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2 episodes with massachusetts conference
2 episodes with massachusetts conference
2 episodes with massachusetts conference
“...if you listen carefully when people tell you these things, which is so hard because we have so many distractions, but if you listen carefully, you can find ways to be helpful, to be responsible, to be reliable, to be trustworthy, all the things that make us fully functioning and valuable humans.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Susan McPherson 05:43 The Lost Art of Connecting 12:25 The Importance of Quality Questions 21:29 Pros and Cons of Social Media 30:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Reflections Episode Summary: In this conversation, Shannon Cassidy interviews Susan McPherson, a social impact expert and author of 'The Lost Art of Connecting.' They discuss Susan's journey, the importance of meaningful connections, and her methodology for building relationships. Susan emphasizes the need for quality questions, active listening, and the role of social media in fostering connections. The conversation also touches on the significance of generosity in business and leadership, as well as practical tips for making impactful connections. R.O.G. Takeaway Tips: Susan McPherson emphasizes the importance of human connections in a digital world. The Gather, Ask, Do methodology flips traditional networking on its head. Quality questions lead to deeper understanding and connections. Listening is a crucial skill that requires practice and intention. Generosity in business can lead to greater success and fulfillment. Social media can be a powerful tool for showcasing others and building connections. Intentionality in networking can create meaningful relationships. Self-reflection helps identify personal superpowers for better connections. Building diverse networks enriches personal and professional growth. Don't give up; persistence is key to success. Guest Bio: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and social impact expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., The Meteor, Our Place, Spicewell, The June Group, Hint Water, The Helm, Apolitical, The Muse and has recently begun investing in women-led Broadway productions including Water for Elephants and SUFFS. She previously served on the boards of USA for UNHCR, Bpeace, The Lower Eastside Girls Club and presently serves on the 19th News board. She is on the advisory boards of the Apolitical Foundation, Lebec Consulting and Just Capital. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She's The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women's Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn. Resources: McPStrategies.com SusanMcP.com Susan McPherson on LinkedIn (in/susanmcpherson) Susan McPherson on Twitter/X (@susanmcp1) Susan McPherson on Instagram (@susanmcp1) Susan McPherson on Threads (@susanmcp1) Where to find R.O.G. Podcast: R.O.G on YouTube R.O.G on Apple Podcasts R.O.G on Spotify How diverse is your network? N.D.I. Network Diversity Index What is your Generosity Style? Generosity Quiz Credits: Susan McPherson, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc. Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 212, Special Guest, Brian Formato.
Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. As the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on brands and social impact, she brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, PR, and sustainability communications. Susan is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting and a sought-after speaker at major events like the Massachusetts Conference for Women and Techonomy. She has contributed to outlets like Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and has appeared in NPR, CNN, and USA Today. Susan invests in and advises women-led startups and is involved in several boards and advisory groups, including The 19th News and Just Capital. This episode of From Start-Up to Grown-Up dives into the world of networking and relationship-building with Susan McPherson – a “super connector” who leverages her extensive network to help others and grow her own business, McPherson Strategies!Susan shares her insights on the significance of rekindling dormant ties, the benefits of dormant connections, and the importance of proactive outreach in networking.Susan started her company at the bold age of 48, reaching out to a staggering 500 people in her network, demonstrating the power of asking for help and the value in promoting others. She's full of practical tips - including hosting your own events collaboratively and keeping the conversation focused on what others need. We'll also hear about her smart approach to follow-up after events, employing the "ten touches rule" to keep her contacts engaged.Prepare to be inspired as Susan discusses her entrepreneurial journey, overcoming personal and professional low points, and the joy she finds in team growth and recognition. Stay tuned as we learn that it's never too late to start, it's okay to be afraid of failure, and that, at times, success is serendipitous – often resulting from seeds we plant long before they bear fruit.Learn more about Susan | Websitehttps://www.susanmcp.com/ Connect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from AmazonLove the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!
About This EpisodeJoin us as we welcome Susan McPherson, a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert, who shares her unique take on boldness. In this episode, she examines the courage and confidence needed to uplift others and how building genuine connections has changed over time, especially through the explosion of social media and the changing approaches to networking. Susan discusses her motivation for writing her book, The Lost Art of Connecting. Amid our digital distractions, she emphasizes the necessity of authentic, face-to-face interactions and the powerful outcomes these connections can bring, especially for women seeking to build lasting communities. She also describes her Gather, Ask, Do methodology- a strategy for meaningful communication and community building. We also delve into the challenges faced by introverts at social events and offer strategies for true engagement. Learn how to use social media wisely to amplify others' successes and foster genuine relationships. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on maintaining meaningful connections and building a supportive community. About Susan McPhersonSusan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, BSR, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., The Meteor, Our Place, Spicewell, The June Group, Hint Water, The Helm, Apolitical, The Muse and has recently begun investing in women-led Broadway productions including Like Water for Elephants and SUFFS. She is on the advisory boards of the Apolitical Foundation, Lebec Consulting and Just Capital. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She's The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women's Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn. Additional ResourcesWebsite: www.mcpstrategies.comInstagram: @susanmcp1LinkedIn: @SusanMcPhersonSupport the Show.-------- Stay Connected www.leighburgess.com Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Leigh on Instagram: @theleighaburgess Follow Leigh on LinkedIn: @LeighBurgess Sign up for Leigh's bold newsletter
"If you have the guts to take the first step, the second step will show itself. You do not have to worry about the second or the third step; you will be on the path." - Johanna Crawford.In this episode, I'm joined by the inspiring Johanna Crawford. Johanna is the Author of "It Takes A Woman To Empower Women" and the Founder of Web of Benefit (WOB). This non-profit operated from 2004 to 2016 and awarded over 2200 grants to survivors of domestic violence in Chicago and Boston. Johanna, a survivor of domestic violence, or as she calls it, intimate terrorism, connected WOB with over 120 agencies in the US, 18 private foundations, and a donor base of 500 individuals. Her work has been recognized by The Massachusetts Conference for Women in 2010, CNN Hero in 2012, and the Purpose Prize in 2013.Throughout this episode, you'll learn more about Johanna's story and her passion for transforming the lives of thousands of survivors of domestic violence. Johanna also talks about how she helped women believe in their dreams, embrace their unique qualities, and build a life free of abuse.Additionally, Johanna shares her thoughts on prioritizing self-care, boundary setting, celebrating small wins, crafting a dream proposal, and much more.Tune in to Episode 165 of the Joy Found Here, learn more about Johanna's fascinating life, and discover why it takes a woman to empower women.In This Episode, You Will Learn:You are already enough, don't be normal, be unique (2:50)The importance of taking the first step (8:00)Johanna talks about the three parts of a dream proposal (12:10)Survivors need a belief buddy and need to become someone else's belief buddy (16:50)Johanna talks about why she decided to retire from WOB (24:40)No is a complete sentence (32:10)Connect with Johanna Crawford:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebookBook: Johanna Crawford - It Takes a Woman to Empower Women: A Survivor's Guide to Creating the Life of Her DreamsLet's Connect:WebsiteInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Say YES to France! Follow the links below for details. Registration closes August 1st.Paris & Versailles for Couples, Sept. 14-19Charente Maritime for Anyone, Sept. 20-26This week, Wendy hosts Johanna Crawford, a 2012 CNN Hero, about her journey and her non-profit that raised over $1.5 million to support 2,200 domestic violence survivors. The organization, Web of Benefit, helped women leave unsafe relationships and achieve their dreams. Johanna shares powerful insights on reframing domestic violence as intimate terrorism, the power of self-forgiveness, and how self-worth is key to achieving dreams. She also reads from her book, "It Takes a Woman to Empower Women," and discusses the importance of self-care and nurturing our inner child. Don't miss this inspiring episode full of practical advice for every woman. About Johanna:For the past 50 years, author Johanna Crawford has dedicated herself to community service in a wide variety of areas and organizations. In 2004, Ms. Crawford founded Web of Benefit, Inc. at age 58. There, she personally worked with over 2,200 survivors of domestic violence, helping them define and realize their goals and dreams. As a capstone to the grant-giving program, Jo designed the “Pay-It-Forward” program. With this Good Works Agreement, each survivor helped three other survivors, increasing the lives touched through WOB to over 10,000 women and children. Her awards include the Be the Change Award by the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Award for Excellence in Collaboration from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, AARP Purpose Prize Fellow, and CNN Hero in 2012.Connect with Johanna:jo@ittakesawoman.netittakesawoman.netFacebookInstagram @it.takes.a.womanHer book: It Takes a Woman to Empower WomenReferenced In This Episode:Untamed by Glennon DoyleThe Truth Will Set You Free by Gloria Steinem________________________________________________________________________________________ Say YES to joining Wendy for her: PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated France TripsInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright HouseWebsite: Phineas Wright HouseThank you for listening to the Say YES to yourself! podcast. It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5-star review, and share with a friend.
"Whether your body is small or large, aged or young, disabled or abled, toned or soft, lithe or stiff--or somewhere in-between--anti-fatness affects us all, because it is intended to. Fat Church critiques anti-fat prejudice and the Church's historic participation in it, calling for a fatphobic reckoning for the sake of God's gospel of freedom."- from the back cover of Rev. Anastasia Kidd's book, Fat Church: A Gospel of Fat Liberation. All year long we hear messages of anti-fatness. At the beginning of the new year, goals of losing weight; not eating chocolate during Lent; prepping our "summer body"; not eating too many treats over the holidays. It's relentless, and those messages seep into our church pews, too. Rev. Anastasia Kidd invites us to bring the conversation around to understanding how anti-fat bias shapes our culture, and how we, especially as Christians, can work to change that. She invites us into a liberation rooted in God's love for us. About AnastasiaRev. Anastasia Kidd (she/her) is a lecturer and director of enrollment at the Boston University School of Theology. She was ordained by the Metro Boston Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ and previously served as the Chair of the Leadership Development Commission of that Conference.
In this episode of the Doing Sustainability podcast, Gary Baker and Roxanne “Rocket” White are joined by Susan McPherson, the Founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies. Join them as they explore how to build meaningful relationships, the intersection of communication and social impact, and supporting women-led startups. Susan also discusses her experiences in the marketing, public relations, and sustainability communication sectors. Susan is the Founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy firm focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. McPherson Strategies is women-owned and led, and provides storytelling, partnership creation, and visibility to corporations, NGOs, and social enterprises including The New Profit, Dell, Zoetis, Ford Motor Co., Nike, and The Women's Philanthropy Institute. Susan is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships and speaks regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, BSR, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy. She also received Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award.
Most of us have or will experience the classic post-promotion “freakout.” This crushing crisis of confidence leaves us wondering how we got here and whether we can handle our new responsibilities. Jodi Flynn, a leadership development expert with more than a decade of experience helping organizations with attracting, developing, and successfully promoting more women into senior levels of leadership, often helps clients through this transitional time and remembers well the feeling of navigating it herself.In this episode, we sit down to explore the reasons behind this inevitable anxiety. We lay out a host of tips to help you navigate and manage these feelings, so you can embrace the boss you're meant to be.Feel empowered with Jodi's practical and insightful ideas for navigating this new terrain:How to deal with the tedious intersection of gratitude and anxiety;How to shift your perspective by cultivating an inner boss identity;Why you owe it to your team and yourself to delegate;Why keeping up on self-care as a leader is more than just a nice-to-have.Related Links:Follow Jodi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn/Jodi's podcast Women Taking the Lead - https://womentakingthelead.com/podcast/Jodi's organization - https://womentakingthelead.com/Jodi's book Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing - https://bookshop.org/p/books/accomplished-how-to-go-from-dreaming-to-doing-jodi-flynn/11327872?ean=9780692806975Jodi's Leadership Operating System Inventory - https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory/Maine's Women's Conference - https://www.themainewomensconference.org/Massachusetts Conference of Women - https://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear - https://bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-an-easy-proven-way-to-build-good-habits-break-bad-ones-james-clear/12117739?ean=9780735211292McKinsey's Women in the Workplace Study - https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/diversity%20and%20inclusion/women%20in%20the%20workplace%202022/women-in-the-workplace-2022.pdfAcademy of Management Journal Article - https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2016.0662Bossed Up Episode 426, Women of Color in Leadership and Trauma at Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode426Bossed Up Episode 437, The Succession Gap and the Growing Value of Your Leadership Aspirations - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode437Bossed Up Episode 407, How to Delegate Without Feeling so Bad About It - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode407My LinkedIn Learning Course, Coping With Your Impostor Syndrome To Build Your Career Confidence - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/coping-with-impostor-syndrome-to-build-career-confidence/feeling-like-a-fraudLevel Up Leadership Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/levelupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/
Make no mistake Katya Davydova has her own times of not being joyful and dealing with challenges. However, as you will hear on this episode, Katya works to create and spread joy. How? Well, it starts with a smile. I am going to leave it to her to tell you more. Katya was born in Uzbekistan and emigrated to America at the age of five. She says she always has been a curious person and became quite fascinated with how people interacted with each other. After obtaining a MS degree with highest honors in organizational development and knowledge management from George Mason University she began to work in earnest to help improve company organizational structures. She relocated to the Los Angeles area just before the advent of Covid. She not only has her “day job” concerning organizational development, but she also is a coach who is ready to consult with high achieving clients to teach them how to have better strategic thinking and how to create better micro-habits. Katya offers many positive and thought provoking life lessons we all can find useful. Along the way in our episode she also turns the tables and asks me questions related to our discussions. This episode is quite fun. I hope you enjoy it. About the Guest: Katya Davydova's mission is to create a more joyful world. She is an organizational and leadership development expert, igniting workplaces like Google, Netflix, and Dropbox, where humans can flourish. As an expert facilitator, she teaches managers, executives, and individual contributors essential skills like strategic thinking, communication, and feedback. Katya is also a coach for high achievers, empowering them to bridge the gap between best practices and actual follow-through by sustainable, micro-habits. Her first book, Joy in Plain Sight, explores celebrating wonder in the ordinary against the backdrop of our always-on, always-busy world. A believer in big ideas that can make ours a kinder world, Katya has the honor (and sheer fun!) of speaking to audiences about organizational development, human flourishing, and habit-building (especially on joy!). She's presented at engagements like The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Chief Learning Officer Exchange, ODinLA, and is a TEDx speaker. Finally, she loves learning. Katya received her BA in cognitive science and psychology from the University of Virginia (Echols Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa), and her MS with highest honors in organizational development and knowledge management from George Mason University. Her prior expertise is in people operations, learning and development, higher education, and consulting. When she's not working, you can find her exploring both city streets and especially wild trails, adding to her collection of plants, and learning about people in their everyday moments. Ways to connect with Katya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyadavydova/ Contact: katya@katyadavydova.com Website: https://katyadavydova.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyinplainsight/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZDPJ23L/ Newsletter sign-up: https://katyadavydova.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8a2e9cd879ce206da20e2fd22&id=401d3a17f7 Other Links/work: About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes **Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. **Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Well, hi, and guess what? Yes, you're right. It is time for another episode of unstoppable mindset. We're inclusion diversity in the unexpected wheat, whatever that may be in whatever we may encounter. Today we get to chat with Katya Davydova. And I love something that Katya Katya has on her bio, which is that she wants to create a more joyful world. And it doesn't get better than that I like joyful worlds. And all that goes with it. I think we spend too much time grousing and complaining about all the things we don't have control over anyway. So for me, it's always don't worry about what you can't control focus on the things you can and the rest will take care of themselves, which I think is always true. However, we'll see what Katya has to say about that. Anyway, welcome to unstoppable mindset. **Katya Davydova ** 02:08 Thank you so much, Michael. It is truly a joy, a delight and a pleasure. All three of the trifecta to be here. Thanks so much for having me. **Michael Hingson ** 02:14 Well, I really appreciate you agreeing to do this. And coming on. Why don't we start with talking about kind of the early Catia growing up and all that stuff? **Katya Davydova ** 02:23 Sure. Sure. Shall we begin from 13 point 8 billion years ago, the Big Bang? **Michael Hingson ** 02:28 We can do that? A very long time. How sure are you it was only 13 point 8 billion years. And **Katya Davydova ** 02:35 now you're asking the real questions. And are there multiple universes? The Quantum? Right, let's go there could be definitely good. I think just to keep it like you said what's within our control? Control? Happy to start at the beginning. **Michael Hingson ** 02:50 time ago. **Katya Davydova ** 02:54 Exactly. So the words right out of my mouth, Michael. That's exactly right. But I'll give the overall executive summary. And it's so funny to hear myself say the word executives, I work with executives that just did yesterday and bled over but anyway, was born in Uzbekistan, which was at the time some people have called it a third world country, I think the term now is developing or developed, developing rather country. And it was a time of darkness. And then I came to the States. Happy to happy to carry the conversation, Michael, where you would like for it to go? How do you **Michael Hingson ** 03:30 go ahead. So tell us about you know, maybe what you remember a little bit about growing up in this Mecca, Stan? And then coming here and what it was like and all that. Sure. Sure. Yeah. So I framework is it were **Katya Davydova ** 03:41 a framework, I you know, I love a good framework, honestly, what we'll talk about frameworks and principles in a little bit. But as a kid, I was used to, I guess, I was gonna say I was used to like not having too much, because, you know, we grew up in a little bit of, I don't call poverty necessarily, but not not having as much abundance as a, quote unquote, traditional American childhood might offer. But we my family, and I were lucky enough to emigrate to the States when I was a kid. And came here not knowing a lick of English except for please, and thank you. And where's the bathroom? **Michael Hingson ** 04:18 There are three essential, that's important one, too. Yeah, of **Katya Davydova ** 04:21 course, of course, he got to know where the important places are. And there's a little bit of gratitude and asking for help. And so as a kid here in the States, I landed, McKinley landed in Virginia and just kind of started living. I remember, if you're talking about pivotal moments, I remember walking into a grocery store, and being absolutely astounded by the selection and the array of things available for purchase. Right. And as Becca Stan, we had to stand in line for food, because that was the reality. And in America, you could buy like 16 Different kinds of apple at your whim. It was incredible. **Michael Hingson ** 04:56 I was amazed when we moved to New Jersey and lived there for six years. yours went into the store the number of different kinds of loaves of bread, the different kinds of bread. Much different than here in California. **Katya Davydova ** 05:09 Yes, yes. Would you say that? It's more in New Jersey in California? Oh, lots more. Yeah. Really? Why do you think that is? **Michael Hingson ** 05:16 I don't know. I never could figure it out. But there was a lot more different kinds of bread. And they were all very tasty but different, a lot more different kinds of bread, I think. And maybe it's the Italian influence. Who knows? Maybe **Katya Davydova ** 05:27 Maybe New Jersey puts the new and new loaves of bread in New Jersey. Good be? Yes. So similar to that, right? Just the whole bushy tailed, bright eyed person looking at a grocery store store aisle. But as a kid, I just I love to play, you know, as any child would like to play, got good grades went on to do well in school, and was really driven by noticing how people interact and helping to facilitate those kinds of interactions, relationships. In fact, I've been a peer mediator since fifth grade. I think that really paved the way for being in the service of other people, right, wanting to help others thrive. **Michael Hingson ** 06:09 So why do you think that you develop that interest? **Katya Davydova ** 06:14 Yeah, it's a good question. I grew up as an older kid. And I think I was an extroverted introvert or an introverted extrovert. But I was definitely very social with a healthy dose of shyness, right? Because I was like, Oh, I don't want to make too much of a ruckus. And I remember as a kid, I would always interact really well with adults, like at a dinner party. If my parents were having friends over. At school, I would I remember in third grade, I was asked to facilitate a group of adults who were visiting from some Russian speaker Slavic speaking country, I was asked to like, facilitate their visit. I was like, okay, like I can get along with adults. This is easy. Sometimes getting along with fellow kids was sometimes a challenge don't always, you know, I got bullied just like any, any other kid or most kids, but was able to really dive into exploring conversations. And I think the why is that and not to sound self aggrandizing. But I I am a deeply curious person, and I love understanding how the world works. Which Michael, I know that it is something that you and I share. **Michael Hingson ** 07:20 We do. And it's It's always fascinating to learn more about how the world works and when to make new discoveries and just get more insights to isn't definitely **Katya Davydova ** 07:31 definitely for sure. That's overall synopsis of little little young Katya. **Michael Hingson ** 07:37 So you went through school, went through high school, cope with all that survived was all that in Virginia. **Katya Davydova ** 07:42 That was all in Virginia. Yes. Right outside of DC. **Michael Hingson ** 07:46 What did you do for college? **Katya Davydova ** 07:48 I went to UVA, go, who is love my bajos? Yeah, and I studied cognitive science, psychology and Russian there. So I had a double major and a minor. And did a thesis, you know, is on a lot of like, a lot of clubs, a lot of committees, a lot of leadership organization. And just really, I really think I maximize my college experience. Now people always ask the coffee, what do you regret most about your college experience? Or what do you what do you wish you'd done more of? And honestly, I wish I partied more like, I probably did enough as it was, especially my first year of college. But I took school very seriously. And, you know, to dwell on it. But I wish I had spent a little bit more time partying. I don't know, I don't know if people say that. Typically. I **Michael Hingson ** 08:33 don't know that they do. But I I appreciate it and understand what the reality is that that college and the whole social life is part of what we should do. Do you think that you know, I've had some people be guests on unstoppable mindset who said that? They didn't think that college really prepared them for life that it was way too theoretical? What do you think? Interesting concept? I mean, **Katya Davydova ** 09:00 it is, Michael, before we dive into that, do you have any theories? Or did they share any theories on why it was too theoretical? **Michael Hingson ** 09:09 They just felt that faculty and so on, we're not really from the working environment that they they came from a college environment, they didn't really have a lot of exposure to the rest of the world. Yeah, and I can see that in some kinds of colleges, maybe some of the more advanced theoretical universities, but community colleges, maybe to a little bit lesser degree, the state colleges probably had more people who did spend some time out in the world and maybe they would be different. That's kind of my perception. **Katya Davydova ** 09:43 Yeah, that's that's a great hypothesis. I can see how, you know, potentially on both sides of the spectrum, there's that sentiment. I think that UVA actually prepared me really well