the lovespeaks series

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Thirteen years after losing her father in a tragic car accident, Laura Carney’s brother discovered a list their father had made. The list included 60 things their father hoped to experience in his lifetime and Laura saw it as an invitation to live out her father’s dreams.

At 25 years old, Laura embarked on a journey that would reveal so many things, starting with keeping her father’s memory alive. It took her five years and eleven months to complete the list and today she has made a list of her own.

This podcast episode will inspire you to make your own list, and it will open your heart up to new ways of healing after losing a loved one.

Sally Lou & Laura will discuss:

· Losing a father

· How writing heals

· Connecting to loved ones who have passed

· Grieving and its unexpected gifts

· Living in the moment

· Facing our fears

· Distracted Driving Awareness

· How loss unlocks growth

· Being less afraid of death

· Trusting ourselves

Laura Carney is a writer and magazine copy editor in New York and has been published by the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Good Housekeeping, Maria Shriver’s The Sunday Paper, and many more news outlets.

My Father’s List: How Living my Dad’s Dreams Set Me Free, published by Post Hill Press, is Laura’s first book. Her story is about how one woman, with the help of family, friends, and strangers, found the courage to go after her own dreams after realizing those of her beloved father Michael Carney.

In honor of Laura’s father, whose mantra was “Nobody every dies if they create something,” please check out Michael Carney’s book The Why Generation In a Why Not World.

For more about Laura Carney, please go to bylauracarney.com

If you or someone you know is grieving and needs support, please visit The Memory Circle – a magnificent platform built by my dear friend and Chief Grief Officer Barri Leiner Grant.

And please forgive my Jimmy Carter moment. If you listen you will know. Blessings to the Carter family.

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This podcast episode will inspire you to make your own list, and it will open your heart up to new ways of healing after losing a loved one.

Sally Lou & Laura will discuss: * Losing a father * How writing heals * Connecting to loved ones who have passed * Grieving and its unexpected gifts * Living in the moment * Facing our fears * Distracted Driving Awareness * How loss unlocks growth * Being less afraid of death * Trusting ourselves

In honor of Laura’s father, whose mantra was “Nobody every dies if they create something,” please check out Michael Carney’s book The Why Generation In a Why Not World.

For more about Laura Carney, please go to bylauracarney.com

If you or someone you know is grieving and needs support, please visit The Memory Circle – a magnificent platform built by my dear friend and Chief Grief Officer Barri Leiner Grant.

And please forgive my Jimmy Carter moment. If you listen you will know. Blessings to the Carter family.

TAGS:

Thelovespeaksmethod, podcastersofinstagram, loss, grief, dreams, lists, myfatherslist, healing, perseverance, trust, distracteddrivingawareness, memoir, writer, love, family, brave, unexpectedgifts, growth, synchronicity, makeyourlist, lovespeaks, livinglovespeaks, speak, loveyourstory, youraudienceiswaiting, mybookspeak, womensupportingwomen, womenwriters, forgiveness, liveinthemoment

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To most who know her, Kiersten Parsons Hathcockis a Shark Tank-winning, self-taught carpenter & furniture designer who defied the odds and built an internationally-known furniture company out of her garage.

But what most don't know is that at the age of 36, Kiersten suddenly started seeing and hearing spirits of dead children, some of whom were killed by predators. Her intuitive awakening led to partnerships with detectives around the country, a TEDX Talk, and a publishing deal for her recent memoir Little Voices.

The coolest part of Kiersten’s story is not only were the spirits speaking to her about solving criminal cases and getting messages to their loved ones, the kids were also coming to save Kiersten’s life.

Sally Lou & Kiersten discuss:

Trusting your intuition
Speaking with spirits
Practicing mediumship
Healing a marriage
Recognizing & surviving an abusive relationship
Recognizing & surviving sexual abuse
Discovering repressed memories
Family Constellation
Generational abuse
Helping spirits into the light
Finding gratitude
The National Institute for Law & Justice
Breaking the cycle of abuse

I understand Kiersten’s story isn’t typical and some of you will be skeptical. I invite you to listen. I promise your heart will open and you will be inspired to turn up your own intuition, maybe not at Kiersten’s level!

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This episode is just me talking to you about my favorite word HOME. In this episode you will learn:

· Why being at HOME with ourselves is a career asset

· How to find your HOME story

· How you are your most important audience

· Speaker Tips #1 – connect with yourself first

· Speaker Tip #2 – the better the audience the better the speaker

· Speaker Tip #3 – Let the room determine the order of your talk not your script

· Speaker Tip #4 – use live content

· Speaker Tip #5 – make a mistake

· How to know when you are humming

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This episode is just me talking to you about my favorite word HOME. In this episode you will learn: * Why being at HOME with ourselves is a career asset * How to find your HOME story * How you are your most important audience * Speaker Tips #1 – connect with yourself first * Speaker Tip #2 – the better the audience the better the speaker * Speaker Tip #3 – Let the room determine the order of your talk not your script * Speaker Tip #4 – use live content * Speaker Tip #5 – make a mistake * How to know when you are humming

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Are you looking to foster deeper connections, ignite new forms of intimacy, activate your curiosity, spark meaningful and memorable conversations, and unlock surprising stories? Did you know that all you have to do to achieve any one or all of these desires is simply to ask a really good question?

Join me and journalist Danielle Robay, founder of Pretty Smart and the Pretty Smart podcast, host of E!’s While You Were Streaming, and creator of the Question Everything Card Deck, as we take time to talk about the power of meaningful questions.

Sally Lou & Danielle will discuss: * Danielle’s dream job story * The power of surrendering * Why being interested is sexy * The power of questions * Lessons learned * Feeling seen * The Pretty Smart platform * The Pretty Smart podcast

I invite you to follow Danielle, subscribe to the Pretty Smart podcast, and give yourself the gift of the Question Everything Card Deck so you can have a deeper connection with yourself, the people you love, and the people you want to get to know better!

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Join me and journalist Danielle Robay, founder of Pretty Smart and the Pretty Smart podcast, host of E!’s While You Were Streaming, and creator of the Question Everything Card Deck, as we take time to talk about the power of meaningful questions.

Sally Lou & Danielle will discuss:

· Danielle’s dream job story

· The power of surrendering

· Why being interested is sexy

· The power of questions

· Lessons learned

· Feeling seen

· The Pretty Smart platform

· The Pretty Smart podcast

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Season 3/Episode 3: Speaking of Winging It

When we are invited to speak we are very good at getting ready physically – we pick our outfit, we get our blow dry, maybe a manicure. Then we mentally prepare by studying our script and we think we are ready. But what if I told you to put your script aside and wing it a little? You might say NO WAY. But what if you didn’t? What if you said YES PLEASE!

Join me and my guest Christina Glickman – TEDX speaker, author, podcast host, coach, mom, and friend of mine – as we take a minute to give you all permission to relax and wing it when you know you are already prepared.

Sally Lou & Christina will discuss:

· The secret ingredient to speaking: winging it!

· Christina’s Tips: #1 – Trust your gut. #2 – Show up in authenticity. #3 – Release yourself from any outcome.

· That magic that lives in the moment.

· The confidence that comes from not always having to be an expert.

· How to wing it when you have to be scripted.

· How to speak without a script.

· Your most important audience is you.

· Breaking the barrier between you & your audience.

I invite you to watch Christina’s TEDX Talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaU8-9bJTmI) and follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/christinaglickman/) for more of her unique and refreshing wisdom! And if you want more of Christina (how could you not!) sign up to be part of her Xtra Love Army (https://xtra.mykajabi.com/), listen to her phenomenal podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xtra-life-style-unscripted/id1600128174), do one-on-one coaching with her (https://xtra.mykajabi.com/membership-page-2), and order her beautiful book (https://www.amazon.com/Xtra-Art-Being-Christina-Glickman/dp/1642378968/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588020465&sr=1-2)!

Here’s what I can tell you – my life has been made better by Christina in ways I will never be able to capture on paper. I just know my heart lifts every time we talk. Yours will too.

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Speaking of Beauty with Michele Probst Episode #2 / Season Three On this episode of the lovespeaks series podcast we are speaking beauty with celebrity makeup artist & founder of Worth Beauty Company Michele Probst. Michele started in the beauty business by creating the first undetectable skincare line for men and today, she helps women her own age AGE! Whatever side of 50 you are on; Michele’s skincare tips are essential to simple solutions to your beauty & skincare regimen. Michele shares so many tips I couldn’t keep up! You can hear the eagerness in my questions to learn because skincare is overwhelming as we age. So, we provided links to all of Michele’s favorites! Enjoy! Quotes from Michele Probst: I’m a big proponent of the drugstore. The better your skin is the less makeup you wear. Consider skincare part of your makeup. I’m all about injections, but don’t get cut. If you can get ice on your face that stimulates it so well. There are so many ways we can do things at home that are affordable. Open that dishwasher and take that minute to get that facial. SPF is so important at this age. Vitamin C in the day and Retinol at night. If you can remember those two things you’ve got a fight in the game. Tweezerman is my best friend. My favorite beauty tool is a magnifying mirror. I love q-tips and beauty blenders. Let’s be kind to each other. You’ll learn:  How to shop drugstore beauty brands.  How to keep it skincare simple.  AM & PM regimens.  At home beauty treatments.  Michele’s favorite products.

Resources: Worth Beauty Company Instagram WorthBeautyCompany.com Sea Buckthorn Oil Arcona Triad pad Amazon ice Roller Humidifier BB Cream CC Cream Vitamin C Spray Beautology.com Maybelline Concealer ZO Retinol Tweezerman Bobbi Brown brushes Jones Road Stay Put Lip Pencil Neutrogena Self-Tanning Spray Oil of Olay Regenerating Cream No7 Triad Pads The Better Skin Co

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Speaking of Compassion with Whitney Reynolds Episode #1 / Season Three On this podcast we are speaking about compassion with the Emmy nominated host & executive producer of the nationally syndicated Whitney Reynolds Show Whitney Reynolds. Whitney is a mom to twins Marlowe & Acher, host of Whitney’s Women on iHeartRadio, Chief Inspo Officer of her TV team and her family, and a woman who from a very young age knew exactly what she wanted to do. Whitney is on a mission to bring hope through our deepest struggles and uses her own story to drive compassion forward. Her mission: Your Story Matters. Her mantra: If the door closes find the window. I hope you are inspired to use your story to help others after listening. Tune-in to Season 3 of The Whitney Reynolds Show launching April 4 th .

Quotes from Whitney Reynolds: Katie Couric was somebody I totally admired as a kid. For so long these women put this great dream out there and now I’m able to step in my own starting line. I lived being the stories that I tell. Having gone through what I did as a kid it made me run my show, run my life, run my storytelling completely different. I know I need to be an advocate. Part of our show is showing that you can prevail. I always knew I wanted to be in television. My story is not just my story. When I was an intern at Good Morning America they were doing a story very similar (to mine) and that would be an easy time to pop my hand up. Ironically I worked behind the scenes to make sure that story was told right without any of them knowing. I would not be who I am, what I do without God. As I go bigger and bigger, it’s so important I get more intimate with my belief system.

It’s so crazy I kinda needed to be a mom to be better as a TV host. The compassion piece of also being a mom has changed the way I interview. I want to give my kids stability. I always knew that whenever I was living in chaos, that I would create this for myself. 5-year-old Whitney was mixing tapes with her sister. 8-year-old Whitney really knew she was going to be a talk show host. I get a lot of visions in the shower. I always say the best is yet to come! You’ll learn:  Being told no can be a beautiful gift.  Speaking your dreams works.  Your story is your superpower.  Compassion comes from healing our pain.  Our stories matter. Resources: The Whitney Reynolds Show: whitneyreynolds.com Whitney’s Women: whitneyreynolds.com/radio Christina Glickman: instagram.com/christinaglickman/

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Speaking of Teammates with John Trautwein Episode #13 / Season Two

On this episode of the lovespeaks series we are speaking teammates. John Trautwein is a dear friend, author of My Living Will: A Father’s Story of Loss & Hope, and founder of the Will to Live Foundation – dedicated to preventing teen suicide by improving the lives and the “Will to Live” of teenagers everywhere through education about mental health and encouraging them to recognize the love and hope that exists in each other. John and his wife Susie lost their beautiful son Will 10 ½ years ago to suicide. In those 10 years, they have built a foundation of hope and love for teenagers through the Will to Live Foundation and a whole lot of LOVE. This candid conversation is something every parent should listen to, whether your child is struggling or not. I have learned so much from John’s message and his work and I can honestly say it’s been lifesaving. If you are a regular listener, you know as a mental health advocate, this work means the world to me. Please pass this along to someone you love who needs to hear this message today.

Quotes from John Trautwein: Will Trautwein is the oldest of our four kids and he left us 10 ½ years ago to mental illness – depression which led to suicide. He truly loved to see his friends succeed. Remember 13 became their cry. If he told me he was struggling I would have talked him out of it. What I did wrong? I didn’t know about depression. Like most parents that are listening, you cannot stand to see your kid not okay. You have to fix it and you have to fix it now. And that’s really hard. It’s the last thing your kids want you to do. That’s what I learned the most. These kids are really living in a world that I could not relate to. I knew I had to do something positive about this awful thing in my life, otherwise I knew I wouldn’t make it. My goal was to get people to talk.

