Elevated Conversations with Gbenga Ogunjimi

My guest today is on an audacious mission of getting a million families in their own homes. In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast, I interviewed Eze Okwodu, a real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur who uncovered the power of homeownership as a foundation for wealth building. If you ever wondered how to get into investing in real estate or even creating other forms of investment portfolios this episode is for you. Eze is based in the Washington DC metro area.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with wealth expert, Charisse Conanan-Johnson as we discussed her review of my new book Future Leader: 7 Prophetic Declarations for Shaping Your Child's Identity. Future Leader is a parenting book that explores the topics of identity, leadership, and purpose from a Christian perspective. We discussed the Wealth Creator component of the book and strategies for anyone or parent to create generational wealth or foster the skill of wealth building in their children. For more info about the Future Leader book please visit - https://gbenga.org/futureleader

Family stories are not just a collection of historical accounts from our ancestors. Alternatively, the stories our family leaves with us, and especially the ones we choose to tell, are assets for creating wealth for future generations. Enjoy my recent interview with Nike Anani, Nike is about the family business, legacy building, and philanthropy. In this episode, we discussed the power of telling your story and defining your identity as a family business owner.

Family stories are not just a collection of historical accounts from our ancestors. Alternatively, the stories our family leaves with us, and especially the ones we choose to tell, are assets for creating wealth for future generations. In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast titled Unlocking The Power of Your Family Story, I talked about the process of crafting and harnessing your family story.

This episode is with Charisse Conanan-Johnson. Charisse is a wealth expert, and the author of the new book titled The Wealthy Girl: 7 Steps to Prosperity, Peace, and Personal Power. She also a Managing Partner at a financial institution called Next Street. Next Street mobilizes capital, customers, and capabilities to small businesses and entrepreneurs that have been systemically held back. Bonus and why you should listen entirely to this episode – I asked Charisse to give an expert perspective to the following financial terms: Compound Interest FICO Score Asset Allocation Angel Investing Capital Gains Mutual Funds Stock Options Itemized Deduction Standard Deduction Term Life Insurance

To change the world you have to change your perspective and to change your perspective you have to travel to see the world. This episode explores how to foster one's cultural intelligence through travel. My guest Carol Yee talks about her new book Welcome Abuja Once Again: How I Became a Citizen of the World. We discussed her experience of world cultures and navigating her Chinese American identity. Carol believes “Being a citizen of the world is not a destination, it's a mindset and a journey.”

The defining moments are the cornerstones for crafting powerful stories. They also point you to your life's purpose. This episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast helps you to identify yours and use it to move your business and work forward. In the episode, I interviewed Muriel Irembe a transformation coach. We discussed how she is using her story to power her coaching business, and insights for anyone that wants to do the same.

More money does not solve financial problems, what does that is a change to your financial psychology and education. The numbers are clear. The vast majority of Americans do not have up to $1,000 set aside for an emergency fund nor can they make a cash purchase of $400. And with the pandemic, the numbers are even more staggering. In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast, my guest, Grisel Saez - financial education expert, and I explore the concept of owning and changing your money story. We also explored 10 major excuses people make about money and how to change the story.

You must have heard about the "essential economy", where we recognize and celebrate the contributions tirelessly made by our frontline and essential workers. This economy is powered by one's unique expertise. It's however a new normal and we're in a new economy. I call it the “superpower economy,” an economy powered by stories. This episode talks power about more this idea. Enjoy!

Have you ever asked any of the following questions: I have several stories, which one should I be telling? I don't think I have a story worth telling? How can telling my story help me? I am multi-talented, how do I know which of my talents is my superpower? My story is not a positive one, why should I be telling it? Can everyone be an entrepreneur? What is the number one mistakes businesses make? I am at the top of my game, why do I need a coach? What is the difference between a coach and a consultant? How do I make more money? If you have ever had any of these questions or thoughts, then this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast is for you. On this episode, I asked fellow business story expert, author, and speaker, Gerald Dubose to weigh in on your questions. In addition to a great listening time, you will gain practical insights on these ever so elusive questions about business storytelling. Happy Listening.

Being an Empath is a Superpower! In my line of work as a coach, I meet many Empaths who usually have no idea they are one or how this is their superpower. Empaths are extraordinary people; they have a heightened sense of perception, sensitivity, and intuition. They walk by feelings and not my sight. If this resonates with you then this episode of Elevated Conversations is for you. My guest Sandra Marie, the Fashion Psychologist and Lifestyle Coach gives a unique perspective about Empaths that I have yet to hear from anyone in the world.

