From the Balkans to Texas: A Global Educator’s Journey with RichardJoin us for a fascinating conversation with Richard Castleberry, a seasoned educator and administrator whose career spans continents and cultures. From teaching business courses in Kosovo, Croatia, and Albania to shaping global networks in Kazakhstan, Richard’s journey is a masterclass in adapting to diverse educational landscapes. As the former Director of Full-Time MBA and MS Business Programs at Texas A&M University, he shares his unique insights on the evolving needs of students, the future of business education, and the importance of a global perspective. Richard now uses these skills and experiences in a new business consulting career where he is able to leverage his professional connections in a way that has a multiplier effect for his business clients.In this episode, we’ll uncover Richard’s inspiration for transitioning into leadership roles, explore how his vast international network has created opportunities for students and business clients, Plus, we’ll dive into his personal reflections on the most fulfilling aspects of his career and the critical skills students need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.This is an inspiring story of a lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and global connection you won’t want to miss!

Muge and Christine reflect on the opportunity presented when we are engaged and support civic organizations. This was spurred on by the documentary "Join or DIe" by political scientist Robert D. Putnam, whose influential book Bowling Alone examined the decline of social capital and civic engagement in America. The film explores the implications of this societal shift, focusing on how the weakening of community bonds, voluntary organizations, and face-to-face social interactions has contributed to political polarization, social isolation, and a general decline in trust in public institutions. For our listeners:Watch the documentary - "Join or Die"" on Netflix which emphasizes the importance of community involvement, connection, and shared experiences in strengthening society. Listen to the recommendations for civic organizations for the young, midlifer, and older friends and family.

When is being competitive good and healthy and when is it detrimental? Muge and I dig into this topic. According to a recent Gallup survey, a significant portion of the population identifies as competitive. While exact numbers can vary, about 50-60% of people in the U.S. often consider themselves at least moderately competitive, with a smaller percentage, around 10-20%, identifying as highly competitive.Competitiveness is often associated with certain personality traits in the Big Five personality model, particularly high levels of extraversion and low levels of agreeableness. Studies have shown that individuals who score high in traits like conscientiousness and extraversion are more likely to be competitive. Join us on this episode where you can learn more about when this is good and not so good. Take a 7 question quiz to assess your level of healthy or not so healthy competitiveness.

In this episode, we visit with Julissa S. Germosen, bestselling author of "Latina, Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech." Julissa is an accomplished technology and strategic operations leader with over 20 years of experience in global enterprise sales, consulting, strategic alliances, product development, strategy and operations. She currently serves as CEO of Mariposa Blanca a business strategy consulting firm. In this podcast:Julissa shares:her tips for accelerating the learning curve on how to navigate corporations as a female and as a Latina.Learnings about intergenerational trauma and how that shows up in the workforce.What some of the hard truths are about working constructs that are slow to change and what employees can do to work within the system more efficiently.Julissa is a sought-after speaker and currently serves as Cofounder and COO at Noisemaker, an affiliate marketing tech startup. Her multi-award career has been dedicated to accelerating growth and competitive advantage for F500 companies including Microsoft and Salesforce, tech startups and high growth companies. Listeners can continue to engage with Julissa atJulissa S. Germosen (latinamadrina.com) where they can subscribe to her newsletter, request speaking engagements or engage Julissa as a business consultant.Buy the book here Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons, and Hard Truths From A Brown Latina In Tech: Germosén, Julissa S.: 9798335924368: Amazon.com: Books

The kids are back to school again. This made us think of our own time in college and what we took away from our own Commencement speeches and more current examples of inspiration. For our listeners who want to get inspired further:Here are a few links to check out for three of the speeches referenced in our sessionRafael Nadal - "The most important thing is that you become good persons" Rafa Nadal at the Graduation of 2019 (youtube.com)Lou Holtz - Lou Holtz delivers the commencement address at the University of South Carolina (youtube.com)Melinda French Gates - Bing VideosHere's a book for those interested in more inspiration at your fingertips - Graduation Day: The Best Of America's Commencement Speeches: Albanese, Andrew & Trissl, Plimpton, George: 9780688160333: Amazon.com: BooksWe hope that no matter how long ago you may have graduated, that you find new inspiration through our podcast and these tremendous speakers.

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have not only showcased extraordinary athletic prowess but also highlighted remarkable stories of perseverance, a sense of humility in the face of adversity, and the spirit of competition. These elements intertwine to form the essence of the Olympic Games, and this year’s event has been no exception.. Muge and I touch on several stories that are sources of inspiration. If you've caught the Olympic Fever and want to do more than just spectate, here are some ideas to engage more actively. Decorate your face - use your country's color in glitter and face paint. Who doesn't like Mom or Dad cooking dinner in a more patriotic way.Host your own games or try one of the Olympic events at home. Host an international potluck to celebrate the diversity and culture of the many Olympians.

