Podcasts about 501c

On this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Johanna Holling, volunteer relations program manager at National Invest Program, hosts a conversation about attracting young talent to the insurance industry with Ashley Engl, business development manager at Jencap, and Hal Soden, Jr., principal and risk management advisor at Oliver L.E. Soden Agency Corp. Together, they discuss what Invest is, how they got involved with the program and how it can help attract more talent to the insurance industry. "I think a lot of it is the image that we put out there, and the content that either resides on your company's website or your social media", Engl says. “That's where they're looking for roles. They're trying to get a picture of what this job looks like.” Also, it's about “educating the general public on careers and insurance,” Engl continues. “If someone is looking to hire people, you want to showcase that they can make a career at your agency or your company, so find ways to communicate that." Over the past year, Invest has collaborated with DECA—a 75-year-old organization dedicated to preparing young leaders for business and entrepreneurial careers. Invest has introduced insurance education to DECA through classroom connections, corporate challenges and insurance volunteers. There are also numerous opportunities to volunteer at Deca events, such as being a judge at a competition, representing Invest at a booth and participating in insurance career panels. To learn more about volunteering, please visit investprogram.org/volunteer. If you are unable to volunteer, but would still like to contribute to the program, you can use the donation button as Invest is a 501C. Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success, and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, "Rogue Speak."This week's message: I'm a Libertarian. I Like Smaller Government.

Episode 272: Overcommitting begins one "yes" at a time -- until you have said yes SO many times you run out of hours in the day. This is especially dangerous if you are overcommitting to volunteering. Whenever we volunteer, that is time taken from family, friends, and personal pursuits but it impacts our work too if we burn out. This week, I spoke with Kelsey Casselbury, PCM, CDMP of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) about the lessons she has learned from her own experiences volunteering. She learned quite a lot when she agreed to be the chief volunteer leader of TWO nonprofit organizations during the 2020 lockdown. And yes, both organizations relied on in-person events for revenue. Are you gasping yet? Kelsey also shares her advice from the staff perspective about helping our organization's volunteers have a balanced schedule of volunteering. You don't want to miss this one! What are your challenges with commitments? Share a comment!

SPECIAL EDITION! I talked with Scott Hodge, Tax and Fiscal Policy Fellow at Arnold Ventures, about his white paper: "Reining in America's $3.3 Trillion Tax-Exempt Economy." Listen. We all need to reassess the nonprofit status and its misuse and far-reaching impact. He wrote it while at the Tax Foundation; go to taxfoundation.org to get your copy. Read it. Mark it up. Think about it.

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. This week's topic: Greenland and (not so) Best practices

Episode 271: One of my favorite guests, Carl Weaver, is back and he has brought a doozy of a question: How are Associations like the "Planet of the Apes?" We do our best to answer this question but, as we often do, we get distracted by our curious minds and the marketplace of ideas! We talk about associations, confusion of purpose, tiered societies, the history of certain behaviors, knowing the "why" of things like budget line items, the evolution of societies, good and bad tension in organizations, and of course, books! If you like to meander through the world of ideas, join us for this virtual walk as we look at connections differently and do some name dropping. Get to know us better too! What do you think associations have in common with science fiction? Share a comment!

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, "Rogue Speak." This week's topic: Dear President Trump - A Letter about DEI and the Greatness of America

Episode 270: this episode is supported by USAE News - the paper that covers all the news about associations and conferences! This week I spoke with Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility, a company that works with destinations to help make travel and conferences better experiences for those with disabilities. TravelAbility offers a variety of resources and programs to help any organization improve their support for attendees with disabilities. Jake shares his insights on travel and some great examples about the many details we may overlook when it comes to accommodations. However you interact with the meeting industry, you don't want to miss this important conversation about improving experiences for everyone. What questions do you have about supporting those with disabilities? Share a comment!

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter Rogue Speak . This week's topic: Discussion, Division, and the Dark Legacy of the Tennis Court

Episode 269: Inclusive Communications help to create meaningful connections -- how can we do this effectively? That's what Jerrica Thurman, CAE, President and CEO of Elation Communications, is here to talk about! Jerrica shares how her interest in inclusive communications started, her framework for inclusive communications, and her commitment to building awareness of this practice. It's all about recognizing and appreciating our differences and finding common ground for conversation. We discuss compassion, empathy, and how the power of a question should not be underestimated. What would you like to know about inclusive communications? Share a comment!

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting weekly e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. See other articles on the website: www.roguetulips.com

Episode 268: We kick off Season 7 with first time guest and friend Wendy Kavanagh, CAE! Wendy is an experienced association CEO and is a leader that never gets stuck in a rut. She shares her experiences working with volunteers across her association and with external partners to bring programs to life that enhance the experiences of the association's members. Building relationships, sharing knowledge, and bringing ideas into reality is what Wendy enjoys the most, and she shares tips and insights into how she has evolved as a leader. We have a lot of fun in this episode so you don't want to miss it! What would you like to do better to increase volunteer engagement? Share a comment!

In this episode Karl & Vinnie present their picks for the biggest creeps of 2024: On Karl's cop cam we meet a drunk woman dressed like a cow who refused to Mooo-ve (get it?): The Scum Parade features a lazy FedEx delivery driver, a guy who had a little too much fun at mass and a set of parents who don't like a bragger The score is currently Vinnie 2 - Karl 2, visit thecreepoff.com to vote and decide this week's winnerCheck out the Scum Parade stories: Want to support the show? Find us on Patreon, Supercast & Backed.by to get exclusive merch an extra bonus episode every week! FedEx Contract Worker Arrested After Allegedly Dumping Undelivered Packages In WoodsMan poured whiskey into church holy water during mass: CopsTexas woman allegedly flushed fetus down toilet in Whataburger bathroomMan accused of rape in Covington allegedly sent mother photos of sexual acts with daughterDon't forget you can leave us a voicemail at 585-371-8108You can follow our Results girl Danni on Instagram @Danni_Desolation

