Learned Opportunity Podcast

For the first time, The Opportunity Collective has a returning guest! We are fortunate that it is one with such grace, kindness, and compassion as Kimberly Phinney.A year ago, Kimberly was getting her community of faithful creatives, The Way Back To Ourselves, rolling. Our communities are “brother and sister” communities. Both communities build on the idea that creatives or creators are better off collaborating than competing with one another.Since we last talked with Kimberly, she has seen more pain and even more grace in her life. She even wrote a book that she never expected to write! Of Wings and Dirt is a collection of poems chronicling Kimberly's time going through mental and physical illness.Kimberly is a wife, mother, teacher, writer, artist, creative coach, and mental health counselor. She is also a dear friend, and I know every member of The Opportunity Collective would love to get to know her.Opportunities that Kimberly wants to share with you!Kimberly and The Way Back To Ourselves community are hosting a creative arts retreat called The Cultivate Retreat from June 22-23 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There are only 11 spots left for the in-person retreat, but several spots are left for the virtual ticket. Kimberly also offers writing, editing, and creative coaching services. I can personally vouch for her editing, as she has helped me find my voice on several writing projects.How can you help Kimberly and The Way Back To Ourselves? I'm glad you asked… Kimberly is looking for help with her podcast production. Like many creatives (myself included), podcast editing is one of the less fun aspects of hosting a podcast. If you are savvy with podcast editing or production, let Kimberly know!Follow Kimberly PhinneyConnect with Kimberly at thewayback2ourselves.com, on Instagram, or read more of her work on Substack.Follow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Blake Roberts has been marrying therapy with creativity for years without realizing it. When he left his undergrad with a major in Christian Ministry but no desire to work in a Church, he had no idea what he would end up doing. Eventually, he worked in marketing with artists at his father-in-law's art gallery in Nashville, Tennessee. At the same time, he was experiencing a new awakening as he went through therapy for himself.The result? Therapy as creative work. Blake has moved on from the art gallery and opened his private counseling practice.In this episode, we chat about how his therapeutic values are also creative values.* CURIOSITY OVER CRITICISM* IF YOU CAN NAME IT, YOU CAN TAME IT* THERE IS BEAUTY IN THE MIDST OF PAIN* HEALING ISN'T LINEAR* PRESENCE OVER PERFORMANCE MATTERS MOSTWe then discuss Blake's theory of Three Creative Paths and how we can move our ideas past shame and fear and create for the right reasons.Opportunities that Blake wants to share with you!While Blake can only accept therapy clients in the state of Tennessee, there are many other opportunities for you to help him and for him to help you. One service that Blake is seeking some help with is clarifying his workshops. He is currently designing workshops and courses based on these ideas of therapy and creativity, but it can be hard to know how to merge them all together. If you have any ideas, he'd love to talk to you!Follow Blake RobertsConnect with Blake on Substack, Instagram, or reach out to him at www.blakerobertscounseling.comFollow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Made for More with Chad LunsfordThe Opportunity Collective is celebrating the release of Chad Lunsford's book, Made for More: Reach Your Highest Purpose & Live Your Greatest Story.Let's face it, we all want to reach our highest purpose and live our greatest story. But sometimes, that feels more like a pipe dream than a reality. You will meet plenty of obstacles and barriers on your journey toward purpose. You won't have a platform that is large enough. You will struggle to come up with funding. You will doubt your ability to make an impact.The answer? If you are called to do something, do it. When we know what we are made for, not doing it would be disobedience.Chad knows this personally as he wrote this book to obey God's calling on his life. In this podcast, he talks about overcoming obstacles to live out the conviction to create.Opportunities that Chad wants to share with you!Chad offers leadership coaching for those feeling confused, overwhelmed, and stuck at Stay Forth. He has also created Made For More, a 501c3 non-profit organization that creates transformational resources and experiences to awaken people to their worth in Christ and inspire them to live into their God-given purpose.As Chad mentions in the podcast, he does not have the most prominent platform. But he really wants to get the message of Made for More out to more people. If you enjoy this podcast episode, help Chad by sharing his new book and this episode on your social media.Connect with Chad Lunsford:Connect with Chad on Instagram or reach out to him via email at hello@madeformore.lifeConnect with Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Welcome to The Opportunity Collective. This Substack is a space for faithful creators to collaborate to create more opportunities and live more purpose-driven lives. I'll write/podcast primarily about faith and work while sharing some of my life lessons along the way. Before you keep scrolling, hit the subscribe button and become an official member of The Opportunity Collective.May in Indy Special with Sting Ray RobbWhen it is May in Indianapolis, everyone puts their checkered flag on their lawn. There is a buzz throughout the city as hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see the greatest spectacle in racing.So, join me in celebrating this month as I welcome Sting Ray Robb, an IndyCar Driver for team AJ Foyt, to The Opportunity Collective.Now I know what you are thinking… “Sting Ray?! That is not his real name.” Well, let me clear the air, yes. Sting Ray is his legal name. In this podcast episode, He covers why he is named Sting Ray.Now that we have clarified the whole name thing, you might be wondering,” Are racecar drivers faithful creators?”Sting Ray considers himself a creative person for multiple reasons. He creates opportunities for dozens of people who work on the AJ Foyt Team, from mechanics to marketers. If Sting Ray does well in a race, he makes more opportunities for others. By stewarding the car he has been given, Sting Ray glorifies God, brings glory to his team, and lives a more purpose-filled life.Opportunities that Sting Ray wants to share with you!Sting Ray partners with an event called Faith in the Fastlane, and he would love to connect with worship artists or personalities who might be able to co-host the event. He is also open to receiving mockups for merchandising ideas from talented designers. The best way to collaborate with Sting Ray is by sending him a message on Instagram or an email through his website (links below).Follow Sting Ray RobbConnect with Sting Ray on Instagram or reach out to him at https://www.stingrayrobb.comFollow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Welcome to The Opportunity Collective. This Substack is a space for faithful creators to collaborate to create more opportunities and live more purpose-driven lives. I'll write/podcast primarily about faith and work while sharing some of my life lessons along the way. Before you keep scrolling, hit the subscribe button and become an official member of The Opportunity Collective.Finding Opportunities in Creative CollabsI've seen countless creatives pigeonhole their collaborations with other faithful creators into a single genre of creativity. Musicians only work with musicians. Graphic designers collaborate with other graphic designers. Non-fiction authors primarily bounce ideas off of other non-fiction authors.Matt Doering is breaking the mold when it comes to creative collaborations. He does this by cross-pollinating his singer/songwriter art with faithful creators of genres that seem to have nothing in common with Matt's work.Matt tours Texas with a poet. He works with apparel companies to create vintage thrifted hats. His coffee-loving has led to Matt likely being one of the first musicians with a coffee blend. While Matt loves to collaborate with other singer/songwriters, he does not limit his collaboration to faithful creators who work in the same medium as him.And you don't have to limit your creative collaborations either…How Matt Can Help You:Matt is an ultra-talented singer/songwriter who has worked with many faithful creators. Some of the ways he likes to help include:* Creating bumper music or theme songs for podcasts or videos* Assisting a bit in music producing* Dabbling in graphic designHow You Can Help Matt:Matt is looking for someone who can help him get organized in his social media planning and marketing. Do you have experience creating a content calendar? Matt would love to chat! Also, if you are a songwriter, Matt is always looking to co-write with like-minded creators like you.Follow Matt Doering:Listen to Matt Doering's music on Spotify, and make sure to connect with him on Instagram as well. You can learn more about Matt and his music at www.mattdoeringmusic.comFollow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Working in Multiple SpacesSo you're a creative… What that probably means is that you have multiple jobs while you are building your passion project.That's not to say that your jobs are not something you can also be passionate about. I'd venture to say that you are likely excited about your nine-to-five, too.But when you work in multiple spaces throughout your week, it can be hard to balance both your time and your energy. Sure. You want to give your all to the things you find purpose in. But what happens when you find purpose in several places?Jonathan Mayo knows a thing or two about working in multiple places. He works in three very distinct arenas (one is a literal stadium on Friday nights).Jonathan manages time and energy as he transitions between his three spaces of purpose. But what helps is that he can connect the dots between his professions with a throughline of calling. Each place allows him to live into his vocation of leadership development.How Jonathan Can Help You:Jonathan has a heart for those who are leading and creating. He realizes that while some of us have places for connection, some faithful creators out there feel like they are an island to themselves. Jonathan would love to be a listening ear if you would like to talk to someone skilled in connecting the dots in your story.How You Can Help Jonathan:Jonathan and the Sagamore Leadership Initiative team have developed a leadership curriculum designed for emerging high school and college leaders. If you know of a school, church, business, non-profit, or organization interested in equipping the next generation of leaders with this curriculum, please visit www.sagamoreleadership.org to receive more information!Follow Jonathan Mayo:Follow Jonathan on Instagram, X, and Facebook @ fbcoachjmayo.Follow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