In this episode, we broadcast live from the Long Hall Pub in Dublin. It's a thank you to our wonderful listeners in Dublin. In this session, we cover a bit about what to think about when you are researching your own ancestry. Fun facts - Over 40 million people worldwide have taken a DNA test from companies like Ancestry.com and 23andMe, making it one of the most popular consumer genetics services globally. Many users find surprises in their genetic makeup. It's estimated that 12-15% of users discover unexpected ethnicity results or previously unknown relatives. The discovery of half-siblings, unknown biological parents, or even secret family histories is a common experience.These genetic databases are quite extensive as an example 23andMe's database can connect you to up to 1,500 genetic relatives. Some users have found relatives as close as first cousins they never knew existed.Christine and Muge touch upon what can be learned from some of these services and real lived experiences of tracing family roots.

Ever hear a voice in your head telling you that you can do more to serve others? Mona Nguonly heard that voice in a big way, dropped a successful career in HR, and started a family run not for profit. She is now the full-time executive director of Koun Khmer Foundation, a 501C-3 nonprofit that is providing much needed school supplies and improving the learning environment of underserved rural high school students in Southeast Asia. Our listeners can visit the website Koun Khmer Foundation – Making a difference in the lives of those who needs us most, the children of Cambodia to learn more or make a donation.. Mona is also keenly interested in learning more about grant writing. If you have knowledge and a willingness to share your talents, please drop Mona an email at [email protected]. I believe you will find her story interesting an inspiring!

In this session, Christine visits with Nicole Carline, President of The Wellbeing Hacker and is a Co-Founder of The Legacy Builder Program. With over two decades of experience as a highly successful sales and global IT leader in Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific, she has a proven track record of exceeding customers' expectations. Now, Nicole is dedicated to empowering individuals to realize their greatest potential and align their careers with their strengths and core values. In this session, you will learnHow the Japanese concept of Ikigai can help you create a map for greater satisfaction by uncovering your true purpose and aligning to your strengths.Examples of finding your purposes and how to get started when you are already in a full-time career or need a help getting started. How knowing your greater purpose beyond a paycheck can change the trajectory of your life and your legacy. Other resources to learn more:Wellbeinghacker.com and/or follow WellbeingHacker channel on InstagramRead Lessons from the Dying: Smith, Rodney, Goldstein, Joseph: 9781614291947: Amazon.com: Books - #1 Lesson was I wish I had lived a life that was more authentically me and not aspired to what others wanted for me. Follow the In Pursuit of Purpose series through Nicole's LinkedIn Profile - (4) Nicole (Lucarelli) Carline | LinkedInContact Nicole Carline at [email protected] to explore tools and coaching support if you are interested in making a career or life transition.

Maintaining Brain Health: Navigating the Aging, Feeling, and Thinking BrainAs we journey through life, our brains undergo various changes that can affect our cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and overall mental health. Understanding these changes and adopting proactive strategies can help maintain brain health and enhance quality of life. This podcast explores the aging brain, the feeling brain, and the thinking brain, offering practical tips and insights into brain science to support your mental fitness.For those who want to learn more:Read: - "Brain Rules for Aging Well," by John Medina presents ten principles for staying vital, happy, and sharp as we age. Do regular check ins with yourself. If you are feeling foggy or thinking less clearly do a check on what aspects of brain health might be lacking for you - sleep, diet, social connection exercise. Take inventory and slow down. Listen in to the podcast recording for pro tips to help you make changes to create more neurons and positively impact the health of your brain.

UC Berkeley professor of psychology Dacher Keltner, Ph.D. presents a radical investigation and deeply personal inquiry into the 8 Sources of Awe and how awe transforms our brains and bodies, Muge and I discuss and reflect on Prof. Keltner findings. Tune in to learn how cultivating awe in our everyday life leads us to appreciate what is most humane in our human nature. Things you can do: Tune in to learn about the 8 sources of awe and how you can proactively cultivate more awe in your life. Read Keltner's books AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life available on Amazon.

Muge and I visit with tech executive and entrepreneur Lisa Dion for a thought-provoking discussion about how to prepare for a large pursuit in life or in business. Lisa has cracked the code on how to drive highly performant sales teams. The techniques she uses and discusses are very relevant for both business and your personal life. this episode, we dive into the critical elements of preparing for a successful pitch through the lenses of decision-making, emotional intelligence, and the power of language. For our listeners who want to learn more:Upon listening, we encourage our listeners to run through a mental checklist on the next big decision or pitch you need to make:Is your mindset aligned for success?Are your emotions in check? As Lisa discusses, are you in a neutral mindset or do you need more processing time?Role play the words you want to use for impact with your team. Lisa gave a few great and powerful phrases that are worth adopting.Lisa can be reached at [email protected] if you would like to explore having Lisa present to your team as a guest speaker. About Lisa Dion: Lisa is part of the Enterprise Sales team at Google Cloud and has commercial responsibility for a group of enterprise customers. She currently leads an account team that aims to impact and amplify the way her customers serve their end customers with a focus on go-to-market strategies, global scale and measurable outcomes. Lisa brings 25+ years of experience in leading US and global sales pursuit teams along with building and executing business development strategies. Prior to joining Google Cloud, Lisa spent the majority of her career in the Microsoft ecosystem both at Microsoft and at PwC. She is known for her inspirational speaking style, collaborative leadership and has consistently gravitated to start-up teams.

