I speak with my friend Lisa from Freekind, an anti human trafficking non profit organization. The mission of Freekind is to prevent human trafficking in southern Virginia, and support survivors on their journey to freedom. You may be surprised at who is impacted by this issue, and how pervasive it is throughout the United States. In addition we learn about Lisa’s path to her role as an Exec. Dir. after a specialized career in healthcare. Vulnerable, honest and heartwarming, you don’t want to miss this episode!
Listen to the interview highlights from our conversation with Jim. You can also check out our YouTube Channel TFA Soft Skills for this and other On the Go Episodes!
Today I speak with friend and fellow female entrepreneur Emily Vickers. She is the president and founder of iConsult, a cyber, big data, transformation, and cloud architecture business. After being in operation for 10 years, she has a wealth of knowledge and insight to share. Enjoy this episode!
Today I speak with Tara, CEO of The Clearing, a strategy and change management consulting firm. I am so excited for you to hear her career journey, her advice and her insight. I hope you feel as inspired as I did after our interview. Enjoy this episode!
Today I speak with Matt Stevens – CEO of The Honor Foundation. The Honor Foundation is an organization who’s mission is to help special forces transition out of their military life and into their next chapter. Matt is a Naval Academy graduate and Navy SEAL for 26 years. He discusses his own transition into becoming the CEO and how we can all break through our own fear barriers. Enjoy this episode!
REAL-ATABLE On the Go episode includes highlights from our interview with Jessica Auville. Want to see it in video form? Check out our TFA Soft Skills YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave comments. Enjoy this episode!
Today we dive into the diverse journey of Rebecca Hayes. We met at a paint party and while I’m no artist, she made me feel like one in about two hours! She is a woman of many talents. She has a financial background and owns an art studio, The Purple Hayes Gallery. She has a lot of great insight to share on creativity, loving what you do and the importance of side hustles. Enjoy this episode!
Coach VT talks about her love of teaching, handling failure, staying true to yourself, and the value of continuing to evolve and move forward. After listening, you will be inspired to harness your strengths, and take on new challenges. We also have a few laughs along the way. Enjoy this episode! In this episode Coach VT talks about the author Jay Shetty, his books include- Think Like a Monk and 8 Rules of Love.
John Daly has been in wine distribution business for over 30 years. He discusses how the industry has changed, personal pivots, and critical tips for success. We hear inside scoop on how he negotiated his compensation and benefits package to improve the balance between life and work. Finally, everyone’s question, what are the proper wine pairings with food? He shares it all! Enjoy this episode!
Enjoy the highlights from this amazing interview with the incredibly fascinating high performance psychologists at Deloitte!
Marcus joins us to discuss his path to becoming a member of the House of Delegates. He has a law degree, has served in the military as a prosecuting attorney, been a criminal defense lawyer, and now runs a successful real estate law firm. You don’t want to miss his fascinating adventure to where he is now. Enjoy this episode!
Dr. Cannon is Paul’s oncologist, he was our beacon of light and hope during a very challenging time. In addition to discussing our personal story, we get to hear about Dr Cannon’s college basketball journey, and how a mission trip to Taiwan shaped his life which led him to his career in oncology. Enjoy this episode!
They are back!! Missy and T share highlights and behind the scenes info from the more than 30 interviews in 2023. A HUGE thank you to all of our guests this year, we had a great time hearing your stories and sage advice. Special Notes: Non Profit-Bloom Youth- We equip youth with the mindset, skills, knowledge, mental resources, as well as access to mentors and opportunities to grow individually Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Always great to have a family member on the show! I speak with my cousin Jim. He started his career in the mortgage and banking industry and discusses his successful path toward being a bank president. After “retiring” at 56, he shares how he’s spent the last 20 years doing what he WANTS to do, not what he HAS to do. Fascinating journey, and specific insight on core values that made all the difference. Enjoy this episode!
Our latest On the Go episode. Listen to highlights from my interview with Marjorie. You can also view this episode on our YouTube Channel. Enjoy!
Redskins superstar Ken Harvey joins us on REAL-ATABLE! We hear about his football career, being a prolific author, and his new podcast “You’re going to know, Commanders Justice”. Ken shares valuable insight on perseverance, how fear played a significant role in his life, and discusses the power of reinventing yourself- it’s never too late! Enjoy this episode!
In this episode Teresa and Michael discuss their love of soft skills! They talk about a set back that shook Michael’s confidence, and how he bounced back. We hear about why critical thinking and public speaking are critical for success, and how he risked it all to find his true calling. Enjoy this episode!
Chrissy and I discuss her road to being a performance dietician. She’s worked with D1 athletes and now helps military professionals. Her story of pursuing her dreams is inspiring, and we get a lot of great tips on how we should be eating to enhance our day to day performance and enjoyment. Chrissy is one of the kindest and hardest working people I know- take some time to listen- you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy this episode!
