Ed Evarts is the founder and president of Excellius Leadership Development, a firm focused on helping successful leaders build their self-awareness so these leaders can self manage more effectively. He is the author of Raise Your Visibility and Value and the forthcoming book, Drive Your Career. He coaches mid- to senior-level business professionals and their teams, engaging real-time and tailored solutions focused on the unique needs and environment of each participant.  Ed also hosts his podcast, Be Brave @ Work. Like many people, Ed started his career in an industry that his parents work In this episode we discuss: His early career journey from retail to HR, and then eventually to coaching.  Ed coaches mid to senior-level business professionals and teams, engaging real-time and unique solutions. He is the founder and president of Excellius Leadership Development, a firm focused on helping successful leaders build their self-awareness so these leaders can self-manage more effectively.  Ed is the author of two books: “Raise Your Visibility and Value” and his latest book, “Drive Your Career” will be released in March 2020.  He hosts a podcast, Be Brave at Work.  ed in, the retail industry. After college, he worked in merchandising and quickly became attracted to the area of human resources. He spent decades in several major retail companies as a human resources manager and then transferred into another industry where he rose through the ranks until 2008 when the economy tanked. His position was eliminated and he decided to establish his independent practice as an Executive and Leadership Coach. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 062  

In her 30 years as a management consultant, executive coach, and facilitator, Liz Kislik has helped clients such as American Express, Orvis, the Girl Scouts, Comcast, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Highlights for Children solve their thorniest problems while strengthening their top and bottom lines. Her specialty is developing high performing leaders and workforces. Liz is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, an entrepreneur, and she’s a TEDx speaker on why there's so much conflict at work and what you can do to fix it. Liz says she is not a fan of the “find your passion” school of career search. In her 20’s she worked as a telemarketing manager overseeing hundreds of employees, in a large company she would never have expected to be working in. She learned as she went along guided by her intelligence, deep curiosity and desire to solve problems. It wasn’t easy and she definitely experienced stress, but it never deterred her. She credits the examples her grandparents and parents set for her as they all showed her a strong moral code for how to treat people with respect. She carried this into her work life no matter what she has done. In this episode we discuss: Liz is a TEDx speaker on why there is so much conflict at work and what you can do to fix it.  Why she chose to enter the workforce after college, instead of going to graduate school as many of her friends did.  Liz specializes in developing high performing leaders and workforces. She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Entrepreneur.  Liz has helped clients such as American Express, Orvis, the Girl Scouts, Comcast, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Highlights for Children. She has worked with them to solve their thorniest problems while also strengthening their top and bottom lines.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 061

Sarah Friedell O'Connell is an executive coach and the owner of Change Point Advisors, a firm dedicated to helping senior executives navigate career changes. She has been coaching C suite executives for over 10 years and has worked with hundreds of people across a variety of industries and functions. Sarah brings a unique perspective and deep expertise to her work advising senior leaders. Part of Sarah's uniqueness and success as a coach stems from the expertise she gained in her first career in corporate communications and later in public relations. Sarah has over 20 years of experience in communications, and public relations, serving as a spokeswoman at Fidelity Investments and also for the president of Harvard University. She brings her real-world business experience, as well as her expertise and communication strategy, marketing, branding and messaging to her work coaching executive clients. Sarah understands what it takes to work in a high-pressure environment. As the owner of her firm, ChangePoint Advisors, she partners with her clients to clarify their goals, create customized action plans, and teach them to communicate strategically and effectively to accomplish their goals. Whether they are seeking a new job planning for an active retirement, exploring Board of Director's seeds, or launching entrepreneurial pursuits, Sarah has a proven process to help her clients succeed. In this episode we discuss: Sarah attended the College of William and Mary and knew she wanted to live in Washington D.C. after she graduated. How her early work experiences gave her the foundation she needed for future career success.  Sarah served as a spokeswoman at Fidelity Investments and subsequently for the President of Harvard University.  While serving as a spokeswoman at Harvard, Sarah was taking weekend courses to become a life coach.  When her work as a spokeswoman became increasingly demanding, she made the choice to take a brief sabbatical to get clear about her next career move. Sarah believed she would return to communications work, but discovered opportunities in the outplacement field. She took the entrepreneurial leap and now brings her business experience and her expertise in communications strategy, marketing, branding, and messaging to coach executives. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 060

Alisa Barcan is a Financial Coach and Consultant based in the UK who helps people rewrite their financial stories. She works with professionals and small business owners who wish to decipher their finances and improve their financial situation and relationship with money. Alisa is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review Ascend, a prize winner Chartered Certified Accountant and a qualified Coach from The University of Cambridge, UK. Alisa grew up in Romania and never dreamed she would live anywhere but her homeland. When her partner was offered a Ph.D. scholarship in the UK, everything changed.  She moved with him and never looked back. Initially, her career in political science and international relations was challenged as she has no permit to work in the UK.  While she waited to get the proper permit, she took classes and had the opportunity to take some career assessments. The results of these tests pointed her in a totally different direction towards finance and accounting.  The rest, as they say, is history! She became an accountant and analyst for 6 years and then started her own business as a financial coach. In this episode we discuss: Alisa is from Romania and had no plans to relocate until her partner was offered a Ph.D. scholarship in the UK, and at that point, they chose to move.  Her career trajectory shifted drastically after she took classes that offered career assessments. She discovered strengths in finance and accounting and decided to apply for just one accounting job. She got the job and has been doing financial work since.  How Alisa decided to leave the corporate world and start her own business as a financial coach.  Alisa is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review Ascend, is a prize winner Chartered Certified Accountant, and is a qualified Coach from The University of Cambridge, UK.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 059

Lorraine Rise holds an M.S. in Human Resources Management as well as certifications in Human Resources (SHRM-CP), Resume Writing (CPRW) and Career Coaching (CPCC). Lorraine has served well over 200 clients in over 30 industries, both public and private. Many of her clients come from some of the most recognizable firms in the country including Microsoft, Amazon, Fannie Mae, Morgan Stanley, and more. Career UpRising, LLC is located in the Washington DC metro area but serves clients all across the globe. Listen to Lorraine's inspirational podcast, Career UpRising, on InFlowRadio.com, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and more. Lorraine has built her career in the practice of coaching others to succeed. Her career began in the health and weight loss industry, coaching hundreds of clients to reach their weight loss goals. As a Director and Regional Trainer for Jenny Craig Inc., she hired, trained and mentored dozens of employees in sales, customer service, and management. After a layoff in 2013, Lorraine made a career change into human resources. She has since supported the human resources and recruiting efforts at numerous firms in Information Technology. In 2015, she made another career change and founded her firm, Career UpRising.  In this episode we discuss: The career journey that led Lorraine into the health and weight loss industry, working for Jenny Craig and a few other companies, and the experiences that led her to pursue a career in human resources and recruiting.  The moment Lorraine knew she was ready to start her own business. Her inspirational podcast, .  Contract work and the advantages it offers to an emerging independent coaching practice.  Lorraine’s coaching practice and her focus on people who are mid-later career. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 058

Mac Prichard is the founder and publisher of Mac’s List, founded in Portland, Oregon in 2001, a job board and career hub for the Pacific Northwest with a mission to create more human hiring processes to improve the workforce for all. Mac is also the author of the book “Land Your Dream Job Anywhere” and host of the weekly career advice podcast, Find Your Dream Job. Mac has had a varied career from his early years in Latin American policy and communications to working as a spokesman for elected officials and on political campaigns.  Through everything he has done, his goal has always been to be of service and he has found numerous ways to fulfill that mission. Today, he runs his own PR firm and operates a regional job board, and career podcast in Portland, Oregon.  He is quick to point out, however, that his path has not always been a smooth one over his 65 years, 40 of them as a working person, as he describes his lessons learned during two significant periods of unemployment in his career. In this episode we discuss: How Mac became the first spokesperson for Boston’s Big Dig.  Mac’s experiences he had with unemployment and how those influenced his future career decisions.  The importance of communicating the value and direction a job candidate wants to take in a role, more than just their ability to do the job.  Mac shared how important it is to communicate to a potential employer how the role you are applying for is going to align with your career goals. He created Mac’s List to help job seekers in the Washington and Oregon region look skillfully for work and to help employers learn how to do an effective hiring process.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 057

