In this episode, I chat with Rhett Roberts - CEO & Co-founder of LoanPro. Prepare to unravel the enigma of blockchain technology with Rhett as he demystifies its role in ownership custody and how this groundbreaking tech challenges traditional concepts like sales tax on luxury items. But that's not all—we'll also dive into his skepticism about government intervention in cryptocurrency despite its potential to revolutionize industries. Join us in a heartfelt discussion on nurturing curiosity and resilience in children through self-directed learning and the trials of unpredictability. Hear firsthand from Rhett about the intersection of experiential learning and formal education, and their combined effect on tomorrow's job market, affected by AI and technological advancements. Beyond these cerebral topics, Rhett gets personal as we touch on how he juggles his multifaceted roles as a business leader, family man, and philanthropist. We chat about swimming as Rhett’s reflective pastime, and close with his philosophical musings on approaching life's challenges with the ideal outcome in mind. Time Stamps: 00:00 Entrepreneurial kid recycles shells, builds successful business. 06:16 Scholarship criteria: curiosity key to changing world. 07:12 Curious upbringing, encouraged to pursue and discover. 13:41 Encourages education for fintech due to AI impact. 16:10 Early company start, education increases earning potential. 20:13 Software provides operating system to various lenders. 24:06 Stocks tax-free, shoes taxable; laws outdated. Luxury items tokenized for ownership transfer. 25:21 Avoid sales tax loophole through financial transactions. 31:28 Practical compliance involves various shapes, not just circles. 35:05 Personalization enables customized financial instrument for clients. 36:50 Straight line amortized loan for investor preference. 41:36 Reflect on problems, study, notepad, subconscious support. 43:41 Book by D. Hawk inspires design mindset change. About Rhett: Rhett Roberts is the CEO & co-founder of LoanPro, a modern credit platform. LoanPro manages more than $15B in loans, and processes over $500M per month. LoanPro has been the primary professional passion of his life. He enjoys product development, technology, and solving complex problems. As a serial entrepreneur with a Bachelor’s of Science in Investment Finance, he has a comprehensive understanding of both FinTech and lenders’ needs. Rhett serves as a board member of the FinTech Committee at the University of Utah, is an avid swimmer, 3-time participant in the "Escape from Alcatraz" race, Junior Olympian, and sprint-distance triathlete. Connect with Rhett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhett-roberts-7b83b7150/ Company website: https://www.loanpro.io/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Shannon Talbot - Author of Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You | Keynote Speaker | Performance Coach | The Happiness Expert. Shannon shares her personal tale of self-sabotage born from a fear of success, a story so many of us can resonate with. We grapple with the question: Why do we lose our curiosity and fearlessness as we climb the ladder of life? This conversation takes us through the impact of societal pressures, the importance of trusting our intuition, and the roles gender dynamics play in how we tackle these fears. But that's not all. Shannon walks us through her own transformative journey—a transformation that's comparable to a home renovation, messy but entirely necessary. She's here not just to narrate but to offer guidance, sharing insights from her book "Breaking Free" and prompting us to consider what we want to feel good about when looking back on our lives. So, brace yourselves as we step into this empowering conversation, which will not only inspire but equip you to make those tough decisions and change the spaces that no longer serve you well. Let's get ready to break free from the chains of fear and step up into the life we deserve. Time Stamps: 00:00 Becoming manager and mom, struggling with stress. 05:22 Realizing the importance of mental health help. 09:14 Embrace dreams and happiness, stop waiting. 12:28 Confront fear with worst and best case scenarios. 15:13 Let go of fear and take action. 17:19 Prepare for worst, minimize risk, consider alternatives. 20:29 Fear of success and self-sabotage in clients. 24:56 Advice: Trust yourself, don't let fear hold you. 26:52 Difficulty in leaving unsupportive environments impacting success. 31:09 Men face same obstacles, hide struggles better. 33:42 Reflect on life choices before death. Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-talbot-mba/ Her website: https://shannontalbot.com/ Her book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQRMBC3T?asc_campaign=5c9ce24bfe15f0f4dd0828262c328c53&asc_source=01GRXJEDJ827CJHX3R3R7DB4DN&tag=namespacebran320-20 Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Lawrence Fauntleroy - Director, Experiential Learning Lehman College, School of Business. Lawrence is a seasoned professional who dedicated 27 years of his life to the healthcare IT industry. Without the advantage of a college degree, Lawrence's path was shaped by a natural affinity for his field and a talent for forming meaningful connections—essentially building his career on what many would call "networking" before he himself was familiar with the term. However, his steadfast journey took a significant turn following a personal family tragedy, which prompted him to reevaluate his life's direction. This introspection led to a decision to pivot away from the security of his long-term career—often referred to as "golden handcuffs" due to the comfort and stability it provided—and step into the uncertainty of a new professional adventure. Lawrence is here to share his inspiring journey of personal growth, from the catalyst of tragedy to the triumphant completion of his education, crafting a narrative that proves: it’s never too late to invest in oneself. We'll delve into the gritty details of how Lawrence and his team are revolutionizing the educational landscape, intertwining the essential hard skills with the soft skills of presence and critical thinking. He's bringing industry and academia into a dance of mutual accountability, cultivating a generation of professionals equipped not just with knowledge, but with the wisdom to apply it. From discussing pressing issues such as the decline of men in higher education to innovative solutions like repurposing real estate, Lawrence's insights are reshaping the value proposition of education. With the Hispanic-serving institution serving a kaleidoscope of cultures, Lehman College stands out as a beacon of diversity and opportunity in the Bronx. Lawrence isn't stopping there; with initiatives like the CUNY two x tech talent pipeline and the upskilling program, he's bridging gaps and lighting pathways for students straight into new industries. Imagine a boot camp that doesn't just prepare you -- it transforms you. Time stamps: 00:00 Determined student completes accelerated double major program. 05:07 Delta more important in theory to practice. 06:34 Dialogue essential between industry and higher education. 10:23 Creating pathways for tech careers through partnerships. 13:16 The Bronx supports small businesses, offering courses. 20:15 Maximizing impact with frugal funding allocation. 21:00 Decline of men in college education and workforce. 25:07 Strengthen partnership with Streetwise for mentorship. 30:05 Excited about new students, focusing on education. 33:48 Apply basketball coaching mindset to business challenges. 34:30 Challenges and value of education in AI. Follow Lawrence on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencefauntleroy/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Matthew J. Daniel - Senior Principal, Talent Strategy and Mobility at Guild Education. Matthew brings to the table a rich background, from grassroots teaching to spearheading digital learning strategies at Guild, where he presently crafts pathways for economic advancement through credentialed learning programs. His insights paint a vivid picture of the decentralized and chaotic state of workforce development in the US, and the often obscure journey employees face when navigating educational opportunities—a stark contrast to the more centralized approaches seen in countries like Singapore (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NuuUsh3pE) and France. In this episode, we dissect the pressing issue of skill development amidst a cacophony of marketing-driven noise, the benefits of cultivating both perishable and durable skills, and the fundamental role that employers play in nurturing their workforce's growth. We'll tackle the trap of matching skills too closely to job postings, the imperative of broad skill sets illustrated in "Range" by David Epstein, and the need for credible voices that advocate for truth in a free-market society. As Matthew shares his journey and enlightens us on the vital importance of continuous learning, stay tuned for a heartfelt discussion that not only challenges but also inspires us to take radical accountability for our own development, understand the impact of technology on the future of work, and foster a growth mindset to stay competitive and compassionate in a world full of change. Time Stamps: 00:00 Career journey: training, digital learning implementation. Proud. 05:30 Key points: growth mindsets, durable skills, future readiness. 08:04 Invest in skills for short-term and future. 12:22 Take ownership of your development, not rely. 14:03 Survey found white males in finance invested most. 17:05 Decisions impact access, investment and workforce development. 22:43 Employer decisions, policy considerations, and investment analyses. 24:34 Continuous development is not a magic fix. 27:32 US investment system messy, but fosters innovation. 31:28 Complexity of life, Gen Z, and marketing. 34:38 Return impossible money. Own development, make decisions. 37:20 Fear of society's reliance on skill cataloging. 44:34 Encouragement to embrace a broad skill set. 48:05 Reflect, plan, act to build desired skills. 49:28 Grateful for your impact, Matthew. Thank you. About Matthew: Matthew boasts a rich background deeply rooted in education and personal development, attributes he absorbed being raised in a pastoral home. From an early age, he discovered a passion for teaching, cutting his teeth by leading classes since junior high—a pursuit he found incredibly rewarding. Tempted by the prospects of corporate life post-education, Matthew serendipitously landed in a training role, a position that felt like a natural fusion of his nurturing upbringing and his zest for instruction. He has since dedicated nearly two decades to the corporate training sphere, a testament to his commitment to helping others excel. In blending his personal joys with professional endeavors, Matthew has crafted a career that is both fulfilling and impactful, echoing the teachings from his formative years within a framework of continuous growth and improvement. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjdaniel/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Kamina Singh - Founder of HumanUPtions. We're diving deep into the intersection of education and the professional world with the founder of HumanUPtions, Kamina, a visionary dedicated to bridging the gap between university life and the corporate sphere. We'll explore the importance of infusing education with real-world experience, the role of colleges in readying students for the job market, and how events can supercharge job readiness. Our dialogue will venture into how Kamina transitioned from the structured environment of a major company like Northrop Grumman to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, and what vital lessons about resilience and vision she has to share from that journey. Kamina will uncover the untapped potential of mentorships, internships, and how her organization is working to create meaningful connections for students from all walks of life. We'll discuss the upcoming event at Civic Hall in New York City that promises to enthrall attendees with AI insights and career transitioning strategies from the classroom to the boardroom. So, if you're passionate about making a difference for the future generations, if you believe in the transformative power of guidance, and if you think it's high time we reevaluate our educational approaches – this is the episode for you. Stay tuned as we take this enlightening journey with Kamina, right here on Shift with Elena Agar. Time stamps: 00:00 Connected via LinkedIn or mutual acquaintance, impressive networking. 04:11 Created Human Options to help underserved students. 06:53 Schools should outsource career guidance for students. 11:15 External perspectives enhance relevance and competitiveness. Embed curiosity. 14:06 College advertising oversells its value, but falls short. 18:07 Entrepreneurship requires taking full responsibility and persistence. 19:51 Society's attraction to sensational content affects education. 23:34 Schools should require career prep courses for credit. 26:31 Expose students to real-world work experiences. 29:47 Worked with big companies, government, and interns. 34:22 Discussion on preparing for job opportunities and mentorship. 37:27 Elena offers mentorship for career preparation. 39:54 Grateful for the opportunity, see you soon. Connect with Kamina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamina-s-8b41665a/overlay/photo/ Website: https://www.humanuptions.com/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Jess Galica - a beacon of structured thinking and people management, whose insights are shaping the way we see the pursuit of success as women. Have you ever felt lost amidst the stars of your career path? Jess's journey and the platform "Reclaim Your Career" might just be the gravity assist you need to get back on course. We'll navigate the challenges women face in the workplace, from biases and hurdles to the often-unseen impact of caregiving responsibilities. You'll hear how women of color and those with marginalized identities experience these obstacles even more acutely and why it's critical to address systemic issues, not just individual efforts, to foster true change. Get ready to reframe your perspective on success with Jess's thought-provoking questions and discover how to navigate work-life balance with intention. And of course, there’s a therapeutic exercise that might just untangle some of those self-limiting stories we tell ourselves, which I can't wait to share with you. Timestamps: 00:00 Regretful of not following own aspirations earlier. 06:25 Pressure on women to have it all. 10:29 Women face challenges in workforce and caregiving. 14:16 Writing goals, distilling insights, caring about people. 16:44 "Prioritize over balance, accept it won't feel good." 21:34 Success in career as a generalist, not specialist. 24:50 Parenthood brings calm, clarity, and prioritization skills. 26:52 Parenthood improves boundary-setting and boosts productivity. 30:19 Embracing and challenging personal stories for growth. About Jess: Jessica Galica is the bestselling author of Leap: Why It's Time to Let Go to Get Ahead In Your Career. Before publishing Leap, Jess spent 15 years building a successful corporate career at some of the world's most prestigious companies like Apple, Bain, and Siemens. In 2020 she began researching and writing about women's experiences in the workplace, as she craved a more authentic and purposeful career after stepping into motherhood. Today Jess works as a leadership and career coach and speaks to organizations about building meaningful careers, advancing women, and the delicate balance between life and work. She holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management and lives in Boston where she is a mom to two young children. Connect with Jess: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgalica/ Website - https://www.reclaimyourcareer.co/coaching Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Paul Sanbar - Ingenuity + Leadership Coach. Paul will share how these colorful bricks have become a cornerstone in his coaching methods, enhancing organizational and personal growth. We'll peel back the layers of therapy versus coaching, exploring how Lego provides tangible outcomes for those seeking to address present and future challenges. Paul is here to unpack the cognitive science that underscores the value of Lego SERIOUS PLAY and how this analog activity can ground us in a digital world. Prepare to be intrigued as we discuss the blending of work and play in corporate culture, and how finding flow in a simple build can be transformative. We'll also delve into Paul's transition from psychotherapy to coaching, and how his journey connects to the childhood joy of Lego. Plus, he will shed some light on upcoming innovations within Lego Serious Play. And for those skeptics out there, Paul brings a wealth of evidence-based data to answer any doubts about the efficacy of this method. We're also going to address a topic we all grapple with – distraction. Together with Paul, we'll explore the importance of finding singular focus and the meditative powers of solitary activities like Lego building. So, roll up your sleeves, let your inner child out, and get ready for a session that promises to build insights, brick by brick. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation with Paul, and let's discover the harmonious song that resonates from within us all. Timestamps: 00:00 Striving for control, architect-turned-author reflects. 03:32 Overcorrection led to return to business world. 07:29 Lego SERIOUS PLAY is about building thoughts. 11:53 Embracing imagination, knowledge, and connection as adults. 13:30 Lego SERIOUS PLAY helps connect with inner self. 19:38 Lego SERIOUS PLAY connects neuroscience with problem-solving. 22:32 Lego SERIOUS PLAY is a client facilitator tool. 25:46 Transition to coaching, focusing on growth. 30:32 Lego play for achieving flow state. 33:06 Narrow focus and solitary walks to refocus. 35:37 Coach helping business leaders through play and LinkedIn. About Paul: Paul's journey through life has been what he humorously calls a "fortunate series of overcorrections." As a child with a passion for precision and a tactile love for creation, he dreamed of shaping the world as an architect. The physical act of building was a joyful endeavor for young Paul, a beacon of order amidst the background chaos that characterized his early years. He carried this dream into his educational pursuits, determined to formalize his innate talent within the structured confines of architectural schooling. However, the reality of the profession soon revealed itself to be misaligned with his core desires. This realization marked the beginning of Paul's series of adjustments, each redirecting him further from his initial path but closer to a deeper understanding of himself. Today, still caught in the whirlwind of self-discovery, Paul balances on the edge of another milestone: the completion of his book, aptly titled after his life's unpredictable journey. It's a testament to the young boy who loved to build and the man who learned that the strongest foundations often emerge from the pivots and shifts of a life lived authentically. Connect with Paul: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsanbar/ LinkTree : https://linktr.ee/pshadisanbarpcc Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, I chat with Bernie from Insignia Training - who took us on a deep dive into the heart of learning and development. Bernie shared his fascinating journey from sales to leadership training, emphasizing the power of experiential learning. We talked about the seismic shift in workplace culture, where freedom and flexibility reign supreme, driving talent toward entrepreneurship over traditional paths. As business owners, we explored the balance between the joy of teaching and the grit of running a company, discussing the crucial role emotional intelligence plays in personal transformation and training effectiveness. We also delved into how artificial intelligence is changing the game, while reaffirming the irreplaceable value of human interaction in the learning industry. Remember, learning is growth, and in today's dynamic business environment, it's about much more than just the paycheck—it's about impact, development, and genuine human connections. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01: 25 Owner of Insignia Partners excited about future. 04:21 Switched to contracting, succeeded, then took over business. 07:37 Personal growth through interaction with others' experiences. 09:59 Managing others requires emotional intelligence and self-awareness. 15:53 Curious about industry changes, skeptical about AI. 17:23 Using AI tools is still in infancy. 22:19 Importance of collaborative and coaching mindset in organizations. 26:14 Different kind of freedom is attractive to many. 28:09 Consider impact on world and others' happiness. Check out Bernie's website at insigniatraining.com and connect with him on LinkedIn to continue the conversation. Also, stay tuned as we hope to bring more face-to-face interactions soon with in-person podcasts! Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/badiii/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, we explore the ancient healing and modern wellness. In today’s riveting session with the insightful Rachel, we unwrapped the mysteries of reflexology and Reiki. These time-honored practices are not just about relaxation; they're about connecting with your inner self. Rachel's journey from international public health to a healing professional is inspiring—a testament to embracing one's calling. We delved into how these modalities are increasingly accepted, potentially revolutionizing how we address stress and prioritize mental health. Rachel's story is a powerful reminder that self-care and community are paramount in our fast-paced world. And remember—your path to wellness is just a breath away. Timestamps: 00:00 Balancing work, family, and personal growth. 03:50 Skeptical critic acknowledges impact of energy healing. 09:47 Reiki is self-healing with vital attunements. 10:38 Reiki attunements lead to deep healing sessions. 13:57 Discounts for multiple sessions, individualized energy work. 19:02 Zone therapy stimulates brain reflex, relieving discomfort. 23:29 Reflex Reiki helps ground and release tension. 26:35 Southeast Asian practices gaining popularity, becoming mainstream. 27:20 Growing awareness of healing and therapy options. 32:23 Reconnecting to intuition and joy through tools. 36:26 Virtual Reiki works, despite initial skepticism. 37:08 Plan for next podcast episode: recording session. Connect with Rachel: https://www.integratedhealingvibes.