What's Your Story?

Craig Robinson, a former C-suite executive, shares his journey from growing up in Atlanta to living life on his terms as a board director and advisor. He emphasizes the importance of embracing one's inner child and being curious. Growing up in Atlanta, surrounded by Black Excellence, fostered his ability to dream and remain optimistic. He attended MIT and later Harvard Business School where he realized his passion was in leadership and building organizations. He made the pivot to a "Portfolio Life", where he is able to diversify his work by finding opportunities that bring him joy and fulfillment. He is also an advocate for racial equity and uses his expertise in real estate development and urban renewal to make an impact. Craig discusses the importance of using political capital to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities. He emphasizes the need for leaders to model this behavior and create opportunities for others coming up behind them. He shares his unlock of finding the power of curiosity over conviction and the importance of adaptability in personal growth.Key Takeaways: - Leaders have a responsibility to model behavior and create opportunities for others.- Approaching life with curiosity rather than conviction allows for adaptability and personal growth.- Creating space for self-reflection and self-discovery is essential for reclaiming happiness and staying true to oneself.Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Dilan Gomih, a well-being founder, shares her journey of prioritizing health and fitness in her life and how it led her to start her own company, Dilagence. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating movement into daily life and finding joy in fitness to reach all of your goals. Dilan also discusses the influence of her parents and community on her outlook on what could be possible in life. She ends by highlighting the need for individuals and organizations to prioritize well-being in order to be successful in business.You will learn:The power family has in influencing what feels possible (or impossible).Fitness has the potential to unlock your capacity and time.Eat well, move well, sleep well and your future self will be happy with you.You can follow Dilan's story at:Dilagence Website / LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Alexandria Butler, aka Lexi B, accidentally landed in Silicon Valley but that hasn't stopped her from making an impact at a number of globally recognized tech companies like Airbnb, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft. As an accomplished storyteller, she believes that anyone can be a storyteller and recommends reading stories from skilled storytellers to learn how to tell impactful stories. Lexi also emphasizes the value of transferable skills and being adaptable in the ever-changing world of technology. Despite how it may look on paper, Lexi's journey has not been about collecting badges from prestigious companies, but about finding great managers to work with that help her follow her curiosity. Lexi also discusses the creation of Sister Circle: Black Women in Tech, a community that provides resources and support for Black women in the corporate world. She highlights the need for accountability and feedback in professional settings and the importance of personal and professional growth. Lexi also talks about her podcast (Sit with Lexi B), where she invites leaders to share transformative lessons from their careers.You will learn:Success comes when you are curious about things and willing to start digging and seeing what you find.“I don't know” is an appropriate answer. You don't always have to know everything.Personal and professional decisions go together. They can't be separated.You can follow Lexi B's story at:LinkedIn / YouTube / WebsiteFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Zach Nunn, CEO of Living Corporate, shares his story and how he prioritizes workplace fairness and creating space for honest conversations about navigating the world of work. He walks through his personal journey of growing up in a small town in Georgia and the influence of his single mother on his values and aspirations. Zach discusses the changing landscape of work, emphasizing the need for better experiences for all employees and customers. He shares his definition of fairness as giving everyone an equal shot at the best possible experience and highlights the importance of support, respect, feedback, and coaching in creating fair employee experiences. In this conversation, Zach and Matt discuss the importance of creating equitable experiences for customers and the impact of resilience and adaptability in personal and professional life.You will learn:The Future of Work is in flux and will continue to move at a faster pace.Organizations usually have a primary problem that leads to creating unfair experiences for customers and employees.The importance of appreciating the moment while respecting the future. You can follow Zach's story:Living Corporate Website | Living Corporate IG | Living Corporate LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Victor Simmons, a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging expert, shares his story of growing up in a military family and his journey to becoming a leader in the hospitality industry. He discusses the importance of building relationships and problem-solving in his career. Victor also emphasizes the significance of DEI in the workplace and how it leads to better business outcomes. He shares his experiences as a husband and father, highlighting the importance of being present and supportive. You will learn:You will never know what could happen until you take the leap.DEI has always been a marathon that has its struggles. The biggest obstacle to executives becoming successful is their inability to build partnerships.You can follow Victor's story at:LinkedIn / IGFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Gautam Mukunda has collected some of the highest regarded titles at the most prestigious organizations that you could ask for in a career. Yet his plan all along has been to collect the most diverse collection of experiences. He's always enjoyed learning new things and set out on a mission to ensure that the world also learned something through him. His path has taken him from professor to author to advisor to investor. Many of those stops were unexpected like him joining Harvard Business School as a professor following his PHD. Listen to his story to be inspired by what happens when you relentlessly follow your curiosity in life. You will learn:You are only going to go on your path once so make it count and give it your all.People that are innovative tend to be those that push against the natural flow.You may not realize the impact you have on others in the moment by being your authentic self. You can follow Gautam's story at:LinkedIn / Newsletter / X / Books Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

