Life Disrupted: Recent Episodes

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Why Are They So Angry?

A conversation with: Dr. Carol Francois, Learning Ambassador
Carol is a lifelong Educator/Teacher who proudly proclaims that teaching is in her DNA and she
cannot not teach! After George Floyd’s death, she was compelled to do something, so sharing a
book list lead to starting a FB group and moderating historical book reviews. Within 3 months,
there is now a website, podcast, social media streams, and online course – all addressing
systemic racism in America.

Highlights from this conversation
 Disruption can be positive when life needs to shift gears
 George Floyd was a turning point - What can I do?
 Shared my book list to help people understand America’s history of systemic racism
 A friend suggested I lead a book group
 Over 300 members on the Why Are They So Angry? FB page
 Over time we realize how much we don’t know
 Delivering American History with the parts that have been left out
 Started exploring books about different systems in America and how Black people have
been treated
 Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it
 Knowledge + Action = Power
 Diversity VS. Anti - Racism
 Know what your Anti is about so when you see it, you can call it out
 Becoming more comfortable discussing the undiscussables
 Check our own core values
 Systemic racism is supported through hierarchy and power
 Biases, Bigotry and Prejudices do not necessarily = systemic racism but can support it
 Be responsible for your own learning

Resources:
https://www.facebook.com/WhyAreTheySoAngry/
https://www.instagram.com/whyaretheysoangry/
https://twitter.com/WATSA_Online

Follow/Contact Carol:
www.whyaretheysoangry.com
carol@whyaretheysoangry.com
Phone (w) 214-301-0074

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A conversation with: Hattie Hill
CEO, President of T.D. Jakes Foundation

Hattie made several intentional disruptions throughout her life resulting in fulfillment of her life
dreams. She is a global thought leader in diversity and inclusion and gender equity, nonprofit
president and CEO, accomplished entrepreneur, well-known speaker, author and corporate
board member. She’s a well of wisdom and positive energy, a master at transforming
individuals and organizations for the better, a visionary of equality worldwide and a strong
believer that diversity and talent are the new currency of business.

Highlights from this conversation:
• Humble beginnings built on solid values
• First impactful disruption – The Little Rock 9 and the importance of Education
• First in the family to move away
• Disruption inspires you to do different things
- Be Intentional
- Find Peace in being Uncomfortable
• Career Journey:
- Entrepreneur-
- WFF- Women’s Foodservice Forum
- T.D. Jakes Foundation
• Be intentional about knowing when it’s time to move on
• Get involved by using your personal platform (Personal, Organization, Community)

Follow/Contact Hattie:
https://tdjfoundation.org
https://www.hattiehill.com
hhill@tdjakes.org
Phone (w) 973-473-3003
214-632-2392
P. O. Box 802967 Dallas, TX 75380

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A conversation with: Kim Andrews
Spiritual Leader, Speaker, Story shepherd

Highlights from this conversation:
● Early childhood disruptions
● Feeling Less Than
● Looking externally for validation
● Discover through meditation practice
● Releasing the hurt
● Red Circle Gatherings
● Wisdom from personal stories
● Mother’s Day Experience
● Call to Peace (Inner Sanctuary 5 pillars)
○ U-underpinnings
○ R-release
○ I-introspection/intuition
○ S-solitude
○ E-educate
● Choose how you want your life to be

Follow/Contact Kim:
kimandrews972@sbcglobal.net
kandrews@unitysachse.org
@unitysachse
http://unitysachse.org
972-495-6622

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A conversation with: Tilde Guajardo

Founder Womanars
Speaker, Facilitator, Mentor, Investor
After experiencing a successful 20 year career at Southwest Airlines, Tilde left her job,
sold her home and started living out of a suitcase traveling to multiple countries.
Today she shares her journey from sexual abuse to successful entrepreneur.

Highlights from this conversation:

• Flashbacks of early traumatic experiences
• Finding Strength through GOD
• Living a Bad Novella
• The birth of “Womanars” (Inspire, Educate and Connect Women)
• Choosing to Believe and have Faith
• Asking for help
• Sell everything and Travel the World
• Covid 19 - A Pause
• Shiftco - For Conscious Entrepreneurs
• Spirit, Mind, Body alignment
• 3 Ways of Living - Others, Self, GOD

Tips and Resources:
- "Be Angry but Don’t Blow It" by Lisa Bevere
- shiftco.org

Follow/Contact Tilde:
Womanars.com
tilde@womanars.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tildeguajardo/
214-564-3329

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A conversation with: Libby Sartain
- Independent Director and Advisor

Libby serves on public and non-profit boards, advising companies on corporate
governance issues and talent management. Served as former CHRO at Southwest
Airlines Co.and Yahoo! Inc.