I’m going to create a foundation that’s going to encourage kids to talk by understanding the love and the hope and the understanding that they have for the people sitting right next to them – in the classroom, in the dugout, in the sidelines, the band, the orchestra, the scouting group, the church youth. Whatever team they’re on there’s people who love them. (Life Teammates) If I can get kids to say, “I love you” maybe I can get kids to say “Hey, I’m struggling.” I played in thousands of games. I don’t remember scores. I remember bus rides. The 1 in 5, the 1 in 6 have now become 1 in 2. Now it doesn’t mean 1 in 2 are contemplating suicide. But it means 1 in 2 are struggling and so the awareness level has to be higher for parents whose kids are stuck in a room all day. The human spirit craves companionship. What’s really fun about my world and the foundation is I’m just telling kids to love each other. They say a good coach has the capacity to love his players. And I don’t think that’s enough. I say a great coach shows it. I try every single day to go where the love is. It’s okay not to be okay. These kids wake up knowing that if they make a mistake everyone they’ve ever known will know about it before dinner. I try to become the audience. What you will learn: The signs of suicide. How to encourage kids to talk about their struggle. How to encourage kids to say “love ya man.” How to find your life teammates. It’s okay not to be okay.

Resources: Will To Live Foundation: will-to-live.org My Will to Live: A Father’s Story of Loss & Hope: tinyurl.com/trautweinwill Erika’s Lighthouse: erikaslighthouse.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Suicide Hotline:

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Speaking of Community with Laura Munson Episode #12 / Season Two On this episode we are speaking about community and what happens when we, or someone we love, isolates. New York Times best-selling author Laura Munson says she wants to start a movement - for people to come together outside of their daily lives and gather to tell their stories using the power of the written word, which is her Haven Writing Workshop she offers AND also the theme of her new book Willa’s Grove. Laura Munson writes about community, and how desperately we need it.

The four characters in Willa’s Grove come together to basically save each other, even though some of them are meeting for the first time. The shared experience between these four women was so powerful for me as I read the book while recovering from COVID. I was literally isolating and reading the book. The message hit me hard.

Laura says she had no idea the theme of Willa’s Grove would be so timely. If you are feeling a need for community, I invite you to listen to my conversation with Laura Munson and read Willa’s Grove! Get the tissues because it broke me, in all the right ways!

Quotes from Laura Munson

I think this year is hyper-illuminated!

I’m trying to start a movement.

It’s a clean slate. (Laura’s Haven Writing retreats) And so people will go very deeply because they feel safe and suspended in time.

The characters were born and that’s when I gave them the steering wheel and hung on!

The characters write the book.

I ask people to open up their hearts and minds to the characters that they resist.

When we resist something or somebody that’s often the exact place we need to go to learn our lessons.

She (Willa) isolates like so many of us when we are going through a hard time.

That’s what’s so fun about fiction, you can have your characters go places you haven’t gone almost so that you don’t have to.

We go deeply into a hot button topic that people don’t want to talk about and that is – Money doesn’t buy you happiness. We say we are fine when we’re not – when we are bleeding inside.

I want people to read it (Willa’s Grove) and say “I want to do this. I know somebody who is isolating, who is saying they’re fine when they’re not, and who desperately needs to come together in a safe circle. I’m going to reach out to them.”

I think a lot of us have lost our social IQ’s.

Those of us who are extroverts and like to express ourselves don’t necessarily have a really strong filter!

Let’s find radical self-love and love and kindness to all people.

The writing life ain’t for sissies!

I think writing should be up there with diet and exercise in the realm of for preventative wellness.

Some people started making bread and others learned how to knit. I just thought – pen & paper.

Never when I wrote this book did I think the theme would be so timely.

Writers mine their lives.

Part of this book was about wanting to reflect the magic that happens when people come together outside of their daily lives and gather to tell their stories using the power of the written word.

I have every single journal I’ve ever written starting in 4th grade in my office closet here in Montana.

I was the friend that really wanted to talk about the big stuff.

That little girl in her treehouse, or her blanket fort, in her closet in Lake Forest, IL is pretty much the same woman who is speaking to you today.

You’ll Learn:

We need community.

Reach out to people you think are isolating.

Writing is a tough business.

Start your own circle … aka Grove.

Writing heals and so does storytelling.

Resources:

Haven Writing Retreat: https://lauramunson.com/haven-writing-programs/

LauraMunson.com

Instagram: /lauramunsonauthor

Willa’s Grove: https://lauramunson.com/books/

Modern Love Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/style/modern-love-those-arent-fighting-words-dear.html

Haven Nest:https://lauramunson.com/haven-nest/

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Speaking of Depression with Amy B. Scher

Episode #11 / Season Two

On this podcast we are speaking about healing from depression with award winning author Amy B. Scher. Amy is an energy therapist and teaches people how to release emotional baggage so they can become their happiest and healthiest selves. In her book How to Heal Yourself From Depression When No One Else Can: A Self-Guided Program to Stop Felling Like Sh*t, Amy offers self-application techniques to help us heal ourselves. If you or someone you love suffers from depression and you’ve tried everything, take a listen to my conversation with Amy and see if something she offers could work for you. The Alternative Tapping Technique works for me!

Quotes from Amy B. Scher:

I truly believe love speaks to us in so many ways, but really when we are together. Sometimes we echo it for each other.

What I see more is people missing connections to themselves.

Even though medications and therapies are getting better, depression is getting worse.

There is this unseen aspect of ourselves which is the core of who we are and that is the part that I see people sort of lose their tether to – the core of who they are.

All of my techniques are not done by me. I am not a healer. I am somebody who teaches people how to use techniques to heal themselves.

One of the techniques that I use are various types of tapping.

The reason we want to move energy out of the body is because we all have an energy system or an energy body that is interlinked or intertwined to our physical body. And so when we are feeling symptoms in our physical body, research has shown that energy imbalances can be

detected in the energy body long before physical symptoms come up. Which means they could be the root of the issue.

When we clear energy blockages from various parts of the body we are clearing energy, that if left there, may eventually or may already be, affecting the organs, muscles and glands in the area.

I had my own very long decade long healing journey from Lyme disease & auto immune disease. I had all kinds of things. That’s what brought me energy work.

I think there has been this huge shift in the past decade from “We don’t know what that is, it sounds too crazy” to “Wait we’re really now understanding that when something goes wrong in the immune system and the nervous system and the digestive system that stress has an impact.

I came to this work as a last resort.

We come to ourselves as a cure last.

I did run all over the world chasing a cure only to find out that I carried it all along.

You can’t exclude yourself from the healing.

The reason you’re feeling good is tapping can actually lower cortisol levels so it can actually lower that stress hormone by a significant amount.

When I was going through my own experience with depression and anxiety and chronic illness and just feeling so overwhelmed, you know what freaks me out more than anything? That when I was freaking out I would have to wait for my doctor to call me back.

Just knowing you have the tools and techniques to help yourself is hugely supportive to the physical body and to the mind because you don’t feel alone.

46:15: Amy teaches Alternative Tapping Technique

I think some of us are just born healers.

You’ll learn: • How to have a deeper connection with yourself • How to release stuck emotional baggage • Why you can’t exclude yourself from healing •Alternative Tapping Technique

• Why it’s important to try one tiny thing

Resources:

Amy’s website: amybscher.com Amy’s YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCuhzQzrr9fgnT8AcrsQATPw Amy’s Books: amazon.com/Amy-B-Scher/e/B00AFM86BS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Amy’s Instagram: instagram.com/amybscher/

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Season 2 Episode #10:

Speaking of Napkin Thoughts with Scott Freres

On this podcast we are speaking napkin thoughts. What are napkin thoughts you might ask? Napkin thoughts are where great ideas, dreams and plans begin. My guest on this episode of the lovespeaks series podcast has built a career on this philosophy. Scott Freres is the principal at Red Spade Environments, a landscape design, construction management, design-build firm that makes exterior dreams come true. And most of those dreams begin with a sketch Scott makes on a napkin when sitting down to listen to a client over coffee. We all have dreams. Scott’s story reminds us to go after our own dreams, because our napkin is waiting!

Quotes from Scott Freres: Love for me is the ability and blessing I have to do what I want every day.

I learned an appreciation of nature that you really can’t see unless you spend time in it.

I love fall. I love the change. I love the way the world seems to slow down, the days get shorter, lighting looks different.

I used to sit at a coffee shop every day and before I would go in to work, and collect my thoughts and collect my ideas and sketch on napkins.

It starts with a napkin. It moves to paper. It takes in the voice of a client or a community and it starts to fashion ideas not a final plan, but ideas. And then from those ideas you hone in on a plan direction.

The other thing a napkin speaks to that is a big philosophy in our companies was the idea that the best designs and the best conversations always happen around food or beverage.

There’s two pens that I always use, and one is a Pentel rolling writer and the other is a Paper Mate flair.

The hallmark for our firm is community engagement.

You have to talk to people and listen. And not only do you have to talk and listen, that’s great. But you gotta show them that you heard them by your actions.

When you’re in that dirt it feels so good. I don’t know what it is, people say it’s gross but I just love it.

Nature is truly the best medicine and your garden costs you nothing, but it can do wonders for your health.

Sustainability is really a philosophy that you need to live by, meaning that it’s a respect for the environment first and foremost.

You’ll learn:

♥ How to use the talents you were born with and the environments that spoke to you as a young person and make a career out of it.

♥ Listening is a skill that is essential to understanding your clients.

♥ An appreciation of nature.

♥ Big plans begin on small napkins.

♥ The best conversations happen around food and beverage.

♥ Forward thinking is a gift.

♥ Community engagement is key to a project’s success.

♥ Nature is the best medicine.

Resources:

Scott Freres LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-freres-53653230/

Red Spade Environments: http://redspadeenvironments.com/

Red Spade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redspadeenvironments/

The Lakota Group: https://www.thelakotagroup.com/

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Episode # 9 Season 2 Speaking of Transformation Guest: Edie Allen – Speaker, Artist, Advocate & Breakthrough Specialist On this episode we are speaking transformation with speaker and healer Edie Allen. Edie’s start to her story is what I would simply call a nightmare. As a victim of sexual abuse in her childhood, Edie was just trying to survive. Today, as a survivor, her story is a lifeline for others to survive. I have never seen anything more powerful than Edie’s story. I suggest you watch this 7-minute clip on the Janie’s Fund stage, Steven Tyler’s philanthropic initiative created in partnership with Youth Villages to bring hope and healing to girls who have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect, before you listen to this episode. You will be transformed by Edie’s transformation.

SHOW NOTES: 00:51 It’s March! 1:08 Edie Allen 1:33 Red Spade message (my sponsor!) 3:25 Transformation 4:21 Janie’s Fund 4:58 How is love speaking to you today? 6:00 Edie’s story 8:53 A survivor of sexual abuse 9:38 What was your life like when you left home at 15? 13:00 Edie’s mom 13:43 Bill 14:15 How did Steven Tyler happen? 15:12 Hearing “Janie’s Got a Gun.” 15:56 “If this band is singing about this topic that means they know.” 18:44 A Joy Journey 20:41 On the 10th day a voice spoke 20:55 A-Fest & Bo Eason 22:05 “The first time I told my story.” 22:28 One True Sentence 23:12 “The hardest day of my life ....” 25:02 “If I could say the hardest thing that has ever happened to me, then maybe I

can tell my story (and help people).”

26:00 Steven Tyler called – a 3 hour & 20 minute conversation 26:42 “3:20 has always been significant.” 27:13 Edie’s son 27:30 Edie’s creative writing teacher Miss Barksdale 28:08 Edie’s guidance counselor moment 29:00 The rape 30:55 The birth

32:53 “When I gave birth - when they first put him in my arms I had no idea what to

do.”

33:38 “When women say I didn’t have a voice, I know what that feels like.” 34:10 “Had I had a girl I would have fled and no one would have ever seen us again.” 34:33 Where did you go? 36:14 A family from Edie’s church took her in 38;35 Do you have a relationship with your son? 40:11 “He is a wonderful father.” 40:43 “I had to make a decision. Do I protect a family of five or do I help thousands

and thousands of people and prevent this from continuing?”

41:50 “When Bill came into our lives he was someone who gave us a childhood as crazy

as this sounds.”

43:44 How does your work serve you? 44:00 Edie’s transformation story 44:19 “I fell in love with Reiki.” 45:19 “Love, white light, Mary, Christ & God.” 45:36 “Transformation started with me through Reiki.” 45:40 Look for these signals! 47:00 Edie’s first sign – “Go upstairs” and the 27th psalm 50:30 Are you working on a memoir? 50:50 Practicing Transcendental Meditation, found sobriety and Bob Roth of The David

Lynch Foundation

52:56 “Bring this (TM) to Janie’s Fund.” 53:45 “That is the greatest thing I have ever done, connecting all of that.” 54:18 Connection 55:38 Your memoir is going to be a film. 56:06 Paint the picture of your life today. 57:45 “What I would say to people struggling is to let go. Listen. Listen to the signs.

Listen to the voice inside. Get quiet.”

