The Creator Community

Leadership development requires focus by leaders across an organization.   On this episode of the creator community, we'll learn the impact of that focus and where to begin the leadership journey. Key Points:   You must first learn to lead yourself before you can lead other people, other teams or organizations.   Enlightened principles have been around for 2500 years, but we can incorporate them and draw inspiration from them in our modern workplace.   There is an opportunity to move beyond our own self-interest and start to recognize places for compassion, mindfulness and wisdom in today's leadership.   Author Bio: Matt is a father, a leadership expert and “The Godfather of Talent Optimization”. He has 20+ years experience as a software product executive and consultant. After serving in the US Marine Corps, he was shocked to learn that most organizations underinvest in leadership development.    He's now on a mission to teach leaders to liberate themselves from outdated beliefs and practices. He holds an MBA, a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Certificate of Management Excellence from Harvard Business School which may explain why his bride thinks he's a huge nerd.

How could being more naive actually lead to better business outcomes and joy in your life?   Good begets good. The more we do to help others and be curious the better we can deliver results in our business.   On this episode of the Creator Community, we learn how embracing the true meaning of naivety, can drive better outcomes and improve the business journey for all of us. Key Points:   The time you spend in the workplace can be used in ways to better yourself, better the people you're serving, better the community and better the environment.   You are innately good and have potential inside of you   Doing good in business is good for business. The small actions that you do, can make many ripples.   Author Bio:   From Bahrain to Bogota, from Calabasas to Cataluña, Joshua has been helping leaders and organizations make space for growth for almost two decades. As the co-founder of Econic, Joshua and his team help companies with their innovation and cultural change efforts. He lives in Nebraska with his wife Trisha and four kids.  

As you climb the corporate ladder, you can get so focused on the next prize, that you forget about yourself and experience burnout.   In this episode of the creator community, we learn how to identify this challenge, and how to find a way out and live the live extraordinary life you want.   Feeling stuck? Check out this episode to learn to unpack your darkest moment and turning it into rocket fuel Key Points   Sometimes it's the people who are functioning really well on the outside who are struggling the most with burnout. Check in on those people, there may not be signs of burnout.   When you are the “fixer” you don't want to be broken. You don't want to be vulnerable, to admit that there is anything wrong. Hello Head Meet Heart teaches the steps to take to climb out of the pit and live your best life.   There is extraordinary inside of all of us. Sometimes we just need a little help to tap into that. Ask for help, be vulnerable and do the work.   Author Bio   Hannah Morgan Austin has been married 16 years, has no kids, and a dog. She is a highly sought-after corporate leader specializing in the management and prevention of burnout in professionals. As the CEO and Founder of SheShatters, she coaches corporate leaders and organizations in management strategies that help them burn brightly without burning out. Prior to founding SheShatters, Hannah spent 20 years working as an executive in the healthcare industry. After experiencing Burnout in 2021, and witnessing her colleagues suffering from burnout en masse, she founded SheShatters in 2021 with the goal of helping employees and managers find balance in their personal and professional lives, and leading an anti-hustle culture movement.  

Why aren't financial planning conversations more inclusive to women?   What do wealth and financial security mean to you and how do you bring them into your life?   On this episode of the Creator community, you'll learn how to discover and align with your goals and your WHY, to create the life you want today and the future you want tomorrow.   Key Points:   Looking to the future, discovering where you want your money to end up, how you want to spend your time and your life can help lead you to how to use and invest your money today.   Oftentimes in a household, one partner is in charge of daily spending while the other makes many of the long-term financial decisions. It is important to open conversations between both sides because dividing and conquering can cause gaps.   Getting wealthy and staying wealthy are two very different things. There is a change in mindset that needs to occur over time to align to your values and make sure you can live how you want to in the future.   Author Bio Cassandra Smalley is the mother, spouse, formerly competed nationally in baton for University of FL gatorettes, and Founder and CEO of Cassandra Smalley Wealth Management, a financial planning and wealth management practice. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. She is on a mission to empower women to define and use their voices at the financial table to ensure they can enjoy a fulfilling, purposeful, creative, and joyful life. She has been recognized by Forbes and SHOOK Research as America's Top Women Wealth Advisors 2020-2021, Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisor 2017-2020, Working Mother Magazine and Top Wealth Advisor Moms 2017-2020, among others. After 15 years in the financial services industry, Cassandra felt called to publish a book based on her experiences. The book centers on the challenges women face in building wealth and pivots obstacles into action by turning one's unique perspective into one's power to design their best life.   

