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  • Why Aligning Incentives Is the Secret to Business, Relationships & Happiness
    2026/08/23
    What if one simple principle could improve your business deals, your relationships, and even your happiness? On this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the power of aligning incentives and why understanding what people truly want can completely change the way you approach business and life. Brian explains why misaligned incentives can cause even promising business relationships to fall apart, sharing real-world examples involving investors, lenders, advisors, salespeople, marketing firms, and even his own experiences inside large law firms. He also explains why understanding someone else's incentives can be a powerful form of empathy and help you negotiate, communicate, and make better decisions. Elizabeth takes the idea beyond business, exploring what it means to surround yourself with people whose values and goals align with your own. They discuss negativity, personal responsibility, the "Eeyore" mindset, happiness, and why the people around us can have such a powerful influence on the direction of our lives. Brian also shares a personal "Give & Receive" story about how helping someone with no expectation of getting anything back eventually led to one of his favorite legal projects. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice centered on a powerful question: If there is something you haven't yet received, what is something you haven't yet given? In this episode: Why aligning incentives matters in business How misaligned incentives can destroy good partnerships Understanding what motivates the people you're dealing with Aligning your relationships with your values Negativity, happiness, and the "Eeyore" mindset Giving without expecting anything in return How giving can unexpectedly come back to you A mindfulness exercise for aligning with what you truly want If Give & Receive has helped you, share the podcast with someone who could benefit from it and help grow the community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 分
  • How to Spot a Narcissist: Red Flags, Gaslighting & Recovery with Dian Oved
    2026/08/04
    How do you recognize a narcissist before it's too late? What are the warning signs of manipulation, gaslighting, and love bombing? And if you can't avoid a narcissist, how can you protect yourself? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome entrepreneur, branding expert, and advisor Dian Oved for an honest conversation about narcissistic personalities, toxic relationships, and the journey back to confidence and self-worth after emotional abuse. Drawing from her own experiences surviving years of narcissistic abuse and litigation, Dian explains how narcissists operate, why they manipulate others, and the common patterns of love bombing, gaslighting, devaluation, and discard. She also shares practical strategies for recognizing narcissistic behavior early, setting healthy boundaries, and protecting yourself in both personal and professional relationships. Brian and Elizabeth add their own perspectives on building self-worth, developing self-compassion, and creating the confidence that makes manipulation far less effective. The discussion also explores how to navigate difficult workplace dynamics, deal with narcissistic bosses or business partners, and why trusting your instincts can be one of your greatest strengths. In this episode: How to identify the biggest red flags of narcissism What love bombing and gaslighting really look like Why narcissists often rely on manipulation and dishonesty How to protect yourself in business and personal relationships Setting healthy boundaries with difficult people Building self-worth so you're less vulnerable to manipulation Why believing your own pain is the first step toward healing If you've ever questioned whether someone in your life is manipulating you or wondered how to recover from a toxic relationship, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, and actionable advice. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from these insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 分
  • The Secret to Happiness and Success? Why Giving Without Expecting Anything Changes Everything
    2026/07/15
    What if the biggest key to success isn't networking, self-promotion, or chasing opportunities, but simply giving without expecting anything in return? In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov welcome attorney Dave Marcus to explore how generosity, authentic relationships, and a willingness to help others can create extraordinary opportunities in both business and life. Dave shares the incredible story of traveling to Morocco to compete in a grueling 250-mile mountain bike race across the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. What started as a personal adventure became a fundraising mission for Big City Mountaineers, helping underserved youth experience the outdoors while creating unexpected friendships and lifelong connections around the world. Brian explains why the world's most successful people consistently embrace a "give first" mindset, while Elizabeth highlights fascinating research showing how your own happiness can positively influence the people around you, even if you never speak to them. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness exercise designed to help you cultivate more joy and share it with those around you. In this episode: Why giving without expectations leads to greater success Dave Marcus' unforgettable Morocco cycling adventure How generosity creates powerful professional relationships The surprising science behind contagious happiness Why mentoring changes lives, often in ways you never see A guided meditation to increase joy and reduce stress Practical ways to create more meaning, purpose, and connection every day If you're looking to build stronger relationships, live with more intention, and discover how generosity can transform your career and personal life, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, mindfulness, leadership, happiness, generosity, and living a meaningful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 分
  • People-Pleasing vs. Authenticity: How to Stop Seeking Approval and Start Living Honestly
    2026/06/28
    Are you a people-pleaser, or are you simply a compassionate person? In this episode of Give & Receive, hosts Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov explore the critical difference between healthy compassion and unhealthy people-pleasing. Elizabeth explains why constantly seeking approval from others can leave you feeling drained, disconnected from your values, and stuck in fear, while authentic living creates greater peace, confidence, and stronger relationships. The conversation covers: The psychology behind people-pleasing and approval-seeking Why authenticity leads to greater happiness and emotional freedom How to stop letting other people's reactions control your decisions Why our minds fixate on negative experiences and how meditation can help Practical exercises for spring cleaning your emotional life through forgiveness and making amends Brian also shares an incredible real-life legal battle involving Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources that highlights the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing pressure from powerful institutions. The episode concludes with a guided mindfulness practice designed to help listeners reconnect with their values, quiet their inner critic, and make decisions from a place of clarity instead of fear. If you've ever struggled with saying "yes" too often, worried about disappointing others, or wondered how to live more authentically, this episode offers practical tools that can change the way you approach your relationships and your life. Subscribe to Give & Receive on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more conversations on mindfulness, resilience, gratitude, and personal growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 分
