Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life: Recent Episodes
Kate Ebner
Top leadership coach and change guru Kate Ebner teaches leaders in business, education, government and non-profits how to create compelling and inspiring visions that lead to extraordinary results and outcomes. Each week on “Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life,” Kate introduces you to the amazing visionaries who are shaping our future. She’ll show you how to create your own motivating leadership vision – and how to make it real. Discover the simple, yet powerful steps that add up to a great vision and an extraordinary life. Explore how real visionaries are using vision to drive exceptional results. Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life features guests who open our eyes to new possibilities and whose stories inspire. Tune in and learn how and why to create your own vision. Join Kate for practical tips, wisdom, and knowledge that will take your leadership and your life to a new level.
In August of 2011 leadership coach Kate Ebner started a bold new radio show to help listeners learn how to become visionary and make their visions real. Kate hosted conversations with engineers, writers, farmers, politicians, scientists and artists, each one of whom contributed their perspective and experience as a visionary. After 118 episodes and nearly 3 successful years, it's time to say goodbye to Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life. Host Kate Ebner will reflect on the biggest lessons she’s learned about leadership, vision, and living an extraordinary life from her incredible guests. Show producer Rachel Wold guest hosts this special final episode- don’t miss it!
Today, the average person in the United States lives nearly ten years longer than he or she would have 50 years ago. What does that extra decade at the end of life look like? What are the implications of a longer life span on families, the health care system, retirement planning, government benefits and more? Now that retirement lasts not just a few years but is a whole new life phase extending a decade or two (or three!), how should middle-aged adults prepare for this era of life? Companies, government agencies and individuals are making changes to adjust but there’s more work to do to ensure that seniors live healthier, more enriching lives than in the past. Join Debra Whitman, Executive Vice President of Policy and Strategy at the AARP and host Kate Ebner on June 23 to dig deep into the future of aging in America.
Can people really change? Coaches Chris Wahl and Kate Ebner explore this age-old question on June 16th. Join them for a deep investigation into the nature of personal transformation. They will explain the concept of transformational change, offer suggestions and personal stories, and illuminate how visioning can hold the key to a successful shift in your life. If you are wondering how to create lasting change in your life and your way of being, don't miss this episode.
It's no secret that our world today is full of dire crises ranging from ecological to societal. We've built a world with the mindset of maximizing me, creating catastrophic results that benefit no one. But what to do? As Albert Einstein observed, We cannot solve problems with the same kind of thinking that created them. If we want to change the way the world works, we need to update the thinking that created the systems, institutions and economies around us. Otto Scharmer has developed a framework and strategies for guiding this shift in our thinking from an ego-centric awareness to an eco-centric one -- from considering what's best for me to considering what's best for the whole, including me. Tune in to find out why embracing this shift is at the core of the leadership the world needs.
What does a master storyteller see that most of us don’t? Rick Bowers is an innovative and talented creator who has created powerful stories, projects and programs that help us examine the human condition throughout time. Rick leads creative initiatives as the Vice President for Innovation at the Life Reimagined Institute of AARP and has drawn on his journalism background to write two award-winning non-fiction books that have been turned into PBS documentaries and educational iPad apps. His creative vision allows him to bring together just the right combination of narrative, media and talent to achieve extraordinary results. Rick’s keen eye for spotting the potential for a great story can teach us how to see the stories each of us tell everyday in a new light. Join Host Kate Ebner on June 2 to learn more about Rick’s creative process and vision.
What does peace look like and how can humanity achieve it? Jody Williams is a good place to start. In the 1990’s, she oversaw the growth of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines from an organization of one (her) to a worldwide force that succeeded in getting an international treaty banning landmines signed in 1997. For this work, she won that year’s Nobel Peace Prize. But Jody was not content to rest on her laurels. In 2006, she established the Nobel Women’s Initiative in partnership with other female Nobel Peace Prize laureates with the goal of leveraging the prestige of the Prize to strengthen work being done worldwide to support women’s rights and the creation of peace everywhere. Join host Kate Ebner and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams on May 19 to learn Jody’s successful strategies for creating change on a global scale, the top threats to peace in the 21st century and to hear her vision for peace.
What are the myths that we live with without even realizing it? How do they affect our choices and what we believe is possible? In daily life, how can people use visioning to create a better future? As the world becomes more complex, what are the simple designs and strategies that will keep us connected and positively as stewards of the future? Dr. Betty Sue Flowers has guided game-changing conversations with the world's leading thinkers on subjects ranging from the power of myth, to the American Dream, global sustainable development, presence, partnership as a governing principle, and the changing nature of work. Join host Kate Ebner and Dr. Flowers for an eye-opening exploration of how to use vision to create the future we really want while navigating the complexity of the 21st century.
Growing up in Baltimore as the youngest child in a family prominent in the civil rights movement and local politics, Laura Murphy witnessed many of her family members run for election- and lose. She decided at a young age that she would carry on their legacy by influencing lawmakers rather than run for office herself. Today, Laura directs the Washington office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU,) influencing Congress and the White Office on policy matters related to civil and human rights. As a leading lobbyist, Laura advances the civil rights’ perspective on issues such as marriage equality, women’s rights, voting rights, criminal justice and First Amendment issues. If you thought the struggle for civil rights lives only in history books, tune in on May 5 to learn how Laura Murphy continues to fight for Americans’ liberties today.
Computational geneticist Pardis Sabeti doesn't aspire to advance medical research- she's already done it. In 2001, she developed a breakthrough algorithm that allows geneticists to scan for genes that reveal natural selection at work- a crucial key to understanding how certain mutations increase a person's odds of surviving a disease. Pardis, an Associate Professor of Biology at Harvard, studies both how humans develop resistance to disease and how diseases mutate to resist treatment. Through study of the human genome, Pardis hopes to outsmart deadly diseases such as malaria and Lassa fever. Pardis has a strong commitment to bringing her scientific innovations to developing countries with the greatest need for infectious disease prevention and treatment. Listen as Pardis shares what it's like to work on the edge of scientific discovery with guest host Rachel Wold. You're sure to be inspired by the determination and vision of one of America's most brilliant young scientists.
Native Californian Shah Selbe has a lifelong love of the ocean. Concerned when he learned about the severe threat illegal fishing poses to both the human and animal populations that depend on the ocean, Shah put his engineering training to work looking for a solution. His approach demonstrates the potential for technology to help us address the globe’s most pressing environmental problems. Shah is the creator of FishNET, a platform approach to tracking illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing worldwide. FishNET uses a variety of technologies, including a smartphone app, drones and underwater microphones to monitor and share data about what’s going on in the water around the world. Tune in on April 21 to learn what terms like “open source,” “crowdsourced,” and “systems thinking” mean and how Shah is applying these principles to make a big difference in the effort to preserve our oceans.
Each year, thousands of people venture through the wilderness between the US and Mexico, risking their lives for the chance of a better future in the United States. Lawmakers, news channels, and television networks often report about the plight of these people, also known as undocumented migrants, usually focusing on issues of legality. Jason De Leon has a different approach to this story. He spends time with people planning to make the trip, then ventures into the hot desert to study the things they leave behind during their journey and then uses archaeology and anthropology to tell the stories of this phenomenon. What can we learn from the backpacks, water bottles, rosary beads - and sometimes -- the bodies left behind? Join National Geographic Emerging Explorer Jason de Leon and Nebo guest host Rachel Wold to hear about Jason's astonishing work.
National Geographic Explorer and freshwater expert Sandra Postel knows that if we want to ensure a safe environment and prosperous life for all of humanity in the 21st century and beyond, we must change the way we think about water. Our planet is covered with beautiful blue water, however, less than .01% of the world’s water is drinkable and renewable. A growing population and overuse has jeopardized our freshwater supply, which to sustain will require different policies, new technologies and a renewed commitment to be responsible stewards of this life-giving resource. The Colorado River sustains 30 million people yet human mismanagement has caused the river to run dry far short of its mouth in the Sea of Cortez. This month, in a grand experiment, scientists will flood the delta with water from the Hoover Dam Reservoir in what’s known as a “flood pulse.” Sandra Postel joins guest host Rachel Wold to situate this event in a desperately needed cry for a new ethic on water use.
Frustrated with a high turnover rate among millennial employees, Pricewaterhouse Coopers conducted the largest multi-generational survey of workplace culture ever to find out what employees of all generations - but especially the millennials- care about. The results dispel - and confirm - some of the most widespread stereotypes about millennials at work. Anne Donovan, Director of Organization Development and a Transformation Leader for Human Capital at PwC, will discuss what the implications of the findings for the 21st century workplace with host Kate Ebner and millennial guest host Rachel Wold. Tune in for leading edge insights on how one of the world’s leading professional services firms is converting knowledge from the study to best practices that attract, retain and develop the world’s most promising young leaders.
Since its original printing in 1987, The Leadership Challenge has been reprinted multiple times and more than a million copies sold worldwide. Jim Kouzes and his colleague, Barry Posner, based their work on extensive global research, exploring the fundamental questions of how and why leadership matters. The results of their research are go to resources for leaders across all sectors. Join Host Kate Ebner and Jim Kouzes on Monday for an exploration of the five practices of exemplary leaders -- and a look at how vision plays a role in becoming a leader who inspires commitment, loyalty and productivity in others. You will learn why experience alone does not equate to success. Leaders who heed Jim's message will learn proven practices for developing the skills, behaviors and perspectives needed for greatness as a leader.
When the Catholic school where Sister Mary Bourdon taught closed its doors, many of her fellow teachers found jobs at other schools. But Sister Mary decided to seek out where the need for a high-quality school was the greatest, so she crossed the Potomac to the underserved Anacostia neighborhood in Southeast Washington, DC. There, Sister Mary started an after-school tutoring program that eventually became Washington Middle School for Girls (WMSG.) The school started in the basement of a local apartment building and now serves 100 students on two campuses. WMSG provides girls in grades 4-8 at risk of leaving school prematurely with a holistic education and the skills needed for success in high school and beyond. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear Sister Mary's inspiring story of vision, dedication and service. They'll also be joined by a mother and daughter from the school community who will share their personal story of the impact WMSG has made for their family.
Farmaesthetics founder Brenda Brock is the daughter of a 8th generation farming family from Texas. She first made her handmade herbal skincare preparations available to customers other than friends and family in the summer of 1999 at a farmstand in rural Rhode Island. Today, her full line of 100% natural skincare products are used and sold in the finest spas and retailers in the world as well as at her own unique flagship store in Newport, RI. A noted trailblazer in green skincare, Brenda successfully translated her mother and grandmother's traditional recipes from kitchen chemistry to modern cosmetic manufacturing, resulting in pristine herbal products that compare in effectiveness with leading dermatological brands. Tune in to hear Brenda's entrepreneurial journey, learn why natural and local matters to her and how her pioneering creations can wake up our senses to the natural beauty around us.
Acknowledging the institutional and personal challenges women seeking to occupy the C-suite face, many organizations launch women's networks, mentoring partnerships and sponsorship programs to address the problem. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox thinks this is time and money ill spent, though she knows the need for action is real: gender imbalance in today's public and private sectors prevents organizations from tapping into both male and female halves of the talent pool and market. As CEO of the leading gender consultancy 20-first, Avivah works with progressive companies interested in building gender-balanced organizations and knows what it takes to create real institutional change. In a no-holds-barred discussion with Host Kate Ebner on March 3, Avivah will explain what what steps leaders can take to change their organizational culture and why more women leaning in isn't necessarily the answer. Don't miss this show with one of the world's leading experts on women's leadership
Do you ever dream of leaving your job, packing your bags and saying goodbye to the rest of your life to travel the world? Larry Weinberg is an avid entrepreneur, but in 2010, Larry and his wife, Kim, a leadership coach and facilitator, realized their dream of traveling around the world with their children. Over a nine-month period, the Weinbergs visited 26 countries on five continents, an experience that brought the family closer together as they learned from other cultures, completed community service projects, and saw some of the world’s most fascinating sites. Many people dream of such an adventure, but few of us actually do it. Learn about the preparation - and courage - it took to make this vision real, as well as the family practices that made it a success. Kim and Larry will also share how they've used visioning as a family to guide their trip and their future plans. If you've ever dreamed of taking a life-changing trip, whether with your family or solo, don't miss this show.