William Flippin Jr. shares his background and childhood experiences that led him to a mission of empowering people from the chess board to the property market. He discusses how his upbringing in Atlanta and being the oldest child and grandchild shaped him. He also talks about the importance of having multiple streams of income that allow him to follow his interests. William highlights how he developed his passion for franchising and the ways he helps others become franchisees. He expresses his concerns about the future of the church and the broader need to embrace technology. Lastly, he reflects on the impact of marriage and parenthood on his life and the importance of cherishing the simple moments. You will learn:That often the simple things in life can be more important than the big things that you think you'll enjoy.Remembering someone's name shows them that they matter to you and creates a deeper connection.The person you partner with in life will evolve over time and you should embrace that as it's happening to you as well.You can follow William's story at:LinkedIn / EmailFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Cuy Sheffield, the Head of Crypto at Visa, shares his background and journey into the world of crypto. Growing up in rural Ohio, basketball became his passion and a way to find his own identity and confidence. He attended Pomona College in California, where he discovered his interest in entrepreneurship and technology. After joining TrialPay, a startup in the mobile app advertising ecosystem, he developed a passion for sales through building authentic relationships. Following the acquisition of TrialPay by Visa, Cuy would eventually find a unique opportunity for his skillset at the intersection of crypto and payments. Cuy shares his passion for crypto and how he became an advocate for the industry within Visa and beyond. He discusses the importance of spending time learning and engaging with the crypto community on platforms like Twitter/X. Cuy also talks about his superpower of translating complex concepts into easy-to-understand terms, and how he currently strives to be the best at explaining crypto to a broad audience.What you will learn:Your environment can amplify and accelerate your capabilities.You can differentiate yourself by finding the intersection of spaces where few people are focused.You have to move at the pace of trends if you want to remain on top of the latest. Follow Cuy's story at:Twitter/ XFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

On this week's episode, we celebrate Father's Day as Matt sits down with his dad, Ken Davenport, to hear his story. Ken shares his story of growing up in Detroit, his curiosity as a child, and his journey into the corporate world. He discusses his experiences building a career in data processing and IT, the challenges he faced as technology evolved, and the importance of work-life balance. He also talks about the impact of parenthood on his life and decision-making process. Ken shares how grandparenthood has changed him, the joy of spoiling his granddaughter, and the importance of spending time with family. He also talks about how he got into running and the physical and mental benefits it has brought him. You will learn:to live for today enjoying where you are currently.the power of asking questions to connect with others.that running can show you what you can endure.You can follow Ken's story at:Facebook / InstagramFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Charles Thompson shares his journey from a competitive kid with dreams of the NFL to his transition into the professional world of sales, emphasizing the role of community, mentorship, and the power of storytelling. He discusses the impact of LinkedIn on his career and the importance of personal branding and consistency in content creation. The conversation explores the importance of building a community on LinkedIn, the value of being comfortable in one's own skin, and the significance of putting your family first. The conversation also touches on the characteristics of good storytellers and the impact of vulnerability in leadership.You will learn:Putting a story to your name can help you move to the front of many industry lines. To build content for the one person you can impact vs. the crowd.That showing people you know them will give them more reason to open up with you.You can follow Charles' story on:LinkedIn Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Devo Harris, a Grammy award-winning producer and founder of Adventr, shares his journey from the world of music to the fast paced tech industry. As a Army brat, he grew up moving around a lot, which has influenced his work style and approach team building. Devo co-founded G.O.O.D. Music with his cousin, Kanye West, and was responsible for bringing John Legend onto the label. However, he realized he wanted to have a broader impact and didn't want to be the old guy playing beats for 18 yr old rappers so he transitioned into the tech industry. Devo started Adventr as a solution to building personalized, intelligent, and dynamic media experiences. In the conversation, Devo shares his perspective on the future of connected media and the challenges faced by  underrepresented founders in the technology industry.  The discussion touches on  the importance of storytelling and the impact it has on empathy and understanding. You will learn:Not to assume an opportunity or resource is for someone else. Take your chance.To see your job as more than the role you currently do and instead finding new ways to add value.That no matter how good it may seem someone else has it, they are likely still facing challenges you can't see.You can follow Devo's story at:Instagram / LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

In this conversation, Matt Story interviews Mengistu Tad Tilahun, a global executive with over 25 years of experience in technology and the payments industry. They discuss his background, journey in the corporate world, and role at Visa. Tad emphasizes the importance of curiosity, taking risks, and adding value in one's career. He also highlights the need for self-advocacy and authenticity in the workplace. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of technology and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.You will learn:the key to staying up to speed with technology is keeping an open mind.acting as you think a title should can hinder your ability to reach your full potential.power of being curious about being curious.You can connect with Tad at:LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

