2022 CONFERENCE
S : When I ’ m in spaces where they are expecting the music , the speaking is what makes it a unique experience , and when I ’ m in spaces where they ’ re expecting the speaking , the music is what adds the value . For me , everything is about experience . That ’ s one of the reasons I was so drawn to ISPA ! First of all , I ’ m a spa junkie , so that was a no-brainer , but I ’ m not really just coming for a massage or a facial , right ? I ’ m coming for an experience from top to bottom . I was recently at an incredible spa in Vegas , and I remember having to go through the casino and up three floors to get to the spa , but when those elevator doors opened , I was in a completely different world . I remember saying to my friend ,‘ I know my blood pressure is dropping right now . My whole mood is shifting ,’ and in my concert and speaking experiences , I want there to be a tangible shift in the atmosphere from start to finish . That , to me , is really the job of experienced creator , to leave a tangible sensation that creates its own mark and its own takeaway . And I think music , in this way , allows me to disarm audiences who are expecting to be talked at . The music selection is intentional — it helps me solidify whatever point I just drove home , or it helps me shift into the mood we need to be in for the audience to receive what I ’ m going to say next .
P : You don ’ t hesitate to use the term “ World Changer ” to describe yourself and the audience for your book , Audacious Prayers for World Changers . Why is that kind of unapologetic ambition to do big things important to you ? S : We ’ ve allowed these terms to feel so out of reach and so much larger than life . My mission is to get us to understand it ’ s really one of the most organic things we can do is to change atmospheres and shift cultures right where we are . If you shift the culture in your home or the atmosphere in a relationship , then you ’ re part of the equation because if you think about the effect parents can have on kids , these are things that affect generations to come , and if that ’ s not world changing , then I don ’ t know what is . So , I think if we can start to think about the power of one individual to create a lasting impact , it ’ s a big burden to bear , but it ’ s also one of the most rewarding things to realize you have the capability to do .
For some individuals , that will mean being the Mahatma Gandhis and Martin Luther Kings of the world , but I think for many of us , it ’ s about the simple things that we can tap into that we are uniquely able to do . And just to tie it back to spa , there are some places that I remember having a good experience overall , but there are some places where I remember the individual , and when I go back to the city , I don ’ t just go to the spa , I check for that individual because that person had a unique effect that I ’ m not going to expect from anyone else . So , I think within each of us as practitioners , whatever we ’ re doing , if we can be enlightened to the fact that we each have that capability . When you ’ re talking about how individuals become world changers , it ’ s by focusing on the experience you offer and tapping to what makes you unique .
P : The events of the past couple of years have caused so many to rethink their priorities and their purpose . Is the current moment as ripe a time for redefining ourselves and our goals as you can remember ? S : I don ’ t think you get any more perfect than a moment like this one . Whenever you have unexpected disruptions , the wonderful thing is that it takes away all your excuses , right ? Suddenly , we had to be home , so we didn ’ t have an excuse for not spend-
“[ Purpose ] is self-fulfilling ; it refuels you , whereas jobs without purpose can take from you and leave you feeling exhausted and bewildered .”
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 ■ PULSE 13