Episode 267: As we near the end of 2024, we all consider what we might want to do differently in the new year. Many of us want to be more present and less distracted, especially when we are with other people. But how can we do that? Cue my returning guest, Kevin Tuuaga, Vice President of Education at LeadingAge CA. He brings his expertise in events to this conversation as well as his attitude of gratitude. Kevin shares advice about why being present matters, supporting and showing gratitude to vendors and sponsors, tips for being in the moment at events, and the ripple effect of engagement. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation about really being there. What helps you be present in the moment? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter Rogue Speak. This week's topic: Achieving a Life-Long Goal Feels Great! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 266: Have you ever thought about writing a book? Me too! I finally did with the support and guidance of my guest, Carl Weaver, CAE, President of Broken Column Press. An author himself, Carl shares his insights on creating space to write, how writing a book demonstrates your expertise and can broaden your clientele, and how it boosts your image. We also have our usual fun side conversations, like how are Associations like the story, "Planet of the Apes"? If you want to learn more about ideation to publication you don't want to miss this one! What keeps you from writing? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. This week's topic: AWTC Does it Again! Advance Conference is a Hit! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 265: When things change too fast for us to keep up, and it seems like the things that made sense are gone, it can be frightening. In a novel of an incredibly disruptive time, the French Revolution, Charles Dickens wrote "A Tale of Two Cities," and he started the story with: "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." It is a story of disruption -- just like the era in which we live today. The 21st century is just about 25 years old -- it's time to change the way you lead. How can we do our best in a changing world? In this episode, I talk with Michael Butera of Association Activision and Cheryl Ronk, CAE, of SoRight LLC about the importance of Adaptive Leadership and how it helps you Define Your Impact. We discuss purposeful evolution in real time, intentional agility in a disruptive environment, and making the most of the patterns and differences affecting your organization. We all agree that adaptation is the new super power! What do you think? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 264: Did you know there is something out there holding people back? It's called The Bamboo Ceiling and it affects people of Asian descent. My guest, Khánh Vũ, CEO of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), explains what it is, who it affects, and why we need to be aware of it. The Bamboo Ceiling can prevent your team members from achieving their potential and it can deprive them of opportunities to develop their leadership skills. Understanding culture and adopting different ways of interacting with your team can break down stereotypes and help your entire team overcome challenges. This is an insightful and fun conversation about breaking down barriers to understanding. How do you address The Bamboo Ceiling? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads here weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, "Rogue Speak." This week's topic: The Problem with Giving Credit Where It's Due --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 263 is Supported by USAE News! Organizations can communicate success in many ways but do you think about winning awards as a way to do it? Well my guest, Owen Kavanagh of Kavanagh Solutions, has some great advice and insights on how to raise awareness of your group by promoting your wins! Not only do awards showcase the outstanding work you are doing, it demonstrates the value of belonging to the group to your members. Owen shares how to better leverage your own award programs that recognize your members and others in your profession or industry. Our conversation reviews Fellows programs and how these recognize the many people that contribute to your organization's success. Share the wealth when it comes to sharing the credit! We cover a lot when it comes to recognition including Proclamations. Hear ye hear ye -- don't miss this episode! What do you think about awards programs? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, "Rogue Speak." This week's topic: Mark Your Calendar! My First Book Publishes Nov. 22, 204 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 262: Storytelling is the best way to communicate messages and to let our audience get to know us. This is key for nonprofits whether you are an association, a charity, a foundation or other 501c type. The Ellipsis Production crew is back to share their insights and experience on Documentary Style Storytelling! Cameron Gordon and Cora Hankey walk us through the entire process from developing questions, interview techniques, letting voices be heard, and helping people tell their story in their own words. Cam and Cora tell us how to make anyone comfortable on camera so that their passion can shine through! What sort of documentary would you like to make? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, "Rogue Speak." This week's topic: Invitation only - Then Why Join? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 261: Technology is supposed to make our work easier but we are not always smarter about how we work. IT expert Brian Scott of Clear Tone Consulting is back for another fun discussion on technology for associations and this time we are talking Automation. To have a solid tech stack that serves the needs of the organization we need to practice system oversight and conscious decision making. However, it's people using those tech stacks so we need to be aware of Shadow IT, aging systems, technical debt, process debt, and Oompa Loompas driving Bentleys. That last phrase relates to artificial intelligence - find out how by listening to this conversation that will help you de-stress when it comes to your system management! What gets in the way of you working smarter? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. This week's topic: Don't Write a Sucky RFP. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 260: Last fall, Sandra Nam of Qiqo Chat joined me to discuss Adventures in Community. Now she's back to give us an update on what came out of those adventures: Association Marketplace! Sandra shares how it started, where it is now, and the future they are building to support everyone in the association community. Rogue Tulips Consulting has a page -- you should too! From their news stream of podcasts and newsletters to offering real-time virtual meetings, Association Marketplace is creating connection and community all in one place. What do you look for in online communities? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. This topic: Should You Follow the Rules? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 259: This episode supported by USAE News! Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to spread throughout our global technology ecosystem -- but laws are not catching up with this fast-moving tech. My guest, Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union, works on these issues with his global colleagues. He shares his insights on development of internal guidelines and policies, the IRS and its implementation of AI, and how governments in other parts of the world are working to manage AI and its implications. We talk about regulatory sandboxes, cautionary tales, and discuss whether people are getting lazier. Whatever you think about AI it's here to stay -- this conversation will help you put it all in perspective. What bothers you about government regulation of AI? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

The author reads her weekly message from the Rogue Tulips Consulting e-newsletter, Rogue Speak. This week's topic: "It's Too Staff Intensive": Really? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

Episode 258: October is Dwarfism Awareness Month and I invited back Samyuktha Neeraja, MPH, CAE, to discuss what's it like living with this particular disability. Earlier in 2024, she shared her DEI story. In this episode, she continues her story talking about how Advocacy and Allyship are important in her personal experience. Samyuktha explains dwarfism and how it is different for everyone who has it, and we learn from her the types of accommodations that help her experience life independently. She shares her experiences as a child and her experiences as an adult who is sometimes mistaken for a child. It can be exhausting but having friends and family who advocate for her and support her makes the difference. She shares that allyship throughout her life has built her confidence and contributed to her becoming an advocate for herself and others. We also talk about attending conferences and what might make this easier for more people to participate. Samyuktha is always inspiring -- her insights will lift you up and show you that you can be an ally too! How are you an ally to those who need support? Share a comment! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cecilia-sepp/support

