Ever Better Today: Recent Episodes

Lisa Conners Vogt. MBA. ACC. CPC

Elevate your life in 10 minutes or less!

Ever Better Today is the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, and overall life in ten minutes or less.

The podcast is brought to you by Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting.

Each episode is focused on one topic and is full of examples, tips, principles and practices for getting ever better, every day. Listen each day to elevate your overall life including your business, career, and your personal relationships.

To learn more about Coach Lisa, Executive and Leadership Coaching or Ever Better, go to http://www.everbetteru.com.

I invite you to attend my free webinar:
10 Leadership Limiters and How to Avoid Them.

It takes place on September 16, at noon EST.
Register now at www.everbetteru.com/webinar.

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This is the final episode of Ever Better Today, Season Two!

I'll be back at some point in the future so stay tuned!

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It’s Coach Question Friday when I ask a question that I often ask clients!

For the final episode of Ever Better Today, I’d like you to consider how you can share your ideas more widely. How can you reach more people? How can you have a greater impact?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How can you share your ideas more broadly?

Set your goals. Who do you want to reach and why?

When I set out to produce Ever Better Today, Season Two, I said that I was going to do 250 episodes. That was roughly one episode per weekday for a year. My main goals were to become more comfortable with creating ideas, articulating, and sharing them. I knew that this would help me to document my body of work and identify patterns that I could focus on moving forward. Before I knew it, I had reached 100 episodes and I recognized that I had achieved my goals. Creating another 150 episodes wouldn’t help me move the needle on achieving my main goals. So I’m turning my attention to client work and other projects….at least for now! But….I’ll be back!What are your goals?

Identify key topics and themes.

As I created daily podcasts, I narrowed down my topics to leadership and related tactics and tools. What are you key topics and themes? It’s totally normal for your topics and themes to evolve! But they can’t evolve until you get started.

Identify a platform to share your ideas.

Think about how you can share your ideas. Try podcasting, blogs, creating workshops, webinars, seminars, or being a guest on podcasts. If you try something and it’s not working for you, it’s totally fine to try something else! What platform seems most natural for you? Remember, it all takes practice!

Have a team to support you.

On my end, I have a wonderful editor named Ryan Higgs and virtual assistant named Louisa to help me produce, publish and publicize each episode.Who’s in your corner?

How can you stretch yourself to get your ideas into the world?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I invite you to attend my free webinar:
10 Leadership Limiters and How to Avoid Them.

It takes place on September 16, at noon EST.
Register now at www.everbetteru.com/webinar.

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As you move up the ranks from an entry-level job to senior managerial positions, you have fewer peers to confide in. You’ll need to create an evolving circle of confidantes. It may not be easy, but it’s important to achieve. And when you do, it won’t be lonely at the top.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

It doesn't have to be lonely at the top. Here are some tips:

Find a coach. Identify someone you trust to share your challenges and success with on a confidential basis. This relationshop can cover all aspects of your business, career, and overall life.

Surround yourself with people you can trust. Find your circle of advisors and people you can trust to share your challenges with. This should be a two-way relationship. They need to be able to rely on you just as you rely on them.

Speak at conferences. This will help you create more your connections and meet people who are also in senior roles. Put yourself in places where you’ll be among peers.

Involve yourself in hobbies and activities. Build relationships with people who can become confidantes outside of work. As you pursue hobbies and activities that you enjoy, those relationships will evolve and you’ll learn from each other.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I invite you to attend my free webinar:
10 Leadership Limiters and How to Avoid Them.

It takes place on September 16, at noon EST.
Register now at www.everbetteru.com/webinar.

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Leadership involves articulating your vision, creating alignment within your organization and driving execution.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

The Work of Leaders DiSC Assessment identifies and describes your work style, and explains the benefits and opportunities for growth within the framework of vision, alignment, and execution.

Here are the three Work of Leaders elements: Vision, Alignment and Execution.

Vision is an imagined future condition for the organization or team. It expands assumptions about what can be accomplished. It unifies people and provides purpose.

How you craft your vision and how you communicate your vision is related to your DiSC style. You might prioritize details, or you might prioritize the big picture, you might be extremely bold, or you might focus on analysis.

Alignment involves gaining buy-in from the organization and your team. It takes a team to achieve a vision. Alignment sets the stage by proposing a plan for effective implementation, provides a forum for questions and concerns, brings people together behind the vision and it generates excitement.

If a team is aligned towards a vision and they understand the strategic plan and where they're going in the future, they're going to be much more resilient and less likely to jump ship when things get tough.

Execution is how you turn vision into reality. Vision is achieved through tactics. Choose the right person for each position, consider resources, and finances for your organization.

Using OKRs - objectives and key results - or another form of metrics is important for managing execution. They provide team milestones and the opportunity to recognize and celebrate progress.

The work of leaders varies at different levels.

CEOs should be focused on vision and alignment while delegating execution.

Middle managers should be focused on some vision and alignment with a greater emphasis on managing execution.

Entry level managers will primarily focus on execution and managing execution.

To learn more about DiSC Assessments and working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I invite you to attend my free webinar:
10 Leadership Limiters and How to Avoid Them.

It takes place on September 16, at noon EST.
Register now at www.everbetteru.com/webinar.

Do you sometimes act as if you are not qualified for a role even though you know you are? Do you downplay your ideas and accomplishments so that others won’t feel threatened? If so, you are acting like an "intentional imposter."

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Why would anyone be an intentional imposter?

Avoiding Conflict

We’ve all seen examples of women who confidently speak their truth and face a firestorm of criticism because of it. Maybe you’ve witnessed this or even experienced it yourself. This can cause individuals to play smaller.

Consider Dr. Christine Blasey Ford who was harassed, ridiculed, and experienced death threats because she shared her experience of being assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh in high school.

Avoiding the Spotlight

Sometimes being in the spotlight can result in public shaming and people speaking out against an individual whom they don’t know. This very real experience of trolling can cause individuals to avoid the spotlight so that they can continue to live their lives as they have been. Unfortunately, they may not be living and speaking their authentic truth and they are not making a difference in the world as they might.

Consider what happened when Dr. Brene Brown gave a TEDx talk in 2010 that becamse wildly popular. Word of her research and her relatable explanations of shame became widely quoted - and the trolls came for her online. She openly discusses how hurtful and potentially damaging the barrage of negative comments about her looks and her work could have been. She discusses this in her Netflix special, The Call to Courage.

Avoiding Responsibility:
Which May Reveal Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
Sharing your ideas in a meeting or public forum can result in being assigned with leading a task force or taking on a special assignment. This can be great for your career. But it can also be one more responsibility for which you won’t receive additional compensation. It may also put you into a role for which you don’t feel qualified. This can cause imposter syndrome to reveal itself. Listen to Ever Better Today Episode 104 to learn more about Imposter Syndrome.

How to break the cycle of intentional impostering.

Take steps to stop intentional impostering little by little.

Practice sharing your authentic ideas a bit more every day. When you do this regularly, people will get used to hearing from you and expect it. You’ll create the understanding and expectation that you have valuable ideas and qualifications.

Expect to be invited in as a leader. And if you’re not, remember what Shirley Chisholm said: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I invite you to attend my free webinar:
10 Leadership Limiters and How to Avoid Them.

It takes place on September 16, at noon EST.
Register now at www.everbetteru.com/webinar.

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If you feel like you’re not qualified for the role you’re in and you’re going to be discovered…you may have imposter syndrome. Even if you don’t, chances are that someone you know or work with does.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Imposter syndrome is the feeling that you are not qualified to be in your current role, and that you are going to be found out and humiliated.

What drives feelings of Imposter Syndrome?

1. Comparison

Comparison is addiction to failure. Comparison also drives imposter syndrome.

Imagine you’re a CEO who’s struggling with a challenge and you compare yourself to another CEO who handled a similar situation gracefully. You may judge yourself harshly in comparison and conclude that you aren’t qualified. In reality, every CEO struggles with challenges and no two CEOs have the same qualifications.

Rather than comparing yourself to someone else, think about the valuable skills and experiences you bring to your role. In addition, seek a different perspective from people around you like your leadership team, coaches, and someone who knows your capabilities and will provide honest feedback.

2. Lack of Practice and Negative Feedback

Individuals are often afraid of speaking up in meetings or sharing their ideas in other forums because when they’ve done this in the past they’ve been discouraged, laughed at, or had their ideas hijacked. They may feel that they are jeopardizing their job if they share an idea that isn’t accepted by others. Overcoming this belief takes practice.

To elevate your voice, you need to practice saying your idea authentically while making eye contact with key people in the room. And if someone takes your idea and presents it as their own, call them out with a direct and matter-of-fact statement.

3. Reinforcement of Inconsistent Qualification Requirements

Women and people of color are often judged to be lacking in qualifications for roles even when their academic and business successes exceed those they are being judged against. This can lead individuals to start believing that they are truly not qualified and that they have to work twice as hard to gain the respect of their colleagues.

Address feelings of inadequate qualifications with your support system and with reminders of all you’ve accomplished.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How can you get better at your job?

Each Friday, I share a question that I often ask my clients. Today’s question is inspired by “Born Standing Up” by Steve Martin, and “So Good They Can't Ignore You” by Cal Newport.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here’s how you can get better at your work if you are a CEO, Founder, Co-founder, or Senior Manager…

Create a coaching relationship with someone you trust, who can guide and mentor you.
Broaden your network and informal relationships so that you have people who you can share ideas with and brainstorm with.
Ask for feedback from customers and keep in touch with your entry-level employees to ask for their input on what they're observing and what they're experiencing.

Here’s how you can get better at your work if you are in an entry-level or mid-level role.… 1. Strive to become a subject matter expert 2. Collect and study information to learn about your company, business sector, competitors, and your job. 3. Create and share your own perspective! Identify transformational concepts and ideas that others haven’t considered.

Become someone who is so good, that they can't ignore you!

Episodes 99, 100, 101, 102, and 103 describe just some of the takeaways from So Good They Can't Ignore You and Born Standing Up.

There are many other lessons in these books so I encourage you to read or listen to them. yourself! You can find them here.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Feeling fulfilled and passionate about our work comes from having autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

So what do those three terms mean and how can you achieve them?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Cal Newport talks about Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in his book “So Good They Can't Ignore You”. SDT is actually composed of six mini-theories and one of them is Basic Psychological Needs Theory. To learn more, go to selfdeterminationtheory.org/theory

Basic Psychological Needs Theory Psychological well-being and optimal functioning are a result of

autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy

This is the feeling that you have control over your day and that your work is important and meaningful. Don’t expect this in the early days of your career. Strive for a blend of autonomy and guidance by finding mentors and role models to help you navigate your profession. As you gain experience, you’ll enjoy more autonomy than you’ve earned.

Competence

There are four levels of competence. As your skills and awareness develop, you’ll move through the phases of:

Unconscious incompetence; conscious incompetence; conscious competence; and unconscious competence.

Learn more about this model by listening to Episode 7 of Ever Better Today.

Relatedness

This is the feeling of connection to other people. You have to feel a connection in order to feel very engaged and passionate about your job and mission-driven.

Episodes 99, 100, 101, 102, and 103 describe just some of the takeaways from So Good They Can't Ignore You and Born Standing Up.

There are many other lessons in these books so I encourage you to read or listen to them. yourself! You can find them here.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Do you focus on the value you're offering in your job? Or are you thinking more about “what's in it for me”?

These are two very different mindsets that create vastly different outcomes.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

----------------------------------------------- In chapter four of Cal Newport’s book entitled “So Good They Can't Ignore You”, he describes two different approaches to thinking about work - a craftsman mindset versus a passion mindset.

In Steve Martin’s book, Born Standing Up, he describes his constant work to craft better performances. His passion for the work grew with his expertise and accolades.

Crafters mindset & Entrepreneur mindset Crafters and entrepreneurs focus on the value they are producing for someone else. Entrepreneurs collect information, interpret it in their own way, and create something transformational for the world to consume.

They take in information, apply their interpretation and create something new - transformation.

Passion mindset vs Employee Mindset

In the employee mindset, individuals are focused on how their jobs make them feel and what they're getting out of their jobs rather than emphasizing the contribution, transformation, and advancement of others. This revolves around the “what's in it for me?” culture.

Real-life examples following information, interpretation, and transformation flow… * Steve Martin took information about magic tricks, comedy, entertainment at Disney, and quirky personalities. He interpreted all this information in his own way and created an act that only he could do. He made an artform that entertained his audiences and shifted comedy forever.

With this podcast, I’m interpreting information from books, my professional and personal experiences, and my education and transforming it into podcasts. My hope is that these podcasts help you and others to elevate their businesses, careers, and overall lives.

Episodes 99, 100, 101, 102, and 103 describe just some of the takeaways from So Good They Can't Ignore You and Born Standing Up.

There are many other lessons in these books so I encourage you to read or listen to them. yourself! You can find them here.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Do you pursue your passion or get so good at something that it becomes a passion?

In the book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Cal Newport makes the case that single-mindedly pursuing your passion can create frustration and a chaotic career. Listen to learn more!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

----------------------------------------------- Here’s what you can do to create a career or business that you’re passionate about without creating chaos… 1. Figure out what you're interested in, that you can get paid for, and that you enjoy doing. Then get great at that! 2. Get that job or start a business that you can feel good about doing on a day-to-day basis. Get started! As you learn more and get better at what you’re doing, it may very likely become a passion. 3. Learn what you need to know, learn the basics, and figure out ways to not succeed. Mistakes are a great way to learn! 4. Build your network. Meet people in that industry and people who are engaged in similar work or business.

Consider… Do you know someone who pursued something and it grew into a passion?

What steps did they take to succeed?

Episodes 99, 100, 101, 102, and 103 describe just some of the takeaways from So Good They Can't Ignore You and Born Standing Up.

There are many other lessons in these books so I encourage you to read or listen to them. yourself! You can find them here.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

This episode is inspired by two books, So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport and Born Standing Up by Steve Martin.

If you’re ready to achieve wild success in anything you do, you need to become great at it.

This takes time, dedication, and a willingness to be uncomfortable.

Overnight success rarely happens. And when it does, it’s not sustainable.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

--------------------------------------------- Here’s how Steve Martin became so good… * He honed his magic and entertainment skills in a variety of “unglamorous” jobs. * He started performing for very small audiences and learned from negative feedback. * He refused to give up and continued to hone his skills as a stand-up comedian. * He went on tour at colleges and universities which led him to perform on much bigger stages, stadiums, and venues. * He recognized that performing in very large venues left him empty and unsatisfied because his passion was to connect with his audience. * As a comedian, he created transferrable skills that he applied to acting, producing and music. * When he reached financial success he became a philanthropist and an art collector.

Steve Martin’s advice, “be so good they can’t ignore you” was the inspiration for Cal Newport’s book. Listen to the next few episodes of Ever Better Today to learn more!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

It's Coach Question Friday when I ask you to consider a coaching question. What does community mean to you? How can you help to create it? These coaching questions were inspired by the entrepreneurial community in Fargo, ND, and TEDx Fargo that I discussed in episodes 94 through 97. #TEDxFargo**

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What is a Community?

For me, a community is a group of people that support each other and… * A community does not have to be limited by geography.

A community can be virtual.
A community should not be stagnant. Community members should come together on a regular basis and be open to new discussions.
A community welcomes new people who add energy, engage in different ways, and generate new ideas.
Members who left the community can be regarded as alumni or alumna.
Members who left are welcomed back to re-engage should they decide to rejoin the group.
Communities should have fun together and enjoy each other’s company.
Community members keep learning and taking risks together.

What communities do you belong to? Consider these communities:

Your family
Your neighborhood
Professional associations
Online groups like LinkedIn groups or Facebook groups
Employees at the company you work for or own
Individuals at your co-working space
Alumni of schools and training programs you’ve attended

How can you add more value and energy to your communities? -----------------------------------------------

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

At TEDx Fargo, Randy Hedberg, Associate Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach for the North Dakota State University (NDSU) football team, described the principles and cultural touchpoints that guide his team’s culture.

Between 2011 and 2022, the NDSU Bisons won nine national titles. So their culture is one to be studied!

One of Hedberg’s lessons that stood out for me was:

The daily environment of Bison football is shaped by the worst behavior the leaders are willing to tolerate.

Coaches and all Bison teammates pay attention to behaviors that might drag the team down and behaviors that might elevate the team.

This is a philosophy that everyone should apply in business and in every other aspect of life.

Don’t tolerate a horrible culture.

Instead, be a catalyst for change!

#TEDxFargo

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How to apply the “worst behavior tolerated” philosophy to your life.

Business
If you’re a business owner or senior leader, you are responsible for modeling your culture. Don’t tolerate or personally demonstrate inappropriate behavior.

Leadership happens at all levels. If you’re not a senior leader, you have the ability to speak up and report inappropriate behavior.

For example, if you see that someone is being bullied in your workplace and you remain silent, you contribute to the tolerance of that behavior.

Family
If you’re a part of a family with unhealthy dynamics, consider how you can make a difference for this generation and the next.

If you’re not sure how to make a difference, talk to someone else who might be able to help.

What situations are you tolerating?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

On May 25, 2020, Christopher Martin, then 18 years old, was working at a store in Minneapolis.

A customer came in to buy cigarettes and Chris believed that he paid with a counterfeit $20 bill. Chris reported this to another employee who went out to talk to the customer.

The police were called.

Within a half hour, that customer, George Floyd, was dead and the officer who knealt on Floyd's neck, was found guilty of murder.

Following this tragedy, Chris experienced profound guilt and wondered if he had done the right thing.

Chris described his experiences and his motivation to rise for George Floyd in his TEDx Fargo talk in July 2022.
#TEDxFargo

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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From his TEDx Fargo talk, here are some of Christopher Martin’s lessons for rising after a difficult experience…

Recognize that you should not take on burdens not meant for you. It can be tough to discern which are your burdens. Chris ultimately realized that George Floyd’s murder was not his fault.
Acknowledge that you cannot control circumstances.
You can only do the best you know how to do in the moment.
Tell someone if you are not feeling well mentally. Get help. Your mindset matters. Saying “I’m fine” doesn’t help you to rise.
Call 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline in the U.S.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

At TEDx Fargo, I was inspired to think outside the fence by John Doan from Black Leg Ranch. #TEDxFargo

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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In his TEDx Fargo talk, John Doan discussed how his family’s business continues to evolve.

They introduced new business ventures within the ranch including:

A microbrewery
Selling and shipping grass-fed beef and bison
Hunting trips
Events like weddings and retreats

John discussed keeping the next generation engaged by thinking differently.

Recognize that evolving is important for any business and beneficial to employees and owners.
Acknowledge that you are ready to evolve the business by discussing ideas and preparing for change to happen over time.
Research new ways of doing things. This may take you back to traditional ways!
Get other people involved and excited about your ideas.
Hire new staff and interns to bring renewed energy to new ventures.

How can you think outside the fence?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I was introduced to the Fargo, ND community in 2016 when a friend recommended that I invite Greg Tehven to be on the Ever Better Podcast. You can listen to that podcast here.

That conversation with Greg continued as he introduced me to many other entrepreneurs and change-makers in Fargo. In July 2022, I spent almost a week in Fargo and thoroughly enjoyed seeing friends, some of whom I had never actually met in-person, meeting with clients in real life (IRL), and participating in fun, energizing, and inspiring experiences. It takes just one person to spark change and to get others engaged and involved. If you’ve got an idea you’ve been thinking about, start talking to others and make it happen! -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

In addition to TEDx, Emerging Prairie creates other opportunities in Fargo, ND for developing skills and creating ventures. These include:

Founders Only Retreat. Founders come together to share ideas and challenges and plan for the future in a relaxed environment.
Emerging Digital Academy. Participants learn full stack software development skills, allowing them to get jobs immediately and help fuel the local economy.
Startup brew. A weekly get-together where founder and community organizers share what's happening with their ventures and activities.
Grand Farm is modeling the farm of tomorrow.

Here are some of the ways Emerging Prairie created a memorable and impactful TEDx event.

Two days before TEDx, attendees were invited to participate in “curated dinners” where they had dinner with people they had never met before. This was beneficial to the participants as well as local restaurants.
When talks were not in progress, TEDx attendees enjoyed lawn games, live music, lunch, coffee, kite-flying, and other activities. The setup was a catalyst for meeting new people and hanging out with friends.
After TEDx, participants enjoyed an after-party and an after-after-party!
Encouraging participants to post on social media using #TEDxFargo

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How will you know when….
… you happy?
… you achieved your fitness goals?
… you earning enough money?
… your personal relationships fulfilling?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What will be different when you’ve achieved your goal? Create a measurable or observable outcome. Here are some examples. Yours may be different!

How will you know when….
I’m happy? I will journal about how I feel each evening and morning. My sense of optimism will rise.
I’ve achieved my fitness goals? I’ll be able to run two miles in 16 minutes.
I’m earning enough money? I will be living according to my budget while saving $1,000 per month for my child’s education and in my 401k.

Here’s how I will know about my fitness goals…
I will create six-pack abs by my next birthday in October! I’ll be doing lots of Solidcore classes between now and then!
The work is the joy. The outcome is the reward.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Conflict in the workplace is a part of life, but how it’s handled can mean the difference between success and failure.

Productivity and conflict are not opposites. In fact, productively addressing conflict is what keeps a company functioning and thriving.

The ideas below were first published in my CEO Today article:Co-Founder Conflict: Productive or Destructive? -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Conflicts are inevitable. How do you stop destructive conflict from eroding your business?

Here's how to create a healthy working environment for everyone involved:

Maintain and protect a regularly scheduled meeting just with your co-founder(s). Meet in person when you can, by video meeting as a second option, and by telephone if needed. Move beyond tactics and to-do’s to discuss how you’re each feeling, what’s next for the business, what’s happening that’s great and risks to be aware of. This should not be a superficial meeting!
Resolve One Open Thing (ROOT ™) with your co-founder or team member. Consider those topics and friction points that come up again and again. Get to the root of what’s happening. This can take a lot of discussion and introspection. What seems to be the cause is often just a symptom of something else.
Resolving one open thing can make all the difference in keeping a team focused, positive and productive. Resolving recurring conflicts opens up time to create new services, and products and grow your team.
Take a DiSC Productive Conflict Assessment to find out how you and your co-founders deal with conflict. Review results as a team with your coach. This is something I do with clients on a regular basis and it gives each person valuable perspective.

We all experience conflict—but that doesn’t mean it has to be destructive. Be aware of making your conflicts constructive and helpful, not hurtful and damaging.

Here are more co-founder resources to help grow and sustain your business. ----------------------------------------------

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

As we face the challenges of the future, our leaders must be ready and willing to have tough conversations.

Excusing rude or inappropriate behavior doesn’t help anyone in the long run.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here are reasons why leaders make excuses for their staff. Consider if you have a tendency to do any of these yourself.

The employee is someone they have a personal history with. It can be challenging to create new dynamics when two people have an established relationship and ways of communicating.
They are conflict avoidant. Confronting issues is an important part of a leader's job, but also a necessary step in learning and development Reframe challenging conversations as “leadership conversations.”.
They worry that someone will quit if they point out their inappropriate behaviors. This may be true and this may create an opportunity to level up the team with a higher-performing team member

To succeed in business, it’s critical to ensure that your people are doing the best they can do. they may need resources and support that you can provide. If you avoid discussing their challenges, they may never reach their potential.

What are the most difficult conversations you've had as a leader and what have you learned about yourself in the process?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on leadership conversations!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

The most successful business owners are always planning for the next stage of their business.

If you’re a business owner or a leader, consider what your organization could look like in the next 5, 10, or even 20 years. To visualize this, I recommend creating your future organizational chart.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Organize, plan, and build your future.

Here's how to create your future org chart.

Take out a blank piece of paper. When you think big, the sky's the limit. So go ahead and write a description of what your organization might look like in the future.
Place yourself at the top of the org chart.
Create boxes for the leaders who will report to you and imagine who might report to each of them. Fill in job titles or short descriptions and don’t be concerned with the names of people at this stage. In fact, locking into your mind specific people to fill each of these slots can be limiting.
Use this future org chart to keep yourself on track as you plan and execute your vision.

Let's talk about your business vision. I look forward to seeing how you use this tool!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Meetings are a great way to communicate with large groups, but sometimes they exclude something important to share.

Here's a solution borrowed from a teacher

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

I value diversity and inclusion and strive to include as many voices as possible in meetings that I facilitate. I learned about equity sticks while working with the SEED School of Maryland’s leadership team.

Equity sticks are a tool frequently used by teachers. Sidenote…Teachers are the greatest facilitators in the world! I’ll be looking for more tips from them!

Here are some of the disadvantages of having a different skin color in society I observed throughout the years:

As the meeting starts, each person writes their name on 3-5 craft sticks/popsicle sticks. you can also use index cards, pieces of paper, or another tool.
The sticks are collected and the facilitator holds them in a cup.
As opportunities to participate arise, the facilitator picks a stick from the cup and calls on that person. that stick is then placed in a separate cup.

The sticks set the expectation that everyone in the meeting will participate. This eliminates the common challenge of one or two people dominating the conversation and helps to ensure that all voices are heard equitably. When we encourage each other to share their thoughts and stories, every voice has a chance to be heard and our perspectives are enriched.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Have you ever noticed how your perspective on life, business, and social interactions can dramatically change just because of the color of your skin?

The color of your skin doesn't define who you are, but it can have an impact on your life and perspective

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here are some of the disadvantages of having a different skin color in society I observed throughout the years:

Underestimated educational abilities.
Others will look at you with great skepticism.
People might think you're doing something terrible.

Shockingly, even today, some white people think they are better than other races. It's time to break the silence and stand up against racism with books like White Rage I discovered recently. It's about how racism has been used in the past to divide people and create conflict, but it doesn't have to be that way! I definitely recommend that book!

While there's nothing wrong with being a darker shade of brown, having darker skin would definitely play up the exotic element. Why not be the fairest of them all? It’s time to break the color barrier at work and in our society

Now, what has the color of your skin taught you? I'd love to hear your story!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How do you respond when you ask a question and don’t get an answer?

When you don’t receive a “yes” or a “no” do you assume it’s a maybe? Do you assume you did something wrong and it’s a “no”? Do you assume a “yes” is coming?

The Ladder of Inference is a model that describes how our minds work when faced with uncertainty.

Do you tend to climb a positive or a negative ladder of inference? Most of us lean toward the negative

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Ladder of Inference

This is a model that describes the steps that we take, mentally, to reach a conclusion and then take an action.

Here are the “rungs” of the Ladder of Inference from a negative perspective…

Selected Reality

This is where you are selecting the “facts” that work best for your situation and your beliefs.

Interpreted reality

Based on those selected facts, you add negative meaning to the situation or to that silent response you are experiencing.

Assumptions

Here you are assuming that the silence means “no” based on your interpreted reality and that your proposal will be rejected by your client.

Conclusion

In this rung, you convince yourself that silence equals a no!

Beliefs

Now your assumptions which became your conclusion are set in your mind as a belief. However, you haven’t checked the facts and if you had researched further or given it more time, you may have identified a different situation.

Action

Now you take action based on your negative belief. Perhaps you reach out to your client with a nasty note and cause unnecessary turmoil. Oh my!

Here’s how to use the Ladder of Inference in a positive way…

Recognize that a silent response might mean they are reviewing your proposal and need more time.
When you’re in limbo, stop yourself from taking a negative mental journey by taking positive actions. Consider reaching out to others, networking, contacting potential clients, or exercising.
Reach out to someone whose opinion your respect to get a broader perspective. This will help every time!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Have you played Wordle? It’s a game published by the New York Times where you try to identify the “word of the day” in six turns or less.

I’m taking on a challenge from my “Wordle friend” to use today’s word in a sentence. And of course, I’m taking it a step further and creating a podcast around it. Today’s word…

AGAPE -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What does "Agape" mean?

Agape love is unconcerned with the self and concerned with the greatest good of another.
Agape is a choice. It is a state of mind, a way of being with yourself and others, a way of being in the world.
Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return. The love that we never expect, the kind that makes us vulnerable.The love that fills our hearts with joy, happiness, and peace.

Agape can also be read as agape - as in… I was so astounded that my mouth was agape!

Agape reminds me of Agapi Stephanopoulos, a speaker, author, and facilitator with Thrive Global. Agapi, whose sister is Ariana Huffington, is Greek and I wonder if she was named after agape love. Check out her books including, Unbinding the Heart - A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity, and Unconditional Love and Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life.

Wordle is a fun and easy way to keep your vocabulary fresh with a new set of letters to discover.

Now it’s your turn, what is your favorite word?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Wake Up to the Joy of You: 52 Meditations and Practices for a Calmer, Happier Life

Unbinding the Heart: A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity, and Unconditional Love

Inventors are always considering how to create a new service, product, or concept. This helps businesses and people to evolve.

Do you consider the future when planning for the present?

How can you cultivate an inventor mindset?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What does the inventor mindset mean?

Inventors constantly think about creating something new.
Inventors think ahead and have a “treasure trove” of ideas and projects they can tip into in the future. Always consider the future when planning for the present.
Inventors look for new clients who use their services in different ways to stay creative and continuously consider expanding the scope of their work.

Thomas Edison said, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Considerations for research and development:

When you are actually doing research, it’s not goofing around! Find a balance between current work and future potential.
When you feel that inventing something new is a waste of time and not worth it, don’t give up! Continue to do research and learn as you go. Eventually, you’ll discover something that generates revenue, changes the marketplace, and gives you satisfaction.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How do you handle a NO? It’s a matter of attitude!

Know that NOs are a part of life and adopt a mindset of using it to your advantage or be continuously disappointed. It’s your choice.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Robin De Wind covered a wide range of news stories for television in the Rochester, NY area for 25 years. Now, she creates written, video, and audio content for businesses and non-profits. As a reporter, she was used to handling NOs and uses that mindset to grow her business today! Learn more here!

Here’s how to control your response when you get a NO…

Consider NO, slammed doors, hang-ups, or insults from others as a definitive response that helps you to move forward. This is better than silence!
When you get a NO, always smile, say thank you and move on to another potential target.
When someone gives you a “no,” that doesn't determine your future. It's an opportunity to get a "yes" from someone else and create a new connection.
Don't expect a “yes” every time. Prepare yourself for a “no” and imagine how you’ll handle it.

I challenge you to think about how you respond when you get a “no.”

What's your best possible reaction?

If you haven’t already, listen to Episode 83 for tips on how to say NO to manage your time, commitments, and comfort level yourself!

To learn more about working with Ever Better send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Saying YES is one of the easiest things to do in our society, but saying NO is one of the most powerful tools you have.

My challenge to you is….what can you say no to?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here’s how to say NO….

When someone asks you for help, consider your options. Do you have the time and energy to provide the assistance? Dare to be honest if this would jeopardize your plans.
Think before you say yes. When you say “yes” you shut the door on another opportunity.
When someone asks you to get involved with something, take your time before answering. Pause before saying Yes! Come up with a response that is natural to you and practice it with a friend or in front of the mirror.

Some responses you could consider practicing when you don’t want to say NO yet…

“Let me think about that”
“Can I get back to you on that?”
“I’ll check my schedule and let you know.”
“I have a few other things pending, and I'm not sure about my timeframe. I'm not sure about my availability in the next week. Can I get back to you?”
“No, I don't have time for that. I'm sorry! That sounds awesome. I just have another thing that I'm committed to doing”

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

When you're considering a significant decision, take the smallest possible action first. Your insights will follow your actions.

Don't be pressured by other people's timelines. Take the time to learn about yourself and the situation before making your final decision.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here are some examples of major decisions that should only be made after taking small actions to gain significant insight.

Leaving a full-time job
Getting divorced
Starting a business

Here are actions you can take:

Carefully consider your situation. Journal and reflect on the pros and cons.
Seek insights by consulting with people who have dealt with similar situations. They might be friends, family members, coaches, employees, lawyers, investigators, or therapists.
Study and learn more about the topic related to the decision you are considering. Perhaps take classes again at a community college or a free online course through Coursera.

Be gentle with yourself because if you're talking about a major decision like leaving a full-time job, starting a new business, getting divorced, or getting into a new relationship, only you can decide when you have enough information. Move at your own pace.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

What tasks have you been putting off?

To find someone to assist with all kinds of projects, check out TaskRabbit.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Reasons to use TaskRabbit…

They can hand pictures on walls, assemble furniture, and even do yard work!
In my experience, employees are efficient. They bring their own tools, are skilled in the tasks, and clean up after themselves.
The service is fast. If you're procrastinating, consider getting help and finally cross that task off your list!
Bringing someone to your home might be risky. I recommend choosing those with five-star reviews and plenty of experience.

Listen to Episode 80 for other productivity options. If you've used TaskRabbit or another platform for productivity, let me know so that I can share the information with other listeners!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

If you have too many tasks on your list or you're looking for a new way to bring in clients, check-out
Upwork and Fiverr.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How to use Upwork and Fiverr to get help with a project…

Use the search box. Type in a short phrase that represents the skills you’re looking for. Ex: “graphic design for social media posts.” Be as specific as possible!
Review first then choose. Before contacting someone, look at their ratings and review. Look for people with four and five-star averages and their experiences using the same platforms that you do.
Take a risk but do background checking. If you're looking for legal services, you might consider Upwork or Fiverr. But remember, you're taking a little bit of a risk. Do some extra research and look them up on LinkedIn and see if they have their own website.
Hire someone who specializes in the task. When you have a specific task in mind, look for a virtual assistant or someone with other specialized skills who has the experience you need.
Do a cost-benefit analysis for yourself. Look for individuals who have a rate that works within your budget. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for!

If you've used Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or any other platform, let me know! I'm always looking for more productivity tools to share.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

What is financial security to you?

Think about where you stand from a financial security perspective.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What does financial security really mean to you? It has a different definition for everyone.

Financial security can involve having enough money week to week to pay your bills.
Financial security involves having savings to use for enjoyment or unfortunate situations.
It could mean funding your 529 accounts for education expenses. Or, having enough money in the bank to pay for two months of living expenses.
It could mean having diversified investments and generating enough income to continue making investments. This could involve investing in other businesses, real estate, stocks, bonds, or maybe even crypto.

Consider this is you already financially secure but sacrificing a healthy lifestyle to chase greater levels of income? If so, consider the implications of how you choose to spend your time. Think about your health, relationships, and long-term impacts. Could you be enjoying your life more?! If so, start making changes!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Do you ever get caught up in negative thoughts about why something won’t work out? Well…everyone does!

In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn things around when you are starting to catastrophize.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Byron Katie is known for The Work, a process by which you ask yourself questions about what’s really happening.

Here are examples of The Work:

If a certain situation or result becomes delayed and you start to think about negative outcomes, ask yourself IS IT TRUE?
If you believe that your negative thoughts are true, ask yourself, can you absolutely know that it’s true? e.i that you got negative results or feedback?
If that outcome were to happen, how do you react when you believe that thought?
Lastly, ask yourself, who or what would you be without that thought?

May these questions be your means to self-regulate, calm yourself down, and see things from a different perspective when things don’t go the way you expected them to be (at least not instantly).

Note that this is a short summary of The Work. To learn more, check out Byron Katie’s website here.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Fear can be a positive force, motivating us to take immediate action. But fear also has the capacity to limit our lives through concerns about unjustified implications.

Does fear help or hinder you? Here are four ways to think about FEAR from Anne Lamott.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Anne Lamott is the author of Bird by Bird, a book about the writing process. Listen to Anne on the Tim Ferris Podcast, episode 522, Taming Your Inner Critic, Finding Grace, and Prayer.

Four interpretations of FEAR:

#1 False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR)

You might look at a situation and conjure up all kinds of negative interpretations without true evidence that any of your scenarios are correct. However, at the moment, they seem real to you. This is false evidence appearing real (FEAR)

Example: You send an email to your CEO and don’t get a quick response. You start thinking of all the reasons the CEO is made at you, about how you messed up, and when and where you’re going to be fired. This is false evidence that appears real. Given more time and communication, you may find that you’re doing a great job and the CEO was just busy.

#2 Frantic Effort to Appear Recovered (FEAR)

If you’re on the path to recovery from addiction, you may want others around you to perceive that you are recovered. This can truly be damaging because you're not asking for the help you need.

#3 Future Events Already Ruined (FEAR)

Have you ever created ideas in your mind about unpleasant interactions or events that will happen if you attend a party, interview for a job, move to another city, or do something outside of your comfort zone?

What you’re doing is ruining a future event that might change your life for the better! This is future events already ruined (FEAR).

#4 Fear Expressed Allows Relief (FEAR)

This is what we do in coaching: We let people express their fears. Once you start talking about those FEARs, it can help you get relief because you're talking it through. And sometimes that's all it takes!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Life will always dish up challenging circumstances like Covid-19.

Hope for and expect the best, be prepared for the worst, and make the best of whatever comes your way.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here’s what I learned from having Covid in June 2022…

Do risk management

Think about what might happen in your life and prepare as much as possible in advance! Set up automated tasks so that they can keep happening even if you're unable to actually participate! Do as much advanced prep as you can whenever possible.

I’m a risk-taker

Covid-19 has been around for two and half years as of this recording and many people are still keeping their social world, and personal interactions small and contained. I’m taking a different approach. I socialize, invite people to my house, and travel. Despite having a Covid-19, I wouldn't change a thing because I’ve enjoyed living my life. However, I respect each person’s personal decision. Everyone has to make choices about how much risk they can tolerate taking into consideration the financial and caregiving implications of getting sick.

Value the relationships I have

My COVID was another reminder that I am grateful for my family and friends. I’ve had lots of those reminders lately! It’s so important to maintain or create relationships with people who can take care of you if you get sick or even just brighten your day. I value my relationships, and hopefully, I'm giving even more than I’m getting.

Be grateful

While I was in quarantine, I was very thankful to my friends and son for picking things up for me and checking in on me. I also appreciated my clients' flexibility with regard to shifting schedules and the ability to conduct leadership workshops virtually.