The Sacredness of Secular WorkThis is one of the most important conversations we can have as faithful creators.In this episode of the Opportunity Collective podcast, we welcome Jordan Raynor, an author and advocate for integrating faith and work.We discuss the concept of collaboration > competition, the importance of valuing work beyond just a source of income, and how the traditional idea of 'good works' encompasses both spiritual and everyday work, tasks, and employment.Jordan emphasizes the significance of understanding work as a gift from God, instilled in us since creation and ultimately redeemed by Jesus Christ.Stick to the end of the podcast to hear about how to win an upcoming trip to France for two winners who pre-order Jordan Raynor's new book, 'The Sacredness of Secular Work' before February 3rd.How Jordan Can Help You:Jordan's new book,” The Sacredness of Secular Work,” is the guide you need to see how your work matters for eternity—beyond sharing the gospel with those you work with.Pre-order The Sacredness of Secular Work before February 3, and you could win an epic trip for two to France to rehearse for eternity in a castle, vineyard, cathedral, and more!How You Can Help Jordan:How does the gospel influence the work of Mere Christians—those of us who aren't pastors or religious professionals but who work as entrepreneurs, baristas, and accountants? That's the question Jordan's flagship podcast explores every week as he interviews guests across the widest variety of vocations.Do you know someone who integrates their faith with their work? Jordan would love to interview them on his podcast Mere Christians. Contact Jordan at JordanRaynor.com.Follow Jordan Raynor:Follow Jordan on Instagram or LinkedIn. Make sure you are purchasing his new book, “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” and learn more at jordanraynor.comFollow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djecclesWas this episode helpful? Please share it with a friend on social media or in a message. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Trauma, Burnout, and Collaboration…A light subject matter to start The Opportunity Collective podcast in 2024! (sarcasm)But if anyone can make trauma and burnout approachable and hopeful, it is Kate Reed. Kate is a trauma informed and burnout prevention consultant with a mission to help you become as healthy as possible and fight for your highest good.Kate helps us collaborate by:* Reminding us that we should be interested in the other person in the room before we seek to be interesting ourselves.* Arguing that community care is sometimes more necessary than self-care.* Preaching that we should accept help as often as we seek to help others.How Kate Can Help You:Kate has three FREE assessments that you can take to help you be a more effective leader and collaborator.* The Peace Index: How do you find inner peace amid chaos?* The Five Voices: What is your primary leadership voice (and weapon)?* The Communication Code: What do you need, and how do you ask for it?How You Can Help Kate:Kate comes the most alive when she is connecting with people. She truly wants to connect with you and see if there is any way she can help you or your organization be more trauma-informed and prioritize your health. Schedule a virtual coffee with Kate by contacting her on LinkedIn or Instagram.Follow Kate Reed:Follow Kate on Instagram or LinkedIn. For everything else trauma informed and burnout prevention consulting, check out her Linktree!Follow Daniel Eccles:Find out more about The Opportunity Collective and everything else Daniel is up to at danieleccles.com ⁠, or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieleccles.substack.com