58:51 “Whatever your problems are, give them space.” 59:18 “The greatest transformations is when we meet them with grace.” 59:46 Where can we find you? PS – if you didn’t watch the clip, Bill, Edie’s abuser, later took his life as well as his girlfriend’s RESOURCES: Janie’s Fund Speech Janie’s Fund A-Fest Bo Eason The 27th psalm

The David Lynch Foundation CONNECT WITH EDIE: Edieallen.com Instagram

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Episode #8 Season Two Speaking of Love Wins Guest: Itika Oldwine Grimble – founder of Oldvine Florals On this episode we are speaking love wins. Itika Oldwine Grimble, founder and owner of Oldvine Florals in downtown LA, proved that love was not cancelled in 2020. As a black women business owner, Itika boarded up her shop to march for racial justice, pivoted her business in a pandemic with success, was proposed to and married her love Brian and in April their baby girl arrives! If you think love doesn’t win, please listen to Itika’s story! It may sound like a fairy tale, but we all have a shot at one!

Listening Notes: 1:08 RED SPADE message – my new sponsor! 2:50 Itika Oldwine Grimble is proof Love Wins! 3:30 The Love Wins House Party – get your tickets now! 5:00 How is love speaking to you today? 6:10 Itika and I worked together at The Oprah Winfrey Show 7:00 Oldvine Florals 7:52 A black woman business owner’s perspective 8:53 Pivot 9:18 The universe 10:00 Do you need help? 12;00 The “We deliver” pivot 12:50 Love was not cancelled! 13:15 Small business owner 13:52 COVID lessons & meeting challenges 14:43 Air filtering plants 16:40 RED SPADE – we are spending more time at home 17:52 Business, love, baby 18:18 Did you ever think you would be a mom? 21:30 The blessing of birth 22:22 The Instagram post that says it all 24:38 Claim it! 24:43 Grateful 24:56 “I feel like I’m being rewarded.” 25:50 Being a mom 26:30 How has Brian (Itika’s husband) helped you? 27:11 “I always wanted to succeed professionally but it never necessarily included me owning my own business or being an entrepreneur.” 28:15 “He (Brian) saw an opportunity for me to branch out and have my own business. 29:48 You only need one person to say yes. 31:01 How do you think Brian is going to be as a daddy to baby girl Grimble? 32:40 Itika’s Big Mama’s advice 34:28 Do you have a daily prayer? 36L15 How does love define you or speak to you? 37:09 “To truly love a friend, a spouse, a partner you have to love them through the hard stuff.” 38:08 “Love embodies me.” 38:36 “Love always wins.” 40:16 Was there ever a time during this time of racial injustice where you said you were done? 41:46 “I’m a black woman, I have a lot of African American friends and family obviously. We are black business owners. How can I best serve my community?” 43:06 What is the first thing you will say to your baby girl? 44:38 The wedding 47:32 “I don’t lack for anything.” 49:15 Anyone struggling to find love, what would you say? 49:48 “You have to put yourself out there!” 50:45 “The business of finding love is important.” 50:52 Itika is the Spotlight on Love winner at The Love Wins House Party 52:40 Follow Itika @oldvineflorals @itikagrimble

Resources: Oldvine Florals

Connect with Itika Instagram @itikagrimble @oldvineflorals Facebook @itikagrimble @oldvineflorals

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Episode #7 Season 2 Speaking of Dreams Guest: Paolo Presta – host of the web-series A Spoonful of Paolo

Sponsor Alert! I am thrilled to announce Red Spade Environments as my sponsor for the lovespeaks series podcast! Red Spade is the premier residential landscape architecture and design build firm based in Winnetka and Chicago. I hope you will visit their site to see how Red Spade can bring your dream to life!

On this podcast we are speaking dreams! I happened to have a front row seat to my guest’s big dream as it exploded on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and I have to say – it was a privilege. Now you can have a front row seat as you listen to Paolo Presta, host of A Spoonful of Paolo, tell you how his dream of becoming a talk show host, coming out and finding the husband of his dreams all happened. This listen will open up your heart in ways you won’t even expect.

Listening Notes: 1:00 Bye Bye 2020! 1:26 The Love Wins House Party! 1:45 Red Spade Environments announcement 3:55 Speaking of Dreams – Paolo Presta 5:20 How is love speaking to you today? 6:52 How old were you when you had your first knowledge of what your dream would be? 9:20 Paolo’s Oprah story 13:52 The Presta family 14:40 Paolo’s coming out story 19:40 Blazing a trail 20:02 Do you feel that you’re changing lives? 20:50 How did A Spoonful of Paolo come about? 22:00 We all have a platform 22:58 Patrick! 23:47 Celebrities 26:26 Make it bigger 27:06 Persistence 27:58 What no launched you? 29:28 Magic 30:33 Meeting Patrick 32:20 Paolo’s wedding 34:04 Ed Bacon! 35:33 Vows 36:45 Paolo’s parents 37:27 My Henry 38:26 Truth 39:34 Acceptance 40:44 Using your story to help others 41:07 Do you have a daily prayer? 42:41 Paolo’s Instagram content 43:45 Nutella 45:43 Improv 46:35 What’s next? 46:53 Vulnerability 47:25 Accomplishments 47:57 Momentum 49:28 Paolo’s Green Room 50:08 What made you come back to Chicago? 51:00 Secrets are exhausting 52:05 Lightening round of love questions 53:45 Patrick’s smile 54:09 What do you love about yourself the most? 54:45 My book launch 55:24 The Love Wins House Party 56:16 Full circle! 56:41 Red Spade Environment

CONNECT WITH PAOLO:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paolopresta/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/paolopresta Twitter https://twitter.com/PaoloPresta https://www.aspoonfulofpaolo.com/

RESOURCES:

Paolo’s Oprah Show Moment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhBjNZ6EMHQ&t=337s

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Episode #6 Season 2 Speaking of Holiday 2020 Guests: A sampling of some of my favorite people who are creative givers and lovers of holiday traditions.

On this episode we are looking for the bright side of Holiday 2020! I asked some friends what tradition they will have to go without this year, and what new tradition they are replacing the old one with. I hope you get some good ideas for your own holiday celebrations! Stay healthy and stay in touch with the people you love. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! And with a big sigh of relief …. Happy 2021!

Listening notes:

00:56 Holiday 2020 is here!

2:28 Barri Leiner Grant – founder of The Memory Circle: The new tradition Barri is bringing to Holiday 2020 is exchanging letters with her family.

10:29 Maleesa Xiong – a self-described creative doer & explorer: The new tradition Maleesa is bringing to Holiday 2020 is supporting small and local businesses, as well as artists, by exclusively shopping with them for the people she loves.

14:27 Whitney Reynolds – host of The Whitney Reynolds Show: The new tradition Whitney is bringing to Holiday 2020 is staying home with her family of four!

21:34 Cheryl Jackson – founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry: The new tradition Cheryl is bringing to Holiday 2020 is hand writing letters to her family who are normally at her house playing games and laughing at family jokes.

30:21 Cindy Linville – My sister & Chief Holiday Officer: The new tradition Cindy is bringing to Holiday 2020 is keeping her annual Christmas Caroling party tradition alive and well, but only with her immediate family.

39:34 Paolo Presta – Host of A Spoonful of Paolo: The new tradition Paolo is bringing to Holiday 2020 is hosting Christmas Eve at his home with his husband and parents as well as a socially distanced holiday card!

46:38 Laura Munson – New York Times Best-Selling author, founder of Haven Writing Retreat and author of her new book Willa’s Grove. The new tradition Laura is bringing to Holiday 2020 is refurbishing her grandmother’s piano so she can have a sing-a-long with her children.

56:52 Margo Lightburn: A yoga teacher & lulu lemon ambassador: The new tradition Margo is bringing to holiday 2020 is reading with her children and Face Timing with her parents.

1:07:07 Danielle Porte: A children’s picture book author: The new tradition Danielle is bringing to Holiday 2020 is using the money her family would have spent on their big family Christmas Eve pajama dinner to buy care packages for families at local shelters.

1:12:26 I am hoping to hear the sirens – a tradition I never want to let go of.

Connect with:

Sally Lou Loveman https://www.instagram.com/livelovespeaks/

Barri Leiner Grant https://www.instagram.com/blg/

Maleesa Xiong https://www.instagram.com/maleesa_/

Whitney Reynolds https://www.instagram.com/whitney_reynolds/

Cheryl Jackson https://www.instagram.com/cherylaction/

Cindy Linville https://www.instagram.com/cindylinville5/

Paolo Presta https://www.instagram.com/paolopresta/

Laura Munson https://www.instagram.com/lauramunsonauthor/

Danielle Porte https://www.instagram.com/danielleporte_author/

Resources:

Barri’s book recommendation The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

Maleesa’s Gift Giving List: The Nile List Wolf and Badger Etsy Faire Amazon Handmade

Cindy’s Event Goddesses: Little Sister Creative Amanda Savory Events

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Speaking of COVID & Health Inequities Guest: Dr. Renee Matthews On this episode we are speaking about the health inequities facing the black community during this time of pandemic. Dr. Renee Matthews is the host of Ask Dr. Renee and can be seen in over 45,000 doctor’s offices in her Out of Office with Dr. Renee video spots. Dr. Renee uses her medical degree to help people live healthier lives and on this episode, she offers specific things we can all do to protect ourselves and others from COVID. Stay healthy and I hope you will listen.

Listening notes: 1:00 Dr. Renee Matthews 1:19 Health inequities in the black community 2:39 Renee’s dad’s health 4:28 How is love speaking to you today? 5:20 Staying busy 6:00 As a black man, Renee says her dad was not treated well 6:45 Renee’s platform 7:00 Why did you decide to use your medical degree in this way? 8:08 Two pandemics 8:35 86 people 9:56 “There was a rumor that black people can’t get this.” 10:36 “The numbers were ridiculous for black people.” 11:11 Underlying conditions 12:18 No primary care doctors 12:45 Essential workers 13:43 Wear a mask! 14:40 “Wear it correctly & leave it alone!” 17:55 “Bandanas are the worst!” 18:00 “Things are passing under the face shield.” 19:08 “Surgeons wear masks for 12 hour surgeries!” 19:43 I’m no longer a candidate for wine. 20:49 Besides wearing a mask, what is the best thing we should be doing? 20:56 How to be prepared 22:40 “Food is medicine.” 22:59 Watch your stress 24:33 COVID in eyes 27:09 “Wash your hands and remove your clothing.” 28:39 When do you sleep? 29:08 How many steps should we get a day? 32:18 “I ran next to my bed the other night!” 32:44 What’s exciting you right now?” 34:50 The Girl Scouts 35:05 “I’m an official YouTuber!” 35:55 The purpose of this podcast 36:06 What reminds you of your purpose? 37:27 “We are now going to focus on asthma.” 38:36 COVID vaccine 40:04 “Antibodies is a treatment.” 41:29 Does it have to do with blood type? 43:00 “We don’t listen!” 43:26 “Look at other countries!” 44:33 Do you have a daily prayer? 45:45 Renee’s prayer 46:12 The prayer of Jabez 46:40 Devotional for teen girls 47:27 Did you have a “no” that launched you? 47:58 “There was a counselor at my college who told me I wasn’t college material.” 48:15 Renee stops at nothing! 48:59 Renee’s Oprah story 51:50 Emergencies at The Oprah Winfrey Show 54:49 20,000 people 56:15 Speaking to the black community 57:44 Thank you!

Connect with Dr. Renee: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askdrrenee/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrenee/

Resources: Ask Dr. Renee https://www.facebook.com/AskDrRenee

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/AskDrRenee

Prayer of Jabez https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prayer_of_Jabez

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Episode #4 Season 2 Speaking of Rebels Guest: Shelley Paxton – author of Soulbbatical: A Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life On this podcast we are speaking rebels with my friend Shelley Paxton, author of Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life. Shelley was the former CMO at Harley Davidson and left her sexy career to start a new one without any promises it would fly. Well it did and today, Shelley speaks about how her need for her own soulbbatical not only gave her permission to live life on her terms, it gave her a platform to help liberate all of us by bringing out our own inner rebel. Listening Notes: 00:50 Calling all rebels! 2:10 How Shelley & I met 2:59 My COVID story 4:18 Lash extension love 5:08 How is love speaking to you today? 5:42 Shelley’s pivotal week 6:24 Coaching community 7:22 Slow down to speed up 7:51 Mark Silverman’s book Only 10’s 8:28 A bouquet of flowers 10:00 Community 10:20 Inc. Magazine article 10:33 Harley Davidson 11:04 Soulbbatical 12:50 “I flip rebelling on its head.” 13:41 Shelley’s nightmare & wakeup call 17:39 The principles of Soulbbatical 18:55 When the phone stops ringing 19:14 “Authenticity is the truest form of rebellion.” 19:39 “Soulbbatical stands for 3 things: Authenticity, Courage & Purpose.” 20:52 A reading from Soulbbatical 21:50 Little p and Big P purpose 25:18 Starting lovespeaks 27:09 Impact 27:21 Book writing retreat 28:40 Soulbbatical glossary 29:19 Shelley’s father Mike Paxton 30:55 Shelley reads from Soulbbatical about her dad’s recovery from his stroke 32:20 Second City 33:10 Being brave 34:00 “Improv taught me go before you’re ready.” 35:20 Brenè Brown

36:34 My Brenè Brown story 39:00 Shelley’s personal Board of Directors 41:11 “All good brands start with the soul.” 44:00 Living life on your terms 45:20 Give yourself a title 46:54 Permission 47:19 “Do an energy audit!” 49:12 All the Shoulds 52:40 “Ripples of Impact – the new ROI.” 53:47 “I don’t care about the money. I care about impact. My goal is to liberate

a billions souls.”