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-kaufman-coaching-healing/ Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode, we sit down with guest Alex Seleznev to delve into the world of finances and retirement planning. As an experienced professional in the financial industry and the founder of Capital Squared Financial, Alex shares insights into the importance of early financial planning and the principles of investing. The conversation touches on the cultural and societal taboos around money and the key role of financial literacy. Furthermore, Alex provides candid advice about entrepreneurship and reveals his strategies for work-life balance. Join me and Alex as they explore the nuances of financial stability and the journey towards a secure future. Timestamps: 00:00 Start thinking about retirement early, open account. 04:15 Start investing early for millionaire status. 06:46 Retirement is about making work optional. 10:50 Balance enjoying life and being financially smart. 15:40 Technical skills and connections are essential for success. 17:20 Focusing on creating boundaries to prevent burnout. 20:41 Capital Square seeks boutique partnership with similar vision. 23:40 Short, concise newsletters encourage financial awareness and action. 26:36 Thanks Alex, look forward to next time. Connect with Alex: www.csqfinancial.com Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Rick Tamlyn and Marc Stoeker. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the world of Gen Z and the future of work with these two insightful guests. We explore the challenges and opportunities in the talent space, discussing leadership development and the evolving landscape of work. Join us for an engaging conversation that provides valuable insights into the trends shaping the workforce and talent management. About Rick: Rick Tamlyn inspires people to be their best. His compelling purpose is to encourage and assist others so that when they reach the end of their lives they can say, “That was a great life!” rather than, “I wish I had done more.” In 2001, Rick co-created The Bigger Game: a tool that inspires people from all walks of life to get out of their comfort zones and invent the lives they want. Rick is the author of Play Your Bigger Game: 9 Minutes to Learn, a Lifetime to Live (Hay House, Oct. 2013) As a trusted advisor for Fortune 100 companies, small businesses, nonprots, and churches, he has built a global audience, speaking and conducting workshops in more than 17 countries. His current bigger game is “to activate millions of people around the world to play their own compelling bigger games.” Rick is a Certied Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a Master Certied Coach (MCC) as designated by the International Coach Federation (ICF), and is a senior trainer for The Coaches Training Institute, a world-renowned coach training and leadership development organization. He has a B.A. in Communications from Hope College in Michigan and an MFA from the University of Connecticut. Connect with Rick: https://www.ricktamlyn.com/ About Marc: Training professional with 20+ years of experience in designing, developing and facilitating a variety of content and activities across industries such as government, associations, and commercial for companies such as Lockheed Martin, ManTech, and C2 Technologies. Thrives in creative environments, creating scenario-based eLearning and live workshops, leveraging multimedia skills, and leading teams towards common goals through project management. Certified life coach (through the Co-Active Training Institute, International Coaching Federation and Positive Intelligence), who helps clients embrace their uniqueness and a vision of their potential and get excited to take action through greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. Designs and facilitates workshops on coaching and soft-skills-related content. Connected with Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-stoecker/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Olga Feingold - a seasoned professional management coach, consultant, and trainer with a distinctive approach shaped by a decade as a wilderness guide and Outward Bound instructor. From the Florida Everglades to the boardrooms of major corporations, Olga shares her experiences in teaching leadership development and building strong teams. With awards such as the CEO Award at ZoomInfo and the President's Award at Outward Bound, Olga's unique training style has left a lasting impact, earning praise for its effectiveness. Join us for an insightful conversation as we delve into the intersection of leadership, wilderness wisdom, and the quest to bridge the gap in corporate coaching. ------ ***Note: In this episode, there was an unintentional error in reference to a known professor. We apologize for any confusion and want to clarify that the correct name is Ethan Mollick, not Pollock. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the rest of the episode.Here's the book that was referenced in the episode: https://designingyour.life/ ------ About Olga: A professional management coach, consultant and trainer with a unique, fresh, style based on her background spending a decade as a wilderness guide and Outward Bound instructor. After emigrating to the United States as a young child, Olga quickly discovered a love of the great outdoors and a fierce determination and optimism that would drive her throughout her life to take risks, remain true to core ethical values, and build strong teams and family ties wherever she went. For the past 17 years, Olga has taught leadership development, first as an experiential educator and then as a professional trainer. She’s worked in education, fintech, biotech, manufacturing, SAS, B2B, and marketing. She’s won awards like the CEO Award at ZoomInfo for excellence, the President’s Award at Outward Bound for bringing out the best in herself and others, and the SPOT Award at Analog Devices for creating exemplary programming. She often receives feedback such as “this is so wildly different from other trainings I’ve received in my 25+ year career,” “this training was actually useful,” and “wow, you really know how to apply the concepts.” Olga spent a decade teaching leadership development through Outward Bound’s experiential learning model in the Florida everglades, Colorado Rockies, Boston Harbor, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South America, using Outward Bound’s foundation of training the mind to be strong. In the decade that she oversaw Outward Bound’s programming, she facilitated CEOs, principals, school administrators, and business school students. Her career went from managing ten teenagers at a time to managing a department of six products and a department that at its largest held over 100 people. She began looking outside herself for knowledge. Olga was invited to attend training from some of the biggest management brands to folks at Harvard and even large corporate legends. She became immersed in the management sections of the bookstore. While each held nuggets of important information, She found they fell short. She realized there was a gap in the corporate sector for a true understanding of how to effectively coach teams to the greatness she was experiencing at Outward Bound and she wanted to fill it. She is currently pursuing an MBA from UNC Kenan Flagler Business School. She holds a coaching certificate from the Neuroleadership Institute. A certificate in Leadership from UC Berkeley, a certificate in management & leadership from Boston University. As well as certificates in talent management from McLean & Co, transformational DEI from the Greater Boston City of Commerce, Evaluation Design from Endicott College and a DiSC certification. Connect with Olga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgafeingold/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I engage in a powerful conversation with Teresa Vozza, an award-winning leadership expert and former CHRO at Allianz Partners. Teresa shares her insights on eradicating burnout and transforming leadership to create a sustainable, thriving work environment. Join us as we explore her mission, drawing from her wealth of experience, and discover practical strategies to foster well-being in the professional realm. Teresa is on a mission to help executive professionals eradicate burnout and transform their leadership. She is also a wife to Greg, and mother to two fabulous kids, Connor, and Isabel. Connect with Teresa: Website: https://www.teresavozza.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-vozza-chrl-cca/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down for a conversation with Dorothy Dalton, a global talent management strategist, workplace futurist, and founder of 3Plus International. With a career spanning discrimination, inequality, exclusion, and bullying, Dorothy shares her expertise in creating gender-balanced, diverse, and inclusive workplaces. As a seasoned HR consultant, executive search specialist, and certified coach, she discusses the importance of bias-managed recruitment, psychologically safe workplace cultures, and strategies for mitigating resistance to change. Tune in to explore the future of work with a true visionary in the field. About Dorothy: Dorothy is the Founder of 3Plus International, which offers strategic and operational consulting services to organizations building gender balanced, diverse and inclusive workplaces to achieve business success. She has run hundreds of international executive search assignments, and as a certified Coach and Trainer has supported thousands of individuals to reach their potential. Connect with Dorothy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothydalton/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Catherine Gray - Leadership and Talent Development coach - we dive deep into the world of personal and professional growth with our guest, who specializes in helping organizations, teams, and leaders achieve extraordinary results while retaining top talent. We explore her unique approach, which emphasizes clarity and accountability at all levels. From breaking free from recurring issues to creating cultures of joy and ease, we discuss strategies and success stories that will inspire you to take ownership of your growth journey. Join us for an insightful conversation that's all about unlocking your potential and embracing change with enthusiasm. About Catherine: Catherine assists organizations, teams, and leaders in achieving substantial improvements in their outcomes while retaining top talent. Together, Catherine collaborates to ensure the establishment of enduring change marked by comprehensive clarity and accountability across all levels. Catherine's clientele includes organizations striving to enhance results and retain key personnel in high-pressure environments, teams seeking heightened productivity, improved margins, and sustainable accountability, as well as managers aiming to rebuild trust and cultivate leadership skills. Specializing in assisting individuals and CEOs in rapidly changing environments, Catherine has been actively coaching since 2016. Initially focusing on purpose, identity, and goal setting, Catherine has evolved to primarily guide leaders in uncovering their strengths, fostering success in both professional and personal domains. Residing in Bristol, UK, Catherine shares her home with her husband, two sons, and occasionally fosters children. In addition to her professional pursuits, Catherine can be found indulging her love for reading, having completed 52 books this year, enjoying coffee with friends, and eagerly embracing new ideas and activities. Connect with Catherine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-gray-coaching/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Rebekah Panepinto. In this episode, we delve into the dynamic world of technology and digital transformation with