Today we are talking about the Keys to Happy Retirement and sourcing some content from a Kiplinger Article - Key to a Happy Retirement? Finding Yourself | Kiplinger A few helpful guiding principles:Acknowledge the emotional mix: excitement and fear.Recognize that retirement is not just a change in routine but a shift in identity.Encourage self-reflection to understand one's sense of self beyond professional roles.Emphasize the importance of planning for personal goals and passions.Muge and I discuss the 5 core elements to identity. Listen in to see how you can best prepare and enjoy a most excellent retirement (or more appropriately refirement!)

Today we meet with Sharon Warner, Entrepreneur and CEO of Moajaza Expeditions, a safari company in Tanzania. When most people are slowing down in their fifties, Sharon answered a calling to start a business on the other side of the world. The reason for starting this business was to positively impact the life of a man she had met while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Learn about Sharon's story and hear about the beautiful sites to be found when on safari.Key Takeaways:Treating others the way Sharon would want to be treated was the precipice for starting a business.Starting small, investing in self-education, and being good to yourself (mindfulness, self-reflections) is a great formula for successful entrepreneurship. To book a safari, visit moajazaexpeditions.com (after June 1st the site is live!).

Join Muge and I for a thought-provoking episode which covers practical tips for the Sustainability. We tap into Muge's expertise as a Sustainability Leader for Microsoft. Learn about how the Global Food Network fed an additional 32M people by getting creative about the food reprocessing and distribution. Listen to the Sustainability practices that any of us can do. Try and adopt 1 or 2 to do your part to make the planet a cleaner and healthier place. Review John Oliver's video on Fast Fashion and how this impacts our environment.Fashion: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) ora more detailed view of "The True Cost" A Must-Watch Fast Fashion Documentary Is Now On Netflix - Fast Company

We review Julian Treasure's pointers on How to speak so that people want to listen." He discussed several key tools to improve communication and make speeches more engaging. It's not just how you say it but what you say. Julian shares his four-part analogy for speaking which he calls the HAIL Method. We'll provide a few examples of people who embody these characteristics for further reflection.For our listeners who want to go deeper on this topic:Julian Treasures Ted Talk which is just 10 minutes long can be seen here.Internalize some of the inspirational speakers who are examples of Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love. Leverage that inspiration and cross check your own planned talks for elements of the HAIL Method. Curate what you are ingesting digitally, audibly and through all your senses. It does make a difference to the quality of your life and those around you if you are surrounding yourselves with more positivity.

Drawing parallels between jazz improvisation and effective leadership, Frank Barnett has authored several influential books, including "Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz" and "The Power of Improvisation: Exploring the Lessons of Jazz in Work and Life." Muge and I discuss what businesses can learn from how jazz music is created. Takeaways for our listeners Take a listen to the 20 min Harvard Business Review podcast discussion. Reflect on how you can be both a better follower and a better leader. Frank Barrett: "Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz" (youtube.com)Questions to consider: Do you leave enough room for improvisation in your work?Do you make time to "unlearn" what you know and allow others to bring forward ideas?Does your team exhibit the elements of effective followership? Effective followership involves individuals taking initiative, exercising autonomy, and contributing their unique talents and perspectives to achieve shared objectives. It's about embracing empowerment while still remaining aligned with the overarching goals and vision.For more on this topic also consider this book by Natalie Nixon https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Leap-Curiosity-Improvisation-Intuition/dp/B07Y4JNH26?dplnkId=ab4b3ae1-687f-47de-b045-9b62565012f4&nodl=1Read

In this podcast, we welcome back the financial team of Jim and Lisa Burns come back to provide our listeners with helpful information on planning beyond the accumulation of assets. Thinking about:Diversification StrategiesKnowing your options on distributions and tax implications Creating, monitoring and communicating your strategy.There is much to think and act on in this informative discussion. You will want to listen and share this one!About Creative Financial Group: Jim and Lisa Burns, husband and wife team with CREATIVE Financial Group, help individuals, families, and business owners reach their financial goals by addressing their unique needs and designing solutions around those specific priorities. Jim has been an advisor with CREATIVE for 30 years and is Series 6 and 63 Securities licensed. Both Jim and Lisa hold their Life, Accident, and Health Insurance licenses. To learn more, please visit them online at www.jamesfburnsjr.com or reach out directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. “Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 16 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073. 610.325.6100. The views and opinions expressed are those of the program participants and are not necessarily those of MML Investors Services LLC. The material is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. You should strongly consider seeking advice from your own investment professional. -- CRN202703-5954381”

Christine and Muge reflect on the words of Dr. Cynthia Barnett who has a few secrets to living a more purposeful life.1. Secret #1 - Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life:·       Definition and Understanding: Taking 100% responsibility mean acknowledging that you are the primary creator of your life experience. It involves accepting accountability for your thoughts, feelings, actions, and results.  2. Secret #2 - Leave a Legacy:·       Imagining your 100th birthday party to envision your legacy. Picture the celebration and reflect on what you want to be remembered for.o   What does the party look like? Is it small, medium large?o   What would they say?3. Secret #3 - Know Your Purpose ·       Wired to Help Others:o   Intrinsic Motivation: Research shows that helping others not only benefits them but also brings intrinsic satisfaction and fulfillment to the giver.  There are micro actions and macro actions that can help others.   