Before you create, you may need to set it on fire…In this episode of The Opportunity Collective, we talk to Natalie Born about innovation, creation, alignment, and collaboration. Natalie Born is a Principal Consultant with Arch and Tower, the host of a top 25 innovation podcast called Innovation Meets Leadership, and the author of “Set It On Fire: The Art of Innovation.” Natalie has collaborated on two approved US patents and has over 20 years of experience leading product development, strategy, and innovation teams working globally in over 18 countries.Natalie knows something about helping you make your dreams as a faithful creator a reality. 

What is the difference between coaching, mentoring, and consulting? In this episode of The Opportunity Collective, we explore the nuanced differences between coaching, mentoring, and consulting, shedding light on the distinct roles they play in personal and professional development. Our guest, Bobby Barbour, a seasoned life and leadership coach specializing in high-performing leaders under the age of 40, joins us to provide clarity on the transformative impact a coach can have on one's life. As the demands on faithful creators evolve, strategic resource stewardship becomes crucial, and Bobby is here to guide individuals through these transitional times.

Michaela Mantarian has a budding business.  As a florist and entrepreneur, Michaela has served the Chicagoland area by providing beautiful wedding aesthetics. However, her dreams as a faithful creator go beyond working 20 weddings a year. In her pursuit of long-term sustainability, Michaela has dedicated herself to expanding and enhancing her floral enterprise. Introducing innovations such as a portable bloom bar and personalized mentoring sessions, she is just getting started. 

Meet Steve. Steve can draw.  Contrary to his Instagram handle, he hasn't always pursued illustration. His childhood dream was to become a Disney animator, but he's only recently rekindled this original passion after years of suppressing his talents. Steve's journey has been diverse, spanning from Illustration to Ministry, then Leadership Development, and back to Illustration. Steve's story is a tale of illustration and redemption, transforming from experiencing church hurt to becoming a faithful creative. It's a shift from an accidental career to a life of purpose.

Addison Newell is a shining example of what it means to be a faithful entrepreneur.  He's also quite the doer! You'll find Addison managing a co-working space in Indianapolis called Refinery 46, investing in desirable Indianapolis neighborhoods with his real estate management company, and consulting businesses on how they can be the most efficient and satisfied with their work through his new endeavor, Prevenient Consulting.  Addison carries the same principle of Pfunanane through all of his entrepreneurial ambitions.  To Pfunanane is to help one another.  Pfunanane = Collaboration. 

