Second Innocence: Rediscovering Joy and Wonder: A Guide to Renewal in Work, Relationships, and Daily Life - Softcover

Second Innocence is not a passive physiology that occurs during our sleep, instead it describes the active choice we can make to reclaim those innocent ideals we had, but somehow lost. The ones we once reached for in daily life, in our careers and work, in our passionate relationships and in our faith.

Second Innocence is a practical life guide that uses the author’s own life stories and those of people he has known to illustrate life lessons that have the power to shape us if we let them. It is about having the wisdom to be an adult while allowing childlike ideals and wonder to re-surface.

Through a series of compelling stories full of insights about life, John Izzo offers a collection of uncommon thoughts on common themes. Having been a minister, a university instructor, an author, a corporate advisor, and a leader of spiritual retreats, Izzo brings a wealth of wisdom to this journey to second innocence. He tackles four key areas of human experience—work, love, faith and daily life—giving readers different perspectives on their lives. In the spirit of Robert Fulgham and Garrison Keillor, he provides thought provoking insights into the daily experience of being human from the unique perspective of reclaiming the innocence and wonder that we often associate with childhood.

Based on his own unique experiences—the death of his father, a rowing trip with his grandfather, his first real job, first love, a family suicide, teachers he remembers for their unique courage, and experiences as a leader, lover, parent, and friend—the themes of Izzo’s stories are in many ways universal. These stories will undoubtedly resonate with readers’ own experiences and encourage readers to reconnect with their own life stories and the lessons they can learn from them.

Izzo’s wisdom inspires readers to rediscover the wonder and innocence of youth while incorporating the wisdom gained from growing older. He shows that maintaining a childlike outlook is not the same as being "childish."

Dr. Izzo is the author of three books Awakening Corporate Soul: Four Paths to Unleash the Power of People at Work, Awakening Corporate Soul: the Companion Team Workbook and Values Shift: The New Work Ethic and What it Means for Business.

He has served on the faculties of The University of California –San Diego, and Kent State University.

He has published over 60 articles and has been interviewed for publications including, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, Nurseweek, Working Woman, Redbook, Healthcare Forum Journal, American Medical Journal and has appeared on CNN, Wisdom Network, Canada- AM and ABC World News.