Be flexible

In any situation, consider your options. Don’t assume something cannot be done. Brainstorm with others and take risks!

So that’s it and here I am again back to work and podcasting after recovering from Covid. And if anybody wants to chat about what's going on with them with COVID, just let me know!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

To make it to the top, stay at the top, or start your own company, think about the insights you provide versus the reports you give!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Insights vs Reports…

Reporting

Reporting means taking in information and sharing it without adding your own perspective.

An example of this is writing a book report without including your own thoughts and perspective.

Insight

This involves thinking, reading, and understanding information, and putting it together with other pieces of information. You’re creating something new by adding your perspective and connecting the dots.

An example of this is one business owner who realized that sales began to decline in March of this year. She realized that this was probably when the US recession began. This led her to assess staffing, product levels, business hours, and service offerings

As another example, if an HR professional reports that “Five people resigned in the past month, and in their exit interviews, they said that they were going on to greater opportunities” vs further investigating why they left and what might have been done about it to give the executive team actionable insights.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Are you isolating yourself from change? Keeping your life at its status quo?

If so, the quality of your life will gradually decline.

Take advantage of the assets, resources, and knowledge of your friends to help you evolve.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Avoid the cost of not evolving from different perspectives…

Business

Adapt to changes or face extinction!

For example, self-service in financial technology work has improved dramatically. Traditional brokerage firms like Merrill Lynch needed to adapt or sell. They sold to Bank of America and the brand name is being phased out.

Cryptocurrency

Understand the concepts behind crypto on a conversational level so that you can assess business trends.

I disagree with those who say cryptocurrency and NFTs are just a fad. I believe that they are a part of Fintech that’s here to stay.

Fitness

If you want to avoid becoming shorter, keep on exercising to stay fit. As we get older, our joints become less flexible and bones become more brittle unless we exercise!

For several years I have been doing pilates, and lately, I found out that I'm taller than I used to be. It's also interesting to note that a man in his 60s whom I play pickleball with, still plays soccer for two hours a week with people in their 20s! He's still evolving!

Social Dynamics

I started reading more about racism and the impact that slavery had on social dynamics in our country after the death of George Floyd.

One book that I highly recommend is White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, by Carol Anderson. You can find other titles in my bookstore.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

In a coaching session, I sometimes ask
“If you had a magic wand and could do anything in your life, what would it be?
What’s your answer?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What would you change in your life if you had a magic wand? Would you…

Creating new relationships and nurturing them with your family and friends?
Enhance your physical condition?
Overcome a feeling of flatness or lack of excitement in my life?
Bring something into your life that could brighten up your days, like a pet?
Increase your income?

Ways to begin making those things happen…

Be more attentive in every conversation with every person.
Monitor your diet, take more vitamins or supplements and spend more time working out to create optimal health.
Meet new people and build relationships.
Assess your job, circumstances, and people whom you spend time with. Are they helping you to move forward or are they contributing to being stuck?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Believing in "better an oops than a what if" involves trusting your instincts and taking calculated risks.
You may have to rely on “asking for forgiveness rather than permission” but it just might be worth it!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Creating How to navigate the “Better an Oops Than a What If” mindset…

Move past “the freeze”. The freeze is that awkward moment when you know something, but you can't say anything because you freeze up. Get past the freeze so that you can move forward by asking a question, and then another one, and then another one. Watch the TEDx talk below with Kasia Urbaniak to learn more.
Attending parties and camps. Despite feeling a mixture of excitement and discomfort, you decide to attend a party or even an adult camp! Be attentive to your safety by creating an “escape plan” and making sure others know where you are. And then, go for it! Even if you show up for just a few minutes, you’ll have moved the edges of your comfort zone.
Going out of the country for training and coaching. I've attended many training programs and retreats, and I never regret going. I always feel a bit apprehensive before I go, and sometimes while I'm on the plane or in the car on my way there, I doubt whether I should be making this journey. But then I remind myself that it's better to experience an “oops” failure than to wonder “what if?”
Asking for a raise at work. If you are working hard and making an impact at work, pull together your documentation about why you deserve a raise, practice with a friend, and then go for it!
Take a risk on new endeavors. Are you raising money for your venture? Go big. Ask enough to cover all the expenses for establishing your business.

TEDx talk by Kasia Urbaniak, click here.
One simple trick to reclaim your power.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How do you know if you are creating or maintaining?

They are two totally different mindsets!

A leader creates by bringing ideas to life while still staying rooted in reality.
A maintainer sustains the status quo.

Either way, think of which will create the highest value and will best serve your current goals.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Creating

Is an act of thinking, discovering, and implementing fresh ideas.

Entrepreneurial people are always coming up with new ways to do something, creating new processes and procedures. You may feel like an idea factory! You’ll be served well by choosing wisely what to implement.

Maintaining

Is an act of preserving your norms.

In a business setting, you are maintaining when you ensure that people follow standard operating procedures and that products are created in the same way they were made yesterday.

Erie Canal: A great example of creating!

Created the conditions for cities to flourish: In the 1800s, the Erie Canal was built for commerce and human transportation. This led to the development of many cities, towns, and villages in New York State including Albany, Schenectady, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.
It became a recreation area. Schoen Place, in Pittsford, NY is currently a thriving area of stores, restaurants, and recreation due to the canal being repurposed for recreational purposes. This followed the transportation evolution from canals to railroads to trucks and planes.
Easy means for the farmers to carry their crops. Schoen Place evolved from an area where farmers could easily transport their goods to other markets.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Managing up means creating a good relationship with the person or people you report to. or who have an investment in your success. If you’re a CEO, this could be your board of directors and investors, if you’re a director, this could be the vice president that you report to and the executive team.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Six Key Points for Effectively Managing up

Create a Relationship of Two-way Respect. People who are very strong leaders appreciate feedback and an active, open discussion around strategies and ideas. However, continue to be mindful of your status and relationship with that person. Practice giving strong feedback before delivering it in person.
Assess What Your Team Can and Cannot Accomplish. Share your team’s capacity in a realistic manner. Providing an unrealistic status and setting expectations for unachievable goals will create problems in the long run.
Share Your Accomplishments. Often people are hesitant to share their accomplishments and think that they're bragging about themselves. However, if you don’t share what you’ve accomplished in clear language, your boss will not know what you’ve achieved and may underestimate your abilities.
Managing up is Promoting. If you are a manager, promote the work, accomplishments and capabilities of your team members. Without this, your boss will be unaware of the person’s impact and this will lessen your ability to get them a raise and elevated title.
Set Boundaries. Set health boundaries so that you maintain a sustainable work/life balance. Understand what the person you're reporting to prefers so that you come to a healthy agreement and a respectful understanding.
Practice Transparency. Keep your boss in the loop on good things as well as things that are challenging and that concern you. Keep them up-to-date with significant events.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Movies often reflect real-world coaching scenarios. In the movie Jerry Maguire, the relationship between Jerry and Rod Tidwell is a great example of what often happens in coaching. Jerry points out what might be holding Rod back from achieving everything that he wants. Rod doesn’t truly hear Jerry until he finally does. And then everything shifts.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

The film Jerry Maguire is about a sports agent, Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise), who sees that money has become more important than players' well-being. So he writes a very long memo and distributes it to everyone at the company, thinking he can affect real change. Instead, he is fired. As a solo agent, Jerry’s lone client is Rod Tidwell. As their relationship evolves, so does Rod’s career and Jerry’s business and life.

Great lessons in Jerry Maguire's movie from a coach’s perspective…

A great coach who has your best interest in mind should be looking beyond the superficial and transactional nature of your relationship for blind spots and behaviors that might be limiting your success and happiness.
Your coach can share insights, but only you can accept them and make changes. No one can do the work for you...
Your coach’s insights may or may ring true for you at the moment. Use your discussions to assess whatever has the greatest relevance for you. Significant shifts happen over time.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How has your life changed in the past year?

Have you made progress towards achieving your goals?
How have you dealt with setbacks?

What are you working towards achieving a year from now?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What Was Different About Your Life a Year ago? Consider:

Your average level of happiness now vs then
How you’ve coped with setbacks. Do you consider yourself more resilient than you were a year ago?
How you’re spending leisure time now vs then
Your goals now vs then.

My life changed significantly in the past year. And that’s a good thing!

Happiness. I’m happily building a new life for myself after having a divorce.
Leisure time. I’m using my leisure time to re-create my home with new furniture, painting, and adding colorful items that spark joy. I’m spending time with friends and family.
Business. I’m creating a business that I love, working with people who inspire me!
Goals: I’m getting more fit than I’ve ever been in my adult life and enjoying a new sport-Pickleball!

How has your life changed? What do you want to be different a year from now?

Episode 66, is about being an owner versus being a victim. Listen to that episode for more inspiration!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Everyone has interests. But are you committed to becoming more skilled?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Interested

To use a sports analogy…some people are interested in soccer and stream games or watch them on television if it’s convenient. They aren’t deeply engaged or committed to learning more about the sport.

When it comes to business…some people talk about starting a business and never take action.

Committed

Some people play soccer, coach a team, and schedule time to watch and study games. They know the players and follow the schedules. These individuals are committed!

Some people create business plans, create a product or service, raise money, and generate revenue. They are committed!

Real-life examples of being COMMITTED…

Podcast- I become interested in podcasting after listening to many different podcasts. I sought advice, built a team, and made my own podcast. Now I am committed to releasing a minimum of 250 episodes for this daily podcast- Ever Better Today!.
Traveling- If you're committed to going on an adventure, you’ll need to dedicate time to planning. You’ll need to check out travel possibilities which could include figuring out your driving route, booking a hotel, and planning who you’ll meet along the way. I’m committed to traveling to Fargo, North Dakota in the summer of 2022 and am making plans to ensure that it happens!
Charity work- I have a friend who’s committed to helping Ukrainians. She creates and sends weekly emails about the war with Russia and stories of the victims. She’s also helping non-profit organizations with fundraising.
Starting a new career- I have a 71-year-old client who is committed to a new career as a realtor. He considered what it would take to start this new journey, studied hard to pass his exam, interviewed with several agencies, and selected the one that worked best for him. After only one month, he’s already got his first clients!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How do you deal with uncertainties? Do you act like an OWNER or a VICTIM?

It's not that our lives are perfect—it's just that we have to adapt to the imperfections and keep going.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Difference between OWNERS and VICTIMS…

Owners

An owner addresses and manages situations. They turn challenges into opportunities and build their skills along the way. The ownership mentality can become a habit that creates an upward trend.

Victims

Victim complains about their circumstances and doesn’t use their resources to overcome challenges. They tend to give up and let others deal with the fallout. The victim mentality can become a habit that creates a downward spiral.

How do differentiate OWNERS from VICTIMS?

At work, an owner tends to pinpoint the problem, think of a solution, and implement it. The victim blames the failure on bad circumstances and other people.
In hosting a party, an owner thinks of a way to make the plan happen even if there is a scarcity of resources while a victim has excuses about why they can’t accomplish things.
From a business perspective, an owner mentality is more likely to create a successful business. A business owner with a victim mentality is less likely to build a successful company because they won’t own challenges and identify creative solutions.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

You can develop leadership skills in any situation. Model great leadership regardless of your role and you’ll find yourself developing other leaders as a result.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Tips on how to develop great leaders…

Coach them up! Tailor your mentorship approach to fit each person you're working with.
Use assessments. The DISC assessment and Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team are two types of assessments that help individuals understand themselves and those around them. As they become more emotionally intelligent, their effectiveness as leaders will increase.
Involve your team in leadership discussions. Involve everyone on the team in discussions to ensure that each person contributes and practices articulating their thoughts.

Resources for developing your leadership skills and those of your team members.

“Five Levels of Leadership” by John Maxwell

Josh Christy, CEO, and Founder of Codelation, used this book to help elevate his leadership team.

“Co-Active Leadership” by Karen and Henry Kimsey-House

This book teaches that anyone who has a team reporting to them is in a position to exercise leadership.

It doesn't matter what your position in the company is—you're responsible for your behavior. If you're an individual contributor, you can take initiative and develop your leadership skills.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

How do you use patterns in your life? Do you use them to your advantage or do they hold you back?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How patterns can make an impact in our life…

Produce amazing things. When you instinctively combine different patterns you’ve previously practiced, you can create amazing things! This is how musicians and software engineers are able to perform at the highest levels.
Patterns are guides. In playing games like Bridge or Mahjong, patterns can help you to determine what moves to make.
Elevate someone else’s thinking and behaviors. Some people repeatedly narrate their negative experiences and don’t choose to move forward. By pointing out their patterns and alternative options, you can help them live a fuller life. You cannot control someone else’s choices, but if they are open to it, you can coach and educate them on alternatives.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Do you tend to over-function? Or under-function? Or do you tend to function at the right level?

If you're over or under-functioning, stop and think about how you can break your cycle.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

What does it mean to over-function or under-function?

Over-functioning

When a person tends to perform a task, solve a problem and exert excessive effort to do things that are not their responsibility.

This often happens when a manager jumps in to do work for their team, rather than letting them figure out how to complete it. This limits the team’s ability to grow their skills and problem-solving abilities.

Under-functioning

When a person is unproductive and avoids doing the work that they should be responsible for. This can happen as a result of being teamed with an over-functioning person.

It can be learned behavior or someone’s natural state.

Over-functioning from a parenting perspective. You are a “Helicopter Parent” if…

You directly confront your child’s teacher about bad grades or reprimands.
You accompany your child on their job interview
You sit next to your child and give them notes while they interview for a job over Zoom.

Consequences of over-functioning from the book Resilient Leadership 2.0.

Failure to scale. Companies won't scale because teams can't develop needed skills. Employees won’t learn how to move through risk and uncertainty and create solutions on their own.
Burnout. People who over-function tend to wear themselves out, which can lead to poor health. Under-functioning people who feel that their jobs are threatened as a result of working with an over-functioned may become ill, too.
Under-developed sense of responsibility. When a parent is always there to bail out their children, they never learn to take responsibility for their actions—a consequence that is damaging to our society.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

The choices that you make about how to spend your minutes create your hours which create your days, weeks, months, and years.

Are you creating the legacy that you want to be remembered for or are you indulging in continuous escapism?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

“The most important choice we make is what we choose to make important.” - Michael Neill

To create your positive legacy, choose:

Self-investment - create time to learn new things and meet new people.
Creative growth - make time to improve your creativity, and create things that will make an impact on yourself and others.

Continuous escapism looks like this:

Obsessing about others - being consumed with rumors and celebrity-watching.
Spending a significant amount of your life engaged in unproductive activities without creating a healthy balance.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

As we mature into adults, we often get messages, directly and indirectly, that we are not creative.

But you are! Everyone is creative! It’s a skill and a way of being that can be cultivated.

Think about how to recover your creativity and live your life more creatively!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

From The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

“Many of us find that we have squandered our own creative energies by investing disproportionately in the lives, hopes, dreams, and plans of others.
Their lives have obscured and detoured our own.
As we consolidate a core through our withdrawal process, we become abler to articulate our own boundaries, dreams, and authentic goals.
Our personal flexibility increases while our malleability to the whims of others decreases. We experience a heightened sense of autonomy and possibility.”

Live more creatively by…

Thinking about how you can create options for your life each day. Be aware of how routine can help and hinder your creativity.
Doing something creative every day. This can include writing, painting, singing, playing an instrument, creating a garden, sewing, or anything else that gets your brain working in a free-flowing way.
Identifying and executing solutions that are outside the norm.
Actually executing your ideas rather than just talking about them. This becomes a habit and your creativity will build!

Tips on how you can live more creatively from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron…

Write morning pages every single day. After you wake up in the morning, get your notebook, and a pen then allow yourself to write about anything for at least three pages.
The more you create, the more you can create. At first, I was afraid of doing a podcast because I might run out of things to say but now I am on Episode 61 with a catalog of ideas that keeps growing!

My friend Noelle Van Vlierbergen wrote the book, Sober Moxie. As she incorporated writing and creativity into her daily schedule, she created a journal for recovery, called the Day by Day Book. And then she created multiple versions of the journal, including one for teens. Check out her books at noellevan.com

Another example is Pradeepa Narayanaswamy, the author of Loving Myself and You - Embracing your Perfect Imperfection. Pradeepa didn’t view herself as a writer before but now she is known as one! And, she continues to write on a regular basis!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Working with people who have similar styles offers validation.

Working with those who have different styles is an opportunity to create awareness of how team members process and share information, and interact.

Each opportunity is valuable!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Different people have different work styles: DISC Assessment Perspective…

The DISC assessment gives insights into your work style and how you relate to others. A summary of how each style brainstorms and presents their ideas is below. To learn more, listen to Ever Better Today Episode 23.

Dominant (D)

D’s are result-oriented and fast-paced decision-makers.

Working as a group, they tend to get the job done very fast! They brainstorm, reach a conclusion as a consensus, or one person will take the lead, and then they take action!

Influence (I)

I’s are known for being enthusiastic and outgoing!!! (They love using !!! and smiley faces in emails!) 😊😄😂😍😇

When I’s are together in a group, they often have a good time. They can do great work together but can get sidetracked from the task at hand because they enjoy getting to know each other before jumping into the work.

Steadiness (S)

S’s are accommodating, patient, humble, and tactful.

Because of their desire to keep everyone's ideas involved and avoid hurting anyone, a group of S’s can have a hard time reaching a decision.

Conscientiousness (C)

C's are analytical and detail-oriented.

They tend to be very straightforward in their communications. When working together, they take time to brainstorm, get input from all of their teammates, and look at their work from different perspectives before finalizing it. They draft their solution and review it carefully before committing to a solution.

So what’s your work style?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Have you heard of NSVs?

That’s an abbreviation for non-scale victories—a term that focuses on weight loss and fitness “wins” not measured by the scale.

This is a term I learned from the Bright Line Eating community.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here are examples of non-scale victories…

Fitting into close in a smaller size. I recently was able to fit into size 6 jeans that didn’t fit when I bought them! I haven’t been weighing myself but noticed that my clothes fit more loosely and decided to try on those pants. And they fit!
Achieving a cardio or endurance goal. I gave myself a goal on the rowing machine to do 1000 meters in five minutes or less. I’m now rowing 2,000 meters in 10 minutes or less and challenging myself to see how far I can row in 25 minutes.
Recognizing that your joints are moving more freely. I follow the Bright Line Eating framework fairly closely. This involves no flour, no sugar, and three meals a day with no snacking in-between. My body detoxed for two weeks after cutting out flour and sugar. After that, I realized that my knees were no longer creaking when I got into and out of the car!

We’d love to hear about your non-scale victories - NSVs! Share them here!**

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

For every experience, each participant will have their own unique thoughts and takeaways.

Consider how they tend to vary from yours, and whom you want to spend time with...

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Takeaways about the thought-created experience...

Every experience is created in your mind. You can have a good time, or you can have an awful time, or anywhere in between. It all depends on your thinking.
Life experience is a matter of perspective and what you expect. It's all about making the most out of the moment and deciding how to interpret events and conversations.
Our thinking creates our interpretation of our experience. Our thoughts are often influenced by what we're used to and what we've experienced in the past. But, you can alter your expectations at any point.
Don’t bypass rudeness or bad experiences. Continue to establish boundaries and set expectations for appropriate, kind, thoughtful behaviors.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

If you were given a chance to re-live a situation that happened two weeks ago, would you use it to seize an opportunity, to speak up, or edit something that you said? -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

In the past two weeks have you ever:

Said something that you’d like to take back?
Not spoken up in a meeting or conversation and regretted it?
Passed up on an opportunity to hang out with someone?
Wasted your own time and wished you’d been more productive?
Bought something you regretted?

Tips on how to avoid regretful situations..

Be mindful of what you say. If you realize the moment after you blurt out something that you shouldn't have, you can take it back immediately and apologize.
Be brave and say what's on your mind! If you just sit on your hands in a meeting, you can still send an email to address your point after the fact, but it won't have the SAME IMPACT compared to if you had said it when everyone was there.
Be transparent. It should NEVER be an option to choose between two questions you have on your mind when the answer to both could be important to you and others.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Has anyone told you that you’re being EXTRA? Is it a compliment or insult?

It depends.

If it’s how you are naturally, here’s how to use it to your advantage!
Be EXTRA EFFECTIVE!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here’s how to be EXTRA effective!

Learn to read the room. Know when to maximize your energetic personality and when to step back. Adjust your energy output to the overall mood of the group.
Be EXTRA sparingly. Being EXTRA every once in a while is fine, but if you're going to be like that all the time, people will become exhausted.
Use your EXTRA sparkle when it works to your advantage. Use it in places where others may find it helpful to boost their energy levels or entertaining. Test the waters!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Practice behaviors that are opposite of what you normally do. Changing your behaviors can sometimes be as challenging as disrupting your routine.

When you challenge your norms and stretch your comfort zone you grow yourself and your capabilities.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here’s how to do the opposite from the DiSC assessment perspective…

DiSC assessments teach us about ourselves and others. They elevate emotional intelligence and enable us to better navigate our professional and personal worlds. You can learn more about them in Ever Better Today Episode 23.

Dominant (D)

If you’re a D, you may be seen as dominant in meetings. You speak out and are fast-paced in your decisions. You can come across as abrupt because you are more goal-oriented than people-oriented.

Practice the opposite behavior by taking a less dominant role in a meeting. If you speak less, it gives others more time to express their thoughts. Encourage others to contribute!

Influence (I)

If you’re an “i” you may be known as a “social butterfly” who is authentically interested in others. People may tell you you’re acting “extra” on occasion because you exude so much energy.

Like the Ds, you can practice opposite behaviors by speaking less and encouraging others to contribute more.

Steadiness (S)

If you’re an “S” you want everyone to feel comfortable and secure. You ensure that the group operates at a steady pace. You may prioritize others’ voices before your own.

Practice making your voice prominent by speaking out more in meetings. You may be pleasantly surprised that your team loves to hear what you have to say!

Conscientiousness (C)

If you’re a “C’ you are more analytical and detail-oriented. You value a thorough analysis before making a decision.

Try taking a bit more risk! Practice tapping into your instincts and making decisions with limited data.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

As a meeting facilitator, how can you ensure that all voices in the meeting room are heard?

It’s a responsibility that you’ve got to practice so that people start speaking up in meetings.
This benefits everyone!

Each meeting counts and every voice matters

#yestoinclusivemeetings

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Tips on how to ensure all voices are heard in meetings…

Consider who is speaking and who is not. In meetings, remind yourself of the power you have to create a space where everyone's voice can be heard - not just the loudest or most dominant ones.
When leading a meeting, make it clear that you want to ensure every voice is heard. Let your team know you are expecting creative solutions. Listen to everyone’s ideas and suggestions. Be aware of conveying negative reactions using body language or facial expressions.
Invite in the voices of the people sitting on the edges of the meeting room. For in-person meetings. often more junior people, or those who feel they have less influence, take seats away from the meeting table. But, by not making themselves seen and heard, they are continuing to limit their influence. Encourage their contributions!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Let's be honest. There are those people in the room who speak up regularly and those who don't. Chances are you know the people in your life who do speak up a lot. For others, it can be intimidating and challenging to get yourself heard by others. But here's something that I've discovered over time…the more you speak out, the more people expect you to share your thoughts and take notice of what you have to say!

I challenge you to speak up when you have a contribution to make - even if you aren’t confident about what you’re sharing.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Tips on how to speak up in meetings and be heard:

Start Small. Begin with a couple of ideas or questions you can prepare ahead of time, and over time, it will become easier and more natural to jump into the conversation.
Be the first to speak. Don't be afraid to be the first one to speak up . . . TRY IT.
Look for allies and together elevate your voices. Find allies who share your views and who will repeat and give you credit for your ideas in a group setting. And, you’ll do the same for them.
Look for supporters in the room, approach them and seek help. Ask for feedback and support from your colleagues, the meeting facilitator, your boss, a senior member of the company, or a mentor. Tell them you want to improve, and in most cases, they’ll gladly help you to develop your skills.
Take action and practice your response when people start talking over you. Acknowledge that what you have to say is valuable and should be heard. Discourage sidebar conversations that distract from your message. If you're speaking in a meeting and others start talking, get the floor back and hold on to it.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

There's a saying that “the grass is greener on the other side” or at least it looks that way. The grass may look greener - but is it really? What if what you’re seeing is fake? What if it's not grass, but artificial turf or sod? -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Here are my takeaways:

What you see isn't always what you get.
Don’t worry about others. Just make the most of your situation.
If you’re in a challenging relationship and you’d like it to be better, take action!
If you’re in a challenging relationship and you know it’s not healthy for you, take steps to make a change.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

As you level up your business and become more successful, the network of people that you're spending time with may expand. Make new friends who are as motivated, creative, and successful as you - but keep in touch with your early supporters.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Is it time to level up your network?

As you progress in your career, make sure the people you spend time with and get advice from are at the right level for where you are and where you want to be.
If your network does not offer sufficient opportunities, then expand it by making new contacts and cultivating them. Ideally, you should be involved in a group where you can make contributions and receive ideas that help you to elevate your business and life.
Keep in contact with old friends even if you are making new ones. Some friendships are for a season, but others will last a lifetime.
As your network grows, learn to prioritize your time so that you are spending it wisely.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

As you recognize and develop your talents, make a habit of looking for those who can and will support you. Build your team! DO NOT be afraid to ask for assistance.
You’ll find that many people love to help!

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Building your team is one step in creating your masterpiece.
Listen to episodes 48 and 49 to learn more. Then…
Go to everbetteru.com/masterpiece to download my worksheet, You Are A Masterpiece.

You don’t need to feel isolated. Create your support system! Here’s how…

Weigh your plans. Assess what you need assistance with. Find one person who can help. As you crystallize your direction, you’ll get more clear on who to welcome into your life.
Ask your family and friends for support. Do you have siblings, cousins, co-workers, friends, or other relatives who can be of assistance? Ask one of them to tutor you in whatever area you want to develop. Maybe it’s financial statements, public speaking, or creating a business plan. Often you’ll find that they’re grateful to provide assistance.
Look for professional assistance or a mentor. Creating your team could involve paying someone for professional assistance. If you need guidance, it’s well worth the investment. It can make the difference between stalling and quitting or moving forward at a rapid pace.
Know your purpose. As you develop your plans, you’ll identify more people to assist you. Maybe they’re already a part of your team, and you can ask them to help you a bit more.
What can you help with? Don’t be someone who takes without giving. As you receive assistance, look for those you can help. Who might you be able to help elevate?

Erika Ettin and “A Little Nudge”

Erika Ettin is an online dating coach.

The first steps of her career involved working for a financial institution. She realized that this was not the best use of her talents and that she was great at helping people to create relationships. She unmasked this skill and recognized that her adjacent possible was to create a company where she helped single people find their matches online. And that’s how A Little Nudge was born!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Unmask your capabilities and practice sharing them with the world. Then consider what’s possible. What can you create to be in service to others, to develop your career, and to make a difference in the world?! -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Recognizing your adjacent possible is one step in seeing yourself as a masterpiece.
Listen to episodes 49 and 50 to learn more. Then…
Go to everbetteru.com/masterpiece to download my worksheet, You Are A Masterpiece.

Use your talents to unlock opportunities

Identify and use your given skills, assets and talents.
Invest in learning about and practicing whatever lights you up!
Consider a wider perspective than you normally would.

What’s your adjacent possible?

What's hovering on the edges of the present state for you? This is your shadow future.
What have you been masking that you could unmask?
What skills could use at an even greater level?
When you use your skills to a greater extent, what's possible for you?
How can you impact other people?

References and inspiration for this episode:

“Where Good Ideas Come From” by Steven Johnson

The adjacent possible is a kind of shadow future, hovering on the edges of the present state of things.

The strange and beautiful truth about the adjacent possible is that its boundaries grow as you explore them.

Each new combination opens up the possibility of other new combinations.

“Worldwide Speech” founded by Erin Long

As a speech pathologist, Erin Long was dedicated to helping children develop their speech-language skills. Part of the State Department Foreign Service community, Erin recognized the need to provide speech therapy and related services to American students living with their families abroad.

And WorldWide Speech was born!

Now Erin is back in the U.S. and has expanded her customer base to students in the U.S.

Her adjacent possible was seeing the opportunity to use her skills to serve students living abroad. And then, her adjacent possible expanded to serve students anywhere in the world.

You can learn more about Erin and her team at worldwidespeech.com

“Hope Blooms” established by Kelly Krenzel

Kelly Krenzel worked at a hospice and recognized how much people appreciated receiving flowers. She saw that it created joy and moved them from feeling isolated to included.

Kelly recognized that there were many flowers that could be repurposed to brighten someone’s day from churches, florists, and farms.

Her adjacent possible led her to create Hope Blooms the organization that is “changing lives, one bouquet at a time.”

Hope Blooms repurposes donated flowers and rearranges them into beautiful bedside bouquets so that those who are in need most in our community feel a sense of inclusion.

You can learn more at hopeblooms.org

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

“Illuminate all the pieces of your life that make you extraordinary and powerful and magical and wonderful so that you can think about your next step.”

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Unmasking your potential is one step in seeing yourself as a masterpiece.

Listen to episodes 49 and 50 to learn more. Then…

Go to everbetteru.com/masterpiece to download my worksheet, You Are A Masterpiece.

Steps on how to unmask your potential!

Think about things that you are capable of doing at a higher level. Write down what those things are and then say them out loud. When you speak your ideas, they become more real and tangible, and you’re more likely to move forward with them.
Speak out for yourself. Find someone to discuss your career goals and options with. Discuss topics that you’ve been thinking about but haven’t shared with anyone yet. Consider talking to a friend or trusted colleague before you talk to your boss or someone more senior.
Start simple. If you’re considering creating a business or making a bold move, do more research and draft a business plan or life plan. Start simple! It doesn't need to be complicated. Just get started!
Assess the areas of your life where you could have a greater impact. Who can you serve that could really use your assistance? Where could you have a greater impact on the world?
Where can you take a bigger risk? What have you been thinking about doing that you haven't said out loud or that you haven't shared with someone yet? Think about the next steps in order to make that happen. How can you unmask and reveal your potential? Start with a couple of small steps and build from there.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Who does your team naturally follow? Make a point of observing this without assuming that you already know. Then consider mentoring or training that natural leader with so much more to offer. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How to determine who your team follows?

Observe who they listen to in a meeting.
Find out who they take cues from.
Check who they tend to look to when a question arises.
Be aware of your personal biases that may lead you to assume that you already know who your natural leaders are.

Now that you’ve identified your leader, what happens next?

Consider developing that person as a leader more proactively.
Find a way to involve them in higher-level meetings.
Explore ways you can introduce them to people who are more senior and who can broaden their views.
Train them so they can get a more well-rounded or more in-depth perspective about a certain topic

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How you do one thing is how you do anything. Your actions and attitudes impact every aspect of your life as well as the people around you.

What’s going well? What’s not? How can you start to make changes wherever needed?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Consider these questions to determine where you can level up.

Do you have control of your calendar? Do meetings “appear” that you forgot you scheduled?
Do you manage your time well?
How would you rate your recordkeeping?
Do you leave your responsibilities hanging and not communicate status or updates to others?

If you are great at balancing your time and obligations, and you’re communicating effectively - that’s awesome! You’ve been doing your work!

Now, how can you support others to achieve greater satisfaction in their lives?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Learn to be aware of your negative thoughts and interrupt them to create a more positive life.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How to interrupt your negative thoughts

Be aware of your thoughts. The more aware you are, the more you can control your actions and your habits. Be alert to when your brain is entertaining a negative thought. Recognize that it’s temporary and a positive thought can come along next.
Come up with an action plan. Be prepared. Write down what you’ll do the next time one of your recurring, negative thoughts arises.
Have an accountability partner. Team up with a friend or family member to create a plan that’s mutually beneficial. Help each other be accountable for interrupting each other’s negative thoughts.
Get professional help. Seek someone who can provide the assistance that you need. If you’re having significant, recurring thoughts, find a professional to discuss this with. Often, that’s the best course of action.
Try another perspective. Think of driving your car in a direction that you’re so used to going in, and then taking a different exit or path to get to your destination. Interrupt your normal routine.
Read a book. I recommend “The Little Book of Big Change” by Amy Johnson. I appreciate her analogies for changing your thoughts and her specific examples of how individuals have learned to interrupt their thinking.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

What can you do to launch yourself into the most productive, positive, optimistic day possible?
Listen to this podcast for ideas. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

ROCK your most productive day! Here are some ideas that might work for you.

Set an ALARM to wake up before everyone else in your house. Use that time to journal, meditate, plan your day, or read something positive.
ORGANIZE your ideas and to-do’s for the whole day.
MAKE YOUR BED as soon as you get up!
GET OUT of your home and kickstart your day with EXERCISE.
Write “MORNING PAGES” as described in The Artist’s Way. (See below for more information.)

Here are my recommended books for this episode:

“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron

I recommend reading The Artist’s Way for her philosophy on life and for lots of inspiration.

What Julia Cameron suggests for morning pages is that your write longhand, three pages of anything, every morning.

“The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod

In this book, Hal recommends six-morning practices that he recommends, and he uses the acronym, SAVERS.

S is for silence, A is for affirmations, V is visualization, E is exercise, R is reading, and S is scribing.

So these are six activities that you would do in sequence with a set amount of time in order to do each of these.

“Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss

He's written about the morning routines of people who've been very successful in all walks of life in his book, Tools of Titans.

It's a very large book, actually, so he suggests using it as a reference.

Or you can listen to his podcast episodes where he talks to people about their morning routines.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Are you aware that scheduling emails and Slack messages to be sent in the future can optimize your productivity and demonstrate leadership? Listen to this podcast for tips and tools.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How scheduling messages demonstrates leadership

Schedule your messages to be sent during appropriate business hours for your team when they will be read. When you send messages around the clock, you’re setting an expectation that you expect your team to be available during all hours.
Using productivity tools sets an example for maximizing productivity. You’ll increase your efficiency and time management and so will your team.
Encouraging your team to use such tools can help everyone including yourself to stay focused on tasks that matter the most at a certain period of time.
Using these productivity tools helps to set a healthy work environment by contributing to a positive work-life balance.

Productivity Tool Recommendations

Boomerang

Boomerang allows you to schedule email messages to be sent later, track responses, get reminders for no-reply emails that were sent, and schedule meetings. My favorite use of Boomerang is to pause my email inboxes so that I stay more focused.

Slack

Chances are, your team is already using Slack. But did you know that there is a built-in feature that allows you to schedule your messages to be sent in the future? Check it out and try it today!

What productivity tools does your company use? Consider the impact of these tools in your business and in your organization. How do the tools contribute to your company culture? How can you set the best example as a leader? What tools will work best for you and your team?

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

How do you want people to remember you? What legacy will you leave behind? Your legacy is created through big decisions and small ones. Every action, reaction, and decision that you make shapes your reputation and your legacy. Choose carefully.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Real-life experiences with individuals who are creating a positive legacy…

The team at Adventist HealthCare went above and beyond to help me stay on track for me for my DEXA scan when the tech didn’t show up for work.
The woman whose response when called for her appointment elevated everyone in the waiting room.
Pickleball pro, John, takes extra time and care to help me and other players develop our skills.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

I created this episode in honor of a special friend who recently passed away, Leslie Schindel Freeland, I have wonderful memories of our time together and I hope that this episode inspires you to deepen a friendship with someone or create a new one. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Some of My Wonderful Memories with Leslie…

Meeting her at Bethesda United Methodist Church during a Christmas decoration party
Renaissance Faire near Annapolis, Maryland with Leslie
Bunco night with Leslie and friends
Our dinner club
A birthday surprise in a French Restaurant
A bird pecking at her ring camera
Wordle results
Groceries when I broke my ankle and needed assistance
The memories her lifelong friends shared

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

You will earn respect by doing the right thing for your organization and those around you.
Being liked is less important and may come later.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How founders and other senior leaders fail to lead…

#9 They avoid discomfort.

Sabotage their success purposely or subconsciously.
Don’t cultivate the ability to manage increasingly stressful circumstances.
Don’t address the feeling of imposter syndrome.

ESCAPISM: When things get tough, leaders often seek to distract themselves with drinking, drugs, gambling, shopping, eating or other excessive habits or addictions. Escapism typically doesn’t end well. If this describes you, please seek help.

#10 They are concerned with being liked vs respected.

Don’t make “tough” decisions that might be considered unpopular.

INTEGRITY: Respect happens through consistently acting with integrity. Being liked may follow.

Go to everbetteru.com/fail to download 10 Ways that Founders and Other Senior Leaders Fail to Lead.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Everyone should be aware of how they respond when triggered and how they work best. That takes work! And it takes the assistance of a trusted circle of advisors and peers.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How founders and other senior leaders fail to lead…

#7 They don’t invest in their own development.

Invest in developing other team members, but not themselves.
Are not aware of current leadership practices and norms.
Don’t fully understand the product, customers, and financials.
Don’t create or fully understand the strategy.
Don’t prioritize their physical health.
Don’t address their mental health.

TOUGH LOVE: When you fail to identify and regulate your emotions, your communications and interactions may create a dysfunctional team.

#8 They become insulated and lonely.

Don’t create a trusted peer group to cross-pollinate ideas.
No trusted circle of advisors.
Don’t work with a coach to help them through challenging times and accelerate their growth.
Don’t’ attend conferences with peers.

TIP: Founders should know other founders. Senior leaders should know senior leaders at other companies.

Go to everbetteru.com/fail to download 10 Ways that Founders and Other Senior Leaders Fail to Lead.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

If you are a founder or a senior leader in your organization, you might not realize that you choose to focus on tactics vs. strategy. And in this episode, I’ll tell you why that is a problem. ------------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

#6 Choose tactics over strategy.

Position themselves as the subject matter expert (SME) of everything.
Don’t set and communicate strategic direction.

