WeMentor Mondays with Nancy

At a rally in Michigan over the weekend, Michelle Obama delivered a powerful message about abortion rights and warned male voters. She said, “If we don't get this election right, your wife, your daughter, and your mother will become collateral damage to your rage.” This striking statement sets the tone for a larger conversation that I had with Dr. Mark Levy, who explored the psychological dimensions of Donald Trump's behavior and his impact on our society.

Dr. Mark Levy's unwavering dedication to forensic psychiatry and the law is truly inspiring. After over 40 years in the field, his passion remains as strong as ever. What keeps him so engaged? It's the intricate nuances of complex civil and criminal cases and building credibility through his unique team approach in the field.

I'm excited to share the incredible insights from Dr. Mark Levy, a seasoned clinical and forensic psychiatrist with over four decades of experience. In our podcast conversation, Dr. Levy delves into the fascinating intersection of human behavior and the law, covering topics ranging from seeking therapy to identifying red flags in treatment and addressing societal issues like incivility. It's incredible how these topics tie into our everyday lives and the broader scope of our society!

/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 382: What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part I /*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesAre you curious to learn how human behavior and the law interact? Dr. Mark Levy delves into the fascinating world of Forensic Psychiatry, shedding light on the intriguing dynamics at play. Join us as we explore the riveting cases of The People vs. O.J. Simpson and The State of New York vs. Donald Trump. It's a fascinating discussion that will make you think!Dr. Mark Levy is a licensed clinical and forensic psychiatrist with over four decades of experience. He has degrees from Columbia University and the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.Dr. Levy and his team of 22 board-certified psychiatrists and 10 forensic neuropsychologists practice forensic psychiatry at Forensic Psychiatric Associates, L.P. (FPAMED.com). Dr. Levy has been retained as a forensic psychiatric expert in more than 500 civil lawsuits and related matters. He has published numerous articles and presented countless talks on forensic psychiatric topics, such as “Mental Illness In the Workplace” and “Shrink in the Courtroom: Forensic Psychiatry and Law.”I chose to discuss the O.J. Simpson and Donald Trump cases because they spontaneously came up in our conversation. Our legal system has loopholes that get exploited. In one case, someone is guilty but found innocent. In the other, the offender was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records that kept a sordid extramarital affair from the public before the 2016 presidential election. The men accused in both cases committed the crimes.O.J. Simpson died earlier this year on the 30th anniversary of his yearslong 1994 criminal case, The People vs. O.J. Simpson. He was found not guilty by a Los Angeles jury of the gruesome murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Just because he was found not guilty doesn't mean he didn't commit the crime. We discuss the role of the prosecuting attorney, the broader cultural context, and the impact of societal influences on legal cases, which can blur the facts and conceal the truth.We taped this podcast conversation in the middle of The State of New York vs. Donald Trump trial. I asked Dr. Levy if he thinks Donald Trump is a psychopath. Dr. Levy explains the Gold Water Rule and the ethics of diagnosing people you haven't examined. Dr. Levy gives insights into Donald Trump's reactive and impulsive behavior and transactional focus in relationships regardless of norms or the law. Irrespective of the nation's needs or individuals in the country, Donald Trump is focused on what is in Donald Trump's best interest and projects onto others so whatever he accuses others of doing, it is really him who is doing it.

/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 18-04-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 381: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part II /*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 18-04-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesHow prepared are you to confront your abilities and put yourself on the line in a way that generates a new revenue stream? Can you be enough, no matter the outcome? Edmond Huot answers those two questions and others.In our first conversation, we learned that Edmond's early years on a farm in midwestern Canada shaped his imaginative storytelling over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. The beautiful part of turning 50 is revisiting your childhood, mining what lay dormant, and resurrecting a newfound passion you can bring alive today. Edmond is stepping out of the career lane he built to bring out his ‘inner illustrative artist.' Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTEdmond has succeeded in New York as a creative director in an NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with partner and longtime friend Peter Clark. They formed an aviation-focused design firm called Forward Studio, a division of their Forward Media company.It isn't often that we can have friendships in our youth that evolve into business partnerships and entrepreneurial collaborators like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, media, advertising, and special events. You can hear insights into why their partnership works.The new twist for Edmond is overcoming the internal challenges of becoming a professional illustrative artist, where their public relations and special events will include the backdrop of his artwork and eventually feature other artists' works. He gives a special event his signature, like the sketches he makes on thank you cards. He adds a personal touch to everything he does.Edmond ran his concept by an aircraft manufacturer, who gave him his first green light. His description of how the special event is coming together is fascinating and a must-hear conversation if you are an entrepreneurial artist or anyone enthralled in making a living from your resources.Below are other aspects of our conversation, which feels like a conversation just between the two of us that you secretly get to listen to:The impact of deregulation on the airline industry and how Edmond brings back romance, glamour, and humanity through branding to the security-laid airline industry.Livery design is the outside decoration of an airplane. When does it make sense to redesign an airline brand that may include repainting 50 airplanes?Edmond and his team take customers through a six-touchpoint chart, a brand design journey.

/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 380: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part I /*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode Notes“As a kid growing up on a farm in midwestern Canada, Edmond Huot spent countless hours lost in imaginative storytelling, obsessing over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. His penchant for expressive design helped to lay a formative foundation for what would eventually blossom into a long career in brand advertising.” (Press Recent stories (forward-studio.co))Edmond emerged as a creative director in a NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with a partner. Revisiting his childhood passion connected him with a longtime friend, Peter Clark, in a new way. Together, they formed an aviation-focused design firm partnership called Forward Studio. It isn't often that we can have a childhood friendship evolve into a business partnership and entrepreneurial collaborator like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, PR, media, advertising, and special events.Recently, it occurred to Edmond that he could explore another dimension of himself outside of Forward Studio. In our podcast planning session, he said, “Every advertising campaign begins with sketches. I draw the sketches.” He began wondering if there was a market for his aviation drawings.That curious question is where we find Edmond Huot in a creative space, stepping out of his linear career lane to examine the connections between art and aircraft. You will find out what he is learning.Edmond is finding the ‘newness' in his life transition at age 50. He is the creative director and design professional, putting himself, as the artist, on the front line. I especially love the free-flowing conversation and how Edmond explains his creative process.He has a public relations project with a prominent aircraft manufacturer he cannot name, but he can tell us his idea and how he plans to integrate his art into a public event. It serves a dual purpose that satisfies his spiritual desires and emotional connection to his lifework.Edmond describes the difference between commercial art and how he challenges himself as an artist, which he explores: “Commercial art doesn't have the same virtues. Art, for the sake of art, has a greater purpose. And I believe some of our clients want to be aligned with that and not something that comes across as commercial.”Edmond is taking the concept of “microcosms” and viewing it through the lens of airliners. He is fascinated with how untethered from the ground we are when we fly. The world is in motion and flux. “Art and aircraft have always inspired artists,

/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 379: Embrace the New Year and seize the fresh opportunities it brings! /*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesCongratulations! 2024 is upon us. Let's use it to influence positive change for the greater good by seizing the fresh opportunities this year brings us.I want to start by being grateful to you and the many opportunities you explored with your businesses last year. Take an inventory of your activities and accomplishments with those who helped you reach your hardest-won goals. It will increase your energy and those who helped you, validate your progress, and spur new aspirations for 2024.I am thankful for the United States' strong economy and the low unemployment rate. I am grateful that we have survived the hottest year in history. I am also thankful for the vulnerabilities exposed by the previous president of the United States. This has made us aware of the need to fix our executive privilege laws and apply them to all those who serve in government positions, including the highest office in the land.Gallup.com did The Year in Review: 2023 Most Notable Findings. The trends gave me insights into how we can improve our world. One positive trend I am grateful to see is that young adults are drinking less than previous generations. With the legalization of marijuana in more states, they might be smoking more weed instead, ha! The other trends about how our attitudes are shifting, like how employees feel their employers don't care about their well-being, are troubling.According to the Gallup survey conducted in 2020, 47% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. However, it seems that after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was brought under control, employers became less concerned about their employees' well-being. In the latest survey conducted in 2023, only 22% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. This information is essential as it reminds us to show our employees we care about them. We need to encourage open communication about our feelings with our staff by starting with the business owner, you. Gratitude for History MakersTaylor Swift and Greta Gerwig stunned the world last year. I am grateful for their creative genius and entrepreneurial spirit, which they used to break national and global records. In her historical 2023 Era's Tour, Taylor Swift broke Elvis Presley's long-standing record of 67 weeks for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart by a solo artist. Taylor Swift hit her 68th week at No. 1 by the end of 2023. Greta Gerwig made history by directing the “Barbie” movie, which had over $1 billion in ticket sales. That is a first for women directors. Go, Greta!! I recently re-watched the "Barbie" movie with my daughter, Olivia. Initially, I watched it once before with my husband, Matthew, in a movie theater, and it was fun to hear the audience's reaction. Watching it again sparked a conversation about our different upbringings. When Olivia was young, I passed on a Barbie doll that I called Ruth,

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 378: Score Big in Business with These Home Run Strategies /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesWho doesn't love hitting a home run in business? It's the feeling of pure excitement, accomplishment, and success all rolled into one. Achieving our goals and exceeding expectations is what every entrepreneur dreams of. Let's dive deeper into what it takes to hit that home run and make your business the best it can be.When you hit a home run in business, it opens the floodgates of opportunities. This was the case for one of my clients, who permitted me to share their story with you. The work began in July 2022, when their business was still finding its footing. I then met Mahomud Ali and Saido Ali Jama at an annual MEDA meeting. MEDA is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.The First Strategy for hitting home runs in business is to make sure you have someone you trust who has your best interest at heart to talk things through and help you clarify what you want.Before attending the MEDA annual meeting, I discussed things with my husband, Matthew Foli, as usual. To have someone you trust to talk things through and help you clarify what you want is priceless. It takes time to get to the heart of what truly matters to you, and having someone invested in your best interest to witness your journey and provide valuable feedback can empower both of you.I went to the annual MEDA meeting with clear intentions. I first wanted to learn more about how they are helping minority-owned businesses and how the organization is evolving. Additionally, I wanted to meet and mentor at least one business owner and connect with potential guest mentors for my podcast.After the meeting ended, I spoke with a few people before scanning the room one last time. As I was leaving, Mahomud and Saido introduced themselves, and Mahomud mentioned that he needed help with marketing. Though I am not a marketing expert, I have been involved in marketing since 1992 and offered to meet with them to see how I could help them achieve their goals. At the very least, I could provide them with valuable resources.Second Strategy: Understand that the Universe works on our behalf.Even when we feel alone, we are not. There is a spiritual realm of Guardian Angels and spirit guides waiting for us to invite them to help us. The Universe collaborates to bring our dreams into reality when we know what we want. That's why people say, "Be careful what you wish for." Or, more commonly now, "Be mindful of your thoughts and words."Many times, the Universe delivers beyond our wildest dreams in unexpected ways. What we achieve at Midwest Bakery fits my understanding of how the Universe pleasantly surprises us. If this isn't the case for you, refine what you think, say, or what you put out into the Universe. Let go of the outcomes and ensure your intentions are not from a place of fear or avoidance. The Universe keeps giving us the same lessons in different ways until we get the lesson.

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 377: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part II /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode Notes“At Beyond Carnism, we believe that people need and deserve to know the truth about carnism so they can make their food choices freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D. Dr. Melanie Joy is an award-winning psychologist specializing in the psychology of oppression and social transformation in relationships. In our discussion, she lays out a roadmap for effective relational communication, emphasizing the advantages of self-awareness, mindfulness, and allyship over adversarial attitudes. By improving our relational skills, we can contribute to ending injustice and move beyond oppression in all forms.Dr. Melanie Joy's latest book, How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet, is an inspiring read that captures the wisdom she acquired from her travels to 35+ countries and the practical ways we can improve interpersonal, intrapersonal, and societal relationships. If you're committed to ending injustice, her book and this podcast conversation are a must-have for your reading and listening library.Melanie says we communicate “because we want to share our thoughts and feelings. Our inner selves.” Melanie also says, “The more we can communicate with people in a way that they feel safe with us, the more likely we are to set an atmosphere for our message to be heard as it was intended to be heard. The more we help other people feel safe with us and recognize that we are safe people to be in relationship with, the more likely we are to create more safety and connection in those interactions.”During our conversation, Melanie shared one of many vital insights – achieving mutual understanding is the ultimate goal of any healthy relationship. Our discussion was enlightening and affirming, and I appreciated Melanie's surprising gesture of gratitude toward the end.Last week, Melanie mentioned that shame and contempt can harm relationships. The antidote for both emotions is self-empathy and compassion towards others, which can help us share experiences and learn from one another.We often only express a part of our true feelings and desires. This leaves us with unaddressed needs and unfulfilled interactions. Suppose we view our relationships and ourselves as a continuous work in progress. In that case, we can have more enjoyable interactions and be open to giving and accepting second chances until we reach a mutual understanding. This allows both parties to get clear on what they want and view the relationship as one in progress (openness) and not necessarily an end result of perfection (closed-mindedness). We make mistakes all the time when we are learning new things. Why not give each other space to evolve and change?I learned a helpful communication technique called 'whole messages' from Melanie. It involves breaking down what we want to say into four parts: observations,

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 376: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part I /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesI am feeling reinvigorated after a six-week hiatus. I worked with more clients, wrote, and integrated some significant life events during this time. The break was well worth it, and I'm eager to bring more meaningful conversations and ideas to support the evolution of leadership that aims to improve our world.How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet is now my go-to reference as we strive to end injustice. Dr. Melanie Joy has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into practical and easy-to-understand nuggets, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the systems we participate in on a daily basis. This knowledge can help us positively create a better world for all - humans, animals, and the planet. She is today's guest mentor. “We don't help people see different things. We help them see the same things, differently.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D., and Other Pioneers Before Her The work of Dr. Melanie Joy has had a significant impact on me, as indicated by the quote above. When we see the same things differently, we change our lives and how we lead.Since learning from her teachings, I have gained a new perspective on my dietary habits and transitioned to a plant-based diet, eliminating all meat, dairy, and egg products a few months before our first podcast conversation on June 7, 2021. Melanie has helped me comprehend the psychology and invisible systems that condition us to consume certain animals.I feel physically healthier and more in sync with my ethical values. It no longer makes sense to me to harm animals when I have committed to not hurting myself or others. Why should I consume something with eyes if I am devoted to treating all beings with kindness and respect? This is my viewpoint; it doesn't have to be yours.My perspective has become clearer and more relational after reading Melanie's research, attending her webinars, and listening to our podcast conversations. Melanie is an exceptional teacher, mentor, entrepreneurial leader, and advocate. Her distinctive understanding of oppression and social transformation in relationships offers an explanation for the dysfunction in our world and provides actionable steps to address it.I greatly admire Dr. Melanie Joy and her brave efforts in leading a worldwide movement to awaken us from our oppressive state and guide us toward a more enlightened way of relating to ourselves, other humans, animals, and the planet. She embodies integrity and demonstrates respect for the dignity of every individual, and I encourage everyone to follow her example of practicing relational literacy.When I was introduced to Dr. Melanie Joy.My daughter Olivia heard Melanie on Simon Hill's Plant Proof podcast a few years ago. After purchasing a few of Melanie's books, like Getting Relationships Right, Beyond Beliefs, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows,

Episode 375: Respecting Yourself Episode NotesI find inspiration in artists and musicians, especially during times of growth. Playing piano and journaling helps me express my emotions and relieve stress. How do you find inspiration during times of transition?As I was getting ready to talk about the importance of self-respect, I decided to dance to the songs Respect by Aretha Franklin and Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers. You might too.Why is respecting oneself essential for leadership growth? Respect for ourselves and others is crucial for personal identity and healthy relating. It becomes even more critical as leaders because we set an example for those around us. If we don't have self-respect, we may allow others to cross our boundaries and take unnecessary risks. This can hinder our growth as leaders and damage our relationships.Respect has a give-n-take element to it that researchers refer to as reciprocity. We speak kindly to one another, and they are more inclined to talk kindly back. If we respond defensively in a conversation, the other person might match or elevate the intensity of the conversation.When we respect ourselves, we set boundaries, communicate our needs clearly, and let others know our expectations. If there is a conflict or misunderstanding, effort is put toward understanding each other and talking openly about what we are experiencing. This may involve apologizing and starting the conversation again with a clear mindset. Ultimately, respect is a crucial factor in personal identity and interpersonal relationships.How can business owners create a healthy work environment?A business owner must create a healthy work environment based on respect. This means open communication and setting boundaries, rules, and limits to demonstrate respect by showing people you care. Honoring one's dignity and acting with integrity to foster emotional security and connection among employees is another way to express respect.Roles may be fluid in small businesses, so sharing power and empowering others to act positively is vital. I've learned that joining together to solve a problem works better than attacking each other. Think us against the problem.Encouraging a mentoring culture within a small team can lead to a more cohesive and interconnected working environment. This could mean teaching and learning each other's roles and responsibilities, creating opportunities to develop respect further. Ideas could be generated that improve teamwork and morale.In contrast, leading with a fixed mindset where roles and rules are unchanging can stifle innovation and respect, ultimately leading to an unhappy team and difficulty meeting individual needs. To overcome this, try being flexible and open to feedback. Create a mentoring environment to keep the focus on learning. Everyone can make mistakes and quickly learn while working to keep more revenue coming in than what is going out.The leaders I collaborate with are eager to learn how to foster healthy relationships in their workplaces and families, creating open systems. When change is necessary, I encourage my clients to take a step back, reflect, learn, and adapt.How I took a step back, reflected, learned, and adapted.Recently, I had three wake-up calls that prompted me to pause and reflect. I spent time exploring how I was not valuing myself and putting others in danger. I experienced a range of emotions as I had an epiphany. I identified the root cause of my need for speed and experimented with driving within the speed limit. Once I found the trigger for my adrenaline rush, I was able to confidently commit to respecting the rules of the road, thus respecting myself and not endangering others.The three wake-up calls started with a speeding ticket, followed by catching the flu, and then encountering a mishap with a web designer that almost resulted in the destruction of my wementor.com website. These events were disruptive enough to make me...