Do you think Networking is a useless effort?   Effective networking is a superpower, but it requires work!   On this episode of The Creator Community, we learn how to build a successful roadmap for networking, through a better understanding of your values & helping others first.   Key Points:   Networking takes work. It is not easy, but if you make the connections, add value, build relationships and leverage social media, the work can pay off.   The deeper understanding we have of ourselves, the stronger the energy, the stronger the light and the stronger our network will be.   Your values change throughout your life so it requires a constant reevaluation and regular work to remain aligned to your values.   Author Bio   David Olivencia is Senior Technology Executive, unicorn investor, and exponential leader. He has leveraged networking and delivered outcomes at leading companies Accenture, NTT Data, Ford, Oracle, Softtek and Verizon, as well as supporting a broad portfolio of early stage tech startups including several unicorns. David serves on multiple boards that utilize his approach to networks and deep technology expertise and has co-founded leading organizations HITEC and Angeles Investors that have grown due to networking.   David has been recognized as 40 under 40 by Crain's Detroit Business, Crain's Chicago Tech 50, and Hispanic Business Magazine's Most Influential Hispanics in America. He has an engineering degree from Rose-Hulman, an MBA from Notre Dame and an honorary Doctorate from Bentley University. He loves fishing!  

The higher you go in the corporate food chain, the less control you have over your life.   How do you find yourself decades after you thought you already had?   In this episode of the Creator community, we'll hear how one brave soul took control back through an adult gap year in Oaxaca Mexico, with her family.   The learning and growth in courage were immense and put her on her path to finally being present in her life and finding her journey to joy & entrepreneurship.   Key Points:   There is a different way to approach this life we get to live that can maximize and make the most of the one life we have.   Live a life that is authentic to you, not what you think is someone's version of what you should be doing.   On the other side of courage is joy and beauty and satisfaction and fulfillment   Author Bio   Suzanne Roske is a leadership coach, taco and mezcal enthusiast, public speaker, and now an author. For 25 years, she was the picture of objective success, a partner at a global management consulting firm guiding Fortune 500 companies through business and team transformations. And then she embarked on her biggest transformation yet—her own. Suzanne stepped away from her corporate life and into an adult gap year in Oaxaca, Mexico.   Suzanne is the founder and CEO of Vamonos Executive Coaching, where she helps people and teams connect to their values, purpose, and mission, so they can harness their momentum, show up as the impactful leaders they were meant to be and unlock their full potential. 

What happens when soldiers who survived overseas military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan come home?    We might believe that once they get home, everything will be fine. Life will go on like it was before the war, back to normal. That's what the soldiers thought, and that's what their spouses and families thought. The reality is different because war changes everything.   What keeps our most important relationships working?   On this episode of The Creator Community, we'll hear of the stories of couples that have found a way to effectively navigate the challenges of military deployments.   There is no 1 solution but you'll learn common themes, especially resilience, that help to keep military couples together and that we can all learn from.   Key Points: Any marriage has its difficulties, but a military marriage has a different set of diffuculties. Not only does one have their responsibilities to their family, but also the duties and responsibilities that have been taken on for the country.   Though oftentimes only one partner is deployed, both partners make sacrifices for the military. Both have stories of strength, heartbreak, growth, and resilience.    Communication,connection and commitment are the keys to resiliency post deployment and a bulletproof marriage.   Author Bio: Briana S. Nelson Goff, PhD, is a professor at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Nelson Goff's clinical experience and research focuses on primary and secondary traumatic stress symptoms in couples and families. During her 30 year career, Dr. Nelson Goff worked with hundreds of people through her research and clinical work. Each one impacted her work, teaching her about resilience, hope, and healing from trauma, which led to authoring her first book, Bulletproof Vows: Stories of Couples Navigating Military Deployments and Life's Battles (January 2023, New Degree Press).

Are you frustrated with working virtually with your teams? What would you tell those that blame the system for their burnout? What does leadership really means to your daily work?   What does being more human mean? How can it benefit you, your career and others?   In this special panel episode of the Creator Community with 3 Doctors and now authors, we explore humanism and how we can bring more of it to our lives and positively impact those in our lives.   We will never live in a world without stress, systems, or people. It is the attitude we take in viewing these elements that make the difference in how we live each day.   When we see the world as a place of discovery and learning, we connect more deeply with others and ultimately become more human.   Key Points: Leadership is not about the leaders, it is about the people you lead. Humanize the process and reconnect with yourself and others to bring out the best in everyone.    Goals start your journey, grit is required for the journey, and growth is the result of your journey.   The future of the workplace isn't just technology. The future of the workplace is being a better human.   Author Bios   Dr. Miriam Zylberglait Lisigurski (Dr. Z) is a triple Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Obesity Medicine with extensive clinical and academic experience. Dr. Z is interested in the areas of well-being, burnout, mental health, and leadership development.   She completed a fellowship in Leadership Education and Development (AAMC), certification as Mental Health Ally, and training as Physician Wellness Advocate. Dr. Z has been recognized for multiple achievements, including Mentor of the Year (AMWA 2021) and American College of Physicians Young Achiever (2017).   Originally from Peru, Dr. Z has two awesome sons, a caring husband, and a supportive family. Her dream is to help others achieve lives full of joy, meaning, and well-being.   Dr. Xinjin Zhao spent over thirty years as a global business executive with various leadership roles around the world. Educated at MIT and Wharton, he has always had the curiosity to try, the passion to learn, and the willingness to share. Xinjin maintains a weekly LinkedIn leadership blog with over 280K subscribers around the world. His interests include reading, photography, and marathon running.   Jennie Byrne, MD, PhD is the founder and CEO of Constellation PLLC and the Chief Patient Officer at Belong Health. She has been called a “Triple Threat” because of her work as a physician leader, a healthcare executive, and as an entrepreneur. She is a brain and behavior specialist with extensive training and experience in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and neuroscience.   Dr. Byrne is a relentless optimist and believes that if we challenge our outdated assumptions, we can all work smarter.