LEARNED BEHAVIOR: When you jump into tactical details, team members learn that they are not empowered to make decisions.

Don’t forget to go to everbetteru.com/fail to download the full PDF of 10 Ways that Founders and Other Senior Leaders Fail to Lead.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

In this episode, Coach Lisa discusses the ways that founders and other senior leaders fail to lead by forgetting that they are figureheads. ------------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

#5 Forget they are figureheads.

Don’t mindfully nurture their company culture
Show up to meetings late
Don’t manage their emotions
Take business success or failure personally.
Don’t pay attention during meetings

CONSIDER: When you pay more attention to your phone than the person talking during a meeting, you are treating them with disrespect. And it doesn’t go unnoticed.

So that's number 5 of the 10 ways that founders and other senior leaders fail to lead.

Download the entire list at everbetteru.com/fail.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

This is part 1 of a 5-episode series to help founders and other senior leaders develop leadership skills. If you’re an individual contributor or in any sort of leadership position, you’ll find this series helpful in better understanding your career path and the leaders you work with.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How founders and other senior leaders fail to lead…

#1 They don’t create the right leadership team.

Don’t hire strong leaders.
Don’t trust their leaders to lead.
Don’t make time for regular one-on-one meetings with leaders.
Poor communications with the leadership team.

#2 They don’t delegate.

Always on! Even when out of the office, founders and senior leaders are still actively working and making decisions.
All activity revolves around them.
The leadership team is not empowered to make decisions.

Founder Challenge: Structure the leadership team and delegate so that you can take a one-month sabbatical!

#3 They are slow to fire.

It can be challenging to fire friends and relatives.
Concern about being seen as “nice” rather than doing what’s best for the organization

FACT: Acknowledging that someone would be a better fit at another organization helps everyone involved.

#4 They don’t manage up.

Don’t create strong relationships with board members, CEO, investors, and other leaders.
Don’t involve board members and advisors at appropriate times.

TRUTH: Everyone has someone they report to!

These are four of the ways that founders and other senior leaders fail to lead.
Download the complete list at everbetteru.com/fail.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Recall a situation where you could have responded in a positive way or a nasty way. Which did you choose? -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

How to Create a Positive Experience:

Use that not-so-good situation as an opportunity to educate others.
Turn the situation around and perhaps make a new friend.
Be prepared. Be aware of potentially triggering situations and how you could and should respond.
In cases when you try to educate and elevate those around you and it's just not working, walk away. Try again next time!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Consider everything you've done in your life and how those elements contribute to the person you are today. Your life is a beautiful mosaic.

How many ways can you make contributions by applying your knowledge and experience?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Your age is an asset!

Your life isn’t like Bill Murray’s in Groundhog Day! We can’t stop time to develop new skills. Your accomplishments were created over many years and you couldn’t have achieved them without your chronological age.

Your “age” is not an excuse to slow down unless you want it to be.

Remember that aging is a state of mind and a mental perspective.
Keep yourself physically active so you can keep on doing amazing things!
You always have a choice between wanting to age while gaining chronological age and wanting to gain experience and wisdom while continuing to contribute to those around you.
Lastly, always remember AGE IS AN ASSET.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Could you imagine a day-to-day situation where someone is making things up, and having to remember what they said and to whom? It’s stressful and exhausting. Beyond that, lying in its entirety, no matter what the reason might be, is not OK.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Reasons Why People Lie

It was easier to lie at that very moment.
To manipulate a situation to their advantage.
Because they think the lie sounded better, or more impressive, than the fact or the truth.

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As I said, just operate with integrity. Don't lie, and then you don't have to keep track of what you said to whom and when.

So are you lying, and if so why? Because it's not okay!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Who do you have on a pedestal and who might have you on a pedestal? Consider that putting that person or you being put up on a pedestal can be a bad thing.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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When it is bad when you put someone up on a pedestal?

You’re limiting your interactions with them.
You're limiting your relationships with them.
You’re missing out on a chance to connect with them.
You’re missing out on a chance to help them.
You’re missing out on a chance to get additional assistance from them.

When it is bad when someone puts you up on a pedestal?

You feel that you’re in a position where you might have to be super careful about everything you say around that person.
You’re making things up just to look cool or successful.
You’re no longer speaking or showing up with integrity.

NOTE that all of these feelings are your beliefs that can be changed at any time.

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So consider those things I have listed above, and consider the image of you up on a pedestal or you having someone else up on a pedestal.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Use the GOOD coaching and communication model as you develop your leaders, help family members, and work through your own challenges.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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G stands for goals

What is it that you are trying to accomplish or want to achieve? Knowing this helps you to focus and gives you clear direction.

O stands for options

As an executive coach, I will literally try to ask you all options that you can think of.

As your coach, I might have my own ideas. However, your ideas will always take priority over mine.

O stands for obstacles

What might create stumbling blocks that slow down your progress or inhibit your ability to achieve your goals?

D stands for “do” or what are you going to do

Now that we’ve discussed options and obstacles, it’s time to ask for your commitments. “What are you going to do?”; “What are the steps that you’re going to take?”; “By what timeframe?” And “do you need help from someone else in order to do those things?”

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There will be follow-up sessions as you think these things through. For you as a leader, and for me, as a coach, our role is to act as a thought partner and as a catalyst for you to come up with new ideas that will help you to solve a challenge or problem, or achieve a goal.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

The GROW model is a framework for more effective communications and coaching that can be used in any conversation. Practice applying it every time you have an in-depth conversation to better understand the person you speaking with and the overall situation. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Choose one topic for discussion and then apply the GROW Model, as defined below.

G = Goal

What does the person want to achieve related to the topic?

R = Reality

Ask what the person has already tried and the circumstances. This is an opportunity to understand the other person’s reality.

O = Options

What options can they think of for moving forward? What are opportunities to make things happen?

The best communications happen when you get ideas from the other person before sharing yours.

W = Will

What actions will be taken and by when? Do you need to provide assistance or resources?

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Try applying this model in personal, parenting, and business interactions! It’s a model that can elevate all aspects of your life!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Agreement and expectation create very different outcomes in the long run. How do you come to an agreement during a conversation vs operating from a place of expectation? Listen to the podcast to find out! -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Agreement

Mutual understanding of what will be done and by whom, along with timeframes and any additional resources that are required. Ensure that agreement is achieved by articulating what you heard and following up in writing.

Expectation

An assumption of what will be done, by whom, and by when. Expectations often lead to conflict.

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Having a clear understanding of an agreement creates unified communication and better relationships, whether it is personal or professional. Practice creating agreements in all areas of your life!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

When you spend money do you automatically think of how “expensive” something is?
Or, do you consider the use of your time and money as investments? In your business and personal life, I urge you to reframe expenditures as investments in your future.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Here are the things you could do to have a significant return on investment:

Find ways to enhance your culture by bringing together your team members to create shared experiences. You could do this by conducting a meeting through Zoom or bringing them together for an energizing, in-person meeting.
Some companies pay for laptop upgrades and chair upgrades so that employees have good ergonomic equipment at home and in the office. While this may appear as an expense on your financial statements, it’s an investment in your employees’ well-being and job satisfaction.

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My investments in fitness

I belong to a gym with excellent amenities. This is an investment in my long-term fitness, not an unnecessary expense.
When I injured my ankle this year, I had been going to Club Pilates classes three or four times a week so my flexibility and strength were great. This helped me tremendously with getting around on crutches and being able to stretch to reach things at home. In addition, I made new friends who have greatly enriched my life. My investment in fitness has already paid off tremendously in 2022!
After I broke my ankle, I put Club Pilates on pause, I put Equinox on pause, and I hired a trainer to work with one-on-one so that I could keep working on strength and flexibility. This investment in fitness allowed me to keep developing my strength, even with limited mobility.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Are you creating complications in your life by getting involved with activities or individuals that are not consistent with the values that you'd like to live by? If so, it’s time to make some changes.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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If you are involved with any of the following situations below, you are not acting with integrity and living up to your values.

You’re spending a great deal of time and energy on logistics so that you can consume alcohol, tobacco, or porn without the most important people in your life catching on.
You’re devoting your time at work to finding another job or working a second job.
You’re in a committed relationship, yet you’re cultivating another relationship without your partner’s knowledge.

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If any of these situations resonate with you, make time to reflect on your actions and motivations. Then consider the changes you need to make and who might be in a position to help you.

Sometimes, the complications in our lives can be resolved by taking a step back to see how we’ve gotten to where we are.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here

Everyone experiences challenging times involving setbacks, uncertainty, and difficulties.
Sometimes you don’t realize that you’re in the middle of something until you come through it and see life from a new perspective. Megan Katarina perfectly captures the feeling of being in “The Middle” with her poem below. Megan is an inspiring performer, singer, songwriter, artist, and creative individual.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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The Middle
by Megan Katarina

There is a place where no one stays
But everyone must go
A place everyone learns what they wish
They did not have to know

At the end of oblivion
And the start of change
There’s a place we call “The Middle”
That is best known for its pain

I know I’m not the only one
Who’s tried to skip this spot
Who could blame me?
It’s the longest and the hardest of the lot

My first vain idea
Was to avoid it altogether
But staying at the start
Just left me feeling bored and tethered

Then I thought I’d venture on
But I’d run and do it fast
Until I tripped and fell upon
My pride, my guilt, my past

Afraid, I turned around
To find a shortcut through the weeds
But avoiding the laborious hike
Just forced me deeper in between

With open cuts and bruises
I decided to surrender
And though the climb was daunting
I did not deny its splendor

I began to learn myself
Inside the stillness of the dark
And heal a little quicker
With each scar that left its mark

Until one day when it’d been long
Since I let my life be ruled by fear
I wasn’t even looking anymore
But I was here

That’s the thing about the middle,
It’s quite maddening you see
It will not deem you “ready”
Until you stop pretending to be

And though it’d be lovely to bypass
The place where hurt occurs
Where every statement is just a question
Of who you are and who you were

I wish not to regret the times
When life made me feel brittle
Cause how would I have made it here
If I had skipped the middle?

Yes, how would I be who I am
If I had skipped the middle?

Have you come through the middle of a life or business transition and realized that it made you stronger and wiser?

Check out Megan Katarina’s work and social media below:

Patreon

Youtube

Instagram

Website

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

This is episode 25 of Ever Better Today! Half of 50! In this episode, I share four lessons I’ve learned from creating Season 3 of Ever Better Today. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Doing this daily podcast for me is an exercise in simplification.

When I started out with podcasting about seven years ago, we published very detailed show notes with timestamps.

I’ve seen that followers are more focused on the audio than written content, so I took the opportunity to simplify.

I realized that I say "and" a lot.

I'm calling myself out on that, and I'm going to try to decrease the number of times I say "and."

Create a great team.

I can't do a daily podcast on my own while still having a coaching practice.

Thanks to the help of my team - Ryan Higgs, my podcast editor, and Eloisa Gesmundo, my marketing assistant, we have been able to produce the daily show.

Build a great team that you can rely on and trust to do the work for you when you are otherwise engaged.

Consistency

I'm challenging myself to put out one episode per day. I've accomplished 10% of my goal of releasing 250 episodes this year.

I know that my podcasts will continue to improve by sitting down and doing the work! Through consistency, repetition, and focus I’m getting even better every day!

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Now that we are within 10% of my goal, I hope that I'm producing great content all the time. I hope that you, as a listener, get even better every day when you listen to the podcast and that it leads you to create more fun and fulfilling life!

To learn more about Ever Better Coaching, Consulting, or Podcasts: Email

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

The DiSC Productive Conflict Assessment is a tool for transforming destructive habits into productive responses. Knowing your triggers - what makes you angry, quiet, or upset is powerful information! When you and your team are aware of your tendencies you can thoughtfully change behaviors and reactions. As a result, teams become higher-performing and work environments are more fulfilling.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Conflict happens in all relationships. This assessment helps you to better understand yourself and others so that you don’t just react. You consider what’s happening at the moment. You step back and reframe the situation. And then you create a more effective response.

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Learn more about DiSC profiles in Ever Better Today Episode 23.

To learn about a DiSC assessment for yourself or your team, contact Lisa.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

What's an assessment? And why do you do them? In this episode, Coach Lisa discusses assessments with a focus on the Everything DiSC Assessment. Assessments teach us about ourselves and others. They elevate emotional intelligence and enable us to better navigate our professional and personal worlds. -----------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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What’s your DISC profile?

D for Dominance

You’re direct, firm, strong-willed, forceful, and results-oriented.

I for Influence

You’re outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic, high spirited, and lively.

S for Steadiness

You're even-tempered, accommodating, patient, humble, and tactful

C for Conscientiousness

You're analytical, reserved, precise, private, and systematic.

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Whether you want to be a better manager, colleague, friend, or parent - a DiSC assessment will give you a detailed report of your personality style and help you to understand your motivations and those of the people around you. This will surely elevate your emotional intelligence!

To learn about a DiSC assessment for yourself or your team, contact Lisa.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Have you ever felt on top of the world? Like things couldn’t get any better? And then…it all started to fall apart. Maybe you became sick, you overslept and missed a meeting, you messed up what should have been an easy presentation, or you started a fight.

This is what happens when individuals reach their Upper Limit as described by Gay Hendricks in The Big Leap.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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You've likely heard about the Academy Awards debacle where Chris Rock made an inappropriate joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's hair. This led to her husband, Will Smith, walking on stage and slapping Chris Rock across the face.

It was literally the slap heard around the world and was a poor reflection on both of them.

I consider these examples of upper limiting by Rock and Smith. Both were highly successful at that time and will continue to be. However, their actions represented questionable judgment and integrity.

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How can you avoid an upper limiting incident when you’re at the top of your game?

Here’s how…

Be aware.

Create a team of advisors with whom you can share the truth about how you’re feeling.

This might include friends, professional advisors, a coach, a therapist, and family members. Be aware of the people you’re turning to for advice to ensure that they have the same values and level of integrity that you do.

Tune into how you're feeling.

Make time in your day to decompress. Figure out what works for you. It might be meditating, listening to music, reading, taking a walk, or doing a Pilates class.

If you’re in a meeting, practice deep breathing. Breathe in for three counts, hold it for three, and then breathe out. Practice doing this without drawing attention to yourself so that you can calm and center yourself anytime or anyplace.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Everyone has the power to make change by elevating their voice. Here are ten ideas for doing that!

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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10 ways to elevate your voice:

Write in a journal.

Make a habit of spending about 15- or 20-minutes per day writing in your journal. This can be a spiral notebook, a journal made for this purpose, or a pad of paper. It doesn’t need to be fancy!

Practice getting clear on your perspective by writing about literally anything! Write about something fun that you did, an activity you’re looking forward to, an event that didn’t go as well as you would have liked, or an issue that’s pissing you off! The less formal the better. Just be yourself and get started!

Write a blog.

Your blogs don’t need to be published until and unless you’re ready.

Write blogs to practice crystallizing and organizing your thoughts. Use an outline of an introductory statement, a body with three main points, and a summary conclusion.

If you’re ready to publish your blogs, create your own simple website using Wix or Squarespace. Or, post on Medium.

Post about a topic on social media.

Facebook Groups and LinkedIn are perfect for longer posts.

If you share someone else’s post, include your perspective. What’s important to you about the post? What do you want people to learn from it?

Live broadcast on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube.

This is an easy way to practice sharing your perspective in a “live” format. Join in with a friend who’s interested in the same topic so you’re not going it alone. Don’t be concerned with the number of people who tune in. You’re doing this to practice elevating your voice. When you stick with it, others will start to notice.

Write a short story about your perspective.

Writing fiction will make you think more broadly and imaginatively! It doesn’t need to be shared with anyone else or published unless you’d like to do that!

Answer a question in Quora.

Quora is a platform where people post questions about anything you can imagine and others jump in to answer and offer their perspectives.

Search for the topic that most interests you, jump into the conversation, and answer a question confidently. This is a great way to help someone out!

Get involved with local legislation.

Start by writing an email to your elected official, or attend a public hearing and share your opinion. Get your thoughts into the public record!

Run for office!

We always need more thoughtful, articulate individuals to actively participate in our democracy. Running for office will put you in the position of constantly answering questions and engaging in spirited conversations on a wide variety of topics.

Join a Toastmasters club.

Toastmasters is a safe and inviting space to practice public speaking. Your first task will be to stand up and introduce yourself and you’ll only need to take it a step further when you’re ready.

Be a podcast guest.

Research who’s doing a podcast about a particular topic you like. Reach out to them and offer to be their guest.

Bonus Tip: Start Your Own Podcast!

Creating your own podcast can be time-consuming but well worth it!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

What’s the best way to truly connect with people?
Be like a metal detector!

In an episode of the Not-So-Serious Life with Jason Goldberg and Steve Chandler, Jason said that he likes to think of discovering like a metal detector! I’m fortunate to know many people who connect with others like they’re on a treasure hunt. Listen in to learn more!

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Be like a metal detector. OK, but how do you do that in real life?

Look at what’s already visible and consider what might be underneath.

My friend, Elise, whom I met on the Metro, noticed me reading a digital fundraising report which led to her asking questions about why that information interested me.

When you detect a signal, a response that indicates there’s more to the story, ask deeper questions to learn more. Listen carefully to responses with an open mind.

Seeing that the report was about fundraising for non-profits, and that I was eager to discuss the topic, Elise asked deeper questions about my work and background and listened carefully to what I had to say.

When the metal detector pings to let you know something is there under the surface, take out a shovel and start digging!
Elise kept asking me questions leading to us discovering many commonalities. This led to lunch and a long friendship!

Practicing the skill of being a metal detector allows you to connect to other people. Be curious, be connecting, be present in discussion with anyone!

Who knows, you might meet someone who can change your life, someone who needs your help, or a new friend!

Episode References:

The Not-So-Serious Life with Jason Goldberg & Steve Chandler

Elise Ravenscroft, Lisa’s friend from the Metro!

Saba Bando, Extraordinary Coach!

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

My son, Conner, just turned 23!

In honor of all he does for me and what I’ve learned from him, here is an episode dedicated to his wisdom.

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Here are five lessons that I’ve learned from my son:

1. Read the room

Be aware of your natural response to what’s happening in the room. Observe dynamics and when you’re comfortable, join in!

Conner has naturally done this from a very young age and was able to articulate this wisdom in response to joining in with the bigger kids at Kids’ Club.

2. Articulate your value

Conner grew up doing lawn work and shoveling snow in our neighborhood. He was always able to ask for what he believed his work was worth. And he still practices that skill today!

Know your worth and articulate it!

3. Embrace experiences

Go with the flow! If everything doesn’t go according to plan, make an adventure out of it!

4. Family Loyalty

Embrace every opportunity to spend time with family.

5. The show South Park, makes me laugh.

Conner knew that this show - especially the Covid specials - would make me laugh! I wouldn’t have watched it without his recommendation.

So far, these are just five of the many, many things I have learned from Conner. I am still looking forward to learning more things in life from him, and hopefully, he’s learning from me too!

I love you Conner!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Have you ever taken a look at something and wondered, Where did this come from?

Who created this?

Could I make something like this?

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Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Here are 3 ideas to develop your curiosity and creativity:

Dig into whatever you’re curious about and explore whether or not you want to create something similar.

When he was growing up, my brother, Peter Conners, realized that someone had to sit down and write the books he was reading. This began his journey as an author and editor.

In my case, I listened to a lot of podcasts starting maybe 10 years ago. At some point, I thought, “Wow, it would be really interesting for me to create my own podcast. Is that possible? How would I actually go about doing that?” After doing the work to learn how podcasting works and creating dozens of episodes, here I am today, still happily podcasting!

Ask yourself “What do you take for granted in your life that someone had to create?”

Consider the viewpoint and perspective of creators who have made your life more interesting! Can you add to the conversation or body of work?

Consider what's around you right now? What have you been overlooking that you could learn more about?

What do you rely on every day that makes your life easier or that you enjoy being involved with? Take a look at that more deeply and determine if it’s something that you want to get more involved with. What can you learn from and contribute to that creator community?

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Episode References:

Merch Table Blues, by Peter Conners
BOA Editions, a non-for-profit publisher of poetry and other literary works
We are Everywhere Podcast with host, Clay Bird, and his guest, Peter Conners.
Groundedwomen.com. A blog celebrating women farmers with incredible photos by Lise Metzger.

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Don’t argue for your limitations. Work to create possibility.

Have you ever read a quote from a book, and realized that it is was a lesson that you needed at that moment?

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Consider these quotes and how they apply to you.

“Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they're yours”

Don’t argue about your limitations. Work to create possibility. Only you limit yourself. We tend to limit what we think we can achieve. But by shifting our mindset, we are able to create the impossible.

“You teach best what you most need to learn.”

Every day is a new chance to learn. Look for the lesson for yourself in what each client, student, friend, or family member shares with you.

“There's no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.”

Have you ever realized that you created a problem when you could have walked away? Consider each challenge a gift of new possibilities.

“You're never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”

If you want something, don’t expect it to come easily. Continue to work at it, until your reality starts to shift.

How do these quotes apply to your life right now?

If you haven't yet read a book by Richard Bach, go and check one out of the library or get one on bookshop.org below.

Books by Richard Bach

Illusions

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

One

Running From Safety

The Bridge Across Forever

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

In the book, Good to Great, Jim Collins talks about how companies evolve little by little and he compares it to a flywheel. In this episode, I apply his flywheel idea to individuals who are working bit by bit to create a sense of fulfillment in their lives. I’ve narrowed it down to 6 categories – family, fitness, friends, fulfilling work, funds, and fun. Elevating yourself in these six areas bit by bit creates a fulfilling life that gives you a sense of peace, happiness, and well-being. ---------------------------------------------------

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Family

Seek ways to deepen your relationships and create lasting precious moments. How can you add more fun to family time?

Fitness

Start by making small changes. They’ll add up to big changes. How can you make fitness fun?

Friends

Create deeper relationships and friendships. You’ll live longer! Truly!

Fulfilling Work

Value your work. Find ways to create fulfilling work that you might even describe as fun! Sometimes you’ll need to step away and look at it from a different perspective.

Funds (Money)

First, appreciate what you’ve got. Then, build your wealth if that’s important to you. If it’s not, enjoy a sense of fulfillment in your current state. Too many people spend their lives chasing after more.

Fun

If you can incorporate fun into each of the elements above, you’ll be smiling through your day! How can you create space for fun that doesn’t fit into any of the categories above?

References:

Good to Great by Jim Collins

Stack Exchange

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Is there something in your life that you'd like to change but haven’t made the effort to do so? In other words, “what are you putting up with?!” =====

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Inspired by Michael Neill’s “Creating the Impossible”, let’s get into this activity

Think about what you would like to create in your life that seems impossible.
Write it down.
Think about the smallest steps you could take towards creating that impossible project.
Then do one more step, and things might start to come together for you. At a minimum, you’ll be proactively shifting your circumstances

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If you don't take any steps, you’ll never create what seems to be impossible. And remember, you have the power to change anything

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Reference:

Creating the Impossible: A 90-day Program to Get Your Dreams out of Your Head and into the World

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

How do you feel about asking for help? Some people naturally ask for help as if it’s one of their “superpowers”. Others ask only if it’s absolutely necessary. Which camp are you in? ===== Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Why should you ask for help?

Asking for help accelerates your progress so that you can achieve your goals faster.
Asking for help gives you more information.
Asking for help can give you another perspective.
Asking for help can result in a much better outcome.
Asking for help can you see your options.
Asking for help can result in a stronger plan to address the issues at hand.

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Reference:

This worksheet will help you to think through what to ask for help with, and whom to ask on a personal and professional level.

Asking for Help Download

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Our behaviors are impacted by what we see and experience in our environment every day. Consider mentally switching up your geography to see how that might impact or affect your life and decisions. ==== Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Do this mental exercise:

Think about the goal that you want to achieve.
Consider the options that you've already come up with to reach your goal. Notice that the options are informed by your previous experiences, the people around you, and social and behavioral norms based on where you live.
Now, imagine that you are living in a city with a completely different vibe and energy. How would your actions and mindset shift to match what’s happening there
Block time on your calendar to put yourself in the mindset of someone in that location. For inspiration, watch a travel show such as Parts Unknown or Rick Steves’ Europe. (See links below.)

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Resources:

Some resources to support your solo mental exercise:

Anthony Bourdain “Parts Unknown”

Rick Steves “Rick Steves' Europe”

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Is there something in your life that you'd like to change but haven’t made the effort to do so? In other words, “what are you putting up with?!” ====

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

====

Inspired by Michael Neill’s “Creating the Impossible”, let’s get into this activity.

Think about what you would like to create in your life that seems impossible.
Write it down.
Think about the smallest steps you could take towards creating that impossible project.
Then do one more step, and things might start to come together for you. At a minimum, you’ll be proactively shifting your circumstances.

====

If you don't take any steps, you’ll never create what seems to be impossible. And remember, you have the power to change anything.

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Reference:

Creating the Impossible: A 90-day Program to Get Your Dreams out of Your Head and into the World

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

How do you hold yourself accountable? Have you discovered a system that keeps you on track? Do you rely on reporting your progress to someone else? Accountability practices tend to evolve and get even better over time. ====

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

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Accountability practices are not one-size-fits-all!

As a coach, I don’t hold people accountable, I help them to create the system that works for them. This is the highest level of service that I can provide to someone. However, just knowing that a meeting with me is coming up often generates the drive to get stuff done!

To develop accountability for yourself try the following:

1) Develop new habits. Check out the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear for great tips on this.

2) Find an accountability partner and check in with each other on a regular basis to discuss progress on your goals.

3) Create a deadline for yourself. For example, to get projects done around the house, invite people over! This will get you cleaning and organizing. (At least it does for me!)

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below.

When you’re in conversation with someone, are you listening or imposing your views?
Truly listening serves the other person.
Imposing your views without understanding theirs, may be more damaging than beneficial.

Imposing

This is when you were verbalizing your opinionated solutions on specific matters intending to resolve them. It also means you are imposing your views, your worldview, your perspective on someone. It may be helpful at some times but in most cases, it is not because it means most of the time, you do the TALKING.

Serving

This is way different from imposing as it focuses on LISTENING than talking. It does not arrive at a solution immediately because you’re figuring out first what's getting in the way, and what is the best way to solve a certain problem.

Wait - Why am I talking?

Serving is a leadership skill to be conscious of in every situation. Using the acronym W.A.I.T will help to keep you on track.

WAIT! Stands for “Why am I talking?**

If you have an urge to speak and can’t contain it anymore, just ask yourself first “Why am I talking?” Trust me, it’s a life-changing practice!

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below. First, you're unaware, then you become familiar, then you become capable. And then it's who you are. Your mastery of your leadership skills and even your life skills get summarized in these four stages.

How Do We Achieve Mastery of Anything We Do?

Unaware

Using equipment at the gym correlates to how we master skills.

If you walk into almost any gym, you’ll see some form of a chest press machine.

The first time I went to the gym I was totally unaware of how to use it. Which way do you sit? How do you change the weight? How does this thing work?!

This is also referred to as unconscious incompetence.

Familiar

After watching others use the machine and experimenting with it, became familiar with it but I wasn't proficient yet. This is the conscious incompetence stage.

Capable

As I used the chest press machine on a regular basis, I found my groove. I became capable. I was able to use the chest press with much less mental effort (but more physical effort as I worked my muscles.) This is the conscious competence stage.

Natural

As I practiced and gained confidence, I was able to use the chest press machine naturally. At this point, I achieved unconscious competence.

To learn more about the process of achieving mastery, check out Ever Better Today, Episode 7.

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below. Do you have a tendency to self-sabotage? Here are some signs to be aware of.

When does sabotage occur?

When you get overwhelmed by life’s changes and challenges.
When you start to feel imposter syndrome after a promotion or when taking on a new responsibility.
When you indulge in escaping reality and dwell on unproductive activities that might include drugs, alcohol, or escaping into video games, movies, and other dramas.

What can you do to avoid sabotaging yourself?

Be aware of it. Are you feeling anxious about changes happening in your life even when you know those changes will lead you to success?
Use your guardrails. Ask for help from someone you can rely on. This could be a coach, a therapist, or a wise, trusted friend.
Engage in physical activity. Take a walk, ride your bike, go to the gym! Do something healthy to change your state of mind.
Journal to better understand what is happening in your life and the associated emotions.

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below. Are you aware of the four stages of competence and how they relate to leadership skills? What stage are you in?

Do you practice active telling or are you highly skilled at active listening?

Here are the four stages of competence:

Unconscious Incompetence

In this first stage of competence, you are set to do something new, however you are not aware of what is happening or you don’t know where to start. That is called unconscious incompetence.

Conscious Incompetence

In this second level of competence, you are aware of what you are supposed to be doing but you also acknowledge that you are not skillful or knowledgeable enough to do that activity or task. So, this is called Conscious Incompetence.

Conscious Competence

In this third level of competence, you know what you are supposed to be doing, but you are very cautious of your thoughts and your actions. You have started doing things with diligence.

Unconscious Competence

In this final level of competence, you are already doing things as if they are a second nature to you. Through practice, you get to perform these activities or tasks or whatever you are supposed to effortlessly. It is also at this stage, that you are able to teach this skill to somebody else.

Active Telling versus Active Listening:

Active Telling

Related to the four stages of competence, as a leader, you can practice active telling or active listening. When you are active telling you don’t attempt to understand another perspective. You don’t ask questions like “What are their thoughts? What's happening? What's the context? What's the background that they might not be familiar with.”

Active Listening

You are a leader who is actively listening if you ask questions first, then listen before you talk. Try first at least five questions or prompts before you discuss next steps. Through this approach you want them to draw conclusions on their own and think through their responses. This takes a lot of practice. Through constant practice anyone can create unconscious competence for active listening.

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To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Notes from this episode are below.

In this episode I share what it means to work with me as an Executive Coach!

I am Lisa Conners Vogt, a results-oriented Executive Coach who helps senior executives and entrepreneurs achieve greater results in their business and personal lives. In other words, my specialty is helping you reach your goals. As we work together, I keep an eye on where you are now, what is working well for you, and how to make you overall life even better! Listen to the podcast to learn more!

To learn more about working with Ever Better, send me an email here or book a complimentary call with me here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below.

If you're not mindfully focusing your brain - every alert, email, person, or thought could become a distraction. If you can decrease these distractions, your productivity will go through the roof!

Yesterday I discussed how to find a quiet space with fewer interruptions. Once you’ve found that space, here are seven ways to focus your brain.

Ways to Focus your Brain

1) Control Your Phone

Take a look at the alerts that are set up on your phone. Are you getting alerts that relate to work? Your personal life? Are you getting them for social media? Breaking news?

Do you really need this information immediately?!

If not, turn them off!

2) Block Time for Strategic Thinking

Build strategic thinking time blocks into your calendar once a week or every day. Spend the time thinking about a challenge, the future, or your vision, and stay focused!

3) Use Paper

Step away from the computer, put down the phone, and just use paper! It’s been proven to enhance creativity!

4) Use a Meditation App

There are lots of meditation apps out there, but I use Insight Timer.

Whenever I need a stretch of time to work on a specific project, I turn on my favorite track that instantly allows me to focus. It’s a signal to my brain that it’s time to work.

5) Use YouTube Study Music

Similar to Insight Timer, YouTube has a wide variety of instrumental music options. Just search “study music” or “instrumental music for studying” or anything along those lines.

6) Use Earbuds

As you listen to Insight Timer or YouTube, you can block out external sounds with your earbuds! Earbuds signal to your brain that it’s your focus time. Sometimes I even put in my earbuds and forget to turn on music!

7) Use a Subtle Distraction

Listen to a webinar or podcast. I love listening to people who inspire me. I find their voices very soothing. By putting something on in the background, I get subliminal encouragement while working on a task.

Tara Mohr, the author of Playing Big, has some great webinars! I love hearing her voice, and she constantly inspires me. I can still work while listening because her words are not distracting enough to take me away from my tasks.

So try these out for yourself! If you've got other ways to focus your brain, please send me an email at Lisa@everbetteru.com.

Learn more about Ever Better Coaching and Consulting at https://www.everbetteru.com/

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below.

When you have time to think without interruption, you can create more strategic solutions and creative ideas. When you have enough quiet space, you’re able to boost your overall productivity.

FIVE WAYS TO CREATE MORE QUIET IN YOUR LIFE

1 Coworking Spaces

Boost your productivity with Coworking Spaces without your usual distractions at home.

2 Another space in the office

Look for the no interruption, somehow 'hiding' spots in your office ~ unassigned cubicle or an open meeting room maybe?

3 Your local library

Reserve those free & spacious collaboration spaces and meeting rooms just perfect for your client meetings.

4 A Hotel Lobby

Check out that big hotel you frequently check out, that might just be your next meeting venue.

5 A Community Building

Community buildings such as your church, temples, synagogues or other religious architecture might be your perfect quiet room that comes with a Wi-Fi for a focused work time you deserve.

Learn more about Ever Better Coaching and Consulting at https://www.everbetteru.com/

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below.

Ask yourself: if you could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be? What one thing is most important to you?

Set your one daily priority, and then fill gaps in your plans with the tasks that aren’t as important.

If your daily priorities are set realistically and intentionally, they will add up to an impressive lifetime of accomplishments!

How do you set your daily priority?

A simple analogy of setting your daily priority and time management.

Start with the Big Rock
Then Add the Pebbles
And Fill in the Sand
After That, Let Go...And Enjoy Life
Bonus Tip - Make it a Lifelong Habit

The big rock represents your daily priority which happens to be in alignment with your lifelong priorities.

The mason jar represents your day. The pebbles and the sand represent the things in your life that are not nearly as important as that big rock.

The lesson here? Accomplish that big thing for the day. You'd feel accomplished. Note that your priorities might change wherein your pebbles and sand today might be your big rock tomorrow.

Remember to set your daily priority and make it consistent with your lifelong priorities. And when you do that each day, you'll be amazed at what you accomplish!

Learn more about Ever Better Coaching and Consulting at https://www.everbetteru.com/

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in!

Notes from this episode are below.

You create your legacy when you make decisions throughout the day about how to prioritize your time and focus your energy. What are your priorities?

To identify them, ask yourself:

In the past year, what decisions would I go back and change?
Considering the cumulative effect of every decision in my life, what would I go back and change?
Ten years from now, what might I regret not spending more time doing?

Right now, my top five priorities are:

Physical and mental health
Family relationships
Developing my business
Friendships
Reimagining my home

Physical and Mental Health

When I work out, it elevates my mental health. I can really feel the difference mentally.

I also spend a good amount of time listening to positive podcasts or guided meditations. When I get home, I often play uplifting music in the background.

My coach is a huge resource for me as well, and I will work with a therapist when needed.

Family Relationships

I will make decisions based on whether they allow me to spend time with my son, Conner. I also regularly plan trips to visit and help out my parents.

My three brothers are also very important to me, and again, I’ll make decisions based on whether they allow me to consistently spend time with my brothers and their families.

Developing my Business

Developing my Executive and Leadership Coaching business is a significant priority in my life.

I often consider how I can work my top three priorities into each day. For example:

Recently I went to visit my parents and knew I had a firm meeting with a client in the morning. To ensure I’d have both quality time with my parents and a quiet environment to speak to the client, I arranged a workspace where I could set up a Zoom call.

I finished my work with plenty of time for a walk, and spent the rest of the day with my parents. I was able to hit all three of my top priorities in one morning!

Friendships

Over the last ten years, my friends have helped me navigate significant challenges and I’ve come to value my friendships now more than ever!

I’ve learned that I can really rely on my friends. They are willing to both celebrate my wins and support me when things aren't great. Whatever I need, they are here for me.

Reimagining my Home

Two years ago, this wouldn't have appeared on my priority list. Things might shift as your life evolves, and that’s okay!

I am now a true empty nester. My son has launched into his career and I am no longer married. I am free to reimagine my home completely for myself.

I'm painting furniture, learning how to decoupage, and doing all sorts of experimental things around the house. This is all a very long-term project, but I'm taking it piece by piece.

Ultimately, my goal is to do a home swap. There are websites where you can find someone to temporarily exchange houses with. Perhaps I would go live in Palo Alto or Paris for a few weeks while someone lives in my house!

That's it for today; now go set your lifelong priorities!

Learn more about Ever Better Coaching and Consulting at https://www.everbetteru.com/

For a complete episode transcript, click here.

Welcome to Ever Better Today: the daily podcast for creating your optimal business, career, or overall life in ten minutes or less. I’m Lisa Conners Vogt, Executive and Leadership Coach and founder of Ever Better Coaching and Consulting. Let’s jump in! Notes from this episode are below.

My clients achieve their goals through:

Articulating their long-term vision, goals and milestones
Identifying what might be holding them back
Approach their work as a leader of leaders
Addressing mental and physical health, relationships, communication, and more!

How I Started the Ever Better Podcast

Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I went into research mode. I spoke to many doctors, survivors, and others affected by breast cancer diagnoses. As I weighed my treatment options I listened to lots of podcasts about the topic.

Podcasts helped me learn about breast cancer and its treatments.
The stories and experiences of others inspired me.
They were really a lifeline at times.

Over and over again I would listen to a podcast episode and come away with a different mindset. So I started thinking about creating a podcast of my own.

The following year, I went to a camp for adults called Camp Good Life Project, which is no longer offered. It was a one-of-a-kind experience created by Jonathan Fields who produces the Good Life Project Podcast.

I expressed my interest in podcasting to others at the camp, and many were podcasters themselves. I shared that I wanted to create a podcast to inspire people the way I had been inspired.

Another podcaster asked for my notebook while in mid-conversation. He wrote, “buy this microphone… sign up for this service… do this thing… do this thing...” He gave me the specific action items I needed to start a podcast. He demystified the process and encouraged me to get started!

Fast forward several years and I finished the first “season” of the Ever Better Podcast with ninety episodes!

Coach Lisa

While creating the Ever Better Podcast, my guests would regularly say, “I feel like I've been through a really good coaching session.”

