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Episode 382: What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part IEpisode NotesAre you curious to learn how human behavior and the law interact? Dr. Mark Levy delves into the fascinating world of Forensic Psychiatry, shedding light on the intriguing dynamics at play. Join us as we explore the riveting cases of The People vs. O.J. Simpson and The State of New York vs. Donald Trump. It’s a fascinating discussion that will make you think!

Dr. Mark Levy is a licensed clinical and forensic psychiatrist with over four decades of experience. He has degrees from Columbia University and the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Levy and his team of 22 board-certified psychiatrists and 10 forensic neuropsychologists practice forensic psychiatry at Forensic Psychiatric Associates, L.P. (FPAMED.com). Dr. Levy has been retained as a forensic psychiatric expert in more than 500 civil lawsuits and related matters. He has published numerous articles and presented countless talks on forensic psychiatric topics, such as “Mental Illness In the Workplace” and “Shrink in the Courtroom: Forensic Psychiatry and Law.”

I chose to discuss the O.J. Simpson and Donald Trump cases because they spontaneously came up in our conversation. Our legal system has loopholes that get exploited. In one case, someone is guilty but found innocent. In the other, the offender was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records that kept a sordid extramarital affair from the public before the 2016 presidential election. The men accused in both cases committed the crimes.

O.J. Simpson died earlier this year on the 30th anniversary of his yearslong 1994 criminal case, The People vs. O.J. Simpson. He was found not guilty by a Los Angeles jury of the gruesome murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Just because he was found not guilty doesn’t mean he didn’t commit the crime. We discuss the role of the prosecuting attorney, the broader cultural context, and the impact of societal influences on legal cases, which can blur the facts and conceal the truth.

We taped this podcast conversation in the middle of The State of New York vs. Donald Trump trial. I asked Dr. Levy if he thinks Donald Trump is a psychopath. Dr. Levy explains the Gold Water Rule and the ethics of diagnosing people you haven’t examined. Dr. Levy gives insights into Donald Trump’s reactive and impulsive behavior and transactional focus in relationships regardless of norms or the law. Irrespective of the nation’s needs or individuals in the country, Donald Trump is focused on what is in Donald Trump’s best interest and projects onto others so whatever he accuses others of doing, it is really him who is doing it. If he calls President Joe Biden a criminal, flip it. He is talking about himself. That is what we can predict.

Two psychopath researchers give us insights into how psychopaths operate. Hervey Cleckley, in The Mask of Sanity, labels psychopaths as “grossly selfish, callous, irresponsible, impulsive, and unable to feel guilty or be able to learn from experience or punishment.” Robert Hare defines psychopaths as “social predators who charm, manipulate, and ruthlessly plow their way through life… violating social norms and expectations without the slightest sense of guilt or regret.” If we cannot learn from our experiences, we are stunted in our capacity to grow, heal, and change with new information.

We can stop being manipulated, shamed, and traumatized by electing leaders who have the capacity to grow, heal, and change. Authentic leaders, respect the rule of law, show compassion for themselves and others, stand up for the truth with courage, and have an overall desire to make our world a better place, not destroy it.

Other highlights in our conversation to understand human behavior and the law:

• Levy and I discuss what we learned from reading Mary L. Trump’s book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man. Mary Trump, Ph.D. is Donald Trump’s only niece.
• Norms vs. Codified Laws.
• Corruption and bias in our Judicial System and Supreme Court.
• The need for transparency and enforcement of rules to protect our democracy.

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Episode Resources* FPAMED Forensic Psychiatric Associates LP * Netflix O.J. Simpson Documentary Series * Overview of Forensics Psychology

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Read Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man by Mary L. Trump, Ph.D. (2020). Mary is a clinical psychologist. Her writing is revealing and authoritative in her portrayal of Donald J. Trump and the toxic environment that made him. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge that it takes time to reckon with the truth and understand it deeply in your bones. Allow yourself time to sit with its content. You may even learn some new insights into your family of origin. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dr. Mark Levy and his lifework. I have a better understanding of how law and behavior intersect in the field of forensic psychiatry and what it takes to earn its designation. I appreciate his insights into our legal system, its vulnerabilities for exploitation, and his insights into the two criminal cases we discussed: O.J. Simpson and his 1994 trial for murder, and Donald Trump’s New York trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up his affair with adult film actor and producer Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.”

It’s your turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Dr. Mark Levy. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Guest MentorMark Levy, MD, DLFAPADr. Mark Levy attended Durham University, U.K. (1965-66), and is a graduate of Columbia College (A.B. 1967), the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (M.D. 1971) in New York, and the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute (1984) in San Francisco. He currently practices clinical and forensic psychiatry and has been licensed as a Physician and Surgeon since 1972 by the State of California and since 2004 by the State of Hawaii.

He was certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry (1981) and Forensic Psychiatry (1999, recertified in 2009, 2019). In addition, he was certified by the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons in both Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry (2019).

He is currently an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, where he has been on the faculty since 1977 and has taught in the Law and Psychiatry Fellowship since 2000. He is also on the Faculty of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis. He is the Founder, former Chairman, and President of the San Francisco Foundation for Psychoanalysis, a community service outreach organization. He is now also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Since 1975, Dr. Levy has been in full-time private practice, originally in psychiatry and beginning in the 1980s in psychoanalysis and forensic psychiatry as well. He has been retained as a forensic psychiatric expert in more than 500 civil lawsuits and related matters. He has testified in State and Federal Court on 64 occasions. He has never been disqualified from testifying as an expert by any Court in any jurisdiction where he was retained.

As a result of his service and contribution to the profession, Dr. Levy was designated a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (“DLFAPA”) and has been an active member of numerous local, national, and international medical, psychoanalytic, psychiatric, and forensic psychiatric organizations, including The American Academy for Psychiatry and the Law. He has published numerous articles and presented countless talks, both in person and via webinars, to attorneys, physicians, and the general public on a wide range of forensic psychiatric topics. He has also been interviewed regularly as an expert by the print and broadcast media, discussing psychiatric and forensic psychiatric topics of general interest.

In January 2006, Dr. Levy established Forensic Psychiatric Associates Medical Corporation, of which he continues to serve as its medical director. In January 2020, together with his colleague, forensic psychiatrist Charles Saldanha, MD, Dr. Levy also established and serves as the medical director of Forensic Psychiatric Associates, L.P. (www.fpamed.com), a growing group of forensic psychiatrists and forensic psychologists that develop expert opinions for attorneys and Courts on behavioral issues within a broad range of civil and criminal matters. In addition, fpamed as a team specializes in assessing psychological injury claims from populations of litigants in mass tort and multi-plaintiff litigation. We have previously been retained in more than two dozen such cases.

Episode 382: What We Need to Know About Forensic Psychiatry with Dr. Mark Levy, Part IPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

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Episode 381: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part IIEpisode NotesHow prepared are you to confront your abilities and put yourself on the line in a way that generates a new revenue stream? Can you be enough, no matter the outcome? Edmond Huot answers those two questions and others.

In our first conversation, we learned that Edmond’s early years on a farm in midwestern Canada shaped his imaginative storytelling over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. The beautiful part of turning 50 is revisiting your childhood, mining what lay dormant, and resurrecting a newfound passion you can bring alive today. Edmond is stepping out of the career lane he built to bring out his ‘inner illustrative artist.’ Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Edmond has succeeded in New York as a creative director in an NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with partner and longtime friend Peter Clark. They formed an aviation-focused design firm called Forward Studio, a division of their Forward Media company.

It isn’t often that we can have friendships in our youth that evolve into business partnerships and entrepreneurial collaborators like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, media, advertising, and special events. You can hear insights into why their partnership works.

The new twist for Edmond is overcoming the internal challenges of becoming a professional illustrative artist, where their public relations and special events will include the backdrop of his artwork and eventually feature other artists’ works. He gives a special event his signature, like the sketches he makes on thank you cards. He adds a personal touch to everything he does.

Edmond ran his concept by an aircraft manufacturer, who gave him his first green light. His description of how the special event is coming together is fascinating and a must-hear conversation if you are an entrepreneurial artist or anyone enthralled in making a living from your resources.

Below are other aspects of our conversation, which feels like a conversation just between the two of us that you secretly get to listen to:

• The impact of deregulation on the airline industry and how Edmond brings back romance, glamour, and humanity through branding to the security-laid airline industry.
• Livery design is the outside decoration of an airplane. When does it make sense to redesign an airline brand that may include repainting 50 airplanes?
• Edmond and his team take customers through a six-touchpoint chart, a brand design journey. The work is intense because it costs a lot of money if they get it wrong.
• How Edmond and Peter led their team and clients through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
• Edmond’s imaginative way of working with airline clients and their brands to get at the heart of their business. His explanation is priceless.
• Edmond explains the temperature read or green light he received from an aircraft manufacturer. Once he sold his new concept to marry some type of art event or exhibition with a public relations media mixture, the work to make the event happen and produce the artwork of the interior of a plane began.

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Episode Resources* A Magazine Interview with Edmond Huot * The Art of Designing An Aircraft Livery

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: I think this adventurous task is worth continuing into this week. Edmond Huot seeks to create work with a dual purpose, bridging the connection between our spiritual desires and emotional connection to our lifework. Answer this question: How do you think about your lifework through a dual purpose, as Edmond Huot describes it, or through another lens. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge that the question above will take time to ponder. Allow yourself to sit with it and see where your thoughts take you. Experiment by setting a time limit, like a few days or a week, to come up with your answer. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Edmond Huot’s courage to explore his transition from a creative director and design professional to adding professional artist to his lifework. Putting yourself out into the world musters up the depth of who you are and requires us to integrate your ego in a new way. We need to become egoless or more of who we are by evolving in the direction the Universe is nudging us. I appreciate Edmond and his journey. I appreciate his authenticity and am excited to learn how he integrates his art into his projects.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Edmond Huot. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Guest MentorEdmond Huot.As chief creative officer and founding partner at Forward Studio, Edmond Huot shares more than 25 years of experience with his clients, colleagues, and friends.

Growing up on a farm in midwestern Canada, Edmond spent countless hours lost in imaginative storytelling, obsessing over all things airliner, architecture, and design. His penchant for the dramatic and theatrical laid a formative foundation for what would eventually blossom into a career in advertising.

Edmond and his longtime friend, business partner, and entrepreneurial collaborator Peter Clark founded several companies in Canada and the U.S. In his late thirties, Edmond rose to become the creative head of a New York City-based holding company comprising more than 20 advertising, design, and public relations firms, whose clients have included Honda Cars, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft Tableau, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears and began focusing his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation, building a practice area in the airline space. Today, his creative outlook and point of view touch a range of bespoke services, including brand design, PR, media, advertising, and special events.

Episode 381: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part IIPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 380: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part IEpisode Notes“As a kid growing up on a farm in midwestern Canada, Edmond Huot spent countless hours lost in imaginative storytelling, obsessing over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. His penchant for expressive design helped to lay a formative foundation for what would eventually blossom into a long career in brand advertising.” (Press Recent stories (forward-studio.co))

Edmond emerged as a creative director in a NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with a partner.

Revisiting his childhood passion connected him with a longtime friend, Peter Clark, in a new way. Together, they formed an aviation-focused design firm partnership called Forward Studio. It isn’t often that we can have a childhood friendship evolve into a business partnership and entrepreneurial collaborator like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, PR, media, advertising, and special events.

Recently, it occurred to Edmond that he could explore another dimension of himself outside of Forward Studio. In our podcast planning session, he said, “Every advertising campaign begins with sketches. I draw the sketches.” He began wondering if there was a market for his aviation drawings.

That curious question is where we find Edmond Huot in a creative space, stepping out of his linear career lane to examine the connections between art and aircraft. You will find out what he is learning.

Edmond is finding the ‘newness’ in his life transition at age 50. He is the creative director and design professional, putting himself, as the artist, on the front line. I especially love the free-flowing conversation and how Edmond explains his creative process.

He has a public relations project with a prominent aircraft manufacturer he cannot name, but he can tell us his idea and how he plans to integrate his art into a public event. It serves a dual purpose that satisfies his spiritual desires and emotional connection to his lifework.

Edmond describes the difference between commercial art and how he challenges himself as an artist, which he explores: “Commercial art doesn’t have the same virtues. Art, for the sake of art, has a greater purpose. And I believe some of our clients want to be aligned with that and not something that comes across as commercial.”

Edmond is taking the concept of “microcosms” and viewing it through the lens of airliners. He is fascinated with how untethered from the ground we are when we fly. The world is in motion and flux. “Art and aircraft have always inspired artists,” he says, explaining how artists have always been fascinated with flying and aircraft.

How do you think about your lifework through a dual purpose, as Edmond Huot describes it, or through another lens? Not only is it stimulating to ponder where spirituality, emotional connection, and pragmatism intersect with your lifework, but thinking this way can bring a deeper meaning to your work and life. DOWNLOAD

Episode Resources* A Magazine Interview with Edmond Huot * The Art of Designing An Aircraft Livery

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Edmond Huot seeks to create work with a dual purpose, bridging the connection between our spiritual desires and emotional connection to our lifework. Answer this question: How do you think about your lifework through a dual purpose, as Edmond Huot describes it, or through another lens? 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge that the question above will take time to ponder. Allow yourself to sit with it and see where your thoughts take you. Experiment by setting a time limit, like a few days or a week, to come up with your answer. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Edmond Huot’s courage to explore his transition from a creative director and design professional to adding professional artist to his lifework. Putting yourself out into the world musters up the depth of who we are and requires us to integrate our ego in a new way. To become egoless or more of who we are by evolving in the direction the Universe is nudging us. I appreciate Edmond and his journey. I appreciate his authenticity and am excited to learn how he integrates his art into his projects going forward.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Edmond Huot. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Guest MentorEdmond Huot.As chief creative officer and founding partner at Forward Studio, Edmond Huot shares more than 25 years of experience with his clients, colleagues, and friends.

Growing up on a farm in midwestern Canada, Edmond spent countless hours lost in imaginative storytelling, obsessing over all things airliner, architecture, and design. His penchant for the dramatic and theatrical laid a formative foundation for what would eventually blossom into a career in advertising.

Edmond and his longtime friend, business partner, and entrepreneurial collaborator Peter Clark founded several companies in Canada and the U.S. In his late thirties, Edmond rose to become the creative head of a New York City-based holding company comprising more than 20 advertising, design, and public relations firms, whose clients have included Honda Cars, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft Tableau, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears and began focusing his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation, building a practice area in the airline space. Today, his creative outlook and point of view touch a range of bespoke services, including brand design, PR, media, advertising, and special events.

Episode 380: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part IPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world. We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

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Episode 379: Embrace the New Year and seize the fresh opportunities it brings!Episode NotesCongratulations! 2024 is upon us. Let’s use it to influence positive change for the greater good by seizing the fresh opportunities this year brings us.

I want to start by being grateful to you and the many opportunities you explored with your businesses last year. Take an inventory of your activities and accomplishments with those who helped you reach your hardest-won goals. It will increase your energy and those who helped you, validate your progress, and spur new aspirations for 2024.

I am thankful for the United States’ strong economy and the low unemployment rate. I am grateful that we have survived the hottest year in history. I am also thankful for the vulnerabilities exposed by the previous president of the United States. This has made us aware of the need to fix our executive privilege laws and apply them to all those who serve in government positions, including the highest office in the land.

Gallup.com did The Year in Review: 2023 Most Notable Findings. The trends gave me insights into how we can improve our world. One positive trend I am grateful to see is that young adults are drinking less than previous generations. With the legalization of marijuana in more states, they might be smoking more weed instead, ha! The other trends about how our attitudes are shifting, like how employees feel their employers don’t care about their well-being, are troubling.

According to the Gallup survey conducted in 2020, 47% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. However, it seems that after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was brought under control, employers became less concerned about their employees’ well-being. In the latest survey conducted in 2023, only 22% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. This information is essential as it reminds us to show our employees we care about them. We need to encourage open communication about our feelings with our staff by starting with the business owner, you.

Gratitude for History Makers

Taylor Swift and Greta Gerwig stunned the world last year. I am grateful for their creative genius and entrepreneurial spirit, which they used to break national and global records. In her historical 2023 Era’s Tour, Taylor Swift broke Elvis Presley’s long-standing record of 67 weeks for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart by a solo artist. Taylor Swift hit her 68th week at No. 1 by the end of 2023.

Greta Gerwig made history by directing the “Barbie” movie, which had over $1 billion in ticket sales. That is a first for women directors. Go, Greta!!

I recently re-watched the “Barbie” movie with my daughter, Olivia. Initially, I watched it once before with my husband, Matthew, in a movie theater, and it was fun to hear the audience’s reaction. Watching it again sparked a conversation about our different upbringings. When Olivia was young, I passed on a Barbie doll that I called Ruth, not realizing at the time that Ruth Handler was the creator of the Mattel Barbie doll. My natural attraction toward entrepreneurial leaders started early, and it was highlighted in raising Olivia.

Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken portrayed the ‘stereotypical Barbie’ and Ken’s iconic Mattel characters. The storyline is about evolving. The many Barbies and Kens showed us the matriarchy of Barbieland and the patriarchy of reality in the world of Mattel.

Barbie gave us a visual representation of her awakening into being human. She noticed her “flat feet” and the gasp of her Barbie friends when she asked if any of them thought about death. In Barbieland, everything is pleasant, beautiful, predictable, and light. There was a lot in the movie to analyze about matriarchies and patriarchies, their positive and negative impacts on culture, and even how to begin co-creating an integrated new life. Barbie encourages Ken to take time to figure out who he is outside of being Barbie’s boyfriend. At the end, they needed to learn how to be interdependent instead of co-dependent and allow each other flexibility in figuring out who they are becoming.

I’m grateful to be alive to see this next generation of trailblazers inspire us all with new thoughts and ways of being in our world. When we see trailblazers expressing their creative genius in various industries, psychological freedom feels more achievable individually and collectively.

We can engage our creative intelligence by co-creating interdependent work cultures that benefit all genders. We can be more assertive in co-creating healthy relationships and constructively unearth unconscious bias. We can acknowledge all voices in discussions as equally important. We can work side-by-side toward common goals and look for qualities of strength to build upon with co-workers, colleagues, vendors, and those we employ.

We can eliminate one-upmanship by appreciating ourselves and realizing that everyone has universal human needs and is worthy of meeting them. We can reflect this in our policies, laws, rules, regulations, agreements, and through verbal promises wherever our lives intersect with others.

Trailblazing for Fresh Opportunities

Let’s look for fresh opportunities to enhance humanity this year and blaze new trails wherever we lead. I am blazing a trail to expand equality in the bakery industry and with bread consumers.

Bread consumption has grown by 20% since 2021. The average American now consumes 53 pounds of bread per year. Part of the reason our waistlines are expanding is because of our unhealthy bread choices. We are helping grocers widen their views of what they offer and to whom.

You might be seeing how grocery chains buy more locally grown and produced foods and offer a more comprehensive selection of foods to all ethnicities. As the climate continues to change along with our demographics, so is our ecosystem. Support for local growers and producers continues to rise giving local small businesses like Midwest Bakery and its artisan bread more opportunities to flourish.

Mahomud Ali founded Midwest Bakery Inc. to make the best Halal loaves of bread and all-natural hoagie rolls in the Midwest. Halal certified means that Midwest Bakery follows the Muslim definition of Halal, ensuring their bread-baking process and ingredients are permissible under Islamic law. Through in-store hoagie demos, we are learning what I already discovered: Midwest Bakery bread items are embraced by not only those with other faith practices. All ethnicities want all-natural artisan bread items.

Yes, I am continuing to work closely with Mahomud. We are now in seven Cub Foods stores, four Kowalski’s Markets stores, and 36 other local restaurants and daycares. I will continue engaging my entrepreneurial skillsets to expand their brand, encourage leadership growth, and build a new midwestbakeryhalal.com website. It takes all hands on deck and many skills to intentionally grow Midwest Bakery Inc., or any business for that matter.

The great thing about leadership growth is that every business owner gets to choose the village of mentors to help them realize their dreams. I am fortunate to be a chosen mentor by many.

And now I end where we began. Congratulations! 2024 is upon us. Let’s use it to influence positive change for the greater good by seizing the fresh opportunities this year brings us. DOWNLOAD

Episode Resources* “Barbie” Global Ticket Sales Reach $1B * Taylor Swift Surpasses Elvis Presley on Billboard Chart * Gallup.com Year In Review: 2023 Most Notable Findings

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down your significant 2023 accomplishments and those who helped you achieve them. Then, use this year to influence positive change for the greater good by seizing the fresh opportunities this year brings us. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your efforts and those who helped you achieve your hardest-won goals in 2023. Observe your energy level as you acknowledge others. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate all of you who have touched my life, especially in 2023. I am grateful to learn from those who have helped me become a better human and leader. Learning, although important, isn’t always easy. I am grateful for perseverance, tenacity, and the effort to nurture healthy relating and grow from new experiences.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 379: Embrace the New Year and seize the fresh opportunities it brings!Podcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 378: Score Big in Business with These Home Run StrategiesEpisode NotesWho doesn’t love hitting a home run in business? It’s the feeling of pure excitement, accomplishment, and success all rolled into one. Achieving our goals and exceeding expectations is what every entrepreneur dreams of. Let’s dive deeper into what it takes to hit that home run and make your business the best it can be.

When you hit a home run in business, it opens the floodgates of opportunities. This was the case for one of my clients, who permitted me to share their story with you. The work began in July 2022, when their business was still finding its footing. I then met Mahomud Ali and Saido Ali Jama at an annual MEDA meeting. MEDA is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.

The First Strategy for hitting home runs in business is to make sure you have someone you trust who has your best interest at heart to talk things through and help you clarify what you want.

Before attending the MEDA annual meeting, I discussed things with my husband, Matthew Foli, as usual. To have someone you trust to talk things through and help you clarify what you want is priceless. It takes time to get to the heart of what truly matters to you, and having someone invested in your best interest to witness your journey and provide valuable feedback can empower both of you.

I went to the annual MEDA meeting with clear intentions. I first wanted to learn more about how they are helping minority-owned businesses and how the organization is evolving. Additionally, I wanted to meet and mentor at least one business owner and connect with potential guest mentors for my podcast.

After the meeting ended, I spoke with a few people before scanning the room one last time. As I was leaving, Mahomud and Saido introduced themselves, and Mahomud mentioned that he needed help with marketing. Though I am not a marketing expert, I have been involved in marketing since 1992 and offered to meet with them to see how I could help them achieve their goals. At the very least, I could provide them with valuable resources.

Second Strategy: Understand that the Universe works on our behalf.

Even when we feel alone, we are not. There is a spiritual realm of Guardian Angels and spirit guides waiting for us to invite them to help us. The Universe collaborates to bring our dreams into reality when we know what we want. That’s why people say, “Be careful what you wish for.” Or, more commonly now, “Be mindful of your thoughts and words.”

Many times, the Universe delivers beyond our wildest dreams in unexpected ways. What we achieve at Midwest Bakery fits my understanding of how the Universe pleasantly surprises us. If this isn’t the case for you, refine what you think, say, or what you put out into the Universe. Let go of the outcomes and ensure your intentions are not from a place of fear or avoidance. The Universe keeps giving us the same lessons in different ways until we get the lesson. Permit yourself to keep experimenting with the Universe.

Third Strategy: recognize the value of your contribution to a project and negotiate from that standpoint while considering what the other party needs. This is the first step towards developing good communication skills and building solid relationships. Begin by having an honest discussion about money and showing respect for both yourself and the other person.

I met with Mahomud, and we co-created a working agreement. I left our strategy session with a healthy supply of whole wheat and white loaves of bread and hoagie rolls, which are now a staple in our household.

Initially, I hesitated to charge $300 per session, considering the costs of starting and running a business. Mahomud told me a story about when he began his first job at an auto repair shop in Boston. After a few years, he wanted to learn how to fix trucks and semis at a different auto repair shop down the street.

Mahomud met with the auto shop owner and stated his hourly rate. The owner said he wasn’t sure he could pay Mahomud’s hourly rate. Mahomud agreed to start at the rate the owner offered but told him he would expect a raise once the owner saw how good he was at fixing larger vehicles.

Mahomud’s first paycheck reflected what he had asked to be paid. This was the beginning of a great working relationship. He shared this story with me because he wanted me to know that he believed in paying people for their work and that I deserved the fee I had asked for. Mahomud pays each invoice with gratitude and often includes a tip.

Fourth Strategy: Do your best and see what happens.

We are in a world of unknowable possibilities/innovation. Give yourself room to explore. I knew intuitively that I could get a meeting at Cub Foods; I couldn’t promise what would happen afterward.

Next, Mahomud is clear that he wants to grow his burgeoning bakery. I knew that he needed help expanding outside of his current niche. He had a contact within Cub Foods but didn’t have time to follow up because Midwest Bakery is his second business, and he didn’t have time. I told him I was the country’s #1 telesales fundraiser for the Minnesota Special Olympics many years ago and would get us a meeting with Cub Foods.

A few weeks later, Mahomud, Saido, and I were bringing loaves of bread and hoagie roll samples to the new business developer at Cub Foods. I compiled a FLYER with the following background information and how Midwest Bakery has grown since I began working with them in July 2022.

“Minnesota HALAL Breads – With Love Baked In”Mahomud established Midwest Bakery Inc. on November 21, 2017, to provide the Somali community with healthy Halal bread options as a staple in their daily diets. In just a few years, we successfully built a commercial kitchen. We began supplying fresh loaves of bread and hoagie rolls to over 36 local immigrant-owned restaurants, coffee shops, and daycare centers.

By 2022, we expanded our deliveries to include four Cub Foods grocery stores and added four Kowalski’s Markets locations in 2023. We can make 2,000 loaves an hour, which allows us to expand to larger grocers offering healthy plant-based bread options to all ethnicities. Why not spread the love?!

Midwest Bakery Inc. is a certified Halal bread bakery, meaning the process and ingredients used to make the loaves of bread and hoagie rolls are permissible under the laws of Islam. Halal bread is bread that meets the Muslim definition of Halal, which means the bread-baking process and ingredients are permissible to eat for members of the Muslim faith and don’t contain alcohol or pork-derived products.

Mahomud’s Entrepreneurial HistoryWe were young immigrants with hopes and dreams of succeeding in this country through hard work, ambition, and business ownership. I married Saido Ali Jama in Boston, where our families had immigrated from Somalia. Eventually, we settled in Minnesota to raise our five children, a state full of opportunities. On May 9, 2008, I founded Midwest Auto Repair, Inc. From the start, we focused on providing comprehensive car repairs and towing services, which helped us build a loyal customer base. Eventually, I purchased a building on Stinson Blvd. in Minneapolis.

We realized in 2017 that we could expand further by creating a bakery in the other part of our building. Today, our building houses two successful enterprises: Midwest Auto Repair Inc. and Midwest Bakery Inc.

Our mission is to serve the needs of our local communities by fixing cars and making HALAL breads with love baked in. We are proud of our strong commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, allowing us to provide quality services that our customers trust. Our energies are on serving the everyday needs of our Minnesota communities and expanding beyond our borders.

What We Do:* We fix cars and make Halal breads.***Mahomud and Saido have lived a life of doing their best and seeing what happens. It seems to be working for them.

Fifth Strategy: Look for opportunities for both clients and yourself.

Recently, I discovered an excellent opportunity for minority business owners to win a $10,000 grant. I applied for it on behalf of Midwest Bakery Inc., and we won! We will receive the grant from Elevate Together, which recognizes the winners this week. Their win is my win. Mahomud and Saido earned this home run. Filling out the paperwork was like giving them a bat to hit the home run, and that feels awesome!

This success led me to my sixth strategy for hitting home runs in business.

Sixth Strategy: Be flexible and renegotiate terms as the work shifts, and it always does.

This strategy could lead to many business home runs. With growing businesses, flexibility is the key. Allow for flexibility in every contract you draft. Where you start with a client is not where you will end up.

Let your contract reflect your client’s needs and clarify why changing the original contract for both of you makes sense. This strategy helps you practice integrity and respect the critical work you need to do together.

I renegotiated my contract with Mahomud from hourly to monthly earlier this year. The hourly rate was hindering our work progress, so I decided to leverage my acquired skills and experience to help Midwest Bakery Inc. in a significant way. And it is working. Our work together feels like we have many more home runs in our future. I will keep visualizing.

In the spirit of flexibility, I am thrilled to share that the frequency of my podcast episodes will go from weekly to an open-ended format that allows me greater flexibility. Since its inception in January 2016, I have been producing meaningful conversations weekly, and it has been surprisingly incredible and intense and has opened my world to new opportunities. I am grateful.

When I started, only 22% of the population listened to podcasts, and most people had no idea what they were. However, over the years, the podcast industry has grown exponentially, and now 79% of the population listens to podcasts. Projections for 2024 estimate that over 100 million people will be regular podcast listeners, which is incredible!

As the industry expands, I’m excited to keep participating and contributing to it. We have already tracked over 250,000 downloads of WeMentor Mondays with Nancy, which is a testament to the show’s progress. I’m confident that my podcast will continue growing despite the frequency being less. I’m excited to see where it takes you and me!

Starting now, I will change my podcast format from weekly shows to publishing on Mondays only when I have something important to share. This new open-ended format will feature some Guest Mentors, and we’ll see where we go.

I hope you understand and continue listening when I post the next episode. I promise to continue providing meaningful conversations that will help you redefine how you lead while redesigning your business through Dual Innovation Leadership. It is possible to evolve and innovate on purpose.

The reason for the change in strategy is this. I see the opportunity with Midwest Bakery Inc. to collaborate to realize their dreams entirely. We are excellent collaborators, and as you know, it takes a great team and focused energy to achieve greatness.

This also fits with WeMentor’s mission to be part of the change you wish to make in the world. We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability.

We value wholehearted living and leading (compassion, courage, and grounded confidence). When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

• As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,
• As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,
• As a Mentor/Role Model, and
• As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

We started with one entrepreneur and will continue to help thousands over a lifetime. Our work together will continue for those of you who are also clients. It is the podcast that I am changing, not my work with you. You know where to find me if you want to work with me. I want you to hit home runs, too!

DOWNLOAD

Episode Resources* Midwest Bakery Flyer * U.S. Podcast Industry

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Review the six strategies above and choose the ones that will help you increase your business’s number of home runs. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: To enhance the functioning of an integrated consciousness, concentrate on the six strategies I have described. Sit for 12 minutes and repeat the six strategies as a mantra while meditating. Keep uttering them in your mind while maintaining a steady breath. Once you complete the meditation, open your eyes and ponder on the next best step to take. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “Thank you for tuning in and finding value in this episode. I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey in life and business with you. As entrepreneurs, we have been chosen for this path, and I am grateful for the highs and lows it has brought. It’s fulfilling to witness others on their entrepreneurial journeys toward leadership and fulfillment. I wish you more highs than lows on your ride. I am grateful to be a part of Mahomud and Saido’s journey, and I look forward to seeing where it takes us. Until next time.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 378: Score Big in Business with These Home Run StrategiesPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Edmond Huot
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Mark Levy
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 377: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part IIEpisode Notes“At Beyond Carnism, we believe that people need and deserve to know the truth about carnism so they can make their food choices freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D.

Dr. Melanie Joy is an award-winning psychologist specializing in the psychology of oppression and social transformation in relationships. In our discussion, she lays out a roadmap for effective relational communication, emphasizing the advantages of self-awareness, mindfulness, and allyship over adversarial attitudes. By improving our relational skills, we can contribute to ending injustice and move beyond oppression in all forms.

Dr. Melanie Joy’s latest book, How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet, is an inspiring read that captures the wisdom she acquired from her travels to 35+ countries and the practical ways we can improve interpersonal, intrapersonal, and societal relationships. If you’re committed to ending injustice, her book and this podcast conversation are a must-have for your reading and listening library.

Melanie says we communicate “because we want to share our thoughts and feelings. Our inner selves.” Melanie also says, “The more we can communicate with people in a way that they feel safe with us, the more likely we are to set an atmosphere for our message to be heard as it was intended to be heard. The more we help other people feel safe with us and recognize that we are safe people to be in relationship with, the more likely we are to create more safety and connection in those interactions.”

During our conversation, Melanie shared one of many vital insights – achieving mutual understanding is the ultimate goal of any healthy relationship. Our discussion was enlightening and affirming, and I appreciated Melanie’s surprising gesture of gratitude toward the end.

Last week, Melanie mentioned that shame and contempt can harm relationships. The antidote for both emotions is self-empathy and compassion towards others, which can help us share experiences and learn from one another.

We often only express a part of our true feelings and desires. This leaves us with unaddressed needs and unfulfilled interactions. Suppose we view our relationships and ourselves as a continuous work in progress. In that case, we can have more enjoyable interactions and be open to giving and accepting second chances until we reach a mutual understanding. This allows both parties to get clear on what they want and view the relationship as one in progress (openness) and not necessarily an end result of perfection (closed-mindedness). We make mistakes all the time when we are learning new things. Why not give each other space to evolve and change?

I learned a helpful communication technique called ‘whole messages’ from Melanie. It involves breaking down what we want to say into four parts: observations, thoughts, feelings, and needs. How she explains the four parts makes it easy for us to apply. This technique has helped me get clear on what I am feeling and what I need. Melanie also recommended reading Messages: The Communication Skills Book by Matthew McKay, Martha Davis, and Patrick Fanning to learn more about this technique.

What is the common denominator that drives all injustices? We learned last week that we could root out injustices everywhere by building upon our relational literacy and understanding the psychology interwoven into nonrelational systems. Practicing integrity in our everyday interactions and honoring our dignity and the dignity of others is part of this roadmap that Melanie says points us in a relational direction.

I finish our conversation with a quote at the conclusion of Melanie’s book Ending Injustice Everywhere. She writes, “Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This statement makes intuitive sense. And when we understand the contagious nature of unjust, nonrelational behaviors, we can truly appreciate how injustice reproduces itself, no matter where it shows up, no matter from or to whom it’s directed.

That injustice breeds injustice is why it’s so important that those of us who want to create a better world recognize the nonrelational common denominator driving all injustices. Every time we choose integrity over indignation, compassion over contempt, dignity over defensiveness–every time we avert an unjust dynamic and practice a just one instead–we’re interrupting the process of nonrelational dysfunction that’s at the root of so much suffering and harm, and we’re redirecting that process toward healing.”

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Episode Resources* A One Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy with Dr. Melanie Joy * Messages: The Communication Skills Book by Matthew McKay * The Psychology of Oppression * The Secret Reason We Eat Meat with Dr. Melanie Joy * Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: In each interaction starting today, find a way to honor your dignity and the dignity of others. Practice integrity by voicing that you want to reach a goal of mutual understanding with those you interact with each day. Maybe asking yourself how you feel and what you need from the interaction will empower you to take risks towards healthier relating. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: After each interaction, identify your feelings and clarify what you need. Pause and breathe in and out ten times. Ask yourself if you reached your goal of mutual understanding. If not, keep practicing; know that you will get more comfortable over time. Give yourself and the other person space to evolve and change. Offer yourself gratitude for practicing integrity and honoring each other’s dignity. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I have a deep appreciation for Melanie. I admire her ability to connect with people on a personal level. I am grateful for Melanie’s hard work and dedication to advancing a global movement. I admire her courage and commitment to founding BeyondCarnism.org and writing seven books that promote relational literacy. Melanie’s work is making a huge difference in the world, and I am grateful for her contributions and for teaching me how to end injustice everywhere.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate Guest Mentor Dr. Melanie Joy because…

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorMelanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M.Melanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M. is an award-winning psychologist specializing in the psychology of oppression and social transformation in relationships. She is a longtime advocate for justice and was a lecturer at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, for 11 years, teaching courses on privilege and oppression, feminist psychology, psychological trauma, and animal rights. She has written seven books, including the bestselling Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, and she’s the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award–previously given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela–for her work on global nonviolence. She’s also the founding president of the international NGO Beyond Carnism. You can learn more about her work at melaniejoy.org and Who We Are | Beyond Carnism

Beyond Carnism is a US-based, international organization dedicated to exposing and transforming carnism, the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. Beyond Carnsim was established in 2012 after Melanie published Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. This book introduced us to the term she coined, carnism.

It is worth mentioning that in the 2021 Annual Report, Melanie’s organization, Beyond Carnism, registered over 10,000 people for webinars from 88 countries, received 20 million views in one week of the video The Secret Reason We Eat Meat, and completed 50 trainings in 35 countries on five continents, expanding awareness and increasing healthy relating.

On the carnism.com website, it says, “Carnism causes extensive suffering. Animal agriculture is responsible for the unnecessary slaughter of 72 billion land animals and between one and three trillion fish and other aquatic animals worldwide per year, and it is a major contributor to environmental degradation, human disease, and human rights violations. However, the majority of people who eat animals are unaware that they are contributing to such destruction.

At Beyond Carnism, we believe that people need and deserve to know the truth about carnism so they can make their food choices freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.”

Check out her new podcast: Just Beings. And, 5 of 7 Books by Dr. Melanie JoyEpisode 377: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part IIPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 376: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part IEpisode NotesI am feeling reinvigorated after a six-week hiatus. I worked with more clients, wrote, and integrated some significant life events during this time. The break was well worth it, and I’m eager to bring more meaningful conversations and ideas to support the evolution of leadership that aims to improve our world.

How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet is now my go-to reference as we strive to end injustice. Dr. Melanie Joy has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into practical and easy-to-understand nuggets, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the systems we participate in on a daily basis. This knowledge can help us positively create a better world for all – humans, animals, and the planet. She is today’s guest mentor.

“We don’t help people see different things. We help them see the same things, differently.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D., and Other Pioneers Before HerThe work of Dr. Melanie Joy has had a significant impact on me, as indicated by the quote above. When we see the same things differently, we change our lives and how we lead.

Since learning from her teachings, I have gained a new perspective on my dietary habits and transitioned to a plant-based diet, eliminating all meat, dairy, and egg products a few months before our first podcast conversation on June 7, 2021. Melanie has helped me comprehend the psychology and invisible systems that condition us to consume certain animals.

I feel physically healthier and more in sync with my ethical values. It no longer makes sense to me to harm animals when I have committed to not hurting myself or others. Why should I consume something with eyes if I am devoted to treating all beings with kindness and respect? This is my viewpoint; it doesn’t have to be yours.

My perspective has become clearer and more relational after reading Melanie’s research, attending her webinars, and listening to our podcast conversations. Melanie is an exceptional teacher, mentor, entrepreneurial leader, and advocate. Her distinctive understanding of oppression and social transformation in relationships offers an explanation for the dysfunction in our world and provides actionable steps to address it.

I greatly admire Dr. Melanie Joy and her brave efforts in leading a worldwide movement to awaken us from our oppressive state and guide us toward a more enlightened way of relating to ourselves, other humans, animals, and the planet. She embodies integrity and demonstrates respect for the dignity of every individual, and I encourage everyone to follow her example of practicing relational literacy.

When I was introduced to Dr. Melanie Joy.

My daughter Olivia heard Melanie on Simon Hill’s Plant Proof podcast a few years ago. After purchasing a few of Melanie’s books, like Getting Relationships Right, Beyond Beliefs, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, and Powerarchy, I emailed her assistant.

In June of 2021, I interviewed Melanie in two podcast conversations. I re-aired those conversations in 2022. You can revisit those two podcast conversations in the Episode Resources at wementor.com. We discussed Getting Relationships Right in one conversation.

She helped us understand how to practice integrity and honor dignity through connection, communication, security, and compassion. Those practices require us to be mindful, compassionate, and accountable in how we listen and what we say and do.

In the second podcast conversation, we talked about Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows in the other. It was our introduction to carnism, a term Melanie coined to describe an invisible system that teaches us to eat certain animals.

Today’s conversation is focused on Dr. Melanie Joy’s new book, How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet. Her seventh and newest book captures what she has learned traveling to 35 countries.

• If you are doing the vitally important work of ending injustice, her book and our podcast conversations are for you. Her formula for healthy relating will profoundly change how you lead.
• If you are tired of thoughtless political debates, this conversation will help you understand the polarities from a relational and nonrelational systems perspective.
• If you want to shift conversations into more constructive ones and improve each interaction, we discuss how to have ‘whole message’ conversations. The four parts of speaking in whole messages will expand your relational literacy and give you more options to stay connected during tough conversations.
• Suppose you wonder what lies at the root of injustice, oppression, and abuse across all forms. In that case, you can end injustice everywhere by practicing integrity and honoring dignity. Learn more from Dr. Melanie Joy.
• If you want to understand why Dr. Melanie Joy is hopeful, tune in. She helps us understand the social psychology of invisible systems that make up nonrelational systems, and how to transform those systems into relational ones.

DOWNLOADEpisode Resources* A One Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy with Dr. Melanie Joy * How Not To Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, M.D. * The Psychology of Oppression * The Secret Reason We Eat Meat with Dr. Melanie Joy * Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: To increase your relational literacy, practice talking in ‘whole messages.’ After you listen to Dr. Melanie Joy’s explanation of the four parts to ‘whole messages:’ observations, thoughts, feelings, and needs, put ‘whole messages’ into practice. When you have something important to say, implement the four parts to include a whole message. You could write each piece out to give you a script the first few times you practice it until you get more comfortable with the format. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: After you deliver your ‘whole message,’ find a quiet moment to honor your dignity and the other person. Express gratitude to yourself for taking the risk to communicate differently and offer gratitude to the other person for being open to the interaction. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I sincerely appreciate Melanie for who she is and for the time she invests in making the world a better place. I admire her pioneering efforts in the fight against injustice and her dedication to expanding our relational literacy. Words cannot express how much I value her positive impact on my life and relationships. Her work has inspired me to take action in ending injustice by understanding the difference between relational and nonrelational systems and by practicing integrity and honoring dignity to shift dynamics toward healthier relationships.

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate this week’s meaningful conversation with Dr. Melanie Joy because…

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorMelanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M.Melanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M. is an award-winning psychologist specializing in the psychology of oppression and social transformation in relationships. She is a longtime advocate for justice and was a lecturer at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, for 11 years, teaching courses on privilege and oppression, feminist psychology, psychological trauma, and animal rights. She has written seven books, including the bestselling Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows, and she’s the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award–previously given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela–for her work on global nonviolence. She’s also the founding president of the international NGO Beyond Carnism. You can learn more about her work at melaniejoy.org and Who We Are | Beyond Carnism

Beyond Carnism is a US-based, international organization dedicated to exposing and transforming carnism, the invisible belief system that conditions people to eat certain animals. Beyond Carnsim was established in 2012 after Melanie published Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows. This book introduced us to the term she coined, carnism.

It is worth mentioning that in the 2021 Annual Report, Melanie’s organization, Beyond Carnism, registered over 10,000 people for webinars from 88 countries, received 20 million views in one week of the video The Secret Reason We Eat Meat, and completed 50 trainings in 35 countries on five continents, expanding awareness and increasing healthy relating.

On the carnism.com website, it says, “Carnism causes extensive suffering. Animal agriculture is responsible for the unnecessary slaughter of 72 billion land animals and between one and three trillion fish and other aquatic animals worldwide per year, and it is a major contributor to environmental degradation, human disease, and human rights violations. However, the majority of people who eat animals are unaware that they are contributing to such destruction.

At Beyond Carnism, we believe that people need and deserve to know the truth about carnism so they can make their food choices freely—because without awareness, there is no free choice.”

Check out her new podcast: Just Beings. And, 5 of 7 Books by Dr. Melanie JoyEpisode 376: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part IPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 375: Respecting Yourself

Episode NotesI find inspiration in artists and musicians, especially during times of growth. Playing piano and journaling helps me express my emotions and relieve stress. How do you find inspiration during times of transition?As I was getting ready to talk about the importance of self-respect, I decided to dance to the songs Respect by Aretha Franklin and Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers. You might too.Why is respecting oneself essential for leadership growth? Respect for ourselves and others is crucial for personal identity and healthy relating. It becomes even more critical as leaders because we set an example for those around us. If we don't have self-respect, we may allow others to cross our boundaries and take unnecessary risks. This can hinder our growth as leaders and damage our relationships.Respect has a give-n-take element to it that researchers refer to as reciprocity. We speak kindly to one another, and they are more inclined to talk kindly back. If we respond defensively in a conversation, the other person might match or elevate the intensity of the conversation.When we respect ourselves, we set boundaries, communicate our needs clearly, and let others know our expectations. If there is a conflict or misunderstanding, effort is put toward understanding each other and talking openly about what we are experiencing. This may involve apologizing and starting the conversation again with a clear mindset. Ultimately, respect is a crucial factor in personal identity and healthy relationships.How can business owners create a healthy work environment?As a business owner, creating a healthy work environment based on respect is essential. This means open communication and setting boundaries, rules, and limits to demonstrate respect by showing people you care. Honoring one’s dignity and acting with integrity to foster emotional security and connection among employees is another way to express respect.Roles may be fluid in small businesses, so it's vital to share power and empower others to act positively. I’ve learned that joining together to solve a problem works better than attacking each other. Think us against the problem.Encouraging a mentoring culture within a small team can lead to a more cohesive and interconnected working environment. This could mean teaching and learning each other's roles and responsibilities, creating opportunities to develop respect further. Ideas could be generated that improve teamwork and morale.In contrast, leading with a fixed mindset where roles and rules are unchanging can stifle innovation and respect, ultimately leading to an unhappy team and difficulty meeting individual needs. To overcome this, try being flexible and open to feedback. Create a mentoring environment to keep the focus on learning. Everyone can make mistakes and quickly learn while working to keep more revenue coming in than what is going out.The leaders I collaborate with are eager to learn how to foster healthy relationships in their workplaces and families, creating open systems. When change is necessary, I encourage my clients to take a step back, reflect, learn, and adapt.How I took a step back, reflected, learned, and adapted.Recently, I had three wake-up calls that prompted me to pause and reflect. I spent time exploring how I was not valuing myself and putting others in danger. I experienced a range of emotions as I had an epiphany. I identified the root cause of my need for speed and experimented with driving within the speed limit. Once I found the trigger for my adrenaline rush, I was able to confidently commit to respecting the rules of the road, thus respecting myself and not endangering others.The three wake-up calls started with a speeding ticket, followed by catching the flu, and then encountering a mishap with a web designer that almost resulted in the destruction of my wementor.com website.

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Episode 374: A Confluence of Events and 3 Wake-Up Calls

Episode Notes Sometimes we need more than one experience to raise awareness that a behavior change is required. A confluence of events shifted my perspective and primed me for three wake-up calls that led to reflection, integration, and behavior change.

I first noticed a shift after reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring by Emily A. Francis and listening again to our two podcast conversations. I can’t say if it was a comment or the whole concept of continuing to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls, as Emily encourages, that prompted my perspective shifting. Or the massive leap of faith in moving their family to Malta to live the Medattearan life.

My second perspective shift is the unexpected heart-opening with Letty in our lives. Letty, our seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer, came into our lives on March 7, 2023, and Olivia, our daughter, said I seemed happier with Letty in our lives. That comment stuck with me. Was I not happy before welcoming Letty into her retirement home, our home? She has had 50 puppies and made 50 families enormously happy.

She brings joy to our family with just her presence. She is a love bug and comfortable in her skin. Being comfortable in our skin is what few humans learn. The rest of us hustle to belong through pleasing, perfecting, and performing, as we know from Brené Brown’s research on shame and resilience. Letty let us know she belonged with us by providing unconditional love; we shower her with it. A different kind of contentment is setting in.

The third shift involved taking a 10-session Movement For Living Well class taught by Stephanie Ross-Russell that releases myofascial tissue using the movement disciplines of Yoga, Pilates, and Slings Myofascial Training®. We have one session left. This class improves skeletal movement, enhances blood flow, and has countless other benefits. I feel different physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I think more grounded, resilient, and buoyant.

This Movement For Living Well class has integrated asanas or yoga poses while having a pilates feel with small repetitious movements designed to target small muscles and nerve fibers. The goal is to move more freely. This integrated experience reminds me of one of the world’s yoga masters, B.K.S. Iyengar’s writings in his book Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom. “Yoga has a threefold impact on health. It keeps healthy people healthy, it inhibits the development of disease, and it aids recovery from ill health.” I definitely need that.

“Health begins,” he writes, “with firmness in body, deepens to emotional stability, then leads to intellectual clarity, wisdom, and finally the unveiling of the soul.” Iyengar teaches us that there is more to us than physical health. There is moral health, mental health, intellectual health, and even the health of consciousness, the health of our conscience, and ultimately divine health. With the confluence of those events, my body, mind, and soul were primed for three wake-up calls that supported my behavior change. One never knows whom the next enlightened soul will cross our path. We need to be vigilant.

My first wake-up call started on June 18, Father’s Day. Olivia, our 21-year-old daughter, had a nasty stomach flu leading up to Father’s Day. I was worried about her. Matthew and I decided to drive to Madison, where she lives and goes to school, and spend a few days with her.