Rebekah Panepinto, a former rockstar turned cybersecurity and cloud strategies expert. From her early days playing drums professionally in Nashville to founding "The Rebekah Panepinto Project," Rebekah shares insights into the evolving tech landscape. Tune in as she discusses impactful leadership, the intersection of technology and business success, and her mission to empower technologists in mitigating risks while driving digital transformation in the enterprise. After a short stint being a rockstar and playing drums professionally in Nashville, the music capital of the U.S., Rebekah was drawn to make an impact in the technology industry. She started out as a Project Manager, but quickly realized her passion was for working directly with the CIO, CTO, and CISO of large enterprise organizations to make lasting business impact. With the advancements the tech industry has seen in the last nearly ten years of her career, Rebekah has focused exclusively on cybersecurity and cloud strategies to offer complete digital transformation alignment to her clients. Rebekah’s passion about the business of technology and impactful leadership draws her to follow a constant vision of driving digital transformation. She started The Rebekah Panepinto Project in 2020. The show highlights her friends, mentors, and thought leaders across the globe! These guests are impacting the enterprise as they strive for business success by utilizing technology, influencing industry innovation, and reshaping the future of how every company can pursue cybersecurity and becoming cloud native. Rebekah’s show airs weekly on YouTube and everywhere podcast are found. Her and the guests consistently share inspiring stories from authentic perspectives, showcasing best practices on driving business forward by leading the enterprise to digital. The conversations purposefully address complex situations to present valuable solutions, as well as outcomes. After consulting with hundreds of technology leaders, Rebekah decided to invest in a greater platform for influencing how the enterprise can advance its digital footprint. Through direct consultation, keynote speaking, and The Rebekah Panepinto Project, she is able to reach a wider audience to introduce them to the strategies her customers leverage to drive digital transformation. The future of tech is in governing cybersecurity and further cloud native advocacy. More than anything, Rebekah is passionate about helping technologists mitigate business risks and manage their IT budget while still ensuring they achieve business-led transformation to digital. Rebekah resides in New York City, and enjoys an active life enhanced by her interests in travel, drumming, and athletics. Connect with Rebekah: https://rebekahpanepinto.com/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Brandon Busteed - Chief Partnership Officer and Global Head, Learn-Work Innovation. In this episode, Busteed shares invaluable insights on the evolving landscape of education, the intersection of technology and learning, and the critical link between higher education and workforce success. Join us for a captivating conversation with a thought leader who has shaped the dialogue on education and is committed to helping both universities and employers adapt, grow, and thrive in the modern era. Brandon Busteed leads Kaplan’s work serving universities and employers, leveraging the organization’s highly diversified, global educational offerings and insights. His mission is to help U.S. higher education and employers adapt, grow and thrive. Prior to Kaplan, Busteed was Global Head of Public Sector at Gallup – serving higher education, government and foundations. In that role, Busteed led dozens of ground-breaking studies and consulted with hundreds of higher ed leaders. Busteed was the founder and CEO of Outside The Classroom, one of the country’s first successful Ed Tech companies which was acquired by EverFi in 2011. Its flagship online courses on alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention have been taken by more than 10 million college students. An internationally known speaker and author on education and workforce development, Busteed has published more than 100 articles and keynoted more than 200 conferences. He was named a LinkedIn “Top Voice” in education and is a frequent contributor for Forbes.com. Busteed received his bachelor’s degree in public policy from Duke University where he was also a two-sport Division 1 athlete. He received an honorary doctorate from Augustana College. He is a trustee emeritus of Duke and has served on the Board of Visitors of the Sanford School of Public Policy. Busteed serves on the board of directors for the Business-Higher Education Forum - the nation’s oldest membership organization of Fortune 500 CEOs, college and university presidents, and other leaders dedicated to the creation of a highly skilled future workforce. He also serves on the board of directors for the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U). Connect with Brandon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Steph Gillies - a career transition coach helping people who feel stuck clarify their goals, develop a strategy and take action towards a fulfilling career. We chat about Steph's unique journey of having 32 jobs in 15 years equipped her with invaluable insights into perfecting the job search process. After being laid off from what she considered her dream job in 2019, she transitioned into a career as a resume writer and career coach. Learn from her experiences and discover how to clarify your career goals, develop a winning strategy, and take action towards a fulfilling career. Connect with Steph: Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephgillies Website: www.stephgillies.com About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Cheryl Fischer is a Mindset & Life Coach, host of the podcast OMG Teach Me, and an entrepreneur in social selling and wellness. In this episode, we dive into the incredible journey of Cheryl Fischer - from her diverse career spanning airline pricing to teaching and corporate training, Cheryl's common thread is her passion for teaching and making a positive impact. Discover how she breaks down complex concepts into understandable pieces and shares invaluable mindset, success, and health principles that are often missing from traditional education. Join us for an inspiring conversation about life, learning, and living well. About Cheryl: She has had a varied career from airline pricing to high school teaching to corporate training, and one constant theme has run through all of it - the desire to teach and make a difference. Cheryl is always looking for ways to break huge and overwhelming concepts into understandable pieces so that all of us have the benefit of learning the mindset, success, and health principles that we usually don't learn in school. Cheryl is a wife, a mom of two twenty-something kids, and can often be found on her front porch reading a book and enjoying a glass of wine. Connect with Cheryl at OMG Teach Me Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and grab your free seven days of secrets to living well by subscribing at www.bit.ly/omgteachmepodcast. Instagram: www.instagram.com/omgteachmepodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/omgteachme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/omgteachmepodcast About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Kris Ward - the founder of the Win The Hour, Win the Day philosophy. In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Kris Ward, a renowned expert in scaling businesses and the creator of the Win The Hour, Win The Day philosophy. Kris's journey is not only inspirational but also filled with valuable insights for entrepreneurs. After experiencing the loss of her husband, she returned to her role as a marketing strategist and was pleasantly surprised to find her business not just surviving but thriving in her absence. Kris Ward shares her secrets to building a successful business and the importance of creating a W.I.N Team (What Is Next) using her signature Super Tool Kits. She discusses her experiences being interviewed by prominent figures like Kevin Harrington from Shark Tank and James Malinchak from ABC's The Secret Millionaire. Kris also hosts her podcast, "Win The Hour Win The Day," where she engages in enlightening conversations with dynamic guests on various business topics. Tune in to this episode as Kris Ward provides valuable strategies and a fresh perspective on scaling your business, achieving your goals, and creating a winning team that can help you take your ideas to execution. About Kris: the leading authority in scaling your business. Kris is the founder of the Win The Hour, Win the Day philosophy. She helps entrepreneurs create their W.I.N Team (what is next) team using her signature Super Tool Kits so you can get your Idea to execution! After the loss of her husband, Kris returned full-time to her work as a marketing strategist. She was thankful to see that her business had not only survived her absence but was growing. Now, Kris has completely changed the landscape for entrepreneurs by sharing the successful practices that allowed her absence. Kris has been interviewed by one of the original sharks from Shark Tank, Kevin Harrington, and ABC’s The Secret Millionaire – James Malinchak. She has been featured on award winning podcasts, radio and TV shows throughout the world. You can hear Kris on her own podcast – Win The Hour Win The Day, where she has engaging conversations with dynamic guests covering a variety of business topics so you can get to your next win now! About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Katelyn Magnuson - the visionary behind The Freelance CFO, shares her expertise in transforming the financial well-being of entrepreneurs and businesses. Her unique approach blends accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation to break down barriers to financial success. Katelyn also discusses her creation, Wealth Witches, which combines holistic finance with energetics and woo, offering entrepreneurs a path to a life full of abundance and balance. With her approachable and non-judgmental style, she's the go-to expert for making, saving, and investing money wisely while embracing life's little luxuries. Katelyn is the visionary behind The Freelance CFO, a full-service accounting firm that specializes in empowering entrepreneurs and businesses to achieve financial success. With a unique blend of expertise in accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation, Katelyn and her team offer a customized approach to meet clients where they are, breaking down barriers to financial freedom. Katelyn is also the creator of Wealth Witches, a monthly membership program that blends holistic finance with energetics and woo, aimed at helping entrepreneurs live a life full of ANDs, not ORs. Based in Boise, Idaho, but a frequent traveler, she's passionate about retirement planning, woo, and her chickens. Approachable and non-judgmental, Katelyn is the go-to expert for those looking to make and save money easily, invest wisely, and yes, buy that damn latte. Get in touch: IG: https://www.instagram.com/THEFREELANCECFO/ IG: https://instagram.com/KATELYN.MAGNUSON Website: thefreelancecfo.biz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynamagnuson/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Alissa Daire Nelson - a true catalyst for personal and organizational transformation. Alissa is not only the Founder and CEO of Daire 2 Succeed, but she's also a