The Jeffrey van Leeuwen Podcast aims to engage in thoughtful conversations, exploring diverse topics and speaking with people who have unique stories to tell and valuable knowledge to share across various fields.
Episodes
15 hours ago
15 hours ago
In this episode, I speak with Nick Field, an investment manager based in Sydney, Australia, who began with a fear of public speaking. We chart his journey from awkward school debates and scripted speeches to founding speaking clubs to help others speak with confidence.
Nick shares his top takeaways: how layering technical expertise with simple metaphors wins over any audience; the balance between obsessive preparation and playful improv; using stories to create empathy; and negotiating from genuine curiosity, not force. By the end, you’ll have concrete tools to find your own voice—introverts, this one’s for you.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy Never Split The Difference
By using this link, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Nick’s Background & Passion for Public Speaking
04:52 Early Struggles with Communication
07:32 Turning Points & Realizations
08:37 Childhood Experiences & Public Speaking Anxiety
15:19 Learning to Speak Confidently
23:17 The Power of Playful Communication
24:34 Why Facts Alone Don’t Engage Audience
28:02 Preparation vs. Improvisation
39:18 Dealing with Mistakes & Speech Anxiety
44:29 Practical Tips for High-Pressure Speaking
47:19 Audience Engagement Strategies
52:50 Simplifying Complex Ideas for Diverse Audiences
59:08 Personal Approaches to Public Speaking
01:03:26 Understanding the Audience & Telling Effective Stories
01:10:15 Handling a Hostile Audience
01:21:05 Navigating Personal Criticism & Resistance
01:26:48 Emotional Management & Deflection
01:39:57 Closing Thoughts
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
In this episode, former Israeli soldier Danny Orvomaa opens up about his experiences serving on the tense border with Gaza. Through a deeply personal and candid conversation, Danny sheds light on the realities of military life and the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Danny explores the dangers of societal complacency, and how being unprepared can lead to devastating consequences, as exemplified by events in Europe and Israel. He reflects on his time in uniform and the challenges of safeguarding communities from terrorist threats.
This episode also delves into topics often avoided: the misunderstood narratives around Zionism and the intricate geopolitics involving Gaza, the West Bank, and Hezbollah.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
DANNY ORVOMAA LINKS:
Listen to Talking Ass Podcast (Spotify)
Listen to Talking Ass Podcast (Apple Podcasts)
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
01:13 Who is Danny Orvomaa?
05:49 The Dangers of Complacency
10:58 Israel’s Complacency & October 7th
17:06 What Is Israel’s Endgame?
20:40 Solving the Middle East Conflict
26:03 Gaza, Hamas, and Indoctrination
30:57 Serving in Two Armies
40:32 Life as a Soldier on Gaza’s Border
52:57 What is Zionism?
59:28 The Complexity of Picking Sides
01:08:24 Beauty Amid Conflict
01:12:19 Podcasting & Speaking Publicly
01:22:49 The Risks of Speaking Publicly
01:30:35 Closing Thoughts
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
In this episode, I speak with George van Houtem, a negotiation expert and author of multiple books, including The Dirty Tricks of Negotiation and The Psychology of Negotiation. In our conversation, we explore the art of negotiation, discussing practical techniques, their effects on people, and how to recognize and handle manipulative tactics (or “dirty tricks”) effectively.
George reveals why successful negotiation is not simply about compromise but about genuinely understanding the other party’s motivations, collaborating with them, and working towards deals that work for everyone. By listening to this episode, you’ll gain practical insights to enhance your own negotiation skills, so that you can work towards creating true win-win outcomes.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy The Dirty Tricks of Negotiating
Buy The Psychology of Negotiation
By using these links, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
GEORGE VAN HOUTEM LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
02:28 Why Should People Learn To Negotiate?
03:22 When is Something a Negotiation?