Is a world of inclusivity truly possible? How do we all get there?   In the episode of the Creator Community, we meet professor, executive coach, and author Jason Patent, who shares his views and mistakes on creating impactful inclusivity.   He openly shares he has not mastered inclusivity and has negatively impacted others in his life but knows we can do better.   As humans, if we acknowledge the challenges of inclusion and see this work as a lifelong journey of constant improvement, we will find a better path forward for all of us.    Key Points You already have what you need to create radically different workplaces and a radically different world. We can learn how to shift from our knee-jerk reactions and calmly respond and think collaboratively to allow everyone to shine.   Power amplifies the ability to do harm to others and makes it harder for us to see the impact of our negative actions towards others.   Historically, those with less power have been the ones who have had to adapt- this book flips that idea on its side and instead gives tips on how those with the power can actually adapt and give preference to those with less.   Author Bio Jason D. Patent, Ph.D., is father of 2, ultramarathon runner and the founder and principal at JP Global Lead LLC, and co-founder of BridgeLabs. He is an organizational leader, consultant, author, thought leader, instructor, and workshop facilitator in the fields of global leadership and global diversity, equity, and inclusion. A fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese, Jason directed the Robertson Center for Intercultural Leadership (CIL) at U.C. Berkeley's International House for seven years. Prior to that, he served as American Co-Director of the Hopkins–Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in Nanjing, China; Inaugural Director of the Stanford Program in Beijing; Consultant at Gap International; and Vice President, Communications & Marketing at Orchestrall, Inc.

What's holding you back from living your best life by design, not default?   In the episode of the Creator Community, we meet certified executive coach, business leader and author John Thompson III who shares his playbook for being an ACE in business & life.   Whatever cards you've been dealt, you have the power to change your story.  Life offers us unexpected hands but it's up to us whether or not we optimize our play – from this choice flows forth the many unmistakable gifts of gratitude, determination and joy!   This is just one of the key lessons of today's episode and one of the most important things we can do to live a life of meaning and purpose.     Are you ready to STACK YOUR DECK?     Key Points: How do we take the challenging times, learn and grow from adversity, to become an Ace in life and business?   Nelson Mandela says, “Vision without action is just a dream.” Learn key steps, small and large, that you can take to make your vision a reality.   Being and ACE in business and life requires the pillars of success: Attitude, Connection, Empowerment and Strength.   Author Bio: John has more than 20 years of sales leadership experience in corporate America and is a Certified Executive Coach with a BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Penn State University.   With a vision of bringing hope to millions, John is the founder of Team ACES, a coaching and consulting company that helps individuals and teams elevate to the top of their game.

What's the key element often forgotten by leaders when driving innovation?   In the episode of the Creator Community, we meet innovation consultant and author Matt Mueller who shares his key principles for leading and driving change.   Broad acceptance of your idea both internally and externally is critical to making it happen.   Focusing on the root of the true problem rather than pushing your solution is just one of the key lessons of today's episode and one of the most important things leaders can do to drive true innovation and change.   Key Points Slowing down and thinking through the “why” of a problem will ultimately save time and iteration on the back end Build a better foundation before you build a tower SEATbelt analogy: Stop and think about the real problem, find your Emotional connection to the problem, Acknowledge the problem is real, Tell others your plan to chage   Author Bio From a young age Matt wondered what separated people who create change from everyone else. With 8 billion people in the world how can there be so few change makers?   Obsessed with this question, Matt grew into an energetic innovator focused on helping others create change. He is an innovation consultant working with some of the world's largest brands and is a columnist for Innovation Leader. Matt has long-term experience executing strategy and facilitating change and is passionate about sharing his insights with leaders across the globe, helping them transform company culture to meet their innovation needs more purposefully.   Matt also loves spending time on one of the many local gulf beaches of Florida reconnecting to what matters most, Family.