Stephen Glasser is Collaborating with The Opportunity Collective Get ready for a Midwest collaboration as Stephen Glasser, the dynamic Pastor of Discipleship and Next Steps at Northview Church in Fargo, North Dakota, teams up with The Opportunity Collective! Stephen is also the host of the "Going Somewhere" podcast, dedicated to guiding young adults through seasons of significant change. His mission is to help them discover fulfillment, wisdom, and purpose. Episode Highlights: Navigating High Change with Stephen Glasser: Meet Stephen Glasser, the guiding light for young adults during times of immense change. As the host of "Going Somewhere" podcast, Stephen shares his wisdom on building and sustaining community, finding your rhythm amidst transitions, and embracing the life you're living. Exploring Identity, Calling, and Assignment: Delve into a thought-provoking conversation about identity, calling, and assignment. Gain insights from Stephen's unique perspective on understanding your true self, recognizing your purpose, and carrying out your assignments in life. How Stephen can help you:

Ben Miller is collaborating with The Opportunity Collective!  What is Ben excited about?

Kirby Green is collaborating with The Opportunity Collective!

Are you really behind? Download this free blog post to find out... ⁠ Tanner Olson is collaborating with The Opportunity Collective! What is Tanner excited about?

Samantha Martin is Collaborating with The Opportunity Collective! What is Samantha excited about? Meet Samantha, the visionary behind By The Clique, a makeup company that celebrates your inner beauty.

Tiago Magro is a full-time multimedia artist who wants you to find your ultimate purpose and passion. In this episode of the Opportunity Collective, Tiago shares his inspiring journey of pursuing his passion and making it as an artist. Tiago breaks the stereotype of the "starving artist" by demonstrating how determination and unwavering commitment can lead to success. Throughout his career, he has focused solely on his art, without any fallback plans or alternatives. If you're someone who shares this mindset or aspires to make your own dreams come true, Tiago's story will resonate deeply with you. During our conversation, Tiago reveals the extensive time and effort it took to turn his plan "A" into a reality—a journey that spanned 15 to 20 years. He emphasizes the importance of relentlessly pursuing the next step and actively creating opportunities along the way. Tiago's experience serves as a valuable roadmap for creative entrepreneurs and emerging leaders who are eager to transform their dreams into tangible achievements. To assist you on your own path, we have prepared a free resource called the No Plan "B" Planner. This checklist will guide you in acquiring the supplementary skills and resources necessary to make your desired life a reality. Whether it takes two years or two decades, by intentionally checking off each item on this list, you will be empowered to achieve the life you envision. Tiago's inspiring conversation will provide you with not only practical advice but also a deep sense of encouragement and motivation. Be sure to connect with him: on Instagram @tiagomagro Email: tiagomagroart@gmail.com Explore his website to discover more about his remarkable work and the opportunities he has to share with you. ⁠Join The Opportunity Collective today and collaborate with other emerging leaders to start creating opportunities.⁠ ⁠⁠Become a member of The Opportunity Collective⁠⁠ Find out more about The Opportunity Collective, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠menu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

Mike Burns is collaborating with The Opportunity Collective! Mike is the host of the podcast: ⁠Maybe You're Like Me⁠ where he interviews other leaders, authors, podcasters, and creatives, but instead of focusing on their persona, he just gets to know them and see if they have anything in common. Mike is easy to chat with, and if you want to connect with him after this episode, I recommend sending him a message on his Instagram: @maybeyourelikeme In this episode: - Mike is taking some big swings - We'll battle imposter syndrome when pursuing a passion project - We ask, what is Bob Goff's middle name? - We send matching jackets to a group of podcasters in Tennessee If you're like Mike and want to take a big swing by launching your own passion project - whether it's a business, podcast, novel, or even joining a curling league - I've got something that might help. I've created a free Reflection Guide for Launching your Personal Passion Project to help you get started. Through a series of exercises, you'll gain clarity on what you want to launch, identify any obstacles in your way, and develop a plan to start as soon as possible. ⁠Download the Reflection Guide for Launching your Personal Passion Project⁠ ⁠Join The Opportunity Collective today and collaborate with other emerging leaders to start creating opportunities.⁠ ⁠Become a member of The Opportunity Collective⁠ Find out more about The Opportunity Collective, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠menu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

This Bonus Episode features Opportunity Collective Member Joel Sigrist's new podcast: Becoming Ourselves. Daniel Eccles joins the Becoming Ourselves Podcast to discuss Using Self-Reflection to Find More Opportunities in Your Life and Career. Click here to Become a Member of The Opportunity Collective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about The Opportunity Collective, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this ⁠⁠⁠⁠menu⁠⁠⁠⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