certified Professional Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds a myriad of certifications in strengths, facilitation, well-being, and positive change. Her impressive background spans healthcare, coaching, and even coaching a high school gymnastics team. Join us as we dive into Alissa's multifaceted journey, from healthcare professional to coach, author, and host of the Maximize Your Strengths podcast. Discover how she helps organizations create workplaces where leaders and employees thrive together, and how she believes in the inherent awesomeness of individuals and teams. Alissa's story is one of empowerment, growth, and the belief that we are all capable of achieving greatness, especially when we work together. Prepare to be inspired and equipped with the tools to unlock your own potential. About Alissa: Founder and CEO of Daire 2 Succeed, established in 2014. She is a certified Professional Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and holds certifications in Strengths Strategy, Xchange Facilitation, Creating Positive Change, Team Momentum™, and PERMAH™ Workplace Wellbeing. She’s the host of the Maximize Your Strengths podcast, author of From Frustrated to Frickin’ Awesome: Four Steps to Achieve the Success You’re Wired For and has been featured regularly on TV news, and on podcasts from all over the globe. Her rich background includes serving in healthcare for over a decade, as a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a Registered Nurse (RN). She is the head coach of Minneapolis Washburn's High School Gymnastics team. She’s a devoted wife and mother of two teenage daughters. Most importantly, she believes you and your team are frickin' awesome. And she believes that we are better together. Through facilitation, interactive training, and group and individual coaching, with all levels of the organization, Alissa and the amazing team at Daire 2 Succeed work with organizations to create workplaces leaders and employees are proud to work in. Connect with Alissa: Business FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Daire2Succeed Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daire2succeed/ Business Twitter: https://twitter.com/daire2succeed Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissadairenelson/ Business LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/daire2succeed/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar, I sit down with AJ Mizes - an accomplished career coach and HR expert. A.J. shares his wealth of experience, having led global teams of over 3,000 people and served as a Global HR Leader at Facebook. We explore strategies for landing dream careers, skyrocketing leadership results through executive coaching, and developing a robust people/culture/HR masterplan to drive company performance. A.J. also provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of HR and the critical skills needed for career success. A.J. is a talent and HR aficionado with over a decade of experience within Career Coaching and Human Resources--and has been featured in NBC, CBS, FOX, The International Business Times, and Yahoo! News. Most recently he was named the #1 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by USA TODAY for 2023. He’s supported global teams of over 3,000 people and currently serves as the CEO of The Human Reach--a human potential institute guiding high-achieving professionals to land their dream careers in record time, and coaching silicon valley leaders through Executive Coaching. His career stems from a foundation in training and development at KSL Capital, where he coached leaders on how to select, coach, and retain top talent at some of the world’s most prestigious luxury resort properties. A.J. also served as a leader @ Premier Staffing where he worked alongside well-known tech giants in organizing talent strategy and recruiting tactics. Before Facebook, AJ was the Vice President of Talent and Engagement at Sungevity—the world’s leading platform technology for residential solar—where he led an HR team that spanned across the United States. Most recently, though, AJ left Facebook as a Global HR Leader where he supported an international team, and launched many innovative leadership programs under his guidance--that are still in full swing at Facebook today. A.J. holds a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College in Communication Management and Organizational Design. Get in touch: training.thehumanreach.com About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Jordana Cole - true igniter of leadership and team potential. As a global learning and development leader, certified coach, and applied improviser, Jordana brings a wealth of expertise in leadership development and positive psychology to the table. With a rich background spanning non-profits, higher education, SaaS technology, financial services, and e-commerce, Jordana has left her mark on countless individuals and organizations worldwide. Join us as we delve into her journey, the power of applied positive psychology, and the profound impact of well-being on leadership and organizational success. Jordana's insights are bound to ignite your own potential and inspire positive change in your leadership journey. About Jordana: Jordana Cole is an igniter of leadership and team potential. As a global learning & development leader, leadership development facilitator, certified coach, and applied improviser, Jordana has designed and led L&D strategy, leadership programs, workshops, and coaching engagements for thousands of individuals around the globe. Her organizational background includes non-profits, higher education, SaaS technology, financial services, and e-commerce. Connect and follow Jordana: Website is: ignitedbyjordana.com Media page: https://ignitedbyjordana.com/media Her recent article on Overcoming middle manager syndrome article: https://trainingindustry.com/articles/leadership/its-time-to-overcome-middle-manager-syndrome-part-2/?fbclid=IwAR0cgqE_yNSDHHOwywTiOqDr57ck_uM8DJZFg_bCA-EaFOvJCUDt79U8qpk Thesis "I've Got Your Back: Utilizing Improv as a Tool to Enhance Workplace Relationships: https://repository.upenn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f11ed0fd-7541-4540-b990-252feba93485/content Jordana is an alumna of the University of Pennslyvania’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology program and has served as an assistant instructor for undergraduate and graduate courses related to positive organizations and human strengths & resilience. Jordana is also certified as a Gallup Strengths Coach and as a facilitator of several leadership and coaching programs. She has been featured on a variety of podcasts and webinars discussing the connections between well-being, leadership, and organizational success. About your host: Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Terri Rahman - a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, as our guest. About Terri: Terri Rahman is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their health by focusing on gut health so they can lead fulfilling lives, free from chronic disease, and maximize their vitality while aging youthfully. With a lifelong interest in health and wellness, Terri considered herself healthy but noticed declining energy levels and increasing anxious thoughts in her forties, prompting her to dig deeper into the topic. Through extensive research, Terri discovered the transformative power of food as medicine and its profound impact on physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Recognizing the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals and the general population regarding the connection between nutrition, lifestyle choices, and quality of life, Terri became determined to spread this crucial knowledge. Terri's personal journey focused on improving her own health. She successfully reversed an underactive thyroid, reduced food sensitivities, eliminated chronic anxiety, and restored her energy levels—all through nutrition and lifestyle changes without relying on medication. These transformative experiences brought joy and happiness to her life, reigniting her passion to share this knowledge and help others improve their well-being through diet and lifestyle adjustments. With over 30 years as a social worker, Terri redirected her energy toward health coaching, aligning her professional career with her passion for healthy living. She finds immense fulfillment in supporting and guiding individuals ready to prioritize their health, live optimally, and become their best versions. Terri's expertise lies in restoring gut health and reducing inflammation in the body, which she considers fundamental to overall well-being. She goes beyond dietary recommendations, showing clients that good health encompasses more than just food or body size. Instead, she guides them to adopt sustainable habits aligned with their unique goals, leading to a vibrant, purposeful life filled with passion and positive well-being. Terri firmly believes that health is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Without good health, one cannot fully enjoy or appreciate other aspects of life. Through her coaching, she empowers individuals to prioritize their well-being, equipping them with tools and knowledge to make lasting, positive changes. By embracing the transformative power of nutrition and lifestyle, Terri inspires her clients to live life to the fullest and embrace a future of vibrant health and well-being. Connect with Terri: Website: https://territotalhealth.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-rahman-9423ba237/ Instagram: td_rahman1 About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Arjan Peters - who is not only the driving force behind this podcast but also a dynamic entrepreneur with a unique story of his own. At just 26 years old, Arjan brings a fresh perspective to the world of podcasting through his show, "R4E - The Reason for Everything Podcast with Arjan Peters." In this podcast, he explores the captivating stories of individuals who have experienced unconventional life journeys, uncovering how certain events that seemed like challenges turned out to be hidden blessings, propelling them towards their current paths. But Arjan's talents and passions don't stop at podcasting. By day, he's a valuable member of the private equity sales team at Capstone, a renowned strategy consulting firm based in Washington, DC. His professional journey has included roles at RSM's M&A team, where he advised clients on complex transactions, and at FARE, a pivotal player in food allergy research, where he contributed to digital transformation. Arjan holds a B.S. in finance from Virginia Tech, and when he's not busy uncovering the "reason for everything" in his podcast, he enjoys golfing, basketball, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Join us as we dive into Arjan's own journey, his passion for storytelling, and his commitment to unraveling the inspiring narratives of others. This episode promises to be a captivating exploration of life's unexpected blessings. Follow his podcast R4E: https://www.youtube.com/@arjanpetersR4E Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjan-peters/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Alka Bromiley - founder of Inspire2. Alka provides coaching, workshops, advice, and direction through mentorship for both individuals and businesses. She is a workshop facilitator and trainer. As a part of Inspire2 LLC, Alka owns and hosts the Changing Platforms podcast. Since it was launched in September 2021, this global podcast has