for school. I will say that the location of it right in Charlottesville, Virginia was very warm. Not very, it was insular to a degree, it felt like a bubble because it was beautiful, blissful place where, of course, you know, bad things, of course happened. But I felt very in community when I was both undergrad there. And also when I came back to Charlottesville as an adult, and I mean, my high school prepared me really well for college though, like I was used to the, to the, to the hard work aspect. But I also did a lot of things besides classes, like I had a bunch of internships, I volunteered, had this amazing volunteer experience with it was for specifically for men with comorbid, schizophrenia and substance use disorders. And it was Psychosocial Rehabilitation. So imagine this, like 21 year old girl who's just like, rash and really brimming with excitement, coming into the space where there was, there was a lot of pain, and there was a lot of struggles with, with substances with alcohol. And I was like, wow, we can really, we can really see these humans for the human aspect of it. Right, not, not the some of their past stories, necessarily. And it was just such a delightful and expansive time. I remember that as a very crucial part of my last year of college, **Michael Hingson ** 11:15 you kind of wonder, why is it that some people go that way? Why do they over indulge in alcohol, much less drugs and so on? It's, it's a fascinating question, that I've, I've never experienced any of that. I've never been drunk, I have no desire to be drunk. Although I'd love to say that. I feel sorry for people who don't drink because when they get up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel for the rest of the day. But I don't listen to too much Dean Martin, what can I say? But, but seriously, I, I've never understood it. But I, I do appreciate that a lot of it has to do with covering up and just trying to hide from, from the world. Yeah. **Katya Davydova ** 11:58 Could be I mean, there's, there's, there's so many factors, right? There's the family history, there's genetics, there's nature versus nurture. My, my goal is to not not blame because I don't know, circumstances. And **Michael Hingson ** 12:15 more understand than blame, I think blaming doesn't help anyone. Exactly, **Katya Davydova ** 12:19 exactly. But I think that just opened my eyes to the different ways that people show up and the different kinds of lives that that people have. And it also made me I don't wanna say realize, because I've noticed before, but it also affirms how incredibly privileged I was, and am right to this day that I'm healthy, I'm generally happy. I've got a loving support network, a loving system. And I am lucky to have had the opportunities that I've had both in education in grad school and work and relationships and the things I do outside of work, like, there's so much to them, which to be grateful for really, **Michael Hingson ** 13:00 you know, I think a lot about being blind and not being blind. But one of the blessings that I feel I have is having never really dealt with different color skins. It's strange to me that people can be so antagonistic toward people who have different skin colors, simply because of the color of their skin for me, I don't care. I've never seen different skin colors. And I and you know, I don't know what it would have been like if I had been able to see. But I would like to think that I'm a little bit smarter than that, and really don't think that it really should matter. **Katya Davydova ** 13:38 Yeah, yeah. Michael, how do you think that's played out in your relationships? Because you're literally like, you cannot see color? Right? So like, how has that shown up for you? And what has been the benefit to you and your relationships? **Michael Hingson ** 13:50 Well, so first of all, intellectually, I understand colors being I have a, I have a master's degree in physics, so we could talk about wavelengths and all that all day long. And so I understand it. And I appreciate that there are different skin colors, intellectually, but it's the emotional part. So for me, it has never been an issue. And I've been able to walk around New York and places where people say, but you don't want to go there. Because different racism. And all that night and kind of my position is well, you know, I don't want to go where somebody's gonna hate me. But at the same time, I think that a lot of the way that we behave, determines how people behave toward us. And so I've just never really been bothered. **Katya Davydova ** 14:35 Yeah, I'm really struck by what you said, the way that we behave oftentimes reflects on how other people behave towards us. Can I tell you a quick story about that? very recent. Last night I got back from a very, very long day, I was facilitating an off site workshop on feedback scales for an executive team, and just had a whole whole bunch of things. I was out for like almost 12 hours, and then I had to come Hold it like actually start start the work right. So I booked my day job work and my other work. And I remember just sitting there as like I have so depleted I wanted a nap I wanted to eat. But okay, I won't take a nap. I'll eat of course. But let me just give give myself the gift of a walk before I dive into work. Because now it took, you know, several decades to know that you should always push your body and your brain to 100% of the time. Yeah, every single day. At the lesson that I still struggle with, we can definitely come back to that. But as I was taking this walk, I remember just being so radiantly happy, just ongoing and marveling at the world by it was golden. Our folks were out and about on their evening walks, I went to the dog park, there was so many puppies there. And it well, several came over and sat down next to me. And as just kind of walking through the streets like galavanting, right? with a huge grin plastered on my face is just genuinely happy to be here be alive in this world. And so many people, mild back waved from their cars, like honk just just like exchanging these little micro moments of connection, I got to talk to somebody from their car, we're like, looking at those little robot delivery robots are the food delivery robots, and just creating these pockets for micro interaction among strangers, right, that makes you feel or that made me feel a lot more rooted. Yeah, genuinely rooted. **Michael Hingson ** 16:27 In the very fact that you can do that and going around with a smile, this is always a much better way to to be anyway, and it does affect your outlook. And people will react to that. And they'll react typically in a positive way, which is so great. Yeah, **Katya Davydova ** 16:44 yeah, I think there's just true, I'm leaning more into this now more and more, especially the last couple of months and potentially years is, how do I reflect outward, the best of my experience of the world and the best of myself, so that other people can be, I'm not going to try to make anyone feel any sort of way, but maybe to inspire maybe to put a smile on somebody else's face. That's something that I have loved leaning a little bit more into. One of **Michael Hingson ** 17:14 the lessons that I've learned from working with a number of Guide Dogs is that they really take on or are affected by the, their handlers, they're humans. And if you tend to act very nervous and very stressed all the time, or if you suddenly are walking with them, and when you get lost, or you think you're lost, and you're stressed, they're going to react to that, because guiding is a very stressful job. And people who truly learn to understand the whole aspect of dealing with the dog. Know that, that for the most part, and there are exceptions when a dog is abused or whatever. But so for the most part, they want to please they know they want you to tell them the rules, and they want to be able to, to obey the rules and do the right thing. And if you act positive, if you don't act panicky and you don't act stressed, then they're going to be happier, and they're going to do better. And I have no better example of that than escaping from the World Trade Center. I could have been very stressed going down the stairs and been very nervous toward Roselle. But I knew that what I needed to do was just continue to tell them what a great job good job keeping what a good dog and, and that, in turn, as I did that, and she detected from me that I was okay. She was okay. So that if something were to suddenly happened in something affected her immediately, I wouldn't know okay, something's not right here. But it's not the dog. There's something else going on. But otherwise, interacting is such an important thing. And, and I think that's just as true with the people or person to person interaction. You react positively. And so once you actually Asli for the most part, unless somebody is just really not connected, then they're going to react possible. You can be too. Yeah, **Katya Davydova ** 19:04 yeah. Michael, I love that you share the story of you and Roselle. And I also know that your current guide dog is Alamo. Right, right. **Michael Hingson ** 19:11 Who is over here asleep on the floor? Oh, four. **Katya Davydova ** 19:14 Oh, my gosh. I'm very curious. Do you feel that? I mean, I think the answer is yes. I was gonna ask the question like, do all of your or have all your different guide dogs have had different personalities? Oh, yeah. And if so, like, how? How do you either build off of that? What did the interactions feel like to you to all your dogs? Can you tell us a little bit more about that I'm still **Michael Hingson ** 19:37 building a team, right? And working with a guide dog is creating a team. So in every case, it is still they want a team leader and I know that that has to be me. And what I need to learn are the gifts and the strengths of each dog hands and they figure out what works with me as well and the strengths that I have. But if if I am in consistent when I don't always behave in a good way toward them, then they're going to be frightened or they're going to develop a fear on that side a bit thing. Yeah. So So for you, you you prove that last night with your walk? **Katya Davydova ** 20:13 Yes, yes. proved it over and over again, right? Because the more goodness we put out into the world, the more I think we feel richer on it. Yeah. **Michael Hingson ** 20:21 So you you went to college down? Did you get an advanced degree or just naturally sort of, I **Katya Davydova ** 20:27 know, I went to grad school, I have a master's in organizational development and knowledge management, because to trace the story there, after undergrad. So for the first 22 years of my life, I was convinced I was going to do a PhD in Clinical Psychology and go be a clinical psychologist to help other people with their challenges. And then I did a thesis my last year of college, and I decided that shout out to all my PhD errs, I have a couple of friends who have either just finished or in the middle of PhD programs, I decided that I did not want to spend seven years six, seven years in a windowless basement like I had my last year of college collecting data that is ultimately such a deep dive, but not a broad dive, I saw that that the impact that one piece of research, aka my piece of research, the impact wasn't going to be as broad or expansive as I would have liked it for it to be. So I decided to xA going to get a PhD in clinical psych, and said sold my soul to consulting, which a lot of people did. I promised myself I wouldn't, but I did. But in that organization, and in that job, I learned what it means like to feel a cog in a machine and to feel as just a mechanistic part of an organization versus a valued human. Like, of course, I had amazing co workers and I had well, I had amazing co workers. Gonna say things about bosses, co workers. Yeah. **Michael Hingson ** 22:01 And some bosses can be good if they really understand what it means to be a boss. But that's a different story. **Katya Davydova ** 22:05 Yes, I think it is that and I also think it's the systemic structure of the organization. So the way that that organization was structured was not systemically designed to amplify the individual gifts of people. It was meant to squeeze out all of the labor that they could. But I don't think like I'm not not trying to badmouth them. I think that's the the design of a lot of organizations today. Right? Like truly, and I study organization, so I see it in real time. So what's **Michael Hingson ** 22:31 the other side of that? Is that that when that's all they do, they tend not to value nearly as much the human aspect of the companies go toward being a less human oriented and less person oriented organization. **Katya Davydova ** 22:47 Yes, yes, exactly. And that's not to say that, like, that experience didn't give me so many valuable experiences, like I got to be one of the only folks who got to travel internationally, right, I got to do really impactful projects, I gave you a lot of skills that I still use to this day. But what it also opened my mind to was the fact that if we work for the majority of our lives, we should be doing work that feels joyful, meaningful, purposeful, and ultimately, uplifting. Not a nowadays, of course, but for majority of the time, because that's our livelihood. And so I decided to switch jobs to get referred into a job in higher education. So I mosey back down from DC to Charlottesville, Virginia, but at the same time had applied for grad school in organizational development and knowledge management. So it's commuting back and forth on the weekends for in person classes while working full time and living full time in the middle of Virginia. So those two years were just two and a half years were an insane flurry of activity of full time work full time grad squads do Toastmasters, which is a public speaking organization with working out with managing like, or navigating a long distance relationship across the country. It was a lot. It was it was a lot and what a bountiful season that was. **Michael Hingson ** 23:59 Yeah, long distance relationships can be a big challenge. Definitely, **Katya Davydova ** 24:03 definitely. Yeah, we had started out as, like medium distance and then get moved across the country and was like, Okay, well, that was just okay. Yeah, good lesson. He's one of my best friends to this day. I love him with all my heart. He's an amazing human. **Michael Hingson ** 24:20 He's he's still across the country. No, no, we **Katya Davydova ** 24:23 live in the world. We used to live in the same city. Now he's in a different city, but we see each other occasionally. **Michael Hingson ** 24:29 Yeah. Did you ever develop a family or is it still just you? **Katya Davydova ** 24:34 It's still just me. I am very blessed by the people that I have in my life, the relationships that I have friendships, but I feel very I **Michael Hingson ** 24:41 kind of figured out because you talked about taking the walk yesterday and that was my impression, but still, having relationships and having good positive relationships and long term ones are still very important things to happen. And **Katya Davydova ** 24:55 I agree. I agree. So you **Michael Hingson ** 24:57 got your you got your masters do write them. What did you do? **Katya Davydova ** 25:02 Then I realized that, you know, I've got my master's, the work that I was doing in higher education, which was helping high school students and their families build up a good profile, a good set of activities, a good sort of pathway towards competitive college admissions. That was all fine at all, but I needed more impact. And I quit that job after finishing grad school. And I decided to kind of say, eff it. We're moving across the country because I had visited Los Angeles a couple of times when I was in grad school and working full time, and I just absolutely fell in love with the city. It was something that was so vibrant, so sunny, the people were nice, the mountains were so close by. And I remember I was on a run in Los Angeles in December 2018. And I remember looking at over the think was the five is one of the freeways I remember looking at it over the five is like, I am so darn happy. Like, this is just this moment of elation that this is where I needed to be. And then six months later, I drove across the country to land in LA and have not looked back for a number of years now. It's been a magical journey since I **Michael Hingson ** 26:15 wake up to the Hollywood sign every day. Yeah, **Katya Davydova ** 26:17 that's my window. No, truly, I really do. I wake up and like, there it is. Hello, Hollywood. Yeah. And I just the reason I'm sharing the story about moving across the country is because there was an ethos in me that was present and that had been building, which perhaps some listeners can resonate with. The ethos was this, she dreamed it. So she did it. Right. It's kind of like, if I was 111 years old, on my deathbed looking back at my life, what are the things that I wish I would have done? What are the things that I wish I would have said? And, you know, I read a lot about like books on studies on Regrets of the Dying or things that people wish they would have done. And, you know, I wish I worked less. I wish I spend more time with loved ones. I wish I took more risks. So I decided to really lean into that and just said kind of, let's do it. Let's just start a new adventure. **Michael Hingson ** 27:11 isn't nice and toasty down there today. **Katya Davydova ** 27:13 You know, today is the perfect day of its thinking that low 80s It's going to be a scorcher this weekend. Somewhere in the 80s. Yeah, I've got Yeah, friends in Sacramento. They're like, yeah, it's 108 Sounds like **Michael Hingson ** 27:24 oh, yeah, yeah, they Well, but they're hot air comes from the cabin. So it was a different story. But yeah, but I it's like 93 here in Victorville. Yeah, supposed to get hot too. So we'll see. Wow, **Katya Davydova ** 27:38 thank goodness for AC right. **Michael Hingson ** 27:41 You better believe it? Oh, my goodness, **Katya Davydova ** 27:43 my I live in a historic building. And it doesn't have AC in the living room, the dining room, which is where I work from. So lots of fans. So we're just we're circulating air here. But well, and fans help a lot. Yes, they do. I am their number one fan, a fan. I get it. Know You're a huge putter and a joker. So **Michael Hingson ** 28:05 I get it. So you move down here? And what did you start to do that when you started your own business, **Katya Davydova ** 28:10 right the systems, the processes to help people thrive at work, because that's, you know, my degree was very much into that. And I loved it, Michael, like it was such an incredible time to be able to build so I built out an onboarding program, a Learning Development Program, performance development, really helping folks thrive. And months and months later, the pandemic had just arrived in LA was just kind of getting settled, making, you know, friendships and relationships. And then we experienced this huge, like, blow out right of the world. And a month after that, a month after March 2020, my company merged with another company. And so there was layoffs, there was restructuring. It was a pretty dark time, to say the least a very, very dark time. **Michael Hingson ** 29:00 What did you do? **Katya Davydova ** 29:02 cried a lot. I think so I think a lot of people did felt the way to the world and realize that. Yes, the world absolutely feels exorbitantly heavy. Yes, I was pulling 15 hours a day working on my own work on side projects on just like trying to run on the wheel of productivity. I remember when we talked about briefly, how I kind of alluded to the fact that it was difficult for me to relax. Still very much the case but during that time, especially in the 2020s 2021 22 very, very difficult to do so because there was always more to do always wanted to be done. Yeah. But I realized that that's not sustainable. And I was extremely burnt out. So I couldn't go and we were some of the hiking trails were closed because I would let off steam by hiking running. They were closed. And I was like, Okay, I gotta do something within my locus of control. Again, going back to our initial conversation, and I just began taking walks around my neighborhood before work during work after work, and just noticing all of the ordinary things that were ever present, but really spending delivered a time and attention on them and seeing what I what meaning I could impart from those things. So just today I was thinking about this, I stepped on a really, really crunchy leaf, and it just like, Oh, it is so crunchy like, scent and tingles down my spine, things like that, right? Things that we just like, encounter in everyday life that are so plain so quotidian. What if we could really revel in their in their ordinariness? So **Michael Hingson ** 30:36 you? You put up with a lot with all of that, and how have you come out of the COVID environment than some of them? Yeah, **Katya Davydova ** 30:44 I think we came out of it pretty darn well, I, when my company merged with the other organization, that was also a lot of work, because again, went from being a team to being the sole person says, heading learning and development was also doing People Operations. Really good opportunity to develop rogram programmatic, I guess, scale to like, really build a program for a 400 person, international global company, of how to actually build systems, processes and micro habits in place so that people can learn, right, because I think we are nothing if we don't learn if we don't stay curious. And during that time, when I was exiting that job to go work elsewhere, I also decided to write a book, because I was approaching a milestone birthday. And I'd wanted to punctuate that period of my life with an exclamation point, versus just our standard ellipsis. Right, one year into the next I was like, No, I want to make this big go out with a bang. And decided to write a book, because that was a very, very hard thing. And never done before I you know, I have written for the majority of my life, but writing a book is different. It's different. It's very different. So yeah, and started my new job, started the book and moved in with my then partner all in the span of one month. And that was such a beautiful, expansive, wondrous season. I was very grateful for that time. **Michael Hingson ** 32:18 And so what exactly are you doing? Yeah. So **Katya Davydova ** 32:22 right now, I work as a leadership facilitator, where I teach managers and executive executives leadership skills, and I'm also a coach for high achievers to help them get from where they are to either a higher place or however they define that, or to a place of more calm, more peace, especially for my fellow high achievers can be very difficult for us to relax, but really helped them with building out those micro habits sustainably, so that they actually enact behavioural change that they would like **Michael Hingson ** 32:49 to see. So are you doing this for someone else? Or in your own business now? **Katya Davydova ** 32:52 For myself? Okay, so **Michael Hingson ** 32:55 you have now branched off and taken the leap into your own business. You paperwork in all the forms that the California Secretary of State requires? **Katya Davydova ** 33:06 Well, this is a it's a to be to be expanded type of deal, because I saw my day job. Yeah. Okay. A lot of effort there. **Michael Hingson ** 33:16 So what's your day job? **Katya Davydova ** 33:19 So I leadership, trader, learning experiences for managers and executives, I teach things like influential communication, feedback, strategic thinking, like yesterday, I taught a I don't want to say the name but a famous well being health company. And it was just really, really cool to be in a space with the executive team with, you know, the CEO at the helm. And it's like, wow, we get to talk so meaningfully about things that actually matter. How do you build a sustainable feedback culture at this young organization? How do you as leaders model these behaviors that repple down to the business down to the organization, that's a deeply deeply meaningful work? **Michael Hingson ** 34:01 So you you do a lot of different things relating to organization development, your speaker, you're an author and so on. What's your core motivator? **Katya Davydova ** 34:12 I think it goes back to your beautifully articulated beginning sentence Michael of creating a more joyful world. For folks who might be tuning in visually I'm wearing a yellow shirt yellow is my is my color just because it's the the color of lights, the color of expansion, the color possibility, and I'm some days I'm of sheer optimist. Some days, I'm a nihilistic optimist, happy to dive into what that means as well. But essentially, I really believe in the goodness of people, both as individuals and the collective power to be good and do good. And I think that we each of us, and I do I really say this with so much conviction and not like the try, like everyone's good, but just a true conviction. that people are so good. And we have the capacity to do amazing things and to affect others in positive ways. That does not mean that we're always going to be perfect. That does not mean that we're never going to hurt people's feelings, or or, you know, potentially even do unsavory things. But what if we could live in a world in which we want to see? Alright, I know that there's a, there's a famous quote in there. But I just I, I love the feeling of being able to connect people being able to make them feel like they matter. That's what it is, at the end of the day, I want people to feel like they matter. **Michael Hingson ** 35:38 And that helps you achieve. **Katya Davydova ** 35:40 Yeah, it gives me a deep sense of meaning a deep sense of purpose. Purpose. Yeah. Well, **Michael Hingson ** 35:50 and personally, from my perspective, I love what you what you're saying makes perfect sense. You know, I don't think that people are born bad. I think it's a learned behavior that oftentimes too many people ascribe to and it's something that really we we need to deal with and recognize that there's a lot more power in being good in loving than anything else. Yeah. **Katya Davydova ** 36:13 Yeah. I mean, Michael, let me let me ask you this question. I'm sure you've been asked to ask him before. But I'm curious what your response is, in this moment. What drives you to do the things that you do to spread your message to spread awareness to do you know, hundreds of speaking engagements a year? What motivates you? **Michael Hingson ** 36:30 Well, I think probably somewhat the same thing that you do, I want to inspire I want to educate people, I want people to learn more about blindness, and that, that our view of disability is totally wrong. disability does not mean a lack of ability, and that every person on this planet has a disability of one sort or another. We could delve into that. But the reality is, I think that anytime that we can contribute to making people have a better outlook is an important and a good thing to do. Yeah. **Katya Davydova ** 37:03 Is that something that you felt yourself cultivating as a child or something that you grew into, **Michael Hingson ** 37:09 I always wanted to be a teacher. And my first job out of college took me in a different direction, sort of. But I ultimately realized that being a teacher doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to be hired into plant to teach in the classroom or whatever. And then, in fact, most of the jobs that I have had, including what I do today, is all about teaching. And that, that it's important to teach the right and important things. And that in reality, I can't teach anyone anything they have to teach themselves. All I can do is show the way. **Katya Davydova ** 37:49 Yes, yes. I love that. And what's what is it that keeps you going? Right, because sometimes being a teacher is difficult to continually have to exert some or a lot of ourselves to do so. What keeps you going? **Michael Hingson ** 38:04 Well, I That's a fair question. And I'm gonna turn it around in a second and ask you the same thing, but, but for me, look, I believe that that people are doing it. I love life, I love the fact that life is an adventure that we all should share him. I think that there is an absolute relevant world of morals and ethics and so on. And so it's always frustrating when I see people totally ignoring morals, totally ignoring ethics, doing some of the things that we're seeing people do in our in our world today. But I ultimately have seen too many examples of life is really composed mostly of good people. And we can be better for it. And we need to really emphasize the good and the love part. I'm with with Henry Drummond love is the most important thing in the world. And it is something that will transcend everything that we deal with. And if we don't do it, it will destroy anyone who really decides not to truly be a loving individual. So it keeps me going knowing that some of those things are true. Some of those things work. And I want to continue to help motivate people to to do better and be better than they are. And maybe it's like what you were thinking of the whole Gandhi quote of Be the change you want to see in the morning. Exactly. Yes. How about you? **Katya Davydova ** 39:33 Yeah, I think about this question as it is interlaced with the topic of burnout, where