54:14 How are you making an impact on businesses to be more soulful? 56:45 “Quarantine or Soulbbatical?” 58:08 “Take 15 minutes of quiet a day.” 58:19 Lightening round of love questions 59:55 Do you have a daily prayer? 1:00:15 What is exciting you right now? 1:01:29 Where can we find you? 1:02:30 Women entrepreneurs: Make friends and share resources! Connect with Shelley: Website: https://soulbbatical.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulbbatical/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelpaxton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-paxton-759163/ Resources: Inc. Magazine article https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/rebel-leadership-habits.html Mark Silverman’s Only 10’s https://www.amazon.com/Only-10s-Using-Distraction-Things/dp/1942646682 The Oath of Manifestation (not Abundance) https://www.soulcenteroc.com/about/the-oath-of-manifestation-by-rev-cheryl-ward/

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Episode 3 / Season 2 Speaking of Gendered Racism Guest: Jill Frank – Head of of Creative Agency Operations at Allstate

On this episode I sit down with my friend Jill Frank, Head of Creative Agency Operations at Allstate, to talk about gendered racism. Jill recently spoke at The 3% Conference; whose mission is to increase the number of creative directors who are women of color. Currently, only 3% of creative directors are women and even less are people of color. Jill shares how the double stressor of being a black woman in advertising feels and then offers her “75 and sunny, living in LA” metaphor for what racism is in America. It’s the most simple way to explain racism to anyone who doesn’t grasp the concept.

Listening notes: 2:29 The 3% Conference 3:00 Jill’s talk on Gendered Racism 4:06 Defining Gendered Racism 7:26 A double stressor 10:21 White women will ask “What is Gendered Racism?” 11:06 “Diversity = Profitability” 11:42 “If there’s not one black female CEO in the Fortune 500 something is going on.” 12:50 Doing the internal work 13:07 Microaggressions 16:42 The strong black woman schema 17:49 Jill’s camping moment 19:57 “The system isn’t working for us collectively.” 21:05 Jill’s vision board – the powerful lady retreat group 23:32 The Ripple Effect 26:00 “The world is not yours to fix.” 28:00 “Working for Oprah, a dream job – a very female, black and brown environment.” 29:42 Oprah quote “Luck is preparation meeting opportunity.” 30:19 Jill’s megawatt smile 31:06 “A PhD in creating magic and experiences.” 32:00 “I had a voice, I had agency and I had power, and my opinion mattered.” 32:38 “I have an added perspective of how difficult it might be for someone, a black woman, a person of color, a woman starting out in a white male dominated industry.” 33:06 “When you break the glass ceiling or make a milestone, you leave the hole big enough to bring two people with you.” 33:20 Jill’s 6-year-old daughter Clarke 34:32 “I’m an early Kamala super fan!” 35:14 “We’ve always talked about race. Fortunately, she has a beautiful cornucopia of people she is able to interact with.”

37:17 “You can still be a well-meaning inclusive non-racist person and still contribute to a system that is discriminatory.” 38:26 Jill’s theory --- living in LA – we go off track, but we come back to this! 38:50 Jill’s first jobs 39:39 Jill’s Price is Right moment when she won a Lord of the Rings pinball machine 40:39 Getting the Oprah job 42:08 My Temp Agency tip 43:04 Everything is figure-out-able 44:09 Jill’s shout outs to the women who pulled her in at Harpo 47:20 It doesn’t matter the size of your audience, it matters they showed up for you. 48:36 We are back to the “living in LA” theory: “75 and sunny.” 49:24 “This is what racism is to black people in this country we live in Chicago, the weather is constantly changing on us so we need to check every day with every room that we walk in - what’s the situation, do I feel safe, can I share, can I not share? Is this a place I want to be?” 50:19 “Grab your umbrella cause it’s getting real rough out here.” 52:50 Quaker Oats retiring the Aunt Jemima brand 55:17 Chadwick Bozeman 56:11 “If there’s a seat at the table take it. Get in the room.” 57:21 “The Aunt Jemima brand is a microaggression.” 58:08 How does being a black woman speak to you? 59:29 “I always thought growing up those micro-aggressions and those issues I would encounter were a result of my blackness. I think I know in my wise old age, my 30’s, that it’s the whiteness that’s the problem.” 1:00:20 Tom Burrell’s book Brainwashed 1:02:06 “That’s your ability to be in LA and not worried about the weather.”

Connect with Jill: Jill on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankjill/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jill_frank/

Resources: Tom Burrell’s Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority https://www.amazon.com/Brainwashed-Challenging-Myth-Black-Inferiority/dp/1401925928

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Episode 2

Speaking of Solutions

Guest: Afrika Porter – CEO of Afrika Enterprises On this episode we are speaking about solutions. Our city (Chicago) and cities across the country are hurting. We need solutions to the two pandemics that are killing our loved ones – systemic racism and COVID-19. I invited my friend and activist Afrika Porter, known as Sista Afrika or AF, to talk about ways we can all help. At 13:27 Afrika tells me she has lost 86 people to COVID – and that’s all I have to say. Please listen. Listening notes: 1:30 Solutions 1:50 Welcome Afrika Porter! 2:17 How is love speaking to you today? 3:48 The Speaking of Race episode 4:06 Afrika’s loss of a family member to gun violence 4:56 #WeAreOurOwnSolutions 5:42 “On top of a pandemic we have a pandemic.” 5:50 Fred Hampton, Jr. – Chairman of the Black Panther Party 6:30 SOLUTION #1 – SPEAK TO PEOPLE 7:42 Everyone has a story 9:27 “I needed my black sons to see that.” – The Equal Pay Rally 10:14 When did you know you were an activist? 13:27 “I’ve lost 86 people to COVID.” 14:27 Leek & Sons Funeral Home family 15:07 The number reveals the racial inequities 17:53 SOLUTION #2 – BE COUNTED! 20:00 Lessons from Afrika’s parents 22:12 “I know every homeless person in my community by name, and they know me.” 22:37 “If you’re hungry I’m gonna feed you.” 24:40 Doing our father’s work 25:08 How do you teach that (your dad’s lessons) to your sons? 25:40 The elevator moment with Afrika’s son 26:30 SOLUTION #3 – USE YOUR VOICE - Afrika took the moment to speak up 26:54 “I’m trying to use my voice better and teach my son.” 28:07 A lesson for Afrika’s son 28:16 If you’re comfortable you’re not working 28:52 The Ripple Effect 29:04 “When black boys are smaller they’re cute. When they grow up and Become men they are a threat.” 29:29 The “Shawty’s gonna get all the H’s” moment 30:13 Momma Brenda’s poem “Somebody Better Say Something” 31:29 My baby crawling down the sidewalk moment 32:20 My story about teaching my son about respect 34:16 SOLUTION #4 - ACCOUNTABILITY 35:27 Gun violence 36:06 SOLUTION #5 – HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO PURCHASEGUNS ILLEGALY 37:09 The laws have to change 37:36 “The people we vote in – we have to get to them and have real conversations about gun control.” 38:14 Real Talk Real Women Live 40:19 “The mission is to help people during this time cope.” 41:00 What’s been your gift during this time? 43:14 My family has been my gift 45:32 Do you have a daily prayer? 46:20 Afrika’s friend’s son lost his life to suicide – I am My Life Coach 47:22 Afrika lost her own son in 2011 47:50 “A day doesn’t go by when you don’t think about the people you lost.” 48:48 Prayers for Jahari 50:16 Who inspires you? 50:36 The Little Warrior – Reverend Willie Taplin Barrow – Co-founder of Operation PUSH 52:27 Compliments 53:12 Ida B. Wells 53:25 “My mom is one of the oldest founding members of the Alfreda Wells

Duster Club – named for Ida B. Wells.”

54:09 Afrika’s sisters 54:58 “All my siblings work in social service.” 55:45 The Porter family did it right. 57:18 The 86 will never leave me 58:00 Where can we find you? 1:00:00 “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” – Joseph Campbell

Connect with Afrika: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Afrika0918 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sistaafrika/?hl=en Twitter https://twitter.com/Sista_Afrika

Resources: Fred Hampton, Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hampton Census 2020 http://bit.ly/CENSUS2020BECOUNTED Momma Brenda – Somebody Better Say Something https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Brenda-Matthews/dp/1598250124 Real Talk Real Women Live https://www.facebook.com/realtalkrealwomenlive/ I Am My Life Coach https://iammylifecoach.org/about-us Reverend Willie Taplin Barrow https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Barrow Kim-ISTRI Jewelry https://www.bykjh.com

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SEASON 2 Episode #1 Speaking of Race Guests: Sherry McAdoo Champion & Shelly McAdoo

On this episode I sit down with my friends Sherry McAdoo Champion and Shelly McAdoo, twin sisters, to talk about race. Sherry is the Manager of Community Advocacy and Coalitions for Chicago CRED and Shelly is the Consultant of Executive Projects and President of the Diversity Council at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It’s a conversation between girlfriends - we are not experts. The hope is to shed light on how white people can be more effective in our work to combat racism and to find out how my friends (and mothers) are feeling about today and the future.

Listening Notes: 2:21 Welcome Sherry Champion & Shelly McAdoo 4:24 Unpacking white privilege 4:45 Where can we go from here? What is our call to action? How can white people be more effective allies? 5:15 How is your heart feeling? 7:36 The Talk 10:00 Sherry on having a white grandmother 13:43 Doing the work internally 15:30 Allyship 18:10 White Supremacy 19:10 How is your community at work doing? 19:29 George Floyd’s death 22:50 Chicago CRED 26:15 Young people stepping up 27:00 Do the work 28:22 Always have a mirror 29:40 Allyship is earned 31:46 Shelly: “This is the first time in my life where black people 400 years later, are trending.” 34:35 Sherry: “It hit me like bricks.” 35:33 Sherry: “In order for us to be heard, we’re going to have to fight a different fight.” 35:56 White Women Against Racism 39:55 People of color are not white people’s therapists 40:15 Shelly: “No one, specifically white people, should have the audacity to tell me how to feel.” 41:00 Systemic racism 42:25 Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th 42:45 Jane Elliot 43:20 Shelly: “If you know that this is wrong and you wouldn’t want it for yourself, why are you content to have it for someone else?” 45:32 Shelly: “All I did was be born in this skin.” 46:00 Peggy McIntosh – White Privilege 49:30 Sherry: “Systemic racism is real.” 49:48 Sherry: “Please stop having conversations about how our people need to just pull ourselves up from our bootstraps.” 51:32 St. Paul AME Church in Glencoe – Reverend Dwayne Gary 55:44 Sherry: “This is not a moment, it’s a movement.” 56:24 Sherry: “If you are going to protest in Glencoe then make sure you are inviting the black person into your neighborhood to be your neighbor.” 56:50 HEROS 57:13 Sherry: “Segregated schools, segregated neighborhoods, segregated anything produces racism.” 1:02:29 Shelly: “We are not predisposed to violence.” 1:06:30 Sherry recalls Tupac’s words 1:09:19 “We are careening for a race war.” 1:11:36 VOTE 1:11:51 Follow young people @BKWC – black kids who care 1:14:26 Understanding Jim Crow by David Pilgrim 1:15:10 White Supremacy: A Comparative Study of American & South African History by George M. Frederickson

Connect with Sherry Champion https://www.instagram.com/smacchampion/

Connect with Shelly McAdoo https://www.instagram.com/shelfishable/

Resources: Understanding Jim Crow by David Pilgrim https://amzn.to/3iURyjs

White Supremacy: A Comparative Study of American & South African History by George M. Frederickson https://www.amazon.com/White-Supremacy-Comparative-American-African/dp/0195030427

HEROS https://patch.com/illinois/winnetka/marches-justice-against-racism-planned-winnetka

Chicago CRED https://www.chicagocred.org

Lama Rod Owens https://www.lamarod.com

Vernā Myers https://www.ted.com/speakers/verna_myers

Rachel Cargle http://rachel-cargle.com

Peggy McIntosh https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf

Jane Elliot https://janeelliott.com

Ava DuVernay’s 13th http://www.avaduvernay.com/13th

St. Paul’s AME Church Sermon https://bit.ly/TheSameGod

Jade Zuberi https://www.instagram.com/jadesoulzuberi/

Black Kids Who Care https://www.instagram.com/b.k.w.c/

Understanding Jim Crow: Using Racist Memorabilia to Teach Tolerance and Promote Social Justice

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Episode #15- Speaking of Laughter- Guest: Mara Davis – Talent Booker for Adult Swim

On this episode we are speaking laughter with my friend Mara Davis, talent booker for Adult Swim and The Jump with Shirley Manson. She is a co-host of the Emmy award winning program Atlanta Eats and her Mara’s Music Mix – a weekly roundup of the city’s best concerts – is on Atlanta’s NPR station. Mara and I met in the lobby of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and it was love at first sight. Mara makes me laugh and I think she will make you laugh too.