In this episode, Matt takes a moment to celebrate Mother's Day and reflect on the impact his mom had on his life. He shares three important lessons he learned from her: the power of keeping your word, the importance of being a supportive fan, and the value of hard work and impact. Matt encourages listeners to share their own stories about the moms in their lives and emphasizes the power of storytelling and learning from each other.Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Ashley Menzies Babatunde shares her background and early experiences as a multi-hyphenate and focused overachiever. From an early age, she had high expectations of herself and others, and her leadership skills were evident. She even wroter herself a letter outlining her goals that she has largely achieved so far. Ashley reflects on her time at Stanford for undergrad and Harvard for law school along with the importance of relationships and exploration. She discusses her transition into the work world as a paralegal and then as a lawyer, and how she had to pivot within her practice to find work that aligned with her personality and values. Ashley also shares her journey of self-discovery and the role of journaling and feedback from loved ones in guiding her career decisions. She discusses the power of storytelling and her podcast, 'No Straight Path,' where she explores the human stories behind success. Ashley walks us through her journey into podcasting, starting with her love for podcasts and finding positive ways to deal with failure. She talks about the loneliness she felt after failing the California bar exam and how storytelling helped her during that time. Ashley also discusses her decision to take a sabbatical and the importance of listening to your body. Ashley reflects on her superpowers of connection and inspiration, and how the podcast has become a source of joy in her life that allows her to do both.You will learn:It's ok to color outside the lines.The importance of living a life that is aligned to what you want from life. Exploring the power of regret in your decision making.You can follow Ashley's story at:LinkedIn / No Straight Path IG / Ashley IG / TikTok Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Jerri DeVard, founder and CEO of the Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA), shares her background and journey to the Advertising Hall of Fame in this podcast episode. Jerri highlights her experience as an example of the role HBCUs play in shaping top talent and industry leaders. She talks about her transition into the corporate world and the importance of finding her voice early in her career. She shares her experience moving into the C-Suite and how what she enjoyed most about it. Jerri also discusses the significance of being a leader who inspires and supports others, and she offers advice for those aspiring to be in the C-suite and on corporate boards. Jerri discusses the inspiration behind creating BECA and their future plans, including expanding internationally and launching programs for vice presidents. She reflects on being inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame and the responsibility of using her recognition to uplift others. You will learn:As a leader, remember that your team's family members know your name and you have a reputation but it's up to you what that reputation is known as.To be a board member, you have to be really good at what you do and be recognized for that outside of your organization.To be a Hall of Famer, it's not just about the work you did for yourself but also what you did for others.You can follow Jerri's story at:BlackExec.com / BECA IG / BECA LinkedIN / Jerri IGFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Deb Dutta, CEO of Criya, shares her journey as a female immigrant founder and the challenges she faced in the tech industry. She discusses her upbringing, the skills she developed, and her transition from a technical engineering role to product management. Deb also talks about the birth of Criya and how it helps individuals make stellar first impressions through AI technology. She emphasizes the importance of personal branding and the need to take control of how others perceive you. Deb shares her experience with Y Combinator and fundraising, highlighting the value of strategic partnerships and the supportive startup community. Deb discusses her journey of building a portfolio career and the importance of embracing multiple roles and interests. She shares how she managed to balance her full-time job with her side hustles and eventually transitioned into entrepreneurship. Deb also highlights the influence of her husband on her career growth and the value of having a supportive partner. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and staying curious, both personally and professionally. Deb reflects on the challenges of scaling a business and the need to constantly strive for growth.You will learn:When you get comfortable, you may be getting complacent which stops forward progress.Look for projects outside your day job that help you build new skills and grow your visibility.There is power in having a partner that is supportive for those days when you may not think you can reach your dreams.You can follow Deb's story at:Deb.Criya.aiFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Jeremiah Owyang, investor and founder, shares his journey in the tech industry, from his upbringing to his passion for uncovering new technology trends and helping companies connect with customers. He discusses the importance of community and public speaking, as well as the impact of his AI event series, Llama Lounge. Jeremiah also emphasizes the significance of health and fitness in his life and the need to find balance in various aspects of life. He encourages listeners to embrace their own unique paths and prioritize their well-being.You will learn:The importance of getting out in front of the parade to leverage the momentum of a trend.Finding what you are inherently amazing at and then using it to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.Across industries, if you focus on taking care of the community, your business goals will be fine.You can follow Jeremiah's story at:Web-strategist.com / LinkedIn / TwitterFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

In this conversation, Jamien Sills, the founder and CEO of Herus Studios, shares his background and how his passion for shoes and design developed from a young age. He talks about the role of his community in supporting his journey and how he connected with shoe designers and mentors online before social media. Jamien then discusses his current project where he combines his love for footwear and sci-fi superhero films to create a unique storytelling and marketing approach. He explains how the shoes are integrated into the story and how the franchise will tell relatable stories of everyday heroes. Jamien also shares a personal moment of struggle and how he found inspiration to keep going and be heroic in his own life. In this conversation, Jamien emphasizes the importance of tapping into one's internal validation and being in integrity with oneself. Jamien also discusses his excitement about the possibilities of AI in the creative industry and how it can open doors for creatives. You will learn:Taking the step to ask questions can help others know how they can help you.It's tough to start over especially as you progress through your journey but it's not impossible.You can still hit your wit's end and burnout even when you are following your passion but try to remember your why behind the passion.You can follow Jamien's Story at:Instagram / Facebook / HerusStudios.comFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