Jen Guillemin, with a background in arts leadership, counseling, and teaching is an arts advocate and creative problem solver. She has mentored thousands of student artists and has spearheaded many arts initiatives at the Boston University College of Fine Arts and is the founding director of the BU visual arts Summer Institute.  Wendy Swart Grossman, with a background in the US and South African presidential campaigns, is a connector, a political and community organizer, a logistical wizard, and a visionary advocate/ activist for community building and engagement. She has held positions at Harvard's Museum of Science and Culture, and the Graduate School of Design as well as the Science Museum in London, UK and for many NGOs, nonprofits and social impact businesses.  Wendy and Jen have been working, teaching, plotting, laughing and changing the world together since 2013. After first introducing and teaching their Cultural Entrepreneurship class at Boston University they have gone on to host symposia, write chapters and articles all at the intersections of Arts & Culture, Business & Technology and Social Impact. They are launching their own consulting firm - Creative Re/Frame - and are working on a book, with the working title: “Future Studios: A DIY Guide for Artists and Creative Practitioners in the New Economy.” In this episode we discuss: Jen’s background in arts leadership, counseling, and teaching. She has mentored thousands of student artists and has championed arts initiatives at the Boston University College of Fine Arts and is the founding director of the BU visual arts Summer Institute.  Wendy is a connector, a political and community organizer, a logistical wizard, and a visionary advocate/ activist for community building and engagement.  Jen and Wendy have been working together since 2013, first teaching their Cultural Entrepreneurship class at Boston University. They have since hosted symposia, conferences and published articles on Arts & Culture, Business & Technology and Social Impact.  Wendy and Jen have launched a consulting firm called Creative Re/Frame. They are writing a book whose working title is: Future Studios: A DIY Guide for Artists and Creative Practitioners in the New Economy. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 056

Anne Sugar is an executive coach and speaker who has advised top leaders at companies including TripAdvisor, Sanofi Genzyme, and Havas. Anne serves as an executive coach for Harvard Business School Executive Education and has guest lectured at MIT. She is also a contributor to Harvard Business Review and Inc. Prior to becoming an executive coach 15 years ago, Anne served as a senior leader in the advertising industry, where she oversaw a team of 75 employees as SVP of Media at Digitas. She managed media planning for Fortune 500 clients including General Motors, Federal Express, and Delta. She draws on her extensive management experience, as well as her in-depth training in coaching methodology to advise senior executives and high performers transitioning into leadership roles. In this episode we discuss: How Anne’s leadership and career transformation journey started by taking a few risks.  Her view that serendipity played a key role in the success of her early career days.  Anne’s understanding of how her core values have provided guidance through her career transitions. For almost 20 years, Anne worked as a leader in the advertising industry, which included working on the launch of Apple computers, and how she then recognized when it was time for her to transition her career in new directions.  The throughlines through Anne’s career include her need for creativity and continuous learning.  Anne believes it is not necessary to make a large shift in your life in order to experience success or fulfillment. Instead, it is often about making a few very small shifts. She ends the show asking listeners to consider one small thing you can do right now to make a small shift in your life.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 055

Gina Warner is the President and CEO of the National Afterschool Association. Before joining NAA, she served as the Executive Director of the Partnership for Youth Development in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she helped existing and new after school programs as they sought to serve children and families in post-Katrina New Orleans. Gina is also devoted to issues of women’s leadership and female empowerment. She has transformed that passion into establishing the Badass Women’s Book Club, an international resource for book discussions, online coaching and personal development resources. She loves to challenge women to live their best badass lives through book discussions, online coaching, and personal development resources. Gina started her career as a special education teacher. Two years later, she went to law school and took that experience to do policy work for a US Senator in Washington, DC. From there, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and worked as a lobbyist. Then, Hurricane Katrina hit the region. Shortly thereafter, she was hired to serve as the Executive Director of the Partnership for Youth Development. While there, Gina helped existing and new after school programs as they sought to reach and serve children and families in post-Katrina New Orleans. In this episode we discuss: Gina’s education and career journey that allowed her the opportunity for many life-changing experiences. Her belief in the importance of teaching young people, and especially young women, the vast array of career choices they have so they can realize their calling. Gina values experiences that have kept her mind open to new professional and personal opportunities. Her experience in surviving Hurricane Katrina and how that propelled her into running a youth development intermediary. Gina’s struggle with Imposter Syndrome after having been through an amazing leadership program, and how she bought a book in the airport on her way home that transformed her life. How she launched the Badass Women’s Book Club and its growth in the last two years. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 054

Scott Miller is a 23-year associate of the FranklinCovey organization and serves as their Executive Vice President of Thought Leadership. Scott hosts multiple podcasts including FranklinCovey’s On Leadership and Great Life, Great Career. Additionally, Scott is the author of . Scott authors a weekly leadership column for Inc.com and is a frequent contributor to podcasts and webinars. Previously, Scott worked for the Disney Development Company and grew up in Central Florida. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife and three sons. Scott started his career working for the Disney company and is the first person to tell you that he got fired.  He sees that as a big learning experience amongst many in his career and claims that for every failure, he has learned what not to do going forward.  For the past 23 years, he has worked in 7 different roles within the FranklinCovey organization, growing and developing his leadership talents as he helped others to hone their skills as well.  Scott is a look-forward kind of person and points to his family and faith as the strongholds of his character. He recently co-authored a new book, , published by Simon Schuster in October 2019. In this episode we discuss: Scott was fired from Disney and then hired by FranklinCovey, where he’s worked for the last 23 years. He shares openly because he believes it is important for people to be open and honest about their journey and any setbacks faced along the way.  How friending-up has helped him immensely in his career and life overall. Scott has worked hard to build his brand around generously giving back.  He believes that the people who are successful in life want to give back more as they grow more.  Scott’s favorite book on leadership and why he loves it.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 053

Lisa Linfield is a personal finance expert, keynote speaker, course creator and host of her podcast, Working Women's Wealth. Lisa, a Board Certified Financial Planner, is the CEO of a wealth and investment management business, Southern Pride Wealth. She has two honors degrees, one in Financial Planning, and has studied at Oxford, Insead, and London Business School. She has over 20 years of financial services experience in the UK and South Africa. She's been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Contemporary Business, Investing for Life and other podcasts. Lisa's goal is to teach 1 million women about money, how to make money, invest it and protect it. To that end, she has established her podcast which alternates weekly between featuring women who've achieved personally and professionally, and solo episodes in which she teaches to engage, equip, and empower her listeners. Lisa started her career as a physical therapist following the advice of many influential, well-intentioned adults who told her that going to medical school was a solid path to pursue.  After a few short years in the field, she listened to her inner voice and moved towards the business world into an entry-level role in financial services, specifically banking. She was on the team that opened one of the first digital banks in the world.  Several years into a successful career in banking, Lisa fulfilled a lifelong goal to attend Oxford and earned a degree in Divinity because she wanted to be able to study and live as a student in a way she had not been able to previously. She then returned to financial services, got married, started a family, and a few years ago, started her own personal financial advising business.   In this episode we discuss: Lisa’s scholarship and opportunity to become a physical therapist in South Africa, during a time when there was a power struggle in the country.  How higher education works in South Africa. Her realization that transition is challenging due to her concern about not meeting her family’s expectations and wondering if she was giving up an incredible career.  Lisa grew up in a business-oriented household and how that informed her transition into the business world. Lisa’s realization that “sometimes you choose transitions in life and sometimes life chooses transitions for you.”  How she found her career and life happiness when she discovered work that gave her both passion and purpose. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 052