in today's as well. Yeah, and I would say in today's society that folks are more prone to an experience more burnout more than ever. The reason that I contrast that is because at the end of the day, while systems, organizational systems worldwide system, global citizens are like me not designed for necessarily human flourishing, because if you look at the eight hour workday, right, that is an archaic practice from the 50s. From the line of Dr. Work that some people are definitely not working eight hours, some people are working way more, but the human brain and body are not designed to sit in a chair for eight hours a day and look at a screen. Right? That is my soapbox. Wow, I love taking us down this. And I say this because it can get very exhausting to show up over and over and over again. But I think that what it boils down to is that, to your point about making a brighter world, if we have a choice to show up as loving, as kind as caring, why wouldn't we? Right? It almost seems like the me at least, I mean, I might be biased, but it almost feels like the natural choice. But I also think that this is not something that many of us consciously step into, like I had to get there. I had this really powerful lesson from my prior relationship, where my former partner and I, you know, we were living together had a great relationship. But he's, again, still one of my best friends different partner than the other one I mentioned. And he told me, he's like Katya, like, you nag me a lot, right? You like, tell me like, what what you wish I did more of what? What I'm not doing right. Like, you don't tell me as much the things that I am doing, right? It's like, Oh, my God, you're so right. Like, I wasn't giving him that positive reinforcement that we and research affirms is crucial, or strong relationships. Because according to adult learning theory, adults learn best by positive reinforcement by doubling down on things that they do well. And ever since he said that, to me, I like really took that to heart, because I asked him for feedback, after we broke up was like, Hey, give me some feedback on how I can be a better partner. And it was really, really valuable. And that's one of the lessons that I carry forth with me. If there's a way that I can positively amplify someone else's experience, someone else's work someone else's, you know, anything that they do, why wouldn't I? Yeah, it makes it better for everybody involved. And it feels so good for both **Michael Hingson ** 42:04 parties. And, and you're not doing it from the standpoint of arrogance. You're doing it from the standpoint of love, and because you want to really be a helpful part of humanity. **Katya Davydova ** 42:16 Yeah, yeah, exactly. And it's sometimes like, yeah, it can take effort, especially when we've had a day. It can be very easy to say like, well, the wild is dark, and I'm tired, right? So I'm gonna go like wallow. And of course, like, everyone does, I do that, too. But when we have the choice to show up as our best selves, **Michael Hingson ** 42:33 I wouldn't wait. Yeah. So tell me, what do you think having an unstoppable mindset means? **Katya Davydova ** 42:43 I love this question. You know, I was reflecting a lot about this in preparation for our conversation today, Michael. I think there's the tangible resilience, skills, the things that we can learn, right, all the coping mechanisms, being aware of how stress shows up in our brains and bodies, you know, employing techniques like deep breathing, or the 200 technique, or, you know, inviting cognitive offload. All of those terms, by the way, are terms that I teach for my day job, which I just love. But essentially, there's the hard skills, right, like, if you experienced this type of stressor, here's how you can cope. That's one way to be unstoppable, so that you have the systems, the mechanistic systems in place to get you through our times. But I think there's also the flip side of being unstoppable is having the belief that you are able to overcome any challenge that comes in your way. And if not overcome to your ideal, desired level, that there's lessons that you can take from it. So if you overcome it, amazing, great, you've made it through made it past, if it didn't go quite as planned that there's takeaways to help guide you on the next iteration, the next chapter. And I think that that sort of intangible that second flavor is the more intangible that limitless belief that instead of a limiting belief, that you are capable, that you are able and that in the end, things will turn out however they turn out. **Michael Hingson ** 44:17 So I'm sure that you've had in your life and you can point to times that you've had to face adversity, what's gotten you through it, how do you do them? **Katya Davydova ** 44:27 Yeah, I was actually just discussing coping styles, like there's different types of coping styles of stress. And my typical coping style is just robot mode. I'll share with you a story that about almost a decade ago, actually now, I was in a near fatal head on collision. And it was a really hard time everybody walked out it was it was all good. Well, all good. I put that in quotes, air quotes. I expected after that, that I would just go back to life and like, you know, maybe take some time to recover maybe like rest and I did not write I just continued pumping out at 100% 150% Just the way I had been before before the accident. And I tell the story, because when I tell my participants about the story, I'm like, you know, I should have learned to take better care of myself, I should have learned to slow down and actually rest. And I did it. But what got me through is that like, okay, like, this is going to be a hard season, I'm going to just go robot do the things that I need to do to stay afloat. But what I've been learning recently in the last couple of years is to actually listen to my body. If I'm tired, maybe that's an indication that I should take a break. Right? What did curiosity what did that though? Just knowing to answer your question more directly, Michael, to get through hard times, knowing that there is going to be a different time, a time that I feel 1% Less bad **Michael Hingson ** 45:51 tomorrow. So let's go back to let's go back to going robot. does that also mean you're just doing things, if you will, by rote or being a robot, that it gives you your brain time to think and to process? And then of course, you have to listen to what comes out or learn to listen to what comes out. But does that then by giving your brain a chance to process? If you think that is true, then that's it is it is truly a healing mechanism that that allows you to come out of it stronger and better for what you do. **Katya Davydova ** 46:30 Yeah, yeah, I really think it's a way of compartmentalization, where I know that there's things that quote unquote, have to get done, right in order for me to carry on the way that I've been living. But I also think it can be maladaptive because I sometimes may not take enough time to grieve, right or to process, I journal a lot. So that that is my sort of grieving mechanism. And lately, again, as I said, I went through a lot of heavy things this past year, actually allowing myself the time to just like, go on a mountaintop and cry, you know, as a sort of movie like as it sounds, it's really, really cathartic and healing to say, okay, Kati, like these are the things that are bubbling up, let them out, as opposed to squashing them down and dealing with them never so that they're unresolved. **Michael Hingson ** 47:16 Yeah, I think that's part of the the issue is that if you just push them down, and you don't pay attention to them, when you don't deal with issues that come up, then you're going to come up and get you in the end anyway. **Katya Davydova ** 47:28 And intensify potentially and intensify. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. I think having the sense of community around as well. I've I'm curious, Michael, how this shows up for you. But I haven't been really great at asking for help, especially in my younger years, because I'm like, I can do it on my own. You know, I grew up very independent talking to adults, as I mentioned. And so I was like, I can do everything myself, right. But now I'm like, leaning on my community. I'm like, Hey, friends, like I'm feeling really bad, like helped, you know, and are like, what would you do in this situation, and everyone has shown up and just such the most kind, loving way. And just remembering that there's people who want to be in your corner. **Michael Hingson ** 48:05 And people who care, people who care. I, I have learned, especially and talk about it since September 11, that when I think I've learned it a long before then especially working with guide dogs, it's all about teamwork and team development. But I think that there is a lot to always be said for having a team. And we may or may not necessarily recognize it. And sometimes we we may even just want to push the team away. But when we truly interact with the team, interact with the people around us and let them into our lives. It is such a wonderful, very powerful thing to do. **Katya Davydova ** 48:51 Is there a moment like that that stands out for you and your life? **Michael Hingson ** 48:54 Well, immediately what I'm thinking of is that that my wife of 40 years passed away last November. And so we we had been married literally 40 years. So suddenly, I was alone, in a sense, because now she wasn't here. I did have a few months to sort of prepare for it because we knew what was happening. This her body started slowing down. She's been in a wheelchair, her wife and her buddy just started slowing down and that happened for her. But suddenly, no matter what you think it was suddenly there and now she's no longer here. Although I'd love to tell people she's watching somewhere and if I misbehave, I'm going to hear about it. But But still, it's different now. And one of the things that we did was I decided to have a meeting, kind of a celebration of life, which we did in January the week the shoe We did a service for her in the middle of January where we spread her ashes. And then the next week, we did a celebration of life online. And people came from around the world literally, to participate in that for her. And I realized how much not only she but I had in such a blessing with so many people who wanted to continue to be part of our lives. And, and then it worked out really well. So I, I love to stay in touch with people, but I also now value even more times of flight. So I can I can go through a good period of time and not turn the TV on not turn the radio on or anything and just have a quiet or I'll just read a book. And that's okay. Yeah, yeah. **Katya Davydova ** 50:55 I really appreciate your sharing your story, Michael, that's, that's, **Michael Hingson ** 51:00 I think it is important that we all need to take time to collect our own thoughts, and that we need to value other people. But at the same time, we also need to recognize that we have to value ourselves and in our lives. And ultimately, again, we're our best teachers, and we have to teach ourselves. **Katya Davydova ** 51:22 Yes, and teach ourselves not once, not twice, but iteratively, right, like set up potentially even systems or habits to remind ourselves, to spend time with ourselves to check in to journal to write to do whatever it is that makes us feel centered. **Michael Hingson ** 51:34 I'm a firm believer that people should take some time every day to just think and as I was I talked about introspection. That is something that we we can do when people say I don't have the time to do that too much do yes, you do. Always have to. **Katya Davydova ** 51:54 I also used to be one of those people who's like, I don't have time I'm literally doing like I'm working 14 hour days. I'm moving from one thing to the next. And what I share people my schedule when I like, let them see my calendar. They're like, Kati, this is insane. Like, I know, it's insane. That's why I don't have time. But there is always time and micromoments right. Lately, I've been finding meditative moments on like, I bike to the gym, or I walk around the neighborhood or like, deliberately, if I can't sit still, which it's it is very difficult for me to still sit still. Then I'll find that stillness as I'm physically moving. Right? And like the mind just comes down. I'm a rock climber. So whenever like I'm on the wall, holding on for dear life. That is such a perfect opportunity to think about like, nothing else matters. Besides this moment. That is it. Right you're **Michael Hingson ** 52:37 holding on? And the reality is we always do have time, it's just that we make the choice not to. And that's the problem that each of us has to grow out. Mm **Katya Davydova ** 52:47 hmm. I wouldn't even view it as a problem, right? Because problem or a challenge? Challenge, somewhat, but it makes it feel like like, you are at fault for **Michael Hingson ** 52:59 not Yeah, no, no, I hear you. **Katya Davydova ** 53:02 Yeah, I just I and this is still an unresolved thing for myself, too. And I share this right, even though I coach people on this, it's, it's still something that is such a constant work in progress. And that's why like, I really like thinking about the micro habits, right? How can we design systems in a way that we don't have to, we don't have to think about implementing this every day, we've already designed the backbone of the system that can carry us **Michael Hingson ** 53:26 through? How do we get people to do that? **Katya Davydova ** 53:30 Well, we get to get them to think about their motivations. So starting with a why, like, what is it that ultimately matters to them? And it's kind of like asking a ladder of lies, right? And why does that matter to you? And why does that matter to you? And what's at the true core, or like, what is the core of your essence or your being, and then connecting behaviors back onto that. So mapping it to sort of like this giant tree trunk of why we're all the branches, or the possible behaviors and the possible habits that folks might build. So for example, when my clients wants to build a little bit more structure in their morning schedule, and, you know, schedules are great structure is great, but why does that matter? Right? What will that ultimately give to that person? And so we were able to unpack that a little bit deeply in a way that the outcome was a sustainable, you know, chunk of time every day to connect back with themselves, because that was something that they were truly wanting and desiring **Michael Hingson ** 54:25 in 30 years, how would you like people to remember you in your life, not that you've passed away or anything, but in 30 years, there's a lot more time for people to develop memories about you. Definitely, **Katya Davydova ** 54:35 definitely. I love that you asked that question I got I'm gonna marinate on it. But the answer that comes to mind is I would like to be remembered as a source of light, love, joy and liberty for others, and that's kind of vague and nebulous, but I leave it vague and nebulous to be able to land a To the interpretation of each person, right, so if I can be that person that is able to make someone feel at least 10% better, if I'm that person who can help them craft systems or I can help them craft an environment where they do feel their most powerful, empowered, joyful selves, then I will have lived a great life. **Michael Hingson ** 55:20 And we would have done something that's really great. Yes, yes. What advice do you have for for people who are listening to this? **Katya Davydova ** 55:31 In general, I love I love how to end the big the big hitters show like I love your style. **Michael Hingson ** 55:41 It's a sir questions that come to mind. It's not that they were planned. To be honest, it's that they're devotee. Right? Scott talking. But anyway, **Katya Davydova ** 55:50 I think it's to continually remind ourselves that we have a choice and how we see the world. And to choose to see it in a way that ultimately is serves us and serves other people best. So my specific personalized version of it is to see the joy in the everyday to find little little treasures, right little moments of joy and wonder in the everyday, that's my own ethos, yours might be that, you know, you leave the world feeling you leave each day, helping one person feel inspired. Right? Whatever the flavor of it is, the advice that I would impart upon folks, if I could have like a billboard that would shine across the entire universe. Or maybe let's just keep it to Earth, planet Earth, the universe, in this one is to remember that we have the choice to show up and to try to show up as fully ourselves, and it's probably our best authentic versions of ourselves. Because that's all we have. **Michael Hingson ** 56:47 And I liked the fact that you talk about it as a choice, because it is a choice. And we can choose to do that or not. I think that's the important part about whatever we do, we we have the choice as to how we want to live, we may not always be able to control some of the things that happen to us, we always have the choice as to how we deal with it. And that's what's really important. Yeah. **Katya Davydova ** 57:12 And also making the space that if we don't feel like or cannot show up as our best selves that day, to not like get overly hard on ourselves about it, right? Because of course, sometimes we're gonna have off days off weeks off seasons, and just keep coming back to it with love. As long as we get that word, **Michael Hingson ** 57:27 give it to ourselves, and don't get hard on others either. **Katya Davydova ** 57:30 Yes, yes, exactly. Don't let that spread. Well, **Michael Hingson ** 57:34 this has been fun. I know, you've got to go off to another meeting, because you're just so popular. So I do want to thank you again for being here. And I hope that all of you enjoyed this. Please let us know what you think I would appreciate it. If you would reach out to me, you can email me at Michaelhi at accessibe A c c e s s i b e.com. Or go to our podcast page www dot Michael hingson.com/podcast. Love Of course, as I always say, but I do mean it. We really would appreciate five star ratings from you, wherever you're listening to this, but how do you how can people reach out to you and maybe take advantage of some of the things that you do and so on? **Katya Davydova ** 58:12 Yeah, thank you for asking that. And absolutely plus, plus a million to what you just shared about reaching out to Michael. But if you want to get in touch and honestly do truly mean this to please please reach out. It's just Katya at KatyaDavydova.com If you're an Instagram, it's at joy in plain sight, all one word. And if you want to find me on LinkedIn, it's Kaya Davydova. If you're someone who is interested in coaching and want to explore options for building more sustainable habits for life flourishing, I'm in your corner. I've got your back. Let's have a conversation. Again. Katya @KatyaDavydova.com. It'd be amazing to hear from you. Thank you might be on mute Michael **Michael Hingson ** 58:47 spell spell. Katya Davydova For us? **Katya Davydova ** 58:49 Sure. Katya is K a t y a. And Davydova is D a v y d o v a Davydova. **Michael Hingson ** 58:59 And you wrote a book? **Katya Davydova ** 59:00 I did. I did. Called joy in plain sight. And how can people get that? You're welcome to either find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, I believe target all your online retailers. If you want to personalize signed copy, I have a couple of those still left available. So I'm happy to mail you one. Feel free to just email me Katy@KatyaDavydova.com **Michael Hingson ** 59:22 Well, Katya, I want to thank you once again for being here and for doing this. It's been a joy, and it's been a pleasure and we need to do it again. Yes, **Katya Davydova ** 59:31 Michael, thank you so much for cultivating the space I just feel radiantly connected and extremely grateful for having this opportunity to chat with. **Michael Hingson ** 59:43 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our
Season 4 is SHINING SO BRIGHT!!! Our first guest is Susan McPherson! Susan is a serial connector, seasoned communicator, an author and a founder. She is the CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications agency focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do - Method for Building Meaningful Relationships. Susan has over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including The Hello Sunshine Shine Away Summit, The Kennedy Center, and the Massachusetts Conference for Women to name a few. She contributes to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. And Susan serves on multiple advisory boards on behalf of women in technology and leadership. For those of us lucky enough to know Susan, she is a joyful inspiration in life and a powerhouse....we are sooo happy to share all of her magical moments with you!
In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the role our stories play in our confidence journeys. When we're doing something scary, or experiencing self-doubt, too often, our story is one of disempowerment – I don't belong here, or I'm not good enough. It's a fluke, or there's been a huge mistake. But what happens when we change the story? My guest this week, Jodi Flynn, is the CEO and founder of Women Taking the Lead. Here we talk about the impact of our stories and what we can do to adopt more empowered mindsets. We also talk about the importance of consistently stretching and expanding our comfort bubbles so that they don't shrink and suffocate us.About My GuestJodi Flynn is the CEO and Founder of Women Taking the Lead, a leadership development company that works with allies, organizations, and boards to close the performance gap by attracting, developing and successfully promoting more women into senior levels of leadership. She helps organizations realize these benefits through coaching, consulting, leadership development programs and keynotes. Featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes magazines she is the host of the nationally recognized Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing.Jodi is a Co-Founder of The Maine Women's Conference and has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Women in Banking Conference, Emerging Leaders Conference, and Podcast Movement.~Connect with Jodi:Website: WomenTakingTheLead.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Women Taking the Lead Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/wttlWomen Taking the Lead Podcast episode featuring Kim Meninger: https://womentakingthelead.com/imposter-syndrome/~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/coachingJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management for Working Women
I'm thrilled to have Jodi Flynn on the podcast. Jodi is the CEO and Founder of Women Taking the Lead, a leadership development company that works with individuals, allies, and organizations, to close the gender parity gap by attracting, developing and successfully promoting more women into senior levels of leadership. She helps organizations realize these benefits through coaching, consulting, leadership development programs and keynotes. Featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes magazines Jodi is the host of the nationally recognized Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi is a Co-Founder of The Maine Women's Conference and has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Women in Banking Conference, Emerging Leaders Conference, and Podcast Movement. Take the leadership inventory Jodi discusses on the podcast here: https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory/ You can find out more about Jodi at WomenTakingTheLead.com You can also connect with Jodi on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn
Why do certain people advance in their careers, get promotions, and others don't? On this episode of the Live Greatly podcast Kristel Bauer sits down with Dr. Michelle King, the author of 'HOW WORK WORKS: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself' to discuss the keys for career advancement, the importance of social skills, why exceling in navigating your informal network is so important and lots more. Tune in now! Key Takeaways from This Episode: A look into Dr. Michelle P. King's new book, HOW WORK WORKS: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself How to set yourself up for advancement at work Why do certain people advance in the workplace and others don't? How to create and manage informal networks The importance of building self awareness What types of relationships cause the most stress? Skills to improve how you work with people How leaders can often lack self awareness and how to fix this The importance of using "what" questions for feedback ABOUT DR. MICHELLE KING: Dr. Michelle P. King is a globally recognized expert on inequality and organizational culture. Based on over a decade's worth of research, Michelle believes that we need to learn how workplaces work, so we can make them work for everyone. She is the host of a popular podcast called The Fix. Michelle is the author of the bestselling, award-winning book: The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work. Her second book, How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself, publishes internationally on October 10th, 2023 (HarperCollins). Michelle is an award-winning academic with five degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, a Postgraduate Degree in Journalism and a PhD in Management. Michelle is pursuing a post-doctoral research fellowship with Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. In addition, Michelle is an award winning speaker, having spoken at over 500 events worldwide including conferences like the Nobel Peace Prize Conference, Ellevate Network Conference, The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Texas Conference for Women, SXSW, She Summit and the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. Michelle is represented by London Speakers Bureau and regularly hosts keynotes, fireside chats or masterclasses with companies like, Amazon, FIFA, Guardian, Dior, FedEx, Netflix, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Met Life to name a few. Michelle is the founder of The Culture Practice, a global consultancy that provides leaders with the assessment, development, and inclusion coaching needed to build cultures that value difference. In addition, Michelle is a Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation's Girl Up Campaign, where she leads the NextGen Leadership Development Program, which enables young women to navigate and overcome the barriers to their success. Before this, Michelle was the Director of Inclusion at Netflix. Before that, she was the head of UN Women's Global Innovation Coalition for Change, which includes managing over 30 private sector partnerships to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women's empowerment. Michelle has two decades of international experience working in the private sector. Website: https://www.michellepking.com Book: https://www.michellepking.com/how-work-works/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellepenelopeking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellepenelopeking/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellepking LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepking/?originalSubdomain=uk About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness expert, popular keynote and TEDx speaker, and the host of top-rated podcast, “Live Greatly,” a show frequently ranked in the top 1% for self-improvement. Kristel is an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Integrative Psychiatry, giving her a unique perspective into optimizing mental well-being and attaining a mindset for more happiness and success in the workplace and beyond. Kristel decided to leave clinical practice in 2019 when she founded her wellness platform “Live Greatly” to share her message around well-being and success on a larger scale. With a mission to support companies and individuals on their journeys for more happiness, success, and well-being, Kristel taps into her unique background in healthcare, business, and media, to provide invaluable insights into high power habits, leadership development, mental well-being, peak performance, resilience, sales, success, wellness at work, and a modern approach to work/life balance. Kristel is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. A popular speaker on a variety of topics, Kristel has presented to groups at APMP, Bank of America, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. She has been featured in Forbes, Forest & Bluff Magazine, Authority Magazine & Podcast Magazine, has contributed to CEOWORLD Magazine & Real Leaders Magazine, and has appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago, Fox 4's WDAF-TV's Great Day KC and Ticker News. Kristel lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their 2 children. She can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. You can learn more at https://www.livegreatly.co/ To Book Kristel Bauer as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions. Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations. They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content. Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.
