OMG, this book was so good!
Every so often I stumble upon a book that fires me up and makes me want to tell everyone about it. Then when I get a chance to interview the author of that book, I want to talk about every single minute detail of the story. But of course we don’t have time for that. Bummer.
Lissa Rankin’s story is a hero’s story, one that takes her from the Ordinary World to the Special World, with many trials and ordeals in between. There was no one there to hold her hand along her path, just the encouraging voice in her head. The one she calls her Inner Pilot Light.
I think we all have an Inner Pilot Light pushing us to take that next step in our lives — that bold step into the depths of uncertainty. To move forward on our missions because we know it’s the right thing to do, not only for ourselves but for the betterment of others.
More often than not, that inspired voice within is drowned out by the foreboding voice of fear imploring us to remain where we are, where it’s safe. It pleads that we remain attached to our present circumstances regardless of how painful they may be. Because stepping out into uncertainty will only bring about more pain.
According to Lissa, we typically accept the call of our inner voices when the pain of staying put exceeds our fear of the unknown.
As an OB-GYN who received the call to obstetrics at a very young age, Lissa came to find herself traumatized and hardened by a system that disconnected her not only from her calling but her femininity.
At the height of her pain and the bottom of her rock bottom, Lissa heard her Inner Pilot Light and eventually accepted a new calling, a call to change medicine. What happens next is a remarkable story of resilience, faith, and transformation.
In today’s session, Lissa and I discuss her excellent book The Anatomy of a Calling.
PLUS, I added a new segment in which I cover my 4-5 takeaways from the session. This was fun!
Click the PLAY button above to listen to the entire episode. And please do me a HUGE FAVOR by subscribing, rating, and reviewing on iTunes.
Hi Sean,
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate every eensy-weensy little bit of amazing you pack into your work – I am constantly in awe of your profound ability to explore so many tricky topics that seem to slide by our everyday consciousness and your uncanny knack of nailing complex topics beautifully. I thoroughly enjoy your line of enquiry – every time.
I second what Christina wrote. Beautifully expressed, Christina!!
Sean and Lissa, thank you for this podcast. It hits a few nerves with me. I have been in “a time between stories” for about 2 years. At times it has been very frustrating (I’ve been unemployed and need an income!) and other times I have accepted it as a necessary fallow time. I have not yet heard the inner voice that I need to move forward but I feel it’s close now.
Also, I had the same experience at Esalen many years ago! I was the only one in the hot spring wearing a bathing suit and wondering what kinda crazy I had signed up for. Ha! It was a critical time of healing for me at Esalen. I would love to go back there again.
Again, thank you for sharing.
Thanks Lissa!!! you “resolved” a little(!), at least calm down, the chaos and disappointment in my mind…. as veteran nurse who chose this profession “following” the story-spirit-agenda of Florence Ni-tingle, and started to be very discouraged and almost hate it(!) along the time….you put some peace (and light…) in my mind. Sean, as always, Wonderful interviewer!! Wall-com back!!
Thank you Lissa and Sean. So glad you are back Sean and with a renewed sense of purpose. It is shining through. I’ve always admired your energy and heart. The “time between stories” really hit home with me as I am at what I think is the start of a brand new journey, but I always question it and want to speed it up. Thanks for the inspiration and I love your recap of key take-aways at the end. My left and right brain sides love that approach!
I adore your work Sean and the new format is great. The one big improvement is only a technical one. Something doesn’t allow me to download Lisa’s podcast on my cellphone unless I plug my phone into my computer and download it from my computer because it tells me its over 100 MB. The previous podcasts downloaded fine. Is there something you can do to fix this so it doesn’t happen with future shows…. pretty please? I have downloaded many other podcasts that are 2 hrs long with no problems so I don’t think it has to do with the length of the podcast. At anyrate it makes it impossible to listen to your episodes on the go if they won’t download unless I plug into my computer.
It is nice to see someone podcasting on the topics that you choose which I study too… who looks like me. It isn’t a requirement that someone share the same ethnic attributes as me for me to enjoy a podcast but it is very uplifting to see my reflection once in a while out there. Thank you Sean!
Brilliant. Totally awe inspiring. Thanks Sean & Lissa x
I had no idea what this was going to be about. Very interesting. Loved the space between stories image and how it relates to medical care today.
Loved it! Love Lissa Rankin! Love you Sean! Love the new chapter you’re writing! 🙂
I believe so much of what Lissa has to say and I so love your work Sean, the intro music, welcome and interview technique, your energy is very uplifting for me THANKYOU xo
Wonderful talk Sean! I could have listened forever. I agree that we have to overcome the separation of the two worlds- ‘healing and accumulative poisoning’- ‘functional and dysfunctional’… But how can we forgive doctors who misdiagnosed us or worse, induced iatrogenic disease? This is hard! And talking to integrative doctors who had to endure ridicule or going before a medical board for having too long consultations or too many lab tests (this was in Australia) I’m not sure how these doctors can forgive the conventional system or ‘bridge the gap’. Of course it is great to have surgeons stitch us up after an accident as Lissa said but that is about it. For acute care the old model might work but not for the lifestyle or environmental diseases or the cancer epidemic! We all know the system has to change- worldwide- and I love Lissa’s contribution but I can’t see how that will happen fast…
I guess it is up to doctors like Lissa to just say ‘enough’ and for us patients to demand a different integrative doctor and flood the ones who are interested in healing.
If only we could build healthcare from scratch faster!
Hi Sean, It”s so nice to see you back. I have missed you. I loved this interview with Lissa Rankin. Thank you so much and especially for your own personal comments and takeaways. I am indeed in the “space between the stories” and “waiting for my “tribe” to present itself when I get off the empty elevator. Wishing you much success in your new endeavor. Blessings, Dianne
Hi Sean, thanks for this interview. I’ve heard Lissa Rankin many times before, and it’s always so lovely to hear her message and her smiling voice. I’m definitely between stories at the moment, so this interview was very reassuring. Lots of love, Pia
Hi Sean, I love this interview and really appreciate your interview style. You have great passion so glad you are listening to your soul. I learned a lot from the interview I just published my book and will now be going out to share my courages journey. I would love to send you a copy. I just sent you an email with the request to be on your show.
Sean, Once again, you totally delivered. Actually, you over delivered – as in this was seeringly phenomenal… You are always going beyond what I expect in the interview and touching on topics that my God-whispers are telling me… Wow. Seriously. Tremendous. A total reminder that, if we don’t live our truths, we so greatly limit ourselves. Cheers to you and pressing through to the ‘other side’… With such gratitude, Judy Landis Setting
Another great podcast!
Love the new format and the topics you are covering.