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Highlights

• [01:20] Michael’s article, Trading Derivatives and the Shame-Based Fear of Being Ordinary

• [02:30] The scene on the Goldman Sachs trading floor

• [07:50] The inspiration behind the article

• [13:40] Brene Brown and the definition of narcissism as the shame-based fear of being ordinary

• [14:00] The insatiable need for admiration

• [15:00] The negative connotation of the word “ordinary”

• [20:50] The cost we pay when the ego is in control

• [24:00] Shame as fuel

• [28:10] Four ways to know if you are being humble

• [35:40] The way Michael’s ego shows up in his current life as a coach at Upbuild

• [37:00] Kurt Vonnegut — 'We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.'

• [39:40] Lessons from Michael’s time at Goldman Sachs and the steps to overcome the shame-based fear of being ordinary

Quotes

• “When we're dealing with the ego, the cost is always our freedom.” - Michael

• “The ego can justify anything. It can obscure a lot of things for a long time.” - Michael

• “Our insecurities are running us. And if we are not aware of our insecurities, they will run us on autopilot for the rest of our life.” - Michael

• “People who are extraordinary don't think they're extraordinary and they're not gunning to be extraordinary for the identities of who they think they should be. They're gunning to be extraordinary for the impact that they can have on people and for the service that they can provide for people.” - Michael

• “When we shut down so that we don't have to feel the pain of shame, it also blunts our ability to experience other things like joy and freedom and love and the things that we're all really looking for.” - Michael

• “When I start to process my shame, that is the ultimate experience of authenticity. That is me stepping into who I actually am because I'm not running away from the insecurities that are driving me.” - Michael