In this podcast session, Muge and I speak and reflect on World Economic Forum's study "Who do Americans spend most of their time with each day? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)"The findings may be surprise and encourage you to be more proactive with your time and relationships. We will touch on the reality of:Having Older Parents and what this means for time together.How your time with your children "flatlines" after the age of 18.The age at which most people find themselves missing friends.What life looks like with your life partner and what choosing well matters.What percentage of people are truly lonely when alone and how this changes over time. A big thank you to Jeanne Clizbe who called this study to our attention. . Mel Robbins covered this topic very well here - Mel Robbins: This one study will change how you think about your entire life .

Whether you approach New Year Resolutions with a "Go Big or Go Home" attitude or you like to think of NY Resolutions as casual promises to yourself that I'm under no legal obligation to fulfill, I think you will get helpful tips and enjoyment out of this episode. Tune in to learn:The best way to make small changes and keep yourself improving each year.Differences between men and women and the resolutions they choose to go after. How intentions instead of resolutions may put you on the path to a happier and improved you.

In this podcast, we visit with Paul Zmuda, a practicing attorney in the State of Maryland and Christine's husband of 28 years. Paul shares his perspective from being both a prosecuting and defense attorney. Paul also shared what his dream job will be post retirement and it may surprise you. Muge also takes the opportunity to learn a bit about Paul's home and married life. Muge and I have had fun with these "husband" editions. Muge's husband Brad Wood was interviewed in episode 31 if you are curious to take in that session.

This is a very special holiday edition. Muge and I talk about some fun Christmas and holiday traditions around the world. Several of which may surprise you! We also talk about our favorite holiday memories, music, movies, and more. We invite you to explore the other holiday traditions that we didn't have a chance to cover here. Check it out - https://www.travelandleisure.com/holiday-travel/christmas-travel/worlds-strangest-holiday-traditions

Robbie led a very successful career in homebuilding and real estate in the Windy city of Chicago. He had a yearning though to do more of what he always loved as a kid. Learn a bit about Robbie's journey and how his next chapter has been his best chapter as a professional artist. To learn about Robbie's art, please visit rfrankelart.com .

In this episode, we visit with Brad Wood, Founder of UTMA-All Stars, a not for profit focused on promoting financial literacy for disadvantaged youth. UTMA All Stars will provide young people not only the knowledge but a path to develop capital which will enable participants to benefit from compounding interest. At the age of 18, participants will have access to their funds and have a nice little start to help off set costs of some of lifes necessitees. Listen in to `Brad shares his learnings on settting up a not for profit structurally and strategically. Touch on the importance of interceding early between the magical ages of 6 and 13 which is a key developmental window where people start to establish their relationship with money. Visit UTMA All Stars - The UTMA All-Stars | Disadvantaged Youth Support Programs | Fort Bend County, TX, USA (utma-all-stars.org) to learn more and potentially donate. Bonus Content: We also spent time with Brad on his personal life to learn what 30 years of marriage and life partnership has been like with Muge. We hope you will enjoy "the husband" edition!

In this session, we visit with Brad Wood, Founder of UTMA All Stars, a program that strives to develop financial literacy for disadvantaged youth. UTMA All Stars is a not for profit which arms young people with both the financial knowledge and the capital to benefit from compounding interest. Listen in to learn how Brad and his team:Founded a Not For Profit and the learnings that they have gained so far. How it is important to intervene early between the ages of 7-13 to make an impact in children relative to their relationship with money. How saving at an early age can be a difference maker for young people not only in the near term by the longer term.Bonus Edition: We also had a little fun with Brad at the end of the episode by asking him what life is like as Muge's partner of close to 30 years in marriage and life. Next Steps:This is a great episode for anyone who is considering being in the service of others after retirement. We encourage our listeners to visit www.utma-all-stars.org and consider making a donation to help pave the way toward greater financial freedom for UTMA participants.

Women now make up 40 percent of new entrepreneurs in the United States — the highest percentage since 1996. women often say the No. 1 attribute of what they're looking for in their work is purpose. They want to feel compelled by the mission of the organization and understand that they're helping make the world a better place. Women are managing to try their hand at business while still balancing so much. In the U.S., 66% of primary caregivers are women. This means that the burden of household tasks largely fall largely on them. Women do on average six hours more a week in household labor. While this warrants a conversation about fair play, the reality is that women need more flexibility in their work. In this episode, we are going to speak to Claudia Tsas - owner and operator of Kharis Lavender Fields to learn about her journey which included a transition from corporate America to owning and managing a full fledged lavender products business. We'll learn a bit about how she manages to balance life and work while incoporating her family and extended family into the adventure. You can find more about Khari's Lavender by visiting this link - All-Natural Handmade Lavender Products | Kharis Lavender. Kharis can ship products anywhere. Fan favorites are the lavender body cream, exfoliating scrub. lavender syrup and lavender honey. Visit their stie for more great gifts ideas.

