Shawn Askinosie: Encounters with The Divine Through Business

If I never produced a single episode after this one, my mission would still be complete.

This conversation with Shawn Askinosie is the epitome of living a heart-centered life driven by presence, generosity, curiosity and adventure, with the internet and business being the tools we use to experience connection.

Criminal defense lawyer turned conscious chocolate entrepreneur Shawn Askinosie was recognized by Oprah as “One of 15 Guys Who Are Saving the World.” He’s the founder of Askinosie Chocolate – a small batch, award winning chocolate factory located in Springfield, Missouri, sourcing 100% of their beans directly from farmers. Making a difference on a business level starts with making a difference on a personal level, interaction by interaction. This conversation with Shawn had a profound impact on me and gave me a glimpse into what’s possible when I get present to the connection between my personal vocation and how I make money. I know this interview will move you, too. Get prepared to encounter the Divine.

Listen on iTunes or Spotify

In this episode, we discuss:

• How a divine encounter led Shawn from journey from a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer to making chocolate
• How can we be present for divine encounters?
• The power of following your sorrow and heartbreak
• How to find your purpose through service
• Moments of joy of service as a path to expanded consciousness
• The intersection of personal and business vocation
• How Shawn honors his ancestors through his business
• Why fair trade business doesn’t mean the farmers get paid more money
• Why Askinosie Chocolate chose direct trade and profit sharing over fair trade
• How they are able to pay farmers on average 55% more 
• Why the growth of the Askinosie Chocolate business is directly related to faith
• How to practice presence in everyday moments
• The role that technology and social media play in creating community and a sense of unity

Resources: 

• Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul by Shawn Askinosie
• Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
• Empowered Girls – Chocolate University?
• What is cacao ceremony? 
• Tebleya – Filipino Hot Chocolate

Connect with Shawn Askinosie: 

• Askinosie.com
• shawnaskinosie.com

About Shawn Askinosie: 

In 2006, Shawn Askinosie left a successful career as a criminal defense lawyer to start a bean to bar chocolate factory and never looked back. Askinosie Chocolate is a small batch, award winning chocolate factory located in Springfield, Missouri, sourcing 100% of their beans directly from farmers that they profit share with on three continents. This past summer will mark Shawn’s 44th origin trip. Recently named by Forbes “One of the 25 Best Small Companies in America”, Askinosie Chocolate has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, on Bloomberg, MSNBC and numerous other national and international media outlets. Shawn was named by O, The Oprah Magazine “One of 15 Guys Who Are Saving the World.” He has been awarded honorary doctorates from University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri State University. Shawn is a Family Brother at Assumption Abbey, a Trappist monastery near Ava, Missouri and the co-founder of Lost & Found, a grief center serving children and families in Southwest Missouri. His book – Meaningful Work: The Quest To Do Great Business, Find Your Calling And Feed Your Soul, co-written with his daughter Lawren Askinosie, published by Penguin Random House is already a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

Listen to the 2020 interview with Shawn Askinosie.

You may also like:

• Episode 97 Shawn Askinosie: Disruption, Surrender and Deepening of your Path
• Episode 84 Ascension Guide Anna Brown: New Earth Consciousness & The Energetics of Social Media Growth
• Episode 78 Niraj Naik: Building A Business Around Altered States of Consciousness
• Episode 77 Shawn Askinosie: Encounters with The Divine Through Business
• Episode 65 Tanyka Renee: How To Create Iconic Content & Use Visualization To Grow On Instagram
• Episode 67 It’s Time To Step Up, Show Up And Share Your Voice
• Episode 64 Erin Claire Jones: How To Use Human Design And Social Media To Make Your Work Visible

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Quotes by Shawn Askinosie: 

“I believe that technology will allow us to be in community, communicate with others, realize that we are one and that we are connected in ways we’ve never imagined.”

“The divine can speak to us in all forms of media and media that we can’t even imagine.”

“Is there a chance to encounter the divine in our work? The answer is YES. Absolutely.”

“We have a discipline and we have a practice so that our souls can be ready for that experience.”

“It’s not just about experiencing the divine and going to the next thing. It’s about integrating that experience into our day, into our life, and how we treat other people.” “Your heartbreak is your connection to your soul.” “Where does it hurt? Serve someone else from this place.”