Shane Feldman is the founder and CEO of Count Me In. He is the visionary behind the world's largest millennial led movement inspiring youth to be positive change agents. Over the past decade, Count Me In has initiated 10’s of thousands of projects worldwide, contributing a value of over $2.6 billion to the global economy through service. Shane has been featured by Larry King, Dr. oz Forbes, People Magazine, and his documentary TV series from A&E follows his community-building work. Shane has spoken to audiences around the world, and he has been recognized by the White House and the United Nations for his achievements in community leadership. Shane shares his journey as it begins in high school when he started in a new school, feeling alone and unhappy.  He tried to convince his guidance counselor to transfer him to a different school and the counselor encouraged him to get involved with a variety of activities before he gave up on the school.  As puts it, Count Me In, was born out of his high school locker as a community-building activity between his high school and a few other schools. It took off in ways he never imagined, and he has grown it for the past 11 years into the international youth community-building organization it is today. In this episode we discuss: The story behind how Shane’s company was born out of his locker when he was in high school. How he became a CEO at 19 and his belief in being a learning leader as CEO and how he believes that makes him approachable.  The experience Shane had when he needed to get unplugged. He visited Southeast Asia and in Vietnam, he found a sense of community that he knew he needed to apply to his life and his company.  Shane’s belief in the importance of connection and building a sense of community, no matter what job, career, or industry you are in. How he leads from the inside out.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 051

Kathleen Metcalf is the president of Atlas real estate coaching and training, a company specializing in professional development and systems for real estate administrators and team leaders. She has served as the bridge between real estate agents and their assistants for over 12 years. This is Kathleen’s 17th year in the real estate industry. She started as a real estate assistant in 2002 to a Top Producing agent with over $100 million in sales volume. Then she became an agent herself in San Francisco. Kathleen had a real estate assistant recruiting and coaching business for six years prior to joining Atlas. Kathleen started her career in the retail clothing store industry and proved herself, consistently getting promoted over eight years, reaching a senior-level role. Her successful career came to a halt when her alcohol addiction became a hindrance to her job performance. She generously shares her story of success, hard work, failures, perseverance, addiction, bankruptcy, sobriety, and recovery. Today, she has been in recovery for over 17 years and successfully working with real estate professionals to help them grow and develop in the field. In this episode we discuss: Kathleen’s childhood including her career aspirations being influenced by the Mary Tyler Moore show. How she went to college to become a teacher but quickly changed to major in business. Kathleen’s career in the retail clothing industry that progressed through the years because of her willingness to work hard and her curiosity. Her experience with alcoholism and resulting hardships that forced a completely different path, one she is so thankful for. How she rose out of the depths, like a phoenix, and got into the real estate industry. The different experiences Kathleen had that allowed her to travel and move from the west coast to the east coast. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 050

Jay Vogt is the founder of Peoplesworth, an organizational development practice that works with mission-driven organizations, which started in 1982. Jay has worked with nonprofits in healthcare, education, human services, arts, culture, the environment, and more. He has worked with fast-growth companies in the organic food world like Stonyfield Yogurt, and Applegate. Jay is a master facilitator of meetings and retreats and specializes in leading large group meetings of 35 to 350 participants. A published author, Jay’s TEDx talk on the art of facilitation, “Changing the Way the World Meets” has been viewed nearly 100,000 times. Unlike most people who transition to an entrepreneurial career path, Jay made this move at a younger age, 27 years and he has never looked back.  That’s not to say that it’s been a smooth, confident ride all these years.  He made choices along the way as to how he would manage his practice, choosing to only engage local clients so that he could be home at the dinner table every night, calling it his “country doctor” model. This choice challenged him to redefine his concept of success and design a life that would make him feel more alive.  This included, for example, taking several sabbaticals in which he chose experiences over income, risking the stability of his client relationships. Surprisingly, his clients found his choices appealing and engaging. In this episode we discuss: The learning and growth journey Jay took to move from working at a university extension service to launching his own practice. Jay experienced significant mindset shifts that enabled him to embrace his most meaningful career path while also overcoming significant fears. The values that Jay adhered to and which helped him, including this quote: “chance favors a prepared mind.” The “mortgage money” work he did while he was building his practice. Jay’s fundamental operating principle, genuinely caring about the worth of people. The life hack Jay learned for accomplishing most of what he would like to do in life, without having to make huge life or career shifts. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 049

Gary Collins is a best selling Amazon author and creator of . Gary’s background includes service in military intelligence as a special agent for the US State Department Diplomatic Security Service, the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the US Food and Drug Administration. His expert knowledge brings a much-needed perspective to today's areas of simple living, health, nutrition, entrepreneurship, self-help, and being more self-reliant. Gary was raised in the high desert at the basin of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in a rural part of California. He grew up poor with parents who did not emphasize education or anything particularly aspirational, yet he felt driven to achieve greater goals.  He joined the military as a pathway to attend college and graduate school and later worked for the federal government in several capacities. Twenty years later, he left the highly structured world of government service and went the entrepreneurial route, starting his own health company. This led to many creative ideas resulting in his passion for life simplification. He now lives off the grid part of the year in a remote area of North East Washington State and spends the rest of the year exploring in his travel trailer with his trusty black lab Barney. In this episode we discuss: Gary’s processes of learning through life. Many of the jobs Gary has done and the thread that ties them together. How his passion for helping others has been evident throughout his career. Gary’s experience in the army, leaving the army, and moving into health and life simplification. How Gary views his current life and career and why it works for him. Gary’s writing process and books. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 048

Archana Shetty is an executive leadership coach and mentor. Her expertise is in emotional intelligence and peak performance. She empowers leaders to become impactful, inspirational leaders of the next generation without burning out. She is the founder of Next-Gen Leadership, a model for transformational leadership based on evidence-based practices to develop emotional intelligence effectiveness and well being for impactful leadership. Archana is also the host of an online leadership summit, , which will be aired November 5 to 7, 2019. She is an ICF certified coach and a certified coach and facilitator with Daniel Goldman’s emotional intelligence program. Archana has a rich and deep career history beginning in her college years where she aspired to become a doctor, but she did not get into medical school even though she was an excellent student. Instead, she studied for 6 years and became an Ayurvedic doctor.  She maintained a practice until she married and moved to Qatar where she was not licensed to practice.  Undaunted, she dove in and studied computer science, business, and leadership.  From there she worked in IT systems and project management in the radio and TV media industry and later in financial services.  She experienced layoffs and many career transitions. Today she is an executive leadership coach and mentor with her own practice.   In this episode we discuss: How Archana was raised in India, with both of her parents having to work hard to make ends meet and how that taught her that there is no substitute for hard work. One of her most heartbreaking experiences and the huge life and career transition that came from that. How Archana always wanted to be an entrepreneur, to do something that would make a difference in people’s lives. But how she was scared because she was taught that a 9 to 5 was safe. Archana began to think about leadership and how she wanted to lead after learning how NOT to lead. The common thread Archana sees between being a doctor and being a leader. How she views building a support system. The  that Archana is hosting, November 5-7, 2019. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 047

Fei Wu is a bilingual podcaster, English, and Mandarin Chinese. She's also the creator and host of Feisworld podcast and Feisworld docuseries. Fei left her job in marketing and advertising to build a company of her own called Feisworld LLC. With a mission to help small businesses and people tell better stories, find more customers and create new revenue streams. She leads an international mastermind group, which I am a proud member of, and creates courses for podcasters. Her story has been featured by Dorie Clark, in her best selling book called “Entrepreneurial You”, as well as the Harvard Business Review. Fei grew up on an army base in Beijing, China. At the age of 16, she moved to the US to go to high school in Maine and never looked back.  She knew she wanted to be on a creative career path and that the Chinese system of education would not support her in pursuing the kinds of areas she envisioned herself engaged in for making a living. You could say she was a teenaged visionary as she knew what she wanted from a young age onward. Fei worked in the professional consulting, marketing, and advertising fields for 10 years until she started her own firm where she provides digital marketing and branding services to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In this episode we discuss: How Fei was born on an army base in Beijing, China and lived there until she came to the United States by herself at 16. One of the happiest memories of her life, when her parents worked together to create a mural on her school’s playground wall. What the transition from China to the United States was like and how Fei created a professional path to stay in the US after college. Fei’s different jobs including Business Analyst, Associate Project Manager, Project Manager, and then Entrepreneur. The value she places on making friends at work and taking the time to develop meaningful, and helpful relationships. How Fei started her docuseries and where she is going next. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 046