In this episode, La'Vista Jones shares her journey from a quiet child to a certified coach and podcast host. She discusses her love for conversations and her passion for helping others shift their mindset around work-life balance. La'Vista emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding joy in the work we do to avoid corporate burnout. She also highlights the impact of motherhood on her career and the value of authenticity in her personal brand. La'Vista's story is an inspiration for those seeking to prioritize their well-being while pursuing their professional goals.You will learn:1) The behaviors modeled by leaders set the tone for everyone in the organization.2) You can design your business life to give you flexibility to be where you want to be for yourself and your family.3) Your words have the power to change the world, especially on podcasts.You can follow her story at:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | LaVistaJones.com Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Elaine Lou Cartas, a trauma-informed career and leadership coach, shares her journey from feeling the pressure of fulfilling the American dream as a first-generation immigrant to redefining her own version of success. In her pursuit of success, she recognized the privilege she collected of having choices in her journey. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help and getting a coach to navigate career transitions and make choices aligned with personal goals. Elaine highlights the power of empathy in her coaching practice and the impact of reframing success to focus on creating a legacy. In this conversation, Matt Story and Elaine Lou Cartas discuss the power of stories and their impact on society. They explore how stories have been instrumental in driving change, such as during the civil rights movement. They also discuss the value of sharing ideas and supporting each other's growth.You can follow Elaine's story at:WOC and Allies: Business & Career Realtalk Podcast / ElaineLou.com Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Dee Hall shares her journey from a precocious child to a successful marketing leader with over 20 years of experience. She discusses her childhood, college experience at Spelman, and her career at IBM. Dee also talks about the importance of culture, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. She emphasizes the power of connection and being authentic in the workplace. Dee offers advice for those interested in a similar career path. Throughout the conversation, Dee highlights the importance of asking questions and learning what are the right questions to ask.You will learn:not to forget to elevate yourself while you are elevating others.that if you are in the room that you belong there and should act accordingly.to practice taking action so that it becomes a habit.You can follow Dee's story at:LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Sonia Hunt shares her journey of overcoming severe food allergies and the impact it had on her identity and outlook on life. She discusses the importance of shifting mindset and taking control of one's health. Sonia also explains how she applied her professional acumen to develop systems for her own health and well-being. She now helps marketing leaders thrive by prioritizing their health and well-being. Sonia emphasizes the importance of bringing one's authentic self to work and making tough decisions to stay true to oneself. She encourages listeners to take small actions every day to transform their health and well-being.You will learn:The first step in going for your goals is setting the right mindset.Your work and life can't be fully aligned without taking inventory of your health.Upskilling matters even more as you move into higher positions given the increase in your impact on other's lives. You can follow Sonia's story at:SoniaHunt.com / LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Dre Baldwin shares his journey from playing backyard sports in Philadelphia to becoming a professional basketball player and successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of education and self-improvement, as well as the value of logical thinking and effective communication. Dre discusses his transition to digital content creation and the impact of YouTube on his career. He also highlights the significance of writing and the written word in conveying ideas and building a personal brand. Dre's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning.You will learn: how taking initiative and putting in the work can prepare you for when your number is eventually called literally and figuratively.that building a business requires that you start by building yourself up.that writing can be the most valuable form of communication. You can follow Dre's story at:Instagram / WorkOnYourGameUniversity.com / ThirdDayBook.comFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Kamini Wood, an author, speaker, and certified life coach, shares her journey of finding her authentic self and building a successful coaching business. Growing up as a shy and introverted young person, Kamini learned to fit in by pleasing other people. However, through self-reflection and self-advocacy, she discovered her passion for helping others and created her own path. Kamini emphasizes the importance of self-trust and kindness in owning one's story and offers tips for those on a similar path. You will learn:how to recognize that your uniqueness is your gift to the world. to focus on taking a step in the direction of your ideas and not letting uncertainty stop you from starting.there is not one blueprint and you will always be on a journey of figuring things out. Follow Kamini at:KaminiWood.com / Instagram / FacebookFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Vernon Beckford, CEO of Diversified Lending Solutions, shares his journey from childhood hearing he would do big things to becoming a successful executive in that brought the story to fruition. He discusses the impact of his upbringing, education, and early career experiences on his professional growth. Vernon highlights the importance of connecting with people and building strong relationships throughout his journey as a superpower. He also emphasizes the significance of self-advocacy and the role it played on his way to CEO. He concludes by discussing the transformative effects of husbandhood and fatherhood on his life.You will learn:the power of having a support system that believes in your early on. there is an unlock in recognizing the role you play in the larger story of your ancestors and being able to step into it to bring the story forward to new heights.to benefit from both the internal confidence you develop and the external confidence that those surrounding you provide. You can follow Vernon's story at:LinkedIn / Diversified Lending Solutions Website / Email - Vernon.Beckford@dlsloans.com Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Lamaiya