I reflected on this and realized that I had always taken a coaching approach to my work.

When I was 23 years old and managing software developers, I had no idea of how to code. I didn't understand the technical details but I was able to help my team mesh and become very high-performing. Through applying curiosity, listening fully and applying my business knowledge I was able to bring out the best in each person.

What started out as encouragement from my podcast guests, became a side gig, and in 2017, I left my marketing and public relations job to become a full-time executive coach.

Ever Better Today

What began in 2015 as the Ever Better Podcast, has become Ever Better Today beginning in 2022.

So what will I be sharing this season? Some topics I’ll cover are:

Creating and maintaining a billion-dollar mindset.
Growing your business to the next level.
Reframing events, messages, and circumstances.
How to better communicate with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Executive presence.
Playing bigger.
And many more!

I won’t be interviewing guests as I did in Season 1. Each episode, you’ll hear my thoughts on a specific topic - distilled down into 10 minutes or less.

Clients often work with me on a long-term basis and the greatest thing about coaching is witnessing their success, growth and progress! Learn more about me and my work here!

If you'd like to request that I cover a specific topic or to set up a consultation, send me an email at Lisa@everbetteru.com.

References

For the creative soul, entrepreneur and change-maker in you, check out these resources.

For Camp Good Life Project - https://www.goodlifeproject.com/camp-glp/

For Jonathan Fields - https://www.jonathanfields.com/

For a complete episode transcript, please click here

My guest today owns a business that I refer to as “My Happy Place.” Her name is Janine Narayadu and her business is The Bethesda Salt Cave. In addition to housing a relaxing and healing salt cave, customers can benefit from massages, yoga classes, and sound bowl concerts. And…as an extra bonus…they have a unique store filled with salt lamps, jewelry, and natural products that Janine creates. In this podcast Janine shares her story of discovering salt caves and their healing properties, and how she turned a solo massage practice into a rapidly expanding business.

Janine has led a unique international life. Born in South Africa, Janine became a police officer. From there she moved to Vienna, Austria and was married to a professional French horn player. It’s there that Max, her son and now business partner, was born. Janine eventually divorced and moved to the U.S. and now lives in Maryland with her husband who works for the World Bank.

You might be wondering – What’s a salt cave?! Well…it’s a room that’s literally filled with salt. In the case of the Bethesda Salt Cave, there are 30 tons of Himalayan salt on the walls, and 6.5 tons on the floor, and salt is pumped into the air with a Halo Generator. Think about walking on a sandy beach, but instead, you’re walking on grains of salt. You relax in an anti-gravity chair, listening to soothing spa music and just breathe! The salty environment is healing and relaxing.

Find out more about the Bethesda Salt Cave at bethesdasaltcave.com.

Do you ever feel like you need a little guidance in your career or personal life? As a life coach, I am here to assist you in making and meeting the goals you have set for yourself on both business and personal levels. To get more information, email me at lisa@everbetteru.com or click here.

Margaret Ruff is an educator at heart and lifelong learner who coaches executives and school administrators using the Immunity to Change model. During this podcast we talk about Margaret's career transitions, drawing on multiple intelligences, and how children and adults are similar.

Margaret says: "I believe success is the ability to change when change is needed; to be flexible and adaptable through change; to be yourself when your ideas are questioned; to not create excuses that keep you in the same rut day after day; and to keep it fresh and fun by being in focus through the process on your way to your desired result."

Show Notes:

Margaret followed her passion for music before becoming a teacher (3:01)
Deciding to be a teacher (4:13)
Realizing finance wasn't the right career choice and making a change (6:50)
The conflict and interactions between parents and teachers (9:00)
Becoming assistant principal and the challenges of transitioning from teaching (11:15)
Motherhood and the benefits of PTSA leadership (13:15)
Going back to school for executive leadership (14:20)
Becoming an executive coach (15:20)
Coaching leaders (18:26)
The power of internships (20:04)
Looking at what people want to improve and becoming conscious of what is stopping them from change (21:25)
The power of incremental change (24:48)
Being comfortable with uncertainty (30:47)
Why it's so difficult to change (31:26)
Margaret's plans for 2018 using incremental development (35:50)

Connect with Margaret

http://www.margaretruff.com https://www.facebook.com/margaretruffcoach

Recommended Books

Dr. Sheela Reddy is a psychologist, executive coach, and mother of two girls, who is passionate about helping women who are suffering through domestic abuse. Growing up in India, Sheela suffered domestic abuse throughout her childhood. Her way of coping was finding people whom she could count on, people who she referred to as her other mothers. She asked for help – and received it.

At an early age she recognized that she had the power to assist others who were suffering and has been using her innate gifts ever since. In this podcast she talks about her journey from India, shares her thoughts about the importance of speaking out, especially for Asian women, about resilience, and she offers resources.

Sheela came to the United States at age 19 because she was fascinated by the businesswomen that she saw while watching American television, and she was seeking a future with more possibilities.

She attended Loyola University where she earned her Masters degree in counseling. She then went on to help patients manage substance abuse issues. After several years she enrolled at Rutgers University where she earned her doctorate in multicultural counseling psychology. While at Rutgers she worked with her husband to build a business with operations in India and the U.S. While that sounds like a busy and stressful life on the surface, her challenges were compounded by being in a difficult marriage that ultimately ended in divorce.

Sheela has been a director at a domestic violence center and is now a practicing psychologist and an executive coach. In her practice, she loves working with individuals and families and is skilled at running corporate workshops in emotional intelligence and teambuilding. Alternative methods relying on mindfulness such as yoga and art – are an important part of her approach.

Part of my discussion with Sheela focuses on the #MeToo movement. More and more women are coming forward to share their stories of sexual harassment and intimidation, but Sheela and I believe that this is just a beginning. We know that there are thousands of women who are too reliant on their paychecks to speak out, and Sheela explains that, because of their culture, Asian women in particular find it very challenging to address and admit to abuse.

Sheela also discusses:

When bad things happen, how do you cope?
Making meaning out of a difficult situation
Becoming more resilient
Cultural challenges of breaking silence
Not saying "why me?" Instead, look for resources.

Learn more about Dr. Sheela Reddy or contact her at Minedful.com.

Resources Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Hopeworks of Howard County, MD

Abused Persons Program in Montgomery County, MD

Power and Control Wheel from National Center on Domestic Violence

For help with taking your next career step, contact me at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

http://www.everbetteru.com/work-with-me-coaching

Dan Warburton is a transformational coach who lives in Brighton, England and spends a great deal of time in London. Dan specializes in coaching entrepreneurs and business owners to identify and break through whatever is limiting them, so that they can create a new and fulfilling lifestyle.

After being bullied as a teenager, Dan experienced a breakdown in his early 20's and that led to a breakthrough in which he dedicated himself to deep inquiry and the study of ontology, the nature of being. During this process Dan became a Tai Chi master, studied personal development, spent time with Buddhist monks, and read ancient scriptures. Dan's careers have included being a record-setting D.J., an interior designer for Tesco, and owner of a property maintenance and building renovation company.

Dan believes that it's important to surround yourself with people who empower, acknowledge, and support you to live at your best capacity. Her recommends being aware of negative thoughts such as, “I’m not good enough, nobody wants me.”

He encourages taking difficult actions before the survival part of your brain kicks in and holds you back from breaking through your negative self-talk. For example, when you're at a networking event or seminar, take the opportunity to ask a question as a way of introducing yourself to everyone in the room. Dan explains that you'll have a three second window to act, and if you are aware of that feeling, you'll be able to create bigger breakthroughs.

He recommends getting clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing so that you have an arrival point in mind, and only taking actions that align with your dream lifestyle.

Learn more about Dan at DanWarburton.com.

Recommended Book

The Prosperous Coach, by Steve Chandler and Rich Litvin

If you're an experienced professional and feel unfulfilled in your current position but you're not sure how to make a change, you might be interested in my Ever Better career consulting and coaching. Learn more here.

The Prosperous Coach: Increase Income and Impact for You and Your Clients

Will Wise is a professional question-asker!

As Chief Weologist at We!, Will and his business partner Chad Littlefield help connect people to people and people to ideas. His newly released book, Ask Powerful Questions, is for any leader who is ready for change. At the heart of it all is the importance of establishing trust and cultivating authentic connection.

In his role at World In Conversation, in the Center for Public Diplomacy at Penn State University, he trains people—from undergrad students to NATO soldiers—to have meaningful conversations that transform how they see the world.

After college, Will joined the Peace Corps and he credits his international experiences with helping him let go of how he sees the world and learning to embrace the other. The themes of exploration, connection and trust permeate both his personal and professional life.

These days Will lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife and 3 young children and he strives to model curiosity and assumption-questioning. In this episode he shares the many ways he does this, the challenges, and the rewards of approaching life this way.

Key Takeaways:

Will’s time in the Peace Corps taught him to think differently and approach life in a non-traditional, creative way
Explore making your own job and creating something new within the job you have
The power of questioning assumptions with clear intentions
Will’s work with the Center for Public Diplomacy embraces the power of meaningful conversations.
Will and Chad created We! to help people move from a ‘me’ mindset to a ‘we’ mindset.
How Will is honing in on his priorities while balancing two jobs, a book launch and a family
Choosing to be a learner not an advocate, and curious instead of combative.
How to teach your children (and others) to ask "how" and "what" rather than "why"
Explaining the Confederate flag to curious children
Choosing to be a learner not an advocate, and curious instead of combative.

Links:

Ask Powerful Questions by Will Wise

This is What Perfect Looks Like by Heather H. House

The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

We! https://weand.me/

Grange Fair in Central Pennsylvania

The Bread Sister of Sinking Creek by Robin Moore

This Is What Perfect Looks Like

The Bread Sister of Sinking Creek (The Family that Reads Together Series Book 1)

Welcome to Ever Better Podcast 077!

I'm back from a Podcast hiatus and ready to create and share more shows that inspire career and life transitions!

In episode 076, published a few months ago, I said that I was taking a break to spend more time on important things that were happening in my life and in the lives of my family members and friends. Lots has happened and I’m back and ready to produce another season of Ever Better!

Here are some highlights of what I've been up to:

We made several trips to Morgantown, WV where my son, Conner, is now a freshman at West Virginia University (WVU)! He loves it! We just came back from Family Weekend where we went zip lining and walked uphill lots of places because Morgantown is a city built on a hill. You can see pics on my website here: http://www.everbetteru.com/podcast/
We took family vacations to the Outer Banks and to the Finger Lakes.
I spoke at the Power Conference about Podcast Power: How to Reach Your Audience and Build Your Brand Through Podcasts. It was a great experience and I was able to connect with some wonderful women!
As a result of speaking at the Power Conference, I was asked to give a workshop on How to Change Jobs Like a PRO. It takes place at the Philadelphia Free Library on Nov. 7 and registration is free and open to all! You can learn more here: https://bric.ticketleap.com/pro/

In addition to those adventures, I gave a lot of thought to the Ever Better Podcast and what direction it should go in. I wrote out a series of ideas about different formats and different ways of working with guests. But I realized that I’m really inspired by my guests’ stories and love learning from them and sharing their stories with you! So, I’m going to stick with a very similar format with a focus on inspiring career and life transitions.

The frequency of Ever Better Podcast episodes will change. With my expanding coaching practice and public speaking, I won't be able to produce weekly episodes so I'll be switching to two episodes per month. I’m planning to have a guest share his or her inspiring story of career and life transition in one episode per month, and I’ll share thoughts about getting ever better, every day in another episode. And I may throw in some bonus episodes!

A final note...if you're considering a career or life transition and you're feeling stuck, send me a note at Lisa@EverBetterU.com and I'd be happy to chat!

#EverBetter

http://www.everbetteru.com/work-with-me-coaching/

I asked five highly productive people the following question: "Do you have a trick for getting started on a project that you would really like to put off?"

Here's a summary of the answers that I got from Deb Williams, Tim Berthold, Meg Daly, Maggie Huffman, and Dan Horowitz. Listen to the podcast for more insights!

And in other Ever Better news...I'm taking a Podcast Summer Vacation! Stay subscribed and you'll be the first to get the new podcasts released in the fall. Have a great summer!

My very first podcast guest, Deb Williams from the Financial Karma Coach Podcast says she starts her day with a 30-minute walk to clear her head. When faced with a difficult task, she consciously plans something she likes to do after she finishes the tough task. And, she uses the neuroscience based music service, Focus at Will.

You can listen to my Ever Better Podcast EP. 01 Financial Clarity to learn more about Deb.

Host of the Miami Hustle Podcast, Tim Berthold, says a morning meditation on the beach is how he clears his mind, and he recommends reading the War of Art, by Steven Pressfield.

Creator of the Miami Underline, Meg Daly, says she blocks out time in her calendar to do the task she dislikes the most, and during that time she only works on that task. She also tackles the most undesirable projects first.

You can listen to my Ever Better Podcast EP. 35 Creating the Miami Underline to learn more about Meg.

The author of Oh Snap! My Career is in Crisis, Maggie Huffman, uses post-its to break her tasks down into bite sized chunks, so no task seems daunting.

You can listen to my Ever Better Podcast EP. 42 What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? to learn more about Maggie.

LinkedIn’s Dan “The Connector” Horowitz uses the buddy system to make him accountable for accomplishing hard-to-start tasks.

You can listen to my Ever Better Podcast EP. 06 Networking, Necessary Endings and Neurodiversity to learn more about Dan.

If you are considering a life or job transition but are having a hard time getting started, I invite you to check out my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation or email me Lisa@everbetteru.com*.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better U

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

PRO Career Transition Information

The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle

None

"Faith it 'til you make it" sums up Shawn Perry's infectious, positive attitude. Shawn is the executive producer and host of The Senior Zone, a radio show that he started at the age of 49. Without any broadcasting or public speaking background, Shawn felt called to create a radio show and then, like most inspirational people, found a way to make his dream a reality.

He’s been on the radio for five years, and thousands of listeners tune in each Monday morning to hear resources and ideas that enrich their lives. The Senior Zone has evolved in a multi-faceted business for Shawn. He puts on live events that sell out, moderates panels and conferences, and he’s a motivational speaker.

After high school, Shawn joined the Air Force where he had a full career. After retiring he held several jobs after that before landing in radio. He shares the ups and downs of his life journey and says that he doesn’t mind failing as long as he’s “failing forward.”

If you are considering a life or job transition but feel like you aren't making progress, check out my Discover What’s Next coaching program. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation or email me Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Key Takeaways:

[4:31] Shawn attended college while in the U.S. Air Force.
[9:07] There have been many people who believed in Shawn, sometimes more than he believed in himself.
[12:45] The Senior Zone radio show informs seniors about resources and gets them out and about.
[24:26] Shawn found himself addicted to the challenge the radio show provided him.
[29:19] The Senior Zone allows Shawn to do good while building a business.
[34:37] Want more information about The Senior Zone mid-day gala?
[39:55] The Senior Zone is on WYCB, a Minority-owned, faith-based station, every Monday.

Mentioned in This Episode:
The Senior Zone
Info@TheSeniorZone.com
@TheSeniorZone on Twitter
Ever Better U
Discover What’s Next Coaching
Lisa@EverBetterU.com
@EverBetterU on Twitter

My guest today, Phillippe Diederich is an award-winning novelist, and the author of three books, Sofrito, Playing with the Devil’s Fire, and his forthcoming mystery, The Last Girl (written under the pseudonym, Danny Lopez). Before he became a novelist, much of his photojournalism work centered around the Latin American culture, mainly in Cuba and Mexico. Phillippe was a nomad who enjoyed the early days of his career when he could walk the streets getting a pulse of the people.

Phillippe is a devoted husband and father who believes our time here is short. He has an abundance of personal cultural influences from which to draw to build his stories. He is a man of the world, who allows us into his, with every book he writes.

During this episode, Phillippe shares the inspiration behind his stories, how the book industry made him a young adult author and where he took some of his favorite photos.

If you are considering a life or job transition but are having a hard time getting started I invite you to check out my Discover What’s Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation.

Key Takeaways:

[2:00] Phillippe’s origin story, and how he became a photojournalist.

[14:24] Much of Phillippe’s fiction work centers around Cuba, and his first piece was the leader of a Harley Davidson club there.

[27:29] Playing for the Devil's Fire addresses the changing landscape of a small town in Mexico from a young boy’s point of view.

[35:58] Danny Lopez is a pseudonym Phillippe uses to separate his adult work from his young adult stories.

[41:13] Phillippe and his wife, Lorraine Ladish, share the belief that we are only here for a short period of time.

Mentioned in This Episode:
Phillippe Diederich
Ever Better Podcast Ep. 63 with Lorraine Ladish
Ever Better U
Discover What’s Next Coaching
Lisa@EverBetterU.com
@EverBetterU on Twitter

Christy Tehven left her full-time marketing gig before she knew how she would spend her time, or make a living. An early affinity for nature attracted her to a floral business. When her attempt to purchase an existing floral shop business didn’t pan out, Christy took some time for herself and went to a secluded cabin in the woods to figure it all out. She worked through Danielle Laporte’s book, The Fire Starter Sessions. This break gave Christy the clarity she needed to decide her next steps. And, with the encouragement of her husband, Greg, the two attended Action Camp. This program provided a safe and open space for Christy to voice her goals out loud, and accountability partners to support her when she felt like giving up.

During this episode, Christy describes the ups and downs of her journey which resulted in the creation of her one-of-a-kind business, Love Always Floral.

If you are considering a life or job transition but are having a hard time getting started I invite you to check out my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation*.

Key Takeaways:

[5:33] Christy provides an update on her husband’s Emerging Prairie project.

[7:31] How Christy’s love of nature translates into her entrepreneurial floral venture.

[11:29] Action Camp gave Christy the accountability she needed to push forward with her project.

[17:30] Time alone in a cabin with Danielle Laporte’s, The Fire Starter Sessions, offered Christy clarity about which direction her life should take.

[23:35] Other female entrepreneurs and a CO.STARTERS course guided Christy through the process of opening her floral shop.

[27:01] Christy designed a higher-end brand with a pre-order business model.

[30:23] The ability to adjust her business model has served Christy well. NO more prom corsages!

[35:42] Christy is thrilled with her business's growth after only a year and a half.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Love Always Florals

Emerging Prairie

Action Camp

SURGE: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action

Fire Starter Sessions

CO.STARTERS Course

Ever Better Podcast Episode 31 with Greg Tehven

Ever Better Podcast Episode 62 with Steve Garguilo

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms

Surge: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action

Paulette Boudreaux shared her inspiring life story during a panel discussion at the Association of Writers & Writing Program (AWP) Conference, in February 2017. The panel, Second Blooming: Women Authors Debuting After Fifty, attracted a standing-room only crowd, and I was fortunate to be in the audience. As Paulette and other writers told their stories, it seemed that a sisterhood was being formed and the audience became an extended part of the panel. We bonded through cheers, laughter, and gasps of exasperated recognition when an author described how she persevered through yet another indignity or insult.

Paulette joined me on the podcast to share just some of the fascinating experiences that she taps into when writing her southern-based fiction. She says that despite living on the West Coast most of her life, her inner monologue has a Southern drawl.

During out discussion, Paulette describes moving from Mississippi to San Francisco in 1970 in the midst of a school desegregation movement and how that impacted her. She shares the multi-decade journey that led to her groundbreaking novel, Mulberry, being published by Carolina Wren Press in October 2015. Her experiences include working as a journalist, a public relations professional, an English professor, and earning her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree all while raising her daughter as a single mother.

If you are considering a transition in your life, you may be interested in my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation*.

Key Takeaways:

[7:00] Paulette’s novel, Mulberry, started as a short story.

[11:58] After winning a contest through Carolina Wren Press, Paulette’s novel was published.

[17:11] Most human beings have a need to express in some way.

[22:25] Paulette’s interior reality is Mississippi.

[28:10] For better or worse, Paulette finished her high school education in the desegregated schools of San Francisco.

[39:55] The Second Blooming Panel was an acknowledgment that women are not done when their children are out of the house.

[49:53] Paulette’s advice for writers who have stories to tell.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Paulette Boudreaux

AWP Conference

Ever Better Podcast Episode 69 with Jessica Handler

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Today’s episode is about opportunity seeking. This is the phase in which all of your previous work starts to pay off. There are seven steps to opportunity seeking, and I detail them for you during this podcast.

Follow the steps to increase your chances of being seen by the right hiring manager, and being properly prepared for your meeting. And most importantly, to increase the likelihood of landing your perfect job.

Mentally prepare yourself! This process may take some time. Finding a job is a numbers game and the name of the game is patience.

If you’d like personal coaching to work through these stages send me an email at lisa@everbetteru.com and we’ll schedule some time to chat about where you are in your life and what you’d like to achieve.

Key Takeaways:

[1:38] Step 1 — Review Your Bio and Resume — Make sure that key positions and recurring responsibilities that you've enjoyed are properly represented. Update your LinkedIn profile.

[3:51] Step 2 — Create An Outreach List — Who do you know working at an organization you may want to work for?

[5:23] Step 3 — Reach Out — Make initial contact with a person in the manner in which they would like to be contacted.

[7:58] Step 4 — Meet by Phone or in Person — Prepare in advance to show respect for their time and to make the most of the opportunity.

[10:16] Step 5 — Follow Up — Thank the person for meeting with you within 48 hours.

[11:20] Step 6 — Keep Scanning — Scan your job alerts once a day paying attention to the job title and company, and consider who you may know there.

[12:53] Step 7 — Use Calendar Blocking — Find time in your calendar to block off for additional opportunity seeking.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better Podcast Episode #65

Ever Better Podcast Episode #68

Ever Better — PRO - All three phases of this coaching series

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

The extraordinary Laura Roeder is a CEO who started her first business at the age of 22.

During our discussion, Laura talks about how her parents inspired her to start a business, why she can’t imagine working for anyone else, and how she balances her work-life with her life-life, while caring for a two-year-old child.

As she's grown MeetEdgar, a company that helps businesses and individuals manage their social media management through a very cool tool, Laura hasn't taken venture capital. She's invested profits back into the company and grown it from the ground up. She discusses the benefits of this approach and how it's often discounted when startups are planning their strategy.

If you’re considering a life or career transition, you may be interested in my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Send me an email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com and we will schedule a 1-hour complimentary consultation*.

Key Takeaways:

[3:44] Laura shares her early influences and her journey of entrepreneurship.

[6:49] MeetEdgar, a timesaver tool designed to help people re-purpose their content, was self-funded by Laura's first business.

[11:18] Laura explains the pros and cons of having an entirely virtual company.

[16:27] Laura learned about running a business through small business owners who were generous with their time.

[20:19] What can parents do to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in their children?

[25:21] Laura spends her time doing what she loves, including being a guest on podcasts.

[32:00] The traditional model for becoming a CEO assumes there is someone else taking care of the home and family.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Meet Edgar

@meetedgar on Twitter

Scaling Up, by Verne Harnish

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

I met Jessica Handler one night as I was walking through a restaurant in Washington, D.C. with my brother, Peter Conners. Peter was in D.C. to attend the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference and to speak on a panel about the relationships between authors and editors – he is both. Afterwards we decided to head out to dinner at a place where you would naturally expect to find writers…a restaurant called Busboys and Poets. It was there that I connected with Jessica and her cousin, Erika Goldman, Publisher of Bellevue Literary Press.

Jessica's memoir, Invisible Sisters, is her story of growing up with two sisters, Susie and Sarah, who both had fatal medical conditions, and how her family did their best to cope. Through this book, Jessica honors their memory and the challenges that her parents experienced.

Her second book, Braving the Fire, is a guide to writing about grief and loss. Jessica now uses her experiences, wisdom, and talents to help others heal through writing.

In our discussion Jessica reads passages from her books, shares her incredible life journey, and discusses the craft of writing. Jessica is married to a writer and shares what it's like to have two writers in the same house.

If you're considering a life or career transition, you may be interested in my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Send me an email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com and we will schedule a 1-hour complimentary consultation*.

Key Takeaways:

[5:36] Living with two writers in one house.

[10:46] Transparent to the client is a purified way to say blood, sweat and tears.

[11:22] The memoir, Invisible Sisters, is about how Jessica learned to live sister-less.

[18:02] Braving the Fire: Acceptance and the Miracle Ticket.

[29:29] The act of taking the chaos of life, and making it into the order which is life.

[34:36] Get out your journal, or pull out an index card and just write!

[44:56] Jessica reads the end of Invisible Sisters.

[52:24] Decatur Book Festival.

[55:46] Be a good literary citizen.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Jessica Handler

Association of Writers and Writer’s Program

BOA Editions

Bellevue Literary Press

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

This is part two of my three part series on how to change jobs or careers like a PRO!

PRO stands for Preparing, Researching, and Opportunity Seeking – three steps to guide your thought processes and activities to make a professional shift.

In Podcast 65 I gave you five ways for preparing, and today, I’m going to share my recommended method for Researching. You can check out all PRO information at EverBetteru.com/PRO.

If you’d like personal coaching to work through these stages send me an email at lisa@everbetteru.com and we’ll schedule some time to chat about where you are in your life and what you’d like to achieve.

Think about researching as it relates to what you want to do in your life. This is a YOU-centered activity. How cool is that? How often do you take the time to stop and think about what would work best for you?

While you’re researching, think about what you want to do in the short-term and long-term, keeping in mind that each job is a stepping stone to something else. With every new position you’ll gain experience, broaden your network, and learn more about what you like to do – and are good at – and identify responsibilities you’d rather stay away from!

As you think about the type of place where you’d like to work, the culture, and the day-to-day responsibilities you’d like to have, you’ll find that information will start flowing to you from companies that offer those opportunities.

The more clearly you can envision your next stop you’ll be more directed in your conversations and research, and you’ll start uncovering positions that you might never have known existed.

Also be open to finding or creating a role for yourself within your current company. That’s an option that’s often overlooked.

Positioning Statement
Get started by writing your positioning statement. I’m going to walk you through 10 unfinished sentences – and you’ll write the ending. It’s just a little like Mad Libs.

Answers might come easily for some and you might find others impossible right now! But as you focus on researching and thinking about your background and your aspirations, the answers will become more clear.

Set up a meeting with yourself on your calendar for two weeks from you first attempt at creating your positioning statement so that you can update your answers and start to fill in more blanks. You’ll find that even if you weren’t consciously thinking about your answers, some answers will have become clear to you.

Here are a few things you should know about the Positioning Statement.

There are no right or wrong answers! This is all about what works best for YOU at this point in time. And, this will provide you with guidance and clarity as you to start into the next phase of Opportunity Seeking.

You may want to do 2 or 3 positioning statements if you don’t have a specific focus yet.

As you work through these prompts you’ll have to think about what your day-to-day life might be like and that will help you to narrow your focus. Examples from people in two very different careers follow the template to illustrate sample answers.

Here’s the Positioning Statement:

I will work for an organization that helps: __________________________________

My role will be to: __________________________________________

My job title will be: ____________________________________

The most important thing about this job is that I will be able to: _____________________

My co-workers will be: _______________________________________________________

Supervising others is: ______________________________________

This organization is located in: ______________, or _____________________, or ________________.

I will work from: (home / an office building / a co-working space) _____________________________.

I will work _______ hours and earn $ ___________ per week.

I prefer a daily schedule working from _________ to ___________.

I need to learn more about: ______________________________________________.

After you’ve created one or more positioning statements, start researching those areas you need to learn more about. Here’s how:

In Podcast 65 I discussed setting up job alerts. After creating your positioning statement, you should review them to see if they reflect the position you just described. If not, create new ones and start closely reading descriptions that are sent to you for the answers.

Don’t get rid of the older alerts. You set those up for a reason. They reflected your thinking at the time and they may still lead you to the perfect job. Sometimes, even after we’ve done a lot of thinking and analysis, we find that our first reaction demonstrates how we truly feel about something.

Wish List of Organizations
You should also create your wish list of 3 or more organizations that match your positioning statement. Consider that the more specific your statement, the fewer organizations there might be that match your criteria.

Also consider that if you can’t identify a particular organization that meets all your needs, you may want to start your own venture. But that’s a topic for another podcast.

Search YouTube and Podcasts
To learn more about job titles, salaries, day-to-day responsibilities, I recommend searching YouTube and Podcasts. You’ll find video and audio recordings from people that have similar jobs or work for the companies on your wish list and you’ll be able to refine and update your positioning statement.

For example, if you search YouTube for “Foster care parents” you’ll get over 300,000 videos on the topic and if you search iTunes podcasts for foster care you get dozens of relevant podcasts.

And, if you search YouTube for “fashion industry marketing manager” you’ll get over 464,000 videos. And the search “fashion marketing” in iTunes results in dozens of podcasts.

You don't need to watch thousands of videos. Checking out just a few will help you to think of more questions, and hopefully get some answers, and you’ll be one step closer to our next phase – opportunity seeking.

If you spot someone in a video or podcast who you connect with – you now have a great opening line to ask them for an informational interview. You can send an email saying: "I watched your video on YouTube about fashion marketing. I’m researching the next step in my career and would like to ask you a few questions about what you discussed in the video. Could I speak with you for 15 minutes next week over the phone?"

Review all the steps in Preparing, Researching, and Opportunity Seeking (PRO) here.

If you’d like 1:1 coaching through your job or career change, send me an email at lisa@everbetteru.com and we’ll schedule time to chat.

Key Takeaways:

[:58] 5 Steps to help you prepare for a transition or career change.

[2:02] Researching is a you-centered activity.

[4:28] Create Your Positioning Statement.

[10:38] Next steps: Create your wish list of organizations and research using YouTube and Podcasts.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Ever Better Podcast Episode #65

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Beca Lewis is a world-class life shifter! She’s been a dancer and choreographer and a certified financial planner. And, she’s currently an artist, writer, life coach, and a podcaster. She’s so interested in how people navigate life changes that she created a podcast called Shift the Story!

Her blended family includes 8 adult children and 5 grandchildren. She stays in touch with all generations of her blended family through mastering whatever social media her grandchildren are using. Beca and I believe you are never too old to learn something new - including social media!

Beca has an Etsy store where she sells art that features inspirational words. For example, “What your perceive to be reality, magnifies” and “stretch your imagination muscle towards the power of good.” And, her self-help books are filled with inspirational words of wisdom. In the 60+ interviews I’ve done for Ever Better, no one has discussed how to get started on Etsy and what it’s like to have an Etsy store. This is a great option for those of you who love to create jewelry, who knit, do needlepoint, draw, paint, or create other items that you could sell. She says it’s much easier than eBay.

Beca has a very high energy level and she and I had a great time chatting and laughing and I know you’ll take away some nuggets from this very wise and creative woman!

if you are considering a transition in your life, you may be interested in my Discover What’s *Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Sign up for a 1-hour complimentary consultation*.

Key Takeaways:

[6:08] Why did Beca name her podcast Shift the Story?

[9:09] The first step to shift your story is to be willing.

[14:28] Beca shares information about her Etsy store.

[19:33] Beca is a ‘shifty’ and prolific author.

[23:59] Beca embraces technology so people she loves can reach out to her.

[29:28] Finding inspiration through books, podcasts and conversations.

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Shift

Beca Lewis

The Truth 4 Today

Beca Lewis on Etsy

Ever Better

Ever Better Podcast Episode #3 with Jesse Mejia

Ever Better Podcast Episode Episode #63 with Lorraine Ladish

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Stephanie Dodier was a vice president at a major retailer in Canada at age 35. She traveled the country opening stores and training employees, and felt like she had her life under control. But one day as she got up to speak at a meeting, her body gave out and she landed in the hospital. Her doctor broke the news that she hadn’t had a heart attack as everyone assumed. She had experienced a panic attack.

This led Stephanie to examine her life and habits - and to rework just about everything! Today she is 100 pounds lighter, a weight loss coach and clinical nutritionist, and works from wherever she likes (aka "digital nomad.") She recently published a lifestyle book called Keto Connector.

In our discussion, Stephanie shares what caused her panic attack, her path since then, and ideas about shifting your life.

As you listen to Stephanie’s story, I hope you’ll be inspired to think about what’s working and what’s not in your life and take a step towards making whatever change you need. If you're considering a lifestyle, job, or career change I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation for my Discover What’s Next coaching program. I'd love to help you create a more fulfilling future. Send me an email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com to learn more!

Key Takeaways:

[7:35] Stephanie is a Digital Nomad, an entrepreneur who can work from anywhere.

[10:17] Stephanie had a panic attack which was the catalyst for her lifestyle change.

[16:17] Returning to school to finish her Health Science degree.

[19:33] An 8-day silence led Stephanie to desire a life of freedom.

[22:32] How Stephanie provides health care to clients online.

[27:00] A diet should include real food and a portion of protein, fat, and carbs in every meal.

[31:34] What is KETO?

[35:57] If you balance the Yin and the Yang, transformation is possible.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Stephanie Dodier

The Beyond the Food Show

KETO Connector

10% Happier by Dan Harris

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story

How do you navigate through transitions in your life? If you're like most people, no matter how excited you may be for a change, you also feel a tinge of fear underneath the surface. Taking time to prepare and plan for a transition can ease uncertainty and doubt. In this podcast, I discuss preparing for a job or career change and the steps also apply to other transitions.

PRO stands for Preparing, Researching, and Opportunity seeking. Today’s podcast focuses on the first part of the transition framework, Preparing. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss future shows on Researching and Opportunity Seeking. But first - let’s get prepared!

Key Takeaways:

[03:21] 5-Steps to take when you are preparing for a career or job change.

Create a separate gmail account.
Write a short biography before updating your resume.
Check your personal style and make needed updates.
Subscribe to daily or weekly job alerts.
Do something outside of your comfort zone.

[13:08] Why would someone attend a Toastmasters meeting?

[14:32] Could taking a dance class really change my life?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Indeed

LinkedIn

Idealist

Ever Better

Ever Better Podcast Episode #3 with Jesse Mejia

Ever Better Podcast Episode Episode #63 with Lorraine Ladish

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Phyllis Piano is an energetic woman with a thirst for life...and great wine! Her first novel, Hostile Takeover: A Love Story was recently awarded the Gold Seal by the Independent Book Publishers Association! The story draws from her experience as a corporate communications executive, merging office intrigue with romance. Her second book is with her publisher, her third is with her editor, and she's already started on her fourth! Phyllis is also an avid bread baker, food blogger, world traveler, and has homes in the U.S. and the UK.

Phyllis shares how she rediscovered herself, after years of being too busy at work. She now wakes up at 5 a.m. thinking about recipes and writing and the people that she mentors. She says that it's good to live a little bit in your head, to let your imagination run wild, and to be true to who you are. After spending decades writing for the corporations that employed her, she feels a sense of freedom from being able to explore her creativity. She says, "Be your own voice. You have to be yourself."

How did she begin her first novel? She says, "Chapter 1, page 1. I just started writing."

If you are considering a transition in your life, you may be interested in my Discover What’s Next coaching program. Allow me to help you create a more fulfilling future. Request a complimentary consultation.

Key Takeaways:

[5:00] Proof that Phyllis can do anything she puts her mind to, including her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.

[12:52] How Phyllis rediscovered herself, after leaving the corporate world.

[17:43] Now on her fourth book, Phyllis still edits her writing 10-15 times.

[24:26] The backstory of A Hostile Takeover: A Love Story.

[27:28] Phyllis is an Ever Better Woman.

[33:52] The magic time when you live in your head.

[34:52] Sharing a movie and a bottle of Pinot Noir in California.

[39:33] Don’t be too busy to enjoy life.

Mentioned in this episode:

Phyllis J. Piano

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Hostile Takeover: A Love Story

Lorraine Ladish embodies the ‘Ever Better’ state of mind! She uses her bi-cultural background, experience, and energy, to inspire people to embrace age with grace and vibrancy. She’s a self-described 21st-century communicator who founded Viva Fifty Media and the Viva Fifty! online community.

A sought-after writer and brand ambassador, Lorraine who has written almost 20 books, including the moving story of her life experiences, Reach: From Single Mom on Welfare to Digital Entrepreneur.

During this episode, Lorraine shares the touching story of how a dance studio kept her grounded during rough times, provided her proof that kindness has no boundaries, and opened the door to an opportunity that changed her life. Lorraine’s mantra of “It’s never too late,” is a reflection of her belief in a person’s ability to accomplish anything at any age.

Work with me to Discover What’s Next for you. In my one-on-one coaching program, we work together to unearth your hidden talents, uncover opportunities, and start creating a more fulfilling future.

Key Takeaways:

[3:02] Lorraine has a blended family, and both she and her husband are writers.

[7:46] Shortly after Lorraine published her book, I'm Pregnant! Now, What? (Estoy Embarazada, Y Ahora Que?: Confidencias Para La Nueva Madre), she moved to the U.S. from Spain.

[9:36] Lorraine shares the touching story which inspired her book, Reach.

[18:24] Lorraine’s love of dance offered her solace and opportunity.

[21:23] Speaking four languages, Spanish, English, SEO and HTML.

[26:21] You are never too old for social media.

[30:03] Viva Fifty is a bilingual website for people over 50.

[38:35] How Viva Fifty Media generates income for Lorraine and her family of 5.

[41:52] Tips from Lorraine’s forthcoming book, Your Best Age.

[46:02] Lisa created the ‘10 ways to discover your voice’ guide.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Viva Fifty!

Lorraine C. Ladish

@vivafifty on Twitter

@lorrainecladish on Twitter

@lorrainecladish on Instagram

Estoy Embarazada, Y Ahora Que?: Confidencias Para La Nueva Madre, by
Lorraine C. Ladish

REACH! From Single Mom on Welfare to Digital Entrepreneur, by Lorraine C. Ladish

Your Best Age, by Lorraine C. Ladish (Forthcoming)

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Contact Lisa:

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Estoy Embarazada, Y Ahora Que?: Confidencias Para La Nueva Madre (Prácticos) (Spanish Edition)

REACH! from single mom on welfare to digital entrepreneur

Steve Garguilo is a man who knows how to make things happen! In our discussion, he shares how he starts with an idea and then works towards getting it done. He’s developed what he calls “a bias for taking action” and now he’s helping other people do the same. You’ll also hear Steve share some of the ideas from his recently published book: Surge: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action.