Is today your best day ever? Are you happy, grateful, motivated, and living your best life?   Is this even possible?   In this episode of the Creator Community, we meet CEO and author Scott White who shares his key principles to make each day your best day ever.   The steps to get there are much smaller than you might think & your attitude each day plays a dominant role.   Making the intentional shift to a positive mindset is one of the key lessons of today's episode and one of the most important things we can do to improve each day for ourselves and those around us.   Check out the show   Key Points   Minutes Matter! We all have the same 24 hours each day. How are you going to use yours? 40% of your happiness in life is determined simply by your attitude. Life is too short to be unhappy, change your attitude to change your life. Changing your outlook, mindset, and attitude can ispire a change in action.   Author Bio Scott White, The Life Is Too Short Guy, is the happiest guy you will ever meet. After spending over a decade in investment banking on Wall Street, he took a chance and became an entrepreneur and business builder. Today he is Chairman and CEO of a public real estate company. Scott is always looking for his next challenge and has completed one Ironman triathlon and 15 marathons. Now Scott is on a mission to make the world happier one smile at a time. With his endless energy, he motivates and inspires everyone he meets to focus on happiness, gratefulness, and positivity.

What does legacy mean to you? How can it play a role in your life? How do you discover and connect with your legacy?   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn that legacy will have different meaning to different people, but ultimately it is what you are remembered for.    Each author in this episode has a completely different background but has a major connection with the legacy they leave behind. Each book centers around being a positive source of energy to the world. Jeanne Hull Godfroy's message centers on being a strong steward of the earth through a sci-fi lens, Sam Perez's story centers on helping those that struggle with addiction and giving them a second chance. Rick Roth's book focuses on passing on wisdom across your family as well as to mentees in your life.

How does your identity play a role in your daily decisions? What assumptions do you make about the world around you based on your identity?   Everyone has an identity that is shaped by the world around them. Yet few are aware of the immense untapped power of all the social and cultural forces around them and how these forces can be redirected to create the change they want in life. In Exceptional Futures: The Power of Identity to Design Positive Change, Victoria Shiroma Wilson introduces a culturally-sustainable approach to change that allows readers to gain clarity and dynamically calibrate as they move closer to their objectives.    Check out this episode of The Creator Community to take the first step towards designing positive change for yourself and your community around you. 

What would happen if you chose yourself? So often, women are taught to put others first. We are conditioned to focus on the needs of others rather than prioritizing ourselves — and we become good at it. Choosing others becomes so central to our way of being that we can build big, busy lives without ever stopping to wonder: what if I chose me?   In her mid-forties, Jeanie Duncan was a card-carrying member of the “put others first” club. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend — she was surrounded by people she loved and who loved her. From the outside, it was a perfect life. But over the course of a profound period of unraveling and self-realization, she discovered that she had lost herself somewhere along the way.   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how to discover the path to your true self and live a self-full life.

What does it take to be a risk taker in today's renewable energy industry? How can renewable energy provide greater national security and grow jobs?    Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how thoughtful risk takers built the renewable energy business from scratch and continue to guide and inspire many more to continue the move to energy independence.

What would your life look like if you didn't settle? What if one clear decision could positively change the trajectory of your situation? Author Paula Doroff tells her story of how one decision turned her life that begins with illiteracy, pain and rejection to a life of success and fulfillment. Paula notes that the tools we use to achieve in life are often different from the tools we need to find fulfillment in life and that oftentimes the greatest things in life are on the other side of fear.   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how to make your next decision and take the next step to create the life you want.

Have you considered starting your own company? Stop what you're doing until you listen to this episode.    The Start Up Starter Kit is a fast-moving, jargon-free guide to starting and building a company you're proud of. It will teach you the essential skills you never realized you needed, blended with the right level of fear necessary to keep you from believing your own press releases. This is not an academic guide - these are real world successes and disasters to help you survive the first two years.   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn what motivates people to start their own company, learn the two major reasons why most of those companies fail and learn what changes founders can make that will lead them to success.

What's the powerful force fueling men's burnout that guys really don't want to talk about? How can you move beyond it?   Jim Young's new book reveals how expansive intimacy redefines what it means to be tough.    Through overcoming his own experience with burnout in the workplace with skills learned in a world-famous improv comedy class, he now teaches other corporate leaders how to embody emotions and allow them to create true relationships and meaning in life.    Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how to go from burnout to thriving across all areas of your life.

Does race play a part in the Army? Can you be in love with something even with its flaws? Follow the journey of two African American soldiers spanning two wars nearly three decades apart.   Author and retired Army Officer, Cleola Davis invites readers to hear the similarities between these stories and come to their own conclusions about whether situations were handled correctly, if racism was involved, and if these issues persist.    In this episode, Cleola Davis speaks of her passion for the Army and of her respect for her fellow soldiers. But she also alludes to flaws that need to change. If you are interested in history, the military, or social justice issues, this episode is for you as is her new book:    "Forged in Battle: African American Officers Serving in the United States Army."