Lancaster, a dancer, choreographer, and adjunct professor, shares her journey and experiences in the world of dance. From her childhood passion for dance to founding the L Theory Collective and starting Soul Flow Yoga, Lamaiya emphasizes the importance of education, community engagement, and authenticity in her work. She discusses the power of dance as a universal language and shares stories of how it has brought people together in surprising ways. Lamaiya also reflects on the impact of finding her tribe and the support she receives in pursuing her dreams. Overall, Lamaiya's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a deep love for dance and community.You will learn:To recognize that it is not that you can't do something but that you might simply do it differently.Dance allows us to engage with others in ways that move beyond words.Finding your tribe provides the support and celebration that enables you to be your authentic yourself.You can follow Lamaiya's story at:L Theory Collective Facebook / Instagram / YoutubeThreeBrothersTheatre.com Soul Flow Yoga Eventbrite / Facebook / Instagram / YoutubeFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Sharon Harris, CEO and founder of the Sharon Harris Collective, shares her journey from a curious and talkative child in Louisiana to becoming a leader in the marketing and digital media industry on this episode of What's Your Story? podcast. She emphasizes the importance of community support and guidance in shaping her path and the value of embracing curiosity and taking risks at each step. Sharon walks through her experiences in investment banking, satellite radio, and digital marketing, highlighting the significance of relationships, trust, and authenticity in her work. She also shares her passion for helping others unlock their superpowers and offers insights into building a successful career.You will learn:the power of following something that sparks your curiosity.that marketers (which we all are given our personal brand) have to continue learning new things every day.finding ways to keep your perspective informed by things outside of the organization helps you see things that could be easily missed remaining inside.You can follow Sharon's story at:LinkedIn Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Wrapping up Season 4 of What's Your Story? with 5 takeaways and 5 predictions based on the 45 episodes of amazing stories shared with us. This season was filled with milestones from passing 100 total episodes to the most downloads of the pod for any season. While we celebrate the end of this season, we are already at work preparing for Season 5 (kicking off in January). 5 TakeawaysYour greatest obstacle can often be your greatest gift - Missy Toy Ozeas - Ep 11Importance of separating scary from dangerous in your career decision making - Nathalie Walton - Ep 18Make sure you have a seat at the right table - Lindrea Reynolds - Ep 26Asking is your vision big enough - Bennie Fowler - Ep 32Get the win on your terms - Alice Sesay Pope - Ep 425 PredictionsBeing able to tell your story will no longer be a nice to have. Those that have spent the time creating their narrative to share with others will set themselves apart. Society will follow in the footsteps of many leaders and begin redefining success. The stories we read and look different in 2024 when describing someone that has become successful.Related to this, we will start to see words like boss and manager decrease in usage in place for leader, coach and guide. Upcoming talent (and existing talent) is not looking to be boss'd or managed.All generations will begin to adopt the portfolio career approach. It could be taking on multiple different roles at the same time or transitioning from one expertise to another in place of spending 40 years in one industry. Work will dramatically change for all of us.Leaders will include their boundaries as a key component of their goals. It will define the terms with which they are comfortable winning.Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

In this episode, Jaia Thomas, a sports and entertainment attorney and advocate for diversity and representation, shares her journey and how her background led her to refine her unique ability of finding solutions to problems. She discusses her early life, career aspirations, and the influence of her community, as well as her decision to focus on sports and entertainment law. She shares the inspiration behind creating Diverse Representation and the impact it has had in increasing representation of African-American attorneys, agents, managers and publicists working in the sports and entertainment industry. Jaia also discusses the importance of self-advocacy and bringing her authentic self into her work. You will learn:1) the power of inspiring and connecting with others through development of your soft skills.2) to find the sweet spot in solving problems that you are uniquely qualified to answer.3) there is not one single finite blueprint to follow in becoming successful.You can follow Jaia's story at:LinkedIn / IG / Twitter / Diverse Representation LinkedIn / Diverse Representation IGFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Valerie Rainford, a trailblazing executive and entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey in financial services and her mission to advance diversity and inclusion. From her childhood experiences to her career achievements, Valerie emphasizes the importance of authenticity, resilience, and embracing opportunities. She discusses the impact of her upbringing on her skills and mindset, as well as the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Valerie also highlights the significance of her firm, Elloree Talent Strategies, and her commitment to making a positive impact. Through her story, Valerie encourages others to discover their purpose and unlock options so that they have freedom by never feeling stuck. You will learn:That you often discover what you like in life by finding what you don't like.Freedom is found through having multiple options and avoids the feeling of being stuck.You can bring others closer to you by simply sharing what motivates you.You can follow Valerie's story at:LinkedIn / Instagram Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