07:28 Techniques To Understand The Other Party
10:52 Common Misconceptions About Negotiation
13:26 Compromise vs. Collaboration
16:23 Navigating Conflict in Negotiations
19:05 Handling Stubborn Negotiators & Power Dynamics
23:42 Knowing When to Walk Away
25:32 When Does a Negotiation Actually Start?
29:30 How Can Silence Be Deployed?
32:13 Avoiding the Trap of Too Much Talking
36:04 Ethical Lines: Real Negotiation vs. Dirty Tricks
38:52 Recognizing Manipulation
40:12 Closing Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Huguette Bourgeois is a poet and writer from the small Canadian town of Rogersville, New Brunswick, where she grew up during the early 1950s. Known for her deeply reflective and profoundly personal style, she has published multiple works, including Alysse: An Acadian Refugee, a collection of short stories capturing the memories of her childhood and teenage years. Her recent work, Raw Sweets, is a collection of poems exploring life’s harshness, beauty, and unfiltered truths.
In this deeply personal conversation, Huguette shares the profound impact poetry and language have had on her life—guiding her through moments of intense personal tragedy, including her son’s diagnosis with schizophrenia, and leading her toward self-discovery and authenticity. She reflects openly on her complex relationship with faith, spirituality, and the existential questions that arise from hardship, ultimately suggesting there may be dignity in living—and dying—with uncertainty. Throughout the episode, Huguette reveals how embracing life’s darkness, doubt, and solitude can become a source of strength, creativity, and profound human insight.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Raw Sweets
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Alysse: An Acadian Refugee
Buy Huguette Bourgeois' Le bleu de Mon Ile (French)
Buy Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment
Buy Dostoyevsky' The Brothers Karamazov
By using these links, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 What is Poetry?
09:10 Stories of Writing Poetry
19:37 Poetry as a Path to Spirituality & Meaning
23:54 Finding Your Voice
35:27 The Dark Side of Agreeableness
43:50 The Importance of Asking Questions
48:56 Authenticity & Identity
56:21 Echoes of Rejection & Love in Childhood
01:03:54 Love, Loss, and Happiness
01:08:32 Youngest Son’s Schizophrenia Diagnosis
01:17:03 Believing in God
01:33:52 The Danger of Blind Faith
01:44:06 Does Poetry Find the Poet, or Vice Versa?
01:48:06 The Endless Possibilities of Words
01:55:22 Can Words Fully Capture The Human Experience?
02:02:34 Fiction, Dragons, and The Human Experience
02:09:52 Closing Thoughts
02:15:17 Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
How do you respond when life gets tough? Clifford Edwards chose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this episode, Clifford shares powerful stories from his own journey, revealing how martial arts can teach confidence, humility, and focus. Discover how Jiu-Jitsu prepares you for challenges on and off the mats, and why it’s never too late to start.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
CLIFFORD EDWARDS LINKS:
The ABC's of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Online Course)
OUTLINE:
02:20 Growing Up in Aruba & Early Chess Experiences
07:52 Family Situation
10:58 Discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
16:46 Mindfulness & Mental Clarity Through Jiu-Jitsu
21:21 Safety & Focus of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
26:21 Definition: Structures & Frames
28:55 Advice For People Interested In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
37:42 Training Intensity
47:01 Progression & Skill Building
55:17 The Blue Belt Clichés
01:00:37 The Importance of Structured Learning
01:06:39 Definition: Specific Sparring
01:13:08 Injuries
01:21:43 Belt Progression & Experiences at Each Level
01:28:16 Benefits Beyond Jiu-Jitsu
01:35:23 Distance Management
01:37:21 Clifford’s Future Plans
01:38:44 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
In this episode, we dive into the fundamentals of ethics and morality, exploring how ancient philosophies like Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Kant’s deontology, and utilitarianism shape our modern decisions.
We talk about ethical dilemmas, confront tough questions about intentions and consequences, and offer practical insights on developing personal ethics.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
JOSEPH B. BARBOSA LINKS:
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
02:21 Exploring Ethics and Morality
05:42 Aristotle, Beauty, and the Pyramid of Ethics
11:06 Ethics as an Upward Aim
16:35 Aristotle & Virtue Ethics
20:48 Vices, Virtues, and the Concept of Sin
25:58 Deontology: Rules and Human Dignity
29:54 Utilitarianism & the Trolley Problem
35:57 Can You Justify Sacrificing One for Many?
