The Setback Cycle with Amy Shoenthal | Kevin Polky - The Journey Ep. 255

·36 min·3 clips

Amy Shoenthal explains how dopamine dips during setbacks trigger brain rewiring for creativity and strength.

Kevin Polky hosts Amy Shoenthal on 'The Journey' to discuss her book 'The Setback Cycle', set for release on March 19th. The episode begins with casual conversation about Amy's hobbies, like ice skating with her daughter and socializing in her Sunnyside neighborhood. Amy recounts her lifelong passion for writing and interviewing, which led to a journalism career interviewing hundreds of founders and leaders. She noticed a pattern in their stories of persevering through setbacks, which she defines as obstacles that aren't always mistakes or traumas, a gap she felt existed in business and psychology literature. Amy conducted research with executive coaches, psychologists, and a neuroscientist to develop a framework. She explains the neuroscience: setbacks cause dopamine dips, prompting the brain to rewire in the basal ganglia, similar to muscles breaking down to rebuild stronger. The conversation includes examples like Nicole and Caitlin, owners of Trouble Bar in Louisville, Kentucky, who created a lemonade stand during the pandemic to pay rent when liquor sales were banned. Amy discusses common pitfalls like rumination, shame, blame, and resentment during setbacks. She introduces the four phases of the setback cycle: establish, embrace, explore, and merge, with phase one focusing on recognizing subtle setbacks, such as staying in a disengaged job. An 'alarm clock checklist' helps readers assess if they're drifting into a setback. Amy shares insights on identity, like her own bodybuilding career ending due to ignored indicators, and a story of someone struggling with divorce due to religious values. The episode concludes with Amy encouraging listeners to pre-order the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, visit thesetbackcycle.com, or follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn. Kevin relates the concepts to Joseph Campbell's hero's journey, framing setbacks as transformative opportunities.

As heard by us

A humane conversation about turning setbacks into action, anchored by a Louisville lemonade stand that makes the idea concrete.

Amy Schoenthal's visit to The Journey frames setbacks as experiences that can be reconsidered, then used as a prompt for action. Drawing on The Setback Cycle, she links resilience to the fight-or-flight response and to the chance to meet difficulty with innovation and growth.

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Why you'd press play

You get a vivid Louisville lemonade-stand story and a steadier way to think about setbacks.

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