Highlights from this conversation:
● Disruption can lead to positive innovations
● Decisions Boards and Corporate Leaders are thinking about
● Digitization/transformation projects
● What can businesses do to help Employees feel safe as they return to work
● Our personal experience as restaurant owners
● How AARP is responding
● Impact on family
● Potential legislative changes

Considerations for business leaders:
● Stabilize your business
● What changes need to be considered
● Preparing and leading through crisis
● Transparency
● Open Communication
● Tell the truth

Contact Libby:
www.libbysartain.com,
libby@libbysartain.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/libbysartain/
https://twitter.com/libbysartain
512-308-2273

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A conversation with: Janee’ Hill
CEO mHe3 Productions
Brand Strategist, TV Producer, Speaker and “Champion for Women”

Highlights from this conversation:
● Everyone has a story to tell
● Having a collaborative tribe
● Certainty in a time of Uncertainty
● Becoming comfortably uncomfortable
● Living your Dash (Hyphen)
● Surviving and Thriving the New Normal
● Women of Excellence - Pivoting to remain relevant

Tips to help navigate Covid 19
● Ask for Help
● Focus on Substance not Form
● Staying Centered
● Make the most of extra time
● Serve others
● Start with a blank slate

Follow/Contact Janee:
www.janeehill.com
info@janeehill.com
@realjaneehill on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Janeé Hill on LinkedIn and YouTube
214-686-4585

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A conversation with: Maureen Orey, Ed. D, CPLP
CEO, Workplace Learning and Performance Group (aka. WLP Group)

A message about building resilience, biomimicry and what we can learn from nature about how to stay afloat - especially in challenging times.

Highlights from this conversation
● A life of Tenacity, Resilience and Grit
● Surviving the challenges of 2009 economic crisis
● 90 Days away from foreclosure
● Pivoting and shifting mindset from fear to taking proactive actions everyday
● Creating new habits during this new normal
● The foundational concept of Resilience
● Story of the DUCK
● What parents can do to stay afloat and involve the children
● The Stay Afloat Model for Resilience
○ Connection
○ Develop new skills
○ Applying the new skills
○ Grit, Tenacity and Perseverance
○ Taking Care of Yourself
○ Follow your instincts

Follow/Contact Maureen:
www.wlpgroup.com, Twitter @trainingleader
linkedin.com/in/maureenorey
https://www.facebook.com/maureen.orey, https://www.facebook.com/stayafloatresilience/
https://www.facebook.com/WLPGroup/
https://www.instagram.com/maureenorey/

600 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101
619-475-8397

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A Journey to Optimal Health

A conversation with:
Paul Matthies - Operations Director at Focuswise
Paul takes us on his journey From 310 lbs to 180 lbs
He inspires us to consider improving our overall health - not just losing weight

Highlights from this conversation:
● Neuropathy - The scare that motivated a permanent change
● Thinking about my funeral at 38 years old
● 30 lb. Reduction by giving up sugary drinks and limiting sweets
● Through Cardio, Strength Training and Martial Arts, I got my HEALTH back
● Change is hard and scary so it requires a mindset shift
● No magic bullet
● Journey of the whole person- physical, heart, emotions, spiritual, faith
● Taking ownership that this is MY journey
● Had to stop judging myself - judgement invites judgement
● Measurements, Scales and Mirrors are tools not goals
● Food is not the enemy - shift from good vs. bad to wise vs. unwise
● Discipline is what you want most not what you want now
● Physical movement is part of life’s happiness project
● Not what I have to give up, but what I have to gain
● Fear, Guilt, Shame and Perfectionism
● Humility, Pride and food as a crutch
● Getting insight from friends who are committed to their health
● You don’t have to go fast - just go (taking small steps everyday)
● Six Pack Abs with a TON of problems
● Paul’s 12 Commitments

Follow/Contact Paul:
paulmatthies@yahoo.com
Facebook, Twitter (@paul_matthies)
Instagram (paul_matthies)

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A conversation with: Aaliyah Haqq, Strategist, Operations Leader
Aaliyah has spent her career in health & human services, professional development, facilitating and coaching