What is the difference between a "normal" relationship and a healthy one? Is porn okay for relationships? How is technology impacting the way we connect with our partners?   For many people, what is considered “normal” in a relationship isn't always healthy. “How to Have a Healthy Relationship in an Unhealthy World” explores the differences.   Relationships don't have to be traditional to be healthy, and not all healthy relationships are traditional. This episode and Dr. Laura's book discuss all types of relationships and provides real life examples of each.   According to author Dr. Laura Streyffeler, “Loving someone doesn't have to mean accepting unacceptable behavior. Love is unconditional, behavior is not.”   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to meet Dr. Laura Streyffeler. You'll learn about her new book, “How to Have a Healthy Relationship in an Unhealthy World,” explore these questions and learn how to objectively find a healthy relationship for yourself in an unhealthy world.   Dr. Laura previously authored Wife Beater Shirt Optional: There is no Dress Code for Domestic Violence. A book that dispels the myths and misconceptions of domestic violence.

What can you learn from funeral crashing, stand up comedy and practicing medicine? Why is burnout amongst physicians a crisis not only for physicians themselves but also for everyone else including patients. In order for physicians to provide excellent healthcare, they need to be healthy and cared for.  Healthy physicians foster healthy people. In a healthcare system that is set up for burnout, how physicians can reclaim their joy?   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how the medical industry is failing its professionals and ultimately driving down our level of care we receive. And hear a roadmap to create a better roadmap forward and bring joy back to all of those involved in medicine.

What is the purpose of a bridge? To join two sides. Bridges in nature and in relationships are crucial to connection. What happens if only one side builds the bridge? If only one side builds, you only have a look out.    In this episode, Kimberly Sauceda talks about her book Meet Me on the Bridge, in which she outlines the building blocks of bridge construction in corporate relationships to bring connection to the workplace and how both sides can come together to get things done. Kimberly explains how strong relationships are the key to getting the results you want and how breaking things down into small, manageable parts can take you from overwhelm to unstoppable in any area of life.    Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn how build strong relationships at work and deliver results.

Does everything seem great on paper, pretty good income, nice apartment or home, good job, but deep down, you still don't feel like you're living your best life?     Or maybe things aren't that great and you know what your best life would be like but it feels like it's way too far out of reach for you?  Or maybe you think it's within reach but you don't know where to start.     Do you find yourself stuck in the same place you have been for years? There may have been a time when that was exactly where you should have been, but perhaps life has moved on without you and you are starting to feel stuck.   In this episode, author Roger Osorio takes listeners along on his journey of reinvention as he learned to align his life with his values, passion, and purpose. Through difficulties and successes he shares how making moves, getting outside your comfort zone, and living aligned with your values can get you closer to your true purpose and how that can allow you to see and experience the fullness of life.    Check out this episode of The Creator Community to learn a new journey of reinvention that offers you the life you want to live.

How do we make decisions? What are the key drivers of our behaviors? How can behavioral science help businesses make more impactful customer decisions?    Data is incredibly abundant today, but is often flawed. Listen to this episode to hear entrepreneur & newlywed Nata Andorky's views on the key flaws of simply relying on data and how to better understand your customers needs. We also hear key leadership lessons Nate has developed along his journey and how writing his book from New Degree Press, Decoding the Why, helped his company, Creative Science, land its first of many 7 figure business contracts.      

What's Your 3HQ™?  Discover the hidden ReLaunch Power that can change your life and elevate your career.   When ignoring her intuition about a business associate resulted in fearing for her life at the edge of Niagara Falls, award-winning Silicon Valley CEO and entrepreneur Hilary DeCesare was shocked into realizing she needed a deep reassessment of who she was and why.  The answers surfaced where she least expected-- her late mother. A workaholic and serial super achiever, DeCesare discovered she had more to learn from a woman who had turned a terminal cancer diagnosis into an affirmation of a lifetime of positive purpose than from all the academics, business leaders and executive experience that had left her feeling stressed and unfulfilled in both business and in life.   Shifting focus, DeCesare delved into exploring who she was from the inside out, immersing herself in the world of neuroscience to uncover a uniquely powerful secret that we all harbor, hiding in plain sight—the innate, values-driven accelerator that leverages the power of the 3H'S--  the Heart, the Head and the Higher Self.  Deconstructing and mastering the calibration of this finely-tuned trio—the 3HQuotient—removes us from the autopilot rut and puts us in conscious control of our transformation from within. Supported by cutting-edge research, industry expert commentary, inspiring real-life stories from her clients and her award-winning Silver Lined ReLaunch podcast, DeCesare, a 20+ year leading transformational coach, throws down a challenge to ignite your own 3HQ™ ReLaunch to transform your life and career, where a powerhouse of possibilities await.   Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Hilary's story, her company and new book, “RELAUNCH! Spark Your Heart to Ignite Your Life.”  