Episode 374: A Confluence of Events and 3 Wake-Up Calls Episode NotesSometimes we need more than one experience to raise awareness that a behavior change is required. A confluence of events shifted my perspective and primed me for three wake-up calls that led to reflection, integration, and behavior change.I first noticed a shift after reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring by Emily A. Francis and listening again to our two podcast conversations. I can't say if it was a comment or the whole concept of continuing to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls, as Emily encourages, that prompted my perspective shifting. Or the massive leap of faith in moving their family to Malta to live the Medattearan life.My second perspective shift is the unexpected heart-opening with Letty in our lives. Letty, our seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer, came into our lives on March 7, 2023, and Olivia, our daughter, said I seemed happier with Letty in our lives. That comment stuck with me. Was I not happy before welcoming Letty into her retirement home, our home? She has had 50 puppies and made 50 families enormously happy.She brings joy to our family with just her presence. She is a love bug and comfortable in her skin. Being comfortable in our skin is what few humans learn. The rest of us hustle to belong through pleasing, perfecting, and performing, as we know from Brené Brown's research on shame and resilience. Letty let us know she belonged with us by providing unconditional love; we shower her with it. A different kind of contentment is setting in.The third shift involved taking a 10-session Movement For Living Well class taught by Stephanie Ross-Russell that releases myofascial tissue using the movement disciplines of Yoga, Pilates, and Slings Myofascial Training®. We have one session left. This class improves skeletal movement, enhances blood flow, and has countless other benefits. I feel different physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I think more grounded, resilient, and buoyant.This Movement For Living Well class has integrated asanas or yoga poses while having a pilates feel with small repetitious movements designed to target small muscles and nerve fibers. The goal is to move more freely. This integrated experience reminds me of one of the world's yoga masters, B.K.S. Iyengar's writings in his book Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom. “Yoga has a threefold impact on health. It keeps healthy people healthy, it inhibits the development of disease, and it aids recovery from ill health.” I definitely need that.“Health begins,” he writes, “with firmness in body, deepens to emotional stability, then leads to intellectual clarity, wisdom, and finally the unveiling of the soul.” Iyengar teaches us that there is more to us than physical health. There is moral health, mental health, intellectual health, and even the health of consciousness, the health of our conscience, and ultimately divine health. With the confluence of those events, my body, mind, and soul were primed for three wake-up calls that supported my behavior change. One never knows whom the next enlightened soul will cross our path. We need to be vigilant.My first wake-up call started on June 18, Father's Day. Olivia, our 21-year-old daughter, had a nasty stomach flu leading up to Father's Day. I was worried about her. Matthew and I decided to drive to Madison, where she lives and goes to school, and spend a few days with her.I drove down with my Waze App connected. The App lets us know where cars are by the side of the road and where cop cars are parked at differing locations along our Hwy—94 path. I've been known to be a fast driver. I love driving and the freedom I feel behind the wheel. No one is telling me what to do. No one is in my way for too long. I can always pass them. Only the weather, construction,

Episode 373: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring with Emily A. Francis EPISODE NOTES JUNETEENTH (Federal and Minnesota State Holiday)Before exploring Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily A. Francis, I acknowledge Juneteenth. This commemorates the day enslaved people of African descent were informed that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. From the Council For Minnesotans of African Heritage website, the earliest Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 in local African Heritage church communities in the South. Us folks in the North, Midwest, and Western United States learned of Juneteenth during the Great Migration, where 6 million Black Americans were enticed to move north for work from about 1916-1970. In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In January of this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Here is a link to 10 ideas to commemorate and celebrate JUNETEENTH. Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily E. Francis“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” – Rumi, a Sufi and Persian PoetAs Rumi describes above, Emily is letting the Mediterranean life live through her and shares her wisdom to help us savor our lives. The Mediterranean lifestyle is one of the world's healthiest lifestyles and is known in the West through the famous Mediterranean Diet.Emily invites us to live simply, mindfully, and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls. I start this conversation with a quote from Emily's fifth book, The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring. Emily is in her third year of living the Mediterranean lifestyle with her family on the European Island of Malta.She is keenly aware of the stark difference between Atlanta, Georgia, where we are in our American Democracy, and where she and her family live now. This makes it easier for her to highlight what we need to bring joy into our lives to develop a life worth savoring. A bit of salt made from the sun, the wind, and the sea brings out the flavor of what we eat. Honey secrets help us adapt to new locations. Making our own dressing engages our senses, and one can never learn too much about figs and other essentials like good people to make life worth savoring. This conversation is packed with nuggets of goodness.Emily dispels the American myth about the Mediterranean Diet with a definition she has observed from the Maltese people and now lives herself. She says the Mediterranean Diet misrepresents what the Mediterranean people live for food, fun, family, and faith. And they love sunshine. Those working in offices have snorkels, swimsuits, and other items tucked in their cars to weave play and enjoyment into their workday. They jump in the sea during lunch to enjoy the sunshine and then return to the office to finish the day's work. Lots of ideas here.We learn the limitations of what Emily was taught about happiness and explore what it means to love someone unconditionally. “In Malta, people aren't climbing all over each other and trying to keep up with the Joneses. They want you to succeed,” says Emily. She uses the analogy of lighting a candle and using it to light another's candle, making the light shine brighter and more prominent as a collective. There isn't a finite amount of love, joy, and happiness. The more joy and happiness we can bring, our lives and those around us will expand.In our first conversation, we got a taste of joy as Emily talked about her move from Atlanta, Georgia, to Malta and how that experience changed her and her family's life. Unexpectedly, Emily found her soul in Malta when her husband Scott and their two daughters, Hannah, almost 11, and Ava, 9, moved. They took a mammoth leap of faith in 2020,

Episode 372: The Taste of Joy with Emily A. Francis Episode NotesI didn't know I needed Emily's book until I started reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, released earlier this year. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people moved to bigger houses and smaller towns, and some moved out of state. Emily A. Francis and her family flipped the script on their life story; Emily wrote a plot twist she didn't see coming.They left their life in Atlanta, Georgia, creating a new life in Malta. Malta is part of the European Union and has been an independent country since 1964. Emily is sharing why her family moved to be part of one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world and invites us to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls.Emily is a highly sought-after speaker, radio host, columnist, bestselling author, and wellness expert with a vast array of education and experience. The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, is her fifth book. Her knowledge of the body and the body/mind connection is extensive, and her commitment to total body, mind, and spirit wellness is her driving force. She has a few degrees and hosts the internet radio show “All About Healing” on Healthy Life Radio.In moving to Malta, Emily has become deeply involved with local food production on the island. You will hear about how capers are farmed, prickly pears, figs, and the best sea salt in the world. She writes a regular column titled “Emily in Malta” in the local tourism magazine Oh My Malta, where she interviews local farmers, fishermen, and chefs on single-ingredient farming and reveals the secrets to living a clean life. Home | Emily A Francis (emilyafrancisbooks.com).The two-lane cobblestone roads in Malta were built for horses and carriages in the 1800s, not for school buses. Emily gives an excellent description of how she gets around and how she seized the opportunity to create a new life from not having a work visa. In 2020, Scott, her husband, and two girls, Hannah and Ava, decided to move with their three or four pets, sight unseen, from southern Georgia to Malta.Before she and Scott moved their family to Malta in 2020, their life in southern Georgia became untenable with gun violence, active shooter drills in schools for her girls, the insanity in politics, and too many genetically modified food products that have long-term adverse effects on our bodies. Seeing a man with his four-year-old daughter in the grocery store carrying a gun, not in its holster, pushed her over the edge. A confluence of events came together with Scott's IT work, and 30 employees and their families joined them to create a new life in Malta—a multigenerational family style of living. Emily boldly created a new life and discovered a new happiness she had never experienced.She says, “I worked on my mental health for years and was stuck in an environment that did not lend itself to health and wellness, kindness, and inclusivity. It was a super southern town. I wasn't happy. I tried but ended up faking it.” Surprisingly, her new life came out of the misery of a global pandemic.Paul Parker, producer/director of Paul Parker Productions in Malta, wrote a beautiful preface explaining why people need to read Emily's book. His reasoning ends with this statement, “Because everyone needs a bit of Joy in their life and an anchor to reel them back into reality and enjoy what's around them every day.” Paul is referring to Emily as his anchor these past three years, giving him a new perspective that people who live in the Mediterranean take for granted.School for Emily and Scott's children, who were six and nine at the time of the move to Malta, went from school shooter drills to a welcoming environment where teachers openly say, “I love you.” They kiss the children's foreheads, calling them an endearing term, Poopas, meaning dolls,” Emily says. Children are reassured that they are part of a...

Episode 371: Develop a Feng Shui Practice with Julie Ann Segal Episode NotesJulie Ann Segal inspired me to change the energy in my clothes closet and bedroom. With my daughter Olivia's help, I removed 11 grocery bags full of blazers, blouses, t-shirts, purses, pants, and other clothes I no longer needed. Her decluttering ideas inspired me and will inspire you too. Decluttering is where we jump into our conversation to develop a Feng Shui Practice using five energy tools and five elements. Her new book, Change Your Space to Change Your Life, will be available in bookstores starting July 8, 2023. Julie Ann Segal is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention. Julie Ann is also the author of her new book, as I mentioned above, Change Your Space to Change Your Life (2023). Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann's dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. She wants to bring this into your spaces.We learned last week about Julie Ann's writing journey, the foundation of Feng shui, and how Julie Ann designs spaces. There are three ways to live with intention: energy, design goals, and tools. Julie Ann introduced a Be-Do-Have exercise to help us clarify what we want. This exercise is good to do every year.Julie Ann starts chapter three of her book with what practicing Feng Shui means. Practicing Feng Shui reminds me of when Matthew, Olivia, and I switched to plant-based (vegan) living. Individually, we educated ourselves to understand why we were doing it and what it would take to make the change. Our two-month commitment has continued into a lifestyle we cherish two and a half years later. We added flexibility to ensure we could do it in almost all spaces. We now say we are 98% vegan. Sometimes, in some spaces, options to eat cleanly are not possible. Little did we know, our decision to become plant-based had a ripple effect on our relationships, even with strangers.I once went to Papa Murphy's to get a couple of pizzas to share a meal with friends. It took three times for the pizza maker to create a vegan pizza. She got everything right up until the cheese. She would grab the regular cheese instead of the alternative vegan cheese out of habit. She increased her awareness through the process and kept her energy in the spirit of getting my order right. We laughed hysterically even after I went to grab a couple of salads, only to realize every salad had meat, cheese, or egg on it. Since then, the Papa Murphy's Pizza near us has added plant-based salad options. A positive change had a positive result.There is a ripple effect when we change our spaces to change our life positively, as we learn from Julie Ann. This can go the other way, but we are focused on positively changing our lives and businesses.Any new practice starts with an awareness that we need to change. That awareness could be noticing a disconnect between who we are and how we live in our spaces. We get into a discussion about energy and the effects of not fixing things. When changing our spaces, Julie Ann suggests asking ourselves three essential questions.Does the room reflect who I am today?Does it reflect who I want to become?Am I living in the past?Julie Ann discusses the difference between goal setting and intention setting and how they work together. We also talk about how Julie Ann picked the five energy tools, what they are, and the five elements (metal, fire, earth, water, and wood) to integrate into your Feng Shui Practice.  These tools and elements help us find balance and create harmonious spaces.We briefly touch upon another tool to find balance and bring harmony int...

Episode 370: Change Your Space to Change Your Life with Julie Ann Segal Episode NotesToday is Memorial Day to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military.  Commemorate this day as you see fit whether attending memorial services, gravesites, participating in parades, working, or gathering with family and friends. We honor those who have served with prayers, peaceful energy, and humility.______________________Julie Ann Segal and I have known each other since 2017. She participated in one of my 12-month WeMentor LABs to evolve how she led as she redesigned Metro Interiors, her business. In March 2019, we did a WeMentor Mini LAB: Designing Your Office, Home, and Life with Vision Boards. This was where I learned about Feng Shui, a four-thousand-year-old Chinese philosophy used to create balance and harmony in ourselves and the environments through the art of placement.Feng means “wind,” and Shui means “water,” two elements we can integrate into our spaces to balance and harmonize the energy around us. Julie Ann introduced us to new ways of putting a vision board together. She is doing some ‘live' local vision board classes in June and August 2023.Julie Ann joined me for two podcast conversations about the concepts she now has in her new book Change Your Space to Change Your Life: elevate your energy with Feng Shui, one room at a time. You can purchase her book beginning July 8, 2023. Both discussions can be found in this Episode's Resource section at wementor.com. Type Julie Ann Segal in the search bar, and this episode will appear.There are three ways to live with intention: energy, design goals, and tools. In this, our third podcast conversation, Julie Ann shares design inspiration from Change Your Space to Change Your Life.  We begin with Julie Ann's writing journey and then discuss the first part of Julie Ann's book about Living with Intention—the foundation of feng shui and design.Caroline Patrick Bor-Nei, a master educator of Feng Shui and author of Diary of a Feng Shiu Consultant and Visual Artist, writes this. “Julie is truly a special, unique, and talented designer who has devoted her career to learning from the most valued master teachers about the art of placement, known as Feng Shui. Her ability to understand these ancient teachings is of great benefit to her clients during these modern-day challenges. Combining her knowledge of design, Feng Shui flow ideas, and a pure heart, her book reveals these qualities that can be incorporated into your living and working spaces.”Julie Ann Segal is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention.  Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann's dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. She wants to bring this into your spaces.ENERGYDid you know our thoughts go into our spaces? I recall Oprah Winfrey describing a sign above her office door that said, “You are responsible for the energy you bring into this room.” This is why grounding our energy and clarifying our intentions are so important.Julie Ann's writing journey began with a thought as a teenager. Decades later, a wiser Julie Ann has a lot for you to discover as you change your space to change your life. Below are some of the benefits Julie Ann and many of her clients have experienced from a Feng Shui practice.Reaching your goals fasterEnhancing your wealthHaving more peace in your lifeLetting go of the pastLifting your spirits or inspiring youImproving your healthGiving you more energyHer book is timely as we continue to create a work/life balance from the home office. During the Covid-19 pandemic,