Highlights from this conversation:
● Disruption is all around us all the time
● Lessons repeat as needed, there are do overs
● Practices to adopt a change mindset
● Surrender to what is
● Focus, Energy Management, Progress, Fun
● When you stop, be committed to begin again
● Don’t be so hard on yourself. Take Time Out.
● Commit to the process, but unattached to the outcome
● Do what makes you come alive
● Be honest about what you want
● Structure is liberating
● Discover your personal tolerance for change
● Certainty or Uncertainty
● You’re not the same person you were minutes, seconds or years ago
● What did I do today to get closer to my 2020 goals
● The Vision is more important than the Board

Connect with Aaliyah:
Email: ahaqq@hytedevelopment.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaliyahhaqq

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A conversation with:
Tonya Wilson, Organizational Strategist, is not only focused on helping businesses and individuals identify solutions to be more effective but more importantly she explores the concepts of work-life integration and purposeful living.

Highlights from this conversation:

• Change and Transition
• Magic happens outside the comfort zone
• Finding opportunities in FEAR
• On Purpose Disruptions
• Prayer and Energy Drinks
• Personal meaning of success
• Path and Line of Sight to Purpose
• Work-Life Integration vs Work-Life Balance
• Personal AARs
• Reflections of how we attract what happens to us
• Productive Behaviors
• Are you who you’re looking for, is looking for?
• 2020 Hindsight (Foresight)
• No regrets or missed opportunities
• Working Women Worship

Connect with Tonya:

Email: tjessupwilson@gmail.com
Linkedin: in/tonya-wilson-b4663898

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Finding the WHY to Push Through Life Disruptions

A conversation with:
Melissa Smith, VP - Dean GIC Academy, Entrepreneur, Family Rock

Throughout her life, Melissa came back stronger after each life blow. She shares how finding a solid WHY helped her through those tough times. A 6 time Marathoner, her advice is to keep showing up and stay in the game!

Highlights from this conversation:

The family’s continual financial RUT
Off to college with $50
Pivotal life moments
Surviving the loss of a sibling
Becoming the ROCK for my family
Another blow - Cancer Strikes
Challenge of working in male dominated construction industry
Being Vulnerable
Tapping into creative passions
Life hacks for staying physically and mentally healthy
Having a TRIBE to lean on and support
Dig deep in moments of darkness
The journey is what gets you to the goal

Connect with Melissa:

Website: http://thehalelife.com
EMail: massmith22@yahoo.com
Facebook: thehale4life/
Instagram: thehale4life/

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A conversation with: Valerie Sokolosky

Author of eight (8) Leadership Books, Hosts "Doing It Right" podcast, Master Personal Brand Strategist and Executive Coach

Valerie helps leaders Do It Right as they lead with authenticity, consistency and clarity. Uncover the little things that can make a big difference- filling the gap between successful and mediocre.

Highlights from this conversation:
• A Grandmother’s Love
• The Latchkey years
• Survival through achievements
• Venture into radio
• Surprise - No $$$ for College
• Learning to ASK
• Blind Date - Love at first site
• Re-enter the workforce
• Do something that brings you joy
• Tom Peters - Personal Branding
• You never get over the loss of a child
• Faith and No Regrets
• Full Circle - back to broadcasting

Connect with Valerie:
Website: valerieandcompany.com
Email: valerie@valerieandcompany.com
Facebook: ValerieAndCompany
Twitter: @valsokolosy
LinkedIn: Valeriesokolosky
Podcast: Doing It Right: The Stories That Make Us

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Headline - Connecting the Dots... (Encouragement, Hope and Information)

A conversation with:
Mika Bradford, Change Agent, Advocate, Podcaster

For over twenty years, Mika has been involved in grass-roots, regional, state and national initiatives focused on building resources and long-term solutions for people with chronic physical and behavioral health conditions.

Highlights from this conversation:

• Early warning signs
• Just when we thought everything was OK - the 9.0 hits
• Mayo Clinic
• Autism Reality
• Dear GOD - not the plan!
• The Blessings of Jacob
• Expect the Unexpected
• ABA Therapy - Applied Behavior Analysis
• A holistic approach to health issues
• Serving others through my acquired knowledge
• Making a Bigger Difference

Connect with Mika:

Website: connectedmikabradford.com
Email: connectedmikabradford@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectedmikabradford
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mika-bradford-cn-cpht-4531a214/
Podcast: Connected with Mika Bradford www.connectedmikabradford.com

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A Conversation with:
Steve Cosgrove, a successful travel/media entrepreneur who followed his passion even
when faced with traumatic life disruptions. He is CEO/President of Dynamic Travel &
Cruises, Owner of the DFW Airport Employee Store, and CEO of Argyle Enterprises.