Baby Boomers aren’t interested in retiring from life just because they've ended a chapter of their careers. And why should they be? Today, people are living longer than ever before, and the post-career years now offer unprecedented opportunities for a deeply fulfilling life well beyond retirement. Join Host Kate Ebner for an eye-opening conversation with legendary coach and executive educator, Richard Leider, and co-founder of Fast Company, Alan Webber, who have literally written the book on re-imagining life. Inspired by Leider's work, Life Reimagined is a ground-breaking venture by AARP that invites people of all ages to a journey of self-discovery and meaningful contribution. Rather than accepting the later years as a time of dwindling quality of life, Life Reimagined offers a map for navigating life, tapping into purpose to connect you with the resources, perspective and support needed for vitality, growth and fun at any age. Tune in to learn how to re-imagine your own life.
For years, Dr. Carrie Barron and her husband, Dr. Alton Barron, enjoyed helping people feel better through their respective careers as a psychiatrist (Carrie) and orthopedic surgeon (Alton.) However, Carrie and Alton discovered that one treatment many of their patients found essential to their recovery wasn't being prescribed in most doctor's offices: creative activity. Drs. Barron delved into the research and learned that creative action can not only alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental and emotional afflictions, but is actually one of the keys to emotional and physical well being. In our increasingly technological world, creative activities are falling ever more by the wayside -- at a cost to our society and to ourselves. Join the Barrons as they share their do-it-yourself Creativity Cure with Host Kate Ebner on February 3 and discover what tapping into your creativity can do for you.
At a time when so many have lost faith in our political institutions, Parker Palmer, founder of the aCenter for Courage and Renewal, shows us how to expand our capacities to lead in the 21st century. Author of nine books, including three bestsellers – The Courage to Teach, Let Your Life Speak and A Hidden Wholeness – Palmer guides us to cultivate five habits of the heart that will help restore the hidden infrastructure of American politics. Join Guest Host Chris Wahl and Kate Ebner for a moving conversation about moving beyond “the politics of the brokenhearted” to restore democracy as “an opening to a new life for us and for our nation.” Recipient of 11 honorary doctorates, numerous national awards, including the William Rainey Harper Award, previously won by Elie Wiesel and Margaret Mead, Parker Palmer’s life work has been to illuminate the possibilities inherent in life and call forth in us the courage to contribute to a better world.
Most people see work as a necessary responsibility, but not a place to find happiness or joy. Many equate success with hard work and even suffering in order to get ahead. On January 20th, Host Kate Ebner will be joined by one of the world's leading meditation teachers, Sharon Salzberg, to discuss how meditation can help anyone be happier at work. Tune in for practical strategies from Sharon's new book, Real Happiness at Work: Meditations for Accomplishment, Achievement and Peace to help you attain the eight pillars of workplace happiness. Learn how a focus on the present moment will actually lead to a greater pay-off than constantly thinking about when the report is finished or finally getting that promotion. If you have a job of any kind, don't miss this chance to learn from world-renowned Buddhist meditation teacher, author and speaker Sharon Salzberg.
What should a leader to do after losing her prominent job as the result of a Washington, DC political scandal? For Martha Johnson, the answer was not to disappear from public life or hide from the true story of mistakes made and lessons learned. For two years, Martha Johnson served as the Administrator of the General Services Administration for President Obama until a scandal over an internal training conference in Las Vegas compelled her to abandon the innovative changes she was pursuing in the agency and resign. Far from shrinking away from the public eye, Martha has shared the valuable leadership lessons she learned from the experience as well as her personal story in a best-selling book, On My Watch: Leadership, Innovation, & Personal Resilience. Join Host Kate Ebner and former GSA Administrator Martha Johnson on January 13th to hear a compelling leadership story of turmoil, accountability, and resilience.
How did the old year go for you? On Monday, January 6, 2014, Host Kate Ebner and Leadership Coach Bette George will explore how to get back on track when you've fallen away from your stated plans, goals and intentions. Sometimes, our lives must make room for the unexpected! Sometimes, moving forward toward your goals is easier said than done. This New Year's show is the third annual conversation about how to make the most of the opportunity presented by a new year and the reflective season of winter. Bette and Kate will review how they did in 2013 in light of their own declarations on last year's show -- and will talk about how to gather the energy and commitment needed to turn the tides in the New Year. This show will be a welcome respite from relentless striving and an invitation to clarity, compassion and a fresh start.
Join Host Kate Ebner for the return appearance of Bette George, whose show last December on how to ring out the old year and envision the New Year was one of our most popular programs. This year, Kate and Bette will report back on how they did with the New Year's intentions that they set for 2012, even as they share another creative and meaningful approach to ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Research tells us that New Year's Resolutions last about three weeks on average. Discover an alternative way to set yourself on a path to fulfillment and success in 2013. Bette and Kate will offer a method you can try yourself or with friends to bring closure and celebration to 2012 and a fresh, positive start to 2013.
The New Year always invites us to make bold resolutions and start anew. Yet, year after year, how many of us look regretfully at the year behind, vaguely remembering our lost resolutions? Join Host Kate Ebner and her wise friend, Leadership and Life Coach Bette George for a conversation about how to close this year and begin 2012 with a strong sense of purpose, renewal and direction. Kate and Bette will explain why New Year's resolutions often don't work and will show you how to use visioning to bring new energy and possibilities to your life in the year ahead. You will enjoy the guidance and resources provided to make the upcoming year your best ever. This show is a visioning how-to with a focus on 2012.
Baby Boomers aren’t interested in retiring from life just because they've ended a chapter of their careers. And why should they be? Today, people are living longer than ever before, and the post-career years now offer unprecedented opportunities for a deeply fulfilling life well beyond retirement. Join Host Kate Ebner for an eye-opening conversation with legendary coach and executive educator, Richard Leider, and co-founder of Fast Company, Alan Webber, who have literally written the book on re-imagining life. Inspired by Leider's work, Life Reimagined is a ground-breaking venture by AARP that invites people of all ages to a journey of self-discovery and meaningful contribution. Rather than accepting the later years as a time of dwindling quality of life, Life Reimagined offers a map for navigating life, tapping into purpose to connect you with the resources, perspective and support needed for vitality, growth and fun at any age. Tune in to learn how to re-imagine your own life.
What if your boss came into your office and told you to spend more time on...play? Play is a vital part of the human experience, essential not only in childhood but throughout adulthood as well. In a state of play, we are open to possibility and new ideas - critical capabilities for any leader. On December 9, Dr. Stuart Brown, the founder of the National Institute for Play and author of Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul, will draw from decades of research to illustrate the benefits of play starting in early childhood development all the way throughout the human life cycle. Dr. Brown will introduce the applications of play in the workplace and for leadership development. Together, he and Host Kate Ebner will explore the benefits of play at work, school and in the home. Tune in for a show you’ll want to share with your boss, spouse, child’s teacher, friends and more.
What makes a community thrive? How can we join people of different backgrounds in community and connection to the land? How do we “edge-walk,” or, navigate the borders found in both nature and culture? These are questions that Peter Forbes, co-founder of the Center for Whole Communities, works to understand as he empowers leaders and citizens from all walks of life to connect across boundaries and activate movements. Peter co-founded the Center for Whole Communities and started a family farm in the Mad River Valley of Vermont to put his years of conservation advocacy work into practice and help other people develop their own close connections to place. On December 2, join Host Kate Ebner and Peter Forbes for a conversation about the power of finding connection and shared values among difference.
Billy Parish has a powerful and crystal-clear vision: 100% clean energy for America, and, eventually, the entire world. His innovative for-profit company, Mosaic, is an online clean energy investment platform that crowdsources investments for solar energy projects - similar to Kickstarter, but with a 4.5-7% return on investment. A serial entrepreneur, Billy is a fan of big ideas and swift action. Acting on his blooming environmental consciousness, Billy dropped out of Yale after his sophomore year to start the world’s largest coalition of youth-led clean energy campaigns. From there, he has worked on a variety of projects, always focused on helping the planet, including co-authoring the book Making Good: Finding Meaning, Money, and Community in a Changing World and working on environmental issues on a Native American reservation in Arizona. On November 25, think big and become inspired to create a better world with visionary Billy Parish.
In the foothills of the Shenandoahs in rural Rappahannock County, Virginia, Cliff Miller raises cows, sheep, pigs and chickens on the same land his ancestors farmed in the early days of the American republic. As the sixth generation of his family to farm the acres where Mount Vernon Farm stands today in Sperryville, Cliff has a deep personal connection to the land, the farm and its future. This concern for the future and the past has inspired him to use sustainable, holistic methods of raising his land and animals, such as rotating his herds through different patches of land each day. If you want to learn the secrets behind the best-tasting meat in the region, listen to Cliff tell his story and outline his wise vision of stewardship that will preserve the land his forefathers gave him for many generations yet to come.
A firefighter rushes into a burning building. An army commander leads his troops through a dangerous mission. An ordinary woman helps her colleagues evacuate the building safely and efficiently after an earthquake. In times of emergency, people often display incredible leadership in the face of danger and uncertainty. What can we learn from those situations and how can we cultivate the same values in less dangerous, yet still high-stakes moments? Drawing on real-life extreme situations, retired Brigadier General and West Point instructor Professor Thomas Kolditz’s in extremis leadership model translates these lessons into a framework for leading effectively in your career and life. Join Host Kate Ebner this Veteran’s Day (November 11) for this special show to celebrate the extraordinary leadership of the men and women who have served in our armed forces.
Ah, the New England family farm: a romantic notion disappearing into the 21st century or achievable dream for those who envision an alternative lifestyle? When Barney Hodges took over his family's apple orchard fifteen years ago, he and his new wife, Chris, wanted to make a life and raise a family on the land they love. What followed is a story of hard work, community, land stewardship, global influence and the rise of the local food movement. On November 4, farmers Christiana and Barney Hodges will share their vision and story with Host Kate Ebner. Discover how an apple orchard in Vermont’s remote Champlain Valley can actually serve as a microcosm of the world in issues small and large. Think what happens in the apple business in Vermont has nothing to do with you? Think again.
Millennials are heralded as the future leaders of the world but the millions of people born between 1980 and 2000 are already making an impact in politics, business, not-for-profits and the arts. In his book Fast Future: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaping Our World, one of the emerging voices of the Millennial generation, author, filmmaker and social entrepreneur David D. Burstein examines his fellow Millennials. What makes Millennials the way they are? Is it coming of age amidst the war on terror? What are the effects of Baby Boomer parents? For a generation who’s grown up amidst in a challenging economic and political environment in the most rapidly-changing era of technology the world has ever seen, one thing is certain: Millennials are used to adapting to the rapid pace of change. On October 28, join David D. Burstein and Guest Host Rachel Wold as they examine the forces that have shaped their generation and peer into the future of a world guided by Millennial leadership.
What does work mean to you? For millions of Americans, it means spending your days at a computer in an office for a fixed number of hours, on a schedule you probably didn’t set yourself. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? The ways in which we work have been profoundly changed by the technological advancements of the past 30 years. Now it’s possible for people to work at any time, anywhere, allowing meetings to happen seamlessly between colleagues in San Francisco and New York but also blurring the lines between professional and personal lives. Momentum is growing to change this, thanks to institutions and employers who are advocating for more flexibility in the workplace. Join Host Kate Ebner and Kathleen Christensen, Program Director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and a pioneer of workplace flexibility, to hear the business case for why flexible work arrangements are beneficial for both individuals and their employers.