Listening notes:

00:51 We are speaking laughter today! 1:08 Meet Mara Davis 2:30 You feel like home 3:29 Reinvention 4:30 Talent 6:00 Radio 7:36 Not an easy path 7:54 Carnival Barker 8:24 Failures 9:20 Craziest job 10:08 Keeping the muscle strong 10:37 Take gigs 11:40 Not being attached to a big brand 13:27 What Mara does 15:30 Mara’s latest job happened by accident – Talent Booker for Adult Swim 17:20 Fish Center Live 18:41 “Saying no is on brand for Adult Swim” 19:00 Can you say no now? 19:40 Booking guests 20:20 Who’s the biggest star you booked? 21:08 Sting 22:58 Sting was down to clown 23:10 Fish Center Live 23:23 Behind the Scenes 24:05 Food Network pilot 24:24 Momentum 25:40 Talent booking jobs 26:08 Success 26:29 Getting chicken fingers for Post Malone 27:00 Mara’s 14-year-old son 27:48 “Get off my lawn” 29:02 Saying no 29:25 Doing things for free 30:17 Great advice 31:23 How I met Mara 34:40 New outfits 35:59 Mara had a crush on me! 38:15 Keeping in touch 40:58 Being defined by one thing until you’re not 41:55 Oprah’s producers have given me so many TV opportunities 42:00 The job I didn’t get 42:46 Dipping in and dipping out 43:10 Circling Back is Mara’s middle name 43:41 Davis Love, Not the Golfer 44:23 Favorite word 44:39 Favorite TV series 45:24 Funniest show 46:20 Favorite season 46:40 What do you love the most about yourself? 46:52 Daily prayer? 47:08 Gratitude 47:28 Laughter is the best medicine / Stand up 49:24 I did standup for one reason 51:00 Meatbrick the comic 51:15 How can people who are struggling with laughter find it? 52:30 Where can we find you? 53:37 How is love speaking to you right now? 55:11 Mara’s family 55:48 Find a friend 56:46 Atlanta 57:15 Tyler Perry 57:50 Watching Oprah at The Smithsonian 59:05 Taking my mom to Watching Oprah 1:00:52 Mara’s laugh makes me laugh

Connect with Mara:

Instagram: @maradavis2000 https://www.instagram.com/maradavis2000/ Twitter: @maradavis https://twitter.com/MaraDavis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mara.davis1 Website: http://maradavis.com

Resources: Mara's Music Mix http://cp.wabe.org/programs/maras-music-mix

Atlanta Eats https://www.atlantaeats.com

Adult Swim http://www.adultswim.com

The Jump with Shirley Manson https://open.spotify.com/show/6KNEpJLmgGZ2KhEAbeCYvv

Fish Center Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EJ_nCeSitk

Mara's Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_Davis

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Episode #14 - Speaking of Enlightenment - Guest: Valerie Gangas is a speaker, author, meditation expert and spiritual rebel. In her book Enlightenment is Sexy Val helps women create a magical life. She is a self-proclaimed trouble maker and tells us all how Transcendental Meditation saved her life and how enlightenment can make us all sexy. The minute I met Val I was taken by her intuitive nature. Take a listen and you will see what I mean!

Listening notes:

00:48 Meet Val Gangas! 1:35 Our 2nd attempt! 2:20 When I met Val 3:07 Losing her mom 4:15 “My mom gave me a bottle of xanex and told me ‘You’re going to need this’.” 4:50 Learning Transcendental Meditation – “I pulled myself out of darkness in 20 minutes.” 5:44 What took you from darkness to TM? 7:32 Book cover design 8:00 Magic 9:00 “I received a miracle. Grace just fell on me.” 9:40 Wynonna Judd 10:15 This is not over. Stay in touch with me. 12:02 How has your relationship changed with your mom? 13:00 “My mom was a speaker and a writer.” 13:15 “She said ‘I’m going to write through you.’” 13:55 What’s the sexy part? 14:29 “You can’t go back.” 15:38 “It’s a two way street.” 16:16 Being present 16:38 Winging it 17:14 “This is for everyone.” 17:20 How can people do that?” 17:30 Val’s next book! 18:10 “You will live differently than everyone. You will live a simple life.” 19:38 “I noticed when I had less stuff and lived in nature that’s when the magic was really there.” 20:21 Tell us about when you saw your mom’s doctor? 22:13 Do you ever get scared you could go too deep? 23:06 Why did your health get worse? 23:30 “I had a major spiritual emergency.” 24:00 Master’s Degree 24:15 Living from the inside out 25:55 My meditation “pioneer” moment 27:45 Instead of feeling stupid, your idea is a good one. They aren’t ready for it. 28:56 “I came out of the spiritual closet.” 29:15 Tell us the Oprah story 30:37 “Next thing you know I was a speaker.” 30:59 Fear has no access when you are in your purpose. 31:50 “I want what that girl has.” 32:20 What are the signs that you need mindfulness? 33:40 Kids & social media / Mindfulness Leader / epidemic of anxiety 35:06 Story is the only way to heal pain 36:05 “Meditation is the ultimate nap.” 36:23 Val’s tricks 37:21 “Those distractions are taking you away from God & Source.” 37:47 Are you faithful to a religion? 38:02 “After I learned to meditate I felt like I didn’t need a middle man.” 38:33 Are you scared of death? 39:43 Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss 39:53 How did your mom raise you to be a child of God? 41:14 I believe in me 41:50 Meditation is my best friend 42:50 Hey dad! 43:02 “They’re right next to you. We can’t see them. We’re built that way.” 44:10 I felt very unseen. Maybe it’s a mystery 45:01 Solid advice 45:13 How can we protect ourselves from energy drainers? 46:09 Your body is your story teller 46:22 “You have to save yourself.” 46:36 Do you see mediums? 47:20 Fairfield, Iowa 49:50 Magic happens when a talented group of people come together for the same purpose 50:38 “Magical living makes for a better life.” 50:54 14 Ways You Can Have a Radical Transformation 51:50 Psilocybin therapy 52:33 The change that changes everything 53:05 Do you have a daily prayer? 53:17 Love questions 54:00 The Pharmacist on Netflix 54:25 Handmaid’s Tale 55:22 How is love speaking to you today?

Connect with Val:

Website https://www.valeriegangas.com

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieGangas%20/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/valeriegangas/

Twitter twitter.com/ValerieGangas

Resources:

Enlightenment is Sexy https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/25462737-enlightenment-is-sexy

TM.org https://bit.ly/TMofficialsite

Fairfield, Iowa https://cityoffairfieldiowa.com

Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr. Brian Weiss https://www.brianweiss.com/about-the-books/many-lives-many-masters/

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Episode #17 Speaking of Doing What You Love Guest: Henry Harteveldt – Principal of Atmosphere Research Group

On this episode we are speaking do what you love, my brand tenant! My guest happens to embody everything I speak and write about. At a young age, he played with toy airplanes and loved the smell of jet fuel. Today he is one of the travel industry’s most well-known and respected analysts and advisors and quoted constantly.

After years with TWA, Continental Airlines and Forrester Research, Henry began Atmosphere Research to provide independent, objective, and trustworthy research on travel industry marketing, product, distribution, digital commerce, and future trends. He’s on an airplane more than he is in his own bed and he is my friend Henry Harteveldt. This was recorded pre-pandemic but the travel tips Henry shares are always valuable. Take a listen!

Listening notes: 1:01 Doing what you love 1:58 Welcome Henry Harteveldt! 2:37 Henry in the world of travel 3:30 How is love speaking to you today? 5:15 Henry’s story 6:48 “A mile of road lets you drive a mile. A mile of runway can take you anywhere.” 7:45 Aviation geek 8:28 “I was lucky enough to somehow turn my avocation into a vocation.” 9:15 The smell of jet fuel 9:52 “Jet fuel is the smell of opportunity.”  11:15 What smell reminds you of your purpose? 11:32 Henry’s dad 12:45 Henry’s mom 13:15 “My first word was Boeing.” 14:52 “I remember the first time I stepped on a 747.” 15:29 The lovespeaks career formula 16:37 The voice of the travel industry 18:11 Did you really learn to fly a plane before driving a car? 18:48 Camp Solo 19:52 Did you want to be a pilot? 20:47 “We go into professions where we see people like us or where we thing we will be welcome.” 22:28 “I wonder how many Henrys we chased away?” 24:00 Plan B 25:00 “Dad always loved TWA.” 25:29 What are some “Henry” travel tips? (Please note this was pre-pandemic) 27:30 Turbulence 28:56 What’s in your bag when you travel? 30:57 United’s 747 farewell flight 32:22 Nerd are really people with passion and love! 32:55 So cool to watch you from afar! 33:14 Any perks? 34:00 A network of colleagues 34:30 “This is not Hello Dolly!” 34:54 “This is something I do miss – the excitement of air travel.” 35:25 “The one thing I think the airline industry can do better ….” 36:43 How is the airline industry getting better? 37:05 “We are in a new different Golden Age of travel.” 38:34 Flying coach 38:48 “What the airlines have lost is a focus on the customer.” 39:16 People just want to be heard. 40:37 “Pack your patience.” 42:30 How many miles have you flown? 42:40 How many days of the week are you in the air? 44:54 Favorite airline? 45:20 Favorite airplane? 45:43 Window or aisle? 45:48 Favorite travel app? 46:35 TSA pre or Clear? 47:21 Best day of the week to travel? 48:24 “Paris is always a good idea.” 48:54 “My favorite destination is home.” 49:00 Antarctica 49:46 India 50:00 How do you use your story to help others? 50:31 What are the lessons your mom (and dad) taught you? 52:10 Harteveldt humor 52:35 What does being an uncle mean to you? 53:24 “Family is everything.” 54:30 Tell us the story about your mom’s cooking 56:15 “She loved seeing me quoted.” 56:35 You are the most quoted person in the family. 57:05 Where can we find you? 57:40 What is exciting you most right now in the travel industry? 58:20 Sustainability 59:55 “Talk to the people next to you!” 1:00:28 Enjoy being in your favorite destiny – HOME!

Connect with Henry: Twitter: https://twitter.com/hharteveldt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryharteveldt/

Resources: CityMapper https://apps.apple.com/us/app/citymapper/id469463298

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Episode #18 Speaking of Standup Guest: Alex Kumin – Have you ever wanted to do standup comedy? I have, so I did. I was lucky to get Alex Kumin, one of Chicago’s hottest comics, as my teacher, and I will just say this – I hit the jackpot! Alex is the host at Cole’s Open Mic and her timing is impeccable. I have never been more terrified when I did my first standup, but Alex’s training and her ability to build a community with her students made it easier. I did standup to be brave and to remind myself to be braver in the things I already do well. What are you doing to be brave? Take a listen to my badass friend and comic Alex Kumin – she will make you want to go do something brave, or funny.

Listening notes: 1:14 Girl crushing on Alex Kumin! 1:42 Using comedy to empower women 2:30 Standup is terrifying 2:50 “Fear is often a good marker of stuff we need to look at.” 3:35 “Just the act of being alone on a stage and a whole room of people looking at you is not what we have been taught to do.” 4:00 Fem Com 5:00 My standup story 6:35 I only want to perform in front of a produced audience! 7:20 The community that Alex builds 8:00 Do you still have an accountability partner? 8:43 Fear 9:30 Callback – when you forget something how do you get around it? 10:13 “Sometimes you have to think with two brains when you are up there.” 11:33 “Standup is all about process and practice.” 12:16 The Joke Tree 13:55 Details 14:24 On the corner of Happy & Healthy 15:38 Word economy 16:18 “It’s also about the creation of release of tension.” 16:43 The Amazon coat 18:32 The process of standup 19:30 “We just have to get out of our own way.” 20:30 Alex is a boxer! 20:43 I think standup makes people cooler. 21:16 “It’s a brave act.” 22:10 When did you know you were funny? 23:34 “Silence is so important in comedy.” 24:10 “Tig Notaro is one of my favorite comics.” 24:30 Wanda Sykes jokes 25:06 Who were your comedian heroes growing up? 25:59 When did you decide to make comedy a go? 29:19 90% of open mics are men 32:08 Level 2 – everyone in the room is a teacher 32:50 “Since teaching the class, I’ve become a better comic because I know the mechanics better.” 33:58 I wrote my first set in the backseat of our car on our way to Cleveland. 34:47 The simple act of writing is healing 34:56 “Comedy is not therapy, but it’s therapeutic.” 35:12 Brené Brown 35:30 “Before you share a story you have to be okay with sharing it.” 35:55 Morning pages – getting it on paper 36:26 “You’re laughing because you connect – you’ve been there too.” 37:08 “You’re not in a place of fear when you’re laughing.” 37:30 Content 38:38 Removal day 39:26 Who makes you laugh? 39:51 Do you and your boyfriend help each other with your jokes? 40:10 Where do you want to see your comedy go? 41:01 Seth Myers & John Mulaney 42:25 Who in your life makes you laugh? 42:42 “I had cancer when I was 21.” 43:31 “Shit happens in life. It’s messy and it can be scary.” 44:07 Have you ever used it (cancer) for comedy? 44:48 “Write what you know.” 46:02 If someone is willing to go out there and do something brave, we should have an audience to watch it. 46:09 Hosting 46:35 “The thing about hosting is you have to get to know your audience.” 47:04 “It’s a two way street.” 47:45 The minute you make your audience your friend they want you to succeed. 47:50 “You made the right choice.” 48:13 Go-to jokes 49:37 The Oprah Winfrey Show pre-show warm-up 51:00 My improv story 53:40 Favorite season? TV series? Comedian? 54:08 Favorite part of the process? 54:15 Favorite thing about yourself?