40:58 The Paralysis of Decision-Making
48:18 Good Intentions and Ethical Decisions
56:52 Pursuing Truth and Shared Responsibility
01:08:49 Meaning, Purpose, and Telos
01:14:39 How to Develop Personal Ethics
01:19:43 How to Know if You Truly Believe Your Ethics
01:27:05 Law vs. Morality: What if the Law is Wrong?
01:34:24 Can You Change Your Intention?
01:39:00 Is Every Action Ultimately Self-Serving?
01:49:38 Negotiation as Ethical Collaboration
02:01:22 Is it Ever Ethical to Lie?
02:09:28 Bringing Ethics into Daily Life
02:15:40 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this very special episode, I’m excited to introduce something brand new and deeply personal to the podcast—our very own original music! Composed by the incredibly talented Sofia Lasa, this beautifully crafted sound marks a significant milestone for the show.
Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear the music as we dive into Sofia’s creative process, the inspiration behind the composition, and what this music means for the podcast moving forward.
Please enjoy the music, and join me in discovering the story behind the sound that will become synonymous with the podcast.
Thank you for listening.
SHOW LINKS:
SOFIA LASA LINKS:
Sofia Lasa's Music on Apple Music
CONTACT LINKS:
Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
In this episode, we’ll discuss the upcoming changes to the podcast and what you can expect in the near future. I’m excited to share plans to get new interesting guest on, along with updates to our production process and overall quality.
Thank you for listening.
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
PODCAST LINKS:
Podcast Website: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4lLpEXA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42kcOYy
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
RSS: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/feed.xml
SOCIAL LINKS:
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
In this episode of Reflections, Jeffrey van Leeuwen takes you on a personal journey through 30 years of video gaming. He shares nostalgic memories—from tinkering with early Windows 3.1 computers and playing games off floppy disks, to the more sophisticated adventures of MS-DOS classics, console classics, and finally the immersive and thought-provoking world of Silent Hill.
Rather than making a case for or against video games, Jeffrey offers an honest look at how gaming has shaped his life, and opened doors to unexpected opportunities (and pitfalls).
Thank you for listening.
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
PODCAST LINKS:
Podcast Website: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4lLpEXA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42kcOYy
YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOv56NTjNAeK7cUVamIPioSCsr06-vSGG
RSS: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/feed.xml
SOCIAL LINKS:
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
Tuesday Feb 18, 2025
In this episode, Jeffrey and psychoanalyst Adam Ayala delve into the intricate dynamics of empathy and emotional presence, drawing insights from John Madonna’s work and tactical empathy techniques. They explore the fine lines between sympathy, empathy, and pity, while unpacking complex concepts like transference and soul murder.
The conversation offers practical and thought-provoking guidance on navigating the promise and peril of empathy in both personal and professional contexts.
Thank you for listening.
EPISODE LINKS:
Buy Never Split The Difference: https://amzn.to/4hFEgom
Buy Emotional Presence in Psychoanalysis: https://amzn.to/3EBE5we
By using these links, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
SHOW LINKS:
ADAM AYALA LINKS:
Listen to Adam Ayala on Spotify
OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
02:40 Emotional Presence & Empathy
13:59 Sympathy vs. Empathy
31:17 Misguided Empathy & Soul Murder
45:16 Balancing Assumptions & Inquiry
01:18:47 Philosophy in Psychoanalytic Training
01:28:31 Genuine Empathy vs. Manipulation
01:46:24 Suffering Well
01:50:03 Modern Perspectives on Freud & Jung
02:03:18 Final Thoughts & Outro
CONTACT LINKS:
To come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any reason, visit: https://podcast.jeffreyvanleeuwen.com/p/contact/
This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.