The State of New York has thousands of brilliant minds working to make connections that fuel opportunity and economic revitalization across the state through The Research Foundation (RF) for SUNY. The largest university-connected research foundation in the United States, the RF supports nearly $1 billion in research activity annually in the State University of New York system. Dr. Tim Killeen, President of SUNY’s Research Foundation and SUNY’s Vice Chancellor for Research, has a vision for the Foundation that reaches far beyond campus research labs. Learn how SUNY’s research impacts our world by generating knowledge that solves pressing real world problems and how businesses can grow and thrive as a result of a knowledge-based economic engine. Join Host Kate Ebner and Dr. Killeen as they discuss how SUNY and the RF are incubating big ideas for an even bigger impact. Don’t miss the chance to hear a truly visionary leader think out loud.
Leadership presence is one of the top reasons that people engage executive coaches. Articles and blogs tout presence as key to inspiring the confidence, credibility and authority that are essential for getting ahead. But what does great executive presence actually look like and how can you develop it? Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins, executive coaches and co-authors of the book Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence, will join Host Kate Ebner to discuss secrets and tips to help you discover your own own signature voice and presence on October 7. Amy and Muriel, managing partners of Isis Associates, will share their integrated approach to finding your signature voice and building your presence in an authentic, sustainable way. Don’t miss this must-listen show for professionals in any industry!
When Andrew Kutt founded Oneness-Family School in Chevy Chase, MD, he imagined a place where children learned firsthand that the world is one family. North Branch School Founder Tal Birdsey wanted to build a school for middle school kids in Vermont’s Green Mountains that celebrates the complexity and individuality of children at that often misunderstood age. Laura Kang stepped into the role of Head of School at Eagle Cove School on the Chesapeake Bay because she was drawn to its mission of academic excellence, joy in learning and stewardship of community and environment. These leaders share a common mission to instill joy, confidence and love of learning in students – the success of their schools gives testimony to the difference they are making. What can we learn from them about creating schools that educate the whole child? Join Host Kate Ebner to discover the passion, innovation and philosophies that underlie three powerful visions – and how to take these ideas into your community.
As Courageous President and co-founder of the word-of-mouth marketing and identity firm Brains on Fire, Robbin Phillips believes that every marketing problem is a people problem in disguise. The new world of marketing is much more personal. It’s not about technology platforms or social media doodads—it’s about real relationships with real people. Instead of focusing on how you can use your customers to grow your business, she strives to “connect” and “celebrate” with fans and prefers to conceptualize marketing as human beings drawing other human beings closer. A graphic designer turned creative marketer who helps organizations create, revitalize, protect and grow their brands, Robbin will share insights from her new book, The Passion Conversation with Host Kate Ebner on September 9. After meeting her, you’ll see new possibilities for realizing your vision - and you'll never think of marketing in the same way again.
Fifteen years ago, Karen Ely walked away from her life – including her 32-year marriage—to embark on a journey toward a more authentic and stronger sense of herself. Today she helps women create lives of meaning through her company, A Woman’s Way. A Woman’s Way programs provide women with a safe space away from the demands of daily life, offering them guidance and tools to navigate through life's challenges and transitions, and supporting them toward the vibrant, meaningful, joyful life of their dreams. Find inspiration in Karen’s message of reflection and renewal when she joins Host Kate Ebner for a conversation about finding yourself on August 26. Karen will offer guidance and tips on how to deepen your connection with your highest self and live life consciously and joyfully.
How can we train the business world to practice mindful leadership? Seven years ago, executive coach and Zen teacher Marc Lesser teamed up with a Google engineer and Stanford neuroscientist to take on this challenging proposition for Google. They developed a ground-breaking curriculum to help thousands of employees at Google be more resilient, adaptive and happier leaders. The team eventually brought this currciulum to offices worldwide and developed the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) to support their work and mission. SIYLI is committed to the radical idea that work can not only be fun, enjoyable and a place to get things done, but also a place that creates the conditions for world peace. Join Host Kate Ebner and SIYLI co-founder and CEO Marc Lesser, author of Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, to learn the Google method of creating better leaders and inspiring a more peaceful world.
Does the 21st century require a new approach to leadership? Is there a leadership approach or method that creates transformational change? Join Dr. Carol Pearson, author, educator and world-renowned expert on depth psychology and transformational leadership to learn why her answer to these questions is yes. Recently, Dr. Pearson led a three-year research project sponsored by The Fetzer Institute on the theory and practice of transformational leadership. The resulting book, The Transforming Leader: New Approaches to Leadership for the Twenty-first Century, provides a provocative exploration of transformative leadership in the modern context. Dr. Pearson has developed a well-founded view of the leadership traits most necessary now - and which traditional traits that we have previously valued can be left behind. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn why we can be hopeful for the future, the role of intuition in leadership, and why we shouldn’t look for leaders with all the answers.
We are working harder, faster and longer than ever before. As we race to get ahead (and catch up), we may become exhausted, discouraged and even ill. Research shows that relentlessly “firing on all cylinders” without allowing time to renew can lead to serious negative consequences professionally, personally and physically. Taking a personal retreat provides a chance to catch up with oneself and regain the perspective and energy needed for a healthy, successful and fulfilling life. Leadership coaches Chris Wahl and Kate Ebner lead retreats that inspire, recharge and nourish executives facing big challenges. Chris and Kate will share what they’ve learned about why retreats are important, what makes a great retreat, and even how to design one that’s just right for you. Join us for an hour that will help you unplug, remove the noise, and give you just what you need.
“Follow your passion!” sounds like great advice – until its time to get a job and disillusionment sets in. Cal Newport teaches computer science at Georgetown University and also writes Study Hacks, a blog on decoding patterns of success that attracts over 100,000 visitors a month. In both his blog and new book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Newport asks why some people create successful, enjoyable and meaningful lives while so many others do not. A self-described geek, he is not interested in simplistic slogans (“Follow your passion!”), or conventional wisdom (“Successful students are all joyless grinds.”) Instead, he dives deeper, looking to decode the often nuanced patterns that happy, engaged people employ to succeed. Newport uses his personal experience in a way that makes his findings valuable for anyone at any stage of life. Join Host Kate Ebner for a scientist’s take on self-help that will move you beyond the conventional thinking on career advice.
What's so different about the millennial generation anyway? What will leadership look like when this ever-texting generation takes the helm? Every month, we read articles and news about the Millennials, but do these cover stories really get the story right? On August 5, Host Kate Ebner and Nebo millennial leader Rachel Wold will interview one thought leader who specializes in understanding the characteristics and trends of the generation that's shaking up the workforce. As Senior Vice President at Scratch, a “SWAT team across Viacom,” Anne studies what makes millennials tick, jump for joy, and yes, open their wallets. Join us for this myth-debunking conversation that will open your eyes to a future led by this fascinating generation as they make their mark in the working world.
Have you ever wondered what makes a team work? Leaders who are aware of the challenges and benefits of teams can lead more powerfully and make decisions that will maximize the effort of the collective. As team coaches know, without the foundations of common purpose, mutual accountability, and clear goals, even teams with talented people can get caught in conversations that go nowhere and create results that are less than desired. Great teams are made up of much more than individual skills. In the second part of their series on teams, guest host Chris Wahl and Alexander Caillet will explore some of the most important qualities of teams, and how both team leaders and members can cultivate those elements to create high performing teams that achieve desired results. Both Chris and Alexander are leadership coaches who have worked extensively with teams at a variety of organizations. Join them on July 29 for practical tips and strategies that can help your team perform for greater results.
Humans, with a population of 7 billion people and growing, increasingly depend on engineers for our survival and quality of life. Yet the engineering pipeline is threatened as fewer students choose the profession, in part because they must survive a math-science death march and in part because the journey is viewed as a lonely survival of the fittest. Dr. Dave Goldberg wants to change that. Drawing on a 34-year career as engineer, educator and coach, Dave seeks to rewire engineering education so that it entices young people and motivates them to become whole-brained, -bodied and -hearted engineers. This show explores the surprising path to a whole new engineer that runs through emotional variables such as trust, courage, connection and vulnerability. The result of this shift is a generation of engineers unleashed to face the biggest challenges of our times. Join guest host Nancy Lamberton on July 22 to hear the vision of one of the most cutting-edge innovators in education.
What if you could increase the number of possible outcomes in any given situation? Would you? If you answered yes, tune in to the July 15th show when leadership coach and author Douglas Silsbee explains the connection between mindfulness and visionary leadership. You'll learn the limitations of the autopilot state most of us live, work and play in, also known as our habit nature and how expanding your state of mindfulness frees up a great capacity of our mental space to observe, ruminate, create and envision. Join Host Kate Ebner and Doug Silsbee, author of Presence-Based Coaching andThe Mindful Coach, and an expert in presence-based leadership for a fresh perspective on this current topic.
Many dream of undertaking a quest into nature, but few actually pursue this idea. Middle-aged, overweight and acrophobic, newspaperman Tom Ryan and his miniature schnauzer, Atticus M. Finch, were an unlikely pair of mountaineers, but, as a tribute to a friend who died of cancer, they began a journey of endurance and self-discovery together. Tom followed his dog up the highest peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains in the icy dead of winter, and they went on to attempt the 48 peaks of the White Mountains twice in one winter while raising money for charity. Since the publication of the book Following Atticus in 2011, thousands have been touched by Tom and Atticus’ story of friendship, perseverance, love and self-discovery. At the heart of this story is an extraordinary relationship that leads to personal transformation. On July 8, join Host Kate Ebner and Tom Ryan as they discuss the ultimate journey each of us takes -- the journey of discovering your true self.
Many people go to great lengths to become better leaders, but how often do they turn to the animal kingdom for lessons? On July 1st, join Host Kate Ebner as she explores the amazing truths about leadership that we can learn from horses. Kate will be joined by two expert equine trainers who teach leadership through their hands-on work with horses -- and one leadership coach whose career has been transformed thanks to a horse. Meet Ariana Strozzi of Skyhorse Ranch and author of Horse Sense for the Leader Within, Linda Kohanov, owner of Eponaquest Worldwide and author of The Power of the Herd: A Nonpredatory Approach to Social Intelligence, Leadership, and Innovation, and Mel Szarek, a Georgetown leadership coach who has taken profound lessons from her work with horses. Hear their stories and discover the lessons horses can teach us about energy, presence, mindfulness, group dynamics, leadership models, nonverbal communication and power styles.
We all know what teams are and have been a part of one at some point. But what makes an excellent team? Guest host and leadership coach Chris Wahl, MCC, welcomes fellow coach Alexander Caillet, a pioneer in the domain of team coaching, to explore this question. Organizations are increasingly turning to teams as a way of creating powerful synergies that produce extraordinary business results. Chris and Alexander will examine the balance of humanity with technical expertise, both of which are needed for teams to thrive, as well as what a leader and team coach can do to create sustained high performance over time. Alexander’s experience includes working with large corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and NGOs in over 30 countries and teaching as a faculty member of Georgetown’s Leadership Coaching Program. Join these two experts, who often work together to design and deliver coach training for teams, to gain insights and ideas that will strengthen your work on any team.
How can we train the business world to practice mindful leadership? Seven years ago, executive coach and Zen teacher Marc Lesser teamed up with a Google engineer and Stanford neuroscientist to take on this challenging proposition for Google. They developed a ground-breaking curriculum to help thousands of employees at Google be more resilient, adaptive and happier leaders. The team eventually brought this currciulum to offices worldwide and developed the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) to support their work and mission. SIYLI is committed to the radical idea that work can not only be fun, enjoyable and a place to get things done, but also a place that creates the conditions for world peace. Join Host Kate Ebner and SIYLI co-founder and CEO Marc Lesser, author of Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, to learn the Google method of creating better leaders and inspiring a more peaceful world.