Robbie Samuels is a coach, speaker, podcast host and author with a wealth of experience in event planning, networking, fundraising, and grassroots organizing.  His podcast, On The Schmooze, highlights untold stories of leadership and his book, Bagels vs. Croissants, helps readers overcome the obstacles of engaging productively at conferences and other large group networking functions. Robbie is a professional speaker, coach, and consultant based in the Greater Boston area. Robbie started his career with a Master’s in Social Work and wasn’t really sure exactly where it would take him. Yet, he quickly figured out that he enjoyed bringing groups of people together to build connections toward common visions and causes.  He calls himself an extroverted, extrovert and speaks to associations and other professional groups about how to make meaningful connections to develop productive relationships. For over ten years, Robbie was an event planner and fundraising professional in the Boston area. Five years ago, he decided to start his own speaking and coaching business. In this episode we discuss: How Robbie got his first perfect job when he was 30 years old. Robbie’s journey to Boston after living on Long Island all the way through his Master’s Degree. His different career transitions and the thread that ties them all together. How Robbie sees relationships as the most important business and personal connection. Robbie’s methods for thinking of authentic networking as an insurance policy. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 045

Deborah Midanek is a corporate turnaround specialist who currently lives and works in Grenada, Mississippi where she has started several businesses in an effort to revitalize the local economy. A native of NewYork City, Midanek started her career in college admissions and interestingly evolved into a role in railroad mergers as part of a summer internship she did in graduate school. From there, she moved into the world of investment banking and this later translated into her helping challenged companies work through their troubles as a turnaround consultant. Deborah says her whole life has been one big transition, beginning in her early years when she attended thirteen different elementary schools as her single-parent mother tried to take care of her brother and herself by moving constantly to make ends meet.  She learned early to be adaptable, and as a result, she is one of those people who’s “not too concerned about change”.   Today, she lives happily with her husband in Grenada, Mississippi where she owns several local businesses and has written two books. In this episode we discuss: Deborah’s educational journey, including how she was accepted to the Wharton School of Business WITH a guaranteed job offer. How she worked on a merger project between two railroad lines during graduate school, and how that sparked her interest in the business world. How Deborah was a busy corporate turnaround consultant in New York City when she met her husband, a farmer from Grenada, Mississippi, at a conference, and how this presented a new opportunity for a different kind of turnaround in her life. Deborah’s resilience and how she learned she had to “get a grip” and move forward no matter what life threw her way, and how that has served her. How Deborah purchased several buildings in the Grenada community and started a few different businesses, working with local entrepreneurs and economic development organizations to collaboratively boost the local economy. Her mindset of being a misfit and what that has meant for her. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 044

Corey Blake is the publisher of Conscious Capitalism Press and the founder and CEO of Round Table Companies (RTC), a storytelling company. Prior to starting RTC in 2005, Corey was a professional actor in Los Angeles, acting in one of the 50 greatest Super Bowl commercials of all time and guest starring on numerous popular television shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Shield, and Joan of Arcadia. His work with books and graphic novels has yielded 15 independent publishing awards and mentions/features in the NY Times, WSJ, USA Today, Inc., Forbes, and Wired. Corey is also the creator of the Vulnerability Wall and the Vulnerability is Sexy™ card game. His documentary of the same name won 2017 Addy and Hermes awards for branded content. Corey started his career as an actor in LA and within a few years was on the path to success with several high profile commercials and roles in primetime TV shows under his belt.  He also began to produce his own small projects behind the camera, but something wasn’t feeling right to him.  He was drawn to making his own way and the acting route was not one of autonomy.  He moved to Chicago and started his own company and began other creative projects, leaving acting behind and hasn’t looked back.  Today, he works with authors and leaders to promote their work and brands with his team at the Round Table Companies.  He feels he is able to blend his creative instincts with his deeper needs to put his stamp on all that he does. In this episode we discuss: How Corey caught a break in the acting industry and then moved into directing and producing. His experience appearing in an award-winning SuperBowl Commercial, a primetime TV series, and a major motion picture. How Corey is an avid supporter and sponsor of Conscious Capitalism and has appeared on their main stage at the last seven national events. All about his company, Round Table Companies, and the incredible work they do for the people and businesses. How RTC’s work with books and graphic novels has yielded 15 independent publishing awards and features in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Inc., Forbes, and Wired. The vulnerability wall and vulnerability is sexy card game Corey created. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 043

Jyoti Singhvi has been doing public speaking for 30+ years. Based on her experiences, she has developed comprehensive training programs in Public Speaking, Communication & Confidence for Professionals to help gain maximum rewards and recognition.  Her background is in business development, strategic partnerships, technology, innovation, and consumer/luxury goods.  She also worked in technology at IBM, KPMG Consulting, & a Wireless Telematics startup with a focus on eCommerce, innovation, and digitization. Jyoti has a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard and an MBA from MIT. Jyoti was born and raised up through her early teen years in India. And as a child, she was a shy kid. Today, she teaches other people how to speak in public.  Jyoti also consults with companies and organizations to help them with revenue generation through business development and marketing.  Prior to this, Jyoti worked at Cartier in business development, strategic partnerships, CRM, and digital and traditional marketing.  She also owns a couture fine jewelry company, JYOTI.  Philanthropically, Jyoti is passionate about women's empowerment and children’s development. In this episode we discuss: How Jyoti was a shy child but had her life trajectory change in 4th grade when her principal called on her to speak on stage. Her desire to be an entrepreneur and a business person, because of the influence of her parents. How Jyoti earned her MPA from Harvard and an MBA from MIT. How she began her career in technology, working for companies like IBM, KPMG Consulting, and a Wireless Telematics startup with a focus on eCommerce, innovation, and digitization. Jyoti has been involved in organizations such as UN Women, The Resolution Project, and is on the executive committee for the Gender Equality Foundation. Her passion for women’s empowerment and children’s development. How Jyoti owns a couture fine jewelry company called JYOTI. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 042

Jude Charles is a brand strategist and filmmaker helping entrepreneurs build their brand and bring their story to life through documentary-style video.  Jude has traveled the world working with world-class business brands, such as Google, Coldwell Banker, and Steve Harvey, just to name a few. His raw storytelling style inspires, motivates and persuades audiences to fall in love with the entrepreneurs he captures through his lens. Jude’s love for storytelling started as early as elementary school, he would spend all of his free time as an eight-year-old writing 100-page books. Then later around the age of 16, he learned how to transfer his writing skills to film and video. But he wasn’t always aware of the gift God had given him. It wasn’t until his high school teacher Mrs. Donnelly, saw a special talent in him and urged him to launch a video production company at the age of 17. Mrs. Donnelly even went as far as purchasing his first set of business cards.  He has been telling the stories of entrepreneurs and other inspiring people through the lens of documentary filmmaking for the past 13 years. In this episode we discuss: How Jude started writing as a child and was writing 100-page books at 8 years old. How he started his own business when he was 17 years old, after having a very special teacher invest in him. How his writing transformed into video storytelling and where that has taken him over the years. Extraordinary stories of some of Jude’s clients. A live example of his work in which he flips the script and interviews me about my business and purpose. What he means by ‘success leaves clues’. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 041