LaMecia Butler has collected a number of experiences in different industries throughout her journey. The consistent theme has been her ability to always go for what she wanted though. It likely is thanks to her parents encouragement for her to ask question. As she's gained more experience, she's been able to act as a bridge to help her local communities thrive.Listen to her story to hear how she navigated having to decide if she would use her real name during her job searches to get opportunities.You will learn:how to not only ask questions but develop the skills to find the answers to those questions.importance of finding the heart beat of an organization as you enter it.to only seek places where you don't have to leave parts of you at home, including your name.You can follow LaMecia's story at:LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Alice Sesay Pope, Vice President, Global Device, Digital and Alexa Support at Amazon, has a proven track record of being successful. She has really set herself apart as she discovered how to not only win but to win on her terms. This includes using her superpower of delivering results in a way where people at all levels feel good about it. All that said, her journey has not been easy as she has sought to overcome challenges and inaccurate narratives about her skillset and capabilities. Listen to this episode to hear how she has remained a curious learner that continues to mature as a leader despite a wealth of experience driving transformation in larger organizations.You will learn:the importance of having a foundation of confidence built by your family and community celebrating you early in life to take on the challenges of future environments where that isn't the case.to evaluate whether your involvement in effforts is worth it before saying yes or no in personal and professional endeavors.that you can get the win on your terms.Follow more of Alice's story at:LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Rishad Tobaccowala wears multiple hats including author, speaker, teacher and advisor. With over four decades of experience helping people, teams and organizations reinvent themselves, he has a wealth of knowledge on brand building, leadership and innovation. What is most impressive isn't that he is willing to share that knowledge for free via a number of platforms BUT that he continues to be curious and learn about the evolving landscape of brands, technology and people. This discussion with him to learn about his journey is jam packed with insights that will benefit you no matter your role or tenure. Listen to this episode to learn how Rishad developed his superpower of reinvention.You will learn:how connecting dots in new ways can be your competitive advantage.to expand your skillset operating as a company of one while being successful thinking about the company of others. the current de-bossification of the workplace requires leaders to be able to build, make or create in order to deliver value to organizations and team members.You can follow Rishad's story at:Rishad's Substack / Rishad's Top 100 pieces curatedFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Dr. Joel A Brown Davis, Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, has never been able to take things at face value and therefore kept a curious mindset as he has navigated his journey. Growing up, the world didn't seem to fit him so it led him to question almost everything around him. His path led him becoming a lawyer where he came to realize the structure of practicing law did not align with how he wanted to use his talents. He made the decision to design his life around his larger calling and to be in communities that affirmed him. And the rest has been history in the making.Listen to his story to hear how Joel goes about doing things that he loves no matter if anyone else is there to support it or not. You will learn:When you don't have the right answers in front of you just take a step in the direction that feels right.That who you are should be your favorite topic and therefore you need to know who you are.Your talents aren't the same as your calling and seeking your calling will attract your community to you.Follow Joel's story at:JoelDavisBrown.com / Pneumos.com / IG / LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Faisal Bhutto, SVP of Cloud and Cybersecurity at Cailan IT and Cyber Solutions,  learned at an early age that he had a lot of capacity to absorb and do things. This superpower combined with a constant desire to learn and understand to not become complacent helped set him up for a great career on the cutting edge of the tech industry. In a tech world that changes by the moment, he has navigated with both a student and an educator modes activated to provide value while not assuming he knows it all. Listen to Faisal's full story to learn how he has approached being an ally through being his authentic self. You will learn:to set a life standard that creates competition with yourself.as a leader, no work is small work.to enjoy the present, learn from the past and know the future is going to be better.You can follow his story at:LinkedIn / X (Twitter)Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Ana Flores, Founder & Co-CEO of #WeAllGrow Latina, grew up with the benefit of bi-cultural knowledge. It has helped her build supportive communities throughout her journey and enhance of superpower of connecting people as a bridge. While she is still working on her initial dream of working with Oprah, she has created an outsized impact for others across a number of different roles, responsibilities and organizations.List to her story to learn how she built her intuition and view of limitless possibilities in our world. You will learn:to prioritize getting yourself in the room and providing value.that you can find your purpose through helping others.to validate and follow your intuition.  You can follow Ana's story at:Ana IG / #WeAllGrow IG / WeAllGrow TikTok / AmigaHood AppFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Aaron Walton, CEO & Founder of Walton Isaacson, has witnessed and created spectacular moments throughout his journey. From starting his career at Pepsi going on tour with Michael Jackson to helping Lexus partner with The Black Panther movie, he has used his diversity of experiences to blaze a advertising hall of fame path. He continues to use his superpower of listening to help his teams and clients tap into culture to better connect us all. Listen to his story to hear his approach to building the most interesting advertising agency ever.You will learn:that honing your craft through vision, focus and repetition can create spectacular moments.collisions (or conflict) can push you out of the status quo.receiving recognitions is less about what you have done and more about the responsibility you have to pay it forward.You can follow Aaron's story at:WaltonIsaacson.com / LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Lionel Foster, Investor at Camber Creek,  believes he is defined by the triumphs, joys and struggles of the lower income and working class Black people of his hometown, Baltimore. The love that surrounded him in his community made him feel there was nothing he couldn't accomplish. He put this to the test as he has accomplished so much throughout his journey to become a reporter then communications director and now investor. He also utilized his experience and community built attending great institutions, like Johns Hopkins University & Georgetown Law, to develop his superpower of helping people be seen.Listen to his story to hear how he seeks to close the gaps that others have helped him cross. Three things you will learn:you can create opportunities for others to help you when you position them in your story as a co-star.that having trustworthy people in