Welcome to The Opportunity Collective, a collaborative network for emerging leaders dedicated to creating new opportunities for ourselves and others.  We believe that Collaboration > Competition.  This podcast, formerly known as The Learned Opportunity podcast, is just one part of this greater community effort.  Each episode features insights and advice from successful leaders who have created opportunities in their own lives. These folks have built their platforms, impacted their communities, and created opportunities for themselves and others.  We delve into their journeys, uncovering key lessons and repeatable actions to apply to your personal and professional development today. Join us today and collaborate with other emerging leaders to start creating opportunities. Click here to become an opportunist and take your first step toward building your platform and expanding your impact with the help of The Opportunity Collective.

What do the most successful people in the world have in common? They may not all be from the same place or have the same background, but they do tend to share one key trait: they're optimists. And the good news is that optimism is something that anyone can learn. In this episode, we're talking to Zach Windahl, an entrepreneur, author, and content creator who has made it his mission to help people see the good in the world. Zach's journey to becoming an optimist wasn't always easy. When he was 27, he went through a difficult breakup and lost his job, which left him questioning everything. But he didn't give up. Instead, he worked on training himself to see the opportunities in every situation. Today, he's founded and sold one of the fastest-growing companies in America, is the author of a book called "See the Good," and is a popular content creator who inspires others to cultivate grace, gratitude, and optimism in their daily lives. In this episode, Zach shares some of his tips and strategies for cultivating optimism and creating opportunities, including: How to reverse engineer your goals to create opportunities Why going deep is often better than going wide when you feel stuck The importance of performing an attention audit to stay focused and motivated Zach also recommends some of these resources to help you to start creating opportunities Zach's book See the Good Undistracted by Bob Goff Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero To learn more about Zach and his work, visit zachwindahl.com, or follow him on Instagram and TikTok @zachwindahl. ⁠TAKE THE LEARNED OPPORTUNITY LISTENER SURVEY ⁠⁠ Become a member of The Opportunity Collective ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this ⁠⁠⁠menu⁠⁠⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting visit ⁠⁠⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

Are you struggling to communicate your value to potential employers? You're not alone.  In my career consulting experience, I've found that this is one of the most significant areas clients need help with. While many clients have a clear job title and company in mind, they'll struggle to land their dream job without a solid understanding of their unique skillset. So, do you know your top skills and enjoy utilizing them?  To help you identify your strengths, I've written a series of blog posts focusing on the six essential skill areas every company looks for in an employee. By reading my posts, you'll discover your top 10 skills and be well on your way to effectively communicating your value. Don't miss out on opportunities because you are not confidently communicating your worth. Check out my blog or listen to the other Discover Your Top 10 Skills podcast episodes ⁠TAKE THE LEARNED OPPORTUNITY LISTENER SURVEY ⁠ Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this ⁠⁠menu⁠⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting visit ⁠⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

Welcome to our Emerging Leader Series, where we feature individuals who are in the middle of building their platforms. Today, we're delighted to have Grant More, a Strengths Guru, share his insights on how to focus on your strengths and leverage them to achieve your career goals. Episode Notes: Grant's expertise in Strengths has helped many individuals recognize and harness their strengths to achieve their career objectives. In this episode, we'll hear about Grant's journey from college to career and how he has built a passion project that complements his strengths. Grant shares his experiences and insights on how to transition from college to career, gain relevant experiences, and pursue your passion projects. The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on your strengths instead of your weaknesses, as this can lead to more opportunities and success. Grant's passion project, which is revealed at the end of the episode, is a curveball that is both surprising and inspiring. Listeners are encouraged to learn from Grant's journey and apply the insights to their own careers, focusing on their strengths and building their passion projects. Learn more about 21st Century Townball at 21ctownball.com Instagram: @21ctownball, @townball.hillsdale_college https://www.youtube.com/@21stcenturytownball93 TAKE THE LEARNED OPPORTUNITY LISTENER SURVEY Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter ⁠here⁠ Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this ⁠menu⁠ or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting visit ⁠DanielEccles.com⁠

Today's skill area: Social Skills Social skills are focused on people. These skills are interpersonal, communicative, and helping-oriented. They happen in person or virtually, but only when you are interacting with other human beings. Often, social skills do not feel like skills because the results are harder to measure and less tangible. But an organization needs socially skilled individuals to be able to gain the results they so desire. Listen to the Realistic Skills episode or Read Realistic Skills Blog Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this menu or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

