Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Richard Oelberger, PhD. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Richard, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
I always joke about Friday nights at my house. The doorbell rung frequently and often it would take 10-30 minutes before a friend would appear at my door. I soon realized my parents were spending time and caring for each friend and taking an interest in them. I think this modeled community, sensitivity, inclusiveness, and care as values to live by. At this same time, they showed me unconditional love, even when I underperformed, showing trust that I would make it and be successful in whatever I chose to apply myself. Knowing we are wanted and loved is a key ingredient for abundance, as Ive since learned!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I provide a trusting space for men in an unreliable world at times of extreme change. Creating a process, a trusted sounding board, and tools for working through emotional roadblocks and setting up formulas for success are part of the services I provide. I do this through encounter groups, EMDR, shadow work, core belief processing, performance techniques, and somatic strategies for holding and processing stress.
I am proud of my book, “The Zero Method” and the Richardlistens podcast for the outreach and connection to outstanding individuals who are accomplishing tremendous feats in sports, society, and life and most importantly who inspire me.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The obvious answer would be a pivot made during the COVID-19 pandemic period where almost overnight I closed my office and started a private practice from the cracked pavement of my driveway with 4 clients. I started recording podcasts day and night, met individuals across the globe and began telling stories and taking risks to reveal more of my true self. The truth is, my hardest pivot began the year before when a comfortable business collapsed and left me in debt and starting over. It turns out, that change led to belief in myself and to using skills and training I was almost meant to use to be who I am today!
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Lived experience and connection to others different from ourselves in a variety of situations helps. Whether it be clinically trained wisdom or the experience of mentors, applied learning, or connection to those who can model the skills and qualities you want to attain, having a community is essential for growth as a well-rounded clinician or coach and for being will to hold space and also create transformative spaces.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.richardlistens.com
- Instagram: richardlistens
- Facebook: richardlistens
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-oelberger-phd-10737bb/
- Twitter: richardlistens
- Youtube: richardlistens2758
Image Credits
Daniel Romeneko