Is it really possible to create a vision and then bring it to life? Find out! Join host Kate Ebner and guest host Chris Wahl, founder of the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program, for a special interview with four women who are living their visions. In January of 2011, Donna Friedman Meir, Helene Richman, Marijo Puleo and Sheila Harding were among a group of successful professional women who gathered for a women's visioning retreat in Frenchtown, New Jersey to answer the question, “What’s next?” At the retreat, they reflected on where they had been and what they truly wanted out of life. The retreat, guided by Kate and Chris, culminated in the creation of their own personal visions of their futures. Now, more than two years later, you can hear their visions and discover what they've learned as by living into vision. You will be astounded and reassured by the wisdom and pragmatism of our guests -- and by the way that visioning has changed their lives.
Do you have a vision for your life and career -- and a plan to make it happen? Many people hesitate to develop powerful and inspiring visions for their work and their lives. Yet being forward-looking is one of the five top characteristics of the best leaders. Join Host Kate Ebner and renowned Leadership and Life Coach, Talane Miedaner, author of Coach Yourself to a New Career, to discover how to create a career vision that will enable you to take charge of your career and your life. Learn how to translate your vision into strategies and tactics that lead to the results and outcomes you really want for your career and life.
As a young working mother in 1985, Barbara experienced the difficulties of finding quality childcare in Washington, DC. After being held up at gunpoint at her ice cream shop on Capitol Hill one too many times, she sold her first business and started White House Nannies. White House Nannies has set the gold standard for childcare in the DC metro area. Barbara is a highly regarded industry spokesperson and nanny expert with a reputation for setting the highest standards of professional excellence. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, CNN, NPR and Fox. What does this entrepreneurial leader know about raising a family with support from a nanny? Discover Barbara’s wisdom as Host Kate Ebner talks with her about her vision of how to support executive families while developing life-changing opportunities for nannies. Barbara will share tips working well with your child care provider – and how to select the right nanny. Don’t miss this Mother’s Day special interview!
When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, killing upwards of 220,000 people and injuring many more, Patrick Meier was horrified and wanted to help. Rather than donating to a disaster relief organization, like many people did, Patrick made a map. Through analyzing user-generated data from social media produced by people on the ground in Haiti, Patrick was able map important aspects of the crisis in close to real time. Seeing this data helped humanitarian workers quickly answer questions, such as, “Which areas lack access to water? What neighborhoods have run out of medical supplies?” Today, anyone who can read and click a mouse can make a difference in the aftermath of a crisis, thanks to Patrick’s pioneering work in the new field of crisis mapping. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn more about what it means to be a humanitarian in the digital age and discover how artificial intelligence is changing the face of disaster relief.
National Geographic Explorer Daniel Raven-Ellison is a geography teacher, but not in the traditional sense. Forget memorizing borders and rivers from maps- Daniel’s approach, sometimes called “guerrilla geography,” is all about getting out into the world, exploring anything and everything, and getting kids excited about non-textbook geography. He devises creative explorations, such as walking across the largest cities on Earth, taking photographs every eight steps to reframe how we think of them. Deeply committed to inspiring young people get off the computer and explore their surroundings, Daniel co-founded Mission:Explore to encourage children to embark on quirky and irreverent missions in their own neighborhoods. Daniel’s approach to geography asks, “How can we expect kids to grow up and change the world without exploring and understanding it firsthand?” Join Daniel and Host Kate Ebner for a fascinating conversation that will change your ideas about the meaning of exploration.
Inside the walls of the new Kakenya Center for Excellence in a remote district of Kenya, 155 girls are thriving thanks to the determination, optimism and sheer will of National Geographic Emerging Explorer Kakenya Ntaiya. Once a village girl herself, Kakenya bargained with her father to continue her education past the tradition age of 13 in exchange for participating in the local tradition of female genital circumcision. Today, in the region's first and only primary school for girls, students learn about health and leadership in addition to rigorous academics. Join Host Kate Ebner for an inspiring conversation with a true visionary whose dreams have taken her from a grass hut to a doctoral degree in the US – and whose heart has taken her back home to change the world.
Barrington Irving grew up in a rough neighborhood in Miami, convinced that a football career was his best shot at success. Just a few years later, after a chance meeting with a pilot, Barrington became the youngest person and only African-America to ever fly around the world solo. Today, he works to get kids excited about STEM fields through his nonprofit Experience Aviation. Barrington is currently planning another round-the-world flight in a plane he calls a Flying Classroom and this time, he's letting kids take the reins. Students around the globe will use science and math to make flight plans, navigate Barrington to his destination and even plan his meals. Barrington hopes the ensuing sense of accomplishment will build confidence in young students and spark a desire to learn more. Join Host Kate Ebner for a conversation with a National Geographic Emerging Explorer who's changing the conversation about STEM education in America.
“Some believe the golden age of exploration is behind us. On the contrary, I believe we are at the beginning of our greatest age of exploration,” commented Terry Garcia in a recent interview. Since joining National Geographic Society more than a dozen years ago, Garcia has implemented a vision of exploration that has revitalized the Society’s mission programs and defined exploration in the broadest sense. Responsible for the Society’s core mission programs, which support and manage more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually, Garcia is in a unique position to comment. Join Host Kate Ebner to kick off a month dedicated to exploration with a truly visionary leader whose work connects science, research, education and even entertainment to bring the mysteries of our planet to all of us.
As a girl growing up in the 50’s, young Anne Firth Murray observed that her brother was allowed to do things that were off limits to her because she was a girl. Later, through jobs at the UN and the Hewlett Packard Foundation, Anne observed the many ways that women were treated differently than men despite the quality of their work. Frustrated by traditional philanthropy’s lack of interest in women’s issues, Anne and three other visionary women forged a new path, founding an highly successful organization, the Global Fund for Women, to grant funds directly to women-led organizations – a strategy unheard of in the early 80’s. Join Kate Ebner for a provocative conversation with Anne, Nobel Peace prize nominee and professor at Stanford University, as she shares how her experiences have shaped her vision of an approach that can change the world. Learn about Anne’s astonishing Stanford course, “Love as a Force for Social Justice” -- and be inspired by the wisdom of Anne’s timely message.
Does the 21st century require a new approach to leadership? Is there a leadership approach or method that creates transformational change? Join Dr. Carol Pearson, author, educator and world-renowned expert on depth psychology and transformational leadership to learn why her answer to these questions is yes. Recently, Dr. Pearson led a three-year research project sponsored by The Fetzer Institute on the theory and practice of transformational leadership. The resulting book, The Transforming Leader: New Approaches to Leadership for the Twenty-first Century, provides a provocative exploration of transformative leadership in the modern context. Dr. Pearson has developed a well-founded view of the leadership traits most necessary now - and which traditional traits that we have previously valued can be left behind. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn why we can be hopeful for the future, the role of intuition in leadership, and why we shouldn’t look for leaders with all the answers.
Dr. Jalaja Bonheim teaches women a form of leadership grounded in the feminine: circle work. Founder of the Institute for Circlework, Jalaja's process draws on research and age-old practices that demonstrate societies are more peaceful when women hold more power. An international leader whose mission is to support inner and outer peace through the circle method, Dr. Bonheim trains women leaders in the Middle East and other parts of the world to use the circle to heal and build peaceful relationships with their neighbors. A visionary for our shared global future, she teaches the relational skills and processes that help us connect not only with those who share our values and views, but also with those who see the world completely differently. Don’t miss the chance to learn from the wisdom, vision, and guidance of Dr. Jalaja Bonheim.
Women comprise roughly half of the workforce, but only 3.2 percent of the Fortune 500 CEOs. Only 14.4% of executive officers in the Fortune 500 are women. Meet two talented senior executive women who are working to change those numbers. Senior Vice Presidents Karen Dahut and Susan Penfield of Booz Allen Hamilton are bringing along the next generation of women leaders inside the firm and beyond. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear the advice, wisdom and perspective of these two savvy executives whose visions of leadership are as much about giving back as about moving forward. Whether you are an aspiring professional woman or simply want to learn from top leaders whose personal experience yields lessons for us all, you’ll be inspired.
Today, many debate the future of higher education and wonder how well a liberal arts education prepares young people for the future. At Middlebury College, Professor Jessica Holmes is demonstrating how a liberal arts education translates into skills and perspectives that develop future leaders. Each January, 40 students set aside their political theory, literature and language textbooks and dive into an intensive program called MiddCore, a highly interactive course that stretches students beyond their comfort zones to become budding entrepreneurs and leaders. The program taps into diverse mentors who are leaders in their fields to give students a taste of real world challenges and strategies that go beyond the typical classroom lesson. Join Associate Professor of Economics and Director of MiddCore Jessica Holmes and Host Kate Ebner to hear how this blend of practical experience, mentorship, leadership practice and academic work is changing perceptions of what the liberal arts offer.
Since its original printing in 1987, The Leadership Challenge has been reprinted multiple times and more than a million copies sold worldwide. Jim Kouzes and his colleague, Barry Posner, based their work on extensive global research, exploring the fundamental questions of how and why leadership matters. The results of their research are go to resources for leaders across all sectors. Join Host Kate Ebner and Jim Kouzes on Monday for an exploration of the five practices of exemplary leaders -- and a look at how vision plays a role in becoming a leader who inspires commitment, loyalty and productivity in others. You will learn why experience alone does not equate to success. Leaders who heed Jim's message will learn proven practices for developing the skills, behaviors and perspectives needed for greatness as a leader.
Does the term “angel investing” conjure up thoughts of billionaires from Silicon Valley swooping in to give a start-up the boost it needs to make its mark? This is no longer the typical face of angel investing. All around the country, groups of investors are forming angel networks in which they pool their funds and make investment decisions together. New Dominion Angels is one such group. Join Co-founders Mike McGinley and Frank Ball for an inside look at how angel investors are seeding the great ideas of local start-ups. Operating in Virginia, New Dominion Angels supports early-stage companies in the region. Mike and Frank will help you understand how to think like an investor when you work on your business or your big idea. And if you’ve ever considered being an angel investor, this conversation may move you to action.
After a globe-hopping career including stints in academia, serving in the White House under her fellow Georgian Jimmy Carter and over 30 years of experience as an international mediator, Dr. Merle Lefkoff became frustrated with the traditional conflict resolution model and decided that an entirely new diplomatic paradigm was urgently necessary to maintain any hope of peace in the 21st century. With this mission in mind, Dr. Lefkoff sprung into action, turning to the relatively new field of Complexity Science for inspiration. After a period of study, Merle founded the Center for Emergent Diplomacy, a social profit organization dedicated to bringing new approaches to diplomatic and leadership challenges. Through projects as diverse as working on a National Happiness project with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, storytelling with young activists in the Middle East and peace-making with women in the Balkans, Merle Lefkoff is creating a powerful global network of grassroots leaders for peace.
Have you ever felt a sense of oneness with the whole world? Maybe it was during a religious service, on the top of a mountain or during a particularly intense session on the yoga mat? If not, meet Aryae Coopersmith. Aryae is the author of Holy Beggars, an account of his experience in the spiritual revolution that occurred in San Francisco in the 1960’s. Aryae wants to each and every person to experience their own personal spiritual revolution and in pursuit of this, he is transitioning from a successful career running the HR Forums in Silicon Valley to found One World Lights, an organization that aims to cultivate visionary leadership in every citizen by inspiring connection, community and caring through circle-style meetings. This is the third installment in a month-long series on circle leadership. If you thought that 60’s on Haight and Ashbury were all about sex, drugs and rock and roll, don’t miss this fascinating guest’s conversation with host Kate Ebner.