A natural and authentic teacher, Chris Badgett has used that inclination in every business he’s started or mentored. Through video and a successful podcast, Chris shares his extensive knowledge, not just of online learning systems, but of business models and more. Chris is the CEO of LifterLMS, a tool that encompasses the needs of the modern membership course creator. This tool allows you to create an integrated membership site. When he’s not building online courses or his LMS software company, you can find him working in his cabin, spending time in nature, or performing magic tricks for his kids. Chris was a teenager like many, without a sense of focus or direction and the potential to get into trouble. Somehow, he made it to college and the learning bug bit him. He quickly developed a love of learning and allowed that to take him on many adventures, exploring anthropology, the outdoors, psychology and photography, to name a few. Post-graduation, he landed in Alaska where he learned the dog mushing business and on the side began to teach himself how to build websites. Today, Chris lives on an organic farm in Maine with his wife and kids, where he runs his company, LifterLMS and hosts a podcast, LMScast. He is proud of the team he has built and to help others get what they want. In this episode we discuss: How Chris discovered his love of learning in college after adolescence in which he felt unfocused. Upon graduating from college he took off, living in the back of his car, and pursued what he loved while discovering his next steps. His early experience working in Colorado and then in Alaska with sled dogs, learning the mushing business, and working on a glacier in Alaska. How he has not been afraid of starting at the bottom and growing up, and how that mindset has influenced his life. Chris’ valuable insight into rediscovering the thread that lights you up in order to determine your purpose. His love for his business and how he feels like he is living a dream on his organic farm in Maine with his wife and children. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 040

Paul Kirch, PRC is the president and CEO of Seliance, a holistic digital marketing agency specializing in customer experience optimization, focusing on the buyer’s journey from A to Z. His firm moves beyond simple website development to a 360-degree approach to a digital marketing strategy that has a greater impact and higher returns on investment. He helps business leaders create dynamic lead conversion tools, which drive more sales and success by evaluating and optimizing a company’s entire digital folio. The buyer’s journey drives relationship building and trust development with the ultimate goal of creating raving fans. Paul is a regular contributor to the business learning application, audit advisor, featured among experts such as Seth Godin, and Guy Kawasaki. He provides insights on sales, business management, and entrepreneurship. Paul’s career began in 1988 when he started writing professional advertising copy while pursuing a degree in journalism and shortly thereafter, he joined the Gallup organization for the next 10 years, serving in a variety of operations roles. He eventually left to pursue a career in sales and sales leadership. Paul has developed a strong personal brand and has served as a leader in business organizations including the American Marketing Association, Puget Sound research forum, and Marketing Research Association. Recently, he was elected to the board of directors for the Fearless Education Foundation. Paul is a featured monthly contributor to Corks media’s publications, and he also spends time helping mentor college students and entrepreneurs. In this episode we discuss: Paul’s journey of turning himself from a wantrepreneur into an entrepreneur. His experience working at Gallup and how he learned to distinguish what he wanted and needed in work. Paul’s advice for starting a business and especially how to know if it is right for you. His love of the written word and how it has helped him in his life, especially journaling as a tool to clear his mind and spirits. How important it is not just to think, but to take action; forward momentum is key. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 039

Esther Weinberg is the founder of MindLight Group. She empowers executives in the entertainment and technology industries to build sustainable company cultures based on respect, safety and trust. Using The Ready Zone framework, she coaches leaders through change with proven systems to reframe, refocus and realign and ultimately rise to lead. Esther creates breakthrough strategies for companies such as Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Microsoft, CNN, and Imax. Esther has previously held executive positions at Disney and Fox. Esther started her career as a PR and communications professionals in the entertainment industry.  After a successful career working for FOX and Disney, she decided to pivot into executive coaching and international development work. She started her own company providing leadership development and organizational support to companies in the entertainment industry, while also working on projects in Africa and Israel. She has built a legacy that supports work environments engaging people in trust, safety, and respect. In this episode we discuss: How Esther’s journey began with product marketing in New York City. Her path into the entertainment industry, then out for a short hiatus, and back into work for both Fox and Disney. The confluence of events that led Esther to discover leadership development and executive coaching. Her involvement in global development and how this added to her understanding of people’s needs for trust, respect, and safety. Her current business and the ready zone framework she developed to help her clients innovate, achieve maximum results and profitability. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 038  

Dave Sanderson is a survivor, inspirational speaker, and author. His thoughts on leadership have made him a nationally sought-out speaker. He has worked in the restaurant business, as a top sales performer and provided security for Tony Robbins. Currently, he is an executive coach, consultant, and speaker. When US Airways Flight 1549, or "The Miracle on the Hudson," crashed on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson was the last passenger off the back of the plane that day, risking his own life to help others off the plane. Sanderson emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. After the incident, the lessons and strategies that he learned throughout his life, were instrumental that day and the days following, he started to realize that one can actually grow from traumatic life experiences, and set out on a path to not only share the lessons from that day, but practical and implementable strategies anyone can use to not only survive their moment but grow and thrive. In this episode we discuss: How Dave credits a mentor he had early in his career as being a big influence on his choices. The role Tony Robbins seminars played when he was building his career in sales. How he achieved volunteering for Tony Robbins and eventually became Tony’s Head of Security, traveling with him extensively. His decision to keep his “day job” while volunteering with the Tony Robbins organization. The plane crash, and how Dave went back to work, and the encouragement from Tony that led to him establishing his own speaking and consulting business. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 037  

Merryn Roberts-Huntley started Made To Hire in 2017. With 17 years of business experience and 10 years of career coaching, she knows how to help you land your dream career. When Roberts-Huntley isn’t running Made To Hire, she’s doing marketing strategy or business development consulting through her firm, FIXX Consulting. FIXX works with sports-focused companies to better connect them with their target consumer. She teaches marketing at the graduate level at the University of Oregon. She has a BA in sociology from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Oregon. Merryn started her career in the sports marketing industry. She tells her story of how she cold-called her way into the field after getting a degree in sociology. Today, she runs the career coaching firm Made To Hire. She says the average American spends $80,000 on their education yet receives little or no real-world training on how to maximize that investment to land a job in their field. Made To Hire has a book and an online course to help you get noticed, get hired, make more money, and reach your career goals faster. In this episode we discuss: How Merryn got started in the Sports marketing arena. Her decision to leave her role at Adidas to earn her MBA in Sports Business with a specific objective to work at Nike, known for being the top company in the market at the time. Merryn’s grad school experience, applying for an internship at Nike, initially getting rejected, and ultimately making the decision to keep going. How Merryn learned that a Nike executive would be at her school for a women’s advocacy forum and then offered to ‘host’ the executive for the day, giving her the opportunity to connect. The amazing benefit she received for hosting, earning her an internship, and then being hired at Nike full-time after she graduated. How Merryn used her experiences to write her book and how she connects with others through relationship-building. Her specific advice on how to get a job you really want. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 036

Dr. Luis Velasquez is an entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast who helps leaders better understand what their organizations need to communicate in order to be successful. A former scientist, his academic career was interrupted by a brain tumor that he survived, not once, but 3 times. He is currently writing a book, Beyond The Fear, an autobiographical account, and research-based guide for overcoming fear, finding strength, undergoing change, finding passion, and building relationships. Luis started his career as a scientist in fungal genetics and plant genomics until a brain tumor affected his cognitive capacities.  He now calls himself a ‘recovering scientist’ who has dedicated his life to his family, endurance athletics, and, to coaching leaders to achieve positive, sustainable, and measurable results at interpersonal, and organizational levels.  He also facilitates the Interpersonal Dynamics class at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and writes for Harvard Business Review Ascend. In this episode we discuss: How Luis was raised in Guatemala during the Civil War and what life was like for him as a child living in poverty. His educational journey that began when he had a scholarship opportunity to attend college in the United States, then returned to Guatemala for three years and was later able to return to the US to earn his undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. degrees. Luis’ experience with his first brain tumor, feeling like he failed miserably after recovering from it, and how he had to make significant career changes as a result. How Luis’ entry into the coaching profession occurred serendipitously during a job interview and how he has since been helping people adapt and thrive reflecting on his own experiences and his science background. His unique and positive perspectives on the challenges and experiences he has encountered. How his drive to succeed comes from his desire to raise his two children to be kind, strong, confident, and “to bloom where they are planted.” Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 035