In this session, we visit with Andrew Schultz, High Performance Coach. Andrew Schultz is known for his ability to create life-changing experiences through coaching Andrew B. Schultz is a passionate and dedicated High Performance Coach based in the United States. With a profound commitment to helping individuals unlock their full potential, Andrew brings a unique blend of deep listening and thought-provoking questions to his coaching practice. Andrew's background in sales and business is an asset for anyone who is looking for coaching in those areas. Read the book the Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter - Reclaim your Happy and Wild Self.Watch "Live to 100: The Secrets of the Blue Zones" on Netflix to take in lessons from 5 areas that have the most 100 plus year olds living in one area. Connect with Andrew from a complimentary coaching session - If you're seeking a transformational coaching experience, consider connecting to embark on a journey toward unlocking your full potential. Andrew offers a powerful, no-charge, 2-hour initial coaching experience to those ready to prioritize truth over comfort and embrace personal growth. Here are two ways to reach Andrew - https://go.andrewbschultz.com/powerful-coaching-experience LinkedIn Profile: https://linkedin.com/in/andrew-schultz-utah

While many professionals might consider winding down their careers, Claire Markwardt is winding up. This is not however, without looking at life and work from a different lens than perhaps her first and second chapter of life. Claire was a successful partner at Accenture for 20 years (first chapter) and then ran her own professional services firm for another 12 years. This was also while raising her daughter and being in a successful and long-term marriage. In her third chapter, she is currently at Q5 as the Managing Partner of North America business. Learn about:How work life balance comes into play in your third chapter. How check ins with yourself can help you determine if you are on the right path professionally. What life is like when you are still fired up to work full time and your partner/spouse recently retires.

Muge and I both had some time away. with individual European vacations. On this episode, we speak about the importance of unplugging and experiencing new things. We also share some interesting stats that might surprise you about the connection between taking your vacation and being more upwardly mobile professionally. This is a fun episode and welcome you to listen in. Key Takeaways: Take your vacation to position yourself for better professional performance and more enjoyment in life.If you cannot take a significant vacation this year, start planning one for next year - the mere act of planning has positive mental health benefits for us. Staycations have grown in popularity if budget and time is limited, consider exploring new finds in your local area.

This is an incredible "must listen" episode which demonstrates the power of following your calling. I sit down with Karen Sherman. Karen L Sherman is the Co-founder and CEO of Virunga Mountain Spirits, a premium craft distillery based in Rwanda, where she has worked for close to two decades. The business will employ and upskill Rwandans at every level of operations, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for women. This alone would be impressive. However, the path itself has life lessons for us. You will learn about what led Karen down a path of international business development, how she became involved as a global policy advocate to stop violence against women, and how she accumulated the stories of resilience which led her to author Brick by Brick -- Building Hope and Opportunity for Women Survivors Everywhere (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020). Even if your interest in not standing up a business in another country, you will learn so much from how listening to your calling can have a multiplier effect for others and for yourself. For more information on what was touched on:We encourage you to visit Virunga Mountain Spirits — Karen Sherman website. Karen and team will have a newsletter soon so you can follow the story. Products will be available sometime next year for purchase. Be inspired by the stories of resilience by purchasing Karen's book - Brick by Brick: Building Hope and Opportunity for Women Survivors Everywhere: Sherman, Karen: 9781538130315: Amazon.com: BooksGet Educated on the Draft Treaty - Every Woman Treaty a global call to stop violence.Lastly, listen to what pulls you towards helping others and learning new things in the world. Taking that first step may just lead you on an incredible and fulfilling life purpose.

Our guest Dr. Tomika Greer talks to us about her career transitions from corporate life to the world of academia. In her current position as Professor of Human Resource Development at University of Houston and researcher, Tomika helps train the next generation of Human Resource Professionals. In this episode, you will learn about:How Dr. Greer tapped into sources of joy in her life and the doors that opened for her which included pursuing advanced degrees and a complete career transition.What Dr. Greer learned from her work at Accenture and Corporate America and how that has been useful in her current career.How rewarding it is to be on a college campus and how this fuels personal growth and life purpose.How finding your joy outside of your professional path can spill over into your day to day work life.Key themes to learn more:Read more about Tomika's journey in the book "The People Behind the People: Heroes of the HR World by Kayla Lebovitz.For those interested in exploring a career in academia, consider an adjunct professor role at a community college or guest lecturer at a university to get a taste of the experience.We also touch upon Dr. Greers passion around teaching Zumba classes which is an exercise activity involving dance and music.

Christine Zmuda visits with entrepreneur and Professional Home Organizer Lisa Malone. (Lisa-malone.com). Lisa channeled her passion for living in organized spaces into a luxury, concierge-style organizing business, specializing in luxury closet organizing. In this episode, listeners will:Understand the social, mental and physical benefits of being better organized.Learn about how Lisa moved from a corporate role to not only running her own business but also lifting the visibility of other businesses. Great listen for anyone considering taking a step in a new direction. Hear about how the lives of Lisa's clients benefitted from pretty interesting ways as well as a bit about how men and women approach getting organized differently. Resources for more information:Lisa's free get organized guide and services for hire can be found at Https://lisa-malone.com If you offer services for the home, Lisa invites you to register your business at https://www.inhomeboutiquespaces.com/ or if you are a customer looking for home services check out this vendor list.For Lisa's "You have Arrived" course . This is a self paced course that you can do from anywhere to jumpstart your better organized life - You Have Arrived | Closet Organizing and Style Transformation | Online Course.