How do you create opportunity when you have: Chronic Illness? Uncontrollable Pain? A Mental Health Diagnosis? Trauma? Sometimes getting unstuck does not mean you are getting rid of a disability. Kimberly Phinney is a National Teaching Award recipient, founder of The Way Back To Ourselves, photographer, poet, and doctorate student. All while battling a chronic illness that prevents her from using her body on some days. In this podcast episode, you will learn the following: How to overcome the wheelchairs we all have in our minds The necessity of the arts for creating opportunity How limitations can increase opportunities How to navigate the detours of life Learn more about Kimberly Phinney and The Way Back To Ourselves at: Thewayback2ourselves.com @thewayback2ourselves on Instagram Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this menu or you can follow Daniel on Instagram @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

When you do not have clarity on your skills, you advertise skills that employers believe are not skills at all. Skills like: Hard-working Team player Communication Time management Organization Microsoft Word Are these terrible things to communicate with potential employers? Not at all! But these “skills” are overused and cliche. You will see them on most skills sections on LinkedIn and in resumes. Since these skills are overused, imagine how much more you could stand out if you had a clear list of top 10 skills that are a more significant value-add for companies. But here is the rub, just because you can do a skill doesn't mean you should list it on your resume. You can do a lot of things. But if you want to make an impact and create your next opportunity, you must find your top 10 skills that you are competent in AND enjoy using. The secret to unlocking your top 10 skills that will bring you a sense of purpose? Your story. Realistic Skills: Measuring Sewing or styling Servicing things Troubleshooting Assembling Using machines Cooking Repairing Building Operating equipment Using one's hands Fixing things lifting/pushing Installing Development Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast, LifeMappingU, and everything else Daniel is up to at this menu or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

When you are a college student, the difference between opportunity and being stuck can be as simple as creating instead of consuming. Endya Moler has found that she can find big opportunities when she tells her story and creates new content. As a student at Texas A&M, it would be easy for Endya to just sit back and consume information. Instead, Endya is sharing her story to help spread awareness and encourage other emerging leaders. Check out Endya's podcast, It's The Little Things: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-the-little-things/id1586409853 or follow Endya on Instagram @endyamoler Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here: https://danieleccles.ck.page/blogsubscribe Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast and everything else Daniel is up to at this menu: https://linktr.ee/djeccles or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Adults continue to ask kids, "what do you want to be when you grow up?". This question, while innocent, has, in my mind, expired. Life does not follow the old script of doing one job for your entire life. But even though that question is not helpful, we can still learn how to navigate our careers with the practical mindset of a child. Let's change the question from," what do you want to be when you grow up?" to "what jobs (or games) do you want to try." Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here: https://danieleccles.ck.page/blogsubscribe Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast and everything else Daniel is up to at this menu: https://linktr.ee/djeccles or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

A few months ago, I did an Instagram poll asking you what robs you of opportunities in your life. People answered that they are robbed of opportunities because of their mindset. Participants also said they were deprived of an opportunity if they didn't have enough resources to seize it. But most of you answered that you are robbed of opportunities because you just don't know what you want. If you don't know what you want, Mark Cumicek is here to help. Mark is a professional in uncovering your dreams and helping you achieve them. He is a Certified Dream Manager, Mental Fitness Coach, Hope Dealer, and Epic Encourager. Through programs like 21 Days of Dreaming and Dream Kickstarter, Mark has helped thousands of individuals be more engaged at work and meet their big hairy audacious goals. Connect with Mark on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcumicek/ Or join one of his Dream Programs at onwarddream.com Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here: https://danieleccles.ck.page/blogsubscribe Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Emerging leaders know how it feels to move from job to job. The average person will have 4.5 jobs from age 18 to 25. All of that change makes it hard to know your career path. How will you gain opportunities if you need to know what direction to go? But what if we look at your career as a general theme instead of looking at a career path? Your 4.5 jobs in 7 years may not lay out a clear career path from point A to point B. But reflecting on each of these experiences can tell you much about the type of work you are competent at and find fulfilling. In this Learned Opportunity Podcast episode, I'll show you how you can find your career theme and start gaining new opportunities that merge your passions and skills. Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here: https://danieleccles.ck.page/blogsubscribe Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