your circle who see the superpowers in us helps us build confidence in our ability to see and use them.to find ways to build on the legacy of the institutions and people that have helped us develop.You can follow Lionel's story at:LinkedIn / TheBaldwinPrize.orgFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Corissa Hernandez wears a lot of hats as the co-founder and visionary of Legacy Full Circle Financial & Insurance Services, The Empire Tavern, House of Xelas, and Nativo HLP. However, she consistently creates impact and uplifts her community no matter the role she is playing. She credits her success to having parents that built a strong sense of pride in being from Mexico and allowing life to guide her to where she was supposed to be even if it wasn't in her plan. Throughout her journey, she has felt a responsibility to pave the way for those in her community to have resources and information needed to thrive as entrepreneurs. Listen to her story to be inspired by someone who has turned their passion into a superpower that helps overcome all challenges. You will learn:Pivoting is a skill you can build which will help you no matter where your journey takes you.A morning routine that you are able to follow consistently can set you up for success each day.Finding your authentic lane will help you to stand out and makes it easier for your tribe to find you.You can follow Corissa's story at:IG / CorissaHernandez.comFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Anthony Ware, Mental Wealth Strategist, is on a mission to help underestimated entrepreneurs and professionals build mental wealth, trust themselves, and make better decisions for their lives and businesses. He recognizes that we all have mental health from the time we are born and the state of it changes as we move through life. Through his collection of diverse experiences as an entrepreneur, he has developed a deep level of empathy and grace which he brings to his practice. Listen to his story to hear how his upbringing in the Midwest showed him he could be whatever he wanted to be. You will learn: being a demographer can help you figure out any business that you want to get into through better understanding humanity.everyone is running their own race but none of us are running alone. to achieve mental wealth by thinking long term, executing in the short term and giving yourself grace along the way.Connect with Anthony at:MentalWealthDeposit.com / IG / Twitter /  LinkedIn Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Maria Medrano, Co-founder and CEO of Inspirame,  has been a pioneer since she was a little girl. As the first in her family to go to high school, college, graduate school and the corporate world, she felt the responsibility to share back with her family and community what she learned and what she was able to do to show them what was possible. She is now continuing that pioneer spirit as she has set out demystify what college means for the most vulnerable populations. Listen to her story to hear how she uses her privilege to help others see their own.You will learn:it is important to challenge your own perceptions that are based on identity given what you have seen.the role we play in our families gives us experience that create transferrable skills for the work we do.that giving yourself a timeline when making a decision can lower the risk.You can follow Maria's story at:LinkedIn / Inspirame LinkedIn / TecoGuide.com / Instagram / TikTokFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Bennie Fowler has been successful in a variety of different roles throughout his journey. From Super Bowl Champion to Author to Venture Partner, he has created a vision and sought to execute in partnership with his teammates. In our conversation, he how he develops trust with his teammates that ultimately led him to  catching NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's last pass for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Listen to his story to hear his lessons learned and how he uses his superpower of making people feel seen.You will learn:to ask if your vision is big enough.having people that provide guidance that unlocks opportunities that you may not see on your own.having a field purpose for every day actions that lead you to your larger purpose.You can follow Bennie's story at:LinkedIn / InstagramFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Since she was a little girl, Dr. Viviana Coles has always had her superpower of being confident. She combined that with a curiosity for psychology, sociology and eventually intimacy to become nationally recognized marriage and sex therapist that was featured on the hit show Married at First Sight. She's also found ways to increase her impact as an author, speaker and more recently matchmaker. Her success can be attributed to the loving support of her family, desire to collect tools that help her provide value and intention to ensure she is having fun. Listen to her story to learn how she's been able to remain the same person throughout the ups and downs of her journey.You will learn:to find comfort in sharing your story as you are uniquely qualified to tell it.to find ways to invest in your future ideas and self. that you may not be for everyone and that is ok. You can follow Dr. Viviana's story at:DoctorViviana.com / Instagram / TikTok / Twitter Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Victoria Tollossa, Founder & CEO of Illume, could be found trying to monetize her ideas as early as being 7 years old. Her journey from growing up as the one of the few kids of color in Ukraine to starting a career in the music industry has helped her with being comfortable in environments where she doesn't know anyone. Along the way, she recognized the power of developing and using storytelling to build a strong personal brand. She's now using her unique experiences to help entrepreneurs and executives stand out through their personal stories. Check out our full conversation to hear how Whitney Houston inspired her to literally find her voice.You will learn:to prioritize life in your journey and it will all work out in the end.it can be just as important to find out what you don't want as what you do want.to be strategic in the stories you tell to build your brand.You can follow Victoria's story on:LinkedIn Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Shama Hyder, Founder & CEO of Zen Media, has been curious and undaunted since she was a kid. She recalled always having a plan and being busy even as a 7 year old. Those traits and her early understanding of social media helped her blaze a trail of entrepreneurship and innovation. She uses her superpowers of seeing what is next and connecting dots to help leaders grow brands through sales-enabled PR strategies. Listen to this episode to not only hear of her amazing breakthroughs and accolades collected but to learn from her been throughs of breaking into the agency world out of necessity. You will learn:that the novelty of the internet has work off and people now consumer publicly but share