What would the world be like if we let love and compassion guide our actions, commitments and relationships? Join Host Kate Ebner and her guest, Kay Sandberg, founder of Global Force for Healing, to learn how this organization expresses its mission through high impact global projects that demonstrate love as a primary force for transformation, healing and sustainability. Kay's wisdom and vision about how to create a positive impact for women, children, and grassroots communities will inspire and enlighten you. Kay will address important distinctions regarding leadership, collaboration, partnership and how to convene diverse stakeholders for positive results. This program is the first in a series dedicated to the principles of circle leadership.
How can we bring peace to a violent world? Join Host Kate Ebner as she explores the answer to this question with two founding members of the Dalai Lama Foundation, Tenzin Tethong, former Representative of the Dalai Lama in the US, and Darlene Markovich, President of the Committee of 100 for Tibet. With a mandate from the Dalai Lama himself, the Foundation works for a more peaceful world by reaching people through educational initiatives and raising awareness. The Foundation’s innovative programs, include study circles, classroom curriculum, and a multi-artist project entitled The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama Foundation illuminates the principles of circle leadership and reinforces that each person can contribute something to the global endeavor for peace. This program is Part 2 of a five-part series on visionaries using circle leadership to manifest big changes in the world. Don't miss this extraordinary conversation!
What would the world be like if we let love and compassion guide our actions, commitments and relationships? Join Host Kate Ebner and her guest, Kay Sandberg, founder of Global Force for Healing, to learn how this organization expresses its mission through high impact global projects that demonstrate love as a primary force for transformation, healing and sustainability. Kay's wisdom and vision about how to create a positive impact for women, children, and grassroots communities will inspire and enlighten you. Kay will address important distinctions regarding leadership, collaboration, partnership and how to convene diverse stakeholders for positive results. This program is the first in a series dedicated to the principles of circle leadership.
Join Host Kate Ebner for the return appearance of Bette George, whose show last December on how to ring out the old year and envision the New Year was one of our most popular programs. This year, Kate and Bette will report back on how they did with the New Year's intentions that they set for 2012, even as they share another creative and meaningful approach to ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Research tells us that New Year's Resolutions last about three weeks on average. Discover an alternative way to set yourself on a path to fulfillment and success in 2013. Bette and Kate will offer a method you can try yourself or with friends to bring closure and celebration to 2012 and a fresh, positive start to 2013.
The New Year always invites us to make bold resolutions and start anew. Yet, year after year, how many of us look regretfully at the year behind, vaguely remembering our lost resolutions? Join Host Kate Ebner and her wise friend, Leadership and Life Coach Bette George for a conversation about how to close this year and begin 2012 with a strong sense of purpose, renewal and direction. Kate and Bette will explain why New Year's resolutions often don't work and will show you how to use visioning to bring new energy and possibilities to your life in the year ahead. You will enjoy the guidance and resources provided to make the upcoming year your best ever. This show is a visioning how-to with a focus on 2012.
Join Host Kate Ebner for the return appearance of Bette George, whose show last December on how to ring out the old year and envision the New Year was one of our most popular programs. This year, Kate and Bette will report back on how they did with the New Year's intentions that they set for 2012, even as they share another creative and meaningful approach to ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Research tells us that New Year's Resolutions last about three weeks on average. Discover an alternative way to set yourself on a path to fulfillment and success in 2013. Bette and Kate will offer a method you can try yourself or with friends to bring closure and celebration to 2012 and a fresh, positive start to 2013.
Sometimes a vision comes to life and inspires yet another vision. Join Host Kate Ebner and her guests, Lloyd Raines, Julie Shows, Alexander Caillet and Darcie Milazzo to hear the story of how the leadership coaching program at Georgetown University sparked the launch of the new Institute for Transformational Leadership. When founder Chris Wahl created a leading edge coaching program in 2000, she wanted to connect the power of the coaching conversation with the challenges of organizations and leaders. Today, the original program has graduated more than 1000 leadership coaches and inspired the creation of an institute whose mission is to provide transformational educational experiences to leaders worldwide. Discover how an idea becomes a vision, a vision becomes a plan and a plan moves into being. You'll be amazed at the power of this vision -- and the passion of the Georgetown faculty and staff who've brought it into being. Best of all, the new Institute offers something for you.
Your company is trying to develop the technology that will change the world. Who do you need on your team? An engineer, a computer scientist and....a biologist. Yes, a biologist at every technology R&D meeting is what Janine Benyus, founder of both the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute envisions for the future. Biomimicry, a term coined by Benyus in the mid-90's, is an emerging discipline that uses brilliant designs and strategies developed by nature over the last 4 billion years and applies them to solve problems for humans. Biomimicry hopes to transform the world into a more sustainable place by mimicking the ways ecosystems are self-sustaining in nature. By looking to the natural world for inspiration, biomimicry challenges the conventional wisdom that man-made technologies are inherently superior to what we find in nature and asks, What does nature do better than humans ever could imagine?
We all want to find our purpose -- that thing that makes us feel like our life matters. Legendary coach, author and vitality expert Richard Leider defines purpose as that deepest dimension within us that tells us who we are, where we came from, why we’ re here, and where we’ re going. Purpose fills us with passion, drive and direction. When all else seems unsettled, uncertain, or impermanent, purpose gives us the will not just to live, but to live long and well. Purpose is not for a gifted few, but something each one of us possesses and can uncover. Vision without purpose is meaningless. Over three decades, Leider’s extraordinary exploration of his own life purpose has taken him all over the world -- and his research about the importance of purpose has shed light for millions. Join Kate to learn how his experiences with the indigenous people of Tanzania inform his vision.
In these challenging times, many Americans have lost faith in the American Dream – a promise that includes a chicken in every pot, financial success for those who work hard and pursue higher education, and prosperity that increases unfailingly generation after generation. Wendy Philleo, Executive Director of The Center for a New American Dream, will help us look at what has become of the old American Dream. Wendy offers a powerful new vision that showcases new pathways that promote a more socially and ecologically balanced society. She invites us to examine how we define success as a society. In the spirit of the season, Wendy will also share a refreshingly non-commercial vision for the holidays that puts the meaning and cheer back into December.
What are the five most common happiness mistakes that parents make? Join Kate Ebner next week to find out as she interviews Dr. Christine Carter, a sociologist and happiness expert at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. Christine Carter, Ph.D. is the author of RAISING HAPPINESS: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. Dr. Carter also writes an award-winning blog, which is syndicated on the HuffingtonPost and PsychologyToday.com. Known for her parenting and relationship advice, Christine draws on psychology, sociology, and neuroscience -- and her own chaotic and often hilarious real-world adventures to demonstrate the do's and don'ts of parenting in action. Through her book, online coaching, and speaking engagements, Christine has helped thousands of families raise happier and more resilient children. Join us on Monday to learn how your vision of a happy family can be realized.
Nationally recognized as an innovative and ground-breaking educator, Irasema Salcido, counting the Declaration of Independence as one of her inspirations, has dedicated her life to ensuring that the poorest students receive the best education and can live the American dream as fully participating citizens. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Irasema came to the United States at age 14 without speaking a word of English. Overcoming the language barrier, she persevered, completing an undergraduate degree in California and a Masters degree in Education from Harvard University. Guided by her strong faith, today she is the CEO of the Chávez Schools, named after her role model César Chávez. Listen to this story of courage, dedication and service with Host Kate Ebner as Irasema shares the vision that illuminates her path -- and the perspective gained from 15 years of hard work that is changing a broken system and opening doors to the future for disadvantaged young people.
Robert Egger stood in the rain, serving food purchased at grocery stores to hungry people when it occurred to him: we can do this better. Since 1989 when Egger opened the nation’s first community kitchen, DC Central Kitchen, the Kitchen has produced more than 23 million meals and helped more than 800 men and women gain full-time employment. A champion of the role that nonprofits play in communities, Egger has become one of the most influential leaders and humanitarians in the world on the subjects of hunger, sustainability, the non-profit sector and the future of America. Don’t miss a conversation with this astonishing leader as host Kate Ebner catches him preparing to head west to LA to establish L.A. Kitchen, which this futurist envisions as the forefront of a new era of inclusion and health for elders.
“Follow your passion!” sounds like great advice – until its time to get a job and disillusionment sets in. Cal Newport teaches computer science at Georgetown University and also writes Study Hacks, a blog on decoding patterns of success that attracts over 100,000 visitors a month. In both his blog and new book, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Newport asks why some people create successful, enjoyable and meaningful lives while so many others do not. A self-described geek, he is not interested in simplistic slogans (“Follow your passion!”), or conventional wisdom (“Successful students are all joyless grinds.”) Instead, he dives deeper, looking to decode the often nuanced patterns that happy, engaged people employ to succeed. Newport uses his personal experience in a way that makes his findings valuable for anyone at any stage of life. Join Host Kate Ebner for a scientist’s take on self-help that will move you beyond the conventional thinking on career advice.
Lynne Twist changes the world with her presence. A founding staff member of The Hunger Project, Twist began as a fundraiser inspired by Buckminster Fuller to end world hunger. Her path has taken her to some of the most resource rich and resource poor places on the planet where she has shaped global initiatives that bring hope and sustainability through the practice of a philosophy grounded in the principle of sufficiency. Over three decades, Lynne has worked with Mother Teresa, Deeprak Chopra, corporate CEOs, billionaires and indigenous people around the world. Her perspective is profoundly wise, practical, simple and easy for each one of us to understand. She has inspired a movement of people exploring how to transform their relationship with money and the world for a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Twist’s work guides the approach of The Nebo Company. Don’t miss this powerful and inspiring conversation between luminary Lynne Twist and host Kate Ebner.
Your company is trying to develop the technology that will change the world. Who do you need on your team? An engineer, a computer scientist and....a biologist. Yes, a biologist at every technology R&D meeting is what Janine Benyus, founder of both the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute envisions for the future. Biomimicry, a term coined by Benyus in the mid-90's, is an emerging discipline that uses brilliant designs and strategies developed by nature over the last 4 billion years and applies them to solve problems for humans. Biomimicry hopes to transform the world into a more sustainable place by mimicking the ways ecosystems are self-sustaining in nature. By looking to the natural world for inspiration, biomimicry challenges the conventional wisdom that man-made technologies are inherently superior to what we find in nature and asks, What does nature do better than humans ever could imagine? Join Kate Ebner and Janine Benyus, biologist, innovation consultant, and author, for a conversation that invites you to look for solutions to life's challenges in nature.
When Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman sees an empty city lot, he sees a potential garden, a community ready to happen – and the promise of a food revolution. Over the past 16 years, Cimperman has brought international recognition to Cleveland as a pioneer in passing urban farm zoning legislation at a time when no other city in the U.S. has done so. The champion of gardeners and advocate of “food justice” sees himself as deeply in service to the citizens of Cleveland who “educated” him about how to help them protect urban gardens on vacant lots – and protect communities in doing so. Join Host Kate Ebner for a conversation with a passionate visionary whose work is paving the way for cities around the world.
“It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens to you.” That sentence guides the path of a leader whose life story plays like a movie. It’s also the mission statement of his foundation, One Revolution, which is dedicated to changing the way the world sees people with disabilities by highlighting our universal struggle. Chris Waddell was a promising young skier at Middlebury College in 1988 when a skiing accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Waddell’s journey to dare and ultimately to live fully is a source of inspiration today for everyone he meets. Join Host Kate Ebner to experience the voice, heart and spirit of the legendary Paralympic medal-winning athlete Chris Waddell, the first paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro unassisted and perhaps the only one to be named by People Magazine as “one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”
Riverkeeper Fred Tutman speaks for the water. Often, his canoe is his office as he patrols Maryland's Patuxent River. Tutman has served as the Patuxent Riverkeeper since leaving law school in 2004. A tireless advocate for the river, he grew up along its banks as did seven generations of his family before him. Since then, Tutman has dedicated his life to protecting the 110-mile river, winning awards and accolades for his efforts to protect and restore clean water in the Patuxent and its connected ecosystem. In his vigilance on behalf of the Patuxent, Fred has come to see the relationship between people and our waterways as a shared opportunity for stewardship and community even as he has become the leader of a growing watershed movement. Host Kate Ebner and Fred Tutman invite you to join them in exploring Fred's vision of clean water and healthy communities.
