Living Large and Slowing Down with Barbara Stone

Living Large and Slowing Down with Barbara Stone

From No sitting on the sideline Dad by Joe Foley

November 1, 2025 · 38 min · Episode 168

About this episode

Joe Foley and Barbara Stone discuss life lessons learned from dogs, focusing on presence, gratitude, and leadership.

What can we learn about presence, gratitude, and courage from our dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Joe sits down with Barbara Stone , a leadership coach, author, and TEDx speaker, to discuss her book, So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large. Barbara shares how her Great Danes taught her to slow down, live with curiosity, and embrace life with full presence. Together, they explore topics like: How dogs model authenticity and emotional awareness The importance of play and curiosity as adults Why gratitude changes how we experience the world Leadership lessons from both corporate life and canine companionship The power of time, relationships, and learning to "live large" Barbara also opens up about her journey from corporate executive to coach, the courage it took to deliver her TEDx Talk Perfection Is Overrated, and how she helps others rediscover joy and purpose through self-compassion and curiosity. If you've ever looked at your dog and thought, "They seem to have it all figured out," this conversation will hit home. Guest Links: Website: barbstone.me Book: So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large TEDx Talk: Perfection Is Overrated Episode…

People in this episode

Host: Joe Foley

Guest: Barbara Stone

Topics covered

  • presence
  • gratitude
  • courage
  • dogs
  • leadership
  • self-compassion

Keywords

  • dogs
  • leadership
  • gratitude
  • self-compassion
  • curiosity
  • Great Danes
  • coaching

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large, Perfection Is Overrated

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