I drove down with my Waze App connected. The App lets us know where cars are by the side of the road and where cop cars are parked at differing locations along our Hwy—94 path. I’ve been known to be a fast driver. I love driving and the freedom I feel behind the wheel. No one is telling me what to do. No one is in my way for too long. I can always pass them. Only the weather, construction,

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Episode 373: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring with Emily A. Francis

EPISODE NOTES JUNETEENTH (Federal and Minnesota State Holiday)Before exploring Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily A. Francis, I acknowledge Juneteenth. This commemorates the day enslaved people of African descent were informed that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. From the Council For Minnesotans of African Heritage website, the earliest Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 in local African Heritage church communities in the South. Us folks in the North, Midwest, and Western United States learned of Juneteenth during the Great Migration, where 6 million Black Americans were enticed to move north for work from about 1916-1970. In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In January of this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Here is a link to 10 ideas to commemorate and celebrate JUNETEENTH. Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily E. Francis“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” – Rumi, a Sufi and Persian PoetAs Rumi describes above, Emily is letting the Mediterranean life live through her and shares her wisdom to help us savor our lives. The Mediterranean lifestyle is one of the world’s healthiest lifestyles and is known in the West through the famous Mediterranean Diet.Emily invites us to live simply, mindfully, and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls. I start this conversation with a quote from Emily’s fifth book, The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring. Emily is in her third year of living the Mediterranean lifestyle with her family on the European Island of Malta.She is keenly aware of the stark difference between Atlanta, Georgia, where we are in our American Democracy, and where she and her family live now. This makes it easier for her to highlight what we need to bring joy into our lives to develop a life worth savoring. A bit of salt made from the sun, the wind, and the sea brings out the flavor of what we eat. Honey secrets help us adapt to new locations. Making our own dressing engages our senses, and one can never learn too much about figs and other essentials like good people to make life worth savoring. This conversation is packed with nuggets of goodness.Emily dispels the American myth about the Mediterranean Diet with a definition she has observed from the Maltese people and now lives herself. She says the Mediterranean Diet misrepresents what the Mediterranean people live for food, fun, family, and faith. And they love sunshine. Those working in offices have snorkels, swimsuits, and other items tucked in their cars to weave play and enjoyment into their workday. They jump in the sea during lunch to enjoy the sunshine and then return to the office to finish the day’s work. Lots of ideas here.We learn the limitations of what Emily was taught about happiness and explore what it means to love someone unconditionally. “In Malta, people aren’t climbing all over each other and trying to keep up with the Joneses. They want you to succeed,” says Emily. She uses the analogy of lighting a candle and using it to light another’s candle, making the light shine brighter and more prominent as a collective. There isn’t a finite amount of love, joy, and happiness. The more joy and happiness we can bring, our lives and those around us will expand.In our first conversation, we got a taste of joy as Emily talked about her move from Atlanta, Georgia, to Malta and how that experience changed her and her family’s life. Unexpectedly, Emily found her soul in Malta when her husband Scott and their two daughters, Hannah, almost 11, and Ava, 9, moved. They took a mammoth leap of faith in 2020,

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Episode 372: The Taste of Joy with Emily A. Francis

Episode NotesI didn’t know I needed Emily’s book until I started reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, released earlier this year. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people moved to bigger houses and smaller towns, and some moved out of state. Emily A. Francis and her family flipped the script on their life story; Emily wrote a plot twist she didn’t see coming.They left their life in Atlanta, Georgia, creating a new life in Malta. Malta is part of the European Union and has been an independent country since 1964. Emily is sharing why her family moved to be part of one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world and invites us to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls.Emily is a highly sought-after speaker, radio host, columnist, bestselling author, and wellness expert with a vast array of education and experience. The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, is her fifth book. Her knowledge of the body and the body/mind connection is extensive, and her commitment to total body, mind, and spirit wellness is her driving force. She has a few degrees and hosts the internet radio show “All About Healing” on Healthy Life Radio.In moving to Malta, Emily has become deeply involved with local food production on the island. You will hear about how capers are farmed, prickly pears, figs, and the best sea salt in the world. She writes a regular column titled “Emily in Malta” in the local tourism magazine Oh My Malta, where she interviews local farmers, fishermen, and chefs on single-ingredient farming and reveals the secrets to living a clean life. Home | Emily A Francis (emilyafrancisbooks.com).The two-lane cobblestone roads in Malta were built for horses and carriages in the 1800s, not for school buses. Emily gives an excellent description of how she gets around and how she seized the opportunity to create a new life from not having a work visa. In 2020, Scott, her husband, and two girls, Hannah and Ava, decided to move with their three or four pets, sight unseen, from southern Georgia to Malta.Before she and Scott moved their family to Malta in 2020, their life in southern Georgia became untenable with gun violence, active shooter drills in schools for her girls, the insanity in politics, and too many genetically modified food products that have long-term adverse effects on our bodies. Seeing a man with his four-year-old daughter in the grocery store carrying a gun, not in its holster, pushed her over the edge. A confluence of events came together with Scott’s IT work, and 30 employees and their families joined them to create a new life in Malta—a multigenerational family style of living. Emily boldly created a new life and discovered a new happiness she had never experienced.She says, “I worked on my mental health for years and was stuck in an environment that did not lend itself to health and wellness, kindness, and inclusivity. It was a super southern town. I wasn’t happy. I tried but ended up faking it.” Surprisingly, her new life came out of the misery of a global pandemic.Paul Parker, producer/director of Paul Parker Productions in Malta, wrote a beautiful preface explaining why people need to read Emily’s book. His reasoning ends with this statement, “Because everyone needs a bit of Joy in their life and an anchor to reel them back into reality and enjoy what’s around them every day.” Paul is referring to Emily as his anchor these past three years, giving him a new perspective that people who live in the Mediterranean take for granted.School for Emily and Scott’s children, who were six and nine at the time of the move to Malta, went from school shooter drills to a welcoming environment where teachers openly say, “I love you.” They kiss the children’s foreheads, calling them an endearing term, Poopas, meaning dolls,” Emily says. Children are reassured that they are part of a...

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Episode 371: Develop a Feng Shui Practice with Julie Ann Segal Episode NotesJulie Ann Segal inspired me to change the energy in my clothes closet and bedroom. With my daughter Olivia’s help, I removed 11 grocery bags full of blazers, blouses, t-shirts, purses, pants, and other clothes I no longer needed. Her decluttering ideas inspired me and will inspire you too. Decluttering is where we jump into our conversation to develop a Feng Shui Practice using five energy tools and five elements. Her new book, Change Your Space to Change Your Life, will be available in bookstores starting July 8, 2023.

Julie Ann Segal is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention. Julie Ann is also the author of her new book, as I mentioned above, Change Your Space to Change Your Life (2023). Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann’s dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. She wants to bring this into your spaces.

We learned last week about Julie Ann’s writing journey, the foundation of Feng shui, and how Julie Ann designs spaces. There are three ways to live with intention: energy, design goals, and tools. Julie Ann introduced a Be-Do-Have exercise to help us clarify what we want. This exercise is good to do every year.

Julie Ann starts chapter three of her book with what practicing Feng Shui means. Practicing Feng Shui reminds me of when Matthew, Olivia, and I switched to plant-based (vegan) living. Individually, we educated ourselves to understand why we were doing it and what it would take to make the change. Our two-month commitment has continued into a lifestyle we cherish two and a half years later. We added flexibility to ensure we could do it in almost all spaces. We now say we are 98% vegan. Sometimes, in some spaces, options to eat cleanly are not possible. Little did we know, our decision to become plant-based had a ripple effect on our relationships, even with strangers.

I once went to Papa Murphy’s to get a couple of pizzas to share a meal with friends. It took three times for the pizza maker to create a vegan pizza. She got everything right up until the cheese. She would grab the regular cheese instead of the alternative vegan cheese out of habit. She increased her awareness through the process and kept her energy in the spirit of getting my order right. We laughed hysterically even after I went to grab a couple of salads, only to realize every salad had meat, cheese, or egg on it. Since then, the Papa Murphy’s Pizza near us has added plant-based salad options. A positive change had a positive result.

There is a ripple effect when we change our spaces to change our life positively, as we learn from Julie Ann. This can go the other way, but we are focused on positively changing our lives and businesses.

Any new practice starts with an awareness that we need to change. That awareness could be noticing a disconnect between who we are and how we live in our spaces. We get into a discussion about energy and the effects of not fixing things. When changing our spaces, Julie Ann suggests asking ourselves three essential questions.

1. Does the room reflect who I am today?
2. Does it reflect who I want to become?
3. Am I living in the past?

Julie Ann discusses the difference between goal setting and intention setting and how they work together. We also talk about how Julie Ann picked the five energy tools, what they are, and the five elements (metal, fire, earth, water, and wood) to integrate into your Feng Shui Practice. These tools and elements help us find balance and create harmonious spaces.

We briefly touch upon another tool to find balance and bring harmony into nine parts of our lives called a Feng Shui Bagua map. “A Bagua map,” Julie Ann says, “ is a grid composed of nine distinct areas, each corresponding to a specific life energy that can be found in your home. This map can be laid over the blueprint of your home and in each room of your house and office.” Julie Ann gives an example of using the Bagua map on her office desk. Some Bagua areas are wisdom, knowledge, and skills; love, relationships, marriage, and partnership; career and life path; fame and reputation; health; and children and creativity. Feng Shui Bagua – Metro Interiors You can learn more about the Feng Shui Bagua map from Julie Ann online.

Julie Ann teaches an in-person Vision Boards class on June 17 and August 26, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Community Center. Contact me, and I will get you signed up and a free copy of her book.

Julie Ann has provided us with practical ways to change our spaces. She has a valuable way of walking you through the process. From my own experience, she is also wonderful to work with in creating a space and life you will love. I am eager for you to integrate your life and become the leader you envision yourself to be. Order Julie Ann’s book, Change Your Space to Change Your Life and start your Feng Shui Practice.

You can find our podcast conversations in this Episode’s Resource section.

DOWNLOAD **NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesLouise Hay

Other Podcast Conversations with Julie Ann Segal Change Your Space to Change Your Life with Julie Ann Segal | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Create Change in Your Office, Home, and Life | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Change Your Space, Change Your Life with Julie Ann Segal | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Walk through your spaces and ask yourself Julie Ann’s three essential questions. Does the room reflect who I am today? Does it reflect who I want to become? Am I living in the past? Julie Ann suggests starting with one room. Write down the answers to those three essential questions. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Choose from Louise Hay’s 101 affirmations HERE after deciding on one room. Sit for six minutes. Breathe in and out slowly while you resight the affirmations you choose over and over. Open your eyes and take the next best action step. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate what I learned from Julie Ann Segal. She inspired me to declutter my clothes closet and bedroom. I have a new closet full of clothes and things I love. I enjoyed learning more about the Feng Shui Bagua map. I appreciate her generosity in sharing her wisdom and insights into developing a Feng Shui Practice. I am grateful to learn how to raise the energy level in my home and office spaces. I appreciate Julie Ann. She brings so much joy to my life and our spaces.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Julie Ann Segal. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorAbout Julie Ann Segal.Julie Ann is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention. Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann’s dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. Julie Ann is also the author of Change Your Space to Change Your Life (2023).

Julie Ann received her BFA in Interior Design from Northern Illinois University and has served on the Century College Interior Design Program advisory board. She is certified as a Feng Shui consultant through the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui and is a member of the International Feng Shui Guild and the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest.

Julie Ann is a nationally highlighted public speaker. She’s spoken for Best Buy, Kitchen Aid, and on HGTV’s show “Room for Change,” to name a few. She has been featured as a guest designer, displaying her work. Metro Interiors was highlighted in the Minnesota Small Business Association’s Success Stories column and made the top 20 Best Interior Designers in Minneapolis for 2018 and 2023.

Julie Ann enjoys spending time with her four grown children and their families. She keeps active by practicing yoga, meditating, and running in nature. She loves traveling, trying new recipes, and painting oil in her spare time.

Episode 371: Develop a Feng Shui Practice with Julie Ann SegalPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

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Episode 370: Change Your Space to Change Your Life with Julie Ann SegalEpisode NotesToday is Memorial Day to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Commemorate this day as you see fit whether attending memorial services, gravesites, participating in parades, working, or gathering with family and friends. We honor those who have served with prayers, peaceful energy, and humility.

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Julie Ann Segal and I have known each other since 2017. She participated in one of my 12-month WeMentor LABs to evolve how she led as she redesigned Metro Interiors, her business. In March 2019, we did a WeMentor Mini LAB: Designing Your Office, Home, and Life with Vision Boards. This was where I learned about Feng Shui, a four-thousand-year-old Chinese philosophy used to create balance and harmony in ourselves and the environments through the art of placement.

Feng means “wind,” and Shui means “water,” two elements we can integrate into our spaces to balance and harmonize the energy around us. Julie Ann introduced us to new ways of putting a vision board together. She is doing some ‘live’ local vision board classes in June and August 2023.

Julie Ann joined me for two podcast conversations about the concepts she now has in her new book Change Your Space to Change Your Life: elevate your energy with Feng Shui, one room at a time. You can purchase her book beginning July 8, 2023. Both discussions can be found in this Episode’s Resource section at wementor.com. Type Julie Ann Segal in the search bar, and this episode will appear.

There are three ways to live with intention: energy, design goals, and tools. In this, our third podcast conversation, Julie Ann shares design inspiration from Change Your Space to Change Your Life. We begin with Julie Ann’s writing journey and then discuss the first part of Julie Ann’s book about Living with Intention—the foundation of feng shui and design.

Caroline Patrick Bor-Nei, a master educator of Feng Shui and author of Diary of a Feng Shiu Consultant and Visual Artist, writes this. “Julie is truly a special, unique, and talented designer who has devoted her career to learning from the most valued master teachers about the art of placement, known as Feng Shui. Her ability to understand these ancient teachings is of great benefit to her clients during these modern-day challenges. Combining her knowledge of design, Feng Shui flow ideas, and a pure heart, her book reveals these qualities that can be incorporated into your living and working spaces.”

Julie Ann Segal is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention. Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann’s dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. She wants to bring this into your spaces.

ENERGYDid you know our thoughts go into our spaces? I recall Oprah Winfrey describing a sign above her office door that said, “You are responsible for the energy you bring into this room.” This is why grounding our energy and clarifying our intentions are so important.

Julie Ann’s writing journey began with a thought as a teenager. Decades later, a wiser Julie Ann has a lot for you to discover as you change your space to change your life. Below are some of the benefits Julie Ann and many of her clients have experienced from a Feng Shui practice.

• Reaching your goals faster
• Enhancing your wealth
• Having more peace in your life
• Letting go of the past
• Lifting your spirits or inspiring you
• Improving your health
• Giving you more energy

Her book is timely as we continue to create a work/life balance from the home office. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we lost our private spaces when everyone started working from home. Julie Ann did too. We discuss how she prepared her home for home officing. I love how she unified her workspace through color in two different areas of her home. Every inch of her house and garage follows the concepts and principles of Feng Shui she teaches her clients.

I received an advanced copy of Julie Ann’s book. It shows her dedication and ability to follow through on what she envisions for her life, no matter the difficulty. She has helped my family change our lives by changing our home’s front and back entry spaces. I appreciate being part of her awe-inspiring life and her journey to becoming an author.

In the introduction, she writes, “My inspiration and excitement for life come from an inner knowing that there is more to living than what we can physically see and touch. We can tap into that knowledge not only through intuition and the mystical arts but by becoming more aware of the seeming coincidences of everyday life.” Julie Ann illuminates her point by sharing her story of intuition and Feng Shui at an early age.

Mike Dooley, New York Times bestselling author of Infinite Possibilities, wrote of her book. “Julie Ann Segal’s fun and practical approach to Feng Shui will inspire you to create spaces that raise your vibration and support positive growth in your life. Her approach to the art of Feng Shui makes the design process simple, lovable, and easy to follow.” We discuss how she knows Mike Dooley.

Julie Ann invited me to volunteer at a Mike Dooley event at the Mall of America before Covid-19. Mike and Irish Mystic Lorna Byrne spoke about angels and mysticism. We discussed what we learned about Guardian Angels. Lorna wrote a must-read book if you want to know about Angels called Angels in My Hair: The True Story of a Modern-Day Irish Mystic.

James Van Praagh is a master teacher and spiritual medium. He acknowledged Julie Ann’s book in this way. “In Change Your Space to Change Your Life, Julie gives a very practical approach in mixing known ancient tools together with a crisp designer’s wisdom and instructs how you can enhance your life by altering your personal environment and, in turn, creating the greatest life you ever dreamed possible.” James Van Praagh influenced the title of Julie Ann’s book. This is worth hearing.

Julie Ann writes, “We are surrounded by an energy field that experiences constant motion and vibrations. We discuss how our rooms make us feel and impact how we show up. Feng Shui consultants have understood energy (chi) intuitively for thousands of years, and the study of quantum physics is beginning to prove what Feng Shui consultants have long known: we are all part of a great universal energy field. We are intimately connected to our surroundings.”

DESIGN GOALSHow does one create harmonious energy? Julie Ann suggests decluttering. I like the idea of filling one paper grocery bag each week with items you no longer use or love. I have one brown paper bag partially full in my closet right now. I am inspired to finish it and thoroughly declutter my clothes closet.

In Chapter 2, we are introduced to designing with goals. With every goal comes resistance. A client of Julie Ann’s, John, went through a divorce. She talks about his dilemma with his daughter and how she helped him improve his relationship with her by redesigning several spaces. You’ll find out what he learned from working through his resistance. A story worth hearing.

TOOLSJulie Ann’s three ways to create harmonious energy are:

1. Allow for flow/movement in your space and prevent stagnant or blocked energy. Take a walk through your home. Does your furniture arrangement appear inviting, or are certain pieces preventing you from moving freely in the room? Do certain rooms feel crowded with furniture, knickknacks, or other items? Are objects placed behind doors or obstruct natural walkways, thereby blocking energy?
2. Surround yourself with what you love so it resonates with your vibration (doesn’t feel “off”). Think about your home. Does it reflect meaningful memories from the past? Does it also remember who you are today and who you want to become? Are you holding on to objects you haven’t used in years that hold no meaning for you or have negative associations? Letting go of items that are unused, broken, or no longer speak to you can free up time, energy, and space.
3. Motivate and energize yourself. Use this renewed energy to propel your self-improvement journey. Remember: Your mind and body are intrinsically linked to your space. Treat your body as you would your home–with love and respect. That means tuning in to its needs, nourishing it, and understanding when to make changes.

To awaken more possibilities in your life, try Julie Ann’s meditative Do-Be-Have writing exercise that helped me clarify this next phase of my life. This exercise is useful to do each year. Scroll down to the C.A.L.M. activities section for details.

Take a Saturday morning to create a Vision Board for the next part of your business and life. Locally, Julie Ann has two options for you: June 17 and August 26, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Community Center. Email me, and I will get you signed up. Plus, you will get a free copy of her book, Change Your Life to Change Your Space. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesHow To Promote Work-Life Balance Through Interior Design In Your Home (forbes.com)

Podcast Conversations with Julie Ann SegalCreate Change in Your Office, Home, and Life | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Change Your Space, Change Your Life with Julie Ann Segal | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete Julie Ann’s meditative Do-Be-Have writing exercise. Who or what do you want to be? Think about how you feel each day, your purpose or mission, how you show up in life, your strongest traits, the kind of parent/partner/leader you are, etc. If you love certain traits about yourself, include those as well. Write “I am” statements and add details. Example: “I am thoughtful. I am confident. I am a brave leader. I am wealthy. I am compassionate. I share my generous spirit with others. I am a positive role modle. I am a sought-after interior designer. I am a world-class speaker.” What do you want to do? Do you want to travel, start, grow, or offer a new program in your current business? Do you hope to spend more time in nature, get married, get a pet, have a child, or both, or learn a new skill? Write out your desires in descriptive sentences or as a list. Write as if you are already doing these things. Explore the options. Don’t limit yourself in any way. Example: “I travel to Paris and spend two weeks exploring the city. My classes are immensely popular and make a huge positive impact on my clients’ lives. I create exciting and fun spaces for people to live and work in. I speak French fluently.” What do you want to have? Perhaps you would like a vacation home, more free time, a new car, or several new outfits. Let yourself dream big. Many get a little freaked out and feel greedy if they admit to wanting. It doesn’t feel “noble.” Open yourself to those “have” desires. Knowing what they are can guide you to the places where you resist, block, or sabotage your success. Example: “I have all the time in the world to travel. I have a spouse who adores me, and I adore him/her/them. My funds are working for me in my retirement investments. I have money to support the growth of my business. I have clients all over the world whose lives are benefiting from our work together.” 2. Apply Self-Compassion: After completing the adventurous task above, allow yourself to sit and breathe. Rest in knowing that what you want to do-be-have will arrive in its own time. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the legacy of mentoring and friendship with Julie Ann Segal. I appreciate her and love her. I cherish the gifts she shares with the world. I appreciate the businesswoman and designer that she is. I admire her stick-t0-it attitude and follow through on achieving challenging goals. I appreciate her as an author and love her book, Change Your Space to Change Your Life: elevate your energy with Feng Shui one room at a time.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Julie Ann Segal. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorAbout Julie Ann Segal.Julie Ann is an interior designer, Feng Shui consultant, and the owner of Metro Interiors, a design firm dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through mindfulness, energy, and intention. Blending the ancient art of Feng Shui with various contemporary Interior Design practices, Metro Interiors redesigns spaces to reveal environments rich in comfort, beauty, balance, and harmony. Always on the cutting edge, Julie Ann’s dynamic approach utilizes styles from eclectic to classic, modern to traditional. Julie Ann is also the author of Change Your Space to Change Your Life (2023).

Julie Ann received her BFA in Interior Design from Northern Illinois University and has served on the Century College Interior Design Program advisory board. She is certified as a Feng Shui consultant through the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui and is a member of the International Feng Shui Guild and the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest.

Julie Ann is a nationally highlighted public speaker. She’s spoken for Best Buy, Kitchen Aid, and on HGTV’s show “Room for Change,” to name a few. She has been featured as a guest designer, displaying her work. Metro Interiors was highlighted in the Minnesota Small Business Association’s Success Stories column and made the top 20 Best Interior Designers in Minneapolis for 2018 and 2023.

Julie Ann enjoys spending time with her four grown children and their families. She keeps active by practicing yoga, meditating, and running in nature. She loves traveling, trying new recipes, and painting oil in her spare time.

Episode 370: Change Your Space to Change Your Life with Julie Ann SegalPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 369: A Tribute to My Cherished Mentor, Barbara Winter Episode NotesI participated in an online Celebration of Life for Barbara J. Winter on May 20th, 2023. Barbara crossed over to the other side on October 28, 2022, at age 80, after suffering from a long illness. Our paths had overlapped many times since our first luncheon in 1994. This is my tribute to my cherished mentor, Barbara Winter.

Barbara will forever be known as the pioneering self-employment advocate, writer, and teacher who spent decades pondering the question, “Why aren’t we all self-employed?” Her optimism and ferocious curiosity will live on in millions who read her books and newsletters and attended her seminars. Her legacy will be carried on through her daughter Jennie Hinrichs and her three grandchildren: Zoe, Zach, and Noah. “I want my grandchildren to know that Grandma’s house is always a safe place to share their ideas,” she said in our Portfolios of Ideas podcast conversation. Tears are spilling down my cheeks as I listen and think of how much her grandchildren miss her. Her spirit will always be with them. Barbara is one of those people I wish had defied death.

In 1994, I noticed Barbara lived in Minneapolis after reading the book she authored in 1993, Making A Living Without A Job: Winning Ways For Creating Work That You Love. The book was revised and reprinted in 2009 and is still relevant today. She agreed to have lunch at one of her favorite spots, and now mine, the Good Earth restaurant at the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota. She would bring ten books in a brown paper bag each month and share stories with advice tucked in. We did this lunch and book routine until she followed her daughter to Valencia, California, where she lived until her death. I would buy her books and give them to clients. When I taught at two private Universities for 13 years in entrepreneurship, her book was mandatory reading.

Barbara named a seminar after her book, Making A Living Without A Job. It became her most popular seminar. She never envisioned teaching this seminar worldwide and holding annual joyfully jobless jamborees for decades, but she did. She said she would wake up on each seminar day and think that someone’s life is going to change today. Her enthusiasm was her litmus test to keep going. She added other newsletters and seminars to her repertoire: Winning Ways monthly newsletter, Joyfully Jobless, Establish Yourself As An Expert, and I wouldn’t say I like Marketing.

The celebration of life event fit Barbara’s desire to educate. She was a massive fan of creating tip lists. Barbara always taught the nine lessons below. Her colleagues and friends, Terri Belford and Marianne Cantwell shared them with us, and in turn, I would like to share them with you.

9 Lessons for Leading and Living by Barbara Winter1. Be Playful. Barbara was a big proponent of approaching work as play and having a sense of humor, especially around absurd situations and or being playful at your work. She was a great role model. “An acid test for if you are in the right place,” Barbara would say, “is when the work becomes more interesting the longer you do it.” 2. Treat what you do with a sense of adventure and lightness. She made everything an adventure wonder. She shared her passion for the artist Chu Huly with everyone. She had a lifetime of missions that took her all over the world with friends and colleagues. 3. Let yourself be an apprentice. Have a beginner’s mindset and learn from those who have gone before you. We learn by doing. 4. Do the thing that others wouldn’t do. Roll up your sleeves and get to work realizing your dreams. Barbara always said that entrepreneurship is not a spectator’s sport. 5. Small is beautiful. She helped me see the beauty in everything and every small business, including mine. Barbara believed in the quality of small-group learning and small business. She didn’t want a huge audience or to do a TED Talk. She liked teaching in classrooms with 30 students at a time all over the world. Traveling to her students was part of the adventure to empower individuals to become self-employed. Find beauty in all small things. 6. Be kind and gracious. People remember your kindness and generosity. Stories of Barbara’s kindness and graciousness were shared, especially in delivering lessons. When a budding entrepreneur would use an obstacle as an excuse for not realizing their dream, for example, Barbara would say, “Here’s the deal. You can have your obstacle or your dream, but you cannot have both.” She would sign correspondences with, “Your Fan, Barbara.” She was gracious, clever, and always present. 7. Power of the tribe. Circle yourself with a tribe that supports your dreams and can give you constructive feedback when needed. Whom do you have in your tribe? 8. See the potential in people and the possibilities in ideas. Research caught up to Barbara’s intuitive hunch. Entrepreneurship is the best self-development course you will ever take. If you want to know yourself, start a business. Learn to lead by seeing the potential in others and exploring the possibilities of innovative ideas. 9. Don’t be afraid of life. She believed in going right to the joy. Dare to find wonder. Dare to explore your passions. Dare to expand ideas. Dare to share. Dare to learn and do something new every day.

I am grateful I have Barbara’s five podcast conversations to share with you. You can hear the enthusiasm and wisdom in Barbara’s voice as we discuss an employee versus an entrepreneurial mindset. We explored her concept of developing Multiple Profit Centers (MPCs) and portfolios of inspiration. Our final two podcast conversations were about six ways of becoming an idea detective. Her youngest sister said at the Facebook LIVE Celebration of Barbara’s Life that Barbara’s zest for life was with her until her passing.

Here are our five podcast conversations—three in 2020 and the other two in 2021. I will always cherish them. I hope you do too. I also included a pdf of 8 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started a Business by Barbara. Rest in peace, my cherished mentor, Barbara J. Winter.

My Five Podcast Conversations with BarbaraEpisode 241: Employee Mindset vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 242: It Is Time To Explore Multiple Profit Centers | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 243: Portfolios of Inspiration | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 290: 3 Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 291: 3 More Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

DOWNLOADRIP Barbara Winter – Joyfully Jobless with Barbara Winter **NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesRIP Barbara Winter – Joyfully Jobless with Barbara Winter

Podcast Conversations with Barbara WinterEpisode 241: Employee Mindset vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 242: It Is Time To Explore Multiple Profit Centers | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 243: Portfolios of Inspiration | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 290: 3 Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 291: 3 More Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 242: It Is Time To Explore Multiple Profit Centers | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 243: Portfolios of Inspiration | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 290: 3 Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 291: 3 More Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

How to Move Through Grief with Kindness and Self-CompassionHow to Move Through Grief with Kindness and Self-Compassion

Making A Living Without A Job by Barbara WinterMaking A Living Without A Job by Barbara Winter

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Commemorate Barbara Winter’s legacy with me. Listen to all five podcast conversations and pass on to three other people what you learned. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Sit and soften the hard edges of grief. Allow yourself to be present with heartache and sadness, breathing in slowly with an extended slow release. Let the sorrow and sadness go when you are ready. Return to sitting and breathing whenever the intensity of grief engulfs your heart. It could be ten times a day, once a week, or somewhere between. Allow the unpredictable nature of healing your heart to reflect your cherished relationship’s beauty. Your grief, your process, your pace. You can decide how you want to work through your grief. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate my cherished mentor, Barbara J. Winter. I appreciate her joyful spirit and full of fun nature. I appreciate her massive curiosity. I appreciate her dedication to helping millions become joyful self-bossers. I appreciate her wisdom and daring adventures that took her worldwide. I love Barbara. May she rest in peace and joy.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

3. Welcome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorBarbara J. Winter. Barbara was a pioneering self-employment advocate, writer, and teacher who has spent the last thirty years pondering the question, “Why aren’t we all self-employed?” Helping others discover a Joyfully Jobless life is her favorite occupation. To readers of Winning Ways newsletter, the longest-running self-employment publication of its kind, she is editor/publisher.

Readers of Making a Living Without a Job, a book that’s been in print since 1993, know her as the author.

Participants in Barbara’s seminar of the same name, along with others including Establish Yourself as an Expert and How to Support Your Wanderlust, know her as a passionate teacher.

She also led retreats to help small business owners bring creative thinking and fresh ideas into their work. She is convinced that small is still beautiful and loves working with one-person enterprises. Barbara is also an intrepid world traveler and a curious lifelong learner.

She also leads retreats to help small business owners bring creative thinking and fresh ideas into their work. She is convinced that small is still beautiful and loves working with one-person enterprises.

RIP Barbara Winter – Joyfully Jobless with Barbara WinterEpisode 369: A Tribute to My Cherished Mentor, Barbara WinterPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 368: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IV Episode NotesA sixth way to ensure integrity in your business records is to create a culture of belonging. A culture of belonging promotes integrity. When people feel they belong, they show you who they are, warts and all. No pretenses, no games. No acting out. We are more inclined to do what is best for ourselves and others with a motivation toward the greater good.

Belonging is essential to humans, so why are we so bad at creating a culture of belonging at work? We even have difficulty creating belonging in our own families. Fifty-two percent of Americans feel lonely.

“Isolation is being by yourself. Loneliness is not liking it.” – Unknown Author.The simple answer to why we are so bad at creating a culture of belonging is that we live what we know and what is taught and role modeled. We haven’t been taught how to belong, even though it is a universal human need. In business, creating a culture of belonging was an outlandish idea until the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the epidemic of loneliness began.

Journalist and critic Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein is coming out with a book called Tyranny At Work. It is about “the authoritarian design of the American workplace and the tools and laws–from “at-will employment, to coercive contracts, surveillance, employer-driven debt, and mandatory arbitration–that make us uniquely unfree on the job. She reveals how much of our lives are spent outside of democracy and what a different arrangement might look like.” Last year, she wrote an article about How Life as a Trucker Devolved Into a Dystopian Nightmare.

We know how to divide and conquer. We know how to isolate and alienate one another. We know how to support specific people and cultures. We know how to be fiercely independent. We know how to compete. We don’t know how to create a business culture and home life that supports interdependence, unconditional love, and belonging.

Research Professor Brené Brown defines belonging as “the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and seeking approval, which is hollow substitutes for belonging and often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”

Accepting ourselves gives those we lead permission to accept themselves. The avenue to accepting ourselves is taking 100% responsibility for our lives so we can feel engaged, hopeful, grateful, excited, confident, inspired, joyful, exhilarated, refreshed, and peaceful. Those are the feelings we experience when we regularly meet our universal human needs.

Belonging is part of our universal human need to connect. We must feel acceptance, appreciation, closeness, communication, consideration, safety, security, and community to connect and feel we belong. We must see and be seen, which takes compassion.

If you create a culture of belonging where people feel they truly belong, you feel connected to those you work with, even if you have differences. We develop a better understanding of another, which expands our ability to have empathy and exercise compassion. When we work without compassion, we succumb to the era of narcissism, entitlement, and incivility. Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D., coined the phrase.

You will frequently hear me talk about Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D. because her videos and books help me to help others move out of this era. One of the ways to get out of this era of narcissism is by creating a culture of belonging. I highly recommend reading “Don’t You Know Who I Am?” How to stay sane in an era of narcissism, entitlement, and incivility. A must-read to support the creation of a culture of belonging. We need to know how narcissistic and toxic people operate because these people in the workplace are rising. Use the ideas below to create a work culture of belonging.

Ideas for Creating a Work Culture of Belonging Hire people you value and who value you. To create value, practice self-love, and secure a strong sense of self. This means applying self-compassion daily, self-valuing (fostering healthy relationships), and showing bravery in accurately appraising oneself. Knowing yourself is attractive to other authentic people and vice versa. Valued people bring value to your business. * Encourage friendships outside of work; include yourself in this practice. Due to the nature of business ownership, one can get myopic and talk about our businesses incessantly, only developing relationships with those connected with our businesses and specialized areas. Cast the net wide and take an interest in various friendships unrelated to your industry. Talk with someone outside your family for 15-20 minutes each day about something meaningful to both of you. This can deepen a friendship and eliminate loneliness. When we feel a connection to others, it engages our innate need to connect. * Unite in purpose. Building a business with others is an excellent opportunity to curb loneliness and engage people in working toward a greater purpose. Work toward common communicated goals. Power struggles will fall by the wayside. Differences will be shared, accepted, and understood. This forms a sense of interdependence. We are separate people and know we need each other to fulfill our universal human needs. * Increase your relational literacy. “Relational literacy is the ability to understand and express healthy ways of relating: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Our errors are our teachers; they guide us toward greater proficiency and awareness, says psychologist, international speaker, and bestselling author of six books Melanie Joy, Ph.D. In her book, Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work, Melanie writes, “What matters most in this process is how we relate to our mistakes. Even a slight increase in relational literacy can lead to significant improvement.” Creating a culture of belonging is a huge step in the right relational direction. * + Take the time to identify your feelings. Clarify what you mean without making assumptions. Accept people when they show you who they are. You can decide what will and won’t work as you carve out the roles and responsibilities in your work relationships. * Compassion encourages healthy relating and promotes meaningful relationships. When we understand another’s suffering, empathize, and can offer loving-kindness, we meet our human need to connect and can do this while we work together. Isn’t it more enjoyable to grow a business with people you care about, and they care about you? Consider your decisions and think about the impact your decision has on others. If you become aware that you are causing another to suffer, lead with compassion and stop the suffering. * + Ramani defines a healthy relationship in this way.“A healthy, loving relationship is reciprocal, respectful, patient, compassionate, empathic, kind, and supportive. That’s it. If, in the midst of that, it is fun, exciting, romantic, sexy, and adventurous, then wonderful.” * + A healthy work relationship is also reciprocal, respectful, patient, compassionate, empathic, kind, and supportive. What a healthy work relationship is not is romantic, sexy, and intimate. It is not controlling and provocatively fearful. It is not based on superficial desire. A healthy work relationship is based on healthy relating, agreed-upon expectations, and efforts toward mutual common goal achievements beyond oneself. If, in the midst of that, it is fun, exciting, and adventurous, that is a bonus. * Practice communicating respectfully, with clarity, and with accountability. Allow do-overs when you and others clash. Try again and offer the freedom to co-create a better way of communicating. * + Give each other space to learn from mistakes without using shaming and blaming tactics that make others feel small and make you look insensitive, self-absorbed, and out of control. * + Use creativity in how you collaborate with others. Identify how you feel and allow others to communicate how they feel. Collectively, we are tired of this painful era of narcissism, incivility, and entitlement that depletes our energies and leaves us agitated, sad, confused, and wounded. Being heard can solve half of our problems. When people are not allowed to communicate their feelings, they act out them. I am sure you have heard the phrase, hurt people, hurt people. Allow people to connect and get to know each other. * + Take an interest in getting to know those you work with closely. They are more than a person you employ. They have interests outside of work. You can learn about each other while you work and meet your common need to connect and reach other goals. * Figure out what you can and cannot control. We tend to dominate and assert power over others when we feel out of control. It is the Authoritarian way. Control over others never moves the dial toward understanding oneself and others. It does the opposite. It fosters disconnection, alienation, and resentment. * + In small business ownership, although people think you control your destiny, outside variables prove the opposite. The Covid-19 pandemic facilitated a point of reflection around the world—a time to go inward and figure out what is important to us and what is not anymore. Exerting control outside of ourselves doesn’t meet our universal human connection needs. Using our energy to go inward and determine what is controllable helps us share power with others, so we evolve together. * Create work agreements and contracts that promote collaboration instead of control over others. We can’t control others. We can set up an environment that supports the freedom to choose vs. control. You can instill natural consequences instead of punishment in agreements. All of my legal contracts reflect and respect what each party is bringing to the table. This is called civility. * + For example, most podcasters don’t have guests sign agreements. I do. I use every opportunity to show that I am protecting and respecting each Guest mentor’s rights, their voice behind the microphone, and their copyrighted content as well as my own. * + I do this with clients too. I take the time and invest in them. I get their input into the agreements so we both understand what we are doing and why we are doing it. An employee contract can include protective legal clauses for the business and use language that respects the person signing the contract and their options. I have been doing this for decades, and I know it works to create agreements promoting shared control, shared responsibility, and freedom of expression. Allow people their dignity, especially when things don’t work out. * Use creativity to nurture a sense of belonging in your home.* A recent example of creating a sense of belonging in our home occurred on Mother’s Day. I told you we welcomed a new family member a couple of months ago. Letty is our seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer. Matthew, my husband, floated the idea of a Happy Letty Day. He considers Letty the mother of all mothers because she gave birth to nine puppies and made about 45 families happy. Honoring and including Letty in my Mother’s Day celebration expanded our feelings of joy.

Happy Letty Day to all moms who provide nurturing, guidance, and protection to their pets. Next month, we can celebrate a Happy Letty Day with all the fathers of pets. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesSeries Episodes I, II, and III

6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part II | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part III | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

2023 Loneliness StatisticsLoneliness Statistics

Assessing Yourself, HonestlyAssessing Yourself, Honestly | Psychology Today

What Does It Take to Build a Culture of Belonging? (hbr.org)

NYTimes Article by Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein ArticleOpinion | How Life as a Trucker Devolved Into a Dystopian Nightmare – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Science of PeopleScience of People

What Does It Take to Build a Culture of BelongingWhat Does It Take to Build a Culture of Belonging? (hbr.org)

Why Your Boss Wants You to Love Your JobWhy Your Boss Wants You to Love Your Job | The Nation

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Review the sixth way to ensure integrity in your business records: create a culture of belonging. Choose which ideas you want to start with in creating a culture of belonging in your workplace. Then generate a list of ideas for creating a sense of belonging in your home. Have fun! 2. Apply Self-Compassion: After completing the adventurous task above. Sit with EASE from Thich Nhat Hanh’s handbook on How to Sit for Meditation. 2. “Sit in such a way that you feel completely at ease. Relax every muscle in your body, including the muscles in your face. The best way to relax the muscles in your face is to smile gently as you breathe in and out. Don’t make a great effort, or struggle, or fight as you sit. Let go of everything. This prevents backache, shoulder ache, or headache. If you are able to find a cushion that fits your body well, you can sit for a long time without feeling tired. (p. 45) 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate this challenge as I dig into these six ways to have integrity with business records. I appreciate how we can create a culture of belonging in our businesses and homes. I appreciate all the mothers of pets. I appreciate my mom; may she rest in peace. I appreciate the mother I am who provides Olivia with guidance, nurturing, and protection. I appreciate being her mom. I am glad she chose us as parents. I appreciate all the moms in our neighborhood, in our city and our state, in our region, and all over the world.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 368: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IV Podcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 367: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IIIEpisode NotesI intended this series to be in two parts, but guess what? I can’t do it! I approach this topic and business ownership from a holistic perspective; everything we do in our businesses is interconnected and influenced by us, from our energy and intentions to the rules, boundaries, and limitations we set in operating our businesses, business records included. This kind of approach to ensure integrity in our business records takes forethought.

A holistic approach to business ownership considers the effect of one thing upon another. Let’s take 100% responsibility for our actions and require that of our staff. We see a different level of energy, communication, and adherence to rules, boundaries, and limitations throughout the company with each interaction and transaction in the business.

Integrity is encouraged, and the systems we put in place validate our intentions, adhere to rules governing businesses, support boundary-keeping, and acknowledge limitations. With our intentions attuned to our values, we know what is okay and what is not okay and why. We are clear about which rules to abide by or reconsider and which limitations to work around or challenge.

Last weekend we visited Thai Table with a friend, a family-owned restaurant in Plymouth, MN. We love supporting small businesses. We bring cash for the meal. This business likes saving us money by encouraging cash payment. This keeps them from passing on the cost of offering credit card options for payment to their patrons. We appreciate their conscientiousness. As patrons of Thai Table, we assume that those cash payments are appropriately accounted for and reported on their tax forms like any cash-based business.

All cash-based revenue must be reported to the IRS to operate with integrity. You could be under the IRS threshold for reporting the revenue. I know people choose to refrain from reporting cash-based income for many reasons.

If that is not the case, revisit what you are doing and why you are doing it. This raises your awareness. I am not talking about excuse-making to defend your decision. I encourage you to notice how you feel. If you feel like you are getting away with something or justifying your decision and feel ashamed or embarrassed when you tell someone. This is what I call an energy leak. You are releasing your integrity a little spurt of energy at a time. These kinds of energy leaks deplete our energy and leave us feeling incompetent in running our businesses.

When you become aware of an energy leak, please find a way to seal it up. If your business needs to generate more money to pay the costs associated with running a business, this could be the source of your next innovation.

Let the generating of ideas begin. Revisit your business model. Maybe you aren’t charging enough because you don’t know the exact cost of doing business. And you don’t know what it would take to thrive in business because you don’t know how to project out into the future. Or some other reason.

This kind of “curiosity thinking” leads us to the fifth way to ensure integrity in your business records. Increase your proficiency in money management.

#5 Increase your proficiency in money management. If you are proficient at something, you are competent or skilled at doing it. You may be adept at making money but not managing the money you generate because you are too busy doing other things to get into the details of financial profitability and prosperity thinking.

An effective way to increase your proficiency in money management is to learn more about it. The more we understand our energy and the energy exchanges we do with money, the quicker we can catch when we are bleeding money and losing control of ourselves and our business.

Energy leaks are clues that something is out of alignment. These clues can uncover limiting beliefs that we no longer want or need. If you have a limiting belief of not being enough, that energy is infused into the world, and that belief keeps you from learning how to prosper in business and life.

Phrases like these are limiting beliefs.

• “I never have enough money to support my business.”
• “The costs of doing business in this industry prevent me from making a profit.”
• “I don’t want my hard-earned money to go to the government.”
• “The world owes me. I do not need to follow its laws.”
• “I never have enough money to do what I want.”

Here are some phrases to replace the limiting beliefs above:

• “I have enough money to support my business and life. Money shows up when I need it.”
• “This industry can be challenging to sustain a profitable business, but I can figure out how to create a profitable business model. I got this.”
• “Paying taxes means I am doing well in my business. I support our government. It is okay to pay the government. I get many benefits from living and working in this country. I am grateful.”
• “I value myself and what I contribute to the world. I am living meaningfully and creating a positive difference in our world. I can follow the laws of our land.”
• “I am enough. I value and respect myself. I have everything I need. I am grateful for everyone and everything in my life. I attract abundance and prosperity in every aspect of my life.”

Examining our limiting beliefs and energy leaks is a great place to start when we are out of integrity with any aspect of our businesses. Release what no longer serves you and replace limitations with new learning about abundance and prosperity. With further information and practice, we can form new connections in our minds to think in new ways. Take advantage of the following ways to increase your competency in managing money.

Below are a few more ideas to increase your competency in managing money. Study other businesses in your industry and how they make money. Then knowingly do what you feel will work for your business. Avoid shortcuts that engage pathological forms of thinking evolving into criminal activity and suck the energy out of your soul. * Lead regular and meaningful money meetings with those you trust. This usually involves one or two other people. Structure the sessions by setting ground rules. You need to trust each other. Not blind trust. Verify that the numbers make sense by knowing how to generate and interpret financial reports like balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cashflow statements. Understand how everything is interconnected. * Download and use the WeMentor Money Meeting Framework* to support your journey to increase your proficiency in money management.

It will help you lead emotionally safe discussions by addressing fears, concerns, and financial opportunities. Understand the nitty-gritty details without fear or judgment. Focus on learning. Money beliefs and prosperity thinking show up in the numbers.

These meetings allow you to have your freak-out moments as you gather the business records you need to work toward profitability and growth. Eventually, you look forward to these meetings because you know your core values and practice integrity. Each constructive discussion builds momentum and generates new insights and activities to create wealth as you work through ambiguity and uncertainty.

• Use the self-compassion exercise below called Habit Energy Meditation to start each money meeting.

DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesWeMentor Money Meeting Framework

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Download and use the WeMentor Money Meeting Framework to support your journey to increase your proficiency in money management. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Here is a Habit Energy meditation from Thich Nhat Hanh’s handbook on How to Sit for Meditation—a little book with profound yet simple ways to meditate. Sit calmly with a relaxed but not slouching posture. Allow yourself to breathe slowly while you read the following. After reading it, follow your inhales and exhales to a count of four each way. Do this for five or six minutes, open your eyes, and start your money meeting.

“When you sit, you may feel something pushing you to get up and do something else. That’s the energy inside each of us called habit energy. Habit energy is energy that is fueled by an old pattern, situation, or habit. It isn’t based on our real needs and our actual situation in the present.

Habit energy is always pushing. We have the habit of thinking that happiness isn’t possible in the here and now, that we have to go and look for it somewhere else or in the future.

That’s why we keep running. Our parents ran too. They transmitted the habit of running to us and received it from their ancestors. It’s a longstanding habit. We deeply believe that in the future we may have more conditions for our happiness and that our “real life” lies somewhere else. It’s because of our habit energy, that the present moment can seem boring. It is a strong energy. If we are not aware of it, it can be stronger than we are. When we sit and invite the sound of the bell, it is a reminder to let go of that habit energy and return home.” (pp. 60-61)

1. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate this challenge as I dig into these six ways to have integrity with business records. I appreciate all the ways we can increase our proficiency in managing money. I appreciate the ability to work through my fears and practice new ways of doing business. I appreciate and admire business owners who invest in themselves and bring integrity into every aspect of leadership and business ownership by keeping records accurate and reliable. I am grateful there are ways to build confidence and trust within our businesses, customers, and communities.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

3. Welcome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 367: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IIIPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 366: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IIEpisode NotesWhere there is a business, there are humans. Where there are humans, there are needs. Where there are needs, there are opportunities to meet those human needs. When we neglect meeting human needs, humans get off track and fall out of integrity.

Business records can help us maintain integrity in how we do business if we intend to operate a business with integrity. I have teased the content into bite-sized, digestible parts to support your journey to using the following six ways to ensure integrity in your business records.

SummaryLast week I outlined the first three ways to ensure integrity in your business records, starting with you. Today you will learn the 4th way to ensure integrity in your business records after summarizing the first three.

Business records build confidence and trust within the business, customers, and communities. Business records also help us track where we have been, where we are, and where we are going, and they can save us thousands and millions of dollars. According to Wikipedia, “business records are documents (hard copy or digital) that capture an act, condition, or event related to the business.”

Building confidence and trust in business starts with the business owner(s) and entrepreneurial leader. This is why the #1 way to ensure integrity with business records is to do a self-leadership integrity assessment. Answer these questions:

• What are my core values? What are my business’s core values and mission?
• Am I willing to live according to my core values and meet my seven universal human needs of physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, meaning, and connection?
• Do I have a path to get back on track when I run a relationship in the ditch?
• What about those I employ and contract? Can I create a path to help them get back on track?
• Am I open to course corrections, making amends, and doing better?
• If the answer to all of the questions above, except the first one, is yes, you can live and lead with integrity. Go on to #2. If your answer is no, find a way to answer yes, then proceed. If you need help, reach out to me.

The 2nd way to ensure integrity in your business records is to set high communication and accountability standards by requiring everyone to take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do. This sets the tone letting everyone know that mistakes happen. What we do after making a mistake is the focus—taking responsibility for fixing the error, learning from the mistake, or finding a different solution. New ideas can come from mistakes, so train people to look at mistakes as opportunities for personal and business growth.

• Start regular accountability meetings that promote mutual respect and mutual purpose with who does what, when, and by when with a follow-up. Brainstorm potential barriers to deadlines and commitments and instill natural consequences if responsibilities aren’t fulfilled.

The 3rd way is to build an ethical organization around information and communication. Modify your mindset and know the purpose of documenting the act, condition, or business event. Because the act, condition, or business event needing documentation doesn’t always generate income, business owners can get sloppy running their businesses, leading to problems with the IRS, cashflow issues, data entry, employee problems, legal issues, etc.

I appreciate management guru Peter F. Drucker’s pragmatic approach to improving work relationships. Instead of building in layers of hierarchy, which promotes disconnection, Peter found that the most important thing to do is to create an organization, whatever the size, around information and communication. You can do this by training people to ask two questions. I added a third question.

1. 1. What information do I need to do my job – from whom, when, and how?
   2. What information do I owe others so that they can do their job, in what form, and when?
   3. To build mutual trust (mutual understanding and predictability), include others in accountability. If there is a breakdown in A and B, invite those involved in the communication breakdown to help hold each other accountable. Use direct communication to identify where the breakdown started and brainstorm how to fix or amend the problem. Agree on a path forward that promotes responsibility and accountability.

How to Implement #1, #2, and #3Let’s say you have checked all the boxes for #1 above. You are leading with integrity a business that employs 25 or fewer people. Where do you start with setting high standards for communication and helping everyone take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do?

• Invest an hour in revisiting your business mission and core values with your team (25 or fewer employees). Take notes from the input and feedback you gather—share where you would like to be at this year’s end and your plans for getting there. You may want to increase revenue by 10% or 30%, or 50% based on revenues generated so far this year. Layout the most-likely case scenario and let them know if everything goes to hell in a handbag, where they will be at the end of the year. Reinforce that you are in this together and can grow the business by working together.
• Implement #3 by discussing ethics and how to behave ethically as a team in their daily work. Start regular accountability meetings to sort out what information employees need to do their job and what information and communication they need from co-workers to do their work that day or for the week. Have them brainstorm the outcomes if they do or don’t meet the work deadlines and how they plan to hold themselves and each other accountable for goal achievement.
• Secure the integrity of physical and logical (human) data by setting up rules and procedures. In your regular accountability meetings, discuss the 4th way to ensure integrity with your business records. Remember to follow up with essential items you discuss and notice if the meeting tasks are formal or casual. Formal things need to follow through.

#4 Collaborate to Secure Integrity with Physical Data and Logical Data The 4th way to have integrity with business records is to collaborate with others to secure that your physical data and what is known as logical (human) data have integrity. We safeguard physical data through security, storage, and access to onsite servers and cloud databases. To have integrity with logical data, we need to hold humans to a standard of integrity that prevents or catches errors due to human mistakes.

We have all had experience with data breaches, both physical and logical. Every business is vulnerable, and every client has had data breaches, whether through security, storage and access issues, or human error. A human was behind my website security breach.