Tara Bradford is the CEO and Founder of Rae Media Group, a strategic marketing communications firm, and sought after Communications Coach who works with everyone from startup founders to Inc 500 executives to help them be seen as trusted experts. She helps leaders communicate more effectively, both online and offline, so they can maintain their incredible reputation, stay top of mind for their ideal clients, and improve their bottom line. She lives in New York City where she strives to connect with at least one new person every day (even as an introvert). Tara started her career as a critical care nurse.  After a successful ten year career, helping patients and their families, something was tugging at her.  She saw her older colleagues doing the same things year after year and told herself, “I do not want that to be me”.  Tara considered her options and made a few different moves, eventually landing in New York City where she has her own communications firm.  She credits her ability to move through her fears as a pathway to experiencing joy and expressing herself creatively. In this episode we discuss: How Tara spent a decade working as a critical care nurse for people on life support and how she helped families communicate with each other and helped doctors communicate with family. Her life in New York City and her goal to connect with at least one new person every day, even though she’s an introvert. A random encounter Tara had with a stranger who was truly fulfilled and joyful, and how that conversation played into her decisions for the future. How she credits her ability to move through her fears, viewing them as a pathway to experiencing joy and expressing herself creatively. The journey Tara’s career took from nursing to coaching in which she helps leaders communicate more effectively to maintain their incredible reputation, stay top of mind for their ideal clients, and improve their bottom line. Her thoughts about being authentically who you are and sharing your voice with the world to make an impact. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 034

Jordan Gross is a Northwestern and Kellogg School of Management Graduate. He's also a writer, a coach, a speaker, a self-proclaimed multipotentialite, having experienced positions in large banks like Merrill Lynch to small startup companies. He is also the best selling author of a book called Getting Comfy, Your Morning Guide to Daily Happiness. He's a TEDx speaker and has founded multiple companies. Jordan Gross refers to himself as a ‘multipotentialite’, a word you will not find in the dictionary, yet it means a person who aspires to be many things.  Most people aim for a profession in their lives even if they eventually change careers, but few start out stating they want to be more than one and Jordan is one of those people.  By the age of 24, he has written a book, drafted a novel, delivered a TEDx talk, started several organizations, worked in the corporate world and is in the midst of being on 90 podcasts in 90 days.  Jordan is a trailblazer for positive change, optimism and the belief that our daily actions can help us all overcome stress and anxiety. In this episode we discuss: How Jordan was a top-ranked soccer goalie in New York during his high school years and wanted to become a professional soccer player. How his interests in human potential and business, led him to get his MBA and become a certified coach through the Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Program. His belief that our daily actions can help us all overcome stress and anxiety. The acronym he developed, C.O.M.F.Y., what it means, and how he uses it to teach mindfulness. His upcoming book about living a ‘cloud nine life’ and what each of those clouds represents in living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 033

Ruth-Anne Eisler is a business writer, editor, and corporate communications specialist working with a wide range of clients, including speech-language pathology, creative arts, animal welfare, political candidates, non-profits, and governmental organizations. As a former professional musician and legal researcher, Ruth-Anne leverages her unique background by converging artistry with logic, producing bespoke solutions for clients who require clear, assured, and human-centered communications. Ruth-Anne Eisler studied music and became a professional classical musician early in her career.  She reflects on those younger years as being a difficult time in which she spent a lot of time alone practicing and scrambling to get paid work.  In order to gain greater stability and security, she turned to other areas of interest, law, and writing, obtaining a paralegal certificate.  After several years working in that field, she wanted to do something more that would also enable her to be available to her young son, so she started her own corporate communications business.  She credits working with a coach toward helping her to make decisions that moved her forward and into action. In this episode we discuss: How Ruth-Anne’s first career was studying music as a professional classical musician. Her experience as a musician and discovering the downsides including practicing alone and having to scramble to find paid work. How she learned to gain greater stability and security by turning to areas of interest she had previously pushed aside like law and writing. Her love of learning, and how she expects she will always be taking a course of some sort. The transition she made into legal research and then her move away from legal research when her son was born and she wanted to be home with him, leading her into launching her own corporate communications business. How Ruth-Anne credits her dad, a civil engineer, as a role model because of his skillful planning and his ability to put plans into action, even if it took him time to accomplish them. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 032

Jaime Jay is the owner of Bottleneck Virtual Assistants based in Springfield, Missouri.  At the core, Jamie is a connector of personalities and brands. He constantly challenges himself to be a better human being. He is also an amateur hockey player and starter Geek who truly enjoys helping his clients rediscover themselves, their companies and how to realize their why. Jaime Jay made some early career decisions that were motivated by his desire to unburden his mother rather than to begin to shape his future.  When his father was suddenly sentenced to jail on embezzlement charges, his mother, with very limited resources, was struggling to take care of Jaime and his younger brother.  Jaime enlisted in the US Army.  Later, he joined corporate America and found that he “just was not a corporate person”.  Eventually, he went the entrepreneurial route. In this episode we discuss: How Jamie joined the U.S. Army to unburden his mom after his dad went to jail on embezzlement charges; how they were homeless and his mom was left to care for him and his younger brother on very limited resources. His experience in the Army, including getting married at 22, having a child, and soon after discharge being asked for a divorce. Specifically, he shares he “was homeless with only $364 in my pocket.” How Jamie felt he was back where he started as if he had no sense of direction. The irony that as a young child, he had a dream of becoming a CEO in the corner office, unlike most kids who have visions of becoming a firefighter or policeman. Jamie’s experience traveling into corporate America and “living the dream” until he realized the materialism of that life was not fulfilling. His current position as a business owner and why he is happiest now. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 031

Erik Bergman is the co-founder of Katina Media, a company that went from zero to 300 plus employees in five years. During this journey, Erik made more money than he will ever need in his life, but at the expense of burning himself out as well as his business partner and his fiance both of whom also worked for the company. Erik now 31, lives in Malta and is a native of Sweden. At the age of 28 years, Erik was ringing the bell of the stock exchange, making more money than he would ever need in his life, yet he was deeply unhappy and very unhealthy for such a young man. All of that changed, as his business and personal relationships, fell apart. He found himself alone and realized everything had to change. He started the company, great.com where, this time, the focus wasn't extreme growth, but rather wellbeing, transparency, trust, and flexibility for the team and where 100% of the profits are donated to charity. In this episode we discuss: How Erik started his first business at the age of 20. How he became less afraid of failing after experiencing his own business failures. Erik’s experience of driving himself and everyone around him so aggressively that the company made it to the stock market, but they were burned out to an extreme. How Erik’s priorities shifted dramatically in order to regain his health and restore the relationships that had been deeply damaged. His new company, , and how it is based on trust and flexibility to instill a healthy and productive work environment. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 030

Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss spent two decades careening through corporate America and barely lived to write about it. As company journalists, speechwriters, and C-suite advisors, they stockpiled insider stories and cautionary tales, which they turned into two novels: B.S., Incorporated and Operation Clusterpuck. Both live near Minneapolis where they own a communications agency, speaking to groups of all sizes, and share their perspectives in publications like the Washington Post. Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss were corporate communications directors at Best Buy for many years.  One day they bowed out of a ‘soul-crushing’ meeting and stole away for a drink.  From that moment on, a new partnership formed.  They began to plan their first novel and 5 years later, they started their own communications firm.  They have since written two humorous novels showcasing parodies of corporate life, “B.S. Inc.” and “Operation Clusterpuck”. In this episode we discuss: How they are grateful for the years they worked together at Best Buy and how they discovered the need for something different in their professional lives. Jennifer’s story about going through a divorce while she was also making a significant career transition and what worked for her through the process. Michael’s story about being married with two children and how his decision to leave the corporate world was embraced and supported by his family. How they have written two humorous novels showcasing parodies of corporate life, called “B.S. Incorporated” and “Operation Clusterpuck.” How Michael and Jennifer talked about the planning steps and the thought process they engaged in to take the risk to leave steady employment. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 029