released over 90 episodes and has an audience in over 55 countries. At the end of 2022, the podcast was in the top 5% most shared globally on Spotify and in the top 15% most followed podcasts on Spotify. Alka has over 2000 hours of experience in podcasting and trains individuals on the topic. Alka is also an award-winning motivational speaker. She is trained to compete, and she has won numerous international speech contests with Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. She has delivered speeches across the globe, from New Zealand to Dubai, as well as coached and mentored other speakers. Alka is a trained laughter practitioner! The combination of coaching and laughter has the power to alter lives for the better, and it's a proven fact that a thriving home and work environment both depend on happiness. Alka entwines the serious side of laughter into her workshops, creating a unique approach to learning and development. Of Indian heritage, Alka was born in Kenya and raised in England. She has lived and worked in England, Spain, Cyprus, Dubai, and now the USA. Her rich background provides an international flair and diversity to her storytelling and training delivery. Alka thrives on providing the best communication and service, and she focuses on helping people find happiness. Alka talks openly about her own experiences of abuse and domestic violence, as she believes that sharing one’s experiences of survival can help others make a positive change in their lives. Connect with Alka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inspire2consulting/ Listen to her Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tiB9dZPL6fuqqZDxz4c1f?si=15c649ddb1df4247&nd=1 About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Andre' Thomas and Todd Levinson - co-hosts of the Healing Race podcast. In this powerful episode, Andre' and Todd join me on a remarkable journey into the heart of racial dialogue. For the first 25 years of their friendship, they never broached the topic of race, but now, they've embarked on a mission to explore the complexities of race relations in the U.S. Their discussions are raw, unfiltered, and marked by radical openness, honesty, and empathy. In this episode, we dive into their personal experiences and motivations behind launching Healing Race, shedding light on the importance of engaging in candid conversations about race and just sharing our thoughts and questions around this topic. This conversation that doesn't shy away from difficult topics and strives for understanding, respect, and healing. About Andre': Andre' Thomas is a tech enthusiast with over 20 years of experience in operational process improvement, product development, and data analytics. His passion for collaboration, conversation, and racial diversity led him to start The Healing Race Show with Todd Levinson as a means of inspiring people to see beyond difference and come together to create a more connected world. About Todd: Todd Levinson is the co-host of Healing Race and co-founder of MATR, a new tech start-up looking to bring meaningful conversations to social media. Todd was previously the Director of Programs and Strategy at Civic Genius, where he designed community programs aimed at fostering a more solution-oriented, less partisan politics. He has also worked on workforce policy at the local, state and national levels, focusing on how to help Americans get jobs and gain the skills necessary to advance their careers. Previously, Todd was a consultant and professional speaker for over 9 years, leading personal and professional development seminars for audiences across North America. He has also worked with the United Nations, where he helped lead a conflict resolution effort that guided civil society and government leaders from conflict-affected islands in the Pacific to develop joint solutions to further peace and development in their islands. Recently, he studied and taught moral and political psychology at the University of California, San Diego. Watch Healing Race on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingrace3491 Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healing-race/id1699319058 About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Ruvi Makuni - a Global Workplace Wellness Specialist and a Certified Stress Master and Resiliency Coach who is passionate about supporting organizations and busy professionals to thrive in their careers without sacrificing their health. After seeing the detrimental impacts of stress on professionals, Ruvi’s primary focus and specialty has turned to helping busy professionals manage stress and prevent burnout. Through one-on-one Coaching, Corporate Workshops and personalized stress risk assessments, Ruvi helps professionals identify how stress may be impacting them physically, emotionally and behaviorally and what actions to take one day at a time. In this compelling conversation, Ruvi Makuni, a certified Stress Master and Resiliency Coach, delves into the critical topic of stress management and resilience for professionals. We explore practical strategies to identify and mitigate stress's impact on health and work performance, offering valuable insights for individuals and organizations alike. Ruvi's expertise shines a light on the path to a healthier, more successful career. Get in touch with Ruvi: www.fitactivetoned.com About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Kenneth Ellington - a rising cybersecurity professional who is dedicated to nurturing new cybersecurity talent. A Florida native now based in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, he’s leveraged his unyielding drive to go from working at the deli counter to landing a Big 4 Senior Cybersecurity Consulting role - all within 3 fast-paced years. His current specialties are in SIEM, SOAR, and endpoint security. In his trainings, Kenneth brings that same energy and passion to students as they learn about security solutions and address real-world scenarios. He also teaches Cyber Infrastructure part-time at the University of Houston, volunteers for non-profit Blacks in Cyber Security (BIC), and trains in boxing and kickboxing in his free time. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-ellington Youtube Channel - https://youtube.com/@EllingtonCyberAcademy?feature=shared In this enlightening episode, we delve into Kenneth Ellington's inspiring journey to becoming a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at a Big 4 firm within just three years. Kenneth shares valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity, focusing on SIEM, SOAR, and endpoint security, while also emphasizing his commitment to mentoring new talent in the field. We explore his passion for teaching, involvement with non-profit organization Blacks in Cyber Security (BIC), and his unique interests outside of the cybersecurity realm. Kenneth's story serves as a compelling example of determination and achievement in the cybersecurity industry. About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Devin Price. He is a passionate cybersecurity leader, writer, educator, and content creator with over eight years of professional technology experience. He holds a master's degree in Management Information Systems and has expertise in systems analysis, application security, penetration testing, and vulnerability management. For the past five years and counting, he has been working in the information security field helping organizations manage security risks. He is currently acting as a security technical program manager at Microsoft. In 2022, he was honored in the inaugural "Cybersecurity 40 under 40" class of 2022 by Top Cyber News Magazine. His thoughts on cybersecurity as well as his career in tech have been published in multiple publications, such as the United States Cybersecurity Magazine, Top Cyber News Magazine, and by NowSecure, Inc. In August 2023, Devin was accepted as a member of ForbesBLK, a Forbes community for Black entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and creatives. When he is not working, Devin enjoys speaking with both technology & cybersecurity professionals as well as those interested in breaking into either field on his "Talking Tech Podcast" YouTube channel." Check out his podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheTalkingTechPodcast?si=0GqbmX6bEbmnTmdO Connect with Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pricedevin/ In our engaging podcast episode, Devin Price, a distinguished cybersecurity leader and educator with over eight years of tech experience, delves into the dynamic world of cybersecurity. We explore his journey, expertise, and insights in areas such as systems analysis, application security, penetration testing, and vulnerability management. Devin, recently recognized in the "Cybersecurity 40 under 40," reveals the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and offers invaluable advice for both seasoned professionals and those aspiring to enter this field. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of cybersecurity and tap into Devin's wealth of knowledge to navigate this vital domain. About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Ken Rusk - a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and blue-collar advocate showing that there’s no degree required for comfort, peace, and freedom. Ken spent his younger years digging ditches and working in construction. He never went to college. Instead, he made goals, planned, and worked hard for thirty years. Now, Ken is a very successful entrepreneur with multiple businesses and revenue streams. Ken Rusk specializes in mentoring and has coached hundreds of young people in areas such as short-, mid-, and long-term goal setting, life visualization, career paths, and sound financial planning. He is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams regardless of their educational background or past. Connect with Ken: https://www.kenrusk.com/about/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Michael Anthony - Founder of Think Unbroken, best-selling author, award-winning speaker, podcast host, coach, and advocate for adult survivors of childhood trauma. Trauma Warrior: Following his profound "Mirror Moment," he embarked on a journey of self-actualization and mindset training to craft the life he truly desired. It has been a lifelong endeavor to arrive at the position he finds himself in today. Trauma Mentor: By cultivating the right mindset and unwavering dedication, he has achieved a state of unparalleled happiness, vitality, and self-love, unlike any previous point in his life. His aspiration is to share the invaluable wisdom and tools he has gathered along this journey with the world, enabling others to embark on a similar path of transformation. The once-lost, isolated, and fractured young boy he used to be has evolved into an unbreakable individual. Connect with Michael: https://www.thinkunbroken.com/childhood-trauma-life-coach-michael-anthony Portfolio of work: https://linktr.ee/michaelunbroken In this impactful podcast episode, Michael shared a powerful journey from surviving unimaginable child abuse to becoming an inspiring advocate for survivors. The discussion revolved around the profound idea that sometimes life thrusts us into roles we didn't choose, but through resilience and unwavering determination, we can transform our pain into strength. He emphasized that mindset is the key to overcoming the darkest of challenges and how, despite the absence of shortcuts, one can reclaim their life About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Ramy Eissa. Ramy's