  • Feeling Overwhelmed by the News? How to Handle Anxiety & Uncertainty
    2026/06/14
    In Episode 17 of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov tackle a feeling so many people are struggling with right now: overwhelm. From nonstop headlines and uncertainty in the world to stress about work, politics, finances, and the future, how do we stay grounded when everything feels unpredictable? Brian and Elizabeth explore why today’s news cycle can leave us anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained, while offering practical ways to respond without shutting down. Elizabeth shares a simple framework for processing difficult news, finding meaning in uncertainty, and turning anxiety into positive action. Together, they discuss how energy, compassion, relationships, and small acts of kindness can help us regain a sense of control in a chaotic world. Plus, Elizabeth leads a calming guided meditation to help you reconnect with your values and move through uncertainty with greater peace and clarity. If you’ve been feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted by the state of the world, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 分
  • How to Resolve Conflict: Mediation, Difficult People & Finding Common Ground | Give & Receive
    2026/05/30
    How do you resolve conflict without losing your mind... or your energy? In this episode of Give & Receive, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into the art of mediation, conflict resolution, and navigating difficult conversations in relationships, business, and everyday life. Brian shares real-world experiences mediating disputes in both his legal practice and personal life, while Elizabeth brings research-backed insight into how tone, emotional intelligence, and human connection can completely change the outcome of disagreements. The conversation explores: Why most conflicts are decided in the first few moments How to mediate disputes between family members, coworkers, and business partners Why people often don’t actually want what they say they want Practical ways to stay calm and impartial in emotional situations The hidden emotional toll of conflict and how to protect your energy Whether AI could ever replace human mediators Plus, Elizabeth shares a simple but powerful mindfulness exercise to help you approach conflict with more empathy, clarity, and compassion. If you’ve ever struggled with difficult people, workplace tension, family disagreements, or simply want to communicate better, this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right away. Listen now and learn how to turn conflict into connection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 分
  • How to Set Healthy Boundaries Without Guilt | Protect Your Time, Energy & Relationships
    2026/05/18
    How do you set healthy boundaries without feeling guilty? When should you say no? And how do boundaries actually help you give more to the people you care about? In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov dive into one of the most important (and hardest) life skills: setting healthy boundaries. From work-life balance and difficult personalities to family time, emotional energy, people-pleasing, and self-care, they explore how boundaries shape our happiness, relationships, and personal growth. Elizabeth shares practical ways to create boundaries that protect your energy without cutting people off, while Brian opens up about struggles with overcommitting, work demands, and balancing career with family life. They also discuss: ✔️ Why saying “no” is really saying “yes” to what matters most ✔️ Emotional, financial, digital, and time boundaries ✔️ How to stop people-pleasing and burnout ✔️ Practical phrases to set boundaries respectfully ✔️ Work-life balance and protecting family time ✔️ Why self-care is not selfish ✔️ How boundaries improve relationships and authenticity Whether you struggle with overworking, overgiving, people-pleasing, or simply protecting your peace, this conversation will help you rethink boundaries in a healthier, more compassionate way. Subscribe for more conversations on personal growth, giving, relationships, happiness, and living with intention. #HealthyBoundaries #PersonalGrowth #SelfCare #MentalWellness #Relationships #WorkLifeBalance #PeoplePleasing #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #GiveAndReceivePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 分
  • Nobody Told You This About Success: Harvard Exec Reveals How to Win at Work
    2026/04/26
    What does it really take to succeed at work? In this episode of the Give and Receive Podcast, Brian Potts and Elizabeth Pyjov sit down with Chris Simmons, Harvard Business School graduate, former PwC executive, and bestselling author of Nobody Told You, to break down the unwritten rules of career success that most people never learn. From navigating corporate politics to building powerful relationships, Chris shares the strategies that helped him rise to the top, and how you can apply them immediately. 🚀 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why “friendship comes before favors” (and how it pays off long-term) The Respect, Protect, Project framework for winning with your boss How to position yourself for promotions before you’re ready Why “smart people don’t always win," and what actually matters How to overcome bias and control your professional narrative The real power of giving without expecting anything in return Chris also shares unforgettable real-life stories - from bringing pillows to work on day one to reshape perceptions, to helping others succeed and seeing it come back in unexpected ways. This episode blends career advice, psychology, leadership, and real-world experience into a conversation that will change how you approach your work and relationships. 👤 About the Guest: Chris Simmons is a former PwC leader, executive coach, speaker, and author of Nobody Told You: What Black, Asian, and Latino Professionals Must Know to Succeed at Work. He has led thousands of professionals and is known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to career growth. 🎯 Who This Is For: Professionals looking to get promoted faster Entrepreneurs and leaders building influence Anyone navigating corporate environments People interested in leadership, mindset, and personal growth 🔔 Don’t Forget: Subscribe for more conversations on success, mindset, leadership, and personal growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 分