privately.that writing comes from a place of need and providing resources that you wish you had. not to care about fitting in and using that freedom to define your own path. Follow Shama's Story at:ZenMedia.com / LinkedInFollow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Sandra Hunter, Founder & CEO of Wild Women Leaders of Color, faced challenges learning about her history. Like many of us, her story is a mixture of different cultures from colonizers to those they colonized. This combination of contradictions on the surface required her to find compassion for herself in her story. She's is now helping others do that and find a sense of grounding by connecting to their ancestors. This discussion is filled with a lot of lessons from Sandra's experiences that all of us can apply in our daily lives.You will learn:We are all a combination of contradictions at some level and we have to give ourselves compassion to be ok with that so that we are able to heal through our story.To seek ways to de-stress as you can't help others fully if you are in your own world of stress.That we should prepare to deal with failure by developing the tools to fail because failure is required to ultimately succeed.You can follow Sandra's story at:LinkedIn / WildWomenLeadersOfColor.com Follow the pod: IG - https://www.instagram.com/podwhatsyourstory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@podwhatsyourstory Twitter - https://twitter.com/PodWhatsYourSto Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Frances West has followed her superpower of curiosity and love to pave a remarkable journey so far. From coming to the US as an exchange student in an all male school to becoming first ever IBM's Chief Accessibility Officer, Frances is a trailblazer. She's remained focus on the outcomes she's looking to deliver to find the path that maybe didn't exist before her. After graduating from IBM after a 37 year career, she's in her next season helping global clients execute transformative initiatives. Listen to her story to hear how she guides organizations to drive innovation through authentic inclusion.You will learn: having an intentional focus on outcomes can take "no's" from yourself and others off the table.that we all need to take time to think about who we are and what we want to say.to seek to be patient with other people's emotions especially when they don't align to how you would feel.You can follow Frances' story at:LinkedIn / FrancesWest.co / TwitterFollow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Lindrea Reynolds, founder and brand strategist, believes that marketers can develop their brands while driving social good.  She benefited from her family, community and mentors investing in her through her journey to becoming a leading brand strategist. She must have taken great notes as she is now helping her clients and our industry understand and communicate their value effectively. Listen to her story to hear the examples of being given opportunities you weren't ready for and also seeking out opportunities you weren't receiving. You will learn:having a seat at a table is not enough as you can sometimes be sitting at the wrong table.you only control how you respond to what other say about you.seek out ways to extend your capabilities beyond your current job to continue growing. You can follow Lindrea's story at:LinkedIn / LindreaReynolds.comFollow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Charlene Li has spent her career constantly reinventing but this is by design as she has focused on what's new, what's different and what's she's curious about throughout. You can trace this back to her childhood were she was very curious as witnessed by her spending the summer following 4th grade reading the entire encyclopedia. However, she did recognize that as an Asian women in business, she would have to go to places that others wouldn't want to go. This became a competitive advantage for overtime her as she found her purpose to catalyze transformation that maximizes human potential. Listen to this episode to hear more about her story and how we might all learn how to thrive through change.What you will learn:to think about your career in rolling 18 month increments to focus you on what you can affect in the near term and give flexibility for opportunities in the longer term.the importance of seeking to be a leader by focusing on the change you can directly impact and don't need permission to achieve.to become more comfortable being uncomfortable through regularly seeking adventure in your daily regimen and running experiments to learn new things.Follow Charlene's story at:LinkedIn / CharleneLi.com Follow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Glenn Sandifer has discovered that what makes you successful in your career can at times be in conflict with what it takes to be successful in your relationships. He pulls from his first hand experience to give insights on how to effectively navigate this in his book, The Middle Ground. But author is only one of the hats that Glenn wears. He's also a strategist, executive, husband and father. The one thing that was consistent throughout our discussion is how he approaches all of those with a spirt of graciousness. Listen to our conversation to hear more about Glenn's journey.You will learn: that figuring out how to sell through telling your story can help you as a sales leader and beyond.making decisions based on the life you want to live in the future will help you more than deciding based on where you have been previously or even today.that being a leader is a privilege that allows you to not only impact individuals but to impact households.You can follow Glenn's Story at:TheMiddleGroundBook.com / Facebook / TikTok / YouTube / IGBuy his book at: AmazonFollow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory

Cari Gushiken is a dynamic storyteller thanks to her early time being surround by all things creative and understanding it was important to tap into what you love, are good at and have a passion to explore. Lucky for us and a number of tech companies like Adobe, Visa and Workday, she has tapped into her superpower of human connection to build communications that spark hyper growth and navigate transitions. Throughout her journey, it has always been important that she be seen as an individual and not a pre-conceived stereotype of Asian American Women. Her journey is filled with lots of inspiration on creativity, connection and community.You will learn:that you have to remember we are all humans working with other humans.the significance of being able to see your kids' eyes light up when you walk in the room.not to define yourself by your job or title no matter how passionate you are about it.You can follow Cari's story at:LinkedInFollow my story: Main site - https://www.mattestory.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattestory/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/mattestory/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattestory Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattestory