Podcast appearances and mentions of monica kang

The density of states of a unitary quantum field theory is known to have a universal behavior at high energy. In two dimensions, this behavior is described by the Cardy formula. When the theory has symmetry, it is interesting to find out how the Hilbert space is decomposed into irreducible representation of the symmetry. In this talk, I will derive universal formulas for the decomposition of states at high energy with respect to both internal global symmetry and spacetime symmetry. The formulae are applicable to any unitary quantum field theory in any spacetime dimensions. As a byproduct, we resolve one of the outstanding questions on the stability of non-abelian black holes. We will also derive the high energy asymptotic behavior of correlation functions. (Based on work with Nathan Benjamin, Daniel Harlow, Monica Kang, Jaeha Lee, Sridip Pal, David Simmons-Duffin, Zhengdi Sun, and Zipei Zhang.)

In this episode of "Stood in the Gap," hosted by Derrin Slack, guest Monica Kang shares her insights on how to step outside of our comfort zones and see others for who they truly are. Drawing from her personal experiences with mental health challenges and self-doubt, Monica emphasizes the importance of developing a strong sense of self-awareness in order to better understand and connect with others. By recognizing our own emotions and triggers, we become more present and open-minded, enabling us to see and appreciate the unique perspectives and experiences of those around us.

What do black holes have in common with quantum error correction? Take a listen to Episode 6 of insideQuantum to find out!This week we're featuring Dr Monica Kang, a Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Fellow at California Institute of Technology in the Particle Theory Group and Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics. Dr Kang obtained her Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley, followed by a PhD at Harvard University.Some of the concepts in this episode are a little different that those we usually cover, so please do check out the full transcript of the interview on our website insidequantum.org for links to further explanations of some of the terms that are discussed.For more information and a full audio transcript, see our website insidequantum.org.

On this week's episode of Inside Outside Innovation, we sit down with Monica Kang, Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox and Author of Rethink Creativity. Monica and I talk about some of the obstacles and opportunities around creativity. And how individuals and companies can benefit from enhancing their curiosity, creativity, and courage. Let's get started.Inside Outside Innovation is the podcast to help the new innovators navigate what's next. Each week, we'll give you a front row seat into what it takes to learn, grow, and thrive in today's world of accelerating change and uncertainty. Join us as we explore, engage, and experiment with the best and the brightest innovators, entrepreneurs, and pioneering businesses. It's time to get started.Interview Transcript with Monica Kang, Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox and Author of Rethink CreativityBrian Ardinger: Welcome to another episode of Inside Outside Innovation. I'm your host, Brian Ardinger. And as always, we have another amazing guest. Today we have Monica Kang. She is Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox and Author of Rethink Creativity. And also has a children's book called Have You Seen My Friends? So welcome to the show Monica.Monica Kang: Thank you for having me. Brian Ardinger: One of the things that we do in our Inside Outside community is ask our audience out there, who should we be talking to? And what are some of the interesting things that you're seeing out there? And somebody said, hey, you should talk to Monica. I think the first question I want to ask is probably a softball for you, but why does creativity matter. And why does it matter more today than ever before?Monica Kang: I'll start with maybe the notion of, I feel creativity is one of the words that we don't realize how much of a jargon it is. Because we use it so much. We say like, oh, you're creative. You're not creative. Or like, that was creative. That was innovative. We put in our marketing materials. We put in our campaigns. We put it in how we describe things.But if you really break it down, like, do people really understand or live the value that what it is. I think that was part of the reason why when you go back to why it's so important to talk about this is actually because of that. Because we use it all the time, but so many people don't realize the root and the nuances. And hence, don't realize this is jargon, that we're just keep throwing it around without the full intention. And so, I first fell into it because of that very situation. I was originally in nuclear weapons security. Government work. Wanted to be a diplomat all my life. That having grown up in DC and in the States, as well as in Korea and worked in Europe. And, you know, hey, I'm not comfortable with science and math. So, this sounds like the perfect path. And like, I love people and building relations. And so, I was good with a lot of things, but like creativity, wasn't really a thing that I would describe I was good at. Even though now looking back, I realize I had. And only until when I find myself really getting depressed and stuck in a dream job where I realized that I was finding myself literally crying to work, feeling upset, not knowing what to do in a job that I fell in love with. And I'm like, what is wrong with me? Like I'm solving a very important mission. Mission-driven. Preventing bad guys from having nuclear weapons. We're working in the government. It's really hard to get into this industry too. And yet feeling stuck. And what helped me gave the courage of, you know, walking to work instead of taking the bus to work. Getting curious about all these different surroundings. And realizing how one life decision can make a huge difference. Because now I felt so curious in the office got even more energetic. Even though the work description hasn't changed at all. It got me curious about understanding about, well, what happened. And people did ask me like Monica, whatever you're doing, you seem happier. And that's where I realized creativity was one of the key elements.I didn't know back then, but it was the mindset of simply doing something different. Finding the courage to take different things. Try different things. Ask different questions. Even organizing my process of the project differently because as I looked at the traffic in the fourth street every day, I'm like am I creating traffic in the way I do things unconsciously. Just like how there's always traffic here. Like at this time? What do I need to do differently? And getting curious about it. And that's where I learned that comment that I started the beginning. That question of creativity, innovation. There's so much history and research behind it. That I had no idea. And because we throw around the word and use it so much, that I misunderstood what it meant.And I didn't know that it was for everyone. I didn't know that something that we can all do more. And regardless of where we are, it expressed differently. And I think it's even more needed now because of the pandemic. Brian Ardinger: Oftentimes I think the perception of creativity is it's some kind of magic. Or it's something that other people do. Or, you know, some, other people can possess that, but I can't do that. So, this idea of creativity not being magic. That being every day and available to anybody to possess or use, talk about how you identified that little nugget and what are some of the tactical things that you do to bring out that magic. Monica Kang: So, I love that you said it. Because immediately one book that I'm remembering, it's about daily habits. And I was mindful because I'm like, wow. So, all these creative, innovative historical people around the world, like they had to work hard to be a better writer. What, like, they didn't just magically write that book. And like became a best seller. And like, no, they had to write every day. The musicians had to write music every day. And I'm like, wait, if that's how it is.Like I wonder in the traditional non art industry, how they do creative. Of course, same thing. I think of new ideas every day. They had to try new things every day. Get rejected every day. And I'm like, oh my gosh. I mean, even the story of how WD40 product came about. Are you familiar with the WD40 products? So, it's that spray, right. You know why that name is called WD40. Brian Ardinger: I do not. Monica Kang: The reason why they named WD40 for that product was not a coincidence. It means water displacement, right? 40. Which indicates that it took 40 times to perfect that formula. Brian Ardinger: Ah. I hadn't heard that story. Monica Kang: How often are we willing to try 40 times. Hear 40 nos. Before we get to that yes. Not a lot. And I think that brings a weight. Hence to that question of what can we do every day, is that it's building the routine. As I learned about these daily routines of all these famous people of what they've had to do every day. Learning about stories like WD40, that how many attempts that people had to try.And my day-to-day activity, that means that I need to just make it a routine of constant learning and trying new things. And so, one activity I always share as a recommendation is like, what's a five minute time that you can always block to do something different. Or to do something intentionally differently.So maybe it's that, okay, if you always commute somewhere, could you try a different commute, maybe at least two or three times when you're not in a rush hour. Maybe you take a different path. Maybe it's that you take the same commute, but you'll listen to different music. Or maybe you'll listen to different podcasts. Maybe you're going to listen to this one time and then another podcast. Maybe it's that you actually take a silent ride sometimes. Just like Pink. Even though that looks like a naive, like how is that going to make me more creative? By making that simple decision, you're letting your mind wander in different ways. And explore different things. Which gets into the practice of thinking differently. Which is the essence of creativity to get to innovation and all these new ideas.So, to get to that WD40 product, they probably had to do a lot of that, somewhat unorthodox, like somewhat unexpected things that led to that 40th idea and innovation. And so, the key of those different elements is that you have to make it a habit. And it has to also be celebrated and enjoyable, but that's why I shared the tip with like, find a routine in your day.That you can do easily. That it doesn't feel like I don't have time to do that. I don't have time. Think about your exercise. Think about your sleep hours. Hopefully everyone's sleeping well. Sleep routine, like things. When it's built-in routine, it's a little bit easier, but then you can commit and see the change over time.Brian Ardinger: I use a similar technique called Scheduling Your Senses. So, each week you think about what sense do I want to focus on? So, this week I'm going to focus on taste. And I'm going to really focus, you know, a particular time period on what I'm tasting. How does that make me feel? And so, each week you pick a different sense that you want to do, and, you know, it comes down to, like you said, changing your environment. And getting you out of the normal rut that you have. You mentioned one of the obstacles to creativity is this idea of fear. And you know, when you think about WD40, having to try 40 times. You know, I'm sure they didn't go into it saying, hey, we're going to fail 40 times. Or going in with the mindset of I'm scared that I'm going to have to try this 40 different times to get to a solution. Talk about fear and the role of creativity. And how we can overcome that fear. Because I think that's one of the major barriers to creativity. Monica Kang: I think fear is unavoidable. But I think some of the mis-notion we have is that everything always has to be fearful. And I think that's where we miss the chance to celebrate what that growth stage looks like.The act of doing something different, sometimes doesn't always have to be fearful. Me listening to a different podcast, not a fearful thing. But I'm learning new insights. Me focusing on different senses might not be fearful. As it gets to certain decision-making of like, oh, because now I focused on the taste, I realized the way we're cooking right now in this kitchen is actually not good.And I need to tell my boss about it. If the customers are unhappy. That's where the fear encourages decision is. And so, I think when we asked that question, I think we see innovation, creativity in this box of like, okay, we got to think of this new idea, and we have to present it. But actually, even before we get to that stage of fear, there's all these other elements that we built resilience and skills of thinking differently that got us there.And so, the tip that I often share is like first recognize that being creative is you got to pass the fear bridge. But when you're there, remember that, hey actually even the parts to get there, there was a lot of courage into that. And you might not have realized. It might just not have looked as scary as that bridge you're about to cross, that looks really scary. But it wasn't as easy as you thought. And actually, that street that you look back, if you turn around and literally look back at those moments, that became not as scary, because you actually built resilience. There's hemisphere of how much you can experiment has grown so much that it becomes less scary. And in fact, when you cross this bridge, now I'm going to have to tell my chef and my boss about this big, scary decision. Now, the next time you need to do that, it's no longer being as scary. So, our horizon of what we feel we can continue to do will change and evolve, which I think is the part that is so fun to realize that creativity innovation mindset, just like our physical health and muscle is not a static thing. It's going to continue to evolve. Right. Just because I exercise every day, doesn't mean that I'm healthy and I'm done. I can be even healthier. I can be more cautious and same thing with my creative thinking muscle. And think those are the nuances that we miss. Brian Ardinger: I like where you're going. You know, it's almost about how do you reframe the journey from if you think about a particular project and you think about this big project is going to make or break my career. Versus approaching it from the standpoint of like, hey, I'm going to try and experiment. Or I'm going to do this side project. And positioning it in such a way that it frames it differently so that the things that you do learn and that when you do fall down, which are inevitably going to happen. It changes the way you perceive that falling down as part of the journey rather than the journey and the outcome of the journey. Monica Kang: And one thing, Brian, if I can piggyback on that. I share this actually my book Rethink Creativity as well. That, you know, the thousand shades of fear, because one thing that I think is also key is just because I might not be scared of a certain decision, does that mean another person will feel the same way. And I think that's what's actually part of the fear. We need to talk more. And especially as leaders, many of those who's probably listening. You might actually already be here and listening to this episode because you're already pre actually pretty good with it. You're like, no, I've got a good handle of fear. What might be actually harder is actually encouraging your different people. Encouraging your different colleagues. Noticing that like wait, checking ourselves to let when that person says that that's a scary decision, am I actually empathizing and sitting with them. Or coming from the nose up and say, look, yeah, no, don't worry friend. You're going to be fine. That's not scary. And amplifying actually how we feel. And so, fear comes in different shapes, sizes, different times. Actually, the very thing that I might not be scared with one person could be the very thing I'm scared with another person or in another situation. And so it's ever changing.And so, by us having aware. Having fear simply means that we have the alertness. There's a reason why as human beings, we survive, right? We were fearful of the weather conditions. The animals attacking us. Got to protect ourselves. That's actually how we were able to thrive and still exist as an, you know, a being. So, fear isn't just always a bad thing. It's helping try to kick in to protect you. So, look out for these different cues. And I think especially as leaders, it's so key that we don't just simplify. Get rid of your fear. And like stop being fearful. Can we take the time to process it? We need to actually acknowledge all of that and actually ourselves too. Brian Ardinger: So, let's dig into that a little bit, you know. How do you design this creative workplace or workplace for all? You know, how does diversity affect creativity and how are you seeing some companies tackling that problem from an organizational perspective versus the individual perspective?Monica Kang: Well, let's first start with diversity. I think I'm really excited about going back to your very first question. Why so timely to be more creative. And I think the time is even better. We are now seeing more research. People are more aware. People want to learn. More honestly, as somebody who's specializing creative workplace building, it is an exciting time because more people are wanting to have those conversations and say help. I do want to do this. I don't know how. And so, I want to know that this is really timely because no matter what stage you are as a leader, wanting to do this. That you making a commitment and taking one step at a time is part of the thing that will help change the company. So even if that simple decision is that we're going to start doing some one-on-ones. Or we're going to start doing some team building activities at the very beginning and check-in. Actually, that might be the change in itself. That might actually be the kind of activity that your people are missing to feel the courage, to speak up. To feel psychological safety. Which is very key to ignite and creativity and opening up people's mind and feeling that what they can bring up. But if I come into the meeting room and I feel like, okay, Brian's going to be a little upset if I bring this up. Then it's one idea that I don't share. It's one problem. And Brian might be like, well, Monica might frown next time I share this, and he doesn't share one thing. Guess what? We're going to actually see, not only business consequences, but a lot of people, of course, who's going to be impacted because we stopped sharing.And so even that simple decision of like opening up could feel simple. Everyone is testing out right now. So, this good time, this is another example of the fear stopping you. Start with what you're comfortable with, which might be that simply, maybe let's read this article and talk about it. Or, hey, I learned this cool thing from this podcast that Brian and Monica were talking about. I'm inspired. Let's try this out. That could be the starting point. It doesn't always have to be like this big, humongous thing. That's going to lead to culture organization changing. So that's actually the very first tip I share with leaders to make it tangible relatable. And then two, as a result to know that this is a marathon. Yes, we want results as soon as possible for order something. I wanted to get the delivery, right. There was time and effort put in to make that process happen. And I love Simon Sinek's video, where he talks about the intensity versus consistency. He talks about the people development in the workplace. And the beautiful analogy he shares about is our brushing our tooth. If you asked me like, you know, what's the perfect formula to brush the tooth in life versus not to like prevent your mouth from having cavities. Like, I will not know the answer because, you know, maybe I skipped one day. Maybe I skipped three days. Like with that impact, is that the cause like, maybe, but we won't know. But it's the consistent that I brush my teeth every day that I keep my teeth healthy. Same thing on organizations. It's the simple moments of like, let's turn off their phones. Hey, Brian, how are you really doing. Like, oh, Monica actually, this is how I feel now that we've connected. We now open up. You know, Brian, I know we're done with the meeting, but I have this really question I want to ask you. Can I bring this up? I feel would really appreciate cause you just shared about, you know, how you feel. Now, okay. Brian, he's already right now, you're listening, but like he already stood up and like, oh, tell me more Monica. Right? The body language already brings up unconsciously. And I think he shares how it's the consistency that's key. And so again, the second tip I recommend for everyone is that no matter what, or the house solution you have for your culture and people development, the key is the consistency. Not just a one-time retreat of hurray and we're done. But what's the everyday routines that you want to embed.And so, when you even do a retreat or innovation workshop, or you invite a speaker, the question that I hope you always ask yourself, if this is what you're really committing to and what to do, because I know what you do, that's why you're listening to this episode. Think of something that you can do consistently.That is low hanging fruit. That is budget friendly, you know, got to be realistic, right? I'm not saying that you have to spend a lot of money, budget friendly. Implementable as well. And you might be surprised even in that five-minute activity in simply having rows of like no phones in the meeting. Log off. Something like that. So those are kind of tangible places I recommend.Brian Ardinger: That makes great sense. The last topic I want to talk about is the world of work is changing. Obviously. You've been in this space for pre pandemic and now through pandemic. What are some of the trends and things that you're seeing? What are some of the best practices, especially as we kind of move into this new hybrid environment that you're seeing when it comes to creativity.Monica Kang: So many, a particular point I want to highlight is actually generational. And I want to say this because when we see us wanting to express more creatively and we feel we can't. We like to figure out the cost. Right. And our consciousness is that, oh, it's because they're young. Oh, it's because they haven't worked in the company long enough.Oh, it's because they don't get my industry. There's always a, because of. I want to give the courage to recognize that instead of channeling that voice of why don't they get it the way I do. I wonder why they feel that way. I wonder why they say they don't want to get back to the office?I wonder why they say that? I feel fine. I can share all my ideas. I wonder why they say they don't feel comfortable sharing ideas? We got this fancy new office. We're doing all these breakout sessions. Instead of saying like, why are they not. Reframe that to I wonder why. And focus on the lens of listening and wanting to understand.Maybe they're going to share some stuff that you realize, whoa, like we were not ready for it. We don't know how to solve it. And that's okay too. It's not about always needed to have immediately all the answers, but let's problem solve this together. Thank you for sharing that. I had no idea that's how you feel.And part of this is them wanting to be acknowledged or appreciated and heard. And hey, ask them what they think is the best idea. They might actually have a really good idea that we completely missed out. And Brian to your question of what's changing is that more people are wanting to now finally try this. Which has always been important before. But not doing the consequence. Great resignation and even more has been greater. I think it's great that we're finally, hopefully seeing more workplaces where we make this the norm. That, of course we should understand what people want. And of course, this is hard because everyone wants something different. And sometimes we say what we want, but we don't really maybe need it.I might say I want ice cream, but maybe I shouldn't have ice cream today. Cause I already had my chocolate earlier. Right. Like we're people. It's going to be messy. But that's part of the beauty of it. Of feeling like we can bring out all our different insights. And sometimes the choice is that because we feel safe sometimes, I don't want to share out. And might just be like, okay, I just want to do work and that's it.And that's okay too. And I think part of it's like, what's the choice that you're going to make each day as a leader. As a creator. And as an innovator in your workplaces. Even if you're not in leadership for those who's listening like Monica, Brian, that's great, but what if I'm not a leader. You start with setting your boundaries. And where you want to start planting the seeds of where you can do this. So, I hope that gives an encouragement of a starting point. For More InformationBrian Ardinger: This has been fantastic. And I appreciate you giving these tactical tips that anybody within the organization can start making progress when it comes to creativity and innovation. So, I want to thank you for coming on Inside Outside Innovation. If people want to find out more about yourself or your books or your company, what's the best way to do that?Monica Kang: Find me in any of the platforms. I'm on most of the social media platforms, but you know, connect with me on LinkedIn at Monica H Kang. K A N G. And then also follow us at InnovatorsBox. I also recommend the book as well. I think you'll enjoy it. And if you go actually to my book's website, for both of them, we have a lot of free worksheets and tools. Also because of our mission to make creativity, culture, and leadership accessible, we have a lot of free resources and tools. Including some of these topics. So, if you can't find it just simply email me, let me know. And also in some tools in Korean and other languages as well, because we want to make this globally accessible. So, we also make music as well, because not everyone's a reader or workshop person. You can find us at InnovatorsBox studios, where we create music to inspire creativity. Brian Ardinger: Thanks, Monica. I really do appreciate you coming on the show and look forward to continuing the conversation in the years to come.Brian Ardinger: That's it for another episode of Inside Outside Innovation. If you want to learn more about our team, our content, our services, check out InsideOutside.io or follow us on Twitter @theIOpodcast or @Ardinger. Until next time, go out and innovate.FREE INNOVATION NEWSLETTER & TOOLSGet the latest episodes of the Inside Outside Innovation podcast, in addition to thought leadership in the form of blogs, innovation resources, videos, and invitations to exclusive events. SUBSCRIBE HEREYou can also search every Inside Outside Innovation Podcast by Topic and Company.  For more innovations resources, check out IO's Innovation Article Database, Innovation Tools Database, Innovation Book Database, and Innovation Video Database.  

How does one approach creativity within a global context? How can the creative process help us and the future generations solve global problems, like climate change? In this episode of the Fueling Creativity podcast, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood speak with Monica Kang, Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox, Author of Rethink Creativity & Have You Seen My Friends?, and Podcast Host of Dear Workplace and Curious Monica. She's a creative educator who's transforming today's workforce with the mission to build a workplace for all by rethinking creativity.    Listen in to learn how she reignited her love for her job and her life through a simple mindset shift, curiosity, and creativity, as well as how that led her to help others tap into their innate creativity through InnovatorsBox. You'll gain insight into the difference between voluntary change and forced change and how creativity and the creative process plays a role in solving complex global problems. Plus, Monica talks about the meaning behind her  books, how she approaches creativity within different cultures, and how you can start incorporating curiosity, creativity, and courage into your curriculum.   “When we embed creativity as a way of living, there's no limit to how we see and solve and approach.”  – Monica Kang Monica's Tips for Teachers and Parents: Before stressing about the curriculum, become aware of how you talk about creativity at home and in the classroom. We tend to embed this image of what curiosity, creativity, and courage are supposed to look like, so pay attention to where your kids think differently, identify the action of them being imaginative and creative, and encourage them to enjoy and explore that feeling courageously. If you're ready to build this into your curriculum, add that action part into your lessons to let them feel and experience curiosity, creativity, and courage.  Make curiosity, creativity, and courage FUN. If they're doing it for the grade, it's not fun. Be intentional about getting to know your kids/students and what's fun to them.   “The whole reason why I wanted to do this was I felt creativity was inaccessible. I felt, as somebody who was in a space that was traditionally not creative, that it wasn't for me and I know a lot of people that still feel that way.” - Monica Kang   Resources Mentioned: InnovatorsBox Rethink Creativity by Monica Kang Have You Seen My Friends? by Monica Kang Dear Workplace Podcast Curious Monica Podcast   Eager to bring more creativity into your home or classroom?  Access a variety of creativity resources and tools & listen to more episodes of The Fueling Creativity Podcast by visiting our website,  www.CreativityandEducation.com.   Subscribe to our monthly newsletter!   Have a question? Email Dr. Burnett and Dr. Worwood at questions@fuelingcreativitypodcast.com!   You can also find The Fueling Creativity Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and PodBean! Make sure to rate, review, and share the podcast if you enjoy it!   About Monica Kang: Monica H. Kang is on the mission to build a workplace for all by rethinking creativity. She is the Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox, Author of Rethink Creativity & Have You Seen My Friends, Podcast Host of Dear Workplace and Curious Monica. An internationally recognized expert in workplace creativity, she facilitates culture transformation, leadership development, and team building in a way that is fun, actionable, and relatable. Monica works with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University.   Connect with Monica Kang on LinkedIn   

If you could infuse your work with more curiosity, what would that look like? That is just one of the questions I explored with this week's guest, Monica Kang. Monica is a creative educator who is transforming today's workforce through the power of creativity.  In this episode, Monica walks us through what it means to live in flow, how we can live our purpose and thrive at work, and how to ultimately become the designer of our lives.

Monica Kang believes that all leaders have an important role in designing their team's remote work experience. Not only based on their personal preferences but also on how each member of the team works best. During this podcast episode, she also shares how businesses can boost creativity and innovation in a remote work environment.   

Joining us today is Monica Kang, a creative educator who is transforming today's workforce through the power of creativity. She is driven by the belief that everyone is innately creative and that creativity can be used to catalyze personal and professional change. Monica is the Founder and CEO of . She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Her work has been awarded across numerous platforms, including The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, Women Empowerment Expo, Timmy Award, , and . She is also the author of Join us every other week on Women's Wealth: The Middle Way®, a radio show aimed at helping women navigate questions about work, money, and family. You can find us on your favorite podcast app, including , , , . For podcast updates straight to your inbox, visit . See you in two weeks! Helpful Links:  Monica Kang: InnovatorsBox®: Monica Kang/WBENC: Women's Wealth: The Middle Way®:  Glen Eagle:  

Welcome to Episode 92 of the Asian Hustle Network Podcast! We are very excited to have Monica Kang on this week's episode. We interview Asian entrepreneurs around the world to amplify their voices and empower Asians to pursue their dreams and goals. We believe that each person has a message and a unique story from their entrepreneurial journey that they can share with all of us. Check us out on Anchor, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play Music, TuneIn, Spotify, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a positive 5-star review. This is our opportunity to use the voices of the Asian community and share these incredible stories with the world. We release a new episode every Wednesday, so stay tuned! Monica H. Kang is the Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox®, the Author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work and the Host of two Podcasts—Dear Workplace and Curious Monica. She is an internationally recognized expert in workplace creativity who facilitates culture transformation, leadership development, and team building in a way that is fun, actionable, and relatable. Monica provides consulting, training, facilitation, and keynote speaking to clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits. She also supports organizations, professionals, and entrepreneurs through the InnovatorsBox® Academy and the programs she co-creates with her strategic partners including Adapt to Grow and Culture of Analytics. Monica's work has been recognized by The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Prior to founding InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University. Please check out our Patreon at @asianhustlenetwork. We want AHN to continue to be meaningful and give back to the Asian community. If you enjoy our podcast and would like to contribute to our future, we hope you'll consider becoming a patron. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/asianhustlenetwork/support

In our first bonus episode, we are excited to share our full interview with the Meta Team- the first and only national, certified women-owned commercial roofing company in the United States. Meta was founded by five women who provide over 250 years of combined expertise and experience in the roofing industry. But as you can imagine, their journey both into roofing and now leading roofing was not easy- as diversity and inclusion are still lacking. Here is our full interview Monica Kang had with the five co-founders Candace Klein, Erica Jackson, Alicia Michael, Sherri Miles, and Kelly Braddy Van Winkle. Visit the MetaTeam's website to learn more about their work. Learn more about us at dearworkplace.com. Watch the full video interview at our Youtube channel here. Join our newsletter from InnovatorsBox here.

Monica Kang, founder of the InnovatorsBox, wants to show you how to unlock your creative mindset to make your work more fun and more fulfilling. Show notes at lifeskillsthatmatter.com/show385 Lot of great lessons in our conversations including: + When you understand your Why, you attract people who are aligned with you. + Why she felt stuck in her dream career. + The very first steps she took to get herself unstuck to create work on her terms. + Why creativity is all about leaning into your curiosity. Ready to work for yourself? Learn the first 5 actions at lifeskillsthatmatter.com/getstarted Subscribe https://lifeskillsthatmatter.com/subscribe-podcast Podcast Archive https://lifeskillsthatmatter.com/podcast The post How To Unlock Your Creative Mindset With Monica Kang (385) appeared first on Life Skills That Matter.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you want to work? It's a question we get asked all the time, but how often do we pause to wonder why this matters? Welcome to our Reimagine series where Monica Kang shares bitesize power insights and actionable tips for innovators related to career development. In this first Reimagine episode, she shares insights on how to rethink career advice and what can help you find the courage to reframe uncertainty in transition. Learn more at curiousmonica.com. Join our newsletter from InnovatorsBox here.

Monica Kang is a creative educator who is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She is driven by the belief that everyone is innately creative and that creativity can be used to catalyze personal and professional change.

“The creative mindset doesn't stop at work. It's something we live in, and something we integrate throughout our whole lives.”   WOW!! I just had the most eye-opening conversation with Monica Kang (@hi.mhk) CEO and Founder of InnovatorsBox

“The creative mindset doesn’t stop at work. It’s something we live in, and something we integrate throughout our whole lives.”   WOW!! I just had the most eye-opening conversation with Monica Kang (@hi.mhk) CEO and Founder of InnovatorsBox

In this episode of Movement Maker: The Podcast, Terri Broussard Williams interviews #FireStarter Monica Kang of “Find Your Fire”. Monica Kang is truly a social entrepreneur, she displays her expertise as she shares with Terri what it took to get to where she is today, and where she has been along the way. Monica’s #FireStarter journey is truly inspirational, she is a #FireStarter in more ways than one. Monica has learned from her job experience in the workforce and transitioning to becoming an entrepreneur that it's important to focus on living her life to the fullest and surrounding herself with other encouraging #FireStarters. These are things that have amplified Monica’s movement! Tune in and learn more about how Monica has found inspiration to continue her entrepreneurial #Firestarter journey during the most recent pandemic life changes. About The Host: Terri Broussard Williams believes that leaders turn moments into movements. She also believes that anyone can be a great leader. Terri explains that movements can be as big as passing a law, building a church, or starting a nonprofit. They can also be as small as giving to someone in need, showing kindness, or helping students at a school get gym equipment. This podcast is here to help you with the HOW and WHY people build movements. Terri breaks it down each time using the #FirestarterFormula which is: find your cause, build a community to help, communicate your vision, and work to see change. In each episode of this podcast, we’ll take a look at one of the four pillars of the #MovementMakerTribe including philanthropy, policy change, movement-building, and the movement from within. This edition of Movement Maker: The Podcast is a special fireside chat with firestarters, where Terri introduces you to the changemakers in “Find Your Fire.”  “Find Your Fire,” is Terri’s first book. It is a #1 Amazon New Release and Best Seller. Cosmopolitan Magazine list it as the #6 non-fiction book of 2020. Get your own copy of “Find Your Fire” here! Episode Notes: Moderator/Host: Terri Broussard Williams, Founder, Movement Maker Tribe + Social Impact Strategist, Lobbyist Very important guests: Monica Kang is a creative educator who is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. As the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox®, Monica teaches creativity in a tangible, practical, and relatable way regardless of industry or job title. She has worked with clients worldwide including Fortune 500 companies, higher education, government, and nonprofits. Monica’s work has been awarded across numerous platforms, including The White House, Ashoka Changemakers, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She is also the author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work. Driven by her lifelong love of knowledge, she is also an adjunct professor at BAU International University where she teaches entrepreneurship and leadership. Prior to InnovatorsBox®, Monica was a nuclear nonproliferation policy expert in international affairs. She holds an M.A. from SAIS Johns Hopkins University in Strategic Studies and International Economics and a B.A. from Boston University. More at InnovatorsBox.com. Are you an organization that would like to collaborate with Monica? Click Here. Get your own copy of “Find Your Fire” here! After you listen, be sure to check out: Want your copy of “Find Your Fire” signed by the author? Click Here. The #MovementMakerTribe Facebook insider group, join us for all things #MovementMaker inspired. Follow the #MovementMakerTribe on Instagram. Get your #MovementMaker swag here! Sign up for some “Friday Fuel” - a newsletter providing weekly love letters meant to inspire the change-maker in all of us. Book Terri to speak. Contact Monica at monica@innovatorsbox.com Follow Innovators Box on Instagram Monica would love to connect with you via LinkedIn, don't be shy :) Subscribe to Movement Maker: The Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a rating or review!

Today’s guest on Invisible Stories is Monica Kang, founder and CEO of Innovator’s Box, a company dedicated to creative educational workshops and consulting with the goal of helping all professionals hone their creativity to solve problems in the face of change and complexity. Monica is a renowned speaker and educator, and the author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work. In today’s podcast, Monica and I talk about allowing yourself to take your time on writing your book, and how she leveraged her unique perspective to create a book with mass appeal. She shares: How she used her unique perspective as a dual-language speaker to consider the perspectives of all her readers, and how to market her book to a global audience.  How she overcame self-doubt and recognized good writing is hard and that sometimes you have to challenge yourself to go deeper and get to the heart of the writing.  Even if she could change the past, she wouldn’t, because it has brought her the experiences and learning she needed to grow and write the best book she could.

In this episode, we're joined by Monica Kang, CEO & Founder of InnovatorsBox and the author of Rethink Creativity, to chat about all things creativity, innovation, and resilience. ---- Show notes & transcript: http://tiffanyyu.com/podcast/009 --- 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/imtiffanyyu/message

This week’s episode of Good Girls Get Rich is brought to you by Uplevel Media CEO and LinkedIn expert, Karen Yankovich. In this episode, Karen interviews Monica Kang and discusses having the courage to be creative.  Monica Kang is the founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox where she is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She’s also the author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work. #GoodGirlsGetRich We want to hear your thoughts on this episode! Leave us a message on Speakpipe or email us at info@karenyankovich.com.   About the Episode: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of our lives. We’re learning a new way of interacting with others, our routines have been interrupted, and some of us have lost our jobs. Now is the time to be creative and reimagine who we are – and that takes courage. Being Creative Takes Courage Creativity takes courage. We as people get used to routines and ways of doing things that it actually limits what we can achieve. Taking the time to reimagine how we do things can be hard and scary. But welcoming creativity into your life can help you achieve more. How to Be Creative How can you be creative? Let’s start simple. Think about how you email co-workers and customers. Do you say a lot to get your point across? If so, think of ways you can simplify the communication and use as few emails as possible. The more creative you become in smaller aspects of your life, the easier it will become to be creative in bigger ways. Maybe you want to change your routine, change your perspective, or break from the mold and change how others perceive you. Creativity starts with just one step that can snowball into unlimited potential that you might not have realized you ever had.   Episode Spotlights: Where to find everything for this week’s episode: karenyankovich.com/119 Introducing this episode’s guest, Monica Kang (3:46) Monica’s journey (6:00) Creativity amid uncertainty (11:10) Examples of how to be creative (13:10) The importance of measuring your progress (14:06) Creativity takes prep-work (15:59) Building a reimagined future (19:37) The Eye of Curiosity (23:41) How to find out more about Monica (33:30)   Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Where you can find Monica Kang Website LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube monica@innovatorsbox.com Her book Rethink Creativity Buy her Reimagine Cards Watch my video interview with Monica Kang Join the Free LinkedIn Workshop Sign up for the She’s LinkedUp Masterclass Book a mastermind session with Karen and receive a free consultation plan at karenyankovich.com/apply Join my free Facebook Group if you have any questions about today’s episode   Help Us Spread The Word! It would be awesome if you shared the Good Girls Get Rich Podcast with your fellow entrepreneurs on Twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If this episode has taught you just one thing, I would love if you could head on over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW! And if you’re moved to, kindly leave us a rating and review. Maybe you’ll get a shout out on the show!   Ways to Subscribe to Good Girls Get Rich: Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via PlayerFM You can also subscribe via Stitcher Good Girls Get Rich is also on Spotify Take a listen on Podcast Addict

Meet Monica Kang, Founder & CEO of Innovators Box, a global firm specializing in the science and strategy of workplace creativity whose proven, research-based, and interactive programs build teams and cultures that are productive, innovative, profitable, and limitless. She joins Jerry to share her story of life in the States and in Korea, her early career in government, and how it led her to build her own business around positivity and creativity.

How can entrepreneurs adapt to coronavirus, and set themselves up for a stronger future? In this episode, hear directly from five of them—as they share their thoughts about how to pivot, produce new products, and plan for the future. Featuring: Meghan Asha, Cynthia Williams-Bey, Joseph Sommer, Monica Kang, and Natasha Miller

How can entrepreneurs adapt to coronavirus, and set themselves up for a stronger future? In this episode, hear directly from five of them—as they share their thoughts about how to pivot, produce new products, and plan for the future. Featuring: Meghan Asha, Cynthia Williams-Bey, Joseph Sommer, Monica Kang, and Natasha Miller

Welcome to Season Two of the Korean American Perspectives podcast. My name is Abraham Kim. I'm the Executive Director for the Council of Korean Americans and I'm also your host for this show. This podcast seeks to share the inspirational life stories of Korean American leaders and explore the complex issues that shape this community. On the show, we interview innovators, trailblazers, thought leaders and artists about their lives, their immigration story, their career journeys, and the important issues and challenges that they dedicated their lives to help address. Last season we talk with politicians, musicians, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. If you had not had the chance to listen to Season One, we point you to our website at councilka.org or search Korean American Perspectives on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcasting sites.  We're glad to be back with a new season, ten episodes in all. We’re taking on some hot topics with leading Korean American experts and addressing some issues like mental health, shame, parent-children relationships and immigration issues to name a few. Looking ahead, we'll be kicking off the season with the release of three interview shows. One with celebrated pianist and music educator, Alpin Hong; the second, innovation corporate trainer, Monica Kang; and finally third, shame and vulnerability research expert and mental health counselor, Julia Park. Then each week afterwards we'll be releasing new episodes. I don't think the timing could have been better during this time of COVID-19 and all the uncertainties. I know many of you are indoors with your families and friends or perhaps just alone and as you exercise social distancing, this'll be a great time for you to listen to our many shows that are coming online. We're sending all of our love to you and we wish you safety, health, and also a bit of sanity. 

Our second episode of Season Two of CKA's Korean American Perspectives podcast series features Monica Kang, Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox, as well as a creativity expert and corporate culture influencer. Monica Kang is a creative educator transforming today’s workforce through the power of innovation. She believes that everybody has creativity— it just needs to be noticed, nurtured, and allowed to grow. Monica reminds us that exploring outside of what we know is crucial for chasing new ideas and experiences. In times of uncertainty, it’s ever more crucial for innovative thinkers to rise up and transform the world.

How I Made the Leap to Starting My Own Business is part of The DC Entrepreneur Live Show which happened on Thursday, May 30 at 7 pm. On the show you'll hear from three different entrepreneurs in a panel discussion: Chad Hall, the founder and CEO of remodelmate, a marketplace for buying, selling, and managing home renovations online. Chad also worked in sales and growth at online daily deals company LivingSocial. Monica Kang, founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox® where she helps companies and leaders transform their organizations through the power of creativity. She's also the author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work. Andrew Dana, co-owner of DC's highly successful, Timber Pizza Co and buzzed about new sister restaurant, Call Your Mother (a Jew-ish deli.) From the "Boca Raton-meets-Brooklyn" interior at the deli to serving up delicious pies from their mobile wood-fired pizza truck, this native Washingtonian is bringing something new to the DC food scene. Special thanks to Alex Vidales @dcpodfest and Spaces co-working for helping produce the show. https://dcentrepreneur.brownpapertickets.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/georgeindc)

Monica Kang [EP 121] discusses the scarcity mindset, getting through a serious bout of depression and why we need more playtime in our lives! Enjoy. Show Notes: 5:45 - Monica's definition of creativity.  8:20 - Why creativity is key to personal and professional development.  13:55 - How to get over the scarcity mindset.  20:33 - Advice for people who feel stuck.  32:12 - "Freak out less, live more ... " 35:44 - Working through a serious bout of depression. 42:35 - Fictional characters who inspired Monica.  48:56 - "It's ok to be heartbroken about certain things ... " 52:50 - Playtime! 59:57 - "Find people who ... " How to reach Monica: Website | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter  Book Recommendations: Originals by Adam Grant Mindset by Carol Dweck Rethink Creativity by Monica Kang The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg 1984 - George Orwell TV Show Recommendations: The Good Place  One Piece 

Enjoy one of our favorites from Season 10!Okay, you founded a company. Are you an innovator? Is your company innovative? Many of us think because we're in the 'startup ecosystem' we're practicing innovation by default. Monica Kang has a different viewpoint. She's the Founder of Innovators Box, an innovation consultancy, and author of the book "Rethink Creativity". As a first-generation American, she's been practicing innovation before she even realized it, having to learn two cultures at the same time. She's worked at the U.S. Department of State, and even the NSA as a --wait for it -- Nuclear Nonproliferation Strategist. In our conversation we dive into building innovative practices you can put into place today, so that, as your company grows and you hire employees, your company culture is one of innovation.Get episode updates, full show notes, and strategies to build your startup's hype by joining the Hypeman tribe at www.startuphypeman.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this week's episode of #CurryUpStartup, I interview Monica Kang who is unlocking creativity for all and transforming workplace innovation as the Founder &CEO of Innovators Box and Author of #RethinkCreativity.Connect with Monica:www.linkedin.com/in/monicakangtwitter.com/monicahkangtwitter.com/InnovatorsBoxwww.innovatorsbox.com/

Creativity is often thought of as a space for artists and other people gifted with imagination and originality, but Monica Kang uses it to inspire change in the way people and organizations think about their work and the outcomes it can drive. Creativity is sector agnostic, and by simply thinking more creatively, companies can breath new life into their bottom line. So why don’t more companies use it? Is this junction too confusing, too busy, it just not applicable to most of them? We’ll explore this, as well as Monica’s “spark” deck of cards.

Monica Kang is a passionate educator, speaker, community builder, and an author of Rethink Creativity. Driven by her own all too common experiences of feeling stuck and uncreative at work, she’s determined to change the status quo of the modern workforce. When she’s not speaking at events or delivering programs, you can find Monica teaching her students entrepreneurship at BAU International University, growing the creative ecosystem in DC through local events, or enjoying a chocolate croissant. In this episode Hilary unpacks Einstein's approach to creativity and interviews creativity expert Monica Kang.  Episode Highlights "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with." -Jim Rohn "Creativity is contagious." -Albert Einstein "What inspires you? What discourages you? When you know what discourages you, you can protect yourself." -Monica Kang "The more time I spend with people who believe in me, of course it’s easier to believe in myself." -Monica Kang Connect with Monica Kang: MonicaHKang.com LinkedIn RethinkCreativity.co Connect with Hilary on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  This episode is sponsored by Get Your Dream Off the Ground.

Creativity is not just an ideation tool. It's a way of living. When you build a creative mindset, you are not only able to generate more ideas, you are a better problem solver, collaborator, and more. That's why creative leaders are more impactful, confident, mindful, and productive. My specialty is working with leaders and teams who think creativity is impossible OR want to stay ahead of the game by maximizing their team's talent. Adjunct Professor Leadership and Entrepreneurship, BAU International University Facilitator and DC Organizer Tech Week Author, Rethink Creativity

Okay, you founded a company. Are you an innovator? Is your company innovative? Many of us think because we're in the 'startup ecosystem' we're practicing innovation by default. Monica Kang has a different viewpoint. She's the Founder of Innovators Box, an innovation consultancy, and author of the book "Rethink Creativity". As a first-generation American, she's been practicing innovation before she even realized it, having to learn two cultures at the same time. She's worked at the U.S. Department of State, and even the NSA as a --wait for it -- Nuclear Nonproliferation Strategist. In our conversation we dive into building innovative practices you can put into place today, so that, as your company grows and you hire employees, your company culture is one of innovation.Get episode updates, full show notes, and strategies to build your startup's hype by joining the Hypeman tribe at www.startuphypeman.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our guest this week is Monica Kang. Monica is the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox® and a creative educator who is transforming today’s workforce through the power of creativity. She is driven by the belief that everyone is innately creative and that creativity can be used to catalyze personal and professional change. Through her innovative workshops, consulting, products, and curriculum, Monica teaches creativity in a tangible, practical, and relatable way regardless of industry or job title. Thanks for listening!  And if you'd like to be part of a dynamic social impact entrepreneur community, check out the Awarepreneurs Community.

Monica Kang is this week's guest on DC Entrepreneur. Monica is the author of Rethink Creativity: How to Innovate, Inspire, and Thrive at Work. The book was born out of her own challenge of becoming 'unstuck' by changing up the daily routines and habits to which we are accustomed. Monica is also the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox where she helps companies and leaders transform their organizations through the power of creativity. Monica teaches entrepreneurship at BAU International. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/georgeindc)

What does it mean to be creative?  For the entrepreneurial mindset, it means being able to solve problems in a new way. Monica Kang, author of “Rethink Creativity” expands our perspective on what it means to be creative and she offers strategies on how parents can make room to foster creativity within our children.   Enjoy the episode, Tameka

Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin. Monica Kang is an expert on creativity and passionate about solving the world’s big problems. She shares how to be more creative in her new book, Rethink Creativity. Interview with Monica Kang, the Founder & CEO of InnovatorsBox. The following is the pre-interview with Monica Kang. Be sure to watch the recorded interview above. What is the problem you solve and how do you solve it? Making creative thinking accessible and relatable for all. 87% of the global workforce believes that they cannot be creative and feel stuck at work. We want to change this narrative and show how you can live your full potential. Check out my free webinar where I share the secrets of successful nonprofit crowdfunding at http://crowdfundingforsocialgood.org.

Monica Kang is the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox and the Author of Rethink Creativity coming out in September. You can learn more about Monica here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicakang/ This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with all the resources you need to become a successful author. You can learn more about Authors Unite and join the free community at http://authorsunite.com/. Thank you for listening to The Business Blast Podcast! Tyler --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/authorsunite/support

Monica Kang wanted to be a diplomat. So she earned a master's degree in strategic studies and international economics from Johns Hopkins and worked as a nuclear non-proliferation policy expert in Washington. But she wasn't happy. She realized creativity was the missing piece. After figuring out how to bring creatively into all aspects of her life, she founded InnovatorsBox to teach individuals and businesses to do the same. On this episode, hear Kang's pivot story and learn how creativity can change the way you approach life and work, no matter your job title.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/atribecalledyes)

Most people just don't think they are creative or can ever be creative. If that describes you, or if you want to learn how you pump up your creativity, then today's episode is definitely for you. Today I speak with Monica Kang from InnovatorsBox.

Monica Kang is the Founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox. Monica is a passionate community bridge builder, creative culture educator, and curious researcher. She enjoys finding impactful ways to integrate different worlds, such as entrepreneurship and public policy, to build a more multifaceted community. She founded InnovatorsBox to help professionals tap into their creative potential. Through workshops, coaching, and supportive community, she empowers professionals with confidence and insights in creativity to enhance professional and personal growth. She also continues to pursue her passion in politics and nuclear nonproliferation. In this episode, Monica used to worry about what other people thought of her. When she realized that she doesn't have to take situations personally and not let it affect her, that's when her confidence increased to be the woman she is today. Check out thetaoofselfconfidence.com for show notes of Monica's episode, Monica's website, resources, gifts and so much more.

Monica Kang is the founder and CEO of InnovatorsBox®, a company that offers creative educational workshops, services, and products for professionals to learn why creativity is critical, how to integrate and hone it in work and life. Before starting the company, she had a steady job specializing in nuclear nonproliferation … Continue reading The post How Creativity Can Help You Become A Happier and More Productive Entrepreneur appeared first on Founders Nextdoor.

A recap of episode 62 of the Cracking Creativity podcast. If you liked it, check out the full episode with Monica Kang where she talks more about why you should think link an outsider, the importance of asking questions, and how self-awareness can improve your problem solving.

Monica Kang knew early in life that she wanted to work in international affairs. Her upbringing in two countries compelled her to understand how people related to each other, and steered her towards her role working with the government. Monica worked for years in international affairs, and even though she loved her job, she still felt something was lacking. She saw that people weren't creatively fulfilled at their jobs and knew she wanted to help them. She knew she could fulfill that gap, so she started up Innovators Box. In this episode learn why you should think link an outsider, the importance of asking questions, and how self-awareness can improve your problem solving. Here are three things you can learn from Monica: Think Like an Outsider One of the things that has helped Monica build Innovators Box is the fact that she didn't have prior experience in business. Too often, when we are well versed in an industry, we have trouble thinking outside of the box. Instead of relying on tried and true advice, Monica was able to try new and innovative ideas. "The big part of the business element that has worked the most effectively, were the creative and new approaches that I took." That's why bringing in a fresh perspective into any industry can be helpful if you want to be different. When you don't know what's "right" and "wrong" you are able to think differently. So, the next time you want to bring creativity into your work, try looking at industries outside of your own. That curiosity can make a world of a difference. "It's critical to be willing to learn different domains because you're going to have that naive curiosity of wanting to understand and less fear of being judged because you really don't know." The Importance of Asking Questions Have you ever held back a question back you were afraid of looking dumb? Do you carefully consider seeking advice because you want people to think you are smart and have it all figured out? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may want to reconsider the way you approach problems. Most successful people are not afraid to ask questions. In fact, they embrace it. Monica believes every business starts because someone was curious and asked a question. "Essentially all businesses started because of a challenge they wanted to solve and opportunities come out of it. Innovators are people who, when they see a problem, they see a challenge... and ask questions." Successful people are open minded and curious about the world around them. They are unafraid to ask questions. It is this trait that allows them to learn and grow. "When you start asking questions and have an open mind and you're willing to learn, you're permitting yourself to actually grow and expand your comfort zone, and always... find there is unlimited possibility." The Power of Self-Awareness One of the problems we all encounter is trying to disconnect from our digital lives. We are constantly bombarded with emails, text messages, and social media notifications, that it can be hard to detach ourselves from our screens. Monica believes this has affected the way we approach problems. They have gotten in the ways of responding when something goes wrong. "Sadly, we're so used to staring at screens... and along that point, we're so used to acting and responding when something happens, and not knowing what to do when something doesn't happen, that we forget to be actually thinking through what's happening and being fully aware." She believes that we need to take breaks and become more aware of our surroundings. Doing this will make us much more effective during challenging situations. "Notice all these details so that you are being more fully present and being aware. and when you do that more regularly, that really trickles down into everything else you do. And so when you do face challenging situations, instead of feeling like 'Ah, I don't know what to do,' you're like 'Hey, this is not great, what can I do? How do I feel about this? When do I want to tackle this?' And you start breaking it down." What can you do to bring presence into your daily life? Try taking a walk or a five minute break, and see how your thought process improves. "Just take a silent walk and let yourself go for a bit. And I think that initial practice of pausing and giving yourself space is important. That's would recommend the next time you're feeling this. And if you're feeling this right now, I recommend taking a five minute break. It's not going to change, make a difference, you actually feeling a little more rested and more centered is going to help you make the right decisions instead of you feeling stressed. And I think that's essential even as someone who's creative... who's trying to make important decisions." Read more shownotes from episode 62 with Monica Kang

Today, we're talking to Monica Kang, CEO of InnovatorsBox, about using creative thinking as a way to process the heaviness that some of the topics might bring about.  How do we deal with burnout? How do we initiate difficult conversations in our communities? How do we talk to someone that disagrees with us? Find all the answers to those questions in this episode.    Monica is a passionate community bridge builder, creative culture educator, and curious researcher. She enjoys finding impactful ways to integrate different worlds, such as entrepreneurship and public policy, to build a more multifaceted community. She founded InnovatorsBox to help professionals tap into their creative potential. Watch her work here:        http://www.innovatorsbox.com