Here is my website security breach story.

I call this guy the Trickster. The Trickster found a vulnerability in the payment area of my website and exploited it through credit card testing. I use Stripe as an online business payment processing system. The Trickster breached the system by entering stolen credit card account information. It started with a few dollar charges showing up on my business account.

Two or so hours before we needed to leave to fly to San Diego for a family vacation, a few charges at first, and then hundreds of automated email messages showed charges to my Stripe account. I was proud of how I handled it. I didn’t panic, although I was shaken up inside. I kept in problem-solving mode and continued our vacation plans.

I went to my Stripe account to figure out what was happening and connected with the Stripe support team when I discovered the credit card testing scam. Matthew, my husband, gave me the name of a security computer person, which helped. A day later, calls started pouring in.

Long story short, we stopped the Trickster in its tracks. Those whose credit card numbers were stolen had accounts from two banks I tracked down in Florida. The hundreds of transactions were refunded, and we fixed the vulnerable spot with new coding to secure against future Tricksters, those with malicious intent. I responded to everyone that called, apologizing and suggesting they call their bank to change their credit card numbers and bank accounts. I alerted the two banks to the scam. Although I was preoccupied with the fraud during the first part of our family vacation, I could enjoy most of it.

I have heard many stories from clients over the years. Data breaches and human error foibles are a cost of doing business. It takes time to resolve an issue, emotional energy, and money for technical support and other expenses related to the data breach. If we can’t avoid all breaches and errors, there are some things we can do to minimize the time, emotional investment, and financial damages.

Create a Check List:

• Put money aside in a disaster fund so that when a crisis or disaster surfaces, it doesn’t cause a cashflow crisis.
• Prepare a physical data and logical data disaster plan. Most business owners are in-the-moment problem solvers. We don’t like to project out worse-case scenarios. We want to realize best-case or most likely-case scenarios. Preparing a disaster plan helps you think through problems ahead of time and creates an awareness of your humanity.
• Have a strategic approach. Gather information and quickly respond to a problem to prevent further damage.
• Fully understand the problem and collaborate with others to find a solution and implement the disaster plan if necessary.
• Review physical data practices and the humans behind the data practices once or twice a year to help you stay present and transparent with what is and isn’t working in your business.
  • Confirm that your data is reliable, accurate, and comprehensible and that original documents and other data are stored safely. Ensure the data does not change when we modify, transfer, or delete it.
• • Connect with the humans you are working with on the data and determine what is working and what accountability protocol is in place to address what isn’t working.

Collaborate with others and learn what is crucial to stay on top of your physical and logical data. You can find more information in this episode’s resource section. Here is another resource to help ensure your business records’ integrity. Listen to reinforce what you read. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesMore Ways to Ensure Data Integrity in Your Business

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Create a checklist from the ideas above. Begin working to secure the integrity of your physical and logical (human) data. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: I often read Thich Nhat Hanh’s handbook on How to Sit for Meditation. A tiny book with profound yet simple ways to meditate. Sit for a few minutes when the next storm of emotions comes through. Closely follow your breath to your belly. Thich reminds us that storms and our state of mind pass. He writes, “When we see the top of a tree being tossed about in a storm, we have the feeling that the tree may be blown down at any moment. But if we look at the trunk of the tree, we see it’s very steady, and we know that the tree will stand strong. Your belly is like the trunk of a tree. Practice breathing with your mind only focused on breathing into your lower belly and just let your emotions go by.” When you are ready, awaken to a new state of mind. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the challenge as I dig into these six ways to have integrity with business records. This area has huge financial and financial consequences if we don’t stay organized and present in keeping business records accurate and reliable. We safeguard biological data through security, storage, and access to onsite servers and cloud databases. To have integrity with logical data, we need to hold humans to a standard of integrity that prevents or catches errors due to human mistakes. I am grateful there are ways to build confidence and trust within our businesses, customers, and communities.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 366: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part II Podcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 365: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part I Episode NotesIntegrity with business records and operations is where I like to start with clients—learning how they run their businesses and how they feel as entrepreneurial leaders. What are their vision, mission, and core values? What is working and what isn’t? What plans, systems, and processes do they have in place? What is their immediate need?

According to Wikipedia, “business records are documents (hard copy or digital) that capture an act, condition, or event related to the business.” Business records are meant to build confidence and trust within the business, with customers, and with communities.

The act, condition, or business event triggers the need for documentation. We generate a sale, for example. The income is deposited in a business checking account. A bookkeeper records the deposit in an accounting system. More sales are recorded. A weekly financial report is tallied for a financial meeting. Meeting notes record the decisions made during the session, and new financial goals are projected. At the end of a fiscal year, an accountant uses the bookkeeping system to file tax reports for the IRS to determine how much is taxable income. The federal and state taxes we pay keep our society in order through public services such as the federal budget, social security, healthcare, public infrastructure, defense, etc.

Other business records include internal company policies and regulatory requirements for stockholders and investors. Having integrity with our business records means complete and accurate record-keeping that has uniformity throughout the business’s lifecycle.

Integrity is being truthful in what we think, feel, say, and do. For example, when everyone follows the same accounting principles, stakeholders have greater faith that the story those financial statements tell is trustworthy. Setting up systems, communications, and processes that support your business’s mission and core values encourages those working with you to record the act, condition, or event accurately.

Below are three of six ways to ensure integrity in your business records. I will share the other three next Monday.

Three of six ways to ensure integrity in your business records.1. Do a self-leadership integrity assessment.Am I saying what I mean and doing what I say? Know your core values and ask yourself if you are living those values. If so, excellent. If not, identify your core values and commit to living them without compromising them in difficult circumstances. Allow yourself to get back on track. Recommit to living your values every day and keep going.

Imagine handling financial pressure with ease. Instead of succumbing to numbing, avoiding, or other coping vices, stay present. Identify how you feel, and determine what those feelings are trying to reveal; you may need to adjust your goals or initiate a sales activity to relieve some of the financial pressure. Decide the next best thing to do.

Example. My core values are wholeheartedness (compassion, connection, and courage) and respect.

Bookkeeping was not my forte when I started my business in 1992. It still isn’t, but I learned whom to hire and how to organize the volume of paperwork that accompanies business ownership.

In the beginning, I frequently became overwhelmed and let the paperwork pile up until it was a crisis. Crisis-to-crisis leadership was how I managed my business.

I realized that I needed help to shift my crisis-to-crisis leadership mentality by taking charge of how I was leading. My disorganization was disrupting my self-connection. Because I felt dysregulated, out of sorts, and stressed out all the time, my connections with others were strained. I not only needed a different mindset but a new skillset.

Fortunately, I ran entrepreneurial leadership LABs and held monthly synergy sessions. I started asking LAB participants if they needed help managing the volume of paperwork with their businesses. Everyone said ‘yes.’ I wasn’t alone in leading from crisis to crisis.

Owning my problem triggered a coordinated effort to learn how to be proactive. I hired organizational specialist and harpist Karen Kunzman to work with me first. She taught me an organizational system that I still use today. Once I learned her system, I encouraged clients to work with her and invited her to speak at monthly synergy sessions several times a year until she crossed over to the other side in 2002.

September 11, 2001, was the last day Karen and I worked together. She was our last synergy session presenter on what is known as the most traumatic day the United States experienced in a century. Suicide attackers hijacked four planes. Two of those planes flew into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, causing them to collapse.

Karen and I continued our three-hour session because we felt we weren’t in immediate danger, and the participants wanted to stay outside of one person who tried to collect and hug her children. Karen lingered after the session to talk. She had breast cancer and didn’t want anyone to know. I didn’t know this would be our last time together.

Karen’s organizational system lives on in me and those whom her life touched. I think of her often and feel compelled to acknowledge her beautiful impact on my life and the lives of others. She gave us skills for life and a new mindset. Once you know where you are going off track, developing a process, learning a new system, or creating a policy or procedure becomes an obvious answer. That is all it takes to generate positive change.

2. Set high communication and accountability standards by requiring everyone in your business to take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do.Take the time to uncover the truth in any situation, not to parcel out blame, but to understand what happened and hold each other accountable for finding a solution in a timely manner. Stay active in problem-solving.

We must take a stand and role model the behavior we want to see in our businesses, even if we don’t want to. We need to assert self-leadership and talk about feelings. I have found that talking through our feelings eliminates acting out and power struggles that stem from misunderstandings. I have seen policies adjusted, new processes implemented, and new business opportunities surface by digging into problems for solutions.

Assert meaningful conversations (talk about the elephant in the room) so you don’t waste time and emotional energy on fruitless discussions that lead to avoidance, blaming, competing, acquiescing, and shaming. Take the time to find out the core problem and deepen your connections. Investigate why we missed a deadline, or discover how you can work more effectively together. Learn why the other feels deeply so you can think, act, lead, and mentor more clearly and effectively.

3. Build an ethical organization around information and communication.Because the act, condition, or business event needing documentation doesn’t generate income, business owners can get sloppy running their businesses, leading to problems with the IRS, cashflow issues, employee problems, legal issues, etc.

Building an ethical organization begins with your mindset. Understand the purpose of documenting the act, condition, or event. Gather information and communication. Accurate information and communication make it possible to have integrity with our business records. As noted above, I changed my mindset and added a new skill set to become a more competent business owner. You can do the same.

I turned to management guru Peter F. Drucker for an example of improving work relationships. Instead of building in layers of hierarchy, Peter found that the most important thing to do is to create an organization, whatever the size, around information and communication by training people to ask two questions. I added a third question.

a. What information do I need to do my job – from whom, when, and how?

b. What information do I owe others so that they can do their job, in what form, and when?

c. To build mutual trust (mutual understanding and predictability), include others in accountability. If there is a breakdown in A and B, invite those involved in the communication breakdown to help hold each other accountable. Use direct communication to identify where the breakdown started and brainstorm how to fix or amend the problem. Agree on a path forward that promotes responsibility and accountability.

Review the above list to ensure you have integrity with your business records. You can, directly and indirectly, improve relationships and increase the bottom line by paying attention to the details of record keeping. No entrepreneurial leader has ever told me they regret shifting their mindset and learning new skillsets. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Acquiring a Business Acumen EpisodesAcquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 1 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 2 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 3 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 4 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete the list above to ensure integrity with business records: do a self-leadership integrity assessment, set high communication and accountability standards, and build an ethical organization around information and communication. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Are you living your core values? That is part of the self-leadership integrity assessment. Notice the texture and quality of your feelings after answering the question. When you are ready, release the emotions and commit to living your core values daily. Allow yourself to get back on track when you get off track. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the challenge I felt in developing six ways to have integrity with business records. Every business owner has challenges in this area because there is always so much to learn and do to be competent and bring integrity into every aspect of our businesses. I appreciate my courage and commitment to follow through. I am eager to create tools and helpful exercises that facilitate the growth of other entrepreneurial leaders.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

ome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 365: 6 Ways to Ensure Integrity in Your Business Records, Part IPodcast Categories, Archives, and Guest MentorsPodcast SponsorGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value compassion, courage, and connection.

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

View Details

Episode 364: What the World Needs Now is Integrity in Entrepreneurial Leadership Episode NotesWhy does the world need integrity in entrepreneurial leadership now? We have always needed the skillset and mindset of entrepreneurs to evolve and revolutionize our world. Integrity has always been an important leadership value. Why is it highly relevant now?

This topic comes from my inherent concern regarding entrepreneurial leaders with harmful intentions using our legal system interminably to delay justice and accountability. And how many laws can one break? Astonishingly, a lot. This brings me to ask more questions.

Why are we allowing leaders, who lack integrity, egregiously break our laws, and have a sinister vision that is destroying our democracy, to not only hold the highest offices in the land but profit from doing so? If our democracy is everything to us, why are we the people, allowing a political party to prioritize their rights above all others? Why are we allowing ill-intentioned political entrepreneurs to disregard standards of decency, violate ethical principles and laws, and outpace accountability guardrails?

Where others see problems, entrepreneurs see opportunities.

Where entrepreneurs see opportunities, they solve problems.

When ethical entrepreneurs solve problems, they add societal value.

While pondering these big questions and sifting through the emotions that come from feeling unsettled and concerned about all of us, I devised an Eight Integrity Checkpoints exercise to bridge the gap between our professed values, how we live, and the leaders we support. Each checkpoint pair begins with a question you can ask yourself and a second question in reference to a leader you support.

Read through each question. These questions are thought-provoking so allow time to reflect. I suggest returning to this exercise after you read the rest of these notes and listen to this episode. I give examples in the audio. You decide what works best for you.

Eight Integrity Checkpoints* How am I taking 100% responsibility for what I think, feel, say, and do? * How does the leader I support take 100% responsibility for what they think, feel, say, and do? * What are my two core values, without which I feel off track and lost? Or, I get angry when someone doesn’t respect my values. * Are the words, feelings, and actions of the leader I support aligned with my core values? How do I know? What are their core values? * Reflecting on my life, am I living my core values? * As I reflect on the leader I support, are they living their core values? * How am I being or leading the change I want to make in the world? * What change does the leader I support role model to the world?

The Research Rabbit Hole

Integrity in entrepreneurial leadership initially felt easy for me to discuss. I work with clients daily to live what they value and value how they live. I have written and taught about having integrity, and I hold myself accountable to integrity guideposts, my core values of wholeheartedness (compassion, connection, and courage) and respect.

Instead, the research rabbit hole I entered ignited unresolved hurts such as anguish, despair, sadness, grief, and dread about the next election. I am exhausted from the slowness of our legal system and the emotional and financial cost to all of us from the 45th U.S. President’s excruciatingly painful refusal to take responsibility for his criminal acts and threats to the fabric of our democracy because he can’t put our democracy above his corrupted interests.

We know of his egregious acts against our democracy and lack of integrity in business reporting including the latest 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up his seedy behavior. He is like the Titanic. We know he is sinking. We don’t know how long it will take or how many more people will go down with him. I know he will not take our democracy with him, dammit! Not on our watch!!!

Kindred Voices are Speaking Up and Showing UpOnce below the surface and into the emotional quagmire–which never lasts forever–I found myself curiously discovering my feelings validated and the aloneness of it lifting. As I was preparing to talk about this topic of integrity in entrepreneurial leadership, an email arrived from Lisa Fain, a past Guest Mentor and director of the Center for Mentoring Excellence. She and I were twinning. She has a guest speaker scheduled to talk about authenticity in mentoring. Within her email, she included a resource from a renowned therapist in narcissism, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, When narcissism meets authenticity – YouTube.

I read Dr. Ramani’s eye-opening book a few months ago, “Don’t You Know Who I am?” How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. I understand what is happening and how to sustain my sanity; identifying narcissistic behaviors and stearing clear of their toxicity. Dr. Ramani expanded my awareness of the different types of narcissists and why there are so many narcissists and toxic people in our lives. Think ants at a picnic (her example) or vultures on dead prey.

On April 14, 2023, The New York Times printed an ad to support The Times and how they make a difference through accurate journalism. The following What Truth Is poem was posted on the back of a hoodie in that ad:

The truth is hard.

The truth is hidden.

The truth must be pursued.

The truth is hard to hear.

The truth is rarely simple.

The truth isn’t so obvious.

The truth is necessary.

The truth can’t be glossed over.

The truth can’t be manufactured.

The truth doesn’t take sides.

The truth isn’t red or blue.

The truth is hard to accept.

The truth pulls no punches.

The truth is powerful.

The truth is under attack.

The truth is worth defending.

The truth requires taking a stand.

The truth is more important now than ever.

You cannot value integrity without being willing to take your hoodie off and uncover the truth. You can do this with other kindred souls working together toward our greater good. Below I included value-based definitions of entrepreneurial leadership from Babson College to reinforce your entrepreneurial mindset and unique skillset and help you identify what to look for in value-based leaders.

Entrepreneurial Leadership. “Entrepreneurial leadership,” writes Scott Taylor, Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership at Babson College, “is both a skillset and a mindset—both of which can be taught. Entrepreneurial leaders stand out because they put people first and manage in a relational way. They inspire an entrepreneurial approach, which has the potential to create strong risk managers, exceptional uncertainty navigators, and highly skilled ambiguity explorers. These three traits work together, enabling entrepreneurial leaders to take action, solve problems, and create value while others are still analyzing the situation.

This goes far beyond business, allowing entrepreneurial leaders to impact organizations, the economy, and society as a whole.”

“Like entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial leaders are made, not born. It’s a muscle that can be developed with time and practice. According to D.R. Widder MBA’99, Babson’s vice president of innovation, budding entrepreneurial leaders share a handful of common characteristics:

• Entrepreneurial leaders want to solve problems collaboratively,
• Entrepreneurial leaders value action and are outcomes-oriented, and
• Entrepreneurial leaders believe that things can be better and that they can make an impact.

Entrepreneurial leaders are able to lead from any position. They know leadership doesn’t always come from the top, and it comes from action, not hierarchy,” says Widder. “These people are high-performance, collaborative problem solvers and are broadly needed in all industries.”

Even publishers are looking for entrepreneurial leaders. Hay House Publishing started a group for entrepreneurs who are authors called authorpreneurs that I am a part of. Everyone benefits from learning the mindset and skillsets of value-based entrepreneurial leadership. It gives us more options to be the change we wish to make in the world by taking 100% responsibility for what we think, feel, say, and do. Keep evolving! DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesEntrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College

Falsifying Business RecordsFalsifying Business Records

When Narcissism Meets Authenticity VideoWhen narcissism meets authenticity – YouTube by Dr. Ramani Durvasula

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete the Eight Integrity Checkpoints exercise above. Share the exercise with three other people and discuss the results. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: What did you realize about integrity that you didn’t already know? Allow yourself opportunities to uncover the truth in your experiences without judgment or denial. The truth really does set you free. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I am grateful that I could work through the difficult emotions that emerged as I prepared to talk with you. I appreciate you for taking the time to learn more about integrity and entrepreneurial leadership. I appreciate having an outlet to openly express the truth of what I experience, hoping we can evolve together and ignite the change we wish to see.

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 364: What the World Needs Now is Integrity in Entrepreneurial LeadershipPodcast Categories, Guest Mentors, and ArchivesGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead as you redesign your business.Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value wholehearted living and leading (compassion, courage, and grounded confidence).

When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future:

* As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,

* As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner,

* As a Mentor/Role Model, and

* As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

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Episode 363: Learning to Love the Voices In Your Head with Debbie Unterman Episode NotesToday is my 62nd birthday. This birthday isn’t monumental. We seem to emphasize birthdays ending with 5s and 0s; 65, 20, 35, and so on. A few months before a birthday, I naturally go inward, reflecting on the prior year in preparation for the upcoming year. I can say I am envigorated with this next phase of lifework.

Matthew and I are in a great spot. We feel fantastic providing a retirement home for Letty, our new seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer. She keeps us moving with her fast-paced walking, and we give her lots of love. Olivia is finishing her junior year in college and carving out her life as an interdependent person. We know how to allow each other wings to fly.

I have always viewed relationships and mentoring from a soul level. I am desperately learning to understand the voices in my head from the 6,000 thoughts we average daily and decipher relationships to fulfill a deeper reason for our connection. How can I best help another grow and evolve in their life’s work?

Today’s guest mentor, Alchemical Hypnotherapist Debbie Unterman, wrote me the following lightly edited note after last week’s podcast conversation. “Nancy, you are an Alchemist in the way you use words! I’m serious. I just finished listening to Caroline Myss’s video on the Alchemist archetype for the second time. These are some of the notes I took: Alchemy is about Language. What word do I choose? Will I empower with my words? How am I interpreting what I see and feel? Carolyn says words trigger biochemical reactions in the body, so choosing your words and thinking wisely is important. I’ll re-purpose many of your words.” “Modern-day Master Alchemists,” Debbie writes, “have the ability to transform the disparate elements of human consciousness, such as confusion, envy, loneliness, and despair, into the gold of self-realization.” (p. 245)

Our conversation naturally fortifies Debbie’s lifework, which is beautifully showcased in her book Talking To My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head. Even though it was written in 2009, Debbie stands by its relevance today. Her book invites you to explore your unique identity, heal emotional distress, and find spiritual guidance within.

We discuss her adult beginnings as a hippy in 1979 living amongst the tallest and oldest living things on earth, Redwood trees in northern California. Redwoods reach up to 380 feet in height and 18 feet in diameter; some are over 2,000 years old. Debbie says, “I wanted to get into building community and develop the best means of commerce, bartering.”

Bartering movements have evolved since the 1970s. An example is the emergence of the first cryptocurrency BitCoin in 2009. The Federal Trade Commission calls Bitcoin electronic currency which has collapsed five times and is in need of regulation.

We are fallible human beings and need regulations (boundaries) to protect ourselves from unethical and unconscious humans, including ourselves. That is why a sophisticated banking system, the Federal Reserve Bank, was developed to regulate the use of money among humans. Unethical entrepreneurs expose vulnerabilities in established systems. When vulnerabilities are uncovered, we have two options. Choose to grow and evolve the system with this new information, or dismiss what we learn and revert to letting our shadows take over the system. Debbie talks about a chapter in her book called the dark side of the Moon.

Debbie spent nine years in northern California before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where she has lived since 1988. While amongst the Redwoods and living on a piece of land deserted by loggers, Debbie met Dan Healy, an audio engineer for the Grateful Dead, who started an FM radio station in the mountains. Dan abandoned the station after it lost its luster. Debbie began her Alchemical Hypnotherapy work and raised $6,500. With the money she raised and the help of others, she launched Redwood Community Radio, a public radio and television station. She had her own radio and television show and feels this is a full circle moment connecting her young adult self with her older wiser self. She started a weekly show on Bold Brave TV called Love The Voices in Your Head.

Hear the details of her journey and some concepts in her book that support your journey in mastering self-leadership. Below is a powerful quote from her book.

“Even with obvious external divisions between people of different classes, races, religions, and political parties, we remain oblivious to the internal divisions that exist within ourselves. Life keeps people feeling alone and separate, isolated within their own thoughts and memories which Carl Jung refers to as the “personal unconscious.” Many clues abound through dreams and synchronicities to prove the existence of what he termed the “collective unconscious” which is the realm of archetypes and Sub-personalities shared by all of humanity.” – Debbie Unterman, Alchemist, and Author, Talking To My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head (p. 245)

To tune in to Love The Voices Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (ET) or 5:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT), go to Bold Brave TV. 6pm | Love The Voices – BOLD BRAVE TV

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**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the three Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesEpisodes with Debbie Unterman

The Best Therapeutic Advice I Ever Heard | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Playing Through Your Issues with Debbie Unterman | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Therapy of the New Future | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Institutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 3 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Institutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 4 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Bold Brave TV6pm | Love The Voices – BOLD BRAVE TV

Carolyn MyssSacred Contracts and Your Archetypes – Caroline Myss

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: To tap into your authentic voice this week, play around with how you want to express yourself. Choose a person with whom your connection has been disrupted. Ask yourself what your deepest desire is with that person like mending a disrupted connection. It might be that you repeatedly have the same argument with a disconnecting result and end up not talking, or don’t get together anymore, or ignore each other while working together. Explore what is underneath the repetitious arguments. Is there a power imbalance? Does one of us have to be right? Are you hurt, or is the other person hurt? Are you self-protecting? 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Once you have identified the motivation behind the negative interactions, allow your feelings to surface. Be with those feelings. When you are ready, brainstorm on your own or with a trusted friend to discover a way to shift the dynamic and re-establish a healthier connection that is not harmful to either one of you. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I am grateful for Debbie Unterman. Her wisdom and insights into transformation have helped me integrate confusing experiences. I understand my scars. I appreciate how she answered the new opportunity call for a “Love The Voices” weekly show on Bold Brave TV. I appreciate and love her. I also admire and respect her skills as an alchemical hypnotherapist.

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Debbie Unterman. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorDebbie Unterman.Debbie Unterman is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Author, Mediator, Speaker, and Game Inventor; she likes to help people see things clearly in non-traditional ways. In her book, Talking to My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head, Debbie describes an array of characters she says we all have rattling around in our brains, such as The Judge, The Rebel, The Victim, and maybe even a Ms. or Mr. Perfect.

As a Master Alchemist and Trainer, she’s been delving inside people’s heads for over forty years. She’s achieved proven results with clients suffering from PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, co-dependency, phobias, anxiety, lack of direction, sex and relationship issues, and much more.

But even though she can help you work through your issues, she is very interested in creating a new paradigm of “Playing through your issues,” which is what she is doing with hundreds of people who are playing her Transformational Board Games of “Clarity” and “Satori: The Game of Radical Forgiveness.”

Alchemical Hypnotherapy is an interactive trance process that helps people heal the root causes of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological issues. Debbie Unterman facilitates this timeless therapeutic practice by guiding clients to access their positive inner resources, empowering her clients to love the voices in their heads.

To tune in to Love The Voices Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (ET) or 5:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT), go to Bold Brave TV.

Podcast Categories, Guest Mentors, and ArchivesGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

PODCAST SPONSORRedefine how you lead as you redesign your business.Dual Innovation Leadership works with a collaborative mentor!HIRE A MENTOROur mission is to be part of the change you wish to make in the world.We lead by expanding an entrepreneurial leader’s capacity to lead. We mentor by collaborating with you to co-create a plan. We role model equality, inclusion, healthy relating, resiliency, wealth creation, and accountability. We value wholehearted living and leading (compassion, courage, and grounded confidence).When WeMentor, you design an integrated life and an interdependent future: As a Resilient Leader/Innovator,As a Competent Business Owner/Practitioner, As a Mentor/Role Model, and As a Spiritual Being and Self-Leadership Master!SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Episode 363: Learning to Love the Voices In Your Head with Debbie Unterman

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Episode 362: Debbie Unterman Answers the Bold Brave CallEpisode NotesDebbie Unterman gets hundreds of emails daily. What about John Kelly’s email, the executive producer of Bold Brave TV, caught her attention? Answering that email led to a one-year weekly online television show. We discuss this newest opportunity, its connections to her youth, and various other topics.

Debbie Unterman is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Author, Mediator, Speaker, and Game Inventor; she likes to help people see things clearly in non-traditional ways. In her book, Talking to My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head, Debbie describes an array of characters she says we all have rattling around in our brains, such as The Judge, The Rebel, The Victim, and maybe even a Ms. or Mr. Perfect. We talk about Ms. or Mr. Perfect.

Early in Debbie’s career, she received a message from the Universe that her career would take off later in life. Can you imagine getting an astrological message in your early twenties like that? This is depressing news to get when you are starting your career. Maybe that is why Debbie loves baseball so much. Babe Ruth once said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” That has been Debbie’s view too. Every opportunity prepares her for the next opportunity.

As a Master Alchemist and Trainer, Debbie’s been delving inside people’s heads for over forty years. She’s achieved proven results with clients suffering from PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, co-dependency, phobias, anxiety, lack of direction, sex and relationship issues, and much more.

But even though she can help you work through your issues, she is very interested in creating a new paradigm of “Playing through your issues,” which is what she is doing with hundreds of people who are playing her monthly Transformational Board Games of “Clarity” and “Satori: The Game of Radical Forgiveness.”

Debbie says, “Alchemical Hypnotherapy is an interactive trance process that helps people heal the root causes of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological issues.” Debbie is a great therapist who brings out things you can’t expect to discuss. I didn’t expect to express a verbal agreement Matthew, and I made before we married in 2000.

Debbie added Carolyn Myss’ Sacred Contracts and Your Archetypes book insights that expanded my understanding of the foundation of our marriage. Carolyn identifies another archetype, an alchemical archetype that fits with the astrological time we are in, the age of Aquarius. A time when everything is changing. Debbie uses an analogy of the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly I have never heard before. Take a listen. DOWNLOAD

If you’ve ever tried to see the back of your head,

the only way you can do it is by looking in a mirror. – Debbie Unterman

Debbie and I met at a Mastermind event in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2017. This is our 7th podcast conversation. You might remember Debbie from other podcast episodes like Playing With Your Issues, The Best Advice I Ever Received, or Therapy For A New Future. You can find those and other conversations in the Episode Notes.

To tune in to Love The Voices Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (ET) or 5:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT), go to Bold Brave TV.

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesEpisodes with Debbie Unterman

The Best Therapeutic Advice I Ever Heard | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Playing Through Your Issues with Debbie Unterman | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Therapy of the New Future | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Institutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 3 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Institutional Playbook For Concealing The Truth, 4 of 7 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Age of AquariusEarthSky | When will the Age of Aquarius begin?

Bold Brave TV6pm | Love The Voices – BOLD BRAVE TV

Carolyn MyssSacred Contracts and Your Archetypes – Caroline Myss

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Kristin Neff, the groundbreaking researcher on self-compassion, has this nourishing meditation. If you are working through difficult emotions, this 15-minute meditation is for you. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Allow yourself 15 minutes to sit and meditate as Kristin Neff walks you through a self-compassionate way to process difficult emotions. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I am grateful for Debbie Unterman. Her wisdom and insights into transformation have helped me so much. She can help you play with your issues. I appreciate how she answered the new opportunity call. Bold Brave TV network has offered her a weekly show she titles “Love The Voices.” I appreciate her generous spirit and willingness when I needed to re-record our conversation. I appreciate her skills as an alchemical hypnotherapist.

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Debbie Unterman. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorDebbie Unterman.Debbie Unterman is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Author, Mediator, Speaker, and Game Inventor; she likes to help people see things clearly in non-traditional ways. In her book, Talking to My Selves: Learning to Love the Voices in Your Head, Debbie describes an array of characters she says we all have rattling around in our brains, such as The Judge, The Rebel, The Victim, and maybe even a Ms. or Mr. Perfect.

As a Master Alchemist and Trainer, she’s been delving inside people’s heads for over forty years. She’s achieved proven results with clients suffering from PTSD, sexual abuse, depression, co-dependency, phobias, anxiety, lack of direction, sex and relationship issues, and much more.

But even though she can help you work through your issues, she is very interested in creating a new paradigm of “Playing through your issues,” which is what she is doing with hundreds of people who are playing her Transformational Board Games of “Clarity” and “Satori: The Game of Radical Forgiveness.”

Alchemical Hypnotherapy is an interactive trance process that helps people heal the root causes of emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological issues. Debbie Unterman facilitates this timeless therapeutic practice by guiding clients to access their positive inner resources, empowering her clients to love the voices in their heads.

To tune in to Love The Voices Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (ET) or 5:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT), go to Bold Brave TV.

Podcast Categories, Guest Mentors, and ArchivesGuest Mentors Sorted by First NameClick to see all

Alan Wallner
Alison Cromie
Allison Hubel
Alvin Berger
The Amazing Hondo
Amy Bantham
Aneela Idnani
Ann Anderson
Annette Rondano
Arthur Fry
Barb Kobe
Barbara Winter
Bob Kabeya
Bobby Kabeya
Carolyn Porter
Cathy Hockert
Cedric Bryant
Cindy Banchy
Damaris Hollingsworth
Dan DeMuth
Daniel Libby
Dan Oshinsky
Daniel Prosser
Danielle Drevlow
David Mann
Dean Hyers
Deb Pitzrick
Domonique Jones
Dr. Amy Bantham
Dr Melanie Joy
Emily Baxter
Engel Jones
Fatoun Ali
Giscard Ayissi
Gita Mazumdar
Glen McClusky
Heather Boschke
Iman Aghay
Israel Sokeye
Jackie Menne
James Eder
James Conn
Jan Lehman
Jason Campbell
Jay Newton-Small
Jennifer Gilk
Jennifer Nelson
Jerry Pitzrick
Jim Conn
Joan Moser
JoAnne Funch
Jodi Standke
Joe Schmit
Joel Salomon
John Choi
John Fearing
John Hughes
John Patching
John Lee Dumas
John Munger
Julie Ann Segal
Karen Dodson
Karin McCabe
Kathy Flaminio
Kelli Johanson
Ken Suzan
Keren Shamay
Kim Albee
Kim Minert
Kit Welchlin
Koura Linda
Kristin Campbell
Lisa Fain
Laurie Healy
Larissa Uredi
Leah Seeger
Leslie Fahey
Lisa Najjar
Liza Atkinson
Lois Zachary
Mahi (Nagendar) Mahipathi
Mary Hayes Grieco
Marcy Nelson-Garrison
Marshall Davis
Matt Clark
Matt Mueller
Matthew Foli
Melanie Joy
Mickey Mikeworth
Mike Barrett
Mike Kabeya
Mike Marcellus
Monica Olson
Nancy Lindgren
Nancy Meyer
Nick DeMuth
Nicole Fenstad
Pat Dillon
Patricia McGinnis
Pete Machalek
Philip Mattison
Priscilla Vang
Rick Macias
Rosemary Wallner
Sally Doyle
Sameer Idnani
Sarah Becker
Scott Welle
Sharon Richards-Noel
Skip Thaler
Stephen Adams
Steven Berg
Stevie Ray’s Improv Company
Sue Davis
Suzula Bidon
Sylvie Kabeya
Ted Risdall
Terry Wu, Ph.D.
Tim Gilk
Tim Kletti
Tom Hubler
Tom O’Neill
Tony Buettner
Trahern Pollard
Troy Pongratz
Ursula Mentjes
Wendy Sullivan
Yvonne Ng

PODCAST SPONSORRedefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership works from the inside out!

You will grow with:

• Strategies to Grow Your Business,
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action,
• Help to Integrate New Ways of Leading,
• Get Support, Insight, and Accountability.

HIRE A MENTOR

AND SUBSCRIBE!

Episode 362: Debbie Unterman Answers the Bold Brave Call

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Episode 361: Olivia Foli’s Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part IIEpisode NotesOlivia Foli, our daughter, entered the fall of 2022 as a Junior at UW-Madison with an intermittent debilitating nerve issue she first noticed in mid-July. By October, she had to alter her training schedule. Her rowing coaches amassed a team of sports trainers, medical and specialized doctors, chiropractors, and therapists to determine what was causing this burning nerve and skin pain in her upper back. Olivia was suddenly put in charge of her mental and physical well-being for the first time. Please find out how she managed.

After seven months of tests and trying all kinds of therapies, her sports medicine team is still determining an exact diagnosis. They went through the six common rowing injuries ruling them out one by one. Lumbar back pain, no. Shoulder impingement, no. Stress fracture of the ribs, no. Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome, no. Extensor Tenosynovitis of the wrist, no. Hip labral tears, nope.

From all the information gathered, they think the nerve pain stems from a Costovertebral Joint Dysfunction or Shingles. Olivia is experiencing a complication from Shingles called Postherpetic Neuralgia because it has lasted for many months. Most people know that Shingles come from the chickenpox virus, which added to the mystery circling the diagnosis because Olivia had the chickenpox vaccine, and most people who get Shingles are over 60 years old.

This was the first time Matthew and I weren’t directly involved in meeting the team to help her get a diagnosis and treatment for the burning nerve pain. Getting information second-hand, even when it is accurately told and with a team that Olivia trusts, evokes worrisome emotions as a parent. Doing our research gave us more information and added to our concerns. Part of the maturation process we hadn’t anticipated was Olivia managing a chronic injury and the accompanying generalized anxiety.

We’ve had a pretty good run, this being her first injury. I thought to myself, of course, the first injury is complicated and can’t easily be fixed. Isn’t that how it often goes? At some point, whatever we get into, our mental and physical selves are stretched to their capacity. Our psyche collapses, and we build anew learning more about ourselves and those around us creating something different than we imagined, a better more meaningful life. Olivia realized she has a fantastic support team that extends beyond the family. In life, it is essential to be circled by people you trust and respect and who care about you and you about them.

We are embracing resiliency and will keep you posted on how this spring’s rowing season goes. I am so impressed with our youth and a huge thank you to Olivia’s coaches and sports medicine team. They are team awesome!

Olivia’s 21st Birthday Celebration with Friends: Aubrey, Helena, Kelly, Grace, and Kirsty

Listen in and discover how Olivia’s life unfolds as a 21-year-old and her plans for this next phase of being a college student athlete. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode Resources1. Five Most Common Rowing Injuries (and How to Prevent Them) | Rothman Orthopaedic Institute 2. Postherpetic Neuralgia Symptoms and Causes

Other Podcast Conversations with Olivia1. College Life through Our Daughter’s Eyes | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST 2. College Life, Self-Reliance, and Adulting with Olivia Foli | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST 3. Olivia Foli’s Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Talk with three of our youth in their late teens and twenties that you know. Ask them what activities inspire them and bring them joy. Let the conversation expand from there. This isn’t a teachable moment but a time to learn more about them by listening deeply. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Notice how you felt before, during, and after the three conversations with someone you know in their teens and early twenties. Were you energized or surprised by what you discovered about them? How did it feel to listen deeply? 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I am so impressed with our youth and a huge thank you to Olivia’s coaches and sports medicine team. They are team awesome! I appreciate Olivia and who she is. I appreciate how she learns from her mistakes, follows through on commitments, and weighs each decision. This year Olivia’s confidence increased as she has taken charge of her mental and physical well-being. I appreciate her joy, spunk, and commitment to meeting her needs and living courageously. I appreciate our frequent heart conversations that strengthen our connection and how she knows when she needs help. Meeting your needs inspires hopefulness and a zest for life like nothing else. Olivia is cherished, seen, heard, and deeply loved. Thank you, Olivia, for being you and taking risks to become a beautiful, wise, and compassionate human being. Keep refining your gifts and plugging them into wherever you are. Continue being a great friend and inspiration, smart in navigating our complicated world, and present in meeting your needs while showing self-compassion and compassion toward others.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Olivia Foli. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorOlivia Foli.Olivia Foli is the daughter of Nancy Meyer and Matthew Foli. She is in her junior year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying psychology and Spanish with a minor in women and gender studies. Outside of her commitments at school, she loves reading, playing violin, running, nordic skiing, and using her Spanish.

Olivia is in her 2nd year with the Women’s Lightweight Crew team. She joined the University Orchestra for one year. She is also a research assistant in the Learning and Transfer Psychology Lab on campus.

Olivia spent that last two summers working at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool in Golden Valley, MN. She worked with the executive team and in the classroom. She hopes to pursue an internship in Spain through the study abroad program.

Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership with mentoring works! You can grow with: Strategies to Grow Your Business * Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action * Integrating New Ways of Leading * Support, Insight, and Accountability*

SUBSCRIBE and HIRE A MENTOR TODAY!Episode 361: Olivia Foli’s Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part II

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Episode 360: Olivia Foli’s Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part IEpisode NotesToday’s Special Guest Mentor is our daughter Olivia Foli (2nd seat in the picture). Last January, we aired our first two podcast conversations. Olivia talked about graduating high school during the COVID-19 pandemic and entering UW-Madison as a freshman. The school was in lockdown. Everything was restricted, and classes were online. Olivia described the degree of isolation she felt living in the dorms and the anxiety and depression that accompanied it. I thought it important to discuss the mental health challenges of our youth that we are hearing so much about.

In the 2nd podcast conversation, we discussed adulting and self-reliance. This included discussing how Olivia met the seven Universal Human Needs: connection, honesty, physical well-being, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. Both episodes can be found in this episode’s resource section.

The upside of the COVID-19 pandemic is a new appreciation for our emotional and social well-being. Olivia said she used the time during covid to get to know herself better and continue learning while some dreams of playing violin in the orchestra and joining the rowing team were put on hold.

Olivia’s sophomore year provided new opportunities. She joined the orchestra as a violinist and was able to join UW-Madison’s Women’s Rowing Team. Socially, she was able to meet tons of people and begin forming long-term friendships.

Our first two podcast conversations aired in January 2022. Olivia was about to enter the official start of UW-Madison’s rowing season.

In this conversation, you will hear what Olivia experienced:

• Starting and competing in a new sport at the college level,
• Choosing the lightweight team vs. the open-weight team,
• Team travel out of state and competing in Regatas,
• Team dynamics and overcoming negativity at Cocoa Beach training last year and this year,
• Leading as an upper-level student-athlete,
• A day in the life of a student-athlete,
• Roommate dilemmas, dynamics, and changes from one year to the next,
• Giving roommates room to grow and become adults, and
• Coursework for her majors in psychology and Spanish with a minor in women and gender studies.

I’m encouraged to see the resilience in our youth as they work through the aftermath of the pandemic. Enjoy. DOWNLOAD

**NEXT STEP After Listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.** Episode ResourcesOlivia’s 1st Podcast Conversation

Olivia’s 2nd Podcast Conversation

The Heart of Resilient Relationships Episode

Universal Human Needs Exercise pdf

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down the sidelined activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Decide if you are going to let those activities go or whether achieving them is still important. Create a new priority list. I missed socially gathering with family, friends, and clients so I am expanding my social activities. It feels wonderful. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: I attended a self-compassion workshop with author and teacher Kristin Neff. She says one easy way to care for ourselves is through touch. Physical touch provides a sense of security and can increase your level of oxytocin; a hormone that helps to soothe distressing emotions. I find it comforting to gently massage each hand and forearm after completing a writing exercise. I suggest giving yourself a gentle hand and forearm massage after you complete the adventurous task above. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the person Olivia is becoming as an adult. I appreciate how she learns from her mistakes, follows through on commitments, and weighs each decision that has led to more decision-making and risk-taking. This year Olivia’s confidence increased as she has taken charge of her mental and physical health. I continue to appreciate her joy, spunk, and commitment to meeting her needs and living courageously. Meeting your needs inspires hopefulness and a zest for life like nothing else. Olivia is cherished, seen, heard, and deeply loved. Thank you, Olivia, for being you and taking risks to become a beautiful, wise, and compassionate human being.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Olivia Foli. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

Welcome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorOlivia Foli.Olivia Foli is the daughter of Nancy Meyer and Matthew Foli. She is in her second year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying psychology and Spanish. Outside of her commitments at school, she loves reading, playing violin, running, nordic skiing, and using her Spanish. This past year she joined the Women’s Lightweight Crew team alongside the University Orchestra. She also had the opportunity to become a research assistant in the Learning and Transfer Psychology Lab on campus. In the summer of 2021, Olivia started her first full-time job at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, working with the executive team and in the classroom. She hopes to pursue an internship in Spain through the study abroad program.

Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual Innovation Leadership with mentoring works! You can grow with: Strategies to Grow Your Business * Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action * Integrating New Ways of Leading * Support, Insight, and Accountability*

SUBSCRIBE and HIRE A MENTOR TODAY!Episode 360: Olivia Foli’s Life Updates as a College Student Athlete, Part I

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Episode 359: Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota with Heather Boschke Episode NotesEven though crystallized snowflakes continue falling in the Midwest, signs of spring surround us. Longer days of sunlight melt the most recent snowfall. You can hear birds chirping on walks outside. Today is a perfect time to talk about Guest Mentor Heather Boschke’s first book, Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota, now available.

Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota is part of Heather’s lifework to leave pieces of her heart wherever she goes. “Set free that voice that lives inside you,” she suggests. Heather dedicated her book “to anyone who hasn’t yet discovered their wings to fly – they are always there and ready for takeoff.” And she writes, “to my lovebird, Tom; thank you for making me feel both held and free.” We discuss the meaning of being held and free in her marriage.

Throughout our conversation, Heather describes Universal winks that she notices when it is time to change. Before Heather felt held and free with her lovebird Tom, she was engaged to someone else. The wedding date was set. The dress was purchased, and then a wink from the Universe arrived. The wedding preparations gave Heather a preview of her future. A future she realized she didn’t want. Heather acted upon that Universe wink by calling off the wedding.

Letting go of conformity is transformative. And so is being in a relationship without judgment, conditions, and free of unsolicited advice. That’s how Heather felt when she brought up the idea of illustrating and publishing a book to Tom. Tom encourages her to spread her wings. She knows she is loveable and can let out what is in her heart. She enables you to follow the tugs of your heart and flex your wings. “Hard times prepare us for the next part of our life,” says Heather. Her life reflects the fulfilling outcomes of responding to winks from the Universe. Her heart sings and dances with joy.

We also explore a few other business and life topics—the book publishing process. Naming the birds in Heather’s book, we are most like; how Heather is healing from the death of a pet; our new arrival; and how Heather uses LinkedIn.

Book Publishing. Heather used print-on-demand to publish Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota. The Universe wink came to her through a voice she heard in 2020 telling her to start drawing again. Find out if Heather will self-publish her second book. I found her unique insights helpful to any emerging author.

Twenty Minnesota birds are outlined in her book. “Lucy the Loon is Minnesota’s state bird. She is shy and thoughtful, and the water is her favorite place to be.” She has named each bird and its characteristics. Heather encourages us to name the birds most like us. You’ll find out which birds we identify with the most. Who is Gilda the Goldfinch? Always cheerful, friendly, and loves to dance. What about Winnie, the red-headed woodpecker who is bold, strong, and likes to lead? Who chose three birds? The hardworking, helpful, and adventurous tree swallow named Sydney. Betty the black-capped chickadee who’s tough, daring, and good at making new friends. And Owen, the Baltimore oriole with a good imagination, likes building things. Everyone can learn a few things about birds and themselves by reading Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota.

Pets and LinkedIn. As Heather and I began getting to know each other, Heather shared the recent loss of Rex, her dog. After our conversation, she emailed the following LinkedIn post of a spontaneous leap Rex took onto her lap before a zoom meeting. With her permission, click here to see it.

The video of Rex Heather shared on LinkedIn, and to her surprise, caused an outpouring of love from humans. I love how she describes this experience, the sweet little moment she shared with Rex.

I asked Heather why she chose to share this personal post on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a vast professional networking platform. You scroll through content about work, jobs, leadership, research, and other profession-related content. Her point can expand the possibilities for what you choose to post in your profile.

I asked Heather what she was learning about grieving her beloved Rex. Reflecting on Rex, Heather realized that all our love for our pets remains, which was profoundly comforting. Pets love us in real-time. The love remains in real-time and forever.

We welcomed our first dog into our home last week. Letty, below, is a mature miniature Schnauzer. She has had nine litters and is seven years old. My youngest sister, Monica, raises miniature Schnauzers and said Letty would be perfect for Matthew and me. We agreed.

The timing is working out well too. Our daughter Olivia is home from college on spring break so that Letty can meet her new family, albeit small. Heather reminds us that all dogs need love and other lovely heart-warming insights.

We close out our conversation with The Joy Corner. Heather contributes to Nichole Niemann’s Arkansas Style online show with a bi-monthly segment called The Joy Corner as an extension of her marketing firm, Vogel Venture. They have a soul-sister kind of connection that you can feel when you tune in. Heather shares tips that can bring more joy into your life. In this clip from The Joy Corner, Heather outlines how to establish your presence on LinkedIn. What are your three to four content pillars? DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP after listening: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode ResourcesThe Joy Corner

Establish Yourself on LinkedIn

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Determine three or four content pillars you could build your LinkedIn content around. Heather’s pillars are marketing expertise, her love of birds and illustration, things that help bring joy to your life, and women’s leadership. What makes your heart sing? 2. Apply Self-Compassion: One way to make your heart sing is by attracting abundance. Deepak Chopra inspired this affirmation. “I am unlimited abundance. I am blissful joy. I am an exquisite human being. I am in complete harmony. I am inner peace. I am a grounded leader. I am a capable mentor. I am unconditional love. Every moment of every day, I live my life with integrity, courage, and compassion.” Write an affirmation you can say to yourself throughout each day. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I am grateful for my new soul sister, Heather Boschke. I am grateful for her abundance and inspiration to help others. I appreciate the clarity Heather brings to her work. I appreciate her marketing expertise. I appreciate how she is developing her full potential. I am grateful to leave pieces of our lifework wherever we go. I am grateful for expanding opportunities. Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list and write down whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorHeather Boschke, MBA, Founder of Vogel Venture Heather Boschke is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years of experience that spans Fortune 20 companies to non-profit organizations. In 2021 she left the corporate world and started her marketing firm, Vogel Venture, to help small and mid-sized organizations drive growth and engagement regardless of team size or budget. The word Vogel means bird in German, which speaks to her heritage and the strategic (bird’s eye) approach combined with the tactical planning she brings to clients.

Since 2008 Heather has been an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University, teaching an undergraduate marketing class. Heather also sits on the board of directors for Breakthrough Twin Cities, a non-profit organization that helps high-potential and under-resourced kids access college. She started birding and drawing birds as a creative outlet during the Covid lockdown, and she used her illustrations to write and publish a children’s book called Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota. A believer in filling up all of life’s buckets, Heather is passionate about helping people unlock the answer to this most critical question: What sets your soul on fire?

Episode 359: Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota with Heather Boschke

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Episode 358: Filling Life’s Buckets with Heather BoschkeEpisode NotesBring vitality to your life, strengthen your relationships, and expand how you contribute to the world by clarifying your life’s buckets. Heather Boschke talks about how she fills her life buckets by understanding what sets her soul on fire in life and her relationships. We ponder this essential question, what sets your soul on fire?

Heather Boschke is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years of experience that spans Fortune 20 companies to non-profit organizations. She acquired a marketing degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. She is an adjunct professor at Metro State University and teaches marketing.

One of the activities Heather loved as a child was drawing. As the seeds of conformity took hold in middle school, her artistic expressions went dormant until 2020. The coronavirus pandemic opened a new portal for Heather to recapture the joy she felt drawing in her childhood while simultaneously reinventing how she expresses herself now.

Heather began creating bird illustrations and discovered a desire to share her love of birds with others. These illustrations and her knowledge about birds are showcased in her children’s Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota book this year. Her inner bird is singing as she fills another of her life’s buckets, expressing herself through bird watching, illustrating, and becoming a self-published author.

As you might have noticed, birds are a theme in Heather’s life. In 2021 Heather left the corporate world and started her marketing firm, Vogel Venture, to help small and mid-sized organizations drive growth and engagement regardless of team size or budget. The word Vogel means bird in German, which speaks to her heritage and the strategic (bird’s eye) approach combined with the tactical planning she brings to clients.

Vogel Venture evolved out of being laid off and being fired once. Heather wrote a post about those experiences on LinkedIn. An illuminated path to entrepreneurship appeared out of her contract marketing work. She followed it by starting Vogel Venture. A second path opened after a conversation with a prior work relationship. Heather decided to co-create The Joy Corner, a regular segment on Nichole Niemann’s virtual show called Arkansas Style. The Joy Corner Exploring your life’s buckets can feel like flowing down a river. Opportunities pop up when you are in the flow of life.