Today’s episode is our On The Go feature with Azah. You may remember her from Big Brother Season 23. Now she is a believer, chef and creative. You can view this episode on our new YouTube Channel, TFA Soft Skills.
I speak with Anjanette, a friend and colleague for more than 25 years! As 2 HR geeks who happen to have a lot of employer overlap we dish on when she was my supervisor, how and why we both would stand in front of a bus for the other, and how she found her fulfillment after a challenging and difficult period in her career. It’s all in this discussion, plus career insight and advice that everyone can use. Enjoy this episode!
We are diving deep into the world of communication, crisis response, public relations and journalism. Julie is not just any communications expert, she is currently on the front lines managing public relations and crisis response for police and government. Julie leverages her unique career in broadcast journalism to serve her cross industry clients. We hear about resilience in the face of rejection, what it was like to be an on air anchor during 9/11, and what she has found to be critical success factors in serving her clients. Enjoy this episode!
The day finally came. Teresa’s book has officially launched and we want to share a bit of the party with our listeners! Enjoy this episode!
Teresa speaks with her neighbor and friend Pat. He is retired military, a Booz Allen space expert, university professor, AND artist. He gives specific examples of how to find and create success, and we hear about the mantra he lives by, “you find success by giving yourself options”. What does that mean? Listen in to find out! Also, check out his website www.sargent-thamm.com to get a look at his art, you will not be disappointed!
Enjoy our first episode of REAL-ATABLE On the Go, where you can enjoy highlights and interesting insight from our industry experts and guests in 15 minutes or less. Enjoy!
Ready for Part 2 with Muggie? In this discussion we focus more on her career and the pivots along the way. Her passion for this position is very personal and you will definitely shed a few tears with her as she shares her experience and how she landed this job 10 years ago. Get ready to be inspired! Enjoy this episode!
Welcome back to season three! Today MISSY does the interviewing! She talks with Teresa and one of her her best friends of 40+ years, Marjorie AKA “Muggie”. How has this unique friendship lasted so long? Have they ever taken a break? What are their secret ingredients to a lifelong friendship? Anyone who has spent time with this duo knows this friendship is special. Grab your bestie, sit down and get ready to laugh. Enjoy this episode!
Today I talk with Sarah, an Integrative leadership coach, Team collaboration trainer, and Well-being strategy...
Bill is an accomplished independent filmmaker with experience across all disciplines within the entertainment industry....
Dr. Wendy is a plastic surgeon specializing in breast and body reconstruction and augmentation. What...
Continue listening to Mike and Tammy as they give their advice regarding careers, parenting and...
Mike & Tammy are both Naval Academy graduates. Mike was recruited to play tennis, Tammy...
Teresa’s nephew Tim joins her on REAL-ATABLE to discuss his path to being an executive...
Today we learn about what soft skills are necessary for a career in law enforcement....
Paul joins Teresa again to discuss his surgery and treatments of his cancer journey. If...
Mereweather talks about how the experiences she had attending summer camps inspired her career path....
In today’s episode, Teresa and her producer, Missy, discuss the past year of interesting, exciting,...
Deborah and Dr. Naylor of Deloitte join me to talk about their cutting-edge mental health...
Deborah and Dr. Naylor of Deloitte join me to talk about their cutting-edge mental health...
With $400 and a mattress, Jessica made her way to Chicago in search of opportunities...
We have followed Megan and Luke since their freshman year and this year they graduated....
Don works as a fire instruction coordinator for ATF. We discuss his long career history...
Greg is the director of Civilian Agencies at CrowdStrike. He has been successful in the...
Ethan is a retired professional soccer player who competed and won in Survivor-Africa. He went...
In the rigorous world of sales, it can be difficult to maintain an ambitious mindset....
Sometimes accidents make for the best business plans! Greg’s career as a tattoo artist and shop...
Making changes requires courage to take a risk. Bhavna has done that in her personal...
Inspired by social change, Tony has dedicated his life’s work to give students an experience...
Taryn Murphy is a high school junior with a lot of thoughts and a lot to say. That’s why she’s involved in debate, among other things, and also why she recently gave a Ted Talk about the misconceptions surrounding Gen Z.
Listen to this episode to hear an interview with Taryn. She discusses what things have helped her to succeed during the more difficult periods in her life, what got her interested in debate and what kinds of speaking she normally does, and what her feelings are about Gen Z and the misconceptions the older generations have about her generation.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
The Stereotypes of Gen Z – Taryn Murphy
People don’t always realize that soft skills are needed in basically every work-related role, but...
People don’t always realize that soft skills are needed in basically every work-related role, but if there’s one department that they usually do know soft skills are needed in, it’s the HR department. The person in an organization who handles diversity and inclusion, a role that has evolved in a myriad of ways and plays an increasingly important role in an organization’s success, will especially need to make use of these important skills.
