STEM and shuts down the arts. (Frontiers)
MOVEMENT FOR YOUR ADHD
John Ratey is the world's leading researcher on movements effect on the brain. We all know we "should" workout, but if you're struggling with anxiety, depression, focus, and energy slumps let this vibrant man convince you why it will help your brain. (YouTube)
"When the well is dry we know the worth of water" ~ Benjamin Franklin
:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::
:: Game :: Smallworld. I've got all the expansions and people have stopped wanting to play with me because I crush it.
:: City :: Rome, Italy
:: Book :: Right now it's Circe by Madeline Miller (Editor’s note: Rosie also LOVED this book!)
:: Podcast :: Ben Greenfield Fitness. I'm a body nerd.
:: Album :: I can't pick one... but since I have to... Hamilton Mixtape
If you've got questions about your own self care please don't hesitate to reach out. If you have a team or organization you're a part of that could benefit from collectively learning more about taking care of their human needs, I'd love to share my workshop with you.
Be well, Darlene
Email: Darlene@darlene.coach
You can find me posting gratuitous selfies and inspirational nonsense on Instagram: @darlene.coach
For blog posts along those lines check out https://www.darlene.coach/
Know someone who could use some inspiration in their inbox? Send ‘em our way!
It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.
Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.
Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)
SPEAKING
We're currently booking speaking gigs for the year.
Check out full descriptions and key learnings from our talks on here:
http://bit.ly/TalkDescriptions2019