I invited Bob Dunham into this conversation because I wanted a fresh way to approach a familiar leadership breakdown: too many priorities, too much change, and not enough capacity management. I expected to stay with that topic. Bob took us somewhere more foundational.

We explore what the ontological experience actually is, and how ontological coaching creates new awareness that expands choice. We talk about care as a driver of human action, and why naming what you care about changes how you lead. We also unpack the leader as an observer, including what we see, what we do not see, and how blind spots show up in workplace dynamics through repeated breakdowns in trust, execution, and collaboration.

Bob shares the distinction that changed his professional life: action is rooted in commitment. From there, we move into coaching conversations about coordination, how requests and promises shape execution, and why agreement is often mistaken for real commitment. Bob also tells the story of leading organizational change at Motorola, where a shift in conversations and commitments helped teams deliver unprecedented results without relying on authority.

We close with a grounded view of leadership development as embodied learning. Bob speaks about somatics, centering, and what it takes to act from commitment when fear shows up. If you are leading in complexity and you want a deeper foundation than tools and techniques, this episode offers a different way to see what is happening, and what becomes possible from there. Bob Dunham https://journeyintowisdom.com/

Welcome to The Ontological Experience with Mark Robertson A space for connected, authentic conversations rooted in the ontological framework and tools. Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to this work, I'm glad you're here.

Want help growing your podcast with organic marketing and strategy that actually works?

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She's a podcast growth strategist and SEO expert who truly understands the space. Let her know I sent you!

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🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrobertsonpcc

🔹 Website: https://www.theontologicalexperience.com

📧 Email: mark@theontologicalexperience.com

There will be a moment that changes everything and it probably isn’t going to be loud and dramatic as you expect it to be. Whether it’s a number, a health scan, a pause in the conversation where you realize, “Something’s off and I’ve got to deal with it”, and from that moment forward, things completely shift.

That moment came for me after a cardiac CT scan. The score didn’t line up with how I felt or all the work I’d put into getting healthy. It shook me physically, but it also threw something off in my way of being and that pushed me into a different kind of search for a treatment that actually felt like care. That search led me to Paradigm Health and to Dr. Matt McEvoy and what happened next changed more than my health, it changed how I relate to my health.

In this episode, Dr. Matt and I talked about what it means to be truly seen and heard in the context of healthcare. We look at patient-centered care, the deeper intention behind preventive health, and the bigger vision behind Medicine 3.0. We also talked about how medical innovation can only go so far without presence, humility, and relationship.

We also discussed how resistance shows up, and how deeply held beliefs can keep us stuck, even when we’re doing our best. I share how I came to reconsider my stance on cholesterol management, not because I was talked into it, but because I was met with evidence, respect, and a kind of listening that made room for change.

Dr. Matt’s presence invites trust in a way that opens the door for a meaningful lifestyle change, and a different kind of health transformation, one that’s grounded in relationship, emotional clarity, and action.

If you’ve ever been told you’re fine but still feel something’s not right, if you’ve been looking for care that honors your story, supports your emotional wellness, and leaves space for your own wisdom, this conversation might be what helps you take the next step.

Ready for care that truly sees you? Connect with Paradigm Health to begin a personalized path toward lasting wellness.

📩 Reach out: Explore Your Care Options

Welcome to The Ontological Experience with Mark Robertson A space for connected, authentic conversations rooted in the ontological framework and tools. Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to this work, I'm glad you're here.

Want help growing your podcast with organic marketing and strategy that actually works?

Check out Juliana Barbati at https://www.julianabarbati.com/

She's a podcast growth strategist and SEO expert who truly understands the space. Let her know I sent you!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrobertsonpcc

🔹 Website: https://www.theontologicalexperience.com

📧 Email: mark@theontologicalexperience.com

There are times when we move through life in ways we don’t choose. We apologize for taking up space, step aside when we don’t need to, or stay quiet even when we have something to say. These moments may seem small, but these patterns often start early and reflect what we've absorbed about who should lead, who should yield, and how we’re expected to show up.

In this episode, I’m joined by three thoughtful and accomplished women, Nicole Provonchee, Janet Walls, and Dr. Leslie Binford, for an honest conversation about how our ways of being are shaped over time. Together, we take a closer look at the gender discourse many women grow up inside of, and how cultural conditioning, gender norms, and early experiences shape behaviors like over-apologizing and giving up power.

We explore what it means to feel safe (or unsafe) in different spaces, and how that affects whether someone can stay grounded and present. We talk about holding space, setting personal boundaries, and the role of psychological safety in everyday interactions. We also look at how power dynamics show up in families, workplaces, and relationships.

This conversation is part of a larger ontological exploration. Ontological coaching invites us to consider how our language, emotions, and body awareness work together to shape how we see ourselves and how we show up in the world. It offers a way to notice what’s often automatic, and begin to relate to it with more clarity and care.

I’m grateful for this conversation and the presence these women brought to it. I hope it invites you into a reflection of your own.

Welcome to The Ontological Experience with Mark Robertson A space for connected, authentic conversations rooted in the ontological framework and tools. Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to this work, I'm glad you're here.

Connect with the guests: (waiting for full contact details from Mark) Janet Walls President and Founder of Delta Blvd

janet@deltablvd.com 615.973.717

Nicole Provonchee

Chief Coaching Officer, Founder
 BRIGHT BLUE CONSULTING

nicole@consultbrightblue.com 615.423.8061 www.ConsultBrightBlue.com


Dr. Leslie Binford DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Assistant Professor

E-mail:binfordl@apsu.edu

Phone: 931-221-7739

Want help growing your podcast with organic marketing and strategy that actually works?

Check out Juliana Barbati at https://www.julianabarbati.com/

She's a podcast growth strategist and SEO expert who truly understands the space. Let her know I sent you!

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrobertsonpcc

🔹 Website: https://www.theontologicalexperience.com

📧 Email: mark@theontologicalexperience.com