Elena F. Deutsch, MPH is the Founder of WILL Women Interested in Leaving (big) Law. She helps attorneys become clear on what they want next, kick inner nay-sayers out of the driver’s seat, and act on their dreams. She’s focusing her 30 years of experience in leadership, training and coaching on lawyers who feel stuck, unhappy and wants to reclaim control of their careers and lives. Her work has been featured in The American Lawyer, Bloomberg Big Law Business, Above the Law, and more. Elena shares her journey of starting her career in public health and how she transitioned from that world into a consulting partnership and then her own coaching practice.  As the daughter of an attorney, she witnessed first hand the pressures of the legal profession.  Once she became a coach, lawyers were quickly drawn to her and wanted to explore their options outside the legal profession.  Today, she offers group and individual support to lawyers who are leaving or who have left their legal careers for new professional adventures. In this episode we discuss: How Elena achieved her first big vision by spending a year traveling through Australia, New Zealand, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, and what that time represents in her life. Her love of learning and training and how that has played a role through her careers and transitions. How Elena’s parents and their careers helped influence her business. One of the most difficult conversations she has ever had. What WILL is and how Elena got started with it. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 028

Vanessa Rosenblum is the President and founder of Pro REA Staffing, a recruiting firm that specializes in connecting talented administrative staff with real estate teams across the US and Canada. Vanessa holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Corporate Finance from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, Los Angeles, CA. She currently lives in Spain with her husband and son. When she is not working, you can find her in her garden or working on projects in her 400-year-old farmhouse. Vanessa Rosenblum started her first recruiting firm at the age of 25 while working as the Operations Manager for a real estate coaching company in Los Angeles. She saw a need to provide a higher level of training, support, flexibility and leverage to the real estate agents her coaching company served.  Vanessa founded Pro REA Staffing in 2008, grew the company to four full-time recruiters and well over 1000 successful placements. She sold a majority share of the company to Black29 Group in 2018 which has allowed her to expand the company and the services she offers her clients. In this episode we discuss: How Vanessa’s career journey began when she took a job with a real estate business coach. Some of the learning lessons Vanessa experienced after starting her own business. How her business really took off when she was no longer limited by geography. All of the significant moves, to multiple countries, that Vanessa and her husband tried before settling in Spain with their son. The value she places on experiences over stuff. Her current life in Spain, the schedule that works, and her happiness. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 027

Ron Carucci is the co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, where he works with CEOs and executives pursuing transformational change for their organizations and industries. He has a 30-year track record helping executives tackle challenges of strategy, organization, and leadership, overhauling leadership and culture to redesigning for growth. He is the author of eight books, is a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Forbes and a two time TEDx speaker. His work has been featured in Fortune, Inc, MSNBC, and Businessweek. Ron started his career in the theater arts and while he was successful there, he felt restless.  He translated that experience toward organizational psychology, leadership and systems change work with companies and government agencies which he has found to be engaging and meaningful over the past 30 years.  During that time, Ron has worked in more than 25 countries on four continents and his career has taken some surprising twists and turns as he made several strategic choices that he often refers to as his “mitosis years”. In this episode we discuss: How Ron began his career in the arts, living in NYC, yet he felt restless. The moment Ron’s career began shifting to organizational psychology and systems change work when he was in Germany. The various transitions he went through, “on accident,” that led him to the career he is in now. Ron’s moment of brutal honesty that led to him leaving a high-level firm and beginning his entrepreneurial journey. How he determines what best career moments look and feel like. The importance of making strategic career moves, instead of deciding what to do next from a place of pain. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 026

Randah Taher is a Master Design and innovation facilitator with a playful sandbox in it. She designs cultures of innovation, creative problem-solving processes, biomimic analogies, service and design thinking systems, edutainment games and creativity tools. A Tedx and keynote speaker, Randah is a thought leader on creative thinking and a curator of a subscription box, IMAGINESS by Sajory. Find more about her work on www.sajory.com Randah Taher has taken her background in leadership development, teaching and design thinking to apply them in a variety of work and education settings in order to support innovation and creative problem-solving.  She has consulted with executives and ‘intrapreneurs’, alike who are charged with creating and implementing innovative, new approaches to addressing complex challenges across their companies. In this episode we discuss: How Randah helps organizations nurture their cultures for innovation. Randah’s processes for facilitating problem-solving, how she gives organizations tools for growth and offers a monthly subscription box. The 4 specific innovation methods she uses, including biomimicry. Her process for learning what her strengths are and doubling down on those. Her specific issues that allowed the opportunity to flip the script, put on my coaches hat, and offer Randah some different ways to approach her challenges. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 025

John DeMato is a photographer and branded content creator who works with speakers, authors, coaches, and business leaders to produce image content portfolios that present informational, entertaining and inspiring aspects of their brand to their followers. As a former television producer, John has over 18 years of production experience and has been featured as a lifestyle photography expert on several NBC Universal daytime talk and reality shows. More than just a guy who pushes a button for a living, John DeMato sets his clients up for success beyond the portrait session by educating them on how to best leverage their image content for their websites, social channels, bios, publications, advertisements, and various other needs.  He was inspired after the death of his mother to pursue work that felt more purposeful and meaningful which took him on the path of entrepreneurship.  He has not looked back. In this episode we discuss: How John started his career in television production after getting his Master’s Degree. John’s process of self-reflection after his mom passed away, and how he came to terms with the reality his career was not fulfilling. How serving others and telling their stories has been a theme through all of his life. John’s love language of service, how he learned about it, and how it has influenced his career path. How John realized photography is his unconditional love and biggest passion. He said “It is my passion, my art. I would do it for free. I have built my business around my art in a way that does not compromise my integrity because it allows me to serve others.” The wisdom he shares with the listeners, discussing the importance of figuring out what truly lights you up and pursuing that because having a strong passion will help you through the dark and hard times. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 024

Jon is the executive director, life transition guide and learning facilitator at Liminal Space, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping others find the courage and means to navigate major life transition. He spends his days guiding 1x1 transition sessions, leading transition groups called PIER groups, and facilitating learning workshops that teach transition skills at The PIER Learning Center at Liminal Space. Jon is also the host of a weekly podcast called, Life Through Transitions. Jon DeWaal’s mission is to help people create forward momentum by embracing their life’s most formative inflection points to create immense growth and transformation.  He shares his career journey as a marketing consultant to a graduate degree in divinity to a painting contracting business, and then he fell off a roof. From there, he started to ask different questions and changed his story. In this episode we discuss: How Jon moved out to Seattle to attend graduate school and thought he would follow a traditional path, but chose to follow a different path right after graduation. His journey through a four-year transition where he was a contractor and started a family. Jon’s injury that ended up shifting his myopic focus on earning money to thinking deeply about his purpose. The tools and people who helped Jon see the beauty in transition. The sacred discipline of transition and how humans can thrive during those seasons of change and growth. All about Jon’s company, Liminal Space, and the Liminal Guide Certification Program that teaches people how to help others through transition. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 023

Melissa Smith is the CEO of The PVA (Personal Virtual Assistant) and Founder of the Association of Virtual Assistants.  She is also the bestselling author of the books, Hire the Right Virtual Assistant and Become A Successful Virtual Assistant. As a former administrative and executive assistant, Melissa Smith has always been a service focused person. She’s never been afraid of a challenge and during the recession of 2008, she worked three jobs simultaneously.  Then, in 2012, her husband died and she became the sole breadwinner in her household. She expanded her business to match virtual assistants with her clients who needed administrative help. In this episode we discuss: How Melissa got started as a secretary, then administrative assistant, and then executive assistant, all inspired by the example of her mother. Her decision to start her own business, the fact that she knew nothing about it, and the most important skill she took with her: “Nothing prepared me for being a business owner more than the fact I am a person who has always known that I will do what it takes to make it work.” How Melissa learned about coaching and decided to hire a career coach. Her journey from starting her own business to becoming the CEO, Founder, and author she is today. How Melissa discovered her first niche and how that helped her to write her first book. The different ways Melissa made every job one that she enjoyed.  The Association of Virtual Assistants Melissa just started, its purpose, and how it will help both VA’s and clients in need.  Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 022