[00:01:07] Dianne Ogle: I had my first child in Texas and I was working for a corporation running their marketing department. And I had to put my oldest son in with a lady who had a small group of children in her home. And every day I'd go get him. I would see him in a swing. And I told my husband, I cannot do this. I feel like I couldn't run this marketing department yet. I want to have more of an impact on my own son. And so, my boss said, great. She said go start your own business, figure out what that looks like. And I'll be your first client. And I thought, oh my goodness, how am I going to do this? [00:01:47] Tommy Thomas: Our guest today is Dianne Ogle. Dianne began her career in sales and marketing before making a name for herself as a leader who could grow organizations and identify trouble spots and bottlenecks that tended to enter an organization's growth and effectiveness. As a prominent figure in the Executive Women of Influence Network, Diana has dedicated her career to empowering women in leadership roles across various industry sectors. Her leadership experience spans leadership development, team dynamics, and organizational strategy, thus making her a sought-after advisor and coach. Her impact is widely recognized, and she continues to inspire and support women in their professional journeys, helping them to navigate the complexities of leadership and achieve sustained success. [00:02:38] Tommy Thomas: Dianne, welcome to NextGen Nonprofit Leadership. [00:02:41] Dianne Ogle: Thank you for having me, Tommy. I'm excited to be here with you. [00:02:45] Tommy Thomas: I've been looking forward to this. You come with good recommendations from one of my previous guests and one of my future guests. I'm looking forward to this. Take me back to your childhood. What was that like? What are some of your fondest memories? [00:02:59] Dianne Ogle: I grew up in the Midwest. I was born in Colorado but grew up in Indiana with a high work ethic, middle class. Early on, my parents took us to a church that didn't really preach the gospel as far as what the Bible taught. And one summer when I was 11, my mom took us to a local Baptist church that had VBS. That was the first time both my mom and I heard the gospel. And she became a Christian with the mother's group that they had. And then I did shortly thereafter and so it was a beautiful place to grow up and go to college. And we lived on the baseball field because I had a brother who played baseball up until minor leagues. And so, there were three of us. I was the oldest of three. So, it was just a great way to grow up in the Midwest. [00:03:57] Tommy Thomas: So, what was high school like? [00:03:57] Dianne Ogle: I had to change high schools in my junior year.  I went to one school in Indianapolis from kindergarten until my sophomore year. And then my parents went north of Indianapolis. And at the time it was a really rural area in Fishers, Indiana, which now it's like the largest high school. But back when I transferred, it was farm kids and I was the city girl moving out into the farm kids and I went kicking and screaming. That was not a good transition for me, but the Lord's hand was in it even then. I had to take the driver's ed course and I had the athletic director who was a tough football coach, and my dad was a barker, so he didn't intimidate me, but he quickly got me involved and got me to be a stat girl because my brothers were athletes. [00:04:58] Dianne Ogle: And he taught me to do the statistics for football, basketball, and track. And so, it was a great entry into a smaller school that was very established with kids who had been growing up together. And then I got a chance to be in musicals and got to play in Annie Get Your Gun. So, it was just a fun, great group.   [00:05:22] Tommy Thomas: What kind of career aspirations did a young 16-year-old Dianne have? [00:05:29] Dianne Ogle: I had a lot of parents thinking I should go to California to go into acting. I had a lot of common sense of knowing the value of a dollar. Because I was raised that if you wanted extra money, you had to work. So, I started working as a babysitter at age 11, got my first job at 15. I bought furniture, I bought my car. And so, I had a really deep, intrinsic work value at a very young age. And I didn't have a lot of role models of women. Unless you wanted to be a teacher or a nurse, there was not a lot of women, at least in my little world view at that time in the Midwest. [00:06:06] Dianne Ogle: Mom stayed at home with us. Now I knew she had worked at the Air Force Academy back when she was single in finance but other than that, I didn't have a lot of visual people ahead of me that I could see. Now my dad was in business. And so that's started me out in that track of well, maybe that's what I'll tip my toe into. [00:06:29] Tommy Thomas: What's something that people are always surprised to find out about you? [00:06:35] Dianne Ogle: They are probably surprised that I come from all brothers, that I was raised on a baseball field, that I love sports, and I can talk with the best of them about many sports. And now I have three boys, and I've got a grandson. And so, Boys-R-Us is what we call ourselves. And I now have two granddaughters. Yay, I've been redeemed. But it's interesting because now the Lord has had me working with mostly all women. So, it's interesting. I was raised with mostly all men and then God's used it to now have me work with women. So it's been a sweet time. ++++++++++++++++ [00:07:10] Tommy Thomas:   You graduated from college, and you got out in the workforce. Take me back to the first time you ever had a staff. And what do you remember about that element of basic leadership? [00:07:23] Dianne Ogle: I started my career in Indianapolis at a computer software company.  And then about a year and a half in, I was working in Pittsburgh running a sales territory and their president's club, only women. So, I learned really young about being the only woman in a whole salesforce and I didn't see any women ahead of me. And then I was tapped in Pittsburgh to come to central Florida and open an office for a temporary help company, which is in your industry. I didn't have any experience in it, but I thought I would just go down there. And that really was my first hand at leadership because before that, as you can imagine, I'm in charge of a sales territory and my clients and peers, but I wasn't having anybody that I was personally in charge of leading until I moved to Florida, had to launch this office. [00:08:19] Dianne Ogle: This was back in the early eighties and I had it doing over a million dollars in annual revenue within three years and they eventually had me take over Tampa and then do trap troubleshooting up here in Atlanta where I'm at. But yeah, that was the first time I got inherited by a staff, but then I had to build staff. I had to train them both inside sales and outside sales and didn't get a lot of training. It was just let's go do it. I really did it based on my own values on what I saw worked. I have a high work ethic and integrity is huge for me. And so being able to just navigate that was really important for me. [00:09:05] Tommy Thomas: If I could have shadowed you earlier at that time, as you were building that team, what would the typical weekday or month look like? Dianne Ogle: I started out with team meetings, daily team meetings, especially for my internal staff, of course that was back before computers. And so, everything was on these huge Rolodex clocks and these files that were flipping around and we had clients, we had built it to Martin Marietta and law firms and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. We were considered a little bit higher level administrative, so we didn't do lower and then we did some permanent placement. We would start off our day on just trying to get our grounding. Who was going to do what and what was coming up. Because every morning you had either calls coming in from clients or you had employees that either could or could not make their commitment, which was always a challenge. And then my sales staff, who are you going to visit? What appointments do you have? What do you need? How can I come alongside you? Do you want me to go with you? And so just that constant motivation and help to make sure that they were adhering to what we needed the office to do. [00:10:24] Tommy Thomas: If I could have been in one of your staff meetings and you took a break and left the room and I asked them, what's the toughest thing about working for Dianne? What do you think they would have said? [00:10:35] Dianne Ogle: Probably just adhering to their commitment to their numbers and even if the climate is tough, and it is hard with rejections, especially my sales team. But having to get back on the phone or having to try to get back in front of people, which is, like I said, we didn't have computers. So, all of it was either you had to just do cold calling. Knock on those old doors, which I got kicked out of some buildings early in my career, but you just had to have that tenacity and not every day is that easy. And so that's probably what they would say is that, boy, she's going to keep making us get up and go back out and try to call that person again and try to see them. Because we found that the more we could see people in person and have that face to face, the stronger that trust bridge and relationship could happen. [00:11:28] Dianne Ogle: And then we can not only help navigate any kind of problems or issues, but we have a chance to grow together. And so, we all knew, and that's what I kept telling all our team, both internal and external. We've got to be able to find ways to get in front of them to build those relationships. [00:11:46] Tommy Thomas: If I flip that, what would they say was the most rewarding part of being on your team? [00:11:51] Dianne Ogle: Probably their autonomy. I'm not a micromanager. And so, if they wanted to do their schedule a certain way, I wasn't going to micromanage how they did it. I always want to just come alongside to encourage and spur them on and help to motivate them for their highest and best. And quite frankly, it's tough every day, whether you're going through something personal, cause we're all whole people, right? [00:12:15] Dianne Ogle: And how we show up each day can change based on other areas of our life that could be impacting us. And so just helping to navigate that I care deeply about not only today working with my C level clients, but also back then. We are real people. We have real issues. And so how can we be there to support each other? [00:12:38] Tommy Thomas: You started out not having many mentors. When did mentors show up in your life? [00:12:45] Dianne Ogle: Once I asked. [00:12:47] Tommy Thomas: Okay. [00:12:48] Dianne Ogle:  I had my first child in Texas, and I was working for a corporation running the head of their marketing department. And I had to put my oldest son in with a lady who had a small group of children in her home. And every day I'd go get him, and I would see him in a swing. And I told my husband, I cannot do this. I cannot feel like I could run this marketing department yet. I want to have more of an impact on my own son. And so, my