With a prolific career spanning over two decades, Michael Thomas has emerged as a luminary in the realms of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Social Media.. Beyond his professional pursuits, Michael a photographer, historian, educator, and visual storyteller based in Atlanta, GA. Through MWT Photography, Michael captures life's beautiful and sometimes trying moments. Michael has two sides to his body of work - mybackyardnature.com and thestoriesofus.photography. Furthermore, he's an ardent advocate for teaching African American History and serves on the Board of Directors at the Marietta Museum of History., In this episode, we touch on:How to be true to your gifts and calling.How personal super strengths surface thematically and nudge you on the right path. What Michael has learned from pursuing photography as an observer of nature and the human condition. To engage further, we invite you to explore the following resources after listening to this podcast: Engage with Michael's Work In Michael's example, we learned that storytelling was a super strength that Michael had professionally and personally. Think about what you are pulled to and why. There might be something more there to invest in and further discover to tap into more joy.Anyone can start exploring photography with your phone. Take yourself on a different route - explore a new location. Play. Take photos at interesting angles. Hold your Phone upside down and see what that does to the perspective and composition.Learn from Michael Thomas - take some time to explore his thought provoking and awe inspiring body of work at Mybackyardnature.com and the The Stories of Us. His work is also for sale.

In this week's podcast we visit with Andre Leideheimer Ruiz Soler who is an expert in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. Andre has the opportunity to explore these topics in the business world while working at Microsoft for more than 20 years and more recently in completing his master's degree at Harvard University. Andre's thesis at Harvard explored a simple idea with profound findings. Could we radically change the view of inclusion initiatives and the experience of inclusion at the interpersonal level if we started with and within ourselves instead of with others? In other words, could DEIB programs be more impactful if we got personal? Find out what Andre learned and more about his calling to pursue a master's degree in mid-life and how the journey continues. In the session we touch upon:Contemplative Practices - The Tree of Contemplative Practices – The Center for Contemplative Mind in SocietyFounder of Pilates and it's origin - Joseph Pilates - WikipediaThe 4 Stages Of Life According To Carl Jung (themindsjournal.com)

The Barbie movie franchise, which has spanned multiple storylines, worlds, and characters, is often dismissed as mere child’s play. The recently released movie of Barbie has surpassed $1.03 billion globally, making Greta Gerwig the first solo woman director with a billion-dollar film.. Christine and Muge spend time discussing a bit about why the film has some controversy and what the embedded and real valuable life lessons there are for both men and women. who are open minded enough to watch the movie.Also tune in for a surprise announcement!

Our guest Mark Congdon has studied the way the chemical reaction that our brains undergo when setting and achieving goals. He has studied people at the peak of their performance and coached many on how to live the life they were meant to be by asking a simple question "Who is the person you want to be at the end of your life?" His company "The Ideal Life" has been helping people achieve fulfilling happiness in their lives using the I GOT This Framework. We are going to dive into Mark's journey and tap into his advice in this session. In this episode you will learn:About Mark's personal journey and how he made the direct connection through psychology to help unlock a system that would help so many accomplish more in life.How the brains chemicals "DOSE" works in goal setting and achievement.Next steps for people interested in either being a student in a learning cohort for "Theideallife.com" program or consider being a coach.

Portfolio life is a term coined by the business guru Charles Handy in his book "The Age of Unreason" in 1989. Mr.Handy explained the concept as "a portfolio of activities - some we do for money, some for interest, some for pleasure, some for a cause. Living a Portfolio Life means you have multiple interests and can apply them in a variety of fields and contexts. When Charles Handy first coined the phrase “portfolio worker” in 1989, he predicted we’d have careers that would be made up of multiple jobs every 5 to 10 years in the future. In fact, Forbes has predicted by 2030, over half of the American workforce will be freelance.We are going to learn a bit about what living a portfolio lifestyle is and why this is becoming more popular for people in their third chapter of life which is defined by the period of 45-75 years old.We are going to do a spotlight on a new venture called Magnet Labs (magnet-labs.com) which was cofounded by Christine Zmuda, Ganesh Shenbagaraman, and Alex Arbter. We will understand more about why this business was founded and it's mission. All three of the co-founders are living a "Portfolio Life" by having multiple interests and professional pursuits. This real-life example will give you a feel for the concept.We will provide you with some guidance if you also want to embark on starting a portfolio life.To Explore if a Portfolio life is right for you:Think about whether this is really for you -Living a portfolio lifestyle can offer people the chance to lead a more fulfilling life as they can pursue interests otherwise squeezed out by a more conventional career. You don't have to be professionally "one thing". This is another way to build purpose, increase connection, and keep us growing and learning in our third chapter of life. Another benefit is you have multiple streams of income which reduces the dependency on one employer for income. You have to be actively networking and be comfortable on self-promotion. There are many people who may enjoy a certain type of job or pursuit but uncomfortable with the marketing and sales aspect of it. For more information:If you think this is a path to explore for yourself- start with your interests. Evaluate can you start this portfolio lifestyle while you are still employed. Read your companies policy on moonlighting. Consider Reading the book The Multi-Hyphen Life: Work Less, Create More, and Design a Life That Works for You by Emma Gannon which is a good guide to thinking and enacting a plan around "Portfolio lifestyles" and another great resource is Christina Wallace's book 'The Portfolio Life'. Magnet-Labs is differentiated research and learning experience company which aims to make the workplace a better place. This firm has launched a global research survey and encourage all to participate at https://lnkd.in/grAgJVUP . Please help the team by completing the 5 minute survey. If you would like to stay in touch on future updates, please subscribe to the Magnet Labs Newsletter at https://magnet-labs.coms launched a global research survey and encourage all to participate at https://lnkd.in/grAgJVUP . If you would like more information, please subscribe to the Magnet Labs Newsletter at https://magnet-labs.com