How does money move after you swipe, tap or insert your credit or debit card? What is fintech?  How about a unicorn?  NDP alumni author, father and fintech executive Ahmed Siddiqui explains it all in this special author alumni episode of The Creator Community.     His journey into fintech has taken a number of turns, but with a focus on learning, growing and educating others, Siddiqui has written the premier guide on payment systems.  This is not a textbook, it's filled with graphics and stories to finally make payments an accessible topic.  A number of companies including    https://www.marqeta.com/ https://www.galileo-ft.com/ https://squareup.com/us/en https://stripe.com/ And more share Siddiqui's book with all new employees as part of their employment onboarding.    His book, The Anatomy of the Swipe, Making Money Move published in April 2020, is still a top selling book on Amazon and has changed the trajectory of his career with over 6,000 copies sold.  Listen to this episode to learn how canceling a moving truck to join a startup helped elevate his career and empower him to help so many others.      

Why do some people seem magnetic while others just seem to repel people? Why are some people so happy, even at those way-too-early board meetings? The answer, while seemingly complicated, is actually very simple: that individual probably has a positive mindset.   In the episode of The Creator Community we discuss Sandel's new book Positive Mindshift: Making Good Things Happen in Life and Work.  We'll learn about his roadmap to creating a better life through improving your mind-set with positivity. Using science and real-life stories, Sandel asks the questions needed to accomplish this, including: Are there health benefits to adapting a positive attitude? How does one overcome negative biases? Is happiness a choice? Does positivity create better outcomes?   Check out this episode of The Creator Community to hear how Sandel has dedicated this chapter of his life to creating a better world through mindset and attitude and now wants to share his insights with you. After all, why should we settle for each day being ordinary when it can be extraordinary?

What does unconscious bias mean to you?  Ever wonder where your biases come from?   In this episode of The Creator Community we'll meet Rohit Gupta and follow his journey of discovering his own biases, how he recognized them and how he created better patterns for himself for future decisions.   We'll hear how Rohit has applied mental models to all aspects of his life and created a path he wants to live on that represents his values and feelings.  We'll also learn how he overcame the pressure to maintain the identity he thought he was supposed to have as he aligned his values with his daily activities and career.   Ultimately we'll learn how this journey led him to his new book, "The Invisible Filter" which is out now wherever you buy books online now!  

Vulnerability is her super power.  What's yours?   In her memoir, Still Breathing: My Journey with Love, Loss and Reinvention, Katie Joy Duke inspires readers to turn their greatest sorrows into a launching point for joy and connection. No life is immune from grief, this world is full of sorrow and difficulty.    Knowing that you are not alone in your grief is so necessary and helpful in processing the seemingly impossible emotions. In this episode, Katie shares what helped her move forward after the loss of her daughter at birth, the loss of her father a few years leter, her recent cancer diagnosis and how she uses what she has learned as a life coach to help others to grow from grief instead of getting stuck.    Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear.  

What lessons can be learned from running marathons on all seven continents?  What can taking one more step mean for you in whatever journey you are on?  How do you take that next step? What's it like running a marathon in Antarctica?   In a world where we feel ever busier, Satish Shenoy advises you to take a step back, and focus on what your next step should be.  Don't get lost in the details, move forward!   Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear from Technology Executive, 7 Continent Marathon Runner, and debut author Satish Shenoy to learn how he began running marathons a bit later in life and how he has found and applied lessons from those experiences to create success in his career.  

Can joy be found all around us?  How do we fight the feeling of blah, of burnout, of doom scrolling for hours? In this episode, Katya Davydova, debut author of Joy in Plain Sight, tells how we can build the habit of finding joy in the everyday and mundane and how we can become treasure hunters that search for the little treasures of happiness that make life worth living.    We can spread joy to others and can, in turn, build a happier, more joyful world. Listen in to see what small, daily habits you can do that will change your focus from meh to one of joy and vivacity. 

What does it mean to be a man? Is vulnerability a sign of weakness?  In this episode we speak with Christopher Veal, author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity. Christopher tells us how being vulnerable strengthens relationships and can help to undo the culture of toxic masculinity that has been ingrained in our society via examples from our upbringing and in the media.    Christopher posits that vulnerability is a super power and that by embracing it, men can change the idea of what it is to be a whole man and pass on their learning to the young men who are following in their footsteps, and by doing so, change the world.    Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear to find a fresh look at yourself and all the relationships in your life.  