boss said, great. So that's when I made the transition from corporate into on my own. Cause she said just do your own job, go start your own business, figure out what that looks like. And I'll be your first client. And I thought, oh my goodness, how am I going to do this? And so, I ended up listening to a lady who was a speaker. She came from a similar but different background than me, but I could see, we saw things similar, and I thought, that's it. [00:13:48] Dianne Ogle: I'm going to go up afterwards and ask her to mentor me. And what I didn't know, she was highly sought after. She was an author and a public speaker. And she heard my why and my desperation. And she goes, of course, but you'll have to do homework. I'm like, fine, put me to work. And her name's Betty Price out of Dallas. And she was a gem. She shared; she opened her heart. She showed me how to write contracts. She showed me how to set up a business and really grow it. So that was absolutely amazing. [00:14:20] Tommy Thomas: Before we get a little broader, what are some times in your life that have really tested your metal and what did you learn? [00:14:36] Dianne Ogle: I got married at 30 and then we moved from Florida to Texas for my husband to go to seminary to get a master's in religious education and marriage and family counseling. And so, I was the breadwinner, which didn't bother me at all because I'd been independent and been earning my own income, but it bothered him more because he came from a hospitality background. And so that was an interesting season for us because I didn't fit the mold of most seminary wives or any that I ever saw. And we couldn't live on campus because my job location would bend too far for me to commute in that big metroplex. That was a hard season. Being a newlywed, having a heart for the Lord, but not finding community for anybody who could really. In fact, I got a lot of judgment and condemnation because of what I did. And I wasn't fitting that traditional role of a seminary wife. That was painful back then. [00:15:41] Tommy Thomas: Frederick Wilcox says progress always involves risk. You can't steal second base with your foot on first. What's the biggest risk you've ever taken and how did it turn out? [00:15:53] Dianne Ogle: Starting my own business. That was out of desperation. I had no vision. So that was also something I really wrestled with. Cause I'm like, I don't sell Tupperware or Avon. I don't know, what do you do? But it helped me. At least my old boss said do what you do now for me. And you'll figure it out. And sure enough, I started having small businesses tap me to help them. At least I initially started helping them on how they could grow their business through effective sales and marketing and with the teams that they had and how to develop those teams so that they could be a producing, performing, high performance, achieving team together. But that was a huge risk because we were still meeting my income. And so, you go from the luxury of having great benefits and a great package to, oh my goodness, I got to build this thing fast. [00:16:49] Tommy Thomas: It's been said, most of us learn most things from our failures. If that's the case, why are most of us so afraid to fail? [00:16:57] Dianne Ogle: Because sometimes the stakes are high. Like in my case, we needed my income, and we needed it, it wasn't a luxury. We didn't have a lot put aside or family that would just say, oh, let me write you a check or any kind of investments back in that day. And so, there was a lot on the line for us to succeed or for me to succeed for sure. And yet still support my husband and our joint goals moving forward. ++++++++++++++ [00:17:27] Tommy Thomas:   Let's move a little bit into your current organization. I'm fascinated and I'm going to probably mispronounce the title. So why don't you save me that embarrassment? And you tell us about your women's collaborative. [00:17:39] Dianne Ogle: It's called Areté Executive Women of Influence. Areté is a Greek word. It is unique. But when, and I can tell you the backstory, the name is a Greek word that means excellence and the Greek men and women attained it, especially in the face of adversity. And when I saw that definition, I'm like, that's it. That's the name. Because we all could either opt out or we press into the pain and stay in the game that God's called us to through that whole sphere of excellence, right? It's not perfectionism, but it's excellence. [00:18:19] Tommy Thomas: Where did the idea come from? Did you think about it on the tennis court one day or did somebody approach you? [00:18:26] Dianne Ogle: We serve a master weaver.  He weaves our story, weaves our expertise. So, one of the clients that I had when I first started my business, someone in New York City found me and said, hey, we want to start a chapter for women business owners that are at a higher level. We want to start a chapter there in Dallas and we want you to launch it, grow it, run it. And of course I had no background in that. I had other background, but I knew what it would take. I could see what it would take. Initially I said, no, because by then I think I had two little boys at home. I had other clients on my books, but they kept coming back around. And I thought, you know what? If I can rally women, because I too know the plight of the high-level woman and I can encourage her. Then I need to be open to it. And so, it was very quickly the Lord let me know that I should take that endeavor on. And so, I grew a very large chapter in Dallas, ended up taking over their Houston chapter. And then there were some ethical issues. I just couldn't protect my Dallas women anymore. [00:19:39] Dianne Ogle:   I finally let them know I need to step aside because I cannot continue to be this placeholder for some integrity issues that I just can't be a part of anymore. So, they said Dianne, start your own. I'm like, okay. That's not my vision but they were desperate. So, I started my own with that particular group. They all came with me, not that I was trying to do it out of ill means. It was their choice. And so, I launched it, figured out how to do a 501C(3) and did that until we moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. And I had my third boy at age 40, and I did that for just a small bit. And I finally handed the baton over to them and said, you take the organization. [00:20:22] Dianne Ogle: I'm going to get this back to you because I needed to be more present for my boys in that new season. So then fast forward, we moved to Orlando and oh, back up, one other caveat. They called me their little Christian leader. And so, I always felt handcuffed in my leadership with them. They knew I was a Christian. I'm not a Bible leader, but I'm authentically going to be who God created me to be. But they put me on notice that you better keep that in a box. And I thought, I told my husband, I said, that is too hard. That doesn't fit who I am. I'll never do that again. Love when you tell the Lord, never going to do that again. [00:21:06] Dianne Ogle: That was hard. So fast forward in 20, the crash happened in 08. My husband had been with Wyndham Worldwide at that point for a decade and his job got released, finally catching up to him about 2010. So, I started introducing him to some men that I didn't know. They didn't know my backstory. They didn't know me, but I would get us in front of some men. Cause I wanted to teach my husband, just have to tell your story and see what God's doing and see if there's any fits. Tommy, four men in a short amount of time would look across the table at me and I'm trying not to keep the conversation on me at all and said, Dianne, you need to start something for the high-level woman. By the fourth one, who was the president of the Central Florida Chamber, he just knew he couldn't meet the needs of his high-level women and that he would come in contact with another one. It was his partner. Another one. It was his wife who was an engineer. It was, they were all coming from different places and spaces, but they heard the plight of the high-level woman. [00:22:10] Dianne Ogle: So, I went back to my prayer closet, and I thought, Lord, I always say, here I am, use me, send me. I thought, woe to me if I start putting guardrails up going, been there, done that, this is too hard, I know what it would take. And he quickly showed me four columns, like those Grecian columns. Before he gave me the name of Areté, which is interesting how God works, but I'm a visual girl. And he showed me that they would come from profit, non-profit, academia, and public service sectors. Because I always knew we were missing a lot of women. Not every woman owns her own business. I didn't come from that space. I ended up there by default, but I came from corporate, and I thought we're missing women everywhere, especially women of faith and those who love Jesus. [00:22:55] Dianne Ogle: And I thought, what Lord, what would it look like if we could link arms with this higher level of women and create a container of confidentiality of trust of authenticity and vulnerability. What would that look like, Lord? And what could we do where we are better together? As one of our members says. And so that's when Areté was born. I called my CPA at the time and said, this has been a year since I've done this. I don't know Florida laws. And she said, Dianne, get it going. I'll be your first member. I was like, whoa, I hadn't even quite made the decision that I was going to do this. Then I'm like jumping in the fire ring again. So that's how that got launched. [00:23:39] Tommy Thomas: So, it's primarily a word-of-mouth growth pattern. [00:23:42] Dianne Ogle: Yes, Tommy, I would say absolutely. And our men still do this day. I had a pastor in Tennessee call me this week. He used to be my pastor at Knoxville. And he said, hey, I've met somebody that, there's not many of y'all out here, but she needs to talk to you. And because I also do executive coaching. So, she wasn't sure if she needed executive coaching or if she needed an Areté type of group. Because we have a chapter in central Florida, one in Atlanta, and then I have remote members now I've opened that up for the past two years. In Texas and Pennsylvania. And yeah, it's been quite an adventure for sure. Over the last 13 years now. [00:24:22] Tommy Thomas: Next week, we will continue this conversation with Dianne Ogle. In that episode, Dianne shares her insights on the importance of authenticity, community, and resilience in leadership. She delves into the importance of building a supportive community among women leaders and the role of prayer in strengthening leadership. She'll also share her observations on key areas that can derail leadership or enhance a leader's career. This episode offers profound insights for anyone looking to deepen their leadership impact.   Links and Resources JobfitMatters Website NextGen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas The Perfect Search - What every board needs to know about hiring their next CEO Areté - Executive Women of Influence   Connect tthomas@jobfitmatters.com Follow Tommy on LinkedIn Follow Dianne on LinkedIn   Listen to NextGen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify    