Today’s guest is LaQuenta Jacobs, Chief Diversity Officer at XPO Logistics, Inc. In the episode, you’ll hear her discuss both how she came to hold that role and how she’s both learned in it and helped to shape it. Listen to today’s interview to learn why a role in diversity and inclusion feels so personal, why it’s important to cultivate resilience and how to do so, and why keeping a sense of humor matters so much to this particular role.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
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How does a person get into working with data? Today’s guest describes what he does as “turning data into eye candy”, but what does that mean? In this episode, you’ll hear from Joe Bullis, Principal and Founder at Bulldog Insights Group LLC, and in the interview, you’ll learn about how Joe ended up in his line of work and what it means.
Listen to the episode to hear what Joe has to say about what Bulldog Insights does and how Joe created it. You’ll also learn about how he cultivated his network, how the concussions he sustained while playing sports in high school affected his college trajectory, and how to know when it’s time to leave.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Joe Bullis
Bulldog Insights Group LLC
It’s common to feel like you can’t do what you love and pay the bills at the same time – that you have to have a “real job”, one that you don’t love and may not even like, and hope that it leaves you enough free time and energy to do some of the things that you’re really passionate about. But what if you can make your passion into your career? Today’s guest did.
Zach Davis is a martial artist professional and now owns a martial arts school. In today’s episode, he’ll talk about how he landed on that profession and ended up owning his own school, what it was like for him to give up drinking, and what soft skills he thinks are the most critical.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Zach Davis
How do you handle a role that requires you to focus more on influencing people’s thinking than on achieving specific outcomes? Today’s guest is Kavitha Prabhakar, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Deloitte US. In today’s episode, she’ll talk about her role, what it entails, and what led her there.
Listen to the episode to hear what Kavitha has to say about what has surprised her about her role, how she works to create change, and what causes people to make missteps when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Kavitha Prabhakar
Motivation is a key factor in success. Everyone knows that. But where does motivation come from? What motivates a person? How should someone utilize that in order to achieve success? How do you find the thing that sparks your interest and causes you to be motivated?
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Chad Small, a Regional Manager at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. In this interview, he discusses motivation and where his comes from, the things that have helped him achieve success along the way, and where Chad got his competitive drive.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Chad Small
The year is almost over, and it’s been an eventful one. Having a pandemic continue to unfold throughout the year has also made it a difficult one. However, the REAL-ATABLE podcast has accomplished a lot this year, and has talked to a lot of people who have accomplished a lot in their lives and careers as well. In today’s episode, Teresa and her producer, Missy, discuss the past year of interesting, exciting, and engaging interviews with a number of inspiring people.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Teresa Freeman Associates
Being in the CIA has to be one of the most challenging career paths out there. What do people need to know about the organizations, qualifications, and job requirements if they think that might be something they’d like to do? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Karen Schaefer, formerly of the CIA. Listen to the episode to learn more about how Karen ended up in the CIA, what young people need to know about whether or not they would succeed in a CIA career, and how to protect their mental health when working that kind of job.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Karen Schaefer
Do you like the process of learning? Are there a lot of different roles that seem right for you? If so, you might have something in common with today’s guest. Leslie Durham is an academic advisor at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. She has a varied background and broad educational experience. Listen to the episode to learn more about how Leslie ended up in her current role, what it was like for her working on dig sites, and what the life of a military spouse is like.
Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode:
Resources:
Leslie Durham
How common is it to spend years working for the FBI before making a switch to a new phase in your career? That’s the story of today’s guest, Hayden Temin, who spent almost 15 years with the FBI before becoming the Vice President of HR Delivery and Operations at Booz Allen Hamilton. Listen to this conversation to hear about what Hayden thought about what she would be doing when she got her MBA, whether she had difficulty navigating the male-dominated field of the FBI, and how she decided to make a big career leap.
Doug has done it all. Graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and served multiple years following his graduation. He worked in the private sector at the intersection of public policy and the shipping industry, and now in his 3rd act, he is teaching high school history. Listen in as he talks about the twists and turns throughout his journey, and what brought him to this point of taking on a new adventure at age 50. Great advice, insight and fascinating! Enjoy this episode!
Michelle discusses her secret gem of a career in the association industry and how she had to start over several times before she became CEO! We talk about the importance of equality, and what it means for those that come after us. AND we hear so many great stories, one includes driving Barack Obama around when he first campaigned for the state senate in Illinois. Enjoy this episode!
Sam just started his freshman year at R-MC. He shares the process of his college application and recruitment to their baseball team. We talk about how he used the covid shut down as a time to reflect and reset to decide what he really wants in life, which sometimes may include sacrifices. We hope to talk to him every year during his time in college. Enjoy this episode!