David Kolb began his working career as a builder and general contractor. He has been an executive coach, educator, and leader himself. And as he often says about his professional work…I’m doing the same work. I simply changed the raw materials with which I work. He is the author of the book, Leadership From The Inside Out, which offers practical and proven applications to leadership. David’s energy and easily understood writing style come from decades of combining his varied life experiences, with his training in psychology, and applies all that to the environment, culture, and inner processes of emerging and veteran leaders. He shares his framework of seven capacities that people need to be able to navigate the transitions in their lives. Using the metaphor of a maestro, he says we must conduct our different parts to bring them together to what works best.   In this episode we discuss: David’s premise that we all have many parts within us and as we go through a transition, we need to understand and orchestrate those parts like a maestro of an orchestra. His career journey that started in construction and moved to psychology and coaching. How a near-death experience awakened his spiritual journey and how that process led into some of the biggest transitions of his life. The “putting a new coat of paint” analogy he uses to describe how people try to remodel their lives without looking at a deeper level. How important it is for people to dismantle their expectations to grow. David’s book and the seven different capacities that are essential to being a leader. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 021

Diana Wu David is a former Financial Times executive, author of Future Proof: Reinventing Work in an Age of Acceleration, and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School EMBA Global Asia.  She works with global leaders to enhance their ability to adapt, contribute, collaborate and grow and with organizations and boards that seek a competitive edge by enhancing leadership and engaging multi-generational talent. Diana Wu David has had a diverse professional background. She studied international relations in college and after graduation, answered a job ad that landed her a role working for Dr. Henry Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to US Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. From there she went to business school and followed a traditional route of working as a management consultant and in several start-ups.  Life took a sudden turn when a close friend committed suicide and she decided to make several meaningful changes in her professional and personal life.  Her book, Future Proof: Reinventing Work in an Age of Acceleration, draws from her experiences and from that of others who have reinvented their careers to more meaningful and fulfilling paths. In this episode we discuss: How Diana’s journey took her from “doing the right thing” in the corporate world and then eventually into entrepreneurship. Her journey to working for  that began with her responding to an anonymous ad in a newspaper. How Diana ended up living and then staying in Hong Kong. How losing a close friend started shifting her mindset about what life and work were really about, and how that shift eventually led to her leaving the corporate world. Diana’s expanded learning since owning her own company, especially with regard to self-awareness, balance, and living life with intention. How she uses approaches like journaling to evaluate what is important to her and guide her decisions. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 019

Mark Dyck started his career in information technology working for a telecommunications corporation.  After many years, he left that job and opened a bread bakery which he and his wife ran for 5 years. Today, he still bakes 150 loaves of bread on the weekends in the brick oven he built in his backyard. Additionally, he runs an online community for business owners and is working with ProsperCity, a company focused on closing gender wage gaps and salary discrimination. He is also the host of Rise Up!, a podcast for bakers and bakery owners. Mark Dyck has made several uncommon choices in his life. After a successful corporate career in IT, sales, marketing, and service development, Mark opened Orange Boot Bakery, a neighborhood artisan bread bakery in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan.  He closed the bakery in 2016 and is now pursuing several projects, including nurturing an online community of business owners called The Right Company, closing the gender wage gap and ending salary discrimination at ProsperCity, baking for a private bread club of friends and neighbors and hosting Rise Up!, a podcast for bakers and bakery owners and everyone who makes The Good Stuff and brings it to The People. In this episode we discuss: How Mark was raised to believe he should get a government job, keep his head down, work for 30 years to get his pension, and then retire. Mark’s first leap of faith in business when he decided to go part-time at his “secure” job to spend more time at home with his wife and kids. How his passion for bread baking led to him building his own brick oven and then eventually starting a bakery. Mark’s discovery that he is a people-centric person and how he uses that knowledge to determine what projects he will try. His work with The Right Company and with ProsperCity. Mark’s belief in taking leaps, making transitions, and doing all of it for the connections with people. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 018

Marie Incontrera was experiencing great success as a composer, conductor, pianist, and bandleader, making her way to Carnegie Hall and being highly touted in the New York Times.  Yet, as much as she loved it, she burning out on normalizing the financial struggles as a working artist. Today, she has taken her talents in additional directions and is happy with her choices. Marie Incontrera is a social media, publicity, and speaker consultant for authors, thought leaders, coaches, and consultants.  She is also a professional composer, pianist, and bandleader, and has appeared at Carnegie Hall. Marie is a fitness enthusiast who loves martial arts and has recently taken up roller derby.  In this episode we discuss: How her career transition was more like a career addition. Her joy in working in consulting because it allows her to express her creativity in a different way. How her consulting career enables her to enjoy the best of her music career. Her love for trying new things and some of the endeavors she has tried. How having a tribe has helped her immensely through her growth and development process. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 017

Today, after 11 years as a hospice nurse, supporting hundreds of terminally ill patients and their families, Arza Goldstein established a private practice as an End of Life Doula, helping patients and their families make their remaining time together less stressful and more meaningful. Most of us don’t like to talk about dying, but stay for the conversation and see how thinking about death and dying makes us live our lives with greater intention. Arza Goldstein is an entrepreneur, journeywoman and advocate. Her career path has taken her from training and development to sales, investment banking, real estate, birth doula to hospice nurse and community organizer. She has a private practice as an End of Life Doula and is the co-founder of Living Wisely, Dying Well, an organization designed to encourage conversations about death and dying. In this episode we discuss: Arza’s career path that led her through sales, real estate, birth doula, hospice nursing, and now as an End of Life doula. How certain indescribable feelings served as cues to her that she was ready to move on from different jobs during her career. The fears that she confronted when she was not an income earning member of her family, and how those led her to pursue her nursing education. How Arza views death and how she uses her insights to help people live better while preparing for end of life. The various services she performs in her role as an end of life doula. Arza’s strength at helping people journey through the end of their lives. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 016

David Shriner-Cahn is a recognized authority on entrepreneurship, leadership development, and the host of the business podcast Smashing the Plateau. Featured in Forbes and Inc. Magazine, over 400 episodes of Smashing the Plateau offer a wealth of personal experiences and practical advice about achieving business breakthroughs. Davids mission is helping solopreneur experts do what they love. Entrepreneur David Shriner-Cahn talks about his early professional years as a chemical engineer.  He then engaged in an interim career as a contractor, before moving into his second career as a non-profit executive.  After 20 years in the non-profit sector, he transitioned into self-employment as a consultant to support the strategies of solopreneur experts, building more stable and consistent recurring revenue in their business.   In this episode we discuss: How David smashes the plateau by stepping outside his comfort zone and trying paths he is may be unsure about. David’s career transitions and how that shaped his view of life not being linear. How he took time between his engineering job and starting to work in the nonprofit sector. He needed time to figure out what he was doing and where he was going. His current role as an entrepreneur and podcast host, and how he helps people think strategically about sales and marketing. How David values being part of a group of like-minded individuals to help bounce ideas off of through different career transitions and experiences. David’s passion for helping other people as they are growing their businesses. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 015

Margo Aaron says “Try things that don’t work.”  She has a lot of experience with this and can testify to it as a successful strategy for making career transitions.   In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, Margo Aaron shares her journey from studying literature to psychology research and becoming an “accidental marketer”. Believe it or not, she connects the dots forward amongst all of these seemingly disparate pathways to demonstrate how they have been part of her philosophy of “living a deliberate life”. Margo Aaron is a recovering academic and accidental marketer. Today she’s the founder of The Arena, a virtual coworking community for solopreneurs, a cohost of the internet talk show #HAMYAW with Hillary Weiss, a regular contributor to Inc, and prolific writer with fans like Seth Godin, Derek Sivers, and Paul Jarvis.   In this episode we discuss: Margo’s educational and career journey that taught her how our culture views making career shifts as being all over the place when really, “we are actually always just connecting the dots forward.” How her dad taught her the value of grit and an understanding that the traditional way didn’t work for her, but there are other ways to achieve what you want. Her skills for getting into jobs and educational systems she was not actually qualified for. How Margo had to “unlearn her worthiness” and her mindset surrounding fear and self-doubt which includes “going after the things that scare you until those fears become less personal and less likely to derail you.” Why she considers herself a recovering academic and how she has unlearned the scripts that shaped her view of the world. Margo’s concept of “product found fit” and what it means in her life. Listen, subscribe and read show notes at  - episode 014