Listen up! This episode is part two of Dave's conversation with fellow podcast hosts KiKi L'Italien, Joanna Pineda, Dave Will, and The Ben Muscolino. Dave and the gang talk about what's happening with the podcast community, the ominous membership cliff, and association entrepreneurship. 

Alexis Pauline Gumbs' Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde Book Reading Information: https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/event/survival-promise-eternal-life-audre-lorde-homecoming-celebration-alexis-pauline-gumbs-and   Book Reading Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/survival-is-a-promise-the-eternal-life-of-audre-lorde-tickets-938622193247?aff=oddtdtcreator   A queer black troublemaker, a black feminist love evangelist and a prayer poet priestess, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs was the first scholar to research the Audre Lorde Papers at Spelman College, the June Jordan Papers at Harvard University, and the Lucille Clifton Papers at Emory University during her dissertation research. We are eagerly awaiting her forthcoming biography, Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde on August 20, 2024. https://www.alexispauline.com/   Alexis's work as a media maker and her curricula for participatory digital education have been activated in 143 countries.  Her digital distribution initiative BrokenBeautiful Press, her work as co-founder of Quirky Black Girls and her loving participation in the Women of Color Bloggers Network in the early 2000's established her as one of the forerunners of the social media life of feminist critical and creative practice.   Alexis has been honored with many awards from her communities of practice including being lifted up on lists such as UTNE Readers 50 Visionaries Transforming the World, The Advocate's 40 under 40, Go Magazines 100 Women We Love, the Bitch 50 List, ColorLines 10 LGBTQ Leaders Transforming the South, Reproductive Justice Reality Check's Sheroes and more.  She is a proud recipient of the Too Sexy for 501C-3 trophy, a Black Women's Blueprint Visionary Award and the Barnard College Outstanding Young Alumna Award.   From 2017-2019, Alexis served as visiting Winton Chair at University of Minnesota where she collaborated with Black feminist artists in the legacy of Laurie Carlos to create collaborative performances based on her books Spill and M Archive.  During that time she served as dramaturg for the award winning world premiere of Sharon Bridgforth's Dat Black Mermaid Man Lady directed by Ebony Noelle Golden.   Alexis is a 2023 Windham-Campbell Prize Winner in Poetry. Alexis's most recent book Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals won the 2022 Whiting Award in Nonfiction.   Alexis was a 2020-2021 National Humanities Center Fellow, funded by the Founders Award, and is a 2022 National Endowment of the Arts Creative Writing Fellow.      Original Photography of Alexis Pauline Gumbs by: Sufia Ikbal-Doucet   Graphic Design of cover art image by: Angela Denise Davis

