We're told to follow our dreams and "be authentic," but most of us live lives that contradict our deepest values. We work for companies we don't believe in, consume things that don't align with our principles, and wonder why we feel disconnected. So what does authentic living actually look like? How do we bridge the gap between who we are and how we show up in the world?

👉 Find the full playlist of episodes HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO6l9CNQoSFdYrSofAAHBcTdsnpYk8iYg

Johnny J Pawlik is an award-winning communications and branding expert with over 20 years of experience, based in Yorkshire (UK) and Kyoto (Japan). He is the Founder and Managing Director of Mantra Media, an international marketing and branding firm focused on ethical and purpose-driven work. He co-founded the Japanese luxury heritage brand Atelier Japan and has worked with clients including the European Parliament, UKTI, and Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Featured in Forbes as "the Ethical Marketer" and outlets like BBC and Good Morning Britain, his work emphasizes authenticity, cognitive consistency, and aligning actions with personal and organizational values—principles born from his journey from a challenging upbringing on a UK council estate to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

Today, expect to learn:

• Why most people experience cognitive dissonance between their values and actions
• How authentic living requires deep self-knowledge and trauma awareness
• What cognitive consistency actually means and why it matters for wellbeing
• How cultural intelligence can be developed by experiencing different worldviews
• Why ethical business practices aren't just morally right but strategically smart
• How to build resilience and curiosity as foundational life skills• What it means to create social good through business and purposeful work
• How to navigate the tension between individualism and collectivism in modern life
• And more...

Community Notes:

Cognitive dissonance occurs when our beliefs, values, and actions don't align, creating psychological discomfort. Research shows this misalignment can lead to stress, anxiety, and decision paralysis. Cultural intelligence involves understanding how different societies approach values like individualism versus collectivism, helping us develop more nuanced worldviews. Ethical branding represents a growing movement where companies prioritize purpose alongside profit, responding to consumer demand for authentic, values-driven organizations.

W H A T T O D O N E X T :

GUEST LINKS ~

WEBSITE: https://www.mantrahq.com

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnypawlik/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mantra_media_ltd

HOST LINKS ~

WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com

SUBSTACK: https://sevenjacobs.substack.com

SOCIALS: https://sevenjacobs.com/links

SHOW LINKS ~

WEBSITE: https://sevenjacobs.com/podcast

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@lostandsearchingpodcast

ALL EPISODES (Spotify): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/lostandsearching

ALL EPISODES (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-and-searching/id1771369908

Key Terms:

• Cognitive Dissonance: Psychological discomfort from conflicting beliefs and actions

• Cultural Intelligence: Ability to function effectively across different cultural contexts

• Ethical Branding: Marketing approach prioritizing values and social impact alongside profit

• Cognitive Consistency: Alignment between beliefs, values, and behaviours for psychological wellbeing