What do you do when you have to pivot? We can plan for the future, but sometimes life throws a wrench in those plans. The emerging leader on this week's podcast episode knows a thing or two about pivoting when plans do not go as expected. In this episode of the emerging leaders series we have Alex Rodriguez. Alex is a business owner, full-time content manager, and writer. Owning a business has always looked different for Alex. She comes from an educational background and has had to start her tutoring and educational therapy business multiple times. Alex says that we have to know when something is working and when something needs to change if we will get unstuck and create opportunities. Sometimes it is clear when things aren't working. Like when Alex had to leave Wuhan, China, in January 2020. Other times it takes deliberation through prayer, mentorship, and self-assessment. So is it time for you to pivot? Follow Alex on Instagram @suyen_the_writer Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Happy New Year and happy new season! This is the start of Season 4 of the Learned Opportunity podcast. New Years has always been a favorite of mine. The bright hope of what might be accomplished in 2023 is intoxicating. But only some people share the same enthusiasm for New Years as I do. Instead, folks are downright cynical about New Years goals and resolutions. It is true very few of you will complete your goals in 2023. But does this negate the benefits of New Years? Absolutely not! Join Daniel Eccles as he discusses how New Years' dreams are worth dreaming about, even if you are going to fail. Sign up for the Learned Opportunity email newsletter here: https://danieleccles.ck.page/blogsubscribe Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Tyler Lingle has felt like he doesn't fit into the usual crowd. It wasn't until college that he found the confidence to pursue his audacious goals and to be ok being the ambitious person in the room. I know that I have felt guilty pursuing my dreams. Being an emerging leader with ambition can feel lonely. So it is encouraging to hear from other emerging leaders like Tyler on a similar journey. Tyler has gone from an urban educator to a real estate professional in the last year. Some of the things that have helped him gain the confidence he needs to pursue his dreams include: 1. Mentorship Tyler has 5-6 people that he considers mentors. These folks have helped Tyler go from focusing on 15 years down the road to believing that doing the small things today will help him “make it happen.” 2. Clarification Tyler got distracted and tried to be good at too many things at once. He knows the right opportunities will come if he focuses on being the best at one or two things. Tyler says,” people need your consistency more than your creativity" You will be encouraged by Tyler's story as you gain new opportunities in your journey of emerging leadership. If you are interested in reaching out to hear more from Tyler Lingle, you can find him on Instagram @tyler_lingle or visit his website at tylerlingle.com Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

If you were to ask Josh Hussman 12 years ago where he would be today, he would not have given the correct answer. Josh's path has led to many unexpected outcomes. At one point, Josh thought he would be a Hollywood actor. At another stage, he was convinced he would live in Southern California for the rest of his life. But now Josh is leading as the pastor of Mercy Road Church in Carmel, Indiana. Even when Josh knew he was headed back to Indiana to plant a Church, he had no idea that it would end up being 5 churches supporting 20+ other Church plants in Indiana. Josh has some advice for emerging leaders trying to figure out their “calling.” Focus on figuring out today. You don't have to wait until you have your “calling” figured out to start doing good work right where you are. Josh has discovered that he does not have to be afraid of making wrong decisions. Life is long, and there are plenty of opportunities to grow into your purpose. He has also learned that it is more important to focus on the growth of the entire “forest” instead of concentrating on growing a single large tree. He has done this by taking a decentralized approach to Church, empowering the emerging leaders in his organization to use their talents and strengths. If you are trying to figure out your long term goals for your career, relationships, business, etc., this episode will give great next steps for where to start. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

The NFL may be the pinnacle of professional sports in the United States. An NFL athlete must be well-trained to reach such a high level. We tend to look up to these athletes and assume they have their life “all together.” Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether you are an NFL superstar or a kid from the southside of Chicago; you will get stuck once or twice in your life. LaMorris Crawford knows about both of these worlds. LaMorris grew up in gangs on the south side of Chicago. He went from experiencing a life of poverty to where he is now, hanging out with professional athletes as an NFL Chaplain and Marriage and Family Pastor at Relentless Church in South Carolina. In this episode of Learned Opportunity, LaMorris shares his experience helping professional athletes get unstuck so they can have better marriages and lives. If LaMorris can help NFL players from the Cincinnati Bengals meet their potential, then he has some best practices to help you get unstuck so that you can start creating opportunities. LaMorris talks to us about: Setting rhythms Solidifying your identity Dreaming big dreams And more…. Take some time to say hey to LaMorris on Instagram @lamorris_crawford Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity or @djeccles For Career Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

On today's episode, I am chatting with Conor Sweetman. Conor's story is inspirational to me, as he has had the fortune of taking a passion project to a full-time role. Conor had a side gig creating his magazine called Ekstasis. Ekstasis magazine is made for creatives to revive the Christian Imagination. Conor would spend weekends editing, writing, and curating creative inspiration for his magazine. At the same time, he worked at a Non-profit in their communication department and later at a financial company in marketing. You probably have a passion project of your own. Something that you would like to take full time or give more of your effort to. Conor's story will be constructive for you as he talks to us about Helping the next generation of creatives thrive and create His journey of discovering who he really wanted to be, what he believes, and other reflections on a time of deconstruction Setting goals for his magazine and how he would be ok if his dream never came true. Check out Ekstasis Magazine at ekstasismagazine.com or follow their Instagram @ekstasismagazine Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Your language can change how you gain opportunities. Notice this difference: "I want to write a book, but I have two jobs." or "I want to write a book and continue to do well at my two jobs." The conjunction you choose makes all the difference in setting goals and gaining opportunities. For the past 15 years, Jim Bishop has been entrenched in corporate leadership and human performance. He coached teams of employees across the globe, developed programs to support the growth of multiple business units, and put systems and structures to the chaos of an ever-evolving people strategy. Jim works to help leaders continue to impact others instead of focusing on traditional results. He has done this through his business, Conjunction Leadership, and his And/Both Leadership Framework. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