In this week's podcast, we're going to touch upon Longevity Secrets from Intermittent Fasting to Laughing Therapy. In our endless quest for the proverbial fountain of youth, the answers might come from unexpected areas. The combination of intermittent fasting, Pilates, ice baths, and laughing therapy might seem unusual. Yet, these practices offer potential benefits that could contribute to longer, healthier lives. Tune into the discussion with Muge Wood and Christine Zmuda. If you are looking for more information following the session, we recommend these resources:Intermittent Fasting - Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Aniston are all famous people who claim to do Intermittent Fasting. If you want to try this, you pick any 8 hour window of time that works for you to eat and then abstain for the other 16 hours. See if it works for you. Ice baths - there are now portable ice baths that you can buy to try on your own. If you want to warm up to the idea (lol) - try just putting your shower to cold and see how long you can stay under it. Even 10 to 15 seconds can help improve immunity, resilience, improve the condition of your hair and skin, increase your metabolism, and also alertness. Pilates - Here's a short 20 minute - Beginner's Wall Pilates where you use your own resistance to build muscle - Beginner Wall Pilates | 20 min at-home Workout - Bing video and check out your local Barre classes. These are both great workouts! Laughter Yoga - Try this 5 minute 5 Minute Laughter Yoga Workout - Bing video I guarantee you it will make you laugh and really confuse your spouse or partner at home. Set-up your exercise schedule a week out/plan on Sunday and do not move it unless you have a true emergency. Not because you want to use the time to respond to 10 more emails.

Last month, the US surgeon general released a 85-page advisory declaring loneliness a new public health epidemic. The report stated that more than half of Americans are chronically lonely and noted that the health effects of social disconnection can be significant, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, heart disease, dementia, and stroke. Some blame the pandemic for the rise in isolation. Others point to technology and social media. So what can we do about it? This episode will explore perspectives on how to create and maintain healthy social connections.We explore together:Suggestions on how to maintain healthy social connections.A discussion on what friendships are good for you and why. How social media influences friendship interactions and how to be on the watch for who truly values you. Follow Up Materials:'Friendship in the Age of Loneliness; - In this 2021 book, Adam Poswolsky proposes practical strategies for creating meaningful connections and deepening relationships'Together' In his 2020 book, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, encourages everyone to spend time each day with those you love, to focus on relationships instead of productivity and to help others. He argues that service is a form of connection that reminds us of our value and purpose in life'The Loneliest Whale' this poignant 2021 documentary follows the search for an elusive whale dubbed 52, which scientists believe has spent its entire life in solitude because it calls out at a frequency that other whales can't hear.Lastly, take inventory regularly of your friendships and how do they make you feel. Do you feel uplifted and supported? What types of friendships might you be lacking in your life? Take the steps to do additional out reach and invest in others so you have a strong social connection and network.

In this week's podcast, we speak with Danielle Glosser, CEO of Clientraiser,com. Danielle shares her journey from working for the Golden State Warriors, to the Not for Profit world to do her part in driving social justice, which led here to an interesting career stop at the White House. She has owned her own business for the last 9 years. In this session, I believe you will find inspiration from:Staying "awake" to listen to what your soul and superpowers are calling you to do.Taking in experiences with a gratitude. Danielle has not forgotten her early mentors and shares how she has made sure they know the importance of her life.With career changes, sometimes it's difficult to monetize your efforts, when you are skilling up or moving to a new industry. Danielle shares a bit about how her convictions and work ethic translated to a successful and profitable long term business.

In this episode, we visit with M3 Sweatt, an Independent strategic advisor and accomplished Customer Experience executive.M3 touches on a first party research survey he conducted to answer two important questions. First, in how thoughtful and transparent Microsoft was during the layoffs, the reported benefits offered to impacted employees, and an initial look at the cons, focused on employee experiences. M3 also touches on some of the hidden costs of layoffs – personal and economic – and provides a few suggestions based on growth mindset and Microsoft's espoused “Model, Coach, Care” principles. For our listeners, we touch on:How to be prepared in today's economy given the job market uncertainty.What to do in the event that someone you know is impacted by a layoff.While this is a serious topic we also try to inject a little humor into every conversation, listen in to hear the three ways you can handle the "HR conversation" to entertain yourself and provide an unforgettable and memorable approach to workforce reduction. Listen to hear how you could "be like a goldfish" in times like these.

In today's episode, we cover power tips for surviving and thriving on a family or solo vacation. Specifically, we cover:Interesting out of the box ideas for travel and how you can maximize your travel with travel hacks.Tips for Surviving a Family VacationWhat to look for to make a solo vacation even more funWe encourage our audience to explore the following for more insights Revisit the year in advance to maximize your Paid Time off - 46 straight days off is a great way to recharge while only using 18 vacation days! PTO Hack — How to Get 46 Days Off in 2023 (marketrealist.com)Recommend that you all think about scheduling a family trip and a solo trip. Even if that solo trip is a day trip someone. Use the Code "refirement life" Keys to the castle travel for special offers and discounts go to Keys to the Castle Travel – The Keys to your Next Adventure - Keystothecastle.comListen in on all the great pro trips for traveling and consider the travel app Day One to journal your steps, your locations and photos along the way. Explore your local surroundings. there are many places to see just two hours away from where you live. Take in some of these suggestions shared above for getting the most of your time off.

