Exec Coach Jerry Colonna Shares His Soul Story

Watch this episode on YouTube.Jerry Colonna is a world-renowned and highly sought-after executive coach. After a successful early career in venture capital and private equity, he found his calling in coaching. Known in some circles as “the CEO whisperer” or “the Yoda of Silicon Valley,” he brings a depth of soul-rooted presence, love, and fierce advocacy for the disinherited and the unseen.How did he get this way? Through a long journey of meeting his own fear and trauma with love, of course (see his book Reboot for that story). And through decades of personal work and dedicated spiritual practice (primarily Buddhism).There’s also a lesser-known aspect of Jerry’s journey, which I personally see as vitally important: he traveled the nature-based journey of soul initiation. I believe the tremendous contribution that Jerry is making to the building of a better world — including his groundbreaking books and his work with leaders and teams — is largely empowered by the journey he went on to find and embody his soul’s true purpose.I was really excited to get to draw out more from Jerry about his experience of that journey in this podcast.He describes it as going from being “dismembered” and “a complete mess” (as a financially successful investor in his 30s) to becoming “re-membered.” To remembering himself.Jerry shares how at one point the Earth literally pulled him down and swallowed him whole, initiating a wakeup call that brought him into contact with his deeper self and eventually led him onto a vision quest.Jerry's story is a deeply moving example of what’s possible through self-discovery and self-healing in nature. We discuss how the part of himself he discovered on that quest — the essence of his soul’s unique gift — has informed and empowered his life and work since.Jerry and I also unpack how the lessons learned from what helps us make it through our own personal dark times in a good way can also inform how we collectively approach the current dark times we are witnessing on the global stage right now.–Links & ResourcesConnect with Brooks on Instagram or LinkedInSoulful Impact: soulfulimpact.coCheck out Jerry’s coaching firm, RebootRead Jerry’s two books, Reboot and ReunionConnect with Jerry on Instagram or LinkedIn–Chapters00:00 - Introduction: A Journey of Remembering02:30 - Early Years: Disconnection and Depression07:30 - Wakeup Call: Falling into the Crevasse11:45 - The Meaning of Soul16:30 - Vision Quest: Purging Pain, Finding Purpose24:30 - Integration: An Ongoing Process28:15 - Non-Directive Coaching: Allowing Emergence32:00 - Reunion: Belonging and Our Ancestors38:30 - Navigating the Dark Times44:15 - The Work That Is Never Done48:45 - Finding Joy Amidst the Darkness54:00 - Remembering Our Role in the Symphony59:30 - Final Reflections: Be Excessively Gentle With Yourself—Get newsletter updates & future episodes delivered to your inbox: Subscribe to Soulful Impact on Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.soulfulimpact.blog