Steve and his friends Matt Kane and Sergiy Skoryk collaborated on the book after creating an adult summer camp focused on making things happen, aptly named Action Camp.

One of Steve's secrets to his success is staying connected to like-minded people who hold each other accountable for getting things done. Hearing him talk about organizing and giving TEDx talks, driving the Mongol Rally through Europe and Mongolia, starting Action Camp, and writing his book will make you start planning your “action list!”

Are you thinking about taking action but having trouble getting started? Check out my Discover What's Next Coaching program and set up a complementary consultation so that we can chat about your next steps.

Key Takeaways:

[4:56] Steve and his friends became obsessed with taking action, the science of action and what motivates people to act.

[7:58] TEDx is a program for independent organizers designed to bring TED into local communities.

[8:54] Examples of what can happen when you adopt a bias for action.

[14:45] Steve describes Action Camp, an adult summer camp focused on taking action.

[23:56] International adventures like these feed Steve’s insatiable curiosity.

[28:31] Steve shares his upcoming adventures, including hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

[31:43] How to take small actionable steps.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Steve Garguilo

Surge: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action by Steve Garguilo, Matt Kane and Sergiy Skoryk

Action Camp

I Want to Draw a Cat For You

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU on Twitter

Surge: Your Guide to Put Any Idea Into Action

Nancy Stevens, is a Lifestyle, Health, and Wellness Coach who lives with her family in Nashville, TN. Nancy teaches a variety of fitness classes and is most drawn to the mind/body connection of yoga. She made the shift to life coaching after feeling drawn to provide more personal one-on-one guidance. During our conversation, Nancy shares what it means to be mindful, how to be successful at keeping up a self-care practice, and examples of client breakthroughs.

She speaks with many people who feel numbed and removed from their personal needs. In our discussion, she offers self-care tips that she uses with her clients to help get their life back in balance. These include:

Creating a signature color or style. Ask yourself, "What says 'this is me?'
Craft a vision for your life
Give yourself permission to do something good for you
Ask yourself "What do I need that I'm not getting. What can I do to make a change?
Stay hydrated
Go to bed early
Add your most important self-care activities to your calendar like a weekly pilates class, a monthly hair appointment, or a pedicure.

Key Takeaways:

[5:20] How Nancy made the shift from being a Yoga Teacher to a Lifestyle Coach.

[9:58] What it means to be mindful, and how to apply the practice.

[13:16] Taking care of the body through movement and hydration.

[22:12] The importance of maintaining social connections.

[30:19] Nancy shares real-life stories of client breakthroughs.

[40:45] How to say no, kindly.

Quotes from Nancy:

“Mindfulness is being present, aware, and connected to the present moment.”

“Going to bed early is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.”

“Ask yourself, what do I need that I am not getting?”

Mentioned In This Episode:

Nancy Stevens Coaching

@lifecoachnancy

Ever Better Podcast EP042 with Maggie Huffman discussing Aura-Soma

Discover What’s Next Coaching

@EverBetterU

Dr. Caren Cooper is passionate about involving people in the scientific process as citizen scientist. Growing up, she wanted to study wildlife and the environment. Her interests led her to earn a Ph.D., to fieldwork in Australia, and to a position at Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. She is currently Associate Professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University as well as Assistant Head, Biodiversity Research Lab, NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

During our discussion, Caren shares how residents of Flint, MI acted to have their water tested and their voices heard, and how Cape Cod residents took action when they noticed higher than normal breast cancer rates.

Caren's recently released book, Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery, details the history, process, and importance of how all people can work in conjunction with scientists, to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. Caren says that “Citizen Science advances new knowledge that wouldn’t be possible without collaboration between scientists & the public.”

Through my Discover What’s Next Coaching program I use all of my personal and professional experience to help women find purpose and fulfillment. Learn more.

Key Takeaways:

[3:25] Caren wanted to write a book about citizen science after discovering the research was undervalued and understated.

[7:49] What is a Citizen Scientist?

[10:46] The Flint Michigan Water Crisis is a great example of citizen science can help solve an environmental issue.

[13:21] As far back as the 1700’s, people have been collecting scientific data, including Thomas Jefferson.

[20:10] Participants do not need to know how to write for a scientific publication to contribute.

[26:09] The Cape Cod, Breast Cancer, Silent Spring connection. [31:36] Caren’s thoughts on eliminating the EPA and other aspects of the Trump administration.

[35:19] Resources to help listeners connect to the Citizen Science community.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Citizen Science Alliance

CitSci

Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery, by Caren Cooper

SciStarter Students Discover

Silent Spring Institute Earthwatch

Research For All

Remarkable Creatures

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Remarkable Creatures

Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery

How and why does someone start an adventure travel company? Diane Valenti joined me on the podcast to share her story.

As a corporate consultant specializing in instructional design, Diane works with Fortune 500 companies. She loves to travel and jump into new projects. But it was a vacation with her father in Peru that truly activated Diane’s adventurous side!

During that holiday, Diane “met a guy,” returned several times to visit, and was inspired to activate a different kind of travel company. She created Llama Expeditions to offer travelers an authentic experience in South America, and an opportunity to work with local non-profit organizations.

Why llamas? They represent unconditional love and are a perfect symbol of her carefully planned tours that respect local cultures and follow the motto “It’s OK to leave a trace, just make sure it’s the right trace.”

Diane’s philosophy on starting a business is: “It’s OK if you don’t know everything about the business you are starting. Just roll up your sleeves and stay in the game.” She says that sometimes you’re better off not knowing the details and tackling challenges as they come!

If you're thinking about your next adventure but you're not sure how to get started, check out my Discover What’s Next Coaching program!

Key Takeaways:

[2:46] Unbridled kindness from a local community led Diane to make giving back part of her eco-adventure business.

[10:16] Eco-adventure travel is traveling with a sense of consciousness.

[13:05] Diane explains why she uses a llama to represent her business.

[16:45] The challenges Diane ran into setting up an eco-adventure travel business and the lessons she learned.

[22:40] Like many adventure travelers, discretionary time and income allow Diane to continue traveling.

[24:09] Websites can be a great source of information, but they don’t include everything you need to know.

[30:20] Learning new things, like the Turkish language, keeps Diane inspired.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Llama Expeditions

Italki, a website for learning languages

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Dr. Michael Lennox is a spiritual teacher, a psychologist, an astrologer, and a dream interpreter. His intimate understanding of the subconscious mind, and of our collective connection to the universe resonates through his dream interpretations.

He believes in the power of using your voice and explains how he expresses gratitude, out loud, each morning. He says "Something spoken out loud is more powerful than something thought quietly in the mind."

Michael is the author of three books, including The Complete Dictionary of Dreams and says that all of life is interpretable as a dream. His point is proven during our discussion when I select three symbols from the dictionary and he explains what they would mean in a dream. Although my selections were completely random, they told a highly relevant story!

During our conversation, Michael shares how he became a dream interpreter. Hint: There is a line in Fiddler of the Roof: "Tell me what you dreamed, and I'll tell you what it meant." He shares the history of dream interpretation including references to dreams in the Bible, and the number one thing you need to do to better understand your dreams.

Michael says, "Let your dreams speak powerfully as you tell yourself the story of you."

If you want more fulfillment and purpose in your life, check out my Discover What’s Next Coaching program.

Key Takeaways:

[2:05] A daily spiritual practice is a brief reminder you that you are connected to the universe.

[9:01] How does someone become a dream interpreter?

[16:40] You can get lost trying to figure out your dreams mentally.

[17:31] Dr. Lennox embraces his gift and finds fulfillment in the intimate connections it affords him.

[19:46] Examples of dream interpretation in human history, including the Bible and Qur'an.

[24:35] Exploring physical and metaphysical aspects of dreams.

[28:15] How to signal to your unconscious mind (so it knows you are interested in hearing from it.)

[31:02] Uncovering the collective unconscious and appreciating the random power of synchronicity.

[37:36] A dream circle is a safe space for collective dream interpretation.

[43:04] How to connect with Michael Lennox in 2017.

[45:11] Last thoughts; Dreams profoundly serve us.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Michael Lennox

Perchance to Dream on Facebook

The Complete Dictionary of Dreams

Llewellyn's Complete Dictionary of Dreams: Over 1,000 Dream Symbols and Their Universal Meanings (Llewellyn's Complete Book Series, 5)

This is part two of a conversation with Shannon Varley about her journey to find, purchase, and raise her family on the farm of her dreams.

After the emotional ordeal of losing their home to a fire after carefully restoring it over two years, the Varleys wondered if it was time give up on farming. Shannon toyed with the idea of opening a bed & breakfast, but she knew in her heart she shouldn’t relinquish her dream.

You don't have to listen to the first part to appreciate this episode, but if you'd like to hear Shannon's full story, check out Ever Better Episode 56.

Support from family and friends helped the Varleys to keep their animals, but the winter was difficult. Then, after a series of remarkable events, the family was able to bid on the farm Shannon and her family will never want to leave.

Their new home, "The Village Farm," is located in Stafford, Vermont, and Shannon says she's created a life that she never has to retire from. "It evolves and grows better."

Shannon shares her vision for her life, her children, and how the farm can be a source of food, a place to gather, and a place to teach about the environment.

I hope you find this story of the power of the human spirit as inspirational as I do.

Key Takeaways:

[1:37] After the fire, the Varleys weren’t sure if they should continue farming.

[6:37] In order to provide stability for their children, Shannon and her husband renovated another "beautiful money pit".

[15:21] A series of favorable coincidences allowed the Varleys to bid on their dream farm.

[21:32] The family has big plans for their ‘forever’ farm, and are excited to get things started.

[24:40] Shannon is drawn to farming because it is a platform for everything she cares about.

[28:23] Shannon shares her vision for her children.

[31:08] Shannon speaks of her inner strength and the desire to pay it forward.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

This is the story of Shannon Varley’s journey to raise healthy children, grow sustainable, organic food, and nourish the community. I am astounded by Shannon’s persistence and determination that led to her success in creating a wholesome, sustainable lifestyle. In our discussion, she opens up about all aspects of her heartwarming and heartbreaking journey.

Her story begins in Ohio and moves through Maryland, West Virginia, and Vermont where she and her family are now settled. After many years of working towards owning her dream farm, Shannon seems to have finally achieved it.

I’ve always thought of farmers as having been born into the business. I imagine families working farms over multiple generations. But Shannon grew up in Suburban Pittsburgh, the daughter of teachers. Her first venture into farming came after she graduated from Denison University, about 20 years ago. She didn’t have a firm plan for her next step after college so she and a friend decided to lease some land and leap into farming.

After that adventure ran its course, Shannon decided to pursue a job where she could wear a suit rather than overalls and earned her Master's Degree in Environmental Law. As she was considering job possibilities, she came across an opportunity at Red Wiggler Community Farm, and has been farming ever since!

Shannon’s tale is chock-full of determination, setbacks and rewards - and she’s got a lot to share. So, I’m bringing you our conversation in two episodes. In this first episode, you’ll hear how Shannon got started in farming and how and why she kept getting pulled back in. Shannon's had plenty of support from family and friends, but she and her family have also experienced the heartbreak of seeing two years of intense work destroyed in a fire.

Join me for the second part of Shannon’s journey in Episode 57 (coming Feb. 23) to hear how persistence made her dreams come true.

Key Takeaways:

[3:10] Shannon shares her journey from loving being outside to becoming a 21-year-old vegetable farmer.

[21:25] Shannon was on her way into the corporate world, when a neighbor suggested she start a farm employing young adults with developmental disabilities.

[25:00] Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and small agriculture are not subsidized by the U.S. Government.

[28:46] Shannon and her new husband created their first homestead in Vermont but were still in search of their perfect farm.

[37:07] After two years of work remodeling their 1800's home, it was featured in This Old House Magazine, and then ended up as a pile of ashes.

For pictures and additional show notes, visit EverBetterU.com.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Grounded Women

Red Wiggler Community Farm

Cassie Parks is a writer, entrepreneur, podcast host, and coach who discusses how to manifest more money and the importance of rewarding yourself when you’ve been successful. She also discusses the power of getting to know your future self.

Cassie was able to retire early from her corporate position by investing in real estate. She capitalized on her entrepreneurial spirit by writing books, manifesting good things into her life, and into the lives of her coaching clients. From her beautiful Denver apartment (view shown below), she hosts two podcasts: Manifest it Now and Happily Ever After. Cassie’s life motto is , “You are worthy of living the best story you can tell.”

Key Takeaways:

[4:14] How Cassie became a writer, podcaster, and coach.

[6:27] Cassie had a corporate job, but has always been an entrepreneur at heart.

[9:44] Her coaching practice helps entrepreneurs welcome money into their lives.

[11:15] Manifest $10,000 is a course that helps clients have fun with money.

[18:32] 50 Days into the Manifest $10,000 course, a client manifested $20,000.

[19:40] Cassie defines what it means to manifest, and common blocks to manifesting.

[23:44] Getting to know your future self.

[26:33] A business success story.

[33:08] The thread that runs through Cassie’s life.

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Manifest it Now Podcast

Happy Ever After Podcast

@spiraluptoday is Cassie Parks on Twitter

Pay After You Manifest

This episode looks into the power of persistence, and how it leads to greater impact.

Don't let adverse conditions stop you from cultivating your skills and talents. Celebrate even a little bit of progress every day! Know that it takes continual effort and belief in your intentions to achieve significant accomplishments.

In this podcast, I share examples of today's female icons contrasted with the amazing efforts of women from the 1800's whose steady work and scientific breakthroughs are largely unrecognized. Later in the podcast, we hear how Conner Vogt is continuing his musical progress that started with trumpet lessons at school, through creating beats.

Key Takeaways:

[1:24] Remarkable Creatures tells the tale of persistence and consistency.

[3:19] Looking more deeply into Tracy Chevalier's piece of historical fiction.

[6:57] The Ever Better Podcast includes the theme of persistently and consistently building skills.

[7:34] Tasia Valenza stepped away from the superficial and into the impactful.

[8:41] Dr. Debbie Norris chose mindfulness as her path.

[9:35] The Ever Better Podcast, Discover What’s Next Coaching, and My Little Bird.

[10:40] Cultivating skills that will lead to something impactful.

[12:07] Beats by Conner Vogt.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Ever Better

Discover What’s Next Coaching

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Ever Better Podcast EP14 with Tasia Valenza

Ever Better Podcast EP43 with Debbie Norris

My Little Bird

Robert Sharpe is an inspiring and optimistic man who brings out the best in people. His live radio show, Bringing Inspiration to Earth is filled with inspirational triumphs from people who have overcome adversity. Robert has written two e-books, he interprets dreams, and works as a ghost writer. He reminds us that opportunity comes in many different forms, and to explore ideas to find hidden treasures lurking in the unfamiliar.

If you are ready to make a life transition, but are not sure where to start, my Discover What’s Next Coaching Program can help you create a more fulfilling life.

Listen to my conversation to hear Robert discuss:

Becoming self-aware
Discovering opportunities that hold unseen gifts
His first book, Joy Potential
Recognizing opportunity to experience and create your own joy
The part that positivity plays in your experiences
Overcoming negativity
His transition from the corporate banking world to the restaurant industry to becoming an author and host of Bite Radio - (Bring Inspiration to Earth)
The challenges of doing a live, daily radio show
The themes of inspiring people, spirituality and self-help, children’s literature, and environmental awareness on his show
The “little bit at a time” philosophy
Using a perception change to improve your job/career outlook
His second book, It’s No Secret, Spirituality Bites
Identifying the needs of difficult people
Writing books and journaling as a means of therapy
Journaling to plant “the seeds of inspiration”
The gift of gratitude as it minimizing struggles
Writing two new books simultaneously
- Being a caregiver and the struggles of coping as a caregiver
- Science Fiction - dream interpretation
Recommended books: Dream Sight: A Dictionary and Guide for Interpreting Any Dream, by Michael Lennox

Dreams 1,2,3, by J.M. DeBord

Quotes from Robert:

“It’s the ripple effect. If you change one person’s life then, everyone who their life touches, changes as well.”

“Awareness is where it all begins.”

“Talking to people, hearing their stories, finding out what they did, really helped me raise my awareness of their challenges.”

“Life is all about relationships.”

Contact Robert:

Website: Bite Radio

Facebook: Robert Sharpe @RPSharpe

Linkedin: Robert Sharpe

Book: Joy Potential

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Work with Lisa: EverBetterU.com/WorkWithMe

It's No Secret . . . Spirituality Bites

Joy Potential; Where You'd Least Expect It: Where You'd Least Expect It

Dream Sight: A Dictionary and Guide for Interpreting Any Dream

This solo episode is about the importance of taking the first step, from Ever Better Podcast host, Lisa Conners Vogt.

Do you ever go through this thought process? “I should try this. I might be good at it. But then again, I might be a total failure.”

“It seems like this would be fun. I’ll meet new people who do interesting things. I’ll have a more interesting social life. But then again, maybe I won’t fit in. Maybe I’ll feel out of place.”

“I’m sure I can figure out how to do that. My friends will be so proud! They’ll say ‘Look what you’re doing! How awesome!’ But what if I try it and fail? They’ll laugh and say ‘I told you so.’“

“There are so many things to think about. What would I do first? This is way too complicated. I don’t know where to start. I’ll think about this again next week.”

And so it goes. You put off, yet again, that project that deep down, really interests you and could change your life.

Does any of that sound familiar? People go through this all the time when they’re thinking about starting a new project or taking on something new.

The gym tailspin Are you thinking about joining a gym? I listened to a friend work through a series of questions that stopped her from actually taking the first step of even visiting a gym.

She was caught in a tailspin wondering…

"What gym should I go to?"

"What are people wearing to the gym these days?"

"Do I have to get new clothes? What about sneakers?" "I’m sure I don’t have the right sneakers or workout clothes. Whew! That’s a lot of shopping!"

"I don’t look as good in yoga pants as those women do. Is there another option?!"

"If I join a gym, what will I do there? I haven’t used any of that equipment in years. It’s probably all different."

"Will I do classes? What’s Zumba? What’s Pilates?"

"I’d probably be one of those people who pay the monthly fee all year and never show up."

"When would I go? I’m too busy already!"

Does this sound at all like your thought processes? Are you in the same tailspin about the gym or something else? It could be about taking a college class, playing a musical instrument, finding a new job, starting a business, trying online dating, or creating a blog.

Each of these ventures involves a lot of steps if you stop to break them down. But if you do that, you risk getting caught up in a million details and never taking the first tangible step that will lead to another step, and another.

Don’t get me wrong. I truly believe in project management and have practiced it throughout my career. When you’re working for someone else, you need to establish a start date and an end date, a project budget and think through anything that might derail a project.

However, if it’s a personal project that will stretch you physically, socially, and creatively, you don’t need to know every little step in advance.

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re headed or even how you’ll get there. Once you get started, if you like what you’re doing, you’ll find your way.

Tim takes the first step About 18 months ago, my husband Tim, who has always worked out, wasn’t as fit as he used to be and wanted to improve his cardio fitness.

A few of his friends at work were running, as was his brother, and two of my brothers. And in our area, you can’t drive down the street without passing a group of runners, regardless of the weather.

So Tim thought about running. He did A LOT of reading online and talked to others who ran.

Our chiropractor suggested that he start very slowly with short distances and to not worry about speed. He suggested mixing walking and jogging to let his body adjust to the new workout.

One day, Tim was ready. He stopped researching and decided to start running.

He started by doing a circuit through our neighborhood of about one mile. He ran and walked and ran and walked.

His first time out was more walking than running. And so was his second and third.

He wore the same clothes he had been wearing to the gym. He didn’t buy special sneakers. He just went with what he had. And he kept at it.

The first time he ran through the whole neighborhood without stopping was a big milestone! And then he added a second loop and was eventually able to run two times around without stopping.

Soon, he felt strong enough to venture outside of the neighborhood. His running wardrobe grew. He bought new shorts and a few shirts. Several said “Run” on them. I think they might have given him an extra dose of confidence.

It got cold and he got a hat and gloves and running tights. And then, about 15 months in, he signed up for a 10K, which is 6.2 miles. He hadn’t run that far yet, but he was getting closer to that distance every week, and now he had a new goal.

The week before the race he ran 6 ½ miles - .2 miles further than the course distance.

On race day he ran with 22 thousand others over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis, MD to Kent Island. That was a great milestone!

This past Christmas, Tim got a special watch to track his miles, his times, his calories, and who knows what else! And now, he’s up to 8 miles.

Because he started slowly and adjusted, he’s never been injured and he’s continuing to build his distance and speed. His new goal is a half marathon. And, I know he’ll get there eventually.

When I look back on this running journey that he’s been on, I’d have to say that his biggest milestone was taking the first step out the door. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t ready to run the neighborhood loop yet. The important thing is that he got started.

He didn’t have the right sneakers, shorts, shirts, watch, hat, gloves, or socks. But over time, he figured out what he needed and slowly built up his running gear.

When he started he didn’t know he would do the Chesapeake Bay 10K. I kept asking him about doing 5Ks and he would say, “No, that’s not for me. I’m just doing it for the health benefits.” But one day, it was for him but in a bigger way! He skipped right over the 5K and went directly to the 10K!

He didn’t get caught up in figuring out all the details before he got started. He consulted with a doctor and then he stepped outside and TOOK the first step!

I mean, he LITERALLY TOOK THE FIRST STEP!

As Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

That’s what Tim did and that’s what I did when I wrote this podcast.

The first step for this podcast episode If you’re familiar with my podcasts, you’ll know that I’m not afraid to jump into new projects or subjects, but writing a solo show isn’t something that I do regularly. But, it’s something that I want to do more of in 2017.

This one took me more weeks that it should have to get started. I’ve been creating a list of topics, but I always found something to do other than sit down and actually write.

The first step wasn’t deciding that I wanted to do a solo show, or even making that list of topics. That part was easy. My first step, my first REAL step towards making this happen, was scheduling it on my calendar. Because when I put something on my calendar – I get it done!

And for this step, I have to thank Sarah Shaw, my friend and guest from Ever Better Podcast 37. Sarah helps entrepreneurs market their products and specializes in celebrity placements. She holds group coaching calls for her clients so that they can learn from each other’s questions and from her coaching.

I recently participated in one of her calls and a client asked about the best way of planning for a trade show. Sarah talked about the importance scheduling to the level of detail that helps you get to where you need to be. She explained that one of her clients even schedules when she’s going to do laundry.

Scheduling laundry! What?! That was a lightbulb moment for me.

I’m a big calendar person. Discussions with my podcasts guests are scheduled well in advance and guests get automated reminders in the days before our discussion. I schedule my Pilates and Spin classes and my work days revolve around my calendar. So why didn’t I schedule the time to write a solo podcast?

If I’m going to be my own podcast guest, why not set it up on my calendar so that I get my own automated reminders?! So that’s what I did! My first step in creating this episode was scheduling time for myself to write.

The cool part about my “aha” moment from Sarah is that she has a signature saying: When in doubt, take the next step.”

Sarah says that if you’ve taken the first step and you’ve started on a journey, don’t allow yourself to get stuck! It might not be the perfect next step, but if you take it, you’ll continue to move forward.

And I’m telling you today that if you take the first step, and then the next step, eventually you’ll find that you’re ready to run a 10K, or write a 10th podcast episode, or take your 10th Pilates class, or whatever else you’re thinking about doing.

A first step you can take now If your calendar is in your phone or your purse, take it out. If it’s hanging on your wall or on your refrigerator, walk over to it.

Write down when and where you’ll take your next step. After that, schedule your next step. And your next. And before you know it – you’ll be off and running. Don’t get sidetracked by thoughts about what others might think and whether you’ll fail. Who cares what anyone else thinks! You’re doing this for you! And, you’ll be better off for it.

I’d love to hear about how you took your first step to get on your way! Visit the Ever Better Facebook Group and share your first step story to help motivate others.

Discover What's Next If you’ve taken the first step and you could use some help reaching a larger goal, or if you’re having a hard time getting started, check out my Discover What’s Next coaching program. Or, send me an email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com to learn more about how we can work together.

I'm putting together a Discover What's Next Workshop in the D.C. area in March. Let me know if you'd like to get more information by sending me an email.

Wendy Baird is a singer, speaker, Reiki Master, Music Director, and mother whose son is a gainfully employed college graduate! She is the President and Creative Director at Insight 180, a brand consulting and design company in Ellicott City, MD. For over fifteen years, Wendy and her team have helped organizations “that sell the invisible” discover what makes them different and bring those unique characteristics to life through creative brand strategy, messaging and visuals.

Wendy has been through some major transitions in the past year. About six months ago, her office was destroyed by historic flooding in Ellicott City, MD. For days, she wasn’t even allowed to enter the building and when she did, she found that almost everything had to be thrown away. But with some help from friends and the community, Wendy and her team persevered. And they are now creating plans for a new location and ways to show gratitude to everyone who rallied around her and other businesses in Ellicott City.

Wendy shares the practices she uses to embrace gratitude and calm her mind during difficult circumstances. She also describes how she heals others through transferred energy, and her family's growing musical legacy. Listen to my conversation to hear Wendy discuss:

How singing helps with public speaking
Her 17 years at Insight 180 and helping people to discover their unique brand messaging and visual identity
Insight 180 client, Deborah Owens, President of Corporate Alley Cat
How and why she decided to become a master practitioner of Reiki
How interests and talents develop and evolve as an adult
Her experience as a business owner during the flood in Ellicott City, MD
The positive effects of the flood
The power of love and support in her community
Changing your perspective by thinking about an event "happening for you" rather than it "happening to you."
Being prepared for emergencies
The Conscious Capitalism Movement - doing well by doing good.
Finding the balance, beauty, and harmony in the little things
Radical self-care and the benefits of meditating
Changing your approach to life and finding your center
Some of the difficulties in leading an intentional and mindful life 24/7
How meditation awakens and how to focus on gratitude
How to start meditating
Camp Good Life Project - where Wendy and Lisa met!
Recommended Reading and Podcasts:
- Brené Brown
- The Endless Practice
- Malcom Gladwell
- Krista Tippett
- Firms of Endearment
- Conscious Capitalism

Quotes from Wendy:

“Being able to help bring someone else’s vision to life is so exciting.”

On Reiki: “It’s all about intention and love and passing energy through.”

"Reframing a tragedy from 'this happened to me,' to 'this happened for me.'"

"I always say that love is a thread through everything."

"Nothing delights me more than helping a company find their true brand, and to see them shine and provide so much value that they’re having a greater impact on their community.”

“For me, bringing harmony, order, and balance to projects, to all areas of my life….that’s a really important thread.”

“I usually meditate first thing in the morning. I try to do it for at least 10 minutes or sometimes longer.”

“I just find that when I’m really busy or stressing out, that just taking a moment to take a deep breath, or two or three, is incredibly grounding.”

“Start here, now.”

“People used to come to us to make them look like someone else. They would say, 'I want to look like that..or be like that.’ I love helping to uncover or reveal their true brand. Now people are understanding how important it is to be different.”

“Be the best you, you can be. Authentically you.”

Contact Wendy:

Website: www.insight180.com

Facebook: Insight 180

Twitter: @insight180

Linkedin: Wendy Baird

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

The Endless Practice: Becoming Who You Were Born to Be

Janet Kelly and Nancy McKeon met while working for The Washington Post. Janet was a “no-nonsense” staff writer sharing her views on style and fashion, while Nancy was Editor of the Food, Real Estate, Travel, and Sunday Business sections. (But not all at once.)

After leaving The Post, Janet recognized that media outlets and websites were catering to millenials. And the 40+ audience, a growing demographic with significant buying power, was being ignored.

Janet decided to make a difference by creating and delivering stories with points of view for a more mature audience. Janet recruited Nancy, they brought other media-savvy women on-board, and MyLittleBird.com was born!

In our discussion, they share what it's like to run your own business vs. working for a corporation, how they are growing the website, and why this venture is so energizing. We also chat about some of their favorite stories - how to find jeans that fit, the dog park and dog culture, and managing anxiety attacks.

Listen to our conversation to hear Nancy and Janet discuss:

Janet and Nancy's backgrounds in print and online media and how their paths intersected to create a new online venture
Why they created "a grown-up girl's guide to D.C. living"
How to stay energized as your career progresses
Why it pays to be strategic in business and in your personal life
Adapting and using your skills for new ventures
The importance of "getting out!"
Constantly expanding your knowledge to remain in the game

Quotes from Nancy and Janet:

"We try to mix the valuable and the humorous to create a package that's inviting for us to write about and that's inviting for our readers to read about."
- Nancy

"As Nancy always says, 'Look we've been doing this for so long, why shouldn't we keep doing it? Because it's what we know how to do and we have gathered all this experience, so let's keep doing it. Let's keep going.'"
- Janet

"When opportunity knocks, or when the occasion arises, you figure out how to make it work for you."
- Janet

http://MyLittleBird.com

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Jonathan Holth is a community builder, father, and entrepreneur who lives in Grand Forks, ND. He co-owns the “upscale, but not uptight” Toasted Frog restaurants that specialize in fried cheesy pickles.

He’s a leader in a growing movement of private citizens who partner with friends, neighbors, public officials and foundations to make a difference in their communities.

He invests his time in helping to create a more fun, interesting, economically diverse North Dakota for today and for his future grandchildren. He believes in building the community that you want to live in, and encourages all to become more vocal and get involved in your own communities.

Listen to our chat to hear Jonathan discuss:

His entrepreneurial journey through the creation and continued success of his restaurant, The Toasted Frog
Why Toasted Frog restaurants are closed on Sundays
Community involvement and the positive impact you can make as a proactive citizen
What it means to be a Knight Foundation city
His experience in community-building, specifically the work-study program he did in Copenhagen to study the city’s transportation modes, public spaces, and parks
The differences that he found in community planning for public spaces overseas compared to those processes in the U.S.
Being personal and intentional in the community design process when planning a community’s public spaces
Creating a grassroots organization within your community and the importance of developing public/private partnerships
The value of being involved with city hall as a private sector voice rather than running for office
His work with Evolve Grand Forks, an organization focused on creating an entrepreneurial culture in Grand Forks
The development of a co-working space - the first space of its kind in the city
How to take the next step in your business without breaking the bank
Creating a strong community of talent, to attract and retain people
Creating reasons for people to choose to stay within the state including celebrating accomplishments
Emceeing and presenting at the TEDx talks to share GREAT ideas
Drawing inspiration from other communities
Creating community with a long-term vision as a legacy for future generations
Preserving the connections you make (and keep) in a smaller community while growing and evolving

Quotes from Jonathan:

“I think that there’s a misperception about restaurant ownership as being glamorous and fun. Much of the work that my business partners and I are doing during hours of operation are washing dishes, busing tables, and seating people. We do whatever needs to be done to make sure that the customers are happy.”

“The type of community that we want to live in doesn’t just appear, so I decided to get involved and try to make positive change wherever I could.” “I’ve had a lot of people ask me about my interest for running for office and that is something that does interests me, but I’ve also found that there needs to be a strong private sector voice. Public officials crave that voice so that they’re not always the ones advocating for change.”

“Oftentimes entrepreneurs are working out of their basement or they’re working out of their garage because they are sort of bootstrapping their business and just have a lack of funds. A co-working space allows you to take your business to the next level without breaking the bank. So, you don’t have to max out your credit cards to get your business off the ground.”

“The community-advocacy work that I’m doing right now, I’m viewing it through the lens of being a future grandfather. My parents lived here, my wife’s parents lived here, and all of my family loves this place and having family close and having this tight-knit community has done wonders for my daughters already. I want to make sure that our community is a place that my daughters are proud of and that early on in their lives they make a decision that ‘This is where I want to live and that this is where I want to raise my family.’”

Contact Jonathan

Website: The Toasted Frog

Facebook: Toasted Frog - Bismarck

Twitter: @JonFromForks

Linkedin: Jonathan Holth

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Erika Ettin is an online dating coach who left her corporate finance job to help men and women develop relationships.

Her business is called A Little Nudge, because she gives her clients the nudge and the help they need to get out there and start dating! In our discussion, she shares how and why she became an online dating coach, client success stories, as well as dos and don’ts of dating.

Her clients range in age from 22 to 72, with an average age of 44. If you’re thinking about jumping into the dating game or if you know someone who is, this episode will be helpful as well as entertaining!

Listen to our chat to hear Erika share:

Her supporting role in an online dater's life
Why it’s so challenging to write your own online dating profile
Why she created A Little Nudge
The difference between a high-end matchmaker and an online dating coach
How she helps her clients develop a fuller life beyond dating
The link between dating advice and self-image
Why people have such a hard time finding the right partner
How to get started with online dating (when you have no experience)
Recommended online dating websites
Unrealistic expectations and how they can damage a potential relationship
The importance of dating with a new mindset and fresh perspective
The importance of being NATO: Not Attached to Outcome
How she ghostwrites responses for some of her clients
Why women shouldn't offer to pay for dinner
Tips for staying safe
Going with your gut and doing what you feel comfortable with
The importance of auditing your profile
The pitfalls of lying on your online profile

Quotes from Erika:

“It’s all about marketing yourself!"

"For whatever reason, people think when it comes to marketing themselves, they don’t have to put the time in, they don’t have to put the energy in. But that’s exactly the opposite of what you should do, You’re not marketing a product, you’re not marketing a service, you’re marketing YOU."

“I call myself ‘educated-impulsive,' because I’m fairly impulsive but I’ve done the research first. But, once I’m ready, I jump.”

"Don’t use online dating as a band-aid, ego-boost, or something to fill the void. Do it only when you’re ready, because it’s frustrating for the other person if they like you and you’re just not emotionally there yet."

“Don’t think you’re the lucky one who is going to bump into someone at the airport and then it’s love at first sight and you walk off into the sunset. That happens so infrequently! Just like finding a new job, finding a partner is hard work and it should be because it’s really important.”

"I tell people to go on first dates with no expectations - not positive, not negative, just see what it is to meet a new person.”

“It does take work. You know, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Don’t compare yourself to anyone because you don’t know your friend’s standards. You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. Just worry about yourself.”

Contact Erika: Website: www.alittlenudge.com where you can find her video series, 90-Days to Dating Success

Facebook: A Little Nudge

Twitter: @ALittleNudge

Linkedin: Erika Ettin

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Tara Cousineau, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist, who primarily supports women and girls. She is a "Kindness Warrior," and the author of an upcoming book called, The Kindness Cure about how acts of kindness can shift a person's life.

Through her work with clients and as the mother of two daughters, she’s observed a decrease in empathy and a rise in nasty online activity that sometimes rises to the level of criminal behavior. And when Tara’s daughter was assaulted by a classmate, she decided to make a difference by writing a book about kindness.

She works with many women who are 40+ and we discuss the shifts that take place when children become more independent and how to address these changes. Tara shares activities that bring her family closer together and she’s learned from experience that even if you think your kids aren’t paying attention to the values you’re modeling, you may find out years later that they actually were.

Listen to the discussion to hear Tara discuss how:

Her Clinical Psychology practice has led her down a more compassionate road where kindness rules.
The Kindness Cure was borne out of her daughter being assaulted by a high school classmate.
To set rules and expectations for your children. But know that they don’t want to disappoint their parents, so there is a chance that they won’t share their most important life events.
Practicing self-compassion will help you to react calmly in tense situations.
The world needs a resurgence of kindness and empathy.
The “revenge fantasies” that some teens carry out go beyond “mean girl” behavior.
Survey results showing that empathy levels have decreased as narcissism has grown in the U.S.
Our culture has switched to achievement, success, and happiness as opposed to the more traditional values of kindness, generosity, and fairness.
Neuroplasticity can offset the negativity in our society.
You can deal with “Debbie Downers” or the “Eeyores” in your life.
To manage the transition to an empty nest by coming back into the present moment and acknowledging your own emotions.
Adding variety to your routine can spice up your life!
Creating a family mission statement makes a difference even when your children make fun of it!

Quotes from Tara:

“We forgot basic kindness. We’ve forgotten what it means to be kind. And that we are in that state-of-mind where everyone is in that fight or flight response.”

“We pay too much attention to the drama. Culturally, we pay attention so that we are almost inundated 24/7 with all the horrible things that happen in the world. And this is very insidious."

“Be kinder than you think you are. I think we have a sense that we are kind, but it takes effort. I think it takes more effort now, then it has in the past. So I just challenge people to be kinder than you think are and see where it takes you.”

Contact Tara

Website: http://www.taracousineau.com/

Facebook: Moxie Moms Coaching

Twitter: @taracousphd

Linkedin:Tara Cousineau, PhD

Contact Lisa Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Noelle Van Vlierbergen, a sobriety coach, helps women to recognize that their path to recovery isn’t just about staying sober, it’s about embracing a life change and owning a bolder, better future. Through her business, Sober Moxie, she provides coaching and online resources for women in recovery.

Listen to the podcast to hear Noelle share her experiences and thoughts about:

Her personal story of struggle and her incredible recovery
Addiction and addictive personalities
Recommended resources (see list below)
The importance of addressing the situation when you are concerned about a family member or friend struggling with addiction
Communication - reaching out and connecting is “super important”
The story behind Sober Moxie
Changes that take place throughout the recovery process including the fog of vulnerability
Her 11 core principles of "Conscious Recovery"
The correlation between the physical and mental components of the recovery process
Creating a more joyful life by reframing your daily habits and finding balance
The positive benefits of yoga, meditation, and physical activity
Dealing with rough moments and badys without turning to alcohol

Quotes from Noelle: On addressing concern for a friend struggling with addiction: “Reaching out and connecting with that person is super important. People are struggling internally. It's a very personal journey."