Kim is as unstoppable as it gets. Born and raised in the Boston area she became very interested in entertainment. After a bit, someone convinced her to go into sales which she did and has been involved with ever since. For the past 20 years she has been a professional financial advisor. Nine years ago she decided to invoke both sides of her brain by starting her own production company, Miles In Heels productions. She is an event strategist which she will explain. Of course, since Kim was in sales we talk a lot this time about sales, what makes great sales people and how sales professionals can and should do more to relate to their customers. I'm not going to give everything away. I hope very much you enjoy and are inspired by our episode with Kim. About the Guest: Kim Miles (TEDx Speaker, Executive Producer & Event Strategist, Serial Connector & Shoe Collector) What do you call a successful businesswoman with a vibrant financial advisory practice, more than 30 years of sales experience, a background in performing, and a serious shoe habit? Kim Miles! Through her company, Miles in Heels Productions (milesinheels.com), Kim is a highly sought-after TEDx speaker, emcee, creative collaborator and event strategist who partners with her clients to deliver critical messaging to their key audiences in fresh, unexpected and entertaining ways. No matter the format, live or virtual, from ideation to execution, Miles in Heels Productions is the answer. When you need to think outside of the box and laugh while you're learning, look no further: if Oprah and Ellen had a love child, it would be Kim Miles. Kim creates mic-drop moments for her clients by using both the left and right sides of her brain, simultaneously. She brings her business acumen AND her creative lens to every problem-solving scenario. From securing A-list talent to comprehensive content creation by way of video production and copywriting, Kim's goal is to make sure each client is attracting its perfect audience. Kim has worked with the likes of comedians Fran Drescher, Judy Gold, and Jackie Fabulous to Broadway actors like Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton), to celebrity chefs such as Karen Akunowicz (Top Chef/James Beard Winner) to bring star power to her clients' events. Major clients include The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Babson College, Ropes & Gray, Worcester Women's Leadership Conference, Wellesley College, Winchester Hospital/Lahey Health, Women's Bar Association and Foundation of Massachusetts, Yankee Dental Congress, Foundation for Business Equity, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Goulston & Storrs Counsellors at Law, College of The Holy Cross, MassChallenge, Women in Technology International, Colwen Hotels, Regis College, Bryant University Women's Summit, MetroWest Conference for Women and many more. She's a member of The WIN Lab Coaching Circle at Babson College, the Innovation Women Speakers Bureau, and the GDA Speakers Bureau. Kim is widely known as a powerhouse problem solver, kick-a** content creator, and a hilarious humorist. When she's not working, Kim has been known to take off her signature heels only to hit the slopes or the golf course…that is when she's not singing with her band! Ways to connect with Kim: WEBSITE: www.milesinheels.com TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_miles_surviving_the_big_c_conformity LINKEDIN: Kim Miles/Miles in Heels Productions: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-miles-00342294/ INSTAGRAM: @Kimmilesinheels: https://www.instagram.com/kimmilesinheels/ FB: Miles in Heels Productions/Kim Miles: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miles-In-Heels-Productions/752242571474563 TWITTER: @KimMilesinHeels: https://twitter.com/kimmilesinheels YOUTUBE: Miles in Heels Productions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTD-99e7kYl1byWqSMzQVkw?view_as=subscriber About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes **Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. **Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Well, hi once again. And yes. And well. Hi there, too. You too. And hi to everyone listening. Welcome to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here. Today, we get to visit with Kim Miles. And Kim has a company with a very clever name. And I'm gonna let her tell you because I don't want to spoil it. And she has a lot of interesting stories to tell. She's a very creative individual by any standard. And I really am glad that you're going to spend some time with us today. So welcome aboard, Kim. **Kim Miles ** 01:52 No, I feel honored. Thank you. It was really so great to get to know you on our initial call. And it's just been fun learning about you and and accessiBe ever since. So I'm happy to be here. Thanks for having me. **Michael Hingson ** 02:05 Yeah, one of the things that we do for those who may not really have caught on over the last number of episodes is before we do a podcast, I love to get a chance to meet virtually in person, whoever is going to come on the podcast because it's great to get to know them and for them to get to know me and make sure we're all comfortable with the podcast, which is as you all know, a conversation. And so Kim and I connected and here we are. So I'm very glad you're here. And I expect that we will have fun today. I agree. I agree. And you are in Boston, and what's the temperature back there? **Kim Miles ** 02:41 We cannot seem to get out of our own way. We have literally we had the most glorious Memorial Day weekend, which we don't typically have. So that was a surprise. It was absolute perfection. And then ever since then we've really been it's been cold here. Everybody's been joking around that they put away their winter coats far too early. And so we are really hovering in the 50s and 60s here where we're trying desperately to warm up. So we were praying for warmer weather, but it'll come it'll come and then we'll be complaining. It's too hot. We're now trying England. We're never happy in New England. **Michael Hingson ** 03:13 You know, it's not just New England. I am fascinated when I listen to weather prognosticators like out here. When it's really hot, of course, we have greater chances of fires wildfires, right used to be called forest fires. But now Smokey Bear calls them wildfires, anyway, whatever. But the the issue is that when it's really hot, the whole Southern California area is much more susceptible to fires. And so now, we have also primarily had much cooler weather, it's going to get up to 72. Today, they say it's 67 outside right now and it's about 1135 in the morning. But the thing is that what people have been complaining about the weather people is the May gray in the June gloom. You know, they're complaining about that every single weather forecast I always hear about the May gray or the June Gloom is still with us. The Marine layers there, we're not getting the sun. But you are absolutely right. What's going to happen is once it starts to really heat up, then they're going to complain about it being too hot and the chance of fires. There's no pleasing them and they teach us all that which is unfortunate. **Kim Miles ** 04:29 Well, I don't know if you know the saying but if you live in New England and you don't like the weather, just wait a minute, it'll change. **Michael Hingson ** 04:36 I lived in with her for three years and spent a lot of time in the Boston area. So I understand, ya know, how **Kim Miles ** 04:42 do we know exactly. **Michael Hingson ** 04:44 New Englanders are very opinionated. I remember a couple of times. At the beginning of baseball season the Red Sox lost the first game of the season. And the immediate thing I started hearing from everyone is wait till next year. **Kim Miles ** 04:57 Well, here's what the old adage says As though the seasons are not one in April, but they are last in April. So if you don't have a strong start in April, you're likely doomed. Of course, crazier things have happened. But that is the old adage. And yeah, we were very spoiled here in Boston, I have to say I have a conversation with a friend of mine who lives out out west and, and he's always saying, Do you know do you know lucky you guys aren't you know, spoiled you guys are that you have a team in every sport to look forward to. And I realize we're spoiled. I understand that completely. But it's, you know, when you're a born and bred New Englander, you get used to it. And you know, we have high standards for sports teams, I suppose. **Michael Hingson ** 05:40 Or at least, or maybe lower high standards for fans. It's hard to say **Kim Miles ** 05:47 to Shay, **Michael Hingson ** 05:49 I remember when Steve Grogan was the quarterback for the Patriots. And people didn't like him. And they actually booed him off the field one game, which was, I thought a little bit amazing. I heard of that concept before, but never actually saw it. But of course, I also was back in Boston living there. When Michael Rooney ruzi. Oni and the Olympic team in 1981. Hockey against the Russians. **Kim Miles ** 06:15 Yes, that was yeah, that's if you've ever seen the movie. That movie is such an amazing, you know, a such an amazing movie. The story of it is it's one of the greats, it's one of the one of the sports greats. **Michael Hingson ** 06:27 Yeah, well, and by any standard it is, by any standard, any standard. That is it was great. And it was wonderful. And that was the year I think they also introduced first night in Boston. And he and I think some of the team made an appearance at a couple of the subway stations. So it was kind of fun. **Kim Miles ** 06:48 That's back in the day. That's what in the **Michael Hingson ** 06:51 day, right? Yeah, back in the day. Well, tell us a little bit about you, maybe the the younger kid growing up and all that. And let's see how we get to where we are now. **Kim Miles ** 07:01 Absolutely. Well, I think that that's always the question, right? How is it that you did get to where you are now it's always or you hope that it's an interesting story? I think in my case that it is **Michael Hingson ** 07:10 much, much, much less how not only how you get there, but where are you? No, that's okay, go ahead. **Kim Miles ** 07:15 Exactly. Well, you know, for me, I've always been a very, very creative kid, I was always a very creative person, I was always the one who gravitated toward theater and music, I've been singing my whole life. And I definitely, you know, have a huge appreciation for the arts, and sports, but definitely for the arts. And, you know, all through high school I sang with, you know, state choirs, and I was on stage with all my performances. And when I went and lived in Manhattan after I graduated, I joined a very large chorus there, which was a very renowned chorus in New York, it was a Greek Orthodox choir. And that was a beautiful, beautiful thing. And every step of my, I would say, of my life, there's always been something creative going on. So much so that I went to school specifically for television, radio and film production. That is, I went to Syracuse University at the Newhouse School of Communications. And I graduated with a television, radio and film production degree. And so for me, you know, my my final exams or putting together and producing television shows and writing scripts and producing CDs, I'm sure that there are a lot of younger people will be listening to this and not remembering what CDs are, but gotten deeper, the hot technology, you know, so those were my final exams. And when I, when I graduated, I drove straight to New York City from Syracuse, the same week, I graduated. And I was trying desperately to get a job in what for me felt was my goal, which was my ideal job. I because I loved sports and grew up so much with sports, I really wanted to do what, what I call sports package production. So if you ever watch any of the, you know, any of the championship games, or if you watch the Olympics, they always do human interest stories on the athletes, there's always a story behind the athlete. And so or story behind the team, right, or how the team got to where they are. So those packages that we call them, somebody has to produce those, somebody has to write the scripts and edit the footage and pick the music. And that was the stuff that I love to do. It's kind of funny now, if you think now, everybody has access to that on their iPhone, right? So in their own hand, they can edit a story, they can edit a reel on Instagram, they can make their own little movie on their phone, but back in the day, you know, that was something a bit more a bit more specific to the industry. And so that's what I really wanted to do. And that was back in in the 90s and And I, I had interviews at the NBA, I wanted to work at the NBA. And even back in the 90s, they didn't really hire a lot of women so. So I was a professional waitress for a while, until I got my big break. And I finally got a job with a couple of different commercial production companies. And some of their clients were Burger King, and Lancome. And so I watched these people make these commercials that you would see on TV. And then I got a job working for a management company, who was a manager for a lot of very famous comedians. And those comedians were very unhappy people, it was a very interesting job, because it was a very sort of, it kind of gave me an introduction to like the dark underbelly of the business. And I realized very quickly that that was not really for me. So a friend of mine, actually acknowledged something in me that I didn't see in myself. But she said, you know, Kim, you're such a people person. And you're great with people and people really respond to you, you really should try your hand at sales. And so I actually pivoted to a very, very long and lucrative career in technology sales in Manhattan. And I was doing that up until 911, which is something of course, you and I have in common. We've talked a lot about that. And, of course, your story is profound, and everybody has their story. And I work down there as well. And we've shared those stories. But it was time for me to go home after 911. And so I came back to Boston. And when I came back to Boston, I actually was trying to figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. And so I was meeting with different people and having different cups of coffee. And my father came to me one day, and he said, you know, Kim, I think you should meet this gentleman that I just met, he was an accountant. And he now is a financial advisor, and he works for this life insurance company, I think you should have a cup of coffee with him. And I looked at my father and I said, Dad, I'm your only daughter due to me. I don't I don't know how it is that you want me to go sell life insurance. But here I am 20 years later, and I've been a very successful financial advisor for 20 years for the same company. And I love what I do. But that creative side of me, has always been with me and has always been the kind of thing where I, you know, wanted it to be a part of my life. And so nine years ago, I launched my production company, miles in hills productions. And that was really born out of something very specific, which was I was volunteering my time and my efforts for my local Chamber of Commerce. And I was doing all sorts of event production for them and raising them all sorts of money. And after doing that, for them on a volunteer basis for 10 years, I realized that I could put my own moniker on my talents and offer my talents and my services to lots of different organizations and companies. And so nine years ago, miles in heels was born. And so I run my two businesses side by side, which makes me a bit of a unicorn, using my right brain and my left brain on, on off on all facets. And so that's where, you know, the creative side, me gets to come in, and I get to play and do what I like to do through miles and hills productions. Cool. **Michael Hingson ** 13:27 Well, a question that I have, going back to what you talked about earlier regarding the whole concept of producing the information for athletes and so on. Do you produce those into they oftentimes just sit in the can waiting for someone to come along? Who needs them? Or usually just produce them when they're needed? **Kim Miles ** 13:55 Are you talking about me specifically what I produce for my clients? Are you talking about the people who work in the industry for the athletes? I'm thinking **Michael Hingson ** 14:01 in general does does a lot of that stuff get produced in advance? And then it sits until it's needed? Or do you? You anyone? **Kim Miles ** 14:09 No, I think that those are very specific asks, right, there's usually a very specific initiative that they're producing those four, I certainly know that in the case with my clients where we're producing a package for something very specific, we're trying to promote an an event or there's some sort of a milestone that they're trying to promote. But in the case of athletes, those are very much. Those are very timely, right, those things that are going on right in the moment. Right. So case in point right now we're in the NBA Finals, and you know, there are a lot of really wonderful human interest stories about how those two teams got there. As far as you know, Miami right now, those were they were the eighth seed, so they weren't really expected to do as well as they've done in the NBA Finals. They beat the Celtics. So, you know, number two seed, we weren't happy about that. The point is, is that they're they're definitely going out and they're producing packages that are timely and germane. to what's going on right now, for sure. Now, I **Michael Hingson ** 15:02 know in the case of obituaries, and so on, it's a little different animal, and I'm sure they do a lot of preparation. And if someone happens to pass, it's amazing how fast that gets up, they must have a lot of that already done and stored away and ready to **Kim Miles ** 15:15 technology today, what's amazing is how accessible footage is. Right? So think about the statisticians who are commenting during the game. So these commentators who are calling the game or you know, you're, you're listening to these people, they've got people feeding those stats, right? You're right. You know, it's amazing what technology can do, you can bring up that information and those stats at the drop of a hat. So be able to get that footage, it's just that those people who are in production, like myself, it's poring over that footage. And you know, that's the really sort of, that's the cumbersome part of it. It's like it's a labor of love, but you have to pour over that sort of information and that, that, that footage to get the right footage, and then string it all **Michael Hingson ** 15:59 together. And it's so much easier today, to do that and to edit it and to produce something that is we're seeing because our whole world of technology has made that a lot easier. I know, when I worked in radio, back in college, which goes back to the 70s when you wanted to edit something you cut and spliced tape, and I was never a great splicer. But now of course, with digital audio editors, it's amazing. **Kim Miles ** 16:30 Well, just again, back to my original point, which is I'm floored by what you can accomplish on your iPhone. I mean, it you know, you can master some significant editing on your iPhone, and they're always changing the technology up. So yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's, it's definitely a lot easier to do. And the technology has come so so far. So but you know, creating those stories, I think that really, the editing has tons to do with it. The music that is chosen the vibe, the scripting, but it's the storytelling. Everybody loves to hear stories, that's what they relate to, and you more than anybody with your amazing book and your amazing story, you know, people gravitate towards storytelling, and that's what ends up resonating with them. And that's that that stories become long lasting for them. And it's the same in sports, it's same in the arts, it's the same anywhere. So **Michael Hingson ** 17:22 it is the same anywhere. And you know, any really good salesperson is all about telling stories. **Kim Miles ** 17:30 They're, they're about telling stories, and they're also about, you know, being really relatable. You know, for me, the reason why I have had such a wonderful career, both in technology sales and in the financial services industry, is not necessarily because I'm the smartest person in the room. It's because I know about relationship building, and relationship cementing and about relationship selling. And think about yourself as a consumer, right? If you are having an experience that you're not enjoying, how many times have you gone on to maybe work with somebody else, whether it's door or on the phone, or whatever. I mean, that's just sort of a fact of life. And I feel that when the relationship is cemented first, and that trust is built, and of course, you have to be smart. But I think that that's the foundation first. And then the the sort of the acumen comes almost second in a way. **Michael Hingson ** 18:24 And you also have to be honest and straightforward. And not mislead, especially when you're in sales, which all too often happens. The the best again, the best salespeople are people who are honest about what they have, what they do and what they can do, and not new for a particular customer. Well, it only **Kim Miles ** 18:43 takes one bad experience for somebody to be soured on something, right. So a lot of times people are so in my financial services practice, somebody will come to me and they'll say, you know, I haven't had the best experience with financial advisors in the past. And my job is to change that for them. I want them to have a good experience. I want them to feel good about the planning that they're doing for themselves, their businesses, their families. But it's the same thing. When I work with my clients with miles and hills productions. Let's say that they had a terrible experience running an event once and now they're hiring me to come in and help them run an event. I want that experience to change them. I want them to have a different experience altogether. And I want them to have a completely positive taste in their mouth. I don't want them to have a negative taste in their mouth. That's part of my job. You know, so I agree it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch. And fortunately, **Michael Hingson ** 19:30 it does and in and it only takes one mistake on the part of a salesperson to lose that relationship because we're so geared toward not necessarily trusting that it tends to be a challenge to **Kim Miles ** 19:46 Yeah, I mean, this is a tough time to live in. I mean, let's talk about the fact that there's a lot of mistrust that's being sort of spread and perpetuated. And while social media can be bought The blessing and a curse. Unfortunately, sometimes technology can work against us where, you know, sometimes misinformation is what is being put forth. And so it's getting harder and harder, especially with AI to discern what is accurate and truthful and real. And those can be some scary things. So, you know, in terms of something that I hold to the highest esteem is, is integrity, right, and honesty, and and, you know, I only have this one reputation. And so it means everything to me to make sure that I'm protecting it. And to make sure that, as my mother always said, if you if you always do the right thing, you never have to wonder if you did the right thing. I live by that so **Michael Hingson ** 20:46 well. And that makes perfect sense. If you always do the right thing, you never have to worry about doing the right thing, which makes a lot of sense. How did you come up with the name miles in heels productions? **Kim Miles ** 21:00 Well, you know, after having done so much work, like I said, on a volunteer basis for one particular organization. And when I wanted to put forth my own company and put my own stamp on things and really go out to other organizations, I needed something that was going to really encapsulate for me, what I'm all about what I'm known for, and really what I stand for. And so for me, I have a complete, as you can see right here, and those watching my little magic red shoe, I mean, I have a complete shoe obsession, I'm known for my shoes, they are my favorite accessory in the whole world. And so I really became synonymous with my shoe collection. And so the fact that my last name is Miles, thanks to my husband. You know, walking a mile in heels, is a great metaphor for life, and for women who are doing things outstanding every day, and sometimes having to try a little bit harder as a female. And so for me, miles in heels was it was actually the first name, I thought that it wasn't even hard, it was something that just kind of really came to me and putting my talents and skills in my offerings under the umbrella of a production company just made sense, because I do wear a lot of different hats for my clients when it comes to miles and hills productions. And so having that global umbrella of a production company just made sense for me, but miles in heels was just an obvious choice. And it was it came to me quickly, and it stuck. So **Michael Hingson ** 22:29 and it makes perfect sense. Especially the way you explain it. So what's the company logo? **Kim Miles ** 22:36 Well, the company logo is actually two high heeled shoes facing each other forming the shape of an M. So it's, it's trademarked. And it was one of the first things I did because I was not willing to part with that my genius brand strategists who's a dear dear friend of mine, she and I worked on the brand from day one. And she's the person who you know, has helped me bring my brand to life. And so yeah, my logo is very, very, very representative wholeheartedly and comprehensively of who I am and what my company is. **Michael Hingson ** 23:11 So you are still doing financial advising well, also operating miles in heels productions. **Kim Miles ** 23:18 Yeah, I have to tell you. So you know, my 20 years of being a financial advisor has given me incredible business acumen in order to be able to run my businesses. And you know, when you are a financial advisor, you really are running your own business. And so it was, I don't want to say it was easy to launch a second business, but I certainly knew what I was doing. And I've been very fortunate in the respect that I am somebody who's highly motivated, highly, highly organized, and definitely can, you know, wear both hats simultaneously, they complement each other really beautifully. And I feel very blessed that I'm able to fashion my day and my week and my month and my year, the way I need to to be able to accommodate both my businesses, and it's just been for the past nine years. It's been such a beautiful experience. And both of them, both of the businesses help each other. And I'm really proud to have been able to sustain my business for 20 years and launch new business at the same time. **Michael Hingson ** 24:16 When you're running the business, especially miles and hills productions. What are some of the most fun projects and the most fun things that you've done? And why are they kind of more fun to do than other things? **Kim Miles ** 24:30 That's a great question. I mean, for me, I get incredibly jazzed about first of all, I love I love connecting people, right? So my Twitter handle is serial connector and shoe collector. I really love bringing people together in a convivial atmosphere. I love connecting people I love mentoring people, lifting people up, helping people and collaborating with people. So one of my favorite things to do And it's certainly what I'm probably the most known for, is when organizations or companies are coming to me in two different elements, the first element they'll come to me with is, Can we've been running this event, this fundraiser, this gala, this banquet, this business conference, we've been running this for the past, you know, 1015 20 years. And it's been great. But we recognize that we need to evolve, we need to really add a little bit of life to, to this and have a new spin on it, we'd like you to come in and really resurrect this event. So I'd love to get in there, get my hands dirty, and everything from ideation to execution, in terms of concept, branding, a list talent, how we're going to market the event, how we're going to raise money for the event, all of that strategy I love. The second way a client will come to me is that they'll say that they have an idea for an event, but they don't know how to go about bringing it to fruition. And so again, getting in on that ground floor and bringing all my areas of expertise. I just really love when the end result is you got you know, 200 500,000 people in a room, and they're all coming together for a common purpose for a common gathering. And they leave better than when they came, right. That's my biggest reward. They come to that event. They say things like, that was the most special fundraiser I've been to that was the most fun, I met the best people. I felt great when I left I you know, moving people, and it's like storytelling, right? Having them leave and feel differently than when