What's your favorite restaurant?  Why?  What keeps you coming back? In this episode of The Creator Community we'll hear the many key lessons debut author Jack Rasmussen learned interviewing some of the top chefs in the US like Carla Hall, Tara Brennan, Michael Mina, Dean Varun Soni, David Belasco and many more.  And, how one famous chef developed his love for food…in prison.  This is all in Jack's new book, Fine Dining: The Secrets Behind the Restaurant Industry.   We'll also hear how Jack found himself gaining access to the kitchens of these kings and queens of restaurants along with what drives each and everyone of them to deliver excellence, day after day.  And, how Jack was able to get them to join his author adventure.   Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Jack's journey of unearthing greatness and getting to know dozens of incredible entrepreneurs.  

Is every failure a negative in your life?  Can we redefine our failures into success? In this episode Alisha Wielfaert, author of “Little Failures” tells listeners mustering up ten seconds of bravery can not only stop letting fear of failure paralyze us, but also how it can open amazing doors.    She believes that failing out loud and letting others see our mistakes and our recovery from failures inspires others to try harder and not let fear stop them from reaching their goals. With practical advice such as creating a personal Board of Directors, and looking to successful people for inspiration, Alisha challenges us to dream bigger and expect greatness, even if it takes little failures to get there.  

How many birth control options can you name? In her book, Contrary to Conception, Madee Pasimio uses her experience as a healthcare professional and as a woman searching for a suitable birth control method to sort through the 19 available contraception methods.   Her goal is to help women see that there may be a better way and that suffering with side effects doesn't have to be the end of the road. If you have found yourself frustrated with the lack of clarity, if you are about to throw in the towel on your current birth control, Pasimio's story will offer a roadmap to finding your way to a contraceptive method that works for you.    Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Madee's journey and solutions for all to find their best choice.    

What does the word “courage” mean to you? Can we train ourselves to be more courageous? Does it invoke thoughts of valor, daring, and overt acts of bravery? What about the smaller, daily challenges that we all have to face?    In her new book, The Courageous Mind, Angela Schroeder shows us how turning decisions into habits can free up space in our minds to tackle the challenges we all face and how having difficult decisions, making career changes, dreaming and goal setting is actually growing our courage. In this podcast episode, Angela emphasizes that courage is contagious, she invites us to lean into other people's courage and invite others to share in ours.   Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Angela's journey of self discovery and building her own courage muscle, so she can loan it to others and help them grow.   

Have you ever felt disconnected from the people around you? Do you struggle to find fulfillment in your job?  Finding heavy turnover with your team during the Great Resignation?  In his debut book, Digital Belonging, Silicon Valley engineer, Yogesh K. Soni, describes his journey of discovering that the human experience is a social one through first hand experience at some of the largest tech firms in the world and interviews with top tech executives.    He shows how we are wired for connection and when we feel disengaged, we can struggle in many areas of our life.  In this episode, Yogesh shows how failing to connect with your team can have great costs, both financially and personally, and offers a roadmap to build a better culture and drive results. Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear.  

How do you make decisions? Ever felt like you're not present enough to make the best decisions for yourself? Is there a better way to find answers?  Debut author Carlo Mahfouz found himself racing through life until an extreme scare appeared right before him.  In the midst of a typical chaotic day, he received news that a bomb had gone off in his home country where much of his family still lives.  He faced a glaring moment, a reality check, that he could not overlook.  He built a new plan for his life and set off to write a book about it.  Reality Check, In Pursuit of the Right Questions due out 5/12/22.   Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear.  

How does an author journey open the door to a Ted Talk?   Have you ever felt like happiness is just out reach? It will be that next promotion, next bonus, next vacation, next…    You're focused and driven but that moment of happiness never sustainably arrives.    On the surface your life might feel put together, but something is missing.    In this episode of The Creator Community we meet New Degree Press alumni author Christin Collins.  She is a former health care executive turned Holistic Coach and Consultant.    Her book, Her Phoenix Rising: A Journey to Health & Healing through Self-Love published in April 2021, was written first, for herself.  Listen to this episode to learn how sitting with the discomfort of life, facing truth, being curious and seeing each experience as learning can have a transformative impact on your life's journey.  We'll hear how Christin found her inner peace, her journey to an author, and the Tedx stage!

Does the criminal justice system always get it right?  Are the motivations of prosecutors always in favor of justice?   Alexandra Shapiro started her career as an attorney clerking for Ruth Bader Ginsberg and then spent years as a Federal Prosecutor.  After seeing the criminal justice system does not always function properly, even for those with resources, Alexandra felt she could help many.  She co-founded her own law firm and began serving many that the federal government tried to prosecute.  In her debut Novel, Shapiro pulls back the curtain on the criminal justice system and its flaws.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Alexandra's career journey that led her to many sleepless nights, publishing her new novel and starting her mission to reform the criminal justice system.  