On the creation of Sober Moxie: “I wanted to create a program for women to lighten up the whole experience of recovery. And I think that there is so much that you step into when you begin your journey of recovery and it evolves and changes and gets better and better every single year. It's a real opportunity for women to come into their own and really be bigger and bolder than they’ve ever been before.

"There’s so much that can be done to help create balance in the body. Your central nervous system has been under attack essentially for the amount of time that you’ve been drinking. And so when you begin a yoga practice, a lot of it has to do with focusing on breath and you’re literally physically calming your nervous system on a daily basis.”

Noelle's Recommended Resources Alcoholics Anonymous Al-Anon

Y12SR

Recovery 2.0 (for all addictions)

The Fix

Contact Noelle: noelle@sobermoxie.com

Sober Moxie Facebook

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Learn about the who, what, where, when, how and why of the Ever Better podcast. Host and producer, Lisa Conners Vogt, discusses where the podcast has been and where it's going.

This podcast is a reunion of sorts with Doug Hensch, my 11th podcast guest on an episode I produced 9 months ago. And Doug and I go waaay back beyond that. We used to work together at Nextel, which is now Sprint, before we both shifted our career paths. Doug is the father of two active boys, an executive coach, and an author. When we last spoke, Doug was writing a book about resilience and today he’s joining us to share some of the wisdom from his book, Positively Resilient: 5 1/2 Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety.

Listen to this episode to hear Doug discuss what resilience is and the importance of being resilient as you go through life. He encourages the principles of resilience to create happy and healthy habits in his sons’ lives as well as in his own life.

Doug shares ideas that he uses for himself and with his kids to set intentions for the day so that you are always working towards achieving your larger goals, and are less likely to be diverted by social media, the news, and other distractions. We talk about optimism, and why too much of it can be a problem, and ways to track your progress to reinforce what you’re achieving. In our last discussion, Doug and I shared our views on free-range parenting, and this time, we get into helicopter parenting, which is now a problem in the workplace. Parents are actually calling their adult children’s supervisors to complain about performance evaluations and raises! As an expert in resilience, Doug always returns to one of his favorite sayings about a black belt in Jiu Jitsu: “A black belt is a white belt that never gives up.”

Listen to the conversation to hear us discuss:

Feedback: Why the good, the bad, and the ugly is important to make thriving. However, it can be difficult to accept feedback on your own work.
Doug's new book! Positively Resilient: 5 1/2 Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety
The importance of resilience in life in order to live a healthy, happy, and meaningful life!
How resilience can be both a natural and learned life skill
Neuroplasticity and the ability to rewire the thoughts and habits you create for yourself
The effects of over-parenting on developing resilience in our children
How parenting styles have evolved from the “good ol’ days”
Participation medals" How they are a disservice to today’s youth by rewarding them without achieving anything or showing an exemplary effort
How a parent’s fear of failure on their child’s achievement will ultimately end up holding their child back from becoming happy, healthy members of society to find their own way
Carrying the theme of “Rising to the top through resilience” with the balloon imagery on the cover of Positively Resilient and throughout the book
Goal setting as a positive force in your life
Tracking your progress by breaking down a large goal into smaller incremental goals to help you realize your success along the way
Diet and sleep - critical to resilience especially as you get older
Using an index card and the question,“What are you going to do today?” to improve your family life
Using an intentions journal to release the overwhelm and stress people feel daily
Psychological flexibility - All the hats you can put on in life to help you diversify your way of thinking, so you’re not stuck in one perspective including:
- Pessimistic Hat
- Detective Hat
- Cowboy Hat
- Optimistic Hat
- Green Hat
Visualization: Most effective for achieving short-term goals by providing positive emotions that are motivating and energizing. However, visualization can also be considered fantasizing and this can be counter-productive for achieving long-term goals
Common traits of resilient people: Constantly trying to improve, being willing to learn new things, and experimenting while not being afraid to fail
Getting over fears of starting something new
Re-frame your thinking and asking yourself, “What can I do to experiment as a scientist of my own life?”
The concept of being a lean startup. Taking small actions to test something new, get early feedback and adjust your plan as needed

Quotes from Doug:

On resilience: “It’s this foundational quality that I think is necessary to live a healthy, happy, meaningful life. And I look at it as bouncing back from obstacles, learning from our mistakes, our adversities, our wins in life. Reaching out to other people and connecting with other human beings. And I think it’s also finding this really interesting place in life where, at times, we can be motivated by the challenges in front of us in a really positive way as opposed to finding ourselves in this deep state of stress and anxiety.”

“I believe that we praise for effort but to give trophies or medals when kids don’t achieve anything, or put forth an exemplary effort, is harming them.” On the balloon imagery in the book: “I think the whole idea is that even when things look difficult there is a way to re-frame it. There is almost always a way to learn from your adversity and to continue to increase your resilience [....] The balloon rises through every chapter. It just goes a little bit higher until it gets to the top of the page in the last chapter.”

“By simply paying attention to the things that are important in my life, I am more likely to do them and then reap the benefits of those.”

“Your best project managers in my mind, for instance, have that realistic optimism, where they believe the team can achieve it, but they’re not blind to the risks and the issues that the team faces.”

“Not everything works for everybody. Find things that you can gravitate towards and have a couple of strategies ready to go. Be prepared to habituate to some of those and then move on to other strategies.”

“One of the hallmarks for people who achieve their goals is, wait for it, THEY GET STARTED.”

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU

Contact Doug: @DougHensch

Positively Resilient: 5 1/2 Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety

Dr. Deborah Norris is a psychologist who worked as a neurotoxicologist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for fifteen years. During that time, she was practicing mindfulness and working as a part-time fitness instructor. In 2009 she took a major career and lifestyle leap! She left her EPA job to open The Mindfulness Center in Bethesda, MD with her two daughters.

As President of The Mindfulness Center, Debbie researchs, teaches and practices mind-body practices while providing a welcoming facility for other practictioners to offer their services. Customers are able to benefit from classes, small groups and 1:1 sessions for youga, acupuncture, counseling, tai chi, massage, hypnosis and more.

During our podcast discussion, Debbie and I discuss:

Starting the Mindfulness Center and working with her two daughters
Her son’s encouragement to write her book, In the Flow
What mindfulness means and practices that can keep you on track and guide you to a richer and more wonderful life
Meditation is a practice and mindfulness is the outcome
The health benefits of practicing mindfulness and related mind-body practices
Research that demonstrates the effectiveness of using mindfulness to treat chronic pain
Online meditation programs coming soon to the MindfulnessCenter.org
Debbie’s previous work as a Neurotoxicologist for the EPA and her interests in how specific drugs affect the brain
Debbie’s role as Director of the Psychobiology of Healing Program at American University and why she loves teaching students!
How dancing introduced her to the practice of mindfulness
Her new book! In the Flow: Passion, Purpose and the Power of Mindfulness
How feeling safe opens your heart. The meaning of courage – keeping the heart open even when you’re afraid
Intuition – taking yoru awareness into your body and seeing what you’re sensing there
Embracing and accepting The Monkey Mind…our stream of consciousness…”The Voice Within”
Carrying the momentum from mindfully meditating into your life
Her study at Childrens’ Hospital in D.C. that used guided meditations to help children overcome trauma from entering the hospital and from medical treatments
Bringing the practice of mindfulness into schools
How to start meditating

Quotes from Debbie:

On mindfulness: “If everybody would do this, learn to meditate, the world would be such a beautiful place.”

“Any exercise that connects you with this form of self-awareness, what we’re finding is it enhances not only self-awareness, but the capacity for self-regulation and self-control. And a lot of people shy at that word control, yet that is what we seek. I prefer to call it coordination, the ability to coordinate what we choose to do, how we choose to feel.”

“Different things work for different people. The journey to well-being is not a single path. It’s different journeys for different people.”

“To stay physically fit is not something that you just do occasionally.”

“I think a lot of us feel like we’re seekers. We’re on this journey looking for the way to live right. What makes things tick…how do we keep setting ourselves upright, or as I say in the book, ‘back in the flow.’”

Contact Debbie:

The Mindfulness Center
MInd Body Journal
Twitter: @MindfulnessCntr
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheMindfulnessCenter
Debbie’s book: In the Flow: Passion, Purpose, and The Power of Mindfulness

Have you ever said to a friend, “I need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up”? But you’re already are a “grown-up” with a successful 20+ year career behind you. Well…you’re not alone! And, you really don’t need to choose. This is just one of the topics that Maggie Huffman and I discuss in this Ever Better Podcast.

Maggie is a self-described poly-serial-multi-enthusiast, meaning she’s very involved with multiple professional and personal interests.

After working in the wine industry for over 20 years, she finally figured out how to blend her many interests into a fulfilling and joyful life. Unfortunately, the sudden death of her mother was the catalyst for getting her life in balance.

Maggie and I hope that through listening to this podcast and reading her book, Oh Snap, My Career is in Crisis, you can move your life in the right direction before you’re faced with a crisis. (Send Maggie an email with “Ever Better” in the subject line, and she’ll send you a free copy of “Oh Snap!”)

Maggie left her corporate career in the wine industry to help her coaching clients reach their true potential. She’s also a speaker, an Aura-Soma practitioner, a vocalist a pet lover, and author of three best-selling books: Oh Snap! My Career is in Crisis, Whoops! I Forgot to Achieve My Potential and WTF?!? I Still Believe this Sh*t?.

Listen to the podcast to hear us discuss:

Living in Sonoma Valley
Her non-fiction books that offer a serious, but light-hearted view of personal development, your life potential and managing your career
Discovering your potential at any age by getting to know who you are now
Sampling projects, tapas-style, to determine where your interests lie
The period of Maggie’s life when she was out of balance. Her career dominated her life, she wasn’t signing, and had no time for friends or outside interests
Her dramatic career change when she left the corporate world to concentrate on her other interests
Shifting to an aligned work and personal life
Combining career and purpose: your career only partially defines you. Above all, know your purpose.
Lessons of Aura-Soma, a system of color and light, based on the universal language of color. You are the colors you choose! My favorite colors are green and yellow…what does this mean?!

Quotes from Maggie:

“Put in a little bit of time to really try things. Build a personal tapas menu of little bites, little things that you want to try until you really discover what you want to be, what you want to do.”

“Okay…this is it. I am not spending my entire life not singing, not doing what I was meant to be doing or things that fulfill me.”

“I love synchronicity! When you decide to do something, a lot of times synchronous events happen – yet they don’t just happen along. You can see them because you’ve made a decision to focus on something.”

“I think more of us are like you and like me where there’s a thread, there’s a theme, or different patches that come together to make a pattern. I call myself a ‘poly-serial-multi-enthusiast.’”

“I know a lot of people are really interested in a lot of things. You do them and then you move on, instead of it being THE THING that defines you for your entire life or even for a significant portion.”

“We’re never going to be what we wanted to be when we grow up, right? Because we’re explorers. Adventurers.”

“If someone is feeling like they’re in a crisis and they think that it’s a work-life balance crisis, stop and think. It isn’t a work-life balance crisis. It’s a life balance crisis. Work is a meaningful facet of life. You’re not going to solve your feelings by changing work, unless it fits in with your life as a whole.”

Contact Maggie:
Website: www.talktomaggie.com

Email: maggie@maggie.com For a free copy of Maggie’s book, Oh Snap! My Career is in Crisis, send her an email with “Ever Better” in the subject line.

Thanks for listening! Send me a note at Lisa@EverBetterU.com if you’d like to share your thoughts about the podcast or to work with me.

Ever Better!

None

Whoops! I Forgot To Achieve My Potential: Create your very own personal change management strategy to get the fun, purpose, meaning and happiness back into your life!

WTF?!? I Still Believe This SH*T?: Sniffing Out the Irrational Beliefs Hiding Underneath Your Rational Behavior

Melody Warnick, freelance journalist and author of This is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live, wrote the book on falling in love with where you live.

Moving is something that Melody has ample firsthand experience with. She's moved from Ames, Iowa to St. George, UT to Silver Spring, MD to Austin, TX to her current (and hopefully more permanent) home, Blacksburg, VA.

As she planned her last trek with her husband and two children, she began thinking that she might be addicted to moving. A curious journalist, she began researching, and discovered that 12% of Americans move each year and the average American can expect to move 11.7 times throughout their life. All of this shifting has resulted in 28% of us not knowing our neighbors by name.

Melanie's research led to her the concept of "placemaking," the practice of making your community more livable. In our discussion, Melanie shares some of the placemaking projects she's pursued since moving to Blacksburg. Some of these involved her children, some she's done herself, and some with others in the community. The result is that she became comfortable in her new environment much more quickly than she ever has in the past, she knows her neighbors and many others in the community, she's learned a great deal about her town, and at least one of her projects has been adopted by others...a sure sign of success! And, when her husband recognized that his job with Virginia Tech was not a long-term fit, rather than deciding to move, he sought out, and found, a more desirable job close by. Melody's family is now looking for a house to purchase in the Virginia Tech area!

Listen to our discussion to learn about:

The process of moving and how to put down roots more quickly
Mindfulness and appreciating the things around you
Writing her first book, This is Where You Belong
Place attachment, bonding with the place that you live
How to be happy where you are
Having control of where you live
Calling it quits in a town before you really try to make it a home - a very bad habit!
Bringing your baggage with you when you move
“Love where you live” experiments including putting up signs without permission, creating a chalk event, walking rather than taking the car.
Placemaker Meg Daly and her idea that resulted in the creation of the 10 mile Miami Underline
Choosing to get involved in building your city
The more you love your town, the more it loves you back
Melody's 11 "Love Where You Live Principles" including:
- Our towns are what we think they are
- When you invest, you feel invested
- Every town is good at something. Do what your town is good at.

Quotes from Melody:

“You may not have ultimate control over where you live or how long you’re there, but you can put down roots while you’re there and really love it and find joy.”

“As Americans we have a problem with restlessness.”

“Wherever you go, you take yourself with you.”

“I think there’s a true movement toward average citizens doing ground up things in their town to make cool things happen….Average people, residents want to get involved. They want to have a hand in shaping where they live.”

“That’s what happens when you invest in your town. You certainly feel that sense of community and that sense of pride because you, perhaps created something that wasn’t there before.”

Contact Melody:

melodywarnick.com

Twitter: @melodywarnick

Linkedin: Melody Warnick

Send Lisa an email: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live

Pam Slim has a passion and talent for building intentional communities and helping small businesses grow. She is an award-winning author, speaker, business strategist and coach. Her best selling books Escape From Cubicle Nation and Body of Work have helped entrepreneurs and thought leaders around the world are favorites of mine!

Her belief that we can enjoy our lives and ensure economic well-being for all, were instrumental in creating K’é, a small business, community space in downtown Mesa, Arizona, where she conducts classes, hosts networking events, and creates virtual programs. Pam lives with her husband Darryl, their two children, and three dogs. Darryl's Navajo heritage has fueled Pam's appreciation and love of Native American culture. In fact, K’é, means "kinship" in the Diné culture.

Listen to the podcast to hear Pam talk about:

Her years of travel and adventure before getting married and having children, including being an exchange student in Switzerland
A life full of doing the work she loves, chasing kids and dogs, time at the soccer field, traveling, having a connected family, and "living a pretty chill life"'
Growing up in Sana Soma, California across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco
Meeting her husband, Darryl, at a traditional Navajo prayer ceremony while on a trip to Arizona with her friend Peter Bratt (Benjamin Bratt's brother)
Learning and teaching Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art
The contrast between Pam's childhood in California while Darryl grew up on the Diné (Navajo) reservation herding sheep
Speaking and hanging out at Camp Good Life Project (GLP) and asking, "We are at Camp Iroquois, but where are the Iroquois people?" Being married to a Native American has caused Pam to be much more aware of places and events that lack a native presence.
In our day- to-day lives, when we are looking at our neighborhoods, walking down Main Street, or thinking about our business and customers we should be asking "Who is here?" and really celebrate that, and then ask ‘Who is not here?’, and "Why are they not here?
Pam's delivered a powerful message of connectedness and community-building at Camp GLP that set off a chain events honoring a Navajo prayer. During the Saturday night talent show, Pam's children recited a Navajo prayer on video, while campers played Native American flutes. The next morning, Emiliya Zhivotoskaya lead a group in an IntenSati workout while reciting the prayer. You can watch the video here and a picture is below. (I'm in the middle of the group - well hidden!) And the chain continues! I recite the prayer at the end of this podcast.
Escape From Cubicle Nation, Pam's first book.
Body of Work, Pam's second book that helps people to see the thread that runs through their life and work.
Pam's "unbook tour" across 25 cities to talk to her community of people, her faithful readers, about trying and testing ideas and seeing what really worked. That tour took her to Fargo, ND where she was inspiried by people working together in such unified, passionate way. To learn more about what's happening in Fargo, listen to Podcast 031, featuring Greg Tehven.
"Driving kindness" throughout Fargo and creating an open, welcoming environment.
Pam's daughter interviewed the mayor of Fargo for a school project. She asked, "What do you want people to know about Fargo?" He responded, "I want Fargo to be welcoming for others that come here, If people come here from other countries, they are refugees, they can come here, they can feel safe. They can sit down and have hot chocolate together."
Opening a small business idea and community incubator in downtown Mesa (126 W. Main Street, Mesa, AZ)
Beware of advice like "Just do it." or "Jump and the net will appear." Be realistic about your financial situation and responsibilities and be thoughtful about each step you take.
Crowdfunding the development of K’é through an Indie Go Go campaign that raised $40,000 in 3 days with the help of Infusionsoft, Go Daddy, and Tuft & Needle.
Getting help from Clay Herbert to structure the campaign.
The building's rich history running back to the days of prohibition when alcohol was smuggled through the basement. Pam and crew transformed it from a photography space with windows painted black, to a bright, colorful space decorated with murals, some painted by Darryl's son, Jeffrey.

Quotes from Pam:

“A passion area for me is building community and being very intentional about community. Thinking about who are we including? And who are we not including in our communities? Who feels welcome?”

“We can see work in an amazingly transformative way. We can enjoy our lives and also really ensure economic well-being for all. You really have to know that just driving good business is something that can also drive what every family needs in order to sustain themselves.”

“I love to write snappy things and I always want my books to read well but I really need to make sure that what I say works and I have evidence.”

“The feeling that I want to have in this space is one where everyone is welcome, where we have inter-dependence and inter-connectedness. As humans we ARE all related.”

Contact Pam:

pamelaslim.com
Facebook: KeInMesa
Twitter: @PamSlim

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com Twitter: @EverBetterU

Body of Work: Finding the Thread That Ties Your Story Together

Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur

Jessie Newburn is a Gen Xer who has embraced the gig economy! Sometimes it seems like all eyes are on millenials and baby boomers, but Jessie and I bring the conversation back to what it was like coming of age for those of us born in the 60s. Jessie shares stories about living a gig economy life, the themes of community that her home, Columbia, MD were built on, and some of her most memorable Uber passengers. She gives us a glimpse into the Burning Man Festival, which she attends each year. The festival is a 9-day gathering of 70,000+ people in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

For this discussion's purposes, I'll define the gig economy as "making a living through a series of jobs or through multiple on-going gigs. Some might be for a corporation, and some might be as an entrepreneur. In Jessie's case, she's got five or six income generating activities that include driving for Uber and sharing her experiences with the world through her e-book, The Uber Chronicles.

You can find Jessie's e-book on Amazon. The Uber Chronicles

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

This week’s Ever Better Podcast is a journal episode that features discussions with three women who play a behind the scenes role in movies and television shows. Each of them uses their talents, skills, and experience to make a difference to the people that they work with. And as you’ll hear, each one has a very positive influence on the communities they are involved with.

These women are Tasia Valenza, my guest on Episode 014, Lori Hart, from Episode 030, and Sarah Shaw, from Episode 037.

TASIA VALENZA

Tasia ValenzaTasia is one of the most successful voice over artists in the country and calls herself “a recovering actress.” If you watched All My Children in the 80s, you’ll know Tasia from one of her earliest roles as the Emmy nominated actress who played the beautiful and manipulative Dottie Thornton.

If you watch Disney’s animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, you’ll know her as the wise Jedi Shaak Ti. She also does voice overs for the Hallmark Channel, and plays Femme Fatale, Poison Ivy in the Arkham Trilogy video games.

Tasia also uses her voice in ways that most people are not aware of. She literally donates her voice to Vocal ID and is passionate about helping others to speak most effectively in a range of interactions. She gives talks and workshops about what she calls “Giving Great Voice.”

Through her work with Vocal ID, Tasia literally donated her voice to people who speak through computerized voices – think - Stephen Hawking. So, there are actually people out in the world who are communicating using Tasia’s donated voice. If this is something that interests you, Vocal ID is always looking for more voices.

LORI HART

Lori HartLori Hart is a beauty specialist who uses non-invasive procedures to help women and men transform from the inside out. Early in her career, she did makeup for Playboy photo shoots. Many of the models she worked with were having plastic surgery, and she decided to do it too! She went in for liposuction, expecting a minor procedure that would leave her thinner and happier. Instead, she woke up with unexpected scars and digestive issues that have worsened over the years. That left her with the mission to use her talents to make the most of each person’s natural beauty.

She’s worked with Laura Dern, Charlize Theron, Marielle Hemingway and Timothy Dalton to name a few. So, when you see a women or man of a certain age on the red carpet, who looks natural and glowing, chances are, that person knows Lori Hart.

Lori explained to me that she no longer works on movie sets. Actors visit her to get their makeup and bring it to the set. Listen to the podcast to hear what happened when Donald Sutherland paid her a visit…

SARAH SHAW

Sarah ShawSarah Shaw, my guest on episode 38, began her entrepreneurial career by making handbags at her home. She was working as a costume supervisor in Hollywood and wanted to create something using her own design. She built a multi-million dollar business designing and selling handbags that have been owned by Live Tyler, Julia Roberts, and Kristin Davis. But after the events of 9-11 she lost everything. Her investors pulled out and she lost the company, including the right to use her own name on future products.

But Sarah never gave up. She says “When in doubt, take the next step.” Sarah’s next step was to design and patent a closet organizer for handbags. Running the company out of her garage, she sold over $500,000 in the first two years. She then founded Sarah Shaw Consulting to work with entrepreneurs to help position and sell their products. Sarah and her team help with product development, public relations, celebrity endorsements, and building sales. She specializes in getting her client’s products to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Betty White, Allison Janney, Lynda Carter, and Madonna. This is a win-win situation for the business owners who want their products to be seen, and the celebrities who appreciate a beautiful or clever item.

So, next time you watch tv or a movie, check out the outfits, and the items strategically placed on a table.
Sarah Shaw just may be the hidden element behind these product placements.

I was introduced to Sarah through my 4th podcast guest, Connie Inukai. Connie is a retired professor turned inventor who has been working with Sarah to market her product, the Tip n’ Split. And that’s where Madonna and Lynda Carter come in…

CLOSING

I hope you enjoyed hearing from Tasia, Lori, and Sarah – three remarkable women whose stories I’m proud to highlight, since so many of their contributions are behind the scenes! Here is a challenge for today…As you go throughout the rest of your day take a look around and think about all the people and the activity involved in making your life easier.

If you’d like to share your thoughts about this or other podcast episodes, please send me a note at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Pam Felix has created a life full of laughter for herself, her family, her customers and employees. She’s the founder of the D.C. Improv, a comedy club, and California Tortilla, a casual restaurant that services Mexican re-imagined. Pam says that her businesses are built on having fun and given that California Tortilla has grown into a successful franchise with over 50 locations, Pam’s clearly onto something.

Pam joined me to discuss how and why she became an entrepreneur, how she balances her family life as the mother of two children, and offers advice for aspiring business owners.

Her journey as an entrepreneur has taken Pam from coast to coast and from dream to dream. She graduated from the University of Buffalo in the 80’s and then moved to California with the intention of heading to law school, only to find herself on a very different path. Pam and her husband live in Washington D.C. with their two sons.

In this discussion, Pam shares her wisdom for creating a franchise, her understanding of the connection between laughter and quality customer service, the routines that keep her centered, and the absolute importance of entrepreneurs loving what they do. Listen to the podcast to hear Pam discuss:

The similarities between comedy clubs and restaurants
Opening the first California Tortilla restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland in 1995 with her friend, Alan
The shocking law school “recommendation” from a college professor that shocked her into taking a different path
How working in San Diego changed the direction of her life
Progressing from waitress, to manager, to owner of multiple comedy clubs
Finding motivation and direction in a Mexican restaurant on Long Island
Learning what makes people laugh at the Improv and baking those lessons to California Tortilla
Why the focus on laughter, light heartedness, and fun have created a culture where employees thrive in and customers love to return to
Wacky attention-getting ideas like a sign that read “Over a Billion Bowls of Chili Sold” on the second day CalTort was open; getting burrito ideas from customers and using stickers with their pictures on the wrappers; having customers spin a giant wheel to win free stuff
Increased regulations in Washington, D.C. that make starting a brick and mortar business difficult
How high rents and a high minimum wage affect small businesses
Creating a franchise with 50 locations while keeping the culture and consistency
Returning from the franchise headquarters to the store because Pam missed the fun there!
Surrounding yourself with great people
Empowering employees to make customers happy and management easier
Taking a day off alone to visit Mount Vernon
Reading the Washington Post at 5 a.m. each day in her favorite char
Joel Stein’s column in Newsweek
Her husband’s ability to put things into perspective
The importance of loving what you do!

Quotes from Pam:

“We went back to the restaurant. We were both so happy to get back in the restaurant and just kind of get our hands dirty. It was so much more fulfilling, so gratifying.”

“It is so important to empower your employees to make your customers happy. If they want to give away a burrito because they made a mistake, they don’t have to call me.

Sarah Shaw works with entrepreneurs to help get their products into the hands of celebrities, in the media, and out into the public.

Sarah is connected to Ever Better through a previous podcast guest, the amazing Connie Inukai, who is working with Sarah to market her Tip n’ Split, a device created for use in restaurants. Connie is a retired professor turned inventor who is thoroughly embracing her second act! Thanks to Sarah, the Tip n' Split is now owned by Madonna, Betty White, and Lynda Carter and will soon be featured in 2016 holiday gift guides.

Sarah began her career as a costume supervisor in Hollywood, before stepping out of her comfort zone and becoming a designer for the stars. She built a multi-million dollar business designing and selling handbags that have been owned by Liv Tyler, Julia Roberts, and Kristin Davis. But after the events of 9-11 she lost it all. Her investors pulled out and she lost the company, including the right to use her own name on future products. But Sarah never gave up. She says “When in doubt, take the next step.”

Sarah’s next step was to design and patent a closet organizer for handbags. Running the company out of her garage, she sold over $500,000 in the first two years. She then founded Sarah Shaw Consulting to work with entrepreneurs to help position and sell their products. Sarah and her team help with product development, store placements, public relations, celebrity endorsements, and building sales. She specializes in getting her client's products to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Betty White, Allison Janney, Lynda Carter, and Madonna.

Listen to the podcast to hear Sarah discuss:

Creating her first handbag and overcoming her fear of showing it in public
The events that transpired when Sarah carried her handbag for the first time
A chance encounter with a department store buyer, giving her the courage to continue on her journey of starting her own business
The friend who gave her the kick in pants that she needed to get started
Making handbags at her dining room table
Growing her company over that million dollar mark
Selling her products in over 1,200 boutiques and most department stores, including Saks, Neiman’s, and Barney's
The main reasons people are afraid to share their product ideas:
- Fear of someone stealing or copying the design
- Fear of rejection
Getting her bags into the hands of celebrities
Liv Tyler shown in Style Magazine and Kristin Davis in US Weekly with one of her handbags
Handbag placements in movies, Legally Blonde and America's Sweethearts and with Julia Roberts in Ocean's Eleven
Making a comeback after losing her company and the rights to her name
The support and encouragement she received from her father to continue with her career
Carrying on family tradition as a 4th generation entrepreneur
Her grandfather was a factor who lent money in exchange for a fee, a common practice in the fashion industry
Both her grandmothers working in the fashion industry with celebrity clients
Creating and patenting a closet organizer for handbags
Being encouraged to teach others to create and market products
Learning from other people all the time including coaches, mentors, assistants, web designers, graphics designer, everyone on your team
Working with inventor, Connie Inukai, the fourth Ever Better podcast guest. You can listen to her here!
Studying the marketing practices of large companies and emulating what they do well, in your own voice
Working with a diverse group of other clients, such as:
- Stiletto Coffee
- Afropolitian Boutique Store
- Cheeky n' Charming
- Vertere Skin Care
- Say Hello to the World
Launching an affiliate program to help market Sarah Shaw Consulting’s DIY programs

Quotes from Sarah:

“When in doubt, take the next step!”

“I want to teach my children that when you get money you need to spread it around, whether it’s donating a portion to a charity, or sharing it through a celebration.”

“When you don’t know how to do something, you can choose to stay stuck and stay where you are, or you can choose to take that next little step, even it that step is only a millimeter.”

“I’d love to encourage everyone that if they have a dream they should follow it.”

“Sometimes meeting somebody and asking how to get started, or how something works, or what the first step is, can really change your life and make it a life that you really love.”

Contact Sarah:
SarahShawConsulting.com

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Deborah Owens founded Corporate Alley Cat to provide a safe space where people of color can discuss and address challenging situations. It's a destination and a community that offers tools, strategies, and access to experts who offer individual coaching.

While working as a corporate manager, Deb found herself challenged by a boss who seemed to be discriminating against her. She wasn’t comfortable sharing the situation with her peers and wasn’t exactly sure what to do. She attempted to directly address it with her supervisor but got no response. After several months, she reported her dilemma to the president of the company and was able to finally get resolution.

Racism silences many. People fear the repercussions of speaking out in the work place. Deb chose not to be silent, she chose not to give into fear. Her motto, “Sometimes you got to get scrappy!” did not let her down. She used encounters with a boss who marginalized her as an opportunity to speak out, to change the culture in that company, and then go on to found an organization that invites others to do the same.

   In our discussion, Deb explains the steps she took to make a difference in her life and the lives of others. She says, “I think the world will be a better place when people are fulfilled, are able to give back, and able to be fully who they are.”

Listen to the podcast to hear Deb discuss:

Why she founded Corporate Alley Cat and the steps she took to get there
Challenges facing a person of color in the corporate world
The importance of sharing our stories
Playing the race card - it's not common...
Dealing with passive aggressive behavior and perceived racism
Documenting her experiences and why this is important when faced with a challenge
Refusing to speak out can mean that your career is "over in place"
Becoming a diversity inclusion advocate and working to change the attitudes in her company allowed her to be a productive and high performing
Knowing you don’t have to quit, you don’t have to be miserable, and you don’t have to compromise who you are
The steep learning curve involved in starting your own business
The thrill of waking up each day excited about her work and contributions
Working with Insight 180 to refine the Corporate Alley Cat brand and develop the website
Investing in the early stages of your business to work with the best people you can
Having a huge number of supporters - enough to fill the Verizon Center!
Sharing the wisdom you gain with others
Why sometimes it is not about fighting, it’s about honoring who you are, and holding yourself and others accountable
Why interviewees should ask how companies are achieving diversity and inclusion
How everyone can benefit from Corporate Alley Cat - you don't have to be a person of color!
Video workshops offering career advice. See video below!
Managing your career before, during, and after performance reviews
Bias, and how it can show up in the performance review process and how to address it
Deb's inspiring parents!

The pride of watching her parents continue to learn new things, be engaged with people and issues, travel, talk to people, and being committed to doing their very best work

Being taught at a very young age by her parents that one person can make a difference

Quotes from Deb:

“My vision is to change the corporate experiences for people of color, one person at a time.”

“I would not be one of those people who just quit and quietly go away. I just didn’t feel that it was right, for anybody.”

“When you use your voice and ask for what you want, and what you need, and what is right, oftentimes, you’ll get it.”

“I could fill the Verizon Center with the people who I rely on for support. I mean, I don’t do this alone.”

“Sometimes you got to get scrappy!”

“It might be a little uncomfortable but we’re all big kids here. We can handle it. But it’s got to change!”

“The reason that we are focusing on being proactive is because if you’re proactive then these situations don’t have to escalate.”

“I don’t want to be retired, because my role models aren’t retired. I want to be able to live my life in a way that allows me to make a positive change in this world.”

“There are going to be some rough patches but you’ll get through it. I think we will see that this world will be a better place when people are fulfilled, and are able to give back, and they’re able to be fully who they are.”

Learn More: CorporateAlleyCat.com

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

More information abot working with Lisa: www.EverBetterU.com

After breaking both her arms in a bicycling accident, Meg Daly was forced to explore Miami without a car - Something that Miami is not designed for!

One day, while walking in the shade under Metrorail, she envisioned a safe, beautiful space for walking, biking, and gathering. Her vision is being realized as The Underline, a 10 mile linear park, urban trail, and living art destination that will link to other trails in the Miami area.

Step-by-step Meg has assembled an army of almost 1,000 volunteers and has attracted government, foundation, and private partners. She now feels connected to her city and community in ways that she never thought possible, and is leading Miami to a better future!

Meg has lived in Miami for most of her life and has been married for 30 years to John, an entrepreneur, composer and former Olympic butterfly swimmer. They have two children who live in New York City. Meg leads The Underline project full-time (for free) and is exhilarated by the energy and expertise of her volunteers and the community members who are getting involved!

During our discussion, Meg shares ideas for getting an idea activated and explains how she got traction with the Underline. She also shares her thoughts on:

Living in Miami, which is the fourth most dangerous place to walk in the country
Building cities for people not cars and returning to mobility solutions other than cars
Creating spaces where people ‘collide’ and ideas are shared
Features that include benches, water fountains, garbage receptacles, native vegetation, nature play areas, dog parks, outdoor living rooms for congregating and conversations, picnic areas, scenic overlooks, art, birding areas and exercise zones
Shaping the Underline based on community input
Support from University of Miami, the County Parks Department, the Transit Department,Swire Properties, the Knight Foundation
Surrounding herself with experts in urban planning, landscape design, and interacting with the local political system
The Highline in New York City, the Atlanta BeltLine, and how they have positively changed their communities
The Public Space Challenge: How the Underline got it's start and other Miami projects can as well. Submit your idea to get started!
Gaining public awareness and adoption through Pokémon Go and monthly bike rides
The Under Lounge event that will feature the world's longest putting green, a two hundred foot chalk mandala, three bands, and a Marlin’s batting cage
Studying design of public spaces in Copenhagen thanks to the Knight Foundation
In-kind donations and pro bono services that are critical to success such as office space, legal, accounting, marketing and architecture
The commitment of board members,
Remarkable people Meg interacts with including her parents, husband and children
The Crowdsourceress, a book about crowd funding written by Alex Daly, Meg's daughter

Quotes from Meg

"Every idea is a good idea; it can get better, so be willing to shape it. Don’t be rigid, be flexible. Never lose your vision. Dream big, because people always try to chip away at your idea and make it smaller. Don’t get discouraged, but be realistic."

"Surround yourself with people who know more than you do and HAVE FUN! If you’re not having fun don’t do it."

“This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my life and I feel like everything I’ve done in my past has brought me to this moment.”

“I’m deeply entrenched and invested in the city now.”

“You’re pushing a rock uphill and you’re doing all the work. And then you get to a tipping point where you’ve got this momentum and then it goes over the top and the momentum comes in the shape of other people coming up with great ideas and other people bringing their expertise to the table. "

Learn More

Visit: TheUnderline.org

Twitter

Facebook

email Meg directly at info@theunderline.org

 Order Meg's favorite book, written by her daughter!

The Crowdsourceress, by Alex Daly

*Contact me*

I love to hear from listeners! You can reach me directly at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has represented Washington, D.C. for 25 years, but her responsibilities are different than those of other representatives.

Because Washington, D.C. is not a state, she doesn’t have a vote on the House floor. This would seem to make her job more challenging than it is for other representatives but she has risen above this limitation time and again, finding creative ways to demonstrate the importance of legislation that matters most to her district. She shares some of those stories in our discussion.

Congresswoman Norton was born and raised in D.C. during a time when schools and restaurants were segregated. She was one of the only African-American women at Antioch College, one of the only women at Yale law school, and she has fought for civil rights throughout her life. She is inspired by stories about her great-grandfather – a slave who escaped to D.C. and was able to thrive as the capital city grew. She is a loving mother and grandmother who describes herself as a “type A – oldest child."

Listen to the podcast to hear Congresswomen Norton discuss:

Why D.C. residents pay the highest Federal taxes per capita, but have no vote in the House or Senate
The complicated legislative process that must happen in order for D.C. to become a state and gain full representation in Congress. How the National Rifle Association (NRA) was able to stop that process in 2009.
The notion that the first born comes into the world and doesn’t have role models, so she strikes out on her own. (Hint: Eleanor was first born!)
Encouraging young women to look at others who have achieved great things such as Harriet Tubman. See the link to her biography below.
Eleanor's biography,“Fire in my Soul,” that tells the story of how her great-grandfather, Richard Holmes, escaped from slavery and thrived in Washington, D.C.
How Richard Holmes avoided being captured and how that taught Eleanor the value of thinking and planning ahead
Civil Rights progress and the work that remains
Legislation championed by the bipartisan
Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus
The Able Act which helps disabled people to engage in banking and saving, and helps move them toward independence
Founding the Caucus on Black Men and Boys with Representative Danny Davis and bringing Trayvon Martin's parents to the Hill to testify
The connection between the loss of stable manufacturing jobs and the breakdown of the family in African-American communities
The effect of 70% of children in African-American communities being raised by a single mother
Her thoughts on the first African-American President and the possibility of the first women President of the United States
Ways to effect change even when your political party is not in power
Cultivating a relationship, a friendship really, with the Republican Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, and how that kept D.C. open during government shutdowns
Revitalizing areas of D.C. in ways that don't displace residents
Getting in exercise during her busy day
The joys of spending time with her grandsons
Enjoying D.C.'s green spaces including Theodore Roosevelt Island, Rock Creek Park, The Mall, Dupont Park, and Kenilworth Park
Lunchtime Music on the Mall, an initiative to encourage Federal employees and others to use the Mall during the day

Quotes from Congresswomen Eleanor Homes Norton

“If you sit around thinking about how difficult something is instead of how to go about doing it, even if incrementally, you just won’t get there.”