Connect with Alex:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alex.kumin/

Twitter https://twitter.com/AlexKumin

Resources:

Fem Com https://www.femininecomique.com

Alex Hosts the Open Mic at Coles https://bit.ly/AlexatColes

Lia Berman’s Open Mic at Logan Theater https://bit.ly/LiaBerman

Joke Like a Girl https://bit.ly/JokeLikeAGirl

Tig Notaro https://bit.ly/TigComedy

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Episode #16 Speaking of my kids Guests: Marin, Carly & Billy Loveman

On this episode I am speaking with my kids! It’s a rare moment to have all three of my kids under one roof. Today it’s at Mystery Street Recording Company! Marin is 27, Carly is 25 and Billy is 20. They all work in, or study, television and we talk a lot about being what it’s like being exposed to an environment early on and how that speaks in their careers today.

Join us for some love speaking and find out what it’s like to be raised by me. Cue the eye rolling!

Listening notes: 1:30 Speaking of my kids 2:35 How is love speaking to you today Billy? 5:48 What Billy told me at 4-years old 7:09 How is love speaking to you today Carly? 7:46 How is love speaking to you today Marin? 8:39 Home is about what feels good to you 9:27 Marin what is Billy’s talent? 10:36 Billy what is Carly’s talent? 12:06 Carly what is Marin’s talent? 13:55 The greatest gift a mother could ask for is for her children to love each other 14:10 Intros for my kids 16:15 Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live monologue 19:33 Northwestern University 20:52 Billy’s 8th grade letter 22:02 How’s your love life? 22:12 How did me working for Oprah impact your life? 24:47 The Car Show 25:35 Marin helped book someone for the audience 26:36 Lenient mom 27:17 Marin’s Car Show story 29:18 Carly loves being in a TV studio too 30:45 Purpose 32:27 Marin speaks about having me as a working mom 33:35 Carly speaks about being proud of me 35:17 Marin speaks about big moments 36:10 Oprah’s gift 37:15 When Dianne Hudson called me 38:45 How the audience producer job came to me 40:11 Hard to leave your babies 40:24 Marin explains she’s exhausted and doesn’t have kids 40:56 What environment sucks you in and pleases all five of your senses? 41:35 What is the craziest advice I have ever given you? 42:07 Best advice? 42:15 Marin – The Page Program 43:02 Billy – auditioning for Little Shop of Horrors 45:07 Billy’s basketball coach 46:07 Carly – Lafayette College and listening to your mother 47:48 It isn’t always easy being my child/my book 49:20 How do you like my comedy? 50:20 My kids don’t like to public speak 51:40 Feminine Comique 52:12 I haven’t worked with my kids yet 52:48 When I split my pants at work 54:27 What’s exciting you right now? 57:41 Thank you for saying yes to this podcast 57:48 What do you love the most about yourself? 59:44 Your favorite pop culture person right now? 1:00:53 Thank you God! Amen.

Resources: Will Ferrell’s SNL monologue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guEn4MkE0sw

Feminine Comique https://www.femininecomique.com

Billy Loveman’s 8th Grade Dress Rehearsal of Little Shop of Horrors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqHzhs28qg4

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Episode # 13

Speaking of Leadership

Guest: Julie Smolyansky – CEO of Lifeway Foods

On this episode we are speaking leadership with CEO of Lifeway Foods Julie Smolyansky who at age 27, became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held company. Named to Fortune Business 40 under 40 and Fortune’s 55 Most Influential Women on Twitter – Julie is a natural born leader. She drops so much wisdom here you will want to take notes.

Julie is also a fierce advocate for victims of sexual assault and as a survivor herself, Julie uses her voice as a platform for support and change We recorded this episode in early February, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the call volume currently rising with domestic violence and sexual assault cases, Julie’s leadership is needed now more than ever.

Julie serves as a producer on the new documentary On The Record which premiers on HBO Max Wednesday, May 27th. Julie is a true leader and I am honored to call her my friend. I hope you will listen and share with anyone who needs to hear her message.

Listening notes:

00:48 We are speaking leadership with Julie Smolyansky 1:28 How is love speaking to you today? 2:58 You have to be a leader to have these conversations. 4:31 Executive Producer “On the Record” and “The Hunting Ground” 5:58 “On the Record shines a light on the #MeToo movement specifically for women of color” 7:02 “I actually have an issue with words ‘Me Too’” 9:00 “We should be linked arm and arm.” 10:18 Being in your purpose and using your gut 12:35 Doing what you love to benefit others 12:50 Test 400K – untested rape kids 15:45 “Speak your story to help others so they can move on and not feel shame” 17:56 Standing on the stage with 50 survivors 18:33 Learning a new vocabulary 19:14 Did you have to talk to your family, your employees and do you use these words with the press now? 20:17 As the mother of two girls 21:10 The word “victim” 21:49 YPO forum 23:55 What do you hope to do with your story? 25:08 How fitting – following your gut and being the CEO of a company that makes the product 26:15 “My story is heavy. It comes with trigger warnings.” 28:15 “Oprah was the first survivor I knew in a public life.” 29:28 1 in 3 suffer from sexual abuse 30:55 “I thought I was putting on a good show.” 31:56 The importance of self-care 32:45 “Make something out of your pain.” 33:13 “I am so hopeful and optimistic for a better future.” 34:14 Where do you get your grit from? 35:50 Every Mother Counts 36:19 What’s your biggest challenge? 37:30 Lessons from her sisters in Bangladesh 39:50 What can people do to be better leaders? 42:39 What was your talent as a young girl? 44:23 How many hours do you sleep now? 45:49 At 27 you became a CEO of Lifeway Foods – what did that feel like? 47:40 Advice to the President of Columbia 48:12 “I have a lens … it’s never going to get solved if we don’t talk about it.” 49:00 “It’s so exciting to see how the needle has changed.” 49:29 What would your employees say about you as a leader? 50:17 “Today when I walk into a room people come up to me to share their story.” 52:47 What are your grandmother’s names? 53:36 Do you have a daily prayer? 54:33 What should we demand of our leaders? 56:52 “We have to be there for each other. Community saves us.” 57:20 “When you’re an immigrant child the conversations didn’t happen.” 58:12 Kobe Bryant’s death 59:20 We need to sit with our kids. 59:50 “Learning to hold space for others.” 1:00:04 We need community 1:02:15 The greatest leadership quality is love

Resources:

Every Mother Counts https://everymothercounts.org

Lifeway Foods https://lifewaykefir.com

The Kefir Cookbook now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kefir-Cookbook-Ancient-Healing-Superfood/dp/0062651307

The Hunting Ground https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunting_Ground

On the Record https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Record_(film)

Till It Happens to You bit.ly/3bQg5BR

Test 400K prn.to/347G3xY

The Kefir Cookbook: An Ancient Healing Superfood for Modern Life, Recipes from My Family Table and Around the World

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Episode #12

Speaking of Loss

Guest: Barri Leiner Grant – founder of The Memory Circle

On this episode we are speaking loss with my friend Barri Leiner Grant, founder of The Memory Circle. Barri lost her beautiful mother Ellen 27 years ago and her desire to make the grief cycle a shared experience inspired her to create a platform where people can gather, remember, and celebrate the people we’ve lost and love. The Memory Circle is a place to share stories and memories and grow together. Like everything Barri does, The Memory Circle is beautifully curated. Barri combines all her roles as stylist, designer, writer, vintage collector, public relations executive, yoga and meditation teacher – and delivers the very thing we all need, a shared space to grieve. If you have lost someone you love and are struggling, listen to this episode and learn how you can find comfort in your grief. Barri is very special and as I say in the podcast, she just feels right to me. I know she will feel right to you. Listening notes:

1:06 Meet Barri from Jersey 2:25 How is love speaking to you today? 2:58 Vulnerability is where the learning lies 3:45 It is a privilege to call my mom 4:01 Barri’s mom Ellen 7:00 Ellen invented job sharing 8:00 How does your mother guide you now? 10:00 Ask for signs 11:05 My phone calls my dad 11:43 The Memory Circle 14:00 Change the vernacular around grieving 15:00 Writing exercises 16:06 Be in community with your grief 16:50 Writing is healing 17:58 Imagine what your loved one might say 18:30 Tap into your intuitive 19:20 How can people benefit who don’t live in Chicago? 20:16 Remorse and regret 21:50 Barri’s 50th birthday 22:19 How does your work serve you in your relationship with your mom today? 23:00 Don’t make it sad 23:46 Barri’s love for vintage 25:16 Ellen’s jewelry 25:56 Do you see your mom in your girls? 26:46 Let’s talk about death 28:45 Mother yourself 29:13 Is there something of your mother’s you love the most? 30:00 Two word: memory & circle 33:47 Explore what works for you 35:08 Barri’s sister’s loss 35:22 Emma Jayne named for Ellen 35:52 Mona Conrad – Barri’s grandmother 37:07 If you weren’t running The Memory Circle what would you want to do? 37:20 Favorite Broadway show? 38:00 Bob Garrett 38:25 Emma Jayne 39:42 @V.goodvegan by Quinn 40:05 New flavor alert! 40:25 Family of women 41:16 Write a book! I want to know more! 41:40 Mother Trucker 42:19 Do you have a daily prayer? 42:43 What’s the one thing people can do who are suffering from loss? 43:30 Find a community 44:29 When you get quiet you can hear 44:37 A better listener 45:03 What smell reminds you of your mom? 46:06 Looking with new eyes 46:26 Goosebumps are the truth 47:50 I love you more than the whole wide world 48:22 Tattoos (*Correction - My niece Kelly has a tattoo of my father’s initials!) 49:23 Barri tells her dad stories about him 50:00 The power of writing 50:44 Being present in loss. Plan now. How do you want to be remembered? 52:35 Favorite word 53:45 Favorite Jersey Shore 56:05 What do you love the most about yourself? 57:30 You feel right to me 58:16 Where can we find you? 58:50 What’s exciting you right now? 1:00:05 Your favorite borough? 1:00:45 On trend with our paperclip chain necklaces 1:02:12 Message of hope

Resources

The Memory Circle https://thememorycircle.com

Instagram @thememorycircle https://www.instagram.com/thememorycircle/ @v.goodvegan https://www.instagram.com/v.goodvegan/ @emmajaynegrams https://www.instagram.com/emmajaynegrams/

Emma Jayne http://www.emmajaynesings.com

Revealing Soul https://revealingsoul.com

Amy Owen Yoga http://amyowenyoga.com

Foundrae https://foundrae.com

Jill Alberts Jewelry https://jillalberts.com

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Episode #11 Speaking of My Mom Guest: Mary Ann Oaks

My mom is a mother of 3 daughters, 8 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 2 great granddaughters and 2 great grandsons. She makes us all laugh so hard and she is so present in each and every one of our lives. It is a privilege to be her daughter and to have her here with me today to celebrate Mother’s Day. I am counting my blessings and am wishing anyone listening who is without their mom today or anyone who wants to be a mom and is finding it to be a challenge, so much love. Let us always lift each other up, especially those right now who need it most.

Listening notes:

1:10 Welcome my mom! 2:08 How is love speaking to you today? 3:30 My SPEAK book launch 5:29 Being 88 6:05 My mom and her luggage 7:17 Why do you pack so much? 8:56 My mom is Moira 10:17 My mom dresses up to travel and keeps up with us 11:52 When my mom said no to my invitation to the Watching Oprah exhibit 14:10 We tricked her into saying yes 15:28 How did you feel when you saw my quote? 15:53 Saying yes means so much 16:27 Tell people you are inviting just how much their yes means to you 17:02 The Mike Douglas Show 17:52 Betsy from the Book 19:04 The words I love you 22:49 Mother’s Day when you are without your mom & The Memory Circle 24:09 Thank you for being so present 25:55 How do you feel about being on Instagram? 27:13 Keeping the family close when we all live so far apart 27:58 Always forgiveness 28:35 It is a privilege God chose me to be your child 29:11 How did you get your nickname Snookie? 31:00 My LOU chorus 32:17 Snookie vs. Mary Anne 33:11 My grandfather 35:15 My mom was never a worrier and now she is 36:22 She is a prankster 37:16 What do you want to be remembered for? 37:25 JLo and the Superbowl halftime show 38:34 When I realize my mom is JLo 40:18 My mom is so easy going 41:53 What my mom taught me as a mother 43:17 I am really going to miss you 44:00 So many of us want to call the people we’ve lost 45:30 “My biggest regret in life is that I wasn’t educated.” 46:38 My mom ran the house 47:17 She is funny and flirty and never stops living her life 48:04 Love questions

48:50 My mom can’t pronounce Moira’s name 50:30 Moira necklace shop 50:40 Who is your favorite child? 51:34 A little conditional love 52:58 Thank you mom! 54:00 Speak from the heart 55:00 Happy Mother’s Day!

Resources: Instagram @babysnooks626

Oui Madame in Winnekta, IL http://ouimadame.net

Then I met designer Jenny Jules who designed my “Moira’ necklace https://jbugjules.com Instagram @jbugjulesjewelry

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Episode #10 Speaking of Kindness Guest: Kathleen Sarpy – Founder & CEO of Agency H5

On this episode we are speaking kindness with my friend Kathleen Sarpy, CEO of Agency H5 - a marketing communications agency that is rooted in public relations where she and her team expertly connect people, events and ideas to generate meaningful and lasting impact. Kathleen is a brand builder, storyteller and fierce advocate for protecting kindness in the workplace. Her mantra is “always lead with kindness” and there is no one who has been kinder to me in my business than Kathleen. Join us and be inspired to spread kindness in your work community and home.