When I asked my guest how can anyone become a real estate investor? Her response is this - Investing is a lifestyle. In the episode of Elevated Conversations Podcast, I interviewed Patricia Ofori, a real estate investor and entrepreneur. If you ever wondered how to get into investing in real estate or even creating other forms of investment portfolios this episode is for you. Patricia is based in Baltimore Maryland.

On this episode of Elevated Conversations, I was a guest on the Pivotal Moments Podcast with Liletta Harlem. If you are in the process of building or scaling your brand to a thought leader status, this episode is for you. Enjoy!

When life gives you lemons make lemonade! When Ingrid had a near-death car accident in Chelsea NY, she decided to create the Chelsea Film Festival for emerging storytellers to have a platform to share their work with a global audience. In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ingrid Jean-Baptiste, Co-Founder of the Chelsea Film Festival. We discussed the ins and outs of film festivals along with her unique journey and story. If you are an independent film-maker or storyteller considering getting your work to film festivals or share your story on global stages, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast, I spoke with Maryann Lombardi, a thought leader in the creative economy space. She is also a strategist, cultural entrepreneur and runs the Creative Affairs Office in Washington DC. We discussed the solution to the challenging process many have with identifying the right story to tell about their work and insights for anyone particularly creatives looking to pivot their work and brand during this time. We specifically looked at two distinctions – Creative vs Creator, and Essential vs Aspirational economy.

Whether you're interviewing for a job, consulting gig, or fellowship program, 10 times out of 10 the conversation will start with, "Can you tell me about yourself?" The answer to this question should be your brand story. In this episode of the Elevated Conversation Podcast, I spoke with Melodie Barefield, an HR Expert, Career Coach, and one of my story coaching clients. We discussed how to craft a compelling professional brand story that delivers 6-figure job opportunities. We also discussed how our working together lead to her breakthrough and dream job. If you ever wanted to know how to build your personal brand in the workplace or establish your authority as an expert in your industry this episode is for you.

Your story is not just about your past, it can be (in fact, it is) your greatest asset for wealth building. In this episode of the Elevated Conversations Podcast, I spoke with Sharifa Crawford, a Real Estate Investor, Nonprofit Leader, and one of my story coaching clients. We discussed how our working together lead to her breakthrough - the moment she was able to change her narrative and define her professional identity as an entrepreneur while still working her day job.

Everyone has a story to tell, and how you tell that story makes all the difference. Publishing is undoubtedly one way to share your story not just with your immediate audience or community but with the world at large. Writing a book, allows you to shift your identity from a professional to an author and helps to solidify your credibility as a thought leader. As the world continues to navigate solutions to unprecedented challenges, we see an opportunity to pivot brands, careers, and businesses through storytelling. This episode features Melissa G. Wilson. Melissa who published several best-selling books and advised several fortune 500 corporations, decided to dedicate her life's work to helping thought leaders expand and amplify their circles of influence and impact through book publishing.

Growing up in a country other than the one you were born into or that of a parent, can bring revolving issues of belonging and identity. These issues if not confronted or addressed can have a lifelong impact. Third Cultural Kids, popularly known as TCKs, however, tell a different story. They find a way to take what many consider just another cultural label as their superpower – the ability to bridge and articulate complexities within multiple cultures. In fact, they can take what makes them different and make a difference in the world. This episode features Mannie T'Chawi and Manal Elhag.

If you've ever wondered how to tell your story as an entrepreneur and use that story to power your business and personal brand, this episode is for you. In this episode, I had an elevated conversation with Ken Moorman on how he was able to use this personal story to start and scale his coffee business – Jirani Coffeehouse. We talked about his superpower; the ability to listen to his inner voice of intuition, and how everyone can tap into theirs. We also discussed the community power of what he calls an Inspired Business, and the one wisdom he learned from the world of real estate investing.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Marc Carr and Obi Chime. Marc is a social entrepreneur all about systemic change and social innovation working in both the United States and several countries in Africa. Obi is an Igbo Nigerian entrepreneur who recently moved to Canada and is doing business on both continents. We talked about unlocking the power of cultural assets, how black entrepreneurs financed the civil rights movement, and the legendary Igbo apprenticeship model of wealth building.

In this episode, Eva and I discussed my recent article on Building Black America's Wealth Using Igbo Phenomenon. We talked about Black Wall Street, The Black Church & White Evangelicals Dichotomy, and Reframing the African American Cultural Identity Narrative. Eva Anika is a writer, educator, history buff, world traveler, and social media activist based in New York City. Among her most satisfying efforts to date is contributing to the healing and intellectual prosperity of her fellow Black Americans, who have endured a half millennia of challenges at the hands of a white supremacist ideology. Eva strongly believes in the innate worth of her people, God's hand in their survival, and their continued successes in the midst of exigency. Article available at CLICK HERE

Elevated Conversations Introduction