Heather flexes her marketing prowess, another of life’s buckets, as we discuss engagement and re-enforcing marketing fundamentals. To know your end users, storytelling, and anchoring marketing activities by measuring results are good places to start. Creating simple anchors like a monthly theme can elevate your brand and structure your marketing efforts. “Marketing efforts can flounder when there is no structure,” says Heather.

The vlogs on Heather’s website are worth exploring. They are short and to the point, like this: “It is important to show up on social media. Think of social media as prospect warm-up.” Heather tells us more about that concept.

In another vlog, Heather highlights that your brand is a promise. She describes what it means to answer the question, “what is the experience you want your customers to have?” Trader Joe’s is an example of a positive customer experience. Heather describes how she feels from entering the brightly lit store, collecting her desired groceries, encountering cheerful cashiers, to walking out through the automatic sliding, steel-framed glass doors.

Other branding insights that Heather helps us understand are how to choose social media channels and why it is manageable to be on social media. She helps us figure out how to become known and increase our ability to have people care about us. She says that the bottom line is this, “people don’t do business with people they don’t know and don’t care about.”

We finish our conversation with three ways you can fill life’s buckets.

1. Identify what sets your soul on fire. We know values are essential. What activities do you enjoy? If you won the lottery, where would you invest your time?
2. Get clear on what you want in life and what you want your life to be.
3. Schedule it! Prioritize your life to fill all of life’s buckets: relationships, meaningful work, and overall activities supporting your well-being. Heather schedules naps to rejuvenate her spirit.

After this motivating conversation with Heather Boschke, I discovered a Sparktype assessment by author Jonathan Fields. The assessment underscores what brings meaning to your life. Take the assessment if you would like to dive deeper into what sets your soul on fire. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesDiscover Your Sparktype

Sparktype Assessment by Jonathan Fields

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete three of Heather’s suggestions for filling your life buckets. This will take some pondering time. First, determine what sets your soul on fire. Then, get clear on what you want in your life or what you want your life to be. Once you have identified your life’s buckets, prioritize your life and schedule the activities that include your values, goals, and contributions that you would like to make to society that help you spread your wings. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Take author Jonathan Field’s Sparktype assessment as you ponder your life’s buckets. This will help clarify or validate what drives you. Bring a gentle kindness into imagining new avenues for expressing yourself. Give yourself time to figure out how to fill your life’s buckets. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I am grateful for my new soul sister, Heather Boschke. As she spreads her wings, she is helping us to spread ours. I love it! I felt so energized after this conversation. I put a plan in place to go after filling more of my life buckets, bringing relationships out of the darkness by zeroing in on expanding our light within. I want every person I interact with to feel like I get them. And trust that I will help them get what they desire in the world, whether it means being heard and validated in a conversation, realizing their entrepreneurial leadership aspirations, or nudging them forward in other aspects of their life. I desire to add depth and meaning. I hope Heather will always be thrilled that she took the time to share where she is at in filling life’s buckets! Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list and write down whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorHeather Boschke, MBA, Founder of Vogel Venture Heather Boschke is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years of experience that spans Fortune 20 companies to non-profit organizations. In 2021 she left the corporate world and started her marketing firm, Vogel Venture, to help small and mid-sized organizations drive growth and engagement regardless of team size or budget. The word Vogel means bird in German, which speaks to her heritage and the strategic (bird’s eye) approach combined with the tactical planning she brings to clients.

Since 2008 Heather has been an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University, teaching an undergraduate marketing class. Heather also sits on the board of directors for Breakthrough Twin Cities, a non-profit organization that helps high-potential and under-resourced kids access college. She started birding and drawing birds as a creative outlet during the Covid lockdown, and she used her illustrations to write and publish a children’s book called Little Birdie Buddies of Minnesota. A believer in filling up all of life’s buckets, Heather is passionate about helping people unlock the answer to this most critical question: What sets your soul on fire?

Episode 358: Filling Life’s Buckets with Heather Boschke

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Episode 357: Construct a Résumé of Failures to Discover Something NewEpisode NotesI like going below the surface to understand what makes people who they are. I love all the stuff. The successes, the failures, how people overcome challenges and setbacks, what brings people joy, and all the transformative moments that shape our character and entrepreneurial lives. I love being part of people’s evolutionary process and connecting them with people and resources.

An unexpected package arrived on my doorstep during last week’s epic snowstorm. It looked like someone covered our neighborhoods with soft-serve ice cream and swirls atop the snow drifts—remnants of severe winds. The storm hit the Midwest. A whopping 11.3” of snow fell in Golden Valley, leaving us a winter wonderland view.

Inside the bubble-wrapped package were a note (You’re in the book!) and a signed early copy of Joanne Lipman’s book, Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work. Oh, how I love books. The smell. The purple book cover, yellow-colored hardcover, and binding. The chapter headings, content, and print. Everything.

My mind went to the beginning of 2021. I received a call from a pioneering journalist and author. Joanne Lipman was the voice on the other end of the phone line. I didn’t know of her at the time. She listened to my 2018 podcast conversations with Art Fry, the inventor of Post-It Notes. Joanne said she was writing a book about the power of reinvention in life and work and wanted to interview Art. She asked if I could connect the two of them.

Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work provides a toolkit to make meaningful transitions in life. It is chuck full of case studies, personal interviews, and the latest research on how people reinvent their lives and how they work. Joanne is a brilliant storyteller and avid researcher.

I quickly opened to the Acknowledgement section on p. 282, where I am mentioned. “To podcaster Nancy Meyer for putting me in touch with Art Fry.” Wow! Tears snuck into my eyes. Joanne took the time to acknowledge me in print.

Then, I flipped to chapter 3, Eureka!, where Art Fry’s story unfolds. Joanne described both the journey of Spencer Silver, who invented the 3M glue he couldn’t find a use for, and Art, the intrapreneur at 3M, who came up with the Post-it notes idea while singing in his church choir. Art used Spencer’s glue to improve our lives. I use Post-it notes almost every day! The ‘aha’ moment for both of them was years in the making, and Joanne outlines Art and Spencer’s journey beautifully and accurately in her book.

Back to the beginning of the book, I immersed myself in reading every word. Her book is divided into two parts; the disparate ways in which we pivot and navigate change when we have no choice. After hundreds of personal interviews and academic research papers, Joanne observed a specific pattern when people pivoted in their lives and careers. This particular pattern, she suggests, could be a Reinvention Map. Although the pattern seems straightforward on the surface, like Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey, it isn’t.

There are four aspects to reinvention she tracks through history. We start with a search, then we struggle. An event causes us to stop what we are doing before a solution emerges and a path forward is revealed. She outlines variables as when you are on a post-traumatic growth path after a traumatic experience. The order is reversed. We start our reinvention with the traumatic experience/struggle, search for ways to understand what happened and struggle more before we stop and find a long-term solution.

An area of reinventing we would like to avoid if we could is the ‘struggle,’ but it is inevitable. It is how we gain new insights. I include an example Joanne highlighted of how to address a struggle. I hope you find it useful. I have done this exercise throughout my life as a therapeutic purge. A way to let go of my failures instead of allowing my failures to take up residency in my body. Professor Melanie Stefan took it to a whole new level.

Melanie Stefan posted her Curriculum Vitae (resumé) of Failures on Twitter in 2010. Joanne states, “a CV detailing all of your failures can signal whether you’ve reached the kind of impasse you should power through or whether you’ve reached a solid wall and need to quit.” It can reveal things about yourself. Melanie changed careers after detailing her failures by posting rejection letters around her room. Visibly documenting her rejections helped her change her career. It was a constructive way of dealing with setbacks. “She was rejected from 9 Ph.D. programs and rejected by five journals, and her dissertation remains unpublished seven years later,” writes Joanne. Melanie is now a Professor of Physiology at the Medical School in Berlin and head of a computational neurobiology research lab. She became the heroine on her path to land on her feet.

Joanne has a plethora of examples that gave me a broad swathe of how people have reinvented themselves. The discovery of Penicillin evolved out of something Alexander Fleming wasn’t looking for. She cites Winston Churchill’s adage: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” This saying is handy, especially when our failures seem to be all we see.

It is time to take stalk of your failures. Create visual art from your failures, poetry, journal entries, a wall of rejection letters, or a Résumé of failures. Identifying failures takes the sting out of failure and helps us connect with our humanity, know when to shift directions, and permit ourselves to discover something new.

The release date of Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work is set for March 21, 2023. You can preorder Joanne Lipman’s book HERE. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode Resources2018 Art Fry Podcast Conversations

Arthur Fry, Inventor of 3M’s Post-it Note, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Arthur Fry, Inventor of 3M’s Post-it Note, Part II

CV of Failures

CV of Failures

Melanie Stefan

A Princeton Professor’s CV of Failures

Joanne Lipman

Joanne Lipman

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Take stalk of your failures, create visual art from them, poetry, journal entry, a wall of rejection letters, or create a Résumé of failures. Identifying our failures takes the sting out of failure and helps us connect with our humanity, know when to shift directions, and permit ourselves to discover something new. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Remember, we are not our failures. We are not what has been done to us or what we have done to others. We have imagination and can redefine who we are and where we are going. Once you have taken stalk of your failures, create a safe flame and burn them. Let them vanish into ashes because they no longer serve you. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I am grateful for pleasant, unexpected surprises and acknowledgments in print. I am grateful for Joanne Lipman and her work as a pioneering journalist and kindred spirit. I am grateful for nature and its many surprises, like the winter’s heavy snowfalls. Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 357: Construct a Résumé of Failures to Discover Something New

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Episode 356: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part IIEpisode Notes“Practical intelligence,” says Robert Sternberg, who coined the term, “includes knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect.” Malcolm Gladwell writes in Outliers: The Story of Success (2012) that practical intelligence is “knowing how to do something without necessarily knowing why you know it or being able to explain it.” I discuss examples of both aspects of practical intelligence.

Knowing What, When, and How to Say Something One of the many jobs I had before starting WeMentor, inc. was as a phone solicitor for the Minnesota Special Olympics. The first skill I learned was rehearsing a prepared script that described the importance of contributing to our Special Olympians and a variety of answers for when people would say no. “Do you mind telling me why you cannot donate right now?”

My manager, Don, was terrific. He knew how to coach and knew how to motivate me. A pat on the shoulder. A quick pep talk when I needed it. Strategies for overcoming rejection and emotional roadblocks. Don did this for everyone. And he kept a close watch on the numbers. He would whisper in between calls how close we were to reach our hourly goals. The room was filled with about 7 to 11 other telesales people. My only request was to have my desk in front of a six-inch window slit to see outside. I needed a focal point.

In the first week, I became the #1 telesales person in the New Hope office and Minnesota. I made 30 to 40 calls per hour from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., five days a week. New people were trained by sitting next to me and listening to how I talked with potential donors and closed the sales. I refined what I needed to say to whom and knew when to venture off script to engage the person on the other end of the phone. Week after week my numbers were impressive, and I was motivated to do well.

All was going well week after week. I started listening to motivational tapes while riding my bike to work daily. Zig Ziglar was my favorite. “You can have everything in your life you want, if you will just help enough people get what they want.” This famous quote of his resonated with millions of people, including me.

About eight weeks in, I get into a funk and lose my mojo. I made sales but couldn’t maintain my #1 status. It was torturous every hour for five days straight; I couldn’t hit my sales goals.

Don put things into perspective, saying it happens and encouraging me to stick with it. Some of the others were glad I wasn’t perfect. My funk allowed someone else to shine while I got a dose of humility.

Outside of calling hours, I went on a few deliveries to meet the people making the donations and attended some Special Olympians in training. This helped me understand the bigger purpose of my efforts.

After that downer of a week, I regained my groove and broke my #1 sales goals. A new inspiration emerged. I asked Don what becoming the national #1 telesales person would take. I remember the sales numbers being within reach. At the five-month mark, I became the #1 telesales person in the country. Outside of that one week, I was able to be #1 at something. It felt great.

Years later, I was told my sales record took years to beat nationally and a few decades locally. Cool, I motivated others to generate more donations to support athletes with intellectual disabilities. They count on salespeople like us to help them change their lives and better their circumstances. Gotta love that.

I learned from that experience that knowing what to say to whom, when to say it, and how to say it for the maximum effect paid off in generating thousands and thousands of dollars to support a great cause. Tailoring my message to fit an audience of Twin Cities residents started with a tailored message, a list, and the ability to pick up the phone and get to those who said yes; each hour of every day with an effective coach by my side worked. I have been motivated by causes and helping others in need ever since.

The experience with the Minnesota Special Olympics gave me the confidence to start the business of mentoring years later and the tenacity to work through the sheer terror of putting my livelihood on the line for a higher mission with WeMentor. That mission is a desire and motivation to change how we lead in this country and worldwide. Leading with unconditional love and harmony in money, relationships, and fulfilling our missions. To lead by role-modeling equality, justice, healthy relating, financial responsibility, and accountability.

Not Knowing Why You Know SomethingBefore taping my fifth podcast conversation with Skip Thaler, whom I have known for decades, we discussed what topic would be valuable for listeners. It takes a few discussions to get to the gems of wisdom because business owners acquire knowledge as they lead through experience and learn quickly on the spot. As a result, they usually don’t see themselves as experts. What they learn becomes part of who they are and how they become competent at business ownership. They take what they have learned and build upon it over a lifetime.

Skip, and I brainstormed about change as a podcast conversation topic. The kind of change we initiate and the change that is forced upon us, like isolating and adapting our businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. What came out of our planning session was real-life ‘ahas’ for you, the listener, and for Skip. I love when that happens. That is where I get the rewards for bringing value to another. The kind of value that you cannot acquire without another’s insights. He learned something new about himself. A puzzle piece slid in place.

Grounded confidence emerges when we understand what we have done to influence a positive outcome. The great thing about acquiring wisdom is that we can keep learning about ourselves throughout life. Age and stage in life don’t matter for a lifelong learner. You can listen or re-listen to our fifth podcast conversation HERE.

Humility can emerge from practical intelligence. Ben Chestnut, co-founder (with Dan Kurzius) of Mailchimp, started the email marketing company in 2001. Ben announced that it was time for him to bring in a new CEO for the company. He sold Mailchimp to Intuit (Quickbooks) for $12B in September 2022. I use their email system and love their customer focus.

What I admire about Ben Chestnut is his integrity, transparency, and his humility in how he built his company. Ben grew up in an entrepreneurial home and was raised by a single Mom who ran a hairstyling business. She didn’t identify as an entrepreneur. A practical need shaped her way of life. She needed to support her family and make enough money to pay the bills as a solopreneur. She did this by cutting and styling people’s hair from her home. Her mission wasn’t to change the hair industry. It was to provide for her family.

You grow within your means. Ben and Dan Kurzuis’ vision was to develop Mailchimp by bootstrapping it, a practical approach to growing a business without using outside capital. They have maintained this small business philosophy even as they generated over $800M a year in 2020 for their Atlanta-based company.

The term ‘entrepreneur’ was defined as anyone putting their finances at risk to generate income. The definition has gone beyond the focus solely on capital. Ben is a prime example of financial freedom and notoriety during the advanced years of running a mission-driven and very hands-on Mailchimp business model.

Ben introduced the new CEO, Rania Succar, through an online 2022 event for customers. Ben explained a little bit about his small business philosophy. For many years he tried writing a business plan. He could never quite finish his business plan because everything would change as they implemented their ideas, so he gave up trying. Instead, he focused on what was working, the act of planning. The act of planning uncovered what the business and his leadership needed to do next.

Ben relayed a story about how he tried to build his business like other corporations. That meant changing the well-recognized chimpanzee logo. Employees said they joined Mailchimp because of the monkey logo and what it represents to so many people; helping the little guy succeed amongst the big guys. Ben agreed and let go of his inadequacy about how they do business.

Their David (Mailchimp) has become Goliath, so they redefined it. No need to conquer Goliath. They can meet the email marketing needs of both David and Goliath. This means staying with small businesses as they grow and evolve into whatever size. The customer focus will remain. This way, the customer doesn’t have to change their email provider as they grow in revenue, which is a pain. They can grow with Mailchimp Intuit indefinitely.

Ben knows Rania Succar, who took over as CEO at the end of 2022. She led Intuit Inc.’s QuickBooks Money team. “Mailchimp is considered the largest sale of a bootstrapped technology company in the nation.” Ben’s practical approach and ability to build an innovative and healthy work culture is the next CEO’s focus too. Ben explained the many reasons why he chose Rania and Intuit and provided examples of how their values are similar.

Rania has that same entrepreneurial spirit and heartfelt mission to better people’s lives with the practical intelligence she acquired through her experiences as an immigrant from Syria and the founder of the nongovernmental organization, Jusoor.

They have an invested interest in it succeeding, and Ben believes Rania has the skillset needed to lead Mailchimp Intuit for decades or whatever her leadership timeframe. Ben shared his next plans, including using this phase of his life to share his inspirational journey with other small businesses.

Robert Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence helps us understand that an intelligent person is considered to possess all three types of intelligence but also knows when and how to use each of them in our ventures: analytical, practical, and creative. More than anything, appreciate that your practical intelligence has value.

Click HERE to revisit the definitions of Robert Sternberg’s triarchic theory of intelligence. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode ResourcesDefining Entrepreneurship

Defining Entrepreneurship

Intuit Buys Mailchimp

Intuit Buys Mailchimp

Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell

Minnesota Special Olympics

Minnesota Special Olympics

Skip Thaler Podcast Conversation

Skip Thaler

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Zig Ziglar

Ziglar Inc – Personal Development Training, Sales Coaching – Plano, Texas

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: What is one example of your practical intelligence where you must think long and hard to figure out where you learned it? It is almost like remembering how you practiced driving for the first time. Or you could start with when the idea to start a business first popped into your mind. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: What were the circumstances when you started your business? How did you feel? How did you find the courage to launch? Relish those memories for a few minutes and allow any emotions to surface. Write down what is meaningful and let go of the rest. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I am grateful for Robert Sternberg’s cleverness in coining the phrase practical intelligence and for developing the triarchic theory of intelligence; analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. I am grateful I could bring you this episode on leading with practical intelligence and share more about how I have acquired some of my knowledge about sales and business ownership competency.

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 356: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part II

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Episode 355: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part I Episode NotesPractical intelligence is on my radar screen. Who has it, and who doesn’t? Why is it a critical aspect of small business success and life fulfillment? Our society would be better off if practical intelligence were valued as analytical and creative intelligence and not belittled. We need all three types of intelligence in entrepreneurial leadership and life. And here’s why.

I listened online to a panel discussion in 2010 of three MBA students who became entrepreneurs. A Stanford Graduate School of Business professor assembled a forum to discuss “what they don’t teach in business school about entrepreneurship.” All three panelists have had major successes and a few failures. I realized that what they described as lacking in their education was practical intelligence.

They learned about sales but were never required to sell. They received accolades for their strengths but needed guidance on their weaknesses, which helped forge complimentary business partnerships. Having all the answers worked at school but not in starting new businesses, where trusting the discovery process is critical in finding your niche.

Listening to the panel reminded me of another Stanford student, Elizabeth Holmes, who dropped out of school and founded Theranos, Inc. at 19 in 2003. Amazingly, she raised over $70M touting a breakthrough technology that could give you information from a simple finger prick blood sample. Theranos, Inc. was valued at $10 billion in 2013. The Theranos technology or automated devices didn’t stand up to scrutiny. The devices had a fatal flaw; they didn’t work.

Why weren’t the venture capitalists and private investors trying the devices for themselves? Blind faith and believing the hype? Or were they missing practical intelligence? They trusted without verifying the equipment. This skill comes in handy when raising a teenager. Trust and verify.

If we embraced practical intelligence, we would be less vulnerable to manipulation, exploitation, and scams. We would invest monies in entrepreneurs who demonstrate how they can shift and do what is necessary to build a business or lead a democracy. We would know how to see through the hyperbole and falsehoods and dismantle the narcissism behind the mystic. Next week I will showcase examples of entrepreneurs demonstrating practical intelligence.

Where do we learn practical intelligence if analytical and creative intelligence is taught in school? We learn practical intelligence through experience in a wide variety of environments, adapting our behavior and expectations on the spot, and through meaningful conversations with others who share their experiences. It is referred to as ‘street smarts’ or ‘common sense,’ with the contrast being book smarts.

What if we equally valued, encouraged, and integrated the development of all three forms of intelligence in all classrooms and all subjects? We would be more appreciative of the benefits of acquiring analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. We would probably feel more whole and confident because society isn’t downgrading a vital aspect of our humanness; adaptability and responsiveness.

Robert Sternberg coined the phrase practical intelligence and developed the triarchic theory of intelligence; analytical, creative, and practical intelligence.

• Analytical intelligence “plays a significant role in one’s overall intelligence. It involves critically analyzing one’s cognitive and physiological strengths and weaknesses. It also incorporates effectively processing information, solving problems, making critical judgments on information, and effectively completing academic tasks.” Many entrepreneurs have told me they are better at practical tasks than academics. They apply analytical intelligence when they analyze cash flow activities, for example, and study the actions that led to the financial results, something that directly affects them. They are not learning for the sake of learning.
• Practical intelligence is “gained from experience in various circumstances and environments. It aids an individual in adapting their behaviors and expectations to their present environment.” In entrepreneurship, we immerse ourselves in the culture we create. We adapt as we get new information. If we take responsibility for our path, we learn new behaviors and clarify expectations as we influence others to take risks to grow with us and potentially financially prosper.
• Creative intelligence “is the creation of solutions to new problems based on previously learned information. In other words, old behaviors, and tactics are used to enable success in new environments.” Creativity works for entrepreneurs when we can make a living from our creations or use creativity to engage our imagination in advancing our society and solving big problems through business ownership.

I received a desperate call from an entrepreneur decades ago. The experience is seared in my brain. This human invented the next type of ‘must-have’ tennis shoes. This unnamed entrepreneur lived in an apartment in the 1990s with one whole room devoted to his many kinds of shoes (not co-founder Phil Knight of Nike). He spent a half hour describing everything he had done, the money he invested in getting patents for his shoes in nine or ten countries, including the United States. The partners that came and went, and how he obliterated the relationships with his key U.S. manufacturers. He took no responsibility for where he was in life; he was broke and wanted more free advice, possibly another person to blame.

I told him the hard truth. He has a history of destroying key relationships in his life. His narcissism, meaning his shame and insecurities, was sabotaging his life. He needed to redefine his life and find a different way to support himself. No one could save the fate of his venture.

The track record of rehabilitation for those suffering from narcissism is low. They can’t seem to get outside of themselves. I believe the practical first step out of shame and insecurity is to hold ourselves 100% responsible for our circumstances and where we are in life. I thank entrepreneur and author Jack Canfield. He is most famous for co-authoring the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. There is a difference between being a victim and acknowledging that you were victimized. Choose the latter.

Being raised by someone suffering from narcissism made me keenly aware of all the practical steps I needed to take to basically save my soul and become worthy, respectful of myself and others, compassionate, and kind. A practical vow I took in 2015 was to do no harm and not knowingly put myself in harm’s way. I still live by this vow. It is working.

Engaging in the triarchic theory of intelligence has helped me recognize our humanity, appreciate how far I have come, and how I can continue to contribute to others on the path to evolve with their ventures. I have integrated my past and feel psychologically and emotionally free from being raised in a household with an entrepreneurial father with narcissism and a mother with an undiagnosed borderline personality disorder. I can appreciate the gifts that made me who I am and understand that my parents did the best they could. They were more than their maladies.

Robert Sternberg believes that to be considered intelligent, a person needs to have all three types of intelligence and know when and how to use each. In entrepreneurship, applying the same curiosity about one’s venture to examining one’s life is the difference between living an abundant life and viewing your life as a tragedy. Character development starts with practical intelligence activities that help you know oneself.

Do you have all three types of intelligence? Expand your knowing of when and how to apply practical, analytical, and creative intelligence in relationships, your venture, and life. Happy Valentine’s Day! Spread the love. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesTheranos Disaster

Theranos Disaster

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

Triarchic Theory of Intelligence

What They Don’t Teach in Business School About Entrepreneurship

What They Don’t Teach in Business School About Entrepreneurship

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: We are in tax season. You could apply practical intelligence to your money life. What did you generate in 2022? What was your net profit (profits after expenses)? Did you achieve your financial goals? Decide what you would like to alter for this year. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your feelings, whether you feel inadequate about reaching your financial goals, thrilled you went beyond, or somewhere in between. Notice in your body where you hold those emotions. Direct your attention to that area, allowing the feeling to dissolve as you continue breathing slowly in and out. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I am grateful for Robert Sternberg’s cleverness in coining the phrase practical intelligence and for developing the triarchic theory of intelligence; analytical, creative, and practical intelligence. I am grateful I could bring you this episode on leading with practical intelligence.

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 355: Leading with Practical Intelligence, Part I

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Episode 354: Why I Am Doing This Podcast Episode NotesWhy am I doing this podcast? Here is the semi-long answer to that question. It is more exciting when you hear me answer the question.

The bottom line is that resilient relationships flourish with meaningful conversations. I knew that. I also knew that we learn best through stories. When we get the nudge to change, it helps to hear how others redefine how they lead as they redesign their businesses. I have had thousands of conversations since I started WeMentor in 1992 to change the leadership in this country and worldwide, and guest what? I needed a platform to capture those stories and share them with others.

This podcast has been a gift from the source. It was divine intervention—a game changer. I had been looking for a medium to capture the conversations that I was having with clients. I didn’t know when my search would manifest into something worthwhile and affordable, so I stayed on the hunt, gathering information as I went.

A 2015 family road trip to the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming inspired and answered my search. This wasn’t my first visit to the Tetons. I worked in the 1980s at the Grand Teton National Park one summer in between college semesters. On this trip, I wanted to show my old stomping grounds to my husband, Matthew Foli, and our 13-year-old daughter, Olivia (I mistakenly said 8 years old). I cleaned bathrooms and fire pits and painted picnic tables.

I was proud to be the first woman to have a cabin and be in charge of 50 campsites at one location and a five-mile bike ride to clean about 20 other campsites by Jenny Lake Lodge. Movie stars stayed at the main lodge. I saw Angie Dickinson from afar. Angie was a movie star and became famous in 1974 for her role in Police Woman.

A photographer took a photo of me biking at Jenny Lake for his travel brochure. A mouse was my cabin mate. I fed her breadcrumbs and talked to her. It was a fantastic summer hiking, biking, meeting people from all over the world, making new friends, and having friends and family visit. They could set up camp next to my cabin.

One day that summer, my boss showed me a letter he had received from a camping patron who said the bathrooms were the cleanest she had ever used in a national park. I told him it must have been during the weekend my parents visited. My mom, bless her soul, she crossed over in 2020, helped me clean those dirty bathrooms with a toothbrush—the memories.

An ’aha’ moment surfaced during that 2015 road trip. To get to the Grand Teton National Park, we made a big oblong loop from Minneapolis to Wyoming and hit the Badlands in South Dakota on the way back. We drove through Iowa and then headed west through Nebraska. As we approached the upper northwest corner of Nebraska, we lost our radio connection and almost ran out of gas. Matthew took out his iPhone and plugged it in to listen to some podcast episodes he had downloaded before we left. We were getting into podcasts at that time. Krista Tippet’s, On Being podcast captivated our attention. Immediately, I was enthralled by the lack of commercials and uninterrupted listening. My senses were alive. The On Being podcast focuses on immersive conversations and explorations into the art of living. This episode was about yoga. The audio was crystal clear, and Krista’s voice was soothing and informative. I fell in love with the platform.

The Grand Teton National Park was unrecognizable as we approached it. The Grand Teton mountains were still there, but the campsite areas had been totally renovated. Nothing of what I remembered was there; even the entrance to that park area was different. So much development has occurred since the 1980s. The only thing familiar to me was the gorgeous mountain views. Throughout the trip, podcasting thoughts stuck with me.

St. Boniface Catholic French African Confirmation Class 2023

As soon as we got home, I researched as much as possible on podcasting and found I could afford to do it. I just needed someone to help with audio technical support. In 2015, our family was part of a French African Catholic Church Community. I sang in the choir, and Matthew and Olivia were Mass servers. Sylvie Kabeya was the choir director, Mike Kabeya, her husband, played the keyboards, and their eldest of four sons, Bob, played drums. Bob became Bobby and formed an Indy band called Miloe. He performs around the globe playing and singing the songs he writes. Mike and I traded off playing piano at church. I learned the French Mass and sang in French and other tribal languages. I loved the challenges that accompanied our immersion into the French African culture. It was important to experience being a minority and form lifelong friendships.

Mike worked as an audio and video technician at the U of M for the Ted Mann Concert Hall and owned the Kabeya Media production company. I approached him with my idea of capturing meaningful conversations with entrepreneurial leaders and business owners transitioning. A behind-the-scenes feel. He was thrilled and joined my team of two, him and me. My husband, Matthew, was a huge podcast supporter too and still is. At the time, we were grateful if someone got something out of our conversations. We aired our first five podcast conversations in January 2016.

During the covid-19 pandemic, change was forced upon us, and the distress we lived through with the uncertainty in 2020 and 2021 was devastating and exhausting. We experienced collective trauma like never before as we shifted our lives to survive. I did a “Life in Times of COVID-19” 7-part series to support small businesses. I featured Guest Mentors like Cathy Hockert, Minnesota’s Enterprise Continuity of Government Director, who became a trusted resource and guided us in preparing us leaders for the unknown outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest Mentor Leah Seeger, a family and marriage therapist, joined me to discuss the coronavirus’s 6 Overlapping and Therapeutic Themes.

I received feedback on how much our conversations meant to business owners and how vital our Guest Mentors are. Hearing how other business owners were evolving to the changing business climate inspired innovative ideas and supported how they were changing.

Over a quarter million downloads later, another change came into fruition when Mike abruptly moved on. I responded by immersing myself in learning his role as the audio technician at the end of 2022. I recommitted to my work and forged ahead to get the right recording equipment and editing software. It was my turn to rise to the leadership challenge. I redefined how I was leading while redesigning how I worked. Dual Innovation Leadership begins when there is a call for change. I had been aware that I needed to make a change. As usual, it happens in ways you don’t plan. Mike helped move the timeline up. Thanks, Mike, mon frère d’une autre mère. A term of endearment to say in French that Mike was like a brother from another mother.

I am grateful for the power of these ‘aha’ moments. They help us change our lives as we become our next best selves. Now you know why I started this podcast and how I am evolving. Working with Guest Mentors to bring you meaningful conversations is to support your leadership evolution. I continue to believe that resilient relationships flourish with meaningful conversations. I will continue providing you with resources, support, and stories of your peers on the path to evolving with their ventures. Keep listening, keep growing, and keep going. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesAngie Dickinson

Angie Dickinson on the Rat Pack, “Police Woman” and #MeToo – Bing video

Life in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic Podcast Series

Leadership Preparedness

Life in Times of Covid-19

6 Psychological and Overlapping Themes of Covid-19

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Answer these two questions. Why are you doing what you are doing? How are you rising to your leadership challenges? 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Make sure you are aligned with positive goals. Then anything is possible. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I greatly appreciate all the joy you have showered in my direction. It is inspiring and motivates me to keep providing you with what you need and desire in evolving as a human being and entrepreneurial leader. I appreciate being able to focus and do what it takes to rise to the challenges. I am grateful for the kindness of others. I appreciate every client, every guest mentor, every listener, and everyone else in my life. We are all in this life together; we can make the most of it and rise together. I am grateful January is over. It was a frigid and beautiful snowy month.

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS from the inside out.

Podcast Guest MentorNancy Meyer.Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, author, and certified mindfulness yoga and meditation integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy has a compassionate and collaborative approach that reinforces resilience and maintains accountable conversations that support how you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business model.

We collaborate with you to do what will work for YOU in becoming the leader you envision yourself to be! Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to change the leadership in our country by providing emerging and existing business owners with mentoring so they can evolve with their ventures. Nancy calls this Dual Innovation Leadership.

You can redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. We know that Dual Innovation Leadership works because Nancy has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Human Being and Master of Self-Leadership.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you evolve how you lead and redesign how you are doing business. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 354: Why I Am Doing This Podcast

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Episode 353: A Hilarious Conversation with My Youngest Sister Monica Episode NotesDo you need a little mid-winter pick-me-up? A little humor to brighten your day? When I was young, we six siblings would debate about who was the funniest in the family. My youngest sister Monica Olson emerged as the winner. I encouraged her to do stand-up, but she would instead share her humor with family and friends. And now, you can hear her for the first time.

Before the holidays, Monica offered to let me tape our conversation. She wanted a relaxed conversation, and I needed a guinea pig, so we discussed my new role as podcast editor instead of having an in-depth conversation about her life as a multi-venture entrepreneur, raising four children, divorce, and remarriage. You wouldn’t think that taking on the editor role of a podcast would be funny, but as it turns out, we found it hysterical. I hope you can laugh with us and alleviate the pressure and stress in your day.

My reason for airing this conversation is to emphasize that we need to bend someone’s ear when facing difficulties. I was fortunate to have my husband, Matthew, and my youngest sister, Monica to keep things in perspective with acquiring a new skillset under pressure and deadlines. The good news is that we don’t need hundreds of people. We need one or two encouraging people.

Our conversation is like many with her. A breath of fresh air and hilarious. I want to do more podcast conversations with Monica. Could you give me your feedback? What do you think? Would you like to hear more from Monica? Please let me know any other topics you would like to hear about too. Respond HERE. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesAbout Eagle Bend, Minnesota

About Eagle Bend

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Who, outside yourself, is a source of humor and support in your life? If you don’t have a person, imagine that kind of person showing up in your life and how good that would feel. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Appreciate humor where you find it. Bask in it. Relish in it. Find joy and inspiration in it. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I greatly love and appreciate my youngest sister Monica. She is a delight, a source of comfort, and an empathic listener. She also gives me solid advice and a dose of reality when needed. I appreciate her taking a risk to have one of our conversations taped for others to enjoy. Thanks, Monica, you rock!

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorMonica OlsonMulti-venture entrepreneur. From the age of six until graduating high school Monica worked on our parents’ dairy farm. Monica learned early that her needs come second to an animal’s well-being. Protect the investments because the animals are a dairy farmer’s lifeline.

In farming, like other businesses, something needs to be fixed or not produced up to its potential. Innovative thinking is a requirement and a constant. Dairy farming requires your efforts 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Luckily for Monica, she grew up on the farm, so her work ethic and schedule were normal. Not until later did she realize that not everyone worked like that. Hence, she developed a mindset of working hard, cognitive thinking, and mental fortitude.

Our father, Bernard J. Meyer, was not the easiest to work with, so Monica found comfort in being around animals. During this time, she realized she loved animals. After graduating high school, she enrolled at the Medical Institute of Minnesota and became a veterinary technician.

Her first job as a veterinary technician started at the Todd County Veterinary Clinic in Clarissa, Minnesota where she bought her first home for $4,000.00. The clinic’s focus was treating small animals (20%) and large animals (80%). Clear communication was extremely important with clients to get their animals and pets back to health.

Monica’s responsibilities included: handling animals, doing lab work, and keeping the inventory of medicines up to date and in stock. Monica was also responsible for bookkeeping and predicting increases in inventory usage during peak seasons for four wonderful veterinarians she felt lucky to work for. Mona LaDue, an amazing, patient, and understanding coworker, offered Monica advice to get through the overwhelming pressure of completing many responsibilities. She said, “Pick one task and finish it. Then, go to the next one.” So simple, but it sure hit home with Monica! The advice she still uses today.

At the vet clinic, Monica met her first husband, Mark Patnode, a truck driver. They married when Monica was 22 years old. During the initial eight years of their marriage, Monica became a stay-at-home Mom raising three boys; Jared, Michael, and Isaac. Four years later, Rose, their daughter, and a dairy farm life arrived. They milked a 50-cow dairy herd, which Monica and her children took care of while Mark continued truck driving away from home five days a week. A massive challenge Monica succeeded in. She felt fortunate to be with their children all day every day.

Monica learned how each child responded to chores and added age-appropriate responsibilities over time. Farming was a source of surprising insight into their personalities and how they overcame challenges. Being a mom dairy farmer taught Monica that ‘her way’ wasn’t always the best. There is more than one path to goal achievement. Humility can be hard to swallow when a more efficient way of doing something comes from a 14-year-old boy.

Fortunately, her upbringing doing chores on a dairy farm was familiar. Co-owning a small business with her husband, Mark unleashed a new focus and energy where Monica could blossom. She had more control over where she focused her energy and learned how to streamline her workforce: her four children. Monica ensured milk production was up to standards, and each dollar was stretched to its capacity.

Being smart with money became her forte. Milk prices fluctuate. A skillset Monica learned on the job was navigating when the income drops and how to maintain cash flow until they rise again.

Their farming days continued as the three boys grew and graduated, but none of them wanted to continue in the dairy field so the cows were sold and they continued crop farming. Monica found part-time work at Jennie-O Turkey Farm. She got Rose through high school between seasonal crop farming and cleaning turkey barns. The job was labor intensive and low paying and introduced Monica to the workforce that is in this field. She describes them as colorful characters. Working for a company was doable, but with such little pay and work hours that took away from spending time with 11-year-old Rose, Monica knew it was time to find something else.

A bus driver’s hours fit with Rose’s school days. The pay was better than caring for turkeys, and Monica could keep up with her fieldwork. Driving tractors and other big motor vehicles gave Monica the confidence to learn how to drive a bus. This is where she found the best boss. Paul Cebulla had a knack for setting up a great work environment for an eclectic group of people. The beauty of bus driving is that Monica returned to being her own boss once she started that bus engine. She controlled the vehicle and influenced an optimistic atmosphere for the students on her route. Paul had some good advice for keeping student behavior on the bus in perspective. Paul said that the role of a bus driver is this. “You are the beginning of a student’s school day, and you are the end of their school day; it is important that it begins positively and ends positively.” Monica thrived on this clarity.

While in her fourth year of bus driving, Monica determined to end her 26-year marriage. During her marriage, she was reminded of a childhood lesson. She was instructed to put an animal’s well-being above her own. Being a good student, she took the lesson further and put everyone else’s needs above hers; her children’s and her husband’s. That ended once the divorce was final. She decided her needs are as important as everyone else’s.

This huge lifestyle change and Paul selling his bus company presented a new opportunity. Paul’s successor did not treat his bus drivers respectfully, nor were they appreciated, so Monica turned in her notice. While raising miniature Schnauzers and selling a few puppies a year, an idea for a hotel popped into her mind.

Once Monica did her due diligence, a three-room hotel looked feasible. Monica’s prior co-worker from her veterinary technician days, Mona LaDue, had become a realtor at East West Realty and found a building. As Monica renovated her newly purchased electrician’s shop into two small apartments on the second floor and one big room on the main floor, she renovated her soul at the same time.

The fact that win or lose this was all on her motivated Monica to excel and heal her soul. She loved the challenge of putting herself and her finances on the line. Little did she know then that the skills she had learned in prior work experiences would be utilized to make Morning Glory Inn successful. The town of Eagle Bend has a population of 641 people and had struggled through the closing of the school, which was a vital part of keeping the town vibrant. The townspeople realized that to survive, they needed to bring in new businesses in whatever form they came in, so even though her hotel was small and the first of its kind in town, they were there to help make it a success. As a result of that pro-business attitude and words of encouragement, the town of Eagle Bend and Morning Glory Inn did well. Word of mouth spread and soon thereafter a guest list accumulated.

It was a great feeling to know Monica’s crazy idea wasn’t crazy after all. Her new life was taking shape. Her retirement dream was to sell her farmhouse and land and live in the inn at some point, which could take care of her for the rest of her life. She and her family were okay.

Isaac, Jared, Rose, and Michael (Jared and Stephanie’s Wedding, 2015)

What happened next shifted her life view and became this empowering, unfolding fairy tale. A friend she hadn’t seen for 15 years showed up at a surprise birthday party. Rick Olson, another truck driver, quickly jumped at Monica’s newly single status. They dated long enough for them and Monica’s adult children to get to know each other.

On July 4, 2021, Rick and Monica married. They decided to begin anew by selling their properties and buying a house together near Brandon, Minnesota. Monica got a great offer on Morning Glory Inn in 2020 and sold it. Her time is now devoted to raising miniature Schnauzer puppies for dog lovers, being a grandmother of her expanding family, enjoying married life again, and letting her obsession with flowers fully bloom every summer. A modern love story to savor.

Episode 353: A Hilarious Conversation with My Youngest Sister Monica

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Episode 352: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part V Episode NotesIn my fifth conversation with Skip Thaler, we discuss change. The kind of change we initiate and the type of change forced upon us. Skip describes a problem he had to recognize before selling 25 rental properties. A hard truth to face when he and Jill, his wife, were adding their 25th and last property to a portfolio that took 20 years to acquire, beautify, rent, and manage.

Skip’s eyes opened up to the government not protecting property rights during the covid-19 pandemic, riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul, rising expenses, and the inability to pass on the increased costs to renters. The confluence of events led to the new opportunity Skip pursued. He has a lifetime of turning lemons into lemonade. Skip believes that “unsolved opportunities opened his eyes to another opportunity.”

A peer gave him some good advice as Skip worked through the emotional side of this life-changing decision. One of Skip’s fellow landlords told him they were only stewards of the properties for a certain period of time. That statement helped Skip let go.

In preparing to talk with me, Skip was talking over with Jill their life changes since 2020. Jill summed up their life perspective succinctly. She said, “We always have to be prepared to pivot.” And pivot they did.

Skip goes into the details of what it took to work through 50 real estate and investment transactions. All were completed in zoom meetings. The life of the entrepreneur is learning while on fire. Skip needed to determine whom to sell to and be present at 25 real estate closings. Once he sold the rental properties over nine months, he needed to research and invest the proceeds quickly for tax purposes. I love how he and Jill went about exploring new opportunities. The research led to new opportunities to invest in private REITs and move their residence.

Florida is a tax-friendly state that does not impose an income tax on individuals and has a 6% sales tax. According to Investopedia, corporations that do business in Florida are subject to a 5.5% income tax. You are exempt from paying state income tax if you are an LLC, sole proprietorship, or S-Corporation. Based on their research, Skip and Jill decided to sell their Lakeville, Minnesota home to one of their sons and move to Florida.

On the investment side, Skip discusses purchasing private REITs and how you can and cannot evaluate warehouses in Macon, Georgia, that Amazon owns, and Lowe’s warehouses. “Private REITs are not traded on a national stock exchange or registered with the SEC. As a result, private REITs are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as stock exchange-listed or public non-listed REITs.” Skip, and Jill are willing to take the risks that accompany the purchase of private REITS, even though their access to information is limited.

In this conversation, I learned the profound resiliency of Jill and Skip Thaler. It is essential to pivot to land on your feet, which Skip and Jill have a track record of doing. Assess the opportunity. Collect the data, analyze the facts, work through fear, and then apply your intuition to discover what is important. Taking charge of your journey, whether initiating change or change is forced upon us, is part of living a prosperous entrepreneurial life. Whatever the circumstances, choosing to be a hero or heroine in our lives allows us to be active participants in creating a more fulfilling future—an alternative to becoming a victim of one’s circumstances.

Skips three big lessons:

1. Lead by example.
2. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
3. Successes and failures. The key is to learn from your failures and keep moving forward.

Rise, people. Our work is not complete until it is our soul’s turn to leave our bodies. Keep your light flickering and explore your next opportunity. With Skip and Jill in Florida, they are exploring more time with their grandchildren and expanding their philanthropic work at Chippewa County Community Foundation, Chippewa Falls, WI. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” It is never too late to change your life and how you lead. DOWNLOAD

P.S. If you want to contribute to my podcast, donate here (scroll to the bottom). I am devoted to mentoring. Every dime is invested in bringing you meaningful conversations with entrepreneurial leaders and small business owners who are redefining how they lead as they redesign their businesses.

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode ResourcesChippewa County Community Foundation

Chippewa County Community Foundation

Private and Public REITs

Guide to Private REIT Investing | Nareit

Guide to Public Non-Listed REIT (PNLR) Investing | Nareit

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down everything important to you. Include what you would like to accomplish this year. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Sit with your list of what is important to you and what you would like to accomplish this year. Next, write down how you will feel next to each item if you do not achieve it. Doing this exercise will help you consciously manifest and complete what is most important to you. Give yourself a big hug before setting out to do the work to achieve your dreams. 3. Welcome Appreciation: My appreciation toward Skip and Jill expanded as I learned the depth of their courage. Conscientiousness, authenticity, and generosity come to mind as I appreciate them. I appreciate the attention to detail and how each venture was met with financial astuteness. I appreciate their ability to pivot and make lemonade out of lemons.

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

Welcome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorSkip Thaler. Multi-venture entrepreneur, Skip Thaler, loves the challenge of starting and growing successful new businesses. He is hard-working, generous, and competitive. Prospecting and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace to create new businesses has been the lifeblood of his success.

Skip was raised in Chippewa Falls, WI, as the eldest of 4 children. His father was influential in his successful entrepreneurial journey that began in the 1960s. He married his childhood sweetheart Jill Kroll and was blessed to have raised three adult children: George, Sara, and Tim. They now have seven grandchildren.

Skip’s undergraduate degree was earned from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in Business and Economics. His master’s degree is in International Business from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

His first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start a manufacturer rep. A business selling Fleetwood tires. And that led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. He created a brokerage tire business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in sales per year. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M.

At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory.

Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line.

In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units.

2020 turned into a liquidating year instead of expanding his real estate holdings when a confluence of events came together. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created an adverse environment for business property owners. Skip sold off his portfolio and diversified into fractional ownerships of companies like Walgreens, Amazon, Tractor Supply, and companies in other business-friendly states. As a result of the confluence of events, Skip and Jill have decided to build a new home and take up residency in Florida. In the photo, Skip is sailing with friends in the Virgin Islands.

In addition to enjoying time with family, Skip has traveled all seven continents. He is a member of the Lakeville Rotary and recently served on three non-profit boards. He is a gardener, skier, and avid sailor. He has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from The Canary Islands to St. Lucia and the Mediterranean from Greece to Gibraltar. He has logged more than 40,000 miles of sailing so far with more adventures into the foreseeable future.

In the picture above, Skip is enjoying a Gopher Football Game with his buddies.

Episode 352: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part V

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Episode 351: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part IV Episode NotesIn our three-part podcast series, Skip Thaler generously shared what it took for him and his family to build several multi-million-dollar businesses. Today you will learn the confluence of events that led to Skip’s decision to sell his 25-rental properties. The properties he and Jill worked so hard to acquire, fix up, and rent out. You will find out how our prior podcast conversations played a part in selling his last 7-bundled properties to one buyer.

Skip dives into how he made the decision and how it affected his wife, Jill, and their three adult-children: Tim, George, and Sara. You will also hear Skip’s concerns for future landlords with rental properties in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. There are long-term consequences to the social unrest and violence after George Floyd’s murder and a Renter Protection Ordinance passed by the Minneapolis City Council that went into effect on June 1, 2020. Plus, I found new rules for screening renters in effect for 2023. Read it HERE.

In 2021, another life-changing decision was made. Skip and Jill moved to Bonita Springs, Florida. Find out why moving from Lakeville, Minnesota to Florida made sense.

A Brief Recap of Skip’s Multi-Million Dollar BusinessesSkip’s first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start as a manufacturer representative; a business selling Fleetwood tires. That led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. Skip created a brokerage business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in yearly sales. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M.

At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory.

Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line.

In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units.

In our third podcast conversation, we learned that in December 2019, Skip purchased his 25th and last acquisition, an 8-unit complex Brownstone apartment building built in 1890 by the Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota. Skip enjoyed 20+ years of renovating and restoring these 100-year-old apartment complexes making each complex a standout in the neighborhood. He describes himself as the opposite of a slum lord investing to make everything appealing, from the curbside to each building’s inside. Skip’s attention to detail was apparent with the purchase of his 25th property, too.

Original photographs from the late 1800s of the Brownstone properties were adorned in the hallways and entryways, giving a personalized touch. Beautifully landscaped yards with Mum-filled planters outside the buildings in the fall changed seasonally to make tenants feel good. New vintage lightwork, 100% wool carpets, restoring the house, and preserving past woodwork are a few examples of Skip’s effort for each tenant to feel they have a nice place to live in.

‘A crowning blow’ turned 2020 into a liquidating year instead of an expansive one for Skip and his family when a confluence of events induced a stress-related wake-up call. The coronavirus pandemic hit—riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. A growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses and, to some extent, in St. Paul created a hostile environment and a no-win scenario for business property owners. Skip made a huge decision.

Skip is starting anew in 2023. DOWNLOAD

P.S. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A federal holiday and a national day of service. Go to this website for ideas to observe and serve today. NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesPodcast Conversation I

Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Podcast Conversation II

Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part II | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Podcast Conversation III

Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part III | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down what you let go of in 2022. This creates space to embrace new opportunities. Write down what areas you plan to expand into in 2023. It may take a few days. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Sit with the two lists from above. Create a burning ceremony in a safe place. Tear up your 2022 list into a pile. As the smoke rises, close your eyes and release the list, whether it be what you earned last year, letting go of a negative downturn in a relationship or anything else you want to leave in 2022. Send positive energy to anything, any behaviors, or something in a relationship you have let go of or are done with. After putting out the fire and cleaning up the ashes, meditate for a few minutes to release any residual feelings. Prepare to embrace the newness a new year can offer. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I continue to appreciate Skip’s authenticity and generosity in discussing his life decisions and experiences. I understand his vulnerability and courage. I appreciate how he and Jill have kept growing together, continually assessing where they are and ensuring they live their values.

Now, it is your turn. Create your appreciation list, whatever comes to mind.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorSkip Thaler. Multi-venture entrepreneur, Skip Thaler, loves the challenge of starting and growing successful new businesses. He is hard-working, generous, and competitive. Prospecting and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace to create new businesses has been the lifeblood of his success.

Skip was raised in Chippewa Falls, WI, as the eldest of 4 children. His father was influential in his successful entrepreneurial journey that began in the 1960s. He married his childhood sweetheart Jill Kroll and was blessed to have raised three adult children: George, Sara, and Tim. They now have seven grandchildren.

Skip’s undergraduate degree was earned from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in Business and Economics. His master’s degree is in International Business from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

His first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start a manufacturer rep. A business selling Fleetwood tires. And that led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. He created a brokerage tire business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in sales per year. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M.