Episode 369: A Tribute to My Cherished Mentor, Barbara Winter Episode Notes I participated in an online Celebration of Life for Barbara J. Winter on May 20th, 2023. Barbara crossed over to the other side on October 28, 2022, at age 80, after suffering from a long illness. Our paths had overlapped many times since our first luncheon in 1994. This is my tribute to my cherished mentor, Barbara Winter.  Barbara will forever be known as the pioneering self-employment advocate, writer, and teacher who spent decades pondering the question, “Why aren't we all self-employed?” Her optimism and ferocious curiosity will live on in millions who read her books and newsletters and attended her seminars. Her legacy will be carried on through her daughter Jennie Hinrichs and her three grandchildren: Zoe, Zach, and Noah. “I want my grandchildren to know that Grandma's house is always a safe place to share their ideas,” she said in our Portfolios of Ideas podcast conversation. Tears are spilling down my cheeks as I listen and think of how much her grandchildren miss her. Her spirit will always be with them. Barbara is one of those people I wish had defied death. In 1994, I noticed Barbara lived in Minneapolis after reading the book she authored in 1993, Making A Living Without A Job: Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love. The book was revised and reprinted in 2009 and is still relevant today. She agreed to have lunch at one of her favorite spots, and now mine, the Good Earth restaurant at the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota. She would bring ten books in a brown paper bag each month and share stories with advice tucked in. We did this lunch and book routine until she followed her daughter to Valencia, California, where she lived until her death. I would buy her books and give them to clients. When I taught at two private Universities for 13 years in entrepreneurship, her book was mandatory reading. Barbara named a seminar after her book, Making A Living Without A Job. It became her most popular seminar. She never envisioned teaching this seminar worldwide and holding annual joyfully jobless jamborees for decades, but she did. She said she would wake up on each seminar day and think that someone's life is going to change today. Her enthusiasm was her litmus test to keep going. She added other newsletters and seminars to her repertoire: Winning Ways monthly newsletter, Joyfully Jobless, Establish Yourself As An Expert, and I wouldn't say I like Marketing. The celebration of life event fit Barbara's desire to educate. She was a massive fan of creating tip lists. Barbara always taught the nine lessons below. Her colleagues and friends, Terri Belford and Marianne Cantwell shared them with us, and in turn, I would like to share them with you. 9 Lessons for Leading and Living by Barbara Winter   Be Playful. Barbara was a big proponent of approaching work as play and having a sense of humor, especially around absurd situations and or being playful at your work. She was a great role model. “An acid test for if you are in the right place,” Barbara would say, “is when the work becomes more interesting the longer you do it.” Treat what you do with a sense of adventure and lightness. She made everything an adventure wonder. She shared her passion for the artist Chu Huly with everyone. She had a lifetime of missions that took her all over the world with friends and colleagues. Let yourself be an apprentice. Have a beginner's mindset and learn from those who have gone before you. We learn by doing. Do the thing that others wouldn't do. Roll up your sleeves and get to work realizing your dreams. Barbara always said that entrepreneurship is not a spectator's sport. Small is beautiful. She helped me see the beauty in everything and every small business, including mine. Barbara believed in the quality of small-group learning and small business. She didn't want a huge audience or to do a TED Talk.

Episode 368: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IV  Episode NotesA sixth way to ensure integrity in your business records is to create a culture of belonging. A culture of belonging promotes integrity. When people feel they belong, they show you who they are, warts and all. No pretenses, no games. No acting out. We are more inclined to do what is best for ourselves and others with a motivation toward the greater good.  Belonging is essential to humans, so why are we so bad at creating a culture of belonging at work? We even have difficulty creating belonging in our own families. Fifty-two percent of Americans feel lonely. “Isolation is being by yourself. Loneliness is not liking it.” – Unknown Author.The simple answer to why we are so bad at creating a culture of belonging is that we live what we know and what is taught and role modeled. We haven't been taught how to belong, even though it is a universal human need. In business, creating a culture of belonging was an outlandish idea until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the epidemic of loneliness began.Journalist and critic Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein is coming out with a book called Tyranny At Work. It is about “the authoritarian design of the American workplace and the tools and laws–from “at-will employment, to coercive contracts, surveillance, employer-driven debt, and mandatory arbitration–that make us uniquely unfree on the job. She reveals how much of our lives are spent outside of democracy and what a different arrangement might look like.” Last year, she wrote an article about How Life as a Trucker Devolved Into a Dystopian Nightmare.We know how to divide and conquer. We know how to isolate and alienate one another. We know how to support specific people and cultures. We know how to be fiercely independent. We know how to compete. We don't know how to create a business culture and home life that supports interdependence, unconditional love, and belonging.Research Professor Brené Brown defines belonging as “the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and seeking approval, which is hollow substitutes for belonging and often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”Accepting ourselves gives those we lead permission to accept themselves. The avenue to accepting ourselves is taking 100% responsibility for our lives so we can feel engaged, hopeful, grateful, excited, confident, inspired, joyful, exhilarated, refreshed, and peaceful. Those are the feelings we experience when we regularly meet our universal human needs.Belonging is part of our universal human need to connect. We must feel acceptance, appreciation, closeness, communication, consideration, safety, security, and community to connect and feel we belong. We must see and be seen, which takes compassion.If you create a culture of belonging where people feel they truly belong, you feel connected to those you work with, even if you have differences. We develop a better understanding of another, which expands our ability to have empathy and exercise compassion. When we work without compassion, we succumb to the era of narcissism, entitlement, and incivility. Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D., coined the phrase.You will frequently hear me talk about Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D. because her videos and books help me to help others move out of this era. One of the ways to get out of this era of narcissism is by creating a culture of belonging. I highly recommend reading “Don't You Know Who I Am?” How to stay sane in an era of narcissism, entitlement, and incivility. A must-read to support the creation of a culture of belonging. We need to know how narcissistic and toxic people operate because these people in the workplace are rising.

Episode 367: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part III Episode Notes I intended this series to be in two parts, but guess what? I can't do it! I approach this topic and business ownership from a holistic perspective; everything we do in our businesses is interconnected and influenced by us, from our energy and intentions to the rules, boundaries, and limitations we set in operating our businesses, business records included. This kind of approach to ensure integrity in our business records takes forethought. A holistic approach to business ownership considers the effect of one thing upon another. Let's take 100% responsibility for our actions and require that of our staff. We see a different level of energy, communication, and adherence to rules, boundaries, and limitations throughout the company with each interaction and transaction in the business. Integrity is encouraged, and the systems we put in place validate our intentions, adhere to rules governing businesses, support boundary-keeping, and acknowledge limitations. With our intentions attuned to our values, we know what is okay and what is not okay and why. We are clear about which rules to abide by or reconsider and which limitations to work around or challenge. Last weekend we visited Thai Table with a friend, a family-owned restaurant in Plymouth, MN. We love supporting small businesses. We bring cash for the meal. This business likes saving us money by encouraging cash payment. This keeps them from passing on the cost of offering credit card options for payment to their patrons. We appreciate their conscientiousness. As patrons of Thai Table, we assume that those cash payments are appropriately accounted for and reported on their tax forms like any cash-based business. All cash-based revenue must be reported to the IRS to operate with integrity. You could be under the IRS threshold for reporting the revenue. I know people choose to refrain from reporting cash-based income for many reasons. If that is not the case, revisit what you are doing and why you are doing it. This raises your awareness. I am not talking about excuse-making to defend your decision. I encourage you to notice how you feel. If you feel like you are getting away with something or justifying your decision and feel ashamed or embarrassed when you tell someone. This is what I call an energy leak. You are releasing your integrity a little spurt of energy at a time. These kinds of energy leaks deplete our energy and leave us feeling incompetent in running our businesses. When you become aware of an energy leak, please find a way to seal it up. If your business needs to generate more money to pay the costs associated with running a business, this could be the source of your next innovation. Let the generating of ideas begin. Revisit your business model. Maybe you aren't charging enough because you don't know the exact cost of doing business. And you don't know what it would take to thrive in business because you don't know how to project out into the future. Or some other reason. This kind of “curiosity thinking” leads us to the fifth way to ensure integrity in your business records. Increase your proficiency in money management. #5 Increase your proficiency in money management. If you are proficient at something, you are competent or skilled at doing it. You may be adept at making money but not managing the money you generate because you are too busy doing other things to get into the details of financial profitability and prosperity thinking. An effective way to increase your proficiency in money management is to learn more about it. The more we understand our energy and the energy exchanges we do with money, the quicker we can catch when we are bleeding money and losing control of ourselves and our business. Energy leaks are clues that something is out of alignment. These clues can uncover limiting beliefs that we no longer want or need.

Episode 366: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Episode Notes Where there is a business, there are humans. Where there are humans, there are needs. Where there are needs, there are opportunities to meet those human needs. When we neglect meeting human needs, humans get off track and fall out of integrity. Business records can help us maintain integrity in how we do business if we intend to operate a business with integrity. I have teased the content into bite-sized, digestible parts to support your journey to using the following six ways to ensure integrity in your business records. Summary Last week I outlined the first three ways to ensure integrity in your business records, starting with you. Today you will learn the 4th  way to ensure integrity in your business records after summarizing the first three. Business records build confidence and trust within the business, customers, and communities. Business records also help us track where we have been, where we are, and where we are going, and they can save us thousands and millions of dollars. According to Wikipedia, “business records are documents (hard copy or digital) that capture an act, condition, or event related to the business.” Building confidence and trust in business starts with the business owner(s) and entrepreneurial leader. This is why the #1 way to ensure integrity with business records is to do a self-leadership integrity assessment. Answer these questions: What are my core values? What are my business's core values and mission? Am I willing to live according to my core values and meet my seven universal human needs of physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, meaning, and connection? Do I have a path to get back on track when I run a relationship in the ditch? What about those I employ and contract? Can I create a path to help them get back on track? Am I open to course corrections, making amends, and doing better? If the answer to all of the questions above, except the first one, is yes, you can live and lead with integrity. Go on to #2. If your answer is no, find a way to answer yes, then proceed. If you need help, reach out to me. The 2nd way to ensure integrity in your business records is to set high communication and accountability standards by requiring everyone to take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do. This sets the tone letting everyone know that mistakes happen. What we do after making a mistake is the focus—taking responsibility for fixing the error, learning from the mistake, or finding a different solution. New ideas can come from mistakes, so train people to look at mistakes as opportunities for personal and business growth. Start regular accountability meetings that promote mutual respect and mutual purpose with who does what, when, and by when with a follow-up. Brainstorm potential barriers to deadlines and commitments and instill natural consequences if responsibilities aren't fulfilled. The 3rd way is to build an ethical organization around information and communication. Modify your mindset and know the purpose of documenting the act, condition, or business event. Because the act, condition, or business event needing documentation doesn't always generate income, business owners can get sloppy running their businesses, leading to problems with the IRS, cashflow issues, data entry, employee problems, legal issues, etc. I appreciate management guru Peter F. Drucker's pragmatic approach to improving work relationships. Instead of building in layers of hierarchy, which promotes disconnection, Peter found that the most important thing to do is to create an organization, whatever the size, around information and communication. You can do this by training people to ask two questions. I added a third question. What information do I need to do my job – from whom, when, and how? What information do I owe others so that they can do their job, in what form, and when?

Episode 365: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part I  Episode NotesIntegrity with business records and operations is where I like to start with clients—learning how they run their businesses and how they feel as entrepreneurial leaders. What are their vision, mission, and core values? What is working and what isn't? What plans, systems, and processes do they have in place? What is their immediate need?According to Wikipedia, “business records are documents (hard copy or digital) that capture an act, condition, or event related to the business.” Business records are meant to build confidence and trust within the business, with customers, and with communities.The act, condition, or business event triggers the need for documentation. We generate a sale, for example. The income is deposited in a business checking account. A bookkeeper records the deposit in an accounting system. More sales are recorded. A weekly financial report is tallied for a financial meeting. Meeting notes record the decisions made during the session, and new financial goals are projected. At the end of a fiscal year, an accountant uses the bookkeeping system to file tax reports for the IRS to determine how much is taxable income. The federal and state taxes we pay keep our society in order through public services such as the federal budget, social security, healthcare, public infrastructure, defense, etc.Other business records include internal company policies and regulatory requirements for stockholders and investors. Having integrity with our business records means complete and accurate record-keeping that has uniformity throughout the business's lifecycle.Integrity is being truthful in what we think, feel, say, and do. For example, when everyone follows the same accounting principles, stakeholders have greater faith that the story those financial statements tell is trustworthy. Setting up systems, communications, and processes that support your business's mission and core values encourages those working with you to record the act, condition, or event accurately.Below are three of six ways to ensure integrity in your business records. I will share the other three next Monday. Three of six ways to ensure integrity in your business records.1. Do a self-leadership integrity assessment.Am I saying what I mean and doing what I say? Know your core values and ask yourself if you are living those values. If so, excellent. If not, identify your core values and commit to living them without compromising them in difficult circumstances. Allow yourself to get back on track. Recommit to living your values every day and keep going.Imagine handling financial pressure with ease. Instead of succumbing to numbing, avoiding, or other coping vices, stay present. Identify how you feel, and determine what those feelings are trying to reveal; you may need to adjust your goals or initiate a sales activity to relieve some of the financial pressure. Decide the next best thing to do.Example. My core values are wholeheartedness (compassion, connection, and courage) and respect.Bookkeeping was not my forte when I started my business in 1992. It still isn't, but I learned whom to hire and how to organize the volume of paperwork that accompanies business ownership.In the beginning, I frequently became overwhelmed and let the paperwork pile up until it was a crisis. Crisis-to-crisis leadership was how I managed my business.I realized that I needed help to shift my crisis-to-crisis leadership mentality by taking charge of how I was leading. My disorganization was disrupting my self-connection. Because I felt dysregulated, out of sorts, and stressed out all the time, my connections with others were strained. I not only needed a different mindset but a new skillset.Fortunately, I ran entrepreneurial leadership LABs and held monthly synergy sessions. I started asking LAB participants if they needed help managing the volume of paperwork with their businesses.

Episode 364: What the World Needs Now is Integrity in Entrepreneurial Leadership Episode NotesWhy does the world need integrity in entrepreneurial leadership now? We have always needed the skillset and mindset of entrepreneurs to evolve and revolutionize our world. Integrity has always been an important leadership value. Why is it highly relevant now?This topic comes from my inherent concern regarding entrepreneurial leaders with harmful intentions using our legal system interminably to delay justice and accountability. And how many laws can one break? Astonishingly, a lot. This brings me to ask more questions.Why are we allowing leaders, who lack integrity, egregiously break our laws, and have a sinister vision that is destroying our democracy, to not only hold the highest offices in the land but profit from doing so? If our democracy is everything to us, why are we the people, allowing a political party to prioritize their rights above all others? Why are we allowing ill-intentioned political entrepreneurs to disregard standards of decency, violate ethical principles and laws, and outpace accountability guardrails?Where others see problems, entrepreneurs see opportunities. Where entrepreneurs see opportunities, they solve problems. When ethical entrepreneurs solve problems, they add societal value.While pondering these big questions and sifting through the emotions that come from feeling unsettled and concerned about all of us, I devised an Eight Integrity Checkpoints exercise to bridge the gap between our professed values, how we live, and the leaders we support. Each checkpoint pair begins with a question you can ask yourself and a second question in reference to a leader you support.Read through each question. These questions are thought-provoking so allow time to reflect. I suggest returning to this exercise after you read the rest of these notes and listen to this episode. I give examples in the audio. You decide what works best for you. Eight Integrity CheckpointsHow am I taking 100% responsibility for what I think, feel, say, and do?How does the leader I support take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do?What are my two core values, without which I feel off track and lost? Or, I get angry when someone doesn't respect my values.Are the words, feelings, and actions of the leader I support aligned with my core values? How do I know? What are their core values?Reflecting on my life, am I living my core values?As I reflect on the leader I support, are they living their core values?How am I being or leading the change I want to make in the world?What change does the leader I support role model to the world?The Research Rabbit HoleIntegrity in entrepreneurial leadership initially felt easy for me to discuss. I work with clients daily to live what they value and value how they live. I have written and taught about having integrity, and I hold myself accountable to integrity guideposts, my core values of wholeheartedness (compassion, connection, and courage) and respect.Instead, the research rabbit hole I entered ignited unresolved hurts such as anguish, despair, sadness, grief, and dread about the next election. I am exhausted from the slowness of our legal system and the emotional and financial cost to all of us from the 45th U.S. President's excruciatingly painful refusal to take responsibility for his criminal acts and threats to the fabric of our democracy because he can't put our democracy above his corrupted interests.We know of his egregious acts against our democracy and lack of integrity in business reporting including the latest 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up his seedy behavior. He is like the Titanic. We know he is sinking. We don't know how long it will take or how many more people will go down with him. I know he will not take our democracy with him, dammit! Not on our watch!!! Kindred Voices are Speaking Up and Showing UpOnce below the surface and into t...