You won't do your best work when you are constantly stressed or chronically anxious. That is what Dr. Alicia E. Mckoy discovered as she worked with companies throughout 26 different states. Employees were unwell since balancing work with life is hard. Her solution: A well-being technology that can help employees thrive and be well. This technology is called Peak Mind (joinpeakmind.com) Join us as we discuss overcoming chronic stress, best practices for well-being, and Alicia's journey to founding a tech startup. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

Several years ago, Juanita Molano Parra moved from New York City, where she had built in community, to Indianapolis, Indiana. This change proved difficult as Juanita started to feel stuck, isolated, and miserable in her new city. Fast forward to today, and Juanita loves Indianapolis, has a fantastic community, and could not imagine life any other way. So what changed? 1) Juanita was honest about not liking where she was. 2) When Juanita admitted where she was, she claimed agency over her ability to change her life. Now Juanita is a Life and Leadership Coach at her organization named Jump Coaching. Find out more about Juanita at jumpcoaching.co Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

There was a 60-year-old business leader, a well-respected member of his community. He was asked what advice he would give his younger self. His answer was," Don't wait until you are 60 to find what you were meant to do". Brandon Faust heard this advice and has made it a mission to help everyday leaders make their most significant impact possible. Brandon does this at his non-profit Wayfinders with individuals who are unsure how to leverage their skills, values, and dreams to make a difference in their personal and professional lives. Brandon also works with business teams at Switchback, helping companies have the right person in the correct role to match their skills and passions. Find out more at: yourwayfinders.org switchbacktosimple.com Are you ready to make your greatest possible impact? Learn your transferrable skills, workplace values, teammate and supervisor requirements, salary expectations, location needs, and more through our LifeMappingU experience. Visit www.danieleccles.com/careerconsulting Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

What if you were never invited to opportunities? You may feel like you are forgotten, left out, unwelcome, or just not important. This happens all the time. People are marginalized and left out of opportunities because of their skin color, culture, gender, religion, etc. Can you imagine experiencing discrimination for years? It would be easy to have a mindset of little hope for the future. Dr. Timothy Knight describes his own experience of racism and discrimination. This conversation is a bit different than you might expect because of how Dr. Timothy has chosen to react to unfair circumstances. Instead of hating organizations and people who have hurt him, he finds opportunity in seeing the intrinsic value every one of us has. Dr. Timothy Knight works in diversity, equity, and inclusion at his business Knight Light Solutions. Through his work, he helps others become the best version of themselves. Dr. Timothy wants you to know that you matter to someone. You deserve to live a life of hope. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

As a creative entrepreneur, dreamer, or human, you have a ton of ideas just floating around in your head. So how do you take those dreams and turn them into a reality? Where do dreams turn into opportunities? Josh Roche is the co-founder and CEO of Quiptu, the "Airbnb" of outdoor equipment. Check out quiptu.com and find kayaks, camping gear, and other outdoor equipment for short-term rental. Josh wasn't always a tech-startup CEO. Before putting his dreams into action, Josh habitually spoke his ideas out loud with people he trusted. This took his ideas from a simple dream to a testable option. After getting his ideas out there, Josh could ensure he had the resources to turn those ideas into a reality. Josh gets unstuck and creates his future by repeatedly speaking out his ideas. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

You may have heard the saying," Be the change you want to see in the world." Similarly, in this episode, we talk about how you can create your future and design the world you want to live in. Bo Turner is doing just that as the founder of The Truck Stop and BoCo Collective Marketing. Bo gets un-stuck and creates her future with her: 1) Insatiable curiosity 2) Growth mindset 3) Ability to ask questions. Follow @thetruckstopfood on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok or visit bococollective.com to learn more. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com

The Learned Opportunity Podcast exists to help listeners get unstuck and start creating their future. Jeremy Lefler is the pastor of Families and Young Adults at Mercy Road Church in Carmel, Indiana. He has over 10 years of experience working with young adults and students. In this episode, Jeremy shares how he has come to value experience > knowledge when it comes to getting un-stuck and creating more opportunities. Find out more about the Learned Opportunity Podcast at danieleccles.com/podcast or you can follow us on Instagram @learnedopportunity For Career Consulting. Podcast Consulting, Public Speaking, or Media Requests, visit DanielEccles.com