At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory.

Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line.

In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units.

2020 turned into a liquidating year instead of expanding his real estate holdings when a confluence of events came together. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created an adverse environment for business property owners. Skip sold off his portfolio and diversified into fractional ownerships of companies like Walgreens, Amazon, Tractor Supply, and companies in other business-friendly states. As a result of the confluence of events, Skip and Jill have decided to build a new home and take up residency in Florida. In the photo, Skip is sailing with friends in the Virgin Islands.

In addition to enjoying time with family, Skip has traveled all seven continents. He is a member of the Lakeville Rotary and recently served on three non-profit boards. He is a gardener, skier, and avid sailor. He has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from The Canary Islands to St. Lucia and the Mediterranean from Greece to Gibraltar. He has logged more than 40,000 miles of sailing so far with more adventures into the foreseeable future.

In the picture above, Skip is enjoying a Gopher Football Game with his buddies.

Episode 351: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part IV

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Episode 350: An Honest Self-Assessment of Mental Health with Daniel Libby Episode NotesEnmeshment is common amongst entrepreneurial leaders. Whether you have a psychology degree or not, it is natural, almost necessary, to be totally engrossed in realizing a big vision. I am not talking about workaholism, where there is a hyper-fixation on work with little joy, although that might be some of what Daniel Libby, Ph.D., is sorting out. I am talking about implementing a big vision that, to achieve it, encompasses your entire being. Dan gives an honest self-assessment of his mental health at the end of his 12-year reign.

Dan acknowledges how difficult it has been to separate his identity and self-worth from Veterans Yoga Project. A national organization he built over 12 years. Separating your identity and self-worth from your entity is a real thing. We can be so focused on achieving the mission that we forget about the people in front of us, as Dan realized. Almost always, these are the gems we uncover during significant life changes like the sale or closing of a business or in Dan’s case, transitioning out of a nonprofit enterprise.

He is taking the first quarter of 2023 to reflect. This includes a 10-day Vipassana Retreat. We discuss the purpose of a silent retreat and what he fears.

During the last six months of 2022, Dan deliberately planned to pass his Executive Director role to the well-respected veteran Brianna Renner. It took courage to recognize that this next growth phase for Veterans Yoga Project is best carried out with a new leader and operations officer, Brianna Renner. Thankfully, his leadership team and board of advisors agreed.

At the start of 2023, as a freed-up man ready to take a sabbatical to figure out the next phase of his lifework. He is looking forward to self-focus and self-growth and discovering something that can be as rewarding, joy-inspiring, and fulfilling as the work he did to advance Veterans Yoga Project, only on a smaller scale. His statement reminded me of a friend who finished an Ironman Triathlon saying she would never do that again. A few months later, she is contemplating her next Ironman Triathlon.

To refresh your memory from last week’s podcast conversation, Dan worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Yale University Department of Psychiatry at the West Haven VA Medical Center, Connecticut. “While providing psychotherapy for veterans recovering from PTS(D), he found that those who developed empowering self-regulating practices had better outcomes — they moved through post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth more quickly and gracefully,” as summed up on the website. Thus, the idea for the VYP was born in 2010.

The Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) was formalized in Alameda, CA, in 2014. They are on a mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities.

We explore more of what Dan learned as a leader. One basic leadership lesson was to allow people to be who they are and let them do what they need to do as executive team leaders, volunteers, or staff members. We also discuss his excitement for the future of VYP and re-emerging with a new vision once he accumulates all the wins and integrates the lessons he learned along the path of self-leadership mastery and life success.

My Reflection on BalanceI don’t believe an equal balance is achievable in small business ownership and entrepreneurial leadership. We need to be ‘all in.’ I mean invested, determined, and committed to the entrepreneurial journey, which is all about trial and error, learning as quickly as possible, and cash flowing our life as we realize our vision and live our mission.

Instead, we are better off focusing on meeting the seven Universal Human Needs categories of connection, physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. When our needs are met regularly, we increase feelings of affection, engagement, excitement, confidence, inspiration, exhilaration, gratefulness, hopefulness, and peacefulness, and feel refreshed. We also can individuate our needs from another’s more easily which keeps us out of enmeshment and co-dependent relationships. Focusing on meeting needs to me is more fulfilling than trying to achieve an elusive word like balance. DOWNLOAD

Here are some pictures of my daughter, Olivia, and I discovering a snow cave on a walk. We received 15 inches of snow last week and were making the best of it. So were our neighbors who built this winter cave.NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesOther Podcast Conversations with Daniel Libby, Ph.D.

What takes precedence your entity or its mission? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Creating Space for Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Daniel Libby | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Daniel Libby Passes the Leadership Baton of Veterans Yoga Project | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: One way to separate your self-worth from your venture is to recognize what seven Universal Human Needs you are fulfilling: connection, physical well-being, honesty, play, peace, autonomy, and meaning. Here is an exercise for you to do. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Allow yourself to take charge of meeting your universal human needs. Use the information you learned to improve your mental health and the mental health of those around you. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dan and his integrity. I appreciate his ability to transition Veterans Yoga Project to Brianna Renner deliberately. I appreciate how Dan helped us understand frustration tolerance, enmeshment, celebrating wins, and the importance of reflection. Thanks, Dan for being you. I can’t wait to hear how he re-emerges with a new vision after his 2023 sabbatical.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Dan. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

3. Welcome Appreciation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorDaniel Libby, Ph.D., R.Y.T.Daniel is the founder and Executive Director of the Veterans Yoga Project. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga teacher specializing in the mindful integration of evidence-based psychotherapies and complementary and alternative medicine practices for the treatment of PTS(D) and other psychological and emotional distress in active-duty military and veterans.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow with Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry and the VA’s Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center, Dan conducted research investigating the physiological correlates of mindfulness meditation as well as the first epidemiological investigation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in VA PTSD treatment programs. He is also former Director of Clinical Services for the Starlight Military Rehabilitation Program and has taught mindfulness and yoga to hundreds of veterans and active-duty service members.

Daniel is currently a psychologist at the Oakland Vet Center in Oakland, California, where he teaches several yoga and meditation classes weekly. A graduate of the 200-hour Embodyoga® Teacher Training, Dan learned everything he ever needed to know at the Feathered Pipe Ranch, the renowned nonprofit educational foundation and yoga retreat center.

Veterans Yoga Project (2014) is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans. Working in partnership with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans’ organizations, and other non-profit organizations, VYP-trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms, or they are focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, Veterans Yoga Project is doing its part to serve those who have served.

Episode 350: An Honest Self-Assessment of Mental Health with Daniel Libby

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Episode 349: Daniel Libby Passes the Leadership Baton of Veterans Yoga ProjectEpisode NotesDaniel Libby, Ph.D., and I are both in transition. He is in a huge transition; mine is a blip on the Adobe Audition editing screen. We discuss his evolution that coincides with an abrupt departure from my sound technician and my quick learning to edit WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. At the end of 2022, Dan passed the leadership baton at the Veterans Yoga Project to Brianna Renner.

Dan started 2023 as a freed-up man ready to take a 6-month sabbatical to figure out his next step. He is looking forward to self-focus and self-growth after founding and growing the Veteran’s Yoga Project (VYP) over the last 12 years. Maybe develop a private practice?

Dan was working as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Yale University Department of Psychiatry at the West Haven VA Medical Center, Connecticut. “While providing psychotherapy for veterans recovering from PTS(D), he found that those who developed empowering self-regulating practices had better outcomes — they moved through post-traumatic stress to post-traumatic growth more quickly and gracefully,” as summed up on the website. Thus, the idea for the VYP was born in 2010.

The Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) was formalized in Alameda, CA, in 2014. They are on a mission to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families, and communities. We talk about his leadership accomplishments and the excitement for the future of VYP.

When I called Dan to let him know I was reposting our podcast conversations, he informed me of his decision to pass the baton of leadership to Brianna Renner. VYP is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans.

By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms or focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, VYP is doing its part to serve those who have served in our armed forces. Trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes weekly for veterans and their families across the country. They partner with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans’ organizations, and other non-profit organizations.

In October of 2022, I reposted our two 2018 podcast conversations (see Episode Resources). After re-listening to them, I was reinspired about life and leadership and heard what takes precedence your entity or its mission; and how we can create space for post-traumatic growth. Those conversations helped me as I committed to taking on the editing role of this podcast for 2023. My phone call with Dan sparked my curiosity to schedule a new podcast conversation so you can hear how Dan’s leadership baton passing is going.

In entrepreneurship, learning new things under pressure is what we do. The intensity of our emotions is ever present because we need to learn new things fast while keeping the cash flowing. In learning this new editing role, we discuss a core component of psychological well-being, frustration tolerance, and an example of how Dan works with his 10-year-old daughter as she bumps into the frustration of learning something new.

The tools of self-mastery that we learn through yoga, meditation, and breathing practices help us during these transitions and learning opportunities, so “we don’t absorb the stresses of that thing, causing us anxiety. We can stay in the present moment,” says Dan. That is the goal. Stay in charge of our emotions, not letting them control us and our behavior. We can be grounded and focused on solving problems without moving into muddled thinking or a rigid mindset. Real growth for a yogi is expanding your practice beyond the yoga mat. I had a chance to do just that.

Others we lead have feelings, too, as we problem-solve together. Dan and I chat about that.

My transition brings up a metaphor for life. It takes many attempts to communicate with a human and get into the emotional flow of connecting with another person. It doesn’t matter how many failed attempts we have. The point is to stay focused on the goal and allow ourselves and others to experience the intensity of stress and frustration without letting the emotion overpower the experience.

We can name our feelings and learn how to expand our frustration tolerance. Be patient with ourselves and others as we learn new things. It is normal to become frustrated, especially when learning under pressure. Give ourselves space to expand our emotional bandwidth and eliminate disconnecting outcomes in relationships.

Happy New Year! We are ready for 2023. Dan is celebrating his leadership accomplishments. I am celebrating the airing of editing my podcast conversation and how I led myself through that. Enjoy our conversation and the new intro and outro music. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode Resources2018 Daniel Libby Podcast Conversations

What takes precedence your entity or its mission? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Creating Space for Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Daniel Libby | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Pick your word for 2023. Then, decide how you want to expand your frustration tolerance this year or maybe this week. It could be as simple as naming your feelings as you are learning something new. When you bump up against your frustration boundary or when you have had enough, take a break. Breathe. Come back to the new thing and try a new approach. You oversee your emotional well-being and can determine how you want to expand it. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Allow yourself to take charge of your emotional self. When you reach a dynamic limit, acknowledge it. Give yourself and others room to learn about yourself and how you know new things. Allow yourself to breathe and go at a pace that works for you. It is a New Year. We can begin anew. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dan. I appreciate the life experiences that led him to launch and grow a national organization called the Veterans Yoga Project. I appreciate his integrity and his ability to realize it was time for him to pass the leadership baton of VYP to Brianna Renner. I loved relistening to our podcast conversations from 2018. They inspired me to grow through a transition with this podcast. As leaders, we assert and respond to many growth opportunities. Because of this kind of practice with starting new things, we can increase our frustration tolerance, a core component of psychological well-being. I appreciate how Dan helped us understand frustration tolerance,”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Dan. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorDaniel Libby, Ph.D., R.Y.T.Daniel is the founder and Executive Director of the Veterans Yoga Project. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and yoga teacher specializing in the mindful integration of evidence-based psychotherapies and complementary and alternative medicine practices for the treatment of PTS(D) and other psychological and emotional distress in active-duty military and veterans.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow with Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry and the VA’s Mental Illness Research and Education Clinical Center, Dan conducted research investigating the physiological correlates of mindfulness meditation as well as the first epidemiological investigation of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in VA PTSD treatment programs. He is also former Director of Clinical Services for the Starlight Military Rehabilitation Program and has taught mindfulness and yoga to hundreds of veterans and active-duty service members.

Daniel is currently a psychologist at the Oakland Vet Center in Oakland, California, where he teaches several yoga and meditation classes weekly. A graduate of the 200-hour Embodyoga® Teacher Training, Dan learned everything he ever needed to know at the Feathered Pipe Ranch, the renowned nonprofit educational foundation and yoga retreat center.

Veterans Yoga Project (2014) is a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans. Working in partnership with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans’ organizations, and other non-profit organizations, VYP-trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms, or they are focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, Veterans Yoga Project is doing its part to serve those who have served.

Episode 349: Daniel Libby Passes the Leadership Baton of Veterans Yoga Project

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Episode 348: Up Level Your Brand to Reflect Consumers’ Changed Behavior with Ann AndersonEpisode NotesWith so many creative people making products people love, why are some brands making them on retail shelves and online stores while others never get their products into the average consumer’s hands? Ann Anderson of Retail Partner Solutions explains how big-box retailers have changed, current trends in consumer behavior and which group of consumers are leading these trends. Learn how to Level Up your product brands to bridge the gap between brands, retailers, and consumers.

Ann’s positivity and joy radiate through the sound waves as we start with how she separates her identity from her business cash flow fluctuations, from one product launch to the next and from one client to the next. We continue with Ann’s experience as a business owner and what her 30 years of retail expertise and services can do to get your products on store shelves and in the hands of consumers.

The flow of our conversation is organized so you can engage in learning without feeling overwhelmed. Ann is a fast talker releasing a plethora of valuable content. I found myself as inspired to take notes as I did when I first aired our conversation on August 16, 2021.

Leveling Up topics we discuss:* What Leveling Up your brand means and how to do it. + What it takes to get products into specialty stores, grocery stores of all types, regionally expand, and increase chances of getting into mass retailers. + The gestation period for getting products online and on big-box retail shelves. + Certifying your business can be a game-changer with big-box retailers if you qualify. Certification websites are outlined in the Episode Notes. + Social media from the client’s perspective or consumer, and what big-box retailers look at and consider when going with a brand or not. * Benefits of pro bono work as a brand strategy. * Wholesale Case Study: How to modify a product strategy from a retailer and channel perspective. * Building Buyer Relationships. Ann’s extensive database of buyers and different levels within big-box retailers (the chain of command) and what you need to know. * E-Commerce Product Process: determining where you are. * Supply Chain Logistics: scaling capabilities, quantity, and timeliness to replenishing store shelves. What to be aware of right now within supply chains. * Marketing and Customizing Brand Sheets. What information to include when approaching a retailer? * Handling Negotiations. What you need to know. * Product Differentiator. Sustainable products and packaging can be reduced, reused, and recycled. Find out how else you can differentiate your products and services. * Trends Affecting Big-Box Retailers and Consumer Behavior. * Do a quick search exercise on Target.com. * Ways to be responsive to consumer behavior changes.

We finish with Ann highlighting critical Up Leveling strategies so you can close the gap between your brand, retailers, and consumers. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode ResourcesBlack-Owned Beyond Measure Brands at Target

Black-Owned Beyond Measure Brands at Target

Certification Websites

LGBTQ-owned businesses (sba.gov)

Minority-owned businesses (sba.gov)

Native American-owned companies (sba.gov)

Veteran-owned businesses (sba.gov)

Veteran assistance programs (sba.gov)

Women-owned firms (sba.gov)

Perks of Registering as a Women-Owned Business (nextdoor.com)

Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (sba.gov)

Small Business Administration Guide

Small Business Administration Guide

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: How well do you know your brand? Choose which Leveling Up strategies you want to start with from the Leveling Up topics we discussed. The next step could be reaching out to Ann Anderson at Retail Partner Solutions after you have your list. You could work with her or me to prioritize your list and create an action plan. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: To prevent resentment, set better boundaries by considering the following advice. When putting together a Leveling Up plan, make sure you: clarify expectations with clear agreements, address the needs of those involved (discuss who is affected and what they need), and set boundaries (what is okay and not okay). Preventing emotional disruptions in relationships is part of exercising self-compassion and respecting everyone involved in Leveling Up your brand. Having clear boundaries and clarified expectations also creates a foundation for holding people accountable. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Ann’s enthusiasm and ability to deliver strategies that can bridge the gap between brands (entrepreneurs and manufacturers) and big-box retailers by Leveling Up. I appreciate learning how younger consumers are aware of inequality and more vocal about what they want to see on store and grocery shelves. They are influencing marketplace shifts. I appreciate how more and more big-box retailers are supporting small businesses like Target.com. Target has an online category for consumers to buy from Black-Owned businesses. I appreciate the mentoring relationship I have with Ann. I appreciate consumers who put pressure on retailers to rule out oppressive behaviors baked into their businesses. I appreciate consumers who increase awareness by asking and sometimes demanding businesses to be more inclusive and diverse. Your voice can create change.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Ann Anderson. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

iation: Say to yourself, “I am

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorAnn Anderson, MBA, Founder and President Retail Partner Solutions, LLCAnn is a results-driven Senior Executive and Retail Strategist with more than 25 years of success spanning retail, consumer goods, and food & beverages. Leveraging extensive experience in strategic leadership for world-class brands and teams, Ann is a valuable asset for companies requiring retail go-to-market strategies, brand building, guidance, mentoring, and representation to launch brands at big-box retailers. Ann founded Retail Partner Solutions, LLC in 2019 to further empower brands to thrive on store shelves bridging the gap between brands and buyers.

Entrepreneurs with new product brands need Ann’s retail expertise, resources, and strategies that accelerate growth. She has a proven record of succeeding across many categories, including launches of kid’s snacks, home essentials, pet, coffee, ethnic products, and beverages in Target, Walmart, and Costco. Ann radiates positive energy, a focused mindset, driven commitment, and a passion for retail. Get started with Ann today!

Episode 348: Up Level Your Brand to Reflect Consumers’ Changed Behavior with Ann Anderson

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Episode 347: Ann Anderson Gets Products into Big-Box Retailers Episode Notes“New products are hitting store shelves every two minutes,” says Ann. How are entrepreneurs gaining expertise quickly? By hiring a retail specialist. Ann Anderson, MBA, and founder of Retail Partner Solutions, LLC, gives a brief overview of what we need to know about getting our products on Big-Box retailer store shelves like Walmart, Costco, Lunds & Byerlys, Hy-Vee, Petco, Target, Specialty Stores, to name a few.

If you are rolling out new products in the food and beverage space, consider talking with Ann. Her retail expertise, resources, and strategies could help you accelerate growth. She has a proven record of succeeding across many categories, including launches of kid’s snacks, home essentials, pet products, coffee, ethnic products, and beverages.

Here are some of the questions Ann answers still pertinent in 2022 and 2023:* What is needed to get your finished product ready for Big-Box Retailers? * Why not approach Big-Box Retailers yourself? * When is a good time to hire a retail specialist? * Do you have your channel strategy worked out? * What is the priority of your brand from a channel perspective? * What is the timeline for getting new products on retail shelves? * What elements do you need to organize? * Online operates differently; in what ways and what do you need to consider? * What is involved before and after getting our products on store shelves?

In 2021, when we taped this conversation, I asked Ann about closing the door on corporate employment and planting her feet solidly in business ownership. It is an essential step in succeeding with a new venture after leaving a fulfilling legacy in corporate America. Owning and committing to each part of redesigning your future is exercising bravery. Listen to her answer. DOWNLOAD

U.S. and Global Entrepreneurship in 2021 and 2022I was curious to learn about 2020 and whether our economy started more businesses than closed. Yes, that is the simple answer. On average, annually about 130,000 U.S. businesses close. In 2020 the number of closings spiked to 200,000, as reported by the Federal Reserve. We won’t know the accurate number until well into 2023.

Use the table below to understand how many new U.S. businesses formed in which month and year. This will give you an idea of business start-up trends. We started 2021 with 134,623 new businesses more than in December 2020. We are ending this year with new business formations up from prior years. The future looks brighter than the prior few years, but who knows what is behind the horizon. I know that with faith and purpose, we can get through anything.

U.S. New Business Formations

| YEAR | MONTH | New U.S. Businesses Formed | | 2004 | August (1st-month new businesses were tracked) | 159,076 | | December | 193,153 | | 2005 | January | 202,362 | | December | 233,400 | | 2020 | January | 279,273 | | December | 347,372 | | 2021 | January | 481,995 | | December | 420,388 | | 2022 | January | 430,372 | | October | 432,258 | | November | 418,905 |

Here, you can look up all kinds of industry-specific data from the U.S. Government Census website. Here is a pdf report on how women entrepreneurs and men faired in 2021 and 2022. You can read an executive summary from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor here. NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode ResourcesBusiness Exits During COVID

Federal Reserve Statistics

Business and Industry Trends

Business and Industry Trends

GEM Executive Summary

Executive Summary of GEM Report

GEM Report 2021 and 2022

GEM Report on Women Entrepreneurs in 2021 and 2022

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Winter Solstice is December 21, 2022. Take a moment to expand your inner light on the shortest day of light. Share a kind gesture with everyone you talk to, it will expand your internal light and theirs. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Embrace your light within and the things you do to expand your glow. Hold that expansive feeling in your mind while you breathe in for 10 counts and out for 10 counts. Meditate in the glory of light for three minutes. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the ideas that emerge when we take action to support the greater good. Oppression engages our lower selves; I appreciate finding ways to uplift and expand the light within. I appreciate every person who takes intentional steps to engage in healthy relating through conversation and actions. I appreciate Ann’s dedication to helping entrepreneurs get their products in big-box retailers. Way to go, Ann.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Ann Anderson. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorAnn Anderson, MBA, Founder and President Retail Partner Solutions, LLCAnn is a results-driven Senior Executive and Retail Strategist with more than 25 years of success spanning retail, consumer goods, and food & beverages. Leveraging extensive experience in strategic leadership for world-class brands and teams, Ann is a valuable asset for companies requiring retail go-to-market strategies, brand building, guidance, mentoring, and representation to launch brands at big-box retailers. Ann founded Retail Partner Solutions, LLC in 2019 to further empower brands to thrive on store shelves bridging the gap between brands and buyers.

Entrepreneurs with new product brands need Ann’s retail expertise, resources, and strategies that accelerate growth. She has a proven record of succeeding across many categories, including launches of kid’s snacks, home essentials, pet, coffee, ethnic products, and beverages in Target, Walmart, and Costco. Ann radiates positive energy, a focused mindset, driven commitment, and a passion for retail. Get started with Ann today!

Episode 347: Ann Anderson Gets Products into Big-Box Retailers

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Episode 346: Ann Anderson Transforms from Corporate Executive to Resilient Retail Specialist Episode NotesIn 2019, Ann Anderson’s aspirations changed. She left her 31-year corporate career with TIME, Inc. to launch Retail Partner Solutions, Inc. We discuss how she went from an employee mindset to acquiring an entrepreneurial mindset and the resiliency it took to land on her feet as the retail industry remarkably changed forever in 2020.

Ann Anderson, MBA, has three decades worth of retail expertise. Her enthusiasm for getting client products into big retail stores like Target, Costco, and Walmart is make-it-or-break-it for clients. Ann does whatever it takes to move herself and her clients forward. She strategically works the odds of success in her client’s favor.

Ann has this relatable quality that is part of resiliency. Relating skillfully to others and our world makes us feel safe and connected and helps us bounce back from failures and heartbreak. In Ann’s younger years, you will hear the strategy behind her three strengths in relating. According to Rick Hanson, Ph.D., resilient individuals have three strengths they exercise when relating: courage, aspiration, and generosity.

I re-listened to this 2021 conversation with Ann. The anxiety I felt quickly dissolved as I relaxed into the conversation and connected with Ann’s upbringing. It is comforting to hear how her Italian Mother and German Father raised her and Ann’s two brothers. Ann says, “I come from a family of strength.” She and her husband, Howard Anderson, have passed the baton of strength to the next generation by raising two resilient adult children.

Ann has been a client of mine since 2019. Every time we have a conversation, I witness greatness in the making. Being a quick and enthusiastic sponge absorbing as much learning as her mind can take in fuels her entrepreneurial leadership.

Hear other parts of our inspiring conversation: * The most significant shift Ann needed to make in going from a corporate mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset. * Being raised by an Italian Mother and German Father. The impact of moving from Michigan to Iowa. * Ann’s derailed experience with an injury as a gymnast in high school and the courage it took to reshape her aspirations. * Ann’s two brothers, who liked to play tricks on her, prepared her for speaking up in corporate settings. * Early on, when there was a noticeable gender disparity, Ann’s courageous voice helped get a girls’ sports team started. * The gems Ann learned being a senior executive at TIME, Inc. * Pitching over 30 products and what she learned starting a business in a pandemic. * Her life mentors, including her gymnastics coach and me. * Her passion for bridging the gap between buyers and brands.

Note how Ann cleverly packaged her retail expertise and got busy connecting with entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, kitchen, and other miscellaneous industries. Getting products in big-box retailers like Target, Walmart, Costco, and others is a hurry-up and wait-for kind of game. As a results-driven executive and retail strategist, Ann continually understands each retailer’s processes and timelines. Being skilled at building relationships is a must, and Ann is exceptional at it. DOWNLOAD

P.S. Fast forward about one minute to jump into the current information. I also mention the book I am still writing. The title is not yet solidified, but it is about mentoring and how you can be resilient as you evolve with your business.

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations Leading to Action
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW
HIRE A MENTOR

Episode Resources3 Top Small Business Trends in 2022

3 Top Small Business Trends in 2022

Goldman Sachs 2023 Outlook

Goldman Sachs 2023 Outlook

New Businesses Started in 2021

New Businesses Started in 2021

Small Business Trends 2021

Women in Business Trends 2021

Special Report 2020

Women-Owned Businesses in 2020

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Write down your aspirations or your deepest heart’s desire. Please share them with a trusted friend and list the next best steps to create action toward your dreams. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Appreciate yourself as a giver; we humans are naturally altruistic. That is why we aspire to do great things in the world. Breathe in as you count to six and exhale to a count of eight. Do this three times as you enjoy your ability to control your breath. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Ann’s ability to realize her dreams. I appreciate how she was raised and the resiliency she brings to every aspect of her life. I appreciate the effort it takes to retrain a corporate mindset to an entrepreneurial mindset. I admire how Ann continues to land on her feet and help small businesses get their products into Big-Box Retail stores.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Ann Anderson. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorAnn Anderson, MBA, Founder and President Retail Partner Solutions, LLCAnn is a results-driven Senior Executive and Retail Strategist with more than 25 years of success spanning retail, consumer goods, and food & beverages. Leveraging extensive experience in strategic leadership for world-class brands and teams, Ann is a valuable asset for companies requiring retail go-to-market strategies, brand building, guidance, mentoring, and representation to launch brands at big-box retailers. Ann founded Retail Partner Solutions, LLC in 2019 to further empower brands to thrive on store shelves bridging the gap between brands and buyers.

Entrepreneurs with new product brands need Ann’s retail expertise, resources, and strategies that accelerate growth. She has a proven record of succeeding across many categories, including launches of kid’s snacks, home essentials, pet, coffee, ethnic products, and beverages in Target, Walmart, and Costco. Ann radiates positive energy, a focused mindset, driven commitment, and a passion for retail. Get started with Ann today!

Episode 346: Ann Anderson Transforms from Corporate Executive to Resilient Retail Specialist

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Episode 345: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part III Episode Notes Skip was building Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC) while starting another venture. Purchasing duplexes and fourplexes as a passive investor served his interests in the 1990s. It turns out tires and real estate go together. Once IMC was secure in his son George’s hands, investing in larger apartment complexes became appealing.

In December 2019, Skip purchased his 25th and last acquisition, an 8-unit complex Brownstone apartment building built in 1890 by the Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota. He describes another critical point in his success, hiring a management company for real estate to handle the day-to-day activities like collecting rent. A common thread to all his ventures was working with small groups of contract workers to manage the details so he could focus on other financial details like growing his businesses.

Skip has enjoyed 20+ years of renovating and restoring these 100-year-old apartment complexes making each complex a standout in the neighborhood. He describes himself as the opposite of a slum lord investing to make everything appealing, from the curbside to each building’s inside. Skip’s attention to detail is apparent in this venture too. Original photographs from the late 1800s of the Brownstone properties are adorned in the hallways and entryways, giving a personalized touch. Beautifully landscaped yards with Mums-filled planters outside the buildings in the fall changed seasonally to make tenants feel good. New vintage lightwork, 100% wool carpets, restoring the house, and preserving past woodwork are a few examples of Skip’s effort into each building and unit so people could have a nice place to live in.

‘A crowning blow’ turned 2020 into a liquidating year instead of an expansive one when a confluence of events induced a stress-related wake-up call. The coronavirus pandemic hit—riots in Minneapolis and St. Paul. A growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses and, to some extent, in St. Paul created a hostile environment and a no-win scenario for business property owners. You will learn more about that.

Skip’s advice. City governments must work more effectively with small business owners to rebuild our Twin Cities. Private property owners feel abandoned. Skip says, “the long-term problems are greater than people realize.” Hear the details.

A 52-Year-Old Memory Resurfaced. This experience provoked a 52-year-old memory for Skip. When Skip started at IBM, he needed training in Detroit, Michigan. Visiting Detroit, he felt sadness and fright after Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered on April 4, 1968. Riots broke out for a week. He will never forget the smell of burning houses and watching tanks roll down the street. These feelings resurfaced after the protests against police brutality broke out upon George Floyd’s death on May 4, 2020, in Minneapolis. With resolve, Skip says that it will take decades to rebuild and repair the damage done to our city and its people that summer. In some respects, the Twin Cities are forever changed.

Skip Thaler ends 2020 with a complex but liberating decision. In an upcoming episode, you will hear the outcome of his decision to sell his 25 rental properties and what our podcast conversations had to do with it.

Attributes of ResiliencyOne of Skip’s endearing qualities is his willingness to acknowledge his limitations and strengths and reflect on his learnings. These qualities are attributes of having a resilient spirit. Often entrepreneurs are accused of being workaholics. Are you a workaholic or a hard worker? Find out for yourself. Take the WeMentor Workaholism Quiz.

Another key to Skip’s success is his long-term stable relationships with Jill, their adult children, and their families. Big thank yous to his excellent support staff and many accolades to Jill, who has supported him from the start. Jill is his backbone and soulmate, a real trouper. “Without Jill, there would be no success,” quips Skip.

Skip also says, “once we get out of this goofy COVID-19 pandemic, they will enjoy building a home in Florida and not have their fingers in so many buildings.” Less stress, more sailing once able to travel again, and do some fishing. Most importantly, have his adult children and grandchildren visit them in a warmer winter climate. Entertaining and relaxing daily rides on recumbent bikes with electric assists sound like something for those in Florida to enjoy. In the northern states, fresh snow has spurred the start of the winter sports season. Wherever you are, stay active and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. DOWNLOAD

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Episode ResourcesWeMentor Workaholism Quiz

WeMentor Workaholism Quiz

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk: from last week’s list you created of terrifying events for 2020 and the opportunities you see within your industry from Skip’s 1st episode, how has your industry changed since 2020? What decisions have you made in the last couple of years that contributed to where you are today? How are you positioned for 2023? Write down what you will let go of and what you will expand into 2023. If you are wondering the difference between being a workaholic or working with zest toward a higher goal, take the WeMentor Workaholic Quiz. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: I felt sad as Skip described the confluence of events that led to him selling his 25 rental properties. I understand his decision, and in a recent phone call, I was relieved to learn yet again that Skip has landed on his feet. Wise decisions surface from examining your heart and being quiet enough to hear the voice of your intuition. What are you hearing after taking the risk above? 3. Welcome Appreciation: I appreciate Skip’s authenticity and openness to discuss his life experiences through 2020. I appreciate his vulnerability and courage. I appreciate you for listening and learning what he went through during the wild journey we endured in 2020. Now, create your appreciation list.

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorSkip Thaler. Multi-venture entrepreneur, Skip Thaler, loves the challenge of starting and growing successful new businesses. He is hard-working, generous, and competitive. Prospecting and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace to create new businesses has been the lifeblood of his success.

Skip was raised in Chippewa Falls, WI, as the eldest of 4 children. His father was influential in his successful entrepreneurial journey that began in the 1960s. He married his childhood sweetheart Jill Kroll and was blessed to have raised three adult children: George, Sara, and Tim. They now have seven grandchildren.

Skip’s undergraduate degree was earned from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in Business and Economics. His master’s degree is in International Business from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

His first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start a manufacturer rep. A business selling Fleetwood tires. And that led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. He created a brokerage tire business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in sales per year. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M.

At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory.

Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line.

In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units.

2020 turned into a liquidating year instead of expanding his real estate holdings when a confluence of events came together. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created an adverse environment for business property owners. Skip sold off his portfolio and diversified into fractional ownerships of companies like Walgreens, Amazon, Tractor Supply, and companies in other business-friendly states. As a result of the confluence of events, Skip and Jill have decided to build a new home and take up residency in Florida. In the photo, Skip is sailing with friends in the Virgin Islands.

In addition to enjoying time with family, Skip has traveled all seven continents. He is a member of the Lakeville Rotary and recently served on three non-profit boards. He is a gardener, skier, and avid sailor. He has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from The Canary Islands to St. Lucia and the Mediterranean from Greece to Gibraltar. He has logged more than 40,000 miles of sailing so far with more adventures into the foreseeable future.

In the picture above, Skip is enjoying a Gopher Football Game with his buddies.

Episode 345: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part III

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Episode 344: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part IIMulti-venture entrepreneur Skip Thaler talks about his terrifying moment after merging his Fleetwood Franchise with Tires Plus and how he influenced a workable partnership with Tom Gegax and Don Gullett to expand Tires Plus from 11 retail stores to 40 or from $25M to a $50M business. Timing and the right partnerships made the difference between success and failure in Skip’s life, always teeter-tottering on the fringes between financial disaster and exponential growth.

I just finished reading the inspiring book Shoe Dog by the founder of Nike, Inc., billionaire Phil Knight. Terrifying moments were part of his journey too. A must-read autobiography for every business owner and entrepreneurial leader who wants to learn what it takes to build a global brand. Phil wrote that until he took his athletic shoe company Nike, Inc., public in 1980, he had been in debt most of his adult life. He directed Nike from 1962 until 2004.

Phil and Skip’s journeys show how women were unconsciously left out of leadership. Phil organically created his executive teams with people (men) he knew in track-n-field. The first female executive hired at Nike was in 2010, executive vice chair and general counsel Hilary Crane. Skip followed a similar course in working with men in his circles.

Growing profitable businesses is intense and expensive. Phil’s borrowing to pay for his ideas started with the 50 dollars he borrowed from his dad. This led to borrowing millions of dollars from banks and other investors. Phil’s well-told story validated my experience working with business owners and entrepreneurs over these past 30 years, including Skip’s experience as he reflects on his journey here.

The intensity to drive profits never lets up, which is part of the excitement and other emotions like the fear of survival that can drive humans to new heights in self-awareness and brand expansion. Cash-flowing businesses can become a science of mastering intuition and calculations in financial risk-taking, timing, and circling yourself with the right team and money resources and operating together within the restraints of moral and ethical behavior.

I marvel at Skip’s impeccable timing that he has honed over decades of launching, growing, and shaping new ventures. He trusts his intuition, especially when he is freaked out. Even his hobbies of growing 1,000 orchids and sailing worldwide have a depth of time mastery in their life cycle.

When the idea starts taking shape and curiosity grows, is that when Skip’s passion emerges, and his focus, skillsets, and energy take hold? Or does his entrepreneurial leadership process take shape differently? You decide.

Another element in timing is within the ‘windows of opportunity’ where critical decisions can create wealth. Skip discusses those leaps of faith and how he lands firmly on his feet with boundaries that support healthy relationships.

Below are some pivotal moments within the spectrum of timing we discuss.* The business model of the wholesale and retail sides of the tire business begins competing. Now what? * He was turning over inventory. How about someone else worrying about turning the inventory? Skip has another idea that works better for him and his temperament. * Who of the four partners has the most significant financial exposure? How long can one sustain financial exposure? How many nights can you go without sleep before changing your economic model? * A hiring technique that works for each new hire. * I am regaining self-productivity by founding Intercontinental Marketing Corporation. * Learning the international marketplace with a $5,000 investment: bank site drafts and third-party freight forwarders lowers financial risk and is efficient. * Tires have cosmetic issues, too; how. Skip capitalized on blemishes—building a family-owned business. * Passing the baton from one generation to the next.

This meaningful conversation is one you don’t want to miss! Timing is everything. DOWNLOAD

P.S. It is Cyber Monday; please consider donating to my podcast. Donations and Sponsors like you keep this podcast of meaningful conversations and my ability to lend a hand up to others going. DONATE HERE!NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast SponsorRedefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

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Episode ResourcesPhil Knight, Nike, Inc. Founder

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Tires Plus

Tires Plus

Conscious Attentive Leadership MentoringAfter listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:1. Take this risk: create a list of the year 2020 and its terrifying moments in your life and business and the opportunities within those moments. You heard Skip’s terrifying moment that led him to get out of his Tires Plus partnership and launch his next venture, International Marketing Corporation. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: As you complete your list, make sure you name your feelings tied to the terrifying moment. I felt frozen and a rude awakening, like I was coming out of a trance or horror movie when a second wave of the coronavirus took hold in September/October 2020. Our spirits were awakened. We survived. Acknowledge the courage it has taken to name your feelings, sort out the opportunities within each tragedy and heartbreak, and then make tough decisions. Experience the sheer fragileness of our existence. This is what humanity feels like and what it means to be in the present moment. 3. Welcome Appreciation: I appreciate your effort to complete today’s risk. Say this to yourself: “I am grateful for being able to release the emotions in my heart and my being. I appreciate having the ability to give my feelings a name. I appreciate the time I am taking to acknowledge the difficulties in living through this year and being circled by so much loss, tragedy, and sheer chaos. I have felt out of control and uncertain. When I acknowledge my feelings, courage surfaces, and I can see opportunities to grow from learned lessons. I can decide what to do with what I am feeling. My feelings are giving me good information I can use and then let go of. I appreciate myself and those around me. I am right where I need to be. Present and aware, ready to make tough decisions.”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation Leadership WORKS.

Podcast Guest MentorSkip Thaler. Multi-venture entrepreneur, Skip Thaler, loves the challenge of starting and growing successful new businesses. He is hard-working, generous, and competitive. Prospecting and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace to create new businesses has been the lifeblood of his success.

Skip was raised in Chippewa Falls, WI, as the eldest of 4 children. His father was influential in his successful entrepreneurial journey that began in the 1960s. He married his childhood sweetheart Jill Kroll and was blessed to have raised three adult children: George, Sara, and Tim. They now have seven grandchildren.

Skip’s undergraduate degree was earned from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN in Business and Economics. His master’s degree is in International Business from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

His first job out of school was in sales with IBM. He left there to start a manufacturer rep. A business selling Fleetwood tires. And that led to the most successful Fleetwood Franchise in the United States. He created a brokerage tire business to sell discontinued and blemished tires that grew into $13M in sales per year. This financial success positioned him to merge his company with Tires Plus, combining the sales volume to $25M.

At Tires Plus, Skip worked to help grow the business to $50M, selling his ownership in 1991 to his two business partners. Semi-retirement allowed Skip to pursue his love of sailing and found an international tire wholesale business, Intercontinental Marketing Corporation (IMC), while upholding his 5-year United States non-compete agreement. IMC is the birthplace of three pledges Skip made to himself. No more hiring of W-2 employees. IMC will not carry accounts receivable. He will not own inventory.

Keeping faithful to his three promises, Skip prepared his company for George, his son, to join him in 1998 to learn the tire trading business. They diversified into motorcycle tires and used truck tires (casings) for retreaders. That business generated more than $10M in sales. Uniquely positioned in the marketplace, they kept their expenses under 8% of their gross profit, so 92 cents out of every dollar went to the bottom line.

In 2012, his other son, Tim, joined the business as Skip transitioned into a new business. The business of acquiring brownstone apartment buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Skip acquired 25 buildings with more than 400 apartment units.

2020 turned into a liquidating year instead of expanding his real estate holdings when a confluence of events came together. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created an adverse environment for business property owners. Skip sold off his portfolio and diversified into fractional ownerships of companies like Walgreens, Amazon, Tractor Supply, and companies in other business-friendly states. As a result of the confluence of events, Skip and Jill have decided to build a new home and take up residency in Florida. In the photo, Skip is sailing with friends in the Virgin Islands.

In addition to enjoying time with family, Skip has traveled all seven continents. He is a member of the Lakeville Rotary and recently served on three non-profit boards. He is a gardener, skier, and avid sailor. He has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from The Canary Islands to St. Lucia and the Mediterranean from Greece to Gibraltar. He has logged more than 40,000 miles of sailing so far with more adventures into the foreseeable future.

In the picture above, Skip is enjoying a Gopher Football Game with his buddies.

Episode 344: Building Multi-Million Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part II

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Episode 343: Building Multi-Billion Dollar Businesses with Skip Thaler, Part I

An obsession with opportunities started in his twenties for Skip Thaler, a multi-venture entrepreneur. We start when Skip is out of graduate school and working at IBM. His entrepreneurial mind recognized his first business opportunity. This inspires Skip to start a new business and build it into a viable business. He perfects the process of generating millions of dollars in multiple ventures and breaks down his life story by reflecting on learned lessons. This first of three conversations lays the foundation of Skip’s entrepreneurial lifestyle. His ability to recognize opportunities and develop businesses from them is not unique to him. It is a unique skill set that all entrepreneurs possess and often take for granted or don’t realize that others do not see opportunities as they do, nor do they want to risk their livelihoods to pursue a higher goal that potentially could fail. That is one of the reasons why it takes so much energy to get new products and services into the marketplace. We must help others see the opportunity and convince them that the risk of trying our new products or services in their stores or investing in your new venture is worth it. Skip summarizes five lessons from his first ventures, including a 5-5-2 theory he learned from his tire business that you won’t want to miss. You will get an answer to this question, is this theory what led him to his next venture with Tires Plus? I first aired this series on November 23, 2020. That year turned into a liquidating year for Skip. Instead of expanding his real estate holdings, a confluence of events led him to sell his properties. The coronavirus pandemic hit. Riots in Minneapolis and a growing adverse political climate towards Minneapolis businesses created a negative environment for business property owners. We still feel the impact of that time and subsequent events since then. We also discuss often not talked about issues like the financial and emotional sacrifices loved ones need to make. The degree of discipline it takes to become profitable. The experimentation required when implementing new business ideas. And the ethical, moral, and emotional health and well-being challenges. You will hear how Skip addresses these challenges as we begin analyzing each multi-million-dollar venture. Skip’s success is tempered by humility and compassion for others. He is the first to tell you that marrying his high school sweetheart, Jill Kroll, and building a life together raising their three children and now six grandchildren are one of the best decisions he has made. Dolly Parton described her ambition at age 74 during a Friday evening PBS Newshour episode that sparked a thought about Skip. Dolly Parton described her purpose and inspiration—releasing a Netflix musical and her first album in 30 years in 2020, A Holly Dolly Christmas—by saying, “I would rather wear out than rust out.” Skip has embraced that same philosophy, as have I. Enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOAD 

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. 

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Strategies to Grow Your Business

Meaningful Conversations

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SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Tires Plus History Tires Plus History Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:Take this risk: Review your venture. Crunch this year’s numbers. Assess what is going on in your industry. Make a list of the opportunities you see within your industry. Ask yourself, where can I seize an opportunity to develop, shape, and mold in 2023?Apply Self-Compassion: Sit with the list of opportunities and focus on your breath for six minutes.

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Episode 342: 5 Levels of Conversation and a Mother and Daughter’s Business Transition

Did you know that 80% of businesses worldwide are family-owned? And second-generation companies have only a 30% survival rate, according to the Family Business Institute. Tune in to hear how Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain managed a successful business transition of ownership from mother to daughter. Plus, we discuss five levels of conversation that you can use to deepen your connections during the holiday season. Dr. Zachary has been cited as “one of the top 100 minds in leadership today.” She and Lisa Fain, her daughter, were deliberate about their purpose and values, identifying a process and developing a plan. The ownership transition of the Center for Mentoring Excellence began four years before the official handoff in 2018. A coach worked with both of them and didn’t shy away from asking Dr. Zachary tough questions to help her psychologically and emotionally let go. Writing an operational manual gave Dr. Zachary a path to transfer knowledge and decades’ worth of documents, research, client information, etc. This operating manual also helped prepare Lisa to take over. Dr. Zacharay said Lisa brought freshness, curiosity, and inclusiveness into their mentoring work, especially essential now. Their formula worked, and I am grateful to re-air our conversation from November of 2021 and what worked for them. Dr. Zachary also breaks down five levels of conversation: monologue, transaction, interaction, collaborative engagement, and dialogue. In healthy relating, each person’s needs are considered equally—the same with conversation. Monologues are few and far between. The approach with each other respectfully moves to collaborative engagement and meaningful dialogue with a focus on understanding and strengthening the connection. These conversations are heartfelt, with genuine feelings and an understanding that you both are doing the best you can. You feel your authentic self when you finish the conversation. There are common misconceptions about mentoring and the cycle of mentoring that we clarify to finish our conversation with what they are looking forward to. Below is a beautiful acknowledgment Lois and Lisa included at the end of the book they co-authored, Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring. “We acknowledge each other with love, admiration, and deep gratitude. It is rare indeed that a mother and daughter get to collaborate professionally. What a privilege it has been for us to co-author this book. We encouraged each other to bring our special magic to Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring and were able to weave our subject matter expertise and varied experiences together to create a book that reflects and elevates our strengths and passions.” I don’t think a mother and daughter relationship can get much better than that. They agreed. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.   

Podcast Sponsor

Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

Strategies to Grow Your Business

Meaningful Conversations

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Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses Leadership Lessons from Great Family Businesses (hbr.org) Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: If you haven’t, purchase Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring by Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain. Then, choose a relationship you want to move from transactional interactions to collaborative conversations. Get curious and excited to learn something new about this person. Once you have decided which person to try this out with, schedule a phone conversation or in-person meeting.

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Episode 341: What Lisa Fain Learned Growing Up in an Entrepreneurial Home

Lisa Fain, C.E.O. of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, says that growing up in a 1980s entrepreneurial home gave her a sense of purpose, place, and accountability. It reinforced an understanding that Lisa could contribute to the world, shape her work, and be independent. This independent thinking started in her formative years when Lisa and her brother were encouraged to make plans and prepare their meals. When Dr. Lois Zachary founded Leadership Development Services, L.L.C., and its Center for Mentoring Excellence, her daughter, Lisa Fain, was in high school. Women entrepreneurship was on the rise, “according to the 1988 State of Small Business Report, the number of sole proprietorships owned by women increased 62 percent between 1980 and 1986. I found this impressive since women weren’t encouraged to start businesses until 1972, with a few exceptions like Mary Kay Ash, who founded Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1963.  In 1972, the floodgates opened for women when Title IX (a federal civil rights act) was passed prohibiting sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from our federal government. Women’s organized sports began their rise alongside business ownership because federal monies started flowing into them. Now, “women account for 41% of the global workforce and control more than $20 trillion in annual spending. Predictions are that this number will go up to $28 trillion in the next few years.”  As Dr. Zachary built her educational consultancy and her husband, Ed Zachary expanded his legal firm in Syracuse, New York; they still managed to be present and engaged parents. Role modeling the benefits of fulfilling work fueled Lisa’s entrepreneurial spirit that sprouted in her 30s and 40s. Hear how Lisa took her diverse interests in political science, sociology, and economics with a social justice bend to acquire an interdisciplinary degree from Northwestern University in Chicago. Two required courses taught by a cherished mentor helped Lisa understand ways to repair the world. Eventually, she became a lawyer, mediator, coach, and C.E.O. at the Center for Mentoring Excellence. Other Conversation Highlights

Although not a fair way to measure oneself, comparing Lisa’s start to someone else’s finish was a benefit in determining Lisa’s major. The next generation. They are raising Talia and Emily with David in their entrepreneurial home. Lisa’s lifework of inclusion, diversity, and equity. Creating a mentoring culture for retention and attraction. Insights into Millennials and Gen Zs. Alternatives to the Peanut Butter approach.

My conversation with Lisa sparked my curiosity to research the newest female entrepreneurship statistics. I am excited to report that we’re progressing globally on inclusion, diversity, and equity. Check out the statistics below. Key Female Entrepreneurship 2022 Statistics 

22.4% of small business owners in the U.S. are women. 17% of black women are in the process of starting or running a new business. The female entrepreneurial activity rate in the U.S. is 13.6%. 14% of women-owned businesses employ between 11 and 50+ workers. Women represent 50% of entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Women made up 36.8% of Canadian business owners in 2021. South Asia has less than 20% of female entrepreneurs. Women-owned and controlled enterprises create direct employment for about 27 million people in India.

Women entrepreneurship thrived during the 2020/2021 crisis, according to the world’s foremost study of worldwide entrepreneurship, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (G.E.M.). Amanda Elam, a G.E.M. researcher, Research Fellow at Babson College’s Diana International Research Institute, and the lead author of the G.E.M. 2020/2021 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report, said there is a “slow shift in the narrative on women’s entrepreneurship from encouraging a high number of startups ...

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Episode 340: 4 Key Concepts to Bridging Differences with Dr. Lois Zachary

Happy Halloween!  Here is a Reader’s Digest joke for you that isn’t scary. Q: The maker of this product does not want it, the buyer does not use it, and the user does not see it. What is it?A: A coffin.   October 27th was National Mentoring Day. I retrieved this groundbreaking conversation from the archives to elevate mentoring and acknowledge two luminaries in the field of mentoring excellence. A mother-and-daughter team focused on inclusion. Dr. Lois Zachary discusses her background, defines mentoring and the difference between coaching and mentoring, and four key concepts that can bridge differences in mentoring relationships. I say ‘groundbreaking conversation’ because in 1972 when Dr. Lois Zachary started her career, there were over 400,000 women-owned businesses in America. Today, more than 13 million businesses are owned by women thanks to women like Dr. Lois Zachary, who pioneered a path for us. Her daughter, Lois Fain, is the new CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence to role model what they preach, teach, and write about in Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring. Their newest and first co-authored book.  Dr. Lois Zachary is an internationally recognized expert on mentoring and has been cited as “one of the top 100 minds in leadership” today. You’ve likely seen mention of Dr. Zachary’s books, or read her quotes, in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Inc. magazine, T&D, Leadership Excellence, The Chronicle of Higher Education, or other business and leadership news outlets. “Mentors and mentees may come from different backgrounds and have a limited understanding of each other’s cultures and outlooks, but mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for inclusion, professional development, and talent retention,” writes Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain. Listen as we focus on how Lois Zachary became the author, Ph.D. graduate, and entrepreneurial leader who founded Leadership Development Services, LLC and its Center for Mentoring Excellence. You will also learn Dr. Zachary’s definition of mentoring, the difference between coaching and mentoring, and four key concepts that bridge differences in mentoring relationships. You will also learn that she has a supportive husband, Ed. They married within six months of meeting in 1969 and have two adult children. Mentoring Definition Dr. Zachary and her daughter, Lisa Fain, define mentoring as “a reciprocal learning relationship in which a mentor and mentee agree to a partnership where they work collaboratively toward achievement of mutually defined goals that will develop a mentee’s skills, abilities, knowledge, and/or thinking.” They focus on “four key concepts that relate most closely to bridging differences in a mentoring relationship: reciprocal, learning, relationship, and partnering.” Tune in to learn more about these four key concepts. Also, learn how adults make meaning and a big reveal at the end of our conversation. A hint, guess her maiden name. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. 