Episode 363: Learning to Love the Voices In Your Head with Debbie Unterman  Episode NotesToday is my 62nd birthday. This birthday isn't monumental. We seem to emphasize birthdays ending with 5s and 0s; 65, 20, 35, and so on. A few months before a birthday, I naturally go inward, reflecting on the prior year in preparation for the upcoming year. I can say I am envigorated with this next phase of lifework.Matthew and I are in a great spot. We feel fantastic providing a retirement home for Letty, our new seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer. She keeps us moving with her fast-paced walking, and we give her lots of love. Olivia is finishing her junior year in college and carving out her life as an interdependent person. We know how to allow each other wings to fly.I have always viewed relationships and mentoring from a soul level. I am desperately learning to understand the voices in my head from the 6,000 thoughts we average daily and decipher relationships to fulfill a deeper reason for our connection. How can I best help another grow and evolve in their life's work?Today's guest mentor, Alchemical Hypnotherapist Debbie Unterman, wrote me the following lightly edited note after last week's podcast conversation. “Nancy, you are an Alchemist in the way you use words! I'm serious. I just finished listening to Caroline Myss's video on the Alchemist archetype for the second time. These are some of the notes I took: Alchemy is about Language. What word do I choose?  Will I empower with my words?  How am I interpreting what I see and feel?  Carolyn says words trigger biochemical reactions in the body, so choosing your words and thinking wisely is important. I'll re-purpose many of your words.”  “Modern-day Master Alchemists,” Debbie writes, “have the ability to transform the disparate elements of human consciousness, such as confusion, envy, loneliness, and despair, into the gold of self-realization.” (p. 245)Our conversation naturally fortifies Debbie's lifework, which is beautifully showcased in her book Talking To My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head. Even though it was written in 2009, Debbie stands by its relevance today. Her book invites you to explore your unique identity, heal emotional distress, and find spiritual guidance within.We discuss her adult beginnings as a hippy in 1979 living amongst the tallest and oldest living things on earth, Redwood trees in northern California. Redwoods reach up to 380 feet in height and 18 feet in diameter; some are over 2,000 years old. Debbie says, “I wanted to get into building community and develop the best means of commerce, bartering.” Bartering movements have evolved since the 1970s. An example is the emergence of the first cryptocurrency BitCoin in 2009. The Federal Trade Commission calls Bitcoin electronic currency which has collapsed five times and is in need of regulation.We are fallible human beings and need regulations (boundaries) to protect ourselves from unethical and unconscious humans, including ourselves. That is why a sophisticated banking system, the Federal Reserve Bank, was developed to regulate the use of money among humans. Unethical entrepreneurs expose vulnerabilities in established systems. When vulnerabilities are uncovered, we have two options. Choose to grow and evolve the system with this new information, or dismiss what we learn and revert to letting our shadows take over the system. Debbie talks about a chapter in her book called the dark side of the Moon.Debbie spent nine years in northern California before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where she has lived since 1988. While amongst the Redwoods and living on a piece of land deserted by loggers, Debbie met Dan Healy, an audio engineer for the Grateful Dead, who started an FM radio station in the mountains. Dan abandoned the station after it lost its luster. Debbie began her Alchemical Hypnotherapy work and raised $6,500. With the money she raised and the help of others,

Episode 362: Debbie Unterman Answers the Bold Brave Call Episode NotesDebbie Unterman gets hundreds of emails daily. What about John Kelly's email, the executive producer of Bold Brave TV, caught her attention? Answering that email led to a one-year weekly online television show. We discuss this newest opportunity, its connections to her youth, and various other topics.Debbie Unterman is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Author, Mediator, Speaker, and Game Inventor; she likes to help people see things clearly in non-traditional ways. In her book, Talking to My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head, Debbie describes an array of characters she says we all have rattling around in our brains, such as The Judge, The Rebel, The Victim, and maybe even a Ms. or Mr. Perfect. We talk about Ms. or Mr. Perfect.Early in Debbie's career, she received a message from the Universe that her career would take off later in life. Can you imagine getting an astrological message in your early twenties like that? This is depressing news to get when you are starting your career. Maybe that is why Debbie loves baseball so much. Babe Ruth once said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” That has been Debbie's view too. Every opportunity prepares her for the next opportunity.As a Master Alchemist and Trainer, Debbie's been delving inside people's heads for over forty years. She's achieved proven results with clients suffering from PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, co-dependency, phobias, anxiety, lack of direction, sex and relationship issues, and much more.But even though she can help you work through your issues, she is very interested in creating a new paradigm of “Playing through your issues,” which is what she is doing with hundreds of people who are playing her monthly Transformational Board Games of “Clarity” and “Satori: The Game of Radical Forgiveness.”Debbie says, “Alchemical Hypnotherapy is an interactive trance process that helps people heal the root causes of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological issues.” Debbie is a great therapist who brings out things you can't expect to discuss. I didn't expect to express a verbal agreement Matthew, and I made before we married in 2000.Debbie added Carolyn Myss' Sacred Contracts and Your Archetypes book insights that expanded my understanding of the foundation of our marriage. Carolyn identifies another archetype, an alchemical archetype that fits with the astrological time we are in, the age of Aquarius. A time when everything is changing. Debbie uses an analogy of the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly I have never heard before. Take a listen. DOWNLOADIf you've ever tried to see the back of your head, the only way you can do it is by looking in a mirror. – Debbie UntermanDebbie and I met at a Mastermind event in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2017. This is our 7th podcast conversation. You might remember Debbie from other podcast episodes like Playing With Your Issues, The Best Advice I Ever Received, or Therapy For A New Future. You can find those and other conversations in the Episode Notes.To tune in to Love The Voices Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (ET) or 5:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT), go to Bold Brave TV.   NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Episode Resources Episodes with Debbie UntermanThe Best Therapeutic Advice I Ever Heard | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTPlaying Through Your Issues with Debbie Unterman | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTTherapy of the New Future | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTInstitutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 3 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTInstitutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 4 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Age of Aquarius EarthSky | When will the Age of Aquarius begin? Bold Brave TV

Episode 361: Olivia Foli's Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part II Episode Notes Olivia Foli, our daughter, entered the fall of 2022 as a Junior at UW-Madison with an intermittent debilitating nerve issue she first noticed in mid-July. By October, she had to alter her training schedule. Her rowing coaches amassed a team of sports trainers, medical and specialized doctors, chiropractors, and therapists to determine what was causing this burning nerve and skin pain in her upper back. Olivia was suddenly put in charge of her mental and physical well-being for the first time. Please find out how she managed. After seven months of tests and trying all kinds of therapies, her sports medicine team is still determining an exact diagnosis. They went through the six common rowing injuries ruling them out one by one. Lumbar back pain, no. Shoulder impingement, no. Stress fracture of the ribs, no. Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome, no. Extensor Tenosynovitis of the wrist, no. Hip labral tears, nope.  From all the information gathered, they think the nerve pain stems from a Costovertebral Joint Dysfunction or Shingles. Olivia is experiencing a complication from Shingles called Postherpetic Neuralgia because it has lasted for many months. Most people know that Shingles come from the chickenpox virus, which added to the mystery circling the diagnosis because Olivia had the chickenpox vaccine, and most people who get Shingles are over 60 years old. This was the first time Matthew and I weren't directly involved in meeting the team to help her get a diagnosis and treatment for the burning nerve pain. Getting information second-hand, even when it is accurately told and with a team that Olivia trusts, evokes worrisome emotions as a parent. Doing our research gave us more information and added to our concerns. Part of the maturation process we hadn't anticipated was Olivia managing a chronic injury and the accompanying generalized anxiety. We've had a pretty good run, this being her first injury. I thought to myself, of course, the first injury is complicated and can't easily be fixed. Isn't that how it often goes? At some point, whatever we get into, our mental and physical selves are stretched to their capacity. Our psyche collapses, and we build anew learning more about ourselves and those around us creating something different than we imagined, a better more meaningful life. Olivia realized she has a fantastic support team that extends beyond the family. In life, it is essential to be circled by people you trust and respect and who care about you and you about them. We are embracing resiliency and will keep you posted on how this spring's rowing season goes. I am so impressed with our youth and a huge thank you to Olivia's coaches and sports medicine team. They are team awesome! Olivia's 21st Birthday Celebration with Friends: Aubrey, Helena, Kelly, Grace, and Kirsty Listen in and discover how Olivia's life unfolds as a 21-year-old and her plans for this next phase of being a college student athlete. DOWNLOAD   NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Episode Resources Five Most Common Rowing Injuries (and How to Prevent Them) | Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Postherpetic Neuralgia Symptoms and Causes Other Podcast Conversations with Olivia College Life through Our Daughter's Eyes | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST College Life, Self-Reliance, and Adulting with Olivia Foli | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Olivia Foli's Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Talk with three of our youth in their late teens and twenties that you know. Ask them what activities inspire them and bring them joy.

Episode 360: Olivia Foli's Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part I Episode NotesToday's Special Guest Mentor is our daughter Olivia Foli (2nd seat in the picture). Last January, we aired our first two podcast conversations. Olivia talked about graduating high school during the COVID-19 pandemic and entering UW-Madison as a freshman. The school was in lockdown. Everything was restricted, and classes were online. Olivia described the degree of isolation she felt living in the dorms and the anxiety and depression that accompanied it. I thought it important to discuss the mental health challenges of our youth that we are hearing so much about.In the 2nd podcast conversation, we discussed adulting and self-reliance. This included discussing how Olivia met the seven Universal Human Needs: connection, honesty, physical well-being, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. Both episodes can be found in this episode's resource section.The upside of the COVID-19 pandemic is a new appreciation for our emotional and social well-being. Olivia said she used the time during covid to get to know herself better and continue learning while some dreams of playing violin in the orchestra and joining the rowing team were put on hold.Olivia's sophomore year provided new opportunities. She joined the orchestra as a violinist and was able to join UW-Madison's Women's Rowing Team. Socially, she was able to meet tons of people and begin forming long-term friendships. Our first two podcast conversations aired in January 2022. Olivia was about to enter the official start of UW-Madison's rowing season.In this conversation, you will hear what Olivia experienced:Starting and competing in a new sport at the college level,Choosing the lightweight team vs. the open-weight team,Team travel out of state and competing in Regatas,Team dynamics and overcoming negativity at Cocoa Beach training last year and changes this year,Leading as an upper-level student-athlete,A day in the life of a student-athlete,Roommate dilemmas, dynamics, and changes from one year to the next,Giving roommates room to grow and become adults, andCoursework for her majors in psychology and Spanish with a minor in women and gender studies.I'm encouraged to see the resilience in our youth as they work through the aftermath of the pandemic. Enjoy. DOWNLOAD  NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Episode Resources Olivia's 1st Podcast ConversationOlivia's 2nd Podcast ConversationThe Heart of Resilient Relationships EpisodeUniversal Human Needs Exercise pdf Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down the sidelined activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Decide if you are going to let those activities go or whether achieving them is still important. Create a new priority list. I missed socially gathering with family, friends, and clients so I am expanding my social activities. It feels wonderful. Apply Self-Compassion: I attended a self-compassion workshop with author and teacher Kristin Neff. She says one easy way to care for ourselves is through touch. Physical touch provides a sense of security and can increase your level of oxytocin; a hormone that helps to soothe distressing emotions. I find it comforting to gently massage each hand and forearm after completing a writing exercise. I suggest giving yourself a gentle hand and forearm massage after you complete the adventurous task above.  Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the person Olivia is becoming as an adult. I appreciate how she learns from her mistakes, follows through on commitments, and weighs each decision that has led to more decision-making and risk-taking. This year Olivia's confidence increased as she has taken charge of her mental and physical health. I continue to appreciate her joy,

Episode 359: Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota with Heather Boschke Episode Notes Even though crystallized snowflakes continue falling in the Midwest, signs of spring surround us. Longer days of sunlight melt the most recent snowfall. You can hear birds chirping on walks outside. Today is a perfect time to talk about Guest Mentor Heather Boschke's first book, Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota, now available.  Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota is part of Heather's lifework to leave pieces of her heart wherever she goes. “Set free that voice that lives inside you,” she suggests. Heather dedicated her book “to anyone who hasn't yet discovered their wings to fly – they are always there and ready for takeoff.” And she writes, “to my lovebird, Tom; thank you for making me feel both held and free.” We discuss the meaning of being held and free in her marriage. Throughout our conversation, Heather describes Universal winks that she notices when it is time to change. Before Heather felt held and free with her lovebird Tom, she was engaged to someone else. The wedding date was set. The dress was purchased, and then a wink from the Universe arrived. The wedding preparations gave Heather a preview of her future. A future she realized she didn't want. Heather acted upon that Universe wink by calling off the wedding. Letting go of conformity is transformative. And so is being in a relationship without judgment, conditions, and free of unsolicited advice. That's how Heather felt when she brought up the idea of illustrating and publishing a book to Tom. Tom encourages her to spread her wings. She knows she is loveable and can let out what is in her heart. She enables you to follow the tugs of your heart and flex your wings. “Hard times prepare us for the next part of our life,” says Heather. Her life reflects the fulfilling outcomes of responding to winks from the Universe. Her heart sings and dances with joy. We also explore a few other business and life topics—the book publishing process. Naming the birds in Heather's book, we are most like; how Heather is healing from the death of a pet; our new arrival; and how Heather uses LinkedIn. Book Publishing. Heather used print-on-demand to publish Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota. The Universe wink came to her through a voice she heard in 2020 telling her to start drawing again. Find out if Heather will self-publish her second book. I found her unique insights helpful to any emerging author.    Twenty Minnesota birds are outlined in her book. “Lucy the Loon is Minnesota's state bird. She is shy and thoughtful, and the water is her favorite place to be.” She has named each bird and its characteristics. Heather encourages us to name the birds most like us. You'll find out which birds we identify with the most. Who is Gilda the Goldfinch? Always cheerful, friendly, and loves to dance. What about Winnie, the red-headed woodpecker who is bold, strong, and likes to lead? Who chose three birds? The hardworking, helpful, and adventurous tree swallow named Sydney. Betty the black-capped chickadee who's tough, daring, and good at making new friends. And Owen, the Baltimore oriole with a good imagination, likes building things. Everyone can learn a few things about birds and themselves by reading Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota. Pets and LinkedIn. As Heather and I began getting to know each other, Heather shared the recent loss of Rex, her dog. After our conversation, she emailed the following LinkedIn post of a spontaneous leap Rex took onto her lap before a zoom meeting. With her permission, click here to see it.   The video of Rex Heather shared on LinkedIn, and to her surprise, caused an outpouring of love from humans. I love how she describes this experience, the sweet little moment she shared with Rex. I asked Heather why she chose to share this personal post on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a vast professional networking platform. You scroll through content about work, jobs, leadership,

Episode 358: Filling Life's Buckets with Heather Boschke Episode Notes Bring vitality to your life, strengthen your relationships, and expand how you contribute to the world by clarifying your life's buckets. Heather Boschke talks about how she fills her life buckets by understanding what sets her soul on fire in life and her relationships. We ponder this essential question, what sets your soul on fire? Heather Boschke is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years of experience that spans Fortune 20 companies to non-profit organizations. She acquired a marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. She is an adjunct professor at Metro State University and teaches marketing. One of the activities Heather loved as a child was drawing. As the seeds of conformity took hold in middle school, her artistic expressions went dormant until 2020. The coronavirus pandemic opened a new portal for Heather to recapture the joy she felt drawing in her childhood while simultaneously reinventing how she expresses herself now. Heather began creating bird illustrations and discovered a desire to share her love of birds with others. These illustrations and her knowledge about birds are showcased in her children's Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota book this year. Her inner bird is singing as she fills another of her life's buckets, expressing herself through bird watching, illustrating, and becoming a self-published author. As you might have noticed, birds are a theme in Heather's life. In 2021 Heather left the corporate world and started her marketing firm, Vogel Venture, to help small and mid-sized organizations drive growth and engagement regardless of team size or budget. The word Vogel means bird in German, which speaks to her heritage and the strategic (bird's eye) approach combined with the tactical planning she brings to clients. Vogel Venture evolved out of being laid off and being fired once. Heather wrote a post about those experiences on LinkedIn. An illuminated path to entrepreneurship appeared out of her contract marketing work. She followed it by starting Vogel Venture. A second path opened after a conversation with a prior work relationship. Heather decided to co-create The Joy Corner, a regular segment on Nichole Niemann's virtual show called Arkansas Style. The Joy Corner Exploring your life's buckets can feel like flowing down a river. Opportunities pop up when you are in the flow of life. Heather flexes her marketing prowess, another of life's buckets, as we discuss engagement and re-enforcing marketing fundamentals. To know your end users, storytelling, and anchoring marketing activities by measuring results are good places to start. Creating simple anchors like a monthly theme can elevate your brand and structure your marketing efforts. “Marketing efforts can flounder when there is no structure,” says Heather. The vlogs on Heather's website are worth exploring. They are short and to the point, like this: “It is important to show up on social media. Think of social media as prospect warm-up.” Heather tells us more about that concept. In another vlog, Heather highlights that your brand is a promise. She describes what it means to answer the question, “what is the experience you want your customers to have?” Trader Joe's is an example of a positive customer experience. Heather describes how she feels from entering the brightly lit store, collecting her desired groceries, encountering cheerful cashiers, to walking out through the automatic sliding, steel-framed glass doors. Other branding insights that Heather helps us understand are how to choose social media channels and why it is manageable to be on social media. She helps us figure out how to become known and increase our ability to have people care about us. She says that the bottom line is this, "people don't do business with people they don't know and don't care about.”