Eileen shares with us her experiences in diplomacy and how she came to become a public speaker. As the founder of Spokesmith, she works with all different levels of talent teaching them how to deliver their message in daily and extraordinary events. She gives our listeners great tips on how to deliver a successful speech and have an executive presence. Enjoy this episode!
As always these two are candid and honest and we benefit from listening to them talk about their experiences! In this conversation we discuss the effects of the pandemic, academic pressure, managing hectic schedules, the importance of mental health as well as advice for fellow high school students. Enjoy this episode!
Paul shares how he found fulfillment and happiness in his life and career. We talk about pivoting when necessary and the power of insatiable curiosity. He openly discusses all things money! Whether you are in debt or an expert saver, there is GREAT advice for both young and old about saving and investing. We discuss how to do it, when to do it and how to set yourself up for a financially secure future. Enjoy this episode!
Susannah, a rising senior for the Boston College Softball Team tells us all about her path from club, high school and recruitment to playing in college. She shares some fun stories about how her mentors taught her to use her drive and competitive nature to her advantage and even dishes about some famous athletes she’s met along the way. Enjoy this episode!
Shanna shares a story that borders on the impossible. After losing her job abruptly while being a single mom of 5 Shanna hit a low point. Everything changed when she took a phone call that positively impacted her course. This is a story of grit, perseverance and optimism. You will learn about what it takes to lead and develop others, the power of communication AND why it’s both acceptable and important to surround yourself with those that are smarter and more experienced. Enjoy this episode!
Glenn hosts the afternoon show on STAR 102 and has been in the radio business for 25 years. Glenn entertains us with fun stories, behind the scenes info and what has helped him with career longevity in a competitive industry. Glenn shares how his education was not traditional yet it helped him land his dream job. We talk about embracing the parts of yourself that previously made you an easy target, the importance of teamwork and how being of service of others is the best antidote to leading with ego. Enjoy this episode!
Joanna gives us an inside look into the music industry. She shares insight on the contracts, writing, recording and business of music production. Join us as she shares her successes and challenges she’s had during her long lasting music career. Enjoy this episode!
Vivian, an exec. level recruiter shares fantastic advice for resume writing, job hunting and interviewing. She also provides insight through talking about her her own life lessons and experiences. This discussion is full of information that is applicable to anyone, regardless of your experience. Grab a pen and paper or listen multiple times to make sure you get every great nugget-Enjoy this episode!
Rob gives us a rare and exciting behind the scenes look at a career in aviation. Despite obstacles and a recession, he was bullish about pursuing his passion. Rob’s positivity is infectious, and he gives great advice about hard work, being curious, kind, and asking good questions. Oh! And do your homework!
Kelly gets real about her path to becoming a pastor and working as a senior member in the Lutheran church. She openly discusses her struggles to find her calling, which resulted in a 10 year hiatus post seminary. During that break, Kelly found her love of teaching. After some time and reflection Kelly realized she could teach and be a part of the church in a formal capacity. Kelly shares insight on how to find your own path, challenging the status quo, and how to fight those pesky feelings of not being good enough. Enjoy this episode!
Monica moved to the US at 16 and fast tracked her education receiving her masters degree by the age of 22. She gives great insight into her business, the part she played in the sale of a very successful company and the importance of seizing opportunities even if they don’t go with your original plan. Enjoy this episode!
I speak with Kellie and Byron, two Teresa Freeman Associate interns. Both are recent college grads, and we sit down to talk about the challenges they faced this past year graduating during a pandemic, the lesson of being able to pivot when things don’t go how you planned and the importance of networking. Enjoy this episode!
Also, our podcast will soon be available on a new podcasting service called Vurbl found here: https://vurbl.com/station/1V9AyrC0tW0/
Aneesh discusses his amazing career from local and state government to becoming the first Chief Technology Officer for President Obama. He is a published author of the book Innovative State, and is now the President of CareJourney, a healthcare analytics company that is dedicated to improving population health and reducing costs. Aneesh talks about the importance of family, a diversified career, and how the spirit of generosity makes everything work. Enjoy this Episode!
Wonder what it is like to have a career focused on getting the bad guys? In this episode, Josh shares interesting stories about leadership, confidence, and and failure. His fascinating journey includes The Naval Academy, Marine Corps, and 21 years as an agent with the FBI. In addition, we talk about his current role serving in the largest security organization in North America. We learn about how to handle all of the threats we are currently facing. You do not want to miss this episode!
Sean tells us about his experience in Hollywood, among his long list of accomplishments, he wrote and directed the Great Buck Howard and produced a documentary titled Brothers which helped him grieve the loss of his own brother during 9/11. Sean is bold, fearless and talks candidly about finding fulfillment in a tough industry. We hear about what it was like to hit it big, then leaving that security behind to follow his passion and true joy. Enjoy this episode!