In this episode of “This Is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks to Josh Ruebner, the director of IMEU's new 501C-4 organization, the IMEU Policy Project, about recent developments in the US Congress and Palestinian human rights. The episode unpacks the alarming rise in anti-Palestinian legislation and actions in Congress aiming to suppress Palestinian rights work amid Israel's genocide in Gaza. Just days after the ICC issued a statement it is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for committing war crimes in Gaza, the US Congress invited the Israeli prime minister to deliver a speech to members. Netanyahu is slated to address Congress on July 24. From providing Israel with billions of U.S. tax dollars to commit genocide in Gaza to holding hearings intended to strike fear into the student movements calling for Palestinian freedom, and even introducing legislation aiming to sanction the International Criminal Court, the episode discusses the multitude of ways that the U.S. Congress provides Israel with a shield of impunity for its war crimes and brutality. Listen to learn more about the history of anti-Palestinian racism in Congress and the ways you can help uplift Palestinian freedom and support members of Congress who are champions of Palestinian rights today. Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!  Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twitter https://twitter.com/dianabuttu  Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/?hl=en Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/theIMEU Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ Visit our website https://imeu.org

Our very last episode of The Terrible Anvil (Season One) was recorded this week! With Tom and Jess together in the same room! We tried to tie a bow around the business of comics by offering ideas on HOW TO KEEP GOING (FOREVER), AKA making your own sustainable comics practice amidst inner/outer turmoil and also remembering to wash the dishes. A big takeaway from this episode: CELEBRATE SMALL WINS! Other thoughts from the call: * Forming bonds with others and keeping each other going is a great form of sustainable accountability * DEADLINES also keep us going - we can't forget the TERRIBLE ANVIL! * You can have accountability buddies in near strangers too, like SAW's organically-formed online meeting spaces * Body doubling is a great hack! * Wanting to impress your friends can be a great motivator too (you don't have to impress the whole world!) There's more from this final episode, so check it out—and catch up on any others you've missed! And don't worry, this isn't goodbye. It's see you later! Stay tuned for a sequel season of The Terrible Anvil podcast! In the meantime, consider joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-group As always, happy making!!

Last week we recorded the penultimate episode of The Terrible Anvil, this time discussing scripts, dialogue, and writing for comics! Art (slightly adapted) from Jess Ruliffson!The words we use and how they are arranged on the page can guide readers' understanding of our comics and influence how they feel about a story and its characters. But how do you pick the right words? How much is too much dialogue? How can you make sure readers understand your text the way you intend? Tune in for answers to these questions and more from Jess and Tom! Some quick tips: * If you've got a lot of dialogue from one speaker, break up the text into multiple balloons to give readers space to digest what they're saying * Read your dialogue out loud to make sure it sounds natural * Try not to repeat information that the images are already conveying, unless the text is there to clarify what's happening in the visuals—if your drawing is lousy, a good caption will help the reader 'believe' the story! There's even more on the call, so give it a listen! And join us on Friday for the FINAL EPISODE!!!! You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-groupSee you for the finale!

This week on the Terrible Anvil, we parsed one of Jess's favorite topics: COLOR!!(Watercolor illustration by Jess!)Here's a quick look at our tips for approaching color (in comics or otherwise) as a newbie: * Pick just one color at first, especially if working in a new medium/with new tools. If that's not interesting, try two colors, maybe three. By using limited color palettes you will gain confidence and figure out what works with color!* Are you color confused? Color curious? When in doubt, think about CONTRAST! Jess's hot take: if something is the 'right' value, it doesn't really matter what color it is.* Err on the side of a lighter color: reading the lines and artwork/what is happening in the panel is more important than the color itself.* Start with an "anchor" color: if something NEEDS to be a certain color (nursing scrubs in Jess's hospital comics are seal blue, for example) start there. Then each choice after that informs the rest of the palette. * Steal a palette from a comic you love! There's more to love and learn in the full episode, so give it a listen! Aaaand join us next week for our next (penultimate??) episode, where we'll talk all about DIALOGUE! (and scripting and writing comics!) You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-group Until then, happy making!

Comics itself is a medium and practice. But it also can be host to lots of different working mediums: traditional comics materials, new digital tools, watercolor, printmaking—whatever your heart desires! How do you choose yours?(Watercolor illustration by Jess Ruliffson)What medium feels gratifying, what feels satisfying, what is too labor intensive right now? Maybe you are still learning a new medium, and figuring out how to make short experiments to get fluent and/or fast. Try practicing it every day—returning to the "terrible anvil of daily deadlines" to establish your style! Hyena Hell once said to avoid using materials that present more of a block to you. Working in the ‘wrong' medium, i.e. one we are unfamiliar with, can be a kind of defensive armor against finishing the work: "Once I get good at this I will start/finish my comic." Don't wait, call today! WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HANDS RIGHT NOW? Use that first. Some tips or things to try when choosing a medium for your comics: * Do what works for you, not what people say you should use* Find the tools that feel good in your hand and help you express yourself* Set parameters for yourself to not get overwhelmed by choice* Play with 'weirder' mediums like photo comics and collage* Use whatever materials are available to you (financially, spatially)* Get the fancy stuff if you want! * Change mediums between projects There's lots more on the call, so give it a listen! And join us for next week's episode as we get deep into COLOR! You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-group See you next time!

This week on the Terrible Anvil we talked about CRITICISM! Criticism and rejection are inevitable parts of the creative process—so how can we make them more bearable? Jess Ruliffson and Tom Hart share their advice on when (and who) to ask for feedback and how to go about it, offer tools for managing your inner critic, and discuss how to distinguish between constructive feedback and unhelpful criticism. This episode of the Terrible Anvil is chock-full of relatable anecdotes and practical tips, so give it a listen!And join us next episode as Jess and Tom talk comics MEDIUM—Digital, Analog, and Everything In Between!You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published!Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-groupHappy making!