Episode 357: Construct a Résumé of Failures to Discover Something New Episode Notes I like going below the surface to understand what makes people who they are. I love all the stuff. The successes, the failures, how people overcome challenges and setbacks, what brings people joy, and all the transformative moments that shape our character and entrepreneurial lives. I love being part of people's evolutionary process and connecting them with people and resources. An unexpected package arrived on my doorstep during last week's epic snowstorm. It looked like someone covered our neighborhoods with soft-serve ice cream and swirls atop the snow drifts—remnants of severe winds. The storm hit the Midwest. A whopping 11.3” of snow fell in Golden Valley, leaving us a winter wonderland view. Inside the bubble-wrapped package were a note (You're in the book!) and a signed early copy of Joanne Lipman's book, Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work. Oh, how I love books. The smell. The purple book cover, yellow-colored hardcover, and binding. The chapter headings, content, and print. Everything. My mind went to the beginning of 2021. I received a call from a pioneering journalist and author. Joanne Lipman was the voice on the other end of the phone line. I didn't know of her at the time. She listened to my 2018 podcast conversations with Art Fry, the inventor of Post-It Notes. Joanne said she was writing a book about the power of reinvention in life and work and wanted to interview Art. She asked if I could connect the two of them.  Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work provides a toolkit to make meaningful transitions in life. It is chuck full of case studies, personal interviews, and the latest research on how people reinvent their lives and how they work. Joanne is a brilliant storyteller and avid researcher. I quickly opened to the Acknowledgement section on p. 282, where I am mentioned. “To podcaster Nancy Meyer for putting me in touch with Art Fry.” Wow! Tears snuck into my eyes. Joanne took the time to acknowledge me in print. Then, I flipped to chapter 3, Eureka!, where Art Fry's story unfolds. Joanne described both the journey of Spencer Silver, who invented the 3M glue he couldn't find a use for, and Art, the intrapreneur at 3M, who came up with the Post-it notes idea while singing in his church choir. Art used Spencer's glue to improve our lives. I use Post-it notes almost every day! The ‘aha' moment for both of them was years in the making, and Joanne outlines Art and Spencer's journey beautifully and accurately in her book. Back to the beginning of the book, I immersed myself in reading every word. Her book is divided into two parts; the disparate ways in which we pivot and navigate change when we have no choice. After hundreds of personal interviews and academic research papers, Joanne observed a specific pattern when people pivoted in their lives and careers. This particular pattern, she suggests, could be a Reinvention Map. Although the pattern seems straightforward on the surface, like Joseph Campbell's hero's journey, it isn't. There are four aspects to reinvention she tracks through history. We start with a search, then we struggle. An event causes us to stop what we are doing before a solution emerges and a path forward is revealed. She outlines variables as when you are on a post-traumatic growth path after a traumatic experience. The order is reversed. We start our reinvention with the traumatic experience/struggle, search for ways to understand what happened and struggle more before we stop and find a long-term solution. An area of reinventing we would like to avoid if we could is the ‘struggle,' but it is inevitable. It is how we gain new insights. I include an example Joanne highlighted of how to address a struggle. I hope you find it useful. I have done this exercise throughout my life as a therapeutic purge. A way to let go of my failures instead of allowing my failures to take up res...

Episode 356: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part II Episode Notes“Practical intelligence,” says Robert Sternberg, who coined the term, “includes knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect.” Malcolm Gladwell writes in Outliers: The Story of Success (2012) that practical intelligence is “knowing how to do something without necessarily knowing why you know it or being able to explain it.” I discuss examples of both aspects of practical intelligence.Knowing What, When, and How to Say Something One of the many jobs I had before starting WeMentor, inc. was as a phone solicitor for the Minnesota Special Olympics. The first skill I learned was rehearsing a prepared script that described the importance of contributing to our Special Olympians and a variety of answers for when people would say no. “Do you mind telling me why you cannot donate right now?”My manager, Don, was terrific. He knew how to coach and knew how to motivate me. A pat on the shoulder. A quick pep talk when I needed it. Strategies for overcoming rejection and emotional roadblocks. Don did this for everyone. And he kept a close watch on the numbers. He would whisper in between calls how close we were to reach our hourly goals. The room was filled with about 7 to 11 other telesales people. My only request was to have my desk in front of a six-inch window slit to see outside. I needed a focal point.In the first week, I became the #1 telesales person in the New Hope office and Minnesota. I made 30 to 40 calls per hour from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., five days a week. New people were trained by sitting next to me and listening to how I talked with potential donors and closed the sales. I refined what I needed to say to whom and knew when to venture off script to engage the person on the other end of the phone. Week after week my numbers were impressive, and I was motivated to do well.All was going well week after week. I started listening to motivational tapes while riding my bike to work daily. Zig Ziglar was my favorite. “You can have everything in your life you want, if you will just help enough people get what they want.” This famous quote of his resonated with millions of people, including me.About eight weeks in, I get into a funk and lose my mojo. I made sales but couldn't maintain my #1 status. It was torturous every hour for five days straight; I couldn't hit my sales goals.Don put things into perspective, saying it happens and encouraging me to stick with it. Some of the others were glad I wasn't perfect. My funk allowed someone else to shine while I got a dose of humility.Outside of calling hours, I went on a few deliveries to meet the people making the donations and attended some Special Olympians in training. This helped me understand the bigger purpose of my efforts.After that downer of a week, I regained my groove and broke my #1 sales goals. A new inspiration emerged. I asked Don what becoming the national #1 telesales person would take. I remember the sales numbers being within reach. At the five-month mark, I became the #1 telesales person in the country. Outside of that one week, I was able to be #1 at something. It felt great.Years later, I was told my sales record took years to beat nationally and a few decades locally. Cool, I motivated others to generate more donations to support athletes with intellectual disabilities. They count on salespeople like us to help them change their lives and better their circumstances. Gotta love that.I learned from that experience that knowing what to say to whom, when to say it, and how to say it for the maximum effect paid off in generating thousands and thousands of dollars to support a great cause. Tailoring my message to fit an audience of Twin Cities residents started with a tailored message, a list, and the ability to pick up the phone and get to those who said yes; each hour of every day with an effective coach by my side worked.

Episode 355: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part I Episode Notes Practical intelligence is on my radar screen. Who has it, and who doesn't? Why is it a critical aspect of small business success and life fulfillment? Our society would be better off if practical intelligence were valued as analytical and creative intelligence and not belittled. We need all three types of intelligence in entrepreneurial leadership and life. And here's why. I listened online to a panel discussion in 2010 of three MBA students who became entrepreneurs. A Stanford Graduate School of Business professor assembled a forum to discuss “what they don't teach in business school about entrepreneurship.” All three panelists have had major successes and a few failures. I realized that what they described as lacking in their education was practical intelligence.  They learned about sales but were never required to sell. They received accolades for their strengths but needed guidance on their weaknesses, which helped forge complimentary business partnerships. Having all the answers worked at school but not in starting new businesses, where trusting the discovery process is critical in finding your niche. Listening to the panel reminded me of another Stanford student, Elizabeth Holmes, who dropped out of school and founded Theranos, Inc. at 19 in 2003. Amazingly, she raised over $70M touting a breakthrough technology that could give you information from a simple finger prick blood sample. Theranos, Inc. was valued at $10 billion in 2013. The Theranos technology or automated devices didn't stand up to scrutiny. The devices had a fatal flaw; they didn't work. Why weren't the venture capitalists and private investors trying the devices for themselves? Blind faith and believing the hype? Or were they missing practical intelligence? They trusted without verifying the equipment. This skill comes in handy when raising a teenager. Trust and verify. If we embraced practical intelligence, we would be less vulnerable to manipulation, exploitation, and scams. We would invest monies in entrepreneurs who demonstrate how they can shift and do what is necessary to build a business or lead a democracy. We would know how to see through the hyperbole and falsehoods and dismantle the narcissism behind the mystic. Next week I will showcase examples of entrepreneurs demonstrating practical intelligence. Where do we learn practical intelligence if analytical and creative intelligence is taught in school? We learn practical intelligence through experience in a wide variety of environments, adapting our behavior and expectations on the spot, and through meaningful conversations with others who share their experiences. It is referred to as ‘street smarts' or ‘common sense,' with the contrast being book smarts. What if we equally valued, encouraged, and integrated the development of all three forms of intelligence in all classrooms and all subjects? We would be more appreciative of the benefits of acquiring analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. We would probably feel more whole and confident because society isn't downgrading a vital aspect of our humanness; adaptability and responsiveness. Robert Sternberg coined the phrase practical intelligence and developed the triarchic theory of intelligence; analytical, creative, and practical intelligence.  Analytical intelligence “plays a significant role in one's overall intelligence. It involves critically analyzing one's cognitive and physiological strengths and weaknesses. It also incorporates effectively processing information, solving problems, making critical judgments on information, and effectively completing academic tasks.” Many entrepreneurs have told me they are better at practical tasks than academics. They apply analytical intelligence when they analyze cash flow activities, for example, and study the actions that led to the financial results, something that directly affects them.

Episode 354: Why I Am Doing This Podcast Episode Notes Why am I doing this podcast? Here is the semi-long answer to that question. It is more exciting when you hear me answer the question. The bottom line is that resilient relationships flourish with meaningful conversations. I knew that. I also knew that we learn best through stories. When we get the nudge to change, it helps to hear how others redefine how they lead as they redesign their businesses. I have had thousands of conversations since I started WeMentor in 1992 to change the leadership in this country and worldwide, and guest what? I needed a platform to capture those stories and share them with others. This podcast has been a gift from the source. It was divine intervention—a game changer. I had been looking for a medium to capture the conversations that I was having with clients. I didn't know when my search would manifest into something worthwhile and affordable, so I stayed on the hunt, gathering information as I went.    A 2015 family road trip to the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming inspired and answered my search. This wasn't my first visit to the Tetons. I worked in the 1980s at the Grand Teton National Park one summer in between college semesters. On this trip, I wanted to show my old stomping grounds to my husband, Matthew Foli, and our 13-year-old daughter, Olivia (I mistakenly said 8 years old). I cleaned bathrooms and fire pits and painted picnic tables. I was proud to be the first woman to have a cabin and be in charge of 50 campsites at one location and a five-mile bike ride to clean about 20 other campsites by Jenny Lake Lodge. Movie stars stayed at the main lodge. I saw Angie Dickinson from afar. Angie was a movie star and became famous in 1974 for her role in Police Woman. A photographer took a photo of me biking at Jenny Lake for his travel brochure. A mouse was my cabin mate. I fed her breadcrumbs and talked to her. It was a fantastic summer hiking, biking, meeting people from all over the world, making new friends, and having friends and family visit. They could set up camp next to my cabin. One day that summer, my boss showed me a letter he had received from a camping patron who said the bathrooms were the cleanest she had ever used in a national park. I told him it must have been during the weekend my parents visited. My mom, bless her soul, she crossed over in 2020, helped me clean those dirty bathrooms with a toothbrush—the memories. An 'aha' moment surfaced during that 2015 road trip. To get to the Grand Teton National Park, we made a big oblong loop from Minneapolis to Wyoming and hit the Badlands in South Dakota on the way back. We drove through Iowa and then headed west through Nebraska. As we approached the upper northwest corner of Nebraska, we lost our radio connection and almost ran out of gas. Matthew took out his iPhone and plugged it in to listen to some podcast episodes he had downloaded before we left. We were getting into podcasts at that time. Krista Tippet's, On Being podcast captivated our attention. Immediately, I was enthralled by the lack of commercials and uninterrupted listening. My senses were alive. The On Being podcast focuses on immersive conversations and explorations into the art of living. This episode was about yoga. The audio was crystal clear, and Krista's voice was soothing and informative. I fell in love with the platform. The Grand Teton National Park was unrecognizable as we approached it. The Grand Teton mountains were still there, but the campsite areas had been totally renovated. Nothing of what I remembered was there; even the entrance to that park area was different. So much development has occurred since the 1980s. The only thing familiar to me was the gorgeous mountain views. Throughout the trip, podcasting thoughts stuck with me. St. Boniface Catholic French African Confirmation Class 2023 As soon as we got home, I researched as much as possible on podcasting and found I could afford...

Episode 353: A Hilarious Conversation with My Youngest Sister Monica Episode Notes Do you need a little mid-winter pick-me-up? A little humor to brighten your day? When I was young, we six siblings would debate about who was the funniest in the family. My youngest sister Monica Olson emerged as the winner. I encouraged her to do stand-up, but she would instead share her humor with family and friends. And now, you can hear her for the first time. Before the holidays, Monica offered to let me tape our conversation. She wanted a relaxed conversation, and I needed a guinea pig, so we discussed my new role as podcast editor instead of having an in-depth conversation about her life as a multi-venture entrepreneur, raising four children, divorce, and remarriage. You wouldn't think that taking on the editor role of a podcast would be funny, but as it turns out, we found it hysterical. I hope you can laugh with us and alleviate the pressure and stress in your day. My reason for airing this conversation is to emphasize that we need to bend someone's ear when facing difficulties. I was fortunate to have my husband, Matthew, and my youngest sister, Monica to keep things in perspective with acquiring a new skillset under pressure and deadlines. The good news is that we don't need hundreds of people. We need one or two encouraging people. Our conversation is like many with her. A breath of fresh air and hilarious. I want to do more podcast conversations with Monica. Could you give me your feedback?  What do you think? Would you like to hear more from Monica? Please let me know any other topics you would like to hear about too. Respond HERE.   DOWNLOAD                 NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources About Eagle Bend, Minnesota About Eagle Bend Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Who, outside yourself, is a source of humor and support in your life? If you don't have a person, imagine that kind of person showing up in your life and how good that would feel.   Apply Self-Compassion: Appreciate humor where you find it. Bask in it. Relish in it. Find joy and inspiration in it.Welcome Appreciation: I greatly love and appreciate my youngest sister Monica. She is a delight, a source of comfort, and an empathic listener. She also gives me solid advice and a dose of reality when needed. I appreciate her taking a risk to have one of our conversations taped for others to enjoy. Thanks, Monica, you rock! Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind. “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!! Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.  Podcast Guest Mentor Monica Olson Multi-venture entrepreneur. From the age of six until graduating high school Monica worked on our parents' dairy farm. Monica learned early that her needs come second to an animal's well-being. Protect the investments because the animals are a dairy farmer's lifeline. In farming, like other businesses,

Episode 352: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part V Episode Notes In my fifth conversation with Skip Thaler, we discuss change. The kind of change we initiate and the type of change forced upon us. Skip describes a problem he had to recognize before selling 25 rental properties. A hard truth to face when he and Jill, his wife, were adding their 25th and last property to a portfolio that took 20 years to acquire, beautify, rent, and manage. Skip's eyes opened up to the government not protecting property rights during the covid-19 pandemic, riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul, rising expenses, and the inability to pass on the increased costs to renters. The confluence of events led to the new opportunity Skip pursued. He has a lifetime of turning lemons into lemonade. Skip believes that “unsolved opportunities opened his eyes to another opportunity.” A peer gave him some good advice as Skip worked through the emotional side of this life-changing decision. One of Skip's fellow landlords told him they were only stewards of the properties for a certain period of time. That statement helped Skip let go. In preparing to talk with me, Skip was talking over with Jill their life changes since 2020. Jill summed up their life perspective succinctly. She said, “We always have to be prepared to pivot.” And pivot they did. Skip goes into the details of what it took to work through 50 real estate and investment transactions. All were completed in zoom meetings. The life of the entrepreneur is learning while on fire. Skip needed to determine whom to sell to and be present at 25 real estate closings. Once he sold the rental properties over nine months, he needed to research and invest the proceeds quickly for tax purposes. I love how he and Jill went about exploring new opportunities. The research led to new opportunities to invest in private REITs and move their residence. Florida is a tax-friendly state that does not impose an income tax on individuals and has a 6% sales tax. According to Investopedia, corporations that do business in Florida are subject to a 5.5% income tax. You are exempt from paying state income tax if you are an LLC, sole proprietorship, or S-Corporation. Based on their research, Skip and Jill decided to sell their Lakeville, Minnesota home to one of their sons and move to Florida. On the investment side, Skip discusses purchasing private REITs and how you can and cannot evaluate warehouses in Macon, Georgia, that Amazon owns, and Lowe's warehouses. “Private REITs are not traded on a national stock exchange or registered with the SEC. As a result, private REITs are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as stock exchange-listed or public non-listed REITs.” Skip, and Jill are willing to take the risks that accompany the purchase of private REITS, even though their access to information is limited. In this conversation, I learned the profound resiliency of Jill and Skip Thaler. It is essential to pivot to land on your feet, which Skip and Jill have a track record of doing. Assess the opportunity. Collect the data, analyze the facts, work through fear, and then apply your intuition to discover what is important. Taking charge of your journey, whether initiating change or change is forced upon us, is part of living a prosperous entrepreneurial life. Whatever the circumstances, choosing to be a hero or heroine in our lives allows us to be active participants in creating a more fulfilling future—an alternative to becoming a victim of one's circumstances. Skips three big lessons: Lead by example. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Successes and failures. The key is to learn from your failures and keep moving forward. Rise, people. Our work is not complete until it is our soul's turn to leave our bodies. Keep your light flickering and explore your next opportunity. With Skip and Jill in Florida, they are exploring more time with their grandchildren and expanding their philanthropic ...