Have you ever felt trapped at work?  You work every day and when things get challenging, you work harder, finding further frustration.     All the while watching others find promotions and raises?  Where do you even start to find a better path?  How do you gain objectivity, and clearly see what's going on…The game in front of you?     In this episode of The Creator Community we meet New Degree Press alumni author Terry McDougall.  She is a former financial services marketing executive turned Career Coach, Leadership Consultant and podcast host.     Her book, Winning the Game of Work published in April 2020, is still a top selling book on Amazon and has changed the trajectory of her career.  Listen to this episode to learn how leaving the comfort of her corporate job and attending improv classes at Second City in Chicago, helped elevate her game and help so many others.

How do you define success?  Does your definition of success truly bring you happiness and align with your purpose?  After living through a loss in his family, Mike Biarnes decided to live a life where he defined his success, not others.  He learned along the way that your true success and happiness can only be determined by yourself.  In Mike's debut book, Redefining Success, he shares a roadmap filled with practical action steps on how to find the right path for YOU to happiness!  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Mike's journey of self discovery and defining success on his terms.  

How can a latina immigrate to the US from Argentina and find extraordinary success in a corporate career?  Valeria Aloe has overcome the odds with a passion for lifelong learning and built what appeared to be a successful career.  Several years later she hit a wall.  She was literally working herself into poor health.  Something had to change.  She shares this story with her debut book, Uncolonized Latinas.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Valeria's story of overcoming her limiting beliefs, hope and inspiration to help other Latinas rise up with her.   

How does a foster care kid end up working with Michelle Obama in the White House?  Amnoni Myers not only grew up in foster care but survived a life of challenges few could imagine, filled with trauma caused by abuse, neglect, losing a sibling and constant change.  Through the seemingly endless chaos in her life she has found the strength to use her voice to drive change and improve outcomes for the over four hundred thousands in the foster care system today.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Amnoni's story of survival and hope and what led her to her debut book, You Are The Prize.

How do you enable and empower young girls in challenging neighborhoods to build a better life for themselves and their families?  How can a Fortune 500 retiree be the driving force for change for just this challenge?  What is like coming face to face with a mountain gorilla in Uganda, that can lift 4,000 pounds?  In this episode of the Creator Community, Lisa Randolph's shares the story of her debut novel, The Wildlife Divas Adventure teams and her story of hope to inspire young diverse girls to dream bigger and embrace the future, through an education in STEAM.  

  Does negative self talk keep you from moving forward in your life?  Where does that inner voice come from and how can we begin to doubt it?  Certified Professional Life and Transition Coach Rachell Kitchen seeks to empower women to question that inner voice, find their purpose and live a fulfilled life.  In her first book, Doubt Your Doubts, Kitchen offers the tools and a roadmap to effectively understand, embrace and navigate that negative self- talk and take ownership of your journey.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Rachell's journey of navigating her own hardships, learning and creating her dream life and how you can too.

Have you ever felt awkward wanting to reach out to a friend or colleague you haven't spoken to in a while, so you didn't make the contact?  Do you feel like networking skills are bad and come authentically to everyone but you?  Executive coach and now author, Jason Levin has spent his career finding ways to connect and reconnect.  In his debut book, Relationships to Infinity, Levin enables and empowers his readers to make that outreach they've been holding off on.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Jason's journey of learning and personal growth through helping others reignite former relationships.

What is it like to live a life filled with cultural norms that make you feel like an outsider?  How can work in behavioral science lead you to a book accepting yourself and your beliefs?  After realizing the life she was born into didn't feel like a fit, this passionate soul found her own way.  In her debut book, author Shruti Mishra, shares her journey of self discovery through self love and self reflection and lets all misfits know that they are not alone, and that is okay.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Shruti's journey of and hope of empowering every misfit to focus on self care and self acceptance.

Leaving the comfort of a successful corporate career in technology is no easy task but neither is living a life that doesn't let you live your purpose.  After years following the path she thought she was supposed to, Neelam Patel found herself inspired to read her poetry at an open mic night in New York City.  That night she knew her creative side needed fulfillment and creating was the path for her.   She soon left her career to begin her true journey as an artist.  In her debut book, a collection of poems, Burning it Down Dancing in the Rubble, Neelam Patel shares her struggle of facing her emotions and how that struggle has helped her improve her life and art.  She also shares how she continues to find inspiration, especially from poet Amanda Gordon.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Neelam's journey of emotional struggles, getting help and finding HER own way to thrive as a creator.

How can taking less action and reflection deliver better results? Can meditation deliver here?  Is it the only way?  Corporate strategist turned executive coach, Jinny Uppal, discovered a better path to decision making through intentional inaction.  Yes, goal setting is still important but we must pause to create space for thought.  In her debut book, Jinny Uppal shares a roadmap to how taking time to pause and reflect can open new pathways to success.  Listen to this episode of the Creator Community Podcast to hear Jinny's journey of self discovery, personal growth and success.