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Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation leadership works!

Strategies to Grow Your Business

Meaningful Conversations

Evolve How You Lead

Get Support, Insight, Accountability

SUBSCRIBE NOW    HIRE A MENTOR       Episode Resources 20 Compelling Women Entrepreneur Statistics 20 Compelling Women Entrepreneurs Statistics – What To Become Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: The first step in starting a mentoring relationship is preparing. Are you ready to begin a mentoring relationship? Start with a short self-analysis inventory. List some leadership successes you have had.

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Episode 339: Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows with Dr. Melanie Joy

Every day we are confronted with a relational paradox that begs an answer to these two questions. “What enables caring people to participate in, or otherwise support, practices that harm others, be they human or nonhuman? And what, then, could help shift this psychological orientation?” Questions Dr. Melanie Joy found answers to by researching the psychosociology of eating animals, a phenomenon she named carnism. What Dr. Joy concluded is this. “Eating (certain) animals results from extensive social and psychological conditioning that causes naturally empathic and rational people to distort their perceptions and block their empathy so that they act against their values of compassion and justice without fully realizing what they’re doing. In other words, carnism teaches us to violate the Golden Rule without knowing or caring that we’re doing so.” Deconstructing our carnistic system taught her how violent or oppressive ideologies are structured. (Powerarchy, 2019) When Melanie was twenty-three years old, she ate a contaminated hamburger (campylobacter) and became severely sick, needing hospitalization. Surviving this incident—and questioning other aspects of how she and most of the rest of us were raised—took her on a journey from meat-eater, and vegetarian to vegan and activist, theorist, author, social entrepreneur, and the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award validating her work on global nonviolence. The Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela received this same award. You can hear her brilliance as we discuss Why we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows. Today, our purpose is not to convince you to eat a plant-based diet. Our goal is to expand your awareness about choices and encourage becoming an ally. What compelled our family to become vegan in 2021 was a long journey that began by reading World Peace Diet by Will Tuttle, Ph.D., during yoga teacher training in 2016. Dr. Tuttle’s belief floored me. It was a disturbing ‘aha’ moment. He believes we will not have world peace until we stop killing animals. Growing up on a dairy farm, I was initially horrified by how many animals we killed and ate. I realized we were not allowed to name our cows and pigs because seeing these animals as pets would make it almost impossible to kill them, so we were taught emotional detachment. Of course, our farmers aren’t in the business of killing animals. They are in the business of raising animals and crops to provide food to others, us consumers. What does a farmer do when their livelihood needs to change? They reconfigure their businesses. You will find out how a global sausage maker transformed his business. Pondering that new awareness about how I grew up, our daughter, Olivia, encouraged us to watch documentaries like Cowspiracy, Inconvenient Truth, Blackfish, Seaspiracy, and What The Health. After that last documentary, we committed to going 98% vegan. There are situations where there are no plant-food based, so we allow ourselves to choose.  My learning continues. I have read books like How Not To Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM and founder of nutritionfacts.org, and The Proof is in The Plants by Simon Hill. What has made it easier to live a plant-based lifestyle was helped with the results of today’s Guest Mentor’s work and Dr. Melanie Joy’s collaborations with other organizations to transform how food producers and manufacturers run their businesses. A positive consequence is more options in the grocery store. Transitioning to plant-based foods is more accessible now because we have more choices, i.e., coconut and almond milk, chia seeds to replace sugar, beyond burgers, and the Impossible and Violife products to replace animal by-products like beef, sausage, and dairy. The evidence is compelling if you do not want to die from heart disease, lung disease, digestive cancers, infections,

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Episode 338: Building Relational Literacy with Dr. Melanie Joy

In 2021, our daughter, Olivia, turned me on to Guest Mentor Dr. Melanie Joy. I have devoured her books, podcast conversations, and TEDTALKs. I use her relational literacy tips by noticing the flexibility that love and acceptance bring. I align boundaries around my values of fairness and kindness, for example. Or, notice how I feel when my rights are overstepped, angry, and feel empowered to do something constructive about it. As a result, I feel more connected with those in my life, and you can too.  Enjoy this transformative podcast conversation I am re-airing to promote relational literacy to get us out of the dark ages. Melanie is an amazingly gifted, brilliant social psychologist, theorist, educator, and international award-winning author of six books. She is a pioneer with a global mission to raise awareness of the obstacles preventing people from interacting in ways that create a sense of mutual connection. These obstacles are internal (psychological) and external (social), which are key reasons why we act against our interests and others—often without realizing that we’re doing so. With awareness, we can think freely and act compassionately to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships and a more equitable and sustainable world. Melanie says, “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” She has been influential in raising my awareness and has helped me transform my behaviors in three areas we talk about: how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the world at large. Today we discuss one of her six books. A one-stop guide to building relational literacy, Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work. We haven’t been taught relational literacy. As a result, we are in the dark ages. You will understand more as you listen. Our conversation will facilitate your ability to move the pendulum toward healthier relating; even a little movement makes a difference. Some of the gems in our conversation include:

How we have bought into the narratives that drive unconscious choices. The mentality and thinking behind nonrelational behaviors. Two sides to a coin, the nonrelational and relational.

The Formula for Healthy Relating. Tips for Healthy Expressing. Solving life’s more pressing problems start with learning relational literacy. Hear how that is possible and how it relates to the issues you are solving through your business entity.

Melanie joins me in conversation from Berlin, Germany, where she lives with her husband and colleague, Sebastian Joy. They are interdependent, powerful together, and apart. Successful and connected in their life work. You will learn how they practice healthy relating personally and as world leaders. Sebastian is transforming food systems by working with world leaders replacing conventional animal products with plant-based and cultured alternatives. Melanie is building relational literacy facilitating transformation in how we participate in the invisible belief system, or ideology, that conditions us to eat certain animals, known as carnism. A term coined by Melanie in 2001.  This a transformative conversation because it is thought-provoking. You won’t want to miss it. DOWNLOAD

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Episode 337: What takes precedence your entity or its mission?

“It matters what we do,” says Dr. Daniel Libby of the Veterans Yoga Project. He is on a mission to support recovery and resilience among our veterans, families, and communities. And has the data to prove it. Daniel Libby is the founder and executive director of the Veterans Yoga Project and believes its mission takes precedence over its entity. Find out why he says this. Veterans Yoga Project reaches over 2000 veterans monthly through yoga and mindfulness practices. Daniel knows and has the data that compassion fatigue can be transformed into compassionate resilience, which is particularly relevant as we evolve with the covid-19 pandemic.   How do you answer the question: “What is more important: Your entity or its mission?” Does it make a difference whether the entity is a for-profit business or a non-profit organization? Daniel’s original vision, mission, and philosophy of organically growing his venture have stayed the same, but everything else has changed. Common in entrepreneurship, where you start isn’t necessarily where you meet the needs of those you serve. The real work begins with deep diving into understanding how your mission and offerings can adapt to client needs and the changing marketplace. The landscape in providing Yoga to veterans changed even before 2020. You can contrast Daniel’s journey to see how it mimics or differs from your entrepreneurial journey when you tune in to our podcast conversation. Despite my overzealous attempt to add value, it was refreshing to hear Daniel’s surprise as he acquired new leadership skills and expressed how his mission grew after conducting a survey with 170 VA treatment centers. Daniel published the study in 2012 in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy which expanded awareness. The study showed that yoga teachers in V.A. treatment centers had no training in military culture and P.T.S.D. A lack of space and government funding were barriers to helping veterans heal and lead successful lives. In 2018, when I first aired this conversation, the government started implementing yoga offerings for veterans as a whole health initiative. A huge success! Daniel was pleased. Expanding awareness by publishing his study prompted more government funding to support veterans in addressing all stages of their recovery. With the results in hand, Daniel changed his business model and added military culture and P.T.S.D. sensitivity into his yoga teacher training and works with government agencies to provide space and funding so veterans, their families, and our communities can access a full range of mind-body practices that facilitate recovery and resilience. He is counting his wins. Our conversation brings us full circle to last week’s conversation about leadership and burnout and the benefits of mindfulness and yoga practices. Ensuring the business model and mission of the Veterans Yoga Project are congruent with veteran offerings is an ongoing process. Since 2020, they have added resiliency training for first responders, caregivers, and more. Life is hard and full of challenges. The more we plant our feet on the ground, the more impact we can make and the less likely we are to discount our influence in the world. A statement Daniel emphasizes at the end of our conversation. Daniel also says, “If you haven’t served in the military, Veterans Yoga Project is an opportunity for you to give to those who have served.” Consider how you can get involved. Daniel has embraced the phrase, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” Check out the 9th Annual Veterans Gratitude Week & a Warrior Salute, November 4 -13, 2022. DOWNLOAD Insights into mindfulness and Yoga In Wherever You Go There You Are, Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness “as an ancient Buddhist practice that has profound relevance for our present-day lives. This relevance has nothing to do with Buddhism per se or with becoming a Buddhist,

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Episode 336: Creating Space for Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Daniel Libby

What is the opposite of leadership? “Burnout,” says Dr. Daniel Libby. If you are starting today with feelings of stress and overwhelm or fatigue, this conversation with Daniel Libby, Ph.D., R.Y.T., founder and executive director of the Veteran Yoga Project, can help. We discuss those feelings and a few techniques to alter your neurological pathways to relieve stress and burnout. You can join in on a breathing exercise at the end of our conversation and continue with it after listening. We met on April 9th, 2018, when Daniel launched the Veteran Yoga Project in the Twin Cities with yoga classes and teacher training for those working with veterans. My husband, Matthew Foli, and I took one of his yoga classes later featured on the local news station, KSTP. Daniel’s calming and soothing voice melted away any stress I felt before we started our conversation and after listening to it a second time before re-airing it today. Daniel lives with his wife and now 10-year-old daughter in Alameda, California. He grew up in the Queens Village of New York, describing his upbringing with his brother as latchkey kids supported by their extended family. He has also lived in Florida, Washington, and Montana. Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana, is where Daniel found his direction in the world as an integrative healer helping others through bodywork for the mind and soul. He went from being a physical therapist and massage therapist to becoming a clinical psychologist when psycho-emotional content arose as he worked on people’s bodies. Interweaving the body and mind, soul and spirit, and entrepreneurship has created a meaningful life for Daniel and those he mentors. His entrepreneurial characteristics of applying his learnings and passion for holistic healing emerged during yoga teacher training. He studiously organized the resources to launch the Veterans Yoga Project in 2010. The entity’s transition into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2014 positioned Daniel to emerge as a national entity offering yoga to veterans and their families and yoga teacher training. Although Daniel is not a veteran, he has traced his family roots, noting that his grandfather fought in the Korean War and WWII. His Uncle Jimmy was killed in an Air Force accident about seven months after enlisting. Daniel was four years old at the time. That traumatic event affected his parents and, subsequently, him. “Scars of war linger,” he says. Calling challenges into our lives through business ownership and innovation is stressful. Honoring our body, mind, and spirit is the best way to lead, influence others, and do excellent work is what Daniel believes, as do I. Through yoga, post-traumatic stress converts to post-traumatic growth, where veterans and their families attune their goals to their values and master themselves. Yoga is a system for self-mastery in the leadership of the mind, body, and spirit. Breathing, moving, and resting makes us more excellent. Simple tools can help you continue to grow as a leader, like recognizing your signs and symptoms of burnout, compassion fatigue, overwhelm, and stress. One of the symptoms of burnout is feeling like what you are doing is ineffective or doesn’t matter. To counter burnout, we discuss celebrating wins by tracking them. I talk about my dad achieving a lingering goal to build a cabin. See the pictures of his round cabin and our (Matthew Foli – my husband, our daughter, Olivia, and my parents) celebrating the 37-year goal thought to be unreachable at age 83. He did it! It reminds us to never give up on those goals deep inside us and celebrate our accomplishments.

Since this aired, a lot has happened that I can update you on in a future podcast episode. For now, enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOAD Sign up for a weekly yoga class on Tuesday evenings with me HERE. You can recover from trauma, distractions, habits, thoughtlessness, confusion,

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Episode 335: Fantastic Client News and How to Sustain Your Focus

Fantastic Client News! Mohamud Ali and Saido Jama founded Midwest Bakery & Café in 2019. I have been working with them to get their Halal whole wheat and white loaves of bread and whole wheat hoagie buns into Cub Foods on 28th and Lake Street in Minneapolis to test the market. Guess what? We did it! Midwest Bakery & Café is now in its first Cub Foods grocery store. (For those of you outside of the midwest. Cub Foods is a supermarket chain of 45 stores.) Congratulations to Mohamud and Saido and their family! On the first day, we sold out and rushed to refill the order. The two bottom shelves are now bread. The detergent was replaced. We moved so fast that I didn’t get a picture of Saido and their adult children working to fill the orders. They have expanded their customer base from restaurants and daycare centers to Cub Foods customers. The demand for their loaves of bread and hoagie buns is growing. I am thrilled to collaborate with them to expand their bakery and evolve their businesses. They also own Midwest Auto Repairs. I’ll have them on the podcast soon so you can hear them describe their multi-venture entrepreneurial journey. Among the many things I appreciate about Mohamud and Saido is that they reached out for mentoring so I could help them cross this particular finish line and set the next big goal. They knew they needed help getting their six types of loaves of bread and hoagies buns on the shelves at Cub Foods. I knew I could deliver. In under a week, they have passed the market test. Now, we can work steadily to evolve with the needs of their customers and set new processes and systems in place to maintain efficiency as the demand continues to grow and the offerings expand to other locations.  You can purchase their loaves of bread and hoagie buns at 28th and Lake Street. I just had one for lunch after helping them fill orders; it was so good. The picture is Mohamud delivering their first order last week. With fast growth, sustaining focus under pressure is critical. Today’s podcast meditation will help you sustain your focus with the pressures you are under. How to Sustain Your Focus Can you focus on the right things at the right time, most of the time? If so, you are practicing the first of four aspects connected with one mind skill: FOCUS. To start focusing, we need to direct our attention to what we want to think about. We then sustain attention as long as we need and want to, controlling impulses and noticing when our attention wanders and redirecting our mind back to its focal point. Once the task is complete, we can relax our attention, resting our minds for a few minutes before directing our attention to a new task. Sounds easy, right? We resist so often what is good for us, especially when it comes to our minds. Sitting down for a few minutes to calm our thoughts and let go is difficult. Sometimes, I find it challenging to sit with myself, especially if I feel anxious or have nervous energy. This means something big lurks underneath all that nervousness, and I don’t know if I want to know what it is just yet. Giving myself permission to sit and see what happens takes the pressure off. Last week we practiced Directing Focus. Today is the complimentary 6-minute meditation; How to Sustain Your Focus. I first aired this episode on March 7, 2022. Both meditations give your mind something to do while you sit. You can return to your focal point whenever you get distracted, or your thoughts drift. Where does focus fit in the grand scheme of building a healthy mind? According to The Center for Healthy Minds, it is connected to awareness. The first place we start when we make a behavior change, we become self-aware and shift our focus. The four areas below are what a regular meditation practice helps us do after we open our eyes.

Awareness: means practicing presence, focus, and self-awareness.

Connection: means practicing appreciation,

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Episode 334: Direct Your Focus and Eliminate Distraction

Have you ever felt challenged to direct your focus? Today more than ever, right? Every time I turn on my phone, my ability to stay focused on a task is challenged. Even in our physical environments, we can enter a room to get something and forget what we need in that room once there. Only to leave the room, remember, and then schlep back to get the forgotten item. Distraction is time-consuming and toxic. What if we could reverse the trend by learning to catch ourselves before getting distracted? I aired this 6-minute meditation in February of this year and feel this change in seasons is an excellent time to practice directing our attention. An ability to keep your focus, control impulses, and keep your mind from wandering directionless. Focus is a skill set with four aspects: directing, sustaining, noticing, and relaxing attention. Directing attention is focusing on the right things at the right time, like a flashlight shedding light on the task. Because meditation can reduce lapses in attention and positively impact our work and relationships, we can all learn this first aspect of focus. After you complete the 6-minute meditation, share it with your leadership team, staff, and family. You can hear what others go through in learning this skill of directing our attention to the right things at the right time.   The inspiration for this meditation originated from Healthy Minds Innovation and Healthy Minds @Work. I recommend downloading the free Healthy Minds APP to track your progress as you build a calm, clear, and stable mind. It is not unlike building muscles in other parts of the body. Repetitions, consistency, and intensity strengthen muscle tissue in different muscle groups building skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles over time. Researchers have found that regular meditators have stronger activation levels in the temporal parietal junctures, a part of the brain where we feel empathy. You practice cognitive control whenever you bring your attention back to your focal point. Imagine being in a meditative state of mindful alertness all day. Directing your attention here and there, feeling empowered and joyful, not distracted with toxicity growing inside. It is possible with a mindful meditation practice. DOWNLOAD

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources Healthy Minds Innovations Healthy Minds Innovations   Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: DOWNLOAD and complete this 6-minute meditation exercise to learn how to direct your attention. You can start each day this week with this meditation as an experimental challenge to focus on the right things at the right time. Take charge throughout the day by noticing when you get distracted and redirect your attention to the task you must complete.

Apply Self-Compassion: Notice your feelings when you get off track. Allow your mind to relax in open awareness observing the sensations in your body and the sounds around you. Gently redirect your attention and continue completing the task at hand.

Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate being able to prepare a directed attention meditation exercise for you. I appreciate the importance of having mind flexibility and control over where we direct our attention. I appreciate the efforts you are putting in to assert self-leadership through disciplined practices like meditation to improve your mindset. I am grateful to pass on cherished practices that deliver real improvements in our abili...

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Episode 333: A Serious Way of Looking at Food and Your Imprint

God Bless Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022), who passed on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Affection for the Queen will be in many of our memories.      Her stability and consistency are something we love about her. When I was born in 1961, Queen Elizabeth II, mother of three at the time, was doing Royal Tours addressing 250,000 people in India. She was eight years into her 70-year reign as Queen. Can you imagine leading and being a role model of stability and formality of the monarchy for that length of time? “Elizabeth remained determinedly committed to the hallmark aloofness, formality, and pageantry in preserving its mystique that underpinned its existence and survival. Her courtyard reserved manner changed little,” as noted in The New York Times (9/9/22). The Queen’s tours in India reminded me of today’s Guest Mentor, Gita Mazumdar. Gita was born in India. Our two conversations aired at the end of 2019. Here is our first conversation, if you missed it. In our second conversation, you will hear Gita’s profound way of looking at food and your imprint through her project, Mystic Murrabba. Gita’s mantra, “From the earth came seed, from seed came to the food. From food came man. Man is essentially the essence of food.” “This is a reminder,” says Gita, “of where we are as a big chain in the cycle of one part of this larger aspect of being.” Mike Kabeya is my sound engineer, videographer, and photographer. After recording our two conversations, Mike and I had a good laugh. We were leaving Gita’s home in St. Paul, MN, and Mike leaned over and said, “I have never thought that much about food.” I paused a minute to take in the way he said, “I have NEVER thought THAT MUCH about FOOD,” and burst out laughing. That is so true, isn’t it. Chef Gita has the well-being of others and their bellies in mind when she prepares her food. When you are not the preparer, little, if any, of one’s time is spent thinking about food. Our bellies were pleasantly satisfied when we left, and our view of food forever changed. A part of what led me to become a vegan, but that is a topic for another day. Entrepreneurs are the preparers of innovations they infuse into the marketplace. Gita brings home-cooked community service and speaks to the conundrum every entrepreneur I know thinks about and needs to work through when creating an entity (for-profit or not-for-profit). When taking your idea into the marketplace, will I lose myself and what I am trying to achieve? Another way of asking the question is, will I compromise a part of me and my vision in a way that doesn’t feel right by legalizing my business? Will it be sanitized and distilled to a degree where I will lose all the joy and effervescence of creating it? Will it be disconnected from the Ecosystem? How can I sustain it, stay human, do my lifework, and participate constructively in our Ecosystem? Gita tried creating a commercial entity. You will hear how she used the commercialization process to clarify what she is doing. Can that work in the American system if you abandon a for-profit entity and create a community project named Mystic Murrabba? Learn how she has carved out a niche that nourishes her local community and aligns with her Ayurvedic way of living and being in the community with others. I received an email from Gita yesterday. She is in London with her husband, Jim, visiting the year-round farmers markets, taking long walks, and writing her cookbook. She says, "my book is creeping along, but is shaping into something cohesive." That sounds familiar. Enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOAD          NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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Episode 332: Food Connects Us

Happy Labor Day! We’re keeping people employed in America, with 9.5 million jobs added to the economy since 2021. Unemployment is at a 53-year low of 3.5%. For the history of Labor Day and other statistics, click here. We’re doing it. I have been writing my book, working on client projects, and revamping WeMentor Mondays with Nancy podcast for the two months since my last post. I am sure you have been working hard too. I have updates on all three fronts. The writing continues. I have a wise editor flushing out concepts and helping me keep the content coming. Steady progress. Updating you on client projects I am working on is a no-no in mentoring because entrepreneurial leadership development is confidential. I can say that infusing new products and services into the marketplace is centered around end-user acceptance, our nimbleness in responding to consumer demand, and ruling out avenues for growth not penetrable. Not every end-user wants what we are selling. Exploring which avenues are viable for growth and which are not is time-consuming. Here are a few tips. Viewing each ‘no’ as a step closer to getting a ‘yes’ keeps your mind focused on completing the task. Rejection is part of our job as disruptors. I practice and encourage persistence, perseverance, and patience as part of the pursuit. The critical ‘Ps’ require us to keep learning, clarifying, and doing the navigational work to bring new opportunities to fruition. Even in everyday life, you can encounter rejection. I asked a Lunds & Byerly’s baker to add a happy birthday to my father-in-law’s half-red velvet birthday cake and was met with a surprise ‘no, I can’t do that.’ After offering a few more rejected ideas, I finally said, ‘please find your way to yes.’ And she did. Keep finding creative ways to get your products and services through what initially appears to be a closed door. After all, we are dealing with other humans and their processes. Whether you are selling directly to consumers like at the State Fair or whether you are working at getting your products into a big box retailer. We just need to find the next customer who says yes. I am re-airing my 1st of two podcast conversations with Guest Mentor Gita Mazumdar today. I want to coordinate new podcast conversations with the content in my book, so book completion comes first. New podcast conversations will air in 2023. Gita Mazumdar says, “She was made in India, on the coconutty west coast along the Arabian Sea. What luck to have been nurtured by a playful father, an orderly mother, and both her grandmothers.” In Gita’s first few years, “she was held for long hours by her beloved Badi, an elderly Adivasi (indigenous) woman who cared for her while her parents, both doctors, worked. Gita’s first food was Badi’s unusual grains cooked in clay. Gita cried for Badi when they moved away from that early home. The story is that Gita refused food, chanting ‘Badi’ a hundred and eight times before her father lost count. Her paternal grandmother, Mein, prepared bhakri, confident that it would break the spell. Hours past bedtime, Mein placed the spiced bread in front of Gita. She regarded it silently, looked up, and wailed ‘Baadiiii!” Exasperated, Mein said, ‘Eat your Badi’s fat chapattis’ and snapped off the lights. The next morning, there were no signs of bhakri and no more chanting.” This is how I begin today’s podcast conversation with Gita Mazumdar. An Ayurvedic Indian Cuisine chef, photographer, wife, mother, friend, filmmaker, and conscientious community connector. She continues describing a life that eventually circles back to her paternal grandmother Mean’s recipes and how women pass on their stories from one generation to another. Food is at the center of things. Read More and Download EPISODE I Food is at the Center of Everything | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Speaking of food. Today is also the last day of State Fairs across the United States.

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Episode 331: An Announcement, An Incredible True Story, and My Oatbake Recipe

Announcement   We are taking a summer podcast break so I can finish my book, work on client projects, and revamp our podcast. You can look forward to new episodes in September.  In the meantime, listen to a few podcast episodes below and try my new breakfast recipe. I would love to get your feedback. An Incredible True Story I have An Incredible True Story three-part podcast series with the author of Marcel’s Letters, Carolyn Porter. Our first conversation aired on December 18, 2017. Carolyn Porter is an unlikely person to find herself on a mysterious hunt to find a family across the continent and embark on a journey that almost costs her her life. Who would have thunk that a graphic designer and typography geek would be leading such an exciting life?! You can listen to all three episodes. Her book is also a great summer read and is one of my favorites. DOWNLOAD EPISODE I Part II   An Incredible True Story, Part II | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Part III  An Incredible True Story, Part III | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST My Oatbake Recipe As an experiment on January 15, 2021, Matthew, Olivia, and I decided to try a plant-based lifestyle. Matthew says we are 98% vegan, which gives us flexibility when needed, like at the graduation parties we attended in June. Of the 10 graduation parties, I caved once and ate some fried chicken tenders. I was grateful for the chicken that gave its life to end up on my plate. One and a half years later, we are still at it. Feeling great and happy with our choice. The key is having choices. My experimentation with new recipes continues. One morning after a walk around Lake of the Isles, we stopped at Isles Bun and Coffee Shop in Minneapolis. I ordered an oatmeal bake for the first time. OMG! Quickly, I became obsessed and needed to figure out how to make an oatmeal bake. After trying a few recipes, I came up with my own version: WeMentor Oatbake. My sister, Monica, coined the name after tasting it. Here is the recipe for the chef to try in your house. It is a bit labor-intensive but well worth the effort. It can last an entire week. WeMentor Oatbake Recipe Enjoy the Summer Thanks for staying connected. Have an enjoyable and worthwhile summer being you and doing what matters, our troubled world needs your humanity. You know where to find me if you need mentoring. See you with renewed inspiration in September. With Joy and Appreciation, Nancy.     Matthew biking to work. The two of us. NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources WeMentor Oatbake Recipe WeMentor Oatbake Recipe Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Download the WeMentor Oatbake recipe and enjoy a new healthy and yummy breakfast. Do kind things for yourself and others all summer. We need to take care of ourselves and others.Apply Self-Compassion: Self-compassion extends compassion to oneself in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. Kristin Neff has defined self-compassion as comprised of three main elements: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Be kind to yourself. Keep in mind how we are all connected. We are in extremely troubling times and must be mindful of meeting our basic human needs of love, connection, safety, and protection. Welcome Appreciation: “Thanks for listening. I appreciate expression. I appreciate choices. I appreciate our human rights. I appreciate you and will bring more meaningful podcast conversation...

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Episode 330: Inspiration from Art Fry, The Inventor of Post-It Notes

In 2018, I had the pleasure of interviewing Art Fry, the inventor of 3M’s Post-it Notes. He celebrated his 90th birthday last fall, and I thought about our inspirational conversation. I think we need some positivity during these times when our humanity is being challenged. Art is a wonder and expressed the joy of having people always so happy to see him. Post-it Notes is his greatest invention. Enjoy our two podcast conversations and stay focused on doing work that elevates humanity. Darkness is diminished under scrutiny and light. Stay in the boat and ride out the waves. We are going to get through this storm with our humanity intact.  DOWNLOAD   2nd Podcast Conversation with Art Fry                NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (CALM.) Activities, below.  

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources 2nd Podcast Conversation with Art Fry 2nd Podcast Conversation with Art Fry Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Revisit your mission and life purpose. Write down three core values and what makes your life worthwhile. Make an intention to live your values and commit to doing purposeful work each morning.Apply Self-Compassion: Open heart, kind words, soft gaze. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Art Fry and his brilliance, generosity, and creative spirit. I use Post-It Notes every day. Thank you, Art, for doing what it took to invent such useful sticky pieces of paper.” Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Mentor, Art Fry. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”  “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!! Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.  Podcast Guest Mentor

About Arthur Fry. Art Fry is a retired chemical engineer and inventor from 3M. In 1974, Art used an only-slightly sticky adhesive invented by Dr. Spencer Silver to secure bookmarks in his church hymnals. When the bookmarks were removed, they left a sticky residue on the hymnals' pages, so Art tinkered with the chemical formula to make the adhesive even less sticky. It took several years for supervisors at 3M to see the value in a glue that did not stick well. Post-It® Notes were introduced in 1980, in 1985 sales topped $100M, and by 1998 annual sales of Post-It notes and other products based on Silver's adhesive generated a billion dollars in sales annually. Fry and Silver, being employees, never received any royalties, but in 1986 Fry was honored with the company's top technical title, corporate researcher. "My biggest reward," he said, "is to see so many people use and appreciate my product."Art has received the following recognition and awards for his inventions.• Elected to 3M Circle of Technical Excellence and Carleton Society• Outstanding Alumni Award, University of Minnesota• Premio Smau Industrial Design Award, Italian Office Design Association• Inducted in the National Inventor's Hall of Fame• 1996 National Medal of Technology awarded to 3M, citing Post-it Notes and Microreplication Technologie...

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Episode 329: The Gift of Recognizing Patterns

Juneteenth is the 12th federal legal holiday we are celebrating today. The official date is June 19, but it fell on Father’s Day this year. “The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, enslaved people were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation (13th Amendment),” according to History.com.  Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866; many of us weren’t familiar with the holiday until it became a legal holiday on June 17, 2021, and is now recognized as a national holiday. Government employees have a paid day off while private businesses choose how to acknowledge this day. What I would like to say about this day that fits with today’s topic of the gift of recognizing patterns is this. The January 6 Committee Hearings display a deliberate pattern by the 45th President of the United States to overturn our elections. The committee has connected the dots uncovering the horrific truth of what happened in the Oval Office on that terrifying day. I recognize the pattern in how sectors of our population (disgruntled white supremacists and other rogue groups) were manipulated and exploited by the 45th President putting himself above the Constitution and the will of the American people. There are terrorist entrepreneurs like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the principal architect of the 9/11 attacks, and other entrepreneurs with deviant criminal intent trying to override our United States Constitution. All entrepreneurs have an uncanny ability to recognize patterns that help them exploit opportunities either for the greater good of humanity or for their own personal or ego-centric gains at the expense of our humanity. I would like to help you hone your pattern recognition skills and focus your entrepreneurial activities on serving the greater good of humanity. We all benefit from intentional efforts that inspire and unite us toward a kinder, equitable, and more considerate world. Logan Ury sparked the idea for today’s topic. I read about Logan Ury in the New York Times on June 13, 2022. She is an author, behavior scientist, and coach who helps anxious daters and has a self-described gift of “pattern recognition,” an ability to see and synthesize the ruts in someone’s dating history. She has clients complete “relationship audits” to pinpoint blind spots so clients can change their decisions regarding who they date.  Logan’s gift of pattern recognition is an entrepreneurial skill we use to connect the dots to new opportunities for products and services. Logan found a solution to chronic dating through a data-driven approach. She noticed modern dating is more tactical, and clients need a more precise step-by-step approach. She added some prestige to how she works by applying the language of Silicon Valley C.E.O.s to a throng of anxious daters, and it set her on an enormous growth path with her coaching business. Clever, right?   We acquire this cognitive pattern recognition framework through experience collecting seemingly unrelated events and trends and connecting the dots to new opportunities. Three ways to recognize patterns of incoming data: statistical, syntactic, and neural.

Statistical Pattern Recognition – collect observations, study and digest them to infer general rules or concepts that can be applied to new, unseen observations. In entrepreneurship, we use the statistics you gather to understand populations of people or draw a dot from this observation to another.

Syntactic Pattern Recognition or structural pattern recognition is a form of pattern recognition in which each object can be represented by a variable- cardinality set of symbolic, nominal features. Diagrams help with organizing the statistical data you collect to notice patterns. 

Neural network pattern recognition. Artificial Intelligence pattern recognition using neural networks is currently the most popular method for p...

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Episode 328: Priscilla Vang’s Journey from Refugee to U.S. Citizen to Multi-Venture Entrepreneur, Part II

Priscilla Vang is a multi-venture entrepreneur. Thirteen years of corporate accounting and tax preparation, plus two degrees in financial accounting and tax accountancy, prepared Priscilla to launch three connected ventures in 2016. An accounting and tax practice, a payroll processing business, and a staffing firm that educates and assists small business owners in running profitable businesses. Before buying those businesses, Priscilla had a breakdown in 2013. We discuss the confluence of things that led to her breakdown, an ‘aha’ moment, and where she is today. Concerns about the next generations of her Hmong ethnic group are top of mind too. Priscilla knows about raising the next generations. Her son and his wife are expecting their fourth child in July which makes Priscilla a grandmother four times over. In addition, she is connected to a huge family and 66,000 Hmong who live in Minnesota. The largest Hmong ethnic group in the United States. We address Priscilla’s concerns—like lack of motivation and comparisons within families—with solutions and review a program by Professor Helen McGrath called the Bounce Back! Program. “Bounce Back!” is an acronym for some of the foundational principles of resilience. B – Bad times don’t last, and things get better. O - Other people can only help if you share with them. U – Unhelpful thinking only makes you feel worse. N – Nobody is perfect – not you, not your friends, not your family, not anybody! C – Concentrate on the good things in life, no matter how small. E – Everybody suffers; everybody feels pain and experiences setbacks; they are a normal part of life. B – Blame fairly – negative events are often a combination of things you did, things others did, and plain bad luck. A – Accept what you can’t change and try to change what you can. C – Catastrophizing makes things worse — don’t fall prey to believing in the worst interpretation. (In the absence of facts, our minds make up stuff. Don’t assume things.) K – Keep things in perspective. Even the worst moment is but one moment in life. Vulnerability and Shame. One of the reasons we fear vulnerability is because of the feeling of shame. We don’t like feeling shame. Brené Brown, Ph.D. developed the constructive Shame Resilience Theory when she noticed that the fear of being vulnerable hindered meaningful connection with others. To arise out of shame, Dr. Brown discovered four elements of shame resilience:

Recognizing shame and understanding our shame triggers (physical sensations like elevated heart rate or shaking). Practicing critical awareness of ourselves, our environment, and the way things work. Reaching out to others and sharing ourselves and our stories (building a social support network). Speaking shame keeps it from flying under the radar (Graham & Graham, 2015).

As we close, Priscilla explains two special offers for podcast listeners. Have her review your taxes for the prior three years or check your financials to prepare for our next tax season. TWO SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOU:

Priscilla can re-examine the prior three-year taxes for only $225.00. Bookkeeping Review to get your financials in order intact before tax season for only $375.00. Priscilla will review your financials so you can avoid tax extensions. Call 651-776-2222 or email enlightensolution10@gmail.com

Tune in to Priscilla Vang’s Journey from Refugee to Citizen to Multi-Venture Entrepreneur. DOWNLOAD NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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Episode 327: Priscilla Vang’s Journey from Refugee to U.S. Citizen to Multi-Venture Entrepreneur, Part I Priscilla Vang is part of the largest ethnic group in the country who fled from Laos and settled in Minnesota after the Vietnam war ended in 1975; 66,000 Hmong now live in Minnesota. This is Priscilla’s miraculous journey from being a refugee at 2 ½ years old to becoming a United States Citizen and multi-venture entrepreneur.Thirteen years of corporate accounting and tax preparation and two degrees in financial accounting and tax accountancy prepared Priscilla to assert her American dream of business ownership. I met Priscilla in 2018 when she joined one of my WeMentor Entrepreneurial Leadership and Mentoring LABs.At the time, Priscilla was two years into running three connected but different ventures she started in 2016. An accounting and tax practice, a payroll processing business, and a staffing firm that educates and assists small business owners in running profitable businesses and reaching their financial aspirations.That is where she is today. To understand Priscilla and appreciate where the seeds of entrepreneurial leadership were planted, we start with her paternal grandmother in Laos. Priscilla’s Origin Laos is located in the highlands, where a population of 300,000 to 400,000 Hmong lived in small villages. The population gap represents the discrepancy amongst researchers due to insufficient documentation. Babies in the highlands were born at home with midwives and home remedies. “Many of their birthdates were not recorded anywhere,” says Priscilla. Hmong farmers harvested enough crops to be self-sufficient on the land they owned. Opium was the cash crop that sustained them and put their lives in danger. Priscilla speaks of her grandfather’s murder and how her paternal grandmother raised a half dozen children under 10 years old during the Vietnam war. In 1979, she safely crossed the Mekong River to a refugee camp in Thailand with her family.Historical Perspective. The U.S. recruited the Hmong population to fight off communism in the 1960s, known as ‘the secret war’ in Laos. The Vietnam war ended in 1975 when Laos was overtaken by communism, and 150,000 people, including tiny Priscilla with her parents, aunts, uncles, and paternal grandmother, escaped to refugee camps in Thailand and other places.  Priscilla’s maternal grandparents also fled with their family by crossing the Mekong River in boats. (The Mekong River is about 2,700 miles in length; the world’s 12th largest river and the third-longest river in China). Priscilla generally discusses the dangers Hmong refugees encountered and the role opium played in getting infants across the river safely.                       Roughly half the population fled and resettled in the United States. Today, over 200,000 of this ethnic minority group have resettled; 90% live in the United States. Priscilla’s parents and extended family members arrived in Charlottesville, N.C., in August of 1979.  Settling in the United States and Becoming the Family Interpreter Cassette tapes sent through snail mail provided communication between Hmong families in the United States and those still in Laos, Vietnam, and China at that time. Priscilla (at age 2 ½) and her parents first lived in Greensboro, North Carolina, and then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The best opportunities for her parents were found in 1987 when they moved to St. Paul, leasing farmland and selling vegetables at the Farmer’s Market in Minneapolis. Her well-regarded parents still live in St. Paul, Minnesota.Priscilla is the 2nd eldest of her six siblings and explains how she led her family through the naturalization process in 1987. Like most child immigrants with non-English speaking parents, Priscilla, at age 9, became the family interpreter.Imagine the pressure she must have felt making sure the landlord got paid, filling out the proper paperwork for them all to become United States Citizens,

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Episode 326: Healthy Self-Inquiry vs. Rumination What is the difference between healthy self-inquiry and unhealthy self-inquiry? Have you ever found your mind stuck on the same thought or a negative situation repeatedly replayed in your mind where you can’t even problem solve? And feeling like acting out instead of dialing in? Learn what healthy self-inquiry is and how to stop ruminating.Rumination is the unhealthy side of self-inquiry because wallowing in persistent negativity creates unhealthy patterns in our minds. When we ruminate, we get fixated on our problems. But, instead of coming up with solutions or examining with curiosity, we tend to dwell on the negative and focus on difficulties.Rather than being constructive or regenerative, we replay conversations in our heads so often those thoughts bleed into every aspect of our day, taking away our ability to feel joy. We find it almost impossible to shift tracks and start a different train of thought. I talk about a house painting example that reinforces my point.The universal law of attraction states that what we focus on expands. The more we ruminate on negativity, the more it expands. Writing a racist 180-page manifesto laying out a planned attack as the accused Buffalo shooter did before killing 10 people showcased a severely diseased mind. An unstable, erratic, and distorted mind at dis-ease; ruminating in hate.Self-inquiry is part of genuinely exploring the human condition. Research has shown that the more we grow and heal, the fewer defensive parts we have and the more we are in a state of equilibrium. You can allow rigid and chaotic thoughts to pass through your mind without attaching to them. Allowing space between our thoughts and feelings gives us time to respond with more compassion, curiosity, and calm. Self-inquiry helps us explore the connection to ourselves and others in meaningful ways and feel an interconnection with the world around us. We feel grounded, connected, and whole.Meditation gives you the benefit of practicing self-inquiry and inspires curiosity about how our minds work. Bringing curiosity to our inner experiences increases our well-being by helping us find space between our thoughts and feelings, helping us respond to those feelings or sensations in our bodies instead of reacting to them. “Thoughts and emotions are made of words and images in the mind, and feelings are made of sensations in the body. Both are important in self-inquiry,” says Dr. Cortland Dahl, the Co-Founder and Chairman of Tergar International, a massive network of meditation groups and centers, and my inspiration for today’s topic on healthy self-inquiry vs. rumination.Observing ourselves in a natural state of being is how self-inquiry starts. You can notice your natural state of being right now. Let us take a moment to check in with your inner self. How am I at this moment? Breathe gently and allow your thoughts to flow without attaching to them. If you find your thoughts getting stuck repeating something negative, become aware that you are shifting into rumination. With rumination, thoughts tend to be repetitive and often involve negative thinking, self-talk, and self-blame. According to psychotherapist Kristy Arbon, this repetitive thinking can be a form of resistance. “Many of us experience this kind of thinking from time to time or for short periods of time. But when it happens too often or too long, it can interfere with everyday life and put us at risk for anxiety and depression.” The purpose of meditation is to help us reach a healthy mind state that is clear, stable, and calm. The average person has 6,200 thoughts per day. These thoughts trigger emotions, and those emotions are felt through the sensations in our bodies. We need to interpret those sensations, name our emotions, and use those experiences to modify and monitor our behavior.Meditation helps us learn about this internal safe place that only we can access.

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Episode 325: To Integrate or Not Integrate Our Life Experiences “Not all storms come to disrupt your life; some come to clear your path.”  — Alex HalesTo integrate or not integrate our life experiences is the question. Decide today and every day to consciously heal your insecurities in the present moment or live a persistent life out of harmony and ease remaining insecure. Whatever your decision, make it a conscious one. Be in charge of that decision.I define what an integrated life is and what it isn’t and what that means. I imagine if you are listening to my podcast, you are an integrator. Dr. Daniel J. Siegel says integration feels like love which he defines as truly caring for an () other and their well-being while caring for yourself and your own well-being.If you feel out of harmony or ill at ease right now, take a moment to check in with yourself and identify how you feel. Determine what the next best step is and take that step. Then listen in with an open heart and mind and learn more about integrating your life’s experiences. Imagine being the same person with whomever you talk to without walls. Join me at the end for a 12-minute Turn Inward mind activity to observe how your thoughts, feelings, narratives, and images are constantly changing. The secret to transformation is to awaken the mind so that we can regulate these patterns intentionally, shift how the brain fires, and alter the ways we approach communication within our relationships. Becoming integrated does not mean losing your tendencies, research shows; instead, it means coming to appreciate them as part of us. Examine your life. The benefit is loving all the parts of who you are, warts and all. DOWNLOAD NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast Sponsor

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources Dr. Daniel Siegal Dr. Daniel Siegel Healthy Minds Innovation Healthy Minds Innovations  Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete the 12-minute meditation at the end of my podcast conversation with you and integrate today’s experiences. Apply Self-Compassion: I had one of those sticky emotions of feeling out of sorts (companions of stress and pressure) for most of the day. I tried a Deepak Chopra exercise that I can share with you because it helped me let go of my sticky emotion. Sit quietly and begin focusing on your breath. Imagine light in your heart filled with the sticky feeling. Let it expand from your heart and lungs to your neck, head, and down the lower half of your body. Eventually, you see the light and sticky feeling released through your feet. I did this twice. The feelings of being out of sorts left my body, mind, and spirit. Try it out for yourself.  Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate you. Thanks for tuning in and making the decision to integrate your life experiences. Everyone in your life will benefit. I appreciate what it takes for me to produce podcast conversations every week. I appreciate Mike Kabeya’s steady editing ear and getting me the MP3 files of our taped conversations to me every week, which sometimes takes extraordinary effort with all of his other commitments. He is someone I can depend on. I appreciate the love and joy I bring to others and that they bring into my life. I appreciate bringing Dual Innovation Mentoring to the lives of small business owners as they redefine how they lead while redefining their business models. I cherish all the effort integrators put into making our world a better place by integrating their life experiences and their commitment to being lifelong learn...

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Episode 324: How Filmmaking and Entrepreneurship Merged for Koura Linda

Doing all the parts to make a film by Day Playing is one thing. Making a living through filmmaking is quite another. Koura Linda describes her journey starting Space Dream Productions in 2013 and Spaceship Shipton marrying into the business. A humorous quip they exchange with each other. We also get Koura’s insights into managing cash flow, time management resources, common skills between filmmakers and entrepreneurs, and her aspirations. Plus, a unique offering for you. When your business and life mission are interconnected, great things can happen. Koura gives some salacious details about 50+ projects and 49 award nominations. Thirty of the 50 projects are complete, like the films Gone Cray, Dual Flush, Mark and The Martian, and Mark and Dot. Twenty of the 50 are in the works, including the feature film Comic Relief, Catching The Light, and Tuesday Mourning. Four full-time employees, an intern, four partners, and independent contractors (Day Players) keep Space Dream Productions cranking out projects and films. To clarify, “Space Dream Films is a part of Space Dream Productions, an independent film and music production company grounded in the idea that all storytellers are ambassadors of humanity, tasked with sharing our voices. Filmmakers have the added responsibility of creating visual worlds around these stories. For this reason, Space Dream Productions’ focus is on films that entertain and aim to showcase pieces of humanity.” The Film Fund’s list of 10 reasons filmmaking and entrepreneurship require the same skills provided an enlightening debate about which skills are more fitting than others. Number two prompted a more extended discussion that resonated with both of us. How films get priced and how crippling the process reminds me of the challenges we all face in valuing our work and paying fair wages when there is what Koura describes as an absolute crippling madness around pricing films. You can use the list below to follow along and see which skills fit from your perspective. Please email your thoughts to nancy@wementor.com. The Film Fund’s List of 10 Reasons Filmmaking and Entrepreneurship Require the Same Skills

Concepts are nothing without proper execution. Are you a take-charge person who makes things happen? Films and start-ups both offer a value proposition. Koura has a deep contention with how films get priced that you will find relatable. At a fundamental level, entrepreneurs must provide value; so must entertainers and storytellers. Consumers need to believe in the product offered, the film, the sandwich, and whatever they consume. Filmmakers must also understand digital marketing and community management. Koura says NO. Find out why. Short films represent entertainment funding MVPs (minimum viable products). Koura explains how short films are a multitude of things that tie in our #2 skill, offering a value proposition. Filmmakers and entrepreneurs wear multiple hats. We debate what that means and the difference between the responsibilities of a producer and director.

*See where you stand with the last four commonalities linking entrepreneurs and filmmakers.

They both experience imposter syndrome. They must both know basic accounting, finance, and tax laws. They must understand intellectual property law. Filmmakers and entrepreneurs have big dreams.

Koura’s Offering. Let someone else do your business’s social media and content creation so you can focus more on what you do best. Koura offers various packages and can stack you with one to four months’ worth of content. Check out their services page here.  Now, it’s time to listen to our spirited conversation and learn something new. DOWNLOAD  NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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Episode 323: Koura Linda fuses Innovation and Courage with Excellence in Filmmaking “We don’t make movies to make money. We make money to make movies.” —Walt DisneyKoura Linda offers distinctive insights into making independent films. Accolades early in her career reinforced what she brings to filmmaking: innovation, courage, and excellence.Koura grew up in New York in an environment that promoted inventive expression through singing, dancing, painting, and playing outdoors. Her mother cleverly trained Koura to use her time well. Meaningful connections with her grandparents and aunts and uncles were her introduction to how different people live at different times from the 1900s to today. They highlighted the significance of humanity and solidified her view that storytellers are ambassadors of humanity, tasked with sharing pieces of themselves with each other. “Filmmakers have the added responsibility of creating visual worlds around these stories,” writes Koura. For this reason, Koura and her husband, Spaceship, focus on films that entertain and aim to showcase all pieces of humanity, as you will hear. You will find out the story behind Spaceship, his artist name, and an online collaborative media platform called HitRECord, where they met in 2013. That same year, Koura founded Space Dreams Productions.Day Playing is a phrase used in the movie business to name those working on a movie set who are not part of the core team. We need to replace the term ‘independent contractor’ with Day Playing. Doesn’t that sound intriguing? What did you do today? I was Day Playing at such and such a company. Koura was Day Playing as an apprentice learning the movie business for 10 years. Day Playing gave her the flexibility to learn the ins and outs of making movies, from learning production design, set and light rigging, building sets, working with electricians to hair and make-up, budgeting, and event planning.Koura talks about the importance of having master and apprentice experiences. This resonated with me. We have been remodeling our house, particularly flooring in our kitchen, entryway, and den. I was pleasantly surprised to see our electrician training his son as they replaced a lighting fixture. The same with a family-owned flooring business we hired. Our rebuilt redwood oak steps were sawed, buffed, and oil-base polished by a father-son team. As I am writing this, I can hear the master singing to the music in the background and mentoring his apprentice as the apprentice is sawing off the bottom of one of our entry doors. Wait, what? Ok, they know what they are doing. The precision and careful attention to detail make them master craftsmen matching the Swedish carpenter’s careful design of the home he built in 1962. We have benefitted from this kind of master craftsmanship. We haven’t needed to do much work on our house for over two decades.Leading a panel discussion at an Indie Film Festival, Koura alleviated a stigma around not going to film school. I guess she is not the only filmmaker who learns the art and craft as she goes. On-the-job training can fuel the courage, innovation, and excellence rewarded in the movie business. In 2019, Koura was awarded the Mico Award for courage, innovation, and excellence in a film career. Early in her career, this award set a new bar of self-expectation, personifying her desire to live up to the award and continue pursuing her passion as a filmmaker. She mentors other filmmakers through her podcast, Filmmaking [actually].We talk about core values. As you might expect, Koura refers to a favorite movie, Cinderella, and Walt Disney’s quote above about making money to make films. When things fell apart on Koura’s first short film, Names On The Wall, they lost funding, and the director quit. She emerged as the director. A move that took great courage. You can enjoy a spacecraft analogy in her explanation of things breaking away to help focus on what is essential.   On the road to excellence,

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Episode 322: Pat Dillon Demystifies Federal Funding Available to Start-ups and Existing Businesses, Part II Pat Dillon and her team, work with a diverse portfolio of over 100 start-ups and existing small businesses each year as they transform their high-risk, high-impact technologies into marketable products and services. Small businesses learn how to apply for and secure funding through SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Accelerator (SBIR/STTR) programs, coaching and navigating across 11 federal agencies. We discuss what grant projects are funded, who is getting funding, and SBIR/STTR annual road trips you can participate in. Plus, five vital questions to answer, whether you need more funding or not.Pat is working with legislation to make annual funding for these programs permanent ($2.5B to $4B/year). She has +40-years of program success. Our government has awarded more than $50B to start-ups and existing businesses nationwide since 1982. Pat says, “Over 400 Minnesota companies who employ under 500 people have received $880M in funding.” Qualcomm, a leading wireless technology company, would not be where they are without Small Business Innovation Research early-stage government funding. You will hear Mom and Pop shops getting funding too.Pat describes her long-term relationships with small business leaders like this. “Each relationship is like Hotel California. Once you enter, you can’t leave,” she chuckles heartily. Her passion and enthusiasm for Minnesota small businesses are evident as her appetite for novel ideas increases. They are always on the hunt for new innovations.Pat is the founder and director of Minnesota’s Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer Accelerator - known as Minnesota SBIR/STTR Accelerator. She is a treasured innovator in Minnesota’s science and technology, investment, and commercialization arena. Thank you, Pat, for your U.S. Navy career and commitment to serving innovative small businesses. DOWNLOADNEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast Sponsor

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources America’s Seed Fund Funding OpportunitySBIR Road Tour – Seeding America’s Future InnovationsSBA Office of Innovation and Technology Leadership | SBIR.govSBIR/STTR 11 Participating Agencies  1st Podcast Conversation with Pat Dillon Pat Dillon Demystifies Federal Funding Available to Start-ups and Existing Businesses, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Check into the 2022 SBIR Road Tour to Seed America’s Future Innovations.  Learn about the 40-year history of the SBA Office of Innovation and Technology and SBIR/STTR programming.  Apply Self-Compassion: Before a big meeting, try an expansive pose. Sit up straight and be present by telling yourself: “I am powerful, bold, and authentic in accepting this challenge. I can communicate clearly, lead this meeting constructively, and say what is connected to my heart. I can hear what I need and what this group needs. We will reach our desired outcomes.”  Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Pat’s 40 years of service in the U.S. Navy and her 30+ years of service in building Minnesota’s science and technology, investment, and commercialization arenas. I am grateful for her passion for working with innovators and facilitating their ability to get funding. I appreciate Pat and appreciate her openness and wisdom.” Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Pat Dillon.