they came in or started. Is my goal as an event strategist. **Michael Hingson ** 26:39 Now you call yourself an event strategist? How is that different than event planning? as it were? **Kim Miles ** 26:45 Yeah, that's a great question. And it's one that I'm constantly explaining, because it's so critical. So I do call my cellphone event strategist and an executive producer. And the reason why that's different than an event planner, is because I actually have to hire event planners for my event. So event planners really usually focus on things like catering and lighting and linens and, you know, bartending services and things of that nature. For me. I'm really the event strategist and the executive producer event, I'm really talking about what is the messaging of this event? What is our goal with this event? Are we fundraising? How do we structure our sponsorship opportunities? How do what do you what do you want the messaging to be to your attendees? What kind of speakers are we going to get? What kind of ageless talent do we have to get? How do we get people to sign up for this event, and again, leave them feeling better than when they came. So I'm really digging in at a completely different level than an event planner. And as I said, at the top of the hour, you know, I'm a bit of a unicorn in this space, because people hire me for both my business acumen and my creative side, because both sides of my brain are working at the same time, all the time. And so I'm not just a creative, I'm paying attention to margins, I'm paying attention to strategy. I'm paying attention to branding and content creation for my clients. So there's a lot more that goes into it than, you know, simply making the room look pretty event planners are necessary and critical. I'm not at all dismissing or diminishing what they do, I need them. I need fantastic event planners to come into my event and help me create an amazing environment. So I hire event planners to come in as part of my event strategy to create the vibe that I need for my clients. **Michael Hingson ** 28:28 At the same time, you're as you said, or as Emeril Lagasse would say, kicking it up a notch. And you are, you are enhancing the event. And I'm sure that one of the most gratifying things for you is when someone comes up to you after an event and says we've never had an event like this here. Before. **Kim Miles ** 28:50 That we'll QUESTION I mean, unequivocally, you know, and I'm proud to say that at all of my events, somebody has always come up to me after factory scouting after the fact. And they've said, I saw you, you know, on stage, you were emceeing this event, or I noticed that you produce this event and I had such a good time at that event. We want to work with you for this event for the same kind of magic or when it comes to fundraising. I think one of the things I'm most proud of is that I can unequivocally say that for all the clients who hire me, even if they're paying me my fee, when it comes to fundraising, I am instilling practices and strategies for them where they are absolutely knocking their fundraising goals out of the park. And for a lot of my fundraising clients that I work with, we have consistently over the past nine years, raised more money each year from working with me than the year prior. And that's something I'm incredibly proud of, because the the causes that I work with are incredibly worthy. And fundraising means everything to them. It's how they keep their lights on. It's how they tell they help their clients. So for me, that's one of the biggest compliments. So Are **Michael Hingson ** 29:52 most of the events that you do with more not for profits doing fundraising do you do events for or work with corporations on internal meetings and so on that they might produce **Kim Miles ** 30:04 all of the above. It's not, it's not limited, it really isn't limited. You know, I love to come in when it's a business kickoff meeting. And, you know, case in point, I came into a law firm, sort of when we were just coming out of COVID, you know, just really coming out of COVID. And they really needed to get people excited about coming back into the office. And so we did an onsite for them. And it really got people more comfortable and more excited about coming back. But, you know, nonprofits and fundraising is an arena, that's very dear to my heart. For me, I have to be, I have to be excited, or the cause has to align with me as a person. You know, there have been clients who have approached me in the past and have wanted to hire me, but I knew in my gut that maybe it just wasn't the right fit or great fit. And so, you know, you politely decline. But for the most part, I just really enjoy being able to work on things that get me excited, or that I'm excited about the cause. Yeah. **Michael Hingson ** 31:06 How about doing virtual events? Have you done many of those? Or is that a, I assume it's somewhat of a different animal, because you're not necessarily doing the same kind of contact when everyone is in the room? But do you? Do you do many? Or have you done many virtual events? And how do those work out? **Kim Miles ** 31:22 I love this question, I have to say that when COVID hit and it was 2020, and we all pivoted to the world of virtual, I had one of my most banner years in 2020, because I had to scramble to learn about virtual production, like everybody else. But everybody else needed to hire somebody at the helm, to be able to continue to do their fundraising to continue to do their events, because the world didn't stop as we saw. And so we needed to move forward. And so I was hired by all sorts of organizations to pivot to help them with virtual events. And it was a skill that I took up very, very quickly. And I aligned myself with the right technology partners, which I'm, you know, I still work to, to this day. So I always say that, you know, my company specializes in event strategy and an executive production for live virtual and hybrid events, because still to this day, there are people who are still putting on hybrid components to their to their events. **Michael Hingson ** 32:19 Do you think that will continue? Or do you think if COVID doesn't come back, we're going to kind of forget about the whole concept of hybrid **Kim Miles ** 32:25 COVID is coming back, it's already back in China, it's on its way, there's no question about another wave. So I think COVID is something we're always going to live with. What I think has changed profoundly in the marketplace is that I think people are adjusting to the levels of productivity, of being able to do things in a hybrid fashion, and that companies are excited about the fact that they have a broader reach now that they have a virtual component that they can rely on so that they can reach more people to offer a hybrid offering. I don't think it's going away. I think that it sort of depends on what the mission and the goal is for that particular event or organization. So I think that it's not going away, will it be as prominent, perhaps not. But I think it's hard where we've gone, where the pendulum has swung that way. And you've given that offering, it's a little bit harder to go back the other way and to leave that offering off the table. Especially if you've expanded your audience, you don't want to alienate those people that you've you know, that you've opened your your world up to. **Michael Hingson ** 33:29 Yeah, I know, for me, as a speaker, I have a challenge with doing virtual events, although I love doing them. It certainly is convenient. But the challenge is that as I am speaking, I don't get some of the same input that I get when I'm in a room with a live audience. If I say something, and I've worked on speeches, so I know what typically to expect from an audience when I make a particular statement or lead them down a particular path to get to a particular place. And when I can hear those reactions, it helps and I don't get that information. When I do a virtual presentation. And I'm sure there are equivalents for people who can see the screens as well, you're not going to see the same stuff. But having done so many presentations live, I can pretty much tell by working with the people who are coordinating the event, I can get a pretty good idea of what the audience is going to be like. So doing a virtual event doesn't scare me or bother me at all. **Kim Miles ** 34:38 Well, it does a very interesting point. There is nothing that's ever going to replace the energy that you can feed off of being on stage and being in front of a live audience. And myself being a speaker like yourself and also being an at premiere emcee. There's nothing that's going to to replace that Right, I will tell you that one of my one of my favorite stories, and it was really, it was one of the most fun challenges and adventures. in the thick of COVID, one of my biggest clients, we had an alias comedian, who was the the guest of honor. And we were fundraising and I ran a live auction, over zoom, what wasn't zoom, it was another platform, but I was running a live auction to raise money. And there was a lag time between the time that the bids are coming in and between the time that I was seeing that, and so that challenge, like you're saying about that direct feedback, and that direct impact, it's a very real thing. For me when I'm emceeing an event, or if I'm speaking like yourself, the energy is a huge component. So the biggest thing for me that happened in COVID was, I was selected to do a TEDx talk, right when COVID hit, and so they pushed us off for a year. But as it turns out, I did my TEDx talk. However, unlike most TEDx talks, which are in front of a live audience, my TEDx talk was recorded in a studio. So I had a very unique and different TEDx experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But it was a very different experience, because I did not have the live audience feed and feel and energy like you're talking about, and it makes a difference. There's no question. **Michael Hingson ** 36:27 Well, it does make a difference. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing. **Kim Miles ** 36:30 No, no, I think it's, you have to learn how to adapt. If you're a business owner, you always have to learn how to adapt. And so in 2020, I learned how to adapt. And that's what I did. And now I'm proud to be able to say that I can offer people live virtual or hybrid events, and there's nothing we can't do for them. I've got the right technology partners, and I'm not fearful, you know, you have to learn how to adapt. And that's what you did. Yeah, **Michael Hingson ** 36:56 you know, for me not seeing the audience is not even relevant, because as we just discussed, if I'm doing a live presentation, I get to hear a lot and probably even, perhaps hear some things that someone looking at the audience might not see in the same way. But by the same token, like you, it's all about feeling the energy. And so when you're doing it, virtually, you don't feel the same kind of energy. But if you've done enough talks, you ought to be able to figure out how to do a speech and make it meaningful and just as relevant. And I think I've been pretty successful at that. And it's a lot of fun to do. **Kim Miles ** 37:40 You feel that your senses are heightened in terms of feeling that energy, because obviously, you know, you don't you don't see the audience, but you do feel that there's a there's like an even higher level of vibration of energy for you, especially, **Michael Hingson ** 37:54 only if I learned to, to look for it and and receive it, it isn't necessarily because of being blind, because that doesn't, in of itself, change senses. But as a speaker, you know, you know very well, what you do is you use all the skills that you have. And so for me, learning to pick up that energy, whatever it is, is very important. And I think that I probably pick up some different cues than you might, but we we both end up at the same place. Pretty much. **Kim Miles ** 38:31 Yeah. Which is what a great storyteller does, which is **Michael Hingson ** 38:35 exactly what a great storyteller does, I have had in my life. Two speeches that I thought didn't go very well. And both of them, as it turns out, although I didn't have enough information in advance about the audiences. And both of them were too small service clubs in my local area. So we didn't even get money for it. But that's okay. It was a it was a service. But as it turns out, in one case, most of the people couldn't even hear very well. They weren't Deaf people, they were seniors, but they seem not to be able to pick up on what was being said. And the other one was somewhat similar. It wasn't necessarily seniors, but I never did quite figure out what their priorities were. They wanted me to come in and talk about a couple of specific subjects, and I did, but they seem to be off in another world somewhere. But basically, that doesn't happen very often, which is of course, very helpful. **Kim Miles ** 39:37 I think your job or our job as speakers are and highly sought out speakers. And the reason why people hire us to speak is because we do have a good command on the audience. We're taking them on a journey and you know, if they've if they've seen you speak before or if somebody is recommending you that they've heard you speak before they walked away having felt something so that's why they're there. Going back to you is because they, they know you can kind of portray that energy. So, you know, it's just because people are great practitioners does not make them great speakers, you know, oh, yeah, yeah, I mean, you know, with my clients that the, they'll say, Okay, we want to have this person speak. And I'll say, Listen, we need to know that these people can capture the audience, it's very important just because they're brilliant. And they're the leader in their field does not necessarily make them either an entertaining or a great speaker. And that's a huge thing. That's something that's really important, especially when you're trying to put together a killer conference or killer business meeting. You got to you got to make sure that these people can get up there and hold the audience. **Michael Hingson ** 40:42 And the more you speak, the more you get to learn about different kinds of audiences. And so, in theory, if you really practice analyzing what you do, the better you will be at holding audiences even in new and unexpected ways and unexpected places. Indeed, yes, I remember, well, my late the last speech I gave, actually, technically, the second to the last speech, they were two days apart, was at the convention of Headstart, you know, for children, the National Head Start Association convention, and I was invited to come by somebody who would have become speak at a school district in Michigan when she was there. And then her husband invited me to come and speak, actually at Freddie Mac, as well. But then this, this came along, and she convinced people that I could probably hold the audience reasonably well, to be polite about it. I think she was much stronger in her words than that. But anyway, so we did the speech. There were 3000 people there. Wow. And some people would say, Aren't you scared of 3000? People? No, my largest speech was a bout a six minute presentation to a church service for 6000 people just after September 11. So 3000 didn't bother me. But anyway, what was really a great honor and pleasure for me was, we got a standing ovation at the end. Wow. Which was was a lot of fun. **Kim Miles ** 42:15 I think what you're saying is super important, right? There's different ways that people let you know, as a speaker, that you've that what you've said, has resonated with them. And, you know, I'm always moved, when I hear from somebody that I don't know at all that will find me that will reach out to me on my social channels, or they'll email me or I've had people even call me before and they say you don't know me, I caught your podcast, I was in the audience, I read your, you know, your post, whatever it is. And if I, you know, connect on that kind of a level that moves somebody that much for them to reach out to me, then you know, you've done your job, right. And it's the same thing when you're live and with the audience. So, listen, there's never going to be a substitute for live and in person. But I'm glad that we've got tools so that there are substitutes for being live and in person because we need them. **Michael Hingson ** 43:06 Yeah, well, it's like, there's nothing like going to see a Broadway musical or a Broadway play on Broadway. Exactly. There's nothing like that at all. The energy is so different. It's all live. It's not like a movie or anything like that. And it's so wonderful to have had the opportunity to experience a bunch of those just like seeing a live concert. There's nothing like it. It's not the same when you're watching it on TV. It's different. Agreed. Well, how many TEDx talks have you given just the one or two? **Kim Miles ** 43:42 I've given I've given the one. It was incredible experience. It was a very profound. It was a profound time in my life. And it was also a very profound, cathartic moment. For me. I think, writing that TED X Talk was something that was one of the scarier things I've ever done, because it's actually a great story. I was I was working, I was working with one of my clients. Babson College here in Boston, which is the number one entrepreneurial school, and I do a lot of work with Babson. And I was I was speaking in front of a group of women. And I was telling my story. And this woman in the audience raised her hand and she said, Have you ever thought about giving a TED talk? And I laughed sort of out loud? And I said, Oh, gosh, no, I would be I would be terrible at that. I said, I don't think that that's really my, my jam. And she said, Oh, that's too bad. She said, Because I run the I run the TEDx Babson program, and I think you'd be really amazing at it. And so I laughed and I immediately said, Well, what I meant to say was, I would love to talk to duck. And as it turns out, I'm so glad that I did something that scared the most scared me the most, you know, they always say try something every day or every year that scares you the most. And that scared me the most because I, I am a much more unscripted person, I am a much more off the cuff type of person. I've done stand up comedy before. As I mentioned, I'm a performer, I'm a singer. So for me, things that are a little bit more unscripted feels slightly more natural for me. So the fact that this was pretty rigid and very scripted, and you have to follow a process, etc. It kind of terrified me. But it was one of the most profound experiences of my life. And I loved it so much that I then started to work with the TEDx team at Babson and I wrote their speaker handbook for them. And I just like to give back to them because it was just a truly truly profound experience. For me, **Michael Hingson ** 45:47 I find my strong suit is when a talk isn't necessarily scripted, mainly, because when I go to different places, I like to get there before my talk, and maybe hear people before me and get to meet more of the audience. And the advantage of that is, I work stuff into the talk right up until, and even during the time that I speak, something will come into my brain that says this needs to be said, much less with the event planners have already in requested be included if there are any messaging things, and so on. But it's so much fun, because that's what the audience really is going to relate to. If you're just up there reading a speech, dude, I can relate. Yeah, no, **Kim Miles ** 46:33 listen, I am anti PowerPoint, I am anti cue cards, I am anti anything, I love to just be able to be off the cuff. And obviously I know enough of my stuff to be able to get there confidently and the talk but but the TEDx thing was something that was very unique. And like I said, I wasn't in front of a live audience where most people are for their talks, I would like to do it again, because I would like the experience of doing it in front of a live audience. So I would, I want to apply again to another TEDx talk. And I would like to have the full the full package experience. Next time, **Michael Hingson ** 47:08 I had a speech that I was scheduled to do, it was set up by a speaker's bureau. And they told me what the audience was, what the organization was, and all sorts of stuff, I got there only to find out that the speaker, Bureau representative had no clue. And it was totally different than what I had come expecting to do. Unfortunately, what this organization was about was also something else that I had experience with. So I had 15 minutes to change on the fly. And that's why I love to have the ability to be a lot more flexible, and it makes for a much better speech. **Kim Miles ** 47:41 Absolutely. **Michael Hingson ** 47:42 I agree. I agree. So it makes it a lot of fun. What's for you, what would you say, is one of the most unique factors that people encounter when they work with you. **Kim Miles ** 47:56 I mean, for me, you know it again, I'm definitely a unicorn in my industry because of my ability to use both sides of my brain simultaneously. My business acumen and my creative side, most people who are creatives are exactly that they're creatives, they're not great at the business acumen side, and vice versa. And for me, I'm incredibly strong in both areas. And I know that and that is what makes me special. So I know that that's a very unique factor when people work for me. But I think that the other thing that unequivocally goes along with working with me is my sense of humor and keeping things really fun and keeping things really enjoyable. The process is enjoyable, I mean, having a sense of humor and infusing my humor in things appropriately. Of course, the way that I work with my clients, you know, when they're having a good time, we all are having a good time, and there's success across the board. So it's definitely a combination of my business acumen and my creative, my creativity, and also just bringing my sense of humor, whether it be to the stage or to the content that I'm helping them create, or, you know, just making them feel more at ease about the process. **Michael Hingson ** 49:08 Yeah, having a sense of humor is really important. I've heard people say, as a professional speaker, you should start off with a joke. And, you know, I certainly find that there are times when having humor upfront actually helps break through to the audience, but there are ways to do it. **Kim Miles ** 49:30 There well you have to do it appropriately. I mean, you know, I I have a history in performance I have a background and performance I have I'm no stranger to a stranger does stranger to a sage doesn't bother me or scare me. I've done stand up comedy when I lived in New York and you know, I write the way that I sort of speak and talk and so but you have to do it. You have to do it appropriately. I mean there there are appropriate times for it. And then there are appropriate times for when you need to be He, you know, you're gonna read the room. That's what I say, gotta read, how to read the **Michael Hingson ** 50:04 bottom read the room. Absolutely. One of the favorite things that I like to start with, especially if there is any kind of a disabilities component, but even not necessarily with that I love to start by saying, want to do a little bit of market surveying. And I'll ask a few questions like, Do you know any blind people? And you know, any number of questions like that three or four questions. And one of three things happens, people, when I asked questions raised their hands, some people applauded, or most people applauded. And I have the person who introduced me stay up on the stage, so I can get that sense of it. But the last question, especially when I know that some people are raising their hands, the last question is, so do you really think it's a bright idea that when a blind speaker asks you a question that you respond by raising your hand, and it that has so often just drawn people in it's so much fun, because they know they're dealing with **Kim Miles ** 51:03 a person? Yeah, you break the ice that way that that's brilliant. I love that. **Michael Hingson ** 51:07 Yeah. And it's, it's a lot of fun to do. And again, my belief is I don't talk to an audience, I talk with an audience. **Kim Miles ** 51:18 One of my early taglines in my business was, it's a conversation, not a presentation. And I feel really strongly about that. I mean, everything that I do is, as I said, I really enjoyed trying to create convivial atmosphere is for my clients, and for myself and putting other people at ease. And, you know, it's, it's about the conversation, and it's about listening. It's about really, you know, engaging, and I agree with you, you're not talking at the audience, you're talking with them. I agree with you wholeheartedly. **Michael Hingson ** 51:49 And I love it, when there is a chance at the end of his speech doesn't always happen. But at the end of the speech, where we can have q&a. And of course, if there is time for q&a, is getting people to ask questions, because people tend to be so shy, and getting people to actually open up and ask questions. And even though I'll say there is absolutely no question in the world that's off limits. It still takes a while. And actually, I've got a favorite story about that, which is that I spoke talking about keeping an audience's attention. I spoke at a school in elementary school in San Francisco, K through six. And the teacher said, now you can only talk for about 10 or 15 minutes, you're not going to hold these kids attentions. And I said, okay, and 45 minutes later, I opened it up for questions. How are you not gonna want to listen to somebody who's standing up there talking to you with a dog? Right, man? So anyway, open it up for questions. And a young man, third grade, a guy, of course, gets up. And his question was, and this is why I tell the story, because I say no questions off limits. How do blind people have sex? **Kim Miles ** 53:03 In the third grade? Yep. God bless. **Michael Hingson ** 53:07 I know. And you know, so I said, Look, no CIA interrogator is going to be able to ask a tougher question than that. But my response immediately was, it just popped into my head the same way everyone else does. And if you want to know more, go ask your parents. I'm not done. **Kim Miles ** 53:22 That's a very good answer. Well played, well played. **Michael Hingson ** 53:28 Yeah. It's a lot of fun. And, you know, when I start to tell that kind of a story, people will start to open up and ask questions. And so it's, it's a lot of fun and interacting with an audience is always fun. Of course, after speaking, oftentimes, we'll go out into the lobby and sell thunder dog. And I've got my best sales rep with me, the dog, Alamo who's a black lab. So I'll take his harness off, tie him to one of the legs on the table where we're selling books. And he is out in front visiting with everybody. And of course, if they come to visit with him, then they have to buy a book anyway. And so he's a he's a great crowd drawer and a crowd pleaser by any standard. Everybody loves a dog, everybody, and you know what? He is discovered the law of maximum pet ability space. So he will lay down and stretch out every appendage as far as he can, in every direction to get as much interaction from people as possible, especially when it's kids. Smart boy. Oh, yeah. Most all of the guide dogs I've ever had have been very smart about doing that. But but they love it. And, you know, it makes him feel good that he gets to be a part of it and he gets a chance to relax and not be in the harness all the time. It's a level of trust, but it's really a lot of fun. Well, what's one thing you stand for in your life? **Kim Miles ** 54:53 I'd like to think that I stand for kindness. I think that I'm I'm sort of always amazed at how often kindness is forgotten or put last or ignored. And I think that in today's world, I think, personally, a lot of things could be dictated and solved, or heard a little bit more. Kindness was put toward the forefront of things. Yeah, I grew up in a very loving and kind home. And I care very deeply about family and friends. And I give back to my communities of people in organizations, I think, with kindness and integrity. And I don't know, I just, I think we've forgotten a little bit of kindness along the way. And I think that that's never lost on me. So I would, I would like to hope that I stand for kindness, I would like to help, **Michael Hingson ** 55:56 I would like to see us regain the art of conversation and listening and respecting other people's views. And of course, that's part of kindness also. But yeah, we just seem to forget all of that. **Kim Miles ** 56:12 I think we're just going through a weird shift, I think that there's there's a, there's sort of a perfect storm of things going on in our world between technology and, and, and the world itself, and, and economics and, you know, just sort of humanity itself. But here's where I get hopeful. As I mentioned before, I think that sometimes it can get a little scary, where social media can be so great and so harmful at the same time, every time I sort of kind of lose a little bit of hope, then I'll see something really promising on social media or on the news. And it just takes that one story about an act of a small act of kindness. Yeah, to kind of restore my faith, I've been the recipient of so many small acts of kindness that I really like to think that I, I love to put forth small acts of kindness, because you can really, you can change the trajectory of somebody's entire being with a small act of kindness. So I don't know, that's just always been really important to me. But it's always it's been taught to me by my by my family, my parents. So **Michael Hingson ** 57:28 I think we're best when we when we recognize that we're, we're here to serve others first. It isn't about me, it's about all of us. Well, I **Kim Miles ** 57:38 think it goes back to what my mother always said, if you do the right thing, you never have to wonder if you did the right thing. **Michael Hingson ** 57:43 So Right. We do have a moral compass, if we would only pay attention to it. **Kim Miles ** 57:48 Most of us do. I agree. I would say most of us do. Yes. What would **Michael Hingson ** 57:52 you advise for an entrepreneur starting out? Or what kind of advice do you have, that you would offer for, for people in business? Or just people in general? **Kim Miles ** 58:04 Well, without question, I mean, my biggest message to entrepreneurs, especially, but just people in general, your network is your net worth. I mean, I myself have built two very successful businesses, you know, absolutely on the merit and the cultivation, and the care that I've given to my network, and I, it's like a garden, right, I feed it, I tend it, I pay attention to it. And I listened to it. And, you know, when you give back to your network, you get a lot from your network. And so people have to really understand the power of their network and, and how to utilize their network the right way. I teach a curriculum on best practices in networking. And it's something that's a very popular curriculum that I get hired for, because I think that most people are inherently not great networkers. Back to one of your earlier points, I always talk about the fact that effective networking is, you know, 90% listening and 10% talking and I think people think it's the other way around. Yeah, and I'm not even talking about, like going to a networking event and sitting in a room and networking, I'm talking about how to look at your centers of influence in your internal network and using it for good for better to make a difference to make a change to propel yourself, to help yourself and to help others. So that for me would be my biggest message and to learn how to do that successfully, is I think the ticket to success. **Michael Hingson ** 59:37 So when you're not financially advising or producing what do you do to relax and have fun? **Kim Miles ** 59:44 Well, I sing with my band which is one of the most fun things that I do. I love my band. We have a blast we perform and and it's just one of my favorite outlets. I spend time with my nieces, which is a great joy for me. I don't have children. I have six nieces, and I golf, and I play pickleball. I am a huge pickleball fan. So I try to play pickleball anytime I can. **Michael Hingson ** 1:00:10 My nephew, since he is retired, has gotten into pickleball and plays several times a week. He's in a league, where he lives and is just always playing pickleball. And it's something I never even heard of two years ago. **Kim Miles ** 1:00:25 It's there's a reason it's the fastest growing sport in the world. It's it's so much fun. It's so easy. And it's super social. And so I have become a bit by the pickleball bug in between that and golf. I keep myself very busy in the summertime. **Michael Hingson **