CFP Louis Barajas’ financial advice for entrepreneurs is based on his understanding that people don’t want to just make millions, they also want to make a difference and live a fulfilling life. Named one of America’s Top Advisors by Money Magazine, Louis helps small business owners create wealth and happiness through their businesses. His five books, including Small Business – Big Life, are bestsellers. Louis’ advice works powerfully whether you are making $25,000 or $250,000. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn from Louis how to make your vision real by thriving in your business and in your life.
Do you want to create your own vision using a tried-and-true visioning process? Do you wonder if the visioning process really works? Join host Kate Ebner for an interview with Dr. Lucia Capacchione, best-selling author of Visioning ®: 10 Steps to Designing the Life of Your Dreams and 11 other books about creativity. Widely acclaimed for her ability to catalyze innate creativity and inner wisdom, Lucia Capacchione’s methods, inspired by 10 years spent as a Disney Imagineer, are now being applied in education, medicine, mental health, the arts and the entertainment industry. Her 10-step process guides you through the creation of your own powerful and inspiring vision. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn exciting insights from a pioneering and accomplished visioning expert who can tell you how to create your own vision -- and make it real.
Do you get in your own way? Does your inner critic -- that voice in your head -- interfere with your ability realize your potential? Most people admit that their negative self-talk can sabotage their own success. For more than 30 years, Rick Carson’s seminal book, Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way, has been a consistently strong seller. Carson discovered his “gremlin-taming” method in the 70’s while working families and individuals in Chicago. No matter what the “presenting problem,” he found that positive changes could happen only when people learned how to handle their critical inner voice as they step up to their inner challenge. Learning to cope with your Gremlin is an essential-- and practical -- part of visionary leadership. Find out why as Host Kate Ebner invites you to learn how to tame your gremlin with Author, Trainer and Executive Coach Rick Carson.
What is the real nature of transformation? What kind of leadership is required to achieve it? Transformation is a shift in the nature of things. If we maintain the old conversations about making the world predictable, measurable, individual-focused and leader-driven, nothing will change. Yet change is needed. Today, leadership requires sophistication in how we convene people and the conversations we host. Leaders must value listening over speaking, relationship over technology, gifts over deficiencies and possibility over problem-solving. Transformational leadership is about being host, not hero. Join Host Kate Ebner and Change Leader and Peter Block, change leader and best-selling author of The Abundant Community, for a big conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about leadership -- and shares what you can do as a citizen to shape our future. This program is an invitation into possibility and transformation for leaders and communities.
Drawing on the research behind his best-selling book, The Next Level, top executive coach Scott Eblin has uncovered the behaviors that leaders need to pick up and let go of in order to succeed when expectations change. When different results are expected, you need to adapt quickly to lead at the next level. The challenge for leaders today is how to meet high expectations while still having a life. In this episode of Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life, Kate and Scott will discuss how he uses his Life GPS® planning tool to help leaders establish an operating rhythm that meets their expectations not just at work but at home and in the community as well. A member of the Georgetown leadership coaching faculty, Scott brings deep and extensive expertise to bear on how to develop the intentions and routines that can take your career and life to the next level. Join Kate and Scott for a conversation that could be a game changer for you.
Did you know that the beliefs you have determine how successful you are? Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference. Cultivating a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, sports and all aspects of life. Join Host Kate Ebner and Carol Dweck, one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of motivation and the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, to learn firsthand the new psychology of success – the mindset that will help you to realize your dreams.
CFP Louis Barajas’ financial advice for entrepreneurs is based on his understanding that people don’t want to just make millions, they also want to make a difference and live a fulfilling life. Named one of America’s Top Advisors by Money Magazine, Louis helps small business owners create wealth and happiness through their businesses. His five books, including Small Business – Big Life, are bestsellers. Louis’ advice works powerfully whether you are making $25,000 or $250,000. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn from Louis how to make your vision real by thriving in your business and in your life.
How do visionary leaders actually inspire powerful results? What do visionary leaders do that may not be understood by others? After 41 shows, Host Kate Ebner shares what she's learned from the rich conversations each week on Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life. This show will help you take in the wisdom, insights, strategies and tactics of inspiring leaders so that you can incorporate them into your own leadership style and life. Kate distills the perspectives of many into simple, easy-to-use knowledge that you can apply immediately. She'll share Nebo's five-step vision process and explain each step so that you can lead vision development in your own organization. This show is the Cliff Notes on visioning and a great way to bring focus and clarity to your own vision.
We all want to find our purpose -- that thing that makes us feel like our life matters. Legendary coach, author and vitality expert Richard Leider defines purpose as that deepest dimension within us that tells us who we are, where we came from, why we’ re here, and where we’ re going. Purpose fills us with passion, drive and direction. When all else seems unsettled, uncertain, or impermanent, purpose gives us the will not just to live, but to live long and well. Purpose is not for a gifted few, but something each one of us possesses and can uncover. Vision without purpose is meaningless. Over three decades, Leider’s extraordinary exploration of his own life purpose has taken him all over the world -- and his research about the importance of purpose has shed light for millions. Join Kate to learn how his experiences with the indigenous people of Tanzania inform his vision.
Do you want to create your own vision using a tried-and-true visioning process? Do you wonder if the visioning process really works? Join host Kate Ebner for an interview with Dr. Lucia Capacchione, best-selling author of Visioning ®: 10 Steps to Designing the Life of Your Dreams and 11 other books about creativity. Widely acclaimed for her ability to catalyze innate creativity and inner wisdom, Lucia Capacchione’s methods, inspired by 10 years spent as a Disney Imagineer, are now being applied in education, medicine, mental health, the arts and the entertainment industry. Her 10-step process guides you through the creation of your own powerful and inspiring vision. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn exciting insights from a pioneering and accomplished visioning expert who can tell you how to create your own vision -- and make it real.
Published in 2006, Letters to My Younger Self launched a new career for Ellyn Spragins, the award-winning journalist, columnist, and editor. Ellyn interviewed prominent women and asked them to reflect on a time in the past when they were struggling. Ellyn then asked them what they would write to their “younger self” in a letter to help their younger selves navigate the difficult time. These letters, once published, inspired readers everywhere to write such a letter and – voila! Today, Letters To My Younger Self® Seminars and Workshops around the world for corporate women’s leadership programs. She has inspired corporate leaders to share their inner wisdom at visionary organizations such as Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis. Join Host Kate Ebner to find out how and why to write your own Letter to My Younger Self. Discover how looking backwards can inspire your vision of the future and your actions in the present.
As CFO and Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy of the NASDAQ OMX, Adena Friedman learned how to negotiate and lead major business deals. The New York Times called it a “coup” for the Carlyle Group in 2011 when they hired Adena away to become their CFO, the American-based global alternative asset management firm. For this Baltimore native who makes her home in suburban D.C., the move meant saying “yes”to the only other company she wanted to work for – and being closer to home after years of commuting to NYC. Host Kate Ebner and Adena Friedman will explore how “saying yes” has been a central strategy for this visionary leader and working mother of two. Join Kate for a fascinating glimpse into the mindset and timely vision of one of the most accomplished leaders in the financial sector.
As a young girl growing up in California, Mary Morton loved stories, art and learning. Today, as the curator of French paintings at the National Gallery of Art, Mary is living her dream job. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear about Mary’s journey and how her early passions influenced her mission to introduce the public to works of genius. If you’ve ever visited an art museum, but haven’t been sure about how to experience it, this show is for you. If you ever wondered if the old masters are becoming obsolete, listen to Mary’s perspective. If you dream of doing something with your life that opens others up to a big experience, don’t miss this live conversation with Mary Morton. Her vision will help you to see differently.
In business, we often start the growth conversation with a discussion of constraints. As a result, we get results that are only incrementally better than our starting point. This week's guest, Tim Ogilvie, reminds us that breakthrough results come from envisioning an inspiring future and asking What's missing? instead of What's wrong? Design thinking marks a sea change in how businesses create value, and it relies on empathy, exploration, and iteration, skills that connect deeply to what makes us human. As CEO of Peer Insight and co-author of the book “Designing for Growth”, Tim's philosophy is to help clients and collaborators discover their innate competence at these critical skills for the future. It's part mindset and part methods, and it represents a proven approach to make your vision real. Join Host Kate Ebner and Tim Ogilvie to explore the four essential questions that shape the design thinking process, questions that can catalyze your business -- and your life.
Chris McGoff has spent 30 years helping governments and organizations to engender new, transformative possibilities for a better world. He has developed THE PRIMES, a comprehensive approach to helping organizations reach consensus and solve problems of consequence. THE PRIMES are universal and unavoidable patterns of group behavior that emerge whenever people attempt to transform or change systems or collaborate to solve complex problems. Once mastered, THE PRIMES become a force that drives intended outcomes. At the World Bank, Chris helped the organization create a new formula for aid allocation that minimized the problem of corruption and renewed the Bank’s power to address global poverty. Chris is the founder of The Clearing, Inc., a management consulting firm that uses THE PRIMES to support large scale problem solving and transformation projects throughout the world. Join Host Kate Ebner to discover this powerfully simple, visionary approach to the most difficult problems you face.
Conservation is a uniquely American ideal – affirmative, optimistic and forward-looking in nature. Yet in recent times, the conversation and effort to protect the environment has fallen back into old tactics of fear and criticism. Trout Unlimited CEO Chris Wood is the innovative leader of an exceptional conservation organization that has embraced a philosophy and vision of “collaborative stewardship.” Despite lean times, TU has exceeded its fundraising goals and continues to build support for its results-focused work. Learn how this visionary leader is driving big results in challenging times through a powerful, positive vision that invites us all to get involved. Join Host Kate Ebner to discover the mindset and approach that distinguishes TU and powers its mission.
When Maggie Little assumed directorship of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, she inherited a major transition -- and an opportunity to develop an innovative vision to carry the Institute into the rapidly changing future. First, Maggie had to rethink the funding model. Then, she needed to persuade the University and supporters to see the big vision that was evident to her and invest in it. Third, she needed to enlist her staff to create needed change while creating new capacities. Find out what Maggie did next and how she is leading one of the world’s premier bioethics institutes into a future that is even greater than its storied past. This program is a must-listen for any leader who has stepped into an established organization with the assignment to take it to the next level. Join Host Kate Ebner to discover what Maggie Little knows about leading change to manifest vision – real time!
As a young working mother in 1985, Barbara experienced the difficulties of finding quality childcare in Washington, DC. After being held up at gunpoint at her ice cream shop on Capitol Hill one too many times, she sold her first business and started White House Nannies. White House Nannies has set the gold standard for childcare in the DC metro area. Barbara is a highly regarded industry spokesperson and nanny expert with a reputation for setting the highest standards of professional excellence. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, CNN, NPR and Fox. What does this entrepreneurial leader know about raising a family with support from a nanny? Discover Barbara’s wisdom as Host Kate Ebner talks with her about her vision of how to support executive families while developing life-changing opportunities for nannies. Barbara will share tips working well with your child care provider – and how to select the right nanny. Don’t miss this Mother’s Day special interview!
“Some believe the golden age of exploration is behind us. On the contrary, I believe we are at the beginning of our greatest age of exploration,” commented Terry Garcia in a recent interview. Since joining National Geographic Society more than a dozen years ago, Garcia has implemented a vision of exploration that has revitalized the Society’s mission programs and defined exploration in the broadest sense. Responsible for the Society’s core mission programs, which support and manage more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually, Garcia is in a unique position to comment. Join Host Kate Ebner to kick off a month dedicated to exploration with a truly visionary leader whose work connects science, research, education and even entertainment to bring the mysteries of our planet to all of us.