The Terrible Anvil Episode Fourteen: Starting OverHi, Friends!This week on The Terrible Anvil, Tom Hart and I dug deep on the topic of STARTING OVER. We noted there's a few different types of starting over:1) Restarting an old, old, project2) Starting a new project after you finish one you've been working on (or even working in a series or across multiple comics pages)3) Completely rethinking a project you have sunk a lot of enthusiasm and hours intoHave you ever started over? Tom said he sorta started over in his approach to his graphic novel, and also while he was working on an outline for a follow-up memoir that one small dream sequence within it became a longer series, B is Dying. I noted that I when I was making comics  about veterans, originally I envisioned myself as a character and removed myself once my personal narrative got too long and tangential to hook to the main story (it ended up being the idea for a different book that I didn't make!) Sometimes, particularly on freelance/shorter work, I will keep going to the finish line and use the information of what was less than ideal as inspiration for future comics. It's not a starting over but a way to gain insights into a better working process.Here's some gems from the chat, and thanks Meg Lentz our fabulous note taker!Oneita brought up a good question:What about starting over in the middle of what you are doing for a deadline but still be true to the pitch? Like how close do the thumbnails have to be to the pitch?  What if I'm veering too far away from my pitch? And I don't like my pitch anymore?I was thinking that the best course might be to #keepgoing and get it over with, and then take those desires forward to the next project. And keep your collaborators informed if you really veer off topic! But mostly, I just try to finish stuff quickly and Tom Hart said book publishing editors are more committed to getting a book rather than the exact thing you pitched!Tom talked about building a personal archive of ideas to mine later - maybe that book proposal didn't  "work out" but there's a lot of good stuff to revisit!In thinking about the big scary restart, I mused that rather than starting over on my projects, I usually just stop to clarify what I'm working on and being more intentional + specific - letting go of the things that don't serve the main goalJim Hamilton shared: I plan on using the upcoming Graphic Novel Intensive to decide whether an idea I have has legs. I think maybe it won't, but it may take me in some other worthwhile direction.Carole McKee Armen observed that: Getting feedback from valued critique partners can lead to a difficult decision whether or not to “start over” or stay the course(Tom mentioned this awesome 'cinema shack' by the filmmaker Agnes Varda)Tom Hart also talked about The Garden of Unfinished Projects - a playground where one could keep dreaming with other cartoonists about the nascent beanpoles of ideas quietly mulching in the comics backyard, getting bigger and riper.Tom and myself both noticed the magic of thinking about PROCESS with others (versus PRODUCT, the final work). Tom said he's curious about the future of art and wonders if projects have to have clear beginnings middles and ends, or if they can be more about creating something and being in the company of others.There's always opportunities for starting over in a variety of ways. Doubt is an important part of the creative process (I joked that "doubt is the sexy part of faith" haha.)We also thought about TOILING (it's value and maybe enjoyment?) and FROLICKING...I asked Tom Hart: Starting vs starting over - what's harder? are they the same thing? Tom says starting is harder - there's more uncertainty and insecurity. A big takeaway from this Tom mentioned: Don't start from scratch, don't start with a blank page! What sort of artsy detritus can you unearth from your garden of ideas? Maybe start there first, less pressure, more fun.There's lots more fun on the podcast, you can catch recordings via SAW's awesome YouTube channel and wherever you stream podcasts. Next week, we're talking about COLLABORATING!Happy Making!

This week we talked all about creative collaboration! [Note: We had a couple technical difficulties this episode, and there's a bit of silence from 52:14 to 52:38!]Comics can often be a solitary endeavor, but you'll find lots of ways to collaborate with other people—be it editors, writers, artists, colorists, copy editors, designers, publishers or co-creators! Collaboration in any art form can be a great way to breathe new life into the creative process. They can be scary or uncomfortable if you're used to having total control over your creative projects, or this shared control might feel liberating. Either way, there's lots to gain from working with others on a shared project, from morale boosts and accountability systems, to practical knowledge sharing and the creative alchemy of multiple minds coming together. But how do collaborations happen? How do you make them successful? How can you maximize fun and minimize pain in the process? There's lots of advice in this episode, but the core of it is to establish clear communication and boundaries and to have a shared goal with your collaborators. Tune in for even more wisdom (and shenanigans) from Eisner-nominees Tom Hart and Jess Ruliffson in this episode of the Terrible Anvil! And join us next week as we cover rejection, criticism, and deadlines in the comics process! You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-groupHappy making!

This week we talked STYLE! How do you make your own artistic style? How long does it take? Do you need to stick to one at all? We go over these questions and more as we unpack what role style plays in cartooning and our expectations around our work. We also revisit topics like moving past our inner critics, forging daily creative routines, and staying curious about the possibilities of our work. As always, a nice mix of philosophy and practicality! Join us next week as we talk about STARTING OVER—both redoing projects that came to a halt, and getting started on a new project after finishing one! You can watch the call live by joining the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll also get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/c... See you next week! --------------------------------

The Terrible Anvil Episode 9 - How to Win Friends & Influence People (TABLING at Conventions!) In this episode we talk about some of the most social fun one can have as a cartoonist: TABLING! Tune in for tips on navigating comics conventions, zine fairs, and press expos of all seasons and sizes. Learn about attending conventions to share your work, expand your network, have fun, and see what's out there in the world of comics. Whether attending, volunteering, tabling, speaking in a panel, or hosting your own, we've got you covered! Have any burning questions about comics making? Want a say in what we cover in future episodes? Leave a comment below or in the SAW Mighty Network! Want to leave comments and heckle us in real time during our live calls? Join us at our SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group—and get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-group See you next week! --------------------------------

Platte County Senior Services enables seniors to live full and independent lives by providing nutrition services as well as opportunities to interact with others and socialize in activities throughout the community. PSSI is a 501C 3 nonprofit agency serving Platte County seniors, age 60 and older, since 1982. We provide activities, education, exercise and various services at our Centers. https://platteseniorservices.org/

This week we talked about navigating social media to promote your work and make money as a cartoonist—from networking and building your audience, to avoiding burnout and fielding harsh feedback. The internet can be a lovely way to connect with friends and family, make new connections, support fellow cartoonists, and publish your comics. There are great benefits to serializing a webcomic or routinely sharing your work. But social media can also be a source of pressure, discouragement, and creative doubt. Do you need to move to NYC and gain a million followers on Instagram to be a commercially successful artist? Do you have to work tirelessly on gaming the algorithm to get your work seen? Do you have to monetize your comics at all?Listen in for answers to questions like these and more!And join us next week for our episode on TABLING!You can join the call live by subscribing to the SAW FLOW + PUBLISH member group, where you'll get access to a supportive community and expert guidance on getting your comics published! Sign up here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-groupAs always, happy making!!

This week's Terrible Anvil we talk about CHOOSING IDEAS and then LETTERINGWe talked a lot about IDEAS as SPELLS, and that ideas assert themselves. And Ideas are invitations to act. But they don't all have to be acted upon. They come and they go.We answered from the crowd: If you have too many ideas whirling around your head, what's a good way of picking one out to work on? andHow do you reconcile what's in your head and what you put on paper?--------------------------------The Terrible Anvil!How do you make comics without all the frustration? Without feeling lousy and inadequate all the time? With the Terrible Anvil of daily deadlines! And a community, and mindset shift about what it means to make comics and art. Jess Ruliffson and Tom Hart are working through the whole process, one piece at a time, turning frustration into fun and glee.