“Read about the lives of people who accomplished great things under great duress.”

“You’ve got to understand the progress you’ve made, but any satisfaction with it is deadly, and will keep you from moving forward.”

Contact Lisa at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Sarah Bartosz shares a story of inspiration which is also a story of heartache and hope. In this episode, you'll hear how a non-profit organization, Gold In September, or G9, was founded by a family after losing their son, Jack, to pediatric cancer.

Sarah describes how they learned of Jack’s diagnosis, their struggle to find a cure, and his twin sister Annie’s drive to take action. Annie wondered, if the color pink helps to raise funds for breast cancer, what color symbolizes childhood cancer and what month is dedicated to raising awareness? The answers are Gold and September.

G9 is dedicated to increasing funding for childhood cancer research and initiatives by growing awareness that inspires action to help every child, everywhere. It's the manifestation of the house that Jack inspired, Annie envisioned, John designed, and Sarah is determined to build.

G9 Vision: Coloring the world gold, so every child, everywhere will survive cancer.

G9 Mission: Raise awareness and inspire action for childhood cancer initiatives.

Sarah and Annie are planting seeds of hope and encouraging us all to grow gold for childhood cancer! They are encouraged by recent progress to raise awareness. In fact, the Milwaukee Brewers will be wearing gold at their baseball game this Labor Day, and many schools are raising funds through “Penny Wars.”

Annie's philanthropy initiative was recently honored as she was named a "100 Everyday Amazing" individual by Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

Musician Josh Wilson has been a great supporter of Gold in September. He played at Jack’s end of life celebration and you’ll hear part of his song “Pushing Back the Dark” during our discussion. and the entire song at the very end. You can also check out his video at the bottom of this page.

Listen to the podcast to hear Sarah discuss:

Leaving no stone unturned to find Jack the best possible care
Neuroblastoma
Annie's idea to create Gold In September when she was 10 years old
How working for the American Cancer Society armed her with knowledge of treatments before Jack's diagnosis
Losing her husband, John, to the effects of his own cancer treatments
Growing gold for childhood cancer
Josh Wilson's music and how it inspired Jack
Professional athletes making a difference
Generational philanthropic opportunities
Advice for parents facing cancer or other illnesses

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

In 2015 Greta Schaaf graduated from a public high school in northern, VA. She had applied to, and been accepted at, University of Delaware but she didn’t feel quite ready to make that transition.

Taking a gap year wasn’t an option that was widely discussed at her high school but she followed a hunch that it might be a good path for her and attended a gap year fair. Representatives from various programs were discussing options involving travel and adventure and some very large price tags. Americorps didn’t have a table at the fair but someone there suggested that she look into it.

Greta did her research and learned that Americorps is a one year volunteer program that pays participants a stipend, a modest scholarship, and offers the opportunity to earn college credits. Greta applied for a program on the west coast, and after some frustrating bureaucratic delays that she describes in the podcast, was accepted.

Through AmeriCorps, Greta has been able to travel, see the world, and work with amazing from across our nation. The skills that she gained during that time are sure to serve her well as she now prepares to begin her college career.

Greta has a family connection to the Ever Better Podcast. Lise Metzger, Greta’s mother, was my guest on podcast episode 26, Grounded Photographer. Lise is a photographer and writer who documents the lives and work of women farmers on her blog, GroundedWomen.com. In our podcast discussion, Lise talked about her daughter’s gap year and the great experience she was having. That piqued my interest because my son is a high school senior, so I pay close attention when someone discusses the paths that students are taking after graduation. In fact, if you know of someone who is considering post-high school options, send them a link to this podcast so that they can learn from Greta's experience.

Listen to the podcast to hear Greta discuss:

Her decision to take a gap year and the leap of faith that guided her to Americorps

Diversity in Service Learning credits that she earned that will apply at U. Delaware

Accepting the program on short notice

Packing everything she would need for ten months into a green military bag, a couple of hours before catching her flight to California

How AmeriCorps is structured

Why the travel and the focus on the environment made the National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC) a good fit

Environmental stewardship projects including:

Removal of invasive species

Cleaning habitat areas

Learning about the drought in California

The San Jose “Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful” Project as well as her interaction with the “Downtown Streets Team,” which helps the homeless transition into housing and job

The way that AmeriCorps pays individuals for their project work

How her team pooled their money to shop for food

Learning about budgeting and food shopping

Why her dad says “You look so much older. You’ve gained so much experience. This year has been so good for you.”

Her mom’s initial concern that she would not want to go to school after this experience

Why some colleges are recommending a gap year

Long-term contacts and networks that Greta gained through AmeriCorps
Greta's plans to do another AmeriCorps program after college

Quotes from Greta:

“I am so glad I got into AmeriCorps!”

“I am ready for school now. I wasn’t really ready last year.”

If you have a question for Greta send it to Lisa@EverBetterU.com and I'll get it to her!

Contact Lisa:

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU

Greg Tehven is a co-founder of Emerging Prairie, an organization in Fargo, North Dakota created to celebrate and connect the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It's had quite an impact. In August 2016, Fargo was named the 7th best U.S. city for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine, and Emerging Prairie was cited as a factor.

A fifth generation North Dakotan, Greg's great-great grandfather was an early settler from Sweden. Greg grew up with the security of a large, close-knit family and neighbors who cared for each other, but longed to experience life in a larger city. He attended college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and then traveled the world, before coming home to rediscover the magic of Fargo.

Listen to the podcast to hear Greg discuss:

False humility - the ‘disease’ of his community
Emerging Prairie's evolution from blog producer to event creator
The popular, graffiti-decorated co-working space shown below
4 Principles of Emerging Prairie
- Educate our city
- Infuse the arts
- Build on our bright spots
- Be radically inclusive
Supporting creative products and services through financial means, not just exposure
Working with "The Misfits"
The impact of 1 Million Cups on the Fargo community
Other community-building projects that inspire Greg:
- The Dandelion Project from Marc Winn, featured on Ever Better Podcast 23
- NEWaukee in Milwaukee, WI
- Co.space in State College, PA
- Creativity Week in Brookings, S.D.
Removing barriers for entrepreneurs through Startup House
Taking the first steps to make a difference in your community
Celebrating the strange
Why drones have become such a large part of the N.D. economy
Attending the State of the Union and getting marriage advice from politicians
Midnight Brunch - an amazing Thursday night event in Fargo
Stacking events back-to-back to create a more immersive experience for attendees
The greatest challenges to our world
- Listening deficit - not enough people can share who they really are
- Productivity culture - we worry so much about growth that we don’t rest enough

Quotes from Greg

“My inheritance isn’t wealth or resources or an art collection, it’s this incredible tribe of people that have cared about each other for generations.”

“Entrepreneurs drive the economy but artists drive culture.”

“We don’t think about advertising, we think about creating a world class experience for the people in the room. We’re trying to delight our guests. We are trying to add so much value. We are trying to love them so much that they can’t help but want to come back, they can’t help but to tell their friends.”

“Let’s create a community we all want to live in. Let’s create the community we want to be part of.”

“I want to live in a city where anyone, of any background can participate.”

Contact Greg:

On Twitter @GregfromFargo

Emergingprairie.com

Contact Lisa:

Lisa@EverBetterU.com

@EverBetterU

Lori Hart has a highly sought after beauty business in Beverly Hills. She helps women and men transform from the inside out using natural makeup and non-invasive procedures. Through working with celebrities like Laura Dern, Timothy Dalton, Charlize Theron, and Donald Sutherland, she’s observed that those who radiate on the outside are the ones who have done work on the inside.

She works with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, yet her products and services are modestly priced because she believes that every person should be able to feel beautiful.

In this discussion, she shares beauty tips for people of all ages. And, she explains how her drive to bring out natural beauty stems from a time in her life when she was working for Playboy and succumbed to pressure to have liposuction. That decision created health issues that still linger over 30 years later.

Listen to the podcast to hear Lori discuss:

How women transformed while visiting her mother's beauty parlor
Donald Sutherland's reaction to Lori's salon
Beauty tips for people of all ages
Which celebrities radiate the most on the outside
“If something hurts, that is a warning sign, don’t do it!”
Botox, bangs, and sunblocks
Working with cancer patients and seeing the effects of radiation and dehydration on their skin
Using her Certified Dream Coach training to help people plan and achieve their dreams
Working with Playboy models including Pamela Anderson
Working with Eddie Murphy on rock videos
Her belief that a woman should not be reliant on a man for money
Makeup techniques informed from her training as an artist such as chiarscuro vs strobing
Being motivated by listening to John Assaraf and Tony Robbins who Lori describes as "heart-centered coaches"
Her 90 year-old client who can't see her own makeup but wants to present her best face to the world (and find a boyfriend!)
Why you shouldn't over-exfoliate or thin your skin
Be wary of procedures that involve numbing. If it hurts, be wary!
Tips for applying sunblock
Makeup is the largest revenue producing section in a department store. Be aware of makeup salespeople who know how to sell but don’t know about skin care.
Her motto: "If you look made up, we screwed up."
How surgery and Playboy helped fuel her passion for non-harmful beauty treatments
Jouve - Her favorite tightening and restoring serum. Call Lori to learn more!

Quotes from Lori:

"A woman will do anything if she doesn’t love herself, or feel good in her own skin, even hurt herself."

"Your skin is a carrier, not a barrier."

“If you want something done, ask a busy woman.”

"Don't get Botox. Grow your bangs!"

Favorite Quote:

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible."

Audrey Hepburn

You can contact Lori through her website lorihart.com or email her at lorihart@lorihart.com or call her directly at 310.600.2449

Learn more about Ever Better at EverBetterU.com.

Email Lisa at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

This week's Ever Better episode is a journal narrated by me, Lisa Conner Vogt. it highlights a common theme that I’ve observed with my guests, and brings you some of the best moments of recent episodes.

This episode celebrates my guests who draw on their highly unique experiences to craft businesses that help others, as only they can. And, when I talk about their experiences, I’m including how and where they grew up, their families, the schools they attended, the jobs they’ve held, where they’ve lived, and their spiritual traditions. They’re taking the accumulation of their life knowledge and using it to help others.

As I was thinking about the five guests that you’re about to hear from, I also considered how I’m building on my life experiences. And here’s what I came up with…

My professional career spans almost thirty years – Yikes! I’ve worked for corporations, non-profits, small companies, and had my own businesses. I’ve held positions in marketing, communications, strategy, system development, project management, and I’ve managed hundreds of people.

When it comes to producing a podcast, I’m drawing on everything I’ve done in my life to put it all together. It turns out that creating and sustaining a podcast is a fairly complex undertaking! It involves booking guests, interviewing, organizing, marketing, networking, audio production, and website development. But everything I’m doing is an extension of what I’ve done before. And as I coach, and speak to groups, I’m drawing on my own unique life journey, and sharing my business, academic, personal, and spiritual experiences. By building on my life experiences as a podcaster, I’m hopefully enriching others’ lives.

So, I have a challenge for you! As you listen to this episode, think about your life experiences and how you’re using those to enrich your families, your communities, your colleagues, people you volunteer with, and others you come into contact with. Is there more that you could be doing? Is there more that you could be giving? If love to hear your thoughts! Send me a note at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

And now, onto my guests... Today, you’ll hear from Jessie Mejia, Lise Metzger, Marcus Bullock, Erin Elizabeth Wells, and Dave Conley.

Jesse Mejia was my third podcast guest way back in December 2015. Jesse draws on his family, academic and business experiences as he mentors and coaches Latino students and professionals who are considering next steps in their careers.

South Central L.A. is where Jesse grew up with parents from El Salvador who don’t speak English. Many would consider him to have come from “disadvantaged circumstances.” But Jesse did well in school, earned a scholarship to Philips Exeter Academy and then went on to college and earned an MBA. He did very well in the corporate world rising to the position of Corporate Strategy Officer for VW. And then he left, to pursue his mission-driven focus. In this clip, Jesse explains how some of his childhood experiences prepared him for the leadership role that he plays today.

Lise Metzger, my guest on episode 26, uses her experiences as an editor, photographer, mother, and food educator to create the Grounded Women blog. She uses her writing, photography, and interviewing skills to learn and share stories of women farmers and to educate readers about the many benefits of knowing where your food comes from. She discusses how her Grounded Women blog got started in this clip.

Marcus Bullock, from episode 27, was convicted of carjacking at age 15 and spent the next 8 years of his life in jail. His family wholeheartedly supported him throughout that period of his life and made sure that they stayed in touch. As CEO of Flikshop, he’s drawing on his firsthand knowledge that staying connected to friends and family while incarcerated makes a significant difference while someone is in prison, and helps them to reconnect when they are released. Marcus explains the origins of Flikshop.

Erin Elizabeth Wells, from episode 28, is an intentionality expert and productivity specialist at Chosen Course. She has studied and been involved with world religions throughout her life. And now, she’s combining her spiritual nature, her writing skills, and her talent for organizing to help her clients take “inspired action” to set and achieve goals. She discusses the evolution of her business in this clip.

Dave Conley, my guest on episode 29, is an igniter! Through his company, Limitl.es, he helps people start new companies, new initiatives, and reach new levels in their personal lives. He draws on his business experience that includes helping to get 32 million people onto the Internet with AOL, the joy he felt mentoring entrepreneurs throughout his career, starting his own companies, and his experiences working for the federal government. But, as you’ll hear, Dave is still striving to learn and improve each day.

Learn more at EverBetterU.com.

You can reach Lisa at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Dave Conley is an integrated business coach who helps clients to ignite their ideas! This can involve starting a company, advancing an idea or pursuing a personal goal.

He’s been on an incredible entrepreneurial and personal journey and in this discussion shares ideas and lessons that he has put into practice and that you may want to try for yourself!

Dave lives a “flipped model,” first concentrating on living a mindful life, knowing that success in his business and personal life will follow.

After his wife passed way five years ago, Dave began to concentrate on getting healthy. He changed his diet and exercise habits and lost 150 pounds. He says that he’s half the man he used to be! Dave also became selective about how he spends his time and was determined to not be glued to the T.V.

Dave hopes that people won’t wait for a tragedy to occur before they begin to live with greater purpose.

Dave’s resume includes being one of AOL’s first project managers where he helped 32 million people get on the Internet. He also held an executive position with the Patent and Trademark Office, and he’s built his own start-ups and mentored dozens of entrepreneurs. And now, as a startup coach, he loves to help mission-driven entrepreneurs assess their ideas to determine if there is a market fit. Learn more about his services at Limitl.es.

Listen to the podcast to hear Dave discussing how he’s learned to blend work and personal time so that he can suck the marrow out of life!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

The importance of mindfulness practice
The Flipped Model=A Changed Focus
Do meaningful, magical work
Dave’s daily practices, which starts with a liter of water!
A co-working space: What it is and how it works
A pivotal moment: Losing his wife suddenly 5 years ago
Hitting the giant reset button
How Dave lost 150 lbs.!
Dave’s eating habits (NO white foods!)
How Dave started 7 companies in 2 years!
Working with mission-driven companies like Bezi.co
Product-market fit
Patent trolls
Dave's first job at AOL (“You’ve got mail!”)
How Camp Good Life Project changed everything
A favorite quote: From Alice in Wonderland—“If you don’t know where you’re going, then every path’s a way.”
Dave's father, who lived a life with no regrets

Resources:

Email Dave: dave@limitl.es (But, ironically, Dave HATES email! He would rather you call or text him at 703-999-8711.)

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Learn more at EverBetterU.com

My guest today is Erin Elizabeth Wells, an intentionality expert and productivity specialist. Though originally from Cincinnati, she fell in love with the New England coastline and settled in historical Salem, MA. Erin lives a short walk from the ocean there, along with her husband and cat. She is the author of Inspired Action: Create More Purpose, Productivity, and Peace in Your Life. Join me to learn more about Erin and her work! You won't want to miss a moment of this episode!

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Erin’s unusual journey through Yale, Harvard Divinity School, to modern pagan
Erin’s early passion for interfaith work
How her work as a grad student for the “classically overcommitted absent-minded professor” set her course
How being a professional organizer became her “ministry”
How she blends productivity and intentionality for her entrepreneur clients
Pagan philosophy and the spiritual connection to nature
How Erin shifted her original focus when writing her book—that took over five years!
The unusual structure and usability of Erin’s book
Four categories of people in relation to PURPOSE: Manifesters, Resistors, Doubters, and Drifters (Which one are YOU?)
The connection between purpose, happiness, and impact
Mindset—it REALLY matters!
Erin’s tools and techniques: Uninstall limiting beliefs, timeline re-imprinting, and empowering questions
Make a Lifestyle List (NOT a Bucket List)
How Erin makes travel a priority
A client success story who created memories with his teenagers
Erin’s morning/evening routine
A Master List of Tasks
Practical tips for making intentionality a pattern
How to create content for books or blog posts
Erin’s meditation practice and favorite meditation apps
Quantum Jumping—What is it?
Erin’s core values: service and joy
Erin’s favorite quotes: From Aristotle, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” From Rabindranath Tagore, “I slept and I dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and I dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and I saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

Resources:

www.chosencourse.com

www.chosencourse.com/everbetter (A gift for our listeners, Erin’s PDF about creating a Master List—check it out!)

Email me: lisa@everbetteru.com

Marcus Bullock is an entrepreneur with an extraordinary story. He’s the founder of Flikshop, what he calls the “coolest app in the app store.” Flikshop allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to take a picture and write a personal note that will be printed and delivered to any prison in the United States.

Marcus committed the crime of carjacking when he was 15 years old. He spent the next 8 years of his life in a maximum security prison with adults. Marcus says that getting a flik, or a picture, was like winning the lottery.

But Flikshop goes well beyond keeping spirits up. Marcus believes that prisoners who stay connected to friends and family assimilate more smoothly when they are released, making their chances of being arrested again less likely. And, with a prison population exceeding 2 million men and women, this app has the power to change the trajectory of millions of lives.

While he was incarcerated, Marcus educated himself and planned for a productive future, thanks to the persistence of his mother, his extended family, and friends. After his release, he started a construction company, and then Flikshop, and most recently, he and his colleagues established the Flikshop School of Business to help give men and women who are incarcerated a blueprint for success and role models.

In our discussion, Marcus explains what it was like to “grow up” in the prison system, his drive to further his education, his future plans for Flikshop, and, a story I love, how he met his wife!

Listen to the podcast to hear Marcus discuss:

Living at an adult, maximum security prison facility from age 15 to 23.
Being in denial for his first two years behind bars.
Educating himself in prison.
Lifelong friendships established in jail.
His mother's encouragement and her achievement of earning a PhD to become Dr. Bullock.
How Flikshop grew out of Marcus' desire to share his construction company's success with his friends who were still incarcerated.
Justice Policy Institute: using data to demonstrate why children are being locked inside prison with adults.
2.2 million women and men currently incarcerated in the U.S.
Launching a mobile app.
Flikshop School of Business that provides a path to success for inmates - introducing life skills, job readiness skills, and entrepreneurial skills.
Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop
Winning the Aspen Ideas Festival - barnstorm prison to spread the success stories of other former inmates - "A speakers bureau for prisons."
Three practices:
- Spiritual prayer warrior
- Making to-do lists
- Using the calendar on his phone
Bootstrapping the business and preparing to accept venture capital
Best friend Dwayne's book of poetry.
Being inspired by his 5-year old son, Marcus, Jr.
Meeting his wife, Andrea.

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Lise Metzger is an award-winning professional photographer known for her elegant photo shoots for advertising, magazines and corporate clients. In recent years, she’s expanded her portfolio into new dimensions through photographing and writing about women farmers.

On her blog, Grounded Women.com, Lise shares engaging profiles of women who have chosen farming as a way of life. Her compelling narrative and photos capture the daily joys and challenges of life on a farm. This project is a labor of love for Lise, and just one facet of her commitment to the sustainable food movement.

Listen to the podcast to hear Lise discuss:

Educating people about the benefits of eating "real food."
Grounded Women, Lise's multimedia website about women farmers.
Life as a professional photographer, teacher, and editor.
Transitioning from magazine editor to photographer through taking classes at the Corcoran.
Hosting a CSA (community supported agriculture) and what Lise does with her vegetables (including bartering for a website).
Master food volunteering at homeless shelters, food banks, farmers markets.
Her daughter's gap year in Americorps.
Finding her voice and writing rhythm.
Learning about farming through spending time on Shannon Varley's farm in Knoxville, MD.
The creative challenge of photographing farm animals vs. humans.
Why women farmers are drawn to their lifestyle.
Kelly Hensing's story of creating Hilltop Acres Farm in Dayton, MD. She became a farmer because she wanted her family to have raw milk; so she bought a cow, then three pigs, and ten sheep.
Nora Crist, of Clark's Elioak Farm, a seventh generation farmer, who controls her
rheumatoid arthritis through her diet.
Selling her farm prints.
Financing Grounded Women through donations and corporate sponsors.

Quotes from Lise:

"I'm on a mission to change the way people eat."

"The food we eat has a huge impact on how we feel."

"Women farmers compose one of the fastest growing demographics in the U.S."

"1 in 3 kids will develop type 2 diabetes."

"Half of the crop land in America is used to grow corn and soy."

"Only 2% of our farmland goes to growing fruits and vegetables."

"Get to know your farmers. Talk to the farmer and find out how the food is grown."

Learn more at http://www.everbetteru.com/podcasts

Contact Lisa: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

A Better World, One Story at a Time

A meaningful story has the power to change one person’s life. And, if stories can change lives, they can also move a community, and maybe even elevate a nation. On the most recent Ever Better podcasts, Marc Winn, Marsha Shandur, and Beckie Thompson shared their personal stories, and described how and why they are helping others to do the same. In this journal episode you’ll hear highlights from these three podcasts and afterwards, if you haven’t had a chance to listen to the full episodes, you might want to check them out.

In Episode 23, Marc Winn explained how change is happening in his country throughThe Dandelion Project.
In Episode 24, Beckie Thompson described how and why she is sharing stories to encourage girls and women to be anything they want through "I Don't Want to be a Princess."
In Episode 25, storytelling coach, Marsha Shandur, gave insights into coaching others to share their stories for greatest impact.

Marc Winn

Marc Winn is working to make Guernsey the best place to live on Earth by 2020. Guernsey is a small island-nation in the English Channel and Marc and many of his fellow citizens believe that it’s the perfect environment in which to release the potential of the community and thus, the country.

Marc formed “The Dandelion Project” so that ideas and connections shared through his events and programs would take root in unexpected places just as dandelions do.

Creating events where people come together to share their stories has allowed his community to be more compassionate, and to see new possibilities. Marc and his team organized TEDx and TEDx Youth events where Guernsey residents and change-makers from around the world came together to share ideas.

During these events people of all ages spoke of perseverance, the impact of kindness, mindfulness, and …how to make Guernsey the best place to live on earth by 2020.

One participant said: “TEDx StPeter Port will change the lives of many people in Guernsey, and also on this earth. “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

In this journal episode, Marc describes evidence of the changes in Guernsey and how change happens.

Beckie Thompson

Beckie Thompson created a company and community called “I Don’t Want to be a Princess.” Together with her daughter, Keira, she is sharing the stories of what girls and women have accomplished to encourage all girls and women to become anything they want to be.

In this journal episode, Beckie describes the importance of sharing impactful stories.

Marsha Shandur

Marsha Shandur, also known as YesYesMarsha, is a storytelling coach who discusses how and why she helps people to better communicate their stories. She’s helped corporate leaders show their human and likeable sides, startups get funding for their companies, and relationships progress.

Marsha helps clients to “excavate their memories” and asks “What did it look like and how did you feel?” She says, when you’re telling a story think about “making a movie inside someone else’s brain.” Next time you’re thinking about delivering a presentation – which to be more impactful should involve stories - consider Marsha’s techniques.

I’m honored to be sharing Marsha’s wisdom because I had the good fortune of taking part in Marsha’s storytelling workshop last year…and that was a catalyst for creating the Ever Better Podcast.

I love to hear from listeners! You can reach me directly at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Marsha Shandur (aka Yes Yes Marsha) has the gift of making people laugh while sharing really insightful lessons. Throughout our discussion, she offers amazing ideas for communicating effectively, practices for staying positive, and lessons from the near-death experience of her great aunt...all through stories.

Marsha is a professional storytelling coach and she attributes her storytelling talents to growing up in a large, close-knit Russian family that communicates through highly-detailed stories. She runs an event called True Stories Told Live Toronto, and works with corporations to help humanize leaders. And, she is the official storytelling coach for World Domination Summit (do-gooders descending on Portland).

Learn more about Marsha by checking out the web page she set up for Ever Better listeners at YesYesMarsha.com/EverBetter.

Listen to the podcast to hear Marsha discuss:

Why you should email 25 people and ask them to name your top qualities
How she became known as Yes Yes Marsha
Marie Folio's B-School
Tips to improve social skills
Teaching people to share their "why" through their personal stories
Transitioning from DJ to storytelling coach
Memory scavengering
True Stories Told Live Toronto
How our brains respond to stories when we're in the room with the storyteller
Volunteering at a day center for seniors with dementia
The benefits of spending time with seniors and children
Growing up in a multi-generational family
Denise B. Scott's work finding volunteer jobs for nursing home residents
Favorite quotes from her granny

"If they're that close, they're looking in your eyes"

"You should only get married if you absolutely cannot."

"We own our things; they don't own us."

Staying positive through: A gratitude practice; Prayer; Sending thank you cards
Storytelling tips: Include detail that helps someone to experience what you experienced. Don’t have too many extraneous characters.
The near-death experience of Marsha's great-aunt. All the times she wasn't nice to people flashed in front of her eyes.

Share your thoughts about the podcast! Contact Lisa directly at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Five years ago, Beckie Thompson and her husband visited Disney World with their five-year-old daughter Keira. Everywhere they went in the park, Keira was greeted and referred to as “Princess.” After hearing this one too many times, she exclaimed “Mommy, I don’t want to be a princess. I want to be a pilot.”

Over the next few years, Beckie gave a lot of thought to the wide-ranging implications of what Keira was expressing and began developing the idea of creating a business and movement.

Listen to the podcast to hear Beckie's story followed by a special interview with Keira!

Encouraging girls and women to be anything they want is at the heart of Beckie’s work. She asks: "Why don't we describe a girl based on her abilities and interests rather than as a fictional princess character? We don't do that with boys!"

“I wondered why somebody didn’t do anything and then I realized I am somebody." This is Beckie's favorite quote and it sums up why she created "I Don't Want to be a Princess."

Listen to this podcast to hear Beckie share:

Her story of founding the business and her future vision
Points to consider about how we describe girls vs. boys
Stories of women and girls who changed the world
How t-shirts can build confidence. Check out the t-shirts Beckie created so that girls and women can share their personalities and character.
Little known fact about Amelia Earhart - she had a fashion line!

Send Lisa your questions or comments at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a review on iTunes or Stitcher. This helps more people to find these inspiring stories.

Marc Winn is a catalyst for change who lives on the island of Guernsey, a country unto itself in the English Channel. Marc's goal is to make Guernsey the best place to live on Earth by 2020. This might sound like an audacious goal, and many probably told him he was crazy when he first said these words out loud, but their newly elected president of ran on the platform of making Guernsey the best place to live on Earth by 2026! Thus demonstrating the impact of his work as a change agent.

Marc works outside of organized government but has an on-going dialogue with elected officials about improving government and society. And he hopes that his experiments will have an impact in other countries.

Here are some of Marc's quotes from the podcast:

"The future of democracy doesn't look anything like it is right now."
"We're not creating a following, we're creating a collective leadership."
"There is a consciousness revolution happening in the world right now."
"Alternative education needs to become mainstream education."
"Never let how get in the way of starting a dream."
"Speak out loud what you want to do in the world. Someone out there will have a piece of the puzzle."

Under the umbrella of The Dandelion Project, Marc and other volunteers (Marc is not compensated for his work) create and produce events and learning opportunities. In the podcast we spend more time discussing how change is happening in Guernsey and throughout the world than we do on specific projects please visit MarcWinn.com to learn more.

Listen to the podcast to learn about:

Making revolutionary change happen within a single layer of government vs. the local, state and federal systems in the U.S.
Flow-based learning methods such as Montessori. Consider that the Google founders grew up in an environment that values play.
Evolving the school system to eliminate the link to the harvest and the industrial revolution.
Having children work on challenging world issues so that they can solve problems with fearlessness and curiosity.
Allowing children a safe space to fail.
The link between mental health issues and the decrease in free play.
Teaching children neuroscience to understand the role that marketing plays in business. Decision making in the brain.
Advances in telepathy; it will change the world!
Moving beyond scarcity thinking.
The Biocybernaut Institute and how you can change your brain waves.
Consciousness tech.
The impact of Singularity University.

Check out Marc's podcast, Coffee from the Edge. We discuss his episode with Erin Matlock, founder of Brain Summit.

Other social movements:

Jason Roberts, Build a Better Block
The Incredible Edible Movement
Making Fargo, N.D. the best city to live in the U.S.

Connect with Marc:

MarcWinn.com

The Dandelion Project

Facebook: #BelieveInGuernsey

Get in touch with Lisa through sending an email to Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

When I looked back at the podcasts I published over the past few weeks I realized that my guests were all focused on books – writing them, creating them, and sharing them with the public.

In Episode 20, my guest was Grace Freedson. She helps bring books to life about resilience, careers, business, and other non-fiction topics.
In Episode 21, I interviewed Kimberly Palmer, a journalist and author whose third book, Smart Mom, Rich Mom, has just been published.
In Episode 22, my guest was Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library System. Valerie has created a model for libraries where they are recognized as a key part of our public educational system.

It’s not a big surprise that I found these three women because I love to read. I always have.

While growing up I used to read at night after I was supposed to be in bed. I had a night light next to my bed that I would use to read surreptitiously. I would build a stand using hardcover books and set my book on it just under the light, and of course, I would pretend to be asleep if I heard my mom or dad in the hallway.

You might have guessed that I love going to libraries. When my son was younger I took him to the library frequently. If I visited the library when he wasn’t with me, I would check out a stack of books for him to browse through at home – and hopefully read. I wanted him to have constant exposure to children’s books that covered a variety of topics so I chose biographies, science topics, and adventure stories. And, I still visit the library a couple of times a week to check out printed books, audio books, or DVDs for myself.

All that reading and all those library visits have led me to these three incredible guests.

Kimberly Palmer

Kimberly Palmer created her newest book Smart Mom, Rich Mom, How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family through applying the techniques she has honed as a journalist for more than 15 years. She felt it was important to share lessons about financial management from mothers of all ages so she found and interviewed 50 moms. Other books focus on clipping coupons and giving up your daily latte, but she wanted to dig into stories of managing money from real people, which she explains in this journal episode.

I often wonder how an author comes up with their book ideas. Kimberly explained that her parents would often talk about their finances and her mother wrote a letter to her and her sisters sharing her hard-won financial lessons. And this was some of the inspiration for her book.

Grace Freedson

The process of writing a book takes devotion and personal motivation. Each author approaches their work in a different way. As a book agent, Grace Freedson, my guest on episode 20, has seen many different work styles and discusses the discipline needed to write a book and how some authors approach their work.

An author has sell their idea to Grace or any other agent by researching the market for the book and creating a detailed proposal. They should also build a following through social media, a blog, or some other means. Grace discusses the proposal elements in this episode.

Valerie Gross

Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library System, is pursuing a mission to offer education to all through wide-ranging programs that are created based on needs of the community. In this journal episode, Valerie describes the importance of the library system and the impact of library programs.

Contact me: I love to hear from listeners! You can reach me directly at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Valerie Gross, MM, MLS, JD, is President and CEO of an educational organization with a multi-million dollar budget, hundreds of employees, and seven locations - the Howard County, MD Library System. Her mission-driven approach is a model for similar organizations throughout the U.S. and internationally. She is an attorney who is a member of the California Bar, and she’s an accomplished vocalist. And, she and her husband are the proud parents of a professional tennis player.

At a time, when it’s not uncommon to hear that libraries have become irrelevant, Valerie and her team are serving the community in unexpected ways. And the results are clear. Visits to Howard County libraries are up from one to three million in the past decade, items borrowed have doubled to 7.3 million, and research assistants, and attendance at events has almost quadrupled to 306,000. Her staff are adaptable and pride themselves on offering excellent customer service and they study best practices from successful corporations.

Valerie is at the forefront of a movement to bring public libraries back into view as educational institutions alongside the community college and K-12 public schools. She and her team have created programs such as A+ Partners in Education, Choose Civility, Summer Reading, The Enchanted Garden, Teen Centers, live homework assistance, and even a STEM center where students do hands-on projects like building and launching a weather balloon. One library branch will even be loaning tools like ladders and hammers, and offering instruction on basic home improvement projects.

Listen to this podcast to hear Valerie discuss the evolution of her career, her favorite book series, personal practices, and how her library system gets ever better. We also discuss:

Three pillars of Libraries = Education
- Self-directed education
- Research assistance & instruction
- Instructive & enlightening experiences
Three branches of public education: library, community college, and K-12 public schools
The history of libraries; they were established in the U.S. before the public school system
Transitioning from working for a law firm to managing a public library system
Similarities between Berkley, CA and Howard County, MD
Cultural diversity in Howard County and especially Columbia, MD
HI! The Howard County Library logo
Balancing her love of music and art with her work
Programs such as:
- Choose Civility, an on-going movement led by the library involving numerous community partners with activities, forums, books, and car magnets encouraging considerate conduct based on the book by P.M. Forni.
- Choose Civility Hackathon
- Battle of the Books involving 5th graders from every Howard County elementary school
- Summer reading program
- What's in my artbox?
- The Enchanted Garden
Branch features like: Teen centers, STEM areas, a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) center
How musical training and performing prepares one for giving presentations

Contact Lisa at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Kimberly Palmer writes, speaks and teaches about making smart money and life choices.

She’s married and has two children, teaches a class on social media, has a full-time job as a writer/editor with AARP and has an Etsy shop. Her third book, "Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family" has just been released!

Kimberly takes a multi-generational approach to her work, honoring the wisdom of mothers of all ages. In this discussion she shares how a letter about money that her mother wrote to her when she was 21 inspired and informed her work. She also discusses:

Juggling family, a job, a writing career, an Etsy shop, and teaching social media classes,
Wisdom from her new book with advice for women at all stages of mothering,
Pitching and winning her first book deal,
Setting and tracking weekly, monthly, and yearly goals,
The many possibilities for new empty-nesters,
Giving an allowance,
Teaching children about money,
Reading The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf as a young teen, and
The value of visiting the library.

Feel free to send me a note! I love to connect with listeners! Lisa@EverBetterU.com

The Beauty Myth: How Images of Female Beauty Are Used Against Women

Grace Freedson is a leader in the book publishing world who represents authors as a literary agent and works with publishers to shape their offerings. She was Managing Editor and Director of Acquisitions for Barron’s. (The company that publishes SAT and AP prep books.) But she recognized that her future career prospects there were limited and crafted a plan to start her own company by the year 2000. And sure enough, her Y2K plan was fulfilled when she formed Grace Freedson’s Publishing Network.

In our discussion Grace shares her journey through the publishing and entrepreneurial world, and helps to demystify the publishing process. She explains the steps an aspiring author would follow to secure a book contract including writing a proposal and developing a following to market the book. Learn more about the authors that Grace represents through listening to Podcast 011 with Doug Hensch.

Listen to the podcast to hear Grace discuss:

Finding a job that suits your personal needs. Grace began her publishing career at a job close to home that allowed her to be home with her daughter in the afternoons.
The elements of a book proposal,
The importance of building a following before submitting a book proposal,
Practices for meeting deadlines,
Why she works with non-fiction books,
Bookstores, libraries, and the new places where books are being sold,
Maintaining a balanced life, and
Her involvement with the Women's Media Group.

Contact: Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Kristen Iuppenlatz Grech just celebrated the 10th anniversary of her pilates studio, Pilates Collective, in Sebastopol, CA. And, she recently launched PilatesHomePractice.com to share the power of Pilates and her motivating videos with people all over the world. Even if you don’t know what Pilates is, you’ll be inspired by Kristen's story of launching a fitness-based business venture after many years of working a tech job while also doing acting and voice over gigs.

In this discussion, Kristen shares how manically driving between jobs and auditions resulted in two car accidents. This led her to physical therapy and eventually to pilates. And over a period of time, she dedicated her life to helping others through Pilates.

Listen to the podcast to hear Kristen describe:

Transitioning from Pilates student to studio owner
How a blind date changed the course of her life
Simple exercises you can do while listening to the podcast
What Pilates is (Hint: it's more than just exercise!)
Getting creative juices flowing by jumping on a rebounder, mini-trampoline while listening to Polish Polka. See video below!
Playful pilates. See video below!
The importance of stretching throughout the day as animals and children do
Starting your day in a way that works for you

If you've experienced a life transition that you'd like to share, contact me at Lisa@EverBetterU.com

Learn more at http://www.EverBetterU.com

In this third journal episode, my four most recent guests discussed major goals that they achieved that in hindsight were stepping stones to something greater.

In Journal Episode 1, I shared ten practices from my first ten guests and you can read the transcript from that episode on my blog at EverBetterU.com/blog.

In Journal Episode 2, I discussed how every single guest has shaped their life by following their interests, and then taking that a step further by teaching what they’ve learned along the way. This continues to be true with my most recent guests Jason Wrobel, Anita Kulkarni, Sarah Mastriani-Levi, and Joleene Moody.