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Episode 321: Pat Dillon Demystifies Federal Funding Available to Start-ups and Existing Businesses, Part I

Early-stage businesses and growing an existing business require capital infusions at different stages of its growth. Hunting for money goes something like this once a somewhat final draft of our business plans is written. We reprioritize our monies and check with friends and family to check what financial resources might be available. We talk with bankers and look for loan opportunities, potential financial investment angels, and venture capital options. Credit card maximums are re-evaluated. We stretch our financial resources as far as possible and hunt for other resources to get our new products and services into the marketplace. Government resources are also available. Did you know $100B per year is invested in contracts and grants for research and development of new technologies? To demystify our government funding ecosystem, I turned to a 30+ year treasured innovator in Minnesota’s science and technology, investment, and commercialization arena, Pat Dillon. Pat Dillon shares one of the largest sources of early-stage capital for technology commercialization in the United States that our tax dollars fund. It is known as America’s Seed Fund. Each state has grants and other funding resources that support a diverse portfolio of early-stage and existing businesses. A capital ecosystem you want to make sure you know about, no matter what industry or creative type of business you are in. There are many ways to get grant monies to support your work. Pat Dillon, MBA, is the founder and director of Minnesota’s Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer Accelerator - known as Minnesota SBIR/STTR Accelerator. Each state has SBIR/STTR programs. We are focusing on Minnesota’s SBIR/STTR Accelerator programs because, obviously, I am here, but once you know the funding history and how these programs work, you can check them out in the state where your business is registered. Pat has 30+ years of demonstrated knowledge, experience, and relationships that allow hundreds of businesses to apply and win funding.  Since 1994, she has facilitated $250M in SBIR/STTR Accelerator funding, resulting in additional investments, patents, jobs, mergers and acquisitions, and new products and services for global markets. She works with 100 start-ups and existing businesses per year as they transform their high-risk, high-impact technologies into marketable products and services. SBA_SBIR_Overview Other meaningful aspects of our conversation include:

Two prior Guest Mentors have participated in the SBIR/STTR Accelerator programs and have won awards.

Allison Hubel, Ph.D., CSO, BlueCube Bio Founder, and Karen Dodson, President

The Inspiration Ecosystem: How Compassion, Curiosity, and Coaching Led to An Award-Winning Start-up | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Expanding BlueCube Bio’s Ecosystem | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Co-Founders of HabitAware: Aneela Idnani (Kumar) and Sameer Kumar

Becoming HabitAware | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Becoming HabitAware Leading with Self-Love | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Pat’s two operating values. Servant Leadership and what it means to Pat. Pat is a retired United States Navy Commander who served 40 years with one 10-month tour in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (Thank you for your service!)

We discuss her Intelligence Officer role and insights into the 2021 collapse of the Afghanistan government, which is now run by Taliban leaders.

The process of how federal funding gets into states’ hands, in particular, Minnesota companies. The history of Congress’ support and nine years of non-support of MN Project Innovation; and the history of the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer Accelerator programs (SBIR/STTR) from the 1990s to now.

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Episode 320: Getting Extraordinary Results with Scott Welle

If you are an Outperformer, you are continuously tracking and tweaking. Replacing limiting beliefs and tweaking results as you go, whether you are an athlete, a scholar, a filmmaker, a creative, a performer, a business leader, a manufacturer, a techie, or an author of 10 books. There is always something to learn in each new challenge. Scott Welle just finished his 10th book, Outperform The Norm: Daily Execution. Extraordinary Results. In no particular sequence, we briefly discuss his 10 Excellence in Execution Principles, with Scott offering many insights to savor and apply. Two crucial questions he says you need to ask yourself about big goals. You will have to listen to find out what they are. Yes, yes, yes. I want you to hear Scott’s explanation around them. DOWNLOAD Scott’s 10 excellence in execution principles are listed below. Check them out and make sure your big goals have included his principles. Scott’s 10 Excellence in Execution Principles

Own It Live It Love It Shove It Internalize It Externalize It Stack It Track It Speak It Tweak It

How important is it to adopt the identity of who you need to be to achieve a big goal? Really own it #1 principle. Scott uses an example of writing vs. being a writer I found particularly pertinent. Here is another example of owning it that happened over the weekend. UW-Madison is Scott’s alma mater. Matthew and I have been observing our daughter, Olivia, at UW-Madison. We have done more than observe, but I think you know what I mean. Scott says, “no Outperformer goes it alone.” The rowing team and its coaches accepted walk-ons in the fall of 2021. Olivia’s first year was not an option with COVID restrictions; no walk-ons. Her coaches for the novice team are also new last fall to the UW-Madison rowing team. Olivia calls them Hodge and Vicky. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the coaches. I know that Olivia’s mindset shifted, and she proclaimed herself ‘a rower’ sometime before her first Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on April 15 and 16. Never having rowed before, Olivia’s goal was to go ‘all in,’ giving it her best, see if this was her ‘college sport.’ This sport has four Regattas a season before the NCAA Championships, so the athletes have a lot of pressure to perform at their highest level every time their boat hits the water. Leading up to the weekend’s Regatta, the team had countless hiccups with sickness and injuries and a few boat accidents, but the team kept up a schedule of two workouts five days a week. And an early morning workout on Saturdays. Scott knows what he speaks and writes about. I noticed his 10 principles in real-time. I’ll give you the most essential details. Olivia applied the discipline she learned from being part of a Nordic Ski and Cross Country Running team in High School to her daily routine. I noticed Olivia’s coaches applying the 10 Excellence in Execution Principles through the fall and winter into this spring when the season is underway. She needed to face two extra challenges with rowing: being out of shape from not competing in an organized sport for an entire year and never having rowed before. Getting extraordinary results in her first year on the team seemed impossible. One caveat, she was competing against other University novices like herself. This was a Regatta for southern state Universities like Kansas State, Central Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech, to name a few. I guess UW-Madison fits into several national categories. Olivia’s 4-person boat pulled ahead midway of her five other finalists and stayed ahead. They crossed the finish line as #1, winning gold. We were shocked as we watched it ‘live’ on YouTube. It was such a long shot. The picture below is her 4-person novice team, including her coxswain, Chloe Powell, and Vicky and Hodge, two of her leading coaches flanking each side.  Also, the rowing team brought along a secret weapon,

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Episode 319: Daily Strategies of Outperformers with Scott Welle

Scott Welle role models what he writes, speaks, and teaches. He just published his 10th book, Outperform The Norm: Daily Execution. Extraordinary Results. Scott is here to cultivate connections between our daily execution and realizing big aspirations, highlighting how the Norm thinks and the Outperformers function. Outperform The Norm: Daily Execution. Extraordinary Results contains ten principles that explain an Outperformers strategy of goal setting, the execution of goal achievement, and the psychology of aspiring to big things. We focus on the mental game and improving daily strategies to Outperform. The little things matter in our daily activities, and they can add up to significant results done with mindful intent and applying Scott’s ten principles. Scott has a master’s degree in Sports Psychology and enjoys pushing his own physical and mental limits. He has completed 5 Ironman triathlons, 29 marathons, and a 100-mile ultra-marathon run. The proof is in the O.P.P. Framework. We go into the ins and outs of Outcome goals, Process goals, and Performance goals to offer practical strategies for improving our daily output. I have been following Scott via his weekly emails since I first heard him speak at the Optimist’s Club and at the Small Emerging Growth Companies organization a few years later. In 2017, Scott was one of our podcast Guest Mentors. We focused on two of Scott’s books at that time. His 1st book, Welleness, and his 9th book Outperform The Norm. We talked about adopting an attitude of gratitude and key phrases and words that retrain our minds from having 78% negative daily thoughts to positive thinking, being, and doing. Outperform The Norm: Daily Execution. Extraordinary Results is laid out in three sections. The mental game of goals, goal-setting strategies, and excellence in execution. We start with updates from 2017 and Scott’s beliefs for the first 20 years of his life. This is an example of how crippling comparison can be, and Scott’s power of awareness transformed self-defeating, self-limiting, and self-sabotaging beliefs to become the Outperformer he is today, inspiring us to harness the tremendous potential within (body, mind, and spirit). Other Conversation Highlights:

The formula for water intake. Scott says to tear up your daily to-do list and replace it with a strategic-priorities list. Shocker! Long COVID and its effect on Outperformers. The age by which our personality is formed. Our minds give out before the body. How to work with your mind.

1 Outperformer Principle: Own It. Are you partially interested (the Norm) or fully Committed (the Outperformer)?

Process goal strategy: focused attention on things that matter and things you can control. 4 Musts in Setting Process Goals.

I am applying Scott’s ten principles and daily strategies as I aspire to publish my book. I would love to hear how our conversation affects you. Contact me HERE.  DOWNLOAD “Any goal is realistic with an intelligent plan to accomplish it.” — Scott Welle.   My Reflection In pondering the concept of Outperforming the Norm, I asked myself. How does this concept jive with my compassionate desire for all beings everywhere to be happy, peaceful, and free? Being happy, peaceful, and free requires us to set goals and have aspirations beyond ourselves. This, in turn, challenges us to live our lives with integrity. To live with integrity, we need to develop and evolve our minds, bodies, and souls by practicing healthy relating and doing the lifework we are called to do. A second question emerged, does the Norm live with integrity and develop and evolve their minds, bodies, and souls? Or, do they fight their internal evolution and stand firm in creating a narrative that keeps them small? I feel the concept of Outperforming the Norm is ultimately about becoming your best self. Our best self needs to differentiate between the thinking that keeps us small and the mi...

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Episode 318: Dan Oshinsky’s Innovative Leadership at BuzzFeed, The New Yorker, and Inbox Collective

Dan Oshinsky has a knack for being at the right place at the right time, with the right strategy, a theme we began last week about “opportunity timing.” We discuss what it took for him to build capable teams at BuzzFeed and The New Yorker and his aspirations for Inbox Collective, including tips on sending better emails. We resume at BuzzFeed, where Dan built a team that grew online newsletters into one of the biggest traffic referrers, writing over 200 posts that drove over 250M clicks to its site. He knows how to exploit opportunities, bending them towards a positive and focused purpose. You can feel this energy as he applies innovation and creativity to managing people and projects. The definition of an innovative leader. BuzzFeed is an online publication founded by Jonah Perretti in 2006. Dan’s first year, he studied their email design and started cultivating a newsletter team of three, then five. By Dan’s fifth year of employment, the company spiked in growth from 175 employees to 1500 employees and opened 20 offices worldwide. Last I checked, 24 blogs were trending. Dan gives a unique perspective about his teambuilding exercises that are not really teambuilding exercises. He built the team and passed it on to capable hands as he did after creating Not a Newsletter, a monthly briefing with news, tips, and ideas about how to send better email worth signing up for if you have a blog. To foster trust, he turned ‘his meetings’ into ‘their meetings.’ You might have noticed BuzzFeed in the news lately. Entrepreneurs under financial pressure can have difficulties fulfilling promises when they take their companies public, which was the case at BuzzFeed. Seventy disgruntled employees could not sell their shares because stock prices dropped after their Initial Public Offering (IPO) in December 2021. This collective group has sued the media outlet for $8.7M.  The New Yorker, on the other hand, was a whole new scary and exciting challenge for Dan. An established, well-respected magazine. Its first publication hit the marketplace on February 17, 1925. It was founded by Harold W. Ross and his wife, Jane Grant, a New York Times reporter. “Ross wanted to create a sophisticated humor magazine—in contrast to the corniness of other humor publications such as Judge, where he had worked.” According to the New World Encyclopedia, the New Yorker publishes reportage, criticism, essays, cartoons, poetry, and fiction. Dan helped The New Yorker magazine with a digital transformation, increasing online subscriptions. The magazine publishes 47 times plus five extra in-depth issues each year. To digitally transform the magazine, Dan directed a team of five journalists and brought Adhoc teams from established work silos within the organization together. The New Yorker Subscription Teams of creative, intelligent, reasonable, hardworking people who happen to be unusually friendly helped make Dan’s job as Director of Newsletters easier. A bonus was being around people with an extensive vocabulary. His relational literacy helped them invest in the makeover to increase online subscriptions. “Three years this summer,” Dan says, “Inbox Collective exceeds all expectations.” You will learn of his aspirations and ways of sending better emails. Imagine inviting email subscribers into your living room; that is how personal email is to us. Our conversation is also filled with pearls of insight into fostering resilient teams: trust, respect, security, and connection. The four underpinnings of healthy relating that requires constant attention. DOWNLOAD Dan was so inspired by our conversation that he wrote this blog post! NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities below.

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Episode 317: Dan Oshinsky after 10 Years of Blogging and 850 Posts

Dan Oshinsky, an entrepreneurial journalist, knows how to capture our attention and build loyal audiences. He has had tremendous success at The New Yorker and Buzzfeed, driving over 250M clicks. With over 10 years of blogging and 850 posts, Dan has ideas for us about launching new ideas, publishing content, and building relationships through email.You get a sense of Dan’s uniqueness with how he promotes Inbox Collective, a consultancy that helps news organizations, non-profits, and brands get the most out of email. His knack for being at the right place at the right time and how he sniffs out news opportunities are humorous and fascinating to listen to.Dan grew up in Washington D.C., loving print newspapers and observing reporters. These observations led to understanding the difference between lazy reporters and excellent ones. At age 14, Dan got a tip from his father, who told him to email team owner Ted Leonsis and see if he could cover one of the Washington Capitals Hockey games. It worked. Dan got his first press pass and covered a game for his middle school paper. He learned that being a reporter has its perks and well-crafted emails unlock the gates to new relationships and valuable opportunities.Curious serial creators have many ideas and new things to start, and Dan has started many. He even created new titles for himself. Director of Newsletters at Buzzfeed and The New Yorker helped him realize how to explore what works and what doesn’t work with content on a much larger scale and in an enormous playing field. Maybe it is time for you to explore a larger playground, or not. Enjoy our conversation. DOWNLOADNEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources Dan's Resources A Massive List of Dan’s Stories. | danoshinsky.com Inbox Collective | Pico Partner (trypico.com) Dan Oshinsky, Online Media (brandyourself.com) Introducing… Not a Newsletter: A Monthly Guide to Sending Better Emails. | danoshinsky.com Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:

Take this risk or do this adventurous task: New opportunities stretch us in unpredictable ways. They develop our character and keep us invested in life and learning. I was blown away by Dan’s enthusiasm and zest for life. Make a list of new opportunities you want to explore.

Apply Self-Compassion: Imagine new opportunities coming your way throughout the day. Continue that thinking into the next day, the next, and so on. Focus breathing in the fresh air of rejuvenation and releasing stoggy air you no longer need. Continue your focus until your energy level has increased and you are ready to move to the next best thing. 

Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Dan’s zest for life and new ideas. I appreciate his doable tips, especially to write every day and keep putting content out into the world to see what people gravitate toward. It doesn’t need to be perfect. You will get better. I also appreciate his huge body of work and dedication to giving reporters resources to help them do their jobs better. I appreciate his entrepreneurial journalistic prowess. I appreciate Dan and admire his dedication to his lifework.” 

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Dan Oshinsky. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”  “Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore,

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Episode 316: How Design Influences Behavior with Architect Damaris Hollingsworth

What do you notice first when you walk into a new space, whether a home or community space? The smell, the nicknacks on shelves, the layout, the color of the walls and flooring, or a terracotta ornament? A double-hung window? How do you feel in the space? How do you react when in space? Do you ever wonder if your needs have been factored into a space? What makes a space inclusive where you feel you belong and are unafraid, seen, and welcomed? In our free-flowing conversation, Guest Mentor Architect Damaris Hollingsworth answers those questions and others. Our first conversation taught us how early challenges led Damaris to develop grit and grace in becoming a multicultural architect designing inclusive and equitable community spaces. Today, you will hear how design influences our behavior in five core areas, how Damaris founded Design By Melo, and her aspirations and mentors. I experience a couple of ‘aha’ moments. It was jaw-dropping to learn how airport security checks Damaris’ hair, of all things. How Damaris told the story of a recent airport security search made me laugh. The giddiness vanished when I settled into how she felt when a stranger touched her hair. We all go through airport security checkpoints; our experiences are not the same. Implicit bias has chilling effects and leaves all of us feeling diminished. If you listened to our first conversation, you know when Damaris faces a challenge, she embraces it and innovates. Damaris has needed to design outside of textbooks because, she concedes, people of color aren’t the authors, so their voices and experiences are not represented in the way they need to be. Writing a book about her lived experiences and unique contributions to the architecture field through Design by Melo will inspire all people to fulfill their capacity and understand how places and spaces are created once we get her book into our hands. She is co-writing it right now. Design by Melo is “founded in the belief that the built environment needs to do more than addressing the functional needs of proposed spaces; our clients benefit from a holistic approach to all that we do. Because places and spaces must also speak to the values of global engagement, cultural competency, inclusion, sustainability, and human performance, your benefit doesn’t stop when the project is complete.” “Our behavior,” says Damaris, “is influenced by our reactions to our surroundings: color, textures, compositions, mass, void, nature or the absence of nature.” Her five company values listed above dovetail creating an inclusive and diverse representation of the people and stakeholders who occupy community spaces, whether for work, prayer, worship, celebrations, and other events and purposes. An experience Damaris felt when working at THOR Construction allowed her to be her authentic self. She felt she belonged without any pretense and now designs with unapologetic inclusion. There was no proving oneself to others, just total acceptance of who she was as an architect and human being doing great things. Damaris employs five people, including herself and a few subcontractors. We discuss how co-working spaces have changed, human performance, and how productivity is affected in non-inclusive spaces. Another ‘aha’ moment. Did you know that temperature settings in office buildings have been set for men wearing suits? How productive can a woman be wearing a dress when one is freezing all day long from low office temperatures? We overcome unwelcomed barriers like these and become architects. Cultural competency comes through understanding the needs of the people we are serving. A bank project off of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s murder offered Damaris and her team a new perspective on drive-through banking and how Black Americans do business. Sustainable elements in a design have become more relevant since the co...

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Episode 315: Grit and Grace with Architect Damaris Hollingsworth Imagine meeting an impressive mentor at age seven and then following a dream to be an architect that takes you from Brazil and Arizona to Minnesota. Damaris Hollingsworth reflects on the grace and grit embedded in her journey to becoming a multicultural communicator, inclusive thought leader, and principal architect and founder of Design By Melo.The American Institute of Architecture (AIA) notes Damaris Hollingsworth “as someone who forges cross-cultural communication skills among architects through her design projects, advocacy efforts, and mentorship programs. Her empathetic nature and ability to listen closely inform her compassionate approach, highlighting the importance of cultural fluency for the profession.” Her energy, brilliance, and authenticity filled the space we occupied at Life Time Work, a new co-working space in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.Damaris designs from an equitable and inclusive viewpoint. We talk about what inclusivity feels like in a space. “Our behavior is influenced by our reactions to our surroundings: color, textures, compositions, mass, void, nature or the absence of nature,” says Damaris.Design by Melo emphasizes the need for places and spaces to expand beyond functionality to include values of global engagement, cultural competency, inclusion, sustainability, and human performance. We discuss each value with examples of how they can work together in community spaces.At age 14, Damaris’ entrepreneurial aspirations emerged when a desire arose to have a coming-of-age party equivalent to her sister’s, even if her Dad was retired. She found a solution through her self-employed Aunt.Early experiences of grit and determination earned Damaris a label of being ‘stubborn.’ Entrepreneurial leaders are more than stubborn; they have a strong internal drive and determination uncovering every constraint to realize their dreams through business ownership. The dream seems out of reach to others; most people thought that about Damaris’ initial dream, her architectural passion. You see, Damaris grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in a loving home, a poor neighborhood, and a huge Pentecostal church community. A common belief was that poor people don’t become architects.Had Damaris not explored her youthful dream to become an architect and harnessed her internal drive toward earning an architectural degree at the University of Sao Paulo. She would not have fulfilled her next dream to attend Arizona State University College of Design and her next dream to start and build her firm, Design By Melo in Minnesota, and her next set of aspirations. A community seems to rise around Damaris, as does happen with thought leaders who have a vision beyond themselves to create a better world.Damaris is living her passion by designing inclusive and equitable community spaces. Bringing community values and economic realities into consideration of the design. She has learned how to marry an architectural passion with her spiritual calling by finding solutions rooted in the people who use the community space.Damaris has a prominent voice in the architectural arena. She was honored with a 2020 AIA Young Architects Award. This award recognizes those who demonstrate exceptional leadership and make significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.Our conversation has the kind of profundity that encourages living with purpose, authenticity, and determination. Enrich your mind and listen in on our conversation. DOWNLOADNEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities are below. Podcast Sponsor

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Episode 314: Sustain Your Focus with this Meditation Practice

Are you able to focus on the right things at the right time, most of the time? If so, you are practicing four aspects connected with one skill: focus. You can direct your attention to what you want to think about and can sustain your attention as long as you would like to. You notice when your focus has been diverted to something else and can return to your focal point when you desire. You can also relax your attention and let your mind rest. The purpose of meditation over time is to keep the mind stable and attentive. Last week we did a Directing Focus meditation. Today is the compliment meditation to directing focus, and that is a Sustaining Attention meditation.  The Healthy Minds Innovation APP has four areas that support the development of a calm, clear, and stable mind over time. I briefly describe them right before your 6-minute Sustaining Attention meditation. You will notice below that focus is a skill connected to awareness, the first area in a healthy mind. 

Awareness: means practicing presence, focus, and self-awareness.

Connection: means practicing appreciation, kindness, compassion, and widening the circle of influence to see how we are all connected.

Insight: the key to having a healthy sense of self is what scientists call “self-inquiry.” The ability to step back and examine our expectations and beliefs. Self-knowledge and transcendence. Transcendence is part of being whole or in a state of grace and developing a higher level of consciousness. Practicing insight means examining how our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape the way we see the world.

Purpose: finding meaning in the mundane details of everyday life. “Deep purpose,” says Cortland Dahl (the speaker in the Healthy Minds APP), “gives us the ability to keep our most deeply held values front and center in our life, relationships, and at work. It helps us to see the bigger picture and focus on the most important things in our lives.” I call this our lifework. The reason we are here.

Directing attention is focusing on the right things at the right time. Sustaining attention is an ability to keep your focus, control impulses, and keep your mind from wandering. It is time now to tap into the reservoir within and stay present to what is in your heart. This inner peaceful and sacred space is where no one but you has access. DOWNLOAD NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities are below.

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SUBSCRIBE NOW         HIRE A MENTOR Episode Resources Direct Your Focus Meditation Catch Yourself Before Distracting Yourself: Direct Your Focus   Healthy Minds Innovations Healthy Minds Innovations APP Understand Ukraine's History with this Resource Read The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine by Serhii Plokhy

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: Take this risk or do this adventurous task: DOWNLOAD this sustaining attention meditation. Experience the six-minute meditation. Experiment with directing and then sustaining your attention to each task throughout the day. Apply Self-Compassion: At the end of today, highlight what you learned about directing and sustaining your attention. Were you able to direct and sustain your focus when you needed to? Allow your mind to relax into open awareness of what is around you and release the exercise. Acknowledge what you learned. Set an intention to practice focusing tomorrow. Close your eyes and peacefully fall asleep.  Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate sharing what I am learning to increase my ability to focus and yours.

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Episode 313: Catch Yourself Before Distracting Yourself: Direct Your Focus

Have you ever felt challenged to direct your focus? We are looking to check the weather APP one second, and all the pop-ups grab our attention. Pretty soon, we turned off our phone and remembered afterward that the one thing we needed and didn’t look up was the temperature. We have similar physical experiences. We enter a room to get something and forget what we needed in that room once there. Only to leave the room, remember, and then schlep back to get the forgotten item. Distraction is time-consuming and toxic. What if we could reverse the trend by learning to catch ourselves before getting distracted?

Today, I talk about directing attention. Focus is a skill set with four aspects: directing, sustaining, noticing, and relaxing attention. Directing attention is focusing on the right things at the right time. An ability to keep your focus, control impulses, and keep your mind from wandering directionless.

Because meditation can reduce lapses in attention and positively impact our work and relationships, I have prepared a 6-minute meditation exercise to help you direct your focus. After completing this meditation exercise, please share it with your leadership team, staff, and family. We can all learn this first aspect of focus: directing our attention. DOWNLOAD

My inspiration for today’s topic and meditation came from a series I am doing through Healthy Minds Innovation and Healthy Minds @Work. I highly recommend the Healthy Minds APP to track your progress as you build a calm, clear, and stable mind. It is not unlike building muscles in other parts of the body. Repetitions, consistency, and intensity strengthen muscle tissue in different muscles groups building skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles over time.

A meditative state of mindful alertness all day. What would that be like? Try it and experience the energy surge as you direct your mind to what you want and need to focus on. I have found a consistent practice with the four aspects of focus helps me gain control of my mind, even when it is in its most distracted state. I know what has happened and can direct my attention back to the task at hand. My ability to sustain attention longer has increased with it. You can even begin to notice when your attention has been diverted and how it feels when attention is in a relaxed state, like in between daily tasks and projects.

Directing attention doesn’t do much good if we can’t sustain our attention, so next week I will empower you with a meditation practice you can do to sustain focus, a compliment to directing attention. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities are below.

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Episode Resources Healthy Minds Innovations

Healthy Minds Innovations

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: DOWNLOAD this directed attention meditation exercise and use it to meditate for six minutes. Decide to take charge of where you direct your attention and experiment with it throughout the day. You can start each day this week with this meditation as an experimental challenge to focus on the right things at the right time. If you are tired after completing this meditation, allow yourself to rest for a few more minutes. Your body is telling you more rest is needed.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: At the end of today, highlight what you learned about directing your attention. Were you able to sustain your focus when you needed to? Did you feel a sense of greater control over your thoughts when you directed your attention back to a task you were working on? Allow your mind to relax into open awareness of what is around you and release the exercise, close your eyes, and go to sleep.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate being able to prepare a directed attention meditation exercise for you. I appreciate the importance of having mind flexibility and control over where we direct and sustain attention. I appreciate the efforts you are putting in to assert self-leadership through disciplined practices like meditation to improve your mindset. I am grateful to pass on cherished practices that deliver real improvements in our ability to do our lifework and improve our relationships.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Nancy’s directed attention meditation. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Nancy Meyer. Nancy A. Meyer, M.A., is a seasoned entrepreneurial leader, business and life mentor/coach/teacher, podcaster, public speaker, author, and certified mindfulness meditator and yoga integrator (she integrates those skill sets into everything she does). Nancy founded WeMentor, inc. in 1992 to build an innovative community where emerging to experienced leaders redefine how they lead while redesigning their businesses. Dual innovation with mentoring works! She has mentored thousands and is eager to work with you! Assert self-leadership and get started today!

Clients say, “Nancy is a compelling, engaging, and ‘decipher the trees from the forest’ kind of mentor, speaker, and leader. A dedicated entrepreneurial leader and mentor who role models what she preaches. Her style and candor enrich the content she delivers and the results clients experience.” Nancy accepts people where they are at while inspiring them to breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator)
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner)
• As a Mentor (Role Model)
• As a Human Being.

WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST. Join your peers and hear meaningful conversations as you redefine how you lead as you redesign your business. Dual innovation with mentoring works. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Episode 313: Catch Yourself Before Distracting Yourself: Direct Your Focus

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Episode 312: WeMentor 30 Years In John Patching Interviews Founder Nancy Meyer John Patching does spiritual therapy for the serious soul out of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. He interviews me about being a business and life mentor for 30 years, a collective string of memories, both funny and endearing. Outside of his British accent, I appreciate John’s way of diving into questions, some of which you can answer, too.

Who are you? It is a big question for all of us. I answer this question with keywords and phrases, including adventurous, fun, and gracious. Evolving as an entrepreneurial leader and spiritual human being is what you and I have in common. Continuing to evolve in leading and mentoring is an integral part of business ownership, innovation, and adapting to change. Most of us embrace the personal growth aspect that we didn’t anticipate when launching our businesses. I have come to treasure the freedom that comes in asserting self-leadership. You get to influence and take charge of your journey as you influence others. As I often say, “dual innovation with mentoring works!”

Preparing for disasters, pandemics, and climate change is part of our future. “If Armageddon comes,” John asks, “what five things would you bring with you?” We share our sensible lists.

Three humorous experiences reveal my resourcefulness, determination, and sense of humor. You will find out what socks and podcast guest mentors have in common.

Thirty years in business is a long time, yet, my passion for mentoring entrepreneurial leaders and expanding the professional field of mentoring flickers like a flame underneath the burner of a gas range. It fuels my life and relationships and my ability to contribute to this world in a meaningful way, one mentoring relationship at a time and influencing millions of others over a lifetime helping breakthrough to new dimensions:

• As an Entrepreneurial Leader (Innovator),
• As a Small Business Owner (Practitioner),
• As a Mentor (Role Model), and
• As a Spiritual Human Being.

I am determined and inspired to keep going, which I encourage you to do as well. No matter what is on our paths as we advance, let’s keep evolving with our ventures, especially as our personal and family lives change. For today, we are right where we need to be. Enjoy our engaging conversation. DOWNLOAD

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Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities below.

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Episode Resources The Beardstown Ladies’: Little Book of Investment Wisdom

The Midwestern grandmas who became stock market celebrities (thehustle.co)

20 years on, investing ladies haven’t changed their style – The Globe and Mail

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB114596682916135186?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Other Podcast Conversations with John

The Wallners Journey to Acceptance, 8 of 8 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Leading Through The Eyes of Your Intrinsic Self | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

What Is Happening to Small Businesses in Europe? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Who are you? This was a question John asked me. Write down who you are and share it with a few select others. Ask them to share who they are with you too.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Notice how you feel after you answer the question, who am I? This kind of question lingers. As the day evolves, add new thoughts as they emerge to your list. Read them back to yourself before closing your eyes to sleep.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate who John is and his life journey so far. I appreciate the questions and what I learned as I reflect on the last 30 years with WeMentor. I am most grateful for John and other listeners’ encouragement to share. I appreciate embracing my 30 years in business, all of it. I appreciate all of you who have shared my life’s journey so far. A special appreciation and thank you to Deb Pitzrick, my bookkeeper in the early years. Her kindness, patience, and tough love sustained me as I learned how to run a professional mentoring business. And huge gratitude to my husband, Matthew, for his patience, wisdom, financial support, and help in managing the bookkeeping these later years.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I learned from Nancy Meyer and John Patching. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

John Patching is an experienced life coach, meditation tutor, and *holistic therapist.

John Patching is an experienced life coach, meditation tutor, and *holistic therapist. He does spiritual therapy for the serious soul.** His success lies in developing a very trusting, open, and profoundly caring rapport with his clients. John places great emphasis on uncovering the causes of a client’s issues to achieve lasting, successful outcomes. He believes in helping his clients master their mental processes to become the best version of themselves. John enables his clients to access the power within themselves to move forward confidently toward lasting well-being. Empowering individuals by teaching them techniques, such as mindfulness, helps achieve long-term well-being once therapy has ended.

His success lies in developing a very trusting, open, and profoundly caring rapport with his clients. John places great emphasis on uncovering the causes of a client’s issues to achieve lasting, successful outcomes. He believes in helping his clients master their mental processes to become the best version of themselves. John enables his clients to access the power within themselves to move forward confidently toward lasting well-being. Empowering individuals through teaching them techniques, such as mindfulness, will help them achieve long-term well-being once therapy has ended.

“There is more to life than existence, and working with John can open your eyes to your full potential.” a quote from one of his European clients.

John is currently based in Oxfordshire, performing in-person and remote therapy sessions via video conference; John helps individuals worldwide.

John Patching, BA with honors, Diploma, and Certification in Hypnotherapy (DYP, C.Hyp, GQHP, CNLP Practitioner, (GHR, GHSC, CNHC) Managing Director of Intrinsic Self& Transgender Therapy

*Including Transpersonal Hypnotherapy, Neuro-linguistic Programming, Pranic Healing, and various other Energy Therapies. Accredited by the GHSC and registered with the GHR and CNHC.

Episode 312: WeMentor 30 Years In John Patching Interviews Founder Nancy Meyer

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Episode 311: 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Part II Happy Valentine’s Day. Show the love for your mind by relaxing it and taking mental breaks.😊 There is a moment before we fall asleep when our minds let go of all activities for the day. A brief pause in our thoughts. You can also notice this pause upon awakening in the morning right before your mind does a body scan or is flooded with task lists, problems to solve, and activities for the day.

A relaxed mind is not trying to control, fix, or improve anything. Take a few mind breaks and allow your mind to be in this calm state for a few minutes to rejuvenate before doing the next unilateral task, focusing on one task at a time. Move one step closer to a healthy mind with this relaxed mind exercise. Show your mind love and feel equanimity.

______________________________ Last week Guest Mentor Leah Steeger and I introduced two of six psychological and overlapping therapeutic themes we are experiencing with the coronavirus pandemic. Today, we will fortify you with the other four themes. You can find our first conversation HERE.

We look at each theme through a systems lens, Leah’s specialty, looking at the whole person and how we live in the world. I appreciate her practical approach. Each theme starts with identifying the changes and layers on top of changes coming at us.

I begin each theme by outlining the disruptive changes. Leah adds her experiences, psychological implications, and ways to navigate each theme. She has an AND/BOTH perspective vs. a right or wrong or black or white viewpoint.

We had to make fast changes quickly, which was trauma-inducing individually and collectively worldwide.

Complexity has gray areas that overlap. We are creative, spiritual beings; the way we acknowledge and work through change is as varied as our uniqueness. Be kind to yourself and those around you. We are still working our way through the themes.

The diagram is from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, developed in 1974. We use this diagram to give you a picture of the five systems that influence us.

Our conversation has insights and gems to fill in spaces within your experiences where understanding, clarity, and a broader perspective are necessary to move forward. Knowing the difference between rejuvenating activities and escapism tactics is an example of a useful tip. Embedded in each theme are these kinds of tips.

Leah has easy-to-listen-to wisdom I am eager for you to hear. Use the following information as an aid while you listen. DOWNLOAD

6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic Theme I – Panic and Anxiety accompanies News of a Novel Virus (disclosed nationally Mid-March of 2020)

Theme II – Social Distancing and Other Life-Altering Changes like Virtual Living

Theme III – Systemic Strain and Disruption of Well-Being

Theme IV – Semi-Opening Flurry

Theme V – COVID Fatigue and Effects of Prolonged Extreme Polarization and Extreme Tribalism

Theme VI – Long-term Effects of Misinformation about our Public Health and Freedoms

Terms and definitions to supplement our conversation: Objective Truth – proven through empirical data based on facts, reality, and truthfulness.

Subjective Truth – cannot be proven; there is no proof. Subjective truth is rooted in our feelings, beliefs, senses, and perspective.

We can gravitate toward comfort information instead of the objective truth as a way of coping with the unknown and disruptive change. “Opinion programming, for example,” says Leah, “is sold as news. Opinion programming is problematic because it is sold as a fact when it is someone’s opinion.” Find out why we gravitate toward subjective outlets like social media and opinion programming.

Denial vs. Prolonged Extreme Polarization and Extreme Tribalism

Are damages to our democracy reparable? What if they are not repairable? Then what? We begin to answer those questions.

World Health Organization (W.H.O.) declared an “infodemic” of misinformation affecting public health:

• Cognitive biases like jumping to conclusions because it confirms our bias before having all the facts.
• Confirmation bias: attitude polarization, belief perseverance, and illusory correlation (falsely believing there is an association between two events or situations). Leah has an easy example of which colors in a room are comforting to you. What is that comfort doing for you? Better to question that than grilling people about their beliefs.
  • Recognize the purpose for what the bias is serving, not always necessarily bad. Please find out more in our conversation.
  • Question the belief – what is the meaning behind the belief? Why is this belief so important to me? Is it part of my identity or connections or essential to my community?
  • Leah gives insight into cognitive bias and confirmation bias.

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Episode Resources 1st Podcast Conversation

1st Podcast Conversation

Basics on Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

Family Systems Theory Basics

Two Books

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk MD

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski/VIDEO

Burnout book link

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Valentine’s Day. Show the love for your mind by relaxing it and taking mental breaks. There is a moment before we fall off to sleep when our minds have let go of all activities for the day. A brief pause in our thoughts. You can also notice this upon awakening in the morning right before your mind is flooded with task lists, problems to solve, and activities for the day. A relaxed mind is not trying to control, fix, or improve anything. Show your mind love and feel equanimity today. Take a few mind breaks and allow your mind to be in this calm state for a few minutes to recharge before doing the next unilateral task; focusing on one task at a time. 2. Apply Self-Compassion: Take mental breaks every day. After completing a task or focused project, take a few minutes to rejuvenate the mind. Allow your mind to relax and be free from controlling, fixing, and improving; just be. Give yourself an appreciation hug after each relaxed mind exercise and move one step closer to a healthy mind with this relaxed mind exercise. 3. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Leah and her wisdom and insights into how she holds space for clients to heal and improve their lives holistically. I appreciate the creative way she approaches life and her therapy practice. I appreciate our co-creation of the 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic. I appreciate her resilient spirit and giving us new ways we can address the overlapping themes like polarization and be considerate of our rights and responsibilities as we move through the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Leah Seeger. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Leah Seeger, MA, LMFT, LADC Leah Seeger is a therapist, writer, educator, and activist in Minneapolis, MN. Leah specializes in supporting people struggling with trauma, grief, addiction, and other challenges impacting their relationships and mental health. In her therapy practice at LynLake Centers for Wellbeing, Leah works with individuals, couples, and families.

Leah describes herself as a systemic, relational therapist who brings compassion, curiosity, and humor to the therapeutic process. She helps clients navigate the challenges that cultural norms, systemic issues, historical pressures, and personal values have on individuals or their relationships. As a transplant to Minnesota, a former advertising executive, a trauma survivor, and a self-identified creative weirdo, Leah attempts to utilize her wealth of experiences in the lifelong work of empathizing with, understanding, and supporting people.

Leah currently serves on the Board of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) as the External Affairs Chair; she was an adjunct professor in the Addiction Studies Graduate Program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. When not supporting others, Leah can be found reading, hiking, doing yoga, playing volleyball, or connecting with her favorite people over music, good food, and laughter.

Episode 311: 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Part II

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Episode 310: 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Part I I first learned of today’s Guest Mentor, Leah Seeger, while reading The New York Times article on January 3, 2022, entitled, “We Surveyed 1,320 Therapists Across the Nation. They’re Worried About Mental Health in the U.S.” Leah’s comment in the article stuck with me. “I believe I will be helping people navigate the effects of the pandemic for the rest of my career.” In her early-40s, Leah is a family and marriage therapist, writer, educator, and activist. I thought, wow, yes, she is correct, and that is where we begin our conversation with Leah’s comment.

Studying the article, I noticed Leah has a Minneapolis-based therapy practice, so I reached out and set up an in-person face masked meeting. During our exploratory conversation, we unearthed six psychological and overlapping therapeutic themes and nuances we want to share with you as we begin addressing the longer-term effects of our collective and individual experiences since 2020. Today we discuss the first two themes.

We need context and content to psychologically and emotionally evolve. We need Leah’s systems perspective to understand our interconnected experiences from a broader context. Before discussing the two of six psychological and overlapping therapeutic themes that emerged from the Coronavirus pandemic, I want you to discover who Leah Seeger is and how she moved into a second career as a marriage and family therapist after three interrelated events changed the trajectory of her life.

Leah grew up in a small southwestern Michigan town with 42 students in her high school graduating class. She describes her home life with two parents and a younger brother, four years her junior, as a complicated mixture of love, stubbornness, creativity, gullibility, and pride laced with alcoholism and living with her father’s chronic and progressive Parkinson’s disease. You get the picture; it’s complicated. Ohio State University provided the opportunities, and sense of belonging Leah craved while acquiring a degree in business administration and forging a career in advertising after that.

An opportunity to work for a multinational advertising agency brought Leah to Minnesota. In her 12th year as an ad exec, three big questions brought her into therapy: career, parent’s divorce, and coping with her father’s debilitating and declining disease. You will hear how Leah asserted a new direction to pursue her lifework as a therapist out of therapy. She earned three designations: a master’s degree (MA) and two licenses. One license as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and the other as an alcohol and drug counselor (LADC). She runs her therapy practice through LynLake Centers for Wellbeing with 150 to 160 other therapists.

Here are the two psychological and overlapping therapeutic themes and some of what we discuss. Use the diagram below to understand your world from a systems lens.

Theme I – Panic and Anxiety accompanies News of a Novel Virus (disclosed nationally Mid-March of 2020) * Stockpiling toilet paper and other amenities. Store shelves become bare. * Inconsistent information begins between the Medical Science of the CDC and other agencies and leadership.

• We all thought this would be a few months, and we’ll be back to everyday living. The initial panic subsided, and daily anxiety peppered our existence.

• The diagram is from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, developed in 1974. Leah briefly describes the five systems in the chart and how this view of systems can aid in understanding ourselves and what is going on around us.

• Our lives and families form an emotional unit interwoven with all the systems around us: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem. Leah describes these systems in an easy-to-listen-to-and-digest kind of style so that you can put yourself in the bullseye of your life.

Theme II – Social Distancing and Other Life-Altering Changes like Virtual Living We discuss life-altering changes at home, in our communities, and around the nation and world. We shifted into Virtual Living, and you will hear how Leah and her clients shifted as well.

• Stickers on floors, plastic partitions at the grocery store.
• Lack of physical touch as we canceled all our events and isolated/cocooned.
• Unprecedented violence and social justice uprising around the world.
• Feeling out of control with our safety and security.
• The violence threatened our stability.
• Layers of destabilizing factors at the same time moved us all into panic and life-threatening situations.

Virtual Living brought out creative expression and different ways of coping. The traumatic intensity of these two themes changed our lives and how we live and work together forever. Leah applies a strategy to assessing how much bandwidth you have to help others. Hear how she changed her practice, managed her well-being and held space for the fear and rage of others.

Leah recognizes how our bodies, minds, and emotions work together to heal trauma. A lot changed, forcing us to adapt quickly. These changes were hard for us. “Extending grace and empathy knowing that everyone responds differently to change can go a long way,” says Leah.

This conversation reinforces the importance of integrating change constructively and permits us to acknowledge how much distress we have been living with and how vital self-compassion and forgiveness are in healing individual and collective trauma. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities below. Podcast Sponsor

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• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode Resources Basics on Systems Theory

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory

Family Systems Therapy Basics

The New York Times Article

U.S. mental health professionals say they can’t keep up with demand for therapy. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Pick three things that resonated with you in our conversation about two of the six psychological and overlapping therapeutic themes we discussed above. Decide what you want to do next with the three things you learned.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: If you hadn’t forgiven yourself for how you behaved during these life-changing events when covid-19 became a pandemic, now would be a good time to write a self-forgiveness letter describing your hurtful behavior. Write down how you plan to take responsibility for the outcome, and forgive yourself for your humanness. Add what you learned from the self-forgiveness letter and release it into the universe. Let it be part of your past.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Leah. I appreciate her as a creative being. I appreciate her willingness to co-create the 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic with me. I appreciate her healing wisdom, insights, and ability to name what we are collectively and individually going through. I appreciate her empathy and humility. I appreciate her ability to practice self-compassion while offering compassion to others. I appreciate her resilient spirit and giving us constructive tips as we reflect on what we have learned and how we have changed over the past few years.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Leah Seeger. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Leah Seeger, MA, LMFT, LADC Leah Seeger is a therapist, writer, educator, and activist in Minneapolis, MN. Leah specializes in supporting people struggling with trauma, grief, addiction, and other challenges impacting their relationships and mental health. In her therapy practice at LynLake Centers for Wellbeing, Leah works with individuals, couples, and families.

Leah describes herself as a systemic, relational therapist who brings compassion, curiosity, and humor to the therapeutic process. She helps clients navigate the challenges that cultural norms, systemic issues, historical pressures, and personal values have on individuals or their relationships. As a transplant to Minnesota, a former advertising executive, a trauma survivor, and a self-identified creative weirdo, Leah attempts to utilize her wealth of experiences in the lifelong work of empathizing with, understanding, and supporting people.

Leah currently serves on the Board of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) as the External Affairs Chair; she was an adjunct professor in the Addiction Studies Graduate Program at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. When not supporting others, Leah can be found reading, hiking, doing yoga, playing volleyball, or connecting with her favorite people over music, good food, and laughter.

Episode 310: 6 Psychological and Overlapping Therapeutic Themes of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Part I

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Episode 309: College Life, Self-Reliance, and Adulting with Olivia Foli Adulting is a term first used in social media in 2008, and usage of the term increased on Twitter in 2016 by 700%. Over the last few years, it has become a ‘go-to’ word in our household. Olivia Foli, our daughter, explains the details of how she is taking on adult responsibilities at college, becoming more self-reliant, and meeting seven universal human needs.

We use a familiar tool to guide our conversation. The chart below lists the seven universal human needs included so you can easily follow our chat. You can complete the exercise in its entirety HERE.

The purpose of this WeMentor Universal Human Needs Exercise is to expand ‘relational literacy’ and facilitate your ability to nurture resilient relationships. Today we compare her first year to her sophomore year at college, what she is learning, and the feelings of isolation that linger entering the spring semester. We always begin with a self-focus.

Asserting self-leadership positions us to increase our influence with others because we operate from a place of integrity, a knowingness about ourselves. This comes from learning how to meet your needs consistently. Knowing how to meet our needs and enjoy the feelings accompanying those met needs, like being affectionate, engaged, confident, grateful, and refreshed, incentivizes us to meet those needs regularly. And we can readily identify feelings like fear, annoyance, sadness, confusion, anger, and anxiousness that surface when needs go unmet. Knowing this empowers us to regularly assert meeting our needs because we like and trust how we feel.

You can hear how empowered Olivia feels in the strength of her voice and knowingness as she describes challenges she is overcoming. She is a source of inspiration to Matthew and me.

Other topics we explore regarding how Olivia meets her needs include:

• The challenging part of being brave and dealing with uncertainty.
• Cooking for herself and a buddy system APP with roommates.

• Olivia’s definition of failure and changing majors.

• Her best experiences ever!

• Keeping confidences and building trusting relationships.

• What does Olivia understand about meaning, purpose, lifework, and what is left to figure out?
• Inspirations for joy, peace, and beauty.

| CONNECTION | PHYSICAL WELL-BEING | AUTONOMY | | Acceptance | Air | Choice | | Affection | Food | Freedom | | Appreciation/Admiration | Movement/Exercise | Independence | | Belonging | Rest/Sleep | Space | | Cooperation | Sexual Fulfillment/Expression | Spontaneity | | Open Communication | Safety | | Closeness | Shelter | MEANING | | Community | Touch | Awareness | | Companionship | Water | Celebration of Life | | Compassion | Challenge | | Consideration | HONESTY | Clarity | | Consistency | Authenticity | Competence | | Empathy | Integrity | Consciousness | | Inclusion | Presence | Contribution | | Intimacy/Closeness | Creativity | | Love | PLAY | Discovery | | Mutuality | Joy | Efficacy | | Nurturing | Humor | Effectiveness | | Respect/Self-Respect | Growth | | Safety/Security | PEACE | Hope | | Beauty | Learning | | Stability | Communion | Mourning | | Support | Ease | Participation | | To Know and Be Known | Equality | Purpose | | To See and Be Seen | Harmony | Self-Expression | | To Understand and Be Understood | Inspiration | Stimulation | | Trust | Order | To Matter/Valued/Cherished | | Warmth | Understanding |

If you are parenting a teenager, the research tells us our self-esteem can take a dive as the focus on how we parent intensifies. It is a normal aspect in individuating, forming a separate identity from those who raised them. This tool can help you talk more openly to build a stronger sense of self from a self-compassionate perspective. Especially when the dynamic of power shifts, it is an indication that you are moving into new territory. To shift together and re-establish harmony, we need heart conversations and a different approach to ensuring your needs and theirs are being met. An approach you can co-create.