work experience is with reputable companies on both the agency & client side. He started his career in a regional marketing agency, ROI ME, handling some of their biggest clients. He then moved to the client side by joining JTI's brand team, followed by Mr Jeff & Nestlé's coffee team. Three years ago, he relocated to Canada, where he initially joined MYCourier as the Operation manager and is now holding the role of Chief Operating Officer. In this insightful episode, we sit down with Ramy to explore his remarkable journey through diverse roles in the marketing and operations fields. Ramy takes us from his early days managing major clients in a regional marketing agency to his transition to the client side with JTI and Nestlé. He shares his experiences relocating to Canada and assuming leadership as the Chief Operating Officer at MYCourier. Join us as we discuss career transitions, international moves, and the invaluable lessons Ramy has learned along the way. About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Lynne Williams -the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group, which provides online career development and networking for career transition (job seekers) and career management (employed and self-employed). Lynne writes resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and LinkedIn company pages, and focuses on keywords. She is currently working on her doctoral dissertation on the topic of LinkedIn. Connect with Lynne: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewilliams/ Linktree https://linktr.ee/lynnewilliams Nonprofit https://greatcareers.org ATS https://greatcareers.org/how-to-avoid-the-online-job-application-black-hole-ats/ Pivot or Reinvention (& subscribe to newsletter) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tips-make-career-pivot-reinvention-linkedin-lynne Resumes https://greatcareers.org/can-your-linkedin-profile-shine-using-content-from-a-well-written-resume-part-one/ Verbs https://greatcareers.org/over-300-powerful-action-verbs-for-your-career-documents/ Boolean https://greatcareers.org/stellar-boolean-search-tips-for-job-seekers-entrepreneurs/ Interview Resources including 3 videos https://greatcareers.org/interview-resources/ Career Management Checklist Freebie - https://bit.ly/gcg-cmc Book a free 15-minute Resume or LinkedIn profile review - https://bit.ly/BookLynne About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Marc Miller - the visionary founder of Career Pivot. With a remarkable career spanning multiple industries and six career pivots, Marc shares his insights and wisdom on navigating the unique challenges and opportunities that come with career reinvention, especially in the 2nd Half of Life. From his book "Repurpose Your Career" to his award-winning podcast, Marc's journey and expertise are a beacon of inspiration for anyone seeking to design a fulfilling and sustainable career for the next 30 years. Join us as we explore the art of career transformation and the exciting expat adventure that Marc and his wife, Lotus, embarked upon in Ajijic, Mexico. Connect with Marc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmiller/ Join the community: https://careerpivot.com/cp-community/ Check out his podcast: https://careerpivot.com/repurpose-career-podcast/ Check out his website: https://careerpivot.com/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Jennifer Hart - an ICF-certified leadership coach, OD/communication consultant, and facilitator with a talent for building relationships and aligning expectations among diverse individuals, organizations and interests. Jennifer founded Intelektularo to help organizations bridge the gaps between leadership, culture and communication. Jennifer brings a multifaceted perspective and more than a decade of senior leadership experience to her practice, including a strong track record of building motivating environments and managing diverse global teams. With a style described as supportive and “gently challenging,” Jennifer coaches clients from all walks of life through a wide range of topics, beginning with self-initiated strategies to “survive,” and working towards breakthroughs to “thrive.” A versatile facilitator, she has also led scores of communication, leadership, and team-building training initiatives around the world. Jennifer is an Adjunct Professorial Lecturer at American University’s School of Public Affairs, where she teaches leadership and team development courses to select professional cohorts. She also volunteers at a Whole New Doctor, a program based out of Georgetown University that empowers medical students to increase resiliency and emotional intelligence through medical school and beyond. An International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Jennifer earned a certificate from American University’s Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance program. She is trained/certified in a number of assessments and methodologies that support her coaching practice. Jennifer earned a BA from American University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She speaks advanced Mandarin and French, maintains a working knowledge of Spanish and speaks basic Italian and Indonesian. Connect with Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-jennifer-hart/ About your host: From university lecture halls to global corporate boardrooms, Elena Agaragimova's journey epitomizes resilience. Her mission? To cultivate human potential, set up effective talent acquisition pipelines, and build transformative talent development programs. Elena doesn't merely train—she transforms. Whether engaging a bustling room of executives or leading a virtual session for tech aficionados, her insights ignite change. Colleagues and clients praise her knack for driving growth and empowering others, ensuring both individuals and organizations flourish in the competitive business landscape. Her enthusiasm for cognitive science enriches her strategies, reflecting her deep belief in the untapped potential of the human mind. As a current enrollee in a Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Program, Elena broadens her understanding of how people learn, aiming to maximize effectiveness both personally and professionally. When Elena takes the stage to speak, her message resonates with audiences from New York to Dubai. As an entrepreneur, Elena co-founded Bloom Youth, a tech education platform that arms the next generation with essential future-ready skills. She also launched Bessern, a tech solution focused on enhancing productivity and well-being within organizations. Elena also hosts two podcasts. Shift with Elena Agar serves as an extension of her first book, helping people overcome the inertia found in comfort zones to make meaningful shifts in their careers and lives. Confessions of a Career Coach offers lighter but insightful fare, providing a behind-the-scenes look at her world and dispensing valuable career advice. Connect with Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Shayna Bergman - who is a passionate, results-oriented coach who empowers motivated individuals to unlock their potential. She has a proven track record of helping people to achieve deeper meaning and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives through authentic leadership and clarity of purpose. With a focus on parents in executive and leadership positions, Shayna challenges her clients to look deeply at themselves by reflecting on their values, dreams, limiting beliefs and inner critics. She then helps them create an action plan that inspires breakthroughs and leads to sustainable change. Known for her perceptiveness, insights and ability to speak the truth to leaders at all levels, Shayna’s most successful clients are those who are dedicated to evolving their best selves and fostering that growth in others. Social Media: @ShaynaBergmanCoaching on Insta and Facebook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayna-priluck-bergman/ Website: https://shaynabergman.com/ Free Guide 5 Ways to Cure Your Imposter Syndrome: https://shaynabergman.com/free-guide/ About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Dave Phelan. After working for 3 years in the corporate world, Dave quit his full-time job to launch a mobile application. After scaling to over 50k users, he started working with other startups to build their mobile app and websites to grow their business called Founders Approach. 7 years later, this business has built over 200 products for different clients across different industries. He has continued to explore side ventures throughout this time, such as a podcast called "Why I Quit" which interviews people who quit their 9 to 5 to follow a different career path. Get in touch with Dave: www.FoundersApproach.com About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Crista Grasso - the go-to strategic planning and systems expert for online businesses when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and provide clarity on the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She is the founder of the Lean Out Method, creator of the Lean Business Scaling System, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast. Connect with Crista: Website: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lean-out-your-business-podcast/id1551252558 About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Jennifer Simpson - who's been in seats at many tables. As a private debt & equity investor, a COO and CFO partnering with business leaders on their strategic plans, and as founding executive director of a multinational leadership development program, she learned the ropes on how to invest in and operate businesses as well as develop talent with an eye for economic growth and positive impact. Most recently, Jennifer led the effort to raise a new venture debt fund at Anzu Partners, focused on companies with breakthrough industrial technology and other game-changing forces. She was also the founding executive director of the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship focused on improving public trust in the global finance industry, now with over 100 Fellows in 20 countries. In finance she has been a private equity and debt investor at The Gladstone Companies, a banker in middle market leveraged lending as well as head of the investment committee for small business at National City Bank, debt arranger at LBO firm Morgenthaler Partners, and CFO/COO of a national environmentally-focused foundation. She began her career as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Medical Service Corps. Jennifer serves on the board of the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation and the board of Slingshot Coffee Company. Jennifer studied economics for her Bachelor's Degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was also a leader in the Army ROTC and her MBA is from Case Western Reserve University. About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Erin Duffy - a Career Transformation and Stage Presence Coach. She works with mid-career business professionals and leaders who struggle feeling fulfilled and confident and want to step into their personal power and advance their career. She helps them to clarify and own their unique personal story. She believes our own stories hold the very insights that can transform our lives. In her highly curated programs, her clients develop a richer personal narrative by clarifying the stories behind their life experiences. She then helps them to use the personal power of their story to catapult their career journey. It is tapping into the