This episode highlights how my four most recent guests followed their interests and pursued very specific opportunities to explore and develop their skills. And each one of them discussed how those opportunities helped them get to where they are today. What caused them to pursue these stepping stone experiences? They each talked about an inner drive to explore these pursuits.

Jason Wrobel had a very, very specific goal of doing a vegan chef prime time cooking series. He created a vision board that he looked at every day. Because he was thinking about and working towards his larger goal, whenever a steppingstone opportunity came his way, he took it. And you guessed it, one day he got the opportunity to develop the show he had already created in his mind. This show introduced him to a wider audience, many of whom became his followers on YouTube. Today, he shares messages of nutrition, fitness, and other elements of healthy lifestyle with over 35,000 subscribers to his YouTube video blog. Ultimately, his large goal of having a prime time cooking show became a stepping stone to creating his book Eaternity, a cooking and lifestyle book. In this clip, Jason describes how he uses a vision board to move closer to his goals every single day.
Anita Kulkarni was in medical school and sought out a program where she learned to do microsurgery. This led to her desire to be a plastic surgeon and while doing a fellowship, she had an experience with a very grateful patient that put her on the path to where she is today. Helping breast cancer patients, including me.
Joleene Moody was working for a television station covering high-octane news stories. She enjoyed her work at first but was left with little time or energy to write. And she was felt driven to share the positive messages that were almost bursting out of her. After being hit in the head while covering a story at the courthouse, she decided to quit her job to make her way as a speaker and a writer. Today, she’s a full-time entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and playwright. Here’s Joleene describing her leap!
Sarah Mastriani-Levi is not an M.D. but she wanted to understand Chinese medicine and acupuncture. So she applied to, and was accepted at a program where she immersed herself in these practices. And, then she took her training a step further. She ventured up to the Mongolian border to work closely and learn from people who were doing more traditional healing. This knowledge allowed her to step up her practice as a holistic healer in Israel where she practiced for 12 years before returning to the U.S. Today, she’s a holistic health coach, chef, co-author of four best-selling books, and host of the Simple Change Podcast.

Listen to the full podcasts with these guests or learn more at EverBetterU.com.

Sarah Mastriani-Levi is a holistic health coach, leader of leaders, a chef specializing in plant-based cuisine, and founder of Mannafest Living. When someone is seeking a change in their life, they may not know what steps to take first, and Sarah helps guide them through these periods. Her work is rooted in appreciation of cultures developed while living in various parts of the U.S. as well as Israel and China.

Sarah is the proud mother of four talented children! She has also found time to co-author three international best-selling books and is contributing to a fourth. And, she is the host and producer of the Simple Change Podcast.

Sarah joined me on Ever Better for a discussion that included:

Raising children who can hang with jazz greats, and the inherent challenges
Moving to China to learn acupuncture and Chinese medicine
Practicing holistic medicine in Israel and the U.S.
Guiding clients through life transitions and tips for making changes
Practicing leadership
Learning to cook Moroccan food and plant-based cuisine
Weaning off addictions like cigarettes and switching from glucose to fructose
Producing her podcast, Simple Change, in which I was an honored guest. Listen here.

Request a free, downloadable copy of the Ever Better eBook: EverBetterU.com/book.

Dr. Anita Kulkarni is a plastic & reconstructive surgeon with a special interest in breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. Dr. Kulkarni holds a special place in my life because after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, she partnered with my breast surgeon, Dr. Pamela Wright, to perform my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

She joined me on Ever Better for a discussion that included:

Tips for someone who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Above all...don't panic!
Practices for quicker recovery and a healthier lifestyle
Why she chose to be a plastic surgeon and her first breast cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer center.
The rarity of female plastic surgeons.
Growing up as the child of immigrants who emphasized education and learning a profession.
Dr. Kulkarni's other specialty, "the mommy makeover."
Fitting workouts with her husband into her busy schedule.
Studying the Bhagavad Gita and mindfulness practices from the Hindu religion.

About Dr. Anita Kulkarni

Dr. Kulkarni grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago. She attended medical school at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. Her residency was at the University of Michigan, one of the oldest and most respected plastic surgery training programs in the country. There she received comprehensive training in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Kulkarni completed an additional year of advanced training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York where she developed expertise in breast cancer related techniques.

She is now with the Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington, in Bethesda, MD.

 ****Connect with Anita****

Plastic Surgery Institute of Washington

Twitter

Request a free, downloadable version of my eBook at http://www.EverBetterU.com/Book.

Joleene Moody is a conduit for change! From the moment you hear her voice you'll understand her power to help those who want to uncover and discover who and what they are truly meant to be and do. Joleene believes that talents aren’t meant to sit idle. They are the key to your absolute abundance. Always.

Joleene is a former television reporter and anchor turned keynote speaker, author and blogger. After getting punched in the head while covering a story, Joleene finally left a job she found dissatisfying to fulfill her dreams and earn the income she desired.

In this podcast we discuss:

Joleene's journey from anchor to speaker, author and blogger,
Realizing a job is not right (or healthy) after getting punched in the head while covering a story at the courthouse,
What it means to be an entrepreneur and blogger,
Having impact - learning that someone decided not to commit suicide after hearing her talk,
Coming back from burnout,
Practicing gratitude,
Cultivating multiple income streams,
Being grounded in grace,
Living in the now,
Never giving up, and
Writing and producing a play.

Learn more practices for continuous improvement!

EverBetterU.com/Book

If you enjoyed this podcast, help others find it by leaving a review on iTunes.

Jason Andrew Wrobel is the author of Eaternity, available in stores on April 5. At first glance, Eaternity appears to be a vegan cookbook, but it’s so much more! It’s a holistic lifestyle book with themes and lessons from Jason's life journey. His experiences and passions shine through in this book including:

Graduating from the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute,
Being Head Raw Food Chef at Café La Vie in Santa Cruz, CA and chef to many celebrities including Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, and Russell Simmons,
Launching the first longevity cooking show, How to Live to 100, and
Speaking and presenting raw vegan food at dozens of conferences.

Listen to this podcast to hear Jason discuss:

Achieving his dream of writing and publishing Eaternity,
The impact of his grandfather's cancer,
Experimenting with plant-based foods and becoming vegan,
Identifying and treating clinical depression,
Leading by example and influencing others to adopt a healthier practices,
Living in alignment with values,
His mother's influence on his work and his idea for an Iron Chef series: Mom vs Professional Chef showdown!
Being a decade ahead of pop culture,
Developing a children's show inspired by Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and The Wuzzles,
Three tips for longevity,
Being part of the "Conscious Community,"
Visualizing success using a vision board and manifestation list, and
The stories behind some of his tattoos!

*Persistence quote*

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

President Calvin Coolidge

Learn more practices for continuous improvement! For my listeners, I created a downloadable version of my eBook.

Request a copy at EverBetterU.com/book

This Ever Better episode isn’t my typical podcast where I share an in-depth discussion with one amazing guest. It’s a short journal episode where I share two practices common to every guest I've had on the show: Follow your interests and teach what you've learned. In their own voices, Jeff Davidoff, Tasia Valenza, Doug Hensch and Jessie Marshall describe how they apply these practices.

As you might suspect, I relate to these practices because I’m following my interest in podcasting – evident in my weekly episodes. On the teaching side…I’ve been asked to share my knowledge and lessons learned with other podcasters and appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to help - as others helped me.

This is the second in a series of journal episodes where I share practices that my guests have in common. The first journal episode is Ten Practices From the First Ten Episodes.

Ever Better Guest: Jeff Davidoff

From his first job out of college, Jeff was drawn to marketing. He earned an MBA and then went on to found Upshot, a marketing and advertising agency, and to be the Chief Marketing Officer of Whirlpool, Orbitz, the ONE Campaign, and now Donuts, Inc.

Jeff teaches what he’s learned through creating marketing departments and even an agency that approach things differently. In doing so, he’s teaching those who work with him and those who are influenced by his work how to represent and position products, but more important, how to make a difference in the world. Jeff says he’s more interested in “writing the book” than “reading the book.”

Listen to the full podcast with Jeff Davidoff.

*Ever Better Guest: Tasia Valenza*

Tasia Valenza had a very successful acting career that started when she was discovered by Louis Malle and cast with Sean Penn and Donald Sutherland in her very first film. She went on to star in All My Children and numerous other television shows - and then she discovered voice overs. She found that work interesting, rewarding, and healthier! By following what interested her, Tasia became one of the most successful voice over artists in the country.

Tasia donates her talents to help non-profits communicate their mission, donates her voice through Vocal ID, and teaches others through her program, Giving Great Voice.

Listen to the full podcast with Tasia Valenza.

*Ever Better Guest: Doug Hensch*

Doug Hensch was working for Nextel on eCommerce projects when he realized his interest in positive psychology and helping others improve. He followed another practice of discussing his ideas and interests and landed a job that was a critical stepping stone to where he is today – a public speaker, author, and executive coach.

When it comes to sharing what he’s learned with others, Doug’s got that covered on several fronts. I asked Doug what aspect of his work he most enjoyed and he described using his knowledge and skills to help others improve their lives.

Listen to the full podcast with Doug Hensch.

*Ever Better Guest: Jessie Marshall*

Jessie was pursuing a career in fitness but she hadn’t planned on becoming a Pilates instructor until one day she discovered a room full of intriguing equipment. She followed that interest and is now a Mind/Body Fitness Director.

Jessie continues to develop her understanding of Pilates, yoga, and recently added barre classes to her repertoire. At this time next year, she’ll probably have added another class to her list.

As my instructor, Jessie has helped me to improve my strength and flexibility and has helped hundreds of others as well including one client with Parkinson's who proudly shared that after he was once again able to mow the lawn.

Listen to the full podcast with Jessie Marshall.

I hope as you listen to Jeff, Tasia, Doug and Jessie that you consider what interests you and how to fit more of it into your life. Give it some thought over the next couple of weeks. You just might end up writing a book, teaching a class, coaching, starting a company or creating a podcast!

Learn more practices for continuous improvement! For my listeners, I created a downloadable version of my eBook, only available on Amazon until now. Request a copy and I’ll send you the book in a format you can print or read online.

http://www.EverBetterU.com/Book

Tasia Valenza describes herself as a recovering actress and fully-functioning voice over artist.

If you watch the Hallmark Channel, you’ll know Tasia from her heartfelt introductions to the Good Witch television show. And if you watch Disney’s animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, you’ll know her as the wise Jedi, Shaak Ti. If you’re a gamer, you’ll recognize her as the voice of Poison Ivy in the Batman: Arkham games. And if you watched All My Children in the 80's, you’ll know her as the Emmy-nominated actress who played beautiful and manipulative, Dottie Thornton.

Tasia also uses her many talents to help others. A child growing up in an SOS Children’s Villagewouldn’t recognize Tasia’s voice. But he or she would understand the safety and security of home that Tasia helps to provide. And Tasia has literally donated her voice to those who cannot speak, through Vocal ID.

Through her passion project, Giving Great Voice, Tasia helps others share their voice with confidence.

We discuss:

Tasia's professional journey from Louis Malle's film, Crackers, with Sean Penn and Donald Sutherland, to a multi-year role as Dottie Thornton on All My Children, to 80's "bad hair" TV, to voice overs.
Tasia's favorite voice over characters
Staying positive, grateful and inspired
Recording in "the closet" (see video below)
Involving children in philanthropy and random acts of kindness (RAKs)
SOS Children's Villages and Tasia's Big Give project to sponsor 100 children
Giving Great Voice: Helping people to use their voices to their greatest advantage through conscious breathing, control and understanding the impact of vocal choices.
Donating your voice through Vocal ID
Guided meditations: Take Ten with Tasia

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book

Jessie Marshall teaches pilates mat, pilates reformer, yoga, barre classes, is a personal trainer and the Mind/Body Director at Bethesda Sport & Health.

Jessie began her fitness journey in college when she felt empowered to take ownership of her health for the first time in her life. She majored in Health Promotion and Women’s studies with a plan to work for a non-profit focused on women’s health advocacy. But as she spent more time at the gym and began working with clients, she found that she loved helping people as a personal trainer. Once she discovered Pilates her mind/body career began to blossom and she soon had a successful career.

I take a Pilates Reformer class with Jessie so I blame her for my sore muscles every Tuesday and credit her for my improved strength, posture, and flexibility.

We discuss:

Discovering the importance of fitness
Joseph Pilates and the history of "his" exercises
Pilates equipment
Mind/body disciplines including yoga and barre
Applying Pilates principles while sitting and walking
Meditating
Making soap
The gracefulness of cats

Thanks for listening!

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book.

Jeff Davidoff has had a highly successful marketing career for an interesting collection of well-known companies: Whirpool, Orbitz, The ONE Campaign, Citibank, and Upshot. Jeff’s current role is Chief Marketing Officer of Donuts Inc., a wholesaler of not-com domains - which Jeff explains during the podcast.

Jeff believes that you are either part of the solution or part of the problem. He shares his passion for finding and bringing big ideas to life, how and why he transitioned from one impressive organization to another and his practices for getting Ever Better!

We discuss:

Founding and growing an agency to 200 people,
Being interviewed by Bono to be Chief Marketing Officer of the One Campaign,
The art and science of integrated marketing,
Learning about Absolut by being immersed in the product environment,
Creating the most successful ad in Whirpool history without showing a Whirlpool product,
Being open to ideas
Creating game-changing, empowering campaigns (See Cocoa na Chocolate and Famine is the F Word below)
Recognizing success

Thanks for listening!

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book.

This is an Ever Better milestone podcast that celebrates the first ten episodes!

I'm introducing a new "journal" format with this episode where I reflect on and share ten practices from my guests on getting ever better. I discuss their practices, how I apply those same practices, and a short clip from one show.

Here’s what sparked the idea for this format…

I unearthed a 5-year journal that I bought for myself in January 2015 – over a year ago.

The idea behind this journal is that every day of the year, over a 5 year period, I would write a short answer to the same prompt. For example, the question for January 24 is “If you were going to start your own company, what would it be?” The prompt for January 6 is “Today was tough because _______.”

Through using this journal I would build up an incredible record of my activities, perspectives, goals, and thoughts. I thought that this was a fantastic idea! I bought the journal with a commitment to writing in it every day for the next five years. Unfortunately, I only wrote eight entries in 2015. All but one were in January.

Those few entries from last year were fascinating. In one of them, I promised to share a positive and optimistic attitude to help others. I also wrote about completing my eBook, Ever Better, my website, and creating a line of clothing for women to wear as they recover from a mastectomy.

One year later, although I didn’t record my progress in the journal, I have come so much further than I anticipated. My family is well, my eBook is published, and I decided not to put my energy into creating a line of clothing…at least not yet. But I did create this podcast to share discussions about continuous improvement with people who are living inspiring, joyful, and daring lives.

It turns out that I am sharing a positive and optimistic attitude and I’m not doing it alone! Every week a guest has been joining me and together, we have been able to share so much more than I could on my own.

If I had faithfully written in my journal I could have followed my daily progress and I would be able to read what Lisa from ten months ago or even six months ago was thinking about. So I’m going to make another attempt at writing in my 5-year journal. And starting with this episode I'll create Ever Better Podcast Journals where I discuss practices and lessons my guests have shared.

I’m starting this week by sharing ten practices for getting ever better from the first ten episodes.

And then I’ll work podcast journals into my regular schedule. I will produce several discussions with a guest and then create a “Journal” episode where I reflect on lessons from my guests and what I’ve learned in my own life.

Before I dive into the ten practices I want to thank my guests who shared their life journeys and insights with us. My gratitude goes out to:

Deb Williams, Nathalie Nozile, Jesse Mejia, Connie Inukai, Anne Meador, Dan Horowitz, Gregory Berg, Laura Zam, Mark Neidig, and Cheryl Wood.

Most of these men and women have never met. They live throughout the U.S., from California to Virginia, they have diverse backgrounds yet they have great similarities in approach to their lives, careers, and their relationships. They have made amazing leaps in their personal and professional lives. And continuing to get ever better runs through everything they do.

So without further ado, here are ten practices for getting ever better from my first ten guests.

Practice 1: DON’T GIVE UP

Never give up on something that you believe in and is important to you. Keep working, thinking, and talking about what you’re trying to do, and eventually things will come together. Your outcome may not be what you expected or what you most hoped for, but giving up will shortchange your experience and your potential outcome. It’s okay to make a decision to pivot and take a different direction or to walk away from a no-win situation; but to completely abandon a dream, a goal, or a business because it’s gotten too hard, will result in future regret.

Deborah Williams, my first podcast guest, discussed challenges that she overcame by never giving up and taking them on one day at a time.

Her real estate investments had become a significant financial drain, she was facing a divorce, and suffering from clinical depression. Listen to Deb's podcast episode to hear her describe her experience, how and why she never gave up.

Practice 2: LIVE AND WORK WITH A MISSION

I feel most fulfilled and happiest when I’m working with a purpose. I’ve mentioned SOS Children’s Villages on several podcasts. It’s an international non-profit that I worked for that provides long-term homes to orphaned, abandoned, and foster children around the world - and I loved helping to make a difference. In fact, my co-worker used to joke with me about me about how I smiled while sitting alone in my office working.

Through this job I met Nathalie Nozile, my guest on episode 002. Nathalie grew up in an SOS Children’s Village in Haiti. She is now an attorney practicing in Florida helping children and families in need. And as the Jolie-Pitt Legal Fellow in Haiti she helped to create adoption laws that are now protecting vulnerable children.

Listen to Nathalie's podcast episode to hear about her mission of helping children and families in need.

Practice 3: HONE YOUR CRAFT

Jesse Mejia, my third guest, talked about the importance of improving through practice. He first joined Toastmasters in 2008 to develop his public speaking skills and through delivering and refining his talk over several years, he became a Toastmasters District Champion. He is now a professional speaker who delivers keynote presentations.

Listen to Jesse's podcast episode to hear about his journey to become an award-winning public speaker.

Practice 4: DON’T STOP AT ONE CAREER

Most of my guests have had more than one career. It’s not that they whimsically decided to start over. They worked hard and in most cases found great success and satisfaction from a first career, and through following their interests and their aptitudes, they landed in a second, third, or fourth career.

Connie Inukai, my guest on episode 004 recently retired from teaching at the college level and reinvented herself as…an inventor! As she told her story it was clear that she always fostered her children's entrepreneurial interests and had created a network of people who could help her to pursue her own ideas.

Listen to Connie explain how she brought the Tip n’ Split to market in her second career.

Practice 5: BUILD COMMUNITY

Gathering like-minded people together in-person, virtually, via Skype or some other means can lift up everyone involved. Community members can lean on each other when they need a boost, wisdom, or to share great news! I’m involved with my neighborhood community and have long been a vice president of my neighborhood association because I believe it’s important to help build community where I live, work, and play.

As a side note, the movie Terminal, with Tom Hanks, is an entertaining example of how it’s possible to build community under any circumstances.

Anne Meador, my guest on episode 005, created the Working Women Entrepreneur Podcast as a first step in developing a community of women entrepreneurs, many of whom are also working full-time jobs. She just took the second step of creating the Working Women Entrepreneur Mastermind Community that will enable these same women to get to know each other beyond their podcast interviews.

Listen to Anne discuss why she is creating a community for women entrepreneurs.

Practice 6: FOLLOW YOUR INTERESTS

I create Ever Better Podcasts because I’ve been an avid podcast listener for many years and was looking for a way to share positive, inspiring messages. After meeting several podcasters at Camp Good Life Project and learning more about what happens behind the scenes, I recognized that the vehicle I’d been looking for was already very present in my life. So, I followed my interests and the Ever Better Podcast was born!

Dan Horowitz, my guest on episode 6, followed his interest in meteorology and it led him to a rewarding career in all things digital. Listen to Dan's story.

Practice 7: CREATE AND SHARE

Practice 7 is to make something of your own, with your voice and your message that reflects your values. And then to share what you’ve created. This allows you to touch others’ lives and to contribute your point of view.

That’s what I’ve done with this podcast and it’s one of the topics I discussed with Gregory Berg, my guest on Episode 007. Greg is a multi-media storyteller and he produces the Life on Purpose Podcast. During his shows he frequently talks about valuing the freedom to produce content that is important to him. He and his guests are passionate about living life more mindfully and this shines through in his show.

Listen to Greg discuss the freedom we now have to create and share.

Practice 8: RITUALS

Practice 8 is incorporating rituals into your life. My guest from episode 008, Laura Zam, uses the concept of canonical hours to organize her day so that rather than having a daily routine, she follows an established schedule but incorporates spirituality and mindfulness into even her most mundane activities.

I’m not sure if my routines could be called rituals but it’s something I’ll be more aware of in the future. Here’s what Laura had to say.

Practice 9: SAY HELLO

Mark Neidig, my guest in episode 009, has lived in The Gambia and throughout the US and builds a community around himself everywhere he goes. He starts by saying hello. He now lives in Orlando, FL and recently sang in a backup chorus for Barry Manilow – for the second time. Is he a professional singer? No. But he enjoys performing and he’s great at meeting people!

On the podcast he told the story of how he solved a problem with his television by putting up a sign in his new condo, introducing himself and asking for help. With minutes, someone knocked on his door and offered to help. This person then invited Mark and his wife, Deb, to a party where they were surrounded by people who are very involved with the arts in Orlando. Within a few months Mark had joined a choir, the Board of Orlando Arts, and because that group is known and trusted by Barry Manilow, Mark and his wife were invited on-stage to be a part of the show. And, a similar scenario played out for Mark a few years earlier when he moved to Washington, D.C. And it was there that he first sang backup for Barry Manilow.

Like Mark, I also speak to people wherever I go. At Starbucks, on the metro, in the elevator, and at conferences. Because I project a friendly attitude, people often say hello to me first. In fact, I met one of my best friends, Elise, while riding the metro in Washington, DC.

Here’s Mark explaining his practice of saying hello.

Practice 10: TALK TO YOURSELF!

Practice ten is TALK TO YOURSELF! As I interviewed my guests, all of whom I perceive to be self-confident and successful, I found that they work at projecting confidence. A common practice is using affirmations or self-talk. Cheryl Wood, my guest on episode 010, talks to herself to get pumped up before delivering a keynote speech and even founded a highly successful conference as an outcome of talking to herself.

She has a practice of saying “OK Cheryl, play time is over, let’s get to work! And that habit led her to create the highly successful Play Time is Over Women in Business Conference.

Here’s Cheryl describing how she cheers herself on!

After speaking with Cheryl, I realized that I do something similar. I subscribe to Seth Godin’s inspiring daily blog posts and often read them out loud to motivate myself. Here’s one of my favorites:

The only way to become the writer who has written a book is to write one.

The only way to become the runner who has just finished a run is to go running.

You might dread the writing or the running or the leading, but it's the key step on the road to becoming.

If it's easier, remind yourself what you're about to be.

Seth Godin

What are you going to say to yourself today and what will you do for the rest of this day, or tomorrow, or next week? Whatever it is, make sure it will take you at least one step closer to being what you want to be.

Keep getting ever better and I’ll talk to you soon!

Lisa

P.S. For a limited time, I'm giving away a copy of my eBook, Ever Better, Five Resources for Continuous Improvement in a format you can print or read online. Sign-up here.

Penguin Random House Q&a A Day: 5-year Journal

Throughout his life, Doug Hensch has helped people to be more resilient, happier, and to achieve greater levels of success. His journey began with coaching football at University of Chicago, progressed to organizational development for telecom companies like Sprint Nextel, and evolved to creating online resources for increasing happiness. He was co-founder of Happier.com, a web site that launched in 2008 that helped thousands increase their happiness and resilience. And now, he’s an executive coach and writing a book on resilience, due to be published in early 2017.

We discuss:

Career stepping stones including coaching youth baseball
Achieving success by following what interests you rather than pursuing the expected career path. In Doug's case this meant pursuing a job applying positive psychology rather than website product development.
Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude
Benefits of talking to people wherever you are - at Starbucks, a taxi cab, an airplane...
Making a role your own
Meditating
The evolution of Doug's book deal
Resilience practices
Perceptions of luck
Three addictions in life (as defined by Peter Worrell): 1) Carbohydrates
2) Heroin
3) A Paycheck

Doug's Recommended Resources

Books

Love 2.0, by Barbara Frederickson, Ph.D.

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin Seligman

Made to Stick, Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

The Upside of Your Dark Side, by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener

Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age, by Sherry Turkle

Free Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children, by Lenore Skenazy

Connect With Doug

DRH Group

LinkedIn

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

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Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Free-Range Kids, Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry

Learned Optimism

Love 2.0: How Our Supreme Emotion Affects Everything We Feel, Think, Do, and Become

The Upside of Your Dark Side: Why Being Your Whole Self--Not Just Your "Good" Self--Drives Success and Fulfillment

Cheryl Wood is a corporate keynote speaker, leadership coach, author and creator of the Play Time is Over Women In Business Conference.

Seven years ago, Cheryl took her first entrepreneurial steps. She was working long hours as a legal secretary and felt disconnected from her husband, children and community. And she was determined to change her life.

Cheryl began by putting positive, inspiring messages into the world through t-shirts celebrating women and moms. 18 months later she was asked to speak at a conference. and found her true calling as a speaker and coach. Cheryl is now a sought after motivational speaker and full-time entrepreneur helping women to become beacons of inspiration for each other through boldly sharing their stories and their truth.

We discuss:

The importance of "staying on the grind" and bringing your "A-game" to every situation
Cheering yourself on through positive affirmations
Battling self doubt and walking through fear
Increasing your reach through developing skills, expertise and your network
Connecting and empowering women through the Play Time Is Over Conference
Being guided and strengthened by God
Raising children as entrepreneurs
Getting started before things are perfect

Cheryl's favorite quote:

"Find the thing you love doing, and do it so well, that people can't take their eyes off of you."

Maya Angelou

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

Mark Neidig builds community everywhere he goes! He's an energetic cancer research advocate, fundraiser, performer, and motivator. Mark shares "what makes him tick" along with the life journey that has taken him and his family from Plymouth, Indiana to The Gambia, to Washington, D.C., to Erie, Pennsylvania, and now to Orlando, Florida.

We discuss:

Making decisions through following your heart
Leaving Indiana to work at a medical facility in The Gambia
Living an "It Takes A Village" philosophy
Connecting donors with causes they are passionate about
Being guided by his Christian faith
The state of cancer treatments and cancer research including his work at Kanzius Foundation (see video below)
Finding joy through helping others

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

Laura Zam is a writer, performer and speaker who shares lessons of gaining confidence. Laura describes what she learned from her larger-than-life mother who was a Holocaust survivor as well as her lifelong journey to heal from sexual assault. Laura's work helps others understand that confidence often follows courage.

We discuss:

Playing up to 28 characters in her one-woman shows
Her healing journey from sexual assault
Lessons from Laura's mother, a Holocaust survivor
The power of asking "how can I?"
Teaching women that confidence often follows courage
Organizing the day based on canonical hours
Rituals vs. routines

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

As a multi-media storyteller, Greg uses his many talents as a photographer, musician, designer, writer, and videographer to create powerful narratives for his clients. Greg's broadcasting career includes his current podcast, Life On Purpose, his former podcast, Radio Enso, and a stint as a D.J. known as "Iceberg." Greg and his wife, Ellen, live in San Diego.

Greg shares how World Domination Summit and Camp Good Life Project inspired him to help others live a remarkable life in a conventional world. You'll be inspired by Greg's journey to live his life on purpose!

We discuss:

Making a difference through multi-media storytelling,
The history of podcasting,
Finding a community of like-minded non-conformists at World Domination Summit and Camp Good Life Project,
Growing up with a multipotentialite grandfather,
Moving from understudy to a starring role...multiple times,
Producing discussions about living life on purpose including:
- Robert Moss - Bringing More Magic and Play to Everyday Life
- Tess Vigeland on Leap: Leaving a Leap With No Plan B
- Kristopher Carter, This Epic Life
- Brene Brown, On Vulnerability, Courage and Shame

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

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Dan Horowitz is a connector! He routinely brings people together while continuing to build his network. And, as LinkedIn’s Director for Advocacy and Campaigns, he builds teams that can make a difference on specific issues. And this role follows an almost 20 year career at FleishmanHillard where his team provided integrated marketing communications solutions to non-profits, government. entities and corporations.

In addition to his day job, Dan and his wife are devoted parents to a son who is on the autism spectrum. He loves to discuss meteorology and politics making the DC-area the perfect place for him to live and work.

We discuss:

Coffee-shop networking
Encouraging people in all stages of their career
How an interest in the weather led to a career in digital
The LinkedIn job that resulted from Dan's own networking
Dan's summer sabbatical and the books that he found most impactful (list below)
Educating Jewish students with special needs
The power of neurodiversity

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.everbetteru.com/ or send an email to Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Anne Meador wanted to learn from entrepreneurs so she created the Working Women Entrepreneur podcast! Almost one year later, it's a highly-rated show featuring insights from dozens of women.

Anne's podcast is a valuable resource to women who juggle numerous responsibilities, including their own businesses. Now, she's developing a virtual community for women entrepreneurs.

Anne lives in Florida with her husband and two children and has been an inspiration to me in creating the Ever Better podcast.

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Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.everbetteru.com/ or send an email to Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Connie Inukai had a BIG 2015!

She’s an inventor who recently launched her first product on QVC called the Tip n' Split. At about the same time, she retired from her teaching job at University of MD and her fifth grandchild was born. She won the Washington, D.C. version of Shark Tank and is a finalist for Shark Tank and is hoping to make an appearance in the near future. She won the gold medal at INPEX Invention Show and was awarded second place at InnovateHer, a showcase for inventions that benefit women. Listen to this interview to learn how Connie created the second career that she had been thinking about as she raised her children and worked as a college professor.

 The Tip n' Split is the size of a small calculator. It features a magnifying glass, a light so that you can see your menu in a dark restaurant, and it calculates a tip and splits the bill which is handy for when you go out to eat with groups.   Connie created the second career that she had been thinking about as she raised her children and worked as a college professor. Connie's working on other inventions and we will check in with her again to see what she's accomplished.

If you liked the movie Joy, about inventor Joy Mangano, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, you'll enjoy this interview with Connie!

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Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.everbetteru.com/ or send an email to Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Jesse Mejia was born in South Central LA to parents who had recently immigrated to the US from El Salvador. As he attended a public elementary and middle school his potential was recognized by a school counselor. She encouraged him to apply to prep schools way outside of his neighborhood. He took her advice and was admitted to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire – a whole new world to Jesse.

Syracuse University was his next academic stop where he earned a degree in Communications. He then worked for Dun & Bradstreet for several years before earning his MBA at Georgetown. In the ten years that followed, he worked for General Motors and Volkswagen Group of America rising to the position of Corporate Strategy Officer for VW Credit, Inc. But Jesse’s heart wasn’t in it. He wanted to pursue a full-time occupation that aligned his personal background, his educational experiences, and his calling to help other Latinos achieve some of the same success that he had.

Jesse left VW to run two companies focused on helping students and fraternal organizations break through cultural issues to achieve success. His companies are MBA Catalyst and Collegiate Catalyst. Jesse enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and daughter. He’s also an author, a sought after motivational speaker, and a member of the National Speaker’s Association.

Learn more at EverBetterU.com or contact Lisa by email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Nathalie was just named one of the 10 heroes of 2015 by SOS Children’s Villages International. And here’s why…

Nathalie is an attorney specializing in family law and working on behalf of foster care children. Her unique life experiences allow her to bring a special empathy and dedication to her work.

Nathalie was born and raised in Haiti and grew in an SOS Children’s Village. When she was 16, she left SOS to finish high school in the U.S. She then graduated from Penn State. She earned her J.D. at University of Florida.

Nathalie was in her final semester of law school when Port-au-Prince was devastated by the 2010 earthquake that we are all so familiar with. And, I’ll ask her today to share some of what she experienced at that time.

After law school Nathalie was appointed as Child Protection Legal Fellow by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation that was working closely with the Haitian government to help advance children’s rights.

When she was selected for the position, Angelina Jolie said “Nathalie is a force … just wait and see. She will be doing many great things. She represents the best of Haiti. She is an extraordinary example. I am proud to know her and extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work with her."

For three years, Nathalie was the Jolie-Pitt legal fellow in Haiti and worked to establish better policies for the protection of children. And now, she's in the U.S., continuing to help vulnerable children.

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.everbetteru.com/ or send an email to Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

Welcome to the Ever Better podcast! I'm Lisa Vogt and this is an introduction to the conversations I’ll be sharing each week, what to expect from the Ever Better podcast and a bit about my background.

In short, listening to the podcast will leave you inspired and with ideas for getting even ever better.

GUESTSJoin me for each week for discussions with people who will talk about their extraordinary journeys and how they live wholehearted, connected lives that make a difference in the world. Women and men who are often described as “daring” will share their joys, struggles, imperfections, successes and aspirations. And, we’ll find out how they stay inspired.

My guests are continuous learners who strive to be ever better every day. You might be familiar with TED talks. Well, each of my guests live TED-worthy lives. They pursue big ideas or work with well-defined purpose. Some are known throughout the world, and some are well-known just in specific communities. Many re-prioritized or refocused their lives following a major event. And they all share interesting stories.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?!You’ll laugh, learn, ponder, and maybe even take notes as you listen to stories of resilience, perseverance, and originality that might apply to your life or that might help your friends or family. I hope you’ll find inspiration and ideas to help stay on track when life is going your way, and tips to help navigate the challenging times we all experience.

If a guest mentions a resource that you want to check out but you can’t take notes, that’s ok. I’ll publish notes from each episode on http://www.EverBetterU.com with links to resources suggested by my guests.

The discussion won’t end when the podcast episode does. You’re joining a community of people who strive to interact with the world in a positive, optimistic way. I hope that you’ll share your thoughts and experiences through the Ever Better U Facebook group or send me your thoughts by email at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.

You may have heard a saying “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” So, if you are hearing this message, you will likely benefit from subscribing to the Ever Better Podcast.

ABOUT LISA VOGTYou might be wondering, who is Lisa Vogt and why is she creating these Podcasts?

Well, for over 25 years, I’ve worked as a marketing and communications professional. I’ve held senior positions with corporations, non-profits, consulting firms, and owned businesses. My formal education includes an MBA and throughout my life I’ve practiced continuous learning.

But my main motivation to create the Ever Better podcast comes from my own breast cancer diagnosis and through speaking with many other women who have battled breast cancer. Women I refer to as breast cancer warriors.

In 2014, through a routine mammogram, follow-up mammograms and biopsies, I was diagnosed with DCIS or ductile carcinoma in situ. After lots of analysis and discussions with doctors, family members, friends, and other breast cancer warriors, I elected to have a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

I was blessed to have had an early diagnosis, made possible through my annual mammograms, and to have access to amazing health care professionals. I am thankful for this every day.

During the time that I was considering my treatment options, I would walk each morning and listen to a podcast. I was buoyed by positive messages of taking action and overcoming challenges. Some of my favorite podcasts were and still are by Jonathan Fields, Tim Ferriss, Joel Osteen, and Brendan Burchard.

And, as I was being prepped for surgery in the very early morning before my mastectomy, I listened to an amazing podcast interview with Tim Ferriss, Anthony Robbins and Peter Diamandis. They were talking about thinking big and working towards extraordinary goals. Their discussion helped me to focus not on what would be happening to me over the next few hours, but on what I would be able to accomplish in the years to come.

My surgery was highly successful and no additional cancer was detected. And, fortunately, I did not have to undergo chemotherapy, radiation and additional treatments that a lot of men and women experience.

Throughout my breast cancer journey, I’ve found a welcoming community of people who are open to sharing their struggles, victories, hopes and concerns. I found groups established to help navigate the many decisions and steps from diagnosis to surgery to recovery and back to normal.

The common theme of these groups and communities is a place to share and hear stories of struggle and victory. But, there seems to never be enough time for discussion.

So, the Ever Better Podcast will allow people to share their stories, experiences and knowledge through in-depth conversations. And, each episode will be instantly accessible when someone needs the information.

And, just as breast cancer is only one part of my life story, breast cancer will be just one part of this podcast. I’ll also bring you discussions with entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders, doctors, coaches, artists, authors, and others who live full, highly connected lives.

WHEN TO LISTENI know you’re busy and you might be wondering when to find the time to listen to Ever Better. Here are some suggestions.

Subscribe to this or other podcasts so that new episodes will automatically download to your phone, computer, tablet, Kindle, or other device. If you’re listening through iTunes, just click on the subscribe button. If you’re listening on Stitcher or another podcast player, add Ever Better to your playlist. To minimize your data usage, setup your podcasts to download when you have a wi-fi connection.

Once episodes are downloaded you can easily play one while exercising, cooking, cleaning the house, commuting to or from work, or waiting for a doctor’s appointment or waiting to pick up your kids from an activity.

Or, if you manage to squeeze in a few minutes of alone time - grab a cup of coffee or tea, or maybe a mojito depending on the time of day or night, and enjoy an Ever Better conversation.

Most discussions will last 30 – 45 minutes and if you don’t have time to listen to a full interview, that’s ok. Just hit pause. You can resume the podcast the next day or the next time that you have a few free minutes. The podcast will be there when you’re ready.

In closing, I’d like to share my gratitude for my technical engineer, who is also my son. Thank you Conner! And, to my husband for supporting me in this and all my endeavors. Thanks Tim! I love you guys.

And now…Ever Better!

Deborah Williams is a CPA, business and life coach as well as a mom, daughter, and a great friend to many people. She’s weathered several challenging situations which haven’t left her bitter, they’ve left her better.

Accountants are sometimes thought of as boring number-crunchers, but Deb proves that thinking is absolutely incorrect!

She’s been controller of a commercial real estate company, owned and operated a café, managed her own real estate portfolio, and helps dozens of clients as a CPA.

Deb continues to get ever better through 12-step programs and mindfulness practices and she is now using all this knowledge to help even more people as a business and life coach.

Learn more at http://www.EverBetterU.com.