Episode 351: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part IV Episode Notes In our three-part podcast series, Skip Thaler generously shared what it took for him and his family to build several multi-million-dollar businesses. Today you will learn the confluence of events that led to Skip's decision to sell his 25-rental properties. The properties he and Jill worked so hard to acquire, fix up, and rent out. You will find out how our prior podcast conversations played a part in selling his last 7-bundled properties to one buyer. Skip dives into how he made the decision and how it affected his wife, Jill, and their three adult-children: Tim, George, and Sara. You will also hear Skip's concerns for future landlords with rental properties in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. There are long-term consequences to the social unrest and violence after George Floyd's murder and a Renter Protection Ordinance passed by the Minneapolis City Council that went into effect on June 1, 2020. Plus, I found new rules for screening renters in effect for 2023. Read it HERE.  In 2021, another life-changing decision was made. Skip and Jill moved to Bonita Springs, Florida. Find out why moving from Lakeville, Minnesota to Florida made sense. A Brief Recap of Skip's Multi-Million Dollar Businesses Skip's first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start as a manufacturer representative; a business selling Fleetwood tires. That led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. Skip created a brokerage business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in yearly sales. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M. At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory. Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line. In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units. In our third podcast conversation, we learned that in December 2019, Skip purchased his 25th and last acquisition, an 8-unit complex Brownstone apartment building built in 1890 by the Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota. Skip enjoyed 20+ years of renovating and restoring these 100-year-old apartment complexes making each complex a standout in the neighborhood. He describes himself as the opposite of a slum lord investing to make everything appealing, from the curbside to each building's inside. Skip's attention to detail was apparent with the purchase of his 25th property, too. Original photographs from the late 1800s of the Brownstone properties were adorned in the hallways and entryways, giving a personalized touch. Beautifully landscaped yards with Mum-filled planters outside the buildings in the fall changed seasonally to make tenants feel good. New vintage lightwork, 100% wool carpets, restoring the house, and preserving past woodwork are a few examples of Skip's effort for each tenant to feel they have a nice place to live in.

Episode 350: An Honest Self-Assessment of Mental Health with Daniel Libby Episode Notes Enmeshment is common amongst entrepreneurial leaders. Whether you have a psychology degree or not, it is natural, almost necessary, to be totally engrossed in realizing a big vision. I am not talking about workaholism, where there is a hyper-fixation on work with little joy, although that might be some of what Daniel Libby, Ph.D., is sorting out. I am talking about implementing a big vision that, to achieve it, encompasses your entire being. Dan gives an honest self-assessment of his mental health at the end of his 12-year reign. Dan acknowledges how difficult it has been to separate his identity and self-worth from Veterans Yoga Project. A national organization he built over 12 years. Separating your identity and self-worth from your entity is a real thing. We can be so focused on achieving the mission that we forget about the people in front of us, as Dan realized. Almost always, these are the gems we uncover during significant life changes like the sale or closing of a business or in Dan's case, transitioning out of a nonprofit enterprise. He is taking the first quarter of 2023 to reflect. This includes a 10-day Vipassana Retreat. We discuss the purpose of a silent retreat and what he fears. During the last six months of 2022, Dan deliberately planned to pass his Executive Director role to the well-respected veteran Brianna Renner. It took courage to recognize that this next growth phase for Veterans Yoga Project is best carried out with a new leader and operations officer, Brianna Renner. Thankfully, his leadership team and board of advisors agreed. At the start of 2023, as a freed-up man ready to take a sabbatical to figure out the next phase of his lifework. He is looking forward to self-focus and self-growth and discovering something that can be as rewarding, joy-inspiring, and fulfilling as the work he did to advance Veterans Yoga Project, only on a smaller scale. His statement reminded me of a friend who finished an Ironman Triathlon saying she would never do that again. A few months later, she is contemplating her next Ironman Triathlon. To refresh your memory from last week's podcast conversation, Dan worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Yale University Department of Psychiatry at the West Haven VA Medical Center, Connecticut. “While providing psychotherapy for veterans recovering from PTS(D), he found that those who developed empowering self-regulating practices had better outcomes — they moved through post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth more quickly and gracefully,” as summed up on the website. Thus, the idea for the VYP was born in 2010. The Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) was formalized in Alameda, CA, in 2014. They are on a mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities. We explore more of what Dan learned as a leader. One basic leadership lesson was to allow people to be who they are and let them do what they need to do as executive team leaders, volunteers, or staff members. We also discuss his excitement for the future of VYP and re-emerging with a new vision once he accumulates all the wins and integrates the lessons he learned along the path of self-leadership mastery and life success. My Reflection on Balance I don't believe an equal balance is achievable in small business ownership and entrepreneurial leadership. We need to be ‘all in.' I mean invested, determined, and committed to the entrepreneurial journey, which is all about trial and error, learning as quickly as possible, and cash flowing our life as we realize our vision and live our mission. Instead, we are better off focusing on meeting the seven Universal Human Needs categories of connection, physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. When our needs are met regularly, we increase feelings of affection, engagement, excitement, confidence, inspiration, exhilaration,

Episode 349: Daniel Libby Passes the Leadership Baton of Veterans Yoga Project Episode Notes Daniel Libby, Ph.D., and I are both in transition. He is in a huge transition; mine is a blip on the Adobe Audition editing screen. We discuss his evolution that coincides with an abrupt departure from my sound technician and my quick learning to edit WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. At the end of 2022, Dan passed the leadership baton at the Veterans Yoga Project to Brianna Renner. Dan started 2023 as a freed-up man ready to take a 6-month sabbatical to figure out his next step. He is looking forward to self-focus and self-growth after founding and growing the Veteran's Yoga Project (VYP) over the last 12 years. Maybe develop a private practice? Dan was working as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Yale University Department of Psychiatry at the West Haven VA Medical Center, Connecticut. “While providing psychotherapy for veterans recovering from PTS(D), he found that those who developed empowering self-regulating practices had better outcomes — they moved through post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth more quickly and gracefully,” as summed up on the website. Thus, the idea for the VYP was born in 2010. The Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) was formalized in Alameda, CA, in 2014. They are on a mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities. We talk about his leadership accomplishments and the excitement for the future of VYP. When I called Dan to let him know I was reposting our podcast conversations, he informed me of his decision to pass the baton of leadership to Brianna Renner. VYP is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms or focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, VYP is doing its part to serve those who have served in our armed forces. Trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes weekly for veterans and their families across the country. They partner with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans' organizations, and other non-profit organizations.  In October of 2022, I reposted our two 2018 podcast conversations (see Episode Resources). After re-listening to them, I was reinspired about life and leadership and heard what takes precedence your entity or its mission; and how we can create space for post-traumatic growth. Those conversations helped me as I committed to taking on the editing role of this podcast for 2023. My phone call with Dan sparked my curiosity to schedule a new podcast conversation so you can hear how Dan's leadership baton passing is going. In entrepreneurship, learning new things under pressure is what we do. The intensity of our emotions is ever present because we need to learn new things fast while keeping the cash flowing. In learning this new editing role, we discuss a core component of psychological well-being, frustration tolerance, and an example of how Dan works with his 10-year-old daughter as she bumps into the frustration of learning something new. The tools of self-mastery that we learn through yoga, meditation, and breathing practices help us during these transitions and learning opportunities, so “we don't absorb the stresses of that thing, causing us anxiety. We can stay in the present moment,” says Dan. That is the goal. Stay in charge of our emotions, not letting them control us and our behavior. We can be grounded and focused on solving problems without moving into muddled thinking or a rigid mindset. Real growth for a yogi is expanding your practice beyond the yoga mat. I had a chance to do just that. Others we lead have feelings, too, as we problem-solve together. Dan and I chat about that. My transition brings up a metaphor for life. It takes many attempts to communicate with a human and get into the emotional ...

Episode 348: Up Level Your Brand to Reflect Consumers' Changed Behavior with Ann Anderson Episode Notes With so many creative people making products people love, why are some brands making them on retail shelves and online stores while others never get their products into the average consumer's hands? Ann Anderson of Retail Partner Solutions explains how big-box retailers have changed, current trends in consumer behavior and which group of consumers are leading these trends. Learn how to Level Up your product brands to bridge the gap between brands, retailers, and consumers.  Ann's positivity and joy radiate through the sound waves as we start with how she separates her identity from her business cash flow fluctuations, from one product launch to the next and from one client to the next. We continue with Ann's experience as a business owner and what her 30 years of retail expertise and services can do to get your products on store shelves and in the hands of consumers. The flow of our conversation is organized so you can engage in learning without feeling overwhelmed. Ann is a fast talker releasing a plethora of valuable content. I found myself as inspired to take notes as I did when I first aired our conversation on August 16, 2021. Leveling Up topics we discuss: What Leveling Up your brand means and how to do it. What it takes to get products into specialty stores, grocery stores of all types, regionally expand, and increase chances of getting into mass retailers. The gestation period for getting products online and on big-box retail shelves. Certifying your business can be a game-changer with big-box retailers if you qualify. Certification websites are outlined in the Episode Notes. Social media from the client's perspective or consumer, and what big-box retailers look at and consider when going with a brand or not. Benefits of pro bono work as a brand strategy. Wholesale Case Study: How to modify a product strategy from a retailer and channel perspective. Building Buyer Relationships. Ann's extensive database of buyers and different levels within big-box retailers (the chain of command) and what you need to know. E-Commerce Product Process: determining where you are. Supply Chain Logistics: scaling capabilities, quantity, and timeliness to replenishing store shelves. What to be aware of right now within supply chains. Marketing and Customizing Brand Sheets. What information to include when approaching a retailer? Handling Negotiations. What you need to know. Product Differentiator. Sustainable products and packaging can be reduced, reused, and recycled. Find out how else you can differentiate your products and services. Trends Affecting Big-Box Retailers and Consumer Behavior. Do a quick search exercise on Target.com. Ways to be responsive to consumer behavior changes. We finish with Ann highlighting critical Up Leveling strategies so you can close the gap between your brand, retailers, and consumers.  DOWNLOAD         NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Black-Owned Beyond Measure Brands at Target Black-Owned Beyond Measure Brands at Target Certification Websites LGBTQ-owned businesses (sba.gov)Minority-owned businesses (sba.gov)Native American-owned companies (sba.gov)Veteran-owned businesses (sba.gov)Veteran assistance programs (sba.gov)Women-owned firms (sba.gov)Perks of Registering as a Women-Owned Business (nextdoor.com)Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (sba.gov) Small Business Administration Guide Small Business Administration Guide

Episode 347: Ann Anderson Gets Products into Big-Box Retailers Episode Notes “New products are hitting store shelves every two minutes,” says Ann. How are entrepreneurs gaining expertise quickly? By hiring a retail specialist. Ann Anderson, MBA, and founder of Retail Partner Solutions, LLC, gives a brief overview of what we need to know about getting our products on Big-Box retailer store shelves like Walmart, Costco, Lunds & Byerlys, Hy-Vee, Petco, Target, Specialty Stores, to name a few. If you are rolling out new products in the food and beverage space, consider talking with Ann. Her retail expertise, resources, and strategies could help you accelerate growth. She has a proven record of succeeding across many categories, including launches of kid's snacks, home essentials, pet products, coffee, ethnic products, and beverages. Here are some of the questions Ann answers still pertinent in 2022 and 2023: What is needed to get your finished product ready for Big-Box Retailers? Why not approach Big-Box Retailers yourself? When is a good time to hire a retail specialist? Do you have your channel strategy worked out? What is the priority of your brand from a channel perspective? What is the timeline for getting new products on retail shelves? What elements do you need to organize? Online operates differently; in what ways and what do you need to consider? What is involved before and after getting our products on store shelves? In 2021, when we taped this conversation, I asked Ann about closing the door on corporate employment and planting her feet solidly in business ownership. It is an essential step in succeeding with a new venture after leaving a fulfilling legacy in corporate America. Owning and committing to each part of redesigning your future is exercising bravery. Listen to her answer. DOWNLOAD U.S. and Global Entrepreneurship in 2021 and 2022 I was curious to learn about 2020 and whether our economy started more businesses than closed. Yes, that is the simple answer. On average, annually about 130,000 U.S. businesses close. In 2020 the number of closings spiked to 200,000, as reported by the Federal Reserve. We won't know the accurate number until well into 2023. Use the table below to understand how many new U.S. businesses formed in which month and year. This will give you an idea of business start-up trends. We started 2021 with 134,623 new businesses more than in December 2020. We are ending this year with new business formations up from prior years. The future looks brighter than the prior few years, but who knows what is behind the horizon. I know that with faith and purpose, we can get through anything.   U.S. New Business Formations   YEAR     MONTH     New U.S. Businesses Formed   2004     August (1st-month new businesses were tracked)     159,076     December     193,153   2005   January   202,362     December   233,400       2020   January     279,273   December   347,372     2021   January     481,995   December   420,388       2022   January   430,372     October       432,258       November   418,905   Here, you can look up all kinds of industry-specific data from the U.S. Government Census website.  Here is a pdf report on how women entrepreneurs and men faired in 2021 and 2022.  You can read an executive summary from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor here.         NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.    Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Business Exits During COVID Federal Reserve Statistics Business and Industry Trends