Self-knowledge releases the propensity to meet our needs unconsciously or through competitive behaviors. Our emotional safety increases, and we take risks to nurture healthy relating. Over time, and with practice, expressing healthy ways of meeting our needs strengthens our connections. I emphasize ‘over time and practice’ because naming your feelings and identifying which needs are being met and which aren’t takes conscious effort and awareness.

From self-awareness and a place of integrity, others’ needs can be noticed and met. Self-awareness can expand our proficiency as a parent and leaders as we accurately encourage others to meet their needs. We become allies for one another and express ourselves with ease. We co-create a more profound connection by initiating heart/hard conversations.

A sign that change is upon us is when the equilibrium gets off-kilter. Our philosophy is to hang in there, no matter what, and stay curious about what we can learn about ourselves and each other. Not easy, but necessary in healthy relating, promoting resiliency, and living harmoniously with others. This exercise has helped Olivia, Matthew, and I stay connected while figuring out our strong feelings, especially when our connection with each other is challenged/disrupted.

We start with how Olivia nurtures connections with family, roommates, and new and old friends. The UW-Madison women’s rowing team has helped her sense of belonging and working toward individual and team goals. We explore her sense of stability, safety, and security and where her sense of humor comes from. I found myself on the edge of my chair, nervous in anticipation for her answer to whether she had felt seen and heard.

A key to unlocking how you are developing a culture of belonging is to ask those in it if they feel a sense of belonging. If they don’t feel a sense of belonging, do this WeMentor Universal Human Needs Exercise and assert a heartfelt conversation on what needs to change.

F.Y.I. “Relational literacy is the ability to understand and express healthy ways of relating: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Our errors are our teachers; they guide us toward greater proficiency and greater awareness, says psychologist, international speaker, and bestselling author of six books, Melanie Joy, Ph.D. In her book, Getting Relationships Right: How to Build Resilience and Thrive in Life, Love, and Work, Melanie writes, “what matters most in this process is how we relate to our mistakes. Even a slight increase in relational literacy can lead to significant improvement.”

Today’s exercise is a step in the right relational direction. Listen to part two of our insightful and inspiring conversation. DOWNLOAD

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Episode Resources Adulting

adulting – Dictionary.com

Healthy Minds Innovation

About – Healthy Minds Innovations (hminnovations.org)

The Today Show: Can We Feel More Hopeful in 2022? – Healthy Minds Innovations (hminnovations.org)

Olivia’s First Podcast Conversation

College Life through Our Daughter’s Eyes | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

The Heart of Resilient Relationships Episode

The Heart of Resilient Relationships | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Complete this WeMentorUniversalHumanNeedsExercise_2022

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your feelings after completing the adventurous task. Write a self-compassion letter and commit to consciously and regularly meeting your needs. Make it a statement you say out loud each morning.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Olivia and her wisdom, delightful spirit, and role modeling encouragement. I appreciate her joy, spunk, and commitment to meeting her needs and living courageously. Getting your needs met inspires hopefulness and a zest for life like nothing else. She will always be cherished, seen, heard, and deeply loved. Thank you, Olivia, for being you.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Olivia Foli. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Olivia Foli

Olivia Foli is the daughter of Nancy Meyer and Matthew Foli. She is in her second year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying psychology and Spanish. Outside of her commitments at school, she loves reading, playing violin, running, nordic skiing, and using her Spanish. This past year she joined the Women’s Lightweight Crew team alongside the University Orchestra. She also had the opportunity to become a research assistant in the Learning and Transfer Psychology Lab on campus. In the summer of 2021, Olivia started her first full-time job at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, working with the executive team and in the classroom. She hopes to pursue an internship in Spain through the study abroad program.

Episode 309: College Life, Self-Reliance, and Adulting with Olivia Foli

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Episode 308: College Life through Our Daughter’s Eyes

In the fall of 2021, my daughter, Olivia Foli, and I began talking about her being on this podcast. We thought the timing was right for her to be today’s Guest Mentor after reading a December 23, 2021 article in The New York Times entitled Fast-Spreading Variant Has Campuses Fearing A Mental Health Crisis (by Anemona Hartocoliis).

We start with a trend everyone in their age group seems into nowadays: vintage clothes shopping. Olivia used to wear leggings every day in high school. Leggings are out, and baggy pants and shirts are ‘in.’ Ok, leggings will always be in for working out and casual wear. Olivia’s style is “an older, classy look,” she says.

Olivia and her classmates, now moving out of their teen years, were born into the aftermath of 9/11. Three of her classmates, triplets, were born before, during, and after the Twin Towers in New York City fell.

“On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the presidency of George W. Bush.” (September 11 Attacks: Facts, Background & Impact – HISTORY)

Olivia’s graduating class was born into a world that changed overnight. We chat about flying before and after 9/11. TSA checks and extensive security measures like taking off shoes, belts, and jackets and packing liquid items in 3-ounce containers are normal. No big deal.

The Class of 2020 is the first high school graduating class to have online graduation ceremonies nationwide. No surprise to them that the world would change again.

From The New York Times article I mentioned above, college students have been requesting more counseling options with the rise in mental health concerns such as an outbreak of suicides. More than 9,000 people signed a petition asking for more mental health services at Saint Louis University. “Over the past decade, the rate of depression, anxiety and serious thoughts of suicide has doubled among college students according to Daniel Eisenberg, a professor at U.C.L.A. and a principal investigator of the Healthy Minds Study, an annual survey of thousands of students across the country.” The pandemic has intensified those trends where students report lower levels of psychological well-being. The Healthy Minds Study also reported higher levels of resiliency (meeting needs of safety, satisfaction, and connection).

Olivia talks about feeling the heaviness of anxiety she had never experienced before. It happened when a friend picked her up for a road trip to Duluth. Her peers are also dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. They are a generation finding resiliency in talking about what they are going through, finding satisfaction in meaningful activities, and cultivating deeper connections within themselves and other relationships.

As Olivia continues reflecting on her journey so far, she is more precise about what happened in 2020. Her sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is more fun. She settled into double majoring in psychology and Spanish, plays in the school orchestra, and is on the University rowing team. Paciencia y fe are her words for 2022: patience and faith. Enjoy our encouraging conversation. DOWNLOAD

The pictures above are connected to our conversation.

Next week, Olivia talks more about college life, adulting, and learning self-reliance skills like taking care of herself, being brave, and meeting Universal Human Needs.

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below.

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Episode Resources Healthy Minds Innovations

About – Healthy Minds Innovations (hminnovations.org)

The Today Show: Can We Feel More Hopeful in 2022? – Healthy Minds Innovations (hminnovations.org)

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Do this resiliency exercise this week and beyond and share it with others. Journal your joyful moments during the day or write about your uplifting parts, writing as if talking with someone about them. At the end of each day, train your mind to highlight the joyful moments you experienced during the day. Olivia mentioned a journal exercise that helped her deal with severe isolation during her first year at UW-Madison. She began an evening journaling exercise. She wrote as if she were talking with someone telling them about the uplifting things she experienced during the day.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Add to the exercise above experiences during the day where you felt our common humanity. It might be someone sharing how they overcame a difficult task. Or think about a food you ate, perhaps an apple, and the many hands that helped get the apple into your hands. Or a reporter of an article you recently read and the interviewed people and other research gathered to write the story.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Olivia’s courage in doing her first podcast as a Guest Mentor. I appreciate Olivia’s openness to describe her school experiences, from attending the Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion elementary school, Plymouth Middle School, and Robbinsdale Armstrong High School to deciding to go to UW-Madison. I appreciate how she is navigating her way through this coronavirus pandemic. I appreciate the beautiful woman she has become inside and out. She is cherished and deeply loved.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Olivia Foli. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Olivia Foli

Olivia Foli is the daughter of Nancy Meyer and Matthew Foli. She is in her second year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying psychology and Spanish. Outside of her commitments at school, she loves reading, playing violin, running, nordic skiing, and using her Spanish. This past year she joined the Women’s Lightweight Crew team alongside the University Orchestra. She also had the opportunity to become a research assistant in the Learning and Transfer Psychology Lab on campus. In the summer of 2021, Olivia started her first full-time job at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, working with the executive team and in the classroom. She hopes to pursue an internship in Spain through the study abroad program.

Episode 308: College Life through Our Daughter’s Eyes

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Episode 307: 4 More Business Junk Drawers to Organize with Sarah Becker The Process Ninja, Sarah Becker, is back, adding four more business junk drawers to organize. Yes, we have seven total business junk drawers that cause us stress and need our thoughtful attention. Crisis-to-crisis leadership is the consequence of ignoring or not taking charge of these business junk drawers. Severe criticism can accompany our lack of astuteness, along with added pressure and disgruntled co-workers and employees.

Here is an incentive to take charge of your business junk drawers. What if addressing four more business junk drawers reduced errors and increased profit margins, plus provided you the time to scale your business with greater peace of mind and confidence? What if your employees could cut their jobs from 40 hours a week to 20 hours like Sarah did when she worked at Target Corporation for six years before founding Clear Simple Business, LLC in 2016? Surprising outcomes can be discovered when you take charge of your business junk drawers.

Sarah also started a family as she became a new business owner. That takes a level of organizational fortitude begetting a Process Ninja title. Cody is now 8 years old, and Hannah is 6. They both love hockey, like their parents. I appreciate how Sarah works her schedule and gets virtual assistance (Angie Glotzbach) to keep on top of her business junk drawers.

I start with a brief review of the first three business junk drawers: financial anything, customer service issues, and quality assurance. We then add four more business junk drawers listed below. These take a little longer to describe but are worth hearing the Process Ninja’s investigative explanation and solutions to manage them.

1. Tasks Simply Not Getting Done – things fall back into the business owner’s lap. Great ideas in a meeting, and no one takes ownership of moving the ball forward.

2. Odds and Ends Tasks. Do projects end up back in your lap? We have all had this happen, especially if someone leaves the company. What do you do with reports, say 50 reports in which 8 of them are being used? Great ideas here about delegating and assessing workflow processes and expectations.

3. Email Clutter. We all have it. Get strategies to gain control of your inbox and ideas for project management.

4. Personal Items into Business: This involves prioritizing your needs first and working through ‘unrealistic sense of urgency’ projects. Can you identify the unseen norms you have in your business? Make them visible. DOWNLOAD

NEXT STEP: Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast Sponsor

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Episode Resources 3 Business Junk Drawers to Organize

3 Business Junk Drawers to Organize with Sarah Becker | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Clear Simple Business Resources

Clear Simple Business Blog

Clear Simple Business – Media and News

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Schedule a time to start with tasks simply not getting done, business junk drawer. Schedule a one-hour block of time for each of the other three business junk drawers. One per week could be more doable than tackling them all at once. During the one-hour self-session, jot down, for example, tasks not getting done. Decide who could help you stay on top of this business junk drawer and use the same strategy for organizing each drawer. Concrete action in small steps is better than no action at all.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Allow yourself to gain control of each business junk drawer and feel a surge of energy as you take charge. Every business junk drawer can be managed with a plan and an accountable person or team to work on it regularly. Asking for help is necessary. Find a person who is the right fit. Keep allowing yourself to gain control.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate the growing enthusiasm Sarah exuded during our conversation. I appreciate how Sarah shares her love of hockey with her two children. I appreciate the trial and error method Sarah uses to investigate company process issues. I appreciate how Sarah is consciously growing Clear Simple Business, LLC.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Sarah Becker. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Sarah Becker. Sarah is the founder, CEO, and Process Ninja with Clear Simple Business, LLC and has been a Process Improvement Investigator and Implementer for over 10 years. She most recently worked for a Fortune 50 Retailer where she had a successful track record of improving and enhancing processes throughout the organization; most notably, reducing the amount of time it took to complete a monthly task from 3 business days to 1 business day and a weekly report from 1 business day to 20 minutes.

Why does she do it? Sarah was in many positions where tasks took WAY too long to get done, and they were slow and painful. It bothered her so much that she had to develop a better way of doing things. And that is what she did. Far too often, she sees companies operating off manual, outdated tasks that are error-laden and lead to profit loss.

Sarah resolves issues that produce outcomes of increased clarity, improved peace of mind, reduction of errors, scalability, and profit margins. Why not create a strong company culture, increase productivity, boost employee loyalty, enhance employee engagement, and have a healthier workforce?

Sarah believes people work harder than they need to! Why not work together to make your work life easier and more enjoyable!!!

Here are five ways you can work with Sarah:

1. Excell Magic
2. Clean the Junk Drawer
3. Train the Doer
4. Outside the Box Solutions

5. Back to Basics

6. Read blog articles.

7. Get video tips from Process Ninja.

Episode 307: 4 More Business Junk Drawers to Organize with Sarah Becker

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Episode 306: 3 Business Junk Drawers to Organize with Sarah Becker New Year. New Inspiration to Organize. What do you do with tasks, chores, problems, and issues that cause worry but you don’t have time to address? Do you put them in a ‘business junk drawer,’ hoping to get to them after the volcano stops erupting with daily emergencies? Today we will get ideas about organizing three business junk drawers from Sarah Becker, founder and Process Ninja of Clear Simple Business, LLC.

When I think of a junk drawer, I think of stuff placed in a drawer to be forgotten about. Unused stuff that I don’t have any other home or spot to put it. Actually, I have a junk closet where I stuff decorative boxes, both small and large, ribbons, wrapping paper, fun bags, and tissue paper. You wouldn’t be alone in thinking it is a waste of space. I agree, but I can’t seem to give up the space for another purpose. Unless I stop giving gifts. I just did the annual organization of the closet and threw out a bunch of stuff. It felt great.

A junk drawer usually doesn’t cause much stress as a business junk drawer can. Even though junk drawers don’t necessarily disappear, there are ways you can deal with them to relieve stress, save time, and increase profitability.

In business, we have metaphorical junk drawers that cause us and others anxiety and lead to inefficiencies in our businesses. Sarah calls the first one our Financial Anything junk drawer. This business junk drawer is about tracking and processing money going in and out of the business; and how those processes allow or hinder growth. Processes we start with aren’t necessarily the processes or the software that will support the next company growth spurt. We consider the length of time it takes for business owners to make financial decisions. Only your bookkeeper knows for sure. Sarah has lots of ideas here.

Find out the customer service areas like speed and quality you can organize and update in the #2 Customer Service business junk drawer.

The #3 business junk drawer is Quality Assurance. Become aware of what needs thinking through before hiring more people.

Sarah works with businesses employing 10 to 300 people. She has many examples of how many days, hours, and work weeks she has saved companies, working her way out of jobs.

Sarah’s inspiration comes from being raised by two highly efficient computer programmers. And, maybe playing hockey for the College of St. Benedict shaped her unique perspective and ability to know her competition. Could it be that completing her MBA coursework in London and Thailand expanded her business savvy, widening her perspective of business cultural practices and boosting her business competence? How about working at Target honing her Process Ninja investigative skills and applying her unique expertise in saving Target and other companies time, valuing talent, and improving profit margins? These experiences and skills are integrated with Sarah’s aspirations: to help clarify and simplify how you do business and make money.

Use our conversation to get inspired and lower your stress and the stress of those you employ by tackling one or all three business junk drawers we discuss. Next week we will introduce four more business junk drawers to facilitate how you efficiently run your business, so get started by addressing those junk drawers this week. DOWNLOAD

Challenge yourself and do the Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring (C.A.L.M.) Activities, below. Podcast Sponsor

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• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode Resources Clear Simple Business Tips

Clear Simple Business

Year-End Bookkeeping Tips | Supporting Strategies

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Identify what is in your three business junk drawers: financial anything, customer service issues, and quality assurance. Write down what they are and decide who you need to help you address them. You could have guest mentor Sarah Becker, the Process Ninja, help you out. Take action this week.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: After identifying each of the three business junk drawers, take a break. Breathe slowly in and out five times. Identify the next business junk drawer and what you need to do to gain control and relieve stress. Observe where in the body you hold stress and notice when stress leaves your body as you do this adventurous task.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Sarah Becker’s journey in becoming a Process Ninja. Her creativity and unique approach will flourish as she expands her work and builds on her aspirations as a lifemate, mother, business owner, sister, friend, and community volunteer. I appreciate what I learned about business junk drawers and what to do with them. I appreciate her passion and joy. I appreciate her contributions to our business community that needs organization and a Process Ninja.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Sarah Becker. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Sarah Becker. Sarah is the founder, CEO, and Process Ninja with Clear Simple Business, LLC and has been a Process Improvement Investigator and Implementer for over 10 years. She most recently worked for a Fortune 50 Retailer where she had a successful track record of improving and enhancing processes throughout the organization; most notably, reducing the amount of time it took to complete a monthly task from 3 business days to 1 business day and a weekly report from 1 business day to 20 minutes.

Why does she do it? Sarah was in many positions where tasks took WAY too long to get done, and they were slow and painful. It bothered her so much that she had to develop a better way of doing things. And that is what she did. Far too often, she sees companies operating off manual, outdated tasks that are error-laden and lead to profit loss.

Sarah resolves issues that produce outcomes of increased clarity, improved peace of mind, reduction of errors, scalability, and profit margins. Why not create a strong company culture, increase productivity, boost employee loyalty, enhance employee engagement, and have a healthier workforce?

Sarah believes people work harder than they need to! Why not work together to make your work life easier and more enjoyable!!!

Here are five ways you can work with Sarah:

1. Excell Magic
2. Clean the Junk Drawer
3. Train the Doer
4. Outside the Box Solutions

5. Back to Basics

6. Read blog articles.

7. Get video tips from Process Ninja.

Episode 306: 3 Business Junk Drawers to Organize with Sarah Becker

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Episode 305: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Karin McCabe and Wendy Sullivan, Part III What is your word or phrase for this New Year? My phrase for the year is where today’s conversation begins, increasing cultural competency through meaningful conversations. Find out what today’s Guest Mentors’ words are for 2022.

Karin McCabe of McGough Construction and Wendy Sullivan of Wenrich PD Construction, LLC. Our three-part series focuses on learning the plight of these two industry pioneers in the trades working toward inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency. They are forging pathways to facilitate a multicultural mindset in the trades.

This work is done together with many voices heard, meaningful conversations asserted, action taken to change policies and procedures, and hiring and promotional practices examined. It encourages looking at every aspect of the dominant culture through a multicultural lens.

Today Wendy and Karin share how their practical approach to addressing systemic change is working and what still needs to be done. I refresh our memories with three terms we hear together regarding systemic change: diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency. A fourth term Wendy discussed regarding her ancestors is generational trauma. Trauma can be passed on from one generation to the next. I have included the definitions below.

Wendy starts our conversation by identifying her key learnings and where she feels progress is being made. Having a growth mindset keeps learning at the forefront of pioneering change.

Bravery and being genuinely curious are Karin’s companions for lifelong learning and bringing continuous change to all her circles of influence. Karin says, “2022 is a watershed year at McGough with new leaders who want to play an active role in our work internally. Statewide, we will continue to dismantle systemic racism, with more businesses driven to do this work in meaningful ways. We will continue to bring leaders of those communities, like Wendy, who is at the foreground helping us understand what members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous People Of Color) communities need to thrive.”

We discuss their goals and aspirations for the year. You will learn how appreciation for each other has blossomed over the years and what they are curious to learn about each other next. They role model the strength of togetherness we need to become multiculturally competent. Their inspiring energy and determination motivated me to revisit my goals for the year. DOWNLOAD

DEFINITIONS Diversity means a unique mix of differences: race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, ethnicity, physical abilities, age, relation, national origin, beliefs, political affiliations, and life experiences. Karin’s definition: Diversity is the multi-varied experiences and world views we all bring to the table, the lens through which we view everything. We address diversity at McGough as a benefit to the company, a tool for innovation, and a challenge to achieve.”

Inclusion is, for our purposes, how differences are addressed in the workplace. This means going beyond meeting outside directed quotas like hiring a certain number of minorities. It means finding ways to respect and find ways to honor their contributions and having a voice in decisions that affect them, the company, and the community. To summarize, each person is seen, heard, and respected.

Cultural competence has to do with the skills used to understand and communicate across differences effectively. All parties are aware of their implicit biases. Leveraging diversity by embracing differences as an added benefit and not judging as something wrong or bad.

“Generational Trauma is precisely what it sounds like,” according to Dr. Melanie English: “trauma that isn’t just experienced by one person but extends from one generation to the next. “It can be silent, covert, and undefined, surfacing through nuances and inadvertently taught or implied throughout someone’s life from an early age onward,” licensed clinical psychologist and parenting evaluator Melanie English, Ph.D., tells Health. What Is Generational Trauma? Here’s How Experts Explain It | Health.com

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Episode Resources Podcast Episodes I and II

Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Karin McCabe | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Wendy Sullivan, Part II | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Organize your life by seeking insight. Get rid of confusing habits, conditioning, and beliefs that no longer serve you. Ask yourself three important questions. What am I doing right? What isn’t working as I begin 2022? What is my next best step in getting rid of confusing habits, conditioning, and outdated beliefs?

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Sit alone in a quiet and nondistracting place. Center yourself by closing your eyes, breathing slowly in and out, and asking yourself the questions above. Use the answers as your guide in taking the next best step.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate both Wendy’s and Karin’s forthrightness and insights into their life journeys. I appreciate their integrity and desire for lifelong learning. I appreciate their path toward bringing the construction industry inclusivity, diversity, and cultural competence. I appreciate their resiliency, vulnerability, and generosity. I admire their bravery and ability to lead and mentor others.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentors, Wendy Sullivan, and Karin McCabe. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Wendy Sullivan is the founder and owner of WENRICH PD Construction, LLC. As a multi-entrepreneur for most of her career, she has owned multiple businesses over the past 30 years. She has held a residential General Contractor’s license since 2006 and a Real Estate license since 1990.

Wendy is a lifelong resident of Minnesota with roots in the Western suburbs. She is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Sociology. She is active in her community, participating in various committees and organizations promoting fairness, justice, and equality for women and minority businesses and all humans.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Karin McCabe. Karin is the Director of Outreach at McGough Construction. A company that began building its legacy in the 1800s. As Outreach Director, Karin is responsible for McGough’s diversity and inclusion efforts, both internally and externally. She is a 22-year veteran of the company and has held several departmental and initiative leadership positions during her tenure. Karin shares McGough’s dedication to developing and strengthening relationships through diversity within the construction industry. A steadfast believer in the Servant Leadership model, she is a part of several advisory boards and organizational committees. Karin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from St. Catherine’s University and is a lifelong learner.

Currently, she is on the Friends of St. Paul College, St. Paul Public Schools Career Technical Education Advisory, and Minnesota Builders Exchange board and is the chair emeritus for the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County. Below is a list of some of Karin’s awards.

• Selected as the Minnesota Subcontractor Association’s 2013 Construction Professional of the Year.
• The 2015 St. Paul College Community Partner of the Year.
• The 2020 University of Minnesota Star Award.
• Recently, Karin was honored by her peers for work as the lead of McGough’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee.

Episode 305: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Karin McCabe and Wendy Sullivan, Part III

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Episode 304: Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year and More In this last episode for 2021, Mike Kabeya interviews me asking questions about the biggest lessons, updates, and personal challenges I overcame. Also included are your top three favorite conversations and our favorites.

I have found book writing to follow the emotional rollercoaster of innovation. Extreme highs and brilliant ‘ahas’ along with visits into the pit of pain like feeling inadequate, confused, and overwhelmed, to sittings with the writing imposter. Mike invites a brief update on where I am after missing a self-imposed deadline and my goal in 2022.

Out of the 100 or so book titles, my working title is this, Self-Leadership Mentoring: The Explorer’s Dual Innovation Practice. A practice-based on how we can evolve as a leader while redesigning our businesses. I developed the practice from working with thousands of entrepreneurial leaders since 1992. You will also hear where I am getting writing support.

Two books I Highly Recommend 1. A novel that explores themes of teamwork, coaching, family, and economic class. “The Boys in the Boat,” writes author Daniel James, “is a book that tells the story of nine American rowers who won an Olympic gold medal in 1936.” The book became a best-seller and adapted into The Boys of ’36 documentary.

“The novel follows Joe Rantz’s journey to the Olympics, during the Great Depression and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. It begins in 1933 when Joe attends the University of Washington and tries out for the rowing team.” This book was inspired by my daughter, Olivia, who joined the UW-Madison rowing team this fall.

1. The other book, given to me by a neighbor, is Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them by Dr. Karl Pillemer (2020). A rare book that explains the landscape of estrangement affecting more than 65 million Americans and how those he researched found a path to reconnection. I discuss an idea I am implementing to reconcile with my dad. Even if reconciliation doesn’t happen, this book broadens understanding and helps in conscious decision-making when relationships become strained.

Milestone Birthday Blunder Insights Milestone birthdays have been challenging to plan with loved ones during this covid pandemic. What do you do? Who do you invite? How big or small? When under so much stress, do we allow for different ways we make decisions? How are we redefining expectations and handling disappointment?

My idea for celebrating my 60th birthday this year flopped. The thought was to do something low-key, so I wrote down numbers from 1 to 60 on a piece of yellow tablet paper. I started the list by appreciating the vegan meal I made. I told Matthew and Olivia they could add to the list by writing down something they appreciated about me or did for me or a gift they bought. This spring (April) was still so stressful that I didn’t get the buy-in, which led to a hurt that triggered unnerving feelings about my self-worth. I discuss my learnings that included loving acts of forgiveness, understanding, and healing. Mike also shares how his celebration plans went for his wife, Sylvie Kabeya, on her 50th birthday. Our conversation was surprisingly nurturing. You will hear what we both learned about ourselves and our spouses.

Before moving into your favorite podcast conversations, we discuss is a 21-Day Abundance exercise I did with a friend. Deepak Chopra created the exercise. I share the shocking results. Mike was so impressed with the results that he wants to go through this free 21-Day Abundance program. If you would like to join us, email me at nancy@wementor.com. I will get you the details.

Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year #1 Barbara Winter, Pioneer, and Author of Making A Living Without A Job (2020 and 2021)

• It Is Time To Explore Multiple Profit Centers | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Employee Mindset vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Portfolios of Inspiration | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• 3 Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• 3 More Steps to Becoming An Idea Detective with Barbara Winter | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

#2 The Amazing Hondo and his Life Experiences

• The Magical Life of “The Amazing Hondo” | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• An Inspirational Gift in Tragedy with “The Amazing Hondo” | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Reimagine Your Craft with “The Amazing Hondo” | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

#3 The series we did on Jim Conn’s entrepreneurial life received extra publicity.

• Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 1 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 2 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 3 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Acquiring An Entrepreneurial Business Acumen, Part 4 of 4 | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Still Popular Today: 5 Enemies of Meditation and How to Overcome Them * 5 Enemies of Meditation and How to Overcome Them | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

OUR FAVORITES Mike’s favorite conversation came from the advice given by Guest Mentor Cedric Bryant. “It doesn’t matter how much you physically train. Everything you do counts. Start little by little and build up that way.” Below are his episodes:

• Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD
• Cedric Bryant Tackles the Physical Activity Pandemic | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

My favorite conversations came from Dr. Melanie Joy. She expanded my ability to relate in healthy ways. I have needed extra skills as our family navigated business and family relationships as we changed our lifestyle to be plant-based or vegan this year. Her book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows reinforced our decision and enriched my understanding of why some people responded negatively.

• The Heart of Resilient Relationships | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Beyond Carnism with Dr. Melanie Joy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• A One-Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

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Our Favorites Cedric Bryant

Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD

Cedric Bryant Tackles the Physical Activity Pandemic | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Dr. Melanie Joy

The Heart of Resilient Relationships | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Beyond Carnism with Dr. Melanie Joy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

A One-Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Gratitude Exchange. As you spend time together with family, clients and colleagues, and friends, exchange words of gratitude. Let each person know what you appreciate about them. Be specific and genuine when you deliver gratitude.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Pay particular attention to how you both feel after delivering the Gratitude Exchange. Did you feel vulnerable? Did you feel elevated? Did the other person spontaneously reciprocate by sharing gratitude toward you? Keep noticing how you both feel after extending gratitude to each person.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Mike’s ability to turn the mic around and interview me. I appreciate the year we had: all the gifts, overcoming challenges, great clients and guest mentors, and making progress. I appreciate how we are working our way through the covid pandemic fatigue we feel as variants continue to emerge. I appreciate the joy embedded in each day we are alive. I appreciate Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit and talent. I appreciate his humanness in parenting and being a life partner with Sylvie in raising four boys. I admire how Mike mentors and role models excellence. I admire who Mike is.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentors, Mike Kabeya and Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Mike Kabeya. Mike joined WeMentor, inc. in 2015 as a sound technician, photographer, and videographer. He has a unique aptitude for sound quality and an innate editing flair heard in over 300 podcast episodes. His exacting eye is noticeable in every picture and video shoot. Mike’s creativity, respectful demeanor, integrity, commitment to meet deadlines, technical expertise, and leadership skills are a few gems that add to a unique work relationship for me and an engaging listening experience for you. Mike wrote the piano vignette that opens up each episode.

Mike founded Kabeya Media in 2013 to share, more broadly, his technical skills and talents across multi-media platforms. Mike is a spiritual director, journalist, photographer, audiographer, media designer, and videographer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has worked on hundreds of broad range projects, including videos for companies, multi-media videos for authors, and other work events. He is a photographer for family events like weddings, family photos, and anniversaries.

Since relocating to Minnesota in 2006, Mike has worked for the University of Minnesota as a Communications Technician while building his communications company. He is passionate about his work and happily married to Sylvie Kabeya. They have raised four accomplished young men (Bobby, Dginn, Cristal, and Sundy). You can hear more about Sylvie and Mike’s back story on these podcast episodes:

• Mike Kabeya Kazadi’s Journey into Entrepreneurship | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Present and Vulnerable Leadership Lessons with Mike Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Working On Your Business with Mike Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Sylvie Kabeya’s Journey With Mike Into Entrepreneurship | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Bobby Kabeya. Music and multi-media are in Bobby’s soul as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, multi-media experimentalist, and budding journalist. He expresses his gifts and contributions to the world through Miloe Music and Kabeya Media.

Bobby has also been a Guest Mentor. Check out his podcast episodes below.

• What do Winona Ryder and Pop Rocker Bobby Kabeya Have In Common? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Musings from Teen Pop Rocker Bob Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Becoming Bob Kabeya, Teen Pop Rocker | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 304: Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year and More

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Episode 303: Mike Kabeya and I Reflect on 2021

When asked how long Keanu Reeves will act, he says, “work is life.” The Kabeya family appears to have the same perspective. To work is to live.

Today, you get an unusual look into Mike Kabeya’s life as a father, creator, husband, and business owner. Mike shares his parenting secrets. I admire him and Sylvie’s approach in raising four accomplished and well-adjusted young black men.

Idleness is not what occurred at the Kabeya household in 2020 and 2021. You will hear how his family operates as a creative hub enriching every community they find themselves in. They turned life’s challenges into creative endeavors. They seized opportunities to create and produce music, videos, draw, and design upwards of 30 cartoon books, advanced in their studies and spirituality, played soccer and other sports.

Did you know that karate can curb snoring? It did for Mike. Not only did he stop snoring, but Mike won a gold medal when competing in a traditional form of karate through a program at the University of Minnesota. The details are worth hearing.

One in 100 elders over age 65 has passed away from covid-19. Mike asked an important question when the covid pandemic hit their household in 2020. What are we going to do now, when we live in a space where we can’t quarantine, and everyone will get covid? Who is going to help who? Find out what the Kabeya’s did. In 2020, Bobby was 20 years old, Dginn was 18, Cristal was 16, and Sundy was 14 years old. This experience became their life-changing event in 2021.

Have you ever had people in your life that the more you learn about them, the more you admire them? The kind of people that bring out your best and inspire you to be more? The Kabeya family are those kinds of people. The photo below is Matthew, Olivia, and me with the Kabeya’s at UW-Madison. Bobby Kabeya performed with his band, Miloe (Olivia also goes to school at UW-Madison).

We pack in a delightfully productive and fun conversation about overcoming challenges and staying fully engaged in life. One of the fastest hours I have experienced. Happy Holidays! “Spread the season of love.” DOWNLOAD

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Episode Resources MILOE

• What do Winona Ryder and Pop Rocker Bobby Kabeya Have In Common? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Musings from Teen Pop Rocker Bob Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Becoming Bob Kabeya, Teen Pop Rocker | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: With everyone you connect with this week, give them some love and gratitude. Let them know how and why you appreciate them.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: After you blast someone with gratitude, spread some love and gratitude on yourself. Say aloud in front of the mirror something you appreciate about yourself.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Mike’s tenacity and generosity. I appreciate Mike’s many talents and ability to create beautiful things with others. I appreciate the fun we have in working together, the ease and understanding we bring to each conversation. I appreciate Mike’s desire to learn and use each experience as a tool for betterment. I appreciate how Mike and Sylvie parent with loving-kindness and cultural understanding. I appreciate the organized chaos within each of our creative projects. I appreciate Mike editing and being present as we produced over 300 podcast episodes. I appreciate Mike’s sense of humor, compassion, and fun-loving nature. I appreciate his openness in asserting self-leadership in his business and as a parent.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Mike Kabeya. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Mike Kabeya. Mike joined WeMentor, inc. in 2015 as a sound technician, photographer, and videographer. He has a unique aptitude for sound quality and an innate editing flair heard in over 300 podcast episodes. His exacting eye is noticeable in every picture and video shoot. Mike’s creativity, respectful demeanor, integrity, commitment to meet deadlines, technical expertise, and leadership skills are a few gems that add to a unique work relationship for me and an engaging listening experience for you. Mike wrote the piano vignette that opens up each episode.

Mike founded Kabeya Media in 2013 to share, more broadly, his technical skills and talents across multi-media platforms. Mike is a spiritual director, journalist, photographer, audiographer, media designer, and videographer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has worked on hundreds of broad range projects, including videos for companies, multi-media videos for authors, and other work events. He is a photographer for family events like weddings, family photos, and anniversaries.

Since relocating to Minnesota in 2006, Mike has worked for the University of Minnesota as a Communications Technician while building his communications company. He is passionate about his work and happily married to Sylvie Kabeya. They have raised four accomplished young men (Bobby, Dginn, Cristal, and Sundy). You can hear more about Sylvie and Mike’s back story on these podcast episodes:

• Mike Kabeya Kazadi’s Journey into Entrepreneurship | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Present and Vulnerable Leadership Lessons with Mike Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Working On Your Business with Mike Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Sylvie Kabeya’s Journey With Mike Into Entrepreneurship | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Bobby Kabeya. Music and multi-media are in Bobby’s soul as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, multi-media experimentalist, and budding journalist. He expresses his gifts and contributions to the world through Miloe Music and Kabeya Media.

Bobby has also been a Guest Mentor. Check out his podcast episodes below.

• What do Winona Ryder and Pop Rocker Bobby Kabeya Have In Common? | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Musings from Teen Pop Rocker Bob Kabeya | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST
• Becoming Bob Kabeya, Teen Pop Rocker | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 303: Mike Kabeya and I Reflect on 2021

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Episode 302: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Wendy Sullivan, Part II An easy way to infuse inclusion into traditions organized around the Winter Solstice — Hanukkah, Christmas or Yule, Feast of Juul—is through language. Have an enjoyable ‘holiday season’ is an inclusive phrase. It includes religious traditions and the like. A phrase you can personalize in conversation and prompt another to share their traditions.

Language and feedback from others give us clues that reflect our mindset. Movement out of a monocultural mindset happens in stages from denial, polarization, and minimization to accepting our differences, even celebrations, and adaptation that brings systemic change. An intercultural mindset takes empathy and a desire to understand another’s journey.

Our three-part series focuses on learning the plight of two industry pioneers in the trades working toward inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency. Karin McCabe of McGough Construction and Wendy Sullivan of Wenrich PD Construction, LLC are forging pathways to address systemic racism. This work is done together with many voices being heard, asserting meaningful conversations, and taking action to change policies and procedures, and examining hiring practices. It encourages looking at every aspect of the dominant culture and applying a multicultural mindset.

A step toward systemic change is acknowledging that the construction industry was built through a monocultural mindset. White males created a dominant culture through their point of view. Makes sense when thinking in that way. No blame, just naming what has brought us to this point.

Inclusion in action could mean gently nudging the dominant culture of business leaders to move through the stages of denial, polarization, and minimization as they reach an acceptance of ownership in how they perpetuated the dominant culture. To be inclusive, we need to know how we have been exclusive, explore ways to stop excluding others, and provide reparations to minorities from now on, if possible.

Karin and Wendy agree that the construction industry has a long way to go. That is why their life mission is to bring inclusion and diversity into the limelight by creating pathways to cultural competence within their companies and externally in their communities.

Wendy Sullivan is today’s guest mentor. She is biracial. Her mother is a descendant of slaves and knows generational trauma, and her father is Caucasian.

Imagine if your family were descendants of slavery. Taken from their home country and ripped from their lives with their families, never seeing them again. Tortured and beaten. Organized to live with others speaking differing tribal languages and traditions. Being forced to work and live together for their lifetime. They were not allowed to accumulate or build wealth or even build a better future for their offspring. What’s inherited is enslavement to a family that controls every aspect of your life.

Imagine further dehumanization by being assigned a number to replace your name. Your voice is not heard, and your humanity goes unacknowledged. There are no reparations for a lifetime of suffering. The family you bring into the world suffers the same indignities. Where do you find your self-worth and sense of belonging? Where is your place in the world? How do you embrace your humanity and build a legacy where generations can prosper? How do you free yourself of these atrocities that are never acknowledged?

“Generational Trauma is precisely what it sounds like,” according to Dr. Melanie English: “trauma that isn’t just experienced by one person but extends from one generation to the next. “It can be silent, covert, and undefined, surfacing through nuances and inadvertently taught or implied throughout someone’s life from an early age onward,” licensed clinical psychologist and parenting evaluator Melanie English, Ph.D., tells Health.

Our society is awakening from its monocultural mindset to the history we need to reckon with and the generational trauma we need to heal. It isn’t pretty. The language of denial, polarization, and minimization are undulating around us (an estimated 20 million Americans). Maybe we hear ourselves. The reckoning will continue. We must nudge ourselves and others forward to accept our history, not perpetuate it, and stay stuck in a monocultural mindset. How can we include generational trauma into our intercultural understanding? Wendy shares insights and wisdom from her life.

You will hear resiliency in Wendy’s voice as she explains what she learned from moving 13 times in her youth and being an only child with working parents. I have never met anyone with so many mentors who have helped Wendy along the way. It helps that she isn’t shy and knows how to ask for help. Her father, who passed away last year, was her first mentor in real estate, Sullivan Real Estate. Owning property is part of her ancestry and award-winning salespeople. Her father won an award for selling the most encyclopedias back in the day.

Wendy explains how she acquired 47 distressed properties over 19 years through Wenrich Property & Development, LLC, and then sold them off until 15 properties were left. Her openness to talk about how she participated in the 2008 real estate market collapse with others, how she recovered, and what she learned is refreshing.

In 2011, an electrical fire brought her house down, which turned into eight years of feeling displaced before her two sons and daughter moved into their new home. A journey that needed another mentor to help her navigate insurance claims and a long-drawn-out lawsuit with a contractor. You will also hear of Wendy’s lingering regret healed through her daughter’s open heart. Did I mention her resiliency?

Find out why Martha Hendrickson and the following three organizations helped Wendy find her footing and put her in a position to give back:

1. Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGC)
2. Association for Women Contractors (AWC)
3. National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC-UM)

You will also hear how Wendy met Karin, more mentors like McGough Construction and Target. Plus, Wendy’s big news and plans for 2022 with Wenrich PD Construction, LLC.

We covered a vast terrain as I listened intently a second time. My eyes widened. My ears enlarged. My vocabulary broadened. My heart expanded. My desire to change the world grew. Let me know how this meaningful conversation impacts you? DOWNLOAD

Here are the three terms and definitions we are working from:

• Diversity means a unique mix of differences: race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, ethnicity, physical abilities, age, relation, national origin, beliefs, political affiliations, and life experiences.

• Inclusion is, for our purposes, how differences are addressed in the workplace. This means going beyond meeting outside directed quotas like hiring a certain number of minorities. It means finding ways to respect and find ways to honor their contributions and having a voice in decisions that affect them, the company, and the community. To summarize, each person is seen, heard, and respected.

• Cultural competence has to do with the skills used to understand and communicate across differences effectively. All parties are aware of their implicit biases. Leveraging diversity by embracing differences as an added benefit and not judging as something wrong or bad.

Next week, Karin McCabe and Wendy Sullivan join me as we get more into the practical ways McGough Construction is becoming culturally competent and how you can lead with more cultural competence too.

Podcast Sponsor

Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation with mentoring works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode Resources Generational Trauma

https://www.health.com/condition/ptsd/generational-trauma

McGough Construction

Home | McGough

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Listen to your language this week by choosing someone to talk with who is the most different from you. Ask yourself, do I have a monocultural mindset? If so, what stage am I in? (denial, polarization, minimization). In what ways are we different? What can I do to be more accepting and compassionate toward this person? What would it take for me to celebrate our differences?

1. Apply Self-Compassion: Each time you assert a meaningful conversation with the person you have identified above, stop and acknowledge yourself and the other person. Notice how you feel after you experience a meaningful conversation.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Wendy’s forthrightness and insights into her life journey. I appreciate her honesty and desire to grow and learn and help others along the way. I appreciate her energy in helping the construction industry be more inclusive, diverse, and culturally competent. I appreciate her resiliency, vulnerability, and generosity. I appreciate her entrepreneurial spirit. I appreciate her humanness in parenting. I admire her courage and ability to learn from so many mentors.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Wendy Sullivan. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Wendy Sullivan is the founder and owner of WENRICH PD Construction, LLC. As a multi-entrepreneur for most of her career, she has owned multiple businesses over the past 30 years. She has held a residential General Contractor’s license since 2006 and a Real Estate license since 1990.

Wendy is a lifelong resident of Minnesota with roots in the Western suburbs. She is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Sociology. She is active in her community, participating in various committees and organizations promoting fairness, justice, and equality for women and minority businesses and all humans.

Episode 302: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Wendy Sullivan, Part II

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Episode 301: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Karin McCabe, Part I After reading Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring and talking with Dr. Lois Zachary and Lisa Fain, my interest was sparked. How are those in the trades addressing inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency in the workplace? I invited two industry veterans, Karin McCabe at McGough Construction and multi-venture entrepreneur, Wendy Sullivan into a three-part series to answer that question.

To start, Karin McCabe at McGough Construction is a 22-year industry veteran. McGough is known as a world-class construction business based in Minnesota. Karin is the director of one of their eight resource Centers for Excellence; equal opportunity and outreach. This role focuses on internal and external efforts that create more inclusion and diversity.

“Diversity,” Karin says, “is the multi-varied experiences and world views we all bring to the table, the lens in which we view everything. We address diversity at McGough as a benefit to the company, a tool for innovation, and a challenge to achieve. An opportunity and challenge to achieve a more inclusive work culture. Our culture is dominant. What we recognize and see is built into the Caucasian mindset. It doesn’t create a place where people feel they belong. We want to change that.”

I begin by giving a brief overview of Dr. Milton J. Bennett’s Intercultural Development Continuum (see Episode Resources for links) to shape our conversation and provide insight into the stages we go through to create cultural change. In learning about any culture, we all start with a monocultural mindset or an ethnocentric view based on a self-perspective. It makes sense that we start with our worldview, a familial view.

To shift from a monocultural mindset, learn these three essential stages and reach acceptance and adaptation, or an intercultural mindset. The stage where we adapt and implement cultural change. Initially, we miss differences and nuances because we are in denial. We only see our perspective or our own culture. We are absorbed in it and don’t know anything different. We know movement out of denial occurs when we start judging differences as good or bad, right or wrong, this way or the highway kind of language that creates polarization.

Polarization can last forever unless we open up to the next stage of developing an intercultural mindset, minimization. We start de-emphasizing our differences by minimizing facts and calling out ‘fake news,’ for example. If we don’t want to stay stuck in the ethnocentric stage, we need to begin to accept differences by deeply comprehending the facts and experiences of others.

A way to move through this stage is to gather information and assert self-leadership. Start conversations that go below the surface. Like conversations moving the focus from self-focus to interest and desire to know the other. How is the other experiencing a hiring process, or is an advancement path even an option? We talk about that.

My family made a change in lifestyle that I use to explain how you can apply the stages to make changes in a family culture. Naively (denial), I didn’t think Matthew, Olivia, and I changing our diets to become more plant-based or vegan would cause a stir. Learning this intercultural development continuum helped me understand why changing something like a family culture can cause disruption, like changing the culture in a workplace or making changes in our democracy. Disruptions and meaningful conversations are essential components of an intercultural mindset.

This journey to become vegan started about ten years ago. So, of course, it would take others time to accept our decision and make adjustments (or not) to our extended family traditions. I can now better understand others’ stages and empathize as they work their way through the stages. One can’t force people through the stages, and we know some people never muster up enough curiosity to move on to the next stage. They would instead take up residence in the stage of development than move through the stage to grow and shift their perspective. I can accept that too.

I experience acceptance as a relief. The discomfort and tension subside. When the three of us accepted plant-based living, we could identify the internal struggle we each went through, from denial to polarization to minimization to acceptance. On January 15, 2021, we implemented our plant-based diet with a 95% rule for flexibility.

Adaptation, the final stage toward an intercultural mindset, is where the fun part is, in my opinion. Using my family culture change as the example again, old recipes are looked at with a fresh view, a newness. Ideas like using chia seeds as a substitute for sugar and plant-based JustEggs as egg substitutes brought new fascinations and a desire to taste test everything. Curiosity spurs growth and expansion and brings in the joy factor as you figure out what you can let go of and what will work. Plus, I now have a new population of vegans to hang with and explore their lifestyles. Through this process, I expanded my sense of belonging by embracing a new community that is the cultural competency goal.

Karin describes how she grew up the eldest in a big, loud, loving family with six siblings. Her sense of belonging at home expanded her desire to create a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. She was born into a leadership role. Civil servants as parents underscored a sense of duty and servant leadership that she has built upon over her 22-years at McGough. A company dedicated to developing and strengthening relationships through diversity within the construction industry. Please find out how Karin is directing internal change through inclusion, diversity, and cultural competency at McGough Construction and how she is changing in the process.

Knowing the following three standard terms and definitions will facilitate a more profound listening experience in this podcast episode. * Diversity means a unique mix of differences: race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, ethnicity, physical abilities, age, relation, national origin, beliefs, political affiliations, and life experiences.

• Inclusion is, for our purposes, how differences are addressed in the workplace. This means going beyond meeting outside directed quotas like hiring a certain number of minorities. It means finding ways to respect and find ways to honor their contributions and having a voice in decisions that affect them, the company, and the community. To summarize, each person is seen, heard, and respected.

• Cultural Competency has to do with the skills used to effectively understand and communicate across differences. All parties are aware of their implicit biases. Leveraging diversity by embracing differences as an added benefit and not judging as something wrong or bad.

Our series intends to broaden awareness, expand our ability to empathize, spark ideas for more inclusion and diversity, and broaden our understanding of cultural competency. Why not learn new ways to be inclusive, celebrate our differences, and bump our cultural competency in the workplace DOWNLOAD

Next week, Wendy Sullivan, founder and CEO of WENRICH PD Construction, LLC, talks about her entrepreneurial journey navigating the real estate and construction industries. We dive into her surprising experiences with diversity and inclusion and her work with McGough Construction.

Podcast Sponsor

Redefine how you lead and redesign your business. Dual innovation with mentoring works!

• Strategies to Grow Your Business
• Meaningful Conversations
• Evolve How You Lead
• Get Support, Insight, Accountability

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Episode Resources Global Leadership Program, Dr. Milton Bennett

Milton Bennett — Global Leadership Program (glpglobal.org)

More About Dr. Bennett

McGough Construction

Centers for Excellence

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities: 1. Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Choose someone with a different cultural orientation than yours to have a coffee with and a meaningful conversation. Make a list of three things you are curious to know about the other person. Release any and all assumptions. Then, invite this person to coffee this week or next. Show them you see them, accept them, and are interested in knowing them. See how it goes. Let go of any outcomes.

1. Apply Self-Compassion: After your invitation is accepted or denied, allow your feelings to surface. Appreciate the other person. Thank them in your mind while you breathe slowly in and out. Acknowledge your courage to take a risk to get to know another. Notice if the next step surfaces. If it does, determine your next best step.

2. Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Karin’s generosity in taking this risk to talk about herself and her journey as director of equal opportunity and outreach. I appreciate Karin’s desire to keep learning and growing. I appreciate her work at McGough Construction in developing an inclusive, diverse, and more culturally competent workplace. I appreciate how she sees herself as a work in progress. I appreciate our engaging and honest conversation.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentor, Karin McCabe. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!!Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Karin McCabe. Karin is the Director of Outreach at McGough Construction. A company that began building its legacy in the 1800s. As Outreach Director, Karin is responsible for McGough’s diversity and inclusion efforts, both internally and externally. She is a 22-year veteran of the company and has held several departmental and initiative leadership positions during her tenure. Karin shares McGough’s dedication to developing and strengthening relationships through diversity within the construction industry. A steadfast believer in the Servant Leadership model, she is a part of several advisory boards and organizational committees. Karin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from St. Catherine’s University and is a lifelong learner.

Currently, she is on the Friends of St. Paul College, St. Paul Public Schools Career Technical Education Advisory, and Minnesota Builders Exchange board and is the chair emeritus for the Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County. Below is a list of some of Karin’s awards.

• Selected as the Minnesota Subcontractor Association’s 2013 Construction Professional of the Year.
• The 2015 St. Paul College Community Partner of the Year.
• The 2020 University of Minnesota Star Award.
• Recently, Karin was honored by her peers for work as the lead of McGough’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee.

Episode 301: Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency in the Trades with Karin McCabe, Part I