Highlights from this conversation:
• Prostate Cancer at 47
• Never Ready to lose your parents
• Travel Addict and other addictive behaviors
• Being a renegade pays off
• Set the tone, listen and get out of the way
• Give the Customers what they want and need
• Ask WHY NOT?
• Kids career dreams
• Always be available
• Major shifts – Corporate, Leisure, Interline
• Tune out the Naysayers
• Surround yourself with mentors and people who have succeeded
• Explore Reasons for your failures and lessons learned
• Find your Passion and Never Stop

Connect with Steve:
Websites: dynamictravel.com
interlinetravel.com
Email: steve@dynamictravel.com
linkedin.com/in/stevecosgrove

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A conversation with:
Donna Valentino, Author, Podcaster

Highlights from this conversation:

• Extreme Religion
• Relationships -staying when you know it’s over
• Is the grass greener on the other side?
• A Traumatic life changing event
• WTF- Getting past anger
• Accepting my new life
• Finding GOD on my own
• Writing to Heal
• Sharing through Podcasting
  Giving back thru B.I.N.D.
• Definition of insanity
• Everything that happens, makes us who we are
• The Power of Hope
• Change your Perspective

Connect with Donna:

Website: perspectivewithdonna.com
Email: donna@perspectivewithdonna.com
Facebook: perspectivewithdonna

Books:
Headstrong
Heartstrong

Podcast:
Perspective with Donna

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A Disrupt Life conversation with:
Adrian Clark who is one of the top professional athlete representatives in sports. In 2016, Clark was named to Forbes magazine: 30 under 30 sports list. Aside from sports he is also a published author. At 25 years old, he was one of the youngest ever certified by the NBPA. In 2016 Adrian partnered with Everlast Worldwide to introduced Protect Yourself at All Times (PYaAT) to continuously educate and inform the fighters and their families on the business side of the sport.

Highlights from this conversation include:

Finding inspiration from the pain of a loved one’s death
Put everything into your passion and don’t give up
Don’t underestimate the talent of others (lesson from a15 year old kid)
Entrepreneurship is not as easy as it looks
Striving to be someone important and famous
When it’s no longer about “ME”
Protect Yourself at All Times
Embrace negatives and learn from failures

Connect with Adrian
Website: www.adrianClark.org
Email: ac@adrianclark.org
Instagram: ac_clark
Twitter: TheAdrianClark
Linkedin: linkedin.com/adrianclark2

Books:
Boxing=Life ‘Champion Your Existence’
Protect Yourself at All Times: A Guide for Professional Boxers
I – A Guide for Young Entrepreneurs

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A Disrupt Life Conversation with:
Sardek Love, affectionately known around the world as “Dr. Love”. International Keynote Speaker and Peak Performance Expert. Sardek’s intent is to create heroes out of those who lead, train and speak for a living, by inspiring, developing and educating them how to become more productive and effective.

Highlights from this conversation include:
- Experiences from life disruptions at an early age
- Embracing Disruption as an opportunity - “ Now I disrupt my dang self”
- Becoming resilient as life disruptions continued throughout his career
- Learning to grow from taking risks and failing
- Rubberband effect- stretch and be flexible
- Always be Curious and ask What If
- Connect with people who are different than you
- Asking for help when you need it
- Future Goals and Growth
- Whatever you dream or aspire to do find the people who are doing it
- Be mindful of people that you associate with
- Go UNSTUCK yourself
- Be better than you were yesterday

Connect with Sardek
Website: www.sardeklove.com
Book: Speak for a Living (2nd edition)

Recommended Resources and Favorite Reads
- John Maxwell - Failing Forward
- Charles Duhigg - The Power of Habits
- Gary Keller - The One Thing

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Life Disrupted Show Trailer:
I'm your host, Rita Bailey and you're invited to join us for lively conversations and real-life stories on how others are dealing with change and transitions.
We can't always control what happens to us, but our guests on this podcast will explore different perspectives on how to respond. These are people who will also inspire and encourage you to Disrupt or break habits that are not serving your greater purpose.