same stories that also supercharges their personal brand and stage presence. After 25 years of managing dual careers, as a senior executive at a creative agency by day and simultaneously as a singer/actor by night, she yearned to combine her dual tracks. Out of that journey of search and discovery she found an insightful way to take the best of both and create her uniquely transformative programs and formed her company, InspirationSQRD. Her curated programs have enabled her clients to expand their horizons, remain faithful to their core values, and realize their aspirations. • Her "Own Your Story - Change Your Life" program enables her clients to clarify the stories behind their life experiences, personal values, traits, and skills. They also pinpoint their non-negotiables. They then use these insights as a compass to chart new career and life options. • Her "Stage Presence, Readiness, and Delivery" program enables her clients to tap into their personal insights borne out of their life stories to create a unique personal brand, a more impactful delivery, and a deeper connection with the audience. She loves guiding her clients to get clear on what they want, step into a more powerful version of themselves, and lead a more fulfilling career and life. Erin, of course, has a deep passion for all things theater and film. Ask her for a recommendation anytime and she will go on and on about the best thing to see next. Get in touch with Erin: Schedule a 30-minute 1:1 -https://inspirationsqrd.kartra.com/calendar/30-minute_session LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin--duffy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirationsqrd/ About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Joe Motes - Director of Talent AcquisitionSENTA Partners. Joe leads the development and implementation of hiring strategies and processes to facilitate high-quality recruitment of clinicians, non-clinicians, and support services. Joe brings over 10 years recruiting experience having led large enterprise recruitment programs focused on hiring multiple skillsets and disciplines. He brings a broad range of knowledge with recruiting experience in Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, Executive recruiting, Manufacturing and Operations. He is a United States Army veteran and has lived most of his life in Northeast GA. He earned his Executive MBA from Kennesaw State University, with a B.s. in Human Resources Development from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. He spends his leisure time in activities with his children, listening to Podcast, and training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephmotes/ About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Millree Williams, Owner and Founder of Willekop Consulting and Coaching, is passionate about helping high-achieving leaders of nonprofit and education organizations thrive and improve the quality of their lives! As a business communications and marketing strategist, Millree consults closely with small business owners to position their organizations to attract, expand and retain their business lines with effective brand, storytelling, and messaging platforms. As a certified career and life coach, Millree also partners with nonprofit and education leaders and successful mid-career professionals to help them unblock and then successfully navigate the barriers between them and their personal and career goals. As a trained thinking and accountability partner, he helps clients open up, discover blind spots, gain clarity, see a bigger picture, and work through stumbling blocks to generate new ways of accomplishing their goals. His goal is to help his clients work through difficult choices and try on new perspectives to become their best selves – both professionally and personally. To this adventure, Millree brings a successful, 20-year track record of leading results-oriented strategic communications and public affairs teams in education and social justice nonprofits. In his spare time, Millree serves on the Board of Forty Plus of Greater Washington, where he helps mature professionals successfully navigate the challenging times in their lives – either career or life changes. He also tutors seniors in reading and writing. Millree can be reached at [email protected], or at https://www.willekop.com/ About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Randy Lioz -founder of DOC - a company that helps organizations of all types develop healthy cultures that foster a sense of belonging for all their members and employees. He spent six years with the nonprofit Braver Angels, one of the leading national groups focused on reducing political polarization, active in all 50 states. He worked in a variety of roles there, most recently as Sr. Director of Events & Partner Engagement, focusing on building a network of organizational partners and helping them with internal polarization challenges. One of Braver Angels’ most experienced moderators, he led the effort to migrate their events to the online environment, and later pioneered hybrid events for the organization. He regularly led workshops for regional and national audiences, in addition to spreading the depolarization message through interviews, speeches, columns for Braver Angels Media, and appearances on the Braver Angels Podcast. Randy also does consulting for automotive clients, having worked for over 20 years in the automotive industry. He’s spent his career doing forecasting and analytics, working for brands like Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, and in advertising for Ford. Randy is also an experienced professional wedding officiant, a soccer goalie and a frequent amateur chef. He grew up on Long Island, NY. After getting his undergraduate degree in economics from Duke University, Randy made his way across the country, living in Michigan— where he got his MBA from the University of Michigan—and California, before moving to Washington, DC. Connect with Randy: Website: https://www.depolorgcultures.com/ Tell me what’s going on with your org: https://www.depolorgcultures.com/connect Demo session sign-up: https://www.depolorgcultures.com/demo-session About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Mustafa Ammar - the founder and CEO of “The Passion MBA”, a global coaching company. He is also a life-coach who coached hundreds of professionals around the world to find their dream careers and build their dream businesses, by applying his coaching methodology “The Passion Blueprint”. Mustafa is also the author of the upcoming books “Time to Move On” & “The Passion Project”. Mustafa lived several career lives in one single life. He started his career as a pharmacist out of passion for chemistry, then he became an international diplomat out of passion for building bridges among different cultures and traveling the world, where he worked in China, Malawi and the United Nations. He then worked as an investment specialist at The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), where he was in charge of business development and bringing investments to various regions including Africa, The Middle East & Latin America. Mustafa successfully brought more than $1.1 billion worth of finance in infrastructure projects in the Middle East alone during his tenure at AIIB. Mustafa holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction from Alliance Manchester Business School in the UK. He also holds another master degree in diplomatic studies & negotiations and BA in pharmaceutical sciences. For more information please visit: ThePassionMBA.com Instagram: @ThePassionMBA About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In this episode of the Shift with Elena Agar - I sit down with Michelle S. Gollapalli - an internationally accredited fundraising professional with over 24 years of experience in a variety of fields such as public broadcasting, healthcare, diversity, equity and inclusion youth services, disabilities, and education. Michelle’s most recent position was as the Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion & Development at ECRI Institute, in PA. Before that, she served as Vice President of Development and Executive Director of the Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey, part of the erstwhile Kennedy Health System in South Jersey, now known as Jefferson Health-New Jersey. Prior to joining the Foundation, Michelle worked as Chief Development Officer for Bancroft, where she oversaw Development, Marketing and Communications, and Admissions. Ms. Gollapalli has mentored many professionals in the area, most recently as a regular panelist for the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Mentoring Monday. She is also a published author with an undergraduate triple major in English Literature, Psychology and Journalism and an MBA in Marketing from the Mount Carmel Institute of Management in India. She received her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in 2004 and in 2010 was awarded the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) certification from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. Michelle was honored as one of Philadelphia’s 40 under 40 by the Philadelphia Business Journal and received the distinction of being one of the 2014 “Women to Watch” by the South Jersey Biz magazine. In 2015, the Garden State Council of NJ named her as one of their “Women of Achievement” and South Jersey magazine deemed her to be one of the “Super Women of 2014”- an accolade she won again in 2016. The March 2019 Issue of South Jersey Biz magazine featured her as one of the Best in Healthcare for the Region. Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgollapalli/ About your host: Elena is a talent development specialist & an education advocate. She started her career in higher education, having worked across various institutions, departments and regions, followed by a shift to corporations - where she creates learning journeys, builds effective talent acquisition pipelines, and develops talent development programs. Elena has a strong interest in how we can use science - particular Behavioral and Neuro sciences - to help people learn effectively, expand their mindset and overall grow personally and professionally. As an entrepreneur – Elena founded Bloom Youth - a tech education platform that prepares youth for the future - and co-founded Bessern – tech solution for productivity and well-being in organizations. When she is not leading talent transformation, she volunteers her time to help young students with their career development goals, as well as military veterans looking to make career transition to corporate jobs. Learn more about Elena: https://linktr.ee/ElenaAgar Connect with Elena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elenaagaragi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenaagaragimova --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

In an era where quick transactions and digital communication dominate, professional courtesy seems to have taken a backseat. But what if we told you that a simple act of kindness or a genuine display of respect could be the key to unlocking greater opportunities, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling career? Let's explore the power of professional courtesy and why it's a skill worth reviving in today's competitive landscape. We'll uncover the various aspects of professional courtesy, from active listening and effective communication to respecting diverse perspectives and valuing the time of others. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support