Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Foster.
Hi Justin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My entire life has been about the pursuit of freedom – and reconciling that pursuit with the need for surety. This dichotomy of a hopeful dreamer and a pessimistic realist remains well into my 50th year. I’m just now learning to integrate these two parts. My childhood was shaped by growing up on a cattle ranch, being a reluctant member of a Christian fundamentalist group and by an abusive home life. My first efforts for freedom were all about freeing myself from these influences. I married young and became a father young and settled into those roles – while also becoming an entrepreneur in 2003. I had security in my home life and freedom (with lots of struggle) in my business pursuits. But something was missing. In early 2014, I had my first spiritual awakening. This led me on to my next chapter of freedom: leaving behind the church, Idaho, political views and more to move to Austin, TX. Along the way, I founded an intrinsic branding practice with my business/creative partner, Emily. We called it Root + River; which contains our philosophy that all brands begin in the soul. In the fall of 2020, after the painful ending of my marriage and another key relationship, I had a second awakening; a “dark night of the soul” that freed me from old relationship patterns and codependency. As of this writing, I feel freedom and joy. Certainly not every day in every moment. I’m excited about my relationship with my new partner, Virginia. I’m excited about the continued growth of Root + River, I’m excited to continue to explore mystical leadership, contemplative and critical thinking. I’m deeply grateful for my former partner, Lynna and our continued friendship. And I fiercely and unconditionally love my sons, daughter-in-law, my grandson and my friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Tattooed on my right forearm is this phrase: “The Mission is in the Suffering.” For me, this means that although we want to minimize the amount of self-imposed suffering, every struggle, challenge, obstacle contains within it the gift of possibility, renewal and growth. As an Enneagram 8, I relish these challenges because my inner work has helped me find my core self; the untameable, unbreakable priceless part of me.
To perpetually venture into the unknown is to have a life of challenges. And I love that. I love the risk of allowing myself to bare my heart. I love the risk of telling the truth in business. I love the risk of challenging religious and political dogma.
There are dark moments and even dark days. I still battle anxiety, insecurity and self-doubt. But I’m learning to love these shadow elements too. I have a tendency for fixation and hyper-awareness but I’m seeing the gifts of those as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my profession is as a brand strategist and brand coach. For this piece, however, I wanted to share my creative pursuits. I’ve been creative my whole life but have only begun to share that part of me with the world in recent years. In short, I’m a poet and writer. I’ve written two books and hundreds of blog posts. I write musings that I share on social media (@fosterthinking). I write a weekly essay on the topic of Third Way thinking every Monday since the first Monday of 2020. I co-write with Emily on matters related to branding. I am a lyricist – having written 20+ songs and poems. I am also a spoken-word creative – especially related to speaking, guest lecturing, two podcasts and videos.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As it relates to networking, my counsel is to not do it. Instead, go out and serve in the community and make friends. I believe we should all seek out relationships with mentors. I’m grateful for my mentors over the years. And I’m grateful to be a mentor to many. All that said, beware of anyone that wants to give you advice, tell you what to do, tell you what’s wrong with you. Find friends and mentors that are mirrors and models – reflecting back to you the truth and modeling for you what you aspire to be.
Contact Info:
- Email: Justin@fosterthinking.com
- Website: fosterthinking.com rootandriver.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterthinking/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinFoster
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosterthinking
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCuFUwQE2JhVbMzWG9wc0MA
- Other: https://fosterthinking.substack.com/
Image Credits
Emilee Forbes Rachel Pennington Leandra Blei