Ken Banks was one of four children raised by his mother after his father passed away early in his childhood in England. Resources were tight and his mother worked hard to support her family. Despite hardships, Ken has always seen himself as lucky. He is well known as an innovator, mobile technologist and anthropologist and the founder of kiwanja.net, enabling communications channels for communities in the developing world by leveraging mobile phones and text messaging through offline computers. Ken found his life path by accident: a broken leg while working at a primate sanctuary in Africa led to a big life change -- the discovery of a life work that has truly switched me on. Since then, this National Geographic Society Explorer has devoted his life to the application of mobile technology for positive social and environmental change in the developing world, winning major awards for his work. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear Ken’s wisdom, experience and his truly inspiring vision.
Dr. Hayat Sindi loves to “make science come out of the book by making it an affordable tool.” This vibrant National Geographic Emerging Explorer is a biotechnologist working to bring affordable health care to remote, impoverished communities using simple, affordable low-tech solutions. As a child in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Hayat understood that science is a universal language, like music, love, food and family. Today, she brings passion and focus to the i2 Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity, just one of the many reasons she was chosen as one of the 100 most powerful Arab women in the world Arabian Business. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation as Kate Ebner invites Hayat to share her vision and show us how the universal message of science can connects us and transform how we live around the world.
In 2010, UNICEF reported that only 10% of rural Haitians and less than 25% of those in cities had access to adequate sanitation facilities. People are forced to find ways to dispose of their wastes, often in the ocean, rivers, ravines, plastic bags, or abandoned houses. At the same time, agricultural output is low due to poor soil fertility, soil erosion and lack of fertilizers. Since 2006, Dr. Sasha Kramer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of SOIL (Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods), has been bringing EcoSAN (Ecological Sanitation) to Haiti – a low-cost approach to sanitation where human wastes are collected, composted and recycled for use in agriculture and reforestation. Recognized by Huffington Post as a “Greatest Person of the Day,” the work of this National Geographic Explorer is inspiring. Join guest host Erin Doherty Gregg to hear how Dr. Sasha Kramer is working with disempowered people and discarded materials, turning apathy and pollution into valuable resources.
As a child in East Jerusalem, Aziz Abu Sarah witnessed the deaths of many people he knew in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Like most, he was filled with desire for vengeance, especially after the death of his beloved older brother. Today, however, this National Geographic Society Explorer is an award winning peace activist, writer and teacher who is exploring innovative new ways to create dialogue, understanding and common goals between people around the world who are locked in conflict. What happened that led Aziz to this extraordinary life work? Join Host Kate Ebner to hear Aziz’s astonishing story and find out how he sees opportunities for peace where others see none.
“Some believe the golden age of exploration is behind us. On the contrary, I believe we are at the beginning of our greatest age of exploration,” commented Terry Garcia in a recent interview. Since joining National Geographic Society more than a dozen years ago, Garcia has implemented a vision of exploration that has revitalized the Society’s mission programs and defined exploration in the broadest sense. Responsible for the Society’s core mission programs, which support and manage more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually, Garcia is in a unique position to comment. Join Host Kate Ebner to kick off a month dedicated to exploration with a truly visionary leader whose work connects science, research, education and even entertainment to bring the mysteries of our planet to all of us.
Elle Carberry envisioned raising her family in China before she even had one. She also envisioned a more sustainable world where business leaders from global blue chip companies collaborate to develop green technology that simultaneously improves our standard of living and the sustainability of resources on the planet. Watch out, World! When Elle envisions something, it happens. Elle moved her family to China in 2002 to work for IBM in Asia. Today, Elle is the co-managing director and co-founder of The China Green Tech Initiative, a unique collaboration of companies – both Chinese and International working together to promote green technology markets in China. Elle is living a double dream making a BIG contribution towards a more sustainable world through better business AND raising her children with the skills and experiences that will help them contribute to a global future.
Since Delivering Happiness: A Path to Passion, Profits and Purpose was published in 2010, Zappos has become world-famous for its fantastic company culture, its standard-setting customer service and its innovative methods of hiring, developing and retaining great people. Jenn Lim put together the book with author, CEO Tony Hsieh, and then launched the book into a bus tour and an entrepreneurial start-up called Delivering Happiness. Learn how Jenn and her “rogue” team are seeding a Happiness Movement and hear how this young professional found her calling and her own career path in a tough job market. Host Kate Ebner will explore how the mission to “deliver happiness” illuminates the power of culture on business results -- and what Jenn can teach us all about being happier.
Who says you can’t have a meaningful career, a fulfilling personal life and a thriving family? Meet Whitney Forstner of Momentum Resources. After establishing herself professionally and beginning to raise a family, Whitney and her partner, Tanya Cummings struggled to find the right balance between work and family. Together, they decided to tackle the common goal of a balanced career and a successful life. Conversations with other women led them to believe they were not alone in the quest for balance – and thus, Momentum Resources was born. Since opening its doors, this innovative job placement agency has pioneered matching smart professionals who want to work part-time or flexible hours with companies that want the same thing. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn about how this new model works and the dramatic benefits for working parents and top employers – from Fortune 200 companies to start-ups.
Kelly Lewis was a hard-working, high achieving corporate executive until she woke up one day and realized that her true mission was to teach leadership to others. Today, through The Bounce Collective, Kelly brings some of the most innovative and experiential leadership development programs imaginable to corporate leaders – experiences that connect them with themselves, their local community, the joy of service to others and --- well, young people! Bounce’s innovative model helps accomplished leaders see themselves with fresh eyes while learning how to lead with authenticity, meaning and effectiveness. Better together – a philosophy, a model, an invitation, and a proven approach to building a truly inspiring team of great leaders. Don’t miss this powerful conversation between Visionary Leader Kelly Lewis and Host Kate Ebner!
When Andrew Kutt founded Oneness-Family School in Chevy Chase, MD, he imagined a place where children learned firsthand that the world is one family. North Branch School Founder Tal Birdsey wanted to build a school for middle school kids in Vermont’s Green Mountains that celebrates the complexity and individuality of children at that often misunderstood age. Laura Kang stepped into the role of Head of School at Eagle Cove School on the Chesapeake Bay because she was drawn to its mission of academic excellence, joy in learning and stewardship of community and environment. These leaders share a common mission to instill joy, confidence and love of learning in students – the success of their schools gives testimony to the difference they are making. What can we learn from them about creating schools that educate the whole child? Join Host Kate Ebner to discover the passion, innovation and philosophies that underlie three powerful visions – and how to take these ideas into your community.
The year: 1970. The opportunity: to create a national public radio network that brought high quality original radio programs to listeners across the nation. Don Quayle had already played a key role in building a radio network that linked the major cities of the northeast when he agreed to the job of President of the newborn National Public Radio station. Don't miss a chance to hear the original vision and the fascinating story of how public radio came to life as Host Kate Ebner visits the past with Don Quayle.
American business executive Geraldine Laybourne has been a groundbreaking pioneer in the field of cable television programming. Recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the television industry, she helped turn the children's network Nickelodeon into one of the most powerful in television, and in 2002 she launched Oxygen, a new cable network geared exclusively toward women. Known for her out-of-the-box management style, creative drive and commitment to collaboration, Laybourne’s innovations have not been limited to television. The Mentor Walk events that she started in the U.S. have expanded to eight Mentor Walks worldwide. Her passion for helping other women to advance as leaders is a key part of her vision and extraordinary life. Join Host Kate Ebner for a conversation with Gerry Laybourne that will inspire you to think boldly and awaken the vision within you.
“It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens to you.” That sentence guides the path of a leader whose life story plays like a movie. It’s also the mission statement of his foundation, One Revolution, which is dedicated to changing the way the world sees people with disabilities by highlighting our universal struggle. Chris Waddell was a promising young skier at Middlebury College in 1988 when a skiing accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. Waddell’s journey to dare and ultimately to live fully is a source of inspiration today for everyone he meets. Join Host Kate Ebner to experience the voice, heart and spirit of the legendary Paralympic medal-winning athlete Chris Waddell, the first paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro unassisted and perhaps the only one to be named by People Magazine as “one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.”
Conservation is a uniquely American ideal – affirmative, optimistic and forward-looking in nature. Yet in recent times, the conversation and effort to protect the environment has fallen back into old tactics of fear and criticism. Trout Unlimited CEO Chris Wood is the innovative leader of an exceptional conservation organization that has embraced a philosophy and vision of “collaborative stewardship.” Despite lean times, TU has exceeded its fundraising goals and continues to build support for its results-focused work. Learn how this visionary leader is driving big results in challenging times through a powerful, positive vision that invites us all to get involved. Join Host Kate Ebner to discover the mindset and approach that distinguishes TU and powers its mission.
We all want to find our purpose -- that thing that makes us feel like our life matters. Legendary coach, author and vitality expert Richard Leider defines purpose as that deepest dimension within us that tells us who we are, where we came from, why we’ re here, and where we’ re going. Purpose fills us with passion, drive and direction. When all else seems unsettled, uncertain, or impermanent, purpose gives us the will not just to live, but to live long and well. Purpose is not for a gifted few, but something each one of us possesses and can uncover. Vision without purpose is meaningless. Over three decades, Leider’s extraordinary exploration of his own life purpose has taken him all over the world -- and his research about the importance of purpose has shed light for millions. Join Kate to learn how his experiences with the indigenous people of Tanzania inform his vision.
Do you have a vision for your life and career -- and a plan to make it happen? Many people hesitate to develop powerful and inspiring visions for their work and their lives. Yet being forward-looking is one of the five top characteristics of the best leaders. Join Host Kate Ebner and renowned Leadership and Life Coach, Talane Miedaner, author of Coach Yourself to a New Career, to discover how to create a career vision that will enable you to take charge of your career and your life. Learn how to translate your vision into strategies and tactics that lead to the results and outcomes you really want for your career and life.
As the recent Penn State scandal reminds us, child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic around the world. In the U.S., a shocking one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their eighteenth birthdays. Meet Michele Booth Cole, Executive Director of Safe Shores -- The DC Children's Advocacy Center, an organization dedicated to working directly with child victims of sexual and physical abuse in Washington, D.C. From the front lines, Michele has developed her own urgent and compelling vision of a society in which children are safe -- and adults act as a community to keep them that way. Join Host Kate Ebner to learn how to create safety for children in your community. You will be inspired by Michele’s courage and the work of her organization.
The New Year always invites us to make bold resolutions and start anew. Yet, year after year, how many of us look regretfully at the year behind, vaguely remembering our lost resolutions? Join Host Kate Ebner and her wise friend, Leadership and Life Coach Bette George for a conversation about how to close this year and begin 2012 with a strong sense of purpose, renewal and direction. Kate and Bette will explain why New Year's resolutions often don't work and will show you how to use visioning to bring new energy and possibilities to your life in the year ahead. You will enjoy the guidance and resources provided to make the upcoming year your best ever. This show is a visioning how-to with a focus on 2012.
You may have an inspiring vision or goal, but do you have the courage to act on it? Join Host Kate Ebner and Master Leadership Coach Chris Wahl for a powerful conversation about how to move in the direction of your vision, even when circumstances seem to conspire against you and the path isn’t obvious. An expert on adult development and personal transformation through leadership, Chris Wahl brings a compassionate and motivating perspective to the topic of navigating personal and professional transitions. Wahl is a pioneer in the field of coaching and founder of Georgetown’s well-known leadership coaching program that is renowned for delivering transformational learning experiences. You will learn how to approach your own transition with courage, humor and perspective.
The New Year always invites us to make bold resolutions and start anew. Yet, year after year, how many of us look regretfully at the year behind, vaguely remembering our lost resolutions? Join Host Kate Ebner and her wise friend, Leadership and Life Coach Bette George for a conversation about how to close this year and begin 2012 with a strong sense of purpose, renewal and direction. Kate and Bette will explain why New Year's resolutions often don't work and will show you how to use visioning to bring new energy and possibilities to your life in the year ahead. You will enjoy the guidance and resources provided to make the upcoming year your best ever. This show is a visioning how-to with a focus on 2012.