Susan McPherson has an early memory that shaped her perspective on how to build relationships. Growing up, she would watch her parents sit at the breakfast table every morning, cutting out newspaper articles that they found interesting. Every day, they wrote notes to their friends and sent it in the mail along with the newspaper cuttings. It was their way of saying “I'm thinking of you” and nurturing relationships with friends and family. In this episode, Susan shares the keys to connecting with people and what you can do to nurture relationships. As a successful entrepreneur, she credits her people skills to building a thriving business. She encourages us to always look for ways to be helpful to others. Learn practical tips and proven principles in Susan's book, “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.” Visit https://www.gobeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Susan. Highlights: [03:14] Susan's journey and her most important lesson learned [05:28] Finding her career path [08:08] Fostering relationships [11:02] Susan's book, “The Lost Art oF Connecting” [15:18] Starting her business [18:07] Navigating tough times [21:02] Leading with your values [22:58] Addressing social initiatives [24:34] What keeps Susan grounded [26:23] Finding the right mentor [28:42] The future of work and technology [30:51] Lightning round questions Quotes: “Every person, no matter who they are, where they came from, the role they play in society, their religion, the color of their skin, is deserving of our attention, our compassion, our kindness, and our curiosity.” – Susan McPherson “For me, it's alway been leading with how we can be helpful to others.” – Susan McPherson “No matter how small our circle is, we still have a circle, so start with the people that you know.” – Susan McPherson Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? - Writing my own book (“The Lost Art oF Connecting”) What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? - “How can I be helpful?” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? - Genuine What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? - Limiting my alcohol intake What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? - “Central Reservation” by Beth Orton About Susan McPherson: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a B- corp certified communications consultancy focused on social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and serves on the advisory boards of The List, Apolitical Foundation, Just Capital and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She's The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women's Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn. Links: Website: https://www.mcpstrategies.com/ Book: https://www.thelostartofconnecting.com/ LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmcp1
Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, BSR, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.I met Susan through the Outlier Project where she was such an engaging speaker. I was intrigued because she literally wrote a book on the art of creating strong connections with others. In this episode, we discuss what her parents did so well to build lasting bonds with people, a framework to think about on building your own connections, and subtle things you can do to get people engage with you. All the while mixing in stories from Susan's career as a communications consultant, and author, and a CEO. This is one you'll be going back and recording for notes.Key Moments:05:13 - The importance of active listening and showing people that you truly are listening.07:58 - The art of human connection22:35 - Eleven questions to break the ice. The "Gather, Ask, Do" MethodologyConnect with SusanLinkedINSusans WebsiteConnect with Us!LinkedIN: Website:
Julie and Casey sit down with author, corporate social responsibility expert, and founder of McPherson Strategies Susan McPherson to talk all things connecting. Along the way we touch on the very universal human need to be seen and heard, how relationships can be a vehicle for social impact, and what it means to build community as single women looking to take care of our long term futures. Thank you to our Season 4 sponsor, Armoire! If you're ready to try a new look, Armoire's high-end clothing rental service (full of amazing women-owned brands) will hook you up! For 50% off your first month's rental + a free item, go to http://armoire.style/voiceis and use VOICEIS in the referral box! TOP TAKEAWAYS: Relationship building is a lifetime process, and builds on itself. Changing environments doesn't mean we leave old relationships behind. Keep nurturing those long standing friendships as much as you grow and nurture new connections. Susan mentions the concept of hosting in her book “The Lost Art of Connecting”. What this means is, you don't need to be the person in charge of a space in order to host other people in it. Hosting can be a secret super power that allows you to get your grounding in a new situation, as well as a vehicle for making connections from a place of generosity. To quote Susan: “Bringing people together, you're making that magic happen and you are helping people feel seen, heard, and listened to. And I fervently believe that the greatest gift we can give one another is exactly that.” If we can understand the peoples greatest wish is to be seen and heard, and incorporate that into how we interact with them, we build much more fruitful and satisfying connections. It's extremely disarming without being manipulative. We often think people like us because of what we say, but it turns out talking less and asking questions makes us more likeable. Use that curiosity: understanding other people's perspective grows our empathy and helps us understand both the world and ourselves a little better. LESSON: You can't “hack” body language. Connect with Susan: Twitter and Instagram: @Susanmcp1 Company: www.mcsptrategies.com Book: TheLostArtofConnecting.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/ Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a B-corp certified communications consultancy focused on social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 30+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is the recipient of Forbes magazine's 50 over 50—Impact 2021 award and Worth Media's Worthy100 award. She has also won numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. Currently, Susan invests in and advises women-led start-ups, including: iFundWomen,Inc., Messy.fm, Our Place, The Riveter, Park Place Payments, Hint Water, Apolitical and The Muse. She serves on the boards of USA for UNHCR, The 19th News, and serves on the advisory boards of The List, Apolitical Foundation, Just Capital and Alltruists. Additionally, she is a member of the MIT Solve Women and Technology Leadership Group and serves as an adviser to several nonprofits including She's The First and The OpEd Project. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and a member of the New York Women's Forum and Extraordinary Women on Boards. She resides in Brooklyn.
When you host a podcast about personal finance and you find yourself in a room with access to nearly 15,000 women, wouldn't YOU ask them what the best piece of financial advice they have ever received was? Well, that's what I did at the Massachusetts Conference for Women at the end of 2022 and I even had the opportunity to interview a celebrity keynote speaker! Perhaps some of these words of wisdom will inspire you to find your path to a healthier relationship with money in 2023. Happy New Year!
On today's show Joyce shares the most inspiring mother – son canna story! A true OG canna mom Wendy Turner shares her family's journey to Colorado that ended with a new life mission but began with a parent's worst nightmare. Wendy helped her son Coltyn find healing through cannabis and both have gone on to become the people they needed when they were seeking help healing with cannabis almost a decade ago. The cannabis plant saved Coltyn from a life of debilitating pain and he now spends his days as a voice for pediatric cannabis care and is driven every day to create a better world that includes access to quality cannabis medicine.And if canna science interests you, Joyce also gives a shout out to the Cannabis Science Fair at Harvard University sponsored by MCR labs and a presentation by Dr. Staci Gruber of McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School.Thank you to our partner, The Resort At Westmoreland in Jamaica, for making today's show possible. Topics Discussed(1:21) MCR Cannabis Science Fair(1:35) Dr. Staci Gruber(3:44) Massachusetts Conference for Women(4:20) Hello-Sunshine Media(4:40) WERS – Standing Room Only(5:06) Rosie's Place(6:02) Resort at Westmoreland – Thank You(6:20) Wendy Turner Introduction(8:00) Wendy's Canna Story(9:16) Coltyn's Canna Story(20:40) Native American Connection(21:25) Magical Brownies(22:20) Travelling To Colorado(23:20) The Snowball(25:31) Audiogram(27:07) Thank You Resort at Westmoreland(28:12) 2014 Advocacy(33:12) The Coltyn Turner Foundation(37:40) Foundation Work(40:05) Crohn's Service Foundation(41:00) ColtynsCrue.OrgThe Canna Mom Show wants to thank:Josh Lamkin and Bella Jaffe for writing and performing TCMS theme music
More women in senior management and leadership positions is win-win-win. For women, for organisations and for workplace equality. So how do individuals and organisations create more opportunities to get to the top and thrive there? This week, I'm pleased to be speaking to Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead. Jodi is an executive leadership coach, speaker, host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast and author of the Amazon bestseller ‘Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing'. Listen for: The four common struggles women experience when promoted to senior leadership How empowering team and delegating more makes you more promotable What organisations can do to support more women into leadership positions A discussion on women's rights and equality in work and society MORE ABOUT JODI Jodi works with organisations to support their women leaders to develop the skills needed to grow into and thrive in senior leadership. She is President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes magazines. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Women in Banking and Emerging Leaders Conferences, and Podcast Movement. Visit the Women Taking The Lead website: https://womentakingthelead.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn/ Women Taking The Lead Podcast: https://womentakingthelead.com/podcast/ Accomplished: How To Go From Dreaming To Doing: https://womentakingthelead.com/accomplished/ ORDER MY BOOK “Closing The Influence Gap: A practical guide for women leaders who want to be heard” is now in paperback and on Kindle. Closing the Influence Gap empowers women leaders to successfully navigate the workplace, leading their way and changing it for the better. It is a reference tool packed with practical strategies and a troubleshooting section which women can draw on daily to tackle the challenging conversations, decisions and situations they face. Find out more and order you copy here: https://www.carlamillertraining.com/book BE BOLDER - STARTING ON WEDNESDAY! Increase your confidence and assertiveness at work in Be Bolder, my 4 session course for women. Learn how to set healthy boundaries, say no more often, speak up more confidently in meetings, worry less about what others think of you, have the courage to have challenging conversations and be more assertive in your communication. Each session is delivered as a 90-minute online workshop with bite sized videos and coaching exercises to do between sessions. Our next cohort starts this Wednesday 5 October. Find out more here: https://www.carlamillertraining.com/be-bolder CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlamiller1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisiscarlamiller/ Website: https://www.carlamillertraining.com/ HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE PODCAST? Subscribe Share this episode with a friend Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify I would love to hear your feedback on this week's podcast. Please leave a review or come say hello on social! Thank you for listening, see you next week!
Join Lori and her guest, Susan McPherson, as they talk about making an impact through effective communication. Susan is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a consultancy that helps corporations with communicating the good that they're doing. How can companies promote their philanthropy to their employees as well as external audiences? Stay tuned! Here are the things to expect in this episode: Learning from a young age that it's important to give back. Volunteering is a great way to connect with people and learn new things. Every single one of us can be a philanthropist! How can for-profit businesses incorporate philanthropy in their work? And much more! About Susan McPherson: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships (McGraw-Hill). Susan has 25+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry events including Massachusetts Conference for Women, BSR, DLD, Worth Women and Techonomy, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Connect with Susan! Website: https://www.mcpstrategies.com/ The Lost Art of Connecting: https://www.thelostartofconnecting.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmcp1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanmcp1/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/ Organizations mentioned: 18th News: https://19thnews.org/ UNCHR: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/united-states-of-america.html Women's Philanthropy Institutehttps://philanthropy.iupui.edu/institutes/womens-philanthropy-institute/index.html Connect with Lori Kranczer! Website: https://www.linkphilanthropic.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorikranczer/
Join our latest conscious conversation with Melody Godfred, the Self Care Goddess as she talks about how putting yourself first is not only not selfish, but self full. Self Love Philosopher Melody Godfred is a poet, author and entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering people to love themselves and transform their lives. Melody started her career as a litigation attorney, but soon realized a disconnect between her work and essence, so she left a prestigious position at a top law firm to launch Write In Color, her personal branding and career development company. She quickly established her reputation as a leader in the career development space. Through her work as a coach exploring the narratives of hundreds of women, and after undergoing several life transitions herself -- including motherhood -- Melody discovered a common trend: in their quest to fuel their careers and relationships, women were increasingly sacrificing their authentic selves, happiness and well-being. Melody needed a reminder to choose herself each and every day and believed that other women did too, so she created the Self Love Pinky Ring, a self-commitment ring for women, and launched Fred and Far, her self love movement and community. Her ring and community instantly went viral around the world (Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, and more), and started a global conversation around self love. In 2020, Melody published https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.amazon.com/Self-Love-Poetry-Thinkers-Feelers/dp/1524871222/ref%253Dsr_1_5?crid%253D11V7W8Y9OIWWU%2526keywords%253Dself%252Blove%252Bpoetry%2526qid%253D1644967977%2526sprefix%253Dself%252Blove%252Bpoetry%25252Caps%25252C164%2526sr%253D8-5%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1658895174157261%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw2D1ngdO6vIf2GS7nVhoP2O&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1658895174162930&usg=AOvVaw2FKYJ504dXnKNhZm-IrqrX (Self Love Poetry: For Thinkers & Feelers), a collection of 200 poems that instantly became and remains a bestseller. One of her poems (“I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.”) was shared on social media by Oprah Magazine just before the Thanksgiving Holiday, quickly going viral and eventually reaching hundreds of millions of people, in addition to earning a feature on Today with Hoda and Jenna. Melody soon after signed a https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelkramerbussel/2021/05/17/12-noteworthy-recent-book-deals/?sh%253D7d17cb084fdf%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1658895174157731%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw3XaMXNgXXwXc8P_i7iqHz3&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1658895174163102&usg=AOvVaw0dT3uaMuR4dDtC1nMCwNpm (three-book dea)l with Andrews McMeel Publishing in 2021, and released her second book, https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttps://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Self-Love-Yourself-Reclaiming/dp/1524871230/ref%253Dsr_1_1?crid%253D2IASLKSUOBQBC%2526keywords%253Dabcs%252Bof%252Bself%252Blove%2526qid%253D1644967793%2526sprefix%253Dabcs%252Bof%252Bself%252Blov%25252Caps%25252C182%2526sr%253D8-1%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1658895174158093%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw17IV1iTabMuR1kJmTUzJR8&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1658895174163205&usg=AOvVaw1cCnMqZywIdupIq5GzDRm- (The ABCs of Self Love), an illustrated guided journal that shares the foundational concepts of self love and makes them actionable in daily life. She is a trusted thought leader on women's empowerment, positive parenting and career development, whose advice has been featured on Inc., Forbes, Huff Post, Bustle, PayScale, Motherly, Mashable, The Muse, and Fairygodboss, among others. Melody was a featured speaker at the Teen Vogue Summit,The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Freelancing Females Reignite...
Do you sometimes wonder how BOLD you want to be with your thought leadership message? You know you have something important and impactful to say, but you're a bit uncertain on how it will be received and if there will be any backlash. I have definitely experienced this - and the benefits have far outweighed any negativity. My guest is Jodi Flynn, who is the founder of Women Taking the Lead, which helps corporate women advance in leadership, and the host of the Women Taking the Lead podcast. Jodi recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy, where she worked on her thought leadership message and signature talk. Jodi and I talk about: The types of speaking engagements Jodi was comfortable doing - and why she wanted to do something different What her bold thought leadership message is The hesitancy she had around sharing her message - and how she got past it A story from her childhood that influenced the work she does Why *you* are the messenger for your message This is the audio from a recent LinkedIn Live. You can watch the video at https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6930483939065118720/. About My Guest: Jodi Flynn, founder of Women Taking the Lead, is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator. A Certified Professional Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation (ICF), women leaders hire Jodi to develop the skills needed to thrive in Senior Leadership. She is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Maine Bankers Association Women in Banking and Emerging Leaders Conferences, and the Michigan Bankers Association Rising Leaders Conference. She is the President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links: Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/282/ Jodi's website: https://womentakingthelead.com Register for our Summit Speakers Reunion on June 21 (it's free): https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/reunion/ Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on social: Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox Jodi Flynn (guest) on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 232: Are You an Influencer, an Expert, or a Thought Leader? with Carol Cox Episode 233: 3 Types of Thought Leadership Models with Carol Cox Episode 241: The Expert Trap: What Holds Women Back from Thought Leadership with Carol Cox
There's no better place to connect with businesses and donor prospects than on LinkedIn. With 800+ million members, LinkedIn is not the largest of the social networks, but with a specific business focus, it's an audience worth noticing. While LinkedIn might initially seem to be useful only for B2B marketing and sales, there are many ways nonprofits can utilize LinkedIn. LinkedIn can provide your organization with networking and marketing benefits, no matter the size. Nonprofits can find corporate sponsors, attract major donors, share knowledge and learn from others. My guest this week is Angela Pitter, a LinkedIn and digital marketing expert and the Founder and CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, a digital marketing consultancy. She's known for building comprehensive solutions that expand and strengthen customer engagements. Services at LiveWire Collaborative include: Online Strategy Development and Implementation for mid-size businesses, Social Media Training for corporations or organizations, one-on-one Executive Coaching, Social Media Analysis, as well as Facebook Ads and Email Marketing.Angela is a highly sought-after speaker who was recently featured on Chronicle's, WCVB TV social media segment, has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, CWE Women's Business Leaders Conference and Needham Business Association to name a few. Here are some of the topics we discussed: Why LinkedIn is such a powerful tool for nonprofitsWays we can level up our presence and our profilesThe difference between Company Pages, Groups, and Personal ProfilesHow nonprofits can do donor prospecting on LinkedIn without being spammyConnect with Angela:https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelapitter/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/livewirecollaborative/https://livewirecollaborative.com/ https://twitter.com/angelapitterhttps://nonprofit.linkedin.com/Do me a favor? Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts (or your podcast player of choice) - it helps this podcast get seen by more people that would enjoy it! About Julia Campbell, the host of the Nonprofit Nation podcast:Named as a top thought leader by Forbes and BizTech Magazine, Julia Campbell (she/hers) is an author, coach, and speaker on a mission to make the digital world a better place.She wrote her book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, as a roadmap for social change agents who want to build movements using engaging digital storytelling techniques. Her second book, How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit, was published in 2020 as a call-to-arms for mission-driven organizations to use the power of social media to build movements. Julia's online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking and raise more money online. Julia's happy clients include Mastercard, GoFundMe, Facebook, Meals on Wheels America, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Jodi-Tatiana Charles is the founder and “Brandographer™” of LCG Brands, a unique brand and marketing consulting firm dedicated to educating entrepreneurs, small/medium businesses (SMB/SMEs), and international professionals on the importance of growing their personal and corporate brands.She brings 30+ years of executive leadership in marketing, branding and communication successes with high profile organizations, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, MassChallenge Inc., Massachusetts Governor's Office, Massachusetts Conference for Women, NBC Universal/Comcast TV, and Clear Channel Communications/iHeart Radio. When not absorbed with all things marketing, Jodi-Tatiana dedicates her time to children, elderly and cancer causes, through road races, mentoring and volunteering.In this episode….Jodi-Tatiana Charles is a Marketing Strategist, Global Speaker, Podcast Host, and Author. She founded LCG Brands and is passionate about educating entrepreneurs and business owners about growing their brands and thinking about their legacies, both personal and professional. Born in Haiti to Haitian parents, she is immensely proud of both her Haitian heritage and the endless sense of curiosity she was born with that matched the devotion to seeking knowledge and learning instilled in her by her parents.When Jodi-Tatiana was a child and wanted new clothes, her tailor father brought home sewing machines. He maintained that every day you wake up and learn something. This thirst for knowledge and profound sense of needing to learn and share what she's learned has driven her from a young age. She has earned nine degrees and pushed for success not just for her own career but so she can pass on what she knows to share her growing legacy with others. This is the message she stresses, as well: to learn and share what you know.In this episode of What CEOs Talk About, Martin Hunter and Jodi-Tatiana Charles talk about what a legacy truly means, how to expand your legacy by sharing what you know based on what your passions are, and how to design your own path on your own terms. Jodi-Tatiana encourages the pursuit of personal legacy and Martin relates how every inspiring thing she says can be applied directly to your business as a CEO.