Episode 4 - Building the Dream Castle Today on Episode Four of The Terrible Anvil, we tried to tackle the topic of making a sustainable creative physical space and habits to make work. And as usual we veered off topic and expanded and waxed philosophical on all the different types of "castles" creatives build: the physical workspace, the vision for the work itself, the audience you hope to reach. I (Jess) also am editing a book (The Bootlegger's Guide to Comics!) and we took a topic from the early draft wondering: What's the purpose of an audience or editor, and when to open the door of your castle to share work? Lots more on the show page here: https://members.sawcomics.org/posts/the-terrible-anvil-episode-4-building-the-dream-castle-50384315 THE ZOOM AI made this summary and it's not bad:Meeting summary for The terrible Anvil Episode 4 (02/08/2024)Quick recapTom and Jess discussed their podcast format and an upcoming episode focusing on the concept of 'building a dreamcastle' in relation to creating an optimal workspace. They also touched upon the value of editors and audience in the creative process. The discussion also included feedback and maintaining conversation flow. They considered the importance of having a space that inspires them and makes them feel proud and safe. They discussed the tension between creating for oneself and considering the audience and potential editors. They also explored the impact of social media on the creative process.SummaryPodcasting and Comics: Building Dreamcastles and Balancing FeedbackTom and Jess discussed their podcast format and an upcoming episode where they plan to discuss the concept of 'building a dreamcastle' in relation to creating an optimal workspace. They also mentioned a future project, The Bootleggers Guide to Making Comics, which involves testing material for a book. The discussion also touched upon the value of editors and audience in the creative process. They were open to feedback and planned to strike a balance between answering questions and maintaining the flow of the conversation.Dreamcastles: Ideal Workspace ConceptTom Hart @ SAW and Jess discussed the concept of "dreamcastles," a metaphorical term they use to describe the ideal workspace for creating and managing their projects. They talked about the importance of having a space that inspires them and makes them feel proud and safe. Jess shared her experience of showcasing her workspace to others and how it can lead to discussions about tools and techniques. Tom mentioned visiting artists who use color-coded systems on their walls to manage their stories. The conversation ended with the idea of using the "dreamcastle" metaphor to represent the process of creating a project, not just the physical space.Creative Process and Social Media InfluenceJess and Tom discussed the creative process, focusing on the creation of a 'dream castle' as a metaphor for their artistic vision. They explored the tension between creating for oneself and considering the audience and potential editors. Jess emphasized the importance of creating a first draft without the pressure of audience expectations before making edits. They also discussed the impact of social media on the creative process, with Jess highlighting the pressure to share polished work on platforms such as Instagram. On the other hand, platforms like Patreon and the Mighty Network provide a space for sharing works-in-progress. The conversation concluded without a definitive answer on how to balance these influences.Graphic Novel and Memoir Project DiscussionTom and Jess discussed their ongoing project involving lettering and storytelling. Jess shared her experience of completing her graphic novel and feeling a need for a new project, which led her to collaborate with her partner on a memoir that she felt would be better suited as a comic. She also mentioned her interest in a larger project that could encapsulate stories from healthcare workers. Tom suggested focusing on the creative process first before considering its relevance to the broader world. They both agreed that the importance of their work should come before its cultural relevance.Breaking Into Animation: Challenges and AdviceTom Hart @ SAW shared his experiences with trying to break into the animation industry and the advice he received from a woman who ran Cartoon Network at the time. He highlighted the challenge of finding a unique angle for a project that commercial institutions like Cartoon Network would be interested in. Jess agreed with Tom's perspective and discussed the difficulty of creating stories that stand out in a crowded market. They also touched upon the importance of focusing on the creative process and not overthinking the audience or potential editors. Towards the end, Jess suggested the idea of a three-month nonfiction class featuring Tom, but noted that it was likely too late to implement the change.Questions, Narratives, and Behind-the-Scenes in Creative WorksJess and Tom Hart @ SAW engaged in a discussion about the utility of questions in organizing and synthesizing information, especially in large bodies of work. They emphasized the importance of personal narratives in creative works, noting that they will naturally seep into the work if deeply ingrained. They also discussed the balance between stats and facts in storytelling, particularly in the context of comics and graphic novels. They concluded by noting the trend of including behind-the-scenes content in books.Art, Community, and Digital ToolsTom Hart @ SAW and Jess had a discussion about the value of personal, ritualistic art and its role in community building. They emphasized the importance of transparency in the creative process and the communal aspect of art. They also touched upon their preferences in creating comics and their observations about the different ways people work. They both agreed on the potential of portability in tools and workspaces, and the convenience of working on digital platforms. Towards the end, they discussed the importance of lettering in comics and agreed to reconvene next week to discuss it. They also considered starting a thread on the Mighty Network about workspaces and potential book projects.Next steps• Jess will create a recap of the discussion and consider starting a thread on the Mighty Network about workspaces.-------------------------------- The Terrible Anvil!How do you make comics without all the frustration? Without feeling lousy and inadequate all the time? With the Terrible Anvil of daily deadlines! And a community, and mindset shift about what it means to make comics and art. Jess Ruliffson and Tom Hart are working through the whole process, one piece at a time, turning frustration into fun and glee.

Episode 3 - On Early Drafts We had THREE topics that were somewhat braided together: * A thought Jess had: Become more interested in DOING what you're doing than KNOWING what you're doing. * A quote I wrote down: "I often find myself writing long meandering first drafts, that drift around a bit before settling down into a state of baffling indecision." - George Saunders * (and a quote Tom had handy): "Write down everything that happens in the story, and then in your second draft make it look like you knew what you were doing all along." - Neil Gaiman Lots more on the show page here: https://members.sawcomics.org/posts/49998503 In this episode we talk a lot more about early drafts in non-fiction and fiction.-------------------------------→ The Terrible Anvil How do you make comics without all the frustration? Without feeling lousy and inadequate all the time? With the Terrible Anvil of daily deadlines! And a community, and mindset shift about what it means to make comics and art. Jess Ruliffson and Tom Hart are working through the whole process, one piece at a time, turning frustration into fun and glee.

Episode 2 - Lean into the worst In the Comics FLOW + PUBLISH group we asked around: how do you lean in when the going gets weird? What parts are EXTRA UNFUN, and how do you navigate it?Helen asked about deadlines. Oneita asked about guilt. Virginia asked about backgrounds. We spoke on all these topics, as well as the role of ritual and community in answering these three questions. We cooked up ideas on how to make a home there in the ruins, being okay with badly-drawn hands, what to embrace when we're working. Join us over in Comics Flow + Publish for the next TERRIBLE ANVIL live call, on February 1 at 11 am Eastern! Happy Making, Jess The Terrible Anvil How do you make comics without all the frustration? Without feeling lousy and inadequate all the time? With the Terrible Anvil of daily deadlines! And a community, and mindset shift about what it means to make comics and art. Jess Ruliffson and Tom Hart are working through the whole process, one piece at a time, turning frustration into fun and glee.