Episode 346: Ann Anderson Transforms from Corporate Executive to Resilient Retail Specialist Episode Notes In 2019, Ann Anderson's aspirations changed. She left her 31-year corporate career with TIME, Inc. to launch Retail Partner Solutions, Inc. We discuss how she went from an employee mindset to acquiring an entrepreneurial mindset and the resiliency it took to land on her feet as the retail industry remarkably changed forever in 2020. Ann Anderson, MBA, has three decades worth of retail expertise. Her enthusiasm for getting client products into big retail stores like Target, Costco, and Walmart is make-it-or-break-it for clients. Ann does whatever it takes to move herself and her clients forward. She strategically works the odds of success in her client's favor. Ann has this relatable quality that is part of resiliency. Relating skillfully to others and our world makes us feel safe and connected and helps us bounce back from failures and heartbreak. In Ann's younger years, you will hear the strategy behind her three strengths in relating. According to Rick Hanson, Ph.D., resilient individuals have three strengths they exercise when relating: courage, aspiration, and generosity. I re-listened to this 2021 conversation with Ann. The anxiety I felt quickly dissolved as I relaxed into the conversation and connected with Ann's upbringing. It is comforting to hear how her Italian Mother and German Father raised her and Ann's two brothers. Ann says, “I come from a family of strength.” She and her husband, Howard Anderson, have passed the baton of strength to the next generation by raising two resilient adult children. Ann has been a client of mine since 2019. Every time we have a conversation, I witness greatness in the making. Being a quick and enthusiastic sponge absorbing as much learning as her mind can take in fuels her entrepreneurial leadership. Hear other parts of our inspiring conversation: The most significant shift Ann needed to make in going from a corporate mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset. Being raised by an Italian Mother and German Father. The impact of moving from Michigan to Iowa. Ann's derailed experience with an injury as a gymnast in high school and the courage it took to reshape her aspirations. Ann's two brothers, who liked to play tricks on her, prepared her for speaking up in corporate settings. Early on, when there was a noticeable gender disparity, Ann's courageous voice helped get a girls' sports team started. The gems Ann learned being a senior executive at TIME, Inc. Pitching over 30 products and what she learned starting a business in a pandemic. Her life mentors, including her gymnastics coach and me. Her passion for bridging the gap between buyers and brands.  Note how Ann cleverly packaged her retail expertise and got busy connecting with entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, kitchen, and other miscellaneous industries. Getting products in big-box retailers like Target, Walmart, Costco, and others is a hurry-up and wait-for kind of game. As a results-driven executive and retail strategist, Ann continually understands each retailer's processes and timelines. Being skilled at building relationships is a must, and Ann is exceptional at it. DOWNLOAD P.S. Fast forward about one minute to jump into the current information. I also mention the book I am still writing. The title is not yet solidified, but it is about mentoring and how you can be resilient as you evolve with your business.         NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources 3 Top Small Business Trends in 2022

Episode 345: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part III Episode Notes Skip was building Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC) while starting another venture. Purchasing duplexes and fourplexes as a passive investor served his interests in the 1990s. It turns out tires and real estate go together. Once IMC was secure in his son George's hands, investing in larger apartment complexes became appealing. In December 2019, Skip purchased his 25th and last acquisition, an 8-unit complex Brownstone apartment building built in 1890 by the Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota. He describes another critical point in his success, hiring a management company for real estate to handle the day-to-day activities like collecting rent. A common thread to all his ventures was working with small groups of contract workers to manage the details so he could focus on other financial details like growing his businesses. Skip has enjoyed 20+ years of renovating and restoring these 100-year-old apartment complexes making each complex a standout in the neighborhood. He describes himself as the opposite of a slum lord investing to make everything appealing, from the curbside to each building's inside. Skip's attention to detail is apparent in this venture too. Original photographs from the late 1800s of the Brownstone properties are adorned in the hallways and entryways, giving a personalized touch. Beautifully landscaped yards with Mums-filled planters outside the buildings in the fall changed seasonally to make tenants feel good. New vintage lightwork, 100% wool carpets, restoring the house, and preserving past woodwork are a few examples of Skip's effort into each building and unit so people could have a nice place to live in. ‘A crowning blow' turned 2020 into a liquidating year instead of an expansive one when a confluence of events induced a stress-related wake-up call. The coronavirus pandemic hit—riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. A growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses and, to some extent, in St. Paul created a hostile environment and a no-win scenario for business property owners. You will learn more about that. Skip's advice. City governments must work more effectively with small business owners to rebuild our Twin Cities. Private property owners feel abandoned. Skip says, “the long-term problems are greater than people realize.” Hear the details. A 52-Year-Old Memory Resurfaced. This experience provoked a 52-year-old memory for Skip. When Skip started at IBM, he needed training in Detroit, Michigan. Visiting Detroit, he felt sadness and fright after Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered on April 4, 1968. Riots broke out for a week. He will never forget the smell of burning houses and watching tanks roll down the street. These feelings resurfaced after the protests against police brutality broke out upon George Floyd's death on May 4, 2020, in Minneapolis. With resolve, Skip says that it will take decades to rebuild and repair the damage done to our city and its people that summer. In some respects, the Twin Cities are forever changed. Skip Thaler ends 2020 with a complex but liberating decision. In an upcoming episode, you will hear the outcome of his decision to sell his 25 rental properties and what our podcast conversations had to do with it. Attributes of Resiliency One of Skip's endearing qualities is his willingness to acknowledge his limitations and strengths and reflect on his learnings. These qualities are attributes of having a resilient spirit. Often entrepreneurs are accused of being workaholics. Are you a workaholic or a hard worker? Find out for yourself. Take the WeMentor Workaholism Quiz. Another key to Skip's success is his long-term stable relationships with Jill, their adult children, and their families. Big thank yous to his excellent support staff and many accolades to Jill, who has supported him from the start. Jill is his backbone and soulmate,

Episode 344: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part II Multi-venture entrepreneur Skip Thaler talks about his terrifying moment after merging his Fleetwood Franchise with Tires Plus and how he influenced a workable partnership with Tom Gegax and Don Gullett to expand Tires Plus from 11 retail stores to 40 or from $25M to a $50M business. Timing and the right partnerships made the difference between success and failure in Skip's life, always teeter-tottering on the fringes between financial disaster and exponential growth.   I just finished reading the inspiring book Shoe Dog by the founder of Nike, Inc., billionaire Phil Knight. Terrifying moments were part of his journey too. A must-read autobiography for every business owner and entrepreneurial leader who wants to learn what it takes to build a global brand. Phil wrote that until he took his athletic shoe company Nike, Inc., public in 1980, he had been in debt most of his adult life. He directed Nike from 1962 until 2004. Phil and Skip's journeys show how women were unconsciously left out of leadership. Phil organically created his executive teams with people (men) he knew in track-n-field. The first female executive hired at Nike was in 2010, executive vice chair and general counsel Hilary Crane. Skip followed a similar course in working with men in his circles. Growing profitable businesses is intense and expensive. Phil's borrowing to pay for his ideas started with the 50 dollars he borrowed from his dad. This led to borrowing millions of dollars from banks and other investors. Phil's well-told story validated my experience working with business owners and entrepreneurs over these past 30 years, including Skip's experience as he reflects on his journey here. The intensity to drive profits never lets up, which is part of the excitement and other emotions like the fear of survival that can drive humans to new heights in self-awareness and brand expansion. Cash-flowing businesses can become a science of mastering intuition and calculations in financial risk-taking, timing, and circling yourself with the right team and money resources and operating together within the restraints of moral and ethical behavior. I marvel at Skip's impeccable timing that he has honed over decades of launching, growing, and shaping new ventures. He trusts his intuition, especially when he is freaked out. Even his hobbies of growing 1,000 orchids and sailing worldwide have a depth of time mastery in their life cycle. When the idea starts taking shape and curiosity grows, is that when Skip's passion emerges, and his focus, skillsets, and energy take hold? Or does his entrepreneurial leadership process take shape differently? You decide. Another element in timing is within the ‘windows of opportunity' where critical decisions can create wealth. Skip discusses those leaps of faith and how he lands firmly on his feet with boundaries that support healthy relationships. Below are some pivotal moments within the spectrum of timing we discuss. The business model of the wholesale and retail sides of the tire business begins competing. Now what? He was turning over inventory. How about someone else worrying about turning the inventory? Skip has another idea that works better for him and his temperament. Who of the four partners has the most significant financial exposure? How long can one sustain financial exposure? How many nights can you go without sleep before changing your economic model? A hiring technique that works for each new hire. I am regaining self-productivity by founding Intercontinental Marketing Corporation. Learning the international marketplace with a $5,000 investment: bank site drafts and third-party freight forwarders lowers financial risk and is efficient. Tires have cosmetic issues, too; how. Skip capitalized on blemishes—building a family-owned business. Passing the baton from one generation to the next.

Episode 343: Building Multi-Billion Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part I An obsession with opportunities started in his twenties for Skip Thaler, a multi-venture entrepreneur. We start when Skip is out of graduate school and working at IBM. His entrepreneurial mind recognized his first business opportunity. This inspires Skip to start a new business and build it into a viable business. He perfects the process of generating millions of dollars in multiple ventures and breaks down his life story by reflecting on learned lessons. This first of three conversations lays the foundation of Skip's entrepreneurial lifestyle. His ability to recognize opportunities and develop businesses from them is not unique to him. It is a unique skill set that all entrepreneurs possess and often take for granted or don't realize that others do not see opportunities as they do, nor do they want to risk their livelihoods to pursue a higher goal that potentially could fail. That is one of the reasons why it takes so much energy to get new products and services into the marketplace. We must help others see the opportunity and convince them that the risk of trying our new products or services in their stores or investing in your new venture is worth it. Skip summarizes five lessons from his first ventures, including a 5-5-2 theory he learned from his tire business that you won't want to miss. You will get an answer to this question, is this theory what led him to his next venture with Tires Plus? I first aired this series on November 23, 2020. That year turned into a liquidating year for Skip. Instead of expanding his real estate holdings, a confluence of events led him to sell his properties. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created a negative environment for business property owners. We still feel the impact of that time and subsequent events since then. We also discuss often not talked about issues like the financial and emotional sacrifices loved ones need to make. The degree of discipline it takes to become profitable. The experimentation required when implementing new business ideas. And the ethical, moral, and emotional health and well-being challenges. You will hear how Skip addresses these challenges as we begin analyzing each multi-million-dollar venture. Skip's success is tempered by humility and compassion for others. He is the first to tell you that marrying his high school sweetheart, Jill Kroll, and building a life together raising their three children and now six grandchildren are one of the best decisions he has made. Dolly Parton described her ambition at age 74 during a Friday evening PBS Newshour episode that sparked a thought about Skip. Dolly Parton described her purpose and inspiration—releasing a Netflix musical and her first album in 30 years in 2020, A Holly Dolly Christmas—by saying, “I would rather wear out than rust out.” Skip has embraced that same philosophy, as have I. Enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOAD          NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Tires Plus History Tires Plus History Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:Take this risk: Review your venture. Crunch this year's numbers. Assess what is going on in your industry. Make a list of the opportunities you see within your industry. Ask yourself, where can I seize an opportunity to develop, shape, and mold in 2023?Apply Self-Compassion: Sit with the list of opportunities and focus on your breath for six min...

Episode 342: 5 Levels of Conversation and a Mother and Daughter's Business Transition Did you know that 80% of businesses worldwide are family-owned? And second-generation companies have only a 30% survival rate, according to the Family Business Institute. Tune in to hear how Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain managed a successful business transition of ownership from mother to daughter. Plus, we discuss five levels of conversation that you can use to deepen your connections during the holiday season. Dr. Zachary has been cited as “one of the top 100 minds in leadership today.” She and Lisa Fain, her daughter, were deliberate about their purpose and values, identifying a process and developing a plan. The ownership transition of the Center for Mentoring Excellence began four years before the official handoff in 2018. A coach worked with both of them and didn't shy away from asking Dr. Zachary tough questions to help her psychologically and emotionally let go. Writing an operational manual gave Dr. Zachary a path to transfer knowledge and decades' worth of documents, research, client information, etc. This operating manual also helped prepare Lisa to take over. Dr. Zacharay said Lisa brought freshness, curiosity, and inclusiveness into their mentoring work, especially essential now. Their formula worked, and I am grateful to re-air our conversation from November of 2021 and what worked for them. Dr. Zachary also breaks down five levels of conversation: monologue, transaction, interaction, collaborative engagement, and dialogue. In healthy relating, each person's needs are considered equally—the same with conversation. Monologues are few and far between. The approach with each other respectfully moves to collaborative engagement and meaningful dialogue with a focus on understanding and strengthening the connection. These conversations are heartfelt, with genuine feelings and an understanding that you both are doing the best you can. You feel your authentic self when you finish the conversation. There are common misconceptions about mentoring and the cycle of mentoring that we clarify to finish our conversation with what they are looking forward to. Below is a beautiful acknowledgment Lois and Lisa included at the end of the book they co-authored, Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring. “We acknowledge each other with love, admiration, and deep gratitude. It is rare indeed that a mother and daughter get to collaborate professionally. What a privilege it has been for us to co-author this book. We encouraged each other to bring our special magic to Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring and were able to weave our subject matter expertise and varied experiences together to create a book that reflects and elevates our strengths and passions.” I don't think a mother and daughter relationship can get much better than that. They agreed. DOWNLOAD         NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.    Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses (hbr.org) Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: If you haven't, purchase Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring by Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain. Then, choose a relationship you want to move from transactional interactions to collaborative conversations. Get curious and excited to learn something new about this person. Once you have decided which person to try this out with, schedule a phone conversation or in-person meeting.

Episode 341: What Lisa Fain Learned Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Home Lisa Fain, C.E.O. of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, says that growing up in a 1980s entrepreneurial home gave her a sense of purpose, place, and accountability. It reinforced an understanding that Lisa could contribute to the world, shape her work, and be independent. This independent thinking started in her formative years when Lisa and her brother were encouraged to make plans and prepare their meals. When Dr. Lois Zachary founded Leadership Development Services, L.L.C., and its Center for Mentoring Excellence, her daughter, Lisa Fain, was in high school. Women entrepreneurship was on the rise, “according to the 1988 State of Small Business Report, the number of sole proprietorships owned by women increased 62 percent between 1980 and 1986. I found this impressive since women weren't encouraged to start businesses until 1972, with a few exceptions like Mary Kay Ash, who founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963.  In 1972, the floodgates opened for women when Title IX (a federal civil rights act) was passed prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from our federal government. Women's organized sports began their rise alongside business ownership because federal monies started flowing into them. Now, “women account for 41% of the global workforce and control more than $20 trillion in annual spending. Predictions are that this number will go up to $28 trillion in the next few years.”  As Dr. Zachary built her educational consultancy and her husband, Ed Zachary expanded his legal firm in Syracuse, New York; they still managed to be present and engaged parents. Role modeling the benefits of fulfilling work fueled Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit that sprouted in her 30s and 40s. Hear how Lisa took her diverse interests in political science, sociology, and economics with a social justice bend to acquire an interdisciplinary degree from Northwestern University in Chicago. Two required courses taught by a cherished mentor helped Lisa understand ways to repair the world. Eventually, she became a lawyer, mediator, coach, and C.E.O. at the Center for Mentoring Excellence. Other Conversation Highlights Although not a fair way to measure oneself, comparing Lisa's start to someone else's finish was a benefit in determining Lisa's major. The next generation. They are raising Talia and Emily with David in their entrepreneurial home. Lisa's lifework of inclusion, diversity, and equity. Creating a mentoring culture for retention and attraction. Insights into Millennials and Gen Zs. Alternatives to the Peanut Butter approach. My conversation with Lisa sparked my curiosity to research the newest female entrepreneurship statistics. I am excited to report that we're progressing globally on inclusion, diversity, and equity. Check out the statistics below. Key Female Entrepreneurship 2022 Statistics  22.4% of small business owners in the U.S. are women. 17% of black women are in the process of starting or running a new business. The female entrepreneurial activity rate in the U.S. is 13.6%. 14% of women-owned businesses employ between 11 and 50+ workers. Women represent 50% of entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Women made up 36.8% of Canadian business owners in 2021. South Asia has less than 20% of female entrepreneurs. Women-owned and controlled enterprises create direct employment for about 27 million people in India. Women entrepreneurship thrived during the 2020/2021 crisis, according to the world's foremost study of worldwide entrepreneurship, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (G.E.M.). Amanda Elam, a G.E.M. researcher, Research Fellow at Babson College's Diana International Research Institute, and the lead author of the G.E.M. 2020/2021 Women's Entrepreneurship Report, said there is a “slow shift in the narrative on women's entrepreneurship from encouraging a high number of startups ...

