Podcast Summary: Shed and Shine – Episode 89
Title: The Practice of Presence: A Strategic Path to Awareness
Hosts: Gino Wickman and Rob Dube
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gino Wickman and Rob Dube explore the deeply personal and transformative practice of "presence"—that is, learning how to be fully aware and engaged in the present moment. Drawing inspiration from Leonard Jacobson's book Journey into Now, the hosts discuss how driven entrepreneurs (and anyone, really) can move beyond the ceaseless voice of the ego to discover true awareness, connection, and freedom. They share practical exercises, personal stories, and philosophical insights to illuminate what it means to be present and how to cultivate this state in daily life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Presence, Awareness, and Consciousness

• The conversation begins by differentiating "presence" from "ego" and expanding the terminology to include "awareness" and "consciousness" (02:17).

• Quote:

  "Presence is not something for us to achieve. It's what remains when we stop trying. So the ego is a master of effort."
  (Rob, 00:47)

• The hosts highlight that presence isn’t a reward for effort—it’s what’s left when effort and striving stop.

2. Simple Practices to Cultivate Presence

• The act of walking from the garage to the kitchen—a reference from Journey into Now—is presented as a practical moment to practice presence, free from thought and distraction (03:13).

• Quote:

  "Just that one minute walk every day, just practice being present. Don't think about anything. And that's like the beginning to fully experiencing this."
  (Gino, 03:19)

• Other gateway moments include hobbies, “pottering,” meaningful work, and deep conversations.

3. Presence in Daily Life: Flow and Connection

• Presence isn’t limited to meditation or stillness; it’s found in losing oneself in a beloved hobby or engaging work (04:00).

• In relationships, being fully present with others forges genuine connection.

• The discomfort of digital distraction (like phones at restaurants) serves as a striking contrast (05:23).

• Quote:

  "I urge you to think about those times that you've been in conversation where you're just totally focused and present and just think about how many more times we can do that in our lives and really connect with people, really be present."
  (Gino, 05:44)

4. Peak Experiences and Presence

• Both hosts recall profound presence during significant life moments—such as the birth of their children—or while deeply engrossed in work (06:22, 07:51).
• Rob shares experiences of "fully awakened presence" during medicine journeys, highlighting how certain states can reveal the essence of presence (07:32).
• Gino compares this to “runner’s high” during client sessions, where hyper-awareness leads to seeing "every flinch" and reading the room’s energy (08:40).

5. Ego’s Role: Friend or Foe?

• The hosts revisit their nuanced view of ego: it’s not innately bad but must not dominate. Ego’s role is protection and strategizing, but if unchecked, it limits authentic self-expression and traps us in fear (11:45–12:36).

• Quote:

  "The ego is not bad. The ego's intentions are good. The ego is really good for helping us think and strategize and solve problems. You just can't let your ego run the show."
  (Gino, 11:43)

6. Practical Takeaways and Practices

• Try the “garage to kitchen” practice as a daily micro-meditation (12:36).

• Stillness practices—meditation, prayer, or intentional silence—are all recommended as routes to presence (13:07).

• Quote:

  "Try 30 minutes of meditation. Start with 10, then go to 20, then go to 30. But that is magic."
  (Gino, 13:04)

• Presence is available to everyone, not just through special experiences but through deliberate, simple practices in everyday life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rob (00:47):
  "Presence is not something for us to achieve. It's what remains when we stop trying. So the ego is a master of effort."

• Gino (03:19):
  "Just that one minute walk every day, just practice being present. Don't think about anything. And that's like the beginning to fully experiencing this."

• Rob (10:57):
  "A state of consciousness in which a person is fully present in the current moment, free from the distractions of past regrets or future anxieties. In this state, the mind becomes still and one experiences life directly without the interference of habitual thoughts, judgments, or the ego." (quoting Leonard Jacobson)

• Gino (11:43):
  "The ego is not bad. The ego's intentions are good. The ego is really good for helping us think and strategize and solve problems. You just can't let your ego run the show..."

• Gino (13:04):
  "Try 30 minutes of meditation. Start with 10, then go to 20, then go to 30. But that is magic. Any stillness practice for 30 minutes a day. You will experience presence, awareness, consciousness, and all these beautiful benefits..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:47 – 01:24: Introduction to presence vs. ego
• 03:13 – 03:43: The “garage to kitchen” presence practice
• 04:00 – 05:59: Presence in hobbies, relationships, and conversation
• 06:22 – 07:51: Personal stories of true presence (childbirth, medicine journeys)
• 08:40 – 10:54: Presence with clients, family gatherings, and observing ego’s return
• 10:57 – 11:40: Jacobson’s definition of presence
• 11:43 – 12:36: The true role and management of the ego
• 12:36 – 13:17: Practical tools: micro-practices and stillness routines

Final Words & Calls to Action

• Start with small acts of presence, like transitions during your day.
• Build up to longer stillness practices such as meditation or silent observation.
• Recognize when your ego reactivates, but don’t judge—gently return to presence.
• Stay focused, practice presence in interactions, and embrace the freedom of your True Self.

Tone and Style

The conversation is warm, supportive, and candid—often playful but always grounded in genuine curiosity and desire for growth. Both Gino and Rob use real-life examples without preaching, making their insights accessible and actionable.

For More:

• To further explore the ego, listen to their previous “15-minute riff” on the topic.
• For a physical reminder, email info@thetenndisciplines.com for a “True Self” sticker.

This episode is rich in practical wisdom for anyone seeking to cultivate true presence, whether in work, relationships, or personal growth. Perfect for those wanting to shed old patterns and truly shine.