In this era of increasingly complex problems and shrinking resources, can we find meaningful and enduring solutions to the challenges we face as individuals, communities, and nations? On Monday, December 12, 2011, Visionary Leader Deborah Frieze proposes a bold solution to the seemingly unsolvable problems around us. Deborah challenges us to walk out of limiting beliefs and assumptions and walk on to create healthy and resilient communities. Co-author with Margaret (Meg) Wheatley of the book, Walk Out Walk On: A Learning Journey into Communities Daring to Live the Future Now, her vision is based on the core belief that our communities have the intelligence, ingenuity, caring and inventiveness to solve our toughest problems -- and we can do this by stepping into a new paradigm for living.
In these challenging times, many Americans have lost faith in the American Dream – a promise that includes a chicken in every pot, financial success for those who work hard and pursue higher education, and prosperity that increases unfailingly generation after generation. Wendy Philleo, Executive Director of The Center for a New American Dream, will help us look at what has become of the old American Dream. Wendy offers a powerful new vision that showcases new pathways that promote a more socially and ecologically balanced society. She invites us to examine how we define success as a society. In the spirit of the season, Wendy will also share a refreshingly non-commercial vision for the holidays that puts the meaning and cheer back into December.
Leadership presence is the difference between leaders who inspire us and those who don't. Host Kate Ebner and CranioSacral Therapist Suzanne Scurlock-Durana have collaborated to bring Suzanne's creative approach to energy and presence to leadership coaches working with executives wanting to improve their leadership presence. As teacher, energy therapist, author and speaker, Suzanne has developed life-changing tools for stress-management and full body presence. She is passionate about teaching skills that allow people to feel the joy of being present in each moment without burning out. Her own inspiring vision is to shift the paradigm from a world of people who are disconnected to the wisdom of the body to a world of embodied and awakened people who know how to draw upon and sustain the body as our most valuable resource. Join Kate and Suzanne to learn how to develop your presence as a leader -- a presence that will ground and support your vision, helping you to bring it fully to life.
Big vision. Big life. Big inspiration. What's a former teacher doing producing award-winning digital media experiences for kids and families and live action TV shows? Meet Maggie McGuire, Vice President, eScholastic, Kids and Parent Channels Online. Renowned for her energy, passion, creativity and her phenomenal record of developing learning products for the technologically savvy kids of today and their parents, Maggie McGuire knows how to inspire a love of learning. Join Host Kate Ebner to find out what Maggie means when she advises us to Choose happiness every day and “Do what you love.” Learn Maggie's pay it forward approach to work, raising a family, and her life -- a values-based philosophy that inspires the people around her to think bigger, bolder and braver. Maggie will let us in on her personal vision for herself and her family -- a vision that guides and shapes her life and career.
You may have an inspiring vision or goal, but do you have the courage to act on it? Join Host Kate Ebner and Master Leadership Coach Chris Wahl for a powerful conversation about how to move in the direction of your vision, even when circumstances seem to conspire against you and the path isn’t obvious. An expert on adult development and personal transformation through leadership, Chris Wahl brings a compassionate and motivating perspective to the topic of navigating personal and professional transitions. Wahl is a pioneer in the field of coaching and founder of Georgetown’s well-known leadership coaching program that is renowned for delivering transformational learning experiences. You will learn how to approach your own transition with courage, humor and perspective.
Women comprise roughly half of the workforce, but only 3.2 percent of the Fortune 500 CEOs. Only 14.4% of executive officers in the Fortune 500 are women. Meet two talented senior executive women who are working to change those numbers. Senior Vice Presidents Karen Dahut and Susan Penfield of Booz Allen Hamilton are bringing along the next generation of women leaders inside the firm and beyond. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear the advice, wisdom and perspective of these two savvy executives whose visions of leadership are as much about giving back as about moving forward. Whether you are an aspiring professional woman or simply want to learn from top leaders whose personal experience yields lessons for us all, you’ll be inspired.
A substantial number of our nation’s schools are in poor or dangerous conditions – they harbor unhealthy levels of dust and mold, making the air unfit to breathe. With 20% of our country in school, Rachel Gutter recognized a need for making schools healthier and higher performing, while saving energy and taxpayer dollars. Rachel brought this idea to the forefront of today’s education discussion, and aims to have green schools for everyone within this generation. Join Kate and Rachel to learn how her work through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools is driving improvements in the lives of children and teachers around the country – and educating a new generation of sustainability natives, students fluent in the language of green. All in a day's work, Rachel has met with former presidents, toured cities with mayors, lunched with the First Lady and been featured on CNN. You’ll love the gutsy story of how this English major landed her dream job greening our schools.
Luck Companies is no ordinary company and Mark Fernandes is no ordinary executive. While it's rare enough to find a family-owned company that has enjoyed continued success for more than eight decades, Luck stands out in another way. It is a mission-driven company whose vision of the future includes igniting the human potential of every single employee, and external groups as well, every single day. Meet Chief Leadership Officer Mark Fernandes who has grown with the company over more than 20 years and learn how he develops and retains high-performing talent by inspiring people to bring their best to accomplish big, visionary business goals. Mark sees himself as caretaker of a mission that is the secret to Luck’s extraordinary success. His passion and perspective as a business leader will inspire you, too.
What will the workforce of the future look like? What kind of work will we be doing? Where and how will we work? Will robots do our work?
Join Host Kate Ebner and Guest Margaret Regan, President and CEO of The FutureWork Institute for a look into the future. Regan, an expert in workforce planning, helps companies to see what’s coming - and get prepared. “I’m never surprised,” says Regan. “At the FutureWork Institute, we see the future.” That future includes virtual company meetings that enable an entire international workforce to participate fully, robots that are already doing some work better than humans, and a vision of diversity that includes personal “enhancements” that dramatically improve human capabilities. As work becomes evermore global and technology changes our possibilities, the very nature of work is undergoing a transformation right before our eyes. Do you see it? Learn how to understand and anticipate the future by tuning in to Visionary Leader, Extraordinary Life.
What is enough? Enough time...enough wealth...enough material possessions...even enough self-development? When we realize, even for a moment, that all we need is right in front of us, the possibilities for our lives begin to shift dramatically. Seven Stones Leadership founders, Jen Cohen and Gina LaRoche, share an alternative approach to the pursuit of endless abundance that can show us all how to live together more sustainably, happily and harmoniously in spite of lean times. Join Host Kate Ebner and her guests for a discussion of a powerful – even radical – new context for the American dream: the context of exquisite sufficiency. We will explore how believing in scarcity drives us in ways that do not serve us – and how sufficiency can be the antidote to anxiety, fear, distraction and shame. Jen and Gina will help you see a future you can believe in for your own life, one that will lead to a sustainable life for all.
How does our past inform our future? What does education owe the young people of today? What does The University of the South have to teach us about the future? These are just a few of the questions that Host Kate Ebner will explore with Dr. John McCardell Jr., Vice Chancellor of Sewanee, The University of the South and former President of Middlebury College. Dr. McCardell, a well-known Civil War historian, reminds us that “memories give meaning to the past and inspire hope for what is to come.” Dr. McCardell has provided visionary leadership in two academic institutions, calling for a bold forward-thinking plan that honors the past while establishing a clear new path toward the future. Today, Dr. McCardell is guiding The University of the South to envision and become the southern liberal arts college of the 21st century. Dr. McCardell is recognized nationally for his strong stand that young people should be given opportunity, accompanied by both accountability and responsibility.
In business, we often start the growth conversation with a discussion of constraints. As a result, we get results that are only incrementally better than our starting point. This week's guest, Tim Ogilvie, reminds us that breakthrough results come from envisioning an inspiring future and asking What's missing? instead of What's wrong? Design thinking marks a sea change in how businesses create value, and it relies on empathy, exploration, and iteration, skills that connect deeply to what makes us human. As CEO of Peer Insight and co-author of the book “Designing for Growth”, Tim's philosophy is to help clients and collaborators discover their innate competence at these critical skills for the future. It's part mindset and part methods, and it represents a proven approach to make your vision real. Join Host Kate Ebner and Tim Ogilvie to explore the four essential questions that shape the design thinking process, questions that can catalyze your business -- and your life.
He calls it the “coolest, weirdest job” out there, but Ross Martin is turning heads across industries as a visionary leader in the business of creativity, innovation and strategy for Viacom Media Networks.
As Executive Vice President and Founder of Scratch, Martin leads a new kind of creative team within the walls of Viacom Media Networks, a cultural force that's transforming how brands connect with audiences and consumers in powerful, new ways.
A master of collaboration, Martin draws his inspiration from “the visionaries around me” and is known for his ability to encourage creativity, passion and genius in his teams.
Join Host Kate Ebner and Visionary Leader Ross Martin for a lively conversation about practical benefits of cultivating out-of-the-box thinkers and his own inspiring path.
A stellar career in television. Boundless work opportunities. A beautiful family at home. And a vision that puts it all in perspective. Amy Friedman is a visionary creative executive who has started her own company so that work can support life, not consume it. Join Host Kate Ebner to hear Amy Friedman, Nickelodeon’s former Creative Director, share how she did it, what she’s learned and how you can create a vision to guide your own life.
Our world is on an unsustainable path. Scientists warn that we are rapidly approaching dangerous tipping points after which life as we have known it will be irreversibly changed. At the same time, we are poised on the verge of a possibility so magnificent that we can barely imagine it. Using technical and social solutions already available, we can safeguard our planet’s capacity to sustain life – now and for future generations. Jim Kiles has dedicated his life to developing living networks for positive change. Drawing on his background as a media guru and successful entrepreneur, Jim now leads FOUR YEARS. GO., an innovative global campaign inviting people to take individual and collective action towards a more just and sustainable future. FOUR YEARS.GO is on a mission to shift the course of the future in just four years time! Join Kate Ebner and Jim Kiles as we explore this audacious call to action and hear Jim articulate a vision of the future that will inspire you to take a stand.
Our world is on an unsustainable path. Scientists warn that we are rapidly approaching dangerous tipping points after which life as we have known it will be irreversibly changed. At the same time, we are poised on the verge of a possibility so magnificent that we can barely imagine it. Using technical and social solutions already available, we can safeguard our planet’s capacity to sustain life – now and for future generations. Jim Kiles has dedicated his life to developing living networks for positive change. Drawing on his background as a media guru and successful entrepreneur, Jim now leads FOUR YEARS. GO., an innovative global campaign inviting people to take individual and collective action towards a more just and sustainable future. FOUR YEARS.GO is on a mission to shift the course of the future in just four years time! Join Kate Ebner and Jim Kiles as we explore this audacious call to action and hear Jim articulate a vision of the future that will inspire you to take a stand.
What is the story you’ve been telling about your life up until now? Whether or not you realize it, the way you think about and tell your own life story is having an enormous impact on your future possibilities. Host Kate Ebner and Dr. Neil Stroul of Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching Program, explore how the stories we tell about our lives – and the roles we assign ourselves in those stories – create conditions for success or may hold us back. In order to be visionary, we need to understand the relationship of past, future and present. Come listen to today’s show and find out how to learn from your life, and use your past as a catalyst for the success you really want today and in the future.
Do you have a vision for your life and career -- and a plan to make it happen? Many people hesitate to develop powerful and inspiring visions for their work and their lives. Yet being forward-looking is one of the five top characteristics of the best leaders. Join Host Kate Ebner and renowned Leadership and Life Coach, Talane Miedaner, author of Coach Yourself to a New Career, to discover how to create a career vision that will enable you to take charge of your career and your life. Learn how to translate your vision into strategies and tactics that lead to the results and outcomes you really want for your career and life.