Listening notes: 1:11 Kind people are my kind of people 2:00 Agency H5 was recognized by Crain’s Chicago as one of the best places to work 2:56 Started her business in her basement 3:20 11 is Kathleen’s lucky number – look for signs 4:16 Where were your kindness seeds planted? 4:40 Soul connections 5:30 God puts people on your path 6:14 Kathleen’s soul family 6:50 Kathleen’s parents 7:39 I am attracted to women who have strong relationships with their fathers 8:25 Kathleen lost her parents 14 weeks apart. How did kindness get you through? 10:30 “I’m happier being on the giving side.” 11:45 The Go-Giver 12:45 Showing up 13:42 Accepting a compliment 14:18 You are the company you keep 14:34 The Agency H5 team 15:26 All roads lead to Kathleen 16:11 The conversation 17:11 “I hate small talk.” 17:26 What was your talent as a young girl? 19:52 Bringing her kids on the ride with her 20:27 Divorce and seeing it as a blessing 20:54 The Chris story 21:36 Hope the puppy 21:57 “Six days into my divorce on my Amex I bought a dog.” 25:25 6 children 27:00 When shit hits the fan find your way out 27:50 More beauty from the ashes 28:10 Do you ever cry because you are so proud of your faith? 28:42 “I am able to better understand how to float.” 29:00 Kathleen’s kids 29:50 The universal truth in my story …. 30:55 Kids are better prepared 31:12 “Our agreement to always think the best of each other.” 31:41 Transformational relationships 33:06 From middle school to mid-life we still ask “Do you like me?” 35:24 Thanking her ex-husband in front of the judge 35:48 Making it a practice to be kind 36:45 It costs nothing to be kind 37:18 When you are kind to yourself that kindness multiplies 38:22 Appreciate who you are today. “I give myself a lot more grace.” 40:50 “Grateful for my body that birthed 5 kids.” 41:06 Psalm 46:5 tattoo – “God is within her. She will not be moved.” 41:46 “My 1% life.” 42:20 5 core pillars of Agency H5 – kindness, passion, creativity, integrity & hustle 44:03 Leading with kindness 45:04 If you could talk to the leaders who lead with fear what would you say to them? 47:34 The Kathleen Oprah seat filler story 50:20 “I made Jerry Seinfeld laugh.” 51:50 Show up with your feet 52:28 Writing is a gift 52:59 Advice to people who’ve lost someone they love 54:04 Love round questions 54:52 Her son John Henry walking Kathleen down the aisle 55:47 Love always wins 56:38 “Our second date was in Paris!” 56:45 Energy is the keeper of kindness 57:50 Thank you for being a champion of women and this woman!

Resources: Instagram @kathleenkhenson @agencyh5

Agency H5 http://agencyh5.com

The Go-Giver https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Go-Giver

Enchanted Backpack https://www.enchantedbackpack.org

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Episode #9 Speaking of Mindfulness Guest: Mona Antwan – founder of Mindfulness Leader On this episode we are speaking mindfulness with my friend and fellow Harpo co-worker Mona Antwan. Mona is the founder of Mindfulness Leader, the first of its kind after school program and high school elective in the City of Chicago to offer a 10-week, 92 hour curriculum, in under resourced schools and communities. The program teaches students life skills through the art of mindfulness. The 23- core principle curriculum helps young leaders develop emotional intelligence through an interactive and project based course load. Mona has excellent advice to people of all ages on how to tap into our higher selves and simple ways to make room for mindfulness in our lives. Listening notes: 0:56 Speaking of Mindfulness 1:10 Meet Mona Antwan 2:47 How is love speaking to you today? 4:13 Surrendering 5:08 Young Mona 5:28 Higher Self 6:59 The seed was planted 7:30 Finding purpose in 3 rd grade 8:30 Advocate 10:00 Mindfulness & Emotional Management 11:05 Lessons from The Oprah Winfrey Show 12:10 Excited to do great things 14:30 Being a mom 17:00 Souring Eagle 18:35 Community 19:59 Meditation & Mindfulness 20:53 23 principle curriculum 21:45 Kids want this and need this 23:25 Worry & Anxiety 24:20 Rituals 25:43 Mindfulness accumulates 26:35 No such thing as a positive mindset – it’s about your rituals 28:17 Speaking & Self-Talk 30:23 Secretly bless people 31:05 My life not working out for me is really working out for me 31:41 The more human we are the better speaker we are 34:00 Building leaders 35:05 Where do we go from here with Mindfulness Leader? 36:20 The program is exploding 36:55 The word mentorship 37:45 What Mindfulness Leader curriculum teaches 38:15 The 23 principles

39:26 Scholarships 39:38 Growing to other states 40:00 Instagram & TikTok 41:32 Mona’s big tip for parents 43:33 Life purpose 44:00 The curriculum is exploding 44:12 Erika’s Lighthouse 44:40 Building things 46:12 Using Oprah’s words 47:00 Funding 47:40 What can listeners do to welcome more mindfulness into their lives? 48:35 Where can we find you? 49:22 Advice to parents 50:34 Daily prayer & gratitude tears 52:39 If you weren’t running Mindfulness Leader what would you be doing? 53:20 Check out mindfulnessleader.org &; be a partner Connect with Mona: Instagram: @mindfulness_leader Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mindfulnessleader/ Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/mindful_leader Site: https://www.mindfulnessleader.org Resources: Soaring Eagle: http://bit.ly/2t9Poae

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Episode #8 Speaking of Composting Guest: Kaitlin Mogentale – CEO of Pulp Pantry On this episode we are speaking composting with Kaitlin Mogentale, founder of Pulp Pantry, a sustainable food company that transforms upcycled ingredients (namely, juice pulp!) into vegetable-based, fiber-rich upgrades of junk food favorites like chips and cereals. Kaitlin is a self-proclaimed food waste warrior and is deeply passionate about the impact that food has on personal health and wellbeing, as well as sustainability and community. I’ve known Kaitlin since she was a baby and at 26 years old, her curiosity is changing the planet. A graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in Environmental Studies, Kaitlin Mogentale is someone to watch because her passion for the environment and sustainability is making the world a better place. She is a perfect example of when you do what you love, everyone benefits. Take a listen and benefit from Kaitlin’s wealth of knowledge in the food sustainability space. Listening notes: 1:03 Definition of lovespeaks 1:11 Meet Kaitlin Mogentale 2:08 Kaitlin my lovespeaks poster girl! 2:28 How is love speaking to you today? 3:08 Living what you love on your time off 4:12 A CEO making a difference 4:44 The Pulp Pantry Story 6:54 A change for women 7:42 A professor who changed everything 9:30 Pulp Pantry – access to healthy food 11:00 Kids are agents for change 11:30 Kaitlin’s carrot moment 12:20 Juice bar pulp 12:38 Pitching her idea to The University of Southern California 13:10 A profound moment 14:50 Getting kids in underserved areas access to Pulp Pantry 16:22 Start small build momentum 17:01 What was the first haul of pulp like? 17:46 The Target Incubator Accelerator Program 18:55 Young Kaitlin in the kitchen and her relationship with food 19:56 An Inconvenient Truth 21:20 Shout out to our moms! 22:19 What is your favorite vegetable? And, the imperfect produce box 24:09 What is your favorite fruit? 24:26 What vegetable or fruit should we absolutely eat organic? 25:25 Composting at home 26:15 Frankenstein garden 27:24 Recipes from food waste 28:25 Getting curious 28:50 How can home cooks become more curious and have less fear? 29:04 Keep practicing 29:50 What can we do to help the footprint, be more sustainable and reduce food waste? 31:00 Breaking habits 31:40 Eating vegan 32:38 Constraints breed creativity – another Kaitlin Mogentale moment!

34:10 It’s about YES! 34:49 Who came up with the name Pulp Pantry? 36:06 More on The Target Incubator Accelerator Program 38:02 Connected to people who have a deep understanding of the industry 38:23 CPG = Consumer Packaged Goods 38:40 Mentors 39:07 New product alert: pulp chips! 40:33 Being in community 42:00 Millennials 43:24 Mentors within the community of Kaitlin’s own age – the digital age! 45:49 What is your secret to engaging an audience? 47:01 “Focus on the content and purpose and you won’t get nervous.” Kaitlin’s

lightbulb moment.

48:03 When you are in your purpose fear has no access 48:41 “I’m supposed to be here” – my mantra 49:16 What’s exciting you right now? 50:05 Where can we find you? 51:16 Where can we buy the product? 51:32 Thrive Market 52:11 Things you love … 54:00 Best advice 55:35 It started with a carrot – start with a small idea

Connect with Kaitlin: Instagram @pulppantry Twitter @pulppantry Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pulppantry/ Website www.pulppantry.com Resources: Imperfect Produce: http://bit.ly/2Q8pCuy An Inconvenient Truth https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truth Video campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5E10x6MtXQ&feature=youtu.be Fortune feature: https://fortune.com/sponsored/?prx_t=11AFAAAAAAnvEQA Mind Body Green https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/target-incubator-young- entrepreneurs-changing-the-world

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Episode #7 Speaking of Recovery Guest: Kelley Kitley – Psychotherapist and owner of Serendipitous Psychotherapy and Renew Studio, a media expert and author of MY self: An autobiography of survival. On this episode we speak about recovery with psychotherapist and friend Kelley Kitley. Kelley has been telling stories since she was 6-years-old and it’s not an accident that her platform was her family’s bar. Today she counsels people through their own recovery and has been sober herself for 7 years. Kelley and I speak openly about addiction and it is my hope that if you are struggling with addiction, something in Kelley’s story will land on your heart. Listening notes: 1:19 Meet Kelley 2:52 Kelley’s story 3:20 How we met 5:22 Survivor 5:38 Kelley’s recovery 7:00 Finding your stage 7:40 Bar life 9:05 The 80’s are over 9:43 Kelley’s first drink at 12 10:27 Drinking was normal 10:46 The moment that led Kelley to stop drinking 11:36 Compulsiveness 11:50 Addiction 12:32 What can we do to give us hope if we battle with addiction? 14:00 7 years sober 14:36 When Kelley got sober 16:25 When it clicks 17:55 Replacement and distraction 18:50 The “Sally” moment 19:53 More distraction and replacement 20:43 Adrenaline junkie 21:06 Clear 21:17 Who is Kelley after being sober? 22:09 How can you help people avoid traps? 24:55 More tricks 26:04 Kelley’s sweet spot 27:41 Kelley’s kids and husband 29:10 Survivor 29:59 How does it make you feel helping people with their pain? 30:38 The power of our story 31:21 Use your story to help others 32:04 Kelley helping others 32:46 Purpose

32:55 My memoir and my husband 35:00 When you grow up in a house where you don’t talk about anything I call that

cancer. 35:42 Living in secrecy 37:10 Therapy 37:26 My lightbulb moment with Kelley 38:12 Renew Studio 39:17 The new bar! 39:44 Own your truth 41:04 Finding your safe space 41:36 What are our daily practices? 41:53 Get it GIRL 42:10 Show Day = Purpose 43:57 I’m supposed to be here 44:04 What is your secret to engaging an audience? 45:11 Kelley’s daily prayer – the serenity prayer 45:24 7 tattoos 47:08 7 is a piece of tie 47:49 What is the #1 mistake people make with sobriety? 48:13 What reminds you of your purpose? 50:26 Self-soothing 50:47 What is exciting you right now? 50:15 Kelley tells me she never saw The Oprah Winfrey Show in the studio and wants

to be on Super Soul Sunday

53:05 The bigger the platform the greater the impact 53:24 It doesn’t matter the size of your audience, it matters that they showed up for

you.

54:40 Where can we find you? 55:00 Our friend Julie Meute! 55:32 Things you love the most. 56: 40 Let’s stay honest Connect with Kelley: Instagram @kelleykitley Facebook https://www.facebook.com/krkitley Twitter @kitleykelley Website https://www.kelleykitley.com Resources: MY self: an autobiography of survival https://amzn.to/2RSIIr4 Serenity prayer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer TEDx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEc0JLrCs1M Daring Greatly by Brené Brown https://amzn.to/2RTilBl Super Soul Sunday http://www.oprah.com/app/super-soul-sunday.html

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

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Episode #6 Speaking of Purpose Guest: Danielle Robay – TV Host, Journalist, Feminist & founder of Pretty Smart. On this episode we speak about purpose. TV host, journalist and founder of Pretty Smart, Danielle Robay is one of the most purpose driven people I know. And she is a millennial! So you can kiss that stereotypes goodbye! I met Danielle when she was in the 8 th grade and inserted myself into her life, as I do when I spot talented and soulful people. I have watched Danielle’s star rise, thanks to her talent and hard work. But it is her purpose that really strikes me. Be inspired to find yours when you listen to my conversation with Danielle Robay. Listening notes: 00:49 Meet Danielle Robay 3:20 What I love about Danielle 3:38 Curiosity and love of story 5:20 The red carpet 5:46 Danielle’s purpose 8:00 Pretty Smart tease 8:13 Being human on the red carpet 11:12 Writing heals 11:55 Pretty Smart 13:00 Beauty Sick 14:50 Millennials are a must 15:40 More about purpose and Pretty Smart 16:15 We need more millennials on TV 17:15 Hillary Clinton 18:08 Jameela Jamel 18:53 Danielle posts smart 19:44 Larry King 20:33 Influencer 20:45 Personality and Purpose and Gary Zukav 24:45 Advice to people looking for their purpose 25:40 Using your talent 28:20 Non-judgmental 29:00 Danielle asks me how I started with Oprah 31:30 Connection 31:58 My lightbulb moment with Danielle 34:05 Larry King 38:29 Epstein Devil in Darkness Podcast 40:17 Pop Politics 44:15 Lessons are caught not taught 45:50 Giving back 47:09 Meaning behind Robay 47:39 What no launched you? 50:21 Equal Pay Rally 51:22 Use your voice

51:55 Gloria Steinem – One of the most feminist things you can do is to tell your

story.

