S6 E4: Why Understanding The Setback Cycle is Key to your Growth as a Leader with Amy Shoenthal

The Inspire Podcast

In this episode, Bart speaks with journalist Amy Shoenthal about her new book, The Setback Cycle. Amy explains how setbacks aren't always fuel for success, why not everything "happens for a reason" and the real lessons to take when you're in the middle of a difficult period in life or career. She shares her four-part setback cycle (Establish, Embrace, Explore, Emerge) and explains how it can be a mental framework to process and move past these periods. Amy's insights and anecdotes make her cycle a compelling and worthwhile listen for anyone who may be feeling stuck. Get your copy of The Setback Cycle here: http://www.thesetbackcycle.com And learn more about Amy and her company on their website: https://www.visionaries-collective.com/ - 1:17 Introducing Amy 1:59 What led you to write this book? 2:35 Noticed how setbacks were key to people's narratives 3:46 Bart talks about the book 4:13 Grit and resilience 5:16 Amy hates the phrase "Everything happens for a reason" 6:04 Not here to tell you your next setback is awesome 7:05 It's important to have a sense that you can get through a setback 7:54 Growth happens 9:00 What we can learn from babies 9:36 The 4 cycles 10:01 Phase 1: Establish 10:47 Phase 2: Embrace 12:09 Phase 3: Explore 13:25 Phase 4: Emerge 14:19 Bart asks for an example of an "Establish" experience 15:34 How to know you're in a setback 16:03 Two key questions 17:52 How to do the 'embrace' phase right... 18:13 Working through the stress response 19:25 Collecting information about the setback 20:35 Amy wasn't aware of her setback 22:01 Joke - maybe we should just identify as our hobbies 23:16 Amy's story of shifting to journalism 25:59 What's the "explore" phase like? 26:27 Learning about your transferable skills and your superpowers 27:20 Finding ways to energize yourself 27:50 Journaling practice 29:21 In real life these phases can run concurrently 31:11 The last phase: Emerge 32:33 Baby steps forward 33:39 Bart shares story of his wife's career switch 35:14 The story of the genesis of her book 37:17 Bart tells dad anecdote 38:36 Where can people go to find out more 39:10 Thank yous