EP021 with Tania Katan (she/her) who has blazoned trails throughout the most corporate and boring places injecting her unique brand of creativity and giving others permission to do so as well. She's the genius behind super-viral campaigns and is constantly generating ideas that challenge the status quo. And she believes we are all capable of unlocking our creativity and infusing our lives, systems, and environments with small acts of rebellion that add up to a more productive and joyful world.Taboo Topics:Ego vs. Service- based disruptionHow our crazy upbringings informed usWhy you should think inside the boxWhy people who think they're not creative are wrongLessons from being an entitled internLetting the results speak for your ideasWhat to do when people like the status quoFor full show notes and videos go to: boldb.life/ep021-tania-katanMore About Tania: Tania Katan is known around the globe as a potent transformational speaker, innovation coach, bestselling author, and co-creator of the globally viral campaign #ItWasNeverADress; a social movement that has inspired over 80 million people to see, hear and celebrate women for the superheroes they are. Her visionary way of formulating ideas led to her groundbreaking book, Creative Trespassing: How to Put the Spark and Joy Back into Your Work and Life (Penguin Random House,2019). Winner of the 2019: Best Business Book of the Year: Creativity & Innovation, Porchlight Books. As a transformational speaker, Katan is highly sought-after to teach people and companies how to think INSIDE the box, in order to unleash creativity in uncertain times. Some of the organizations and major conferences impacted by her talks include: TED Talks, CiscoLive!, Expedia, Artists Thrive Summit, Amazon, Etsy, Google, Massachusetts Conference for Women, Humana, World Domination Summit, Inbound, Bird City Comedy Festival, Wonder Women Tech, Uber, Comedy Central Stage, and more. Katan's transformative work has appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, HuffPost, Time, BuzzFeed, CNN, GLAMOUR, Adweek, Mashable, TED Ideas, Forbes, Money Magazine, Amy Poehler's Smart Girls. For more on Katan's creative shenanigans: www.taniakatan.com________________________________________ Love the show? You can join our Bold Bitch Mafia for free access to bonuses, updates, and more. Remember to RATE & REVIEW. Instagram @theboldbitchpodcast #OneBoldBitch More About The Show: In the BOLD BITCH Podcast we dive deep into taboo topics. Each week award-winning creative powerhouse and compulsively curious host Gia Goodrich talks to badass visionaries and brazen game-changers with bold visions and strong opinions. Diving below the surface of subjects we're socialized not to talk about, we learn, lift the veil, and shift perspectives on the lightning rod issues impacting us every day. It might ruffle a few feathers, but it takes honesty to inspire change and remind us that the boldest version of ourselves is exactly what the world needs.
Today’s episode is an exclusive replay of a 2020 Massachusetts Conference for Women keynote conversation recognizing two remarkable pioneers blazing trails for Asian Americans, and inspiring women and girls of all ages and backgrounds: award-winning writer, actress, and comedian Awkwafina and journalist Lisa Ling. With authenticity and vulnerability, Awkwafina shares personal experiences in navigating the […] The post Asian-American Women Pioneering the Path Forward: A Conversation with Awkwafina & Lisa Ling appeared first on The Conferences for Women.
Welcome to episode 96, the countdown to episode 100 continues! In this episode, I have the honor of interviewing the Very Reverend Doctor Peter-Michael Preble. Monsignor Preble received an Associates's and bachelor’s degree from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. He received his seminary training at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, with a concentration in Pastoral Psychology from the American International University in Indiana. Monsignor Preble holds several certifications in trauma and stress including being a Diplomat with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Monsignor Preble was ordained Deacon and Priest in 2004 in the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas and for 12 years served a Romanian Orthodox Parish in Southbridge, Massachusetts. In 2016 he was granted Ordained Ministerial Standing by the Pilgrim Association of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. In 2019 he was incardinated priest into the Independent Old Catholic Church by Bishop Thomas Bryant and in 2020 was elevated to Monsignor with the rank of Protonotary Apostolic and created Vicar Forane of New England in the Diocese of the Eastern United States of the Independent Old Catholic Church. Monsignor Preble is a Hospice Chaplain with the Brockton Visiting Nurses Association. He is a Military Chaplain with the Massachusetts Organized Militia, Fire Department Chaplain with the Quincy Massachusetts Fire Department, the Deputy Chief Chaplain with the Massachusetts Corps of Fire Chaplains, and National Chaplain for the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Monsignor Preble has served parishes in the Romanian Orthodox Church as well as 3 parishes as interim minister in the United Church of Christ. Monsignor Preble is Married to Nicolette and has a daughter Oonagh. Monsignor Preble and his wife Nicky are living historians reenacting life in 18th and 19th century New England. Links: Convergent Streams: The Premier ISM Magazine. Would you like to support this podcast? Please consider purchasing a copy of the book, Sacramental Whine: Chronicling the Independent Sacramental Movement Volume One. A book showcasing some of the many interviews from this podcast. It is available on Amazon for $14.99. This podcast is hosted by Bishop David Oliver Kling and produced by the Community of Saint George (a Young Rite jurisdiction).
The Shrimp Tank Podcast - The Best Entrepreneur Podcast In The Country
Lacy has spent her two-decade career at the intersection of women's empowerment, financial services and education.She brings deep experience in wealth management to Willow having served as Vice President, Head of Marketing & Communications and a Relationship Manager at Deltec Bank & Trust Limited. Previously, she was a Vice President at Weber Shandwick where she advised a fortune 50 bank on its post financial crisis local market reputation campaign, the launch of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University and the Massachusetts Conference for Women.For more info, visit http://www.shrimptankpodcast.com/boston
My guest speaker is Composer, Arranger,Orchestrator,Vocalist, and Musical Director Eric Butler Eric Butler brings a wealth of musical diversity and experience to every project he gets involved with. Originally Eric hails from East Orange, New Jersey, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. He played in the New Jersey All-State Orchestra holding the 1st-Chair/Principal Trumpet position as well as being a member of the New Jersey All-State Chorus, judged as the top tenor voice in the state and awarded the position of section leader in a 500-voice choir. Attending Boston, Massachusetts’ prestigious Berklee College of Music with a major in arranging, composition, and orchestration. He performed as lead vocalist for the Annual Music Educators of Massachusetts Conference, arranging and orchestrating his own compositions, and receiving recognition in the world-renowned Down Beat (the jazz magazine) for his exciting performances. He composed, orchestrated, and produced the themes and underscored music for the films: The Club, starring Tommy Ford; Art and Atoms, Getty Musem documentary; the orchestral score inclusive of sound design for The Gifted, starring Dick Anthony Williams; NBC-TV-syndicated series: Images and Realities’ episodes: African American Men, hosted by Louis Gossett Jr.; The African American Family, hosted by Danny Glover and Esther Rolle; and African American Women, hosted by Vanessa Williams, Queen Latifah, and poet/author Maya Angelou, He composed the theme for the weekly TV series, ABF–America’s Black Forum, hosted by Julian Bond. His compositions, arrangements, and orchestrations have contributed to The Tonight Show, hosted by Johnny Carson; Lou Rawls–UNCF Parade of Stars, The 1992 U.S. Olympic Festival, and the TV series Fame. Additionally, he was responsible for the acclaimed dance, vocal and choral arrangements and orchestrations for The Martin Luther King- Kennedy Center Special production number, For All We Know medley, choreographed by Dream Girls/Michael Jackson‘s choreographer, Michael Peters, with a featured performance by Michael Peters and Fame/Academy Awards’ choreographer, Debbie Allen. Eric has written choir arrangements for Pattie Labelle on the Frank Sinatra TV special, Sinatra–80 Years My Way and choir arrangements for the Doobie Brothers’ tour. Additional orchestrations for CDs include: The Road To El Dorado by Elton John for Dreamworks’ animation feature film and soundtrack of the same title, plus The Young Americans, produced by Quincy Jones, and Luis Miguel’s 2000 CD on Lion’s Records. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aaron-d-king/support
Notes: Boston Globe 1. Neil Krieger, obit, neuroscientist, bioluminescence 2. Godfather 2 3. Stella Sullivan, obit, 96, “that dirty bird virus” 4. Dad pays for son's first legal beer 5. Joan Baez, painter 6. Massachusetts Conference for Woman Visit www.allthehatswewear.com Wall Street Journal 7. New rule in England: can only serve alcohol with a “substantial meal” 8. Tony Hsieh's unwieldy estate 9-10. Consumer psychology: sloppy vs neat present wrapping 11. The Lindler brothers and fishing business 12. Walter E. Williams, obit, good or bad? hold space 13. Microsoft engineer, Eric Engstrom, obit 14. Margaret Chase Smith, courageous senator 15. Autism/invention connection 16. Older people are happier than younger 17. Book: Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present - Ruth Ben-Ghiat 18. Atomic Habits - James Clear 19. Resilient systems in nature 20. Dan Ariely: make tasks manageable, peak-end rule 21. Monastery in Switzerland 22. Recipe: Delicata squash with cauliflower puree, brown butter, and hazelnuts 23. Solution for rock-hard brown sugar 24. Steven Soderbergh, director, interview 25. Jen Atkins, hair product CEO, Ouai 26. Goldie Hawn, non-profit, MindUP Visit www.allthehatswewear.com
How do you stay on top of things without depleting all your energy? Thinking that things will fall apart if you are not around is all in your mind. Ditch perfection and learn to delegate. Trust your people, ask for support, set your boundaries and take time for yourself. You can take a break and then come back with full energy and focus on what matters most. Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator for high achieving women who are recovering from their last big opportunity or getting ready for the next one. She is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, The Maine Women's Conference, and Podcast Movement. She is the President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine. In this episode, Jodi shares how challenging it is for her clients to delegate because tasks done by others don't measure up to one's standards. They ended up taking back the work and doing it all again by themselves. That would mean being pressed for time and energy; they can't take a breather to even go on vacations. She also talks about how she helps them understand that the very challenge they encounter is because of the superb capabilities they have that they fail to channel into matters that need more of their focus. What you will learn from this episode: Learn how to be in control of your business without exhausting all your time and energy Find out why you need to do away with perfectionism and find value in delegation Discover what taking time off for yourself can positively do to your business “If anyone skips over this step of taking a break to try to dive right into actively resolve the symptoms, you won't be able to solve the problem that's at the root of the symptoms. You may be able to address some of the symptoms, but new problems will crop up because the root problem is still there.” - Jodi Flynn
This year has been a doozie, but that doesn’t mean you should pack up shop and give up. It means that you need to look at the opportunities you now have--and run with them. So says Kim Dawson, business strategist, lifelong entrepreneur, and also today’s guest. We can’t control what’s happening in the world, but we can control how we react to it. I believe if we react with positivity and think about how we can shift and adjust to meet today where it is, we’ll succeed. Kim and I dig into how to look at some of the numbers in your business to make strategic decisions and how to make a plan for 2021 when you don’t really know what’s coming in the new year. And if you’re not happy working with the people you’re currently working with? It’s okay to make a change. Tune in now! Mentioned on This Episode Episode 70: Know Your Personal & Business Numbers with Keina Newell Client Journey eBook About Kim Dawson Kim Dawson is a lifelong entrepreneur who has started multiple businesses in her 20+ year entrepreneurial journey until becoming a business strategist in 2015. Kim helps small business owners increase their bottom line, scale their business by building their team, and managing their growth through better client and vendor communication and expanding into new markets. Kim serves as a strategist, consultant, advisor, and mentor. Kim is the host of “The Sassy Strategist Podcast” and the author of “Passion to Profits: Your Guide to Building a Successful Business You Love.” Kim has been a featured speaker at several conferences and events, including Massachusetts Conference for Women, MetroWest Conference for Women, Boston Business Women Innovation Conference, and BostonSpeaks, among others. Through her podcast, speaking engagements, book, and consulting work, Kim has helped thousands of entrepreneurs take their business to the next level. You can follow her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Kim Dawson is a lifelong entrepreneur who has started multiple businesses in her 20+ year entrepreneurial journey until becoming a business strategist in 2015. Kim helps service-based solopreneurs and small business owners increase revenue, maximize profitability, grow their team, and scale their business. She serves as a strategist, consultant, advisor, mentor, and coach. Kim is the host of “The Sassy Strategist Podcast” and the author of “Passion to Profits: Your Guide to Building a Successful Business You Love.” Kim has been a featured speaker at several business conferences and events, including Massachusetts Conference for Women, MetroWest Conference for Women, Boston Business Women Innovation Conference, and BostonSpeaks, among others. Through her podcast, speaking engagements, book, and consulting work, Kim has helped thousands of entrepreneurs take their business to the next level. When she isn’t working, she can be found reading, writing, traveling, binge-watching her favorite comedies, discussing Star Wars with her children, listening to live jazz, or foxtrotting to Frank Sinatra. In this episode, Kim shares the process of how she decided to write her book instead of turning the content into a course or program, why she feels a book is a perfect way to both educate and inspire your audience, why her favorite part of the process was when the writing portion was finished, why her least favorite part of the process was actually getting the book published, the multiple ways her book has helped her business, why believes everyone writing a book to serve their business should bring on a support team from the very begin of the process, and more. Listen here or on your favorite podcast player, and let me know what you think! Screenshot this episode and tag me on Instagram (@jodibrandoneditorial). Have a book idea for your business but aren’t sure where to start? Check out my Jump-Start Guide here.
Host and Creator of the DefiningYou Podcast, Erica Hansen, shares the chapter of her journey where she makes the decision to leap into a new life of living her purpose full time. You may find Erica personally on Facebook and Instagram. Her business, Life Integrated Coaching, may be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and their website. Mentions and resources in this episode include: Massachusetts Conference for Women You can learn more about the Defining You podcast and host Erica Hansen, at DefiningYou or at Life Integrated Coaching.
Harry talks with Dianne Savastano, Founder and Principal of Healthassist, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 2004 that specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Dianne Savastano is Founder and Principal of Healthassist, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 2004 that specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.Beginning as a registered nurse providing direct patient care, Dianne's 25-year career includes roles as a hospital, insurance and employee benefits executive and as a management consultant. Her experience has taught her to ensure that the healthcare consumer is at the center of the healthcare equation.A frequent, sought-after speaker, Dianne has delivered programs covering a wide range of critical healthcare-related topics covering patient advocacy, Medicare choices, healthcare reform and more. In addition, she has been interviewed in both national and local media, including Boston Women's Business, The Detroit Free Press, Financial Advisor Magazine, Yahoo Health, and National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Further, she has appeared as an expert guest on the PBS Second Opinion Series and presented at the Massachusetts Conference for Women.Dianne received her BS in Nursing from Rhode Island College and her MBA from Simmons College in Boston.
Harry talks with Dianne Savastano, Founder and Principal of Healthassist, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 2004 that specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Dianne Savastano is Founder and Principal of Healthassist, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 2004 that specializes in helping clients navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.Beginning as a registered nurse providing direct patient care, Dianne's 25-year career includes roles as a hospital, insurance and employee benefits executive and as a management consultant. Her experience has taught her to ensure that the healthcare consumer is at the center of the healthcare equation.A frequent, sought-after speaker, Dianne has delivered programs covering a wide range of critical healthcare-related topics covering patient advocacy, Medicare choices, healthcare reform and more. In addition, she has been interviewed in both national and local media, including Boston Women's Business, The Detroit Free Press, Financial Advisor Magazine, Yahoo Health, and National Public Radio's Morning Edition. Further, she has appeared as an expert guest on the PBS Second Opinion Series and presented at the Massachusetts Conference for Women.Dianne received her BS in Nursing from Rhode Island College and her MBA from Simmons College in Boston.
About the guest: Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator for people-leaders. Rising women hire her to improve the skills that advance them to the top levels in their career and industry. Jodi is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast, and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, The Maine Women's Conference, Podcast Movement, and the Agents of Change Digital Marketing Conference. She is the President of the board for The Maine Women's Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine. In the episode: 2:23 – Although she has not always known what she wanted to do for a living, Jodi explains her career path. 6:10 – Nancy and Jodi talk about having a specialized niche and specific audience. 10:18 – Jodi talks about what she calls the lone wolf behavior. 15:57 – Jodi shares her how to tip for marketing and building a personal brand, such as exploring new technologies and letting yourself shine. 17:33 – Jodi tells a story of learning how to do webinars and discovering that it was not a good fit for her audience. 20:16 – To measure success, Jodi pays attention to her clients and the analytics on the different platforms she uses. 24:18 – Jodi shares some of her goals for 2020, such as recording her audiobook. 28:17 – Jodi shares some of the ways that have been successful for building the Women Taking the Lead brand. 37:29 – Jodi shares that she does intentionally network for her business and podcast, but she has unintentionally built her network as well. 44:19 – Jodi talks about the resources she uses on a day to day basis and the books that have helped her. 50:57 – Jodi offers a parting thought about focusing on your own mission. Quote: “In terms of success in marketing, it comes back to that balance of being true to yourself, focusing on your zone of genius, and then really homing in on where are your ideal clients hanging out. Go there and leave everything else alone and don't worry about it.” – Jodi Flynn, owner of Women Taking the Lead Links: How To Boost Your Reputation With Today's Buyers Accomplished: How to go from Dreaming to Doing Maine Women's Conference Google Suite The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson Essentialism by Greg McKeown How Women Rise by Sally Helgeson and Marshall Goldsmith Food, We Need to Talk Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device. Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page. Looking to connect: Email: jodi@womentakingthelead.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn Twitter: @jodimflynn Podcast: https://womentakingthelead.com/podcast/ Website: https://womentakingthelead.com/
Shellee Mendes Bio – December 2019“Follow your dreams. There is nothing you can’t achieve if you dream big and work hard!”That is the advice Shellee Mendes imparts to young people and entrepreneurs in her speaking engagements and philanthropic appearances … and those are the words she lives by.Her inspirational approach to work and life – combined with outstanding entrepreneurial success - may be the reasons Shellee was asked to serve as a Director on the Boston Arts Academy Foundation Board. And why the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce honored her with the GBCOC Small Business “Main Street” Award. Top honors before audience of 14,000 at 2019 MA Conference for WomenIn 2019, Shellee was chosen for the coveted TARGET STORYTELLER AWARD at Massachusetts Conference for Women, with 14,000 attendees cheering her on! She received the award for her tireless work giving back to her community and lifting women up through her example and initiatives. Shellee also ran a conference round table on “Race, Hair & Working Women,” focusing on the challenges women of color face in regard to their hair and careers and in their everyday working environment. The sold-out program looked at questions Shellee says are raised every day in her salons: “Will I be judged for embracing my natural, ethnic hair texture and style? Is my hair keeping me from moving up the corporate ladder? Should I straighten my hair for that big interview?” Entrepreneur, businesswoman, philanthropist, role modelAs the founder/owner/stylist at Salon Monet on Newbury Street, Shellee serves a diverse, multicultural clientele. In December 2017, she opened her second Newbury Street salon with a celebration attended by Mayor Walsh, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and other VIPs.An inspirational speaker and active philanthropist, Shellee always finds time to support the many causes in which she believes. Her charitable giving includes donations, fundraisers and voluntary assistance to a host of organizations that help children, women and families. Shellee never stops! She is the recipient of multiple awards and honors, serves a host of celebrity clients, and last year was spotted chatting with Oprah on the Holland America Alaska Cruise! Shellee grew up in housing developments in Roslindale and Dorchester. As a single parent, she and her two small children lived in a Quincy shelter while she worked full-time and put herself through cosmetology school. Now she gives a hand up to those who are struggling. Read her inspirational story and check out recent achievements in the links below. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/10/31/woman-makes-leap-ifrom-projects-newbury/X8NHL3VWtJ1gX52R4PVUPM/story.htmlhttps://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2018/06/24/salon-owner-mendes-receives-chamber-small-business-award/Nk5ExQ3X32VXLyj9kgHvWO/story.htmlhttp://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/inside_track/2017/12/sidetrack_marty_walsh_ayanna_pressley_and_more
The Massachusetts Conference for Women was held in Boston on Thursday. WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers reports.
Hello and welcome to yet another awesome episode. This week's guest is the lovely Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead. She is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator for people-leaders. She works with women who are high performers but may lack confidence, are at risk for burnout, or may want to achieve that next big goal or level of leadership without sacrificing their health and happiness. Jodi coaches her clients on how to achieve more while doing less. She is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, The Maine Women's Conference, Podcast Movement, and the Agents of Change Digital Marketing Conference. She is the President for the board of The Maine Women’s Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine. This week's episode is empowering, inspiring, motivating, you name it!. I hope you have your journal close by, let’s dive into this awesome interview. Enjoy!