Episode 340: 4 Key Concepts to Bridging Differences with Dr. Lois Zachary Happy Halloween!  Here is a Reader's Digest joke for you that isn't scary. Q: The maker of this product does not want it, the buyer does not use it, and the user does not see it. What is it?A: A coffin.   October 27th was National Mentoring Day. I retrieved this groundbreaking conversation from the archives to elevate mentoring and acknowledge two luminaries in the field of mentoring excellence. A mother-and-daughter team focused on inclusion. Dr. Lois Zachary discusses her background, defines mentoring and the difference between coaching and mentoring, and four key concepts that can bridge differences in mentoring relationships. I say ‘groundbreaking conversation' because in 1972 when Dr. Lois Zachary started her career, there were over 400,000 women-owned businesses in America. Today, more than 13 million businesses are owned by women thanks to women like Dr. Lois Zachary, who pioneered a path for us. Her daughter, Lois Fain, is the new CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence to role model what they preach, teach, and write about in Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring. Their newest and first co-authored book.  Dr. Lois Zachary is an internationally recognized expert on mentoring and has been cited as “one of the top 100 minds in leadership” today. You've likely seen mention of Dr. Zachary's books, or read her quotes, in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Inc. magazine, T&D, Leadership Excellence, The Chronicle of Higher Education, or other business and leadership news outlets. “Mentors and mentees may come from different backgrounds and have a limited understanding of each other's cultures and outlooks, but mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for inclusion, professional development, and talent retention,” writes Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain. Listen as we focus on how Lois Zachary became the author, Ph.D. graduate, and entrepreneurial leader who founded Leadership Development Services, LLC and its Center for Mentoring Excellence. You will also learn Dr. Zachary's definition of mentoring, the difference between coaching and mentoring, and four key concepts that bridge differences in mentoring relationships. You will also learn that she has a supportive husband, Ed. They married within six months of meeting in 1969 and have two adult children. Mentoring Definition Dr. Zachary and her daughter, Lisa Fain, define mentoring as “a reciprocal learning relationship in which a mentor and mentee agree to a partnership where they work collaboratively toward achievement of mutually defined goals that will develop a mentee's skills, abilities, knowledge, and/or thinking.” They focus on “four key concepts that relate most closely to bridging differences in a mentoring relationship: reciprocal, learning, relationship, and partnering.” Tune in to learn more about these four key concepts. Also, learn how adults make meaning and a big reveal at the end of our conversation. A hint, guess her maiden name. DOWNLOAD     NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources 20 Compelling Women Entrepreneur Statistics 20 Compelling Women Entrepreneurs Statistics – What To Become Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: The first step in starting a mentoring relationship is preparing. Are you ready to begin a mentoring relationship? Start with a short self-analysis inventory. List some leadership successes you have had.

Episode 339: Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows with Dr. Melanie Joy Every day we are confronted with a relational paradox that begs an answer to these two questions. “What enables caring people to participate in, or otherwise support, practices that harm others, be they human or nonhuman? And what, then, could help shift this psychological orientation?” Questions Dr. Melanie Joy found answers to by researching the psychosociology of eating animals, a phenomenon she named carnism. What Dr. Joy concluded is this. “Eating (certain) animals results from extensive social and psychological conditioning that causes naturally empathic and rational people to distort their perceptions and block their empathy so that they act against their values of compassion and justice without fully realizing what they're doing. In other words, carnism teaches us to violate the Golden Rule without knowing or caring that we're doing so.” Deconstructing our carnistic system taught her how violent or oppressive ideologies are structured. (Powerarchy, 2019) When Melanie was twenty-three years old, she ate a contaminated hamburger (campylobacter) and became severely sick, needing hospitalization. Surviving this incident—and questioning other aspects of how she and most of the rest of us were raised—took her on a journey from meat-eater, and vegetarian to vegan and activist, theorist, author, social entrepreneur, and the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award validating her work on global nonviolence. The Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela received this same award. You can hear her brilliance as we discuss Why we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows. Today, our purpose is not to convince you to eat a plant-based diet. Our goal is to expand your awareness about choices and encourage becoming an ally. What compelled our family to become vegan in 2021 was a long journey that began by reading World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle, Ph.D., during yoga teacher training in 2016. Dr. Tuttle's belief floored me. It was a disturbing ‘aha' moment. He believes we will not have world peace until we stop killing animals. Growing up on a dairy farm, I was initially horrified by how many animals we killed and ate. I realized we were not allowed to name our cows and pigs because seeing these animals as pets would make it almost impossible to kill them, so we were taught emotional detachment. Of course, our farmers aren't in the business of killing animals. They are in the business of raising animals and crops to provide food to others, us consumers. What does a farmer do when their livelihood needs to change? They reconfigure their businesses. You will find out how a global sausage maker transformed his business. Pondering that new awareness about how I grew up, our daughter, Olivia, encouraged us to watch documentaries like Cowspiracy, Inconvenient Truth, Blackfish, Seaspiracy, and What The Health. After that last documentary, we committed to going 98% vegan. There are situations where there are no plant-food based, so we allow ourselves to choose.  My learning continues. I have read books like How Not To Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM and founder of nutritionfacts.org, and The Proof is in The Plants by Simon Hill. What has made it easier to live a plant-based lifestyle was helped with the results of today's Guest Mentor's work and Dr. Melanie Joy's collaborations with other organizations to transform how food producers and manufacturers run their businesses. A positive consequence is more options in the grocery store. Transitioning to plant-based foods is more accessible now because we have more choices, i.e., coconut and almond milk, chia seeds to replace sugar, beyond burgers, and the Impossible and Violife products to replace animal by-products like beef, sausage, and dairy. The evidence is compelling if you do not want to die from heart disease, lung disease, digestive cancers, infections,

Episode 338: Building Relational Literacy with Dr. Melanie Joy In 2021, our daughter, Olivia, turned me on to Guest Mentor Dr. Melanie Joy. I have devoured her books, podcast conversations, and TEDTALKs. I use her relational literacy tips by noticing the flexibility that love and acceptance bring. I align boundaries around my values of fairness and kindness, for example. Or, notice how I feel when my rights are overstepped, angry, and feel empowered to do something constructive about it. As a result, I feel more connected with those in my life, and you can too.  Enjoy this transformative podcast conversation I am re-airing to promote relational literacy to get us out of the dark ages. Melanie is an amazingly gifted, brilliant social psychologist, theorist, educator, and international award-winning author of six books. She is a pioneer with a global mission to raise awareness of the obstacles preventing people from interacting in ways that create a sense of mutual connection. These obstacles are internal (psychological) and external (social), which are key reasons why we act against our interests and others—often without realizing that we're doing so. With awareness, we can think freely and act compassionately to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships and a more equitable and sustainable world. Melanie says, “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” She has been influential in raising my awareness and has helped me transform my behaviors in three areas we talk about: how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the world at large. Today we discuss one of her six books. A one-stop guide to building relational literacy, Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work. We haven't been taught relational literacy. As a result, we are in the dark ages. You will understand more as you listen. Our conversation will facilitate your ability to move the pendulum toward healthier relating; even a little movement makes a difference. Some of the gems in our conversation include: How we have bought into the narratives that drive unconscious choices. The mentality and thinking behind nonrelational behaviors. Two sides to a coin, the nonrelational and relational. The Formula for Healthy Relating. Tips for Healthy Expressing. Solving life's more pressing problems start with learning relational literacy. Hear how that is possible and how it relates to the issues you are solving through your business entity. Melanie joins me in conversation from Berlin, Germany, where she lives with her husband and colleague, Sebastian Joy. They are interdependent, powerful together, and apart. Successful and connected in their life work. You will learn how they practice healthy relating personally and as world leaders. Sebastian is transforming food systems by working with world leaders replacing conventional animal products with plant-based and cultured alternatives. Melanie is building relational literacy facilitating transformation in how we participate in the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions us to eat certain animals, known as carnism. A term coined by Melanie in 2001.  This a transformative conversation because it is thought-provoking. You won't want to miss it. DOWNLOAD       NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities below.  Podcast Sponsor Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works! Strategies to Grow Your Business Meaningful Conversations Evolve How You Lead Get Support, Insight, Accountability SUBSCRIBE NOW

Episode 337: What takes precedence your entity or its mission? “It matters what we do,” says Dr. Daniel Libby of the Veterans Yoga Project. He is on a mission to support recovery and resilience among our veterans, families, and communities. And has the data to prove it. Daniel Libby is the founder and executive director of the Veterans Yoga Project and believes its mission takes precedence over its entity. Find out why he says this. Veterans Yoga Project reaches over 2000 veterans monthly through yoga and mindfulness practices. Daniel knows and has the data that compassion fatigue can be transformed into compassionate resilience, which is particularly relevant as we evolve with the covid-19 pandemic.   How do you answer the question: “What is more important: Your entity or its mission?” Does it make a difference whether the entity is a for-profit business or a non-profit organization? Daniel's original vision, mission, and philosophy of organically growing his venture have stayed the same, but everything else has changed. Common in entrepreneurship, where you start isn't necessarily where you meet the needs of those you serve. The real work begins with deep diving into understanding how your mission and offerings can adapt to client needs and the changing marketplace. The landscape in providing Yoga to veterans changed even before 2020. You can contrast Daniel's journey to see how it mimics or differs from your entrepreneurial journey when you tune in to our podcast conversation. Despite my overzealous attempt to add value, it was refreshing to hear Daniel's surprise as he acquired new leadership skills and expressed how his mission grew after conducting a survey with 170 VA treatment centers. Daniel published the study in 2012 in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy which expanded awareness. The study showed that yoga teachers in V.A. treatment centers had no training in military culture and P.T.S.D. A lack of space and government funding were barriers to helping veterans heal and lead successful lives. In 2018, when I first aired this conversation, the government started implementing yoga offerings for veterans as a whole health initiative. A huge success! Daniel was pleased. Expanding awareness by publishing his study prompted more government funding to support veterans in addressing all stages of their recovery. With the results in hand, Daniel changed his business model and added military culture and P.T.S.D. sensitivity into his yoga teacher training and works with government agencies to provide space and funding so veterans, their families, and our communities can access a full range of mind-body practices that facilitate recovery and resilience. He is counting his wins. Our conversation brings us full circle to last week's conversation about leadership and burnout and the benefits of mindfulness and yoga practices. Ensuring the business model and mission of the Veterans Yoga Project are congruent with veteran offerings is an ongoing process. Since 2020, they have added resiliency training for first responders, caregivers, and more. Life is hard and full of challenges. The more we plant our feet on the ground, the more impact we can make and the less likely we are to discount our influence in the world. A statement Daniel emphasizes at the end of our conversation. Daniel also says, “If you haven't served in the military, Veterans Yoga Project is an opportunity for you to give to those who have served.” Consider how you can get involved. Daniel has embraced the phrase, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” Check out the 9th Annual Veterans Gratitude Week & a Warrior Salute, November 4 -13, 2022. DOWNLOAD Insights into mindfulness and Yoga In Wherever You Go There You Are, Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness “as an ancient Buddhist practice that has profound relevance for our present-day lives. This relevance has nothing to do with Buddhism per se or with becoming a Buddhist,

Episode 336: Creating Space for Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Daniel Libby What is the opposite of leadership? “Burnout,” says Dr. Daniel Libby. If you are starting today with feelings of stress and overwhelm or fatigue, this conversation with Daniel Libby, Ph.D., R.Y.T., founder and executive director of the Veteran Yoga Project, can help. We discuss those feelings and a few techniques to alter your neurological pathways to relieve stress and burnout. You can join in on a breathing exercise at the end of our conversation and continue with it after listening. We met on April 9th, 2018, when Daniel launched the Veteran Yoga Project in the Twin Cities with yoga classes and teacher training for those working with veterans. My husband, Matthew Foli, and I took one of his yoga classes later featured on the local news station, KSTP. Daniel's calming and soothing voice melted away any stress I felt before we started our conversation and after listening to it a second time before re-airing it today. Daniel lives with his wife and now 10-year-old daughter in Alameda, California. He grew up in the Queens Village of New York, describing his upbringing with his brother as latchkey kids supported by their extended family. He has also lived in Florida, Washington, and Montana. Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana, is where Daniel found his direction in the world as an integrative healer helping others through bodywork for the mind and soul. He went from being a physical therapist and massage therapist to becoming a clinical psychologist when psycho-emotional content arose as he worked on people's bodies. Interweaving the body and mind, soul and spirit, and entrepreneurship has created a meaningful life for Daniel and those he mentors. His entrepreneurial characteristics of applying his learnings and passion for holistic healing emerged during yoga teacher training. He studiously organized the resources to launch the Veterans Yoga Project in 2010. The entity's transition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2014 positioned Daniel to emerge as a national entity offering yoga to veterans and their families and yoga teacher training. Although Daniel is not a veteran, he has traced his family roots, noting that his grandfather fought in the Korean War and WWII. His Uncle Jimmy was killed in an Air Force accident about seven months after enlisting. Daniel was four years old at the time. That traumatic event affected his parents and, subsequently, him. “Scars of war linger,” he says. Calling challenges into our lives through business ownership and innovation is stressful. Honoring our body, mind, and spirit is the best way to lead, influence others, and do excellent work is what Daniel believes, as do I. Through yoga, post-traumatic stress converts to post-traumatic growth, where veterans and their families attune their goals to their values and master themselves. Yoga is a system for self-mastery in the leadership of the mind, body, and spirit. Breathing, moving, and resting makes us more excellent. Simple tools can help you continue to grow as a leader, like recognizing your signs and symptoms of burnout, compassion fatigue, overwhelm, and stress. One of the symptoms of burnout is feeling like what you are doing is ineffective or doesn't matter. To counter burnout, we discuss celebrating wins by tracking them. I talk about my dad achieving a lingering goal to build a cabin. See the pictures of his round cabin and our (Matthew Foli – my husband, our daughter, Olivia, and my parents) celebrating the 37-year goal thought to be unreachable at age 83. He did it! It reminds us to never give up on those goals deep inside us and celebrate our accomplishments. Since this aired, a lot has happened that I can update you on in a future podcast episode. For now, enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOAD Sign up for a weekly yoga class on Tuesday evenings with me HERE. You can recover from trauma, distractions, habits, thoughtlessness, confusion,

Episode 335: Fantastic Client News and How to Sustain Your Focus Fantastic Client News! Mohamud Ali and Saido Jama founded Midwest Bakery & Café in 2019. I have been working with them to get their Halal whole wheat and white loaves of bread and whole wheat hoagie buns into Cub Foods on 28th and Lake Street in Minneapolis to test the market. Guess what? We did it! Midwest Bakery & Café is now in its first Cub Foods grocery store. (For those of you outside of the midwest. Cub Foods is a supermarket chain of 45 stores.) Congratulations to Mohamud and Saido and their family! On the first day, we sold out and rushed to refill the order. The two bottom shelves are now bread. The detergent was replaced. We moved so fast that I didn't get a picture of Saido and their adult children working to fill the orders. They have expanded their customer base from restaurants and daycare centers to Cub Foods customers. The demand for their loaves of bread and hoagie buns is growing. I am thrilled to collaborate with them to expand their bakery and evolve their businesses. They also own Midwest Auto Repairs. I'll have them on the podcast soon so you can hear them describe their multi-venture entrepreneurial journey. Among the many things I appreciate about Mohamud and Saido is that they reached out for mentoring so I could help them cross this particular finish line and set the next big goal. They knew they needed help getting their six types of loaves of bread and hoagies buns on the shelves at Cub Foods. I knew I could deliver. In under a week, they have passed the market test. Now, we can work steadily to evolve with the needs of their customers and set new processes and systems in place to maintain efficiency as the demand continues to grow and the offerings expand to other locations.  You can purchase their loaves of bread and hoagie buns at 28th and Lake Street. I just had one for lunch after helping them fill orders; it was so good. The picture is Mohamud delivering their first order last week. With fast growth, sustaining focus under pressure is critical. Today's podcast meditation will help you sustain your focus with the pressures you are under. How to Sustain Your Focus Can you focus on the right things at the right time, most of the time? If so, you are practicing the first of four aspects connected with one mind skill: FOCUS. To start focusing, we need to direct our attention to what we want to think about. We then sustain attention as long as we need and want to, controlling impulses and noticing when our attention wanders and redirecting our mind back to its focal point. Once the task is complete, we can relax our attention, resting our minds for a few minutes before directing our attention to a new task. Sounds easy, right? We resist so often what is good for us, especially when it comes to our minds. Sitting down for a few minutes to calm our thoughts and let go is difficult. Sometimes, I find it challenging to sit with myself, especially if I feel anxious or have nervous energy. This means something big lurks underneath all that nervousness, and I don't know if I want to know what it is just yet. Giving myself permission to sit and see what happens takes the pressure off. Last week we practiced Directing Focus. Today is the complimentary 6-minute meditation; How to Sustain Your Focus. I first aired this episode on March 7, 2022. Both meditations give your mind something to do while you sit. You can return to your focal point whenever you get distracted, or your thoughts drift. Where does focus fit in the grand scheme of building a healthy mind? According to The Center for Healthy Minds, it is connected to awareness. The first place we start when we make a behavior change, we become self-aware and shift our focus. The four areas below are what a regular meditation practice helps us do after we open our eyes. Awareness: means practicing presence, focus, and self-awareness. Connection: means practicing appreciation,