Research indicates that in an average day, an individual may encounter around 34 gigabytes of information, including various sensory inputs, conversations, visual stimuli, media consumption, and more. The brain's ability to process vast amounts of information allows us to perceive and navigate the world around us, make decisions, and engage in various cognitive activities. In this episode, we visit with Bill Donius, Best Selling NY Time Author who penned the book "Thought Revolution: Unlocking Your Inner Genuius". In this discussion, we will explore:How to tap into your right brain for insightful information to help you make better and more meaningful life decisions.Learn from Christine's personal experience using Bill's methodology.Learn first hand through a guided practical exercise to introduce the concept of developing RBIS (Right Brained Insights).For more information:Visit https://williamdonius.com/ and consider purchasing William Donius | Thought Revolution book to go deeper on the topic.Consider upcoming workshops for an in-person experience and education. Esalen July 28-30: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/meet-your-better-half-unlock-your-right-brain-072823 NYC July 12th from 12:30 to 4:30 pm : https://williamdonius.com/product/unlock-your-creative-genius/?fbclid=IwAR0KbQ2QqvkxtW6U_3TK8ooDjzhmcKi6RnT0OBpgqQ-zLU5ZvIo48Q1wqRMTry the exercises at prescribed and experiment with "non dominant" hand journaling to see how you can tap into your Right Brand

A breakthrough is an exponential jump in what’s possible. To be what you want to be, you have to first envision it. Then, you have to align your thoughts and actions with that vision. Typically, you have to tackle this in your own life before you can inspire others around you. Muge and Christine welcome Jeannie Gardner, a seasoned executive from the Oil and Gas Industry who like many of us had a "wake up call" post Covid. In this episode, we learn:What prompted Jeannie to take a "gap year" to recharge and reclaim her next chapter in a very successful career.How to align your values with those of your employer and leadership for greater joy.What happens when you make a commitment to yourself to "positively impact the life of just one more person."Jeannie Gardner provides so much wisdom in this episode that we are excited for our listeners to tune in. In terms of next steps and action:1. Declare your vision: Take all those broken agreements, disappointments, failures and other garbage from your past and throw them away. Say goodbye forever to self-limiting beliefs and behaviors.2. Hold yourself accountable and know your value. Determine in writing what the non-negotiables are for your next position. 3. Maintain integrity and be committed to your core values when making a career move. Carefully consider whether your leader and your company aligns to your core values before committing to that career move. 4. Connections with people make your life more rewarding. Join a networking or community group that sparks joy and explore possibilities – personal or professional.

In this session, we are going to touch on two enlightening resources to help you get a pulse on what people close to retirement and who have retired are thinking and feeling about this life event. The details may surprise you. Findings were taken from a publication called the "Refirement Manifesto" and the Retirement Perspectives and Attitudes Survey that was published by Fritz Gilbert and Eric Weigel. After listening, here are a few ways to stayyconnected: and get more info on what was discussed:Subscribe to our podcast.Review the Retirement Perspectives ant Attitudes Survey published in May 2023. It can be found here - Retirement Perspectives and Attitudes Survey (retirewithpossibilities.com).Review the 7 Secrets to Healthy and Happy Retirement - where do you expect your biggest challenge to be? What can you do now to prepare for retirement or do retirement better?Ask the question to people who have recently retired - is it what you thought it would be and what you expect it to be? Learn from their experience.Write down three things you are grateful for every day sunshine, flowers, walk in the park, an act of kindness you received/gave

A 2016 study of about 3,000 people, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggested that working even one more year beyond retirement age was associated with a 9% to 11% lower risk of dying during the 18-year study period, regardless of health, In this podcast, we explore the reasons why you may want to work past retirement age either full time or part-time. as well as discuss when working may not be entirely great from your mental, spiritual, and physical well being. Upon listening, if you would like to follow up here are a few resources to get more details on the topic:Take a listen to this video from Lynda Grafton an expert on being productive in your later years. She talks about the shift from Hear from Lynda Grafton - Lynda Gratton: The 100-Year Life - Bing videoTake mental and physical inventory of your current situation at work. How are you managing stress, do you feel like the work you are doing is purposeful? If not start to making a change for yourself. Research continues to show these situations can be damaging to your health over time.Review the video .How To Find And Pursue Your Passion | Think Out Loud With Jay Shetty - Bing videoIf you like what you hear please subscribe and share a review on the podcast player of your choice.

In this session, Muge and I visit with David McDonald, Technology Thought Leader and Consultant. Muge and I both had the pleasure of working with David in our careers at Microsoft. He has been retired for just about a year and has a few very interesting insights that we believe our listeners can benefit from. In this session, we cover:How the experience of retirement was different than he expected.Helpful tips for individuals contemplating retirement which can help this transition be even more socially and mentally rewarding.What role our parents and their approach to life plays in this time of transition and what we can learn from them