52:58 Starbucks moment 55:05 Lightening round of love 58:00 What’s exciting you most right now? 59:45 Danielle’s question 1:02:25 Mentorship 1:02:58 Where we can find Danielle 1:03:40 Danielle invites me to be on Pretty Smart! Connect with Danielle: Instagram @DanielleRobay Twitter @DanielleRobay Facebook https://www.facebook.com/danielle.willerman Site: http://www.daniellerobay.com

Resources: Jameela Jamil @jameelajamilofficial Gary Zukav https://seatofthesoul.com Adam Grant https://cnb.cx/2YvIQOP Pretty Smart http://bit.ly/2P3vZA1 Beauty Sick http://beautysick.com

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Episode #5 Speaking of Music Guest: Val Haller - founder of Valslist

1:04 My friend Val 2:46 The List 3:22 Comfort Zone 4:00 Who's top of list? 4:25 Do it yourself! 5:25 An idea & a computer - Seth Godin 5:58 There's a Band in My Basement 6:25 Raw is what we want 6:58 Val's left me a playlist 7:51 Karma 8:30 Launching Valslist 9:22 Music plays a lot of roles 9:36 Thanksgiving soundtrack 10:23 My first record 10:30 Val's first record 10:55 Val feels music 11:37 Music go-to person 12:06 iTunes launch 12:40 Making playlists 12:54 Lightbulb moment 13:28 Valslist.com 14:06 The moment 14:51 Is that Val from Valslist? 16:07 Entrepreneurial 16:43 Word Nerd 16:55 Music blog 17:56 No one can fire me! 18:20 Do what you love 18:45 We can say what we want! 19:22 House concerts 20:22 Being brave 22:26 Industry side 23:29 Listen 23:38 Tip jar 24:15 Questions to the artists 24:40 Magic 25:27 Monetize 26:21 Artist & Audience together 27:45 The Winnetka Music Festival 29:53 Val's Way 31:40 Show Day 32:13 Boutique festivals 33:22 Who are you excited about? 33:53 JD Eicher 34:53 Spencer Ludwig 36:12 Caamp 36:56 Val keeps us cool 38:02 Mamapalooza 38:10 Val's audience 38:40 A music brand for the everyday person 39:00 Music for busy people 40:02 Buzz word is human 40:12 Algorithm 40:36 The Human Picker 41:39 Lollapalooza 42:22 I wore Spanx to Lolla! 43:39 Confidence 44:04 Val's Lolla prep list 44:24 Go Girl 45:08 What to expect at Lolla 45:41 Bruno Mars & going deep 46:36 Exit plan 47:04 Fear of crowds 47:44 Where does your confidence come from? 48:21 We have so much more to do! 49:21 Val's a mom first 50:12 They slept in your bed! 51:58 A lucrative audience 52:30 Just Listen 52:52 Tag lines 55:21 Engage with the Stage 55:49 How is love speaking to you today? 58:06 YES! 58:29 Change one word 59:20 What have I got to lose? 1:02:10 What do you love questions 1:05:02 Find Val! 1:05:29 You've been Val listed

Resources: Spencer Ludwig https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JdKrYrT8c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUwtCo4Ah7g

Caamp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ItTAeypn4Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InLXF9gf04Y

JD Eicher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfbi65ObPUc

The Winnetka Music Festival https://www.winnetkamusicfestival.com

Lollapalooza https://www.lollapalooza.com

Where you can find Val: https://www.valslist.com

Instagram: @valslist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valslist/ Twitter: @Valslistmusic

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Episode 4 Speaking of Soul Guest: Joshua Waddell – Soul Cycle Instructor and lululemon ambassador On this episode we speak about our soul with my favorite SoulCycle instructor Joshua Waddell. When I first took Joshua’s class I knew I had found someone who speaks my language. It was like Joshua was doing The Oprah Winfrey Show warmup on a bike. I write about how if you want to be a better speaker just take a SoulCycle class and study the instructor. Joshua is one of those instructors. We talk about connecting to our souls and we go deep. This conversation has stayed on my heart since the moment it happened. I know it will stay on yours too. Take a listen. I especially love the way we end it.

Listening notes: 1:14 Meet Joshua Waddell from Soul Cycle 2:30 I insert myself into people's lives 2:53 Connection 3:05 Take a Soul Cycle class 3:30 Soul 3:50 What I love about Joshua 4:59 How is love speaking to you today? 5:36 Connection 6:01 Addiction 6:31 Choose to love 6:50 How did Soul Cycle come to you? 8:05 Fitness 10:01 Consistency 10:16 Did you want to be on a stage when you were a boy? 11:11 Dance 12:25 Your bike is your stage 12:49 Impact 13:34 We all have a voice 14:27 Your audience shows up for you 16:02 A full room 17:09 Fear of small audiences 17:30 What is your secret weapon of connection with people? 18:51 What was your talent as a young boy? 19:16 Gwen Stefani 19:30 Accept invitations from your mother 19:45 Say yes 20:39 Do you meditate? 21:02 How many classes do you teach? 21:41 How do you fill up? 21:58 Favorite movie? 22:09 AMC pass 22:24 How can you guide people listening to get back in touch with their soul? 23:37 Patience 23:47 What's next? 24:44 Brave 25:00 Community 26:16 Eye contact 26:45 How's your love life? 27:56 Energy 28:25 Smitten 28:58 Audition 30:35 New York City 31:59 Off the bike 32:15 19th Street Soul Cycle in New York City 32:43 Leave the podium 33:03 Add love 33:26 If you want your audience to work harder for you include them 33:33 Always a rider first 34:03 The better the audience the better the speaker. The better the rider the better the teacher 34:26 Joshua-isms 35:09 Soul Cycle 35:41 The candle 37:12 Social media is a full time job 37:45 To be the best of someone's day 38:02 Mantra 38:15 You stir people's souls 38:44 What's your pump up song? 39:01 Silence in cars 40:27 Use the time when there is quiet 40:41 Using time to my advantage 41:00 Give back 42:00 Pain 42:35 Is your family soulful? 43:41 Love questions 45:22 What do you love the most about yourself? 46:26 Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 47:32 The power of our stories 48:36 What would the title of your story be? 48:54 Happiness 50:50 I enjoy Joshua! 51:38 How Joshua ends every class

Connect with Joshua: Instagram: @joshua_waddell

Resources: Soul Cycle https://www.soul-cycle.com Ryan Lewis http://bit.ly/2Xvfpf5

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Episode #3 Speaking of LOVE Guest: Bela Gandhi On this episode we speak about LOVE – just in time for Valentine’s Day! Bela Gandhi, my friend and founder of Smart Dating Academy, tells singles how to date smart. Bela uses her talent for chemistry in a way that serves her clients and leads to weddings, lots and lots of weddings. If you think you can’t find love, you haven’t met Bela Gandhi. Bela’s love is speaking – so if you are single, or your adult child is single, or your best friend is single – take a listen and learn how you or someone you love can date smart!

Listening notes: 1:10 Meet Bela! 2:00 Lightning bolts & Bela’s budding matchmaking skills 4:14 Bela’s Super Bowl – Valentine’s Day 5:40 Bela’s life before Smart Dating Academy 6:16 Finding the “lid to their pot” 7:24 Bela’s chemistry talent 8:00 How I met Bela 9:08 Bela’s super power 10:12 Our friend Danielle Robay – Danielle’s episode drops March 2nd 10:19 Bela’s in my book! Page # 21 10:30 How Bela starts her story 11:26 Everyone has a story 12:00 Dating is storytelling - Smart Dating Academy 12:54 Teaching people how to date 14:30 Female vs. male clients 14:46 How long is the program? 15:00 Smart Dating curriculum 17:02 How has Smart Dating Academy grown? 17:25 Why is dating so hard? 17:53 The 3 dating lanes 18:38 Importance of the word “and” 19:10 Advice for parent to tell their kids 19:22 on-line dating 19:48 The fallacy of abundance 20:49 Bela’s own dating story 21:30 Bela’s spreadsheet 21:44 Mergers & Acquisitions 22:08 I love when things fit neatly together 22:30 When you do what you love it’s efficient 23:00 Weddings 23:24 Client story 25:16 High GHQ = Good Husband Quality 26:12 Singles take it to the phone! 27:51 My friend found love at 57 28:20 Oldest and youngest clients 28:57 Valentine’s Day is hard 29:38 What would you tell single people to do on Valentine’s Day? 30:32 Do you give love advice to your children? 31:15 Smart Dating Academy helps you fix you picker. 31:27 Avoiding alligators 32:35 Crazy can’t hide 32:59 What is the part about finding love that no one prepares you for? 34:21 The word “and” again 34:36 What’s exciting you right now? 35:22 Instagram Lives weekly 35:46 When are you writing a book? 35:55 Rebecca Rosin author of Spirited 36:52 How do you turn it off at night? 37:39 The #1 fear people have is speaking in public 38:34 Purpose 39:15 I found my own fear through comedy 40:42 I am attracted to women who are doing their own thing 41:29 Create your own content 42:17 Valslist – Val’s podcast drops February 24th 43:08 Where does your entrepreneurial spirit come from? 43:24 Bela’s no that launched her 46:55 My no story 48:04 Bela’s Best Love Tips 48:25 A psychotic optimist 48:58 Change your language 49:09 Look around! Is every person in a relationship HOT? 49:22 Change your energy 49:34 Have fun 50:23 Momentum 51:01 “Peddle the bike” 51:34 Sally Lou and Bela’s Love song duet! 52:29 If you weren’t a Smart Dating coach what would you be? 52:55 The arrival terminals at airports 53:08 Every place is a venue 54:10 Word you love the most? 54:25 Season you love the most? 54:40 TV series you love the most? 54:54 Favorite dating app? 56:55 What have your clients done that works? 57:49 2 truths and a lie and other ways to catch someone’s attention 58:45 Where can we find you? 58:54 Psychotic Optimist launching soon! 59:22 Bela’s heart

Connect with Bela: Instagram @smartdatingacademy Facebook https://www.facebook.com/smartdatingacademy/ Twitter @belagandhilove Website https://www.smartdatingacademy.com

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Episode #2 Speaking of Midlife Guest Rita Coburn

3:13 My Rita Song

3:54 Midlife

4:12 Mistakes

4:55 My friend

5:18 Women

8:13 Stay open

9:00 Humor

9:50 Dr. Maya Angelou

10:21 Laughter

12:48 Dr. Angelou

14:19 Twins

14:37 Elders

14:53 Speak it

15:30 Lessons

16:47 Eye rollers

17:04 Midlife

18:14 Time

19:23 Comeback

19:58 Pain

21:05 Sisters

22:11 Marriage

22:40 Relationships

24:49 Exciting

26:33 Dating

27:05 New stuff

27:41 Story

28:34 Transcendental Meditation

28:51 Distraction

29:08 Fear

29:41 Midlife

31:26 Cry

32:28 Check-in

35:00 Prayer

37:15 Faith

38:00 Struggle

38:47 Faith

39:20 Let go

39:54 Sunday's coming

40:18 Messy

41:59 Write

44:33 Women grow

45:22 Purpose

45:52 Team

46:15 Brave

46:33 Prioritize

46:48 Bring others up

47:16 Mentorship

49:11 New generation

49:58 Mother of mentors

50:17 Meeting Maya Angelou

52:07 Generations

53:20 Connection

53:55 Love questions

55:04 Find Rita

55:22 Next

56:02 Grateful

56:19 Speaker hero

56:39 Audience engagement

57:04 Good Better Best

One LA https://tphla.org/toure-sarah-roberts/

website https://www.ritacoburn.com

Facebook: @ritacoburn

Instagram @iamritacoburn

Our Daily Bread https://odb.org

Psalm 23 http://www.hebrewsongs.com/psalm23.htm

Good Better Best https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/st_jerome_389605

Rita's Martin Luther King, Jr. speech in Milwaukee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXBLuFOFeAk&feature=youtu.be

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Episode #1 Speaking of My Story Welcome to the world of Sally Lou Loveman and lovespeaks! This episode is just me. the love speaks series has been in the making since I first recorded my voice on my reel to reel tape recorder in my basement at 6 years old. I’m so excited to share my stories with you and I can hardly wait for you to meet the heart centered professionals who will be joining me each week. Get ready for some love to speak!

the lovespeaks series: Recent Episodes

the lovespeaks series