Paulette and Anne go way back. Anne was instrumental in allowing her to access that part of her that had the courage to dig deep, ask the right questions and change her life for the better. Anne is the creator of Grace Path and Grace Notes. She was a life coach before life coaching was cool. Anne Barry Jolles is a renowned life coach, award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and creator of Grace TrailⓇ. Blending life experiences and research, Jolles created the Grace Trail and has shared it with tens of thousands as it evolved for over a decade. The trail has many forms, including an actual trail in Plymouth, MA, virtual trails, workshops, webinars, retreats, and products, and has been featured by Good Housekeeping, NPR, Boston Globe and more. Jolles thrives on helping courageous people take five steps to their best lives through her message of joy, hope, and resiliency. The Grace Trail is a simple five-step process that starts with gratitude and ends with hope. By asking and reflecting on the five Grace Trail questions… Gratitude: What am I grateful for? Release: What do I need to release to move forward with my life? Acceptance: What is calling out for acceptance? Challenge: What is the next challenge of my own choosing? Embrace: What can I embrace as possible? You will find that you are walking off your worries and accessing hope and possibility. Anne explains her personal terrifying journey of despair before she goes on creating the actual, now-famous Grace Trail in Nelson Park in Plymouth, MA by gathering the beach stones, writing the words and questions on them and placing them along a 1-mile trail that thousands have discovered and walked. Now, the Grace Trail has become a global movement, with trails popping up all over the world, including an indigenous reservation in British Columbia and Egypt! But...hold on, You don’t have to come to Plymouth to walk Grace Trail! You can create your own Trail at your home, work, office, church, hospital, school, senior center, college, recovery center, park, convention center, workshop, backyard or kitchen windowsill. The wonderful thing about the Grace Trail is that it can be adapted to meet the needs and objectives of any group. It can as big or small as it needs to be. As a result, Grace Trails are showing up in the most amazing ways. A wide range of services are available, including Grace Trail products, keynote speeches, Grace Trail workshops, webinars, fundraising, retreats, installation of permanent Grace Trails, and much more. Grace Trail has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Boston Globe, and NPR. Large-scale Grace Trails (picture hundreds to thousands walking the Grace Trail at the same time) have been run through the Massachusetts Conference for Women, Rose Kennedy Greenway / FIGMENT Festival, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation Passport to Survivorship and more. Anne gave a TEDx Talk entitled “Cracking the Grace Code”, which has been viewed over 6,000 times. Every week, Anne sends out weekly, free messages of hope and possibility to subscribers that are very popular and shareable. Inspirational, fun images are accompanied by relevant messages – hope in 100 words or less! Key takeaway - By asking and reflecting on key questions about the five components of GRACE - Gratitude, Release, Acceptance, Challenge, and Embrace - you will find that you are walking off your worries and accessing hope. A good question can be the beginning of a great adventure. All you have to do is just show up and start walking. You can find Anne at www.gracetrail.com She will be happy to help you find GRACE in your life towards healing and transformation --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thriving-in-chaos/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thriving-in-chaos/support
00:46 – Introducing today’s guest, Jodi Flynn 01:53 – Jodi’s entrepreneurial journey 03:09 – Dealing with Golden Handcuffs 05:00 – Travelling the uncertain path 08:17 – Transitioning from account management to coaching 09:36 – The decision to work with women specifically 13:27 – Jodi’s approach to coaching women 15:52 – Overcoming stress, fear, and misconceptions 18:38 – Common issues Jodi has observed from her clients 20:44 – Good enough 23:19 – Jodi speaks to the culture of Type-A Personality 25:27 – The importance of being in tune with yourself 27:14 – Where Jodi got her entrepreneurial spirit 30:34 – Jodi talks about the challenging aspects of starting her own business33:35 – The importance of self-care 35:40 – Jodi’s hopes for future growth within her business 39:34 – Jodi reflects on what she loves most about running her business40:44 – Fighting the negative voice in our head 47:28 – What Zen Money means to Jodi48:14 – Where listeners can follow JodiSound Bites:“I have that dream big gene, I guess.” (02:40) “We hit certain points in life where it’s like all arrows are pointing that way, so go that way. Even though that way is scary, and uncertain, and unknown. The feeling of going the known path just feels like boredom and being stifled.” (05:00) “It’s amazing how quickly we start achieving our goals when other people really connect with us and like us and feel relaxed in our presence.” (15:38) “Once we know whatever belief or misperception is causing the stress and we can talk about it, we can challenge it and change it and take on something new.” (18:14) “I say to many of my clients, ‘Your good enough is better than most people’s best.’” (20:44) “I would say it’s still a struggle. There’s still an uncertainty in my business. I do not have a guaranteed paycheck.” (32:44) “I think the most important thing as a business owner to do is to keep letting people know that you’re in business.” (34:29) “As a coach, a lot of times people are buying you. They’re buying the energy that you bring.” (37:51) “It’s been since I started my business that I truly felt that I was living my life’s purpose. And that is so fulfilling and gratifying” (40:32) “Zen Money to me has an energetic flow. It’s moving, it’s nurturing, it’s taking care of us. I would say Zen Money is the money that heals and restores us.” (47:58) About Jodi:Jodi Flynn of Women Taking the Lead is an Executive Leadership Coach, Podcaster, Author, Speaker, and Workshop Facilitator for people-leaders. She works with rising women to improve the skills that help them advance to the top levels in their career. She is the host of the critically acclaimed Women Taking the Lead podcast and an Amazon bestselling author with her book, Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing. Jodi has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women, The Maine Women’s Conference, Podcast Movement, and the Agents of Change Digital Marketing Conference. She is the President for the board of The Maine Women’s Conference and has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes Magazine. Links Mentioned:Jodi’s PodcastJodi’s YouTube ChannelJodi’s Instagram – @jodimflynnJodi’s Twitter – @JodiMFlynn Jodi’s FacebookJodi’s LinkedInJodi’s WebsiteJodi’s Email – jodi@womentakingthelead.comZen Money Financial QuizZen Money Website
Deb Pine Executive Director Center for Women and Business and Executive Education at Bentley University dpine@bentley.edu Deb Pine serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Women and Business and Executive Education at Bentley University where she leads all external and internal strategic efforts, including corporate engagement, student initiatives, faculty collaboration, and research. Deb is a skilled facilitator, leading sessions at Harvard Business School and the Broad Institute, and workshops for corporate clients including Wellington Management, Eagle Investment Systems, Verizon, Clarks, and TripAdvisor. Deb also facilitates discussions at large public forums including 2020 Women on Boards: National Conversation on Board Diversity, the Global Business Ethics Symposium, and the Massachusetts Conference for Women. During her 25+ year career, Deb has held senior leadership positions in both emerging organizations and global corporations. She co-founded PreVision Marketing, a customer marketing and technology firm which developed breakthrough customer loyalty marketing programs for Fortune 500 companies. Under her leadership, PreVision was ranked on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies and the Software 500 representing leading technology providers. Deb has served as an investor and advisor to early-stage ventures and as a non-profit board member for the T1DExchange, a nonprofit organization that builds patient and community research platforms dedicated to eradicating chronic diseases. She is committed to furthering progress toward corporate gender equity and is an active mentor and advisor to several women-led businesses. She is a member of the Harvard Business School Women’s Association and The Boston Club. Deb earned her B.A. in Communications from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her MBA from Harvard Business School. In this episode, we discuss: Why more women on boards makes a true impact and the research that backs it up Why three women on a board become a force and why that’s the magic number The three things boards need to do to create change How there could be over 3,000 open board seats for women if every state did this Four things women should consider if they want to be on a board Why November 14th is an important date to remember Meeting people outside your circle on boards and how it expands your network The different types of boards women can be a part of and how to build experience
Hello everyone and thank you for joining me for this month-end episode on goals. I hope you are enjoying the holidays and have a safe and happy New Year. The end of November and December were very active. I was surprised at how busy I was with meetings right up to the weekend before Christmas. That is unusual but a good sign that you all are ready to create some big things in 2019. The Create and Achieve Goals that Are Worthy of You workshop was so much fun and the feedback was incredibly helpful. What was clear was that we needed more time - duly noted! I also attended and conducted round tables at The Massachusetts Conference for Women. With over 12,000 people in attendance that day it made for a high energy event. As someone put it, “It was overwhelming in all the good ways.” What was really gratifying for me was, as a speaker, I was invited to have my books sold in the bookstore and they sold out. I can’t tell you how amazed and delighted I was. Many things validated for me that I was with my people. Not just women, but go-getting women who are eager to participate fully in their growth and development. Now I’m spending some time unplugged with my family and friends. I’m spending some time resting and finalizing my goals for next year and I’ll share more about that in the next episode which will be releasing in a couple weeks. For now, let’s get caught up on how my 2018 goals landed. To catch up anyone who is new to the Women Taking the Lead podcast, last December I did a series of episodes to walk everyone through my goal setting process and I used myself as an example to take you through all the steps. I promised during that time that I would keep you updated on my progress toward my goals in the hope that it would be helpful for you as you work toward accomplishing your goals. This episode is the progress report on my goals through December. During the Goal setting series I identified four focus areas that were important to me this year and each area has a specific goal assigned to it. Focus area #1 Increase profitability in my business Goal: have a net income (earnings minus expenses) of $80,000 minimum this year. Because I was struggling a little bit with this goal I also created 4 sub-goals in June. These sub-goals are, by year end: Have had 12 new Executive Leadership Coaching clients. This is coaching that focuses on leaders within organizations to help them with their performance as well as happiness and fulfillment at work. I had a total of 8 clients who fell into this category and 3 more clients signed on before the end of the year. While I am one client shy of this goal I still feel successful in this area because of the progress I made in such a short time. Do 10 corporate workshops. I have done 5 this year with one pushed out to January. I am four short of my goal of doing 10 and I’ll be giving this area of my business more love in 2019. Promote the DIY products that are on the Women Taking the Lead website. This category has not gotten much movement and I mentioned last month that I may have to hire a marketing person to help with this. Do two more group programs by the end of the year. The virtual program was a non-starter but as I mentioned earlier my goals workshop, Create and Achieve Goals that are Worthy of You was a success and I’ll be looking forward to doing more local workshops in 2019. November’s Profit and Loss report showed a net profit of $1822.98. I did not meet the average $6800 net profit I’m was looking for each month this year and I’ve been reflecting on this and actively talking to coach colleagues of mine about this concern. There were some things missing in the attainment of this goal but it was not a lack of effort or activity that was the problem. I worked HARD to achieve this goal and applied many strategies that got some traction, but not enough. There were 3 things missing that got in the way of my achieving this goal. I was working too hard and not asking for help. Some expert support would have been very helpful, especially when it comes to the marketing of my business. I focused more on what I could do and not enough on who I was being. Because of some tight deadlines I became focused on getting things done and out rather than taking a step back to get into an experience of being of service and support. This definitely impacted how I was marketing my products and services. Lastly, and this was an interesting insight, although I know what I do and provide is incredibly valuable, I’m not always present to it when I talk to others or as I’m creating my marketing collateral. One of my mastermind members is often pointing out I don’t get detailed enough about the benefits of my services and as we got deeper into the conversation I got really uncomfortable thinking about changing this mentality and state of being. This definitely needs to change in the New Year. Focus area #2 Build more strength and endurance Goal: do 1000 Spartan-regulation burpees in good form within one workout by the end of October. Separately, do an unassisted pull-up before the end of this year. I accomplished my goal to do 1000 chest-to-ground burpees back in October but I have yet to do the unassisted pull-up. Although I have continued to do pull-us with a band as a part of my workout I was not driven to accomplish this goal by year-end. I did not have the same drive and passion for the pull-up that I had for the burpees. This tells me that this goal was chosen more for my ego than to be in alignment with living the life I want to live. I’ll continue to incorporate pull-ups in my weekly routine but I’m likely going to let the task of doing the unassisted pull-up go. Who knows, this may come back sometime in the future and if I happen to hit the goal in the course of getting more fit, I will let you know. Focus are #3 Romantic Partnership Goal: Be in a committed monogamous relationship with a man. Although I did not accomplish this goal this year, working toward this goal definitely got me out of my comfort zone and caused a lot of growth for me. I am much more aware of what I am looking for in a partner at this stage in my life and just recently I had a huge “ah-ha” seeing myself falling into a now-familiar pattern of settling for something casual, hoping that something will change in the near future. It never does. Note to self: If they are not in, I’m out! As my sister reminds me, “stay open, stay available, stay vulnerable. There is someone out there for you.” I believe that, and that it’s only a matter of time and as hard as it can be to remain open, available and vulnerable, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to focus on being me and having fun. That’s actually what my focus for 2019 is going to be. Being me and having fun with everything I do. Focus area #4 Live Events Goal: Do a live workshop in the 4th quarter of this year. Success! I checked this goal off this month and am considering some smaller workshops in the future. Quick Update on my Mom My Mom is doing much better now that the chemo is working its way out of her body. She is getting her strength and appetite back. She will be having Lasik surgery on both eyes and once she is healed from that her radiation treatments will begin. Oy! As always I hope this update was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this online mini-course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
Hello everyone and thank you for joining me. On the day this episode is releasing I am in full swing preparing for the Create and Achieve Goals that are Worthy of You workshop which is happening tomorrow. I am so excited about this. I am in my zone when I am leading workshops and I’m thrilled to be with the women who are attending. I cannot wait to lead them through a process that will help them craft the perfect goals for them, as well as create the plan and begin executing on it. I am also psyched because I will be going to see Jen Sincero tonight. She is the author of the book, You Are A Badass, and she is doing a book signing in Boston for her latest book, You Are a Badass Every Day: How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable. So, I’ve got the Jen Sincero event tonight in Boston, the goals workshop tomorrow in Portland, Maine and this Thursday is the Massachusetts Conference for Women and I’ll be leading a few roundtable in the technology pavilion on how to use podcasting to amplify your personal brand. And then on Friday I’m going to sleep in and play with my sister’s puppy. How’s that for a week? Enough about me, we are back to talking about Playing Bigger, the awesome book by Tara Mohr. We are diving into chapter 3…A Very Old New Way of Looking at Fear. Having a toolkit to face fear will be priceless to you as there are always new situations that will invoke fear and you don’t want to live a half-life because you can’t manage your fear of perceived danger. Also, since the theme here is playing bigger, make a list of the things that cause you to feel worry, concern, fear or anxiety, when you think about playing bigger. The behaviors associated with this are avoidance or escape. What are you avoiding because you are afraid you will be embarrassed or rejected or not supported? Know that playing big will invoke both types of fear but we need to examine and shift the danger fear into the enlivening fear. If Time is What You Fear In talking with many of you around playing big, or even just playing at where you are now, I know one of your big struggles is managing your time. You may even feel concern, worry or anxiety around your time and if that is the case I have a program that is what you need to free yourself up and let go of overwhelm. In this program I cover 7 different strategies that will help you get control of your time, your calendar, and your peace of mind so you are accomplishing everything you want to be accomplishing with more ease and a sense that there is plenty of time. This program is seriously just $19 and I guarantee you will get results and feel relief around your schedule and your to-dos. To find out more about this program go to womentakingthelead.com/time. As always, I hope this was of value to you and here’s to your success! Thank You to Our Sponsors! ButcherBox delivers healthy 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door. For FREE Bacon and $20 off your first box, go to ButcherBox.com/lead and enter lead as the promotional code at checkout. Zebralove Web Solutions: Your website tells a story about your business! At Zebralove Web Solutions, Milly and her team are going to make sure your website tells the story you want your customers to hear. Connect with Milly at zebralovewebsolutions.com to create the impression you want to make! Resources Create Goals that are Worthy of you: If you are done with either pursuing vanilla goals, suffering through the struggle of goals that are not aligned with your strengths, or dealing with heartbreak of an unattainable goal this course is for you! Private Facebook Community: Chat, share and collaborate with other women listening to the podcast! Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing: A simple, step by step system that gives you the foundation and structure to take your goals and make them happen.
Episode Image by @misfitmuses Theme song HoodGrown by David-James @davedashjames_ https://soundcloud.com/davedashjames Transition music Nathan Peters @mztrwlsn @mrwilsonbeats https://soundcloud.com/mrwilsonbeats TAG THE ARTIST: Mattaya Fitts @misfitmuses FOR US BY US: Project Place 1145 Washington Street Boston, MA 02118 http://projectplace.org/ @projectplaceboston WORD ON THE STREET: BPS Racist Graffiti Discovered At South Boston Elementary School https://cbsloc.al/2ANnAtx Needles found on school playground prompt rally https://bit.ly/2Oppiog For the ladies Massachusetts Conference for Women to bring Amal Clooney, Elizabeth Gilbert, Aly Raisman https://bit.ly/2OnIpPK For the racist in the back Birthright Citizenship Explained Like You're a Racist 5-Year-Old https://bit.ly/2yRGxK5 Don Lemon Doubles Down On Comments That White Men Are Biggest Domestic Terror Threat https://bit.ly/2DnkNtk VOTE Voter Guide: Massachusetts Election https://wbur.fm/2Jx6GlK https://bit.ly/2D1eGKq AHT The New Corporate Recruitment Tool? Art https://wbur.fm/2DeQ5mt Street art moves indoors as designers, home makers use graffiti and murals to make walls, furniture pop https://bit.ly/2P9PvwE KING PINS: Favianna Rodriguez @favianna1 http://favianna.flyingcart.com/ https://justseeds.org/artist/faviannarodriguez/ UNSUNG HEROES/history moves: Art Salons and Academies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salon_(Paris) https://www.mfa.org/collections/featured-galleries/salon https://www.artsyshark.com/2014/12/16/artist-salon-2/ GOOD LOOKS (interview): Brockton mag https://www.brocktonmag.co/ REALTALK: Disrespect in the classroom ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rate, review and subscribe to us on APPLE podcast Check out our white wall review. Would you like to support the show? Become a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/hoodgrownaesthetic Daughter of Contrast www.daughterofcontrast.com/ @daughterofcontrst Amber @ambersafro HIT US UP! If you’re an Artist or a small business owner, you would like to be interviewed on the show please email us and send us a short bio, images and media handles. Please Review, Rate and Subscribe to us on Apple Podcast Stitcher, Tune in, and Google Play!
Dani Rylan, Founder/Commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League, talks about achieving success in a traditionally male dominated field. Holly Hurd, Founder of VentureMom.com, shares how to build a small business that gives back. Christine Porath, Professor at Georgetown University, discusses mastering civility in the workplace. Jackie Glenn, VP of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Dell EMC, explains strategies for closing the diversity gap. Gloria Larson, President of Bentley University, talks about helping to start the MA Conference for Women. Grace Killelea, CEO at GKC Group, on closing the gender gap to achieve career success.
Dani Rylan, Founder/Commissioner of the National Women's Hockey League, talks about achieving success in a traditionally male dominated field. Holly Hurd, Founder of VentureMom.com, shares how to build a small business that gives back. Christine Porath, Professor at Georgetown University, discusses mastering civility in the workplace. Jackie Glenn, VP of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Dell EMC, explains strategies for closing the diversity gap. Gloria Larson, President of Bentley University, talks about helping to start the MA Conference for Women. Grace Killelea, CEO at GKC Group, on closing the gender gap to achieve career success. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
In today’s episode we talk about the “hustle & grind”, #GetPaidNotPlayed, three tips to manage your business tasks with ease instead of overwhelm, steps to maintaining a growth mindset, the story behind the business name, overcoming adversity, the importance of a strong support system and journaling to grow. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS PODCAST EPISODE: The story behind Andrea’s business name and how it embodies Andrea’s business message. Andrea’s process to supporting her clients to grow via. “growth work” Overcoming adversity & negative energy with a strong support system, self love and long drives. Three ways to manage your business. Seeing the beauty in the every day and finding time for movement. ANDREA IMAFIDON SAID: “Seeing the greatness in people when they don't see it themselves.” “Using your own voice and own power in situations.” “We have been created to serve a purpose.” “Hearing your own soul voice.” “Having a voice is my WHY.” HEAR MORE ABOUT ANDREA IMAFIDON: Andrea C. Imafidon, MSW is a certified Personal and Professional Development coach and image and brand consultant, who helps individuals, organizations, and small businesses become their best version of themselves on and offline through personal and professional image and branding and goal setting. She is also a speaker, mentor, digital storyteller and social media consultant. She is the digital storyteller and content creator at Brown Girl From Boston. She served as a guest blogger on “Blavity”, “Black and Married with Kids” and “xoNecole”. She also appeared on TLC’s Bling It On with Sondra Celli. Andrea is the author of three books, “Manifesting Your Greatness,” a goal setting book to help others to become goal getters, “Turning Your Passion Into A Paycheck: How to Monetize Your Passion, Strengths, and Gifts,” which is a guide to starting your startup and Self-Care For Brown Girls a healthy and holistic guide for Black and Brown women to truly and unapologetically take care of themselves. Andrea is a 2016 RISBJ Women to Watch Entrepreneurial Women to Watch nominee. Andrea served as a Social Media Roundtable Expert at the 2016 Massachusetts Conference for Women. She also served as an entrepreneurship mentor for South Coast Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll). She is the 2014 Practico Innovation Business Pitch Idea Winner for her StartSavvy app. Andrea Imafidon is a professional coach with a certification in personal development coaching from The CaPP Institute. She earned an M.S. in Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi and a B.S. in Social Work from Tuskegee University. FAVOURITE QUOTE TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD Progress Over Perfection ONE BOOK YOU SHOULD READ The Power of Broke by Daymond John CONNECT WITH ANDREA IMAFIDON Facebook Instagram Twitter Blog CONNECT WITH SASHKA Click to join Sashka’s Facebook community: Branding & Marketing Magic Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter LinkedIn Want to be a guest on the podcast? Apply to be featured on the No Name Brand Podcast here. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES AND SOUNDCLOUD.
Nicole Connolly is a gifted and sought-after professional photographer acclaimed for her imaginative, contemporary and elegant photographic style. Her talent as a creative professional includes over 15 years of experience in online marketing. Her mission is to make professionals superstars on LinkedIn by focusing on their headshots and pictures because as the age old saying goes, “A picture can paint a thousand words”. So what is personal branding and how important are headshots for your personal branding? Nicole begins by sharing a quick and fun tip on how you can reconcile what you currently think your personal branding says about you and how others actually perceive it! She also gives us some insider tips on how to get the best photo for you circumstance and the goals you have regardless of whether you are a fresh graduate young millennial or an experienced individual close to retirement. With years of experience in the area, Nicole shares with us how she translates qualities in a person such as likeability, friendliness and trust into strong headshots that will leave an impression. But we can’t all have Nicole take our headshots so how do you find a good photographer? How do you prepare for a photoshoot? And what is it that you should absolutely not do when picking your headshots for your business profiles? Nicole shares her insights on all of this so you can be a superstar on LinkedIn and in your personal branding for your business. More about Nicole and her photography can be found at the following website and social media platforms: Website: http://www.photofabulousyou.com LinkedIn: Nicole Cononolly Facebook: Photo Fabulous You Instagram: PhotoFabulousYou Twitter: @Photo_Fabulous Conference highlight Massachusetts Conference for Women https://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/summit/ Boston, MA: December 7th 2017 SPRH Podcast is sponsored by: Knight Dik Insurance http://www.knightdik.com/ Cumulus Global www.CumulusGlobal.com
A technologist at heart, Angela connects people with technology in a humorous and non-intimidating manner. Angela is Founder and CEO of LiveWire Collaborative, a social media consultancy. Their services includes Social Media Training for corporations or organizations, one-on-one Executive Coaching, Social Media Analysis, as well as Strategy Development and Implementation for mid-size businesses. Additionally, Angela has trained several hundred professionals on hot topics such as “How to” Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and There’s an App for That! Prior to LiveWire Collaborative, Angela spent the past 20 years in high-tech and brings extensive experience leading global teams and products to market. Angela has spoken at the Massachusetts Conference for Women and was featured on the TV series, Our World. Listen in on some of the value she has to share from her experience; here on the podcast!
Ha Tran, speaker, author and finalist in the " Live Fearlessly" Contest sponsored by the renowned Massachusetts Conference for Women in Boston, MA visits The Wealthy Speaker Show. Ha Tran knows a thing or two about living fearlessly and it's the exact reason why she is one of only FIVE finalist for the coveted "Living Fearlessly" contest. Ha joins us for a candid interview about her story and how you can help her win the Living Fearessly contest. Ha is the author of the book, Hope Empowered which is an account of Ha's life in South Vietnam, she and her husband escaping the Viet Cong, living in a refugee camp and ultimately being sponsored by Americans and moving to the United States. Ha Tran has not only lived fearlessly in her youth, but currently lives fearlessly today as a speaker, author, wife, grandmother and Women of Influence. I encourage you to tune in and learn how you can help Ha Tran be selected through your votes to become the 2011 Living Fearlessly contest winner. Tune in, listen in and discover what it takes to Live Fearlessly with Boston's very own Ha Tran. Dial in with questions at (646) 595-4797 and or join us in the web chat room. Learn more about Ha Tran at: http://www.hope-empowered.com
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